Hey guys, sorry this chapter took so long. Work and re-enrolling for Uni got in the way because some people can't do their own jobs. :
Here's the next chapter. Enjoy
"Morning Daddy" Grace yelled through the apartment, making her way to the kitchen.
"Good morning Princess" he smiled as lifted her up and strapped her into the toddler safety seat he'd had installed as soon as she wanted out of her high chair.
"Grace, what would you like for breakfast?" Gail asked smiling.
"Can I have choccy snaps?" she smiled cheekily.
"No Grace. You have them once a week at your grandmothers, that's enough. Now pick something you know you can have" Christian told her firmly.
When Grace had been born, Christian had contacted the best nutritionist in Seattle to devise an eating plan for his daughter, she would have a healthy, well-structured diet, however, when Christian had tried to implement this into his parents' home, it had fallen on deaf ears. 'If my grandbaby is going to stay in this home, she will most definitely not be sticking to a strict, boring diet plan. I have raised three very healthy children and did not need some silly diet' Grace had stated, the argument didn't last long and for once in his life Christian caved very easily, his mother had a point, and while he wasn't happy that his daughter snacked on chocolate snaps and crisps while at his parents' home, he knew she was only allowed certain amounts and her main meals were never unhealthy.
"Okay" she moped.
"How about you have some wheat squares with strawberry yoghurt and I'll cut some fruit up into cool shapes?" Gail suggested winking at the small child, making her smile.
"Thank you Gay-ul" she smiled, as Gail smiled at the over-pronunciation of her name. Although she had great speech, Grace struggled to wrap her tongue around it.
Christian finished his own breakfast and turned to his daughter as she dove into her breakfast. "Sweetheart, Daddy has to go to work now" he said.
She turned to him and held up her arms; he responded by leaning over and wrapping his arms around her small frame as best he could.
"I love you Daddy" she said down his ear.
"I love you too Princess, have a good time at Grandma and Grandpas O.K.? and make sure you behave and do everything they tell you" he whispered gently, there arms still wrapped around each other, he wouldn't see her again till Sunday evening.
"I will Daddy" she gave him a toothy grin as she tucked back into her breakfast. The one thing Christian was grateful for was that his daughter was a good eater.
"Mrs Jones, my brother will be picking Grace up around 1pm, can you make sure she is ready by then, please" He spoke formally as he always did "Once Grace has left, you are dismissed, enjoy your weekend".
"Very well Mr Grey and you too" she smiled.
Gail for all intent and purposes was the mother figure that Grace didn't have. As well as taking care of the household chores, Gail had offered to care for Grace as her Nanny when Christian had brought her home, always there to tuck her in at night, cuddle her or dry her tears when Christian couldn't and he had grown to trust Gail implicitly with the most important thing in his life.
"Goodbye Sweetheart" he said with one last departing kiss to her temple.
Gail checked her watch, 12:55pm. Elliot would be here in five minutes, give or take a few minutes. Grace sat patiently waiting for her Uncle 'Lelliot' while clutching Snowflake, a white poodle stuffed animal that she'd gotten off her Aunt Mimi when she was born.
Gail heard the familiar ping of the Elevator and watched as Grace jumped up to greet her Uncle.
"UNCLE LELLIOT!" she yelled excitedly running to him to be scooped into his arms.
"Hey Rugrat" he smiled affectionately at his niece, "Hi Gail" he smiled.
"Mr Grey" she smiled, picking up the child's small suitcase and handing it over to Elliot.
"Thanks Gail" he smiled, "Gracie, are you going to say goodbye to Gail?" he asked. He gently placed her on the floor and waited while Grace gave Gail a hug and kiss and ran back to Elliot, he always got Grace to give Gail a hug and kiss goodbye, his brother hated that he was so informal with his staff and made his daughter be so as well but Elliot thought that after everything Gail did for the two year old and his brother that Gail deserved a little affection from the little girl, they both made their way to the elevator hand in hand and left.
"Bye Gail" she shouted giving a last final wave before the door shut.
"So, what do you want to do today?" he asked, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Ball park!" she squealed excitedly.
Christian smiled at the photograph on his desk. The only picture on his desk, only a small one. His mother, his sister and Grace had pride of place on his desk. It was taken only six months ago and had been given to him by Elliot; his mother was holding his daughter while she had her arms wrapped around his sisters' neck. His three best girls, the most important people in his life, the glue of their family, each one of those three women had saved his life at one time or another.
He moved his gaze from the photo to the manila folder on his desk; he slid the first page out and stared at the photograph that accompanied the details, crystal blue eyes stared at him from the page. Anastasia Rose Steele. His next submissive.
Elliot laughed at his niece; she was holding a plastic stethoscope to his chest while he lay on the sofa with his eyes closed. After two hours playing together in the giant ball park, Grace had gotten hungry and tired so decided it was time to head to his parents' home, were they would have dinner and Grace would be staying.
Big Grace and Little Grace (nicknamed by Carrick) had decided to play doctors and nurses with a children's doctor kit that Grace and Carrick had bought for her.
"So Doctor Grace, what is wrong with our patient?" asked
"I tink he's sweeping Doctor Gwandma, he's wazy" she giggled cheekily.
"Lazy?" he said faking shock; his eyes had shot open in surprise to see little Grace giggling into her hand. "Lazy? I'll give you lazy" he jumped and threw her into the air, the room drowned in girlish giggles, his mother laughing as his father walked into the room.
"GWANDPA" came a cry as Elliot lowered Grace to the ground so she could run to him.
Carrick lifted Grace into his arms, "Hello my sweet darling" he whispered affectionately as he placed a kiss to her cheek. Grace had a special bond with her grandfather; they loved to spend time together. He shook his sons hand and then moved over to his wife and wrapped his other arm around her laying a gentle kiss to her lips, "and hello my other sweet darling" he smiled softly.
"Hi sweetheart" Grace smiled.
"And just what are my favourite girls doing this evening?"
"Pwaying doctors with Uncle Lelliot, Gwandpa. He's being wazy" Grace giggled when Elliot snarled at her jokingly.
"Well" Grace said gently resting her hand on her granddaughters cheek, "I think we should share a nice meal and sit down in the family room with a great Disney classic" she carried on, smiling as her granddaughter clapped her hands in delight.
"Sounds like a brilliant idea my darling" he smiled at his granddaughter and his wife.
He took in the picture of his family. His sweet little Grace. Both of them. Both so caring, so loving. His son, who had, as soon as he'd known about her doted on Grace more than anything. He thought of his daughter Mia, studying in Paris and his youngest son, who if he just gave in and trusted himself could have a wonderful relationship with his own daughter.
Christian smiled on the dreary Saturday, as he peered through the hardware store window and saw her, so perfect.
While I know most of you want Anastasia to feature in the story, I can promise you she is coming up, these first few chapters are to establish Grace in the Grey family and the relationship between them all.
And Lastly… The situation about the subs and all that will be explained.
