Chapter 15:
Raymond Steele knew that this day was going to be unusual, but he was not prepared to see a helicopter landing in his backyard. At first, he thought there had been some horrible incident in Seattle and he was being escorted back to the city, however, his keen eyes took in the GEH logo on the side of the helicopter. He stood on the back porch with a glass of iced tea and wondered why that helicopter was landing on his property. He was more than shocked to see the copper-haired CEO climbing out of the copter after powering the beast down, but his shock went "thermo-nuclear" when he saw Ana being helped from the helicopter. He dropped his glass of tea and went over the porch railing to get to his daughter.
"Daddy!" Ana exclaimed with a smile. "Oh, Daddy…it is good to see you. We live in the same city and we barely see each other." She began to giggle. "I have to come to Montesano to see you."
"I'm on vacation, so I came out here to do some fishing and of course, to check up on the place." Raymond held his daughter at arm's length to check her over, then led her away from the helicopter. He didn't bother to acknowledge the CEO. His attentions were completely on his daughter. "Why are you here?"
"Daddy, Christian needs to talk to you." She lowered her voice. "So play nice." She then smiled in her special way. "I'll be in the house if you need me."
"Annie!" Ray exclaimed but she strolled on her way to the house. He turned to the man who had broken his little girl's heart. "Grey."
"Mr. Steele, I would appreciate a few moments of your time." For the first time in many years, Christian Grey was nervous. He was thirteen years old again and standing in front of his father's desk awaiting yet another lecture from Carrick. He was not the hot-shot CEO who owned most of Washington State, he was just a poor schmuck who was extremely nervous to ask his girlfriend's Dad for her hand in marriage. Christian's mind was whirling with the scenarios that could happen…what if Raymond Steele said "no way, over my dead body!" would Ana still marry him? Would she defy her father to be with him? They walked for a few paces in silence as Christian found the words he wanted to say. "Mr. Steele, I am in love with your daughter and she is in love with me. I know we have had some problems but we have worked them out…I have worked them out. I adore Anastasia, Mr. Steele, and I want to take care of her, protect her, and love her for the rest of our lives. So, Sir, with your blessings, I would like to marry your daughter." Christian took a deep breath. "May I have your permission to marry Ana?"
The silence was brutal! Ray considered the young man before him and narrowed his eyes. "The only way you will ever be able to marry my daughter…" Christian closed his eyes, knowing that Ray was not going to accept their engagement. All was lost! Ana would never go against her Daddy! His heart crumbled into his belly and he felt sick. "…the only way you will ever be able to marry my daughter," Ray restated with his usual stoic demeanor, "…is if you start calling me Ray. I'm not that old yet!" Ray clapped him on the back. "It's about damn time you came to your senses boy! Everyone knows that you are madly in love with my daughter…I was just telling your parents the other day…."
"My parents!" Christian exclaimed.
Ray had to laugh at the shocked expression on the young man's face. "Yes, I know your parents, son. Dr. Trevelyn and I have worked on a few cases together that needed a doctor's opinion and of course, I have dealt with your Father in court. You forget that I am a cop." Ray lost his smile and got very serious. "I love my daughter, Christian. I love her with every breath in my body. She is precious. She is extraordinary. If you ever hurt again like you did, I will forget the promise I made her and I will come after you… there is nothing or no one who could stop me…not even your Jason Taylor."
"I understand, Sir…Ray." Christian said when he got the full on Raymond Steele glare. So, that is where Ana got that menacing stare! That apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Ana stood on the back porch biting the skin about her fingernail. She was nervous. She was watching the two most important men in her life conversing. Her Dad knew how much the breakup with Christian had hurt her and Ray did try to step in a few times, but Ana refused his help. She wanted to deal with this situation herself, like an adult. She never told her father about Christian's extracurricular activities or how demanding he was. Raymond only knew that his little girl had her heart broke! Her heart was racing as the two men started back to the house. They were still speaking, but there were no smiles. Both men had their hands clasped behind their backs as they walked. She was beginning to worry. Maybe Ray would not give them his blessings. Maybe she would have to choose between the men she loved. She felt tears threatening to fall as she watched them approach the porch.
"Hey, daughter." Ray said lowly. "I hear tell that I've got a wedding to pay for!" Ana caught her breath and began to laugh and cry at the same time. Her hands gripped onto the porch railing to keep her from falling to the floor.
"Daddy." She breathed as the big man hopped onto the porch and swept her up into a big bear's hug. She was laughing and crying at the same time as Ray swung her around as he did when she was just a little girl. "Put me down."
"I knew the boy would come around. I told Grace and Carrick that you two would work things out." Ray settled his little girl on her own two feet. "I gave my blessing to this big guy for your hand in marriage if you still want him."
A big smile raced across Ana's face. Christian was also smiling, happy to see Ana full of joy. "Oh, I think I will keep him. He's like mold…he just grows on ya."
"Thanks, babe…Thanks a lot." Christian offered his hand to her then pulled her close for an embrace. "So, we are getting hitched…when and where?"
Ray shook his head. "Oh lord….here come the bills."
"Oh, Daddy…don't worry about it. I have money saved up and besides, we want a small intimate wedding with just family."
"Daughter, a man pays for his daughter's wedding…that's just the way things are!" Ray gruffed.
"Yes, Daddy." Ana said sweetly. "I was thinking we could have the wedding here. It's so beautiful here. There's enough room for everyone and the press would never think to look here in Montesano for the Great Christian Grey to get married."
"I think that is a great idea. I knew I was marrying you because of your intelligence" Christian said as he kissed her softly. His big arms were wrapped about her waist and holding her close, her back against his chest. "We can have our small wedding here with a small reception, go on our honeymoon then return for a larger and formal wedding reception that will make my mother and sister happy." He leaned down and kissed her neck. "Will that be to your liking my darling girl?"
"Yes, Christian, I can live with that." She patted his hand and smiled at him. "Now, I have deal with dresses and shoes….and Oh, my lord…your sister!"
"Yeah, well, good luck with that." Christian laughed extremely happy. He felt as if he was just beginning to live. Ana made him feel that way. Every day with her was full of joy…a joy he never knew could exist for him. He was laughing, joking, and for the first time in his life…he was relaxed! "I love you, Ana." He whispered into her neck. "I love you so damn much."
"Christian." Her voice was soft as angel's wings. She turned in his arms and caught his shoulders. She offered her lips for a kiss. "I love you…forever."
xxXXxx
The sound of the front door opening and closing brought Carrick's head up from the evening paper he was reading. He looked at his wristwatch and knew that his lovely wife was home from the hospital. He stood as she came into the room with a big smile across her face.
"Gracie?" Carrick questioned with narrowed eyes. "What are you up too?"
"I got a phone call from Christian and he is on his way here in his helicopter." Grace began to giggle like a teen-age girl talking about her first celebrity crush. "He's bringing Ana."
"No! Really?" Carrick's mouth slowly flickered into a sly smile. "Could it be that they are back together? Oh, that would be wonderful! Ana is so good for our son, I was telling Ray just the other day…." The thump thump thump of helicopter blades drown out Carrick's voice. "He's here already?"
"He called me while I was turning into the drive." Grace was so excited. She led her husband out onto the huge stone patio and watch as their youngest son piloted his own helicopter into a perfect landing. The good doctor held her breath as the blades slowed down and she could see Christian reaching over to undo someone's safety belt. As she expected, it was Ana! The tears were making her green eyes sparkle with a mother's joy, especially when Christian walked around the helicopter, opened the door, and carried Ana from his beautiful, but expensive toy! Grace held onto Carrick's arm as Christian kept Ana in his arms and carried her over the lawn, up the stone stones, and onto the patio. "Christian! Ana! How wonderful to see you both." Grace said trying not to break into tears. They looked so well together, as if they were made for each other. She opened her arms expecting a hug from both of them.
"Hello, Mom." Christian said giving her a tight hug that made her heart skip a beat and then he kissed her cheek. "I brought a friend to see you."
"I see that." Grace smiled at the young woman who was biting her lip. "Hello, Ana dear. How are you?"
"I'm fine, Dr. Grey." Ana said as she hugged the woman who would now be her mother-in-law. "I hope we haven't interrupted your evening."
"We were just getting home." Carrick offered. He shook Christian's hand and gave Ana a warm hug. "So, what have you been doing this fine day?"
"Well, Mom and Dad…We have some news for you." Christian said as he took Ana's hand into his.
"You are back together!" Grace shouted with glee. "Oh, I am so glad."
"Mom… Mom…there's more. We are back together and we are getting married. Ana has agreed to be my wife." Christian declared proudly as he hugged Ana even closer. The good doctor and the good lawyer stood in shock staring at the young couple. Grace then threw up her hands. "Oh, thank God! Finally, you figured it out, Christian!" She looked up to the heavens and said a quick thank you. "We all knew that Ana was the one." She went to them offering her love in hugs and kisses. She took Ana's sweet face into her hands. "I am now your Mother, Ana. You call me Grace or Mom…I never want to hear Dr. or Mrs. Grey from you." She gave the little brunette a motherly kiss on the forehead. "Welcome to the family, my dear."