Chapter 21: The Winters Sisters
Anna returned back to her hotel room, her head still buzzing about what had happened. Too many things had happened and her brain couldn't process it all. First of all, she had finally found her sister. After all this time, she had found her and what she had found, wasn't the sister she remembered. Elsa had changed. She was different and Anna didn't know how to talk to her or be around her. The way she talked, acted was completely different. It was almost as if Elsa was an entirely different person. The Elsa she once knew was long gone – or maybe the real Elsa had finally come forward?
Secondly, Elsa was married. Anna hadn't seen that one coming. The fact that she now had a brother-in-law had never entered her brain. Growing up, Elsa didn't show any interest in dating. In fact, Anna couldn't name a single guy that Elsa showed the slightest interest in. Then again, maybe their father prevented Elsa was dating. He was quite hard on both of them bringing guys back to their house – like the whole Hans incident. Although Anna would have liked an invitation but would Anna have gone to Elsa's wedding? Hmm, that was something she didn't think of. Well at least she found someone to keep her happy. So, she had married after all. Jack seemed like a nice enough kind of guy and seemed keen to know her more but what did Anna know about him? Well maybe she would have a chance to.
Thirdly, this home warming that Jack mentioned. What a time to be awkward with her sister again. Great, this was exactly what she wanted. Well, it could be a great time to get back into that apartment and try and talk some sense into her sister despite the previous situation going as badly as expected. However, the way Jack was speaking kind of made her think as if Jack wanted Elsa to reconnect with her family. So maybe he could be a useful ally in her quest to get Elsa to come back home.
Anna didn't know when or how she managed to get back to her hotel. Her feet had somehow carried her right there. Her mind kept going round and round with this whole Elsa mess. God, this was so agonising. Anna collapsed onto her bed – facedown into her pillow – and stayed there. She couldn't even move. All that she could do was groan into her pillow as he brain refused to operate at the current moment. Either it couldn't or wouldn't process the day's events. Well, it was a lot to take in. She finally managed to turn over and stared up at her ceiling fan. She watched it spin round and round.
"Hey sweetie," the sound of her boyfriend jerked her out of her trance state. Anna turned her head and saw that Kristoff had come back into their hotel room. He smiled at her and she smiled back at him. "Any luck?"
"Yeah," Anna said. She didn't know where to begin here. Did she start with the way Elsa behaved during their conversation or with the fact that she now had a brother-in-law? She cleared her throat. "I found her."
"That's fantastic," Kristoff sounded really pleased and excited. "So what's she like after all this time?"
Anna sat up straight. "She's married."
"What?" Kristoff was shocked. "Did you say married?"
"Married, wedded, united, pick your favourite."
Kristoff looked surprised. "So you have a new brother-in-law? What's he like?"
"Super nice but that's beside the point," Anna sighed. "Elsa hid him from me, from all of us. How hard would it have been to drop us a line?" Anna imitated her sister's voice. "Hey Anna, just wanting to let you know, I'm getting married." Anna's voice returned to normal. "How hard is that?"
"Well you have to look at it from her perspective. This is a girl who thought her family abandoned her in her time of need. It's no wonder she didn't want us at her wedding."
"Yeah, I know," Anna's face fell. Those thoughts had already crossed her mind. "I'm just so pissed that we missed out on eight years of her life that seemed to have a lot of change in it."
"Well, let's not miss out on another day."
Anna nodded. "Jack – the new brother-in-law – invited me to a home warming party that I fully intend to attend. I'll start there."
Elsa watched as Anna left her apartment. She saw the appearance of some tears as they dripped down Anna's cheek. A sigh escaped Elsa. She knew she was being hard but what other option did she have? Anna was her past in human form and Elsa was just not ready to face it. Although, she doubted she would ever be. So what was one to do about Anna – and probably Kristoff too as Elsa was sure Anna would have dragged him along. Kristoff was probably dating her sister by now anyway. Elsa wasn't too sure on what to do. One option was just to bury her head in the sand and ignore her. Well that was unlikely to work as Elsa was sure that Jack had it in his head to befriend his newest family member – she was also sure that he hadn't really forgotten his phone and that he had really gone after Anna. He was really that predictable at times. The other was to simply accept that Anna was here and try to deal with it. Well, she wasn't sure that would work either. Her past was knocking at the door – granted she had gone eight years without it finding her – and she didn't want to answer it, just let Anna keep knocking.
So what was a girl to do?
Elsa could have bashed her head against the table she was sitting at. This was too hard. This was harder than her bar exam. Why couldn't Anna have just stayed in Arendelle? That way she wouldn't have to be dealing with this mess and Anna would be happy as Larry without her. Elsa let out a long sigh and gently placed her head on the table. Well at least she didn't have to explain the abuse angle which would have made for a very interesting conversation. That was something – she guessed.
Jack walked back into the room. Elsa swivelled her head to face him. What was she going to do with him? He grinned at her before going into their bedroom. Elsa didn't want to fight with him so she didn't say anything. So she let him go. However it started to eat at her over the next couple of hours. While Elsa was in the shower, she had decided to say something to her husband. She hoped it wouldn't escalate into a fight but she's guessing it will. Well, time for brace for it while she could. She walked into their bedroom and saw that Jack wasn't there just yet. Words for what she should say started to appear. Soon Jack entered the room and grinned at her as he pulled the sheets back on their bed. While they were both getting ready for bed, Elsa started to think about how she would breach the subject. It wouldn't be easy bringing it up. She was saved by Jack doing it first.
"So, um, Anna seems nice," Jack said in a small voice. Thank God he started it. She hadn't had a clue on how to bring it up.
"Yeah, she is," Elsa said in an equally small voice.
Where was Jack going with this? Elsa couldn't read him and she usually could. Maybe he was leading her into the direction of asking if Anna could come to their house warming. She wouldn't how to respond to that if he did – well not without being rude.
"So, is she here for you?" Jack asked very gently and Elsa nodded. "Ah, I see." There was silence. It seemed like both sides were at a loss for words. "Discuss anything interesting?" Elsa shook her head to begin with but then nodded. It seemed like her tongue was stuck in her throat. Elsa collapsed on her side of the bed while Jack hovered on his side. Jack then sighed. He knew what had been discussed. "Let me guess, your dad came up a few times?"
"Yeah," Elsa let out a sigh as well, "he did."
Jack took a seat on the bed as well and looked at his wife with a sympathetic gaze. He knew what was going on. He knew Elsa too well. It was one of his best traits.
"So what do you want to do?"
"I don't know," Elsa burst out. She fell backwards on the bed with her head resting next to Jack. "What should I do?"
"I think you should let you sister come to our home warming party."
Elsa gave her husband a look. "You've already invited her, haven't you?"
"Maybe," Jack looked everywhere but Elsa.
"Look, I'm just not ready to see her again. Do me a favour and disinvite her? Make up some random excuse."
"Elsa –"
"I'm asleep," Elsa said as she quickly dived under her cover and pretended to snore while Jack shook his head. He knew there was no point in arguing at this moment and Elsa didn't really want to at this time anyway.
Jack found himself in the local coffee shop the next day. He was sitting at his favourite place flicking through notes for his meeting coming up next week. Unless he had all these memorised, his boss would probably have his hide. However, he wasn't really reading it. His head was too busy worrying about Elsa. What was he going to do about this situation? His sister-in-law – who he had never met – showed up. That was something he didn't – and it was safe to say neither did Elsa – expect. Elsa might want nothing more to do with her – she may have written her completely out her life but the same couldn't be said about him. He wanted to know her. He wanted the same relationship that Elsa and Pippa have. Ever since they met, something had just clicked. The two of them spent a lot of time together. In fact they were right now having – what they called – a sister's day. What they were doing was a bit beyond him but he knew they were getting some serious shopping done. Although there was times when he thought that maybe she was trying to replace a hole in her – maybe someone wanted a new best friend?
So back to Elsa – what was one to do about her? Should he let her have some space to figure things out or should he do his best to reunite two siblings who have been apart for many years? Well, he knew if he did either someone wasn't going to come off well. He knew in his heart that Elsa and Anna would have to reconnect at some point and maybe this was the universe telling them it was time. He honestly thought it was the best for the pair of them and for Elsa to move on with her life. However, he knew how Elsa was feeling. He knew pushing her into this wasn't the best idea and maybe he should find Anna and tell her not to come as it would be painful for Elsa. Although, would that be the best idea for Elsa? She did need to get past this. His brain started to hurt. This was all too much.
"Hey Jack," a familiar voice suddenly said from out of nowhere.
Jack looked startled and turned his head to find a grinning Astrid and Hiccup just next to him. Jack grinned back when he saw his two friends.
"Fancy meeting you guys here," he said. He nodded towards the chairs that were next to him. "Join me."
The two of them grabbed seats and drew them closer to Jack. Jack was then stuck by an idea. Apart from him, who knew Elsa more than anyone? Astrid! (Well discounting anyone from her home town Arendelle who probably would win this like any of Elsa's former best friends – Rapunzel and Merida he believed they were called?) Maybe she would have the answer he was looking for. Well there was no harm in asking.
"So what's this?" Hiccup grabbed Jack's notebook and flicked through it. His face fell with every word he read. "Yeah, I'm a genius and I didn't understand a single word of that."
Jack laughed. "I would be surprised if you did. Even I have extreme difficulty in understanding it and it's my job."
"So," Astrid really drew out the word, "did you hear the word on campus?"
Astrid grinned at her friend and looked as if she had the biggest gossip since it was discovered that Miley Stewart was Hannah Montana.
"That Elsa's sister is back?" Jack knew where Astrid was going. It was kind of obvious from the look on her face. She looked shocked that he knew and Jack shrugged in return. "She showed up at our apartment. I'm guessing that since you know she's here, you were the one who told her where to find Elsa?"
"Yeah, I was," Astrid admitted. "So what went down between the Winters sisters?"
Jack quickly recounted what had occurred between Elsa and Anna. Astrid looked quite surprised with every word that was uttered and Hiccup looked lost. Obviously he had no idea what was happening. Ah well, Hiccup was just going to have to deal with it. There was no time for explainations.
"So, any chance of a recap?" Hiccup asked.
"She let her go?" Astrid asked ignoring her fiancé and Jack nodded. "Wow."
Astrid looked like she was doing some serious thinking and Jack thought he knew what was going through her mind. She was probably wondering why Elsa just let Anna go. To be honest, he was too.
"She's coming to the home warming this weekend though."
Astrid grinned. "That should be good."
"Only problem is that Elsa told me to tell her not to come."
"You're not going to, right?" Astrid looked at Jack expectantly.
Jack smirked. "You know me well enough to answer that."
"I have a bad feeling about this, guys," Hiccup suddenly interjected which was ignored.
Anna was walking down the corridor towards Elsa's apartment. To say she was nervous was a huge understatement. Her hands couldn't stop shaking, her heart couldn't stop pounding and her head couldn't stop spinning. She kept thinking that this was a bad idea. With every step she too towards the apartment, her heart sank a little more. Elsa didn't want to speak or see her ever again. In fact, Anna was sure that Elsa would love it if she packed up and went back home and never spoke of this again or of her. However, Anna knew that she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she did that. If she gave it up now, then she would spend her life wondering what would have happened if she hadn't give up. This was her chance. This was her time. She was not going to blow it. She couldn't afford to.
She gazed over at Kristoff who was walking next to her carrying a bottle of wine. Anna's dad always said they shouldn't turn up empty handed to a party. So thus, they had a small pit stop at the local supermarket to pick a little something, something. They approached the door and Anna held out her hand to knock but she hesitated. She wasn't just nervous but scared also. What if she blew it with Elsa? What if she blew it so badly, getting Elsa to come home was impossible? What if something was said that permanently destroyed their relationship? Well, she guessed she couldn't have screwed up any worse than she already had. Her last memory of her and Elsa wasn't exactly screaming sisterly love.
"You okay?" Kristoff asked but she couldn't speak. She couldn't even move. Her whole body had frozen.
Elsa hated her, okay, she could deal with that. Elsa never wanting to see her again – well maybe that was also something she could with too. What she couldn't deal with was Elsa never returning home or seeing her friends again thus cutting out every little bit of her life before she was eighteen. People like Merida and Rapunzel were counting on her. She just couldn't mess this up – she just couldn't. Anna took in a deep breath and summoned every ounce of courage she had and used it to knock on the door.
"Coming," called out a familiar male voice. It sounded a lot like Jack, although she had only met the guy once.
Anna braced herself. She could hear the footsteps getting close and closer. What if this was the worst idea ever? She didn't think she could handle another blow up with Elsa. Ah well, it's too late to turn back now. The door opened and Anna was relieved to see Jack smiling at them. In the background, Anna could see several tables full of food and people gathered around them. Guess these were all the people Elsa knew here in Burgess. It would be interesting to get to know them.
"Hey guys," Jack kept grinning at them. "Glad you could come."
"We are not late are we?" Anna asked. Seeing all those people made her think that maybe they were indeed late to the party.
"Nah," Jack said as he gently shook his head. "You are right on time."
"Phew," Anna said.
At least she wasn't late. That would have been interesting to try and explain, not to mention be a super awkward experience.
"Oh I'm Jack by the way," Jack had quickly realised that Anna hadn't come alone. He spoke this to Kristoff who was a little puzzled to who Jack was. Although gathering by Kristoff's expression, it looked as if he had figured out who Jack was.
"Oh the famed brother-in-law," Kristoff suddenly caught on to who he was. "Kristoff is the name. I'm Anna's boyfriend."
"Ah," Jack grinned and gave Anna a wink who blushed. "Come on Anna, I wanna introduce you to some friends of mine."
"Is Elsa here?" Anna asked tentatively.
"Not yet," Jack knew why she was asking. "She has gone out for more ice. She will be back soon though."
"Oh," Anna didn't know if she should be relieved or nervous. Prolonging the eventual blowout wasn't something that was suggested. She kind of wanted to get it done and dusted with – get it over with. At least it gave her some time to figure out what she wanted to say. So she allowed Jack to take her from person to person.
"This is Astrid and Hiccup," Jack said as he led them to a brown hair guy who Anna noticed had one leg a blonde hair lady who Anna instantly recognised as the woman who led her Elsa.
"We've met," Astrid said as she shook Anna and Kristof's hands. "So how are things?"
First the first time since arriving, Anna felt relaxed. At least she some allies here.
Elsa walked down in the direction of the local store. Her home warming party has been going on for a couple of hours and so far no sign of Anna. She felt a little relieved, to be honest. She didn't really want another conversation with her. All she wanted was a fun evening out with some of her best friends. Not a drama filled one which was exactly what she would get if Anna came. Guess Jack did come through for her after all. She was grateful to him for listening to her on this one. Normally Jack would probably try and meddle but maybe he had decided to be nice this time.
Elsa hurried along to the local convenient store. She kept checking her watch. The minutes were ticking by. Already she had been gone close to half an hour and if she didn't hurry, it was bound to be another before she got back to her apartment. The store soon came into view and Elsa's quickened her pace into a run. Once inside, she saw that her friend Michael was on the evening shift. Elsa could have let out a small giggle. She knew that he hated working past five and already it was past seven. Michael liked to go out in the evenings and working late certainly wasn't on his agenda.
"Hey Mikey," Elsa said when she approached the counter. She rested her elbows on it and looked up at Michael. "Whatcha doing?"
Michael was currently on his iPhone. He had recently gotten the latest model and couldn't put it down.
"Just downloading the latest games," he said.
"Free or purchased ones?" Elsa raised her eyebrows.
'Free of course!" Michael pretended to look offended while Elsa laughed. "So I gather this isn't a social visit."
"Nope," Elsa said. "Just need some ice."
"You mean the ones in freezer?" Michael gestured over to the massive freezers.
Elsa walked over and picked up a couple of one kilogram bags.
"Yep, I do," Elsa said.
She quickly paid for the ice and headed out the door. Now it was a challenge to get these bags of ice home before they melt – and before her hands froze over. She quickly walked (which was difficult as the bags were heavy) back towards the apartment. As she was doing that, she was suddenly struck with a thought. Just because Anna wasn't at the party doesn't mean she wasn't going to turn up. Elsa shook her head.
No, she thought, surely not. Anna wouldn't turn up. She was being silly. Jack asked her not to come. Surely Jack would have respected her enough to understand that this was something of great importance to her. She was going to have a fun evening with her friends and hubby and Anna wasn't going to get in the way of that.
Elsa soon found herself back at her apartment. The ice was starting to melt a little. Well it was lucky that she was back at her home. She could put them in a cooler to help stop them from melting. She opened the door and found that people were still having a good time. Well at least her co-host wasn't messing things up. She grinned around at the people before her eyes landed on a familiar face.
Her heart sank.
It couldn't be.
After Hiccup and Astrid, she met some more of Jack and Elsa's friends which included a girl called Tooth, Bunnymund (weird names but she wasn't one to judge), Jack's sister Pippa and mother Caroline (so these were more of Elsa's in-laws, well she was glad that Elsa had married into such a great family), Honey, Tadashi and his little brother Hiro, Gogo, North (what was up with all these weird names? Well at least she would be able to remember all these names), Moana and her parents (how cool was it that Elsa knew people from the other side of the glone). Anna almost forgot about Elsa. She was having too much fun. She almost willed for Elsa not to show up so that she could remain having fun. She decided not to dwell too much on her sister. What will happen, will happen and she will need to meet it when it does. Instead, she allowed herself to be engrossed in what Moana was telling her about Polynesia. It sounded so cool.
She was bought back to reality when the door opened and a blonde hair girl walked in. Anna didn't need to look up to know who that was. Anna gulped and her heart sank a little. It was Elsa. She had finally come back. Well, time for their big – and potentially last – showdown. Anna braced herself as Elsa's eyes finally found her. Elsa dropped the ice bag she was holding. Ice went everywhere but she didn't seem to care. All that she was focused on was her younger sister.
"Anna?" the word barely escaped her lips.
"Hello," Anna murmured back with a small wave her of hand.
"What-what are you doing here?" Elsa said. Anna suddenly realised that she looked frightened. Why would she be though? What was she scared of? Could it be what Anna reminded her of – the very thing she was running from – her past?
"I just wanted to see you again," Anna said, speaking at the speed of light. She quickly realised she still had the wine in her hand which Kristoff had asked her to hold. She hurriedly held it out for Elsa to take it but she didn't move. It looked like Elsa was frozen solid. Jack, quickly realising that Elsa wasn't going to move, grabbed it instead in order to neutralise the awkward situation they were in and walked over to Elsa and handed it to her. She took it but with a confused expression on her face. "You know what dad always said…" Anna's voice got smaller and smaller. She had just realised what she had said – what she had triggered inside of her sister. It seemed that the room suddenly got colder – so cold in fact, Antarctica seemed hot – and nobody dared to speak. It seemed like quite a few people in the room knew what Anna had done. Had Elsa mentioned something to them?
"Get out," Elsa said very quietly but you could feel the lethality oozing out of every word. Everyone, including Anna, took a couple of steps back.
"Elsa, please," Anna was very near tears at this point. She clamped her hands together and started to beg. "Please, I just want to talk. Please!"
"Did you not hear me?" Elsa's voice was getting louder and angrier with every word. "I said, for you to leave."
Anna suddenly got a douse of courage. "No. Elsa you are my sister and I love you. Please come home. We need you back home."
"No," Elsa looked like she could have thrown the wine that was in her hand at Anna's face. "I'm never going back. The past is in the past."
"You don't mean that," Anna started to cry. Did Elsa really want nothing to do with any of them – ever?
"I do," Elsa snarled. "Now get the hell out of my home."
"Elsa," Jack said softly but he was ignored by Elsa.
Now it was Kristoff's time to try. He had been silent so far but Anna didn't know what had caused him to suddenly speak up. Maybe he really wanted to see Anna reunite with her sister after so many years.
"Elsa, please listen to Anna," Kristoff spoke in a calm, low voice. There wasn't a drop of anger in it.
Elsa turned her attention to Kristoff. Her face expression softened when her eyes fell upon him.
"It is nice to see you Kristoff," she said. "I'm sorry that you've been dragged into this."
"We really want you home," Kristoff said. "It's not just Anna here but myself, Rapunzel, Merida and others."
"Kristoff, I just can't," Elsa was close to tears. She suddenly became very aware that everyone was staring at her. She tried to hurriedly get herself back together before speaking again. "Please, just take Anna home. You both belong in Arendelle."
"So do you," Anna suddenly interjected.
"No Anna, I belong here where I can be who I am. Please, go home."
"Elsa-"
Anna tried to plea with her sister but it was of no use. Elsa had put her hand up to silence her younger sister. There was a look in Elsa's eye that suddenly reminded Anna of the way their father used to look at them when he was angry. Anna slightly recoiled. There was only one time she had seen her this angry and it did not end well. It was looking like Elsa was serious on this matter.
"Go, now," Elsa did not raise her voice. She did not yell. However her voice had anger pounding through it. It scared Anna. Anna wanted to speak, she even opened her mouth to do so but Elsa interrupted her. This time she yelled. "Anna, I don't want see you ever again! Get out of my life forever! Leave and never come back!"
Anna's mouth closed. Her heart dropped. Tears came to her eyes and started to stream down her cheeks. Did Elsa really mean what she said? She couldn't have. She just couldn't have. Although, the look on her face said otherwise. Maybe she did. That just made her even sadder at the mere thought. Anna mustered up every bit of energy she had to respond but just didn't have the energy to fight anymore. Suddenly Anna had a small burst of anger come out. It came from nowhere. She guessed it came from the frustration that she was getting nowhere with this.
"Fine!" Anna spat out. That was all she could get out.
Anna stormed out with Kristoff struggling to keep up. Anna was determined to hide her tears as they splashed down her face even harder than they had been before. All her hopes to reconnect with her sister, bring her back home and be a family again were gone in one instant. Blown up in one moment. Meeting Jack, her brother-in-law was a wonderful surprise but maybe it wasn't fate for them to know each other. Maybe it was fate that she and Elsa weren't supposed to have a good relationship. She hoped not.
"You okay?" Kristoff asked.
Anna shook her head. She didn't know how to respond to that. Well, at least Elsa was happy here. That was something, right?
After Anna left, Elsa hurried into her bathroom and locked herself in the bathroom, ignoring everyone around her including Jack who looked like he wanted to say something. She couldn't stand being stared at. She knew what was on their minds. They thought that she was being harsh for what she said and did to her sister but they didn't know what had happened between them – well maybe not everyone. For Elsa, Anna represented everything that could have been. Deep down, she was jealous of her sister. She had everything that Elsa wanted but could never have. She had a perfect relationship with their father, no horrible painful memories, didn't have to shut everyone out or suffer from PTSD. It was unfair that Anna had what seemed to be the perfect life and she had what could be the worst.
Anna also reminded Elsa too much of their father – the man that Elsa would always be terrified of and wished in some way, she had never known. He was the real reason she couldn't go back to Arendelle. The truth be told, she would love to see her old friends again and be reacquainted with Anna but she just couldn't. It was all too much for her to handle and she didn't think she had the strength. Elsa buried her head in her hands and cried. Oh when was she ever going to be free of this? When will she be able to let this all go? Being in Burgess, she thought that would be able to cure it but it all came rushing back when Anna knocked on her door. Oh why did she have to do that? Wasn't she content with her life back in Arendelle? Why did she have dredge up the past?
There was a gentle knock on the door and Elsa could hear her husband's voice echoing through the door.
"Elsa, are you okay in there?" he asked in a soft voice.
"No," sniffed Elsa.
"Do you want me to come in?"
Elsa shrugged. "If you want to."
"Elsa, the door is locked. You have to unlock it so I can come in."
Elsa got to her feet rather slowly and unlocked the bathroom door before collapsing against the tiled floor. Jack walked into the bathroom and sat opposite Elsa, cross legged. They both sat in silence for several minutes. Elsa was very aware that Jack was staring at her. She did her best not to look at him for a long time. Her eyes wandered around the bathroom as she tried to do this. Finally, her eyes fell to her husband and his eyes connected with hers – well it was going to happen eventually.
"Did I ruin the party?" Elsa said finally breaking the silence.
Jack shook his head. "Nah, they – well most of the people there anyway – understood. It was a little awkward trying to explain to Moana and her parents why you and your sister don't get along though." Elsa let out a small giggle and sighed. So Moana now knew her past – some of it at any rate. Hopefully she wouldn't think too harshly of her. There was a small silver lining though – at least she hadn't ruined too much. "So," Jack ploughed on. "What are we going to do about this?"
Elsa was confused. "About?" she questioned him and raised her eyebrow. Surely Jack didn't mean what she thought he meant.
"Going to Arendelle of course!" Jack said as if it was the most obvious thing.
Elsa let out a low groan. Of course he meant that. She had just wished he had something else on his mind. She knew where this conversation was going much to her despair.
"Jack, you know I can't," Elsa said softly. "It's just too much for me."
"You can't run from all your problems."
Jack tried to give her smile to show his sympathy but it didn't exactly work. Elsa gave him a look and Jack sheepishly grinned. They both had a history of running from their problems, although, Elsa probably did it a lot more than Jack did.
"Yeah I can," Elsa folded her arms. "Why not?"
"Because I have it on really good authority that the reason you are not getting over PSTD is that you haven't faced your problems."
Elsa raised her eyebrow. "Who told you that?" she said in a rather accusatory tone.
"Your therapist," Jack said, rather smugly in Elsa's opinion.
"When did she say that?"
"Oh like weeks ago," Jack said it was a throwaway matter.
Elsa looked even less impressed than she did a few minutes ago. Jack could only grin at her which Elsa found as assuming as a trip to the dentist. Trust Jack to turn this serious situation into a silly one.
"Do you talk about me behind my back to my therapist?" exclaimed Elsa.
She was starting to get a little freaked out. It wasn't exactly her favourite thing to be talked about behind her – let alone her husband. What had they be saying? Did they discuss her PTSD issues without her? That's not good.
"Well maybe," Jack looked a little guilty. It was as if he knew what he had done wasn't exactly something that Elsa approved of. Good, Elsa thought, serves him right. "Look, I am just worried about you. You have never really faced your fear of your father or your family. You gotta face your fears. Look danger right in the eye and say not today! Be someone you can be proud of."
Elsa could have laugh but instead she raised her eyebrow again. "Got anymore cheesy slogans for me?"
"Maybe," Jack laughed. "Look all I'm saying is that I think it's time you can go back. You have come so far in the time since your father's death. You're in therapy facing your issues which is good. Tackling your problems, one step at time. This is just the next step. You ca do this. I know you can."
Elsa sighed. So what was she going to do? On one hand, Jack made a lot of sense. He was right about her facing her past and fears. Jack did and he did come out better because of it. He was right about her coming so far. The nightmares were slowly going away – although she doubted they would ever completely go away. She was feeling a lot better than what had when she first came to Burgess. Here in Burgess she had found friends and a husband whi have supported her and had helped her come this far. Maybe they could help her in the next phase. So maybe going back to Arendelle really was the answer she was looking for. However, on the other hand, could she handle it? Her PTSD hasn't exactly gone away. She was sure that going back to Arendelle would just cause of that to come but. However, was Jack right when he said it was the next step for her?
"So, what do you say?" prompted Jack.
Anna was teary eyed when she packed up her bag. At this point, she didn't think she have the energy to go at it again with Elsa. It had taken all she had out of her and there was just nothing left inside of her to continue this fight. There was no use in staying here in Burgess if Elsa didn't want to come home. It wasn't like she could force her to come home. Besides, she did need to go home – her leave from work was up. At least she found her sister and knew that she was safe. That was something, she thought. She guessed she could call this trip a win even though she was going home empty handed.
"You okay?" Kristoff asked her while they swung their bags over their shoulders.
"Yeah," that was all she could muster up. Her throat had closed up.
She didn't speak at all on their way to the airport. She didn't even speak a single word the entire flight home. She kept seeing Kristoff glance over in her direction but she ignored it. She didn't have the strength or the willpower to talk about this. It wasn't until they got back to their apartment did they finally speak. Kristoff looked as if he was bursting to speak since Burgess.
"Anna, you haven't said a word all day, clearly you aren't okay. Please speak to me. I am so worried."
"Well what do you want me to say?" tears streaked down her face. "You want me to admit that it was a total bust going over there? You want me to say that Elsa really hurt me by what she said? Then fine I do!"
"Anna, I know it was hard but at least you saw Elsa. You know that she is okay. That was what you wanted to find out right?"
"Yeah," Anna forced herself to remain calm, "but I wanted her to come home."
Kristoff bought Anna into his arms and embraced her. They stayed like that for several long minutes. Anna just cried into his shoulder this entire time.
"We all did," Kristoff whispered. "We all did." There was a small pause after these words were spoken. "So now what? Do we go back?"
Anna sighed very heavily. Now what, indeed. So let's see where they were. Elsa threw her out and demanded that she never return. What was she going to do? She literally had zero clue on what to do. Elsa wanted to be left alone in America and didn't want anyone else to find her there. It was a real head spinner. She desperately wanted to make up for the time she and Elsa had missed but it didn't look like Elsa was interested. It looked like the only thing she was interested in was to stay away from everyone she once knew So was it even worth it to take another shot at it?
"No," it was the hardest word she had ever said. Anna knew it was no point in going back just yet. Elsa just didn't want to come back. It would only result in more fighting at this point. There wasn't any point at this moment. "I don't know really," Anna sighed. "You heard Elsa. I really don't what to do. It's not as if I can bind and gag her and force her to come back here to Arendelle."
Kristoff gave a short smile at this. "True."
"I need to think on this," Anna said. "Come up with a plan of attack."
Anna wandered into her bedroom and collapsed on her bed. She had no idea what to do. She felt utterly destroyed by this. Was it even possible to bring Elsa back home? She honestly had no idea. A groan escaped her and Anna pounded her head into her pillow in her frustration. No plan came to her. Well, at least Elsa was safe and happy. She just wished she was safe and happy with her in Arendelle.
It was ironic that Elsa running off, leaving her, caused her to realise just how much she missed her sister and wanted her back in her life. For years, Anna hated her sister, said horrible things to her and did even worst thing. That girl – who she used to be – made Anna shudder at the mere thought of her. Those memories were some of her worst moments. Anna groaned once more. She wanted to make it up to Elsa but how? It wasn't as if she could change the past, alter what happened to Elsa and between them. She had been hoping to change the future but how? That was the question (not the random question that Shakespeare came up with).
She didn't know when she fell asleep but before she knew it her alarm was going off. Time for work. Her dreams had been filled with weird images of her past with Elsa. It made her feel worse when she awoke and the whole events came crashing back to her.
"Anna, you okay?"
The words of her best friend Zoë snapped her out of her dream like state. After her alarm went off, she somehow managed to get to work – her legs just seemed to take her when she needed to go. However, her brain had put her on autopilot the entire day. All she could think about was what she should do about her Elsa situation but she had zero ideas. Anna was currently sitting at lunch trying to eat her salad but all she was doing was prodding it instead of eating her. Her appetite had disappeared on her since this morning. She didn't even have much breakfast.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Anna said looking at her friend. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh maybe because you've been acting super weird ever since you got back from America," Zoë said pretending that it was of no big consequence. She then gave Anna a serious expression. "Seriously, what happened there? Did you and Kristoff have a massive fight and like break up or something?"
"No," Anna shook her head. Should she tell her? Elsa wouldn't like it but on the flip side, Zoë might have some insight. She could tell her parts of it anyway and she couldn't just keep lying to her. "I just, well, tried to reconnect with my sister but it didn't exactly go to plan."
"Elsa?" Zoë looked shocked. Anna didn't find this surprising considering all that she had told her over the years. "But…but…you hate her!"
"I don't hate her," Anna sighed. How was she going to explain this incredibly complicated situation that she had suddenly found herself in? "It's super complicated and calling it major family drama doesn't even cover it."
"Oh," Zoë looked surprised at Anna's words. "I am so lost here."
"Let's just say that I have been wrong about Elsa all these years," Anna could have cried but she forced herself to keep it together.
"For reals?" Zoë asked her best friend and Anna nodded. It took Zoë several minutes to process this new information before she found the ability to speak again. "Wow. So the reunion didn't go so great?"
Anna shook her head. "Nope. I have no idea how to fix this. Do you?"
"Maybe do something that shows that you're sorry?" Zoë suggested. "Or maybe don't take no for an answer? Be stubborn, that's what you're best at."
"Hey," Anna gave Zoë a friendly shove while Zoë laughed.
They went back to eating their lunch but this time, Anna felt a little different. She could feel an idea forming in her brain. Maybe Zoë did have a point. She had let Elsa kick her out without much of a fight. Maybe she should go back. What did she have to lose? Her relationship with her sister was on the line here. It was not something she was willing to give up for anything.
After work, Anna soon found herself walking home but this time, she walked home with a bit of a spring in her step. Zoë may have given her the answer. Anna had been thinking about it all day. She was considering taking an extended leave from work and maybe getting a united front combined of her, Kristoff and Merida to go to Burgess. Maybe her aunt, uncle, cousin and Rapunzel would join them. Although, that would be mean telling them the truth about everything that her father did to her sister. Hmm, that may have to wait. Guess the united front would just consist of her, Kristoff and Merida then. Maybe that would be enough to convince Elsa that people wanted to come back to Arendelle.
Hmm, thinking of Merida, is that her? That was the thoughts that crossed Anna's mind when she walked past her local coffee shop and did a double take when she thought she saw a familiar gingar. Merida was sitting at one of the booths sipping coffee alone. Anna then realised something. She hadn't let Merida know what had happened in Burgess. She had heard her phone beep several times but she hadn't looked at her messages. She had felt too depressed to talk to anyone. Anna quickly opened her phone and saw at least a dozen text messages from Merida wondering where she was and what had happened between her and Elsa.
Hey Anna, just wondering if you're back home yet, one read.
Anna, did you find Elsa?
Anna are you okay? Did everything go okay?
They were all more or less read the same things. A guilty feeling rose within her. Opps, Anna thought. She quickly put her phone away and headed into the coffee shop to catch up with Merida. Now's a good time as any. Once inside, she ordered some coffee (because why not?) and headed over to Merida. Merida was on her phone – it looked like she was reading an online newspaper. Anna cleared her throat to get her attention as Merida hadn't realise she was there. Merida looked up and jumped.
"Anna!" she exclaimed "There you are. I have been worried about you."
"Sorry," Anna said. "Can I sit down?"
Merida gestured to the empty seat next to her and Anna sat down. They sat in silence for a few moments drinking their coffee. However, Anna could tell Merida was about to burst from excitement. So Anna just relaxed and waited for it.
"So what happened?" Merida asked excitably after only a few moments in silence. "Did you find Elsa?"
"I did," Anna nodded.
"Oh my god," Merida looked even more excited. "And?"
Anna quickly explained what had gone down between the two of them. With each passing word she said, Merida's expression changed from excited to concern – extremely quickly. When Anna had finished, she looked astonished.
"She said that?" Merida breathed and Anna nodded. Merida struggled to say something. It looked as if she was having trouble believing this. "So, she's really not coming back?"
Anna nodded. "I think so."
"What now?" Merida asked. Anna quickly told her about Zoë's plan. "Hmm, I don't know if that's a good idea."
"What do you mean?" Anna looked surprised. She had thought Zoë had a great idea. Besides, what else could they do?
"I don't think harassing Elsa is a good idea Anna. Elsa needs to come back on her own and in her own time. I don't condemn the idea of going back every now and then to start the relationship back up but basically that idea is like forcing her to come and that won't achieve anything. It will just push Elsa even further away."
Anna opened her mouth to speak but then closed it straight away. Merida had a point. Anna being stubborn in this matter would just cause Elsa to be even more annoyed with her and that was not what Anna wanted to happen.
"So you're suggesting maybe go back in a while and try again?" Anna said. "How is that different from what Zoë suggested?"
"Zoë's plan is forcing her to come over here, remember? Mine is letting her come when she is ready."
"I guess that's true," Anna sighed.
So it was back at square one for her. Anna started to think hard. As usual, Merida was right. She hated that about her. Maybe she should go back in a month or so after letting Elsa have some space. Maybe then Elsa would be ready for a long talk. Besides, it wouldn't be such a shock with her turning up out of the blue. Anna had a feeling that she threw Elsa quite a bit when she knocked on her door. So maybe giving her some space wasn't the worst idea ever. It might actually persuade her to come back.
"So, why didn't you answer any of my messages?" Merida suddenly asked. "You scared me quite a bit."
"I was just upset to what happened with Elsa," Anna replied. "I didn't feel like discussing it then."
"Fair enough," Merida smiled a little. "So one last question, are we telling anyone about what happened? Like Rapunzel or your family?"
Anna had thought hard and long about the answer to that question. She had been preparing the answer all day and had finally come to one.
"No," she said firmly. "If we do, they would just keep on turning up at Elsa's and I know she doesn't want that. Let her decide when she's ready to see them. It would just overwhelm her and judging by the way she acted when I met her, she is not ready for any of that just yet."
"Fair enough," Merida repeated as she drank some more coffee. "That works well with my plan then."
Anna nodded and then was about to say something else when her eye caught something in the background. Anna did a double take and gasped at what she saw. It was a women with blonde hair done up in a French braid. She looked very familiar…
"Is that…" Anna's voice trailed away as she stared and she rose slightly from her seat.
Merida turned so quickly it cricked her neck. When she saw who Anna was looking at, her jaw dropped.
"It is," she breathed.
The women turned in their direction and locked eyes with the pair of them.
It was Elsa.
A/N: Hey guys, guess who's back with a brand new chapter! Sorry for late updating. So what's been happening, okay so went to Europe for first time, AMAZING! Can't wait to go back, that trip was like the best thing that ever happened to me. London was like the best thing ever. Always wanted to go, home of Harry Potter, hello why wouldn't I? Haha. Also work is a nightmare which takes everything out of me but luckily I finally saw Olaf's Frozen Adventure which was so good and helped motivate me and give me the inspiration needed to write this. I'm hoping that the next chapter will be up soon but no promises. I am super busy so writing isn't often done but will try.
Also hope everyone had a great Christmas/Hanukah/Yule/holidays! Happy new year everyone!
Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter, please review!
Reviews:
Guest: Thanks so much!
theFamousStoryTeller: Sorry for not uploading before the new year and taking a while to upload. Been super busy. Also yeah, that person had no idea what they were talking about. Haters will hate. Thanks! I did have fun :)
Guest (Set): Haha sorry for the typos, I do try and edit.
AnthroDragon: Sorry about that, Hopps was one time cameo appearance.
Jelsa Lover 04: Thanks so much! Means a bunch!
JelsaElsaforeve: Haha it was. Be prepared for more drama coming!
Guest: Nope, not yet.
Liz: Okay so with that, I actually saw that when editing and thought I had corrected it. Obviously not. It is now though. Thanks for pointing it out!
Guest: Thanks so much! Haha sorry about the wait, hope it's worth it. Thanks again!
williambragg165: Thanks so much, I hope they are haha.
IceGoddess05: Sorry about that, I do try to update asap but sometimes that is impossible. Thanks.
Silent Reader: Thanks so much! Yay!