Maybe Anna had been staring at her phone all night. Maybe she had put Eli to bed and then went over the whole day in her head again, wondering how she could have handled it differently? Maybe she beat herself up for bringing up his past again, when the first time she did he was defensive as well. Maybe.

Okay, definitely.

She just wanted to know everything about him, just wanted to understand how anyone could think anything bad about him. Sure he was a little bit quiet, and definitely a little bit standoffish, but when you took the time to get to know him he blossomed. He was a kind and wonderful man.

She just wanted to understand.

Anna knew she took it too far, and she hoped she would be able to talk to him soon and clear it up. She wanted him in hers and Eli's life, in whatever form that was. With whatever information he was willing to share. She didn't care about his past. She knew she liked who he was now, and that was all that mattered.

Placing her phone down with a sigh, Anna moved to make some coffee. It was then that there was a soft knock on her door. Startled but hopeful, she almost dropped the mug in her hand and shuffled quickly to the door, her slippers catching on the carpet.

Anna took a deep breath and opened it a crack, eyes level with a broad chest before she lifted them to see a tired looking Kristoff. She took in a deep breath and opened the door all the way, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Hi," he started, offering her a crooked grin.

"Hey." She shifted her weight, popping out her hip before rolling her eyes and stepping to the side with a meek smile. "Come in."

Shutting the door behind them, Anna headed towards the kitchen, gesturing for Kristoff to follow. "Coffee?"

"Please."

He sat at the table patiently as she moved around the kitchen, the only sounds in the home coming from the coffee maker. After fixing two mugs, hers with cream and sugar, his with just a little bit of cream, and sitting across from him, Anna took a healthy sip of her drink.

"So…"

Kristoff let out a small laugh and grasped his own mug, raising it to his lips. "So, about yesterday…"

Anna's mouth twitched, but she did her best to keep it hidden with the mug. "Look, Kristoff… I can respect that you have your own things… but I need to consider Eli… and he's really starting to like you so —"

"I know," he cut her off, lifting his hands up in surrender. "I came to explain. I don't want to excuse myself. Just explain."

Anna could feel her guard dropping just a little bit, and she nodded, allowing him to go on.

He told her everything. The engagement, being left at the altar, the alcoholism, the struggle every day to keep moving forward. He explained how it was a sore spot, because people still thought of him as the town drunk. People still judged him for past poor decisions. And he didn't want her, of all people, to think of him that way.

At some point, Anna had laid her hands over his, holding on tight to him. At some point, he had flipped his own over, palms up, to hold hers back.

"I'm just not sure… of what I want." Kristoff squeezed her fingers, pulling her hands closer to him. "All I'm sure of is that… you're special. And so is Eli."

Anna smiled at him, her head tilting to the side.

"I want to try," he stammered, looking down at the table. "If you want to, that is."

"I…" Anna stood, and moved to the chair closer to him, her knees bumping against his as she guided him to face her. "I understand loss and I understand the healing, Kristoff." Lifting a hand from his, she placed her palm against his cheek. "I'm patient."

He felt a lump in his throat and swallowed, leaning in to her touch. "Thank you."

"Well," she laughed, tucking a strand of his hair back behind his ear. "Eli likes you, and he's a pretty good judge of character."