Author's Note posted below.

Part 3

Chapter 9

"Sierra, I want you to behave when you're with Gran-Gran and Gramp-Gramp, okay?" My little girl nodded after giving her the instruction. Since the family day we had two days ago, she had been nothing but joyous. She beat Juliana's energy completely.

Carson's throwing a birthday party and it required wearing costumes. I insisted on going with Sierra but both my grandparents claimed that they really want to be there instead. They hadn't done this in a long time, and being the understanding granddaughter I just agreed. I totally trusted them with Sierra.

My daughter insisted on wearing a yellow gown like Belle and she never even watched Beauty and the Beast. It was Gran's idea for Juliana to wear a Mrs. Potts costume. She's a dog teapot.

Sooner than later, Christian descended the stairs and beamed as soon as he saw Sierra looking so much like Belle in her yellow gown. However hard it was to run while wearing it, she still found her way in Christian's arms. He spun her around and she just said, "Daddy!" for like a million times.

I, on the other hand, can't stop smiling at the two. The sight of Christian in his striped pyjamas and white T-shirt carrying our four year old in a Belle gown was like a fairy tale come true.

"Good morning, Ana," he greeted tenderly.

I said with the same level of energy, "Back at you, Mr. Grey."

"Why are you dressed up like Belle? Didn't you like Moana more?" he asked our daughter as he put her back on the ground.

"Daddy, Carson's dressed up like the Beast so I have to dress up like Belle!"

Uh-oh! I covered my mouth, stopping myself from laughing at Christian's reaction. If he were wearing the Mrs. Potts costume of Juliana, he'd look like a boiling teapot. He was so angry since his four year old appeared to have a crush on someone.

"Young lady, did this young man tell you to wear that gown?" He acted as if Sierra was a teenager and what made me laugh was that Sierra didn't even feel that her father was angry, pretty damn protective of her.

"No, Daddy. I want to wear it myself because I don't want anyone else to be Carson's Belle."

Double uh-oh.

Christian was shocked and completely looking dizzy. He couldn't believe that Sierra was totally liking Carson. As a mother, it fascinated me and I was confident that it was just a little crush and Sierra would get over it. Well, Christian didn't think so. He almost did a sermon but thankfully Grandpa came out wearing his costume.

"Hello Gramp-Gramp! Who are you?" Sierra was confused.

We were too.

Before answering the question, Gran came out too and she didn't look happy.

"You know what? I won the bet so not only do I have a say on which concert to go to but I also get to choose what costume we're going to wear!"

Gran crossed her arms, wanting to kill my grandfather on the spot.

Grandpa explained further, "We really want to portray famous couples. She wanted us to be Beach Ken and Beach Barbie, but that doesn't work for me. So we're the famous couple, Joseph and Mary today. I think it really suits our age. Uhm . . . Dennis?"

Dennis appeared with a donkey and it made it even more real. Christian and I were laughing so hard. They were wearing these really old looking khaki fabric and Gran so covered like how Virgin Mary should be. Yes, Granp's religious and he never really liked celebrities so it shouldn't be a surprise that Mary and Joseph were his favourite couple.

"Ha-ha!" Gran rolled her eyes, sarcastic about the entire thing.

We never stopped laughing until they've said goodbye and left for the party. When the laughter faded, I looked at Christian and realized that we're all alone in the house.

~S.A.~

By noon, the two of us sat on the porch looking at the wide lawn before us. Grandpa came from really old money and I wasn't surprised about the luxury. What surprised me was that they were too humble despite their social status.

"So . . . hi," Christian said awkwardly as he sat right next to me.

"Hi," I barely whispered. I was acting like a teenager with my heart pounding in my chest.

"So uhm . . . a costume party, huh? And a boy, huh?"

"Oh Christian, don't worry about it. Sierra and Carson are best friends and I'm pretty sure it's just a silly little crush."

"Now. It's a silly little crush now. But what about the next ten years?" He looked pretty worried that it was almost too funny. He wasn't like this. He's really cool and calm, but Sierra kept on changing him.

After a little laughter, I said, "You know what I'm going to wear if I went to the costume party with her?"

"What?"

"I'm going to be Wonder Woman."

With the mention of the superhero, Christian eyes told me that he could recall every moment of it. This mean girl was aiming to embarrass me but Christian appeared in a Superman costume, saving the day. I'll never forget that moment. I'll never forget how we shared a kiss in a theatre room.

"Ana?" Something about his whole demeanor changed.

"Christian?"

He looked right through me and his grey eyes had never been this much intense. I used to describe them as storms, but now they're a hurricane.

"I am really sorry."

"No, Christian, don't be—"

"Don't tell me that I'm not supposed to be the one to say sorry and that you should be because no, Ana, it's never been that way. If a relationship fails, then both sides had their own faults and I apologize for mine.

I was never sensitive towards you each time I enjoyed Cara's company. I know that we're just friends and nothing more, but there was history and it will always hurt you. I've hurt you the most possible way with Cara and I definitely understand now why it always affected you. I am so sorry for not realizing it sooner."

I gave him a little smile before I reached out to hold his hand.

"Christian, it's okay. I forgive you. I hope you forgive me too. I hope you'll forgive every bad decision I've made and for tearing our family apart in the first place. I was so selfish."

He shook his head and smiled, "You've been selfless all your life, Ana. It was about time for you to do something for yourself. You were too broken and I couldn't fix you."

"I don't think I'm completely fixed."

"There's always be a part of us that will remain broken, but I love you for it."

That's when my eyes lit up and my heartbeat accelerated. Wait . . . was he . . . is he saying . . . Oh no, I was speechless.

He cupped both my cheeks and said, "Ana, I love you. I have never stopped loving you. You're the answer why it will never work out with anything else in life. It's always been you. You are it. I love you. I always did. I always will."

"Christian . . ." Tears heavily poured down my eyes and I proceeded to attaching my lips to his. I tasted his lips and brought me back home. Our lips moved in synchronization and it was too intense. His tongue asked for permission and I granted him access. Our tongues swirled and they danced for the gap that aged for three years.

This was something brand new.

When we pulled away, Christian gave me a small kiss on the cheek then whispered in my ear, "I love you."

I was in heaven. I couldn't speak.

He added, "Come to Seattle with me. Please. Just for a little while."

I didn't know why he asked me to but I nodded and we continued to kiss for what it seemed like forever. There were too many kisses shared and words said. I wrapped my arms around his neck and sat on his lap, feeling content and in nirvana that it's us again.

"Christian?"

"Yes?"

"In case it wasn't clear . . . I love you too. So much."

He smiled and kissed my lips.

Author's Note: Six chapters to go and the story ends.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Margo.