All Anna wanted was for things to be normal, but that, perhaps, wasn't worth wanting anymore. Hans wasn't a bad person - not at all.
She just wished that Elsa would tell her more about him before suddenly announcing that Hans had become her significant other. Anna grimaced. She couldn't even say love.
She was on her way to pick Olaf up from school. Luckily, the little guy was in an afterschool program so Anna could take a few minutes rest - maybe grab a cup of coffee or some cupcakes for Olaf and her to chow on - before getting back in her car to take him home. For the hundredth time, Anna… was still quite nervous, bringing him home.
Elsa was unpredictable - had been for the longest time now. Not from personality wise, no… but something about Elsa's thinking… the way she was feeling was especially odd.
Anna shook her head. She was still driving down the long road that evening to pick Olaf up. The thought of Elsa… the thought of that night made Anna's stomach churn. She couldn't even think about the way Hans held her yesterday. Jealousy? Maybe. But most obviously, she was angry and confused.
She had… never been this angry in her life, actually. Anna had always been kind-hearted, which could get annoying sometimes, but it was all she had to herself.
Sighing, she pulled over in front of the school and walked up to the classroom. The hallways were darker than every other day, but it seemed like the classrooms were still as lively as ever. Anna couldn't help but smile. At least, I can be a mom, when I'm here…
Walking around slowly, she had encountered a few of Olaf's classmates and parents. She couldn't help but say goodbye to those cute faces or stop to ask how their parents were doing. Not that she cared (anymore), but… it was just the right thing to ask. Of course, others would ask her the same.
She looked into Olaf's classroom, scanning the kids that were playing legos or trains. Olaf's black hair popped up behind those colorful tables. He was still enjoying his little games with his group of friends, boys and girls. He had always gotten along with students in the classroom, but every day, Anna was still somehow worried about other kids bullying him.
They quickly made eye contact. "Mama!" He waved.
Blinking away from her thoughts, Anna waved as well. "Hey, buddy."
Olaf quickly ran to his mother and hugged her, prompting Anna to let out a little 'oof'. "Wow, you've gotten strong."
"Hehe… Are we going now?"
"Mm…" She looked around, finding the teacher from the far back, gazing at her. "Yeah, why don't you grab your things? I'll go sign out, alright?"
"Okay!"
Anna walked towards the teacher with brunette hair.
"Well, you look a bit exhausted, don't you? Hey, kids, quiet down!" The brunette with a colorful apron crossed her arms, getting up from her seat.
The redhead nervously chuckled, scratching her head. "Well, yeah, that's what you get when you've been working overtime."
"Huh, lucky you." She handed Anna a clipboard and pen. "So… I know I shouldn't talk about this… but are you and Elsa getting any better? Olaf… well…"
Anna cocked an eyebrow at her before handing back the signed clipboard. "What about Olaf?"
"You two didn't tell him about the -"
"No, not really. Is he questioning?"
She shrugged. "Today he asked me, 'why are Mama and Mom living apart?' and 'is Mama going to come back home?'. That sort of thing."
Anna let out an exasperated sigh, dropping her head down. Ah, of course, Olaf would ask this. He was going to be in second grade soon - eventually, they'd have to say something. Heartbroken? Yes. But was it the truth? Of course. And perhaps, Anna just wanted Olaf to still be this innocent, fun little man, still. The guilt of telling Olaf was riding up on her. "Sorry, he has to put you up with that."
"Mama, I'm ready!"
Anna gazed down, seeing that Olaf was jumping up and down in excitement. "Alright, we'll go a second okay?"
"Yep! Can I play with my friends for a bit then?"
"Of course." She ran her fingers through his hair. "But just for a bit, and then, we'll go." Seeing that Olaf still wanted to go play… to enjoy himself… somehow, just looking at it was heartbreaking. Anna clicked her tongue.
"Listen." Anna felt a hand on her shoulder. "It's not good to put off telling him later. I know you seem to be having a bit of a hard time but… I know you and Elsa will be just fine. I can feel it."
What does she know? Anna felt herself slouch in disappointment and frustration for a second. She knew the teacher - er, Meg was trying to help, but honestly, it wasn't going to help fix their marriage. Not with that advice or her feelings.
She smiled clumsily at her. "Thanks, that's… that means a lot."
Meg rolled her eyes, a hand placed on her hip. "No, I'm just… telling you how I feel, that's all."
"Even so, I appreciate it. Thanks, Meg. Olaf, come on, let's take you home."
The kid pouted for a second before saying bye to his friends. Oh, he could never say 'no' to his mother anyway. Watching him grab his backpack and have his hand on hers, Anna felt… well, she felt warm. At least, I have him around… sometimes.
"Anyway, thanks for taking care of Olaf for us. I know it's hard to keep a secret from him."
Meg chuckled, waving her off. "No, not hard at all. If you need anything, I'm all ears. Oh, forgot to say, in a month, there'll be a Thanksgiving play going on and our class will be performing. Will you come?"
Anna rolled her eyes, feeling Olaf tugging her to go. "Of course I'll come." A pause. But then again… Olaf would want to see both parents. Anna didn't have the heart to face Elsa again. "Um… both of us will come."
Meg silently nodded. "Right, well, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
As usual, Elsa was standing outside of the house. Anna always thought that was weird, considering Elsa knew that Anna would never keep her baby forever. Anna wasn't that person. She'd listen to that woman just to keep them together. To keep them sane.
Anna stepped on the brake, turning back. "Alright now - and, shhh," she put a finger to her lips, "remember don't tell Mom that you were having cupcakes before dinner." She winked.
Olaf giggled. Ah, he was always a good kid and not do these things, but whenever he was asked to… the excitement he had was adorable.
Once they got out to the car, Olaf ran into her mother's arms. "Mom!"
"Ooh, you and Mama came home a bit late. I was worried, baby." Elsa squeezed the kid and kissed his forehead.
Anna just had to be on the side to watch. Elsa had always been the fondest of their son… she didn't want to stop their sweet moments together. No matter how strict Elsa could be, there was always a soft side she'd let out once in awhile.
"Sorry, I was just talking to Meg, that's all," Anna stated.
The blonde looked up, smiling. "Meg? Are you two close?"
What? Anna felt a blush emerging. "N-no, of course not! We just… talk, that's all."
She nodded, running her fingers through Olaf's soft hair. For a second, Elsa squinted. "Olaf, did you eat something before coming home?"
Oh. Anna let out a sigh of disappointment, watching Olaf freeze up. He gazed down, hands placed together. "Y-Yeah…" he mumbled.
"What did you eat?"
"Er…" He turned to Anna. Oh well, not like it matters.
Anna chuckled nervously. "I went ahead and bought a few mini cupcakes before coming to pick Olaf up. I thought I'd share some with him - he only ate two though."
Olaf immediately puffed up his chest in confidence. "Y-Yeah, two!"
Elsa cocked her eyebrow. "Doesn't seem like it." A pause. "Well, that's fine, as long as you finish your dinner, got it?"
He nodded frantically.
"Alright, go inside. Do your homework."
"Bye Mama!" He waved, prompting Anna to as well.
"Bye…" Ah. It was just them two again. The awkwardness was coming back and still… Anna continued to wonder what had gone wrong in their marriage. She crossed her arms, cleared her throat, and avoided eyes with Elsa. The blonde was only tilting her head in curiosity, grinning gently, her side leaning against the side door. "You don't have to look so tense, Anna. It's just us."
Us. Anna bit her lip. "U-Um… oh, I just wanna say… thanks. For yesterday. I… didn't want you to see me being in such a messy state."
Elsa shook her head. "No, it's my job to take care of you, and you, me. Right?"
"Yeah, but -"
"Our divorce doesn't have to hinder our relationship with each other -"
"Your. You divorced me, Elsa." Anna sighed. She didn't want to get angry. She wasn't going to be that person. "I… I'm happy to see you more… happier, at least. If it means that we can't be together."
Elsa sighed. "How are you doing? Are you feeling any better?"
What is this? "I feel the same as always."
Elsa twitched. "This is why…" she whispered, but Anna was so… clouded with frustration and the words that were kept in her mind that she didn't hear. Didn't want to hear anyway. Anna shouldered too much of their responsibilities to even care with Elsa had said.
"Anyway, I should… I should go. Say goodnight to Olaf for me. And… sorry about the cupcakes -"
"Do you want to come in for dinner?"
Anna shook her head. "I'm fine."
"Hans isn't here."
"Doesn't matter." A pause. "I don't belong here."
"Anna -"
"Look, next month, Olaf is going to be on a play for Thanksgiving and Meg wants us to be there. Together."
Before she could even let Elsa respond, Anna had already gotten into her car and drove off. She had never been so cold to ignore what Elsa was saying, but to keep herself sane… all she could do was shield herself from Elsa's hurtful words. She knew Elsa never meant to hurt her… never meant to treat her like trash.
She clenched her fingers around the steering wheel tightly, her others going through her hair. Never had she been this heartbroken before. Never.
This fucking sucks.
