Ana POV
I don't know why I am so nervous today for my first injection into my expanders. I asked Melissa to come with me today, and I'm grateful that she will be by my side. Christian asked if he could attend my appointment and as much as I want him there, I told him no because I don't want him to see me like. I wasn't sure if I hurt his feelings, but he said that he understood.
Being back at work has been the best way to get on with my life, and get back to my normal routine. Grace insisted that I take as much time as I needed before coming back to work, but after two weeks, I was itching to get back into the office. I have so many people counting on me.
At four, I shut down my computer and let Sawyer know that I'm ready to head to my plastic surgeon's office.
When we pull up to Dr. Appleton's office, I see Melissa waiting for me at the front door. Instantly I feel better.
"How are you feeling?" She asks.
"I'm ready to start this process."
"You know it's okay to be nervous."
That's why I asked Melissa to be with me. She knows exactly how I feel.
We arrive and when I open the door I find Christian and Taylor in the waiting room.
"What are you doing here," I ask as Taylor gets up and walks out of the office.
"I know you didn't want me to come to your appointment, but I still wanted to be here for you. So I'm going to wait out here while you're in there."
"You have one amazing fiancé," Melissa says with a smile.
"I sure do."
After waiting about 10 minutes, I'm called back and I give Christian a hug and quick kiss.
I'm lying down on the exam table in my favorite paper gown waiting for Dr. Appleton.
Dr. Appleton has been so great to work with. When Christian and I met with him for the first time, he made me feel very comfortable right away. I didn't get a chance to meet him before my surgery when he inserted my expanders, so I'm very happy that he has such a great bedside manner.
When it came to what size I wanted to go, I wasn't really sure what I wanted. Before the surgery I was a small B and I knew that I wanted to go a little bigger, but I wasn't sure just how much bigger I wanted to go. I asked Christian what size I should get but he said that I should pick the right size for me.
After trying out a few sample implants into my beautiful hospital bra, I decide to go with a full C. When I looked in the mirror at my new shape, I feel like more a woman, and not the little girl I always saw.
I will never get over Christian's face when I showed him, his eyes bugged out of his head.
After we left the doctor's office, I turned to Christian and stopped.
"I thought you told me that you were an ass man," I ask and laugh.
"I was, but I can always change my mind."
"Good afternoon Ana," Dr. Appleton says walking in.
He makes the usual small talk before he opens my gown to look at my chest.
"Everything looks really good," he says touching my scars. "You ready to get started?"
He pulls out a big syringe with a long needle, and Melissa comes over and holds my hand.
There is only a slight twinge of pain where he inserts the needle into the valve under my skin, but it's not bad. The sensation is a little funny. It's kind of like blowing up a balloon; only in this case the balloon is my breast.
After 10 minutes I've survived my first injection. Dr. Appleton says I may be sore, and tells not to sleep on my stomach. I'm glad that I sleep on my back.
I look in the mirror after Dr. Appleton leaves and I can't believe what I difference one session makes. I can't believe how great I feel. Sadly, I know that after my next session my breasts will be bigger than what my original boobs looked like. After I put my shirt back on, I could really notice a difference.
"I told you," Melissa says looking at my reflection in the mirror.
"Thank you for coming with me."
"Anything for you."
We walk out into the waiting room and I can tell that Christian has been anxiously awaiting my return.
"How did it go?"
"Piece of cake," I say and kiss his lips.
"You look beautiful, but you looked beautiful before today."
That man always knows what to say to make me feel like a million bucks. I can't believe that we've made it to this point.
Today is the big day when I get my new breasts. Christian and I arrived early this morning so I could get all checked in.
Dr. Appleton comes into my room to go over the surgery and verifies my desired size. He tells me that the surgery will take about two hours.
When we are left alone, I can tell that Christian is nervous.
"I will be okay Christian, now please relax you're making me nervous."
"I'm sorry baby; you know how I feel about you and hospitals."
"Do you want me to ask the nurse to give you a Xanax?"
"Very funny Anastasia," he says and kisses me on the forehead before I'm wheeled into the operating room.
"I love you Christian Grey."
"Okay Ana, now start counting backward from ten," Dr. Appleton says and I can feel my eyelids begin feeling very heavy. I make it down to seven before I'm out."
Christian POV
Mom and Mia have now joined me in the waiting room. I know Ana said that they didn't have to come, but knowing my mom and sister there was no way they could stay home. Ana didn't even bother calling Carla to tell her of her surgery after I told her that I had invited her to Ana's surprise party, and she said that it wasn't a good time for her to fly up to Seattle.
The nerve of that woman. I can't believe she's a mother. I think I'm more upset about the situation than Ana is, but that doesn't mean I couldn't give her a piece of my mind.
Ana and I finally decided on a wedding date. We are getting married on June 17, the day we met. I tried with all my power to convince her marry me tomorrow, but she thought it was appropriate to wed on our anniversary. So I will just have to wait rather impatiently for the next seven months. The one thing that Ana did agree to rather reluctantly was that I was going to fit the bill for everything no questions asked. Ana said she would agree only if we could hold our wedding and reception at my parents' house.
I knew exactly what she was doing. The Coping Together Gala is going to be held the day before at my parents' house, so everything would have been rented for the weekend.
She's a tricky one; that Anastasia Steele. My mother was thrilled when we told them of our plans and asked if they would be willing to host. Of course, we already knew the answer.
I think out of everyone involved, Mia is the most excited in planning this event. She is really going overboard, and Ana has been gracious enough to let her plan our wedding. Ana even asked Mia to be her Maid of Honor.
"Christian, hello, I'm talking to you," Mia says pulling me away from my cell phone.
"What is it Mia?"
"I need your input on cakes," she asks shoving a couple of drawings in my face.
"Whatever you think is best Mia. All that matters to me is that there is a layer of chocolate cake," I say and go back to my e-mail.
"Oh Christian, that's not helpful."
"Tough."
"You're impossible," she says in a huff.
An hour later, Dr. Appleton comes in and gives us the good news that Ana is out of surgery. Everything went perfect just like he predicted, and she is going to be very happy with the outcome.
Finally, I'm showed to recovery, and I see my girl lying there.
"Hey there," she says when I take her hand and kiss her forehead.
"How are you feeling?"
"Sore, very sore," she says. "How do they look?"
"Great," I lie, because she's wrapped up in a cocoon and I don't want to look in fear I would hurt her.
"Oh good," she says and I know she wants to go back to sleep.
"I've got great news; Melissa is going to check on you tonight, and the next few days at our house."
"Really?"
"I would do anything for you."
I sit by her side for the next few hours just waiting for her to be discharged.
Ana POV
I don't think I've ever been in this much pain before in my life. I would take the double mastectomy over this any day. That was a cake walk compared to this. Thank God for pain pills. That's the only thing besides the two large bags of frozen peas on my chest that's helping.
I've tried to sleep most of the day, but I've been so uncomfortable. I can't seem to get into a relaxing position.
Melissa arrives just as Christian and I have finished dinner. I really wasn't hungry for anything besides Gail's homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese.
"How is my favorite patient doing today?" Melissa says trying to laugh.
"Why didn't you tell me that this was going to hurt this bad?"
"Now wait a minute, I told you it hurt. It's different for everybody. You must not have as high of a pain tolerance as I do."
"Very funny," I say adjusting the peas.
Melissa carefully checks each of my drains and takes my vitals.
"You look good."
"Well, that's good because I feel like shit."
"So how do your new boobies feel?"
"Like two hard rocks."
"They will only feel like that for a few weeks until the swelling and bruising go away. I bet Christian can't wait until he can help loosen them up with a massage. That was my husband's favorite part.
I blush a little at her comment, but I'm looking forward to that too.
"For the life of me, I don't understand why any woman would want this surgery if they didn't have cancer. This is not fun."
"You won't be saying that once you are completely healed."
"How long for you?" I ask candidly.
"After my surgery, I had a hard time feeling anything in my new constructed breasts. I dealt with the emotional pain that these weren't my natural breasts, and with some therapy I was able to see them as a part of me and then I could really enjoy them with my husband."
I love that Melissa isn't shy about talking about this because I wanted to know the same thing. I was just a little afraid to ask.
"Did he mind that you didn't have nipples anymore?"
"At first when I looked in the mirror I felt different, but then I bought those adhesive ones after seeing an episode of Sex and the City when Samantha bought herself a pair. To be honest, I never liked them, and I don't think Michael cared either so I don't use them, but who knows what you want to do."
I can't wait until I get to see what Dr. Appleton has created.
"Christian, I'm not ready for you to see me like this yet. I want to be perfect," I say when we get to Dr. Appleton's office.
Today I'm three weeks post-op, and hopefully I will be able to see some real progress. I'm still really swollen and bruised and I look like I'm smuggling watermelons in my bra, but I'm not ready for Christian to look.
"You are perfect, why don't you believe me?"
"Please, do this for me. When I feel ready for you to see I will show you okay?"
"Fine," he says pouting as we wait for Dr. Appleton.
I'm turned away from Christian as the good doctor examines me.
"And you can tell here that your scars are starting to fade very nicely. Now remember they will always be visible, but not that noticeable as your body has taken nicely to the implants.
"Yeah, I wish I got to see," Christian says again pouting, and I flush as I look at Dr. Appleton's face.
I don't even dignify his statement with a response. I am mortified.
"Well Ana, like we discussed previously, we are at the stage that manual stimulation of your breasts will help with the healing process. Sometimes it helps when it's done by someone else."
I know exactly what he's doing, and I'm not going to give Christian the satisfaction.
"That's why I have Melissa," I say whipping my head back and smiling at him.
"I would pay to see that," Christian said.
Damn it, I should have expected that response.
"Well, that's it for now. Remember, I want you to refrain from any physical activity for another two weeks until I give you the go ahead," he says this time looking directly at Christian.
Checkmate!
I have a big surprise in store for Mr. Grey tonight, and he doesn't even have a clue. I decided to change my doctor's appointment from Monday to today. I thought this would be a great way to start our weekend.
After receiving the go ahead from Dr. Appleton, I make my way downtown for my appointment with Caroline Acton at Neiman Marcus. She has supplied me with an entirely new wardrobe since none of my clothes accommodate my new look. She even selected a few pieces that I would love to wear this weekend however, for what I have planned for Christian I may not need them.
I texted Mia to meet me, but I didn't tell her what for. I knew if I told her she probably wouldn't come because what I need her help with is really for her brother.
"Wow Ana, you look amazing," Mia says when she sees me in my low cut t-shirt. I've never been able to pull off this kind of look with my old boobs, but now I can courtesy of my new cleavage.
"Is is too much," I ask and blush.
"Not at all."
We walk through the mall until I stop in front of the destined location.
"Oh no, I'm not picking out slutty lingerie for you to wear for my brother."
And that's why I didn't tell her.
"Then don't think of it that way."
"It's hard not to."
"Mia, please. I have no idea what I should buy, and I've seen your closet."
"Are you calling me a slut?"
"Of course not, you have great taste."
"Flattery will get you everything," she says and bee lines it to the back of the store to exactly what I'm looking for.
"So what kind of look are you going for? Naughty school girl or complete whore."
"How about somewhere in the middle?"
"Well all right then."
Mia sends me back to the dressing room and I just wait as she brings several arm loads of choices.
"Will my brother be funding this trip?"
I open my purse and pull out Christian's Black AMEX card.
"There may be something in it for you if you play your cards right," I say and Mia beams from ear to ear.
"Let's start with these and then ease our way to those."
The first outfit I try on is a pink baby doll dress that is nearly see through with a matching thong.
Mia is insistent that she sees everything to best rule on a yeah or nay.
"Are you coming out?"
"No way," I say looking at myself in the mirror."
"Too bad, I'm coming in," she says and busts through the door.
"You look sexy Steele," she says looking me up to down like I'm a piece of meat. "Now try this."
She throws me two scraps of black lace. This can't be considered lingerie.
I can't believe I'm actually putting this on.
Mia manages to get in again, damn these fabric curtains. Why aren't there locks on the dressing rooms?
"This is it. You have to wear this tonight when Christian gets home," Mia says. "Shit if I didn't love boys so much, hell I could turn for you."
"Mia," I scold.
"What you're hot."
"It's not too much."
"Umm…no."
A $1,000 later, I think I have enough lingerie to last me until the end of the world.
"I need a boyfriend," she says as Sawyer meets us at the front of the store. I could tell he was a little embarrassed when we went into the store knowing exactly what I was purchasing.
As we take Mia to her car she pulls me aside.
"Is Luke single," she asks, and I can't believe she's asking me that.
"I'm not sure, I've never asked him. Why would you need to know that Mia?"
"You know exactly why Steele."
"Would you like me to ask him?"
"Please, it's the least you can do after I had to watch you try on everything with your killer new rack."
I make a final few phone calls to ensure this weekend is perfect. Then I wonder how I'm going to talk to Sawyer about this.
"Luke can I ask you a question," I ask.
"Go ahead Miss Steele," he says looking back at me in the rearview mirror.
"I've told you to call me Ana, but never mind that. I was wondering if you had a girlfriend."
Sawyer stops at the stoplight and turns around.
"Excuse me?" Oh no, I think he has the wrong idea.
"I have a friend who wants to know." Yeah that sounds so much better.
"A friend?"
Sorry Mia, I'm going to have to give you up. I can't have Sawyer thinking I have a crush on him, that won't go over well.
"It's Mia Grey."
"As is Mr. Grey's sister?"
"That would be the one."
"No I don't have a girlfriend."
That's what I thought.
I pull out my cell phone and text Mia with the good news.
Ana: No girlfriend!
Mia: Really?
Ana: Yes, I just asked him.
Mia: Did he ask why?
What do I say now?
Ana: Yes
Mia: And?
Ana: I told him that I wanted him.
Mia: You told him it was me didn't you?
Ana: Don't hate me.
"Luke, would you ever consider going on date with Mia? She's very pretty."
"She's more than pretty Ana. I'm a man, I'm not blind, but there is no way that Mr. Grey would ever allow that."
"Leave Mr. Grey to me. Look you're off this weekend and Christian will be otherwise occupied. So why don't you take Mia out tomorrow night and just see what happens."
"I don't know about this."
"Please Luke, do this for me. You will have a great time, I promise."
"Do I need to call her?"
"No let me set everything up."
Ana: Dinner tomorrow night, 7pm at Mile High Club. I will arrange everything.
Mia: You are the best!
When we arrive back at Escala, I tell Luke the plan and he actually looks excited.
Gail helps me prepare dinner before Christian gets home.
After she's gone, I get the house ready for Christian's arrival and go into the security room and turn off all the cameras. There is no way, I want any eyes on what is about to happen except for Christian and mine.
I go into the bathroom and do my hair and make-up just right, and then get dressed.
I turn down all the lights in the house to illuminate the whole house with candles, and take my place by the front door.
Taylor texts me once Christian is heading up in the elevator all alone.
I take one last deep breath just as the elevator dings and the doors open.
"Welcome home sir."
