My Guardian

Chapter 19 - The Pole

Before I knew it, we were back at the Pole. Tooth, Bunny and Sandy went back to doing what they do in the real world while Jack, North and I stayed there. Jack helped me out of the sleigh before we walked back to the Globe's control room.

"Stay here. I'll be right back," he gestured as I recovered from my laughing fit for Jack had said something that was very like him, causing me to laugh hysterically. I nodded and stayed still as Jack quickly flew off. I turned my attention to the globe and just watched the lights. They were so pretty. Some went out and more turned on. That just kept going on and on. I got so lost in thought. The globe was so pretty as it spun on it's axis. All of the names of the countries were written in the middle of each one in Russian I assumed. It most definitely wasn't English.

"Belle!" I jumped in shock upon hearing Jack's voice. I turned to face him and saw he was slowly walking up to me with this massive smile on his face. He had his hand that wasn't holding his staff behind his back. Obviously hiding something from me. I smirked and raised an eyebrow at him cheekily.

"What are you hiding?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips.

"Close your eyes," he smiled. I let my hands slip from my hips and closed my eyes, smiling. Okay, so he was obviously going to give me something... After a couple seconds and some footsteps coming towards me, something cold brushed my neck. Then it stayed there for a couple of seconds. What's this? I felt my hair move as if it was being pulled in front of something.

"Okay... open!" Jack said. I slowly opened my eyes and they were matched with blue one's full of the sweetest happiness. I looked down to where the cold thing on my neck was and found a beautiful miniature white rose, frosted and frozen on a thin silver chain. It was beautiful and cold. It was a nice thought and might I mention: soooooooooooo pretty!!! The frost was perfectly spread over the thin petals.

"It's beautiful!" I exclaimed, lightly brushing one of the petals with my finger.

"It can't break or melt and the chain can't rust. I'm sorry it's cold it's just that..." I interrupted him by jumping on him in a hug, lifting both my feet off the ground and flinging my arms around his neck. He fell immediately silent and wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me up.

"It's perfect. Thank you," I smiled to myself, closing my eyes. We just stayed like that for a few long moments. I promised myself to never take off the necklace. It was just so beautiful. And I didn't know how much longer I would be able to spend time with Jack. I didn't care that Jack felt naturally cold. I didn't care that he was mischievous, I actually liked that. I didn't care that he was over three hundred years old. And I didn't care that I'll grow old while Jack will stay young. Right now was all that mattered.

Eventually I pulled away, though I left my arms draped over his shoulders. We shared a smile and I couldn't help but giggle at how cute he was.

"Happy Birthday," he partially whispered.

"Thank you," I softly replied. We rested our foreheads on each other's and I closed my eyes. Being near him... I just felt so calm.

"Jack!" I jumped hearing that Russian voice. We both turned to where the voice had come from and saw North standing there, frozen to the spot with his eyes wide in surprise.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked. I took my arms off Jack and we let go of each other.

"No it's alright," Jack said, tucking his free hand into the pocket of his jumper. He was so cute! I clasped my hands behind my back and smiled at North. He relaxed a little, knowing he wasn't interrupting anything. But the moment the awkwardness rubbed off his face, it was replaced with a serious look.

"Jack, let's talk," he gestured to his office.

"Uh... sure," Jack said. North started walking in the direction he came and Jack followed. Jack turned to me and walked backwards, smiling.

"I'll be taking a walk outside," I beamed back.

"I'll meet you out there," he nodded before turning again and disappearing around the corner. I wonder what they were going to talk about. Now... how do I get outside? I walked around the workshop for a minute before finding Jimmy, a friendly yeti.

"Jimmy! Hey!" I called to him. He turned to me and the fur around his mouth moved to form what looked to be a smile. I gave him a quick hug.

"Uh... I want to go for a walk, how do I get outside?" I asked him. He nodded, understanding what I meant before leading me to a door. It took about ten minutes to walk there, but he and I talked. He was worried about me and whether I was okay. I promised him I was fine. I told him about how I went to see my mother and how I found out I had a brother! He was just as surprised as I was but said he was happy for me.

Stepping outside, I found that it was nice and cold. It wasn't snowing, which I was amazed at. There wasn't much wind either. I followed the wooden pathway and found myself walking besides a very steep hill. I could almost reach out over the barrier and touch the snow, perfectly smoothed over the hills edge. The sun hid behind the hill so I was shaded. The pathway was lit up with tiki style lanterns. I had never seen a sky so clear and blue! There were no clouds or anything! It was perfect! Facing away from the hillside, was this amazing view of what looked like a canyon of tall, snow and ice covered hills. The sun lightly caressed the tops of the mountains, turning them a sparkling shade of silver. It was breath taking!

Jack's POV

North led me to his office and I closed the door behind him.

"We need to stop Pitch, Jack," he said, still facing the other way.

"Well obviously..."

"No Jack! You don't understand! No more running! No more hiding! We just found more people that care about Belle! This isn't just about finding her centre anymore! Pitch has threatened her, hurt her, almost killed her sister!" he exclaimed, spinning around and storming up to me with his hands flung up in the air. I just froze. The look in his eyes scared me. We were all scared.

"And what about when all of this is over? When she's discovered her centre, when Pitch is defeated... when she has to go home... What happens to you?"

"What do you mean what happens to me?"

"Jack, I see that look in your eyes when you see her. That sparkle. You love her Jack. Even if you don't realise it, you do," he softly replied.

"But I... I didn't think I would... I mean... I didn't realise... I just..." I couldn't find any words. My body heaved itself as it dawned upon me. I was in love with Belle. I had to try to hold myself up; I almost fell to the floor. That strange feeling whenever I saw her... the fact that I could hardly concentrate around her... that was love?

"I have to go and tell her!" I exclaimed, uncontrollably smiling. I looked at the clock and saw it read 11:59. One more minute until Belle turns seventeen. Then the strangest and scariest thing happened.

The ground started shaking.

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Kind of a short chapter, but I like it anyway! Love you guys sooooo much!