Chapter 20: The Question

APOV

Christian said he has dinner reservations tonight for us and to not work late since we need to leave at 6. I wonder what it is. Whatever it is I'm so glad the weekend is here. I've been filling in until they find a replacement for Jack's job. I think they are taking their time since the purchase of SIP will become public in a couple of weeks.

At 5:30 Sawyer brings me home so I have a couple of minutes to freshen up before the date. "Christian, do I need to dress up for our dinner plans?"

Christian gives me his crooked smile. "No need. And you look beautiful today." He walks up to me gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek." His kisses still give me butterflies in my stomach.

I come out of the bedroom into the great room and Christian is standing there waiting for me. Even casually dressed he is gorgeous. His dark copper hair is all tousled and he's wearing a chambray shirt with the top buttons undone and his sleeves rolled up and black jeans. He could be a model. "Ready, Anastasia?"

I smile at him. "Ready as I can be. Are you sure I look OK?" I'm wearing skinny jeans, a peasant style top, and flat sandals.

"You look radiant. But you would be gorgeous in a trash bag." He takes my hand and we step into the elevator. I get confused when Christian pushes the 'up' bottom. I look at him in confusion and he smiles broadly and says, "No questions. It's a surprise."

We get to the roof and helipad and there's a helicopter there that's not Charlie Tango. I look at him as we are walking up to it, "This is just until Charlie Tango is fixed."

We take off and just like the last time my stomach is in knots. I don't really pay attention to where we are going because I'm too busy staring at the beautiful man beside me.

When he is preparing to land I realize we are at San Juan Island where we had our first, kind of, date. I don't know why he says he's not romantic.

When we land I expect to see Taylor waiting for us like the last time but he's not here. What I do see is the picnic basket, some pillows, and what looks like a bottle of champagne.

Christian helps me down on the blanket. He looks at me so lovingly. "Are you hungry?"

I smile at him. It's times like these where I feel my love for him the most. "Famished." In response he gives me his boyish smile.

"Well, let's see what we have to help with this issue." He opens the basket and pulls out a thermos and two large stoneware mugs. He pours the contents of the thermos and I see it's Italian wedding soup. It's not what I expect to eat on a picnic but Gail is a fabulous cook and the soup is delicious. As we eat the soup he tells me about his day. "Are you ready for the next course?"

He's being so cordial it's making me giggle. That basket must be like Mary Poppins' carpet bag because next he pulls out two plates covered like how they come from room service. I take off the lid and reveal a petit filet mignon and onion rings. This is another unusual choice for a picnic food but this is Christian and it's so delectable.

He's making me laugh telling me stories from when he was a kid. Grace and Carrick definitely had their hands full with those three. I always wanted siblings. Sometimes it was lonely being an only child.

This time Christian doesn't ask me if I'm ready. He pulls out a plate and when he removes the lid I see it's Mexican wedding cookies. We're both laughing because the powdered sugar is getting everywhere and Christian is doing his best Scarface impression. I really like silly Christian.

Next he reaches into the basket and takes out a small lidded plate. When he takes the lid off there's a little red box. What the heck is going on?

Christian takes the box, gets down on one knee, and opens the box.

"Anastasia Rose Steele, I never thought I could love until I met you. I had no idea that I was living a hollow life and now I can't picture my life without you in it. It's as if I wasn't alive before you. Look, I guarantee there are going to be tough times and I know I have a lot of learning and growing to do. But I want to do them with you by my side as my wife, my lover, and my friend. You are my forever. Will you marry me?"

It takes me a second to realize what just happened. Then tears well in my eyes and I can only manage to squeak out a 'yes'.

"You'll marry me?" I nod in response. "Say it. I want to hear you say it."

"Yes. Yes, Christian, I will marry you." He lets out a joyous laugh, picks me up swinging me around, and kisses me.

"Ana, you just made me the happiest man on earth!"

"That's good because I am the luckiest woman on earth."

CPOV

I slip the ring on her finger and give her a kiss pouring all of my love into it. I pop the cork for the champagne and pour it into two flutes.

"To us, Anastasia."

"To forever."

After the champagne, we spent the next couple of hours making love on the blanket. It was perfect - just the two of us being together as one. Finally, we have no energy left and are lying on the blanket cuddled together under the stars.

Suddenly Ana exclaims, "Now I get it! Italian wedding soup, onion rings, and Mexican wedding cookies!"

I laugh heartily, "Nothing can get past you!"

She laughs with me. "Hey! I've had an emotional night!"

"Come on, let's go to our cabin." As I stand up I reach my hand out for her to take. "Come on, my fiancé."

APOV

This 'cabin' is gorgeous. It's modern looking and all wood with an abundance of windows to see the fantastic view of the bay. Christian has another bottle of champagne waiting for us as well as a plate with the reddest strawberries I have ever seen. He takes the strawberries and champagne and brings them into the bedroom. Rose petals are scattered everywhere on the plush carpet and on the king sized bed. He even has candles lit around the room to give us just enough light. He places the strawberries and champagne on the table at the foot of the bed.

"We'll save these for later. But now I'd like a bath." He strides toward me with his gray eyes glittering with desire. He lifts the hem of my shirt to pull it over my head then he undoes the button and zipper of my jeans. "I'll run the bath. Meet me in there naked." And there is that feeling pooling deep within me.

I enter the large bathroom. The rose petals and candles have continued in here. There is a sweet and intoxicating scent of jasmine from the bath oil Christian put in the bath. For someone who claimed to not know hearts and flowers he has made this room luxuriously romantic. I slip into the bath with Christian behind me. He starts to massage my shoulders while simultaneously kissing and nipping at my neck. I moan, partly out of contentment and partly out of carnality. "Do you like that Miss Steele?"

"mmmm...yes." I am barely able to formulate an answer. He moves from my shoulders to my breasts teasing my hardened nipples. I'm writhing in pleasure. His hands move down my stomach and over my hips until his hands meet their haven. I am his entirely - body and soul. Eternally.

The bed was lavishly comfortable but we didn't do much sleeping that night - our first night as a betrothed couple.