Hunter: Chapter 2

"Easter Bunny, hop, hop, hop!" giggled Sophie, hiding in the yard with Jamie, waiting for Aster to show up. In the box between them was a long white sweater with silver embroidered snowflakes. Sophie, in a swap meet with their Mother, had found it and deemed it perfect for Jack. So, they were going to have Aster give it to the winter spirit as a get well gift, or a 'time to update your wardrobe' gift.

"Shh!" whispered Jamie. "Mom and Dad think we're in bed!"Sophie nodded, when the sound of a tunnel opening filled their ears.

"Bunny!" declared Sophie, Aster somewhat blindsided by the flashlight. Realizing who it was, he sent them a 'what the Hell are you two doing out of bed at eleven at night' look, but soon forgot it, instead tossing them a small orb. The two looked over the portal, though it only showed the Warren. Attached to the back was a note.

"Why are we invited to the Warren?" asked Jamie, but the Tunnel was already gone, Bunny having hidden his eggs (who were still wandering about to their final hiding spots) and went on to the next town.

"It's a party!" said Sophie.

"A party?"

"That's what the invitation says." Clearly printed on the top, was indeed the declaration it was a party, for Joy's first birthday.

"Good thing we got this." said Jamie, pulling out the smaller pink box from behind him. Inside was a set of massive crayons (so she couldn't eat them), an Easter coloring book and a plushy carrot.

"Can we go now?!" asked Sophie.

"It says we can't come until noon our time." Said Jamie. "Besides, Bunny needs a rest. After all, he delivered Easter to the world in one night!"

ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROTG-ROT-ROTG

Jamie ended up needing a wagon, the other neighborhood kids having (knowing of the Bennett sibling's close relationship with Bunny and Jack) loaded them down with presents for Joy, and a few for Jack (As new of Jack being ill spread like wild fire, and all seemed to be toasty, blue, white and silver sweaters), both carrying a few packages in their arms.

"Ready Soph?" he said, tossing the portal and opening the glowing vortex.

"Yep!" she said, smiling. The two walked through the portal, and found themselves inside the Warren, egg golems giving them a look before heading off on their own business. They followed a trail up to the burrow, door open.

"Lay off fuzzy, how hard can icing a cake be?"

"For you, apparently impossible."

"It's not my fault the stupid bag keeps freezing! Can't stop my hands from being cold!"

"Uh…guys?" Both Spirits looked at the house guests, grinning sheepishly. Jack gave Aster a dark look, telling him with a glance to entertain them and leave him alone.

"G'day ya little ankle biters." Said Aster, moving them FAR from the kitchen. "Wasn't expecting ya to be up and waiting when I showed up. At least ya found the portal without problems. Inside the living room, Joy was playing with blocks, a cute light blue leather armor vest with silver snowflakes sewn on covering her normally bare body. Her eyes lit up as she saw Jamie and Sophie, a big smile painting her lips.

"Jamie! Sophie!" Sophie dumped her armful of gifts on the coffee table and left Jamie to unload the rest while she planted herself by Sophie, helping her build towers and knock them down again.

"EVERYONE figured we'd end up visiting, so…" Jamie pointed to the pile of pink. He placed the blue down next to the seemingly permanently frosted spot on the couch. "Everyone found out Jack wasn't feeling good, so everyone got him a get well present. He seems better. So, what was wrong with him anyway?"

"Nothing." Said Aster. "Actually-" Suddenly the door burst open, loud laughter filling the earth structure.

"Ho ho ho!" laughed North, grinning ear to ear with Mrs. Clause behind him, though she carried some bottles into the kitchen. "Where is little princess?" The yetis had outdone themselves on the wrapping, but what was in the pink and white ribbon-coated package was anyone's guess. Next came Tooth, Sandy coming in with a wave of sand butterflies, much to Joy's delight. Finally a woman who Aster introduced as Mother Nature came in, and immediately began doting on Joy. Finally Jack came in, carrying a (badly) decorated carrot cake with a single candle in it. After a very off key happy birthday, Joy blew out her candle and got her cake, smashing it all over her face. After that came presents, which Joy was more entertained by the boxes and paper than the toys. Joy fell asleep snuggling her carrot plushie as they all wound down, the baby having missed her afternoon nap for the party. Aster put her to bed while Jamie and Sophie insisted Jack open the presents for him. None noticed when Aster came back he had something behind his back.

"Well…" snickered Tooth, looking at the growing pile of sweaters (Sophie and Jamie's, though, he wore happily, declaring his hoodie had finally worn out and he felt naked without something warm to snuggle in, even though the sweater was almost a short dress on him.) "You won't need to update your wardrobe for a while." When all the sweaters had been opened, Aster dropped something into Jack's lap, taking him by surprise.

"Just open it Snowflake." Inside, first and foremost, was a thin white box. Inside was a jeweled snowflake pendant on a silver chain, little white diamonds making it sparkle like snow. Sophie and even Jamie awed when Jack kissed Aster on the cheek, the Pooka's ears going flat in embarrassment. While Aster put on the necklace, Jack noticed there was something under the tissue paper. Peeling the blue back, he was met with a pink fabric lump and a blue lump. Taking both out, it proved to be two stuffed bunnies, a little blue ribbon saying 'it's a boy' around the blue's neck, a pink ribbon declaring 'it's a girl' on the other. The whole room went silent before loud squeals deafened all the male guests, Sophie, Mother Nature, Tooth and Mrs. Clause were all smiling, eyes wide, al babbling at the same time. Finally they synced, cornering Jack.

"You're having another baby?!" Jack nodded, the women a bit to close for comfort. More squeals erupted, Sandy covering his ears while signing his excitement, North and Jamie getting excited as well.

"How far along?!" asked Mother Nature, Sophie feeling Jack's stomach, a look of awe on her face.

"About four months." Said Jack. "Good thing Sophie suggested it. I wouldn't have guessed."

"Wouldn't you know?" asked Jamie. "With Pitch-"

"I didn't get sick before." Said Jack. "I only knew because I noticed I was getting fat, and Pitch told me. Besides, everything is kind of hazy until the fifth months. I think it was the fearling messing with my mind."

"THIS calls for celebration!" declared North.

"It's already a party." Said Jamie.

"Than out with the bubbly!"

"No." said Jack. "Hello. Minors, and pregnant!"

"Who said we were drinking liquor?" said North, Mrs. Clause whipping out huge bottles of non-alcoholic carbonated apple cider and grape juice, pouring all a big glass of their choice. Before long, Sandy took Jamie and Sophie home, the rest of the guests leaving as well. North was last, Mrs. Clause bringing out dinner to the expecting couple.

"I will have yetis prepare delivery-" Jack shook his head.

"No." he said. "I'm not having the baby in the infirmary. Both of us settled on a home birth."

"Didn't have a location choice with Joy." Said Aster. "But it's tradition for the Pooka to have all kits born in the home under the leader of the group. Since I am the last adult Pooka left, obviously that tradition is impossible, but we both agreed we would be honored for you to assume the role, as ya are the leader of the Guardians. It's not a choice made lightly-"

"Of course I agree!" chuckled North. "Contact us when Jack is ready to give birth. We come running."

"Will do." Said Aster, Mrs. Clause talking quietly to Jack about the coming kit. Aster couldn't help but feel his heart swell with pride, the now visible bump proof of his growing family, his beautiful strong mate unconsciously caressing the bump with one hand, protecting and comforting the new life growing inside him. As thoughts of his new family filled his head, thoughts of many more kits to bless his and Jack's home, he couldn't help but remember his old one.

He wondered; what would his own parents say about his mate? About their granddaughter and coming grandchild? Would they be appalled by his mate? Disgusted that a Pooka had mated with a member of another species? Would they adore Jack as Aster did, his sisters and brothers accepting Jack as his other half and reason for living? Things he wished to know, but could never find out.

Or could he?