To the new reviewers. HIIIII! I love hearing from you. Thank you for taking the time out to not only ready but write your thoughts.
Gowildcats: your review had me in stitches. Also, Astro Fife what a unique stripper name. If I follow the same method, mine would be Cookie Sunset. Doesn't get any more stripper than that.
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Day 1 of meeting the family. This was a gentle introduction to how Ana usually spends time with her family when it's just a few people, very reminiscent of Chapter 12. The next chapter is still being worked on but I promise it will be interesting.
Apa - means older sister.
Khala - means maternal aunt.
Chapter 47 – Family is Family, Part I.
Friday, February 28th, 2020
APOV
This entire week leading up to my trip to SF I've had a nagging feeling. I tried my best to keep myself busy. I started training with Sawyer on the evenings I wasn't at the NICU. As a result my time with Christian has been limited. I've needed time away from him. Even personally, I've needed time away from him. I feel horrible but as much as I love him, I feel like I'm starting to lose myself again. We've had sex maybe 4 times this week... I haven't really been able to reciprocate. Not that I've ever denied him outside of being on my period but he's picked up on my being in a funk.
My first session at the Seattle-Mason NICU was emotional. While I didn't cry as I cuddled with little baby Adam, I told him about my day, I rocked him and walked back and forth sometimes singing or humming or sometimes telling him about how beautiful the sky was today... but then on the way back home I was a mess. His screams haunted me that night.
Training with Sawyer was challenging. I did eat the mat and more than that, it was difficult getting my body to cooperate against the fear. I'd become completely frozen and Sawyer would have to help me snap out of it. My strength and agility is not what it used to be. I haven't been to Pilates in almost two weeks and I'm now feeling the withdrawal of that. I've been trying to manage my stress to keep my hip pain at bay and drinking a shit ton of water which is causing me to pee like a god damn horse. Not cute at all.
It's Friday morning and I'm gathering the last of my things before we head out to Sea-Tac. I'm trying to get into the right frame of mind. This is the first time I'm bringing a guy home. Even though everyone knows and already loves him well almost everyone, I'm still nervous. Dementor will be there, for some reason my patience is really wearing thin; I'm just praying that all goes smoothly. I know I will be much safer this time around but still... the nerves are there. I suppose as long as he's connected to my life, the nerves will always be there. I'm not looking forward to meeting Kiran, she'll cling to me and make me forgive her but not this time. This is another reason why I'm afraid of my lack of patience now.
I quickly tie my hair in a low messy bun and apply masacara and blush with a little concealer to give me some life. I wear my eastern clothes and walk out of the bedroom with my bag and meet Christian in the kitchen for breakfast.
"Hey baby..." Christian says apprehensively. He's been walking on eggshells around me all week. I haven't said much to him since Sunday. I haven't felt like talking. I've missed seeing him in casual wear. As much as I love him in his suits; I adore it when he's just in a jeans and shirt with a blazer. He looks relaxed and carefree.
"Hey." I give him a small smile as I take my seat at the island.
"You look beautiful. What is this called?"
"You look pretty handsome yourself, Mr. Grey. This is called a shalwar kameez though this variation I'm wearing it considered a modern version. Given then wide pant and sleeveless shirt." I'm wearing a light blue ensemble with a white embroidered scarf that hangs from my shoulder with silver bangles.
"This color brings out your eyes." He leans in and kisses me. I bring my hands to his face and hold him close when he breaks away. "Thank you for coming with me this weekend."
"No place I'd rather be." He kisses me again.
CPOV
For some reason, Ana has been on edge ever since we left Seattle airspace. She's barely said a word. I've been working on my laptop while she sits across the table from me and has been looking out the window intently. Her face is tense, she closes her eyes every now and then and then but her eyes remain fixed on the window. It's times when I wish I could crawl into her mind and see what she's thinking about.
Stephan makes the announcement that we're 20 minutes away from Oakland International. It's almost 10:30am.
I call out to Ana but she doesn't respond. I call her name again but she's lost. I reach out to touch her hand and she immediately pulls away in fear and blinks rapidly and tries to take stock of her surroundings.
"Baby, are you okay?"
She shakes her head and straightens herself. "Yeah... sorry. I just... I don't know..." She's unable to complete her sentence. "Sorry, I need to use the restroom." She immediately gets up and walks away.
When she comes back I can see she's washed her face and her eyes are little red. She sits down and looks out the window again while wrapping her shawl around her a little tighter.
I get up and take the seat next to her and hold her hand and bring it to my lips. "What's wrong baby?"
"I'm okay... just a little nervous."
"Is he going to be there?"
"He might show up at dinner even though Nani said it's only supposed to be her and mama. Rania and Aria might stay... he could still show up but I really hope we don't have to see him until the Sunday brunch."
"Want me to knock the fucker out?" I smirk.
"Only if you let me help." She giggles.
Once we land and head out of Oakland, we make a quick stop at her favorite florist's studio and then Mr. Holmes Bakery to pick up treats for afternoon tea time with Nani.
We get to Presidio Terrace and walk to the front door of the house.
"First time meeting a girls family?" she looks up at me and laughs.
"Yeah."
"Nervous?"
"Nah, I know they all love me. I mean look at me, I'm Mr. One Hunnid, remember"
"You ass." She rolls her eyes and bursts out laughing as we climb up the steps to the front door. "Well if you must know, I'm really nervous." Her face falls for a bit but she shakes her head and enters her code in for the door.
I help her open it since she's carrying the floral arrangement and she walks further into the foyer to put it on the empty table.
"ASALAAM-O-ALAIKUM!" she says loudly, almost singing and we hear Nita laugh and run towards the foyer from the kitchen.
"My Aanu is home." Nita greets Ana with open arms and hugs her tight.
"I missed you so much." Ana says with tears in her eyes and Nita kisses her forehead.
"I missed you too, meri jaan." She says crying.
"Look Ma, I brought a boy home." She says wiping her face as she laughs.
Nita looks at me and smiles. "I see that. Let's terrorize him now." She laughs and walks to me and we hug.
"It's good to see you again, Nita." I say.
"Same here, welcome to our home Christian, we're so happy you came." She smiles with warmth and holds my hand.
"Okay, break it up you two. We gotta go see the lady who runs this place." Ana giggles.
We walk to the family room and we see Nani putting away some of her things. Ana hugs her tight and speaks in Urdu but starts to cry, as Nani rocks her for a bit and then kisses her forehead.
"I brought a pretty boy for you to look at, Nani." Ana giggles and I smirk.
"You always know how to make my day." She laughs and I go into to give her a hug.
"Mrs. Karim, you have a lovely home, thank you for inviting me."
"Mrs. Karim? None of that nonsense. Just call me Nani." She places a hand on my face and I see a twinkle in her eye. "You brought my Aana to me, thank you. I'm so happy you both are here. Come sit." For some reason her words floor me.
Ana opts to sit on the floor cushion with Nita while Nani and I sit on the couch. Nita and Nani are funny and start to tell me stories about Ana from when she was a child and she hides her face in Nita's lap with embarrassment. At one point the three of us start to converse in French just to annoy her and she loses it.
"You know what, you two can have him, I'm going to go an make tea." She gets up and walks away in mock protest as we laugh.
"How has she been dealing with the press? She keeps telling us everything is fine but please tell us the truth." Nani looks at me.
I take a deep breath. "It's not been easy on her. She wasn't aware of the press coverage around her accident so that was a lot. It's definitely been an adjustment for her and we're still in transition I would say but she's making progress."
Nita silently nods. "We just want to say thank you for everything you've done for her, Christian. She's so happy and I know that this too shall pass."
"She's made me incredibly happy. She's changed my life in the most profound way. I can't imagine my life without her now." I share and I feel a burning lump form in my throat.
"She has a tendency to do that. She changed all our lives for the better the minute we met her." Nita says tearfully.
"Feel free to put a ring on it." Nani says with sass and it takes me by surprise that I chuckle.
"I'm trying but your grand daughter is making me wait"
"Don't worry, I'll talk to her." She winks and Nita laughs.
I excuse myself and go to find Ana. I find her in the kitchen pouring tea into teacups.
"Don't you dare come to me... go speak French with your new girlfriends." She warns me trying to suppress a laugh.
I smirk and kiss her hard. "I didn't know you were the jealous type, I really like it mon amour"
"Whatever, Grey. All these women are going to treat you like a King and I'm going to be chopped liver this weekend." she pouts and I bite her lip.
"I promise I'll make it up to you tonight." I whisper in her ear and bite her earlobe.
"This is my Nani's house. Behave, Mr. Grey."
"I think she likes me enough to let me have my way with you, Miss Steele." I kiss her neck and she giggles.
Ana calls out to Nita and Nani and they join us both in the kitchen for tea. They put out some indian snacks that remind me of some of the food we had at the Sangeet.
"So I think you may remember the samosas we had at the wedding, they're kind of like dumplings with potatoes and spices. This bowl with yoghurt is actually a dish called Dahi Baray, it's essentially falafel like balls made out of mashed lentils instead of chickpeas and then they're mixed in yoghurt and mild spices with boiled potatoes, chickpeas and tomatoes. Topped with tamarind sauce and mint chutney." She looks at me for second and smiles. "I know... a lot of new flavors but this is mild. Not spicy at all, I promise."
I smirk while she makes me a small plate. It's definitely different. "This is really good. I thought mostly all snack food was fried and really spicy."
"We have a good mix of fried and yoghurt based dishes actually so it balances out. This is Ana's favorite food to eat. I'm guessing she hasn't made any of this for you?" Nita looks at me and laughs.
"No she hasn't." I look over at Ana and she shrugs.
"I wanted him to try these while he was here, give him the full desi experience. No easing him into this stuff. Full brainwash and transformation protocol." She wiggles her eyebrows and we all laugh. "I did make his family walnut halwa and carrot halwa over the holidays."
"We all loved it and last Sunday she made us brownies."
"So she's slowly brainwashing you all then. That's her moda operandi. No escaping now, Christian." Nani snickers gives Ana a wink.
"I have no plans to escape. As long as she feeds me, I'm good to stay." I chuckle and Ana laughs.
"Well I made Kheer for tonight, I hope you'll like it. It's our version of rice pudding." Nita smiles at me.
"Can't wait. Ana and I were talking about how I haven't really explored Eastern or Mediterranean foods so I'm looking forward to this weekend." Who am I? I'm so agreeable and actually making conversation.
We talk about AHAK's latest philanthropy ventures and I find that AHAK has actually donated to Coping Together over the years but never really came up to Seattle to attend the gala. I tell them they have to absolutely attend this year and to visit Seattle before that as well. I've surprised myself with this invitation. I've never ever been this forthcoming and invited people over like this. It's the Ana effect.
I excuse myself to use the restroom but when I return, I see Ana in Nita's embrace and crying.
"I don't know why you keep seeing the good in her." Ana says pulling away from Nita as I go to take my seat next to her and hold her hand.
"Darling, I just don't want you to have any regrets. She was crying this time when we spoke, that's never happened. She seemed really contrite and I don't want to keep you away from her. She is your mother." Nita tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
"No, she is not. She was just an egg donor who carried me for 9 months. Ray was my father and you are my mother. She did nothing but hurt me. She never showed me any love like you did. She took me away from Ray and put me in a situation where a grown man could have raped me and then she wanted me dead. I've given her way too many chances but not anymore. She's only doing this so she can freely associate with the fact that I'm dating a billionaire. That's all she sees. You guys were never in the public eye so it's not like she could prove her associations but now... since I'm visible and my name is out there, she can use it to show off. She's dead to me. Please don't tell me to give her a chance again. I don't want her in my life in any way. I'm tired." Ana wipes her tears.
"I'm sorry, Aanu. I just... " Nita looks down and is unable to complete the sentence.
"You've always tried to see the good in her, heck in everyone. You've always shown her mercy when in reality she deserves none. Please stop taking her calls."
"Okay darling, I won't. I'm sorry." She pulls Ana for a hug again and holds her for a while.
"I've blocked her number. I suggest you both do the same." Ana looks to both Nita and Nani and they slowly nod.
After a while, Ana takes me on a tour of the house. We first stop at the photo wall by the staircase. It has photographs from Nana and Nani's wedding to baby pictures of Nita and her sister, along with all the cousins. There are pictures of Ana with her cousins too from when she was little to recently. There's a picture from her graduation where she has the smallest smile. There's a picture of Ray and Nita their wedding day at City Hall. Ana is celebrated often on this wall, it includes a picture of her graduation and one of what looks like Rania's wedding with all the cousin's huddled around the bride and groom.
We head upstairs to the second floor and she shows me the sun room where she first spent a lot of her time after she was discharged from the hospital. Once she regained significant control of her motor functions, she moved to a room on the top floor for more privacy. Once we're done we walk around and then head up to the top floor where she shows me one of the bedrooms that has tiny view of the golden gate bridge.
"Which was your room?"
She points to a closed door across the hall but doesn't move towards it.
"What's wrong Ana?"
She shrugs. "I haven't been in that room since I left for Portland."
"Is that where everything happened?"
"I don't think so. Not anymore. It's just the memory now of waking up... and..." her voice breaks.
I hold her hand and kiss it. She walks towards the door and opens it. It's a small room with white walls and small bed. It's not really decorated except for a photo wall of polaroid's and a small bookshelf stacked with books and some small souvenirs here and there.
She remains standing at the threshold as I walk around. There's not much of her in this room outside of the books and pictures. I walk back to her and pull her in. Her face is tense. I close the door behind her and lean her against it, holding her face in my hands.
"No one will ever hurt you like that again. I promise you." I look into her eyes as tears fall. "We're going to make a new memory here. A happy one." I stoke her cheek and wipe her tears as she slowly nods.
I lean in and kiss her slowly. Small pecks at first before she allows me to deepen it.
"You've come so far baby. You're standing here, living your life against all odds. I'm so honored you've allowed me into your life." I say with all the sincerity I can.
She breaks out into sob and I hold her tight. I kiss her forehead and rub her back. Once she calmed down a bit she begins to talk.
"That photo wall was Kiran's idea. Every month after I woke up, they would take a picture of me doing something new, like clenching my fist or raising my arm... anything to show my progress. That way everyday when I woke up, I would see the progress I had made from the month before etc."
I look at the pictures more closely and it's heartbreaking to see her in a hospital bed, sitting in a wheelchair, during physical therapy trying to stand and walk. I feel my eyes burn and heaviness throughout my body. Some of the pictures are of her with cousins in the car. There are some of her and Vishaal sitting together and smiling. I try to remain calm and rationalize that this was her normal as fucked up as it was. He was an important part of her recovery. I see the last picture in the grid and it's one of her standing in front of the house with Nani, Nana and Nita. She's not smiling at all.
"When was this last picture taken?" I point to it.
"This was the morning I left for Portland to attend WSU."
I look at her and tears start to fall from her eyes again. "This was after..." I can't complete my sentence.
"Yeah."
"You were in pain. How did they not see or notice." I feel the anger rise in me.
"I was shuffling between Percocet and Advil and I had restricted my movements and was sure to wear clothing that covered me. They all took my being quiet for sadness at leaving my life behind here when in reality I was screaming inside but I had gotten used to that. I had gotten used to staying inside myself." She speaks in the smallest voice as she intently stares at the picture.
I want to kill him. I want to kill that piece of shit. He violated her. She was innocent and deserved only the best in this life and he... I feel her put her hand on my arm, interrupting my thoughts.
"Don't dwell on this. This is why I've avoided this room. It's difficult because I have that one really bad and painful memory of waking up with no knowledge of what happened to me and on the other hand, I have 10 years of wonderful loving memories in this house and city. It's a constant battle, which is why I had to get out and stayed away but now I'm trying to make new memories. New memories with my niece and now with the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. So let's just focus on that. That's what I want this weekend to be about. I want you to get to know the good part of my family. The part that makes me happy and keeps me coming back. I can't let one person ruin all that." She smiles with tears in her eyes, placing a hand on my cheek.
"Ana..." I try to keep the emotion at bay and control my anger as I lean into her touch. I crush her to me and we stand in each other's embrace for I don't know how long but she pulls away.
"The tour is not over, Mr. Grey. We still need to hit the basement." She giggles and I kiss her deeply.
"I love you Ana. So much." I say with a strained voice.
"Ditto, Mr. Grey. Always."
...
After a tour of the basement and a makeout session that ended all too quickly, we return to the TV room and sit on the couch to talk some more. Nani has gone to her room to pray and take a nap while Nita is looking over preparations for dinner tonight.
We hear the front door open and hear the loud voices "AANA KHALAAAAA"
Ana laughs out loud. "Raees and Aria are here. Let's go greet the heathens."
"Hey Aana Khala." Raees smiles and they hug. Aria throws herself on to Ana and she aggressively kisses and cuddles her. Aria laughs out loud and thoroughly enjoys the attention.
"Raees bhai, this is Christian."
'Good to meet you Raees."
"Same here, Christian. It's great to finally meet you, have heard so much. Hopefully we won't scare you away." He returns my handshake with a genuine smile and a wink.
"Gremlin, this is my friend. Say Hi Christian."
Aria hides her face in the crook of Ana's neck and I hear a small voice. "Hi Chwischin."
"Hi Aria." I give her a smile and she shyly smiles back but then hides herself again.
"So you guys, seriously... boy or a girl? I've got a bet going with Rania and I need to win." Raees rubs his palms together.
"Seriously? One of each." Ana sasses and I chuckle.
"Dammit. I wanted to win."
"How much was the bet for?" Ana inquires.
"A dollar."
Ana snorts. "Cheapskates."
Raees turns to me. "Listen, can you knock her up, for real? Rania doesn't want to have another kid for like two years and Aria needs a playmate."
"UM... HELLO I AM RIGHT HERE." Ana slaps his arm but it doesn't faze him.
"Listen Choti, I gotta talk to the guy who can get the job done." He says to Ana in all seriousness making me laugh.
"F you both. Now get out of here. Go cut up some people and save their lives or whatever it is you do." Ana rolls her eyes and dismisses him.
We walk back to the TV room where we were sitting and take our places on the couch again.
"What did he call you?" I ask Ana thoroughly amused by our latest interaction.
"He called me Choti which means small or little. It's nickname for younger sisters or daughters." She giggles. "I call Aria that too sometimes. Right Aria?"
"Aana Khala I am choti" she responds with a big grin and Ana kisses her forehead and then lets her go to pull books from her little bag pack.
"You're a natural with her." I give her a chaste kiss and she smiles against my lips.
"She's an easy baby."
"Aana Khala you kiss your fwend?" Aria asks from across the room.
"Shit, busted." Ana whispers, giggling.
"Yeah Aria... my friend had a booboo."
"Oh... mama kisses me when I have booboo." Aria runs towards our direction and stands right in front of me. "Where your booboo?" Ana bursts out laughing and then looks at me.
"If you're comfortable with it, tell her it's on your cheek and lean in to her." She says softly.
I swallow. This is weird. I've never really interacted with a child... it's been years since Mia. "Aria, it's on my cheek here." I lean my left cheek towards her and she tiptoes and gives me a small kiss and pats my cheek with her little hand. "Now booboo gone." She smiles at me with such wonder. I'm taken aback.
"Good girl, Aria. See Christian feels so much better now. Thank you, baby." Ana strokes her cheek and Aria walks away to her bag pack. "I think my ovaries just exploded." She looks back at me and laughs but I see tears in her eyes.
I pull her in for a hug. "Unexplode your ovaries Miss Steele, I'll need them in pristine condition if I'm going to knock you up." I smirk and she laughs out loud.
"I think you have another booboo Mr. Grey, let me give you kiss." She pulls me and kisses me deeply.
...
"How did Rania end up being head of legal at AHAK?"
"She'd been interning every summer since she was 13. She always knew she wanted to be a lawyer. She's got one of the sharpest minds. Nana took her under his wing after her mom died. Kiran didn't show much interest in the business till she started college. Rania graduated from college in 3 years and then went to law school and passed both the California and New York State bar, cause she's the fucking bomb. She was extremely driven and determined. She's like a savant when it comes to the legal side of things... she's not keen on dealing with people and schmoozing otherwise I think she'd make a kickass CEO. She lives and breathes AHAK, like it's literally in her blood."
"Sounds like you trust her more than Kiran and that fucker."
"Kiran is good at what she does, I personally think that Kiran and Rania are a better team, because Kiran is good at being the face of the deal and Rania is better at coming up with the game plan. Vishaal is good at what he does too but my apprehension of him is more of a personal bias. I realize that. It's just that he lacks humility. I prefer Karan's method of doing things in comparison. In fact, Rania and Karan are the dream team. Their deals honestly always go off without a hitch."
"What about Rania and Raees, how did they meet?"
"They met through mutual friends. Raees is from Pakistan as well. In fact his family is still based there. He came to the states to study and become a doctor and now he's a cardiothoracic surgeon at SF Memorial. When they met, Rania had blinders on, like she always has. It took Raees a while to get Rania to realize that he was asking her out. For him it was love at first sight. They met at mutual friend's house warming here. She was not in the market for a boyfriend let alone a husband but Raees was on the hunt as he likes to say." She giggles. "They remind me a little of Kate and Elliot sometimes. Raees has been wonderful for Rania, he is obsessed with her and brings out the fun side of her. I mean she's amazing at what she does but on the personal side of things she was very closed off, romantically I mean. Her mom died when she was 12 and it really hit her hard and her dad emotionally checked out for a while. He couldn't get over the death of his wife for the longest time so Nana and Nani stepped in and helped out with raising the kids for a while. Rania grew close to Nana as a result and he taught her everything. And I learned a lot from Rania."
"You liked working with her?"
"I loved it, I learned something new everyday. I mean I learned from all of them, even whatshisname. I absorbed every ounce of knowledge I could and it's helped me in my professional life immensely. She's the reason why I'm at GEH so you better thank her when you see her." She giggles.
"I'll definitely thank her." I smirk and kiss her forehead.
...
"Aana Khala... ice cweam and GG bwidge?" Aria looks at her after Ana reads her last book to her.
"You want to go, gremlin?"
"Yesh."
"Can Christian come too?"
"Chwischin you can come wiv us." Aria looks at me and smiles.
"Looks like you're invited to take part in our little tradition, Mr. Grey." She smiles at me and we get up.
We ask Nani if she'll join us but she declines saying she'd like to relax a little more. She's still not over the jet lag.
"Mama, you need anything from the market? I think we'll be back in about 2 hours or so. I've told Rania we're taking Aria with us."
"Sounds good. Can you get some garlic powder? I completely forgot to buy some yesterday and the snack cupboard is running low. Hold on, let me give you my card."
"I have your card, don't worry. I'll get it." She walks over to one of the drawers and picks up the car keys and then makes a call.
"Hey Benny, we're heading out for ice-cream and then GG bridge with a trip to the grocery store on our way back home. I'll see you outside in 10 minutes?... Okay perfect. See ya then." She hangs up and smiles at me. "You want to let Sawyer and Prescott know?"
I find out that AHAK purchased the building directly across from the Presidio Terrace gates for their security team to live in and have visiting security teams wait when they have guests. Before we came in, we stopped by the building and were introduced to Antoine Benoit, a retired Navy Seal originally from Lousiana. He's a fairly large guy, could definitely bench two Sawyer equivalents without breaking a sweat. Ana looks tiny in front of him but he adores her. He looked me up and down but didn't really state his approval or disapproval of me. I imagine meeting Raymond Steele would've been a similar experience.
"I can drive." I tell Ana as she sets up the car seat for Aria.
"Mr. Grey, only three people are allowed to drive Nani's car; Benny, Nita and myself. Besides, you're in my city... just sit back in relax." She winks at me and I smirk. Alright Miss Steele, have it your way.
The car in question is a Black 2020 Range Rover. The AHAK car of choice since the beginning of time.
We settle into the car and Ana begins to tell me there are a series of steps that need to be done to get in to the right frame of mind when driving out for this tradition. First, she helps Aria say a small Islamic prayer that's meant for travel. Second, they open up the sunroof a little and third... well truth be told. I wasn't expecting the third from an almost 3 year old.
"Aria, want some music baby?"
"POS MAWONEEEEE"
Ana looks at me and we both burst out laughing. "You got it gremlin." She scrolls through her phone and clicks play. "Rania and Raees love Post Malone too so we have our little fan club going." She giggles.
As the song starts, Aria sings a garbled version of the lyrics, completely out of tune and it's adorable and hilarious. They both hype each other up as she drives through the streets. In one instance he looks so young and carefree and in the second it gives me a glimpse into the kind of mom she would be. Fully involved and devoted. I can't help but smile.
Seasons change and our love went cold
Feed the flame 'cause we can't let go
Run away, but we're running in circles
Run away, run away
I dare you to do something
I'm waiting on you again
So I don't take the blame
Run away, but we're running in circles
Run away, run away, run away
"You drive like a dude." I say with smirk.
"Dude? You literally sound like Elliot. I'm a little concerned."
I chuckle. "I guess what I meant is that you don't drive like a my mom or Mia. They've always been nervous drivers and I literally stuck to the steering wheel while you're so relaxed and yeah... it's different."
"Have you ever had a girl drive you around."
"Can't say I have. I feel a little weird right now."
"Well, I learned how to drive from Raymond Steele and Antoine Frances Benoit aka Benny aka you're not allowed to call him that till he decides he likes you. Till then he's Mr. Benoit to you." She laughs. "Benny helped me learn how to drive again after recovery. He was going to teach me how to make a donut but Nita put her foot down on that so that is my one big regret in life." She giggles.
"I agree with her. No daredevil stunts for you."
"You guys are no fun." She pouts. "Aria baby, you okay back there?"
"Yessss I look at cars." Aria replies.
We arrive at her favorite ice-cream place called Swensen's. She gets Aria out from the backseat and carries her inside, while Sawyer waits outside.
"You didn't try to lose me back there." Benny laughs.
"Ehhh, was trying to give you a break in your old age." Ana sasses. "Plus, gotta ease the boyfriend into the my antics. He has a thing for safety." She looks at me and laughs and I roll my eyes.
"Hey Ana, long time no see." The guy from the counter calls out to her.
"Hey Tom, so good to see you. Can we get a kid scoop of French vanilla with sprinkles and I'll have a single scoop of French vanilla with chocolate fudge." She looks to me. "You want to take some time to look at the flavors."
"I'll have what you're having."
"We'll share then since I won't be able to eat it all."
Once we get the ice-cream we get back into the car and drive out.
"This is actually really good." I tell her.
"I know right, I'm addicted to it. I used to have it three, four times a week when I moved here and then even before when I used to visit. No SF trip is complete for me without a trip to Swensen's. It's the only reason why they know my name. All us cousins come here whenever we have a reunion, though I just stole the chance from Rania but she'll live." She smirks.
As she drives, I feed her ice cream while Aria continues to sing and I wonder that if this is what our life could be like then I don't want to wait. I want it all with her.
Every time you left, shit was never right
In another bed every single night
Had it to a science, you were so precise
See it in your eyes, saw you in the light
Somehow, mami, I still want you
Listen to me, don't drive away (drive away)
Kill me softly, your hold on me is
Somethin' I can't explain
I know you could never be my bitch
Shit could never be like this
I know, stop thinkin' you're in my plans
Hundred times you blew another chance
I know you were gettin' down on the low
Then runnin' back to me in the morning
I know shit could never be like this
You could never be my bitch
No, no
You know these lyrics aren't really child friendly." I laugh.
"I know but it is what it is. I just don't sing the bad words in front of her." She shrugs and laughs and continues to sing along and move to the beat.
We drive over the bridge and Aria gasps from the backseat.
"Aana khala... bwidge so bigggg." She says in wonder.
"She says this every time." Ana laughs. "Aria, can you show Christian where you're looking."
"Chwischin look up. Bwidge is big and red." She calls out to me.
I look up again through the sunroof. "Yeah Aria, you're right it's really big."
Ana giggles. "See Mr. Grey, you're a natural at this." She looks at me and gives me a wink. I pull her hand to me and kiss it.
"You make it easy to good everything, Miss Steele."
We get to Battery Spencer and park the car while Benny and Prescott follow us as we walk around and take in the sights.
"I've never been here." I tell her.
"Really? You never did touristy things?"
"Never had the time nor was I interested in the experience but this... I like this because it's with you. It's beautiful." I look at her and her skin glows with golden hour light. She smiles back and I kiss her forehead. Memories from Carmel by the Sea come to mind.
Benny takes a few pictures of us with the bridge in the background while Ana holds Aria. She takes a few selfies to send to mom and dad along with grandpa Theo and Grandma Margot and the sibling group chat.
"Should I be afraid that you're so in touch with my parents and grandparents?"
"Yes, you should be very afraid Mr. Grey." She sticks her tongue out.
We get back to the family house after a run to the grocery store where Ana went overboard buying snacks for the house along with the hotel. She blamed it on the possible midnight craving she might have. I didn't argue and followed her directive.
"Aria baby, mama is home." Ana tells her as she helps Aria out of the car seat.
"MAMAAAAA" she starts to squeal and runs up the steps as we carry the groceries into the kitchen.
Rania picks up Aria and showers her with kisses and hugs.
"Well, well, look who it is. Back from your adventures without me?" She asks with a smirk.
"Hi Raniapa." Ana says laughing and goes into hug and kiss her.
"Rania, meet Christian. Christian meet Rania." Ana introduces us.
"Mr. One Hunnid." She wiggles her eyebrows and I laugh.
"RANIAPA." Ana chides as we hug.
"Oh come on, we're adults, I can joke about this stuff... plus you made my life miserable when Raees and I were dating so it's time for payback bitch." Rania sasses.
"BITCH." Aria yells and Ana facepalms and I chuckle.
"You know all day she never cursed and now you just broke that streak." Ana scolds.
"Blame it on that husband of mine." She rolls her eyes.
Rania gets me a glass of wine and we sit in the kitchen talking and get to know each other. Rania is funny and welcoming. I see why Ana feels comfortable with her.
"Raees told me he asked you to knock her up." Rania cackles.
"And I told him I'm trying." I smirk.
"I CAN HEAR EVERYTHING YOU GOSSPING QUEENS ARE TALKING ABOUT." Ana yells from across the kitchen where she's helping out Nita.
We sit down to dinner in the kitchen. Ana tells they only use the formal dining room when everyone is home but when it's just Nani and Nita, they try to keep everything cozy. Nita tells me everything she cooked today used to be Ray's favorite food and this dinner is a their tiny way of honoring his memory. The gesture floors me.
"So this is chicken pulao, it's rice cooked in chicken broth with pieces of chicken. This next dish is a beef curry that's cooked a little different that usual beef curries are made. You take pieces of beef meant for stewing and boil them in water with cinnamon sticks. After it's boiled you then cook it with spices it's really soft and aromatic. We have some naan with nigella seeds and this last dish is haleem, it's basically beef with tons of lentils slowly cooked for 8-10 hours to make it into a thick paste like consistency and you can sprinkle fried garlic pieces with ginger and lemon if you'd like. You can eat it just as like you would a stew or soup or you can eat it with naan as well." Ana explains to me
"It smells amazing." It really does and I can't wait to try it.
"It tastes amazing too. Nita is the best cook." Rania says.
"None of this stuff should be that spicy for you, I tried to keep it mild. I can't however promise what Rania will make for you two tomorrow." Nita giggles.
"I'm not holding back. He wants to be part of this family, he's gotta pass the foodie test." Rania laughs.
"Bring it on Rania." I challenge.
"You better buy all the TUMS you can, Grey." She smirks.
We start to eat and the food is incredible. I've never really eaten with my hands. When we were in India we did but that was forever ago. Outside from eating a burger or sandwiches, I've never really had to eat with my hands except at the wedding and that too was very brief. This is a new and welcome experience.
Aria asked to sit on the high chair next to Ana while she makes small bites of food for her and puts them on her table. She's a real natural. She is fully involved in our conversation while making sure she eats herself and Aria eats and drinks well. Rania told her she'd take care of Aria but Ana wasn't having it, she wants to spend as much time as she can with Aria even if it's doing the smallest things like feeding her.
At one point Rania starts to converse with me in French. Nani and Nita join in and Ana whines in protest.
"This is so not fair. I am not bringing him again."
"Quit your whining. You've spent years terrorizing us with our significant others." Rania snaps back laughing.
I laugh at Ana expense and she narrows her eyes at me.
"You better watch it Mr. Grey." She sticks her tongue out at me and I kiss her forehead.
"Aana Khala have booboo?" Aria asks and we all laugh.
"Yes baby, Aana khala has a lot of booboos." Rania wiggles her eyes and we all laugh. "So tell me where are you guys staying?"
"The Fairmont." I tell her.
"You guys should've told me, I could've had the room comped but you know what... I'll take your money Grey. I'll take it all." Rania laughs.
...
Once we're back at the hotel and done with our bath, we lay in bed while Ana continues to kiss me.
"You're awfully affectionate this evening Miss Steele."
"Are you complaining, because I can stop." She giggles
"No, I love it." I smile at her.
"It means so much to me that you came to SF and are spending time with people that I love. I know you have a lot of responsibilities and you love work so for you to take time off... it really means a lot."
"You don't have to thank me Ana. I do love working but I also love you and I wanted to spend time getting to know the people who mean a lot to you. I really enjoyed myself today."
"Really? I mean, I know it was kind of a slow day. This is literally how I spend my days when I visit. We spend most of our time in the kitchen, talking and snacking as we catch up or go out like we did with Aria. It's only when Uncle Rish and Alia Khala are around that we move to the formal dining room for space."
"I loved it and the food was incredible. You have to make that beef curry for me sometime."
She smiles at me. "I will, I promise."
"I like Rania. I can see she really loves you and you're right she is a bit like Kate."
"Yeah, she is but they both love fiercely. You just have to get through the tough exterior, kinda like you Mr. Grey." She smiles.
I smirk. "I have to say, I've never spent time with straight women outside of the family who didn't have an ulterior motive. It was refreshing."
"Well, they do want you to make an honest woman out of me and knock me up."
"Yeah, Nani told me to put a ring on it when you stormed off to make tea."
"Oh god. These women" She hides her face and I laugh. "She quoted Queen Bey... damn, Aisha Hasan never ceases to surprise me."
"Is that what AHAK stands for?"
"Yeah it's an acronym for Aisha Hasan and Abdul Karim."
"I didn't know but I also didn't really look into them. They were never a threat. Hasan is her maiden name?"
"Yeah, she kept it after marriage and Nana rebranded after they got married."
"I never knew they donated to Coping Together... that was a pleasant surprise." I muse.
"Yeah, I didn't know either though that revelation made me remember something that you will probably lose your shit over. It's hilarious but you're going to probably really hate Kiran over this." She laughs.
"Don't make me hate her anymore than I already do."
"You hate her?" she looks at me confused.
"No, I mean... I don't hate her but I certainly don't like her."
She swallows. "I don't want you to hate her Christian. She's just... I mean I'm also confused with how my relationship has evolved with her since the wedding. Like... that speech I made, I meant every word of it in that moment but now that I look back, I was feeling a lot of emotions and I was in such close proximity to her again over the months leading up to the wedding... not to mention what she did for me during recovery... it's a lot to sort through." She looks down.
I kiss hold her face and kiss her. "I know... I just hate that her careless mistake has caused you so much pain again."
She nods. "... but don't hate her."
"Fine, I strongly dislike her right now."
She giggles. "Okay. I can live with that."
"Tell me about this revelation."
"So last year the week I lost my job at SIP, that weekend was the Coping Together event and Daniel had flown into Seattle for it..."
"ANASTASIA DO NOT TELL ME WHAT I THINK YOU ARE ABOUT TO TELL ME."
She laughs out loud. "STORY TIME, GREY."
"Okay fine... go ahead." I am about to lose my shit.
"Daniel had asked me to accompany him since it was looking like Kiran wouldn't be able to make it given some shit at work. Daniel had just said it was his family friends who were throwing a benefit. Kate was also supposed to attend with her Dad but had to fly to Atlanta for work so she told me to borrow one of her dresses if I ended up going. Daniel told me he would introduce me to some people since I was job hunting again... I wasn't really looking forward to it since I had never been to anything like that. Then at the last minute, Kiran was able to make it so I was off the hook."
"Please tell me you're fucking with me."
"You're free to confirm this story with Daniel on Sunday." She giggles.
"I'm going to kill Kiran now." I grumble.
Ana laughs out loud.
"I could've met you then? Fuck, Ana..."
"I think the Universe was just testing out ideas for us to meet and every time at the last minute it probably thought... nahhhh back to the drawing board."
"I ended up meeting his family for brunch the next day which Elliot was supposed to come for but I think he overslept so yeah... lots of missed connections that weekend."
"Baby... this is so unfair." I climb on top her and kiss her all over.
She giggles. "But we're here now Mr. Grey."
"And I'm never letting go of you Miss Steele." I smirk and attack her lips making her laugh.
"Christian... stop..." she squeals but I don't let up.
I enter her and she gasps as I start to move. She weaves her fingers into my hair and we look into each other's eyes.
I slowly make love to her till she falls over the edge and I follow right behind her.
"I've missed you baby."
"I've missed you too, I'm sorry I was so distant... I was... just...i'm really trying... this is all new to me..."
I kiss her and stroke her cheek. "I know...I'll always be here for you. Don't ever apologize."
She smiles back at me. "You were so good and patient with Aria today."
"To be honest, I was concerned since I haven't interacted with a baby since Mia. I always stayed away from that stuff."
"Well, she likes you. She kept looking at you at dinner and she's so adorable when she says your name."
"Yeah, that was cute."
"You're going to be a great dad, Christian. I know it"
I swallow. Her faith in me always floors me. "Only if you let me knock you up." I smirk.
"According the press, I already am." She winks
Authors Note:The next chapter will be a continuation of the weekend with the family. The Kapadia siblings will make an appearance and things will get interesting.
Pinterest: www dot pinterest dot com/paleseptember10/50-shades-of-love-and-light/ - Chapter 47
Music:
Circles – Post Malone
I know – Post Malone