Chapter fifteen
This week has been completely crazy. Good thing he doesn't need much sleep. Christian started the week by taking Monday off, thinking he'd catch up at night. But little Sara had invited him to stay for dinner when he drove her and Ana home and he had ended up staying at their house way past midnight.
When Sara had gone to bed, he and Ana had enjoyed several hours on their own on the couch in front of the TV. No sex. He's been trying to think back but he can't remember them ever just spending an evening together knowing there wasn't going to be any sex. Not counting the few occasions which he'd rather not think about, when Ana had been injured. Then again, to be fair, his memory of exactly what happened a decade ago might err a little.
It had been strangely uplifting, though. A turn-on in itself even. Ana and he had cuddled on the couch, TV down low so as to hear if Sara got up. They had kissed and touched and talked and looked at each other. And he'd found that he wasn't annoyed at being hindered to do exactly what he wanted by the presence of a child in the house, which he had admittedly worried about.
Christian had actually found Sara to be fun. She was smart, a little precocious at times and she had a sense of humour. He felt quite relaxed in her presence and she in his. That was a relief; he knew kids could be both protective and possessive when it came to their parents. It was something he could certainly relate to, especially in regards to Ana.
When Sara went to bed he was chosen for the honour of listening to her read before lights out. She was an adept reader already; she would probably have to be with an editor for a mother. On her bedside table was a photograph of her father, Thomas. Christian had never really looked at him before, although there would surely have been photos of him in the yearly update on Ana provided to him by Welch. He had never wanted to look close, never knowing what he might do.
It wasn't a great photograph, a bit blurred and the colours were off, but Thomas Randall was laughing at the camera while sitting on a child's swing with a toddler on his lap. The toddler, Sara presumably, was laughing too, a couple of teeth in her open mouth. Christian got why Sara would want this picture next to her, it had a happy feeling to it.
Thomas wasn't a handsome man, although he probably had been considered to be cute or charming. His dark blonde hair was on the long side and he looked artsy. Christian had felt a disturbingly sharp jealousy flare up inside of him, almost taking his breath away. Sara, seeing that he was looking at the picture, had started telling Christian about her dad. Proudly, but also with a slight distance as if she was already remembering the stories about him rather than him. It was heart-breaking and the sudden, suffocating jealousy had surprised him again by giving way to sympathy, both for Sara and for her dead father. Thomas Randall was gone; he was never going to watch his daughter grow up.
When Christian and Ana met he had been her first in so many ways. And she had been his first in other ways. The fact that Christian was her first sexual partner was an honour he never took lightly, but it had also boosted his possessive streak even more. It felt like he was the one who discovered her; the rare gem that everybody else had just walked past by mistake. How could anyone possibly ever have any valid claim on her but him?
But of course, it was the other way around. Several men had noticed her and fallen head over heels before Christian came along. She'd said no.
She chose him. Ana had seen what others never had before in him, not the other way around. She had managed to tear down walls that he had thought to be impossible to penetrate. It was Anastasia Steele who had discovered the real Christian Grey and therefore she was the only one who could ever have any valid claim on his heart.
And his possessiveness had been his downfall. He had wanted her so much to himself that he had refused to even consider starting a family. He had promised her that she would always have her heart's desire. It turned out he'd only meant if he could buy it.
Before deciding whether to contact Ana or not, Christian had given a lot of thought into the fact that she was no longer only his in the sexual sense. Probably not even only his and Randall's. Given how important that had seemed at the time of their relationship, and how the thought of her with someone else felt like a stab in the chest, would he even want her now?
In the end, he had realized that it wasn't the amount of sexual partners that mattered, God knows he'd be in trouble, but who had Ana's heart. And if Christian still had her heart, he would know that he'd had it the whole time. On top of that, he knew by experience that no matter how good sex was with anyone it couldn't compete with the Ana-and-Christian combination.
The truth is Christian would always be jealous and he would always be possessive, just hopefully not to the extent bordering on the pathological. Despite feeling insanely jealous of Randall sometimes, he forgave him for having been married to Ana. If Christian was to have any chance of being part of her life, he would have to. And how could he not; if things were to go the way Christian wanted them to he would be the one helping Randall's daughter with her homework, teaching her how to drive and seeing her graduate. That was a humbling thought.
Work is annoying the hell out of him; parts are missing for an important prototype he's been working on for a long time and he is done being patient. A lunch meeting has been set up when the supplier will be told to step up or step out. Ros has wanted them to do it all week, but Christian has insisted on giving them an extra couple of days which he blames Ana for; he was just in too good a mood. He had been until today, when he found out he isn't going to see her over the week end because she has a conference to go to in Toronto. She hasn't told him which pisses him off, but just like him she isn't used to telling anyone her plans. It had actually been kind of sweet; she'd said she forgot about it, being preoccupied with thinking about him, and only remembered when Ray had called to confirm that he was picking Sara up after school.
Just before it's time to go to the conference room, Christian has a thought and he perks up considerably. But then again, maybe not. It's the kind of thing he would have done ten years ago; he has serious doubts it would be appreciated now.
On the other hand, instead of surprising her he could just call her up and ask if she would have time to have dinner with him one of the nights if he flies in? Before he changes his mind he dials her number, and reaches her at the airport waiting for her flight. She's happy to hear from him, there's no doubt. Her voice is soft and subdued when she talks to him and he pictures her waiting in a lounge surrounded by people. Economy no doubt.
"I thought you were still catching up at work for playing hooky on Monday. What are you doing calling me?" He can hear her smile over the phone.
"Just wishing you a good flight." He smiles back.
"You already did this morning. But I don't mind, I miss you. I'm glad you called."
"So am I. Listen, will you be very busy during the evening at this conference?" he asks, now looking at his watch. His assistant Christopher will come get him any minute.
"Uhm, I don't know. There are a number of things I'm invited to but I haven't confirmed anything yet. Sometimes I'm too tired to go and I just stay at the hotel. Why?" Christian can hear hope in her voice although she's trying to hide it and his heart jumps. He's going to see her!
"Well, I happen to have a jet at my disposal. If you want and you have the time I would love to come over and take you out to dinner. Or eat in if you're tired. Your call." He holds up two fingers to Christopher who sticking his head in the door and mouthing something.
"Oh, I would love that." She sounds so happy it makes him grin. "Which night, I'm flying home again on Sunday, so it's really only tonight or tomorrow."
"Which would you prefer?" Say tonight.
"Tonight, Christian, I can't wait to see you," she breathes over the phone.
"Text me the name of your hotel, I'll be there around seven. If you're not finished I'll wait as long as it takes. Have a safe flight, Anastasia. I have to go. And be sure to nibble on something, I doubt we'll make it through a long dinner."
The last thing he hears before hanging up is Ana giggling and he gets a feeling he's about to go easy on the moron supplier again. Better let Ros handle them. When he joins Christopher in the corridor he asks him to make sure the jet is ready in an hour and a half and to have Taylor swing by Escala for an overnight bag. Christian is going to Toronto for the weekend.
This is one of those things she enjoys less about her job. The Annual Toronto Book Fair is prestigious and extremely well-visited; all the major to smaller writers fight for the attention as do all the major to smaller publishing companies. Well, the major one's don't have to fight that hard obviously. Canadian television broadcasts all-day live author interviews and there are seminars and book-signing events.
Luckily other people from her company are in charge of promotional events and thus the ubiquitous smiling while backstabbing. Ana is not a mingler – she loves books and intelligent authors and she's good at finding them. She's here to meet with several promising authors and to make sure a few signed ones are happy with their representation. Meeting them all here over a couple of days is effective.
This year though, it's not at all the drag it usually is. Christian is coming tonight and today she only has a few hours of work to do, so the hours will fly by. Her not turning up for the social events of the evening will be noticed by few and is not required. She's better at doing her job in one-on-one meetings anyway, her employer knows that.
The only problem is that she hasn't packed for a date. Her packing is professional; smart enough but comfortable, a must for the seasoned fair-attendee. So no fancy dining tonight, but that's ok, she'd rather eat at the hotel anyway. But holy fuck, her underwear. She only packed slightly over-washed but extremely comfy cotton underwear. Either she will be forced to undress in the bathroom so Christian can't see or she'll have to buy some new. But when will she have the time and where? She doesn't know Toronto that well. Ask at the hotel reception later, she'll do that.
Her first meeting is with a 65-year old woman named Lisa Travis and Ana adores her. The woman is full of intelligent irony covering her own life with husband, grown-up children and friends. She always shares her stories generously with Ana, who in turn encourages Mrs. Travis to incorporate them into her books. Mrs. Travis is a wonderful story-teller and they always have fun.
While writing up her notes on her laptop after the meeting she suddenly has an idea. Could she ask Taylor …? Ana has a feeling it would be completely inappropriate, but on the other hand Christian wouldn't have to know.
Before changing her mind, and flushing a deep crimson, she dials the number to Escala. She doesn't have Taylors number and she knows Christian doesn't usually pick up the land line. She's right; Gail answers the phone. Ana looses track for a moment; it's so odd to hear that familiar voice from so long ago.
Gail is happy to hear from her, but not as surprised as Ana thought she'd be. But of course Taylor has told his wife that she and Christian are … back in touch. After exchanging pleasantries for a while, an embarrassed Ana explains the situation as discreetly as she can. Gail immediately becomes efficient, asking for measurements and size. When the details are finalized Ana apologizes for causing Gail extra work and gives her home address so she can send the bill.
"Oh, dear. That's what I'm here for. Anything I can do to help. And … both Mr. Taylor and I are very happy that you are back in Mr. Grey's life, Mrs. Randall." Wow, that woman can get a lot of mr: s and mrs: s into one sentence.
"Thank you so much Mrs. Taylor. I'll definitely owe you one," Ana says gratefully. Gail just laughs and they say goodbye.
Clean underwear, preferably somewhat hotter that her washed-out cottons, will be at the hotel waiting when she gets back. Mission accomplished. Now she can relax and maybe even not cringe during the next meeting, which is with a young male author. He's only twenty-one but he's extremely talented and Ana wants to represent him if they can find a satisfying way to work together. The problem is that he's full of himself already. The first time they met the little shit came on to her and Ana knows exactly the kind of writer he'll become with fame. Think Californication. And fame will come, she's sure of it. His agent is a decent one and if they can sort the kid out now, they might be able to steer him somewhat on the right path. If not, he'll have to be someone else's problem; Ana doesn't deal with screw-ups, no matter how talented.
She's cleared the afternoon for him and his agent, but hopefully they won't be more than a couple of hours, which should give her ample time to shower and change before Christian gets to Toronto.
At the hotel reception desk Ana picks up a large brown paper bag. It looks like it contains more than panties and a bra but she waits to unpack it until she's in her room.
She kicks of her shoes; they're flats but her feet are still aching like a mother. The meeting with the young genius author had actually gone pretty well, and she is fairly confident she'll be bringing back a golden goose to her bosses in Seattle.
Ana turns on the TV for company, sits on the bed and starts unpacking her new underwear. It's actually three gorgeous, lacy, silk sets in light blue, grey and lavender. With the lavender one is a beautiful negligee that manages to be sexy and romantic the same time. Wow, this'll be a month's salary at least. But she'll need it if she going to see more of Grey, a good investment in other words. She snorts.
The bag is not empty yet. There's a wrapped package with her name on it and curious she tears off the brown paper. Inside is a box with a printed card: Thought you might need this. I remember that you used to like it. Gail Taylor. Sweet, sweet Gail. The box contains a luxurious shower cream, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner of the kind that Christian used to have in his apartment. Probably still does.
Ana opens the cap to the shower cream to smell it. Oh God, it's like being back in Christian's shower. Ana gets a clear picture in her mind of washing him so carefully when he had just started to let her touch him. How she tenderly used her hands to massage the shower cream onto his abdomen instead of the sponge. The pure awe of being the only person to be able to do that. Were they ever any closer than right then? And could they be that close again?
Using Gail's gift while showering is nice but feels odd, like Christian should be in the shower with her. After blow drying her hair in the nude, a habit, she chooses the lavender set since she's planning on wearing the negligee later on. She flushes when she thinks of Gail adding a sexy negligee to the order.
Ana puts on a little bit more make-up than usual, making the most of her big eyes. She slips on a simple black sleeveless dress and she's ready. She looks really good; eyes shining and dramatic, cheeks rosy and her hair is tumbling down her shoulders. It's almost seven.
A/N
I have noticed while reading other FSOG-stories on FF that mine is probably a lot slower than most of them. There will be some drama at some point, every love story needs it, but I enjoy what goes on in the characters heads so much it makes the story build very slowly.
My question is if you, as a reader, mind that it's slow? Should I pick up the pace? I want to write for you who follow my story at least as much as for me.
To the Guest who claimed Sara has blue eyes – you made me uncertain so I read the story through and I can't find a reference to her eye colour except that they are brown. She does look like her mother, but her eyes are a different colour. It's there to remind us that there is another character present in the story even if he's dead .
I'm very happy when you point out potential slips and mistakes – I really want the story to make sense.
To the other guest who is still hoping that Christian is Sara's real father – sorry, not going to happen. But is biology the most important thing? Christian himself is adopted.
Again, thanks to all of you lovely readers and reviewers. / Niftynickis