Grey Manor
APOV
I have changed at least a dozen times. Nothing seems appropriate for me to wear tonight. I don't want to look like a gold digger so I try and avoid the fancy designer clothes that Christian has gifted me. I also don't want to look like a peasant so I avoid my clothes. I want something in the middle, classy but not so flashy. I am talking to myself as Christian enters my closet. He sits on the floor with me and asks
"Babe, do you want me to pick something for you?"
I smile at my Adonis and shake my head no. This past year Christian has gifted me with so many things, the jewelry alone could probably feed a small country for a year. He knows that I am extremely uncomfortable with his wealth. Truth be told it intimidates me and that's why when the Lincoln's labeled me a gold digger he knew that it was the furthest thing from the truth. If it was all gone tomorrow I would still be happy to live in a tent as long as I had Christian with me. I am just plain jane Ana. I actually don't even know how I managed to land the hottest man on the face of the earth.
"Ana, what's going on in the beautiful mind of yours?" I am fidgeting with my hands and I take a deep breath. "Christian, I don't know what is going to happen tonight. I don't want you to have to choose between me and your family. I don't think I could handle the outcome. But I want you to know, I love you, I am in love with you and not because of all your wealth." I place my hand on his heart and take his hand and place it on my heart. "I love you because you are the most brilliant, kindest, loving, generous person I know. You take care of me physically but more importantly emotionally. There is never a day that I can remember when you haven't told me how beautiful I am, even though sometimes I thought maybe you needed glasses. I know how you feel about me, I know you love me. I don't need to hear the words. You show me every day by protecting my heart. This heart beats for you and only you. And whatever happens tonight I want you to know that I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond." He gently starts kissing my eyes and wiping away the tears that are falling.
CPOV
My Ana loves me. I always knew that she did but I was always too scared that I would somehow fuck it up. Every time I love someone they either disappear or I end up disappointing them. I remember the day I realized that I was in love with Ana. It was less than 24 hours after we met. She literally fell into my office. When I helped her up I felt a current throughout my whole body that could light up the Space Needle. I remember her asking me during the interview what I do to chill out. I told her various expensive hobbies like sailing and flying. Her smart mouth, which I absolutely adore, basically said you have got to be kidding me. So I threw the question back at her and asked what she did to chill out.
"How much time do you have?"
"I have as much time as you need, Ms. Steele. Show me what you do, as you say to chill out."
To say Ana was shocked when I picked up my phone and asked Andrea to cancel the rest of my meetings for the day was an understatement.
"Mr. Grey, I didn't mean for you to rearrange your schedule, I can go."
"No, it's fine I didn't have anything important today. I think it's more important for me to chill out." She tells me to meet her back downstairs in an hour and that I needed to change into something more comfortable. An hour later Ms. Steele approaches me, punctual, I like that with several bags in her hands. Taylor takes them from her and we get in the SUV. She gives Taylor the address and we drive to the beach. As she unpacks the bags she lays out a blanket. She pulls two books out of the bag a bottle of wine and two glasses. She hands me a book, a glass and tells me that reading while watching the sun set is one of her favorite pastimes. She soon fell asleep and I layed there watching her for hours. When I woke up the next morning I was wrapped around her like a vine. She was simply breathtaking. So unaffected by my wealth and status. She saw me for me. I am brought back from my thoughts of that eventful day and cup Ana's face with my hands.
"I love you too baby. I have been in love with you from the first day that I met you. You were like a breath of fresh air. You did give a shit about the fancy cars, the plane or the money. I am sorry it took me so long to tell you, but I promise from today on I will tell you that I love you at least once a day every day for the rest of my life. Please do not worry about my family. When they see how happy I am they will be happy for us."
No matter how much I try and reassure Ana the ride to Bellevue is tense. We exit the SUV and instead of dismissing Taylor until I call, I ask him to be on standby. I don't really know how tonight will go so just in case we need to make the great escape Taylor will already be here. As I walk through the house we are greeted by Gretchen, my parent's housekeeper. She informs us that everyone is on the patio waiting for us. As Ana and I enter the patio all conversation ceases. Five sets of eyes look at me, then to Ana and then to our hands that we are holding. Katherine is the first to speak. She cocks her head to one side and says,
"Ana, Christian, what's going on here?" She looks a little agitated.
Elliott pipes up and says "It looks like these two got hot and heavy last night."
Mia squeals, "OMG Christian I thought you were gay."
My mother joins in and says "At least she's wearing underwear this time. The last time I saw her she had none on." Ana grips my hand tighter and I realize that this is not going so well. Before anyone has a chance to say anything else I decide it's time for me to speak.
"Family I want to start off by apologizing. I feel like I have not been honest with you for a long time. Ana and I, well, we are in love."
"Son, surely one night of sex doesn't equal love. I mean it might have been enjoyable but really, love?"
"Dad, Ana and I did not get together last night. We have been together for a little over a year. Actually we have been together since the first day we met and have never been apart. She moved in to Escala about a month after we met."
"Ana, I thought you had something going on with Luke?" Kate says. Ana shakes her head.
"Luke is Ana's CPO, he has been since we got together. You all have one and you know being linked to me it's a necessary evil. It was just easier for everyone to think that Luke and Ana were dating." Kate gets up to leave the patio. Ana lets go of my hand to go after her.
"Bro, congrats, I am really happy for you. Ana is a great chick. She's smart, hot and damn she can cook." I laugh at how easy going Elliott is all about this. Even though we have been lying to him for a year he doesn't take it personally.
It's Mia's turn next and she looks sad, "Christian, I don't know why you hid this from me. I thought you told me everything."
I go and sit next to her and hold her hand. "I am sorry Mimi, we had our reasons. At first, we just wanted to see where it went and then with time life was simpler being out of the spotlight. I didn't want the constant following around of reporters to scare Ana off. She has never been comfortable with all the wealth."
"Are you happy Christian?" I smile the biggest smile that I can muster. "You don't have to answer that. I can see it in your eyes. I love you Christian and I just want you to be happy. And if Ana is your happily ever after then I am all for it." I hug her and thank her for supporting us. Mia has always held a special place in my heart. If she was ever upset with me it would break my heart.
I next turn to my parents. I don't know what is going on in their heads. Neither of them has said much.
Mom is next to speak. "Christian, I am very disappointed in you. I don't know why you felt the need to lie to us for the past year." I am starting to get irritated. "Mother, I already explained why we kept it quiet. I am sorry if I hurt your feelings but truthfully this doesn't really affect you. Ana is the love of my life. I have never been in love before, I have never even had a relationship before Ana."
"But darling, she isn't in the same social class as you are. How on earth will that work?"
I am shocked into silence. The angel who saved me when I was just 4 years old battered and bruised just lost her hero status. "Actually Mother we are of the same social status or are you forgetting that my mother was a crack whore." I don't even know who this woman is in front of me. All I know is that I am not liking it. My father actually looks embarrassed by her, which is something I have never seen. Even Elliott and Mia look at her ashamed as their original backgrounds although different than mine, they were definitely not from the same social standing as the Grey's. I tell Elliott we should go look for Katherine and Ana, I hope that they are not in a full on catfight. Elliott on the other hand is hoping they are.
APOV
I walk into the living room and Kate is sitting on the chair looking out to the sound. It doesn't take long before she starts on the conversation that I knew we would eventually need to have one day.
"Why Ana, why did you lie to me. I mean, I understand, Christian's life is overwhelming but why did you lie to me? I thought of you as my sister. I told you all my secrets. The good, the bad and the ugly. Why didn't you tell me? And jesus for a year? Really, that means from the day you interviewed him you have been together? I remember asking you the next day what you thought about him and you blew me off."
"Kate I wanted to tell you, I really did. The hardest part of all of this has been keeping this from you. At first we thought it was a good idea. You know we didn't want you and Elliott to be in the middle if things didn't work out between Christian and I. And then when I got the job at SIP I had no clue that GEH was the owner. I didn't want people to think that I got the job because I was sleeping with Christian. And then there was the constant interest in his life. Do you remember when we went to the Coping Together Gala. The four of us went together, as we stepped out of the limo a photographer actually knocked me down trying to get a picture. That day left me frightened. Because I had already known that I was in love with Christian but I hated everything else around him. The reporters, the social standing, the money, God the money, I cringe every time he gives me a present. I am not you, you belong in the world with the Grey's. I don't. And I never wanted anyone to know in case one day Christian realizes that he can actually do better than me." Tears start to fall and Kate gets up to give me a hug. "I love you Steele, even thought I understand I am still angry at you. Omg does this mean that you are no longer a virgin?" She squeals for details and I know Kate is back on my side.
"No catfight here bro, was kind of looking forward to it, girl on girl action." Kate and I both giggle as Christian punches Elliott in the arm.
"How are you parents." The sadness in his eyes speaks volumes. He doesn't want to stay so we decide it's best that we leave. I tell him to go get Taylor as I need to use the bathroom. I make my way out to the patio. I need to say my truth, I need to try and mend this for Christian's sake.
"Mr. and Mrs. Grey, I want to say thank you for inviting us tonight but Christian thinks it's best if we leave. I want to apologize for any heartache that our lies have caused you. That was not our intention. Christian and I just got caught up in the simplicity of it all. I wanted to say thank you for raising the most amazing man a woman can ever dream of. I want to assure you that I love him with all my heart and I will never do anything to hurt him. I think staying away from his family will hurt him, so I am extending an invitation to all of you for dinner tomorrow night at Escala. I hope that you can all make it. Have a good night."
I turn to leave and Christian is out on the patio, his head down, no doubt he has heard my peace offering to his family. I take his hand in mine as I feel pain for my man who may one day have to choose between people he loves. I don't envy him right now. "Let's go home babe." He looks at me with that smile that melts my heart.
