She was right about one thing - Anna was stupidly selfless. She was right about another too - that her love for Anna… wasn't as strong as it used to be when they first met. Elsa wasn't sure how long she could hold on because of Olaf, but she needed to let go. Maybe not now, but soon.

Everything changed. Nothing was right. The world that was her Anna was not black and white anymore, but a shade of gray. Perhaps, not only was Anna that… but so was her own heart and mind.

Elsa knew what she wanted. She wanted Anna to have some self-respect for herself. She wanted Anna to stop serving her like a dog in a leash. Was it too much to ask? Was this so hard to do?

She didn't push Anna to change. She wished she did, but it was all in vain. Elsa had a choice, and she went for something that she had hoped would change Anna by itself. So she had an affair. But in the end, Anna only blamed herself for what happened.

There were times too, that Anna would come home late, tired. No strength to say hi to their son. No strength to pour what was left of their love to Elsa.

Intimacy, these days, was lacking - almost close to none. A peck on Elsa's cheeks sometimes, holding hands whenever it permitted. It just wasn't enough though.

Two years. Two years without making love - and whenever Elsa wanted it, it was always one-sided and short. Almost like there was no effort put into it. Marriage was supposed to be like this, she supposed. But it wasn't anything she wanted.

Expectations too high, her own grown body and mind growing older… no, those weren't excuses. Marriage was marriage - exactly how it was. But it almost seemed like she was living in a dream.

The first few years were her best, but these last two… Elsa had lost all expectations. Yes, she wanted Anna to change… but change for someone else.

People could say she was a bad mother. A bad wife. But was it wrong to be selfish? Was it wrong to say that it wasn't her that needed to change, but Anna? For her to seek the pleasure she wanted, the pleasure and realness she rarely would receive? What about Olaf? Well… Anna put all her love to him.

Jealous of her son, no. Definitely not. She'd do the same too. She was happy Anna would take great care of Olaf.

Maybe some people wanted someone like this - a person who would do anything and everything to cling to that love, but Elsa didn't ever want this. She wanted someone who loved her for who she is, not because of fear.

She wanted someone who was true to herself - someone who would criticize her when it was needed, someone who would love her, touch her. Someone who made her feel like a person. A real person.

So she turned to Hans. And even when Hans came along… even when those teal eyes witnessed the sight of them holding hands, kissing, hugging… she just stood there like a statue.

No anger. No jealousy. Just eyes full of regret and sorrow. So she blamed herself once again. But perhaps… that was for the best. Ending this marriage… was for the best for Elsa's heart and Anna's mind. They'd never learn.

"Mama… Mama…"

"Mm…" Anna shifted in bed. It was silent again for a brief moment before small hands continued to nudge her arm. God, stop bothering me - Ah, she remembered. Olaf was staying here. Olaf was in the guest room. Immediately, her eyes fell open.

The nightly sky shined beautifully with the moon illuminating the street. The quietness was almost soothing where the only sound was her blanket shuffling in bed. She was hearing little mumbles and hums behind her that broke this peacefulness. She turned around to see Olaf pouting at her with Marshmallow, his white teddy bear, grasped in his arms. "Mama, wake up…"

"What's up, honey…?" she asked, groggily, a hand running through Olaf's messy hair.

The boy shook his head. "I can't sleep…"

She frowned, and slowly sat up. "Why? What's bothering you?"

He tucked his chin behind his bear's head. "I… I'm scared of the nightmares…"

"What? Nightmares?" Oh dear. Sighing, Anna leaned in and kissed his head. "I'm here, honey, there's nothing to be scared of."

"B-But Mama… what if it comes back…?"

"You think it will?"

"I don't know…"

What am I to do…? Anna scratched her scalp. "Look, I hear at night…" she whispered in his ear. "Now, this is a secret okay? The bears that children hold when sleeping turn into big, strong warriors of the night to protect you from those dreams and the monsters that hide under your bed."

Olaf gasped in surprise, a hesitant smile slowly forming. He looked at his teddy bear. "Really…? Marshmallow turns into -"

Anna placed a finger on his mouth. "Shh! Marshmallow doesn't know that you and I know. I think he'd rather keep it a secret so kids don't get scared."

"Ooh… okay!" He placed a hand over his mouth to indicate he'd keep it to himself. "Does he have superpowers…?" he whispered.

"His superpower is to bring you good dreams, but it turns out he's just lazy right now."

"Ah!" A frown emerged. "How do you know all this?"

The girl huffed. "You know, Mama was once a kid like you too."

"I see…" He took Marshmallow against his chest. "Marshy, Marshy, what am I going to do with you?"

All that talking and making up a story about Marshmallow had woken her up completely. She looked at the time placed on her counter. It was only midnight too. Well… I guess we can do something about this…

She smiled as she observed the little guy playing with his bear, and talking to it like it was real. But after a while, it still didn't stop that cute little pout he had - his blonde hair covering his eyes as he dropped his head down.

Anna's heart nearly crumbled into pieces. For a moment, she realized… while she loved her son so dearly that she'd sacrifice anything for him, she still wasn't sure how to care for him properly. Perhaps, it was the many months she was away from him or the fact that Elsa was always in her mind… No, those weren't excuses. And maybe… just having Anna in his arms reach wasn't enough, as well. She ran her fingers through his hair. "Now, what else is wrong?" She breathed.

Olaf picked his head up, dropping his arms. "Mama… you… you won't come home anymore, right?"

Anna's eyes widened. The boy slowly got up to her lap and sat there, his big, bright eyes staring right into hers. Never had she seen such seriousness in his expression. "Honey -"

"M-Mom always tells me that you'll come home soon… but when is soon, soon?"

Anna reached for his cheeks to caress. "Baby, are you angry at me?" He deserves to be angry.

Olaf shook his head. "I-I don't know… I don't like being alone, Mama…"

"You have friends."

"That's different! I don't like it at all…"

I get it. Neither do I. But Anna couldn't say anything else. Elsa wouldn't let her… but even without Elsa saying anything, Anna knew it was for the best in order to not hurt her son's feelings. He knew what was going on, yet… a part of Anna wanted him to still be a child.

With a slow intake of breath, she wrapped her arms around the boy and cradled him left to right gently. "Mama doesn't like it either," she replied, though, her soft voice wasn't going to make Olaf feel any better. "But see? Even when I'm not here," she placed Olaf's hand to his chest, "I'll still be in there right?"

He grumbled. "Y-Yeah…"

"Now don't pout like that. It's very cute, but I don't like it."

The little boy giggled, pressing his face against his teddy bear's head. "It's dark! You don't know how I look!"

"Oh yeah?" She raised an eyebrow. "Who says I don't have superpowers too? I can just see through you."

"You do?" There was no avoiding those brightly colored eyes and that widening smile of his. So full of hope and innocence. Dear god, what had they done to their son? At least while being with Anna, Olaf was able to… well, be open more. She doubted Olaf was entirely open to Elsa - and even if he was, neither was Elsa open, as well. Of course, it wasn't always like this, Anna knew. She just wished things were normal and… Olaf wouldn't have to be so secretive sometimes.

It hurt to see that Olaf could only say these things and make him feel happy at the same time.

"Yeah, and it's called... Trickster Ticklier! I'm gonna tickle you!" She gently pushed the boy to his back in bed, fingers scurrying all over his little tummy and legs.

She hadn't heard such loud waves of laughter for a long time, never seen his body squirming so actively too. Ah, this almost felt like a dream to her!

"Ahahaha! M-Ma… Mama! S-Stop!"

"Here comes the tickle master!"

'Bahahaha!"

For once, Anna felt at peace. There were no intruding, unnecessary thoughts of wanting Elsa back… no hatred for Hans. She was surprised. All she could think about was having to see Olaf smile like that. Oh, she wished the boy would continue to be this happy - in five years, ten years… twenty. It didn't matter. Anna was going to raise him well - all alone if she had to - to teach him to respect others, to always treat others like his equal.

No doubt there would be… hardships and changes in his life in the future, but Anna would always be there. Anna would always help.

And for a while, they continued to play like this until they ran out of breath. The boy was still giggling, both of them laid completely on their back.

She sighed, turning his head to see Olaf wiping excess tears off his face. "Say… Olaf, you never tried any sweet drinks recently, have you?"

He shrugged. "Mom gives me juice all the time."

She turned to her side, propping her head against her arm. "Now that's not right. Mom is always keeping all the good stuff away from you."

"Good stuff?"

"Luckily, Mom isn't here." They both slowly sat up with Anna's cheeky grin on full view for Olaf. This was just one thing that was great about having no Elsa here. Well… one of the many things, actually. Not that she didn't like having Elsa here but, Olaf did deserve a little more freedom and fun.

Olaf tilted his head when his Mama dragged him out of bed. "What are we doing, Mama?"

"We're gonna get hot chocolate."

"Hot… chocolate?"

"With lots of…" Her eyes fell on his teddy bear. "Lots of marshmallows."

His face immediately fell in horror, turning pale, and he immediately hugged Marshmallow tightly to his chest. "M-Marshmallow… Mama, no!" He grabbed her leg so she wouldn't go.

The woman burst into a hearty laughter. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" She ruffled his hair. "Not your teddy. Come on, let's make you something nice."

The past few minutes, while making two warm mugs of hot chocolate - like Anna said, with lots of marshmallows -, the two continued to have fun. There was nobody stopping them - just the thought of Olaf needing to go to school in seven hours.

They sat on the kitchen floor, face to face against the counter and table. Marshmallow sat beside his little master too.

With every other light turned off, the kitchen light was the only thing that let them see each other.

For Anna, this was a special moment. Very special. Olaf never had hot chocolate before - it was something that Elsa would never let him have until he was 'older'. Anna always agreed but… now she didn't have to. And never had she also seen such fascinating and curious expression when she was making the drinks.

He was a curious little guy, of course. But that was what Elsa and Anna loved about him. They were even bold to say that they were lucky to have a little boy with such positive personality.

"Take the first sip. Careful, it's a little hot." She handed him a paper napkin.

The boy quietly studied the hot drink with melting white marshmallows floating on top. Anna made sure he got a lot more than she was used to. "Mama, this looks like poo…"

The woman almost choked when she took a sip of hers. That's a first. "W-Whoa, okay, buddy. Don't let the appearance fool you - imagine like it's melted chocolate, alright? Also don't let your mother hear you say that kind of things, you little rebel." Kids grow up so fast…

Olaf giggled softly and with two hands, he picked up his mug. Anna's eyes almost bulged out as she watched the boy take his first sip. Smacking his lips. And finally, his eyes lit up like fireworks. "Whoa…"

Anna was completely relieved to see him take another sip before she did. "You like it?"

"Mhm." Olaf took another, even bigger sip. He smiled so widely, Anna almost died from all the sweetness.

"Silly, you got foam all over. Here…" She swiped her thumb over the top of his lips and licked it off her finger. "Alright, after this, you'll go to bed, okay?"

Olaf nodded quietly, continuing to repeatedly blow out the steam of the drink and drinking. Every time, he had to hum with delight. Ah, Anna didn't even need to have her share of hot chocolate - just seeing him like this was enough.

The woman relaxed her body, eyeing the boy in silence.

"Marshy… would you like some? Here you go…" He grabbed his teddy bear, pushing his half-full mug to the stuffed animal.

Anna didn't say anything as she watched him pretend to feed his bear. He was a child, after all. He should be able to imagine things and expand that imagination. She was the mother that would let him explore things. And yes, sometimes… not everything would work out, but he was only a kid. Something as little as thinking his little teddy bear was a warrior of the night was important - especially when it came to his happiness.

Olaf burst into laughter suddenly. "Mama, you got - bahahaha!"

Anna frowned. "What? I got what?"

"A mustache!" He pointed to her lips.

"Oh, you…" Anna grabbed a napkin and wiped it off.

"Wait, wait, me too!" He immediately took a sip, making sure the foam reached to his top lip. "See! We match!"

Dork. "You wear that mustache better than me, buddy. Alright, finish up with Marshmallow and then we gotta head to bed. There's school in a few hours."

Completely ignoring her, Olaf crawled a bit forward to Anna and grabbed her left hand. "What's this ring? You always wear it."

Anna stretched her fingers straight and let her little boy take a good look at it, even touching it. "Mom gave it to me, did you know that?"

He hummed. "It's pretty… Is it a present?"

She laughed at his cute little words. "You can say that. But it's something much more special than just a present." When Olaf settled himself into Anna's lap, they both gazed at the diamond in wonder. Anna had to ask though - what was special about it anymore? It was just another plain old memory of the good days.

"How special?" Olaf asked, yawning.

"Like… well, it's a promise to take care of Mom forever and always. When you love someone so much, you give them this. There's a lot of them around the world, you know?" She breathed quietly, cradling him slowly.

Olaf turned around and looked into her eyes. "Does that mean I can get one because I love you and Mom so much?"

Anna shook her head. "No. Once you've met a special someone - only when you're older, much older - they will get it for you. Or you will."

"A special someone…"

She lightly pinched his cheek. "Come on, let's get you back to bed, you've had enough."

"But Mamaaaa~" He yawned once more.

Comeeee on, buddy." With a soft 'oof' she picked the sleepy boy up in her arms and brought them into her bedroom. And for a short while, with Olaf in bed next to her, his head against her chest, and Anna's soft fingers running through his hair… they stayed wide away. Well, at least, Anna was. Olaf, on the other hand, was struggling to.

She'd never thought Olaf would ask about the ring - now, she wasn't even sure what else he was going to ask anymore. He had been quite bold recently. Of course, Anna was fine with it but Elsa… that was a different story.

Softly, she hummed a tune to her baby, eyes gazing at her ring with the same hand patting his back softly.

Anna must have lied to Olaf. There wasn't anything special. It was just a rock, encased on top of a metal circle. But perhaps… it was just the thought that counted. It was the love that Elsa poured into her, poured into that ring as well. She smiled fondly at those thoughts. While it did leave her bitter… some moments were her sweetest.

"Mama…?"

Anna blinked at the small voice next to her. "Hm?"

"The nightmares won't come 'cause you're here right?" The boy could barely keep his eyes open.

"Of course, baby. Marshmallow is here too."

Anna could just feel the smile on his face as he closed his eyes. "That's… good…" And finally, silence fell between them. She was grateful for a moment where Anna didn't have to answer more of those questions to Olaf. Of course, she was more than happy to answer them… it was just hard. Olaf knew a lot of things, but there were just some things that he could never understand. And not even Anna understood Elsa completely too. She thought she did… but that divorce proved otherwise.

But at least, all she had left now was this lingering desire for love and her child. That was fine for her. Completely.

"Good night, Olaf. Love you."

Hey, sorry I'm late, traffic was insane." Elsa softly dropped her bag down on her chair in a cafe.

Tiana smiled. "No, no, I thought so, too. By the way, I got you some of those cookies you were craving for. My personal recipe, my treat." She pushed a glass container filled with chocolate chip cookies across the table to Elsa.

It was the afternoon when Elsa wanted to have a little brunch with her new friend Tiana. She could stay at home and work in her little office, but every day of being in the same environment was exhausting sometimes. Plus, having to have someone else to talk to was a blessing, of course.

Elsa didn't want to deal with any other serious things right now - there were just too much in her hand. Yes, while Olaf was gone to her mother for a few other more days, Hans… well, talking to him was a bit more troublesome than usual. He was angry, frustrated, but Elsa couldn't blame him for being like that.

"So I ordered us sandwiches." Coffee was set right after on the table. Elsa gratefully took a sip. "Didn't think you'd arrive early so I did my part."

The blonde shook her head. "You're too kind. I didn't get you anything."

Tiana raised an eyebrow in curiosity and amusement. "I know, but you can tell me what you're thinking."

What? Elsa paused for a bit, eyeing the girl. She licked her lips, still tasting the bittersweetness of the coffee. "What are you talking about?"

She threw her hands up. "Oh come on, girl, don't you tell me you have no idea what I'm talking about. You and Anna? The way I see it -"

"Anna and I aren't together, I promise you."

"Nuh-uh, that's not an answer. I saw the way you look at her! Your eyes -"

Elsa scoffed. "Come now, I look at her no other way."

" - Your eyes just glowed! Alright, let's get serious. I know it's not my personal business… But I care, okay?" She held onto Elsa's hand and squeezed it. "Now I know you seem to be going through tough times, and if you want, I can go -"

"No, I -" Elsa sighed. She didn't know how to say this. She knew Tiana cared, seeing those sincere eyes. Out of everyone, Tiana seemed to actually know how she felt. Gazing down at their held hands, all Elsa could remember were the ones that held hers before Tiana. "Don't go."

She raised her eyebrows in amusement. "Then I won't. And you'll tell me?"

Oh, what else could Elsa do? She sat back, contemplating what to say. "Anna and I… God, I always wanted this to be kept a secret, you know? We're… we're divorced."

"Oh." The brown-eyed girl nodded, letting go of her hold. "I figured. May I ask why?"

Elsa crossed her arms, looking out to the streets. A part of her was heartbroken - to even say these words aloud, but… in the end, the divorce was agreed upon between them. There was just not much else to say. "You're married too, aren't you?"

"Yeah."

"Happy?"

"As happy as I'll ever be." Tiana smiled. Elsa shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "You weren't?"

The blonde immediately, leisurely shook her head. "No… yes. How do I say it? There were times where… Anna would give me so much. She would do anything, and now… you can tell that is a dream to live for. For anyone. You can tell that she was a good wife. She is. But sometimes, it just doesn't make me feel like a human being. Do you understand?"

Tiana silently nodded. Elsa didn't believe she understood.

Elsa continued on, "Every evening… she came home from work, and it felt wrong for me to think that she should just never come home. I just wanted to feel like I exist. I wanted her to treat me as me. As Elsa - this… imperfect girl, that she thought was absolutely perfect. I wanted her to stop treating me like a queen in this perfect gown but I know I couldn't allow her to change because somewhere - somewhere, someone else would love to have someone like that. I couldn't stand feeling like a doll, Tiana, because I'm not."

The only response Elsa got was silence and more silence. Enough that Elsa could even hear the flies zooming about. Tiana only shook her head.

"You're saying you don't deserve her -"

"I truly don't. I hated…" Elsa bit her lip. It was always hard for her to say this. "I hated everything about her for the last couple of years. I did so many wrong things in spite of her… and all I would ever get was forgiveness. She never criticized me, even when I did myself. Even when she and I knew that I deserved it. She never argued with me. She never even tried to provoke me - God, Tiana… you don't understand how one-sided it was."

"Oh, I understand. I understand completely. Maybe you're right, relationships like this… don't usually work out. But Elsa, darling, you need to stop lying to yourself."

Elsa arched an eyebrow at her. Lying… Elsa had never lied to herself, ever. This? No, she was only trying to protect herself and Anna. Olaf didn't need this kind of toxicity in his life. "I don't understand."

"Honey, look at me. I'm not saying that you should give her another chance but… you know, you'll be fine. You really need to think about whether being with… Hans, was it? You need to think about if this is what you really want. Hearing you talk about Anna this much just shows me how much you still care about her."

Tiana was wrong. She had to be. But she was right about one thing - she did talk about Anna a lot. Even if it wasn't about love. It wasn't something Elsa had to make a decision on for the next minute, but it really was something to think upon.

Elsa took in a deep slow breath. "I loved her, Tiana."

"I know. So did she. Does. Now you go home tonight, eat those darn cookies, and think about whether you should cut her out of your life completely. You think on that. Right now, we'll talk about life and enjoy this beautiful weather, okay?"

A/n: Olaf is so cute ;-;