"Shit Ana I'm sorry you weren't meant to hear that." I sound so pathetic.
"That is obvious," she says as the song ends. "Enjoy your evening Mr. Grey." Shit, I'm back to Mr. Grey.
"Why do you hate me so much?" God, I sound beyond pitiful.
"I don't hate you, what I know about you doesn't appeal to me." She walks away and then Carl's words ring in my ears.
"I've changed…. I'm not that man anymore, you saw to that." Shit, I sound bitter.
"And clearly you are not happy about it." She sneers.
"No I am happy about it, I needed to change." To stand a chance with her I needed to.
"You could have fooled me." She steps around me, and I move to block her again. "Get in my way again and you'd be unrecognizable." This time, I let her leave.
"Henry," Mrs. Sterling shouts opening her arms to hug my boy. 'My my how you've grown."
"Uh huh I'm a big boy now," Henry says proudly.
"Grandpa," Henry shouts as Mr. Sterling is coming down the stairs. Henry spends the afternoon talking their ears off; most of his stories revolve around the family and Ana. I haven't seen her since the Coping Together gala. I don't know what to do when it comes to her; I always got what I wanted, except when it comes to Ana.
"Christian, are you alright, you seem so far away."
"Sorry Mrs. Sterling…"
"Victoria, how many do I have to tell you." She scolds.
"Victoria, there is someone I'm interested…"
"Ana," she says with a smile.
"You know."
"She told us… son, we all heard a lot of things about you that didn't sit well with us, and I believe, no not believe, know, I know there's a hell of a lot more to all this than you are telling us. Whatever it is Ana knows." I nod not knowing what else to say, after all she's right.
I walk outside and call Ana, whether she picks up is an entirely different matter.
"Hello." I take a deep breath and start. "Ana, my mother was a drugged up prostitute…"
"I'm not going to pretend to understand what that is like but my god Christian how could you not see that what she did was wrong." I don't know how to answer that. "She was the reason I hid all evidence of Henry. Claire suspected Elena of being a pedophile, and as long as you were friends with her, she didn't want Henry around you."
"I can understand that. My mother asked me the same thing regarding Elena, Ana
I don't have an answer… not a satisfactory one anyway." I lament.
"You do understand she didn't help you, helping you would be you sleeping through the night without waking up screaming, helping would have you in control of your issues with touch, helping you would have being not telling you to kick women to the curb because they have developed feelings for you." She sighs. " What do you want from me, Christian?"
"You, anyway I can, I'll take whatever you will give me."
"And what if all I want to give you is my friendship." Fuck.
"I will take that too."
MONTHS LATER
Despite our talk of being friends I've rarely seen Ana, she spends most of her time in London as she has always done. Therefore, I can't really complain or make a fuss about it. It's her life; she was living it long before I came along. We talked often and met a few times over the summer while I was in London.
Looking at the pictures of her out at a film premiere in London, I feel angry, not at her but the crack whore of a mother, at Elena and myself for living a fucked up life for so long… despite my change, despite my confession I do not appeal to Ana as that man in the pictures does.
She hasn't dated since her college boyfriend died and yet there she is dating, and that thought hurts me more than words can convey. What kind of man is he, that she would date him after so long of not dating. "Christian, Christian."
"Sorry Mia," I mumble pushing my food around on the plate. "Sorry… excuse me." I practically run from the table before my mother starts with the Spanish Inquisition.
I pace my childhood bedroom in two minds, do I go to London knowing I have a perfect excuse since Henry is still with his grandparents or do I leave it alone. I have a friendship with Ana one that took years to establish… am I willing to risk that? Fuck yes, I am. "Taylor, call Stephan to get the jet ready, we are leaving for London."
My phone beeps on the drive to the airport, and I'm tempted to ignore it thinking it's my mother.
'Back in Seattle we should catch up.'
"Oh come on." I moan out loud before descending into a fit of laughter. "Taylor turn the car around and tell Stephan to… you know what I'll do it myself."
'We should, good to have you back.'
Three days after the text and my patience has worn thin, so much so I get Barney to find me Ana's location. I rope Elliot into drinks at the Mile High club. "Bro why don't you just ask the little lady out." He chuckles.
"She knows how I feel and friendship was all she was prepared to offer," I admit.
"And you hijacking her dinner date is going to change her mind how." He looks worried.
"Don't worry Elliot I'm not going to wait for her date in the toilet and beat him to a pulp." Though I'm sorely tempted.
"If your mind is set on this then we do it my way, let's be honest you are hopeless in the dating and romance department." As much as I hate to admit it he's right, so I follow his lead. We sit at the bar drinking when Ana arrives with her date. In fact, I'm so preoccupied laughing at Elliot's jokes I didn't realize they'd arrived until I hear my name being called.
"Ana," I respond with genuine surprise. Surprised her date appears to be rather average looking and about the same height as her in heels. What has this guy got that I haven't. He's completely unassuming and a safe choice… it hits me like a sledgehammer safe and unassuming. It's a bitter pill to swallow. "You remember my brother Elliot," I say shaking off the feeling of melancholy threatening to swallow me whole.
"Ana nice to see you."
"You too Elliot." She smiles at us, and her date looks annoyed by us. Oh, your troubles haven't started yet.
"Mr. Grey your table is ready." The waiter says showing us the way. Ana's date, on the other hand, is having problems proving he booked a table, as his email confirmation is nowhere to found on his phone being the gentleman that I am I step in.
"I'm sure we have something available," I interject.
"I'm afraid you and your brother have our last available table, sir." The maître d' says apologetically.
"We have a booth why don't you join us." Elliot offers helpfully.
"Excellent idea," I add.
Ana's date looks far from happy; I can just see him wishing Elliot and I will just disappear. "Ana, are you heading back to London soon?" Elliot asks.
"Hopefully the next time I go will be for a break from work not to work. Luckily I've found someone very capable of taking care of my European interests. I can put my feet up and relax a little." She says with a radiating smile. "How is Henry, I miss the little guy."
"He's in London," I answer with a smile.
"Oh, I wish I knew I would have visited before I left. I have been too busy to keep in touch I'm afraid." She pouts much to my and Elliot's amusement. "I'm looking forward to catching up with Kate and Mia. I miss them."
"They will be happy, especially Kate. I can finally stop hearing about how Steele never keeps in touch." Elliot groans. The rest of the evening carries on in the same vein.
Elliot somehow manages to hold Ana's date back, and I find myself alone in the elevator with her. "The tactfulness of your plan leads me to believe it was Elliot's not yours." My jaw is a dead giveaway lying on the floor.
"I don't know what you mean." My voice rises to a pitch I didn't know I had. She raises her eyebrow at me. "Yeah it was Elliot's, I would never have thought of it." I concede.
"I know because your part of the plan was what gave you away." I must look perplexed because she giggles. "You had Barney find where I was going to be. The only reason he succeeded was because I let him." She looks smug as fuck.
"You are not mad?" my voice is barely above a whisper.
"No, but I do feel bad for using poor Conrad. I initially said no to him and then found out about Barney's attempt to hack my planner while I was the phone with him and said yes just to see what you'd do next."
"And here I thought he was…"
"I know what you were thinking, but he's not my type I like my men tall and built like a bull in a china shop and he doesn't have an assertive bone in his body, I need a firm hand on occasion." I can't help my smile. "I need someone a lot like Elliot," she adds and I growl.
"Wait a second, she knew the entire night," Elliot asks his jaw in the same position as mine when Ana confronted me in the elevator.
"Yep," I answer with a grin.
"And yet it worked… I'm good." He gloats. "You are useless, the one part with you involved almost ended the night before it began."
"She came because of my part; your part wouldn't haven't started without mine," I argue.
"Why the fuck aren't running your fingers through your hair."
"Because she invited me round for dinner Friday night." My Cheshire cat grin can be seen from space.
"You are one lucky bastard. This whole night should have been a spectacular failure, and somehow you come across as endearing and rather human." I realize he's right I came across as desperately human and somehow that might just have got me the girl.
I wished Thursday and most of Friday away and now in front of Ana's door I am a nervous wreck. Nerves I didn't know I possessed. I ring the bell and the door immediately opens. "In the kitchen Ana shouts." So who opened the door? The door automatically shuts behind me. I look around her warm and inviting apartment. The walls are lined with family portraits… and one of Henry and me. There is a picture of me in her apartment… "I see you found your picture." I turn to see her in yoga pants and a tank top, her hair in a messy bun.
"I brought you…" I stick my hands out giving her the flowers and bottle of wine.
"Thank you," she says with a giggle. "Come through." I sit on a stool by the island while she puts the flowers in a vase. "Would you like a drink?" I nod as my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth. "Okay," she says moving to stand between my legs. "Do I make you nervous?" She asks with a devilish grin?
"I just don't know how to act around you," I answer honestly.
"Be yourself," she says.
"You don't like…" she stops me with a finger to my lips.
"I didn't like the guy I met at my graduation. I didn't like the guy that wouldn't give Claire five minutes… but I also know you are not that guy and have changed. I know you tried to tell me that at the Coping Together gala but you sounded almost bitter about it." I nod knowing she's right. "But in the last few months quite a few people have fought your corner. Everyone needs a chance, and I realize I haven't given you one despite offering my friendship I haven't been around to have a friendship with you." She takes a deep breath. "I would love to know you, and it's hard to do when you seem to be a nervous wreck around me. I don't bite, well unless you ask me to." She purrs before slamming her lips onto mine. Despite the feeling of complete and utter shock, I respond with fervor.
Oh god, it's everything I imagined it to be soft, sensual and damn right breathtaking. I stop to catch my breath. "Now will you please relax and loosen up." She pleads.
"Yeah, I can do that." I breathe.
I feel like a teenager, like a hormonal pubescent teenager who has just got his first girlfriend. As a teenager, I never experienced the joy of first, second and third base. We've yet to have sex, and I find I'm not in any hurry to get there, I'm enjoying the pace of our relationship. Despite our talk I'm still unsure of myself around Ana, she understands it will take time and is very patient with me.
Our first dinner with my family was an entertaining affair when Henry announced to my family that Ana and I have been kissy, kissy. That took us by surprise, as I was fairly sure he had no idea about Ana and I. How exactly do you explain the nature of our relationship to a child. My mother was on cloud nine with the news; I later discovered she was one of the people arguing my case with Ana. I soon learned I wasn't as alone as I thought. Kate, Elliot, Mia, my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, hell Roz had all at some point begged Ana to give a chance. I am determined never to give any of them a reason to regret pleading my case.
"Christian…"
Sorry… reminiscing."
"What about?" She purrs straddling my thighs.
"Us… over the last few weeks." I groan as she runs her tongue along my neck.
"Mmm…" She moans grinding hard on my cock.
"Ana." I grip her hips as I'm embarrassingly close to cuming. "Aa… Ana… please." I moan. "Ana oh… shit, fuck, fuck… fuck." I wail cuming all over my thighs. She giggles in my ear. "Fuck… you enjoy torturing me too much." I growl flipping her on her back. "My turn." I snarl with a wicked smirk, kissing my way down her body. God she loves torturing me, she has on my t-shirt and nothing else. I suck on her clit viciously; she lets out a loud moan trying to close her legs.
"Oh god… help me," she laments when I insert two fingers and slowly tease her spot. "Oh yes…yes…yes… fuck." She hisses detonating all over my face. That's more like it.
I kiss my way back up her body; she pulls me down sticking her tongue into my mouth, her kiss is ardent, hard and full of desire. I pull my pajama bottoms down and rub my erection against her. "Make love to me." My heart damn near beats out of my chest upon hearing those words.
"Ana…" I moan.
"Take me." She breathes.
EPILOGUE
I bury my face in her neck and slowly push myself in.
"Fuck… that's tight." I groan. I pull out and push back in; her legs go around my waist as I pick up the pace. I ram harder and harder pushing her up the bed. I grip her shoulder giving me more leverage. "Oh god… fuck me. Don't stop, please don't stop." She chants as I drive my erection deeper and deeper into her.
"You feel incredible." I roar. I hold on to the headboard, anchor my knees on the bed and grind hard into her, my pelvic bone massaging her clit.
"Oh fucking…I'm cuming… I'm cu…" I ram home harder and harder as she cums, drawing out her orgasm as her body quivers with pleasure. "Oh god… oh god."
"God can't help you right now." I chuckle with a wicked gleam. "He approves of this wholeheartedly." She shivers as I rock my hips into her.
"Henry, get out of that bed. You better not be in bed when I come back." I hear Ana shout. The first day of school is always a tug of war with sleep. Last year I did it this year it's Ana's turn and unfortunately for her this year she has to contend with three kids last year the twins weren't old enough for preschool.
"What's with kids and going to school, if I said we were going to a theme park or Uncle Elliot's they'd be out of that bed in a flash." She moans rubbing her back.
"Back playing up again." I step out of the shower and get behind her; she leans on me with a contented sigh.
"Despite all the work involved I can't wait for the twins to get here," she grumbles.
"Who would have thought, another set of twins?" I murmur.
She turns around to face me. "You smell so good." Her fingers start inching their way to my cock.
"Ana," I warn.
"I'm horny." She moans fingers still making attempts to grab my cock.
"Okay baby, hands on the shower glass," I growl.
Ana made me promise to come home for lunch; I know full well there will be no food involved just her with her legs in the air as my cock slams into that pussy over and over again. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining I love my life more than words could describe.
It took two years to get Ana to agree to marry me. Within that time, she got pregnant with Teddy and Phoebe and still said no to marriage. At first I took it personally but after a long talk with her in Flynn's office, I finally understood her not wanting to get married was her issue, not mine. Turns out despite her parents near perfect marriage Ana didn't believe in the institution of marriage. I believe she finally agreed just to shut me up, and what would you know she loves being married, something I gloat about on occasion.
We have another set of twins on the way; we chose not to know the sex we believe it would be a nice surprise to find out when they enter the world. Ana is sure they are boys due to her size. I'm inclined to agree, her belly was smaller at this stage when she was pregnant with Teddy and Phoebe.
The rest of my day is pretty light, so I move my last appointment to tomorrow and head home to indulge Ana in an afternoon of sex. Did I say how great my life was?
AN: Sorry for the long wait, I had a bad case of writer's block. Hope you like the end. CJ.