I do not own Fifty Shades Trilogy

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You're my lifeline

...


.

Ana was lying in bed, and instead of falling asleep, her eyes were still wide open. For a while now, she had been tossing and turning, annoyed that slumber hadn't taken over yet.

Why?

Guess she was waiting for something to occur... and that something was; Christian having a nightmare.

The reason why she was on high alert, was that she wanted to be ready if and when he needed her.

She threw a quick glance at her phone and saw that it was already 3:14 AM.

Usually, Christian endured his nightmares/ episodes around 2 AM.

"Ugh!" she grunted, and pulled the warm blanket off of her, and got out of bed, wondering if everything was fine with Christian.

As she reached the living room, a smile appeared on her face.

He was fine... and sleeping peacefully on the comfortable air mattress.

Ana let out a deep breath, and plopped down on the comfortable loveseat." He's doing well" she whispered, the smile still on her lips.

A week earlier, they bought the loveseat, a spacious cupboard and the air mattress, and placed them in the living room.

They did that, after Ana pointed out to Christian that sleeping on the couch was very uncomfortable.

"I'll buy something more comfortable then" he simply said.

And then they argued about the costs of course. Ana wanted to pay half of it.

However, Christian insisted on paying it himself. She knew that his family was extremely rich, but didn't want to take advantage of that.

Christian then explained to Ana that he had saved money from being a NAVY SEAL and when he was the CEO of their family's company.

Every single penny that he owned, he had earned through hard work.

He also told her, that when he fled Seattle two and a half years ago, he sold all of his possessions and saved the money for a rainy day.

(Not even telling her that he also had a trust fund available, since he turned 21)

And yet, after their 'discussion', Ana had convinced him she was going to pay half the costs, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Christian eventually gave in, because he knew how stubborn she could be.

A sigh escaped her lips, as she watched over him. He was such a good guy... he just needed a break.

And most importantly, he needed professional help. She knew that, but it was very important that he wanted to be helped. Forcing him to do something he wasn't ready for, won't solve Christian's problem. Timing is everything...

It was then, when Ana heard her phone buzz, taking her out of her thoughts.

"Who the hell could it be?" she muttered under her breath.

With furrowed brows, she read the text message.

M:'How is he doing tonight?'

Ana chuckled and replied to the text message.

A:'Your brother is doing well'

M:'Should I call reinforcements?'

Ana shook her head, and put a hand over her mouth to muffle her laugh.

A:'No, he's fine. Go back to bed'

M:'Ana, you two have been in Oregon for two whole weeks now.'

A:'And, your point is?'

M: Don't you need to go back home?

Ana sighed, when reading that one.

A: I know that, but he still needs me.

M: What about your gallery and clients? And your father?

A: I know! Besides, my dad understands my situation. I need more time. A little more.

M: Should I be worried?

A: I would never leave your brother, if I knew he still needs me.

M: So... I shouldn't be worried then?

A: No, Mia. You shouldn't. And GO BACK TO SLEEP.

M: Good night, Ana.

A: Good night, sweetie.

Well, that text conversation was a downer.

If she felt sadness or was a bit down, Ana had the perfect method to eradicate that gnawing feeling.

She got up and quietly walked over to the cupboard. Three days ago, Christian bought some supplies for her and neatly placed them in here.

In a flash, Ana grabbed her easel and other necessities, placed them next to the loveseat and began making another piece.

After two weeks not being able to paint or draw, she finally had inspiration again.

As her eyes landed on Christian's sleeping form, she 'disappeared' in her bubble, and let her imagination run wild, the result of it on the canvas.

From time to time, she also looked at Daisy, who was sleeping in her comfy puppy bed next to the air mattress.( next to Christian)

Her right hand glided over the canvas, her white pajamas smudged with paint at one point, however she didn't care.

In this moment, she was so content, being able to express her artistry and most importantly, being able to immortalize two of the three most important beings in her life. ( The third one was her father of course.)

Ana got so lost in her little 'world' that she didn't realize the sun was coming up already.

Her painting wasn't finished yet, but when she noticed that Daisy was up, her eyes went wide.

Ana's head snapped towards the clock, and when she saw that it was 6:39 AM, she decided to stop working.

After tidying up the living room, placing everything where it belonged, she fed Daisy.

Christian was still asleep, and that made her heart soar.

In two weeks time, this was the first time that he had slept through the night until the sun had risen.

Ana walked over to him, and lovingly caressed his cheek, tracing it slowly, hoping and praying that it will get easier for him from now on.


... A week later ...

.

"Christian, we need to bring Daisy to the vet" Ana said one morning, while Christian was in the kitchen making breakfast.

At hearing that, he turned around and gave her a worried look." Is she sick? Let me take a look at her... did she throw up?" Christian questioned, and took Daisy from Ana.

She shook her head at that." Oh, no. She's not sick at all, just for a check-up, plus we need to buy her more meds against fleas"

With a relieved face, he kissed Daisy on the head." I was worried for a minute there" he confessed, and let out a breath." Don't scare me like that again, Ana"

At hearing that, she held both her hands up in defense." Sorry, next time I'll choose my words better"

"You hungry?" Christian asked, and put Daisy back on the floor.

Ana took a seat in one of the chairs and nodded." I'm famished" she replied, and watched how Christian washed his hands and dried them off.

Then he grabbed a plate for Ana and placed it on the table." Here you go"

"Thanks" she said, and took a bite." I'm sooo glad it's not cinnamon anything..."

Christian chuckled at that, and gave her a loving look." Enjoy, Ana"

They've been in Oregon for three whole weeks now. Ana was here to support him, but he knew that eventually she had to go back home.

As he watched how she enjoyed her breakfast, Christian pondered how things will be, when she returns home and he'll be alone again.

He had fallen in love with Ana, that was a fact. However, he didn't want to tell her, cause things would get very complicated.

Ana couldn't stay here forever, that was something he had to accept and face.

But when will that be? He wasn't sure, because he hadn't spoken to her about it yet.

'Should I just ask her?' was what Christian thought right then.

Rip the band-aid right off is better than that uncertain feeling.

"Ana?" he began.

She took a sip from her coffee and locked eyes with him." Yes?"

He cleared his throat and also took a seat." When will you... uhmm, go back to Seattle?"

As those words reached her ears, Ana almost choked on her coffee.

She was speechless for a few moments.

Christian unexpectedly grabbed her hand, and gave her a sad smile." I know you need to go back home" he told her, and caressed her hand with his thumb, making her heart melt into a puddle." You have work, your father, you know... a life there"

"Christian, I..." she started, but he gently cut her off.

"Please, let me finish?"

She nodded in response." OK" She uttered, her heart racing, while giving him a loving look.

He sighed and continued." You've helped me these past three weeks in my time of need, Ana" Christian said, while tears pooled in his eyes." I'll never be able to repay you for that. To put it in simple words; you've saved my life, Ana... more times than I could count"

As those words reached her ears, tears began to pool in her eyes too, her lips trembling.

"Every night that you've comforted me, and held me in your arms during my episodes, you were my lifeline." he confessed, as a tear spilled from his eyes." I... I uhm..."

"Hey, if it's too hard, you don't have to continue, Christian..." she told him, and felt her heart soar, when he shook his head and kissed her hand lovingly.

"I need to tell you this, Ana" he pointed out." Will you let me?"

She nodded, as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"You were my lifeline every night for three weeks, Ana..." he declared." Did you know you were the light in my darkest hours? Do you know that I didn't want to live anymore?"

A loud sob escaped Ana's lips, as those last words reached her ears." Christian..."

"But you were there every single night to... uhmm... to give me hope and..."

She couldn't take it any longer, and got up. Ana closed the small gap between them, and hugged him, while he was still sitting in the chair.

Ana held him tightly, hugging him with all the love she had in her." I'll always be here, like you were here for me, when I needed help, r'member?"

He nodded in response, while holding her tightly in his warm embrace.

After a few moments, he looked up and locked his eyes onto hers." How can I forget that night?" Christian replied, sobbing softly." You were sent that day, Ana... to save my life"

"You saved mine first"

Christian lovingly cupped her cheek with one hand, so Ana's eyes automatically fluttered shut for a moment." In my time of need, you never judged me or forced me to tell you what had happened to me during my last mission" he said, and smiled through his tears." You are amazing, Ana... thank you for everything that you've done for me"

She frantically wiped away her tears, and locked her eyes onto his again" You are welcome, Christian" Ana said." I gave you all of my time and undivided attention, and I did it wholeheartedly. Please know that."

"Ana?"

"Yes, Christian?" she said, and gave him a hopeful look.

"I'm good now... I'll be fine" he told her, and caressed her cheek lovingly, how a lover would do it." Hyde is already in custody, the case against him strong... so, after they've convicted him, you don't have to worry about him anymore"

Christian's heart was so full of love for Ana.

At this very moment, he wanted so badly to kiss her softly, but instead he said." I think it's time for you to go back to your life, Ana."


Note: Thanks for reading and the lovely reviews. :)

Till the next one,

xoxo

J