Written in the Stars

By Tvdfanpam

Chapter 17

Moving on Up

Ray Steele came by Sunday morning to see Ana's new apartment and knew when he saw it that Christian had stepped in and added a lot of extras. He kept his mouth shut about that then told his daughter he was proud of her for getting her own place and not moving in with her new fiancé. That made Ana blush and stammer.

"Dad, we still haven't known each other very long and I am not ready to live with him yet. We probably won't get married until December or January, when I have winter break. We have lots of things to learn about each other." She was bright red and didn't want to admit to herself that her dad was trying to find out if they had had sex yet. She wanted to change the subject really fast. "So, are you dating anyone? I was thinking you might spring someone on me at graduation yesterday." It was his turn to turn red in the face and stammer.

"No, I'm not dating anyone but I wouldn't be opposed to dating again. I have been working two jobs so I didn't have time for that and now that you are out of school; I was thinking about moving closer to you. We could spend more time together and when you get married and have kids, I would be closer to my grandkids."

"Whoa, whoa, that is a few years down the road." Ana said. "I would love for you to move closer to me though. When were you going to move? Do you have a job lined up yet?" Ana was so excited she clapped excitedly. "You should talk to Christian, he knows a lot of people, he could probably give you some leads."

"Is he at home today? I know he lives in the penthouse in this fancy, schmancy apartment building."

"I'll find out." Ana grabbed her phone and texted Christian really quick: Are you home? Dad's here. Wants to talk to you. He texted back right away: Yes. Can come down there now or he can come up here. "He wants to know if you want to come up or him come down?"

"Tell him I'll be right up." Ray said. Ana sent Christian a text that he was coming up.

"Okay. Here's the code." Ana wrote something down on a sticky note and handed it to her dad. "You'll need it for the elevator. He kissed her on the cheek and said he would stop back by before he went home. Ana went back to unpacking her toiletries in her new beautiful bathroom. She never had her own bathroom before, at home she shared with her dad and with Kate at her last apartment.

Ray Steele went to the bank of elevators and got in. He tried to put the code in to take him up to the penthouse and had to do it twice before he got it right. He didn't want to admit to anyone least of all Ana that he needed reading glasses now. Taylor was waiting for Ray when he got off the elevator at the penthouse level. He escorted him into the apartment.

"Mr. Steele, good to see you again." Christian walked towards him with his hand out to shake hands. "Would you like something to drink?" He asked. He had no idea what the man wanted and he was a little nervous, truth be told. "I have beer, whiskey, or water or assorted sodas." Ray asked for water and Taylor got both of them a bottle of Evian out of the refrigerator before going back to his office.

"Thank you Christian. Please call me Ray. We are going to be family after all." He sat down on the sectional sofa in the large living room and so did Christian. "My daughter's apartment is nice. I could tell that you had it done for her."

"I just made it more comfortable. She thinks it came furnished and I didn't tell her otherwise." Christian took a drink of his own water. He couldn't look her father in the eyes and lie about anything. "She loves it and she is in a secure building and her bodyguard is in the next apartment. She will be safe here."

"Since Ana is out of school now and has a new job, I was thinking about moving here myself. I want to be closer to my daughter. Her mother won't be in her life and I think she needs one of her parents near her. I certainly missed her when she was four hours away from me at college."

"I am sure Ana will like that. She talks about you all the time and has fond memories of you when she was growing up. She said you were always there for her." Christian thought he wanted to keep his eye on her. "Do you plan to move into the city or do you want to live in the suburbs?"

"Never lived in a big city before. I like to have a yard so probably the suburbs or a small town."

"There is a property in Redmond we bought as a foreclosure. It is in a quiet neighborhood and has a yard and a shop building behind it. Would that be something you would be interested in?" He was going to flip it and make a profit but he would be willing to sell it to Ray for what he bought it.

"That sounds like something I would be interested in, text me the address and I will check it out. I applied to the police force in Redmond. The town has a low crime rate and no gangs, so hopefully something would come of that."

"The police chief is retiring soon. Are you hoping to become the next chief of police?" He would have to be appointed for that position. He had a good reputation in his home town so now would be a good time to get established in the community. Christian started thinking of people he knew with influence.

"I've thought about it before. I want to be close to Ana and any future grandchildren so that is why I researched towns close to Seattle." Christian squirmed at the reference to grandchildren.

"Well, Ana and I haven't had the talk yet about kids, but we'll probably wait a while." Christian took another drink of his water. "Ana was surprised to find out she is going to be a big sister."

"Her mother is a piece of work. I hope Bob Adams will be able to raise that boy. Carla loses interest in something when she isn't the focus of attention." Ray peeled the label on his water bottle with a frown.

"Ana is lucky to have you. She said you raised her mostly by yourself. It will make her happy to have you close by." Christian crossed his leg over his opposite knee, trying to relax.

Ray stood up and so did Christian. "Take care of my daughter. She's my world and I just want her to be happy. She seems happier than I have ever seen her. Keep doing what you're doing." Ray realized what that implied then turned red in the face. "I would like to think you aren't taking advantage of her-"

"Sir, I will treat her like the lady you raised her to be. I love her more than life itself and will do everything in my power to see her smile every day." Christian hoped he reassured Ray. He got the feeling he was trying to find out if they had made love yet. That was a conversation he would NOT be having with his fiancée's father. Christian shook hands with Ray and Taylor appeared to show him out of the penthouse.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a text from Elliott: Are you bringing your hot fiancée to Sunday dinner tonight? I am bringing a date. Christian replied: We'll be there. Who's your date? Elliott texted back: Gia Matteo

Christian sat back down on the sofa in surprise. Gia was one of his one night stands!

A/N: Hope everyone had a great holiday. I sure did. Next chapter, dinner with the fam and Gia then some fun in the sun.