Chapter 20

Anna sat down on her couch, elbows resting on her knees with her hands clasped together. Her face was covered by a veil of seriousness, and right now her eyes could get anyone to confess to the worst of crimes.

With a deep breath, she spoke, "Alright...I need you to listen to me very carefully. You and I have been a team for a while now, a great team, but today we need to be perfect. Our communication needs to be on point, we have to know what each other will do before we do it. And that goes double for you, I know sometimes you can be a loose cannon, you don't like to play by the rules all the time. I'm just asking you to play by the rules today. This mission is too important. I know training's been rough recently, but I guarantee that your reward for your obedience will be better than you can imagine. I just need for the both of us to be on the same page, and for you to be the best version of yourself. Can I count on you, partner?"

Elsa looked at her until she'd finished talking and then continued to nibble at her owner's toes.

"Okay...I'll take that as a maybe."

She stood up and walked to the bathroom, followed closely by the husky. Honeymaren was going to be here any minute now, and there wasn't anything else she could really do to prepare. She'd spent hours cleaning her apartment (grateful that Elsa wasn't shedding) and even bought scented candles to make the place smell like a freshly-tree'd forest. She also made sure her fridge was stocked with all the ingredients that Honeymaren would need to make dinner. And she cleaned her room well enough that it didn't look like a hobo was squatting here, but not too clean that it seemed like she was some prude.

What else could she make sure was ready except for, well, herself? At the very least, Anna wanted to make sure that she wasn't bleeding or had food on her or something. Unsure if this was just a casual date or a date date, Anna went with a neutral shirt and jeans look, complete with bare feet.

Anna pouted and blew a strand of hair away from her face. She looked at Elsa and asked, "I look alright. Don't I, girlie?"

Elsa did nothing in approval, staring at her needlessly stressed out owner. Surely, if she could speak, Elsa would tell her that there was nothing to worry about. And that if Honeymaren liked her even half as much as Elsa did, then today was going to be fine. That, or she'd ask for a comfier bed.

"Right...it'll be fine," Anna said to herself before looking back at the mirror. "It'll be juuuuust fine."

As if the day was being constructed by an omniscient writer driving along the plot, the doorbell rang. That had to be Honeymaren. Anna walked, but not too fast, over to the door and took a deep breath before unlocking it.

Sure enough, there was her beautiful girlfriend, wearing the prettiest yellow sundress she'd ever seen. And she'd also worn her hair down for the occasion. Maybe this was a date date.

Honeymaren let out a groan, "Finally! I've been waiting here for forever."

A fifty-pound weight dropped into the pit of Anna's stomach and her eyes widened, "I am so sorry! I would have gotten here sooner but I was in the bathroom- no, not like that. I was just, you know, looking at myself which I know also sounds weird and I guess I lost track of time and I'm really, really sorry-"

Honeymaren shut her up with a quick kiss on the lips, "Anna, it was a joke. Don't worry. Thank you for having me." She sidestepped her petrified girlfriend and whistled, "I love your place. It's really cute."

Anna blinked, using every last one of her working brain cells to close her mouth and the door. This was sure to be an interesting day.

It takes about five minutes after Honeymaren sees Elsa again until she's able to say a discernible, non-gibberish sentence.

"You are the cutest puppy in the world," she says while energetically scratching Elsa's belly. The husky was both excited and apprehensive at first, wondering why her owner brought home the woman who put a thermometer up her butt, but she was easily persuaded by the treats that said woman brought with her. Now they were like best friends.

Which totally didn't make Anna jealous at all.

"I bet you're so happy this isn't a house call, huh?" Honeymaren said to Elsa, who responded by sticking her tongue out and continuing to wiggle around. "No, I'm just here to visit you and make out with your sexy owner."

Even though Anna was sitting away from them, she still turned her head to keep anyone from seeing how tomato-faced she'd gotten. You figured she'd be used to her girlfriend's forwardness by now, but no. It still knocked her for a loop.

Seemingly satisfied with the belly scratches she'd gotten, Elsa flipped over and jumped off the couch, running off to who knows where. Honeymaren wiped her hands on her knees and smiled at Anna, showing her she wasn't forgotten, "How's the biting been?"

She returned the smile, "It's getting better. She doesn't maul my hands anymore, although I can't say the same for the tennis balls I have to buy her every week."

Honeymaren raised an eyebrow, "Sounds like you need to start buying some tougher tennis balls."

Anna frowned, "The cheaper ones come in a five-pack, though."

Her girlfriend rolled her eyes and let out a chuckle. She scooted closer and rested her head on Anna's shoulder, "You're so cute."

Yep, still blushing. "Cuter than Elsa?" Anna asked hopelessly.

"Oh come on, don't make me answer that."

Anna scoffed, "Rude...but understandable."

Honeymaren intertwined their fingers and sat up, looking at the redhead with a cheeky grin. "You know what I think we should do now?" she asked, her voice highly suggestive.

Feeling the room get a hundred degrees hotter, Anna almost couldn't keep eye contact with the still surprisingly forward girl next to her. "What's that?" she asked as the distance between them was getting increasingly smaller. Soon, their lips were only centimeters apart. Honeymaren's eyes were half-lidded and Anna was all but ready to give in to the intoxicating feeling of what they could do now that they were alone: the illusive make-out session. And that was when Honeymaren finally answered her own question:

"We should go cook dinner."

The wind blew a little bit colder around Anna, and she felt like she had room to breathe. Which was probably because Honeymaren was no longer right next to her, and instead was halfway to the kitchen. Anna blinked, wiping the bit of drool on her lip before joining her.

"Right. Dinner. Cooking."

Unable to help herself, Anna gently opened the oven door and peeked inside, staring in awe at the fish baking underneath the golden light, and the potatoes nestled right next to it in its baked, herbed glory. The sight came at the price of getting a blast of heat to her face in the process. She closed it quickly, and not as gently, when she heard footsteps down the hall.

"Did you peek in the oven again?" Honeymaren said, though she wasn't in sight just yet.

"No," Anna lied.

Her girlfriend appeared once again and she looked at the redhead, who was suspiciously close to the oven, with a raised eyebrow. "How's the food looking?"

Anna pouted and mumbled out, "Delicious."

Honeymaren smirked, "I thought so. But stop opening the oven or else it won't cook evenly." She walked to the sink where all their dirty dishes sat. When she turned on the faucet and started scrubbing down one of the plates, Anna stepped forward and let out a noise. "What is it?" the confused dishwasher asked.

"I- no, it's just that I was going to clean those later. After you left. I didn't want you to do everything."

"Pssh nonsense, you cut the potatoes and put the spices and stuff on the fish. Let me handle the dishes."

"Yeah but you did the actual cooking and baking and all that."

Honeymaren rolled her eyes and turned off the faucet. She turned to face her guilty girlfriend while wiping her hands with a towel. "Anna, I picked an easy recipe so that you and I could make the dish together. You did more work than you think. Just let me do this for you, okay? And if you still feel guilty, then I'll make a huge mess while we're eating so you have to clean it up. Got it?"

Truth be told, there weren't a lot of dishes to clean. But it just felt wrong having the guest, and her date, doing her chores. Still, Honeymaren was as stubborn as she was kind hearted. Admitting defeat, Anna raised her hands and said, "Fiiiine. I gotta feed Elsa her dinner anyway."

As if on cue, Elsa scurried over to the couple, eyeing her owner curiously. Figures that she would understand the word "dinner".

A forkful of fish and potatoes hovered over Anna's face, near her mouth. "Uhh, what's going on?" she asked, almost going cross-eyed trying to look at the fork.

"Aaah," was all she got as a reply.

"What?"

Honeymaren sighed and put the fork back on her own plate, "I'm trying to do that cute thing where I feed you some of my food."

Anna blinked and her eyes widened, "Oooh, but wait...doesn't that only work if we're eating different things?"

Her girlfriend rolled her eyes and said, "You're hopeless."

Well, nice going there, Muenster. Hoping to remedy her awkwardness, Anna impulsively grabbed Honeymaren's arm as she was about to take another bite and stole the food right off the fork. With her mouth. Which, of course, made her feel guilty over depriving Honeymaren of more fishy, potatoey goodness mixed with rosemary and garlic.

"Mmm teyshty," Anna remarked with a full mouth.

Honeymaren looked at her slack jawed, and Anna could see her mind resetting. Thankfully, the brunette just laughed and scooped another bite of her food. "You are by far the weirdest girl I've ever dated," and just before she put the fork in her mouth she added, "And I love it."

Anna took a strange amount of pride in that. Out of curiosity, she asked, "How many girls have you dated?"

She swallowed her food and shrugged, "I think you're the fifth."

For some reason, that surprises Anna. But maybe that's because she's only ever dated one person, and that relationship sometimes didn't even feel like it counted. It was a whole thing, best not to get into it. It probably surprised her because now she felt like there was some sort of experience gap.

Honeymaren frowns, "I hope that doesn't put you off or anything."

Anna blinked and shook her head, "No! Uh sorry, I think it's pretty cool that you're so confident and stuff. It's just that I've only ever been in one other relationship, so I feel a little...inexperienced?"

She waved off that nonsense with her fork, "Ah come on, there's no such thing. Every new relationship has different kinds of fun and different kinds of baggage. You're not inexperienced, in fact you're pretty lucky that you found such a good catch on your second try." Honeymaren sealed that remark with a wink.

"You're right, I am lucky that I found you."

Oh dang. Anna has no idea where that comment came from, she struggles enough finding cute ways to tell Elsa how much she adores her, but it seems to have a positive effect. Honeymaren's eyes widen for a second, and she turns back to eating her food, mumbling what sounds like a thank you. It's the first time she's ever seen her girlfriend flustered.

It makes her feel like a rockstar.

And this upcoming moment is about to make her feel even more like a rockstar.

After she gave a short and underwhelming tour of her room, Honeymaren found her guitar that she didn't really try that hard to hide away. Of course, the brunette's eyes lit up and she immediately asked her to play something.

"Uh...are you sure? It's getting late." It definitely wasn't, the sun had barely set, but of course Anna was self-conscious playing in front of anyone but Elsa. It was a struggle to even play in front of her parents sometimes.

"Doesn't matter. I want to hear how good you are." Honeymaren scooted on her bed so she was sitting cross-legged, and cradled the guitar in her arms. "Please?" Elsa was also making a guest appearance in this bout of peer-pressure, sitting next to Honeymaren and looking at her with neutral yet adorable puppy-dog eyes.

Anna being Anna, she had dreamed of this moment more than once and even had a song running through her head to perform in case this ever happened. Which meant that she couldn't say she wasn't prepared.

"I don't know…" she said.

"I'll kiss you," Honeymaren replied, and Elsa yipped in agreement.

That was, pathetically, all the convincing Anna needed. She gestured for the guitar, which Honeymaren eagerly gave up, and rested it in her lap. After a quick tuning, she looked back at her audience with a sheepish grin. "Alright, I...I think I've got a thing. That I can sing."

"I'm so excited," Honeymaren said. Elsa ambled over to her owner, sitting in her preferred position whenever it was song time.

One deep breath later, and she began to slowly play a simple melody, gradually bringing it to its original tempo when she finally felt comfortable. And then she sang, soft and uncertain but with clarity in her words.

You had me at hello

Cause where you go is where I go

I don't need nobody else

I got you and you got me too

At the end of this line, she saw Honeymaren smile. Not one of her cheeky grins, or her reassuring veterinarian smile, this was new. More reserved yet tender, like she was experiencing an emotion (a good one) that she didn't know how to react to. Anna didn't know how to react to this either, so she just continued to sing. More confident this time.

You came right out of the blue

I wanna do what you want to

We can leave and run away

Someday, someday

The original song is way more upbeat than she's playing it, but Anna's sure that doesn't matter as much in the moment. As she reaches the chorus, she continues the reserved yet intimate feel. And she finds the boldness to sing and look at her girlfriend at the same time.

I've been saving

I've been saving you

And you saved me too

Yeah I need it

Don't you need me too

Cause I need you

Elsa rests her head on her knee, relaxed and satisfied, probably thinking this song is for her. And in a way, it kind of is too.

Yes, so call me anytime that you need a favor.

Call me anytime I can come and save you, oh oh

Call me anytime that you need a friend

And call me anytime when you're out of time

And you

I got you

And you got me too

"I really am in love with your place," Honeymaren says as they walk to her car. "I felt so...comfortable and warm. I mean it's probably because you and Elsa make such good hosts, but still."

"It is nice," Anna replied. "Are you gonna be okay driving home?"

"Well, it's a little late but I think I'll be okay." Honeymaren squeezed her hand to get her attention, and she grinned at her. "Unless you don't want me to go home."

Anna giggled, "Nah you've got work tomorrow. I'll make sure to visit you tomorrow though in case you want to get lunch or something."

"I'll make sure to schedule you in for an appointment." They made it to her car safe and sound. Honeymaren leaned on her door, looking at Anna like she was one of the stars in the sky. "You know, you're really something special. I already miss you."

Thankfully, the darkness covered the blush on her cheeks- the blush that Honeymaren had seen too much of today. "You'll see me tomorrow, don't worry."

"I know," she said with a frown, "It's just gonna be a little hard to sleep without you, that's all. Cold bed and all."

Anna tilted her head, "But I haven't slept in your bed before?"

Instead of easing Anna's confusion, Honeymaren looked at her amused and grabbed her hip, pulling her in to kiss her in a way that she'd never been kissed before. This was long, teetering on the edge of needy, and a shocking sensation that she definitely welcomed. Was this making out? Were they making out right now? Could they do this more often?

Before any of her questions could be answered, Honeymaren pulled them apart, keeping her fingers hooked into the belt loops on Anna's jeans. "Goodnight," she said satisfied.

"Goodnight," Anna replied, feeling like all the wind was taken from her lungs.

With Elsa tucked safely in her kennel, and all her nighttime rituals situated, Anna finally lay her head on her pillow and closed her eyes.

There was so much to unpack from today- from Honeymaren's amazing cooking skills to the question of where their relationship was going- but the one thing she knew for certain was that it was amazing. All of it.

Honeymaren was someone she'd never had in her life, and someone she planned on keeping. And it was an added bonus that she got along with Elsa so well. Wherever this was going, at least they had today. And right now that was enough, right?

She sunk into her bed with a content sigh, reveling in the fact that she also had the day off tomorrow. And she'd get to see her girlfriend in just a few hours. Life was good.

Life was…

Wait…

Wait a minute.

With the free time she had now to process the memories, Anna realized something that she should have before. She opened her eyes and frowned, completely and utterly disappointed at herself.

"She wanted to stay the night."

A/N: Okay so maybe I have a thing for girls in sundresses. Sue me. And, for the record, I want to keep this story as PG, family-friendly as possible. So intimate moments will most likely be kept to just kissing and cuddling, and explicit moments- if any- will only be implied. If you want to see more explicit stuff, read my other works (cough like the newest chapter of Five Feet Apart cough).

Also, if you're curious, the song is You Got Me Too by Loving Caliber.