APOV One week later

This past week has been a blast. I'm getting to know my new family more and more everyday. Jason and I have bonded over his time in the military and I told him all I could remember when my dad was in it. He treats me as if I was his own daughter and it makes my heart fill with joy. Gail's motherly love comes up on a regular basis. I've regained a lot of my weight with her cooking. She lets me prepare lunch since I know how to cook. I feel truly blessed to have her as a motherly figure. She even took me shopping to get pads and stuff and to go see Grace about starting birth control. Since I was so underweight, my period got really messed up. However Grace gave me a quick check up and now I'm on it. Although it was a little awkward to tell Luke why he couldn't come with us. But after he figured it out on his own, and blushing hard enough to match me, he promised not to let Christian know, because that could get awkward too. Luke has been awesome. He treats me like I'm his sister. At first he was really shy and was nervous about working for me. He told me in secret he didn't want to disappoint Christian or I and get fired and have to return to his old job. His previos job was a janitor at a high school and they never treated him right. I finally reassured him enough that unless he physically harmed me or was verbally abusive, he had nothing to worry about. Once he came out of his shell, we found out he's very easy-going and good-naturedly sarcastic. He's learning Krav Maga with me even though he already knows self-defense. In secret, we've been working on me talking again. I want to surprise Christian someday by saying something, but we haven't been successful. We've only gotten a few squeaks out of me. But we're trying every day. Christian once asked me if I would like to go see Dr. Flynn, and maybe someday I will, but for now, I'm happy with everything.

Christian has been…amazing to say the least. We're really comfortable with each other now. He comes home at least an hour early and we take a drive around the city, with me driving! At first I couldn't make it out of the garage because I was afraid I was going to wreck the car. But once I got the hang of it, we drive along the roads in comfortable silence and I feel the self-confidence I lacked for so long slowly coming to me. When we come home, we have dinner with everyone and then retire to the library to play music. After that we cuddle on the couch talking until it's time for bed. Some nights I sleep in his bed, other nights he sleeps in mine, or we'll just sleep in our own rooms. We have only given each other pecks on the forehead or the nose, but I want more. I've tried to stop my feelings from forming but all in vein. There are times when Christian seems to be lost in his own world and he'll slightly close me out. It's like he's having an inner battle with himself. What that battle is I don't know, but he soon comes out of it. I know he said he only wants my friendship in return for helping me out, but I want that friendship to turn into a relationship. Maybe one day soon.

"Okay you two we're done for the day," Marcus tells Luke and I as we pant from the recent moves we learned. We've just begun the basics and I can already tell this will be fun to learn. "Since we're still working on your muscle build Ana, I want you to do two sets of everything from curls and bars to calves and thighs. Don't forget to do the yoga exercises too so you don't strain your muscles."

"What about Luke," I ask. He shouldn't get off the hook that easy.

"He's already in shape Ana. Unless he wants to exercise with you, he doesn't need to." Luke smugly smiles and I stick my tongue out at him. "I'll see you both on Monday."

"Thanks Marcus," Luke says before we fist bump him. "I am going to go for a run though Ana so I'll be back within an hour or two."

"Okay. Make sure you tell Gail so she won't worry."

"I will." I get out my ear buds and plug them into my phone before I play my exercise music. I soon get lost in the world of powerful songs and weights. I stop when needed to relax my muscles with a yoga pose. I'm doing Mountain's pose, where you stand straight up with your arms above your head, when I feel arms wrap around me and pull me back into a chest. I grin and feel my face heat as Christian nuzzles his nose into my neck.

"Good evening Ana," he murmurs into my neck. I take out my ear buds and turn around in his arms, bringing arms around his neck to pull him closer. He's so affectionate at times I could melt to the floor.

"Hi Christian." His silver eyes lock with mine. I realize I probably don't look or smell the greatest after working out and my face heats once again. "Sorry I probably smell."

"No you don't smell." His arms tighten around me and I place my head against his chest, hearing his heart beating. He lets go slightly and I look up once again at his beautiful face. "Where's Luke?"

"He got off the hook. He doesn't have to work out. So he went for a run." Christian steps back to start taking off his shirt to show a white t-shirt underneath. I flush harder as I see the well-defined muscles underneath.

"Well I'll workout with you. That slacker will get it when you're stronger and whip his ass." We chuckle before we begin where I left off. We talk and spot each other when we're working on the weights. It is slightly funny to see such a tall man doing yoga poses but I love having him here with me. Forty-five minutes later and we're done. Christian sits on the weights bench drinking his water bottle while I'm on the floor stretching my hamstrings. "Well If I didn't know any better, once you know some moves, you'll probably be able to kick Marcus' ass too." We snicker again before I notice Christian rubbing his left shoulder.

"Is your shoulder okay?"

"It's an old injury that sometimes acts up." I rise and start rubbing my hands together. I stand to the side of Christian and start rubbing the muscle the way Marcus showed me how. "Oh that feels great Ana." He lowers his head as I apply a little more pressure. After a few minutes he looks up at me with a smile.

"Better?"

"Much better thank you." He brings his hand up and cups my face like he has on so many occasions. I look from his smoky eyes down to his perfect lips and wonder if I could kiss him without him knowing. He looks at mine too before he slowly starts moving closer to me. My eyes flutter shut on instinct and I just begin to feel his soft lips on mine.

"Movie night! Who's ready for some classics," comes the loud, happy tone of Mia. My eyes pop open as Christian lets out an irritated huff of air before leaning his forehead against mine.

"Let's go greet our guests shall we?" He rises and takes my hand and brings it to his lips. He kisses every knuckle as the smile returns to my face.