The pair strolled up to the house entrance, and after taking a deep breath, Elsa pressed 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."
As they stood alone at the entrance of the house Elsa had once called her own, they felt highly exposed to the eyes of everyone. Despite the lingering pain within her, Jack's warmth provided a comforting shield against it.
As he delicately kissed her knuckles, a sudden cough broke the intimate moment, causing Jack to swiftly rise from his seat and look over his shoulder. "I think 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."
As Elsa buried her face in Jack's chest, she couldn't help but let out a chuckle. The vibrations of her laughter tickled Jack, causing him to smile. However, the secondhand embarrassment she felt from her father and even her husband was almost unbearable.
"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."
Near the entrance, they stood alone, when two men approached them. Elsa's smile faded as she saw them, and Jack immediately sensed the change in her demeanour.
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!"
In an instant, Jack disregarded all the lessons his mother had imparted. Tonight, he wouldn't be the amiable person he had been taught to be; in fact, quite the opposite. He fervently wished that Eva Overland wouldn't discover this about him.
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."
With a sudden movement, Elsa hurried into the warm embrace and burst into tears, oblivious to any onlookers. "Nana...Nana...Nana," she sobbed, her words punctuated by hiccups.
"Shh, Nana's here." These were the comforting words that soothed her down since childhood. "Let's go upstairs, okay?"
At the reunion, everyone had distanced themselves and focused on their activities. Nobody dared to speak openly before The Sofia Owen, known for her wealth and strict demeanour. Everyone harboured resentment towards her, especially because she cared for Elsa, whom they despised.
Elsa nodded silently, and together, they ascended the stairs to the room. Jack found himself being pulled along as Elsa firmly held his hand. Not a single person dared to speak a word. Instead, they all quietly muttered curses under their breath, particularly Smith and Anthony.
As they made their way to the room, Elsa couldn't help but be flooded with memories at every turn in the house. Each corner seemed to whisper tales of heartache and cherished moments shared with her Nana and sister. She recalled the comforting embrace of her Nana after long, tearful nights and the soothing words that followed: 'It'll get better, my baby.'
As she approached the room, her mind began to quiet, the memories fading into the background. Jack released her hand and positioned himself just outside the door, allowing the emotional pair to enter and settle onto the edge of the bed. Elsa met his gesture of granting them privacy with gratitude, yet she couldn't shake the hollowness that lingered within her.
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 older and have 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 intimidated by her grandmother, which 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 humbly responded to the second question, saying, "I don't believe I am worthy of her. She embodies perfection, while I am flawed. However, I am committed to self-improvement and will strive daily to better myself for her. Elsa surpasses me in every conceivable way. I know I am undeserving of her, but I am determined to become someone who is. Nana, please grant 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." 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)