Chapter 15: The Grey Family Huddle

July 4, 2011

Ana's POV:

After Christian and Elliott pulled off a victory against the attorneys, Christian pulled adorable little Clay off my lap and held him upside down by his feet teasing him about "hitting on his woman." Little Clay couldn't stop laughing and then of course Cody wanted Christian to do the same thing to him.

"But you weren't the guilty party who was trying to steal my girlfriend!" Christian tells him. "I am a fair man, Master Cody; I will only punish this little scallywag." Christian has not put Clay down yet. These little guys are pretty sharp. Cody has his own misdemeanor it appears as he blurts out a confession.

"I don't want your girlfriend, I want his." Cody points to Elliot who has his arm around Kate.

"Aye, did you say you wanted my girlfriend you little scoundrel," Elliot does his best pirate impression. "To the plank with you." With that, Elliot picks up Cody and carries him over his shoulder towards the water. Christian puts Clay down who runs after Elliot and his brother.

Christian quickly takes my hand and leads me away while everyone is focused on Elliot and the twins.

"Where are we going Mr. Grey?" I am pretty sure I know what he has in mind as we are headed to the boathouse. He still has his shirt off and he is pretty sticky. He puts his arm around me and pulls me close. "Nothing personal, but you are kind of sweaty." I try to pull away.

"Oh no you don't Miss Steele. You have felt my sweaty body next to yours plenty of times, and you're about to get a bit sweaty yourself." He has that look in his eye and I feel my body grow warm just thinking about what we are about to do. To be honest, just watching Christian play volleyball with his shirt off was making me want to jump on him right in the middle of the game. Seeing his chiseled pecs, muscular arms, perfect abs, toned back and round strong shoulders moving all over the court made me almost pant. Both he and Elliot have great bodies, especially compared to Shawn and Nathan.

Christian and I sneak into the boat house. He locks the door behind us. "Wouldn't want your little boyfriend Clay, to walk in and see how babies are made." Christian guides me upstairs. As soon as we reach the top stair Christian is all over me. He is kissing my neck, my face and my ears while his hands are all over me. He is squeezing my ass with one hand and cupping my breast with the other. We are all tongues and I as amorous as he is.

"I am so glad you had the same thought in mind. I was watching you play and all I could think about is how much I wanted you to be inside of me." I pant out to Christian as he groans.

"Oh baby, I love it when you tell me what you want. I need your legs wrapped around me Ana. I have been looking at them all day, and all I have been able to think about is having them around me or over my shoulders while I fucked your brains out. Sorry, not real romantic here, but I am so god damn horny right now."

That's all I need to here. "Me too, hurry, I need you now Christian." I tug my shorts down, while Christian pulls his very hard penis out of his shorts. He pushes me up against the wall and lifts me up holding both of my butt cheeks and slams into me. Oh my god, this feels so amazing.

"Squeeze those legs around me hard baby, and hold on to my neck. I am going to move fast and hard," Christian says in between kissing my mouth, neck and biting on my shoulder. Wow, he is taking me like a man possessed. He is staking his claim on me and I am a complete and willing receptacle for his need to have me. "You're so wet and hot baby." He moves us over to a bar stool sitting in a corner and places me on it without losing any connection. He takes my legs that are wrapped around his waist and moves one so that it is resting on his shoulder and then he brings me forward. I am completely exposed to him and he is running his hand up and down my leg as he continues at rapid speed. He takes my other leg and pulls it straight up pushing it back further while pulling me even closer to him. He reaches over and bites the inside of my thigh as I feel myself start to quiver. I can't hold on much longer.

"Christian, please, oh yes, this is so, so, so" and with that I am in another universe crying out as I find my release. Christian follows and cries out my name so loud that I am sure everyone can hear us. We catch our breath and he pulls out of me and pulls himself together. My legs are literally shaking as I try to get down off the bar stool.

"You okay baby?" Christian looks at me as I move gingerly to find my shorts.

"Holy shit Christian, I think you just about ripped me apart." I didn't know my legs could even move that far back. He looks concerned. "I'm fine, I just felt like a gymnast," I giggle.

"Yes, sorry about that. I just needed to have your legs play a part of that fuck. I hope it wasn't too rough."

I smile at him thinking I am going to have to wear these shorts more often.

We discreetly leave the boathouse and clean up in the house. As I am coming down the stairs I see Mia talking to Lauren.

"Ana there you are." Mia looks stressed. "Lauren sings in her church choir and she sang at her own wedding and she would like to sing at your wedding." I can tell that Mia is 100% against this idea.

"That is a so nice of you to offer Lauren," as I say this Mia rolls her eyes and shakes her head frantically outside of Lauren's view. "You know Lauren, I am trusting Mia and Kate, my maid of honor on all decision making. I know crazy huh?" She looks at me like I must be nuts to give up control of my wedding. If Mia doesn't want her to sing, why didn't she just say so, instead of making me guess what she wants with eye language? Christian comes down the stairs. He has changed his shirt. "Christian, Lauren has offered to sing at our wedding," I inform him. He has the same look that Mia has and now I know there is more to this than I am privy to.

"Well, that is a gracious offer Lauren, but, I don't recall that we have that as part of our ceremony, do we Mia?" Christian actually seems uncomfortable which is unlike him. Typically he would just say no thank you if he didn't want this. What is going on? As we are standing there talking at the end of the stairway, Carrick comes in rushing past us."

"Well, what is this - a private party?" We all look at him; he has barbeque sauce down the front of his shirt. "I had a little run in with a bottle of sauce." The fastidious Carrick announces.

"Dad, Lauren has offered to sing during the wedding ceremony," Mia says in an almost desperate voice. Carrick stops in his tracks.

"Oh isn't that…most generous." Carrick started to say something else, and then he changed gears. I wish I wasn't the only one in the dark here.

"I know how much you appreciate music Christian, I thought I would sing an aria, something of course that you and Ana selected," Lauren offers. Mia, Carrick and Christian all look at each other. They look at me. For heaven's sake, don't look at me if you don't want her to sing, I would say yes. I am standing there just staring back, when as if on cue, Elliot walks in. This is getting ridiculous.

"How come I wasn't invited? Christian, dad's little suck up's – what don't look at me like that dad, those dudes you hired are pricks- any rate, they are ready for some football. I gave you 30 minutes dude to float your boat, let's go." Elliot laughs at his own comment. He tries to lead Christian out the door. Carrick is just glaring at Elliot.

"Elliot, Lauren has offered to sing at the wedding and we are just discussing her generous offer," Mia once again explains with desperation in her eyes. Elliot's eyes open wide and for once he is speechless. Oh for Pete's sake why doesn't someone tell me what is going on here? We are all standing around and just staring at each other when Lauren thankfully informs us she needs to use the rest room. As soon as she walks away, Mia motions for us all to move to the kitchen, which is further away from the bathroom.

"Mia, you're the wedding planner, tell her no, "Christian whispers adamantly.

"Or pass earplugs out to guest with their wedding programs," Elliot comments.

"Goodness gracious, what are you all doing in here whispering? We have company, and my entire family is in here in a huddle. What in the world is going on?" Grace comes in through the garage door. "Carrick we are out of beer, those two attorneys you hired are drinking like whales." Elliot looks at his dad, like see what I mean.

"Grace, Lauren wants to sing at the kids wedding," Carrick whispers almost in a panic.

"Oh,no! Well someone is just going to have to tell her no," Grace states. Christian, Carrick, Elliot and Mia all point to Grace.

"Will someone please tell me what is going on? Why don't you want her to sing at the wedding?" I ask.

"Nails on a chalkboard, a peacock getting screwed, two cats fighting, a baby screaming on a plane – all preferable to her voice. She sang at her own wedding, and I had to get up and pretend to be sick I was laughing so hard. She is hideous." Elliot informs me. All the Grey's nod their heads. Even Carrick agrees which surprises me. He informs Grace that Lauren is due to come out of the bathroom any minute.

"This is just awkward. It is so hard when families make these kind gestures. I just don't know how you tell her no thank you without hurting her feelings. You will get Aunt Diana angry and of course offend poor Scott. I am afraid you might just have to find a place for her." Grace is whispering and looking towards the bathroom door. All the Grey's drop their shoulders. This is so unlike Christian. He would usually just say no, so I look at him.

"No Ana. You and Mia wanted me out of the decision making. You can't ask me to step back from the planning and then ask me to do the dirty work. Mia, this is on you." Christian stands firm. I just knew he wasn't okay with stepping back. This is his way of letting us know if he had control, this conversation wouldn't be happening.

We hear the sliding door open and we all clam up waiting to see who was going to "join our party" next. Christian's grandma walks in the door as Lauren comes out of the bathroom. Grandma takes Lauren's hand for help as she steps through the French doors. "Where in the world is everyone Lauren?"

Lauren points to our huddle in the kitchen. We all have to look ridiculously guilty. "I have offered to sing at Christian's wedding Grandma Trevelyan. We are just discussing what I should sing." Lauren looks at us and smiles.

"What you should sing? Sweetie, you shouldn't sing anything. As I recall from your own wedding, singing isn't your strong suit. We don't want to go through that again. Excuse me you sweet girl, I need to use the restroom. " And with that Mrs. Trevelyan leaves the room, and Lauren with a mortified look on her face runs out the door calling for Scott.

"Grandma and her lost filter come through again," Elliot declares. They all agree and start laughing hysterically.

Carrick and Grace put out a traditional Fourth of July spread. We had grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, corn on the cob and watermelon. For dessert, Grace brought out her antique ice cream maker and let Cody and Clay turn the handle to churn the cream. When the ice cream was ready, Mia brought out her freshly made warm brownies. We were all stuffed and sitting around holding our bellies. Christian was so happy to see me eat, and but I almost felt sick. In fact I did feel sick. I kept feeling this need to go to the bathroom, but when I went pee, nothing was coming out. And when it did, it burned like crazy. I started feeling like something wasn't right. I must have gotten up to go to the bathroom 10 times.

"Baby, are you okay?" Christian is staring at me as I get up to go to the bathroom yet again. I whisper to him that I am uncomfortable and when that is not enough detail for him and he demands more information, I tell him my symptoms. He walks over to where his mom is sitting and bends down to tell her something. Oh my god, how embarrassing. Grace comes over to me and takes my arm and leads me back to the house. Christian follows us.

"Christian tells me that you're not feeling well Ana," Grace says in her physician persona. "Tell me what is going on."

I tell her I just feel uncomfortable, not actually sick. By now I am having some sharp pains in my abdomen as well and tell her about the other symptoms. Grace brings me a small bottle of cranberry juice from the refrigerator. She pulls a prescription pad out of her purse and gives Christian two prescriptions to have filled at the only pharmacy open on a holiday. She smiles at us both and then looks at Christian embarrassed.

"What is it Mom? What do you think is wrong?"

"Oh, Christian. I never thought we would be having this conversation. But Ana, I think that you have a bout of Cystitis, but you should go see your private physician tomorrow to make sure. I just gave you a prescription to get you through a few days or until you can make an appointment." Why does Christian look embarrassed? How does he know what this is and I don't have any idea?

"What is Cystitis?" I have never had it and don't know what it is.

Grace looks a bit uncomfortable. "Well sweetie, it is a urinary bladder inflammation, or bruising of the bladder usually caused by abnormally forceful sexual intercourse." Oh my god. Kill me now. I am about to die of embarrassment. I can feel my face go beet red! She pats my hand. "Honey you're not the first woman to have this and you won't be the last. We have all played a bit too hard and ended up with a bout of Cystitis. Just drink plenty of water and cranberry juice you'll be fine in a few days." Grace starts to walk away and Christian looks embarrassed at his mother's confession of having had rough sex too. "Oh and Christian, keep your hands and you're penis to yourself for a few days." He has his shy smile, rubs his hand through his hair and looks guilty as charged.

Christian's POV

I feel terrible about Ana getting a bladder infection. I sent Sawyer out to fill the prescriptions and Ana will have her first dose when we get home tonight. I have brought her several bottles of water to drink.

I am ready for some more exercise after eating more than I usually eat and certainly not the typical foods I indulge in. Ethan and Mia are pulling teams together for our football game and I am ready. We pick teams. Shawn the arrogant attorney is captain of one team, and Elliot is captain of the other team. Shawn picks Nathan, Ethan, Mia and Scott. I am surprised Scott is playing, but Elliot and I look at each other. This guy thinks he is stacking his team by adding Scott. Good luck with that.

That leaves Elliot with me, Kate, Cody and Clay who have insisted on playing. Which really means it is me an Elliot against four pretty big guys and Mia who really doesn't count because next to the word girly, girly is a picture of my sister. Elliot tries to get me to let Sawyer play to even the side. But, I won't do it. Ana decides to sit this one out as she is not feeling all that great as the day progresses. Uncle Mike is our referee as my dad sent him down to keep the game "civil."

We huddle and decide to use the little guys as the key to our offense. Even the shark attorneys won't go for the kill on 6 year olds. So the first play of the game I hand the ball off to Cody who starts to run his little legs as fast as he can until Elliot sweeps him up, tucks him and the football under his arm darting and weaving past Ethan and Shawn scoring for the touchdown. Shawn in full attorney mode cries objection! Uncle Mike puts his arms in the air and signals it's a touchdown. But for me and Elliot, we are licking our chops to play defense. We mumble to each other that even if Shawn and Nathan aren't carrying the ball, we still get our shots at Ethan and Scott. It's a win, win for us. But, once again the attorneys are playing our game as on their first play the ball goes to Mia who screams and panics, even running backwards. Kate is blocking Mia which means nothing as she stops in the middle of the field to wave to Ana. I am trying to cover both Ethan and Shawn. Ethan is yelling for Mia to throw him the ball and while I am trying to block him from catching the ball, and seeing a break in our defense, Shawn the asshole picks up my sister like fucking Tarzan and runs with her scoring as he gets past Kate and Clay. Elliot had been blocking Nathan and we put Cody on Scott. We weren't even worried about him but we were outsmarted by our own game.

"Not to creative there Shane," Elliot calls out.

"It's Shawn." He yells back.

For the next twenty minutes no one scores. The sun is starting to set and we have to load everyone up on the boat to go out and see the fireworks. Lance, Janine, my parents, Aunt and Uncle and Lauren and Ana are all ready to board and head out as they watch us finish the game. We have the ball and we huddle to talk strategy.

"Kate, do you know how to do a fake?" Elliot asks Kate. She looks at him with this smirk.

"Don't need to with you babe," Kate smirks. For Christ sake, there are kids in the huddle and I don't want to hear this. She catches my look. "No. I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Just throw a long pass to me Elliot. I will run a pattern over towards Scott," I tell him. "Cody and Clay run right at Shawn and Nate, head on. I promise they won't hurt you. Elliot you cover Ethan." Man those assholes better not charge the kids.

"What about me?" Kate asks. "Go sit down." Both Elliot and I say at the same time.

Elliot tells us it's on blue. "10- green- 45- blue- 87." I run as fast as I can. Did he just say 87? I make it easily past Mia who is just standing there. I turn around and Scott and I both reach up for the ball at the same time. I am taller and as I come down with the ball my elbow makes contact with Scott's eye. Shit. But we scored. My Mom gets ice for Scott and calls the game. Elliot and I promise to meet Nathan and Shawn for a rematch without little kids and females. Elliot plans to bring some guys from his crew and make it a real game. We have unfinished business with the lawyers who finally thank my parents and head out. We've had enough of them.

Ana's POV

We have all settled into our spots on the Grey's yacht. Christian always calls it his Dad's boat. This is a freaking yacht. It is huge. He told me it isn't as aeronautically designed as The Grace or nearly as state of the art, but the family has made many trips on this mansion on the water, and I am speechless. The Yacht, named Two Sons and a Princess, has three double beds, one master and two twin cabins. It has every feature of a house. The party has moved to the boat and we are headed to watch the fireworks. It was determined that Carrick might have had a few too many drinks so Christian has taken over the wheel.

I am sitting next to Janine and Kate, watching as Christian guides us out of Meydenbauer Bay towards Lake Washington to anchor the Two Sons and a Princess in the Grey family preferred location. Once we anchor, Christian pulls me into his arms. I am glad I have changed into my jeans and sweatshirt as it has cooled down out here on the water. Carrick puts on his John Phillip Sousa CD timing it perfectly to the fireworks in all directions from the nearby communities. It is a perfect night.

As we are standing there gazing up, I feel a little hand in mine and I look down to see Clay leaning against me, looking tired but clearly enjoying the fireworks. I reach down and give him a little kiss on his cheek, and he gives me the sweetest smile. I nudge Christian and he reaches down for Clay and puts him on his shoulders. I am once again stunned to see Christian be so sweet to this child. He has made it clear to me that if we even have children, it won't be for quite some time. He doesn't want to share me for awhile. But I am glad to see he is actually very good with them, even thought he thinks his past will make him a horrible father. Of course once Cody sees that Clay has a perch on Christian's shoulders he recruits Ethan to do the same for him. I wonder where Elliot and Kate have wondered off to.

We head back to Bellevue around 11:30. I have fallen asleep as has Christian's grandparents, Cody and Clay. Ryan and a guy named Wilson replaced Sawyer and Reynolds when we left on the boat, and they are there to take us back. Christian lets Ryan take his car back to Escala and Wilson drives us back to Christian's grandparent's home. I get out saying goodbye and thanking Mrs. Trevelyan again for the "something old." She looks at me like she has no idea what I am talking about. She seems confused and even calls me Kate. We have all had such a long day, and I am hoping she is just tired. For the first time, I see what everyone is talking about, and it makes me sad. I tell her I can't wait to see her again and give her a hug.

"Oh, something old, yes the veil. I thought you were talking about me, Ana." She laughs and takes Christians arm to slowly walk to the front door. Both of his grandparents look exhausted and not quite as spry as they were when we picked them up.

"I will be right back baby. Let me get them in the house and take Champ out for them. Go ahead and get in the car with Wilson. I will be back out in a few minutes.

I felt like I learned more about my future husband today than in all the days I have known him. I have discovered he has a soft side for old dogs and is actually great with kids. I saw a grandson completely devoted to his grandparents, and two brothers fiercely loyal to each other. I also found out that he is intensely jealous, which I already knew, but the way in which he staked his claim on me in the boathouse while perhaps a bit obsessive, was also insanely erotic and I can't stop thinking about the way he took me so vigorously, although I am paying the price for that now. Oh yes, and then there is that, the Cystitis and having my sex life up for discussion by my future mother-in-law. But I loved the entire day. Kate and I have come to an agreement and she has called a truce with Christian. Thank goodness. I feel like Elliot and Kate will be okay, as long as she has learned her lesson. It sounds like he was more than clear where he stands on all her nagging regarding the bachelorette party and Christian.

Christian gets in the car. He looks tired. He takes my hand and kisses it, making me giggle remembering Shawn's move and Elliot calling him Romeo.

"What's so funny Miss Steele?" I shake my head. "I have an early morning tomorrow baby. We also have the appointment with Reverend Walsh tomorrow night," Christian reminds me. I had forgotten about that. He will only perform the ceremony if we have a meeting with him in person.

"Christian?' I look up at him. "Thank you." He looks at me with a puzzled look. "Thank you for today. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me your family, I love them all and thank you for you. I love you so much." I kiss him on the cheek and rest my head on his shoulder.

He smiles down at me, takes my hand and places it hand over his heart. Nothing else needs to be said.

Thank you everyone for your great feedback. This has been fun. I am going to take a break for a day or two. Then we will start getting into those vows that Christian struggles with and more with the bachelor and bachelorette party.