Date: September 10 2011 07:45

To: Andrea Parker

Good morning, Andrea.

I want to go ahead with the surprise dinner for Ana.

Please confirm with the hotel and organize a cake (chocolate!).

Keep me informed about the travel arrangements for everyone.

Sawyer and Taylor are here so will be able to do airport pickups.

Coordinate with them.

Thanks.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.

What else do I need to do?

Sitting down at the desk with Ana’s gift in my hand, I stare at the blank card. Fortunately, I know exactly what I want to say.

For all our firsts on your first birthday

as my beloved wife.

I love you.

C x

I slide the card into its envelope and turn to my laptop. Ana will want something a little dressier for dinner, and bearing in mind what she said yesterday, I’d rather pick a dress for her myself than send Taylor. I check out the Nordstrom website and discover that the local store has a “buy and pick up” service. And it’s two blocks from The Heathman.

Perfect.

I start browsing.

Twenty minutes later I’ve purchased everything Ana will need; I hope she likes my choices. I text Taylor to let him know, and he texts me back that he’ll send Luke to Nordstrom when we’re out visiting Ray.

Time to wake Ana.

She stirs as I sit down on the edge of the bed, and opens her eyes, blinking in the morning light. For a moment she looks relaxed and well rested, but abruptly her expression changes. “Shit! Daddy!” she exclaims in alarm.

“Hey.” I stroke her cheek, so that she looks directly up at me. “I called the ICU this morning. Ray had a good night. It’s all good.” She thanks me as she sits up, looking relieved. Leaning in, I kiss her forehead and, closing my eyes, inhale her scent.

Sleep and Ana.

Delectable.

“Good morning, Ana.” I kiss her temple.

“Hi.”

“Hi. I want to wish you happy birthday. Is that okay?”

Her smile is uncertain, but she caresses my cheek, her eyes bright with sincerity. “Yes, of course. Thank you. For everything.”

“Everything?”

“Everything,” she says with conviction.

Why is she thanking me? It’s bewildering. But I’m anxious to give her my gift, so I ignore the feeling. “Here.”

Ana’s eyes dart to mine, shining with excitement as she takes the package and opens the card. Her expression softens as she reads it. “I love you, too.”

I grin. “Open it.”

Returning my smile, she unravels the ribbon and gently removes the wrapping paper, revealing the Cartier leather box. Her eyes widen when she opens it to find a white-gold bracelet with charms that represent our firsts we’ve experienced together: a helicopter, a catamaran, a glider, a London black cab, the Eiffel Tower, a bed. Her forehead creases as she examines the sugar cone, and she glances up at me with a bemused expression.

“Vanilla?” I offer with a sheepish shrug.

She laughs. “Christian, this is beautiful. Thank you. It’s yar.” Her fingers fondle the small heart on the bracelet. It’s a locket: I thought it appropriate, as I’ve never given anyone my heart before. Ana’s been the one to unlock it, walk right in, and make herself at home there.

Sappy, Grey. “You can put a picture or whatever in that.”

“A picture of you.” She peers at me through her lashes. “Always in my heart.”

She makes me feel ten feet tall.

Her fingertips brush over the C and A letter charms that signify the two of us, then over the white-gold key. She looks up again, a question burning in her bright blue eyes.

“To my heart and soul,” I whisper. She lets out a strangled cry and launches herself at me, taking me by surprise as she throws her arms around my neck. I cradle her in my lap.

“It’s such a thoughtful present. I love it. Thank you.” Her voice breaks on the last word.

Oh, baby. I tighten my arms around her.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she says through her tears.

I swallow, trying to digest her words and ignore the pang deep in my chest. “Please don’t cry.” My voice is husky with emotion. I love that she needs me.

She sniffs. “I’m sorry. I’m just so happy and sad and anxious at the same time. It’s bittersweet.”

“Hey.” I tip her head back and press my lips to hers. “I understand.”

“I know,” she says with a sad smile.

“I wish we were in happier circumstances, and at home. But we’re here.” I give her an apologetic hug. Neither of us could have foreseen this situation. “Come, up you go. After breakfast, we’ll check on Ray.”

“Okay.” Her smile is a little cheerier when I leave her so she can dress.

In the living room I order granola, yogurt, and berries for Ana, an omelet for me.

It’s gratifying to see that Ana’s appetite has returned. She wolfs down her breakfast, a woman on a mission, but I don’t comment. It’s her birthday and I want her happy.

Actually, I want her happy pretty much all the time.

“Thank you for ordering my favorite breakfast.”

“It’s your birthday. And you have to stop thanking me.”

“I just want you to know that I appreciate it.”

“Anastasia, it’s what I do.”