Cold Secrets

-M. Lauren

Chapter Two

"You are not very subtle, you know?"

The voice circled in from over her shoulder. A coffee cup followed and settled beside her hand. Elsa did not need to turn to know who it was. She may not have heard the voice many times before, but there was only one person who'd been known to be this forward. Besides, if Elsa said she hadn't expected to be confronted... she would be lying.

"I could feel you staring long before I caught you."

Biting her lip, Elsa spun in her seat. Her nose scrunched and her eyes lowered.

"Subtlety is not in my skill set." She blushed. "I apologize, it was inappropriate of me to be staring. I honestly- I'm not sure why I did that…"

Honeymaren's brow arched. She moved further into the room; an action which took Elsa by surprise. Never before had she said more than a few words to her, and she'd certainly never stayed to talk. Either Elsa really messed up, or she was right about Honeymaren needing a friend.

"So, what are we working on today?" She sat beside her. Honeymaren's eyes drifted over the stacks of papers across the desk.

"Midterms." Elsa's head raised cautiously to hers. "They're… pretty terrible this year…"

Nodding slowly, Honeymaren's lips drew to the side. "What made you go into the whole teaching thing, anyway? Can't say I'm not a little surprised."

"Why's that?" Confusion flickered across her brow.

Honeymaren shrugged. "You're quiet. Not very stern with the students, but they seem to like you... so that's good."

"I like science." she explained, and more nonchalantly than it felt. "I wasn't certain what I could do with a degree in it at first, but then a position opened up at the university. I thought, why not, and it's actually… kinda fun." Elsa smiled softly. "I like the students, and environmental studies is my specialty."

She hummed. Honeymaren turned her eyes back to the papers. "I understand none of this." She pointed. "I mean, mesosphere, stratosphere- what are these things? Should I be worried about them?"

Giggling, Elsa shook her head. "Not immediately, no, but with global warming taking its toll on the planet; we will all have to worry about them eventually."

"Great…" Honeymaren drawled. "I think I will stick to shelving books instead."

Elsa's lips curled into a small smile. "Why the library, then? You've asked me, therefore it's only fair I receive an answer in return."

"Is that how it works?" Her smirk returned. Honeymaren's fingers drummed against the desk as she leaned back in her seat. "Well, if you say so… My degree is in Classic Lit and Library Sciences. I'm still, slowly but surely, working towards the certificate hours, but hopefully when I finish those I can start somewhere new with a nice pay raise."

Eyes lightening, Elsa folded her hands into her lap. "You like to read?"

"Classics, mostly." Honeymaren nodded. "But every once and a while I find something modern worth my time."

Her gaze fell to the desk and Elsa tapped her foot. "I'm a pretty big fan of the classics as well..."

"There's no one like Morrison."

"I have to agree." Elsa's attention returned.

Honeymaren considered her silently for a moment. Her brown eyes slowly searched between Elsa's. Then suddenly, she stood.

Honeymaren headed for the door, turning her head back over her shoulder. "Well, anyway, I have to get back to work. Quit your spying now, okay?"

"I'm so sorry about that…" Elsa started, her blush resurfacing, but Honeymaren didn't stay to listen.

She departed from sight, having closed the door to the study room behind her. Elsa was alone now, once again staring in the direction that this mystery woman had gone.

When Elsa returned to her apartment that evening, she was greeted by the embrace of tiny arms. They worked their way around her legs, holding her stuck still.

"You're late!" The scolding followed next.

Elsa rounded the foyer to find her sister standing in her kitchen with arms folded over her chest. Ignoring her, Elsa lifted the small child to her hip.

"Hello to you, too." She cooed. Elsa's lips landed with a smack against her niece's cheek.

The one year old babbled in reply. Her chubby hands pulled at her aunt's blonde hair, and her matching blue eyes widened with excitement.

"You know, you can't hide behind my child forever!" Anna's scolding continued.

"Sure I can." Elsa sang. She moved passed her sister on her way to the hall. "I can keep Millie here with me and we can have aunty dates every night for the rest of my life."

Anna's laughter followed after her. "Wait until you see how late those evenings run. You will be begging me to take her back..."

Readjusting Millie, Elsa slipped her bag from her back. It landed by the foot of her bed with a thump, and she quickly kicked off her heels.

"So, why are you so late?" Anna continued. "Did you forget about me? Did you forget about Millie? Oh shoot, I knew I should have checked in! I'm sorry, I've been such a space case lately… It's all the packing and scheduling. I can take her to Kristoff's mother's, if you have other plans?"

"Anna, Anna, relax! I didn't forget about you, and I certainly didn't forget about my niece. I lost track of time at the library, is all! Besides, I'm only seven minutes behind schedule. Your flight's not until, what, ten?"

Elsa turned to Anna. Her brow arched playfully over her eye. At the same time, Millie wriggled in her arms, demanding to be returned to the floor. Elsa set her on her feet and watched her waddle toward her bag. Millie's hands fought against the zipper. In that moment, Elsa was thankful she wasn't skilled enough yet to open it.

"Yes, the flight's at ten thirty. We land at ten, local time, and three thirty eastern. You have the numbers for the hotel, and Kristoff's family. Her pediatrician's information is on the fridge, and her schedule for the week."

Smiling, Elsa stepped toward her. She took Anna in her arms and hugged her tight. "Everything is under control. Don't you worry. This is a big deal for Kristoff, and you deserve to be there with him to celebrate!"

"I know, I know, it's just-" Anna's face lowered. Her lip dropped into a pout. "It's the first time I will be away from her for more than a few hours! It's hard, harder than I thought it would be. I'm happy for Kristoff and his work, but, I don't know if I want to go anymore…"

Elsa's hands soothed across Anna's back. "You're anxious. It's normal, but I promise, Millie is in great hands."

Pulling back, Anna's head tilt. "I know she will be fine, just promise you'll remind her I love her."

"Of course." Elsa assured her. "I will tell her every morning and every night."

"Twice if you have to."

Elsa smirked. "Twice."

Anna finally began to relax. She came to sit against the foot of Elsa's bed. Her feet kicked out in front of her, and Millie started playing with the laces on her shoes.

"So… the library…" Anna teased. Her gaze glowed with mirth. "You've been spending a lot of time there lately. Have you got a thing for someone hanging out behind old books?"

Shaking her head, Elsa turned her back on Anna. She headed toward the closet, and replaced her blazer along the rack. "No Anna, there are no eyes being made, nor someone you need to know about… I'm grading papers and reviewing midterms. It's all very, academic."

When she reentered the light of the bedroom, Elsa had changed from her work slacks. She was now dressed down in black leggings and a sweatshirt. Millie greeted her as if she'd been gone for days.

Elsa sat before her niece with her legs wide.

"I'll choose to believe you, for now." Anna sang.

"How very kind of you." Elsa rolled her eyes.

Millie pulled herself up by the ties on Elsa's shirt. The hood tightened around her neck and Elsa groaned. Her hands found against the fabric. She pulled it away from her chest and Millie responded with a dramatic huff.

"Okay, so back to Millie- You've got her nights. Grandma Bulda will come in the mornings and take her to daycare, and you will pick her up after work."

Elsa smiled at her. "Yes, and I have her over the weekend, and you..." she sang, "Will be back next Wednesday."

Anna released a long sigh. "You've got it, then?"

"I've got it." Elsa nodded, her eyes curling upward. "I have everything under control. Millie is safe with me. I promise."

Sitting beside them, Anna took both Elsa and Millie into her arms. She squeezed them tightly, burying her nose into Millie's soft yellow hair.

"I love you both so much!" she promised. "Mommy will be back soon."

"You hear that?" Elsa whispered to her niece. "Mommy is leaving which means Aunty Elsa will spoil you rotten all week." She touched a finger to her nose, pulling from Anna's hold.

"No, no more clothes!" Anna begged. "All of the adults at her school are wondering why Millie looks so high-class while her parents look like dingy misfits!"

Elsa giggled. "Nope, it's my job to spoil her. You will just have to learn to ignore the stares, or better yet; go out and by yourself some new clothes."

"Just you wait," Anna continued. "You'll see those parents at pickup tomorrow and you will know exactly what I am talking about."

Her sadness returned in full-force. As Anna opened back up her arms, Elsa returned to them. Her cheek nuzzled against her sister shoulder, and they both released a sigh.

"Everything's going to be fine, Anna, I promise."

Cheers,

-M.