~Elsa~
The first guests to arrive were Gabriel Agreste, his son Adrien, and Edna Mode. They arrived with mine, Rapunzel's, and Anna's Christmas dresses, which were even more beautiful than the ones they made for us for Halloween.
Rapunzel's dress is a dark purple with an attached cape that attaches at each shoulder to a white faux fur collar. The cape has gold screen art with red rhinestones at the bottom. The bodice is satin with a contrasting lighter purple satin front panel. The slides of the dress are long and use the same fabric as the panel, which also has gold lattice and white lace trim. The skirt is velvet with a lighter purple front panel with a poinsettia flower and a vine glitter pattern. The skirt also has gold screen art with red glitter poinsettia flowers.
Anna's dress is light blue with what appears to be festive reindeer and bells sown at the hem. The dress comes with a matching long sleeve jacket with some white faux fur lining the collar of the jacket, down the line of bottoms, and at the shoulders. Around her waist is a purple scarf being used as a belt and beautifully embroidered in a colorful pattern.
My dress is long sleeved and dark blue with a collar that is also lined with white faux fur. The bodice is bedazzled with sparkling jewels that are placed randomly, but towards the hem of the skirt, the jewels form the shape of the beginning half of a snowflake. Attached to my dress was a long, sheer cape that flowed magically behind me when I walked. It displays a large, full snowflake that sparkled more than freshly fallen snow, more than the night sky!
Not to be vain, but the three of us were breathtakingly beautiful.
"Ugh!" Says Edna in delight as she examines us. "I've done it again!"
Gabriel sighs, annoyed. "We've done it again." He reminds her, much to his dismay. "It's a miracle that I managed to convince you to keep the capes again."
"That's because if it looked horrible, I knew the blame would go solely to you." She replies, smugly.
And before Grabriel could respond, my aunt is snapping pictures. "Oh," she says, happily, "you girls look so beautiful. Edna, Gabriel, you've really outdone yourselves this time. These dresses are even better than the ones you made for them for Halloween."
Edna smirks. "I know, darling, I know."
Arianna kept snapping picture after picture, making Rapunzel giggle. "Mom, let us pose first." She gets between Anna and I, and on cue I straighten my posture and smile.
Adrien, who stood beside his father, was smiling wide. I remember being told that he snuck out to go to Mavis's Birthday/Halloween party. He dressed up as a black-cat and became infatuated with Marinette, who was dressed as a ladybug. I hope she'll be here tonight. I'm sure Adrien would like that. I don't really talk to him all that much on our socials, nor do I talk to Marinette at school, but they would be a beautiful couple. I hope Adrien finds her again and asks her out. Just like how Jack and I found each other again.
Though granted, we weren't looking for each other.
And I think that's the best kind of love. The kind where it just hits you out of nowhere and you're left wondering when it happened. Left wondering how you were blind to it for so long or how you couldn't see it coming from a mile away like everyone else could. Left wondering if it's good or bad that it happened so fast.
"You three look beautiful." He says, genuinely. If Anna wasn't crushing on Kristoff, I'm sure she would have taken that as him flirting. But then again, Anna has crushed on multiple guys at once. Maybe she does see that as him flirting. Maybe she has butterflies right now. I hope not.
Yes, her and Kristoff aren't labeled yet, so she can technically still crush on and see other boys, but Kristoff is the type of person that doesn't just crush on anyone. Anna is special. Anna is different. I know she said he agreed to the no-label thing too, but I just feel he only agreed to it for her. I don't want him to get hurt. The fact that he has feelings for my sister is still a shock to me. Not so much the other way around because Anna crushes on anything with a cute face, which Kristoff certainly has. I've seen signs from both of them, and loved the idea of being a couple, but knowing that it's actually real is so hard to believe. It's a literal dream come true.
I just hope they make it official-official soon.
"I'm surprised none of you have picked up modeling." Adrien continued.
"I agree," says Edna, as she continues to admire the dresses she helped make. She then looks at us. "The clothes aren't the only thing people talk about at my show. The beauty of the models is just as important."
While I was very flattered, it definitely wasn't something I saw myself doing. Nor Anna or Rapunzel. We like chocolate too much.
"Aw," Anna says, probably the most flattered of the three of us, "you're too kind. Both of you." She smiles at Adrien and to my surprise there wasn't a smitten look on her face or in her eyes.
Huh...maybe she's hung up on Kristoff after all. Kristoff only. Has my boy-crazy sister really found the one boy to end that phase? The world must be ending.
The doorbell suddenly chimes throughout the house, which sets Anna into an excited frenzy. "Oh my gosh! More guests are coming! Whew, we put these things on just in time. It's a good thing we did our makeup and hair before this too. Let's go greet them! Auntie, don't you worry. We got this under control."
My sister takes a hold of mine and Rapunzel's hands, and tugs us towards our front door, which is downstairs. I could hear my aunt laughing but was unable to look back as I was more focused on not tripping over myself due to Anna basically dragging me out of the room.
"Don't scare them off, Anna!" Aunt Arianna calls out.
"No promises!" Anna called back when we were already out the door.
I wondered if my aunt meant the guests or Rapunzel and I.
And so, as we made our way downstairs to the front doors, the three of us came up with a system. Anna will stay at the door with Rapunzel and I, but as the guests come, Rapunzel and I will take turns taking the guests to the ballroom. We felt Anna should stay at the door the whole time due to her probably talking the ears off of our guests or getting them lost.
When we make it downstairs, Anna grabs hold of the guest checklist that was sitting on the podium we placed right next to the door. She looked so professional with the clipboard in her hands. Like some very important business lady. Technically, if I really didn't go through with taking over our father's business, she would be next in line to take over. I don't really see her doing that though. Whatever profession she chooses to do, I can see it being something more fun.
Guest after guest after guest started showing up and it was so nice to see so many familiar faces, like our classmates and other students, as well as teachers. There were even people in the Burgess community that showed up. When my aunt invites people, she always makes sure to invite everybody. Not just important business partners.
Eventually Adrien joins the three of us, not wanting to stay glued to his father and not quite ready to talk to any strangers.
"I just don't understand how you were able to mingle with strangers at Mavis's Halloween Birthday bash," Rapunzel says to him as we wait for more guests to show up. "But you're too shy to talk to anyone in the ballroom. You're usually always up to chat and make new friends."
Adrien blushes and looks away, rubbing his neck nervously. "It's not that I'm shy, I just...don't want to right now."
Anna suddenly gasps. "No, wait! Oh my god, you're waiting for Marinette, aren't you? Did you know her parents are already here? They helped make a ton of pastries and other baked sweets. You're going to love every product. There's not one piece of sweet food that you'll hate. She told me that she'll only come if she gets her dress perfect. She makes clothes like your father does. I'm hoping her dress came out to her liking. I want her here so badly so you two can properly be introduced–"
"Anna," I cut her off, "You're rambling."
Anna giggles. "Sorry."
"Marinette?" Adrien repeats confused and unphased with the rambles. "Who's that?"
"The girl you danced with at the hotel on Halloween," Anna explains, then her eyes go wide. "Wait, did you not ask for her name?! She was the one wearing the ladybug outfit."
This time Adrien's eyes go wide. "Her name is Marinette? That's so beautiful. I asked you before at the hotel what her name was, but you didn't tell me–"
"That's because I assumed you would tell her yourself, silly," Anna burst into laughter. "I wanted to keep her mysterious for you. I sure hope she shows up. Because believe it or not," she nudges him playfully, "I hear she's pretty smitten with you too."
And I swear if eyes go wider than humanly possible, his certainly did. "She is?!" He's then smiling wide. "That's great! I–"
The doorbell suddenly rings, cutting him off. Anna opens the door and suddenly squeals in delight. Rapunzel and mine's jaws dropped. Because standing in the doorway is Marinette, wearing what appears to be a ladybug inspired dress. Speak of the devil and she appears.
"Marinette! Hello!" Anna gives her classmate a hug. "We were literally just talking about you like 5 seconds ago."
Marinette returns the hug but looks confused. "About me? I hope it was good things."
Anna giggles as she pulls away. "Of course!" She then admires her friend's dress. "And is this the finished project you were telling me about? Oh my gosh! It's so gorgeous! You look amazing. Doesn't she, Adrien?" She steps to the side so Adrien can look at his crush and Marinette gasps.
"A-Adrien Agreste?!" She stammers out, surprising us.
Adrien awkwardly waves. "Uh...hello."
I thought she remembered him from Halloween, but then I realized, according to Adrien, that he never got her name, so perhaps she didn't get his either. So how does she know him? Maybe she got his name, but he just didn't get hers. Maybe–
"You know his name already?" Anna asks Marinette, then turns to Adrien. "I thought you guys didn't–"
"Of course I know his name!" Marinette interrupts, hysterically laughing. "He's only the most famous Parisian model to ever exist! I...uh...I'm a big fan." She's blushing harder than I've ever seen anyone blush before and extends her out for him to take.
Adrien happily shakes it. "It's always nice to meet a fan. I'm definitely not as well known here in the States like I am there in Paris. So...you don't remember me from anything else?"
Marinette suddenly looks horrified. "Oh my gosh, no, I'm sorry. I only know you from modeling. Have you done other things? I would love to hear more about them."
So she doesn't know he was the guy in the cat costume that she danced with. How cute. It's like a Cinderella moment. It's like how Jack and I first met. Dare I say it but...I definitely ship it. Ugh, Anna's rubbing off on me again.
Anna pipes in before Adrien could. "That's a great idea! You two should totally spend the evening together. And even better, Mari, is that his dad is here too. You can show off the dress you designed." Then to Adrien. "It's her dream to become a fashion designer. Your dad should totally take her up as an apprentice or intern or whatever."
Marinette practically screams. "Gabriel Agreste is here too! Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh," she hunches over, "I think I'm going to be sick."
Adrien puts a comforting hand on her back. "Or maybe, if you'd like, we can avoid my dad as much as possible tonight and just...get to know each other? It's supposed to be a fun night, so let's not get you worked up. My dad tends to make people anxious."
You're probably making her anxious too, I couldn't help but think. But in a good way, I'm sure.
Marinette nods and manages to smile, her face as red as her dress. "I'd like that."
Anna points in the direction they're meant to go. "Adrien, you know the way." She winks at him, and he smiles, his eyes showing his gratefulness.
He then extends his elbow out and Marinette, shakingly, loops her arm around it. They walked away from us and once they were out of sight, Anna and Rapunzel lost their minds while I stood in absolute shock. It felt like I had just witnessed a real-life Disney moment.
Thirty minutes go by before we receive another guest, and this time it was multiple. Kristoff, his grandfather Dr. Stone, a woman, a man, three kids, and Olaf. Anna's eyes light up like the fourth of July seeing the seven of them.
"Hello, hello!" Anna beams at them, her gaze landing on the three kids that looked to be between the ages of 7-10. "It's so nice to see everybody."
"And it's even more wonderful to see you again," says the woman, which confused me. "This here is my husband Cliff, and our three kids Ruby, Emerald, and Baldur. And I've heard you already know my dad." She gestures to Dr. Stone.
Anna laughs and looks at me. "Yeah, we've been acquainted."
"More than once," I add in, smiling, while Dr. Stone chuckles.
"And of course," Olaf pipes in, "You know all about me." He whispers down to the kids, "We go way back."
"I'm so glad you were able to get today off," Rapunzel says, and I second that. He's like a brother to me, and I honestly wish we could spend more time together. With him working at the hospital in the kitchen, we rarely have time. I think I see Moana's cousin Maui more than I see Olaf. And nothing against Maui, but Olaf and I really do go way back.
"Yeah, being friends with Dr. Stone and his grandson really has its perks," he answers, honestly.
Dr. Stone speaks next. "It brings me much joy to see you girls living happily now," he says, but then his face turns serious. "I assume everything is still being investigated?"
He was referring to Hans being missing. Sometimes I forget about him. I've been so happy lately that he's crossing my mind less and less. Which is good. It's unfortunate that he's not behind bars, but he's still out of my life for the time being and I'm going to enjoy it for as long as I can.
"Yeah," I answered him, "as far as we're aware, there are no leads yet."
Dr. Stone sighs and shakes his head. "Well," his tone turns hopeful, "tonight is not about him." He looks at Kristoff and the others, smiling proudly. "Tonight is about family."
And I couldn't agree more.
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~Anna~
"Tonight is about family," Dr. Stone says as he smiles at the family he brought with him.
Kristoff has said before that he has a big family, so I can only assume that this isn't even half of them. And while I know my job for right now is to mark off the guests that arrive on the checklist, I really really really really wanted to escort my maybe-boyfriend and his family to the ballroom. I was only given this job anyway because my sister and cousin think I'll talk their ears off and get distracted taking them where they need to go. Maybe that would happen with someone else, but not Kristoff and his family.
"Well," I had the clipboard to my sister, who took it with a confused look, "Let's get you to the party then, shall we?" I extend my arm out to Kristoff's grandfather, a person who also helped treat me when I was younger and who helped treat my sister a month or so ago. "I'll be right back girls."
"I'll stay here with the girls," Olaf said and took the clipboard from Elsa.
As I walked Kristoff and his family to the ballroom, I tried my best not to be so talkative so I didn't embarrass myself. But my not feeling embarrassed didn't last long because Bulda started asking embarrassing questions.
"So are you two still friends or have you established an official relationship?" She asks, and I'm sure if Kristoff and I were in the middle of a drink we would have spit it out.
"Bulda!" Kristoff almost yells, his eyes nearly bulging out of his eyes. I think mine were doing the same and I could feel the heat in my face.
"What?" She asks innocently, and I think she was genuine rather than teasing. "This is a very important question that every mother needs to ask. I'm really surprised you guys aren't official." She then looks at me. "What's the issue, dear? Why are you holding back from such a man?"
I had no idea how to answer that. Do I lie and tell her that I'm not dating Kristoff? Because we are! We just aren't...official. But telling her the truth doesn't make it sound good either. What if she thinks I'm using him or something? That I don't really care? Because I do care! I just don't want to have a label right now. I want to be sure that Kristoff is the one for me. I want...
To be careful is all.
"Is it the clumpy way he walks?" Bulda continues.
"Or the grumpy way he talks?" Adds Cliff, surprising me again.
"Or the pear-shaped, square-shaped weirdness of his feet?" Says Ruby, which was another surprise.
Kristoff is appalled and looks genuinely offended. "Hey!"
"And though we know he washes well, he always ends up sort of smelly." Cliff goes again. "But you'll never meet a fellow who's as sensitive and sweet."
Aww. I couldn't help but smile. Yeah, Kristoff is definitely more sweet than he lets on, and he did stink a lot when I first met him. Not so much now though. I think that's because of me. Not because I said anything, but because he loves me. (I still can't believe it). I almost blurted it out the first morning we met. Not to be mean but because sometimes I blurt things out without thinking and I was also super excited and nervous on our first day. I could hardly hold any of my thoughts in. I remember trying to say anything that wasn't Hey, you smell pretty bad. Do you want to borrow my Tropical Breeze deodorant? And then he straight up called me annoying and loud and I've had beef with him ever since. Until at some point, our genuine annoyed banter turned into playful banter and I'm honestly not even sure when that happened.
So much has happened this semester that I can't pinpoint the exact moment Kristoff actually became my friend. And now he's a little more than that and I still can't believe it. I don't know how many times I'm going to say it. But I. Can't. Believe. It. I don't know how he managed to grow feelings for me. I know I've got charm, but from the way he acted with me in the very beginning, no one would have even thought of him caring for me at all. Whether that be platonically or romantically. And yeah, I always admired the way he looked, even when I didn't like him at all, but I admired a lot of guys. I never thought I would get with any of them, including Hans, but Kristoff was literally the last person I ever saw myself with. He just...ugh he really got on my nerves at first. I didn't want to be with anyone who set my veins on fire like that. I want that done in a more sensual way, wink wink.
I'm not even sure when I actually started crushing on him. Like, yes, I admired his body and his face, and I've totally crushed on people with that alone (there are boys at school that I've never talked to but swooned over because of their pretty face) but I'm talking about a crush-crush. Where daydreaming about him or purposely thinking of scenarios make you blush and tingly inside. These moments have always taken me off guard, and I never realized in those moments it was because I actually like him. Another thing about a crush-crush is that you look past the looks and genuinely like his personality. His real personality. Once that started to shine through, I liked being around him. That, plus a great body and face? He's the whole package.
And of course, I'm not sure when he started taking over my thoughts. It was small at first, maybe once or twice a day, but then at some point it became every other hour, 24/7. When he confessed three days ago, it's been more like 25/8 now. He's different from all the other boys I've crushed on (besides Hans, but we're not gonna talk about him), and I don't know exactly why he's different, but I like to think that maybe...maybe it's because he's my soulmate. Maybe that's why I can't answer that question on why.
He just is.
I can't get him out of my head, and walking beside him, and smelling his cologne, is literally driving me crazy. We haven't had any alone time because of Christmas planning and the party. I'm hoping I can steal him away for a little bit tonight. No family and friends. Just him and I.
"He is, in fact, a fixer-upper," Dr. Stone adds in. "And his thing with the reindeer." He grimaces, a little disturbed. "That's a little outside of nature's laws."
I burst into laughter, while Kristoff remains offended. "I'm really regretting bringing you guys. And leave Sven out of this please. He's a good boy."
"See what I mean?" Dr. Stone laughs.
"He's a fixer upper," says Cliff, "but we're certain you can fix him up with a little bit of love."
Kristoff sighs, the most annoyed and embarrassed I've ever seen him. "Can we please just stop talking about this?"
But, like any good family, they ignored him.
"Is it the way that he runs scared?"
"Or that he's socially impaired?"
"Or that he only likes to tinkle in the woods?"
"I did not need to know that," I say, a little grossed out, but not too surprised. Men. That's all I can say. Kristoff definitely looks like the type, but he's my type.
"Are you holding back your fondness due to his unmanly blondeness? Or the way he covers up that he's the honest goods?"
"Also, fyi, his isolation is confirmation of his desperation for human hugs."
"So if we fix him up with you, he'll be all better."
And finally Kristoff snapped. "Enough! She's not ready for commitment, okay?"
There was an awkward silence and it made me feel absolutely awful. It's not that I'm not ready for commitment, I just don't want to commit to someone who might not be right for me, even if he feels like my soulmate. I felt the same about Hans and look how that turned out. Not that Kristoff is anything like Hans, but it's like I keep saying, I'm playing it safe. I want to be sure Kristoff is it; that we're compatible.
Bulda breaks the silence first, still very chirpy. "Then she's a fixer upper too. Her caution is simply a minor thing. That can be easily changed with time. But what can't be changed is people. We're not saying you can change our boy Kristoff, cause people don't really change, but love's a force that's powerful and strange. People make bad choices when they're mad or scared or stressed, but throw a little love their way, and you'll bring out their best."
The rhyming throughout this entire experience feels like they rehearsed this. It's very poetic.
"Anna, I am so sorry," Kristoff apologizes, "I really thought they would behave better. And yes, some people can indeed change, Bulda. We just got to keep an open mind and allow them to prove themselves."
I nod, thinking about my sister. She's acted not so very smartly because of fear, and now she's changed for the better. "It's okay. I treat my sister and cousin the same. Now I know the treatment they go through." Something is suddenly dangling over our heads as we walk and when Kristoff and I look up, we see a mistletoe that Cliff was holding.
How the heck did I not see him get behind us? Wait, why the heck does he have a mistletoe? Oh my god, does he want Kristoff and I to kiss?!
"Cliff!" Kristoff shouts and snatches the plant out of his hands. Everyone laughed, including myself, but I was also feeling super shy. I've kissed Kristoff before, but kissing him in front of his family (especially the way I had kissed him before on his sleigh, the way I like to kiss) doesn't sound very appropriate.
Who the heck approved of mistletoe being a Christmas tradition?
But also, who said it had to be on the lips?
"It's tradition!" Cliff counters. "Like the Kiss Cam at your Hockey games."
"I don't care." Kristoff's face is cherry red, definitely from embarrassment, but I think a little bit of anger too. Oh no, I don't want him to get annoyed with them. They're just doing their job as a family, which is to tease and embarrass him. "This is entirely inappropriate."
I stopped walking, grabbing onto Kristoff's hand so he could stop too, and I turned us so we could face each other. His family stopped walking too, watching us so intensely. "Hey, it's okay. As part of the Christmas Spirit, it is my duty to fulfill the mistletoe tradition."
Kristoff shakes his head. "No, Anna, you don't have to do that. It's not something serious that anyone has to do. It should be because you want to do it. Plus," he holds out the plant, "We're technically not under it anymore."
"Well," I shrug, knowing that he was right but not wanting to flat out say I want to kiss him, especially in front of his family. Because trust me, I've been wanting to kiss him for three days. I think I'm getting withdrawals. I take the mistletoe from him and say, "It's not like I'm going to kiss you on the lips. Who said that it has to be?" I started to nervously laugh; I tried my best to not start awkwardly rambling. "I can kiss you on the cheek." I look at his family and smile. "Would that satisfy you?"
Bulda and Cliff look at each other, having a silent conversation with their eyes while Dr. Stone merely sighs, probably contemplating if he should have brought his daughter and son-in-law too. They seem to be a great pair with a love for romance. I bet their relationship is amazing and healthy. "I suppose," Bulda finally says, "that a kiss on the cheek will do. After all, we don't want you two to rush anything." She winks at us.
And so, without wasting another second, I reach for Kristoff's face, gently turning his cheek to me, and kissing it softly. I had pondered on if I should make it a quick kiss, but as soon as my fingers caressed his face, the need to touch him and have that touch linger became strong. So that's what I did. My lips were pressed against his warm cheek for longer than what should have been expected between two people who keep saying they're just friends.
And we're not. Of course, we're not. We are way past friendship, but how do I tell his family that we're dating but we're not official? That it's a test run. It's different telling your friends that. Not everyone in our friend group even knows yet. Unless Kristoff told the boys, but he doesn't seem like the type to say anything unless asked first. Like me. Well, okay, that's a lie. If I wasn't in so much of a shock, I would have said something to Elsa and Anna that very night he and I kissed, but I really needed to keep the information to myself to process it. I needed to make sure it wasn't a dream.
I finally pull back, smiling up at him to hide my worried thoughts. Kristoff smiles back but then we hear someone clear their throat. Of course, it was Bulda. "Your turn Kristoff. Give your friend a smooch on the cheek."
Grumbling words I couldn't understand, Kristoff returns the gesture. He was quick with it though, so fast I wasn't even sure he had done it. "There, all done." And then he starts walking away and turns down the wrong hallway.
"Other way," I say, holding in a laugh, not bothered at all that he didn't linger on my cheek like I did. This is all probably so much for him since I'm his first. And now that I think about it...he's my first at a real relationship too. Hans was like...the first practice run. But considering what he did, should I even still count him? Like I said, Kristoff is my new real relationship. Well, wait, situationship? Ugh whatever we are! We're something alright.
Kristoff turns without saying anything, the rest of us following him when it should be me. But I didn't mind walking with his family and giving him directions. He probably needs space anyway. That was super embarrassing, but also really sweet. I wish my parents were here to embarrass me. I wish they would call or video chat or send a letter or text or something. I miss them so much. They would be proud of me and especially of Elsa.
She has grown so much since August. She's a completely different person, but it's a good different. She's finally being herself and spending time with me again and that's all I ever wanted. If someone had told me when we arrived in Burgess that Elsa would finally let her walls down and let me in, I would have passed out from laughing so hard.
And yes, while having my parents here would make for the most perfect Christmas Eve party ever, I'm still very thankful for the family and friends that are currently here.
Tonight is going to be the most magical night ever.
And if I'm lucky, maybe I'll steal a real kiss from that tall, blonde hunk of mine.