Chapter Five: Tears and Goodbyes

As promised Jed got her out of her lease and offered their Penthouse in New York for her new residence. She declined that offer so he had a realtor friend find her an apartment. Oddly enough her new apartment was in a building that Gideon Cross owned. From the online video she knew she got a lovely apartment. Her old apartment was packed up and sent across the country. She moved in with her good friend Kate Kavanagh who she lived with during their four years of college. Her only problem with this arrangement was that Kate was dating Elliot Grey, Christian's older brother. But, she decided that she could live with this arrangement for a few days or so.

Kate cried when told that her best friend was moving to New York City. She blamed Christian for this since his behavior was what led Ana to want to leave Seattle. However, Kate insisted that Ana's last few days be full of fun times with her friends. Almost every night they went out drinking and dancing.

Ana was just a few hours from having to head off to the SEA-TAC to catch her plane to her new life in New York City. Kate moped around the apartment in her bunny flannels that she always wore during the sad times in her life such as a fight with her mother or a break-up with some guy that broke her heart. Ever since Kate started dating Elliot those bunny flannel sleeping pants were hardly seen. Kate sat on the sofa holding a pillow and fought those tears.

"Listen Kate, me moving to New York is a good thing. You can visit and we go shopping at Macy's or Barney's and let's not forget New York nightlife!"

"But, you will be so far away. I always thought that we would marry those Grey boys and we would be sisters forever. I could just kill Christian for being such an ass." She threw the pillow onto the floor. "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, do you really want to move and forget about Christian?"

"I don't want to move away from family and friends, but I can't stay in Seattle. Christian has caused problems with Jed and Rachel and he has made sure that I can't get another job in the city. I will not be intimidated by him any further or forced to go back to him. I refuse to live like that and if that is his true nature, then he is not the man I want. I have to have my independence." She looked around the apartment which had been her first home in Seattle after graduating college even though she only spent little time here. Her time was spent at Escala with Christian and slowly but surely her belongings were moved into the penthouse and she was living with Christian. When they broke up, she had all her belongings from Escala sent to her new apartment. "I'm going to miss you Kate."

"Then don't go. Stay here in Seattle with me. I am sure Dad could find you a job. Christian can't influence him."

"Kate, I want this. New York City is the publishing capital of the world. I could be working with some of the finest authors of our time." She gave her a smile. "I promise I will call and we can Skype and there will be trips back and forth. I have to come back for Dad."

They broke into tears and held each other. They stayed on the sofa for an hour just crying. Ana was already packed and ready to leave. Her driver would be there soon to take her to her plane.

"We need ice-cream." Kate declared as she wiped her salty tears from her face. She hopped up from the sofa and went to the freezer and found double chocolate brownie ice cream. Ana had to laugh as Kate returned with two spoons stuck in the carton of the ice-cream. They were digging in when the doorbell rang. Ana told Kate to let her answer the door one last time. The tears began again. Ana opened the door expecting either Hannah or Ethan, but there stood Christian Grey dressed in black jeans, with a white linen shirt that was unbuttoned at the neck. As always his hair was tossed about and his eyes were still that beautiful grey that she loved.

"Can I come in, Ana?" He asked with sadness in his voice. She knew that he had learned that she was moving on.

"Christian, I am having some girl time with my bestie right now. I wish you would just leave."

Christian Grey was not accustomed to being denied. He stood straighter and went into his Dominant stance. "I will not ask again."

"This is not your apartment, Mr. Grey." Kate's shrill voice filled the apartment. "Don't make me call the police and have you escorted off the premises."

Christian was visibly getting annoyed. "I just want to say goodbye."

Ana stepped out of the apartment and pulled the door close. "Alright, say goodbye."

"Ana, don't do this. You can't leave me." His moods were all over the place. One moment friendly, the next he is hard and controlling then annoyed and now he looks like he is almost moved to tears. "I can't live without you. I know I fucked up. Please forgive me."

"Alright, you are forgiven." Ana said lowly. "But, I will never forget that you betrayed us. You were right Christian; I should have run away from you because you did destroy me. Because of you I have to leave Seattle to protect my friends and for a job."

"I have stopped going after WP. I swear I have."

"It's too late for us. I have seen how low you can go and I will not be a part of it. You kept telling me that I was saving you but guess what; Christian…it's not my job to save you. You need to save yourself! I am moving to New York and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it."

Christian fought his urge to grab her and throw her over his shoulder and carry her off to his car. He knew he could easily over-power her, but he wanted her to come to him willingly. He never forced women to do his bidding. "I will always love you, Ana." He declared with all his heart.

"Yes, I can see how much that love means to you. I saw it in those photographs that were sent to me." She had kept her hand on the doorknob. "Goodbye, Christian." She pushed the door open to have it hit Kate in the head.

"Ana, there will never be anyone else for me." He offered. "Never."

"That is your decision, Mr. Grey, however I suggest that you move on with your life and let me do the same." With those words she went into Kate's apartment and shut the door. She stood against it as Kate was holding her head from the door bump. Ana began to cry then slid down the door to the floor where she let the sobs go. Kate went to Ana forgetting about her injury from eavesdropping and kneeled before her.

"He is an asshole." Kate said lowly. "He is just trying to upset you, girl. Just forget about him."

"I will never forget Christian Grey. He was my first love and my first lover. A part of me will always love him." She let Kate wipe away her tears. "But these are the last tears I will shed over that man." She sniffed. "But, you look after him, won't you? You and Elliot? Don't let him get like he was before."

Kate knew that Ana still cared for Christian. She nodded agreement even though Christian was not her favorite person in the world. "We will look after him while you are gone. Just come back to us once in awhile. Maybe some time away will help you both and you can find your way back to each other."

Ana shook her head. "It's over Kate. I cannot marry a man that can't be faithful. I will not be my mother and marry over and over again." She slowly stood. "I better get my things together. The driver will be here soon." This sent Kate into another round of crying and hugging. Ana held her close and let her tears flow. "I will always love you, Kate. You are more than a friend, you are my sister."

"I will come to New York as soon as I can." Kate promised. "And, we will call each other all the time."

They stayed in their embrace for a few more minutes until Ana had to gather the rest of her belongings. She placed her laptop into her carryon bag and made sure she had her phone. "It's almost time to go."

Kate felt her stomach twirl. She didn't want to say goodbye. Ana couldn't leave her. There was so much they still had to do together. "I can't say goodbye. It's too final."

"Then just say, "I'll see you later".

"I'll see you later." Kate repeated as tears welled up in her eyes. "You will be missed."

"I will miss you also." Ana gave her a hug as a knock came at the door. It was time to go."Later's baby." She turned and opened the door and within seconds Ana Steele was gone and she never looked back knowing that she would start crying all over again.