A/N: Thanks for reading. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Enjoy!
"One day, I'm going to put a ring on this finger.", words that flowed effortlessly from Christian's mouth to my heart. Remembering those words gives me chills and hope for the future which hopefully will look brighter after my session with Dr. Flynn today. I've made great strides recently, but there's still a few more barriers that need to be broken.
"What's this?", Christian asks, picking up the brochure that's sitting on the dresser in our bedroom.
"My brochure for the Art Institute of Seattle. I'm officially enrolling tomorrow."
"Baby, that's wonderful."
"I've wanted to do it, but I've put it off for far too long.", I tell him while putting on my red sweater.
"You know I love you and want the very best for you, right? You asked me if I was ashamed of you working at the diner."
"And you said that you weren't. Are you?" He places his hands on my arms and leads me to edge of the bed.
"It's not that I'm ashamed. It's that I know you're destined for greater things. You said it yourself that you dropped out of college because you felt guilty that Natalie wouldn't have the experience, but Natalie would be so proud of you for moving on like this.", he says. "Are you still planning on working at the diner?" That's the million dollar question.
"I don't know. While Mary's been a wonderful boss, maybe it's time to move on. The diner is a reminder of that time where time stood still."
"The decision is yours, whatever you decide. I can cancel some meetings and go with you to your session."
"Thanks for the offer, but I'll be fine."
Not a cloud is in sight as Sawyer and I arrive at Flynn's office. Could it be a sign? I've always found it a challenge telling people who I know about things so telling a complete stranger will be more difficult. I guess I'll find out as I open the door which leads to a small waiting room that's decorated in an off white.
"Anastasia Steele?", a voice asks as I'm looking at a painting which looks as if someone simply threw a bunch of different colors on it, but it gives off a calming feeling. When I turn around, I see a well dressed man who appears to be in his mid thirties. From the way he said my name, I picked up on an English accent.
"Yes.", I stammer.
"I'm John Flynn." I'm thankful that my nervousness hasn't made my palms sweaty as he extends his hand to me. "My assistant is sick today so I'm manning both the front office and my mine. I noticed that you were admiring the painting behind you."
"It's an interesting painting." He moves around me to the wall where the subject of our conversation hangs.
"Indeed it is. My wife painted this using a technique called drip painting. One of her favorite artists Jackson Pollock used the same method in creating his masterpieces. Yes, it looks like someone got angry with a paint brush, but it was deliberately done like that."
"In a way it's soothing even though it looks wild."
"I agree. It reminds me of life, full of emotions and chaos but also beauty. Life isn't this perfect thing which is neatly wrapped together with a bow and presented to us." Neither of us says anything for a few seconds until he breaks the silence. "Let's step into my office, shall we?" He walks to the door on the right side of the room and nods for me to follow him. In contrast to the waiting room, his office has a warmer feel to it with it's brown walls and carpet. A painting much like the one from the waiting room is placed on the wall behind his desk. "Have a seat." I take a seat in the brown leather chair while he settles into his leather high back chair. "Christian said you wanted to talk about some issues that have plagued you."
"He didn't tell you?"
"No. Christian and I have talked about his relationship with you, but he felt like it would be best if you told me. Why don't you tell me about yourself?"
"My family consisted of my parents, Ray and Carla, and my younger sister, Natalie. I know people always say they have the perfect life, but my life truly was perfect. My parents were always there for me and my sister. They had an open door policy in which we could come to them anytime about anything.", I reply.
"They sound like great parents."
"They were. Our house was full of laughter and love. All of that changed when my mom and sister were murdered by a guy who I considered a friend."
"I'm sorry for your loss. Losing someone is never easy especially in such a violent way and at the hands of someone who you trusted.", he says. "Describe your life after their deaths."
"Basically, it wasn't a life. I quit college and began working at a diner while closing myself off to any type of feelings. My dad was going through the same emotions as me, but I was selfish and pushed him away because it was too hard being around him and not thinking of my mom and sister. Every single day felt like a struggle. Meeting Christian Grey changed that. Even though I didn't want to admit it, he was slowly waking up a part that I had ignored for two years. Once I was finally able to start living again, life was good. I started connecting with my dad again, spending more time with my best friend, and falling deeper in love with Christian."
"It sounds like your life is once again perfect, but it's not. Although I've just met you, I sense something is holding you back. What is it Ana?"
"I'm scared that I'm going to lose everything again. My best friend went missing briefly two weeks ago while we were out, and I freaked out and thought she was gone. I don't know what I would do if I had to go through the hell that I endured two years ago again.", I murmur through falling tears. "There's only so many times you can be put back together." Flynn places his hands on his desk and takes a deep breath.
"It's natural to be afraid of loss, but you can't let it control your life. You have to be the one in control. You're worried about what your life will be like if you lose someone else close to you, yet, it's that fear that can possibly hold you back from great things.", he says. He's right. Here I am worried about loss, but it's the worry that's stalling me. "Live the life you want."
C POV
Even though I had two meetings and paperwork to deal with at work, my mind was on Ana the entire time. When she called and said that she had just left Flynn's office, I decided to take the rest of the day off. One thing I've learned since being with her, work is important, but not as much as those you love.
"Hey baby.", I smile at her while walking into the living room.
"Hey.", she says as she gets out of her chair and rushes to me, throwing her arms around my body. "You didn't have to leave work, but I'm glad that you're here."
"Ana, there's no place I'd rather be than right here with you. How did it go with Flynn?" Her face lights up, and I know that it went well.
"I broke down that last wall.", she proudly responds. "I realized that I can't be afraid. From now on, I run my life."
"I'm so glad to hear that."
"After the session, I called Mary and asked if I could stop by the diner to talk. It was hard, but I gave her my notice."
"What did she say?"
"In her words, "It's about damn time." Even though she likes having me at the diner, she felt as if it was a safety net for me. This has been a pretty big day."
"I couldn't be happier for you. Ana, there's something that I need to ask."
"Ok, what is it?"
"How much longer until the stitches are out of your finger?"
"Next week. Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering. Once your stitches are gone, your finger will be a little bare. We might have to get something to fill that void.", I smirk.
Following a nap together on the sofa, both of us wake up hungry so I suggest that we order in chinese food and spend the rest of the evening relaxing at home. Tonight is all about us, nothing else.
"Will you pass the sweet and sour sauce?", Ana asks while we're sitting in the living room floor. "I'm proud of you."
"Why is that?"
"You haven't mentioned how you plan on getting back at Reed."
"It's not that I've forgotten about him. I just have more important things to concentrate on, namely the beauty sitting next to me.", I say. She nudges my shoulder and kisses the side of my face while I take her hand. "I have a question for you. Will you...", I stop myself as she's hanging on to my every word.
"Will I what?" Not yet baby I pull my body off the floor and reach for her hand.
"Will you dance with me?"
"Dance with you? All right.", she says. I walk over to the stereo and push the play button before going back to her. Brad Paisley's song "Then" begins to play as we dance. She told me a few weeks ago that she loved this song.
"This song speaks volumes about us. We've come so far since that first night in the diner."
"Do you think we would have met if you hadn't wanted coffee?"
"Definitely. We were made for each other." As we continue to move to the music, I look down at the floor and see that my shoe is untied so I bend down on my knee to tie it. A small gasp comes from Ana. Looking up at her, I know what she's thinking, but it's not happening, yet. I stand back up and brings her face up with my hand. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine.", she answers.
"Oh, we didn't open our fortune cookies." With the music still playing, I lead her back to the coffee table and hand her a fortune cookie.
"Do you ever believe these things?"
"I used to not, but now I believe they have meaningful words." I watch her slowly open the cookie and pull out the paper inside that reads, "Will You Marry Me." Tears are streaming down her face as she stares at the paper. Once again, I bend down on my knee, but this time it's for the reason she assumed the first time. I pull out the princess cut diamond ring that I've been carrying in my pocket for a week. "Anastasia Rose Steele, before you came into my life, I was nothing, but you revived me. Everything that I am is because of you. You are my whole life and my whole world. I realize that you can't wear this for another week, but I can't wait any longer to ask this, will you do me the honor of being my wife?", I manage to say through my own tears.
"Yes."
Photos from the chapter are on the pinterest board. Search: sherrybabie/Need-You-Now
Thanks to Ordlas for the proposal idea :)