Christian takes a deep breathe running his hands through his hair trying to control his flaring temper.
"Now as I was saying I wanted everyone here so we can talk about the family portrait."
Every five years all the Grey's and Kavanagh's has their portrait taken by Ana's College friend Jose. Once Ana had Phoebe she and Christian decided to have
their portraits taken, since then they have made it a tradition including the entire family usually taking them in very beginning of the year. Being that
Christian didn't have many pictures of himself growing up before he was adopted he wanted his kids to have lots and lots of pictures of themselves growing
up so they could show their own kids one day.
"Yes…" Ana adds. "We were thinking instead of going to Jose's studio that this time we take the portrait in the meadow."
"And how exactly are we going to do that?... the last time I checked the meadow was covered in snow!" Kate points out.
"Yeah about that…. When I called Jose's assistant he told me that Jose was booked for the next 3 months and his next available date was sometime in April, I
even tried to throw my name around to see if we could get squeezed in sooner but it was no use so we have to wait till April, that's why I suggested the
meadow" Ana says. Christian grins. He likes it when his wife uses the power of their name to get her way, he wish she did it more but he knew Ana wasn't
one to abuse power like that.
"I've already agreed to the location" Christian states
"WHAT?!... Mr. Control Freak has agreed to someone else's idea. I wonder how much convincing that took?" Kate says shockingly and glances at Ana
smirking. Ana blushes and just giggles, she would have responded to Kate's question but there were far too many little ears in the room for that kind of
response. Christian is grinning also knowing exactly what it took he could feel his palm tingling from the memory.
"Anyways…" Christian says trying to put the conversation back on track.
"Since we are taking the portraits in the meadow I suggest we wear all white instead of the usually formal attire; it would seem more fitting with all white
casual wear." Everyone agrees and nods their approval.
"I have another announcement, everyone knows that Chloe and Cary's Birthday is in a few days and I've been planning a surprise although if Cary doesn't
clean up his act fast he won't be getting anything." Chloe claps in glee while Cary shrinks under the stern glare he's receiving for Christian.
Ana speaks "Remember you each get to invite 10 friends no more than that… Ok?!" The twins nod in unison smiling wide.
"We need the list of names by tonight so I can have security run them" Christian declares. "OMG dad how many times do I have to tell you our friends aren't terrorists!" Chloe huffs exasperatedly.
"That's a matter of opinion my dear." Christian says to his daughter. Mrs. Riley stands at the threshold of the family
room and knocks on the open door to catch the attention of Christian, she succeeds.
"Lunch is ready to be served" Christian smiles "Thank you Elizabeth, ok guys lets go and eat."
Everyone files out of the family room and heads towards the kitchen. In the kitchen lunch is being served buffet style, being that there is so many people it's
easier this way. Gail is putting the last platter on the kitchen island as the family walks in.
"Hello Gail" Mia says as she herds her littlest ones to counter. She grabs two plates and dishes food onto them, then helps the children to the dining table. A
line forms and everyone helps themselves. While in line Ana notices Lindsay's upturned face at the platter of grilled chicken, Seth is in front of Lindsay taking two helpings of chicken.
"Oh My Gosh Seth how can you eat that!" she skips ahead of Seth going straight for the salad and fruit.
"What?... You mean the chicken?"
"I mean meat, you do know meat is murder right?!"
"Well I guess I'm a serial killer then" Seth takes a huge bite out of this chicken and chews it opened mouthed. Kate walks by and slaps him upside the head
"Knock it off Seth" she reprimands her son for taunting his cousin.
"And it's reasons like this that makes me happy I'm a vegetarian" Lindsay states proudly.
"A vegetarian?... Since when!?" Ana asks in shock at her daughter declaration.
"Since the week I seen this video Sarah sent me…. Oh mom it was terrible the poor cows and chickens and pigs, it was totally barbaric and cruel"
Lindsay is getting misty eyed remembering what she had seen. Ana wraps one arm around her daughters shoulder as they walk to the dining room together.
"Oh honey I'm sorry you had to see such a horrific thing and if you want to be a vegetarian I completely understand." Lindsay puts her plate down and gives Ana a big hug "Thanks mom you're the best, I love you so much." Lindsay sits beside Michelle and they start chatting away.
Christian had seen their embrace for across the table and is smiling lovingly at Ana as she approaches the seat saved beside Christian for her.
"Mrs. Grey you're an amazing mother!" He kisses her chastely on the lips. "What was that all about anyways?" resting his hand on her knee and squeezing slightly.
"Our daughters life choice to be a vegetarian"
"What!?" Christian says shocked
"Yes apparently one of her friends sent her a video of some animals being sent to the slaughter house, she was so broken up about I just told her that I'm sorry she had to see that and if she wanted to be a vegetarian that it was her choice and I understood completely. I'm sure it's just a phase"
Christian kisses her temple and nuzzles her ear "I'm sure you're right baby."
They continue to enjoy their lunch and listen to the chatter around the table. Grace is looking around the table enjoying her family when she notices Ava and Phoebes' heads are bowed down. She looked puzzled for a second then realized what was going on.
"Ava and Phoebe you know there is no texting while at the dinner table".
The girls snap their heads up to see Grace's disapproving face looking straight at them.
"Sorry Grammy" says Ava
"Sorry Grandma" apologized Phoebe.
They then set their phones on the table faces down and finished eating their lunch. A few minutes later Ava and Phoebe are finished and ask to be excused from the table, once they leave the dining room they head straight to Phoebe's room.