A month ago Grace Trevelyan Grey had made the decision to move on with her life, but that wasn't happening. Every time she thought she could go on and forget about it all, she was reminded of it in the worst way possible. She wondered if they should cancel the trip to New York, she really didn't need a reminder that she had family nearby who wanted nothing to do with her.
With Mia deciding she will now be moving to Manhattan after college… she felt all her kids were deserting her. Elliot was an alcoholic who at least showed up on the weekends to be fed. Ever since his run-in with Christian, Elliot drank more. They hadn't seen him since Thanksgiving. His foreman said he sends instructions but hasn't shown up on any site.
Maybe it was time she and Carrick sat him down and had a word with him about his drinking. Considering the uptake in the amount of alcohol Elliot consumed after he run into Christian, it was apparent though he said nothing, it was evident Elliot believed his brother was telling the truth. He was feeling guilty for not standing up for him like Mia did. His relationship with Mia suffered because Mia thought he had let his brother down. It was clear they had lost Mia too because of it. They'd all made mistakes, but it didn't mean he had to throw his life away.
She looked at the large turkey in her shopping cart wondering who was going to eat it. With a sigh, she put it back and picked up a lamb shoulder instead.
Thanksgiving had been a sad affair with just them and a drunk Elliot. In truth, it wasn't all that different from the last few years. Elliot was always drunk. Mia though present was absent in every way. She didn't make conversation and answered with a shrug more often than not. For years she blamed Christian for it, but now Grace knew she and Carrick had been the ones to blame all along. Everyone it seemed knew it except for them. Though Mia and Elliot might not have had the knowledge she now possessed they always believed in their brother's innocence.
Carrick was also pulling up in the driveway when she arrived home. "Mia isn't coming," Carrick muttered angrily. Grace wasn't all that surprised by the news. "I tried everything I could she insisted she'd rather stay on campus. We ended up shouting at each other…" His family was falling apart, and he didn't know how to fix it. He knew, just knew that if Christian forgave them, all would be well again.
"I think we should cancel the trip to New York…"
"NO." Carrick bellowed. "This was the plan long before recent events. We are going, Grace. We need to reconnect… we need to spend some time together and forget our troubles, which right now is likely to bury us if we are not careful. You said it yourself, Christian has made his decision and we have to accept it and move on." She wasn't so sure it was going to be that easy.
Carrick helped her unload the shopping from the car into the kitchen. "I run into Patricia Monroe, they were just in New York."
"Oh," Carrick muttered wondering where the conversation was going.
"She run into dad, mom, Christian and his girlfriend." Carrick froze in front of the fridge. "She said it was the first real chance she'd had to thank dad for warning her about Elena. Elena went after Jackson and because dad had her watched he was able to warn them. He'd known about Elena for four years and even had proof." Carrick finally understood.
"They stood by Christian because they knew he was telling the truth." He collapsed on the stool.
"What difference does it make whether they knew or not. The truth is, my parents supported Christian when we his own parents wouldn't." Grace knew she was lashing out due to her own failures.
"You are right." Carrick's voice was barely above a whisper.
Will the hits never stop coming?
"Christian offered us proof, but we wouldn't hear of it. Your father insisted Christian was telling the truth, and we just wouldn't listen. We were prepared to listen to the pedophile, but not our own son and not your father, one of the most celebrated litigators in the world. Why was that?" He didn't wait for an answer before storming out of the kitchen.
That night Grace barely got an hour of sleep. It was Christmas morning, but you wouldn't know it. Oh, they had decorated the house, but it was just for appearance sake. But after what she'd learned today, it appeared the cracks were beginning to show. Carrick hadn't come to bed, she understood why, who could sleep knowing they ripped their own family apart.
Elliot didn't show that day, Mia didn't call, and neither of them could be bothered with celebrating Christmas, us there was nothing to celebrate. Worse, she had yet to tell Carrick about the rumors circulating regarding her knowledge of Elena.
In Manhattan, it was a very different story.
…
Christian stared at the clock willing the second hand to move faster. It was just past seven, he knew he would be in for a world of hurt if he woke Ana up now. Mia had offered to put the turkey in the oven, so Ana didn't have to worry about getting up early. It was Christmas morning, and he was desperate for once to get up and celebrate. He had gifts to open and gifts to give. He was itching to find out what Ana got him. "Ana." He whispered his willpower having deserted him. "Ana, baby…"
"Christian, if you know what is good for you, you will go back to bed," Ana warned. With a sigh, he fluffed his pillows and tried going back to sleep. Fifteen minutes later he gave him and decided it was best to keep himself busy. Keeping busy meant doing the very prep work he hated.
By the time Ana got out of bed an hour later, Christian had peeled the potatoes, cut up the vegetables that needed cutting and was starting on the pastries for the pies. "I can do that." Ana murmured.
"No, no, no, I didn't do the shit you hate only for you to come and take away the things I like doing. Want to make yourself useful you can cook breakfast." She held her hand up in surrender though she struggled to wipe the smirk off her face. She knew the offer to make the pastries would set him off.
Soon Mia and his grandparent joined them. Sat at the kitchen island, they chatted with the couple moving around the kitchen with ease. "I remember a time when you didn't want to learn to cook. Now, look at you." Adele teased.
"I still don't like cooking on most days, but these days it's quite enjoyable." He smirked rolling out his dough for the pie dish.
"Mia could you keep an eye on the bacon for me. I want to call my parents before I forget." She felt weird saying that, as she was the only person with someone to call. Even though most of the family was there, it wasn't all of them. Mia had made it clear the night before after her argument with Carrick that she was not talking to them today. They had been at dinner when one of Grace's friends found them. Mia was in the restroom at the time. She didn't care when she came out, and Christian informed her. At this point, everyone believed she was only making an effort with the Grey's because Christian insisted.
"When are you going to propose?" Mia asked when she was sure Ana was out of earshot.
"Propose?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Why would I propose?" They all looked at Christian in disbelief.
"I thought it might be in the works," Theo uttered nonchalantly, although internally he hoped the boy was joking.
"You expect me to marry my first girlfriend?" He asked with a chuckle. "Come on, I'm twenty-four, she's twenty-one neither of us is ready for that kind of commitment."
"Has she told you she's not ready for that kind of commitment? And what is wrong with marrying your first girlfriend." Adele let her anger show. "That girl has made you whole, look at you for the first time in forever you look alive. For all that is holy… you are standing here rolling pastries for Christmas lunch." By the time Adele was done with her tirade Christian was struggling to hold back his laughter.
"You were joking?" Mia asked with a ridiculously hopeful look.
"Of course I am. I figured I'd give Ana six months after she graduates then pop the question." He said with a shrug.
"Boy, that was not funny." Theo chastised, but he couldn't help his relieved chuckle.
"Had you seen the looks on your faces you'd be laughing too. I fell for Ana the minute I laid eyes on her, whom else am I going to marry. She believed in me and opened my eyes to just how much my so-called parents let me down. If I don't marry Ana, then I won't get married at all." He avoids eye contact, instead focusing on rolling out his pastries. Had he looked at them he would have found happy faces looking back at him.
"Christian, I'm so happy for you." Mia gushes.
"I haven't asked her yet. We are some way off, Mimi." He said more focused on lining the pie tray. "And aren't you supposed to be watching the bacon." He said when he smelled it burning.
"Oh, shit." She runs to the hob, but its too late.
"I take it the bacon is no good," Ana said as she walked back in.
"If you like it extra crispy, then it's perfect." Mia quipped.
"More like if you want to break your teeth," Ana replied.
"Sorry, Ana I got distracted."
"Uh huh," Ana muttered scrapping the bent bacon off the pan.
…
"Mia, are you done now?" Christian asked again as Mia sipped the last of her coffee.
"Yes, yes, I'm done." She rolled her eyes at his impatience.
"Gifts." Christian jumped up and run for the living room. By the time the rest made to the living room he already had his gifts out.
"Christian, it's polite to wait for yours to be handed to you." Adele chastised.
"I'm saving us time." He grumbled much to Ana's amusement. He could be such a child when he wanted to be.
"Ana, this is for you." Christian handed her a small box. She knew him too well to think he'd gotten her something reasonable.
"You bought me a car." She said in astonishment.
"It's a Mercedes SL Sport convertible. I hope you like it. It will be delivered on the fifth."
"I know you've been looking for an excuse to replace Wanda, but this is…" she shook her head. "Thank you, Christian." She crawled over to him giving him a kiss.
"You are welcome." He smiled a mile wide. He gave Mia a credit card and his old apartment. "You have a place when you graduate. I'm sorry, but you are impossible to buy for." He still remembered her sending everything she got for her thirteenth birthday back to the shops because it was all wrong. With Mia, it was best to keep the receipt or hand her the money.
"This is perfect." She squealed. Though she hadn't said anything, he knew Carrick had threatened to stop her funds if she didn't tow the line. He had already made arrangements to pay her tuition and everything else if he carried through with his threats.
"And this is for you two." He handed three packages to his grandparents. It was the keys to an Audi Q7, a set of diamond earrings and necklace from Cartier, Adele's favorite jeweler, and a Rolex Daytona for the old man.
"Thank you, dear boy. I will be wearing this to the New Years gala." Adele intoned.
The rest exchanged presents among themselves. All leaving Christian out, who merely thought he was being taught a lesson.
"Now, baby…"
"About time." He grumbled.
"This is from all of us. It's because we love you… and I hope you will see this as it is intended. You shouldn't have to give up anything you love because it has been sullied by other people's actions. I… we hope this moment will replace whatever ill feelings you have about this. I also hope you will accept this as a token of the love and appreciation we have for you." Ana said staring intently at him. He shifted uncomfortably wondering what it was all about. Ana handed him a manila envelope. He opened the envelope with some trepidation to find a letter. The letterhead was that of Steinway and Sons, and immediately he knew what it was about.
Dear Mr. Grey,
I have been informed by your family that you are an excellent pianist but gave it up due to the very person that got you into playing in the first place letting you down. Music, as you know can evoke memories like no other. You more than likely gave it up because you don't want to remember the pain. Well, you also know music is a great healer of pain. I hope this helps you forget the pain and helps you heal. Make new memories, Mr. Grey, allow yourself to be healed by the music you play. Let your family and the new love in life hear your soul through music.
I leave you with this. 'One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.' Bob Marley.
Ronald Losby
President of Steinway & Sons-Americas, Steinway Musical Instruments Inc.
"They will deliver and tune it on Monday… if you want it." Ana said never taking her eyes off him.
"If I had done this I'm sure I could have got it delivered today." He quipped wiping his tears. The relief that shot through the room was palpable.
"I'm sure you could have." Theo chuckled.
"Which model is it?" He asked eagerly.
"It's in there." He found another paper in the envelope. "Model B classic grand." He whistled.
"That is one expensive piece of musical instrument."
"How would you know?" Ana caught on quick.
" I may have seen it in a magazine or something." He avoided eye contact.
"Sure, you did," Mia said with an eye roll knowing he was lying. They also gave him individual gifts, those paled in comparison to the piano, but he accepted them with the enthusiasm of a child high on sugar.
"Okay, people lets get lunch finished and get ready Ros and Gwen will be here soon." Adele hustled everyone up and into the kitchen. For the first time in four years, she truly believed Christian was completely out of the darkness. This felt like the last hurdle. That was why his joke about not marrying Ana worried her so much. It felt like a step backward.
Mia was all smiles when Christian insisted Taylor and Sawyer join them. Both their families had gone on holiday, so it was only fit to include the guys. "Ana, how about we go shopping tomorrow," Mia asked rather innocently.
"No, sorry I can't. I have a surprise for Christian." She said quickly.
"What surprise?" Christian asked as he knew she had lied to get out of shopping. She stared at him as he stuffed a slice of turkey into his mouth.
"Like I said… it's a surprise." She said with a look that told him to play along.
"I don't know if I will have time." He retorted avoiding her stare.
"Make time." She said through gritted teeth.
"Please don't tell me you are working?" Mia voiced. "Make time for your girlfriend's surprise." She added innocently.
"Thank you, Mia," Ana said with a saccharine sweet smile. "You will regret that." She whispered into his ear.
"I look forward to it." He purrs sitting back. He looks around his dining room to find happy, relaxed faces enjoying their meal. The old man and Taylor were talking about fishing boats and the best places to fish. Mia was chewing Sawyer's ear off. Grandma found herself between Ros and Gwen talking animatedly about what, he had no idea. Ana was sat back staring at him as he stared at everyone else. He had never had this, never felt this comfortable in a group of people. He didn't feel this comfortable around the dinner table with the Greys. For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged.
It was six in the evening, and everyone had spread out around the living room. Christian was making himself a sandwich. "How are you hungry again?" Ana gawked at him in disbelief.
"This turkey is so good." He moaned licking his fingers. "You should try some. I can make you a sandwich." He looked up at her.
"Okay, why not." She conceded.
"While you are at it, make me one as well," Mia shouted.
"Yeah me too." That was Ros.
"I wouldn't mind one." The old man piped up.
"Let me help you." Ana offered, looking thoroughly amused at his expression.
"By the time we are done there will be a hole in my stomach." He grumbled.
"Sit down and finish your sandwich then you can help me. We can't have you walking around with a hole in your stomach." She quipped. "Who would have thought a hole would be worse than the bottomless pit you already have." He glared at her taking a huge bite.
"You are not taking my condition seriously." He whined earning an eye roll in return.
It was almost midnight when their guest left, Taylor and Sawyer returned to the staff quarters. He collapsed on the couch next to Ana. "Did you enjoy yourself?" She asked although she knew the answer.
"More than I'd ever imagined." He yawned. "Having fun is exhausting." His phone rung and he reluctantly answered it. "Grey."
"You sound like you've had a long day." Ray teased.
"Hey, Ray." Ana raised an eyebrow. "Merry Christmas to you and Carla." He added with a smile. "Yeah, it's been a long day of fun and food." He laughed.
"I have some information to give you." He stood and excused himself even though he knew he would have to tell Ana about it later. "Okay, I'm in my office."
"How much would your trust fund had been if your parents had given it to you four years ago?"
"Around three and a half million." He answered.
"They gave the money to Elena Lincoln." That didn't surprise him. "She was also stealing from the business and her husband. Though he could never prove it during the divorce proceedings. Between your trust fund and the money she stole, Elena Lincoln is sitting on around eight million dollars." Christian whistled. "Indeed." Ray concurred.
"So, what happens now?"
"Well, this gives us leverage to get the information you need." Ray smiled.
"How so?"
"I not only know about the money, but I also have access to it." Christian's jaw dropped. "She didn't do a good job of hiding her information. I'm guessing getting arrested and been put behind bars so quickly didn't give her enough time to get her affairs in order. When I found out she still owned her home and the salons. I realized there was information to be found at either place and I did." Though Ray made it sound easy, Christian knew it wasn't. "She also has a two-bit attorney on retainer. He sends her care packages twice a month and visits her under the pretense of family visits."
"She is effectively buying friends and protection."
"She is." He scoffed. "Threaten to take that away, and I believe she will give us the information you need."
"Thank you, Ray," Christian said with a deep sense of gratitude.
"No need, I understand why you are doing it. Merry Christmas." He hung up.
AN: Thank you for all the messages wishing me a speedy recovery. I'm feeling much better. CJ.