Mr. and Mrs. Frost [completed]

XXII: Confession

Jack's eyes flicked briefly to the bench where Elsa sat. She was deep in conversation with Ombric, their breaths mingling like white mist in the cold air as they spoke. He watched as Ombric handed her a steaming mug of tea, his gestures warm and fatherly. The sight filled Jack's heart with a warmth that almost rivaled the icy bite of winter. There was something profoundly reassuring about seeing them together, seated side by side as if they'd known each other for a lifetime.

Ombric's posture was relaxed, his expression open and animated as he spoke to Elsa. She listened intently, nodding occasionally, her fingers curled around the mug for warmth. Their connection reminded Jack of the countless moments when Ombric had been there for him and Emma—steady, strong, a guiding presence that filled the void left by their parents' sudden passing. Ombric was more than a guardian; he was a pillar of strength and, in every way that mattered, a father.

Now, watching him interact with Elsa, Jack felt an unexpected surge of emotion. He caught glimpses of genuine acceptance in Ombric's demeanor—the way his eyes softened when Elsa spoke, the gentle nods, and the laughter that lit up his face. There was no hesitation or guardedness. It was as if Ombric had already decided to embrace Elsa as one of his own, folding her seamlessly into the fabric of their unconventional family.

Jack's lips curled into a small smile as he turned his attention back to the game, scooping up a handful of snow and throwing it playfully at Emma, Kailash, and Katherine. But a deep sense of peace settled in his chest, knowing that Elsa, too, was being welcomed into the warmth and safety of a bond forged not by blood, but by loyalty, trust, and love.

❆❆❆❆❆

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of amber and deep indigo, Mr. Qwerty's call for dinner echoed through the crisp winter air. The warmth of the evening swelled as everyone gathered around, sharing laughter and stories. Christmas day was a celebration not only of tradition but of connection—a moment to seal the bonds they had begun to weave.

Jack felt a quiet sense of fulfillment. Seeing Elsa with his family, her presence welcomed with genuine warmth, mirrored how she had introduced him to her father. There was something uniquely profound about having these two parts of his life converge, and the peace it brought him was immeasurable.

After the meal, Emma's eyes sparkled with excitement as she proclaimed, "Let's open presents!" She hurried over with a gift clutched tightly in her hands. "This is for both of you," she announced, her voice bright with anticipation. "Consider it my wedding and Christmas gift."

Jack carefully unwrapped the present, revealing a rectangular box tied with a delicate ribbon. He lifted the lid to reveal two necklaces, each adorned with a matching snowflake pendant crafted from dazzling diamonds that caught and refracted the light. The intricate design shimmered brilliantly, a testament to both elegance and care. A flicker of surprise crossed his face—he knew this gift had to be expensive. He glanced at his sister, a question in his eyes. Since when could she afford something so exquisite?

"What are you waiting for, Jack?" Emma teased, leaning in conspiratorially. "Put the necklace on Elsa." She elbowed him playfully, her excitement contagious.

"Alright, alright," Jack replied, chuckling as he reached for the pendant. "No need to get rough."

He placed the delicate chain around Elsa's neck, feeling the coolness of the metal against his fingertips as it settled against her skin. Elsa mirrored his action, fastening his necklace with a touch that lingered, sealing their connection with matching symbols of ice and light.