Ana's POV - Monday
If I block out the first few hours, today has been perfect, beyond perfect and I happily hold hands with my gorgeous fiancé, I can't help but giggle as we swing them as we walk up the wide sweeping staircase. I again marvel at the beauty of the house, the sunlight streams in during the day and as the sun sets, the colours are reflected against the walls providing a moving canvas of beauty that needs no addition.
As we reach the top, Christian takes a deep breath and I wonder what he has behind the door, hopefully it isn't something else he has bought me as I don't think I can cope with any more extravagance, I know he doesn't want or expect anything from me but there is no way I can ever reciprocate, he has all I can give him, and that is my love.
He looks at me and his eyes are shining and he says, "I love you, I have loved you from the moment you fell into my room, I will always love you, I hope this helps you understand how much I do," and it is a tender happy kiss that he bestows on my lips, not deepening it but just resting it there like a butterfly as I look at him questioningly.
Opening the door, we are plunged into darkness, all the more a surprise having walked through the sunset colours to this point and I can see nothing except for a shimmering screen that starts to come to life as Christian walks me to the centre of the room, he puts headphones with attached microphones over my ears and his own and stands with his arms around me as I watch in awe at what is unfolding in front of me.
"It's only been a short while but I found and lost my heart on the very same day…." scrolls across the screen followed mortifyingly by the image of me tumbling into his office, it is security camera footage but surprisingly clear and I smack his arm gently.
"How embarrassing!" I say, laughing and he kisses the top of my head.
"It has been a journey from the lowest of lows" scrolls across the screen as do pictures that make me gasp and shudder, I was obviously unconscious and wasn't observing but the picture of the car accident scene makes me shake my head. How did I survive that? How did he manage to move the car? What force was determined to bring us together?
"I didn't know I could love but I knew, I just knew, as soon as I saw the car, as soon as I saw you, that I needed to keep you alive and in my life. Every time I let go of your hand, your condition deteriorated so somewhere unconsciously, you needed me too." And I nod my head against his chest as he squeezes me tighter in response.
"Even wrapped up in bandages and connected to tubes and all sorts of machines, I thought you were beautiful and I knew you were my saviour when I lay down next to you to get away from my demons and for the first time in years, simply slept through the night." I hear his voice from the show in my ears and I remember that night, the picture is of the night I woke up to find Christian in my bed and I realised how fine a specimen he was.
I chuckle in spite of myself and how horrified I am at the way I look, lying ashen in the bed, and say, "Ah, that would be the morning of the infamous chocolate cake mouth malfunction," and can feel my cheeks redden in the darkness as he joins in with my laughter.
"That would be the day you suggested I was a drag queen too, remember that?" he says and I do, sending me into a fit of giggles, I love what he has done.
There are so many photos of me, when I had no idea he was even in the room, others obviously taken by security cameras or security, like those on Bainbridge Island with the two of us on the beach, there are photos at the Salish Spa, the waterfall there and of me cuddling the two teddies at different times, us in the helicopter, of both of us asleep and both with smiles on our faces.
I love what he has done, encapsulated everything up until this point, he hasn't shied away from the bad parts, he showed the photo of a wrecked Wanda with the caption, "Sometimes I am an idiot but through it all, you still loved me and it was my love for you that drove me to stupidity."
He hasn't left out our mini-break either which broke both of us, on a black background, there's a shadow photo of him on a drip and the words come up, "Sometimes I can be really, really stupid. I am sure I will do stupid things in future but hopefully nothing as stupid as this, this taught me that without you, life was not worth living."
One of my most favourite photos was a photo of me on the balcony with my hair blowing in the breeze, my goal for all those times I was unable to move, the very first goal I had when he wheeled me into his apartment and it embodied my fight from that point, the fight to be whole and able to walk again.
So many triumphs, even some beautiful shots in Aspen which were the culmination of a horrid week that just became worse while we were there with the spy cameras but ended with our little adventure, swimming in the grotto, eating 'smores and playing guitar, amazing photos, beautiful locations and all the photos show me with a glowing smile, happy eyes and relaxed, and others from other times, some so cute, like the one with a head full of butterflies.
The slideshow has a background soundtrack of the various songs we've sung to and for each other and my heart swells at how much effort he has gone to, to show his love for me, actually our love for each other, it just jumps out of the screen.
The very last photo is a security shot of the moment he was down on bended knee asking me if I would marry him and as the music and the picture fades, I turn in his arms and the calmness on his face, the love that radiates from him warms me to the core. I understand the depth of his love for me and mine for him, I've just seen it all played out on the screen, if there were ever any doubts, they are now totally erased.
A soft lingering kiss and he says as he lifts off my head phones, "I've known I loved you before I knew I could love, so did everyone else. Baby, I wanted everyone to see how much we love each other, to leave no doubt despite the speed of our relationship, that we are made for each other. Thank you for saying yes to marrying me and making me the happiest man on earth."
Before I can say anything in response, the room erupts into cheers as the lights are turned on and Christian holds me as I jump, my heart threatening to leap out of my chest. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust and my brain to register that all our family and friends are converging on us, tears running down their faces, having borne witness to the slide show.
The screens are then raised and the lights dimmed as the sunset bathes the room in beauty and becomes the backdrop for the hugs and kisses and repeated congratulations, now with even more fervour than last night.
This time I won't let go of Christian, we come as a pair now and he is more than happy to oblige, his hand is in mine or around my waist, the only time I let him go is to give Gail a hug when having brought in the refreshments to start a combined Fourth of July and engagement celebration I see she is standing back with a smile on her face. Christian looks and sees who it is I am thanking and comes over and surprises her with a hug too adding a heartfelt thank you for organising everything on short notice and then he moves over to Taylor and shakes his hand thanking him for "everything you've done lately, going above and beyond."
The look of surprise on Taylor's face morphs into a genuine smile and a gruff, "You're welcome Sir and Miss Steele, … ah.. Ana, you have made such incredible positive changes to our lives, we wish you both all the best in the world," and I can't help it, I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him on the cheek as he hesitates and then hugs me back, after Taylor lets me go, I hug Gail again for good measure as she smiles through her tears at me.
The biggest surprise though is that working through everyone that Christian managed to organise at such short notice, he invited Jose who understandably is standing back unsure of my reaction and Christian's stated animosity. When he comes forward to congratulate us, Jose does so with a genuine smile and while I think Christian would rather he wasn't there, he accepts the congratulations and stands holding me tight as Jose speaks and is as surprised as I am when Jose says he has a present and proceeds to lead us to a large package leaning against the wall.
"When I found out you were engaged and knew that there was going to be a slideshow of photos I realised that there are some photos that I was going to use but could now never display in my exhibition and that come before any that you have." Jose says looking at Christian, "My gift to you are these photos,…" he is about to say more but the look on Christian's face stops him.
Christian looks at them and then at me before finding his words, "Thank you Jose, can I have the digital images too please? I have the perfect places for these beautiful portraits," and there is a degree of awe to his voice as he looks at each of the seven huge portraits.
I on the other hand am livid, "When did you take these photos Jose? You said you weren't taking the photos, just setting up the shots and then you had them blown up to exhibit?"
"I'm sorry Ana, you would never have let me take your photo and I would have shown you before putting them up in an exhibit, I always just wished you realised how beautiful you are and I am glad you finally believe someone." The note of resignation is obvious to both of us and Christian pulls me in tighter as Jose continues, "You've made the right choice, I'm happy for you Ana, I really am," and Christian relaxes just a little.
And then Christian surprises me and no doubt shocks Jose, given the relationship so far, by saying, "You know, the PR department wants to put out a photo with the engagement announcement, given how amazing these photos are, would you like to take the photo for us? That way, we can control the release and I know it will be a beautiful photograph because Ana will be comfortable, and you might as well take the credit, it may boost your business."
It is a huge coup for Jose and my heart grows in gratitude at Christian's selflessness, he really did dislike Jose and it could be Jose's big break, despite his horrid comment at the hospital and the fact that he wrecked Wanda, he was a good friend at university and I do want him happy and successful. Then I have another idea and pull Christian aside, "Christian, it would be lovely to have Jose take the wedding photos, that would be one decision out of the way and we know they'll be beautiful, will you let Jose do that?"
Christian takes one look at him and at me and says with a laugh, "Sure, that's one decision down, well done, we'd better tell Mia she can stand down on that one."
Jose's eyes look like they will explode with happiness when I tell him and he hugs me, remembering himself and reluctantly letting go when Christian clears his throat and raises his eyebrows at him but makes no further comment, accepting Jose's word as he thanks us profusely.
The night continues with a lovely relaxed vibe and I can imagine other parties in this house, having the loving family atmosphere of this night and love the house even more, it doesn't feel like a showpiece like Escala and filled with everyone we love, it reiterates my feeling that it feels like home.
When the last of the sun's rays have disappeared and everyone has eaten, been shown around the house and made plans for all sorts of things including going out on the yacht and apparently the riding of horses and dirt buggies through my meadow, I decide that some plans may be vetoed but not tonight, Christian calls everyone back into the main room upstairs for last drinks.
Finally as all the chatter dies down and glasses are filled, Christian stands facing everyone with his back to the windows and raises his glass to offer a toast and just as everyone cheers, there are explosions and everyone gasps…..
Glorious Fourth of July fireworks break out over the Sound from beyond the dock, filling the sky with colour, continuing for the length of four equally matched songs playing through the room and accompanied by oohs and ahhs, as everyone moves out onto the balcony.
The last one a red heart that just continues growing with layers as it explodes in the sky finishes the show and my heart follows a similar pattern, exploding with love in my chest as I stand, held safe in Christian's embrace and everyone cheers.
...
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Author's Note: I thought about leaving it on a cliff hanger and then thought I'd better not, there have been enough cliff hangers in the last year. :)
That's right, today is one year to the day that I took the plunge and put up the first chapter of Accidentally There and what a year it has been!
My life has changed in ways I never thought possible, I have met people I would otherwise never have met, I have been stretched beyond anything I ever imagined and I have had a ball doing this, one year ago, I had no idea so much could change or be re-awakened in my life.
As a first time writer, I had no idea I would be able to write anything that anyone would want to read so:
- Thank you to those who encouraged me to write, mostly SmileRose and BannersAndMash (who has been there for me all year) and also Ani Surnois who said I should and helped me believe that I was allowed to breathe the same air as her. Ani, I will hold your book in my hand one day, hopefully soon;
- Thank you to all for reading as otherwise there would be very little point in writing; and
- Thank you to all those that review, a huge heartfelt thank you, the support is very much appreciated and I am always amazed and humbled when my story touches a reader and in some way helps or becomes a part of their life.
So one year down, thank you, thank you, thank you and I hope you stick with me as I continue being Accidentally There in your life.