A/N: I'm baaack! I didn't mean to be gone this long, but my muse wasn't cooperating until now. Anyway, I'm excited to be back. This chapter starts with a flashforward in time. I hope you enjoy!

IMPORTANT:

I changed the story title. Old title: You're my Talisman

I also deleted the poll I did back in August otherwise known as chapter 4. So this NEW chapter is the real chapter five.

Chapter five

Seattle- Tacoma International Airport, August 2018

One and half weeks later

At last, her feet were touching American soil in living, safe and sound condition. Every soldier must have had the same feeling of exhilaration upon returning to their homeland, she mused. After all, America was the land of the free and the home of the brave. Except she was not a soldier and this was truly her first time touching American soil.

As they exited the aircraft, Ana glanced over at Christian as he gently placed his hand on the small of her back. Together they walked through the tunnel and emerged facing the crowd gathered at the gate to be immediately escorted through customs.

"My reluctant bride," Christian murmured in her ear with a wicked grin as they walked as if her predicament was a source of amusement for him.

The events of the last few days had happened too fast; she still couldn't believe they were legally married.

"My temporary husband," she whispered back. They were standing in a secluded corridor waiting for their turn behind another couple. She was letting him know in no uncertain terms that she was not under the illusion that theirs was a girl meets boy love story with its prescribed happily ever after. She didn't even want that anyway. Not with this man or any man. In the story of her life, her happily ever after consisted of being- at last- reunited with her father.

"We got to be careful here. These Bonzos do have the authority to revoke marriage-based petitions they consider fraudulent."

Ana refused to take the bait. "I still fail to see how any of this is relevant. We're no longer in Cuba, and I have dual citizenship." She said, pulling her out her U.S passport, in case he'd forgotten she had that.

"I'm afraid is not that simple," he smiled. "Now that the paperwork on your behalf has been filed as a marriage to a U.S Citizen petition, they're going to look at that first, they're going to be looking for discrepancies... but we got to make sure there's no doubt in their minds that ours is a marriage based on love."

Ana took a deep breath. She was starting to feel nervous. In her mind's eye, she pictured herself being questioned in a separate room about the specifics of their relationship and their wedding ceremony. She tried to smile and pretend she wasn't the least bit worried, but she was failing miserably.

Sensing her discomfort, Christian immediately took her hand and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, love. Just remember to stick to the story we practiced. If they ask you a question, you don't know the answer to you can always play the English- is- my- second- language card."

He squeezed her hand in reassurance, and her heart jumped. She squeezed back and much to her chagrin, she found herself wishing he'd never let go.

Next thing they knew it was their turn. Two INS officers, one short and one tall were escorting them to an open view cubicle.

Christian was right; they barely glanced at her American passport; instead, they fixated on her marriage visa.

"Anastasia Steele Grey," the tall officer looked at her through the rim of his glasses, "It says here you never completed the CR1 Spousal visa interview?"

Ana shook her head no.

"I have a letter by Heather Steinberg stating there was no time to complete the interview due to the Sonic attack at the embassy," Christian promptly stated, handing the letter to the officer.

The tall officer glanced at the letter and then looked up at Christian. "I see. We will need to complete the interview here then."

Ana and Christian exchanged a look of surprise. They were sitting close to one another, holding hands, shoulders touching.

"Right now? Heather assured us we could schedule the interview at our convenience."

"This will not take long, sir. I will be asking your wife a few questions to confirm the marriage is legit." He smiled showcasing his perfectly white teeth. It's a mere formality."

Christian shifted in his seat. They shouldn't have to go through this. Anastasia was an American citizen, she didn't have to prove anything to gain entry into the country.

"My wife has a U.S. Passport."

"Yes, but the passport was issued under her maiden name."

"I don't see how that makes much of a difference. We have all the required papers, including our marriage certificate." Christian said with annoyance.

Christian scowled. No doubt Raymond Steele would be very displeased to hear how his daughter was being treated right now. "This is absolutely ridiculous! You know who you're talking to?" He glanced over at Anastasia. "This is Raymond Steele's daughter, and when he finds out what the hold-up is all about-he let the sentence hang.

"Except you don't have a petition for a name change filed yet, do you?"

The short officer stepped forward. "This way, Mrs. Grey," he said to Anastasia, motioning across to another open cubicle.

Ana gave Christian a look of resignation and rose to follow the short officer without question. Christian was too astonished to react. This woman-the woman he'd married was not the same feisty, daring Anastasia he'd met in Cuba. She was clearly out of her element here.

"Ana," he called out even as she stepped out of the room. "Don't forget, I'm your talisman," he said raising his hand and wiggled his left ring finger showcasing his gold wedding band.

Ana cast him a shy smile before disappearing behind the officer. She dutifully took a seat across from the short officer's desk. Upon closer inspection, she decided he looked a lot like Danny Devito. She half-expected Arnold Schwarzenegger to come crawling out of the woodwork.

"Mind if I videotape this?" The man cleared his throat, turned on the recorder, and spoke rapidly without waiting for her reply. "Please state your name for the record."

"Anastasia Steele Grey."

How long have you been corresponding with your spouse," Danny Devito asked after reviewing something that looked like an instruction manual. He threw his head back and laughed. "Sorry. I was reading from the mail-order bride protocol...and I suppose this doesn't apply to you. You and your husband met in Cuba in person, correct?" He nodded in a leading manner.

Ana played with her gold wedding band and nodded back as if she understood. But in truth, she was so nervous that her mind went blank all of a sudden. Luckily, Danny Devito was none the wiser.

"And so, how long have you and Mr. Christian Grey known each other?" The man asked this time without looking at the handbook.

"Three weeks," Christian answered from the doorway. "But they were the best weeks of my life," he smiled charmingly, his gaze shifting from the officer to Ana. "It was love at first sight."