Cold Secrets
-M. Lauren
Chapter Twenty-Three (Part Two of Twenty-One)
"You have a terrible poker face, my love."
Honeymaren had parked her car at the far end of the lot. She rotated to see Elsa, whose eyes were lost to the passanger window. Elsa turned slowly. Her lips pulled to the side.
"I'm trying," she promised.
Honeymaren giggled, shaking her head. "We're going to put this behind us for now, okay? I'm not going to let it get in the way of us enjoying our day, and you shouldn't either."
"I hurt you…" Her head tipped back.
"-and I'm sure I'll do something stupid in the future. We all make mistakes, Elsa. I'm choosing to overlook yours so we can move forward with our lives. Now, can you do the same for me, please?"
Tentatively, her eyes circled back. Elsa uncharacteristically pouted."Maybe…"
Smirking, Honeymaren undid her seatbelt. She leaned over the center console and slid her hand behind Elsa's neck. "A maybe! Is that all I'm worth to you?"
"No, I meant-"
Elsa was silenced by soft lips. Try as she might, she couldn't fight the smile that Honeymaren's mouth coaxed her into. She grinned into the kiss and pressed their foreheads together. When they parted, Elsa didn't pull back.
"I love you, you know?" She whispered.
Honeymaren nodded against her. "I know it, and I love you, too."
"Good. Now kiss me again."
Honeymaren happily obliged.
Upon exiting the car, Ryder was buckled into his carrier. Honeymaren hadn't used it in ages, but seeing him in it made her nostalgic. She meant to keep him close, and being the clingy little boy he was; Ryder didn't mind.
His head leaned against his mother's chest. He reached for Elsa's hand.
"El'a!" he shouted.
She pressed her lips against his fingers. "It's nice hearing him say my name with so much enthusiasm again. He broke my heart with all that whining when he was fever-ridden."
"Yeah, that son of mine… He loves laying the guilt on thick." She took Elsa's hand after she released Ryder's. They started across the lot. "So, fill me in on this apple picking thing. Is this some sort of tradition?"
Shaking her head, Elsa laughed. "Not even a little bit. Anna is just determined to make sure Millie experiences all those cliche, seasonal activities. Pumpkins, apples, strawberries- you name it."
"This endeavour obviously entails a lot of fruit, is what I'm gathering..."
She caught Honeymaren's eyes and smirked. "Make whatever jokes you want, but you have yet to try my famous apple tart."
"Oh, they're famous now, are they?" She grinned.
"Yes, quite. There are a whole two people who demand I make one every year. However, this will be the first time I make it with orchard fresh apples instead of store bought..." Elsa's brows lifted teasingly.
"Well, color me excited, then… and no pressure, of course."
"No, of course not, because you most certainly will not be comparing my baking skills to your own. Do you hear me?" Her attention turned stern and she glared in warning.
"What's that face for… you know that I am thinking we should have a bake-off, don't you?" Honeymaren ribbed her.
Elsa pushed back. "Absolutely not! There will be no back-off!"
"Healthy competition is good for a relationship, you know? And, oh, look- there's Anna and Kristoff! Maybe they can act as our judges?"
She was laughing as Honeymaren directed her toward the fence line. The Bjorgmans were waiting there and watching them intently.
"Okay, what's so funny?" Anna asked. Her arms playfully crossed, seeing her sister's rare display of elation.
"We're having an apple-tart-off, and you three and Ryder will be our judges!" Honeymaren explained before squeezing Elsa's hand.
"She's kidding…" Elsa leveled her with a stare. "We're not doing that."
"Good, because I'm all for more dessert and everything, but I really don't want to choose between an Aren and a Nattura." Kristoff shook his head and adjusted Millie on his hip.
"I don't know… I think I'm capable of overlooking the sister bias thing…" Anna chided.
Elsa pulled from Honeymaren's grasp and headed toward the entrance. "Alright, I'm going apple picking and leaving everyone else here."
She turned, tapping her foot. With a collective roll of their eyes, everyone joined at Elsa's side.
"Good," she applauded. "-because I was one comment away from calling off apple tarts all together this year."
Anna gasped, covering her mouth with an open hand. "You wouldn't dare!"
Elsa smiled and shrugged.
Grumbling, Anna stepped back to walk with Honeymaren instead. "So, how's Ryder doing? Is he feeling better?"
She brushed a finger over his cheek. Ryder quickly turned away, burying his head into Honeymaren's chest.
"He's back to his usual shy self, that's for sure. A little tired, though... He slept nearly the entire drive here."
"Poor little guy…" Anna ruffled his hair before dropping her hand. "Hopefully an afternoon in the sun helps perk him up a bit."
Elsa, Kristoff, and Millie were waiting for them up ahead. There was a tiny shack at the start of the orchard where an attendant was handing out baskets. Millie was already on her feet, basket in hand. She was ready to run, but Elsa kept her still by holding onto her shoulder.
"Start here," the attendant began. He handed Honeymaren and Anna their baskets. "Stay on the path, and follow through to the building at the other end when you're all done picking."
Everyone gave their thanks and they were off. Millie and Elsa took the lead. Stopping to pick apples was beyond Mille's age restraints. She was happier being on her feet than being forced to look at trees. Elsa followed her without complaint. She allowed Millie to walk at her own, fast pace, and soon they were out of sight from the rest of the group.
"You and my sister seem happy..." Anna's voice sang from over Honeymaren's shoulder.
She turned to her, lips pulling to the side. "We are… and she told me about the letter, by the way. You don't need to worry anymore."
Anna's jaw tipped. "I wasn't worried, per say… Elsa's just-"
"Perpetually guilt-ridden?" Honeymaren teased.
"I was going to say caring, but yes… that, too…" She laughed and Honeymaren joined in. "She does mean well, though; almost too much, and that's her biggest flaw. But I think you know that…"
Honeymaren nodded. "I do..."
"What are you guys talking about back here?" Kristoff interjected. "Elsa ran off with our kid and it feels weird walking around an apple orchard by myself."
"We were talking about the creepy guy in front of us who was walking by him- oh! Sorry, that was you!" Anna teased and ribbed him playfully.
"Funny, you're very funny- so, Maren," he turned his attention from his wife. "I heard Ryder was sick. How's he doing?"
Honeymaren tapped his cheek, coaxing Ryder to turn his head. "He's fine. He's just hanging out today, so he doesn't over exert himself."
"Hey, I get it! I wish someone would carry me sometimes!"
Ryder's brows lifted to Kristoff before he looked up at his mom. "El'a?" he asked.
"Oh my god!" Anna squealed. "Is that how he says Elsa? I've been working on Millie for months now, but she's so stubborn… That is stinkin' adorable! Did Elsa lose her mind- I bet she lost her mind!"
Honeymaren laughed. "Yeah, he's been at it for a few weeks now. I think he uses her name more than mine." She covered his ears. "To be honest, I'm starting to feel a little jealous…"
"Jealous of who?" Elsa suddenly popped out of one of the rows of trees. Millie was bouncing over her hip.
"El'a!" Ryder greeted.
"I told you," Honeymaren whispered to Anna under her breath.
"We figured out the apple thing, by the way." Elsa held up Millie's basket. "She likes the moldy ones under the tree the best, so someone better start looking for apples i can use in my tart..."
Anna rolled her eyes. "I'll take her for a while, that way you can go get your own, edible apples." She held out her hands.
"I don't mind." Elsa promised.
Anna took Millie from her. "I know you don't, but I'm sure she'll pick up more moldy apples with her aunt when you're all done looking for yours. You guys go… I'll find you in a bit." She coaxed them forward.
They watched the three of them walk away.
"We were ditched!" Maren bumped her shoulder into Elsa's.
"It does look that way, and they left me with all of Millie's moldy apples!" She held up the basked in show and made a face.
"You can dump them on the ground. Think of it like fertilizer- now, come on! Lead the way. We've got apples to pick."
Elsa took Honeymaren's hand instead. She pulled her toward the first row of trees before she started examining the fruit. Both Ryder and Honeymaren watched her intently. Elsa perched up on the toes of her sneakers and pulled a green apple from its branch. She was wearing one of Honeymaren's flannels over her t-shirt. It rode up in the back as she lowered to her feet.
Honeymaren straightened it out for her. "So, what kinds of apples are we looking for?"
Turning to her, Elsa smiled. She dropped the fruit in Honeymaren's basket. "Both sweet and tart," she explained. "Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, and Fuji or Red Delicious…"
Elsa pulled another apple off the tree and took a bite. Ryder's head lifted eagerly at the sound.
"Me do?" He reached for her.
With her brows pinched, she handed him her apple. He frowned, growling, and pushed it away.
"I think he wants to get his own apple..." Honeymaren laughed as she pulled him from the straps.
Elsa stepped back, giving them room; but Ryder was suddenly placed in her arms.
"Are you sure? You should take him!"
Honeymaren shook her head. "You're the apple expert here. Besides, I'm tired of carrying him! It's your turn."
Elsa's lips briefly pursed. She turned to Ryder and softened instantly. "Okay… let's go find you an apple, but how about something a little softer- like a McIntosh, maybe?"
Elsa cut between trees, leaving Honeymaren to follow. She did so willingly. She loved watching Elsa interact with her son. Their conversations, her genuine interest in Ryder's life; it was a breath of fresh air to Honeymaren, really.
She stopped short before making a quick turn. Elsa led them across the orchard and down another row of trees.
"Her we go!" She tried to set Ryder down on his feet.
"No! Me do!" He protested, pulling his legs up from above the ground.
Confused, Elsa lifted him back onto her side. Ryder reached for the tree, and she nodded in understanding. Her arm moved to circle around his waist. She spun him toward the branches, and Ryder's feet braced against her stomach. He pulled an apple from the tree, giggling as he handed it down to her.
"Apple!" He told Elsa.
"That's right," she applauded, and returned him to her hip. "An apple!"
He continued holding it out to her. Honeymaren laughed. "He wants you to bite it for him."
"Take this for me, then. Would you?" She gave Honeymaren her own apple before taking Ryder's. Elsa took a bite and handed it back to him.
"He doesn't like the skin. He's just going to suck the juice out of it, so be forewarned. He will drool everywhere!" She explained with a full mouth.
Elsa turned back to see Honeymaren eating her apple. "Hey! Not fair," she pouted.
"Plenty fair. You stole my kid... I steal your apple." She took another bite. Honeymaren nudged Elsa forward with her foot. "Now, let's go. We've got a tart to make."
Her frown fell away, and Elsa took Honeymaren's hand. She happily allowed herself to be led through the rest of the orchard, loving that she had both of them at her side.
They found the others close to a half hour later. Millie was climbing on a pile of stacked hay with a few other children around her age. Anna smiled as the couple approached. She held out her hand and a bag suspended from her fingers. Elsa's head tilted curiously, but she accepted it anyway.
"I made Kristoff run up to the store to get us donuts and munchkins for the kids." Anna explained, and he rolled his eyes.
"Oh, donuts!" Honeymaren reached around Elsa, but was quickly swatted away.
"No donuts for you! You stole my apple!"
She held out the basket. "Here, I'll trade you for a donut, then?"
Elsa lowered her eyes. She pulled a munchkin out of the bag and gave it to Ryder. Pausing for a minute, she stared. Honeymaren tested her by flashing her own glare. Elsa broke first and gave her the donut.
As Ryder chewed, though, he made a face.
"They're apple flavoured," Anna explained to him.
He continued to look down at it in confusion.
"I think he wants to like it…" Elsa laughed. "-but he's not so sure."
Once he swallowed, Ryder handed the rest back to her. He dropped it in the bag.
"Millie did the same thing… Not enough chocolate is my guess." Anna nudged her sister. "She must take after us."
Tiny hands made a grab for Elsa's donut. She looked down to find Ryder pouting up at her.
"El'a?" he asked.
"Or maybe he's just smarter than all of us…" Elsa laughed, rolling her eyes. She handed him her donut and he smiled as he took a huge bite. "Looks like he takes after his mom, too…"
"You could always go get us another one…" Anna suggested.
"Or two,"
"Or three," Both Kristoff and Honeymaren added.
"I see how it is! Fine!" Elsa feigned a sigh. "More donuts... and I'm getting cider. Anyone else want one?"
After a series of 'yeses,' she allowed Honeymaren to take Ryder back. She placed him on his feet and he curiously made his way over to where Millie was playing.
"So… Maren…. Any plans for Thanksgiving yet?" Anna asked after Elsa was out of earshot.
Honeymaren shrugged. "Ryder's with his dad this year, unfortunately. My mom and I will be going to see my grandmother for dinner, but that's about it."
"Well…" Anna sang. "If it's not too forward of me… you and you mom and whoever else are more than welcome to stop by for dessert after, if you like?"
"Yeah, it would be great to see your mom again!" Kristoff added.
"-and i'm sure Elsa would love it if you both stopped by." Her eyes playfully circled overhead.
"Thanks, guys. I'll definitely plan on it."
Ryder waddled back over to his mother. He pulled at the pocket on her cargo pants. "Mama! Goat!" He shouted.
She followed to where his finger pointed. "Oh! Would you look at that, bud. That is a goat!"
Pulling her hand, Ryder led her forward. Millie was already on her way there. She stumbled right up to the pen and stuck her hand between the bars.
"Do you want to help feed her?" The worker asked.
Millie ignore them. She stuck her arm in as far as the wiring would allow. When the goat didn't come, she began to whine. Anna shook her head and accepted the feed from the worker.
Side by side, Millie and Ryder watched their mother's feed the goats. Eagerly, they tried, too. Ryder burst out laughing as the goat's mouth tickled against his palm.
"Why is no one photographing this?" Elsa scolded in her return.
She dumped the food and drinks in Kristoff's arms before approaching the pen.
"El'a! Goats!" Ryder greeted.
She smiled happily at him.
"Here, take my phone," Honeymaren handed it to her. "Go photo crazy. I'm afraid my hand is all covered in goat drool…"
Elsa snorted. "Very sexy..."
She stepped back and took a picture of the four of them. Smiling at it, she took a few more. Elsa landed one of Millie in the middle of the ultimate grimace. She laughed and turned the phone for Anna to see.
"That's perfect!" She gleamed. "Please send that to me! I want to print that for my desk at work."
Elsa returned to her feet. She took her cider back from Kristoff, who'd unintentionally become their own personal pack-mule. She sipped at her drink and smiled as she clicked through the photos. Elsa was happy to find some Honeymaren had even snuck in some pictures of her and Ry.
"Hey, Honey!" Anna called to Kristoff. "Can we get a goat?"
Mille babble, waving her hands. "Dada!" She shouted.
"See, your daughter wants one, too!"
Kristoff approached and handed off their ciders. "Not a chance, dear."
"Aw, come on Ice-Man! Didn't you always want a reindeer?" Honeymaren teased him. "A goat's not all that different, and I can send Ryder over there to come and play with it all the time!"
She stood beside him.
Anna joined. "A reindeer?" Her brow arched.
"El'a! Goat!" Ryder shouted again, and excitedly waddled over to her.
As the adults followed him with their eyes, their fun Sunday afternoon drastically shifted.
Elsa ignored Ryder. She hadn't moved from where she stood with the phone in hand. Her eyes had grown dark. Her brow furrowed. She looked back at them and her jaw wavered in shock.
"What is this?" Elsa's voice nearly cracked as she spoke. She directed the phone screen at all of them.
Tentatively, Honeymaren stepped forward to take it back; trying to understand.
Elsa swatted her away. "Not you," she stated, her tone clipped.
The screen then circled back fully to Anna. She tilted her head and her brow pinched.
"Send you the photo..." Elsa continued dryly. "This is Maren's phone! What is this?"
She turned and slapped the device into Honeymaren's hand.
"Elsa, listen! Elsa, wait!" Anna pleaded, watching her sister back further away.
"Take me home," she begged. Her attention was fixed solely on Kristoff.
"I can do that," Honeymaren reached forward with her hand.
With tears in her eyes and her finger extended, Elsa shook her head, "Not you."
Cheers,
M.
A/N: No goats were harmed in the making of this chapter. However, I'm sure a lot of hearts are aching. Unfortunately guys, this was always my plan. I call this the 'inside-out-burn'. It's a burn inside a burn… or something like that...
Anyway, a BIG thanks to Amy for her help on this chapter. Your support is always loved and always super appreciated! (Seriously. SO MUCH, and.. I am really, really sorry... I'll make it up to you later with a double-date one-shot.)
BUT, what's the verdict guys? Do we need to reread? Anyone have any thoughts? What was on Anna's phone?
What's the… Cold Secret?