A/N Hello, people. I finally finished this chapter after thinking for too long. I was inspired by a song by the legendary band Fleetwood Mac called Landslide. I wanted this song from Jack's point of view, so if you want to feel more of this chapter, try looking for this song but the male cover version. My favourite is by Shane Dougherty. And for those of you who wondering why Jack decided so quickly to propose to Elsa, the answer is in this chapter. Enjoy!
I took my love, I took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
'Til the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Well, I've been afraid of changin'
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older too
Oh-oh, take my love, take it down
Oh-oh, climb a mountain and you turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Well, the landslide bring you down
~Landslide-Fleetwood Mac, 1975~
"What do you want me to do with your hair?"
Iduna asked as she was combing her daughter's hair. After her morning visit and satisfied with Elsa's progress, dr. Murphy finally allowed Elsa to go home that afternoon, and of course with some strict rules about what to do and what not to do. In addition, Elsa also had to return to the hospital a week later for a check-up.
"Elsa?" Iduna asked again when she didn't get an answer from Elsa. She leaned forward over Elsa's shoulder and instead, she found Elsa staring at her phone, deep in thought.
Iduna released her grip on Elsa's hair and got off the bed, and then sat down in front of her daughter. She rested her hand on Elsa's wrist, causing Elsa to finally snap out of her thoughts and look up. "Something on your mind?" She asked.
Elsa let out a long sigh and looked back at her phone. Iduna almost despaired that Elsa would answer her question because Elsa seemed to be lost in her thoughts again until, "have you heard from Jack?" She asked with a frown on her face, still looking at her phone.
Oh, it's about Jack. Iduna smiled slightly when she found out the reason why her daughter looked so gloomy, because she knew exactly what Jack was doing. But she kept her face as normal as possible when Elsa looked up again. "No, sweetheart. I have not. Have you tried calling him? Or message him?"
"Like a million times." Elsa threw her phone on the bed. "Doesn't he know that I'm going home today? He hasn't called me even for once since this morning. That's weird of him." Her frown deepened.
Since their first kiss and after Elsa got her cell phone back, Jack always called her when she wasn't with him. Every morning when she first opened her eyes and then opened her phone there was always Jack's message on her phone screen even if it was just to say good morning, but it managed to put a smile on her face and make her heart flutter. And she would reply to Jack's messages with enthusiasm.
Before they got into Manny's mess, Jack used to call her or text her just to ask if she was up, if she had eaten, or if she got home safely. But at that time, Elsa just replied and felt there was nothing special about it.
Now though, everything was different. Hearing about Jack was like a necessity to her. Like today, when she hadn't heard anything from Jack since this morning, it made her feel strange, incomplete and feel something was missing.
"Maybe he's busy with work?" Iduna prompted, earning a serious look from her daughter.
"He's always busy, Mom. But at least he can let me know if he's busy and can't come here. It's just weird." Elsa plopped down on the pillow and let out a long sigh.
Iduna was just about to say something when there was a knock at the door. She turned to stare at the door while Elsa got up to sit, staring at the door curiously. But then Iduna giggled secretly and Elsa sighed in annoyance, sinking back into the pillow when it was Kai who appeared from behind the door.
"Ms. Iduna, this is Miss Elsa's change of clothes." Kai handed over a small bag containing Elsa's change of clothes that Olina had prepared to Iduna and then turned to look at Elsa. "And dr. Murphy is currently in the nurse's office, she said that she will see you in a moment. I will wait in the waiting room. Just tell me when you're ready, I'll be here."
"Thank you." Iduna said, smiling. While Elsa just nodded unenthusiastically. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's change your clothes. Didn't you say yesterday you were tired of wearing that hospital gown?"
Iduna took Elsa's hand and slowly helped her out of bed to change in the bathroom. After getting her daughter's clothes ready in the bathroom, she waited outside the door to provide some privacy. Elsa's IV had been removed this morning so that Elsa was more comfortable to move and that, eased her worries a little.
A few minutes later, Elsa came out already changed into black yoga pants and a navy hoodie that seemed a little oversized for her. Iduna watched her daughter closely and it made Elsa stop in front of her and stare at her.
"What?" Elsa asked, worried if something was wrong with her appearance.
"The hoodie is too big for you, but it seems comfortable and warm." Said Iduna, taking a step next to Elsa and then leading her back to the bed.
"It was Jack's. And yes, it is very comfy and warm. That's why I asked Olina to prepare this one." Said Elsa, forcing a smile.
And as Kai said, dr. Murphy came to visit for the last time. She ordered Elsa not to rush into normal activities and take a few days of rest at home before starting work. Actually, she recommended Elsa to start work after her first check-up, if the results were good, but if Elsa felt strong enough to work, she allowed Elsa works but only from home.
The gloomy mood continued until they were both in the car on their way home. Iduna kept glancing at Elsa who was always staring blankly out the window. Iduna smiled, if only she knew what Jack was doing for her. They spent the rest of the way home in silence.
"Elsa? We're here." Iduna patted Elsa's arm to wake her from her reverie.
"Already?" Elsa looked around and indeed Kai had stopped in front of the Mansion porch.
"Yes, Miss. Welcome home." Kai replied. He nodded and smiled, looking at Elsa through the rearview mirror.
"Miss Elsa? Welcome home." Suddenly the door opened and Marshall's warm face greeted her, also with a smile. Marshall reached out a hand to help Elsa out of the car.
"Thank you, Marshall." Elsa grabbed Marshall's forearm and tried to get out of the car.
And as soon as Elsa got out of the car, Iduna was already standing beside her and wrapped her arms around her waist from the side. Iduna was still a little worried that her daughter would fall to the ground if she stood for too long, although several times Elsa had assured her that she was strong enough, so she didn't have to worry. But still, Iduna couldn't just believe it.
Elsa looked around and had the feeling that she was finally back home after five days in the hospital. She smiled faintly but then her brows furrowed in confusion when she saw the row of cars parked not far from her spacious garage. She didn't know for sure whose cars they were but she did find one, which she knew very well who owned it. The black Lexus SUV.
"Is Jack here?" Elsa asked, not looking away from the car. She was a little disappointed that Jack had chosen to wait for her at home rather than be with her from the hospital.
"Let's get inside, Elsa. Everyone is waiting for you."
Iduna's words made Elsa curious. "Who is everyone?" She turned away from Jack's car and stared at her mother.
Iduna could only smile. "Let's get inside. You'll find out who is everyone."
Iduna led Elsa up to the porch and the door opened, revealing Olina behind the door. Olina smiled broadly, it was obvious that she was ecstatic that her mistress finally came home, even she no longer felt shy to come closer and hug Elsa.
"Welcome home, Miss. I'm so glad that you're finally getting better. Come on, everyone is waiting for you." Said Olina after she pulled away from the hug.
"Thank you, Olina." Elsa smiled, although in her mind she was getting more and more curious, who is 'everyone'?
Elsa then walked into the house with Iduna and Olina by her side. And when she turned into the living room, she was startled by a small explosion and confetti flying over her head. She closed her eyes for a moment in surprise and heard everyone cheering, shouting welcome home to her.
When she opened her eyes, she looked around and found that everyone was really here. Douglas, Laura and Paige. Gerda and Olaf with camera hanging around his neck. Lucy and some of her staff and fellow lawyers from her office. Emelia and, Jack.
Jack was in a very fancy navy blue slim fit suit, which made him look so, so handsome like a male angel, if that was even possible, that she wondered if she might still be under anesthesia, and also, made her feel like she was in the wrong attire because she was only in a hoodie and yoga pants.
At first Elsa was annoyed with Jack and had been running various questions in her head about why he didn't come to the hospital, but now when she saw his handsome face, she seemed to be bewitched and her annoyance disappeared instantly. She really fell madly in love with him.
One by one, they came to say welcome and some of them even gave Elsa a warm hug. Until it was Lucy's turn, she held her for a moment.
"Thank you, Lucy." Said Elsa. "Why are you here? And the others? Did you close the office for today?"
"Mr. Jack ordered us to come here and close the office for the day, Miss. He said that today is special." Said Lucy in reply. She smiled and then stepped away from Elsa, revealing Jack behind her.
"Hi." Jack greeted briefly, for some reason he looked nervous. "Welcome home, Elsa."
Elsa straightened her back and cleared her throat. "Thank you." She then held her elbow with her other hand. "Jack, why-"
"Elsa." Jack took a step forward and took Elsa's hands. His face turned serious. "There's something I want to tell you." He said, looking at Elsa straight in the eyes.
"Jack? What is it? Why are you so serious?" Elsa squeezed Jack's hand and searched for clues about what Jack was going to say to her. But she couldn't find any and it was starting to worry her.
"Elsa, you already know that I ran away from home leaving my family because I couldn't comply with my father's wishes to continue his business. But one thing you don't know is, that I might have given up if it weren't for you." Jack stopped and swallowed hard because he felt a lump start to form in his throat.
"It was very difficult for me to continue living without a penny of my father. I was lucky that, at that time I was already enrolled in law school and was able to live in a dormitory, but for everyday life, it was a struggle. I had to get up early and deliver newspapers from house to house, I had to sleep super late because every night I worked part-time at a restaurant to earn money. Now you know why at that time I couldn't accompany you to study at night other than Friday, Saturday and Sunday." Jack chuckled while Elsa smiled and nodded.
"When I haven't met you, I almost gave up because, there were times when I felt tired of living without a family, without the comforts that I have enjoyed since I was born. I almost went back to my father and said I was sorry that I left the house. But then you came." Jack caressed Elsa's cheek and smiled.
"When I looked into your eyes at the very first time, I saw a spark, a glimpse of hope that there was no fear, no boundaries and a feeling of warmth that whatever obstacles might come each day, would be overcome. This may sound silly but it's true that the moment I looked into your eyes I felt sure that I didn't have to go back home because I believed that I had found my home. You, Elsa, are my home."
At this point, Elsa didn't know what to say. She didn't know what Jack meant by telling her all this. But she felt that there was something serious behind all this.
"You used to give me half of your sandwich for lunch. Sometimes, I was grateful because half a sandwich from you could fill my hungry stomach and make me save some money because I didn't have to buy lunch. And sometimes, I was just grateful that the sandwich was from you and the fact that I ate the same slice of sandwich as you." Jack realized that his tears were starting to fill up in his eyes because remembering his hard times made him tear up. He sniffled and his hands moved to prevent his tears from falling.
As for Elsa, she had absolutely no idea that Jack was so good at hiding his distress that she didn't even notice. If she knew, she would be happy to buy two sandwiches for both of them. And seeing Jack in front of her now, her heart sank.
"Please, don't cry." Now it was Elsa's turn to caress Jack's cheek, helping him wipe the tears that stubbornly fell, even though she herself was on the verge of crying.
"I fell in love with you the first day I met you, Elsa. But I didn't have the courage to tell you because I was afraid that you would stay away from me that you might not feel the same way. I had to be content with just being your friend as long as I could always be by your side. But when the other day you said that you love me too, I felt sure that you, are the only one for me. I won't be able to live without you and I want to grow old with you. I've waited so, so long to be able to say that I love you, I can't wait any longer." Jack stopped and the grip on Elsa's hand tightened.
Elsa's brow furrowed in confusion. "Can't wait any longer for what?"
"Elsa! Look over here!" Suddenly Olaf was next to them with the camera already in one eye, causing Elsa to reflexively turn her face away from Jack and stare at Olaf. "Smile!"
And a flash of light made Elsa close her eyes for a moment because she wasn't ready for the photo shoot. She had to blink many times to get rid of the blinding sensation from the camera flash, and when she had recovered and her vision had returned to normal, she looked back at Jack and she was beyond shocked to find that Jack was already on one knee in front of her presenting a ring.
"I can't wait any longer to ask will you marry me, Elsa?" Jack asked in a slightly trembling voice. His face conveyed a lot of emotion even though his lips curled into a smile.
Elsa gasped because she didn't expect Jack to propose to her this soon. She couldn't deny that she loved him and she couldn't imagine living with any other man, but by proposing to her this soon, she was somehow skeptical. "Jack, are you serious? You're joking right?" She asked instead.
Jack's face turned flat. His eyebrows arched high, unable to believe that Elsa thought he was joking. All the tension he had felt earlier because he was about to ask the most important question of his life to the woman he loved, disappeared in an instant."Of course I'm serious, Elsa. How could I jokingly propose to you?"
Okay, he is serious. Elsa then reminisced about her time with Jack since the first day they met until now. They had up and down in their friendship. She never had a male friend close enough to her, she never had a boyfriend. She didn't know about Jack, but during their time together, Jack had never, even for once, talked to her about another woman. Her life was constantly filled with her days with him. Now with him proposing to her, it all made sense. She felt bad for not realizing right away that Jack had loved her all along.
Elsa looked around at the faces waiting for her answer. And when her eyes fell on her mother's, she saw her mother nod and smile. It showed that her mother had given her her blessing. She had two choices, yes or no. And she couldn't possibly say no so, "yes. I will marry you, Jack."
Jack's face lit up instantly. "Are you serious?!" He asked in disbelief of what he heard. "Are you serious Elsa?!" Now, he was overjoyed to see Elsa nod her head so many times.
Everyone in the room cheered and clapped, while Jack, still shaking with excitement, tried to put the engagement ring on Elsa's finger. And Olaf, oblivious to all the excitement around him, was busy taking pictures of everyone with his camera.
"Why were you so sure that I would say yes? We're not even in a relationship."
Elsa and Jack were sitting on the sofa bed in the pergola that evening with Elsa sitting cross-legged in front of Jack, who was leaning on his side. A blanket covered her legs up to her lap because she was already warm enough in Jack's hoodie.
"Intuition." Said Jack confidently, making Elsa chuckle.
"Really, Jack? Now you're talking to me about intuition?"
"Yeah. Intuition. We may not be in a relationship, but now it's much better. We are engaged." He said, grinning widely. But when he saw Elsa's still unconvinced face, he leaned forward. "Now tell me, Elsa. What activities do dating couples do that we have never done before? We shared food, we studied together, we went to the movies, we went for a walk enjoying the night with the full moon, we went to dinner together, I picked you up to go to work and took you home, I took care of you when you were sick and vice versa, we even go shopping together. And, we have kissed. And I'd love to kiss you again." He stole a brief kiss on Elsa's nose.
"So all this time we've been dating without even realizing it?" Elsa asked, deduced from what Jack had said.
"You can say like that. And can you imagine how amazing it would be when we actually dated?"
"Yeah." Elsa fiddled with the ring that had just become a new resident on her finger. "I'm sorry, I should have been more sensitive to your feelings."
"Hey, it's okay. It's bound to happen this way. Don't regret anything." Jack reassured Elsa by taking her hand and kissing it gently. "Now that I remember about this, I have to tell you about something." His face turned so serious.
Elsa turned nervous and then looked at Jack curiously. "What do you have to tell me?"
"While you were in the hospital, we never talked about this because I didn't want you to think too much. The police wanted to meet you and ask you for information about what happened to you right after you woke up. But I didn't allow it and asked them to wait until you recovered, arguing that the person who allegedly shot you was already in their custody. So it shouldn't be a problem."
"So you act as my lawyer?"
Jack shrugged. "Something like that. The police have asked for information from Kai and a witness and all the information is down to Manny." There was a slight change of emotion on Jack's face when he said that name. "Just tell me when you're ready, and I'll call the police."
Elsa was silent for a while before finally making up her mind. "They can come tomorrow, Jack. I want this to end soon. I'm sick of dealing with that man."
Jack saw the hatred on Elsa's face and he felt the same way. He swore that he would never let anyone hurt Elsa again. "Alright. I'll call the police first thing in the morning and asked them to come here."
"Elsa? Jack? Dinner is ready. Come on, get inside. It's getting cold out here." Suddenly Emelia's voice was heard calling them. She stood in the doorway and motioned for them to come in for dinner.
"We're coming, Mom." Jack let out a long sigh and prepared to get up. "Come on, Babe. I'll help you up." He held out a hand which Elsa immediately grabbed. They both then walked towards the door hand in hand.
"Seriously, Jack? You 'Babe' me now?"
"What? Something wrong about that? You are my fiancé now. I have the right to call you that."
"Right. Fiancé. It sounds weird."
"You'll get used to it, honey." Jack just smiled when Elsa shot him a look. "How's your wound? Does it still hurt?"
"If I miss taking the pain killer, yes."
"You missed taking the pain killer?"
"I fell asleep and my mother couldn't bear to wake me up. So a few moments later, I woke up because of the pain from my wound."
"Never do that again, Elsa." His tone turned serious and called her back by name.
"Never do what? Taking the pain killer?" Elsa asked with a mischievous smile and she finally laughed seeing Jack looking at her with a 'really?' gaze.
When they reached the dining room, everyone was already waiting there and had taken their seats. Everyone stayed to have dinner and also celebrate Jack and Elsa's engagement. For the first time since Elsa lived in this Mansion, the long dining table finally filled with people.
They all looked happy with the champagne in their hands, except for Elsa who had to be content with a glass of water. They talked, smiled, and laughed as if in the end all the problems had finally been solved and all that was left was happiness.
What they didn't know was that, on the same day, that afternoon, Manny had a visitor at the prison. Bernard, his lawyer, came to visit and told him some important things. They both understood very well that the charges against him this time were serious and he couldn't get out of jail just by paying bail.
So, in order to keep things in their proper place, Bernard asked if there was anyone Manny could trust to temporarily replace him as some of his strategic businesses needed his full existence.
"Yes, Bernard. There is one person who can replace me take care of my business." Manny said confidently. He stood and rested his hands on the table.
"Who is it, Sir?"
"My old friend. He owed me his life, twice. You have to meet him, Bernard. He lives in Clover Hill and you have to bring him here."
Bernard thought for a moment and was a little surprised because he didn't know that there was someone Manny trusted but he didn't know. But orders were orders. He had to do it. "Alright, Sir. I'll bring him here. What is his name?"
"His name is Agnarr Arendelle."