-CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR-

UNEXPECTED MEETINGS

Tuesday 24th November 2009.

ANASTASIA

IT WAS FINALLY THE MORNING.

Sleep dissipated and my focus directed towards the ceiling. I detected small cracks, slight bubbles and peelings of paint. Quickly sitting up, I inspected my room. The change over the years had been minimal, but not unnoticeable. Retracting to my horizontal state, my dream catcher obstructed the view.

Fiddling with my necklace, twisting and turning the fine silver chain, I knew it was time to stop the procrastination and start the day. Even if it was a crazy hour.

Ana no chickening out today. You need… no you must tell him.

The rhythmic vibration of my cell broke the silence within my room.

CHRISTIAN: Good morning SO. Have you told your father? I miss you. SO, C.

My front teeth gnawed on my lip causing a prominent indent. Honestly, I didn't want to deal with the reality. Did I need to tell Daddy? He doesn't need to see me again until, next year? Say… graduation? Sighing at the thought, it was beyond ridiculous. May next year I'll either be size of a whale or hold a newborn in each arm.

Shit.

There was no way avoiding it now.

ANA: Miss u x. No not yet, trying to build the courage. SO xxx

CHRISTIAN: Talk soon. I realize I don't know your father, but I'm sure he'll understand. Luv u 4eva & always. C

Resting my cell by my thigh, I placed the wooden box on my lap. The label was handwritten "Anastasia Rose." Mom's beautiful cursive, something I'll never forget.

A pattern developed, of opening and immediately closing the lid over and over. I'm undecided if I should reveal its contents today. I'm sure daddy will be up soon and I really don't want his interruption once I've discovered its contents.

The little voice of reason in the far nether regions of my brain niggled and niggled.

Maybe I should wait until I get back to Seattle or maybe when I get back to Harvard?

Shaking my head at the ridiculous thought, I succumbed to temptation. The latch clicked open. A small squeak of the brass hinge revealed the contents of the wooden vessel.

In its small space the cargo was simple. Eight large envelopes and many small thick squares of card. At the base of the box were several crystals, tarot cards and scraps of material.

Each envelope had a hand written instruction. Three jumped out at me immediately.

* For your male role model - "Raymond."

* Open when you're as blessed as I was when I discovered you.

* So you have met your SO.

The three chosen envelopes neatly laid on my bed, side by side. Daddy's letter was sea bottle green, in contrast, the other two were a rosy pink. Small sketches of plants, insects and fairies made their place in the corners of each envelope. Her cursive was amazing, it was a shame my skills are nowhere near hers.

Peering into the wooden box for a second time, I randomly chose a small card, covered in glitter and a small fairy sticker.

"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step" - Martin Luther King.

I held the note to my lips and kissed it. I didn't care about the glittery consequences, it was the boost I needed. Thank you Mom

My hands began to shake as I held the envelope. "Open when you're as blessed as I was when I discovered you." I lifted the glue backing trying to preserve the beautiful stationery. Inside were several pages of Mom's cursive handwriting.

...

Date: December 2005

Dear Anastasia,

I'm sorry Annie, I won't be there with you in person during this momentous occasion—your own mother surrounding her daughter while with child. Rather, I will be blowing in the wind like my chimes on the front porch. Free to jingle at any pace or force. When you feel cool air surround you from time to time, it will be me. I am this chill, reminding you I'm here. Don't cry for me, baby girl. The time to cry has passed. The time is now to smile as I will be watching from afar, moving free in the air you breathe.

Children are a gift to extend our souls and usually at a time when we least expect a small arrival. We all have a responsibility to mold and guide these little humans. Time and patience is the key ,Annie. Which their keys will constantly need re-cutting and greasing, but this is a given.

This very moment as I write this letter, I'm standing outside your bedroom door. I can hear you crying. Tonight for the first time you were frustrated at the most mundane thing.

Peas…

...

My fingers caressed the dull edge of the paper. Her words were superb, powerful and bewitching. I will treasure this letter for the rest of my life.

As my tears fell, the dampness of soft cotton cling to my breasts. My t-shirt was truly drenched.

A slight tap on my wooden door woke me from my tears. The frame creaked open and in popped the worried face of my father. With my subtle nod, he knew it was safe to enter.

Holding his rich chocolate bathroom robe tight, refusing to bare his birthday suit to me for a second day in a row, Daddy smiled.

"Annie… hey." Daddy whispered.

Sniffing and wiping my eyes with the heels of my palms, the tears finally subsided.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine."

"Well, I'm taking a shower. Just wondering if you want to pop in before me? Ladies first and all." He curved his hand pointing in the direction of the only bathroom on this floor.

"No thanks, it's all yours. I'll make some breakfast though."

As he was leaving, I remembered his letter.

"Dad," he stopped, still holding the rickety door handle. "Mom has a letter for you." his smile faded. "It's ok." I tried to hold back my own tears. "I'm still hurting too. But it's for your eyes only."

He slowly walked up to my bed and I carefully placed the letter in his hand.

"Thank you Annie. I still find little notes and messages throughout the house. She hid so many things for me." He pecked my crown of hair, while continuing to hold his bathrobe and envelope tight.

…..

RUBBING MY STOMACH, I whispered to my tiny beans.

"Thank you from withholding my stomach contents for the first time in days. The appreciation is duly noted."

I continued to pat either side of my abdomen acknowledging each bean.

"I guess the day is still young, only a little off eight. I guess a full breakfast is in order? Maybe it will be easier to talk to your Gramps on a full stomach?"

…..

THE CUTLERY JINGLED as I slid open the drawer, off white ceramic plates scraped over the wooden kitchen counter and two stumpy hand blown glasses rested off center. Setting tables for meals were a fun pastime, making the food an even more rewarding experience.

Impressed with my final setting, the feast consisted of fresh biscuits, squeezed apple juice (refusing anything from the citrus family), sausages, eggs, tomatoes, beans and Mom's famous recipe, pancakes. The sight of the spread made my stomach grumble.

Finding stationery in the front room, I slipped the ultrasound picture in a plain envelope. Sealing it with a quick lick of my tongue, my pen scribbled two words To Gramps.

Daddy's presence startled me. He walked into the kitchen with a look of defeat. My ultrasound picture became irrelevant and made a home next to the tea towels.

"Did you read it?" I asked him.

"No, I just stared at it in my hands. Having some kind of hope that your mother would walk through the door and tell me I should throw it in the trash."

"Recycle." I mumbled.

"Yes," he chuckled! "Recycle! " Daddy paused. "I was trying to remember her smell the other day," he looked beyond me to the view outside my window, "and this envelope made it all come back."

"I think she sprayed something on it. It certainly smells like her."

"Your mother's perfume. It's what I bought her for our first Valentine's. I had made my way to California and discovered The Body Shop. Instantly it reminded me of Carla. It was when I inhaled the scent of fuzzy peach it blew me away. A sweet, fruity aroma with a hint of fun." his smile grew from ear to ear. "She never changed it. And she tried her God darn best to wear it for the remainder of her life… Ahem... So I may read it tonight Ahem… or on our anniversary."

"But that's in June! You can't possibly wait—"

"Annie." his lips formed a straight line.

It was obvious everything was still raw for him. In a way, it was for me too.

"Sorry…" I lowered my head disappointed that I upset him.

…..

"GET YOUR FILTHY PAWS AWAY." I whipped Daddy with the damp tea towel as he tried to eat before it was on the plate. "Being serious now… I need you to sit." I pushed his broad shoulders down with all the strength I had.

"Hey, baby girl. Why the rush?" he wriggled his booty in the chair. A defined crease formed across his forehead. "Food, baby girl." and he continued to rub his palms together. "This old guy is fading away" he ended with a slap on his abs.

"I can't have you fading away. What would Ms Lib—" He gave the stare of death.

"Rebekah?" his smile returned.

"Food!" we groaned together.

I passed a plate full of cholesterol building sustenance to Daddy.

It was now or never Ana, time to grow your metaphoric balls.

"Daddy." my voice faulted. Clearing my throat and taking a sip of apple juice, I tried for a second time. "Daddy… so, next May I'll be graduating."

Refusing to look, he continued to shovel the food into his mouth.

"Do you chew?" he shrugged as I laughed at his action.

"These pancakes are just like your Momma's." smiling at the delicious stack.

"Hey…" he started to sprinkle sugar with his fingers over the stack. "Baby girl, where's the … lemon?" he mouthed, the fruit that can not be named.

Just the thought made my stomach turn. I could only heavily breathe through my nose.

"Daddy," I swallowed my thick saliva, "I just need to freshen up."

I power walked out of the kitchen. Bolting, as soon as I was beyond his line of sight, to the nearest bathroom.

Quick and efficient, my vomit expelled. I flushed the toilet and freshened up. Looking at myself in the mirror I chanted, giving the encouragement I needed. You can do this Anastasia Rose Steele. He's only your father, he loves you and will never think anything bad of you.

…..

"OK. DADDY AS I WAS SAYING…" I wiped my hands over my pants "I'm graduating next May. I'll be studying for my medical requirements and hopefully get into medicine."

"This is fantastic. Just imagine what your mother would be saying." he pointed his fork up to the ceiling and I knew what he meant.

My cell vibrated, interrupting my announcement.

"Are you going to check that? It was going crazy when you were in the bathroom."

I hooked my eyebrow. Did he hear me?

Not a care in the world, Daddy continued to shovel food in at a steady pace. Grabbing my phone, clearly on the screen were three messages.

CHRISTIAN: Love you, Pixie

CHRISTIAN: Miss U x

CHRISTIAN: I can't wait till I see you. C u soon X, C

"Pixie? and C?" The forkful of eggs stopped shy of his mouth. "Is this teenage code for drugs?"

Brought out of my reverie, I realized I read the three messages out loud.

"Huh, what? No!"

Trying to keep my cool, I lifted the pitcher of apple juice suggesting if he wanted a glass.

"Oh yes please, I'm being spoilt. Hang on!" he stopped chewing. "Why am I being spoilt? My birthday is in February." I handed him the glass of juice.

"Annie…" he stood up.

"Dad, sit down there's more—"

"Food, I hope because I'm still a little hungry." he smiled, fluttering his eyelashes.

"Dad, you have had enough. Now I need to you listen carefully. This may come as a shock. I—"

Unable to finish, three loud knocks from the front door stopped me. I knew Dad was eyeing my pancakes and I scraped them onto his plate.

With a little more volume, for a second time there were three knocks. My head turned, almost causing myself whiplash. Really! How many more interruptions was I going to have!

"Wonder who could that be, Daddy?" he did mention before bed that his special lady was making an appearance later this afternoon.

A little R & R Daddy called it. Honestly I think it was code for let's fuck, stupid. Evidently the code wasn't strong enough if a daughter could decipher it in three seconds flat. I think the odds were low for it to be Rebekah since it was a little before ten.

For a third time, the knock repeated. Pounding and thudding this time, causing the glass panels to shake.

"OK, I'm coming!" I yelled at the closed door, extremely pissed.

I opened the door to find Christian.

In the kitchen, Daddy continued to multitask. The only way a man can. Talk and eat.

"Annie, what's in the envelope?" Daddy hollered through the house.

The sound of tearing paper echoed throughout the house as if it was put on a megaphone. Obviously, in a former life I had pissed off a Greek God while smashing fifty mirrors. I think from this moment on, my life was going to get that little more complicated.

Oh my God!

"Dad, wait!" I called back to the kitchen. "Just… LEAVE IT OKAY!" I gritted through my teeth.

"Hey beautiful. How are you feeling?" Christians sweet words caught me off guard.

He looked gorgeous even with the yellow ring around his eye. His hair was ruffled and clothes neatly pressed. Christian tucked the loose hairs behind my ear, rubbing my pixie shaped shell. I've missed this. I've missed him.

"Well, we will find out soon enough." I whispered, rolling my eyes.

"Annie… you're pregnant?" Daddy roared through the house.

His tenor voice verberated a path to the open front door. A wisp of disappointment curled in the intensity of his voice. It was hopeless, I've let him down. I'm just the knocked up teenaged daughter.

I hugged Christian, being careful of his chest. He held me close, almost making me lose my breath.

Fuck. Fuckity. Fuck.

"Dad, I said wait!" It was hopeless, my voice was muffled in Christian's warm chest.

Christian refused to take his eyes off me. I tried everything from pulling away to giving an obvious hint "you need to leave" but it was too late.

"Who are you?" he looked at Christian's designer clothes and his eyes were taken to the parked Audi on his stone drive.

"Huh, too late." I huffed to Christian.

"Good morning, Sir. I'm Christian Grey. Anastasia's significant other." he held out his right hand.

Daddy only looked at his vacant palm.

In a period of three seconds, my dad broke down Christian's kind gesture and went straight to battle and protect mode.

"Get the fuck off my porch."

Shocked that Christian wasn't one bit disheartened by Daddy's profanity, watching him carefully, Christian removed his left hand from behind his back placing a beautiful bunch of lilies into my hand.

Hitting my palm to my face, I couldn't believe it.

"Christian… I'm trying to be independent."

"And I'm trying to be your Significant Other." Christian tried his best not to raise his voice.

"Grey. Off. My. Porch… Now!" Daddy pointed. "Go back to the city in your over priced foreign car."

"Ray!" I yelled at Daddy. Trying to calm my voice, I turned to Christian "And my father thinks you're my boyfriend!"

"If you had only agreed to my name choice, we wouldn't be having this confusion."

"Christian… You are not my boyfriend!"

"Ok, I can't deal with this teenager bullshit. You two. Couch now!" Daddy pointed as the steam seeped out through his ears.

Daddy has only ever had two serious talks on "the couch." The day he realized I had a crush on a boy in the 8th grade and when we lost Mom.

…..

OUR PINKIES HOOKED TOGETHER as we fell onto the large couch. It was the only connection I wanted to show in front of my father. It was embarrassing enough he knew I was sexually active and obviously pregnant. It didn't help the fact my other half was in the same vicinity.

Directing us like air traffic, Daddy pulled our two index fingers apart with force, indicating a five feet distance between us. The instruction was extremely blunt on Daddy's terms. We were banished to the furthest parts of the couch. I guess it could be worse. It was only a couch cushion seat between us, not a door.

"First of all Daddy—" I was brought to the size of an ant with one single hand raised.

"Enough with the Daddy… Anastasia Rose, is this true?" he held the scan tight in his hand.

"You told him?" Christian whispered.

"Boy, none of that talking with my daughter. I think you've done enough."

"Daddy— Dad… I can explain!"

"There is no explaining. I know exactly what this means!" he turned walking into the kitchen.

My chest was pounding and didn't know what to do. "I need to leave, I need to think." leaping from the couch I eyed Christian. "And don't you dare follow me, Christian Grey."

Without another thought, I ran out the door slamming it behind me.

Thank you for reading the new reworked/beta-ed "Misplaced & Found." If you haven't already done so, please favourite, follow, review and PM me regarding any M&F questions or concerns. See you soon for chapter 25.

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