The third ex-assistant Ana has visited is proving to be as unhelpful as the other two and what limited telepathy she has dared (and has been able) to use has revealed no criminal activity. At the same time, she is able to tell that all three are scared of him. She tried a more personal touch than the lawyer she sent before but she hasn't fared any better. Still, the woman is not kicking her out either.
"If that's your final word, then I won't bother you any further," says Ana in the end. "Just remember that by staying silent at this moment you... well, not forfeit your right to a settlement, strictly speaking, but the chances of you getting any will be slim."
The woman stays silent.
"And, of course, should cops ever come knocking, then you'll have to tell them the truth."
"Don't send any cops my way," the woman replies dryly. "I've got nothing to tell them."
"Oh, I won't be sending them."
She gives her Roach's business card. "Call us, if you change your mind."
After a moment of silence, she asks, "Does he have some kind of a hold over you?"
The woman doesn't answer but Ana doesn't need telepathy to know the truth. So, whatever it is starts within bounds of law and then the trap shuts?
"Well, your reaction and reactions of your predecessors are telling it all. I'll go now but before I do, would you like to get in touch with them?"
"Excuse me?"
"I can't share any personal information about SIP employees, current or former. However, if you personally agree, then there's no reason why I shouldn't help the three of you to get together. Perhaps it will help you if you can talk about it."
After a brief hesitation, the woman nods.
"Great! That makes all three of you."
Driving back in a car bought by Christian, Ana contemplates the situation. Foul play is involved, that much is sure. But what are they supposed to do? Fire him and inflict him on someone else? Moreover, she can see the headlines already. "An honest working man fired to make space for the governor's sister whose daddy bought the company using money from an unknown source. Possible bribe for governor Black?" OK, maybe that was an exaggeration, Christian was buying half of the company. Then again, if they drag him through mud too, it would be just as nasty. Maybe the best way of action was to let him shoot himself in his own leg. His facade isn't perfect - Ana learned that when his (their) trip to New York was canceled. And if he gets his act together and never engages in his prior behavior again (whatever it is) then they'll be able to keep an eye on him.
Christian isn't sleeping yet when she gets to Escala but he is in his pajamas, reading a book in the bed. Ana gives him a quick kiss.
"I'll take a quick shower," she tells him.
She proves that she meant it literally when she returns less than five minutes later in her pajamas. Christian finishes a paragraph a closes the book as Ana climbs in under the duvet. He gives her a one-armed hug as she carefully (making sure not to touch him) snuggles to him. Then he leans away from her to put the book on his nightstand and turn the lamp off.
"Is this how it is after people are together for a long, long time?" he asks after a while.
"This boring, you mean?" clarifies Ana (though the word she would use is cozy). "Hopefully not. At least not for my kind. Remember, virtually eternal youth."
Christian doesn't answer.
"You know," drawls Ana while forming little legs from her index and middle finger and walking them up Christian's arm. "The problem is in my EMP. No EMP, no problem."
"That's not my style," avows Christian. "No EMP, no nothing."
"Yep, once you try it with it, you never want it any other way. However, I thought your limits involved electricity."
"Electric current. This is strangely OK with me." After a moment of silence, he adds, "And so we are back at the original idea - getting a new place."
"That will be difficult. I fear the nearest suitable place is very far away from here."
"What about the house we've seen? What if it's truly for sale?"
"Huh. Maybe it is. Maybe the owners have been driven away by the very thing which makes it convenient for us - it's near the city. Well, it won't hurt to ask and it's time for you to meet goblins anyway."
Ana hasn't told him much about them since his first briefing. He waits for a more detailed explanation.
"They've opened an office here in Seattle recently. No underground bank, this isn't London - just a simple office. I see one possible problem though - how to pay for it. Grandma does have gold and if we tell her why we need it, she'll give us some."
"I do have a lot of money. I can buy gold."
"Gold is pricey, it would hurt your liquid reserves. Moreover, siphoning gold from the non-magical world is frowned upon - that's why they use gold only in the form of goblin coins properly stamped with serial numbers - just like paper money. There would be an audit, which would ultimately give you a go ahead, I'm sure, but my family prefers to stay under radars of magical authorities."
"Well, let's ask about the house first, then we'll weigh our options. Perhaps there's something I can offer to these goblins."
"Very well, I'll ask for an appointment right away. Some time after work or during weekend."
She slips out of the bed and Christian hears clicking of a keyboard. She is back in less than a minute.
"Done, we'll see when they'll have time for us."
"Have you just sent them an e-mail?"
"This isn't London. There's no underground bank, just an ordinary office," repeats Ana.
"How strange," replies Christian sarcastically.
They wish good night to each other and go to sleep.
Jack Hyde is his usual moronic himself next day. He suspects that SIP is changing hands, just like a few other employees. However, only Roach himself knows that it is a done deal.
Ana gets a reply from the goblin office - they'll see them that evening. She notifies Christian who answers right away. She confirms the appointment.
There is nothing distinctive about the building where the office is located, just your usual rental office space. The office itself isn't even marked in any way.
They enter a small anteroom. A man behind a counter greets them. He seems to be both a receptionist and a guard.
"Good evening," responds Ana, with Christian echoing her. "We have an appointment. I'm Ana Black, this is Christian Grey."
The man has been looking at Christian since they entered and now a look of recognition crosses his face.
"Yes, you are expected. Excuse me, are you the Christian Grey?"
"Yes, if you mean the CEO of Grey Enterprises," confirms Christian.
"Well, I'm impressed. By you finding your way to us."
"May I assume that you are, you know, from the non-magical world?" observes Ana.
"Yes, I'm a muggle. As non-magical as it gets. Have you expected to find anybody else in this office?"
"Is that word still politically correct?" wonders Ana.
The man opens his mouth to respond but then he remembers that they are being expected and repeats this fact to them. He presses a button on the telephone on his desk and announces their arrival.
"Please, do go in," he waves towards the only other door in the room and presses a buzzer.
They walk through a medium sized office where several people work. The only distinctive feature are heavy wooden double door on the opposite side. A secretary stands up and ushers them in.
The office on the other side is half the size of the main one. It is furnished in archaic manner but Ana doesn't see anything magical. No technology younger than a century either. There is a goblin behind the desk. He is dressed in a nineteenth century suit appropriate for a bank clerk.
Ana and the goblin exchange good evenings and (rather unnecessary) introductions. Not Christian. He stays silent and stares at the goblin for a moment before he remembers Ana's warning not to stare. He says good evening then. If the goblin is annoyed, he doesn't show it. He returns Christian's gaze and then gestures sharply towards two seats in front of the desk.
"I looked up the property you are interested in," he opens. "You were correct in your assumption that no one lives there. The last owner died with no heirs and we are, in fact, executors of her will. The problem is that the property can't be purchased, it can be only inherited."
Christian is confused. "How? Was she under an impression that she had some family left somewhere?"
"Nothing so complicated. She will simply bequeath the property to heirs she will pick personally."
Christian is befuddled even more. He is thinking about time travel.
"Oh, she left a ghost," concludes Ana.
"That's right. The ghost comes with the property, of course, until her natural departure into beyond. We didn't expect to have to hold onto the property for so long. Unfortunately, the growth of Seattle complicated things. It's almost impossible to find a family of wizards willing to live in a city. Such a city, I mean. This isn't Europe, after all."
"Is it a problem that we aren't wizards?"
"Can you see the property?"
"Yes."
"Then it probably isn't but that's not up to me."
Christian clears his throat and asks the goblin for a moment. "A ghost?" he whispers to Ana, not realizing that the goblin can hear him.
"Sure, why not. She can help kids with homework and such."
Christian bites his retort.
"What can you tell us about her?" she asks.
"Her name is Morrison."
"Morrison, Morrison. That doesn't ring a bell. Though I can't say I'm an expert on American houses."
"There is no such house. I believe it's a muggle name. However, I shouldn't be sharing any more details at this point. You need to sign, how do muggles call it, an NDA? Alas, I'm not allowed to bring any materials to this office - not safe."
"Of course. Speaking of which, how do you avoid getting seen?"
"I use my own elevator which brings me straight to our section of the garage."
"I see. What's the next step then?"
"Our resident squib will meet you there and will get you started. Say, this weekend?"
Ana looks at Christian who nods.
"Afterwards, we can tell you more. If the lady decides to give you a chance. Or she can talk to you personally. But perhaps I can say this much: Am I right in my assumption that you plan to get married and are searching for a place to settle down?"
"Well," says Christian which prompts Ana to say "Well" as well. She considers adding "I guess" but she doesn't want to take it too far.
"I've noticed that there's no engagement ring yet," sneers the goblin. "There better be one come this weekend and you need to get married before you move in. We are talking about an old lady of considerable class and from a different time. She won't suffer any funny business under her roof."
Christian is appalled. Is the ghost going to spy on them in their bedroom to check whether they aren't engaging in some unordinary practices?
"I understand," says Ana. "One last thing. Your fee."
"Prepaid already. However, if everything works out, you might consider hiring our people to look at the wards. They still hold but they are old and someone ought to take a look at them."
"That won't be necessary and we wouldn't want your warders to have to go to Seattle on our account."
Her mother maintains the ward around La Push. She can take a look at it and she can teach Ana how to maintain it herself afterwards. After all, it should be close enough to her talent.
The goblin makes a dismissive gesture with his hand signifying both that it wouldn't be a problem and that it is their decision.
He presses a button and a little electric bell rings outside. The secretary who ushered them in peeks inside and the goblin tells her to send somebody in, presumably the squib he mentioned. A middle aged lady comes in shortly. Under other circumstances, she would be unrecognizable from ordinary muggles. They make arrangements. Christian has more questions but he wishes to discuss them with Ana later on.
"Well, I'm speechless," comments Christian as they drive away. "You really outdid yourself this time."
"Yes, I know. A solution that brings further complications. We shouldn't have gotten rid of the truck. We could have taken it for a weekend camping trip. Like I said, it's unaffected by my EMP."
"That's not what I'm talking about. And no, I wouldn't want the truck to be involved anyway. I'm talking about the ghost!"
"That's nothing strange. A magical person of sufficient power may leave one upon his death if he feels that his business on Earth is unfinished. In this case, she probably wants her home to pass to a decent family. Perhaps she never found the time to marry and had no immediate family. Or worse, perhaps her children died. In a war, perhaps."
In a war with Voldemort? Or Grindelwald? She has no idea.
"And what could she possibly want with us?"
"Like I said. She wants what she didn't have when she was alive. A house full of grandchildren, her sitting on a porch in a rocking chair."
Christian grits his teeth. Here she goes with talk about children again.
"And in the end, passing away," continues Ana. "Surrounded by a loving family."
"And if we don't deliver? What if we decide to move out in a few decades and the house will be empty again? Will we turn into ghosts as well and haunt the property with her?"
"That's not how it works."
"Well, this isn't an area we've covered yet. Not that we have covered much of anything. How does it work?"
"Have you seen the old Star Wars?"
"Sure."
"Exactly like that."
They drive in silence for a while.
"They can pass through walls, right?" asks Christian.
"Of course."
"Then what's to stop her from bothering us in the bedroom? Which is probably the place where she died."
"What a hell? I'm sure she would never do such a thing. In those times and social circles, what happened behind locked door of a marital bedroom was no one's business. And I'm sure she won't think about the bedroom as hers. We can set a room for her in the attic - if she needs one at all."
Christian makes no reply.
"Think about her as an asset," adds Ana.
"An asset? How can she be an asset?"
"While they are unable to learn new things or change, their memories from their life remain intact. In fact, you can think about them as magical constructs which serve as recordings of memories. And interpreters of those memories too. Think of all the things she can tell us about her time. Sure, it wasn't so long ago so you could ask my grandpa just as well. That also means that we'll get along with her better than with somebody from medieval times, let's say."
"Is it even safe to keep such a thing around... you know. I don't mean us. But later."
"You mean children."
Christian doesn't answer.
"Sure it's safe," answers Ana. "When my grandma attended school, there were plenty of ghosts. One of them even taught history."
Hogwarts is yet another thing that wasn't even mentioned yet but Christian doesn't bother asking for more information.
"Sooo, about the camping trip," starts Ana.
Hyde invites Ana to have her lunch in his office with him. She tells him that she is on special diet. She ends up watching him eat and listening to what's on his mind.
He is quite sure that SIP is changing hands. The fact that they canceled their trip to New York is a proof they are throwing their weight around already.
"What will be next?" he complains. "Are they going to decide that I don't need you?"
Smooth, thinks Ana sarcastically.
"I'm quite sure that a competent employee has nothing to fear," she says. "Mr. Roach isn't one to throw people overboard."
"I wouldn't be so sure. Plus, it won't be up to him."
That's not how Ana meant it.
"Keep your ear to the ground," he continues. "If you hear anything, anything at all, let me know. We need to know more before we decide our course of action."
"Who's we?"
Once again, Hyde's facade slips and Ana can feel anger and suspicion. She uses the opportunity and sees a face for a moment. One of the other editors but she doesn't know what it means. Are they planning to leave together? Have they merely talked about the matter? Ana has never noticed that the other editor liked Hyde but she hasn't been in SIP for long. Perhaps she should ask her mother to train telepathy with her but that would entail another lecture about ethics of using telepathy. Maybe she could convince Christian to let her practice with him.
Hyde collects himself and smiles in a confident way. He doesn't answer her question.
"I'll see what can I do," says Ana. "However, it's unlikely that anybody will tell me anything."
"Maybe you'll get lucky. And bring me a coffee, will you?"
"Right away."
Ana wonders whether Hyde ever fears that his assistants will spit in it.
She appraises Roach and Christian about this development.
That Friday, Hyde tells her to join him in the bar after work to discuss something. Considering that she skipped last week, she would normally oblige him. However, she has made plans with Christian already - they are going to go camping. Moreover, Kate is back from the vacation and Ana would like to meet her before leaving. She turns Hyde down.
"This is important," he insist. "It concerns the thing we have talked about."
"It will have to wait. I get here very early on Monday. Come early yourself and we can talk before work."
Hyde gives her a dead-serious look. "Be there. Trust me, you don't want to keep me waiting."
It is clear to Ana that he isn't talking about Monday but she decides to silently pretend that he is. She gets in her car and drives to Kate's apartment. When she gets there, she receives a message from Hyde: Where the hell are you! She ignores him.
Kate is already unpacking. They give each other a big hug. There isn't much time but they do their best to fill each other on essentials as Ana helps her unpack. Kate can't believe that Ana is living with a man - or that she has gotten away with it with her parents! To be honest, Jacob would absolutely disapprove if he knew.
All too soon, Ana has to go. Kate proposes to meet up at Christian's birthday party next day. While Ana knows when Christian's birthday is, the party is news for her. Then again, it is hardly surprising.
Ana drives to Escala. Christian is home already, adding some essentials (such as his cellphone) in his backpack. Ana grabs hers and they are ready to go as Taylor has moved everything else in an SUV already.
Ana mentions the latest business with Hyde while they ride the elevator down.
"Have you told Roach?" he asks.
"I'm sure Mr. Roach doesn't need to hear about this till Monday when I'll have more to tell."
"Ana, we told you to keep us both posted."
He picks his phone and types a quick message for him.
They ride east. Christian prefers that to taking a ferry to Olympic National Park where they might run into her kin.
The sun is almost setting when they park the SUV at a cramped parking place at the end of the road they took. There is a large campsite next to the parking place but they aren't going there.
They take their baggage and head deeper into the woods. Ana makes a rather silly picture because apart from her backpack, she also carries two bags. For Christian, it is even worse because he carries only his backpack.
"Say it's a feminist thing if someone asks," Ana has told him.
When they get far enough from anyone's prying eyes, they stop at a convenient place. Ana uses straps to turn the two bags into convenient "saddlebags". Then she takes her clothes off, stuffing them into her backpack. Christian finds that strangely erotic. As far as he is concerned, this is weirder than anything he has ever done with his exes.
Ana changes into a wolf and Christian straps the bags on her. He puts her backpack on his chest and climbs on her back.
"Hold on tight!" she tells him through her mind and sets off.
They fly like wind. Faster than the truck can fly. As fast as Christian's fastest car - on a straight highway. As far as time is concerned, it is the shortest part of their journey.
Ana stops at a remote place visually shielded by rocks and hills from most directions and dense wood from the rest. Christian gets off her, drops the backpacks, and wavers off on unsteady legs. He leans forward, propping his hands on his knees.
"Are you going to be sick?" asks Ana, appearing next to him suddenly.
"Jeez, put some clothes on!" exclaims Christian. The thought of throwing all over her in her current state of undress makes him even sicker. He ought to put it in his hard limits.
He can't see sunlight anymore. It is probably not dark yet in his penthouse but he needs a flashlight where he is right now. He rummages around for one.
"Wait, don't light it," stops him Ana. "That's for emergencies. We want to stay under the radar, remember?"
"How are we supposed to build a tent?"
"I can see in dark. Prepare the mesh in the meantime."
He can't see it but he can hear Ana moving quickly and the sounds of tent fabric being snapped tout and spikes being driven into the ground.
"Done."
"That was quick," comments Christian.
"I had to figure the instructions out."
They put a special metallic mesh over the tent.
"What did your R&D guys had to say about this?" asks Ana.
"They kind of learned to go along with it over the years."
They throw in a wide mat and a sleeping bag for two.
The campfire comes next. Ana clears a small space and surrounds it with big stones. She finds some dry wood and crushes it in her hands, creating kindling.
"It's small," comments Christian when Ana lights the little campfire up. He warms his hands over it. Because there are barriers all around it, he needs to put his hands above the fire.
"Don't look into it, it destroys your night vision. Remember that your back needs warmth more than your front."
"No warmth coming from this little candlelight anyway."
He takes some wood and means to toss it on the fire but Ana stops him.
"What are you doing? Haven't you read Karl May? If you make a normal campfire, Indians are going to spot you, ambush you in your sleep, and scalp you!"
"Karl May was a con artist and he wrote just like that!"
They have a little supper.
"Are we going to tell scary stories now?" asks Ana afterwards.
Christian declines. Ana proposes practicing telepathy and Christian agrees reluctantly. He sees how it could be useful sometimes but it doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. So far, Ana has yet to read his mind without him noticing. In fact, he is learning how to mislead her or hide his thoughts entirely.
Ana puts the fire out after a while and they get in the tent.
"Have you hurt yourself?" asks Ana some time later.
"A little," admits Christian. Hell, he has bruised it good and well. "And you?"
"Oh, I'm perfectly fine," she assures him cheerfully. "And still a maiden too."
There is no hint of sarcasm in her voice and Christian knows her well enough to know that she is not mocking him. After all, this result was to be expected.
"And no EMP either," observes Christian. He is becoming inadequate, great.
"Uh-huh. The mesh and the location seems redundant now but I have no regrets. It's nice going on a trip like this. And you've told me that you are no good with vanilla."
"There's nothing vanilla about this."
"I mean going out on a romantic outdoor date and spending a night in a tent. I think that's what normal people do. Or at least those who are willing and able."
Christian doesn't reply.
"Well, let's go to sleep," suggests Ana. "We need to get up early."
"Shouldn't we hold watches?"
"Don't worry about it, I'll wake up if there's danger."
Theoretically speaking, there could be some risk. A magical assassin or a group of vampires coming from downwind could sneak up on them. Alas, that's not something Christian would be able to detect from inside the tent anyway. Simpler to rely on not getting found.
Ana moves to wrap her arms around Christian. He hisses.
"Sorry," she whispers and turns around.
Christian spoons her. "You are so warm," he mumbles into her hair.
"Happy to serve as your personal heater."
After a moment of hesitation, Christian reaches for something.
"I imagined this a little differently," he says, holding an open box with an engagement ring in front of Ana.
"Christian!" she rejoices. She twists around and kisses him. She isn't careful and bruises him again.
"Does this mean you'll wear it tomorrow?"
"Yes. Does this mean what I think it means?"
"Do you have to ask? I guess I'll need to do this properly later."
Ana grins and reaches for something too.
"Happy birthday. Though it won't be for a few more hours so you can't open it yet."
For a moment, Christian is surprised. Then he realizes that it couldn't have been any problem for Ana to find out his date of birth.
"It's one of the pair. I've got the other one. It's a little invention of my great-grandfather and his pals. My grandma and John Smith recreated it for me. With these, we'll be able to stay always in touch, no matter where we are."
Christian grins. "Be careful what you wish for," he tells Ana. He doesn't know what it is but it sounds like something he can use to keep tabs on her all the time. "Thank you," he adds in a more somber tone.
"You are welcome. We can try them out tomorrow."
Christian wakes well before sunrise to find Ana gone. It isn't so warm without her in the bag.
There is a piece of paper in Ana's place. Christian uses his cellphone to shine on it. It reads: I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. Could it have something to do with the gift?
He reaches for the package and unwraps it. Inside is a small but sturdy leather holster. Inside that is a little mirror.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," says Christian, feeling a little bit like a fool.
The mirror changes. It takes a moment before Christian realizes that he sees the inside of the holster of the other mirror. Has Ana left it behind?
In a moment, the other holster opens and Christian sees Ana's dirty palm.
"So you figured it out," he hears her voice. "Good morning and happy birthday again."
"Is this the quantum entanglement you've told me about?"
"They don't use that term. Could you please turn the light off? It's coming out on my end."
Christian obliges her.
"Thanks. I'm getting some breakfast. I'll be back in five minutes. Now, it's important that no non-magical people see this so make sure to always turn it off like this: Mischief managed."
Christian lights his cellphone up again and sees that the mirror is just a mirror again. What a nifty piece of... definitely not a technology? He turns it around in his hand but he can't see anything out of ordinary. He repeats Ana's ending phrase but nothing happens. So activating or deactivating one does the same to the other.
He knows that it will be cold outside but there is no putting it off. He gets out of the bag and dresses quickly. He has got some biscuits and a thermos of tea prepared for breakfast. It is still too dark so he fishes out a flashlight. Ana told him not to use it but they are leaving anyway.
"Good morning," Ana says behind him.
Christian is so startled that he spills some tea. It is a little bit lighter but he still flashes the light at her. She has dirty feet and hands and there are hints of blood smudged around her mouth. And most importantly, she has only her underwear on.
"Put your clothes on," he repeats his line from last day. "This sight of you makes me feel cold."
"Is that so? I was warm enough for you last night. Plus, it's summer."
They don't bother with relighting the campfire. After Ana gets dressed, she huddles next to Christian as he finishes his tea.
"These mirrors are something," he says. "I think this will leave me scratching my head for a while." He likes to figure out how things work but he has a feeling that it won't be possible in this case. "Thank you again and please, do relay my thanks to your grandma and Mr. Smith as well."
"Will do. They will come in handy in future. Electronic devices won't work in our new home."
By the time they are back in the car, it is warm enough for Christian to start feeling sleepy again. Ana drives back to Seattle.
With Christian not being sure how to get to the house, Ana drives them there too. The squib lady waits for them leaning on her perfectly normal car. She waves at them and they park right behind her vehicle.
"Good afternoon," she greets them. "It isn't safe to bring cars in so we better walk."
They return her greeting. She spots the ring on Ana's hand.
"May I assume that congratulations are in order?" she asks.
Ana and Christian look at each other briefly.
"Assume away," replies Christian heartily.
As they walk up the driveway, Ana asks "Have you talked with Mrs. Morrison already?"
"No, I was waiting for you. However, a goblin stopped by yesterday and cleared our visit with her. We just need to announce ourselves by our names as we approach."
"Or what?" asks Christian.
"I don't know. Or she gets ectoplasm all over us. Haven't you seen Ghostbusters?"
"Ghosts don't leave ectoplasm," deadpans Ana.
They walk in silence for a few moments.
"Excuse me," says Christian. "The road where we have left our cars, it has been built by, you know, normal people."
"Yes?"
"It has been projected by authorities who know exactly where it is and how long it is."
"As far as they know, it connects the two neighboring properties with the rest of the world."
"But don't they find it weird that it's somewhat longer than it should be?"
The squib lady contemplates her answer for a moment.
"You know, you talk like you assume that these 'authorities' are an infallible machine. Wrong, they are just people who want to go home early on Friday. And places like this make it really easy to ignore any irregularities."
"Look at this way," adds Ana. "Who launches the American nukes?"
"The president," answers Christian while realizing his fallacy at the same time.
"You realize it yourself," senses Ana correctly. "It's a very pedantic process made possible by a chain of highly trained people. But add a bit of magic and you can throw a wrench in that. What's some measly road between two rich families in comparison?"
A charming two-story house comes into view then. They announce themselves as the squib said. Mrs. Morrison is waiting for them on the porch.
The squib greets the ghost politely. Christian sees a ghost for the first time and even though he expected it, he is still confounded. He echoes the squib's greeting. Ana notes that he can see the ghost but she isn't surprised at this point.
"I'm very happy to finally meet you, Mrs. Morrison," she approaches the ghost with her hand outstretched.
The ghost automatically answers to them in a manner expected from someone from her time. She stares at the offered hand in confusion.
"Go on, try it," encourages her Ana. "I've never tried this before but I think it should work."
The squib closes her eyes in consternation. What a hell is the girl trying?
Mrs. Morrison reaches out to accept the handshake. She is mildly surprised when her hand doesn't pass through. After a moment, they clasp each other's hands as if Mrs. Morrison was still alive.
"An interesting spell," she remarks. "I was told you aren't a witch."
"It's not a spell, my tribe has its own kind of magic unsuitable for casting spells. However, I do have a certain natural talent in this area. My hand felt solid to you because I encased it in an EM field attuned to you. Moreover, my skin reflects energy so you would have a hard time passing through me even without it."
"I beg your pardon? What field?"
"My apologies. Modern talk."
Christian sighs. He isn't sure whether it was a good first impression. Then again, as Ana has told him, the impression that matters the most with ghosts is the one they made during their lives.
They go to a dilapidated gazebo because it is dark in the house. Ana thinks that she would be able to provide sufficient light but she doesn't object. Mrs. Morrison walks (instead of floating) as if she was still alive.
After a while of chitchat, the squib produces a copy of the will and they go over it with Mrs. Morrison's consent. There is some preliminary parchment-work for Ana and Christian to sign afterwards.
"Have you picked these up at the bank?" asks Ana.
"No, I've been there only once. My employer gave me these."
With her job done, she leaves with an implication that they probably won't see each other again because the goblins will take over themselves if everything goes well.
Ana and Christian are left alone with Mrs. Morrison. Christian expects that they will talk about Mrs. Morrison's expectations and the state of the estate but Ana and the ghost end up talking about books. As it shows up, Mrs. Morrison was an avid reader when she was alive. Christian contributes to the conversation with his own views and opinions here and there.
They learn more about Mrs. Morrison herself as well. She and her husband inherited the property from her husband's father and magicked it up. Apparently, the land was suitable for it. She lived there until her death of old age in the eighties. So her ghost isn't as old as Ana thought. Mrs. Morrison doesn't share any further details but it is obvious that she has got a lot of happy memories of the place. They don't ask her whether she has got any relatives somewhere - they already know that not to be the case.
When evening approaches, Mrs. Morrison invites them to come next day again. After all, they haven't broached the business yet.
Being pressed for time, Christian drives straight to his parents' house from there. They and Mia insisted on throwing him a party despite his protests that he'll be busy and that he would prefer just a small affair at his place. He hopes that they have adhered to his plea to limit the number of guests at least. He needs to talk to them afterwards. Since he is settling down, he ought to start making arrangements of his own. A different set of arrangements. Perhaps one party at Escala for business partners and another one at their new house for family? Will he be able to tell his family about this someday?
Ana's clothes aren't ideal for a party but having no time to make a stop at Escala, they will have to do.
Christian doesn't talk about the visit with Mrs. Morrison. Ana considers asking him about his thoughts but then she decides to let him mule it all over on his own.
"Should I keep the ring on?" she asks as they turn on the driveway leading to his parents' house.
"If you want to. If you do, however, expect questions. Do you want this to become public knowledge at this point?"
"What do you want?"
"Well, I'm curious what you'll choose so I'll defer to you." Christian gives her a crooked smile as he says that.
She keeps the ring on.
Taylor is waiting for them already. He greets them and asks whether all went OK at the house. Christian gives affirmative answer and asks how bad it is.
"No more than three hundred guests," answers Taylor. "Your sister is looking for you."
They run into her soon enough.
"Christian!" she wails. "We've been waiting for you."
"Sorry. I've told you guys that we needed to take care of an urgent business."
It takes a moment for Mia to realize that he means Ana and himself.
"I should be cross with you," she pouts. "But you know I can't stay angry at you."
She gives Ana a hug. She doesn't notice the ring.
They say hello to his parents. Grace notices the ring. She gives Christian a look but she doesn't say anything at the moment.
They run into Kate and Elliot afterwards. Kate too notices the ring and reminds Ana that they need to talk later, at least for a while.
Christian greets the guests afterwards and apologizes for late arrival.
Flynn and his wife are there. Ana asks how is Leila doing.
Elena is there as well. She approaches them and engages in a chitchat with Christian. It seems light and casual but it is heavy with undertones of hidden meaning. Christian grips Ana's hand firmly to signal that he doesn't want her to leave.
Later on, after Christian makes his rounds (with Ana at his side for the whole time), there is time for private conversations. Christian goes to talk to his parents about his engagement and Ana does some catching up with Kate.
"I can't believe this," Kate exclaims. "I've been gone for two weeks and it feels like your life completely changed while I was gone."
"I feel like my life changed and I've been here for the whole time," replies Ana.
Christian, having given his parents an abridged version of the recent development in his relationship with Ana, sets out to find his... well, he guesses that he can think about her as his fiance now. But before he can find her, Elena beats him to it. She has hoped to talk to the girl somewhere aside (in a lavatory, let's say) but she has to settle for something less private.
"Ana, I was hoping to talk to you," she approaches her.
"I can't say the same, Elena," retorts Ana. "But please, don't understand it as a polite phrase for something awful. I truly didn't care either way. I'm baffled though. We've met earlier this evening. You could have said anything you wanted back then."
"You know that's not true. Christian..."
"Begging your pardon," interrupts her Ana. "There was literally nothing preventing from speaking your mind. So please, don't mind the fact that Christian is standing behind you and do just that."
Elena turns around and makes a muffled yelp when she sees her former sub.
"Well?" encourages her Ana.
"Never mind," growls Elena and leaves.
Christian reaches into his pocket and, without opening the holster, says "Mischief managed." The mirrors deactivate.
"What's her deal?" asks Ana. "Is she afraid of loosing her influence on you?"
Christian frowns slightly. That's not how he sees his relationship with Elena.
"How did you manage to say the pass-phrase without sounding weird?" he asks instead of replying.
"I don't need to say the phrase out loud."
Of course.
Elena leaves the party early. Christian mingles with the guests for the rest of the party. Ana spends time with Grace, Mia, and Kate. They go home before midnight, they have another big day next day.