A Guardian's Story: Part 9 (Jack Frost x Cupid)

(part 9)

"Jack, can you–" I started, but he was already moving.

"I got it," he assured me and bounded to a bookshelf as he addressed the kids with enthusiasm, "Who wants to color some pictures?"

While Jack distracted Jamie and Sophie, the rest of the guardians and I retreated to Sophie's room for our strategy meeting.  I filled them in on what had happened with the cautionary dreams and the fight that followed.

"Sandy did a great job," I acknowledged the stout spirit, "But this is a hard case.  Their hearts are so closed off, I couldn't even get a shot in.  We need to find a way to soften them up to each other first."

"What about memories?" Tooth suggested, "Instead of warnings about the future, you could show them good memories from the past."

"That is actually good idea, Tooth," North shook his finger, "What do you think, Cupid?"

"Yeah," I nodded, "I like it.  What kind of memories do you have for them?"

"Well, I could send for their capsules," the tooth fairy bit her bottom lip thoughtfully, "But those will be full of memories from when they were younger – probably before they met."

"Oh, good, those will definitely be happier," Bunnymund added.

"Bunny!" we all scolded.

Sandy asked how we were going to bring up the right memories, and offered to orchestrate another couple dreams.

"That's very kind, but I don't want to wait until tonight," I sighed, "We'll have to find ways to trigger the memories as soon as possible.  There are a few picture albums around the house; we can utilize those."

"Perfect!" Tooth clapped her hands together, "What should we do with them?"

I felt confidence creep back into my heart as a plan formed, "Tooth, when nobody is in the room, I need you to take all the pictures out of the plastic and leave them sitting loose between the pages.  We'll give them a while to cool off, and later when Liz is nearby, knock the album off the shelf.  Bunny, find out what radio station Jim is listening to and pop over to the station.  I'll give you a list of songs that they played at their wedding.  You'll need to add them to the playlist, all in a row."

"Roger," the rabbit saluted and bounded off through the door.

"Got it," Tooth accepted her assignment also, and flitted away to complete it.

I noticed that the sand man was looking a little drowsy after the night of intense work, so I reached up and poked at his cheek gently, "Sandy, I think we can handle things today.  Go get some rest."

He nodded wearily and wished us luck before disappearing through a swirling cloud of gold dust.

"What about me?" North leaned forward eagerly.

Before I could answer, Bunny burst back into the room, "Cupid, we have a problem.  Jim isn't in his bedroom.  In fact, he's not in the house anymore; and his car is gone."

"We have to find him…" I started.

"I will find him," North stood up straight and squared his shoulders, "You stay here in case perfect moment comes for your arrow to work on Liz."

"I'll search too," Bunny offered, "as soon as we find him, we'll report back to you."

"That sounds good," I begrudgingly admitted, "I'll revise the plan once we know what he's doing, but I wish I could help you search."

"No worries, mate, we got this," Bunny nudged my shoulder with a gentle punch, "They need you here for now."

"You can count on us," North promised and cast a sideways look of challenge at Bunny.

The look was returned and the next thing I knew, both of them jumped into action and were gone in the blink of an eye.  With a chuckle, I shook my head and relished in the quiet moment of being alone in the room.  What a team these guardians made.  Of course I usually worked alone – just me and my cherubs – and I thought I preferred it that way, but I wondered if maybe I might like belonging to a team someday too.  Suddenly it felt very lonely in the little girl's room, so I flew downstairs to check on Tooth.  I found her hovering over the couch next to Liz, watching television.

"Just waiting for her to leave the room," she shrugged, "The albums I'm going to take apart are all up there."  She indicated the top shelf of the entertainment center cabinet where a line of photo albums rested.

"All right," I sighed, "At least she looks like she's calming down a little.  The memories will have a better effect if she's not still angry about the fight.  Give it a little more time, and if she looks neutral again but still hasn't left the room, let me know and I'll create a diversion."

"Where will you be?" Tooth asked.

"Checking on the children," my wings carried me towards the stairs, "Maybe I'll get some new ideas from talking to them."

Back in Jamie's bedroom I found the young resident hard at work at this desk while Jack created large dancing snowflakes for Sophie to chase around the room.

"There you are, angel," the winter spirit grinned, "Jamie's been waiting for you to help him."

I cast Jack an unamused glare in response to the nickname before making myself visible to the humans and asking, "Help him with what?"

"My valentine!" the boy held up a piece of paper, "You said you'd help me design it."

"And I shall," I approached the desk, "Let's see what you have so far."

It took more concentration than ever just to locate little Zoey in my mind and sense a few vague facts about her like her favorite color and animal, so that Jamie could incorporate them into his drawing.  It bothered me that my power was so weak, but I tried to let the craft project distract me from being upset.  I knew there was an artistic streak in me that I hadn't entertained for years.  To my surprise, I actually found myself smiling and getting genuinely excited about glitter and colors and stickers.  Though the most satisfying moment by far was when Sophie bored of the snowflakes and insisted on playing with my long hair and fluffy wings instead.  Jack had to lift her up and hold her while she laughed and ran her hands all over the golden strands and white feathers.  The petulant look on his face was so amusing that I nearly burst into laughter.

"Aren't you guys done yet?" Jack grumbled, hoisting Sophie higher so she could touch the braids that held the top half of my hair back, "This is not very fun."

"I'm having fun," I looked over my shoulder with a snarky smirk that mirrored his own usual expression.

"Me too!" Jamie exclaimed, unknowingly adding to Jack's annoyance, "This card is looking great!"

"It definitely is," I smiled, "You could be an artist, Jamie!"

"That's stupid," Jack huffed, "He wants to be racecar driver, which is obviously a far more exciting career."

The boy tilted his head thoughtfully and held up the card to inspect it, "Well, maybe I could do both when I grow up."

"Good idea," I rubbed his head, "There's no reason–"

"We found him!" a triumphant shout interrupted me as Bunny sprang from a hole in the ground, "He's a wily devil, he is, but we found Mr. Bennett."

"Bunny!" Sophie cried happily and immediately lost interest in my wings and hair, wiggling out of Jack's arms only to be lifted straight into Bunny's instead.

"Where is he?" I asked, already rising off the ground in anticipation.

"Finally he is parking," North rumbled as he stepped through a portal that appeared near the wall, "After so much driving to and fro."

"Where did dad go?" Jamie turned around in his chair.

"Just into town," North explained, "We are not sure where he is planning to go now."

"I need to see what's nearby," I bobbed impatiently, "There must be something there with good memories.  Tell me where to go."