Steps Forward

Ana's POV

To: Anastasia Steele

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Selling GEH

Dear Ana,

I have been away from you for ten hours and it is too long. I can't stop thinking about is you... you next to me... on top of me... underneath me... oh fuck... you everywhere around me. And that is just for starters. You are dominating my entire thoughts that I am considering selling GEH, picking you up and taking you to a beautiful tropical island. There I can be with you without internet conference calls with Asia, that is keeping me from see you tonight. Trust me when I say that if a lot of jobs weren't dependent on this conference, I would cancel it in a second.

Thank you for a memorable time in New York and London. Next time I think I will take you to Paris… then Italy… then the Caribbean... and back to London. There is a whole world out there and I want to show you it all. Just name it and I will take you.

Keep tomorrow night free. I will pick you up after work. We can go out for dinner and then return to Escala. Don't bother packing your toothbrush, I will organize a toothbrush for you to have at my place.

Please tell me you will eat tonight and get a good night sleep. I will worry otherwise. Besides you will need your strength for tomorrow night.

Is Ethan going to be at the apartment tonight?

Love you.

Christian Grey

Absolutely smitten and in love CEO of Grey Enterprise.

P.S. Oh yeah… marry me.

P.S.S. If you are not ready to marry me, move in with me… Then marry me

I can't help but smile at Christian's email as I approach my apartment though roll my eyes at his question in regards to Ethan. Surely he is aware that I can hold my own by now. I have to admit that I loved the past seven days that we spent together in New York and then London. Sure the first few days were devoted to our work commitments, but I honestly enjoyed falling asleep and waking up next to Christian. Then those few days in London, in our little bubble, where the safest I have felt in a long time. The only bump in our trip was Ethan…hmmm… Maybe I could just ignore this… he is my best friends brother. Talking about Kate, I better send a reply email before I enter the apartment and am subjected to the Kavanagh Inquisition.

To: Christian Grey

From: Anastasia Steele

Subject: bubbles.

Dear Christian,

You're nothing if not persistent. I miss you too. Thank you again for our taking me to London. It was memorable… the sights and the time in bed with you. I will email you tomorrow to let you know what time I finish work. Okay, no toothbrush... I won't bother packing night clothes as I suspect that I won't need them…. At least I hope not.

Yes, I will eat. I intend to have a quick shower, dinner and then go straight to bed. I need to get back to Seattle time.

I do not know if Ethan is going to be at the apartment or not. I haven't spoken to him. I have spent all my time with you…. Remember... yes YOU… the only one I want to be with. But I need time... we need time before we make any big commitments.

Love you.

Anastasia Steele

To: Anastasia Steele

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Persistence?

Dear Ana,

Persistent? Always. In business, physical pursuits, and even more so when it comes to you. You have no idea what lengths I would go…. Well, maybe you have a better idea now.

My meeting is about to start. It is going to be a long and boring in comparison to an evening with you. But even billionaire megalomaniacs have to work.

I will count the hours till I see you tomorrow. You have no idea how much I wish I were going home to you tonight.

Love you.

Christian Grey

CEO of Grey Enterprise.

I shake my head at Christian… he is the most megalomaniac, over-zealous and insistent man I have ever come across and he is mine. All mine and I couldn't be happier about it. Though I wish he would slow down a little... Actually a lot. Then again I don't blame him…. his life moves at such a fast pace that I doubt he could slow down. The apartment is quiet when I enter, but it is short lived, when Kate walks out of her bedroom with Elliot. They are almost oblivious to my presence, as they are overly physical with each other. I have never seen my best friend like this before.

"Ana, your home!" Kate lets go of Elliot, maybe for the first time since they met and throws her arms around me.

"We got home yesterday, but I stayed at Christians last night."

"Elliot and I have plans tonight, but can we catch up soon?" Kate asks looking remorseful at having to leave.

"Sure."

"Great. I will just go and grab my bag. Actually maybe I will change my shoes. I bought a new pair that will go so much better than these one's" I giggle lightly at Kate as she heads back to her bedroom though more at Elliot's expression.

"Does Kate always do that? Change her mind even though she looks hot?"

"Yep… better get used to it!"

"Oh, I am…." Elliot gives me a wicked smile, but his eyes are towards the bedroom waiting for Kate to come out.

"So how was my brother last week? Did you two have a good time?" Even though this isn't a peculiar question for some reason hearing it from Elliot seems a little strange.

"Christian was good. We had a great time."

"I'm glad. I have been waiting for my brother to join the human race. My parents are thrilled that he is taking you to the 'Coping Together ball'… actually they are over the moon that you are with him. Ana, I don't know how you did it, but you have bought my brother to life! I don't know how to thank you enough but thank you" I blush at Elliot's praise. I almost don't know what to say but I finally find the words,

"Your brother is an easy person to love." I utter just before Kate re-joins us.

"Nice... I like those shoes better! Ready to go?" Elliot complements. inquires.

"Yes… Bye, Ana." Kate hugs me goodbye while Elliot grins at me.

"Be good you two" I tease.

"I will be as good as you were with Christian!" Kate declares laughing. I shake my head and the thought hits me. Christian wants me to move in with him or marry him, but he is yet to take me in for a proper scene in the red room. Hhhhmmm… I need to address that with him again.

I commence to undo my blouse as I walk into my bedroom. I desperately want to rip off these heels, black pencil skirt and blouse then throw on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. Followed by a quiet dinner and losing myself in one of the books I bought in London at Charing Cross Road. Though upon entering my bedroom I find a white dress bag on my bed. I grin and shake my head. 'Christian' He truly is the ultimate consumer. I wonder when and who delivered it. I am almost about to email him to thank him when I decide I ought to check out the contents. Depending on what it is, I might take a picture of me wearing it and text it to him. I hope it is something sexy. Yes, that will definitely make his online conference call far more interesting.

"What the hell?" I yell out as I open the bag. It's not from Christian... it's from Ethan. Inside is the little black dress I tried on in New York. Inside the bag is also a note. 'You looked beautiful in this dress. Wear it again… Ethan. Okay... I have known for a while that he had some sort of interest in me, and turning up in New York proved that he still did. Nonetheless, him buying this dress for me is over the top now. It is infatuation and not in any good way.

"You're home. Are you staying in for the evening?" I turn around and low and behold there is the shopper himself.

"Yes, and we have to talk." I hold up the dress, but it only serves to make him smile.

"I am home for the evening also. How about I order in for us. I hope you like the dress, you looked amazing in it" Ethan tone is so casual as if there is nothing wrong with him giving me this item.

"Except you were buying it as a present for your sister. To thank her... remember?" I tell him annoyed.

"Doesn't matter. I can take Kate shopping here or in New York at Christmas ...She would probably prefer that."

"It does matter. I don't want this dress" I pick up the bag and in front of him, drop his note inside it and then hold it out for him. Time to send him a message.

"I bought the dress for you…. I want you to have it" I take a double take. Ethan is acting so arrogantly… it is so uncharacteristic. I push past him, with the bag in my hand, and storm off to Ethan room. I am about to open his bedroom door to place the dress bag inside; however, he blocks my attempt.

"Ethan, move away…now"

"No. Keep the dress! I want you to have it."

"I have enough dresses Thank you."

"Yes... I bet you do now… thanks to Mr Big Shot" Ethan hisses bitterly. I am so close to wanting to slap him. It is true that Christian has purchased a few dresses for me, but the rudeness of his tone and manner is so insulting.

"I am not interesting in you. You are my best friend's brother and I value you as a 'friend', but that is all... though I definitely do not value the way you are behaving."

"Ana… look, I know that you are probably infatuated with Christian. Who wouldn't be when you consider his outrageous wealth, lifestyle and success, but he isn't the one for you? I can give you everything he can but without all the complexities. I could make you so happy, we both can be so happy together!" Ethan raises his hand to touch my face, but I step away, avoiding his touch.

"I am with Christian. I. love. Him"

"Then why are you here? Is Christian coming over tonight?" Ethan is trying to make me doubt my feelings, but it is him who needs to get with reality.

"No, he has a late meeting."

"Poor excuse if you ask me."

"I didn't ask you!"

"Ana, if you really loved Christian, you would be at his place waiting to see him. You would wait because all you wanted was to be with him at every possible chance."

"You're right" I realize that for the first time tonight Ethan just made sense. I drop the dress bag at Ethan door and go back to my room. I grab some night clothes, some work clothes, shoes, and some toiletries. I don't really pay that much attention to what I have as I know that knowing Christian he will have everything I need at his place.

"Where are you going? "Ethan probes.

"To Christian's place. You were right."

"You're going to his apartment tonight?"

"Kind of."

"What do you mean?"

"I love him... I am not just going to his place tonight. I plan on moving in with him..."

"What right now?" Ethan looks at me as if I have lost my mind and I couldn't care less.

Christian's POV

I rip my tie off and throw my jacket on to the small table at the entrance of the penthouse. Tonight's meeting was long and tedious. I am beyond frustrated. I dismiss Taylor and head off to my bedroom. It is late, but I intend to head down to the gym and relieve my stress. That is before I see the vision that is lying in my bed. I don't allow myself to believe it until I am close enough to touch her. I close my eyes and breathe out… joy... I feel the joy that she is here. I honestly intended to touch her softly, but I get end up failing… then again why did I think I would succeed? I long to touch Ana.

"Christian... your home" Ana wakes up, but she is half asleep

"Yes... and never have I been so happy to be home." I lean down and kiss her forehead, the tip of her nose and then her succulent lips, ever so softly. "I am so glad you are here! You should have emailed or texted me."

"I wanted to surprise you and it was kind of a spur of the moment thing. Sawyer helped me. Don't be mad at him." Mad at Sawyer for letting Ana into my bed? Fuck no. I am thinking of giving him a big fat bonus instead. I quickly discard my clothes and join her in my bed. I pray that she isn't too tired. I want to bury myself inside of her, and my manhood stands to attention when I discover that she is naked.

"I. Am. So. Happy. You. Are. Here. I. Am. One. Lucky. Bastard." I plant little kisses on her neck and lips as I emphasize each word.

"Good, because I intend to never leave" I stop immediately and replay in my head what Ana has just said. Does she mean…?

"Say that again."

"I am not leaving, that is if the offer to move in is still open." I close my eyes and savor her words.

"Yes, Anastasia… Welcome, home." I wrap my arms around her and hold her close before I commence to kiss her and have my way with her. Anastasia Steele has agreed to move in with me…. Now I just need to get her to marry me.

"It's good to be home... but Christian there is still one more thing we need to discuss."

"Marriage? Done… let's make it a short engagement." I propose though know it probably isn't what Ana is talking about.

"No… Christian... the red room. You need to take me back ... You need to show me what you do in there… properly. Not like last time... "I sit up and regard Ana cautiously.

"When?"

"No time like the present" Ana shrugs.

"Okay then… let's go now.

A/N: I am sorry that I do have the time anymore to write like I use to, but I won't give up on my stories. I will update them... even if it does take me some time. Thank you for reading and as usual review if you wish.