Chapter Eighteen
　　I stir, opening my eyes to a bright September morning. Warm and
　　comfortable between clean, crisp sheets, I take a moment to orientate
　　myself, and am overwhelmed by a sense of déja vu. Of course—I’m at the
　　Heathman.
　　“Shit! Daddy!” I gasp out loud, recalling with a gut-wrenching surge of
　　apprehension that twists my heart and starts it pounding why I'm in Portland.
　　“Hey.” Christian is sitting on the edge of the bed. He strokes my cheek with
　　his knuckles, instantly calming me. “I called the ICU this morning. Ray had a
　　good night. It’s all good,” he says reassuringly.
　　“Oh, good. Thank you,” I mutter, sitting up.
　　He bends and kisses my forehead. “Good morning, Ana,” he whispers and
　　kisses my temple.
　　“Hi,” I mutter. He’s up and dressed in a black T-shirt and blue jeans.
　　“Hi,” he replies, his eyes soft and warm. “I want to wish you happy birthday. Is
　　that okay?”
　　I offer him a tentative smile and caress his cheek. “Yes, of course. Thank you.
　　For everything.”
　　His brow furrows. “Everything?”
　　“Everything.”
　　He looks momentarily confused, but it’s fleeting and his eyes widen with
　　anticipation. “Here.” He hands me a small, exquisitely wrapped box with a
　　tiny gift card.
　　In spite of the worry I feel about my father, I sense Christian’s anxiety and
　　excitement, and it’s infectious. I read the card. For all our firsts on your first
　　birthday as my beloved wife. I love you.
　　C x
　　345 | P a g e
　　Fifty Shades Freed
　　Oh my, how sweet is that? “I love you, too,” I murmur, smiling at him.
　　He grins. “Open it.”
　　Unwrapping the paper carefully so it doesn’t tear, I find a beautiful red leather
　　box. Cartier. It’s familiar, thanks to my second-chance earrings and my
　　watch. Cautiously, I open the box to discover a delicate charm bracelet of
　　silver, or platinum or white gold—I don’t know, but it’s absolutely enchanting.
　　Attached to it are several charms: the Eiffel Tower, a London black cab, a
　　helicopter —Charlie Tango, a glider—the soaring, a catamaran— The
　　Grace, a bed, and an ice cream cone? I look up at him, bemused.
　　“Vanilla?” He shrugs apologetically, and I can’t help but laugh. Of course.
　　“Christian, this is beautiful. Thank you. It’s yar.”
　　He grins. My favorite is the heart. It’s a locket. “You can put a picture or
　　whatever in that.”
　　“A picture of you.” I glance at him through my lashes. “Always in my heart.”
　　He smiles his lovely, heart-aching, shy smile.
　　I fondle the last two charms: a letter C—oh yes, I was his first girlfriend or
　　whatever to use his given name. I smile at the thought. And finally, there’s a
　　key.
　　“To my heart and soul,” he whispers.
　　Tears prick my eyes. I launch myself at him, curling my arms around his neck
　　and settling into his lap. “It’s such a thoughtful present. I love it. Thank you,” I
　　murmur against his ear. Oh, he smells so good—clean, of fresh linen, and
　　body wash and Christian. Like home, my home. My threatened tears begin to
　　fall.
　　He groans softly and enfolds me in his embrace.
　　“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” My voice cracks as I try to hold back
　　the overwhelming swell of emotion.
　　He swallows hard, and tightens his hold on me. “Please don’t cry.”
　　I sniff in a rather unladylike way. “I’m sorry. I’m just so happy and sad and
　　anxious at the same time. It’s bittersweet.”
　　“Hey.” His voice is feather soft. Tipping my head back, he plants a gentle
　　kiss on my lips. “I understand.”
　　“I know,” I whisper, and I’m rewarded with his shy smile again.
　　346 | P a g e
　　E L JAMES
　　“I wish we were in happier circumstances and at home. But we’re here.” He
　　shrugs apologetically once more. “Come, up you go. After breakfast, we’ll
　　check on Ray.” He kisses me gently once more, releases me, and stands up.
　　Once dressed in my new jeans and t-shirt, my appetite makes a brief but
　　welcome return during breakfast in our suite. I know Christian is pleased to
　　see me eating my granola and Greek yogurt.
　　“Thank you for ordering my favorite breakfast.”
　　“It’s your birthday,” Christian says softly. “And you have to stop thanking me.”
　　He rolls his eyes in exasperation, but fondly, I think.
　　“I just want you to know that I appreciate it.”
　　“Anastasia, it’s what I do.” His eyes are wide and serious—of course,
　　Christian in command and control. How could I forget . . . and would I want
　　him any other way?
　　I smile at him. “Yes, it is.”
　　He gives me a puzzled look then shakes his head. “Shall we go?”
　　“I’ll just brush my teeth.”
　　He smirks. “Okay.”
　　Why is he smirking? The thought nags me as I head into the en suite. A
　　memory springs unbidden to my mind. I used his toothbrush after I first spent
　　the night with him. I smirk into the mirror and grab his toothbrush in homage
　　to that first time. Gazing at myself as I brush my teeth, I’m pale, too pale. But
　　then I’m always pale . . . last time I was here I was single . . . and now I’m
　　married and twenty-two! I’m getting old. I rinse out my mouth. Holding up my
　　wrist I shake it, and the charms on my bracelet give a satisfying rattle. How
　　does my sweet Fifty always know exactly the right thing to give me? I take a
　　deep breath, attempting to stem the emotion still lurking in my system, and
　　gaze down at the bracelet once more. I bet it cost a fortune . . . ah well. He
　　can afford it.
　　As we walk to the elevators, Christian takes my hand and kisses my
　　knuckles, his thumb brushing over Charlie Tango on my bracelet. “You like?”
　　“More than like. I love it. Very much. Like you.”
　　He smiles and kisses my knuckles once more. I feel lighter than I 347 | P a g
　　e
　　Fifty Shades Freed
　　did yesterday. Perhaps because it’s morning and the world always seems a
　　more hopeful place than it does in the dead of night. Or maybe it’s my
　　husband’s sweet wake-up. Or maybe it’s knowing that Ray is no worse.
　　As we step into the empty elevator, I glance up at Christian. His eyes flicker
　　quickly down to mine, and he smirks again.
　　“Don’t,” he whispers as the doors shut.
　　“Don’t what?”
　　“Look at me like that.”
　　“Fuck the paperwork,” I mutter, grinning. He laughs, and it’s such a carefree,
　　boyish sound. He tugs me into his arms and tilts my head up.
　　“Someday, I’ll rent this elevator for a whole afternoon.”
　　“Just the afternoon?” I arch my brow.
　　“Mrs. Grey, you are greedy.”
　　“When it comes to you, I am.”
　　“I’m very glad to hear it.” He kisses me gently, a chaste kiss. And I don’t know
　　if it’s because we are in this elevator or because he’s not touched me in over
　　twenty-four hours or if he’s just my intoxicating husband, but desire unwinds
　　and stretches lazily deep in my belly. I run my fingers into his hair and deepen
　　the kiss, pushing him against the wall and bringing my body flush against his.
　　He groans into my mouth and cups my head, cradling me as we kiss—really
　　kiss, our tongues exploring the oh-so-familiar but still ohso-new, oh-soexciting
　　territory that is the other’s mouth. My inner goddess swoons,
　　bringing my libido back from purdah. I caress his dear, dear face in my
　　hands.
　　“Ana,” he breathes.
　　“I love you, Christian Grey. Don’t forget that,” I whisper as I gaze into
　　darkening gray eyes.
　　The elevator comes smoothly to a halt and the doors open.
　　“Let’s go and see your father before I decide to rent this today.” He kisses
　　me quickly, takes my hand, and leads me into the lobby. As we walk past the
　　concierge, Christian gives a discreet signal to the kindly middle-aged man
　　standing behind the desk. He nods and picks up his phone. I glance
　　questioningly at Christian, and he gives me his secret smile. Oh no . . .
　　what’s this? I frown at him, and for a moment he looks nervous.
　　348 | P a g e
　　E L JAMES
　　“Where’s Taylor?” I ask.
　　“We’ll see him shortly.”
　　Of course, he’s probably fetching the car. “Sawyer?”
　　“Running errands.”
　　What errands?
　　Christian avoids the revolving door, and I know it’s so he doesn’t have to
　　release my hand. The thought warms me. Outside it’s a mild late-summer
　　morning, but the scent of the coming fall is in the breeze. I glance around,
　　looking for the Audi SUV and Taylor. No sign. Christian’s hand tightens
　　around mine, and I look up at him. He seems anxious.
　　“What is it?”
　　He shrugs. The hum of an approaching car engine distracts me. It’s throaty . .
　　. familiar. As I turn to find the source of the noise, it stops suddenly. Taylor is
　　climbing out of a sleek white sports car parked in front of us. What?

　　Oh shit! It’s an R8. I whip my head back to Christian, who’s watching me
　　warily. “You can buy me one for my birthday . . . a white one, I think.”
　　“Happy birthday,” he says, and I know he’s gauging my reaction. I gape at
　　him because that’s all I can do. He holds out a key.
　　“You are completely over the top,” I whisper. He’s bought me a fucking Audi
　　R8! Holy shit. Just like I asked! My face splits in a huge grin, and my inner
　　goddess does a backflip off the high pe. I jump up and down on the spot in
　　a moment of unguarded and unbridled overexcitement. Christian’s
　　expression mirrors mine, and I dance forward into his waiting arms. He
　　swings me around.
　　“You have more money than sense!” I whoop. “I love it! Thank you.” He stops
　　and dips me low suddenly, startling me, so that I have to grasp his upper
　　arms.
　　“Anything for you, Mrs. Grey.” He grins down at me. Oh my. What a very
　　public display of affection. He bends and kisses me. “Come. Let’s go see
　　your dad.”
　　“Yes. And I get to drive?”
　　He grins down at me. “Of course. It’s yours.” He stands me up and releases
　　me, and I hurry around to the driver’s door. Taylor opens it for me, smiling
　　broadly. “Happy birthday, Mrs. 349 | P a g e
　　Fifty Shades Freed
　　Grey.”
　　“Thank you, Taylor.” I startle him by giving him a swift hug, which he returns
　　awkwardly. He’s still blushing when I climb into the car, and he closes the
　　door promptly once I’m inside.
　　“Drive safe, Mrs. Grey,” he says gruffly. I beam up at him, barely able to
　　contain my excitement.
　　“Will do.” I promise, putting the key in the ignition as Christian stretches out
　　beside me.
　　“Take it easy. Nobody chasing us now,” he warns. When I turn the key, the
　　engine thunders to life. I check the rearview and side mirrors, and spotting a
　　rare moment of clear traffic, execute a huge perfect Uturn and roar off in the
　　direction of OSHU.
　　“Whoa!” Christian exclaims, alarmed.
　　“What?”
　　“I don’t want you in the ICU beside your father. Slow down,” he growls, not to
　　be argued with. I ease off the accelerator and grin at him.
　　“Better?”
　　“Much,” he mutters, trying hard to look stern—and failing miserably.
　　Ray’s condition is the same. Seeing him grounds me after the heady road
　　trip here. I really should drive more carefully. You can’t legislate for every
　　drunk driver in this world. I must ask Christian what’s become of the asshole
　　who hit Ray—I’m sure he knows. In spite of the tubes, my father looks
　　comfortable, and I think he has a little more color in his cheeks. While I sit
　　beside my dad and tell him about my morning, Christian wanders off to the
　　waiting room to make phone calls.
　　Nurse Kellie hovers over him, checking his lines and making notes on his
　　chart. “All his signs are good, Mrs. Grey.” She smiles kindly at me.
　　“That’s very encouraging.”
　　A little later Dr. Crowe appears with two nursing assistants.
　　“Mrs. Grey,” he greets me warmly. “Time to take your father up to radiology.
　　We’re giving him a CT scan. To see how his brain is doing.”
　　“Will you be long?”
　　350 | P a g e
　　E L JAMES
　　“Up to an hour.”
　　“I’ll wait. I’d like to know.”
　　“Sure thing, Mrs. Grey.”
　　I wander into the thankfully empty waiting room where Christian is talking on
　　the phone, pacing. As he speaks, he gazes out of the window at the
　　panoramic view of Portland. He turns to me when I shut the door, and he
　　looks angry.
　　“How far above the limit? . . . I see . . . All charges, everything. Ana’s father is
　　in the ICU—I want you to throw the fucking book at him, Dad . . . Good. Keep
　　me informed.” He hangs up.
　　“The other driver?”
　　He nods. “Some drunken trailer trash from Southeast Portland.” He sneers,
　　and I’m shocked by his terminology and his derisory tone. He walks over to
　　me, and his tone softens.
　　“Finished with Ray? Do you want to go?”
　　“Um . . . no.” I peer up at him, still reeling at his display of contempt.
　　“What’s wrong?”
　　“Nothing. Ray’s being taken to radiology for a CT scan to check the swelling
　　in his brain. I’d like to wait for the results.”
　　“Okay. We’ll wait.” He sits down and holds out his hands. As we’re alone, I go
　　willingly and curl up in his lap.
　　“This is not how I envisaged spending today,” Christian murmurs into my hair.
　　“Me neither, but I’m feeling more positive now. Your mom was very
　　reassuring. It was kind of her to come last night.”
　　Christian strokes my back soothingly, resting his chin on my head.
　　“My mom is an amazing woman.”
　　“She is. You’re very lucky to have her.”
　　Christian nods.
　　“I should call my mom. Tell her about Ray,” I murmur and Christian stiffens.
　　“I’m surprised she hasn’t called me.” I add in a moment of realization. In fact, I
　　feel hurt. It’s my birthday after all, and she was there when I was born. Why
　　hasn’t she called?
　　“Maybe she did,” Christian says. I fish my BlackBerry out of my pocket. It
　　shows no missed calls, but quite a few texts: happy birthdays from Kate,
　　José, Mia, and Ethan. Nothing from my mother. I shake my 351 | P a g e
　　Fifty Shades Freed
　　head despondently.
　　“Call her now,” he says softly. I do, but there’s no reply, just the answering
　　machine. I don’t leave a message. How can my own mother forget my
　　birthday?
　　“She’s not there. I’ll call later when I know the results of the brain scan.”
　　Christian tightens his arms around me, nuzzling my hair once more, and
　　wisely makes no comment on my mother’s lack of maternal concern. I feel
　　rather than hear the buzz of his BlackBerry. He doesn’t let me stand up but
　　fishes it awkwardly out of his pocket.
　　“Andrea,” he snaps, businesslike again. I make another move to stand and
　　he stops me, frowning and holding me tightly around my waist. I nestle back
　　against his chest and listen to the one-sided conversation.
　　“Good . . . ETA is what time? . . . And the other, um . . . packages?”
　　Christian glances at his watch. “Does the Heathman have all the details? . . .
　　Good . . . Yes. It can hold until Monday morning, but email just in case—I’ll
　　print, sign, and scan it back to you . . . They can wait. Go home, Andrea . . .
　　No, we’re good, thank you.” He hangs up.
　　“Everything okay?”
　　“Yes.”
　　“Is this your Taiwan thing?”
　　“Yes.” He shifts beneath me.
　　“Am I too heavy?”
　　He snorts. “No, baby.”
　　“Are you worried about the Taiwan thing?”
　　“No.”
　　“I thought it was important.”
　　“It is. The shipyard here depends on it. There are lots of jobs at stake.”
　　Oh!
　　“We just have to sell it to the unions. That’s Sam and Ros’s job. But the way
　　the economy’s heading, none of us have a lot of choice.”
　　I yawn.
　　“Am I boring you, Mrs. Grey?” He nuzzles my hair again, amused.
　　“No! Never . . . I’m just very comfortable on your lap. I like hearing about your
　　business.”
　　352 | P a g e
　　E L JAMES
　　“You do?” He sounds surprised.
　　“Of course.” I lean back to gaze directly at him. “I like hearing any bit of
　　information you deign to share with me.” I smirk, and he regards me with
　　amusement and shakes his head.
　　“Always hungry for more information, Mrs. Grey.”
　　“Tell me.” I urge him as I snuggle up against his chest again.
　　“Tell you what?”
　　“Why you do it.”
　　“Do what?”
　　“Work the way you do.”
　　“A guy’s got to earn a living.” He’s amused.
　　“Christian, you earn more than a living.” My voice is full of irony. He frowns
　　and is quiet for a moment. I think he’s not going to pulge any secrets, but he
　　surprises me.
　　“I don’t want to be poor,” he says, his voice low. “I’ve done that. I’m not going
　　back there again. Besides . . . it’s a game,” he murmurs.
　　“It’s about winning. A game I’ve always found very easy.”
　　“Unlike life,” I murmur to myself. Then I realize I said the words out loud.
　　“Yes, I suppose.” He frowns. “Though it’s easier with you.”
　　Easier with me? I hug him tightly. “It can’t all be a game.. You’re very
　　philanthropic.”
　　He shrugs, and I know he’s growing uncomfortable. “About some things,
　　maybe,” he says quietly.
　　“I love philanthropic Christian,” I murmur.
　　“Just him?”
　　“Oh, I love megalomaniac Christian, too, and control-freak Christian,

　　sexpertise Christian, kinky Christian, romantic Christian, shy Christian . . . the
　　list is endless.”
　　“That’s a whole lot of Christians.”
　　“I’d say at least fifty.”
　　He laughs. “Fifty Shades,” he murmurs into my hair.
　　“My Fifty Shades.”
　　He shifts, tipping my head back, and kisses me. “Well, Mrs. Shades, let’s
　　see how your dad is doing.”
　　“Okay.”
　　353 | P a g e
　　Fifty Shades Freed
　　“Can we go for a drive?”
　　Christian and I are back in the R8, and I’m feeling giddily buoyant. Ray’s
　　brain is back to normal—all swelling gone. Dr. Sluder has decided to wake
　　him from his coma tomorrow. She says she’s pleased with his progress.
　　“Sure.” Christian grins at me. “It’s your birthday—we can do anything you
　　want.”
　　Oh! His tone makes me turn and gaze at him. His eyes are dark.
　　“Anything?”
　　“Anything.”
　　How much promise can he load into one word?
　　“Well, I want to drive.”
　　“Then drive, baby.” He grins, and I grin back.
　　My car handles like a dream, and as we hit the I-5, I subtly put my foot down,
　　forcing us both back in our seats.
　　“Steady, baby,” Christian warns.
　　As we drive back into Portland an idea occurs to me.
　　“Have you planned lunch?” I ask Christian tentatively.
　　“No. You’re hungry?” He sounds hopeful.
　　“Yes.”
　　“Where do you want to go? It’s your day, Ana.”
　　“I know just the place.”
　　I pull up near the gallery where José exhibited his work and park right outside
　　the Le Picotin restaurant where we went after José’s show. Christian grins at
　　me.
　　“For one minute I thought you were going to take me to that dreadful bar you
　　drunk dialed me from.”
　　“Why would I do that?”
　　“To check the azaleas are still alive.” He arches a sardonic brow. I blush.
　　“Don’t remind me! Besides . . . you still took me to your hotel room.” I smirk.
　　“Best decision I ever made,” he says, his eyes soft and warm.
　　“Yes. It was.” I lean over and kiss him.
　　“Do you think that supercilious fucker is still waiting tables?”
　　354 | P a g e
　　E L JAMES
　　Christian asks.
　　“Supercilious? I thought he was fine.”
　　“He was trying to impress you.”
　　“Well, he succeeded.”
　　Christian’s mouth twists in amused disgust.
　　“Shall we go see?” I offer.
　　“Lead on, Mrs. Grey.”
　　After lunch and a quick detour to the Heathman to pick up Christian’s laptop,
　　we return to the hospital. I spend the afternoon with Ray, reading aloud from
　　one of the manuscripts I’ve been sent. My only accompaniment is the sound
　　of the machinery keeping him alive, keeping him with me. Now that I know
　　he’s making progress, I can breathe a little easier and relax. I’m hopeful. He
　　just needs time to get well. I’ve got time—I can give him that. I wonder idly if I
　　should try calling Mom again, but decide to do it later. I hold Ray’s hand
　　loosely as I read to him, squeezing it occasionally, willing him to be well. His
　　fingers feel soft and warm beneath my touch. He still has the indentation on
　　his finger where he wore his wedding ring—even after all this time.
　　An hour or two later, I don’t know how long, I glance up to see Christian,
　　laptop in hand, standing at the end of Ray’s bed with Nurse Kellie.
　　“It’s time to go, Ana.”
　　Oh. I clasp Ray’s hand tightly. I don’t want to leave him.
　　“I want to feed you. Come. It’s late.” Christian sounds insistent.
　　“I’m about to give Mr. Steele a sponge bath.” Nurse Kellie says.
　　“Okay.” I concede. “We’ll be back tomorrow morning.”
　　I bend and kiss Ray on his cheek, feeling his unfamiliar stubble beneath my
　　lips. I don’t like it . Keep getting better, Daddy. I love you.
　　“I thought we’d dine downstairs. In a private room,” Christian says, a gleam in
　　his eye as he opens the door to our suite.
　　“Really? Finish what you started a few months ago?”
　　He smirks. “If you’re very lucky, Mrs. Grey.”
　　355 | P a g e
　　Fifty Shades Freed
　　I laugh. “Christian, I don’t have anything dressy to wear.”
　　He smiles, holds out his hand, and leads me into the bedroom. He opens the
　　wardrobe to reveal a large plain white dress bag hanging inside.
　　“Taylor?” I ask.
　　“Christian,” he replies, forceful and wounded at once. His tone makes me
　　laugh. Unzipping the bag, I find a navy satin dress and ease it out. It’s
　　gorgeous—fitted with thin straps. It looks small.
　　“It’s lovely. Thank you. I hope it fits.”
　　“It will,” he says confidently. “And here”—bending down, he picks up a
　　shoebox—“shoes to match.” He gives me a wolfish smile.
　　“You think of everything. Thank you.” I stretch up and kiss him.
　　“I do.” He hands me yet another bag.
　　I gaze at him quizzically. Inside is a black strapless bodysuit with a central
　　panel of lace. He caresses my face, tilts my chin, and kisses me.
　　“I look forward to taking this off you later.”
　　Fresh out of my bath, washed, shaved and feeling pampered, I sit on the
　　edge of the bed and start up the hair dryer. Christian wanders into the
　　bedroom. I think he’s been working.
　　“Here, let me,” he says, pointing to the chair in front of the dressing table.
　　“Dry my hair?”
　　He nods. I blink at him.
　　“Come,” he says, regarding me intently. I know that expression, and I know
　　better than to disobey. Slowly and methodically he dries my hair, one lock at
　　a time. He’s obviously done this before . . . often.
　　“You’re no stranger to this,” I murmur. His smile is reflected in the mirror, but
　　he says nothing and continues to brush through my hair. Hmm . . . it’s very
　　relaxing.
　　When we step into the elevator on our way to dinner, we are not alone.
　　Christian looks delicious in his signature white linen shirt, black jeans and
　　jacket. No tie. The two women inside shoot admiring glances at him and less
　　generous ones at me. I hide my smile. Yes, ladies, he’s 356 | P a g e
　　E L JAMES
　　mine. Christian takes my hand and pulls me close as we travel in silence
　　down to the mezzanine level.
　　It’s busy, full of people dressed up for the evening, sitting around chatting and
　　drinking, starting their Saturday night. I am grateful that I fit in. The dress hugs
　　me, skimming over my curves and holding everything in place. I have to say, I
　　feel . . . attractive wearing it. I know Christian approves.
　　At first, I think we’re headed for the private dining room where we first
　　discussed the contract, but he leads me past that doorway and on to the far
　　end where he opens the door to another wood paneled room.
　　“Surprise! ”
　　Oh my. Kate and Elliot, Mia and Ethan, Carrick and Grace, Mr. Rodriguez
　　and José, and my mother and Bob are all there raising their glasses. I stand
　　gaping at them, speechless. How? When? I turn in consternation to
　　Christian, and he squeezes my hand. My mom steps forward and wraps her
　　arms around me. Oh, Mom!
　　“Darling, you look beautiful. Happy birthday.”
　　“Mom!” I sob, embracing her. Oh Mommy, Mommy, Mommy. Tears stream
　　down my face despite of the audience, and I bury my face in her neck.
　　“Honey, darling. Don’t cry. Ray will be okay. He’s such a strong man. Don’t
　　cry. Not on your birthday.” Her voice cracks, but she maintains her
　　composure. She grasps my face in her hands and with her thumbs wipes
　　away my tears.
　　“I thought you’d forgotten.”
　　“Oh, Ana! How could I? Seventeen hours of labor is not something you easily
　　forget.”
　　I giggle through my tears. She smiles.
　　“Dry your eyes, honey. Lots of people are here to share your special day.”
　　I sniff, not wanting to look at anyone else in the room, embarrassed and
　　thrilled that everyone has made such an effort to come and see me.
　　“How did you get here? When did you arrive?”
　　“Your husband sent his plane, darling.” She grins, impressed. And I laugh.
　　“Thank you for coming, Mom.” She wipes my nose with a tissue as only a
　　mother would. “Mom!” I scold, composing myself.
　　357 | P a g e
　　Fifty Shades Freed
　　“That’s better. Happy birthday, darling.” She steps aside while everyone lines
　　up to hug me and wish me happy birthday.
　　“He’s doing well, Ana. Dr. Sluder is the one of the best in the country. Happy
　　birthday, Angel.” Grace hugs me.
　　“You cry all you want to, Ana—it’s your party.” José embraces me.
　　“Happy birthday, darling girl.” Carrick smiles, cupping my face.
　　“S’up babe? Your old man will be fine.” Elliot enfolds me in his arms. “Happy
　　birthday.”
　　“Okay.” Taking my hand, Christian pulls me from Elliot’s embrace.

　　“Enough fondling my wife. Go fondle your fiancée.”
　　Elliot grins wickedly at him and winks at Kate.
　　A waiter I hadn’t noticed before presents Christian and me with glasses of
　　pink champagne.
　　Christian clears his throat. “This would be a perfect day if Ray were here with
　　us, but he’s not far away. He’s doing well, and I know he’d like you to enjoy
　　yourself, Ana. To all of you, thank you for coming to share with me my
　　beautiful wife’s birthday, the first of many to come. Happy birthday, my love.”
　　Christian raises his glass to me amid a chorus of happy birthdays, and I
　　have to fight again to keep my tears at bay.
　　I watch the animated conversations around the dinner table. It’s strange to be
　　cocooned in the bosom of my family, knowing the man I consider my father is
　　on a life support machine in the cold clinical environs of the ICU. I’m
　　detached from all the proceedings but grateful that they’re all here. Watching
　　the sparring between Elliot and Christian, José’s ready warm wit, Mia’s
　　excitement and her enthusiasm for the food, Ethan slyly watching her. I think
　　he likes her . . . though it’s hard to tell. Mr. Rodriguez is sitting back, like me,
　　enjoying the conversations. He looks better. Rested. José is very attentive to
　　him, cutting his food, keeping his glass filled. Having his surviving parent
　　come so close to death has made José appreciate Mr. Rodriguez more . . . I
　　know. I gaze at Mom. She’s in her element, charming, witty, and warm. I love
　　her so much. I must remember to tell her. Life is so precious, I realize that
　　now.
　　“You okay?” Kate asks in an uncharacteristically gentle voice. 358 | P a g e
　　E L JAMES
　　I nod and clasp her hand. “Yes. Thanks for coming.”
　　“You think Mr. Megabucks could keep me away from you on your birthday?
　　We got to fly in the helicopter!” She grins.
　　“Really?”
　　“Yes. All of us. And to think Christian can fly it.”
　　I nod.
　　“That’s kinda hot.”
　　“Yeah, I think so.”
　　We grin.
　　“Are you staying here tonight?” I ask.
　　“Yes. We all are, I think. You knew nothing about this?”
　　I shake my head.
　　“Smooth, isn’t he?”
　　I nod.
　　“What did he get you for your birthday?”
　　“This.” I hold up my bracelet.
　　“Oh, cute!”
　　“Yes.”
　　“London, Paris . . . ice cream?”
　　“You don’t want to know.”
　　“I can guess.”
　　We laugh, and I blush, recalling Ben & Jerry’s & Ana.
　　“Oh . . . and an R8.”
　　Kate spits her wine rather unattractively down her chin, making us both laugh
　　some more.
　　“Over the top bastard, isn’t he?” She giggles.
　　For dessert I am presented with a sumptuous chocolate cake blazing with
　　twenty-two silver candles, and a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday.” Grace
　　watches Christian singing with the rest of my friends and family, and her eyes
　　shine with love. Catching my eye, she blows me a kiss.
　　“Make a wish,” Christian whispers to me. In one breath I blow out all the
　　candles, fervently willing my father better. Daddy, get well. Please get well. I
　　love you so.
　　359 | P a g e
　　Fifty Shades Freed
　　At midnight, Mr. Rodriguez and José take their leave.
　　“Thank you so much for coming.” I hug José tightly.
　　“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Glad Ray’s heading in the right direction.”
　　“Yes. You, Mr. Rodriguez, and Ray have to come fishing with Christian in
　　Aspen.”
　　“Yeah? Sounds cool.” José grins before he leaves to fetch his father’s coat,
　　and I crouch down to say goodbye to Mr. Rodriguez.
　　“You know Ana, there was a time . . . well, I thought you and José . . .” His
　　voice fades, and he gazes at me, his dark gaze intense but loving.
　　Oh no.
　　“I’m very fond of your son, Mr. Rodriguez, but he’s like a brother to me.”
　　“You would have made one fine daughter-in-law. And you do. To the Greys.”
　　He smiles wistfully and I blush.
　　“I hope you’ll settle for friend.”
　　“Of course. Your husband is a fine man. You chose well, Ana.”
　　“I think so,” I whisper. “I love him so.” I hug Mr. Rodriguez.
　　“Treat him good, Ana.”
　　“I will,” I promise.
　　Christian closes the door to our suite.
　　“Alone at last,” he murmurs, leaning back against the door, watching me.
　　I step toward him and run my fingers over the lapels of his jacket.
　　“Thank you for a wonderful birthday. You really are the most thoughtful,
　　considerate, generous husband.”
　　“My pleasure.”
　　“Yes . . . your pleasure. Let’s do something about that,” I whisper. Tightening
　　my hands around his lapels, I pull his lips to mine.
　　~o0o~
　　After a communal breakfast, I open all my presents then give a 360 | P a g e
　　E L JAMES
　　series of cheery goodbyes to all the Greys and the Kavanaghs who will be
　　returning to Seattle via Charlie Tango. My mom, Christian, and I head up to
　　the hospital with Taylor driving since the three of us would not fit into my R8.
　　Bob has declined to visit, and I’m secretly glad. It’d be just too weird, and I’m
　　sure Ray wouldn’t appreciate Bob seeing him at anything less than his best.
　　Ray looks much the same. Hairier. Mom is shocked when she sees him, and
　　together we cry a little more.
　　“Oh, Ray.” She squeezes his hand and gently strokes his face, and I’m
　　moved to see her love for her ex-husband. I’m glad I have tissues in my
　　purse. We sit beside him, me holding her hand while she holds his.
　　“Ana, there was a time when this man was the center of my world. The sun
　　rose and set with him. I’ll always love him. He’s taken care of you so well.”
　　“Mom—” I choke and she strokes my face and tucks a lock of my hair behind
　　my ear.
　　“You know I’ll always love Ray. We just drifted apart.” She sighs.
　　“And I just couldn’t live with him.” She gazes down at her fingers, and I
　　wonder if she’s thinking about Husband Number Three: Steve who we don’t
　　talk about.
　　“I know you love Ray,” I whisper, drying my eyes. “They are going to bring him
　　out of his coma today.”
　　“Good. I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s so stubborn. I think you learned it off him.”
　　I smile. “Have you been talking to Christian?”
　　“Does he think you’re stubborn?”
　　“I believe so.”
　　“I’ll tell him it’s a family trait. You look so good together, Ana. So happy.”
　　“We are, I think. Getting there, anyway. I love him. He’s the center of my
　　world. The sun rises and sets with him for me, too.”
　　“He obviously adores you, darling.”
　　“And I adore him.”
　　“Make sure you tell him. Men need to hear that stuff just like we do.”
　　361 | P a g e
　　Fifty Shades Freed
　　I insist on going to the airport with Bob and my mom to say goodbye. Taylor
　　follows in the R8, and Christian drives the SUV. I’m sorry they can’t stay
　　longer, but they have to get back to Savannah. It’s a tearful goodbye.
　　“Take good care of her, Bob,” I whisper as he hugs me.
　　“Sure will, Ana. And you look after yourself.”
　　“Will do.” I turn to my mother. “Goodbye, Mom. Thank you for coming,” I
　　whisper, my voice hoarse. “I love you so much.”
　　“Oh my darling girl, I love you, too. And Ray will be fine. He’s not ready to
　　shuffle off his mortal coil just yet. There’s probably a Mariners game he can’t
　　miss.”
　　I giggle. She’s right. I resolve to read the sports pages of the Sunday
　　newspaper to Ray that evening. I watch her and Bob climb the steps into the
　　Grey Enterprises Holdings jet. She gives me a tearful wave then she’s gone.
　　Christian wraps his arm around my shoulder.
　　“Let’s head back, baby,” he murmurs
　　“Will you drive?”
　　“Sure.”
　　When we return to the hospital that evening, Ray looks different. It takes me a
　　moment to realize that the suck and push of the ventilator has vanished. Ray
　　is breathing on his own. Relief floods through me . I stroke his stubbly face,
　　and taking out a tissue to gently wipe, the spittle from his mouth.
　　Christian stalks off to find Dr. Sluder or Dr. Crowe for an update, while I take
　　my familiar seat beside his bed to keep a watchful vigil. I unfold the sports
　　section of the Sunday Oregonian and conscientiously begin reading out the
　　report from the Mariners game against the Kansas City Royals. By all
　　accounts, it was an exciting game, thanks to the Royal’s Paulino. I grip Ray’s
　　hand firmly in mine as I read it through.
　　“And the final score, Mariners 2, Royals 4.”
　　“Hey, Annie, we lost? No!” Ray rasps, and he squeezes my hand. Daddy!
　　362 | P a g e
　　E L JAMES