okay, next chapter earlier than I thought for you all.
Extreme Gestures
Ana's POV:
I place the last of my belongings in my suitcase. Regardless of the difficulties of the past several days, I have enjoyed seeing Kate. I never realised how much I have missed my best friend! Kate passes me a refilled glass of wine. We clink glasses, celebrating nothing except a little bit of time together.
"I better stop drinking or else I will get drunk, and they won't let me board the plane tonight." I giggle, feeling some of the early effects of the wine. This girl time with Kate is exactly what I needed.
"In that case, I better fill up your glass even more" Kate smiles sadly at me. "Can't you change your flight back to tomorrow? I know you were freaked out when you arrived from your day with Christian yesterday, for some reason, but you two were courteous and quite friendly today. I can't see why you need to rush off!"
"Sorry, I already tried to change my flights before you came upstairs. All seats are fully booked. I shouldn't have changed it, but I did and it's done." I shrug my shoulders, not wanting to dwell on it.
"You could swallow your pride and ask Christian to use his jet, this way you could stay longer." Kate says in a very matter of fact tone.
"I don't want to take advantage of Christian." I say meekly.
"Clarify something for me Steele, you don't want to take advantage of Christian in terms of using his jet OR take advantage of Christian in a physical sense." She raises her eyebrows at me.
"Don't be so crude." I use the excuse that I need to pack up my toiletries from the bathroom as a mean to divert Kate's line of questioning. Truth be told I was worried of falling under Christian's spell. I had already fallen for it somewhat today.
"I think that's all" I mention looking around the room. Kate grimaces at me.
"I do appreciate your need to go back to New York, with Ted completing his senior year and everything, but, I wouldn't be doing my job as your best friend if I didn't tell you that you are making the same colossal mistake you did twelve years ago." Kate tells me off.
"Mistake? You were never all that excited about Christian and me together. You want me to go to Escala and throw myself at my estranged husband's feet?" I throw back at her. "Wait, I better call Elliot up, for the first time ever Katherine Kavanagh is siding with Christian Grey. No wait I think I need to call a Grey family conference for this. No one will ever believe me." I joke.
"Stop it Steele!" Kate groans at me. "I don't mean that. I mean leaving without properly sitting down and talking to Christian, does he even know you are leaving earlier than originally planned?"
"No, I couldn't tell him. I just can't seem to find the exact words to say to Christian. There is so much I need to say to him, but it's too hard." I confess.
"Be honest with yourself. Do you still love Christian?" Kate asks me.
"The matter is Kate that I don't deserve him anymore. If I had just been honest with him from the beginning, told him that I even though I miscarried I was still pregnant, about the phone call with my mother, then who knows, everything would have been different. But it isn't." I shrug remorsefully.
"Stop avoiding my question. Do you still LOVE Christian?" The Kate inquisition continues.
"Yes, of course I love Christian, Why do you think that I have avoided other men? The problem is I don't feel I deserve to be loved and cherished by Christian anymore." I finally admit to Kate.
"You should have kept dating that guy, what was his name?" Kate asks
"Ryan Hunter, and keep your voice down. I didn't even tell Ted about him". I quieten her down. We then hear a noise outside, like someone hurrying off.
"What and who was that?" Kate asks. She runs to the door and looks around. Kate shrugs her shoulders as she re-enters the room. "It was probably Ava. She probably heard her cell phone ring. My daughter is addicted to her phone."
"Either way. I only went out with Ryan once. That's all." The honest truth was that I only went out with him as I couldn't shrug him off and people started to wonder why I never dated at work. I did it to put an end to rumours and all throughout the date I kept thinking back to the times I was with Christian. I even prayed that I would look up and there he would be.
I look around the room one more time, satisfied that I have everything. I feel anxious for some reason, even more so than when I left New York a week ago. I smile when I see my son at the doorway. I think he looks and acts even more like his father since we arrived in Seattle.
"I am ready to leave mom. How about you?" Ted says giving me his million dollar smile that the girls loved at home.
"Yep, let's go home." I tell Ted. He smiles and comes over and wraps his arms around me. His tall frame, just like his dad's, means he has been taller than me for years.
"Thank you for doing this for me mom. I know it was hard for you and for dad." He squeezes me a little tighter.
"I am surprised you don't hate me. I screwed up so much stuff." I tell him
"Well I can't doubt that you and dad both made errors, but I have never been unloved. Though I am seriously considering returning to Seattle for part of the summer." I nod and smile at Ted, but I know that my smile doesn't reach my eyes.
We decided that Sawyer, who is still assigned to us, should drive us to the airport alone. Ava has been upset for over an hour due to Ted leaving, and I know Kate, and I won't fare any better. Even Elliot is rather solemn. I don't want to draw out any goodbyes. Sawyer parks in a VIP section of the airport, I suppose as there is a reserved sign.
"Steele, Anastasia and Steele, Theodore," I tell the lady at the counter of American Airlines and pass her our identification. She looks at her screen for an extended period and frowns.
"I am sorry Mrs Steele, but you are not booked on tonight's flight" She states
"Excuse me?" I ask for clarification.
"Your name and that of your sons is not here." She further explains.
"Are we still listed for tomorrow's flight?" I question.
"No. I am sorry, but you are not" She scratches her head. I pull out my itinerary and email confirmation of when I changed the flights. She looks at the paper work curiously. "Let me talkto my supervisor and make a call to the head office."
Ted and I look at each other annoyed. I shouldn't have changed our flight, this probably has caused this confusion. It takes over ten minutes for the airline clerk to return to us. She has someone with her, I see on his name badge that he is a customer service manager. He introduces himself as 'Alex.'
"Ms Steele and Mr Steele, I am terribly sorry, but your reservation has been removed from our system. We are trying to work out why. Could it have been that someone cancelled your booking?" He enquires.
I then start to wonder if Christian is behind this. Of course, he is! He once worked out what flight I was on to Georgia years ago. He is way more powerful and richer these days, cancelling our flight wouldn't be that hard for him or his hired IT geniuses.
"I don't know. What is the earliest flight you can get us on?" I am hopeful for a solution.
"Monday evening, I am afraid." I groan at this prospect. I am due back at work Monday morning, and I don't want to spend the weekend here.
"Can you check every other airline? We want to get out of here as soon as possible." I order.
Sawyer seeing there is an issue starts to walk over. "Ted, can you stay here, I am going to have a quick chat to Sawyer"
"Ms Steele, is there a problem?" He asks concerned.
"Sawyer, don't give me that crap. Contact your boss and tell him I know he is behind this and that Ted and I better be on a flight to New York this evening, or else." I warn. I have no idea what 'else' is but I will think of something. Sawyer steps back and makes his call. He is still close by so I can hear every word he says. He restates word for word what I have said.
Ted puts his hand on my shoulder. "Mom there are no available flights until Sunday evening, and we have to go with another airline." I shake my head annoyed. Sawyer looks at us sympathetically as he talks to Taylor or Christian. I know now that he knows nothing.
"I just spoke to Taylor and Mr Grey. They want to reassure you both that you will get on a flight this evening to New York, but they will need about an hour to make the appropriate arrangements. They are making some calls." Sawyer informs us.
Retreating to a coffee shop at the terminal, I had just barely finished my cup of English breakfast tea when Ted points out something behind me. I know it's something significant as his eyes have become large. I turn around and there he is, the one and only Christian Grey. He looks like he is walking a run way in a high end fashion show, in his designer jeans, white linen shirt and pinstriped jacket. Taylor is walking closely behind him.
"Anastasia, Ted, I hear that you both have had a run of bad luck this evening," he says empathically. His eyes are not giving anything away.
"Yes. It seems as if somehow, with no explanation at all, our reservation got cancelled on tonight's flight, even though we were confirmed and have reservation documents to prove that we are supposed to be on the flight. In addition to this, we can't get on another flight until Sunday evening." I tell him with more than a hint of sarcasm.
"You don't say. I will have my people contact the airline and chastise them for you on Monday." He says calmly, ignoring my tone. Oh how I wish I had his composure. "Until then, Ted you need to get back to New York for school and Ana you have work on Monday. Also on a happy coincidence, I actually need to be in New York on Monday for a business meeting. I am taking over a company on the East coast to expand my manufacturing sector significantly, and this trip will accelerate the deal. Even luckier is I have the GEH jet waiting for us. So if, you are both ready to leave, we can head over."
Before Ted or I can say anything, Sawyer and Taylor have taken our luggage. Ted and I look at each other, he shrugs his shoulders, and I sigh. "Fine. We will come." I begrudgingly accept, though utterly aware of Christian's responsibility for all of this evening's fiasco.
Arriving at the private hanger, I notice that Christian has acquired a new jet. "When did you get a new plane?" I ask.
"You noticed" He says impressed. "No one ever realizes until they enter, but you have never just been anyone." He say complimenting me and brushing some strands of my hair from my face. I can't help but blush, much to Christian's pleasure. "I purchased this craft a few years ago and sold off the old plane. This one has more features and is suited for longer travel. Grey Enterprise Holdings has grown so much that a change in our aviation fleet was just a natural move."
"I have read about the extraordinary advances in your empire, Mr Grey. The largest private company in the world now. You should be immensely proud of yourself." I commend him, but it makes him unhappy.
"Well I have had a lot of time on my hands to focus on work." He states. Deep down I know he means this as a crack at me.
"Dad, Can I go up and have a look at the cockpit?" Ted asks like a small child waking up on Christmas morning.
"Of course. Taylor can you take Ted up and tell Stephen, he has my permission to have a look." Ted practically runs up the stairs, leaving us alone. I look for Sawyer, finding him loading the luggage and won't be able to hear us.
I turn to face Christian, angry at his actions. I am about to open my mouth to tell him off for cancelling our booking on our flight, for planning all of this, however, he places a finger over my lips. "You look enticing when you are angry. Stop it or I will be forced to pick you up and take you into the bedroom on board and have my way with you." Christian grins. Gripping my hand he leads me to the steps to board the flight.
"I am mad at you." I quietly hiss. Glad I finally got to have a world in.
"And you are making me even more desperate to have you, so stop it. Our teenage son is on this flight with us. I do not think he wants to hear you climax several times in a row. I know I can make you do that." He says seductively. I look at him asking how he can be so crass. Christian is grinning like a school boy and even I have to admit to myself it's a captivating look.
The inside of the new jet is breathtaking and bigger than the old jet. There is enough space to accommodate two dozen people comfortably in a living style room. I wonder what else this much larger aircraft possessed.
"How was the cockpit?" Christian asks Ted. He has returned as we are about to leave.
"Excellent. Do you think, if it isn't too much hassle, I could go and sit at the cockpit when we are in the air?" I haven't seen Ted so eager for years. Christian gets on his on-board phone and calls the pilot.
"Done. Stephen said as soon as we are in the air and stopped ascending you are free to spend as much time as you wish in the cock pit." I want to go and kiss Christian at this point in time to so thank you.
"Great. Thanks dad" Ted says smiling at his dad, just like he did when he was a young child.
"Are you interested in flying?" Christian asks
"Yes, I find it fascinating" Ted responds.
"I fly actually. I have done so for years." Christian and Ted are engulfed in conversation over planes, helicopters, gliding and flying in general. I can't help but smile warmly at them, especially when Ted takes the seat next to his father and buckles himself in. This is how it should be, how it should have always been. Remorse fills up. I decide for my own personal wellbeing to focus my attention to a promising manuscript.
Ted and Christian continue to communicate and interact throughout our flight meal and drinks. Their conversation is only broken when the phone next to Christian rings.
"Grey… I will ask"...
"Ted, the pilot said that you can go to the cockpit now if you wish." Christian proposes.
"Yes, thank you," Ted says speeding off. He gives me a broad smile as he scuttles off, and I refocus on my task at hand. I can feel the heat of Christian's eyes on me. He keeps his seductive stare on me for over an hour. Christian has run his finger over his lips a few times and is grinning at me. I can't take it anymore and put the script down.
"Are you going to stare at me all the way to New York? Don't have you have some work to do in your bigger than the sun empire?" I taunt. I await his comments that I expect to have an undertone.
"Would you like a tour of the rest of the plane?" He extends his hand out, not giving me a choice. Mr Mercurial is back!
Christian first shows me a security office and a separate section for staff. There is a room that doubles as a board room and office. "Through here is another living area. I had this added for privacy." Christian comments.
"Privacy?" I question.
"Yes. Due to the further growth of the company, I usually travel with several VP's and Ros. This space is reserved just for me and family." Christian opens the door, and the room is warm and beautifully decorated. There is a large couch, bar and mini kitchen. On the wall to the side, I find another one of Jose's photos of me. The thought makes me a little awkward but flattered at the same time. There is even some photos of Ted scattered around the area and one the wall. I have sent Christian photos throughout the years via email, though I never asked what he did with them.
"Would you like something to drink?" Christian offers.
"Yes. Whatever you are drinking will be fine." I tell him still looking around. "What is behind that door? The bedroom?"
"And a bathroom. Feel free to go a take a look. Try it out even." Christian smirks. I narrow my eyes at him and let go of the door handle.
Christian laughs out loud. "I promise to stay out here."
The bedroom is comfortable and impeccably furnished. The bed is bigger than the bed on the last plane. The bathroom is luxurious and even has a bath this time. It is a large egg shaped bath similar to the one at Escala. I contemplate having a bath. My apartment in New York, though relatively spacious, doesn't have one and I have missed the pleasure a hot bath brings. Though I think Christian finding me naked in his bath will only end in one way. I return to the private living room and take the glass of pink champagne willingly from Christian.
"Champagne? Are we celebrating something?" I ask
"Maybe" Christian states coming to sit opposite me.
"So are you finally going to tell me how you did it? And why?" I straighten up.
"I told you, I have a meeting on Monday in New York, and you were in need, so I decided to leave a little earlier than planned." Christian restates sincerely.
"Do you really have a meeting?" I ask, examining his body language closely.
"Yes. Ana I do. I have had it planned for weeks now. Even before I knew Ted was coming to see me at Grey House."
"Okay I accept that, but I know you had something to do with our cancelled booking." Christian isn't talking or making eye contact. I sigh loudly. "I promise not to be upset or call the police or anything! Just tell me how and why? You didn't even know that we where leaving tonight."
"It was relatively easy. And to put your mind to rest, Ted told me you where both leaving early." Christian points out.
"Ted told you?" I ask again. I can't believe what I am hearing.
"Yes. I went to talk to him, to say goodbye and he informed me of your little secret. Then I called Barney and cancelled your seats online and then we purchased the newly vacated seats just in case. And you know why I did it." Christian says strongly.
"Humour me, tell me why" I dare him.
"Because I wanted to spend more time with you and Ted. And …" Christian takes a long drink of his champagne.
"And..." I ask frustrated.
"I allowed you and Ted leave twelve years ago, and it was the second worst decision I ever made in my life! I won't do the same without one hell of a fight." He says determined.
"What was the worst decision you ever made?" I ask cautiously. Christian runs his hands through his hair, his eyes are dark and lips thinned. He is struggling with his feelings.
"The worst decision I ever made was reacting negatively when I saw the pregnancy test. I should have held you tightly. Loved you and worshipped you, for giving me the greatest gift any man can receive. A child. Then all this mess would have never occurred." Remorse fills his voice, and the space between us becomes tense.
"I better go and finish that manuscript; I have a meeting with the author on Monday." I say getting up to make a quick exit. I am on the verge of tears.
"Ana wait I have a couple of things for you. One that belongs to you and one that I think I owe you, but before you jump to conclusions , I have a new proposition for you." Christian says passing the two items to me. Both make me want to cry, but both for different reasons.
I don't need to read the document. I know what it is.. "Why?" I ask Christian, . . . . . . .
A/N.
How annoying am I that I write these in every chapter? I wanted to say thank you for the outstanding support to this story. I really appreciate it. It is my first AU story I have ever attempted.
Sorry if I annoy you all over the cliff-hanger's. I have to say that I love this cliff-hanger. You will never believe what CG has given Ana.
Thank you for all that review. It is a great compliment to a writer to receive them and a nice way to get feedback from you all.
Again, a big shout out to Crystal9034 for her advice and editing powers.
Regards,
Maria Amore.