JUNE 12TH 2011
It's almost two in the morning when we make our way home. My mom noticed I desperately needed to be with Ana in the comfort of my own home. The moment we get into the car Ana kicks off her shoes. "All that dancing in these shoes was a bad idea." I take her feet and start to massage them. "Oh, you are the best." She moans, making the already tight confines of my trousers even tighter.
I carry her into the elevator. "I can walk you know, albeit a bit wobbly."
"I like the idea of carrying you over the threshold." I do.
"We are not married Mr. Grey."
"Yet." She smiles brightly at me and buries her head in my neck. I don't quite know how to react to her… reaction, I never intended to say yet, but I said it.
I want to marry Ana, I haven't let myself get carried away with the thought because she is still so young and I assumed she needed time to consider it, but at this moment I realize just how wrong I was.
I don't make assumptions and 'what ifs' and yet I did just that when it came to the one thing I wanted the most, and she had to make the first move. Again I find I'm repeating that mistake.
Ray always says I know Ana better than anyone, and I do, so why do I keep questioning myself when it comes to her.
"Where did you go?" She asks as I gently put her on the bed.
"Giving myself a talking to."
"Then may I suggest you start with why you keep second guessing everything when it comes to me."
"You know me well."
"And you know me the best, so try and keep that knowledge in the forefront of your brain when it comes to this relationship. You are incredibly confident when it comes to everything else, but the moment it becomes about us…"
"I know, and from now on it stops."
"I love you, Christian Grey."
"I love you too." I help her out of her dress, leaving her in blue silk satin maison thong. "This I like very much."
"I thought you might, I bought it with you in mind," she says stepping close and slowly stripping me out of my clothes.
I wake up the next morning to the smell of breakfast; Ana up early that's something till I notice it's not so early. I make my way to the kitchen. "Perfect timing, I was just coming to get you."
"Well, here I am." She places a plate of pancakes with bacon and scrambled eggs in front of me.
"What are your plans for next weekend?" She asks without looking at me, I am better at accepting my family's need to celebrate my birthday, but I don't jump for joy about it.
"I've got nothing planned." There's no point in lying she will know.
"Excellent pack for the weekend," she says gleefully.
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise, but I can tell you this, it's just me and you and a lot of fun. So prepare yourself." For once I might actually jump for joy on my birthday.
Our friendship has endured, we have weathered some pretty big storms, distance, pedophiles, mothers from hell and shitload of assholes who can't take no for an answer.
That is what scares me, our friendship is solid it has been my anchor since I was fifteen, saying I need Ana in my life is a gross understatement of epic proportions. If Ana were here, she would say I'm just looking for an excuse to use big words.
What happens if I make a mess of this relationship will our friendship survive? I shouldn't be thinking this way but fear has clouded my thinking, and I can't help myself.
"Sir we have a problem."
"What Happened?"
"Mr. Rodriguez." That asshole needs to fucking go. I make my way down to the lobby; I need to get to Ana now.
The elevator opens, and I see a laughing Ana, I let go of the breath I'm holding.
"Baby, are you okay."
"Yeah, I'm fine Christian," she says still laughing. We walk back to the elevator, and I hug her for dear life. "Christian I'm okay."
"What happened? I heard it was José."
"You heard right, he turned up at the coffee shop saying he was sorry about everything and trying to use my pictures even though I already told him no."
"How did he know where you were?"
"He said he was coming to GEP when he saw me."
"Considering he's on the proscribed list he wouldn't have got far."
"When I told him if he's really sorry, he can give me the pictures and every copy he has of it."
"Good."
"That's when he turned nasty, started going on about how they were just pictures, and I was acting like a bitch." Fucking ass. "That's when Jack got involved."
"As in Hyde."
"Yep, Oh you should have seen it, he turned the whole place against José. Said if they were just pictures then José shouldn't have a problem giving it back then turned to Mel and said 'or I'm I wrong.' Mel said he was probably jerking off to them. Jack got back in and told him to buy a magazine or watch porn like everybody else. Out of somewhere in the Bistro, someone shouted how about getting your own girlfriend because clearly, she doesn't want you. Christian it just got worse and worse, till José left."
"I can see why you were laughing," I say escorting her to her office.
"Christian I want those pictures, is there any way we can force him."
"I will get it done this afternoon."
"Can we put someone on him?"
"Consider it done. Jack huh."
"Yeah, Christian with Julie leaving I think Jack is perfect for the position."
"I agree, I thought about it before, but I wasn't sure he could be trusted, but he's proved himself in just a short time."
JUNE 21ST 1999
I find myself standing my Mia's bed, I don't know how I got here I lie beside Ana who instantly puts her hand on my chest, the torrents of emotions I was feeling subsides.
The boy was black and blue from previous beatings. He was covered in welts from whatever the bitch used, his wrists and ankles looked to have been bound for some time. He refused to say who was responsible until he found out his parents were the number one suspects.
My dad offered to represent the boy pro bono. I feel so guilty I could have stopped this from happening; I was more worried about my reputation at school if I pressed charges against the bitch and now because of my selfishness…
"Christian."
"Hey Ana, go back to sleep."
I left my parents to deal with Mr. Lincoln, poor man when this gets out he will be ruined, he didn't do anything but questions would be asked, how did he not know what his own wife was doing?
Frankly, that is a question I want an answer to, how did he not know, did he pay her so little attention. I wake up to find myself alone in Mia's bed; Ana is sat by the window reading.
"What time is it?"
"It's three." Fuck I wasted the day. Got practice in an hour.
"I take it you came in here when you found out."
"Wait did you know?"
"Yeah, your mom came back from work distraught, I heard her and your dad talking. So yeah I know what the bitch did."
Training has been a godsend this week, between that and working at Ray's I have been able to take my mind of the guilt. Life at home is… we are all thinking about the difference we could have made if we had done more. I walk through the door to hear my dad laughing with Ray and Mr. Lincoln.
"Christian how was practice."
"Mmm good," I say hesitantly. "What's going on?"
"My bitch of an ex-wife is going to jail for the next twelve years, no parole, she's serving the lot."
"How?"
"Because of how quickly the authorities moved in, she had no time to hide or get rid of anything, they found several videos and pictures of other boys, she didn't have a leg to stand on. With no money for her defense, her public defense attorney advised her to take the plea, because if she went to trial, she would die in prison."
"Did you say, several other boys?"
"Yes son, she will never have had the chance to even approach Elliot if any of them had said something." I can understand the relieve my father feels; the bitch is in prison with minimum fuss.
"I worked hard to give her everything she needed, she didn't have a job or any real commitments to keep her here, and yet she refused to come with me to my business trips, now I understand why she needed me out of the way. I'm just relieved I filed for divorce before any of this shit happened."
"Michael I should have told you earlier." My dad says clearly feeling guilty.
"It wouldn't have made any difference; the outcome would have been the same no matter when it happened. She's paying for her crimes that's all that matters." Michael Lincoln is a much nicer and better man than the bitch painted him out to be. She once told my mom he was having an affair while away, yet she was the one who didn't want to go. Good riddance.
After dinner, we are all sat in the living room feeling full and relaxed. "So kids Ray your mother and I talked, and we think a nice family holiday is sorely needed."
"Yes! Where are we going?" A giddy Mia asks.
"London." Ana is all wide-eyed with excitement.
"I get to see the British Library, oh home of Dickens, the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen."
"Shopping," Mia adds.
"Emm Mia our plans are more in line with Ana, this isn't just about shopping and lounging about. It's a chance to learn. Gain new experiences." My mom says.
"Shopping in London is a new experience."
"Shopping is shopping where ever you go," Elliot adds making faces at Mia.
"I'm sure we can fit in some shopping," Ray adds. God Mia has him wrapped around her little finger.
"Thank you," Mia says giving him a hug, Ana just shakes her head smirking. Don't know what she's smirking at she's just as bad.
JUNE 17TH 2011
This is my last meeting, all week I've found myself waiting for today. Ana and I are going away for the weekend, I don't know what we are doing or where we are going, but I can't wait. I know Sawyer went there this morning to make sure everything was in order.
"Mr. Grey, Jack Hyde is here to see you."
"Send him in Andrea." All week he has only cemented my decision to promote him. Ana has learned so much from him, and GEP can only benefit from his leadership. What he does in his spare time is his problem. But if I find out he's put another Sub in the hospital he will regret the day he ever met me.
"Jack, have a sit." He looks a little anxious. "Jack you know Julie is leaving at the end July and I want you to take up the position." Haven't got time to pussyfoot I'm desperate to leave for my weekend.
"Mr. Grey, umm thank you, I won't let you down."
"Good, we will meet next month and put everything in place. Jack one more thing; do not give me a reason to regret this decision."
"No sir I won't, I know my lifestyle is an issue, but I can assure you it was a one time mistake one I paid dearly for. It is not an experience I care to repeat."
"Good to hear, Jack." With that he leaves, I feel good about this decision. He did indeed pay dearly for his mistake, he lost everything, he sold his condo, his car and emptied his bank account to avoid jail. Not a mistake anyone with half a brain would care to repeat.
"Hey, you ready to go."
"Yes, just shutting everything down."
"Christian before we leave…can we talk."
"Sure."
"What are you so afraid of?" As much as this conversation scares me, we need to have it.
"I don't want to lose our friendship. It's my lifeline."
"Christian there is only one thing that would make me leave you, and I don't see you cheating…"
"God never, my family would kill me, and Ray would bring me back from the dead just to kill me again above all else I could never do something so cruel to you, after everything we've been through…Ana, I will never."
"Then you've got nothing to worry about, Christian I don't see us not working out. Like you said after everything we've through this is a walk in the park. Please have confidence and some faith in us. I love you."
"I love you too, and you are right I should have confidence in us, deep down I do I've let the fear take over."
I feel so much better. Cheat hell will most likely freeze over before I ever do something that stupid. I have never been in a relationship before, but I'm learning as we go. Now I'm really looking forward to this weekend.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Looking forward to whatever you planned."
Me too."
After about an hours drive, I'm starting to get anxious. "Are we there yet?" Ana looks at me for a moment then burst out laughing, she is laughing so hard I don't understand a word she's saying. "What I just want to know if we are there yet." Yeah, that didn't help. I wait for Ana to stop laughing but every time she looks at me she starts again.
"No Christian we are not there yet."
"I don't know what was so funny."
"You, you looked so cute."
"Ana I'm not a teddy bear, there is nothing cute about me."
Just as she's about to answer, my phone rings at the same time that Taylor's rings as well.
"Cooper." Taylor answers.
"Sir Rodriguez is tailing your car."
"Run the fucker off the road if you have to." Yeah, Ana is pissed, he's becoming a real problem. While he was here following Ana, I got a few guys to go his flat to get all the pictures he had of her. He's in for a real shock when he gets back to Portland.
"Actually Cooper that's not a bad idea hit him hard enough to stop the car," Taylor instructs. I check my phone, and it's a missed call from my dad, I send him a message telling him Ana, and I are away for the weekend and will call him when we get back. Whatever it is it can wait.
After another three hours in the car, we finally arrive at Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins. We are staying in a cabin called Mount Hood when we enter the cabin I have to say l love the place already. A king size bed, a fireplace, hydrotherapy spa tub, a shower that will easily fit the two of us.
"So what do you think Mr. Grey?"
"I love it, thank you, Ana."
"Chris do you want to stay in or go out for dinner?"
"Go out, I want to see the area in the evening."
"Alright, join me for a shower," she asks.
"Like you need to ask."
After a quick shower and I mean just a shower we get dressed, Ana in Ralph Lauren cargo shorts, a tank top and one of my dress shirts, I decide to go with soft black jeans and a v neck t-shirt. We head across the road to the Backwoods Brewing Company for dinner. It's a beautiful warm evening, so we sit outside. After a minute, our waiter comes for our orders.
"Hello, Welcome to Backwoods."
"Thank you." Ana and I say at the same time making her giggle.
"I will have the Bumbler to start with." Ana orders.
"I will have the same," I tell the waiter.
"Excellent two Bumblers coming right up." The first thing you taste is the honey, then a citrusy aftertaste and well, beer.
"It's really good," I comment.
"Hmm." Is all I get from Ana? Who starts giggling for no reason? "You've got beer..." She doesn't finish her sentence before taking my top lip into her mouth and sucks on it. "Beer."
"Right." The waiter returns to check if we are ready to order. We both start with the hummus platter; it's a combination of olives, cucumber, tomatoes, feta cheese, peppers, and hummus and pita bread.
We both enjoy our food in silence; just before the appetizers are done, we order more beer, which arrives with our main of BBQ, pulled pork sandwiches for Ana and a turkey sandwich for me. I find myself staring at Ana's sandwich with envy.
"Would you like some of mine?" Guess she saw it. Before I can answer, she cuts her sandwich in half giving me one. I do the same with mine giving her half.
"Perfect," I mumble.
"Oh, this is nice," Ana says sucking on the BBQ Source coating her fingers. It's purely innocent on her part, but I can't help where my mind wonders. "I need more beer... I think I'm going to try something different. What about you." She asks still licking her fingers.
"I have whatever you're having, actually get me something else we can try each other's," I say trying to control my wayward thoughts.
"I can see why you are a CEO," she says making me chuckle.
Ana gets the (Bourbon Barrel) Ridge Run Stout and the Clear Cut Pale. We try a few more beers, and I have to admit so far I'm having a great time we decide to call it a night before we find ourselves too drunk to walk back to our cabin. The walk back to the cabin is taken at a leisurely pace.
The moment the cabin doors close behind us the air becomes thick with sexual tension