CHAPTER 10
ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO ELJ
ANA
As we're sitting in the back of a BMW, I lean into his side. Careful of his touch issues, I make sure to only rest my head on his shoulder.
He traces a finger across my cheeks and lips. I look up and smile at him, and he leans down and gently kisses my mouth.
"You look beautiful. Looks like you caught some sun yesterday."
I sigh and melt into him, thinking about the hours we spent on his so called boat yesterday. I've been on a boat with Ray, Jose and Mr. Rodriguez. We've all fished many times. The thing I was on yesterday is a mansion on the water. It was a damn yacht with every convenience known to man. I could happily live in that thing.
We spent hours sailing, talking and just being together. When he said that sex would happen only when I'm ready, he meant it. Although we spent most of yesterday and last night together kissing and touching, he has yet to initiate sex. I wish he would. Maybe he's waiting for me to tell him I'm ready, and I am, but I have yet to let him know.
Soon.
Very soon.
But not today because the butterflies just won't leave my stomach. Maybe I didn't say anything yesterday about sex because the minute he asked me to join his family for a small, informal Sunday barbeque, I've been stressed out at the thought of being on display for his entire family.
"Don't be nervous. You've already met most of my family. The only person you haven't met yet family is my mother. My grandparents will be there, too. My grandad flirts with every woman he meets, and grandma loves everyone she meets. Relax. Oh, and you look beautiful."
Today I picked a light blue floral high low maxi dress with strappy sandals to go with it. It had a four figure price tag on it, which I texted to Jose. He sent back a gif of someone fainting from shock.
How the hell did I let him talk me into this? After spending an amazing day with him yesterday on his giant yacht, he casually mentioned it as I laid in his arms last night in bed.
When he asked, I remember just nodding, not really thinking it through, but now that we're almost here, I'm scared to death.
It's one thing to run into his brother and father unintentionally. It's another to be going to his childhood home where several family members will be.
I bite my lip and run my hand through my hair. I'd feel a lot more at ease if Jason was the driver today, but he and Gail are off this weekend doing some last minute wedding things, so we're stuck with some driver named Sawyer. Unlike Jason, Christian has been quite abrupt with Sawyer for no apparent reason.
I lean into his side for the remainder of the short drive. We pull into a long circular driveway. This house is huge, though not as huge as Christian's house. It's all brick with a perfectly manicured lawn and a giant water fountain in the middle of the front yard.
Now is the time to pretend to have a migraine so I can go home. He would believe me, and he'd come with me to take care of me. I haven't known him for long, but I've learned quickly how nurturing he can be, but when I look at him, he looks so happy for me to be here that I just can't open my mouth to tell that lie.
"We're here," he says. The door is opened and I follow him out. He leads us to the back of the house where I can already hear talking and laughing. I feel the butterflies in my stomach start to take flight again. He must sense it because he grabs my hand and intertwine our fingers together.
I relax a little bit when the first person we run into is Elliot.
"Hey, guys," he says. "It's about time you got here, Christian. Mom's in rare form and I need her to take her attention off me."
"She'd better not start any of her shit today. I'm not in the mood." Whatever they are talking about, it does not sound good.
Elliot then turns his attention to me, grabs my hand and kisses it.
"Hey, Ana Banana," he says. "Welcome to Grey Land." He started calling me Ana Banana, much to Christian's annoyance, when we were all at the Mile High Club together on Friday.
His silliness does put me at ease for a minute.
"Did you go home with that blonde last night?" I ask.
"Hell no. I thought I had it sealed until she told me she wanted me to go home with her and her boyfriend." I laugh and Christian smirks at him.
He looks behind him to make sure no one is listening, and then he lowers his voice.
"I'm not against multiple partners, but the only dick in the room is going to be attached to me. I'm only interested in pussy." I was totally unprepared for him to say that, and nearly choke on my laughter.
"Jesus, Elliot! Shut the fuck up!" Christian says but even he can't hide his smile.
"What? I know you've heard the word pussy before right, Ana? Anyway, if I don't meet someone soon, I might have to start paying for it." I look at Christian in shock, but he just shrugs his shoulders as if he's used to his brother's crass language.
"I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time, you idiot. Ignore him, Ana. He has no manners."
"Uncle Chrissy!" Like a flash of lightening, EJ comes running to us and jumps into his uncle's arms. He's wearing swim trunks and floaties on each arm, but he's also carrying a teddy bear. One dressed in a gray suit and with red hair.
"It's Uncle Chrissy," he says holding the bear to his uncle. He lays his head on Christian's shoulder just as this foreign feeling takes over me.
"He saw that thing at the store the other and insisted he have it. He had a damn fit until I told him he could have it. He's been calling it Uncle Chrissy ever since. It looks like you, C. You are getting rather portly since you've settled into relationship bliss." He nudges Christian on his shoulder and chuckles.
Christian playfully elbows him in the ribs while holding EJ.
"Christian! Ana, welcome." Christian's dad comes over, does the signature Grey move of kissing my hand before hugging me. He then shakes his son's hand.
"Christian, I'm going to borrow Ana and introduce her to everyone else."
A look of panic crosses my face, and Christian takes the hint and follows us with EJ in his arms as his father leads me to an older woman sitting on a lounge chair. His father locks his arm with mine as he leads me to the older woman.
"Ana, this is Christian's grandmother and my mother in law, Adelle Trevelyan. Addy, this is Ana Steele, Christian's girlfriend." She quickly stands up, and an older gentleman runs to her and puts his hand around her waist to hold her steady. She shoos him away and approaches me. She grabs my face in her hands and pulls me into a hug. For someone who just had surgery, her grip is strong.
"Oh, my. Pleasure to meet you, my dear. Christian, she's absolutely beautiful. Well done, son," she says. I'm embarrassed by the attention and stand there awkwardly.
Christian goes and hugs his grandma. EJ starts to fidget and he finally puts him down. The two year old latches on to Carrick's leg as Carrick absentmindedly runs a hand through EJ's blonde curls.
"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Trevelyan."
"It's grandma, honey. Everyone calls me grandma. And this is my husband, Theo."
Mr. Trevelyan winks before kissing both of my cheeks, followed by my hand.
"Welcome, darling," he said. "It's a pleasure. She's beautiful, Christian. Do you have an older sister? How about your mom? Is she single? You must have an aunt?" I don't know how to respond so I laugh. I'm relieved when everyone else laughs too, including grandma.
"Ignore him, dear. He flirts with every female he sees but his downstairs doesn't work anymore. Not unless he takes a couple of Viagra. Now, come sit by me so I can get to know you."
"You weren't saying that a week ago. What do you think we were doing when she had that heart attack?" Mr. Trevelyan says. I'm stunned speechless, but Carrick just laughs and Christian just shakes his head.
She leads me to the lounge chair where she was sitting. Carrick, ever the gentleman, quickly brings a chair for me.
Christian quickly comes and stands next to my chair.
"You ok, baby?"
"She's fine, Christian. Now leave us girls alone to talk. Why don't you get us a drink? Seltzer for me. Ana looks like a vodka girl," grandma says, winking at me.
"Or tequila," I say.
"A girl after my own heart. Now shoo." Christian leans down and gives me a kiss on the cheek before going to get our drinks. I spend the next few minutes talking to his grandma about my plans to go back to college in the fall. Before she can interrogate me any further, Christian comes back with EJ following him. This time, the two year runs into my arms and gives me a hug before running back to Elliot.
"You've got yourself a good girl, Christian. You see how EJ ran into her arms? Kids are always drawn to good people. Remember that. And it would be nice to give him a cousin while he's still young. I'm not getting any younger and with my failing health, you never know." I start to choke on the drink that Christian handed me, and I see him lose all color in his face.
"Uh, we've only just met, grandma," he says.
"So, what? When you know, you know."
"Where's mom?" Thank goodness Christian changes the subject.
"She's in there fussing with the caterers. Your mother needs to relax." Grandma goes into another story about how things were when she first got married. While we're listening, I catch Christian's eye and he winks at me. I wink back before taking a sip of my drink, which I notice has absolutely no alcohol.
I look around, and this is not the typical Sunday barbeque like the ones I've had in Montesano with my parents when they were still married. Ray would be at the grill and mom would cook the side dishes.
There are caterers setting up tables, and hired help working multiple grills. There's a bartender and staff passing around drinks and appetizers. The property is beautiful with a pool, large patio and a rose garden that would rival any botanical garden. This is a home one might see on the cover of a magazine, so what the hell am I doing here?
Then I look at him, and he smiles at me and I remember. I'm here for him. I'm here because this man is completely the opposite of what I believed him to be. But, truthfully, I'm here because he asked me and because I want to be.
"Oh, look! Shana is here," I hear grandma say. I think Shana is the cousin who recently got married. She apparently pushed back her honeymoon due to her grandmother's health.
She's a beautiful girl with long blonde hair and green eyes. I'm introduced to her and her husband, and she greets me with a hug.
"You should have come with Christian to the wedding, Ana. I'm so glad to meet you."
"I would have brought her except Ana was still playing hard to get at that time."
His grandmother cackles.
"I knew I liked you, Ana. You have to make these young men work for it." I chuckle at that because I most certainly am making him work for it. I woke up before him again this morning only to find his desire pressed against my ass.
While his grandmother is talking to Shana, Christian steers me away and walks me towards where the bar is set up.
"Your grandmother is nice," I say to him. I haven't met his mom yet, but everyone has been quite welcoming so far.
"She's a sweet woman. I'm glad you're here." He leans down and kisses my cheek. Before I can respond, I see EJ leading Mia towards us. She's dressed in a bathing suit and matching cover up. Behind them is a woman who I believe must be Christian's mother. She's of average height, has blonde hair and is wearing a beige loose fitting maxi dress. She doesn't have a single hair out of place, and when she approaches us, her green eyes are directly on me.
Unlike grandma Trevelyan, I don't see any warmth in her eyes. The eyes assessing me are rather cold. When our eyes meet, she gives me a smile devoid of any genuineness. I move closer to Christian, who immediately puts his arm around my waist.
"Here she is, grammy," EJ says pointing to me. "Grammy has cupcakes! Let's swim, Meemee!" And he runs off as soon as he says that. I forget about Christian's mother for a second and laugh at EJ and his non sequitur.
"Mom's been complaining that she's the last person to meet Ana, so I thought I'd bring her over. I'll let you make the introductions, big brother," Mia announces before taking off and running after EJ.
I know instantly that Christian's mood has shifted. Unlike the other introductions, this one has him on edge.
"Hello, darling," his mother says to him. She goes over and kisses him on the cheek. "It's good to see you and to have all of my children and grandson here."
"Mother, this is Anastasia Steele. Ana, this is my mother, Grace Grey." How very formal on his part.
No hug is offered to me, but she does extend her hand. Her palms are cold, but her grasp is firm.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Anastasia. I've been hearing about you from my husband for several days now."
"Uh, it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Mrs. Grey," I say unsure as to how to respond to the rest of her statement.
"It's doctor, dear," she says.
"My apologies. Dr. Grey."
"Actually, I go by Dr. Trevelyan." I'd rather call her Dr. Bitch, but I just smile at her.
"Dr. Trevelyan? Since when, mother?" I can hear the irritation in Christian's voice.
"Anyway, I'm so glad my son brought you over, Anastasia."
"Actually, I prefer to be called Ana," I say to her. If she can have a name preference, so can I.
"Do you? Well, Ana it is, then." I want to be a bitch and tell her that it's always been Ana, but I keep quiet. Whatever is going on between them did not start with me.
We stand there awkwardly. Christian beside me seething, and his mother studying us.
I breath a sigh of relief when Elliot jogs over to us and stands next to me and Christian. It's almost like it's the three of us against her.
"Did you meet Ana, mom? She's too good looking for Christian, isn't she?" I'm grateful for Elliot's interruption.
"Maybe one day soon you'll bring someone home too, Elliot. Hopefully whoever that is will-"
"Not bring shame to the Grey name. We've heard it all before, mom," Elliot says, cutting his mother off.
"Please don't interrupt me, Elliot. I believe I taught you manners when you were growing up. I was going to say that I hope whoever you bring home will be a good fit." She cuts her eyes to me just then, and I automatically inch closer to Christian in an attempt to shield myself from her gaze.
"Like I was saying, I'm happy to meet you, Ana. I look forward to getting to know you while you're around." While I'm around? Did she mean around her house or around period? She smiles at me, but it's a cold smile that doesn't come close to reaching her eyes. To anyone else, this looks like a mother getting acquainted with her son's new girlfriend, but to me it's anything but friendly. She's letting me know that I'm temporary.
"Likewise, Dr. Trevelyan," is all I can think of to say.
"Come on, baby. Let's go get us another drink. It's obvious we're going to need it as long as both of us are around. Now, excuse us, Dr. Trevelyan." Christian grabs my hand a little too harshly and pulls me away. Elliot walks away from his mother too without another word.
As we're walking away, his father approaches.
"I saw you talking to your mother, Christian. Everything ok?"
"Everything's great, dad. I'm sure the good Dr. Trevelyan will fill you in." I can tell he's seething as he says this to his father.
"Why are you calling your mother that?"
"Talk to your wife, dad. Talk to your wife." And with that, the three of us walk away and join his grandparents in one of the seating areas.
Soon, even more family members and a few neighbors arrive. Appetizers and drinks are being passed around and I help myself to a couple of bellinis. I'm going to need something stronger than lemonade to get through this afternoon.
"You ok?" He asks me as I sip my drink.
"I'm fine. I'm glad you invited me," I tell him. It's the truth. Other than that awkward meeting with his mother, everyone else has been so sweet.
"I'm glad you're here. Come on. I want to introduce you to some more people." I follow him as he leads me to an older couple who lives next door. As we're chatting, grandma Trevelyan joins us.
"Ana!" I turn around to see Mia calling me from the pool. "You want to get in? It's heated."
I shake my head at her.
"I didn't bring a suit." Mia is in there with EJ, who looks so cute in his Batman floaties. He even has on matching Batman sunglasses, and he waves at me. I wave back, and he blows me a kiss.
"Ana, dear, Grace always keeps extra bathing suits around. Come on. I'll show you where they are." Grandma Trevelyan puts her hand on my elbow to steer me towards the house. I reach out for Christian because I have no desire to go inside that house.
"Come on, Ana!" EJ yells.
Just then, Christian's mother approaches us.
"I'll take Ana and show her where to change. You relax, mother. Christian, keep an eye on your grandmother. She's doing too much. The doctor wants her to relax." The last thing I want is to go anywhere with Grace Trevelyan Grey.
"Don't handle me, Gracie," grandma says. "I can walk a few hundred feet."
"I know you can, mother, but I'd like to get a few minutes and get to know Ana. Everyone else has been monopolizing her. Come on, Ana. Shana and a few of the others will be going in the pool soon. Wouldn't want you to feel left out." She says this with a smile on her face, but once again the smile doesn't reach her cold eyes.
"Do you want to swim, Ana? If you don't, you can just stay here with me and grandma," Christian says. I reach for his hand and turn towards his mother and grandmother.
"Dr. Trevelyan-", before I can go any further, I'm interrupted.
"Mother, if Ana wants to swim, I can show here where you keep the extra bathing suits," Christian begins.
"I have a bunch of new bathing suits on my bed, Ana. Show her where my room is, mom!" Mia yells from the pool.
"Come on, dear. I don't bite. I'll take you to Mia's room and we can chat. Relax, Christian. I just want to get to know Ana. I promise to bring her back to you soon,
" she says, taking my hand from Christian and pulling me towards the house.
"I'll be right here, baby. I'll go change and go into the pool with you," he says to me. And because he brought me here to get to know his family, I nod and follow his mother into the house.
Unlike when I went to Christian's house for the first time, I don't even bother really looking at Grace's house. I'm sure it's beautiful but the butterflies in my stomach just won't let me relax. I do notice they have a dual staircase as I follow her upstairs. There are large family photos along the wall, and I stop to admire one of a teenaged Christian.
"This way, dear," she says once we reach the landing. "So, tell me about yourself. How did you meet my son?"
I relax at the question. It's something anyone would ask. Maybe my nerves are unfounded.
"I work at the café in the GEH building. It only just opened up a few months ago."
"You work at a café? And Christian goes in there?"
"Yes. Everyday for a muffin and coffee."
"That doesn't sound like him. He's very particular about what he eats. But, I thought you were a student, not a worker at some coffee shop."
"I am. I'm going back to school in the fall," I tell her. A worker at some coffee shop? I've never been ashamed of who I am or what I do, and I'm not about to start now.
We finally reach what I assume is Mia's bedroom. It's a huge room with a king size canopy bed. There are clothes everywhere. Clothes strewn all over the bed and the couch. There are even clothes on top of the dresser, but thankfully I find a pile of bathing suits right on top of the bed.
"And your job at the café is enough to pay for your tuition?" She asks as I look through several bikinis. I finally find a floral tankini with a matching cover up, which looks suitably modest enough for a family gathering.
"I was able to get a scholarship," I tell her as I find the adjoining bathroom. I slip in to change, thankful to get away from this woman's questions. I know I don't have the fine manners of the one percenters, but even I know it's rude to ask about someone's salary.
"A scholarship?" She asks from right outside the door. "Recently?"
"Uh, as a matter of fact, about three weeks ago when I went to make some sort of payment plan at the bursar's office, I was told that I qualified for a scholarship." I say. I change quickly, pick up the expensive dress I had on and come out of the bathroom. Grace takes the dress from me and starts to walk towards the closet with it. I notice her checking out the label as she was walking.
"Is that what he told you to say?" She asks as she finds a hanger in Mia's huge closet and hangs up the dress.
"I don't know what you mean, Dr. Trevelyan," I say with a sigh. "Can we please go back outside?"
"Is that the story my son told you to tell everyone? That you got a scholarship because it's clear to me that he paid your tuition. Just like he paid for this Caroline Herrera dress. I know you can't possibly afford it," she says to me rather condescendingly. She arches her perfectly shaped eyebrows and crosses her arms, waiting for me to respond.
"The dress was a gift, but your son did not pay for my tuition. He knows nothing about that. We weren't even together when I got that scholarship." I'm irritated at the line of questioning and at her implications.
"Right. You're from Montesano, right? Your father is a carpenter? My daughter likes to talk, and all I've heard lately is about Ana, Christian's girlfriend. But I know better. I just can't believe he had the nerve to bring one of you to my house under the guise of a relationship. He's fooled everyone else but not me."
"What does my father or where I'm from have to do with anything? And what do you think you know that no one else does? I am his girlfriend. We are in a relationship. I don't understand your point, Dr. Trevelyan."
"My point is, I know what you are, and I won't stand for it in my house. Is that how he likes it? For you to act all bashful? The constant blushing? The shy glances in his direction? He must have you trained well because you picked out the most modest bathing suit in here. A young girl like you should have more self-respect than that, but I guess desperate times, right? Gotta get that tuition paid." I take an involuntary step back at the words. It's almost as if her words have the power to physically move me.
"Is that what you think your son is worth, Dr. Trevelyan? You think that a woman can only be interested in him for money or sex? You would think as his mother you would know him better than that. Our relationship is nothing like you just described. And to be honest, our relationship is really none of your business. I know you don't believe me, so you can just go on believing whatever the hell you want. Please excuse me." I don't wait for her to speak again. I go around her, yank the door open and get back downstairs as quickly as possible.
My heart is beating out of my chest by the time I make it back to the yard. I'm about to ask Christian to have his driver take me home, because one more word from his mother, and I'm throwing her in the pool.
When I spot him, he's changed into swim trunks but this time he's also wearing a matching swim tee. He's standing there talking to his dad, grandma and Elliot. I stop mid step, not wanting to interrupt them, but he waves me over. I walk to them and he instinctively wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. He leans down and kisses my temple.
"You look good, baby," he whispers to me.
I'm about to drag him away and tell him what happened between me and his mother, when I see her come out. She looks our way with that fake smile on her face before going to talk to a group of people who just arrived.
"Ana! I'm so glad you decided to get in the pool. EJ's been waiting for you. I'm so glad everyone is here. We need to do this more often. Well, maybe not with so many people, but maybe next Sunday we can cook out with just the immediate family, and you, Ana," Carrick says to me. Unlike his wife, his smile is genuine. His smile gets bigger as he looks from me to Christian.
"And bring Ana to visit me, Christian. With my failing health, I need to see more of my grandkids and their significant others." I have a feeling grandma will use her failing health to get her way a lot.
"You're fine, grandma, but Ana and I will visit this week."
"And you and EJ, Elliot," grandma says looking at him.
"You got it, old lady. Let's go, Christian, so I can beat your ass."
"Elliot and I are going to do laps in the pool. I need you to cheer me on," Christian says to me. I bite my lip and nod. I really want to leave but realize that getting out here won't be an easy feat. If I ask to be driven home, he'll want to know why, and I know him well enough to know that if I insisted, he would leave with me. That would disappoint everyone here. And honestly, everyone, with the exception of his mother, has been so welcoming and nice.
With such a big crowd, it won't be difficult to stay away from Dr. Trevelyan.
I look up at Christian and give him a not so genuine smile. His own smile falters and he quickly excuses us and drags me to a secluded area.
"What's wrong?" He asks. "Did my mother upset you? I swear to god, if she did-,". I put my hands on is bicep and interrupt whatever he was going to say.
"She was just asking questions. Where I worked and about school. Typical stuff," I say to him. It's the truth. I'll just leave out the part when she basically called me a whore.
"That's it?" He asks. I can see him searching my face for some answers, and I simply nod.
"That's it."
"Christian, get your ass over here so we can race. Ana needs to see a real man in action, not some pansy ass like you!" Elliot yells over to us.
"Elliot, language!" His mother says. I resist the urge to role my eyes at her. Where the hell were her manners when we were upstairs?
I use that as an opportunity to change the subject.
"Come on. I want to cheer on my man," I say. Just like I knew they would, his eyes light up at those words. He leans down and kisses me hard on the mouth before taking my hand and leading me to the pool. Elliot dives in, and Christian follows, but not before kissing me again in front of everyone. I blush when I see his father and grandmother smiling at us.
His mother is also watching, but unlike them, she's not smiling. She's not scowling either, but her face if void of any expression.
EJ and Mia walk over to me and EJ grabs on to my leg. I pick him up and rest him on my hip.
"Go, daddy! Go, uncle Chrissy!" He yells, cheering his dad on.
Elliot and Christian ended up tied in their swim relay, but it was quite fun watching them try to outdo each other. Everyone came to watch and take sides. After their competition, I finally got into the pool. I played with EJ for a minute before Carrick got in the pool and EJ left me for his grandfather.
Now, I'm on Christian's back with my legs wrapped around his waist while he stands on the edge of the pool by the deep end. We're both wearing sunglasses as we watch people swim around us.
"Is this ok?" I ask careful of his touch issues. My arms are around his neck, right above his chest.
"It's fine. Are you having a good time?"
"I always have a good time with you," I tell him. It's true.
"Me too. You hungry?"
"A little," I say. Maybe once we eat, we can get the hell out of here, but despite his mother, I am having a good time with him and his extended family.
Soon, everyone leaves the pool and I follow Mia to her room. I quickly shower and change back into my dress while Mia uses one of the guest bathrooms.
Thankfully when I get back outside, Christian is there waiting for me. He's changed into a different outfit, a different pair of shorts and a tee shirt that drapes across his chest just right. He's holding a drink in his hands and he hands it to me when he sees me. Lemonade. The kind with no vodka.
There are several tables set up, and I'm sitting with Elliot, Christian, Mia, EJ and the grandparents. EJ bypasses his high chair, and announces he wants to sit with Uncle Chrissy, who quickly offers him his lap.
I've never been to a barbeque where you're served the food by a waitstaff. Several dishes are placed on the table family style. My stomach starts to growl at the site and smell of the chicken, ribs and steak placed on our table. My jaw almost hits the floor when grilled lobster tails are placed there as well.
Drink orders are taken, and I request a margarita. To my surprise, Christian orders one too. As we're passing the food around, his parents come and take the last two seats at the table.
"Mom, the chef's prepared a special meal for you. It should be here soon," Grace says.
"Whatever it is will most likely be bland and boring. Just like this damn water I've been drinking all day. I want what Ana's drinking," grandma says. We all laugh when she pouts like a small child.
Grandma is served her special meal, and the rest of us eat the delicious food in front of us. Christian offers me a bit of his lobster. I've never had lobster before, so I reluctantly take a bite. It's delicious so I take my own.
We're quiet until grandma asks me about school and my major. When I tell her I want to be a teacher, her eyes light up and she reveals she was a teacher for over thirty years for the Bellevue School District.
As she's telling me stories and giving me tips on how to manage students, EJ announces rather loudly that he need to go potty.
"Have Uncle Chrissy take you," Elliot says between bites of chicken. "You hold him, you're responsible, bro. And you have about one minute before he goes all over your lap."
At those words, Christian jumps up and runs with EJ into the house.
"You know what I was just thinking about?" Grace asks as soon as Christian is gone.
"What, dear?" Carrick asks.
"That summer when the boys were teenagers and Mia was about ten. Remember we spent a month in the Hamptons? Wasn't that great? We went to the beach. Went horseback riding. I'd love to go back for at least a week. We can rent a house. Or better yet, I've always wanted to own a house in the Hampton, Carrick, and when we were there you promised you'd think about it. What kinds of things did you do with your family in the summers, Ana?" Grace asks me this while I'm sipping on my margarita. I must say there's something for having a waitstaff at these things. As soon as my glass is empty, they place another one in front of me. Her eyes are on me, waiting for me to answer.
"Usually just camping or fishing with my dad. He's a carpenter so summers are busy for him workwise." Please take the attention off me. Please take the attention off me.
"Camping or fishing? Interesting. I was also thinking about that time we went skiing in Switzerland during winter break. We should do that again, too. Have you ever been to Switzerland, Ana?"
"Can't say that I have, Dr. Trevelyan."
"It's a beautiful place. You should go," she says. Some months I can hardly pay my cell phone bill, but sure, I'll charter a private jet and fly off to the Swiss Alps. In what world does she live in? But that's just the point, isn't it? She's showing me that I don't belong.
"Mom is having some revisionist history. Dad fell off a horse and badly sprained his hip when we were in the Hamptons, and I broke my leg when we went to Switzerland. Remember those tidbits, mom? You and dad also got into a huge fight and you didn't speak to each other for like three days. Oh, and I didn't even want to go to Europe that winter. I had a girlfriend and didn't want to leave her." Thank goodness for Elliot, I say. I almost want to smirk at the good doctor, but I restrain myself.
"Mom, please. We are hardly the Brady Bunch," Mia says.
"The point is, Elliot and Mia, that we are a close knit family. Are you close to your family, Ana?"
Before I can answer, EJ comes running out of the house with Christian following him. He takes his seat next to me and EJ climbs back on his lap and returns to his food.
"Are you close to your mother, Ana?" Grace asks again.
"My mother passed away last year," I say, laying my napkin down in my plate.
"I'm sorry, dear. I didn't know." Somehow I don't believe her. She knows a lot of information about me, so I'm pretty sure she knew about this. First, she lets me know I don't belong in their social circle, then she reminds me of one of the most painful parts of my life. Isolate then devastate. This woman is diabolical.
"Enough, mother. Leave Ana out of your little inquisition." Christian protectively puts his arm around my shoulders.
"I'm just trying to get to know your girlfriend, Christian."
"By bringing up her mother? Drop it!" Grace and Christian have a staring contest. Grace is the first to break the stare.
"Did your mother tell you the good news?" Carrick asks. "She's being honored by the hospital as pediatrician of the year. The dinner isn't for another two months, but it's a great honor."
Mia squeals and runs and hugs her mother. Everyone congratulates her.
"Hopefully, you'll attend the dinner with my son, Ana. If you're not busy with your schooling, that is." I'm sure she means if I'm still around. I merely smile and nod. I'll be sure to have the stomach flu that night. If I'm still around, that is.
The focus is taken off me when the conversation turns to grandma's health and treatment plan. I tune all of that out as I think about the last few hours, wondering just what the hell I've gotten myself into. I'm still dealing with my own mommy issues. Do I really need to deal with a boyfriend's mother as well?
"You ok, baby? You seem tense all of a sudden," Christian whispers in my ear. I look around the table and no one else is paying attention to us.
"I'm fine. Just tired. It's been a busy weekend," I say to him, hoping he'll take the hint and offer to take me home. This is why I like to drive myself to places. If I had my own car here, I would have left already. I cringe at the thought of my heap of junk parked next to all the luxury cars in the driveway.
What the hell are you doing here, Ana? I don't belong. I've never been to the Hamptons and I certainly have never been to Switzerland. Hell, I don't even have a passport. Suddenly, I miss Jose. I need to tell him what happened here today and hear his advice. He has a way of taking what I perceive to be a complicated situation and simplifying it.
"Are you ready to head out? You're coming home with me, right?" He asks. We hadn't talked about me spending another night. As much as I want to spend the night in his arms, I can't. Not tonight. Tonight, I need to talk to my best friend.
"I'd love that, but I have work early in the morning and I still haven't packed a thing."
"Are you sure you're ok? Did my mother say something to upset you? You seem off."
"Just typical stuff you'd expect when meeting your boyfriend's mother for the first time. At least what I assume to be typical. I've never done this before."
"It's a first for me, too, but I just love the fact that you're here with me," he says before kissing the tip of my nose. I lay my head on his shoulder, just enjoying the closeness.
"When you finally bring a girl home, you pick a good one, son," Christian's grandfather says to me before winking at me. "If I was just twenty years younger, you'd have some competition on your hands," he says.
"Dad!" Grace says horrified.
"Oh, please. Twenty years ago you were fifty. You think this pretty young thing would want you and your liver spots?" Grandpa's response is to kiss his wife loudly on the cheek. She laughs and kisses him back.
"If something was wrong, you'd tell me, right? I want you to be comfortable here."
Suddenly everyone at the table laughs at something Elliot just said. For the first time, Grace has a genuine smile on her face. I look at Christian and he only has eyes for me.
"Everything's great. I love being here with you," I say. And it's not a lie. I do love being with him, and his family, with the exception of just one person, is amazing. And we're only just starting to date. Our relationship is far from anything serious, so what are the odds I'll see his mother on a regular basis, or even again? It's not like we're going to get married or anything like that.
I take a deep breath and pat myself on the back for talking myself off the ledge.
"Cupcakes!" EJ screams out as he points to what looks like a dessert table being set up.
Christian reluctantly has Sawyer drive me home. He kisses me for what seems like forever before he walks me to the door. He tells me not to pack a thing and he would have it all taken care of. I remember his words.
"I'm pretty sure helping you move is my job as your boyfriend. Someone will call you to make arrangements. You and Jose don't have to lift a finger."
Before I could tell him he didn't have to do that, he kissed me so deep that I lost my train of thought.
I see him to the door, where he kisses me again. Once he leaves, I make my way to my BFF.
A/N: Grace, Grace, Grace. Nothing else to say about her. Up next is the wedding of Gail and Taylor. Thank you all for reading and reviewing. Until Laters.