Damn... y'all really hate a cliffie but then again it's been a while since I did one. Haha.
tullocsophia: DED. Best review to this chapter so far.
gowildcats & bandrocks: your reviews had me dying of laughter. I love you guys. I'm sorry for mini heart attacks.
jeimont1210: holy moly, THANK YOU. that is a lot of reading. thank you for joining us all on this dramatic rollercoaster. I'm glad you can relate to the family dynamics. I guess it's true for A LOT of immigrant families.
Everyone else, I SEE YOU and I LOVE the fact that you take the time out to review. YOU DA FREAKING BEST. Stay safe my fellow fanfic familia. I've messaged some of you via PM to reply to your reviews too!
A quick reminder: This is an HEA I promise and that this is Ana's fight and she will overcome her fears, also check out the pinterest page for the food stuff.
Chapter 49 – Family is Family, Part III
Sunday, March 1st, 2020
APOV
I shake my head and gather a new batch of plates and oranges. I turn around to drink another glass of water, looking out the window before I leave with I hear a loud smack on the island behind me.
A shiver runs through my body and I feel my heart drop to my stomach.
No.
Please.
No.
Not like this...
I slowly turn around and see Vishaal standing on the other side of the island. Do not let him see your fear, Ana. You need to remain calm.
I raise an eyebrow and wait for him to speak.
"That was quite the stunt you pulled."
"You were asking for it." I calmly retort back.
He scoffs. "You think that just because of you have a so-called boyfriend that you can let that snap run wild?"
"So what, you can dish it but you can't take it? Oh wait, that's right... you've never been good at improvisation. That's always been my talent."
He has the audacity to smirk. I know he's enjoying this being the absolute piece of shit he is.
"You need to make him sign this." He pushes the folder sitting on the island in my direction.
"What is it?"
"An NDA."
"Four words; Nani's. House. Honor. Code." Seriously, bro. This is your game? This is what you're coming at me with. He really is fucking desperate.
"The honor code is bullshit. He's not a spouse and I'm the CEO of AHAK now. He needs to sign this."
"He will be my husband soon and he's not signing shit." I feel my fear dissipate now. I can do this. I see his face harden. Yes. That got him.
"You really have forgotten your place."
"No, as I told you in Seattle, I have found my place and you need to back. The. Fuck. Off." I cock my head to the side and smile.
I see his face tense. "You're going to regret this Aana."
"You can't hurt me anymore, Vishaal. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not that sad little girl from 4 years ago." I spit out.
He laughs. "Oh Aana, you'll always had such a glorious fire in you... I've missed it."
I want to throw up now. I need to breathe. Breathe, Ana. Breathe.
"I'm done with this." I move to carry the tray and he moves laterally in the same direction around the island. I quickly place the tray down and create more distance between us.
"You'd have to be really fucking stupid to try something right now. Christian is outside." I say try to calm myself.
"As always you're overreacting Aana..." he laughs. "I would however like to see what Christian is really made of."
"Stay the fuck away from Christian. I am warning you. You go after him in any way and I will not hesitate to blow everything up and end you in the process."
"So you're going to choose him over this family?" he raises an eyebrow.
"You made that choice for me 4 years ago."
"You're a fucking traitor."
"Takes one to know one." I smirk.
"You're still as naïve as the first day I met you. He's going to hurt you, Aana. Give it time but he will show his true colors." Don't fucking patronize me you snake.
"That's fucking rich coming from you. Christian will never hurt me. Unlike you he has empathy and humility. He loves me and I love him, more than anything and we're getting married. I've come a long way from being that little girl who so innocently placed her trust in people. I know your game and I know how you think. You forget; I know your deepest fears Vishaal."
He smirks again. "You don't know anything, Aana. I didn't hurt you, I gave you what you needed, you just didn't know it at the time but I'm committed to making you realize where you really belong and how good things can really be."
"You sound like a deranged cult leader." He laughs but I'm not in the mood to join in. "This" I point to him and myself. "Never gonna happen. I'd rather die than even entertain the thought so you know what, just stop. For the family's sake, move on, live your life and find someone else. I am willing to be civil with you for the sake of the family if you do really move on but if you keep this up then it's your funeral."
"Now we're getting somewhere." He laughs again. "It's been a while since we played a game."
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE A STUPID GAME?
"I'm not playing any games with you. This is real life. Just leave us alone. Nothing you could ever do would make me want to consider you as option."
"You may not want to but you eventually will end up playing the game. You always do and you always lose. It's not in your nature to back away from a challenge. It's what I've always loved about you and it's why we got along so well."
I take a deep breath as I feel a shiver run through me and pinch the bridge of my nose. This dude is so freaking delusional sometimes. "I've learned a lot in these last 4 years, Vishaal. So you know what, bring it. Do your worst... and know this, I will never leave Christian. I will NEVER leave him for the likes of you."
"In that case, I dare you to marry him before the 3rd quarter."
"I'm not living my life according to your timetable."
"Honestly, it doesn't matter to me whether you marry him or not. You'll be back where you belong soon enough."
"You're not hearing me, I told you I am never going to leave him."
"Then marry him Aana. What's the problem? Don't you love him?"
"What the fuck are you playing at?" He's being fucking weird. What the hell? Is this reverse psychology? What the fuck?
"Play the game and figure it out." I see the delight in his face and it makes me want to retch.
"I am going to bury you."
"In that case, all bets are off." He smirks.
"It's the only game I'm interested in." I WILL figure this out. I have to.
"How about we shake on it, for old time's sake."
"No, people with honor deserve a handshake... I wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole right now."
"Soch lo, Aana. Meray main bohat sabr hai." You want to reconsider, Aana. I have a lot of patience. He laughs.
"Sabr meray doosra naam hai." Patience is my second name. I bite back.
He gives me his menacing smile...
...
CPOV
I notice Ana has been gone a while. I excuse myself from the guys and walk towards the kitchen. I climb up the steps and walk in through the back door and hear the faint sound of Ana's voice. When I get closer, I hear the fucker speaking in Urdu and Ana immediately replies. I walk towards her and she jumps a little as she notices me.
I look to Vishaal and stare at him as he smirks at her refusing to acknowledge me.
"Leave her the fuck alone." I grit out. Ana walks to me and holds my hand, willing me to look at her.
The fucker laughs out loud and walks away. I try to go after him but Ana stops me.
"No don't. Not in Nani's house. Please. This is what he wants, he's just provoking us." She begs me. I look back at her and I see tears in her eyes.
"What did he say to you?"
"Nothing. He was just trying to rile me up. Same shit as before."
"Ana, tell me."
"He wanted you to sign an NDA and I reminded him that we follow the honor code in Nani's house and that well... I told him to shove it up his ass. He thinks just because he's CEO of AHAK now that he throw his weight around" She giggles. My brave and beautiful girl.
"Ana, don't keep anything from me." I stroke her cheek.
"I'm not. He was just saying random shit to throw me off. He's pissed that I'm standing up to him. That's all. I've never done that before in front of the family. I'd usually just stay silent or smile through it but now I'm not taking his shit so it's pissing him off."
"I'm so proud of you baby. Watching you tear him down like that was epic." I give her a soft kiss.
She giggles. "It was wasn't it? Too bad Nani shut it down cause I was ready to start a food fight."
I laugh out loud. "As always Miss Steele, you say the most unexpected thing... I love that smart mouth baby."
"And it loves you... so much." She tiptoes and pulls me in for another kiss.
...
Once Nani wakes up from her afternoon nap, we have another round of tea in the family room while everyone continues to mercilessly tease Ana. At one point she goes in to cuddle with Nita on the one of the couches begging to be saved from the torture but stories just don't stop and each one is more hilarious than the last. I wish I knew her back then. I wish we had seen each other when she visited Harvard that day. I know she would've changed my life for the better.
Ana, Karan and I are on our way to pick up dinner from the family's favorite Middle Eastern restaurant called Old Jerusalem but not before a quick stop for ice cream.
"Aria and Rania are going to murder us." Ana says as I feed her a bite of ice cream while she drives. Karan sits in the backseat and laughs out loud.
Karan snorts. "Those two drama queens live here, they'll be fine."
"Karan Bhai can you and Tony PUHLEASE bring your asses to Seattle. I'll take you to the Secret Garden for karaoke night and you can meet my GEH friends too. They're super fun."
"Bachay, I'll try my best. My schedule opens up a little in the summer but these next weeks are a little crazy till Aashu's wedding... what about you guys, you NEED to come to Miami already."
"Christian and I were talking about it, we're thinking the weekend of March 20th? I saw it was free on your calendar."
"Hold on, let me check." We hear him mull around bit. "Okay perfect, March 20th... your asses need to be in my city. Comprende?"
Ana giggles. "Yes, we will be there."
"So tell me Christian, what are you thoughts about our psychotic family?" Karan laughs.
"With the exception of one or two, they all seem pretty sane actually." I chuckle.
"Yeah, we tend to ignore those two every now and then." Karan groans.
"When I went to put the dishes in the kitchen, Vishaal showed up and told me that because he's CEO of AHAK, I need to make Christian sign an NDA."
Karan loses his shit in the backseat and it's contagious.
"I'm sorry, what now?"
"Yeah, I told him to shove it up his ass and that honor code applies at home given how we NEVER talk about business in the house anyway. He was like Christian is not your spouse. Honor code doesn't apply."
"Mate has got some serious issues."
"I told him Christian and I were getting married so it didn't matter what he wanted."
"TELL ME HE DIED. PLEASE. TELL ME DID." Karan is almost begging.
"If he did, our lives would be a hell of a lot easier." I interject and they both laugh.
"By the way, I told Rania a little bit."
"And?"
"I just told her that he talks about marriage... I couldn't tell her about..." Ana takes a deep breath. Karan puts his hand on her shoulder and gives it a squeeze.
"It's okay Bachay, take your time."
"Yeah I'm fine." Her voice is heavy. "Anyway, yeah I just told her that he wants the nature of our relationship to change and she almost lost it saying it was ridiculous of him to say that and to stay away from him etc."
"Well, Rania has always been the good egg. Will you ever tell her what really happened?"
"Yeah, I will." She wipes her face. "I'm working on it. I made her believe she's the only person who knows because if I told her that both you and Nani know she would've lost it even more. You know how she is, she calls everyone out on their shit... she probably would have gone to his apartment and murdered him and we can't have that happening till the Will is read or these new deals are squared away."
"Yeah, she's a real mama bear. Sometimes she can't think straight... listen it's your truth and if you need time then, take it... but you need to tell them at some point."
"Yeah, I know." She says wistfully. I pick up her hand and kiss it.
...
The conversation flows well throughout dinner. We mostly talk about Aashu's upcoming wedding and the logistics of dance practices and clothes that everyone will be wearing. They all tell me to make sure I'm wll hydrated since this will be my first full Indian wedding and give me various tips on how to survive it.
"Christian baita, now that we've told you all about our Aana, what are your thoughts? Nani asks with a smile and everyone laughs.
"Well, let's just say I'm seeing her in a whole new light." I smirk and look at Ana who rolls her eyes.
"We expect to see a ring on that finger ASAP, Mr. One Hunnid." Rania cackles and everyone cheers.
"Oh my god." Ana buries her face in her hands she groans.
"They'll be a ring on that finger very soon" I smirk and everyone claps. Ana goes beet red with the biggest smile on her face as she looks at me. I lean in and give her a small kiss and the whole room screams. It's hilarious and embarrassing but all in good fun.
"Okay now everyone settle down. Let's give poor Aana a break. We've teased her enough for a lifetime." Nani winks in our direction. "I want everyone to now tell me something interesting about their lives these days. It's been a while since I spent time with you all."
One by one all the cousins share interesting tidbits about what they've seen, worked on or who they've met recently. Ahad talks a little about his research. Karan shares details about his recent trip to Thailand and so on and so forth.
"What about you Aana?" Nani asks.
"Well, lets see... Christian and I attended a fundraiser for this hospital called Seattle-Mason and guess what, I ran into Jacob and Amy from across the street. Jacob and his wife Vic had triplets and he's been in Seattle for about a year or so and I'll be meeting them soon... in fact Vishaal bhai was there too, right bhai?" She looks at Vishaal and smiles at him and I see his face tense.
"You were in Seattle? When was this?" Rania whips her face to him. This is obviously news to her.
"It was February 12th, I believe... yeah it was then because it was the week of Valentine's Day." Ana laughs.
"I was there on business." His tone is clipped.
"We don't do business in Seattle, we lost that hotel deal." Rania says slightly confused.
"I said the same but Vishaal bhai said he was there to diversify..." Ana continues, taking a sip of her water.
"I was helping a friend out. I was helping them diversify their business by checking out some options." He gives a tight smile.
"Really? Maybe Christian knows them. Are they a well known entity in Seattle? I'm sure Christian must know them... he knows everyone." Ana offers and god, I could fucking take her right now.
"I'm certain that he doesn't know them. They're from the East Coast looking to branch out." He says icily and small smile.
"Oh well." Ana shrugs. "Anyway, so yeah, and yours truly helped $5.5 Million for the fundraiser by shaming rich white people, present company excluded of course, into giving their money... " She kisses me on the cheek and everyone claps.
I lean in to her ear. "Have I told you how much I fucking love you?"
"You have but I still wouldn't mind if you took the time to fuck me and love me tonight." She whispers back and wiggles her eyebrows. God, I really have literally and figuratively hit the fucking jackpot.
...
"Ana baby?"
"Hmm?"
We're sitting the tub facing each other. She's been lost in thought for a few minutes, looking at the bubbles. She becomes incredibly still during these times, almost like she's not even really here.
"What are you thinking about?"
She looks up at me and swallows but then shrugs. "Nothing, really. Just going to miss them all."
"Well, you've threatened everyone so who knows they might actually show up in Seattle."
She gives me a small smile. "Yeah... it's a miracle I didn't get dumped or end up in jail given how my street cred is shot to shit... then again the night is still young... anything can happen..." she giggles.
"Your family really had a lot of dirt on you." I smirk.
"I know... it's a miracle I'm letting them live right now... but serves me right, I've been a pain in the ass since the beginning." She giggles. "There was this one time, whatshisface, Kiran, Karan and Rania came to Montesano for a weekend with Nani and I mean... there wasn't all that much to do there but Ray and Nita tried to make the best of it... Ray and I took them to the shooting range and after we went through all the safety checks, we went to one of the target practice area that was a little more creative and fun with like bottles and beer cans and stuff arranged in intricate patterns. Any way, I load my gun and start shooting..."
"Wait a minute, how old were you?"
"I was 14."
I swallow. This is fucking scary. "Okay continue..."
"So yeah, I shoot my rounds and when I'm done, my score was obviously perfect... I mean look at me... " I chuckle. "And I look at all of them... they're honestly shitting their pants except for Rania who literally screams and claps... "DO IT AGAIN" Like the psycho she can be sometimes." She finishes and into a fit of laughter.
"I can't believe Ray took you for target practice at that age."
"Christian, he taught me how to disassemble, clean and put back together a Glock when I was 10. I mean, the poor thing was just teaching me things to keep me busy. He was a Marine, raising a little girl. He did the best he could. "
I shake my head. "There's this whole other side to you that's honestly pretty fucking scary."
She points a finger gun at me and clicks her tongue. "That's right and don't you forget it."
I chuckle. My little Annie Oakley.
"Do you miss it?"
"I miss doing those things with him more. I mean, Sawyer asked if I wanted to go for target practice and as much as I would love to, I know how you feel about guns and also now that the press are watching my every move, it's out of the question. I understand your position and I agree with it but for me, it was always about having a skill in the event I found myself in danger and going for target practice is being in a safe and controlled environment... not like I'm going out into the fields and shooting random shit. Had Ray been alive and I was in Seattle, he would've insisted I get a CPL permit."
I silently nod, looking at the water. Thank god she doesn't have a gun anymore. Fuck, Ray probably would've shot me if I made her cry.
"He just wanted me safe Christian. It's why he taught me self-defense too... though I've pretty much abandoned everything he taught me. Even Benny gave me pepper spray, mace and a taser for college. I still have the taser, though I think he secretly wanted to give me a gun."
I laugh. "He really likes you."
"Yeah, even though he acts like a fucking grouch. He feels a certain level of responsibility towards to me because Ray was a fellow serviceman and he also kinda got him the job with Nani and Nana. Even if these men don't serve together; they have a blind sense of loyalty to one another for the mere fact that they chose to serve. Sawyer used to be a grouch too but as soon as I told him about Ray he eased up and now we're best buds." She gives me a small smile.
"Not really sure I'm all that happy you're friends with Sawyer given that his pretty boy status." I grumble.
"You think Sawyer is a pretty boy? AWWW" she laughs.
"You know what I mean." I growl.
"Well, trust me Sawyer is not a threat... he's an honorable man."
"He better be or I'll fire his ass and blackball him from every form of employment."
"You wouldn't dare. I adore him, besides he truly isn't a threat... not that it's any of your business but he would rather discuss my shoe collection than anything else."
Oh... now I feel like a real shit. How the fuck did I miss that? His background check did not reveal any history of relationships or any inclination of his sexual orientation.
"I see the wheel turning, Grey." She giggles.
"Yeah, I didn't realize."
"It's okay but even if he wasn't... given his profession and training, he would be a real dumbass to try and hit not only his boss's girlfriend but also his billionaire boss's girlfriend. Before you even got to him, I would've ripped him a new one and Taylor would've beat the shit out of him for misconduct."
I laugh out loud and she joins.
"You never told me how practice was going with Sawyer?"
She shakes her head. "Not well. There's a lot I need to work through. I kept freezing up. Sawyer is really trying to help and he's a great teacher but it will take some time. I don't really trust my body or my instincts, the fear is just... it's in my bones." Her voice wavers and her face tenses as she plays with the bubbles.
"Does it bring back any bad memories?"
"No, surprisingly not... I thought it would... who knows maybe in the future it could but most of my fear stems from waking up that morning. The fear and realization of now knowing what happened to you."
"Have you tried to retrace your steps from that night? Maybe to find a clue and possibly a clearer picture of what really happened?"
She shakes her head again "That would mean asking Kiran and Rania questions about that night and that alone would raise other questions... it's like opening pandoras box."
We get out of the bath and dry ourselves and head back to the bedroom to lay in bed in each other's arms.
"Do you remember anything from that night, where you went, what you drank... anything?"
"I mean aside from the flashes I got when I met Akash, I have these really vague memories... getting dressed in Kiran's hotel room and according to Rania we went to his apartment to chill out and pre-game and I had an all out argument with him where I shut him down about a sexist comment he made, apparently I was really rude to him which was unusual. Again, I don't remember this but Rania said he was pissed at me but then it was soon water under the bridge and him and I were dancing. I don't remember any of that... I remember blue light, I guess that's from the club and my body feeling heavy and being unable to move. I'm guessing I was either drugged or my brain blocked it all out... and honestly, I don't know which one is worse because with the latter it means it could come back to me one day and that will be a new obstacle for me to get over."
"Where were Benny, Nani and Nita in all this?"
"Benny was in New York with Nana and Nani. They had been there for a week or so and were due to return back home that weekend. We went out on a Friday night and they came back Saturday night. Nita and Alia Khala went to LA to shop for Indian clothes and check out on some of the philanthropy stuff they were working on. It wasn't entirely odd for me to be alone at home that year once I got the all clear from the doctor... I mean you have to understand; everyone was always fucking hovering over me that I welcomed being alone and the independence... Rania would check in on me every now then, Vishaal came to see me everyday for a bit... I'd go out for walks and stuff. We used to have a housekeeper, Maria. She would stay behind sometimes. Presidio Terrace is really safe so break-ins weren't an issue. I don't know... I guess it was all just a freak turn of events, everyone being away."
"Did the housekeeper see anything?"
She shakes her head. "When I woke up that morning... " She looks up and closes her eyes, trying to stop the tears.
"I'm sorry baby, it's okay you don't have to tell me." I pull her close and kiss her forehead.
She breaks out into sobs, clutching to my chest. "No, it's okay... I.. I... j-just need a m-minute." She takes a few deep breaths and wipes her face. "I woke up in excruciating pain. I felt cold and I saw that I was naked. I couldn't really move... I just... I was so stiff. I immediately realized what had happened to me. It took me forever to get up from my bed and find some clothes to wear. When I finally did, I took some of my pain medication and took off my sheets because there were bloodstains on them... I struggled to get to the bathroom but I pushed myself through the pain and took a bath. The water stung... I just sat there covering my mouth trying not to scream..." She completely breaks down and I feel my own eyes burn as I hold her against me, kissing her temple and her face over and over again.
"I felt so dirty... I wanted to die and the ground to swallow me whole. It took me forever to get done... but I wore my clothes and washed my sheets in places there were stains then slowly carried them down and threw them in the machine for a thorough wash. I wanted to hide every aspect of what happened. Maria wasn't that great at speaking English but she was phenomenal at what she did and was a really sweet soul. I gave her money from the petty cash drawer along with a piece of paper to ask the pharmacist for Plan B. She got it for me and I took it.
I made the mistake of eating proper food and... it was painful for me... to..." her face tenses and she takes another breath. "I quickly realized I had to stick to liquids and yoghurts so that's what I did. I stayed in bed till Monday morning essentially. When Nita and Nani came home. They came up to my room on Saturday evening, I told them I partied too hard and made a joke about it. Nita was so sweet, she was like I'm never going to stop you from having fun but I want you to be careful... college will be a great experience for you but just be careful, don't drink too much. Then at Sunday dinner, I ate a little with them but right after made myself throw up to avoid having to go to the bathroom... the next morning I left for WSU. Nita and Nani came with me, we took the family jet to PDX and they dropped me off at my dorm and helped me settle in and then... Kate found me... the rest you know..." She ends with a shuddering breath.
I'm livid but she did exactly what I would have done. I became a master at hiding my pain after a good punishment session. The exception that I relished the pain, I thought I needed it. She didn't deserve any of it. She's always been so strong. I am fucking speechless. I am...
"I can't believe they don't suspect what a fucking piece of shit he is." I tried to rid myself the lump forming in my throat. "He's a fucking barbarian."
"What mother or grandmother thinks their flesh and blood is capable of something heinous like that? Nani doted on him, he is the first grandchild in the family on both sides and she's fed him and bathed him... I mean... there are grown men out there who molest their own children and their wives never find out... it's complicated and heartbreaking but it's a reality. It doesn't make the situation okay but... like in your situation, yes you were manipulated to stay away from your family but in a way in your mind you were trying to protect them and not to break their heart and protecting yourself to not only see their heartbreak but experience a possible rejection... I get it. I mean Grace and Carrick also didn't pick up on what was happening to you... it doesn't make them bad parents, similarly it doesn't make my family a bunch of bad or heartless people... it's just that these things are complicated and I've also worked really hard to maintain a sense of normalcy. I had already become really quiet after the accident, I just became... quieter and whenever he addressed me in front of them I wore a smile on my face and went with the flow. Everything seemed fine, which is why this morning was such a surprise to everyone."
I pull her into a tight hug. "I wish I had known you then, I wish I could've been there for you. I wish... I had been there this afternoon."
She pulls away slightly and looks into my eyes with tears in her eyes. "You were with me. The thought that you were just outside gave me strength."
I give her a small kiss.
"What did he say to you Ana?"
"He hates the fact that we're together, that's all. It's pure jealousy."
"I don't understand how could he have wanted to do that to you after everything you overcame. You say you guys were close... then how?" I shake my head. I am at a loss of words.
"I was the closest to him. Growing up he was the one I got along with the most and during recovery he came to see me everyday even if it was for 10-15 minutes and when he was away, it was skype calls everyday." She starts to cry. "I'd rather not look back on it right now to be honest. They're just too many memories, what one would call good memories except now they're really painful and remind me of my stupidity for not picking up on what he was really doing."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause you pain by asking you these questions, I just... I want you to tell me everything. No matter how bad it is. It's not your fault Ana. You were focused on getting better but I want you to share everything with me Ana, the good and the bad. Especially the bad because you don't deserve to go through this alone. You have me now. I want to be your everything."
She silently nods, burying her face in my neck, pulling me closer as I kiss her temple and run my hand through her hair trying to soothe her.
"Can I ask you a favor?"
"You can ask me for anything baby..."
"Can I add you to my medical power of attorney. Since I'm with you almost all the time anyway."
I tense momentarily. Why the sudden change?
"Are you sure, I mean... what about Nita and Kate?"
"What about them? I've been thinking about this for a while now. Kate is moving on with her life now, Nita is here and I know that Grace will always guide you to make the right decision for me."
"Okay, I mean Travis can take care of it for us, he takes care of all my personal legal stuff in addition to GEH."
"Not Carrick or Grandpa Theo?"
"They give advice but in the end Travis takes care of everything."
She nods.
"Thank you for trusting me." Even though I'm still at a loss at her wanting to trust me like this.
"I love you, how could I not trust you with my life? You make me feel safe and always want the best for me even when it pisses me off" She looks up and giggles with her tear stained face.
Her words floor me. I stroke her cheek and proceed to kiss her with abandon. Consuming her, possessing her, not letting her move. She moans into me as I take her hands and pin them above her head with my fingers locked in hers.
"Christian..." she moans as I leave kisses on her neck. Her skin is on fire like a fever, desire now coursing through her veins at full force.
"Tell me what you want baby..."
"You... I need you..." she moans and I raise my face to bite her lip and suck on it. "...make love to me Christian..." she's aching with need, arching her body up to me and locking her legs over my hips as I grind my dick against her clit.
I guide my dick to enter her slowly and she throws her head back moaning. "That's right baby, just like that. Let me hear you."
I take my time, feeling her build. Her eyes roll back and she's completely at my mercy. She moans my name with every other thrust. All these years of control and I'm unable to contain myself when it comes to her. I nearly lose it as soon as I slide my cock in her. Every. Single. Time.
She starts to tighten around me I don't want this to be over yet. I still myself and her breathing starts to quicken. "Hold on Ana, don't let go, not yet."
"I...I.. can't... Christian, I'm almost here..."
"No baby, just a little while longer. Look at me." Her eyes remain closed as she tries to get her breathing under control. "Look at me Ana."
She opens her eyes slowly and fuck, I'm a goner every fucking time. It's the most surreal and holy experience. Her face is pure beauty and ecstasy as she looks back up at me.
"You're mine."
"Yours, always..."
"I love you and I'll always protect you, Ana."
Tears form in her eyes and she nods, pulling me down to kiss me. I take my fill of her mouth again and begin to move in and out of her ever so slowly.
I run my hand from her face down her jawline to her neck and sternum as I reach down to knead her breast. So fucking soft and smooth as silk. A slight shiver runs through her body and she tightens herself around me once more but immediately relaxes herself.
"Please..."
"Tell me baby..."
"Christian... please don't stop..."
I roll my hips slowly in a circular motion and she screams out in pleasure, throwing her head back. I keep the rhythm going till she can't hold off anymore. She completely detonates around me and pulls me off the edge with her.
She's a glorious sight to see when she comes. I fall on to her shaking from my own orgasm and she throws her arms around me tightly, like she'll never let me go.
This feeling never gets old.
We lay in silence for a while, caressing each and kissing each other.
"Hmm, you're making me hate Mondays Mr. Grey." She says with a smile against my lips.
I chuckle. "Pray, tell why that is Miss Steele?"
"After I started the cookie tradition at GEH, I became that insufferable human who loved Mondays... only because it was a chance to possibly meet new people and know about them. I have this incredible need to know shit... like Perez Hilton. I want to know all the gossip, not to tell others but like... just to know for myself."
"If it helps, you make me hate Mondays too."
"I'm so scared we won't feel this way forever."
"What do you mean?" I open my eyes to look at her.
"I don't want us to get sick of each other."
"Well, you might get sick of me but I know for a fact that I won't be able to get sick of you or that delectable ass of yours. You're too much of a mystery to me and I plan on uncovering even if it takes a lifetime.
She snorts. "You know what, stop objectifying my ass. And Christian, I'm hardly a mystery. You know everything about me."
I slap her ass and she giggles as I continue to rub my hands on it and squeeze it. "I mean yeah I know the highlights, I guess but there's still so much I don't now. This weekend alone... I feel like I got to know a completely different side to you. I know you're playful and animated but that was just a whole other level. There's still so much I don't know about you. What goes on in the mind of yours, I can never tell. You surprise me at every turn."
She plays with my stubble and traces her index finger around my lips. "Well I feel the same way about you. There's a lot that I still don't know. "
"Compared to you, I haven't really lived life. I made the money, grew the business but never really lived. I never really grew up. You on the other hand, have this insanely layered life with so many aspects to it and I learn something new every single day... everything about mine was pretty controlled with barely any room for spontaneity, personally that is."
"Do you ever crave that control?"
"Not really. Yes, in the business and in terms of wanting to you and my family safe but everything else... I want... more. I want everything with you."
She giggles. "Even with my, with the exception of a few, overwhelming family?"
I laugh. "Yes, even with them. Especially since they love me more than you."
She bites my lip. "You self-absorbed ass."
"Serves you right. Everyone in my life is obsessed with you... it's about time I was on the receiving end of some adoration."
"They just want you to trap my ass and knock me up." She rolls her eyes and giggles.
"Miss Steele, if you'd only let me, I would have trapped your ass weeks ago and by now have knocked you up."
She looks at me and places her hand on my cheek. "You really want to marry me?"
"I can't wait till I can call you Mrs. Grey."
Tears fall from her eyes "Why are you such a fucking romantic?"
I laugh. "You bring it out of me."
"My only concern with getting engaged is that my family is going to want throw and engagement party and... I just want to get rid of the bad eggs you know. I don't want them anywhere our happiness. I don't want them stirring any shit. I promise I will tell them Christian... I've just never had to face all this head on before..."
I kiss her. "I know baby... but I am not waiting past the 3rd quarter. As soon as that Will is read, I'm putting a ring on that finger and we are immediately getting married. Even if it means I have to drag you to Vegas. I'm already dying here."
She laughs. "Deal."
"Now tell me what ring you want."
"I ain't telling you jack shit, Grey. Go talk to Kavanagh. This is a right of passage for you... just know that I loathe diamond engagement rings. They do nothing for me." She sasses and I shower her with sloppy kisses making her laugh. "STOPPPP" but I don't. "Christian pleaseeee."
"Fine, I'll setup a meeting with Kate and figure this out."
"Make sure it's a little while after their engagement... let them have the spotlight for a bit."
"Kate can learn how to share the spotlight."
"Don't be greedy Mr. Grey."
"Can't help it. I'm a greedy fucker when it comes to you."
She rolls her eyes. "Do you want a big wedding?"
"I don't know much about that stuff, I just want to see you in a white dress and us to be married. Why, do you want a big wedding?"
"God no. I just want the people I love most to be there. Not sure, if I can have any south Asian traditions... people will probably think it's cultural appropriation on my part but... I mean I don't know. I know Nani and Mama will definitely want to do one south Asian event for us, even if it's small."
"Fuck what people think, Ana. They don't know what your life has been like and you have immense respect for their traditions... it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. As long as we're happy."
"I guess we're having a two day wedding then." She laughs.
"I suppose we are." I smirk.
"Karan is going to make you dance. Good luck trying to get out of that."
"Fuck no. I am not dancing. That is your department. I'll do the first dance... any of that intricate stuff you guys do, leave me out of it. No way I'm doing that."
"You're such a wuss."
"What did you just call me?"
"You heard me." She falls into a giggling fit.
"Well, future Mrs. Grey, I guess all we need to figure out is the ring, date and location."
"I like the idea of a destination wedding, something along the water kind of what we did for Kiran's wedding to ensure privacy but at the same time I'd love to hear what both our mom's think and want. I want them to be included in the process as well."
"I'm sure they'd be happy with whatever you decide."
"Yeah, but mom's have dreams too for the kid's wedding..." she muses. "I thought Kiran's wedding tapped me out creatively because she just asked me to do whatever and make it look good... I think I planned it like my own wedding... but now I have all these other ideas." She laughs.
"Well, everything was incredible... but I know ours will be even more beautiful."
"Of course, Mr. Grey... only the best for you." She giggles.
"and for you, Mrs. Future Grey."
She smiles and pulls me in for a kiss.
I stroke her cheek. "I can't wait to make love to you as my wife."
She smiles at me and runs her hand through my hair as tears fall from her eyes. "I can't wait till you're my husband... but till then, I think we should practice to make sure we're doing it right." she giggles.
"Agreed. Practice makes perfect..."
Authors Note:The next few chapters them growing as a couple and date nights! Let the good times roll.
Pinterest: I realized I forgot to tell you all to check the pinterest board for the indian food that they ate at the brunch.
www dot pinterest dot com/paleseptember10/50-shades-of-love-and-light/