APOV

I remove the box's lid and see a silver picture frame. In the shiny silver outline of the photo frame there is a quote etched in it.

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. ~ Victor Hugo

"It's beautiful Christian," I say as I look into his eyes.

"It's a digital photo frame. You push the top button once to turn it on, twice to pause it on a picture, and you hold it down to turn it off." I remove it and the charging cord. I push the button like he said and the first picture takes me by surprise. It's a picture of my mom my dad took when they were dating he showed me long ago. It fades to a picture of my dad while he was in the Marines. My mouth gapes while the next few photo show their wedding pictures. I feel the tears forming as the next picture shows them on their honeymoon in Hawaii. Another comes onto the screen and it's my mom with a large belly holding a pink baby outfit. However the next photo causes the unshed tears to glide down my face. It shows Mom and Dad holding me just after I was born. I know it's a fixed photo but it makes the memories of them so much more prominent in my mind. The next few photos are ones of me on different birthdays with my parents on either side of me. One even shows them hugging me after my high school graduation, which I never got to attend. It fades to the picture Christian took of us with Sophie while we were in make up. The final photo is of the whole Grey family with Luke and I at Thanksgiving. I'm now completely free from my horrible past. These photos will help replace the terrifying moments of my years with Isaac and help me move forward with a remembrance of my parents. I cover my eyes as I silently sob. What did I do to deserve him? How could he be so full of goodness and kindness? "Oh baby, please don't cry. If you don't like it…" I lay the photo frame on the bed and fall into his lap. How could he think I hate it? I try to look up into his eyes but the tears are making it hard to see him.

"I love it so much Christian." I begin to shake and he pulls me closer to him. He cups my face and kisses my tears away. It feels like I have the emotional trauma lifted from me and I feel ten times lighter. After I have calmed, Christian places me in bed with his arms wrapped around me. I take the photo frame back and watch it once more go through the photos the man I love with all my heart found and created. I pause it on one of the wedding photos and lay it on the bedside table next to us. I turn and stare into his silver eyes. I extend my neck and kiss his heart. He cups my face once more and kisses my cheeks before resting his forehead against mine as we fall asleep in complete happiness.

We wake bright and early the next morning. After running around and double-checking we have everything, we board Christian's private jet. The pilot calls our attention as we take off and I grip Christian's hand trying to calm my nerves. He leans over and begins kissing me right below my ear, making me completely forget about the shaking of the plane. Several hours later we land in New York City. I practically skip out of the plane before we huddle into a SUV and head to the hotel. Christian and I will be sharing a room as well as Kate and Elliot. Mia had to convince Christian that Luke and her weren't going to do anything "bad" if they shared a room, stating, and I quote, "You and Ana sleep together all the time so why can't Luke and I?" I love her but at the same time I wish she had a better brain to mouth filter. I understand Christian is just looking out for his baby sister so his brotherly concern is adorable. We have a much needed dinner and decide to begin our vacation bright and early tomorrow morning.

In the days we've been here we've been to the American Museum of Natural history, The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the 9/11 memorial and tribute center, and the Brooklyn Bridge. We've also gone to Central Park and their zoo. Tonight we ring in the New Year and I'm very excited.

"So Christian do we have plans for tonight," Elliot asks.

"We do. I got us tickets to see the Swan Lake ballet."

"Oh my God that's amazing," Mia squeals.

"I've also gotten invitations to join the cast at their after party in a building just inside Times Square so we'll have a front row seat for watching the ball drop."

"Oh this is incredible," Kate comments.

"The ballet is black tie so would you girls like to have a spa day," he asks.

"Yes," Kate and Mia scream in unison while I chuckle at their reactions.

"Well the hotel has a 5 star spa attached to it so I figured we men would just hang in the rooms while you ladies get pampered."

"Yes please," Mia almost yells while she gathers me into a hug and jumps around. The men drop us off and head up to their rooms while we enter the spa and are immediately stripped and shuffled into a massage room. I'm still embarrassed about anyone seeing my naked body but fortunately they give us plush robes to wear. We get massaged, buffed, plucked, and polished. We even indulge in manicures and pedicures. We have a light dinner in a secluded room away from the staff.

"So Ana, are you and Christian moving your relationship from friendship to boyfriend and girlfriend soon? Because if not I'm going to have to give him a serious talk," Kate questions. I feel my face heat and look away.

"Don't worry Ana. I know my brother and I can clearly see he loves you. He just has some issues with letting his heart go to someone. He's always been like that, always feeling like he never deserved our love and the gifts we gave him. But I'll agree with Kate. If he doesn't hurry up, I'll practically bend his arm until he opens up to you," Mia adds.

"I've wanted him to have time to go over his feelings and sort out his insecurities which I think Flynn has been helping him do. Plus falling asleep in his arms every night helps him with his fear of touch. I'm planning on telling him my feelings tomorrow"

"Yay," Mia screeches. Kate and I shake our heads at her.

We've gotten our hair and make up done for tonight. Everyone opted for natural make up. Kate has her hair done in braids that wrap around to the back of her head in a bun, leaving strands out on the side of her face. Mia's hair is done in curls and is pulled back and gathered in the middle of her head leaving the rest of her hair to fall down over her back and shoulders. My hair is done so there is a braid going right across the top of my head. The rest of my hair is curled and pinned up off my shoulders. We gather back in Elliot and Kate's room to dress.

"Wait a minute, I didn't pack anything black tie appropriate."

"Yes you did," Kate states. She walks over to the closet and pulls out a hanging dress bag where my blush dress is. I stare at it before looking at Kate with sisterly love. "I had a feeling we would need it on this trip." We hug before we begin getting dressed. My heart flutters with anticipation for tonight.