"Ready, wife?"

She beams. "Ready, husband."

We're snapped into our seats in my...sorry, our jet, ready to head back to Seattle. Ray is on the flight with the four of us, making it impossible for me to take Anastasia to the back for some one-on-one fun.

Once we're in the air and the pilot states we are free to move, Ana slips off her seat belt and climbs into my lap.

I give her an amused grin.

"What? We weren't close enough." She explains, trying to keep a straight face.

"Better?" I ask.

"Much." She laces her fingers with mine and plays with my new wedding ring. "It's a little loose."

I nod. "Yes, Taylor will have to take it to get it resized after we get home. How's yours?"

She holds her hand out and smiles. "Perfect. Mom and I must have the same size fingers."

"It looks beautiful on you."

She grins, proud. "Everything my mother had was beautiful." She looks over at Mr. Steele and he nods.

"That's true, babygirl. Your mom had great taste. She picked me, didn't she?" He dusts off his shirt and Ana giggles at his joke.

"Tell me more about your mom." I urge, wanting to know everything I can.

Anastasia's eyes meet her father's and he gives a small nod to encourage her.

She smiles. "She was the best."

I chuckle. "Why?"

She bites her lip while she thinks. "She always had time for me and she always made me feel like I was the most important person in the universe."

"That's because you are." Mr. Steele interjects.

She rolls her eyes. "Oh, Dad."

"What did she do to make you feel that way?" I tuck a tendril of her hair behind her ear.

"She would stop anything she was doing to play tea party or dance with me. She made sure she was available to be at every dance practice and every recital I was ever a part of. She never missed...not once. She used to let me do her hair and..." She giggles, "it would look absolutely terrible, but she'd wear it that way the whole day, telling everyone how wonderful of a job I did."

I grin when I see her blue eyes begin to sparkle. "I bet she looked great."

She lets out a belly laugh and so does Mr. Steele.

"I can tell you...she looked absolutely awful." Mr. Steele states through his chuckling. "I know I've got pictures somewhere that shows exactly how awful she looked."

Anastasia beams. "Oh, I'd love to see them!"

Mr. Steele nods. "We'll get together for lunch one day and look over all the scrap books."

She looks up at me. "You'll come, too?"

I press my lips to hers. "Of course, I will, sweet girl. Now, tell me more." I lace my fingers with hers. I want to know everything.

"Well...she always let me help cook...or make me feel like I was helping..." Her eyebrows knit together. "I think I hindered more than I helped, to be honest. And when we'd bake, we'd always end up in a flour fight and everything in the kitchen would have a dusting of flour over it." She smiles.

"It looked like it snowed." Mr. Steele states. "And they even got onto the floor and made flour angels."

Ana begins to giggle. "I forgot about that! That was fun."

"I had a habit of staying up late to watch the late shows, but Carla was always an early riser, so she'd go to bed early and Annie would fall asleep on my side of the bed with her. Her stuffed bunny always ended up between them and their hands were always clasped. When I came to bed, I'd either have to carry her to bed or I'd just scoot the little thing over and let her sleep with us...but somehow...her little feet ended up kicking me in the face every morning. She always ended up in the weirdest positions by morning."

I chuckle. "I've noticed that." I've found her horizontal or even upside down on the bed when I wake her.

"I always said she was dancing in her sleep."

I kiss her temple. "I haven't gotten to see her dance consciously, yet. I'm hoping that changes when I get her a ballet bar."

Her eyes widen. "You're what?"

I smile. "We've got so many rooms in that house. I thought we could set one of the rooms up as a dance studio. Maybe get you a private coach?"

Her jaw almost hits the floor. "You're serious?"

"Yes, baby. I want to see you dance."

"Oh, wow. Oh, Christian." She reaches up and cups my face. "You are so lovely. I don't even know how to thank you..." She shakes her head in disbelief.

"A kiss would suffice."

She smiles. "I can manage that."

XxXxXx

It's late when we get home and I can tell that Ana is exhausted by the events of the last few days.

"Why don't you head up to bed, baby. You look tired. I'm just going to look over my emails really quick in the office."

As she nods, a yawn escapes out of her mouth and she covers it with her hand. "Yes, I think I will head to bed."

I pull her to me and give her a long goodnight kiss. "Goodnight, Mrs. Grey."

She smiles up at me. "Goodnight, husband."

I turn her and pat her butt again like I did at the hotel and I hear her giggle as she makes her way up the stairs. It seems that she finds it endearing and I love it because I get to touch a place that no one else gets to. Mine.

It takes me awhile to sort through my emails and answer the ones that are urgent. I finally peel myself away from the computer and rub my eyes, looking at the clock. 11:23 pm. I sigh. The busy week must have messed with me, too. Maybe I'm just getting old. I use to think 11:30 was early.

I stand, stretch, and head out of my office to go find my girl to cuddle up to. My wife. I open the door to the bedroom, expecting to see her lump under the covers, but the bed is still made and she's nowhere to be found. I backtrack and peek my head into her room. She's there.

I frown.

Why isn't she in our bed?

We're married now, and I just thought that she'd be sharing a bed with me. That my bedroom would become our bedroom. Maybe she isn't ready for that permanent step. I don't like that thought.

I look back over my shoulder to the dark master suite. It doesn't look inviting anymore. The bed she's currently occupying looks more inviting. I decide to slip into the room and, as quietly as I can, I shed my clothing down to my boxer-briefs. I slip into the empty side of the bed and pull her back to me so that her back is pressed up against me. She mumbles in her sleep, but doesn't wake. I nuzzle my nose into her soft hair and it doesn't take me long to fall asleep.

The next morning I wake before she does, but since it's Saturday, I leave her to sleep while I wander downstairs to find some food. I find Gail in the kitchen making breakfast and I sigh.

"Gail, why do you constantly make me food on your day off?" I have a seat at the island and she places a cup of coffee in front of me.

"You've been gone the last few days, Christian. Besides, it felt like the right thing to do for the newlywed couple."

I grin around the lip of my coffee mug as I take a drink.

"Congratulations, Mr. Grey." She states, giving me an amused smirk. "Where's the Missus?"

I laugh. "She's still asleep. Were you surprised?"

Gail nods. "Pleasantly. You couldn't have picked someone more perfect for you, Christian. She's good for you and you for her. I have no doubt you two will be very happy together. And I personally cannot wait for the pitter-patter of little feet around here."

I snort into my coffee mug, spitting my coffee back into it. I'm completely surprised by her words.

She laughs behind her hand, obviously happy with taking me by surprise. "Will there be any little Greys to look forward to?"

I shrug. "Maybe. Eventually. It's definitely not something we're ready for now or have even talked about. I'll leave the decision to Ana."

Gail shakes her head. "No, no. Not now. I think it'd be best if she get her education under her belt before thinking of children. You two deserve to have some time together before adding little ones."

I nod. Anastasia is finally free from the abuse she suffered and I want her to be able to continue her care free lifestyle a bit longer. She really wants to go to college and I'm going to support her in every way I can. I'd love to see her succeed in school. Especially since she never even had the option before.

XxXxXx

"Where's Ana?" I haven't seen her this morning, yet and it's after 10:00 am. I told Gail to come get me from my office when she woke, but she never came down for breakfast.

Taylor gives me a grin. "I'll give you one guess." His eyes wander out the window to the horse barn and I sigh. I should have known. She hasn't seen the horses in days and I'm sure she's been missing Alastar.

"She needs to eat."

"Would you like me to retrieve her?"

I shake my head. "No, Taylor. I'll go."

I slip on my coat and mud boots and head out toward the barn. I pull open the door and I hear Ana's voice. I manage to grab the door and let is close silently before it slams.

"Oh, Alastar, I've got myself in quite a conundrum, haven't I? I'm being silly about this. He's my husband. If I just force myself to get it over with, I can sleep in his bed more often...or maybe even permanently. It's just sex right?"

I hear her sigh and I peek through the slits in the barn wall to see her pressing her forehead against Alastar's.

"Why do I have to be so screwed up? I don't know why I'm scared. I can handle pain...I guess...it's just because I don't know what the pain is going to feel like. Those girls...they were sobbing. They were in so much pain." She pauses and lets out a sardonic laugh. "Not only are you not human, but your male. Even if you could speak, you couldn't give me much advice. You sure do listen well, though. I guess..." She sighs, "I don't want to be lonely anymore. I know what I've got to do."

She presses a few kisses to his nose and he grunts out. It doesn't sound like he's too happy with her decision...and neither am I. I'm really glad I came when I did. My heart aches for her. Most people would find it to be common sense that you get married and share a bed. I have to remind myself that Anastasia is different. She was raised non-conventionally. She knows why I never asked her to share a bed with me. If I would have known how she felt, I would have invited her. She's lonely. Why couldn't I have told her I expected us to share a bed now that we're married? I am a bastard.

I push the door open and this time I let it slam so that she's aware of my presence. When I come around the corner, she's looking over her shoulder at me and she gives me a smile. Alastar isn't so happy to see me. He gives out a scream...his warning not to come closer. It's his 'I'll kill you' warning right before he tries to bite me or push me with his head. He still hates me.

"Alastar!" Anastasia admonishes him and he lets out a snort and nudges his nose lightly against her neck. His way of apologizing. Even though he's placating her now, I have no doubt that he would try something ornery if she wasn't around.

She pats his mane and kisses his muzzle. "Be good boy."

"You haven't eaten breakfast, yet." I mention, trying to sound nonchalant.

She shrugs. "I just wanted to check on the horses and spend time with Alastar. It's been days since I last saw him."

I nod. "Are you ready to head back in for breakfast?" I know that this issue must be hitting her hard, because she never skips a meal unless she's worried sick over something.

She steps away from Alastar and dusts off her shirt and jeans. "Yes, let's go."

I offer my hand to her and she takes it, resting her head on my bicep as we make our way back to the house.

XxXxXx

I've been fretting all day on how to handle this situation. Do I tell her I know? I'm unsure. This is a very sensitive situation.

"Come on, baby. Let's go to bed. I'm exhausted." Maybe if I pretend to be tired, she'll let it go.

I hook an arm around her neck and we head up to bed together.

"Find some pajamas and then come to bed. We'll watch a movie." Tomorrow I'll have Gail move her things to the master bedroom.

I slip into my pajama bottoms and climb into bed to wait for Anastasia. Turning on the television, I look through the pay-per-view for a movie to watch.

She appears and my dick rises. She's wearing nothing but a sexy little pair of lace boy-short underwear and lacy bra. Keep it together, Grey. This can't happen.

"That doesn't look too comfortable for bed, Anastasia." I wrinkle my nose, feigning confusion.

She gives me a small smile and shrugs. "We'll see."

She slips into bed beside me and curls up to my side. "What are we watching?"

We pick the movie Mirror Mirror starring Julia Roberts and get comfortable to watch. As we watch, I feel her nuzzle into my chest and then her lips press against my skin. Oh, fuck.

"Aren't you going to watch the movie?"

She giggles against my skin. "I thought we could have a little fun."

"Fun?" I ask, trying to stay relaxed.

She looks up at me and nods. She slides up my body and presses her lips to mine. Pulling away, she looks at me for a second, as if trying to gauge my reaction. She presses her lips to mine again and this time, she deepens it. I kiss her back, not wanting to upset her, but I know I can't allow her to take it much further.

Ana's hand wanders down and grips my penis through my bottoms. I'm half-hard already and I'm angry with myself when my dick grows in her hand. When her hand wanders up to the top of my pants to slip her hand in, I pull away from her lips and grab her hand.

"Ana, we can't do this."

Her eyebrows knit together and her mouth pulls down into a frown. "Don't you want me?"

I groan. "Baby, of course I do. This has nothing to do with how much I want to."

"I don't understand."

Sighing, I roll us so that she's laying on her back and I'm looking down at her as I hold myself up on my elbow. "It has to do with you being ready."

She pouts. "I'm ready."

I shake my head. "You're not."

"And how do you know that?"

I squeeze my eyes shut. "I heard you talking to Alastar today."

"You...you were eavesdropping?" Her tone is harsh. She's angry.

I open my eyes and I see the coldness in her eyes. "I hadn't meant to. At first, I was confused, thinking someone else was with you. Then, I realized you were talking to Alastar and I didn't want to interfere and by that time, I heard what you were saying and it upset me."

"So, you decided to pretend that you didn't hear anything? All day, you knew, and you didn't say anything. You were dishonest, Christian. You lied to me."

"I didn't want to upset you, Ana. I was hoping that you'd change your mind. I didn't lie, baby."

Her jaw ticks and I know this might not end up turning out well. "No, you just omitted the truth." She rolls her eyes. "Lying by omission is still lying, Christian!" She tries to push me off of her so she can get up, but I slip my arm around her to keep her in place.

"Please, don't leave. Stay and talk this out. I might have not done the right thing, Ana, but I'm glad I heard what I did. You're not ready for sex, yet, but you tried to convince me otherwise. Isn't that being dishonest?"

She frowns. "Yes, I suppose it is. I'm sorry."

"And I'm sorry for eavesdropping...and also, for not asking you to stay in the master bedroom with me. It never occurred to me that you needed to hear it from me. I just thought it was obvious. It was wrong of me not to discuss it with you. I ended up climbing in bed with you last night, just to be close to you."

"You did? I didn't even realize..." She chews her lip.

"So, are you going to move in here with me now?"

She smiles. "Yes, I suppose. If I have to."

"If you-hey!" I jump up on my knees and begin to tickle her, making her giggle.

She squeals and begs me to stop.

"Are you going to happily move in here with me?"

She giggles and squeals as I continue my tickle torture. "Yes...YES! I promise!"

I chuckle. "Say it!"

"I'll-EEK! I'll be happy-AH! To move!" She continues to giggle and tears fill her eyes.

"Alright, alright. I think you've learned your lesson." I wipe her cheeks where her tears from giggling have dropped.

"I'm ecstatic. You know how much I love this bed. And you, of course."

"Well, good to see I'm at least number two on your list." I give her a wink and settle down next to her.

"You'll always be number one, Christian. Although, the bed comes in at a close second." She pulls at her bra. "This really is uncomfortable. Mind if I take it off?"

Oh, fuck.

"Yes, please." I give her a cheeky grin and she blushes. "I love seeing this body, Ana. Don't be embarrassed."

She pulls the duvet up to her chin and reaches behind her, unclasping her bra. She slips it off her arms and throws it somewhere in the floor.

"Ah, so much better."

I try to keep my dick in line, although knowing she's naked in my bed except for her panties is making me incredibly hard.

I do my best to ignore it. "Let's rewind this and watch it from the beginning." We haven't gotten to see any of it, yet.

She snuggles up to me and feeling her naked breasts against my skin makes me groan out before I can stop myself. She smiles up at me.

"Can I still play?"

"What?"

"With you. I know we're not having sex, but I'd still like to touch you while we watch the movie...if you're okay with that. I want to make you feel good."

I kiss her. "You're always welcome to touch me. Can I touch you, too?"

She bites her lip and nods.

"Will you slip your panties off?"

"If you slip your jammies off."

I chuckle. "Deal."

We cuddle together, watching the movie, and I pull her leg on top of mine, my hand finding it's way down her backside and in between her legs to play. She plays with me, pumping my dick and I encourage her to go slow. I love how good she makes me feel. I'm not in a hurry to orgasm. I bring her to orgasm three times during the two hour movie and she brings me to the brink about twenty minutes before it's over. We both drift off, exhausted and sated, my hand resting on her round backside while her hand holds onto my flaccid dick.

I fall asleep with a smile on my face, knowing she's becoming more and more comfortable with me, my body, and her own. I'm perfectly content with where we're at now. We're slowly inching forward with the intimacy and she can take her time getting used to the idea of sex.

I grip her naked backside.

Mine.