A month had passed. The town ended up adopting in the poorer citizens, and many of the new ones were quite skilled in various trades. They simply didn't have the resources needed to work properly. Now the small village began to expand and grow into a bustling town. Jack still kept Jenna's home clear of all of it, though. He didn't want any of her old landscapes to change. She was also pregnant with his child. Her illness over the past couple weeks had confirmed it.

Since she was immune to the cold again, she was able to do a lot more outdoor work. But, it was only until her overprotective husband caught her and forced her back into the house. Jack didn't mind it, but Clifton was taking no chances.

"But, the sheep need to be fed!" she frowned.

"And I have it taken care of. Go relax," he ordered. When he left the small cabin to see to the sheep, she gave an irritable sigh.

"He's like this every time…" she muttered. Jack simply chuckled at her.

"Yes, I know. In a sense, I would be, too. But, only on the more strenuous chores," Jack smiled.

"You would think so," she said. "Feeding sheep should be no problem."

"And horses, too," he said. She could only nod at that.

"Why didn't I just belong to you, Jack?" she whispered. As much as he wanted to get up and hold her, he knew that Clifton was just outside.

"You know why," he said softly.

"I'm wondering now," she said. "If the first time we tried…if it made it so that only you could be with me after this."

"It may be possible. What more do we know? I've never done this before. I never bothered to."

"Would you do this with any others?"

"No. For making a future bride, then yes. But not like this. I can't. I don't want anyone else to be the mother of any children I make until a destined bride appears. I just can't do it."

"Okay," she trembled. Her hormones were acting up. This gave him the excuse he needed to get up and give her the hug she desperately needed. She pressed into him and took in a deep breath for control. He squeezed her and checked the wind to see how Clifton was.

"Ah. He's fixing up the heating pen for the pigs. That will take some time. As much as I'd make it longer, I really shouldn't."

"Why not?"

"Because, if I suddenly need to leave, he's going to need to be here for you," he said gently. She could only nod at that. "But, that doesn't mean I can't have a bit of fun with him!"

She blushed at that, and he took up his staff to blow on it. A chilling wind went right out the window. At the sudden swearing heard, Jenna burst into small giggles. When Clifton stormed in, he paused at her impish smile. "Did you have him do that?!"

"No. She was feeling distressed, and I wanted to cheer her up," Jack chuckled. Clifton sighed, shook his head with a mutter, and went back outside.

"Don't do it again!" he said, as he closed the door.

"I'll wait five minutes," Jack smirked. Jenna just shook her head and pulled his head down to kiss fiercely. He knew he wanted her, but it was just too risky to do so just yet.

"When he's away," she mumbled and kissed him again.

"I know," he growled and forced himself to back down. "He's coming back in."

"I don't care," she shivered, but it wasn't from the cold.

"Later," he promised. She could only nod and go back to preparing their supper. "By the way, Loo Chon wants to get married by next week."

"Does he?" she smiled. He was purposely changing the subject when Clifton came in.

"What's this now?" Clifton asked.

"Loo Chon wants to get married to Kaitlin. It's true that she's a couple years younger than normal, but he believes that it's time. Even if they don't create children right now, he wants to start playing the part. She's ready to move in with him, too," Jack said.

"And how do you know this?" Jenna asked.

"I just heard them talking about it. Jarlin is asking about his own place, too. Timothy, as well. The children want to leave the nest and branch out. Not too far, though. Even they want to see what their new brother or sister will be," he chuckled. Clifton could only chuckle back. "I do have a question for you. Since she's immune to me, for some odd reason, is she cold to you?"

"Come to think of it, no. She's just fine," Clifton seemed to shrug. "I keep getting the thought that this one is different. Almost like Kaitlin, but…"

"Clifton! There you are!" McGreggor said when he trudged in. "We got an influx of orders at the forge. I need your help."

"Oh? All right. You'll be fine, Jenna?" Clifton asked.

"Yes. I'll be fine," she beamed at him. Jack could only breathe a sigh of relief at the master smith's sudden appearance. I do not want to talk about Jenna's pregnancy right now! When the two of them left, he made sure they were a good distance away. Then he turned and pulled Jenna to him.

"An hour," he muttered and kissed her in a branding way.

"Just one?" she asked and groaned when he loosened the strings on her bodice.

"Yeah," he grunted out with impatience. It was taking too long. Another precious five minutes passed before he felt her warmth. He gave out a sharp cry when he lost himself in her. At her heightened cry, he felt his body spasm. He was still gasping for air when he finally began to recall where he was.

"Jack…" she whispered.

"Yes?"

"I want to know…that if…something happened to Clifton…not that I want anything to…"

"My love, you know that if something happens to him, I'd right there at your side. I'll ensure he lives for as long as possible. His children do need him. If he goes before you, I will ensure you are never alone," he vowed. "Don't even think about that outcome right now."

"Okay," she smiled and let him kiss her thoroughly.

"He's almost done. We need to dress," he said lightly. "I'm just glad that Marigold is at the forge today, too. Jarlin has her working with some strength tests to rebuild the muscle she lost. She really needs it. However, we have to dress now."

"I know," she smiled. He helped her up and was only elated that he could actually hold hands with her now. As much as she could be his bride right now, he knew this effect may be only temporary. I need a bride that is permanently immune to me. The knowledge fully stung. He also knew that Jenna wasn't immortal. Something told him that the bride destined for him would be fully immortal. "Jack? Is something wrong?"

"I don't want to lose you," he whispered and hugged her tightly to him. "I won't be able to bear it. I know I won't. I'll try and cope for a while, but…"

"How do you plan to tend to me?" she asked.

"Encase you in ice."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I likely…wouldn't be able to…bury you properly…until…"

"Hush," she whispered and hugged him back. "I know, Jack. All too well, I know this."

"Would you feel bad…if I sort of…shrined you…?"

"As long as you buried me after your bride was born."

"I know I would," he muttered.

"We always talk about this," she frowned and moved a hand through his hair.

"I know we do. It's because I care too much about you," he admitted. "Anyways, you may as well start cooking something. Clifton's almost here."

"Of course," she smiled. He kissed her and moved to settle in a chair. When she began to grumble, he listened in. Then he mused to himself.

"I'll pick some cheese up for you in a moment. Maybe after Clifton gets here," he said. Now she blushed at him. "You should know that I always overhear what you say."

"How could I forget?" she murmured. He cringed with desire at the tone she used. She gave a soft chuckle, but she went to carving up the ham he brought her. Then she had an idea and moved outside to grab a couple elk steaks. When she came back in, it was with a scowling Clifton.

"I don't want you going outside!" he said.

"I just wanted to get one or two of the long steaks," she sighed. "I had an idea on a new dish."

"You should be able to get them," McGreggor chuckled. "And, Clifton, don't be so hard on her. I can understand her going into the woods and such, but around the home should be no trouble."

"I just…" Clifton grumbled and seemed to pout at his master's glare. "Fine. I'll be more lenient with her around the home."

"Good. And, if he goes back on his word, you tell me!" McGreggor said to Jack.

"I'll do so with glee!" Jack grinned. Clifton gave Jack a dirty look, but he let Jenna go back outside to get the desired steaks she wanted. Then she moved them close to the fire to let them thaw a touch. The steaks were in the cold storage, so they were quite frozen. As this was happening, Jack asked, "So, what's going on? Anything I need to know about?"

"Some of the foresting needs to be cut back for new town growth," McGreggor said. "They want to move out this way, too."

"Ah, no. Jenna's land is to remain untouched," he said calmly. "You can easily expand north or south. I know this for a fact. The land around her place can just barely support this home. There is too much rock underneath for tilling. The grass that grows is just enough of the sheep here. It isn't good for suitable crops. Even past your smithy, the land is no good for building or farming."

"That's odd, then. Why are they saying that the town needs to be moved east?" the master smith frowned in thought. At the small sensation of displeasure given from Jack, it was only too obvious that he was going to find out.

"Give me a few minutes," Jack muttered and rose up smoothly from the rime-coated chair. Once he was out of the small home and hovering in the air, he began to listen for anything rather intensely. When he located who was talking about moving the town eastward, he homed in on the speaker. The man seemed to be standing on a box and calling out his reasons to the listening crowd. When Jack appeared, the crowd of people hushed in awe and backed away. He was seen at random here and there, so quite a few of the villagers knew who he was. "The lands south and north are perfect for building the town. Why do you insist on moving eastward?"

"You see?!" the man said and pointed at Jack. "This creature is keeping us from expanding!"

"Me? A creature?" Jack said and broke down into laughter. "Oh, you are pathetic! Have you looked at your reflection lately? Past Jenna's household, there is no other land. Trust me. I know this."

"He is right," another man said in response to Jack. "The land is too rocky."

"Exactly," Jack nodded. "South and north have perfectly fertile lands for cattle, building structures, and crops. I know this for a true fact. And past McGreggor's smithy is also not feasible. I think you just want to relocate Jenna's family, because you, yourself, desire where she lives. Don't you?"

The man's jaw dropped for a moment. That revealed his guilt in full. Then he said, "Such lies he speaks! I tell you! Lies!"

"I'm not hearing this anymore!" an older man said. "Old Man Winter's never lied to us! He protects us, too! I'm listening to him. Even I've noticed the land looks better north than south, too."

When the crowd dispersed to start plans to expand north, Jack gave an icy glare at the thin man on the box. He looked like he was in his early-forties and sported a brown beard. His green eyes were wide with disbelief that he was slighted like this. He was a trusted member of the town's council for quite some time from his father being on it. After this, his father would likely look down on him mildly, as well as the rest of the townsfolk. Now he was shaking and glanced down nervously at Jack's unblinking, icy glare.

"I think we need to talk. Privately," Jack seemed to smirk. When the air began to get colder, the man's teeth began to chatter. "Why do you want Jenna's family to move? There is no treasure there. Ah. Wait. I know you now. The beard hid you well. You're John. Aren't you?"

"Um…" he trembled.

"You are! You're the one that dared Jenna to go out into that snowstorm! Let me guess. You took a liking to her, she turned you down, and you've been trying to get at her ever since. Right?" Jack chuckled coldly. "I bet you were rather hopeful that she would die in the snowstorm, too…"

"I never wanted her to die! I just…" he started. Then he cringed at the wide-eyed look of mirth that he was given now.

"So…you knew she would suffer through it. Didn't you?" Jack mused. "What were you trying to prove that night? What were you attempting to do that would have prompted you to make such a dare? Did you know that she almost went home? That she wouldn't have cared about the teasing that happened? But, instead of berating you, I will thank you for making that dare. Because, if you didn't, I wouldn't have been able to fully appear in her life. Clifton wouldn't have become married to her and given her children. Oh, yes. I have so much to thank you for…"

"Um…you're welcome?" John shivered, as the air got colder.

"In fact, I dare you right now. To go up to Jenna and apologize for daring her. For after all these years of doing that to her. Since you didn't even bother to," Jack said calmly. "And, I further dare you to stand still when Clifton punches you in the face. You ran off to hide when he went searching for you before. You want to run off right now, don't you?"

"Uh…" he hesitated.

"And, if you don't accept my dare like she did to yours…" Jack grinned wickedly now. "you will pay the consequences from me. I will make you go through what she suffered that night. And I won't be there to help you. I'll give you one hour to make your decision. I suggest…either right or wrong. It doesn't matter to me."

"Ah…!" John seemed to whimper as the cold seeped through the heavy furs he wore.

"In the end…I always win!" Jack said with a bone-chilling grin. "Choose your fate however you like. You will get a form of justice in the end!"

When Jack simply disappeared in front of him with a heavy gust of wind, John found himself panicking. If I went out into the woods, I'm sure to die. The safest bet was to apologize to Jenna after all these years. Then, maybe if I survived it, I'll move away. He still lived in the family home, and he made his way back to it. Jack watched calmly and snickered at how his aging father simply ignored him and steadied himself on his oak cane. He warned his foolish son not to do anything. He had to earn his father's respect back.

When John was able to calm down his nerves, he walked out of the house. Right after he left, Jack appeared to approach the stern father. The older man looked over with a touch of surprise. He ran a hand over his trimmed, graying brown beard and asked, "And to what…honor…do I get from your visit?"

"A good question. Did you hear the conversation I had with John?" Jack asked calmly.

"No. My hearing isn't that good anymore," he sighed. Jack had made sure to keep his chilling aura down. Cold weather wouldn't do this man any good.

"Allow me to explain," Jack nodded. For five minutes he relayed the conversation. The older man was both amused and dismayed.

"If he accepts a bruised eye, I'll see him as trustworthy again. If he comes home on a stretcher…well…I'll grieve in my own way," he said with a mild mutter.

"He's on his way to get a bruised face right now. The stretcher may only be needed if he can't see straight," Jack chuckled. At that, the older man seemed to sigh with relief.

"He is my only child. My wife…passed on a few years back. I was hoping he would find a girl of his own. He's just…stubborn," he mumbled. "I warned him on this."

"If he learns from this, I can possibly help him find one to be at his side. It's what I did for Jenna's kids. I don't mind helping you, if you can keep him in line," Jack shrugged. At this news, the man turned to look at him with a touch of hopefulness. "You help me out, I'll help you out."

"Done!" the man nodded. "Do what you can for him."

"We have an agreement!" Jack chuckled and was gone soon after. As the elder man could only retain hopeful thoughts on his son finally getting wed, Jack was at Jenna's place to explain the issue.

"Very interesting. So, the one who sought to harm Jenna was the one causing the issues?" McGreggor frowned. Clifton was already steeling himself to punch his old friend's face in. Jenna could only sigh and shake her head.

"And you'll love this. If he lives through this moment, his father wants me to find him a woman!" Jack chortled. Clifton's jaw dropped. McGreggor laughed and slapped his knee.

"Well, I hope he treats her better than he could have possibly treated me! And he liked me?! All I got was nasty glances and rude comments from him," Jenna sighed.

"Oh, I know it. There were a couple of times I chilled his chair seat over when he tried to get really nasty with you, too," Jack chuckled. That got Clifton laughing. "Sometimes, when one tries to show that they are interested in another, they bully them. It's something they tend to do. I always enjoy bullying them back. It's a natural talent for me."

"As we know," McGreggor snorted. Jack chuckled again and looked over when the door knocked. The two wolves growled, but that was all they did. When Clifton answered the door, he gave a rather stern glare at John.

"Hi. Um…I came to apologize to Jenna," the bearded man cringed.

"After all these years? Humph! Why bother with it? We know it was you causing all the problems for us to move. What do you want now?" Clifton grounded out.

"Look, I know I was a moron for what I did. I just…didn't want to face the consequences. I was told that, if I didn't apologize, I would be spending the night in the forest. I don't want to freeze to death!" John grimaced. "So…it's easier to just…come here."

"Sure it is," Clifton grunted.

"Just let him apologize to me and be done with it," Jenna said. "I have enough going now, anyways. John, good to see you. Did you have something to tell me?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry for the dare."

"I accept the apology. Please go about your day," she said with a small nod. Jack wasn't too pleased with this outcome, but he knew that she was pregnant and trying to be polite. When Jarlin appeared with Marigold, he walked past John with an odd look.

"Who's he?" he muttered to his father. "I mean…I know he's a village council member…"

"Someone that almost killed your mother over a dare long ago," Clifton snorted. Now Jarlin froze with shock. "Oh. That's right! I never told any of you."

"Mom?!" Jarlin asked.

"Really, Clifton?" she asked her husband. At his small nod, she sighed. "Get your sisters here. We may as well have a group discussion."

"I'll get them," Jack said and quickly left.

"You'd better hide," McGreggor smirked at John.

"No. I'm done hiding," he said with a shake of his head. That had Clifton raise a brow, but he did nothing else. Within ten minutes, the room was filled with the young couples. Timothy clearly didn't look very happy about it. Marla was simply overly concerned for her mother. Even Kaitlin showed worry signs, as Loo Chon kept an arm around her.

"When your mother was fourteen, John dared her to pull an all-nighter in a fierce snowstorm one night long ago," Jack said calmly. "I found her near death and saved her life."

"I know you told us that it's how you found her, but it was because of him?!" Jarlin said angrily and pointed at John. Jack rose up his hands calmly.

"You should be thanking him, in all actuality. If it wasn't for that dare, none of you would be here," Jack said with a small smile.

"I'm not thanking him," Jarlin grumbled. As much as Marigold was showing appreciation for it, she knew how it was with the others. Even Loo Chon was showing his mistrust of the whole thing. He valued Kaitlin's family.

"Now, a question for you all," Jack said with wider smile. "His father wants me to find him a woman. For him to marry. What kind of woman do you think he should get?"

"Wait, what?!" John gaped.

"Get him one that can order him around," Loo Chon said.

"Um…" John blinked.

"He needs the discipline," Timothy added. Clifton was grinning from ear to ear.

"I'll find someone with that guideline," Jack nodded.

"Yeah, he needs someone with a backbone," Jarlin nodded.

"But, it must be an equal partnership, too," Marla said.

"I can agree with that!" Kaitlin giggled. John moped now. His fate was sealed. He was acting very much like a troubled teenager despite his age. And this was his main problem. He was sheltered under the wing of his father for so long that he didn't have the adult skills he needed to grow up properly in a mental way. Now he simply had no choice.

"I'll start looking for someone for him tomorrow. I know! I can check out the northern village where Blently came from. Horath, his father, may have an idea. I'll pay him a visit first thing. John, you can go home now. Your father is likely expecting you. And, ah, shave off the beard. Or at least groom it. You look like a rogue with it. I'm sure you want to look somewhat attractive for the new girl in your life. Right?" Jack smirked. John could only nod and sigh, as he left.

McGreggor and Clifton had to go back to the forge after that. The other three couples dispersed to do what they needed to do around the village. Jack judged that a couple hours were all that he and Jenna had together. On looking at him with a soft smile, she said, "I love you, Jack."

"I love you, too, Jenna. More than I can ever admit," he muttered and pulled her close to kiss passionately to prove his point.