Author's Note: Happy New Year! This was getting to be too long for the final chapter, so it's been split in two. The actual final chapter is almost done and should be out before the end of the month.

Anna was right. Elsa's visits did eventually all but stop. For quite a while, however, it seemed that she was wrong. She began to give into her hope that things would be okay.

When Elsa first attempted to visit, however, both were rather displeased with the results. As neither of them had ever had a visitor before, it never occurred to them that visitations may not actually be allowed every single day.

It was a Wednesday, and Elsa was immediately turned away. Visitations were only permitted on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Elsa pleaded with Matron Camilla to inform Anna of this, so that she wouldn't think that she'd abandoned her.

While Camilla relayed this story, she laughed at the idea that she wouldn't have told Anna. Anna couldn't help but snort at the realization that she was already technically right, even if it wasn't quite what she'd meant, but this knowledge was enough to carry her through the remaining two days without her sister.

On their first successful visit, Elsa sat across from Anna at a round wooden table in a brightly lit room. Various profanities and initials had been carved into the surface of the table over the years, some covering up older ones so that they were only half legible. Elsa wore loose-fitting culottes with a button up blouse. Anna wore the uniform prison dress.

"It's weird seeing you like that," Anna remarked. They'd already exchanged greetings and been allowed a brief hug. They were both pleasantly surprised by being allowed the moment's physical contact.

"Because you're used to me wearing the same dress as you, or because you're used to me being in suits?" Elsa asked with a wry smile.

"Both, I think. It's just all so different. Everything is different now."

Looking between the two of them, Elsa had to agree. She wasn't sure how they ever arrived at this point; nothing ever seemed to go as planned. "It is. But it doesn't have to be a bad different, we can build a life together, without having to lie."

"You mean as soon as I get out of here?"

"Yes, Anna. Not exactly planning on moving into the prison with you. It's just two more years – less if you behave yourself. I'm already looking for a job, and I found an apartment. We still have our old bank accounts, and they've accumulated a lot of interest while we were incarcerated."

Anna's eyes widened. "I thought they seized all of that, claiming it was ill-gotten gains or something."

"Mr. Marshall must have pulled some strings. I don't know what to tell you. It's all there. We're not exactly rich, but we won't have to sleep on the streets or anything."

"I'm glad. It didn't even occur to me. I guess I haven't really thought much about the future in a long while. It's all just been this place. And you," she added, her eyes meeting Elsa's again.

"Well you don't have to worry. I'll think of it for you. You did enough planning when we were younger, it's about time that I took over."

A faint smile graced Anna's lips as she was lost in thoughts of bygone days. It had been over twenty years since they'd run off together.

"How're they treating you now that I'm gone? I hope no one is giving you too much trouble."

Anna offered a warm smile. She seemed to be doing that a lot today – perhaps it was just that she had been missing her wife so much already. "Things have actually been really good. Charity invited me to join your old prayer group."

"I hope you didn't turn her down too rudely."

"No. I didn't. I actually said yes. It's like I still have a piece of you with me." Her cheeks colored faintly.

"I could give you my old cross and Bible if you'd like," Elsa offered, beginning to look genuinely excited.

Anna was more than happy to offer her a reason to hope. "I'd like that. Please do. You know how to send it, right?"

"I do, but I think I have it in the car, I'll give it to the matron when she leads me back out."

"Thank you."

"No one else is giving you any trouble? Eleanor, maybe?"

She shook her head. "No. Maybe now that the temptation is gone, they don't think I'm some big sinner."

"Anna –"

"Don't say it, please. I know you haven't changed your mind so quickly and I don't want to fight over it."

Elsa bit her lip and nodded. "Okay. You're right."

The visits continued much like this. Elsa came every single weekend. She told Anna of her interviews to be a switchboard operator, a secretary, and a cashier. She'd tried interviewing as a doctor and even a nurse, but both went about as she'd expected and she was promptly laughed out of the room. She eventually started work at a diner, and was more than happy to have the night shift, as she was able to continue her day-time visits with Anna.

Anna, in turn, told her of how she was staying out of trouble, starting to become friends with the prayer group, and was actually receiving gain time. She'd never come to see their love as a sin, but having friends and a community made her time substantially less abhorrent.

One Friday morning, when she was led to the visitor's room, Anna was surprised to find that it wasn't Elsa waiting for her. Elsa usually came in the afternoon, so her not yet arriving wasn't so strange, but the old woman sitting there in her stead perplexed Anna. It took her almost an entire minute to recognize her own mother.

The years had not been kind to her. She'd gained weight, her hair was completely gray, and her slight crow's feet that had been noticeable at the trial had grown into a cacophony of wrinkles. Yet she still had those same eyes, as sharp as ever, and that same smile. She beckoned for her daughter to come sit with her.

Anna did as she was instructed and sat across from Iduna, her mouth agape.

"Good morning, Anna," she greeted her.

Anna struggled to reply. After several fruitless attempts, she finally squeaked "Mama?"

The woman nodded. "I'm sorry I never visited before. Your father wouldn't let me. I heard from your sister a couple weeks ago, and I finally managed to gather enough courage to come apologize for everything I've done to you. I'm so sorry, Anna. You didn't deserve this life. If I'd just had the strength to stand up to Agnarr –"

She was cut off by Anna pulling her into a great big hug. The matron didn't even stop them, as they stayed in each other's arms, both bawling their eyes out, for several minutes.

"Mama," Anna said again, looking into the tear-filled eyes of her mother as they took their seats. "You don't have to apologize."

"Yes, I do. Your father disowning you was bad enough, but he called the police on you, he testified against you, he's why you're in prison. How can I forgive myself for that?"

"You paid for our lawyer."

"And I suffered for it, but it doesn't change that I could have acted earlier. I should have done something. I'm complicit in everything he did to the two of you. I just stood by and watched it all happen. I should have at least sought you out after you moved away. I didn't have to just accept that you were gone because he wished it." She rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand.

Anna blinked away more tears. "You know we don't blame you for any of that. You didn't do anything wrong, Mama."

"I did. And I'm sorry."

Anna swallowed her words. She wanted to keep fighting for her mother's innocence, to convince her that it was all her father's fault, but it wasn't worth wasting what little time she had with her. "All right. Then we forgive you. I forgive you."

More tears streamed down Iduna's face over her newly forming smile. "Thank you. I love both of you so much, I just wish I'd been a better mother to you."

"I know. You did the best you could." Something finally clicked. Agnarr hadn't let her come all this time, why would things be any different then? "Where's papa?"

She looked away, remaining silent for long enough that Anna started to believe she wasn't going to answer. "He passed away."

Anna was surprised to find herself beaming. This was the best news she'd received in years. "Good."

Iduna stared at her. After a few moments' hesitation, she nodded. "You're probably right. I don't think I'll be missing him too much either."

That afternoon, Elsa arrived. Anna had been worried that she wouldn't be allowed to see her since she'd already had a visitor, but the matron insisted that it was fine. She promptly leapt into Elsa's arms, holding her close.

"Whoa, what's gotten into you?" Elsa asked brightly, hugging her back. "Haven't seen you this chipper in –" she cut off. Anna was sure it was because they both knew when her chipperness had stopped – the night she saved Elsa's life.

"All right, break it up," the matron insisted, not sounding annoyed so much as wooden and procedural.

They pulled back, and she looked into Elsa's broad grin.

The grin immediately ceased, replaced with a look of concern. "Anna, are you okay? You look like you've been crying. A lot."

"I'm great. I just saw Mama this morning."

Her features softened. "So she did come? Good, I'd asked her to."

"Thank you." Anna sat back down in the same seat.

Elsa in turn sat where their mother had been. It seemed oddly appropriate to Anna, though it was the same seat she always sat in. "It was as much for her as it was for you. She was terrified that you wouldn't want to see her."

Anna bit her lip to keep herself from shedding any more tears, and only shook her head.

"I know. I don't know how she could have ever thought that we would blame her. Now papa on the other hand..."

"He's dead. We don't need to talk about him anymore."

"You're right." Elsa relaxed and gazed into her eyes. "I miss you."

"I'm right here," Anna replied, though she missed her at least as much.

"I miss being able to hold you, to come home to you. I miss my wife."

"And I miss mine." She let out a shuddering breath. "I promise, Elsa. I'll do whatever I need to do to see you as soon as I can. I'm staying out of trouble, I'm studying your Bible." She looked down at the cross dangling from her neck. "I even sewed a doll for Claire's daughter."

"That's sweet. I'm glad you two are getting along now. Thank you, Anna. I didn't want to ask, but it means a lot to me that you're trying."

"You're worth it, Elsa. You're worth anything."

"So are you." For once, Anna was in too good of a mood to call Elsa out on that lie.

After a few months of them visiting separately, Anna entered the visiting room to find both Elsa and Iduna waiting for her. She faltered as she approached the table. How should she act? Could she be romantic with her wife in front of their mother? She wasn't sure, so she decided to hedge her bets, giving both of them only a perfunctory hug before taking her seat.

"Hey there," Elsa offered, looking as awkward as Anna felt.

Chuckling lightly, Iduna shook her head. "You don't have to hide. I've had twenty-four years to grow accustomed to the idea. Believe me, I'll live."

Glancing around to make sure the matron wasn't paying too much attention, Anna jumped back up and pulled Elsa into a passionate hug, followed by a quick chaste kiss before taking her seat again. There were some things that would still be too uncomfortable in front of her.

"How are you doing, dear?" Iduna asked. "I know I haven't visited in a few weeks.

Anna smiled back at her. She hadn't felt this good in a long while. Her whole family was in one place. Everything was out in the open, they could just be happy together. It didn't even matter that she was in prison, it was only another year, and then she could be on the outside with them. She could have a home again. "I'm doing really well. Elsa's old prayer group has really accepted me. I eat with them every day, and I even have her usual seat. I'm sewing you both presents, and you can see what they are when I finish them, but I think you'll like them. But I want to hear about you. How're you liking Colorado? Are you finally finished moving everything in?"

Iduna looked relieved. She always did after Anna answered that question. She must have thought that prison life was far harder for her than it actually was. Even at its worst, life there had been easier than on the outside for Anna. "I'm so glad. Yes, I think we've finally finished moving everything in. I'm sure Elsa will be glad to have me out of her hair. She can finally have her bed again."

"Mama, it's been a pleasure. I've missed you. As you already said, it's been twenty-four years. It's really nice being able to spend time with you and get to know you again. You've been out of my life for longer than you've been in it." Elsa's eyes went wide when she heard her own words, desperately trying to take them back.

It was too late. Iduna had already started to tear up. "You have no idea how sorry I am. I just want to spend what little time I have left with my girls."

"Don't think like that!" Anna insisted, rising from her seat. A warning glance from the matron sent her back down. "You'll be here to see me when I'm released. We can all be a happy family next year. I promise."

"Anna, you can't promise something like that," Elsa said.

"Why not? We've all been through enough already. We've earned our happy ending. God wouldn't be so cruel. I know I'll be able to see both of you when I'm released. And that'll be soon. I promise."

Iduna reached towards Anna, glancing at the matron before gripping her hand tightly "Anna," she hesitated, looking back at Elsa. "You're right. Everything will be fine. I can't wait to have both of my girls with me again."

"You won't have to wait long."

"I know." She let out a shuddering breath and rubbed at her eyes. "I know. Have they given you an exact date yet?"

Anna bit her lip, sighing. "No. I know without gain time it's next July, I forget the day, but I'm not sure how many days are going to be removed from my sentence in the end. I think at last count I had thirty, but I've been being a lot better of late."

"Thirty?" Iduna nodded. "All right then. You'll be out in time for your birthday. We'll just have to celebrate."

A smile erupted across her features. She hadn't even thought of that. Her birthday was when she'd first fallen in love with Elsa, she was glad she'd at least be able to spend next year's with her. "You two are both going to visit again for my birthday this year though? Well, the day before it, since it's a Monday." she amended with a sigh.

After a moment's hesitation, both women chuckled. "Of course we are, honey," Elsa replied. "You know there's no way I'd miss that. I already checked, and I'll even be able to bring a cake for you. Without a file, obviously."

Anna bit her tongue before she could suggest that she'd rather their mother make it. Anything Elsa could give her would be perfect. Besides, she'd had a year to practice, maybe she could actually cook by now. Her food hadn't even been that bad before they were arrested.

"I'm making it," Iduna added. Apparently she had not been concealing her thoughts as well as she had hoped.

"That's great. I mean, of course if you wanted to make it, Elsa, I would love that too. I love your cooking."

"No you don't. It's fine. I'd rather have Mama's too. It's been too long."

Iduna answered with a cocky grin. "You've never had my cake, not with proper ingredients. We had to work with what we had back then, I'm going all out for this one. It's going to be the best cake either of you have ever eaten."

"I can't wait," Anna replied.

"I've had some of her cooking recently. It's even better than I remembered – though of course not as good as yours, dear. I'm sure it'll be spectacular."

The empty praise made Anna giggle. She was so glad they'd decided to visit her together. It was an absolutely perfect day.

Elsa, Anna, and Iduna sat gathered around their table in the visitor's room, with a double layered chocolate cake between them. Other inmates and their visitors seemed to all be admiring it. They had not been allowed knives, so they each had to take spoonfuls from the cake at a time. Neither the inconvenience, nor the setting, seemed to diminish the cheer with which the three shared the confection.

Anna's eyes rolled back as she placed a bite in her mouth. "Oh, Mama, this is as good as you promised! I think it may be the most delicious thing I've ever eaten."

Elsa tried hers as well and opened her eyes wide. "Wow. You weren't lying. I guess the Depression really did hamstring your cooking ability."

"Yeah, it's almost like everything was harder then." She quirked an eyebrow at her daughter. So that's where Elsa got that from. Anna hid her giggle behind more cake.

"You know what I mean. I just wish we could have grown up with this even better version of your cooking."

She grew somber. "I wish I could have shared it with you your whole life. I wish I could have shared a lot with you. But we have right now, let's not dwell on what should have been."

Elsa studied her as she spooned another helping of cake into her mouth. Anna looked between them. "Mama's right. Let's just enjoy this cake. And my birthday!" Several heads turned in their direction and the matron gave them a quick shake of her head. "It's the perfect birthday. I have everything and everyone that matters, and I wouldn't change a thing."

"Even being in prison?" Elsa asked.

"Okay, I would change one thing."

Smiling warmly at her, Elsa replied "that's all I'd change too. But we'll have it next year. I'll hold you in my arms, and we'll have more cake, and I'll actually be able to give you real presents instead of just a couple nick-knacks from the canteen."

"Now that sounds perfect."

Iduna swallowed, and gave her daughters a tearful smile. "That's all I want for you two."

Before long, they had finished the entirety of the cake, and were beginning to regret their decisions. It had been phenomenal to the last bite, but it had not been an insignificant portion. Iduna was used to cooking enough that they'd be enjoying leftovers for weeks. Even the pain was a happy one, however, and if given another chance, they would have all done the same.

Elsa hugged her sister close. "Happy birthday, Anna. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Elsa. I'll see you Friday?"

"Always."

Iduna pulled her into her own hug. "I hope I was able to make this birthday one you'll remember. I love you, my darling baby girl. I just wish I would have done more for you."

"It was amazing. You did everything perfectly, Mama. Are you coming Friday too?"

"I'll try to, honey." Tears streamed down her face as she cupped her cheek, brushing away an errant strand of red hair. Her blue eyes crinkling in a smile that emphasized her crow's feet. "You have a good night, okay? Behave, I want you out of here as soon as possible."

Anna gave her a confused look, but nodded. "Of course, Mama. I have been. You two have a good night too." She gave them each another quick hug. Apparently the matron was being a good bit more accommodating on account of her birthday, as she didn't say a word.

It was a good way to remember her mother, though Anna would always wish she'd taken the time to memorize it.

The following weekend, when Anna walked into the visitor's room, Elsa was sitting in her usual spot, curled in on herself, tears falling freely. "Elsa?" she asked, hesitantly approaching her. "Are you okay?"

She looked up, bloodshot eyes seeming to look straight through her. "Anna..." she began, searching for the words. "It's – It's Mama."

"What's Mama? What happened?" She sat next to her, glancing quickly at the matron before holding her sister close, resting her wife's head upon her chest. "Tell me. Please."

"She's in the hospital," Elsa spat out, tears continuing to fall on the prison dress. "I don't know if she'll be coming back out."

"What?" Anna's eyes opened wide as she held Elsa out at arm's length to meet her gaze. "What happened? Did she fall? Elsa, she's going to be okay, right?"

Elsa's eyes fell to the table.

"Elsa, answer me. What's going on?"

"She has a brain tumor. She's going into surgery tonight, but, I've seen the scans. It doesn't look good."

Her nails began to dig into Elsa's shoulders. "You've seen the scans? This all happened last night?"

Elsa still couldn't quite meet her sister's gaze, settling instead to stare a few inches to her left. "No. She's known for a few months. We weighed all of her options, and surgery is definitely her best bet. There's not really any other reliable method of treatment at this point."

"A few months?!" Now that she had attracted the attention of the matron, she had to take her normal seat. "A few months?" she repeated in a whisper. "And you're just now telling me?"

"She made me promise not to tell you." She finally brought herself to meet Anna's eyes. Now that Elsa was no longer looking through her or away from her, Anna could see just how much pain she was in and started to feel a bit guilty for being upset with her. "You were going through more than enough already. You didn't need this on your plate too. I wasn't supposed to tell you until we found out how the surgery went. I couldn't even manage that."

Anna choked back sobs. The weight of this was hitting her. It was why her mother had been so focused on her mortality, why she could barely say that she'd be there next year. She didn't think she'd survive this. "What are her chances?" she asked, her voice broken and hoarse.

"She's seventy years old, Anna. Brain surgery is – Her odds aren't great. But they're better than if she doesn't get surgery. They aren't zero."

"Go be with her." More sobs prevented her from elaborating for a moment. "Please. I can't be there, but you can. She needs you more than I do. Be with her. Tomorrow you can let me know how everything went."

Elsa nodded and rose, but glanced back at her little sister. "Are you sure? You need me too."

"And I'll still have you tomorrow. This is all I can do for her. Please, just go be with Mama."

"Okay. I love you, Anna."

"I love you too."

They held each other for far longer than either had intended. They both needed the other's warmth and comfort. After the matron cleared her throat at them, Elsa offered a reluctant wave and walked away with her shoulders hanging low. Anna watched as she left, feeling utterly powerless. She'd been so stupid that she couldn't even be there for her dying mother.

The next day, Elsa returned, looking all the more haggard, and like she hadn't slept the entire night. The fact that she was still wearing the same grey top and black skirt from the day before cemented that. Now, the colors seemed to be worn in mourning. Anna didn't even need to ask, but she did anyway, desperate to be wrong. "Did she make it?"

Elsa broke down into tears. It seemed like it was not the first time that day. She eventually managed to shake her head, but didn't risk saying any words.

"No," Anna breathed. She was surprised to find that she wasn't crying. She only felt hollow, like nothing was real. This was all just some strange dream happening to someone else, and when she woke up, she'd see Elsa and would be told that the surgery was a huge success. After shutting her eyes a few times failed to rouse her, she continued the script. "The surgery didn't work?" She wasn't sure exactly how it would go wrong, only that Elsa had made it clear that it likely would.

"No, actually." She let out a sickening laugh. "It was a huge success. She died of complications from it afterward, but she was had been fine. I even had a conversation with her. There was an infection, and Dr. Bernard missed it. An abscess formed in her brain and cut off her oxygen supply while she was sleeping. Because he didn't bother to make sure that she was okay. I should've been able to do something. I'm a doctor, damn it. I wouldn't have made that big of a mistake. She would have been fine."

"Elsa, you're not a neurosurgeon."

"Clearly he's not either," she spat. All of the pain and misery in her eyes seemed to be replaced with rage.

Anna met her stare, unblinking. "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? Anna, he killed our mother!" She ignored the looks from the matron and the other visiting families. "If he'd just done everything properly she'd be fine."

"What was it she said? Let's not dwell on what should have been." Anna wondered at her own words. It was so unlike her. She may have been the schemer of the two of them, but she'd never been so cold. Had everything she'd gone through finally broken her?

"I can't do that. The surgery was a success. She should be fine!"

"Elsa –"

"Forget it." She rose to her feet, glaring at the matron, who was beginning to approach her. "I need to be alone." She turned to exit.

"Elsa!" Anna tried to follow her, but the matron blocked her path.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Elsa muttered as she swung the door open, walking out of the visitor's area.

Anna waited and waited all of the next day, certain that Elsa would arrive. She hadn't missed a date yet, and Anna had finally given up on her previous convictions. She could count on her big sister, she knew it.

When the matron never came to fetch her, she searched her out. "Matron Camilla, is there any chance you just forgot to get me? Elsa came, right?"

The matron had a bit of a soft spot for them, having been fond of Elsa, it was why she'd been so lenient on their physical contact during visits. She gave her a pained look, like saying the words hurt her as much as she expected they would Anna. "No, I'm afraid she didn't. She's probably just busy. I overheard the conversation yesterday, maybe she's just making arrangements for your mother's estate now."

Anna nodded, not quite believing her words, but she tried with all of her might to convince herself of their veracity. She told herself that Elsa would be there the next weekend, that she just had to make it to then. By the time she went to bed, she'd finally started to believe it.

Unfortunately, Anna was wrong. Elsa didn't come. She didn't visit for another three months.