Melting a Frosty Heart part 14

The day went by in a flash, enjoying it outside in the snow. You both sledded again, but this time Jack fashioned a new sled and you both went, together.
You both tumbled in the snow, laughing and getting covered in the cold powder. At one point, you both had gone into town, throwing snowballs at passerby’s feet, and throughly enjoying their startled reactions. After getting caught, you fled to the park, Jack and you making your getaway on your sleds.
You both re-entered the park, and you and Jack continued to play in the snow like children. At one point, you had a wrestling match, Jack won, cheating by using the snow, and he pinned you to the ground and kissed you.
The day was passed with playing and kissing, and you had no problem with that. When it started to get dark again, Jack did his usual bow and you walked the familiar path through the trees. This time, however, you slipped your hand into Jacks, your numb hands meeting his. Because his hands were slightly warmer than the air and snow around you (not by much though), his skin felt warm, and you were drawn to him, until you were basically leaning on him. He allowed it, leaning towards you as well.
Opening the door to your home, you called out. “Mom! I’m home!” There was no answer. Jack and you exchanged glances.
As you and Jack were walking down the street, your mother had driven by.
“I have a client expecting me early, I’ll be home at the usual time though.” She called through the passenger window.
“Okay, is the house locked up? I don’t have my key.”
“No, it’s not, but the alarm is set, so don’t forget to turn it off if you get home before I do.”
Back in the present, you had walked to the alarm box and disarmed it, stopping the beeping noise that sounded. Looking at the time on the alarm, it said 6:12, your mother was supposed to be here twelve minutes ago.
“Huh, maybe she got held up.” Turning to Jack, who rested his staff on the wall by the door, and shrugged. “Oh, well. Since she’s not here we could watch some T.V. Or talk or something, or we could raid the kitchen for more cookies.” Smiling slyly.
Jack’s eyes lit up, and he grabbed your hand, running to the kitchen. “What are we waiting for then?”
You searched the cookie jar, and there were a good handful of cookies left, and you and Jack took them all, splitting them between you.
Munching on cookies, along with a tall glass of egg nog for the both of you, you headed to the living room, where the T.V, waited for you. Lounging on the two person couch, with you laying on Jack’s chest, and his arms wrapped around your torso, you watched Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer. It was a custom to watch this with your mother on Christmas Eve, which was tomorrow night.
Just as the scene where Rudolf and Hermey met up with Cornelius, there was a knock on the door. Sighing, not wanting to leave Jack’s embrace, you got up and walked to the front door, looking out the window to see two people wearing black jackets, black pants, and hats stand on the porch.
Narrowing your eyes, you opened the front door a crack, and the sight of gleaming badges caught your eye.
“What can I do for you, officers?” You opened the door all the way, inviting them in, but the didn’t budge from the porch, their expressions downcast and each looking at the other, daring who should speak first. Finally, the one who looked more official spoke up.
“I’m so sorry.” He murmured, looking you in the eyes.
Your stomach flipped, and a chill of horror when down your spinal cord.
“It’s your mother, she- she was hit by an impaired driver. She died on the way to the hospital.”
You felt like your heart had been ripped from your chest, and tears now blinded you.
“Oh my god.” You fell to your knees, sobbing and screaming. Your whole body felt numb, and your arms dropped to the floor, not having the energy to lift them.
“I’m… so sorry.” The officers slowly backed away, not too sure what else to do, and they retreated to their patrol cars, driving slowly away down the street.
You continued to sit there on the floor, the front door open, allowing the warm air of the house get swallowed up by the cold teeth of the air outside. Tears dripped down to form a small pool of salty water between your knees, and you stared at that spot, your energy having been destroyed and your heart being torn apart.
You sensed a cold presence next to you, and the sound of knees hitting the floor suggested that Jack had come over. He didn’t say anything, and he didn’t reach out to hold you. Instead, he waited until you were ready for him.
Minutes passed, and you finally collapsed, falling sideways into Jacks chest. You didn’t scream out in anger or sadness, but you did let the tears flow out like the memories that washed over you. Memories with your mother, smiling and happy, even though you knew that she was bottling up the sadness of losing her husband and son.
Hours passed, with you laying in Jack’s lap, Jack didn’t complain. At one point, the wind had closed the front door, and the warmth of the house was finally able to touch you.
Finally, you lifted your head, and looked at Jack. “I want to go. I need to leave.”
Jack curiously looked at you, but he didn’t ask why. He simply asked, “Where.”
“Anywhere. Anywhere but here.” You weren’t running away, but moving on. Since there was nothing left for you here, but foster homes and the constant sight of your families graves, you wanted to go.
“(y/n), I wanted to tell you earlier, that…” He checked you, making sure you were listening. “I’m so glad to have met you. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, and we can do anything you want to do, because I care about you, and you’ve melted my frosty heart, pun intended.” You smiled at that, and he seemed glad that you did. “I love you, (y/n).” He planted a kiss on your head.
Jack then stood up, being careful of your head, and he grabbed his staff. Offering his hand to you, you took it. You both went out to the front yard, the snow crunching lightly under your footsteps. Jack, grabbing tightly onto your hand, started to lift off the ground, and your body soon followed.
You both flew into the dark night sky, leaving behind the painful memories and looking forward to what came next. You left the past, but held on to the happy memories of your family, specifically one. It was at the beach, sunny and warm. You had been pushed into the sea by your brother, and your parents were sitting under the shade of an umbrella. It was a good memory, when all of your family was alive, looking only at the present and not worried about what the future would bring.
Now, you looked forward to what was to happen next, not worried, knowing it was going to be good, as Jack held your hand and took you away from your painful past. You were ready for adventure, and you were glad you were able to share it with Jack.