A/N So... this is a multi-chapter piece that is a collection of oneshots that detail different christmasses within this universe. This one is detailing Jackie's first Christmas. She's around 4-days-old here.
I do not own Rise of the Guardians
Jackie's First Christmas
Sophie sat at the edge of her bed staring down into the cradle that had once belonged to the Bennett siblings before it was passed on to Sophie to be used for Jackie.
Sophie rocked the cradle the cool winter air blew the room through the window that had been opened, just a crack, so Jackie wasn't too warm.
Of course, it also meant that Sophie was cold which is why she was currently wrapped up in a sleeping bag in an attempt to stave off the cold.
It worked a little. Her body from the neck down was warm, but it also meant that she was still breathing in cold air.
Sophie coughed a little while still rocking her child before standing and closing the window. The room was cool enough having been opened all day. The soft click of the window shutting, however, seemed to be enough to wake Jackie because after a second she heard the cries of her newborn. Sophie turned and looked down at her little girl.
"Hey, Winter Sprite." She said with a whisper. "Merry Christmas." Sophie looked at her clock it was only around 5:30 and Jamie and her parents usually woke up around 6:00 on Christmas day, which meant that for the next half hour Sophie and Jackie had the house to themselves. The first thing she did, however, was take Jackie to the changing table and change her.
She stared down at Jackie stood and made her way downstairs humming "Carol of the Bells" as she made her way into the kitchen she walked into the kitchen and took a bottle out of the fridge and started to feed little Jackie, she slowly walked to the living room and sat down on the couch and just stared at her young daughter.
She hoped that Jack appeared today. He had never missed a Christmas in Burgess before. She hoped that what had transpired nine months before would not stop him from coming to Burgess, but he had also never had reason to avoid Burgess before.
She did not want to believe that Jack had stopped visiting Burgess because of her, but she also remembered waking up the morning after he had left, how Jack had not even afforded her a goodbye. She remembered waking up to an empty spot beside her.
He had not even afforded her a goodbye, who's to say he would afford her a visit to see how she was doing.
She wanted him to come, but she had no way of getting in touch with him, to tell him that he was now a father.
She could never go back to Jack Frost. Jack had been right all those months ago, their relationship could never have lasted- heck the both of them had been aware of it when they had started dating. But Jackie deserved to have her father in her life, would likely need her father in her life- especially if Jackie had inherited Jack's powers.
Sophie needed to talk to Jack, her daughter deserved that much. She looked down at Jackie and removed the now empty bottle from Jackie's mouth. She placed Jackie's head on her shoulder and started to pat little Jackie's back for a couple of minutes before Jackie burped. Sophie smiled and held Jackie as Jackie's eyes closed and when she went back to sleep.
"Oh, that is adorable. Now look at the camera"
Sophie turned to see her brother in his pyjamas with his Camera pointed directly at her. He smiled at her when she glared but turned off the camera. "When did you get up?"
"Around 4:30," Sophie said.
"That eager to open Christmas presents?" Jamie said jerking his head in the direction of the tree.
Sophie turned to look at the tree and stared at the small mountain of presents underneath it. "The only gift I want is not under that tree," Sophie said. Jamie scoffed at the corny line.
"He left you without a goodbye," Jamie said.
"I know, I would not take him back even if he begged, but Jackie deserves her father in her life. Will likely need him in her life."
Jamie sighed. "We'll figure it out."
Sophie knew that they would, she also knew that it would be easier if she had Jack around to help out.
She loved Jamie, but Jamie was loyal almost to a fault and had been angry when he found out what had happened. He had not stated that he and Jack were no longer friends, but Sophie had always been able to read her brother like a book.
It touched her, but it also made her sad to know that the brother who had once fought with Jack and the rest of the guardians now could not stand him.
"You don't have to hate him," Sophie said. "You are not betraying me if you still want to be friends with him. He used to be your favourite."
Jamie didn't say anything to that, instead, he looked down at the baby in her arms and held out his hands. "Can I hold my little niece?"
Sophie smiled and nodded handing Jackie off to Jamie.
"Hey, little one," Jamie said just as their parents came down the stairs.
"Ready to open your presents?" Mom said. She gave little Jackie a kiss on the forehead before Sophie could stop her. Jackie whined a little and Mom looked worried before she shrugged it off.
Sophie smiled. "Yeah, let's open these presents."
Mom decided to play 'Santa's Elf' and hand out the presents while Jamie gave Jackie back to Sophie and picked up his camera once again. Sophie, in turn, went to find the car seat and buckled Jackie into it.
Jamie received the first present that morning, he had handed the camera off to Mom who took the camera and started to film Jamie.
Jamie received a book of old and obscure fairy tales ("For inspiration" Their father said).
Next was Sophie who received a brand-new laptop ("Knowing you, you probably broke yours beyond repair two months after you got it." Jaime mocked her. Sophie had rolled her eyes but thanked Jamie nonetheless).
Next was little Jackie who got a little rattle from Sophie (or Sophie had paid for it with her allowance, Mom was the one who bought it when Sophie had been stuck in bed for the last month of her pregnancy.) Sophie waved the rattle in front of Jackie who took an immediate liking to it and reached for it. Sophie handed it to her and she started to play with it, by placing it into her mouth. Sophie chuckled a little and smiled.
Then there was a present to mom and dad from Sophie and Jamie who had been able to pool what little money they had and get them bottles of their favourite drinks, for mom a bottle of Armagnac and for dad a six-pack of beer.
And like that, they went around giving gifts to different people. Dad had felt the need to get Jackie something practical, like a three-month supply of diapers of different sizes for when she undoubtedly grew. Mom got Jackie an activity mat as well as some different sized clothes for when Jackie grew. While Jamie made her a scrapbook of stories about the different Guardians, like Santa Clause and Jack Frost, as well as some other 'mythical beings' written ("All true" Jamie whispered in her ear.)
Sophie's gifts included an old typewriter from Dad, as well as some new clothes from mom.
Jamie got a digital camera from Mom, and Sophie in the meantime had framed a picture of Jamie holding Jackie that she had had mom take a couple of days before. Fortunately, the Bennett household had photograph paper so she could just print it up at home then spent the next day or so painting the frame and decorating it with homemade snowflakes.
Jamie looked up at Sophie and smiled. "Thanks, Soph, I think this is my favourite."
Sophie had scoffed. "Only took like a day."
The most concerning though neither Jamie nor Sophie were about to bring it up was the fact that there were no gifts from Santa for Jackie this year. Sophie had looked around, but she couldn't find any gifts for Jackie from Santa this year.
Mom had asked what Sophie was doing, that she had given out all the gifts and Sophie had shrugged. "Hoping that maybe Jackie got a gift from 'Santa'," Sophie said.
Mom and Dad laughed but Jamie looked at Sophie in concern. "Don't worry she's too young to believe in Santa, she won't miss it if he 'forgot' this one year." Mom said. "Maybe next year he'll get her a few gifts."
Jackie, during the present exchange, had fallen back asleep her rattle fell to the floor. Sophie turned and carefully removed Jackie from the car seat and picked her up. "Let's get you in bed," Sophie said. "I think I could use a nap too."
"Don't forget the party tonight." Mom said. "Your cousins and Grandparents are coming over and they'll be wanting to see the baby."
Sophie sighed. "Mom she's not an animal at the zoo."
"She's the newest addition to this family." Mom said. "They want to see her."
Yeah as well as berate me for getting knocked up at 17. Sophie said she looked down at Jackie and back up at mom. "Fine, but I reserve the right to pull my daughter out if I think it's too overwhelming."
Mom sighed. "Jackie will be fine,"
20 people in the same house are generating a lot of heat. Sophie thought to herself. Jackie is not going to last an hour.
Not like Sophie could tell her mother any of this so instead Sophie smiled nodded and continued carrying her little girl up to the room they shared.
Carefully Sophie placed her daughter in her cradle before climbing into her own bed and falling back asleep.
Sophie looked through the wardrobe for something her daughter could wear for the night. Mom had left out the red and white ensemble that Sophie had to warn when she was a little girl, but Sophie had taken one look at it and discarded it, afraid that it would be too warm for Jackie.
Still, it did seem to be the best option out of everything there. They had no cotton baby clothes not yet, not while winter was still around.
It was a dress, meaning at the very least her legs would be exposed so they could be cool. The sleeves were short… and it wasn't made of wool.
Sophie but her lips and bit the bullet. Mom would be asking why she wasn't wearing the Christmas dress that had been laid out for her.
The party started at 8, Jackie was likely going to be tired and wanting to be in bed by 9:00 it would be fine.
By 7:55 Sophie and Jackie were downstairs, Sophie was wearing a dark black skirt and white stalking with a red long-sleeved shirt over it. Her feet were swollen and sore she had neglected to wear any high heels instead of opting for some comfortable slippers. With Jackie wearing the red and white Christmas dress that looked like something Santa's children would wear. (Or you know, the child of one of his fellow guardians).
Mom was putting on the finishing touches on the table, Jamie was on the couch, the tree had a bunch of new presents under it.
Sophie walked over to Jamie and sat down beside him.
"She is a newborn," Jamie said trying to console her from this morning. "Maybe her light hasn't shown up on the globe yet."
Sophie looked at Jamie. "Maybe." She said. "Hopefully I'll be able to get in touch with him next year."
Jamie wrapped his arm around Sophie and bopped Jackie on the nose. They turned around when they heard the doorbell ring, Mom stood up and hurried to the door.
Sophie's aunt and uncle and three cousins stepped through the door. Sophie took a deep breath and stood up with Jackie in her arms and walked over to the guests.
"Hey, Auntie Lissa," Sophie said.
Lissa a woman with short brown hair and grey streaks smiled at her before her eyes dropped down to look at little Jackie. "Aww and here's the baby," Lissa said holding her hands out as though to take the baby. "May I?"
Sophie could tell that Lissa was not really asking. "She doesn't like people holding her for too long," Sophie said.
Aunt Lissa wasn't paying much attention already pulling the baby out of Sophie's hands. "Oh, she is just the most adorable little girl."
"Yeah."
"And her hair, I see she inherited the Bennett family hair."
No, no she did not, her hair is white. Sophie instead smiled. "Appears to have."
The youngest cousin a little ten-year-old by the name of Jessica, who was the only one of her siblings to have blond hair. "Can I hold her?" She asked.
Sophie smiled. "Maybe in a few moments?" She said. "Let's wait for your mother to finish holding her."
"She's too little." Mom said.
"She's Ten, and she will be sitting on the couch when she does," Sophie said. "But I can't see why she can't hold my daughter."
Aunt Lissa turned to Sophie's mom. "It would mean a lot to her."
Before Mom could open her mouth to respond Sophie stepped in. "Excuse me, I am Jackie's mother. And I just told you that it was fine."
Lissa chuckled. "But we all know that most of the parenting is going to be done by your parents."
Sophie stepped back. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Your only 18, your priority should be school, so obviously your parents are going to take over."
Sophie looked at her Aunt for a moment wondering if Christmas night was really the night to be ripping into her aunt for making assumptions about how Sophie's daughter was going to be raised. Sophie decided however that she would not. So instead she took a deep breath, stepped forward and said as politely. "I think Jessica has waited long enough."
Lissa's eyes widened, but Jessica looked happy. Sophie patted little Jessie's head. "Go take a seat beside Jessie." She said.
Jessie nodded and all but ran to her seat. Then she turned and looked at her Aunt Lissa and smiled. "Well?"
For a moment it looked as though she wasn't going to do it but after a moment's hesitation, Jackie was back in Sophie's arms.
"Thank you," Sophie said coolly before she turned around and handed Jackie off to Jessica. "Here you go." She told Jessica. "Support her head."
"She's so cute," Jessica said. "And tiny."
"She was only born 4 days ago," Sophie said. "And she was even smaller than."
Jessica stared at the baby.
Sophie smiled and put a hand to Jessica's cheek. "If Jackie starts to cry, and I'm not around hand her over to Jamie," Sophie said putting a hand on Jamie's back. He smiled and snapped a picture of Jessica holding Jackie.
Sophie ruffled Jessica's hair before she stood. "I'm going to get a drink of water." She told Jamie before she walked off to the kitchen.
She grabbed a glass of water and took a deep breath before downing it in one gulp. Then she turned on the tap and wet her hands with cold water.
"Lissa did not mean anything by it." She heard her mother say.
"Auntie Lissa has no idea what my plans are," Sophie said. "And acting like I won't even be a parent to my own child is a step too far. I will not be under minded when it comes to Jackie – not even with you." Sophie said. "I appreciate the fact that you raised me, I appreciate the fact I live here, I appreciate your willingness to help me. But what Aunt Lissa did was out of line."
"She is right." Mom said. "You're going to be in school."
"Mom not this again," Sophie said. "I told you- "
"Maybe not physically, but you will have schoolwork to do." Mom said. "Jackie is not going to be sleeping for 18 hours a day, all of the time. She'll have her naps which will give you a moment of peace and in those moments, you will need help." Mom said. "Please Sophia, let me help."
Sophie stared. For a moment she wondered if she should tell her mother the truth about everything, but then that moment past, the realization that Jackie was safer if fewer people knew her secret and she smiled. "I'll figure it out mom," Sophie said. "It may take a while, but I will."
"I know you will," Mom said. "You have always been resilient; I'm saying that you can accept help."
Had Jackie been any other child, Sophie would have agreed. Unfortunately, Jackie was not just some other child she was different and not in a snobby 'my child is the most unique child in the world' way but in a 'my child is the daughter of Jack Frost and I have no clue what that means' way.
But how do you explain that to a mother who never believed in Jack Frost in the first place?
The doorbell rang again, and Mom left again to open the door.
Sophie turned again to wet her hands in cold water before turning and leaving the kitchen. She passed by her two paternal cousins.
"So, how's it going being the disgrace in the family?" The eldest cousin Jennifer said.
Sophie rolled her eyes and turned around. "Happy to finally be removed from the number 1 spot?" Sophie said.
The middle cousin, a twelve-year-old named Joanna, turned to stare at them both before deciding that the snack table on the other end of the room was a far more interesting placed to be.
"I'm not a disgrace."
Sophie sighed. "Ok," Sophie said before turning around and walking back to the couch where her daughter was.
Jessica was still holding little Jackie. Jamie was standing video tapping the guests from his spot on the couch, the Camera turned to face her, and she rolled her eyes.
"And here comes the girl of the hour, my little sister Sophie Bennett, Mother of my niece of Jaqueline Overland Bennett!"
"Overland?" Jessica asked.
"Jackie's middle name," Sophie said. "I'm going to take my daughter back now ok?" Sophie said softly.
Jessica looked at Jackie before she stared up at Sophie and nodded. Sophie picked up little Jackie. "Hey" She whispered to her little girl. "Come on," She said. "Let's introduce you to our other guests."
For the rest of the hour, Sophie walked around the room introducing Jackie to the other members of the family. Her maternal uncles Mike and Ike both wanted to hold her. Which she let them both do.
Then she introduced her to the grandparents who were only too happy to gush over the child.
When she was done and there were twenty minutes left until dinner and Jackie herself was starting to whine, so she went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Jackie's whining lessened a little, but she was still crying so she pulled out one of the bottles closed the door went back out to the living room sat down and started feeding Jackie who immediately latched on to the bottle.
At this moment where all she had to do was just marvel at her little girl. She and Jack created this child together. "I love you my little winter sprite," Sophie said. "I love you so much."
"And she'll love you." Sophie turned to see her father Jason staring down at her. He ruffled her hair just like he used to when she was a child.
"I heard what happened between you and Lissa," Jason said. "You're right Lissa had no right to try to undermine you like that. Jackie is your child, and you have the right to decide who gets to hold her, and who doesn't." Sophie looked at her father. She smiled.
"Thanks, Daddy," Sophie said.
Dad put his arms around her. "But you being her mother does not mean that you can't have help," he said. "You can lean on us, doing so won't make you any less of a mother. Especially since your child's father isn't around."
"Dad..." Sophie started.
"Regardless of his reasons why, he's not here, but we are Sophie. We can help."
Sophie looked up at her dad and felt tears welling in her eyes. "Jackie prefers the cold," Sophie said. "It's why I don't bother to warm up the bottle before I feed her. I noticed it after I forgot to warm her bottle once, she became much more enthusiastic to drink when it was cold."
Dad stared at her for a long moment before he nodded kissing her forehead "Thanks for telling me."
-
Dinner was a happier affair. One of the uncles started to tell a story about time from when they were younger. For that moment she let herself forget the issues of tomorrow and focus on the here and now. She found herself laughing and crying along with the rest of the table.
Then before long dinner was done, and presents were opened. Jackie got new clothes, and Sophie got money. And soon the guests were leaving, and Jackie was asleep and in bed.
Sophie sighed Jackie had stayed up much longer then she had expected, but it didn't seem to be too big of a deal. Sophie turned to look out the window.
"Mom?" Sophie asked as she came back down. "Can you keep an eye on Jackie for me," Sophie said. Jackie was asleep there was little danger now. "I just need to go out for a walk, I'll be back soon."
Sally stared at Sophie for a moment. "Take your cellphone," Sally said. "In case something happens."
Sally nodded before she put on her boots, coat, placed her cell inside her pocket and left the house and headed straight for the pond.
When she was younger Jack could often find Jack hanging out around the pond, maybe she would lucky and he would be there now she tried not to have too much hope in case he wasn't there but it didn't stop her from running as fast as she could to the pond.
He wasn't there the pond was empty with no one around. She wondered if she had been out earlier instead of napping if she would have caught him but somehow, she doubted it.
"I miss you," Sophie said. "I miss you so much Jack. I need you here now more than ever." She said gasping. "You have a daughter Jack. She's four days old and so precious, she seems to have inherited your hair and your eyes, but as is typical no one can see her snow-white hair and blue eyes only those who know the truth believe the truth about her can see her for what she is." Sophie said. "She's so precious Jack, I can't do this alone, not without you, for any other child I would be able too, but Jackie is a part of you, there is a chance she will inherit your power," Sophie said. "So please if your listening please come home." She said. "Your daughter needs you."
-
Tears fell down Jack's face as he listened to Sophie's plea. Manacles made of black sand kept him rooted in his cell in Pitch's lair.
"I want to," Jack said as he watched Sophie turn around and head back home. "I'm trying Sophie believe me, I'm trying."
He watched as Sophie walked back to her house watched her pick up some snow and rubbed some on to her hands, watched as she kicked her boots against the door before entering the house.
A moment later the moon showed Sophie at the window with Jackie in her arms. She opened the window "Shh." Sophie said before she started to sing. "You're ok, Winter Sprite," Sophie said before she started to sing a lullaby. A lullaby that Jack had taught Sophie so many months ago, that he remembered his own mother singing to him and his sister over three centuries ago.
When she was finished Jackie had fallen back asleep, she kissed their daughter on the forehead and disappeared.
When she did a moment later the light turned off and the image faded. A tear fell down Jack's face and not for the first time that week he cursed Pitch's name attempting again to break himself out of the manacles.
Yet still, they wouldn't give.
So Sophie had a bit of a rough Christmas this year, but she is a bit more accepting of her parents help by the end. (Not too much, her 'trust' in them will be brought into question multiple times before Sophie moves out. She tries for a while but then the game changes when her powers come in and Sophie finds herself back at square one.