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The sound was so soft that Jack Frost almost didn't notice it. He paused in midair, tilting his head and waiting. A few quiet moments passed with only the sound of a gentle breeze, snowflakes floating past his ears and eyes.
Then he heard it again. A tiny, helpless mewl.
His eyes widened and he flew down toward the ground, extending his awareness out to the snow that blanketed it, searching for a gap or warmth, and- there!
He landed near a hollow log that had been nearly entirely covered with snow and dropped to his knees, putting his staff down. He reached into the log, his hands touching something furry and incredibly warm compared to his own body temperature. Jack held his breath as the creature tensed all over, then murmured an apology for how cold his skin was as he drew it out of the log. In his hands was a small, bedraggled kitten who looked barely old enough to be weaned. It wiggled, meowing weakly, and though its claws dug at his fingers, it had very little strength. Its pure white fur was the color of the snow around them and was plastered down against its body, but he imagined it would be quite fluffy when dry.
“How'd you get out here?” Jack asked, instead cradling the kitten in the crook of his arm, where his sleeve would protect it from the bulk of his cold. The kitten shivered nonetheless, sneezing, and he frowned as he moved the end of his sleeve over his other hand, before resting it on top of the kitten, hoping that would trap some body heat.
His mind raced as he stood, looking around. He saw no mother cat or other kittens. Had this little one been abandoned? Or did it simply fall behind while passing through here earlier, only to be trapped when the snow started falling? The kitten wore no collar so he imagined it had a feral mother, but then, so many humans just let their poor cats wander outside without protection or identification...
In his arms, the kitten let out another plaintive mewl. He wondered when it last ate. He was glad that whatever strange power prevented humans from seeing or touching him without belief, didn't apply to animals. He could get this kitten to a safe place. He lifted his hand to get another look at it. It looked at him with innocent blue eyes that reminded him of his own. Its nose twitched as it sniffed, and he wondered what he smelled like to it. Did it simply think of him as a human, or did it realize he was something else?
“I'll take care of you,” he promised. He hesitated, then began feeling through the kitten's fur, wanting to make sure it wasn't injured. Though it shifted in protest, it didn't try to get away. He didn't find any injuries, it was just wet and a little dirty along its belly. In his examination he determined that it was a girl, and once he was done, he gently petted her head in reward. She settled slightly at that, but still mouthed hungrily at his fingers.
He slipped the kitten into his hoodie pocket and picked up his staff. His free hand rested over his pocket, making sure the kitten was secure as he flew up high. It was easy enough to locate the nearest town, which wasn't far from here. There were houses she could have come from. Jack flew around, gazing down at the streets, but it was quiet. Night was starting to fall and as it was Christmas Eve, many people had retired to their homes. A few kids played in the snow he had brought, but otherwise people were inside, wrapping any last-minute gifts, making holiday treats, and opening Christmas Eve presents.
He saw a few lone cats but none of them had kittens with them. And he didn't want to just drop this kitten off with a random female. He knew many adult female cats had enough motherly instinct to adopt a random kitten, but he didn't want to take his chances. He kept looking around for any kittens that looked similar to this one, but had no luck. He wasn't able to find lost cat flyers. He spent nearly an hour exploring the town without any clues to where this kitten might have come from.
Desperate, he eventually snuck his way into a veterinary hospital, looking around until he located a pet chip reader. It took him a few moments to figure out how the device worked, but then he had it turned on and was running it over the kitten. He wasn't sure if people chipped ones this small, but it was worth a shot. To his dismay, the device found no chip. Jack sighed, turned off the device, and put it back on its shelf. He hurried back out, unsure if the kitten would be visible even when he wasn't, but not wanting to take the chance.
Jack alighted on top of the vet office as he thought. The kitten crawled out of his pocket and settled onto his lap, beginning to shiver once more. Her fur had dried and was indeed very fluffy.
“Why would someone just leave you?” Jack said quietly. “Unless you did just get lost, but I can't believe your mother wouldn't return for you. You must have been out there for a while. Though...” Another possibility occurred to him and he frowned. “Maybe the others died? I don't know. And you can't tell me, huh?”
She yawned and blinked up at him. She had apparently decided that crying for food wasn't helping her, and instead remained quiet. He began petting her back. She kneaded at his leg.
“You need food,” Jack decided. That was the most pressing priority. Then he could resume looking for her owners, and if all else failed, he could try to get her adopted. He knew which shelters around here were no-kill, and people loved kittens. No matter what, he would make sure she was taken care of. He stood, tucked her back into his pocket, and took flight once more.
He had no qualms about stealing when it came to protecting a life. He chose a large retail store to break into, taking advantage of his invisibility to nonbelievers, and wasted no time grabbing a can of wet food that advertised itself as being perfect for growing kittens. Once he had his prize, he left the building and flew until he was in a more rural part of town, finding a barn to take shelter in. It wasn't heated but it would block the worst of the cold, and he figured it was secluded enough that no one would notice the kitten.
Jack landed up on a loft, where he was relieved to see dusty old blankets among piles of hay. They could stay here overnight. He would miss out on following North on his deliveries tonight, but there would be other years for that. He took the kitten from his pocket and set her down on the straw. She took some shaky steps and then plopped down, playing curiously with the straw.
“Ever seen that before?” Jack laughed, opening the can of food. He glanced inside and used a finger to break up the soft food, then set the can in front of her. He first held his finger out to her so she could smell it, and he winced when she bit down on it, teeth scraping the pieces of food off. She licked him for a few moments, then turned her attention to the can, nearly diving onto it. He laughed again and held the can steady as she pushed her little face inside, mewling eagerly even as she took big bites.
While she ate, Jack used his staff to hook one of the blankets and pull it over. He shook it out and laid it nearby, then returned his attention to the kitten. She was still going, though had quieted, with only the sound of munching leaving her mouth. She didn't stop until the can was empty, at which point she licked her lips and yawned, laying down. Her eyes were already closing.
“Maybe I should have grabbed another for breakfast,” Jack commented. “Ah well. Go ahead and sleep. I'll have something for you in the morning.”
She had no response. He pulled the blanket over her and she seemed to drop off to sleep instantly, beginning to snore. Jack's heart clenched and protectiveness swept through him. He may have just found her but he wanted to keep her safe at all costs.
After making sure she wasn't going to get up, he stood and examined the area. He didn't expect for her to topple off the loft, but just in case, he gathered up the other old blankets and piled them in front of the ledge. Then he explored the barn, which was in disuse, so he was able to snatch up other random items to also stack. Hoping that kept her contained if she woke up, he checked on her one more time, then rushed out to gather things while she slept. And once it was morning, he was going to resume his attempts to find her a home.
Jack returned after a few hours with supplies. He had done some more searching for potential mother cats, but it was now night and he didn't have much in the way of night vision, so he had decided to stop until morning. He landed in the loft to find the kitten still sleeping. She had moved around a bit but was still on the pile of hay, snoozing under her blanket. He sat down and placed out the cans of food he had grabbed, along with a small bowl and some bottles of water. He picked out a blanket and laid it under himself, then stretched out next to her, resting a protective arm around her.
She moved a little closer and kept sleeping. He smiled and let his eyes drift shut, listening to the peaceful sound of wind outside and wondering how North was doing. Maybe he could find someone to present the kitten to tomorrow as a Christmas gift. It would have to be someone who was completely ready to take care of a cat, however. He didn't want to deliver her to someone who would hurt her or abandon her. He thought about Jamie, but Jamie already had that huge greyhound. It probably wouldn't be a suitable home for such a small kitten. Abby was a hunting dog and unless she was socialized with cats, she probably wouldn't do well around one.
Jack shrugged and resigned himself to ask Jamie tomorrow. Otherwise he may just need to find a shelter. He dozed off next to the kitten, ideas and what-ifs flying around his head, until even that faded out and he fell asleep.
Jack woke up as soon as the first rays of sunlight came in through the loft window. He blinked and immediately looked over at his arm. The kitten was awake but hadn't moved from her spot, instead shivering a little even under her blanket. Jack glanced worriedly out the window. Frost had formed on the sill overnight and he could tell the temperature was close to freezing. It didn't bother him but it wasn't suitable for the poor creature next to him.
He reached over for a fresh can of food, opening it for her and setting it down, along with the bowl, which he filled with water. She stretched and moved to lap up some water, before settling in front of the bowl to eat. Jack stood, going over to look outside. Snow blanketed the land and he smiled in appreciation, even as he worried for his new charge. It was a beautiful white Christmas, which he always loved bringing to every area he could. But he knew the dangers of winter as well, and he watched as barren trees sagged under the weight of snow, and a nearby stream had completely frozen over. He sensed that even when the Sun rose higher, the temperature would be in the high thirties here.
He sighed and returned to the kitten. She had finished her food and was laying back down, slightly on her side, and Jack could see her stomach bulging from how full she was. He scooped her up and flew down to the ground, figuring she would need to use the bathroom. He set her in the dirt and backed away so she could do her business, watching her walk around and snuffle at the ground before pawing at a suitable spot.
After a few minutes she toddled back over to him, rubbing along his feet. As young as she was, she was already so affectionate toward him. He had figured a feral kitten, if she was one, wouldn't be so trusting. Maybe she actually did have a home. Or she simply felt safe with him after he fed her and kept her warm.
“You ready to keep looking for your mom?” Jack asked. She meowed at him. He took her to the loft one more time in case she wanted more water, and she took a couple sips before moving away. He returned her to his pocket and took off.
The day was spent searching. As it grew brighter, he began to see more animals wandering around the town's various neighborhoods. He saw some of the same cats from last night as well as some new ones. There were a few kittens but none looked like the one he had found. He tentatively approached some mother cats anyway, offering up his kitten to them, but none seemed interested. The ones that did sniff would only consider the kitten for a moment before turning and walking away, back to their own children, and leaving with them.
“Oh come on, surely one of you can take care of one more kitten?” Jack called after the last cat who left. He sighed and slumped against a fence, rubbing his hand through his hair and then lifting his kitten to his face. She was hunched down against the cold, shivers moving through her that rippled the fur along her back. But still she kept her eyes open, watching him, making no move to try and run from him.
Desperate, he kept moving. At around noon, he took a break to return to the barn to let her drink again, though she hardly ate, only taking a few bites before exploring her environment. Probably still full from breakfast. Jack really wasn't sure how often a kitten this age should eat. He took her out once again, even trying other towns, but found no one who seemed to be looking for her, or any parents or siblings.
In the evening, Jack swung by Jamie's house. Despite the cold, Jamie was in his backyard in what seemed to be a new jacket, building a snowman. No one else was with him. Jack flew down, calling a greeting. Jamie grinned upon seeing him and waved.
“Jack! Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas! Get any fun gifts?” Jack walked briefly along the fence before jumping down into the yard.
“This,” Jamie said, gesturing to his jacket. “But I also got a really cool dragon plushie, and this book about Nordic mythology, and some really nice colored pencils! Like, the expensive kind!”
“Then why aren't you inside, drawing?” Jack teased.
Jamie flushed. “I played with everything earlier but I wanted to make a snowman before it got too dark. I'll probably read my book before bed.”
“Cool! Well, that's a great snowman.” Jack admired it, then pulled himself back on track. “But hey, Jamie, I was wondering. Would you happen to be in the market for a kitten?”
“A kitten?” Jamie's eyes grew wide and excited.
“Yeah!” Jack took the kitten out of his pocket and held her up. She yawned and looked at Jamie curiously.
He immediately bounced up and down, reaching up for her. “Oh wow! She's so cute! She reminds me of you, look at her eyes!” He cradled her, petting her gently. She purred and nuzzled against him.
Jack grinned, thinking this was it, he found a home. “I found her alone outside of town, hiding in the snow. I haven't been able to find her mom, so I decided to try and find her a new family. Think you could take her in?”
Jamie's face fell. “I would, but Abby... she doesn't do well with other animals, like at all. She might attack her. Mom said as long as Abby's in the house we can't have a cat or another dog or anything.”
“You don't think Abby could be trained out of it?” Jack asked, disappointed.
“Probably not. We've tried with a few pets that my relatives have brought over.” Jamie shook his head. “She growls and barks and tries to bite them. I just don't think it's safe enough for a kitten. I'm sorry. Maybe one of my friends could take her?”
“Maybe. I'll ask around.” Jack gently took the kitten back, frowning down at her. “I'm worried about her. She needs a warm home. I can't keep her that warm, especially not with all my travels. I can keep her in my pocket but I have no body heat of my own, she'll have to make do with her own. Might be too much for a kitten this age.”
“She doesn't look too young,” Jamie said, looking at her closely. “A few more weeks and she might be able to get along on her own.”
“I don't want to just let her roam around by herself. Outdoor cats can get into all sorts of danger.” Jack held her close. “I really want to find her a home. So I'm gonna ask your friends. And if none of them can take her, then... then I'll figure out something.”
“I hope someone adopts her. She seems really sweet.”
“Yeah.” Jack looked down at the kitten, who had turned and placed her front paws on his chest, looking cutely up at him. “She is.”
After spending some more time chatting with Jamie, Jack moved on. He asked around with Jamie's friends, but none of them were able to take in a cat. Cupcake spent the longest trying to decide, even going into her home with the kitten and pleading with her parents, but she lived in an apartment that didn't allow pets, and finally she was forced to bring the kitten back to Jack, pouting and even a little teary-eyed.
“I'll make sure I find a good place for her,” Jack assured her.
“You better,” she growled, clenching a fist. “That little princess deserves the best!”
The kitten seemed sad to leave Cupcake too, but she still jumped back into Jack's arms, snuggling against him and purring. Unsure of what else to do, Jack said goodbye and took the kitten back to the barn for another night. He did his best to shield her from the cold. He could control the temperature to some degree but he was mostly skilled in making it colder, not warming it back up. And if nature itself decided that the days needed to be colder than he wanted it, he had to accede.
Sure enough, it ended up being a cold night. Temperatures fell below freezing and stayed there. Jack piled the kitten with blankets and made sure she ate and drank water. She did but she still seemed weary, so he coaxed her to go to sleep, curling up around her and listening to her breathing. He didn't sleep that night, wanting to keep an eye on her.
Over the next few days, Jack took the kitten everywhere with him as he searched for a home for her. Even though she would eat and drink, it seemed she lost energy with every day. She didn't explore and frolic like a cat her age should. Whenever he set her on the ground, she would go a few feet and sniff around, maybe use the bathroom, but otherwise it seemed she had no desire to run or play. Even when Jack tried to encourage her with the hay from the barn, she would bat at it only a few times before stopping, looking tired.
One night as Jack bedded down with her, she sneezed a few times in succession, and he ran his fingers over her head. He found that she wasn't as warm to the touch as usual. Worried, he tucked her into the blankets and gazed out the window. He needed to take her to a shelter, he decided. Or travel south and find warmer weather. The cold was sapping her strength.
“You'll be okay,” he assured her as he watched her chest move with short, snorting breaths. “I promise.”
She meowed softly. It didn't sound reassuring. Jack's eyes itched and he blinked the sensation away, then leaned close to her, feeling her burrow against his sweater. A shelter, he decided. Tomorrow morning, he would find a reputable place to give her up to. It was for the best.
It was past midnight when Jack noticed the kitten's breaths grow even slower. She was deep asleep and her paws occasionally twitched, but otherwise she was still. Jack shifted so he could watch her more closely. After a few minutes, even her paw twitches stopped and the only motion was the slow rise and fall of her chest. It seemed too slow. Jack touched her body and realized she was even cooler. Panic threaded through him. He pressed blankets tightly around her and slid his hand under them to keep one finger on her side to monitor her breathing. It didn't change, nor did she warm up.
“Oh no, no, please,” he whispered. He looked around helplessly, then up at the moonlight shining in through the window. It was the middle of the night, but maybe he could rush her to a 24/7 vet clinic. He's seen them around, and it didn't matter if no one could see him, he could put her inside. Take her right to the counter or put her in someone's arms. The vets would be confused but surely they would still help. He couldn't really think of a better option.
Jack bundled the kitten up and lifted her, his worry growing when she didn't wake at the motion.
“It's alright,” he said softly. “I'm going to take you to a vet. I'm so sorry, I should have done this sooner, but I thought you would be okay...”
Cursing himself, he started for the window, only for the kitten to suddenly shudder as soon as they entered the wide beam of moonlight. Jack stared at her and she thrashed once before going still, air escaping her nose in a huff. He didn't see her inhale again.
“No, no!” He fell to his knees, laying her down and unwrapping the blanket so he could lean down and press his ear to her side. It didn't move and he quickly looked at her face. Despite the pause in breathing, he could see her eyes shifting under her eyelids. Dreaming? He put both hands on her as he knelt, forehead up against hers. “Please,” he pleaded, willing her to live. “You're so strong. I know you can get through this. Just hold on a little longer, then I promise I'll take you to a vet. You will live. Please.”
He squeezed his eyes shut as he begged, fingers shifting restlessly in her soft fur, and tears slid down his cheeks as her body continued to cool, growing closer to his in temperature, though he could still feel tiny twitches in her face.
“You're a fighter,” he said. “Keep fighting. Please, little one.” He felt a coldness bloom in his heart alongside the pit that threatened to tear his chest apart. The cold flowed through him, down into his hands and fingers, and then spiraling across the kitten's fur. He gasped, horrified that he had let his frost loose, and quickly yanked his hands back.
Then the kitten jerked. Jack jolted back in time for her eyes to open and her head to lift, and his breath caught as he saw that her blue eyes had become even more vibrant, a pattern like snowflakes within her irises. Her chest moved once more, and when he tentatively touched her, he felt the steady thump of a heartbeat.
“You're okay,” he whispered.
She stretched out her claws and picked herself up, wavering slightly, then standing strong, head up and tail rising, curling at the end. Her white fur seemed to glisten with frost, streaks of blue winding through it, and there was a new intelligence in her gaze as she looked at him.
Then there was a strange flutter of sensation within him, something that seemed to brush against his very thoughts, and he stared in shock as he felt warmth and reassurance. Somehow, he knew it was coming from her.
“Is that you?” he asked anyway, just to make sure.
Her gaze was strong as she nodded.
Jack stood, running his fingers through his hair as he struggled to comprehend this. She had seemed moments from death and now she was awake and standing, apparently able to understand him, and not just that, communicate with him. He let out a wild laugh, wondering if maybe he had fallen asleep watching her and this was just a strange dream.
The kitten approached him and leaped up, her claws catching in a pant leg, and she gracefully climbed up his leg, his hoodie, and finally settled on his shoulder, butting her head against his cheek. She purred as she rubbed against him, then she sat, tail curling around his neck.
“I don't believe it. You changed, you... was that my magic? Did I... save you?” Jack tentatively petted her and her purrs grew louder. He gazed out the window, brows furrowing. “Or did... Manny help you, as he once helped me? Or... maybe I have the same power that he used on me.”
The other offered up no suggestion. He wondered how much she truly understood, but her presence was comforting and she seemed to be listening. “But why would I be able to... to give someone life? I'm a winter spirit. The cold doesn't heal, it...” He looked at his own hands, swallowing as he flexed his fingers. “It can bring joy, but it also brings death. My touch shouldn't have healed you. I thought it was going to kill you.”
The kitten licked his cheek and an image flashed through his mind of flowers that bloomed during winter and birds who laid their eggs so that they would hatch with the first warm rays of spring. He realized she was right. Even in the depth of winter, certain life thrived.
“What did my magic do to you,” he said with wonder.
As if in answer, she jumped down from his shoulder. He started to dive to catch her, only for her to gracefully hop down on small breezes that flowed under her paws, landing on the ground and then looking up at him with what he could swear was a smile.
“You can control the wind. Like I can.”
She licked her paw and groomed her ear, and he felt her satisfaction.
“I don't believe it. I actually gave you some of my power. I had no idea I could do that, I...” Jack trailed off, staring outside toward the Moon. Despite the question in his eyes, he heard no answer from Manny in his mind. Though the stars did seem to twinkle a little more brightly for a moment. He took in a deep breath, held it, then sighed out. “Alright. Cool.” He wiped his cheeks off, then grinned, elation flooding him now that he knew his charge was alright. “So much for me trying to get you adopted, then. I think you were meant to stick with me.”
She meowed then, jumping back up onto his shoulder. She went straight up from the floor and he could feel the gust that propelled her up. He grabbed his staff and leaped, letting the wind catch him and pull him from the barn. He flew cautiously at first, but when she easily held on, he gave a whoop and flew faster.
After a few minutes, she loosened her claws from his hoodie and leaped, soaring along beside him. His heart felt light and free, and he felt her easy joy and wonder at her own new abilities. The blue streaks through her fur rippled and moved in gorgeous patterns as the wind ruffled her fur, and he could tell she wasn't any more bothered by the cold than he was.
“You're amazing!” he called. She meowed in acknowledgment. Jack grinned. “You're gonna need a name. Any ideas?” He tried to mentally reach his thoughts out to hers and she responded, but though he could sense her feelings, no true words reached him. He could sense that she would like a name like his, something that encompassed the power of winter that she now held within her.
There were many names that came to mind. The two flew together as Jack thought about it, the kitten testing her powers, becoming more comfortable the longer she spent in the air. Though she also grew tired and soon returned to Jack, sitting on his back as he headed back toward the barn.
“You deserve a strong name,” Jack said at last. “How about Hulda?” Her approval flowed to him through their mental link. “After Frau Holle, who was also called Mother Hulda, or Old Mother Frost. It is said that whenever she shakes out her feather pillows and such when making her bed, it causes snow to fall upon this world.”
The kitten kneaded his shoulder and continued to approve of the name. Jack chuckled.
“In her tale she also poured hot pitch on a girl for being lazy though, so... not the most pleasant lady.”
Hulda made a trilling noise. Jack floated in through the barn window and sat on the hay that they had spent the past nights resting on. This time when he offered her food, she responded with gusto, and he opened a can and watched her eat, her tail lashing as she did. He still wasn't entirely sure how this had happened, but then, the same could be said of his own existence.
So he watched her joyfully, happy to have a companion.
And as days passed Hulda grew stronger, eating every day and teaching herself to hunt, and Jack would see her chasing down birds and mice, using the wind to speed her along after her prey. In only two more weeks she was the size of an adult cat. And she continued to grow after that, though she always kept the proportions of a house cat, with long, silky fur. Jack traveled with her, telling her all he knew about the world around them, sharing the secrets of his power with her, though while she could control the wind, it seemed she wasn't able to summon ice or snow the way he could. But she kept trying nonetheless.
They continued to grow closer to each other, Jack learning to speak to her in thought, and she would respond, at first with emotions and images, and then with feelings so precise they formed words in his mind that echoed and almost sang. Hulda was joyous and poetic, and Jack never tired of speaking to her.
She never was able to tell him what had happened to her. Her earliest memories were a blur, though she remembered meeting him and being at first afraid, and then happy to have been found. She had enjoyed his company even as she could feel it changing her, making her feel cold and weak despite the food he offered, but she trusted that he would take care of her. And he did, in ways that she never could have imagined.
She was six months of age and the size of a bobcat when she first unleashed ice from her maw. She and Jack were exploring a strange section of a forest that seemed to lead into the mysterious otherworld of the fae, which Jack has rarely visited. He was inspecting what he thought was the tear in the veil when a creature like a human but with powerful wings dove at him from high above. Jack spun out of the way and lifted his staff defensively, a blast of ice knocking the creature back. They screeched at him and flexed fingers tipped with wicked talons, their large wings driving them toward him once more. He gripped his staff hard as he prepared another volley of ice, but before he released it, Hulda soared down in front of him with a high-pitched yowl, opening her mouth wide and breathing long, sharp icicles that pierced the fae through a wing and tore several primary feathers.
With a startled, pained cry, the fae lost control and fell from the air, landing heavily on the ground below. Hulda hissed, fur standing on end and tail lashing, her blue patterns glowing with energy. Jack stared at his attacker, then at Hulda, and encouraged her to leave, quickly soaring away.
She spat one more time at the fae before racing after him. Once his heart settled from the event, Jack enthused about what Hulda had done and she pranced around him, proud of herself. With practice, she began using more ice powers. By the time she was a year old, she was the size of a mountain lion and could leap through the air with Jack on her back, and summon snowstorms and blizzards as easily as he could. Though icicles were her preferred method of attack and she often left coordination of the weather to Jack, only taking control when she felt she needed to.
The other Guardians didn't know what to make of Hulda, though they found her existence miraculous. They accepted her as Jack's companion, getting to know her and extending their friendship. She got along well with them, though she preferred Jack's company above all. She wasn't always by his side, sometimes taking days or even a week to go off on her own, hunting and exploring. But then she would return with stories and nuzzle up against Jack, as fluffy and sweet as the day he met her, and he would nuzzle back and happily romp through the air and snow with her.
And as they laid together in the snow, gazing up at the stars above them, Jack closed his eyes and thanked fate for allowing him to have met her. He may never know why that young kitten had been left in the wilderness, but his decision to look after her had changed their lives and he couldn't wait to see what other adventures awaited them both.