CPOV

"INCONCIVABLE," we all shout in unison before we all have another round of laughter. Kate is snuggled into Elliot's chest in the chair and Ana has just started sitting close enough for our arms to touch. Elliot was right; she does have a thing about being touched. Except this afternoon, when she held my hand, and how I wish we didn't have to stop holding hands. It's like she's having a battle with herself, like she might feel it is too soon for us to have any form of physical contact besides holding hands. But whatever makes her comfortable I will happily oblige. This is the most fun I've had with a woman in years. Every time she laughs, my heart feels like it's going to explode. Everything that comes out of her mouth is witty, sweet, or playfully sarcastic, and I love every bit of it.

"Would you like more water Ana," I ask as I grab my own glass.

"Yes please and thank you." Even in the dim lighting I can see her dimples and they are a constant reminder of her natural beauty. I head to the kitchen with Kate behind me.

"Would you like for me to refill your cup too Kate?"

"No thank you, I just wanted to talk to you really quickly." We turn the corner so we're out of earshot. "I'm sure Elliot told you how Ana has an issue with being touched."

"Yes, he mentioned something like that."

"Okay, well I wanted to thank you for taking her discomfort into consideration. I also wanted to tell you even if she doesn't show you any form of physical affection, please know she does really like you." I would be lying if I said my heart didn't flip on hearing that.

"Does she really?"

"Christian, if only you had seen her when she came home from the gala, you would know how much she likes you. When she is ready, she'll tell you about her issue, just give her time please."

"I'll give her all the time she needs Kate." And I truly mean it. I'm willing to wait for Anastasia.

As we walk back into the living room, Kate gives Ana a look, which I can't see with Kate being in front of me. I sit back down next to Ana, in the exact place I was. I smile down at Ana and she returns the smile. We continue to watch the movie and I feel a little movement on the couch. Soon Ana's head is resting on my shoulder and she brings my hand up and weaves her fingers in between mine. We both let out another contented sigh and yet we still feel the electricity running through us. As we near the end of the movie, I don't want to go back to my empty apartment. I want to stay here with Ana by my side and be surrounded by the comforting feeling of friendship, but I know it's way too soon to sleep over. The T.V. suddenly goes blank. My eyes shoot over to Elliot and he gives me the 'be quiet' sign. He lifts Kate's sleeping body up and into his arms.

"Kate asked me to spend the night earlier," he whispers in the dark. "I don't think Ana would mind if you got her in bed and you slept on the couch." I could swear he has his smirk on his face. I hear Ana lightly breathing beside me and now I know for certain she's asleep. After Elliot walks into Kate's room and shuts the door, I lift Ana up and carry her to her room. I lay her down on her bed before I take off her shoes and socks and tuck her into bed. She snuggles up to a pillow and smiles in her sleep. I gently kiss her forehead before I leave and shut her door. I turn off the lights in the living room and decide maybe she wouldn't mind if I took her to work tomorrow. I text Taylor and ask him to bring me my overnight bag. Within ten minutes, there's a quiet knock on the door.

"Thank you Taylor. Can you be back here tomorrow morning around 8:30 please? I would like to give Ana a ride to work. I don't trust her car."

"Will do boss. Have a good evening." I double lock the door and place my bag in Ana's room and check on her, but all I hear is her lightly snoring. So adorable. I'm just about to make the couch my temporary bed when I hear whimpers and what sounds like muffled crying. I get up and tiptoe back to Ana's door. She's crying. I gently knock before I open the door. Her crying gets a little louder.

"Ana, what's wrong?" I go to her bed and place my hand on hers. She's taking quick breaths trying to calm herself, like she's about to have a panic attack.

"He…he was here…He hurt me…"

"He's not here anymore baby. I won't let him hurt you anymore, I promise." She leans up and wraps her arms around my neck as she tucks her face into the side of my neck. I quickly envelop her in a hug and breath in her heavenly scent as her hot tears slide down her face and onto my neck.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm so broken Christian," she whimpers between gasps of breath.

"Oh baby you have nothing to be sorry about. We're all broken in different ways." I rub her back like I did the other day until she has calmed down. "Would you like for me to stay with you?" Wait, why am I even offering? She's uncomfortable with me touching her so…

"Please." My heart momentarily stops as I hear her quiet confirmation. She leans back a little so I can crawl into her bed. The second I'm laying down, she's back in my arms. Just as I am about to circle my arms around her, she takes my right hand and kisses the top and the palm. "Thank you so much for everything Christian."

"You're so welcome baby," I sigh before kissing her forehead and drifting off to sleep.

As the blaring alarm clock wakes me, I want everything around me to freeze. Ana wrapped around my body with her head on my chest is all I could want now. But as she begins to stir and reaches for her alarm, I close my eyes, feigning I'm still asleep so she might not be as uncomfortable with our close proximity. She shuffles out of bed and places the covers back over me. I hear a little movement, guessing that she is getting her stuff for work. All is quiet for a few minutes and I'm about to open my eyes when I feel something very light and soft on my face, between my eyebrows. It's her lips! She kisses my forehead before she whispers, "Thank you."