Eli was just starting to doze off in front of the TV, Miss Honey combing her fingers through his hair when he heard keys unlocking the front door. Eli practically jumped out of his sleepy state to run towards his mother, grinning as she scooped him up off the floor with a big, smacking loud kiss on the cheek. "Hi, mama," he giggled, squishing her cheeks. "Missed you."
Anna cradled him closer, nuzzling her nose into his hair. "Missed you too, baby."
He tugged on a loose strand of her clipped back hair, and buried his face into her shoulder. "Bed please?"
Letting out a soft laugh, Anna waved to Honey and told her to take her time and stay as late as she wanted before heading to the bedroom with her son already falling asleep in her arms. "Story?"
With a nod, Eli snuggled his nose deeper into her chest and felt himself dozing off already. As Anna moved carefully, tucking them both under the comforter, Eli looked up at her with sleepy eyes. "You're smiling big."
Taken by surprise, Anna wrapped her arms around his shoulders and laid her cheek against the top of his head. "I am."
"Did something good happen?"
Blushing, Anna nodded again, laying a little kiss against his forehead. "Yeah, baby." She bit at her lower lip, unsure if it was fine to let him in on this already, and decided it would be okay to ease him in. "You know Mr. B?"
"Yeah," he said, eyes drifting upward.
"Do you like him?"
"Mhmm." It was barely a hum, but Anna knew it was positive.
Running her hand over his hair, she smiled. "Well he wants to spend some time with us. Is that okay? He invited us up to his house to see the reindeer."
Eli was close to sleep, but he managed a soft, drawn out "yaaaay" before little snores took over the room.
He was definitely her child, and Anna let a soft laugh pass over her lips before she, too, mumbled a little "yay."
She fell asleep in his bed that night, cuddled up and happy, dreaming of blonde hair and honey eyes, of Eli happy with a father…
—-
Kristoff walked out to the barn, his whole face flushed red. He had done it, he had really done it. Never before in his life had he put himself so out there, and he couldn't believe he had actually done it. A stuttered, nervous laugh escaped his chest as he pushed the stable door open, and walked back to the stall of his favorite reindeer.
"Hey, Sven." The reindeer came immediately to the door, propping his muzzle into Kristoff's outstretched hand. "I did it."
Sven let out an almost happy snort, and Kristoff let his head fall back in a relieved sigh. "Like… I really did it." His hands lifted to his face, running down his now stubbled cheeks. "Should I be this excited about just giving her my number?"
With a shake of his head, Sven almost seemed to be congratulating him. "You're right. I should be proud of myself!"
Kristoff's smile grew wider and he reached forward to scratch the underside of Sven's chin, unable to stop words from tumbling from his mouth. "She's just so… gorgeous. And funny. And her kid! He's the sweetest. They're so kind and brilliant and…" He sighed again, his eyes softening, smile dropping just a little. "And there's probably someone way better for her out there."
Sven blew out a huff of air that rustled Kristoff's hair, and he couldn't help but laugh again. "You're right. I'm good. I'm a good person. I could…" A pause, before Kristoff's smile warmed. "I can do this."
Leaning forward, Sven pressed his nose against Kristoff's cheek, affectionately letting him know how much he believed in him.
"Thanks, buddy." Kristoff pet at the reindeer's fur, scratching Sven's favorite spot. "You wanna meet her?"
His happy snort was the only response Kristoff needed.