As the music swelled, Elsa's heart stilled, held captive by the collective breath of the room. The church doors creaked open, and there, in the doorway, stood Anna, a radiant vision in ivory lace. The gown clung to her like a delicate whisper, the train trailing behind in an elegant arc, like soft clouds. A veil fluttered slightly in the gentle breeze, framing Anna's face in a halo of warm light. Her smile, wide and unwavering, shone with blinding happiness, carrying the weight of years of love, glowing from within. The brightness in her eyes was something Elsa could never feel.

It was the kind of uncomplicated love Elsa never had, something, perhaps, that would always feel just out of reach.

Maybe in another life, she could have been the one walking beside Anna today, standing as her Maid of Honour. But she knew better. The idea lingered, before Elsa pushed it firmly aside. Such fantasies had no place in her heart anymore. She knew her place; always on the periphery.

Kristoff stood at the altar, his eyes fixed on Anna with such intensity that it pulled at something deep inside Elsa. There was pride in the gaze, but also an undeniable ache, an unspoken yearning for a kind of love Elsa had long admired but never felt she could have.

She once had it.

She once had Jack.

Fear had since pushed it away.

Agnarr walked Anna down the aisle with a gentleness Elsa had never known. Every movement, every brush of affection between them, spoke of something Elsa longed for, yet felt distanced from. She had learned, long ago, to live without their love...but still, it stung like a wound that never fully healed. The warmth and tenderness Anna received felt like a sharp contrast to the coldness Elsa had always known. The weight of it squeezed her chest, but she pressed her lips together, determined to bury it deep where it could remain unnoticed by others.

A momentary glance from Anna snapped Elsa from her thoughts. Their eyes met, just for a second, but the connection felt heavy, burdened with so many unspoken things. Anna's smile faltered for just a moment, and Elsa felt it, a subtle shift, as if she were standing in the shadow of Anna's joy.

She turned her attention back to Anna and Kristoff, trying to focus on the vows, but every word seemed to pile on the quiet ache in her chest. Her hands tensed by her sides, nails biting into soft skin. A wave of panic pressed against her chest, each breath feeling heavier than the last. She squeezed her eyes shut, her body rigid, fighting against the urge to cry.

"Did you ever want this?" Jack's voice pierced the silence, low and laced with more than simple curiosity.

Elsa snapped her gaze toward him, startled. He didn't meet her eyes directly but instead focused on the altar. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible amid the surroundings.

He let the words trickle out, slow and deliberate, as if testing each one. "This. A real wedding. A proposal. A kiss at the altar. A celebration with loved ones." His voice cracked faintly at the end.

The question settled deep within Elsa, pressing against her ribs. Did she want something like that with him? Could she?

Her answer came softly but with difficulty. "When I was younger, I dreamed of my marriage. A knight to sweep me away from my broken family." Her words, heavy with unprocessed regret, trailed off, leaving the space between them thicker. "Perhaps, I once did."

Jack's eyes found hers then, the weight of his stare practically tangible, full of silent longing. "Do you want me, Elsa? All of this?" he asked, his voice tinged with desperate hope. "I can give it all to you. Just say the word. Take me back." The intensity of it brought an almost unbearable tightness to her chest.

"I can't watch you die again, Jack." The words left her, quieter than she intended, yet full of undeniable truth. "I want you to live."

His body tensed, frustration written in the furrow of his brow. "So the answer is still the same?" he asked, his voice soft with pain.

Before Elsa could respond, the room filled with applause. Anna and Kristoff sealed their vows with a kiss, and the celebratory cheer that followed echoed around the room. Elsa's hands joined the clapping out of reflex, too distant, too numb to really feel part of it. Her movements felt mechanical, a stranger within her own skin.

As Anna passed her, Elsa felt the pull of her sister's radiant gaze. That smile, filled with pure joy, reminded her of everything she had longed for but couldn't allow herself to believe in.

Jack's arm slid around Elsa's waist, his touch solid and unshakable. She stiffened for a moment but didn't pull away. Her stance softened as she leaned just slightly into his familiar presence. No words passed between them, but the small act of closeness spoke volumes.

"You're trembling," Jack murmured, his voice laced with quiet concern.

Elsa only muttered, "I'm fine," though the words felt foreign and hollow. She wasn't fine, but she had learned long ago not to expect anything more from herself, or her family. Still, the ache remained, persistent and unrelenting.

He didn't remove his arm. Instead, his hand stayed light on her back, a steady presence that calmed her in ways words never could. When his fingers brushed across hers, the contact sent a jolt through her. She pulled back quickly, reacting as the touch was too intimate when she was leaving him.

Around them, the sounds of music and laughter blended with the soft hum of conversation. The noise felt like a wall, too loud to ease the emptiness pressing against her. The sight of Anna and Agnarr dancing caught Elsa's attention again, the two of them moving in such harmony, their love a perfect symphony. Their shared connection seemed worlds away from Elsa's experience. The song Never Grow Up filled the air, Anna and Agnarr wrapped in each other's embrace, their unity a reflection of the life Elsa had never known with him.

For a moment, she wished for what they had, what she could never claim for herself.

The ache settled into her chest again, a heavy burden that wouldn't release its grip. Watching them, Elsa felt as though she were fading into the background, a mere shadow in their world. The memories crept in, sharp and unwelcome. That dance, full of warmth, reminded her of everything she had never been able to claim with their father. Holding her glass tight in her hand, she focused on the cool surface of it, hoping for some distraction, something to release the pressure tightening her chest.

By her side, Jack remained observant but silent, his gaze fixed on her posture. He didn't press for answers; his quiet presence, like a still point amid her storm, offered comfort she couldn't find anywhere else.

When Anna and Agnarr's dance ended, a wave of applause erupted, almost too loud for Elsa to bear. She joined in mechanically, clapping with the motion, but never truly part of the joy that swelled around her.

Elsa's thoughts rushed like a fast-moving current. She could feel Jack's gaze on her, so determined, quiet and full of understanding. It made her feel seen, and yet that too left her exposed, and vulnerable in ways she wasn't ready for.

Then, his voice reached through her haze. "If you want to leave, Elsa…if this is too much…I'll let you go." His words were softer now, gentle with finality. "But know this, I'll love you forever. No matter what. You can walk away, but I'll always love you."

The softness in his tone stung, yet it loosened the tight grip on her emotions. Words evaded her, and in that space, there was no need for them.

He made the choice for her, and she didn't need to resist.

Elsa lifted her hand and placed it gently over his chest, grounding herself in the simplicity of the touch. His heartbeat beneath her palm was a steady reminder of the connection between them. Their lips met briefly, tenderly, full of quiet yearning. The kiss held a weight of unspoken emotions, soft yet powerful, a fleeting moment that seemed to stand still.

When they broke apart, the space between them felt charged. Faces lingering close, the unspoken divide still too real to cross. Jack's fingers traced her wrist gently, grounding her amid the storm within. The feel of his touch was steady, a silent support anchoring her in the chaos of her heart.

Anna and Kristoff's first dance unfolded nearby, but Elsa couldn't fully embrace the joy. It was distant, a world she could observe but never truly enter. Jack remained at her side, his presence a soft but unyielding support. His hand rested at her back, a small, reassuring pressure as he quietly offered comfort.

She wasn't ready to face what came next, but for now, standing there with him, feeling the warmth of his touch and breathing in the steady rhythm of his presence, was all she needed.


The next part of the evening began.

Agnarr stood first, cleared his throat, and raised his glass high. "To my beloved Anna," Agnarr's deep voice filled the room. "From the moment I held you, I knew my world would be brighter because of you. Seeing the woman you've become is one of the greatest joys of my life. And Kristoff," he turned toward the man at Anna's side, "thank you for loving my daughter, for making her happy. You belong here with us, without question." His words were filled with love and pride. "May your years ahead be filled with love, joy, and fulfillment. To Anna and Kristoff."

The room erupted in cheers as glasses clinked. Elsa lifted hers, but it barely brushed her lips. It wasn't anger or jealousy. More like a quiet ache, an old feeling, familiar and constant. Something that had long been part of her. Wishing for something she had never been meant to have felt out of reach.

Beside her, Jack's eyes softened as he watched the subtle tremor in Elsa's hand. A light touch landed on her back, fingers gently tracing the curve of her spine. "You're not alone in this, Elsa," he whispered, his voice both warm and steady. "You are loved, by so many...by me."

Her gaze met his, but words caught in her throat. He didn't ask for them. Just the reassurance that he was there was all she needed.

Iduna rose next, radiating grace. Her voice was soothing, full of familiar warmth. "My dear Anna," Iduna said, her voice reflecting the deep affection she held for her daughter. "I'm so proud of the woman you've become. Your heart is a gift to everyone who knows you." Turning to Kristoff, she continued, "Thank you for loving Anna so fully. I see the joy you bring her."

Elsa smiled faintly, yet felt an ache settle deeper. She couldn't quite grasp the certainty in her mother's love for Anna that had always seemed beyond her reach. The old wound throbbed faintly, but the bitterness had long ago been replaced with silent understanding.

Jack, feeling the discomfort that stirred in Elsa, shifted closer. His hand slipped to hers, fingers curling gently around hers. A collected weight of affection settled on her, his warmth suffusing through her. "You've always had everything they've said and more, Elsa," he murmured into her ear. "They don't need to say it, for you to know."

Elsa held his touch close, a quiet reminder of what she had. What she could still carry with her.

Iduna raised her glass, a smile soft on her lips. "To Anna and Kristoff. May your love always glow as brightly as it does now."

Elsa's hand moved to lift her glass, but she let it tremble gently beneath the weight of the silence that had filled the space. Her gaze flickered to Jack. His quiet words hadn't eased the distance she felt, but his presence grounded her. With each comforting touch, a strange peace washed over her, even if just for the moment.

Nona Ella stood next. Her words were full of pride. "To my precious granddaughter, Anna," Nona spoke, voice rich and warm, "you have grown into a woman whose heart is pure. Kristoff, I know you will cherish that heart."

Jack, his hand warm against her back, brushed a tender touch just beneath her shoulder blade. "I know how hard it is," he whispered, his words soft, but laden with understanding. "You are the strongest person."

Elsa didn't answer, but the pressure of his fingers against her back, the steadiness in his grip, let her feel heard without a single word spoken.

Jacob Arandelle followed, voice kind as he spoke. "Anna, you've brought so much pride to this family. And Kristoff," he added with a broad grin, "we welcome you into the fold."

"You are so brave," Jack whispered, leaning close. His hand gently rubbed her thigh, an intimate warmth that offered no further questions, just comfort.

The next to speak were Mark, Carmen, Noah, and Poppy, whose laughter and lighthearted words offered a sweet reprieve from the more profound tones.

Jack's hand found hers once again, his fingers intertwining with hers and holding firm. "You will get through this," his voice was soft, a steady whisper amidst the cheer, his concern reaching through the depths of their shared space.

But then, the room seemed to hush, and Elsa's breath caught in her chest.

Nana Sofia stood, looking directly at Elsa, her eyes filled with something that resonated deeply within her. Nana Sofia was the one who always saw her, the one who always understood the parts of her that remained hidden even to herself.

Nana Sofia's voice was low but filled with a tenderness only a grandmother could give. "Anna," she began, looking at the younger girl with clear adoration, "you have grown into an incredible woman, and the love between you and Kristoff is truly special." Then, her gaze softened, settling on Elsa. "And Elsa…You have always been enough for me. Always."

A breath caught in Elsa's chest, and for a moment, she could feel the weight of all her guarded emotions softening. But even as Nana Sofia spoke, Elsa's gaze flickered to Jack. His eyes were gentle, his lips set in a soft line of understanding.

Jack's fingers brushed against her back lightly as he leaned in closer, his whisper a subtle balm. "She's right, Elsa. You've always been enough."

Elsa felt a quiet wave of peace wash over her. It wasn't the kind of overwhelming joy the others had shared. But in that moment, with Jack's constant, unbroken love supporting her, Elsa allowed herself to simply be.

Nana Sofia raised her glass, her voice rich and resonant. "To Anna and Kristoff, may your love grow brighter still, and to Elsa, who will forever have my heart."

Elsa raised her glass with the others, her chest tight, but no longer in pain. She didn't speak, but the comfort of Jack's touch reminded her that even in moments like these, she wasn't truly alone.

As the room erupted in cheers, the warmth of the celebration surrounded Elsa, but Jack's unwavering presence beside her, his hand still gently cradling hers, was the only thing that anchored her in the world.