Guardians and Angels

Chapter 14: Jack

I was awoken by the enticing smell of bacon and eggs and a pleasant sound of something sizzling. Following the sound of sizzles, there was a booming laugh that masked a barely audible giggle.

My eyes slowly fluttered open and I let out a monstrous groan that resembled a pterodactyl gurgling water. I lazily rolled off the couch and looked at the spot my friend slept last night, only to find it empty and displaced by a pillow sitting on a perfectly folded blanket. I could only infer that Rapunzel got up earlier and was the owner of the giggles that came from the kitchen.

My feet sluggishly dragged the rest of my body towards the kitchen while my arms stretched upwards and outwards. My prediction was proved right but someone else was also present along with my Grandpa and friend. My sister sat at the table while Rapunzel and North cooked breakfast. The three of them were currently laughing because it seemed that North spilled some milk on the counter.

"Emma, can you go get Jack and tell him that breakfast is ready?" North commanded as he wiped away the white liquid on the counter.

"There's no need, I'm already up," I said while sitting down next to Emma at the table.

"Nice of you to join us, Sleeping Beauty," Rapunzel teased.

I tiredly simpered at her and slumped further into my seat. "As you can clearly tell, I'm not a morning person."

"Well, as you can clearly tell, I am," she informed in a stately manner and placed a frying pan filled with eggs on the center of the table.

The eggs she had created were not what you'd normally expect from scrambled eggs but a much prominent version of the what you'd normally see. Hers were intermixed with chunks of ham and bacon, and coated with cheddar cheese and pepper. It looked purely divine and mouthwatering and I almost shuddered in joy with the thought of consuming it.

I reached my hand out to sneak a quick bite but Emma's little hands slapped mine away from the food. I gave her a cold glare and slumped back into my seat, groaning.

I groaned even more, but for a completely different reason, when North set down a plate of bacon right in front of me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were all trying to torture me by showing me delicious food and forcing me to wait.

North took his rightful place at the head of the table while Rapunzel distributed a fair amount of eggs and bacon to each individual. She even poured everyone their own cup of milk and then sat across from Emma and I.

My primal instincts kicked in and I began devouring my food like a starving wolf seeing meat for the first time. My tastebuds were infused with flavor that I didn't know was humanly possible to taste. The melted cheese and ham and bacon chunks brought more savor to the bland eggs that most people have, and I felt extremely lucky to have encountered such a wonderful palatableness.

"Jack! There's a lady present," North scolded.

I almost forgot that Rapunzel was sitting right across from me and I felt my ears heat up for gorging myself in front of her. Her cooking skills left me in a wonderful food-induced daze, and I kinda lost myself there.

"Sorry. Thanks for the meal, Sunshine." I winked at her.

She giggled and waved it off, trying to be humble. I noticed that the plate Emma had set for Rapunzel was completely empty and she sat in her chair watching us eat with a distant imploring look in her eyes. She smiled at us with her usual kind and gentle smile, hoping that no one would catch the wanting she so deeply hid.

"Punzie, are you gonna eat something or just sit there?" I teased.

Her face lit up with shock and joy mixed in together. "I'm allowed to eat?" she asked as though it were impossible to comprehend.