Author's Note: With this, the story is complete again. Thanks to JessX for betaing this chapter as well. I hope this adequately answered everyone's questions, and that you all enjoyed revisiting this story as much as I did. It's been a hell of a ride.
"They," Elsa said quickly.
Kristoff groaned. "Right. Sorry. What did they mean." Great. I was really hoping that would distract him enough. I should know better. This is literally my job. "Is Nani cheating on me?"
Elsa blinked and made a gurgling noise. Wow. Very dignified. What the hell was he talking about? Why would… Oh. Ohhhhh. Fuck. "Why would you think Nani's cheating on you?"
"Lilo makes it sound like they share a bedroom. What's been going on when I'm not here? I know I just visit sometimes, but I didn't think she would. Why should I be so surprised, it's not like Anna ever wanted me to be happy."
Elsa gripped his wrist. "Nani isn't cheating on you."
"Then what the hell was she— they talking about?"
"Well, what did they say?" She needed to buy enough time to figure out what she could say. Of course Lilo would be the one to give it all away, but how the hell could she get out of this without just telling the truth? They were literally in the fucking process of moving out. Why the hell did this have to happen now?
"I was about to knock on the door to check on them. And maybe talk to them about that treehouse idea." He sighed. "I really think they'd like it. But… I heard." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as a tear trickled down his cheek. He really thought Nani was cheating on him. Didn't he trust her? But he didn't trust Anna. How could he? Hell, all of them had been lying to him for six years. "They were joking about finding something."
"Finding what?"
His face paled. "A uh…" He gestured vaguely at his crotch and apparently thought better of it as he instead just said, "A strap on. In their 'mom and mom's room.'" He gritted his teeth, his fists clenching. "They were laughing about it. Like it was a thing they all knew." I hardly even use it. Though Anna had certainly been excited when she found out we had one.
"That doesn't mean she's cheating on you."
"Then why the fuck do they share a room?!" he was screaming now. Had he already confronted Nani on this? What the hell had she said? Elsa couldn't risk a conflicting story. "I knew it was weird that Anna's room was so bare. It looked like she barely lived in it. But I was here so rarely, and her stuff is all over the rest of the house, so I told myself it didn't mean anything. But of course Anna would be in love with her. And she'd take her from me like that. Not like she ever told me anything."
"Do you really think so little of your partner?" Elsa asked. "You know Nani would never do that to you."
"Then what the hell were they talking about?"
Elsa stammered, looking for any response she could think of. "Have you talked to her?" It wasn't a great one.
"And said what? We're supposed to be buying a house together—building a life together. And this whole time, she's been…" The tears started falling harder and he sunk to the ground, not even bothering to wipe them away. "What the hell am I gonna do? I can't believe she'd do this to me. I love her."
"She didn't."
"They share a room, Elsa. You don't need to lie to me too. I already know."
"They don't share a room."
"Then what the fuck was Lilo talking about?"
Elsa bit her lip. Why the fuck hadn't they come up with a better cover? They'd had so much time. They should've had fake girlfriends by now, just anything to make it easier. But how could she ever bring herself to do that? She couldn't deny her feelings for Anna. "They meant Anna and me. It's our room. It was my strap on."
"What?" He stared up at her, blinking away his tears and looking incredulous.
"Anna and I are… together."
His jaw dropped and he shook his head. "She's your sister."
Elsa winced. "Yeah. That's why we kept it a secret."
"But that's… Why would Lilo call you mom?"
She shrugged. "They just do."
"I don't believe you. This is a stupid excuse. You're just trying to get me not to break up with Nani."
"Why the fuck would I lie about this?"
His mouth opened and promptly closed again, his eyes narrowing. "You… You're… You and Anna?"
She nodded.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He leapt to his feet, the anger returning even greater than it had been before. "She's your sister!" he bellowed.
Elsa took a step back. Had she seriously just admitted to it? It was so stupid. She should've come up with a lie and she knew it. This could ruin everything. But she couldn't let Nani and Kristoff's relationship be destroyed for her sake. "I know."
Anna and Nani came rushing in. She must've overheard everything and grabbed Nani to calm him down.
Kristoff spun on her, slamming his fist on the counter hard enough to crack it. That was granite. And expensive. Though it had been Tiana's, so Elsa felt a little conflicted about it. "You knew, didn't you?"
Nani gulped and backed up. What exactly did she see in this guy anyway? Should've just told him Anna was cheating with her.
"How long has this been going on? You trusted them with our children!" Every time. How on earth does that even make sense as an assumption? "Who knows what they could've done!"
"Well I lived with them," Nani said.
"Uh…" He stumbled, stopping midstep.
"I. Lived. With. Them," she repeated slowly, annunciating each word for the loping ignoramus. "I've lived here for almost six years."
"So you did know," he muttered.
"Yes. I knew." Well there went any chance of playing it off as a joke. "Anna was in love with Elsa for a whole fucking year before she finally made a move and terrified Elsa. I was there the whole time, listening to what they were going through and feeling. I didn't approve of it, but they love each other. And they're amazing parents for Lilo and Olaf. Hell, you know how crazy Lilo is for Elsa. She's their third mom."
"Well, yeah, but—"
"But nothing. They're both consenting adults in a loving relationship."
Kristoff shoved past Anna and Nani and stomped out of the room without a word. That was never a good sign. What was he going to pull? Was she going to get fired from another fucking place for it? Or would he try to do it to Anna? She was a teacher. He could take everything from her. Elsa wouldn't let that happen. She didn't care what she had to do. He wouldn't ruin Anna's life. "Where the hell are you going?"
"I'm talking to Olaf and Lilo."
"Wait, what?" Anna asked. "You don't need to involve them."
"They apparently already fucking know," he spat.
Nani caught up to him, grabbing his arm. "What are you going to say?"
He turned to her, but he didn't look angry anymore, he just looked scared. Sad. It wasn't like with Anya. Kristoff had never been particularly amazing, but he also didn't have that same superiority complex that she had. Maybe Elsa shouldn't have expected it to go as poorly. Maybe they should've trusted him with this. It had only ever been a matter of time until he found out. "Fine. You can talk to them."
Nani stared at him.
"You're right. I'm too angry. I'll scare them. But I need to know that nothing is happening to them. I need to know that no matter how disgusting what those two do is…" He shook his head and more tears fell. "I just need to know the kids are safe."
"They are," she insisted. "I've been here. I know what's going on."
"Please," he whispered.
With a sigh, Nani nodded. "Okay, but you're not going in. You can listen at the door, but I'm not having you scare them like this."
"They're not going in either then."
That would make things awkward. But there wasn't much sense in arguing over it. The three of them stood outside Lilo and Olaf's room while Nani knocked on the door. "Hey, can I come in?"
"Sure, what's up?" Olaf's voice replied.
"No!" Lilo quickly added.
Nani opened the door and they found Olaf sitting on the floor in front of the tv and Lilo sitting on the bottom bunk — his — both playing some game on the TV. Elsa couldn't see what it was, though she heard a bunch of slashing and explosions. "You doing okay?"
Olaf glanced over his shoulder at Nani, looking confused. He'd hit a growth spurt a few years back and was already almost as tall as his father, and even sitting came near Nani's height. "What do you mean? Did something happen? We heard yelling."
"Are you and dad finally breaking up?" Lilo asked. They looked a lot more like Nani than they used to, though the clip-on piercings and bleached white hair would look a lot stranger on her. "I knew it'd happen."
Kristoff let out a surprised grunt. Elsa glared at him, but he just focused on the floor. He still wouldn't meet her eyes. How far was he going to take this? They were already interrogating her kids. Seriously, why did she always sacrifice herself? She didn't used to be like this. All she had to do was say that Nani and Anna were fucking. Even though the mere thought sent a pang of jealousy to her gut. Now that was stupid.
"No, we're not breaking up," Nani said, then glared at the wall where he was. "Unless he decides to keep being an asshole."
Olaf snickered.
Lilo rolled her eyes. "We're kind of in the middle of a quest right now. Was there anything important or were you just worried the yelling had upset us? Cause like, oh no, scary noise, I'll live."
Nani shook her head, but there was a flicker of a smile.
"And why's everyone waiting outside?" They leaned in, meeting Elsa's eyes for a second.
Olaf finally looked away from the TV and glanced around. "Are you guys okay? I'm kinda starting to wonder if we're not the ones that you should be worried about. You all look really serious. Did someone die? Do I even have other relatives? Oh no! Was it grandpa?"
"Nobody died. Your dad might if he keeps this up, but other than that everything is fine."
"Oh, I'll miss you Papa."
Kristoff choked on either a laugh or a sob, Elsa couldn't be sure. Maybe both.
"So, Elsa and Anna have been good to you, right? And haven't made you uncomfortable?"
"They make me uncomfortable when they don't buy me parts for my computer," Lilo said.
Olaf rolled his eyes and shook his head. "What, cause they're together? They have been since I was little. I don't know. I honestly forgot it was weird. They're our mamas. Well, two of them."
The world shimmered and it took Elsa a second to realize she was tearing up. She'd never even wanted a kid and she had two, and she was so damn happy about it. There was no way Kristoff could try to take them away now. Right? She rubbed her eyes and looked to him for any sign, but he had turned away from her completely.
"That's what I figured. I'll see if I can talk Elsa into getting you those computer parts."
"Sure, I'd love to," Elsa quickly added. Even just being asked this had to have them worried. She needed to buy back what little love she'd lost. She stepped closer to the door. "And maybe that new console too?"
Nani shot her a glare and mouthed, "Don't spoil them."
Elsa shrugged. The kids had always loved her, at least since she was actually in their life, but she was always worried she was doing something wrong. First as an aunt and then as a mother. Buying them expensive shiny things was so much easier than real parenting stuff. Though she did try to do that as well.
"But!" Kristoff shouted, only to apparently have nothing more to say. He looked between them, not daring to go into the room. "I need some air. Fuck, I wish I smoked." He didn't stomp this time, but he hunched his shoulders and clenched his fists. He must've just not wanted the kids to see how upset he was. Ironic. He was blaming them for traumatizing the kids and nearly did so himself.
"Sorry about all that," Anna said, pushing past Elsa. "Your dad has just been having a rough day."
"Because of you two?" Lilo asked. They never did pull their punches.
Elsa shrugged. "Kind of."
"He just found out about you?" Olaf asked.
"Oh, shit…" Lilo said.
Nani shot them a glare but apparently felt the situation was dire enough not to actually call out the cursing.
"Fuck."
"Lilo!"
They grinned, but it quickly fell away. "I think it might've been my fault. I um… Was joking about finding something in mom and mom's room and I shut up when I heard him walking by, but it might've been too late. Holy shit. Is that what happened? Is it my fault he found out?" They actually teared up. It had been years since Elsa had seen Lilo cry.
Nani sat down next to them and stroked their hair. "No, it's not your fault."
"Sure it isn't," they muttered, crossing their arms.
Elsa crossed her arms as well and glanced around for where to sit before taking the edge of Lilo's desk. "It wasn't a fair thing to expect you to keep from him."
"How not?" Olaf asked. "Just look how he reacted."
Great, and now they're going to hate their father. "He didn't react that badly," Elsa said. "He was just worried about you."
"I heard him yelling," Olaf said. "Is he mad at me for not telling him?"
"No, of course not, honey," Anna said, sitting on the ground next to him. "You didn't do anything wrong. Neither of you did. Our being together isn't a secret. We just, kind of didn't want to deal with him finding out. Especially after…" She caught herself a bit too late, her eyes going wide.
"After how he took the divorce," Elsa said. She wasn't letting them know about the shit Anya had pulled. About how being with Anna had cost her her job and so much else. It was the kind of stuff that kids shouldn't have to deal with. All of this was stuff they shouldn't have to deal with. Now how could she say this without demonizing Kristoff? "He wears his feelings on his sleeve. Like Lilo."
"You thought he was going to bite someone?" Olaf nearly shouted.
Lilo glared at him. They really had been better about that since they were like seven, but it had become such a running joke in the family that it was hard to stop bringing it up. "I'll bite you," they muttered.
"So did you have any questions?" Nani asked. "Is there anything you need?"
"Money?" Lilo asked.
"That doughnut place?" Olaf suggested.
Anna chuckled but there were tears in her eyes. "Yeah, we can get doughnuts. But you don't have anything else? You don't want to yell at me for not having told your papa? You're not upset?"
Lilo crossed their arms. "I'm kind of upset with myself, if I'm being honest. For once. Don't get used to it. I really do feel awful."
"It's fine," Elsa said. "Though don't go through my drawers again."
"No promises."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm gonna go check on Kristoff."
"You don't think I should do that?" Nani asked.
Elsa shrugged. "I've been punched before."
"Yeah, you two are not fighting."
"I have it on good authority that I'm a jedi ninja."
Both of the kids groaned. They used to love that so much. When the hell did they grow up?
"Are you sure you're okay?" Anna asked.
"Yes!" Lilo shouted. "Just give me money."
Olaf nodded. "I'd kind of figured it would happen eventually."
"Well you really shouldn't have to deal with that," Anna said.
"I love you two," Olaf said. "You're my mamas. And I didn't have to keep it a secret from anyone else."
"We really never asked you to."
"By the time I was old enough to figure out that you two were a couple – not that you were ever good at hiding it – I also knew that it wasn't the kind of thing Papa should know."
"I figured it out first," Lilo said. "I was seven."
That really doesn't make me feel better.
"Okay, by the time they told me about it." He sighed. "I'd already kind of suspected."
God damn we were bad at hiding it. Well, he'd always been kinda empathetic. I really want to just chalk it up to that. "I'm sorry," Elsa said.
"It's fine. It was just nice seeing Mama actually happy. That was what gave it away."
Anna stared at him. He always said this sort of shit to her. What in the Agnarrsen genes could've possibly produced this good of a child? He even made Lilo less trouble.
"Money," Lilo repeated. "If you're worried about us, bribe us."
"We'll consider it," Nani said, standing up. "Let's leave them alone before they start blackmailing you."
The three of them filed out of the room and exchanged looks as they tried to sort out what to do about Kristoff. Should they just let him be and see how it goes? Should they try talking to him? What would they even say? He definitely wouldn't call child services or anything, right?"
"I'd just wanted to show off my ring to you," Anna whined. "You two are moving out in another week or so, how on earth did this happen?"
"Ring?" Nani asked. "What ring? Show me."
How on earth did they manage to get that distracted? Elsa sighed. She could try talking to Kristoff again. Or she could join in on showing off her ring. She did love it so much. It just felt wrong cheering about it when everything was currently at stake because of their relationship.
She left them to it and headed downstairs, seeing Kristoff's back through one of the windows to the back yard. At least he hadn't run to the cops. Though he could've called them. That would probably make more sense.
She walked out there and smelled something off. She wanted to panic, but couldn't think of anything the smell could be that would actually be a threat. It was kind of skunky. Oh. Wow, it had been way too long since she'd smelled that. She walked over to where Kristoff was leaning against the side of her house, smoking a joint.
"I honestly just wanted a cigarette," he said. "But didn't have any, and I remembered I'd bought some pot to celebrate the closure once we get the house."
"Are we celebrating then?"
He didn't glare, but the look still wasn't exactly friendly. Nonetheless, he held the joint out to her, and Elsa tried to remember the last time she'd even smoked. It hadn't been legal when she was at her old firm but maybe she'd done it once or twice. She at least remembered it a couple times in law school. Either way, it had been a long while. She took a pull, breathing it in, waiting to see how it'd hit her before she handed it back, feeling simultaneously relaxed and more paranoid. And it'll probably just keep coming too.
"You deserved to know." The words just kind of tumbled out without Elsa even thinking them. But the longer they lingered, the truer it felt. They shouldn't have kept it a secret.
"No I didn't. I'd have taken it even worse when I wasn't over Anna. I just… There's one thing I need to know."
Elsa waited for just what it was that he needed to know. He took a lingering puff, holding the smoke in and offering the joint back to her. After a moment's hesitation, Elsa shook her head. He nodded. "Is that why Anna left me?"
The words fell in a strange patter, more like a collection of thoughts than a proper sentence. But it did nothing to detract from the pit that dropped in Elsa's stomach. She snatched the joint and dragged on it.
"Fuck if I know," she finally said, smoke curling out with each word. "I don't think so. At least not consciously. But I'm not sure how else—well, no, I do know. I don't know if her being in love with me came after realizing she was gay or not, but she was planning on leaving you before then. She'd emailed me about it, years ago, and only started questioning after I came out to her in response. So maybe she realized there was something there then, or maybe that wasn't until after she had more time with other women and just decided I was the best of them. But she wasn't happy with you. She cared about you and she still does, but I don't think I had anything to do with it."
"And yet she told you the second it happened. Maybe she was hoping you'd sweep her off her feet then and there. Fuck, I can't believe she made the first move. I had to flirt with her endlessly before she finally decided to give us a shot."
Anna was very gay. That should've been a massive hint. But saying so wouldn't help. "I'm sorry."
He shook his head. "How the fuck am I supposed to just be okay with this? With the two of you. It's disgusting."
"Thanks."
"I stand by it."
"You and Nani being together is pretty disgusting too. It's straight. Gross man-sweat and all that."
He grabbed the joint out of her hand and ground it out on his heel. "I think I might hate you."
"You can if you want. I've certainly hated you a few times."
"I don't want to hate Anna."
Elsa nodded. She'd almost done that a few times too. "Then blame me. I don't mind."
"But it doesn't sound like it was your fault."
"Fuck, it would've been great if Anya saw it that way."
He tilted his head, peering at her. So she told the story. His expression varied from a smirk at someone else being angry about it, to horror at how far she went, to a mixture of amusement and sadness at what it cost, and maybe even a bit of a guilt by the end.
"I wouldn't do that," he said. "Even if it does sound a little appealing. I wouldn't. It would break the kids. And Anna."
"Then I guess you don't hate her."
"Maybe," he said.
There was a knocking sound from off their side and there was only a fraction of a second where Elsa was scared it was the cops, but Nani peaked her head out. "Where did you get weed?"
"I was gonna celebrate our house with you," he muttered, his cheeks flushing.
She sidled over and took it from him, holding her hand out for the lighter. "So, are you going to pull anything?"
He shook his head.
"Cause if you do, I'm dumping you."
He nodded. That was a surprise. Elsa hadn't expected that from either of them. It sure made things a lot easier.
Elsa could see she was even less wanted there than she had been a few minutes earlier, so she headed inside and found a terrified Anna waiting on the couch. She took the spot next to her, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her head to her chest. Anna pressed into her, hugging her back, tears falling onto Elsa's gown.
"What's going to happen?" The words were barely a whisper. "The last time someone found out like this, you lost everything. Am I going to lose my job? There's no way they'll let me teach children if they know I'm dating my sister."
Where had this come from? She'd been holding it together this whole time. Elsa rubbed her back. "Nothing's going to happen. And I didn't lose everything. I think I landed on my feet pretty well."
She pressed closer, squeezing her. "I've just been sitting here, waiting for what would happen. I thought he was going to explode when you went to talk to him. He didn't even raise his voice and that was even scarier. I couldn't hear a word."
"He's not okay with it, but he also isn't going to do anything about it. Nani said she'd dump him if he did."
She sniffed and looked up at Elsa, tears and snot marring her perfect face. "She did?"
"Yeah."
"She shouldn't have to do that. But… I should thank her."
Elsa kissed the top of her head. "It'll be okay. He'll get used to it. We just have to give him some time."
Anna shrugged.
"Trust me. We'll be okay. Maybe someday we can even be a big happy family again." Cupping her cheek, she brushed some hair out of Anna's eyes. "You're not losing anything. I won't let it happen."
"You can't promise that."
"I can. And I do. I love you, Anna, and I want you to have the life you've always dreamed of. With me. So I promise you, we're going to be okay."
It was hard to tell if she believed it or just didn't want to fight, but Anna pressed closer, smearing her messy face on the dress, and sobbed against her. Elsa held her, tears falling into her hair, and Anna let it all out. By the time it was done, neither of them felt any better, but they were exhausted, and Kristoff and Nani were still outside. Though if she strained her ears, Elsa could faintly hear laughter. It must've been going well, whatever they were doing.
She carried Anna to their bedroom and held her through the night. It would all be okay. She didn't just believe it, she knew it.
