AN: Hello and welcome to the last chapter. I would like to thank anyone who's still reading this story for sticking with me through chapters of feels, feels, and more feels, with a dash of humor. And for not stoning me for my outrageous ineptitude at posting on time. And there are major time jumps in this chapter, jumps that just need to be taken. Don't hate.
In all seriousness though, thank you for all the favs, follows, and reviews. I've cherished every one and I love you all. So, with that said and done, he's the last chapter!
OOOOO
"And how is the graduate this morning?" I rub my eyes and slowly sit up, Bunny's Australian drawl now normal to me. I look at him with a smirk.
"Is it morning?" He grins and tosses an empty bag to me.
"You're staying with Pitch for a while, so you better pack. I have to be somewhere." He tells me as explanation. I look down at the bag with a sigh before nodding at him. "How late were you up last night?" He asks with a smirk.
"Night? You think I fell asleep during the night? You're funny." His smirk grows and he disappears from my doorway to make loud noises in probably the kitchen. I mutter to myself as I stretch and get up to change. I'm still in my jeans and tank top from the night before, my graduation dress ditched at Jamie's house before we went out last night. I also left my cap and gown there too. I'll pick them up later.
"Do you want eggs?" Bunny calls from down the hall.
"Two please!" I call back, pulling off the tank top and tossing it into one of the many open boxes in my room. I know I'll be moving out in another few months. Back to Pitch's place, after my 18th birthday. It's not that Bunny wants me out or anything, but I miss my Boogeyman. And he is officially, my Boogeyman. My boyfriend.
It was kinda hard to choose him over Jack, but after I realized how much I need Pitch, I knew I had to tell Jack as much. That was the most awkward talk I've ever had with anyone. But it turned out okay when Jack admitted to himself and to Bunny that he was in love with the rabbit. He's not really gay per say. He doesn't like men, he likes Bunny. Just Bunny. I personally think it's awesome.
"You should wear that." Speaking of Jack...
"I was thinking I'd wear my red shirt." I pull out said red shirt and the one Jack pointed too and hold them in front of myself as I look in my mirror. "You're rabbit's in the kitchen." I tell him as I alternate shirts.
"I'm here to take you to Pitch's." He states with his customary cocky grin. "You're staying there for a while aren't you?"
"Yeah, a few nights I think. You're welcome to stay too. The Lair won't be the same without you." I grin at him through the mirror.
"Ah yes. The good old days. You and me running around in a game of intense hide and seek while simultaneously scaring the living shit out of Pitch and annoying the hell out of him." He seems way too gleeful at the thought. Finally I decide on the shirt he suggested, a black tank top with gold lace around the neck and hem. The red one goes into my bag, along with PJ's, two T-shirts, and two pairs of pants. I also have some clothes at the Lair so I'm not worried about running out of outfits. Jack helps out, tossing me socks and my toothbrush and anything else I ask him to throw me.
"So you'll come with?" I ask with a quirked eyebrow.
"Sure. Bunny's gonna be off gallivanting through space looking for any other Pookas so I have nothing to do." He says at last. I zip up my bag, grab my shoes from near the door, and lead the way out to the kitchen. Bunny's just getting done making eggs for the two of us, so when Jack swoops up behind him and captures him in a tight hug, the Pooka groans but then laughs.
"I suppose you'll be wanting eggs too?" He asks. Jack smiles and nods. Bunny gives him his own plate, then goes about making some for himself. I watch the adorably domestic scene with a smile, sitting heavily in my chair at the table. "What did you even do last night...and this morning?" Bunny asks, noticing my yawn.
"We had grad night at the Burgess Family Fun Center until about three, then Jamie, Pippa, Cupcake, Claude, Caleb, Monty, and me went to Waffle House for like two hours. And we watched a movie at Claude and Caleb's so...I think it was like seven or so by the time I got back." I explain with a total lack of energy to put into it. Jack snickers to himself and Bunny just shakes his head. "What? You said I didn't have curfew!" I point out.
"I didn't think you'd come home the same time I was getting up!" He replies almost immediately. I just stick my tongue out and continue with my eggs.
"Hey, I heard North saying that MiM is for sure making you immortal. Sounds like it'll be your 18 birthday present from him, or something." Jack tells me around a huge mouthful of eggs. I stop in my devouring to look blankly at the table. "You okay?"
"Yeah, it's just kinda mind boggling. A year ago I would have laughed until I peed if you said I'd be an immortal at 18. I wonder what I'll become." They both shrug, Bunny joining us at the table. It's a quiet breakfast after that, all of us thinking to ourselves. A clock somewhere in the Burrow announces that it's 10 o'clock and I rub my eyes, muttering to myself about how it was only barely worth it to stay up so late.
"Ready to go?" I look at Jack tiredly but nod, pulling on my shoes and taking my plate to the sink. I give Bunny a one armed hug before grabbing my stuff and waiting for Jack. Jack and Bunny have a much longer hug, accompanied by some kissing and cooing and overall lovey-dovey-coupley stuff. Finally they tear apart from one another and Jack tosses a Snow Globe that opens a portal to the Lair. With one last wave towards Bunny I step through, Jack following close behind. We appear in the main cavern, which seems lighter than the last time I visited, which was only last week.
"Pitch?" I call out, shifting my bag to my other shoulder. Suddenly there's something tugging on my pant leg, something adorable. "Jace?" He grins at me and I collapse to sit cross legged on the ground with him. He's only four months now, but he is insanely smart. Immortal smart, I guess it could be called.
"Auntie." He coos, smiling at me. He's smart enough to speak apparently. But I can see he's still learning, since that's all he says.
"That is so cute." Jack tells me, and Jace looks at him.
"Jack." He says simply, making Jack fawn all over him.
"He's just charming everyone today." I jump a little as Pitch and Carter appear off to my left. Carter grins at me and her son, coming and picking him up. Pitch too wanders over and reaches a hand down to pull me up. The second I'm up he's wrapping his arms around me lovingly and I'm standing on my tip toes to kiss him on his cheek.
"Oh it's so sweet I could hurl." Jack mocks.
"I just endured five minutes of you and Bunny grossing me out, you can deal." I hiss at him before laying my head on Pitch's chest. "MiM approved my petition for immortality." I whisper. It feels like every inch of tension in his body just evaporates and he sighs heavily.
"Are you glad?" He asks, his deep voice rumbling through his chest into mine.
"Exceedingly. After I'm immortal I can formally move in." I remind him. He chuckles, a warm sound that seems to surround me. "I hope you've kept the place clean." I joke, earning another of those sweet low laughs.
"Get a room." Carter mutters under her breath, but she's smiling slightly. "Did you at least notice my renovations?" She sounds so offended as she gestures to the new patches of light that filter into the cave. I quirk an eyebrow in question at both her and Pitch.
"I prefer not to speak on the matter." Pitch growls.
"I kicked his ass into the ceiling. Made some new lighting." She grins, entirely pleased with herself. Pitch groans low in his throat, obviously not enjoying her smug sense of victory. I just giggle to myself and kiss his cheek again.
"Well I personally need something to do or I'm going to fall asleep an not wake up until the middle of the night. And as much as I want to be nocturnal, I'd prefer to keep a relatively normal sleep schedule."
OOOOO
No matter how many times I come to the North Pole, I'm always blown away by the magic and wonder of the place! But this time my wonder is twinged with anxiety and maybe a bit of fear? At midnight it will be my 18th birthday and MiM will be bestowing immortality upon me. But I'm kinda really nervous about just who I'll be after receiving said immortality. Will I be a seasonal spirit, or a holiday spirit, or what? Everyone is pretty tense right now as we wait for the last eight minutes of my mortal life to tick away.
I'm practically welded to Pitch's side as we sit on the couch by the fireplace, Carter and Jace sitting next to me on my the opposite side. Across from us sits Bunny and Jack and Sandy, all trying desperately not to look at the clock continuously. I keep focusing on Jack's three month baby belly, compliments of Bunny. We were all shocked when he announced that he was pregnant, and the intricacies of exactly how he's pregnant still go over my head. But I'm happy for them, they make an adorable couple. He's not the only one with baby fever. Tooth and North were all too happy to announce their impending bundle of joy to us last month. And now everyone keeps looking at Pitch and me as if saying, you're next.
Five minutes. Everyone is so quiet. It's not like anything bad is going to happen, it's just no one can really say anything. What is there to even say anyways? In fact Jace is the one making the most conversation. Every now and then he'll point to a random object and state it's name, earning smiles from Carter and me. He really is adorable. And he's growing so freaking fast, it's insane. Presently he points to the open sky roof and says,
"Moon." We all snap out attentions to the ripe full moon hanging in the velvety dark sky. Immediately I'm out of my seat and standing just at the edge of the moonbeam that's glowing like a pillar down on us. I become aware of Pitch next to me, holding my hand tightly. Somewhere in the back of my mind I hear the clock chiming twelve times.
Happy Birthday, Katherine.
A shiver shoots up my spine at the ethereal way MiM speaks. His voice so quiet, like a faint glow in my mind, but also so very vibrant. I smile, whether or not it's at him I'm not sure, but I smile.
Come forward.
It takes me a second to get my legs to work, but then they do and I cautiously step into the little circle of light. It's so bright inside the moonbeam. I can't see anyone, just the blinding glow. And I feel warmth, a comfortable sweet warmth that makes everything fuzzy. Suddenly the glow dies down and I'm in not in the North Pole at all. I'm standing on some sort of endless plane of pure white. It goes on forever, there's no distinction between what's above and what's below. It's just there. Existing and hosting my spirit. And standing not three yards away from me is a man made of light. An artist mannequin made of moonlight.
Hello Katherine. I am the Man in the Moon.
"You have a body?" Of sorts...
I take this form when I need to better communicate with my children and friends. And I take this form now to bestow upon you the greatest gift I can give. Immortality.
I nod heavily, trying not to let his deep soothing voice lull me into a catatonic state.
You are strong already. You have always been strong. You have survived when others could not. You have dealt with things far above the emotional, mental, and physical limits of a mere mortal. You will become a truly exceptional immortal. And it is that strength of mind, soul, will, and heart that convinces me that you will become the Autumn Spirit, the Spirit of Strength and Knowledge.
"I...I don't know what to say." I admit, but the wild grin on my face must say it all.
I know you will never fail me. I have absolute faith in you. Welcome to Immortality, dear one.
Everything dims around us until it fades back into the North Pole. And I can see my friends faces again, clear as day, clearer even. I can see things in sharper, deeper detail than ever before. All my senses feel heightened as I take in each inch of my immortal family and most of all, the man I love. I feel like I can see him clearly finally. And I love what I see. Apparently he does too, because he can't seem to stop looking at me.
"Pitch?" I ask, and I'm startled at my own voice. It's so much softer now, like a gentle breeze ruffling crisp Autumn leaves. He smiles, still looking positively awestruck for some reason. But he seems to recover enough to stumble forward and sweep his arms around me. I immediately hug him back, wrapping my arms around his neck with no intention of letting go in the near future.
"Dude you look so awesome!" Jack tells me with a loopy grin.
"Have I changed much?" I ask, a bit worried. Tooth pipes up, fluttering off quickly leaving us to stare awkwardly at each other. Well really they're all staring at me and I'm trying not to really look any of them in the eye. I feel embarrassed by all the attention. But Tooth appears again pretty quickly, toting a medium sized mirror, which she props up on on of the work benches so I can look at myself. I look at Pitch, who nods in encouragement, before stepping up and looking at my reflection.
Oh. So that's why they were staring. My hair, normally a dull brown, has brightened to a more bright chestnut brown and now extends to my waist. My skin is still pale, but now it seems to glow with the radiance of immortality, instead of the sickly look of an isolationist. My lips are a scarlet red, and there are brown freckles dotting my nose and cheeks. But all the small changes pale in comparison to my eyes. While still blue on the edges, there's a vibrant red that borders my pupil and branches out like fire. Eyes on fire. So this is what a spirit of Autumn looks like.
"Holy freakin heck." I murmur, more to myself than them, but they hear.
"The eyes will need getting used to." Carter murmurs, head cocked to the side.
"Ooh I want to play with your hair so bad right now." Tooth says dreamily, and I don't blame her. Heck, I want to play with my hair right now.
"She looks amazing." Jack states.
"She's perfect. Like she's always been." Pitch smiles at me and I turn away from the mirror to give him a big smile as well. He has to catch himself as his knees wobble, and I frown in concern.
"That's a powerful smile." Bunny smirks.
"I'll say." Jack agrees. "So, who are you now?"
"Autumn Spirit. Spirit of Strength and Knowledge." I do a mock bow, grinning wildly again. This time more than just Pitch have to catch themselves. "I'll try not to dazzle you guys so much." I say awkwardly. Sandy is suddenly hugging me around my waist, Jack and Tooth joining in instantly. In less than ten seconds they're all engulfing me in a massive group hug. "Guys...too...much...love." I exaggerate, gaining one or two snarky looks.
"We welcome you to family Katie." North says proudly, putting his hand on my shoulder. Tooth kisses my cheek before fluttering over to her husband and kissing him lovingly. Sandy uses his sand to tell me he's glad I'm immortal and happy now and I kiss him on his cheek lightly.
"I'm gonna miss ya causin' trouble in the Warren. You can visit anytime. Could even bring your mate if he promises to behave." Bunny tells me after a hug.
"Damn straight she can visit anytime, I'm gonna need her for moral support!" Jack exclaims before trapping me in a hug. I can't help but laugh.
"Oh Jack. You will be my very best friend until...well...forever." I promise him. "And I believe the most epic snowball fight ever attempted can now be planned. I think I can keep up with you now." I grin.
"Challenge accepted." He grins maniacally and steps aside to start mentally planning something.
"Auntie." Jace coos from Carter's arms.
"Well at least he still recognizes me." I say in relief. Truth be told, I hardly even recognize me. And I can't help but wonder if my scars are still there. I wonder if immortals have scars. Carter passes Jace off to me and he immediately grabs hold of my hair, giggling when I make a face. "It's a good thing you're cute." I tell him. He just grins knowingly and hugs me. Actually hugs me! A seven month old baby hugging people! Too brilliant for his own good.
"Katie I...I love you sister. And I think we have to learn to like each other since we both are now immortal and will probably be seeing each other a lot." Carter has a kind of sad smile as she takes Jace and gives me a one armed hug.
"I think that's probably true." I nod. Pitch has stood behind me the entire time, making sure he's there if I need him. And frankly it feels amazing to know he's there. To know that no matter where we are, or what is happening, he will be there. And it's amazing to know that I love him and he loves me.
"Are you ready to go home?" He asks as I turn to look at him. With a grin I grab his cloak and pull him down to me to kiss him.
"Anywhere you are, is home." He looks at me for a long moment before the biggest look of relief I've ever seen crosses his face and he just seems to melt. "You okay?"
"Honestly, I was afraid. I feared that once you were immortal and you could see how stunning you are, and always have been, that you would look at me and deem me unfit to be with you. I feared you would see how unworthy I am of you." He admits, a blush coloring his cheeks. I can't decide if he's joking or not for a moment, but when I see how genuinely worried he was, I can't help but smile.
"I would never think that in a million years Pitch Black. And I'd rather give back my immortality than leave you now." I tell him in the fiercest voice I can.
"Than I have an important question to ask you, Spirit of Strength and Knowledge." He smiles, disentangling himself from our embrace. I look at the Guardians and Carter, wondering if they know anything about this mysterious question. I think they all do, judging from how they're all grinning like maniacs. Even Jace seems to be in on it. When my eyes flick back to Pitch, he's on his knee, holding my hand.
"Oh my God...are you..." I gasp.
"I am. I'm asking you to marry me. And I'm begging you to say yes. I can't live without you Katie. I've never felt so strongly about anyone in my life. I've worried for you, wanted to comfort you, laughed with you, cried with you, felt anger for you, and I've loved you deeper than I thought possible. And I will never feel this way for anyone else." With every word I feel like my heart is swelling a little bit more.
"Oh MiM I can't say yes enough." The moment I say it his eyes light up like fire springing back to life after nearly dying out. And I decide that I could spend the rest of my immortal life looking at them, and loving them, and being loved by them. In fact, I think I will.
OOOOO
Ta-Da! Anyway...I hope I didn't do too badly? I know it's cheesy as all get out and I should be flogged for the Mary-Sue ending where everything is perfect. But honestly, I started writing this as sort of a catharsis for my own SI. And a perfect ending is something I'll never have in real life, so I had to give this story one instead. I hope that it's not too disappointing and I love each and every one of you who have read this story. Thank you.