A/N

I'm going to try to work on Yes Your Honor this week-end. The Surprise Engagement is with my BEAUTIFUL BETA and speaking of BETA, I would like to give a very HUGE THANK YOU to Miss Ordlas for making my story look pretty. Thanks Miss O! Love ya!

Many of you have been with me since my first FF story MAG and you know that I love sharing and making recommendations of stories that I have read or am currently reading/following. You've heard me ramble on and on about Darkness and White by Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps. If you're not reading it, you're missing out. I've also gone on and on about my happy place, Late Night Thoughts-20 Years Later by my beautiful Netzel and countless others.

Well, I'm here to tell you about two my latest faves.

The first is called "A Day In The Life of Ana Grey." It's very different and if you're an animal lover, well, this story is for you! Give it go and note the name of one cat. :) Please review and let Miss Carrie know how much you are enjoying it.

The second is an original Fan Fiction story called Binding Ties by BriLee7796. Also very different in its own right. Give this story a go and let Miss Brianna know what you think.

Ok, on with my story!

CPOV

I awake slowly, listening to the soft droplets of rain continuing to fall. I look to my girl, my Ana, my Firecracker, my love...fuck! I fucking love her. It still sends shock waves through my body and I can feel my heart wanting to burst with joy. I've never known a feeling like this before...ever. I've never been so happy and carefree.

The fucked up thing about feeling so good is that I cannot help but feel impending doom. A person like me doesn't deserve happiness. A person like me, with a monster buried within the confines of this shell of mine, does not deserve anything good; yet, here she is, my beautiful girl, sleeping soundly after I fucked her, over and over and over again.

She looks like an angel, sleeping so peacefully; a small smile appears on her face. She mumbles something that I cannot quite make out. I wonder if she dreams of me?

"Mmmmm..." Ana starts to stir. "Christian...love you Christian..." she whispers as her deep breathing and heavy sleep pattern return.

She does dream about me, she does love me. I feel the smile curve on my face. Smiling - something I've done on a regular basis since Ana entered into my life. She's told me over and over again how much she loves me and I'm actually starting to believe her. It makes me feel beyond ecstatic that someone as good and as kind as my Ana can love someone like me. I want her, I need to feel her once more.

I really should let her sleep, I did wear her out...

She rolls to the side facing me, the blanket falls, exposing her beautiful pink nipple.

Fuck it!

"Ana... wake up baby."

"Mmm...what is it, Christian?" she asks as she wraps the blanket around her.

I am damn lucky that The Grey Name is so well known. It was for that very reason that I was able to arrange for this cabana to become a makeshift privacy room of sorts. All it takes is one phone call for me to get a personal delivery of fresh blankets, a security team to ensure that we aren't disturbed, some fresh clothes, and a casual meal consisting of Mr. Bartley's, thanks to Andrea.

This is what my life will be like, only I will make it on my own. Yes, I have the Grey name but I will make something of myself where I, too, can say who I am and people will jump by a phone call alone. I will be the master of my universe!

"It's morning, baby."

Ana startles me by sitting up quickly. "What?! Did we stay here all night? How did we manage that and where did all this stuff come from?" Ana asks as she looks around.

"I have my ways, baby. Come," I say as I take her hand.

"Erm...I need to brush my teeth," she says as she speaks quietly, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Here you go," I say as I hand her a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste.

She smiles and says, "Thank you Christian, you thought of everything."

"I aim to please, baby."

After we enjoy a light breakfast, again courtesy of The Grey name, I decide to take Ana out on the water. It's an unusually warm morning, the sun is rising, and it's a beautiful shade of pink. Pink...pink like Ana's pink bikini and those tiny pink triangles that were strategically placed over her beautiful pink pussy and her beautiful pink nipples.

It seems like a million years ago that I was desperate to make her mine and then again it seems like it was only yesterday.

"What is it, Christian?" Ana asks as she brings me back to this moment.

"Just thinking about the color pink and how it reminds me of you...in so many wonderful ways," I say as I lift her in my arms and take her out to the water.

"Christian, what are you doing? What are you up to?"

"I want you, Ana, in the water," I say as my voice begins to crack, overwhelmed once more for the love that I have for my girl.

"You want to fuck me in the water?" she asks in surprise.

"No, baby, I want to love you. I want to make love to you in the water."

APOV

God, did he really just say that? Christian can make me come with his words alone, he's so kind and sweet and loving, yet there are times when I do sense a little more 'urgency' when we fuck. It's like he's trying to control his need for me, which I find odd since I completely let go when I'm with him. Sometimes when we're apart, my mind wanders and I feel as though we're a bit young for such strong emotions but when we're together, my worries disappear.

We belong together, of that I'm sure.

I feel the water touch my feet and legs as Christian slowly puts me down; the water is clear and warm. I'm standing before him and we're lost in the looks of desire that envelop us. I want him too, as much if not more, than he wants me.

"Do you see that boat out there, baby?" Christian asks as he breaks our staring spell.

I look to my left and see a sail boat off in the distance, "I do."

"I'm going to have a yacht that's ten times bigger than that toy."

"Are you now?" I say as I giggle.

He looks me straight in the eye and says, "Do you doubt my words, Ana?"

I stop giggling at once, realizing that he's very serious. This is one of the many things on his "when I become rich list" that he will do once he becomes a huge success in whatever he chooses to do in life.

"You really know what you want in life, don't you, Christian?"

"I do, baby, and right now I want you, here, in the water."

His beautiful grey eyes pierce my mine and I am lost in them, looking into the depths of his soul...so broken, so shattered, so vulnerable, and so in love...with me.

I don't know how or when it happened but I'm standing before him without a stitch of clothing. It's only then that I realize that Christian too, is without his swim trunks, bared to me in more ways than one as I look into his eyes once more, into the depths of his soul.

"I love you, Anastasia Steele, like I've never loved anyone before. You are the light in my life and I want you here with me...always. I know I'm young, Ana, but I've always felt like I was living as though I was waiting to die, not having any reason for being. You, my beautiful Firecracker, are my reason."

I'm stunned into complete silence, not knowing what to say. Christian has bared his soul to me once more and just when I think he can't make me love him more than I already do, he takes my love for him up to another level that I did not know existed.

I don't know how long I stand there, with my mouth wide open, letting his words reverberate in my mind, over and over again.

"Ana? Baby? Are you ok?"

I feel the tears well up in my eyes and say, "Oh Christian, I love you, I love you so much."

I put my arms around his neck and get on my tip toes to kiss him; he pulls me in and places his big strong hands on my lower back and kisses me with unbridled passion, we let our bodies do all the talking. All of our proclamations of our feelings for one another are on full display in the love that we make in the ocean and the open sky.

It's the perfect start to a perfect day.

Christian, me, and our love.

***The Week Before Christmas***WaterFire Event Providence RI***

APOV

I'm so excited! This Waterfire event is like nothing I've ever seen before. We've been here all afternoon and we'll soon be enjoying the show once the sun goes down. It's like a carnival of sorts. There are booths where you can play games, you can attempt to knock down milk bottles for a prize; there are food booths, craft booths, and so many other types of booths. It's wonderful.

We walk together hand in hand when we come across a booth with someone doing body art of some sort. I'm fascinated by it.

"You want a closer look?" Christian asks.

"Uhm...if you don't mind," I say.

We take a few more steps and I see the artist - a woman drawing on another woman's lower back. It's the moon and sun, it's beautiful.

The woman looks to us and says, "Are you interested?"

I really am but I'm not sure how Christian feels about it. I look to Christian and he smiles and shrugs.

"I am. What is this exactly?" I ask, growing more curious as to what I would want done and where.

"It's called 'mehndi' or henna tattoos."

"Are they uh...painful?"

"No, they aren't, because they aren't permanent," she says as she points her chin to a large picture album. "Have a look at my work, I'm almost done here."

I look through the many photos and I can see this woman really is an artist.

"Um, Christian? I want to get something done."

His head snaps to me, "You do?"

"Yes, I mean it's not permanent and I really want to do it."

"What is it you want to do?"

"Well, I'd rather it be a surprise, if you don't mind?"

Christian smirks and says, "If that's what you want, ok. I'll take a look around and be back in a bit."

I launch myself at my man and say, "Thanks!"

***Later That Evening***

CPOV

"You have to show me, Ana. I want to see it."

"Ok, fine, but as soon as I'm done showing you, I want to head towards the grand stand and get a good seat."

"Just show me, baby," I say as I feel myself getting irritated.

Ana looks around and proceeds to lift her shirt.

"Whoa, baby, what are you doing?" I ask as I pull her shirt back down.

"You said you wanted to see what she did, didn't you?" Now it's Ana that's sounding irritated.

"Well yes, but...not if you're going to be indecent with all these people around."

"Oh, Christian, it's just skin. Look," she says as she lifts the side of her shirt.

She has the word "Forever" written on the side of her ribcage just below her breast. Thank fuck it was a woman who did this to my Firecracker. Who am I kidding? If it was a man there would be no way in hell that I would have let her do this!

"Well?" Ana whispers quietly, gauging my reaction.

"It's nice, I guess."

"It's how I feel about you, Christian, about our love, it's...forever."

I get that warm all over feeling and I think I'm going to melt with her words alone.

"Oh, baby, if we weren't here in front of all these people I'd make you scream forever."

Ana gasps and blushes at my words; she regains her composure and says, "Not now, baby, later."

"Count on it," I say.

"Let's go, Christian! I'm so excited! I've never seen anything like this before. I want to get a good seat," she says as she grabs my hand and drags me to the seating area.

I haven't told her that my parents have made special seating arrangements for us, us meaning The Grey family, which my Ana is now officially a part of since she's my girl and has met my family.

My parents and siblings are so happy that I've met someone and they've made it perfectly clear how fond they are of her. I think they love her, too. How could they not?

She's beautiful, sweet, kind, funny, and perfect. She's everything I want and need, I only hope that I'm enough for her. I hope she doesn't meet someone else and realize that I'm fifty shades of fucked up and that she deserves better than me. The thought sends a cold chill down my spine because I know it's true. I have the beast inside of me and it needs to be fed.

I feel Ana tugging harder on my hand, bringing me back from my thoughts.

"Slow down, Ana, we have plenty of time baby," I say as she continues to walk ahead of me like an excited child.

"You don't understand, Christian, I want to get a good seat and I don't want to miss a thing!" she says as she continues her quick pace.

God, I love my Ana! She's so happy and carefree and just so...innocent. She keeps me young. I know that's a silly thing to think since I'm only nineteen but there are times when I feel so old...I feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Ana keeps me feeling like the young person that I am, like I, too, don't have a care in the world. I don't feel like I need to always be in control. That's the way I feel when she's not with me, mindful of the monster that demands attention, so I fight for control of my mind and thoughts but when I'm with Ana, the monster is tame.

There are times when I would like to introduce the monster to Anastasia but I fear that if I do, I might lose her and I cannot let that happen. Anastasia is mine! Forever!

"Christian? Are you listening to me?" Ana calls out to me.

"Yeah, baby, but really, there's no need to rush. My parents have reserved seating for all of us," I say as I smile at my girl.

APOV

Did I hear my boyfriend correctly? They have reserved seating? This is outrageous! Outrageous in a most wonderful way! Is it wrong that I'm enjoying the perks of being the girlfriend of Christian Grey and being connected to the Grey name? That isn't why I love Christian, not in any way, shape, or form, but I do love the perks of being with The Greys.

"Really, Christian?" I stop and turn and launch myself at my boyfriend, not caring at all that I'm making out with him for all to see.

"Baby, if you keep this up, I'll take you here and now," he whispers in my ear.

We continue to walk to our private seating area and I realize we're seated in cabanas, similar to the one that we made love in and fucked under in the rain at Pleasure Bay. I can feel the grin on my face as I think back to that evening, it was magical.

"You like, baby?" Christian purrs.

"Oh yes," I say as we walk together, his arm around my waist as I slowly reach down and squeeze his cute tight little ass.

As we near the cabana I can hear them, or rather, I hear Mia and I quickly brace myself for our reunion.

"Ana!" Mia squeals as she stands and darts towards me. "I'm so glad you here!" she shouts as she continues to hug me...hard.

Mia backs away and looks to Christian. "Hi, big brother," she says rather quietly.

"Wow, is that all I get, Mia?"

"You're lucky that I'm even speaking to you after what you've done, Christian!" Mia snaps.

I wonder what's going on between Christian and Mia?

"What do you mean?" Christian asks.

"You know exactly what I mean! Scaring off any boy that comes near me! I'm not a child ya know!"

"You're my little sister and I will not have anyone trying to attack you!"

"Attack? It's called dating, Christian! You better stop trying to 'protect' me! I can take care of myself."

"Really? Is that why you were trying to sneak out of the house while dad and mom were sleeping?!"

I look to Mia; the blood drains from her face.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Christian says quietly.

"Christian! Ana! You're here," Grace says as she arrives with Carrick at her side.

"Christian," Mia whispers. "Please don't tell mom and dad about what I tried to do. Please?"

"We'll talk later, Mia, this isn't over," he whispers as they briefly embrace.

"Hello, Mrs. Grey, Mr. Grey," I say as I feel myself blush. Why am I blushing?

"Ana, please. We've told you before, it's Grace and Carrick, dear. Please."

"Yes, Ana, mom and dad have said that time and time again," Christian says to me and greets his parents.

"Mom, dad. It's great to see you," Christian says as he hugs them.

I hear an audible gasp from Grace as well as from Carrick. I think this is the first time he's hugged them.

"Hey everyone! Let's get this party..." Elliot shouts as he walks up hand in hand with Andrea but stops dead in his tracks as he, too, is taking in a very gentle and loving moment when he sees Christian hugging his parents.

He walks gingerly over to me and says, "Fuck Ana, what have you done to him?"

I blush, thinking of the many things I've done to him and him to me.

"Christ, Ana, I'm not talking about that!"

I smile as I see Andrea, she smiles and blushes back at me as I'm sure she recalls how we'd last seen one another.

"Ana, you remember Andrea? Andie, I'm sure you remember Ana."

"How could I forget?" Andrea and I both say in unison and giggle.

Christian's moment with his parents is over. Grace and Carrick greet Elliot and Andrea and we all settle in for the display that is The WaterFire Show...

***Christmas Eve***

CPOV

My first Christmas with my girlfriend, I'm excited and nervous as hell. I feel so happy and relaxed with my Firecracker but tonight for the first time in a very long time, I find that I'm scared, very scared. I bought Ana a Christmas present that really means a lot to me. I've never spent time picking out a gift for anyone other than Grace or Mia, but this is different. Ana is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.

I cannot believe that I feel that way but I do. I mean, fuck man, I'm only nineteen years old and Ana is only seventeen. Is it crazy that I have my life planned out for myself as well as Ana? I love her so fucking much and I want her in my life forever. I want Ana as my wife.

A/N

I'm almost done with BOOK II and I'll be doing a time jump for BOOK III. To the reviewer who asked about Noah, I've not forgotten about him. He'll be making an appearance very soon.

Keep Reading, Keep Reviewing and Keep Smiling!

Rosie :D