HOME | DD

Description
“Jack,” Jadis whispered as they walked along the town hall outside, “they’ll certainly see us! There’s no storm or enough shadows to hide in.” An hour had passed since the incident. They had danced some more – mostly swing – and as soon as the slow, intimate waltz came on, he pulled her outside. He said it was time, pointing out that the four from before were starting to pack up to leave.
A part of her was annoyed at how they skipped the waltz. No matter, she thought, there would be other times. As soon as they went outside, she was focused on keeping herself warm. This was rare and far more fun than a simple waltz before the eyes of the town people. After all, they all knew Dave before she did, they all knew the story of what happened to her ex. She didn’t want to give them anymore to gossip about with her and Jack than they already had.
The blue man peaked around the corner to spy the four exiting the building. They were to head towards the parking lot – dirt lot, really. He smirked. “Do you trust me?” He looked back at Jadis who was rubbing her hands together. The dress wasn’t the greatest idea to keep warm after all.
“I…” she blinked. “Yes.” This was another type of waltz, another type of leading. It would prove whether or not she really did.
“Then let the fun begin.” He paused, an idea coming to mind. She would appreciate this next bit. “With this,” he bent over and scooped up some snow in his bare hand, “you will be invisible.” He sprinkled the bit of snow over her. Two soft dings were heard from his watch.
Six.
Jadis’ eyes widened slightly before she giggled, shaking her head. Bits of snow fell from her hair. “If you say so…Frost.” She winked.
“Good,” he returned the grin, “then make a few snowballs and get ready.” What was this flutter he felt in his stomach? The alcohol, he decided. It was just the alcohol. “Be sure not to make a noise. They won’t see us, but they can hear us.”
Jadis had to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing. It all just sounded so…fairytale-like. Nevertheless she went along. With three snowballs in her arm and one in her hand, she looked like a warrior prepared for battle – perhaps a bit exaggerated in her mind. Jack had whispered that they should split up to cover more angles. Jadis agreed.
When they were on either side of the gang about a yard away, Jadis felt her heart start to pound. There were a couple of lights out, enough to shine on them. Even the moon was pretty bright! So then how, she wondered, did they not see either of them? Maybe they were drunk, she thought. That spiked cider was pretty strong.
She looked over their heads to meet Jack’s eyes, smile mischievous. He looked so handsome, the thought flitted across her mind. Then he nodded, the signal to throw. With a large grin, she flung the first snowball. He did so as well.
Both hit Cat.
“HEY! Who threw that?!” Her voice echoed with a hint of panic. The four looked around wildly but to Jadis’ surprise, they didn’t see either of them! Without questioning it much, she threw another. Jack followed. And another, and another.
All four were hit once before Jack and Jadis made more. By now the four were shouting threats and insults. Another round of snowballs hit them, ranging from their head to their hips. Jadis threw her last snowball and it hit Cat’s nose. A choked laugh escaped her despite her best efforts. Then she and Jack froze.
Everyone looked in the general area where her laughter had come from. It was easy enough to do since there was no wind to carry it. “Jadis!” Cat screamed, “Come out here! Enough of this childish crap! Come out from where you’re hiding, coward!”
Jadis opened her mouth to speak when her words sunk in. Hiding? She blinked. No, she wasn’t hiding…she was right in front of them, a yard away. There was no way all four could be missing her. Did they…could they really…not…
She took a step forward. No one reacted. She took another. Still, nothing. One more and there was little space between the shouting Cat and herself. Yet she couldn’t see her! Jadis’ lips parted in surprise. Just as her hand raised slowly, as if to touch Cat’s cold cheek, another hand slid into hers, locking fingers.
It was Jack!
He stood almost next to Cat, his finger raised to his lips to signal that Jadis needed to keep quiet. Holding her hand, he stepped forward and led her away. They said nothing and didn’t let go until they were at his car in the front. Her gaze lingered on their hands, but she couldn’t feel it. Her hands were too numb from the snow.
Once they were in the car and it had driven off the land of the town hall, she spoke. “How did you do that?!” She nearly shouted. She was shivering as the heater thawed her off a bit. “They couldn’t see me, she couldn’t see me just a foot away from her! How did…”
“It’s magic.” Jack said bluntly with only a hint of a smile.
Jadis stared openly as he drove. Magic? She shook her head after what felt like a long moment. “Alright…alright, I’ll bite. So you have magic. Can you make a rabbit appear from a hat?” Magic, like stage magic she thought.
This time, Jack smiled wide. “I would, except you killed him yesterday.”
Jadis laughed.
The rest of the trip was focused on warming up. Jadis didn’t shiver as much by the time they pulled up at her house. When he parked the car, she looked up and smiled. “That was really fun, Jack, thank you for tonight.”
“I have to agree, it’s been a while since I was able to prank someone.” He snickered. “And you danced well.”
Jadis smirked. That had to be a way to compliment from the grand dance and sing master himself, she figured. “Thanks.” She toyed with her scarf for a moment. Her gaze slowly raised to meet his after lingering on his lips.
Jack caught on and felt his stomach flip. Again, he blamed the alcohol. She leaned forward and he copied her actions. This was all to seduce, to get her to agree to marry him as Mrs. F-Claus. It wasn’t as though he wanted to kiss her in…
Tap, tap, tap!
Jadis jumped and nearly hit her head on the car roof. When she turned to look, she made a soft noise of surprise. “Patrick?!” She frowned.
“Hey, kind of freezing my balls out here.” He said through the window. “Give me your keys and you can go back to swapping spit with the city-slicker.”
Jadis sighed sharply. “Well who was the idiot who decided to come out…wait, why are you here? Why weren’t you at the party?”
“I locked myself out of my house, now can you hurry up so I can get my spare key!” Pause. “Can you also drive me back?”
“For the love of…alright, hold on.” When Patrick didn’t move, she scowled, “Go wait at the porch, stop staring like a creep!”
“What’s wrong Jadis, performer’s anxiety?” He smirked.
She smacked the window with her scarf-covered hand. Patrick jumped back before grumbling, walking away. When she turned to Jack once more, she sighed. “Sorry. Guess the mood is ruined, hm? Well…anyway. Thanks again. Perhaps…I can cook you dinner in a few nights?”
Jack ran through the numbers in his head. That would put him at two weeks left. “Alright, Tuesday then?”
“Tuesday. Stop by whenever you get off…interviewing potential partners.” Smooth, she thought. “Um…night. Drive safe.” She got out reluctantly and waved after closing the door.
He lingered for another moment, watching her shout at Patrick as she dug into her purse for keys. Only when the door was opened and Patrick ran in did he start to pack out of the driveway. Jadis turned and waved once more, her smile gentle. He waved back though she couldn’t see and left.
~
The door opened shortly after he knocked. Immediately the scent of spices hit him when Jadis opened it. “Jack!” She greeted with a wide smile. “Come in, you look cold – though you always do.” She winked as she stepped back.
When he entered, he caught sight of her attire. Blue jeans, long sleeve green shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a deep blue apron with snowflakes stitched on. Her hair was a bit messy from running around but was confined in a bun. “You look lovely,” Jack complimented without pause.
She blushed. “Oh, really? Thanks.” It was curious to believe him since she was…well, plain. She shrugged slightly though. It had been quite a while since she heard such a thing. Since... “Well,” she pushed her thoughts away, “I’m nearly done with dinner. Nothing terribly fancy, just some chicken soup with homemade bread.”
Jack raised a brow. “I haven’t seen any chickens around here though…did you buy it from the store?!” He faked a gasp of shock.
Jadis smirked at his lip. “Nope, from Patrick’s. He’s got a few lurking about. So, can I get you something to drink?”
“Actually,” Jack raised his hand, showing what he held, “I brought something.”
“Ooh,” Jadis smiled as she took it, scanning the label, “the wine from the restaurant? Nice. I’ll go open it now.”
As they both sipped from their glasses, Jadis finished the soup. Dinner was fairly calm, peppered with giggles as they exchanged stories of youthful – and not so youthful – pranks. The hours flew by and they moved, after they finished, to the living room. Jadis pushed her chair a bit closer to his even though it meant being a bit further from the fire.
She asked about his business. He mentioned it was further up north. She wondered if he got polar bears for customers then and laughed. Eventually she stretched and mused, “I wish I had thought to buy more hot chocolate. I could go for something sweet right now.”
The winds outside started to pick up a bit. Jack had an idea. “Hm…sweet, you say?” He stood. “I may just have something in mind then.”
“Oh really?” Jadis laughed skeptically. “Alright, do tell, what is in my pantry that you might make that’s sweet?”
His smile grew wider. It reminded her faintly of his smile at the town hall dance. “Let’s…make a deal.”
Butterflies entered her stomach. She sat up taller. “A deal?”
“If I create something quite tasty and sweet for you to drink…you have to sing me a few carols of my choice.” Jack had the perfect thing in mind.
The woman raised a brow and grinned. “Alright, and if you don’t, then you have to sing for me.” Singing…well, that was certainly new. “Although why you would want to hear my voice over your own grand vocal chords…”
He visibly perked at having his ego stroked. “Deal!” He stood. “Now close your eyes.”
“What?!”
“Close your eyes! We didn’t specify how I would obtain my ingredients, so close your eyes…and turn around!” He supposed he could go to the car, pretend he brought something in the trunk. It was just more fun to tease and confuse her with his magic – and it would be easier to explain later.
When Jadis closed her eyes and turned to face the fire, he darted to the kitchen. A song ding came from his wrist. He was down to five.
No matter, he thought as he looked at the two drinks before him, he didn’t need much more to win her over. There was no doubt. He knew, simply knew that she would accept his proposal…so why not use a bit of this supply to impress? He picked up two golden cups of his secret and stepped back to the living room.
“Turn around.” He commanded.
Jadis did so, opening her eyes, and blinking. “Where…did you get the gold cups from? And that was…fast.” Jack felt a childish delight in seeing the confusion on her face.
“Magic.” He winked. She started to give him another skeptical look when she recalled the other night. She gaped instead. “Here you go…my own cocoaccinos.”
She took the cup and gasped from the warmth. “Alright, I’ll bite. Or, in this case technically sip.” Their eyes locked as they both sipped from the cups. Jadis’ eyes widened first. “Mm! It’s, it’s minty! I feel like I could breathe out ice, like Jack Frost!” Her face flushed a brilliant red as she caught the man smirking at her. “Shut up.” She mumbled, sipping more.
Jack offered something of a chuckle. “I win.”
She blinked as she stared at him. “Hm?” Oh, the deal! He was smirking at her comment, at him winning the deal. For a moment, she thought he was smirking at her mention of Frost…but he hadn’t so far. Not at all, she realized, not even when they first met. He seemed, at the very least, tolerant of her obsession. How interesting.
“Though speaking of…Jack Frost…the first song I want to hear,” she gave him a look at the word ‘first’, “is…well.” He paused. Nearly any song he could have requested would have been about Santa. Every song would have more mention of Santa – of him – more than they would Jack Frost. So why did he want to hear about his old self? Why did this woman wake such old thoughts?
“Christmas Song, I’m guessing? There’s only one line of him in it, sadly.” And it was the lyric that he had heard that drew him over. Her voice held a melody to it. “Jack Frost nipping at your nose…”
He shivered. She raised a brow, setting her cup down. To recover, he said quickly, “What about something with Santa Claus?”
Jadis giggled. “Really? Him? Favoring because of last names, eh Mr. Claus?” She winked. “There are better songs than…well, I mean, if you want.”
At first, Jack wasn’t sure what to say. Hell, he barely knew what to think. He was Santa Claus, he was popular, everyone knew and sang about him! So why was it that this woman, be it herself or just when he was around her, made him think, want, to be Jack Frost once more? She had a way of making Frost seem…as popular as Santa. As good as Santa. Yet that wasn’t him, not anymore…still…
His heart ached. It was just a second, but it ached. A heart attack maybe? How ironic since he didn’t eat all those cookies and drink milk like the old Santa did. No, that wasn’t it. Maybe a…well, he couldn’t get sick. He was a Legend. So maybe he…maybe it was an emotion. But of what? It wasn’t irritation – he knew that quite well. What could it…
Then Jack opened his mouth and sang something he never thought he’d be singing: a duet.
“I really can’t stay.”
Jadis blinked. Did he just…start singing a duet? He didn’t strike her as one to…do such. With a tentative smile, she sang back. “Baby it’s cold outside.”
“I’ve got to go away.” He set his cup down.
“Baby it’s cold outside.” She put her cup down.
“This evening has been…”
“Been hoping that you'd drop in,” Jadis interrupted.
“So very nice.” He finished with a grin.
“I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice.” She nearly laughed as she took his hands. His hands weren’t quite like ice, but close enough.
“My mother will start to worry.” This time, he nearly laughed.
“Beautiful, what's your hurry?” She winked.
“My father will be pacing the floor.”
“Listen to the fireplace roar!”
“So really I'd better scurry.”
“Beautiful, please don't hurry.” Jadis did the pouty lip look.
“Well maybe just a half a drink more.”
“Put some music on while I pour.”
“The neighbors might think.”
“Baby, it's bad out there!”
“Say, what's in this drink?!” He pretended to look outraged. Jadis nearly lost it, given the fact that he had made the drink.
“No cabs to be had out there.”
“I wish I knew how…”
“Your eyes are like starlight!” She added dreamily with a bit of truth.
He finished his lyric, “To break the spell.”
“I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell!” She bit her bottom lip to keep from giggling.
“I ought to say no, no, no, s-miss.”
“Mind if I move closer?” She leaned forward.
His eyelids lowered slightly, a sort of relaxed and near drunken look crossing his face. “At least I'm gonna say that I tried.”
“What's the sense in hurting my pride?”
“I really can't stay.” Despite this, he leaned forward as well.
“Baby don't hold out…” Jadis whispered, her heart pounding.
He tilted his head. She gripped the armrest tighter. As though in slow motion, they closed the distance between them in unison. His lips were cool, she thought as they kissed. It was pleasant though…like…mint…snow…
When they pulled away, Jack whispered with an arrogant grin on his face. “Ahh, but it's cold outside.”
Jadi opened her eyes – when had she closed them? Her face was warm, she knew she was blushing. She could feel herself smiling like an idiot. As she looked at Jack, she became aware of just how much her heart was fluttering. A kiss…their kiss…it was wonderful.
A dark thought struck her though. She swallowed thickly, her smile fading. Before he could catch on, she sat up and looked towards her half empty cup. “You…I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow.” It wasn’t a lie. “I should go to bed. Patrick is picking me up early.”
Jack blinked. Now it was his turn to look confused. That was certainly a shift in the mood. “Ah, I see…are you…alright?” He could still take her as a wife even if she was dying, right? He’d just be…widow Claus.
“Yes, just a checkup.” Her mood darkened. It would only spiral soon enough. She had known about the appointment for days now, she had prepared herself to think of the past and feel like shit. Jack, however, had lightened her mood though. He had made her simply adjust and live with it. But the kiss…happiness…the dark thoughts came back. The memories would soon follow and pile on without mercy. “I’ll see you to the door.”
Jack opened his mouth, unsure of what happened to make her so…abrupt. He knew he wasn’t a bad kisser so it couldn’t be his fault. So then what? “Ah…alright.” He stood and walked with her towards the front door. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
“I don’t think so,” Jadis looked anywhere except at him, “it might take all day. I’ll be exhausted by the time I get home.”
“Then the next day?”
“Maybe. Thanks, good night.” She opened the door. A bit of snow fluttered in. It melted after a moment from the warmth.
The blue man stared at her for another moment. She wasn’t looking at him. She was staring at the recently melted snow. He wanted to press this further, to inquire what had gone wrong, but her tone made him pause. “Good night…Jadis.”

Description
“Jack,” Jadis whispered as they walked along the town hall outside, “they’ll certainly see us! There’s no storm or enough shadows to hide in.” An hour had passed since the incident. They had danced some more – mostly swing – and as soon as the slow, intimate waltz came on, he pulled her outside. He said it was time, pointing out that the four from before were starting to pack up to leave.
A part of her was annoyed at how they skipped the waltz. No matter, she thought, there would be other times. As soon as they went outside, she was focused on keeping herself warm. This was rare and far more fun than a simple waltz before the eyes of the town people. After all, they all knew Dave before she did, they all knew the story of what happened to her ex. She didn’t want to give them anymore to gossip about with her and Jack than they already had.
The blue man peaked around the corner to spy the four exiting the building. They were to head towards the parking lot – dirt lot, really. He smirked. “Do you trust me?” He looked back at Jadis who was rubbing her hands together. The dress wasn’t the greatest idea to keep warm after all.
“I…” she blinked. “Yes.” This was another type of waltz, another type of leading. It would prove whether or not she really did.
“Then let the fun begin.” He paused, an idea coming to mind. She would appreciate this next bit. “With this,” he bent over and scooped up some snow in his bare hand, “you will be invisible.” He sprinkled the bit of snow over her. Two soft dings were heard from his watch.
Six.
Jadis’ eyes widened slightly before she giggled, shaking her head. Bits of snow fell from her hair. “If you say so…Frost.” She winked.
“Good,” he returned the grin, “then make a few snowballs and get ready.” What was this flutter he felt in his stomach? The alcohol, he decided. It was just the alcohol. “Be sure not to make a noise. They won’t see us, but they can hear us.”
Jadis had to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing. It all just sounded so…fairytale-like. Nevertheless she went along. With three snowballs in her arm and one in her hand, she looked like a warrior prepared for battle – perhaps a bit exaggerated in her mind. Jack had whispered that they should split up to cover more angles. Jadis agreed.
When they were on either side of the gang about a yard away, Jadis felt her heart start to pound. There were a couple of lights out, enough to shine on them. Even the moon was pretty bright! So then how, she wondered, did they not see either of them? Maybe they were drunk, she thought. That spiked cider was pretty strong.
She looked over their heads to meet Jack’s eyes, smile mischievous. He looked so handsome, the thought flitted across her mind. Then he nodded, the signal to throw. With a large grin, she flung the first snowball. He did so as well.
Both hit Cat.
“HEY! Who threw that?!” Her voice echoed with a hint of panic. The four looked around wildly but to Jadis’ surprise, they didn’t see either of them! Without questioning it much, she threw another. Jack followed. And another, and another.
All four were hit once before Jack and Jadis made more. By now the four were shouting threats and insults. Another round of snowballs hit them, ranging from their head to their hips. Jadis threw her last snowball and it hit Cat’s nose. A choked laugh escaped her despite her best efforts. Then she and Jack froze.
Everyone looked in the general area where her laughter had come from. It was easy enough to do since there was no wind to carry it. “Jadis!” Cat screamed, “Come out here! Enough of this childish crap! Come out from where you’re hiding, coward!”
Jadis opened her mouth to speak when her words sunk in. Hiding? She blinked. No, she wasn’t hiding…she was right in front of them, a yard away. There was no way all four could be missing her. Did they…could they really…not…
She took a step forward. No one reacted. She took another. Still, nothing. One more and there was little space between the shouting Cat and herself. Yet she couldn’t see her! Jadis’ lips parted in surprise. Just as her hand raised slowly, as if to touch Cat’s cold cheek, another hand slid into hers, locking fingers.
It was Jack!
He stood almost next to Cat, his finger raised to his lips to signal that Jadis needed to keep quiet. Holding her hand, he stepped forward and led her away. They said nothing and didn’t let go until they were at his car in the front. Her gaze lingered on their hands, but she couldn’t feel it. Her hands were too numb from the snow.
Once they were in the car and it had driven off the land of the town hall, she spoke. “How did you do that?!” She nearly shouted. She was shivering as the heater thawed her off a bit. “They couldn’t see me, she couldn’t see me just a foot away from her! How did…”
“It’s magic.” Jack said bluntly with only a hint of a smile.
Jadis stared openly as he drove. Magic? She shook her head after what felt like a long moment. “Alright…alright, I’ll bite. So you have magic. Can you make a rabbit appear from a hat?” Magic, like stage magic she thought.
This time, Jack smiled wide. “I would, except you killed him yesterday.”
Jadis laughed.
The rest of the trip was focused on warming up. Jadis didn’t shiver as much by the time they pulled up at her house. When he parked the car, she looked up and smiled. “That was really fun, Jack, thank you for tonight.”
“I have to agree, it’s been a while since I was able to prank someone.” He snickered. “And you danced well.”
Jadis smirked. That had to be a way to compliment from the grand dance and sing master himself, she figured. “Thanks.” She toyed with her scarf for a moment. Her gaze slowly raised to meet his after lingering on his lips.
Jack caught on and felt his stomach flip. Again, he blamed the alcohol. She leaned forward and he copied her actions. This was all to seduce, to get her to agree to marry him as Mrs. F-Claus. It wasn’t as though he wanted to kiss her in…
Tap, tap, tap!
Jadis jumped and nearly hit her head on the car roof. When she turned to look, she made a soft noise of surprise. “Patrick?!” She frowned.
“Hey, kind of freezing my balls out here.” He said through the window. “Give me your keys and you can go back to swapping spit with the city-slicker.”
Jadis sighed sharply. “Well who was the idiot who decided to come out…wait, why are you here? Why weren’t you at the party?”
“I locked myself out of my house, now can you hurry up so I can get my spare key!” Pause. “Can you also drive me back?”
“For the love of…alright, hold on.” When Patrick didn’t move, she scowled, “Go wait at the porch, stop staring like a creep!”
“What’s wrong Jadis, performer’s anxiety?” He smirked.
She smacked the window with her scarf-covered hand. Patrick jumped back before grumbling, walking away. When she turned to Jack once more, she sighed. “Sorry. Guess the mood is ruined, hm? Well…anyway. Thanks again. Perhaps…I can cook you dinner in a few nights?”
Jack ran through the numbers in his head. That would put him at two weeks left. “Alright, Tuesday then?”
“Tuesday. Stop by whenever you get off…interviewing potential partners.” Smooth, she thought. “Um…night. Drive safe.” She got out reluctantly and waved after closing the door.
He lingered for another moment, watching her shout at Patrick as she dug into her purse for keys. Only when the door was opened and Patrick ran in did he start to pack out of the driveway. Jadis turned and waved once more, her smile gentle. He waved back though she couldn’t see and left.
~
The door opened shortly after he knocked. Immediately the scent of spices hit him when Jadis opened it. “Jack!” She greeted with a wide smile. “Come in, you look cold – though you always do.” She winked as she stepped back.
When he entered, he caught sight of her attire. Blue jeans, long sleeve green shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a deep blue apron with snowflakes stitched on. Her hair was a bit messy from running around but was confined in a bun. “You look lovely,” Jack complimented without pause.
She blushed. “Oh, really? Thanks.” It was curious to believe him since she was…well, plain. She shrugged slightly though. It had been quite a while since she heard such a thing. Since... “Well,” she pushed her thoughts away, “I’m nearly done with dinner. Nothing terribly fancy, just some chicken soup with homemade bread.”
Jack raised a brow. “I haven’t seen any chickens around here though…did you buy it from the store?!” He faked a gasp of shock.
Jadis smirked at his lip. “Nope, from Patrick’s. He’s got a few lurking about. So, can I get you something to drink?”
“Actually,” Jack raised his hand, showing what he held, “I brought something.”
“Ooh,” Jadis smiled as she took it, scanning the label, “the wine from the restaurant? Nice. I’ll go open it now.”
As they both sipped from their glasses, Jadis finished the soup. Dinner was fairly calm, peppered with giggles as they exchanged stories of youthful – and not so youthful – pranks. The hours flew by and they moved, after they finished, to the living room. Jadis pushed her chair a bit closer to his even though it meant being a bit further from the fire.
She asked about his business. He mentioned it was further up north. She wondered if he got polar bears for customers then and laughed. Eventually she stretched and mused, “I wish I had thought to buy more hot chocolate. I could go for something sweet right now.”
The winds outside started to pick up a bit. Jack had an idea. “Hm…sweet, you say?” He stood. “I may just have something in mind then.”
“Oh really?” Jadis laughed skeptically. “Alright, do tell, what is in my pantry that you might make that’s sweet?”
His smile grew wider. It reminded her faintly of his smile at the town hall dance. “Let’s…make a deal.”
Butterflies entered her stomach. She sat up taller. “A deal?”
“If I create something quite tasty and sweet for you to drink…you have to sing me a few carols of my choice.” Jack had the perfect thing in mind.
The woman raised a brow and grinned. “Alright, and if you don’t, then you have to sing for me.” Singing…well, that was certainly new. “Although why you would want to hear my voice over your own grand vocal chords…”
He visibly perked at having his ego stroked. “Deal!” He stood. “Now close your eyes.”
“What?!”
“Close your eyes! We didn’t specify how I would obtain my ingredients, so close your eyes…and turn around!” He supposed he could go to the car, pretend he brought something in the trunk. It was just more fun to tease and confuse her with his magic – and it would be easier to explain later.
When Jadis closed her eyes and turned to face the fire, he darted to the kitchen. A song ding came from his wrist. He was down to five.
No matter, he thought as he looked at the two drinks before him, he didn’t need much more to win her over. There was no doubt. He knew, simply knew that she would accept his proposal…so why not use a bit of this supply to impress? He picked up two golden cups of his secret and stepped back to the living room.
“Turn around.” He commanded.
Jadis did so, opening her eyes, and blinking. “Where…did you get the gold cups from? And that was…fast.” Jack felt a childish delight in seeing the confusion on her face.
“Magic.” He winked. She started to give him another skeptical look when she recalled the other night. She gaped instead. “Here you go…my own cocoaccinos.”
She took the cup and gasped from the warmth. “Alright, I’ll bite. Or, in this case technically sip.” Their eyes locked as they both sipped from the cups. Jadis’ eyes widened first. “Mm! It’s, it’s minty! I feel like I could breathe out ice, like Jack Frost!” Her face flushed a brilliant red as she caught the man smirking at her. “Shut up.” She mumbled, sipping more.
Jack offered something of a chuckle. “I win.”
She blinked as she stared at him. “Hm?” Oh, the deal! He was smirking at her comment, at him winning the deal. For a moment, she thought he was smirking at her mention of Frost…but he hadn’t so far. Not at all, she realized, not even when they first met. He seemed, at the very least, tolerant of her obsession. How interesting.
“Though speaking of…Jack Frost…the first song I want to hear,” she gave him a look at the word ‘first’, “is…well.” He paused. Nearly any song he could have requested would have been about Santa. Every song would have more mention of Santa – of him – more than they would Jack Frost. So why did he want to hear about his old self? Why did this woman wake such old thoughts?
“Christmas Song, I’m guessing? There’s only one line of him in it, sadly.” And it was the lyric that he had heard that drew him over. Her voice held a melody to it. “Jack Frost nipping at your nose…”
He shivered. She raised a brow, setting her cup down. To recover, he said quickly, “What about something with Santa Claus?”
Jadis giggled. “Really? Him? Favoring because of last names, eh Mr. Claus?” She winked. “There are better songs than…well, I mean, if you want.”
At first, Jack wasn’t sure what to say. Hell, he barely knew what to think. He was Santa Claus, he was popular, everyone knew and sang about him! So why was it that this woman, be it herself or just when he was around her, made him think, want, to be Jack Frost once more? She had a way of making Frost seem…as popular as Santa. As good as Santa. Yet that wasn’t him, not anymore…still…
His heart ached. It was just a second, but it ached. A heart attack maybe? How ironic since he didn’t eat all those cookies and drink milk like the old Santa did. No, that wasn’t it. Maybe a…well, he couldn’t get sick. He was a Legend. So maybe he…maybe it was an emotion. But of what? It wasn’t irritation – he knew that quite well. What could it…
Then Jack opened his mouth and sang something he never thought he’d be singing: a duet.
“I really can’t stay.”
Jadis blinked. Did he just…start singing a duet? He didn’t strike her as one to…do such. With a tentative smile, she sang back. “Baby it’s cold outside.”
“I’ve got to go away.” He set his cup down.
“Baby it’s cold outside.” She put her cup down.
“This evening has been…”
“Been hoping that you'd drop in,” Jadis interrupted.
“So very nice.” He finished with a grin.
“I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice.” She nearly laughed as she took his hands. His hands weren’t quite like ice, but close enough.
“My mother will start to worry.” This time, he nearly laughed.
“Beautiful, what's your hurry?” She winked.
“My father will be pacing the floor.”
“Listen to the fireplace roar!”
“So really I'd better scurry.”
“Beautiful, please don't hurry.” Jadis did the pouty lip look.
“Well maybe just a half a drink more.”
“Put some music on while I pour.”
“The neighbors might think.”
“Baby, it's bad out there!”
“Say, what's in this drink?!” He pretended to look outraged. Jadis nearly lost it, given the fact that he had made the drink.
“No cabs to be had out there.”
“I wish I knew how…”
“Your eyes are like starlight!” She added dreamily with a bit of truth.
He finished his lyric, “To break the spell.”
“I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell!” She bit her bottom lip to keep from giggling.
“I ought to say no, no, no, s-miss.”
“Mind if I move closer?” She leaned forward.
His eyelids lowered slightly, a sort of relaxed and near drunken look crossing his face. “At least I'm gonna say that I tried.”
“What's the sense in hurting my pride?”
“I really can't stay.” Despite this, he leaned forward as well.
“Baby don't hold out…” Jadis whispered, her heart pounding.
He tilted his head. She gripped the armrest tighter. As though in slow motion, they closed the distance between them in unison. His lips were cool, she thought as they kissed. It was pleasant though…like…mint…snow…
When they pulled away, Jack whispered with an arrogant grin on his face. “Ahh, but it's cold outside.”
Jadi opened her eyes – when had she closed them? Her face was warm, she knew she was blushing. She could feel herself smiling like an idiot. As she looked at Jack, she became aware of just how much her heart was fluttering. A kiss…their kiss…it was wonderful.
A dark thought struck her though. She swallowed thickly, her smile fading. Before he could catch on, she sat up and looked towards her half empty cup. “You…I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow.” It wasn’t a lie. “I should go to bed. Patrick is picking me up early.”
Jack blinked. Now it was his turn to look confused. That was certainly a shift in the mood. “Ah, I see…are you…alright?” He could still take her as a wife even if she was dying, right? He’d just be…widow Claus.
“Yes, just a checkup.” Her mood darkened. It would only spiral soon enough. She had known about the appointment for days now, she had prepared herself to think of the past and feel like shit. Jack, however, had lightened her mood though. He had made her simply adjust and live with it. But the kiss…happiness…the dark thoughts came back. The memories would soon follow and pile on without mercy. “I’ll see you to the door.”
Jack opened his mouth, unsure of what happened to make her so…abrupt. He knew he wasn’t a bad kisser so it couldn’t be his fault. So then what? “Ah…alright.” He stood and walked with her towards the front door. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
“I don’t think so,” Jadis looked anywhere except at him, “it might take all day. I’ll be exhausted by the time I get home.”
“Then the next day?”
“Maybe. Thanks, good night.” She opened the door. A bit of snow fluttered in. It melted after a moment from the warmth.
The blue man stared at her for another moment. She wasn’t looking at him. She was staring at the recently melted snow. He wanted to press this further, to inquire what had gone wrong, but her tone made him pause. “Good night…Jadis.”