𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐎 𝐈 𝐑𝐀𝐍 ▸ Ana asked Christian how bad it could be, and so he showed her. Leaving Christian, Ana finds herself alone and running from the man who bruised her backside yet owns her heart. But Seattle is a big place, and Christian isn't...
I was relieved to see Ana look a lot better this morning. She said she thought she was on the mend, and I was pleased to hear it. The last thing I wanted was for Ana to be sick.
I was in a great mood as I climbed out of bed. Ana had fallen asleep almost before we were in bed, last night, but we'd woken in the middle of the night, and we'd spent a couple of hours making love. I'd claimed Ana, twice, before cuddling with her as we drifted back to sleep. Best way ever to start my birthday!
I wasn't used to being excited about the day I was born. In the past, it had brought to mind those first four years of my life. A time I'd spent a big part of my life wanting to forget. But this year was different. This year I felt hopeful – because this year I had the love of my life by my side.
"Are you going to the doctor this morning?" I checked. Ana had mentioned something about it the night before.
"Yes. I don't have one in Seattle, yet, so Mrs. Jones recommended hers. She's a female doctor only a couple of blocks from here, and she's already been vetted. Mrs. Jones was going to take me there, and then I'm going to pick up something for your birthday and maybe shop for a few things for the library."
"You don't need to get me anything," I said, feeling shy. Yes, Grace and Carrick had always bought me birthday presents as a child, but I'd never had a lover celebrate my day with me. Just Ana's presence was more than I'd ever hoped for.
"I love you, Christian," Ana said, kneeling on the bed to bring her eyes in line with mine, "more than you probably know. I want to get you something special for your special day." I smiled at her, not for the first time wondering what Anastasia Rose Steele saw in me. "I'll be out until probably after lunch with Mrs. Jones. Do you have anything special planned?"
Birthdays were meant to be about doing whatever you wanted, and with that in mind, an idea formed.
"Nothing special," I said. "I might work out with Bastille or see if Elliot wants to come over."
"Ok – but no work," she said, looking at me sternly with those beautiful big blue eyes. "It's your birthday – you're not working today!"
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Once I was sure Ana and Gail had left the apartment, I went to my office and placed a couple of calls. That done, I buzzed Taylor.
"I need to fly to New York next weekend," I said. "I'll check with Miss Steele, but I thought we'd fly out Friday night and be back Sunday afternoon. I'll take Sawyer and Ryan, so you and Mrs. Jones can have the weekend off."
I paused, trying to phrase my next question.
"You were a married man, Taylor."
"Once upon a time," he said, with a sardonic twitch of his lips.
"When you proposed, did you already have a ring, or did you choose together?"
