My dear little broccolis💚💚💚,

💚 So, this is me doing a favour to the same someone who PMed me and asked to upload two of my stories with the FSOG names. I already did it for Forbidden Fruit, and now, here comes the second. The original fic is published under the Mortal Instruments franchise. If you're one of my old readers, well, you already know this story, so only read it if you want to read it with other characters in mind; if you're a new reader, well hang on and let's see how this Ana and Christian work in here.

I liked writing this chapter because it starts to bring some closure to some points in the story. This chapter is in Franklin's point-of-view because I did not want to write it in Ana's point-of-view. There are many things from either Ana or Christian that I prefer to keep for the next chapter and the one after that.

Chapter 34 ~ Professional Opportunities (3,0K)

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Christian's PoV

As I am walking back from my meeting to the tribunal, I contemplate the idea of calling Ana. It has been two weeks since we all came back in that awkward ride, which means it has been two weeks since I've seen Ana Not that she doesn't have any time to see me, but it's more the contrary. The fact that both Franklin and I took an unplanned week and a half off, to do her trial, had a huge impact on our work. When the two of us came back to work, lots of people had questions for us, since Flynn being the opposing attorney brought unwanted attention upon Ana's trial.

I don't think that Franklin told her since she never mentioned it, and I for one agree with him. Ana would freak out if she knew that so many people are interested in what happened on her trial. It's not actually any given person who wants to study the case, but more just lawyers who want to know how I did to beat one of the top lawyers of our time.

Franklin and I never actually talked about the trial ever since we got back to work. We never actually talked about Ana either. I didn't mention that to Ana on the phone, because I know she would find a way to feel bad about it. It is Ana that we're talking about after all. I know that she's trying really hard to make it work with Franklin, and for what I can tell, it is. I don't know how she and Franklin do it since he's working as much as me, but I can still feel that something changed for the better in their relationship just by the way she talks about him and Lily.

The first time that it ticked for me, was when I called her one night, and she admitted to me that she just had another one of her nightmares. I tried to tell her that she should talk about it to Franklin and Lily, so they could help her out, especially since Lily is a shrink and would know the soothing words that would make Ana feel better; but she refused, saying that she didn't want to bother her parents. See, how quickly Franklin and Lily became her parents. It's just one thing among others that lead me to know that this family that Ana always craved for was finally forming around her.

There was also the issue of Ray, the man with whom she spent her prime childhood. She told me over the phone that her father had given her pieces of information saying that this Ray guy put some money in an account for her, and gave his details for her to contact him, but Ana doesn't know what to do. She feels weird to contact him after all these years, especially considering that she thought he had abandoned her; but she still has fond memories of him. And there's also the fact that the money he saved for her can really help her to buy a shop. I didn't actually try to push her in any direction on this one. I think it's something she should choose to do on her own, whatever decision she makes, but knowing her as I do, I think that she will try to reconnect with the guy.

As I scroll down my phone, looking for Ana's number in my last calls, I see that I have a missed call from Jonathan. I can't help but roll my eyes, knowing that the only reason he would have called is because Mom would have told him to do so. Jonathan is my biological father. It's not that we don't get along, I actually see him three to four times a year; but … he is just not my Dad. Carrick is. And it's not in this cliché way, where I reject the guy completely. I mean, he's always been there when needed, it's just that I mostly see him as a distant but friendly uncle than a father.

Just after the trial, when I spent the weekend at my parents, Mom and I had a really deep and long conversation about Ana. A conversation I was certainly not ready for, but that opened my eyes on many things. I actually told my mother many things concerning Ana that I never told anyone, not even Jason. And now, every time I think back at this conversation, I have knots in my stomach. You know, for a second I thought that the fact that I would represent Ana in a trial would put me back at my place: meaning an ADA who has no business being with a seventeen years old girl. But as Jason pointed it out, I don't see Ana as an age number. I see her as Ana, nothing more, nothing less. Just Ana. That girl who always manages to make e smile when she's nearby.

Mom actually got to meet Ana when she came last weekend with Carrick. The three of them went to a restaurant with Elliott, while I was stuck on working, and while Mom did her best to guilt me into working when she was in town to see her sons, Ana did like she always did, she didn't pressure me nor tried to guilt me; which I didn't hesitate on telling Mom when I called her for her departure the next day.

I have to say that it is becoming a bit complicated back at the apartment since Elliott found a job three weeks ago. Our work-hours don't synchronise and since he has a very light sleep, he's starting to get even less sleep than I do (the inconvenience on sleeping in the living since I don't have a spare room). He's talking about getting his own place as soon as he would have saved enough money, which I think it's stupid. He should ask our parents for a loan that he would reimburse them bit by bit, but since they paid for his two years abroad, he doesn't want to ask them for more money, even if it's a loan.

While my thoughts are still lost in the myriad of my brain, I cross the threshold of the tribunal; and not even two steps later, a secretary rushes to me, all alert to tell me that Judge Branwell is looking for me. I have to say that I am intrigued because ever since we got back, I did not do a single thing wrong. I can actually say that in a couple of days, I will have all my cases caught up.

I stride to Judge Branwell's office, wondering what on Earth she could want with me, and suddenly a paranoiac part of me starts to panic on the fact that maybe she knows about the meeting I just had, and that she wants to give me her piece of mind about it. But before I enter her office, that crazy idea flights out of my mind and leaves me with a peaceful mind.

Just as I am about to knock on the Judge's office door, my phone vibrates and so I swiftly check it out.

We need to talk as soon as possible. ~ Ana

I know how this sentence is supposed to get, I know how I should flip out just by seeing those words all alined together and echoing with a bad omen; but I know Ana. I know she doesn't want to break up with me. First, if she did, she would have been more subtle about it, and she wouldn't have actually given me a heads up like that for me to freak out on it. Second, after being away from her for over three weeks and talking to her only on the phone, I have learned one thing: she loves me back.

Sure she didn't say the words per se, but I can still tell by the way she sometimes holds her words when we're on the phone, or by the way she tells me that she misses me, or by the couple of attentional gestures she had for me over the past couple of weeks. Like sending me muffins, going to see my parents or even sending me random messages throughout the weeks to let me know that she thinks of me.

I know that our relationship is at a strange point at the moment. But I also know the depth of my feelings for Ana, and I mostly now that I will certainly not let her slip through my fingers. And this is why I do my best to keep our relationship on the same level that we left it on the roof of my car. With me loving her, being there for her, and her being the incredibly kind person she is.

And so this is why, I smile when I answer to her:

Funny how I was thinking of you, and on how I have something to tell you as well. Christian

I can drop by the tribunal if you want. I could be there in half an hour. Unless you have a hearing or something. Ana

I'm all caught up in my cases so I'll clear some time for you tonight. That's a date for you and I. Somehow, I don't want your father to be lurking around when I'll get to finally see you again. Christian

Lurking … he's not a vulture, you know. He doesn't lurk. But you're right, I don't think it would be a good idea to have him around. Especially since we have important things to talk about. I'll make you banamuffins, okay? Ana

Do you even have to ask? Christian

:-). Ana

I smile again at the screen, my stomach already rejoicing at the idea of banamuffins and finally walk into the Judge's office, putting my phone back in my pocket. The Judge barely glances up at me, her eyes set on her computer, but she still takes the time to tell me to take a seat. Which honesty I don't have time for. I still have a few cases to work on, and I have to get on them as quickly as possible if I want a night out with Ana.

And so, I tell the judge, with all the respect that is due to her: "Why don't you tell me why you summoned me? I'm sure that we both better have to do than have all that pleasantry going on before attacking what really matters."

She smiles a little, not phased the slightest by my attitude and forwardness; and stops doing whatever was taking her attention on her computer to ask with a very serious voice: "What do you think of getting a promotion?"

For a second I blink. Because this doesn't make any sense. How can I have two big job opportunities dropping on me like that within the day? What's happening to the world? But then, I start to really think about what this promotion would mean to me, and so I reply with tactfulness:

"The only promotion that you could propose to me at the moment would put my boss out of a job."

The Judge shakes her head, refocusing her attention on her computer as she lets me know: "Franklin is leaving us at the end of the month for a sabbatical of a year renewable. And he's the one who recommended you to take his place."

"Away?"

"Yes. He got called for a case in London. Didn't he tell you?" She lightly says, making all the blood leave my face.

This is the thing Ana wanted to talk to me about. I know Franklin, he wouldn't go to London like that. For starter, he doesn't like their Penal Code, nor their food. But what would keep Franklin here, is the fact that he just got his daughter! He wouldn't leave her behind no matter how big the case is. I can have many griefs against Franklin, but I have to give him that, he loves his daughter and is ready to do a lot to stay with her.

"I don't know, your Honour. I have to think through this," I tell the Judge, before leaving her office as soon as she gives me the nod.

I rush to Franklin's office where I find him lost in papers, the same position he had for the last couple of weeks; and I don't even give him the chance to say anything about my sudden entrance as I accuse him: "London?! Seriously? You couldn't find any other way to keep your daughter away from me?! you had to take her to the freaking UK?!"

Franklin barely glances up at me, replacing his glasses properly on his nose before saying, all the while writing on a piece of paper: "I am going to London for strictly professional reasons. That's all you need to know from me."

"Don't play coy with me, Franklin! You know that I'm dating your daughter. I know that you don't like it, but you know that I love her. You just found the most childish way to try and keep us apart!" I angrily point out, annoyed that he can remain so calm about taking away the love of my life. Doesn't he realise what he's doing?

Finally, he stops what he's doing and looks up to me, removing his reading glasses from his nose so he can look straight into my eyes: "So, now, you want to talk about your relationship with my underage daughter. Like the way you send her flowers every week, or the way you call her all night long every other night, or the way she sends you muffins when she knows you're swamped by work? Did you hear me say something about any of those things?"

"What I live with Ana is none of your business,"

"It is my business! She's my daughter! You might love her, but you're not the only one in this room doing so. She's the reason I accepted this job in London," Franklin strongly retorts, and this is like a slap to my face. Ana is the reason he took the job.

As long as I hadn't talked to her, I could still have this denial that she had been forced into it, that Franklin sold her the idea the way lawyers know how to make people bend their way. But if Franklin upfront tells me that she's the reason he's going to London, its that he knows for sure that she will go with him.

"Screw that. I'm taking the rest of the day off," I respond, too stunned and tired to keep arguing. What I need is to talk wit Ana, not to start a fight with Franklin.

I know that he doesn't approve of me being with Ana. I saw the way he looked at me during the ride back home. I saw how his eyes lingered on Ana and I's hand when Road Trippin' came on the radio. And I saw the way his jaw locked when I kissed Ana goodbye on his front porch. Carrick tried to explain to me the way Franklin could see the thing, but … I don't really care how Franklin feels about me on a personal scale. As long as Ana is happy, it's all that matters.

With temper, I take my stuff and stride to my car. If I were listening to myself, I'd be actually going straight to Ana and ask her about this London nonsense; but I reason myself and just drive home. She will tell me herself. She was about to, that's why she texted me. I don't want to start being all angry like I was with Franklin when she'll start talking about it. After all, it is a good thing that I have the news beforehand, like that I'll be able to keep my cool and wait properly for her to drop the bomb.

Surprisingly, when I get home I don't find the front door locked, which I find odd since I know that Elliott is covering a story on the other part of town today (I just don't recall when); but as soon as I enter, I smell the reason why the door wasn't locked. Banamuffins. I go straight to the kitchen, where I find Ana taking the muffins out of the oven and neatly placing them on a plate. I look at her, and the first thing that my mind registers is that she's wearing a dress. The dress that she wore during our last weekend together at my parents. The only dress that I know she owns. The very same dress that she knows I like a lot on her.

She turns her head to me, surprised gleaming in the green of her eyes and walks to me with a bright smile: "I wasn't expecting you so soon! I was planning on cooking you something so we could stay here tonight, and you could rest a little.

This is so Ana. She'd rather exhaust herself than be responsible for someone else getting a teensy bit tired because of something that included her. That's actually one of the things I love about her. Her selflessness, and her altruism. She smiles at me, already leaning to give me a long-overdue kiss, but all I can suddenly think about is that big picture in my head. Ana, looking up at Big Ben with red buses and black left-driving taxis surrounding her.

"You're going to London!" I accuse her, stepping back and putting a distance between us that doesn't go unnoticed by her.

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💚Your thoughts and opinions are always welcomed💚

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~ So here we are the little bomb before the end of the story ... Hope you liked it and I'll wake up with a ton of mails. hihi.

~ Anyway, question times:

1. How do you feel about this London thing? Is Ana going to go to London?

2. What do you think is the other job opportunity Christian was offered? It has been very slightly hinted at in earlier chapters ...

3. What do you think will happen next?

4. What was your favourite part?

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💚Anyway, E.L James owns the names of the characters from the Fifty Shades franchise, everything else is mine.

Love, Mina 💚💚💚