Chapter 6

Everyone clapped as they heard the name "Christian Trevelyan Grey". His family snapped photos and smiled at his achievements. Ana sat beside Grace. They had become close over the months. Grace took her to lunch after Elena and Linc were buried. It was a huge mess, but they left an easy trail. Police found pictures, documents, and names of victims in a locked safe. They all received restitution to cover all of their needs.

Grace watched Ana wave at Christian from afar. She reached around and hugged her tight. Ana shared details of her growing up and Grace vowed to be like a mother to her. She had kept that promise. "Grace, he did it!" Grace held her hand, "With your help. You saved my boy Ana."

She also became close with the entire family, but especially Christian. Carrick and Grace wanted him in therapy immediately. He fought them at first, but Ana got him to go. She told him therapy helped her heal after her mom died. She promised to go with him if he agreed. "Christian, I wasn't sexually abused, but I was abused. Our lives mirror each other in a sad way, but I can relate and help." So every Tuesday and Thursday after school Ana drove him to Dr. Flynn. Sometimes she sat outside and sometimes she went in with him.

She heard all of his stories about the abuse. "Ana, is it hard for you to hear about the sex?" She shook her head, "Yes, because it's your pain and I never want you to experience that again." Christian dropped his head and Ana tilted it right back up, "But no because it wasn't sex, it's abuse." She smiled as he ran over in his cap and gown, hugging her first. She smiled because he smiled, he was happy. "Congratulations Christian!"

They all headed back to the house for the graduation party. Everything was set up outside by the pool. Kate and Ana were in Mia's room changing. "Ana, what's the next move?" Ana looked at her, "Move Kate?" Kate rolled her eyes, "Christian he's 18 and done with high school, no more excuses." Ana knew Kate was right and over the months her feelings were deeper.

Ana laughed out loud, Yeah, last week at his birthday pool party, he cornered me and said halfway there. I think I know Kate." Kate looked her in the eyes, "You do like him right? I mean Ana, you've been so different." Ana was silent, "Oh and Ana I mean a good difference." Ana smiled, "Kate I more than like him. I don't trust myself around him, I want him so badly."

Kate grabbed her towel, Ana and Kate walked out in their bikinis. Kate's was pink, Ana's was blue and matched her eyes. Elliot and Christian's jaws dropped. Christian approached her, "You look beautiful. I'm glad it's only family because this should be for my eyes only."He leaned into her ear nibbling it, "Mine Ana."

Ana rolled her eyes, "Christian, where is this going? I've never done this." She waved her hands between the two of them. Christian smirked, "That's easy, I want you to be my girlfriend. Hey I've never done this before either." Ana liked the idea and him, "But Christian, why start this and you're leaving in August. If we've never done this, long distance won't work."

Christian flashed that megawatt smile that people didn't see often. "Well, we won't have to. I gave up Harvard for you." Ana turned him around by his shoulders, "What? Christian no are you crazy?" Christian kissed her lips, "Yeah, about you. I've been waiting months to kiss you again." Christian and Ana ate and he explained, he really only picked Harvard to get away, but that problem was gone with Elena being dead. "Are you sure Christian? We don't even know if this will work with us." He took a deep breath, "Eat, stop worrying, and it will work."

Elliot kissed his mom and hugged his dad, "I'm going to take the girls home. Chris, do you want to come?" Christian jumped up smiling at Ana, "Yep!" They all said goodnight. Carrick asked, "Christian, are you coming home or staying with Elliot?" He really wanted to ask if he was staying with Ana, but his answer would give him all the information he needed. Christian smiled, "I'm staying with El, dad." Christian knew he was staying with Ana. Carrick and Grace pulled Elliot to the side to talk with him before leaving, while everyone piled into his truck.

When they pulled up, the girls went inside. "Hey girls, can you give us a minute?" They both smiled and went inside. "Christian." Christian looked serious, because Elliot rarely called him Christian. "She's a virgin." Christian rolled his eyes, "I know that. I would never force her or hurt her. I'm not dumb and I'm not expecting anything." Christian was sincere, "I just want to be with her." Elliot pulled out a condom and they continued their talk.

Inside Kate was having a similar conversation with Ana. "Are you ok?" Ana shook her head, "It's weird Kate. I've taken months getting to know him. I've heard the details of his awful life before the Grey's and Elena's abuse. In turn I told him things only Ray and you know." Kate rubbed her back, "He's my friend." Ana smiled, "We've only kissed a handful of times and when he kisses me, I know we are more than friends." Kate smiled, "I'm here for you and don't do anything you don't want to do."

Ana took her shower and expected to see Christian in her room, but he wasn't. She walked out and heard Kate, "Elliot, oh my gosh!" She shook her head and walked down the hall to the guest room and knocked. "Come in." She smiled and closed the door. "I should have taken this room when we moved in, I can't hear the lovebirds."

She sat beside him, "I thought you would have been in my room." Christian cradled her jaw and stroked his thumb across her face, "After talking to El, I didn't want you to feel pressured. Ana, I don't expect you to have sex with me just because I graduated and I'm 18."

They laid together and kissed. "I like this Christian!" Christian smiled, "I love you Ana!" Ana looked puzzled, "Why?" Christian smiled, "Usually the response is I love you too, but I'll give you time. Ana, you're amazing! You and I aren't all that different. We beat everyone that tried to break us." Ana smiled knowing he was right. "You know my secrets and you never turned your back on me. Not many girls would stick by me." Christian kissed her forehead, "Christian, I love you too." They fell asleep holding each other.