The sun hung high in the sky, bathing the backyard in a golden light.
Kristoff stood on a ladder, focused intently on hanging fairy lights for an upcoming party.
The air was filled with laughter and music drifting from inside the house, where Elsa was prepping snacks and drinks.
Kristoff could hear his girlfriend humming along to a catchy tune and it made him smile.
"Almost done!" he called down, adjusting the string of lights.
"Be careful, Kristoff!" Elsa shouted back, glancing out the window with a playful warning in her eyes.
"I need you in one piece for the party!"
"Always." Kristoff replied, giving Elsa a thumbs up.
He felt confident, despite the height. But as he reached for the last clip, his foot slipped. Time seemed to slow as he lost his balance, the ladder wobbling beneath him. Panic surged through him as he tried to grasp at something to hold on to.
But there was nothing.
With a loud thud that echoed in the quiet yard, Kristoff fell, slamming his head against the concrete below. The world around him spun, and then it all went to black.
"Elsa!"
A scream pierced the air, shattering the carefree atmosphere.
Elsa rushed to the back door, her heart racing as she heard the thud. When she reached the yard, her breath caught in her throat at the sight of Kristoff lying motionless on the ground.
"Kristoff!"
She knelt beside Kristoff, panic coursing through her veins. She gently shook his shoulders, her voice trembling.
"Kristoff? Kristoff, can you hear me?"
No response.
"Kristoff?"
No response.
Kristoff's eyes remained closed and his skin was pale against the concrete
Elsa's heart raced as fear gripped her. She grabbed her phone from her pocket, fumbling with it as she dialed 911.
"Oh my God! Someone call an ambulance!" she yelled, her voice rising in urgency.
Within seconds, a neighbor appeared, wide-eyed and breathless.
"What happened?" she asked.
"I-I don't know! He fell off the ladder! Call an ambulance!" Elsa screamed, her voice breaking as tears pricked at her eyes.
As the neighbor took out their phone to dial 911, she turned her attention back to Kristoff, her hands shaking. She brushed Kristoff's hair away from his face, trying to keep her own panic at bay.
"Kristoff, please wake up. Everything is going to be okay. I'm right here, okay? You're gonna be okay."
A siren wailed in the distance and her breath caught in her throat. She could hear the sound growing louder, her heart pounding in rhythm with it.
Within moments, the ambulance arrived, and paramedics jumped out, rushing to Kristoff's side.
"What happened?" one of the paramedics asked, examining Kristoff's unconscious form.
"H-He fell off a ladder and hit his head," Elsa explained, her voice thick with emotion.
"He won't wake up!"
"Okay." the paramedic said calmly.
"We're going to take care of him. Does he have any family? We need someone to go with him to the hospital."
Elsa hesitated, panic swelling in her chest. She looked at Kristoff's peaceful complexion, terrified of leaving his side.
Just then, Anna, Elsa's sister appeared, concern etched on her features.
"Elsa," she said, stepping closer and grasping Elsa's trembling hands in an attempt to calm her down.
"You need to go with him. You're all he has right now."
"Anna, I—" Elsa tried to protest, before being cut off.
"Elsa, he needs you." Anna said firmly.
"Go."
Elsa stared at Anna for a long moment before nodding, realizing she was right. Kristoff needed her more than anyone right now.
"O-Okay," she whispered, steeling herself.
"I'll go."
The paramedics carefully lifted Kristoff onto a stretcher, securing him with straps.
Elsa climbed into the ambulance, taking Kristoff's limp hand into her own. It felt cold and lifeless, sending a fresh wave of fear course through her.
Please, God. Let him be alright.
As they sped to the hospital, her mind raced with worry. She kept whispering reassurances, hoping somehow Kristoff could hear her.
"You're gonna be okay, Kristoff. I'm right here. Just hold on."
When they arrived at the hospital, they rushed Kristoff through the emergency entrance.
Elsa felt like she was in a daze, moving with the flow of the hospital staff as they navigated the chaos of the ER. After what felt like hours, a doctor approached her.
"Your boyfriend has a severe concussion," he explained.
"Luckily, it didn't affect his brain. Kristoff will be just fine, but he needs to rest."
Elsa's heart eased a fraction, but worry gnawed at her.
"Can I see him?"
"Yes, but just for a moment. He may be a bit disoriented when he wakes up." the doctor cautioned.
"O-Okay." Elsa replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
And with that, the doctor beckoned her to follow him.
When they finally brought Kristoff into a small room, Elsa rushed to his side.
"Kristoff, please wake up," she urged softly, her voice thick with emotion.
"I'm right here."
But Kristoff remained still, the only sign of life being the gentle rise and fall of his chest. He lay there, pale but stable, an IV drip in his arm.
Elsa felt tears prick her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She had to be strong for Kristoff's sake. She grasped his hand, squeezing it tightly as if letting it go would somehow make him disappear.
"I-I love you Kristoff," she whispered, pressing soft kisses to Kristoff's cheek.
"You'll be okay, I promise. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Kristoff's brow furrowed, as if subconsciously registering Elsa's words. But he made no movement, the only sound being his breathing and the beeping of the machines attached to him.
Hours passed and Elsa stayed by Kristoff's side, holding his hand and watching his face for any sign of awareness. She glanced at the clock, her mind racing with worry and fear. Then she heard a soft whimper.
"Kristoff?" she whispered, leaning closer, her heart racing as she saw Kristoff's eyes flutter open.
"E-Elsa…my head…it hurts…" Kristoff mumbled, tears brimming in his eyes.
Elsa's heart sank at the sight of her boyfriend in pain.
"I know, Kristoff. The doctor will help. Just breathe," she soothed, brushing the tears away with her thumb.
"You're okay, I promise."
The doctor entered the room, looking calm and collected.
"Ah, glad to see you awake, Kristoff. How are you feeling?" he asked, checking the IV.
"Head…hurts…" Kristoff mumbled somewhat incoherently, squeezing Elsa's hand tightly.
He was never the one to cry, but the pain he was experiencing now made it hard not to.
The doctor nodded, taking note of Kristoff's condition.
"We'll give you something for the pain." he said.
He moved swiftly, administering medicine through the IV.
"Just a little bit longer and you'll feel better." Elsa reassured, though she was trying to convince herself more than anyone else.
Once the medicine took effect, Kristoff began to calm, his body slightly relaxing against the bed.
"Elsa." he whispered, his voice small and vulnerable.
"I'm right here." Elsa said, climbing into the hospital bed beside Kristoff, and wrapping her arms around him, pulling him close.
"Please don't leave me." Kristoff murmured, his voice trembling.
"I won't. I'm right here." Elsa promised, cradling Kristoff gently in her arms.
As the medication eased Kristoff's pain, his eyes grew heavy. The warmth of Elsa's embrace enveloped him like a soft blanket, pulling him into a world of comfort. With Elsa rocking him gently, he finally allowed himself to drift off to sleep, feeling safe and loved.
The worries of the day began to fade as Elsa held Kristoff close, whispering sweet nothings and ensuring that he wouldn't be alone. It was at this moment that she became aware of how close they were, how close she was to losing the love of her life. How much she cherished Kristoff and everything he did for her. As they lay there, she made a silent promise to herself to always be there for Kristoff. Because she knew no matter the challenges ahead, they would face them together—one heartbeat at a time.
