Hi All. This was a very hard chapter to write.. so please forgive my clumsiness in it.
Dinner:
Ana's POV:
The house is buzzing, literally with every family member already here for the day and dinner. Grace, Kate, Mia and I have been sitting outside having tea and chatting whilst we watch the kids play in the garden. I am really enjoying this family time. Christian has hired a caterer that we have used in the past so as its Sunday and Gail is off, but since it the last weekend that before Mia fly's back to New York, he thought it be best to just spend time together. Well that was his reasoning; the truth was that he didn't want me to do anything since I had been getting tired from the pregnancy.
Bryon wasn't expected until 7pm as he had to be at the Networks office in Seattle until 5pm, plus Elliot, Carrick and Christian had decided that it would be a good idea to go to golf this afternoon. This also meant that this would be way too late on a Sunday night for the kids as they had school the next day and Christian was never willing to let them stay up on a school night. Therefore they kids would have dinner at 5pm and be in bed at 7pm.
"Are you sure Ava isn't going to be any bother tomorrow? She isn't the fastest kid in the morning!" Kate says.
"No its fine! This was she can go to bed at the same time as Phoebe and Ted. If you wake her up to take her home then she is more than likely going to be tried and grumpy and even worse in the morning. Plus we have already told Phoebe that Ava is going to sleep over and that they can go to school together tomorrow" I said.
"Also Kate, I fly out on Tuesday and her being here tomorrow morning gives me a little more time to spend with Ava" Mia said smiling at the kids. I was starting to realise just how much she missed her two nieces and one nephew this week.
Mia's phone went off and she looked at it, smiled and walked into the house to answer it. "That is Bryon he has finished his meeting early and going back to the Hotel to change and prepare himself for tonight. I think he is a little nervous to meet everyone."She said twisted her lips.
"Everyone or Christian?" Kate said raising her eyebrows.
"Excuse me, but I do believe that Elliot has had his played his share in sizing up Mia's boyfriends in the past if I recall" I said thinking someone should stand up for Christian even if they were right.
"Kate how is Ethan?" asked Mia much to our surprise. It's not many people who ask about their ex-husbands.
"He is doing well. He is working at WSU, lecturing in the Psychology school there now." Kate answered cautiously as to avoid discussion of his girlfriends. Mia didn't know that Ethan's post-marriage girlfriends failed to last very long and it was Kate that would be the one constantly convincing him to get back out there and see other women.
"I am glad for him. He has wanted to lecture for a little while." Mia said politely. Kate nodded but then looked away, so Mia wouldn't note her sadness over their failed marriage. It was then that when we heard Carrick, Elliot and Christian return from their golf game. Elliot was already gloating over his obvious win as all three of them approached us.
"I am really sorry Ana, but you are going to have to give us your third born child as your husband lost miserably to me", Elliot said mocking Christian.
"Make your own" Kate replied and lightly elbowed him causing him to a little quiet. I loved that Kate was still as spunky and sassy as she was in college.
Christian sat behind me and put his hands on my shoulders slightly massaging them. I turned my head around and kissed him. "Did you have fun? I asked.
"Beside the lack of intelligent comments and jeers from my brother, yes it was actually rather relaxing. I may employee a golf coach to help me improve and I could take Ted. He might enjoy it" he said as he kissed my neck. I raised my hand and put it on my shoulder to get him to stop as his whole family where right there and could see.
He whispered into my ear "I think my hand is going to be twitchy tonight if you make me stop again." I couldn't help but smile and giggle gaining the attention of everyone there.
"What are you two doing?" Ask Mia.
"Nothing" said Christian. "So Mia when is this boy coming?" he asked
"First he is not a boy, he is 35, and he will be just before 7pm. I promised Phoebe and Ava that they could meet him before they go to bed tonight."
"Carrick and I met him on Thursday night and he was he very charming" Grace said. She was rather happy to see Mia getting serious again with another person.
"The kids are going to need dinner soon. I think it's time I shower and get changed." Christian said. Elliot and Carrick agreed and both went into the other bathrooms to clean up.
Grace and Kate took the kids into the kitchen to eat their dinner leaving Mia and I alone
"I was surprised that you asked about Ethan" I said quietly to her so no one would hear us.
She shrugged her shoulders. "I thought it would though it would be the polite thing to do as Kate is here to meet my new boyfriend. Plus I did I guess I did l love him enough once to marry him"
"You guess?" I enquired.
"To be honest I don't think I loved him like you and Christian, or Kate and Elliot or my parents. I think I liked the idea of marriage at the time." she said shrugging again.
"Do you love Bryon?" I asked surprised at her confession.
"Oh yes, definitely. Dad likes him, now I just have to wait for the two other men I love in my life don't scare him away. " She said nervously.
"The problem there Mia, is that those two other men love you so much that they would scare anything away to keep you from getting hurt."
"I kind of wish I didn't have to introduce Bryon to my family with the beloved-sister of my ex-husband here." She said rolling eyes. I took her hand to comfort her.
"Don't worry, Christian will be polite. I spoke to him last night". Mia smiled slightly at my mere attempt to easy her stress. It was obvious she really liked this guy and saw a future with him.
It was 6:30pm and the kids had eaten dinner, showered, packed their school bags and even had their uniform ready for tomorrow. Christian took them into Phoebe's room to read to them their obligatory night time story. Everyone and everything was ready except Mia who went upstairs to change.
Just as Christian left kids to play for a little bit, Mia exited her room and Christian looked disapproving at the shortness of her red dress.
"Christian please, I know you're my brother and you love me, but get that look off your face. I don't think even for a second I am going to change my dress" She said sassing her brother loudly enough that we could hear them downstairs.
Christian clenched his hair but then just took her arm and walked her down the stairs where we were all sitting. She looked astonishingly gorgeous, her dark hair bringing out the red in her dress.
Elliot and Christian exchanged looks. "So Christian if we don't like him do you suggest we take his body to the beach or just dig a hole in the meadow?" If there was one thing they both agreed upon then it was their sister. There was a slight snigger and a few laughs from Elliot's comment. However Mia and Grace were both now standing and glaring at them both.
"Mom and Dad are you sure there wasn't something in the water in Detroit when you adopted them both?" Mia was becoming a little uncomfortable but decided to refocus her attention as the kids came downstairs dressed in their pyjamas.
"Is he here yet?" asked Ava with perfect timing as the door bell rang causing Mia to jump up and answer it. You couldn't see the door way from our living room so this gave Mia a few seconds of alone time with Bryon.
Soon Mia bought him in and he fitted her description of him to the tea! He was tall and mildly muscular. He had brown hair parted in the middle so in naturally flopped to each side. Though the first thing I noted about him was how they were exchanging little glances at each other already.
"Bryon this is my family" Mia said happily. "First this is my nephew, Teddy, my two nieces Phoebe and Ava."
"We have to go to bed though because we have school and Ted has to do detention tomorrow because he kissed a girl at a school dance and my Cousin Ava gets to sleep over as both our parents want to ask you lots of questions to in case they don't like and they don't know how long that's going to take" Phoebe said innocently and much to the humour and shock of everyone around.
"Yes Phoebe, you need to go to bed and so do all you kids. I very sorry and apologise for my daughter, I am Ana Grey. It's very nice to meet you and I am just going to put the kids to bed" I said mortified at my daughter's candid comments though I noted Christian concealing his don't-you-know look.
"Ana, Carrick and I will take the kids. It's wonderful to see you again Bryon" said Grace and Carrick as they welcomed him and took the kids to bed. Mia continued to do the remaining introductions.
"This is my brother Christian who is married to Ana" Bryon and Christian nodded at each other as they shook each other's hands.
"And if I recall correctly from your daughters statement then you would be the one who is going to grill me to decide if you like me?" Bryon was definitely very confident and it was obvious Mia had prepared him for this evening.
"Yes but my brother is more likely to assist" Christian said, "Though I too apologise for the way my daughter just addressed that issue" Christian added as I gave him a look of dismay.
"Please do not apologise I work for a major network and I only wish more people would be as honest as your daughter" Bryon said.
"Also, this is my eldest brother Elliot and his wife Kate. Ava is their daughter." Elliot shook his hand as did Kate, but she was obviously a little cooler towards him. After all the introductions were done Carrick and Grace came downstairs.
"All the children are in bed with strict instructions to go straight to sleep. Anyone for a drink, Carrick bought over some champagne?" said Grace. After pouring everyone a glass except me due to the baby we were all finally sitting down together.
"How did your meeting go at the network?" Ask Carrick trying to stimulate conversation.
"Surprisingly good actually, the network and I are looking at setting up a few new shows one of which maybe set up here, but we are at least a year away from that happening, but Mia and I are hopeful of it going ahead." Byron was obviously very well spoken and I noticed how he never let go of Mia's hand.
"It will allow us to spend a bit more time here in Seattle actually, though we still want to be based in New York." Said Mia
"Byron, have you always lived in New York?" Christian asked.
"No. I went to NYU and then afterwards got a job at the network and just moved my way up and that's how I met Mia. I was born in Maine actually and both my parents are still there but retired." He looked at her and smiled. They reminded me of love sick teenagers actually.
"What about your siblings?" Elliot asked.
"I did have one sister but she passed away at about three months old when I was about 5. She died from SIDS. My parents were devastated that they didn't want to risk having any more children."
"So you haven't been married?" Christian asked this time.
"Christian seriously" I said grabbing his hand and rolling my eyes. As if he didn't know this stuff already!
Byron laughed slightly. "No Ana Its ok I am more than happy to answer any questions. I have had a couple of girlfriends but nothing ever serious, and if your wondering no I do not have any kids. I would like to one day though but I would like to get married first."
Elliot and Christian gave each other a deep look but I noticed Grace cringing and Mia getting frustrated a little. Carrick was smiling slightly maybe because he too wanted to know the answers to these questions and at least he didn't have to do it himself.
"I am curious how you both been able to avoid the paparazzi. How have you avoided them for a year?" Kate was getting on the act now.
Mia smiled and answered this time. "Well it hasn't easy, but since we work at the same network and shows then it's only natural we attend similar functions and balls, we just don't go anywhere together, rather meet somewhere quiet or at each other's apartments. We also haven't made it official, but we plan to do so in a couple of weeks"
"How are you going to make it official?" Christian said narrowing him eyebrows.
"We have a major network function and intend on arriving together. In TV and New York, that is pretty much all you need." Byron said.
"Yes, so we may be in some magazines or something, just so you all know." Mia said as if to warn us.
"May? Mia I work in that industry and I can tell you that you will definitely be in magazines! You are one of the hottest TV personalities-chefs on TV right now and your last name is Grey." Kate said very matter of fact.
"That is why we both wanted to come here this weekend. I thought it would only be appropriate for me to meet you all and to allow Mia's brothers to grill me before you see us in print and am disappear" Bryon said jokingly. He was definitely ticking all the boxes. "Do you have any other questions?" Bryon said and causing us to laugh slightly.
Christian and Elliot looked at each other but it was Elliot who spoke. "Not really, Christian has already done a background check of you and if you hurt our sister we will make your life hell, just everyday brother stuff." Elliot said laughing.
"I think it's time we go and eat" Grace said ending the inquisition. We all got up and proceeded to the dining room. Dinner was extremely pleasant and it was wonderful to see how happy Mia really was with Byron. After dinner and a few drinks. Bryon and Mia went for a walk outside with Grace and Carrick. Elliot and Kate left as Kate had an early meeting in the morning, leaving Christian and I alone.
"I can't believe the questions you and Elliot asked him!" I said horrified
"Ana, she is my sister. In fact Elliot and I plan on doing worse to Ava and Phoebe's future boyfriends" He said honestly.
"Then maybe you should stop paying for all those background checks" I spat out.
"Then how would I know if they are being honest or not?" Christian raised his eyebrows.
"So do you like him?" I asked knowing that Mia would be asking me that very question the minute we are alone.
"He makes Mia very happy, so I do not hate him. Do you like him?"
"Yes I do actually. He seems a better fit than Ethan ever did." I say honestly.
"Then if you like him than I do too" He said giving me hard smack to my backside.
"Ouch" I squirmed and moved as close as I could to him with my pregnant belly.
"Actually I noticed that you didn't squirm when he called you Christian" it only occurred to me just then. Christian shrugged his shoulders.
"You are beautiful Anastasia he said as he kissed me passionately, but we were soon interrupted by Mia and Bryon.
"Thank you for a lovely evening. Ana it was wonderful meeting you and Christian I hope I fit the bill for your sister." Byron said. I opened my mouth to apologise but Byron put his hand up. "Don't worry the questions didn't concern me, in fact I think I would have done the same for my sister if she was still alive."
"Thank you for coming." I added.
"I believe I will see you are the masked ball in a month. Have safe flight back. I will have Sawyer drive you back to the hotel." Christian said politely shaking his hand.
Mia walked Byron out of the house hand in hand. Christian turned around and faced me "so where were we?"
A couple of weeks later after the large network function that Mia and Byron told us about, their picture was plastered on some magazine and tabloids. Suddenly they became the newest hottest couple in New York.
Ethan's POV
I kept looking at the magazine where Mia that guy Kate had told me about was featured. I couldn't stand to look at it but couldn't stop at the same time. I then went through my mail and found my invitation to the masked ball that Grace and Carrick put on each year. This was defiantly my chance to get Mia back!