Disclaimer E L James owns everything 50 all other characters are mine
All mistakes are my own
CPOV
I was stood in the driveway long after the car had disappeared from sight.
"Are you staying out here all night son?" dad asked from behind me as I turned to face him.
"No, I'm coming."
"Good we have work to do," he said as I followed him towards the house stopping him by the door.
"Dad, I know the Lincoln's are friends of yours and mums but if Leila tries to fuck with Ana I will deal with her," I told him, what she pulled today was enough. Trying to come on to me in my parent's house in front of my parents shows how desperate she is, especially when I was watching the stairs waiting for Ana to come down. When she did come into the room I could see the disappointment, seeing Leila grabbing my arm.
The fact that she thought I was with Leila would have been laughable if it wasn't for the hurt look on Ana's face.
"Don't worry son, I'm working on it" he said as I turned to him.
"You think they're the mole," I asked.
"At this moment everyone outside this family is a suspect and its a case of keeping your friends close and your enemies even closer. If I find out they are involved the whole family will be gone but I will also not put up with any disrespect to my girls by anyone especially Leila fucking Lincoln."
"Your girls," I said smiling at him.
"Yes my girls, those three are like daughters to me and you should remember that if you piss Ana off," he said laughing.
"I am your blood" I joked with him knowing he would kill for anyone in his family.
"Yes but you are big enough to look after yourself, don't get me wrong Ana could protect herself but its hard not to be protective of them." I knew what he meant.
I had just gotten into the house when Ana had texted me to let me know she was home and taking Hugo out. We texted back and forth before I followed dad into the dining room where mum, Elliot and Ethan were sat.
There was something I had wanted to ask Ana earlier but was interrupted by the urge to kiss her and more annoyingly by the two whores. I will have to message her back when I could.
"Family meeting," was all mum said before I sat down.
"Yes dear," dad said before taking his seat.
"We need to talk about the girls" all her sons started to protest, if she asked me to stay away the answer would be no.
She lifted her hand up to stop us all before she continued to speak.
"It is pretty obvious to everyone in this house tonight that there is no way any of you are going to stay away from those girls." we all just kept quiet and nodded.
"This life isn't for everyone and its not fair for them to come into this life without all the facts so I am going round to their apartment tomorrow morning to talk to the girls, I know none of them would ever talk and I know to become part of this family you have to take the blood oath but those girls have shown their loyalty to this family time and time again. I think Ana has enough scars on her without us causing another to her hand" my dad reached over to take my mum's hand, they have known Ana for years and it has really upset my mum hearing how badly broken Ana had been.
"I agree, if the time comes that they marry into this family then the oath may need to be taken."
The blood oath was something this family has done for generations when someone is initiated into the family. Being born into it the oath is not needed but my mums right, Ana especially has gone above and beyond for this family, she gave us Max back when we thought we had lost him.
"Right we need to talk about the shooting, our guys followed the car back to Portland where they found it abandoned. Whoever it was must know the area as they could only have been out of the car when it was found a matter of minutes and they were nowhere to be found."
"Portland, Lupo's," Elliot said as I nodded.
"Has to be. Arranging a drive-by in retaliation for his car though, if he's starting a war over that piece of shit he drove he is more delusional than I thought." Ethan said.
"Well it wasn't the Lupo's themselves, they have been at the club all day" dad said, knowing the club was being watched Lupo is up to something more than his usual otherwise he wouldn't be so jumpy.
"If this is Lupo like Ethan said this is going to start a war" Elliot said and I completely agreed with my brothers. While they stayed out of our territory we had no problem, but if they continue prodding away they are going to get their fingers broken.
"Whoever it is I want them found and dealt with," mum said, she will put up with anything but hurt one of her children and she is the first on the battle line.
Mum decided that she wanted a cup of coffee before continuing so I took the opportunity to message Ana.
"Christian has a girlfriend" Elliot teased seeing the phone in my hand. Ignoring him I got up going into the living room as I sent my message.
I wanted to ask you something – Christian
Her reply came back straight away.
Ask away – Ana
Earlier when we were talking about girlfriends there is only one person who I want to be my girlfriend and that's you, so what do you think, do you want to, I mean what do you say – Christian
Fuck I sound like a bumbling idiot I thought reading back the message to myself I had just sent, I should have deleted the lot and started again.
I would love too, goodnight Christian – Ana
I felt relief when her reply came through.
Night Princess – Christian
Walking back into the dining room with a big smile on my face, my brothers were trying to hide their smirks.
"Well Christian got the answer he wanted," Ethan said laughing.
"You proposed already," Elliot said surprised.
"What are you on, proposed. Give me five minutes to get to know my girlfriend before you marry us off. Did Ana give you something to make you loopy" I asked him.
"Remember what I said son" mum said looking at me. I knew what she was on about.
"Don't worry mum, when the time is right and Ana is ready I will ask her and not before. Please keep out of it mum."
"You're really serious, you can see the whole settling down marrying one person being together for the rest of your life thing," Elliot asked me.
"Before I met Ana I would have said you were crazy but with Ana yes I can. I know there is a lot we don't know about each other but I want that chance to get to know her. Don't you think the same with Kate as you're bringing her into this life too?" I asked him.
"I do, I just thought I was the only one who had lost my mind about a woman who I have only just met," he said laughing.
Mum brought coffee in for us all before retaking her seat.
"These people who hurt Ana I want them found and dealt with," dad said as we all agreed, they had touched the wrong person.
"I will get Sam to do some digging but we need to find out the town where they used to live," I said before Elliot spoke up.
"Montesano, Kate told me when Ana went for a shower," he said as I pulled my phone out sending Sam a message with the information telling him to look at the police force 15 years ago for a Stephen Morton.
"Did Kate say who was the person who tried to touch Ana that night" I couldn't mention the word rape, couldn't think of my Ana in that situation it made me feel sick.
"No Kate said it was the first time she has been able to say her fathers name in a long time, she knew what this other person tried to do but Ana blocked it out and never said his name."
"I hope she is ok tonight," mum said quietly "Ana has had a lot of nightmares about what happened I'm just worried talking about it all again will make it worse."
We spent a while talking about Max's birthday before I left for home. I was hoping that when Ana heard what my mum had to say she was ok.
I woke up just after 7, getting up and having a shower and shave. I decided to text Ana to see how her night went and if what my mum had predicted, had happened.
Morning Ana, did you manage to get some sleep – Christian
Good Morning Christian, a little bit but I didn't expect to sleep well after last night- Ana
I'm sorry Ana, I wish I was there. My mum is planning to come to speak to you about our life this morning, I know it will be a lot to take in. Please just don't disappear ok – Christian
That's my worse nightmare, Ana telling me she can't deal with my life. Being a doctor and what we do goes against everything she does in her daily life.
Don't worry I have no plans to go anywhere. I will see you later, your mum has just arrived – Ana
I will see you soon – Christian
I made my way to my parent's house seeing people rushing around. Max loves a barbecue so that is what he is having with Ana's tiramisu for dessert as well as many other dishes. As today was nice the pool was open. There would be a lot of people here today, a lot of family and a lot of the men who worked for us and their family's.
"Son can you give us a hand" dad called from the other side of the pool.
I went over to help him move the large gas barbecue that is stored in the boathouse. My parents garden overlooked the sound, it wasn't the perfect house because it was open onto the water beyond but there was enough security around to make it safe. The boathouse has a room above which Max has turned into his den.
"Your mother's left already," he said as he connected the gas bottle into place.
"I know I messaged Ana this morning to see how she was. I don't think she had a lot of sleep though and then she told me mum was there."
I walked back into the house when my phone rang seeing it was Sam I answered the call.
"Do you have anything for me?" I asked him
"Yes quite a bit," I told him to hold on while I got my dad as we both went into his office as I put my phone on speaker.
"What do you have Sam."
"Steven Morton joined the Montesano police force in June of 1989, his wife a Carla Morton was heavily pregnant at the time when they moved to the town. It is stated that they had lived in Portland where he is supposed to have started his career and wanted to move to a quieter town to start a family."
"Hold on" I interrupted him, "what do you mean supposed to have started his career," I asked.
"Just that sir, there is no record of him at any precinct in Portland or at the police academy here in Washington, I have checked through the database of names of who entered the academy both here and around the US and his name just doesn't show up"
"Who the fuck is he then," dad asked him.
"I don't know sir. If we had a photo we could run it through the face recognition software we have but without that, it is just asking around. I apologise that I will not be able to attend Max's party, Maggie will be there with Jacob but I am on my way to Montesano to see if anyone there knew him or if saying his name gets a reaction."
"How did you get the information about the pregnant wife," I asked him.
"There was a small article welcoming them to town in the local paper, being a small town with not a lot going on this was big news as they welcomed the new chief, but no photo not even on the town notice board, they didn't even have a website then for the police department."
"Keep us updated," I said disconnecting the call.
"Do you think Ana said the wrong name" he answered his own question as he shook his head. "no I could see how much effort it took just to say the name."
"I don't think Ana would keep a photo of this fucker either," I said as he agreed.
We heard our names shouted as Max came barrelling into the door jumping into dads arms with John running after him.
"God Max slow down, he's been hyper all morning."
"IT'S MY BIRTHDAY" he shouted his voice ringing through the room.
"I never would have guessed," dad said.
"Where's grandma, she's not here," he asked.
"She went to help Ana with all the food," I told him seeing his eyes light up.
"Ana's bringing my cake," he told everyone proudly. If her cake taste like her tiramisu and soggy Cannoli there is going to be none left by the end of today.
"Who else is here," I asked as we walked towards the kitchen with Max now on my back.
"Those annoying girls, who invited them they are already taking over the pool," he said grumpily.
"Don't worry Max if they cause trouble they will be at the bottom of the pool" I said seeing who I knew he was talking about.
"Good they can't speak if they have to hold their breaths and they never shut up." I put him down as he went to open the mountain of toys that are wrapped in the living room with his granddad in tow.
"Any updates," John asked me about.
"Nothing to worry about today enjoy his party," I said patting him on the back. There will be enough to worry about tomorrow.
My mum came back just after lunch telling us not to worry, Ana apart from being a bit tired was fine and looking forward to today, she said Claire was there dropping Max's present off as she and Eamon were both working today. I was yet to meet either of them and know if Ana and I did take everything further we would eventually meet.
"Dr Steele is coming up the driveway," Franco told us as I went out to meet her. She was in her car with Kate and Mia in the car behind.
"Good afternoon Christian" Ana said as I held my hand out to help her out of the car.
"Good afternoon Ana," I said before leaning down and stealing a kiss. It didn't last long as everyone was vying for our attention but it would do me until I could have five minutes alone with Ana.
I opened the back door as Hugo jumped down, he didn't go far from Ana's side. Opening the back of the car there was a large box.
"Is there any special way I need to hold this?" I said looking at the box.
"Flat will be preferable otherwise everyone will have crumbs." she laughed.
"We can't have that now can we" I would still eat it.
Taking the box from the car, Ana picked up a smaller box that was wrapped.
She came closer to me leaning up placing a chaste kiss on my lips.
"We can't have a little boy upset on his birthday," she said before she headed towards the door with Hugo by her side.
We entered the kitchen as I carefully placed the still intact cake on the counter. Max was all over Hugo making a fuss of him.
"Max do you want to see your cake" mum asked him as he nodded.
Lifting the lid of the box the smile lit up his face as he hugged onto Ana. This cake looked like it could take off, the detail on the plane was so perfect.
"Thank you, Ana" Max thanked her.
"You're very welcome'"
Once the cake was out of the box Max turned to Ana.
"Can I ride Hugo?" he asked excitedly. He was a dog, not a horse.
"Just outside ok," Ana said as Hugo sat down so Max could climb on his back.
We followed them to the door as I grabbed Ana's hand before kissing it. Everyone here will know that I was making a statement walking out this door, she was taken, she was protected and she was fucking mine.
"Granddad look" Max shouted to my dad who was on the other side of the pool with Elliot and Kate, Ethan was sat on one of the lounges with Mia by his side.
"He's not a horse Max watch you don't hurt his back."
In-between us was Leila and Suzanne on inflatables floating in the pool trying to get the men's attention who was around. Only the few who were young, new to this life paid them any attention, they will soon learn to stay away.
Max got off Hugo as my dad shouted his name.
"HUGO" he called as Ana spoke next to me.
"Shit the pool, Hugo will be in it," she said and as if in slow motion Hugo jumped landing in the pool causing the two vane women who were once nice and dry to fall in. It was like a small tidal wave.
They both came up coughing and spluttering. They looked like drowned rats, I mean who lies on a pool wearing so much make up a chisel will be needed to get it off.
The laughed that followed drowned out the complaints that they got their hair wet. While Hugo swam around them like he was just out for a daily swim. That was until Leila went to hit Hugo.
"Touch my dog and you will have more to worry about than wet hair" Ana was by the pool so fast I didn't realise she was gone until the blur came in front of me.
"YOU, mum, dad this, this is the whore who stole Christian away" Leila spluttered.
When Leila called Ana a whore I was on my way to the pool, my mum's hand was quickly against my chest stopping me from drowning the bitch.
"Leila shut up" her father shouted at her.
"Leila Lincoln you get the fuck out of my house and if I ever see you again you will have me to deal with" it takes a lot for mum to get pissed and Leila had just crossed the line.
Hugo had gotten out of the pool and after a shake was now sat in front of Ana growling.
"Mrs Grey my apologies" Leila said getting out but my mum just pointed to the exit as Leila went to get her things.
"HUGO NO" Ana shouted, this gets better and better. I hadn't realised that Hugo had moved from in front of Ana.
"Oh my god I'm so embarrassed he not normally like this" Ana had her hands over her face as Hugo peed all over Leila's bag and clothes.
"Yes, he is," Kate said causing Ana to remove her hands from her face as she looked at her sister. Mia was stood on the other side of Kate, three sisters together.
"He detected a threat to you and he's dealing with it his way."
"Hugo come here" Max called him over to him as he trotted away from a fuming Leila.
Max was just behind me as I turned to watch them. Max held his hand out as Hugo hit it with his paw, that was it as I burst out laughing pulling Ana into my arms. I can't believe they had just high-fived.
Once all the Lincoln had left, John and Elena apologising for their daughters behaviour the party really started, I introduced Ana to my grandparents who loved her, they were chatting away like they have known each other for years, my grandmother had met Ana when Max was in the hospital but as my grandfather had only visited a few time I wasn't sure they had met before.
Ana's tiramisu went down well, more than well as I nearly didn't get any. My mum letting dad and I know there was a full tray for the family in the fridge. Crisis averted.
Max loved his cake and blew out the candles that were in a line down the wings of the plane. He told everyone that Dr Ana had made his cake. A lot of the men who were in attendance and worked for us knew Max very well and had heard of Dr Ana but were happy to meet the woman who had saved his life. Throughout Ana was never out of sight, I was still concerned with this mole and especially what we found out about Morton this morning there was something there that we were missing.
Ana was helping clean up when I took her hand leading her up to my room. Max was keeping Hugo entertained feeding him sausages that he didn't think anyone had seen him do
"Are you ok Ana?" I asked her once the door was shut.
"I'm fine, what's wrong."
"I was worried about nightmares both at night and the ones in the pool earlier," I said
"I cannot believe he did that, I'm fine Christian" she laughed.
I pulled her into my arms running my nose along hers.
"I want to kiss you," I said as she smiled up at me.
"I'm not stopping you."
I pulled her body closer still as I touched my lips to hers, our tongues soon moved together as her hands went into my hair. Finally, I could kiss Ana without anyone interrupting us.
Breaking apart to breathe I rested my forehead against hers before kissing it.
"I want to apologise to you," I said.
"For what."
"I should have asked you to be my girlfriend face to face not through a text, with everything that had happened and then being constantly interrupted I never got the chance"
"Its fine Christian, whether you asked me here or via a text, the answer would have still been the same," she said pressing her lips to mine.
When we finally made our way downstairs everyone that was left was sat around the dining room table
"Where have you been Ana," Max asked her.
"Christian has just been showing me his room," Ana said to raise eyebrows from my brothers.
Kate and Elliot were still going out this evening, he said she will have to cut his food up for him which she told him he was eating soup, how he can eat anything with the amount of burgers and chicken he had eaten today I don't know. He certainly managed to get all that in his mouth without any help.
"Ana have you gotten rid of the tickets yet," Kate asked Ana. Tickets for what I didn't t know.
"No I still have all six, Why," she asked.
"I was wondering if the guys wanted to come," Kate asked her.
"Tickets for what" I finally asked.
"Ana has six tickets to the Bon Jovi concert at Safeco field next month," Kate said as we all turned to Ana.
"I looked after the promoters son so he sent me tickets, you're more than welcome to come with us," Ana said as we all told her we would love to come or Elliot's reaction of fuck yes.
Once that was decided, talk soon turned to Ana's upcoming birthday.
"The only thing I want for my birthday is a day off or at least a lie in," she said.
"You will be off dad has already arranged that," Kate said.
"When was all this decided," Ana asked her.
"About a month ago, mum wanted you to have a nice birthday for once instead of rushing to get ready for work."
"OK, so what do you want to do," Mia asked her.
"I have no idea as I'm usually working."
"How about a family meal and then hit a club," Kate suggested.
"You do remember the last time we went to a club," Mia asked looking worried.
"You might but I don't" Ana spoke up next to me.
"What happened," Elliot asked the girls.
"We lived in Portland before moving to Seattle, it was where Ana went to medical school and we went to a club there, we had only been in about 30 minutes when Ana started to feel tired and sick. Her drink had been spiked. There was a guy behind the bar who was chatting her up but she told him repeatedly she wasn't interested. We ended up spending the night in the emergency department as she had dangerous levels of ruphnol in her system. Dad called the cops from the hospital and as soon as we told them what had happened and mentioned the club they did fuck all. They said they would investigate it but they did nothing, twice Ana has been let down by cops" Kate was pissed and I was soon joining her.
"Which club was it," Ethan asked.
"Lupo's" Mia answered.
Fuck, my face turned to dads and he looked as pissed as I was.
"They're not friends of yours are they," Ana said quietly seeing the reaction of me and my dad. I turned to her shaking my head.
"No, they're not, they most definitely are not."
"Do you know who the man behind the bar was?" dad asked the girls.
"He said his name was Gino or Gio, something like that, that's pretty much all I remember from that night" I clenched my fist together so tight they had gone white.
I didn't unclench them until Ana's hand was over mine opening my fingers out as I pulled her closer to me kissing her forehead.
Gino Lupo will rue the day that he tried to touch this beautiful woman at my side.
"Christian has a club, you could have your birthday there," mum said as the girls turn to me.
"You own a nightclub," Ana asked me as I nodded.
"That's a good idea we can use the VIP rooms in the club they have their own dance floor" Elliot suggested.
"I don't want you going to a lot of trouble," Ana told me.
"It's no trouble at all," I tell her.
It is all agreed that we all have a family meal with my parents and Ana's parents before the younger ones will go on to my club. I don't know what Ana's parents are like but you won't find my parents clubbing, though get alcohol in my mother and she will show anyone how to dance.
Getting my phone out I message Ros to tell her to block the VIP area off for the 10th all night, I received a message back saying a party had booked it but she had cancelled it. It's not very often I book rooms in the club area and I didn't want the girls around the upper club just yet. I will take them up there eventually but when they are more used to what goes on in this life.
Saying goodnight to Ana as they left, I held her in my arms as our lips moved together, there is nothing more I would like to do than make love to her but she needed to be ready, I won't push her.
"When can I see you again," I asked as I leaned through her window. Hugo was snoring from the back seat.
"Whenever you want, you know where I am," she said kissing my lips.
"What days are you off this week."
"I work Monday through to Tuesday morning so I will sleep most of Tuesday day but I am free Tuesday night and off Wednesday so far."
"So far," I asked her.
"Yes as you heard last night even when I'm off duty they will always call me in, or at least try to."
"Have dinner with me on Tuesday. If you're tired we can make it Wednesday" I asked her.
"Dinner Tuesday will be fine, I look forward to it."
I kissed her again before she started the car.
"Night Christian," she said
"Goodnight Princess, send me a message when you get home."
She nodded before leaving the driveway and my sight.
Walking back into the house I was greeted by my dad, Ethan and grandfather, Mia had taken Kate's car home as she had left with Elliot.
"Time for work son" dad said as we walked into his office.
"I'm sure I have met Anastasia before," granddad said.
"Before today," I asked. "Maybe in the hospital when Max was there."
"Mmm maybe, she's a lovely girl, very polite and strong enough to keep you on your toes," he said patting my shoulder.
"There is just something about her, something familiar. Maybe I did meet her properly in the hospital."
We sat down in my dad's office telling them about my phone call with Sam and what we were going to do about the Lupo's
At the end of the day when I stepped into my apartment and under the shower, I was happy with the way the day had gone. Ana had called to let me know she was home ok, having to practically nudge Hugo to get out of the car. Max had a great birthday party and Hugo had pissed Leila off literally. It would be a while before I could stop laughing at that. Plans were in place for Ana's party and also for the Lupo's.
They wanted a war they were certainly on their way to getting one.
Thank you for your reviews and to all who have read my story
Until next time
Caroline
