Thank you all so much for sticking with us. We were swamped with finals and life, and too many project critiques in my case. We appreciate your patience so much, you sweet snowflakes!

Chapter Twenty: Revelations

I vaguely hear Anna come inside the bedroom calling my name. It's all I can do to register that she's here with me. My breathing is labored and strained, my whole body slightly rocking back and forth, my hands wringing together bitterly.

I had thought I was done with attacks this severe, but I was wrong. I can't control the tears; it's so bad that I've given up trying to wipe them away. When I feel her hand on my shoulder, I break all over again. I grasp her hand to make sure that this is real. 'I don't deserve her, she shouldn't have to deal with this…'

Anna wraps her arms around me and her warmth fills my senses. I shift and cry into her shoulder pathetically, but she doesn't turn away. If anything she pulls me closer, assuring me that she's not leaving. She's seen my milder panic attacks before, but they were tame compared to this full breakdown. But she was always able to calm me down…

After a few more tense minutes and gentle words from Anna, I am considerably calmed. It hits me that she has, yet again, guided me through an attack. I still don't feel like I fully deserve her… but I must be doing something right for her to want me by her side. I take in a deep breath and slowly move myself off her shoulder.

My throat is hoarse from the earlier intensity and I feel completely drained. Wiping my remaining tears away, I look up into her eyes and seeing nothing but pure love mixed with concern. Her soft smile is betraying her worry for me. I give her a small smile in return and whisper my thanks.

I take her hand in mine and give it a squeeze. "Do you want to talk about it honey?" Such concern and tenderness. I look up at her gratefully, noticing she's giving me an escape as well. I lean in and give her a chaste kiss.

"It's just - it feels like everything. The company has been hell this week. We're getting closer to finalizing everything but y'know…" I let out a shaky sign.

"Also I uh… I went to visit K-Kristoff today…" I nervously look away and wring my hands. I sense her tensing and chance a look at her. She doesn't look outright angry, a bit upset maybe. "I should have told you I know, I'm so sorry. I didn't want to burden you and I'mveryveryverysorry gosh I don't deserve you and -"

Anna stops me with a finger to my lips and gives me an unreadable look. "Elsa it's, well it's not quite fine but…" A frustrated sigh leaves her lips. "Why did you go?"

That stops me for a moment. I hadn't quite thought about it, it just seemed instinctual in a way. Stalking and surveying the competition, looking out for my mate… all very primal. But the truth seemed clearer now that she questioned it.

"I wanted to see how badly he was doing since you've been gone."

This left a long silence between us. The longer it was drawn out, I could feel my breathing getting closer and closer to straining hyperventilation again. She relaxed after a moment.

"I guess I can understand that… I don't think I could stand even going near there again. It was just crude treatment." She looked me up and down. "I'm not mad at you Elsa, but I wish you had told me you were going. How was it by the way?"

I find myself beaming with joy that she wasn't angry. This was the first thing I had really kept from her, and I won't be making this mistake again. I lean in and whisper to her. "It was absolutely horrible." This brought a pretty smile to her face. Maybe it was a bit rude for us to find joy in his failure, but I could care less.

We sit grinning at each other for a while before she scrunches her face in thought. "Elsa, why do you think you don't deserve me?" So she did notice that part.

I don't know what to say and I struggle to find the words. "I just feel that uh, well I get insecure. You are so wonderful and are too good to me. I love you so much Anna. And I wonder if I'm good enough for you, if I make you happy enough." This is the moment I can finally express my fear of my own failure. "I'm terrified of you leaving me for someone better."

My gaze is directed at the sheets beneath my hand and I notice I have been gripping them harshly. I hear her gasp lightly as she realizes what I mean. My old foster parents… Some part of me believes so strongly that they left me behind for a better life, with their real children. Not with some sad orphan who may not ever be good enough.

Her hands are cupping my face and guiding me to look at her. The look on her face breaks my heart. "Of course you are enough honey. More than enough, you are perfect. Look at what we've done, at what you've done for me this past month alone. I never want to leave you Elsa, I love you too, so much." She seals her declaration with a searing kiss.

I hold her as her words sink in. This beautiful goddess Anna, she is too good. After moments of just holding each other close, we move to cuddle on the bed. We whisper soft assurances to each other among light kisses. This is the most complete and at peace I have ever felt. I fall asleep on her chest to her steady heartbeat.

The next morning we spend together making pancakes and enjoying our time before she goes to her new job. She nailed it, like I knew she would. And starting the day after the interview? I mean what can't my girl do! The pride and happiness I feel for her is immense.

I walk with her to the front door and pull her into me just before she reaches for the handle. I give her a long slow kiss and pull back with a huge smile. "Have a great day babe. Knock 'em dead!" She laughs and pats my cheek before happily heading to work.

I sit back down at the table and pull out my laptop. A deep breath in, a slow breath out. I get back to work for the merger. We are so close to being finished, I can almost taste it. Hopefully after this week things will settle down at the office but for now, another deep breath.

I'm startled from cooking our dinner by the sound of Anna coming through the door. I check my phone and see how late it is. I turn around to embrace her as she hops over to me and greets me with a kiss.

"Mmm, how did it go today?" She clasps her hands happily and tells me everything. I listen intently, the smile on my face never faltering. 'Goodness, she is so adorable. I'll never get over that.' We continue to chat over dinner about what we did and how her day went.

As we settle down on the couch she turns to me, seeming a bit nervous. "There's also something I've been wanting to tell you about my employers…" I smile and rub her arm urging her to go on.

"I didn't think yesterday was the best time obviously, but I can't hold it from you. They are brothers -very nice ones- with dark hair and brown eyes…" I feel a pull in my gut but try to ignore it. "And their names… are Olaf and Marshall."

Her eyes search my face worriedly as I feel my jaw drop and my eyes widen. One coherent thought races through my mind. 'It can't be.'