I hope you have as much fun reading as I did writing.
Jack adjusted his shirt for the tenth time, scrutinizing himself in the mirror.
"Jack, can you help me with my homework?" A voice said behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see Ellie standing with a book in her hands.
"Sorry El, but I'm going out tonight, remember,"
"To see Elsa?"
"Mmh," Jack nodded.
"When can I meet her?"
"Soon kid," He turned around completely, "Soon, I promise."
"Pinky swear," She held out her little finger.
Jack smirked and curled his finger around hers', "I pinky swear that you will meet her soon,"
"How soon?"
"I don't know. I'll to have ask Elsa, but I'm sure she wants to meet you,"
"Is she really as pretty as you say?"
"She's almost as pretty as you."
"Is Elsa your girl friend?"
"What? No,"
"But you're going to her house again. And you got all dressed up,"
"This isn't dressed up,"
"You look better than you normally do,"
"You know how to wound your big bro," Jack clutched a hand to his chest in an exaggerated manner making the girl giggle.
"Do you like her?"
"Yeah,"
"Then she's your girl friend,"
"It's not simple Ellie,"
"Sure it is, if you like her, then she's your girl friend."
"But she's not. She's just a friend,"
"Then ask her to be your girlfriend,"
Jack's cheeks grew crimson, "Why do you want your big brother to have a girlfriend so much? Huh?" He tussled her hair.
"Why don't you want a girlfriend?"
"Who says I don't want a girlfriend?"
"But you don't want to ask Elsa to be your girlfriend,"
"El, things with Elsa are…different. It's kind of hard to explain, okay."
Ellie pouted.
"Don't give me that look," Ellie only folded her arms over her chest, her face becoming more cross, "Fine. If that's how you're going to be then you leave me no choice," Jack pulled her into a hug and started tickling her. She laughed loudly wriggling in his arms.
"Jack! Stop!" She screamed.
"Only if you promise not to pout,"
"Okay! Okay!" She cried and Jack let her go.
"Can I go now?" He asked looking at his watch.
"Wait," Ellie held up her hands blocking the doorway. She made a circle motion with her wrist and Jack sighed knowing what she wanted. He turned around slowly so she could see his entire outfit. She tilted her head looking at his light blue dress shirt, that was neatly tucked into his jeans.
"So do I pass inspection?" He asked holding out his hands. She tiled her head the other way then indicated for him to stoop, with he did. She flatted a section of his hair that was sticking out then gave him thumbs up.
"All good,"
"Alright you little munchkin, let's go," He laughing grabbing her around the waist, so she was hanging sideways as he left the room.
"Ja-ck," She laughed, "Let me down,"
"Are you sure that's what you want?" He faked dropped her and she squealed.
"No, no. Don't drop me!" She laughed harder him his arms.
"If you keep wriggling like that I just might," He shifted her so she was over his shoulder as he headed down the stairs. He walked into the kitchen and plopped her down on the table.
"Okay, how about a kiss for good luck?"
"Why would you need good luck?" Ellie asked.
"Your brother is going to be spending time his new friend's family. He's going to need all the help he can get," Their mother said entering the room.
"Mom," Jack whined.
"It's true," She said with a shrug.
"Good luck," Ellie said leaning forward to kiss him on the cheek. He smiled her and tussled her hair affectionately before grabbing his car keys.
"I'll see you guys later,"
"Don't forget the flowers,"
"Got 'em," He picked up the bouquet of fresh crocuses he'd gotten.
"Be careful on the road," His mother called after him.
"I always am," he replied.
"And have fun,"
"I'll try," He laughed as he left the house. But it was a nervous laugh. He was more than a little anxious about tonight. He'd seen each of Elsa's family at the doorway, but every encounter was brief. He hoped he'd be able to make a good impression.
The drive to Elsa's house was somehow both long and short. He was excited to see Elsa in person again. It had been almost a month since they first met, but most of their conversations had been through text. He loved those moments when he actually got to see her. So the drive seemed agonising long, but when he did pull up in front her house it was all too soon. He grabbed the flowers and got out of the car. He took a few deep breaths; his breath faintly frosting in the late November air. Someone must have heard or seen the car pull up because he was few steps away from the porch when the front door swung open.
And there stood Elsa. Jack swore something must have punctured his lungs, that or he suddenly forgot how to breathe. Elsa was wearing a simple white lace dress, which fell just past her knees. Her hair was in her signature over the shoulder braid, but now it somehow looked…better. She was wearing simple sandals that matched her dress.
"Are you waiting for me to invite you in?" Her voice broke his daze.
"I'm sorry…what," He blinked, trying to kick start his brain. Elsa couldn't help the grin that appeared on her face as she watched Jack's expression.
"Elsa, why do have him standing out in the cold?" A voice sounded from behind the girl. She moved back and Jack saw her mother approach the door.
"I invited him in," Elsa huffed, "But he apparently likes the cold,"
Jack shook his head and forced his legs to moved, mounting the steps to the door.
"Figured out how to walk again," Elsa teased.
A response was on the tip of his tongue, but he bit it back since her mother was right there. Instead he politely said good evening and offered the flowers to Elsa's mom.
"These are for you Mrs. Winters. I didn't know what flowers you like so I got Elsa's favourite,"
"Aren't you sweet?" She smiled taking the flowers, "Lucky for you I share a taste in flowers with my daughters,"
"Great," He smiled.
"Let me go put these in some water," She left the two alone.
"You need to get out of the way so I can close the door,"
"Oh right," He stepped further into the house, watching her out of the corner of his eyes…namely how good she looked in that dress.
"Frost my eyes are up here," She said snapping him out of his daze again.
"Winters if you wanted me to look at your eyes you wouldn't have worn that dress,"
"True, but my dad is in the next room. While I'm enjoying your reaction, I promise you, he will not,"
At the mention of her father Jack looked around, half expecting him to suddenly appear.
"And could you be any more cliché with the flowers?"
"I didn't want to show up with my hands swinging,"
"Hi Jack," A cheery voice sounded to their left. Jack turned to see Anna walk into the room. "It's great to officially meet you, seeing as Elsa cut our last encounter short,"
"It's nice to meet you too. Elsa's always talking about you,"
"Is she?" Anna raised an eyebrow at her sister, "What does she say?"
"She's always remarking on how lucky she is to have a little sister like you,"
"Sure…I so buy that. What does she really say?"
"Sorry, I can't say." Held his right over his heart, "I'm honour bound by the stature of confidentiality of text messages,"
"That is not a thing,"
"Maybe not, but I'd I figure Elsa should be higher on my list of people I don't want pissed at me,"
"Smart boy," Elsa said with a smirk.
"Maybe you should rethink that, because Elsa won't date anyone unless he gets my seal of approval,"
Jack somehow tripped even though he wasn't moving.
"Anna!" Elsa gave her sister a death glare, but the overall effect was lessened by the fact that there was a furious blush adorning her cheeks.
"What?" Anna said sweetly, "I just figured that was something he should know," The tone of her voice was innocent, but the grin on her face was another story. She winked at them before skipping from the room. Elsa let out a groan and covered her eyes with her hand.
"I'll kill her. I swear, I will kill her dead."
Jack let out a nervous laugh, "So that's your little sister?"
"Unfortunately," Elsa mumbled turning to look at Jack, "Don't listen to her. She likes to make jokes at my expense."
"So wait, if we were to start dating would I or wouldn't I have to get her approval?"
Elsa stared at him, "I'm joking, I'm joking," He said quickly at her look.
"Come on," Elsa said changing the topic, "You still have to meet my dad,"
"Oh joy," Jack paled noticeable. Elsa slipped her hand into his and gave gentle squeeze.
"He's not going to eat you. He's just a little protective,"
"You can leave out the 'little'," Elsa's father said appearing though the doorway.
"Mr. Frost, I'm glad you could make it tonight," He held out his hand and Jack shook it.
"You can just call me Jack, sir,"
"Very well, Jack. You can continue calling me sir,"
"Sir. Sure, I can call you sir, sir," Jack nodded, but tensed when he felt Elsa's dad's grip tighten around his hand.
"Are you making fun of me boy?"
"No, no, no. I was just saying sir." Jack hurriedly tried to apologize, "I didn't mean anything,"
"Daddy," Elsa chastised, "Play nice," Her father's expression lighten somewhat.
"Relax there Jack," he said patting the boy on the shoulder.
Jack looked at Elsa, "Does everyone in your family like to make coy jokes?"
"Where'd you think I got my sass from?"
"Your mother sent me to get you and our guest of honour. The table is already set. And Jack, try not to be so tense. I've decided I'm not going to give you the talk tonight,"
"Good one sir," Jack said smiling. Elsa's father frowned.
"I wasn't joking about that one," He said curly before moving towards the dining room. Jack grew ever paler than before.
"Please tell me he was joking about 'not joking'," He whispered to Elsa. She shook her head.
"I don't know," She had gone a bit pale herself. He looked at her with worried eyes, "It will be fine, I'm sure," She said.
"You don't sound sure,"
"Let's just get thought tonight okay," She said, gently leading him to the dining room. The table was already set with five places. For dinner there was grilled chicken, with wild rice and a fresh watercress salad.
Jack pulled out a chair for Elsa, letting her sit, before sitting himself. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by the others at the table. Elsa's parents shared a quick look and Anna smirked across the table at her sister. Elsa frowned and aimed a quick kick under the table, which hit its mark.
"So, Jack," Their father began, "Why don't tell us a bit about yourself?"
"There isn't much to tell, sir. I'm just your average everyday teenager,"
"You don't have to be modest," Their mother said, "Elsa tells us you're an athlete,"
"Well…" Jack started but Elsa took over.
"He's on the football, hockey and baseball teams, and takes part in snowboarding and ski competitions,"
"Who's the stalker now?" Jack smirked at her.
"You were the one who told me all that stuff," Elsa shot back.
"You take part in winter sports?" Elsa's mother said, "You know Elsa has a section of trophy case developed to her ice skating medals,"
"I know," Jack nodded, "My sister was so excited when she heard Elsa was an ice skater."
"Oh, you have sister? Younger?" Their father asked.
"Yeah, she's nine. Ellie loves to skate. She's always dragging me to the park as soon the ice rink opens."
"She sounds wonderful,"
"She is," Jack said proudly, "If only she wouldn't make my watch my little pony so much,"
"Hey, that's a great show," Anna said.
"Anna and Elsa love that show. They must have the entire collection of stuffed toys between the two of them,"
"Mom!" Elsa snapped. Anna brush out laughing as Elsa dropped her head into her hands. She didn't look, but Elsa could somehow sense the smirk on Jack's face. She was grateful when her father steered the conservation back to Jack's family.
"Do you have any other sibling?"
"No, just the one. One little sister is enough,"
"I can relate with that," Elsa said looking at Anna who looked appalled.
"You know Mrs. Winters this food is really good,"
"You can thank Anna and Elsa, they both did most of the work,"
"You can cook?" Jack looked at Elsa.
"I'm not a hopeless case in the kitchen like you Frost,"
"I resent that. I can make and bacon an' eggs, omelettes and I know how to make cake, you know, once my mom places all the ingredients in the bowl first."
"A regular Bobby Flay, aren't you?"
"Don't you forget it Winters,"
"I was being sarcastic,"
"Oh, I could tell. Someone who's deaf could have heard the sarcasm in your words,"
Elsa's father cleared his throat to bring the pair out of their own world. They both blushed when they realised how easily they'd slipped into their banter. But that wasn't the last time it happened for the night. In fact they twice more they ended up holding their own conversation while the others watched, slightly amused looks on their faces, and all this before dessert.
"I hope you saved some space for dessert, my wife made her world famous strawberry short cake,"
"I always have room for dessert," Jack said, as he helped Elsa and Anna carry the dishes to the sink.
"I'll get the ice cream," Anna called out.
"Oh no, you got vanilla didn't you?" He looked at Elsa.
"You don't like vanilla?" Elsa's mother asked, a bit worried because that was what was sitting in the freezer.
"He has some weird vendetta against the flavour," Elsa said to her mom before turning to Jack, "And you don't have to worry Frost, I got you Cho-chocolate chip mint crunch."
"Really?" Jack's surprise evident in his voice.
"When did you get that?" Her mother asked.
"We when for it right after school," Anna said taking two containers from the fridge, one much smaller than the other. Elsa pulled the smaller one toward her, opening it and spooning out the ice cream on the plate next to the shortcake.
"Here you go," She said handing the dessert to Jack, "Your 'not boring' ice cream,"
"Aren't you full of surprises Winters?"
"It's one of many charms," Elsa smirked. Her father coughed before they fall into their own world again. They had dessert in the living room and they chatted for another half an hour or so, before Jack said he had to go.
"It is really nice getting to know you Jack," Elsa's father said shaking his hand.
"You have to come over again. This was fun,"
"I'm looking forward to it Mrs. Winters,"
"And we still need to have that talk," Elsa's dad said, making both Jack and Elsa pale.
"Of course sir," Jack said, his mouth suddenly dry.
"It was really fun," Anna said, "I can see why my sister likes you so much,"
Elsa went from pale to beet red in no time flat.
"Let me walk you out," Elsa said grabbing Jack's hand and pulling him behind her before one of them said something else that would make her blood pressure fluctuate.
"I had a really good time," Jack said once they were outside.
"It was not as horrific as I thought it would be," Elsa admitted, "Even if there were some moments I wish didn't happen,"
"And the best part I have an idea of what to get you for Christmas. I'll just get second copy of the my little pony DVD I was getting for Ellie."
Elsa frowned at him but his signature mischievous grin appeared on his lips, and Elsa found her annoyance lessening.
"Unless you already have it," Jack teased.
"Don't think I can't hurt you," Elsa warned making Jack laugh.
"I don't doubt it," He said. "I almost forgot to ask. Since I met your family, I think it's only fair you meet mine. Ellie's dying to meet you. You think you can make it Saturday afternoon, say about three,"
"That works for me," Elsa nodded.
"Cool, I'll see you then. Good night Princess," he said with a bow. Elsa rolled her eyes, but was smiling at the gesture.
"Good night Jack," And then she surprised him with a kiss on the cheek. He was sure his brain must have short circuited, even more so than when he first saw her in that dress. He stood stunned, at the foot of the porch as she went back inside. She looked back from the doorway and gave him smile and wave before disappearing inside. He reminded in that spot for a full thirty seconds before turning and walking to his car. Half way there it sunk it that Elsa just kissed him on the cheek. He grinned widely and jumped in the air.
From inside Anna and her mother giggled as they watched from behind a curtain.
"You two aren't seriously spying on him," Elsa said.
"Did you kiss him?" Anna asked.
"On the cheek," Elsa admitted, "Why?"
Anna beckoned her over. She moved then to them and her mother moved so she could see. Her jaw dropped when she saw Jack skipping to his car.
"I can't wait to see how he acts when you finally stop referring to him as your 'not-a-boyfriend'," Anna said with a huge smirk.
Elsa may, or may not stop referring to Jack as her 'not-a-boyfriend' soon.
Nardragon~ until the next page.