Chapter 21

CPOV

Welch called me and asked to meet with me in person with the results of his findings. That can't be good. I'm a nervous wreck inside, oscillating between anger, anxiety, and sadness. For so long I thought I was the problem. What if I'm not? What if I was just an innocent victim like Ana says?

I have Welch meet me in my office at home. I don't want to drag this stuff into Grey House. "Mr. Grey."

"Welch, have a seat. I trust you have found something in Mrs. Lincoln's background?"

"Yes, I have. Would you like me to go over everything now?" Welch knows of the sensitivity of this topic. Aside from Flynn, he may be the only other person who knows absolutely everything about me.

I inhale deeply and run my hand through my hair. "Yes. Let's get it over with."

"It appears that you may have been Mrs. Lincoln's first…" Welch stops unsure of what word to use.

"I get it. Go on."

"After you, she was involved with three more boys."

"How long after me?" How long has she been doing this for?

"Sir, it appears these other relationships started when you were away at school." An irrational animosity grows inside of me; that fucking bitch. I wasn't allowed to see anyone for all those years yet she's picking up boys while I'm at school.

"OK. Give me the details."

"I was able to get information that she was intimately involved with three other underage boys. A Tim Villafane, Jamie Dent, and a Mark Stockard." Welch studies his file as he reads the names to me.

"So, do we have enough information to press charges?" That would be the ultimate thing to hang over her head.

"Unfortunately, all three boys were at the age of 17 which is over the age of consent in the state of Washington. We have no recourse."

"What about with me? I was underage when we… started." Do I really want to open myself up to the public to get back at Elena?

"Sadly, no. The statute of limitations has run out." Fuck.

"So what can we do?"

"I can continue to see what I can dig up on her."

"Sounds good. Keep digging. Thank you."

"Yes, Sir."

I walk in the library where Ana has made herself a substitute office. It reminds me to call Elliot and have his company build her an office in the apartment.

Ana looks up at me with sweet, adoring eyes. "Hey, baby. What's wrong?"

"I just spoke to Welch. So far we can't find anything to dig up on Elena. She came by the office yesterday pissed because she received our wedding announcement."

Ana looks at me with a smirk and then giggles. "I'm sorry Christian. Is kind of funny that she got our wedding announcement. I know this is serious."

I start to laugh too. "I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when she got it. Anyway, I don't think she is going to stop being friends with my mother and I don't want her around. But, since we can't dig anything up on her the only thing I can do is to come clean to my parents."

Her face is etched with concern. "Are you sure you want to do that? I mean, I hate that bitch and would like to see her get what's coming to her. But I don't want it to hurt you or your family."

"I don't know what I want to do or should do."

"How can I help you? What do you need?" She gets up, walks around the desk, and faces me.

"You. I need you." She gets closer to me and stands on her tiptoes to give me a kiss.

"You've got me - all of me."

APOV

I really hope that Christian can find peace and decide what he wants to do. If he chooses to tell them I can't even imagine how hard that will be. But of course, if things remain the same he's going to have to see her fairly often. I also don't know how Grace will handle the news. Unfortunately, this is a decision that only Christian can make; it's not my story to tell.

My phone pings with a text. It's from Mia.

*Hey, Ana what color centerpieces and place settings do you want for your party?*

*Centerpieces? Isn't it going to be the 10 of us? Surely everyone can fit at the same table.*

*I decided you should have a party so I've invited a couple of other friends and family.*

*How many more people?*

*Like around 20ish*

Fuck. I wanted this to be a nice quiet dinner with immediate family. I really don't want a big party but I don't want hurt Mia's feelings.

"Christian?!"

He walks around from the breakfast bar holding two glasses of wine. Good. I'll need it. "What's wrong baby?"

"I just got a text from Mia and instead of just immediate family for our dinner this weekend she's invited twenty other people." I show him the text.

He hands me the glass of wine. "Let me call my mom and see if she knows about it." He walks into his office with his phone.

A few minutes later he comes out of his office. "Apparently when we told them only immediate family or friends they didn't realize we literally meant immediate. The bad news is the invitations have already been sent so we can either deal with it or call people and tell them it was a mistake."

"We're not telling people that, it's rude. I'm sure your mom and sister will plan something very nice and I will just have to deal with it. It's not that really big of a deal." He leans down and kisses me on the forehead.

"Thank you for being so flexible."

"It's not like it's going to kill me. But now I have to pick something out to wear." He laughs at me and takes his black Amex card out of his wallet.

"Here. Take this. Caroline Acton at Neiman Marcus can help you pick out something to wear. Get everything. Take Kate and make a day of it. Get her an outfit too."

"Christian…" I can't spend all that money just for one night.

"No. I don't want to hear it. You are my wife and I want to do this for you."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you." I reach and give him a kiss on the cheek.

Kate and I spend almost the entire day trying on dresses. "Ana, can I just say how glad I am that you married a gazillionaire? Is his brother single?" Kate laughs as she is looking through dresses.

"Actually, Kate, I think he is…"

"Then I should pick a dress that best shows off my assets." Kate raises her eyebrows at me conspiratorially.

"Kate, I think any dress could show off your assets." Kate has always been beautiful with long, strawberry blond hair and shining green eyes. She knows how to use her looks to get what she wants while remaining unpretentious.

"Oh my God. Ana! Some of these dresses aren't even available to purchase yet!" Caroline comes into the private room we have, courtesy of Christian Grey.

"Ladies, would you like some champagne?"

"Yes!" I am in over my head here and looking for any kind of distraction while Kate is in heaven searching through the racks of clothes.

Caroline leans in and whispers to me, "Mrs. Grey, would you like some assistance in choosing a dress?" I think she could tell how out of my element I am right now.

"I would love that. I'm used to jeans and t-shirts."

"It would be my pleasure. You really are beautiful and have a lithe figure. I bet you would be stunning in a Zac Posen dress."

I have no idea who Zac Posen is but I guess this is why she is so good at her job. Caroline goes to the racks of dresses and looks back at me once in awhile to help her make selections. About an hour later I have chosen a strapless forest green silk Zac Posen dress with a sweetheart neckline. Kate teases me for picking a 'boring color' for my party dress. I don't really like standing out like that. However, the dress Kate chose is so her. It's a Monique Lhuillier sleeveless jacquard dress in a fire engine red and a plunging v-neck.

"Wow! Kate, you look so sexy in that dress. It's totally you!" Kate jumps up and down in excitement.

"Good, because I really love it! Next up, shoes!" I roll my eyes. I may be the only woman who doesn't like shopping. Kate easily finds a pair of open toed Jimmy Choo crystal-embellished satin heels with an ankle strap.

Caroline helps me. All I know is that Christian really likes Louboutins. He's a kinky bastard. I end up with a pair of laser-Cut black patent leather red sole pumps. They are sexy and beautiful at the same time.

By the end of it, both Kate and I are set for the party.