Author's Note: I cannot apologize enough for not posting in so long. I work full time but from now on I promise at least one chapter every week! You guys have given me some great reviews, favorites, and followings and for that I am so very grateful I can't tell you. If you want more/less historical and/or touristy info, let me know. If you want more/less drama, arguments, kinky fuckery, sex overall (isn't that why we loved the books in the first place? *wink*), let me know as well. If you don't like anything, I welcome CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Yelling and rampaging about what I'm doing wrong? Take it somewhere else. Enjoy!

CHAPTER FOUR

ANA'S POV

I suspect he means the Tower of London, and my suspicions are confirmed when we approach. It's strange, really. It's an ancient castle right in the middle of the city, on the shore of the Thames. Right across the street are tourist shops and pubs. We get out and I can't stop turning and staring at everything. It's so overwhelming. If it wasn't for Christian holding my hand I might have gotten dizzy.

Right next to the Tower, over the Thames, is the Tower of London Bridge. It's breathtaking, and for a moment I want to giggle at the cars driving over it. To think, it's probably just another way for so many London locals to get to work every day, and here I am gawking.

"You seem rather excited, Mrs. Grey," Christian smirks. "I can't imagine why. Most twenty two year old women wouldn't be interested in dusty places like this."

"That's true, Mr. Grey, but most women wouldn't be able to handle being married to you, either," I respond, pursing my lips. He can't help his cathartic laughter.

"Fair point well made, as ever."

Taylor leads us straight to the entrance, ignoring the ticket booths and the long line of tourists. He speaks with one of the men out front. He's dressed in an elaborate uniform, a suit with coat tails, braided ropes, and even a top hat. The man waves us in with William following. I briefly wonder if Christian sent Nigel away because of his friendliness when we arrived. He's so overbearing sometimes. Although I suppose I need to get used to it now.

When we're inside, I'm overwhelmed all over again. The Tower of London is actually several towers surrounded by two walls. It's fairly crowded this time of year. Children on school trips, families scrambling over each other to take pictures, and college kids on their smart phones are all over the place. I notice one or two other couples, probably on their honeymoon as well. I smile up at Fifty. How did I get so lucky?

"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Grey. Pleasure to meet you."

I look up to see a Beefeater. Holy shit a real live in the flesh Yeoman! He's dressed in the extravagant and very loud red uniform with the golden E II R emblazoned on the front for the queen. He's probably at least fifty, and has a heavy London accent. Christian and I both shake his hand.

"My name is Charles, and I'm honored to give you a private tour of the tower. Mr. Grey mentioned this is your first time?"

I nod. "Actually it's my first time in England. I majored in English literature."

"Wonderful. Then you may know a little bit. I'll try my best to keep things interesting. Come, we'll start with the White Tower."

For the next couple hours, I'm bombarded with facts. The White Tower, the first, was built by William the Conqueror in 1066. The other towers and walls were built up by English monarchs over the years. It was used as a castle, an armory, a prison, a torture chamber, home of the crown jewels, housing for members of the royal family, and even a zoo.

Charles shows us the metal sculptures of animals all over the place. Near the front gate is a pride of hungry looking lions. "When dignitaries from foreign countries would come to England, sometimes their gifts consisted of exotic animals. There was nowhere else to put them so they were kept here for entertainment. And lions were always put out front as a warning to trespassers and also because they are the symbol of our kingdom.

There are mountains and mountains of armor and weapons. Personally they don't really interest me but I listen to Charles politely. Christian has probably already taken a tour like this before, but he seems interested enough.

When Charles shows us some of the moronic devices used to torture prisoners, Christian's smile fades. Oh no, what's eating Fifty? I hope he doesn't have some delusion that he's similar in some way. I mean, I know he liked to punish his subs, but really, it's an entirely different level.

We enter a small chapel in the corner. "If you've studied England, then I'm sure you've heard of Henry VIII. His second wife, Anne Boleyn, is buried here. Well, most of her, anyway. Because she was accused of adultery and treason, she was beheaded."

I can't help but look down. I got to read some of the letters Henry VIII wrote to Anne and he seemed so infatuated with her. It's so sad how she ended up here.

"Could you give us a moment?" Christian asks. Charles nods and leaves so we are alone. Christian squeezes my hand. "Hey, what's wrong?"

I shake my head. "I've read the letters they sent before they were married. They seemed so in love. And yet…she just ended up here, no head, only remembered as a traitor. Don't you find that even a little sad?"

"Yes, I do. But if it hadn't happened then Elizabeth the first might have gotten married and all of England's history would have changed. Right?"

"But she…and he…oh, never mind. It's okay." I turn away. I don't want him to see my fear. What if Christian ever ceases to love me? What if he gets bored of me? And, if he wasn't so broken, would he want me?

I know he's told me a million times over he's not going away, but I just can't help it. Whether it's just paranoia or my own insecurities, I really can't help it.

"Hey, Ana, no, wait." When I try to walk out, he tugs on my wrist. "I know that look. Stop it. Right now. Whether or not the good king Henry and I are alike…" He rolls his eyes. "I'm not really sure. But trust me, I won't leave you. I can't leave you. And you can't leave me. You promised you wouldn't leave again."

Holy Hell. Suddenly we're at this same crossroads. Although, I suppose a church is a good place as any. I wrap my arms around his neck and snuggle into his shoulder, inhaling his sultry Christian smell. Briefly, I wonder if God can hear my sensual thoughts, and if it's a sin to lust after someone in a chapel. Then again, we are married.

"Ana, Ana, Ana," he says. "No matter how much time goes by your insecurities will always baffle me. You really can't see how amazing you are, can you?"

"Right back at you, Grey," I tell him.

He smirks. "Fair point well made. As always, Mrs. Grey. Come."

We rejoin Charles and he continues his tour. He shows us the ravens that live all over the Tower, Traitor's Gate, the chamber where two boy princes were supposedly killed by their uncle, just like in the Shakespeare play Richard III. My favorite part is the crown jewels. They're amazing, shining so bright like stars, as new as the day they were first made.

It's been several hours when we finally reach the conclusion.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Grey, it appears this is where we say fair well. I do hope you have enjoyed yourselves. And congratulations again." He leaves us at the exit near the gift shop.

I drag Christian in, groaning. He hates places like this. He thinks they're tacky. Personally, I love them. I admire the t-shirts, toy ravens, sword replicas, and decide on getting several postcards with different photos. I consider a mug or a shot glass but Fifty is getting anxious so I bypass. He takes my hand when we leave.

"The point of a private tour is to avoid things like that, Ana," he says. "And we took plenty of photos that you can just email. Why spend the money?"

"You're the one who's always telling me to spend more," I respond. "And that's not the point. It's fun." He rolls his eyes.

"Are you hungry? I found a place nearby that has great shepherd's pie. Real English flair. Come." He takes my hand and leads me down the street.