Chapter 21 - This Town
Ana's POV
The week goes by quickly, keeping busy with the new routines, and planned performances for the Seattle Dance Company has actually been more work than I planned for. It's not a regular 9 to 5 job, but I can't imagine doing anything else. We actually have a free weekend for once, and I plan to spend it with Christian. We've been texting all week, and we have dinner plans for tonight. All week, I've been looking forward to spending time with him.
When I'm finally done with rehearsal it's 6pm. I head home, and shower quick. Kate helps me pick out a white v neck dress, with a lace skirt. I'm basically afraid to do anything else as soon as I put it on, it's beautiful, I just don't know how I feel about all white. I do my hair and makeup regardless, even though I want to change. I don't have time. I'm just putting mascara on when I hear a knock at the front door. I'm running late, as per usual. I haven't even packed an overnight bag, and Christian said he wanted to spend the weekend together.
"Kate, can you get that?" I call out. I finish putting my makeup on, and find Christian and Kate in the living room.
"You can come in my room. I have to finish getting ready." He's standing awkwardly in my living room while Kate looks like she's getting something in the kitchen.
"Ohh. I thought you'd be ready." He says, he's right on time. I'm just late, and Kate laughs at his statement.
"She'd be late to her funeral." Thanks, Kate. He follows me to my bedroom, and I grab the weekender bag from my closet, and throw a couple different casual outfits in there, along with some underwear and bras. I grab two less casual outfits and throw them in the bag too. I throw a pair of sweatpants in there too. I don't know what he has planned this weekend, but I want to make sure I have options.
"Nice Jacket." He nods towards his suit jacket on my ottoman.
"I forgot I wore that home last week." I lie, I make no move to grab it. It's been sitting there like some sort of shrine to him. If I couldn't sleep, I would hold it, trying to get a scent from him off it. I'm not a stalker, I swear. I don't want to sound like a nut case.
I grab my purse, and he takes the bag from me with a smile on his face, we walk out of my room. Kate has made herself scarce somewhere, assuming her bedroom.
"I'm leaving Kate, see you later!" I call out, before grabbing my keys. Christian holds the door for me and walks me to a waiting SUV. The ever waiting Taylor takes the bag from him, and I get in the car thanking him. Christian gets in beside me.
"I've been waiting all week for this." He admits, pulling me in for a kiss. It's hard to break apart, but when I hear Taylor get in the car, I'm somewhat brought back to reality. Without instructions, Taylor pulls out into traffic.
"Where are we going?" I ask, I feel like a kid on their way to Disney World.
"Dinner." I give him a look, obviously.
"The Mile High Club." He says, and it still gives me no indication of where we're going.
When we pull up to Columbia Tower, I've never actually been here. He takes my hand, and leads me to the elevator. If there weren't other people here, I think I might have jumped him. When the elevator pings, I breathe a slight sigh of relief.
Christian's POV
The Hostess recognizes me instantly, and starts batting eyelashes. Normally it doesn't affect me, but I'm clearly with someone right now, and it's rude to Ana.
"Mr. Grey." She says, Ignoring her bluntless, and just pull Ana closer to me.
"Our Table." I'm straight to the point. I don't want to sit here and endure this, not when she's on my payroll. She shows us to the table set for two, right by the floor to ceiling windows. I hold Ana's chair out for her and when she sits, I take my seat. Chivalry isn't dead. When the waiter comes to get our drink order, I get us a bottle of wine. After that elevator ride, I'm almost thinking about something stronger.
"Does that always happen to you?" She asks, looking over her menu. I just watch her, I already know what I want.
"What?" I ask, thinking about it I realize what she's asking.
"Women dropping their panties for you." She clarifies. Is that what you would call it?
"It's just a pretty face, baby." It's unwanted attention.
"It's more than just a face, Chris. You're an amazing man." I love that she's shortened my name. As much as I love hearing Christian coming off those sweet lips.
"Only with you, baby." Only ever you. She ponders over the menu for a bit, or maybe she's thinking about life because she continues the conversation after the bottle of wine is served.
"Have you been with anyone since I've been gone?" She asks the question, and I can tell she was afraid to ask. She didn't know if she should or not, maybe she didn't really want to know the answer if I had been.
"Nobody. It's only ever been you." I repeat. I probably sound crazy, but how could I be with someone new? I love her.
"Have you?" I don't know if I want to know. Have her and Linc been together? I know they stayed friends, which already pisses me off, because I know he wants into her panties. She claims he's such a good friend, he was there for her. You walked away from her.
"No." She admits. The waiter comes over and takes our order. I get a Sirloin Steak, and Ana gets a Salmon Filet, both of which are delicious and get served with a side of potatoes and vegetables. The menu is fairly simple, but the food is some of the best in Seattle. I wouldn't own the restaurant if it wasn't.
"Was Juilliard everything you hoped it to be?" I want to know how she's been for the last 4 years.
"Everything and more. Everything was amazing. I think I would have died had I not been accepted." I'm glad her dreams came true, I just wish I could have been there for that. You left her.
"What about your business?" She asks.
"I became a multi billionaire."
"It meant nothing without you." I add the last part, as truthful as it is, it hurts. We're both to blame for not making our relationship work. We're both at fault for not being together for 4 years. I thought I was over it, that I had accepted why I left. I know I left for good reason, I know it wouldn't have worked to even be her friend for 4 years. It probably would have hurt worse. It was something our relationship needed. Seeing her now, it all goes out the window. Anything I could do to get more time with her.
"I'm proud of you." She says.
"Thank you for believing in me." I tell her, looking into those blue eyes. I know now more than ever, I still love her.
We eat dinner and go back to Escala. I can't wait to spend tomorrow with her, but first I get to spend the night with her. After the elevator ride out of the restaurant, I can't keep my hands off of her any longer. In the car, and up to my apartment. I just need to feel her against me, I just want to be inside of her. Like it's the first time undressing her, I take my time.
Ana's POV
Waking up wrapped around Christian is like waking up in heaven. Have I mentioned how much I love this man? I know I haven't told him yet. I'm scared. He said he'd never leave again, and deep down I know that's the truth. But what if we can't make it work, what if he wakes up one day and decides he doesn't love me? My biggest fear isn't him lying to me, or that he'll cheat on me. No, my biggest fear is that he'll wake up before me one morning and instead of leaning over and kissing me good morning, he'll look at my sleeping body and start to notice all my flaws. My pale skin, my chapped lips, the scar in my eyebrow, and the other scars, stretch marks, and bruises that light up my body like a road map. He'll think about my tendency to get emotional easily, and the fact that I just don't talk much. He'll remember how annoying I get when I think I'm right all the time, even though I hardly am. He'll walk into the kitchen, brew a cup of coffee, sit at the table, and come to the conclusion, with no particular reason at all, he just doesn't love me anymore. That's my biggest fear. I know it's irrational, but I've never seen a love that lasts. I know I'll love him forever, there's no one else but him.
I have the urge to pee, but don't want to move. Christian feels like a hundred degrees. We're both naked, but the heat radiating off of us feels like too much. I try to unwrap myself from him, but he starts to stir and I know he's going to wake up. His hand moves from near my face to my breast, and he moves to kiss my neck. My hand goes in his hair instantly. I've never been so happy to wake up next to him. His hand moves slowly, achingly down my body to my sex. He rubs my clit with one of his fingers, making me thrust closer to his hand. I need more, I'm already wet and waiting for him. He's still kissing my neck, and I lean my head back into the pillows. He inserts one finger, it's nowhere near enough. When I feel him insert another, I beg for more. His fingers are like magic, and his kisses are like fire to my skin. I'm hot, dying for air. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Christian" I breathe.
"Yes, baby." He murmurs, still thrusting his finger greedily inside of me. I'm arching to meet him, desperately needing to come.
"Ohh, please." Sub mode, I'm asking to come. Like an unknown dom, he commands.
"Not yet." With every ounce of strength, I don't let myself come. He's on top of me in an instant., inserting himself inside me. It's slow and deep.
"Ohh god." My head can't go further back. I'm arching to meet his thrusts. He kisses me deeply, morning breathe forgotten.
"Please, Christian." I don't recognize my own voice. He keeps thrusting, and I feel all of him inside of me. Every movement, pushing me closer and closer.
"Come with me" On command, we are coming together. I feel myself unravel underneath him.
"Ohh fuck, Ana." My name on his lips is enough to drain every ounce out of me.
We lay there, completely satisfied, completely intoxicated on each other.
When we finally get up, I decide to run a bath for us. Chrsitian has a few bath things, I never would have thought him the type to soak in the bathtub.
"I bought some stuff when you came back in my life." I didn't even notice the few femine products he had on the counter for me. A brush, toothbrush, and all the essentials for soaking in the bathtub. I put bubbles in, and Christian is behind me, holding my body close to his. I lean up and kiss him.
"You're amazing." Not only for buying these few things, but just for being him. We soak in the tub, kissing, washing each other, just enjoying each others embrace. I've never felt so loved, just by the little action of washing my hair and body has me coming apart. I'm slowly unravelling, all the darkest corners of my heart, suddenly have light shining on them. When we get out of the tub, I have a towel wrapped around me.
"What are we doing today?" I ask, I don't know what to wear.
"It's a surprise." He says, we're in the closet where I found my bag and Christian is getting dressed.
"What should I wear?" I pull almost everything out of my bag, I hate everything. I never said I was organized person. I know I'm making a mess on the blue ottoman and the floor around it.
"Just something casual." He says, dressing in a simple navy sweater and grey jeans. I find one of the pairs of discarded jeans, and pull out a loose fitting plain white shirt from the bag. I find the sandles I shoved in the bottom of the bag, a few more items hitting the floor. When I put my feet into them, Christian looks at me a little expentently. I decide not to leave his closet looking like mine, and pick whatever fell on the ground, and just kind of shove it over the bag. I at least have everything on the ottomon.
"Okay. I'm ready." I say, walking out of the closet.
"Are you always such a…" He kind of trails off looking for the right word.
"Mess?" I ask, looking back at him. He's trailing loosely behind me.
"Tornado?" He questions. There really isn't a good word for it. I'm a mess. I'm late constantly, and when it comes to finding an outfit to wear I'm a disaster. I go through ten outfits, just to find one. If I don't like something, I'll toss it to the side like it burned me. I'll make sure I get all my things before I go home, it just might be a little messy until I get that far.
"Hurricane." I state. I know I can do better than a tornado.
"You'd could make a burlap sack look beautiful." He says, giving me a small kiss. I rummage around in the fridge, I'm hungry. I don't know what he has planned for the day, but it's already early afternoon. I heat us both some leftovers, I go for the pasta.
Christian's POV
We get in the R8, and head off towards Puyallup WA. It's a little over half an hour from Seattle, I wanted to take Ana to the fair. It was something we did as kids, and I just wanted to bring back what an amazing time we had. We were best friends, and everything was perfect. Now, we've come closer, the last week has been a whirlwind. She came back in my life at full force, and I couldn't be happier. I know there's still a lot of things we haven't talked about, but we'll get there. I love her, with all of my heart. I just have to make her see that she means the world to me. You can have all of the things money has to buy, as long as I have her, that's all I'll ever need in this life.
The top is down, and wind is flying in Ana's hair. I can't see her eyes through her sunglasses, but I can tell she's happy, she has a cheesy grin on her face, and she's mumbiling the song playing through the car speakers. She has her phone on Bluetooth, and I'm not sure of the song playing. It's catchy, saying how good boys go to heaven and bad boys bring heaven to you. I know she's not a professional singer, but she could be. Just hearing her sing softly to herself has me wanting more. I love her voice, she could sing me anything.
When a familiar song plays, Ana is singing the guys part like shes a rapper. When I laugh, she looks at me, and just shakes her hand. She bobs her head to the beat, and when the chorus hits, she just smiles and waves her hands in the air.
You look as good as the day I met you. I forget just why I left you, I was insane. Stay and play that Blink-182 song, that we beat to death in Tucson. OK
I know it breaks your heart. Moved to the city in a broke-down car and four years, no call. Now I'm looking pretty in a hotel bar and I, I, I, I, I can't stop. No, I, I, I, I, I can't stop.
She hits every note like her life depends on it, dancing like a goon.
So, baby, pull me closer in the back seat of your Rover that I know you can't afford. Bite that tattoo on your shoulder, pull the sheets right off the corner of that mattress that you stole from your roommate back in Boulder. We ain't ever getting older.
We ain't ever getting older. We ain't ever getting older.
At the next guys part, I decided to surprise her and take my chance at singing. I know I'm terrible, and the song doesn't help me any.
So, baby, pull me closer in the back seat of your Rover that I know you can't afford. Bite that tattoo on your shoulder, pull the sheets right off the corner of that mattress that you stole from your roommate back in Boulder. We ain't ever getting older.
I give up, leaving the singing to Ana. I didn't really think anything of the song, and then I remember that Ana used to have a Range Rover. Does she still have one? Maybe I could buy her a new one. Is that too much? I want to give her the world, because she's given me so much more. I'd buy her anything she wants and more.
We ain't ever getting older. No, we ain't ever getting older
We ain't ever getting older. No, we ain't ever getting older.
Before the song ends, we pull up in the parking lot of the fairground. Ana looks as excited as the first time I brought her here, and just like the aquarium she is almost out of her seat before the car even stops.
"Omg, Christian." She gasps. I turn the car off, and before I know it she's around the car and hurrying me out of the car.
"I can't believe you brought me back here."
"I didn't think you'd ever want to come here again." Although I'm not a fan of any extreme rides, I'd do anything with her.
Just like when we were kids, we ride the teacups, spinning so fast I feel a little dizzy when we get off. We probably looked ridiculous two adults, riding a children's ride, but I don't care. After a few more rides that aren't crazy, she gets me on one of the extreme rides, and I'm done. We walk around, getting dinner from one of the vendors, and eating happily. We play a few of the games, where I win Ana a small teddy bear. I would have won her a big one, spent all my money to get her the best, but she refuses.
Ana's POV
As if the day couldn't get any better, Christian got tickets to see one of the performing artists, Niall Horan. He admits he has no clue who it is, but on the off chance I want to go the concert has almost started. Of course I want to go, a concert is a concert, no matter who's performing. And the teenage girl in me squeaks at the old member of One Direction.
We are too late to get spots up front, but I could care less. I've had such an amazing day with Christian, I could be anywhere with him. We stand in the back, listening to his heavenly voice sing Slow Hands. Christian is standing with his arms wrapped around me. I reach up and touch his cheek, giving him a small kiss. When a slow song comes on, I can't help but turn around. I want to dance with him, no routine, no performance, just dance. Like when we were kids at prom, were close together swaying to the music.
Waking up to kiss you and nobody's there. The smell of your perfume still stuck in the air. It's hard. Yesterday I thought I saw your shadow running 'round. It's funny how things never change in this old town. So far, from the stars.
And I want to tell you everything. The words I never got to say the first time around.
This time around is different.
And I remember everything, from when we were the children playing in this fairground. Wish I was there with you now.
I spent years wishing I was here, in a moment like this.
If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you. Drive highways and byways to be there with you.
No matter how much I try to fight it.
Over and over the only truth, everything comes back to you.
No matter what I do.
I saw that you moved on with someone new. In the pub that we met he's got his arms around you. It's so hard, so hard.
And I want to tell you everything. The words I never got to say the first time around.
I love you.
And I remember everything, from when we were the children playing in this fairground. Wish I was there with you now.
I love you, Christian.
'Cause If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you. Drive highways and byways to be there with you. Over and over the only truth, everything comes back to you.
You still make me nervous when you walk in the room. Them butterflies—they come alive when I'm next to you. Over and over the only truth. Everything comes back to you.
You're my everything.
And I know that it's wrong. That I can't move on. But there's something 'bout you.
Even if we're apart again, there's no one else but you.
'Cause If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you. Drive highways and byways to be there with you. Over and over the only truth, everything comes back to you.
You still make me nervous when you walk in the room. Them butterflies—they come alive when I'm next to you. Over and over the only truth. Everything comes back to you. Everything comes back to you.
"Christian." I breathe. Mentally, I know the song has ended, but I don't care. It's like were the only two in the room, time has stood still for this moment.
"I love you." I say, no hesitation, no second guessing.
"You love me." He whispers.
"Yes." I whisper. "I do."
A/N
When Ana was having her Saturday morning revelations the thing about her biggest fear him not lying or cheating, but one day he'll wake up and decide he doesn't love her. Not going to lie, I stole that whole quote their. I saw it on tumblr a long time ago, and when starting to write her thoughts I thought of it, I thought it was too fitting and had to put it in there. If you google "My biggest fear isn't that you'll lie to me or cheat on me." You will find it the original post of it.
Also, I stole the last few lines from the original Fifty Shades Darker, just twisted them so they fit for Ana finally saying I love you.