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.

Chapter 37 ~ Pancakes (2,5K)

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Ana's PoV

When I wake up the next morning, I don't even have to open my eyes to know that I am in Christian's arms. Juts the warmth of his body around me and his scent tell me so.

After driving in his crazy Fast & Furious mode yesterday night, Christian dropped me in front of my father's house wishing me good night; and a crazy and bold part of me couldn't stop but ask him to come and sleep with me. And after a lot of hesitation from his part, he gave me what I wanted and followed me to the room I now have in my parents' house.

The first day I came in that house, Lily said I could choose any room I wanted (because for some reason, they live in a freaking mansion!). I actually chose the room that was the furthest from theirs, not because I wanted to distance myself from them but because I wanted to keep the awkward to a minimum level. And I think it has been going great so far. The fact that the room is really at the opposite side of their room, gives me back a little the privacy I had when I was in my own flat.

Still, Franklin makes a point to pass by my room when he comes back home really late. Most of the times, I'm already asleep, and I'm half-conscious that he's checking on me by popping his head through the door. But sometimes, when I have a nightmare, he sees me awake and on the phone with Christian, or texting Kate. He never said anything about it, and to be honest, I am grateful to that. I don't want him to know that even with the trial over, I still have a damaged brain that causes nightmare.

Gently, I am torn away of my thoughts by Christian caressing the skin of my arms, all the while kissing the top of my head and asking me: "How was your sleep?"

"Very good. How about you? How come you're already awake?" I ask back because let's be honest, I've always been the first one awake between the two us. It's normal, I'm used to waking up at crazy hours when he's more used to wake up around seven. Today is my day off, so I didn't have to wake up before dawn, but still, when I tilt my head up a little to check the time, I see that it's barely seven.

"I haven't been awake for that long. And I had very pleasant dreams. I'd even say that it was even the best dream I had in years," He says, a little smirk echoing in his tone and making me feel like I am missing a part of a joke. I feel like I should understand what his dream was about, but I don't.

So I simply look at him and kiss his lips, before cuddling back into his arms, having missed that little and simple contact. Christian tightens his embrace on me and so we just enjoy that moment between us. For a few minutes, we stay like that, before Christian lets me know:

"Your father dropped by, by the way. I think he got close to get a stroke when he saw you sleeping in my arms."

I suddenly sit up, my eyes wide as I stare at Christian who keeps on remaining calm. It is true that when I asked Christian to come to sleep with me, I did not think of Franklin's nightly checking on me. But then I calm down. Lily says that Franklin doesn't mind Christian that much. It's more that it's all new to him and that he's not handling everything with grace as one would expect from him. I mean, he never made a scene with me about me sending stuff to Christian, or calling Christian in the middle of the night, or when I told him that I would pay Christian a visit yesterday.

"My father doesn't hate you, Christian. He's just … I don't know. But you're not unwelcome in this house, he said so himself."

Christian chuckles, as if I were missing something important, and sits up as well, before kissing my lips and saying: "There is a difference between not hating someone, and not liking that person. But it's okay, babe. I know how to fend for myself if he brings up the topic." I'm about to retort something when he cuts me off: "I might not be unwelcome in this house, but that doesn't mean I am welcomed in your bed. This is a difference that lawyers love to play with."

For a second, I don't say anything before deciding that this weird thing going on between my father and Christian should remain between them. I love both of them and want both of them in my life; so I refuse to choose and side with either of them in this thing.

"Do you want to take a shower?" I ask him, getting up and looking for a towel for Christian, before indicating the en-suite door that leads to my bathroom. Christian kisses me, before disappearing into the bathroom, and I take my phone and go to the kitchen where I oddly don't find anyone.

I look around, wondering what I could do for breakfast when my eyes set on some black bananas. I smile to myself and decide for some pancakes, all the while texting Kate:

OMG! You'll never guess what Christian said yesterday night! ~ Ana

I thought that I would have to wait for her answer, but it's immediate:

What? Did he say that he would follow you to London like I said he would? ~ Kate

No. He asked me to marry him! ~ Ana

WHAT?! ~ Kate

Wait a second. I dropped my phone! How did that even happen? Did you tell him about London and all the things you told me? ~ Kate

Yes. He simply proposed. We went to a meadow, and then … Well, bottom line, he proposed when he was driving us back to town. ~ Ana

Wait? What happened in that meadow? 😏 ~ Kate

I can't help but blush because let's be honest, I'm not that comfortable to talk about what happened in the meadow out loud. Especially to Kate who always knows how to make a bigger deal of simple things. I guess it's okay with Christian, but Kate is another story. Not that I don't trust her, it's just that ... it seems like it's something I should share only with Christian.

Nothing of what you could think. The important thing is that he PROPOSED! ~ Ana

Yeah … But isn't it a bit odd that he proposes when you tell him that you might want to go to London for a year? I mean, I know that Christian loves you to the moon and back, but it feels that his proposal is falling just in time to ask you without asking you to stay with him. ~ Kate

I didn't think of that. ~ Ana

Maybe Kate is right. I didn't really think about the whole thing. I just thought that Christian proposed and that it gave me wonderful butterflies. But like he often says, he's a lawyer, he always thinks of every possibility his words can open for him. And ... well, I don't. I just live the moment when I'm with Christian. What if Kate is right, and Christian found a way to make me stay without me feeling guilty or anything about it? Can Christian be that twisted and sneaky when it comes to us?

I mean, if he really wanted to ask for your hand, he would have asked IN the meadow, you know, the ROMANTIC place. Not on the way back in the car. And he would have had a ring and all. I mean, Christian has always been a big romantic concerning you, and now he proposes out of the blue without an ounce of romance in the gesture? ~ Kate

But he did have a ring. And … well, I think he wanted to propose in the meadow, but something happened that delayed the proposal. ~ Ana

I mean Christian did tell me that he didn't bring me to the meadow for … what he did to me, so I figured after he proposed that he initially intended on proposing there. As Kate said, Christian is a very romantic guy, and that seemed like a perfect spot to propose.

He did? OMG! I want to see it! You have to drop by the bar to show it to me! It changes EVERYTHING it means he thought enough of marrying you to get a ring. Whether it's a new ring or an heirloom, if he had the ring on him, it means he thinks about it every day. Anyway, whether you say yes or no, it shouldn't influence your decision concerning London. ~ Kate

You think I should say yes? ~ Ana

I think you should take the time to think about it. I mean, it's obvious that Christian loves you, but you shouldn't say yes because of how he feels about you but because of how YOU feel about him. Think if you want to see Christian every day for the remaining of your days, build a life with him and all. The yes is for you, not for him. ~ Kate

And if I say yes, would you be my bridesmaid? Ana

What a stupid question! I'd be the best bridesmaid ever! And I would throw you the best bachelorette party ever! Whether you want it or not. 😉 ~ Kate

As I smile at my screen, shaking my head a little at Kate's crazy ideas of bachelorette parties, Christian appears in the frame of the kitchen door. I smile to him, and propose him a few of the pancakes that I made while texting to Kate as I let her know in one last message:

Christian just finished his shower, I will see you later in the afternoon. ~ Ana

Then, I make the last pancakes while Christian comes to stand behind me and takes me in his arms, kissing my neck as he tells me: "I missed this. Sleeping with you in my arms, and waking up to the smell of your wonderful cooking ..."

I goofily smile, and lean into him all the while surveying my pan, because let's be honest, I missed this as well. I missed the routine Christian and I had, even if because of our different jobs, we didn't get to see each other every day. At least we slept together, and I knew that he ate my cooking. And this was enough for me.

Just as I switch off the fire under the pan, Christian holds me even closer to him and whispers in my ear: "I think you should go to London."

That makes me stop dead in my tracks. I stop moving, my breath suddenly missing as his words echo endlessly in my heart and soul. Is he sending me away? Did he rethink the whole marrying me, and decided that I was not worth it for him anymore? I mean, how can he propose one night, and tells me to go abroad for a year the next morning?

Christian seems to have felt my sudden immobility for he holds me even tighter and explains: "Babe … you said it yourself, yesterday night. if I weren't in the picture, you wouldn't have questioned it, and you would have gone to get an experience you would never have here. Whether it is professionally, just by yourself as a person, or as a family with Franklin and Lily. And most importantly, I shouldn't be the withholding you from your dreams."

"But … What about us?" I ask, doing my best not to sound whiny. My eyes are actually kind of blurry, but I refuse to let Christian see me like that. He's right, I do want to go. But I want to stay as well. Why is life so complicated?

"What's a year when I intend on spending the rest of my life with you, anyway?" Christian questions, his lips kissing my neck as his voice sounds so sure. It's like he knows for a fact that we will end up together. And his assurance reassures me somehow. What's a year, indeed?

"I didn't give you any real answer," I tease, with a slight nudge of my elbow, and Christian only responds:

"I know, and I'm not asking you to marry me right away. Just keep the ring so you know what place you hold in my heart."

This man is just too sweet for my own good. Way too sweet. I turn, about to kiss him, when my parents finally decide to step in the kitchen; and so I just quickly peck his lips as he puts a more correct distance between us. Still, I smile to him; and as I set the rest of the pancakes on the table, I inform my father of a decision I just made:

"I'll stay at Christian's for the next couple of weeks."

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💚Your thoughts and opinions are always welcomed💚

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~ So yup, just to make it clear, Ana just decided that she'd go to London with Franklin. And Christian strongly encouraged her in that decision. He is the one who helped her make the decision, actually.

~ Anyway, question times:

1. So, now that Ana and Kate had a talk about all of this, do you think Ana will say yes? And what did you think of Kate's reaction?

2. What did you think of Christian telling Ana that she should go?

3. What do you think will happen next?

4. What was your favourite part?

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

Love, Mina 💚💚💚