Valentines and other holidays
By End of Grace
Chapter 13 Mother's day
Mother's day and Father's day were not official holidays it was a fact. Many of the holiday leaders disliked them as to them it seemed insulting. Bunny was no different to this though North always thought it was a good idea to honour your parents and thank them for all that they did.
"If you want to thank them, do it at Thanksgiving, or just do it, not because you need too or have too" said Bunny with his nose in the air. Of course that was before Jack Frost became a guardian and before he became mates with North. He could not hold back his hurt or his jealousy when North showed him what Jack and Holly had gotten him for father's day. Why hadn't they included him? Holly and Jack quickly explained that they do plan to do the same for him but only on the second Sunday of May, Mother's day. Bunny was not impressed, in fact he chased Holly and Jack around the pole outside before retreating to North to get warmed up. He then told Holly and Jack that next year they should included him in Father's day which of course fell on deaf ears. So when Mother's day came around, they turned up to the warren with cards and presents, along with breakfast in bed. Bunny started off quite angry with the pair, not only for ignoring his request but because they interrupted his morning "Cuddle" with North. His temper was quickly cooled though when he saw all the hard work that had gone in to the cards and the thoughtful gifts. It was then Holly and Jack told him they were going to help him in the warren, anything he wanted them to do, they would do it. They were a little worried by Bunny's smirk as he quickly got them to weeding, pruning, cutting and planting. North was quickly roped in to help as well and soon the family was hard at work. Once finished, although tried from a hard day, Jack and Holly made dinner while Bunny put his feet up. Afterwards he thanked them both and told them that next year it had better be different, to which the cheeky winter spirits said no chance.
A few years later the twins were born and like an old man with toothache, Bunny grumbled and moaned about them celebrating Mother's day with him. A few days before the day, Bunny saw his four children all sitting down whispering, clearly up to something as when they saw he was there they quickly stopped.
"Our kits are up to something North and I can tell their up to no good" Said Bunny one night as he was curled up against North's chest in bed.
"How can you say that? Our children are as good as gold...most times" smiled North as he kissed Bunny's cheek "Stop thinking the worse my heart, you have not had a bad mother's day yet and now the twins are old enough to understand and join in, it will be a lot more fun"
"I guess. Its going to be odd though with Holly not going to be there"
"Well she is a mama herself now" said North with a great deal of pride "and Sandy has told me that Memphis has made her quite an epic card"
"Lets hope its not covered in an epic amount of glitter like Dust's card was last year. I swear I was still brushing it out of my fur for weeks"
North laughed remembering last year when Dust had covered his whole card in gold and sliver glitter wanting it to stand out the most.
"Yes, he went though whole months supply, but his heart was in the right place. He was so excited to give it too you. You still have it don't you?"
"Of course I do, I've kept all of them so far, might stop when their in their hundreds otherwise I won't have room"
North let out one of his roll belly laughs and hugged Bunny tightly as they curled up to sleep.
Bunny woke to the sound of crashing of dishes in his home in the warren. He looked around his room, listening for any thing that would tell him what was going on. Next to him North groaned as he opened his eyes and tried to sit up.
"The twins?" he muttered as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Bunny's ears twitched slightly as he listen out for voices.
"Yep...arguing who is going to carry the tray and Jack is...I suppose is meant to be supervising in stead of laughing his rear off. Your wearing pants right? Don't want a repeat of last year"
North cheeks shone red as he remembered and nodded his head as there was a knock at the door.
"Daddy...you up?" came Thistle's voice though the door.
"Yeah sweetie, I'm up, come on in"
The door opened and Jack held it open with a cup in his hand with Dust carrying the breakfast tray came in with Thistle holding cards and a large wooden box with a red ribbon around it.
"Happy Mother's Day" said Dust as he handed Bunny the tray. On it was a cup of tea half full as most had spilled on the tray and a plate of unevenly cut carrots.
"Thanks kiddo, you cut these all by yourself?" asked Bunny holding an oddly shape piece up.
"Yeah, Jack watched me do it, to make sure I was doing it right"
"And I made the tea daddy" said Thistle as she held up the cards for him to open.
"Yes, thank you too sweetheart, it looks...lovely"
Jack laughed as he handed the cup to North "Here North, just how you like it and don't worry Bunny, I poured the hot water."
"Alright then lets open these cards" smiled Bunny as he looked at the first one. IT was quite big, about A4 in size with ribbons that had been glued on where hanging over the edge. On the fount was a childish scribble of him surrounded by carrots.
"Happy Mother's day love Dust and Thistle. Thanks you two, its the best card you have ever made me"
Thistle and Dust beamed at the praise they received, not remembering that he had said the same thing last year. Bunny placed the card to the side and looked at the next one. This one was smaller and had a picture of a grumpy worn out picture of him with "It's time for you to have a day off! Put your feet up and relax!" and on the inside "Because I'll double the trouble to make up for it Happy Mother's day!"
Bunny gave Jack an exasperated look "You think your really funny don't ya?"
North looked at the card and raised an eyebrow "Not funny Jack...but good likeness though"
This made the Jack and the twins laugh even more so when Bunny slapped North's shoulder for the likeness comment.
"Holly said she will bring her card over when she visits this afternoon. Why don't you give him the gift Thistle"
The small fairy struggled to lift the box higher so Bunny leant over and took it. "Its from all of us"
Bunny pulled off the ribbon and he gasped when he opened the lid. Inside was a new set of gardening tools. The handles were all made of wood and beautifully craved with his insignia on them.
"We had North place a shaping spelling on them, so you won't need to sharpen them" said Jack leaning on his staff. "Um...you like them?"
Bunny rubbed Jack's head, messing up his hair while he smiled "Their fantastic! Thank you all! I love them"
The twins started to jump up and down, cheering, before jumping in to the nest to give Bunny a hug, luckily North quickly moved the tray who laughed out load.
"Alright you two knock it off! Let me and your papa get cleaned up here and then we'll get to work..."
"No dad, we got something for you too day..." started Dust only for Jack to cover his mouth.
"Dust! Sshh"
"Yeah! Its a surprise!" hissed Thistle in a very load whisper as she smacked her twin.
"Oh? A surprise huh?" smiled Bunny as he winked at North "Well I'm sure I'll love it but I can't see it while I'm still in bed, so run along now and me and your papa will be out shortly"
The twins nodded and leapt in to Jack's arms as he fly out of the room leaving a small trail of ice. North snorted with slight amusement as he gave the tray back to Bunny looking at the oddly shaped carrot pieces.
"They really out done themselves this year dah? Though I don't think our son is cut out to be a chef"
Bunny popped one in to his mouth "Its not too bad, I give him at least an eight for trying. So do you know anything about this "Surprise" they have cooked up?"
"Oh yes, had to do a bit of supervising myself and your going to love it, I feel it in my belly"
Bunny finished his wash and gathered up the tray to take back to the kitchen. North had already left saying he was going to see if the kits needed any help. His home was empty and quite and he found it eerie. There was once a time he loved quite mornings when he was on his own and took his time with his own projects, now the thought of returning to that made his stomach turn. He placed his dishes in the sink and saw on the kitchen table a brightly coloured note.
"Dad, to find us you will have to follow the clues and gather up our gifts. Mine is by a pool of water filled with memories both good and bad. And my favourite colour is purple! Good Luck! Dust X"
Bunny frowned at the note as he reread it. what on earth did it mean? Good and bad? Mentally Bunny went though all the pools and rivers that he had been too with the kits. There was one pool not to far from the hut that he often took them too. He had taught them to swim there and it was also were Dust had almost drowned and sprained his paw. Bunny took a causal run towards the pond and kept his eye out for Dust. He went around the pool twice and could not find him anywhere. Then suddenly something caught his eye, a purple egg. Now eggs were not unusual in the warren but not this time of year, also this one didn't seem to have legs either. Bunny gently picked it up, surprised that it was actually heavy, most likely made of clay. The egg was a light purple with a dark purple pooka symbol for father and underneath it was another note.
"Hey Cottontail, Well done on finding Dust's egg, now you got to find mine! Do you remember that first Easter that you bought both me and the other guardians to the warren? So many eggs, so little time and not to mention a little girl running around the place. You'll find my egg at the opening of one of many tunnels. Do your best Jack (snowflake)"
Despite being slightly annoyed at being called Cottontail again, Bunny could not help but laugh. His kits had made him a Mother's day egg hunt and once he had found the eggs he would find them. Bunny looked over Jack's note again and tried to think about what Jack was on about. The only tunnels that Jack could be on about were the ones that the eggs went down to reach the continent that they were sent too, which was on the other side of the warren. Obviously the game was meant to take him some time too do in order to get what ever they were up to setup. Bunny rubbed his muzzle before taking off in a run, bounding over rivers and green fields. It took a while but once he got there he noticed to his dismay that many of the tunnel entrances had become overgrown.
"If there is any time this afternoon, I'll get the family to help me clean this lot up, really shouldn't leave it so long to cut back really. Now to find Jack's egg"
He had thought it was going to be easy but after almost an hour later he still had not found the egg. He stepped back from the tunnel opening and looked around, trying to find something he had missed. Near the end by the tunnel that lead to the seventh continent was an old Egg guard that had broken down and Bunny didn't have the heart to throw it away. In its mouth he saw something round and blue. Bunny pulled out the snowflake covered egg along with the note that was with it. He had to admit Jack was pretty good with the paint, maybe he should try and get him to help with Easter next year. He looked down and saw this one was from Holly.
Dear Bunnymund, Thanks to you and North I have the family I always wanted and now a family of my own. My egg can be found by the fire that we sat around in your home, simply chatting and being family. My clue is that I love butterflies. Love Holly X.
Bunny groaned out loudly at the thought of having to run all the way back to his hut. Time was pressing on and it was almost lunch time and he had yet to find Holly's egg let alone Thistle's. He knew what Holly was on about, he and North made it a rule at Christmas that after six North, Jack and Holly would stop work and join Bunny and the twins. They would sit around the fireplace, Jack on the floor playing with the twins, Holly curled up in one of the armchairs with him and North on the sofa. It was wonderful, it was sad that those nights were so short. Once he reached his hut he quickly scanned the fireplace and saw a bright pink egg with red butterflies on it, sitting in the candelabra. Holly's art work had come along way since she became a spirit, it was still sloppy in places but still good. He placed the egg in to his pouch were he was keeping the other two eggs before reading Thistle's note.
"Happy Daddy Day Daddy! I Love you more the chocolate. My Egg is in the pocket of something big, red and jolly. Once you find it you will find us. Love Thistle XX"
Bunny could not hold back his wide smile but he could not figure out where his daughter was on about. He looked along his mantle piece, looking at the many photos that now sat there rather then old art supplies. There was one of his with all the guardians, one of him and the twins as well as one of the whole family. In the middle was a large photograph of him and North at their wedding. They were holding their hands out showing off their wedding rings and smiling for the camera. He loved North so much and he looked so handsome in his long red velvet coat, gold buttons gleaming in the light. Bunny's eyes widen as he looked at Thistle note again and then back at the picture. North! North was big, jolly and always in red, Thistle must have hidden it in his packet. The little scamp! He was out of his hut like a shot quickly sniffing the air to pick up North's scent. Once he found it, he followed it back to the pool where Dust had hid his egg and found not only North and the kits but Holly and Memphis as well. All sitting on a large picnic blanket with mountains of food spread out.
"Daddy!" "Dad" "Cottontail" "Bunny" were all shouted out as he came towards them. North rose to his feet, his arms out stretched as he hugged his mate.
"Well done Aster. Did you enjoy your egg hunt?"
"It was a bit knacking to be honest mate. Now you have got something that belongs to me?"
"You have to look for it Daddy" smiled Thistle as everyone else broke out in giggles. North simply grinned but his eyes darken with something Bunny knew all to well that meant he might have to have Jack baby sit the twins tonight. His searched North's pant's pockets, back pockets, coat pockets even his side leg pockets was empty. Then he saw a small pocket on North's shoulder that was bulging out and he reached in and took out a red egg with golden spots.
"Ah! so soon? I had hoped you would take your time" moaned North before chuckling at Bunny's blushing face.
"Can we eat now papa? We're hungry" asked Dust as he looked at the food.
North laughed out load "We better let them eat Bunny otherwise they might rise against us"
Bunny laughed as well as he sat down beside Holly "Ok you little ankle biters, lets dig in, then if you don't mind there is some work I want us all to do"
"What? Didn't all that running ware you out?" joked Jack as he started to make himself up a plate.
"Ha! I could run from one end of this warren to the other all day and night if I need too and still get all the work done. Not all of us can hang around and have fun you know"
"Really?" smirked Jack "because you sure took your sweet time getting here. Maybe old age is catching up with you"
Bunny was going to retort but North interrupted "Enough talk, lets eat and build up our strength, we got busy afternoon ahead"
Everyone tucked in to the picnic and Bunny stuck up a conversation with Holly.
"Love the new necklace Holly? Was that your mother's day gift?"
Holly beamed as she showed off her dry macaroni and shell necklace. "Yep, made it all himself, didn't you Memphis?"
The small boy smiled up at his mother adoringly before turning back to munch on a sausage roll.
"Did you like the gifts Bunny? You didn't have another glitter card did you?"
"Nah, no glitter this year thankfully and yeah I loved all the gifts. Who's idea was it to give me an egg hunt?"
"It was Jack's. He said since you were to busy at Easter to do an Easter egg hunt with you took part in, he thought that this would be a good way and since you can not really eat chocolate we decided to make them out of clay. Glad you liked them"
"OK everyone raise your glasses" said Jack as he raised his "To Bunny, the most wonderful "Father" on Mother's day. He worries about us, feds and clothes us and nags at us and we wouldn't want him any other way! To Bunny!"
Everyone one cheered and toasted Bunny who had gone really red underneath his fur.
"Bloody show pony"
The kits chattered and laughed as Bunny leant against North watching over them.
"You like your eggs Aster? The children worked hard on them you know. Phil is still finding dried paint in his fur" laughed North remembering the older yeti complaining about the twins splashing and using up a large amount of paint.
"You bet I do. They'll make a good addition to my collection. I'll might put them next to the jewelled eggs or maybe next to the shell pieces of the Himalayan great snow goose egg shell that Katherine gave to me"
"That is a big honour for such little painted eggs" North smiled knowing how much his lover adored his collection.
"Well its like you say mate our kits are our treasures. Though I really do wish they stop calling me the mom"
North roared with laughter as he kissed Bunny's cheek and rubbing his furry belly "You have little chance of that my heart. Especially since I have every intention of making you a proud mamma again"
Bunny flushed scarlet as he buried his face in his paws "Mim help me"
The End.