Snow Day

Chapter 81: Gifts & Goodbyes

Once the bleak and dreary town of San Francisco came into view, North prepared to set down on the roof of Rily's and her parent's house, the slight crashed down, bouncing approximately three times ever so slightly before finally soothing out on the hand metal, yet, still semi snow-covered roof.

As Riley and her sister began to hop off and exit the sleigh. North turned to Sophia with tears in his eyes. "Well," North began. "You've got everything you need..." he said, nothing more, hugging her tightly.

"North?" Sophia said, beginning to choke up. "I'll-- I'll miss you" she replied, revealing a sweet and warm smile.

"Er... you too" he replied, one by one, North, and the other Guardians hopped off the sleigh wanting ever so greatly to wish both girls farewell.

Jack was the first guardian who managed to catch up to Riley and her sister. "Riley..." he said, nearly out of breath, although he managed to grip her arm rather tightly.

Riley turned abruptly, yanked her arm back, and replied rather sharply. "What?"

"Ex- excuse me?" Jack replied rather sweetly.

"Oh, Jack... it's only you," she gave a sigh of relief.

"Um... yes, it's me-- who were you expecting?" he smiled, a little chuckle surpassed his lips.

"Oh... I-- umm, uh... nothing" she stammered.

"Riley--" he bent down on one knee and very gently said, "Here, a gift for you... my little snowflake" he very slowly uncupped his hands to reveal... a beautiful light blue snowflake necklace.

"Th-- th-- thank you, Jack" Riley smiled, taking the small trinket in her hand. She tearfully hugs Jack-- as the rest begin to follow suit.

Bunny's gift consisted of three small eggs in a nest, with the word Happy Easter written on top of a board overlooking the sense... almost resembling some sort of wreath, although very tiny and cute.

Tooth handed her a small gold and silver silander along with a light pink pillow with a very clear image of a tooth patch that looked as if to be sewed on.

"Thank you, tooth. But-- but what are these?" Riley asked curiously, running her fingers over the delicate and fine-laced pillow.

"Well, Riley- sweetie..." she smiled, gently-- taking Riley's hand in hers. Intertwining both their fingers. "This gold cylinder is a replica of a.. an actual teeth + memory holding contraption called A Tooth Box, and this here pillow..." she stopped, as if embarrassed. "Well, you see... If you were a bit smaller than you are now, and still lost your quote-on-quote 'Baby Teeth' then traditionally you would put them under your pillow for one of my fairies to collect, but lately, I've noticed that some children prefer to house their tooth in a more fun and sometimes more creative and hidden ways" she gestured her finger towards the mouth of the little sewn on tooth pocket.

Last but not least, was North, a.k.a. Santa Clause, "Riley, " he announced, thick, Russian accent shining through. "Look, I know how-- technology I'm supposed to wait until Christmas and the holidays to start handing and givin' out presents to you, but-- I feel like these just can't wait. "Riley..." reaching into his bag, he pulled out two gifts... one upon opening revealed itself to be a snow globe-- all the Guardians, and yes... every Pitch Black stood posing outside Hogwarts castle.

"Gee, thanks- North" Riley blushed.

"Oh- wait, there's more" he excitedly motioned to the other parcel. "Open that one now, please..." he said eagerly as if he were a kid.

She sighed, taking a breath; she tore at the red, spirally paper. Upon revealing the contents of the package, all Riley could do was just stare. It was a photo album, she could tell-- but, there was something about this particular album that was a bit odd. Yes, it was made very clear that this was no ordinary man-made muggle-style photo booklet. Oh, no... These pictures, housed within its very pages, were indeed moving, as if someone was reenacting every single moment that was said to be preserved with those simple still-life photos.