"Good evening Miss Steele.", Taylor says as he and Christian come out of the study. We arrived home a few hours ago after the horrific ordeal of my kidnapping and Elena's death. Christian insisted that I rest while he took care of some things in his study, but my mind won't let me.
"Good evening.", I reply before he walks away towards the security room. Christian and I are left standing in the living room which has had its remodel put on hold for a few days. Just before Oliver's crew began painting today Christian called and told them to hold off because he didn't want the distraction going on while we dealt with the days events.
"I thought you were going to rest for a while.", he says, kissing me deeply. I came close to not touching those lips again.
"I tried but couldn't. What have you found out?" Christian made it his mission to find out if Daniel Thompson was duped by Elena or if we were duped by Thompson.
"The bastard lied to us. The detectives went to his apartment to look for him, but his brother was there instead. He had been calling him all day but didn't get an answer. His closet was cleaned out so they think he skipped town." Christian's jaw is clenched as he speaks.
"Perfect.", I mumble sarcastically.
"You want to know another interesting piece of information? Thompson's brother said that he was having a relationship with a older, wealthy woman."
"Elena?" Christian nods and runs his hands through his hair. "What a day."
"Yeah, it's been a day from hell. How are you holding up?" I honestly have no idea how I'm holding up. My emotions are all over the place after everything that's happened.
"Before my dad died, he said that leaving me was something that he didn't want. That's how I felt when I thought I was going to die. The thought of leaving you and what we have terrified me. I was prepared to die, but my mom came through for me. The mother who abandoned me, only to return to my life and make it miserable, saved my life. She killed someone for me. After I saw Elena lying on the floor, I looked into my mom's eyes and saw a glimmer of the woman that she used to be. It still doesn't make up for all the bad things that she did."
"Your mom will never be able to repair all the hurt that she's caused you, but I'll be eternally grateful to her for her saving your life." He cups my face in his hands as tears fall from both of us. "Today was a bad today, but it's also the end of the darkness that was brought on by Elena. She's gone and can't hurt us anymore.", he says. I'm soon wrapped in his arms.
When I wake the next morning, Christian is standing by the dresser, putting his watch on. I notice that he's dressed in a blue tee and jeans instead of his usual suit. Why isn't he dressed for work?
"Hey baby. How did you sleep?", he asks while kissing my forehead.
"Not good. I think I got maybe two hours of sleep." I raise up and get out of the bed. "My body was tired, but my mind couldn't rest. Are you wearing jeans to work?"
"No. I'm not going to work today and neither are you. We're staying home to rest." I know that he means well, but I want to work.
"Christian, I'm going to work." Walking to the closet, I grab a pair of jeans and a soft pink blouse that ties in the back. The entire time I feel his eyes on me.
"You had a rough day yesterday and need rest.", he says. I stand in front of him with my arms crossed as I debate whether I want to avoid a full blown argument by staying home or if I want to go to work. Maybe I can compromise.
"How about if I go in later? I could call Haley and ask if it's ok to work a half day. How about that?"
"Ok, half a day." I sense that he's still not sure of the idea, but at least he agreed. "I have to meet with the mayor of Logan Sunday afternoon about the resource center. Are you up for another trip?"
"Are you sure that you're meeting with the mayor or are you going because you think I need to leave Seattle every time something bad happens.
"I'm really meeting with the mayor Sunday afternoon.", he smiles.
"I have to work at the bookstore till noon, but after that, I can go." I walk over and kiss him before heading to the bathroom.
Following breakfast, we spend the morning watching tv and talking. I feel the bond between us grow with every minute that we're together.
"I love you.", Christian says as Sawyer and I get ready to leave for my half day of work.
"I love you too." The touch of his lips on mine send bolts of electricity throughout my body. He and Taylor leave after us.
As soon as I walk in the door at the store, Haley runs up to me and pulls me into a big hug.
"Ana, I'm so glad that you're safe. I was so worried.", she says, her voice cracking.
"I'm ok."
"You must have been so scared." Scared doesn't come close to describing how I felt. "When you called afterwards, you said that your mom killed Elena. Why did Elena want you dead?" I'm not going to tell her that Elena wanted me dead because I'm dating her former lover who she seduced at fifteen.
"Elena had an infatuation with Christian and hated that we're together." It's as close as I can get to the truth without revealing Christian's secrets. "And yes, my mom is now charged with murder because she saved me."
"You poor thing." I know Haley means well, but I want to forget all the crazy shit that happened, even if it's for a few hours.
"Tell me something that will take my mind off of my drama.", I smile. I walk over and begin sorting out the magazine rack. Sawyer is keeping guard in the chair next to the rack.
"I told Adam last night that I'll move in with him."
"Haley, that's great. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks. Since my place has more space he's going to move in this weekend. That leads to my next news. I'm thinking about staying closed on Saturdays. We're only open four hours, and we spend more on the electricity that's used than we make. It's not set in stone yet, but I'm leaning that way. In the meantime, we'll be closed this Saturday for sure since Adam and I will be moving his things."
"Ok. Christian has to go to Logan Saturday afternoon, but I can help you guys that morning if you'd like." I'm happy for Haley and Adam.
"I appreciate the offer, but we can handle it.", she says.
My short work day passes rather quickly. It's started raining by the time Sawyer and I leave to go home. The rain is dreary and depressing. When we arrive at Escala, Grace and Carrick are sitting in the living room with Christian. All three of them look like they've been crying.
"Ana, hello sweetheart.", a solemn Grace says through tears. Christian looks at me as if he's been through hell and back. What's going on?
"Hi." I'm not sure what I walked in on so maybe I should give them some privacy. "I'm going to go to the study to read."
"You don't have to do that Ana. Why don't you stay?", Carrick says. Christian nods his heads and pats the spot next to him on the sofa. I slowly walk over and take a seat next to Christian who reaches for my hand.
"When Christian called me yesterday asking if I knew where to find Elena, part of me felt like he wasn't telling me everything. That feeling kept gnawing at me so I called him earlier to ask what really happened. He told me about your mother and Elena. I'm so sorry Ana.", Grace says. Both she and Carrick look at me with sympathetic eyes.
"Thank you Grace. I'm just happy to be back home. I know that Elena was your friend.."
"No, she wasn't." Christian closes his eyes for a second as I begin to get the impression that he's told his parents about things other than what happened yesterday. "Elena Lincoln was not my friend. The woman was nothing but a manipulative pedophile." They know.
"I told my parents everything."
All of these years we invited that woman into our home. We had dinners with her. When her husband left her, we supported her. Now, we find out that she took advantage of our son.", Carrick says as I see his face turn red with anger.
"I'm sorry Mom and Dad for putting this on you. I know that I'm nothing more than a disappointment."
"No, you're not. You're a man who had his life invaded by an evil succubus. I just wish that I could have stopped her.", Grace sobs. "I should have been a better mother to you. Christian, I failed you."
"Mom, you didn't fail me. I was so messed up, and I thought that Elena was the solution to my issues. Now, I see that she didn't solve my problems. She enabled them."
"I'm glad that Ana's mother killed her because if she hadn't, I would kill the bitch in a heartbeat." Grace's words are a sign of the love for her son.
"Can I say something?", I ask with caution. "The only one who is to blame is Elena Lincoln. The woman knew what she was doing when she took advantage of Christian. Grace, Carrick, you're amazing parents who I know would go to hell and back for your children. I know that what Christian told you is a lot to process, but I also know that this family will get through it."
"Ana, I don't think we can thank you enough for coming into our son's life.", Carrick says. I now have tears in my eyes as I see a smile appear on Christian's face. "You've guided him back to us."
"I was lost before Ana, but she saved me. The best thing I ever did was go to Logan."
"I agree.", Grace adds. "We're thankful that Ana is part of the family."
When Saturday arrives,we travel to Logan. Christian seems to be more content now that Elena is dead, and his parents know about their relationship. One thing he left out was the BDSM aspect. He said that he feels they have enough to handle for now. Since Haley is moving and the store is closed, we left earlier than originally planned. Even though Elena is dead and my mom is in jail, Christian wanted Taylor to come with us again.
"You know, I should move a division of GEH here.", Christian laughs as we walk into the house. "I'm serious. I love it here."
"You're turning into a country boy." He snakes his arms around my waist and kisses me tenderly.
"I guess that's what happens when you fall hopelessly in love with a country girl. When are Henry and Lea going to be back from their honeymoon?"
"Lea said they should be back late tomorrow night. We'll probably already be back on our way to Seattle by the time they get back. She said they've had the best time. This has been the longest that they've been away from Logan."
"I'm glad they're having a nice time. Let's get some food from Karen's."
"I can cook something here if you want. How about some glazed pork chops?"
"That sounds nice baby, but I don't want you to have to cook.", he explains.
"Fine. I'm going to change before we go." Just as I'm about to walk into the living room, he grabs my hand and pulls me back to him.
"Stay here. I have something for you." Is this it? He walks into the living room where Taylor is sitting. "Taylor, I need your help with something." Fuck, how big of a ring is it? They walk into the kitchen with a...tv. A large plasma tv.
"That's a tv.", I say in shock.
"Yeah. I told you I was getting you a tv. This is supposed to be one of the best. I saw it online and had it shipped here. What do you think?" I don't know what comes over me, but I suddenly start laughing. I'm soon doubled over in near tears as I look at the tv.
"Sorry. It's just I thought tv was a code word for ring, but tv actually meant tv." Somehow, I'm able to get my laughter under control.
"Baby, I'm sorry for misleading you. I should have been more clear."
"It's fine. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I'll be right back." I kiss him one more time before going to change. Looking in my suitcase, I grab a black skirt and a red blouse. I add black boots to the outfit.
By the time we leave the house, it's raining. The rain is coming down harder as we arrive at Karen's. Christian, luckily, brought his jacket which he uses to cover us while we walk from the car to the café. Taylor said that he wasn't very hungry so he's going to Isla's for ice cream.
"Let's sit over there.", Christian points to a table. It's the same table that we sat at when we first met. I notice that we're the only ones in the café.
"Ana, how are you?", Karen Walk, the owner, asks as she walks to the table.
"Hi Miss Karen. I'm good. I don't think you've met my boyfriend Christian. Christian, this is Karen Walk. She owns the café."
"Pleased to meet you. I have to say that your café is one of my favorite places.", Christian says.
"Thank you." Karen takes our drink orders and says she will bring us some menus. A few minutes later, she brings our drinks but has forgotten the menus. Christian stands to get them. When he comes back, he sits down but pauses before handing me my menu.
"Can I have my menu please?", I giggle.
"I love the sound of you giggling. Fuck, I love everything about you." He slowly hands me my menu.
As I open the menu, I feel my breathing hitch at the words. There are no food options on the menu. Instead, the words, "Will You Marry Me?", are written. I feel tears form as I continue to hold the menu in front of me. Lowering the menu, I see that Christian is on one knee. In his hand is an open ring box that contains a large diamond ring.
"This is where I first laid eyes on you. It's where my life changed forever. This is where I fell in love with the woman who I want to spend the rest of my life with. Ana, will you marry me?"
"Yes, yes. I will.", I answer. He stands and kisses me with full passion before taking the ring out of the box and slipping it on my finger. Christian pulls a tiny piece of paper out from the bottom of the box. It's very small, but I recognize the writing of my dad. Written on the paper are the words, "Be Happy."
"Before your dad died, I asked him for your hand in marriage. We both knew that you deserved all the happiness in the world so he wrote this." My mind takes me back to the letter he wrote about my first visit back. He used these notes to show me that it's ok to live and love even if he's not here.
"I love you Christian.", I whisper.