A/N: Happy Holidays everyone. This is more of a filler chapter but the main purpose of this chapter is that my aunt Marie passed in the tragedy on 9/11. Her birthday is coming up and she always liked my writing. So this chapter is dedicated to her. I had a hard time trying to type this but it's comforting to know that I can add her in my story. Enjoy
R.I.P Marie
Ciao Bella
Chanelle's POV
The next morning, I stretch out toward Christian's side of the bed and it's cold. I sit up and look around the room and I see Christian sitting outside. Wait! We have a balcony?! Damnit! I get up and pull on my sweats and a hoodie and walk outside. "Hello Mr. Grey." I say while stretching. He looks up and smiles.
"Ms. Howard. How lovely for you to join me." He says while gesturing me to sit down in the wrought iron chair across from him. I take a seat and I pull my hands into my hoodie. "I have tea in your tumbler. Kellie told me you like Tazo Passion tea with a little vanilla cream." I look at the tumbler and instantly got excited. He hands me my Hello Kitty tumbler and I taste the tea. It's still hot and it's...perfect. I'm shocked that Kellie even found this tumbler. I couldn't find this at all. "Kellie made it. I went downstairs and she was getting ready to clock on and she thought you might want it." I smile and move the chair next to him.
"Thanks Christian. I really appreciate it. I am shocked Kellie found this. I couldn't find this when I went back to Philadelphia. So you choose to sit out on the balcony. I didn't know we had one." I say while taking another sip of the tea.
"I wanted to surprise you with it." He says with a smile. I look around and noticed that we had a pretty sick view of Central Park. I begin to hang my head low and Christian catches on. "Are you okay?" He says rubbing one hand on my cheek. I welcome his soft touch to my face and he feels a tear roll down. He wipes it away and runs thumb along my cheek. "Talk to me."
"Well, this is all a bit overwhelming. I mean I'm with you. The most powerful and richest man in all of the United States and I'm in a city the houses another powerful and rich man. Then there is the fact that..." I feel the lump in my throat form and I'm trying to choke back a sob but I can't. I begin to cry and Christian pulls me on his lap. "Christian. It's a bit hard for me to be in New York because I lost a family member here." He goes wide eyed because he knows exactly what I'm talking about. He hugs me tightly and I begin to let it all out. "I come here to see her name engraved. It brings me peace even though it still hurts to know that she is gone." He nods and picks me up and takes me back to the room.
"You need to get dressed. We are going out for a bit." He says as he pulls over a black long sleeve turtleneck sweater. I nod and I brush my hair into a ponytail and threw on a pair of black flare jeans and a pink and blue sweater. I look at the time and it is nearly 11. We make our way downstairs and I see Kellie. I give her a wave and she smiles back. I mouthed 'Thank You' to her and she mouthed back 'no problem' and smiled. We hop in back of the SUV and we pull off in New York traffic. I look out of the window and watch the buildings zoom by. Suddenly, the neighborhood becomes familiar. I look out of the front of the car and I noticed that we are nearing the site. I look at Christian and he gives me an apologetic smile. "Kellie said that this was a tradition of yours and I was hoping you could introduce me to her even though she isn't here physically. I sighed and laid in his arms. We stop and the driver lets me out. I put my hands in my pocket and waited for Christian to walk next to me.
"Christian. If I become a blubbering mess, promise me that you will take me away from here." I asked. He holds my waist from behind and kisses my neck.
"This is apart of the healing process Chanelle but if it becomes too much, we will leave." He said. I nodded and made my way forward. I know where her name is and I walk towards it.
"Here she is." I say trying not to cry. Christian looks at the name and hugs me. I always look like a crazy person. I talk to her name and tell her how I'm doing." I said with a little chuckle. He hugs me closer and rubs my arm up and down.
"Marie. What a lovely name." He says as he kisses my temple. I nod in agreement and begin to talk to her.
"Hey Aunt Marie. It's your ever gorgeous niece Chanelle. I brought a friend with me well...more like my boyfriend and you always said to me that when I become of age to have a boyfriend that he needed to be gorgeous and nice and kind. Well Aunt Marie, this is Christian Grey. He is my boss's partner with the company I work for but I think you knew that already. We all miss you so much but we know you are always around! I hope everyone is having one of your famous cheesecake pies in heaven. I love you Aunt Marie. Ciao Bella." I finally break and cry in Christian's arms.
"Come on Chanelle. Let's go back to the hotel and describe what's going on for today." He says. I kiss my hand and hover it over her name and walk away. I climb in the back of the SUV and I blew her one more kiss as the door closed.