Written in the Stars

By Tvdfanpam

Chapter 24

Field Trip

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Ana had a field trip coming up to the Elliott Bay Book Company and Christian had to put his foot down and absolutely insisted that Sawyer go with her. Ana was enjoying working without her shadow and getting to know her co-workers; she didn't need a bodyguard to keep people away from her. She liked the students and they needed to have easy access to her. She was popular and well dressed and had caused a stir among the senior class; the boys were half in love with her and the girls wanted to be just like her. Sawyer being added to the mix wasn't something Ana wanted right now.

"He can observe from a distance. He doesn't have to be standing right next to me." Ana insisted since Christian said she couldn't go on the field trip without him. He had personally called Bernie Noe and explained the situation to him. He agreed with Christian as long as he wouldn't stand out. Two other students going on the field trip would also have security there as well.

"You won't be the only one there with security. Camilla Williams and Tanner Lindsey will both have bodyguards." Ana sighed and sat down on the end of the bed. Christian sat down beside her. "You knew this when you married me. There are people who see you as an easy target. I would pay anything Ana to get you back if you were kidnapped." He took her hand and kissed her palm. "Please don't fight me on this."

Ana sighed really big and hugged her husband. "I feel normal at work. Nobody stares at me and whispers or treats me any differently. I like it and hate to have to have protection when I go somewhere."

"I totally get it. I would rather not have Taylor follow my every move. But it is what it is. Please make the best of it."

"Okay. I will stop complaining. He will be good to have on hand in case there are reporters there. Why anyone wants to know where I shop or what I had for breakfast still boggles my mind. I am the same person I was before I met you."

"That's what I love about you. You don't care about money or fame." Christian gathered her onto his lap. "How about we go out on the boat this weekend? Just the two of us and the crew of course." He lifted her hair and kissed her neck. "You can wear your bathing suit again."

"Oh! That sounds great! I love going out on the boat. Maybe someday you can teach me how to do the things you do to get the boat ready…" Christian laughed out loud.

"Baby, you have no strength in your arms. Plus, I feel safer with the crew on board." Ana frowned at him.

"Maybe I will start lifting weights then."

The next morning Sawyer dropped Ana off in front of the School Library as usual and then he drove over to the bookstore and waited for her to come with the students on the bus. There were two busloads of students and teachers. The students were going to pick out books for their Senior Reading List and then the store owner was going to give a talk. There were actually 101 books on the list but the students had picked out ten that they had to write papers on during the upcoming year. Ana would read the books with the students and they would have weekly discussions about them; a book club if you will.

"Mrs. Grey, please call the roll and we can be off." Ana stood and called each student's name on her list and made sure they each were there before the bus left the school grounds. It was a 15 minute trip to the bookstore that morning. She sat down in the seat next to another chaperone.

They pulled up to the bookstore and Ana saw Sawyer get out of his car. He waited until Ana and the children got off the bus before he followed them inside. He made eye contact with Ana and she smiled back. One of the girls giggled when she saw him. He was dressed like a college student in jeans and a tight graphic tee shirt. He looked good! Two more 'college students' followed him in and they milled around the store.

Ana took her group over to the Fiction Section where they could make their selections. The group of 10 students she would mentor voted to read The Great Gatsby first. They would read it before school started to get a head start on their required reading. Ana had a hard time keeping an eye on her students because she could spend hours in a book store browsing the titles.

"Mrs. Grey, that man keeps staring at you." Jessica whispered to Ana, coming to stand beside her.

"It's okay Jessica. He's my bodyguard. He was supposed to blend in." Ana rolled her eyes and the two girls giggled. Ana looked young enough to be a student herself. Sawyer grinned back and came over to where the two girls were standing.

"Good morning Mrs. Grey." He said politely. "How much longer?"

"We are about to wrap it up. Most of my students have their books so we should be going back soon. If you need to head back to the office, feel free to leave now." She offered hopefully. He shook his head.

"I'll follow you back to school then head to the office per Mr. Grey's instructions." He said with a slight smile. They had this same type of conversation at least twice a week. Just then the glass shattered in the front door and Sawyer grabbed Ana and pulled her behind a bookcase. There were screams as they heard gunshots. Sawyer scooped Ana up off the floor and ran towards the back of the store. She had grabbed Jessica's hand and was half dragging her along with them. "Be quiet ladies. I don't think we were seen." He got the door open and was out before Ana realized what was happening.

"I need to make sure my students are okay." Ana tried to get out of his arms. Jessica was crying and shaking beside her, still holding Ana's hand.

"No Mrs. Grey. You can't go back in there. It's not safe." A car came barreling down the alley where they were standing. Reynolds, one of the Grey's security team was behind the wheel. Sawyer opened the back door and pushed Ana and Jessica into the car. "Take them to Escala." Reynolds raced away and Sawyer called 911.