When Silvia woke up the next morning she was nestled safely in her adoptive father's arms. She smiled snuggling back down into his arms. It felt good to wake up safe for once. She was just beginning to close her eyes when her father chuckled. "Are you comfortable there my darling?"

She nodded against his chest. "I am."

Pitch chuckled again. "Well don't go back to sleep. Remember you have to go clothes shopping with Thalia today."

Silvia whined. "Do I have to daddy?"

He nodded. "Unless you'd rather wear shadows then yes you do."

She pushed herself up off his chest and had her feet on the floor just as a knock sounded at the door. "Good morning my Lord. Is Silvia up yet? I have a few outfits for her to try on before breakfast."

Pitch chuckled at his daughters antics. "She's awake."

The door opened and Thalia walked in. She looked at Silvia. Before holding up two very different outfits one was pink and glittery featuring a pink and purple frilly top with what appeared to be a dancing unicorn on it with pink tights, the other outfit was black and purple featuring a black tank top with the words not all girls wear pink on the front with a purple and black tutu and black and purple striped tights. "Which one would you like to try on first?"

Silvia pointed to the black and purple outfit. "That's the only one i'm trying on." she pointed to the pink outfit. "Because that looks like a unicorn puked on it."

Thalia couldn't help but laugh. "I take back what I said last night Pitch your daughter is perfect." She handed Silvia the chosen outfit. "The bathroom is right across the hall. Get changed while I have a talk with your dad."

Silvia took the outfit and walked across the hall to the bathroom. She sat everything on the edge of the tub and closed the door. She lifted her tattered sundress over her head. She looked down at her stomach there were a few fading bruises. They didn't hurt anymore. That's why she had thought things were getting better. Her eyes filled with tears as she slowly she pulled on the outfit. She had thought that the monster was changing and he had been, just not for the better. She'd thought she was going to gain back at least a little happiness with him. But then he'd tried… Pitch saved her though. She scrubbed the tears away. Pitch was her daddy now. She was finally safe and clean and happy. She was finally happy because of the boogeyman. She smiled then snorted then full blown laughed. How wonderfully odd had her life become?

Back in the guest room Thalia was sitting on the edge of the bed. "My Lord… are you certain that a life with you is the best thing for her? She isn't a spirit like you. She's going to grow up and you can't keep her in the shadows forever eventually she's going to have to go out into the world make friends and go to school and once the time is right start a family of her own. Adult life for her may mean losing the ability to see you as she focuses on the life she's trying to live."

Pitch was leaned against the bed headboard. "If that is what happens then so be it. I just know that for now she's suffered far to much for a normal child. She needs more protection then all of humanity is willing to give her right now."

"But the guardians…" Thalia began.

"The guardians were nowhere in sight." Pitch interjected. "No wonder, hope, or fun. Her only memories tainted by fear and sadness. Left in a waking nightmare with no sweet dreams to take solace in. She was nothing more to them than another light."

Thalia looked away. "Well then if you're are so set on keeping her then you might consider finding a bride. Silvia needs a mother."

Pitch was about to say something when the voice of his daughter beat him to it. "I haven't had a mother since I was three and I'm doing just fine without one." Silvia stood in the doorway. Hands on her hips.

Thalia turned to look at Pitch who was smiling. She was going to say something but chose to instead stand and stalk towards her kitchen. "I'll go make breakfast." She glanced down at Silvia's bare feet "and see if I can find a pair of shoes and socks for you."

Silvia smiled sweetly. "Thank you miss Thalia." When the door slammed shut she rolled her eyes. "Does she not realize how desperate she sounds trying to use me to get to you?"

Pitch chuckled. "I don't really think she cares."

"Well she should." She hopped back onto the bed leaning back against the headboard beside her adoptive father. "Desperation just isn't a flattering look for her at all."

He burst out laughing. "Silvia you precious little darling you need to be nice. Remember Thalia is taking you clothes shopping today."

She shrugged. "It isn't like she going to try to dress me like a unicorn fart and besides I was just telling the truth. I haven't had a mom in a long time." She leaned against Pitch. "And I kind of don't want another mom. Losing one mom was hard enough. I don't want to do it ever again."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder pulling her close. "Don't worry Silvia. I wouldn't try to force you to accept something like that. We're a family now just me and you, and that's not changing unless you tell me you want it to, okay?"

She smiled. "Thank you daddy."

He smiled. "You're welcome my child."

She looked up at him. "Who were the Guardians you were talking about? And what do they have to do with you rescuing me?"

"The Guardians are a group of other spirits that I sometimes find myself fighting against. They represent all the good things about childhood." Pitch explained.

"Do they have names?" Silvia asked.

"Well There's Nicholas St. North, better known as Santa Claus, He's the guardian of wonder. And There's E. Aster Bunnymund, the easter bunny, He's the guardian of hope.

And The Sandman, he's the guardian of dreams." Pitch explained.

"Wait how many of these guys are there?" Silvia asked.

"Just two more. Jack Frost, the guardian of fun. And Toothiana, the guardian of memory." Pitch finished.

"Toothiana? As in the tooth fairy?" Silvia asked.

Pitch looked down at his daughter. "Do you know her?"

"Not her it was one of the little ones. A stray cat had caught it but it told me about her. The next morning I thought it had been a dream." Silvia explained.

Pitch huffed. So the guardians had known about her. Perhaps they weren't true guardians at all.