Chapter 26: Good news
AKA: News sharing & wedding planning & shopping & paintball

I look at you and see the rest of my life in front of my eyes

I did get around to calling my dad after dinner.

"Hi, Annie," he answered, his voice as deep as usual.

"Hi, Daddy," I replied, high pitched.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Not at all!"

"Then why do you sound like I just caught you reading after midnight?"

I glared at the empty space in front of me, making Christian—who was seated beside me on the couch, his ear close enough to the phone to listen in to my conversation—chuckle.

"You make me sound like the ultimate nerd. And I've got good news to share, but I'm worried about your reaction."

"Fire away."

I bit my lip and looked at Christian, who was giving me an encouraging smile, his warm hand holding mine.

"Christian and I are engaged," I said. I sounded as lovesick and astounded as I felt.

"Well, I'm not surprised, Annie. When you get something in that head of yours, there's no taking it out. And a fool can tell how much you love each other."

I breathed out in relief and smiled at my fiancé.

Fiancé!

"Have you set a date?" asked my Dad.

Damn.

"September 17th," I mumbled.

"Next year?"

"Next month…" I winced.

"Why the rush? Are you… Am I about to be a grandfather?"

"I'm not pregnant!" I exclaimed.

Christian looked at me wide-eyed, with badly concealed panic.

"I'm not," I reassured them both.

"Then why the hurry?" he asked.

I looked at Christian in the eyes.

"Because he's it for me. I want to spend the rest of my life with him, and I want to start now." We were silent for several seconds. "Will you walk me down the aisle?" I asked him with unshed happy tears in my eyes.

"I'd love to. I'll let you go back to your younger man now," he said. It had been enough mushy crap for the both of us. "Let me know the details later."

"I will, Dad. I love you."

"And I, you, Annie. Bye."

We hung up, and I turned to look at the bronze-haired man sitting next to me.

"That wasn't as bad as I had feared. But Kate may still flip. Everyone else will be a walk in the park."

He snorted. "Mum and Mia will panic when they realize they have five weeks to plan a wedding."

"I'm sure everything will be 95% done by the time we leave Bellevue tomorrow…" I took a deep breath and changed the topic back to something my father had mentioned. "We never spoke about kids," I said, pulling the metaphorical Band-Aid quickly.

Christian was silent for several seconds, looking out the window.

"I've only recently given it a thought," he confessed, turning to look at me, "and I believe it's something I'd like to experience with you. You've asked me if I had to sacrifice my family for work—and I know those were Kate's words—but I've realised I don't want that. I want to have a family with you. Children running in the backyard, school functions, math homework… But I'm not ready for dirty diapers and sleepless nights. And I'm not ready to share you."

"I'm four weeks away from turning twenty-two," I reminded Christian. "I've only ever thought about kids in the abstract. I believe it's something I'd like, but I'm most definitively not ready for it. Sometimes I feel like I'm still learning how to be an adult. Let's revisit this conversation in say… five years."

"It's a date," said Christian with a warm smile, relaxing. "But just for the record, if the unexpected happens before then I'll be happy—if terrified—to start a family with you. Let's not turn our rom-com into a drama."

I chuckled.

"It's romantic erotica, Christian," I corrected him, and we burst out laughing.

I was excited and anxious as we parked in front of Christian's parent's home. When my fiancé had called Grace to let her know we'd be dropping by in the afternoon, hopefully with Mia present, Grace had insisted we have lunch with them, and Elliot, Kate and Ethan had been promptly invited.

Christian climbed out of the car and hurried to my side to help me out. His left hand didn't let go of my right one as he walked me to the house.

We rang the bell and in no time at all Grace was opening the door.

"Christian! Ana!" she greeted us as cheerfully as usual.

Cheeks were kissed and we were ushered into the house.

As we stepped through the threshold, Grace's eyes zeroed on my left hand.

Much like my dad, Grace and Carrick had been expecting this day would come sooner rather than later.

The fact that we had requested to meet with them had clued them in, too.

Grace gasped and beamed with indescribable happiness and pride.

"Oh!" she exclaimed before hugging us both, careful with respecting Christian's no-touching zone.

"Well, what a way to ruin a surprise," chuckled Christian.

"Shush, you! I'm so happy for you both!" she exclaimed happily with her hands on her chest.

"Thank you, Mum. Can we go in and share the news with everyone else?" He was smiling with humour.

"Of course, dear. Of course."

We were hurried to the living room where everyone was already present, chatting and relaxing on the couches.

"Good morning, everyone," greeted them Christian calling on everyone's attention. He turned to look at me with a smile before looking at the small party. "Anastasia and I have great news to share," he said with a beam.

Much like she had a few weeks before, Mia's eyes searched my left hand. This time, she wasn't disappointed. She screeched with happiness.

"Anastasia has agreed to be my wife. We're getting married," he added, his grey eyes back on my blue ones.

In a blink of an eye, everyone was up and congratulating us. Kate hugged me tightly, muttering how glad she was to see me this happy.

"You better take care of her, Grey," she told Christian.

"I will," he promised solemnly.

She smiled.

"And keep doing whatever you're doing. I've never seen her this happy before."

We talked only about the wedding for the next few hours: colours, dresses, flowers, food, invitations, etc, etc.

Kate and Mia were ecstatic to be part of the bridal party, and Elliot was looking forward to standing by Christian's side. Kate and Elliot declared they would plan the bachelor and bachelorette party, swearing to keep our tastes in mind.

"We need to think about the venue!" exclaimed Mia in a panic halfway through lunch.

"Don't worry. We've already got something in mind. I'll let you know the details before next weekend," assured her Christian.

"What about the flowers?" asked Kate.

"I have a suggestion," said Grace. "I know someone who makes very realistic fabric flowers. They won't die and wither."

"That sounds amazing. I was thinking about white roses, but I could add blue and silver to the mix for my bouquet."

"And we can use real white roses to decorate the tables and such," added Kate.

It was then agreed that the girls and I would go dress hunting Monday and Tuesday before finding appropriate tuxedos for the man on Wednesday.

The first thing in the agenda for Grace was to call the officiant. Father Frank was happy to marry Grace's and Carrick's son, and it was arranged for us to meet him that Friday.

Christian somehow managed to speak alone with Elliot for a few minutes. On our drive back home, Christian told me Elliot had agreed to drop by our future home during noon on Monday, and if he gave us the good to go, Christian would go ahead and put an offer for the house.

Monday morning, I was so excited I practically jumped out of bed. At noon, Mia sent both Christian and I a mail with suggestions for the invitations. She claimed she needed the location as soon as possible, as the invites needed to be sent before Friday.

I had finished going twice through the pictures Mia had sent us when Christian called me.

"Hello, beautiful. I have good news. Elliot says the house is sturdy, so I'll be calling the estate agent as soon as I hung up."

"That's great, love!" I exclaimed happily, my lunch completely ignored. "Let me know how that goes. Did you see Mia's e-mail?"

"I did. I liked all the invitations that weren't over the top. I'll let you have the final say."

I chuckled. "I liked the second one. The white one with silver font and blue flowers on the top and bottom."

"I know which you mean. Let's go for that one. If everything goes well with the house, we may be able to give Mia the address tomorrow morning."

A few hours later, the house was ours. I couldn't believe my luck.

At five, I drove to the address Kate had sent me. I found myself parking close to a wedding dresses store. Inside, Mia, Grace, Kate and Ros were already present. I was pleasantly surprised to find the redhead there.

"Did you agree to be Christian's Groomswoman?" I asked Ros after greetings had been exchanged. Meanwhile, Kate got out her laptop and, for some odd reason, got connected to the store's WiFi.

"Yes, I did. But I'd rather wear a dress than a tux for the wedding. I wear enough suits at work."

"I'm glad you joined us. What are you up to, Kate?" I asked as she logged in to her Skype account.

"I'm video calling your Mum so she can help to pick your dress."

"Oh! That's brilliant, Kate! Thank you!"

I had called my mum to deliver the good news on Sunday evening. Unsurprisingly, she had been as excited as a child in Disneyland.

"And to think not three months ago you told me he wasn't the man you wanted to spend the rest of your life with!" she had exclaimed with humour and glee.

"I was wrong. It happens now and then," I had joked. "But hey, you told me not to swear him off, and I didn't."

As soon as we had hung up, she had got tickets for herself and Bob to fly over on my birthday and return the day after the wedding.

"Ana, this is Mrs Anderson," introduced me Grace to a woman about her age. "She'll help you pick your dress."

"A pleasure to meet you, Mrs Anderson. Do call me Ana."

"Ana. Congratulations on your coming nuptials. Now, tell me what you had in mind."

I bit my lip. Sure, I had looked at wedding dresses throughout my life, but I had never thought about what I'd wear on my wedding day.

"Something white?" I asked.

Mrs Anderson chuckled.

"I'll keep you away from the pink ones, then. What else? Lace? Silk?"

"I do love lace," I conceded.

And so does Christian. White and lacy and sexy! My inner goddess clapped and jumped as Mia would, her boobs jiggling in her white skimpy and lacy underwear.

Thus, I was guided to the section most rich in lace. Mia and Kate accompanied me as Ros and Grace introduced themselves to my mum.

I ended up gravitating to Amelia Sposa's rack. We pre-selected two dresses and Mrs Anderson carried them to the main area, where the other women were waiting.

"Oh, Ana!" exclaimed Mum happily. "You'll be such a beautiful bride!"

I flushed and smiled shily.

"Thanks, Mum."

The first dress I put on was 'Nina.' It was white and completely covered in lace, what I approved of. It had a sweetheart neckline, and the lace on top covered my chest, shoulders and arms. The skirt was floor-length and A-shaped. I looked like a princess.

I walked out of the changing room and the women shared their approval as I posed in front of them.

As beautiful as I looked, I felt like a child playing dress-up.

"What do you think, dear?" asked Grace as I stared at myself in the mirror.

"It's a beautiful dress, but not what I'd like to wear on my wedding day."

"Let's keep looking, then," said Mrs Anderson in a nonsense tone. Before the women could complain, she dragged me back to the changing room.

The next dress I put on had a mermaid cut, which I truly liked. Once again, lace covered all the dress. 'Amanda' was less demure though, with a lower neckline and off the shoulder straps. On the other side, the fabric underneath the lace was ivory instead of white.

I bit my lip as I stared at myself in front of the mirror.

"It's nearly perfect," I said after my company stopped admiring me, "but I wish it was only white."

Truly, I didn't have much of a preference. While I had always assumed I would marry in white, I wasn't averse to this ivory dress. Yet I knew Christian wanted me in white, and while I rarely dressed with Christian in mind—underwear notwithstanding—, this would be our wedding day, not mine. This once, I could try to please him, and not just wear what I fancied.

"Let's go back to the changing room," said Mrs Anderson. "I think I know the one."

After the older woman had undone the buttons of the dress, she went off to find a replacement.

I was down to my panties when she came back, and she helped me into another mermaid dress. 'Annabella' was completely white and had a sweetheart neckline. The lace extended to encase two-thirds of my arms and my shoulders. The right and left sides of my upper chest were covered with a leaf-like pattern. My back was left only sheltered with lace, an exquisite design adorning it.

I was in love.

"It's perfect."

"That's the one!" exclaimed my mum the moment she saw me.

"Looking hot, future Mrs Grey," commented Ros.

"This is the dress I want to get married in," I stated.

Without further ado and knowing trying on more dresses would be a waste of time, I allowed Mrs Anderson to make the necessary adjustments. Not much was needed—mainly just the built-in cups I had requested to replace a bra—and the dress would be ready by the following Thursday.

Much to my chagrin, Mia took her credit card—an extension of Christian's—and paid for the dress with my fiancé's money.

"What is his will be yours by the end of next month," reminded me Ros with a whisper. "I know it's weird suddenly being rich. I make a lot more money than my parents ever did."

Because we were done earlier than expected, Mia suggested we take a look at the invitations. The store she had in mind was only a few blocks away. With Christian's approval, I gave Mia the okay to print sixty invites. I passed along the address Christian had texted me but refused to share the venue with the curious women.

"Next stop: La Perla!" exclaimed Kate.

I blushed with unusual intensity.

I preferred buying lingerie by myself.

"That's my cue to leave," said Grace.

"I can go alone," I suggested.

"No way! You need your wedding party with you!" exclaimed Mia.

I moaned, resigned.

And thus, we walked for a couple of blocks and I was dragged into the lingerie store.

"Good evening!" exclaimed happily a sales assistant. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

I was about to say 'no, thanks,' as I usually did in an underwear store, when Kate informed her we were looking for my bridal lingerie. I blushed for the hundredth time that day.

The cheerful employee, who introduced herself as Lindsey, guided us to a wall full of white, ivory, nude and soft pink underwear. There was a mixture of conservative and skimpy panties and bras, and I knew what I would pick if I was alone.

"What did you have in mind?" asked Lindsey cheerfully, ignoring my trepidation.

"Something virginal white," answered Kate, and Ros snorted.

"I'm sure what they were doing Wednesday evening at the office wasn't virginal," said the treacherous redhead.

"Ros!" I exclaimed. "This is the last time I ask for your help."

"TMI, Ros," complained Mia with a grimace.

Lindsay had luckily been too busy to pay attention to the embarrassing retelling.

"How about this?" she asked.

She showed me briefs and a bra made mostly of lycra. They covered all the important bits, as well as the less important ones. Tiny flowers decorated some of the trims.

"Umm…"

No thanks! Sneered my inner goddess.

"Something less virginal," requested Kate with a frown.

Lindsey's next suggestions were better, but not quite it.

Exasperated and wanting to diminish my embarrassment as much as possible—in time, but not in intensity, as that would be impossible—I reached out to an ensemble made mostly of sheer embroidered tulle, with a bit of cotton covering the crotch of the panties and lace placed where the nipples would be.

They were revealing, sexy, and something Mia didn't need to see me holding if her nauseous expression was anything to go by.

Lindsey looked surprised by my daring choice.

"Do you have something like this, but with briefs instead of a thong?" I asked the employee.

"Sure," she said before searching for the ensemble I had asked for.

"What's wrong with a thong?" asked Kate as if I had personally offended her.

"It's uncomfortable." Kate opened her mouth to refute me, but I kept talking. "I'll have to wear it throughout my wedding, Kate. For several hours. I want to be comfortable."

Lindsey handed me two models and I picked the Brazilian briefs.

"Good choice," commented Ros. "We should go shopping together more often. Now let's check that section." She pointed at the black ensembles. "And Christian requested I subtlety suggest you buy some bikinis for the honeymoon."

I sniggered.

"Thanks, Ros."

We all ended up choosing a few sexy ensembles, and we had the pleasure of educating Mia, our own Edna Moda, on the virtues of lacy underclothes that left little to the imagination.

She, in turn, had fun throwing bathing suits at me. I didn't fancy wearing skimpy two-pieces where anyone could see me, so there my selection was much more demure—even if Ros and Kate convinced me to buy a red little number.

Once again, Mia paid for my stuff with Christian's money. I had originally planned on buying the bridal lingerie myself, but the truth was I had piled up so many expensive ensembles I didn't even try to fight Mia—I probably couldn't afford it.

I was beat by the time I arrived home, but happy with our very successful shopping trip.

"Did you have a good time?" asked me Christian, hugging me close.

"The best," I told him, resting my cheek against his warm chest. "It took me less than half an hour to find the perfect dress. And no, I'm not telling you about it. Kate was brilliant and she video called my mum so she could participate," I continued, looking up at him with a smile.

"We got the invites ordered and went lingerie shopping," I added. "It was a new experience not going by myself," I continued under his interested look. "Poor Mia is traumatized, and Kate kept getting surprised by my choices, but it would seem Ros and I have the same tastes—we helped each other out a bit."

Christian grimaced.

"That's something I didn't need to know about Ros, baby."

Tuesday was crazier but less busy. After work, Kate picked up both Mia and me and drove us to her mum's designer store. While Mrs Kavanagh didn't cater brides, she did have bridesmaid dresses. Ros, this time with Gwen, met us there, and so did Grace.

Mrs Kavanagh, after excitedly congratulating me, suggested the mothers of the bride and groom wear silver, and the younger women, blue.

I sat on a side as the five women went through the dresses. Gwen quickly picked a blush pink dress while the others took a longer time. The next one to make a choice was Grace, having picked a grey dress with an illusion neckline and a silver pattern covering most of the top. It was modest, but far from plane.

After nearly an hour of pursuing and trying on navy blue dresses, Kate picked one with an open back and an illusion neckline that had lace covering the top. Mia chose a dress with a full skirt, short sleeves and shiny fabric, as well as blue sequins covering her from waist to neck.

Last but not least, Ros chose a dress of a different style that didn't make her bend with the bridal party—after all, she was to stand next to my groom—. While the slit skirt was blue as Mia's and Kate's, the bodice was V-necked and had silver sequins.

They all looked gorgeous.

I arrived home earlier than I had on Monday. Christian was happy to see me, having spent less time than usual with me in the last 48 hours.

"There's a couple of things that we need to talk about regarding the wedding," I said as we had a late dinner. "I'd like for us to write our own vows."

"I think it's a great idea, beautiful," he answered with a smile.

"There's something else," I said firmly.

He tensed up, sensing I was about to state something he may not like, but I would proceed to do anyway.

While waiting for my maid of honour and bridesmaid to pick their dresses, I had had a nice talk with Grace. I had been unsure about wanting to change my surname, as I had been a Steele for as long as I could remember. I was reluctant of a name change, and I was curious about how Grace had come to be Dr Trevelyan Grey.

"I'd like to have a double-barrelled surname: Grey Steele. As much as I'm looking forwards to being Mrs Grey, I'm never going to stop being a Steele."

He seemed to relax instantly.

"I thought you wanted to move forwards the wedding or something as bad! I don't mind if you want to have a double-barrelled surname, baby. I admit I'd be upset if you didn't want to take my surname at all, but I don't mind sharing. I'm not even surprised," he assured me with a playful smile. "But I can't wait to call you Mrs Grey."

I exhaled with relief.

Our day of planning wasn't over, though, and we had to write and send Mia the list of guests so she could send the invitations as soon as she had them. Most of them we would hand-deliver, though, as the majority of the guests lived in Seattle.

Wednesday, it was the time for the men to go shopping. My presence was also required, though, to ensure they would be dressed to my liking.

After trying a few combinations of suits, ties and vests in different shades of grey and blue, the attire was decided: Christian would wear a blue suit with a grey vest underneath and the grey tie I had blushingly insisted on; Elliot, as the best man, would also wear a blue suit and grey vest, but with a blue tie; Carrick, on the other hand, would wear a grey suit with a matching vest and a blue tie. To walk me down the aisle, my dad would need to get a grey suit, plus a blue vest. His blue tie was purchased with Carrick's and Elliot's so they would all wear the same shade.

Thursday evening Christian didn't go to therapy as both he and Flynn had determined he was doing much better and the sessions could be held every two weeks. He and I weren't needed by Mia, either, but instead of resting, we joined Elliot at our new home. All the necessary repairs were written down, and Elliot decided he'd have a team begin on Tuesday with the main level, where the wood flooring needed replacement, the walls could use a new layer of paint in lighter colours, and the kitchen begged to be updated. He promised the latter would be ready by the wedding.

Once that was done, they would replace the rest of the wooden floors, update all the bathrooms and paint the rest of the house. The first two floors would be ready by the time we returned from our honeymoon, but the last storey would have to wait a bit longer.

"So… the honeymoon. Where are you taking me?" I asked Christian as we drove back to Escala.

"That's for me to know and for you to wonder."

I pouted. "At least tell me what weather I should pack for."

"Gail will take care of it, love. I'm not letting you ruin your surprise."

Friday, we had a brief and uncomfortable meeting with Father Frank. Christian and I guiltily admitted we hadn't set foot on a church since Father's Day. Luckily, Father Frank wasn't judgmental about it or our short relationship, and after asking a bit about ourselves, he inquired what we expected from the ceremony. He did talk to us about the holiness of matrimony and about being good and kind to each other. Christian was proud to inform him he believed in marriage and would remain faithfully at my side for the rest of my life.

We finally got a break on Saturday. While Christian and I had been swimming on planning, Kate and Elliot had arranged us an engagement celebration of sorts. With a few of Elliot's friends, we drove to the outskirts of Snohomish. In our oldest clothes, we met up—much to my excitement and Christian's chagrin—in DoodleBug Sportz Outdoor Paintball Park.

Two teams were quickly set: I'd be playing with Kate, Mia, Ros, Gwen, and Elliot's friends Sue and Hannah against Christian, Ethan, Elliot and his friends Peter, Ian and Steve. While us girls were given red protective gear, the men wore blue.

We played through three fifteen-minutes challenges, shooting at each other like there was no tomorrow. I couldn't know for sure, but I believed I was the one to hit the most opponents.

During the first round, we had to steal three flags from the guy's side and take them 'home.' While I didn't dare run to fetch them—unlike Kate and Hannah, who did an impressive job—I hid behind a wooden wall in the middle of the field, protecting our own flags. By the time Kate had acquired the third flag, Elliot had barely managed to take one of ours.

"Girls rule! Dicks suck!" exclaimed Ros happily, waving all three acquired flags.

The next round each team had to try to grab a plastic 'bomb' from the middle of the field and 'plant it' on top of a barrel on the opposite team's side. Then, the losing squad would try to 'deactivate it' by taking it all the way to their 'home' on the extreme of their side of the field.

While the men had… man up and been able to plant the bomb on our side despite my best effort to shoot them, I managed to have Gwen's back as she grabbed and carried it back to our home, deactivating it.

Finally, in the third round, we had to rescue the 'hostage,' a humanoid pillow dressed like a paintball player. The men got the best of us that once, winning the round. Of course, we were the winners of the game altogether, which we were happy to rub in their faces.

Once we got back home, Christian inspected my body thoroughly in the shower. He was happy to report I only had three bruises: one on my left upper thigh, one on my right knee—that did hurt—and one on my right arm. Christian himself had all of five bruises, and I was willing to bet at least two of those were my fault.

We wished we could spend Sunday in bed—and the playroom—but we were needed for more wedding planning. When we complained, Mia said that that's what we got for giving her five measly weeks to plan the important event.

Thus, we found ourselves once again in Bellevue. With Grace's and Carrick's advice, we chose the tent and portable restrooms we wanted to rent. Next came the tablecloths—white—, the chairs lining—also white, with a blue bow—and the centrepieces—white roses.

Then came the catering, which would be the same the Greys usually used. Mia suggested several menu options and we chose a limited number of them. The next day she'd be calling the catering service to arrange a tasting.

More small and big details were arranged, and I was beginning to wish we had eloped.

"Next on the business: bachelor and bachelorette party!" exclaimed Elliot.

Christian frowned at him.

"Don't worry," insisted Kate. "We swear you will enjoy what we have planned for you. We just ask you to free the weekend after the next. Elliot, your security and I will take care of the rest."

"Taylor is into it too?" asked Christian surprised.

"Yes," answered Elliot. "And he approves. He agrees you'll actually like this, and the poor man wouldn't risk angering you!"

Monday morning, I hand-delivered invitations to my co-worker Seth, and my boss Ben and his wife and friend of mine, Angela. They were happy for me, and Ben didn't bat an eyelash when I asked for two weeks off work with so little anticipation.

"If I could've, I would've married Angie a month into our relationship, but she would have none of it," he shared.

"Oh my God!" exclaimed Angela when she saw me at lunch. "You're getting married! And to such a handsome guy!"

We giggled like schoolgirls.

"I know. I can't believe my luck."

"Where is he taking you for the honeymoon?"

"I don't know. He won't tell me, but for the sake of a happy marriage I hope he's taking me to England."

We chuckled.

That afternoon, Christian and I were free for a change. We made love and cuddled and fucked kinkily before falling asleep, exhausted.

On Tuesday, though, our presence was required to sample the food. The wedding cake would be an easier affair, as Mia herself would be making it. We only cared it was chocolate flavoured and white on the outside, simple and elegant.

Wednesday was tranquil and on Thursday, while Christian was with Flynn, Kate and I went to pick my wedding dress. She was to keep it at my old room in her apartment, away from Christian's prying eyes.

When I returned home, I put on some classical music and got started on my wedding vows. I was lying on the couch in the library with my laptop on my belly when Christian arrived. I had been so engrossed researching, writing and correcting, I didn't realize Christian was home until he was standing by my side. I hastily closed my laptop and sat up.

"What is it? Were you reading porn?" he asked with a smirk.

"No," I answered, standing up to greet him properly. "Get your mind off the gutter, Sir! I was writing my vows."

"I better get started on my homework too, then," he answered as his lips brushed the skin under my ear.

"I don't think you're in the right frame of mind for it, Mr Grey. There're some things you shouldn't say out loud in front of our guests."

"Indeed," he muttered, holding me close to his hardened member. "Maybe I should get it off my system first. Wait for me upstairs, Kitty. Only in panties, if you please."

I chuckled. If I please?

He had figured me out.

I did what I wanted when I wanted, and he wasn't as much in control as he would have liked.

Or maybe I should say as he used to think.

For he was the Master of my Universe, and that meant love and devotion, not blind obedience and submission.

But because I liked to keep him guessing, he walked into the Red Room of Pleasure to find me kneeling on the floor, wearing only lacy turquoise panties and a smile.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I'm just playing with them ;)

While I found DoodleBug Sportz Outdoor Paintball Park in Google Maps, I've never been there so I don't know what it's like. I did go play paintball somewhere else, so I based the rounds and Ana's bruised knee on a personal experience (it hurt like a bitch but healed in a week).

Remember to drop by my Pinterest (JustValeP Fanfiction) to take a look at this chapter's pictures! You'll find the women's dresses and the men's tuxes.

Recommendation of the week: Death with Interruptions by José Saramago.