As I open my eyes after a relaxing sleep I smile. It's been a while since I started my day with a smile on my face but it feels so good. I have to savor this moment and enjoy the feeling. Stretching under the covers I sink into my pillow once more. But the fact that I have to stand up doesn't help.
I finally get up and go to the bathroom. Today, I go for a mix of a braid and a messy bun and use just a little bit of lip gloss. Back in my bedroom I choose a grey shirt, jeans, a green hoodie and grey flats due to myself feeling cozy. I go downstairs to start preparing breakfast and almost have a heart attack as I stroll through the living room. How could I forget about Christian? I take a deep breath to steady myself and take a look at him. Look at them, because Andy is lying on his chest and snoring. Christian has a firm hold on him and sleeps with one arm over his eyes. I take a picture with my cell phone, then turn to the kitchen and make breakfast. I assume, Christian is a coffee kind of guy so I make some coffee for him, cocoa for the boys and a tea for myself. After a few minutes, Christian joins me and yawns.
"Good morning, Christian. How does coffee sound to you?" I ask him a little stressed.
"I would die for one", he confesses.
I chuckle, because I was right. Sometimes, he seems so easy to read. "How did you sleep?"
"The couch is a bit too short for me. I feel like every muscle of my body hurts. I slept like three hours at all and I really think I'm ready to sleep in our bed again", he says cautiously and looks desperate.
I sigh. I don't know if I'm ready for this. "We will see. What do you want to eat?" I ask ignoring his plea.
"An omelet, please", he requests.
"Right on it. Could you wake Tommy and Andy and set the table?" I direct.
"Yeah", he says and leaves the room. I take the jelly and peanut butter and prepare sandwiches. Soon the boys come running to me and give me kisses. I tell them to help Christian set the table and whisper in their ears not to forget to set it for four. They eagerly begin to drag Christian along. After placing the breakfast on the table I sit down. Suddenly I have the urge to tease Christian a bit and say: "Christian, do you mind saying the prayer for us?" He looks despairingly and I have to bite my lip to hide my laughter. "Pleeeease?" I smile sweetly to him. "Ok, I'll try", he says and folds his hands. I look down to still hide my laughter and enjoy the show.
"Bless us, oh Lord, for these Thy gifts which we are about to receive ... And yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of no food, I will fear no hunger. We want you to give us this day ... our daily bread ... And to the republic for which it stands ... and by the power invested in me, I pronounce us ready to eat. Amen."
"Amen!" the children scream and bite into their sandwiches. I smile. I don't know why but today I feel so carefree and happy. Christian looks at me and a small smile spreads across his face. He eats his omelet and after he's finished, he asks me:
"So what's the plan for today?"
"I took today off from work, so your dad will pick up the boys to spend the day with them and we could, you know, get a little hot and sweaty", I say in an alluring voice.
His mouth drops open. I chuckle. "Easy tiger, I mean the yard work. I'll show you around and you can start. Meanwhile Kate will come around and we will have a spa day, you know, take care of my body and treat it like it deserves … maybe while reading a good book." I smile, thinking of my spa day that I absolutely deserve.
"That's fair!" he says without even trying to hide his sarcasm. "But at least you could make me one of your to die for meals for lunch."
"Deal!" I say and we shake hands.
After breakfast, the boys clear off the table, Christian does the dishes and I wipe the table. Afterwards I sit on the couch and drink a cup of tea. Yeah, this is how I pictured it: The men are working and I do nothing. This should be my life! After a while somebody knocks at the door. I stand up and answer it. It's Ray to pick up the children. They jump into his arms and hug and kiss him. Christian slowly comes out of the kitchen and looks curious. So I introduce them. Ray knows all about our dirty little secret and plays along. He nods his head and says: "Son!" An awkward silence unfolds, but then the boys push Ray out of the house. They get into Ray's car and drive away. I wave goodbye and close the door. Two men away, one to go. I turn around only to stand in front of Christian, who examines me. I lay my hands on his arms and squeeze them a little. "Hhhhmmmm, let's see if you have strong enough muscles for the work I have in mind for you!" I say and smirk. He tenses his muscles and my mouth goes dry. I swallow and he chuckles. "Less chuckling, more working, Mister!" I try to sound stern.
Taking his hand I drag him after me to the back door and open it. He gasps. "Yeah, I know. No wonder it was so cheap. But put a little effort in it and it will be a Garden of Eden." I try to motivate him.
"Yeah. You said something similar about the house", he says skeptically.
„You always had a lack of imagination, but never mind! That's one of the many reason you married me", I say proudly.
"This and what else?" he says even more skeptical.
Ass! "My ability to cook for example", I say quickly and without thinking.
"Yeah? I proposed to you after you made pizza for me?" he taunts.
"Actually it was a chocolate cake. Triple chocolate. Hint of hazelnut. With whipped cream. Now you're speechless, eh?" I giggle.
"Yes, indeed. Was I hooked on drugs or something?" he asks uncomprehending.
"Well, you were and you still are hooked on me, cutie." I caress his cheek.
"Then you should guarantee new supplies to jolly me along, sweetheart. For example, you could let me sleep in your bed", he says in a serious voice.
"Ye..NO!" I smirk. "First, you work hard and then we negotiate. And don't say sweetheart, don't call me that."
"Darling?" he asks.
"No. Not that either. Ever." I shake my head no.
"Well, we are married, so can I call you anything besides Ana?" he reasons.
"Sugar. Or honey, pumpkin, anything food. You can call me food", I state.
He sighs, takes my face in his hands, gives me a sweet gentle kiss on my lips and says: "I really love you, pork chop!"
What. The. Fuck. Was. That? Did he just say he loves me like he really means it? Butterflies start to fly in my stomach, only to die right after, because of the realization that he of course thinks, he loves me, since he believes, that we are married. I smile at him, because it's not his fault. I turn to the garden and explain to him what I have visualized:
"Look, there's a tool shed. I suggest you start looking to see which tools we have and what you might need. Then you could look after the plants, you know, cut them back and stuff, then sort the bulky waste according to reuse und no use. In the end I want a little playground for the boys, a little herb garden, a little vegetable garden, the tool shed can stay."
"That's all you want?" he asks expectant.
"Yes", I say and smile. When he can manage all that he is really good.
"I mean, we could add an elephant enclosure, a racetrack or a rocket launching pad", he proposes.
"Oh that would be lovely." I clap my hands together.
He chuckles and shakes his head.
"Now a rolling stone gathers no moss. Do something and I'm going to do nothing but look good, with a good book and a pot of tea. Mmmmmhhh." I say and turn around. I go into the house and sing to myself: "Zippedy Doo-Dah. Zippedy Yay. My, oh my, I got a wonderful slave …" I make myself a pot of tea and wait for Kate.
Thirty minutes later Kate knocks on the door. I open it for her with a broad grin on my face.
"Ana Bandana, ready for a make over?" she asks full of vim.
"Why thanks Kate! Do I look that awful?" I chuckle. I really haven't had the time lately to treat my body, so I'm glad for this morning.
"No, but I think it's time to do something for you, honey", she says, laying her arms on my shoulders. We go into the kitchen where I make coffee for Kate. Suddenly she screams: "Holy fuck, what's that? Is this even legal?" She is pointing in Christian's direction, who just bends over and we can see his fine piece of ass.
"Yeah, I have to concentrate myself not to drool all the time", I giggle.
"Annie, and there I thought you were a hard case. Good for you. Seems this is turning out to be the time of your life", she says, poking my side.
"Kate, please, don't be ridiculous. Yes, I hope he finishes up the yard, so I don't have to do it on my own, but apart from that, there's nothing", I say brushing it off.
"Right. Then let's start with the spa day!" she screeches joyfully.
Later in the day, I want to start cooking lunch, so I go to the kitchen while Kate lets a face mask work in. As I wash the vegetables, I incidentally look out of the window and freeze. Christian is chopping wood. Shirtless. Sweating. I'm drooling. What a nice piece of … ANA! Don't you dare to finish this thought. He's the enemy, don't you forget this. He has fired your ass although your work was good. Hmmmm, right, I force myself to turn around and go away from this view. Without thinking, I take a glass, fill it with lemonade and walk through the back door. Before I come to my senses, I'm standing in front of this Adonis. Oh Shit, near him I feel like a thirteen year old teenager asking her crush out for a date. I snap back to reality and stretch out my arm and hand him the glass. He takes it, staring at me he clears it in one reel and returns the empty glass to me, not breaking eye contact a single time. Suddenly he breaks the silence and says to me: "Smile! It is the second best thing you can do with your lips!" I feel a little bit flushed, take the glass and go back to the kitchen. Standing at the window again I observe this Greek god. Christian continues with his work and I still have the glass in my hand. I look at the glass and bring it to my mouth and lick it. Eeeewwwww! Ana, you're gross. But it's so hot at the same time. Naughty, naughty, Annie. I think I have to overthink the thing with the sex slave. I take my phone and take a picture, just in case.
In the afternoon, Ray drops off the boys. I decide, that we should all head to the supermarket, because I need to get some groceries for dinner. Tommy and Andy are in a bad mood, so I want to cut it short. Christian and I separate, each taking one child, to speed things up. After a few minutes Andy wants me to buy chocolates, but I forbid it. He has such a sweet tooth and hardly eats any proper meals. Suddenly, he has a temper tantrum and cries and screams, laying on the floor shaking his arms and legs. I feel helpless and embarrassed, because some people are already staring. I try to soothe him but it won't work. An older lady comes my way and barks at me: "You know, you and your brat should really get going away, nobody wants to hear that!"
I'm tearing up and look down to hide from all the stares and don't know what to do but keep hugging Andy to calm him down. The next thing I notice is a stern voice:
"And you were born as an adult? Wow, must have been quite a spectacle. Poor mother!" Christian says and crouches beside me. He has Tommy by his side and caresses my back.
"You know what? I'm praying for you're lost soul! Unbelievable", the lady answers.
Christian stands up to his full height and takes a step towards the lady. "If you're going to murmur my name to yourself, you should at least do it while masturbating. That way, at least one of us would get something out of it", he snaps and the woman gasps. Turning to me he continues: "Come on, let's go, this place reeks of incomprehension!"
I nod and take Andy's hand and we leave without buying anything. I'm shaken and take deep breaths to steady myself. These scenes get under my skin every time. Christian lays his hand around my waist to support me and says: "How about pizza take out and a family movie night?" Tommy and Andy clap their hands together, jumping up and down and yelling their agreement. I smile, unable to say anything, and am contented. No one has ever stuck up for me in public since Brads death. It's a good feeling.
At home, we order pizza and the children choose a movie. Monsters, Inc. it is. Christian pays for the pizza and I bring additional pillows and blankets. We make ourselves comfortable and eat. Tommy begins a conversation.
"So Dad, in four weeks, there's this father/son bowling event which is organized by our school and I asked myself if you want to join me?" he asks insecurely.
I gulp. I forgot about that. Tommy told me and I tried to talk him out of it. Seems I haven't succeeded.
"Sure, why wouldn't I?" Christian asks confused.
Tommy looks at him doubtful. "You never were on such an event with me."
He's really good actually.
"Alright. You can count on me, I'll be there 100%." Christian assures him.
"Great dad!" he says, smiles and bites into his slice of pizza.
I really hope Christian hasn't gained his memory until this event. I dismiss the possibility and resume eating as well.
After dinner I relax and lay on the couch, snuggling with my kids. Christian sits on the other end of the couch, so I lay my feet on his lap. He instantly yells: "Oh my god, Ana, do you want to kill me? Your feet are ice-cold!" "But you know that you are the man? It's your evolutionary duty to be hot and warm my body!" I say. He smirks and begins to massage my feet. Oh I'm in heaven! My kids left and right and my hot slave at my feet. After a few minutes, I fall asleep.
I wake up as Christian takes Andy up to the kids' room, Tommy is apparently already there. I rub my eyes and yawn. Oh no, now I'm awake. Christian joins me on the couch.
"Now that I'm awake, I can't sleep anymore", I say in a still sleepy voice.
"Ok, so we could watch another movie", he suggests.
"Great. You make popcorn, I'll select the movie", I instruct.
While he goes to the kitchen, I go through the DVDs and choose ‚It'. I've never seen it although it is a classic. Brad and I rarely watched TV. We were both bookworms and would rather read in the evenings. Now, there are few evenings where the children are asleep and I'm awake - and not crying. Christian comes back with a bowl of popcorn and two beers and I switch off the lights and push play. As I sit down on the couch, I say: "Let's cuddle so I can steal your body heat!" and he obeys, lays his arm around me and pulls me into him. Yeah, that's the way uh huh uh huh I like it uh huh uh huh. Although it's a kind of old movie with poor special effects, I got scared several times. Christian always laughs at me, when I'm flinching and I slap him on his stomach. One time I hide my eyes because of a creepy scene and ask him to let me know when it's over. When I hear "Over!" I look on the screen and see the whole jump scare and scream bloody murder. He is laughing his ass off. I throw a pillow at him and shout:
"That's not funny, Mister! Tonight you are sleeping on the couch!"
"Come on, Ana, my little candy cane, will there be a time I will be allowed in our bed again?" he asks desperately.
"Not with this behavior! Oh I'm so mad at you right now!" I'm pouting and bite my lip. To be honest: When I say I'm mad, I really just want him to push me against a wall and kiss the hell out of me. It's interesting, that anger and arousal are feelings, I often have in quick succession, at least with him.
After the film is finished, we make our way to the bathroom and brush our teeth. We both stand in front of the mirror above the sink and I give him my evil eye. He chuckles. After he is finished, he smacks my ass, leans in and rubs it afterwards, while whispering in my ear: "I will definitely make my way into your bed. Soon. Good Night, Mrs. Steele!" Then he walks out and leaves me behind. What was that? I don't think I was ever hit by anybody. I stare at my reflection and don't understand my feelings. I fucking liked that little spanking. I go to my bedroom to change. In bed I'm tossing and turning and fall into a strange dream. It's about kinky spanking and grey eyes.
In the middle of the night I feel thirsty, so I go to the kitchen. As I stroll through the living room, I see Christian sitting at the table where he fell asleep, with his hands still on the open laptop. I sigh, drink my glass of water and go over to him. I take a look at the screen. What are you doing in the middle of the night? There are a few tabs with websites, where he's obviously looking for ideas for the back yard. I can't wait to see it in real life. Then there are tabs about what to do with toddlers and kiddos - he obviously didn't have children around him so far. Sweet. But then I freeze. On the last tab there is a blog post with the headline ‚Living in a loveless marriage: Will my marriage ever get better?'. Oh fuck. Am I this unbearable? I feel insecure. I thought, I'm a loveable person, even if I freeze him off a little bit. I close the laptop and hug him from behind, kiss his head and whisper in his ear: "Christian?" He stirs and suddenly, his head shoots up. "Christian, you fell asleep at the table. Come, lay down on the couch", I say. "Sure", he murmurs and yawns. He stretches and stands up, looks at me and blinks his eyes. Without thinking my hands wrap around his middle and I hug him tight. I don't want to be a wifezilla, so I show him a little affection. He also pushes me into him and holds me tight. And then something's happening: when I'm about to let go, he hugs me even tighter. Aaaawww, isn't that romantic? He does not want to let go of me. I enjoy it for a minute or two and then whisper: "Soon" and give him a peck on his lips. And another. And one to go. I turn around and go to my bed. Fuck. It's not that I'm horny all the time. It's just that he's always fucking sexy. Masturbation is king. Oh yeah, you know it, I know it, who are we bullshittin'? So it's time to play the clitar.
Actually, this is my favorite chapter.
Ok, I get it, first you hated Christian, now you're hating Kate and Ana, but please try to enjoy the story anyway. Not everything in life is fair or right. As for his family: That seems your biggest concern, so let me point out that maybe, just maybe, they don't know he went missing, because of Elena?! ;)
The movie quotes from the last chapter were Olafs "Yah. Why?"'s from Frozen and the scene with Andy's jelly hand from the ORIGINAL 'Yours, mine and ours'-movie from 1968 - with Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball - a movie, you should definitely watch ;D. So there are like three and a half quotes in this chapter, but not only from movies.
emi17 - Thanks for your review!
Andristasia Grey-Darcy - I don't want to give away how the story ends, so we will have to see what will happen ;)
Christian618 - I think, that's the point: Knowing, that it's not right what they're doing but enjoying the story.
ashley . mercer . 16 - Maybe you don't find the quotes because they're just too short ;) I think that maybe it's not too bad to get a little 'real life experience'. To be forced to live with a family and not able to shut yourself out like he did for a long time with his family.
Pielietje - You don't have to wait much longer - in the next chapter he'll start to remember something ;)