Chapter song: Call Me – Cautious Clay
Chapter 11 – call me by name, call me your savior.
Monday night.
APOV
Not again. I will not let this happen to me again. There is no way I'm letting fear run my life again.
I chose this street on purpose, it's a little darker than usual and since it's close to dinner time on a weeknight, most people are busy having dinner so I won't be interrupted when I'm beating the shit out of this goon.
I quickly run through the scenarios of how I can subdue him while taking out my tools. I could attacked him from the front and really aim for the family jewels but I didn't want to take away his reproductive rights unlike some states in this union. Attacking him from the back is best. More of a delay time in reflexes... yep, that's what I'll do.
I crouch down and watch from underneath the car for feet to magically appear. Sure enough he shows up and he's walking slower than usual trying to find me. I hear him on the phone.
"I lost visual. I think I've been made. She was acting a little unusual." He listens for a beat and then I hear silence as he continues to walk forward.
That's right sugar; you have been made. Now comes an even sweeter surprise.
I jump up behind him and whack the back of his knees with my baton, no not the twirling one... the law enforcement one, duh. I hear him groan an expletive and I whack him again, as hard as I can right across his shoulder blades and he face plants to the ground. God! that felt good after the day I've had.
Nothing like bringing a guy twice your size to his knees.
I literally sit on him and hold his head down to the side while making sure he can see me. I hold up my favorite self-defense weapon that slinging from my wrist but not before showing him the beautiful blue crackle of electricity.
"This is my best friend, I call her lil' karma." I tell him and his eyes go wide and I hold it to his neck. "Make any sudden movements and I send your brain to fucking Siberia. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Now, I want you to listen carefully. Tell Kavanagh to BACK. THE. FUCK. OFF. I will adhere to the agreement I signed but if she pulls another stunt like this again, I will file a harassment suit and tell my story to any news organization that's willing to listen." I know he's just doing a job but I really want to take out all my anger on him.
"Ma'am.. I..." he interrupts.
"SHUT UP. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" I snarl at him.
"Yes."
"Good. I better not fucking see you again or I will cause some permanent damage to your person." I get up while still holding the stun gun to his neck and then bolt the fuck out of there. I'm about 6 blocks away from Katya's house and I run as fast I can.
Every fiber in my being wants me to break down and cry but I will not let Kavanagh do this to me again.
As I run, I realize that I really haven't cried since all that shit with her happened. Sure, I'll tear up and let a few trickle down but it lasts a few seconds. I got a good handle on my emotions which has manifested into my being a perpetual grump. After mom died, I cried all the time but then I toughened up. Humiliation can do that to you.
"What happened?" Katya asks in a panic when she sees me out of breath and sitting in the foyer by the door.
"Nothing. I just... Kavanagh is having me followed again and I beat the guy and told him to give her a message."
"Fuck. We need to tell mom and Ray..." Thank god, Reen is out of town and at a conference this week. I couldn't handle her crying hysterically over this.
"NO. Look, she'll hopefully get the message. It'll be fine. I just want to take a bath, eat something and have some wine before I got to sleep. I'm really tired. I will properly avoid the Greys after this GQ shoot is over. Once we do, she'll back off." I tell her as I get up but I feel so defeated.
"Ana..." I see tears her eyes. I know she's scared. She's a mama bear, she can't help it.
"It's okay, Katya. I promise I'm fine. I just want to wash this insufferable day off."
I probably needed this wake up call. Don't reach so high so that when you lose your balance, the fall from that high is guaranteed to break your neck on impact. I was getting too lost anyway. The Grey's are upper echelon. I don't belong.
"Okay, I baked some fish and steamed some veggies. Go relax, we can have dinner on the roof." She gives me a tight hug and kisses my cheek before I head off upstairs for a bath.
CPOV
Ana is absolute shit at texting. She replies maybe once a day or not at all. I don't know if she's playing a game or that she's really that spaced out. Whatever it is, it's got me on edge. Flynn, of course had much to laugh about and no real advice when it came to navigating this. It's almost as if I pay him to laugh at me. Actually he did have advice; I am choosing not to follow it.
Earlier in the day, I got a reply to my text from yesterday morning in which as I asked her if she had been able to rest and that I was looking forward to the previews. She replied back today with a thank you and a picture of us from the museum. She made us stand on the inner walls of the installation opening and crank our necks so that only our heads were sticking out and in view with a bored expression. She told me she likes to take a silly picture for every shoot she does.
Ana: Oh look! #theadventuresofspeedyandlurch
I reply almost immediately. Elliot would have a fucking field day with this. I'm so whipped.
Christian: You turned us into a hashtag. How millennial of you?
Ana: Whatever, Boomer.
Christian: What the fuck is that?
Ana: Google it, boomer ;)
Mia, Elliot and I are having dinner to catch up. Something we try to do once a week outside of Sunday dinners with mom and dad. Since Mia was away, Elliot and I would have lunch once or twice a week but now that Mia is back, we're aiming to create a tradition and I find that I actually look forward to it since my relationship has improved with them both significantly and with Mia's change in disposition, we're having more adult converstions. Something I never thought would be possible up until last year.
"Mia is running late, she'll be here in 10 minutes." I tell Elliot as I hand him a beer.
"Good, cause I can't talk about this in front of her." He takes a sip of his beer. I look at him to continue. "I almost called Kate, Katya in bed the other night."
"I'm sorry... what?"
"You heard me."
I'm honestly speechless.
"CAN YOU SAY SOMETHING?" Elliot is freaking out now. At the precipice of a panic attack it seems like.
"E... I'd take that as a sign to ditch her." Please get rid of her. Learn to read the signs.
"Of course you'd say that... look this is a real problem. Kate told me some stuff about Ana as well and bro, I think we really need to talk to Mia and tell her to back away from them. You too, I know you like Ana but this could get real weird, real quick."
"E, you're the one who wants to live at the diner and can't stop thinking about Katya... and what the fuck is Kavanagh telling you about Ana?"
"In prep school, Ana was a little unstable. She became obsessed with Kate and was always hanging around her and Kate was nice to her but it become borderline creepy. She'd always be taking her pictures and befriended her mom and just got too close and Kate says that Ana can be dangerous. "
The bitch is lying.
"And you believe her?" I count to 10. I can't lose my cool. "You really think Ana is unstable or would hurt any of us? You see how she is with all of us. She's perfectly normal. Mia loves hanging out with them both. Mom and Dad love her too. She's been asking Mia to bring them both over for Sunday dinner."
"Look, C. We still need to be careful. Ask Taylor to do a deep background check on them. Check to see if she's prescribed any meds or something." He shrugs.
"I cannot believe you're listening to Kavanagh."
"Why would she lie? She has no reason to. She's only looking out for us. Look, I know you like Ana but can you really afford to take a risk on a girl that could possibly have issues. With your business and image in this landscape?"
"You don't know what the fuck you are talking about, Elliot. I did do a background check on her and guess what I found. ... the Kavanagh's made a complaint against Ana and then for some odd reason paid the Steele's $10 million and then Ana abruptly left in the middle of the school year and guess what, it was during Kavanagh's re election year. Remember when she said that day about people with bad intentions and using your voice? I think she was alluding to this experience."
Before Elliot can answer we hear Mia.
"I cannot fucking believe you two." She seethes.
"Mia, look..." Elliot begins but Mia cuts him off.
"NO. SHUT UP! I warned you both to leave my friends alone. They are good women and here you are invading their privacy and talking about them as if they're crazy."
"Meems, I had a hunch that..."
"SHUT UP CHRISTIAN!" Fuck, she's mad. She used to be like this when she never got her way but she's actually mad for a valid reason and Ana was right; she's Tiny and the deadliest of all of us.
"Elliot, either stick with Kate or dump her fake ass and tits or stay the fuck away from Katya. You've always played with women's emotions and I will not let you hurt my friend."
She turns to me. "Tell me everything you have on Ana. I cannot believe you did that to her. She's been so kind to us and she took such beautiful pictures of our family and this is how you repay her?"
"Mia, I like her and I'm sorry I looked into her beyond the usual background check, I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be blindsided." I tell her everything that Welch told me. We move to the dining table where dinner has been set by Gail for us to sit and eat.
"You violated her privacy, Christian. Why don't you just get to know her like a normal human being?"
"She doesn't give anything away, Mia."
"I know but you just met her Christian. It's not like you tell your life story you the women you date. I've been friend's with her for almost two months and she isn't as open as Katya. They're both complete opposites. Ana told me she has trust issues and I respect that." She looks at Elliot who is uncharacteristically quiet for some sort of a response.
"I don't know what to say Mia." He murmurs.
"You know it doesn't feel right with Kate. You're fooling yourself, E." Mia says matter of factly and I agree with her. He's not really happy with Kate. He just thinks he is.
"So, what I should just breakup with her and run to Katya?"
"Yes. I mean take some time but yes. Ditch Kate. I asked around about her when you both first got together. She is a fucking bully and the fakest bitch to walk on the streets of Manhattan. I can't believe you can't see it. Mom and Dad see the best in everyone, bless their hearts but I'm telling you E, she will not make you happy because if she truly did, you wouldn't be thinking about Katya all the time. I see the way you look at her. Just stop okay. She's a good girl. Just leave her be."
"I need to think about this... I don't see a reason why Kate would lie about shit like this."
"You know, all this time even before Ana and Katya knew who Kate was they would tell me to try and give her a chance. They have never said a bad word about her. I am the one who chased them for friendship, in fact we all are. They both have been nothing but welcoming and this is how the both of you repay them. Typical guy behavior. Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too. So fuck off and leave them alone."
"Well, technically, I can have my apple pie and eat it because unlike E, I have no issues named Kavanagh in the way." I smirk.
"You are fucking gross, Christian." Mia cackles pulling us into a laughing fit.
The three of us are in the media room watching the daily show when I hear Taylor clear his throat from behind me. We all turn to look towards him and see a wincing and limping Sawyer.
"What happened?"
"Sir, we have some new information regarding Miss Steele. She's safe but..." Taylor pauses trying his best to stifle a smile...
"Well...?" Don't leave me hanging, motherfucker.
"I got made and she kicked the crap out of me, Sir." Sawyer winces and I purse my lips but Mia and Elliot burst out laughing and I am unable to control myself. I ask them both to take a seat and I see Sawyer struggling. Mia runs up and gets him a glass of water and some pain-killers which he graciously accepts.
Sawyer tells us how it all went down and what Ana said to him.
I am in awe.
Holy motherfucking hell, I think I've found my wife.
I'm in love.
There is no doubt about it.
"I can't believe you've been having her followed." Mia shakes her head in dismay.
"Well, she works for fucking Hyde... I am not taking a chance. I want her safe." I snap at her. I look at Elliot and he's again, quiet as a mouse.
"Well, judging by her friend lil karma, I think she'll be just fine. Sawyer I don't mean to laugh but if she can take your ass down... then Hyde is a snowflake in comparison." Mia giggles and Sawyer rolls his eyes but chuckles through the pain. Man, she fucked him up. I'm so proud of my girl.
"What do you think the story is?" Elliot pipes up.
"Well, if it's something she's threatening to tell the press to that means the Kavanagh's have more to hide and judging by Miss Steele's reaction, this has maybe happened to her before where they've tried to intimidate her outside of the payout and NDA."
"E, is this the sort of family you want to associate with?" Mia looks at him.
"I get it... she's expecting a ring soon not a break up. I need to be smart about it."
"Just rip the band aid off and run like hell, E." I tell him and he runs his hands through his hair in frustration.
I tell Sawyer to take the next two weeks off to recover and get himself checked out and that his medical expenses will be covered. Taylor informs me he's going to have a female CPO assigned to Ana in the mean time.
I take out my phone to call Ana but it goes straight to voicemail. I'd sent her a text but I know she won't respond. I ask Mia to call and she's met with the voicemail too. I want to go and see her but Mia advises against it and that I have no clue as to how women operate... and that once Ana finds out that I was having her followed... well, I may just end up meeting lil karma myself.
"I'm going to call Katya." I tell her to put it on speaker but she refuses till I snatch the phone from her and set it to speaker while restraining her to the ground. It's like we're back in grade school again when I used to play pranks on her. I've missed this.
"Hey Tiny." Katya giggles
I see a faint smile appear on Elliot's lips. He's totally smitten with her.
Mia pushes me off. "Hey Katya, what are you girls doing? I tried calling Ana but her phone is off."
"Nothing much, Ana's at my place, she had a long day so she's taking bath. Why what's up?"
"Just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out tonight but if Ana's tired maybe some other time this week? How about we go dancing to celebrate your NARS campaign. I have an in at a club and I may be reformed but I still want to go dancing every now and then." Mia laughs
"That would be amazing. I'll ask Ana. She'll say yes but she doesn't dance, she just judges people from the sidelines... but yeah it'll be fun. We haven't been out in really long time either." She giggles.
"Perfect. Saturday, we're gonna party!" Mia cheers and they talk for a few more minutes before she hangs up and looks straight at Elliot. "If you want to really be with Katya, I will help you get with her after you ditch Kate. I have the power of influence big brother but know this... if you break her heart, I swear to god, not only will you have to deal with Ana's lil karma but my louboutin clad foot up your ass. Have I made myself clear?"
Elliot gulps. "Crystal."
"Same goes for you, Lurch. Chances are Ana will never tell us what happened between her and the Kavanagh's if she's signed an NDA and we need to respect that so in the meantime, how about we just get rid of the problem and move on in peace?" She looks at both us willing us into acquiescence.
Elliot and I nod in unison.
Finally, we're going to get rid of Katherine Kavanagh.
Wednesday afternoon.
APOV
I'm on my way to GEH Headquarters located on Park Avenue in the city. I'm not nervous at all. Nope.
OF COURSE I AM.
I had a mild panic attack last night while going through Katya's closet. She wanted me to wear a dress, I wanted to at least look the part of being professional. Ever since the incident on Monday night, I've been a little on edge. Katya thinks I'm being an idiot to let Grey go... I told her that it was a bad idea and that if by some miracle I did get with him, it would make her life harder and I don't want that. She means more to me and I can't bear to see her sad. How can I be happy when my best friend is uncomfortable and unhappy? We'd all never be able to hang out.
I just need to be nice and friendly until this shoot is finally delivered and the magazine is out then I can back the fuck away. I'm already keeping my distance as much as I can.
Tuesday morning I panic planned a date for this evening. Thank you, Bumble. Just hear me out. I don't know what the whole Grey situation is and given what happened on Monday well, I don't want to die a virgin. After the meeting with Grey, I'm having a date at some bar on the Lower East Side. His name is Timothy and he's pursuing a PhD in development economics but I'm going there for one purpose and one purpose only...
My meeting with Christian is for 4pm. I told him I only had an hour since I want to have enough time to panic in peace as I take the train downtown again for a quick meet up with JR and then on to my date.
So here I am, in a fitted burgundy pant suit with a silk cream colored cami. According to Katya, wearing silk gives men the illusion that you're luxurious. Can you hear my eye roll? Because seeing it isn't enough. I have my hair blown out and slightly wavy with some nice brass earrings. I gotta show some personality and not get lost among the money making robots.
I get to the front of his building... and of course it's huge. 60 stories from what I remember Christian telling me. Elliot's company occupies the first 10 floors. I walk through the doors under the GREY signage and walk straight up to the front desk. The blondie eyes me suspiciously but the security guards nearby seemed nice. I feel like I'm walking into the CIA. Then again at an estimated net worth of 42 billion, he probably has more money than the CIA and some countries combined.
I give my name and her eyes shoot up and she gives me her best customer service smile while directing me to the elevators.
"Excuse me... " I hear someone call me.
I turn around and see a beautiful and tall black woman walk closer to me. She's dressed in a pale peach pantsuit with shoulder length hair. I saw her outside smoking before I walked in.
"Yes?" I ask with a smile.
"You're going to 60th right? I overheard the receptionist speaking to you."
I nod and she introduces herself as Ros Bailey, COO of GEH and I introduce myself as well. I walk with her to the executive elevators instead and she makes a joke that those elevators are express unlike the public ones that are local.
"So, what brings you to GEH?"
"I'm meeting Chris... I mean Mr. Grey. I photographed him for a magazine cover and he has final say on the images I send out for the editor to review."
"Of course, controlling bastard." She laughs and gives me a wink making me giggle.
"I'm a little like that too when it comes to my work but I understand his need for that. He's got a huge responsibility on his shoulders, he has to protect his image"
"He could honestly relax a little, he's got a decent enough face. It'll be fine."
"Let me guess, you keep the boss on his toes."
"Yeah, they're practically numb like a ballerina." She deadpans and I burst out laughing. The image of Christian as a Ballerina has me practically howling. Ros seems to enjoy my reaction.
She walks me over to Christian's secretaries Andrea and Olivia where they tell me he's in a conference call and that he should be done soon. I thank them and take my seat in the waiting area. Everything is so... clean, cool and sterile. It's so different from his apartment. He had a little color there. It looked more cozy in comparison. I take out my iPad mini and continue reading my book. I sip on the tea that they offered and a little while later I realize that I've been here for 45 minutes. I check my phone and wonder if I should text him... no, he's running a billion dollar empire he probably got called into something more pressing. There's no way I can wait anymore. Suddenly I feel like I've been slapped in the face. My time is valuable too...
Whatever. I'm not going to read too much into this. I walk up the woman named Andrea and thank her for the tea again.
"Please let Mr. Grey know that I cannot stay any longer. I have another appointment down town."
"Miss Steele, if you could wait a few more minutes I can let him know."
"I can't. I'm sorry. Mr. Grey can email me about my availability to reschedule."
WHY DO I FEEL LIKE CRYING?
Get it together, Steele.
This is so stupid. I hate it when people are late or keep you waiting. I'm being stupid for being affected by this. I head for the elevators and press for the lobby. I walk through the front door and hear Elliot yell out my name as I head down the sidewalk. I turn around and see him dressed up in a suit. Damn, Grey...
"Look at you, Sparky... all snazzy and shit." I laugh and he envelops me in a big bear hug.
"Why thank you, we all know I'm the better looking Grey."
"When you've showered which is rare I can see."
"Damn, Speedy... you really know how to cut a guy." I shrug and give him a face. "Did you just get done meeting Christian?"
"No. I waited for him but he was busy."
"He didn't meet you?" His eyes look like they're about to fall out. "How long did you wait?"
"45 minutes."
His face is still frozen with wide eyes and I have to laugh. "Come back up with me, we'll just walk into his office."
"No, it's okay. He's an important man. Something must have come up... his time is far more precious than mine." Okay Steele that was a low blow. Don't be such a bitch.
"You came all the way out here, the least he should've done was personally let you know he was busy."
I shrug. "It's fine. Look, I have to go. I have another meeting down town. I'll see you around." I give him one last smile and get the fuck out of there.
I shouldn't feel this way. Maybe it's the residual stress and anger from Monday night that's coming through. Why does this feel like rejection? Why can't I just be a grown up about this? I feel my eyes burn a little but immediately shut it down. It's not like we're a thing. Crying in the subway is not cute.
CPOV
Once the call ends and everyone leaves my office, Ros hangs back.
"Ros, I am not paying these fuckers one more cent."
"Agreed but if you want this deal to actually go through then you're going to have to meet them face to face in London next week. No avoiding it. They need a little hand holding and we all know they prefer you over me."
I don't want to leave New York right now. I want to figure out a way to spend more time with Ana.
OH FUCK! ANA!
I run out of the office and look at Andrea. She immediately understands.
"Sir, Miss Steele left 10 minutes ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"You mentioned you didn't want to be disturbed during the duration of the conference call. I sent you an email to alert you of her arrival instead but you must have missed it."
"How long did she wait?"
"45 minutes, Sir. She asked that if you wish to reschedule that you email her for her next availability."
Just as Andrea finishes speaking I see Elliot walking to her desk.
"Looks like someone fucked up... not you Andrea, you're perfect." He winks at her and she does her best to remain stoic but I see a faint smile while Olivia is practically melting .
I close my eyes and count to 10 and for divine intervention to keep me from throwing Elliot from the 60th floor and decorating the sidewalk on Park Avenue.
I signal him to follow me into my office where Ros is still lounging on the couch while on her phone.
Ros and Elliot fist bump and catch up for a few minutes.
"So tell me Christian, what's the situation between you and the brunette who was here earlier? She's cute. I liked her." Ros asks with a smirk.
"He likes her apple pie." Elliot snickers and they both high five.
"Fuck you both." I growl.
"Well, someone's got some groveling to do cause she looked pissed when I ran into her as she was leaving." Elliot shares.
"E, don't fuck with me... how bad is it?"
"Well you heard Andrea, she asked that you email her. Not call her, email her. In girl code that's like being sent to the Guantanamo Bay of the communication spectrum. Plus she said that she understood that a billionaire's time is more important than hers." Elliot shrugs and gets a little more comfortable in his seat. As much as he annoys me, he can be useful sometimes.
No baby, it isn't. Fuck me. I completely forgot to tell Andrea to put Ana on the full access list.
"Christian Grey trying to get a woman's attention. It's a brand new era and life is good. It's about time you groveled and ate a few slices of humble pie till you get to eat some apple pie." She says with a smug smile and they both laugh out loud like a bunch of hyenas.
"Ros, one more word out of you and I will fire your ass."
"You can try but you won't. You love me too much... okay boys, have fun and let me know if you need some real advice on how to woo a woman given that I'm the real expert here. Toodles, bitches." She walks out and Elliot claps his hand in celebration, no doubt over my being in the proverbial doghouse.
Elliot and I catch up and he tells me how his progress meeting with the developers of the building Grey Construction is building on 57th Street. He's scheduled to break up with Kate tonight. I tried to stay impassive but told him to break up with her at her apartment that way he could escape and I could have Taylor arrange additional security for him just in case.
Either way, I expect to hear the church bells ring in celebration and the angels flying through the skies the moment he breaks up with her.
Later that evening
The guilt of making her wait is catching up to me. I saw the CCTV footage of her entering the building and sharing the elevator with Ros then seated in the waiting area. She looked beautiful and I missed it. I called her twice and she didn't pick up. I sent a text but I have no hopes for a reply. I guess I should just email her. It's my birthday tomorrow. I usually do nothing but work, maybe I can convince her to have dinner with me?
From: Christian Grey
To: Anastasia Steele
Subject: I'm sorry for making you wait.
Date: June 17th, 2020 - 7:32PM
Dear Miss Steele /Ana / Speedy
I'm terribly sorry for making you wait this afternoon. My conference call ran longer than anticipated and we were in the middle of a heated negotiation. Still, it was inexcusable. I appreciate you taking the time out to accommodate my requests in the first place. I hope you will allow me the chance to make it up to you. Have dinner with me tomorrow? We can review and finalize the images to send out to the editor at GQ.
How has your week been? I hope to hear from you soon. Call me if anything.
Mr. Grey / Christian / Lurch.
Apologetic CEO, Grey Enterprises Holding, Inc.
And now I wait.
I go back to answering emails while CNN plays in the background. I get a call from Prescott, Ana's new detail. She tells me that after Ana left GEH, she went to her friend Jose's place for a bit before heading out again to the Lower East Side where she appeared to be on a date.
A DATE?
FUCK.
WHO IS THIS FUCKER?
Prescott sends a picture of Ana smiling with the asshole and I send it to Welch to get me all the information he can. Ten minutes later I found out that the fuckers name is Timothy Purcell and he is a PhD candidate at Columbia.
I text Elliot the latest development and he tells me to fuck off for a while since he's on his way to Kate's apartment.
I'd text Mia but she'd probably sass me. Flynn would laugh in my face before giving me solid advice.
After a while of sulking and working, I pour myself a drink and take a seat on the window ledge and look the view of the city. My phone pings and I tap on the lock screen to see Ana's reply to my email with our picture from the shoot as the background wallpaper. Theo would be proud. I've become a sentimental fucker.
From: Anastasia Steele
To: Christian Grey
Subject: Availability
Date: June 17th, 2020 - 10:17PM
Mr. Grey
Thank you for your email. It happens. I understand that you are a busy man, however, I am unable to meet you for dinner tomorrow. My next availability is Friday 6/19, 4pm onwards at my home studio on the mezzanine level. Otherwise the next availability is Tuesday 6/23 after 5pm. Please confirm either time so I can make arrangements accordingly.
Sent from my iPhone
Anastasia Steele
Editorial Photographer
Elliot was right. She's pissed.
At least she didn't go home with the PhD fucker. I still have a chance.
I might even make a wish for my birthday this year.
A/N: these two kids... SMH. Let me know what you think of this chapter.
VRB Mariposa: YAY, you're all caught up. Thank you for reviewing every single chapter. It means a lot. Here's another one :)
Guest: You asked for a new chapter and now you shall receive! Chapter 12 is gonna be fun, I promise. It'll be solely dedicated to our favorite lovebirds.