************************Guys don't worry it's not over! A lot of you messaged me in frenzy, worried but the story isn't over. I wouldn't leave you hanging. I also want to say thanks for all the support and comments and messages. I love getting comments and criticism. Never hesitate to message me or comment and leave anything you want to say whether it be questions requests things you want to see or things you don't want to see. I love you all!***************************
"How are you?" Christian embraced me.
"It's getting better. I still don't understand why we have to go to trial. I'm not a murderer."
"No one thinks you're a murderer Ana. It's just routine."
"Then why did I need a lawyer?"
Carrick exits the courtroom behind me. "It's just routine. You don't need to be scared. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." His words didn't make me feel any less scared but I did feel a bit better. Christian's father was outstanding in his field. If he told me that standing on my head would make this all go away I'd comply.
The next day the judge seemed irritated with my case. I didn't think that was a good sign at all.
"Alright. I don't need to hear anymore. Just make your closing arguments." He waved his hand in exasperation.
Carrick gets up and commands the room. He's goes on and talks about things that go right over my head and points to me often. He looks powerful; like no one would dare tell him whatever's coming out of his mouth wasn't true. I think that's where Christian got his ability to draw attention. The Grey men demand to be seen and for good reason.
The other lawyer, who was young and attractive, reminded me of John Stamos. He was good, not as articulate and confident as a Grey, but pretty good for a man fresh out of law school and trying to have me thrown in jail.
"Anastasia," I was caught off guard. This was the first time the judge addressed me directly and even when he spoke of me, he always referred to me as Mrs. Grey. "I've been doing this for years." He leaned back in his chair. "I know a murderer when I see one and trust me I've seen my fair share. You aren't a murderer but you are a hell of a woman. You've been through hell and high water and you did what you had to do to protect your family and for that, I salute you. Too often wives and mothers come into my court room and are just selfish beings. In divorces they try to rob men blind. They're drug addicted and would spend their last dime on cocaine before they'd buy a meal for their child." My mind immediately went to young Christian. "It really is a shame. But you, Mrs. Grey, there's something special about you. You remind me of my late wife." He smiled slightly and I was in shock. When the trial had begun Carrick told Christian and I that Judge Rawlings was a hard ass with a "take-no-prisoners" attitude. I don't know why he's taken to me. "You," he pointed his gavel at Christian "Hold on to this one. They've stopped making women like her." I looked at Christian who nodded at the judge. I can't believe he's just said all of that and about me. He's made me sound like some type of super-wife. "In the case of Anastasia Grey versus The State of Washington, I find Anastasia Grey not guilty. Court is adjourned."
My eyes started to water and my hands went to my mouth. This trial has been draining. My life has been upside down. Paparazzi camped out in front of the house and the kid's school. I felt trapped and the whole family was affected. Ted seemed uninteresting in almost everything and Phoebe had lost the shine in her eyes. Christian has been so stressed out trying to reassure me, we haven't been as in tune as we usually are. Knowing that it's over is a weight off my chest.
I could hear rather than see the people file out of the room. I couldn't move. Then Christian was in front of me, arms around my waist.
"See Ana, I told you it would work out." He whispered in my ear and for some reason I started to cry. "It's okay. It's all over now."
"Oh Christian, I'm so sorry." I'd put everyone through so much. For the first time I'd suggested hiring more security. The paparazzi are ruthless.
"Why are you apologizing? You've done nothing wrong and you've been so strong through this entire thing." He pulled back and looked into my eyes. "Let's go home."
Christian called everyone and they all come over to celebrate my freedom. Mia brought baby hope. It'd been a while since I'd seen anyone. Between checking in at work and writing depositions and watching people try to send me to jail, I didn't really have time for anything. We took shots of some really expensive tequila that one of Carrick's clients gave him and we went through about 5 bottles of champagne. I admittedly got a little tipsy. I had half a mind to get drunk but I know I'd hear about it from Christian. Celebration or not, he'd never approve.
"I'm so happy the trial is over." Christian was sitting on his side of the bed plugging his blackberry in.
"I know." I said checking e-mails. I just put Aria in her crib. We decided to move her into her own room. I switch on the baby monitor. "I've missed you." I looked over my shoulder and Christian was laying over the sheets and duvet with a confused look on his face. I know what he's thinking. I'm a silly woman because he's been with me every step of the trial. "I feel like it's been so long since we've had time to be together; just the two of us." I lay next to him with my head on his chest. I missed being here. I haven't been this relaxed since I started working with Lucas on his book release.
He rests his chin on my head. "What do you mean?"
I shrugged against him. "Since Ted was born both of us have been in either parent or work mode almost always." He looked down at me quizzically. "Don't get me wrong. I love our family and wouldn't trade it for the world, but sometimes I miss when it was just the two of us like it was on our honeymoon." My mind went back to Christian telling me he wasn't ready to share me after we got married. Our time in the south of France was something I'd never forget. Now I'm the one being stingy. He put his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. "That seems like a lifetime ago." He breathed into my hair.
It was. We were in such a different place then. It's been seven going on eight years. My thoughts trail back to when Christian first gave me the NDA and contract. I was an entirely different person. It's almost sad how naive I was then. I remember cringing at the thought of anal sex and butt plugs and the thought makes me blush. I've gotten over that aversion and then some.
"Penny for your thoughts." I'm sure he felt my face go hot on his chest.
"I was remembering the first time you gave me the contract and how I was anti-anal sex"
He chuckled. "Yes. You've seem to have gotten over that." His hand snaked around to my butt and I giggled. "I love that sound. It's been a while since I've heard it. You've been so tense lately."
"Well I don't really have a reason to be anymore."
"Yes and you're a little drunk." I stiffen. Fuck. He's going to be angry. I thought I was doing a good job of playing sober. "Don't worry. I'll give you a pass. You deserved to let go." We sat in comfortable silence for a while. Just existing with each other. "How about we take a break?"
My heart threatened to jump into my throat. What does he mean take a break?! We've been married for nearly a decade and the only "break" we've ever taken wasn't even two weeks and I couldn't function properly. Besides I'm sure a break when you're married is called divorce or at very least a legal separation which would just involve more lawyers and I'm content with never stepping foot into a courtroom again. My heart beat is irregular, my breathing is irregular and I start to sweat a little. I sit up and I'm sure I'm going to have a panic attack. I sit up and my body is stiff. Is this really happening after everything we've just been through and everything I've just said? Take a break? From Christian? I don't know how to do that. I don't think I can do that. I don't want to do that. Tears are playing at the side of my eyes.
"Ana?" There's worry in his voice. "Ana what wrong?"
"What- What do you mean?" I manage to get the words out of my mouth.
He's staring at me searching my face for something. Suddenly his face relaxes. "Anastasia Grey," He wiped the tears from my face with his thumbs and his eyes lock intensely on mine. "I love you. You're not just my wife, you are my life. I am not now, nor will I ever ask you to leave me." Wait what? I'm beyond confused. "I meant a break from, well life. We can go to the house in Aspen or back to the south of France or where ever you want to go. You deserve some time off and I'm sure Opal could hold down the fort while you're gone."
I hired a woman named Opal Paisley to well, replace me during the trial. She's easily the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. She has a strong face with very high cheekbones; not to mention she's very good at what she does. I've been considering hiring her full time to work beside me. I would love the help and might even ask her to run the New York office.
"So, you're not asking me for a divorce, or a legal separation?"
He laughed a real gut laugh that I haven't heard in what seems like ages. "Of course not. That stuffy court room air must be going to your head."
I chuckled. I'm being ridiculous. "Why are you so good to me?" I ask placing my hand on the side of his face and running my nails through his stubble.
"I have to." He shrugged his shoulders. "The judge gave me a court order."
"What was all of that about? The way he talked about me made me seem like a super hero in a pant suit."
He plants a soft kiss on my forehead. "You are to me."
He isn't perfect but I'm sure he's as close as it gets. I decided that for putting up with me for so long he deserves a gift. I get up and walk into the bathroom. "Where are you going Ana?" I don't answer him. When I get into the bathroom I look at myself in the mirror and my eyes are puffy from my terse cry but there's nothing I can do about it now. I take of my silk shirt and the matching shorts and pull my hair down from the messy bun I had it in to put my hair into a braid. I take my bra off and give myself a pep-talk. "Alright Grey. You can do this." I really didn't need it but it's become a habit from all those years ago. I remove my bra and walk back into the room. I hear Christian on the phone with who I think is Elliot. It sounds like Kate has lost an earring and she thinks it's in the kitchen. I walk into his eye shot then take my position. On my knees, back on my heels, legs spread apart forearms on thighs with my head down.
"Uh Elliot, I'll call you tomorrow. Ana needs me for something." He sits the phone on his bed side table and walks over to me. I can see his feet. "Mrs. Grey?"
"Yes sir?" I try my best not to smile but a smirk plays at the side of my lips.
"I love you. Did you know that?"
"Yes sir."
