The couple walked to the house's opening, and, with a profound breath, Elsa rang the doorbell.
Gazing into his crystal blue eyes, Elsa ran her fingers through Jack's hair lovingly. "Sometimes I feel I've known you forever, Jack."
Jack tucked a hair strand behind her ear, and oh, those gorgeous blue eyes thawed his insides. "I agree it's unreal. I keep saying this repeatedly, but it's only been a few days, less than a week; gosh, but I am prepared to die for you, Elsa Overland. I love you, Your Majesty."
They were highly exposed to everyone as they stood alone at the entrance of the house Elsa once called hers. The pain in her still existed, but Jack's warmth suppressed it.
As he placed a peck on her knuckles, a cough interrupted them, bringing Jack up from the ground to glance behind. "I believe we've met before."
With an unwilling smile, Jack shook hands with this man he had come to despise. "Hello, Mr. Arandelle." He never thought he'd hate a person he never knew.
"Hello, Jake."
It was supposed to offend, but Elsa had to stifle her laughter. "It's Jackson Overland, sir." Jack raised his eyebrow and tugged Elsa closer to his side. "Her name is Elsa Overland...In case you forgot hers too."
Ok, this was it. Elsa hid her face in Jack's chest and chuckled, and the vibrations on his chest tickled Jack. The secondhand embarrassment she was getting from her father and even her husband was killing.
"Ah...yes, well, step inside; my precious daughter's party is about to start." The heart-filled smile on the father's face pained Elsa's heart. How could a father treat his children differently?
Jack, the noticing man he is, squeezed Elsa's hand. "If you want, we can ditch this party and go snowboarding. Maybe get some drinks, but hopefully, we won't get married again, though I'm not against the idea."
It wasn't humorous, or maybe it was, but Elsa appreciated his effort to make her feel at ease and smiled at him. "Later, we should."
They were standing near the entrance alone, and two men approached them. Elsa's face smile fell as she saw them, and Jack knew straight away.
Smith Arandelle, Elsa's worst cousin, smirked evilly. "Didn't know you could smile that way, Elsa."
Looking at Elsa with the most loving gaze, he murmured softly, "And doesn't this smile brighten the world." Jack gritted his teeth and held out his hand. "Jackson Overland."
"Name's Smith." Avoiding the held-out Jack's hand, he asked, "So is she forcing you to date her? I can't think of why you'd marry this cursed depressed bitch." That was very quick and out of the blue.
It's been a long time since Jack felt this outrage. "Watch your mouth when you speak about my wife!"
"Jack." She shut her eyes tight and clasped his hand.
Anthony Arandelle, Elsa's other unbearable cousin, grinned wider because that's the reaction he craved from the couple. "Or are you rich? Then she's a cursed gold digger, right Smith? Well, please invite me over when you get divorced, Jack."
"Well, you both clearly are spineless men. A man? I don't think you even deserve to be called that. I would lecture you on being a decent human, but I don't want to waste my words on brainless, insecure and pathetic humans like you-" Jack could go hours and hours crushing them.
Within a beat, Smith caught Jack's collar and screamed, embarrassed, "Just! Well! Do you...Just shut the fuck up! You are a perfect bastard for a bitch like Elsa! That-"
Jack grabbed his hand on the collar and squeezed it; anyone near them could hear the cracks from his throbbing pale hand. "Take my wife's name once more, and it won't only be your hand that's broken."
Anthony backed away and gulped. "Shit. Don't overreact, man!"
All his mother's teachings were tossed out of the window instantly. Jack won't be likable tonight, frankly, quite the contrary of what he was taught. And he dearly hoped Eva Overland wouldn't find this out.
Little did he know she would be proud.
Luckily for the two cousins, a saviour entered the house, and Jack let go. The whole room quieted down, showing respect to the elder. "Oh, my baby." There stood Nana Sofia Owen, the only person who loved Elsa.
"Nana." After years, to see her again broke Elsa's heart.
The grandmother opened her inviting arms with glistening eyes. "Come to Nana, dearie."
In a blink, Elsa rushed into those affectionate arms and wept, not caring who saw her. "Nana...Nana...Nana." Her hiccups interrupted her repeated words.
"Shh, Nana's here." These were the comforting words that soothed her down since childhood. "Let's go upstairs, okay?"
Everyone had moved away from the reunion and minded their business. No one dared to let out anything before The Sofia Owen, as she was the richest and strictest among them. Truthfully, everyone detested her primarily because she looked after Elsa, whom they hated.
Elsa nodded obediently, and the duo headed upstairs to the room, but Jack was dragged upstairs as Elsa grasped his hand. And once again, no one dared to utter even a word; they could only silently mutter swears under their breath—especially Smith and Anthony.
As the three strolled towards the room, every corner of this house reminded Elsa of the trauma but also the sweet moments she had with her Nana and sister. When her Nana used to hug her after crying for hours and tell her, 'It'll get better, my baby. I'm so proud of you.' And the few times she was allowed to play hide and seek with Anna.
Soon, her remembrances stopped as she reached the room. Jack let go of her hand and stood outside the room while the emotional duo went inside and sat on the bed. He wanted to give them privacy, and though Elsa was appreciative, a part of her felt empty.
It had been a long time since she had chatted with her grandmother, and she was feeling quite shy at the moment. "I'm sorry I wasn't in touch with you; there's no reason good enough to-"
The compassionate old lady beamed and cupped her cheeks with wrinkly shaking hands. "I understand, baby, don't you ever think I don't. I raised you myself and have seen you struggle. If anything, I'm proud of you for leaving this toxic family, and I am happy it only resulted in a happy ending." Nana chuckled and teased her granddaughter, ruffling her hair in tenderness. "But I still missed you. Don't worry, I wasn't angry…as if I could ever be."
Oh, how easy it was to open up to her Nana. "I missed you, Nana, but I wasn't strong enough to contact you. I didn't even talk to Anna. I am so ashamed."
"Enough of this rubbish; now tell me of the handsome man who's worriedly standing outside this room." The lady laughed and announced loud enough that he heard, "Quit eavesdropping and come inside, Jackson."
Jack hurriedly stepped inside, almost stumbling and rushed his arms in the air, acting innocent. "I promise I wasn't Mrs. Owen! I just...wanted Elsa and you to feel comfortable."
As you grow old with more experience, you can read people, and she comprehended he spoke the truth. "Oh please, Jackson, call me Nana; that name only reminds me of that bastard that died." She sighed and shook her head. "Never a good husband he was...I tell you that."
Well, that he didn't know, and it was baffling how Elsa's grandmother said it so plainly. "I'm sorry for that...umm...Nana."
"Ah, don't be. That jerk died, and I've never been happier." She raised her hand straight-lipped and demanded, "Now, how are you treating my baby? And how dare you not ask for my blessing?!"
Pale face, the man was terrified to death. "Nana, I forced Jack not to contact my family. Please go easy on him; he is a good man." The lies had begun.
Elsa rambled in such an urgency that Nana was eventually able to stop her. "Dearie! I am talking to him; it'll be better for you if you remain quiet."
"Nana!" She was not at all intimidated by her grandmother, and that only indicated how close they were.
Finally, the sweet Nana rolled her eyes and slapped Elsa's shoulder as softly as possible. "Quite you! Now answer me, Jackson Overland. What are your intentions with my Elsa, and do you...Do you think that you deserve her?" Her voice broke a little as sentiments overtook her.
So that's where Elsa had gotten her icy personality and soft heart; Jack finally understood. He found that adorable and, by mistake, let out a chuckle, then freaked out, "Oh God, I'm sorry! I found it adorable that Elsa gets her charm from you, my lady. I mean, I-"
Nana was finding it very hard to control her laughter, so she chose to mess with him a bit. "Are you flirting with me in front of your wife!"
"Nana, what is wrong with you? Jack didn't-"
"Elsa didn't I say to be quiet! Now, don't speak!"
Jack would undoubtedly faint because he not only didn't answer the questions but stupidly ended up flirting with the grandmother; well, that's at least what he was told. "I'm sorry, I did not mean that."
Once again, she questioned him only to make him suffer more, but of course, jokingly, "So are you saying I'm not beautiful enough to be flirted with? What ridiculous nonsense! How dare you make fun of my age? Do you have no shame?"
"I-" Dumbfounded, and he was a little too close to passing out.
The charismatic lady hid her grin and asked, "Anyhow, answer my questions. What are your intentions with my precious granddaughter, and do you think you deserve her?"
Jack went on his knees, both begging for forgiveness and blessing. "Firstly, I'm very sorry for creating a scene downstairs and disrespecting you."
"Answer my questions!" She demanded but was secretly applauding his apology.
He swallowed and looked down, unable to meet her eyes. "I love your granddaughter and only want to give her the best. I love her so much that I would leave her in an instant if it were to make her happy, which I truly beg the gods not. So far, I've tried my hardest to make her happy and treat her as she deserves to be. I have good intentions and good only. It pierces my heart when I see her in pain and think of the misery she has gone through. I swear on my life and the gods above that I will cherish her till my last breath and treat her as a queen. Unfortunately, I can't lie and say she would never have a moment of sadness in our marriage, but I can promise that it would pass instantly and strengthen our bond. That...that is my intention to make her the happiest."
Unknown to them, Elsa was crying a few inches from them. "Oh, babe."
He answered the second question, "I don't think I deserve her at all. She is the epitome of perfection, and I am not. I have my flaws, but I will work on them daily to improve myself for her. Elsa is better than me in everything and every way possible. I don't deserve her, and I'm humble enough to know that." Finally, he looked up. "But I assure you, Nana, I'll work on myself and be someone who deserves her. Please give me your blessing to be with your granddaughter."
"I won't. I'm bored. That was a speech, not an answer." Nana huffed and averted her eyes.
Brokenhearted Jack stuttered, "I...Nana...Ple-"
Then she burst out laughing and pulled him up in a hug. "I am joking, Jack! You're a good boy, and you have my blessing."
He let out a massive breath of relief and hung his head low. "Thank you very much, Nana."
"Sweetie, how could I not? Your answers were beautiful, and I can tell you adore my Elsa." She patted his head, and he looked like a puppy with a glow in his eyes.
And he was knocked down on the floor when Elsa fell on him. "You stupid and adorable old goat, you just won my heart all over again. I love you so much!" Jack was covered in kisses all over his face, and Sofia was confused by the nickname.
Nana rolled her eyes and interrupted them, "So you really love him? I thought he was your fake husband that you accidentally married."
"What!" The couple screamed at the top of their lungs, "How do you know?!"
Nana smiled. "Tuffnut."
Elsa's family introduced in this chapter:
Father: Agnarr Arandelle
Maternal Grandmother: Nana Sofia Owen
Paternal Cousins: Smith Arandelle (25) and Anthony Arandelle (22)