AN: I want to thank you all for following this story. Thank you for your reviews for the previous chapter. Firstly, I am sorry for the delay of this chapter, I am working on a challenge story and it's kicking my ass. Secondly, I am going back and forth with this chapter being the end. I like where this one ended, I believe it came full circle. I didn't want to introduce all the other characters, I only wanted the journey of Ana and Christian. On the other hand, I have fallen in love with these characters, and don't want to see them go. I truly meant for this to be a Christmas story. It was suppose to have been completed before the New Year. I have to really think about it. If I do decide to add more, it will be after the challenge. I need to focus on that. Lastly, I know I made a mistake with Christian's injury in the previous chapter. It's no excuse, I wrote that chapter while having a stomach bug, and I just didn't think about him only breaking his arm, and I wrote that he had a broken leg, needing crutches. I am sorry. I hope that the proposal was okay and romantic enough even with the mistake. This chapter leads our favorite couple back to Seattle. Happy Reading ~ Melissa
Chapter 10: Seattle Bound
Ana's POV
January 6, 2018
We are in the car heading to Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, making our back home to Seattle. It's a bittersweet moment, the memories made these past two weeks will last a lifetime; while heading back home to the real world scared me. What if it all changes? What if his family doesn't like me? What if they talk Christian out of moving in together or marrying me? What if -
"Hey," Christian's soft voice breaks me out of my thoughts, "stop thinking like that." How did he know?
We are sitting in the back of Jack's rental car, Jack is driving, Leslie in the passenger seat. Christian is holding my hand, his thumb rubbing back and forth, playing with my engagement ring. Christian's car will be shipped back to Seattle within the next few days, and we just dropped of my rental car. Aspen and Hope are in our laps, playing with their rope toys. I hate that they are going to have to be checked in and fly with the cargo. I wonder if we can do something about that. They are still small and maybe the airlines will allow us to keep them with us.
"I'm with you. No matter what else you have in your head. I'm with you ad I love you." He says to me, whispering against my lips. He kisses me gently. His touch, scent, words, all bringing me comfort.
"You always know just what to say and do to make me feel better, to get me out of my own mind."
"I just know you baby, I know what you need, maybe even before you do. Just like you do for me. We are in this together, kindred spirits, we were destined to meet. If we didn't meet in Aspen, we would have met some other way."
"Yes, you two would have. Aunt Leslie here has been talking about getting you to meet, it was me that never went through with it. I was waiting for your business to be more up and running, knowing how busy you have been, you would have never wanted to go on a blind date." Jack mentions to us, reminding me that we aren't alone in the car. I blush, due to the closeness Christian and I are, and the words that have been said.
"Maybe. You should have listened to Aunt Leslie, Uncle Jack." Christian sasses, winking at Leslie when she turns her head towards him, her smile bright on her face.
"Told you so." Leslie says, looking back at her husband and playfully slapping his upper arm.
"You always do." He smiles back at her.
"I want that." I breathe out.
"Want what, baby?"
I point to the front seats, "That. What they have. Can we always be like that?"
"Always. I promise."
We have been flying for about an hour now, Christian and I are on one side, while Jack and Leslie are on the other side of the aisle. I am not one to look out the window, so I have the aisle seat, along with Leslie. Christian and Jack are on their blackberry's answering work e-mails. There is an empty space between each of us, we have Hope between us, and Aspen is between Leslie and Jack. Jack and Christian was able to upgrade us to first class, and American Airlines allow puppies and dogs, of a certain weight, to be a 'carry on'.
"Have you thought about any wedding details yet, Ana?"
"No, not yet. Everything is such a whirlwind. I want to concentrate on moving in together and meeting his family. I am nervous as it is for that. I hope they like me."
"They will love you." All three voices say at once, causing me to giggle.
"They won't be home for another week, so we will have time to settle in my apartment and get back into the swing of things before meeting everyone else happens." Christian informs me.
"Ana, have you spoke to Katherine yet about moving and being engaged?" Leslie asks.
"I have been texting her, I told her about meeting Christian and being with him. I mentioned that we would be moving in together, she wasn't thrilled, of course, she is very protective over me, especially since my dad passed away. Since I am meeting Christian's family, I was thinking that he should meet Kate sometime soon too."
"Why don't we plan something then? We could have Christian's family come over, and invite Kate. She knows me and Jack, so she should be okay."
"That is a great idea, thank you Leslie. She is also on vacation for a little while longer, so I will mention it to her when I speak with her tonight."
"Great. Let me know what would work best for the three of you, and when I go to lunch with Grace, I will plan it with her." Leslie suggests.
Aspen and Hope have finally settled, Aspen is snoring contently, not a worry in the world. Every so often, Christian or I will rub Hope's head, especially when she lets out a whimper. It seems that she isn't comfortable flying, and I am happy that we have them close to us now, I can't imagine what it would have been like for her down in cargo.
Throughout the rest of the flight, the four of us converse about how much fun Aspen was, and I continually thank Jack and Leslie for allowing me to stay at their house.
"Angel, the next time we go to Aspen, it will be our home. I can't wait for you to see it." Christian tells me as he swipes a piece of fallen hair from my face. He sweetly places it behind my hair before leaning over the middle seat, puckering his lips to me. I let out a giggle, lean over my side to meet him half way. Once I pucker my lips, he brings his hands up, capturing my face between them and giving a little squeeze, causing my lips to create a fish face. I mimic his actions and we both let out giggles, his more manly than mine. He finally kisses me, gently.
"Awe! Aren't they just the cutest?!" Leslie squeals.
"They sure are." Jack agrees.
We land at Sea-Tac, collect our baggage, and head out to the parking lot. Jack and Leslie will take us to Christian's apartment, located in Escala, and then he will drive us to my apartment to get pack up some of my clothes.
After dropping us off in the garage of Escala, we promise Jack and Leslie to have dinner with them before I meet the rest of the family. Leslie reminds me that she will contact Grace and set something up and then let us know what night dinner will be at their house. We kiss and hug goodbye, and then Christian leads me to his second car.
"You love your Audis, huh?" I ask as he opens the door for me, ever the gentleman.
"I do. They are safe and reliable. You can start driving this one once the R8 is delivered, until then, I will drive you into work and pick you up." He states matter of factly.
"Christian, I take the bus to work, it is fine. I don't need this one. It's very nice of you to offer, but I can't just take a car from you."
"You aren't taking a car from me, I am giving it to you. It's a reliable car, and honestly, I don't want you on the bus. It isn't safe, and baby, I want, no I need, to keep you safe. Don't you understand that?"
"I do, Christian. I love that you need me to be safe. Thank you. Change all the paperwork to my name, and I will take over the payments." I just decide to compromise with him, it is much easier than having the rest of this conversation.
"No need, it's paid off." He smirks.
"Of course it is. You're lucky I like the car." The car is an Audi S3, a moonlight blue, sleek, and shiny. It would be a lot easier to have a car, Christian can't always drive me to and from work, there are times where our daily schedule will be different.
"Anything for you." He winks.
We drive around Seattle, talking about our favorite places to go to and see. He points out the building where he rents a floor for his company, he says that his goal is to have his own building, at least twenty floors. I love him ambition, his drive.
"You can do anything. I believe in you. I can't wait to see it come to live." I lean over and give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Do you want to just bring some things, and then come back after work this week to get more?" He asks me as I take some clothes out of the closet and place them on the bed.
"Yeah, I think that is a good idea. I don't have boxes. We will have to get some of those too."
"I'll get some from the hardware store in town."
"Okay, thank you. I am going to pack some clothes for the week, and my bathroom essentials. Can you go into the bathroom and get the supplies that are on the counter, please?"
"Sure, baby."
I make sure that I pack work clothes, intimates, and casual clothes for the week. As I am folding all the clothes, Christian comes out of the bathroom and places my lotions on the bed. I don't have a lot since I brought a lot of bathroom supplies with me to Aspen.
"Are you ready to see your new home, baby?" He asks as we walk out of the apartment. I have both dogs on their leash and Christian has the luggage.
"I am. I'm excited."
"Me too."
Escala is a gorgeous building. We have just arrived to his apartment, on the tenth floor. We decide to keep Hope and Aspen on their leashes as he gives us a tour of our new home. It has three bedrooms, the smallest one used as a home office. The master bedroom and guest room have their own bathrooms, there is also a half bath in the hallway. The kitchen is a chef's dream, stainless steel appliances, marble countertops. All the floors in the apartment are hardwood. The living room has lush leather couches, marble topped coffee table, and floor to ceiling windows. The view is amazing, and I can only imagine what it looks like from the top floor. However, the apartment seems to be missing a feminine touch, it definitely is a bachelor pad. There are no personal touches.
"So?"
"I love it, Christian. It's exquisite, but"
"But, what? You can tell me."
"There isn't anything personal in here. There are no family pictures, no candles, area rugs, you know, things that make a house, a home."
"I know. My sister, Mia, wanted to decorate like that, but I told her no. She would have had everything glittered and pink. Now that this is your home too, I want that. You can decorate however you want, you can go to some furniture stores and see what they have."
"I don't want to change your home, Christian."
"Our home. You only would be changing it for the good."
We take Aspen and Hope off of their leashes, and Christian leads me down the hallway to his - our- bedroom. The puppies follow after us, running, and sliding on the hardwood floors.
He opens the door and allows me to enter first. The walls are a deep blue, the furniture a beautiful mahogany wood, with crisp white linens. One each side of the bed is a nightstand, one side was occupied, the other empty. It seems that Christian favors the right side of the bed, the one closest to the bathroom.
"We are going to switch sides of the bed, I will sleep on the side that is closer to the door." I smile at that thought, he really thinks about my safety above all else.
"What about Hope and Aspen?" I ask as I open one of the luggage's so I can change into something else.
"We have their dog beds, those can stay in here. If we need to, we will get them another one for the living room. I honestly don't want them on the bed. Once they get to their adult size, I can't see the four of us in the bed. I know it's a king size mattress, but, it will still be too much."
"No, I agree. I was hoping you would say that. Hopefully, they will listen to that." I giggle remembering that they tried to sleep in bed with us at the cabin.
"Everything will work out, you will see."
"I know. Christian," I start to say as I walk towards him and wrap my arms around his waist. He pulls me in closer, I tilt my head up while he bends his down, so we are looking into one another eyes. "Thank you. For everything. You have made me the happiest I have been in months. I love you."
"I love you too, baby."
After I finish putting my clothes in the closet and the dresser, Christian and I are in the living room, the fireplace lighting up the area, the wine is poured, and Aspen and Hope are running around still exploring their new home.
"Baby, can you do me a favor? I misplaced my phone, can you call it?"
"Sure. Hold on, let me go get mine."
I find my phone on the nightstand in the bedroom. I glance around the room, not finding Christian's phone, so I dialed his number.
It rings and rings and rings. I walk down the hallway, but I don't hear his phone ringing. He probably accidentally left it on vibrate from the plane ride back.
His voicemail eventually picks up, and I was about to disconnect the call when I notice his voicemail message was different.
'You've reached Christian Grey, CEO of Grey Enterprise Holdings. I am most likely working or spending time with my fiancé and dogs and can't answer the phone right now. You know what to do. If this is my angel, my baby, my Ana, know that I love you always. I'll be sure to call you back, that was for my Ana, no one else."