So...I have recently discovered Fifty Shades of Grey. I was finally deemed "old enough" to watch the movie and read the book. So...out of my imagination this kind of came up.
This will be rated T...just for some language and sexual reference…also because I can't write a romance scene to save my life.
I hope you all like this!
Her relationship with Christian Grey is a peculiar one.
She'd met him when she was younger- ten, perhaps. The multi billionaire was on a run and she slammed into him while she was running across Seattle like a crazed animal. She was covered in blood and beaten. She was running from a bad past and it was trying to catch up with her quickly.
But Christian ended all that. A man of high standing power, Christian Grey made sure she was well taken care of. He worked the system and soon, she was Charlotte Grey. He said he didn't trust just anyone to take care of her and decided it was better he had full responsibility of her.
But Charlotte realized that the two of them had more in common than she could ever comprehend. Both come from horrific backgrounds and have trust issues of epic proportions. They somehow worked around it- Christian became a father figure to her and Charlotte opened up parts of him no one would ever see.
Her alarm goes off, pulling her from an uneasy sleep. The previous night wasn't great- with it came nightmares and memories best forgotten. She stayed awake for the better part of the night, pacing the halls in order for her to soothe herself. She didn't dare wake Christian. She's not the scared little girl who could barely sleep in the dark anymore. She's fifteen now. There isn't time for her to act like a child.
Charlotte turns off the alarm, stumbling from bed. The blond stumbles from her room and down the hallway, going to wake up her sleeping guardian. Usually they wake up about the same time and Christian will drop her off at school on his way to work.
Charlotte beats on the door of Christian's room. "Christian, get up!" Inside she hears a groan and she knows he didn't fall asleep until last night.
His voice comes through the door. "Just five minutes, Char! Please?"
Charlotte chuckles. Usually he has this issue with her, not the other way around. "Come on, it's six and we gotta roll out of here at seven-thirty!" Another groan. "Christian, get your sorry butt out of bed!"
When he doesn't emerge she throws open his door. "Father, I said get up!" She rarely calls him "Father" or "Daddy" or anything. She'll do it if she's trying to grab his attention or she screams it into the darkness when there are nightmares terrorizing her.
Christian grumbles, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. "Fine." The man rises, taming his hair. Charlotte smiles at her adoptive father and Christian returns the smile. She's met with a hug from the man and he kisses her head per the morning ritual.
"Good morning," Christian mumbles tiredly.
"Morning," Charlotte yawns, hugging her guardian. She looks up at him with tired grey eyes. People say that she could pass as his if it wasn't for her age. She has big, grey eyes and looks that could make a person's heart stop. She has taken on his personality in some sense. From living with him so long, she's adapted his smile and the eye rolling.
Christian releases her, smiling. Then comes the frown when he sees the dark bags beneath her eyes. "How long did you sleep?"
"Enough," Charlotte answers. "Nothing a little makeup and coffee can't fix."
Christian smooths her blonde hair. "You need to take the pills, Char."
"No," Charlotte quips. She hates taking the sleeping pills. She might do it out of desperation every now and then, but she hardly touches the orange bottle tucked inside her desk drawer. They make the nightmares worse. Christian frowns. He knows the weight she carries. She was beaten and abused as a child. Her mother hated her; her father was evil and neglectful. Both were addicts and when they ran out of things to sell for drugs, she was next. Those were the worst years of her life. She fought to survive.
"Go take a shower," Christian says. "I'll have Ms. Jones make breakfast. Anything you want?"
"Pancakes," Charlotte says. "And bacon."
"I'll put your order in!" Christian bellows from the hallway.
Catching stumbles into her bathroom, starting a shower quickly. The water is hot enough to her likings and she strips, stepping inside. The water begins to wash away the impurities, making her clean. She scrubs herself as if she can wipe away the scars of the past. The scars are what make her monstrous and ugly. She doesn't remember seeing herself without burns from cigarettes or bruises from an angry fist or a belt raining lashes.
She dresses after drying off, deciding to dress to impress. If there was one thing Christian could do was help her pick out clothes. Although he wanted her to dress like a Puritan at first, he reluctantly let her wear other clothes. He even gave opinions on them and, of course, she wouldn't ever wear something revealing. She was petrified of people seeing her body. She hates wandering eyes and curious hands.
Charlotte pulls a grey dress on. Grey is her color- Christian says it perfectly describes her personality to tease her. Over her shoulders is a small jacket to hide the scarring on her upper arms and shoulders.
She makes her hair fall in curls and applies enough concealer to hide the dark bags beneath her eyes. She prefers to wear minimal makeup- people say she's stunning enough without it- but she makes those grey eyes pop with a touch of eyeliner.
After, Charlotte treks to the kitchen to see Christian sitting at the island, eating a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Next to him is a plate filled with the same items and a cup of coffee to accompany the food.
Breakfast is spent talking about everything and nothing. She talks about school and Christian work. Christian relentlessly questions her over a boy and the threat of a food fight lingers in the air when Katherine throws a grape at him.
Upon leaving, Christian helps Charlotte slide into her jacket and hands her her backpack with some protest from her. They descend the stairs to see Taylor waiting at the car, standing at the back door.
"Good morning, Miss Grey."
Charlotte smiles. "Good morning, Taylor." The man gives her a peck on the cheek and a hug, tucking her in the back seat with Christian sitting in the passenger's seat.
The drive is quiet. The three ride in comfortable silence to the school Charlotte attends. She tested into it with flying colors although she never had any formal schooling as a girl.
"Have a good day at school, sweetheart," Christian says. He squeezes her knee and Charlotte smiles.
"Bye, Christian," Charlotte says, grabbing her bag and takes off after climbing out of the car. She sighs- the school is the bane of her existence. However, there are a few people who make this hellhole worthwhile: Victoria Ross, Thomas James, and Lillian King. All of them have been been best friends since Charlotte came to the school.
Charlotte is lifted off the ground, strong arms around her waist. Charlotte laughs in delight, hugging her captor- Thomas. "Hey, Tom."
"Hi, Charlie," Thomas says, hugging the girl incredibly tightly.
From the car comes a cough. "Get your hands off my child." Christian glares with cold grey eyes. Thomas gently places Charlotte on her feet, smiling sheepishly.
"Morning, Mr. Grey," Thomas says, waving.
Christian only glares. "Quit romancing my daughter." Then Christian smiles. "Have an excellent day at school, Charlotte. I'll have Taylor pick you up."
"Bye, Christian," Charlotte says. Christian waves and rolls up his window, the car pulling from the school.
Thomas looks at Charlotte with a wary expression. "Why is your dad so scary?"
"He's not scary," Charlotte says. "He's a dad! He isn't going to root you on and let you grab all over me."
Thomas laughs and out of nowhere comes Victoria and Lillian, damn near knocking her over. Charlotte laughs at them, hugging the two girls.
"So was Mr. Grey scaring Thomas here with his wicked good looks?" Lillian asks, her lips curving into a smile.
"You're gross," Charlotte says. "That's my dad."
Victoria laughs. "Well, when I become of age, I'm going to be your new stepmom."
"You people are gross!" Charlotte bellows, trekking into the school with her friends behind her.
…
School went by as usual- stupid boys, mean girls, and those who mingle in between the stupidity and the bitchiness. Most everyone reveres her because she is the daughter of the Christian Grey. They part for Charlotte like the Red Sea parted for Moses when she walks down the hall. Girls whisper how they want to be her; boys want her. Charlotte doesn't take joy in that- being treated like royalty because she's Christian Grey's kid.
In fact, that's all she's known as amongst some people.
"Aren't you Christian's daughter?"
"Your dad is Mr. Grey?"
"You're Grey's girl, right?"
She gets sick of it sometimes- she has a name. But she does realize that she has big shoes to fill because of Christian. She dresses like him; she tries to posses his wit and smartness; she tries to carry his confident demeanor if she goes anywhere.
She stands at the curb with Thomas. Taylor will come zooming in any second, taking her to GEH where she'll spend the rest of the day in Christian's office. She wants to learn business for Christian- one day she will own GEH and the man's grooming her for the job. So she watches how he handles most of the meetings and helps with some financial things he'll allow her to jump in on.
Charlotte wants him to be proud of her. It's all she's ever wanted. Yes, he takes pride in her. She's super smart and she's wise beyond her years, but she wants Christian to be proud of her.
"Anything interesting going on next weekend?" Thomas asks.
Charlotte looks up at him. "Excuse me?"
"Do you have any plans?" Thomas asks.
"Are you implying that we should go out?" Charlotte asks. The idea is kind of bewildering to her. Thomas and her are super close- they always have been. Thomas isn't bad looking; he had dark locks and eyes like gold. His smile could melt the coldest heart.
Thomas blushes. Charlotte laughs. "Well...yes. We can go to that old ice cream shop and I'll take you to the movies."
It's Charlotte's turn to blush. She likes Thomas, but there's a constant fear inside her that she'll be hurt. But Thomas wouldn't hurt her. "If I can talk my father into it…"
Thomas smiles and Charlotte grins at him. She thinks for a moment about Christian and what he'd do if she asked if she could accompany Thomas out. First, he'd flip his shit; second, he'd have a heart attack; third, he'd go in screaming hysterics that no little bastard would have his little girl.
But that's just the bare minimum of what Christian Grey could do.
"Miss Grey, we must be going! I don't want to return you to your father sopping wet." Charlotte turns her face to Taylor's voice and she notes that it's become a slight drizzle and more rain is to ensue.
Charlotte looks at Thomas. "I'll see you Monday, Tom."
"Bye, Char," Thomas says, pecking Charlotte on the cheek. Charlotte retreats after squeezing Thomas' hand, running to escape the torrential downpour that is now coming.
Taylor looks at her with inquisitive eyes. "Need I tell your father about that young man, Miss Grey?"
Charlotte looks at Taylor. "You wouldn't. You know how he is."
Taylor laughs. "Teasing, Miss Grey. It will be our dirty secret?"
Charlotte can only laugh as they set off for GEH.
…
"Afternoon, Miss Grey."
Charlotte looks at the receptionist. She's a blond woman with a fake smile and she's heard awful things come from that woman's mouth about her and Christian.
Charlotte trains her features to mimic Christian's. "Hello, Elizabeth. I trust my father's in his office?"
"He is," she responds. "Shall I send for something for you? A drink or something?"
"No, thank you," Charlotte responds. She carries herself to Christian's office, knocking softly before opening the door. She peeks her head in to see the man sitting with a young woman.
"Am I interrupting?" Charlotte asks.
Christian smiles. "No. We were just talking about you."
"Good things, I hope," Charlotte says, stepping into Christian's office. There's a quiet chuckle from Christian and a bewildered look from the woman. "She's staring at me like I'm an axe murderer."
The woman stutters. "You're real."
"I'd hope so," Charlotte says. She outstretches her hand, smiling her small smile like Christian's. "It's a pleasure. I'm Charlotte Grey."
The woman takes her hand, shaking. "Anastasia Steele. I'm here to interview your...father?"
"Formally, yes," Charlotte says. "But he's more of an annoying brother that has custody of me and can tell me what to do."
Christian scoffs. "You remember that, brat."
"I love you, Father," Charlotte says.
Christian rolls his eyes. "I bet you do."
Anastasia laughs, calling a smile to Charlotte's face. The blonde sits in a chair after tucking her bag away, adjusting her jacket on her shoulders. Interviewers have tried their damndest to see the horrific scars covering her body and they've succeeded. Pictures made their way online and Christian was outraged. He made the interviewers' lives hell.
"What's been discussed?" Charlotte asks.
"Your schooling…your future. The fact you're not a figment of society's imagination." Yes- for five years, rumors have floated in the air of Christian Grey adopting a girl. Paparazzi were up their asses for weeks trying to take pictures of her, but Christian wouldn't allow it. Charlotte was perfectly happy with the whole thing- she didn't want to be put on display.
Charlotte only smiles. "Well, here I am."
Anastasia leans forwards, seemingly interested. "If you don't mind, I do have some questions. You can answer the questions of your choosing. Be mindful that I didn't write these."
Charlotte looks at Christian, lifting an eyebrow. He only smiles and Charlotte looks back to Anastasia. "Whenever you're ready, Miss Steele."
Anastasia smiles and looks down at the papers resting in her lap, pressing play on the recorder. "Exactly how long have you lived with Mr. Grey?"
"Five years," Charlotte responds. "I was ten when Christian made the notion to officially keep me as his own."
"What do you plan to do after your schooling? Do you plan to go to college or stay in the business profession?"
Charlotte chuckles, looking to Christian. The man nods softly, offering her a smile. "Grey Enterprises is my life- my future. Some time ago, I'd asked Christian as to why he'd want me to run this place. Why wouldn't he save it for a child of his own flesh and blood?"
"There's no one whom I trust more than you," Christian says. "You know how this place operates."
Anastasia grins. "So you're going to run GEH when you're an adult?"
"I'm specifically groomed for the job. I'm not sure I could do anything else," Charlotte says, making the two laugh.
There are a few questions more she answers, but the last one sends chills down her spine.
"What was your life like...before Mr. Grey?"
Her stomach churns and she becomes dizzy. She feels Christian's hand on her arm, offering comfort and protection. It all comes rushing back at her- the beatings, the neglect. She was made to do things that no child should ever do.
There's a soft shake that pulls her out of her own head. "Charlotte? Hey, it's okay. Breathe. You have to breathe."
Christian is sitting close, stroking her hair gently. "You okay?"
Charlotte nods. Her voice emerges broken and hoarse. "I'm fine." She looks at Anastasia who watches with a terrified expression, mouth covered.
"Charlotte... I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," Charlotte says. "There could have been worse reactions." The blonde girl stands, eager to escape the room. "I'm going to excuse myself… It was a pleasure, Miss Steele."
Before much else is said, Charlotte leaves. She has to escape or else all hell will break loose. She knows that Christian won't follow- it's best to let her cool down a little and to get a better grip on reality before bombarding her.
A few blocks later, she's sitting in a park. The chilly air makes it a bit better for her, making her aware. The fine drizzle falling refreshes her.
It was a day like this that Christian found her. The sky was dark with ominous clouds that promised rain. You could smell rain and a car exhaust and other smells Seattle only held.
She'd been running. If she didn't hide, Peter would be sure to find her. He beat her to an inch of her life today and the promise of other things would come. He left to get something and, when she was sure that he was gone, she flew out of the dingy apartment in a mad dash.
Blood was soaked in her clothes and she had open wounds on her arms. Her entire face was purple and black. She couldn't breathe because she forgot her damn inhaler and her ribs were broken.
She slammed into a body when she looked behind her. She went flying to the ground and she whimpered when she landed on her wrist.
"Damn it, kid! Watch where you're…" His voice cut off when he saw her. "Oh, shit. Who did this to you?" He pulled her up, righting her on her tremble legs.
Charlotte looked up at him, drying tears unsuccessfully. She was sobbing so badly she couldn't speak. The man was definitely angry as he tried to stop the bleeding on her head with a handkerchief.
"Come on, we're going to the hospital," he gushed, ripping off his jacket to tuck around her.
It was the last thing she could remember before the pavement came swiveling towards her face.
The rest would be history. He legally adopted her after a month and she's lived with him since, trying her damndest to be just like him. She wanted to be just like Christian Grey.
So far, the dream is a reality. She acts like him, dresses like him. Anything to gain his approval.
And that's all she's ever wanted- to have someone be proud of her and what she can do. Christian is proud of her- sometimes he won't shut up if she brings home straight As and does something at the office he likes.
She loves her father- she really does. She bends over backwards to please the man.
Charlotte treks back to Grey Enterprises after calming down. Outside is Christian, looking at her with concerned eyes.
"Are you okay?" Christian asks.
Charlotte smiles sadly. "I'm going to be fine."
Christian places his hand on her shoulder and then pulls her in for a hug. Charlotte hugs her adoptive father tightly. "I heard you scream last night. They're worse- the nightmares."
"I can't stop seeing him," Charlotte says, not uttering the name of the one who terrorized her so long ago.
Christian is the one to speak next. He presses his lips on her head in a gentle kiss. "He can't touch you ever again." He cradles her head against his shoulder and tucks her body against his. "I love you, Char."
"I love you, too, Christian."