#checkingmeoutpart17

Here is part 17 of our adventure in Arendelle, North Dakota. Elsa decides to surprise Anna but the surprise is on her. Thanks to @frenzy5150 for helping me over the writer’s block hurdle. Please let me know what you think of the series so far.

PAIRING: Anna and Kristoff RATING: Teen (Modern AU) WORD COUNT: It got away from me

Oh, I’m still having internet issues so I cannot put a “read more” in right now. I apologize for any inconveniences that this may cause.

Memorial Day was in three days. Friday morning, about 11 A.M., found a Jaguar broken down on State Route 18, which was the main artery in Arendelle, North Dakota. Twenty-four year old Elsa Hiassen sat in the driver’s seat, silently cussing her younger sister out for living out in East Bumfuck. It had been a long drive alone from the hustle and bustle of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Picking up her Louis Vuitton purse, she looked at her smartphone. (Great! No service! Just fucking dandy) she thought. She put her phone down and looked at the wrinkled letter. She’d read that letter a lot. This was the first time in forever (three years) that Elsa had even heard from Anna since she’d left after that major blow up they’d had. The letter read:

April 1, 2015

Dear Elsa,

I hope that you’re doing well. I’m doing great actually. I have a job here in a small town here in North Dakota. The town is Arendelle and the store is Arendelle Shop and Save. The town is nice. Friendly people. I’m a cashier. We should talk. I changed my number. It’s 708-555-1234. I hope that you will reach out.

Anna

Elsa put the letter back into the envelope. She’d call but with no service, it’d be hard. Sighing in defeat, Elsa sat there, the day warm and breezy, the sun shining, hoping that someone would come by. (What would possess Anna to leave all of what she’s used to behind? She should’ve worked it out with Hans. Yes, he’s a prick but she’d be financially stable) she thought. (Nothing else to do but hope that I don’t end up on “Forensic Files” or on the 6 o'clock news) she thought. She waited.

Kristoff was tired! Anna had worked earlier this morning. She’d helped Bea in the bakery at the store, making doughnuts. He had to help unload three delivery trucks today. He sat in his pickup, singing along to Black N’ Blue’s “Hold on to 18” as he drove home. Anna had texted him, telling him that she was grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, cutting up homemade French fries and homemade baked beans. He looked forward to their little cookout. He noticed the broken down fancy car with Minnesota plates at the intersection of State Route 18 and Borg Avenue. Mama Cozzi’s Pizzeria was on one corner. A cornfield on one corner (next to the broken down car). The Shell and 7-11 were on the opposite corner of Mama Cozzi’s (these were the only two places open past 6 P.M. in Arendelle). Another cornfield was on the opposite side of the car. He pulled over behind the red Jaguar, killed the engine and got out of the truck. He normally didn’t do this but he wanted to be neighborly. He walked over to the driver’s side and tapped on the window.

Elsa looked. She saw a young man standing outside her car. He was tall, muscular and broad shouldered. He looked like he could be a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings. His hair was long and blond. He had tattoos. He wore black aviator sunglasses, a black tank top, snug fitting Levi’s 501 button fly jeans, a black leather belt and black steel toed work boots. She rolled down the tinted window. He saw a young woman sitting there. She was a little taller than Anna, willowy build, platinum blonde hair in a French braid, wide blue eyes. She wore Coach sunglasses, a navy blue Kate Spade blouse, Liz Claiborne jeans and Jimmy Choo flats. She looked like she came from money. “Yes,” Elsa asked. “You broke down,” Kristoff asked, a little grumpily. “Duh!” He bristled but still maintained politeness. “Do you want me to have a look? Maybe I can fix it.” (What have I got to lose) she thought. (Maybe he might know where I can find Anna). “Yes please.” She popped the hood open. Kristoff opened the hood. The engine was smoking. He went to his truck and got his tool bag. He went back to the Jaguar. He looked at everything but the tools he had weren’t going to work. Elsa had come out from the car and went to Kristoff.

“I’m sorry I got rude,” she said. “I was on my way to meet my sister. Thank you for helping me. I’m Elsa Hiassen.” She held out her left hand. Kristoff stood up. He towered over her. He held out his left hand, taking hers, shaking it. “No problem. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kristoff Bjorgman,” he said. (Hiassen? Sister? Her eyes and her face look a little like Anna. This could be her older sister) he thought. “Well, what do you think, Mr. Bjorgman?” “Well, Miss Hiassen, I can’t fix it. You need parts that I don’t have.” She looked crestfallen. “Who am I going to call on a Friday before a holiday? I have no service here in this rural area!” “Don’t worry. I know someone.” He pulled out his smartphone and called Walter Ingram. Walter owned Walt’s Garage. Elsa watched Kristoff walk and talk. (I never knew tattooed, muscular, long haired men could be so polite, although he does strike me as a grump) she thought. He hung up and went back to Elsa.

“Walt is coming to pick up your car. He’ll know what to do. Everyone in Arendelle gets their cars and trucks serviced by Walt,” Kristoff said, putting his phone onto its belt holster. “I really do appreciate all the assistance, Mr. Bjorgman,” Elsa said. He picked up his tools and put them back into their tool bag and put it back in the truck. Walt soon came with a flatbed wrecker. Walt was a large built man in his fifties with salt and pepper hair and kind brown eyes. He got out of the truck and went to Elsa and Kristoff. He looked at the car. “I’ll have to order parts. It’ll be Tuesday or Wednesday before I get them and three days to fix it,” Walt said. “What’s wrong with my car,” Elsa asked. “You blew your main drive shaft and your serpentine belt is broken.” “How much?” “We’ll settle up after it’s fixed. Rest assured, I’ll give you a fair deal.” Walt put the car onto the wrecker after Elsa got her things and soon left. “Kristoff?” “Yes?” “Do you know where my sister Anna lives?” “I do.” “Could you take me to her please?” “Yes.” He helped Elsa into his truck, put her suitcase and laptop case in the backseat and got in. He started the truck and they were soon on their way.

The ride to his cabin was quiet, except for the sounds of the radio playing “The Pursuit of Vikings” by Amon Amarth. Kristoff sang along but when he looked and saw the horrified look on Elsa’s face, he shut up and turned off the radio. “Anna likes that sort of music, too. I think it’s too noisy,” Elsa said. “What do you like,” Kristoff asked. “Smooth jazz.” He figured as much. “How do you know Anna?” “We both work at Arendelle Shop and Save as cashiers. I’ve known her for three years.” “Are you friends?” “Best friends.” (She’s my wife and best friend) he added to himself. He knew that she didn’t know. Anna had told Kristoff that she wanted to tell Elsa in person. Anna didn’t know that Elsa was coming to visit. “So, does Anna know you’re here?” “No. I didn’t have the gumption to call her. I wanted to surprise her.” They soon arrived at the cabin. “My, Anna lives way out here.” “Yeah. Peace and quiet.” He stopped the truck, got out, helped Elsa out, got her luggage and they went to the door. He pulled out his keys. “You have a key?!” “Yeah. I live here, too.” “Wait, what?” “I’ll let Anna tell you.” They went inside. Sven barked. Elsa froze. The wolf-dog sniffed her.

“What kind of dog is that,” Elsa asked. “Sven is half wolf and half Alaskan Malamute. He’s friendly,” Kristoff said. Anna came in from outside, a pair of tongs in her left hand. “Hey,” Kristoff said. “I found her on the side of the road. I’m sure you want to see her.” “Elsa?! You’re here,” Anna said. She went to them. She embraced her older sister. “It’s been three years,” Elsa said, embracing her younger sister. Kristoff smiled. “Elsa, I see you’ve met Kristoff,” Anna said, going to him. She embraced her husband, reached up and kissed him. He kissed her back. Elsa looked puzzled. “Anna, are you and Kristoff dating?” “No. Elsa, we’re married.” “Married?! When? Why?” “We’ve been married for nearly two months. We love each other. We were friends first.” Elsa sat down. Anna and Kristoff sat down. Elsa began drilling Kristoff with questions: Where was he from? What’s your family like? How old are you? Religious background? Likes and dislikes? Job experience? You name it, he answered truthfully and honestly. Elsa looked very satisfied.

“Kristoff,” Elsa said. “You’re a good man. I’m glad that Anna loves you and you love her. If you hurt her, you’ll have to answer to me.” “Fair enough,” Kristoff said. “I have one question. How come you haven’t talked in three years?” “It was about my ex-boyfriend Hans. I came to her being help,” Anna said. “She said it was my fault that Hans was controlling and abusive. Because he was so rich, like us, I needed to give him a chance, which I didn’t want or need.” “It was wrong of me,” Elsa said, on the verge of tears. “Anna, I’m sorry I ever doubted you. Please forgive me? I was going to ask you to come home but I’m not now. You have a good man who dotes on you, a nice home, a decent job and the town, although small, looks nice. You have my blessing. Kristoff, welcome to our family.” Anna, Kristoff and Elsa hugged. Sven barked at the back door. Smoke started to waft inside.

“Babe, are you grilling outside,” Kristoff asked. Anna’s eyes widened. “Oh no! The burgers! They’re burning,” Anna said. Luckily, they were salvagable. They ate, talked and bonded as a family. Anna was relieved that Elsa and Kristoff were getting along. By the end of Elsa’s visit, she and Anna were close again and she had a brother/sister bond with Kristoff. It was all good in Arendelle, North Dakota.