Chapter 9

Why was Anna surprised that Kristoff's parents were utterly perfect? Cliff and Bulda Bjorgman: Living Rock's very own Chip and Joanna Gaines.

The three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas break were filled with all-nighters, project deadlines, research papers and final exams. And before Anna could even process her semester grades, she was boarding a flight to Bozeman, Montana.

Living Rock was only about an hour south of the airport, but Kristoff refused to let his parents pick them up. He had left his truck at school but insisted that renting a car would be more convenient, and safer, for everyone. Stepping into Kristoff's house was like every Hallmark and Netflix holiday movie combined. House wasn't even an accurate representation of what it really was. More like winter-wonderland-cabin-getaway, roaring fire included. It was all the more impressive when Anna found out Cliff designed and built it all himself. And without the help of Pinterest! It was wide and spacious, all exposed beams and rustic brick, tall ceilings and hues of browns and reds everywhere. The Christmas tree in the great room was enormous and immaculate. Martha Stewart couldn't have done any better. And the snow on the ground outside only furthered the illusion of a perfect White Christmas. Anna had never seen a more perfect place.

December 23rd was spent cozying up to the fire, playing board games and helping Bulda cook in the kitchen. She also got to help Kristoff hang his ornaments on the tree. His parents had saved his for him like they did every year since he went to college. He explained that at the start of every advent they gave him a new ornament that had significance to that specific year. Of course there was the 'First Christmas' for 2004 with a picture of an adorable looking, 6-year-old Kristoff; a baseball glove for 2006 for Kristoff's first season; an old pick-up truck for 2014 when he got his license and a graduation cap for 2016. This year, his ornament was hand painted with a beach scene on it. Anna admired the detailing of the sailboats in the water, the lighthouse on the cliff and the perfectly scrawled 'Cape Cod 2019'. It was perfect. All of it was fucking perfect.

Anna seemed to be thinking that word a lot.

Christmas Eve morning was spent lazily. Anna awoke to the smell of cinnamon rolls and coffee, and after spending a little extra time cozying between the flannel sheets, she made her way downstairs. She opted for staying in her pajama shorts and reclining by the fire while enjoying her breakfast. Soft Christmas music was playing from the stereo and Bulda hummed along from her spot in the kitchen. Anna's head was lulling on the chair when she heard Bulda mutter, "I swear he would sleep the whole day away." and then loudly asked, "Anna will you go wake that boy up?" Anna stretched her limbs before making her way towards the stairs. She knew which room was Kristoff's but hadn't seen inside of it yet, it felt weird with his parents in the house, but now with his mother's permission...

As quietly as she could, Anna cracked open the door, hoping it didn't creak, and stepped into the darkened room. Closing the door behind her, she turned to admire the room before waking the sleeping lump in the bed. It was neat; no piles of clothes, no books or papers thrown about the floor, and no video game console. Everything of a typical college boy was absent here. Anna was just now realizing she had never actually seen Kristoff's room back at school either. Maybe it was messier without Bulda looking after it... The queen size bed stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by a thick cherry wood frame. Anna wouldn't be surprised if Cliff had made that too. The detailing of it was beautiful, the hard edges still very masculine. The walls were fairly bare, besides the one across from the bed that held a collage of pictures, awards and framed articles. She could easily spot high school Kristoff in the team pictures. He was gangly with an adorable baby face and much shorter hair. A small smile graced Anna's lips as she admired a candid picture of him holding the state trophy. Turning back to the bed, Anna's sock-clad steps were silent as she approached the sleeping man. Her stomach fluttered at the sight of him. Even in the dim lighting, she could clearly make out his handsome features. His face was soft and relaxed, much different from his smirking lips and expressive eyebrows; he looked more like that gangly teen in the pictures.

Not really wanting to wake him, Anna pushed some of his unruly hair away from his face and ran her nails over his scalp in the way she knew he liked. Kristoff inhaled deeply through his nose before Anna realized his arms were moving. In a fluid motion, one arm pulled back his covers while the other snaked around her waist. He pulled her over his body to the empty bed space on the other side of him, drawing a surprised squeak from her throat. His waist was still covered by the sheets and quilt but now Anna could see his bare chest and torso as his hands drifted down her back to her hips. Warmth blossomed in her abdomen at the sight of him now. Of course he slept shirtless. Her hand had landed on his side in the abrupt position change and heat was radiating off of him. That was why she felt so fucking warm, right? Was this the first time she was seeing him without a shirt on? It sure as hell felt like it. The firmness of his obliques stirred Anna to openly admire the rest of him. Dark hair lightly dusted his chest making the image of him seem much more mature, the semblance of any gangly teen long gone. His pale skin was pulled taut across his muscles, dipping and curving with each new tendon. Her eyes moving lower, the warmth in her stomach igniting into a full blown wildfire. Hard, smooth muscles greeted her even in his most relaxed state.

How did any real guy look like this?

The large hand on her hip moved lower to pull her body closer to his. When she looked back up to his face, amber eyes showed no sight of sleepiness but burned her with a matching heat she felt internally. There was no humor in his lazy smirk and it took all her power not to lean in. "I could get used to waking up like this." His voice was so husky from sleep it made something in Anna snap. She grabbed the back of his neck and slammed his lips to her. They had shared plenty of sweet, innocent kisses and even more steamy make outs but nothing like this. The gravity of the bed was pulling at a longing deep in Anna's core as Kristoff and flannel surrounded her. She wanted to feel all of him and, as if reading her mind, Kristoff shifted his body onto hers. She could feel his strength covering her and, even with the few linen layers between their lower halves, the hardness of him pushing towards where she wanted it most made her moan. The sound stirred Kristoff further, his right hand drifting under the fabric of her worn sleep shirt. Goosebumps flared across her stomach as his calloused fingers grazed her skin, reaching higher and higher until they traced the underside of her breast. Anna arched her back to spur him on but with a regretful groan, Kristoff pulled his hand back and rested his forehead to Anna's.

"You're trying to fucking kill me."

"If you don't keep going, I just might." Anna's own voice was thick with exasperation.

"Jesus I wish we weren't in my parents' house." Kristoff said to himself but the memory of exactly where they were dashed Anna's flame pretty quickly. That is, until Kristoff removed himself from the bed. Apparently he slept in boxer briefs. Only boxer briefs. He kept his back to her as he clearly adjusted himself, which made her toes curl at the thought. The view from the back was just as good from the front. Krisoff's back rippled nicely as Anna's eyes traveled down his lats to the black fabric covering the only part of him. Removing the sheets that had covered her in their...moment, Anna shifted her body to the edge of the bed. She stayed put, not trusting herself to get closer to Kristoff in his undress, but continued to admire him.

"I should really jump in the shower." Kristoff refused to turn to meet her.

"Want me to join?" Anna would never, but she loved how all his muscles tensed at her words.

"Fuu-uuck." The word sounded like it had a couple extra syllables thanks to Kristoff's astonishment. This time he couldn't help but turn to her, she noticed he kept his hands in front of himself, blocking her view of anything...indecent, but the expression he wore was absolutely wrecked and Anna held back a smirk.

Finally moving from his bed, Anna walked towards him, reaching out to run her hands down his chest and stomach. They stopped just above his waistband but scrapped her nails at the sensitive skin, "Another time." She whispered. She lightly bit the tight skin of his shoulder and walked out his door. The loud groan from the other side of the door had her laughing at his expense. It had been a long time since she embraced her more racy attitude but it felt good to tease Kristoff like that. The usual self-deprecating thoughts didn't have a chance to cloud her mind as Anna was far too focused on acting normal with Bulda in the kitchen while simultaneously trying to calm her racing heart.

Anna was never overly religious. Growing up, the softball field was her church on Sunday mornings, but she did have a few fleeting memories of church services from when she was a child. She always believed in God and Jesus and the whole crucifixion thing, there was never a reason to doubt for her, but she always lacked the emotional response.

Christmas Eve service seemed like one of those things you just did. The wise men, baby Jesus in the manger—sure it's tradition. But seeing the beauty of Kristoff's hometown church fully decorated, singing the traditional songs while finally listening to their meaning, it was opening her heart to the idea of more. Although the snow continued to fall outside, Anna was surrounded by the warmest glow she had ever felt. And when the lights went down and nothing but candles lit the sanctuary, Kristoff grabbed her hand and Anna knew this was where she wanted to be.

When they returned home it was well past ten o'clock so everyone murmured their good nights and headed off to their respective rooms. Anna tried to sleep, but her brain wouldn't shut off. Looking at the bedside clock, it was nearly midnight. Maybe a cup of hot chocolate would help.

The fire was still going strong and washed the staircase with a soft orange light. Before Anna hit the last step, she noticed Bulda sitting on the sofa, a half-finished wool hat in her lap. "Can't sleep dear?"

"I guess not." Anna paused in the living room, hot chocolate forgotten.

"Did you enjoy the service tonight?"

"Yeah, I really did. It was beautiful." She decided to sit across from the older woman in one of the plush chairs.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, Kristoff told us about your parents…" Bulda let the sentence hang and Anna gave her sad smile but nodded her head encouraging her to continue, "Where have you spent Christmas these last few years?"

"Well, the first year I-I didn't think I could stay at home, so I decided to go to New York. I had always wanted to see the city and Time Square. It was pretty but...it wasn't the same. After that I spent Christmas Day helping at different places. It made the day...not as lonely."

"No child should have to go through what you've gone through." Bulda paused as she noticed Anna stare into the fire, "I'm glad you're here with us," she finished.

"Me too." Anna whole-heartedly meant it, but she didn't look up from the fire.

"Family is a funny thing dear. It doesn't always mean blood but it does mean opening yourself up to potential pain. It was decades ago now, but the pain Cliff and I experienced still feels very fresh. Time does heal wounds but it will never dull the memories. We hoped and prayed for a child but every false test stabbed like a knife. When we started fostering children, we never knew how long they would be with us. The feeling of connecting with a child and then having to say goodbye to them was difficult but, to help them in their time of need, was far more important. A piece of my heart is with every child that walked through that door.

"When we met Kristoff, I knew he was different. I asked the Lord to protect that boy and if he were meant to be with us, then God would make it so. The day we signed those adoption papers was the best day of my life. We still celebrate it every year, we call it his Gotcha Day." Bulda smiled so genuinely then, "Even though we went through unspeakable heartache, I wouldn't change it for the world. Because Kristoff filled those cracks in my heart with so much love. Love is what makes a family dear. Even though you feel alone right now, you'll find that love again some day. And when you do, the darkness won't seem so dark."

Anna's cheeks were wet with tears but she refused to wipe them away. Bulda Bjorgman was a saint and she wanted nothing more than to bask in her absolute radiance. Anna moved from the wingback chair towards the sofa where Bulda crocheted, "Do you think I could sit here for a while? With you?"

"Of course dear."

Anna curled her legs up and gingerly leaned her head onto Bulda's shoulder to watch the fire. It wasn't long before her eyes were drifting shut.

Again Anna awoke to the smell of coffee, but the fresh scent of peppermint permeated it this morning. As she rolled over onto her back, her drowsy brain recalled the memory of someone lifting her off the couch and the feel of five o'clock shadow rubbing against her forehead. Smiling at the thought of Kristoff carrying her up to her room, Anna leapt out of bed. It was Christmas!

Yanking the door to her room open, Anna was met with a rectangle gift box with a note, 'Open Me'. Bending down to take the top off, she was saw green, white and red striped fabric. She took the box back into her room and placed in on her bed. Pulling out the entire contents, Anna smiled at the Christmas themed pajamas. The bottoms were the striped fabric she first noticed and underneath, a red top with a Christmas tree. Anna quickly changed into the new outfit and placed wool socks on her feet. Her heart swelled when she reached the top of the staircase and was met with the sight of Cliff, Bulda and Kristoff wearing the exact same outfit as her and yelling "Merry Christmas!" Anna laughed gleefully and pushed the burning sensation in her throat out of her mind. She couldn't cry on Christmas! (Even if they were happy tears).

Breakfast first and then presents. It was the rule. "I've been fighting it for fifteen years now but she's a stubborn one." Kristoff muttered to Anna at the breakfast table.

"Kristoff Michael, it is not too late for me to take back those presents!" Bulda threatened from the kitchen. Anna couldn't help but laugh at her pouting boyfriend.

When it finally was time for the presents, Anna was actually giddy with excitement. She looooved giving gifts and she really hoped they liked hers.

"Blundstones!" Cliff shouted as he tore the wrapping paper from his gift.

"Would you have liked black better? I didn't know which color. I'll give you the receipt so you can exchange-." Anna babbled nervously.

"Oh stop your fussin!" Cliff interrupted her. He was already pulling the boots on and walking around the house, "It's like floating on a cloud. Bulda all the boys on the site are going to be green with envy!" his wife only laughed at him as he started doing lunges in the kitchen.

"Ok my turn!" Bulda rubbed her hands excitedly as Kristoff pushed a large box towards her. With the first tear of the paper, the picture of a red KitchenAid Artisan Design stand mixer was revealed. Bulda stopped and looked up completely shocked.

"I overheard you on the phone with Kristoff a few weeks ago saying that your mixer died on you. I hope this one works better." Anna smiled at the speechless woman.

"Oh Heavenly Father! This is far too much dear I can't-"

"I hope you'll make us some of those famous snickerdoodles I've heard so much about." Anna cut her off, the warm smile never leaving her face. Bulda stared at the young woman for a few more seconds and then smiled, "Of course dear."

"Your turn!" Anna turned to Kristoff, a rectangular box in her hand. He tried to hide the look of confused concentration on his face as he took the box from Anna. Removing the paper and the lid to the box, Kristoff's looked on at the puffy, black, down material. Lifting it from the box, Kristoff noticed the familiar logo of the Patagonia brand on the garment. The tag hanging from the sleeve told him it was a 'Macro Puff Hoody'. A four-hundred fucking dollar jacket.

$200 boots for his dad.

$430 mixer for his mom

$400 jacket for him.

Kristoff's mind with running a mile a minute. How did she have a thousand dollars to drop on them for Christmas? That couldn't be financially responsible, could it? Anna didn't have a job. And she had rent to pay and food to buy. No, he would have to return this.

"Try it on!" Anna exclaimed as she unzipped the jacket hanging limply in his hands. It fit like a fucking glove. And was so warm… Anna stood in front of him and pulled the hood over his head, "Do you like it?" she whispered. She saw his face when he opened it and now she was worried she did the wrong thing.

Pushing the price of the jacket out of his mind, Kristoff only focused on the woman in front of him, anticipation pouring from her eyes. "I love it." At his words, a beautiful grin bloomed across Anna's face lighting it up. She then lifted his arm and snapped the tag off. Much like Bulda, Kristoff was absolutely speechless.

...and then there was Cliff in the background trying to figure out the drone he had just opened, tap dancing in his new boots.

Anna busied herself with bagging up the wrapping paper from the gifts that were already opened. She could feel the two pairs of eyes on her but she did not acknowledge them. She really did not want to discuss money. She held strong in her avoidance, but she could feel the air turning awkward.

"Here dear, open this one." Bulda drew Anna back to the chair with the push of a thick box her way.

"Oh my gosh I have always wanted to try snowshoeing! These are awesome! Thank you so much!" Anna leapt up to hug Bulda and Cliff, who had returned from the kitchen to stand behind the couch. Focused on her excitement, Anna looked through the small instruction manual on how to properly use the shoes.

"You've got one last one." Kristoff brought her attention back. He was swinging a small bag in front of her face. It felt light. Anna wasted no time in removing the tissue paper to reveal a...book? Ok...maybe not the best present your boyfriend could get you for Christmas… Anna tried to keep a smile on her face as she looked up at Kristoff. He saw right through it and rolled his eyes, laughing at her. As Anna took the book out of the bag, her forced smile turned to a look of confusion as Yellowstone Winter Guide stared back at her. Anna just continued to look at the book, not really understanding it.

"We leave tomorrow." He said simply.

Anna's head shot up to look at him, "We-...tomorrow? For what?" She knew their return flight to Arendelle wasn't until the 29th. Kristoff gave a loud laugh and gestured with his hands towards the book, his eyebrows raised in disbelief.

"No." Anna whispered in shock. "No way! Really?!" She jumped up. The biggest grin was plastered on Kristoff's face at Anna's reaction. Seeing that this was indeed real, Anna flung herself at Kristoff.

Definitely the best present your boyfriend could get you for Christmas.

AN: Woo! I always feel so proud of myself when I complete another chapter. My real world has a lot going on and I don't usually get many chances to sit down and write. I have the next chapter half written/half outlined. Its always the mundane fluff I have the hardest time writing -_-

Who has seen Frozen 2?! Tell me what you thought!