Hi. Sorry for the very long absence. 2018 was very eventful for me and I had no time to work on this story, and I honestly didn't feel like writing at all. This chapter was written from Jack's POV, and takes place 14 years before Annika was born. Elsa is 17, and Jack is 18. The next chapter will be their 10th year anniversary chapter uwu
Thanks for reading and enjoy xoxo
Chapter 49: The Beginning of the Rest of Our Lives
Jack POV:
It was a cool August morning in Corona. A Saturday. I looked over to the clock on my bedside table. It read 8:14 a.m. In about an hour, my dad would be driving me up to Arendelle to attend university. I rubbed my eyes, and got out of bed. It was hard to believe that I was already leaving my house, and moving on to university. My life was about to really begin, and I was slightly terrified. I sighed as I glanced over to the framed picture on my dresser. It was a picture of Elsa and me at graduation.
The last time I had seen Elsa was two months ago, when I had visited her in Arendelle. She was living there now, her and Anna alone in their parent's house. I was planning on just living in the dorms at university, but Elsa offered that I move in. I'll admit that I was a little nervous to take such a big step in our relationship; but it also meant I got to cut out a big chunk of money from my tuition. So I accepted. Surprisingly, my dad agreed to let me live on my own with my girlfriend and her younger sister.
After taking a quick shower and getting dressed, I ran downstairs to see my dad standing in the kitchen.
"Morning, Jack," Dad said, a slice of toast in between his teeth. "Breakfast?"
I nodded, "Sure." Dad smiled and handed me a plate, with eggs, toast, and two slices of bacon. I grabbed a jug of orange juice from the fridge and poured it into a cup. Dad and I ate in silence, the only sound coming from us chewing or sipping from our cups.
"It's weird knowing this is our last breakfast together before you go off to college, right?" Dad asked.
I nodded in agreement, "Yeah. Kind of weird."
"It feels like just yesterday you were just a little boy entering elementary school, and now you're an adult," Dad sighed, "When you're older and have children of your own, you'll understand."
"Dad, I'm too young to think about having kids of my own," I chuckled.
He rolled his eyes, "You're joking, right? In a few hours you'll be living with your serious girlfriend. Not to mention you're both teenagers. All alone in that big house." He winked.
I scrunched my nose, "Dad! That's embarrassing!"
"I'm just joking," He giggled, "You're an adult now and as long as you're both responsible, and whatever it is you decide to do is consensual, I'll be fine."
"Okay!" I blushed. "I get it, Dad. Thanks!"
He laughed, "Alright. Alright, I'm done teasing you."
"Speaking of your girlfriend, have you called Elsa yet?"
"No," I shook my head, "I'll call her in a bit. I don't know if she's awake yet."
"Okay. Are all of your bags packed? Is everything ready to go?"
"Yup, I just have to load them into the car," I said. I glanced at the clock, it read 9:30 a.m. "Crap! It's getting late! We have to go!" I quickly gobbled up the rest of my breakfast and ran back upstairs to my bedroom. I grabbed two of my suitcases and hauled them downstairs.
"Woah, need any help?" Dad chuckled as I tripped over my shoelaces. "How many more suitcases do you have?"
"Two more!" I announced as I walked out the door. "They're in my room!"
As I loaded my suitcases into the trunk of the car, my cellphone began vibrating in my back pocket. It was Elsa.
I answered, "Hey!"
"Hi, Jack," She said. My smile instantly pressed into my phone screen. "What's going on?"
"Just putting my bags in the car," I told her, "I'm about to head up there."
"Okay, so I'll see you in a few hours, then?" She asked.
"Yeah. I miss you," I confessed, a slight blush on my cheeks. Dad ran up beside me and put the rest of my suitcases in the trunk. He chuckled as soon he saw me on the phone.
"I miss you, too," Elsa murmured. "Anna and I are going to have lunch later, and then we'll probably run some errands together after that; but we'll probably be home by the time you get to Arendelle later. Maybe we can go to dinner tonight? Just the two of us?"
"Dinner?" I said, looking up at my father. He smiled and gave me a thumbs-up. "That sounds lovely."
"Alright. I'll find a place, then. So I'll see you tonight?"
"Indeed you will," I chuckled and closed the trunk.
"Okay, call me when you get here," She grinned, "I love you."
"I love you, too," I smiled, "I'll see you later. Bye."
"Bye."
I hung up the phone, and turned to my father. Dad smiled, "You miss her, huh?"
"I do," I confessed, "A lot."
"I'm sure as soon as you walk into Elsa's house you'll be so excited that you'll forget all about your old man," He chuckled.
"No, I could never," I giggled. "I promise that I'll remember to call you every single night; and Elsa and I will come to visit every chance we get."
"Really. Every year for the holidays, Elsa and I will bring the kids down to see their Grandpa."
"Oh, my God. Please don't play with my feelings like that," He chuckled. "I'm really glad that you found someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with. Elsa's a really nice girl, you know. I think of her almost like my own daughter; and if I ever hear from her that you broke her heart, you will never hear the end of it, Jack. Do you understand me?"
I laughed, "Don't worry, Dad."
"However, you both need to focus on school for some time," He said, "You need a job, too."
"I know," I assured, "Knowing Elsa, she'll probably hire me at her company immediately."
"Well, that's good, right?"
"No, Dad! She already offered me a place to stay, I can't let her give me a job, too. Especially not a job where she has to pay me," I groaned. Elsa had already given me so much, I couldn't just let her baby me for the rest of our lives. "If I want to work at her company, I have to earn it. I have to earn it with my own skills, and without Elsa's help."
"Wow, that's really noble of you, Jack."
"Thanks, Dad," I smiled.
We stood silently for a moment. Basking in the ambience of the warm summer morning; this would be my last in Burgess for a while.
He sighed, "Well, this is it."
"Yup," I nodded as my father wrapped me in a tight embrace.
"Call me as soon as you get there, and promise me that you won't forget about your old dad."
"I won't," I assured, "I promise I'll call every chance that I get."
"Take care of yourself, Jack," He sighed as he pat me on the back.
"I will," I nodded, "You, too."
"Good luck, son," He exhaled as he gave me one last hug. "I love you."
"I love you, too, Dad."
I smiled at him and climbed into the car. I turned on the engine, looked at my father through the window, and waved at him one last time before I drove away.
The whole drive, all I could think about was my new life in Arendelle, and how it was about to begin. I was thinking about how Elsa and I were going to be on our own, living together on our own. I couldn't say that I wasn't thinking about marriage, but I was so sure that Elsa was the only girl for me. We had only known each other for a year, almost two, but I was certain. Of course, I was definitely not planning on proposing any time soon. I'd have to give it a couple more years before I even thought of asking her to marry me.
Within a few more hours I had finally reached the city of Arendelle. I drove through the foreign streets trying to remember where the hell Elsa's house even was.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Elsa's phone number; I put it on speaker phone and set it down on my lap. She picked up on the second ring, "Hello?"
"Good afternoon, darling," I greeted using a deeper tone.
"Hi, Jack," She giggled, "What's up?"
"I'm happy to announce that I have finally arrived in Arendelle, and I am currently trying to find your house," I announced.
"Okay. Anna and I went to lunch earlier and got you a sandwich. Are you hungry?"
"I guess I could use a bit of food," I shrugged, "I haven't eaten since I left this morning."
"How long until you get here?" She asked.
"I don't know," I shrugged, "Probably around ten or fifteen minutes?" I scanned the streets, looking for the familiar names and exits to take to make it to Elsa's.
"Jack, are you almost here?" I heard whine Anna over the phone.
"Anna, shhh," Elsa scolded with a chuckle.
"Jack, hurry up and get here already! Elsa's been boring me to death." I laughed as Anna's loud voice filled the car.
"Anna, that's not very nice," I giggled. "I'll be there soon."
"Well, we both obviously miss you very much," Elsa chuckled.
"I miss you both, too," I smiled. "I'll see you in a few."
"Okay, I'll see you, then," She answered, "I love you."
"I love you, too," I grinned, "Bye."
"Bye."
I hung up the phone, but my smile did not fade. I was so excited to see her. I drove for a while longer, before I pulled up into a familiar neighborhood with huge and extravagant houses. I forgot how nice her neighborhood was. It was weird to think that I'd be living here now. I recognized Elsa's house at the end of the block and pulled my car into her drive way. I parked.
I took a deep breath.
"Okay, here we go," I sighed, "I can do this." I was so nervous to be starting over in a new city, on my own without my father. I was happy to have more chances to see Elsa, and be with her, but all of this just served as a reminder that I was really grown up now. I was an adult. I'm sure it wasn't the same for Elsa, though. She was forced to become an adult a lot sooner than I was.
I slowly got out of the car and walked towards the front door. I raised my hand and rang the doorbell. The door opened and Anna stood in front of me. "Jack!"
Anna crushed me into a hug, and giggled. "I'm so happy to see you!"
"Me too," I chuckled as she pulled away.
"Where's Elsa?" I asked her as Anna invited me in the house.
"She's upstairs, probably getting all dolled up to see you again," Anna chuckled, rolling her eyes.
"Anna, that's embarrassing." I glanced over and saw Elsa walking downstairs. She was dressed mostly casual, wearing a pair of skinny jeans, and a pink blouse. Her hair was down, and she had curled it. She looked beautiful.
"Hey, Jack," She greeted, flashing a smile.
I grinned, "Hey." She ran up and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Mine wrapped around her waist and pressed her body into mine. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you, too," She murmured.
"Jesus, it's only been a couple of months right?" Anna rolled her eyes, and chuckled.
Elsa giggled as I peppered her face with kisses. "Get over it, Anna," I told her, "I'm gonna be living here from now on."
To my dismay, she pushed away and pressed her lips against my cheeks. "We'll have time to do that later, but you haven't eaten."
"Is it that important that you can't kiss me?"
"Yes," She smirked. Anna audibly gagged, "You guys are gross."
"What?" I said, turning to her. "Don't pretend like you don't act like this when Kristoff and you are together."
"I don't want to talk about him right now," Anna huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
I glanced over to Elsa, "What?"
Elsa rolled her eyes and chuckled, "Kristoff has been ignoring her texts for the past week."
"I haven't talked to him in seven whole days, it's driving me crazy!" Anna said as she frantically ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't know what's wrong with him! What if he died or something?"
"He isn't dead, Anna," I assured.
Elsa chuckled, "He's probably just busy. Not everyone is on their phone during every second of the day."
"Jack, do you think this is his weird way of breaking up with me?"
"No, Anna, I don't think so," I laughed, "Elsa's right. He might just be busy. Or his phone broke."
"Maybe," She sighed, "I hope you two are right."
"Well, Jack, I did bring you a sandwich if you want," Elsa said, clearing the ambiance of the room.
I shrugged, "Yeah, that sounds good,"
I followed Elsa and Anna to the dining room and sat down. Elsa and Anna had already had lunch earlier so it was just me eating by myself at their dinner table. It felt kind of awkward.
"So, what did your father say before you left?" Elsa asked.
I shrugged, "Nothing, really. Just the usual 'I love you,' and 'take care.'"
"I'm sorry, Jack," Elsa apologized, "I feel bad for asking you to come all the way here, and for making you leave your father."
"Don't be dumb, you didn't make me do anything," I chuckled, "Everyone has to leave home at some point. I guess today was just my day."
"Still, we're sorry to bring you so far away from your family," Anna said softly. "Hopefully you'll get to visit them really soon."
I nodded, "Yeah, maybe."
"Maybe we can go down to Corona to see him soon," Elsa suggested.
"Yeah!" I nodded, "I'm sure he'd really like that." I took one last bite of my sandwich.
"Well, I'm going to my room," Anna sighed, "I've got a lot of summer homework that I haven't started?"
"Homework?" Elsa and I said in unison as we exchanged glances.
"You know school starts back up on Monday, right?" I reminded her.
"Ugh, don't remind me," She moaned, "Well, I'll be in my room if you need me."
Elsa and I giggled as we watched her leave the dining room. I coughed awkwardly as I realized that we were now left alone. Elsa turned to me, "I haven't shown you to your room, right?"
"N-No, you have not," I replied. Elsa and I hadn't been intimate in a very long time, so being left alone with her made me feel kind of strange. Almost like I should be expecting something. Elsa took me by the hand and led me upstairs, down the hallway, and into the bedroom on the first door on the left.
"This is it," Elsa said as she opened the door. The bedroom was fully furnished, with a bed for myself, a dresser, a desk, and big window across the bed. The bed comforter was a dark blue color, with black checkered sheets.
"Wow," I said audibly. "I am impressed, Miss Winters."
"Thank you," She giggled, "I even decorated it a little." She gestured to the top of the dresser, and I saw that she had placed some framed pictures of us on top. The picture of us at graduation, the picture of us at her birthday party, and the one of us sitting on her Aunt Primrose's sofa last year.
"I love it," I complimented, "Thank you so much."
"We can bring your bags up later, and you can change it if you want. I just kept it basic it for you; but if you brought extra stuff for your room, I'll help you decorate."
"It's alright," I smiled, "I didn't bring too much stuff for my room, anyway. You did a good job."
"Thanks," She giggled. It was in this moment that I realized we were alone again. I hadn't kissed her in God knows how long, and I didn't even kiss her earlier when my Dad was watching. I was too shy to do it front of my own father; but now we were alone. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her hips. She laid her hands on my chest and tipped her head forward as our eyes closed. I pressed my lips onto hers and glided one of my hands into her platinum blonde hair.
"Jack," She sighed.
"I missed you," I murmured. "So much."
"I missed you, too," She said in between kisses.
She let out a soft moan as I nibbled on the sensitive skin of her earlobe. "Jack…"
I reached underneath her and lifted her up, carrying her to my bed. I plopped her down and climbed over her. She giggled into the kiss, "Jack, you're awfully eager, aren't you?"
"Can you blame me?" I smiled, "I hadn't seen you since June." Our lips crashed together again, hungry for each other. My tongue slipped in between her lips and entangled itself into hers. She moaned quietly. We pulled away, trying to catch our breath. Our faces were flushed from the heat, and our hair was messy.
"I love you," She panted.
I pushed her hair back from her face, "I love you, too."
I lowered my lips back onto her skin, this time kissing the milky white skin on her neck. I was as careful as possible to not leave any marks, knowing that we were living with her little sister now; and also, we were going to back to school in two days. It'd be bad for Elsa's neck to be covered in bruises on her first day of school.
Elsa and I had only ever kissed like this a couple of times before, but it had never led up to anything. Especially not with Elsa's trauma; but I wasn't ever too disappointed. I didn't have the right to be. My fingers hesitantly rested on the hem of her shirt, hoping that Elsa would allow him to take it off.
"Jack," She breathed.
"Yes?" I said looking up to meet her gaze. I removed my fingers off of her body and placed my hands on the bed.
"As much as I'm enjoying this, I- I can't keep going," She said, shaking her head. "I'm sorry."
I climbed off of her, "No, don't worry about it. It's alright."
"I'm so sorry," She sat up in bed and avoided my gaze. "Believe me when I tell you that I want to do more with you; but every time I think I can do it, I get so scared."
I sighed and pulled her into my arms, where I felt her begin shaking and crying in my embrace. I comfortingly pat her back and kissed her hair, "It's okay, Snowflake."
"Don't cry," I cooed, "I understand. Of course, there are things that I'd like to do with you; but ultimately, I understand that it isn't easy for you. It doesn't matter to me if we can't sleep together, because I love you, and I respect you; and when you're ready for us to take that step, I will be here."
She pulled away to look at me, and sniffled. "Jack…"
"I know. I know," I chuckled, "I am excellent with my words, right?"
She nodded and wiped away a tear, "You are."
She leaned in and sealed the space between our lips with a kiss. It tasted salty from the tears.
"I love you," She whispered.
"I love you, too," I chuckled and flicked away a tear, "Now, stop crying before Anna runs up here and thinks I've hurt you."
She giggled, "Okay, I'll stop."
I smiled and kissed the tip of her nose, before drying the rest of her tears. I climbed off the bed, "I'm gonna go downstairs and bring my bags up."
"I'll help you," She offered.
After Elsa and I carried the bags upstairs and placed them in my new room. She told me that we were going out to dinner later, after taking Anna to a sleepover with one of her friends. So, she left me to rest for a bit and get dressed.
After napping for an hour, I walked to the bathroom down the hall and washed up before we had to go. I turned at the sound of Elsa lightly knocking on the door.
"Yes?" I called as I opened the door.
"Hey, I'm gonna drive Anna up to her friend's house real quick," She said, "I'll be right back."
"Okay," I nodded, "What time will you be picking me up for our date?"
She giggled, "How's about 7 o'clock?"
"Alright, I guess I don't have any other plans," I teased. "I'll be waiting, then."
"Okay, I'll be right back."
I nodded and watched as she walked away. Downstairs I heard Anna's loud voice call out to me, "Bye, Jack!"
"Bye, Anna!" I answered. I giggled and walked back down the hall to my new bedroom. I slumped down on the bed before getting ready for our date tonight. I stared up at the foreign ceiling and sighed; this would be the ceiling that I would wake up to from now on.
"Weird," I said, thinking out loud. I sighed and got up, kneeling on the floor next to my suitcases. I definitely needed to unpack and get all of these clothes in the closet. I dug around for something nice to wear. I didn't really know what I was supposed to wear tonight; she didn't tell me where we were going.
Should I call her? Is it a casual date? Or a date date? Maybe what I was wearing now was okay? I walked over and stood in front of the mirror. I was wearing a gray t-shirt with The University of Arendelle written on it in blue lettering; I'd probably be fine to go out in my shirt and jeans.
After waiting for a while, I finally heard the sound of a key unlocking the door downstairs. I left my bedrooms and went downstairs to take a peek. The door swung open and Elsa stepped in the house; I smiled as I caught a glimpse of her.
"Welcome home," I grinned.
She giggled, "Hi, Jack,"
"Ready to go?"
"Yes," I said, "Kind of. I think. I don't know where we're going, or if it was gonna be formal so I didn't change."
"Well, to be honest, I didn't pick a place to go," She confessed, "I was so excited that you were coming today that I couldn't think of what to do for a date."
I chuckled, "Then where are we going?"
"We could go to dinner, or we could do something fun. Like go bowling, or something."
"Eh, I don't know if I wanna go bowling," I shrugged.
"Oh! How about the fair?" I suggested, "I saw the Ferris wheel during the drive here."
"We haven't been there together before, right?"
She nodded, "Yeah, maybe the fair could be fun."
"Great," I smiled. "Your car or mine?"
"Yours, definitely," She said teasingly, "I'm tired of chauffeuring Anna around."
We giggled as I grabbed my keys and got into my car. Since I literally had only driven in Arendelle by myself for the first time earlier today, Elsa had to basically tell me what to do. It turns out she was a really bossy driver, but it still made me laugh. It took me probably double the amount of time than it would've taken Elsa, but we finally managed to pull into the parking lot of the Arendelle Fair.
"Took you long enough," Elsa giggled, a teasing smile spread on her lips.
"Sorry," I chuckled, "I'm still trying to get used to the scenery."
We left the car and walked up to the park entrance. Despite her best efforts to stop me, I paid for both our entrances.
"Jack you absolutely didn't have to do that," Elsa said, rolling her eyes as we entered the fair. It was our first proper date in a long time, so I was ready to make the most of it. Elsa took my hand as she ran up to the biggest roller coaster at the fair.
"Jack, let's ride that!"
"Are you crazy?" I laughed, "No way you're gonna get me on that!"
But within ten minutes, we were already next in line. I hated roller coasters so much, but I could never say no to my girlfriend. Elsa reassuringly caressed my hand as they strapped us into the ride.
"It'll all be okay," Elsa said, giggling softly.
"But if it isn't and we die, I just want you to know that I love you," I said as I gripped tightly onto the metal bar in front of us.
"I love you, too," She chuckled, "And we're both going to live through this, so don't worry about it."
The operator counted down, and I took a deep breath to brace myself. He pressed a button and we were off. I closed my eyes tightly and screamed my head off; while Elsa laughed and raised her arms above her head.
After the longest two minutes of my life, the ride was over. I couldn't even get out. It felt like my ass was glued to the seat. God, I felt like I was gonna throw up.
Elsa giggled as she grabbed my elbow and pulled me out of my seat.
"Oh, my God," I groaned as we left.
"It's alright, babe," She chuckled, "You're alright. You'll be fine."
"I think I'm gonna throw up," I whined.
She sighed, "Do we need to take a break?"
"No, I'm fine," I said as I inhaled deeply and exhaled through my nose.
"Are you sure?"
I nodded, "Yeah, I'm okay."
"Okay, well how about we do something tamer?" She suggested.
I nodded, "Alright, like what?"
She looked up and pointed, "How about the Ferris wheel?"
"Okay, that sounds fun," I agreed.
She took my hand and led me across the park to the Ferris wheel. Elsa handed the operator our tickets and we boarded the wheel.
"Sorry I made you get on that roller coaster," Elsa apologized as I sighed.
"Don't worry, it's okay," I chuckled, "At least you had fun, right?"
"I did, but I was so worried you were gonna throw up the entire time."
I laughed, "But I didn't."
She rested her head on my shoulder as we looked out on the view of the city. "Did you have fun on your first day in Arendelle?"
"I did, Snowflake," I said, kissing her temple. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For taking me in, and letting me live with you and your sister," I smiled, "For convincing me to not live in a shitty dorm with a roommate who would probably hate my guts."
She giggled, "No problem."
"I'll need to get a job soon," I sighed, "To start paying rent."
"Excuse me, rent?"
"Yes, rent," I said, rolling my eyes. "I can't just live with you for free."
"Yes you can," She assured, "It's your house now too."
"Elsa I can't just let you take care of me and Anna on your own," I shook my head, "I'll help out as much as possible. If it's going to be my house too then I'll help you take care of it."
She smiled softly, "Alright. I like that."
She kissed my cheek and snuggled closer, "It's like we're married, or something."
"Yeah," I nodded, "Like we're married."
It was important for me to make an honest living for Elsa. I didn't want to depend on her or her family's wealth too much. If I was going to be living with Elsa, it would be as a partner, or a helper, and not as a child for her to take care of. I guess this is what thinking as a grown up felt like. Yikes.
"Jack."
"Yeah?" I shifted my gaze from the city to Elsa.
"I love you," She smiled, "Thank you for staying with me."
"I love you, too," I grinned, "And of course I stayed with you, I'll always be with you."
That was a promise.
