Author's note: Good news and bad news: I'm back, but I've decided to only write a detailed sex scene if it advances the plot or teaches us something about the characters; a) I'm still concerned about my underage readers, b) I'd rather have sex than write about it.

This story picks up soon after we left off, as the wedding festivities draw to a close.

Oh, and I missed you, too. Thank you, for reading.

Pebble Beach; a light gray with blue undertones, by Benjamin Moore

Chapter One:

As Christian gets twitchier with every person who bids them farewell, Ana is suddenly very glad that she chose a small wedding. Finally, the niceties are taken care of and Taylor has managed to wrangle the limo (thankfully free of graffiti, condoms or shaving cream) into the backyard, so that they can enter the privacy of its tinted windows without being photographed by the scores of reporters and onlookers still haunting the front gate. Even with the assistance of their security staff and the remaining police, they're forced to proceed at a snail's pace through the crowd. Ana only realizes how tight she's clutching Christian's hand when he says, "It's okay, baby; every door is locked, with the security screen closed they can't see in and the camera flashes will only reflect back at them."

Forcing her body to relax, Ana slips her arm through his and says, "I'm all right. I'll have to get used to it, won't I? How do you cope?"

With a suddenly lecherous grin, Christian says, "Well, I find that it helps to think of something else."

And, just like that, everything is forgotten but this man beside her. Beaming at him, Ana says, "Like what, Mr. Grey?"

Still grinning, Christian removes her white, satin thong from his pocket and covetously sniffs it before again stowing it and saying, "Like the fact that we're effectively alone and you're not wearing any panties."

Her body's need for him almost a genuine ache, Ana pleads, "Are you going to freak out if I remove my seatbelt?"

Christian frowns for a moment as if seriously considering it, but then says, "Too dangerous. Some of those fuckers might follow us home, and they're not above bumping the limo just to get a photo."

Ana knows that the idea of aggressive paparazzi trailing them should be scary, but all she feels is a warm, tingling feeling of rightness when she reverently echoes, "Home."

Christian kisses her, somehow staying in control enough that they remain in their seatbelts, and then he says, "For now, anyway. When we get back from our honeymoon, you can help me choose our new home."

Smiling at the thought, Ana then says, "You ready to tell me where we're going?" When Christian only grins, she thinks of something and adds, "You know that I don't have a passport, right?"

"Yes; another thing that we need to sort out when we get back."

With a cheeky grin, Ana says, "You mean that not even Christian Grey's money is enough to fudge a passport?"

"Of course it is. But I didn't want to risk you being stranded in the UK if they found out it's a fake."

"The UK…you were going to take me to England?"

Smiling at her surprise, Christian says, "Will take you, Anastasia. We'll go next time, and you can finally travel in the footsteps of Shakespeare, Dickens, Wordsworth, Chaucer, Austen, the Brontes and more."

Overwhelmed by his generosity, Ana feels the tears stinging her eyes as she says, "Christian, I…"

When she cannot continue, Christian holds her as best he can and says, "Baby, please don't cry. I know they're happy tears, but it destroys me when you weep."

It's enough that Ana is able to blink the moisture away, keeping her reaction to a shuddering sigh, and she says, "It's your own fault for being so good to me."

Christian kisses her again, gentler this time, and then he says, "Actually, it's your fault for being so deserving."

Leaning against his shoulder, more happy than she would have thought possible, Ana says, "I suspect that we're nauseating to other people, Mr. Grey."

Laughter in his voice, Christian says, "I don't give a fuck, Mrs. Grey." When Ana remains silent and won't meet his eyes, he asks, "Like your new name, baby?"

Inexplicably shy about confessing it, Ana nods and says only, "Yes."

Christian lifts her gaze to his with a hand on her chin and gently asks, "Ready to admit it, yet?"

Ana knows that he's talking about the possibility of her having a submissive nature. With a frustrated sigh, she pulls her face from his grasp and says, "Christian, if I'm submissive, and I still don't know that you're right. But, if I am, and have been fighting it all my life, how do you think I feel when you nag me like this?"

A spark of anger enters Christian's eyes when his very nature rises to the challenge of her combative tone, but then Ana watches with pride and gratitude as it disappears and he nods once before saying, "You're right. I won't mention it again unless you broach the subject, so long as you discuss it with your shrink, okay?"

Ana settles back against him and says, "Deal. Thank you." Christian is then quiet for so long that she becomes worried about his mood and asks, "What are you thinking?"

With a small shrug, Christian confesses, "That I may have just blown my chances of copping a feel under your wedding dress."

With a relieved laugh at how wrong she got it this time, Ana extricates herself from his embrace and lifts her butt off the seat enough to draw the hem of her gown up over her knees as she says, "Not quite."

His eyes gleaming with excitement, face split by a huge grin, Christian turns in his seatbelt to face her and, one hand resting inside her knee, asks, "Do you think it's possible that I actually am the luckiest man in the world?"

Ana can feel her cheeks go pink at the praise. In case she couldn't, Christian's sudden, ardent stare confirms that her reaction to his words turns him on, and she says, "Shouldn't you be kissing me by now, Sir?"

With a groan, Christian does just that, demonstrating his desire for her in a way that wasn't possible in front of their friends and family. At the same time, his now slightly trembling hand travels up under the layers of satin and lace to pause at her thigh, and he moans before drawing back from her lips enough to appreciatively murmur, "Garter belt."

Delighted that he's happy with her choice, Ana smiles and says, "If you like that, then you'll love the corset. Oh, and you'll have to cut me out of it; the knots won't permit anything else." At his obvious enjoyment of the idea, she adds, "Natalya's doing."

One hand toying with a garter strap, the other idly caressing the diamond and sapphire choker, Christian's gaze travels over her torso as if he has x-ray vision, and he cheerfully declares, "Girl deserves a fucking medal."

Ana smiles and says, "We've discussed this fucking medal before."

"Actually, that was a no-fucking medal, which I earned by somehow keeping my hands off you for a few days."

Ana giggles and says, "Oh, right." As his hand glides up to rest on the heart-shaped hair on her pubis, Ana moans and continues, "That certainly was out of character for you."

His lips almost touching hers, Christian says "Mmm, hmm. No matter what I'm feeling, I always want to fuck you," before reclaiming her mouth with his. When his fingers explore further and find out how wet she is, he moans against her lips and the kiss becomes an almost bruising declaration of his need for her, and then he pulls back from her enough to gratefully murmur, "Always so ready for me."

Her eyes closed in rapture as Christian's adroit fingers find and caress tiny circles on her clit, Ana hisses, "Yes."

Everything about their current situation accelerates Ana's desire, already peaking after an afternoon and evening with Christian, so that, only seconds after his fingers slide inside her, she comes long and hard around his hand, almost clawing at him in a bid for closer contact. As her heart rate returns to normal and she again becomes aware of her surroundings, Christian's hand is now resting on her knee and he's decorating her face with feather light kisses. When she opens her eyes, he smiles and says, "Better?"

Marveling at how he already knows her well enough to be certain of what she needs, Ana smiles and says, "Much, thank you." Only then does she become aware that the car is finally cruising at a decent speed, and she asks, "Nearly home?"

Still smiling, Christian confirms, "Yes baby. You've got just enough time to choose our play for this evening."

Confused, Ana pushes her dress back down into a semblance of decorum as she says, "Isn't that up to you?"

His smile broadening at her question, Christian says, "Usually, yes. But, just for tonight, I'm making it lady's choice."

Answering his delighted smile with one of her own, Ana gives it some thought and then suggests, "My favorite belt on my ass?"

Any lingering fear that Christian might have about such a scenario is limited to him asking, "You'll safeword, if necessary?"

Ana nods once and says, "I promise."

Christian smiles his gratitude, and then reminds her, "You said you'd never let me do that again."

Of course, Ana remembers that moment. In fact, the memory is burned into her brain, and she says, "Technically still correct, because you won't use that much force tonight."

Though it's not a question, Christian promises, "No, I won't." And then he kisses her and says, "Thank you, Anastasia."

"You're welcome, husband." When his face lights up with a huge grin, Ana says, "Oh, so you like your new name, too?"

Christian chuckles and says, "Very much."

The familiar bump of the car entering the secure garage under Escala is felt by both of them and Ana says, "Home."

The seemingly permanent smile still on his face, Christian nods and echoes, "Home." And then he kisses her again and says, "I love you, Mrs. Grey."

Also unable to stop smiling, Ana says, "And I love you, husband."

When Taylor opens the door for them, Christian holds Ana's hand, assisting her out of the limo. At first confused when she pauses at the door, he exits to see that several of his most trusted staff have formed an honor guard to the open elevator door, and they start applauding as the newlyweds emerge from the car. Looking over the faces of people he's worked with for years, Christian only then understands that they think of him as more than just a boss. Genuinely moved and a little embarrassed by the gesture, he looks at Ana to ask, "Your doing?"

Beaming at his obvious discomfort, Ana's voice is filled with laughter when she shakes her head and says, "I'm as surprised as you are."

One look at Taylor confirms who's to blame for this liberty and Christian's smile proves his words a lie when he gently tells the man, "You're fired."

With an acknowledging nod, Taylor says only, "Yes, sir."

The applause dies down as everyone in the guard clasps hands with the person opposite them, forming a tunnel for the newlyweds. Christian offers Ana his hand and says, "Wife."

Placing her hand in his, Ana smiles and says, "Husband."

They run together under the hands and into the elevator, and they're kissing to the sound of more applause as the doors close. Alone in the tiny room, they try to make the most of it, until Christian groans and ends the kiss to complain, "You're ensconced in a frustrating amount of material."

As the ping announces their arrival at the apartment, Ana smiles and says, "Not for long."

Expecting the move, Ana is still amazed at the speed with which she's suddenly in Christian's arms, and she squeals in surprise as the doors open. Standing on guard is a man unfamiliar to her, but Christian nods to him, saying, "Reynolds."

Clearly fighting the urge to smile, the man nods and says, "Sir. Good to see you again." To Ana, he adds, "Ma'am."

Her mind refusing to consider how ridiculous the moment is, Ana cheerfully says "Hi," before she's whisked away by Christian. When they're out of earshot, she whispers, "Reynolds?"

"He's been on leave, and will become part of the rotation again. You can trust him."

Realizing that Christian is showing no sign of putting her down, Ana protests, "Christian, you can't carry me all the way to the playroom."

With a feral grin, Christian says, "The fuck I can't; watch me."

Near the top of the stairs, he slows down a little and his breathing is labored, but he makes it and Ana concedes, "My mistake. What are you going to do if I put on weight?"

Taking a moment to catch his breath, Christian says, "Then you can carry me up the fucking stairs." When Ana blushes, he asks, "What?"

Her voice quiet, Ana suggests, "Fucking stairs."

Christian laughs and says, "Good idea, though I'd better shut down the camera first."

Wondering why she'd never considered it, given Christian's obsession with security, Ana's heart is in her throat when she asks, "Camera?"

"Yes, baby, in all the corridors." He laughs at her open-mouthed shock, knowing that she's climbed these very stairs in just her panties, and he says, "Relax. If Taylor were a voyeur, he would never have got the job. The footage is only stored for a short time and no one looks at it unless there's been a breach in security."

They're at the door of the playroom and Ana automatically searches Christian's pockets for his keys as she says, "You might have told me."

Unapologetic, Christian lies, "Sorry." And then he adds, "Actually, Taylor will want to run through emergency procedures with you when we get back; codes, panic room, that sort of thing."

As she manages to unlock the door while in Christian's arms, Ana echoes, "Panic room?"

"Yeah, off Taylor's office. You've not seen it?" When she shakes her head, he says, "Well, good, because he and Gail living here only works while we respect each other's privacy."

"Will they live with us in our new home?"

"Assuming they're willing, I'll make sure they have a separate residence on the grounds, okay?"

"I'd like that, thank you."

After a few seconds, Christian prompts, "The door, baby? I've kind of got my arms full here."

Ana turns the handle and pushes it open as she says, "God, I'm sorry, Christian."

Ostentatiously stepping over the threshold, Christian gleefully promises, "Not yet, you're not."