The warm glow of the late afternoon sun bathed the castle of Arendelle in a soft, golden light.
Inside, Elsa was cradling her newborn daughter, A'Laylianna, in her arms.
The baby girl, now just a few days old, cooed softly, her tiny fists waving in the air as she gazed up at her mother with wide, curious eyes.
Elsa smiled down at her daughter, marveling at the perfect little person she and Kristoff had brought into the world. The newborn's soft tufts of pale blonde hair reminded her so much of her own as a baby, and her eyes—a striking blue, even at this age—were unmistakably hers.
Yet, in those gentle features, there was something of Kristoff as well—a sturdiness, a warmth that she adored.
"Are you ready for your bath, my little snowflake?" she whispered softly to A'Laylianna, who responded with a gurgle that made her heart swell.
Kristoff entered the nursery just then, carrying a small tub of warm water. His face was glowing with the pride of a new father, his brown eyes soft and full of love as he gazed at his fiancée and newborn daughter.
"The water's just right," he said, setting the tub on a low wooden table in the center of the room.
He grinned, slightly nervous but full of excitement.
"Are we really doing this? Her first bath?"
Elsa chuckled, her voice a blend of warmth and excitement.
"We're really doing this. Our little A'Laylianna's first bath."
She turned to Kristoff with a playful glint in her eyes.
"And don't be too nervous. It's just water."
Kristoff rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"I know, but she's so tiny…and fragile."
He leaned in to kiss the top of his daughter's head, inhaling the soft, baby-fresh scent.
"I don't want to do anything wrong."
Elsa smiled and stood up, still cradling A'Laylianna gently.
"We'll do it together," she said, her voice soothing.
"Besides, you've been amazing with her already. You're a natural."
Kristoff's eyes softened at Elsa's words. Though he was confident in many things, being a father had introduced a new vulnerability in him—he wanted to get everything right for his little girl.
The bath had been a long-anticipated event for the both of them. It was more than just a routine—it felt like a milestone in their journey as parents. They had discussed every detail of this moment for days, planning it like it was the most important royal event.
Elsa walked over to the changing table and began to gently undress A'Laylianna. She squirmed a little but didn't fuss, her soft skin glowing in the golden light.
Kristoff stood close by, ready to assist as needed.
"Look at her," Elsa whispered in awe.
"She's so calm."
"She trusts you," Kristoff said, leaning in to kiss Elsa's cheek.
"And she knows we're taking care of her."
Once A'Laylianna was undressed, Elsa wrapped her in a soft towel, holding her close to her chest. She walked over to the tub, where the warm water was waiting.
It was shallow enough to ensure safety, but deep enough for the newborn to splash around a little.
Elsa and Kristoff had tested the water temperature carefully, ensuring it was perfect for their baby's delicate skin.
"Okay, here we go," Elsa murmured as she slowly lowered A'Laylianna into the tub.
As soon as A'Laylianna's tiny feet touched the warm water, she let out a little surprised coo, her legs kicking instinctively.
Elsa smiled down at the curious newborn, gently holding her head and back above the water while Kristoff knelt beside the tub, ready to help.
"Isn't she perfect, Els?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he reached out to gently cup his daughter's cheek.
A'Laylianna blinked up at her father, her bright blue eyes wide with curiosity.
"She is," Elsa agreed, her own heart swelling with love.
They began to gently pour water over A'Laylianna's body, using a small cup that had been crafted specially for baby baths.
Elsa moved with the ease of someone who was deeply connected to the child in their arms, her ice powers flickering ever so slightly in the air around them, though she was careful not to let any of the cold touch the water.
"Look at her," Kristoff said softly as A'Laylianna's tiny hands waved in the water, her feet kicking gently.
"She's already loving it."
Elsa smiled, her own nerves from earlier melting away as she watched her daughter enjoying her first bath.
"I think we've got a water baby," she said with a laugh.
"Maybe she takes after her Auntie Anna. She always loved swimming as a child."
Kristoff chuckled.
"I don't know if Anna would ever be this calm in the water."
Elsa laughed at the thought of her rambunctious sister and nodded.
"True. A'Laylianna seems more like you in that regard."
The room filled with the soft sounds of water splashing and A'Laylianna's occasional contented coos as Elsa and Kristoff took turns gently washing their daughter's delicate skin.
They used a mild, lavender-scented soap that the palace healer, Eira, had provided, designed specifically for newborns.
The scent filled the room, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.
Kristoff watched in awe as Elsa expertly rinsed A'Laylianna's hair, her movements sure and gentle. He couldn't take his eyes off the two of them—his queen and his daughter—his tiny, beautiful little princess. The love he felt for the both of them was overwhelming, and he silently vowed to protect them for as long as there was breath in his body.
"Want to hold her while I dry her off?" Elsa asked, turning to Kristoff with a smile.
Kristoff nodded eagerly, carefully slipping his hands under A'Laylianna as Elsa lifted her out of the water and wrapped her in a soft, fluffy towel. He cradled her in his strong arms, marveling at how tiny she was compared to him.
"She's so little," he whispered, his voice filled with awe.
"I still can't believe she's ours."
Elsa's heart swelled as she watched Kristoff with their daughter. There was something magical about seeing the man she loved so deeply holding their child—their little princess.
My knight in shining armor. My everything and more.
It was a moment of pure happiness that she knew she would cherish forever.
"She is," she agreed, stepping close to kiss A'Laylianna's forehead.
"And she's ours."
They moved over to the changing table, where she began to dry A'Laylianna's skin with gentle, loving strokes.
A'Laylianna yawned, her tiny fists clenching and unclenching as she blinked up at her parents, clearly enjoying the warmth of the towel and the comfort of her mother's touch.
"I think she's getting sleepy," Kristoff whispered, his voice filled with a kind of reverence as he stroked A'Laylianna's tiny hand with his finger.
Elsa nodded, her own heart melting as she watched her newborn daughter's eyelids grow heavy.
"I think so too. It's been a big day for her."
Once A'Laylianna was dry, she gently applied a soothing lotion to her skin before slipping her into a soft, lavender-colored onesie.
The newborn squirmed a little as her mother dressed her, but there were no cries or protests—just a quiet, contented coo that made both parents smile.
"There," Elsa said softly as she fastened the last button on the onesie.
"All clean and cozy."
Kristoff smiled down at his daughter, who was now blinking sleepily up at him.
"She's so perfect, Elsa," he murmured, his voice filled with awe.
"I still can't believe we made her."
Elsa felt her throat tighten with emotion as she gazed down at their daughter.
"She's the best thing that's ever happened to me—to us."
Kristoff wrapped an arm around Elsa's waist, pulling her close as they both looked down at their baby girl.
A'Laylianna's eyes fluttered closed, and within moments, she was fast asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath.
"She's asleep..." Kristoff whispered, his voice full of wonder.
Elsa nodded, her heart filled with a deep, unshakable love for the child she and Kristoff had created together.
"She is."
Together, they gently carried A'Laylianna over to her crib, which was draped in soft blankets and adorned with tiny snowflakes that Elsa had crafted herself.
Kristoff carefully laid the newborn down, making sure she was comfortable before stepping back to admire her.
"She's so beautiful," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Elsa nodded, her heart brimming with love as she gazed down at their daughter.
"She is," she agreed softly.
"And she's all ours."
For a long moment, they stood together in the quiet of the nursery, watching over their sleeping daughter. The world outside was still and peaceful, and in that moment, it felt like nothing could ever harm them. They were a family now—a true family—and there was nothing in the world more important than that.
"I love you, Elsa," Kristoff whispered, turning to Elsa with a soft smile.
"I love both of you."
Elsa's heart swelled with emotion as she turned to look at Kristoff.
"I love you too, Kristoff," she whispered back, leaning in to kiss him softly.
"And I love our little A'Laylianna more than I ever thought I possibly could."
Kristoff smiled, his brown eyes shining with pride and love.
"We're gonna be amazing parents, Els."
Elsa nodded, her heart filled with confidence.
"We already are."
As they stood together in the nursery, watching over their precious daughter, they knew that this was just the beginning of their journey as a family. There would be challenges, oh yes, but together, they would face them all with love and strength.
And in that very moment, as the sun set outside the castle, casting a warm glow over the room, they felt truly blessed. A'Laylianna was their joy, the light of their lives, and together, they would build a lifetime of memories—filled with love and laughter.
Well, hello there! :)
I know it's been a while since I've updated this story but I'm back now and better than ever! I promise I didn't forget about you guys! Life has been lifeing lately and I had to take a little break to get myself together mentally. For those of you who have been waiting for me to continue this story—the wait is over! Thank you all for your support, love, and patience as I get back into the swing of things. I've got some big things in store so stay tuned! Emmie Anakele is back and here to stay! I will try my absolute best to update this story every Sunday until it's complete.
I hope you guys had a great Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's! And as always…
Much love, y'all!
—XxEmmieAnakelexX