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Anna’s hand trembled as she held up the small test stick in her hand. Two red lines appeared in the middle confirming her worst fear.
Positive.
She hoped that the sickness she felt in her stomach since waking up this morning was from the dinner last night. Fish, after all, often made her queasy, but the new neighbor's across the hall that invited her and Kristoff over for dinner last night were unaware of this and she did not want to seem like a rude guest by declining some so she politely accepted when they offered it. However, now with the results she held in her hand, there was no denying it.
She was pregnant.
While it was true she and Kristoff weren’t exactly careful as they had usually been, she still thought they had been cautious enough to still prevent this from happening.
Unfortunately, it looks like the odds were not in her favor.
It wasn’t so much of an issue as that she thought she wasn’t ready to be a mother yet than it was that she and Kristoff weren’t exactly financially stable yet to care for a child. They were barely engaged. And while the subject had come up a few times in conversation, they both agreed to get accustomed to their current life first. Kristoff, especially, pressed this plan because he wanted to give Anna the wedding he believed she deserved — even though she voiced to him a number of times that it didn’t matter what their wedding looked like. All she cared about was getting to spend forever with the man she loved with her entire being.
Anna’s only fear was that he would leave her to raise their child all on her own. And while she knew better than to think Kristoff would do such a thing, a small seed of doubt began to sprout in her stomach. Her failed previous relationship with Hans had left her heart shattered and broken — which would be a story for another time — causing her to lock up her heart and throw away the key, restraining her from giving it out so freely and naively.
All Anna could feel she could do at this moment was break down and cry. Clutching the small pregnancy test in her hand, she curled up on the cold tile floor.
How am I going to tell him? she thought to herself before sobs racked through her body once more.
———
Kristoff turned the keys, unlocking the door to the apartment. “Anna,” he called as he set down his work bag, “Baby? I’m home”.
Strange , he thought to himself. Usually, when he returned home from work Anna would practically throw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly and planting kisses all over his face as if he’d been away on some year-long trip.
Maybe she’s not home?
Shrugging it off, thinking this was the most logical answer, he continued on to their bedroom to change into a fresh pair of comfortable clothes that didn’t have black smudges and reek of sweat from working underneath cars all day. However, as he sauntered down the hallway, he came to a stop when he heard a small sniffle come from behind the bathroom door. He gave the door a soft knock, “Anna,” he asked. “You in there?”
Anna gasped at the sound of her fiancé’s voice on the other side.
No, no, no, she wasn’t ready to break the news to him yet. She was still trying to process it herself and there was no way he wouldn’t suspect anything was up with how disheveled she looked.
“Yes,” she replied, deciding on the truth. “I’ll be out in a sec, I just need to get changed,” she lied, hoping he wouldn’t detect the raspiness in her voice.
“Anna, are you sure you’re okay? You sound like you’ve been crying.” He gave the doorknob a little jiggle.
“I’m fine Kris! Just leave me alone!” She didn’t mean to be crass, but she was so her nerves from fear were so strong that she couldn’t help it.
She had hoped that this would make him leave, but she knew him too well. He was about as stubborn as she was. To put it simply, stopping Kristoff was like trying to stop a freight train.
“Okay, that’s it. I’m coming in,” his tone wasn’t angry, exactly, but rather calm, concerned and pressing. “You can unlock the door or I’ll try to find a way to unlock it myself, but either way I’m coming in.”
She knew that it was pointless trying to send him away so with a heavy sigh and a quick wipe of her tears with the sleeve of her pink pajama shirt, she went to the door, tripping over her feet, and quickly tossing the test in a small drawer. Checking herself in the mirror one last time she took a deep breath, as a final step to pull herself together the best she could before life as she knew it would change forever, whether for the good or the bad, well that was up to fate.
Opening the door just a crack, Anna peered up at her towering fiancé, brown worried eyes reflecting in her blue ones.
Immediately, Kristoff realized that she was not, in fact, okay. Her red puffy eyes gave away the fact that she had been crying. Over what, he did not know, but would try with all his might to find out because, god, he hated to see her cry.
“Anna, what’s wrong love?” He asked, the concern evident in his voice as he cupped her cheeks wiping away the stray tear from her cheek that had escaped with the pad of his thumb.
She tore away her eyes from his and took his hands from her cheeks bringing them into a gentle grasp pressing between their bodies. “I’m afraid that if I tell you…you won’t want me anymore,” she quivered, her expression downcast.
The blonde’s brows furrowed in confusion, “Not want you? Why would I not want you? Anna, I love you. Nothing could ever make me not want you. Okay?” However, this only made the sickening fear Anna felt in her stomach only slightly better, but still, she nodded, regardless.
“Alright,” he smiled. “Now will you, please tell me what it is that has got your nerves in a bunch?” She looked away from him again, wrapping her arms around herself even tighter. He took her chin between two fingers and met her gaze, “Please? I just want to be here for you.” His eyes rang with a tenderness that felt so safe, she felt as if he was her anchor who was keeping her from falling into the abyss of heartbreak once again. She loved him, and because of this; she knew she could trust him. Kristoff wasn’t Hans.
His words were all she needed to let go of the fear she held onto. He loved her. Truly loved her. And he wouldn’t run away, not for anything. “Okay,” she sighed. “Just promise you won’t freak out…too much?”
“I promise.” He gave her a lopsided grin as he tucked a tendril of red hair behind her ear, with hopes that it would help ease whatever it was that she was worried about. And it did. Somewhat.
Ever so slowly, she made her way over to the drawer, opening it like it was something she wasn’t supposed to do. The test stared back at her menacingly, mocking her, like it was some sort of monster ready to sink its claws into her, taking her away from all that she knew.
No, she voiced mentally. He loves you, Anna. You have nothing to fear. Kristoff isn’t Hans.
And these were the words she continued to repeat in her head as she made her way back to him, the small stick carefully tucked away in her sleeve.
Kristoff isn’t Hans.
Kristoff isn’t Hans.
KRISTOFF ISN’T HANS.
Kristoff stared down at her, the same familiar smile still on his face when she stopped in front of him.
“Wait. Close your eyes, I-That way I have time to mentally prepare myself for whichever way this goes,” she said nervously.
Kristoff cocked an eyebrow, but chuckled deeply confused as to why she was acting like she was about to tell him some terrible news. “Alright, feisty, whatever you say.”
As instructed he did what he was told.
“Okay, now hold out your hand.”
He moved his right arm from his side and opened his large palm flat out in front of him. Gently, Anna placed the test in it.
Yuck.
In all honesty, she did feel pretty bad for not giving him some type of warning or putting a napkin in his hand. She peed on the damn thing, for god sake. Though, likely when Kristoff opened his eyes to discover what he was holding, that would be the last thing on his mind. The thought hadn’t even crossed her mind for crying out loud, up until now, due to her frantic state. She would have to remind herself to wash her hands very well, as well as her shirt. Maybe hiding it in her sleeve wasn’t such a bright idea in the end, but she also didn’t think there was any better alternative.
“Well, feistypants, just know that if you wanted me to be absolutely clueless on what this surprise could be, it was a success because I have no clue what the hell is going on,” he grimaced.
Anna giggled relaxing a little, filling the air with the most pleasant sound Kristoff has ever heard. “That was kind of the point, my love.” She shifted a little before speaking again. “Okay. Now…open your eyes.”
Kristoff obliged, at first looking into Anna’s eyes with confusion that soon changed into utter shock as soon as he glanced down at what she had placed in his hand. Immediately, the sight made his eyes tear up.
Anna took notice of this and looked away in shame with the idea that her worst fear was about to become a reality.
“You- we’re,” he swallowed the lump forming in his throat. “We’re going to be parents?”
She felt her knees weaken, and pretty soon she was a big, messy, crying heap on the floor once again. Her sobs made her body tremble.
It was over. It was all over. This is the part where he was going to tell her that things weren’t going as planned and he would have to leave her. And how could she blame him?
As she mentally prepared herself to watch him leave, she was not expecting what happened next.
“Anna?!” Kristoff exclaimed, dropping down next to her sitting on his knees - even then, he towered over her still. Instead of angry and disappointed, his voice was worried and caring, the same voice he would use whenever she got hurt or was in some sort of trouble; much to her dismay.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Kristoff. I didn’t mean for this to happen. You wanted to wait until we got all settled and happy into this new life of ours, before taking a big step like this, and I went and ruined everything. I’m so, so, so sorry. Please. Please don’t leave me. Please forgive me.” Anna’s sobs grew stronger with each word, and her breath hitched once she finished her distressed rambling.
He cupped his large palms around her face. “Anna, what the hell are you talking about?! Why would I leave you? I love you.” His brows knit together in confusion as he tried to figure out why in the hell his fiancee was saying such things.
“We promised each other that we wouldn’t have a baby together until we were married and knew what we were gonna do with our lives.” She leaned into his touch, but only just, still hesitant that his loving caress wouldn’t linger. “We made a promise and I broke it. So, if you wanted to leave me…well, I couldn’t blame you.”
He looked into her eyes as if he was deep in thought, before speaking again. “Anna, I only said that because I thought it would be easier on you . I didn’t want you to have to deal with the stress of pregnancy on top of managing a new life. I wanted you to feel secure and comfortable. Quite frankly, I don’t give a damn when we have a baby. All I know is that if I want a family, I want it to be with you.”
His words melted her heart. How did she deserve to call such an incredible man hers?
He wasn’t angry at her! Of course, he wasn’t. And he wasn’t going to leave her either. This news was like music to Anna’s ears. She wasn’t going to lose him. They were going to get through this and give the baby growing in her belly the best life they possibly could.
In these moments of revelation, Kristoff had tucked her head under his chin, her need to be closer to him grew.
“Hey, Kristoff?”
“Mhm.” He muffled out a content reply while rubbing his hand up and down the small of her back to soothe the tension she had built up in her body.
It still amazed her that just even his touch was enough to stop her raging storms of anxiety.
“Can you hold me closer?” She moved her head from its place to peer up at him, her eyes sparkling like the stars on the ocean’s watery surface. “Please? It helps”. Her voice was so soft, so innocent like soft wind chimes being blown by a soft summer wind. It was pleading. Hopeful.
In response, Kristoff grinned and pulled her into his arms, carefully lifting her just enough so that she was sitting in his lap. “Sure, we can snuggle,” he buried his nose in her hair, “if it will make you feel better.”
The pair sat there cradling one another, the only noise to be heard was the air from the ceiling vent and their soft breaths.
Ever so gently, Kristoff rested his palm on the swell of Anna’s belly and she followed suit by placing her own hand over his; the daintiness of it barely covering a small portion of his.
———
9 Months Later
“Careful now. Take it one step at a time” Kristoff had one arm wrapped around Anna’s back and the other resting gently on her hand that was holding the baby carrier.
“Kris,” Anna giggled. “I appreciate the concern, but when the doctor told me to take it easy, he didn’t mean that you needed to be breathing down my neck every minute. Just because I had a baby doesn’t mean I am made of glass now.” She hoped it didn’t come out as ungrateful, because really that wasn’t her intention; she just wanted to make it clear that she was capable of doing things on her own as long as it wasn’t too extraneous.
“I know. I know. I’m sorry. It’s just that I can’t help but be a little overprotective now that I got two somebodies to look out for.” He gave a nod, referring to the swaddled bundle in the carrier.
“And that right there is why I love you so much,” she gently gave him a loving pat on the cheek. “You have such a big heart. Now, as much as I hate to interrupt this heartfelt moment, I would appreciate it if you would unlock the door. We’ve been standing in front of it for three minutes and this baby carrier isn’t exactly the lightest thing in the world.”
“Oh! Right. Sorry,” he stuttered, his cheeks flashing a light pink as he fished the keys out of his pocket.
Anna chortled to herself. Even after years of dating each other, the way she was still able to make her fiancé blush with just a few simple words would never cease to amaze her.
The couple was immediately surrounded by the comfort of home, Anna especially basking in the warmth of it all. Sleeping in a cold and unfamiliar hospital room had really made her appreciate the coziness of their little apartment.
Stepping further into the room, Anna set the baby carrier down on the ground, then proceeded to remove the newborn from where he lay.
“Welcome home, sweet little Noah,” Anna cooed, cradling the infant in her arms as she stood in the middle of the living room.
Kristoff followed her, coming up behind her as he wrapped his arm around her waist, kissing her soft hair. He nuzzled the shell of her ear and whispered, “I have a surprise for you.”
Anna turned back to look at him, eyes wide with curiosity as ideas raced through her mind of what her fiancé could possibly be talking about. Of course, she didn’t get an answer because all he did in response was give her a smug smile before gently taking her hand and guiding her to their bedroom; the baby still occupying the other one as he sat on his mother’s hip.
They padded down the plush carpet of the short narrow hallway and came to a halt in front of the door. “Okay,” Kristoff whispered, turning around to step in front of the door, his back facing it. “Close your eyes.”
The redhead cocked an eyebrow at him and smiled, a tiny laugh escaping her that caused her shoulders to bounce as she shook her head at him and did as she was told. God, how she loved this man who stood before her. He never failed to make her happy (even if she didn’t understand him sometimes.)
She heard the door handle turn and a big creak follow suit, signaling that it had been opened before her free hand was back in two large calloused ones. Her soft footsteps joined Kristoff’s as she was led to a corner of the room. As he guided her, she already knew that they were next to the small window that looked over the small pond of the apartment complex. Everything seemed to be the same, at least from what tell with her eyes closed; that was until the front of her lightly bumped into something. That caught her attention and she wondered why Kristoff had allowed her to run into it. Whatever it was, it was large and long, taking notes of these details as she ran her hand along the rim of the mysterious object; letting go of Kristoff’s hands and making sure to support little Noah’s weight. It was also hard, as if it was made out of wood and when she leaned towards the middle, she felt nothing.
Strange , she thought to herself. Their room wasn’t very big so she knew it like the back of her hand; of that she was positive. It consisted of nothing more than just the queen-sized bed she shared with Kristoff and two dressers; one for each of them.
So, whatever it was that was in front of her at this moment was new and most definitely not there before she left for the hospital.
“Kris, what’s-”
“Open your eyes,” he spoke softly into her hair as his arms wrapped around her middle from behind.
The silence of the room was broken with a gasp. Anna put her hand over her mouth which was still frozen in time from her utter shock. Her eyes began to water from what she was looking at. There, before her, stood a gorgeous wooden crib. It was made from mahogany. The top of the crib had a dome-like shape where each of the four side posts met in the middle; on top of that was a reindeer head carved from the same wood. Sunflowers had been engraved into the sides of the pillars with little bees buzzing around them. Everything was so intricately designed, so flawlessly decorated that it took Anna’s breath away. Even the individual skinny planks in the guard rail had small carvings of creatures from Norse mythology; a homage from what Anna could tell, to her and Kristoff’s culture. A canopy lay across the top made from fine white lace which appeared to have designs of small woodland animals (it was no doubt the work of Bulda, her mother-in-law).
There was no denying it; beyond a shadow of a doubt. From the intricate designs on the wood to the beautiful lace cloth; everything about it screamed Kristoff.
Anna needed a moment to take the beauty of it in before she could speak again. “Kris? Did-did you build all this?” Her words got caught in her throat as she choked on happy tears.
“No. Well not entirely anyway. Pa was a big help and I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that Ma partook in the project as well by making the canopy.”
“How-when did you have the time to do all this?” Anna asked, turning to face him now, adjusting Noah on her hip; his little head tucked into her neck as he slept.
“You remember when I told you that my work hours had been extended, so I would be coming home later?”
Anna nodded, “And how I told you that I was gonna give your boss a piece of my mind because you were already working twenty hours a week.”
Kristoff chortled remembering his fianceé’s snide remark. “Always the feisty one, huh?”
In response, Anna just stuck her tongue out at him.
However, this only made Kristoff belt out a deep laugh before planting another kiss on her head.
“Well anyway, the truth is I lied.”
Confused blue eyes met grinning brown ones. “My hours were never extended. I just needed an excuse to go to Ma and Pa’s to build this. I wanted it to be a surprise for both you and the baby. Pa and I actually finished it a month ago but we wanted to wait until you had the baby, so while you were in the hospital we brought it over here. I’m sorry I lied to you. I hated having to do it, but it was important to me that I showed how much I truly love and care about you. Both of you.” Kristoff looked down at little Noah his eyes still misted over with sleep, allowing him to wrap one of his little hands around his finger which was so big that Noah’s tiny fist could barely wrap around it. The little bundle cooed and his father returned a lopsided smile.
“Oh, Kristoff,” Anna said with admiration, bringing her free hand up to his face to cup his cheek. He melted into her touch and kissed her palm. “You didn’t need to do all this to show us that you love us. We already know. And me and Noah love you with all our hearts too. You’re the best thing to ever happen to me Kristoff Bjorgman; don’t for one-second doubt otherwise. Little Noah here is lucky to have a father like you and I’m to have a man like you who I can call mine.”
It was Kristoff’s turn for his eyes to water now. God, how did he get so blessed to call this family his?
Anna’s hand was still on his cheek and she wiped away the tears that fell with the pad of her thumb. She went up on her toes and planted a kiss there. “Come on,” she grinned, moving her hand from his cheek to grasp one of his own hands; she tugged on it pulling him towards their bed. “Let’s go snuggle.”
It’s funny how, when sometimes things go unplanned, they can change your life for the better , the couple thought to themselves as they basked in the love of the new family they had built from their love.