Chapter 10

APOV

Christian left to go back to Seattle this morning and I miss him already. I hate that I can't see him whenever I want to. But, all I can do is hope that everything will work out for us.

Work this week has been hectic since tourist season has definitely picked up and a couple of ghost hunting shows featured Moon River on them so, in addition to regular tourists, we are also getting paranormal fans. It's been exhausting especially with a majority of our patrons asking the staff if we've had any experiences.

I can't get off work this weekend so Christian isn't coming to visit me. I completely understand but I still miss him. "Anastasia, sweetheart, you seem so sad." My mom says to me as she hands me a cup of tea as we sit at the kitchen island watching the morning news.

"I'm OK, Mom. How is Aunt Donna?" Mom just got off the phone with her older sister and my favorite aunt who lives in Portland.

"Actually, I have something I wanted to talk to you about." She sounds hesitant which immediately makes me nervous.

"OK. Shoot." I shrug. What could be such a big deal, right?

"Well, you know how you Aunt Donna just got divorced from your Uncle Rick?"

"Yeah…" Where is she going with this?

"She and I were talking, and, she's all alone in that huge house of hers and this place just isn't home to me. It was my home with Bob, but now it has too many memories of him. Aunt Donna asked if I would move in with her. And, I told her I would."

"You want to move to Portland? When?"

"As soon as possible. I talked to a real estate agent and he said it is possible to sell the house even if I am not living here. I can have someone take care of it until it sells. What do you think, sweetie?" I'm in shock. I didn't imagine my mom would want to move from here and second, I didn't think she would ask my permission since this isn't my place.

"Oh, Mama, I just want you to be happy. This past year has been so hard for you."

"Anastasia, I know it wasn't the easiest for you either. You put your entire life on hold for me, and I will always be thankful. But, we both need to move on. You can't live with your mother forever."

"I guess we both need to grow up, huh?" I say to her laughing. This is good for both of us. I've missed being close to friends and family, especially Christian, now.

Two weeks later, Mom and I pack up the last of the belongings into the moving truck and send it on its way ahead of us. We are making our way to Portland in mom's car so she has one with her when she gets there. Mom sits in the driver's seat of her BMW X5 and before she turns the key to start the ignition she says to me, "Well, Portland or bust!" From there We leave Savannah behind for the new chapter of our lives.

The first day, we make it all the way to Kansas City. It's a long 16 hours of driving but luckily it isn't too bad since we are taking turns at the wheel and are singing along to the radio like a bunch of kids. Both exhausted and hungry, we pull into the parking lot of the Sheraton where we will be spending the night. I'm so tired, I don't even feel like eating. We check into our room and decide to just call room service. After the long day of driving a hot shower I just had, and comfortable pajamas I am wearing feel like heaven as I eat my burger.

The next day, we're up and hit the road early. Luckily, Mom's BMW is nice to drive and the eleven-hour drive to Rawlins, Wyoming isn't as bad as it could be. Tonight, our home is a Best Western. This drive has been pretty interesting since I have never been to this part of the country. If we had more time, there are famous hot springs not too far away. It would be nice to visit those but I think we are both eager to get to our destination so we just have dinner and try to get some sleep in preparation for what is hopefully our last day of driving.

It's Thursday and we have already been driving eight hours and are only in Boise, Idaho. We still have seven more hours to go. Mom is driving and looks over to me, "Do you want to stop for the night, Ana?"

"Actually, Mom, if it's OK with you, I'd rather just keep going until we get to Aunt Donna's," I confess as I stretch my legs in the seat a little.

"I was hoping you would say that. I'm eager to get there too." It's after midnight by the time we pull into Aunt Donna's driveway. "Finally, we made it." By 1 am I am settling into the comfortable bed in my aunt's guest bedroom. I text Christian to let him know we made it safely here, and close my eyes. Christian was originally upset we didn't want to take his jet here but Mom wanted to keep her car and thought it would be a good bonding trip for just the two of us. Mr. Always-in-control did not like the fact we didn't plan our stops ahead of time and was nervous for the entire three days. Hopefully, he is asleep and will get this when he wakes in the morning. But, just as I was about to fall asleep I hear the chirp of an incoming text on my phone.

*Good. I was worried.*

*I know. I love you.*

*Love you too, baby. Goodnight.*

By Saturday morning, Mom is all settled and Christian is flying Charlie Tango down from Seattle to pick me up. I told him driving is fine but he said he wants to spend as much time as possible with me.

Now it's Saturday evening and I am sitting in the great room of Christian's apartment. He walks up to me slowly handing me a glass of sauvignon blanc. "Are you sure you have to leave Monday to see Ray?"

"I promised him. I haven't seen him for months and it's only for a couple of days. Surely, you can handle that?" I smirk at him. He is so easy to tease.

He slowly shakes his head. "I don't think I can. I may just explode." He tries to act serious but he can't hide the corners of his mouth rising to a subtle smile.

"Well, we wouldn't want that to happen, now would we?" There is a wicked gleam in his stormy gray eyes and I know exactly what he's thinking. And, it's hot.

With a low, husky voice he tells me, "finish your wine, Anastasia." Holy fuck. He is so sexy my knees feel weak.

"Um… suddenly, I'm not thirsty." I squeak out. He smiles sinfully and takes the glass out of my hand placing it on the table next to us.

"Then, Miss Steele, I do believe we have business to attend to in the other room."

"Annie!" Ray shouts to me as he runs out the door of my childhood home to greet me.

"Dad! I've missed you!" I tell him as he hugs me in his strong, protective arms.

"Come on in, kiddo. I got some pizza for dinner." Ray puts his arms around my shoulders and we walk into the house. "Ham and pineapple your favorite. I got pepperoni for your dear old dad. Fruit doesn't belong on pizza. That's definitely your mother's genes speaking." Ray laughs.

We spend the evening eating pizza, drinking Yuengling lager, and watching Clint Eastwood movies - all of Ray's favorites. It's great to be at home with Ray again where everything is so simple. To say my life has been a little complicated recently is an understatement.

The following morning, Dad and I are eating burned toast and runny eggs - cooking is not his specialty. "So, Annie, your mother told me you and Christian are back together."

"That didn't take her long." I muse.

He smiles at me. "She was excited for you." I smile back at him.

"I know he hurt you somehow. Are you sure he feels the same about you as you do him?" He asks me very much the protective father.

"Oh, Dad, yes, I am sure."

"Pumpkin, as long as you say so, I believe you. But, if he hurts you in any way, he will have to answer to me." He is so serious that it makes me giggle a little bit.

"Good thing I never had a prom date. He would have really been in trouble." Both Ray and I break into laughter and it feels like home. I've missed this. Suddenly my phone rings. "That's probably Christian. He worries about me."

When I look down, I don't recognize the number. I almost let the call go to voicemail but something tells me to answer it. "Hello?"

"Anastasia Steele?"

"Yes, who is speaking?"

"This is Janelle Miller, the Human Resources Manager at SIP. I know this may seem strange, however, you interviewed for an Editorial Assistant at SIP about a year ago."

"Yes." Where is this going?

"The management team was very impressed with you. And, I know this may seem unorthodox, but we were wondering if you would be available for another position we have open."

"Another position?"

"Yes, it's an assistant position like you interviewed for then but for a different editor. It's yours if you want it."

"Mine? Just like that?"

"Yes, like I said, you made a wonderful impression on all the management at SIP during your interview."

"When would you need me to start?"

"I know it's short notice but would you be available to start next Wednesday?"

"Wednesday, a week from tomorrow?" She laughs slightly.

"Exactly. What do you say?"

"Well, I say, what time should I be there?"

"That's wonderful news. Come to SIP at 8:30 a.m. and ask for me."

"Thank you. I'll see you Wednesday morning." I hang up the phone and look at Ray smiling from ear to ear.

"Well, kiddo. Who was that?"

"It was SIP. They've offered me a job."