Chapter 21

CPOV

I pull up in my R8 outside of my parents' house and I am unusually nervous. I get to see Ana tonight but we decided to keep our relationship secret. I grab the magnum of 1995 Cristal Roederer Rose I got Mia for her birthday present. I pause and take a second to drink in the last second of calm before I enter the storm that is my sister.

I don't even have a chance to ring the doorbell before the door swings open and a flurry of pink is hugging me. "Christian!"

"Happy birthday, Mia." I hand her the bottle of champagne.

"Christian, you didn't have to get this for me. You already got me a car."

"Well, I could take the car back if you don't like it." I tease her. As much as I care for her she is very easy to tease.

"No! I love it." She jumps up and down and gives me another hug. "I drove the car over to Lily's house today and she was so jealous - I think especially because it was from you."

"Mia, why are you still friends with her?"

"We've been friends since kindergarten. She's like a bitchy sister to me." She makes me laugh. Mia is the type of person who is loyal to the end for people. She's got a good heart.

"So, where is everyone else?" I look into the house past Mia.

She rolls her eyes. "Elliot is driving so of course, they're late. Come in the family room. I have everything set up."

"Who is Elliot driving here besides Kate?" I hope my acting is believable; I didn't change clothes twice before I left for Elliot.

"Besides Kate? Ethan, Kate's brother, and Ana. I haven't seen Ana since the wedding but she is just the sweetest person."

"Mmm hmm… anyone else?"

She looks at me perplexed and I think I may have overplayed my hand. "No. Why?"

"I didn't know if Lily or any of your other friends would be over." Good save.

"No, I just wanted it to be family."

"Family and Ana?"

"She's Kate's best friend so she's practically family." I am finally relieved when Elliot, Kate, Ethan, and Ana come walking in the house. "Yay! Everyone is here! Come in!" Mia gives everyone a hug as they come in the room.

Ana is last to enter the room. After she hugs her, Ana gives her a little gift wrapped box and a Tupperware container. "Happy birthday, Mia. These are for you." Mia opens the Tupperware container to find a batch of homemade cupcakes. "They are Kahlua cream cupcakes." Then, Mia opens the gift box and inside is an Alex and Ani bracelet with the April birthstone. "Ana, I love these! Thank you." She gives Ana a hug and a kiss.

"Yeah, well, my over-the-top brother here had to spoil our baby sister and buy her a red BMW i230 convertible with all the extras. Because everyone gets a $50,000 car for their birthday." Elliot teases.

"Aw, Elliot, are you jealous?" Mia mocks Elliot.

I shake my head in faux disgust, "It's going to be a long night."

"Come on! Let's do some karaoke! Kate, will you do a duet with me?" Mia asks.

While Kate and Mia stand in the front of the room by the tv, the rest of us take a seat. As much as I want to sit next to Ana, I have to act as I normally would so I sit in the sole chair. Ana looks good, though, she has on tight jeans and a t-shirt that says "Obstinate Headstrong Girl" which accentuates her figure perfectly. She's the only woman I know who can make jeans and a t-shirt sexy.

Kate and Mia sing, terribly I might add, The Proclaimers "500 Miles" but it was funny. Drinks and conversation are flowing. Then Elliot sang Nelly's "Hot In Herre" which makes the girls laugh. At one point Ana goes into the kitchen to get some snacks. I take that as my opportunity to sneak some alone time with her.

When I walk in, Ana is standing at the counter putting together a plate. I stand next to her and without looking at her I say, "Do you even know how sexy you look right now?"

From my peripheral vision, I see her blush. "You look pretty hot yourself." Her voice is just above the whisper and all I want to do is take her in my arms and kiss her.

I place my hand on her ass and give it a gentle squeeze. "I want you," I whisper to her. She gasps but before she can respond to me, my obnoxious brother comes in the kitchen and I quickly have to take my hand away and pretend nothing happened. I turn around and leave. Luckily, Elliot doesn't seem to notice anything.

Before I know it, it's late and the night is coming to a close. Kate and Mia beg Ana to sing a song. She's shy but she's had enough drinks in her to go through with it. Ana goes up to the tv and I catch her giving me a swift smile. The music starts and at first, I don't recognize the song until she starts to sing. It's Dido's "Thank You". I'm surprised she sang this song because I am feeling the same way about her. I have never been happier than when I am with Ana.

We all go our separate ways to bed. Kate and Elliot go in his childhood bedroom, Mia in hers, me in mine, Ethan in the guest bedroom, and Ana in the other. I can't stand the waiting and I need to see her. I wait a little while until I know everyone else is in their rooms and not coming out. Then, I head out of my room careful to be quiet and make my way down to Ana.

I am radiating excitement and I approach her door. I turn the knob and open the door. Ana sits up shocked until she sees it's me. I motion for her to be quiet and shut the door. She sits up further. She smiles, "Hi."

I climb into her bed with her. "I couldn't stand being so close to you yet so far away. I liked your song. Was that meant for someone in particular?"

She flushes again, "Yes. I hope you didn't mind." Her bright blue eyes search mine for an answer.

I caress her face with my right hand. I shake my head, "No. I liked it. Come here." I bring her face close to mine and I kiss her passionately. "I've wanted to do that all night." I feel like I can't kiss her enough. My lips and my hands earnestly explore her body. We make love for the next couple of hours and we are the only two people in the world. I'm lying with Ana in my arms as she quietly dozes. "Baby, I better get back to my room. I'll see you in the morning."

She sleepily smiles at me, "Goodnight, Christian. I'll see you in the morning." I quietly return to my room and lie in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about tonight and about Ana.