Valentines and other holidays
By End of Grace
You don't have to have read Rampant Rabbit, to understand what's going on. If you don't like Slash or North/Bunny pairings then press the back button. The coat that Bunny is wearing is based off the green coat he seen wearing on the fount of his book.
Chapter 10 The Wedding
It was the day before the wedding, and nerves were starting to build up as Bunnymund stood still in fount of a long mirror. He had cut his long green coat so it now only fitted around his chest with tail coat in the back. He had re-sewn the gold buttons on and adjusted the collar and the sleeves so they were a bit tighter. He was also wearing a leather belt around his waist that held his dagger, boomerangs and pouch that now held the ring he was going to give North instead of his exploding eggs. He pulled out the small box that held the ring and looked at it smiling. It was a thick golden band around a large ruby, the band engraved with ancient Pooka script that meant loved, health and luck to its wearer. He placed a small kiss on the ring and placed it back in the pouch and took off the coat, placing it back on the mannequin ready for tomorrow. He could hear two woman talking loudly from his fount room and were getting loader by the minute so decided to investigate. Holly was standing on a small stool with Aphrodite kneeling on the floor pinning her bridesmaid dress, while Holly looked down a long list, ticking things off.
"Holly! You need to stand still, otherwise this is going to be croaked!" complained Aphrodite holding the bottom of the dress up.
"Its fine Dite, besides people are not going to notice me when their meant to be looking at North and Bunny."
"I will know, and that's bad enough!"
"Let her do it Hol, I don't want anything to look bad for the day" said Bunny as he came in to the room. "Now, how are things going. Have the chairs been corrected?"
"Yep, Sandy and Pitch have just finished turning them all around. I'm sure I told them the first time away from the house not facing it. The red carpet has been laid and the podium is setup. The yetis have fenced off the main path, so nobody will get lost when they get here. Welcome drinks are sorted and the Phil has promised me the band is ready to play the wedding march. The only problem on our end is Sophie"
"What's the problem? You took her measurement right didn't you?" said Bunny concerned that his favourite human wouldn't fit her dress.
"I took them fine thank you, but she hasn't been fitted" said Holly looking up from her list. "Me and Jack are going to pick them up tomorrow morning about ten or so"
"Plenty of time for me to make an adjustments needed Bunnymund so don't worry!" smiled Aphrodite as she stood up and looked over Holly's dress. The dress was still white but outlined with red and the strings that held it together were forest green. On the side board with two wreaths with red and green ribbons mixed in to them as well as two small bouquets of carnations. "The girls will look lovely and so will you. Are you sure you don't want to wear a wreath as well? It would take a few minutes to make you one to match the bouquet your carrying"
"No thanks Dite, I'm good. How are things at the Pole Holly? Good?"
Holly bit her lip and quickly raised the list to cover her face "Yeah...all good"
"Holly...what's happened?" growled Bunny as he pulled her arm down so she had to look at him.
"Nothing's happened...it's just nothing is happening as it were. North is sort of panicking, and when he panics it sets the elves off which courses more trouble for the yetis who are doing their best to make sure everything will be alright for tomorrow...it's just taking a bit longer than planned that's all"
"North is panicking? Is someone meant to be with him, keeping him calm?"
"Yeah there is"
"Who?"
"...Jack"
"Jack? Jack Frost? You left your adopted brother alone with a panicking North?"
"What could I do? Tooth is too busy have to catch up on her work after helping yesterday. You needed me, Pitch and Sandy here to help you set up and Jack was the only one left. Besides He's North's best man tomorrow, I was sure he could handle it"
"Just promise me that when you finish here you'll go straight to the pole and help them Holly?"
"No problem. I'm sure it's not that bad!"
-Line break-
"THIS IS BAD! THIS IS VERY BAD!" shouted North though the black smoke that bellowed from the oven. The smell of burning and charcoal filled the air as North put on his oven gloves. Jack told himself not to laugh but trying to keep a straight face was almost impossible for the guardian of fun, even more so when the situation was as funny as hell.
"North calm down! It's not the wedding cake or anything, it's just a batch of cookies!"
"JUST a batch of cookies? NO! It's NOT just as batch of cookies! It's the TENTH batch of cookies I've ruined today!" shouted North angrily more at himself then at his adopted son, as he looked at the smouldering tin with black cookie crumbs.
"Look North, your just too nervous and worked up over tomorrow, to make cookies. And the yetis really need to use the kitchen now for the food tomorrow. So why don't we go over things for the wedding and let the yetis get on, I'm sure when they get a minute of two they will make you some cookies" said Jack as he gestured for the yetis to come in and take over. The yetis came running in and started to clean up and setting things to right as Jack led North out of the room, as North dropped the gloves and the tray to the floor.
"Your right Jack, my mind is not in the right place for cookies. I just want everything to be perfect for Bunny tomorrow. He deserves that much"
"And he's bound to be thinking the same North about the Warren" said Jack as he waved his staff in his hand as he and North walked to the globe room. "Tomorrow morning I'm going with Holly to pick up Jamie and Sophie. Me and Jamie will help you get ready and then all of us will head over to the Warren on time. Trust me everything will work out"
"Your right Jack. I'm panicking for no good reason, I have everything ready and here..."North pattered his pocket and felt nothing. He started to pat himself down. "THE RING! It was here in my pocket"
"North.."
" It's been there all day and its gone."
"North..."
"Jack get the yetis to look..."
"NORTH! you gave it to me remember? For safe keeping" said Jack as he waved the small box around in his hand. North placed a hand over his heart and breathe a sigh of relief. There was the sound of fluttering wings as Holly floated down towards them, now dressed in grey trousers and a white jumper that had had the back cut out for her wings.
"Hey guys...what's that smell?" she asked as she stood next to Jack.
"Burnt cookies and why are you not in official dress young lady?" asked North as he looked over his adopted daughter's outfit.
"If I don't have to wear a dress North then I won't. All the children have made their Christmas wishes and I don't have to officially grant anymore till next year. Now how are things going here, or do I not want to know" asked Holly looking at the two guardians.
"Their...fine?" said North looking at Jack who nodded in agreement. Holly arched an eyebrow but decided not to comment.
"Ok, so Jack has got the ring and the string needed for the ceremony. Manny has the wine and the sliver cup. Bunny is..."said Holly
"Sliver cup? No no no, it has to be golden. I told you" said North stopping Holly in mid list.
Holly and Jack looked at each other then shook their heads. "You never mentioned a golden cup to us"
North's mouth dropped and his eyes widened as his chest began to heave as he gripped his heart. "It has to be golden...silver was for the engagement..."
"North, don't panic, we'll find a gold cup! Hey! Wish for one" said Jack pointing to Holly, who quickly nodded holding out her wrist with the bells on. North nodded as he got his breath under control.
"Holly, I wish for a golden cup"
All three of them looked down at Holly's wrist at the silent bells, praying they would ring, but they didn't.
"Damn it, of all the wishes not to grant!" muttered Holly shaking her wrist in annoyance.
"See this is why you should always be in official dress" said North pointing his finger at Holly as she rolled her eyes.
"I don't think my state of dress has anything to do with your wish North! Now think! Do you have a golden cup anywhere in this place or know anyone that will loan you one for the day?"
"What about in your treasure North, from the days when you were a bandit before becoming a guardian. Would you have one mixed in with it?" asked Jack.
"It's mostly all gone Jack, I used it to build and maintain this place for hundreds of years" said North sadly as he stroked his beard.
"What about Manny? Would he know to bring a gold cup and not a sliver one?" asked Jack
"Let's ask him" said Holly as the moon came in to sight, North looked up and raised his arms to the moon.
"Manny my old friend, I need your help! Please say you have a golden cup for tomorrows ceremony?"
The moonlight cast a shadow on the floor of a small man holding a large looking cup.
"Um...is that a yes?" asked Holly looking at North, who looked semi relieved.
"Thank you Manny. We will see you tomorrow at the ceremony"
The moon seemed to glow brighter for a few moment before moving onwards across the sky.
"Right, if that is everything. I'm going home to bed, it's been a long day today and its going to be an even longer one tomorrow" said Holly as she spreading her wings to take off.
"You are not going?" said North looking slightly confused "You need to be here for Jack for the morning to go and pick up the children"
"Jack is meeting me there North"
"But you have stayed here all Christmas would one more night hurt?"
"But Pitch and Sandy are expecting me, I haven't really seen them all month and..." she then noticed North's lip trembling and then looked at Jack who was also giving her a pout. "Fine...I'll stay!"
-Line Break-
Getting Jamie and Sophie was harder than it should have been, as their mum had asked a million personal questions to Holly and Jack about their "Dad" and why she never see him or them around town or anywhere else. Holly, now wearing her own necklace that allowed her to be seen by humans, was able to answer the questions without any slip ups while Jack helped Jamie and Sophie finish packing as they would be staying over at the north pole for the night. Once they were ready and their mum was giving Holly her final instructions over bed time for Sophie but Jamie could stay up till midnight. As soon as they were out the door and out of everyone's eye sight, Holly took Sophie to the Warren and Jack and Jamie went back to the pole. No sooner had Holly put the girl down was she running in to Bunny's arms.
"Hey ankle bitter, I missed you"
"I missed you too Bunny"
"Ready to be my flower girl and try on your dress?"
"Yes!" smiled Sophie as Bunny carried her inside where Aphrodite was waiting with her sewing kit.
-Line Break-
Both Jack and Jamie were in their suites and were standing outside North's bedroom door.
"What's taking him so long?" asked Jamie as he leaned against the door.
"Don't know, we've only got an hour before we really need to start moving, Even the yetis are ready to make a move. NORTH! Are you ok?" shouted Jack as he knocked on the door hard.
"I'm fine Jack, just having a few quite moments to myself. Be out in a little while!" said North though the door.
Jack and Jamie looked at each other and shrugged and went back to the globe room to wait. North waited until he could not hear their footsteps anymore before turning back to the picture of his late wife. He and Mary had parted not on the greatest of terms but she was still his first love and the only other one he had other than Bunnymund. When he heard that Mary had died of old age, he was surprised at how upset he was and had realized that despite his anger he was still in love with her.
"Well Mary, I'm getting married again. I just wanted you to know that I really do love Bunnymund with all my heart and I want to make him happy. Our want our marriage to be a happy and long one, unlike ours. In a odd way I am asking for your consent to this, as you are the one who held my heart before, and I wish to give it fully to another now"
North placed the photo in to his draw and got up and put on his long robe like coat. He looked at himself in the mirror and adjusted the pendent that Bunny had given him, so it sat smartly in sight of everyone, as he put on his hat. Given himself a nod he left his room and made his way to the globe room where everyone was waiting for him. He nodded to Jack and Jamie as he entered, a small group of yetis stood to the side with the elves.
"Thank you for volunteering to stay behind and get everything ready" said North as he turned to the rest of the yetis "Thank you all for everything you have done this year. I know this last week has been a crazy one, even more so after the busy season. So as thanks everyone is getting an extra week vacation this year"
All the yetis and elves cheered loudly as North opened a portal to the Warren and everyone followed him though.
-Line Break-
Holly looked though the small window and saw the holiday leaders and spirits starting to gather.
"Looks like everyone but North and the boys are here" she said "But the stone eggs will give a signal to when North and the others arrive"
"You know it's meant to be the bride that's late not the groom" laughed Manny from his seat. Manny had come down with Usagi from the moon, as he had agreed to not only perform the ceremony but also to walk beside Bunnymund up the aisle. He and Holly laughed as he handed her the golden cup but both decided to not tell Bunny of the incident last night, until after the wedding. Bunny was in his room and fitting the wreath to Sophie's hair. She stood still as he wrapped her golden curls around it.
"You look really pretty Sophie" smiled Bunny as he finished.
"Thank you Bunny. You look really good too" said the small girl as she looked at her guardian. Bunny kissed her forehead and smiled, thinking that if he and North had a daughter, he hoped that she would be a sweet as Sophie. Bunny frowned slightly and rubbed his stomach, thinking back to his fight against Usagi, and the moon rabbit's angry words.
" What a joke it would be if the bringer of spring and new life was barren"
"I'm not barren" he muttered to himself "I'm going to give North dozens of kids and rub it in that rabbits ancient face"
"Bunny...are you ok?" asked Sophie as she saw the angry look on her guardian's face.
"I'm fine sweetheart, just wishing North would..."
A loud shell horn was sounded as the mark of North and his parties arrival. There was silence for a moment and then quick movements and shouts as the guests started to take their seats. Holly walked in to the room holding a small basket for Sophie and Bunny's flowers.
"Ok you two, it's almost time. Remember Sophie to throw the flowers really well ok and walk slowly" said Holly as she handed the girl the basket. She then looked at Bunny and handed him his bouquet.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she brushed down his jacket.
"Nervous as heck love, but I'm ready"
She looked up at Bunny and smiled her eyes watering "You'll look after him won't you? He's very dear to me"
"You know I will Holly"
She nodded and kissed his cheek and quickly wiped her eyes as Manny knocked on the door.
"Aster, ladies it's show time"
-Line Break-
The podium was laced with white cloth and was surround by an arch of flowers with a pair of silver bells hanging from it. On top of the podium was a bottle of wine and a golden cup. North was pacing in fount of it as the band ready their instruments. In the front row was Tooth, Sandy, Pitch, Jamie, Aphrodite and Cupid. On the other side was Jack Skellington and his wife Sally, Mother nature, Yuko, Katherine and Nightlight. Everyone was muttering to themselves when Bunny's door opened and Sophie and Holly came out. North and Jack quickly took their places as everyone stood up and looked down the walkway. The band began to play and Sophie started down the red carpet sprinkling flower petals and Holly walking up behind her, her head held high. Following her was Manny and Bunny, who was gripping his flowers tightly and trying not to shake. Once Holly stood to the side and gave Bunny a clear view, he saw North looking magnificent and looking back at him as he was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He wanted to run to North and kiss the man senseless and elope, but he doubted his friends and other leaders would above of it. As he got to the end he bent down slightly and gave Sophie his flowers before turning back to North and smiling when he saw that his mate had tears in his eyes.
"Your look beautiful Aster" North whispered as he took his paws in to his hands.
Manny walked around and stood behind the podium and raised his hands so the people in the back could see him.
"Everyone please be seated. Welcome, we are here today to witness the joining of two of our beloved guardians. Nicholas St. North and Bunnymund. Before we start, I must ask this, is there anyone here that can think of any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace"
Bunny for a terrible moment thought that Usagi was going to stand up and say something but only silence followed.
"Now, Jack Frost do you have the string of destiny that has bound these two together? And do you swear that it is the same string?" asked Manny as Jack produced the cord made of the fire rat pelt and showed it to Manny.
"I swear it" said Jack proudly.
"Then wrap it around the left hand and paw as it is meant to be" instructed Manny as he poured the wine in to the golden cup. Jack tied the string to Bunny and then North and patted them both on the shoulder before taking his place again.
"Now state your vows to each other and to all and drink from this "Golden" cup"" said Manny as he handed the cup to North with a smile. Holly let out a small giggle before covering her mouth and Jack's shoulder shook as he held his laughter in, as North blushed and took the cup. Bunny raised an eyebrow and the three winter spirits and decided to ask about it later, as North raised the cup towards him.
"Aster, you are my beating heart, my strength and my joy. You are my best friend and my fellow guardian, now I wish to make you my mate and husband. I love you Bunnymund. I promise to love, honour and cherish you till the end of my days" and with that North drank the wine and then handed the cup to Bunny. There was a few sniffles from the other spirits, Tooth and Aphrodite was wiping their eyes as tears fell happily. Bunny swallowed the large lump in his throat and smiled at North, trying to keep his own tears back.
"I am the last of my kind, so I never thought I would take a mate, until you. These last few years have been the most wonderful of my life, you have given me new hope, a family and most importantly your heart. I love you Nicholas St. North, my love and my life. I promise to love you though all our fight and disagreements, bare your children and cherish you till the end of my days" and he drank from the cup and handed it to Manny.
"Do you both have your rings?" asked Manny his voice thick as he held in his tears of joy. Jack gave North his as Bunny pulled his out from his bag. North took Bunny's left paw and slid the ring on to his finger.
"With this ring, I am your husband and Mate"
He let go of Bunny's paw as Bunny took up his left hand and slid the ring on to his finger.
"With this ring, I am your husband and Mate"
"And by the power invested in me, as "The man in the moon" I pronounce you both husband and mate, you may kiss your mate now" said Manny joyously as North wrapped his arms around Bunny's waist and kissed him deeply, as Bunny wrapped his arms around his shoulders kissing him back just as hard. Everyone was cheering and clapping in their seats, as the two bridesmaids scattered petals and Jack sprinkled them with snow. Everyone laughed in a good humour and as North and Bunny broke apart and glared at Jack for a moment and laughed as well. Many photos were taken afterwards as people slowly filtered to the vortex that would take them to the pole for the party. Everyone sat, eat and drank while the speeches were made. Manny took great delight in embarrassing North as he told everyone how he panicked over forgetting the gold cup. Bunny kissed his Mate's cheek to show he was not angry and was bought to tears again by North's moving speech. Then the tables were cleared away and then the dancing started. North span his Mate around the floor for their first dance, both smiling and laughing as everyone looked on. As the night wore on, Holly put Sophie to bed as everyone got ready for the end of year count down.
"Just a few minutes and we will start the new year as Husband and Mates" said North.
"It's going to be a great year North, I can feel it" smiled Bunny as he kissed North gently on this lips.
"It's going to be more the one year Bunny, it's going to be the rest of our lives, us and our children"
"Sounds wonderful Mate" said Bunny as he wrapped his arms around North as he kissed North gently.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!" shouted everyone as they shook each other's hands but the guardians of wonder and hope were in their own little world.
The End