Meaningful Plans Chapter 44 Charlie's POV I knew the moment we kissed yesterday that Ana was the one I've been waiting for . As soon as she went back for her therapy session , I told Drew to stay put to watch out for her , and I went into the hall to make the call . " I see you finally remember that you have a family , brat . What do you want ? That's usually the only time you call me ," My grandfather asked . " I need a favor , and you are one of the only people I know who can help me ," I answered . I wanted to get him a little worked up . Once he finds out what the favor is , he's going to be thrilled . " What kind of a favor ? Is your company in trouble ? I can help if you need it , " He quickly asked . " No , the company's fine . What I need is for you to arrange a meeting with Reid Caldwell for me ," I replied . " Reid Caldwell ? Why ? " Suspicion laced my grandfather's voice . " I want to talk to him about his daughter . I would like to marry her ," I replied . I had to hold my phone away from my ear , as he loudly shouted for my mother and grandmother to come to his study . " When do you want the meeting ? I want to come with you . I would like to meet this young lady , " he said . " You're not going to scare her away , are you ? " I teased him . I knew he would be welcoming her with open arms . " No , but it shows respect to show up with your family . It shows that we are taking this union seriously . This meeting is important , Charles . Don't mess around . This is a meeting between two strong families . I will be happy to call him as soon as we get off the phone . How did you meet her ? " he asked . " I'm part of her security team . But she is beautiful and kind . There's a small issue , but Iwill fill you in on the way to meet her family . I believe that Reid will give us his blessing on it . He's in a little bit of a bind . Her former fiancé is worthless and didn't deserve her . She doesn't need a weak man like him anyway . She needs to be loved and protected . She needs me , so his loss is my gain . Once I get her to accept me , I will never let her go , " I replied . " That sure of her accepting , are you , Charles ? Good , I'm glad. We'll discuss the rest in the car . I'll prepare the gifts to take with us . Your father's out of the country on business , or I'd have him come there with us to show our family's support . Your grandmother and your mother are just as happy to hear this as I am . We would love to spend time with our great - grandbabies as soon as possible . We're not spring chickens anymore , Charles , " my grandfather responded . I could hear how excited they were in the background . I knew it would make them happy . They have been after me for the last several years , wanting me to get married and settle down . I was thirty - two , and it was time , but I wanted to wait for the right one this time around . I had been impressed by Ana from the beginning . She calmly instructed us on what to do , even 16 OMENDE 1/4 Meaningful Plans +15 Points > though I could tell she was scared about being arrested . It was all I could do not to beat Roger into a pulp that day . I will help her deal with all of them from now on . She will always be able to count on me . I knew on Monday when I heard Holden crying about wanting her back that I needed to work fast . He was a good guy , but he had burned his bridge down to the ground as far as Ana was concerned . I don't mind swooping in and taking her away from anyone who had caused her pain . I respected Ana . She was kind and treated people well , regardless of their title . I liked that about her . I've been looking for a woman whom I could love for the rest of my life . When I toyed with her during the photo shoot , rubbing her neck with my nose , that was all I had intended to do . But after I heard that low moan escape when I nipped her ear , I couldn't stop myself . I needed to kiss her like I needed my next breath . I wanted to see if we were compatible . We were more than compatible ; I wanted so much more I only stopped because we weren't alone . I couldn't chase her because I still had a hard - on . That's the only reason she got away . It hurt that she called and tried to get someone else assigned . I knew why Roger had killed her self - esteem . But I'm here to build it right back up again . She was too good for him , and I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure that she knows that she is wanted and loved . I was co - owner of the business . I knew who she was the day she called to start the security detail . I just happened to win the flip of the coin against Mark . She was considered a VIP client . We both felt that one of us needed to be on her team . We trusted all of our men . We worked closely with half of them during our time in the military . But this job wasn't just about trust , it was about ensuring her safety . The moment I saw her , I knew I wanted her . She is quite the dichotomy . She has moments where she is quite bold , handing out instructions to others like a drill sergeant . Then she can be unsure of herself when she's in an unfamiliar situation , or around people she doesn't trust . She shrinks herself in those moments and tries to fit into their perception of her , like when she's around Roger . She's hesitant , and I don't like it . It's not who she is . Modeling yesterday . I was barely able to keep from running to her and claiming her as mine in front of everyone . I claimed her as my partner in the photo shoot . Her friend , Gwen , saw me flirting with Ana , and she decided to test the waters . She was looking at me the whole time as she asked if we were willing to ' help ' them out . After she told us what she needed , I was all in . Allowed Drew to accept this side gig . He wanted to work with Emily anyway . I've caught him checking her out several times . I was happy to do this to help Ana out . I didn't want them to get a male model to take my place . I was happy to play along as Ana's ' fiancé ' for the ad . I already know my family will be thrilled when they see the ad come out . Ana was fire , and she was melting the ice around my heart . I knew where she was coming from . I had a fiancée before . One who knew exactly who I was , and had come after me with single - minded focus . Thankfully , I found out exactly why she was so in love with me . It wasn't insta - love as she professed . One of my friends tipped her off who I was . She almost got her claws in me , that is , I had fully intended on marrying her , not knowing that she was just after me for my money . She was beautiful , and a year older than me . I believe she loved me . Thankfully , I was shown the error of my ways before we could get married . After that , I didn't date anymore . I became an employee of my own company . Some women flirted , but most ignored me , as I was only the help . But not Ana , from the minute she entered the SUV , she was offering to pay for coffee for us too , which is not what our clients do . They only care about us if they are in danger . Ana was even concerned about us when she was getting arrested . She sent us to get something to eat , to keep us 16 MNN D < 2/4 < Meaningful Plans 415 Points ) from being implicated in her arrest . Her actions showed me who she was . Roger and Holden lost someone who would have been the perfect wife . But she's going to be my wife now . Ana sighed and then said , " I need an escort tonight . I need to go see my father at six p.m. He wants to have dinner and discuss something . I hope Holden isn't still thinking that I'll just let everything go . Because that's not going to happen . " " Since I worked today , you will have someone else with you tonight . I'll make sure Drew is one of the two , so you have someone you already know on your team , " I replied . He meeting is to discuss marriage with me . She just doesn't know it yet . I saw her disappointment that I wouldn't be escorting her . It was quickly gone , but I had been watching for it . I think she'll be happy when she finds out I want to ask for her hand in marriage . I had already called Gwen and bought the ring that Ana designed . I knew it was special to her . Gwen told me that there was a story behind the ring's design . I haven't paid much attention to engagement rings before . I didn't put much stock into what I bought for Samantha . She picked it , and had only picked it for its cost . I don't think she really cared one way or another . She just wanted a large diamond to show off to her friends and family . I should have seen all the flags , but I didn't . I was in a s * x fog , and she happily kept me there . I mistook s * x for love . She couldn't get enough of me in bed . I foolishly thought that love was the reason for it . I couldn't have been more wrong about it . Ana designed this ring herself . She loved it . Even though she designed it with her marriage to Holden in mind , I didn't care about that . It was put aside and left in their store to be seen , but never sold . It was recreated for two other brides over the nine years that it was on display . Ana loved it enough to recommission it in her current ring size . I sent Drew over to buy the ring with my card . Gwen was so excited about it that she was bursting to tell Emily . But I asked her to wait . Ana hasn't said yes yet ; once she does , they can tell the whole city for all I care . Gwen explained that the pear cut was meaningful to Ana because the point would always be aimed up , towards Ana's heart . She wanted the reminder of the love she and her husband would share each time she looked at it . To remember our love just by looking at the ring she created . To me , it didn't mean anything about Holden anymore . It was about the emotions and hope she had while designing it . She had given up on Holden long ago . If you are reading this anywhere other than Dreame / StaryNovel it has been stolen from Kat Von Beck . Please message me on f ******* : or i ******** : to let me know . I saw her face when she slipped it on . She still loved this ring . The emotions she held when she created that ring returned with a vengeance . She wanted it to represent everything she believed it stood for : love , care , and commitment . She's been severely disappointed before , but I won't let her be disappointed again . Analise is my forever . I can't wait to slide that ring on her finger tonight . KatVonBeck