It was only on rare occasions that Anna woke up before Elsa, usually when Elsa was sick or exhausted from work. On this particular morning it was perfectly clear why her sleeping beauty would need more rest. The best part about waking up first was getting to just watch Elsa sleep. She looked so peaceful as the sun shining through the window made her platinum blonde hair glow with a golden aura. Anna couldn't help but examine every feature of Elsa's face. Dreaming of what their little bundle of joy may look like someday.
Neither of them knew for sure who the baby would end up looking like since they had used both of their eggs in the procedure. They just couldn't decide whose to use so they left it up to chance. It gave an exciting element to an already thrilling experience that was just in the making. Anna ran her delicate fingers through the soft hair that framed Elsa's face. Just when she thought she couldn't love Elsa anymore than she already did, she found herself drawn to her even more now. A soft smile crept across Anna's face as she lovingly caressed Elsa's face, placing a light kiss on the blonde's perfectly blush cheek. Elsa let out a sigh as she began to open her eyes.
"Good morning beautiful," Anna gleamed.
"Good morning sunshine." A name that had stuck ever since Elsa said Anna's hair reminded her of the sunset.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better after getting some rest. I was so tired." Anna leaned in and pressed an ever so soft kiss to Elsa's lips.
"Mmmm. I should sleep in more often if this is the greeting I get."
Anna sat up and stretched her arms as she let out a rather loud yawn. Her hair was a complete mess. Red tresses matted together in what only could be described as a tumbleweed of hair.
"Well you should do it more often. I love watching you sleep. I was thinking we could go out for breakfast and then maybe hit the bookstore and get those books you were talking about."
Anna wasn't really one for reading but she knew Elsa loved to research as much as she could about something in order to be prepared. Elsa had stayed up the night before making a list of books to get. Two lists in fact, one for her and one for Anna.
"Look at you making plans for us on a weekend. I could get used to this."
Normally it was Elsa who liked to plan out their days and Anna just loved to engage in whatever adventure the blonde had in mind. Even though she'd been more tired than usual the past few weeks, Elsa felt like she was more relaxed than ever. Anna had started to assume the caretaker role and was actually becoming quite protective of Elsa. It was nice to be doted on and Elsa couldn't help but welcome the attention Anna poured onto her. Elsa sat up and lifted her shirt slightly surveying her stomach with a keen eye.
"Hmm. Still nothing."
"It's only been three weeks silly. I think you have to wait a little longer for a bump to show."
Elsa ran her hand over her lower abdomen, searching for any hint of curvature.
"It still doesn't quite feel real. I mean I don't feel different physically."
"Just give it time Elsa. You'll be in full bloom before you know it."
Anna decided to take Elsa to a little cafe on the waterfront that had a great view of the boats on the water. Even though it was the middle of January, she knew Elsa would want to sit outside and take in the atmosphere and this was just the place.
"I'm just going to get what I always get," folding the menu and placing it on the table.
"Elsa you can't get eggs Benedict. The eggs aren't fully cooked."
Elsa rolled her eyes at her embarrassment at forgetting all of the new food rules she had to obey. "Ugh I forgot. I can't just get whatever I feel like any more. See you in nine months my beloved eggs Benedict. And I guess I won't be getting coffee either. A small price to pay to become mommies."
Elsa had a slight frown on her face as her bottom lip puffed out a little.
"Hey if it makes you feel any better I won't get anything you can't have either." Elsa's frown melted into warm smile and she leaned across the table towards Anna.
"You're so good to me. Come here," reaching even further to kiss Anna, whose wandering eyes were still glancing at the menu.
"Oh look they have a breakfast sandwich. I'm definitely getting that!"
Elsa just adoringly laughed as she decided to just get what the redhead was having.
"I'm a little overwhelmed. Who would have thought there'd be so many books on pregnancy and childbirth?"
Elsa seemed to be only half listening as she skimmed the back of the books searching for the authors and titles on her list. "I'll find them, you hold them."
"Awwwww...I wanna get this one!" Anna pulled out a thick green baby book with a yellow ribbon and baby duckling on the cover.
"Look it has spaces for a photo for each month through the first year. And it has a page for first bath, first words, and...oh my gosh, Elsa, we have to get this!"
Elsa picked herself off the ground and glanced through the book. She smiled and they cooed together over all of the milestones they would get to experience. She stopped on the family tree page and the smile quickly fell away. Anna glanced up and saw Elsa's mouth tighten.
"Oh Elsa...it's okay. Don't... don't think about that now. We don't even have to fill that in if you don't want to."
A hand came up to comfortingly rub Elsa's arm. Neither of the girls had any family around that would be a part of their baby's life. Anna was an only child and her parents had died three years ago in a car accident. Elsa was also an only child but she had long cut ties with her family. It was a painful subject that she rarely talked about. In the end they just didn't understand her and she came to the conclusion that it was best not to have them in her life.
"It's okay...I'm okay, I just...don't know what I'm going to say. Our baby won't have any grandparents and I feel like it's partly because of me."
Elsa's eyes began to moisten and a single tear feel down her fair and flushed cheek. Anna took Elsa's face into her hand and pulled her close.
"Hey it's okay. It's just you and me. And well...now three. Not everybody has a picture perfect family. I love you and you love me and that's all that matters. Alright?"
Elsa sniffled and leaned her face into Anna's warm hand. Managing only a simple nod.
"Okay now come on. You have two more books to add to this massive pile. Let's get going."
Anna was already gone when Elsa woke up that morning. She had a long day of parent teacher conferences that started fairly early. The blonde made her way to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready for work. She didn't have to be in until ten so she could take her time. It was a nice change of pace from the normally rushed mornings. Although it was a bit lonelier now without Anna around.
Elsa began to remove her clothes and place them in the hamper when she noticed something not right. She looked down to see a crimson spot staring back at her.
No, no, no!
Panic struck Elsa like a lightning bolt and she checked her body to confirm where the blood had come from. Oh god no! Her heart began to pound as she realized what was happening. She hadn't cleared the twelve week mark yet and knew that there was a 20% chance something could go wrong.
The blonde began gasping for air as her breath became shorter and more shallow. Her vision started to blur as she rushed through the house trying to find her phone and the piece of paper Dr. Kristoff Bjorgman had given her with emergency numbers on it. The paper shook in her trembling hand.
Breathe, breathe...just dial...focus.
Elsa tried to block the nightmare of thoughts that were trying to flood her mind.
"This is Elsa Arendelle for Dr. Bjorgman. I'm eight weeks pregnant and I woke up bleeding this morning. I'm terrified something might be wrong."
The word miscarriage shouted inside her head and she collapsed to the ground as the weight of the situation began to sink in.
"Please hold Mrs. Arendelle. I'll put the doctor on right away."
Elsa could barely hold the phone to her ear as her entire body was now shaking. What am I going to tell Anna? This can't be happening. This can't be happening.
"This is Dr. Bjorgman."
A slight wave of relief washed over Elsa. "This Elsa Arendelle. I woke up this morning with some bleeding and I'm really worried that something is wrong."
"Okay Elsa just take a deep breath. Are you having any cramping?"
"No. I felt perfectly fine when I woke this morning."
"Okay that's a good sign. Normally when we're concerned about miscarriage there's a lot of cramping. And how much bleeding are you having?"
"Just the spot and I can't tell if it's stopped or not."
"Alright, it sounds like baby's probably not in any danger but we'll have to let this play out. Just to ease your mind you could come in whenever you can and we can run a hormone level test. Usually progesterone will drop if the body is going to miscarry. If you can get someone to bring you in, that might be best. You sound a little too shaken up to be driving."
"Okay I'll come right in."
As soon as she hung up she called Anna. It pained her to have to tell her something might be wrong but she needed Anna now more than ever. Dr. Bjorgman had calmed her nerves somewhat but she was still plenty scared.
Please pick up. Please pick up Anna.
"Elsa?" That was all it took to break whatever composure Elsa had left.
"Anna I woke up this morning with some bleeding. I was so scared I called the doctor and he said that because there's no cramping and not much bleeding it's probably nothing major. But I'm scared. I'm so scared! I can't stop it and I don't want to lose the baby."
She began to shake again as tears poured down, practically hyperventilating at this point.
"Elsa you have to calm down. Breathe. Breathe for the sake of the baby. This can't be good for it. I know you're scared but you have to calm your body."
"Okay. I'm trying. He said if I came in right away they could run my hormone levels just to be sure. I need you to come home. Please."
By now Anna had stepped out of her classroom and into the hallway as she glanced back at the parents seated at her desk.
"Yeah no problem. I'm on my way. Just hang on and get yourself ready to go. You can do this."
Elsa took a minute to gather herself. Curling her knees up to her chest and burying her head in her knees.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves Elsa. You're not cramping and the doctor didn't seem worried. It could be nothing."
Anna rubbed Elsa's leg with one hand while driving with the other. Both trying not to lose their heads and focus on just getting to the doctor's office.
"I know I just keep thinking about how much I love the baby already and I couldn't bare to lose this."
They finally made their way into Dr. Bjorgman's office and waited only a minute before the nurse called them back and lead them to a small lab room. After the blood draw they were told they would hear back in a few hours from the doctor.
"Now we just wait okay? Come on, let's get you home."
"I completely forgot to even tell anyone I wasn't coming in this morning."
"I'll take care of it. You just focus on you and baby. That's what important."
The emotional roller coaster of a morning had taken its toll on Elsa. She was exhausted and just wanted to crawl into bed with Anna.
"Go get in bed and I'll make some phone calls."
Elsa was so tired she didn't even remember changing her clothes and getting into bed. Next thing she knew Anna was curling up next to her.
"I called everyone and they understood. I just said you weren't feeling well and wouldn't be coming in today. And I rescheduled my conferences for tomorrow."
"Thank you Anna."
That was about all she could muster to say. Elsa lay on her side while Anna spooned behind her. The redhead couldn't help but reach around to rub Elsa's stomach. It really didn't feel any different yet. No bump or even a swell but she knew the most precious thing in their lives was in there. Elsa hummed a sigh as the stress began to dissipate. Anna's touch could heal anyone. Her hands were so soft and loving. A few small kisses on Elsa's neck and a soft "I love you" whispered into her ear was all it took to lull Elsa to sleep.
