Just Breathe Synopsis
Chapter 1 – Our favorite couple meet
Kate is ill; Levi the photographer interviews Grey and takes pictures. Brief review of why Grey broke his contract with Susannah. Grey and Ana meet at graduation when he shakes her hand and feels the connection between them. Grey goes to congratulate Kate, meets Ana. Picture taken. He hosts a graduation lunch to see more of her. He learns she's moving to Seattle with Kate. He gives her interview advice; Taylor gives them moving advice. When lunch is over, he orders a background check of her.
Chapter 2 – Settled in Seattle
The WSUV picture raises eyebrows and questions. Grey orders Sawyer to follow Ana and report. Grey arranges to "run into" Ana while she is running. He invites her for coffee. Enigmatic conversation ensues, the cyclist almost runs her over, and he sends her on her way sans kiss. Delivery of champagne to her condo with Esclava spa day certificate for her and Kate. Jack Hyde sees the WSUV picture and decides to hire Ana at SIP in order to use her to fuck with Christian Grey. Grey, in the meantime, is checking up on SIP with the intent of purchasing it. Ana is on her way to Georgia after her interviews. Taylor hires a private firm there to keep an eye on her. Grey realizes he's thinking about Ana all the time…and acknowledges to himself that he wants her. He's pleased when she is not friendly to any of the men checking her out in Savannah. Elena is after Christian to contract with a new submissive.
Just Breathe Chapter 3 – The Accident
Ana works at SIP while Christian makes arrangements to buy the company. He has shipping issues with Darfur. Sawyer continues to follow Ana, providing Christian with pictures of her daily schedule.
Christian asks Elliot to meet him at Fifty's Sports Bar to make recommendations for SIP. Sawyer there, watching Ana. She leaves as Taylor and Christian arrive. He tells Grey abut Hyde invading Ana's space.
Saturday Ana runs while Kate finishes packing for Barbados. Sawyer tells Christian where Ana is. He goes running; hoping to run into her. She's wearing headphones and cannot hear him call her. He grabs her from behind; she reacts by hitting him in the chest; trying to shove him off her. He reacts; pushing her away from him. She hits a park bench with her arm; a concrete riser with her head. He freaks out. Taylor, with Gail's help, immobilizes Ana's broken arm and transports her to the hospital.
Dr. T. discovers that Ana was manhandled in the last 24 hours – it happened at Fifty's. She stumbled and Hyde grabbed her arm; leaving bruises. Christian explains how he inadvertently broke Ana's arm. Gail and Christian are trying to contact Kate – eventually Christian takes Ana home. Kate tries to contact Ray who is on vacation with José, Senior. Eventually Kate has to leave to go to Barbados – she calls Christian to come care for Ana. Christian and Kate conversation where she tells him about Hyde and his bullshit with Ana all week. Elliot meets Kate, taking her to her parents. Christian stays with Ana until she is able to care for herself. He sends her the Tess books to apologize for her broken arm.
Just Breathe – Chapter 4: SIP Week Two
Taylor and Grey have conversation about the reasons to relocate SIP to Grey Annex. Dr. T. sends medical excuse for Ana to miss work on Monday after accident. Christian arranges for Ana to have transportation to and from work since she can't drive Wanda very easily. He sends lunch and flowers to her on Tuesday after accident. Hyde orders her to make reservations for them for New York. Grey intervenes to keep Ana from going and working overtime. C/A exchange emails. She agrees to go to Escala for dinner. Christian takes Ana on a helicopter tour; followed by a kiss outside the elevator, followed by dinner, followed by her signing the NDA, followed by taking her home. He asks her to dinner on Friday; there are things to discuss.
Chapter 5: SIP Week Two: Part B
Christian and Ana go for a run. She showers and dresses at Escala. They have breakfast and he drops her at work. Taylor picks her up and develops an intense dislike for Hyde. She Skypes with Kate who gushes about Elliot and talks to Ray about coming to Seattle to do some work at the condo. Christian and Ana Skype one another.
Elena now has the certificate for Kate and Ana's spa day at Esclava and has questions. She tries to push Christian into meeting potential submissives; he says no; but doesn't explain why.
Taylor picks Ana up from work, goes to her desk because she's delayed. He meets Hyde, and does his best to clear Ana's workspace so she is not injured again. He notices Hyde follows them to Ana's condo. He tells Christian about Hyde. They begin an in-depth background check on Hyde.
GEH works on buyout of SIP.
Ana goes to Escala for dinner.
Chapter 6 – Things to Discuss: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Dinner at Escala, followed by tour of penthouse, followed by viewing Red Room of Pain. Ana struggles to control her laughter at the room. Discussion of dungeon versus playroom; sadist versus dominant; and he's surprised she knows about the lifestyle from college studies. He tells her he doesn't do the girlfriends; he contracts submissives.
Ana POV excerpt from chapter: I lift my head and look at him. "Of course you're a Dominant. You are a self-made billionaire who doesn't do girlfriends. You give orders and scores of men in black make it happen. The clues were all there; I just wasn't Sherlock enough to put them together. I knew the moment I stepped into your ensuite at the Heathman that you were a man who knew how he liked to be touched… only…" I lift my arm as Exhibit A. "You don't like to be touched." I pause and look at my toes. "A Dominant is one side of the equation. Did you show me this room because you're looking for a new submissive?"
"When I first saw you at graduation; I felt a connection to you. You called me sir during our lunch and it made me want you more. In the elevator when you landed in my arms; I thought about how much I would like to share this room with you." He says honestly.
I'm silent. I look at the canes and the whips and the paddles…and I think about how much of this room I don't want him to share with me. "Share…as in an honest discussion of your playroom? Or, share as in spending time in here together…or share as in more than one female in here at a time?" Panic crossed the finish line and is fleeing the stadium…
"Share as in an honest discussion of my playroom. I'm sure you are inexperienced about some things; but this is what I am. This is the sexual lifestyle I engage in," he says.
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Discussion of submissives, contracts, hard and soft limits. Discussion of her being virgin. They watch movie in his media room – there's kissing and touching and touching with sexual releases. She falls asleep and he takes her to his bed where they sleep.
Chapter 7 – First Weekend Together
Christian takes Ana soaring. They go back to Escala, she makes breakfast, and they decide soaring is their third date – they go to his bedroom. Dr. Trevelyan shows up – Taylor says Christian is not alone. She overhears Christian saying 'you can wear something of mine." She thinks he's finally going to come out to her and introduce her to a gay lover when she is introduced to Anastasia.
Lunch, discussion of how Christian got into the lifestyle. Christian vows not to take Ana into the playroom until her arm is healed and if she decides she wants to try out the lifestyle. Discussion of why everyone thinks he's gay. Discussion of Elena and his business partnership. Discussion of vanilla sex, safe words, food issues, rules and punishments, his touch issues. He says he only has one rule she has to follow – she has to agree to be monogamous with him. They go back to bed. She agrees to let him bind her hands so she won't touch him inadvertently. Sex. Sleep. Discussion of accident. More sex – he teaches her the pleasures of oral sex and orgasm denial. He's addicted to touching her, kissing her, smelling her hair, looking into her eyes, biting that pouty bottom lip.
Grace cancels lunch plans with Elena where they planned to celebrate Christian's birthday. It pisses Elena off. Grace talks about meeting Christian's girlfriend and almost walking in on them in Christian's bedroom. Elena is pissed off again and she vows to ruin the relationship between Christian and Ana.
Ana has to go home. Christian gives her the contract and list of limit, recommending she research the lifestyle. Ana researches and sends him the 'nice' comment. She goes for a run – realizes Sawyer is following her. Ana spots Leila but does not spot Hyde who spots and follows her. She leaves the door open for him to rest inside her apartment. She takes a shower, dresses and goes to unpack her bedroom. Christian shows up, angry she left door unlocked, discussion of spanking with kinktionary and spank-itude. Sex, more talking, Ana asks about Leila.
Chapter 8 SIP, obstacles, wardrobes, listening devices, a pissing contest and the military alphabet
Christian wants Ana to move in to Escala so he can take care of her. He calls Caroline Acton for a wardrobe, especially dresses for Coping Together with s stretchy glove to go over her injured arm.
Work crap starring Jack Hyde. Ana finds hidden microphones at work. She goes to get her conceal carry permit.
Christian discusses Ana with Flynn. He discusses Ana with security. The decision is made to move SIP to Grey Annex.
Wardrobe issues where Elena interferes with Christian's order for Ana.
Sawyer spots Leila as Ray Steele comes to Seattle to pick up Ana from work. Sawyer takes off after Leila. Ray walks in on Jack Hyde trying to sexually assault Ana. He grabs Jack off Ana, and she kicks him in the balls. Ray throws him out of his office, beats on his face and breaks Jack's hand. Building security shows up, keeps Jack from leaving, and calls paramedics for Ana.
Chapter 9, SIP Week Three – you don't want to see an angry Ray Steele!
Jack rebreaks Ana's arm during the assault. Her cast is removed, the arm x-rayed, recast. Her clothes are taken by the police as evidence. Grace gives her clothes Mia left in her office. Christian arrives, and kisses Ana before God and the world – and the kiss goes viral.
Leila goes to Escala to see Christian. She is dirty and ill. Gail gets her to bathe; grabs clothes out of the wardrobe just delivered for Ana. She tries to reach Taylor but there is no answer. Leila's been cutting herself. She attacks Gail and exits.
Ray gives Taylor the short range listening devices Ana found at work. He quizzes Grey about what Hyde meant when he told Ana if circumstances were different, he would have everything Grey had; including Ana.
Christian's people discover that Hyde has been stalking his family, gathering information about where they are vulnerable, in addition to Detroit information. Security finds information that Hyde planned to sabotage Charlie Tango and the GEH jet. They find information about Hyde sexually assaulting his interns.
Ray installs safety items at condo. SIP closes and moves, becoming Grey Publishing. Ana reads at home, resting. Christian and Taylor spend time at condo with Ana and helping Ray.
Hyde claims he and Ana are involved. Christian outs his and Ana's relationship. Ana denies it to the police. Taylor and Sawyer realized Elena hired a private investigator to follow Ana. Grey pays him off and he leaves town.
Elena attempts to interfere in Christian's life; she advises Grace to eliminate contact with him until he leaves Ana.
Chapter 10 – What Fresh Shade of Hell is This?
Carrick's legal firm offers to represent Ana and the assaulted interns pro bono.
Elizabeth tries to get the media interested in Jack's story. She prepares paperwork to fire Ana as of noon on Thursday before Hyde's assault. They planned to claim she offered sex to keep her job therefore destroying her defense and Ray's reason for beating him. Jack urges Elizabeth to sell the story of Christian's involvement with Ana to the press.
Taylor and his men empty the PI's business, destroying information about Christian, Ana, the submissives, etc. The PI is relocated near his family. Christian gives Elliot orders to renovate the building for sale.
Grey House announces the purchase and move of SIP to Grey Annex. Ana agrees to stay at Escala and read for work there until the SIP move is completed. She quietly returns the Tess books to Christian's library. Kate shares gossip about her Barbados vacay with Elliot. Discussion of submissives, clothes, security, Coping Together, phone calls, emails, etc.
Jack is arraigned and denied bail. His lawyer asks for an expedited trial.
Elizabeth is furious Ana's not at work, because she wants to fire her and make her sign paperwork. Leila appears at SIP to talk to Ana. Confrontation between Elizabeth and Leila ends in Elizabeth's death. Ryan, who has been watching Susannah's place, follows Leila to SIP, catches her after she shoots Elizabeth. She is hospitalized in psych ward until she is well enough to stand trial for Elizabeth's death. It was self-defense; Elizabeth assaulted her; she pulled the gun; they fought for it; Elizabeth was shot.
Welch investigation of Hyde. Taylor confrontation with Elena. She's pissed that she's barred from Escala and blames Ana for Leila attacking Gail – which pisses Taylor off even more. Background history on Leila and Christian's D/s relationship as seen through the eyes of Elena.
Christian explains events at Coping Together to Ana. They discuss his personal history and why his parents are involved with Coping Together. They practice dancing. He tells her that he never dances at Coping Together with anyone other than his mother and grandmother.
Chapter 11 –No one expects the Spanish Inquisition
Elena discovers Ana is at Post Alley and that Christian's paying for the spa treatment and services. She goes to Post Alley and begins to interrogate Ana who basically tells her to fuck off.
Excerpt from chapter: "I've signed an NDA for Mr. Grey," Mrs. Jones said softly. "I'm not allowed to talk about things I've seen or heard. I'm not allowed to ask Taylor why you are stressed despite the day of pampering you had at Esclava. Mr. Grey is in the security office because Mrs. Lincoln messengered a note over to him. Apparently, from the comments made by the messenger, you refused to deliver the message." Mrs. Jones poured wine and handed me a glass. "Mr. Grey is a good man. He will think badly of himself before he thinks bad thoughts about her. You are going to a charity event near and dear to Dr. T's heart tomorrow night. Don't let Elena Lincoln get under your skin. Get your picture taken with him often tomorrow night. He would never have a picture taken with anyone except Grace and Mia; until he met you."
"You're talking about twisting the knife," I said.
"No, I'm telling you…when that blonde bitch buries the proverbial knife in your back…all the way to the hilt…pull it out, sharpen the edges and use it to cut the strings she has on Mr. Grey's life." Mrs. Jones said wisely. "But I've signed an NDA…and as Taylor says…that means None of your Damned Advice."
Chapter 12 – Cinderella Dreams
Christian and Ana prep for Coping Together. Champagne and diamond earrings. Ana meets Mia and the rest of the Grey/Trevelyan family. Mia asks Kate and Ana to help with First Dance Auction. Christian refuses to talk business with anyone who approaches the table…endeavoring to make the night fun for Ana. After a powder room visit; Ana is waylaid by Elena who accuses Ana of being the reason Christian won't talk to her. She tells Ana that the first time she fucks up; Christian will come back to her to hire a submissive. Ana tells her she knows about the PI and Christian's molestation by her. She tells Elena, "I'm not one of the brunettes you vetted in the past for Christian. If you don't leave me alone, I'll give you a taste of your own medicine on behalf of the fifteen-year-old child you molested and probably fucked-up even more than he already was."
Ana tells Christian that Elena accosted her. He apologizes and says he'll take care of it. Elena tries to buy Christian's donation of the Aspen house for a week in order to force him to talk to her. Kate and Elliot bid against her, but Carrick finally intervenes and buys the week to stop the gossip going around the event. Christian agrees to reimburse Carrick and solve the situation with Elena.
First Dance Auction – Ethan buys Mia, Christian buys Ana, and Elliot buys Kate. Christian shows Ana his bedroom in the house – Lemon. Picture of Ella. Ana decides to ask her mom for a picture of her bio father Frank Lambert.
Confrontation between Christian and Ana with Elena in his parents' house. Elena calls Ana a gold-digger. Ana calls her Mrs. Robinson. They trade insults and Grace hears them shouting at one another. Christian and Elena shout at one another. He tells Elena he relocated her PI. He tells Elena he's cutting ties with her.
Elena points out since Christian met Ana; he bought SIP, one man is in jail, one woman is dead and one woman is in a psych ward – and she blames all of it on Ana.
Grace tells Elena if she does not leave Christian and Ana alone; she will help Christian ruin her financially, she will ruin her socially and she orders security to remove Elena from the property.
Big picture of Carrick with Grace, Elliot with Kate, Christian with Ana and Ethan with Mia. Ana is resolved to buy a copy of it and give it to Grace to flash it at the house in front of Elena.
Mia conversation about Christian. Carrick dance and conversation with Ana. Fireworks. Ana thanks Taylor for his service – he hates fireworks.
Back at Escala – Christian and Ana have a conversation about Elena; and the playroom.
Excerpt:
"Why are you with me? I'm just a literature major, who knows very little about the world." I say.
"You know two things…and those two things are the only reasons that count. Number one…I want to be with you, Anastasia Rose Steele. Number two…I know you want to be with me. Those are the only things that matter."
Chapter 13 – All About Ana: Ana gets physical; Ana gets a new job; Ana gets a wakeup call
Christian has a nightmare about his life with Ella. He goes to play the piano to clear his mind. Ana wakes and joins him – sunlight through the windows – she sees his scars and realizes they aren't chickenpox scars but burns. Conversation about the scars. They decide to go for a run; but Sawyer brings papers and hundreds of messages. They go take a shower together – sex – breakfast – read papers and messages and watch the media flap about them.
Christian and Ana go to Grey Manor in Bellevue to celebrate Christian's birthday with the family. Carrick talks to Ana, privately about the situation with Jack Hyde. When done, she hugs Carrick, only to have Elena walk in and accuse Ana of making a play for Carrick. She tells Carrick he has to shun Ana from their lives. Ana asks him to leave her alone with Elena. Argument between Elena and Ana – Ana punches her in the mouth with her cast. She goes to leave, Christian grabs her from behind. She freaks out and slaps him. Sawyer takes her to Montesano.
Excerpt:
When Carrick heard Ana and Sawyer leave the study, he entered, retrieved his cell phone and called Grace. "If you can do it quietly," he said, "I need you to leave the patio and come to my office." He turned his icy glare on Elena. "Grace is going to be here in a minute. She will determine if you need stitches or just need your mouth sewn shut when your body is autopsied." He wiggled his cell phone at Elena. "I recorded my legal session with Ana; I forgot my phone was still recording when I left. I have the entire conversation recorded between you and Ana, you evil, manipulative bitch. Grace is going to look at your wound. She will fix whatever she can. You will apologize to her for causing a scene today. You will remove yourself from any committee connected with youth. You will not attend any social event which has ties to youth programs. You will cease contact with my son. You will cease contact with my wife. You will cease coming to my home. I will tell the universe and more specifically the Special Crimes Unit at SPD that you are a pedophile if you do not stay out of our lives. I will use this taped conversation as evidence. Do we understand one another?" Carrick glared at Elena. He exited the study and saw Christian standing in the hall…calling out to him.
Carrick and Christian have a conversation about Elena. He is in shock that his father knows their history.
Emails between Christian and Ana. She asks if he ever discussed her with Elena. Discussion of Sabine and her terminating with Christian because of Elena. Discussion of her upcoming week. He tells her he's working on ousting Elena from his life.
Chapter 14 – Ana's first week at Grey Publishing; José's Exhibition
Ana is offered Hyde's position. News regarding Elizabeth has been embargoed until the reopening of SIP/GP. Christian congratulates Ana on her new job via email and tells her he has decided on a course of action to separate himself from Esclava Salons. Media mobs Grey Publishing. Ana agrees to allow Sawyer to provide transportation to avoid media scrutiny. Intro to new gym at Grey Annex and to Prescott, Ana's new security. Carrick comes to see Ana; tells her he knows the gist of the argument between her and Elena. She is appalled for outing Christian to his father.
Christian flies Elliot, Kate and Ana to Portland for José's exhibition. Ray, Christian and Elliot are speechless at the seven pictures of Ana and Kate. Christian buys them all plus the negatives. Dinner afterwards – Christian asks Ray for his blessing to marry Ana.
Chapter 15 – the morning after Portland, talking with John
Ana has the plaited riding crop wet dream. Lemon. Couples counseling with John for HOURS. Journal assignments. John offers to find therapist for Ana. Discussion of Leila and her situation. Discussion of Elena. Ana suggests Christian destroy the insurance pictures, contacts, limits lists, etc. of the submissives to keep anyone from getting their hands on it to blackmail him. Christian explains about cars, electronics, clothes, money, etc. payments to submissives – how they were eager (except for Sabine) for anything he gave her. By the end of the session, Christian and Ana will find a charity that they can both support. John orders both of them to research their biological parents – Frank Lambert for her; Ella for him.
Chapter 16 – Building a Relationship
Lemon. Christian asks Ana to move in. John comes for emergency visit to mediate the moving in discussion. He leaves them with a long list of questions to ask and answer. Ana refuses to move in until her cast comes off; she can pack her own underwear and she has a chance to talk to Ray. John bans them from moving in together until they have had a romantic weekend away with one another.
After lunch, Christian and Ana play strip questions with one another. It makes the questions an answer sessions more bearable. Ben-wa balls, explanations of why he nibbles her toes, oral sex, hands restrained, and LEMON, LEMON, LEMON.
Chapter 17 – Before Moving In
Christian and Ana journal entries. More strip Questions. Ana enjoys the pleasure of "hands on" showering with Christian. Carrick tells Ana about the Morgans' lawsuit.
They decided to hire a personal injury lawyer and sue SIP/GP for failure to provide a safe work environment. They named Christian, Grey Enterprises Holdings and Grey Publishing in their lawsuit. They seek damages of $10 million.
In exchange for Carrick dropping the class-action lawsuit against Elizabeth's estate by sexually assaulted interns, the Morgan family will accept her insurance settlement from GP and her estate to keep her out of the news; or Carrick will go public and reveal her involvement in Jack Hyde's serial sexual assaults.
Seattle Nooz outs lunch with Christian, Ana, Carrick and Grace.
Ana explains she's moving in with Christian. Ethan's moving in with a friend. Elliot's moving in with Kate.
Christian and Ana go sailing. Elena devisees a media prank using ex-subs to impersonate Ana at clubs, sex stores, sex videos, etc. Sabine tells Taylor and Grey about it.
Chapter 18 – moving in, media prank, a meeting of the minds
Ana gets her cast removed. She tells Ray she's moving in with Christian. Ray asks Christian WTF? He gave permission for Christian to marry the girl; not live with her. Christian says it's too early to ask Ana to marry him – he's hoping once she moves in – she'll say yes to marriage. Ana agrees to give up her gun if Christian agrees to her security rules. Ray tells Ana he met her mother in the parking lot of a cemetery. José brings the pictures from the exhibit. Argument between Ana and Christian about her driving Wanda to Escala. José drives her.
Elliot takes José, Ethan and Ray to a Mariners game to thank them for helping with the move. Elena is there; hoping to talk to Christian. Elliot loses his temper and has Sawyer remove her from Safeco Field.
Christian infuriates Ana by asking Ray to take Wanda home to Montesano. Christian session with John; talks about Sabine and Elena's plan to embarrass Ana. John advises him to come clean with Ana – telling her about Elena, the sub-club, the media pranks and how they will handle them together.
Christian and Ana decide to establish a security detail to watch Elena and notify them of her actions. They settle on ways to offset media pranks. They settle on Treehouse as their combined charity.
While Christian is supposed to be at Safeco Field with his family – Elena arranges a media prank. Instead Christian and Ana exit Escala to the surprise of the paparazzi. Ana gives them a lesson in how to spot the real Ana versus the faux Ana.
Chapter 19 – The Bitch Troll Tries to Make a Comeback
Elena has business problems. She plans on destroying Ana and getting Christian to come back to her.
Ana tells Christian she hasn't decided to keep the Audi; she's just sending Wanda's title to Ray to facilitate the sale. Christian works. Ana unpacks her home office and books in Christian's library at Escala. She falls asleep in library. He carries her to bed. She has nightmare about Elena and the sub-club. She awakens and Christian is playing the piano. Makeup sex on top of the piano.
Ana security training with Sawyer. He counsels her to turn down the Audi since so many people know that's what his women drive. He recommends a smaller SUV that matches the fleet. She likes that idea and tells him to tell Taylor to make it happen. Christian and Ana go to fundraiser – dinner, dancing, being seen in public.
Sunday barbeque at Carrick and Grace's house. Kate talks about her job. Kate asks if Ana will model for Celeste at the Bridal Fair at WSCC her birthday weekend. They talk about media pranks. Christian and Ana ask Mia to be a social secretary for them until the media is no longer enraptured with them. Ana is meeting with counselors this week.
Elena shows up at John's office to try to make Christian talk to her. John pulls them out of the hall into his office to talk. Christian and Elena have argument. He tells her to stay away from Ana and his family. Taylor escorts Elena to her car and threatens her life if she doesn't leave Grey and Ana alone.
Chapter 20 – living together, learning about one another and lost loves
Ana's first three appointments with therapists are a bust. She and Christian sext each other. Kink winks. Strip questions about holidays. Christian asks Ana to redecorate the playroom with him. They talk about the kinky fuckery things they like to do.
Ana meets Alexandra (Zann) Scott – who was her biological father's high school girlfriend. Zann tells her about Frank and his Aunt Rosalind. She shares pictures of Frank with Ana. She gives Ana his history and tells her where he is buried.
Christian takes Ana on romantic date to Canlis. When they return home, they dance. Lemon.
Christian flies Ana and Ray to Riverside National Cemetery. Ana gets paperwork from office – pictures of Frank and letters. Great aunt Rosalind Lambert leaves a packet of family genealogy in Frank's folder at cemetery should someone come looking for information about him. Taylor asks why Ana didn't receive Veteran's Benefits when Frank Lambert died.
Days later Christian and Ana visit playroom. Christian explains he took belts, whips, paddles and canes out of there when he read Ana's reaction to the contract. They talk redecorating the playroom. He shows her the toy chest and explains items in it. He introduces her to a spreader bar.
Ana and Zann talk about what she learned at Riverside National Cemetery. They talk about her mother's issues.
Video outs Christian and Ana as engaged, but it is Sabine – wearing her Celtic engagement ring. She and Aedan are going to Ireland to get married over Labor Day weekend.
Jack Hyde accepts plea bargain – 25-50 years in prison with a minimum of 25 served.
Seattle Nooz outs Ana and Kate going to private appointment at Celeste's couture shop. Speculation is wedding bells.
Chapter 21 – Message in a Bottle
Christian proposes. Ana accepts. Four-carat pink heart-shaped diamond engagement ring. Kavanagh Media announces engagement while Christian and Ana are at sea. Lemons. Elena is horrified and plots. Susannah is in tears. Ray calls Carla. Carrick and Grace are ecstatic.
Hyde gets pissed off about the engagement announcement and is put in solitary confinement for 30 days.
On their way home, Christians and Ana devise a plan to settle wedding issues. He's pissed off that she agrees to sign pre-nup and there be LEMONS.
Carla becomes mom-zilla over wedding plans. Carrick has to fly to Savannah and have Carla and Bob sign NDAs to keep quiet about the wedding!
Chapter 21 – How to fuck with Ana's 23rd Birthday
Elena arranges for Susannah and Isaac to attempt to kidnap Ana and Kate from WSCC where Ana is acting as a model for Celeste Kavanagh.
After the unsuccessful kidnapping attempt – AND IF YOU HAVE TIME – REREAD THIS CHAPTER - Kate takes pictures of everything and everyone for her had. Elena struggles with Prescott; Prescott is shot but still takes Elena to the floor and subdues her. Elena has a teenage boy with her that she's planning to make into a submissive. Lots of points of view. Taylor beats the crap out of Isaac. Sawyer tackles Susannah and bruises rib and breaks hand. Police Taser Elena because she won't quit screaming.
Isaac is late coming to collect Ana and Kate because he has gone through Elena's home, destroying her blackmail evidence and her pictures of teenage Christian. He tells police Elena is obsessed with Christian and hates Ana – which is the reason for the kidnapping.
Chapter 23 – Birthday and time crunches before the Big Day
Kidnapping is all over the news. Birthday party breakfast for Ana. Discussion of Prescott and her injuries. Mia tells everyone to send Carla calls, emails and questions to her. Ana opens presents. They cover the wedding and preparations. They cover the arrangements for the men and women for bachelor/bachelorette parties.
Taylor, Christian and Carrick discuss Isaac destroying evidence of Christian and Elena relationship. He outs her prostitution ring to the police.
Stephen Morton, Carla's third husband, dies from alcoholic poisoning. Introduction of new characters – Susan and Samantha Sullivan – old friends of Ana and Carla.
Christian takes Ana to see the house. They are going to buy it. She loves the meadow. Lemon.
SPD tells Carrick about the sex information they found at Elena's house. Carrick tells Grace. He tells her history of Christian and Elena.
Ana vents to Zann. They talk kidnapping attempt, Carla issues, and the new house.
Chapter 24 – The Week of the Rehearsal Dinner
Ana interviews security to temporarily replace Prescott. She hires Tara Marshall. Taylor and Welch get no-fly zone and no-sail zone around Grey Estate in Bellevue to keep wedding under wraps. Christian and Ana go undercover to get their marriage license.
Gia Matteo comes to Escala and sluts it up in attempt to seduce Christian. Ana tells her to cover up or lose the job. She's in charge of the project and won't put up with Gia's trampy ways. She refuses to let Gia take pictures of their master bedroom, let alone see it or walk into it.
Ray picks up Carla and Bob at airport – intending to have a "come to God" meeting with Carla. He warns Carla to back off Ana and the excessive suggestions for the wedding. After dinner Ana has a discussion with her mother over benefits she should have received from Frank Lambert's death while she was in college. Carla includes Ray in the conversation. At the end of the conversation, everyone knows Stephan is dead, Ray and Carla give Ana checks – enough money to pay off her student loans before the wedding. Ray's been saving while Ana was in college ($20K) and Carla was reimbursing Ana for money left in her benefit account ($6K). Ray tells about Susan and Samantha – Ana gives Mia marching orders to get them to the wedding.
Brief review of Leila's condition.
Lunch for the ladies to discuss last minute wedding items. Ana vents to Zann about the lunch, wedding events, the death of Stephan, etc.
Rehearsal dinner at Canlis – quite tasteful despite Carla's over the top antics. Introduction game over, cocktail hour over, dinner over and gifts distributed. Discussion with Carla regarding Ana's clothes…and a small warning to back off. "Please find a different topic for the night. You know how talking about clothes bores me to tears."
Kate is jealous of Samantha until Ana explains about Stephan's death.
Day before the wedding – spa day for the ladies, followed by a bridal shower. Sailing and golfing for the men.
Sex Crimes Unit of the SPD raid Elena's home after Isaac Reynolds tells them where to search. She is to be charged with sexual exploitation of children (formerly called child pornography). Christian sells the Esclava Salons to Franco for $100 per salon, effectively removing Elena from accessing profits, charge accounts, etc.
Chapter 25 – It's a nice day for a vanilla wedding!
ABC email game between Christian and Ana. Carla is mom-zilla. She wants the first row of seats at the wedding moved forward two feet – Grace refuses – saying the photographer needs to capture more than backs and butts. Ray created terrariums used to mark boundaries at wedding.
Excerpt: "Carla, enough pictures," Ray called out. "I came here to party, not rearrange Annie's ceremony area for pictures; and not to stand in front of the house, the boat house, the trees, the pier, the gazebo or the pool house for pictures. Enough - I can hear Annie's stomach growling. She's exhausted and I'm desperate for a drink."
"Are you ready for your introduction, Mrs. Grey?" Christian tucked Ana's hand into his arm and started walking up the aisle toward the marquee. Ray was right, enough was enough. How many bloody fucking pictures did Carla need of them anyway? They'd all be standing on their heads in the next one.
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Wedding reception – lots of Carla angst – especially after Ana introduces her to Frank Lambert's high school girlfriend, Alexandra (Zann) Scott. José amuses himself by taking terrible pictures of Carla at the reception.
Chapter 26 – Various reactions to the wedding – including the press releases, etc. Fun one of the day: Carrick arranges for Elena to receive a copy of the Seattle Times so she can read the wedding announcement.
Introduction to Taylor's bitch ex-wife Evette. She's got a couple good parts in JBII.
Chapters 27, 28 and 29 – Honeymoon: Europe and Lemons
Chapter 30 – First play date in the redecorated playroom.
Thanks for reading the recap. Chapter 2 (technically chapter 1 of JBII) is uploaded this weekend.