Just Breathe II – Chapter 8

March 9

"I want to go to Belize for a month. Average high in April is 85 degrees. White sand beaches, azure ocean, caves, waterfalls and tropical rainforest. Mayan ruins and temples, sailing the Caribbean, scuba diving and snorkeling the Barrier Reef, parasailing and dancing with gourmet dinners. We can get a beachfront cabana…" Carrick tried to entice Grace.

"Ana's pregnant," Grace blurted out.

"What?" Carrick dropped his watch because the news surprised him.

"She's pregnant…she and Christian weren't speaking…he was angry about the situation…her shot failed, compounded by the mononucleosis and antibiotics. She's very ill…" Grace blurted out.

"How ill," Carrick asked, concerned, picking up his watch and grabbing Grace's hand to lead her to the loveseat in their suite.

"She has HG," Grace said, explaining the condition and the possible outcomes to Carrick. Then she explained about her plan to move Ana into the pool house until she was well enough to return to Escala. Christian would move to his bedroom suite upstairs. Taylor and Sawyer in guest suites down the hall from him. "Nursing staff will be coming and going – I'll keep checking on them and her. Christian can spend time with Ana during dinner and before she sleeps. She has appointments with her OB/GYN here."

"Grandparents," Carrick rose and put his shoes on. "I expected Elliot to have a handful of babies and baby-mamas the way he carries on…but Christian giving us our first grandchild…I'm speechless."

Grace's phone rang. "Dinner is ready when you are. Christian and Ana asked we not reveal their secret. Normally a reveal wouldn't happen until the pregnancy is 12 weeks or more. She's only six or seven weeks right now. If anyone asks, she's having complications from mono and is under quarantine."

Carrick kissed her tenderly on her temple. "You will be the most wonderful grandmother."

"Ana called Carla; explaining she was pregnant and needed help. Carla freaked out. I don't know the entire gist of the conversation, but it wasn't pretty. I think I'd like to be called Mémère," Grace smiled and then sighed.

"I will teach my grandchildren to fish, camp outdoors, swim, sail, kayak and call Carla 'Grandmother'. No Grandma, Granny, Grammie, Nana or any name which is meant to convey a loving relationship. If she wants to jeopardize Ana's love; I'll skewer her attitude every chance I get. Her loss….again." Carrick sighed. "So when is Ana due?"

"October, which means we have a new baby for the holidays," Grace's eyes danced. "Our grandchild's first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year will happen this year."

"Make it happen, my wonderful wise wife. I'll help in every way possible so my son and daughter have a healthy child." Carrick kissed her. "Including developing an airtight no talking about babies NDA for Carla and Bob."

"Their NDAs need to be signed within a week," Grace advised.

March 12

After a four-day stay in the hospital for Ana, which included the installation of a PICC line and half a dozen staff ejected from her room by Sawyer…Grace had the pool house ready. She hired nursing staff and Carrick had signed NDAs in place. Grace arranged for air ambulance to pick up Christian and Ana on the hospital helipad and transport them to Bellevue. Ana wore an oxygen mask the entire trip, and although she was fatigued; she wasn't sick from odors.

Almost the minute Christian settled Ana at the pool house; he had to go to Portland for two days. He agreed to visit the farms at WSUV and talk to them about grant expansion and development. He and Roz just completed acquisitions of wind turbine and solar-powered water pump and purifier companies. Christian wanted to test and develop the systems for use with agriculture research from WSUV.

However…Ana wanted to have a talk with him before he left. "I don't want to start an argument with you before you leave…but we need to talk," Ana said. "I wanted to wait until I thought I could say what I need to say without getting upset." Her voice trembled.

Christian sat in the chair next to the bed and held her hand. "Take your time and just breathe…"

"I'm very disappointed in your actions after you found out I was pregnant." She held up her free hand to hush him. "You hurt my heart when you stopped talking to me. I felt you were pulling a Dom move on me – removing yourself from my presence and our home as a way of punishing me. I let you treat our relationship badly. So, just to put it in your parlance – no contact punishment is a hard limit."

Christian's sad face hurt her heart again.

"Then I was angry with myself for not marching to your office and confronting you. Then I got sick and wanted you to hold my hand. Then I was angry and wanted to kick you in the balls. My emotions are all over the place…so you have to understand and not hold it against me. If my emotions get all over the place…like this morning; I need you to give me a warning word…" Ana said.

"Red or yellow - stoplight colors when your emotions start racing away with you," Christian said. "I owe Gail an apology also. Do you have any ideas?"

"Fairmont Olympia two day stay, with a spa day. Gourmet meals and good wine and Jason. She's been on call for 24/7 since I got sick." Ana suggested.

"We will do our best to give them a long weekend off together," Christian promised. "Now we need to contact Max Roach or Rob Loeder." Christian notified Max that Ana had complications from mono and was on modified bed rest until the doctor cleared her to return to work. He warned Grey Publishing that meant at least two more months of recuperation. Ana would read manuscripts via her tablet for a while, and submit synopses as often as she could. Max arranged for the remainder of Ana's work to be covered by other editorial staff. Because of her intermittent work schedule, Ana asked not to be paid, but be given leave with a guarantee her job would be there when she returned.

Ana smiled. "Give me a kiss goodbye…and email and text me while you are gone."

"Yes, Mistress Grey," he gently kissed her lips. "Taylor and I are out of here."

March 13

Ana fired the first set of nurses after 36 hours because they said she wouldn't throw up as much if she would just calm down. Grace was more selective about the next set of nurses who came to "help" Ana. Grace didn't need the staff vexing Ana or causing her blood pressure to spike. Ana felt nauseous 24/7 and hated herself because she had gone from being a working woman to someone who couldn't take a shower without help. She emailed Zann; explaining about the pregnancy and would have to email Zann weekly until she was back on her feet.

Zann recommended rest – physical and mental.

March 14

Gretchen Abbing spotted a familiar black SUV parked at the Grey Estate as she drove up the driveway. She came to the Grey Estate to ask Mrs. Greggory for a reference when she applied to the culinary academy at UDub. She was dressed in black pants and a crisp white tailored shirt. She was scheduled as part of the wait staff for the Washington Chapter of the Sierra Club dinner in The Garden venue at the Fairmont Olympia tonight. She paused and then went to the servant entrance and rang the bell. Mrs. Greggory invited Gretchen into the kitchen and poured coffee for her.

"I was surprised when you rang from the front gate. This is our new maid, Lucy," Mrs. Greggory provided introductions when a middle-aged blonde came in from the laundry center.

"I put a basket of clean linens and laundry for Mrs. Ana in the staff suite. When there is a shift change, they can take them down to the pool house." Lucy announced.

"Mrs. Grey moved to the pool house?" Gretchen asked.

"Sorry, we signed nondisclosure agreements, we can't talk about it. If you leave me the address, Gretchen, I'll see you get your letter of recommendation for college." Mrs. Greggory said.

XX

"This is Gretchen Abbing – I met you last month at the press association dinner. You gave me your card and asked me to contact you if I saw anything interesting at the Fairmont Olympia. If you call me – I have a huge story about Christian and Anastasia Grey. Huge – living apart from one another huge. It will cost you $5K, cash."

March 15

******** Seattle Nooz ********

Grey has been a Bad, Bad, Boy
Intimate Sources reveal his drinking, jealousy and fits of temper lead to split from Anastasia Grey!

Christian Grey was seen Tuesday and Wednesday at WSUV. Since 2010; Grey House donates to the farms at WSUV which is where Mr. Grey met the lovely Anastasia Steele Grey…who is still avoiding the public eye. Is Christian Grey sowing his wild oats? Rumor says a lovely brunette showed him around the farms and was seen at the Heathman Hotel with him. A knowledgeable source says the Gorgeous Greys have separated. Watch here for details from our intimate source about his jealousy, drinking and fits of temper!
******** Seattle Nooz ********

XX

"So," Elliot said, "Sowing your wild oats? Kate's blaming me because you're acting like a player."

"I wasn't sowing anything except seeds of interest. We're studying the effects of genetically modified crops in third world countries. As for my tour guide, he did have nice hair. I wouldn't call it lovely. Plus I'm pretty sure Ana can count on Taylor to keep me from sowing my wild oats in other people's…property." Christian said gravely.

Elliot couldn't contain his laughter.

"While I've got you on the phone – Ana and I feel it's time to start work on the au pair and the housekeeper suite renovations; on the boathouse and pier; and on the triplex for the staff. Ana has some ideas about a running track around the perimeter of the meadow with a screened gazebo in one corner. Plus she wants a pool and pool house. Can your work crews begin the process? The suites in the house need to be done by July fourth. The rest of the work needs to be completed by October first." Christian advised. "OH…and Gia Matteo and the company she works for are not to be anywhere near our project. Ana will go ballistic."

"Thanks for the job man, I've got the plans for everything. My crew can work on the interior suites while waiting for the exterior permits and better weather." Elliot said. "Hey, if you know of anyone looking for a building to rent, send them to us. We will finish renovating the Esclava buildings by the end of April. We need to get tenants in them by July 1."

"When I get back, you need to come see Ana and me. Bring possible plans for the gazebo along with the rest of the plans for the work to be done. You have to shower at Mom's house with special toiletries and wear special clothes before you see Ana. She's got complications from mono. She's got a heightened sense of smell which makes her nauseous. Your usual bathe in after shave routine will make her ill."

"Understood," Elliot said. "I'll have mom email me directives. See you when you get back."

XX

"Beware the Ides of March," Grace told Ana when she came to check Ana's vital signs. "Don't watch cable TV today. Entertainment Exposé is reporting you and Christian are separated."

"We decided not to respond to any allegations," Ana said. "I need to call Ray. We are waiting announcing Baby Grey to the world until after the baby's 20th week; just to ensure he/she is alright." The intense media scrutiny stressed Ana out more than it should have. She read a blog where the writer said she wouldn't wish HG on an evil person. Ana would give this nausea to the Bitch Troll in a heartbeat. But she reconsidered her wish – HG meant she was pregnant with Christian's child; which was a miracle as far as she was concerned. She was lucky to have a flexible job and work from home. She tried to read more than she was, but fatigue was not helping.

She reached for Antonia's card. It was time to learn some relaxation and meditation exercises. She needed help to get her through this situation. After she talked to Antonia, she would email Zann and ask for them to Skype. There were things to discuss and Mommy Dearest was at the top of the list, again.

XX

"Madre de Dios! Ana!" José observed his sick friend on Skype. "What the hell is up? You look like shit! Dios! You're skin and bones and it isn't pretty!" He scolded her.

"I've got complications from mono." Ana said. "It's not pretty. I won't be going to Montesano for any long weekends for a while."

"Fuck, I can imagine – you look like hell!" José exploded. "Where the hell are you? Ray didn't know for sure. No one at your work is saying anything, no one at Escala is saying anything and no one at the house is saying anything! The news is reporting Christian's at WSUV – trolling for new brunettes!"

"Fuck you, José. I don't need this shit," Ana terminated their connection.

However, José got a glimpse of the background before Ana severed the connection. There was a large tree outside the window. He recognized the tree. It was outside the window of the back bedroom of the pool house at the Grey's estate in Bellevue. He found his wedding invitation with the address of the estate on it. Then he called Ray.

XX

"Hey Annie," Ray said. "I heard you're not feeling good."

"No, I'm not." Ana blinked back her tears. "I'm pregnant, Dad."

"So your mom tells me. She also said you aren't talking to her." Ray said.

"She aggravated me," Ana said. "I wanted my mother to hold my hand or hold my hair while I'm puking my guts out, but she's angry because she will be a grandmother before she's 45."

"I'm sorry about her attitude," Ray said. "Listen, if you need me to hold your hand or kick someone's ass, I'll be right there."

"Just tell José and Carla to back off and leave me alone before I turn my husband and his security team lose on them." Ana threatened. "I'm at Grace and Carrick's if you need to get a hold of me and I'm not answering the phone. Grace can answer any questions for you. If the media contacts you about Christian and I…"

"Annie, Christian called and told me everything. He assured me he's not messing around on you or separating from you, no matter what the tabloids say. I agree with him; right now you don't need to be upset by people who don't understand your situation or approve of your decisions. I'm sorry I'm not good about controlling your mother's mouth, but I can be there for you if you need me," Ray offered. "Christian said he's sending a legal team to Savannah to get your mom and Bob to sign updated nondisclosure agreements. He wants to make sure they don't tell anyone about the baby."

March 16

"Dr. Greene says the worst HG symptoms might go away when I'm 20 weeks along. She just saw me for my eight-week checkup. Because I'm so tired; I mostly lie in bed, reading when I can. I practice Antonia's relaxation and breathing techniques…which usually puts me to sleep! Christian arranged a decent flat screen on the wall, hooked to streaming video. I can't watch anything with a lot of action because the noise and movement increase the nausea. I watch slow period movies or black and white film noir when I can watch TV. Christian has a secure Internet line installed at the pool house so I can use my computer when I'm energetic. He purchased a collection of classic audio books so I can listen if I'm too tired to hold a book or tablet to read. Sometimes I lie in bed and just watch the sky. I can't watch the wind blow the tree around…the motion makes me nauseous. I can't watch the water; or I might get sick. My nerves feel as raw as my throat, which makes me cry a lot. The only time I'm not nauseous is when I am asleep. I sleep alone because if Christian moves in bed, I'm instantly nauseous. I miss being able to make love with him. I miss seeing my friends. I miss cooking for us. I miss being able to do my own laundry. I miss working. The pool house is quiet and lonely. Ana broke down into tears, again.

XX

"Hello baby," Christian kissed Ana's forehead. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," she said. "Not so sick today."

"Mom told me. Well, I'm in for the night. Taylor will deliver dinner to us very soon. Are you having any cravings?" Christian asked.

"Looks like someone's been reading up on pregnancy," Ana smiled. "I haven't had any cravings. It's hard to crave anything when everything tastes or smells funny and I'm constantly throwing up."

"I needed things to do in my hotel room while I miss you. So I read up on pregnancy and even put a chart on my laptop." Christian said.

"Did the CCTV tapes of me sleeping help you to sleep?" Ana asked.

"Believe it or not – they did." He moved to the chair by the bed.

"Sleep with me tonight," she offered.

"I can't. When I move around in bed, you get sick," Christian said.

"Then just crawl in here and hold me until dinner gets here," Ana said.

"Turn on your side, baby," Christian said. "I can spoon with you for a little while."

He crawled into bed very gently and pulled her against him. "So what did you do today?"

"Slept, read, ate, practiced my breathing and relaxation exercises, threw up, cried," Ana said. "Normal day," she shrugged. "Tell me how the fundraiser for Treehouse is going."

"Mia is doing a great job," Christian said. "We're holding it at the Fairmont Olympia so we have room. Cocktails, presentation, dinner, silent auction, dancing. Mia's taking the auction list to the printer on Friday. Treehouse is selling $100 raffle tickets for their new car raffle in September. I donated a new Audi Q5 SUV and they are selling 300 tickets for it." He paused. "Mia will be my plus-one. Dad, Mom, Theo, Frannie, Kate, Elliot, Keaton and Celeste will make up the table with us. You sure you're not up for it?"

"Not yet, Christian," Ana said. "Tell me about the decorations..."

"Mia hired the company who does the ice sculptures for Coping Together. They are making the stylized leaf in the green, lime green and aqua colors of Treehouse. White table linens, green napkins. Mia swears the tree-lined walls will look like Monet paintings. Centerpieces of green hyacinths with aqua tapers. She's adding pictures to her website. You can go out to and see how the room is set, the menu, the auction items, find a link to Treehouse and after the event there will be pictures for sale, just like Coping Together. Do you want to hear the menu?"

"Sure; I heard a little of the conversation between your mom and Dr. Greene about it being a vegetarian menu," Ana said.

Christian reached for his smart phone and pulled up the menu. "Carrot Vichyssoise swirled with…"

"Okay – I think you can stop there," Ana groaned. "Maybe it's better if I read it."

He handed her the smart phone and she read the menu for the Treehouse fundraiser:

Carrot Vichyssoise
Swirled with sour cream and garnished with fennel curls

Grilled Tofu and Sweet Potato Lettuce Wrap
Fresh ginger, sesame oil, garlic, seedless cucumber and carrot matchsticks, wasabi paste

Green Tea and Citrus Sorbet
Garnished with crystallized anise and citrus zest

Spring Vegetable Ragout
Served with Roasted Yukon Gold Potato
and Rosemary Focaccia

OR

Grilled Wild Mushroom and White Asparagus over Creamy Basil Polenta
Garnished with shredded basil and asiago cheese curls

OR

Eggplant Parmigiana with Caprese Pasta
Garnished with baby basil leaves, sliced scallions and diced tomatoes

Cupcakes and Ice Cream
Chocolate ganache frosted chocolate torte cupcakes with raspberry mousse filling, served with

French Vanilla Ice Cream

XX

"I don't want to hurt Mia's feelings but…the only item on the menu which sounds good to me is the French Vanilla Ice Cream." Ana said.

"I know what you mean," Christian laughed. "Sawyer, Taylor and I are staying the night at the Fairmont Olympia. We're ordering decadent hamburgers with everything before we go down to eat. We've warned Mia only to serve us dessert so nothing goes to waste." He sobered for a minute. "I'm only dancing with Mom and Grandma, but the media will ask where you are."

"Ignore them," Ana said.

"Will do," he said. "Have you thought about when we're telling the universe?"

"We're announcing to family on Mother's Day," Ana said. "If I'm feeling human by Father's Day; we will announce to the universe."

"Sounds like a plan, baby," Christian kissed her hair. "Do you want to be friendly?" He whispered in her ear.

"Yes, if you can be gentle with me," Ana turned in his arms. "But you have to lock the door."

March 17

Dear Lindy,

Thank you for going to the university chapel and thank you for lighting a candle for Liza. Thank you for sending me the copy of the invitation from the Foundation Dinner and the program. It means more to me than you know.

I can't fucking believe I'm practically begging for money for my commissary funds and damned Grey Publishing donated $50,000 in memory of Elizabeth! Assholes! Roach never returned my letter. Not even a Christmas card. Fucking Anastasia Steele – and her asshole father. I should have charged that bastard with assault. My hand is still not the same, despite the fact the bones are healed.

Yes, I think it would be appropriate if you wrote about Elizabeth for a website on lost loves and the impact of violence/handguns on people's lives. Yes, I would be willing to read what you write and proofread it for you. I would be willing to make editorial comments and suggestions if you wanted. I am glad you obtained the police report about Elizabeth's death, but I cannot tell you who Leila Williams is. I swear to you on Elizabeth's grave I was never involved with, never met and do not know anyone named Leila Williams. I don't know what the police told your parents about Liza's death; but this might not be the time to tell them what you plan to do. I know your mother has been urging you to find a job close to them.

Prior to our commitment to one another; neither Liza nor I were monogamous. I was not out screwing the universe while Liza pined at home for me. I'm sorry, but your father is mistaken. Liza loved to read "bodice rippers" as you call them. She enjoyed "bodice ripper" role-playing also. Liza and my sex life was passionate. It was colorful. It was exciting. It was hours of being lost in one another's arms.

It was hours of toys and fucking Elizabeth senseless.

Because of who is involved in the case; I am not allowed to discuss the events leading up to the move of SIP to Grey Annex. If I did; you would receive a letter with lots of black boxes. Suffice to say…do the research, Lindy. If I can answer questions, I will. Perhaps you want to talk to the lawyer your family met after Elizabeth's funeral. It sounds like he researched the events. I think you could get more answers if you talked to him privately; without your parents.

He talked to me and I encouraged him to go for a multi-million dollar payout from Grey Publishing for wrongful death. What the hell happened?

I'm very proud of you will work on your senior project during spring break for the Innocence Project. Be sure to have some fun while you are on spring break. Finals, projects and papers are looming on the horizon. You need a good laugh to dispel some of the stress.

Thank you for everything…

J.E. (Jack) Hyde, DOC 089706
Clallam Bay Corrections Center
1830 Eagle Crest Way
Clallam Bay, WA 89326

March 24

Text from Christian to Ana:
Would you like to play A game? I did a pre-event glimpse at the guest list…and am appalled at some of some of these names! How about baby names we will not consider? I'll start. A is androgynous names like Aubrey, Skyler or Hunter. And…there is a Finleigh (Finley). But since it is spelled Leigh; I'm pretty sure she's a she.

Ana: I'm game. Let's avoid beautiful names like Blake and Blair.

Christian: C is for cinematic names. I went to school with a bunch of Colby, Colton and Collyer named boys because Days of Thunder with Tom Cruise as Cole was popular.

Ana: LOL – D is for double initials, like David Daniel or Darcy Dean.

Christian: E is for environmental names – like Forest, River, Rainbow, etc.

Ana: F is for foufy names like Finn or Francesca. Finleigh fits in there too. LOL.

Christian: G is for goofy names like Gavin or Gia.

Ana: LOL - H is locations with hotels – like Houston and Huron.

Christian: I is for icky names like Ickabod and Isodene.

Ana: Isodene? OMG. J is for judicial names like Justice/Justus and Judge.

Christian: K is for kooky spellings. There are half a dozen Kaitlyn guests (and all have variations: Caitlyn, Caitlynne, Katelyn, etc.) I'm thrilled Mia had to deal with writing out place cards for tonight's event. I would have lost the plot early on.

Ana: L is for less is more. I'm reminded of Elizabeth Bennet who was Elizabeth, Eliza, Lizzie…she just needed a Beth and a Bess nickname and she would have been very confused.

Christian: M is for motor names like Mercedes, Austin or Healey.

Ana: N is for nonsensical like Nevaeh – who wants to name their child 'heaven' spelled backwards? If I can't figure out to pronounce it…it just makes my head hurt! For example: Jawgeeah (Georgia). Sheesh.

Christian: O is for obsequious like Oliver and Ophelia.

Ana: P is for body parts like Peter and Pandora. Let's avoid names that have nicknames for body parts; like Richard/Dick.

Christian: Agreed. Q is for quirky names like Quincy and Queen.

Ana: I like Queen Latifah's name.

Christian: Her given name is Dana. Her stage name is Queen Latifah.

Ana: Whatever. R is for repeats. Let's don't make up names from our names, or use variations of our names like Chris or Stacy.

Christian: S is for single digit names like Seven. Who names their child after a number? S is also for spice names. Who names their daughter Saffron or Cinnamon? They sound like strippers.

Ana: Don't make me laugh…Baby Blip doesn't like that.

Christian: That's a nickname I'm not fond of either. No one puts Baby in a corner. OMG! I told Taylor what we were doing. He said to tell you that his ex-wife considered Gena as a name. He said he couldn't do it, since when you said Gena Taylor, it sounded like genitalia.

Ana: Thumbs up to Taylor! I didn't know you were a Dirty Dancing fan, Mr. Grey. T is for troublesome spelling like Tiberius, from Captain James T. Kirk.

Christian: Strip dancing is one of my favorite pastimes, Mrs. Grey. ;) U is for unusual spelling like Mykal or Jaxon.

Ana: V is for vanity names like Ana Junior or Christian Junior. Did you see Brokeback Mountain? They name the daughter Alma Junior for god's sake! What…too many Mary, Jane or Sally babies that year?

Christian: I understand about 'mini me' names. There is a third and a fourth here tonight. W is for weird names like Weathersby, Walton, Wisteria or Werner.

Ana: No Generation X names like Xavier from X-Men or Xena from Warrior Princess.

Christian: I can't think of a Y adjective …so no Yves or Yasmina.

Ana: Yucky. Yasmina sounds like that birth control product. Z…seriously? I'm starting to think you don't like me. Z is for baby names which substitute Z for S like Zarah or Louiza or Jamez.

Christian: Do you want to wait until we know baby's sex before we pick names?

Ana: I think it's a boy and I'd like to name him after Dad. Raymond is a better middle name than a first name.

Christian: I'd like to name him after my grandfather before Elliot steals the name. Theodore Raymond it is then…Teddy for short.

Ana: I like that. Don't mention it at dinner…I don't want the universe to know we're pregnant. But…promise we won't decorate the nursery in bears?

Christian: Promise! Teddy and his status are embargoed. We really should pick a girl's name.

Ana: I vote we wait on picking a girl's name until we know Teddy's sex for sure.

Christian: Have to go, Taylor's tapping his watch. Should I send you videos of what's going on?

Ana: I'm off to the powder room while the nurse changes the sheets. I'm a little tired; so I'll sleep and see you tomorrow. I love you, Mr. Grey. Thank you for doing this for us.

Christian: You are welcome Mrs. Grey. I will see you tomorrow. We'll have lunch together. I thought I'd crawl in bed and read to you and Blip.

Ana: I read to Blip all the time…I'd rather you played music for us.

Christian: A is for ambient music. B is for Baroque. C is for classical. D is for drum solos…Putting phone on vibrate if you need me. Time to play nice with the Treehouse donors.

March 25

******** Entertainment Expose ********
Have you been a billionaire bad boy, Mr. Grey? Sources claim he attended the Treehouse fundraiser coordinated by his sister Mia Grey, SOLO. He sat at a table with his family…SANS Anastasia Grey. Sources say Mrs. Grey has not been seen since the fabulous New Year's Eve open house at Hunts Point. Have the couple already split? Were you kissing someone else at the stroke of midnight, Mr. Grey? Is Mrs. Grey nursing her wounded heart at her mother's home in Georgia? Inquiring minds want to know – however – the standard reply we hear is "Mr. AND Mrs. Grey have no comment."
******** Entertainment Expose ********

XX

Christian showered with non-scented shampoo and body wash. He dried off and wrapped a Gail-provided towel around his waist. He had jeans, boxers, t-shirt and sweatshirt – freshly laundered in fragrance-free laundry soap in a suitcase on the bed. He exited the bathroom and was shocked beyond words to find…god what is her name…Gretchen… sitting on his bed, her legs crossed, casually leaning back like she was waiting for him.

"What the fuck are you doing in my room?" He snarled.

"I heard your wife left you," Gretchen said; crossing her legs seductively, thrusting her chest out and smiling coyly at Christian. "I thought you were in need of …"

"Comforting?" He grimaced. "You heard my wife left me so you thought you'd offer to take her place? Delusional much?" He reached for his phone and punched in a number. "Where the hell are you?" He demanded and waited impatiently for a reply. "Well, open the door and join the party!"

Taylor opened the door to see the Greys' ex-housemaid sitting on the bed. Sawyer followed behind and froze in surprise.

"Where were you?" Christian demanded.

"I took the bags down to the SUV, I collected messages from the concierge and I paid the hotel bill," Taylor appraised the European blonde sitting on the bed. "It's obvious to me you were in the shower. Where were you?" He asked Luke.

"I was in the other shower. I wanted to be ready to go when you got back. So what's she doing here and how the hell did she get in?" Sawyer asked, his cell phone on and in his hand.

"Gretchen heard Mrs. Grey and I split the sheets; so she thought she'd offer me a bare shoulder and a semi-exposed breast to cry on," Christian snarled. "Get her out of my bedroom. Get her out of my suite. Get her off the property before she talks to the paparazzi. Find out how the hell she bypassed security and got in here. Whatever you do…don't let anyone reveal Gretchen was in my room…especially not to Ana."

"Too late…" Ana's voice broadcast over Sawyer's smart phone which was on speaker. "Gretchen…you beast-breasted bottle blonde bitch…get the fuck out of MY husband's hotel room before I get up; come over there and kick some ass." A resounding crack explained Ana threw her newest smart phone against a wall. Christian reached out his hand…Sawyer handed over his smart phone. Christian threw it at the wall over Gretchen's head; letting it splinter into small bits and pieces. He addressed Gretchen. "Are you leaving of your own accord…or am I bouncing you off walls before I throw you out of here?"

XX

"How did she get in my room?" Christian snapped.

"She worked the Treehouse event last night as wait staff. She acquired her supervisor's master key card at the end of the evening. She knew which suites were empty. She let herself into an empty suite, showered and changed into the designer duds she was wearing. She waited until room service and I left. Then she let herself into your suite."

"As god is my witness, if her antics made Ana upset and sick…I will find her and snap her neck," Christian said.

"Management and I had a conversation with Gretchen. They terminated her. Welch faxed over a nondisclosure agreement and I made her sign it after I had Barney empty pictures of you from last night off her phone. Barney also removed the phone numbers for a reporter at Seattle Nooz and one at Entertainment Exposé." Taylor explained. "Welch is running in-depth background check and a financial check. I think you just picked up another stalker. Welch will talk to staff at your mother's house to see if any of them have been in contact with her. Barney's checking her social media use. He will check her bank accounts for any large deposits. He said your smart phone wasn't compromised. While she was in your room, Gretchen tried to access it; but it is password protected. Barney's ordering another four dozen smart phones. He asked you quit smashing them until he has a new shipment; and he noted this is the third smart phone he's gotten for Mrs. Grey in less than a month. Gail reports Ana is sleeping right now." Taylor explained.

"Sawyer and I are almost there," Christian said. "I don't want to hear about this around Ana today. You can brief me about it tomorrow."

XX

"So," Ana woke and stretched. "Your little fan finally mustered up the courage to approach you."

"What?" Christian sputtered, his coffee decorating his t-shirt.

"Gretchen finally approached you – instead of admiring you from afar." Ana said.

"Baby, I love your jealousy, but I've never given Gretchen a reason…" Christian started to say.

"You were polite to your mother's staff. You didn't do anything but look handsome and be polite. I've known Gretchen had a crush on you since the first time I stepped foot in your parents' home. She could barely serve dinner because she was busy watching you. Didn't you never notice?" Ana asked gently.

"No, I didn't," Christian admitted. "Until you, I didn't like going to dinner at my parents' home because I didn't feel comfortable there."

"Well, if you think I'm just being jealous, ask Mrs. Greggory. Gail heard an earful from her about the situation. Gretchen quit working for your mother when we got married. She was a big fan of Sabrina…and you were her David Larabee," Ana explained gently. "Just have Sawyer or Taylor keep her away from me. I'm too tired to engage in battle for your beautiful body."

"Not even with beast-breasted women?" He teased her. "I'm all yours, Mrs. Grey," Christian said. "I sent everyone out of the pool house until I call them back."

"Well then; let's do something to relieve that angst you are carrying around with you." Ana smiled at him.

"I can't…" Christian said. "I just want to fuck you into the middle of next week; and you aren't healthy enough for that."

"Ah, but I know what to do about taking the edge off that need," Ana smiled; her soft little hand reaching for him, making him so hard for her.

He kissed her, nuzzling her tender breasts, his hands stroking and sliding over her sex. She moaned and increased her strokes until he exploded in his jeans. "Oh god, Ana!"

He cleaned up, coming back to her bed; still engorged and ready to satisfy his wife. "I'll be as gentle as I can be, baby. He held her and make soft, slow, sweet love to her, enjoying her moans of satisfaction. He never thought that hand jobs would turn him on so much…or that vanilla sex would be so emotionally and physically satisfying for him. It had to be Ana…she somehow quieted the monster in him.

XX

"I decided something this morning, after the Gretchen situation," Christian said. "I want to do Baby Selfie Sundays. Each Sunday, between now and when Blip is born, I want to take a picture of us, in the same position, to show how much Blip has grown. I thought I'd sit behind you on the ottoman, you nestled in between my legs, with both our hands on your tummy."

"Sounds like a sweet idea," Ana said. "But with both hands on my tummy…how do we do a selfie?"

Christian laughed. "You take the selfie then – I want to be hands on."

March 25

"Lawrence," Elena was pleased to see him. "How are you? Thank you for visiting me."

"Elena," he kissed her cheek. "I thought I should; although I'm also sure there's enough women in this place to keep you from being too lonely." His voice was low and only carried as far as to her ears. No one at the next table would be able to hear their conversation.

"What have you been up to?" She asked, equally quiet.

"Seen any good rumors on entertainment TV lately?" His smile was malevolent.

"You've done that?" She asked. "It's been running almost nonstop on entertainment channels and news stories."

"A lot of it," he admitted. "And more. I made friends with a woman working in the Grants Office at WSUV. We'll know in advance of every time Grey visits the campus. My friend's brunette daughter could be a dead ringer for anyone from your stable. It costs me a steak dinner every time my friend gives me information; but it's worth the cost."

"No one will believe he is messing around on her." Elena scoffed.

"They do already. Mrs. Grey has not been seen since the end of February by people she works with. Some of the media haven't seen her since New Year's Eve." Lawrence explained.

"She hiding out somewhere?" Elena asked.

"Yes, but no one knows where. Flowers delivered to Escala, Grey Annex, Grey House, Hunts Point or to the Grey Estate in Bellevue are refused. Christian is not answering questions. I have someone following Elliot and Mia. Both of them are staying close to work, home or the parents' house. I hired someone to watch the mother in Georgia. Anastasia is not there either."

"What will that do for us?"

"You saw the article where Kate Kavanagh interviewed Sabine Falco?" Lawrence asked.

"Yes," Elena rolled her eyes.

"What you don't know is Elliot visited Sabine. He's taking on small businesses and renovating them to help the businesses thrive. He renovated the Post Alley and Bravern Center salons for Franco, and he bought your four buildings. He's using Falcon Financials as an example of how to renovate a small business in thirty days."

"How do you know that?" Elena asked with surprise.

"One of my previous warehouse supervisors got a job with Grey Construction. He tells me everything – including the current relationship issues between Miss Kavanagh and Mr. Grey." Lawrence grinned.

"Really?"

"Oh yes…seems it stems from New Year's Eve which is the last time a lot of people saw Anastasia Grey. So …watch the papers and entertainment news. A reliable source who knows the family will postulate the Grey marriage is on the skids and the reason is because Christian caught Anastasia in a clinch on New Year's Eve with his brother….hence the troubles in the Kavanagh-Grey relationship also." Lawrence chuckled.

"While I love having them vilified in the news – you know I need more." Elena said.

"I'm searching Elena; but I can't find any submissive he practiced with while in Dom training. I can't find any Dom who will admit to sharing a submissive with him. Everyone's worried the brush of your arrest will poison the well." Lawrence said. "We need to look elsewhere for assistance."

"Sabine Falco, Susannah Martin, Dawn Lucas," Elena said. "You know how to find Sabine and Susannah. Dawn Lucas was living in Redmond the last time I heard. She's the office manager for storage, recycling and shredding group. She's the one he hurt…the one who had to go to the doctor."

"Will do," Lawrence said. "Do you recommend Falcon Financials or Locke and Keyes to get to Sabine?"

"Falcon Financials. Go see Robert and tell him 'Wiseman' – he will give you the amount we agreed upon for you to fuck with Grey." Elena smiled conspiratorially at Lawrence.

XX

"That man is her ex-husband," Elena's cellmate's friend explained. "The other man is her lawyer." She began with Elena Lincoln's attempt to kidnap Christian Grey's fiancée and her friend. She explained about Elena's IRS issues. She related information about the human trafficking, prostitution and pedophilia raids. The articles hinted that Elena Lincoln provided the information leading to the arrests of the ringleaders.

The longer Elena's cellmate listened; the angrier she became. The bitch snitch didn't deserve the Sunday 'come to tea' treatment she received from the guards. Human trafficking? Sex workers? Pedophiles? Who was Elena Lincoln paying to keep her dirty secrets contained?

March 30

"As my wife told you in countless voicemails and an email, Falcon Financials IS NOT taking you on as a client." Aedan told Lawrence Lincoln. "STOP HARASSSING HER!"

"I think I deserve a better explanation than she offered," Lawrence snapped.

"Fine," Aedan walked to the door of Sabine's office and gestured for Detective Clark to join them. "Sabine didn't do business with your bitch pedophile ex-wife and she's not doing business with you. My wife will not answer any personal questions you may ask. If you do not leave voluntarily, I will ask Detective Clark to arrest you. We have a no-contact order against Elena and as far as I am concerned – this qualifies as 'third-party-contact' – and I believe Detective Clark would agree."

"I concur; so leave without creating a scene, or you will be arrested. I will send a copy of the arrest report to WCCW and have you barred from the visitor list for Elena Lincoln. I don't know what you think you will accomplish by harassing Miss Falco; but it ends today. If there is another situation; I will testify in court that she, her husband and their businesses need a no-contact order against you in addition to charging Elena Lincoln with violating her no-contact order." Detective Clark said.

Lawrence Lincoln left, slamming the front door to Falcon Financials behind him.

"Mr. Keyes, Miss Falco…how you live your lives is none of my business; but I suggest that it might be time for you to invest in a different line of work. Elena Lincoln left several unhappy clients behind when she was arrested. She also left behind dozens of people who are angry about her human trafficking friends."

"We've discussed it," Sabine admitted. "I'm pregnant and we are making changes. Aedan is selling the club to the group who owns the Velvet Rope in Portland. The sale will be effective May thirty-first. They are closing the club in June for renovations and will reopen July sixth. We're buying into two other businesses – a sports bar and a gym."

"Congratulations on the baby! When are you due?" Detective Clark asked.

"October twenty-fifth; which excites my great-grandmother because that is her birthday." Aedan admitted.

"Let me know if you have further problems with Lawrence Lincoln," Detective Clark shook their hands and left.

"As much as it bothers me…call him." Aedan said; handing Sabine her cell phone.

"Taylor, it's Sabine Falco…we have an issue," She said. "Lawrence Lincoln…" she listed quietly until Taylor stopped swearing.