Author's note: Just a short chapter again. To make up for that, I have good news; my internet connection is fixed! With that and a little bit of luck, I should be able to post regularly again. Thank you, to any and all who offered support in this trying time.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Surprised that her brain is able to function well enough to form any words, Ana shakes the old woman's hand in greeting and squeaks, "Hi."
Before she has time to recover from the shock, the young man also offers his hand as he reveals, "Jerry; second-cousin."
He then gestures to a man behind him, who steps forward and greets Ana with a warm hand, an even warmer smile and, "Welcome, Ana. I'm your cousin, Bill."
Dimly aware that Carla is also circulating, greeting people as she goes, Ana's body is still on autopilot, moving through the crowd as if in a daze, learning and forgetting names of relatives she didn't even know existed until this evening. Somewhere in her tiny trek, the happy tears start falling. She only notices the moisture on her cheeks when someone hands her a Kleenex. Looking up to thank them, she sees her husband, his brow crinkled in concern, so she smiles and says, "I'm okay. I just…you've given me something that I didn't even dare wish for."
Reassured, Christian's frown transforms to a smile and he says, "It seems only fair; that's what you do for me."
This, of course, doesn't stop the flow of tears, but he acquiesces when Ana holds out a hand, so she has his support as she greets the rest of her family; some of them also smiling through tears. Somewhere before the end of the emotional introductions, silent permission is apparently given for every new person to hug Ana as they reveal their names and offer her welcome. Still, she maintains her grip on Christian's hand, because she knows that her legs will fail if she lets go; her body woefully unprepared for so much joy at one time.
Finally, it's done, and Ana turns into Christian's chest as the room breaks into spontaneous applause. When she stops trembling, Ana lifts her head, looking for her mother. Seeing Carla nearby, she releases Christian and moves into her Mom's embrace. After a while, they step back to wipe away the fresh tears and Carla attempts a laugh before nodding towards Christian and saying, "He's, uh…" Now finding a real laugh, she then says, "Apparently defies description."
Ana also laughs and says, "Yes, he often leaves me speechless, too…no doubt by design." She then wonders if it's rehearsed when their hostess, Carolyn, chooses that moment to say that dinner will soon be served. Recognizing her great-aunt as the matriarch, Ana moves over to where the woman is now resting in the wheelchair and takes her hand to say, "I'll just go freshen up. May I sit next to you during dinner?"
Offering a surprisingly strong, reassuring pressure on Ana's hand, Ann says, "Please. I have so much to tell you."
Christian is standing to one side, glaring at his Blackberry when she finds him in the now cheerfully noisy crowd, but looks up and puts it away to smile at her and ask, "Good surprise?"
First claiming a kiss, Ana then accuses, "False modesty is the least honest thing you do."
His smile broadens and he confesses, "Okay, I knew that you'd like this one. They're here all evening, and some of them are staying overnight, so you'll hopefully have time to chat with everyone. Ann Lambert suggested and arranged most of this when I contacted her. All I've done is pay for everything."
Determined that Christian will know how much she appreciates his selfless gesture, Ana cradles his face so that he'll meet her gaze when she lovingly asserts, "All you've done is give me a family." Cursing herself when her voice then almost fails, Ana realizes it only adds weight to her message as she rasps, "You must know what that means to me."
Caught in her hands, unable to shrug or look away, Christian actually blushes a little and mutters, "Yeah, okay."
Not for the first time, shocked by the anomaly that is her husband, Ana wonders how he could have ever seemed arrogant, when he's probably the most self-effacing person she knows. Taking pity on him, she quickly kisses him again before releasing him and saying, "I need to take care of a pressing issue before dinner."
Glancing over at a vigilant Lea, for one of those silent communications that Ana still doesn't really understand, Christian hands over their room key and says, "I'll wait here."
Something in his tone alerts her. "Anything wrong?"
Glancing behind her for a second, Christian lowers his voice and says, "Your nurse should have been here by now."
Ana had completely forgotten his promise to her oncologist, and says, "Well, that's not really necessary, is it? I feel fine; just tired all the time."
His expression hardening, Christian quietly admonishes, "This is your first pregnancy, so we have no idea how it will affect you. Though we've said goodbye to Dolores, you're not out of the woods, yet. And it's only six weeks since you had a craniotomy."
Recognizing that he won't be dissuaded, and having given him control over her safety, Ana rests a comforting hand on his chest and says, "You're right. I'm sorry."
Immediately appeased, Christian relaxes, smiles and says, "Apology accepted." Then kissing her cheek, he whispers, "Don't be long, okay? You know how I am with crowds."
She does. But he's never actually come out and said it like that before; as if it's no big deal that being in a crowd of strangers pushes him to the edge of panic. So Ana is feeling ridiculously good about herself, their relationship and the world in general as she's accompanied up to her room by Lea. Thankfully, the woman takes only a second to check the suite before giving Ana privacy.
Walking back downstairs, accompanied by Lea, she spots Christian's profile outside, through a window, and smiles on seeing him, until she recognizes his posture as that of Angry Christian. Feeling sorry for whomever is on the other end of his controlled rage, she doesn't hesitate and heads out onto the front step in time to hear him conclude, "…and fucking unprofessional."
The woman facing him – Ana guesses it's the nurse assigned to monitor her health while they're here – bites back whatever apparently angry reply she was about to make when the door opens to reveal Ana. Christian turns, his anger melting away at the sight of her, and says, "It's okay, baby. Go back inside. I'll be there in a minute."
Moving into his arms, silently demanding a small kiss, which he readily bestows, Ana then extends her hand to the woman and says, "Hi. I'm Ana." Smiling, to show that there's no ill will on her part, she adds, "You're late."
With a wary glance at Christian, she accepts the greeting, saying, "Bree. Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry about that. As I was just about to explain to your husband, one of my dogs cut his foot on a broken bottle or something…five stitches and a staple to repair the damage. I've been at the vet all afternoon, and only stopped home long enough to change out of my blood-soaked clothes." Then addressing Christian, she concludes, "I apologize for not calling, to let you know I'd be late. But, as you can imagine, I was a little distracted."
Still fuming, Christian remains silent as Ana asks Bree, "Will your dog be okay?"
Finally relaxing enough to smile, Bree says, "Oh, yes. Thank you. My brother is looking after him. Targa will just be happy to be allowed to sleep inside the house until his stitches come out."
"I'm glad. And, have you eaten?"
Relief flooding the woman's face, she says, "Not even lunch."
Silently praying that her husband has had enough time to calm down, Ana asks him, "Christian?"
With half a smile on his face, as if he has a secret joke, Christian gestures to the suitcase at Bree's feet and asks, "That it?"
"Yes, sir."
Picking up the case, Christian says, "Go with Ana. I'll get this to your room and make sure a place is set for you at the table."
"Thank you, sir."
When they've parted ways, but before she's once again in a room full of people, Ana says to Bree, "I'm not going to apologize for Christian. He's a man whose pregnant wife probably has cancer."
Bree nods and says, "And coping remarkably well, under those circumstances. Believe me, distraught spouses are just part of my job. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. If you're content, can we wait until after dinner before you start poking and prodding me?"
"Well, it'll be more along the lines of taking your blood pressure and shining a light in your eyes. But, yes, it can wait."
Glad that the tension has passed, Ana introduces Bree to Lea and then Carla. By then Christian has returned with Carolyn, who sets another place at the huge table and announces that dinner will be served immediately. Secure and comfortable between Christian and her great-aunt, Ana enjoys herself immensely, learning more about her family in one meal than she had in twenty-two years. It's not the best food she's ever eaten since meeting Christian, though it is delicious, and she leans close to say, "Best meal ever, thank you."
Smiling, Christian says, "Even though the chicken was a little dry?"
"Even so. Thank you, for today."
Kissing Ana in that spot just behind her ear, that seems to be somehow connected to her groin, Christian murmurs, "Day's not yet over, Mrs. Grey."
She can't help it, she blushes, and has to then tolerate his soft laugh at her expense. "Not nice, Grey."
Resting a hand on her thigh, his movement concealed by the table cloth, Christian purrs, "See, now I think that I'm being incredibly nice."
Trusting that he won't take it too far while they're at the table, Ana ignores the quickening of her blood to protest, "Bree has to take my blood pressure after dinner. Do you really want to spend the evening at the nearest hospital?"
Christian chuckles again and removes his hand, kissing her cheek before saying, "Fair point, Mrs. Grey."
After dinner, Ana has to tolerate Bree's exam in the privacy of their bedroom, with Christian nervously hovering nearby, despite her constant assurances that she feels all right. As expected, she's given a clean bill of health, with the added caution that she not stay up very late. Christian doesn't apologize for his earlier tirade, but he does warmly thank Bree as he dismisses her for the evening. Then taking Ana gently in his arms, he asks, "Tired, baby?"
Assuming he wants to finish what he started earlier, Ana laughs lightly and asks, "What do you have in mind?"
With a grin, he says, "For once, not what I was talking about. I mean, are you too tired to head back downstairs? I'll make your excuses if you'd rather not."
By now, they can hear that one of her relatives has found the upright piano and is belting out tunes to rowdy accompaniment. Ana smiles and says, "Sounds like a fun party." Suddenly comprehending that Christian only tolerated the noisy crowd this long for her benefit, she continues, "Oh, but you don't need to stay with me, darling. Mom is there…probably the one singing loudest. Plus I have Lea to keep an eye on me. I'll be fine."
Clearly, it's the right phrasing, because Christian's mood immediately brightens, but he still nervously asks, "You're sure?"
"Quite sure. And I'll stay within sight of a bodyguard at all times other than when I pee, I promise."
"You don't think…do you think they'll be upset if I'm not there?"
Ana giggles and says, "And when did you become so concerned what strangers think of you?"
Glaring at her, Christian counters, "Not strangers; your family. I have all their contact details and invited them to visit if they're ever in our corner of the world."
Again astounded at the lengths he'll go to, just to make her smile, Ana leans against his chest and says, "You really are perfect, aren't you?" When Christian only laughs at this, she savors the feeling as the warm sound vibrates through her body, then says, "And you needn't worry; though you do create a lasting impression, I doubt that bunch will even notice your absence."
Christian laughs again at that and says, "Yes, you're probably right. You won't exhaust yourself?"
Lifting her face, so he'll see the truth of it, Ana promises, "Not too much." When he only smiles quietly in gratitude, Ana says, "Thank you, for trusting me."
Just staring into her eyes for several seconds, Christian then kisses her forehead and says, "You'd better go, before I can't let you."
Ana steps out of his arms as she laughs and points out, "You've said that before."
"And I'm sure it was just as true then."
When he smacks her ass as she turns away from him, Ana yelps and says, "And I'm pretty sure you did that, too."
Unrepentant, Christian grins and says, "It certainly sounds like me. Have fun, baby."
When the door shuts, leaving him alone, Christian feels that familiar pain that occurs whenever Ana walks away from him, as if some part of him actually goes with her, leaving him less than he was in her presence. Shaking off the urge to just follow her, for any sign of affection, he turns to the small desk, where his computer is quietly humming, awaiting his attention.
The next time he becomes aware of his surroundings, it's to notice that he's lost a couple of hours while he was catching up on the money markets. And there's that pain again, so he's torn between his need to show Ana that he trusts her, and this horrible feeling of almost panic; that something terrible will happen to her if she's not in sight. Thankfully, the techniques he's learned over the years are enough that his concern is limited to a short text, asking if she's okay.
When there's no reply after a couple of minutes, he starts pacing. When, there's none after ten, he mutters "Fuck," and gives in to the panic. Nigel is vigilant outside the door, and practically snaps to attention, falling in behind Christian as he heads downstairs.
Ana is at the front door, her hands on the shoulders of some young man as she kisses his cheek. Christian's blood actually runs hotter in his veins for a second. Thankfully there're enough stairs between them to ensure his amygdala is battered into submission by the rest of his brain, as he notices that her stance and posture indicate only a polite farewell, despite the fact that the fucker is taking this opportunity to rest his hands on Ana's hips.
The guy notices Christian's approach and rightly looks afraid. Alerted, Ana turns and the same fear flashes through her gaze before she forces a smile and says, "Christian! Just in time to say goodbye."
Running his gaze over the man's nametag, Christian offers a cold smile and his hand as he says, "Thanks for coming, Jim. You've helped make this day very special for Ana."
Visibly relieved to be spared whatever fate he'd seen waiting for him in Christian's eyes only moments ago, Jim readily accepts the gesture as he says, "Oh, my pleasure. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone. We usually only do that for weddings and funerals. This was much less stressful."
After fairly formal goodbyes, Christian gratefully shuts the door on him, turning to see concern on Ana's face. Kissing her cheek in apology, he says, "I guess you didn't hear your phone."
The concern is replaced by surprise and Ana checks before saying, "Oh, sorry." With an attempt at a laugh, she says, "That explains it."
Dismissing Lea from the foyer with a glance, Christian then asks, "You're not angry?"
She's not, but crosses her arms and counters, "Depends; do you intend to perform that terrifying ritual with all of them?"
Recognizing that she's already forgiven his jealousy, and relieved that his neuroses haven't ruined her evening, Christian smiles and asks, "Will you protect me from any over-affectionate women?"
He knows they're okay when she laughs and promises, "Always, Mr. Grey."
Offering his outstretched hand, Christian says, "Then we have a deal."
Accepting the gesture, Ana isn't very surprised when she pulled into his embrace and their lips meet as if it's been days, not hours, since they last kissed. They're shocked out of their paradise for two by Carla. "There you are! Come on; Kevin is ready for Auld Lang Syne."
With that, she's gone, obviously trusting that Ana will follow. Reluctantly ending the kiss, Christian mutters, "Whose idea was it to bring that woman?"
Laughing, Ana caresses the side of his face, relishing the feel of evening stubble there, and lovingly whispers, "Yours, my darling, because you knew that I'd enjoy her company on this trip."
"So far, so good?"
"So far, incredible."
