How can someone that you just met have such an impact on your life? Ever since Christian walked into the door at Karen's Cafe, I've been a different Ana. There is no more "Plain Ana." Just by being with Christian, I've found my inner voice and a new found confidence. His leaving on Sunday was hard, but I knew that he couldn't stay in Logan forever. In the two days that he's been gone, we've talked on the phone and texted, but it's not the same. Every time I hear his voice, I close my eyes and imagine that he's in the room with me. His meeting went well, but there are some things that need to be dealt with about the deal so he's not sure when he'll be back. Soon is all he says.

My dad has felt better these last few days. I've spent all of my free time with him, wanting to cherish every moment we have left. In Christian's absence, I've thought more and more about his situation. Even though his family believes he's in Europe, they need him.

"Ana, let's go to Isla's for some ice cream.", Lea says as we are outside at the picnic table where Henry is on his third glass of sweet tea. It's another sweltering day, but the work is already finished. Tommy, who is retired, has been helping. He said that he gets tired of sitting home and being bored, but I know part of the reason is my dad.

"Let me get the truck keys." Hopping off the picnic table, I hear my cell buzz with a new text. Butterflies swirl in my stomach when I see it's from Christian.

*I never realized how much I disliked the view from my office window until now. Miss you*

Even his text messages make me fall for him more. I immediately text back.

*Why don't you like the view?*

*You're not here.* Oh

*I'm about to go for ice cream with Lea. I'll call you tonight.*

*The thought of you licking that ice cream is a turn on. Of course, we both know what I can do with my tongue ;)* Fuck

"Ready Ana?", Lea asks, interrupting my thoughts of Christian's tongue working it's magic on me.

"Yeah. Are you going to ask Henry to go?" Henry looks over at us at the mention of his name.

"She did, but I'm staying here to play poker with your dad and Tommy. Your dad thinks I'm ready to play." Henry has no idea that my dad is an expert poker player, but I'm even better at it.

"Have fun and try not to lose too much money.". I giggle, getting into the truck. Even though I miss Christian, life is better somewhat now that my mom is out of town. Thinking about how she had the nerve to ask my dying father for me is sickening, but I now know what kind of person she really is.

When we arrive in town, I see Kyle's truck parked at Nate's Tire. The last thing that I want or need is to see him today. I haven't seen him since that night at Roady's when he was drunk off his ass and kissed me. That was the second and last chance for him.

"Ana, what's wrong?", Lea asks, noticing my urgency to head into Isla's.

"Kyle is what's wrong.", I sigh. "The night that Christian and I had our first official date, Kyle was there. He was nice at first, but ended up getting drunk and kissing me."

"That ass. I bet Christian was not happy about that."

"Not at all. Kyle ended up getting punched." We walk up to the counter and order our ice cream before sitting down in a table at the back. Midway through eating my ice cream, I get a text. Christian.

*How is the ice cream? Is it tasty? I know something else that's tasty ;)*

How he can make me wet hundreds of miles away is beyond me, but my panties are drenched. I shift uncomfortably in my seat as Lea looks on.

"From the look on your face, that text was from Christian.", she laughs.

"It was. He was just saying hi." Lie.

"Ana, you're a bad liar. How are you guys?"

"Good, I guess. With him in Seattle, it's hard, but he says he's coming back soon."

"Have you guys talked about what's going to happen with the two of you?" I know what she's referring to, and it's something that I've been thinking about as well.

"Not really."

"Does he have any idea how long he'll be back for?" My eyes drop to the floor at her question. "I didn't mean to upset you. I was just wondering because I can see how you feel about him."

"It's fine." Lea's eyes shift towards the door, and I see Kyle who is on his way to our table.

"Ana, hey. Can we talk for a minute?", he asks as he looks at Lea. The tone of his voice indicates that he wants to talk to me alone, but that's not happening.

"Whatever you have to say to me you can say in front of Lea."

"I want you to know that I'm sorry about that night at Roady's. I was messed up and shouldn't have kissed you."

"I would believe your apology if that was the first time that you had pulled that stunt, but it wasn't Kyle. You keep saying your sorry, but I don't think you are."

"Where's Christian?", he asks, looking around for signs of the man who laid him out on the floor during their last encounter.

"He's out of town.", I answer.

"Ana, I want you to be happy, but I still don't know why you won't give me, us, a chance."

"I've told you why."

"Yeah, you said there was no spark there, but there's got to be more to it. What does Christian have that I don't?"

"Simple, my heart." Both he and Lea look stunned by my words, but it's true. My heart is in Seattle with Christian.

"I can't say that didn't hurt.", he says. "I'll be going now."

When Lea and I arrive back at the house, my dad and Tommy are laughing at Henry in the kitchen. Even with my dad teaching him how to play poker, Henry is still struggling.

"All right fellas, I think I've lost enough money for the day.", Henry chuckles.

"Henry, it was a pleasure.", Tommy smile. "I should be going. I'll see you guys later." Tommy leaves at the same time as Henry and Lea.

"Annie, have you talked to Christian?", my dad asks.

"Earlier."

"Have you thought about going to Seattle with him? You know, after." The after being his dying, and I want to put that off as long as possible. While my dad said goodbye is coming, I still want to delay it.

"My home is in Logan.", I answer.

"I've already told you that I think you should sell the farm and move away from here. Christian is a good reason for that. He cares about you."

"I care about him too. Dad, I don't want to sell the farm because it's my home. It's the only place that I've ever known, and I can't just give it up."

"Well, you know the old saying , home is where the heart is. If your heart is with Christian, you should be wherever he is." Earlier, I told Kyle that Christian has my heart so it's ironic that my dad is telling me this.

When dinner is over, I go into my bedroom to call Christian, but he doesn't answer. Maybe he'll see the missed call and call me back. As I wait to see if he calls back, I lay my head down on the pillow. My brain has had a lot to process these last few weeks, and I'm drained. Before I know it, sleep takes over.

The sound of my phone ringing wakes me up. Fumbling for it on the beside table, I see that it's a quarter after one. At first I wonder who called be calling this late, and then I see that it's Christian.

"Hello.", I answer, trying to fully wake up.

"I woke you up, didn't I ?", he asks. The sound of his voice has me wide awake. Texting is fine, but I long to hear that voice.

"It's fine. I called you earlier and thought you might call back."

"I'm sorry baby. I had dinner with my parents tonight, and it was late when we finished. I wasn't going to call you because of the time. When I went to bed, I couldn't sleep. I just needed to hear your voice." Be still my heart.

"I'm glad that you had dinner with your parents. I'm sure that they're happy you've returned from Europe.", I giggle.

"Yeah, they were happy to see me."

"Family is important. I've been missing you, but I feel selfish for it."

"Why?"

"As much as I like you being here, your family needs you there."

"What exactly are you saying Ana?" I'm saying that I'm about to break my own heart.

"Maybe you should stay there." My heart jerked in my chest at those words.

"What? Ana, I told you that I would be back as soon as.."

"Your life is in Seattle, and I'm not about to ask you to give it up for me, even in the least bit. It's time that we woke up from this dream and start facing reality."

"After everything that we've been through, this is what you want?" I can hear the hurt in his voice, but deep down this is for the best. Isn't it? "What is your heart telling you?"

"I've got a lot to deal with, and the last thing I need is my heart being pulled apart with the going back and forth."

"Fuck.", he mutters. "Do you really want to walk away from this? Because I don't."

"What I want and what's best are different things. It's late, and I'm tired. Goodnight." Without giving him a chance to respond, I hang up. This is for the best. It really is.

If ending things with Christian was the best thing, why did I cry myself to sleep last night? Maybe it will get better over time, but right now, it hurts like hell.

"Morning Annie.", my dad smiles as he walks into the kitchen. "You've been crying."

"It's nothing Dad. Breakfast is ready." Placing the eggs and toast on the table, I force a smile.

"Annie, when I was in high school, there was a girl, Barbara Harris, who was perfect. She was smart, funny, and beautiful. We were best friends. She wanted more, and I did too even though I was scared that we would ruin our friendship. One day, she told me that she loved me, but I said I didn't feel the same way. I was lying. The hurt in her eyes is something that I still remember. I should have been honest with her and taken a chance."

"You still think about her?"

"Yeah, I think about her a lot." Wow. "Someone is pulling up outside. It's probably Henry."

Glancing out the window, I see a florist van. They must have the wrong address. I walk outside and see a middle-aged man smiling at me.

"Can I help you?", I ask.

"Are you Anastasia Steele?"

"Yes" Obviously, he's not lost.

"I have a delivery for you.", he says as he goes to the back of the van and brings out a dozen pink roses and then another dozen. He keeps bringing them out and sets them on the porch. Finally, there are five dozen pink roses.

"There must be some mistake because these can't be mine."

"They're yours.", he smiles before getting in the truck and quickly leaving.

"Here's the other dozen.", I hear coming from the side of the house. Christian is standing with a dozen pink roses in his hands.

"I don't understand. How did you get here so fast?"

"My private plane. There's six dozen roses, seventy-two to be exact, one for every hour I was away from you. God, I missed you." He places the roses in his hands down with the others and walks slowly to me.

"As much as I'm happy that you're here, you should have stayed in Seattle."

"I know why you want me to stay away. You're scared, but I am too. My mother told me that being scared is part of it all."

"Your mom? Did you tell her about us?"

"I told her and my dad that I was never really in Europe. They were shocked. I didn't tell them about Cara, but I told them I just needed to get away for a while. Both of them know how stressful my life is so they understood. Ana, even though we may be from different places, we have one thing in common, and that's how we feel about the other. We'll figure things out, I promise."

"I'm sorry for being so stubborn.", I say through tears.

"It's ok. I find it a huge turn on.", he smirks. He hold his arms out for me, and I immediately jump in them. Oh, I've missed him.

"What exactly did you tell your mom about me?"

"You captured my heart.", he whispers.