Jack lay awake fiddling with his pendent. He stared up at the ceiling, too excited from the day's events to sleep. While he did not need sleep, his mind wouldn't let him even if he tried. Not even the Sandman's magical sand could lull him into dreamland. He chuckled to himself, thinking how he had spottedSandy making his delivery over Burgess from the window. He was using an extra special dreamsand this evening. It was a precaution. After all, many young tikes would be trying their best to remain awake in hopes of catching a glimpse of Santa Claus bringing them presents. Instead, they would only have dreams of the wonders that awaited them when they woke Christmas morning.
Jack smiled, turning to glance at Jamie. The young boy was curled up in a cocoon of blankets, smiling as he clutched a stuffed rabbit to his chest, his dream projected over him. A tiny vision of Jamie and the other Guardians in a spectacle of golden dust. It made Jack smile.
Thoughts of the day continued to buzz through Jack's mind. He could not remember the last time he had so much fun. It had been so long since he last experienced a true Christmas. Sharing gifts and spending time with those who care about you. Far different to actually partake in the merriment than to silently watch from the window. Spending time with the Bennett's reminded Jack of the winters from when he was human. Ever since he had recovered his memories, Jack often thought back to the days before coming a Guardian. He recalled waking up to his sister dragging him out of bed, staying awake long into the night telling her stories and betting on who would be the first to catch sight of Santa Claus. But today, today had been something else.
Thump!
Jack smiled and shook his head. Guess North is here, he thought. He glanced over to make sure Jamie was still sound asleep before sitting up on the cot. He slipped out of the room and made his way downstairs. Just as he was turning the corning, he stopped.
North was placing gifts under the tree, unaware he was being watched as he pulled various wrapped packages from an enormous red, velvet sack. Jack remained hidden, enjoying watching as his friend at work. Once he was done, North then turned to place a large dog bone into Abby's bowl. Jack winced when the Greyhound woke and began to growl. However, North leaned down and seemed to whisper something to the dog, though whatever it was, Jack could not make it out. To his surprise, Abby calmed and even sat back on her haunches, panting and wagging her tail happily. North chuckled and waited until Abby settled back down in her bed.
"Pozhaluysta, my friend," he whispered, patting her head as she drifted back to sleep. "Keep up good work."
Jack decided to make himself know. He slipped his pendent off and stored it in the breast pocket of his night shirt. Then he waited until North turned to fill the stockings. With his back to him, Jack walked over before stopping a few inches from his friend. "Cool trick. That work on cats too?"
North turned, his surprise showing in his smile. "Jack! Is that you?"
"The one and only," he said. "Seriously, how'd you do that with Abby?"
He laughed. "Is something I pick up long time ago," he explained. "I learn to speak many languages. Animals like Abby are ones who let me know if the children are nice or naughty. Before, used elves to check on houses. Not so good so used the children's pets instead."
"Yeah, good call," Jack said. "Better not let Bunny know. Might get on you for not stopping Abby last year."
"Ah, yes, good idea." North chuckled. He stepped back and took a good look at Jack. "Must say, Jack, am surprised to see you here. I almost not recognize with new look. Is very nice."
"Thanks. It was a gift from Roxy," he said, looking down at the pajamas fondly.
"Ah, she is good girl. But I must ask, Jack, what are you doing here?" North questioned. "Wishing Roxy a Merry Christmas, yes? Is very late?"
Jack smirked. "Actually, I was invited. Mrs. Bennett's idea," he explained. "She sort of found out I'd be on my own for Christmas, so she insisted I spend the night and Christmas Day here."
"Oh, isn't that nice of– What?!" North's bushy brows shot up. "This is not possible. Only those who believe can… It never… Whimsky korsakoff, what is going on, Jack?"
The winter spirit chuckled before pulling the pendent from his pocket. "Thanks to this," he said, "I am able to be seen by those who don't believe."
North took ahold of the pendent, careful not to crush the delicate piece between his large fingers. He nodded his approval. "Is very nice, Jack. One of best snowflakes I've seen you make. But how does this allow for you to be seen?"
Jack pulled the pendent back and slipped it over his neck. He chuckled as North gapped at him, clearly not accepting the sudden change in his appearance. "How much time you got?"
Jack tried to summarize everything he could. It was still Christmas Eve and North was on a tight schedule. North remained silent the whole time, listening and nodding his head as Jack described the discovery of Roxy's new power. He did sputter when Jack mentioned the incident with Bonnie's parents, though North quickly assured Jack he would look into it later and encouraged him to continue with Roxy. Jack then went on to describe his evening with he Bennett family. North could not help the smile at the delight in Jack's voice when he described how he felt being with the family. Yet, he did not ask any questions, allowing for Jack to explain everything. By the time Jack got towards the end, he was unable to read his friend's reaction. North was quiet, his eyes drawn into a look of deep thought.
"So, now I'm wondering what it all means," Jack finished, feeling slightly exhausted. "This whole spacing out thing, and this power… I don't know what to think. I was hoping you could tell me."
The older Guardian stroked his beard in thought. "Is nothing I have ever heard before. This power to be seen… It is something new," he stated. "Maybe Manny–"
"Oh yeah! " Jack interrupted. "Roxy mentioned that Bonnie talked to the moon, but she didn't explain further. Do you know anything about it?"
"Well, not exactly," North said, a slight concern in his tone. "I was bit surprised to hear she learn so quickly, but is probably best. If Man in Moon has chosen new Guardians so quickly, there must be reason, one which I have not to figure out yet."
"What do you mean?" Jack added.
"You were chosen to stop Pitch from unleashing fear. This makes you great Guardian. Protecting children and keeping them safe. However…" North stroked his beard, his big eyes so usually filled with wonder were now dark and serious. "Now, so soon, Man in Moon has called for two Guardians. I fear something much, much darker is coming."
"What could it be?"
"I'm not sure. Is first time he not speak." North turned his eyes back on Jack. "Whatever is coming, Manny wants us to be ready."
"But why did it have to be Roxy and Bonnie?" Jack asked, getting irritated. "I mean, I'm not complaining, I get to spend more time with Roxy and her family. I just don't understand why. They were given theses powers and yet they get to live normal lives. Why?"
"That is something I cannot answer," North said. He placed a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Jack, you tell me you were chosen when you save your sister, yes?"
"Yeah. She would've fallen through the ice if I hadn't been there," Jack answered. "I died and the moon made me a Guardian."
"Yes. You are only Guardian to embrace before becoming Immortal. Reason for this, I cannot explain. Is also same for choosing Roxy and Bonnie. I can only tell you that whatever this reason, Man in Moon sees something inside them. He made them Guardians same as Tooth and Bunny and me. As we all, they must learn who they are, and to know their center and what it is they protect in children. Just as you did."
Jack groaned. He was no closer to an answer. "I just… I feel like there's something I could do, to make it easier, but I don't know how."
"Jack, know this," North said, offering what support he could. "Man in Moon, he not chose just anyone. This you know. Each of us was chosen because we have something special. Wonder. Memories. Dreams. Hope. All these we put into the world and protect in children." North clutched both Jack's shoulders. "Now, is their turn to discover what it is they must do."
"But Roxy said Bonnie had already found her's?"
"Yes: Innocence. Children are of the purest beings because they do not yet know of the world and its evil, pain or suffering. Bonnie, she sees the goodness and virtue in all things, even in the worst. She saw something in Pitch where we only saw hate and fear. It is her center."
"I never thought about it like that… But what about Roxy?"
Surprisingly, North smirked. "You tell me something, Jack. What do you see when you look at Roxy?"
Jack smiled, recalling when North asked him that very question. "I don't think you have enough time for everything."
"Try."
Jack smiled and shook his head. "She saw me when I thought no one else could. She was the first to believe in me, really believe in me, even when I doubted myself," he said.
"Ah, you see, Jack," North continued. "You may not have answers but these you do not need. I once asked you what your center is. This Roxy must now do. What you must do is help Roxy as she once helped you. But remember, you can only take her so far. Only she can find her center. You understand this?"
"Yeah, I think so." Jack smiled. "Thanks, North."
"Anytime, Jack. Now, I must go. Many more children waiting and I must not be late." North finished the last of his deliveries before using a snow globe to return to the roof. Jack dashed outside just as the infamous sleigh took off. He smiled, thinking about the advice he received. It was not exactly what he had hoped for, but it was enough that he felt the answer was closer within his reach.
The wind blew softly, reminding Jack he was outside during winter in nothing but his pajamas. Had he not been Immortal, he would be shivering. However, something seemed off. He looked at his surroundings. The street was covered with a thin layer of white. Frowning, he stared down at his bare feet in the snow. There was barely enough on the ground to build a small snowman. He would have to fix that.
Slipping the chain off his neck once more, Jack rushed over to the front door to retrieve his staff from the bushes. He had wanted to bring it inside, but Roxy had advised against it. Mrs. Bennett would have asked too many questions about why a teenage boy would need to carry around a wooden staff. Taking a firm hold of his old friend, Jack summoned the wind to lift him up towards the roof. He stopped when he reached Jamie's window, smiling to see that his young friend was still fast asleep. He then moved to the other end of the house, landing in front of Roxy's window.
Peering inside, Jack had hoped to find her awake. No such luck as the girl slept peacefully with her back to him. He watched her turn over, the blankets sliding off her shoulder. Now that she was facing him, Jack could see the serene look upon Roxy's face. She was smiling, curling closer into her pillow as she lingered in some pleasant dream. He almost didn't want to wake her, but he wanted to talk with her about what he had learned from North.
Jack tapped on the window with his staff. The sound caused Roxy to stir. Her eyelids fluttered as she fought to awaken. She then stretched, causing the blanket to slip down to her hip. When she opened her eyes she spotted Jack at her window. She smiled brightly and quickly rose from her bed to dash across the room. She threw open the window, tired brown eyes and a sleepy smile greeting the spirit of winter.
"Hey, what're you doing up?" she asked, fighting a yawn.
"Nothing much. Just chatting with North," Jack replied, moving to sit on the windowsill.
"Oh shoot, did he stop by already?" Jack nodded. "Darn! I was going to ask him to pass along some gifts."
Jack quirked a brow. "Gifts?"
"Just some things for the others. Tooth, Bunny, Sandy. I got something for North too, though I wish I'd put out with the milk and cookies."
"You seriously got them gifts?" Jack chuckled.
"Well, yeah, why not?" Roxy laughed, indicating a large bag over by her desk. "So, North say anything, or you just shooting the breeze?"
"Just the usual and maybe a little something else," Jack said. "But it can wait. You still tired or think you can stay up?"
Roxy noticed the impish glint his eye. "What did you have in mind?"
Jack grinned. "Well, I clearly did not get enough snow on the ground for a proper Snow Day, let alone a White Christmas. There's barely three inches on the ground. Can you believe it?"
"No!" Roxy feigned a gasp. "You? Jack Frost, not create a ridiculous amount of snow? I'm shocked!"
"Cute. Maybe I'll just do it myself then," he baited. "And to think I was going to ask if you wanted to help…"
"Oh, you jerk." Roxy laughed. "You know I'm just teasing."
Jack laughed, motioning her to follow him. "Better bundle up, Snow Sprite. It's about to get very cold."
Roxy smirked and stepped out onto the windowsill as Jack moved back. "I think I can handle a little cold," she stated, shifting to her Guardian form. Her hair turned white and large white wings stretched out behind her. Her flannel pajamas remained, but she wore her cloak, bringing the hood over her head.
"Well then…" Jack stood back and bowed, offering her his hand. "Shall we, milady?"
She giggled and placed her hand in his. Tucking her wings against her back, Roxy took a step out of her room. Jack pulled her close, her wings pressed against his back, and wrapped his arm around her waist before she could fall. He waited for her to shut the window before summoning the wind to lift them higher into the air.
They laughed into the night, together conjure freezing winds from the north and bringing in more snow-ladened clouds. Soon there town was surrounded in a gentle snowfall. Together, the two teens rode on the breeze, gazing at the snowflakes dancing about them. Roxy smiled at the scene below. She thought the added snow made everything look like an old-fashioned snow globe. Jack, however, was focused on the girl in his arms. He loved how her eyes lit up in the night as the feathery ice crystals brushed her skin, catching in her hair and on her lashes. She caught him staring, and Roxy couldn't stop laughing at how quickly such pale cheeks could turned a rosy pink.
Once Jack deemed there would be enough snowfall, he shifted the wind current towards their favorite spot. The sight of the pond was an enchanting scene in winter. Everything was touched in snow and frost as though it were taken from the page of a fairytale. Jack set them down at the center though he kept his arm around Roxy's waist. They remained still for a moment, watching the gentle fall of the snowflakes.
Feeling impish, Roxy moved away from Jack and began skating around the pond. Jack stood by. He loved watching her skate. She jumped, her free leg held at a right angle crossed above her knee, so it appeared wrapped around her other leg. When she landed, Roxy then pulled one leg above her head from behind, and then began to spin. He waited for her to finish her routine, ending with another spin. This time her free leg extended in the air in an arabesque position parallel to the ice before Jack joined her. She gasped when he sped past her, taunting her to keep up. Roxy took the challenge. They cashed each other, laughing whenever one got a lead.
Finally, they slowed down and skated to the edge of the pond. Jack helped Roxy sit on a log before joining her on the makeshift seat. She moved in close and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I never knew making the snow was so much fun," she said. "This was incredible. Thanks for inviting me out."
"I told you I'd invite you next time. Besides, it was fun having someone help me out." He snickered as he couldn't help adding, "Get to live a little childhood fantasy helping Jack Frost make winter?"
Roxy groaned and buried her face into her hands. "You're never letting me live that down, are you?"
"Nope."
"Figures." She blew a strand of hair from her face. "Maybe I should've gone back to sleep. I was having such a nice dream too."
"Sorry again, about waking you," he said with a sheepish smile.
"Oh, don't be. Actually, I wish you'd gotten me sooner. I would've love to visit with North a little bit."
Jack chuckled. "Not much conversation. Been busy, you know."
"True. Can't delay Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Someone might wake up without a present." She laughed. "Oh well, at least we get to spend some them together."
"No complaints about that." Jack placed his arms around her shoulders. She leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Hey, you never did tell me what you and North were talking about."
Jack was silent.
"Oh, come on!" She moved from his arm. "You're not going to tell me?"
"It's not that, just…" He wasn't sure how to explain. "I just had some questions and I thought he could help."
"Like what?"
"Well…"
"Did you tell him about Pitch and Bonnie?" she asked.
Jack snorted. "That came up, but it wasn't just them, though he wants a chat with Pitch about talking to Bonnie's parents," he explained. It made Roxy smile. She would loved to see the lecture the boogeyman was sure to get.
"I'll bet North's face was priceless. What else did you ask him?"
Jack scratched the back of his neck. "You. You and the powers you discovered."
"Not much. He thought about asking the moon, but he didn't have any answers otherwise," Jack said. He fiddled with his staff, tapping it along the ground. "So…uh… What-What were you uh, d-dreaming about?"
"Oh, you don't want to hear about that." Roxy laughed nervously, fiddling with a lock of her hair. "It's nothing, really. You-You don't want to hear about it."
"Yes, I do. You looked really happy," he said, looking up to meet her gaze.
"Watching me sleep, Mr. Creep?" She playfully shoved him. "Come on, it's kind of embarrassing."
"Oh really?" His interest piqued. "Now I have to know. Let me guess, it was about me, right?"
"Wishful thinking." Roxy looked and stared up at the sky. She loved watching the snowflakes dance about. "Actually, it's something I've had before, though it's different every night."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not sure. I know it has to be a dream yet…"Jack placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked over at him, the concern clear in his eyes. "Does it have to do with your spacing out?"
"Jamie told you about that, huh?" She blushed, turning away. "Sometimes I just zone out. It's nothing."
"No it's not." He moved until he was standing in front of her. Placing both hands on her shoulders, Jack waited for her to look at him. "Rox, this isn't normal. I saw you, remember? You were out of it and you had this faraway look. And then there was the whole speaking in another language."
"What? I don't speak…"
"Yes, you were!" Jack's voice was a little more stern. "I've been around the world and I know a few foreign languages. You were speaking Ukrainian."
Roxy was silent. The look on her face told Jack she had no idea about speaking another language, but it was clear she knew what he was referring to. He sighed.
"Jamie said you never remembered blacking out. That true?" Roxy shook her head. "Is it the same with your dream?" This time she nodded. "Tell me. Please Roxy."
"Well…" Roxy thought over how best to explain. "I'm in a different place every night. It can be morning or evening, sometime late in the afternoon. I'm a Guardian but just when I think I'm alone, something like a small tug pulls me along. I turn to follow the feeling and that's when I see something."
"What is it?"
"A child, or sometimes more than one. They look so sad. I can even feel the emotional turmoil their in. I can feel how lost and miserable they are. It breaks my heart." Roxy paused to wipe away a tear threatening to fall. "I can't stand to see them like that. So, I walk up to them and sit down by their side. They don't always see me, not at first. Sometimes I'll say 'hello' or other times when I don't know what to say, I'll rest my arm across their shoulders. When they turn around to face me, they're surprised. Then I smile at them. They ask who I am and I tell I'm a friend, that I want to help and know why they feel so sad. Sometimes I hold them if they start to cry. Younger children will lay in my lap. Even after I wake up I can still feel a warm presence around me."
"Sounds like some dream," Jack said
"I know. But that's not all," Roxy continued. "When I'm with the children in my dreams, it's almost like I know how to help them. I tell them stories I seem to know, a ll kinds of stories. About the moon and phookas and flying elephants. I'll even use that trick you did for Jamie by using the snow to make the characters come to life. The children will laugh and it becomes so infectious, I fly around and make a little snow flurry for them play in. I even make it a game
by letting them chase me. After we play, I sit with them and talk some more. I let the younger one explore. They like touching my wings and hair. The older children are more interested in my sword so I show them some of the stance North taught me."
"And you get all that in a dream?" Jack asked. He could not believe she remembered all of these details. It was too specific to be a mere dream.
Roxy nodded. "Like I said, it's the same but the children are always different, and I'm taken to different parts of the world. I know what problems they are having and I know what to tell them to help them be happy again. And, now this is gonna sound weird, but whenever I have to leave them, I feel something."
"What do you feel?" Jack was much closer. He wasn't sure yet, but everything Roxy was telling him was bringing the answer closer.
"I… I-I feel…" Roxy took a breath, concentrating on the feeling. "I feel like they…they trust me. When I'm with them, I'm reminded of when we fought Pitch. After he killed Sandy, the children lost their dreams and little by little, they begin to doubt. There is no wonder in their eyes, and they seem hopeless. It's like they've forgotten themselves and they're ready to give up. But, I come and spend time with them and tell them stories, and just reassure them that anything is possible no matter what someone else tells them. And it just…"
Jack waited. She had just stopped and started smiling. It was the same breathtaking one he had see while she was sleeping, if not more dazzling. If the moonlight hadn't been shining down, Jack would swear that the girl before him was glowing.
"Roxy?"
She turned toward him, her eyes sparkling like starlight.
"They believe in me," she whispered, easy word precious to her. "I know they do. I know when they feel ready to give up because I almost did. It was my fear of growing up that made me almost forget the things I'd believed in since I was a child." Roxy looked up and kissed his cheek. "You reminded me to never stop believing."
Jack chuckled. "Only because you reminded me that one person always believed in me."
"Like North said, as long as one child believes." Roxy pulled back, her hands still on his shoulder. "Those stories I told the children, they weren't all fairy tales. Most of them were about you and North and Tooth, Sandy and Bunny. I knew them because they were what the children needed to hear so they would continue to believe. I get it now!"
"Roxy, what're you…"
She didn't let him respond. Her wings unfurled and she flew into the air, a few of her feathers coming loose. She was laughing, spinning and soaring. Jack flew on the wind to reach her. He watched as she continued an aerial ballet. Her movement was equivalent to when she danced on the ice. He smiled though he couldn't quite pin down why. He felt a rush of air as Roxy dived into him, encircling her arms around his neck and spinning them around. When the shock wore off, Jack caught onto wind current to steady them. He took a glance down at the girl in his arms.
Roxy felt her heart racing. The feeling was incredible, better then when she became a Guardian or the first time she flew. She looked up at Jack, her eyes brimming with excitement.
"Something tells me you got an answer?" Jack joked.
Roxy grinned so wide she put the Cheshire Cat to shame. "I know what my center is."
Jack smiled and squeezed her shoulders. "Finally got it, huh? Feels amazing."
"Amazing doesn't begin to cover it. Is this what it was like when you found yours?" she asked, smiling still.
"Probably not exactly the same but I'm glad you found it," he said. "Though I'm kind of jealous."
"Why is that?"
"You and Bonnie have only been Guardians less than half a year. I had to wait three hundred years to find my center. Not saying that North and the others probably had it together, but who knows."
"Well, you had special circumstances," Roxie reminded him. She slid her hands to his shoulders. "Maybe we can ask them about it some day. I'd love to hear about how Bunny became a Guardian. I'm curious to know how he would–" She snickered at the thought. "–change."
"Change?"
"Remember those stories I mentioned?" Roxie teased. "Well, I'm pretty sure they are all the true stories about things children believe in. And since believing is my thing, looks like now I know them all. Including all the Guardians' origin stories."
"All of them?" He quirked an eyebrow.
"All of them, Old Man Winter." She pulled back, tucking in her wings and using the wind current to keep her in the air. "After all… It is my job to help children believe. So I'll need all the knowledge I can get about everything they may doubt exists. Right?"
"Well… Guess there's only one thing left to do."
Together, Jack and Roxy use their powers slow the gentle snowfall. By morning it would coat the entire town in a blanket of snow. Jack brought them back to the ground, close towards the edge of the woods. He took her hand and began walking her back towards the house.
"So, how often are you going to space out on me?" Jack asked her.
"Well, it's not so much spacing. I think the more I practice, the more I'll be able to appear physically. For now, it's more like an astral projection, but let's talk about that another time. We still have one thing left to do before the night is over."
"Oh really? What do you have in mind?"
Roxy let go of his hand and flew back to the house. Jack followed after her. He caught up just as Roxy slipped into her bedroom window. She motioned him to follow. Once he was inside, Roxy grabbed a large bag from her closet before signaling Jack they would be going downstairs. They made their way through the hallway. Roxy quickly checked to make sure her mother and sister were sleeping. Jack checked in on Jamie, giving Roxy a thumbs-up to indicate her brother was also still asleep. Then they walked downstairs into the living room.
"Okay, now what?"
Roxy held up her bag. "Want to help me put these under the tree?"
"Sure."
They set to work integrating the presents within the other gifts. Afterall, Roxy didn't want to spoil all of North's work. She was checking it over when she noticed Jack slip two more presents under the tree. She looked at him curiously.
Jack shrugged. "Something I picked up for Jamie and Sophie."
"Is that why you disappeared earlier?"
"Thought it was only fair. Especially after I got a scarf". Roxy blushed, making Jack smile. "It was really nice."
"Yeah, Mom is like that," Roxie said. "I still can't get over how quick she accepted you."
"Aww. Worried about me, were you?"
"Shut up, you know what I mean." She stuck her tongue out.
"I know but you're too fun to tease." He chuckled. "It's a personal goal of mine to turn your cheeks pink. It's cute."
"C-Cute?"
"See! Now they're starting to turn red."
Now she was beginning to get flustered. "Jack, I swear, sometimes you really annoy me to pieces."
Jack only laughed and wrapped his arms around her. He placed a quick kiss on her nose. "Would you want me any other way?" he asked.
"No… Then you'd be boring." She moved closer, tucking her head into his neck. "This has been an amazing Christmas. I wish it could last."
"No you don't. Then you wouldn't get your present."
"I already got it."
Jack looked down. "What? Pretty sure you didn't."
She giggled. "Silly boy…" Roxy turned and gazed up at him. "I got to spend Christmas with you. It was more than I could ever ask for. Though getting to make it snow was a nice touch too."
Jack smiled. "Glad I could help."
Roxy pulled back, her eyes perplexed and a smirk on her lips. "Why Jack Frost, are you blushing?"
Jack laughed, pulling her in for a kiss.
Later on, Jack watched the snow continue its gentle fall from the living room window. He gazed a little longer before turning his eyes back to the sleeping girl in his arms. They had decided to stay up reading the new book Roxie had gotten from her mother before heading back to bed. They settled on the couch. Three chapters in, Jack reached around the back of the couch for the blanket draped over the side. He wrapped it around them as Roxy continued to read. The last thing he remembered was Roxy's voice lulling him to sleep. When he woke, he had found the book open in Roxy's lap, her eyes shut, and her head on his shoulder as her breathing became slow and even. He stroked his hand over her hair as he continued to watch her sleep.
Roxy moved, adjusting to make herself more comfortable, cuddling herself more snuggly against Jack's body. He thought about taking her back to her room before her mother woke up. The plan was all but forgotten as Roxy's head fell to the crook of his neck, her hand moving up to rest over his heart.
"Jack…" Her smile was soft, and the sound she made it she knows of and to him; Jack didn't have the strength to move. "… Merry Christmas."
Instead, he settled back onto the couch, making himself more comfortable. He pulled the blanket more securely around them before wrapping his arms around her. They were sure to be caught by Mrs. Bennett later on, not to mention Roxy said that Jamie and Sophie preferred to pounce on her in their excitement to open presents. It was certainty going to be a fun mooring. He couldn't wait. Jack took glanced at the clock; it was midnight. He smiled and started to imagine the look on Roxy's face when he gave her his present later on.
He leaned forward and kissed Roxy's forehead before easing back against the couch as sleep overcame him. His eyes shut, the last thing he saw being the sleeping girl tucked safely in his arms.
"Merry Christmas Roxy."
The End
XXX
AN: And that concludes the end of another story. Thank you all for your patience. I hoped this answered any questions, and that you enjoyed this story. Please leave a review and thank you again for reading!
