Chapter 8

Summer was awesome with the exception of Carrick Sr. passing away. It was almost like he was fine knowing his family was safe and healing. It was sad for Cary, but he was glad he wasn't suffering anymore.

The kids all worked and earned money. They all went on vacation to wrap up the summer. Ethan and Luke grabbed Christian and threw him in the pool. "Punks!" Grace turned and Christian shrugged, "Just joking mom."

The two of them laughed and helped him out. Ana came out in a long T-shirt and peeled it off. She was wearing a two piece. Luke cleared his throat, "Christian, get back in the pool." Christian turned and was confused. Luke looked down and so did Christian, "Fuck!" He dove in to hide his hard on and they followed.

He heard Grace as he came up from the water, "Christian Trevelyan Grey! Get over here!" He swam over and got berated. When he swam back. Ella looked over at him and felt bad. Their love was still like a sibling. She was the one that spoiled him, but discipline wasn't her thing.

Luke gave him some advice, "I know you're older by a couple of months but, just tell her you like her. She likes you too." Christian did like Ana. He always did.

He got a grip on himself and swam over. He splashed water on her while she laid out in the lounge chair. "Hey! You better watch it. You're already in trouble with your mom." Christian smiled and asked if she was coming in.

Ana shook her head, "No, I need some sun." Christian laughed knowing she would never tan, just burn. He used his upper arm strength to climb out of the pool. Ana watched the water drip off of his new body. He was so sexy, but sexy guys didn't like her. She really wasn't interested in any guys, just Christian.

He stood over her blocking her sun on her body. She put her hand over her eyes allowing Christian to see the blue. "You're going to burn. Do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way?"

Ana smirked, "Are you threatening me, Christian Grey?" Christian just smiled. "Fine! You win!" Ana stood up, so Christian walked towards the edge. Just as he was about to turn around he felt Ana's hands push his back, knocking him in the deep end. When he surfaced she was smiling, "I don't do threats."

He shook his wet hair and smiled as the boys laughed. "Get him Ana!" She threw on her shirt and joined the girls at the table. When they returned they started school.

Everyone fell into a routine. They were all enrolled in Bellevue High. With her new job, Andrea was able to purchase a smaller home that Eric and Elena owned in the same community. It was important to keep Luke and Christian close and give them the opportunity to get to know each other as brothers.

Ana still lived with Eric and Elena. She came home early one day instead of staying back for the boys basketball practice. She let Ethan, Luke, and Christian talk her into being the team manager. She wasn't feeling well. When she got off of the bus she saw her father's truck. She walked in quietly, put her backpack down, and listened. "I think Ana is better off staying here. I love her, but I can't be her father." Ana's heart broke hearing it. She hoped her father, the last person she had, would come around.

Elena tried to persuade him otherwise. "We love Ana. We will continue to love her, but she wants you in her life. Whatever you're able to give her, Ray, she wants it. Don't walk away from her now."

Ana peeked around the corner and saw him pass some papers. "This is a trust fund for her from her mom's insurance and that allows you and Eric to fully adopt her." Ana froze. She could hear the voices but she couldn't really make out what they were saying. Her head felt hot and heavy. She went out the same door she came in.

She ran, not really knowing where to go. She found herself at the Grey's yacht. She climbed on board and went downstairs. She fell on the bed below the deck and cried herself to sleep. She woke up in complete darkness. She became scared seeing a flashlight bouncing off the ship windows. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness and she covered them as the flashlight blinded her. "I knew you were here."

The light turned off and she dropped her hand, "Christian?" He turned on a light. He saw her red cheeks and dried tears. He went to sit beside her. He held her in his arms against his chest. "My dad doesn't want me anymore."

He heard the story. When Ray got ready to leave, he and Elena found her backpack. Then when they couldn't find her in the house, they called the boys. "He didn't leave. He's worried. We told them you felt sick. I told them I would look around. I came here earlier, but I didn't look down here. You have a fever." Christian called them. He didn't care about giving away his secret hiding place, Ana needed help.

Grace checked her out with Elena by her side. Ana's fever had really spiked. She watched a nervous Christian and Ray stand at the door. "Looks like strep. Let's get some medicine for you." They drove home. Once Elena got her some soup Ray asked to speak to her alone. Christian was upset and refused to leave her.

Ana told him it was okay. She didn't give him a chance. "Go do what you need to do. I've been fine without you and I will continue to be. At least here I know who really loves me." It broke Ray's heart to hear it. He just needed to be away and he didn't expect Ana to understand.

Christian saw Ray leave and he followed him, "Why are you hurting her?" Ray knew that staying would hurt more. He was sick and diagnosed with cancer. He didn't tell anyone. He thought leaving and not forcing Ana to watch him die was easier for her. It was his secret.

He smiled, "Take care of my baby Christian." Christian shook his head and went back inside. He walked upstairs since the adults were talking.

Ana was drowsy, obviously from the meds. He kissed her lips. "Christian, don't! You're going to get sick."

He smiled because he didn't care. "Ana, I like you." She smiled and then he said, "I love you." She was shocked. "Ana, will you be my girlfriend?" She smiled again and then kissed him. "You're so worth getting strep for."