EPILOGUE
All credit to ELJ. I own nothing.
Here is the last part of this story. Thanks again for all of the follows, favorites and reviews. You readers rock!
3 years later – 12/23
I let out a soft moan as I feel my husband leaving wet kisses along my neck and shoulder. We've been in the bedroom for the past twelve hours making love, talking, laughing and reminiscing.
After the pictures of me and Christian were made public, the press went totally nuts. I was bombarded with calls and requests for interviews. We had no choice to but announce that we were in a relationship and we gave an interview to the local news. Everyone went crazy and named me Seattle Cinderella.
Soon after, I had a brand new car and, unbeknownst to me at the time, my own security. The car issue was our first fight, which I lost, and I've lost every fight that has to do with my safety. As much as he lets me have my way with most things, he is no pushover. The man bends over backwards to make me happy, but he can be extremely stubborn and manipulative at times. He would even go behind my back and get my dad to side with him, which was annoying and endearing at the same time.
FLASHBACK – A FEW DAYS AFTER THEIR FIRST CHRISTMAS
A few days after we got back from Montesano, Christian showed up at my apartment and told me he had a surprise for me. I went outside and there was a brand new, silver Audi Q7 SUV with a big red bow taped to the windshield. I refused to accept it, reminding him that I've known him less than a week and would not be able to accept such an expensive gift. That's when I found out that my easy going boyfriend was no pushover. In fact, he can be quite manipulative. Not only that, he was a total alpha male and I learned quickly that that totally turned me on.
"So, you won't accept the car because it's too expensive for the amount of time we've been together?" He asks as the steps directly in front of me, crowding my space.
"That's right," I say.
"What would be an appropriate gift for the amount of time we've known each other then?" He asks.
"Probably a sweater. A gift certificate for a makeover. A book, but definitely not a hundred thousand dollar car," I argue.
"Ok. I guess I didn't understand the rules," he said, scratching his chin. "How about I take you to and from work until you save up to get your own car?"
I nod slowly, unable to believe that I had won this argument, and so quickly. I guess it only makes sense. I've known the man only a few days, and I can't accept such a gift. Thank goodness he's so understanding. We go back to my one bedroom little apartment and fuck for the rest of the afternoon. The sex with him is indescribable. It goes from loving and tender, to rough, primal and domineering. He'd blindfold me, tie my hands, spank me. He has total control of my body in the bedroom and I love it. The only time he gives me control is when he allows me to ride his dick, but even then he has to have the last say. The first time I rode him, he pulled me off before he came, laid me on my back and stuck his dick in my mouth before releasing his seed down my throat. He then ate my pussy until I came in his mouth. He followed this up with the deepest kiss, with our tongues delving deeply in each other's mouths. He called it the tasting of Ana and Christian, and it was both the nastiest and the most beautiful thing I've ever done.
Our fuckathon was interrupted by a knock on the door. When I opened it, there stood a delivery man with several gift boxes, filled with every type of sweater known to man. Expensive, designer cashmere sweaters. Sweaters from designers that I could never imagine purchasing. He also had a gift card from the most exclusive spa in Seattle. The following day, I received another delivery with first editions of all my favorite classics
"You said sweaters, so I got you sweaters," he said as he stood in my living room in nothing but his boxer briefs.
"I said a sweater. One. Singular."
He shrugs.
"I must have misheard. Now you can't turn away two of my gifts in the same day. It will hurt my feelings."
"But I didn't get you anything," I argue.
"You gave me you. You agreed to be mine. That's enough," he says as he cradles my cheeks in his hands.
"And you being mine is enough for me too. I don't need things. I just want you."
"And you have me, but a big part of me is going to give you things. Lots of things." He picks up a red, cold shoulder sweater and holds it up against me. "I think this one will look great on you," I look in his eyes and see the sincerity in them.
"How I about I wear this one the next time I come to your apartment?" He smiles, picks me up and kisses me softly.
A week later when I arrive at work, there was a company wide email stating that every employee had been entered into a raffle to win several surprise gifts. I rolled my eyes at that. Those cheap bastards are probably giving out ten dollar gift cards to Chipotle, not that I'm complaining. I love Chipotle.
Every employee was gathered in the lobby, and several people won gifts such as a cappuccino maker, a gift card to a spa, tickets to the Mariners opening game, a trip for two to Napa Valley. Imagine my surprise when my name was called for the last gift. I was told it was too big for the lobby and to report to the parking garage. I almost wet myself when I saw the same Audi Q7 that Christian had tried to gift me a few day after Christmas. I had no choice but to thank the owner of the company, Jerry Roach, but I knew exactly who was behind this. That was lesson one in learning who I was dating.
I left work early that day and walked to GEH, which is only about half a mile from my office. I was so angry when I walked into the lobby and dialed up the elevator. I knew he was on the twentieth floor because we came here once after hours so that he could get a file.
When I step off the elevator, there is a beautiful, perfectly dressed blonde there and I instantly feel out of place. SIP has a casual Friday policy and I'm wearing a short denim skirt, one of the many sweaters he had given me and a pair of boots.
"Please go right in, Ms. Steele. Mr. Grey is expecting you," she says. We've never met before so I'm taken aback by the fact that she knows my name. I bet he's been expecting me. I walk right in and slam the door behind me. I see the man standing behind his desk, ready to do battle.
"You sneaky bastard," I say.
"I've missed you too, baby."
"I told you I couldn't accept the car."
"And I took it back."
"How do you explain the raffle?"
"What raffle?" he asks innocently. Too innocently
"The one we just had at SIP where I won the exact same car you tried to give me a few days ago. Don't you play the innocent."
"You'd have to ask Jerry Roach," he says with a shrug.
I walk up to his desk, furious.
"I know you're behind it."
"Is that so?" he says, locking eyes with me.
"Fine. You want to play those games. I'll donate the damn car to charity. Hell, I'll gift it to Jose." He walks around his desk and stands directly in front of me.
"You will do no such thing. I bought that car for you and you will be the one driving it. Donate it and I'll buy ten more. Stop being so fucking stubborn."
I turn to leave because there is just no talking to this man, but he grabs me and throws me over his shoulder, and walks to the couch in his office.
"I'm tired of you running from me," he growls as he sits and lays me across his lap, pulling my underwear completely off. I'm expecting one of those erotic spankings but he doesn't do that at first. He massages both cheeks and kisses the repeatedly, all the while fingering me, massaging my clit, coating his fingers with my arousal. Just as I'm on the brink of my orgasm, he pulls his fingers out and alternates between spanking each ass cheek. He'd do a around of spanking, maybe four each side, kissing my stinging ass, followed by massaging my most sensitive space with his fingers and bringing me on the brink again, only to deny me.
I can't stop moaning and his hands bring both pleasure and torture. Just when I can't take it anymore, he turns me on my back while I'm still on his lap and puts his face in my pussy, eating me like a man who hasn't had a meal in days. His mouth is relentless. He's biting, nipping and fucking me with his tongue. Once again, while I'm on the brink, he stops.
"God damn it, baby. Let me come."
"I will if you agree to keep the car," he says.
"Yes! I'll keep it. Let me come in your mouth." He smiles at me and goes back to eating my pussy, this time letting me detonate gloriously in his mouth.
"On your knees," he commands and I instantly obey. I get on my knees and watch him fumble with his belt. Before I know it, I'm taking him all the way to the back of my throat.
"Shit, baby. Don't stop," he says. I decide to torture him like he tortured me. I let his dick slip out of my mouth with a pop. I started to suck his balls while I gave him a hand job. I see he's thrown his head back, and is now holding on to my head. I alternate between sucking and using my hand, all the while reveling in the power that I have over his body. He calls my name repeatedly, begging me to let him finish. I decide to end my torture and take him back in my mouth. I start sucking hard, taking him as far as I can go, over and over again until I feel his legs start to tremble. I know he's close, so I grab his balls and deep throat him one last time before he shoots into my mouth. He's still holding on to my head so I couldn't move even if I wanted to. I take every last drop, until I feel him going flacid in my mouth. He lets my head go and I stand up and face him so that he can watch me swallow his seed.
"Mmmm, baby. You taste so good," I say, trying to be as seductive as I can. I grabs my face and kisses me deeply then, putting his tongue in my mouth, allowing me to taste him as he's tasting me. The kiss is primal but also tender. He lays me on the couch and he slides in next to me, holding me close.
"You don't play fair," I say.
"I know. That's why I always win," he chuckles.
About a month after the car debacle, I found out I was being followed. Actually, Ray figured it out when he came to visit me one weekend. I was about to call the police, but Ray suggested I call my boyfriend instead. He confessed that I've had covert security ever since we came back from Montesano.
Once again, I was furious and demanded that he call off his guards, and once again he told me no and to get over it. I was speechless for a about a full minute until he showed me some of the threats that he's received. He confessed that he didn't tell me sooner because he didn't want to scare me away, but now that I knew, I had to realize that security came with being with him. I didn't argue with him on that because when I looked in his eyes, I did see fear and vulnerability, so I agreed to covert security, not that I had much of a choice.
PRESENT DAY
"Husband, haven't you finished having your way with me yet?" I ask as I roll on my back. He quickly latches on to a nipple as I entangle my hands in his still crazy, untamed bedhead.
"Never. I can never get enough of you. Especially not on our anniversary," he says. This is the third anniversary of the day we met at the GEH Christmas party. The night of the one night stand that turned out to be a lifetime commitment. The night that I met the love of my life. The man who has become the center of my universe.
"I never cared about Christmas much. It was just another holiday that I felt I had to spend with my family, but ever since I saw you dancing at the bar three years ago today, this has become my favorite time of year. And now, you've given me another reason to love this holiday," he says as his hands roam my body and stop at my stomach. A stomach that is swollen with his child. A child due on Christmas Day. He goes down my body and kisses my stomach and starts humming Silent Night to our baby. Just then, I feel a kick.
"He loves hearing his daddy sing to him," I say. "I hope he looks just like you, with gray eyes and crazy hair."
"I hope he looks like you with your beautiful blue eyes and chocolate locks. I love you. Do you remember our first dance?" He asks.
"How could I forget? Your grandfather just pawned me off to you," I say with a chuckle. "I was so surprised when he gave that speech at our wedding. Who knew he was so cunning."
"Well I'm grateful he saw me pining for you and went out and got you for me," he says and I slap his chest playfully. "Hey, those were his words, not mine. He was so excited when he found out we're naming the baby after him. He doesn't know what to do with himself. Just so you know, I was going to get you myself. He just helped me out."
"Were you? Did you have a plan?"
"I told you that you were mine the minute I saw you at the bar. We would have ended up here regardless." He continues to kiss his way down my body and tops at the apex of my thighs. He spreads my lips apart and attacks me with his mouth, licking, biting and devouring me until I come apart in his mouth.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, even though you tried to break up with me a few weeks into our relationship," he pouts.
"I did not! I told you I changed my mind in the time it took me to walk to your office."
"That's what you say now, but you were so convinced you were doing the right thing by me. You know my palms still twitch whenever I think about that day."
FLASHBACK – 6 WEEKS AFTER THE CHRISTMAS PARTY
"I don't even know what he sees in her. Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele? Give me a break! I bet she plays up that innocent act. Either that or she must give one hell of a blow job," I hear some girl say, and another one giggle. I know her voice. That's that bitch, Lola Yates, a junior editor.
"I don't know. Did you see the interview? The way he looked at her? I think it's pretty sweet," said the other girl. I'm not sure who she is though.
"Well maybe he needs his eyes checked, but I've heard that powerful, good looking men like homely partners. You know she's only after him for his money, right? You'd think with all that money, she'd at least dress the part. I bet if I could have five minutes with him, I could have him," said Lola.
"Yeah, right," said the other girl with a laugh.
"I bet I can blow him better than her," said the other one and they both start laughing.
Just then I decide to walk out of the bathroom stall and make myself known. I clear my throat to get their attention, and I feel a small sense of satisfaction when they both turn white. I walk up to the sink and start to wash my hands, as they both run out of the bathroom.
I look at my reflection in the mirror and wonder if that's how all of Seattle will see me. A plain gold digger. I laugh because while I might be plain, I still got the attention of Seattle's most eligible bachelor, and the last thing I am is a gold digger. Surely people who know me won't think this of me, but I think back to all of the strange looks I get when I walk into a room at work. All of the conversations that stop when people notice me.
I'm suddenly hurt and furious, and decide that all of this is going to stop right now.
I know my security sits in a black SUV in front of the building, so I decide to sneak out the back, after letting my boss know I wasn't feeling well and would be working from home the rest of the day. I quickly make the half mile walk to GEH. I don't see Andrea so I barge into his office only to find him in a meeting with 3 other men. He dismisses them and turns to me.
"Hi, baby. I wasn't expecting you today," he says while he checks his phone. "Sawyer didn't text me to let me know you're in the building. I would have ended my meeting before you got up here."
Damn! Why does he have to be so sweet when I came up here to end things. He deserves better than to be with someone like me. Someone who is constantly being referred to as a gold digger. I feel my eyes fill with tears. He sees this and comes up and grabs my face.
"What's the matter? Did something happen?" He asks as he scans my body for any signs of injury.
"No."
"Why are you crying?" He asks gently as he sits me down on his lap on the same couch the same couch that we've defiled time and time again.
"I think you deserve better than to be with someone like me. Someone who is not constantly being called a gold digger by the media. Maybe someone a bit more established than I am." I feel him tense but he makes no move to remove me from his lap. I lay my head on his chest for what could be the last time.
"Is that so? So, you came here to break up with me?"
"Yes," I say with a hiccup.
"I see. Say it to my face then. Look at me and break up with me," he says. I look up in his eyes and before I can interpret the look in his eyes, I start talking.
"I think it's best if we go our separate ways. I've come to care about you, but I think we're not an equal match and I don't want to drag your name through the mud by being with someone like me."
"That's very noble of you, Ms. Steele. Is there anything I can say to change your mind?" He asks. I shake my head no. Well this is easy but I'm a bit disappointed that he's not even putting up a fight.
"No, there's nothing you can do," I say.
"How about a goodbye kiss then?"
"Ok," I say as I reach up to give him one last chaste kiss. He captures my mouth with his, pressing his lips gently on mine. I feel him open his mouth and I open mine too, so I can taste him. How does he manage to always taste so good? His mouth tastes of warm brandy. He puts his hand on the back of my head, pulling me even closer, deepening the kiss that much more. I let out a soft moan in the back of my throat. He lays me on the couch and lays himself on top of me, never breaking the kiss. Our tongues continue to tease and taste each other, but the kiss doesn't become overly aggressive. It's gentle and loving, as if he's trying to tell me something without words.
I feel his hand between my knees, and I feel him slowly trace his hands up my thighs, almost tickling me, causing goosebumps to form all over my body. He finally breaks the kiss. I see him get up and lock his office door. He comes back to the couch, but doesn't say a word. He undresses me slowly, kissing me in various places as he takes off each piece of clothing.
Once, I'm completely naked, laying on his couch. He undresses himself, never breaking eye contact with me. I feel the moisture form between my legs and I start to writhe on the couche. Just to tease him, I spread my legs open, leaving one leg on the couch, and placing the other one on the floor, and I start to touch myself. He stops what he's doing and just watches me. I put my hands in my folds and spread them open. I see him flare his nostrils, as he slowly continues to unbutton his shirt. I place my index finger inside of my pussy and call out his name as I pull it out and put it all the way my mouth, sucking it slowly.
Once I lick it clean, I please two fingers inside myself and start to pump them in and out as I throw my head back and moan in pleasure. I feel him lay on top of me and gently remove my hands, before he licks my fingers.
No words are spoken as he starts to kiss me again, slowly. He kisses my mouth, leaving trails all they way down to my neck and shoulders. He catches a nipple in his mouth and he sucks on it hard, making me yell out in surprise.
He spreads my legs wider and slowly sinks into me. I close my eyes at the sheer pleasure of our union.
"Open your eyes and look at me," he says, and I obey. The thrusts are slow, measured, gentle. He bites down on my neck as he continues to pleasure me with his body, pouring every ounce of emotion into his lovemaking.
"I'm never letting you go, Ana. I love you so much, baby," he says and I startle for a second. He's never said those words to me before. Is he saying them in the heat of the moment? I know he's not the minute I look back into his eyes. The look of love that I've seen from him before his there. I just didn't know what it was before today. He continues the slow thrusts, claiming me with his body and his eyes. I start to thrust my hips, matching him thrust for thrust.
"I don't want you to let me go, Christian," I say. No other words are spoken as the slow love making continues. I soon start to feel my body climbing higher and higher, and soon I shatter, calling out his name as I spasm underneath him.
"I love you too, Christian," I say as my orgasm ebbs. When he hears those words of love, he loses all control and starts to unravel on top of me. We lay there on the couch, him stuck to me with our sweat, and just hold each other. I put my fingers in his hair and start to massage his scalp.
"I love you," I say again. "So much."
He looks up at me and smiles.
"I love you too. I think I did almost from the beginning," he says as he kisses my nose. "No more talk about breaking up. You know that was never going to happen."
I throw my head back and laugh.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"What happened. What brought this on?"
I tell him what I overheard in the bathroom and I see his eyes darken. We stay in his office for hours, talking and I came to the conclusion that nobody else's opinion mattered in our relationship. We loved each other and that was all that mattered. He then threatened to buy SIP and fire everyone who even looked at me wrong, but I made him promise not to do that and not to interfere in my career.
"Move in with me," he said out of the blue.
"What!"
"Move in with me. We're a couple. We love each other and we've already agreed that we're never letting each other go. Move in with me."
"Yes!" I said as I wrapped my arms around him.
Moving in together was just seamless. We fit together like we'd been together for decades instead of just weeks. It was just the beginning of our love story. Things were just getting good.
As the weeks went by, we adjusted to life together. Our families accepted and loved us together as a couple. We traveled, and he took me to Paris for our first Valentines Day together, my first trip outside of the United States.
The only blot on our bubble of bliss was Carla, whom I was still avoiding. After several phone calls from her in one week, all of which I ignored, I decided that in order for me to have any type of closure, I would have to speak to her. She was shocked almost speechless when I finally answered one of her many phone calls. She quickly agreed to come to Escala and meet with me. I didn't want to bring her into our home, my new home, but I was so afraid of the paps taking pictures of me, that I invited her to Escala. I asked Christian to be in the apartment while we talked.
FLASHBACK – CONVERSATION WITH CARLA
I sat her down in the library and looked at her as I waited for her to speak. She looked older, and a bit haggard. She had a few crows feet around her eyes, but other than that, she looked just like me. We had the same eye color, hair color and skin coloring. She's eyeing me too. Taking me all in.
"You're so grown up and beautiful, Anastasia," she says tearfully. I force myself not to roll my eyes.
"That's what usually happens in ten years, mother. People tend to grow up a lot between the ages of twelve and twenty two. I'm sorry you missed it," I say. I waited for her to chastise me for my smart mouth, like she used to do, but she doesn't.
"I deserved that, Ana. I'm not here to make excuses for absence for the past decade. I have no excuse. I'm so sorry I left you, Ana," she begins.
"Abandoned me, mother. You abandoned me. Let's use the right verbs."
"I did abandon you and I have no excuse for that. You know, I was so excited when I got pregnant with you. Your father and I were so young, but we were so much in love and so excited about you," she says with a wistful smile on her face. "I had such an easy pregnancy. I was so happy and everyone would comment on how I was just glowing. I loved you so much and you weren't even born yet. Then I have you and your father dies in a tragic accident the next day. I was twenty years old, a widow and a single parent all at once. I didn't know what to do. My parents were gone, and I had no other family. I quickly met Ray, and he fell in love with both of us. I needed a father for you and I needed to find a way to survive. I had a high school diploma and no skills. Ray was in the army and he said he would support us. Things were fine for years, but slowly I realized I was suffocating, drowning in my own misery. I didn't know it then, but I've since had some therapy, and I realized that I never grieved your father's death. I never allowed myself time to process it. I lost him and I just jumped right into another relationship. I also realized that I never loved Ray, not the way a woman should love her husband. I was with him because I needed stability for you. I wasn't looking to cheat on him. When I met Stephen, there was a strong attraction, and I let myself fall into that. I thought he was exciting and fun. I became angry at Ray because all he wanted to do was stay home, go fishing or go to the shooting range. I wanted excitement. I was still in my thirties, and I wanted to live closer to the city, go out, live the life I didn't get to live because I got married so young. Stephen offered me that, and I took it. I convinced myself you were better off with Ray. You two were always so close. I told myself that you didn't need me. I was selfish and cruel. I was a horrible mother to you, Ana. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm asking."
"I can't even to think about forgiving you right now, Carla. How could you possibly think that your twelve year old daughter didn't need you? I needed you. I needed you so much. Ray is wonderful, and the best father that I could have ever asked for, but I needed my mother. I needed a woman's guidance. How could you convince yourself that I could go through puberty without my mother? I hate that you cheated on Ray. I could have dealt with a divorce between you and my dad, but you divorced me too."
"I was selfish and stupid, Ana. I can't explain it. I live with the guilt and the regret every single day. I've missed so much, but despite my absence you've turned out to be beautiful on the inside and out."
"That's thanks to Ray, not you," I say.
"I know," she says with tears running down her face.
"What happened between you and your husband?" I ask.
"Ex husband. The marriage was always doomed. We got together by cheating and lying. The excitement wore off and he never understood how I could miss you and want to reach out to you."
I say nothing to that. What can I say?
We spent the next few hours talking about what she's been up to. I yelled at her, cursed her for leaving and she just took it all. In the years since she left, she actually went to nursing school and worked at Northwest Memorial. She lived just outside the city. She gave me her address and said that she hoped to hear from me again soon. I didn't make any promises, but she said she was not giving up on us.
As soon as she left, Christian found me and held me for hours while I cried. I fell even more deeply in love with him that day. He was so soothing and understanding, and set up an appointment for me with Dr. Flynn.
After about two months as Flynn's patient, and talking to Christian about my issues, I reached out to Carla. We had lunch and slowly started to talk and form a relationship. We even saw Flynn together so we can discuss our issues with a neutral third party. I felt that I was so happy in my life, my job, my man, that I would extend an olive branch. My relationship with Carla was the only dark spot in my life, and if I wanted to be completely in the light, I would need to find some sort of peace with my mother.
Christian and I were engaged just six months after we met. We had just come back from a weekend in Aspen. When we walked inside the apartment, it was decorated just like the GEH Christmas party at the Fairmont six months before. I was speechless because it was only June.
Nothing was said as Santa, Baby starts to play. We dance around the living room just like we did during our first dance. When the song ends, he points towards the ceiling and shows me the mistletoe. Instead of the passionate kiss we shared that first night, he only gives me a slight peck on the lips before he drops to one knee. I gasp and put both hands to my mouth when I realize what he's doing.
"Anastasia Rose Steele, from the first moment I saw you dancing by yourself, you have captured my heart. You have shown me what it is to live, to love, to share a home and a life with someone. You are the one that I wanted to find. Only you, you're the only thing I'll see forever. In my eyes, in my words, and in everything I do. Will you do me the honor of being my," before he can say the word wife, I interrupt him.
"Yes! Hell yes! I will be your wife," I yell. He stands up, slips on the ten carrot emerald cut diamond engagement ring on my finger, lifts me and spins me around the room. Santa, Baby plays again and we dance to celebrate our engagement. I spend the rest of night drinking champagne and making love.
We were married two months later in an intimate ceremony on his parent's estate in front of all our friends and loved ones. Our favorite photographer was there to capture every moment, and to gloat about how right he was.
PRESENT DAY
"Do you think he'll arrive on Christmas day?" I ask Christian as he lays his hand on my naked stomach.
"I hope so. Christmas is our special holiday and this would be the best gift for the both of us," he says, kissing my stomach.
"I agree, though I'm looking forward to spending Christmas with our blended family. This will be Kate and Elliot's first year as a married couple, and Jose and Benji just adopted their daughter. Ray finally has a girlfriend. The only single person is Carla, which is ironic," I laugh.
"I'm so proud of you for making peace with your mother, baby," he says, kissing my shoulder.
"You were right. This is more for me than her. I feel so free. I have everything I could ever want. A loving husband, great career, a baby on the way, a wonderful extended family. I'm the luckiest girl in the world. Thank goodness Jose got hired by GEH," I joke.
"Yes, thank goodness. Now there is one thing I want that I haven't gotten yet," he says as he gets up, stark naked.
"Oh, what would that be, Mr. Grey?" I ask.
"May I have this dance, Mrs. Grey?" He asks as Santa, Baby start to play.
THE END
I hope I did this story justice. It was just supposed to be a 7 or 8 thousand word one shot that quickly got a mind of its own. It just grew into something I hadn't even planned. Thank you all so much for the reviews, follows and favorites. Now that this story is complete, I can go back to my first baby, Until You. Expect an update on that story soon.
Laters, baby.
P.S. I have half a mind to go back and rewrite the entire thing from CG's point of view!