Chapter 14: Moonlight and dreams…
And I love you, too!
Time and universe stood still, for him, for them. Kristoff´s chest heaved with exhilaration, and he had closed his eyes, just to comprehend the meaning of the soft and sweet words that had flowed into his ear and swooping directly into his heart.
Slowly, he roused from his wonder and realised that he had fallen back into Anna´s embrace completely, and she held him tight, not topping back even though he must weigh more than the double of her. How strong was that girl?! So powerful and brave!
He chuckled lightly, reached out with one hand to cup her cheek, and turned to get a look at her, and so Anna released her grip and with that, Kristoff reached out and flung his arm around her waist to pull her around and unto his lap. She giggled happily and wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her close to his chest now and Anna nuzzled into his embrace, while he perked tender little kisses to her forehead. And that´s when the tender woman to his heart lifted her gaze and her sparkling eyes were asking for that one touch, they both secretly yearned for.
And so, Kristoff leaned in, cupped her cheek and gently pressed his lips to hers, and Anna dreamingly dug her fingers in the mass of blond hair, just to pull herself closer and increase the magic touch of their lips.
It was perfect! And Kristoff could have held her like that forever, but eventually, they parted their lips and gazed at each other in wonder. Kristoff then slowly laid down and pulled his girl with him. Anna snuggled close into his arms and that´s how they remained for the rest of the afternoon, both drifting off into a slumber of relief...
"Sweetheart… It´s time or we´ll be late." Kristoff brushed a hand along the sleepy girl´s cheek, to wake her gently from the peaceful slumber which had her done good for sure.
She had jerked up rapidly and accidently rammed her elbow in his side, which kept the poor man wincing in pain. Oh no! Anna was so sorry and pressed her lips with a suppressed giggle. He didn´t mind… That was so her and the sting at his side was prove that he was alive and the vigorous princess to his side all present and not a dream…
They were still good in their time and went on to get themselves ready.
Kristoff checked his appearance in the little mirror in his bath cell. Shaking his head in astonishment about the look he got, the young man was wondering what had happened at all. When did all rational senses leave him and had bounced off board into the great lake? If Sven could see him… Surely, his friend would clap his shoulder with a biggest grin and sigh with excitement. What would his parents say? His parents… A smile came to his lips thinking of his dear mother, how she would clasp her hands to her breast, and beaming at the redhaired beauty to his side. "He´s brought a girl!" That´s what she for sure will exclaim and then hug Anna to the moon and back. Yes, he´d have to call them first thing after checking out at their destinated harbour. But right now, it was all so new, like a dream, and Kristoff didn´t want anything more than just to bath in the reciprocal they shared where not even many words were needed. And now, he took a good breath to prepare himself to swim in the lake that Sven had remarked for Kristoff being a new one. But he could do it, he would, and he didn´t intend to drown… for Anna! And maybe, he was about to make a good start by wearing this fashionable outfit, just to make his lady feel special. The eggshell-coloured cotton shirt felt comfortable, and the black jeans gave him the necessary comfort, if only the emerald tie would not get him almost strangled… So, he adjusted the excruciating knot a bit, only a little... He was ready, squared his shoulders with a reassuring nod to himself one last time before he left his cabin.
All giddy and excited, Anna had hopped off into her quarters to get refreshed and ready. The dress sat neatly, and she braided her hair into a half circle at the back of her head, the rest fell over her shoulders. She had not brought any elegant shoes, so, the black flat ballerinas had to do. The dancer smiled to herself with a warmed touch to her chest, as she was positive that Kristoff would not even notice nor mind her not being shooed like the perfect elegant lady – unlike someone else, who would have wrinkled his nose on such unfitting appearance… No! Kristoff would take her out barefooted, if necessary, because he loved her the way she was! She sighed, just trying to capture the moment of utter gratefulness. But it was time, and so, she smoothed her petticoated skirt and checked on her hair one last time, before opening her door.
And when Anna emerged her room, she stopped short mouth agape, with eyes widened upon spotting her man. What had happened to him?!
"Kristoff!" That was all that got out of her mouth.
So, he had caught her by surprise! Kristoff held out an inviting hand for her, which she took with a smiling shake of her head, but he couldn´t restrain a broad grin and mocking remark.
"One hour! You get this for one hour!"
Anna still smiling and mustering him in awe then reached up to brush off a lint from his chest. Of course, it was a torture to him, and so she wanted to give him the all-clear. Anna tiptoed shortly, pulled at his shoulders, and perked a little kiss to the corner of his lips.
"That´s alright! I prefer you in your casual wear anyway!"
Kristoff was wondering if they would ever leave for the evening when he flung his arms around her waist to pull her up into a tight embrace, just to remain for another felt eternity in this magical moment.
Finally, they had made it in time and the little Italian restaurant was the perfect place to go on such a wonderful night out. Anna praised the choice and ravished in the Mediterranean flair. The wine, the delicate food, the lovely background music, and on top of it all the man at her side, this all together was simply a dreamy treat.
They were joking around in a careless mood. For one, if they should be traveling the country by camper next summer and stressing their families and friends with their chaotic visit.
"You know I think we must be the two most complicated people on this planet?" Anna giggled breathlessly, imagining their discussions over choice of routes and places to stay, not to mention their playful fights over movie tastes.
"Sounds like the perfect match to me!" Kristoff grinned at her, still overjoyed with the thought of being here with this awesome woman.
But then, at some point, Anna wonders seriously, how they should proceed from now on. The thought had been slightly nagging in the back of her mind, since they had leaped off the boat earlier and Kristoff had remarked jovially that he would miss holding her hand watching her jump like an elf onto the landing. Now, he sat next to her at the table, but then, in a few days, they would dock the boat for good…
She put down her fork and looked at him with a questioning gaze, and she could tell that he must read her mind, when he mimicked her and put down his cutlery, too.
"Are you alright, or anything wrong?" Worry started to cloud his expression and then, it was for Anna to take his hand in hers.
"Say… I believe you are the rational mind of the two of us, aren't you? Tell me, what will happen when we get back? I mean… We live almost 400 km apart… This is a big distance… What if it is too far to handle…?" She bit her lips and pulled up her shoulders with some tension. She broke off and lowered her gaze with growing anxiety. What she didn´t say out loud was the greatest fear that threatened her pondering heart, ´ what if I´m not worth the thought of handling this in the first place…? ´
"Anna, I don´t know if being rational on this makes any sense. And I fear I have lost any logic reasonability by now." He looked at her with a tender smile in his eyes. Anna´s heart started racing, just like it had this very afternoon when she had listened to his timid words of liking. She needed to listen again because she could not form any sensible words herself… And this time, it was Kristoff who did a great job at pulling her out of her musing hole.
"You´re right, we live apart by a fair distance, and you´re right about the challenge this brings. But please believe me, there must be a way, because I don´t intend to let you slip out of my life again." He put his other hand on hers and the touch still gave him goosebumps, when Anna inhaled deeply to give this kind man the biggest smile she could form.
"And I want this to work, too. I don´t want to lose you and if there is anything on my part that I can do… It´s just, that I don´t know right now…"
"Hey, don´t you think we have the time to figure this out? Besides, I work a job where good people are sought everywhere. You know, and I´m sure Arendelle and suburbs aren´t any different?!"
Anna stared at him with eyes wide open and she licked her lips, and then blinkingly her mind raced through the city she lived in search of all the car works she could think of…
"You would do that?"
"Why not?" He tilted his head, not sure why she questioned this idea.
"Because… What if you might… ", she broke off short, not sure to continue.
"What? That I might not find a job? Well, I hope you give me some time to look for one?"
Anna shook her head lowly, her eyes darting from those wonderful brown eyes to the table and back, when she whispered reluctantly.
"No… What if you find out that this might be a mistake?"
And there was this clenching and sorrowful feeling in the man´s chest, because he couldn't bare seeing her like this. It was the same expression she had on her face when they were out on the lake in the rowing boat… And so, he cupped her cheek with his hand, stroking his thumb tenderly along her cheekbone, leaning closer to gaze at her intently.
"You are certainly NO mistake, Anna. To me, you´re a gift from heaven, the one that I´ve been waiting for!"
What could she do to sooth her speedy heart? Anna blinked her tears away, reached out to hold on to his hand still on her cheek, and lay her head into his palm, all the while smiling up to his gaze. Finally, she found her voice again.
"And I will make sure you´ll get the warmest welcome when it´s time to settle for a new start, however that will look like. And I happen to know some people who will be delighted to get to know you!" She chuckled with exhilaration.
They let go again and took a breath to let the thought sink in that was now spinning in their newfound bond. But then, what would his family say? And his father´s workshop, who would help there. Kristoff chortled at the concerned inquiry and started to explain that Anna surely need not worry about that at all. For one, his mother will surely hug her to no end, upon meeting the girl she had prayed for… And then, his younger brother Alfred was a mechanic, too and had mentioned already to join in. There was no reason to panic.
He then took her hand again and perked a kiss to her fingers, encouraging her to enjoy their last few days they had of their vacation, and to stop brooding, alright? Yes, she would! And to prove her good mood and positive hope for all that may unfold for them, Anna raised her glass of red wine with a happy smile.
"There´s to our boat-ship then!"
The parc was a short walk from the restaurant and at the edge of the old town, a lovely scenic arrangement of little paths, allied by floral arrangements and trees. In the middle of the great green plain, there was a pavilion for any sorts of concerts and entertainment, including a dance floor right in front of the little rotunda.
They sat down, not too far from the front, and still had some time before the rest of the audience settled down. It was a fair night, and the air was warm, one would not need any jacket or shawl. Anna looked around in anticipation of the music to start any minute, somehow glad to sit in the audience and not preparing herself backstage and listening attentively for the orchestra to stop their tuning. She sighed and gazed at Kristoff, who sat relaxed and smiling at her upon noticing her grinning at him.
Anna couldn´t help but chuckle and starting to fiddle with Kristoff´s tie.
"Have you not noticed that your torturous hour has long passed?"
"What hour? Time does not seem to pass when I´m with you."
"Silly boy!"
"Feisty princess!"
"My boat-ship prince!"
And with that, Kristoff grinned and decided it was time to take off the terrible tie. Anna giggled and grabbed the opened band, just to pull her boyfriend closer and brush a quick kiss to his lips.
And the band began to play.
The moonlight seemed to be the perfect lightning to this wonderful event, bathing the place in a mystic atmosphere. And when they played Beethoven´s moonlight serenade, Anna leaned against that bold shoulder and dreamed that this moment would never end. He had laid his arm around her shoulders, pulling her instinctively closer.
There was different kind of classical pieces, some modern movie parts and famous classic songs like Sinatra and others, all instrumental and very entertaining indeed. Kristoff enjoyed that variety of arrangements and thought this was too soon to end, when the conductor turned to bow before the audience. But it was not meant to be over yet. It was just a change in the entertainment, then now the audience was invited to join the fun and those who liked may take the dance floor, with an assorted program of standard dances to be played from now on.
Anna bit her lips and slowly turned her eyes to look at her mechanic curiously. Oh dear, poor man. Maybe she better suggested that they just take their leave? She didn´t want him to become uncomfortable by feeling obliged to ask her to dance, if he detested such a thing? When she got caught off guard by Kristoff clearing his throat and asking her just that.
"Wait what?" Anna jolted upright and looked at him mouth agape. "You ask me for a dance? But you don´t have to, really!"
Kristoff shrugged, smirked at her, and gestured to the front where some couples got ready to leap into the sway.
"Well, you must know, I will certainly not swirl you around like your Olaf does… But! I will not have those tremendous hours of dance courses wasted for nothing, that my mother had let me, and my siblings endure."
Anna snaped her head around to look at the dancing couples, and back at this kind giant, giggling in surprise.
"You say your mother had forced you to take dancing lessons?"
"Yeap! And guess the reason!"
Anna shrugged with a guessing grin.
"Mrs. Bjorgman suspecting her son to win over the heart of a girl, by impressing her with some smooth moves?"
Kristoff nodded slowly, winking mischievously in reassurance.
"You got it, my girl!"
"But she´s wrong!" Anna explained solemnly, bracing her arms around her chest.
Kristoff frowned at her with a slight tilt of his head, mostly irritated, making Anna smile in return.
"Because… You have won my heart far long ago already!"
And with that, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the dance floor, to show his ballerina that he could sweep her off her feet, in his way alright!
It had been enchanting, and the few times they had stepped on each other´s toes did not count. It had always been the fault of some other couple bumping into them, or the other way round. It didn´t matter because they had a great time. And then, one time Kristoff was literally carried away by the beaty phrased song that he pulled her along with just a bit to much force and he nearly toppled over another couple who had moved backwards as well. Excusing themselves, both men turned to look at the other and the stopped short. They had bumped themselves directly into no other than Mathias and Halima.
The two couples stood laughing and exchanging words of surprise and greetings and asking about the other´s wellbeing. Mathias clapped on the young man´s shoulder, understandingly winking his congratulations on the state he found the cute couple tonight. Kristoff blushed a little, just to wrap an arm around Anna´s shoulder in absolute confirmation of his happiness.
The four of them left the dance floor to get some chat and Anna pulled at Kristoff´s sleeve, to speak her idea that had come to her mind. Of course, they should do that, and he asked Mathias if he could take a picture of them, pulling out his mobile. He then stood back to the beautiful woman just to pull her back into his embrace, and Anna leaned in against his chest and they smiled into the camera, complementing the dreamy moonlight.
And when they were back aboard, still overwhelmed and thrilled by all the excitement, they sent the photo to Sven.
"Guess what, my friend..."