#checkingmeoutpart26

It was very cold that January after Anna had gotten out of the hospital from her bout with pneumonia. Anna and Kristoff were running late for work. Blizzard warnings were in effect for the entire state of North Dakota. They'd left in such a hurry, they'd both forgotten to blow out the stove's pilot light and left the fireplace unattended. About 1:00 P.M., a spark from the fireplace had gotten onto the rug by the hearth, smouldering. Soon, the cabin had caught on fire. Sven had seen this and had ran through the screen door leading to the backyard (in their rush, they'd forgotten to shut the doors). He alone had witnessed the entire cabin engulfed in flames. A neighbor (later found out to be Ben Night Horse) had seen the fire blazing out of control and had called the fire department. Soon, they arrived but it was too late. The entire cabin had burned down to the ground.

Arendelle Fire Department chief Nils Sorensen had gone to Arendelle Shop and Save, leaving Sven in his SUV. He went to the service desk. Mary called for him, since he was next in line. "Yes, Fire chief Sorensen," Mary asked. "How may I help you?" Fire chief Sorensen looked at Mary. "Hello," he said. "I'm looking for Kristoffer or Anna Bjorgman. According to one of their neighbors, they work here." Mary looked at Fire chief Sorensen. "They're here. Hang on a moment." Mary left the desk and went over to Kristoff. He was on register, ringing out a large order. "Kris," Mary said. "I'll take over for you. Fire chief Sorensen is looking for you and Anna." "Anna's helping in the bakery department today but I'll go," Kristoff said. He stepped off then Mary kept ringing out his customer. Kristoff went to the service desk, adjusting his low ponytail.

"Yes, Fire chief Sorensen," Kristoff asked. "I'm Kristoffer Bjorgman." "Mr. Bjorgman," Fire chief Sorensen said, a solemn look on his lined face. "Do you own a cabin out on Rural Route 14 and a wolf hybrid dog named Sven?" "I do." Kristoff looked a bit uneasy. "Why?" "Son, I hate to inform you but your cabin was involved in a fire. The entire structure was completely destroyed. Your dog survived by getting out. We'd found him in the prairie. He's in my SUV right now." Kristoff felt all the color drained from his face. "I'll get Sven, then call my insurance adjuster," Kristoff said, following Fire chief Sorensen outside and getting Sven. When he came back after putting Sven into his truck, Anna had come up front since she was done helping in the bakery. She looked worried when she saw the worried expression on her husband's face.

"Kris," Anna asked. "What's wrong?" "It's bad, Anna," Kristoff said. "Let's take a break and talk about it." "Okay." They punched out for their breaks and went to the break room. They sat down at a table, facing each other. He took her hands in his. "Fire chief Sorensen was just here," Kristoff said. "Baby, we're homeless! Our entire cabin had burned down to the ground." Anna looked horrified, tears threatening to fall. "Oh my God! Where's Sven?!" "He's fine. He got out. Apparently, Ben had seen the fire and called the fire department. Fire chief Sorensen brought Sven by. He's in my truck." "How about our personal important papers?" "Remember, I have those in fireproof/waterproof boxes in the storm cellar. They're safe. We'll call the insurance adjuster and figure something out."

Anna began to cry. Kristoff gathered her into his arms, holding her as she cried. Kristoff cried, too, wondering what they were going to do. Klaus came in just then. "Anna, Kristoff," Klaus said. "I'd heard about the fire. I'm truly sorry." He handed them a gift card. "This is from the store. Use it for any groceries you might need. It's $100 but it'll get you started." And accepted the gift card. "Thanks," she said. "Oh, you guys can go home with pay to get yourselves situated." He left. They punched in from break, got their stuff then punched out. They followed each other to their house. Nothing had prepared them for what they saw.

A charred mess with smoking smoulders greeted them, their chimneys and fireplaces still standing. The storm cellar entrance was the only thing that hadn't been burned. A Caution tape string enclosed the entire property. Anna went to the storm cellar, opened the door and went down. She quickly found the two boxes that had their very important papers and jewelry while Kristoff called their insurance man. Anna put the boxes in her truck as Kristoff hung up. "Did you get the boxes," Kristoff asked. "Yeah. Did you call the insurance adjuster," Anna asked. "Yeah. He won't be able to come out until the weather's better." They took pictures with their smartphones just as the blizzard began.

The entire town had heard about the fire. Ben Night Horse had graciously opened his home to both Anna and Kristoff and Sven, too. The church, led by Margie Kraft, had accepted lots of donations of food, clothes and toiletries for Anna and Kristoff. Anna's old landlady had give them a Wal-Mart gift card for things like cell phone chargers, things for Sven and anything they needed. Elsa sent them money by Western Union to their bank. Once the weather broke good and the insurance adjuster came out, they deemed the fire as an accident and issued Kristoff and Anna a check to fix the cabin according to plan. Anna had requested extra to make their bedroom into a master suite by adding a bathroom and adding two more bedrooms along with a kitchen fireplace, which was granted. Once spring came, the cabin was rebuilt and looking better than ever.

To thank everyone for their kindness, Anna and Kristoff threw a housewarming party, giving everyone a gift (a custom that Ben had taught them about). They were blessed to live in a small town like Arendelle, North Dakota, where everyone felt like family. They would never want to live anywhere else.