AN: Hey guys, I apologize for the long wait. I had no internet access from where I was and I am really thankful that you guys have stuck with me.
IMPORTANT: Ana's virginity and SEX will happen next chapter! For those of you asking about their wedding night...you will find out...later.
APOV
I ran out of the elevator. I could hear Christian's gasp of surprise behind me, but now was not the time. I needed to go and I needed to go real bad. We just came back from our day out in the Sea, and me being me forgot to pee for a long time, hence the hurry.
"Ana-" Sawyer didn't get to finish the rest of the sentence as I pushed him aside in my hurry to get to the bathroom. I yelled out a 'sorry' when I heard him fall over the couch. I quickly entered my bathroom, sat down and jeez - was it supposed to feel that good to relieve your bladder? Damn
After two minutes, when I had finished my business and washed my hands, and I came back out to the Great Room to see a very confused Sawyer, Christian and Taylor.
"I had to pee" I state dryly.
"Pee? Pee? You pushed me over a couch to pee?" Sawyer cried.
"Oh, stop being such a wussy Sawyer" I retorted. While Sawyer looked gobsmacked, I could see Christian and Taylor trying to hide their laughter behind him, and I couldn't help the small smile that crawled onto my lips as well. "Well, I am going to go to bed seeing that it is near midnight..." With a nod Taylor and Sawyer left the room.
In that moment, I couldn't help but go up to Christian, and...punch him as hard as I could on his arm.
His face contorted into one of shock and slight pain. "Ow! what the fuck was that for?" I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.
"That was for interfering with my work without letting me know." He looked like someone smacked him.
"Wha-" Before he could finish his word, I threw myself into his arms and kissed him as hard as possible. I could feel the shock radiating off of him as he stood still. But, quicker then humanly possible, he started moving his lips in tangent with mine as he pushed me up against the nearest wall.
Pulling back and gasping for air, we stare at each other's flushed faces.
"What was that for?"
"That was for everything else." With one more peck, I pulled away from his arms and left the room to change and sleep, while Christian still stood there near the wall, mouth agape.
After I had changed into my light pink silk nightie, I crawled into Christian's bed. I could have slept on my own, but for the past 2 day this is where I had been sleeping with him and after the...intimacy...ish...thing we had today, I decided that it would be alright if I slept with him for another night. Besides, I needed to do something extremely important tomorrow morning...
CPOV
I walked into my room expecting it to be empty, only to come across Ana sleeping there. She looked like an angel - so peaceful, serene. I quickly changed out of my clothes opting for pajama pants and crawled into bed next to her. I wrapped an arm around her waist and spooned her as her steady breathing slowly brought me to sleep.
I woke up to find Ana gone from the bed. It was 8 in the morning. Damn!
After showering, and pulling on a dark grey suit, I walk into the Great Room where I see Elliot hugging and twirling Ana. What the fuck?
"Lelliot, can you put my wife down right now." Damn Grey! Already being possessive.
"Calm down bro, I'm just being a little friendly" Maybe too friendly you idiot! And I am about to say that to him, but Ana turns around, and I take in a breath. She looks...gorgeous...and it has nothing to do with what she is wearing, although that looks good too. No, it has to do with the fact that she is smiling, and her cheeks are slightly flushed...god she is so beautiful.
I take her in my arms and give her a soft kiss on the cheek. "Good morning Beautiful"
"Good morning to you too Christian" She smiles softly at me. And, of course, Elliot has to break this beautiful moment between us.
"Ana, I don't mean to interrupt, but we have to leave now" What?
"Leave...with him? What's going on?" I blurt out before I can help myself.
Ana looks apologetic as she replies, "We just have to go see a new site for one of my constructions, so..yeah" There is something about her tone that seems off, like she is lying but I don't question it. Mainly because, I know that it's not like she is going to be cheating on me with my brother - I know Elliot is a man whore, but he would never do that, and Ana is...Ana
"Ok, see you in the afternoon" With a small peck, she turns to leave with my brother. There is something off about her, and I know it.
APOV
Elliot shocks me out of my stupor when he says, "You make him happy"
"Wha.." He turns to look at me, his green eyes boring into mine.
"I've never seen my brother this happy, I mean sure he had his fuck buddies, but he was never happy, but I don't know what happened, but in the four days you've known each other, I...I am seeing a different side of him, so..thank you for that."
I don't know how to respond to that. I just give him a nod. But, I realize that I had changed too. Maybe not as much as Christian had as Elliot says, but I know I had.
"And Ana, I know I already told you this when we talked on the phone today morning, but I apologize for how my family treated you at the dinner. That wasn't a way they should have welcomed you, and-"
"It's fine Elliot. I get it. I was unexpected..."I trail off, not knowing how to finish the sentence, but I also didn't know how to finish the thought because I couldn't find their justification for their words.
"Ana are you sure you want to do this?" His face showed one of concern.
"Absolutely. I mean Christian hasn't had a birthday party from when he was 9 years old right?" He gives me a nod. "Well, I really want to make this special, because I probably won't be a part of it the next year. "
Elliot and I pull into his parents driveway at 8:30. I wasn't afraid of them. I was afraid of their words. But...but this was for Christian, and I have to do it.
Elliot opens the door without knocking and steps in. I, on the other hand don't feel comfortable walking into someone's house without being welcomed, and I just stand in front of the door.
"It's ok Ana, come on in" Reluctantly, I step into the house. I start to feel that this was a bad idea...but I really wanted to do it. It was yesterday on the boat, that Christian revealed to me that his birthday was tomorrow, and about his hesitance in birthday parties. BUT, I was determined to make his 29th the best birthday ever for all that he did for me so...
At first, they don't notice Elliot and I, but when Elliot says 'hi' everyone - Carrick, Grace and Mia - look up at us from their spot in the living room. It's awkward.
"Hello Ellio - oh Ana! oh Dear, how are you doing" Grace looks shocked to see me their, but nevertheless steps forward to give me a warm embrace. I feel like I am going to cry...I've never hugged my mother before, and...this is just so overwhelming
Elliot coughs, "I am here too mom"
"Of course darling," with that she moves to hug Elliot as well. It's so sweet.
"I hope I am not intruding Grace, I just had some important matters to talk about and then...and then I'll leave"I take in a gulp when I say 'I'll leave'. I don't want. No, I am not talking about the mansion...I am talking about Grace. I didn't want to leave her.
"Hi Mia. Carrick" They both gave me a small nod, with Mia going the extra mile with a smile.
"I.." Come on Steele! Business tone! You need to get your point across and go! "I wanted to ask if you would all come to Escala tomorrow for Christian's birthday. I wanted us to have dinner with the family first and have friends over for cake and the after dinner events. It is going to be a surprise though, so Christian doesn't know about it" Grace looked shocked.
"A surprise birthday party? For Christian?" she looked gobsmacked as if she couldn't believe I was actually doing this. "Why? I mean not that I don't want to, but why invite us?"
"You guys are his family. A beautiful family that cares about him and I..I know for a fact that although he might not show it, he loves every one of you. Even you Carrick. You have no idea the amount of respect he has for you and Grace...Growing up, I could have only wished that I had a family. To know that there was someone there that cared, that loved me. You have given him what no one has given me. I can never take that away from him, nor do I want to. Please don't let me interfere in your family. And...I promise it is not because of an obligation that I want you guys there...I care about him a lot, and I want him to be with the people he loves on his special day. So...it would be amazing if you can come. I know that Christian will love it."
Grace rushed forward to hug me, tears slipping down her cheeks. I awkwardly returned the hug.
"Thank you so much. I am so happy he has found someone who loves him so much. I am so happy. Thank you" she whispers, choking on sobs.
"You don't need to thank me Grace. Not for this. I..I care about him so much"
"We will be there. I promise."
With a parting hug from both Mia, and Grace, I turn to leave the house, when a voice stops me.
"Anastasia" Carrick's voice freezes me to my spot as I turn around to face him. I can feel the nervous energy in the room radiating off of everyone.
I wait. "I am sorry. I know sorry is not enough for how I judged you unfairly to the words that I have said that I can never take back, but I am sorry. I know you might not forgive me right now, but I sincerely hope that you will soon. Forgive me...and thank you"
I don't know what to say, as I stand there shocked. I give him a considerate nod, before I turn around to leave with Elliot.
Apology accepted, but not yet forgiven...nor forgotten. Some words hurt more than actions. They bring memories that I wish I can burn. But memories can only be burned into your head, some more visual and clear than others. And words bring them out from their resting please.
Carrick's words had unknowingly brought out some of my darkest years.
AN: SOOOOOO How did you like it? Reach 275 reviews for the next chapter? That would be awesome. PLEASE Please review!