It was dark. Quiet. Hot. And everything was still.

All I could see was Anna in a green dress, the bottom trailing lightly along the ground. She looked at me, and her smile seemed to brighten the whole backstage. "You alright?"

I looked around me. Is this… another dream? I knew where this was heading.

And by look of it, it wasn't going to be a smooth, fluffy ride.

Her hand was warm was she placed it on my cheek. I turned my attention back to her to see her looking so happy. "I'm so proud of you, Elsa Snow."

Somehow, I grinned and leaned into her hand. I purred.

"Here." She handed my violin and bow. Oh, how wonderful it was to see it shine again. All white, blended with a tint of black and silver. I was so young when this I'd last played it. Here it was again… either haunting me, or taunting me. I hesitated. But I took it. She gave me a little peck on the lips as a reward. "You'll need this. Don't be scared, okay? Nothing will happen." I wonder.

The lights finally flashed on and I turned to the stage. Empty, but this was where the main artists stood… where they could feel proud of themselves and others could feel the same way. Was I? It seemed welcoming, yet… I feared of going back out there. Feared that… the same thing would happen again.

I turned back to Anna, eyebrows furrowed and eyes widened with nothing but disgust. I took a step back, but she immediately held my hand. I twitched, and began to whimper as I tried pulling myself away from her. Let go, let go, let go, LET GO!

"Elsa, don't panic. Please. I'm right here."

I started breathing heavily. But at the sound of her voice pleading, I drew my attention back to her. She was still smiling. "I told you, nothing's going to happen right?" She leaned in and held my cheek in her hand. I flinched at her touch. She was persistent. "And I'll promise you that. If not, well… you get to eat all the chocolate I buy." She chuckled. "Good?"

It wasn't the promise that calmed me—that look in her eyes… it was sincere. I could trust her, but then again…

No, I wasn't that little girl anymore. I took a deep breath and stood up nice and tall. The grip around the neck of the violin and my bow tightened. She giggled.

"Okay, now that's my Elsa Snow." One last kiss. "I'll wait here. It's your turn now."

I looked back at the stage. No, it wasn't dark… sad… or cold. If anything, it was more than welcoming and I was eager to stand in the middle and feel the heat of the light rushing towards my pale skin. I wanted to feel the heat, the vibration of my bowstrings running up and down violin strings. I wanted to see an audience.

She let go of my hand and slowly, I made my turn.

Taking a step towards the stage, I heard thousands of people clapping. The light was bright, but I knew as I turned to the mass of people sitting under the huge dome, and dressed so formally, that they were willing to be here to listen to my music. I stared at the front row to see my family… and Grandfather standing in the middle with a proud smile running across his face. He didn't seem to old anymore.

I stood still on the middle of the stage and everything quieted down. All I could hear was the beating of my heart. Anxious? No. Was I happy? Perhaps.

I swallowed, as I observed the audience. They were all smiling and waiting patiently. My grandfather raised his eyebrows, and tapped his finger on his wrist. I smirked, almost laughing if he hadn't given me a threatening look. I cleared my throat. He was as strict as always.

Slowly, I slipped the chin rest on the crook of my neck, with the middle of my bow resting on the strings. It didn't hurt.

My right fingers found their place by the A string… and it was wonderfully amazing to feel the thin string pushing against my fingers. I stayed still for a few heartbeats, and I'd realized how much I'd taken everything for granted. Had I appreciated more of what I had… things would've turned out normally and Anna would still have been by my side for all those years I'd been alone. I would feel alive.

Right now, right here… this was where I should feel alive.

I closed my eyes. Through the silence, I slowly dragged my bow down against the string. It vibrated under my hand and the sound that I was making, echoed nice and loud through the stage. It drowned out my heartbeats, and my breathing. I was one with my sound. Unlike any other time… where I only saw darkness, there was light and there were people around me.

A smile crossed my cheeks and my chest swelled proudly.

With one last stroke of the bow, the last note echoed softly. I hadn't even noticed people getting up from their seats and clapping because I'd turned to my Grandfather for approval. His smile and nod said it all.

It was hot being on stage for 10 minutes, and my body covered in sweat, my hair sticking with it. But this was satisfying. I let my arms fall to my sides and turned to Anna.

She had a bouquet of flowers in her arms—this was just like last time… I tensed up and was ready to push her down to avoid the falling prop, but… nothing happened. I looked up in confusion. No nail was falling… just… nothing.

And she continued walking towards me. "Congratulations, Elsa."

I looked back down to her. Somewhere in my heart, I felt relieved that she looked at me with the same eyes as if she'd just fallen in love with me. I looked down to see her handing me the flowers and I smiled so widely that I thought I'd break.

I didn't care for the flowers and immediately took her cheeks in my hands, my lips crashing into hers. I knew I was smiling and crying at the same time. She dropped the flowers and put her arms around my waist. She was warm… her scent so beautifully sweet. I didn't want to pull away.

When I did, she looked at me in surprise. "Wow, now that's a kiss—"

I pulled her into a hug, my face snugged against the crook of her neck. I began crying. I couldn't say a word, but she probably knew what I was going to say.

Anna ran her fingers through my hair. "There, there… everything's okay, I told you that, right?"

I nodded and opened my mouth—

"You're welcome, Elsa. You've done so beautifully… I'm so proud of you. Now let's wake up, shall we?"

12:56… 12:57… 12:58… Just two more minutes…

This was causing me too much distress.

I sighed, crossing my legs, and let my head fall back to the headrest. All I could hear was the rapid beating of my heart. My throat felt dry. For the whole day, I'd been keeping my mind occupied with a scripted speech… just so I could talk to someone. I didn't want to do it—I had to. Looking up to the ceiling, my grip tightening around my phone. I looked down to the bright screen that taunted me… that was dragging me into making one phone call. There, appeared Belle's caller ID, yet I had not had the guts press that one button. Not for all these months.

So why is it so hard?

It didn't help that I hadn't had an appetite all day and now, my stomach was demanding food. Thank goodness, Olaf was going to get me some food.. It'd only been ten minutes since I'd asked him, but it was a dreadful ten minutes. It felt like years. At this moment, I didn't have the strength to really care.

Well… perhaps, it was because I was going to make a dreadful phone call to my ex. Out of all the people I'd been with… Belle held a special place in my heart. She was special. Different. Even then—even when she'd given me all I needed—it wasn't what I wanted.

We hadn't talked since the day we broke up. Mostly because we… never had the courage to look at each other… and hear each other's voice again. Those couple of months had been traumatizing to us.

There was an elephant in the room, yet… we merely chose to ignore it. To fake this God forbidden love.

I pressed the back of my left hand above my eyes. Tears threatened to escape. Get over it.

When I removed my hand, I caught my gaze at the picture frame by my computer. I couldn't help but melt into a graceful smile, as I took the glass frame in my hand. The paper had gone quite old and at the verge of falling apart. I had to be careful when holding it. But Anna and I were so young… so full of youth… innocence, and pure joy.

I brushed my finger on the photo of Anna. How she managed to get all muddy and bruised, while I was all… graceful, was beyond me. When was the last time we'd smiled like this?

It brought a soft chortle slipping from my lips. Those were happy times.

Sighing, I took both my phone and the frame in my hand as I stepped towards the glass walls. It'd been quite sunny and warm for the past couple of days. Spring had arrived quicker than I thought. The streets were hustling with people trying to grab a bite before going back to work. Here I was, waiting for my lunch, but I was too anxious to think about it. I'd never been so apprehensive and distracted these days.

Looking afar to the neighboring building calmed my nerves.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I felt as if I was sweating buckets… There really shouldn't be any need to get all antsy. One call! Yet, could I do it without any guidance?

Belle and I… we were good friends. She'd loved me even if I never returned those feelings. She'd cared for me, protected me, and had given me all I needed from this world. It was a cruel, cruel love.

She'll do anything for me.

How she managed to stay with me… with my shit for so long, was beyond me. But perhaps, that was the definition of love.

Being there for someone even if they've done something stupid.

That 'they' was me.

Somehow, I managed to place my phone by my ear with my shaky hand. Calm down, Elsa…

I exhaled. It felt as if ten years had gone by, the longer I waited for an answer.

"Bonjour, c'est Belle."

All the nerves that had shaken me up faded just by the sound of her voice. As always, it was soft and soothing. I'd expected her… current boyfriend to be in the background, but there was nothing more than her voice.

I smiled tenderly and looked down at the picture again. "Bonjour, Belle."

She was silent for a second and I heard a deep intake of breath. I'd hoped she wasn't weeping. "Elsa?"

"Ça va?" I asked. Something heavy had been lifted from my heart and I was being relieved from any burden. "It's been so long, Belle."

Perhaps, she was speechless because of the sudden call. She had gone quiet for a bit longer and the only sound I could hear was her soft breathing.. I wouldn't blame her. But someone had to be the courageous one… to start a conversation… so start anew.

"You really called…" She chuckled.

I licked my lips. "I… would've called at another time. But then it'd have been at too late an hour. So how are you?"

I… I've been well. Better than well, actually."

"I'm glad." I chewed on my lip and as if it was some sort of distraction, I continued to stare at the picture frame. Somehow, it relieved me from this thick silence. What should I really begin? Her boyfriend… Anna… the marriage… Us… There was no easy way to get through this. I placed my forehead against the glass.

"How have you been?"

"I've been… great."

She sighed. "After all this time… are you still going to lie to me?"

I didn't feel too offended by that. I could see why she would say that. "No, I… I've been very honest. I've been good… so good with Anna."

"You two are together again?" She sounded harsh. I didn't quite like the tone.

"I want to talk about you, Belle."

"Then… Elsa, why now? Why call me now…?"

"I'm calling because I want to mend this relationship back together, is that okay?" I questioned. "And I…" I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "I wanted to tell you how I've been. And to hear you as well." There was a slight hint of frustration in all this… but whatever feeling I'd bundled up on the inside was nobody else's concern. I just… couldn't handle hurting anyone else in any other way anymore.

"Alright. I am… happy for you though. I'm glad."

I raised my eyebrows. "Me?"

"Just your voice brings me comfort that you're okay."

Perhaps, it really wasn't so bad. I let out a little chuckle, and my eyes fell to the ground. It sparkled with hope. These feelings I had to cope with from the beginning was nothing bad assumptions.

"Me too."

"Have you eaten yet?"

"No, not for the whole day." I could sense her eyebrows arching to a frown.

"Why?"

"I've been thinking about… everything. About us. I didn't have much of an appetite." I pressed my hand on the cold glass and eyed the streets. She'd gone quiet again. I shut my eyes. "Belle, listen… I just need you to know, that what I had with you… it was real."

"Why are you telling me this now?"

I pursed my lips together. "Because I have… all that I need and it's all thanks to you."

"Elsa…"

A laugh sounded through the tightness of my throat, threatening to bring out a sob. But why? I was happy the way I was now, yet… was it because I needed more than what I had? No. I was perfect with the people around me. I was comfortable. What I wanted to do—must do, actually—was to earn my forgiveness. Oh how badly I messed up. How badly I needed this.

My vision blurred with tears and my cheeks flared pink. "I'm sorry, Belle. You had every right to leave… to have someone else beside you to love you—"

"Elsa, stop."

"—to care for you, to make you happy…"

"You did make me happy, Elsa, don't say something like that."

What is going on with me? I continued,"To have someone give you all that I couldn't provide you, Belle." My throat felt tight.

"You've provided me with so much, Elsa."

I gulped. Have I really? "Enough to break your heart… and Anna's. Enough to make you leave for another man."

Had I told her that 'I loved her' she wouldn't have gone to someone else. But that was fine. I had no regret—but one thing I did regret, was how I treated her. Like a toy. A blanket that provided me the happiness and the comforted that I longed for. She was a distraction. And I'd broken her.

"I've known him ever since we've first broken up, Elsa."

I looked up from my feet, reminiscing that day in campus. It was a quiet spring day, and we'd met in front of our university. That was our final year… and the final day I'd see her face. At the time, I'd always wonder if I did wrong to think about the woman that hadn't been in my life for years, while she was here. Now I know, I'm not.

Putting two and two together, and I'd caught myself feeling more pleased than ever.

So she'd met Adam when she left. Of course, I felt heartbroken… but not from knowing that she'd cheated. Knowing that she would keep this as a secret from me—Inwardly I laughed loudly. Haven't I been doing this whole time?

I only hoped for her well-being.

Belle sighed. "I… I wanted love, Elsa… and he's given me all that. I hope you understand."

"Of course." Was there anything I was supposed to say? To oppose what her wish? In the end of the day, I had no say on who she wanted to be with. As long as I could still hear her voice, it was all I needed. I pursed my lips together as I let myself go from past. "All I ask of you… is to tell me that you are alright with him." I took a deep breath and a pang of guilt surged through me. "I don't want another… 'me' to use you."

"I've never felt used, Elsa. If anything… I used you."

My senses told me to ignore that. "If he comes hurting you… I… I won't tolerate it."

She's smiling. "He would never. Not after… I left anyway."

I was grinning alongside her. "That's good."

For a few minutes, we managed to talk about what'd been going on after we fell apart.

Anna and I finally made it back to LA two days after the wedding. We'd rushed through everything to get away from this disaster. Or a miracle, I should say. Things weren't easy for the both of us… but we managed to make it through. Not everybody agreed with what had happened, but this was our decision… our relationship. She was happy and so was I. Anna made the decision to stay in LA for a while and would only come back to New York during vacations. She was a stubborn girl. I tried talking into making her stay in New York before we could settle everything down but… it was no use. In truth, I wanted her here beside me.

Of course, there was Rapunzel and Eugene… and their baby. They were only about 4 months in before Rapunzel's time to give birth. They hadn't decided a name, but Eugene was persistent. He wanted to name the baby boy Flynn. Rapunzel didn't really like having him named after Eugene's… high school nickname. She didn't even know her husband's actual name until they first dated. Eventually, the brunette had grown into it.

Jack decided to go back home. He didn't want to leave his wife's side while the second child was causing her a bit of a trouble. Jackie didn't want to leave, but with some convincing—as she was just as stubborn as Anna, if not more—she managed to leave LA with a bright smile across her face. It was heartwarming. And I promised her the next time she come home, I'd get her that 'pretty necklace and ring'. She was happy, but Jack wasn't. So I promised her I'd get her that… if she found a boyfriend. If not, I'd think of something else. Either way, she seemed content.

And Hans… we were friends. Of course he felt disheartened after Anna handed him back the ring. Still, a part of him accepted that fact that Anna would never love him this way. He respected her decision… but his father didn't. He was angry. Filled with fire. Things had gotten out of hand and while Anna was weeping in fear, I tried calming her… hugging her protectively. The boys were taking none of this. Especially those who were around me… Kristoff, Jack… Olaf… Hans… they made sure he wouldn't cause any more trouble. They were angry… didn't tolerate his actions. They'd dragged him out to talk.

Hans… he was being treated as 'just a spare in the family'. Nothing hurt more than to see the heartbreak in his eyes. In the end, he was brave and accepted that he would never be good enough for his father. His brothers' supported him, but he knew he had to get away from this poison of a parent. He'd been an abusive, but Hans never acknowledged it until now. Until he'd seen the pain of his only love's eyes. And in mine.

He began to make a better man of himself. He left his position as a CEO in his company and took the severance money. It wasn't much, but it was enough to rent an apartment for himself. He'd left his family without a word to his father… only for his brothers.

Things had turned out to be better when he told us he'd be coming to LA. Anna and I didn't oppose it. As a matter of fact, we didn't need to hear his reasons and I'd provided some of my earnings to get him a ticket as fast as possible. With a father like him… I was sure Hans didn't want to stay any longer.

To our surprise, Kristoff and Ariel had been together for a year and a half in secrecy. Anna never expected this until she found them kissing their dorm while she was getting out of the bathroom. She screamed… not a great kind. But she managed to calm down and accepted that fact.

And Olaf found himself befriending a man named Marshall. That was all that there is to say about it.

Everything was perfect the way it was.

I didn't notice the door opening and closing while I was having a spritely conversation with Belle. And I could barely feel the intruder, just closing in behind me, their breath ghosting behind my neck.

"Time for lunch, Miss Snow."

Not realizing who it was, I growled, "Do you not know how to knock? Leave it here and leave—" And when I turned to see who it was, I froze. Anna.

Her eyes widened in shock. I stared down at her speechless.

Anna cleared her throat and took a step forward. I was cornered against the wall.

Nothing scared me than to see her crossing her arms, and give me that… stare. She sighed and shrugged. "Well then. Alright, I guess, I'll go downstairs, because someone can't recognize my voice," She turned, "And I came all the way here just to feed you—"

"W-Wait," I said, grabbing her wrist. Belle was still on the other side and I sighed. "Sorry, I'll have to call you back later, Belle." I hung up. Gods that wasn't the 'goodbye' I wanted to say. Her eyebrows rose.

"Belle?"

Oh Jesus, help me.

I could feel the heat coming from her face. "I thought you two were over each other!" She tugged her wrist back from my fingers. "Elsa, we're—"

"I was only calling her as friends, Anna. Please, just calm down."

"Calm down? Wha—Hey, I'm calm! Oh my god… have you done something I shouldn't know—"

"N-No. Anna…"

"Well you haven't talked to Belle for a while. But now though?"

I took a deep breath and shut my eyes. I had to deal with this for a while now. Her mood had been changing quite sharply… and not anything that happened was what I'd expect. She was getting quite grumpy lately… but this wasn't her fault. At one point, she'd want me… and at another, she'd be weeping. It was a blessing. I ran my fingers through my hair. Her arms crossed again over her chest, her foot tapping impatiently. It surprised me how she could be wearing heels right now.

"Anna…"

"I'm waiting, Elsa Snow."

"I just wanted to mend this relationship back together… as friends. I'm more than happy to have you talk to her again, if you'd like—"

"Maybe later. Ooh, and maybe you should tell her what happened between the two of us, since I'm assuming that you haven't yet." Oh gods, I really am in trouble.

"Please—"

"Oh, I'm not angry," she huffed. "I'm only suspicious." What scared me the most was whenever she said that… she was really angry. I shook my head in amazement.

She looked down to my hand and she immediately snatched the picture frame from my hand.

"Wait—"

"What's this? Oh…" She stared at picture. For a minute I watched her eyed the picture. She slowly melted into a beautiful smile, and eyes sparkling with nostalgia. Her fingers caressing the glass so tenderly as if the younger us were real. We were full of youth. "I… don't remember having to take this picture. Do you?"

I shook my head as my eyes met with hers. "It's been too long." I brought my arms around her waist and pulled her towards my body. I smiled and tilted her chin up. "But I do remember having you as my one and only love." I chuckled.

Anna arched an eyebrow in amusement. "What are you trying to do?" She questioned as my fingers ran down towards her rear and gave it a little pat.

I shrugged. "I miss you… haven't seen you all day."

She smirked. "You didn't miss me when I came in."

"Well… I didn't know…"

Her head tilted. "Didn't know that… we're engaged, Elsa Snow? For three years, already, and you've already forgotten the day you knelt down before me?" She took the ring around my necklace and examined it. She raised an eyebrow. "And gave me this ring?" She raised her left hand to show me the small jewelry identical to mine.

Oh goodness. She held my hand to her stomach. "And that… I'm having your baby?"

I gulped and I could feel sweat dripping down my back What have I done? "I… I remember."

"Now you do." She rolled her eyes.

"I always did." I sighed. This wasn't what she wanted to hear. "I'm sorry…"

I looked down in shame and a few heartbeat passed before I felt her lips on my cheek… and my stomach growling. She giggled. "What was that?"

My cheeks flushed and tried to cover it with my lips placed on her neck. "I just…haven't eaten yet. And I didn't want to wake you up."

"You should've brought Olaf up."

I smirked. "Just to show him how naked we were in the morning?" My stomach growled again. This is killing the mood. I rolled my eyes.

She placed her hand above my arm and another on top of my chest. Oh no, I wasn't quite ready to let her go. Her scent was intoxicating. "Maybe we should eat."

"Maybe I should. You, I mean. Not the food. You do smell very delicious."

She rolled her eyes and placed her arms around my neck. I picked my head up to see her head tilted in amusement. She can't get enough of me.

Her lips perked into a wicked grin, teal eyes darkening as she came close to my lips. "Maybe tonight," she whispered. "I still have to feed you and this little buddy."

"Maybe tonight," I whispered, and let my lips press into her ear. "Maybe tonight, I get to fill you up with pleasure… and use that toy you've always begged me to use—"

"You're in an office, Elsa." Her cheeks flushed.

"This is my building." I grabbed her rear and she gasped against my body, hers shivering for more. "And I get to do whatever I want." I kissed her neck, lips brushing against her most sensitive area. She sighed and slacked onto me. Oh no, not now.

Pulling away, I saw the disappointment in her eyes. The lust.

Oh what am I going to do with you, Anna?

Slowly I leaned in and let her hand cup my jaw. I managed to smile into her lips, my chest growing warm with happiness when she tangled her fingers between mine. I felt like the happiest person in the world… a person that got all she wanted in her life… and now, she was getting much more than what she expected.

My heart swelled with pride and joy.

And when she pulled away, I could see nothing but wonder and love. All that lust had gotten pushed back for tonight.

The woman in front of me was all I needed in my life… it was a gift. A dream. And I'd gotten all of it. Through all the pain and agony along the way, there was light—it was faint at first, we just had to keep digging deeper until we got to this point. It'd been a little over four years since we saw that light. I planned to continue seeing it until the day we part forever.

"What's with you? Smiling like that."

I chuckled. "You're glowing."

With a few confusing blinks, she found herself beaming with delight. "You… are insatiable."

"You love it."

"I do."

"I love you."

She smiled as I looked into her beautiful teal eyes and hers on mine.

"And I you."

This is our story.

A/N: So… this is the end. Well, not really because there'll be an epilogue. It's been a year, almost a half since this fic was written, and this is my proudest piece ever. I don't know how I'm feeling—accomplished, sad, happy, I don't know. But I am very thankful to share this adventure with all 570 of you.

We've all been through the ups and downs together as a reader and a writer. We've lost so many fics that I didn't even have the tendency to continue at some point, because hell, everyone's not writing so why should I? But I'm glad that I stayed until the very end.

I've taken many risks to tell the story, risking losing my readers, and you guys believed in me when I told you 'elsanna is end game'. It is now, and I'm just so glad that everyone who has been with me since the very beginning stuck until the end.

I'm a growing writer who still has a lot to learn, and this is also just another one of those learning experiences. I know I've said that I love writing angst, and I really do. I love the emotions I bring to people. I also know I've once said that 'this fic doesn't even have that hardcore of an angst. Just take a look at 'You Are', now that's called angsty'.' And I didn't realize that it really was until people started saying 'I can't read this anymore'. I take it as a compliment. So I'm happy that I bring all these feels to everyone and I will continue to do that for however long I want.

So a million times thank you for everyone! Thank you, thank you, thank you! And thank YOU, sedryn!

(pls check out my new fic, "In the night" and continue following "Love Me Harder" for further chapters. WAIT FOR THE EPILOGUE)