"Hey, Sugarcake. Anything interesting happen today?" "….. Nope!"
I brought Daddy a bag of walnuts to his walnut bakery. Yes, those are a thing. Grandpa- my dad's father- was already there too; yippy. I came in and gave the bag to Daddy. "Hi, Daddy." "Hey, Sugarcake. Thanks!" "And why are you so late?" Gonna get into it already, Grandpa? "Erm, I… was busy." "Did you get the milk?" "Huh?" "Milk? I told me you were going for milk earlier." "Oh! Oh, yeah…. uh, n-no. I um, forgot," not a total lie. "You forgot? What were you doing that was important that you "forgot"? You're a twenty-eight-year-old woman, Anastasia; not an absent-minded teenager." Kinda feels that way with you, Daddy, and twinze babying me all the time.
"Ray, what are you doing to do with her?" "Uh, give her a slice of walnut cake?" Ha! Grandpa did not like that response. Daddy gave me a wink and slid me a plate. "How can you be so relaxed?! Your daughter only has ten years left and she's not even married." "Ugh, dad," Daddy's eyes rolled tiredly. "Hey, Anastasia! You should marry someone rich; then your kids- not to mention extended family- will be taken care of." "Yeah, that's not happening, Grandpa."
"Why not? You're a young, attractive woman. Who wouldn't want to marry you?" I didn't reply, turning down to my slice of cake and poking it with my fork. Maybe a guy who'll want a wife for more than ten years?
Twinze was not happy when he got home that night. Apparently, all the thugs were sent to his hospital; although he didn't work on them, he saw their injuries. Brother stormed home furious but thankfully tattle to Daddy or Grandpa. Technically I'm supposed to hide my powers from the public, unless absolutely necessary. I'd call that situation absolutely necessary. Alex waited until Daddy and Grandpa were watching tv in the other room before having it in on me.
"When are you going to start acting responsibly?!" Alex reprimanded while I laid on the couch. "What was I supposed to do? Let them beat that bus driver to death?" "You're supposed to call the police and let them handle it." "I tried! They took my phone and broke it. I didn't really see another way… which reminds me, I've gotta ask Daddy if he'll get me a new phone." "Jesus," my beloved twin ran his hand over his face utterly exasperated with me.
"You completely crushed them, you know. But never mind them. What about you? What if you tore a muscle or strained yourself? You're getting older, baby sis'." Baby sister; Alex has always called me that despite being the same age. I smiled over at him; and I loved him for it. "I'm fine, Alex. I haven't collapsed in almost a year now. You've really helped me out there." This man actually became a doctor, convinced he'd find a cure for whatever I have. He said he's not ready to lose his lovely- and only- sister so soon.
Of course, twinze was not appeased. "But you're not fine, Ana. You're going to be thirty soon. If we don't….." I peered back to Alex from the corner of my eye to see him biting his lower lip. He was scared. "We're running out of time." That's all he said; he didn't have to say more. We both knew what he meant…. It was practically the story of my life and the constant elephant in the room. It never truly went away; not really.
"Kids, come in here! The game's starting!"
Grandpa and Daddy sat on the old, blue sofa while twinze and I planted ourselves on the floor. This was something we did regularly; watch football games together. It helped that we all routed for the same team- Amsterdam's Ajax. That was the first team Daddy saw play live. Grandpa fanned himself with a magazine, Alex had one eye on the tv and another on his medical textbook, and Daddy and I were absorbed into the game. But of course, Grandpa…. He had to be Grandpa tonight; like every other night he came over.
"You should marry a football player. Then we'd get free tickets." "Ugh, would you please stop, Grandpa? I already told you; I don't want to get married." "Yeah. Besides, there are more important things to worry about at the moment," Alex chimed in. He didn't want me dating anyone for fear that they may discover our little family secret. "Don't you want nieces and nephews, Alex?" "I want my sister," he countered swiftly. This earned him a grin; I loved being a twin, even if he was insanely overprotective.
Grandpa sighed in an unimpressed fashion. "Oh, come on. You've got ten years to figure it out. I want some great grandchildren." "Dad, enough. Ana is in no position to be having kids right now; she's starting her PhD this year." "Exactly. Who has time for kids?" I shrugged, redirecting my attention to the game.
It didn't stay on the match for long though as my iPad started buzzing. Someone was calling me on FaceTime; probably due to the lack of phone now. It was a number I didn't recognize. "Hello?" I answered, plugging in my headphones. "Hello. Is this Anastasia Steele?" I think I knew that voice from somewhere. "Yes, this is she." "My name is Jason Taylor, secretary to Mr. Christian Grey." Who? Did I know either of these men? "I'd like to meet with you tomorrow on behalf of my client." "Christian Grey?" "Yes, ma'am. He has a proposition for you."