AN: As always, thank you. Your reviews and support in my stories are amazing. Based on reviews on the previous chapter, there seems to be an agreement that it is nice to see a nice and giving Jack. He will be nice throughout the story, this story is not a canon. There will be no mention of an Elena either. Christian has a much different back story. I hope you all still enjoy it, even with all of the differences. I am not comfortable writing about BDSM, yet, I may get there in the future, we'll see. For now, I am comfortable writing sweet lemons. Also, I thought about giving my chapter titles instead of just numbering them. Let me know what you think about that. Happy Reading. ~Melissa
Chapter 3: Christmas Memories
Ana's POV:
December 23, 2017
Who is this man? When I first heard his voice, even though it was one simple word that slipped through his lips, I became enamored. Now, here we are sitting in the kitchen, eating the Christmas cookies that I baked and drinking milk together.
He is a beautiful man, wild, copper hair, broad shoulders, muscular arms and chest, and damn, those eyes. His eyes are unlike anything I have ever seen before. They are grey with specks of blue throughout the iris, creating an illusion of a brewing storm.
The electricity that flowed through my body when he caught me before was out of this world. I have never felt anything like that before. When I felt him staring down at me, I had to look up at him, it wasn't by choice. It was like a magnetic pull that was forcing my eyes to meet his. It was one of the most incredible feelings I have ever felt, communicating with someone just with our eyes. It was sensual, erotic.
"Where did you get the tree from?" His question brings me out of my inner thoughts.
"Oh, a Christmas tree farm in town. They were already cut. I wanted to cut it myself, but being here myself, made that more difficult." I sigh. Every year my dad and I would go and cut down our own Christmas tree, even when I moved to Seattle after graduating college, we would do it.
"You okay?"
"Oh, yes. Just having some Christmastime memories."
"Anything you would like to share?" He asks of me. Christian is nice, so he seems, I have only known him for a half hour so far, and just because we will be sharing this house for the next few weeks, doesn't mean I am ready to open up to him.
"Oh, um, just memories of cutting down fresh trees when I was younger. Did you and your family ever do that?" I throw a question out to him, taking the spotlight off of me for a few moments.
"We did." He says as he dunks another cookie into his milk and nod his head to himself. "My parents, siblings, and I would go every year to a tree farm in Bellevue. We would search and search all over the damn woods for the perfect one. Well, perfect, according to my mom and younger sister, Mia. Elliot, my older brother, and I could care less. We enjoyed being there, sawing our own tree down, but we didn't care what it looked like. It was fun, the five of us, together, we didn't get that a lot."
"You didn't spend time, as a family?" I ask, I can listen to his baritone voice all day and night, and not tire of it.
"My parents are hard workers, and involved in the community, still to this day. My mom, Grace, is a pediatrician at Seattle Grace Hospital, and President of a charity; Coping Together. My father, Carrick, is the top prosecutor in Seattle, and owns his own practice. They weren't always busy, but at certain times of the year, they were, this time of year, was one of them. As my siblings and I grew older, we were busier, also." He explains to me. "Do you have any siblings, Anastasia?" The way he states my name makes my heart flutter and my cheeks redden.
"Ana, just Ana. No, I am the only child. It was quite lonely at times, which is why I think I fell in love with books and reading. The characters became my friends and an extension of my family. I would get lost in their world for hours on end. Everyday was a different adventure, which I looked forward to going on."
"Well, just Ana. How about we start the tree. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, after all. We will need a tree for Santa, where else will he put presents when he arrives?" He jokes, making me giggle. Wow, I haven't giggled, without forcing it, in such a long time. That's nice, and unexpected.
"That was a beautiful sound." He remarks, honestly. I feel his eyes on me once again, and when I glance over to him, my breathe hitches. His eyes are a darker grey, intimidating, yet inviting at the same time. His mouth is slightly open, soft breathes escaping. He's making me nervous, a good nervous. I bite my lower lip, which causes his breathing to become labored. His eyes scan my face, stopping at my mouth. His hand, ever so slowly, reaches up towards my face. He takes his pointer finger and thumb and grazes them against my lips. As his thumb sweeps across my top lip, his pointer pulls my bottom lip loose from its confines. It is the most sensual thing that has ever happened to me.
We clear our throats, and back away from each other. "We should start the tree now," I suggest as I stand up. I start to take the dishes and cups and put them in the sink, I need some distance from him.
"Do we have lights and ornaments?"
"Yes, I bought some at some local shops when I got the tree. There are white lights, and homemade ornaments. I didn't buy a lot. I wasn't sure if you would be interested in decorating or would want to celebrate Christmas."
We're in the living room, opening the boxes that the ornaments are placed in. I found a cute Christmas store that sells handmade ornaments, amongst other Christmas decorations. I also bought a wooden Santa and snowman to put on the sides of the fireplace.
"What are these?"
"Oh, you have to have stockings at Christmas, especially with this beauty," I say as I tap the mantle.
I found old fashion, white, stockings with "A" and C" on them. Our initials are embroidered in a berry red and in a fancy script font. They are quite stunning.
"If you don't like them, I am sure I can find something else."
"No, no. They are perfect. Thank you. It seems you have thought of everything. I feel bad just showing up with no ideas of Christmas."
"I am sure you will think of something. Here, these are the ornaments. I have always wanted a classic white and red Christmas. All the ornaments are white and red, I think with the white lights on the bright green tree, it will be really pretty. What do you say?"
"I say, where do I begin?" Christian laughs.
I decide to put on some Christmas music, while Christian starts to loop the lights around the tree. As he is walking around the tree, making sure the lights are hanging or sitting perfectly on the tree branches, I start to place the ornaments around the tree, always looking for the distinguished spaces where that particular ornament will sit.
Every so often, Christian and/or I would sing or hum parts of a song that played. Glances will be shared between the two of us, a nod here and there, and small smiles would grace our faces.
"Tell me about working with my uncle." Christian asks as he helps me with the ornaments now that the lights are completed.
"He is a wonderful man to work for. I feel like his adopted niece. He takes great care of me at work, and out of work, as you can see. You are very lucky to have him in your life, Christian. I consider myself lucky to know him and your Aunt Leslie also. I have worked for SIP for years, Jack took me right under his wings. He believes in me, even when I don't." I smile as I talk about Jack Hyde.
"I am happy to hear that. He's a great uncle, it doesn't surprise me that he has taken a liking to you, to help and protect you. He, um…" He starts to trail off.
"He, what, Christian? Is he okay?"
"He's fine, nothing like that. When I spoke to him a few days ago to ask him to use his house, he of course mentioned that you were here. He told me that you needed to leave Seattle also, have time for yourself, well, because, you were having a tough time this holiday season. Don't get mad at him, but, he did say that your father passed away a few months ago. He didn't want me to mention it, but I noticed how you avoided talking about your family, and I didn't want to blurt it out. I am sorry for what happened to your father. I can't imagine what you must be going through now." I am shocked, angry, and upset. I have nothing to say. Nothing at all, so I put down the ornament that I had just picked up to put on the tree, and walk away from Christian.
I start to walk towards the room I am staying in, when I hear Christian call out to me. I ignore him, continuing on my trek to my room. I feel him behind me, but I can't turn around to face him. I just met him, today. I can't let him see the pain in my face, the tears in my eyes.
"Ana, please."
"Ana, I'm sorry." He is getting closer to me. I start to speed up, how long are these hallways?
I just make it to my room, open the door, and go to shut it, still with my back to Christian. However, I can't close it. Something, rather someone, is holding it open, and this particular someone is much more stronger than I am.
"Please." I beg. "Please, just leave me be."
"I can't do that." His voice sounds tortured.
"Let me in." I know he isn't talking about the room, he is the one holding the door open, his right foot can move an inch and he will be in the room.
"No." I walk towards the large, open window. Suddenly, the mountains in the distance is appealing and my eyes can only focus on them.
"No?" He asks. It's almost as if he has never heard the word before.
"No." I sigh as the unshod tears start to threaten to spill onto my cheeks.
I hear the creaking of the floor, I sense him walking closer to me, then I smell his masculine, woodsy scent next to me. He is close enough to take me into his arms in one swoop, yet, far away that I feel utterly alone.
"Let me in." He repeats.
"I.. Christian, I… please, leave.. it .. be." I choke out.
In an instant I am spun around, now facing him, my mountains of solitude now behind me.
"Look at me." He softly demands. My head is still down, looking at our feet that are just inches apart. The tears are free falling to the hardwood floor, bouncing when they finally hit. I shake my head, not wanting him to see me this way.
I feel his fingers under my chin, and before I can pull my face away from him, he uses his fingers as leverage to lift my chin, forcing me to lift my head. My eyes are still downcast.
"Anastasia, look at me." He commands, more forcefully this time. I let a puff air out, roll my eyes, and look up at him.
"Oh, Ana. I'm sorry." He apologies, taking his thumbs and wiping the tears away from my face. This action only causes me cry more and harder.
I feel strong arms wrap around my waist, and the electric currents begin to flow again. My head lands on his chest as he pulls me closer to him, causing us to be tightly wrapped around each other. How can a stranger comfort me?
The cries turn into sobs, "I…I… just miss… him so much," I get out in staggered breathes.
"I know you do. I am so sorry, but to me, it seems that you need to get this out. Have you spoken to anyone, your mom?"
I snort, "No, no one. I'm alone."
"You aren't anymore. I'm here when you are ready, okay?"
I nod against his chest, my head still planted there. He's right, I need to talk to someone, maybe a stranger will do just fine. It isn't like I will see him again, we are only here for the next week.
Christian's POV
December 24, 2017
Yesterday was amazing, decorating the Christmas tree with Ana. Then, I had to go and insert my foot into my big mouth. I ruined the rest of the day, she was quiet and kept to herself the rest of the day. After telling her that when she is ready to talk, I left her in her room. I think we both needed time to collect our thoughts. I have never went after a woman if she walked away from me, I don't chase women, however, Ana is different. I couldn't let her walk away and ignore me. I needed to show her she isn't alone, at least not this week.
She stayed in her room until early afternoon. I finished the tree, placing the last few ornaments that needed to be hung. I also placed our stockings on the mantle, making sure that they were placed perfectly on the ends. Different sized, white lanterns, with red candles were also in the bags from the shops, so I decided to place them along the mantle also. I then wrapped pine green garland around the lanterns. It turned out so beautifully. Ana should be proud about her vision coming to life. The only thing that I did not do was put the topper on the tree, for two reasons. One, Ana should be here for that moment, and two, I couldn't find one in the bags or boxes she had from her shopping trip.
Ana came out of her room, only to busy herself in the kitchen. She made a roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and several steamed vegetables. She even made an apple pie. We ate in silence, I can see her mind running around in circles. When she was done, she cleaned up and headed back to her room.
Before I went up to bed, I knocked on her door, she didn't answer. I whispered a good night and let her be.
I am now in the kitchen, attempting to make her breakfast. Ana is still sleeping, whether it is soundly, I am not sure.
I have the eggs and bacon done, but this damn toaster is giving me grief. First, I burnt the toast, completely black. Then, it didn't toast enough. I am cursing the damn thing left and right, and the most angelic sound I have ever heard stops me in my tracks. I turn and see Ana standing in the door way in pink and black plaid pajama pants with a black camisole. Her hair is in a bun, sitting on top of her head, and there is no trace of makeup. She's stunning.
"You made breakfast?" She giggles.
"I attempted to make breakfast." I clarify.
"It smells great, I am sure it tastes great too. Thank you, Christian." The way she is looking at me lets me know she isn't just talking about the scrambled eggs.
"You're very welcome," I say as I slide a plate to her.
We start digging in, eating in silence, again.
"Ana…"
"What do you want to do today?" She asks, interrupting me.
"Well, we need to put a topper on the tree. I couldn't find one in the things that you bought yesterday. Also, I would like to go into town, maybe look around. It's Christmas Eve, and I think the town square has a market and festival today. Would you like to go with me?"
"I would love to. Thank you. Also, I didn't buy a tree topper, I brought one from home. Um, my dad, Ray, made it years ago. I wasn't sure if I was going to get a tree, but then when Jack told me you were coming, I decided to do it. I would like to use the angel my dad made, if that is all right."
"Sounds perfect, Ana. I can't wait to see it. I am sure it will make the tree even more beautiful than it already is."
We finish breakfast, Ana cleans up, telling me to go get dressed for the day. Since we will be outside the majority of the day, I decide to wear my dark wash jeans, Timberlands, a black long sleeve shirt, with a fleece vest.
When I reach the living room, I see Ana up on the highest step on a very tall ladder. She is stretching her body towards the tree, balancing herself, trying to put the hand crated angel in its rightful place. I don't want to scare her, so I silently walk closer to her, placing my hands on the sides of ladder, making sure it doesn't tip. She finally gets the angel in an upright position, whispering to herself, "about time, Holly." I give out a chuckle, causing her to look down at me. Her eyes are back to being bright blue.
"Christian. When did you get here?"
"Just now. You should have waited for me, this isn't safe to do on your own. And who is Holly?"
"I know, I just wanted to get it done before we left. Holly is the angel. I named her when she was first made."
She starts to climb down the ladder. I back away, but keep my hands up in the air, just in case. Luckily, for the both us, I did, because, as she steps down with one foot, she slips, and starts to tumble backwards. I catch her with ease, holding her bridal style. She shrieks and places her hands over her eyes.
"I didn't hit the ground."
"No, you didn't." I laugh.
"You caught me, thank you Christian." She says as her hands leave her face. She leans up, closer to my face. She gently places a kiss on my cheek, however, I move my face too fast, and before she can back away, our lips graze against each other.