Ana POV

The shopping spree had been tiring. Although Mia's enthusiasm was infectious, I knew next to nothing about clothes and brands and my feet hurt. I did, however, enjoy treating myself a little, by buying new clothes, shoes and a few accessories. I made a mental note to thank Ray later.

Mia's brother Elliot was also pretty easy to get along with. Although he spent most of his time flirting with girls, he gave me a piggy back ride when my feet hurt, making me laugh till my tummy hurt.

"So, which school are you going to?" Mia asked, in the backseat of Elliot's expensive car as he drove us home.

"Seattle Prep-" I was cut off by a loud squeal that almost made Elliot swerve off the road.

"We go there too. Oh Ana, I just know we're going to be best friends." I laughed I surely as the smaller girl rambled on about her friends and the school and the teachers, and I was perfectly content with just listening to her talk, rather than talking myself.

"Okay girls, we're here." Elliot opened our doors for us, making me giggle like a little girl. I hadn't known him for long yet he was already one my favourite people. Looking on the street, Ray wasn't home yet so I began walking across the road, wanting to get a head start on dinner, as a thank you for letting me stay.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" The giant hand on my shoulder made me jump, scaring the wits out of me. I whirled around and let out a breath as I saw it was just Elliot. Trying to calm myself down, I offered him a weak smile as his blue yes stared into my own. Elliot was a big guy, probably bigger than Stephen and his skinny addict friends, but he wouldn't hurt me.

"Mom has invited you and Ray over for dinner. She's just called him and sorted it out." He took his hand off my shoulder, looking guilty before beckoning me to follow him into his house. Once again, I marvelled at the beautiful architecture. Ray's house was beautiful too, but nowhere near as extavangsnt as this one.

"You're back again." I met grey eyes again and the copper haired boy from earlier stood by the stairs grumbling at me. I frowned.

"I'd leave if I thought being here was a problem, but I was invited here for dinner. I'm sure you know it's extremely impolite to deny dinner invitations." I gritted out, trying not to let his rude behaviour grate on my nerves.

He stared at me, a mixture of shock and anger darkening his beautiful features. I turned away, walking further into the house, to where I assumed the kitchen was. Thank God I was not directionally challenged, because I found Mrs Grey and some maids faffing around in the kitchen.

"Anastasia, you made it! Mia and Elliot have been gushing about how they enjoyed the trip." Mrs Grey, ever the kind woman, hugged me again, twice that day, smiling at me as if I was her child.

I wish my mum had looked at me like that.

"Come on, dinner will take a while. You can play with Mia." She ushered me out of the busy kitchen, and back into the living room where Mia all but grabbed me and dragged me to her room. Aside from Christian and Mr Grey, It seemed the whole family were comfortable with physical contact. Even then, Mr Grey shook my hand.

"So..." Mia looked expectantly at me, as we sat on her large pink bed. Her room was white, pink and blue, with decorations and ornaments all over the place, including a mannequin near her walk in wardrobe that she dressed clothes in.

"So..." I copied her, unsure of what she expected from me.

"What's London like?" She asked, resting her chin on her palm, her big doe eyes staring at me.

"It's nice. Busy and noisy, but still home." I murmured. I spent most of my days wandering the streets, since it was safer than my own home. I enjoyed exploring the large city, there was always something new to see.

"I've never been, I want to go." She sighed wistfully. "What's your mom like?" I froze at her question, not knowing what to say about the woman that birthed me. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I wasn't sure if - just forget I asked okay?" She looked so upset.

"No it's okay, just threw me off guard." I assured her. I mulled over my next words."She's nice, a little flighty and unorganised, but when it was just me and her, she was nice. She'd get me what I wanted, always making up adventures for us." I paused. The good memories were much more emotional in my opinion, because I knew I could never have them back.

"It's just, she had a horrible taste in guys. I'll save you the drama and tears, long story short, she married a crack addict stupid enough to be busted by a twelve year old." A bitter laugh escaped my lips and I blinked back the tears. Mia had tears in her eyes, crushing me in a hug which I returned just as equally.

"Aw, let me get some of that!" Before I knew it, Elliot joined the hug, squishing us both in his big muscly arms, making us squeal and topple on the bed. We started tickling him to get out of his arms and soon we were all tickling each other.

"Moms calling you all. Dinners ready and Ray's here." Christian's cold voice broke us from our laughter. I straightened my clothes before rushing downstairs. Not caring about my hair which was all over the place, or my flushed smiling face, I greeted Ray with a hug, surprising him a little.

Dinner was all set and we took our places. I sat between Ray and Mia, opposite Christian and Elliot. Mr and Mrs Grey sat at the ends of the table.

"So Anastasia, how you enjoying Seattle so far?" Mr Grey asked, once we all tucked into our delicious steak.

"It's amazing Mr Grey, and your kids have all been wonderful." He chuckled, light blue eyes shining at my polite answer.

"Please, Carrick will do. Mr Grey makes me feel old." He chuckled with Ray both of whom had their gazes on me, making me heat up.

"Anyways, Ana, you are coming over tomorrow. We have to get you ready for school." Mia stated, leaving no room for arguments. I just nodded, clearing my plate and wiping my mouth with a napkin.

"So what did you do at work today Daddy?" I asked, taking a sip of my water. Ray smiled at me, his features softening, making my chest swell.

"Nothing much. Just the usual, trying to get the sawdust out of my socks." He chuckled as did the rest of the table. Feeling eyes on me, I turned my head to meet Christian's eyes, who was scrutinising me, as if reading me.

"Anastasia dear, you're finished early. Please help yourself to more."

"It's just Ana Mrs Grey, and thank you. The food was delicious but I'm perpetually stuffed." I answered her concerned comment, blushing at everyone's gazes. I promise, I'm not anorexic, it just takes getting used to eating. Steady progress though. My dietitian advised me to take five small meals a day to get back to my normal weight.

"So, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Mia asked.

"Not sure, probably an editor or a publisher. I wanna major in English Literature." I shrugged. "What about you?" I asked.

"Isn't it obvious? A fashion designer!" She squealed for the billionth time that day.

"What about you Elliot?" I asked, sice the adults were having a conversation of their own.

"No clue." He smiled.

"What about you Christian?" I asked, addressing the boy who wouldn't stop staring at me.

"No idea. Probably end up being a lawyer." He mumbled. A hot lawyer.

Sooner than I would have liked to, we were saying goodbye, with me and Ray carrying the bags I had gotten with clothes in it. With a few good nights and settling down, I lay in my bed, comfortable and happy for once, looking forward to tomorrow, and strangely, even school.