Chapter fourteen
"I'm not sure about this, Ana," Christian said as Taylor pulled up at the Grey family estate. Christian looked at Ana with a hesitant gaze, but she reached over to squeeze his hand.
"It'll be alright." She smiled at him and leaned over to kiss him softly and quickly on the lips. They heard Elsa fake gagging from the third row.
"Geez, can you guys be anymore touchy feely? Justin isn't even that affectionate with me."
Christian stiffened and glared back at his daughter. "Who the hell is Justin?"
"Christian!" Ana chided him, slapping his arm.
"Uh, my boyfriend," Elsa said like it should have been obvious. "I already told you about him."
Christian's nostrils flared and his jaw clenched. He did recall Elsa saying something about a boyfriend, but now the pubescent horny kid had a name. "I want to meet him," Christian said through clenched teeth.
"Fine. Whatever. Can we get out of the car now?"
Ana opened up her door first, and Christian followed, allowing Elsa to come out from his side. She looked up at him as he closed the door, and when he turned she found him staring at him.
"What is it?" Christian asked.
Elsa just grinned at him, shook her head and made her way to the house. Christian frowned after her as he watched her go. Ana came up to his side and grabbed his hand.
"What's wrong?" she asked him.
Christian shook his head, still a little puzzled over the way Elsa looked at him. "Nothing," he answered, then leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Just wondering how today is going to play out." He sighed as he and Ana followed Elsa to the front door as she waited for them to catch up.
Elsa knocked on the door and after a few seconds the house manager, Gretchen, opened the door, and her surprise was apparent by the drop of her jaw and wide eyes.
"M-Mr. Grey. We weren't expecting you," she stammered.
Christian raised his brow at her. "So does that mean my family and I are not welcomed, then?"
Gretchen's cheeks turned pink as she finally glanced at Elsa and Ana and stepped aside. "Forgive me, Mr. Grey. You're parents are in the sitting room with your brother and sister-in-law, and your sister is up in her room."
Christian frowned at the mention of his sister, but the squeeze of Ana's hand around his settled his nerves a little. He gave her a grateful smile when he looked down at her, glad that she was here with him.
Elsa led the way to the sitting room like she had been in this house a thousand times. When they approached the sitting room she cleared her throat. Christian's parents, Elliot and Kate all turned as one and all wore the same surprised expression as they saw the three of them standing on the threshold of the room. Grace was the first to react.
"What are you guys doing here?" she asked, coming to stand in front of Elsa and smiling adoringly at her before she looked up at Christian and Ana. "Not that you aren't welcome, but you see, we didn't think . . . well, we didn't think you'd ever want to see us again." Grace was looking at Ana as she told them what the rest of the Grey family was thinking.
Ana frowned at her and cocked her head to the side. "Why would you think that, Grace?" Ana asked with genuine curiosity.
Grace diverted her eyes to Christian for a moment before she looked back at Ana. "Well considering what happened last night—"
"Grace," Ana interrupted her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Despite the drama and secrets, Elsa is your family. I would never keep her away from you. I don't want to be the one who keeps Elsa from knowing her family, neither of us do." Ana grabbed Christian's hand and looked up at him.
Grace smiled affectionately at Ana and took a step to hug her. "Thank you, dear girl." She let her hand gently caress her cheek before she turned to her son and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She then turned and smiled at Elsa. "Isn't it someone's birthday today?"
Elsa nodded her head and clasped her hands behind her back. "Yup. I'm fifteen today."
Grace pulled Elsa into her arms and gave her a tight hug. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."
Elsa smiled brightly at Grace. "Thanks, GG."
"GG?" Grace asked with raised brows.
Elsa smiled at her as she nodded her head. "I figured I'd come up with a different name other than grandma to keep things from getting confused."
Grace gently ran her hand down the side of Elsa's cheek as she smiled indulgently at her. "If that makes you happy then I have no problem with it."
Christian watched as the rest of his family got up to hug and wish Elsa a happy birthday. He smiled over the way Elliot ruffled her hair and told her something that made Elsa throw her head back in laughter.
Christian looked down at Ana to see the same smile on her face as his family opened their arms up to Elsa, showing her the same amount of love they'd show her if they knew of her existence before a few days ago.
"How about we go into the kitchen and celebrate. We have some left over cake but maybe I can get your grandfather to go out and fetch a birthday cake for us?" Grace said as she pulled Elsa toward the kitchen.
Elsa willingly followed. "Sounds good, as long as it doesn't have nuts in it since I'm allergic."
"Oh dear, I'll have to remember that in future."
Christian slid his fingers between Ana's as they followed every one into the kitchen, listening as Grace chattered non-stop with Elsa. Everyone gathered around the kitchen island, Elsa the center of attention as everyone asked her questions about her early life, what she wanted to do when she got older, how she was liking Seattle and when she was starting school.
Everyone was so engrossed in Elsa that Christian thought it was the perfect opportunity to have a few moments alone to speak with Ana, sort of a way to get to know each other better and fill in some gaps.
Grasping her hand and squeezing it gently, he leaned into her side and whispered in her ear, "Come take a walk with me."
Ana nodded, standing from the counter with her hand in Christian's as he told everyone he was going to show Ana the grounds.
Leading her away from the house Christian first thought about just taking a walk around Lake Washington, but as the boathouse came into view he thought it would be a good place to talk with little interruptions or distractions.
As Ana realized he was leading her to the boathouse, she gasped and gripped his hand tighter, memories of years past suddenly flooding her mind. Christian opened the door for her, and stepping inside she noticed how things hadn't really changed from the last time she saw it. It was as pretty as she remembered but it still brought a nostalgic feeling to her. Christian grabbed her hand again and led her up the stairs. She suddenly felt more aware of him than she had a moment ago and she couldn't help but feel her skin tingle and her body heat up as she thought about what they did the last time they were in here.
Ana let go of his hand as she went to explore the room, a smile on her face as she looked at the bed and her fingers danced over the dresser. The window on the opposite side over looked the lake and for a moment she felt like she was fifteen again, waiting anxiously for Christian to make her feel sensations she had never been familiar with.
"I thought we could come up here to talk, but now that we're here, all alone, I'm kind of regretting that decision," Christian said, coming up behind her, his fingers gently running up her sides as his breath blew warmly against her skin. "All I can think about was the last time I brought you here, making love to you for the first time."
Ana shivered at his touch and closed her eyes, remembering all the feelings he evoked in her, the way his touch lit up her body. "I remember it too," she breathed, her eyes still closed, her head lulling to the side as Christian began placing soft wet kisses along the curve of her neck.
Christian's hand trailed down the side of her body, his fingertips reaching to the hem of her dress before his fingers slowly trailed up her bare skin, his hand disappearing under her dress.
Ana let out a gasp that sounded something like a moan. She opened her eyes and abruptly turned in his arms, gripping the front of his shirt and staring deeply into his eyes. "Make love to me," she breathed, her lips just grazing his.
Christian didn't need to be told twice and he didn't give it a second thought as he picked her up under her thighs and carried her toward the bed. They both made quick work of undressing, eager and desperate to feel skin against skin as they couldn't keep their hands or mouths off of each other. Ana moaned loud when she felt Christian lick down the column of her neck, one hand grabbing her breast as the other trailed up and down the length of her body. Her hips moved in circles, trying to gain any sort of friction as Christian moved his mouth to her left breast and began to suckle eagerly. Her nails dug into his skin and she felt like she was going to combust if she didn't feel him inside her soon.
She trailed her nails down his back to his taught behind and curled her nails deep into his skin to pull him closer. "Christian. I need you inside me now, please," she whimpered, feeling like she was about to lose her mind if he didn't make love to her soon.
Christian leaned up to take her mouth in a deep kiss as he moved his right hand down her flat abdomen and pressed his finger into the heat of her. She groaned at the contact and lifted her hips as he sunk his fingers deep into her, moving his fingers in a come hither motion. She moaned loud, her face turning a deep red and grabbed his wrist to pull his hand away. He smiled at her jerky movements and leaned up so he could position himself better in between her legs. Placing one arm above her head, he reached down to grab himself and line the tip with Ana's entrance. When he hesitated Ana lifted her hips forcing his erection to enter her. Christian had no choice but to plunge deep into her with a growl once he felt her warm heat surround the tip of him. Once he was fully imbedded in her he lifted his head to look down at her, smiling slightly when he saw her gazing up at him with pure uninhibited passion in her dark blue eyes.
"I've been waiting for this moment for days," he moaned as he slowly pulled out and just as slowly pushed back into her.
Ana moaned, but it sounded like a frustrated sigh. "Christian, please stop talking and move faster," she begged, grinding her hips against him as she held onto his shoulders.
Pulling her legs higher up on his waist, he braced both arms above her head, melding his lips with hers as he began to increase his speed. Ana moaned loud, closing her eyes and arching her back, pushing her breasts into his chest. Christian moved his mouth to her neck, sucking softly on her skin as one of his hand played with her nipples. Ana started to writhe under him, her moans becoming louder as her breathing became erratic and Christian knew she was close. Reaching between them and massaged her clitoris and the added sensation forced her into climax, her body stiffening as she clung to him like a vine. The way she was gripping him and pulling him deeper inside as well as her loud moans tipped Christian over the edge, and with a deep guttural moan, he released everything he had deep inside her.
He continued to slowly thrust in and out of her as he rode out his orgasm before he fully collapsed on top of her, completely sated and out of breath. Ana panted under him, her eyes closed as she reveled in the receding euphoria languidly surging through her body.
After a few silent moments Christian lifted his head to look down at her. "How was that?" he asked, a smug smirk on his face as he took a good look at her relaxed, dazed expression.
She turned her head and opened one eye to look at him, then closed it again. "Like you even had to ask that," she muttered.
Christian laughed and leaned down to kiss her quickly on the mouth. Turning onto his back, he folded his hands his behind his head and stared up at the ceiling. He silently wondered when there could be a repeat performance. Since being with Ana fifteen years ago he had been with other women, but no matter who he was with none of them compared to Ana. Even after all of this time, his feelings were just as strong and his body responded just the same way. Now that he got her back, he knew with absolute certainty there was no way that he would ever be able to let her go again.
When he heard Ana sigh and felt her body slide against his, he couldn't help but look down at her naked form and desire, thick and heavy, brought his body back to life. He had to swallow his groan when she rolled into his side, pressing her bare breasts into his chest and throwing a long, lean leg across his thighs. She laid her arm across his abdomen as she looked up at him.
"What?" he asked, a curios expression raising his brow.
She shook her head and smiled at him. On a long happy sigh she said, "Nothing. Everything is absolutely perfect."
He grinned down at her as he ran his hands along her spine. "I do have to say that was one of the best experiences I've had in over a decade."
A small smile pulled at the corners of Ana's mouth as she traced lazy circles around his bellybutton. "If I didn't have to leave all those years ago, if I just moved in with Ray, what do you think we'd being doing right now? Do you think that we would still be together?" she asked thoughtfully.
"Yes," Christian said without hesitation. He turned and looked into her eyes. "Ana, when I tell you that I love you I mean it. I've never felt the way I feel about you with anyone else. What happened 15 years ago was just a poor draw of luck, but I can guarantee you that if I could have controlled it you would have never left my side. I could also guarantee that if things worked out the way I wanted them to, we would have been married by the time you graduated high school and you'd probably be pregnant with my sixth child right now."
"Six!" Ana gasped in surprise. "You want six kids?" By the look on her face Christian could tell that it was not an idea that appealed to her.
Christian turned more to his side to face her, his large hand caressing the side of her face. "Baby, I'd have twenty kids with you if it was possible, not really because I'd want that many, but because I find it terribly hard to keep my hands off you." He winked and grinned down at her, making Ana giggle and playfully push his shoulder.
"Be serious, Christian. I'll be forty in nine years and I'd really rather not spend three or four years during that time fat and swollen." She looked at him with serious eyes. "How many more kids did you really want?"
"You'd really have more of my babies?" he asked with an expression just as serious.
She quirked a brow and leaned her head back before narrowing her eyes at him. "Did you want another woman to have the honor?"
He rolled his eyes. "I didn't mean it that way. I just meant you'd really want to have more kids with me?"
She frowned at him. "Of course, why wouldn't I?" He shrugged in response. She didn't appreciate the non-answer. Grabbing his face, she turned his head so he was looking at her and she could read his eyes. "Christian, what gave you the idea that I wouldn't' want to have any more kids with you?"
He ran his hand along her waist as he avoided her gaze. "I thought that maybe you were content with just Elsa. You kept saying how you wanted to settle into things, I didn't know if another or a few more babies were on the table."
Ana smiled sweetly down at Christian, leaning her face closer to his as she kissed him gently. "Christian Grey I'd be more than happy to carry more of your babies, depending on how many more you want, of course."
"How many more would you be willing to have?"
She looked past his shoulder as she thought about her answer. "Maybe two." Ana almost laughed out loud when a look of disappointment flashed in his eyes. "How many would you like, Mr. Grey?"
"At least four more."
"Four! No. I'll settle on a maximum of three more kids."
Christian sighed as he nuzzled his face against her breasts, earning a giggle from her. "Fine. But if we accidently have four, don't blame me."
Ana laughed. "Well you just told me you wanted four more kids, who else am I supposed to blame if it happens?"
"You can blame the monster between my legs. He is the downfall of a lot of things in my life."
She laughed again, and Christian smiled against her skin. "Oh, Mr. Grey, what am I going to do with you?"
"You can love me."
Ana gently ran her fingers through his hair. "Forever and ever, babe."
He tightened his arms around her waist, kissing a path from the valley between her breasts to her mouth. He looked down at her for a few moments to stare in her eyes. "You know, we're sitting here talking about having more babies, but we're not even married."
A look of alarm passed across her face. "Are you asking me to marry you?"
He shook his head. "No. At least not yet."
She scrutinized him through narrowed eyes. Christian sighed before he sat up, pulling Ana up with him and settling her in his lap, her legs straddling his outstretched ones. "Ana, did you really expect me to be satisfied with just being your boyfriend?"
She frowned at him. "Well, no, but I didn't think you'd want to jump right into being husband and wife right away either."
"I never said I did. But I at least like to know that you'd be open to marrying me by the end of the year."
"That's only eight months away, though."
He smirked at her. "I figured the sooner we get married the sooner we can make up for lost time." Ana sighed and tried to lift herself out of his hold, but his grip only tightened. "Look, Ana, I get if this is all a little too sudden—"
"A little?" she said, cutting him off. "Christian, Elsa and I have been back for about a week and already I feel like you have the rest of our lives planned out for us. That's not something we're used to, or something I'm comfortable with you doing. I understand that you love me and want to start a life with me, and trust me I want the same, but if the end goal is the same why do we have to rush it? Why can't we just enjoy our time together?"
"I'm sorry," he murmured slowly. "I didn't realize that I made you feel that way, and believe me, it wasn't intentional, but I want you, Ana. I want to live the rest of my life with you and our daughter and any future children we have. I just want to love you the only way I know how, for the rest of our lives."
She gazed into his eyes as her fingers gently caressed the sides of her face. Slowly, she pressed her lips against his and pulled back, rubbing her nose against his. "Can I at least have the next eight months to settle into our new lives before I consider marrying you?"
"But you will marry me?"
Ana rolled her eyes but giggled and kissed his nose. "Yes, Mr. Grey, I will marry you. But not right now. And I don't want a ring right now either," she added. Christian frowned, making Ana smile in triumph for reading his thoughts so well. "You know even after all of this time, I feel like you haven't changed very much."
Christian quirked a brow. "Is that so Miss Steele? Well, maybe I should show you a few things that have changed."
Ana laughed in delight as he threw her against the bed, his kisses raining down across her face before they settled firmly on her lips. Her giggles quickly subsided as passion burned through her veins, lighting her limbs on fire, and when Christian finally entered her again, she did have to admit that maybe some things have changed.
"We should get up soon," Ana whispered as she tangled her fingers in Christians. She was lying on her back, Christian lying against her, completely and fully sated after a third round of lovemaking. They were facing each other, one of Christian's hands resting under his head as the other one rested between their warm bodies. "I'm surprised we haven't been interrupted the entire time we've been up here," she wondered out loud.
Christian chuckled. "I'm sure my family is keeping Elsa preoccupied."
Ana ran her index finger down the length of his stomach, between his abdominal muscles before she kissed his nose and sat up, scooting out of bed to put her clothes back on. Christian sat up in bed, placing his arms behind his head as he watched her dress, enjoying watching her put on clothes almost as much as he enjoyed taking them off her.
Ana caught his gaze as she slid on her underwear and smirked at him. "See something you like, Mr. Grey?"
Christian gave her a boyish grin and a wink that made Ana's knees wobble. "I sure do, baby."
She picked up his sock off the floor and threw it at him, laughing all the while. "Shouldn't you be getting dressed? It's not like we can stay here all day. You do have to go to work tomorrow."
"Don't you?" he asked, getting out of bed. "Speaking of that, where is it that you work? You never mentioned it."
"It's called Pacific Northwest Publishers House. And starting next week I'll work full time but I don't go in until Wednesday."
"What's your position?"
"Fiction and non-fiction editor and a temporary stand-in PA for the CEO until his usual one returns from maternity leave."
"Which did they hire you in as?"
"The editor, of course, but I was told that with my recommendations and experience they would pay more to fill in as a PA for the time being until the end of July."
Christian was fully dressed and crossed his arms over his chest as he watched her comb her fingers in her hair. "How long had you been an editor in England?"
"Mmm, a few years after I graduated college."
"Where did you go to college?"
Ana smirked at Christian through the mirror that was sat upon the chest of dressers adjacent to the bed. "You're very loquacious suddenly," she joked. "I graduated summa cum laude from Durham University in 2004."
Christian's brows shot up. "Highest honors with a child? I'm impressed, Miss Steele, but can't really say I'm surprised."
Ana smiled at him as she pulled the ends of her hair to tighten her ponytail. "Well it wasn't easy, that's for sure. But I wanted to prove to anyone and everyone that although I may have been a teen mother, that did not make me less intelligent or less capable than others who had children after graduating college."
Christian stalked toward her and wrapped his arms around her waist, his smiling face hovering above hers. "Whether you went to college or not, or rather you graduated summa cum laude or not, you could never be called unintelligent or incapable of anything."
Ana reached on her toes and pressed her lips into his. "Well I'm glad you think so highly of me."
"Always, baby. Now come on, I'm hungry. You wore me out."
Ana laughed as Christian lead her down the stairs and out of the boathouse. As they were heading back to the house, Christian suddenly stopped, making Ana stumble next to him and look up in question.
"Ana, I wasn't wearing a condom."
She blinked a few times before saying, "I'm on birth control. Did I not tell you that?"
"Not that I can recall," Christian murmured. He started walking back to the house, her hand clasped in his a little more tightly.
"You know, I would have thought that would have made you happy if I wasn't."
He looked down his nose at her. "You said you weren't ready, I wouldn't do something intentionally that I know wouldn't make you happy."
Ana didn't respond but had a secret smile on her face. That smile slowly faded as she walked into the house with Christian at her side, and total chaos surrounded them.
Sorry it took me so long to get this out to you guys! Thank you for your patience. And thank you for the follows, favorites and reviews. I do read all of them, even if it doesn't seem like I do.
Some of you were asking me where chapter 15 was, but there is not one. The site sent out an email saying chapter fifteen was posted but it was only chapter 13. I reposted it because I was told by some readers they weren't able to view it. It caused a lot of confusion but I hope it's all been solved and all of you can read this chapter.
I'm working on chapter 15 and hope to have that out soon.
Thanks for reading!