Hi everyone! Just wanted to say a special thanks to embercl for being the 200th reviewer :) Thanks guys, I never thought this story would ever have made it to 200+ reviews. To:-
Queen of Dorks: Thanks for the lengthy review! Haha, writing this story has been fun too for me and thanks for listening to every single song I put up, makes me happy to know that the hours searching for the perfect song were futile :)
PinkiepieandRarity101: In your question when you asked how come (F/N)'s dad is still alive, well (yes, I'm sorry, I finally got around to answering this), he was never really dead (re: chapter 6). He just left to protect his family so that Pitch couldn't track them :)
There's a surpise at the end of this chapter. I hope you guys like it ;) Listen to:
Finally Found You - Enrique Iglesias (beautiful song :))
Standing outside the front yard of your house, you weren't so sure that your idea was that smart now.
Glancing towards the ashen complexion of your father's face, you gave his hand a gentle squeeze. The silver band he wore around his wrist was cool against your skin.
Giving a sigh, your dad squared his shoulders as he marched on to the house. His armor glinted brightly in the sun and you were vaguely sure that your mum wouldn't take it too lightly that there was an immortal, celestial warrior outside of her house – even though he is your dad and all that.
You turned back and made eye contact with Jack who gave you an encouraging smile. Ever since discovering that you had bonded your soul with Jack, the both of you hadn't even spoken a word about it although you have caught Jack staring at you with an unfathomable look in his eyes.
Bunny gave you a smirk as he caught you looking at his friend and you blushed before glaring at him.
A gasp alerted you to the front door to where your mum stood, wide eyed and pale. Her eyes took in your dad who was standing awkwardly in front of her, a sheepish smile in place. She then stared at you as her eyes widened even more than possible and her breath escape in a 'whoosh'.
"Hi, honey," your dad said meekly as your mums attention snapped back to him before she covered her mouth with her hand.
"Jordan?" she questioned as though not wanting to believe it.
He nodded and before you could process what was happening, she ran up to him, embracing him fiercely. Your father seemed shocked and rooted to the spot as he hugged your mum back.
They broke apart as your mum turned to stare at you. "Should I even ask?" she questioned with a glare though her voice was thick with emotion.
You didn't know what to say as you just stood there awkwardly, shuffling uncertainly. It was when your parents opened their arms towards you that you smiled and ran into their embrace.
It was as if you were five all over again and your mum and dad would envelope you in a family hug. The cool metal of your father's armor contrasted greatly with your mother's warm arms around you but you didn't care; you finally felt complete and for the first time since you met your dad, did you acknowledge that you really did miss him.
Wiping a few stray tears that were leaking from your eyes, you pulled back as the smiling face of your parents greeted you.
You turned to look at Jack and Bunny who were each wearing identical smiles of warmth as Bunny gestured subtly towards Jack.
"Mum, there's someone else you should meet," you said as you turned to Jack.
Jack's blue eyes widened at having been caught as he hesitantly slipped on the silver moon relic onto his wrist.
Your mother's eyes which were scanning the supposedly empty lawn widened once more when Jack's shape shifted and appeared from thin air. He gave her a polite grin while reaching his hand out to shake hers.
"Good morning ma'am, I'm Jack Frost," he said as your mum tentatively took his hand in hers.
"Nice to meet you Jack," your mum said, ever the polite one even though her eyes were questioning.
Your mum turned to face your dad with a grim look on her expression, something which you rarely ever saw on her face. "It was that dark man again, wasn't it?" she questioned as your father gave a solemn nod.
After a pregnant pause, Jack said "He managed to find (F/N) and wanted to kidnap her as a means of changing her into a Nightmare, but I gave myself up to him so that he would take me instead."
Your mum's breath caught as she turned to your dad. "Is that true?" she demanded and your dad nodded.
Cautiously, you asked, "So you do know about Pitch, mum?"
Your mum gave you a surprisingly wary look, as if she looked almost…apologetic. "Your dad told me, a long time ago that there was an evil force vying for revenge against him and that he had to leave to keep us safe," she paused as she glanced at your dad who gave her an apologetic shrug. "Of course, I thought it was nonsense but when he revealed himself to me and defeated a Nightmare to save you, I knew that it was true and that we had to protect you."
You gave a sharp gasp as your gaze met Jack's probing blue ones. Slowly, you turned back to your mum, as if not daring to believe it. "You knew, all this time?" you whispered as your mother nodded, a look of shame gracing her face.
"I am so sorry, (F/N), I knew I should have told you that sooner, but I didn't want to scare you," she said as she looked sincerely at you. "And I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you when that man attacked," she said as a sad look filled her eyes. You quickly reached out to touch her arm and reassure her.
"It's okay mum, you couldn't have fought back with him anyway, he was too strong," and then you glanced at Jack. "I was lucky when the Guardians sent Jack to protect me, he helped me as best as he could," you said as Jack gave you a smile though it was tinged with another, stronger emotion.
"The Guardians didn't send him," your dad started as you stared at him in shock. "I did. Jack's powers are the strongest to defeat Pitch as he did do it on more than one occasion," your dad said, shooting Jack a grin…but the winter spirit wasn't smiling, he was just staring at you with a complex mixture of emotions written on his face.
In any other circumstances, it would have made you blush, but with your parents' right in front you, it just made you feel uneasy.
"Actually, your daughter helped save me too," Jack clarified as you blushed and stared at the ground. Your mum looked shocked as Jack proceeded to explain. "She shared her life force with me, when I was about to die and literally revived me with her bare hands."
Your mum looked at you as if staring at you for the first time, amazement in her eyes. "Well I never…you have your father's abilities," she said as she gave you a dazzling smile that deepened your blush.
"Well-" you started but were interrupted by a cough.
In the midst of explaining, you hadn't realized that Bunnymund was approaching your family and Jack. You gave a look of horrification which he just shrugged off with an eye roll.
"Hello, Andrea, it's nice to see you again," he said to your mum and to your utter amazement, your mum smiled back. "Aster, such a joy it is to meet you again," she replied and even your dad looked confused.
Between the hectic confusion of the grownups talking, you heard a low voice by your ear that sent shivers up your spine. "Walk with me," Jack simply said and you nodded as you slowly backed away from the group who were chatting and followed Jack to corner of the street. It was then that you realized this was the same place where you confessed your feelings to Jack.
Before you could turn and ask Jack what's going on, he faced you with a sigh and you could see the sorrow in his gaze. It completely unarmed and baffled you.
"What-
You wanted to question but was cut off by Jack's hands which were pulling you to him. His sudden embrace made you gasp but you held him closer, the cool of his body making your blood sing with happiness.
He then let you go as he gave you an apologetic look. You then expected him to kiss you, pull you in for another hug, or sweep you off your feet-
"I'm sorry."
Okay, you weren't expecting that at all.
"I'm so, very sorry (F/N), for everything," he said and the look of regret on his face was mind numbing. "For pulling you into this, for hurting you, for betraying you, God-" he said as he grimaced.
"Jack, you-
He cut you off again, raising his hands up in surrender. "I'll admit, I was such an idiot, a douchebag, whatever you wanted to call me. I'm so sorry for pushing you away, I thought that…" he took a deep, shuddering breath. "I thought that by pushing you away, it would keep you safe, but I didn't know that I was hurting you even more, and… I'm sorry."
You bit your lower lip, not sure of what to do. In the end, you did what you first thought off.
You smacked the upside of his head.
And then, he pulled you in for a kiss.
Jack's lips were cool and unyielding against yours as he wrapped his arms around your waist to pull you in tighter. You shivered as your arms made its way around his neck, inadvertently molding the both of your lips together even closer, like liquid nitrogen sealing itself.
It was like heaven being able to kiss him, with the bright sunlight filtering in your closed eyelids and the sounds of birds chirping in the background, it felt idyllic and somehow, right to be in his arms.
Jack let you go as you breathed some much needed cool winter's air. A grin was spreading itself on his face as you felt your lips reflect his.
"So, I take it that you like me back?" you asked coyly as Jack rolled his eyes good-naturedly and wrapped his arms around your waist.
"Merry Christmas, (F/N)," he said and you were startled that it was already Christmas as you pulled back and gave him a smile. "Merry Christmas to you too, Jack."
There was a slight pause, in which Jack seemed to be struggling with something to say. The smile slowly disappeared from your face as you thought that he regretted kissing you. You were just about to question him, when-
"So, I heard that there was a Christmas Ball coming up…" he started as your heart stopped for what had to be the hundredth time in the pass minute.
You barely had time to nod when Jack took a deep breath. "Would you like to be my date for the Yuletide Ball?" he asked as your smile reappeared.
"I thought you'd never ask."