Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as told by Christian novel Chapter 37

Plus ça change, Anastasia.

We turn into the parking lot at Ephrata Municipal Airport just before eleven. The promised sun has materialized, dispersing the rain clouds and ushering in pretty white cumulus, perfect for soaring. I’m itching to see my new plane and get her airborne. “Ready?” I ask.

“Yes!” Ana’s eyes shine, her excitement palpable. Like mine.

“It’s so bright, we’re going to need shades.” From the glove box I take my aviators and hand a pair of Wayfarers to Ana, then retrieve the two Mariners caps.

“Thank you. I forgot my sunglasses.”

As I climb out of the car, Sawyer arrives in the Q7 and parks beside the R8. I give him a wave and he rolls down the window. “There’s a pilot’s lounge if you guys want to wait in there,” I say. “Follow us in.”

“Mr. Grey, please.” Sawyer’s tone stops me. And I know he wants to check out the offices before Ana and I go inside. I step out of the way to let Reynolds and Sawyer through.

This is getting old.

I take a deep breath. I won’t let his vigilance dampen my spirits—after all, it’s what I pay him to do. Taking Ana’s hand, I follow our security into the office, where Darius Jackson is waiting.

“Christian Grey,” he calls out, and pumps my hand with a hearty shake. It’s great to see him. He’s a big guy, tall, but rounder than when I last saw him. “You’re keeping well,” he observes.

“As are you, Darius. This is my fiancée, Anastasia Steele.”

“Miss Steele.” Darius gives her a broad, brilliant smile.

“Ana,” she corrects us both, but smiles and takes his hand.

“Darius was my flight instructor,” I explain to Ana.

“You were my star pupil, Christian,” he says. “He’s a natural.”

Ana eyes me, and I think it’s pride I see etched on her beautiful face.

“Congratulations on your engagement,” Darius says.

“Thanks. Is she ready?” I ask, because I find Ana’s pride in me difficult to swallow, and of course I can’t wait to see my new sailplane.

“Sure is. She’s all lined up for you. My son Marlon is going to spot.”

“Whoa! Marlon,” I exclaim. Marlon, in his mid-teens now, has close-cropped hair and a smile and handshake that matches his father’s. “You’ve gotten so tall!”

“Kids. They grow.” Darius’s dark eyes are brimming with paternal love.

“Thanks for helping out, Marlon.”

“No worries, Mr. Grey.”

Out on the tarmac, N88765CG is waiting. She is without doubt the most graceful sailplane on the planet: a Schleicher ASH 30, she’s a gleaming white, with an impressive eighty-seven-foot wingspan and a large canopy. Even from this distance it’s obvious she’s a marvel of modern engineering.