"Ana! It's lovely to see you again," Grace greeted the couple enthusiastically, folding Ana into a bear-like hug whose exuberance was matched only by Mia.

"Oh my gosh Ana. It's been way too long," Mia gushed, shoving her mom aside.

Christian smiled as his mother and sister encircled Ana, whom they saw as his savior and was therefore beyond reproach. Who am I kidding? She has the patience of a saint to put up with me.

"Hello to you too ladies," Christian piped up, amused by the affection they always lavished on his unsuspecting girlfriend.

"Don't be jealous Christian," Mia swatted his chest while Grace went in for an awkward pat on the back — which itself would've been out of the question before Ana had come along.

"Hello son," Carrick approached Christian, extending his hand.

"Father," Christian responded with a brusque handshake, stepping aside to let Ana give his estranged father a hug.

"You look wonderful Ana. I trust my son has been treating you well."

"Of course I have," Christian interjected gruffly, tightening his grip around her waist.

"Nobody has ever treated me better Carrick," Ana said, resting her head against his shoulder — her presence a soothing balm to Christian's agitation.

"Enough fondling my brother! Get over here little lady," Elliott shouted, hauling Ana up into a large hug.

"Alright Elliott, put her down before you drop her," Christian said, yanking Ana back to his side.

"Relax. She's not made of glass. And hello to you too kid brother. I see you're as festive as ever," Elliott ribbed him.

Christian grunted.

"The Grinch who stole Christmas makes an appearance," Kate snickered, leaning over to give Ana a kiss on the cheek.

"Stop giving my boyfriend grief you two scrooges," Ana scolded them. Christian kissed her temple in solidarity.

"Well, now that we've all become reacquainted, how about we step out of the foyer and head into the salon for some hors d'oeuvres and cocktails," Grace told the crowd. Ana smiled to herself. Only rich people call a living room a salon and a hallway a foyer.

"Your grandparents are coming by later and we'll have a few other guests trickling in throughout dinner," Grace informed them as she handed out glasses of wine.

Christian curled up next to Ana on the sofa, a propriety armed slung around her shoulder.

"So son. I hear congratulations are in order."

"On what? Our new apartment or GEH's first sale?" Christian replied smugly. If I had my damn way it would be on our engagement, but my headstrong girlfriend apparently has other plans.

"Both I suppose."

"Well, Ana deserves a share of the congratulations. She's decorated both the new apartment and our office, and she's been helping me weed through resumes and find prospective candidates now that we're expanding," he boasted, radiating pride.

"And in return Christian helps with my econ homework," she giggled.

"Fair trade," he kissed the crown of her head. "But if you're referring to the sale of Dynacorp Telecommunications, then yes that raked in a tidy profit — as I suspected it would earlier this year when I came to you with the proposal." Christian squinted his eyes at his father.

"It was a sound proposal son, and I always knew you had an uncanny business acumen. I just wanted you to develop it a bit further at Harvard."

"Timing is everything in business — and life. I see little sense in waiting for something that you know you want." Christian looked down pointedly at Ana, their argument about marriage still fresh on his mind.

"Ana dear, how are your studies going?" Grace chimed in, careful to avoid another row between her husband and son.

"Great," Ana exhaled, grateful for the diversion. "Seattle accepted all my credits from Harvard and I'm really enjoying my classes so far. I haven't had a chance to meet too many people yet since I don't live on campus, but I know Kate and a few others."

"Speaking of," Kate said. "Why don't you come with me to a party next Friday? You could meet some of the undergrads in my sorority."

Ana saw Christian grimace in the corner of her eye. "I'll see," she said noncommittally. "It depends on what Christian and I are up to."

"I'm sure he could give you a pass for one night," Kate winked.

"Maybe Christian and Elliott could have a guy's night out," Mia suggested, sensing the friction between the two erstwhile brothers. "You two could use some bonding time."

"Why not? You remember what a bar is right Christian?" Elliott joked.

"Fuck off Elliott. I have a girlfriend. I don't need to prowl around bars."

"Last time I checked, I have a girlfriend too bro," Elliott corrected him, growing defensive.

"Then hang out with her and I'll be with mine."

"Maybe a quick beer wouldn't hurt," Ana offered timidly.

"Besides, it's just a sorority party with a bunch of girls," Kate was quick to clarify.

Christian frowned. And drunk guys. "Ana is not big on college parties Katherine and I don't appreciate being ganged up on. Besides, we may have a fundraiser to attend that evening," he told Ana, effectively pre-empting Kate's inquisition.

Ana took a sip of her wine. Thanks for letting me know. I'd much rather spend my Friday night with a bunch of old stuck-ups talking about merlot and hedge funds than people my own age.

The doorbell interrupted the tense silence that had descended over the room as Grace got up to answer it.

"Are you alright baby?" Christian whispered, grasping Ana's chin in his hand. "I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that but I'm not comfortable with you going to a fraternity party and the last thing I want to do on a Friday night is spend it with my man-whore brother."

Ana gave him a perfunctory nod. "Technically it's a sorority party and I think Kate would beg to differ with your description of Elliott, but that's fine."

Christian glowered at her. He was just about to berate her for her obstinacy when a certain blonde made a dramatic entrance. Christian groaned. Oh great. This fucking family reunion keeps getting better and better.