Attempts to Recover Lost Ground
Ana's POV:
2a.m and I'm wide awake. I am exhausted, but I have tossed and turned all night long. I am not sure if it's because of the unfamiliar surroundings or because of the major sulk Christian had when I told him I wouldn't go to bed with him. Oh boy, Christian can still sulk! And no matter hard I try and I can't seem to fall asleep. I get up and head for the kitchen.
Clutching my hot cup of tea, I look out at the New York skyline. Christian's New York apartment has a spectacular view. Oddly I miss sitting with Christian in Escala, and looking at the Seattle skyline that the penthouse offered. However, my reminiscing is cut short and replaced by a less pleasant memory as I hear Christian's muffled screams. Oh no, Christian is having a nightmare, but this one sounds worse. It sounds Darker.
Running into his room, I get on the bed. "CHRISTIAN WAKE UP" I scream trying to rouse him, but it fails. I put my hands, as tightly as I can, on his shoulders to shake him awake, but I am not strong enough. "WAKE UP" I continue to shout! I am desperate to end his nightmare. Finally, Christian sits up startled and turns toward me. I am filled with fear.
"Ana," He says panting.
"You were having a nightmare. You were screaming so loudly" I say shaking.
"Screaming?" Christian asks with his eyes narrowed. Even he knows that this is unusual.
"Yes. You never screamed like that before" I say worried. Christian shakes his head a little. I collect a towel, and then start to dry Christian off. He is drenched in his own sweat.
"What were you dreaming about? Your mother" I ask.
"No. I stopped dreaming about her and my early childhood years ago" Christian confesses.
"Then what were you dreaming about then?" I am now even more nervous. I am suddenly sitting up rigidly. Christian lies back down on the bed. His eyes are closed tightly, and he looks as if he is in pain. Christian takes my hand, wrapping his fingers in between mine.
"Christian, please tell me what you were dreaming about!" I plead, but he shakes his head. This isn't going to be easy.
"Lie down with me" Christian begs, looking extremely vulnerable. I pause to remember his original hopes for this evening were to get me to go to bed with him. I put my free hand on Christian's chest. His heart is beating so fast that it is frightening. Christian's breathing hasn't eased either. I check his pulse and start to count. What the fuck did he dream about that could cause such an adverse reaction?
"Christian, you are going to have to calm down, or I am going to have to call 911. Your pulse is going so fast that I am worried you are going to have a heart attack" I stress.
"Then lie down next me… close... I promise you lying next to me, WILL calm me down…. Please Ana." Christian looks terribly exposed, a look I have only seen a couple of times.
"Fine, but only until your pulse returns to normal, and if it does not slow down soon, I am going to call an ambulance or doctor". I slip into the large bed, making it look like I am only doing this for Christian. I desperately try to hide the fact that a small part of me wants to be here too. I return my hand to Christian's chest, and I smile knowing that it has calmed down a bit.
"I have missed your touch." Christian puts his hand on mine, ensuring I can't remove my hand from his chest. I have missed almost everything about you.
"Are you going to tell me what you were dreaming about?" I forcefully ask.
"Still so hungry for information" Christian mocks me.
"Tell me or I am going to return to my room" I threaten.
"You sure know how to kill a mood, don't you Anastasia." Christian's eyes go dark.
"Please tell me. What scared you so much in your nightmare?" I ask softly. A strong sense of fear has crept into my voice. Christian kisses my forehead.
"You," He says apologetically.
"Me?" I move away, though I am pulled back by Christian's strong arms.
"Don't worry about it. Just stay here with me" Christian says. He wraps himself like a vine around me.
"Let's negotiate on this. I will stay here, in bed with you for the rest of the night, only if you tell me exactly what happened in your nightmare" I offer.
"Fuck Grey Publishing, I want you to come and work at Grey House. You sure know how to use your knowledge of your opposition to get what you want."
"Stop stalling or I am going to get out of this bed" I refocus him
"Oh the things I could do to that smart mouth of yours"
"Something that you didn't do years ago?" I mock him. Shit he is doing it again, diverting the conversation!
"I think you need another spanking, Mrs Grey. You are getting even mouthier." Christian's lips are pursed together.
"Your nightmare. What was I doing that made you freak out so dreadfully?" I implore him. I want him to, finally tell me what filled his dreams.
"You were leaving me, again and with Ted. In my dream, I knew that I would never see you both again." A tear runs down Christian's face. I watch the tear, it is an uncommon sight.
"Christian, Ted is always going to be in your life, especially now." I clarify
"And you?" He asks
"You have only been back in my life for two weeks, and we aren't back together" I clarify. The fact that we aren't back together only further makes the fact that we are both in bed together even more curious.
"Which makes it easier for you to leave me, which is why I ensured your boss knew about my offer to you. I told you before that I would fight for you" Christian points out.
"You don't play fair." I pout.
"Neither have you for the past eighteen years." His words feel like a knife because they are honest.
"I'm tired, I am going to sleep" I close my eyes and voluntarily move closer to Christian.
When I wake up, I discover that Christian still asleep. His arms and legs are wrapped around me. No one should be this good looking, especially in the morning. I softly kiss lips, though I am careful not to wake him up. Mmmm… his lips taste sensational. I can't help but go in for another kiss. Christian still fails to respond. He is either deep in sleep or now pretending to be asleep. I suspect the latter. I deviously run my index finger down his chest until I reach the shapely V and slip my hands into his pyjamas bottoms then grab his appendage. I slowly but firmly massage it, causing him to respond. I look up at him, and he is still pretending to sleep. Whilst maintaining my erotic massage on him, I start to kiss him again. I then feel his strong hands on my sides
"Well that would have to be the best wake up call ever." Christian says laughing. I release his growing erection and sit up on the bed.
"Hey what are you doing? You just got me going and your stopping?" Christian's narrows his eye and his looks infuriated.
"I was just testing out a hypothesis and don't even start with your twitchy palm"
"You know I can easily over power you" He states. I gulp.
"So what is on today's agenda?" I am desperate to change the topic.
"I am taking Ted out today actually." I look at him surprised but happy at the thought. "I want to have a long talk to him before I take him to visit Yale and Harvard on Monday. I may even convince him to get a haircut. His hair is even more unruly than mine." Christian laughs.
"Are you free this evening, I have something special in mind that I would like to share with you?" He asks.
"Christian, I am happy to stay in tonight" I reassure him.
"We will see" He says smugly.
I walk out of Christian's room, and as I close the door, Ted is standing there. I blush horribly knowing that he will now assume that Christian and I were probably intimate last night.
"Ted. You're up" I announce.
"Yes, I have been for a couple of hours. I was going to see if Dad was awake."
"He is" I tell him. Ted isn't making eye contact with me. Rather he is trying to avoid me quickly. "Ted your father and I …"
Ted holds his hand out. "Mom please, I do not want to know whether or not you and dad... You know"
I blush further and walk to my room to shower and get dressed. When I exit my bathroom I find a single red rose on the bed and a letter.
Dearest Ana,
Only next to you can I honestly find peace in my sleep. Please reconsider sharing my bed, even if it is just to sleep. Though I am more than open for more. I hunger for your touch. You make me feel complete.
I have put your old credit card in your bag, I expect you to use it. Today! I have planned out a day for you so you can keep out of trouble. Sawyer has detailed instructions.
You will need a dress for this evening, please buy one and whatever accessories you need.
Also make sure you eat breakfast and lunch. I will take care of dinner.
I love you Anastasia Grey! Yes, I have emphasised the Grey aspect of your name!
Christian. X
Christian's POV:
"Good afternoon Sawyer" I state returning home with Ted. We had a terribly successful day. My wish to have another child only intensified today. Ana has to agree to be mine again. Though I am conscious not to alienate or upset my son, and another child may do that very thing.
"Dad, I am going to get ready" Ted announces.
"I better do the same" Ted, and I give each other knowing smiles. Who would have thought that we would both be nervous about going on dates on the same night?
After my shower, I put on my dark suit and my grey-silver tie. Before seeing Ana, I walk to Ted's room and knock on the door and wait for him to answer.
"Come in" Ted calls out.
"Ted, I got the concert tickets" I tell him.
"That's fantastic! I still can't believe you were able to get them" A large smile appears on his face.
"I also managed to get you back stage passes" I add. Ted's eyes are wide. I can feel his excitement! Ted wanted to take Abigail to this major concert and Madison Square Garden, but tickets had been sold out for months. I pulled a couple of strings and was able to get him front row tickets and passes.
"Thanks Dad this is fantastic. But wouldn't it have been rather expensive." Ted says concerned.
"I took it out of your trust fund" I joke. Thankfully Ted sees the humor in my comment.
"Dad I am sorry for my rudeness when I went to see you at Grey House, over the trust fund. It was just that I was angry and upset over the fact that I hadn't seen you since…"
"Ted, please stop." I shake my head and sit on my son's bed. "You had a right to be angry. I just hope you will be able to forgive me over time."
"I will" Ted says smiling. "So have you managed to break mom down anymore? She can be a lot of work"
"That she is, and your mother and I are trying. I don't know what will happen there, but I have a lovely surprise for her tonight." I grin but do not tell him anything more. I want this to be kept as secret as possible. I am going to bring out the hearts and flowers to the greatest level possible.
Ted leaves the apartment with security before Ana walks out of her room. O'Connor and Sawyer are going to transport him and his date tonight. I have ordered security to text me when they arrive home as I do not know how long I will be out with Ana.
I strategically selected my Grey-Silver tie that I used so long ago to bind Ana's arms during sex and the tie that I wore the day we got married. I am hoping that it will bring back many marvellous memories for Ana.
Ana's POV:
I walk out of my bedroom to find Christian dressed impeccably in his dark suit and that tie. My favourite tie! Delicious, but ghostly, memories of our wedding day and more intimate times hit me. I approach him and touch his tie. The material and pattern feel comforting.
"You approve?" Christian asks, though his eyes are focused on my dress.
"Yes. I am glad you kept this tie." My eyes start to get watery. Christian is yet to stop looking at my dress."Do you not approve of my dress?" Christian purses his lips. I chose an off the shoulder lightly beaded silver stretch satin dress that is hemmed mid-thigh.
"It is particularly nice, and you are exceedingly beautiful" Christian's voice is soft and seductive however his lips are pursed as he considers his next few words. "Your dress is just a little shorter than I would like, but I do love your legs, I guess I …." Christian shrugs.
"You guess what?" I probe.
"I don't have to worry too much about every fucker eyeing you as we will be alone this evening." Christian smirks.
"Alone. Are we staying in?" I ask, then thinking we are over dressed for a night in.
"No," Christian laughs. "Are you ready?"
"Yes" Christian holds his arm out and I snake mine through his. As we enter the elevator, Christian stands in front of me. His face looks serious as he looks deep into my eyes.
"Thank you for coming out with me tonight. I know I acted inappropriately in terms of contacting your boss, but I am scared to lose you again."
"You are more than likely to lose me if you treat me like the naive twenty-one year old that fell in your office." Christian gets tense immediately. The elevator doors open on and I realize that we are now at the roof of the building. How did I not realise we were going up? I start to step out when Christina grabs my upper arm.
"You are right. You are not the same naive young lady, and I am relying on that fact." Christian glares at me, and then leads me to the waiting helicopter.
"Charlie Tango?" I smile.
"No, she is Seattle. I have just borrowed this one" Christian helps me into my seat and fits my harness over me. I can see a large devious grin grow on his face as he checks that I am tightly belted in.
"Thinking of naughty things?" I mock.
"No, are you?" Christian feigns innocence. "However, I am sure I can accommodate any ideas you may be having" Christian raising his eyebrows at me. I automatically bite my lip and start to blush. Christian talks to the pilot who exited the helicopter as we arrived and shake hands. My fifty can't hide his glee as he gets into the helicopter. The rotors start up, and we lift off the building, and head off in a North-west direction. Mr Competent handles to craft with ease.
"Can I ask where are going?"
"You can, but I may not answer" Christian grins. I roll my eyes, safe in the knowledge that he is too occupied to do anything about it. "Ana just enjoy the ride. Live in the moment." With little option, I relent. Though the trip is unusually short. We land just outside of a breathtaking area that is luscious and very isolated from what I can make out. A stone path is lit by small tea candles. I grab Christian's hand tightly as he leads me to a beautiful white gazebo, next to a small cabin like house, and a lake. The sides are curtained and tied at each post with flowers. A small round table in centred in the middle and set for dinner. I don't notice the trio of musicians on the lawn next to us, two violinists and one cello player, until they commence playing, soft and romantic music. The sun is going down in the distance.
"This is gorgeous. I don't know if I deserve this. How did you arrange all of this? You have been so busy lately." I ask Christian. A waiter appears from nowhere and pours us glasses of champagne.
"Anastasia, you do deserve this and I would move the earth if I could, for you." I reach over and take his hand.
"Whose home is this?" A quick thought runs through my mind is it Christians? Did he purchase it?
"It actually belonged to my grandparents, and now owned by my parents via inheritance."
"I never knew" I say surprised
"Yes, they didn't use this house much in their later life. My grandfather had this gazebo built for my grandmother actually"
"It's perfect. I love it here" I comment
"We can stay the night, here if you like. Ted will have security with him, and we can send him a text to tell him we are away for the evening." Christian looks at me to see my response. His words offer so much but hold so much back. We eat our meal, talking about the home and the times that Christian spent here. It is obvious that Christian still misses his grandparents. I wonder if he has felt much happiness over the years, though I can't ask him. I know that his answer, will make me feel more remorseful.
"I am glad you have eaten your meal," Christian says. I look down at my dessert plate and realize that for the first time in a long time, I have finished.
"We aim to please" I use Christian's words and giggle. Christian gives me his wicked smile as he stands up and holds his hand out.
"Come inside with me" Christian asks. I take his hand and let him lead me inside. I am holding my breath wondering if he is planning on taking me to the bedroom. Do I want to go there? I find myself next to a black piano. Christian has me stand to the side as he sits down and commences to play. He looks fit to perform a concert as his long fingers work their magic on the piano keys. Then suddenly he starts to sing. Oh my, Christian is serenading me. Love of my life, my soul mate
You're my best friend
Part of me like breathing
Now half of me is left
I don't know anything at all
Who am I to say you love me
I don't know anything at all
and who am I to say you need me…
I take deep breathes as Christian continues to sing and play. I can't keep the tears that fall from my eyes and my heart starts to beat quickly.
…Now you're a song I love to sing
never thought it feels so free
now I know what's meant to be
, and that's okay with me
As the song comes to a conclusion, my heart is longing for something it has missed for years.
….I don't know anything at all
I don't know anything at all
I don't know anything at all
Christian stops and slowly looks at me shyly. I move towards him and sit next to him. "Thank you. That was incredible" I kiss the side of his mouth thankful for his efforts.
"I am glad you liked it." Christian wraps his arm around me, bringing me closer to him. I whisper into his ear. He looks at me unsure of my request. Christian runs his hand through his hair and his lips thin a little.
"Please Christian" I beg
"Ana. I …." Christian stops and then looks I back into my eyes. His eyes are dark.
Authors Note:
Crystal9034, my beta for this story, would like to thank all the reviewers who have given her a shout out. It is very much appreciated and acknowledged.
I will try and get another chapter out before I fly out early Saturday morning. I will be gone a week and I have promised my family not to take my laptop with me on holiday, so I won't be able to write.
Thank you for your reviews and messages… review if you wish…
Regards,
Maria Amore