A/N: Thank you all for your love and support! I hope you enjoy your next chapter.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 28: New York
~Five days later~
"Okay, I think I'm ready."
Ana currently stood in the center of their living room, her packed luggage at her feet and a black garment bag tucked over her forearm. Luke was going to take her to the small airport just outside Easton, where a plane was waiting to bring her to SeaTac; from there, she was going to take a direct flight to JFK in New York City, where Christian was.
After two long weeks of being apart, she was finally going to see him again tonight. She could hardly wait.
"We're going to miss you darling," Ray smiled sadly at his daughter. He was carrying Ted in his arms, and Ted was resting his head on his grandpa's shoulder, quiet and supine. He knew his mother was going to be away for several days, and he was pretty sad about it - his big green eyes were filled with tears, and Ana couldn't help but feel her heart break slightly knowing that she had to say goodbye to him for the next few days.
"Sweetie, don't be sad," Ana said compassionately, walking forward and rubbing Ted's back. "I'm only going to be gone for two days, okay? You and Grandpa are going to have so much fun together while I'm away."
Ted whimpered incoherently, and he lifted his head off of Ray's shoulder so he could hug his mom one more time. Ana lifted him out of Ray's arms and held him tightly, kissing him over his hair.
"I love you, sweetheart," she whispered, kissing him one more time on the cheek before pulling away and looking into his eyes. "I'll see you when I get back."
"'Kay," Ted mumbled, still looking forlorn. Ana finally set him down on his feet, and he and Ray waved goodbye as Luke helped Ana carry her luggage out the front door and toward the car.
"I think this will be the longest I'll ever be away from Ted," Ana admitted as she helped Luke pack the trunk with her things. She realized a tear or two had slipped down her face as she was saying goodbye, and she quickly wiped them away.
"Would you like to stay? It's not too late to back out," Luke said, looking at her. The trunk was now packed with her luggage, but he didn't close it yet as he waited for her answer.
"No, I still want to go," Ana said firmly, though she glanced back at her house. "It just feels weird to be leaving them, that's all."
Luke smiled at her compassionately. "I know. I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end though."
Ana couldn't help but smile, imagining the look on Christian's face when she was going to surprise him later tonight at the benefactor's dinner. The two of them had called and Skyped and texted each other constantly throughout the week, and it was clear Christian missed her just as much as she missed him. She sincerely hoped this surprise she, Luke, and Taylor were planning would be worth it.
Luke finally closed the trunk, and the two of them climbed into the front seats of the SUV. Luke started the engine and pulled out of the driveway, finally heading off to the airport to start their journey to New York City.
~Christian~
~Later that evening~
The opulent lobby of the Lexington Hotel had completely transformed into a beautifully decorated ballroom for the benefactors of the Contilla Foundation, a charity aimed and supplying food for children in third world countries. With over fifty million dollars raised from at least sixty different companies, the place was now packed with highbrow business men and women, the men wearing their best Armani suits and the women in their most beautiful gowns. Despite the hundreds of people in the lobby of the hotel, Christian walked through the crowds of people feeling more alone than ever.
Everyone was here with someone - a spouse, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or even a mistress. But who did he have? Taylor had to come for security purposes, and a few of the higher-ups of the New York branch of GEH were here too, but aside from that he had no one.
Ana was back in Easton, and while they had spoken every day he was gone, he hadn't been able to reach her today at all. They usually tried to talk for a bit in the mornings, but Ana hadn't responded to his text today. When he tried to call her later, her phone was off - he was immediately worried something had happened, but Taylor explained to him that he had gotten an update from Luke saying that Ted was sick and Ana was busy taking care of him, which put his worries to rest. He decided he would try calling her once this gala was over to see how she and Ted were both doing.
I need a drink… Christian walked over to the bar area off to the side of the lobby, where many people were already congregated. Several elegantly-dressed women were seated along the bar, each of them alone and sipping drinks from crystal glasses; their heavily made-up eyes followed Christian as he went up to the bar and ordered a scotch on the rocks.
"Hey," the woman nearest him said. She had dark red hair in waves falling down her right shoulder, and a gown made of emerald green silk. She fingered the rim of her vodka spritzer as she regarded Christian interestedly. "I really hate these things, don't you?"
"I suppose," Christian said as the bartender handed him a crystal glass with Glenlivet scotch on ice. He picked it up and took a sip.
"It's all just so hypocritical, you know?" the woman went on disparagingly, stirring her drink with a straw. "Our company raises money for food in Africa, yet we throw a party where world-class chefs bring us lavish appetizers that costs $1,200 a plate. It's ludicrous."
"Either way, people get to eat," Christian said glibly, and the woman giggled.
"You're funny. I'm Raquelle," she said, smiling at him. "What's your name?"
Christian didn't answer, really not wanting to engage in a conversation with this clearly flirtatious woman. Just as he was about to tell her he had a girlfriend, his cell phone began to ring, and he pulled it out of his pocket to see the caller ID. He smiled - it was Ana.
Just in the nick of time.
"'Scuse me," he said before answering the phone. "Hey baby, I missed you today."
He heard Raquelle let out a small huff, but Christian ignored her as he set down his scotch and stepped away from the bar, walking back into the crowd of people.
"Hey," Ana said, and Christian could hear her smile through the phone. "I'm glad we finally connected. How's the benefactor's gala?"
"Boring and pointless," Christian grimaced, glancing at the sea of people around him. "There's supposed to be a dinner later which I'm seriously thinking of skipping so I can go back upstairs and Skype you all night."
Ana, surprisingly, didn't agree to that as he had expected her to. "No!" she said quickly. "No, um don't leave early - you should stay and try to enjoy yourself. I'm sure it's not that bad."
"Well, my being here is just a formality, and I'd really not try to make awkward dinner conversation with people I hardly know. Or sit at the bar and get hit on by desperate women."
"Well, I hope you're not doing that last one," Ana said, a hint of humor in her voice.
"I would never," Christian insisted. "I love you and Ted way too much to betray your trust like that."
"Glad to hear it," Ana giggled, and Christian relaxed.
"Speaking of Ted," he went on. "I heard he got sick and you were taking care of him all day. Is everything alright?"
Ana didn't answer a second. "Yeah, about that…" she said slowly, and Christian frowned. "Ted's actually fine. I kind of asked Taylor and Luke to lie on my behalf about why I couldn't talk to you at all today."
Christian stopped short in the middle of the lobby, ignoring the crowds of people around him. "What?"
She was lying to him? Why would she do that? Christian's mind immediately went to the worst place, and his heart rate spiked as he thought of her having an affair or her leaving him for another man…
"Look at the front door," Ana now said, breaking his train of thought.
Blinking, Christian glanced over toward the front doors to the hotel, and noticed a young woman walking in by herself, her cell phone to her ear. When they locked eyes, she smiled, and Christian could do little else but bring his phone away from his ear in shock.
Ana was actually here. Right here, in New York - in his hotel.
Am I dreaming?
She looked absolutely stunning in a navy blue full-length gown, and her chestnut hair was pulled back in an elegant chignon accented by diamond chandelier earrings. Her dress was beautiful and elegantly demure, with her decolletage covered in sheer blue lace and a boat neckline and three-quarter sleeves.
It was like everyone else in the room ceased to exist, and Christian felt as if he were floating on air as he made his way through the crowd toward her. Ana had put her cell phone back into the black clutch purse she was holding before walking toward him too, the smile on her face breathtakingly beautiful.
I can't believe she's here.
The moment Christian reached her, he couldn't resist - he pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips against hers, reveling in the feel of her soft, warm body against his, the scent of her hair and perfume consuming him and making him feel an overwhelming sense of home. Ana kissed him back with equal fervor as she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close.
Christian's happiness seemed to burgeon the longer he kissed Ana, and without breaking away he lifted her up off her feet and twirled her around, causing her to giggle against him. Christian couldn't help but smile widely, his heart filled with so much love it almost hurt.
"Oh my God, I love you so much," he whispered, finally setting her back on her feet and pecking her all over her face, and Ana giggled again. "I can't believe you're here right now."
"So this was a good surprise then?" Ana asked, beaming up at him with so much love and adoration in her eyes it made Christian's heart soar.
"Baby, this was the best surprise I've ever gotten in my life," he insisted sincerely. "I mean it… I don't think anyone's ever done something like this for me before. This is incredible."
"I couldn't have done it without Taylor and Luke," Ana admitted, her beautiful face flushed pink as she continued to smile up at him. "They helped me get a ticket for this gala and hide the truth from you all week. Luke and I caught a commercial flight out here this morning, and I arrived here a couple hours ago where Taylor met us and got me the keycard to your hotel room. I dropped my things off there and changed into my dress before coming down here."
Christian grinned widely. "So all your luggage is upstairs, is it?" he asked, pulling her closer to him.
"Yes, it is," Ana giggled, leaning forward and pecking him on the lips. "But we can take advantage of that later. Right now, I want to spend a nice evening out with my lovely boyfriend."
"Your wish is my command, my lady."
Christian stepped away from her before holding out his elbow, and Ana hooked her arm through his with a happy smile on her face. Christian still felt like he was walking on air as he led Ana through the crowd of people toward where some of the GEH executives stood talking, eager to introduce her to them as his girlfriend.
For the next hour or so, Christian and Ana mingled with some of the other guests, Christian feeling more open and gregarious than he had ever previously felt at these events. It was clear from the surprised smiles on a lot of other people's faces that this sort of behavior was odd to see from him, but he hardly cared at the moment. He was just so happy his amazing girlfriend had surprised him like this, and he told everyone he spoke to about the incredible thing she did for him.
"Don't let this one slip through your fingers, Grey," Matthew Bordack, the COO of the New York branch of GEH said to Christian with a wink and a smile. "Maybe you should take her along on all of your business trips from now on."
Both Ana and Christian laughed. "Don't tempt me," Christian said, smiling down at Ana, and she giggled.
"Well, Ted would have to come along too," she said reasonably. "It wouldn't be fair for my dad to have to watch him while we're off having fun."
"Very true."
"You have a son Ana?" Matthew asked her interestedly.
"Yes, his name's Ted," Ana said. "He's four."
"No kidding! My grandson Michael just turned four too…"
Ana and Matthew then began an avid conversation about kids and how quickly they grow up, and Christian couldn't help but gaze down at Ana with a smile on his face. He could still hardly believe she was here and had surprised him like this - and she didn't do it because she was suspicious of him or thought he was being unfaithful or anything. She did it because she loved him and missed him, and she wanted to do something fun and spontaneous.
She was, quite simply, too good to be true.
Christian couldn't resist leaning down and pressing a sweet kiss to her cheek, and Ana looked up at him with a smile on her pretty face.
"...Excuse me, everyone?"
A voice over the loudspeaker spoke up, and everyone turned toward a stage at the north side of the room where a middle-aged woman in a deep purple gown stood. "My name is Marcy Langman, Director of Special Projects at the Contilla Foundation, and on behalf of our organization I would like to thank all of you for coming and for donating to our cause. Because of all of you, we truly can make a difference!"
There was a smattering of polite applause, and after a moment she continued. "Dinner is now being served in the west wing. If you would all please make your way to the room on the left-hand side of the lobby…"
The crowd of people turned and began to walk toward a large room with double doors thrown open to reveal dozens of circular tables covered in lavish white tablecloths and flower centerpieces. Christian and Ana didn't move, glancing at each other with similar hesitant expressions on their faces.
"You know, if you two would like to skip this dinner, I'd be happy to make your excuses for you," Matthew said quietly to Christian and Ana, and they looked at him. "It's obvious you two would rather be alone right now."
Ana blushed, clearly embarrassed as she glanced up at Christian again. "I mean… I don't want to be rude…"
"Oh please," Matthew brushed her worries aside. "You're not being rude. The schmoozers and shakers of our industry do these sorts of dinners all the time. No one's going to even notice you're gone."
"Thank you, Matthew," Christian said, taking Ana's hand in his own. "Remind me later to give you a raise," he added in a whisper.
Matthew chuckled. "Will do, Mr. Grey."
Without another word, Christian began to lead Ana in the opposite direction of the crowd - while everyone walked to the left-hand side of the room, Christian and Ana hurried to the right, where the wall of elevators which led up to the hotel rooms on the upper floors were.
An elevator opened for them almost immediately, and it was mercifully empty as they stepped inside. "Thank God," Christian muttered as he punched the button for the tenth floor and the doors slid shut. Without another word, he turned to Ana before pressing her up against the wall and kissing her fiercely.
Ana immediately kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck and tangling her fingers in his hair. Christian opened his mouth against hers and their tongues began to intertwine, deepening their kiss and eliciting needy whimpers from Ana, making Christian hard. He felt almost primal in his need for her, and he continued to kiss, lick, and suck at her lips as if he could never get enough of her.
"I love this dress on you, baby," Christian murmured, kissing her along her jaw and up to her earlobe, nipping it with his teeth. His hands ran down her waist toward the satiny material of her skirt near her ass. "Where did you get it?"
"I rented it," Ana said, sighing at the sensations Christian was producing in her body. "I need to return it in relatively good condition, so try not to ruin it."
"Fuck that - I'll buy this dress and ten more just like it once I'm through with you," Christian growled against her skin, gripping her tightly around her waist. Ana could do little more than just moan.
The elevator doors opened to the tenth floor, and without a word Christian scooped Ana up in his arms bridal style and carried her down the hallway toward his hotel room. Ana giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
They got to his door and Christian managed to take out his keycard, unlock the door, and open it without setting her down. The moment he stepped inside and closed the door behind him, though, he placed her down on her feet and they were all over each other again. Christian pushed Ana up against the door as he devoured her mouth, running his hands all over her beautiful body.
"Let me see those pretty little panties, baby," Christian breathed against her lips, grasping the skirt of her dress and inching it upward.
"I'm not wearing any," Ana breathed right back, her hands gripping his biceps tightly.
"Fuck."
It took all of Christian's self-control to not tear her dress right off. With a growl, he hiked her skirt all the way up and brushed his hand up against her wet center. "Jesus, baby."
"Please," Ana moaned, reaching down to undo his pants zipper and belt. She fumbled with it for a few seconds before slightly pushing down his pants and boxer briefs, revealing his huge erection.
"Fuck, hold on baby," Christian hissed as he hiked Ana's leg up so her knee gripped his waist. They both groaned as he sank into her tight wet pussy.
Christian began to rock into her, and after a moment he brought his other hand down to lift up her other leg so he was holding her up completely. Ana moaned as she leaned back, her chandelier earrings swinging as Christian continued to pound into her. Christian felt himself rising quickly - not having sex with this perfect beautiful woman for nearly two whole weeks made him utterly desperate for her, and he could hardly contain himself.
"I'm gonna come," Christian grit out, increasing his thrusts. "Oh fuck... come with me, baby."
"Ah!" Ana cried out, throwing her head back even more as her grip on his shoulders tightened into an iron grip. After a moment, her legs around his waist stiffened and her walls fluttered around him, her orgasm ripping through her like a tidal wave. The next moment, Christian's body seized as he came, emptying himself inside of her.
For a minute or so, the two of them were silent as they caught their breath, coming down from their explosive orgasms. Finally, after what felt like an age, Ana leaned down to rest her forehead against Christian's shoulder.
"Wow," she whispered, still panting, and Christian couldn't help but chuckle, pulling back to grin at her.
"Wow indeed," he said. Still holding her up, Christian stepped away from the door with her still in his arms, causing her to squeak in surprise and wrap her arms around his neck. His partly-erect dick was still buried deep inside of her. "This night is only just getting started, baby."
Ana squealed in delight as Christian turned and hurried toward the bed, where he was planning to spend the next few hours worshiping her body the way it deserved.
A/N: Thank you all for reading! Next chapter, Christian decides to surprise Ana himself.
If you liked this chapter, please review!
