Lo and behold. A time jump.. into the home stretch. Finish line will soon be in sight.

Thank you for your response to the last chapter. I'm glad you all resonated with Ray and Nita's story and the little trip to Montesano.

P.S. I started a new story called 'are you ready for your close up?' - only like 20% drama compared to this soap opera I'm writing. i've already posted 7 chapters of it in the last week.

Chapter 67 – Liz on top of the world.

Two months later; August 7th, 2020.

CPOV

"ARE WE THERE YETTTT?" Ana whines from her seat and giggles. She's blindfolded right now and we're about twenty minutes away from our destination. Our first destination that is.

I laugh. "Almost."

"Sawyerrrr." She calls outs "I'll give you a hundred bucks if you tell me where we're going." I hear him snort.

"You know I pay him way more than that, right?" I chuckle.

"FINE. Two dozen cookies for you Sawyer... it doesn't get any better than that." She calls out.

"We're going to the North Pole, Steele."

I can tell she rolled her eyes even though she's blindfolded. "Christian, we've been on this plane since the last century."

She's so dramatic. We stopped in New York to refuel and now we're in European airspace.

The past two months have been a massive improvement in our relationship. After Ana's setback during Memorial Day weekend on Eid and the trip to Montesano, things started to settle down with her. She started her new position as Director of Philanthropy at GEH. Which meant that she was able to work remotely and go with me on business trips. We finally got to join the Mile High Club on a quick trip to New York. I thought having Ros come back from maternity leave would ease my workload but some opportunities came up where it increased my travel schedule but now that Ana comes with me, it hasn't been all that bad considering I'm not such an asshole.

Her family has been over twice to visit in these two months. We're now the couple that hosts a monthly game night and I've become that person what lives to see Elliot and Jose cry over losing. I blame Ana and she happily shoulders it. We even ended up having Aria over for an entire week while Rania had to go on a business trip to Australia and then had Raees join her there for an anniversary getaway. I learned a lot about parenting that week, mostly that I'm a pushover and I'll always be the good cop. If we ever have a daughter, I will spoil her rotten and Ana will murder me.

Therapy has been going well and Ana's been sleeping better. She's still have dreams and the odd nightmare but over all, she's settling and even been responding well during her self-defense training. She's opened up even more and in doing so been teaching me more of the language and I can recognize some words now, which helps.

She recently expressed an interest in the possibility of a playroom. We talked about it in depth. She wants to try, I mostly resisted thinking that she might be doing this out of some misguided guilt given what she had been going through but she assured me that she really was curious and that as along it was about us having fun that she was actually excited about the idea. I contacted one of the designers I knew of in community and we started on the potential of designing the space. She thinks this room is going to be in Escala but I don't foresee us living here beyond September. Another surprise for later.

Once we land, I tell her to wear earplugs and carry her over my shoulder down the steps of the plane and straight into a helicopter. She groans and whines throughout and it's constant entertainment. She doesn't do well with surprises or suspense at all.

After about a 20 minute helicopter ride, we arrive at our destination. This is where having a shit ton of money to burn comes in handy. I had the visitor center close down the entire area and restrict access to tourists for the later half of the day, along with getting permission to land the helicopter closer to the actual location of where I wanted to take Ana.

I help her out of the helicopter and again throw her over my shoulder.

"I cannot believe you're just hauling me around like a sack of potatoes. Grey." She says as she spanks me and I spank her back, laughing.

"Miss Steele, quit you're whining. It's a surprise. Learn to enjoy this journey of it all."

"Whatever. I smell the open sea and I can hear the crunching of grass. Just tell me where we are."

I hear Sawyer chuckle behind me. He's carrying the picnic basket for us.

Once we arrive at the intended spot. Sawyer and Prescott quickly lay out the sheet and leave the picnic basket and head back in the direction of the helicopter. I guide Ana and position her facing the water and take out her earplugs.

"Are you ready, baby?"

"Nope. I still need more time." She sasses.

"I know you're rolling your eyes."

She giggles. "You know me so well."

I kiss her cheek and take off her blindfold, telling her not to open her eyes till I say. Once it's off, I look at her for a moment. To say I'm nervous would be an understatement right now. "Okay, baby... open your eyes."

She slowly opens them and look straight ahead and then blinks a few times. She looks around and then gasps but remains completely still. I see tears start to form in her eyes. She takes a few steps towards the edge and I follow her and her gaze as she takes in her surroundings. It's a clear day and the sun is making it's way to set in another hour. She's bathed in golden light, just like that weekend at the wedding when I first met her.

She looks back at me. "I...I...dreamed of standing here so many nights... that I would learn to walk again and come here." She sobs. "t-thank you..." She hugs me and starts to cry.

"Don't cry baby... " The emotion of this moment is almost too much to handle.

She pulls away and wipes her face. "Sorry... I promise I'm happy. I just can't believe you brought me here."

"Well, I know how much you've been wanting to visit and get away from everything... so I thought that Cliffs of Moher should be the first place we go on our first of many vacations together." I smile and lean down kiss her. Over the past few months, whenever she'd feel a little low, I'd sometimes play the Dario Marianelli piece that reminded of her what this place possibly looked like. It would lift her spirits a little.

After a while of sitting on the blanket and eating some snacks, I have her sit with her back against my chest as we look out at the view and take it in.

I take a deep breath. I've been rehearsing what I wanted to say to her when we got here but it's all gone out the window and it's now or never.

"Baby..."

"Hmm?" She turns a little to look back to me.

I cup her face and give her a small kiss and pull back to look into her eyes.

"I love you, Ana. You have given me the world and more. You came into my life with all this love and you chose to give it to me and decided that I was worthy of it. I thought I had everything before we met but I realized I barely had anything. I was a poor, husk of a man who believed he didn't deserve any good in this life. You made me feel like I mattered in a way that I had been afraid to all these years. You changed my life in a matter of seconds and healed me in the process. You gave me everything that I didn't know that I needed. You saved me from a lifetime of loneliness without even trying. I have learned a lifetime worth of lessons in this short time that we've been together and I'm a better man for it. I don't want to imagine a world where you're not by my side. None of it means anything unless you're with me. You have made me the happiest man alive and I want to continue living that way. Anastasia Rose Steele, will you do me the honor of spending your life with me. Will you be my wife?"

She smiles with tears in her eyes and uses her hands to wipe mine from my own.

"Yes. Forever." She says and kisses me deeply. I pull back and take the ring box out of my pocket and open it to show her making her gasp and giggles.

I kiss her hands and put the ring on her ring. It's a emerald cut sapphire with smaller diamonds around it.

"A sapphire for my girl with the sapphire eyes." I hold her face and kiss her.

"I love you Christian. I love you so much." She cries and laughs at the same time. "Holy crap, I'm engaged. This is SO COOL." she giggles. "I love, LOVE my ring." She looks down at her hand and traces it with a finger.

"The Sapphire is from Kashmir."

She whips her head back. "Really? That is so... oh my god... Christian, this is... it means so much to me... Gosh, Nani and Nita will be so touched."

"I know how much they mean to you, by wearing something from their homeland, in a way they can always be with you."

She nods and throws her arms around me and hugs me tight. "I thought you were going to propose to me in the bathtub."

I laugh. "I was but I got impatient."

"This was perfect, Christian. You didn't have to do all this but thank you. I'll never forget this moment for as long as I live. You've made this better than any dream than I could have possibly had."

After a while we get up and I ask her to stand so I can take a few pictures of her. I want to capture her in this moment. The girl I love and how happy she is. She does some goofy stuff after a while and immediately points to acknowledge that she Prescott finally broke out of character and laughed watching her.

"Christian, I'M ENGAGED. This is INSANE. I'm a FIANCÉ and I have a FIANCÉ God, I'm going to be that insufferable woman who tells everyone she's engaged. I need to be sedated I think." She laughs as we walk back to the helicopter to head back to the airport and fly to London.

I whisper in her ear. "Future Mrs. Grey, I hope you've done you're stretches because I'm going to fuck you all weekend.".

"I feel like I should be saying that to you but you know what, bring it on, Future Husband." She giggles and gives me quick kiss.

By the time we got to our hotel in London it was dinnertime. We ordered room service and answered a series of facetime calls from everyone in Seattle, everyone that mattered. Mom cried, Dad opened a bottle of champagne. Kate cried and Elliot made a crass joke. Nita, Nani and Ana cried and laughed and wished us well and a long happy life together even though according to Nani it was a done deal and we didn't have to worry about anything. Barney and Valerie sent in a congratulatory video, along with Rania and Aashu with Aria freaking out in excitement in the background. Karna and Tony sent a video simply saying "It's about fucking time." Jose was the last to call.

"I DON'T NEED TO SEE YOUR FACE I NEED TO SEE THE RING." Jose demand.

Ana holds up the ring giggling and Jose leans in closer to the phone. " Thank God you got a manicure before the trip... also, how much do you think we can get for it?"

"FUCK YOU, Jose."

"WHAT? A hag needs to always have a contingency plan to make sure her Queen is taken care of."

"Jose, I should fire you." I chuckle.

"Whatever, Grey. You love me... but you did good. I approve. Keep my hag happy. I have to go and plan the bachelorette party of the century. Take care kids and use protection." Jose hangs up before we can even say bye.

"Should I be afraid of this bachelorette party?"

"I should be the one that's scared, I have to actually be there and endure it." She laughs.

"Your cheeks are a delicious shade of pink." I tell her as we soak in the bath.

"Which ones?" She turns back and straddles me laughing.

I bring my hands to squeeze her ass. "Both pairs but I do have a preference for sure." I smirk.

"I think I have a problem. I can't stop looking at my ring. I am obsessed with it. This is bad, isn't it?" She giggles while running her hands through my hair.

"I can't stop looking at you wearing it. So I guess we both have a problem."

She leans in for a kiss. "You're such a sap, Mr. Grey... but I really love that about you."

"I can't wait till you're mine." I kiss her neck.

"I've always been yours Christian." She looks into my eyes. "I've been yours since before we existed. When I was in SF after the wedding and I told Nani about everything... I told her I was so afraid that you might not want me once you felt that it was too much to deal with."

"Ana... I would never..."

"I know that now..." She smiles. "She said that our fates were sealed in heaven and that when we came into the world, it was a matter of when we were together again. The journey to each other would be equally important as the one we'd embark on together. Sometimes that journey is easy and you find each other early on. Sometimes you find each other much later in life after a few false starts. For some the journey is lonely and full of pain and sadness but when you find your person, then you can heal each other and lead a happier life and that I had to trust in that. That we could be happier together and finally leave all the suffering behind... 54 days till I can do that." She gives me a small smile trying not to cry.

I pull her in close. "I'd do anything for you, Ana. You know that, right?"

"I know but I only want you here with me, like this."

We both fall on to the bed panting. "That was..." I begin but I'm unable to finish the sentence. That was incredible.

"Yeah..." She replies but immediately falls into a giggle fit. I pull her in and kiss her forehead.

"Sapphire is quite the character." I chuckle.

"She is isn't she? Only made sense that she made her debut in London, don't you think? And look at you, you survived your first time with her." She says in a British accent. Usually when Ana plays, there's still an innocence about her, it's disarming but Sapphire takes no prisoners.

I have to laugh. "Agreed, though I will not lie... it felt a little like I was cheating on you."

"That's okay, I felt the same way with Sir but then I got over it... so you're allowed to get it on with Sapphire. Free pass for life, Grey." She giggles.

"Wait... what do you mean you felt that way?"

"Well, I don't know. Dom Christian was so different from the Christian I met at the wedding you know... but I know that I haven't experienced the full brunt of your dominant persona." She muses.

"Because you keep topping for the bottom and shutting me up... but to be honest, I don't want to be that person with you. When we play, I want it to be fun and bring you pleasure. I have no interest in that extreme stuff."

She remains quiet for a few moments but then speaks in a small voice. "I could try... just to see how it is."

"Ana, I was that way because I didn't know any better and I had no peace of mind... what we have is incredibly profound. I don't have those urges anymore. Please tell me you believe me."

"I do, I do... but I don't want you to be unhappy either. I mean, I know I'm a shitty submissive but I do want to make you happy too." She laughs.

I laugh out loud and she smacks my arm. "I'm happy, Ana. I'm more than happy with what we have and whatever little submission you give me, you're incredible at it but you're also playful and I love it, I wouldn't change any of this for the world" I look at her and she smiles.

She lifts her head and hovers over my lips. "Christian, I want to try something." This is the switch coming into play.

"What do you have in mind, Miss Steele?" I smirk.

She leads me to the chair and asks if she can blindfold me but that it would be fine if I wasn't okay with it. I agreed to it. I know she won't hurt me but it's been forever since I've been in this position. Even at the wedding, I knew I was safe with her but it still was different.

She sits on my lap and I'm completely naked. After she's blindfolding me and speaks against my lips. "Hands on the armrests, Christian. You are not allowed to touch me and you're not allowed to come. Do you understand?" She says softly. Her switch persona is never harsh. She's always speaks softly and

I swallow. "Yes."

"Yes, what?" She raises her voice but she's still playful. Sapphire is all about seduction but Miss Steele is still playful and innocent which at times makes her sound more sinister than the former.

I try to stifle a smile. "Yes, Miss Steele."

"You know you could put a little more effort into it." She giggles and I do my best to stay impassive but my dick has other plans.

"Are you hard for me, Christian."

"Yes, Miss Steele." Like granite and I have no idea how I'm going to last at this rate. Fuck.

"What are your safe words?" I say them and I feel her smile against my lips and gives me a quick kiss before she gets up. I hear her walk away and she doesn't come back for what feels like hours. She's playing the anticipation game, which doesn't bode well for my impatience. A little while later, I hear it walking back. The music starts but it's low.

"Did you miss me?" She whispers in my ear.

"Yes."

"Green?"

"Yes, Miss Steele." She climbs on top of me and starts to stroke me slowly. I throw my head back to try my best to not lose it. We both realized early on that we preferred edging, the anticipation and the eventual release was something was something we both enjoyed immensely. She loves the challenge of it. While I tend to force her orgasms during vanilla, she doesn't seem to mind as long as they're not too close together.

She's never fully been in charge before. Not since the wedding. I should've known then she was a switch back then but even in times when we've played her moments are just enough to spur me on to take charge again and fuck her hard. This, this is different. She's slow and deliberate in what she's doing. Her touch is soft and light.

I don't know if I could ever be fully in charge for an extended scene. I mean... maybe in the future when I feel a little more confident. I like the switching back and forth between us. It feels more fun for me. Maybe I'm lazy... I don't know but if I ever did. I couldn't ever bring myself to cause you any pain. I only want to give you love and pleasure.

It floored me when she said that.

I feel myself start to tense and she stops what she's doing and I work to calm myself while she kisses my neck traveling up to my lips and sings softly against them, holding my face in her hands.

Speak with no words
Show me and i'm all yours

She locks me in a dominating kiss and grinds on top me with the beat. I moan into her mouth. My dick is begging for relief while her warm and wet clit glides on it back and forth. She is determined to kill me tonight.

I'm all yours, all yours and
I'm all yours.

"Tell me Christian, are you mine?"

"Yes, I am." I pant and she bites my lip. "And, I'm yours, always." I groan and try to control my breathing in response.

"Do you know how much I love you?" she says as her hands travel down my chest, lightly grazing my skin with her nails. Her fingers dance all over my chest down to my abdomen and then up my arms to my shoulders as she speaks to me and kisses my neck in between words.

I nod distractedly trying to find some calm. She hasn't restrained me, maybe I should just take over just like she does but as I'm in the middle of this thought... suddenly she gets up and I feel her kneel between me and take me in her mouth. Again, she takes her time. Spending a generous amount of time alternating between my balls and my shaft. I feel her moan from time to time and the vibrations stimulate me even more. I throw my head back and grip the chair trying my best to not come.

"If you come without permission Christian, then it will be the last time you do this weekend." She warns but I can't tell she's smiling.

"You're killing me, Miss Steele." I breathe and fuck, I sound desperate.

"Did I give you permission to speak?"

"No, you didn't, Miss Steele."

"That's right. You should learn to appreciate my generosity otherwise I'll happily focus on my own pleasure and be selfish. Do you want that, Christian? Do you want me to be selfish?" She scolds.

"No I don't. I want feel your pleasure too."

She kisses the tip of my dick before lightly sucking it. "Good and you shall feel it soon."

FUCK.

She rises up slightly, placing her hands on my thighs and I feel her leave kisses trailing up my oblique's and abdomen, lightly nipping and sucking as she travels up all the while my cock rubs against her skin. Holy fuck, this is killing me. She circles my nipples with the tip of my tongue and makes me slightly jump but I try my best to control myself. I was half expecting her to suck me me till I couldn't take it anymore but she's really drawing this out and it's a test of my endurance in submission. Something I haven't had to do in years. She's spoiled me and now she's out to kill me with kindness. I'm aching to touch her and I can feel my knuckles go white from gripping the armrests too hard.

She finally reaches my neck and she straddles me and starts to speak as she peppers my face and neck with slow sensual kisses, sometimes grazing my skin with her teeth. "I love how you always hold my hand and kiss it when we're in the car. I love it when you try to cop a feel at work when no one is looking... or lightly bite my neck. And when we're in the same room but far apart, I love how you look at me with that sexy smile of yours as you wink at me. I love how you walk into my office and have your way with me. I love how strong you are. How you pick me up like caveman." She giggles and I smile. "I love how your hands feel on me. They're always warm and make me feel safe. I love waking up to you, completely entwined with you. I love how you take care of me. I love when you open up to me. I love it when you hold me like you'll never let me go." I groan and try to control my breathing but the fact she's using a finger to lightly trace fucking circles on my balls is killing me. It's too many sensations and emotions.

She kisses me as she takes off my blindfold and my eyes take a moment to adjust to her when she pulls back. "I love looking into your eyes. I love your lips. I love your very expert tongue." She locks me in a kiss and I taste my own arousal on her. "I love it when you spank me. Most of all..." She lifts herself up and takes me in slowly. "I absolutely love how big and hard your cock is. I love feeling you jerk inside of me when you come. Do you love that Christian? Do you love coming inside of me when you make love to me? Do you love filling me up when you fuck me as hard you can?" She moans. She's killing me here and moving so fucking slow while clamping down on me. She's close too and so fucking wet, I can feel it.

"Yes." I can barely speak. I try to focus on the music but it's not helping either. I try not to move but I'm aching to touch her and have my way with her. If my dick could murder the both of us it would. She places her hands at the back of my neck and pull my hair picking up the pace but it's still relatively slow and to the beat of the music. I want to watch her but I start to feel... it's too much. The emotion, the music, the sound of her voice as she moans, feeling her on me... I throw my head back and try to control myself but I start to feel like... an outer body experience. I'm looking into two pairs of blue eyes in front of me. Is this subspace? I've never experienced it with pleasure. Another first.

I suddenly feel her hands on my face. "Touch me Christian. Come with me." She moans before kissing me and thank fuck it's about time but my hands are limbs are slow to respond. I finally grab her like it's the last time I'll ever touch her and pick her up to lay her down on the bed, pinning her arms above her, interlocking our fingers as I thrust inside of her in a punishing rhythm. "Harder... Christian.. Please...Fuck me, harder..."

We're both on the edge. I bite down on her neck just under her ear before I roar out my release and she follows screaming just a second later. We're both shaking and trembling as I empty myself inside of her... and it takes forever. I open my eyes briefly and I see stars. That was... so fucking intense.

We lay there for a few minutes and she runs her hand through my hair.

"I experienced subspace." I whisper.

She turns to look at me worried. "Really? I mean... are you okay? I'm sorry..." she rambles.

"No baby, it was... I've never felt it as a result of pleasure before. It was a calming experience. Another first with the woman I love." I give her a lazy smile.

She giggles and kisses me. "I'm so honored, Future husband. I love you."

Friday, August 14th, 2020

"WHY THE FUCK WOULD I DO THAT ANA?" I scream at her. I cannot believe she's suggesting we do this. She is out of her god damn mind.

She looks back at me with a tense face and if I was a betting man, I would bet my billions that she wants to throw me off the cliff of this rental Villa into the sea.

"Do. Not. Yell. At. Me." She says with a chilling calm. "What I have asked you is not out of the realm. In fact it is the norm. We should sign a pre-nup. It is for your protection."

"Protection from what?"

"You created GEH into what it is. You should protect it. I'm sure both your father and Theo... heck even Travis would suggest the same thing."

"I don't care what they want and I cannot believe you're suggesting this."

'I cannot believe you're seriously considering we should get married without one."

"What is this really about? Your own inheritance?" I bite back.

Her jaw drops "My inheritance? We don't even know if I'm getting anything and I told you already I'm giving my share to Rania or to charity. The only inheritance I have is the house in Montesano and the money in my accounts. All that combined, you probably make that sort of money in a day." She looks away.

"First you don't want to take my name and now you're bringing up this pre-nup shit. Did Nita make Ray sign a pre-nup?"

"Abdul Karim wouldn't give his blessing until Ray signed a pre-nup which he did with eyes closed. He just wanted Nita, not her money. Rania and Raees signed one, Kiran and Daniel did, Aashu and Imran are... and Karan and Tony will too. ELLIOT AND KATE SIGNED ONE. I grew up in a family of lawyers... and as far as not taking your name, I never said I wouldn't take your name. I only asked, YES I ASKED CHRISTIAN, I asked you out of respect that I wanted to hyphenate. I want my name to be Anastasia Steele-Grey. You legally cannot make me take your name. You do know that right? Besides, I'm always going to be known as Mrs. Grey anyway. I just want that Steele still legally exist as my name."

"I don't give a shit who else is signing pre-nups. My only concern is with you. We are not signing a pre-nup."

"We are, Christian." She intones.

"Why are you fighting me on this. I want you to have everything that is mine."

"But I only want you. Look, I just came into your life. I shouldn't be able..." She looks away and

"What? What do you think will happen to us?"

"I don't know okay. As much as we love each other and know that we're meant to be... life still has a way of happening and... maybe we should just talk about this in therapy when we get back."

"I want to talk about it now."

"Christian, you're going to blow whatever I say out of proportion. I think it's best we table this conversation."

"WHY THE FUCK DO YOU ALWAYS SHUT DOWN, JUST FUCKING TELL ME. I CAN TAKE IT."

"NO YOU CAN'T. " She cries. "STOP FUCKING YELLING AT ME. YOU CAN'T EVEN ACCEPT THE SIMPLE FACT OF WHY I WANT TO KEEP MY NAME. SOMETHING THAT IS INHERITLY MINE... I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU WHEN YOU'RE LIKE THIS. IT SCARES ME WHEN YOU YELL AT ME." She screams and turns and walks out, slamming the door.

Fuck. She's told me time and time again that it's a trigger and I'm still such a fool. I look out the window and watch her walk down the stone steps all the way down to sit on the rocks by the water. I see her wipe her eyes and dangle her feet in the water. I'm such an inconsiderate ass but I want her to have everything and I want her to be mine. Flynn's words come to mind; dominant language.

I go down and join her by the water. I take off my shoes and sit next to her. She gives me a murderous look. Face all red like a tomato and eyes puffy with pouty lips. She's looks so adorable. I just want to pick her up and crush her in a hug but she'd drown me if I did.

"I shouldn't have yelled, I'm sorry."

"Do you really mean that Christian because you keep doing this. We talked about this in therapy, extensively."

"I know, I'm just... old habits die hard and I'm trying."

She doesn't say anything but watches her feet play with the water.

"Christian, if and when we have kids, you cannot yell me like that in front of them. I will not tolerate it. You also cannot yell at them unless it's absolutely warranted. I will not let you project on to them or me. Ray never raised his voice at me, neither Nita. Carla would yell at me for the littlest things sometimes, which gave her bastard second husband ideas too and then... " She closes her eyes. Vishaal yelled at her. I suddenly remember. "I just don't like it okay. You can still effectively get your point across while calmly speaking to me. Saying it louder won't automatically make me agree with you."

"I know, it's just a bad habit and a knee-jerk response."

We sit in silence for a while and look out on to the water as the sun is about to set. It's really beautiful here. Ana jumped for joy and cried when I told her we were spending a week in Palermo after our weekend exploring London.

"I want to give you the world, Ana and you keep fighting me on it. I want you to be mine... in every way."

"Then why does that mean having to erase a part of my past? I mean Christian, for gods sake I gave myself to you. I chose to do that. I am wearing your ring." She holds her hands up. "My name means a lot to me just as it means to you. Ray gave me his name when my mother didn't give me any. His name and my faith have given me the strength to go on after everything. When said 'my girl of Steele' it meant something to me. It's such an important part of my identity and this name ends with me. My kids won't carry this name. They will carry yours. You share your name with Carrick, Elliot and Mia. Imagine if Ethan told Mia she couldn't hyphenate her name? I mean your mom hyphenated her name. So did Kate. What I am asking isn't outrageous. People will still address me as Mrs. Grey. All I'm asking is that my name legally be Steele-Grey. That's it." She looks out to the water again. "When everything is lost, all you have is your name and in my darkest of times it was my greatest comfort and my strength."

"I understand." I murmur. "I didn't realize it meant that much to you. I mean... I did but now hearing you speak... I get it."

"Have you ever wondered by Grace only gave you her surname?"

I look at her. "What do you mean?"

"When do don't have the bond of blood as a legacy then the bond of name is the next best thing. It's not that Grace felt any less love for Elliot or Mia but with you she felt a special connection. She gave you her father's name, something that means a lot to her too. Theo's family went through their own hardships when they moved to America and in a way by giving you his name she wanted the legacy of perseverance to live on."

"I never knew that. When did she tell you?" How the fuck did I not know this?

"She was asking me about Ray over lunch one day after our trip to Montesano and I told her how much his name meant to me and then I asked why you got the Trevelyan name out of all the kids... She loves you so much, Christian."

I nod. "I've realized that... I honestly didn't think too much about the names beyond a point of recognition and vanity."

"And now you've created a legacy with the Grey name to be synonymous with being a visionary. You did that and your children will carry on that legacy. I just want my father's legacy of generosity and strength to live on for a little while longer."

"I understand that now. I didn't mean to dismiss what you were saying. I'm sorry."

"Thank you and I'm sorry too."

"Why are you sorry?"

"For yelling back at you and calling you an asshole." She shrugs.

"You didn't call me an asshole."

"I did when I left the room." She giggles and I laugh.

"We're still not signing a pre-nup."

She groans and rolls her eyes. "Let's just talk about this in therapy."

"I won't budge from this Ana and if you push me then I will outright transfer GEH to you even before we're married."

"And I will outright transfer it back to you and your family." She challenges.

"Don't start with me Anastasia." I say with finality. I am tired of this shit now.

"Oh hell no! Do not try to bring Dom Christian into this." She snaps. "Like, I said. We need to talk about this therapy because we both will not agree or compromise on this."

"I just want to take care of you."

She scoots in closer to me and pulls me in for a deep kiss. "You already do, Christian. More than I could ever have dreamed of. Giving me GEH or any part of your wealth... I don't know how to handle the responsibility of all that. Even just the knowledge of it freaks me out. You know this Christian, I only want you."

"Well this is all a part of me and you keep rejecting it."

"But your wealth doesn't make you who you are Christian. You mean more to me than all that."

"I know that but what's mine is yours. I don't want any superficial limits. It's you and me. All or nothing." I pull her hand to my heart and kiss her forehead.

She silently nods and wraps her arms around my waist.

"Now come back upstairs so we can have some mind-blowing make up sex." I tip her head up to meet my gaze and smirk making her giggle. "Maybe I deserve some punishment from Sapphire."

She laughs out loud and gets right into character. "You better hide the riding crop and say your prayers, Grey."

Thursday, August 20th, 2020

We had flown back stateside earlier this week to have some downtime before diving right into Aashu's wedding. The festivities had already started last week and had seeped into this week leading up to the big events starting from Thursday to Sunday. Ana had excused from the smaller events. She didn't want to have to endure the sight of Vishaal and Akash more than needed.

Our time away, though short, was just what we needed. Ana loved every minute of it. She's naturally curious so she made for an excellent traveling companion. We even ended up taking an impromptu pasta making lesson from the grandparents of a restaurant owner we had dined at. The grandfather had seem to have taken quiet a liking to Ana and didn't care she was wearing a ring.

We flew into San Francisco early this morning and Ana went straight to the Scott Street family house to help with setting up for the evening event the AHAK family is hosting for Aashu's wedding, while I stayed back at the hotel room at the Fairmont to catch up on work.

Ana asked me to come by the house at around 5pm. The event officially starts at 6:30.

We only have Taylor and Sawyer for this trip. Prescott had to rush back East at the news of her father's heart attack. Once I'm dropped off at the front of the house, I walk up the steps and Mr. Benoit opens the door.

"Mr. Grey." He says impassively. I really get the impression he hates my guts. I know he adores Ana. Given that he's in charge of security for Nani, chances are he knows and probably doesn't approve of me.

"Mr. Benoit." I nod.

I walk into the foyer and see Rania setting up party favors.

"Mr. One Hunnid. Welcome back and congratulations!" Rania laughs and gives me a hug. "I know I said this before but the ring is beautiful and Ana looks so happy."

"HI CHRISTIAN KHALU." Aria runs to me and asks me to pick her up. She's able to say her R's now and in the week she spent with Ana and myself, she became a little obsessed me with me. I pick her up and kiss her cheek making her giggle.

"She's been on my case asking when you both were coming back from your vacation... and now that you're here. She belongs to you and Ana. I need a mental break. She's been hacking at my brain with questions all day." Rania laughs.

I laugh and Aria starts to tell me about a new book she read and her friends in daycare. She's talking at the speed of light. The three of us head up but Aria refuses to leave my side even though Rania scolds asking her to take the stairs.

"You're spoiling her."

"And I get to give her back to you. Perfect revenge." I chuckle and she rolls her eyes. We get to the top of the stairs and I see Ana in one of the main rooms with Nani, doing something with small clay pots.

"HEY HANDSOME!" Ana laughs. I walk in a little further and I see Vishaal and Kiran sitting in the another corner doing absolutely nothing but talk.

"Aana Khala... his name is Christian." Aria intones making us laugh.

"Okay Miss Sassy Pants. I'm sorry. Hi Christian." Ana bites back. "Look at this kid. I don't see her for a month and she's a completely different girl." I put Aria down and Ana comes up to give me a quick kiss.

"Ugh, you guys are so cute it makes me teeth hurt." Rania groans and sits down to help Nani. I greet Nani as well and she gives me hand a light squeeze.

"The ring is absolutely beautiful, Christian. Thank you for honoring our heritage and making my Aana so happy." She says softly.

"You all mean a lot to Ana and I wanted to honor that." I smile at her and she nods with tears in her eyes.

I get a lackluster welcome from Kiran and a nod from Vishaal but I don't return it. I find Kiran's attitude interesting since she was so hell bent on Ana getting engaged. She didn't bother call or show any excitement when Ana sent an update in the family group. All she said was a simple Congratulations.

After about 10 minutes, Ana carries a tray of small clay pots and asks me to follow her.

"What are these things and why are they filled with oil?" I ask she climbs the stairs to the third floor.

"These are diya's. We fill them with mustard oil and put them along the terraces and light them. It's just a nice effect. Call it indian candles if you will" She laughs.

We get to the rooms that have terraces facing the street and I help her light them and place them on the floor before we head to the room that has her clothes for her change. I close the door and lock it. She jumps and wraps her legs around me locking me in a deep sensual kiss.

"I really like your look today, Mr. Grey. It's like you're dipped in chocolate. Just how I like my ice-cream. Vanilla with a generous topping of fudge" She giggles. "and some kinky fuckery..." She whispers against my lips.

"Well then, how about we indulge in some dessert?" I smirk and carry her to the bed and lay her down. I lift up her dress and take rip her lace panties. "You're drenched baby, were you thinking of me?" I ask as I trail kisses along her thighs up to her pussy.

"Yes... I've been waiting for you..ahhh fuck...Christian." She moans while I suck her clit and start to finger her. Her hands gently pull on my hair as she bucks her hips up in a rhythm. It doesn't take her long before she comes and I drink her up. I lean up and her face it flushed and she giggles when I go in to kiss her.

"I missed you too, baby." I tell her while she unbuckles my belt and strokes me before I enter her.

"I like what you're wearing." I tell her as she finishes wrapping her saree around her waist.

"Thank you, Mr. Grey..."

"Only issue is access." I chuckle.

"I know, I'm afraid indian clothes can sometimes be natural chastity belts... just means you gotta work harder for it." She winks.

"Was Kiran still cool towards you today?"

"Yeah, I don't know what the fuck is her problem... actually I know what her problem is. She's pissed about not getting the July 4th invite and probably jealous cause my ring is better than hers." She laughs. "God, I'm such a bitch but I love it." She continues to giggle and I pull her in for a kiss.

"Good, it's about time you were. You've endured enough of their shit."

"Yeah... I don't care. If you can't wish me well, then fuck off and leave me alone. I have enough shit I'm dealing with."

"I agree. Now give me another kiss, Future Mrs. Grey."

The guests start to pour in. Ana told me this was a small informal musical and henna night with the closest family members from both families, similar to what Kiran had except this was going to be a lot more competitive and musical given it's a full indian wedding. The guest list is at 200. I don't know how a 200 people anything can be considered small but given the actual wedding guest list is 600 for Saturday... I guess this is small. She introduces me to everyone and they all congratulate us on the engagement.

"Aana, darling... I'm so happy for you. I always knew you'd surprise us." A woman about Nita's age with a British accent walks towards Ana and I hear her groan slightly. She's wearing way too much makeup and perfume.

"Hi Shasa Aunty. This is my fiancé Christian." I fucking love it when she says that. "Christian, this is Shasa Aunty, Nita's cousin from London." I shake her hand.

"Such a handsome fellow, I'm sure Aana has told you about me. I am after all her favorite aunt." She says in a saccharine voice. I remember this being the bitch who took pictures of Ana and sent them out to random women so they could inquire about Ana as a prospective bride for their sons.

'Actually, she hasn't ever mentioned you before." I say with a tight smile and she looks affronted. "It's a big family and I'm sure she would've gotten to you eventually." I smirk.

"Oh yes, of course. Well south Asian families always have a lot going on. I can't wait to see you both to get married. It'll be a spectacular wedding." She claps her hands and suddenly pulls Ana into hug.

They talk a little more before she leaves to go torture someone else.

"She is not allowed at the wedding." I look at Ana and she bursts out laughing.

"Of course she isn't... not after the shit she did and said to me. She just collects people to appear well connected but she's just a hollow shell of a person."

Karan's maternal family is Sikh and according to Ana, the most fun group of people to have at a wedding. They're loud and funny with an incredible energy, which helps with being competitive in the games.

I felt Ana tense a little when Imran's family finally arrived. She greeted everyone and avoided Akash who also seemed to avoid her too. Good, the fucker needs to stay the fuck away from her. Mrs. Rahman came and wished us well too. She adored Ana's ring and told us she'd always keep us in her prayers.

Karan is the host for the wedding this weekend and like Ana he's been doing an incredible job of making sure everyone is taken care of. Ana and Rania help him out too while Kiran has mostly stayed in a corner with Daniel and Vishaal.

Since Imran's family has more female cousins than male, Vishaal took it upon himself to migrate to the groom's side of the wedding. Ana assures they're still going to bury them all into the ground. Hearing both her and Karan talk about the dances and even watching Ana practice the steps to some of the dances in Palermo confirmed that.

Everyone gather's around and each side of the family takes their places on opposite sides of the room where the games commence. Ana, Rania, Kiran, Alia and Nita take part in a folk dance. Both sides of the wedding party have sing offs. At one point, Karan, Ahad, Rania and Ana sing. When Ana sings her part I see a lot of the fathers kiss their daughters foreheads. I see Nita and Nani tear up as they watch Ana sing. I wonder what that is about?

Almost everyone in the room is multi-talented. They all play instruments and sing. They're incredibly comfortable with each other and seeing Ana mingle with some of Karan's maternal relatives, people she's met just a few times, there is such an ease. They all show her affection like a child and laugh with her. I see that Nani calls her over every now and then and kisses her forehead and they talk about something. Nita too pulls her in for a hug every so often.

After dinner, Ana snuck me up to the roof. She told me Nani was the only one who had the key and let her have it for the evening when she told her that she wanted to show it to me.

"So this is where you would come up to look for the moon?" I ask.

"Yeah. It's the only reason why I love this house. I love my memories here. I know it looks really garish inside. I once jokingly asked Nani to pass it on to me and let me renovate it."

'Who knows, maybe she might."

"Nah... it was a joke in passing. Plus, renovating this place would be a beast of a job to take on. I don't have the mental stamina." She giggles.

We look at the Golden Gate bridge in the distance and stand in each other's embrace for a few minutes.

"I have this weird feeling in my gut."

"What's wrong baby?"

"I don't know... I feel nervous. Like something bad is going to happen."

"Hey, look at me." She looks up. "We have security and they can't touch you. I'm going to be with you every step of the way."

"I know that. I can't really explain it. It's just weird. Maybe it's because I'm here and they're here. Maybe it's just residual nerves I guess."

We sit down and she snuggles into my side while I rub her back.

"What were you singing about when you sang with Rania? I saw Nita and Nani tear up and Arsh, kiss Aashu's forehead as she cried."

She sits up. "Um... the part I sang... well it.. hmm..." She giggles a little. "Sorry, I have to translate it to make sense... so the general idea talks about how a father puts on a grand show for his daughters wedding. He decorates everything and celebrates this momentous occasion in her life even though he's heartbroken that she'll be leaving because she is his most prized possession. A child is priceless but you give your daughter away to this man who you hope and pray will give her infinite happiness and provide her with a much better life than you have. The part I sang is the bride saying, invite everyone from the village and show them what a good job you've done because you love me. It's basically a love letter to the brides father... it's not lost on me that I won't have what all my cousins had. Ray won't get to see me or walk me down the aisle... but I'll have the Nani and Nita which is the next best thing." She finishes with a sad smile I can see tears form but the don't fall.

"He will be there in spirit." I say squeezing her hand.

She shrugs. "Yeah, I guess." She says with a wavering voice.

"I saw Nani kept talking to you, what was that about?"

"Oh... it's embarrassing really. She's just really happy to see me happy. She keeps calling me over to say a prayer and kiss my forehead. She says there's a new light in my eyes, bright than before. Same with Mama. She can't stop crushing me with a hug."

"I didn't realize that."

"Yeah, those two are crazy. If I knew before I would've stalked your ass a little earlier than thanksgiving." She laughs.

"I was right there Miss Steele, you kept ignoring me." I chuckle.

She rolls her eyes and snorts. "Whatever, Grey."s

"What about the other song you sang. I have never heard you sing that high before."

"Oh god, I was so scared. I wanted to kill Karan for that. The song was two altering points of view of the bride. Given that I'm the crier in the family they obviously gave me the sad ass part." She laughs and continues. "Karan sang the point of view of the shy bride who is being teased by her cousins about her husband to be and how being in love is like seeing the sun right after the storm breaks and seeing the world in a brighter color. I sang from the point of the view of a nostalgic bride who is asking her groom to take his time in his journey to the bride's house. She's asking him to enjoy the journey and bring the band with him. She wants the pomp and circumstance of the wedding so everyone around her can celebrate and dance even though she's a little sad. The last part I sang was wishing your husband to be success and victory over anything he sets out to achieve. May he win every battle he sets out to fight. These songs are really old so modern day mergers and acquisitions didn't really exist back then." She giggles.

I smile back. "They're so profound, all these ideas. I mean, I never thought about it."

"Well, all these relationships are incredibly profound and have complex emotions. Weddings bring all that out. Aashu and Karan miss their mother. Arsh misses his wife. Nita misses her own father and Ray. Nita misses her husband... small moments in weddings remind you of moments in your own life you've had or you may never get to have. Like, as happy as I seem down there... I'm also so sad because I know that this is the last wedding that I'll get to be part of like this. This year is the last for everything that I've shared with this family. So I'm doing my best to be present and take it all in."

"I wish I could make this easier on you." I give her small kiss.

"If it were easy or brave, I would've done it a long time ago... but it's okay. You're with me, it makes it a little bit better."

Once we're back down on the main floor and have indulged in dessert. Everyone gather's round for one last sing off. The booze is flowing and everyone is buzzed and happy. Nani has laughed non-stop and even danced. For a woman in her 80's she can still bust a move. Aria has been hanging around us for most of the night and even asked us to take her back to Seattle.

"See, you're gonna be a great Dad. Aria is already so obsessed with you. She's been on Rania's case to get her a piano and lessons so she can show Christian Khalu how well she can play." Ana giggles.

Rania might kill me but I'll just have the damn piano sent over to them with the best tutor. They have the room, she'll just have to deal.

"Of course she is. I'm the best Khalu she's ever had." I wink.

We stand around and talk to Daniel and Tony as the room starts to settle down. Suddenly we hear the clinking of a glass. We look out and see Vishaal with the mic and a glass of champagne in his hand.

"I want to thank you all for coming out tonight. As the head of both families I wanted to take a few minutes to wish the lovely couple all the best."

Ana rolls her eyes and we hear Vishaal drone on about how happy he is for Imran and Aashu. I clock Karan and he gives me a look that pretty much sums up how I'm feeling. Why the fuck is Vishaal even talking?

"... now that our Aashu is going to be a happily married woman this weekend. I guess we can now focus all our attention on our Aana who just got engaged recently. Time to plan the next big wedding in the family."

What the fuck is his game right now?"

Everyone cheers and howls.

Ana's face shoots up as everyone laughs and cheers in unison. She's like a deer in headlights but quickly recovers. She looks up at me laughing and I lean in for a quick kiss and I swear Rania screams the loudest as everyone claps. Ana asks for the mic and Aashu for permission to speak which she graciously allows.

"First off, thanks so much for the congratulations Vishaal Bhai." Ana says with a bright smile and I see him hold his expression but his eyes give him away. "but you know what... I think this family needs a break from all the women getting married. I mean Rania got married 4 years ago, Kiran got married last year and now Aashu is getting married. I think the next big wedding has to be yours Vishaal Bhai... Shasa Aunty? Where are you?" Ana quickly looks around the room and once she does, she enthusiastically points at her.

"Good, I found you. Now, we need to get a projector up here and blow it up on the wall while Shasa aunty opens up her photostream and we start to swipe left and right to find our dearest Vishaal bhai a nice prospect! Don't you think?"

I fucking love this girl. Everyone loudly cheers and claps while Ana smiles sweetly.

"Actually, there won't be a need for that. This was going to be a surprise but I actually did meet someone and you'll be meeting her tomorrow at the party." He says and everyone cheers again. Nani looks at him with a puzzled expression.

"This I have got to see y'all. Vishaal Abdul Kapadia, finally bringing a girl around the family. She must be really special." She laughs.

"Oh, she's real special and you'll love her. You both have so much in common, you'll get along swimmingly. I can't wait for her to meet my favorite member of the family."

Ana raises an eyebrow and sasses. "This I have got to see."

I'm holding Ana's hand and I can feel her shiver slightly but she continues to smile. To anyone looking at her they would never suspect what is really going on. It seems like such a normal exchange. Once everyone goes back to the program, Ana slowly looks at me.

I pull her in and kiss her forehead. "It's going to be fine. Looks like the fucker finally took the hint." I murmur.

"No, this is something else." She whispers holding my gaze. "I can feel it."

Authors Note: some MAJOR drama about to drop in the next chapter. Safe to say you all will really hate me. It's okay though. Anyway, how about this chapter. Proposal. Check. Fight over the pre-nup/name change. Check. Kiran being a bitch? Check. Vishaal still an asshole? Check.

ryednak: your review... KILLED ME. I laughed so hard. tell the fiance to chill. we need an escape, haha. I also PM'd you.

bandrocks: missed you, I hope you've been well! much love.

reds77: Ana never did the rape kit and she took a bath the next morning and she was alone. she talks about it in chapter 49. However, when she met Kate a few days later in Portland, Kate took her to her own doctor and they have the trauma documented but no dna evidence since there wasn't any. Rest assured, Vishaal will get what's coming to him.

Pinterest: www dot pinterest dot com/paleseptember10/50-shades-of-love-and-light/ - Chapter 67

Music:

Liz on top of the world - dario marianelli

Show me - Alina baraz

Hare Hare Baans - shazia manzoor

Ve baneya - fizza javed, mulazim