The cottage was absolutely beautiful.
Elsa felt like she had stepped into a fairytale as the car passed through the large, ornate metal gate. The closer they got to the house, the more she was captivated by its charm. It wasn't just a cottage, it looked like something out of history, an ancient royal estate that had stood the test of time. The design was timeless, nostalgic, like it had been created centuries ago, whispering stories of a bygone era.
At the front, the cottage appeared small and simple, yet there was something undeniably regal about it. It was the kind of place you'd expect a royal to stay in. A royal castle, Elsa thought, catching herself. Now that she knew Jack's secret wealth, it made sense. But just how rich was he?
A millionaire for sure. But how rich was he?
The cottage stood nestled among tall, dark green trees, their leafy branches wrapping the structure in a forest's embrace. It was breathtaking, the beauty of it even more apparent in the daylight. Elsa felt hypnotized by it all.
"And here we are at The Overlands' cottage," Sebastian said as the car came to a stop, pulling Elsa out of her reverie.
She opened the door and stepped out, her breath taken away by the peaceful surroundings. She couldn't help but admire the cottage from every angle, feeling like she had walked into a dream.
Jack, stretching his arms above his head to relieve the stiffness from hours of driving, gave a playful smirk. "You will not be tipped today, Loki. You took too long to drive us here. My wife is tired."
Elsa chuckled at the teasing, glancing at Sebastian with a wink. "I can see that. My wife does look tired."
"Hey, now!" Jack said, pulling Elsa into a half-hug from behind. His eyes were starting to droop, the exhaustion finally catching up with him.
Sebastian, always the professional, noticed Jack's weariness and smiled. "Mr. and Mrs. Overland, you should go inside. I'll leave your luggage outside your room."
"Thanks, Sebastian," Elsa replied gratefully, but her attention was on Jack, who could barely keep his eyes open. She stepped closer to him, steadying him with a gentle hand. "Alright, now, Jack, let's get you to your room."
Jack, too tired to argue, yawned and sleepily corrected her, "Our room."
Was she blushing? Elsa quickly looked away, flustered by the easy intimacy in his words. Our room, the sound of it made her heart race. "Then let's get you to our room," she said, her voice soft, yet determined.
She helped him toward the door, her heart full of warmth as the world around her seemed to fade away in the comfort of their shared space. The worries and uncertainties she had carried with her seemed to slip away with every step they took together.
"Alrighty," Jack muttered sleepily, practically slurring as he leaned on Elsa for support. Clearly, he was drunk on sleep.
Elsa stood there, unsure of which door was theirs. "Jack, where is our room?"
He tightened his arm around her neck, his voice barely above a whisper. "Second to the right, upstairs."
"Gotcha."
But as she tried to maneuver him toward the stairs, Elsa realized how much harder it was to move him. He had gone from barely conscious to oddly heavy with sleepiness. Jack paused and suddenly became more alert. He planted his feet firmly, blocking her path.
"You know what I'm thinking?" he asked, his voice sharp with newfound energy.
Elsa blinked, surprised at the sudden change. "What?"
"This is the first time we've been in our house since we got married," he said, drumming his chin, like he was waiting for her to catch on.
She looked back at him, now intrigued. "Yes?"
Without warning, Jack scooped her up in his arms, bridal style. "I have to carry you to our room," he said with a cheeky grin.
Elsa squealed in shock, then swatted his cheek playfully. "We aren't really married, you know."
Jack pecked her on the cheek with a grin. "We are, Elsa." It might take a while for it to fully register in her mind, but Jack was determined to make it feel real.
"Right," she stammered, her face suddenly burning with heat. How did he do this to her so effortlessly? His words made her cheeks flush every time.
Wanting to do something extra, Jack inhaled deeply, his tired eyes sparkling as he suddenly ran up the stairs with her still in his arms. "Hell yeah!" he shouted, kicking open the door to their room like some heroic scene in a cheesy movie.
Elsa clung to him for dear life, her eyes wide in disbelief. "How in any universe is running with your wife in your arms romantic?!"
The words escaped Jack's lips before he could stop them. "God, I love you."
Elsa froze, startled by the genuine intensity of his words. She pulled herself from his arms, and Jack let her go, still flustered by his own slip-up.
"Huh?" Elsa blinked, confused.
Jack scratched the back of his head, a blush creeping across his cheeks. "I mean…I love you…umm…Love as a…mermaid?" His words trailed off into nothingness, his exhaustion turning into babbling nonsense.
"Mermaid?" Elsa raised an eyebrow, completely bewildered. "What on earth are you talking about?"
Jack scratched his chest and yawned, his eyes half-lidded as he shifted the conversation. "You know what? Let's eat dinner."
Elsa, who had been eyeing him with a worried expression, deadpanned, clasping his arm. "Jack, it's afternoon. Are you sure you're okay?"
"I think I just need a little sleep," he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. He gently tugged her toward their bed. "Mr. Jack, we should sleep for a while."
Without much thought, Elsa lay down beside him, her face inches from his. "Mr. Jack?"
Jack, now fully amused, twisted a strand of her platinum hair between his fingers. "And I am Mr. Elsa," he said with a smirk.
Elsa couldn't hold back her laughter any longer. "Alright, Mr. Elsa, you must sleep now."
"M'kay, Mr. Jack," he mumbled, draping an arm around her. There was still enough space between them for her to breathe, but his closeness made her pulse quicken. "Love you, my mermaid." And with that, he was out cold.
Elsa stared at him, her fingers gently cupping his cheek. "Taking care of me tired you out, huh?"
She stayed perfectly still, unsure of what to do next. Her heart raced in a way she hadn't expected. She had never been this close to any guy...her husband...before. Oh God. That wasn't just a word; it was real.
They tied the knot. They were married.
She blinked rapidly, trying to get her mind to catch up with reality. Drunk or not…Jack was hers. And she was his. This wasn't a joke or some silly arrangement. It was real.
This wasn't a fake marriage anymore. It was more real than a real one.
Marriages evolve in ways both subtle and sudden. The words "I do" carry a weight Elsa hadn't quite understood until now. She couldn't recall saying them, but their union had undeniably sparked something deep inside her-a flame that seemed to ignite with every passing moment.
Elsa lingered in his arms, the warmth of his body comforting, yet the coldness of his presence felt oddly like home. She shifted closer, wrapping her arm around his waist, drawn to the stillness of him. He was warm and chill, safety and familiarity all at once.
Up close, he was even more striking. She traced her fingers through his silver hair, remembering the nickname others had given him, The Old Goat. It felt affectionate, though it hardly captured the allure that emanated from him.
Her gaze shifted to his jaw and ears, how could such features be so captivating? She traced the edges of his sharp jaw, feeling the softness of his stubble, and then touched his cool flushed ears, admiring their delicate form.
He seemed like something from a dream, a figure plucked straight from the pages of a novel, perfectly written, beautifully drawn by someone who truly understood what it meant to capture beauty. He was perfection in human form.
But then, the intensity of the moment hit her. It was too much, too fast. With a swift motion, Elsa gently removed his arm from around her and slid off the bed, careful not to disturb him. She made her way downstairs, the quiet of the house soothing her, and poured herself a glass of water, grounding herself before returning to the whirlwind that was their love.
"Are you alright, Mrs. Overland?" Sebastian's voice, calm and fatherly, broke the quiet.
Startled, Elsa jumped, spilling some of her water. "Oh, God!" she gasped, her heart racing. "Sebastian, you startled me!" She took a breath. "Please, call me Elsa. Didn't I already ask you to do that?"
He chuckled softly, a warmness in his tone. "Jack was right about you, Elsa. You're a really sweet girl."
She raised an eyebrow, unsure how to take the compliment. "Thanks? Jack told you about me?"
Sebastian nodded, a gentle smile on his face. "Indeed. He said he's fallen for you."
Elsa groaned, her heart pounding so fast it felt like it was bouncing. "Love doesn't happen this quickly," she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "It's only been two days, and we got married yesterday." She paused before adding, "I'm assuming...no, really hoping, that Jack has told you about our situation. If not, well, I'm terrible at keeping secrets."
Sebastian's eyebrows danced as he processed her words, a thoughtful expression forming before he spoke. "In all the years I've known him, Jack's never been able to keep a secret. Two days ago, he called me, shouting that he had met 'the love of his life.' And I have to say, he's fallen pretty hard for you, Mrs. Overland." He emphasized her name this time, and Elsa chose not to correct him.
"But-" she started, but he was already ahead of her.
"Love doesn't need time, Elsa. It just happens. Sometimes it's instant, like when you meet the one for the first time. I can tell Jack loves you already by the way he looks at you." A soft smile spread across his face as he spoke, clearly reminiscing about his own love story.
Elsa felt a flutter in her chest, but doubt still lingered. "Thank you for saying that, Sebastian, but…I'm scared of love," she admitted, swirling the water in her glass, avoiding his gaze.
Sebastian shook his head, his expression earnest. "Love isn't something to fear, Elsa. If anything, it's the thing that makes you feel safe, that warms you from the inside out. It's not something to run from, it's something to embrace. Not everyone gets to experience true love, but you have that chance."
"Hmm." Elsa nodded, taking in his words, but still uncertain.
Sebastian's voice grew more passionate. "So grab it! Hold that foolish boy, who, by the way, I've watched grow into a man, close to your heart. I told him the same thing for you."
Her heart warmed at his words, and tears filled her eyes as she lifted her gaze to him. "Has he been scared of love, too?"
Sebastian's face softened, his eyes distant as he searched his memory. "As long as I've known him. But that's for him to tell you. He's taking my advice to heart, Elsa. He cares for you deeply, and that boy would wait a lifetime for you to return his feelings."
Tears welled up as she processed his words. "He really is one of a kind, isn't he?"
Sebastian's voice was tender as he walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "And so are you." Without warning, he gave her a gentle pat on the back, his presence comforting.
Touched by his kindness, Elsa hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Sebastian."
He stood still for a moment, then patted her back slowly. "You're welcome, kiddo." He smiled, reminded of his own daughter in that moment.
"If you don't mind me asking, what's your history with the Overlands?" Elsa asked, her curiosity piqued.
Sebastian closed his eyes for a moment, and a bittersweet smile replaced his usual easy expression. "I was a taxi driver before I met Jack," he began, his voice taking on a more reflective tone. "I lost my job under some unfortunate circumstances, and things got hard. I couldn't afford anything for my family, and without experience in any other field, I couldn't find work. I was out of a job for months, watching my savings dwindle, and I was close to losing everything."
Elsa's mouth fell open in surprise. She was taken aback. "Wow, I'm really sorry to hear that. It sounds like you've been through a lot."
"Thank you," Sebastian said quietly. "Eight years ago, a friend suggested I try applying for jobs online, but it was tough. I'd never even used social media before. I mean, I'd been driving a taxi for over 25 years, and at 52, technology wasn't exactly my thing. By accident, I ended up applying for a position at a tech company. I don't even know how it happened, but somehow, I got an interview. Of course, they didn't hire me, no experience, no qualifications, the same story over and over again. Weeks of rejection followed."
Elsa's eyes widened, a hopeful tone creeping into her voice. "Please tell me Jack helped you."
Sebastian raised a hand, chuckling softly. "Yes, after countless failed interviews, I ended up at a cheap bar one night. I sat down next to a young guy and poured my heart out to him. Turns out, that guy was Jack. He hired me as a personal driver for his mom, and the rest is history. Ever since then, wherever Jack goes, I'm with him. The pay is incredible, better than I could've ever imagined. He provides housing, health insurance, dental, covers monthly bills, paid time off. You name it! Honestly, everything I make goes straight into savings, and we spend it on enjoying life."
Elsa's heart ached as she listened, moved by the depth of Jack's kindness. "I'm so glad to hear that. It really sounds like Jack's an admirable man."
Sebastian's face lit up with a mischievous grin as he recalled another part of the story. "Oh, and one more thing. When I told Jack about what happened with my firing, he sued the company…and won! I ended up getting a nice settlement from them."
Elsa laughed, wiping away the tears that had gathered from her amusement. "That sounds just like him," she said, shaking her head with a smile. It was exactly the kind of thing Jack would do, he always went above and beyond for the people he cared about. It was one of the many reasons she was falling for him.
"He's a nice boy," Sebastian said with a slight smile. "If you don't mind me asking, what's your situation with your family? I didn't intend to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help overhearing you both in the car."
Elsa waved her hands quickly, dismissing any guilt he might feel. "It's fine, I understand. Let's just say my family and I don't get along. That's pretty much it. And I don't have a single good memory of Iceland."
Sebastian's face softened with understanding. "I'm sorry, Elsa, and thank you for sharing that with me."
Her eyebrows furrowed slightly in curiosity. "You both seem rather close. I mean, he told you he loves me." She blushed at her own words and quickly looked away. "He didn't tell you about our situation?"
Sebastian fiddled with his wedding ring, his expression thoughtful. "Jackson only shares what concerns his life. But in all the years I've known him, he's never spoken about his family. He's never told me about your life either, and I respect that. All he said was that you're his wife and that he needed me to assist you both in Iceland. I'll admit, the sudden marriage announcement did surprise me. That's all, Elsa."
Elsa finished her glass of water, a flutter of excitement spreading in her chest. "Astrid was right," she murmured to herself. "He really is one of a kind."
Sebastian, who had no idea who Astrid was, simply nodded. "If you say so, it must be true."
Elsa chuckled. "You'll agree with anything I say, won't you?"
He gave a slight bow in jest. "I'm loyal to the Overlands, Your Majesty."
She immediately stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder, straightening him. "Please don't. Did Jack tell you to call me that?"
Sebastian hesitated before mumbling, "Yes."
"Sebastian, please don't call me that."
"As you wish," he replied, nodding.
Elsa walked upstairs to her room, calling out for Jack. "Jackson!" She yanked the blanket off him, catching him off guard.
On his phone, Jack was wide awake, his eyes flickering with a mix of surprise and amusement. "Oh, hi, Elsa."
"Did you tell Sebastian to call me Your Majesty?"
Betrayed, Jack gasped, quickly jumping out of bed. "That Loki! How dare he tell you!"
Elsa stopped him mid-stride, twisting his arm with a smirk. "Oh no, no, no, Jackson, you need to stop torturing that poor soul." A move she had bren forced to learn from Astrid.
Jack's voice pitched in mock outrage. "That poor soul? How dare you take his side over your handsome husband?" He was clearly teasing now.
Elsa moved closer, nose to nose with him, her eyes narrowing. "I will."
Jack instantly wilted, and sighed. "Elsa, I don't know what he told you, but I promise I've been nothing but nice to him."
The effort it took to suppress her laughter was nearly impossible. "Jack, I was joking."
Relief washed over him, and he slumped his shoulders. "Thank God, oh wait. Hold up." He began searching through his pants for something.
"What are you doing?" Elsa raised an eyebrow, curious.
He muttered as he typed on his phone. "Yes, I'm listening." It was a classic move, ignoring everything for the sake of his phone.
Elsa snatched the phone from his hand before he could finish. "Let me see." She darted around the room, trying to read what he'd written in his notes while Jack scrambled to catch up. "Our firsts? Jack, you literally typed down today's date, time, and the first time you got scared of me."
Jack pouted and crossed his arms, embarrassed. "So what?! Memories are precious to me. I write them down."
Elsa paused, her expression a mix of amusement and confusion. "I don't know whether I should be touched by this or beat you up for being stupid."
He grinned mischievously. "It's up to you. But if I were you, I'd be touched to have such a thoughtful husband." He fluttered his eyelashes dramatically.
Before Elsa could respond, she found herself unexpectedly pecking his cheek. "I am."
Flustered, Jack's face turned bright red. "Oh, what? You are what?"
"Touched. I'm touched, you dork."
Jack poked her cheek playfully. "Dork? I prefer the words handsome, remarkable, exquisite, pretty, or-"
Elsa raised both eyebrows, cutting him off. "Pretty?"
Jack stood up and pointed to himself with exaggerated flair. "Don't tell me you don't find this pretty!"
"Hmm." Elsa gave a mysterious smile.
Jack mimicked her tone. "Hmm." He rolled his eyes. "What do you mean, hmm? Answer me, Mr. Jack."
Elsa smirked and swiftly changed the subject. "Mr. Elsa, go take a shower. You stink."
Jack sniffed his shirt in mock offense. "Stink? I smell like flowers."
"Yes, the kind that were thrown in sewage," Elsa shot back, deadpan.
Jack inhaled dramatically, stumbling backward. "That makes no sense, Mr. Jack." He added with a teasing grin, "And might I say, I'm quite offended."
Not wanting to continue the ridiculous argument, Elsa gave him a gentle push toward the bathroom. "Go and take a shower, Jackson," she ordered, closing the door behind him.
"Yes, Your Majesty," he replied, clearly knowing when to stop talking when she used her full title. "Now that you've banished me to the bathroom, could you please bring me my clothes and underwear?"
Elsa glared at him through the closed door. "You don't have to be so…blunt!"
Jack ignored her and called out through the door, "I need the SpongeBob SquarePants underwear, please."
"Imbecile."
Elsa shook her head, her heart fluttering. Was she starting to like him?
Yes. Yes, maybe she was.