Chapter 6

Ana blinked her eyes and found herself in the bed alone. She sat up and looked at her phone. "4 missed calls." She giggled and dialed her best friend, "I'm okay Kate."

Ana could almost see Kate rolling her eyes. Then she heard her scoff, "Yeah, I know, but only thanks to Christian. You left and didn't even call. He called me while you were in the shower last night, after you decided to stay, mind you."

Ana couldn't believe she was fussing, "Excuse me Kate, you and Elliot didn't even realize we were gone. Did he spend the night?" Kate went silent. "That's what I thought."

Kate laughed, "Well Elliot is bringing me over there. We can both get ready for graduation together." Ana peeked out of the door and still didn't see Christian. She saw a familiar face in the kitchen though. "See you soon Ana and I can't wait to talk."

Ana walked over to the kitchen. She looked around for Christian, but he was nowhere to be found. She thought that was odd and wondered if the talk last night hit him. "Morning Gail!"

Gail turned around and smiled. She had already made breakfast. "Are you ready for your big day?" Ana nodded. She was excited and looking forward to the next phase in her life. "Mr. Grey is in his office. Sit and I'll go get him for you."

Ana looked at the yummy selection of food. She saw pancakes, bacon, eggs, and a beautiful bowl of fresh fruit. "Good Morning Anast…I mean Ana."

Ana smiled, "Morning Christian. You left me." Ana's blue eyes looked sad and her lips poked out with a cute little pout.

Christian sat down, "You were sleeping so peacefully and I had to review my speech, because someone kept me busy last night." That made her smile. At least she knew he wasn't upset.

Ana put some food on her plate, "Well, I hope it was worth it." She drizzled the syrup on her pancake stack. Christian watched her lick it off of her finger.

Christian wanted to lick her fingers too. "Oh it was well worth it." Gail realized they were speaking in code and decided to give them some privacy.

She quickly put a few things away. "Mr. Grey, just leave everything right there and I'll clean everything up."

Ana looked at him then her, "Gail, that won't be necessary. We will clean up after ourselves." Christian laughed and told Gail to enjoy the rest of her day. Christian was nervous because it had hit him that he told Ana so much last night. He was worried that she would run. It showed all over his face. "Christian, are you ok? That was a lot last night huh?"

Christian sighed, because she could read him so well. Not many people could, "It was, but I'm glad I told you. You're right, you know. I have to do better and come clean. I just hope you're around, to be my friend. My family might reject me."

Ana promised she would. It was shocking, but Ana could see that Christian could have been so different if Elena hadn't done what she did. She also wanted more with him. She was drawn to him and what he was used to didn't scare her. They would definitely have to discuss things if they came out of the friend zone, but she didn't want to rush things. "Christian, I'm here and I will be your friend. Truthfully, I can see us being more. I don't see someone like Grace ever turning her back on you." Christian smiled wide. He wasn't a virgin by a long shot, but this was new. He would have to work and learn how to love. "But, before we leave the friend zone, you need to heal."

Christian hung his head, healing meant time, but he understood what she meant. "Oh Chris! I smell breakfast!" Christian rolled his eyes hearing Elliot's annoying voice. Kate ran and hugged Ana like she hadn't seen her in months. Christian loved seeing how she cared about her. It was like they were sisters.

He looked at Elliot and thought if he did things right, they could be closer. It wasn't Elliot's fault at all, it was Christian. Elliot was the jokester of the family. He was laid back and chill, probably a little too much, but he had goals. He worked for a construction company and he made good money, but with ideas and brains, he should be running a company. Christian made a note to change that immediately.

After breakfast the boys tried to run, but Ana stopped them, "Hey, the dishes won't do themselves, let's go. Girls clean the table, boys load the dishwasher." Ana laughed to herself seeing Christian's face. Elliot obviously had more practice with normal household chores.

Kate grabbed their dresses and Ana led her to the guest room. Kate had her shower already so she worked on her hair, while Ana got ready. Kate looked at the bed and saw it was completely untouched. "Ana, where did you sleep?" Ana sighed, she knew this was the Kate inquisition. When Ana didn't answer she got louder.

Ana climbed out of the shower and hushed her. Kate tapped her foot waiting. "I slept in his bed, but we talked and we slept. That's it. We haven't even kissed."

Kate looked at her, deciding whether to believe her or not. "You only slept and didn't kiss. Ana, that's weird." Ana turned on the hair dryer and styled her hair with Kate's help. If Kate only knew how weird it was, but it wasn't any of her business.

The girls came out, Elliot whistled loudly, but Christian who was always more reserved complimented them both. "You both look beautiful." They all headed to graduation, Elliot was a late invite, but he and Kate hit it off.

They met their family before they took their seats. Kate hugged her mom, dad, and brother. Ana only had Ray, she was used to it now, "Hi daddy!" Ray was a tall man and the military life made him stern, but he was always soft with Ana. He made up for her mother.

The two families sat together to watch the girls get what they had worked so hard for over the last four years. Even though the Kavanagh's were rich, they were very down to earth. They always welcomed Ray and Ana with open arms.

Kate waved at Ana and she waved back. She looked on the stage and found Christian staring at her. He gave a small smile before stepping up to the podium. The two girls in front of her giggled together. "He's so sexy." Ana just listened. "I'd like to see what's under that suit."

Ana leaned forward, "You know I heard he's gay." The girl's jaws dropped and Ana laughed to herself. She clapped hearing Christian's speech and she even saw Elliot was a proud big brother. Kate received her degree first, then Ana.

Christian shook her hand as she walked across the stage, "Congratulations Ms. Steele. I'm sure your future is bright at SIP." Ana smiled, but as she walked away she thought about what he said. How did he know she applied for SIP, she didn't say anything.

As the families gathered, Ana became upset. Christian was a powerful businessman, he must have had something to do with her getting the interview call this week. He walked up and smiled. "Excuse me, Mr. Grey, a picture please?" He pulled Ana close and looked at the camera.

Ana gave a fake smile as it flashed. "You did it, didn't you?" Christian was puzzled. "SIP? My interview? My future is bright huh? I'm not taking it!"

She tried to walk away and Christian pulled her back. She saw a different Christian. He was upset at her, but he calmed himself immediately. "I own it, but I promise I didn't do anything major. I pushed your resume up, that's it. Anything you say or do, it's all on you." Ana shook her head and looked down. "Believe me! If I had intervened, you would have already been hired as an editor without an interview." Ana smiled. "I figured that was already too much and you wouldn't want my help. I'm just glad I haven't changed it to Grey Publishing yet."

Ana hit him softly. She appreciated him, especially for figuring her out. "Well don't do anything else. I want it on my own." Ana saw that Elliot was talking to Kate's family. She grabbed his tie, "Come on and meet my dad. It's only fair since I met your mom. And don't be nervous."

Christian shook hands with Eamon and met everyone else. Ana saw the nerves, but she couldn't help him. He had to be a big boy on his own. "Daddy, this is Christian Grey."

They shook hands and he addressed him formally as Mr. Steele. Ray shook his head, "At least call me Ray. Thank you for looking after my girl. That car means the world to her. Hopefully you can make sure she doesn't skip meals anymore." Ray shot her a stern look. He was upset that she had been struggling and didn't say anything. They all enjoyed a celebration lunch. Ana thought things were looking up.