APOV Four months later
The lovely breeze of May wafts through the air as Christian and I make our way to his parent's house. I finished up my first semester of college, getting a 4.0. My counselor said if I keep it up at this rate, I'd graduate at the top of the class. Work has been fantastic. Jack told me he and José are planning on adopting another child soon. It seems like this whole month has been filled with babies. Today is Kate and Elliot's baby shower. They're revealing the gender of the baby today at the party so we bought them gender-neutral items. I bought them several baby outfits with ducklings on them while Christian went with toys like rattles and tethers. He even got a bib with a tiger that says, "Roar means 'I love you' in tiger". He has become such a softy recently but I'm not complaining in the least bit.
"So you still think it's going to be a boy," I ask as we get the presents out of the back of my car.
"Oh yeah, I bet my company."
"Well get ready to hand over that company to me buster because I have a strong feeling it will be a little niece for you." He blushes before kissing my lips as we step inside his childhood home. There are several decorations up even though this is a tiny party. We place our gift under the table with a teddy bear cake on it and go greet everyone. We enter the living room and Kate is glowing like always with a growing stomach.
"Hi you guys," she gleams as she comes into my arms. We embrace before hugging everyone else. Mia and Luke are happy like always and Carrick and Grace are full of love. It must be due to the party because Grace seems a little teary. We eat lunch and lounge for a while before we head into the other room to open presents. Kate and Elliot tear into the gifts and get a kick out of the ones I bought: what can I say, I like ducklings.
"I know we're only 5 months into this, but is the nursery ready yet Elliot," Christian asks.
"It's getting there but someone keeps distracting me," he smirks while glancing at a blushing Kate. After the gifts are done, the cake is brought forward. Elliot and Kate grab the server and begin to cut into the cake while everyone is on pins and needles. They lift up a piece and reveal the pink inside while everyone shouts and claps.
"I'll be taking those keys to the company Mr. Grey," I whisper into Christian ear after wiping my eyes, getting rid of the happy tears. He pulls me into him and kisses my neck. Jeez we just had sex right before we headed over here but my body still reacts to his amazingly well. The cake is served and everyone sits again to eat.
"So what will you be naming the baby," Mia asks anxiously.
"Gwendolyn Amelia Anastasia Grey," Kate states with pride as tears escape her eyes. Mia, Grace, and I quickly join her in hugs and crying. The men come in too for hugging.
It's just becoming evening when Christian leads me from the party to go outside. As we walk hand in hand talking over the day I recognize we're getting close to the water front the Grey's have right behind their house that leads out to Eliot Bay.
"Where are we going Christian?"
"I promised you long ago I would take you out on my boat once the weather got warmer and we both know I keep all my promises." We step into a clearing and see a huge boat bobbing in the water tied to the dock. I jump up and down squealing before jumping into his arms.
"I love you so much Christian."
"I love you Ana." His lips find mine, and our bodies become alive once more. "Let's get aboard shall we?" He helps me on and shows me around before we ship out. I sit and watch him go into the controlling mindset and it's very sexy. We don't travel too far since it's getting dark. Once he finds a place, he lowers the anchor and joins me in the cabin.
"Well Capt. Grey you've done a marvelous job, even if I'm getting your company due to the bet." He wiggles his eyebrows at me and I feel my insides quiver. He openly laughs as he hands me a glass of white wine.
"Well if you truly want it Ms. Steele, we'll go to HR Monday and sign the papers, but I think Jack will be pissed I stole you from him." I giggle before we take a sip of our drinks. He sits behind me and pulls me into his arms as we watch the sun begin to set. Once we're done with the wine and have talked, he pushes a button and music comes on. "Will you dance with me Anastasia?"
"I would love to Christian." He takes the glasses as I lean up and places them somewhere before rising and bringing me into his arms. We sway back and forth either staring into each other's eyes or kissing passionately. I rest my head against his chest and let out a contented sigh. "A year ago, I would have never thought I would end up here, in the arms of the man I love. If I had to endure everything I went through, every hit, every word, every knock, just to know it would lead me to you, I would do it all over again Christian." He pulls me closer before I hear his strong timbre voice singing as we continue to dance.
"No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you"
I pull back my head and stare into his alluring silver eyes as I fill with awe hearing him sing.
"Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you"
He cups my face and strokes it with his knuckles before extending our arms out in front of us stepping away from me.
"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too"
He gets down on one knee and produces a tiny box. He opens it, revealing a ring and I cover my mouth with my hand and can't stop the fresh tears.
"Ana, that's all I ask of you"
I begin to giggle through the tears and nod my head, reverting to non-verbal communication for the first time in a long time. He takes my shaking hand and places the ring on. I see through the tears it has a diamond cut diamond surrounded by several sapphires, which is my birthstone. I gather myself enough to kiss him hard while he chuckles into my mouth. "I can't believe I'm going to marry an angel on Earth."
"I can't believe I'm getting married to the man who helped me rise, overcome, and blossom into the confident woman I am today. I love you Christian."
"And I love you Ana. I wanted to purpose to you sooner but I didn't want you to plan a wedding while you were focusing on school. But with the summer off, we can get married by July."
"Holy shit yes we can!" We kiss once more, exploring each other's mouths with our tongues before we head back to land. "Maybe we should keep this secret for a few days so Kate won't feel like we're stealing her thunder."
"Steal her thunder? Ana, this was Kate's plan. She knew I was going to purpose soon but she and basically everyone else wanted it to be tonight. If we don't head back to the house and showoff the ring, they'll think I didn't purpose or that you said 'no'. Mia would have my head!" I openly laugh as we both bolt back the rest of the way to the house. We enter the living room where everyone again looks like they're on pins and needles.
"Guess who's getting married," I announce as I show off my ring. Everyone erupts in cheers as we're captured once again in crushing embraces. As the tears form once again, it is from my heart exploding with the love I feel from the new family I obtained.