Chapter 28
First Lt. David Marks arrived home at Camp Pendleton before midnight just as Captain Anastasia Steele stated to the attending physician at Bremerton. The team dressed in their Dress Blues escorted the flag-draped coffin off the transport. Ana followed dressed in a modest black pencil skirt, a long sleeve black silk blouse, black pumps, and a black overcoat. Her hair is pulled back in a severe bun. She looked tired and angry. She stands silently as her friend is hoisted into a hearse. She refuses to cry but her heart is breaking especially when she notices David's wife standing off to the side with Tank and a chaplain. Braylea looks up to Ana and the tears began. The two women hold each other.
"He always talked about you. He hated that you quit being a consultant." Braylea whispered.
Ana felt a lump grow in her throat. "He…his last words to me was that he loved you." The tears rolled down Braylea's face as she nodded. "Whatever you need, Braylea, whatever, one of us will always be with you and the boys and with the Lieutenant."
"Thank you, Ana." The young widow sighed heavily. "I want you and the team as his Honor Guard at the funeral and the Graveside Memorial Services."
"It will be our honor." Ana gave a weak smile. "Is there anything else we can do?"
"You are here, that means so much to me." Braylea answered as she wiped away the tears.
xxXXxx
Ray and Christian stand when the door to Ana's bedroom opens and she steps out dressed in Dress Blues with her Captain's bars proudly displayed. The midnight blue skirt that was just below the knee showed off her figure. She wore the required midnight blue coat with a plain white blouse, black stockings, and black pumps. She stopped at a mirror to smooth her hair that was styled into a tight bun on top of her head. She fidgeted a bit; still uncomfortable to be wearing an official uniform of a United States Marine, but this order came down from the Commander-In-Chief. During this time of sorrow, Ana was proclaimed a full-fledge Commissioned Marine Officer. She turned to the two most important men in her life.
"So, how do I look?" She asked softly.
Ray was proud to see his only child in the Marine Dress Blues. "You look wonderful."
"I don't feel comfortable wearing this uniform." She stated. "I'm not a true Marine. I never signed up or went through bootcamp. This just feels wrong on so many levels. I am a consultant with an honorary title of Captain." She turned back to the mirror and frowned. Her thoughts were with Marks and his grieving widow and children.
"You earned that title, Ana." Ray declared as he stood behind her and adjusted her shoulders. "You are a true Marine, Ana. You have always been a Marine."
Christian stood off to the side observing the woman he loved beyond reason. She seemed distant of late and everyone advised him to let her grieve in her own way and to remember that she was experiencing her first episode with losing someone who she worked so closely with and admired a great deal. When Christian arrived at Camp Pendleton, he had to wait a few hours to see her. First, she took her turn posted at the Marks residence, and then took a four-hour post guarding her fallen friend's remains at the chapel. When she arrived at the hotel, she was exhausted, but still on her phone issuing orders. She took a hot shower, fell into their bed, and was asleep before her head hit the pillow. Christian kissed her softly and caressed her face lovingly as he slid in beside her then pulled her close to his heart. He came out of his memory to see his fiancé standing before him. "Ana?" He asked smiling down at her. He wanted so much to touch her but he was worried about her reaction.
Ana stepped closer and wrapped her arms about his waist. "Thank you Christian for being here for me and my team."
"Where else would I be, my love?" He lifted her beautiful face to gaze into those beautiful blue eyes. "I love you, baby."
"I love you, too." She reached up and kissed him softly. "Did anyone tell you what will happen today?" Christian shook his head. She took a deep breath. "There is a funeral service at St. Paul's, then we will transport David, his family, and the Honor Guard to Reagan International where then we will proceed to Arlington."
"I can fly Mrs. Marks and family. It will be more comfortable."
"She will want to be with David." Ana smiled up at Christian thinking how considerate he truly was. "She's moving back to Virginia where her family is from. Their home is probably already packed and shipped." Ana sighed heavily still feeling the burden of guilt on her shoulders. She blamed herself for David's death and she was yet to tell Christian that she killed Elena Lincoln. She didn't even know if he knew that his "old friend" was deceased. She knew she had to tell him soon. This wasn't the correct time. David came first.
"I would like to be there for you." Christian declared softly. Their foreheads touched lightly. "I want to take care of you if you will let me."
"Thank you Christian…it will be hard to say goodbye." She leaned into him absorbing his warmth and listening to his heartbeat. She was lost in his embrace. She closed her eyes and held tight to him. She knew her time with him was limited. Once he knew the truth, he would never look at her in the same way. She was convinced that she would never wear his engagement ring again. Once the truth was revealed, it would be the end of Ana and Christian. It broke her heart, but like David's death, she would have to accept it and move forward. She nuzzled closer to Christian until she heard her father clear his voice and she knew it was time to go.
From the back of the church, Christian sat and watched a family mourn their loved one. His eyes went to the woman that amazed him at every turn who stood with the Honor Guard. He felt pride swell in his bosom when he saw her with the team as they escorted their comrade into the church. He could tell that she was struggling with her emotions, but to her credit, she remained stoic…just like her father. The minister concluded the service with the congregation singing "Amazing Grace" which sent Braylea into tears. Silence filled the sanctuary as the Honor Guard took their positions about the casket. Strains of the Marine Hymn played as First Lt. David Marks was once again escorted from the church by his friends, comrades, and with his family following behind. As Ana passed by Christian, her eyes were locked forward but he could see the unshed tears sparkling in her eyes. With Marine trained precision First Lt. David Marks is placed into the hearse for his final ride to Camp Pendleton. Still in formation, the Honor Guard march to the awaiting black limo to follow their fallen comrade to Camp Pendleton then on to Arlington. First Lt. David Marks was on his way to final resting place.
Silence. The quiet stillness of dusk covered Arlington National Cemetery as once again, Ana and her team stands guard. The President of the United States stood with Ray Steele and Christian Grey as Arlington accepts another fallen brother and gives him his final resting place, his home of honor until the end of time. Ana stands at attention as a Marine Chaplain offers a short ceremony, which then is followed by rifle volley. Taps plays from a small rise to the west to declare the end of the day and to welcome the newly fallen to their eternal sleep. As trained, Ana remains completely still as she takes her place at the foot of the casket as the flag is folded and passed to her. She nods and turns sharply and walks to Braylea with the long edge of the folded flag facing toward the grieving widow. Ana bends down and says, "On behalf of the President of the United States, The United States Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, along with David's team and friends, please accept this flag in memory of the honor and duty of a truly great man, soldier, friend, but most importantly husband and father." Braylea wipes away her tears and nods at Ana who stepped back two steps and saluted the Flag. Ana faltered only once when she heard David's oldest son, Tyler say, "Oorah!" One tiny tear slid down her cheek.
The Honor Guard remained as Braylea and the rest of the mourners were led away. Once they were gone, the team stripped off their jackets as the Arlington staff proceeds to lower the casket and cap the vault. A flatbed truck full of dirt backs up. Tank nods as he gives each team member a shovel and waves off the cemetery personnel. "We have this." After all the funeral equipment is dismantled and taken away, the team shovels earth into place. After they are done, Ana stands at the grave with a single hand full of dirt that she releases. "From dust to dust…goodbye my dear friend-you did care." Ana walks away with the rest of the team as the sun slips under the horizon and the fading light made the white stones standing in perfect attention sparkle in silver.
xxXXxx
The Ritz-Carlton Suite at the Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. measured 2,250 square feet of luxury but it felt too small for Ana as she finally let loose of the grief in her heart. She sat outside on the terrace letting the tears fall, and sobbed until she was ready to collapse in anguish. She wanted the pain to stop, but her heart and soul was broken. It was her fault that David was dead. It was her fault that two little boys and their mother were alone in this world. Ana felt strong arms encircle her waist and bring her to her feet. She melts into the embrace of Christian.
"I love you, Christian." She whispers. "I love you so much."
Turning her to face him, Christian crushes her into his chest. "Let me take care of you, Ana. Let me give you comfort." His kisses are soft and too gentle for Ana's needs. She wants him to take control from her. She doesn't want to think…she just wants to be…to feel something beside grief.
"Please, Christian, I need you. Make me forget about these last few days." Her eyes plead with him. She needed his dominance. "Please, Christian, help me."
"Anything baby-tell me what you need."
"Fuck me silly." She boldly declared. "I need it hard…fast..harder than usual…I need it."
Hearing her hard words made Christian growl as he picks her up and carries her back into the suite. He starts for the bedroom when there is a knock at the door. "Shit." He says letting her slide down his body. She grabs hold of him.
"Ignore it. They will go away." She whispers as she reaches up and kisses him. Their kisses become more wild and desperate but the knocking continued. "Crap. This better be a national security risk or I'm going to go batshit crazy on whoever is on the other side of this fucking door!" Ana pulls open the door to find her father and Uncle Charlie. "Oh, God—now what?"
"Can we come in?" Rays asks with a gentle but sad smile.
"Uh, yeah, sure, of course." Ana finds her composure. She moves aside to let them in. As Ray passes, he gives her a kiss on the cheek. The President follows suit giving Ana a kiss on the cheek. They move onto the suite and greet Christian with a handshake. "Ok, what's going on?" Ana asked not prepared to play the good host. She was tired, drained, and wanted to be in Christian's arms.
"Why don't we get comfortable?" The President suggested. "This involves Mr. Grey also."
