Thank you so much for not giving up on me or this story. I truly appreciate all your reviews and PMs, along with your favs and follows. This is a dream come true for me.

Special thank you to Gate Park, my beta, who enhances my words with the amazing ideas that come from her beautiful mind.

CHAPTER 38

Music: (try listening to the songs while reading the scene, it will enhance the experience. Links to my YouTube channel and my Spotify playlist on my profile)

One of these nights. The Eagles. (this summer, as I was driving around Stanley Park (Vancouver, Canada), this song began playing on the radio. I immediately knew I had to use it one way or another!)

The flood. Katie Melua (Yep, my pen name comes from these wise lyrics; they are truly inspiring. I've added two version of this song in the YouTube channel, the official music video and another piano version, more similar to Ana's performance)

Disappear. Hoovastank (so, yes, this is Ana's song. I've been waiting to use this song since the beginning of the story. It's one of my favorite songs in the world since I was a teenager, and so Ana and Christian…! Just imagine Christian singing it… swoon!)

Rock with you. Michael Jackson (love it)

"Ms. Williams woke up at 5 PM suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms. We didn't have any other option but to sedate her," the ICU doctors explained.

Christian closed his eyes, tilting his head down in surrender. His knuckles went white from the tight grip of his fists. He inhaled through his nose, trying to ease the acidic nausea that was threatening to crawl up his throat. Drugs! Drugs caused that: withdrawal, desperation, death. His mother had lost herself in that shit, dragging him down with her, until she chose her ultimate path; total oblivion. Drugs had brought this to Leila.

"Thank you, doctors," Christian choked out finally. He was feeling sick.

"Will she be able to give her statement to the police?" Jose asked. His eyes were glued to Leila. He felt a weird connection with her; maybe because they both had been played by the same monsters; maybe because those monsters had taken advantage of their weaknesses; maybe because they shared the burden of the same mistakes. She now had a serene expression on her face but, just an hour ago, she had been screaming in pain; her body shaking so hard it seemed she would split in two; spitting and vomiting all over herself. It had been the most horrific and terrifying thing he had ever seen in his life.

"We will alert the authorities as soon as we feel that she is medically able to. You have my word," one of the doctors assured them before walking away.

"Are you all right? You are a little bit pale," Jose turned to Christian.

"I need a minute," he said as he went out of the ICU. Jose followed him.

"Have you had any news about her family?" Jose asked when Christian stopped walking and leaned wearily against the cool concrete at the end of the corridor.

Christian sighed tiredly, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and index finger. "Taylor finally located her parents. They were on a cruise in the Caribbean. They will arrive here tomorrow afternoon."

Jose nodded, his gaze fixed on the tiled wall. "She needs her family. Family is important."

Christian pondered Jose's words. "Yes, she needs her family," he repeated to himself.

Another wave of nausea hit him in full force, making him close his eyes and stop breathing. "I have to go," he gasped with watery eyes, turning on his heels to escape Jose.

He rushed towards the exit as the walls closed in on him. When he turned around it was Taylor who was behind him. "I'm done with this," he whispered, his eyes panicked. "It's…" too much, he thought. "I can't," he finally admitted. "I will talk to Flynn to find her someplace to recover, some good therapy to get back on the right track, but... I don't want to deal with this anymore. I've already lived through this once… I just can't, I thought I could handle it, but I can't." He gulped to ease the knot in his throat.

"You've done more than anyone could expect, sir," Taylor assured him.

Christian only answered with a curt nod.

_§ § 0 § §_

Ana came home as soon as she heard about the new developments with Leila at the hospital. She found Christian pounding the shit out of the punching bag in his home gym like a madman; his face showing the pain he was trying to purge from his soul. He was disheveled and drenched in sweat; his white tank top and gray sweatpants clinging to his bulging muscles. As soon as he spotted her in the mirror, he stopped his movements and grasped defeated onto the four foot bag hanging from the ceiling. Clinging to it for dear life, panting to catch his breath while keeping his lost grey eyes focused on hers shining with concern.

"You should have called me, baby. I would come to you the minute I got your call," Ana told Christian as she carefully approached him, helping his hunched figure to stand and then unlaced one boxing glove at a time, taking them each from his fists.

"I didn't want you to leave Fifty's. I know how nervous you are and how important this preparation time is for you…" Christian muttered half-heartedly.

"Nothing is more important than you, Christian," Ana insisted gently but firmly, in her calm, melodic and soothing voice, leaving no doubts about how sincere she was. She winced seeing his red swollen knuckles and gently massaged his hands before placing a kiss on each one.

Her words were like a warm balm to his soul. "Ana…" he sighed with his eyes closed, "I know, baby."

"Let's take a shower," she whispered after a heartbeat, raking her fingers through his thick, wet hair.

She took him by his hand and steered him to his bathroom, where they undressed each other silently. Ana guided Christian under the powerful steady stream of hot water, the force from the luxury shower head and nozzles massaging his scalp and shoulders.

"I love you," he exhaled roughly, pulling her tightly against him. His hands caressed reverently her feminine curves, traces of soapy suds marking the trail of their unhurried journey. His eyes didn't leave hers as she washed away the sweat and the grim of the hollow darkness threatening his sanity. He caged her against the marble shower wall. His hands kept her head in place as their mouths converged in a searing kiss. She brought him closer gliding her tiny hands around his torso stretching her fingers to clutch his broad back, their bodies slipping against each other with need.

"I need to feel you," Christian begged as he lifted her from the floor. "You bring me light, Ana," he moaned as he sunk into her. "White, bright, blinding light."

"You make me whole, Christian," she moaned in his ear, wrapped like a vine around him.

He tightened his grip on her, grinding his hips with double effort. "Come for me, baby, please," he urged her. "Take me with you."

"Oh, God!" The almost violent clenching of her core did the trick, and Christian came with a silent cry; eyes closed, mouth open wide and head safely hidden in the crook of her neck. Ana lifted and peppered his face with kisses, his eyelids fluttering under her lips.

"Are you ok?" she asked softly, tenderly brushing away the hair from his forehead as she untangled herself from him when she felt her legs would support her.

Christian sighed and leaned his forehead to hers. "I'm fine now. Thank you so much, baby."

"Don't hide from me, Christian," Ana begged him. "You don't need to."

"I know. And I won't," he assured her before kissing her forehead. "I'm going to call Flynn."

_§ § 0 § §_

Ana squeezed Christian's hand, a dazzling smile dancing on her lips as she leaned into him to give him a chaste kiss. "Thank you, baby. You didn't have to do this."

"Anything for you, babe." He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and kissed her one more time. "You look beautiful, by the way."

Christian had arranged transportation for Ana's family to insure they would make it safely to her debut the following night; his plane for Carla and Bob and a chauffeur-driven town car for Ray. He also had arranged accommodations at The Fairmont. They were meeting with them and the Greys at the Terrace Bar in the hotel along with his siblings and the younger Kavanaghs for dinner.

"Don't be nervous. My mother and Bob are going to love you and my dad already does," Ana assured him.

"Who says I'm nervous?" Christian said as he took a generous sip of his brandy while they waited for the others to arrive. He threaded the fingers of his free hand with hers, kissing the back of her hand.

"Your crazy hair and your choice of beverage," Ana smirked.

Christian chuckled. "I think you might have more to do with my crazy hair than my mental state, don't you?" he whispered in her ear, grazing her skin with his lips.

She was going to answer when Elliot's booming voice announced his arrival. "Hello, lovebirds!"

"Fuck off, Elliot," Christian grunted.

"Leave them alone, baby!" Kate admonished Elliot, although she was chuckling as well.

"Language, Christian!" Grace chastised him. Carrick and Mia snickered, saying nothing. Ethan, who walked in beside Mia, observed their family dynamics with amused eyes.

"Saved by the bell, Christian," Ana whispered to him before greeting them all with warm embraces and such genuine gratitude that they were all here this weekend to support her in a new and exciting endeavor.

_§ § 0 § §_

"Christian, thank you so much for an amazing evening out, everything was perfect! The food was to die for, and the room… Have you seen the bedroom?" Carla gushed to Christian. He nodded with a half amused, half panicked expression. "I have been so excited to finally meet you, right, Bob?" She turned to her husband but didn't let him answer. "It was so nice meeting your parents and siblings, too! What a beautiful family you have!" She turned to the rest of the group, who were gathering in the lobby after freshening up in the restrooms.

"Thank you so much, Carla. We were also so looking forward to meet you and Bob, and of course Ray too," Grace responded in kind to Carla's bubbly exuberance. "You all have raised a remarkable woman." She smiled at Ana's direction. Christian squeezed Ana's hand with affection while she had a faint blush bloom across her cheeks.

"Oh, Ana's more like Ray, but probably that's a good thing…" she waved her hand nonchalantly. It was Ray's turn to chuckle.

"Mom, take it easy, please!" Ana whined, rolling her eyes at her mother. "How much wine have you had?"

"Oh, hush, Ana! Don't be like that!" Carla laughed. Bob took her hand and lovingly guided it to the crook of his elbow when she waived again unsteadily. "This boy here is golden; don't let him get away!" she gestured to Ana, who rolled her eyes again. Ray wrapped his arm around Ana's shoulders, amused at his ex-wife's antics and remembering how he loved and hated this side of her. Ana felt the same way.

"I'm the lucky one, Mrs. Adams, but Ana won't find anyone else who loves her more than I do," Christian answered, glancing toward Ana with a crooked smile.

"Oh, Ana, and charming too! Isn't he charming and handsome?" Carla gushed again.

"All right, love, I think it's been enough for today," Bob told her, gently pivoting himself to grab her by her shoulders. "Let's enjoy the beautiful suite Christian so graciously has booked us, shall we?" Bob winked at Ana conspiratorially and they retired up to their suite after bidding good night to everyone.

"I'm going to head up too," Ray stated, steadying himself on his cane. He didn't need it on a regular basis, but that day had been a long one. "Grace, Carrick, it's been a pleasure meeting you. Elliot and Mia, you too."

"The pleasure has been ours, Ray. I truly meant it when I said you've done such a remarkable job raising such an extraordinary woman!" Grace told him, smiling motherly at Ana. Carrick agreed by nodding and smiling.

"The best thing I've ever done." He smiled back. "Thank you, son." He turned to Christian, offering his hand.

"You're welcome, sir. See you tomorrow." Ray carefully hugged Kate, shook Ethan's hand and then turned and nodded silently at the look on Christian's face; grey eyes wide, expectant, and almost hopeful.

Ana accompanied his father to the elevator.

"He gave you the nod son, so you've got half the battle won." Carrick quietly mused beside Christian with a knowing smirk, both watching Ray and Ana walking to the elevator. Christian rolled his eyes… was he so obvious?

_§ § 0 § §_

"It was not that bad, was it?" Ana asked shyly as Christian massaged the sole of her foot with purposeful, precise strokes of his thumbs. A sweet, tingling sensation spread up her leg and to the rest of her body.

"It wasn't," he agreed, changing to the other foot. Ana sighed in contentment. "I've finally met the infamous Carla Adams," he chuckled.

"Oh, she was so inappropriate!" Ana whined covering her eyes with the back of her hand. "I was so embarrassed…"

"She was… endearing even tipsy," he chuckled again, "but not inappropriate in the slightest."

"Well, at least all the parents seem to get along well," Ana sighed. "We are meeting for Sunday brunch, right?"

"Yes, mom insisted on it," Christian nodded, letting go of Ana's foot. She felt the shift in his demeanor and got closer to him. "I will talk with mom and dad and Mia right after," he said with uncertainty, his eyes fixed on the Egyptian cotton sheets covering the bed.

Ana cupped his face with both hands, tilting his head to make him look her in the eye. "It is a great idea, baby. I will take my parents and Bob out to do some touristy thing." She smiled with adoration.

"Thank you," he kissed her, lips warm and soft, molding perfectly to her welcoming mouth.

"No, thank you. Thank you for arranging their transportation, for organizing everything. Thank you." She kissed him back, a peck that morphed into a sensual kiss as he maneuvered them and hovered above her. "And thanks for the foot massage…" her giggle died into a sigh when he left her mouth and nuzzled her neck, leaving a wet trail of kisses to her collarbone. "And for this…" she whispered, her eyes closed and a smile ghosting her lips. He lowered the neckline of her t-shirt, kissing the swell of her breasts as he brushed his thumbs over the cotton fabric still covering her pebbled nipples.

"So grateful," he chuckled with a crooked and knowing smile.

"Shut up," she snickered back, lowering his boxer briefs with her feet as he freed her from her pajamas.

"Fuck," he cursed under his breath when he entered her. Her legs automatically circled his waist, allowing for him to go deeper. "I love you, baby," he whispered against her lips before sealing them with his mouth. She didn't have the chance to answer, but he didn't need to hear it; he already knew.

_§ § 0 § §_

The next day, the day of Ana's debut, Christian convinced her to have a lazy morning. Taking control when she woke at sunrise with jitters from her upcoming public performance on the horizon. He insisted on breakfast in bed, a relaxing bath and a massage. After an early lunch, she took off to Fifty's to finish the last details and Christian went to the recording studio to have the final rehearsal with Bruce, telling Ana he had a scheduled video conference he couldn't skip. He joined her later in the afternoon, helping her with all that he could by attending to the family members and friends who came earlier than the rest of the crowd.

"Thank you for supporting my daughter the way you do," Ray told Christian as he gave some directions to the staff who were arranging the chairs and tables.

"I…" Christian held his breath, "I love her, so it's the least I can do," he finally said.

"You are really invested," Ray stated, arching a brow.

Christian exhaled with a nervous laugh. "All the way." They stared at each other without a single word. After a beat, Christian looked around him; everything was ready and Ana was at the far end of the stage, double checking the mixing machine for the umpteenth time. "Would you like a beer?" He asked Ray with a face that meant so much more.

"Sure," was Ray's only response. Christian took two ice cold bottles from behind the bar and they went out the back patio. Ray assessed him from head to toe, as Christian leaned on the brick wall, taking a big gulp of his beer for liquid courage. "So… something you want to ask me?" Ray questioned him, relishing in the position of having the upper hand.

"Yes, sir," Christian exhaled, standing up straight and squaring his shoulders in front of the ex-marine.

"You know, Ana is a grown woman and she doesn't need my permission for anything," Ray drank from his beer without breaking eye contact. He didn't share any genetic makeup with Ana, but they sure had the same unwavering gaze.

"I'm not asking for your permission; I'm asking for your blessing," Christian answered. There was a solemn seriousness in his tone that made Ray sober up.

"You've known each other for five minutes, son." Ray sighed.

"Best five minutes of my life, sir." Christian's eyes didn't falter; his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Do you think Ana will say yes?" Ray asked after finishing his beer.

Christian put his half-full bottle on a window sill and ran his hands through his hair. "I don't know. She will probably try to talk some sense into her pigheaded boyfriend," Christian chuckled nervously.

"Who knows… maybe she's just as pigheaded as him." Ray answered with a fatherly smile. "She knows what she wants. Like you."

Christian gulped, wide-eyed. "I bought the ring months ago, before… before our break up." He stepped closer to Ray, his arms open in truthful surrender. "I'm a changed man now. I will never make the mistake of not trusting Ana ever again. I've worked hard on overcoming my trust issues and… I love her and value her more than life itself."

Ray smiled, shaking his head. "I told her it would be hard, but that if someone could make it work, it was her." He shrugged. "It was a given."

Christian opened his mouth, but no words came out of it. He licked his lips and swallowed before a small relieved smile crept over his lips. "Are you saying I have your approval?"

"As I've already said, my pigheaded daughter has probably made her mind up already; hell, she might ask you to marry her if you wait too long!" Ray approached him, one hand on Christian's forearm and the other one on his shoulder. "Yes, son, you have my blessing."

_§ § 0 § §_

When they reentered the bar, Grace and Carrick had already arrived and were talking animatedly with Carla and Bob. After the customary greeting and sheepish apology from Carla for her foolish behavior the night before, they excused themselves to wish Ana to 'break a leg' before the show. Christian took the opportunity to talk to his parents.

"Mom, Dad, may I talk to you for a minute?" Christian ran his hands through his hair, nervously biting his bottom lip. "Ana is taking her parents and Bob for a touristy outing tomorrow after brunch, so… I was hoping we could go to your house and talk?" Christian scratched the back of his head, his tone a bit uncertain and breathy from apprehension.

"Has it something to do with what you were talking with Ray outside?" Carrick chuckled. Grace hit him playfully on his chest. Christian widened his eyes, a panicked expression on his face, making Carrick chuckle some more.

"Oh, no, no, no… It has nothing to do with that!" Christian laughed along with his father, although the humor didn't reach his eyes. "It's… it's something completely different, something important I want to tell the two of you, and Mia as well. Elliot already knows." Grace and Carrick shared a precautionary glance and gave Christian their complete support with an affectionate smile.

Ana came back over with Ray, Carla, and Bob, joining the Greys. She slid her arm around Christian's waist as he did the same around her shoulders, pressing her to his side while kissing her head. Her warm, reassuring expression said it all: that she supported him; that she was there for him and always will be.

"Everything set up, baby?" Christian asked her with grateful eyes.

"Yes," she exhaled. "Everything is ready. I am ready." She flashed a nervous smile. "Thank you so much for coming; I really appreciate it."

She promised herself she'd dedicate the rest of her time to enjoying her family and friends before it was necessary to go backstage to prepare when the rest of the audience started to arrive.

"People are going to love it, baby," Christian reassured her, his breath fanning across her cheek. "You will hook them just as you did with me; one single word from you and I was putty in your hands."

She captured his mouth in a slow, wet kiss, pressing him against the wall of the small office she was using as a dressing room. His hands squeezed her hips in a gesture between a warning to slow down and a challenge to spur her on.

"Baby…" he breathed when she finally let his mouth go. His lips were red and swollen from the intensity of her kiss.

"I'm letting you go now because there's a hell of a crowd out there waiting for me to appear… but be prepared for tonight." Ana whispered in his ear, in a breath full of promises, before stepping back with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Christian chuckled, caressing his jaw with his left hand, his right hand adjusting his rock hard erection. His face was filled with lust but also amusement. "Well," he stepped toward her with a lop-sided grin, eyeing her up and down and opening his arms as an offering, "I'm all yours," he said enunciating every syllable in that baritone voice of his. They held each other's stare, sharing an intimate conversation where words were not needed. "See you out there; baby… knock'em dead." He gifted her with another dazzling smile and she answered him with a blowing kiss before watching him go with the rest of the crowd.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, shaking her hands and rolling her shoulders. When she opened them, a confident smile grazed her glowing face.

_§ § 0 § §_

Ana stepped onto the stage; her nude stilettos tapping on the wood planks with confidence, her hips swaying with the blues-funky riffs of The Eagles' "One of these nights". She was wearing a dark red velvet blazer over a distressed band t-shirt and skinny dark washed jeans; her appearance giving the feeling of a circus master of ceremonies. She stood in the middle of the stage as her eyes roamed the packed room for the first time.

"One of these nights…" she turned around in a full circle with her arms wide open, as she was using a headset microphone. "One of these crazy old nights…" she looked around again, this time seeing all the beaming faces that matched her own. Most of them were new faces, strangers that graciously had decided to give the project close to her heart a try. What she didn't realize at the time is that the audience wasn't made up of strangers to her but devoted fans of 'Midnight Sun'. But there were others that were well known; faces of family and friends. Her parents, Bob and the older Greys were sharing a table. Claire and some others from Everybody's possession grinned from their cozy corner on the left. Ros and Gwen winked from their spot. Gail and Taylor, who were off duty for the night, waved at her. Even Luke, who unfortunately couldn't get the night off, saluted her from his guard post, situated at the end of the room. Kate, Elliot, Mia, and Ethan were sitting with Christian, whose gaze was glued to her form.

I've been searching for the daughter

of the devil himself.

I've been searching for an angel in white.

I've been waiting for a woman who's a little of both

and I can feel her but she's nowhere in sight.

He gave her a crooked smile and winked playfully. She winked back.

"One of those crazy nights I found what I was looking for and it led me to a path of self-knowledge, friendship, and love." She said looking directly at Christian with such warmth that it seeped right through him. "It also led me to this very moment. I'm Ana Steele and I want you all to have a good time, so open your eyes and your ears and do not miss a single detail." She flashed a playful smile to the crowd and walked to the piano that was at the end of the stage on the right. "I don't have enough words to thank you all, for joining me in this adventure; those of you here at Fifty's and also those of you out there who are listening to the radio at home or at work." She sat at the piano bench and adjusted another microphone towards the instrument. "I said I don't have words, but I have an endless list of songs I want to share with you. I also have incredible friends who have been so gracious to help me out tonight. Please, welcome the amazing, Seattle born and breed, singer-songwriter Bruce Kane and his crew!" Bruce appeared from the left corner of the venue with his drummer and bass guitarist, bowed to the public, waving at them and then blew a kiss with both hands to Ana just before giving a side glance to Christian. They returned to their hidden place while the people cheered and applauded, not seeing Ana's inquisitive look; she definitely hadn't missed the exchange between the two men.

"So, we will have a mix of everything tonight, recorded music as well as live music. We will also have some interviews and debates about music and art. I want you to relax and have fun, so feel free to stand up and dance if you feel like it; that goes for you too out in radio land." The people cheered and Ana exhaled a laid-back laugh, all nervousness faded away as she began flashing smiles to the enchanted crowd.

"She's so good…" Kate whispered to her table companions. "She's a natural. She was born to do this." Everyone at the table agreed. Christian only nodded, biting his lip as his eyes didn't leave her for a second. She was perfection; a perfect mixture of grace, charm and demure sexiness that made his head spin and his heart beat out of his chest.

Meanwhile, Ana had readied herself to play the piano. "I'm so thankful, I want to share this song with all of you, especially with those who have helped me become who I am and be right where I am right now." She smiled and looked at her loved ones, her powder blue eyes landing on Christian's. He smiled charmingly and mouthed "I love you". She reciprocated and shift on the stool, placing both her hands over the keyboard. She played some errand notes but stopped to talk again. "These last months… I feel like I've grown so much." She shook her head and looked at Christian once again. "I've felt romantic love for the first time. I've felt pain," Christian watched her intently, his light gray irises shining with emotion. "I've stepped out to reach my dreams without fear… I've learned to fight for what's mine and to apologize when I'm wrong. Mainly, I've learned what the important things in life are to me. Katie Melua says it all in this beautiful song, 'The Flood'."

Broken people get recycled

And I hope that I will.

Sometimes we're thrown off our pathways

What I thought was my way home

Wasn't the place I know

Ana's voice, although almost whispered at the beginning, filled the room with its intensity, only leaving free space for the neat notes of the accompanying piano.

Blame, no one is to blame

As natural as the rain that falls

Here comes the Flood again

Clean, perfectly intoned verses echoed on the walls; her sweet but potent pitch reverberating from her chest, filled with emotion.

See the rock that you hold onto

Is it gonna save you?

When the earth begins to crumble

Why d'you feel you have to hold on?

Imagine if you let go

Christian smiled with shining eyes that were trained on every elegant movement of her arms and hands; on every sensual wave of her head. He felt her velvety voice caressing his skin as if it were her own hands; the wise lyrics of the song pointing directly at him. He exhaled, the lump in his throat making it hard to breathe, and took a large swig of his beer. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elliot watching him with a fraternal smile. He knew; he understood what he was feeling.

Wash away the weight that pulls you down

Ride the waves that free you from the dusk

Don't trust your eyes

It's easy to believe them

Know in your heart

That you can leave your prison

Ana looked at Christian; his hopeful smile almost overwhelming her. She could neither help the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips, even while singing, or the lightness in her heart since he was so close to being really free; it was exhilarating.

Ana was in her element and it showed. The rest of the night proceeded with a variety of good songs, relaxed talks about music in which Ana engaged the audience, charming them with her mastery of educating while being entertaining, and lots of dancing and laughing. When the show was coming to its close, she asked Bruce to come up the stage once again.

"Well guys, it's been such a fantastic night we wanted to give it a grand finale," Ana said with enthusiasm. "Please, welcome once again Bruce Kane!" The people applauded and cheered animatedly as Bruce and the rest of the musicians made their entrance to the stage. They hugged tightly as he praised her for the awesome work and then Ana stepped away to sit at the left end of the stage. She felt great; everything had gone perfectly as planned, if not better, and she felt she could finally truly relax and enjoy Bruce's music. Christian, on the contrary, was feeling more and more restless, feeling a million butterflies fluttering inside his belly.

"Thank you, Ana, for letting me participate on the inaugural night of such a wonderful project," Bruce said into the microphone. "Ana Steele; a great musician and a great person. I'm sure that we'll hear about her shaping our local music scene for years to come." He winked at her and shifted his guitar, which was perched across his back, to his front. "Yeah, Ana is a great friend of mine and multi-talented too. I hope you check out the beautiful article she wrote about my journey in the music industry and mistakenly wasn't credited in this month's 'Everybody's possession'," he stated to the crowd, strumming his guitar absentmindedly. "That's why I wanted to give her a surprise."

Bruce flashed a toothy smile to Ana, who threw at him an inquisitive look. Then, he looked at Christian, who was already standing up from his chair.

"What are you doing, bro?" Elliot questioned Christian, tugging at the sleeve of his shirt. His voice was low, but his tone was urgent.

"I'm…" Christian shook his head, at a loss for words. His limbs felt heavy and cold sweat was beginning to creep down his neck and back. "You will see right now," he sighed finally.

He marched toward the stage synchronizing his breathing with his steps; large, steady gulps of air followed by controlled, slow exhales. He risked a quick glance to Ana, whose expression was now of utter surprise, but rapidly averted his eyes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is my friend Christian, who will help me with this surprise of ours," Bruce said as Christian walked to stand beside him. He winked at Ana and shook hands with Christian, a full-on, two hands shake, before offering him the leading position in the middle of the stage.

Ana was holding her breath with her hands tightly interlocked on her lap. Christian looked at her once again; his eyes wide and clear, his expression a mixture of nerves and… love, and hope. She let out the air trapped in her lungs as her eyes filled with unshed happy tears and her mouth curled in a nervous smile. He immediately relaxed; his shoulders sagging in relief and his smile shining brighter.

He adjusted the microphone to his height and took a deep breath. Looking at the crowd in front of him for the first time, he noticed the stunned expressions of all of them; happy smiles on the faces of his family and friends; whispered gossiping of the others.

"Thank you, Bruce," Christian's baritone voice, filled with confidence from years of speaking at all types of events, along with his impressive figure, hushed the room with his usual charisma. "Tonight I'm only Christian, Bruce's friend and… Ana's boyfriend." He gazed at her once again with a crooked smile. "I really would appreciate it if you don't make a fuss about this," he said pointing to himself, "and pay attention to what's really important tonight: this wonderful, talented woman over there." His eyes left the crowd, who were applauding his speech, and he looked at Ana, who was now crying and smiling at the same time; a fist under her chin and her other hand wiping her tears. "Ana is… Ana is my everything," he exhaled a nervous laugh, sniffing softly, bowing his head slightly, watching her through his lashes. "What I wanted to say is that she is an extraordinary artist. And…" this time, he truly looked her in the eye. "I understand you, I feel you, and that these words you wrote could quite simply have been extracted directly out of my brain and my heart." His fist tapped his chest. "That being said… Bruce, fellas, let's do this."

He ran a hand over his face and took a deep breath as Bruce's guitar filled the room with the flowing, clear first notes of Ana's song. In her stunned state, she hadn't really understood the meaning of Christian's words, and she gasped in recognition, her hand covering her quivering lips. Christian took the microphone from its holder and walked towards her while singing.

There's a pain that sleeps inside
It sleeps with just one eye
And awakens the moment that you're near
Though I try to look away
The pain it still remains
Only leaving when you're next to me

Christian took Ana's hand in his and dragged her to the center of the stage with him. He didn't sing for the crowd; he sang for her, looking into those bottomless blue eyes. She had stopped crying, but there were still unshed tears, making them shine even more. She held tightly on his forearm with her free hand, unable to blink, unable to tear her eyes from his. His voice caressed her like a warm, silky blanket, as if he was truly, fully surrounding her in a full-body embrace.

Do you know that every time you're near
Everybody else seems far away?
So can you come and make them disappear
Make them disappear and we can stay?

Christian's voice bloomed with passion; his whole body vibrating with the intensity of the moment. Ana stepped closer, their faces mere inches away. Her hand left his arm and crept along his chest, resting over his pounding heart.

So I stand and look around
Distracted by the sounds
Of everyone and everything I see
And I search through every face
Without a single trace, of the person
The person that I need

He smiled, an open wide smile filled with the words she wrote for him. The words that told their story from that fortuitous encounter almost seven years back; words of all-consuming love. He traced a tear-stained path down her cheek with his fingertip as he sang, mouthing "Join me" to Ana just before the chorus began. She eagerly nodded, with a wide smile.

Do you know that every time you're near
Everybody else seems far away
So can you come and make them disappear
Make them disappear and we can stay

Can you make them disappear?
Make them disappear

Ana joined Christian, his deep, velvety baritone matching perfectly with her crystalline, soulful voice. They only saw each other, as if they were alone in the crowded room; it was as if they truly made the rest disappear.

They sang at the top of their lungs at the end of the strophe, their breaths mixing with uncontrollable euphoria, their noses touching in barely unrestrained need. As the final vocal scream died out of their mouths, Christian let go of the microphone, which fell unceremoniously on the wooden floor with a high-pitched beep, immediately engulfing Ana in a tight embrace, crashing his mouth to hers.

The crowd began clapping and hollering with enthusiasm, even the wait staff. Carrick held his weepy wife, who was overcome with emotion. Carla looked at Christian and Ana with stars in her eyes, and Ray and Bob just nodded in wonder. Gail already knew because Taylor couldn't help telling her, but both were amazed at Christian's performance. Elliot whistled and cheered, Kate and Mia squealed with delight not just from the amazing performance their two favorite people had just nailed, but because they had the forethought to video record it with their phones. Meanwhile, Ana and Christian were still oblivious to the world in the middle of the stage.

Bruce took the forgotten microphone and talked to the audience with a raised brow. "Well, for those of you who are listening to us through the radio, I'm Bruce Kane, and it seems Ana has looooved Christian's surprise," he snickered.

He went in search for Ana's music plan for the night and took charge of the remnant of the program, which was only one more song. He played Michael Jackson's 'Rock with you', making all the people jump out of their seats and dance without a care in the world.

Swoon...

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.