How many times does one think while reading an article or watching the news: 'that would never happen to me?' Yet every time it's surprising when that happens to someone close or to themselves.

Anna is one of those persons, an outsider, a silent witness of others lives who doesn't think to have a part in those events. Now the situation has changed, she is no longer a third person to whom cares if their life is affected or not by certain choices.

Since Kristoff has come back home, her worries have decreased: his cousin is getting better day by day, his mental and physical health is getting stronger.

Even Elsa is feeling better, despite the events, the blonde has succeeded in putting an end to that dark chapter of her life.

"I wish it went differently, but I am finally free." the doctor looks over Etta who's resting on Anna's lap. Although she returned to work, Kai has forced her to reduce her working hours for the week. This is the reason why the couple is now watching TV in the living room on a thursday afternoon.

"Afterall, I am glad." says the redhead while petting the cat. "Especially because now you can relax more. By the way, we have to solve a situation, more important." Anna looks up and the blonde wrinkles.

"That being?"

"Tomorrow! We haven't decided what to do yet.." the younger woman replies while taking her phone out of her sweater's pocket. "Mom and Mandy were thinking about a surprise party, maybe at our place."

"Yeah, we could. Since I'm finishing early at work, what do you think if we do something homebaked? If it doesn't bother you, I could help you after work, we won't tell him who made what, that way he could guess whoever was the cook of what.. the other day he reminded me about the Masterchef challenge we haven't done yet." They both smile.

"I think he bears a grudge.. that man wants free food." the redhead shares. "Mandy has texted me earlier: tomorrow she isn't in and she'll go to Kristoff's, they will be out and she's taking advantage of it to come to us in the late afternoon. However I'll ask my parents and let you know."

Satisfied they keep talking about what they would like to prepare, all the while waiting for the time to say goodbye to each other. After fifteen minutes the doorbell rings; the blonde stands up and she walks to the door already knowing who it is.

"Hello Elsa, how are you?" Gerda smiles at the doctor who does the same.

"Gerda, all well, thank you. Come in, Anna is in the bathroom. May I offer you anything?" she asks her while she shows her the living room.

"A glass of water would be just fine."

The two women started to get closer recently, they managed to spend time together thanks to the events regarding Hans. By Gerda's request there isn't that formality that there was once between them.

"I haven't had the chance to thank you yet, Gerda."

The older woman looked perplexed at her. "For what?"

"For accepting the relationship between your daughter and me. I can imagine it wouldn't-"

"Don't you worry, dear, there is no need to thank me for such a thing. On the other hand, it should be me the one thanking you. I know these past days have been rough on you, once again I am sorry about that; but I'm glad everything went well and you had near you people who care. We hadn't had many occasions for getting to know each other, I sincerely hope we'll get the chance, but from what I've seen, you're a good person, with your head on straight. You're the right person for my daughter, maybe you'll manage to put her in the right direction. We both know she needs it!" The two start laughing at how much truth lies behind those words.

Anna comes out the bathroom and she hears the chuckles from the living room. She can't do much but smiles: she's glad that the two most important people in her life are getting along just fine. She still doesn't know how her father will react, still oblivious. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't worried, but however it will be, she's not alone. Neither her nor Elsa.

"Something tells me you're talking about me!" the redhead steps in the room with the hands on her hips.

"No, what would make you say that?" asks the mother.

"Only good things, only good things" the blonde follows.

The next day Elsa is in her office examining some lab works from several E.R. patients of that morning. It feels odd to her being back at work after the meeting with the council, but she's glad she's no longer drowning with worries. Wednesday was the most difficult, she had all eyes on her, naturally everyone stayed on line and they treated her like nothing happened and Elsa was very appreciative of that. If possible, today the situation is more normal, maybe it's because the weekend is right in the corner.

Toc Toc

"Come in." The blonde doesn't even look up, she's waiting for some x-rays results and they could be them.

"I see you haven't lost time and came to work at full regime, despite the reduced hours." Her boss' voice makes her look up.

"Doctor Summers, well.. this morning was very busy. How can I help you?" she asks him showing the chair in front of her desk.

"It's not work." He sits down. "Last evening Anna told me about Kristoff's party idea."

Elsa nods and puts away the files. "Yes, we were thinking that maybe after work I could come by and help your wife and daughter, if it's not a problem for you, of course."

"No problem at all, actually I'm here to propose something. I already know you have the intention of making something as a surprise and I've heard you're quite the chef." The blonde feels the shift in the air of the room. In the past weeks, she hasn't gotten close only to Anna's mother but also her father. The times they're in the office or alone they lose all formalities and they relax a bit.

"Well, I do my best, why?"

"Surely Kristoff hasn't told you, but he loves tiramisù. It's tradition Gerda makes it, but Anna says that you're good at desserts too."

"Luckily Marshall and my cousin like it too, so I already have some experience." Kai smiles at the revelation.

"Great! So be it! If they haven't already given our home address let me know and I'll send it to you. See you this evening."

The two say bye to each other and Elsa grins. She takes her phone and re-read the text from the night before.

Green light for tomorrow, prepare yourself, my dad has an idea and tomorrow he'll tell you! And no, I won't say a thing.

The brief working day goes along fine and Elsa manages to end her shift without any delay. Before going to the Summers she stops at her house for a quick shower and for a change: she chooses a simple ice-blue suit, a dark shirt with a white collar and a little decolté and finally a pair of high heels.

She stands for a while in front of the mirror looking at her reflection: the relief of the last couple of days is very visible on her face, it's like she got rid of an enormous weight on her shoulder and she could finally breathe and live freely. She notices with the corner of her eye Etta playing with the sheets, she smiles and says bye to her. She takes her car keys and leaves.

Once in front of the Summers' frontdoor Elsa starts to feel a little anxious: true, Gerda knows about Anna and her, but Kai is still in the dark and the blonde is worried he will find out and reacts in a totally different way as his wife did. That's why she told herself she will be carefull and behave, without giving too much to look straightens up and rings the bell. After a few seconds the door opens and she's greeted by Gerda.

"Elsa, hi! Welcome, come in please." She makes room for her. They walk towards the kitchen. "Anna, drea, Elsa's here! Come and help her with the coat and bag." The redhead arrives, still not ready, she has her hair up, still wet and she's wearing a sweatshirt.

"Ehi, here I am. You came early, or is it me?" she asks while she tries to make herself presentable. "Give me, I'll put them in my room." Elsa hands her her stuff and smiles.

"Actually I'm a few minutes late, but don't worry. There's time to do everything." The blonde watches the girl go to her room.

"In a way or another when Kristoff arrives she won't be ready. I'm sure of that." Gerda comments.

"Most likely.. well at least she won't risk getting herself dirty in the kitchen."

"As little damage as possible, maybe we can make it." the two smiles and starts organising themselves.

Gerda shows her where everything is in the kitchen, the utensil, the spices, the ingredients and tries to let her be confident about the surroundings, so that they won't have too many problems once they start cooking. The blonde seems to get along just fine and the woman is only happy about that: on the contrary of her daughter who still forgets where everything is, despite having grown up inside that house.

The dinner's preparation has been quite quick, in two hours all ready. For the remaining time the trio keeps organising the living room and the dinner room with a bit of decorations, as Anna requested.

At a certain point Elsa looks around and she feels the domestic and familiar atmosphere in the room. This year has been pretty tough for the blonde, she had to overcome several obstacles but in all of that she hasn't been alone even for a second, despite having a very few friends.

Gerda notices the lost gaze of Elsa and she gets closer to her, Anna is mounting a banner.

"Everything ok?" the woman asks in order to capture her attention.

"Yes, absolutely. At the risk of sounding repetitive: thank you. I don't know if you understand how important this is to me." the woman smiled.

"I think I have an idea. I don't know much about your bust, and I certainly don't want to assume to know. I don't think you know, but my pregnancy wasn't easy and we fought to have that little devil. We almost lost her several times, both during the pregnancy and after her birth, afterall you do know about the lake incident." The blonde nods and listens closely. "Everyday when I look at her I remember how lucky I am to still have her with me. Life is full of challenges, from the easiest to the hardest. You, my dear, had to overcome so much and I would have wanted you not to have to do that. We don't know each other for long, but I want to tell you that you will always be welcome here and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. You may be important to my daughter, but just know that you're winning a very special place in my heart, day by day." At hearing those words Elsa can't help a tear falling down her face, she can't answer her back because if she did she would crack her voice, so she just smiles, thanking her silently. The woman understands immediately the unspoken message and she puts her hand on her shoulder with a little comforting pressure. She would love to hug her but she stops herself, but the blonde does it for her: she brings her arms around Gerda and at the touch she feels what she hadn't felt for so many years: a mother's warm hug.

At that moment Anna turns around from the banner and notices what is happening behind her, she can't help but smile and stay silent, letting them have that special moment.

That afternoon Elsa felt like she was going back in time, to her childhood, when everything was fine and life was simply a beautiful mystery.

"Mom, you would love them."

Author's Note:

Hello everyone!

Yes I'm still here, so sorry for the wait.. Really..
But since the situation here in Italy is pretty surreal (because of this virus), I managed to find the time to finish translating the chapter! My plan is to use the lockdown for smartworking and finishing the story, hopefully I'll manage it!

So.. for those who are reading this: please, be safe and stay at home. Take care of each other.

See you soon!