When She Loved Me

((The Guardians looked around them taking in the bleak forest surroundings. Winter was breaking in this rural area, the snow beginning to show signs of melting. Silver moonlight cast shadowy patterns in the patches of snow and on the frosted trees. Manny shone full above them and the air was full of magic. It only took a moment for them to realize they were at the beginning of Jack's memories; the day he was 'born' as Jack Frost. They could feel the spirit's confusion, fear, wonder, joy, amazement, and excitement beating strong within their souls. Curiosity burning within them, the guardians began to move forward towards the area that Manny's magic was concentrated the most only for the scene to change again. It was around noon and the sun's rays lit up the fresh snow in a kaleidoscope of colors, a full spectrum and more rainbow of dancing light.

Bunny could not help but be reminded of his Spring flowers, so many colors only across a landscape he had always thought to be so dull and unimportant. Uninspiring, bleak, a frozen wasteland where no hope grows, that was how Bunny had always pictured winter. Now though, he could almost come to appreciate this cold time of the year, if not for the simple fact that it preludes to his precious Spring. North, Sandy and Tooth all thought the colors looked remarkably similar to the female of the group feathers.

The Guardians were pulled from their thoughts on the scenery when a small brown blur raced through snow past them. Dark brown cloak flapping in the created wind by the runner's passage tangled and swirled with brunette locks. With mutual consensus the guardians followed the little village child to the edge of a frozen lake; a very familiar frozen lake. Lake Burgess where they had finally defeated Pitch Black was freshly frozen with Jack's own frosty designs spiraling beautifully across the surface. It was Jack's home as far as the guardians could tell; so where was the winter sprite? As if summoned by their thoughts, the mischievous teen landed softly in the middle of the lake facing the child.))

Memory World

When somebody loved me,

Everything was beautiful

Every hour we spent together lives within my heart

It had been a year since my 'birth' and I was still trying to grasp the fact that no one could see or feel me. It was a physical ache whenever someone walked through me, something I expect that will never quite leave me. Anyway, I had just gotten back to the lake after making a blizzard to the west (I was still having trouble controlling my powers; I only meant to make a light snowfall!) As the Wind set me down on the frozen surface I noticed the little girl who had come by one time late last winter. Her brown eyes had been impossibly sad-kind of like now though it was dulled a slight bit-then and she hadn't said a word, but something in me cried out to comfort her. So I heeded that inner voice and took a step towards her.

"Jack," I froze. Could she see me? How did she know my name? "Why did you have to leave? You promised Jack, that everything would be fine…but everything is not FINE! Mummy never smiles anymore and Da, he doesn't laugh or make jokes or play with me anymore. I wish you would come home Jack, cause then everything would be alright again." Tears started to fall from large doe brown eyes. No, no she can't cry. She is not supposed to cry or be scared, only happy. But…how do I know this? What is this girl makes me react in such a way? I have no idea how I knew these things, only that I needed to make things right. Her face was made for smiles and laughter never frowns and tears.

And when she was sad,

I was there to dry her tears

"I'm going to need a little help, Wind. Let's make her smile again!" Allowing my own smile to cross my face I summoned the beautiful crystal flakes that were mine to control. They gathered and swirled on the soft Wind around the little girl playing with strands of her hair. I watched in satisfaction as her eyes widened at the phenomenon I had created just for her. As she watched the snow, I gently brushed away the tears from her face, creating snowflakes from them to join the rest around her.

"Someone as sweet as you seems to be shouldn't cry tears of sorrow. Smile, for that is the best look on your face." Even though she couldn't see me I had to say my piece. "Did you know, snowflakes are the frozen dreams of angels falling to earth so that Spring's Hope can rise from them. The reason for this is that Angels are pure, hopeful creatures. It only makes sense that they should bring the spring. So smile, little one, because the angels are dreaming just for you." Slowly, ever slowly a small smile twitched at the edges of her mouth. Okay, so it wasn't the full smile I was aiming for but hey it's a start. The Wind continued to play with her until she finally got up from the lake shore to leave.

"Bye Jack thanks for always looking out for me. I love you big brother." With those final words she was gone. I slowly stood up on the ice before leaning on my staff to watch her flit through the bare trees towards the nearby village. That little girl was a mystery to me; I didn't know her and yet I felt protective of her. I loved her smile even if it was small. It was like I knew instinctively that if she flashed a true happy smile I'd be a goner to her whims. Well, whatever that feeling is I just hope I get to see her again.

And when she was happy,

So was I

When she loved me

She came back! Sure it had been a year since the first time but still. I floated down to rest in the middle of the lake facing her, leaning against my staff. There was something wrapped in the folds of her cloak that wiggled in her small hands and whatever it was it was making her smile. For some reason I felt a twinge of jealousy at this but pushed it aside by reasoning that I didn't know the girl very well so why should I be jealous of something smaller than even her? I looked up at the clouds that gently traveled across the pale blue sky and waved my hand to call the smallest of snow falls. Couldn't have her leaving to early due to bad weather now could I? There was still so much I wanted to learn about her and why she felt so important to me.

Her angelic face jerked up when one of my snowflakes landed on the tip of her nose. Her eyes widened with joy and wonder and awe; that expression on her face took my breath away. I couldn't help my laugh that escaped at the pure innocence in that single look. It filled me with happiness and joy to see that my meager abilities brought something so beautiful to light the world.

"Oh Jack, winter always was your favorite season." Her laughter was so sweet and light. I had no doubt that the wars would stop just to hear her laugh. "Do you see the snow big brother, from wherever you are in heaven? I hope heaven has snow that you can play amazing snowball fights in, just like here when you played with the other village kids. I pray there are icy lakes for you to skate on and frosted places for you to draw your pictures with." One silvery tear slid down her cheek, probably in remembrance of her brother whom I could only assume was dead. I wiped it away with my thumb, my cold skin making her shiver. That pained me but again I pushed away all the things that hurt for reflection upon a later date. Now was not the time to think about all the things that kept me away from normal people, things that kept me alone. Shaking my head I turned my attention once more to the girl and watched with amusement as the Wind played again with strands of her hair.

She laughed that wind chime laugh of hers but was joined this time by three soft yips. I looked down towards the previously forgotten bundle in her arms and was greeted by the sight of a small grey brown speckled puppy with wide blue eyes. The little mutt squirmed in her arms, yapping in excitement as it strove to be free from its cloth containment. She giggled as she tried to calm the wriggling animal before finally deciding to set it in the cold snow in front of her.

"Look Jack, Mum and Da finally let me have that puppy I've been begging for forever! I call him Speck 'cause of the brown speckles on his fur. He's a real handful but he kind of reminds me of you-a big er small for the moment ball of fun. You'd really like him, Jack. I wish you could be here to help me train him. But I'm….getting better slowly. Going around the village, it doesn't hurt as much seeing all the familiar places you went and remembering the different things we always did there. I still miss you and I know I always will but, I'm getting better."

"PIPPA!"

The echoing call jerked both of our attention to the forest leading to the village. A soft sigh escaped her before she climbed to her feet and picked up Speck. "Sorry Jack looks like Mum and Da need me at home now. Love you Jack, see you soon!" Just like that she was gone again and I was left alone on the iced lake surface. We have only ever interacted twice but I still wonder if maybe, just maybe, that little girl sees me. How else would she know my name? Then again, she seems to be referring to her brother so maybe his name was Jack as well.

Through the summer and the fall

We had each other, that was all

Just she and I together,

Like it was meant to be

And when she was lonely,

I was there to comfort her

And I knew that she loved me

Years had passed for me in a haze of wintery fun and springs, summers, and early falls spent on what I had come to consider my lake. I watched the little girl grow into a beautiful young teen of sixteen and while she smiled and laughed at the antics of Speck I could tell that she was still lonely. Sure I had seen her come to the lake with friends, watched her as she laughed and played around the edges of the water but never entering my frozen domain. Still there was something always missing in her eyes a deep hole that flooded her cocoa iris with loneliness. I wished I could do something to make that hole-that loneliness-leave her permanently but I couldn't as I am. I had to settle for little tokens that brought smiles to her. It was the best I could do.

Today I watched as she sat on the edge of the lake once more and drew her knees to her chest, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. I sat down beside her and waited silently. I knew that eventually she would speak about what was troubling her and based from that I would then try to cheer her up. It didn't take long.

"Hey Jack, I came to visit again. I know I should probably be hanging out with my friends but I just don't feel like it today. I'm actually feeling kind of lonely. You'd probably reply with something along the lines of why I am talking to empty air around a lake if I'm lonely. The answer is I don't know why but it's calming. I get this feeling here that I'm not actually alone and it helps, it really does. The snow does funny things to when I'm alone like this. Maybe I just want to see something funny and laugh about it. Sometimes I suspect that it's your angel Jack, sent here to cheer me up. Well, I could use some holiday cheer so what do you say Jack. What interesting game do you have today?"

When she puts it that way, who am I to disappoint? Laying aside my staff, I touched the ice and allowed the frost to spread. A few deft strokes later and I had the perfect tool to chase away her loneliness. This was a trick I had been practicing all year and I had finally perfected it. With a little bit of magic, the frost puppy came to life and tumbled on the Wind before exploding in a shower of snow. Her eyes were wide open and shock made her jaw slack for a minute before a large smile blossomed across her face. For the rest of the time we had together I would create frost creatures for her to play with and dance under the resulting snow explosion. It was totally worth the magical drain I felt afterwards because her smile chased away my own loneliness.

As I watched her go home that evening, I couldn't help but realize that this strange relationship we had was helping us both. She found a time of magic that got her through some of her worst days and I gained a sort of interaction that was sorely lacking in my immortal life. I hoped these times would never end.

So the years went by

I stayed the same

But she began to drift away

I was left alone

Still I waited for the day

When she'd say I will always love you

As time continued to pass and she got older; she started coming less often. It got to the point where she would only come to announce big things like her wedding to the Baker's son, the birth of her first child, and the death of her parents. That last one was also the last time I saw her at the lake again. Sure I would see her around the village when I brought Snow Days or came to frost the windows and check the snowfall but I didn't get to interact with her the way I did before. She had changed and moved on; I was still the same Jack Frost Spirit of Winter and invisible to everyone. I was forgotten by the little angel with the wind chime laugh. That moment when I realized this truth was one of the worst days for me; the blizzards that raged for a week afterwards drained me severely but I felt better for it. Because I had hope that maybe one day she would remember and visit me again. Maybe one day.

Lonely and forgotten,

I'd never thought she'd look my way

And she smiled at me and held me just like she used to do

Like she loved me

When she loved me

It's been close to twenty years since I last saw the young woman, the day before her wedding to the village baker's son if I remember correctly. I often wonder how she is doing; I wonder if she has kids if her own now and if she remembers the little winter time visits to the lake where strange events would happen. I wonder and have never found the answer. I can only pray and hope that she has had a full life.

I sat resting on my lake after making my rounds around the world, idly making frost pictures on the glassy ice. The price of my job is endless loneliness and boredom. I've gotten somewhat used to it but it doesn't make things easier for me when I see the other spirits being so loved and seen, having to hide but just giving a glimpse to children to keep their belief. Makes me wonder sometimes if being the Spirit of Winter is really worth the price I pay. The snapping of a twig jerks me from my thoughts and I turn to face the forest edge.

From between the trunks of two birch trees stepped an old woman, slightly bent body wrapped snuggly in cloak and furs to ward of the winter chill. Her silver hair flowed freely down her back and her cocoa brown eyes took in the surrounding area with mounting familiarity. I crept slowly closer, wondering why I felt such a sense of knowing around this woman. She leaned on a carved and well-worn cane, just standing there looking out across the lake until her eyes fixed on the middle….more specifically the spot where the Moon had pulled me from the water. A world weary sigh left her, the only sound on the otherwise still nature.

"Hello Jack. I know it's been a while since I visited last. The kids are all grown up now and have little ones of their own. The youngest just turned two; sweet little Marie. Looks just like Mum you know, but she's got Da's blue eyes and your mischievous streak. She is going to be a handful for my son your nephew when she gets older.

Oh how you would love them Jack. The games you would play with them and the tricks they would learn just to give their poor mothers heart attacks. They love to hear stories about you and your misadventures; it's painfully sweet to watch them try to reenact the tales." It was at this time that a harsh coughing fit lasting several minutes shook her old frame. I had realized why the woman seemed familiar when she started talking. My little visitor had grown into a wise old lady but it was clear that her time was nearing. I wanted to comfort her and I admit that I rushed over when she started to cough but what can an invisible spirit do? Nothing that's what. I did the only thing I could and asked the Wind to gently blow a cool breeze against her flushed face; standing nearby to watch for more signs of distress. I didn't know what I would do if she really did need immediate attention but I decided to cross that bridge when it came time. Eventually she got her breathing under control and with it her ability to speak.

"I guess it's obvious but I don't have much time left Jack. I won't make it to spring so I wanted to get one last trip to say Merry Christmas. I won't say goodbye because it won't be appropriate. We'll see each other in heaven with Mum and Da and we'll play again like we used to. You'll teach me to hopscotch across the clouds and we'll play it every day just like we did on this earth. You'll ask me why I never ice skated after your death and I'll finally be able to tell you my reason. Will you wait for me at the gate Jack and greet me with a bear hug and that mischievous smirk of yours? Oh, who am I kidding; you'll knock me down and tickle me till I'm blue in the face laughing that trickster laugh of yours." She gave a weak chuckle but I could still make out the wind chimes her youth had strengthened.

"Well, I've said all I needed to say except see you soon big brother. Jack before I leave, could you make it snow again for me? I loved the way the wind and snow played for me when I was younger, like they were trying to chase away all my tears. Please, just one last time as a favor for an old woman."

There was no way I was denying this precious angel of mine her last request. It was so easy now after a few decades of practice to create snow flurries to dance on the wind and sometimes I practiced making pictures with them if I was bored enough. This time, however, was extra special so it deserved everything I had. With my staff I created pictures with the twirling flurries while the Wind strung them into intricate dances. In my frost I drew several woodland creatures and some mythical legends before bringing them to life with my magic. Foxes, rabbits, wolves, bears, birds, dragons, Santa and his reindeer, the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and Sandman all joined each other above the lake. They danced and pranced about with the flurries before leaping above her head to explode in a shower of gentle snow. I smiled as Pippa enjoyed my little show.

Her arms rose to the sky as her eyes closed, a blissful and content smile making her seem decades younger. A warm feeling spread through me from my core as she seemed to embrace the falling snow-which by association meant she was hugging me-and I couldn't help the joyous mirth that bubbled from me. It was a magical moment (and not because I created the show via magic) and one I would never forget. The whole event though was made even more profound when she looked at the lake once more and she smiled at me. Not through me but at me. After so long being alone and feeling forgotten, she gave me the greatest gift: love and recognition. It was something I would never forget.

When somebody loved me

Everything was beautiful

Every hour we spent together lives within my heart

When she loved me

Christmas Day the next year I visited the Burgess Cemetery. I found her tombstone easily enough; ironically there were angel wings carved into it. I sat there for hours and simply remembered as she had been. Sweet, gentle, playful, wise, emotional, and caring were all in my memories of her. No I could never forget her, not for as long as I lived. She had affected me too much and so I would honor her by remembering her. It was the least I could do.

((The little human girl had done more for Jack in the few years she was there than the guardians had for the few hundred Jack lived as a part of their reality. Sure she had forgotten but what child didn't when they eventually grew up. What mattered was that she returned and she still loved the Winter spirit even if she didn't know he had been there for her. The guardians were beginning to realize that it is always the little things in life that count.))

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

So as my gift to all you lovely reviewers (and folks you truly are marvelous people. Your reviews mean the world to me and help me become a better writer! So thank you!) I have posted a more happy chapter and longer too! There is still character death and I'm not to sure how well I did with it but then again I can always revise according to your reviews if need be. So please enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!

Ja'ne!