Good Luck Mr. Snowman

Eleven

When I woke up in the morning, I knew it was the day before Easter. I could imagine Bunny hopping around hysterically, trying to paint the last of his eggs before tomorrow morning. It brought a smile to my face, but it was short-lived once I remembered the events of last night. Tears gathered in my eyes for Sandy and I smiled a watery smile, knowing he wouldn't want me to be sad. I got out of bed and forced most of the tears back, but there was no stopping all of them. A few leaked out and ran down my cheeks, but I quickly wiped them away and got ready for the day.

Everyone was gathered downstairs in the globe room, all of them silent and all of their faces downturned at the loss of their beloved friend. Tooth put a third candle on Sandy's triangle around where the guardian stone would normally arise and moved back.

She looked at North sadly and took Bunny's only open hand for a quick squeeze, his other was occupied by Affiah's unwavering comfort. She may not have known Sandy very well, but she could be there for Bunny, to help him get through the upcoming holiday without breaking down. The elves rang their pointed hat bells to a sad slow tune as everyone bowed their heads in mourning.

Eventually, the crowd dissipated and left to do their own things. I followed North to where Jack sat with his hood up and sat down beside him, laying my head on his shoulder and hugging his right arm. He laid his head on mine and the two of us stared at the ice picture he drew of Sandy on the window.

"Are you alright?" North asked.

"I just, I wish I could have done something," Jack replied and I gave his arm a quick squeeze of reassurance.

"Done something? Jack, you stood up to Pitch," North leaned against the window, "You saved us."

"But Sandy..." Jack began.

"Would be proud of what you did," North finished for him.

Jack put his hood down and stood up, I released my hold on his arm and watched him.

"I don't know who you were in your past life," North put a hand on his shoulder, "But in this life you are guardian."

"How can I know who I am, until I find out who I was," Jack asked.

"You will, I feel it," North patted his gut, "In my belly."

North then patted Jack on the shoulder and walked away, leaving the two of us with our heads bowed.

"Thank you Clover," Jack turned around and looked into my eyes, "For being there."

"Anytime," I smiled sadly at him as I arose from my seat, "Let's go check on the others."

He nodded and the two of us walked to the globe room. We heard Tooth talking as we walked in.

"Look how fast they're going out," she said, looking at the lights on the globe flickering out.

"It's fear," Jack flew up and around it, "He's tipped the balance."

"Hey, buck up you sad sacks," Bunny hopped over with Affiah following loyally, "We can still turn this around. Easter is tomorrow, and I need your help. I say we pull out all the stops and we get those little lights flickerin' again."

"Bunny is right, as much as it pains me to say it old friend, this time Easter is more important than Christmas," North lead us off to where his sleigh was.

"Hey did everyone here that," Bunny looked surprised.

"We must hurry to the Warren, everyone, to the sleigh," North commanded.