A/N: Thank you all for reading and reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 30: Coming Home

Ana could hardly believe that she and Christian were engaged, and they were really going to move in together with Ted in a beautiful new house in Seattle. The three of them were going to be a real family, and Ana doubted she had ever been more excited to pursue something in her entire life. So much still needed to be done, but Ana felt completely and totally ready for it with Christian by her side.

After Ana accepted his proposal at the new house, the two of them went back to Escala where Christian took her to his bedroom and made sweet, slow love to her all night long. The feelings he produced in her body were unlike anything she had ever experienced with him before, and the satisfaction she felt afterward seemed to permeate throughout her soul, making her feel more whole and complete than she had ever felt in her life.

Christian was her soulmate, and she was going to spend the rest of her life with him. She could hardly wait.

Hours later, as Christian lay sleeping in the bed beside her, Ana lay awake thinking about everything that had happened. She could hardly believe that this was her life now - she lifted her hand and examined the diamond ring on her finger glinting in the moonlight with a smile on her face. Her ring was absolutely perfect, and she was unbelievably proud to be the one wearing it.

She had an amazing fiance who loved her just as much as she loved him, and she was so incredibly excited to start this new chapter of her life with him.

Ana eventually fell asleep, her soon-to-be husband sleeping soundly beside her.

~/~

The following morning, Christian and Ana drove the 3-hour trip down to Easton together to share the good news with Ray and Ted. Both of them were absolutely delighted to hear the news.

"Wow guys, this is fantastic!" Ray smiled widely, hugging his daughter tightly before moving over to hug Christian. "I wasn't expecting a marriage proposal to happen this soon… Christian, you never asked me for my blessing."

"Dad," Ana chastised her father, bending down to pick up Ted in her arms. Ray and Christian both chuckled.

"Believe me, I was planning to ask you Ray, but I just couldn't wait anymore," Christian smiled, reaching over to wrap his arm around Ana's waist; she smiled up at him. "Ana and I were checking out a new house I'd been thinking of buying for us, and it just kind of slipped out."

Ray looked surprised as he glanced between him and Ana. "Wow… you two were thinking of moving already?"

"Um…" Ana hesitated, biting her lip as she glanced up at Christian. "Yeah, we kind of were. I was going to talk to you about it, but everything happened pretty quickly."

"You can say that again," Ray chuckled. "Well, I guess I did know this day was coming eventually, but I suppose a part of me didn't want to believe it was coming so soon. I'm going to miss having you and Ted here with me, sweetheart."

"Oh Dad," Ana set down Ted before walking forward and wrapping her arms around Ray's neck, hugging him. "We're going to miss you too, but Christian and I likely won't move there for another month or two. And Seattle is only a short drive away from here, so we can visit each other all the time…"

"I know darling," Ray smiled, hugging his daughter back. "All I care about is that you and Ted are happy, and it's clear that Christian will make you guys incredibly happy. For that alone, I am in favor of you guys moving to Seattle; however, I know I'm going to have to find a replacement at the carpentry shop."

"Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about that," Ana frowned worriedly, stepping away from her dad and glancing over at Christian.

"Well, Luke has been helping you out a lot there, hasn't he?" Christian asked. "He could fill in for Ana until you find a more permanent replacement."

"Are you sure?" Ray asked, though he looked pleased at the prospect of keeping Luke on. "Luke's a great worker, but it could be awhile before I'm able to find a permanent replacement. Easton's not exactly a hub for job opportunities."

"It won't be a problem," Christian said reassuringly. "We can talk to him about it, but I can keep him on my payroll for however long you need. I'll cover things like rent and utilities while he's staying at the next door rental, and you can pay him whatever salary you see fit."

"Well, okay then," Ray smiled at Christian. "Thank you, Christian - I really appreciate your help with this."

"Family's gotta look out for each other," Christian smiled back, glancing over at Ana. She smiled widely back.

"I guess I'm lucky to get to call you family, then," Ray chuckled. "We should go out and celebrate this new development in your relationship. Maybe we can gather some of the people in town and have a little barbecue in the backyard?"

"We don't have to go through all that trouble of inviting a bunch of people over," Ana said. "Why don't the four of us just go out to eat? Jay's Diner has a pretty great lunch menu."

"I want Jay's!" Ted said excitedly, bouncing on his little feet. The adults all laughed.

"I guess that settles it," Christian grinned at Ana, leaning over to kiss her on the forehead. "We'll go out to Jay's Diner - my treat."

"Nonsense. I'm paying," Ray insisted. "It'll be my way of congratulating the new happy couple."

"If you insist," Ana said with a smile. Ray and Christian both laughed. "Thank you, Daddy."

"You're very welcome, sweetheart."

Christian stayed in Easton with the Steele's for the rest of the day - they had a great lunch at Jay's Diner while chatting with each other and goofing around with Ted. That evening, however, Christian had to drive back to Seattle where he had work to do; he was also going to get started on the process of buying the house near Lake Washington. Ana was so excited to move there she almost wished she could go with him, but she knew she should stay home with Ted whom she hadn't seen all weekend. They all then said their goodbyes, and Christian headed back to Seattle alone.

A couple days later, Ana got the news that Christian's offer on the house was accepted, meaning he, Ana, and Ted could move in within the next month or two, depending on when they could finish up the final inspections and paperwork. Until then, though, Ana had to figure out a way to explain to Ted that they were going to be moving to a brand new house in a whole new city that wasn't Easton.

"You and me are going to be leaving this house soon, Teddy," Ana sat down and explained to him one evening. "That means we're going to pack up all our things and drive all the way to Seattle again, but this time we're going to stay there in a house with Christian."

"I gonna live with Cwistan?" Ted asked curiously.

"Yes sweetheart. You and I are going to live with him," Ana nodded, smiling.

"And Gwampa too?" Ted pointed over at Ray, who was standing off to the side and listening.

"Um…" Ana glanced up at Ray with uncertainty.

"Sorry buddy, but no. I'm not going to be living with you guys," Ray said to his grandson gently. "I'm going to be staying here in this house while you're living with Mommy and Christian."

"No!" Ted stomped his foot immediately, running over to hug his grandpa tightly around the legs. Ray chuckled, and Ana let out an exasperated laugh.

"Come on, buddy. It won't be so bad," Ray said reasonably, kneeling down so he could hug Ted properly. Ted held him tightly around the neck. "You'll get to be with Christian, and I'll come and visit you whenever you want."

"Ev-wy day!" Ted demanded. "You come ev-wy day!"

"I'll try, champ," Ray said sadly, glancing up at Ana and exchanging a small smile with her.

Ana felt a bit heartbroken that Ted was so upset to be saying goodbye to Ray, but she knew it was for the best. Her dad had always played a huge role in Ted's life, and now it was going to be an adjustment living away from him. However, Ana knew that Ted adored Christian, and since he and Ana were now going to get married, Christian was going to be Ted's new father figure. Of course, Ray would still play an important role in his life, but now the main man in Ted's life was going to be Christian.

It would be a big change, and hopefully for the better.

For the rest of the week, Ana and Christian communicated over the phone or via Skype about the new house and what still needed to be done prior to their move. Ana drove up to Seattle one weekend to sign some deed papers with Christian, and they began to figure out how to coordinate her and Ted moving from Easton to Seattle as easily and efficiently as possible. Christian insisted on hiring a whole fleet of trucks to take her and Ted's things to Seattle for them, but only one or two U-Hauls were needed since they didn't have a lot of things. Christian planned on driving down himself the weekend they were going to move so he could help, and Ana was happy with that.

There was also the matter of their wedding. Christian was all for getting married right away, perhaps heading out to Las Vegas within the next week or so to elope. However, Ana wanted her and Ted to be moved in to their new house first, also both of their families wanted to be there for the ceremony. Christian and Ana went to the Grey Estate together and told the news to Christian's family that they were engaged, and their excitement and joy was practically overwhelming. Grace had tears in her eyes as she and Carrick hugged them both, and Mia exclaimed excitedly that she was going to help them plan every last detail of the wedding.

"Can I be in the wedding party?" she asked Ana excitedly, clasping her hands in front of her in supplication.

"Well, I was actually going to ask you if you wanted to be my maid of honor…" Ana began, but was cut off as Mia practically knocked her back in a huge bear hug.

"Oh my God! YES!" she shrieked, squeezing Ana tightly around the shoulders while bouncing up and down. "Yes, I would love to! Oh my God, I'm so excited!"

"She sounds more excited to be maid of honor than the fact that you guys are engaged," Elliot said amusedly, glancing over at Christian. He held out his hand. "Congrats bro."

"Thanks Elliot," Christian smiled, reaching out to shake his hand. "Since Ana just asked Mia, I was wondering if you would like to be my best man?"

"Yeah, of course," Elliot grinned widely, clearly happy his brother asked him. "Thanks man. I promise I'll write the most killer best man's speech in the history of ever."

"I look forward to it," Christian said, though his voice sounded highly skeptical. Ana giggled.

"Oh, but we have to celebrate!" Grace exclaimed, quickly trying to compose herself as she wiped her eyes. "Do you think we could throw an engagement party here?"

"Let's do it," Carrick agreed with his wife, smiling.

"Actually, Ana's dad is planning to hold a party for us on his property in Easton," Christian said, glancing at Ana, who nodded. "It's going to be two weeks from today, around the same time we're going to finish up packing Ana and Ted's things for the move, and you're all invited. This'll give you guys a chance to meet Ana's dad for the first time, and you can see the beautiful little town that Ana grew up in."

"Isn't Easton, like, in the middle of nowhere?" Mia asked, but quickly brought her hand to her mouth in embarrassment. "Oops."

Ana giggled. "Yeah Mia, we're kind of a small town in the middle of the mountains, but the people there are practically my family. I've known them my whole life, and I want to be able to say goodbye to them before Ted and I move to Seattle once and for all."

"Well, I think a party in Easton is a wonderful idea," Grace smiled, glancing over at Christian. "We'll be there, we promise."

"Thanks Mom," Christian smiled at his mother. "Hopefully, Ana's dad will be able to get the party all planned out while she and Ted are in the middle of moving out all their things."

"I could stop by Easton earlier in the day to help him out," Elliot offered, and his face suddenly lit up. "Hey, and I can check up on LCH while I'm there too. It would be perfect!"

"You're going to go to a party early just so you can work?" Mia asked her brother, scrunching her nose. "That sounds so lame."

"Yeah bro, you gotta learn how to relax sometimes," Christian said to Elliot in a passable impersonation of him.

Everyone burst out laughing at Christian's joke, and Elliot merely grinned, amused that his own workaholic brother could tease him in such a manner.

~Two weeks later~

Ray Steele's going-away party was in full swing. His property near the lake was filled with friends and neighbors as well as Christian's family members, mingling with one another as they ate the delicious barbecue food provided by the townspeople. Dozens of picnic tables and string lights hung on poles filled the entire yard, and little children ran around chasing each other as their parents watched. Everybody was talking and laughing and having a great time.

Carrick and Grace in particular were quite taken with Ray and with his beautiful home. Carrick in particular was very interested to learn more about the work Ray did in his carpentry shop, and the two men got into a deep conversation about wood carving and cutting tools.

"You know, one of my partners at the law firm has a brother who's a carpenter, and she said he got laid off a few months ago," Carrick said to Ray. "He's apparently been working at a Home Depot ever since… maybe I could mention Steele Woodworking to her as a potential job opportunity for him?"

"That would be great, actually," Ray said gratefully. "Christian's had his guy Luke helping out at the shop with me, and he does a great job, but I'm going to need a lot more help in the coming months. Elliot's company is going to be constructing their first vacation house up in the mountains this year, and they've contracted me to build some of the furniture and shelving for it."

"Ray makes some amazing stuff guys," Elliot now approached them, grinning widely at Ray. "The owner of the new house is really going to love what you build for them."

"It depends if I can get all the pieces done on time, son," Ray said with amusement, and the others chuckled.

"You know, Elliot, considering this was Christian and Ana's engagement party, I think you should have brought someone with you tonight too," Carrick said, smiling at his son in a teasing manner. "What's Kate up to these days?"

Elliot groaned as the others laughed. "Ugh, why do you have to bring her up? I told you guys I ended things with her weeks ago."

"We're sorry darling. We're teasing you because we know it bothers you," Grace chuckled. "But seriously - what were you thinking going out with her?"

"I don't know," Elliot shrugged, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "Can we please stop talking about how embarrassing that breakfast was for me?"

"Maybe," Carrick smirked, and the others chuckled.

At that moment, Christian and Ana approached the group, holding hands. "Hey guys - how's it going?" Christian asked.

"Great," Ray said. "Where's Ted?"

"Mia's playing with him and a few of the other kids over there," Christian said, gesturing to where all the children were gathered playing tag. "You know, I feel like she'd be our go-to babysitter if we ever needed someone to look after Ted."

"She definitely wouldn't mind that," Ana giggled before turning to the others. "Would anyone like some more food or drinks? We have a lot of leftovers and soda inside…"

Everyone shook their heads. "I think we're good," Carrick said before smiling over at Ray. "Thank you again for this amazing party, Ray. Your home is lovely."

"Thank you, Carrick. I was happy to do it," Ray smiled at him. "I have to say, Christian here is a fine man, and I'm very happy he and my daughter found each other. It'll be hard without her and Ted here anymore, but I know that they'll be safe and happy with Christian."

"Of course they will, Ray," Grace smiled over at her son and future daughter-in-law. "We are so proud of everything our son has become, and we can't wait for when he and Ana finally get married."

Christian and Ana both smiled at Grace before looking at each other, seeming to communicate something silently between them. "You want to?" Ana asked after a moment.

"Yeah, I think so," Christian said before turning to the others. "I was thinking I would say a few words to everyone here and thank them all for coming. Is now a good time?"

"As good a time as any," Ray said. "Have at it, son."

Christian made his way to the front of the yard near the lake, where there were fewer people and the land sloped upward slightly so he could be seen. The crowd was still pretty noisy, so Ana, Elliot, and Ray all grabbed some nearby glasses and silverware before clinking their glasses for everyone to settle down to listen.

"Excuse me, everyone?" Christian spoke loudly, and the crowd all turned to look at him. "I'd like your attention for just a few minutes, and then you can go back to the party. I just wanted to thank you all for coming today, and a very special thank you to everyone who provided the food and drink. And of course to my future father-in-law Ray for organizing this whole event… Ana, Ted, and I couldn't be happier." Christian smiled, and the crowd of people applauded before he went on:

"I know it seems odd to think about, but less than a year ago, Ana and I were just two strangers living in completely different worlds. She and her father ran a small carpentry shop here in Easton, and I ran my company out in Seattle - there really was no chance at all that either of us would ever cross paths. It was by sheer luck and coincidence that my brother decided to build his new architectural company in conjunction with GEH out here in the mountains."

Elliot whooped and raised his glass in the air, and the crowd chuckled.

"The rest, as you may already know, happened pretty quickly - I had agreed to stick around for a few weeks overseeing the construction with Ana by my side. Now, I'll be the first to admit that when I first laid eyes on her, I thought she was the most beautiful woman I'd seen in my entire life…"

The crowd cooed, and Ana smiled, looking down at the ground with a blush on her face.

"…But the more I worked alongside her, the more I was able to see her intelligence, her resourcefulness, her passion, and her deep love for all the people she cared about - her son and father especially. She opened my eyes to so many things, showed me so much of what I never realized was missing from my life, that I couldn't help but fall completely, totally, and irreversibly in love with her.

"It may have only been less than a year since Ana and I met, but I knew even before then that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and Ted by my side. I am the luckiest man in the world to be who this amazing woman has chosen to spend her life with, and I am going to do everything in my power to make her feel loved and cherished, every minute of every day."

"To Ana and Christian!" Elliot suddenly shouted, raising his glass high in the air again.

"To Ana and Christian!" the crowd toasted in unison before they all cheered loudly.

Through all the noise and commotion, a chant of "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" began to take form, and pretty soon a blushing and smiling Ana was being ushered toward Christian. He immediately reached out when she approached him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, smiling down at her.

"I love you," Ana said, gazing into his eyes with all the love and sincerity she felt.

"I love you too."

Ana took Christian's face in her hands, and their lips met in a deep kiss, filled with love and longing and hope for the future. In the distance, they heard the cheers of the crowd around them.

A/N: Thank you all so much for reading my story till the very end! The next chapter will be the epilogue set one year in the future.

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