Chapter 1

I can't believe how my life has changed. A few years I thought I had life figured out. I knew exactly what I wanted down to job I wanted and the woman I wanted to marry. Who would have thought I'd be standing next to her and her husband as I waited for Alex. I stole a look at Ana, she and Grey were having some private discussion. They have this way of making me feel like I was intruding on some private moment even we were all standing in the airport. I took a deep breath and turned away from the overly happy couple. I'd come to peace with the fact that I would never be with Ana, and I'd even become cool with Christian. We've even hung out once or twice without Ana. This summer I'd taken time off from working in my second new studio to update my landscape portfolio. That's why I said yes when Ana begged me and my father to joined the Grey's summer vacation to Aspen. We planned on leaving earlier today but something unexpected and tragic happened to Alex and that's why I'm standing here uncomfortably in the airport.

I've known Alex since childhood. Our parents were close and were always taking pictures of us together. They treated me as if I was Alex's big brother, we laughed, played, and argued like kids do. I remember distinctively hating to hold Alex's hand when we crossed the streets. My mother, rest her soul, would fuss at me and tell me I was being a bad boy. Alex's hands were always so sticky or spitty (a major thumb sucker). I smirked to myself at the times we'd shared.

"You're excited aren't you?" Ana gave me her award winning smile. I swear my pictures of her have made me famous, both her and Kate are very photogenic. Their pictures and the profit I've made off of them are the reason I was able to build and my own studio. I have students that I teach and companies pay me to take pictures of their buildings or at their functions. I'm on the verge of becoming a very wealthy man and I'm just shy of twenty five. I think I'm doing pretty well. I'm no Christian Grey but I'll certainly do.

"Yeah, I just wish it was under different circumstances. I haven't seen Al since I was thirteen. The tragic death of Al's mother pushed Mr. Fuentes to move. He couldn't heal from the pain. Now he's passed away some say because he's heart was still broken." Mr. Fuentes was so nice, he owned a small toy store and would let the children play in the store he wouldn't mind if we tossed balls or played with the action figures. In hindsight I think both him and his wife just enjoyed making kids smile.

"I could see how the lost of someone precious could cause that sort of heartbreak," Christian said grimly as he bestowed upon Ana and intense yet loving gaze. She took in a staggered breath and managed to roll her eyes at him. He chuckled to himself and placed his hands in his pocket. They always acted as if they had some big secret or some inside joke that I never understood.

"Yeah, and right now I really feel bad for Alex. It can't feel good knowing all of her family is gone. I'm glad my parents decided to be her guardian. It means I can help her to get into a good college if that's what she wants to do. I just want to be there for her." I shrugged off the twinge of sadness that went through me. I didn't want to embrace her with sympathy. Her father died a month before she turned eighteen which meant she had to uproot her whole life to come back to Portland.

"I'm sure she appreciates it too Jose'." Ana rubbed my shoulder and her hubby didn't like it too well. I rolled my eyes at him. I hadn't made a pass at Ana in all the years they'd been married. He really needed to loosen up and get a life. The slight buzz in my left pocket shifted my attention away from my annoyance of Grey's behavior.

*I'm here where are u?*

*By the gate. We are waiting for you!*

Knowing she was close had me on edge. I worried that she was going to be depressed. I was curious how she was going to take going away for the summer and I was worried that she wasn't going to feel like being around a whole bunch of strangers all summer. In all honesty I should be like a stranger to her I hadn't seen her in forever.

"She's here," I stumbled over the two words. I started looking through the light crowd of people looking for her. I noticed that Ana and Grey had started their search for her two. I don't see how they could really effectively search they didn't know what she looked like. After a few more moments I hear an older yet familiar voice call for me.

"Josie? Is that you?" I whipped my head around to see her.

"Ally," I whispered, I think I was in a state of shock. For some reasons this wasn't how I expected her to look. I knew it was her though; she was the only person I knew with such an odd beautiful hazel green eye coloring. Her hair was long, full, and curly chocolate brown with blonde highlights and her skin was just a touch lighter than caramel. Alexandria Carmen Fuentes had grown up … and was beautiful. Whoa. I took a moment to notice the look on her face. She was tired and really sad, before I knew I was opening my arms to her and she rushed into them.

"Oh Josie," she began to whimper out tears. "I've been trying to be so strong." She wrapped her arms around my neck as her sobs began to shake her.

"It's okay Ally, it's okay," I whispered softly as I held her and rubbing my hand in a small circular motion on her back. Poor Ally had been alone trying to deal with all this loss. She'd held it in waiting for the chance to let it out. The time was now; she could fall apart if she needed to. After a few moments she pulled away immediate and aggressively wiping the tears from her face.

"I'm sorry," she croaked as she offered me an embarrassed smile.

"Don't be," I said and then remembered my manners, "Alex, this is Ana and Christian Grey, Ana, Christian, meet Alex Fuentes."