Chapter 12: Welcome… home…

Anna had taken a shower and felt her body refreshed and the memory of recent distress and fear washed off. She had put back on her summer dress and while she dried her hair with the towel, she got back into the room to sit on the bed and finish her preps.

"It´s so good to see you back sound and rosy cheeked, my dear." Her neighbour lady sat upright in her bed, her book resting on her lap. She was here for check up about some heart issue. Anna liked her, Mrs. Bach (creek) had a friendly manner and her eyes showed real concern and care.

"Thank you. And yes, I´m feeling much better and ready to head back to enjoying last days of vacation." Anna put her towel over the chair and started combing her mess of red mane.

Mrs. Bach smiled to her and sighed, glancing dreamingly into the room, just to share her thoughts with this lovely young woman.

"You know, I was somewhat thrown back in time yesterday, when your wonderful husband came to sit with you at your bedside. Such a look of love and worry. Oh dear, he was so distressed about your wellbeing, I could tell. Was so reminded of my dear Charly when he sat with me when our first child was born. So concerned and helpless. I´m sure yours is excited to have you back!"

She nodded and picked up her book again, completely oblivious to what she had implicated on the blushing girl on the other side of the room.

Anna had stopped midway of her combing and stared in disbelief to the older woman. A shiver ran down her spine and a faint remembrance of a blonde man with tearing brown eyes smiling at her, holding her hand, and… caressing her arm… Anna slowly took up her combing again and murmured her thanks and smiled to the thought of her husband picking her up shortly. Goodness, how should she address Kristoff afterwards. She could hardly say, ´ hi darling! ´. The young woman sat back on her bed, facing the door, so Mrs. Bach could not see her nervous eyes flicking around the room in search for a suitable answer, and her cheeks burning redder than they must have been while she was struck by that shock.

But then, the memory came back to her slowly but so clearly, of all his supporting hold, his touches, and tender words throughout the whole incident and then later when he sat with her in her drowsy state… And Anna felt a mixture of radiant joy wrapping up her inner being, and fear mingling with the thought of how this might even be reality and what was she going to do now? What if he had done all this by pure kindness and liking her, like he had told Sven. Surely, Mrs. Bach was a sensitive and lonely old woman who wished all young people to experience heavens of love. Anna folded her hands in her lap, looking down at them, while waiting, and telling herself that she must keep her feet on the ground and not implicate something on the poor man, that was not. She was so grateful for how he had cared for her. She would tell him. But she was not allowed to expect more of him.

A knock on the door pulled Anna out of her thoughts, and she looked up to see the door open and Kristoff walk in.

"Hi." Anna smiled at him, getting up and tiptoeing and lowering again, a bit nervous.

"Hi." Kristoff stepped a bit closer, smiling at her, inwardly excited to see her in this fresh and alive.

Anna couldn´t help but bouncing slightly, to give Kristoff a comradely hug, somehow for Mrs. Bach´s sake… And he answered her touch by holding her shoulder with one hand and flinging his other arm around her waist, just to pull her close for a jiffy. They let go of each other and neither realised the other blushing, because own ears were burning…

"Ready?" Kristoff asked and Anna nodded, saying her goodbyes, and wishing all the best to her friendly neighbour. Mrs. Bach smiled at them both, nodding kindly, and returning the well-wishing. Kristoff nodded to the lady and then held open the door for Anna.

She had been instructed about the emergency kit that was handed to her, but then she doubted that she would need it, hopefully. The pack included some pills and an adrenalin pen that must be ran into the upper thigh muscle when a reaction commenced to show up. Not really thrilling to think about, but then she would learn to watch out about what to eat and what not once she got a hold of clarified test results. And when she told Kristoff about this all, his face had turned pale while listening to her nonchalant explication. Anna giggled and laid a hand on his arm, reassuring him that she was fine, and that he needed not to worry.

On their way back to town, neither of them would speak for a while, when Kristoff cleared his throat and then told Anna about Mathias and Halima. Of how they had been of such great help and all. Wow! She had no idea, and Anna shook her head in wonder and bit her lips. That was awesome and she was glad, that there had been someone sitting with this big blonde mass of softness and care. He truly deserved to be taken care of himself. And then, that story of this man running away from his love…

"34 years?!" She couldn´t believe it and put a hand to her chest. "That´s truly something…"

"Yes, isn´t it?!" Kristoff chuckled, shaking his head, and shortly glancing at the radiant flower sitting in that seat next to him.

It should be my turn now…

Returning the car to Mathias and Halima was a visit, they would not forget for a long time. The elder couple was so happy to see Anna on her feet and smiling with that rosy expression like they had imagined her. Of course, they would not accept any offer of reward, but were excited when Anna mentioned free tickets for her premiere of the new season ballet that was coming up. Yes, a nice travel to see her dancing at Arendelle Opera house would be just the treat!

And then Kristoff and Anna left and strolled back towards harbour district. It was a nice day, little cloudy, but not too hot and a fair brise brushed trees, bushes, and the tingling sound of rocking boat masts in the wind, accompanied by the singing seagulls made the walk a welcome back into vacation feeling.

Anna felt light-hearted and relieved being back in these lovely surroundings, that she impulsively climbed up onto the waist-high stone wall that was running along their path at the waterside. She balanced like children often do and giggled with joy about this jovial freedom.

Kristoff stared up at her, smiling at the carefree girl. But then, what if she was not that fit yet and medicine running in her body making her faint perhaps? He mentioned his concern, receiving a smirk and chuckle as answer.

"Seriously, Anna. You should be careful. Who knows if you´re still a bit weak on your feet?"

"Kristoff, please, I´m fine. Believe me, I feel as new as can be. Shall I prove? Look!" And then, she turned around to face him, stood with her feet neatly placed together with toes turned out. She slowly raised to tiptoes and lifted her arms gracefully above her head, and with tripling feet she turned around at her own on the spot, mindful about the little ground she stood on.

She looked like a dancing butterfly, amazing and breath-taking to watch, but frightening, too. Kristoff stood mouth agape, gasped, and then exclaimed to her to stop it and come down again. On that, Anna stopped her turns, and when she glanced over her shoulder with a grin, she simply shouted out, "catch!", swiftly bounced off backwards.

Wait, what?!

Kristoff strode forward and caught the girl right in time, his heart skipping several beats and his mind roaring with alarm. She was crazy, but oh, so amazingly crazy. He stared at her in surprise, speechless at the touch of her so close, so firm, and yet so alive and cheerful, while Anna sniggered all excited and with a glint in her eyes. And while Kristoff slowly put her down, she loosely patted his chest, remarking jovially, ´ that this had been like some sort of trust exercise… ´

Staring after her with a flabbergasted grin, Kristoff followed the dancing girl back to their boat.

It was already late afternoon, and Anna had taken to rest on deck on her towel, on request of nurse Bjorgman, who had made it clear to her not to jeopardize her state and to spend the rest of the day snoozing. He was sweet and therefore, Anna obeyed gratefully, after all, she was happy to be back on board.

Turning onto her belly, Anna thought of checking her messages on her mobile, that she had abandoned in her nightstand over the last few days.

Jenny: So, how are doing? All fine or did you get a sunburn yet? You know, the makeup lady will kill you…" Anna: Don´t worry, all fine and skin´s safe.

Elsa: Hi sis, enjoying your holiday? Hope you´re not drowned or anything, right? Please leave some sign of life, okay? Anna: Yep, still alive… and having a great time…

Olaf: Uwuuuu sweetie, are you alright? Listen, I got the rehearsal update, will be fun. Let´s check this out when you´re back, okay?!" Anna: Yes, let´s do that. Take care!

Anna felt bad.

"You know, you don´t have to pamper me like a baby. I´m fully back with all my senses and physical control, alright?" Anna sat at the prepared dinner table and pulled a face of frustration. She didn´t want to be troubling this good person… He had done so much for her already. But then, Kristoff shook his head and gestured that it was not the end of the day, and she was still his patient.

Anna couldn´t restrain a giggle and motioned an obedient sign of surrender.

"Yes, sir!"

And because the wind had increased, they decided to stay inside, and Kristoff insisted that Anna should chose a movie if she felt up to. Of course, she did, musing over a suitable and enjoyable film. And then, she snapped her fingers, flicking trough the opened Netflix page, squeaking excitedly when landing on the looked for.

Diney´s masterpiece from 1961, 101 Dalmatians. It was no drama, nobody would die, happy ending, no soppy romance for any poor man to endure, no thriller for post-hospitalised, well a real classic for anyone it was!

Kristoff laughed out loud, loving her way of explanation, pressing the play button to proceed the fun!

I would watch anything with you, if you´re cuddling up so cosily like you´re doing right now… Like one of those super cute puppies…

Anna had indeed leisurely snuggled up against his side, leaving her hands in her lap, while Kristoff had casually laid his arm around her shoulders. It felt just good, just right and safe. And her whole body tingled with excitement, and Anna was wondering if her personal nurse had been right, that there was still some medicine flowing her veins that made her feel so… wobbly inside…?

And when the 99 puppies slept safe and soundly in the country barn to recover from their nocturnal strive through winter snow, Anna herself had drifted off into a slumber at Kristoff´s shoulder.

And she didn´t wake when he scooped her up in his arms to put her to bed like little puppy.