Chapter 10

Ana:

I come back from a meeting with an author I came to see in New York. Christian is waiting for me outside the hotel building. "Good evening, beautiful." He greets, wrapping me in his strong arms as he plants a firm kiss on my lips.

"Good evening to you too, handsome." I smile back.

"Where are we going?" I ask as Christian drives us down New York's bustling streets, stopping every few seconds because of traffic.

"You'll see." He chuckles.

"But I want to knowww~." I whine.

"Trust me?" he asks and I knew I lost. "Fine, whatever." I sass, slumping back down on my seat.

We drive up to a magnificent building that pierces through the sky. "Come, our restaurant is on the 72nd floor." He says and I allow myself to be led in, gazing at the thousand-piece chandelier in the center of the ceiling.

The elevator whisks us up and I feel my ears pop from the pressure decreasing. The tension is palpable and I swat Christian's hand away when he tried to not so secretly squeeze my ass.

"Stop, we're in public!" I mock scold and Christian gives me his wide grin, looking like a 5-year-old boy that found Disney land.

We exit onto a polished, marble floor. "You're taking me to a sushi restaurant?" I question, staring apprehensively at the sign before me with a picture of a white-rice roll.

"Yes, it's very good. Now, come." Christian says, practically moving me inside the restaurant. Who likes raw fish?

"Christian. I don't like raw meat or fish for that matter." I complain as I scan over the menu.

"They have other food here. You can just try a bit of mine. I came here mostly because of the view." He says, pointing out at New York's vast skyline. Thousands of lights twirl around in the night underneath us as my vision stretches over the horizon. We're so high up that you can barely see the cars honking and beeping in the crowded streets.

"It's beautiful." I say, pressing my nose against the window and Christian chuckles.

"Glad you like it. This is one of my favorite places in New York." He says. I order steak for me and Christian orders some weird sushi platter.

I still can't take my eyes off the view until our food comes. "You want to try some?" Christian asks, dipping his raw piece of salmon in soy sauce and holding it up to my mouth.

I stare at the innocuous looking piece of meat before me. I don't like any raw food to be honest and the unique, seaweed smell of sushi just repels me. I look back at Christian and then back at the sushi, contemplating. I sniff it once more.

"How can this possibly be good?" I ask, scrunching up my nose.

"I think you'll like it. Just try it, I am not giving you poison." Christian jokes and I nibble at it.

I let the flavor sink into my mouth. It tastes salty, almost smoked. The smooth substance gliding down my throat.

"It's surprisingly not horrible." I say as I snatch the rest of the piece from Christian's plate and swallow the funny fish.

"Told ya." Christian beams at me.

After supper (where I ate three more pieces of sushi, making Christian crazy proud), we head to Central Park for a walk, the dusky night settling around us but the park is still busy with Pedestrians.

I stare down at our interlaced hands and feel butterflies erupt in my stomach, why am I so giddy? Focus Ana. I notice Sawyer and some other security guy working to keep the paparazzi out of sight, but I could care less about what they think.

We wonder around aimlessly, greedily taking in the little bit of fresh air provided by the thick oak trees in the park, their bare branches stretching a net over us. I am snug, tucked protectively in Christian's warm jacket because he insisted he wasn't cold although the wind is still howling in the distance.

By a street lamp, there's a crowd gathered around. We head over to investigate. The warm light casts a dim glow over a couple singing Christmas songs, the small crowd slightly rocking from side to side as the joyful beat of the music continues on.

A little girl (probably around 6) with bright blonde hair in a black beanie dances in circles around the signing couple, running straight into Christian.

"I'm sorry." She says, catching herself before she trips over her own two feet.

"it's alright, sweetie." Christian assures her.

"Will you guys dance with me?" she asks, blue eyes blinking up at me. Her mom tried to pull her away but I tell her she's no bother.

At this time. The soothing voice of the woman singer comes on, traveling through the frosty, winter night.

"I really can't stay."

The man's husky and smooth voice complements hers. "But baby it's cold outside."

"I've got to go away." –"But baby it's cold outside."

The crowd claps as the little girl pulls me into the open center as I twirl her around and motion for Christian to come join me, who stands awkwardly there, not knowing how to act.

The street performers seem unbothered by Christian's reluctance as they subtly shift themselves so he's in the middle with me, their voices never stopping.

Christian loosens up and twirls me around, both of us wrapped warm in each other hands and for a second, it's just us, Ana and Christian. There's no little girl, no security, no crowd, just me and him.

There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that hold out
Ah, but it's cold outside
Oh, baby, it's cold outside
Oh, baby, it's cold outside

Christian finally dips me down at the end of the song, my scarf and jacket falling half off in our haze of dancing. The crowd erupts in light clapping and we dramatically bow.

"Thank you for the dance, Mr. Grey." I mock as we walk away.

"The pleasure was all mine, Mrs. Steele." Christian grins back and we go back to our hotel. Tomorrow we're heading back to Seattle.

Christian:

Ana wiggles on my lap and I lightly kiss her forehead. We are heading home today and I am finally forced to face my family who I somehow managed to hurt, again.

I know they all love Ana and she's practically their own daughter so she is completely relaxed and at ease. We're going to break the news to them, well, by that, I mean Ana is. I remember asking her opinion on the subject and how she simply rolled her eyes and said she'll do it.

We drive up to my parent's house. The stone-brick mansion stands the same against Seattle's gloomy skyline.

Ana knocks on the door before lulling my ass in. Mia squeals when she sees me. "Ana! You brought him home!" she jumps, already pulling me into a tight hug. Elliot comes strolling in with his arm slung around Kate. How is she still here? Ana goes to hug Kate as Elliot slaps me on the shoulder.

"Welcome back, stranger." He jokes and I cringe, feeling the guilt stabbing me. How can I continue to fuck up?

My mom walks in with Carrick, who I can tell is displeased with me by how his green eyes dart away, he gives me the routine, stiff hug he has been doing for the past few years.

"Long time no see." He mutters and I can sense the obvious distaste in his voice. He has every right to be mad, I keep on hurting everyone, especially Grace.

"Dad. I'm sorry." I apologize for everything I've done, from dropping out to abandoning them. Carrick seems momentarily shocked by my confession. I am certainly not known for my apologies. I go and embrace him in a side man hug but he surprises me when he pulls me in, slapping me on the back like Elliot would and I know I am forgiven.

"Where's Piper?" I ask, craning my neck around to see if I can spot the red ball of hair. Grace sighs. "She's…um…quite upset." She explains.

"Why is she upset?" I question. Piper was always giggling, very few things could ever keep her down. Grace shoots me a look and I want to punch myself for my stupidity and selfishness. Right, she's mad at you. Did you have to distance even her?

"You should go check on her." Ana nudges me. I take the steps two at a time to the top floor where her bedroom lies.

"Piper?" I shout through the door. No answer.

"sweet pea?" even her childhood nickname is not working any more.

"Piper. Can you open the door? Can I see you?" I ask, knocking rather loudly.

"Piper. I know you're in there." I call again.

"Go away!" she finally shouts and I can tell she's been crying. God, do you have to be such an ass, Grey?

Ana quietly approaches me from behind, rubbing my shoulders. "She'll come around. She just needs some time." Ana kisses me on the cheek.

"How did you come around? How can you continue to forgive me?" I ask, staring down at Ana's fingers holding my hands.

"You know I am pretty pissed at you but it won't do any of us any good if we all held grudges. I'll just let you make it up to me in another way." Ana winks, purposefully biting that full bottom lip. Fuck, she knows exactly what she's doing.

But we don't have time for this as Piper is still really upset and we're in my parent's house. Ana moves to the door. "Piper, sweet pea. It's me, Ana, can you open your door? Pretty please?" Ana asks but Piper doesn't make a move.

Ana sighs as she grabs the key on top of the wooden door frame. "You stay here." She tells me as she slips in the lock and cracks the door open. Piper is slumped by the window, her long, red hair drapes all the way down to her butt. It's gotten even longer since last time. She's hugging the teddy bear I gave her from last Christmas as she stares out at the dark night.

"Sweet pea, you have a visitor." Ana tells her and Piper chucks her teddy bear in my direction. "I don't want to see him." She says, crossing her arms.

"Piper, can we talk about this? I know what I did was wrong, ok? I just want to say I'm sorry and give you a hug, ok?" I plead, already trying to move further into the room but Ana stops me.

Piper all the sudden stands up, hazel eyes burning bright against the full moon gleaming outside her window. She's already 13, I can't believe how fast she's growing up. is she another head taller?

Piper dashes angry tears out of her eyes with the back of her hands and I really want to hug her, to comfort her. "Fuck You! Fuck, Fuck, Fuck You!" she all of the sudden screams and it takes my brain a few seconds to register what she said.

I was just about to correct her language but she doesn't wait for me to go on. "You think that now you are an almighty, powerful CEO that you can just abandon everyone who has ever shown you kindness, right? To leave mom, dad, Mia, Elliot, Ana all behind and just never see us, only stopping by on holidays. What did we ever do to you? What did I ever do to you to make you think it's ok to treat me like this?" she yells and for a second I think she might even punch me she's so angry.

"Do you know how many times Mom asked you to come to dinner? Do you know how much we worry about you? But what do you do? You just simply up and leave? How could you?" she screams and Grace comes running up.

"Piper Grey!" Grace snaps. "Stop this nonsense this second!"

"Mom. It's ok. She said nothing wrong." I assure my mother and as soon as the words leave my mouth, Piper bursts out in tears. "Why do you hate us so much?" she asks, wiping furiously at her now tear stained face as she buries her face in her hands and sobs as her shoulders shake.

"Shhh…sweet pea." I say, scooping her up and sitting her on my lap, although she's getting a little too old for this. I spent a good half hour helping her calm down while Ana led Grace away to help make dinner in order to give us some privacy.

"Do you hate us?" Piper finally asks and my pathetic heart constricts.

"No. I don't. I hate myself." I tell her, grabbing a comb and helping her with the knots in her hair. I know she likes people playing with her hair.

She sits in front of me while I work the brush through her long locks. "Why?" she asks and I sigh.

"Sweet pea, some really bad things happened to me when I was little and a teenager. I continue to choose to believe the wrong people. I'm sorry I let you down." I say, smoothing out her hair.

"What happened to you?" she asks, laying back down on her bed and looking up at me with her big hazel eyes. She's definitely going to break hearts.

I sigh for the umpteenth time. "Sweet pea. You're too young to know just yet, but I promise I'll tell you when you're old enough." I confirm her as she gives me a little pout.

"Ok." she decides and looks down. "and…I'm sorry…for saying mean things to you…" she gets out and I allow a smile to tug at my lips.

"all is forgiven, sweet pea, and thank you for forgiving me too." I say, leaning over and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I'm just curious…how did you learn that word?" I ask, raising my eyebrow.

"Fuck?" she questions and I nod. Which bastard is teaching my 13-year-old sister swear words?!

"Well, I heard Elliot say it a few times…" she trails off and I roll my eyes. Of course.

"Don't say it anymore, ok?" I ask and she nods.

All of the sudden, I jump up, immediately changing the atmosphere. "RACE YOU DOWNSTAIRS!" I shout, already taking a head start to the stair well.

"Hey! Not Fair!" Piper also springs into action as we practically tumble over each other, both panting as we reach the kitchen with Ana helping Grace roll dough for apple pie.

"Somebody made up." Ana smiles warmly at me as I go over and circle her in my arms, kissing her right on the mouth, completely forgetting about the presence of my mom and Piper.

When I pull away, Grace and Piper are gawking at us. Fuck, we wanted to break the news to them during dinner; I just got carried away.

"You guys…um…" Piper starts and I watch Grace shocked expression morphs into a huge smile.

"Um…we wanted to tell you guys during dinner, but I guess you already gathered what happened…" I stutter.

"Oh, baby…I'm so happy for you." Grace says, pulling both me and Ana into a tight hug and whispers something in Ana's ear which makes her giggle.

Piper is standing there with my signature smirk. "Well, who would have thought?" she laughs as she goes to hug Ana who happily embraces her.