Chapter 9

Christian's feet pounded the pavement. He ran like he was angry and he was. Another secret he had to live with or he could break the curse and tell the truth and break Ana's heart. He jogged in place outside the gym seeing Ella's car. She was now the head coach of the women's basketball team.

Christian and Luke graduated college in 3 years instead of 4. They doubled up on classes and started their business, Grey Apps. They were both into technology and business. They had a string of apps and they were popular. They made tons of money young.

Their latest app was an idea from Ana. She had just graduated herself and through her internship at SIP, she realized it was a company getting ready to fold. Christian and Luke stepped in and purchased it, turning it into Grey Publishing. She was offered the opportunity to become an editor. She held her own ground though, she even had a book app idea that brought in tons more money.

Ana was all he ever wanted and the only one he had. He stopped jogging remembering their first time. She unzipped her blue prom dress that matched her eyes and stood in her bra and panties. He kissed her naked legs until he reached her front causing her to giggle. That giggle always made him hard. He shook his head from the memory, that wasn't helping anything in that moment.

He ran inside the gym. He saw Ella working with her freshman point guard. "Stop being scared or you will continue to be pushed around." Christian knew Ella was tough. He watched the guard get bumped and blocked on her shot. "Get up and let's go." This time she pushed back, knocking Ella down and drove straight to the hoop. "That's how you win."

She smiled at Christian as he walked onto the court. She passed him the ball. "Hey, Christian. Did you come to get schooled?" She saw the sweat dripping. "Running? You hate running." He dribbled the ball and she started to guard him. He dribbled between his legs and she stole the ball. "Those fancy moves mean nothing. Just play the game Christian."

He found his calm, he always did with her. He backed up and let her back off and stepped back pulling up for a 3. "That's my boy! Nothing but net!" She grabbed the ball and looked at him frowning. "What's wrong?"

Christian and Ella sat on the bench. "Do you ever wonder what we could have been? Mom and son instead of sister and brother?" Ella nodded, she always did, but like she always told him, her parents were better for him. She had made sure he wasn't a secret. Her children knew they were really his siblings and if anyone questioned it she had 3 children.

Christian sighed, "Ana is the one. I want to marry her." Ella smiled. "I found Ray." Ella's smile disappeared. "I wanted to ask his permission. He's sick." Christian told her the truth. He had cancer and he fought it, but everytime he thought he would beat it, the cancer came back. "He's dying and he doesn't want Ana to have to bury another parent. Another secret. Secrets just destroy families." Christian hung his head.

Ella rubbed his back, "Christian our family isn't destroyed because of secrets, it's stronger because we faced them. Tell her the truth. She'll be okay because her entire family will support her." Christian hugged her before heading home to the apartment they shared. "Hey, don't forget, family dinner tonight. Elliot and Kate have an announcement and your brother and sister want to see you. I love you Christian." He waved and shot the ball one last time. "Nothing but net!"

Christian walked in and saw Ana was still asleep. He climbed in the shower and stepped under the water. He shut his eyes until he heard the shower door. He felt Ana's hands cover his chest. When she moved her hand down his stomach he stopped her. "What's wrong?"

He turned to face her. His body wasn't reacting to her, this had been all week. Ana was worried. She climbed out of the shower at his silence grabbing a towel. He followed her, wrapping a towel around his waist. "Christian, if you're not happy with me anymore, just tell me."

He didn't realize until then. He grabbed her, "Are you crazy? I love you." She pushed him away saying he had a funny way of showing it. "Ana, do you trust me?" She nodded her head exclaiming of course. "I went looking for Ray and found him." She blinked in disbelief. He explained that he was sick and dying and he knew all those years ago which is why he left. "He didn't want you to bury another parent. He doesn't want you to know, but I can't lie to you."

Ana cried on his shoulder. She didn't know if she was crying because he was dying, or because he stole years from her that could have been spent building memories, or that he loved her so much he tried to protect her. "Why did you go look for him?"

Christian went in his drawer under his ties and pulled out a box. "I wanted his permission." He dropped to his knees, "Marry me?" Ana wiped her eyes. Elena and Eric were her parents. She called them mom and dad. Kate was her sister. She often was away with her father's company in New York. Ethan was her brother and he was playing in the NBA now for Orlando. The entire Grey family was her family, but Christian was her constant, her everything.

Ana's frown was replaced by a big smile, "Yes!" She kissed him and pulled him to the bed. "I'm sorry I doub…" He kissed her hard and she finally felt the old Christian. "Fuck me Christian." He pushed up, knowing she was just hurt. "Christian, please."

He knew Ana. The way she begged for him was alluring. She pulled open his towel giving him all the permission without asking. He opened her towel and kissed her chest. Ana raised her knee up to his side, opening up for him. He pushed in, watching her eyes. "Ahhhh! Fuck you're deep." Christian rocked with her as her body adjusted. "Fuck me Christian!" Christian moved faster and harder until he was pounding her hard. He felt her nails digging into his back.

This was them. Sometimes it was sensual and sometimes it was rough. They both loved it either way. Christian always let her decide the moment. He felt her squeezing him hard and he held her waist. The moaning and slapping was pushing them both to the edge of no return. They both yelled, "Fuck!" Ana's body went limp and twitched under him as he pushed in twice more cumming hard inside her. They shared a kiss, "No Christian, don't pull out." He was worried about her and held her.

They got ready for work in silence until Ana's phone rang. "Hey Hannah!" Christian smiled at her cheerful voice. Hannah was her best friend since high school. They had been through everything and worked at the publishing company together. "I'm on the way."

Christian watched her and smiled, "Are you going to tell her?" Christian quickly made her something to eat while waiting for her answer.

Ana looked at her beautiful ring, "I think when she sees the rock, she will know." He was about to ask about Ray. "I want to see him. Will you take me?" He nodded and they agreed to meet at lunch. He dropped her off at work and she went about her day.

Hannah smiled, "What did I disturb this morning? You're late." She moved her eyebrows up and down. Hannah was a beautiful African American woman. Her skin was a perfect color tan and her eyes were hazel.

Ana fired back, "The same thing I disturbed when I called you last week after your date with Luke." Hannah picked up her blueberry muffin and threw it just missing Ana. "Hey!" They laughed. "I like the idea of us being related." Ana covered her face giving her ring all of the attention.

Hannah yelled, "No! Shit!" Ana covered her mouth. "Ana! That is one big rock!" Hannah shook her head. "Luke is so far from that. He's a playboy." Ana shook her head. Luke was far from it, he was careful though. His life before Christian was harder and it showed. Luke and Hannah started dating on and off in college. They had their moments, they both had settled down since then.

Before they started working, she gave her the news about her dad. "Oh Ana. I'm sorry." She held her best friend's hand. "Can I give you some advice?" Ana nodded. "Even if you are mad, don't waste what time you have left showing it. He loves you and even if it's wrong to you, it felt right to him."