Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians or the Guardians of Childhood series
Past, Present and Future
Sarah and Jonathan's injuries were healed in a trice. The moment that the Jessup siblings were declared healthy and hearty, North declared that it was finally time to open presents and invited the Bennett's Jessups and the entirety of town back. Jamie came in with his wife.
And This time the Grims were invited.
There was loud music playing. And people dancing and flying around and having fun.
Jack was playing the kids of Santoff, handing his daughter a present, while Jane handed over an ice moonbeam dagger that she had created again. "I'm sorry." Jackie said, "Krampus destroyed it multiple times."
Jack hugged his daughter, "The little moonbeam is still intact and so are you and that's all that matters." He said to her.
Jackie smiled, then ducked away to go hang with Jonathan.
Jack looked around and saw Jane talking with Sarah, giving her a stern tongue-lashing about how she should not steal from people who were trying to help her.
He thought about the things that had been said that day, and with a sigh made his way to Jane and Sarah.
"Assuming your parents even still want me teaching you, the next several months are going to be gruelling." Jane was hissing at Sarah.
Jack interrupted. "Umm, Jane?"
Jane stopped speaking for Sarah before turning to Jack. "Hello."
"I think we need to talk."
Jane looked as though she wanted nothing better than to not have the conversation that they very dearly needed, but she drooped her shoulders and nodded. "Yeah," Jane said. "I think a conversation has been long overdue."
Jack nodded stiffly, and he turned and lead her to a spot that was further away from everyone so they wouldn't hear him.
"Is what Krampus implied true?" Jack asked looking down. "Are you my little sister?"
"I was born, Jane Overland."" Jane started "And I died Jane Emily Hanley."
Jack remembered the papers Sophie gave him, the census, and the marriage certificate of Jane Overland and Thomas Hanley.
"You… died." Jack said, "When I was telling you about my sister, crying over whether or not she committed suicide… and when you said there were many factors contributing… you were…"
"I was talking about myself," Jane said softly.
"So, I really wasn't the reason."
Jane looked up, "It was over 3 centuries ago." She told him. "It's passed."
"For you, it was 3 centuries ago." Jack said, "I've only had my memories for a little over a quarter of a decade. And the realization that she committed suicide around two days ago."
Jane looked down. "Watching you die, watching you fall into the ice-cold pond and die was one of the most tragic things I'd ever witnessed at that point in my life," Jane said. "Of course, I was affected."
Jack looked practically gutted.
"But I don't blame you." Jane said, "If anything I thought you'd blame me."
Jack stared at Jane in shock, "Why would I…"
"It was my fault we were on the ice, I was so excited to go skating that I didn't wait for you to check if the ice could support our weight. Then you died protecting me." Jane said choking up as she thought about things she hadn't thought of in years. "Of course, I thought you'd blame me. I blamed me."
"That's…" Jack shook his head. "I never blamed you, for my death," Jack said. "You… saving your life, I was happy when I died. I thought, 'well at least Flee's alive." Jane looked struck at his old nickname for her.
"I'm sorry I ran from you all those years ago," Jane said.
"Did you know who I was?"
Jane nodded, "Reapers have rules, 'no contact with family.'" Jane said, "When I saw you and you saw me, I panicked."
"Rules?"
Jane nodded, "I checked in, I looked in on you whenever I could."
Jack stared at her for a long while. "Did you hate me when you found out?"
Jane looked at him in shock. "No," Jane said horrified that the thought had even crossed his mind. "You were my brother. Even if you had kept your memories, it's not like I would have seen you anyway. I didn't know Jack Frost. I only became aware of him after I died."
Jack flinched at the reminder.
He stepped forward and held out his hand, staring at her.
Jane smiled and remembered when she was 10 years old, focusing on the single moment of relief she had before everything was ruined.
She felt herself de-age, her eye becoming bigger, her hair gaining the bangs she had let outgrow after Jack had died.
She watched Jack's face staring at her in shock as the years regressed on her.
"It Is you," Jack said, tears running down his face. He knelt down in front of her, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Flee… my Flee."
He hugged her tightly burying his face in her neck, she could feel her shirt getting wet and then freezing over from his tears, but she didn't dare stop him.
"I'm here," Jane said softly. "I've always been here."
At that point, Jamie stood up and raised a glass. "To a great Christmas, a wonderful new year's, and the happiest of all Beginnings." He smiled at his lovely Isabelle who gently put a hand on her stomach.
Jack stared at them in shock and smiled. "Congratulations you two!" He shouted with a laugh.
A/N to those who didn't get it, Jamie and Isabelle are expecting a baby.