Anna was feeling uneasy for more than one reason. After the day in the physical therapy room with Kristoff, he kind of disappeared. For good reason, of course. He had to start picking up doubles and even got a second job in order to catch up financially for the time he took off to be at Anna's side when she was unconscious. It wasn't until she only saw him once a week that she realized what kind of sacrifice he made just to sit by her unresponsive form.
And to be perfectly honest on Kristoff's side of things, he of course needed the financial help, but after that day in the PT room, he knew he had to put some distance between them. In a technical sense, she was still engaged. His heart couldn't take being that close to her, getting those smiles and blushes that really belonged to Hans. Naturally, she was going to fall in love with the bastard again. He always had some trick up his sleeve. So Kristoff decided it was for his heart's own good to set up a wall.
The other reason for her feelings of discomfort was because tonight, she would be seeing Hans. Their first "date" in 7 months. She was wary at first, but Elsa had (begrudgingly) told her that she owed Hans a chance. She could say no more than that because she really didn't think Hans loved her. Or even that Anna had truly loved him. It had been a silly crush that would not have ended well had the wreck not happened. All in Elsa's opinion, of course, but her instinct was one she trusted quite faithfully.
Anna was nervous. Terrified. The only time she had seen this man (that she could remember) was when he tried to attack her in her hospital room. Truth be told, first impressions do make quite the impact. She knew she'd feel guilty, however, if she didn't give him that second chance. She had been engaged to him after all. She must have liked something about him.
There was just one problem, though; and it had broad shoulders, rolling muscles, dirty blonde hair, an incredible smile, and an impossibly cute German Shepherd.
"You're awfully quiet." Elsa slipped on an emerald green jacket. Fall was sweeping in, and so was cooler weather. "Usually when you're nervous, I can't get you to shut up," she mused, giving her sister's shoulder an affectionate squeeze.
"I'm afraid if I open my mouth I'll puke…" she muttered through clenched teeth.
"Oh my… fair enough!" she chuckled. "You'll be fine, Anna. He's just coming over to talk, to help you remember things, just like Kris has been doing with the photos. You are not expected to do, say, or accept anything that you do not want. Okay?" she asked softly. "And if you need me to get rid of him, text me. I'll be at that little pub a couple of blocks away with Kristoff. Not far at all." She smiled and leaned down to kiss the top of Anna's head. "I love you, Anna. I am so glad you're finally home."
Anna couldn't hold back her smile, even though her stomach churned at the sound of Kristoff's name. "I love you, too, Else."
She watched from her wheelchair as Elsa walked out and locked the door behind her. Anna was doing all right with walking, but she still wasn't 100% yet. Getting around their loft apartment was fine, but when they went out, she had to have the chair. She just got too tired.
She jumped when a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She rolled her chair closer to the door before standing up and limping her way to the door to unlock it. Behind the door was a devilishly handsome, auburn-haired man with quite the smile. "Good evening, Anna," he offered softly, and the timbre of his voice gave her chills.
She returned his smile and stood back to allow him in. "Hi. Um… thanks for coming," she said, rather awkwardly. He was definitely easy on the eyes, so there was that. She stumbled a bit as she went to close the door, and he was immediately at her side, catching her forearms from behind her.
"Careful, now. You shouldn't really be up. Come on, let's sit on the couch. I'll grab anything you want or need," he suggested with a charming grin. Anna nodded, heat flooding her cheeks and allowed him to help her over to the couch.
In a way, the whole amnesia bit worked to Hans' advantage. It meant he could start over again, with more added detail since she didn't remember a thing about him. His charm was already having its effect. By the end of the night, he'd have her wearing that ring again. And if not then, by the end of the week. He pulled out a bottle of vintage wine from a bag he had carried in with him. "Where do you keep your wine glasses, Anna darling?"
She swallowed a bit hard. She hadn't had alcohol in, well, she couldn't remember. "In the hutch in the dining room."
He came back with two glasses and filled them a little below halfway, and handed her one. "To you and your health," he proposed smoothly. Anna nodded with a timid smile, and they clinked their glasses together before each taking a sip.
"Oh, wow…" Anna breathed, looking at the glass. "It's definitely been a while!" she laughed, taking another sip. She had to remind herself to be careful. It was potent and she was known in her past to be a lightweight anyway.
"Do you like it?"
"It's delicious, thank you."
"Good." He smiled at her, studying her a while before he spoke again. "Thank you for letting me see you, Anna. I've missed you so much."
"Did you visit me often?" she asked curiously, voice quiet.
Damn it. "As often as I could, my love." A lie. Seeing her awake in the hospital was the first time he had been in months. "I had to take over your sister's business so that she could stay with you."
"Oh," she said softly, taking another small sip of red wine. "Yeah, she and Kristoff spent a lot of time at the hospital when I was unconscious."
Hans watched her closely as she spoke, and the way the corners of her lips curled up at the mention of that big oaf's name made his blood boil. But he smiled devilishly. "Yes, so I heard. It was very kind of him to keep you company, all for Elsa."
Anna looked up from her wine glass, brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Hans put on a look of shock. "Oh… did you not know? I assumed it was public knowledge. I guess it's just so obvious that Kristoff's in love with your sister," he said with a sappy smile.
Anna's heart sunk to her stomach. She could feel the bile rising in her throat, along with a tiny sob, but she swallowed it down with the rest of the wine in her glass. "Oh, yes," she said, face hot and flushed from the wine. "Yes, that. No, I knew. Of course I knew…" Hans wasn't the only one lying tonight. So… she was engaged to Hans. And Kristoff was in love with Elsa. That must have been why he was never an option. Why Anna had never chosen him in the first place. He wasn't hers to choose.
"He would do anything for her, I believe. Just as I would do anything for you, sweet Anna." He took her hand gently in his, cerulean locking with emerald, and kissed her smooth, pale skin.