/so minor update, New Beginnings will now be updated Mondays and Thursdays! Thanks for being patient with my baby! I don't own the song Fireflies Faith hill does and E.L James owns the fifty shades Characters... But the story is mine
Grace watched from inside as Christian and Ana just stood there talking. It was almost like they were old friends, but there was something more to it. This was the first time she'd seen her son so relaxed and young; she marveled at the difference one interaction could do. Anyone who knew Christian knew he didn't get close to many except for friends and of course their family. Grace watched as they just seemed to gravitate towards each other, both inching towards the other whenever they shifted.
"Dear we have to get ready for dinner." Carrick took his wife's hand before looking where she was.
Grace's eyes found her husband's as they both stared at the two stubborn souls. Carrick beamed at his wife. "Don't meddle, missy," Carrick warned as if he could hear the gears in his wife's head going. "I mean it Grace, the second he thinks you are meddling he will start to pull away. Let them see for themselves. I know what you're thinking about Grace."
Rolling her eyes, she pouted at Carrick. It wasn't pleasant that her husband knew her like the back of his hand. "I will not meddle at all. I will just sit down to an amazing dinner with my family and Ana as well as her guest Kate. I will not switch their seating...again." Carrick just shook his head as he chuckled at his wife. He knew he should've expected no less from her. "Technically I listened because I did it before you asked me not to."
"I love you, wife..." Carrick kissed his wife's forehead softly.
Grace smiled up at him. "As I love you husband." Glancing back at Ana and Christian, Grace beamed at the two; she couldn't believe the luck that they could've found each other here.
Carrick took his wife's hand and slightly squeezed it lovely. "Now let's go to the table, I'm hungry. We have all night to stare at your son and Ana." Both chuckled as they walked to the main dining room.
Earlier in the night
Christian didn't want to be here, he tried and did everything he could to avoid it, but his mother insisted on him showing up. Sitting in the back of his car, Christian ran his fingers through his hair frustrated more so than before. He had a lot on his mind since yesterday when he met the mystery woman on the lake. She was something else, whit that he had never experience with a woman, but even more so he saw a sadness that only he'd seen in his eyes. The last two days all he could think about was her blue eyes, he needed to see her again. Christian had even gone and asked Taylor, his bodyguard, to look up every Ana that lived in the vacuity of the lake and no one came close.
"Sir we're about ten minutes out. Just giving you a heads up." Taylor warned. He knew his boss wasn't that excited to join his family, but he suggested that Christian should join his family in the charity that they started because of him. "I checked with the security team and everything is locked down. According to the boss, the event planner is just as strict as you are. He was telling me that she rules with an iron fist."
Christian looked out the window, his mind was still on the woman from yesterday. "Yes, my mother said she's wiped the party up in a matter of three months. Says she's an amazing planner."
Taylor nodded as they drove up the long road. Christian sighed trying to put on a face for his mother's happiness, he knew this event meant a lot to both his parents and they needed him to not be annoyed. "What time do you want me to pick you up, sir?"
Christian checked his watch as they pulled up to a huge house, almost doubled in his parents' house. Outside were a huge garden and balcony that overlooked it. Christian wasn't surprised by how much his mother took this theme, there were people dressed in evening gowns, the house was decorated with a bunch of colorful tarps. He knew how much Grace loved to plan things; she'd truly outdid herself this year. "I shouldn't be too long. I'll probably stay until after dinner. I'm sure mother wouldn't mind if you'd stay a bit."
Taylor shook his head, he would rather pick up his wife and hang out until he was needed. "Gail is meeting me for dinner. We'll be close by when you're ready. I trust the security team here. Background checked everyone so you should be fine."
Christian was a tad bit jealous of his housekeeper and bodyguard finding love the way they did. "The worst-case I can get a ride from one of the other security people. Don't worry about me." Christian explained as he began to exit out of the car. "Enjoy your date, I'll check in with you in a few hours." With one last pat on Taylor's back before heading towards the main entrance. With a quick walk down the red carpet, Christian was inside the home. A server handed Christian a drink as he searched for his parents.
"Excuse me? Can I have your name?" A small woman smiled up at Christian. "I have to uh check you in, that way I have a correct count of people." She realized she probably sounded like a weirdo.
"Christian Grey." Christian attempted to not show that he was annoyed. In his defense, it was more so because he just wanted to go home. "Uh, have you seen Dr. Grace Grey?"
The woman smiled and pointed to this huge other room. "She is in there for the first dance. You should probably hurry though, she and Mr. Grey...Your dad...Mr. Grey." The woman's face palmed herself nervously. "I'm sorry, my boss put me in charge and I'm just really nervous. Please forgive me."
Christian felt for the woman, she seemed extremely nervous. "No worries just take a breath and you'll do fine. Thanks for telling me where my mother was. Have a great night." After giving the woman a soft smile, Christian entered the room. As he entered his eyes found his mother, yet that wasn't what got his attention. He'd recognized those eyes anywhere, next to his mom was the woman who captured his attention just yesterday. At that moment he felt helpless, he just needed to know her and the reasoning on why she was here...
Back on the balcony, Christian was talking to the woman of his dreams. This was one of the easiest conversations he'd been granted in years. This stranger was someone he just couldn't stop talking to. Every time he stared into her beautiful blue eyes, he found himself getting lost; she wasn't like all the other women he'd met before. Ana just could talk about anything and he'd listen. But Christian could see the hurt behind the beautiful blue eyes, someone hurt her, and he wanted to hurt that person. This woman had a light about her, and Christian would give her just about anything to keep that light burning. "Do you believe in fate?" Christian asked as they watched the sun start hiding behind the mountain tops.
Ana shrugged before turning to Christian. She never really thought about it, but now seeing Christian again and feeling these feelings she'd thought would be there. Well, how could she not? "Two days ago, no... now, yes I do." Her eyes found his as a blush crept across her cheek. Ana wasn't used to this feeling even with Jose, it wasn't the butterflies in her stomach kind of feeling. She honestly didn't think it existed, but yesterday it was like the second their hands touched something awoke them. She felt weird about the whole thing. "It's weird huh?"
Christian shook his head and shrugged; it wasn't weird to him. This woman was something special, someone, who just seemed like it was supposed to happen. "No. Not with you." Christian smiled as the sun fully set behind the mountain. Instantly the lights on the balcony sprang on and it was beautiful.
Ana's eyes sparkled as the lights shined onto them. "It's beautiful. I didn't get a chance to see this yet."
Christian just stared at Ana's excitement. He wanted to be the person to put that sparkle in her eyes. "It has nothing on what I see." Ana shook her head and just stared at the lights. "I know back to the same old corny stuff I fed you yesterday. I mean it though; you look beautiful tonight."
Ana blushed as she shivered a bit. Christian was too good to be true, she didn't know how to feel about his loving words. He didn't even know her; it was happening so fast and she could feel her walls going up again. Looking at her watch she realized it was time for them to go in to eat. "We should probably head inside before they come looking for us. It'll look a little weird if there are two missing places at the table."
Christian nodded in agreement as he left his arm out for her to lead her into the dining area. The second they entered though Christian could feel the eyes of most of the guests on the two of them as they made their way to the table. The protective side of Christian wanted to snap at everyone and tell them to mind their business, but he decided to keep his shit about himself to focus on keeping his emotions in check for Ana. The last thing he wanted was to show the temper he had sometimes. Nothing concerning, but he did tend to be a bit difficult. When they got to the table, Ana went to sit next to Grace, Christian was a tad bit disappointed that he wasn't sitting next to her. "Oh dear, I switched you and Mia. I hope you don't mind." Carrick just shook his head as his wife spoke. He tried to hide his grin as his wife began her meddling ways.
"It's just I wanted you to have a better view of the stage. You should be able to have a better view of all the hard work you've done." Grace smiled sweetly trying to keep her own plans at bay.
Mia just snickered as Christian pulled out the chair next to him for Ana. He just stared at his mother knowingly as she avoided his eye contact. Christian made a mental note to talk to his mother about her meddling. Whatever happens between them would be between them.
As dinner started, everyone at the table seemed to just jump into conversation easily. Christian watched as his family just welcomed Ana and Kate into their inner circle ever so easily. It's funny, just last week, Christian was sure he'd never meet someone he trusted or wanted to even see longer than a night. Elliot, his older brother, though the two of them would be forever bachelors, tonight something changed. He couldn't keep his eyes off Ana, the way she moved and even listened to his family with great interest drew him in. She was an enigma to Christian Grey, how did this woman fit so perfectly, so quick? It was strange. "Ana, I hate to ask but could you and Kate help out with the auction tonight. I know it's not your job, but we had two people bail and I just really don't want it to fizzle out." Mia pouted and Christian knew he was about to pay all his money to make sure Ana was dancing with him tonight.
Ana just rolled her eyes as she stared at Mia. "You know Grace uses that every time I try to say no to her about something. Somehow that pout must a family trait." Mia began laying it on deep with the pout. "Ugh, you and Kate are terrible. I don't know how I'm going to handle having both of you in my life." Both Kate and Mia laughed because they knew it was true, they would be a team of trouble for her. Ana just turned to Christian shaking her head. "How'd you grow up with her? She probably had you and your brother eating out of her palm."
Christian just chuckled as he shook his head. "Oh, you don't even know the half of it. She had all of us with that pout. She's the youngest." The table erupted in laughter as Mia pouted at everyone. "Don't worry Mia, you know I love you." Ana smiled at the brother and sister love, she'd wished for that years ago when her parents were still married, and she was just a kid. Now it didn't really matter because she had Kate and Ethan, a grateful feeling she'll never deny. As everyone resumed their conversations, Christian took the time to look back at Anna who was finishing up her main course. "You did an amazing job, Ana. I think you have a gift."
Ana leaned back and looked at all the decorations and how much fun everyone was having. He was right it was amazing. Ana felt the pride of her dedication to the planning of this party, but even more so, she felt such pride that she could accomplish this after everything that had happened. "Thank you, Christian, it means a lot. This honestly couldn't have been done without Grace's input and my friends helping me in organizing."
"Christian's right Ana, this has to be the best party you've ever done." Kate nodded at her best friend. She was proud of her best friend and all her achievements. "I knew you could do it." Ana beamed at her best friend. She had a lot to thank Kate for, she was a big support during the breakup, but even more, she'd been the biggest supporter in her starting the business years ago.
Grace could tell Ana was getting slightly uncomfortable with all the attention. Grace beamed as she realized how easily Kate and Ana fit into her family. It was eye-opening how you don't see missing pieces till they show up unexpectedly. Grace couldn't remember the last time they all just could relax and talk with ease. She was sad Elliot was out of town but knew the second he met these ladies it would be game over. "Ladies, would you care to join us tomorrow?" Kate looked at Ana eager to go and join the family who welcomed them in easily. "We usually have brunch after events like this. I'm sure you both probably wanted to sleep, but we can push it back a little.
Ana had expected to stay in tomorrow, she wanted to catch up on sleep and emails. She was about to say something when Mia perked up. "Oh, let's go out tomorrow night. Elliot will be home, and we can all go out dancing. Christian's club is one of the best ones out there with free drinks and all. It'll be so much fun, and we can hang out tomorrow do a girls' day and then go out." Mia was finally excited to have girls close to her age and not be distracted by the money or name that her family held. These two could hold conversations and were just genuine.
"Mia..." Carrick warned knowing if she wined anymore, she'd get her way. "I know you're excited, but I need you to sizzle down."
Ana didn't want to disappoint Mia and to be honest she really wanted to see Christian again. Wow, she admitted it. "I don't mind going. Uh, what time did you want to get together for brunch?" Ana could see how Christian straightened up when Ana agreed to meet up tomorrow. Maybe then he could get to know her a little more than just the little he did.
"Would one in the afternoon sound okay? I know that tonight ends at one am and you'll probably stay to make sure everything is squared away for clean up." Grace smiled happily knowing that the girls would be over tomorrow. What she was even more excited about was the fact that Christian and Ana couldn't keep their eyes off one another. Ana and Kate both nodded at Grace, "Perfect! It'll be a wonderful day."
The rest of the night went smoothly, dinner was great, and the conversation was just as great. Mia's auction went off without an issue and was able to raise the most money since Christian bought a date with Ana for an excessive about of money. Everyone was a bit thrown off, but Christian didn't care, he just was happy that now Ana couldn't say no. It was heading towards the end of the night and Christian watched as everyone except Ana was heading out to the entrance. She was chatting with the woman who had helped him earlier; they were laying out a few bags on the tables by the door. Christian had noticed she'd removed her mask and he had an easier peak at her beautiful eyes. The blue was like the ocean and it was hard to not get lost in them.
"You know it's not proper to stalk someone like this." Christian turned to see Kate walking up to him. Kate was protective when it came to Ana, especially when it came to her love life. She could see Christian had his focus on Ana and wanted to say something to her. "She may seem strong, but she's fragile. You can't go into this unless it's 100 percent. "
Christian straightened up and turned to Ana's best friend. From what he could see, Kate seemed to be the louder of the two of them. Ana was more of an open-minded person who wanted to be independent. Something he knew he would kind of struggle with. "I-"
"Don't deny it, we all obliviously see it. One moves the other does too." Kate watched as she and Emma moved to another room to probably get more party favors. "Not my story to tell, but she's been hurt, Christian. Not just a simple break up, but it sliced her hard. I've heard about you, breaking girls' hearts along Seattle, but this is one heart that you can't break." Kate knew if Ana heard about this conversation she'd be upset, but Kate was the one who picked up the pieces when things went south. Ana was like a little sister to her and her family loved her like she was one of theirs.
Christian knew what the paps wrote about him, he knew how some saw him, but that wasn't him. He was tired of that life; he wanted a forever as his parents had. He knew some people still thought of him as a bachelor out for just sex, but that wasn't true anymore, especially after meeting Ana. Ana wasn't just one night... it was different. "That's not me Kate. It was, but people change." Kate watched as Ana counted all the bags laid out in front of them. "I met her, and things just changed."
Kate could hear her name being called by Mia. "I hope you know if you hurt her it's not just me, you'd have to worry about." With one last warning, Kate went to join Mia on the front lawn for the fireworks. Christian just stared back at Ana; he knew things would be different with this woman. Everything he thought he didn't want would have to be his new life. He needed to be serious about this process, he couldn't risk being the person who broke Ana Steele's heart again. His mind reminded him of what everyone kept telling him. Christian thought back to the first time they met, he was starting to understand why the pain in her eyes was there, the walls were there.
Don't rush things... Easy for his mind to say, Christian knew himself. He wasn't the type of person who took his time with things he wanted, then again, he was still single, so it wasn't working much for him now. "Christian, shouldn't you be waiting for the fireworks?" Ana asked causing Christian to stop arguing with himself. "Did you need something?"
Taking a deep breath, Christian decided to just go for it without any second thought. "Yeah, I was just hoping you'd join me." Ana just smirked and looked at his extended hand. Christian could see she was overthinking every reason not to accept his invite, but he was hopeful that she would. "Take a chance?"
Ana was internally weighing her options as she watched Christian's eyes bore into hers. "You may regret walking into my life..."
Christian shook his head as he felt her hand in his. The fire from before burning even deeper than earlier. Christian debated kissing her at the moment but didn't want anyone walking in on their first kiss. "Never..." Taking her hand to his lips, he could see Ana's cheeks flame up again with the cutest blush. "Now let's go see those fireworks." Ana took one last glance at her friend before heading off with Christian. "I know the perfect spot." For the first time in years, Ana felt light and calm as she followed Christian to their balcony.
This was different than the guys she'd attempted to date all her life. Christian gave her a spark of adventure she normally would hide from; it was extremely different. As the fireworks began, Ana couldn't help herself she leaned into Christian and looked up into the sky. Christian watched as each spark rose and lit up Ana's face. Christian found his eyes traveling across her face, memorizing every line and characteristic of her face. It was like he could see inside of her soul at the moment. "Before you met me, I was a fairy princess. I caught frogs and called them prince And made myself a queen. And before you knew me, I'd traveled 'round the world and I slept in castles." Christian listened as he listened to Ana's beautiful voice sang beside him. He smiled as her voice covered them, he was marveled by the way she could easily carry a tune. She had relaxed so much in his arms; Christian knew this was something important to her. In a matter of 48 hours, things had progressed with ease and it was everything Christian could want. As the show played on, Christian couldn't keep his eyes off her animated face.
When Ana was younger her dad would sing this song to her every 4th of July, it was her favorite memory with Ray. "I loved growing up with my dad ray. He used to always sing that song when I was a kid. When I used to hate fireworks, he called them little fireflies in the sky. It sort of stuck with me." Ana explained as the grand finale hit, the sky erupted with so many colors. As the lights came on, everyone headed to the main table to get their party favor, her eyes found Christian's grey ones with a smile. "I should go say goodbye to your family. I must stay and release my team. I have to make sure everything is ready to be picked up in the morning." Ana was sad to say goodbye but knew her time as a guest was over.
Christian didn't want to end the night like this, he wasn't ready to say goodbye either. He wasn't ready to let her go. "How are you getting home?"
"Uber."
Christian shook his head before texting Taylor. "I'll wait. I'll take you home tonight and make sure you're safe." Christian was stern with his request, even though it sounded more like a demand. Ana was too tired to argue so she just nodded and accepted his help. Both Christian and Ana said their goodbyes to the Greys. Ana moved to quickly let Kate know the plan. Grace hugged her son with a beaming smile. "Get home safe Christian, relax, and don't push her."
Grace moved to hug Ana. "We will see you all at our house at once. Try and get some sleep. Worst case you can rest after brunch at my home." Ana hugged the mother tightly. Ana felt a sting of pride as Grace hugged her tightly with so much love. "Thank you so much for tonight Ana, I just couldn't be prouder on how it turned out. I mean it was perfect."
Ana felt a few tears fall as she stared at the woman's eyes. "Grace, it means a lot to have you around. It was my pleasure to do this for you." Grace looked between the two new lovebirds; Ana blushed knowingly. "I'll see you tomorrow Grace. Carrick." Christian's parents smiled widely before saying their last goodbyes.
Ana and Christian spent the next thirty minutes lining up everything and making sure everything was ready to go for the cleaners in the morning. She couldn't help blushing every time Christian looked at her someway. She wasn't used to this at all, but no matter what she was going to try to be open to these random feelings she was experiencing. "Thank you for staying with me. Kate would've probably killed me if she had to help me." Ana loved Kate, but she also knew her best friend wouldn't want to do any of this work. "Kate wanted me to know she needed her beauty sleep since we have to be at your parents in the morning."
Christian just laughed as he put the last glass away, "Sounds like she and Elliot will get along really well. He has the same attitude sometimes." Christian smirked before grabbing his phone and putting on Fireflies. Ana's eyes found him as he bowed in front of her. "May I have your last dance?" Ana nodded as he held her close. Before you met me I was a fairy princess. I caught frogs and called them prince And made myself a queen. And before you knew me I'd traveled 'round the world. Ana felt so content as he swayed with her across the dance floor, how could someone people called heartless be so romantic. I slept in castles and fell in love because I was taught to dream.
Christian had never gone to this extreme to want to be close to someone. Ana brought something out of him, something he'd never known to have desire before. I found mayonnaise bottles and poked holes on top to capture Tinker Bell. They were just fireflies to the untrained eye, but I could always tell... To most, they wouldn't have made sense, but to Christian, it was all he wanted. The two of them. 'Cause I believe in fairy tales and dreamer's dreams like bedsheet sails. I believe in Peter Pan and miracles, anything I can to get by, and fireflies. Christian wanted to kiss her, to engulf himself at this moment. He just knew he had to pull back just until he could get the one date out of the way. He wouldn't let her go after that.
Now before I grew up I saw you on a cloud and I could bless myself in your name and pat you on your wings. Before I grew up I heard you whisper so loud, 'Well life is hard and so is love. Child, believe in all these things." Ana listened to the lyrics as the song played on, her heart-stopping when her favorite lyrics played. 'Well life is hard and so is love. Child, believe in all these things' Her eyes found Christian's at that moment she realized she wanted to try this. To give 100 percent, to not let either of their past hinder this. Whatever this was.
The song ended and the two of them were frozen in their moment. Christian took off his suit jacket to wrap around her arms. "We'll continue this another night. I have to get Cinderella to her house." Ana smiled taking his arm as he led her out to Taylor.
Don't worry Lemons are coming ;) please read and review Thursday we'll meet Elliot and everyone's going dancing :)