Chapter Three
I jump out of sleep, the heat. I'm so hot, sweat creeping down my brow. Christian is wrapped around me like his life depends on it. He still does this, after every fight he falls asleep clinging to me. Why wont he tell me what's going on!? Tomorrow Teddy and Phoebe leave for England. My heart skips a beat at the thought. I cant believe it's almost been a month already. A month, and he still hasn't told me anything. Why is he still hiding things. What is he hiding!? I close my eyes trying to remember the conversation, it was after the party. Everybody had left and Mia orchestrated a great clean up from the staff. It only took them a half hour, Mia really is great party planner. After getting all the gifts inside we spent another hour letting Bee open some of her gifts. Purses, luggage, jewelry, endless amounts of clothes, new technology, dance shoes, hats... she didn't even get through all of them before she started falling asleep. Teddy told us he'll tuck her in. I remember thinking how unbelievably lucky we were for Teddy. He picked up his little sister as gently as ever and walked her over so we can kiss her good night, I gave Teddy a loving kiss on the cheek and he made his way upstairs. Now that we were alone I knew I had to talk to him. When did he know about Jack? What does he know about Leila? I had so many questions and I didn't understand why he chooses now to start hiding things.
"Mia really did go all out for that party, didn't she?" He shot me that all American boy smile that only Christian Grey could perfect with age.
"Yea, your sister should think about starting a catering and event planning business." He stops and cocks his head to the side as if weighing the idea out.
"You know what, I'll talk to her about it. I mean, naturally I could help her start it. She must be getting bored playing house mom. Don't get me wrong, Ethan makes more than enough but... I think she'll like that idea."
"I wonder if Ethan would like that though." I think about his reaction if Mia starts working again. Who knew Ethan would turn into such a over protected Christian style dad? I laugh at the memory of him with Carrie. Nobody was allowed to touch. Kate and him almost had an all out brawl! I laugh out lough again, unable to contain the humor.
"What's funny?"
"I was just remember Ethan with newborn Carrie."
"Ahh yes, he was quite the over protector, wasn't he?" He laughs at the memory. OK Grey, it's time for some answer. Just rip the bandage off.
"How long have you known?"
"Known what Ana?"
"About Hyde being released?"
Christian say's nothing, he walks up to me pushing me against the kitchen counter, hands slowly, gently rubbing up my thigh. He steps closer, his groin against me. He slides me up and sits me on the counter kissing my neck, slowly sucking my earlobe. I try to hush a moan but my body betrays me. His hand slides up my thighs, under the material of my dress.
"Christian, please. We need to talk." He works his hand to my sex, not bothering to slide my panties over he presses his thumb slowly against my cl*t. I moan, slowly, quietly as I feel him, gently moving his thumb in circles, pressing harder through my panties. I tilt my head back, biting my bottom lip, trying hard to compress the moans. He knows he still owns my body. He will always own my body. He kisses my chin, slowly, barely touching my skin, he slides the tip of his tongue down my neck. His free hand works its way to the zipper on the back of my dress.
"Ahhh gross! Stop!"
"Oh shit."
Christian jumps away from me and I jump off the counter and dash into the pantry. A panicked Teddy throws his hands to his face and turns to run but miscalculates and slams himself right into the door frame of the kitchen.
"Why are you guys doing this in the kitchen! The counter?! Oh man, that shit if f***ing gross!" He jumps up and runs up the stairs slamming his bedroom door. I hear Christian laughing on the other side of the pantry door.
"Uhm, can I ask what's funny Christian!?" The horror and embarrassment clear in my voice.
"Mrs. Grey, would you like to come out of the pantry?"
"Augh, no. Just give me a minute." I put my head in my hands in complete disgust of myself. "How long was he standing there?! Oh God, what if he tells someone?! Should we talk to... oh no, I can't talk to him. Christian you need to talk to him."
"What!? What the f**** would I talk to him about!?"
"What do you mean?! You could, I don't know. Explain... I mean not explain but you know. Talk about... Oh shit, I don't know!"
"Ana" humor evident in his tone, "he knows about it, trust me."
"What the hell does that mean Christian!?"
"I've caught him with a girl on the boat." I gasp at the horror, the thought of my precious innocent little boy!
"No, I'm sure they were just making out!"
"No baby, trust me. I'm sure she wasn't his first or last either."
"What?! Christian! Why didn't you tell me!? Did you ground him?"
"He was safe, we talked about the consequences and the importance of the woman's feelings and how messy things could get if he starts jumping from one girl to the next."
"What about abstinence!?" I walk out of the pantry with my hands placed on my hips, a stance I stole from Kate. "What about, he's going to have a baby if he has... you know... 'it' or STI's Christian. Did you tell him he'll get aids and die!" Christians laughing at me, uncontrollably which lights an anger in me. "Christian Grey this is not funny!"
"Aww baby," He pouts his lips out and pulls me until I'm leaning against his body. "He's sixteen. We talked about hormones and respecting the person he's with. We talked about protection and every consequence imaginable. I even made him volunteer at a nursery so he could see how hard dealing with babies are and you know what? He was great with the babies. He already know the risks and he's careful. He's very careful. Ana-" He stops and I look up at him, he looks confused, in awe? It's hard to tell what he's thinking.
"Well don't leave me hanging now Mr. Grey."
"He's me if I had a better upbringing." His whispered voice was almost a confession? An epiphany?
"What do you mean?" He kisses me on my forehead and puts his finger under my chin to tilt my head up at him.
"Just know he's careful. He respects these girls as best as he can and he lets them know ahead of time what he expects from them or what they should expect from him afterwards."
"Oh God! Stop, I don't want to hear this! Ahh, my poor little baby boy."
It was like that for the next week and a half, his constant distraction. I didn't get anything out of him. My body a prisoner to his touch. Well Mrs. Grey, you think you'd have more control over your urges. I shake my head in complete disgust of myself. I start walking to Christians office when I see a group of four or five men in suites walk in. He must have a meeting. Something was off about these men though. They seems, bigger? Stronger and younger than most. Like a child, I ducked behind an office plant when I realized the receptionist looking at me with complete confusion.
"Mrs. Grey? Are you OK?"
I flush red and look back at her, desperately trying to come up with a reason why I was hiding.
"Oh, yes, just checking this plant. It needs water." I turn and dash for my office, once inside I slump into my chair and put my head down on the desk. After the work day Christian and I get into one of many of his cars and I decide this is it. Now or never.
"Christian-"
"How was your day?"
"Oh, uhm, well it was good. I need-"
"Miss. Gates told me you were hiding behind a office plant?" I turn three shades of red and look down, hands knotted on my lap.
"I was checking if it needed water. Christian how long have you known about Jack?" Silence. Twenty minutes has passed and he say's nothing. We're almost home. "Christian how long?" Impatience taking over my voice.
"The day before Bee's party." What? That long? Why didn't he tell me?! "Welch called me and needed to see me. Jason and I flew out to him. He told us about Hyde being released and his where about. He talked about Leila, She's in California and is being impossible to contact. They've been talking-"
"Who? Whose been talking?!" I'm starting to go into panic mode. I have a family to worry about now. It's not just Christian and I anymore.
"Hyde contacted Leila in prison. She's visited him a few times."
"Why am I just learning about this?!"
"After ten years of nothing, I stopped tracking the both of them. Hyde waited until about a year ago to reach out to her." He shook his and looked like he wanted to say something.
"What is it Christian? What aren't you telling me?"
"I was thinking Teddy can go to London with Bee, just for a little while. You can go too. I know your working on deals over there and it would give me time to figure out what Hyde is planning to do with Leila."
"I'm not leaving you here. I'll agree to Teddy and Bee but, I'm not running." I said it matter a factually and Christian didn't press the issue.
My memory once again interrupted at the amount of heat radiating from Christian. I look down and he's staring at me, complete fascination with his big, bright gray eyes. He moves from me and sits up, he slowly grabs my and kisses the back.
"I'm sorry Ana. Your right, I need to talk to you more. Everything I'm doing now is to keep track on Leila and Hyde. I know they've been meeting with someone but, I don't know who." He sighs in relief. "I didn't want to worry you. I thought it'd be better if you didn't know everything. I still want you to go with Teddy and Bee tom-"
"I said no Christian. It's you and me. It was you and me from the beginning and we're going to finish this, you and me."
The next morning I go downstairs to see Christian and Teddy talking. It was a serious conversation and Christians poster was the same as it was negotiating contracts in his work office.
"Dad, I'm good at reading people, I can't leave knowing something here is wrong."
"Theodore, your mother and I are fine. We just need some time alo-"
"There more to it dad. C'mon, I've learn from the best, I can tell when someone is bullshitting me."
"You need to watch your mouth. Your mother would kill us both if she knew you talked like that. Theodore I wont lie to you. There is something your mother and I need to work on and we can only do that with you and Bee in a..." he looked as if searching for the right work, "safer place."
"I can take care of myself. You know Grandma Grace wont let anything happen to Bee. I can help you. I'm no longer a kid. I can be useful." Christians poster didn't change. "You questioned me when I started the youth center and lets be honest. That thing became a huge money maker. I'm good at making decisions. I'm smart in that way, how my mind works, it's like you dad."
"Yes," Christian never sounded more proud. "You've made some wise investments since interning at the company. Theodore, this is very different. I need you to trust me. I also need you to keep Grandma Grace and Bee safe. They're going to need you in London and your my eyes, ears and muscle."
"Dad-"
"End of discussion Teddy. Please," in desperate tone, Christian turns to Teddy and grabs his shoulders. "You have to keep them safe."
I cough while walking toward the kitchen. They both look at me and I can see Teddy with his father face of exasperation. They really do look alike, Christian was right. Teddy is who his father would be if the start of his life were better. I remember the day Teddy wanted to work with Christian. He was filled with all these ideas, he negotiated his way right through Grey Holdings. I grab some food off the plate heater and sit beside Teddy. We talk about the things he's packed and where on the plane he'll be sitting.
"Why aren't we taking the jet? We aren't going broke are we?" He laughed at his dad and jokingly jabbed his elbow in Christians chest. He never flinched from them. His body never rejected them. He was so worried during my pregnancy but, as soon as he held Teddy for the first time. He knew there was never going to be a part of him that rejected his children.
"If I keep letting you open up businesses I will be." Christian joked back and his fifty shades were gone. The traces of our argument last night vanished.
"Mom!" Phoebe had the worst habit of yelling from every room she was in.
"Bee I'm not going to keep telling you to come downstairs if you want to talk!" We exchanged conversation like this until she finally gave up and headed down to the dining room. She talked in a panic about how she couldn't find a certain sweater and how she doesn't have the right clothes or shoes for London. Christian of course, encouraged her spoiled tendencies by agreeing to a shopping spree when she got there.
"Oh, there's something wrong with my plane ticket. It says coach." She laughs at the thought.
"It's not a mistake Bee. Grandma Grace thinks it would be a good idea for you to gain the experience.
"Coach?! All the way to London!" She picks up her cell and dials for Grace as she runs upstairs. Everybody at the table but Phoebe knew Christian was lying. Nobody would every think Christian Grey would let his children ride anything less than the best. They wont trace them to coach. Everything is also under a different alias. 'It's to keep you from paparazzi' explained Christian. Teddy knew before Christian said it that it was a lie. He was so observant, reading people like an open book.
"We'll be OK dad. Just get me home before the first football game." The anguish on Teddy's face was too close to my breaking point. How was a blessed with such a son. So understanding, protecting, selfless. He knew he wouldn't be back before the school year. He was giving up so much. I broke down and wrapped my arms around my son. I wanted so badly to comfort him but in this moment, it was quiet the opposite.
"Aww mom, we'll be OK. I wont let anything happen to us." This was a promise. There were no trace of fear or doubt. He was as sure of himself as CEO Christian.
We stood there for over a half hour. When everybody was packed and ready, Carrick and Grace pulled up to the house. We got all the luggage in and made our way to the airport. We drove up past all the entrances and was let in through a private gate. Kept in a secret room while we waited for the flight everybody made promises to write and call. Phoebe was still crying over riding coach. I couldn't help but laugh at her. The was ready to take off and we made our final tearful good byes. The ride back with Carrick and Christian was silent. It's just Christian and I again. Staying in Escala for a little while. We didn't want to risk sending attention to the house. Everything still went through Escala. As far as anybody knew, it was a public building people rented for events. No possible trace back to our ownership except through Gia but, who signed an NDA when she first started work for us. I shook the thought of out of mind. In a couple days we'll head back to the waterfront house. As for right now, I'm glad to be in this familiar place.
"Christian, Ana, are you hungry?" I turn to see Gail smiling, sipping some wine.
"Gail? What are you doing here?" My voice was filled with too much excitement. I was just happy to see a familiar face. I felt youthful again. Memories of my first night here with Christian. The love he made to me. The contract, I flinch at that and like always, Christian reaches out to grab me. His telepathy stronger than ever. He presses a button and Ed Sheeran, Give Me Love is playing through the house speaker. Christian pulls me closer and my head rest on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
'Give a little time to me...'
Christian's voice is angelic. He sweeps me across the room with perfect grace. I've learned to follow, more comfortable with my body. The music going a little faster, instruments in the background become stronger, Sheerans voice becoming a desperate plea and the atmosphere in the room changes. Christian and I stop dancing, we step back from each other, Gail disappeared at one point of the song. Our breathing matching the beat of the song. Suspense, passion building between both of us. I step toward him and he steps back, I cock my head to one side in a very Christian like manner. I step again and he steps back. The song repeats and he's looking at me with a wolfish grin. Again, I step forward and he steps back. He opens the balcony door and steps outside. Confused, I follow as the chorus plays, Christian grabs me, dancing around the Balcony. The song is still very clear out here, the Seattle breeze brings chills down my body as the song turns into a desperate, longing tone again. Christian pushes me against the railing, hiking my skirt up. His eyes are dark as he rips my panties and throws them to the side. He lays me on the glass ground and it literally looks like were about to make love in the middle of the sky. Seattle miles underneath us. Oh no Mr. Grey, I have some pint up emotions to release. I cup my leg underneath his knee and in one hard sweep turn us over. Years of practice to perfect, I make the move look so easy. I bend down and bite Christians bottom lip, he moans from both pain and pleasure as I lean up. I slowly pull my shirt over my arms, his erection strong against my groin. He reaches up to grab my bra but I slam his hands down and adjust myself, pinning his arms to his side with my legs.
"Mrs. Grey you-"
"Shhhh."
I kiss his lips chastely then move down and kiss his neck, swirling my tongue, enjoying the moans and groans coming from deep inside his throat. I kiss his adams apple and thrust my pelvis against his growing erection.
"Ana please..."
That's right Grey, beg for me. I sit up, unbuttoning his pants I pull his erection out and sit on him, not letting him inside me just yet. I grind against his manhood, letting my juices drip on him, I grind harder, faster, feeling him against my cl*t, I'm near my peak. Seeing Seattle under the glass floor and the now cold air against my exposed flesh, I undue the front of my bra and let my breast fall out, I grab my nipples and throw my head back. Christians thrusting his hips toward me, almost violently. My name is harsh and slow between deep moans. He moves his arm in attempt to get loose but slam my hands on his forearms, digging my nails in his skin. He lets out a deep moan as I dig in his skin deeper, stilling his arms, I lift myself and lead his erection inside me. I scream at the feeling of him filling my insides. I rest my palms on his chest, nails digging between chest hair as I start riding him, hard, fast. I throw my head back, tightening myself as I get ready to com-bust.
"Give it to me Ana!" It's not a command, it's a desperate plea. He's begging for it. His harsh, raspy, deep plea for my orgasm. I bite my bottom lip, trying to hold back and failing.
"Ana please!" His breathing is erratic and he's throwing his head on the ground. "F**** Ana!" In perfect unison, we let go at the same time, screaming each others name and I fall completely exhausted to his chest.
"Holy shit Anastasia!" I smile at my accomplishment and barely tilt my head to look at him.
"It only took sixteen years." We laugh and I lose the fight with my eyes as I fall into a sleep.
"Christian!" I throw myself out of bed and Christian jumps turning the night stand lamp on. I'm looking around confused, trying to gather my surroundings. He's here. He's OK. I see the worry in his eyes and I break down. Before he can ask I answer his unspoken question... "You died Christian. We got into the worst fight and I came back here. You came after me but a truck slammed into the side of your car. By the time I got there Mia already said you were gone." My silent tears turned into uncontrollable sobs. My body shaking at the memory. "Christian it was so real. It was like a dream I've never had before. It was because you talked to Elena. I don't even know why she would be in my dream." I could feel his body tense, harden around me. It must be the mention of her name. We never even spoke of her since... well, since Teddy was just a blip.