Chapter 36 - Merry Christmas

Anastasia

"Merry Christmas, beautiful." Christian whispers in my ear. His finger caressing my spine. Up and down. Up and down. The feeling is calming and soothing and I have no intentions in opening my eyes just jet.

"Baby, wake up. There are a lot of presents under that tree and it got me fucking curious." I stifle a laugh at his childish enthusiasm. His finger is still moving up and down and damn if that isn't a damn good feeling. But I really don't want to open my eyes just jet. The feeling of Christian's hands on my back and the sun on my face are too good.

Suddenly I feel cool air hitting my legs and I yelp the moment Christian's hand collides with my bare ass.

"Oh, really! Jesus Christ, Christian!" I turn around and I am met with my boyfriends grin. He is freaking grinning.

"Hey, you're awake!" He says sarcastically. "But then again." He says holding his finger in the air. "You already were." Raising his eyebrows he continues. "Because you were enjoying my hands on your back and the sun shining through those windows." He shrugs nonchalantly. "You were thinking; I am going to keep my eyes closed for just a few more minutes." He is right. I was thinking that.

"Merry Christmas." I say too stupid to come back with a smart ass remark. His grin turns wider and then he wiggles his eyebrows, making him look even younger.

"Presents!" He shouts making me wince. He laughs throwing his head back and then winks. "At least you're awake now."

"Wow, you made all of this?" I ask looking at the table. Christian turns to look at me from where he is standing and gives me his shy smile.

"I only made the pancakes. The rest I ordered in." And that is when I see the heart shaped pancakes on my plate.

I grab my camera from the kitchen counter and start making pictures. When I think I have enough I slowly move the lens to where I know Christian is standing and start clicking. The comforting sound of the shutter grounds me and focuses me and I forget about these last few days while I only concentrate on the delicious man leaning casually against the kitchen counter.

He is looking incredibly hot with those sweatpants sans t-shirt. He is leaning casually against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed in front of his firm chest. The veins and muscles on his arms stirring with every little movement he makes. And Jesus, that v-line. Just let me nibble at it for a minute. I could die a happy woman just by staring at the delicious v.

His laugh pulls me out of my thoughts and I slowly lower the camera from my face. "What?" I ask staring at his cocky face.

"What? What?" He replies still smiling.

"Why were you laughing?"

He shrugs and makes his way toward me. "You were staring through your camera baby, you weren't making any pictures." Gently he takes the camera from my hand and places it on the table. "Oh and there is a little bit of drool over here…" Brushing his finger over my mouth he winks and pushes me gently into the chair.

"Sit and eat, baby." He kisses my forehead and winks. "The pancakes are getting cold."

This is so much fun. Christian has long finished eating and just to annoy him a little bit I am taking my sweet time. His leg is impatiently moving up and down, his fingers drumming on the table while his gaze is pinned on my plate.

"Hmm, I wonder what's under that tree." I say casually pointing my fork into that direction. His eyes slide to mine and then back at the tree.

"God, you sure do know how to cook a mean pancake, Christian. I think I'll have another one."

"Another?" He whines.

"Oh, yes…these are delicious." I sing-song. Narrowing his eyes at me he leans his head towards me until our faces are merely inches apart. "I know what you are doing here, Ms. Steele?"

"Do you know, Mr. Grey?" I shrug indifferently. "I have no idea what you are talking about. I am simply enjoying these delicious heart-shaped pancakes that my incredibly handsome boyfriend prepared for me. It isn't every day that a girl…"

"You're finished." He says prying the fork from my hand. It makes a clattering sound against the plate and then I am hauled of the chair and carried over to the Christmas tree.

"You are such a kid." I snort. My hand brushes over his hair and I carefully scrape my fingernails over his scalp. He closes his eyes momentarily and when he opens them again I see his vulnerability shining through.

"But you love me for it…" It isn't the confident Christian talking now, but the little insecure boy. But simply the fact that he is voicing this out loud is so very important. Sitting in front of me is a man who has spent his entire life doubting people, he second guesses nearly every situation, and when someone expresses their love or their interest in him, he is always waiting for the catch. And while I sit here and look into those enthralling, mesmerizing eyes I know that I will keep fighting for him every step of the way and I refuse to give up…even though I have had some valid reasons to do so…I. won't. give. Up. On. Him. I will keep believing in him like no one ever else has. This belief is unconditional, irreversible and true. And in this very moment, Christian Grey, has wholeheartedly admitted the fact that I love him.

"Yeah, I love you, Christian." I whisper. "I love you unconditionally, irreversible and forever and fucking ever."

Christian

"I don't understand." Ana says looking from the picture in her hand to me.

"What don't you understand?" I ask. Ana looks so fucking cute with her lip clasped between her teeth, her hair a disarray of brown curly strands on her head and that fucking adorable v between her brows.

"Well, I am looking at a photograph of a car…"

"Not just a car, baby." I say interrupting her. "It is an Audi Q7 TDI premium plus." Only the best for my girl.

She clears her throat. "Okay you give me a picture of an Audi Q7- something…with my company name on it. I just don't understand." She really doesn't understand.

"It is for you, Ana."

"But I already have a car." Yeah, a tiny car that doesn't comply with the safety requirements that a car must meet. Unacceptable.

"Well I saw the other day how much equipment you sometimes need. Besides this one…" I say tapping my finger on the picture in her hands. "Is saver." Thus better.

That damn lips is still clasped between her teeth as the look of confusion on her face grows only bigger and bigger as the seconds pass by.

"Ana, say something here." With my thumb I pull her lips from her teeth and force her face to look at me.

"It is too much…" She whispers. "I…" Her eyes dart to the presents she gave me, which I love, and then back to me.

"Answer my question, Ana. Do you like the car?"

"Well it is not exactly a car, it looks more like a 'beast', but yeah, of course I like it, what's not to like. It is elegant, stylish and sportive at the same time and you are right I think I wouldn't have any problem at all storing my equipment in it." Her voice starts to fade and I don't like it one bit. Because I have the feeling that there is more to it then her usual reluctance in accepting my gifts.

"Ana, what is it?" Pulling the picture off her hands I throw it next to us on the floor and pull her up on my lap so that she is straddling me. She has no other option than to look at me.

"I can't maintain a car like that, Christian." She whispers. What?

"What do you mean?"

"What do I mean? Well what about fees, taxes, insurance, gas, maintenance…This car is huge…I can't afford that." Is she out of her fucking mind?

"You don't have to, Ana. That is all taken care of."

"But look what I got for you."She says now completely disconcerted and exasperated. "And what you got for me."

"Well let's see. I got some really cool running shoes and you know what I like about them?"

"No…" She whispers.

"I love what you wrote on the inside of the lid; "Because you have been running through my heart, since the first time I met you" She shrugs still not completely convinced.

"I fucking love the Fitbit Surge also known as the Fitness Super Watch. Do you know that I have been meaning to buy this for a very long time now but that I never gave myself the time to do it? And you somehow manage to know what I want without asking." I kiss the tip of her nose, happy that there is a little smile on those gorgeous lips.

"But my favorite present is the frame with pictures showing our relationship timeline and of course the frame where you have written all the reasons why you love me."

"Do you know what my mom always says?"

This time she gives me a little, stubborn shake of her head. "She says that the act of giving is a special sort of science and that a gift doesn't have to be expensive. What matters more is the care and attention are evident in the selection of the gift." I kiss the tip of her nose, thankful that the crease on her brow is slowly fading away. "These presents Ana tell me that you have paid attention to my wants and needs. I love my presents Ana, don't doubt yourself, baby."

She looks at me from under her eyelashes and I can still see the uncertainty behind her eyes.

I wiggle my eyebrows at her what makes her giggle. "There are two more gifts under that tree."

"There is more?" She breathes.

She smiles at me when I hand her the gift and the moment she unwraps the paper she laughs throwing her head back.

"Oh God, I love this." Figures. The cheapest gift. She smiles her eyes darting from me to the jar in her hands.

"Chill Pills huh." She says still smiling. "Really think I need these?"

"Absolutely. And it says here that in case of an emergency you can break the glass and consume the entire bottle."

"I'll share. You can have the green ones." Placing the jar back on the floor she leans in, her hands on my thighs and brushes her lips against mine. "Thank you, Christian. I love it. I love all the gifts."

"There is one more. Here let me get it for you." The gift is small and the ribbon gives away where I bought it.

"Cartier?" She swallows and I see her getting nervous again.

"Open it, Ana." She takes her time pulling at the ribbon and when she finally opens the little box she smiles again.

"It's beautiful." Her fingers brush over the delicate, white gold bracelet and when she looks at me there are tears pooling in her eyes.

"It's a love bracelet." I explain. "A symbol of love and commitment."

She nods and gives me the bracelet. "Will you help me?" Taking the little screwdriver supplied with the bracelet I lock it on her wrist.

"Thank you." She says again. "I really love it and I love the meaning behind it. I love you, Christian."

Anastasia

Un-fucking-believable. He brought me a car. An Audi Q7-something. And not only a car but he also brought me a beautiful pair of black, high heels, Christian Louboutin's shoes. They are absolutely amazing. The only thing I have to figure out is how to wear them and not break my neck.

Casually he mentioned that he ordered more and that they will be delivered to Escala the first week of January. And then of course the love bracelet. I brush my fingers against the cold material and smile to myself.

Oh I need to call my dad and tell him about the car. I grab the phone that is lying on the table and without even thinking I scroll through my contacts until it dawns on me what I am doing. I still and remove my hovering finger from my phone and take a deep breath.

"What's wrong, Ana?"

I simply shake my head and throw the phone on the couch.

"Ana…"

"I was thinking about my new car and I just thought I could call my dad and tell him, but when I was about to call him I …" I shrug. No explanation needed I guess.

"Call him." He says gently. He takes the phone from the couch and hands it to me. "It's Christmas, Ana. Forget for one day what happened and call your dad." I look at the phone in his hands and then at Christian. He is right. It is Christmas. Forgive, let go and all that other crap. However, I am not ready to forgive him. I need an explanation and an apology first.

Christian gives me a smile and when I take the phone from his hands and he encouragingly nods at me.

When he moves from the couch to stand up I quickly grab his hand. "Please stay."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

I scoot closer to Christian who immediately wraps his arm around my shoulder. Before I have the chance to change my mind I search my dad's name on my contact list and push the button.

"Steele" He answers gruffly.

"Hi, daddy, it's me."

I hear him gasp and then a rustling sound. I can practically see him sitting on his oversized chair next to the window with the remote control clasped in his hand and his eyes focused on the TV.

"Annie?"

"Merry Christmas, daddy."

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart." I swallow back the tears in my throat and take a deep breath.

"I tried to call you, Annie." He says rushed. "I even went by to your apartment but you weren't there." I hear all kind of emotions lacing his voice and my dad is never emotional.

"Your neighbor wasn't there, so after waiting for you for a couple of hours I left." He came all the way to Seattle?

And even though I am still mad at him it breaks my heart that I wasn't there.

"I haven't been much in my apartment lately." I explain.

"Oh, have you been away on an assignment?" I feel Christian's arm tensing.

"Well I was called for a last minute assignment to Vancouver, but I've also been spending a lot of time with Christian. We are in New York now."

My dad clears his throat. "So you are back with him then?" Thankfully I can't hear any anger or resentment in his voice.

"Yes, I am." And I am happy. Please be happy for me too.

"Is he treating you well?"

"Dad, I love him and he loves me."

"Good" Is the only thing he says.

There is a heavy silence and for the first time ever I don't know what to say to my dad.

"How long are you staying in New York?"

"We are flying back on January first. Christian needs to get back to work and so do I."

"Call me when you get back? We need to talk, Annie. I owe you an explanation."

"Okay." I whisper.

I hear my dad taking a large intake of breath before he speaks again. "Wish Christian a merry Christmas, Annie."

"I will. Bye dad." I love you, daddy.

"Bye, Annie."

"I'm proud of you, Ana." Christian whispers against my hair.

"Are you sure you are going to eat all of that?" Christian points at my ridiculously big cookies and cream milkshake.

"It would be a shame to let it go to waste." I shrug and wrap my lips around the straw.

He smiles and shakes his head. "You are going to fall into a sugar coma if you drink all of that." He points at my. Carefully he takes a sip of his coffee and looks around in the restaurant.

"Did you come here often?" Something passes his eyes the moment he asks and I am glad that I have never been here with Noah.

"Not as much as I would have liked. I found this place on Instagram and when I saw all the amazing milkshakes they had, I just needed to come. So I dragged Peter and Adam with me."

I push my milkshake toward Christian and point at it. "Taste it." I challenge him with my eyes and then slowly he wraps his lips around the white and red straw. Damn him and those lips.

But he doesn't stop with a little sip. "This is actually really good." He says taking another sip of the sugary goodness.

"Christian Grey!" I admonish him playfully. He laughs and shoves the milkshake back to me.

From my peripheral I see a middle aged woman carefully approaching our table. And even though she has a friendly face I tense. Immediately Sawyer and Reynolds block her path.

"Ma'am" Sawyer says.

The woman's eyes widen when she angles her head to look at Sawyer who looks frightening hovering over her like that.

"I am sorry. I heard someone saying Christian Grey and I…" She stops speaking abruptly and holds her hands in the air. "I don't mean any harm." She whispers uncomfortable. I don't know if it is the look on her face or the fact that this tiny woman is frightened because of Sawyers presence, I start feeling uncomfortable too and turn my head.

"It's okay, Sawyer." Christian says much to my surprise.

After giving Sawyer a nervous smile, the woman carefully takes a step forward and smiles.

"I am sorry but I was sitting over there with my daughter and when I saw you enter I thought I recognized you and then…" She giggles nervously at Christian's stoic expression and extends her hand. "I am rambling and I haven't even introduced myself. My name is Nicole Collins from Detroit."

I see Christian's eyes widen when she mentions Detroit and for a few seconds he just stares at her outstretched hand. Good manners make him rise of his chair and dutifully shake her hand.

"Mrs. Collins." Christian gives her a little nod with his head.

"You don't remember me do you?" Christian shakes his head and he looks like a little boy right now. His eyes are wide and he keeps blinking at her.

"My husband and I fostered you when you were little. You had to stay with us for a few months until your adoptive parents were able to finalize the adoption papers.

He doesn't remember. I can see it in the way he is looking at her. He doesn't remember staying with her. I rise from my seat and go stand next to him. I can't stand seeing him so lost and confused. I slip my hand into his and smile at the woman whose smile is now fading due to Christian's lack of response.

"I am so sorry." She says taking a step back. "I caught you of guard, but I have been in contact with your parents for all these years. And occasionally I see you on the news. I just wanted to say hi. Merry Christmas."

She turns but before she can walk away Christian's voice startles me. "Wait!" Mrs. Collins turns around and smiles up at him.

"I don't remember." Christian says brushing his hand through his hair. "I would like to hear more, could you meet us in my apartment in say…" He looks at his watch and then back at her. "Thirty minutes."

"Of course." She says smiling.

"Sawyer will give you the address. Thank you Mrs. Collins."

In a swift move Christian pulls his wallet from his back pocket and throws a fifty dollar bill on the table. Without even looking at me he takes my hands and walks briskly towards the exit dragging me along with him.

From the corner of my eye I see Reynolds practically running to the car.

"We'll walk, Reynolds." Christian barks without even looking at him.

"Sir, considering the threats I would like to ask you to reconsider."

Christian stops, tenses and turns around on his heels. His jaw is clenched and his eyes narrowed as he takes a step forward. "And I said that I wanted to walk. If you got a problem with that, you can turn in your resignation, Reynolds." Jesus, what an asshole.

Reynolds doesn't even bat an eyelid but nods his head and takes a step backwards. I whimper when Christian pulls at my arm and starts walking. Jesus what's his problem?

His steps are brisk and huge and after five minutes I have trouble keeping up with him. He hasn't even looked at me since Mrs. Collins showed up at our table. He went from completely relaxed and happy to completely pissed off and ass-holish.

"Christian, will you please slow down…"

"No." He grunts. What the fuck?

"You know if you are going to behave like a complete dick, you walk and I'll go back with Reynolds."

I roughly try to pull my hand from his and somehow I expect him to let go, but he doesn't…he keeps walking, gripping my hand harder and shaking his head in annoyance.

"Christian, stop please." Jesus, what the hell is wrong with him?

"Watermelon!"

He stops dead in his tracks. His eyes are wide as he stares at me and since he finally let go of my hand I rub my sore wrist. "Asshole" I mutter.

"I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, but I am going with Reynolds."

I turn around and before I can look up someone bumps into me. Hard. And because I am such a freaking klutz I lose my balance and before I know it my ass hits the ground. Shit that hurts. I see a flurry of red and hands groping me. This person who is trying to help me up reeks of alcohol and I scurry backwards on my butt.

"Ms. Steele, are you all right?" Sawyer pushes back the one who was trying to help me up back and extends his hand. Someone dressed as Santa Clause mutters an apology and scurries along.

"Yeah, I don't know what happened." I look behind me and that is when I see 'Santa's' head quickly turning. Those eyes. I recognize those eyes.

"Ana?" I roll my eyes when I hear Christian's panicked voice and takes Sawyer's outstretched hand instead of Christian's.

"Ana, are you hurt?" Christian places himself in front of me and I have no other choice than to let Sawyer's hand go.

"I am fine." I snap. "Shouldn't you finish your little marathon, Christian?" I pull the strap of my purse higher on my shoulder. I need to keep my hands occupied before they wander off to his neck.

Christian closes his eyes and lowers his head. "I panicked when Mrs. Collins showed up. I am sorry."

I nod my head once and sigh. Patience, Ana.

"Come on, Reynolds is waiting."

Finally back in the car Christian pushes the button for the privacy screen and simultaneously pushes a few buttons on his phone.

"Grey residence, how may I help you?" I roll my eyes at the sound from Gretchen's chipper voice.

"Gretchen this is Christian Grey, put my mother on the phone."
"Certainly Mr. Grey." She breathes into the phone. I can practically see her opening the first few buttons of her to tight blouse and batting her eyelashes. Stupid bimbo.

"Christian! Oh what a surprise, honey! Merry Christmas. We were just talking about you!" Grace gushes into the phone and she sounds completely delighted.

"Merry Christmas, mom." Christian says sullen.

"Christian, what's wrong. Oh please don't tell me you got into another fight with Anastasia. Or are you sick?" Now it is Christian's turn to roll his eyes.

"No, mom I didn't get into another fight with Anastasia and no I am not sick either."

"Oh. Then what is it, son?"

"Well if you would just take a breath and let me speak…" Christian replies impatiently. There is no response from Grace though. Sighing Christian leans his head back and closes his eyes.

"Sorry, mom, that was rude."

"Yes it actually was very rude, but it's alright, honey. What was it that you wanted to ask?"

"Mom, do you know a Mrs. Collins from…Detroit?"

"Yes of course Nicole Collins. Her husband's name is Daniel. Why do you ask?"

"Who is she, mom?"

"Christian, Mr. and Mrs. Collins were your foster parents. We couldn't take you home directly from the hospital; there were still some legal matters we needed to deal with before we could finalize the adoption." She whispers. "You don't remember?"

"No…I don't…mom how is it possible…I remember…I mean the fucking nightmares, mom." He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Mom, did the Collin's treat me right?"

"Oh yes, Christian. They are lovely people. She used to read to you every night; you were attached to a specific book. I think it was "Are you my mother" and she made sure that you ate properly…You even gained a little weight while you were staying with them."

"Why can't I remember, mom?"

"Oh, honey, that is perfectly normal. You were so little and you already had to deal with a lot of stress and changes."

"Grace, honey…we are waiting." We hear Carrick calling out.

"Oh calm down, Carry. I was just talking to Christian." She says a tad annoyed. There are some muffled noises and then Carrick's voice sounds through the speaker.

"Son? Are you alright?"

Christian clears his throat and I see him swallow. "Hi, dad. Yeah I'm fine. I just needed to talk to mom for a minute." He then explains how Mrs. Collins approached him in the 'Black Tap' and how he needed some answers.

"You never asked, Christian and every time we wanted to talk to you about your formative years you would shout and yell and tell us that you didn't want to know anything about your past that you already had to deal with the nightmares. I am so sorry, son."

"It's okay, dad." Christian chokes.

"Is there anything we can help you with?"

"We are meeting her in a few minutes. I…I know it is Christmas and that you have guests, but could you please e-mail me the details of the Collins's?"

"I can e-mail you your entire file if you want, son." Carrick says silently.

"No! No, dad. Just the file from the Collin's. I will deal with that other stuff another day."

"Sure I will make sure to send it to you right away." There is a short silence. "And Christian, we are here for you, son."

"I know."

"Good." Carrick says now. "We love you and say hi to Ana."

"Love you too, dad."

"Oh here is your mother, Christian." Carrick chuckles.

"Christian?"

"Yes, mom."

"Have you spoken to your brother lately?"

"No, why should I?"

Grace sighs. "It's just that he and Kate were supposed to be here a few hours ago and I can't reach either of them."

"You know Elliot, mom. He'll show up. Have you checked the boathouse?" A wicked smile appears on Christian's face.

"He is not in the boathouse, Christian!" Grace answers annoyed. "Why would he be there in the first place? That's just ridiculous, Christian." She really should check the boathouse.

"It was just a suggestion, mom."

"I hate tardiness…" She continues.

"Mom, I have to go."

"Okay, honey, and remember what your father said. We are here for you. I love you, Christian."

"Love you, mom."

Immediately after hanging up with his parents, Christian dials another number.

"Welch, I want a background check. Names are Nicole and Daniel Collins. They live or lived in Detroit. I want it yesterday."

Author's note: Hi all! Hope you liked this chapter.

Don't forget to check out my Pinterest page! Please check out the pins of the car Christian gifts to Ana. I had (obviously) help from a very good friend. You know who you are! Thank you.

Pinterest 1974alner /someday /