It was a Friday morning, the day Anna had met with Elsa at her home to discuss what she was to do with Olaf while Elsa was out. The two had already talked about Anna's own schedule, which actually worked quite well with the single parent and child's. After their call (which Anna was slightly disappointed that was strictly about their work schedules), Elsa had invited Anna over to show their home in order for her to get comfortable with. She quickly agreed.
It wasn't that Anna had expected anything special or anything. Maybe a bigger than average house filled with light, walls decorated with sophisticated works of art, filled bookshelves with a few pictures here and there, a grand piano somewhere, the house colored with blues and whites to match the family, and the house smelling a like coffee in the morning. Or maybe even a high rise condo, overlooking the city filled with furniture and appliances that screamed modern art. She was definitely not expecting this.
This being a small loft apartment that was actually about a 30 minute walk from her dorm. Upon entering the front door after descending a narrow staircase from outside, she immediately saw dark red-wood floors, stairs that didn't go any more than maybe 10 steps before meeting a small platform which she noticed held a small chest in the corner filled with toys, then making a right for another small stair case that seemingly led into a room. Right under that staircase though, was a small simple kitchen (albeit messy and cluttered) with wooden cabinets, white tile floors, with a gray open bar that only seated two, and a small wooden dining table a bit away from the kitchen's "entry" for two that held a glass of orange juice, an empty plate with syrup and crumbs, and a finished glass that had left over green clumps that Anna really did not want to know what it was. To her right, only a few steps away was a closed door on an exposed brick covered wall that had very few pictures (that she noticed were mostly of Elsa and Olaf) on the wall, and to her left was a short open hallway with white walls (again, with a few pictures of the small family) that turned inwards. The only light available was from the lightbulbs in the ceiling.
It was nothing like Anna thought it would be, but she found that she preferred this unexpected look and home.
"I know it's not much and that it's a small and tight fit," Elsa stated from beside her "but it's enough for the two of us."
Anna turned to face her client with a big grin "I like it! It gives a warm and home-y kind of feel! I think it's perfect for you and Olaf, I can tell that you two are very close and love each other very much!"
The blonde stared at Anna and blinked once, face unchanging "Yes... Well, thank you for the compliment. Now, allow me to show you around the house and inform you of your tasks concerning Olaf." Elsa continued as she promptly turned away, causing Anna to frown. "As you can see, we are already in the kitchen and dining room, upstairs is Olaf's room as well as a bathroom and shower, to the left at the end of the hallway is my room..."
That was the last time Anna had seen and talked to Elsa, and it's been about a whole month since Anna had babysat Olaf and monster-sat Marshmallow (their white doberman that Olaf had apparently named).
Everyday was just about the same routine. Mondays to Fridays, Anna would continue going to her classes in the morning, at 2:00 after lunch she would take a 40 minute walk (she didn't have a car and refused to ride a bus) to pick Olaf from school and wait for him by the back gate for about 20 minutes. After that, the two of them would take a 20 minute walk to his home, animately chatting about how his day was. By the time they reached his home (which she had her own key to) it would be about 3:30 and he would go off and play with his toys while she began to tidy up the kitchen.
Anna had found out after her first few days of babysitting, that Elsa and Olaf always left their dirty dishes on the dining table in the morning, and the dishes would usually end up piling up in the sink due to the fact that Elsa would be to tired to wash them when she got home. So Anna had decided to help her client out by doing the dishes for her (it wasn't that big of a deal seeing as Anna would clean up after dinner), but Elsa had been grateful about it and showed her gratitude by leaving a short "Thank you" note for Anna on the dining table. Which had made Anna's day simply because it had a smiley face on it. (Something she had not seen Elsa direct at her)
After cleaning the kitchen, it would be a bit after 4:00 and time to walk the monster. Thankfully it was really Olaf who had to walk it, all she had to do was accompany him.
The monster (as Anna so rightfully calls him) was the family's dangerous beast (that Olaf insists is just puppy who's a softie on the inside) whom nearly killed her upon sight the first time she tried to walk him. She'll never forget that moment when the dog growled at her when she grabbed the leash, then charged at her, pounced on her causing her to fall on her back, and began barking/slobbering all over her face as she tried to push him off her. It wasn't until Olaf came around and "disciplined" him (by telling him "No, stop it Marshmallow! Off! Sit! ..Now whose a good boy?") that she was saved.
Although, Anna wasn't sure that it was considered walking seeing as to how Olaf would ride the dog like a horse.
They would get back to the home at around 4:30, and it was homework time. Anna would sit down with Olaf upstairs in his room at the coffee table to do their homework. His room was the only room in the entire apartment with natural light and light wood floors, and his room was actually quite simple. A twin sized sleigh bed centered on the farthest wall, a night stand by the window, and short bookshelves across the wall on the other side with pictures, trophies, and other knick knacks cluttered on top. An orange rug at the foot of the bed with a small black coffee table big enough for 4 on top. And although there was no door, the way the stairs led to a dead end and into the room to the right gave the illusion of privacy. (The bathroom to the immediate right of the stairs)
They would do homework for about an hour and a half (taking small breaks in between, or in Anna's case... a very long break) and then Anna would get up, go downstairs, and start making dinner from a cook book that Elsa provided.
Upon the first few nights of her job, she was informed that Olaf was lactose intolerant and was told (via note) that if she doesn't want to eat non-dairy product food, she could order take out or bring food if she pleases. She didn't find that necessary and decided that it wouldn't kill her to try new food, she was actually pleasantly surprised that soy chocolate ice cream was rather tasty.
Anna would finish cooking between 6:30-6:45 and call Olaf down for dinner, and they would finish eating by 7:00-7:15. Then she and Olaf would wash and put away the dishes.
Her day would usually be done by 7:30 (Elsa would send her a text that she had parked in the building structure's garage and tell her that she is excused for the day) and so she would pack, say good bye to Olaf, and then leave.
Saturday's were more fun and included a list of groceries to gather, but were more or less the same in the afternoon. Sundays were her days off where she would go out and hang with her friends.
That had been her routine for a whole month, and it was a routine she didn't bother to change which she was happy about. The only times she had heard of or found sources of Elsa's existence were from Olaf's stories, the rare note on the dining room table, the brief text messages to let her know that the mother had just parked the car so she could leave, and the constant dirty cup of colorful vegetable juice or smoothie (as she found out as she cleaned a juicer or blender). Other than her existence and what she looked like, Anna didn't know anything else about her
So to say she was surprised to see Elsa come home early on a Tuesday was the understatement of the century.
Anna had been busy washing vegetables and humming a soft tune, so she didn't hear the door open and close. Nor did she hear the soft thud of heels being kicked off, or of the brief case being placed on the dining table.
"Here, let me help" the sneaky woman said right by Anna's ear
"OH SWEET MOTHER OF MINE" Anna screamed as she dropped the potato from her hand into the sink
Startled, Elsa took a few steps back, grasping the counter behind her with one hand and her heart with the other.
"Oh! Elsa! I'm so sorry, I didn't hear you come in! If I had known I wouldn't have been as scared. Not that I'm easily scared, psh! No way! I'm super brave! I mean, I can take out a burglar any time. I'm so ready! Just name a time and place! I'm ready any time, any where! Not that I thought you were a burglar, because if I did then your head would have come clean off! Like, BAM! It would be like kicking a snowman's head off. But it's a good thing I didn't! Take your head off I mean, because then I'm sure I'd be charged with murder. And I'm not a murderer. No way! I would never-" Anna began to ramble
Elsa just stared at the rambling auburn brunette, and quickly glanced away as she sucked her lips in, and then glanced back at the girl. "Anna..." she called
The girl stopped and stared at the blonde wide eyed
"It's not your fault, I should have called out to you to inform you that I had arrived earlier when I previously walked in. My apologies." she said in a small, barely-noticeable frown
"O-Oh! No! It's alright!" Anna smiled, excited to finally see Elsa again. Not only that, but she got to see Elsa frown. Which was really exciting for Anna because the last couple (and the only) times she saw her client, she always had a seemingly blank, expressionless face directed towards her.
The two of them stood there in awkward silence for what felt like minutes which were actually a few seconds.
"H-here, let me help." Elsa motioned to the bowl of washed vegetables and cutting board
"O-Oh, um. Okay!" Anna said
They began a quiet routine with Elsa chopping the vegetables (which Anna noticed, was done finely and quickly) and Anna washing them and placing them in the bowl
The air around them was awkwardly silent, so Anna took this moment to take a good look at Elsa.
She was looking as flawless as ever, sporting a khaki colored tailored suit today with a light blue dress shirt, and Oh My Dear Sweet Wonderland a skinny dark gray tie with a silver tie clip. If Elsa were a man, and was Anna's boyfriend, she would have grabbed the tie and pull him towards herself and kiss the life out of him. But Elsa wasn't her boyfriend, nor was she a man. But man or woman damned. That skinny tie was made for people like Elsa. Anna was so busy trying to repress a shudder and was stuck in her thoughts, she didn't hear what her client was saying to her
"- Anna..." Elsa trailed off taking a quick glance at the girl she was speaking to, but noticed that the college student wasn't paying attention "Anna?" She called
"Huh? What?" Anna asked snapping out of her self-induced haze and turning towards the blonde
Elsa was staring at Anna's face for a while, which caused the auburn brunette to blush, until the blonde turned away, and turned off the sink"...You have some..." and then pointed at the corner of her own lips.
"What?" the younger woman asked as she brought her hand up to her mouth, only to discover a little drool. "Oh golly!"she yelped as she quickly wiped her mouth with her shoulder
Elsa turned away for a moment and turned to face Anna "As I was saying before, I just wanted to thank you for all the trouble you've gone through to help us. I appreciate it Anna"
"Oh..." Anna said, not completely registering what the blonde had just said. That damn tie was just starring at her, screaming for her to grab it and pull.
Elsa just hesitantly nodded and finished chopping the last vegetable
When Anna finally did register what was said, her eyes widened "Oh! Yeah! Sure! No Problem! You're welcome! I mean, it's no trouble at all! I've gotten use to doing everything so it's nothing really! Or even-"
She was interrupted thankfully by barking and the sound of the monster's paws scurrying on the wooden floors followed by the loud running of Olaf
"Mommy!" Olaf practically screamed as other two members of the household charged into the kitchen for hugs and cuddles "What are you doing home so early?" He asked
"I wanted to eat dinner with you of course" Elsa beamed at her little boy as she knelt down and gave him a kiss on the nose, which elicited some giggles. The doberman let out a whine as he nudged his nose in between the parent and child "Hello Marsh" Elsa greeted as she ruffled his head, causing the monster to ferociously wag his tail "Alright, go out to the dining room you two. This kitchen was not meant for four."
"Ok" Olaf nodded as he and the dog walked out
"You can sit down if you'd like," Elsa said to Anna "I can finish making dinner"
There's her blank face again... Anna mentally pouted. She didn't know why, but seeing the older woman smile just warmed her heart and she wanted to see a smile directed towards her.
"It's fine! I can finish up, you go ahead and relax! I'm sure you had a long day!" Anna smiled
"O...kay..." Elsa said slowly, nodding her head just as slow. She made her way out of the kitchen and sat down at the bar talking to Olaf about his day.
By the time Anna had finished cooking, Elsa had brought out a folding chair to place at the dining table, and they were all sitting there chatting.
Well... Olaf was chatting animately to Elsa (whom had unfortunately discarded her tie and blazer) while Anna would add in details here and there or continue his story as Elsa politely nodded and added a few words here and there, wiped food off of Olaf's face every now and then, and sometimes corrected mispronounced words.
And Olaf didn't mind, he would just continue chatting to his mom. It wasn't until later while Elsa was washing the dishes (which she insisted on doing) and Olaf and Anna were sitting at the bar to continue talking that Anna discovered something utterly delightful about Elsa.
Olaf was just about to tell Anna one of his adventures with his mom and their monster, when Elsa had interrupted
"Olaf!" she quietly whine/hissed as she turned off the faucet and grabbed the towel
"So I was riding Marshmallow around and Mommy was watching us from the bench and I think she got jealous because when we came back she told me to climb off him. Then she tried to climb on Marshmallow too!"
Anna let out a small snort as she giggled "Oh really now?"
"Olaf!" Elsa whisper shouted, fixing one of her cuffs as she was standing behind the bar, both hands placed at the top
Her son, too excited and indulged in telling the story, ignored her and continued on "Mommy is too big to ride on Marshmallow, so he had to lay down and mom accidentally fell over into the mud." Olaf finished
At this Anna bursted out laughing, standing in front of her, behind a bar, was a woman who always seemed to have a straight face on (besides when speaking to Olaf), who seemed to never get out of a suit, and was always seemingly clean and well kept (or so Anna assumed). So when Anna imagined such a figure, whom she thought for sure would know better than to try and mount a dog, falling over and landing in the mud, face still straight, she couldn't help but think that the image was the picture of humor (if Anna did have to say so herself).
Olaf was giving the widest smile as he nodded to confirm that his story was indeed true "Mom is so funny, she always does the weirdest things! Like one time-"
"That's enough Olaf!" Elsa stated "Go to your room and get ready to take a shower."
"Okay," The light brown haired child giggled as he hopped off the high chair, only to cover one side of his mouth and say in a stage whisper to Anna "I'll tell you more later when Mom's not around"
"Olaf!"
"Alright alright!" Olaf giggled as he gave his babysitter a quick hug "Good night Anna! See you tomorrow!" He waved as he and Marshmallow trotted up the stairs
Anna couldn't help but giggle an "Okay" then turned to Elsa only to be met with a rather curious scene.
A scene that had Elsa chewing on her lips and fixing her cuffs that needed no fixing, while looking off to the corner of her eyes at nothing in particular. And Anna could have sworn that the older woman's face wasn't as pale as it usually was. Just when Anna was about to ponder about Elsa's behavior, the older woman's demeanor had changed as she fixed her gaze at the college student
"It's getting late Anna, I wouldn't want you to go home when it's so dark." Elsa said
"Oh, that's right! Well then, I probably should get going then! To home, er- my dorm room rather. Before it gets too late" Anna stiffly said
Elsa nodded "I'll... walk you to the top..."
"Oh! You don't have to do that! I mean, you can if you want to. But you don't have to!"
"I want to, but if you don't want me to..."
"NO! I mean, yes! I would like that!" Anna quickly informed the blonde whom in response slowly nodded
"Anna... Shouldn't you grab your backpack?" Elsa asked
"My backpack...?" The auburn brunette questioned "O-oh! Right! Yes... My backpack. It's just... Hold on." Anna quickly ran up the stairs to the platform where she had left her backpack and down, where Elsa was already waiting at the foot of. "Alright, all ready."
"Yes..." Elsa said as the began to walk out the door in awkward silence
Again Anna thought.
"I would like to thank you again for helping me out by looking after Olaf" Elsa said, breaking the silence, as they walked up the stairs
"Oh, it's no problem! Really! I love babysitting Olaf! He's just a sweetheart and I adore him!"
"Yes, he seems to have taken a very strong liking towards you as well." Elsa said as they stopped at the top of the stairs before her apartment.
"That's great!" Anna smiled as she faced her client unable to see her face due to the dim light post and the sun about to disappear.
Elsa just stood there.
"So, um... I never got the chance to ask this, but how old are you?" Anna asked "Because you look so young to be a mother. Not that it's a bad thing! It's just different! Not a bad different though! A good different! If that makes sense, I was just curious. Oh! I was also wondering what it is that you do! A-As a career I mean. Not that I think you have a bad one! Because the few times I've seen you, you're always wearing suits. Wh-which isn't bad, it's great! You look great! Not just great actually, gorgeous even! Wait, what?"
Elsa blinked slowly and began to fix her cuffs again as she glanced off to the side really quick and back into the college student's eyes "I am 24, so I am a bit young for a parent. I am also a lawyer, I just recently obtained my license and am settling in at my new office, which is why I'm suddenly so busy and in need of a babysitter."
"I-I see..." Anna said, trying not to freak out about how young and amazing the woman in front of her was to be able to raise an amazing kid such as Olaf and still be able to become a lawyer. It surely must have been difficult, and Anna found that she wanted to know more about the woman. How did she do it? What happened? How did Olaf come about? There were so many questions, all too personal in which Anna was not in position to ask.
Silence took over them once again and Elsa started to rub the part of her neck where it meets her chin, her eyes glancing down to the concrete sidewalk.
"Well then... I should get going." Anna said "Good night!"
"Oh, actually Anna, if you'd like..." Elsa continued, hand coming down and joining its' opposite in front of her, voice trailing off as she took another glance off to the side
"...Yes?" Anna encouraged
"... Never mind. It's nothing." Elsa said, lightly shaking her head "Have a good night Anna, please do message me to let me know you got home safely." Elsa stated as she took a quick side glance and then back into her employee's eyes.
Anna was a little shocked at the request, but nodded anyways "Okay, see you soon" she smiled as she waved good-bye and started to walk home.
Elsa did a small nod and headed back down the stairs and back into her apartment.
When Anna had arrived back to her dorm room, she shot Elsa a quick text to let her know that she had arrived safely. She checked her phone later after she had showered to see that Elsa had texted back a short message
Elsa:
- - - - That's wonderful, thank you for letting me know :) Have a good night
And just like that, Anna had gladly changed her routine from that moment on to include sending a message to Elsa to let her know that she had arrived home safely if only to receive that smile.