Chapter 5
As Adora and Glacier began to get back on the train, she could feel the cool air breezing through her hair and she began to feel free and happy.
"This is wonderful," she thought to herself. She was now finally understanding the joys of Christmas.
"Are you ready to see the last family?" Glacier said, now walking up behind her and placing his hands on her shoulders. She then looked at the floor and let out a small sigh.
"Not really…," she said.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I don't want to because once I do, this entire adventure is going to be over," Adora said.
"Adora…," he said.
"I mean that…I don't want to lose you…," she said lowly. He turned her to face him and lifted her chin.
"Hey…I am not going to abandon you," he said, now wiping his forehead. At that moment, Adora's mouth dropped open. She noticed that Glacier was…melting?
"No…," she said in horror.
"Adora…," he said, now gently grabbing her wrist. "Let me explain…,"
"You're melting…" she said, now looking away.
"I would not be concerned about this; I will be fine," he said calmly. She looked at the floor, but then gasped as she felt him pick her up and look deep into her eyes.
"You're going to smile and you're going to be alright…you and I will never be apart. I promise," he said, now gazing deep into her eyes.
"How can you promise me that? You're melting right in front of me! I…," she started.
"Shhh…," he said.
"Glacier!" She protested.
"I said shhhh…let me take care of this," he said, now arching a challenging brow. "I won't leave you alone and you will never be alone again."
"But…," she started.
"Just trust me…," he said, now hugging her to him as he sat down. He motioned for one of the snowmen to steer the train while she cuddled him. She hugged him as hard as she could because she felt like she was losing someone so dear to her. Even though she knew him for such a short time, he felt like family to her. She loved him and she didn't want to be apart from him.
After she shed a few tears, she sat up and nodded to him.
"I trust you…," she said softly as he ran a hand over her head.
"Good…now come! You still need to steer this train to the next destination," he said. She nodded and walked back over to where the controls were. With a small breath, she grabbed the controls and the Polar Express began to thunder through the trees and through the thick brush. As they headed away from the city, she noticed the train was steering itself!
"I don't need to do anything," she said in amazement. "Does it know where it's going?"
"Yes," Glacier smirked, now seeing the other snowmen begin to clean things up and some of them even began to vanish. For you see, their job was almost over.
It was an hour later before the train started to pass through towns and cities that Adora recognized. She was heading back near the foster family's home!
"Whoa, wait! I can't go back there; they'll be really mad because I ran away," she said to herself.
"Adora, it's almost Christmas at this home. They have been looking for you all night," Glacier responded, now pointing at the frantic mother and father talking to police officers.
Adora felt twinges of guilt burying deep into her chest. She knew that she ran away because of bullies, but this made her foster family way more upset than she realized. She saw their tears and how they were panicking for her to come back home!
"W-What have I done?" She said in horror, now seeing the train come to a stop deep within the woods.
"You made a mistake. But it's not too late to change things," Glacier said. Both of them watched the police leave and the mother and father sadly walk back into the house. They were told to wait to hear from the police for any further news of her.
"But where's Justin?" She asked.
"Who is Justin?" Glacier asked with a small smirk.
"He's my foster brother…and…and he got beat up because of me," she said, now looking down at the ground. But before she could say anything more, the snowmen came around her and began hugging her and giving her plenty of love and attention.
"Come now…it's time for you to go home," Glacier smiled, now gently taking her hand. "Everyone…say bye for now…,"
The snowmen began waving and throwing snow flowers as Glacier guided Adora towards the house. She could tell the sun was rising and the snow around them was slowly beginning to melt. Her eyes widened in wonder as the train began to disappear into the forest and the other snowmen began to vanish or walk back to the houses they came from.
"Glacier…thank you for everything; tonight was great," Adora said, now seeing him begin to form beads of sweat on his face.
"You are more than welcome, Adora. And remember…Christmas is about those that really love you and the joys of being with family. It is not about fear or sadness; do not let those negative feelings ruin your holiday," Glacier whispered, now pulling her to him and kissing her on the head. Adora then hugged him as hard as she could and he did the same.
"Now…go inside. They are waiting for you," he whispered, now releasing her and walking her to the top of the stairs. He even rang the bell!
"But Glacier…when will I see you again?" She asked, now seeing him slowly backing up.
"You will see me again…it's going to be alright. And Adora…," he whispered.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Merry Christmas," he smiled, now winking at her gently.
"Merry Christmas, Glacier," she grinned, now seeing him point her behind her. Once she turned, the front door swung open and her foster mother and father saw her!
They shouted in pure happiness and drug her inside the house! She was covered in hugs and kisses! So much so that she could barely breathe!
"We are just so happy you're alright!" The mother said, tears falling down her face.
"Never do that again! Please!" The father said, hugging her tightly.
"We had the police and everyone searching for you!" The mother said.
"And Justin already informed us about the bullies," the father said.
"I'm sorry. I know I made you all worry and I'll never do that again," she said, now hanging her head. But before she could even speak another word, the front door burst open and Justin hurried inside. His eyes glistened as he saw her and he ran over and pounced on her! "HEY!"
Everyone could only chuckle fondly as Justin grabbed her and began bear hugging her and not letting his foster sister out of his arms.
"Let go!" She giggled, but still hugged him back. She truly missed him.
"Cut the tough girl image! I'm just glad you're back," he said, now hugging her tightly.
"WE ALL ARE!" The younger kids cheered, now throwing fun confetti around! "Adora's back! Adora's back! Adora's back!"
"And we are happy that's she's back. Especially now that Christmas is here," the father said, now pointing to the window. The sun was already in the sky and the snow was slowly starting to melt around the house. Adora was looking out the window when she felt Justin lean in towards her ear.
"I knew you would come back," he whispered.
"How did you know?" She smirked at him.
"Let's just say that I know you and I knew you wouldn't abandon us and my job is to look after you," Justin grinned.
"Look after me? But…," she said.
"Don't worry about it…just know that no matter what, Adora, I am never far and I won't let you go through things alone." Justin said, now helping her stand. "Come on…I want you to see something before the sun really gets high."
She nodded and followed him to the front door. As she did, she noticed that his grip was familiar; it was as if Glacier himself was holding it.
"Justin…," she said. But at that moment, he turned to her and he placed a single finger on her nose. It felt almost as if snow itself was kissing her nose tip.
"Shhh…just relax and enjoy Christmas with us," he said, now showing her the glistening snow around them as he opened the door. It was as if the snow made a large snowflake pattern on the ground. She grinned and then turned to her foster brother. Her eyes widened in wonder as she saw his blue eyes seemingly glow a little.
"Justin…you're….," she said, a large smile forming.
He only winked and let her plow into him for a large hug. For you see, some things don't need to be said. The actions speak for themselves.
What else happened you ask? It was the best Christmas that ever occurred in that home. Presents were given, funny stories shared, but more importantly…Adora learned that Christmas isn't about the past. It is about enjoying and embracing the beautiful present with those that love you and care for you.
guestsurprise's words: Hope you all enjoyed this grande finale and Christmas tale! I hope that your Christmas, even though it has passed, was beautiful and a start to a wonderful year!
To guestsurprise: What a fantastic story, Amiga! Wonderful job! :)
To everyone else: Please leave guestsurprise a review, but no flames!
GoldGuardian2418