Lonely Hearts
By Tvdfanpam
Chapter 38
Shipbuilders Ball
The much dreaded (Ana) or much anticipated (Christian) Shipbuilders Ball was that evening. Ana had spent the morning and part of the afternoon getting her hair, nails and makeup done for the event. Christian was so excited, Ana was so nervous. It was their first outing together in a formal setting and also as an engaged couple. They were leaving soon and Ana was waiting until just before time to put her dress on. It was very expensive and very lavish and she didn't want to step on it accidentally or spill something on it. She was walking around in a satin robe that swished when she walked.
"Baby, please eat a snack before we go. I can hear your stomach growling from over here." Christian said to Ana as she paced the expansive living room of Christian's penthouse apartment. She turned to him with a stricken look on her face. "Gail has a plate of fruit and cheese ready in the refrigerator. I'll get it. Would you like a glass of wine to go with it?" He asked with a smile as he got the food out of the refrigerator and sat it on the breakfast bar.
"Yes, a glass of wine would help calm my nerves. Thanks babe." She said walking over to the breakfast bar and sampling the cheese and fruit that was arranged artfully on a bone china platter. "This platter reminds me of my mother's dishes. My birth mother." She clarified. "She had a set of pretty plates that she wouldn't let me eat off of. She said I was too clumsy and would break one. I wonder what happened to them." She mused as Christian looked at her in dismay. He wasn't sure what to say to that.
"If you don't like that platter we can give it to Mia or my mom or Gail." Christian said rambling. "Please feel free to buy whatever dishes you would like, Mrs. Soon to be Gray." He said handing her a glass of wine and kissing her softly on the cheek. "Please don't think about her baby. She can't hurt you anymore." He said pulling her close to him and caressing her back. "Don't be nervous about tonight. I am so excited that you are going with me. I haven't ever taken a date to any event before and I can't wait for the world to see us together."
"I need to go put my dress on. Can you help me with the zipper?" She said trying to lighten the mood. She finished her wine and set the empty glass on the bar. He followed her into his room and to his closet where her dress was hanging in wait for her to put it on. "I feel like a princess in this dress. It is the prettiest dress I have ever worn or seen for that matter." She said as she took off her robe and took the dress off the hanger and stepped into it and pulled it up. Christian walked behind her and they stood in front of the mirror and stared at their reflections. He kissed her bare shoulder.
"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen Ana. I can't wait to see you in your wedding dress." He zipped up her dress and reached over to the top shelf and got a box down and handed it to her. "I bought these to go with your dress for the ball. I hope you like them." He said shyly as he opened it. Ana gasped when she saw what was inside: a beautiful sapphire and diamond pendant and diamond earrings to match. "The earrings were made to match the vintage necklace since it was one of a kind." He trailed off, nervous now that she stood there silent.
"I don't know what to say. Thank you Christian. They are the most beautiful things I have seen, besides my engagement ring." She said slyly. "You spoil me way too much." She said softly, wiping a tear away then quickly put on the earrings. "Can you help me with this clasp?" She held the necklace up and he fastened it around her neck. They admired it in the mirror together.
"Mr. Gray, the car is waiting downstairs." Taylor called from the hallway. "It's time to go so we won't be late for the ball." Ana slipped into her shoes and grabbed her small evening bag that was made to match her dress. Christian followed Ana out of the bedroom and placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the apartment to where Taylor stood waiting for them beside the elevator. Ana held her phone out to Taylor.
"Would you please take a picture of us?" She asked sweetly. "I want to have the first picture of us together." Taylor took it and snapped a few pictures then took Christian's phone and did the same. "Thank you Taylor." She said as they got on the waiting elevator and went down to the car.
They pulled up to the venue where the ball was located and waited in the long line of cars that were there letting the attendees out. When they got to the drop off spot, Christian helped Ana out after he got out and buttoned his tuxedo jacket. Cameras flashed and people shouted to the young couple: Look over here; Ana show us your ring; are you two really engaged? Christian give us a picture of you kissing your fiancé! Ana started shaking from nerves.
Christian leaned down and whispered in her ear: "They are just excited to see a beautiful woman. You're stunning. I am a lucky man." She smiled up at him.
"No, I'm the lucky one." She took his hand and they walked past the paparazzi without answering and went into the building where they both took a glass of champagne that was offered. They mingled with the well-dressed crowd in the lobby then waited to be ushered into the banquet hall where the ball was being given. There was a dinner first then awards and speeches then the ball.
Ana was so nervous she picked at her fillet and drank too much wine. She felt all the eyes in the room on them. Christian smiled kindly at her then squeezed her hand. "You're doing fine, relax." He said. They finished their meal and the host went up on stage to start the awards.
"Thank you for coming to the 35th Annual Shipbuilders Ball." He began. "I see we have some celebrities in the crowd tonight." He tried to joke as he looked at Christian and Ana. "We haven't had this much press coverage since we started having these balls." The audience laughed as expected and Ana relaxed.
Christian got an award for the most innovative design incorporating solar panels into the ship for off the grid power. There was also a rainwater collection and filtration system that was unique to shipbuilding. He promised to keep coming up with ways to improve and streamline the ships he was building in his Seattle Shipyard. He got a standing ovation. Ana was so proud of her man!
The ball was everything and more. Ana had secretly been taking ballroom dancing classes at the University and she danced confidently to the big band era music with a delighted Christian. They were captivating to watch and Ana saw several people with their phones filming their spectacular dancing. She felt like Cinderella! "I was so nervous that I wouldn't be able to pull it off!" She confessed to Christian with a grin. He grinned back at her!
"You are amazing baby!" He said as he swung her around in his arms. There was a full color page of them in the Seattle Times the next morning of them dancing at the ball. The caption read: Seattle's own Cinderella and Prince Charming at the Ball!
A/N: Thanks for patiently waiting for an update! I needed a little break from the story. Hope you liked the ball. Next up, book signings and wedding plans! Thanks for all the reviews and PM's. I appreciate it!