Chapter 15: Dancing, flying and falling
AKA: The Copping Together Ball part II + the Charlie Tango accident
Maybe you should just stop being afraid
and just love her as hard as you can.
Fuck your walls.
Just jump.
There is no better time for bravery than in love and in war.
When we slither back to the marquee, the room was silent and the MC was encouraging the bidders. I stopped Anastasia just before she could step through the gap between the curtains and told her, "The auction is taking place. You have to be really silent during the biddings, okay?"
She nodded with her lips firmly closed.
We rushed back into our seats then. Elliot smiled and waggled his eyebrows suggestively while Kate gave us a knowing look, but we ignored them. Anastasia grabbed a card with a list of auction prizes from the table and read through it. She then nudged me and pointed at the words 'One weekend stay in Aspen, Colorado (Sleeps 6) – Mr C. Grey.'
I looked at her questioning eyes and winked. Yes, I had a property in Aspen, and yes, I'd be happy to take her there someday.
After a race day at Daytona had been auctioned, the MC said, "And up next is a Pride and Prejudice first edition book. What are my starting bids, ladies and gentlemen, for this generous prize courtesy of Dr Lace-Field? Do I hear five thousand dollars?"
I didn't hesitate before rising my hand and calling. I hadn't even been aware the book was on the list, having paid little attention to much other than Anastasia though the night. It was a pleasant surprise.
I battled another man and three women for the prize, but I wasn't afraid to bid more money than the book was probably worth, so I won easily. Anastasia gaped at me before kissing me in congratulation, being more chaste than earlier.
"When's your birthday?" I asked her. Anastasia snorted, looking both excited at the prospect of getting the book and upset by the amount of money I'd spent. It was my parents' charity, and I always donated a few thousand dollars during the ball anyway.
Anastasia didn't answer my question, but Kate proved once again to be an excellent ally by volunteering, "September, 10th."
"That's too far away," I said.
"When's yours?" she counter-attacked.
Crap.
I attempted some non-comitial answer, but my treacherous sister proved to be in a roll that night by screeching, "Next Saturday! I can't believe you didn't tell her!"
Anastasia looked at me wide-eyed, both disapproving and anxious.
Before I could assure her she didn't need to worry, as I didn't enjoy celebrating my birthday anyway, the MC continued with the auction.
Then, she glared at me.
Well, shit. I was in trouble again.
Luckily, as soon as the auction had finished, Mia made it up to me by calling out for Anastasia and Kate.
"It's time!" exclaimed my sister.
"Time for what?" Anastasia asked.
"The First Dance Auction. Come on!"
Mia stood up and Kate and Anastasia followed her. While my girl looked reluctant, she didn't seem surprised or confused.
When had Mia got them involved in this fucking charade?
It was a meat market.
I knew it was for a good cause, but still.
I watched as they climbed onto the stage with another ten women, including Mia's annoying friend Lily.
"Gentlemen, the highlight of the evening!" the MC boomed over the babble of voices. "The moment you've all been waiting for! These twelve lovely ladies have all agreed to auction their first dance to the highest bidder!"
I had been observing Anastasia intently, so I noticed the moment she regretted accepting Mia's proposal. Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She looked uncomfortable.
Mia whispered something at her, and Anastasia relaxed slightly. Kate added her own two cents, making Anastasia forget her embarrassment as she glared at her and answered something back. From afar, it looked like one of the bickering fights I'd sometimes have with my siblings.
"Now, gentlemen, pray gather around and take a good look at what could be yours for the first dance. Twelve comely and compliant wenches."
I glared at the MC as I approached the stage with Elliot by my side and Ethan close behind us.
"Ladies and gentlemen, in the tradition of the masquerade we shall maintain the mystery behind the masks and stick to first names only," began the MC once all the bidders had gathered. "First up we have the lovely Jada."
I ignored the bidding going on around me as I watched Anastasia. She looked slightly more comfortable, but like she'd rather be anywhere else nonetheless. She and Mia exchanged a few more sentences and then Anastasia tilted her head in thought. After another minute, she rekindled the conversation, and Mia seemed happy to chat. Whatever my sister revealed made Anastasia gape at her. What were they gossiping about?
Probably their only person in common: me.
Fucking fantastic.
Then, Mia beamed and they both turned to look at the girl being bided.
I'd have to ask Anastasia what all that had been about.
After another minute or two, the MC said, "And now, allow me to introduce the beautiful Ana."
Her eyes widened behind the mask and she turned to look at my sister for guidance. Mia gestured at her to go ahead, and the brunette took a few steps forwards. She looked utterly uncomfortable once again as she stood centre stage.
She had no reason to be self-conscious. She looked like a Greek Goddess.
She belonged with me, and I was about to prove it to those fuckers that were surrounding me.
When she looked at me, I smirked, thinking about what a lucky bastard I was. It earned me a disapproving look.
"Beautiful Ana plays six musical instruments," I snorted, knowing she'd tried playing the piano and the guitar years ago, and had failed terribly, "speaks fluent Mandarin, and is keen on yoga." Now Anastasia looked amused, and I'd bet I could tell why. While she was flexible enough to do yoga, that was not to what she was keen. "Well, gentlemen—"
Before he could even finish his sentence, I interrupted him, glaring at the MC for putting the image of Anastasia doing yoga in everyone else's head.
"Ten thousand dollars," I enunciated clearly and loudly.
People around me gasped. That was a high amount of money for the very first bide.
"Fifteen," called out a familiar voice with a British accent.
John Flynn.
I stared at him and scratched my chin, wondering what the hell was he playing at, and then I gave him an ironic smile. I wasn't sure what he was trying to accomplish or learn from my actions, but he'd find I wasn't afraid to make a statement regarding Anastasia Steele.
John nodded politely at me.
"Well, gentlemen! We have high rollers in the house this evening." The MC's excitement emanated through his harlequin mask as he turned to beam at me. Anastasia didn't look quite so happy, though, being the centre of attention.
"Twenty," I countered, wondering how far Flynn was willing to go—and how much trouble I could get him in with his dear wife.
Everyone remained silent as they waited for the doctor's counter-bide.
"Twenty-five," he said.
So this is how you want to play it?
As amusing as this little act was, Anastasia had been up in that stage for long enough, so I decided to make my position clear.
"One hundred thousand dollars."
My voice, loud and clear, must have carried all over the marquee. It was my CEO/Dom voice, and I dared Flynn or anyone else to try and dispute my claim on Anastasia's first dance.
The crowd gasped loudly and John held his hands up in defeat, laughing. I smirked at him. I didn't know what his game had been, but I didn't feel like the loser.
"One-hundred thousand dollars for the lovely Ana! Going once... going twice… Sold!" the MC cried out delightedly.
In a deafening round of applause and cheering, I stepped forward to take Anastasia's hand and help her from the stage. She looked gobsmacked and I couldn't stop grinning at her, amused and triumphant. I kissed the back of her hand dramatically and her lips twitched. Then, I tucked said hand into the crook of my arm and led her back to our table.
"Who was that?" she asked me.
"Someone you can meet later." Hmm… Maybe that was what Flynn had been aiming for. Couldn't he just have asked for an introduction like a normal person? "Right now, I have to intimidate my sister's suitors."
"Suitors?" She giggled as we sat down. "You won't do such a thing. Let your sister be!"
"Don't mess up with Mia, Christian," agreed my grandmother as she scolded me.
"I'm just looking out for her."
Anastasia snorted. "Just don't interfere with her and Ethan. They seem to have hit it off."
"But she's my baby sister," I whined with a playful pout, still on a high after my successful win, not to mention our sexcapade. Anastasia chuckled and looked at me affectionately.
"She's my age! Should I be calling my Dad so he can keep an eye on you?" she whispered, raising both eyebrows challengingly.
"You know you probably should, but I'd rather you didn't," I answered honestly.
Anastasia giggled like a schoolgirl, and I wondered if she was also on a high because of our fun evening, or if I should cut off her Champagne.
Alcohol or not, she was adorable in her amusement. I smiled at her and kissed the tip of her nose before pecking her lips.
Did my mother and grandmother just sigh?
Anastasia looked up at the stage and I followed her line of vision. Kate was standing on the platform, looking much more confident than Anastasia had and smiling flirtatiously down at whom I assumed to be Elliot.
"Thirty thousand dollars," enunciated my brother.
Nobody dared to outbid him—it would seem I had bought Anastasia's first dance for an absurd amount of money, not that I minded at all—and so he won.
Then, Mia was called ahead and Ethan took a step forward, his purple mask making him unmistakable.
Elliot seemed to have had the same idea as me, but Katherine dragged him back to the table. She had him sit on his chair before perching herself on his lap. His choices were staying right where he was or compulsory celibacy. Much like me, he chose the first option.
I was beginning to think we were both whipped.
Oh, well. There were worst things than being owned by sweet Anastasia Steele.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the first dance."
As soon as the biding had been over, we'd been directed to the dance floor in the other marquee. The three girls had made a short stop at the bathroom before we joined my parents and the rest of the bidders plus their dates.
"Mr and Dr Grey, are you ready?" asked the MC and Carrick nodded in agreement, his arms around Grace.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the First Dance Auction, are you ready?" We all nodded, too.
"Then we shall begin. Take it away, Sam!"
A young man strolled onto the stage amid warm applause, turned to the band behind him and snapped his fingers. The familiar strains of 'I've Got You Under My Skin' filled the air.
I looked at Anastasia with a smile and began our dance.
This was our first time dancing together.
It is a memory I'll always cherish.
We grinned at each other as we whirled around the dance floor, mindful of the other dancers without paying actual attention to them.
"I love this song," I murmured. "Seems very fitting," I revealed, serious.
"You're under my skin, too," she answered just as solemnly before smiling at me with amusement. "Or you were in your bedroom."
I had known she'd say something unexpected the moment she'd smiled, and her words did manage to shock me.
I pursed my lips, trying not to laugh. I managed to only grin back at her instead of guffawing loudly.
"Miss Steele," I admonished her teasingly. "You are getting cruder by the day. Next thing I know, you'll be talking back on our nightly chats."
"Keep dreaming, Mr Grey."
At least it would seem the phone-sex dry spell was over. Maybe she'd be calling again Monday night.
We kept dancing silently, needing no words to be comfortable in each other's presence. I basked in having her in my arms, in our private bubble. All too soon, the song ended. The other dancers began clapping around us; I was forced to let go of Anastasia so we could join them.
"May I cut in?" asked a familiar voice. When had he approached us?
I let Anastasia go begrudgingly, knowing she'd be back in my arms soon enough.
I turned to look at the interloper with lingering amusement.
"Be my guest. Anastasia, this is my psychiatrist, John Flynn. John, Anastasia." She looked at him with surprise and I smirked at her. "If you'll excuse me, my mother owns me a dance."
I stepped away from the pair warily. I trusted Flynn's discretion, and I knew he wouldn't reveal any of my secrets to her, but the most irrational part of me was terrified he'd tell her I loved her, or even worse, that I used to consider myself a sadist.
Bottom-line, I did know I could rely on him. With his help, I would become the kind of person Anastasia deserved. I would become the kind of man that did make women stay—this woman in particular.
"May I cut in?" I asked my father.
"Where is your date?" he asked as he turned to look at Anastasia. He spotted her and Flynn before I could reply, and he chuckled. "I'll go find Mia," he informed us as he stepped away from my mother.
"Hello, darling."
"Mother."
"Are you enjoying yourself?" She asked as we turned to watch Ana and John.
"Very much," I answered with a small smile.
"You look happy. I like seeing you like this," she said. There was a but implied at the end of her sentence.
"I am happy," I answered, not sounding as warry as I felt.
"I think she's good for you."
"I think so, too."
She hesitated before adding, "I hope she doesn't hurt you."
I frowned.
"Why would you say that?"
"She's young."
"So?"
"Sometimes young ladies break hearts without intending to."
I took a deep breath and tried not to lash out, reminding myself my mother was feeling protective of me. I hadn't been an easy child or teenager—or adult for that matter—and she had been there to see me every time I'd hit rock bottom. Also, as far as she knew, I had no experience with women.
"Sometimes men break hearts, too." God knew I'd broken a few Sub's hearts. The guilt about what had happened to Leila was still fresh in my mind, even if we'd found out her depression wasn't because of me, but rather the death of her boyfriend. "You don't need to worry about us."
She didn't look convinced, but I didn't know what else to say. While Anastasia wasn't the first girl I'd bedded, she was the first one I'd introduced to my parents, and I had no experience with that.
Plus, what could I tell her? That I loved Anastasia and I believed she loved me back, but I wasn't completely sure as we hadn't confessed our feelings yet? Or that she'd driven me crazy last week because she'd been avoiding me? That sounded the opposite of reassuring.
"Don't get mad, darling," she said, and I realised I was frowning. "I just don't want to see you get hurt. No mother wants that."
"I know."
There was no winning with protective mums sometimes: either they were worried because you were lonely, or because you had a girl in your life that could break your heart. Even if I were married and with children, she'd probably find something to stress about.
As soon as the music had come to an end, I excused myself. Even if she was blushing, Anastasia didn't seem to need to be rescued from my psychiatrist; quite the opposite, she looked amused, and there was a high chance it was at my expense.
As I approached them, John released my girl.
"Oh, no!" exclaimed Anastasia teasingly. "I wasn't done talking to the good doctor! Your birthday's coming up and I didn't get a chance to ask him what to gift to a man who already has everything money can buy."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out," replied Dr Flynn.
"But I only have a week! And I had to find out his birthday's coming from his sister." Snitch. "You should most definitely discuss this the next time you see him, doc."
"We probably will," he answered, looking at me pensively.
"Did you just tattle me to my shrink?" I asked her disbelievingly.
"What are you going to do about it?" she flirted.
"You'll see, Anastasia."
Flynn chuckled at us. "About the gift, it should be cheap but meaningful. Something he'd like but wouldn't buy for himself."
I felt proud, knowing that was the way I'd been facing Anastasia's gift—the expensive and recently purchased first edition book notwithstanding.
Anastasia grimaced. It was rather satisfying to see her sweating about gift-giving for once. God knew I'd been worried before giving her each of her presents.
"Thanks, Doctor. That's actually useful, although I do think I have my hands full."
"I know you do," he said, looking pointedly at me. I couldn't very well complain and deny I was a handful. "It's been a pleasure to meet you, Anastasia." He gave her a warm smile.
"John." I nodded at him.
"Christian." Dr Flynn returned his nod, turned on his heel, and disappeared through the crowd.
I pulled Anastasia back into my arms for our next dance.
"He's younger than I expected. I think I see why you like him."
"And why is that?"
"Well, he's an interesting person to talk with. He's not afraid to tease you, so I bet he doesn't take any shit from you and doesn't hold back when he has things to say you may not want to hear." I had known she was smart, but her insight still surprised me. "Those are important qualities to have when dealing with you."
"Dealing with me, huh?" I asked with mock offence.
She nodded and giggled.
"Plus, the British accent doesn't hurt. Oh!" she exclaimed excitedly. "Can you do a British accent?"
"I should have known you have an accent fetish," I muttered back, shaking my head dramatically. "You know I'm not into kinky stuff, Kitty."
She snorted at that, and then we burst out laughing.
We danced one more song before my father interrupted us. After the chat I'd had with my mother, I was uneasy to let Anastasia go. I trusted my father would behave like a proper host, though, especially during such an event. I went to find my sister, happy to interrupt her dance with Ethan.
"You look happy," said Mia the instant we started spinning around the checkered dancefloor.
"Thank you, mother," I replied. She sounded just like Grace.
She rolled her eyes. I must admit I found it less annoying in Mia than other people, but she was my baby sister and I had the right to be biased.
"It's just nice to see you so…"
"Happy?" I teased her with a smirk as I glanced at Anastasia and Carrick behind her shoulder. They both looked serious, but not upset. Hopefully, they were talking about something bland like work, instead of me.
"Well, yes. And smitten with your girl. I adore Anastasia, by the way."
So do I.
No need to tell my gossipy sister, though.
"Speaking of… what were you two talking about during the First Dance Auction?"
"You, of course," she replied, but didn't delve into details.
I glared at her. "What about me?"
"Nothing she didn't know about, apparently. I mentioned how you used to fight in High School, but she said you'd already told her," she explained, bending her head to one side.
"And pray tell, why were you gossiping about my sordid past?" Not that it was the most sordid bit about my past, or that Anastasia hadn't leant worse things about me.
Mia frowned, thinking about the answer.
"Oh! You looked like you were about to punch someone when we were up on the stage."
I grumbled and Mia laughed.
"Careful. Jealousy is only attractive in small doses. Green doesn't become you… Take it from a woman if not from your sister."
I sighed. "Thank you, Mia." I kissed her cheek.
"Anytime. I don't want you to lose that girl. She's a keeper."
At midnight, the MC declared that we could remove our masks. We stood on the banks of the bay and watched the astonishing fireworks display my parents had arranged. I held Anastasia in my arms in front of me and watched as her face was lit by a kaleidoscope of colours while the fireworks explode in the sky above us. She marvelled at each dazzling burst with a huge grin on her face. The display was perfectly timed to the music, Handel's "Zadok the Priest."
My parents had gone overboard for their guests; they did know how to throw a party. When the final torrent of rockets busted into golden stars, the crowd spontaneously applauded.
I didn't usually stay until midnight, rather making my escape right before the crowds gathered to watch the fireworks. Both the sound of explosions and the agglomeration of people made Taylor nervous; I wasn't a fan of large groups of people myself, so my parents understood my early departure. I had decided to make an exception for Anastasia that year. I hoped Taylor and Sawyer weren't having too bad a time.
The show had been spectacular. Sharing it with Anastasia had made it even more special.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the MC called out as the cheers and whistles faded. "Just one note to add at the end of this wonderful evening: your generosity has raised a total of one million eight hundred and fifty-three thousand dollars!" The news was met with rousing cheers from the crowd. It was an impressive total. I imagined my parent were over the moon. My contribution of $600,000 had helped.
The applause was deafening, and on the pontoon where the fireworks technicians had been busy, the words 'Thank You from Coping Together' lighted up in silver sparklers and shimmered over the dark mirror of the bay.
"Oh, Christian, that was wonderful!" Anastasia exclaimed as she turned to look at me. I kissed her deeply, not caring who saw.
"We should go home," I whispered in her ear. She nodded eagerly.
It had been a long day, and I was looking forwards to spending the night with her in my arms.
The following Friday had promised to be a nice change of scenery, as Ros and I had a meeting in Portland. What I had not been expecting was for both of Charlie Tango's engines to catch of fire during the flight. Landing a helicopter with two malfunctioning engines on the middle of a clearing had been fucking terrifying and nearly impossible, but Anastasia Steele was a great reason for me to live, and I refused to abandon her.
The hours that followed were nothing short of an odyssey. It took us four hours—because of course Ros had been wearing heels—of walking in treacherous terrain, among tricky branches and exposed roots, to reach a road. Once there, we started walking towards the direction of Seattle. About half an hour later, a truck pulled over next to us and the driver, Seb, volunteered to drive us home. Sadly, he hadn't owned a mobile phone. Ros had been eager to call Gwen and let her know we were fine. I didn't think my family or Anastasia would we worried, as I had had no plans with either of them that evening.
Once back in Seattle, Seb dropped us at Union Station. From there, we took a cab. Luckily, Ros only lived a couple of blocks away from me. Naturally, we dropped her off first.
"Next time we go to Portland, can we take the train?" she asked me as we neared her apartment.
"Sure thing."
"You did good, Christian."
"So did you."
"I'll call Andrea and let her know we're safe."
"Andrea?"
"She can call your family. I'm sure they're worried." She was exaggerating. It wasn't the first time I'd gone silent for hours on end. Even if they had tried to call my now dead phone, they wouldn't be worried or disconcerted by my lack of answer. "I'll see you tomorrow at your birthday party."
"See you then."
She leant towards me and kissed my cheek. "Good night."
Well, that was a first.
I watched her walk through the courtyard of her apartment building. Gwen came barrelling out of the double doors of the entryway and screeched, "Ros!" before scooping her up in her embrace.
I waved and order the cab towards Escala.
When we arrived, there were a dozen photographers outside my apartment building. What the hell?
An instant after I'd climbed out of the car, they threw themselves at me.
"There he is!"
"Christian Grey."
"He's here!"
The flashes dazzled me, but I managed to get inside relatively unscathed. Were they there for me? Surely there was someone else in the building tonight who was worthy of that kind of attention? Fortunately, the elevator was free. Once inside, I took off my jacket, shoes and socks. My feet were killing me. Ros was surely suffering thrice as much as me.
I hadn't been expecting the welcoming committee. A second after I'd stepped into my penthouse's main room, someone screeched my name.
Next thing I knew, my mother was running towards me.
What the hell?
I dropped my shoes and jacket on the floor just in time to catch her as she threw herself at me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek.
"Mum?" What was happening? What was all of this about?
"I thought I'd never see you again," Grace whispered.
"Mum, I'm here." Couldn't she see I was right there, perfectly fine—if a bit dirty?
"I died a thousand deaths today." She gasped and sobbed.
Shit. I didn't know what to do with a crying woman. I took her back in my arms, hoping it would help.
"Oh, Christian," she choked, wrapping her arms around me and weeping into my neck. We stayed in that position for a while. I'd never dared to embrace my mother for so long before. It felt good.
Suddenly, my father hollered from the hallway behind me, "He's alive! Shit—you're here!"
He joined in the embrace, wrapping mum and I in his arms.
"Dad?" What was he doing here?
Abruptly, Mia joined us too.
Jesus!
A family huddle.
When did this ever happen?
Never!
Carrick pulled away first, wiping his eyes.
He was crying?
Mia and Grace stepped back. "Sorry," Mum muttered.
"Hey, Mum—it's okay," I reassured her.
She had touched my forbidden zones, but I had been too worried about her to care. Maybe, someday, we could try again, but I felt more comfortable doing so with Anastasia first.
"Where were you? What happened?" my mother cried and put her head in her hands.
"Mum," I muttered, bringing her back to my arms. I kissed the top of her head. I wasn't used to being affectionate, but I'd been practising with Anastasia. "I'm here. I'm good. It's just taken me a hell of a long time to get back from Portland. What's with the welcoming committee?"
I looked up to scan the room, worried someone else would throw themselves at me, and found Anastasia sitting in the couch and looking at us wide-eyed, like a deer caught in the headlights. Much like my family, she was crying inconsolably.
I turned my attention back to my sobbing mother, overwhelmed with all the tears.
"Mum, I'm good. What's wrong?"
She placed her hands on either side of my face.
"Christian, you've been missing. Your flight plan—You never made it to Seattle. Why didn't you contact us?"
"I didn't think it would take this long," I answered, shocked by her vehemence. It had only been a few hours.
"Why didn't you call?"
"No power in my cell."
"You didn't stop... call collect?"
"We just wanted to get home."
"Oh, Christian! Don't you ever do that to me again! Do you understand?" she half-shouted at me.
"Yes, Mum," I promised.
I wiped her tears with my thumbs and hugged her again. It was quite disconcerting to see one's mother cry.
Once she had calmed down, I released her only to get hugged by Mia. She slapped me hard on my chest, sobbing.
"You had us so worried!"
"I'm here now, for heaven's sake," I muttered.
Then suddenly Elliot was there to. I handed Carrick my sister. He already had one arm around his wife.
Once my arms were free, Elliot hugged me briefly, making sure not to touch my upper back or chest.
I didn't think my brother and I had ever hugged before.
"Great to see you," he said loudly and abruptly, his voice full of emotion.
A lump formed in my throat.
This was my family, and they fucking cared.
I'd known it, rationally, but it had always been hard for me to fully comprehend it.
If my biological mother hadn't cared about me, why would they?
But they were here, and they were all worried about me.
When I looked up again, Kate was standing next to Anastasia.
"I'm going to say hi to my girl now," I told my parents. Both nodded, smiled, and stepped aside.
I walked towards her, overwhelmed by all the emotions and tears in the room.
When I was a couple of steps away from her, she suddenly stood up and threw herself at me.
I opened my arms just in time to catch her.
"Christian!" she sobbed against my chest as she wrapped her arms around me and anchored herself by grabbing my shirt tightly. Her knuckles were gazing the forbidden zone of my back, but I didn't mind. It didn't burn. There only thing hurting me was her sobs. I hated seeing her like this and hearing the despair in her voice. I wrapped my arms around her and caressed her back as she cried.
After a couple of minutes, she raised her tear-stained face. I kissed her briefly. Her lips were soft and sweet against mine.
"Hi," I murmured.
"Hi," she whispered back with emotion.
"Miss me?"
She chuckled weakly. "A bit."
I grinned. "I can tell."
I wiped away her tears, but more replaced them quickly.
"I thought... I thought—"
"I can see. Hush… I'm here. I'm sorry," I murmured and kissed her again.
"Are you okay?" she asked as she released me and took a step back. She touched my arms and face, as if searching for injuries.
"I'm okay. I'm not going anywhere."
"Oh, thank God." She hugged me again, this time by my waist, and I wrapped my arms around her. "Are you hungry? Do you need something to drink?"
"Yes."
Anastasia tried to take a step back, but I didn't let go of her.
I wanted her there in my arms so I could keep her tears at bay. And maybe I needed her as a human shield against my family. As much as I relished on their love for me, there was only so much more touch I could take. I was used to being physically intimate with Anastasia and cuddling with her through the night, and while I'd known and trusted my family for longer, they had reached their quota of touch for the night.
Suddenly, Mrs Jones was at our side. "Can I get you something, Mr Grey?" she asked as she wiped her eyes with a tissue.
Gail too?
"A beer, please, Gail—Budvar—and a bite to eat," I requested with a smile.
We all sat down on my couches. I didn't think I'd had so many guests before.
I put my arm around Anastasia, wanting to keep her close. If I was honest, I had almost died that day, but I hadn't had a chance to process it yet. Thoughts of my girl had helped me land safely, and it was fucking fantastic to hold her in my arms once again. I didn't want to ever let her go.
I answered my family's questions and explained how Ros and I had been flying low, taking a look at Mount St Helens per the redhead's request, when both engines had caught fire. I had been forced to cut the electricity, so I hadn't been able to use the radio. Then, we hadn't had any signal to call anyone from our phones, but luckily we'd been able to use the GPS to find the closest road. By the time we had arrived at a zone with phone signal, though, the battery had been dead, leaving us once again uncommunicated.
Then, the truck driver hadn't had a phone, and we had been in such a rush to arrive home we hadn't thought about finding a phone in a gas station to call home. Honestly, I hadn't suspected they'd be so concerned.
"I didn't realize," I explained.
"That we'd worry?" Grace scoffed. "Oh, Christian!" she scolded me. "We've been going out of our minds!"
"You've made the news, bro."
"Yeah. I figured that much when I arrived at this reception and the handful of photographers outside. I'm sorry I worried you."
Carrick tried to discuss further the subject of the two failing engines, but I only wanted to relax for a while. We could deliberate the possibility of it being a fraud the following day.
Soon thereafter, everyone stood up to leave, and I was finally alone with my girl.
I took a shower, getting rid of the sweat and the dirt as quickly as possible, and then we got ready for bed quietly. I put on pyjama pants and handed Anastasia the matching shirt.
When we climbed to bed, I took her in my arms and we lay down front to front.
"You know," I whispered as I rubbed her back softly, "in the few seconds of sheer terror before I landed, all my thoughts were of you. You're my talisman, Anastasia."
"I thought I'd lost you," she whispered.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily," I promised, kissing her forehead.
I closed my eyes and basked on her smell and warmth. It was good being home, with her in my arms. The day had been stressful, but something good had come out of it: there was no doubt my family and Anastasia loved me.
After a minute or two of silence, Anastasia suddenly and unexpectedly whispered "I love you," as she lay her forehead against mine.
"I love you too," I answered.
It felt amazing to say it.
Anastasia pulled back and I opened my eyes.
She seemed shocked by my revelation.
I beamed at her, amused by her expression and utterly ecstatic with her words.
She did love me back!
What?" she whispered with a confused frown.
"I love you, Anastasia Rose Steele. How could I not?"
Tears filled her eyes one more time, although now it was out of happiness. She held me closer and kissed me deeply, letting me feel her love for me. She didn't pull away until we were out of breath, and she started laughing with transparent happiness. I smiled at her, fondly.
"I love you too," she answered, beaming with happiness.
"I love you," I repeated, liking how those words sounded coming out of my mouth, and kissed her once again. I held her closer and so did she. Her hands, that had been safely in my lower back, climbed up as she pressed her chest against mine. It felt so good!
Suddenly, she pulled away, taking her hands away from me and looking at me horrified.
"It's okay," I reassured her before she could say anything. I took her hand in mine and pressed it against my chest, over my heart. I knew she loved me, and she'd never hurt me—at least not intentionally, and definitively not physically. "I'm fine," I insisted.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
I kissed her once again and coaxed her into her back, keeping her front pressed against mine. I may have been exhausted a few minutes ago, but all those kisses and words of affection had me wanting to show her how much I loved her.
My hands latched on her hips and then travelled north, rising her shirt. I took it off her and threw in to the floor before getting rid of her panties and my pyjama bottoms. My hands caressed her belly and breasts wanting to feel all of her. She returned the favour, stroking my back for the second time ever.
Slowly and tenderly, I slid myself inside her warmth as my eyes stared into her blue ones. I made love to her for the first time that night, with no pretences of this being just sex. My eyes never left hers as I whispered words of love and encouragement. She told me how much she loved and needed me, and asked me never to leave her.
Never.
We screamed each other's name as we came together and fell asleep almost instantly, wrapped in each other.