A/n-Thank you for all of the lovely reviews, I truly cannot tell you guys how much it means to me, you guys are the best group of readers/supporters anyone can ask for, and I actually did manage to update on time so Yay!
Ok, so I know many of you didn't like the prenup (honestly, did you think I would've allowed them to enter a marriage with a prenup?) lol, but hopefully that problems resolves itself in this chapter as well as Ana's job...
I will also try to update again on time next week, but it might be a day or two later depending on how crazy RL gets.
Chapter 21-Home
Carrick rubs his eyes, the day has taken a toll on him. He tried calling Christian several times today, and the day before, as well as the day before that.
He pushes on his bedroom door and becomes frustrated when he finds out it's locked, and his frustration only increases when he finds out that the key is gone as well.
Carrick bangs loudly against the door, and when Grace doesn't answer, he slams his fist against the sturdy wood. Suddenly, the door is thrown open, and a very angry Grace appears in the doorway.
"What's going on Grace?" Carrick demands.
Grace throws his pillow at his face, and startled, Carrick reacts just in time to catch it. "You can either resolve things with Ana and Christian, or you can sleep in the boathouse." She spits.
Carrick raises his eyebrows, surprised. Grace never spoke so harshly with him. "I told you, I'm just trying to look out for Christian."
"Look out for him my ass, he's finally happy, and you decide to ruin their marriage with your idea of a prenup. Do you know Ana and Christian had several fights about this? huh? So you either rip up that piece of stupid paper or you don't get to come into this house." Grace speaks, her words lit with fire, and with that, she slams the door shut once again.
Carrick pinches the bridge of his nose, he needed a drink, and with a deep sigh, retreats to his study. After several hours (and several glasses of whisky), Carrick reaches into his drawer to pull out the prenup.
Grace's right. Christian was happy with Ana, and he should be happy for him as well, instead of trying to look out for his company and money. Carrick knew his intentions were good, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and a stupid piece of paper was not worth ruining his family. Plus, he would never be able to persuade Christian to sign it, so even though he had Ana's signature, it was invalid.
Fumbling around in his drawer, Carrick tries to find the dark green folder he kept the contract in, but as he continued searching, he realized that the piece of paper was gone.
Huh, he swore he kept all of his important documents in this drawer. It even has a lock.
Beyond frustrated (and slightly intoxicated), Carrick logs into his computer. He knew he scanned and photocopied all of his important documents for safekeeping, but as Carrick opened up his folder in the computer titled Prenup, he realized that it was empty.
Someone has hacked into his computer and deleted the document, as well as stolen the actual file.
XXXXXXXXXX
Christian hears a knock on his office door, and Taylor steps in, his stoic mask in place.
"Sir, your Dad is here."
"Tell him to go away. I have nothing to say to him." Christian replies without so much of a glance upward.
Taylor clears his throat. "Sir, he's quite insistent."
Christian rolls his eyes before continuing to work. GEH was still suffering a little from all the media attention Elena caused, and Christian needed to do some damage control. He also had his eye on a new publishing company, SIP. Ana insisted on working in that God-forbidden, hell-hole of a restaurant, but Christian was confident she would be able to hold down a job as an editor, and maybe he could even persuade her to work from home.
hmmm, home.
Christian quite liked the word. He never considered Escala home, it was merely sleeping arrangements, but now that Ana was there, the cadaver-like, empty space somehow became home, cozy and warm.
"Sir." Taylor clears his throat again, and Christian rolls his eyes so hard that he thought they would roll out from the back of his head and hit the floor.
"Fine, send the old man in." Christian snaps, still scanning through several documents.
Taylor steps aside and opens one of the double wooden doors before quietly excusing himself.
Carrick carefully regards Christian, buried in work, and making it painstakingly obvious that he doesn't want to talk to him.
"Christian." he calls as Christian turns to his computer, typing in some numbers.
"I'm not signing the prenup." Christian states before Carrick could even open his mouth, eyes still glued to the fluorescent screen.
Carrick takes a deep breath and, forcing the lump past his throat, swallows his pride. "I came to apologize about the prenup, it wasn't my place. I'm sorry."
Christian arches a perfectly shaped eyebrow in Carrick's direction. "Are you only saying that because you can't find the prenup."
Carrick's lips twitch up, hiding a wry smirk. "So it was you, you had someone sneak into my study and hack my computer."
Christian remains impassive. "Yes, I have to say you know me well."
Carrick stares at the ground. "I know you're upset with me, I imagine Ana is as well, even though she signed it, and I know you destroyed the document. I just came to apologize, and I won't interfere with your marriage anymore." Carrick says, contrite, and with what little dignity he had left, turns and leaves.
Watching his father's shadow, Christian notices that he seems older, thinner, his back slightly hunched over, and he sighs. He wasn't ready to forgive Carrick just yet, but at the same time, he wanted to comfort his father, the man he looked up to as a little boy, his own, personal super-hero.
XXXXXXXXXX
The smell of fried rice assaulted Christian's nose when he walks through Escala, and he finds Ana in the kitchen with a messy bun and dancing to some song by Nicki Minaj and Nick Jonas.
Hmmm. This is home.
"Hello beautiful." Christian's arms snake around her from behind as she giggles.
"Stop it Christian! I'm cooking." Ana tries pushing him away, although she was hardly convincing herself.
Christian's hands continue their exploration until they finally reach her ass, and he gently squeezes it, flexing his fingers.
"Are you sore?" He asks, referring to last night. He has tried to be gentle, to go as slowly as possible, and he knew Ana enjoyed herself, but he still worried that he was too harsh. He has started to explore some play with Ana, and of course it wasn't even close to full blown BDSM, but his past...Christian constantly worried that he would hurt her in some way, any way.
"Hey." Ana's voice distracts him, cupping his cheek in her hand so he was forced to look at her. "You didn't hurt me, ok? I enjoyed it, very much so." She purrs lightly, and Christian smiles a shy smile.
"But I was angry…" He murmurs, ashamed, and gently brushes his thumb over her neck where he left a love bite.
Ana smiles. "Yes, you were frustrated, with the prenup and my job, I get it, and I'm sorry too. It was very inconsiderate of me to sign the prenup without at least talking to you first, but please stop worrying about hurting me, if something doesn't feel right, I'll tell you, ok?"
Christian gazes into her blue eyes, filled with sincerity, and relaxes. "Ok." He whispers, and Ana stands on her tip toes, giving him a chaste kiss while whispering in his ear. "Plus," she murmurs. "I like angry, possessive Christian."
Christian feels a shiver run down his spine, and leans down, pressing a passionate kiss to Ana's lips, the warmth from her mouth spreading across his veins and coursing through his body, but he forces himself to pull away. This wasn't the time for that,
"About the prenup, and your job…" he trails off, a little breathless and scratching the back of his neck, as Ana smiles at him encouragingly. She knew they still needed to talk things through, and her decisions were childish and immature (although she didn't want to admit it), but they were still growing, as individuals and as a couple.
They ate dinner in comfortable silence, snuggled up on the couch, with Ana curled next to Christian as he gently tucks an errant strand of hair away from her face.
"Carrick came into my office today…" Christian begins.
"I assume you didn't sign the prenup, I know he's been wanting to persuade you." Ana says, and Christian chuckles.
"You know me well…" he muses, realizing that it was the second time today he said that to somebody.
"No, I didn't sign the prenup." Christian continues, carefully shifting his body. "I also destroyed it."
Ana raises a questioning eyebrow, somehow, this didn't surprise her.
"I had Welch hack into his computer, and...uh...Taylor sneak into his office…" Christian admits, looking away and looking a lot like a little boy that got caught stealing a cookie from the cookie jar.
Christian expected Ana to be angry, anticipated even, but instead she surprised him. She laughed, not like a giggle, but like really laughed, throw back your hair and clutch your belly type of laugh.
"Oh Christian." She murmurs, finally catching her breath.
Christian sulks. "Haha." He mocks.
Ana can hear the hurt in his voice, and she snuggles closer to him. "Hey." She says, cupping his cheek. "Don't be mad, I'm not, and I didn't mean to laugh. It's just…." She pauses to try to find the right words. "It's so you, you know? I mean, that's something I can totally imagining you doing, and I'm sorry I signed the prenup without talking to you. You're right, you're my fiance, and I should've consider your feelings. If you really want, we won't have a prenup."
Christian pulls Ana closer to him, feeling her body curl up next to his muscular frame, and wraps his arms tightly around her.
"Thank you for agreeing to this." He says, pressing a soft kiss to her temple as the sun outside begins to set, casting the living room in long shadows. "You don't understand, I have this want, no, this need to look after you."
Ana pouts. "I don't need looking after."
Christian gently chuckles, pulling her closer. "I know that." He says, pressing another kiss to her hair. "I know you don't need looking after, and I know you're used to looking after other people…" Christian trails off, thinking of Paul, how the responsibility of raising a child had fallen on Ana's slim shoulders when she was merely a child herself.
"You don't have to be alone anymore." He whispers. "You have me."
In the darkening night, Ana rests her head on Christian's chest, lightly kissing the exposed patch of skin where his top two buttons are undone.
Christian continues. "I want to spoil you and make extravagant gestures because I care for you." He moves uncomfortably. "Ana," He pauses, struggling to find his words. "Sometimes….Sometimes I can't say the things I feel, I'm not good with emotions or words. All I can do is show you, and when you won't let me..." Christian shrugs, pained, and looks away.
Tears prick Ana's eyes, she hasn't thought of things that way.
She hugs Christian tighter. "I'm sorry. I'll quit my job." She says quietly.
She hated that God forbidden, hell-hole of a restaurant anyway.
Christian tucks Ana's head under his chin, gently brushing away her tears. "Don't cry, baby." He murmurs. "I have another proposal." He says, trying to lighten the atmosphere, and Ana's lips twitch up.
"What type of proposal?"
Christian lightly pats her bottom. "Behave." He warns, although you can see his grey eyes shining.
"I know you want to work." He begins carefully. "And I have my eye on this publishing house...you're an english major, what do you think about being an editor? I know you love to read…"
Ana squints her eyes playfully. "Does this mean I'll be fucking my boss?"
Christian smirks. "Well, technically, he's your boss's boss's boss."
"Hmmm, I'm sure he'll keep me busy." Ana hums and giggles when she feels Christian adjusts himself.
"If you don't want your boss's boss's boss to fuck you in the middle of the living room and provide a floor show for poor Gail and Taylor, I suggest you behave." Christian growls.
Ana flushes. "Whatever sir says." She whispers, her stomach tightening in that delicious way.
Christian nuzzles Ana's hair, their legs intertwined, clothes discarded on the floor, as he strokes her hair.
"How long have you been off the pill?" He suddenly asks, and Ana smirks. They have talked about kids.
"Um, about a week."
"Good." Christian grins. "I asked Gail to purchase some parenting books."
Ana turns, incredulous, blue eyes wide. "Christian! I'm not even pregnant yet!" She exclaims.
Christian lifts a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, acting completely serious. "Mrs. Grey." He clears his throat. He has sometimes called her that, even though they weren't officially married. "Are you questioning my-ah-efficiency?" He asks, winking at the end, and Ana buries her face in her hands.
"Christian! You're incorrigible!"
Another slow grin creeps across Christian's face as he rolls over so she's under him. "Because I can show you just how efficient I can be."
XXXXXXXXXX
Andrea watches Christian whistle as he enters his office and furrows her eyebrows.
Since when the fuck did Mr. Grey whistle?
Christian was in an extremely good mood, everything was falling into place. They had set a date for a wedding, March 17th, which was in two months, and Ana has started her job at SIP.
Now, if only she could get pregnant...and they can have kids...move into a bigger house...perhaps by a lake...with a meadow...they can still save Escala for mommy and daddy time…
Christian's daydream (and fantasies) are rudely interrupted by his office phone.
"Andrea." He snaps, now a little grumpy.
"Mr. Grey, someone requested to see you, he doesn't have an appointment, but he says he has information on a uh...Ray Steele?"
Christian freezes. Ray, Ana's father. He went to Iraq when she was ten and disappeared. There were no news on him, and Ana has assumed the worst. Christian, even though he had his people looking for him, knew that Ana was probably right.
"Send him in."
A tall man, probably about six foot, dressed in a green army suit steps in. His back straight, eyes narrowed, lips pressed together.
Instinctually, Christian stands up. He always held the utmost respect for military personnel. They were the reason why their country was safe, any country, the true heros.
"Sir." Christian sticks out his hand, and the man grasps it with a firm shake.
"Mr. Grey."
"Can I get you something to drink?" Christian asks, more out of politeness and the fact that he didn't know what else to say as the man smiles a wry smile.
"No thank you, I try to refrain from alcohol." and for the briefest of seconds, Christian sees pain flash through his dark eyes, and gives him an understanding nod, pouring a glass of water instead.
"Let's not bullshit around, you know that Ray is Ana's father, or else you wouldn't have let me up here, and Ana's your future wife."
"Yes." Christian nods, confirming his information.
"Ana was Ray's baby girl…" The guy trails off, and the sadness Christian saw before intensifies along his hard features.
"Ray's alive." He continues, but Christian remains silent, suspecting there's more to the story.
"But he lost his memory. He has no recollection of his past, of the army, of Ana, of anything. He has suffered sever head injuries and it destroyed his entire episodic memory."
He reaches into the pocket of his army uniform and pulls out a picture, the edges slightly wrinkled, the color a faded yellow, and his eyes soften.
"I found this in Ray's wallet." He explains.
Christian carefully picks up the photo, it's of a man, Ray, and a little girl, Ana. Ana's probably seven or eight in the picture, and she's on Ray's back. They're both smiling widely at the camera, Ana's missing a tooth, and Ray's blue eyes are sparkling.
Ana's hair was short in the picture, a pixie cut, but Christian still recognizes her soft, brown curls, and her blue eyes are exactly like her father's.
"I know you've been trying to find Ray." The man smirks, indicating all of Christian's dangerous hacks into top-notched security computers haven't gone unnoticed.
"Ray is currently living with me, I owe him a lot. He saved me, and I know he would love to meet Ana, but his memory…" The man shakes his head. "I'm warning you, it might not be the reunion she expects. War does terrible things to man, Mr. Grey."
And with that, he turns to leave.