And here they stood...in Iceland.
"Jack, I'm worried I haven't visited them in six years." Her voice trembled with nervousness and fear.
He kissed her knuckles. "I'm with you."
They walked towards the airport exit with their luggage on a cart that Jack pushed as the gentleman he was; one hand held the cart and the other Elsa's hand.
There they stood, the Arandelles, waiting for their daughter with very plain smiles on their faces. It sent shivers down her spine, and she felt horrible because she had taken so long to recognize them.
Had she forgotten them?
But no, Elsa had to remind herself she wasn't an Arandelle anymore who could be tossed around like dirt.
Elsa Overland, that's who she's now. An independent woman married to a man of every girl's dreams. With Jack by her side, she can face them.
Elsa will be ok.
Agnarr footed forward and patted her on the back, his fingers barely touching her. "How are you, Elsa?"
Iduna embraced Elsa, surprising her to the core "Long time no see." Never mind, there was the teasing she anticipated.
"I am fine, and yes, it truly has been too long, Mother."
Jack, standing a few steps away and barely recognizable, walked up to his in-laws and extended his hand. "Jack Overland," he said. "I'm Elsa's husband. Nice to meet you."
Agnarr shook his hand firmly. "Hello, and yes, I've heard."
Before some preposterous could occur, Elsa interrupted, "Shall we go?"
Iduna nodded and began pacing toward the parking lot. "Yes, we shall."
Rudely Agnarr questioned as they walked, "Where are you staying during your visit?"
Now this took Elsa aback. "I-"
Agnarr cut her off with an eye roll. "The wedding arrangements are done, and our house is packed. I'm sorry, Elsa, you'll have to stay elsewhere."
"Yes, we just came to pick you up," said her mother. "I'm sure you needed a ride." Elsa could not have been more mortified. She stayed silent.
Jack couldn't bear witnessing what was happening in front of him, so he stopped abruptly and declared with a thin, forced smile, "Thanks for your kind offer, Mr. and Mrs. Arandelle, but we Overlands own a few mansions in Iceland, so we'll be staying in one of them, and our driver should be arriving shortly to pick us up. We were just walking you to your car. It was nice meeting you, and I look forward to visiting you in a few days at the get-together."
The parents were stunned; their plan to embarrass their daughter had backfired. "Alright then, see you then. Bye!" Agnarr coughed, and the older couple got into their car, which was parked a few steps away from them.
This was the strangest conversation she had ever been a part of with her parents.
There Elsa stood wordless and looking at what had unfolded in front of her. She would continue to do so for the rest of the trip.
This handsome man with a heart of gold. A man she had barely known for a few days had saved her honour, and from a lifetime of humiliation, he had kept his promise. He protected her from the embarrassment in such an elegant way that she was truly dumbfounded.
He touched her cheek, and she leapt. "Everything okay, Elsa?"
"Yes, it is. Thank you for what you just did." Leaning into his touch, she showed her appreciation.
Beaming at the sight, he nodded. "I promised, didn't I? So please, no 'thank yous' or 'sorrys' on this trip, okay?"
"Thanks." She bit her lip. "Sorry." And then wailed.
Jack erupted into laughter. "You're adorable; has anyone ever told you that?"
Elsa shook her head with a grin. "Nope."
Her husband, fake or real, gasped dramatically, "Ah! How dare they? You should have them beheaded for such...hmm, what's the word fo-"
"Jack, I love this, but can we please call an Uber and go to a hotel? I need some rest." She trembled, and her teeth chattered in the cold air.
Immediately, he took off his coat and plopped it on her. "Give me a few minutes; you can return to the airport and relax there."
Elsa sheepishly beamed. "I like the cold."
In return, he smiled and pecked her on the forehead in a friendly manner. "I'll call; please relax."
Before he could leave, Elsa snatched his hand and asked, "Won't you get cold?" Of course, he would; he gave her his coat. She was worried.
He bent forward and whispered in her ear before placing a delicate kiss above her ear, "I like the cold too."
For some reason, Elsa's cheeks flushed even harder, but luckily her face was already red from the cold.
He called, and she glanced at him and ultimately got a good look from afar. Jack was tall and slim with a few muscles and possibly abs; his white hair and sparkling blue eyes made him stand out. Jealousy arose in Elsa when she caught the looks he was getting from the women around him of all ages, which he seemed oblivious to.
Was she catching this? But why?
Why?
She was surrendered in her thoughts when Jack returned and hugged her from behind. "You look gorgeous today." He positioned his chin on her shoulder.
"Jack, what-"
He brought her closer to him and whispered, "Your parents are looking our way."
Elsa frantically scanned the area, and sure enough, their car was still parked. "Jack, you don't have to," she said.
But he didn't budge or secretly didn't wish to let go of her. "We're here to prove them they're wrong. Aren't we? Simply play along."
Turning around in the spot, Elsa decided to embrace him properly. "You're right."
"I wasn't lying about you looking gorgeous. You really do, Elsa." She was literally wearing a hoodie and pants; it was a bit hard to believe for her.
Once again, her hidden face on his chest disguised her flush. "Thanks, Jack and you look quite handsome too."
He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her gently toward him. "Thank you, Mrs. Overland."
Elsa snorted softly. "My parents aren't lipreaders, you know, so don't call me that."
"What if I simply like it?"
She gasped and swatted his shoulder. "Now, aren't you a flirt?"
"Can I ask you for a favour Elsa?"
Too lost in his warmth, she mumbled, "Hmm."
"I know we're married in reality now, but what if I like...just take my flirting as a joke, okay? We're practicing for when we meet your family, right?"
She tiptoed and pecked his frozen cheek. "You're pretty weird, you know?" Now why did she do that? She had no answer to that. It just happened as if she had been doing that for centuries.
This was one of the craziest moments of his life. "Will you allow this poor guy to flirt with you until we return to Berk, then?"
Why was she approving? "I may, but only because I find it amusing!" That's a good excuse because, privately, she did like his flirtation.
"Alright then...hello, sweetie!" Jack muttered in her ear.
Elsa rotated around and rolled her eyes at his immaturity. "Jack, don't call me that."
Quickly he called her what he always does. "Okay, then Your Majes-" Ha halted midway "-Oh look, our car is here."
Confusion and astonishment took over her as she saw the black Rolls Royce. "Jackson Overland, this isn't an Uber or a taxi in any way."
As if it meant nothing, he spoke calmly, "Of course, it isn't; it's our car, and it'll be with you 24/7."
The man who got out of the car had a very gentle smile; he appeared middle age. "Hello, I hope I'm not late. I'm Sebastian."
"Hey, Loki! And yes, you are very late."
Elsa gasped and swatted Jack's chest hard. "Jackson, be nice!"
As ordered, he shut up. This seemed entertaining to their driver. "And you must be Elsa Overland."
How did he know that? Elsa wondered as she smiled. "Yes, Sebastian," she said, shaking his hand after they hugged. "It's nice to meet you." He immediately liked her.
Jack saw the interaction and fell even harder for his wife. She didn't care that he was a driver; she was welcoming, unlike some of the other jerks Sebastian had met in his life. Sebastian liked her already.
"Alright, Loki, get us to our destination."
She glared blades at him for ordering him around, but Sebastian laughed it off. "Yes, Master Jack."
Okay, now she had to say something. "Sebastian, please do not call him that. Call him Jackson or Loki, as he is one himself." She gave her husband the nastiest glare. "And you idiot, be nice to Sebastian."
Sebastian jumped into the conversation, even though he loved the exchange. "Please don't mind him. We go way back, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Jack hired me in my worst times when I couldn't afford anything for my family. He gives me paid breaks, and the pay is very generous. It's an honor for me to work for the Overlands and, as of now, you, Mrs. Overland."
"Please call me Elsa, and you've been with us for a long time; you are practically family. I'll make sure to give you a promotion for dealing with Jack for so long." Elsa touched her heart and felt love welling up inside of her, realizing just how kind and caring Jack truly was.
The man offered her a lovely smile. "Ok, then, Elsa, shall we go to your Cottage?"
Blinking in bewilderment, she asked, "Cottage? I thought we were going to a hotel."
After a long moment, Jack talked, "I own quite many properties around the world. I've got a few some in Iceland."
Elsa had many questions. "Why? And most importantly, how? Since when are you this rich?"
"I love to tour around the world, that's why. Also, you've known me only for a few days, Elsa. Well, I made an app in high school, which is pretty popular. That's sort of my side hustle. I've also got some businesses here and there. That's how I'm rich." He begged with puppy eyes, "Now, if you're satisfied with my answers shall we go to our Cottage?"
Butterflies appeared in her stomach. "Our. I like the sound of that."
Before Jack could flirt as he pleased, Sebastian coughed and unlocked the car door. "I suggest we leave."
The couple leapt apart in embarrassment, which wasn't necessary. "Right. Right. Alright, Loki, take us home."
"Jackson Overland!" Elsa twisted his ear and was not planning to leave anytime soon. "Apologize right now!"
"Goodness, woman! Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Let go of my poor ear," Jack said, leaning down in pain as he pleaded with Elsa.
Sebastian laughed at the interaction, and he was very much looking forward to offering his services to them. "It's quite alright."
When his ear was released, Jack ran toward the door and bowed before her, saying, "Here you go, Your Majesty."
She had never been this playful in her life and felt so free. "Thank you, kind sir."
Shaking his head at the lovely exchange, Sebastian sat in the driver's seat after ensuring the couple were comfortable in the car.
The Arandelles saw it all from their car, and they weren't pleased. Their daughter didn't deserve happiness; she was cursed.
Meanwhile, Sebastian had a fatherly smile glued on his face as he listened to the conversation, which was hard to ignore. After six long years, he had finally heard peace in Jack's voice.
He still remembered when Jack hired him so his mom could go anywhere she wanted to. At least until she got married. Jack had a devoted soul, and his only purpose from day one was putting people first and making sure they were taken care of.
As Sebastian started to drive the car, Elsa relaxed her head on Jack's shoulder. "This feels nice."
"I'm glad my shoulder gives you comfort." Jack poked fun at her.
Elsa paused, then spoke, "I'd like to thank you again for saving me in front of my parents. And I'm truly sorry it must've been embarrassing for you too. I was expecting we'd be staying with them. I had no-"
He was fast to dust her negative rambling away. "It's fine. And there was absolutely no way I'd let you stay with them. I informed Sebastian yesterday that he'll pick us up and get us to our cottage. Also, from what I saw, it was only embarrassing for them, not you."
Truly dumbfounded, that's what she was. "I don't know what to say other than Thank you a lot."
"No worries! At your service, Your Majesty! Look at the bright side; we can tour around Iceland and have all the fun while we stay at our cozy cottage."
Awkwardly, she put her arm around his stomach. "I look forward to that. Maybe now I can make some good memories here."
Jack chuckled and snaked his arm behind her, pulling her closer. "I'll make sure to make this the best time you've ever had in Iceland."
Elsa could finally stop running from her worries and allow someone else to hold her hand and guide her.
And maybe allow someone to care for her.
Perhaps,
Love Her.