Valentines and other holidays
By
End of Grace
Chapter 15: Happy New Year
New years eve at the pole was usually manic with getting ready for the end of year party but this year was different. North had plans, personal plans to spend this year with his mate, kits and family. He had sent out letters of apologies to the other spirits and told his fellow guardians his plans along with the instructions not to tell Bunny or the children what he was planning. Since many children stayed up well past midnight, Sandy, Pitch and Tooth were free and agreed to met up with North at the place he had chosen. Jack promised to get there as soon as he could as he had a lot of work to do, freezing over windows, pipes and lakes. He asked North to save him some food. North giggled behind his hand as he went about packing a large picnic basket. He and the yetis had been cooking up a small storm, a mixture of vegetation meals, cold meats and sweets.
"Alright! What are you up too Mate?"
North let out a small yelp as he jumped around to see Bunny standing behind him with his paws crossed against his chest.
"My heart, you scared me! And what do you mean? Up too? I'm not up too anything..."
"Oh really? Then why ain't the yetis getting ready for that big party of yours? And why are you only cooking my favourite dishes and not the party food?" said Bunny as he arched his eye brow and stepped closer to North wearing his new bracers that North had given him as an anniversary present.
"Don't know what you mean..."
"Pull the other one Nick!" Bunny smirked "You acting like you do Christmas morning before you give our kits their gifts. So what are you up too?"
North pouted and looked away "Its surprise"
Bunny rolled his eyes as he placed his paws on North's shoulders and nuzzled his neck. "Come on Mate, you can tell me and I promise if its good, I'll give you a reward"
North swallowed as he kissed Bunny's cheek "All I can say is to wrap yourself and our kits up warmly. Where we are going is going to be cold but worth it"
Bunny stepped back looking slightly putout "Cold? But Mate, I HATE the cold!"
"It will be worth it love and well...we are going in the sleigh and..."
"The SLEIGH! Nick!" Bunny snapped "I'm not letting our kits in to that death trap of yours! No way! No how!"
North jaw dropped as did his shoulders, sadness filling his blue eyes. "Oh...I see...I just...I guess I can change the plans..."
Bunny felt his guts twist at North's fallen face, the last thing he wanted was to hurt his mate "No...Nick...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap like that. Look, if you can promise me that the sleigh has at least three safety checks before take off and is fitting with real seatbelts and has at least some sort of heat, like a blanket or something"
Bunny was suddenly in North's arms and being spun around whole North cheered loudly. "I'm going to regret this"
-Line Break-
"Dad I'm too hot!" Thistle moaned as she tugged at her scarf. Both she and Dust had gloves, scarf's, earmuffs, thick winter capes and while she wore thick boots, Bunny had wrapped Dust's feet in leather binding.
"Papa is taking us somewhere cold sweetheart and I'm not letting you guys get cold and get sick said Bunny as he wrapped his own cape around his shoulders.
"Are we really going to go in the sleigh Dad?" asked Dust as he bounced on his feet. He had been begging his parents for ages to fly in the sleigh but Dad was firmly against it.
"Only if he's done as I've asked" Bunny muttered before turning to the twins "Now listen, you will behave while in the sleigh! There will be no jumping about or leaning over the edge. Your also not to bother papa while he is driving ok? Break one of these rules and I will have papa turn the sleigh around and we come home got it?"
"Yes Dad" said the twins as they each took a paw as Bunny led them down to the prep room where the sleigh and the reindeer were getting ready. North stood proudly by the side of Dancer, petting his neck while the yetis and elves made the final checks as Bunny came in with the twins. He smiled brightly as he adjusted his long red coat and hat as they approached the sleigh, the twins bouncing with excitement while Bunny looked like he was going to have an anxiety attack.
"All is ready love" said North as he rubbed Bunny's shoulder "It has had four safety checks and seatbelts put in as you requested and I promise no loop-de-loops"
"This better be worth it North" Bunny muttered darkly as Dust got in to the sleigh first and had Phil fit his seatbelt.
"It will be love, now in you go, your in the middle so you can hold on to the twins" said North helping Bunny in and fitting the belt for him before helping Thistle with hers. He then placed a thick blanket over them and tried not to chuckle as Bunny wrapped his paws tightly around the twins, hugging them tightly against him. He leapt to the fount of the sleigh, wrapping the reins around his hands, snapping them sharply to set the reindeer running.
"Daddy, you holding me to tight!" moaned Thistle as she struggled against Bunny's tightening grip.
"Once we're in the air Aster, I promise we'll slow down, so try and allow our children some air dah?" said North over his shoulder as the reindeers ran down the winding tunnels.
"North I swear when we get back you sleeping in your workshop for this!" yelled Bunny as he closed his eyes tightly.
"It will be worth it" North shouted back as the sleigh took to the air, the twins cheering in the back. North reached in to his pocket and pulled out a snow globe and threw it in to the air. "Now! Here we go!"
The twins watched in awe as the bright sky and white surrounding of the north pole changed suddenly in to a dark evening city skyline. Bunny felt the sleigh slow down and the cold winter wind blow across his face but he still did not want to open his eyes.
"Papa! Who is that big green lady?" asked Dust as he twisted in Bunny's arm to try and get a better look.
"She's huge!" said Thistle leaning over Bunny's lap to try and see better.
Big green lady? That didn't make any scene to Bunny as he opened his eyes to see what has caught the twins attention.
"The Statue of Liberty? Why on earth are we in New York?" Bunny asked as he took in the great statue.
"It is part of big surprise" smiled North as he pulled on the reins to steer the reindeer towards the monument, flying lazily around it, so they could all have a good look.
"This is an important statue my treasures, she stands for freedom for all and hope for a brighter future" explained North as he did a final circle around her. Bunny felt himself relaxing, taking in the sights as North pointed them out, enjoying the gasps of amazement coming from his kits. He didn't feel confident enough to look over the edge but was comfortable enough to loosen his hold on the twins and to enjoy himself. He looked around at all the bright colourful lights that shone from the buildings and he had to admit, it was beautiful.
"You have never seen the city like this have you my heart?" asked North slightly turning around just to look at Bunny, happy to see his mate enjoying himself.
"Nah, not really, I'm always out at first light of the sun and back before sunset. The only other time I was out at dark, I was to busy racing you, Jack and Sandy for teeth to enjoy it"
"Daddy what are those big signs for?" asked Thistle pointing to a large picture of a mask and a rose and another that was yellow with a black lion.
"This is called Broadway Thistle, this is where they put on shows and musicals for people to watch" said Bunny as he stroked her hair.
"We must get going now" said North "The others are waiting for us"
"Others?" Bunny asked "You didn't say anything about others"
"Part of surprise" said North as he headed towards times square. Bunny was slightly alarmed when he saw that the streets were filled with people.
"North, there are people down there, with kids, what are you playing at?" he hissed "Are kits are too young to be exposed to humans"
"I'm not! I'm...ah! Everyone is here already, hold on tight" said North as he took the sleigh in to land on the roof of a tall building. On the roof was Sandy and Pitch who were setting up the two large stove fires while Holly and Tooth were setting up a picnic area, while young Memphis was trying to get in to the picnic basket his mother had made.
"Memphis, you get away from that basket, otherwise I'll get your grandpa to put you on his naughty list" warned Holly, making her son jump and look bashful as he stepped away from the basket.
"He wouldn't dare" muttered Pitch as he put more wood on the fire as North came in to land "and here he is now late for his own party"
"I am not late" snorted North as he helped the twins and Bunny out of the sleigh "Fashionably early in fact"
Pitch rolled his eyes, while Sandy gave a quite laugh and helped North carry over the large picnic basket that he bought. "Where is Frost? I'm surprised he is not here yet"
"He is still busy with his duties" said North proudly "But he will be here in time"
Everyone sat down and started to eat and talk about the past year as well as the gossip that was going around the spirit world.
"North, just a heads up, Lucky is still making alcohol" said Holly as she handed Memphis a plate.
"It appears the leprechaun is not taking your ban seriously" said Pitch as he stroked Sandy's hair as the small gold man sat on his lap. Sandy showed a large "?" and a four leaf cover to ask what they were on about.
"Lucky was caught giving alcohol to the fairies and minor spirits again" sighed North "He had warnings before but this time Mother Nature herself was cross and demanded action. So the council of the seven holidays put a ban on an alcohol being given out by him for the coming year's St Patrick's day. Looks like I will have to have a talk with him at the new year meeting" said North as he mentally added it to his list of things to discuss at that meeting.
"So its true? Thanksgiving asked Aphrodite out on a date?" asked Tooth in surprise.
"Yeah, just shortly after his holiday too, came over to the pole to ask North and me for advice as well" said Bunny as he wrapped his cape tighter around himself. Although the two fires were doing a great job at keeping out the cold, he was still a spring spirit and the cool night air was still chilling him down to his bones. Then a heavy warm coat was draped around him as he looked up to see North wrapping his coat around him.
"You need this more then I do" he said softly "I would not want you to get sick"
"Thanks Mate" smiled Bunny as he reached up and kissed North's knuckles before pulling him down to sit beside him. "This was a nice surprise Nick, I never thought about seeing a firework display, the kits are going to love it"
"I'm looking forward to them too...though I rather the fireworks I see when we..."
Bunny slapped his paw over North's mouth quickly, the winter spirit's eyes sprinkled with laughter.
"Keep that up and you won't be seeing fireworks till the fourth of July" Bunny muttered while North simply chuckled at his threat.
-Line Break-
Jack joined them a few hours later and took over watching the kids and keeping them occupied while they waited for midnight. He stood over them as they fed the reindeer their treats and petted them, being watchful for any signs that they were going to get aggressive and accidentally hurt one of the children.
"Jack, is there a spirit for New year? Are we going to see them?" asked Dust as he brushed Cupid's mane.
"No Dust, there isn't a spirit for new year...although it does involve a couple of spirits" said Jack rubbing the side of his head as he tried to think how to explain it to them. "Its the end of the year, so when midnight strikes Father Time goes from being an old man to a kid...well a kid that looks like me...kinda of a teenager...you understand?"
"So when it becomes new year Father time becomes a new person?" said Thistle looking slightly confused.
"Yeah...sort of...he just becomes younger and then as the year get on he gets older and then starts again the following year, get it now?"
"Ok, but what about the fireworks?" asked Dust while Memphis used his sand to make a few small ones above his head.
"That is where we come in" said a deep voice that made the children jump. There on the edge of the building were a pair of teenagers in bright coloured clothing that would not have looked out of place in the 80's. The boy was slightly taller then Jack and had a mullet hair style that was dark blue to match his eyes while his sister had a shaggy bob that was bright pink.
"Sparks, Bang! Hello...should you be here, so close to count down?" asked North as he stood up and greeted them.
"We have time" said Bang as he stepped off the edge and helped his sister down as well. "We wanted to thank you for coming to watch are work as well as give your children these"
Sparks handed the twins, Jack and Memphis each a sparkler "Now, you guys need to hold these out, away from you so you don't get hurt"
"Excuse me...but what do these do?" asked Dust looking at the thin stick in his paw.
Bang snapped his fingers and the sparkers start to burn brightly making the twins laugh and wave them about wildly.
North laughed "What do you say little ones?"
"THANK YOU!" laughed the twins as they continued to wave the sparkers about. Memphis ran over to his mother waving his,wanting to show her how pretty it was, but was picked up by the scuff of his clothes by Bang.
"Hey kid! Do you want to give your mum first degree burns? Don't go running or pointing those things at people, it could really hurt them ok?"
Memphis sniff and nodded as his sparkler went out. Bang put him back on the floor and Memphis ran to his mother's arms near in tears from being told off. Bang felt a little bad for making the child cry and was about to give Memphis another sparkler when he felt a cold shiver up his spine.
"I must thank you Bang for teaching my son the importance of safety" said Pitch as he placed his hands on Bangs shoulders, black sand circling around Bang's body. "but if you ever make my son cry again...Sparks will become the only leader of your holidays"
"Yes Sir!" said Bang as he ran over to his sister who was explaining to the twins what she and her brother did.
"So you make fireworks for all the holidays" exclaimed Thistle excitedly "That's amazing! Our dad and papa only have one"
"Well, your dads have to do the whole world in one day or in North's case night. While mine and Bang's holidays are for mainly America and the UK, we cover a few others but that's only helping out because people like fireworks so much. This is the one night we have to do all over the world"
"So...other counties don't have the same holidays?" asked Thistle.
"No, each county has it own holidays and traditions, but the main ones like Christmas, Easter and such are celebrated every where and..."
"Sister, we need to go now, their going to start the count down soon" said Bang as he took Spark's hand and tugged it.
"Oh...ok. Well it was nice to meet you all. Have a great new year" said Sparks as Bang started to drag her away.
"Good luck with tonight you two and remember the meeting is on the tenth at the pole" North shouted after them as they disappeared from sight. He looked down at Bunny to ask him if he wanted anymore food, only to see Bunny shivering with cold despite his coat. He looked over at his children and while they were having a good time they too were starting to shiver.
"Little ones, climb in to sleigh please, that way you can sit and watch the fire works and be wrapped up warm in blankets" said North as he scooped Bunny up bridal style and carried him over to the sleigh.
"I can walk North" Bunny snapped as North placed him down in the seat behind the children. North bought out an extra blankets and gave them to his fellow guardians to share. Jack and Tooth shared one while Pitch and Holly shared with Sandy making a large one to share with Memphis. North took the last one and wrapped it around Bunny before sitting next to him and pulling him against his chest.
"Starting to feel a bit warmer now my heart?" North asked as he rested his cheek against Bunny's head. "I can bring one of the stoves over if you need me too"
"Nah Mate, this is enough, thanks" Bunny purred as he curled in to North's chest, enjoying the warmth that came from it. He had to admit he was not looking forward tonight when North told him they would be out in the cold and in the sleigh but it had been a wonderful night and he was sure the fireworks were going to be great.
"North...Nick...thank you for a great night, its been the best anniversary yet" he said softly so the others could not hear him being sappy. North tilted Bunny's head up, so they were facing and gently kissed his mate.
"I love you so much Aster , never forget or doubt my feelings for you, for they grow stronger with each year we're together"
"Ya a big mushy sap you know that?" chuckled Bunny but he quickly kissed North's cheek "and I love you for it mate"
North was about to lean in closer for a deeper kiss when Dust leaned over excitedly.
"Papa! They starting to do the count down! You got to join in!"
"Alright, alright, all together now!" laughed North as everyone started to count down to midnight. When the clock struck midnight, multiple fireworks shot in to the sky filling it with bright colours, as the people and spirits bellow cheered.
The End.