Oh my gosh guys, this is it. Seriously, I cannot thank you all enough for your constant support and praise. I love each and every one of you, even those who have been silently reading this, and appreciate you all. Even though this fic is done, I hope to stay in contact with you! Thank you thank you thank you for everything. Please feel free to PM me at any point.
Since there will be no AN at the bottom, the song is "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran. And guys, before you even start reading the dance portion, please go watch the music video for this. It is literally the most beautiful thing that I've ever seen, and is the dance they do at the end of the chapter. I personally believe this is how every music video should be.
I love you all! Thank you again!
xoxoxoxo
Siren
"You ready?"
Elsa grinned up at Jack, squeezing his hand and laying her head on his shoulder. "I so am!"
They shared a smile and then turned back to watch the current dance from the wings.
So much had happened in the past two years.
Elsa smiled to herself as she recalled the amazing time that had flown by. It was hard to believe she was a Senior in college, and graduating in the spring!
She let her mind float back to her Sophomore year where it had all started . . . Meeting and falling in love with Jack had started a whirlwind of important events. Thanks to him, she had learned so much about herself and dance. Elsa was now unafraid to allow her feelings to show, both when she performed and to those dear to her. She didn't shut anyone out, but rather, welcomed them in with open arms.
They had gone to the World Competition that year, and she had spent New Year's with Jack watching fireworks over the Coliseum in Rome. Granted, they didn't make it very far in the World Competition, but they had made it.
When they returned, Elsa was thrilled to find out that Kristoff and Anna were FINALLY dating. He had asked to kiss her at the turn of the New Year, and Anna was more than enthused that he was finally making a move. They were officially a couple the day after, and still going strong. Elsa had actually just gone ring shopping with Kristoff, helping him pick out the perfect ring to propose to Anna during Spring Break when they went to Disney World. Of course, Anna has no idea.
Merida had gone to Scotland with Hiccup over Christmas break, and stood up to her mom, choosing to stay at DDW to finish school. Things had been rocky for the first few weeks after she left, but they had both come around eventually and are still super close. Hiccup still worshiped the ground she walked on, but had grown a sassy bone over the past two years of dating her. Elsa thought it was adorable to watch them sass each other (their form of flirting). Hiccup had found that he had an uncanny ability to construct instruments, and was working on kicking off a line of snare drums with a music company this next semester, where Merida was loving performing all over town. Elsa loved watching how both their careers were beginning, even though they were still in school.
Rapunzel was still up to her match-making games, and had a sketch book full of wedding dress designs for each of her friends. Elsa knew that she probably had the rest of their weddings planned as well, but was containing that until they were actually engaged. Though she was still a theater major, Punzie was working as an intern with one of the top clothing designers. Elsa had a sneaking suspicion that she would continue with that, just by watching her eye light up as she talked about the things she saw and clothes she has designed. She also had a suspicion that Flynn, now a renowned actor on Broadway, would propose soon. Elsa had heard rumors of many, many lanterns being purchased.
As for the dance crew, they were still all close. Simba had dropped out of the crew after getting a part in a major Broadway production. He still attended their school, but was performing in shows and choreographing all across the state. Hercules, after quitting the Demigods and dropping out of school, came to DDW the spring semester, and was on the crew the next year. He had grown so much in the past few years, both as a dancer and a person. Elsa wasn't surprised to find that Hercules and Meg were dating by the end of spring semester. After all, the rumor was that he had given up his life as a 'Demigod' for her.
The rest of the crew was doing well. Timon and Marty had graduated last year, and had immediately gone on to different dance professions. Vanessa had graduated as well and was swooped up to teach hip-hop at a studio in LA and was currently choreographing for a celebrity's tour. Giselle and Ariel were excited (and so ready) to be the leaders of next year's crew, and had already been recruiting and working with new people. Puss was graduating in the spring with Elsa and Jack, and was hoping to go down to Mexico for a year to teach dance to underprivileged children who don't have access to the arts.
Elsa grinned as she recalled them kicking butt in World Competition the next year and almost coming in fourth, a long shot from their space at fourth from the bottom the year before. It had been fun to explore Paris over their breaks.
This year, they were on their own turf, as it was held in New York at the Convention Center. Though the competition was tough, Jack and Elsa had both lost their competitive edge, and were, rather, performing for the love of it. The new members had been kicking it up a notch, dancing their hearts out, where the seniors had become more relaxed. They still wanted to win, but Jack and Elsa were enjoying their last competition rather than stressing out.
Jackā¦
Elsa smiled and squeezed his hand, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before walking around to the other side of the stage for their song. She adored every minute dancing with him and was excited for their plans together. They were both teaching part time at Jack's old studio, Opekuny, and had been asked by Nick to take it over once they graduate. Elsa smiled; they would be together, dance together, and have an impact kids' lives. She couldn't wait to live the rest of her life with him.
The lights dimmed, two spotlights hitting the sides of the stage as Jack and Elsa emerged from the wings.
Elsa smiled as the strums of guitar started, her flowy skirt entwining in her legs as she walked onto stage.
When your legs don't work like they used to before
And I can't sweep you off of your feet
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love?
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks?
As she drew closer to Jack, the smile couldn't help but to grow. Their last dance together in the crew, but the first dance of the rest of their lives. She reached him, her hands falling to their normal place on his chest, and his on her hips. They swayed to the music, almost slow dancing, his laughing blue eyes met hers. She could hear his voice in her head; "Here we go, love."
And, darling, I will be loving you 'til we're seventy
He pushed her out, his hand soft and familiar in hers, and spun her back in. She met his chest, grinning up at him, as they stepped back into a slow salsa step; the dance that started it all. Mimicking the day Elsa taught him about formal hold, she stopped, showing him how to extend his hand, placing hers in his, and placing his other hand on her hip. She tilted his head to meet his eye again, and couldn't help but melting in the love she saw there.
And, baby, my heart could still fall as hard at twenty-three
They lapsed into a sudo-waltz step, and then stopped swaying, still lost in each other's eyes. Spinning her slightly, he pushed her back out. His hand left hers, caressing the top of her loose hair and falling down to her neck, allowing her to use her head to lead into a spin back to him.
And I'm thinking 'bout how
Catching her on the other side, she spun in the same way, stopping and placing her hands on his neck, twisting her hips slightly. Already, the crowd had faded away, the cameras were non-existent, and it was just her and Jack dancing in their normal practice room.
People fall in love in mysterious ways
Swiveling her hips twice, she felt the heat of Jack's hands as she did two tango foot flicks, their newest passion. Following her last flick, she took a step, running around Jack, her hands tracing his waist. When she came back to his front, he encased her face in his hands, as though they had been separated for a long time. She leaped into his embrace, her arms flying around his neck, snapping with the beat, as he pulled her closer. They then broke out of it, Jack dipping Elsa with a flourish.
Maybe just the touch of a hand
He followed through with the dip, swooping her around to the other side of the stage. Hitting the beats of the music, they went through three different arm movements, ending finally with Jack caressing Elsa's arm on the sustained note.
Well, me - I fall in love with you every single day
Spinning out of it, Elsa lead Jack a few steps further away, him eagerly following her. The next beats of the music were hit in a similar fashion, their hands meeting and moving in sync. Using her elbow to push her around in a spin, Jack prepped as she flicked her foot, his hand encasing her waist. Lifting her off her feet, using the momentum of her spin, he trapped one leg as her other flew in the air to create a splits, and then came down to wrap around his body as he spun.
And I just wanna tell you I am
Breaking out of the hold, Jack set Elsa back on the ground, her feet kissing it gracefully. On the beats of the music, Elsa flipped her hair down, and back up, throwing his arms around, and turned. With her back pressed to his chest, she bent, her arm coming behind his head, his holding her waist. Their breath mingled as though they were about to kiss.
So honey now
They swayed gently, enjoying the close proximity. She had to remind herself not to kiss him on stage, but loved the look of love in his eyes. They snapped their heads away with the music, followed by Elsa jumping her legs out on the next beat.
Take me into your loving arms
Elsa relished his burning hands on her hips as he slowly turned her around to face him. The path they traveled up her waist, to her arms, to her hands, pulling her close to him. He threw her hands in the air, allowing them to fall around his neck as his encased her waist once again, their foreheads leaning together as they lapsed back into a traditional slow dance.
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
They continued to slow dance, then turned around setting their backs against each other's. Gracefully, they sank down to the floor, supporting each other, much like they had for the past two years. Their heads fell to either side with the beat of the music.
Place your head on my beating heart
Elsa spun on the ground, coming behind Jack and embracing him. Her hand came over his chest, landing on his heart, as he popped it out. Laying him down, Elsa placed either hand on the side of his head, kicking her legs up in an almost-handstand. She twisted, landing with her legs on either side of him, her body facing toward the celling now, Jack catching and supporting her at the waist, showing her just how much she could trust him.
I'm thinking out loud
She pulled her hips down through his hands, bending over her legs has his warm fingers caressed them. Elsa rose to her full height.
Maybe we found love right where we are
Turning suddenly, her hands came back down to either side of his head, her legs flying into the air to a handstand, then falling to a split. She landed, falling to Jack's legs, as he sat up, pushing her momentum away as she rolled along them and then back up to him. His hand encased hers, pulling her up to meet his gaze and silly smile.
When my hair's all but gone and my memory fades
They both laid on the ground in opposite directions, taking advantage of the aerial cameras the convention used when necessary. They encased their head with their hands, then flattened them on the floor. Drawing their knees up, they slowly tipped them to the side as Jack's hand found Elsa's. He pulled her, causing her to spin around so he could fold her in his arm and to his chest, much like they did on a regular basis when they laid together.
And the crowds don't remember my name
They enjoyed this moment, staring into each other's eyes Her nose tickled his, their breath caressing one another.
When my hands don't play the strings the same way (mmm...)
They both sat up, Elsa spinning behind him and doing a split in the air. Sliding through the arm that he had laid out on the floor, her legs came beside him and arm around his shoulder. He pulled her leg up, playing it like a guitar. His face came to nuzzle hers.
I know you will still love me the same
He held onto her leg as she pulled her other one over her head, causing her to spin to her feet. He rose, catching her by the waist and followed her momentum as she leapt like a fairy through the air with the notes of the piano.
'Cause honey your soul could never grow old, it's evergreen
Catching her in a dip, he snapped her back up, her arms flying in the air. Jack pushed her out, and then pulled her back in, spinning her around, first fast, but then finished slowly as her leg came out straight. It wrapped around his waist, much like the tango they had taken up, and then he dipped her. Spinning her out of it, he pulled her around so she was beside him, her back to his front, his arms framing her. They lapsed into a foxtrot step, her face meeting his. Elsa spun out of it, leaning away from Jack, allowing his hand to support her, she pulled a hand over her hair, meeting his eyes.
And, baby, your smile's forever in my mind and memory
She traced her arm back up to his, allowing him to pull her into his body, his chest warm against her back. His hand caressed her shoulder, to her chin, and pulled her face to his. Their foreheads rested against each other as his hand tangled in the back of her cascading hair. They rocked for a moment to the music, and then Jack pulled her across his body, spinning her. She followed the spin, with some hesitation, but broke away. Building up momentum, she leapt through the air, and then followed it into an aerial cartwheel, her toes perfectly pointed. Landing, she spun on one toe, her other leg coming up and bending slightly behind her in an attitude turn.
I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Running back to Jack, he met her with open arms. She followed them down, extending away from him, but then ran under his arm, behind him, and then spun back to his front. Her back fell into his right arm, his other hand holding onto her arm. He lifted her, the first time, allowing her to pedal her legs in the air, and the second time, allowing her to rainbow her legs over to the other side. She landed, Jack spinning her out of it.
Maybe it's all part of a plan
He pulled her back toward him, spinning them around, and then pushed her back out, repeating the same motion. Catching them, he took her leg in his hands, pulling it up into an arabesque as she leaned away from him, using her leg to support herself but relying heavily on him. He pulled her back with his hand, spinning her into his body. She dropped, Jack catching her, as she extended her leg.
Well, I'll just keep on making the same mistakes
He pulled her up and spun her, Elsa's leg coming behind her. When she came around, he caught it in his arm, lifting her in the air. Her other leg followed, kicking in the air, and then she twisted so her legs encased his waist, embracing him. Jack spun them around, Elsa's head dropping behind her. On the beat, she popped both her legs out, allowing just his hand on her back to support her.
Hoping that you'll understand
He slowly slid her down to the ground, turning so his back was to her back. She slid down his body, pushing herself on the ground through his legs. She popped her legs up, and on the beats, Jack moved them. On the last on, he set them on his hips, his hands coming down to her waist.
That, baby, now, Take me into your loving arms
He slowly pulled her up, her body bending. They enjoyed the moment, Jack slowly letting her back down to the ground. They faced each other, chest to chest, as their hands met palm to palm and flowed up and out together.
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
They lapsed back into a slow dance, stepping and spinning slowly. Elsa let her head fall into the familiar crook of his shoulder, her hands tightening on his back. After a moment, he spun her around again, her back to his chest, and encased her hands in his. Lifting her from the ground, her legs came out and he spun them around.
Place your head on my beating heart
Her feet graced the floor once again, and she followed the momentum around to his back, hugging him from behind. His hands met hers as he pulled her back to the front. His hand came around her head, his other falling to meet hers that was placed behind her back.
Thinking out loud
They tangled in each other's arms, unwinding, much like they do whenever they go salsa dancing, much like they did those first few nights. Just like salsa dancing, Elsa allowed his arm to throw her out, stopping and encasing her head before he pulled her back around.
Maybe we found love right where we are (oh ohh)
She followed around his back, skipping twice and pulling him. She stopped, Jack coming up behind her and placing his hands on her hips and head in her neck. They swayed, Jack pulling his hands up to catch her head.
She leapt into an arabesque, Jack capturing her leg and then throwing her over his back. She landed, coming back to his front. Her hand met his, her leg popping up, and then they slowly brought it back down, staring into each other's eyes. He pulled her closer, her leg coming up to encase his waist, and then flowing back down as he turned her around to hold her back to his chest. Their arms crossed, taking turns unwinding over her head. He spun her around, her hands coming over his neck. He caught them, looping them around and then throwing them up. Bending, he grabbed her by the waist and then lifted her, her arms flying into the air. Setting her back down, she grabbed his hand, using it to lower herself all the way to the ground. Still on the ground, Jack pulled her toward him, causing them to switch sides, and then pulled her up. Using the momentum, she turned, leaping into the air as he caught her waist. Her legs flew out, then slowly pedaled in the air as he ran backwards with her. Setting her on the ground, he spun her around to face him. They threw their arms over their heads together, prepping.
So, baby, now Take me into your loving arms
Jack lifted her from the waist, her arms going into the air as he ran them forward. Elsa's legs bent at the knees, creating a lovely picture. Her feet met the ground again, her hip popping out as Jack came up behind her, his hands on her hips. She rocked into him, her head falling back on his shoulder. Spinning around, her leg coming into the air, he caught it to lift it above his head, spinning her. He held her up, the same leg out, her other bent, toe tickling the outward leg.
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Setting her down, she spun slowly to face him. He looped their arms over her head, capturing her in his embrace and placing her hands over his neck. He dipped her slowly, then snapped her back up to meet him.
Oh, darling, place your head on my beating heart
They rocked for a moment, then Elsa stuck her hand out, Jack grabbing onto her arm to pull his body away from her to place his heart in her hand. She spun into him, her back to his front, and then bent backward, her head going under his arm. He pulled her up, her legs coming into the air.
I'm thinking out loud
They flew over his shoulder as he flipped her, and then came down his back, one leg stopping to caress his waist.
But maybe we found love right where we are
Still behind him, on each beat Elsa pulled him the opposite way so she could look into his face, first left then right. She then placed his arm over her shoulders, following it around to the front. Extending it, he spun her into his body.
Oh, baby, we found love right where we are
Jack dipped her, then pulled her back up on the first two beats. On the ones that followed, Elsa pulled his hand over her head, then he followed the line of her body to her foot with his hand. He pushed it, Elsa kicking it out to turn her. Their hands met again, finger entwining.
And we found love right where we are
She jumped closer to him, and Jack jumped away, causing her to pull him back.
Jack, breaking away from what they rehearsed, reached into his pocket. On the last strains of the music, he dropped to one knee, looking up at the love of his life, and opened the ring box encased in his hand.
"Marry me, Elsa."