Chapter 4
A. N.
My Mom had a stroke. And writing hasn't been on my mind. If an idea did pop into my head, something more IRL pressing would quickly follow.
Real life hasn't been great lately but… it's somewhat manageable.
So, ABC/Disney, please don't sue me. I don't own anything that you'd want. I am just giving some happiness (I hope) to some fictional characters!!
Soooo many type-o's.
-x-
"I never realized how scared of your own body you must have felt," Anna said as another tear escaped. She, Emma, and Elsa sat in the lounge at Granny's BNB, sipping hot chocolate. Anna grimaced since the beverage was now cold. "That's why I didn't come to the library, everything I touch gets cold."
"Well, let's look at this logically. You could do what I did. Wear gloves for now." Elsa held her sister's hand. "But when you turn things icy— it's not all the time?"
Anna shook her head, "Just every now and then."
"Is it when the baby kicks?" Emma questioned, "Like Elsa suggested the other day?"
"No— I don't think so… maybe," Anna seemed to be so indecisive.
"Well, it's been a few years since I was pregnant but I remember a doctor visits where they could monitor Henry while I was pregnant. He would be moving but I wouldn't necessarily feel it."
"How do they monitor pregnancies?" Anna asked.
"Anna, you and Kristof might like that! It's not magic, but it would seem magical to you. It's called a Sonogram. They use sound waves to make an image on a TV screen. It won't be a color image and it isn't a crisp picture but you might like to see your baby before he or she is born. Oh! And depending on how far along you are, they might be able to see if it's a boy or a girl."
"Really?!?" Anna's whole face brightened. As her spirit warmed with happiness, so did her mug of hot chocolate.
"Look at your mug," Elsa said smiling to her sister. Anna reached down and picked up the mug. She was crying again but tears of happiness this time.
Emma also volunteered a little more insight. "The last time you and your sister were here, I was really scared of my powers and Gold suggested that I give them up. To put my powers into the Mad Hatter's magic hat. It was Elsa who convinced me that I needed to love myself and love my powers. And you've done that for Elsa in the past! I know this is scary it's brand new to you. But maybe if you can embrace this change, maybe the powers won't control you as much."
"I promise I'll help," Elsa said. "Remember when I froze your heart? It broke mine to see you turned to ice. I thought about my love for you and how much I just wanted to be part of your life. Warming you up was an unconscious act. I can't explain how it happened. But keeping you in my mind has made me feel warm. It seems to counteract the ice."
"So I just need to think about you?" Anna questioned.
"Me. Kristof. Even thinking of the baby."
"That's a great suggestion," Emma said. "Let me call the hospital and see about getting you an appointment for a sonogram." She picked up her phone and left the sitting area to make a few phone calls.
"How was the library?" Anna asked turning to Elsa.
"It was good. Liam found me nearly crying over some of the stories. Anna it's so sad to hear about children who were treated so badly for being different. It made me realize that as scared as Mother and Father may have been, they really did their best. Far, far better than these other parents. And you and Kristof will exceed them! I just know it."
-x-
While the ladies met and relaxed at Granny's, Liam and Killian met David and Kristoff at The Rabbit Hole. After a pitcher between them Kristof finally admitted, "Thinking of the baby having powers isn't as frightening as maybe it should be. I mean I can envision it – see a tiny baby throwing a temper tantrum and the palace freezing over! But, it's not scary."
The other three men exchanged glances "Not scary? "David clarified.
"Look, I know I sound crazy," Kristof said, "but I saw Elsa at her worst. – Her. – Worst! She suppressed her powers for years and they just –" he sighed, and made an exploding gesture. "Anna– she's not like that. I'm! I'm not like that! I think it'll be OK." The statement sounded great, but Kristof took a deep drink from his mug, glanced into it with a shrug, and then polished it off. "Also the rock trolls are going to be ecstatic."
"Okay – Elsa also mentioned them yesterday." Liam said. "What are rock trolls?"
"You don't have them here?"
"Only a cricket in human form," said David.
"—and a boy made a wood, is flesh and blood here," Killian finished.
"Huh, no wonder Elsa was worried about Olaf. – I don't think I want to see his human form – oh – okay. Sorry. Rock trolls-" and then Kristoff was good on the subject for quite some time. The three other men guffawed as he told his colorful stories.
After another pitcher together, Killian suddenly looked at his phone, "Oh bloody hell!"
"What's wrong brother?"
"I just got a text from Emma. I've lost track of the time. We're all having dinner together. She asked if I had picked up the groceries from the store."
"No worries, let's settle up, go to the store and head to your place," David suggested.
At the store they divided and conquered, except for Kristof who'd never been to a store. He stuck to David and asked him million questions. "Oh! It's a market!" Liam and killing and heard him shout from two Isles over.
The drive to Killian and Emma's house was amicable since the four man got along so well.
Snow, Henry, and little Neal we're just arriving at Emma's when David's truck came to a stop. They all carried in the bags and Kristof went to Anna to see how she and the baby were feeling. Snow's passion for cooking couldn't be hemmed in. Even though Emma in Killian had offered to make dinner, she basically took over. All in all, she was a better cook and the preparation was reduced as she directed nearly everyone with a task.
They sat eating and chatting. Snow agreed with Emma that a sonogram of the baby might be something Kristof and Anna would like. As usual David's face contorted at the mention of Dr. Whale. Snow was able to explain the step-by-step process of the sonogram since her last pregnancy wasn't that long ago.
As dinner wrapped up, David mentioned that he had been neglectful in sword training, and asked if anyone would like to spar? All the men said yes, with an especially enthusiastic response from Henry.
"Hold on a second," Emma said. "We all prepared the meal, we all ate it, let's all clean up." With so many helping, clean the kitchen and dining area went quickly.
Killian produced several practice swords, and he and Liam paired off, and David with Henry. Kristof said he'd take his turn later. Liam was bested by Killian in a short time, "Remember, I've had a couple of centuries on you," Killian reminded. "Also, pirate." The two laughed and Killian turned to Emma, "What do you say love? Care to have a repeat of Lake Nostos?" Emma picked up another sword and bantered back about winning their previous fight. "Now love, think back on that. Do you really think you had the upper hand?"
Emma and Killian began to circle each other, and Liam went to where Elsa, Mary Margaret, Anna, Kristof and the baby were watching. "He really put me through my paces," Liam said to the group.
"I thought you did well, Captain," Elsa said.
"I haven't been a captain in quite some time," Liam said with a sad smile.
"I disagree," Elsa said laying a gentle hand on his arm. "Once a captain, always a captain."
Liam felt the blush start to rise, the small touches that he and Elsa shared were increasing. And Liam felt his affection for her grow. "Have you ever Sword fought?"
"Ahhh – no," Elsa replied.
"Do you want to learn?" Liam asked. "The foot work is like dancing."
"I never learn to dance," Elsa said, she gestured with her hand and made an ice sword. "Remember, I spent a great deal of time not touching anyone."
This was the first time Liam saw Elsa use her magic. He stood before her stunned. After a few seconds, he simply breathed out, "Wow," Elsa blushed again. "That's really amazing lass."
"Thank you," she said.
"So will that hold up against steel?"
"Yes," both Killian and David said in unison.
Killian chuckled and continued, "Both Dave and I tried to get through-"
"-or over, "David interjected.
"Elsa's ice wall. To no avail."
Liam reached out his hand, "May I? "Elsa nodded and handed him the sword. After shivering with the initial cold, he studied the blade and the hilt. "Well balanced. Oh—" he pulled his finger away when a small cut appeared, "sharp! "
"Liam! "Elsa exclaimed. She grassed his hand in both of hers and he dropped the sword in surprise.
"It's all right, love," the endearment slipped out unconsciously. "It's not the first time I've hurt myself."
Killian and Emma were across the yard. David had resumed his practicing with Henry. The only observers of the pair were Mary Margaret, Anna, and Kristof. Snow looked at Anna with wide-eyes. "So tell me about the birds in Arendalle Anna! I've always loved hearing about the different animals in the realms." Anna seem to pick up on Mary Margaret's very intentional way she was drawing them away from Liam and Elsa.
– But simply put, Liam and Elsa did not notice anyone else in that moment.
-x-
Evening came and the gathering wound down. David and Mary Margaret had a room in their truck for two. Elsa and Liam both insisted that Kristof and Anna be driven back to the bed and breakfast. And also both wanted to walk.
Elsa slipped her hand into the crook of Liam's arm again as they walked away. "Well, what do you think about that?" Emma asked smiling at Killian.
"He looks so happy," Killian said with a genuine smile.
-x-
"Wait? The Underworld? As in—" this time Liam was giving his history to Elsa on their walk.
"Yes," Liam said. "I assume Arendalle know about the—"
"Yes." Elsa replied. "And you're alive now?"
"I am!" he chuckled, "you saw me bleed."
Elsa stopped walking and Liam stopped along with her. They were facing each other now. "Don't remind me!"
"It's okay," Liam smiled. "Look," he raised his hand and wiggled his fingers, "All better. You didn't even have to kiss it better." To this Elsa blushed deeper, but turned to resume their walk.
They walked a little ways in silence. Elsa stopped on the Porch at Granny's entrance. As soon as Liam realized she'd stopped, he turned to her. Elsa had a somewhat determined look on her face. "Ask me."
Liam tilted his head quizzically. "What?"
She mounted the remaining steps so they were on equal footing. She took his hand in hers. "Ask me to kiss it better."
Liam's breathing sped up. He noticed how Elsa was biting her lip and looking up at him with hope in her eyes. "Elsa—"
Neither could say who moved first. He reached for her as her hands grasped his shoulders. Their mouths met and Elsa almost immediately gasped. Liam took advantage and slipped his tongue through her parted lips.
The sun was setting but neither noticed as they gave into their feelings that evening. When they managed to part, reluctantly, Liam pressed his forehead to hers. "I don't want to, but I think we need to call it a night."
"Okay," Elsa said still holding onto the lapels of his jacket. "Walk me to my room?"
"Of course."
They kept shyly smiling at each other along the stairs and hallways. "This is mine," Elsa said.
Liam let out a heavy sigh. "Your kidding."
"No, why?"
He gestures to the door directly across from her. "This is mine."
"Oh," Elsa giggled. "We're only now realizing that we have rather close quarters, Captain?"
He looked at her with what could only be described as a smolder. "If you need me….you know where I am." He leaned down and kissed her again. After a few long moments, where he felt more and more desperate, he pulled away. "Good night, Elsa."
"Good night, Liam."
-x-
End of chapter 4