As the first light of day streamed through the window, it bathed the room in soft warmth, gently coaxing Jack and Elsa from their slumber with groans of annoyance.
Jack, still half-asleep, mumbled, "This is Loki's fault, you know. He should've closed the damn curtains." Blaming Sebastian had become a routine by now.
Elsa, still groggy, felt something shift in her mind as she tried to make sense of the situation. "Why am I…wait, Jack? Why are you on top of me?" Her thoughts tangled with confusion.
"Huh…what?" Jack's eyes snapped open, and he suddenly became aware of their entangled position, his arms tightly wrapped around her waist. His eyes widened in realization, and in his haste to move, he jerked up, losing his balance and slipping on the covers, crashing awkwardly onto his hip.
Elsa couldn't contain herself. The scene was too much, and despite her best efforts, she burst into laughter. "I'm really sorry, but this is so funny, babe."
Jack, ever the drama king, slowly turned to face her, deadpan as ever. "I could've broken my hip bone, you know? And this is funny to you?"
Elsa, cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling with amusement, clasped a hand over her mouth, still giggling. "I'm really sorry, but it is funny," she admitted, unable to keep a straight face.
With a mock sigh, Jack rolled his eyes but softened his expression, the smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Alright, alright. Let's get ready. We have to leave for the family gathering." His eyes locked with hers, and the warmth in his smile made her heart skip a beat before he headed off to the washroom.
Elsa, still lying there, groaned and buried her face in the pillow. "Can we just not go?"
Jack, having already unlocked the door to the washroom, poked his head out, only in his boxers. "Come on, Snowflake, don't say that. That's why we came here, remember?"
"I just don't want to live through the same horror again," Elsa muttered, her voice muffled by the pillow.
He grinned, his voice softening as he spoke from the doorway. "I'm with you. Now, don't worry. Just get ready. I'll be out soon."
Elsa let out a soft chuckle as she slipped on her slippers, stretching her arms before getting up. "We only have one bathroom, Jack," she said, knocking on the washroom door with a playful frown. "Let me brush my teeth and wash my face first. While you're in there, I'll pick out our outfits, and maybe even our accessories."
Jack's muffled voice from inside the washroom made her smile. "I'm trusting you to make us look good, Snowflake."
She chuckled, rolling her eyes, but her heart swelled with a familiar sense of warmth as she got ready for the day ahead.
The door made a satisfying click as it unlocked, and Elsa froze when she found Jack standing there in nothing but his boxers. "Do you like what you see?" he teased, raising an eyebrow with a smirk.
"Jackson!" Her cheeks instantly turned bright red, and she instinctively shielded her eyes with her hands, looking everywhere but at him.
Laughing at her reaction, he hurriedly put on his pants and twirled her around with a playful grin. "There you go." He handed her the green toothbrush. "Yours."
Still shirtless, he made it impossible for Elsa to regain her composure. What was this man doing to her?
With foam spilling from her mouth, Elsa tried to speak, though her words were muffled. "So, are we going alone, or is Sebastian driving us?"
Jack gargled his mouth with water, wiping his face with his hands. "What do you want?" he asked through the foam.
She could already feel the pressure of their family's judgmental gazes. "I want us to go with Sebastian."
As Jack scrubbed his face, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Then we'll go with him."
Elsa stood in front of the mirror, gently patting her face dry with a soft towel. She turned to Jack and, trying to focus on something other than his shirtless state, said, "You go ahead and take your shower first. I could use the extra time to pick out our outfits."
Jack grinned, clearly amused. "Take your time, Snowflake. I'll be quick," he replied.
Suddenly, Jack pulled Elsa into a tight embrace, his strong arms wrapping around her and pressing her against his exposed chest. He leaned in close, a sly smile curling on his lips. "We could always take a shower together if you'd like," he teased.
Elsa's face flushed crimson, and her voice shot up an octave as she gasped, "No!"
She quickly turned around, but her ears caught the sound of Jack's gentle laughter, making her heart race even more. "Okay, Snowflake," he said, his tone soft but amused.
As the door clicked shut behind her, Elsa slid down the door, sitting with her back pressed against it, feeling her embarrassment surge. "Oh my goodness, this man is just...unbelievable."
Fifteen minutes later, Jack emerged from the bathroom, his skin glistening with droplets of water. Elsa, still too mortified to face him, kept her gaze on the floor, not daring to make eye contact.
Jack, however, took a moment to admire the outfits she'd picked for him, along with the matching watch. Everything was perfectly chosen, just like her. He smiled to himself, realizing how much he had grown accustomed to her thoughtful gestures. There was no doubt in his mind: He didn't want to imagine life without her. In just a few days, she had become his entire world.
What was this woman just doing to him?
As Elsa stepped out of the washroom, Jack's world seemed to stop. Everything around him faded, and all that existed was her. His eyes widened, and he couldn't help but blurt out, "Wow. You are absolutely stunning."
Elsa glanced down at herself, wearing casual clothes and her damp hair, her voice uncertain. "Thanks," she said, but it came out more like a question.
Jack threw his hands up dramatically, as though struck by the sheer perfection of her. "I know you're gorgeous, but now you're just, wow. I can't even. You're…you're breathtaking, Elsa. What's your secret? How do you keep getting more beautiful every time I see you?"
"I just showered, Jack," she said, still looking slightly embarrassed by the attention.
"I know, but it's like you're radiating beauty from the inside out. Seriously, I don't have the words." He paused for a second before turning into a full-blown drama queen. "This is too much, I can't...how do I even breathe in your presence right now?"
Elsa stifled a laugh. "Flirt."
Jack dramatically clutched his chest as though he had been wounded. "You wound me, Elsa. Wound me," he said with an exaggerated gasp, bowing from the other side of the room. "I'll get the breakfast ready, Your Majesty."
After a few more minutes of putting himself back together, Jack finally made his way downstairs, still wearing his dramatic flair.
When Elsa appeared again, now fully dressed and looking stunning, Jack almost couldn't contain himself. "How do you manage to look even more gorgeous? Are you just trying to make me weak in the knees?"
Elsa rolled her eyes but smiled. "Once again, thanks. Jack, you look a bit handsome too."
"A bit?!" He gasped in mock horror, clutching his chest again. "A bit! You're killing me here!"
Elsa, amused by his antics, finally relented. "Okay, okay, you look more than a bit handsome. Happy now?"
Jack placed a hand over his heart like a wounded soldier, dramatically sighing. "I'll take that bit," he said with a satisfied grin. "I suppose that will have to do."
In just a few days, everything between Elsa and Jack felt effortless, as if they'd been together for years. It was almost mythical how quickly they'd settled into their relationship.
After breakfast, they drove toward Arendelle's house, Elsa's anxiety bubbling up. But with Jack beside her, holding her hand, her worries seemed to melt away.
"Relax, Snowflake," he murmured, sensing her unease, and gently slid his fingers into her clenched fist.
She nodded, intertwining her fingers with his. "Just stay with me, and I will."
"How could I ever have such a beauty as my lady?" Jack whispered, leaning his head on her shoulder.
Elsa snorted at his dramatic act, flicking his nose. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Lovin' my Snowflake," he said, scooting closer and wrapping an arm around her.
The weight of her fears crept back, and she shuddered. "What if this snowflake falls apart?"
Jack's response was calm and confident. "This one won't."
She looked at him, intrigued. "How can you be sure? Snowflakes are delicate. One touch, and they disappear."
He smiled, gently turning her face toward him by her chin. "Do you know how strong a snowflake is? It falls from the sky, battles the wind, yet keeps its shape. No, they're not delicate."
Elsa blinked, speechless at his unexpected answer. "That's…a different way to put it."
"What can I say? You married a poet who knows how to cherish you." His sly grin made her smile, and her heart lifted.
"You always know how to lift my mood," she said softly. "I feel better now."
Jack kissed her exposed collarbone, careful not to ruin her makeup. "I'm glad."
The kiss left her shivering, her body aching for more, but she whispered, "Please stay with me."
Jack kissed a strand of her hair, inhaling its sweet scent. "Always. I'll be with you tonight."
"I meant forever."
His heart raced, and a blush spread across his face. "Elsa Overland, you belong with me…forever. It's more than that. I'll never let go."
Elsa's heart swelled, and she blushed in return. "Jack, you belong with me, too. These past few days have changed everything. I thought I was meant to be alone, but now…I. But I have fears too…What if you leave me? What if I fall apart?"
Jack gently cupped her hand, caressing his cheek. "Trust me, I'll never leave. Every day, I'll love you more, and you'll trust me more. Don't think like that, Your Majesty."
Elsa smiled, her eyes filled with affection. "I'll try. Stay with me."
"Forever."
Their car pulled up to Arendelle's house, and Sebastian cheerfully announced, "Kids, we're here."
The married couple jumped apart, an awkward arm's stretch between them. "Oh, you're here."
"No, Mr. Overland, a ghost was driving your car. Of course, I'm here." Sebastian's deadpan response made the tension even more uncomfortable.
Jack ran a hand down his red face. "A ghost would've been better."
"Oh yes, it would've. It's even more embarrassing for me. I'm happy for you both, but honestly, it's painful because I miss my wife," Sebastian sighed dramatically.
Elsa muttered under her breath, "Gosh, this is embarrassing."
They both realized then, Sebastian had heard and seen everything. The couple wished they could teleport away from the situation. And then it hit them...they were here. At the Arendelle house. They were finally here.
Noticing Elsa's distress, Jack gently clutched her hand and placed it on his heart. "I'm with you. You can do this, Elsa."
Those words gave her strength, but the anxiety still lingered. "I…Jack…Stay with-"
"You don't have to ask."
Sebastian coughed, clearly amused. "If you want, I can stay with you too, Elsa."
"Woah, woah, woah! When did you get to first-name basis?" Jack immediately turned to Sebastian, eyes wide.
The mood lightened as Jack's playful nature took over. "I am jealous."
Sebastian tried to keep it professional but couldn't resist. "Well, Elsa and I talked, and she told me to call her Elsa."
The gasps could've shattered glass. Jack, his face flushed with mock outrage, admitted, "Call her Mrs. Overland."
Elsa couldn't help but laugh as she slapped Jack's hard chest. "Jack, be nice." Then, addressing poor Sebastian, she said, "And you can leave now. We'll call you once we're done here."
"Of course, Mrs. Overland." Sebastian returned to the formal title with a smirk, knowing Jack would be sending him metaphorical daggers from the backseat.
Realizing what had just happened, Elsa once again smacked Jack's chest. "You're such a baby."
Jack yanked her closer, and she fell onto his broad chest. "You're mine. Only mine," he murmured, his hot breath sending a shiver down her spine.
Before Elsa could reply, Sebastian cleared his throat loudly, standing just a few feet away, holding the door open. "I highly suggest you keep this to your bedroom."
Sebastian was enjoying himself, he'd dealt with his own kids' embarrassing moments. He had experience.
Jack got out of the car on the other side and ran around excitedly. "Your Majesty," he said, extending his hand dramatically.
Elsa beamed, stepping out gracefully. "I do feel like a queen."
"Because you are one." He placed a chaste kiss on her soft hand.
Elsa pecked his cheek. "Because you treat me like one."
Sebastian, visibly suffering, sighed heavily. "Once again, to your bedroom, kids." He handed Jack a handkerchief. "Please wipe the lipstick off, Mr. Overland."
The couple didn't react as they turned as white as snow, dying of embarrassment. "Ah." They both said it at the same time.
"Never mind, I'll do it." The poor, pitiful third-wheeler rubbed the red lipstick off Jack's face with his handkerchief.
Jack turned away, trying to hide his blush. "You may leave now." He shut his eyes tight, practically pleading, "Please do!"
Sebastian, having done his duty, walked away. As he got into the car to drive off, he muttered to himself, "I miss you, Allie."
In the end, third-wheeling the couple had made Sebastian miss his wife.