Fifty Shades After

Chapter 23

                                                                                         Authors Note

I am skipping a few weeks.....trying not to get too caught up in the day to day life. I will do a synopsis of what has happened but not go into grave detail. I get too caught up on details....

Over the past two weeks things have gotten better. I speak to Christian on the phone almost everyday, if not we talk via letters. My facial fractures have healed and according to Grace, I am completely healed, in all ways. Flynn agrees that I am in a better place and if I wanted to go back to my normal life, he supports it, but still wants to see me at least once a week, more if needed. I have been working continuously with Claude with the new dietary menu he designed for me. I look in the mirror and I do not recognize the woman in the mirror, I am toned. I have put on weight but it is muscle. I look good.

Ana POV

I am looking around my room, aka Christians room and think back about the last couple of weeks. My relationship with Grace and Carrick has grown, I feel more secure with my relationship with Christian. We have talked and shared ourselves so much over the last few weeks, I feel comfortable going back to his penthouse to move in with him. He isn't aware I am coming today, its a little surprise for him. I look to make sure I haven't left anything behind. Taylor comes to the room to take my belongings "Is this all Ms Steele"? I take a final look "I believe so Taylor. Is Christian still in the dark about our arrival today"? "He knows I am coming by to see Mrs Jones, but not that you are coming with me". I nod and follow him down the stairs. Grace and Carrick are waiting by the door. I walk over to them and give them a big hug. "Thank you both so much for opening your home to me. This place feels like a home away from home. You both accepted me so quickly, it makes me feel like I am family" "Dear girl, you have our sons heart, you are our daughter. You are family, and if anything happens with Christian, you can come here. This door is always open to you" Carrick replies. I look at Grace and I see a glistening of tears in her eyes. "You have brought my son to life. You have given him back to us. That makes you our daughter. Remember you are welcome here even without him. If you don't last this time, you will always be welcome here" "Thank you Grace for caring for me, being the mother I needed". I kiss her cheek and start for the car. I look back and wave to them. "I am ready to go home Taylor" he looks over at me and smiles as he nods.

Christian POV

I am finishing up some work from home this weekend. I can't wait for Ana to be able to leave her "Retreat" aka my parents house. I haven't told her I knew where she was, I know that they kept it from me for her sake not mine. She needed to heal and since we saw each other at Moms I have heard change in her voice, more confidence, self esteem. I think when she comes here, I am going to talk with her about Claude becoming her trainer. She needs to learn some self defense and working out can give a person focus and a way to deal with emotional shit. I walk out of the office to the kitchen to see what is for lunch. Gail is making what looks like a small feast. "Gail, are we having guests that I don't know about"? "No Mr Grey, just making extras for the freezer" but she doesn't look at me as she talks. Something is fishy. I walk to the balcony to admire the view. I can't wait to see Taylor. Since we have been talking more over the phone, I don't see Taylor everyday, like I am accustomed to. Its surprising what you get used to. While I am on the balcony, I hear the elevator but don't turn. I will give Gail and Taylor a few minutes to be alone. I know the separation has been hard for them. I am lost in the view and don't notice someone coming up behind me. When I feel arms wrap around my waist I gasp, not wanting to move thinking it was a dream.

"Are you real? Am I dreaming? If I am please don't wake me up". I still have yet to turn around. "Well the only way to be sure is to turn around and face me. Maybe a kiss will prove I am real" she replies. I turn around and see my beautiful Ana with her arms around my waist. She reaches up on her toes to kiss my lips. With that first contact, I am lost in a sea of sensations. It started gentle, but as we continued it became more passionate. After a few minutes we pull apart, gasping for breathe. "Do you like your surprise? I am back to stay, if you still want me"? Shes back in my home, my heart, my life. Finally.