And it happened.
Elsa carefully handed Jack a pill and a glass of water, her face etched with concern. "I'm so sorry, Jack. I shouldn't have cooked. I feel awful."
Jack shook his head, trying to reassure her as he took the pill. "It's not your fault. The food was expired," he said, trying to mask the pain with a grin.
She gently interlaced her arms and brushed his hair back with her fingers, her voice soft. "Don't lie to me."
Grabbing her hand, Jack gave her a reassuring smile. "No, I'm serious. I asked Loki, and he said the groceries were months old."
Elsa's expression softened slightly, though she was still worried. "Well, that makes me feel better, but I'm still concerned about you," she admitted, pecking his forehead before lying down beside him on the bed.
With the little energy he had left, Jack pulled her close, his voice barely a whisper. "If this is what I get when I'm sick, I think I might just stay food-poisoned forever."
She swatted his chest, scolding him lightly. "Don't say that!" Her tone turned serious as she delivered him a well-meaning lecture. "Now you have to drink a lot of water, take the meds Sebastian got you, and you should be feeling better in about 12 hours."
"I'm just glad your family party isn't in a few days," Jack said softly, bringing her hand to his lips. "I'd hate for you to miss it because of me."
Elsa snuggled closer to him, her own words surprising her. "Your health comes first, Jack. I'd miss anything to stay by your side and take care of you. Please don't scare me like that." She hesitated for a moment, then added, "I still think you're lying to me, and that I gave you food poisoning."
Jack chuckled softly. "Elsa, I would never lie to you...well, only when I don't want to die." He paused, giving her a mischievous smile. "But seriously, it's Loki's fault."
Just then, they heard a voice from the doorway. Sebastian, having heard his name, stood there with an awkward look on his face. "Yes, how can I help you?" He glanced at the couple on the couch, clearly uncomfortable.
Elsa's eyes narrowed in frustration. Despite her usual calm demeanor, this was one of the few things that could make her angry. "Sebastian, you were supposed to replace the expired groceries with fresh ones. Look at what you've done. Jack got food poisoning!" She marched over to him, clearly upset.
Sebastian opened his mouth to explain, but quickly stopped when Jack raised a finger to his lips, signaling him to stay quiet. Jack's face was a mix of exhaustion and pleading, as he silently mouthed the words, "It's your fault."
Sebastian quickly corrected himself, realizing Jack wasn't going to back him up. "I deeply apologize. I should've known better. I'll replace everything right away."
Elsa softened slightly, though her worry was still evident. "Thank you, Sebastian," she said, before turning back to Jack's side, her heart still racing from the scare.
"Elsa, don't worry about me. I'm fine, really. Honestly, I'm feeling much better now. In fact, I think we should go ice skating. What do you think?" he suggested, though, to be fair, he hadn't skated in over a year.
Elsa hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the suggestion. "But…it's something so special between you and your mom. I don't want to…I mean, it feels too personal."
His heart warmed at the thought that she remembered, and how thoughtful she was to consider his feelings. "Elsa," he teased gently, "I went ice skating with my mom and sister. It's a family tradition, and last time I checked, you're part of my family too." He raised an eyebrow playfully. "Are you afraid of ice skating?"
"No, no," she stammered, laughing nervously. "I mean...Well…no. I love ice skating." Her smile was so wide, every tooth seemed to sparkle.
He saw right through the facade. "Yeah, sure! Alright, get dressed, but make sure it's something warm, it's freezing outside."
It took a little convincing to get Elsa on board. Even though Jack insisted he was fine now, he could tell she was still reluctant. She was stubborn, overprotective, and would have preferred to keep him in bed to rest. But after hours of gentle persuasion, she finally agreed.
Once they were in their room, Elsa took charge, insisting on picking out their outfits. It turned out that they both had an impressive number of hoodies, which they hadn't realized until now.
As they unpacked their luggage and organized the mess of clothes, makeup, and random items, Elsa finally settled on their outfits.
She chose a red hoodie for herself, paired with blue pants, a royal blue fluffy jacket, and gorgeous snow boots. Jack's outfit was a faint blue hoodie, shady chestnut pants, an oversized black coat, and sturdy snow boots.
As they both stood in front of the mirror, it became clear that Elsa had unintentionally matched them.
A bath was essential before they went out. Jack was currently soaking in the tub, while Elsa busied herself drying her damp hair, her thoughts lost in the rhythm of the moment.
"Jack, should I put on makeup or not?" Elsa asked, knocking lightly on the bathroom door while drying her wet hair, unsure of what to do next.
"It's up to you," Jack's voice came from behind the door. "I'm sure you'll look beautiful either way."
The door creaked open, and Jack stepped out, freshly bathed, with a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. His toned abs were on full display, leaving little to the imagination.
Elsa's eyes widened, and she froze. Her words escaped before she could stop them. "Wow, you're warm!" Warm? What?!
Jack flinched, momentarily caught off guard. His face turned slightly pink as he glanced down at his half-dressed state. "Oh…Well…Umm, no one's ever said that before. Thanks, I guess?" He scratched his head awkwardly, unsure how to respond. People had called him handsome, hot, but never 'warm'
Elsa immediately snapped out of her daze, her cheeks burning as she flailed her arms in embarrassment. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to say that! I mean, you are attractive, but I shouldn't have said it out loud, it makes no sense and now I'm just…I should stop talking."
Jack's laughter filled the room as he pulled her into an unexpected hug, catching her completely off guard. "Your Majesty, you're pretty cute when you get nervous," he teased, his voice lighthearted. "And hey, thanks for the compliment." He leaned in close to her ear, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Between us, you're warm, too."
Elsa's eyes widened, and she pulled back with a mock gasp. "Right, and you're lucky I haven't gotten dressed yet! I'm soaking wet now thanks to you!" She grabbed the towel she had just used and wrapped it around herself.
Jack released her, still chuckling. "Sorry, Your Majesty," he said with a grin, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles.
Was it romantic? Yes. Did Elsa blush? Absolutely.
After she dried off, Elsa tossed the towel into the laundry bin. "And by the way, could you please stop calling me 'Your Majesty'?"
Jack blinked, genuinely confused. "Why? It's a cute nickname, and it totally suits you. Do you want me to call you 'babe' instead?" He winked at her playfully.
At the sound of 'babe,' Elsa's face flushed bright red. "No! Stick with 'Your Majesty,' please. 'Babe' just feels…off."
"Alright then, Your Majesty," Jack teased, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But how about you call me 'babe' instead? What do you think?"
Elsa was caught completely off guard. She hadn't really thought of any nicknames for him. "Babe?"
Jack gasped dramatically and stumbled forward with exaggerated love-struck expression. "Say that again!"
"Babe," Elsa repeated, unsure of where this was going.
Jack grinned wide, his joy almost comical. "Yes! Perfect! You have to call me 'babe' forever now."
When Elsa didn't immediately respond, Jack pouted. "Pretty please?"
Despite her better judgment, Elsa couldn't help but smile at his antics. "Alright, alright, babe," she relented, still not quite used to the nickname but willing to indulge him.
Jack's grin stretched from ear to ear, clearly thrilled. "Thank you! I love you!"
Elsa didn't say it back, but she gave a small nod, her smile softening. "Anyways, look at the outfits I picked out. Are they okay?" She gestured toward the clothes she had laid out for them.
"Of course they'll be perfect; you picked them." Jack gestured toward her with a casual smile, not even glancing at the outfits.
Elsa rolled her eyes, unimpressed. She stepped forward and gently turned his face toward the bed. "Well, do you like them or not? I can pick something else, but I swear, you'll look extra handsome in these."
He raised an eyebrow at her words. "Oh, so I'm already handsome, huh?"
She shot him a playful look. "Of course, you are. Now, do you like the outfits or not?"
"They're perfect!" Jack grinned, brushing his black coat with a hand. "Also, I didn't even know I had this."
Elsa muttered under her breath, "Idiot," as she plopped down into the chair by the mirror. "Babe, tell me, do you think makeup will go well with these outfits?"
Jack suddenly shrieked, slapping his own face as though trying to process the shock. "You called me babe!" he said, his voice a mix of disbelief and excitement.
Elsa frowned at him, clearly unimpressed by his reaction. Realizing his mistake, Jack quickly regained his composure. "Right, sorry! Honestly, I'm not sure. But whatever you choose, you'll look pretty."
Elsa sighed, her patience wearing thin. "So, maybe I should wear makeup then?" Her voice wavered between statement and question.
Jack stepped forward, his hands gently cupping her cheeks. "Whatever you want," he said, smiling fondly.
She brushed his hand away, exasperated. "Put on your clothes, and give me an hour to get ready. I'll be doing my makeup, too."
Checking his phone, Jack saw it was only 7 PM. They still had plenty of time. "As you say, ma'am." With that, he quickly got dressed, his movements smooth and efficient. "Alright, I'll be downstairs, bothering Loki. See you in a bit." He gave her a quick kiss before heading out the door.
Elsa let out a deep breath as she looked at the outfits on the bed, still considering her next move.
Standing by the entrance, Sebastian spotted Jack descending the stairs. "Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Overland?"
Jack glanced up as he reached the bottom, pulling out his chequebook from a drawer. "Did you replace everything in the fridge and donate the old one?"
"Yes, I donated it to a nearby orphanage."
Jack blinked in approval. "Donate this to the orphanage, too, please," he said, handing him a check.
Sebastian's eyes widened as he read the check. "Jack, this is 23 million dollars. Are you sure?"
Jack nodded, his voice steady. "Yes, and please gather all the other orphanage locations near us. I want to donate there too."
Sebastian nodded, pocketing the check. He never questioned Jack's reasons for such generosity, knowing there was a deep personal connection to it.
"Also, could you arrange a cook and housekeeper for us?" Jack added politely.
Sebastian smiled. "Of course. They'll be here before you get back."
Jack grinned, grateful. "Thanks. I don't want Elsa to be bothered."
Suddenly, Jack's eyes lit up. "Oh, and did you get my Bugatti? Is it clean?"
Sebastian nodded. "Yes, it's outside the cottage." He gestured toward the entrance.
Jack sighed in relief, scratching the back of his neck. "Thanks, and thank you for taking the blame today. I didn't want Elsa to get hurt."
Sebastian chuckled knowingly. "It's understandable. I've been there myself." He clapped Jack on the back.
Jack smiled, grateful but still feeling guilty. "Thank god. I was really feeling bad about it."
"It's fine," Sebastian reassured him.
Jack hesitated, his kind nature evident. "I'm not putting too much on you, am I?"
Sebastian waved off his concern. "You treat me like royalty compared to what I've been through. Don't worry. And if I'm ever overburdened, I'll let you know."
Jack smiled. "Please do. Thanks again."
He grabbed the car keys from the table. "Let's check the car while Elsa gets ready."
Sebastian nodded. "As you say."
Jack's excitement was palpable as he reached the driveway. "My sweet Bugatti La Voiture Noire! Oh, how I've missed you." He turned to Sebastian. "How did you get it here from Norway so fast?"
Sebastian shrugged casually. "I have my secrets."
Jack laughed, thrilled. "You're the best, Loki! Elsa's going to love it."
Sebastian smiled, but then his tone turned serious. "No problem. If you allow me, I'd like to go search for a cook and housekeeper. I'll need to do a thorough background check to ensure they're trustworthy."
Jack was so absorbed in admiring the car that he simply murmured, "Hmm, yeah, sure, go ahead."
Sebastian took a few steps back and then turned toward the Black Rolls Royce. As he drove off to begin his tasks, Jack was already lost in thoughts of the special moment he'd soon share with Elsa in his dream car.
Jack tucked the car keys into his coat pocket and headed back inside the cottage, smiling to himself. He knew Elsa should be done by now, but he was more than happy to wait. He'd learned that patience was key when it came to women and getting ready.
Then he saw her. Elsa descended the stairs with a radiant smile that stole his breath away. How was it possible for someone to look so perfect? Even in a simple outfit, she looked like royalty, glowing with elegance and love. Her wedding ring sparkled, her delicate necklace and earrings catching the light. Was she even real?
Jack struggled to find words, mesmerized by her beauty. She looked like a princess, but to him, she was simply magnificent.
Catching his wide-eyed stare, Elsa gently touched his cheek. "You look very handsome, Jack, or should I say pretty?" she teased, recalling the words he'd once jokingly said to her.
His heart skipped. "I can't even find the words to describe how breathtaking you are right now," he said softly, squeezing her hand.
"Aww, that's the sweetest compliment I've ever heard. Thank you." Elsa smiled, genuinely touched.
Jack grinned. "Come on, let's go ice skating. I can't wait to show you off to the world."
Elsa stiffened, memories of being bullied flashing in her mind. "I know you think I'm beautiful, but what if someone makes fun of me?"
He gently pulled her closer, holding her hand tightly. "I'm with you, Elsa. No one will say anything. You've got this, but if you need me, I'm right here."
Elsa smiled, reassured by his words. "Thanks."
Jack's excitement returned in full force. "Okay, now, I'm dying to show you our car. It's my absolute favorite!"
She laughed at his impatience, but the word 'our' made her blush. "Let's go then. Slow down, babe."
"Ta-da! Here it is!" Jack grinned, his voice full of pride. "It wasn't easy to get, but I did! You're the first person to sit in it, well, other than the driver." he groaned at the thought but opened the door for her.
Elsa shook her head, amused. "What a gentleman you are, babe." She was getting used to calling him that, and the word felt nice.
Jack, who was new to blushing, felt his cheeks heat up. "What do you think?" he asked, hoping she'd like it.
"It's a beauty. The seats are so comfortable." Elsa touched the interior, mesmerized.
Jack's eyes lit up. "Oh, you've seen nothing yet. It's a convertible, the most expensive car ever made."
She raised an eyebrow. "I thought they only made one, and a football player bought it."
He smiled, proud of himself. "Well, after some persuasion, I got them to make another one just for me."
Elsa's jaw dropped. "You really are rich, huh? How did you pull that off?"
Jack shrugged casually. "I paid millions over asking and told them the owner of The Frost Company wanted it. That's all it took."
Elsa blinked, processing the information. "Wait, the Frost Company? As in, you're Jackson Frost Overland, the owner?"
Jack chuckled. "No one knows except for you, Hiccup, and my mom. I sent a guy to do the dirty work. No one else has a clue."
Elsa was stunned. "You trusted Hiccup with this?"
Jack smiled. "He's my best bud. And I trust you with everything, Elsa."
She kissed him lightly on the cheek. "I trust you too."
Jack turned to the passenger seat, grinning. "Now, are you done interrogating me? Shall we go ice skating?"
Elsa nodded. "Yes, let's go. But please, no roof. I'll get a migraine."
"I'll drive carefully, don't worry," Jack assured her as he started the engine.
Elsa smiled at him, feeling completely at ease. "I'm not worried."
Messages
5 pm
Elsa - Jack got food poisoning. The groceries were expired so not my fault.
Astrid - I think it's you.
Elsa - Shut up! Anyways we're going ice skating.
Astrid - Ooh tell me how it goes.
Elsa - I will. Love you and bye!
Astrid - Love you too and enjoy!
Messages
4:43 pm
Jack - Dude Elsa gave me food poisoning. Don't tell Astrid. I just told Your Majesty the food was expired she'll have me beheaded otherwise.
Hiccup - Not surprised at least you're alive! Yeah I won't. I think she would anyways you're fucking annoying.
Jack - Asshole! Bye.
Hiccup - Idiot.