The warmth of the sunlight pours down over our bodies as I look out over the fields to the massive structure. My eyes drink in the information they see with thousands of trees surrounding the white and grey stone castle. Staring at the hundreds of windows that face out towards us.
Even miles away sat on this hill side the castle looks impressive. I turn to him as he looks upon the castle with pride and for a moment happiness. I study his face and spot the happiness disappear replaced with pain for something I have yet to know.
His history is so long and extensive there is still so much I don't know about him. I reach out and gently touch his hand. His gaze breaks from the castle and looks at me. His eyes suddenly filled with love and compassion.
"That's your home?" I offer tenderly.
"Yes it was given to me a long time ago by a friend." He replies.
"You have very rich friends." I tease.
"I had rich friends a long time ago." He says sighing.
The look of sorrow begins to creep into his eyes and I know I'm losing him. It's our honeymoon and I keep bringing up all the sorrow he hides behind his exterior. Think of something distract him, do something my inner angel screams.
"So do you know the queen of England?" I ask trying to pull him back.
His eyes soften again and he smiles slightly.
"I have met her once but I doubt she will remember me."
It's my turn to be shocked as I stumble on his words. He has met the Queen? My shock must be the reason he grins so widely as he leans in close.
"So I take it you would like the grand tour then?" He asks.
I nod my head completely dumb founded as he takes my hand and lifts me effortlessly off the blanket.
We start our decent down the slopping hill towards the castle as he grips my hand tightly. I finally get my words back.
"So who else have you met?" I ask in disbelief.
"Well Winston Churchill, Joan of Arc, Vlad the impaler met him a few times. There is also Elvis, Neil Armstrong, Marylin Monroe and John F Kennedy and his brother to name a few." He says casually.
"Wait you knew JFK?" I ask in disbelief.
"Yeah and I was there the day he died." He replies.
"So you know what really happened? You have to tell me" I plead.
"What I'm not allowed to have some secrets." He teases me back.
I nearly go to explode at him and give him a shove when he glances over his shoulder to see the long slopping hill behind him. He looks back at me slightly worried.
"You're not going to make me have a princess bride moment, are you?" He asks unsure.
"I won't if you tell me what truly happened?" I demand.
"As you wish." Comes his reply.
A short time later and we arrive in the expansive gardens surrounding the castle. The middle of winter and the whole garden she be filled with lifeless trees and dead husks of plants until the spring time but the gardens are in full bloom with beautiful purple coloured flowers and red roses filling the garden beds and covering the walls. There is an archway that leads through a metal gate. I stare around in wonder at the whole garden.
"How is this even possible? It's winter these flowers should be dead." I say as my finger touches one of the purple flowers.
"It's always been this way ever since I took control of the castle. Now Ana I want you to come with me I have something very important to show you."
His gentle words make me follow him towards the archway made from the castle stones. There is a long dark slope of stone stairs leading into the darkness below as the walls are so close on either side. Christian waves his hand simply and the old flame pits on the walls spring to life. The stairs look like they lead into the depths of the earth.
Taking me deeper and deeper I wonder what he wants to show me. My mind a whirl with a million thoughts of what could be at the bottom of the stairs. He steps to the side as the stairs end and suddenly the area is bathed in light beyond. The moment my foot touches the last step I freeze.
An enormous chamber spans out before us. From wherever the light touches I can see it reflected off the gold that covers everywhere. It's like when you see the hidden treasure rooms in pirate films. Stood in disbelief at what I'm seeing, my eyes see millions of gold coins covering golden goblets and necklaces with golden crowns. My eyes finally look to Christian in surprise.
"I told you I'm rich." He says with a smirk.
"What is all this?" I ask in shock.
"Some of the greatest treasures that have gone missing or thought lost are all here. I have collected them and protected them over the centuries. The lost city of El Dorado, all the Spanish new world treasure, The pirates oak island money pits. The lost Faberge eggs and the first knights Templar treasure. Being the last of a long line of Templar has left me responsible for guarding the Holy Grail." He says so casually.
"The Holy Grail?" My jaw hits the floor.
"Yes why do you think it's never been found? I have been keeping it safe and hidden down here. I had to make a lot of false trails for people who have searched for it. It's too sacred for anyone to have believe me I know." He offers looking towards an alter housing a single golden chalice.
"Does it have magical powers?" I ask as I begin to move towards it.
I feel his hand slip around my waist and take hold of me stopping me walking closer to it.
"Yes. It's as powerful as they say. Now it needs to be protected only you and I know where it truly lies." He offers to me.
"Can I touch it?" I breathe.
"I don't understand it's true power. I don't know what it could do to you. I'm sorry I won't lose you. I can't. There has only ever been two people I know of who have touched it and it did not go well for them." He sighs.
I turn my face and body away from the golden chalice and stare up into his handsome features. His smile is a soft warm and caring smile I have longed to see. His eyes seem distant as if remembering some time long ago and the sacrifices he has made.
"Why don't you show me the rest of the family home?" I ask of him gently.
His gorgeous eyes seem to find mine and I see the kind heart hidden behind the man. A small smirk appears at the corner of his mouth.
"As you wish." He smiles.
After A full tour of the massive castle we head into the grand master bedroom and spend the rest of the morning laid bare in each other's arms.
Later in the afternoon once dressed we head out in a classic Rolls Royce. It seems almost regal in his car choice and even his suit complete with tie. I am decked out in a beautiful winter dress with no need for a coat even in the cold weather as Christian is my own personal heater.
I don't know where we are heading but Christian seems focused on the drive. Finally, after almost an hour driving we pull into a carpark as I look around and see a beautiful old Victorian house. He turns to me his gaze is hard to read.
"Ana you don't have to come with me, I don't want to ruin our honeymoon, but it would help me greatly you being there. Please?" His pleas open my heart.
"Of course Christian. You know I will always follow you." I say.
He gets out the car and moves around opening my door and taking hold of my hand. We step towards the doors as I see the three small steps to climb. On the wall to the side of the main doors is a plaque Summerset care home.
We move inside the doors and the young woman on reception raises her head as we enter. Christian steps forward and takes the lead.
"Were here to see George Vakarian." He informs us both.
"Oh that's so nice. He doesn't really get any visitors." She tells us.
"You must be new here then." Christian says smiling.
"Yes. I started two months ago. Please if you would like to sign in."
She hands Christian a book as I step up next to him. He opens the book perfectly on the correct page and begins to write. My eyes scan the pages and I see every single entry sign in for George is by Christian Grey. Every three months like clockwork he has visited him.
He finishes signing the book and the young woman takes it from him looking at it.
"He isn't there a magician by that name? What is your reason for visit please?" She asks politely.
"He and my great granddad were old war buddies." Comes the casual reply.
"Ohh how lovely. Please go on through. He is in room number seven."
We both walk away and Christian's grip on my hand tightly slightly. I look over towards him as he leads me toward room number seven. I lean in closely.
"How much of that was true?" I ask him gently.
"Well you read my diary. George is the only one of my buddies left from world war two. I come to visit him…"
"Every three months I noticed." I go to say more but we arrive outside his door.
I feel Christian's hand grip my own tightly. I'm his rock, his strength, his courage. His other hand grabs the handle and he opens the door just as my mind realises the huge problem with this.
The door swings open into a large lavish room filled with sun light from a large bay window. A set of chairs are next to a small table by the widow and a large bed sits back against one wall. There in the bed is a very frail old man with wisps of grey hair on his head. His eyes are fixed on the doorway as we both stand there.
George will know the second he sees Christian that he hasn't aged a day since the war. What can I do?
I feel Christian's whole body tense up and then he steps into the room.
"George long time no see." He offers.
"Christian is that you? The old man replies his voice breaking and swallow.
It's then I see it his eyes seem to be slowly following Christian.
"The one and only." Christian says getting to his bed.
George's eyes snap up towards the sound of Christian's voice and Christian reaches out taking hold of his friend's hand. That's when I realise.
"Damn son you sound just like you did during the war. Except now you're not barking orders." George says and laughs before coughing heavily.
He's blind. I step into the room softly.
"Hey those orders kept your ass alive. A few times if I remember correctly." Christian answers smiling.
"I do recall saving your life too once." George recalls.
"That you did George. So how are you doing? Are they treating you well? Do you need me to get you female company in here?" Christian offers with a smile on his face.
It's a warm kind hearted smile you would share with an old trusted friend. George smiles back laughing.
"I think I'm too old for a woman now. I barely would remember what to do with her." He says laughing and coughing.
They are treating me fine. You know this place is like heaven. I'm surviving as always. I may even outlive you." He offers smiling.
I take a breath in to loudly and his gaze turns to me. His whole face is faced towards me. Christian nods his head.
"George I would like to introduce you to my wife. Anastasia Steele this is my long-time war buddy George Vakarian." Christian says warmly.
"It's a pleasure to meet a friend of Christian. They are few and far between." I say.
"Pleased to meet you. Wow Christian she sounds young. You silver fox you. And where the hell was my invite to the wedding?" He calls out turning to Christian.
"Sorry George. We got married in America and I know you can't fly anymore." Christian says looking down.
George smiles before turning his gaze towards me
"I'm a flight risk you know. Like where the hell would I go. I have to go to the bathroom five times a night. I really don't see me jetting off to the Bahamas anytime soon." George manages to get out before coughing again.
I see Christian's hand go tense on top of George's hand. He leans in closely and carefully.
"George how long have you had that cough?"
George turns to face Christian clearly even without seeing he must be able to feel how close his friend has gotten to him.
"I don't know about a month maybe. Why?" George replies.
"Hold on. I'll be right back. Make sure to keep my wife comfy." Christian says before getting up and leaving the room.
"So has the old dog told you any of his war stories? You know your man was a hero in those days. Hell, he even got to meet the man himself Winston Churchill." George informs me.
"No he doesn't like to mention it. I think it hurts him." I say softly.
"He was our team's guardian angel. After getting trapped behind enemy lines for almost three whole weeks he kept us fed and seemed to find ammo every time we were low. Some of the team thought he was a blood hound. Others thought he was an angel. Every morning he would somehow have found food and ammo throughout the night while we slept. The fire fights that seemed impossible for us to win and out of nowhere an explosion or troop fire would just fall silent. It was like we were protected by god above." George opens speaks like he's telling a story to an old friend.
"He really is special." I say unsure of what he knows.
"Special? Luv there was this one time when he…" His words trail off as the door opens for a moment.
George barely drops a beat before carrying on I instantly know the story he was about to tell me has been changed from the original.
"He was bogged down. Trying to be the hero he had taken a position that had been shelling us for hours but now had come under fire from two sniper nests one in a partly blown up barn and the other near the tree line. He couldn't rise his head without taking a round from one. Me and David one of our guys took position in the tree line and David using the binoculars told me their positions and in a matter of moments they were both dead. So, that's how I saved your man's life." George says grinning like a kid who won first place as the science fair.
My head turns to look at Christian and I see the colour has drained from his face. Whatever he has heard it wasn't good. I can see him try to smile as his eyes show his true pain. There are tears building up on the edges. He steps into the room and shuts the door and I see he is trying to steady his body as he moves towards the bed.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Christian asks and I hear his voice crumble.
"Aww hell Christian I'm ninety-seven years old. You got more important things to worry about. You still have a life." George snaps back.
Christian goes to speak but is stumbled by George's words.
"You didn't think I knew? The girls would always ask me who the handsome man was who came to visit me every few months. They thought I was crazy when I said my old war buddy. They would explain to me how a handsome young man would come in and talk to me and yet the whole time I was hearing my old war buddy. I don't need to be blind to realise. Now what are you?" George demands looking right towards Christian.
Christian opens his mouth to speak but can't find any words. I see his whole-body crumble. The tears flow from his eyes as he stands there helpless to his old friend.
"He's an angel!" I say out loud.
George's head turns toward me with him mouth open wide now. He seems just as shocked as Christian was of how George figured it out. Finally, George leans back in his bed his gaze returning to where Christian stands.
"So you're here to take me to hell then?" George says calmly.
"What no!" Christian seems to snap out of it.
"Well I don't get to go to heaven. I have killed which condemns me." He offers simply.
"Can you do anything?" I ask Christian hoping to use his powers to save him.
"It's a disease. I can't stop it." Christian answers.
He steps closer towards George's bed and reaches out taking hold of his hand. He leans in closely to his old friend.
"I'm so sorry for trying to deceive you my friend. I wanted to keep you with me for as long as I could. Hey remember your wife Shelley and your two beautiful girls Hana and Lexi how they were waiting for you when the war was over?" Christian breathes into his ear.
"Yeah I remember them waiting for me at the train station and both my girls running into my arms. My wife stood proudly staring at her man before running to me. That was the greatest day of my life." George offers fondly.
I see Christian's hand reach up to George's head and another hand rests on his heart.
"Rest my friend. Relive that day forever." Christian barely whispers.
I see George close his eyes over and relax into the bed as Christian leans in and kisses his friend's forehead. He pulls slowly back from the resting George and I can see he it's too much for him. I move around to his side and he turns into me in an instant. His whole body weak in my arms. My mind drifts back to the last time I felt him like this that magical night at the piano. He was powerless, helpless and in need. I can feel his whole body shaking in my arms as his tears spill down onto my shoulder.
This is what he has had to deal with all his life. People passing by in front of him. I see why his soul is so shattered, all the hurt, the pain and anguish. Old age, disease all things that can claim lives and he seems to stand still watching it all happen to everyone he cares for. I hold him tighter as his body is so fragile in my comforting grip.
Time seems to slow down as he finally pulls away he leads me out of the room without looking back. His head down as he moves through the care home and out through the door.
Before I know it, we are in the Rolls Royce and are heading down the small forest roads of the countryside. I look back over towards Christian and he is gripping the wheel tightly I can see it is still affecting him. I lean down and reach into my open handbag for a tissue when my hand brushes against my magical orb. A grey glow pours out of my handbag as the soft and gentle notes of a piano play.
My other hand touches Christian's arm and he looks over at me. The tears are still in his eyes as he pulls over to the side of the small forest road. I undo my belt and lean over hugging him tightly. The words of underneath begin as I my head pulls back from his shoulder and we gaze into each other's eyes. He closes the distance and own lips find each other as we kiss with tender care.
The song escalates and our kiss become more passionate. My hands reach around and take hold of his tie pulling it loosely from his neck. Then my hands move to his jacket pushing it open and off his shoulders. The song driving us forward as his jacket slips from his body I'm already opening the buttons of his shirt to see his scar covered chest.
Our kisses becoming urgent and filled with need. Christian moves in between the seats and slides into the back of the car. I push forward and follow him through as my hands reach for his pants. I slip into his grasp as he lays down on the back seats of the Rolls Royce. We don't need to say anything to one another as it's shown in our eyes. I move on top of him and feel him push his way inside of me.
I feel so full as the music fills the whole compartment. Placing my hands on his chest I gaze into his eyes as our warmth covers and envelopes the car. I slowly move up and down on his lap. Our gaze not leaving each other as the words melt into our minds. I see his pain the agony of his life through his eyes and I feel tears begin to form in my eyes for my true love.
No one should experience the pain he has been through. I'm so glad to be here with him to help ease his suffering. I see his moan open into a gasp as he stirs up my insides with my rocking motion. His tears running freely down his cheeks the pain and pleasure combined drive us towards our release. It's soft and tender but filled with meaning. I can feel his whole body tense up under me and I follow into the freedom.
We have barely come down when his arms slip around my body and he moves suddenly I'm pinned under his body against the seats and he is now above me pushing into me deeper. The look in his eyes is pure devotion to me. His thrusts become more powerful as the lyrics are belted out through the body of the car. I reach up and my hand hits the window sliding along the steamed-up glass. His eyes compel me to give myself to him and as I feel my body striding towards a second even more powerful release.
With tears filling both our eyes our souls in perfect harmony we both fall into the abyss of our love gasping out into the passion soaked air.
Later once we returned to the castle we spent the whole time in each other's arms forgetting about food, about time. It was only us in the massive castle bed moaning out and crying from pleasure.
I awake to the sun light pouring through the open curtains into our room. I sit up in bed looking over at Christian laying face down with the blankets covering his body. My eyes scan the room when suddenly I feel it deep inside. Jumping out of bed I race into the en-suite bathroom and to the toilet as I feel the sickness rising.
After spending the next five minutes with my head buried in the toilet I make it to the sink and begin to throw water over my face taking some into my mouth. My brain flashes back to all the times I have been sick. In the hospital while Christian was in a coma. Just before the wedding after waking and now this morning.
Suddenly it hits me like a freight train and I spit out the water into the sink staring at myself in shock.
(Well this chapter certainly is a rollercoaster of a ride. This chapter has become one of my two favourite chapters as it shows so much more if you read between the lines. I had such an amazing time writing this chapter and I truly feel I have bounced back out of my writers block. Thanks to some help by a talented person on here. To you I say thank you.
As for the song it's Adam lambert's underneath. I feel listening to the song while reading that part really helped me feel the emotions of Christian due to what had happened. I won't be ashamed to say I cried when I reread that part. But that's just me.
I would love to hear your thoughts feeling and ideas of this chapter so please do leave a review or private message me with those.
Now just to let you know for those who haven't taken part in a poll before I have one set up on my profile page. What era most appeals to you about Christian's diaries? You can pick two favourites. Now in the past I have used the highest votes to create special extra chapters for all you lovely readers so do bare that in mind.
I am close to completing chapter 10 also so I'm hoping you won't be waiting to long for that. Please do leave a review and follow and favourite this story. It means so much to me. Thank you. SJamesW.)