Disclaimer: EL James owns everything fifty

All mistakes are my own

APOV

I love my car that my dad had bought for me and as the snow eased off the ground I felt more comfortable driving it. I also can not get enough of the van that Christian gave me, it is perfect for the business and he has saved me a lot of time finding it as well. The days in the bakery following Christmas though still busy, were quieter than before. I think most people were in a food coma from everything they had consumed over the holiday period, there were certainly a few like that in our house.

I was getting washed and dressed to go to the bakery, leaving a sleeping Christian in bed. He won't remain there long though, as soon as he realises I am not by his side he will be up to find out where I am.

"Morning princess" I heard behind me while I brushed my teeth.

"Morning Christian."

I turned to him and laughed as he walked to the toilet and just stood there having a pee.

"Do you want me to leave."

He shrugged his shoulders, smiling as if he had just realised what he was doing.

"No stay where you are" he finished off, washing his hands before pulling me into his arms.

"How are you feeling" he asked me as his hand went to my stomach.

"I'm fine, glad the Christmas rush is over but the bakery is still bound to be busy. I looking forward to when Claire is there more, I can have Hannah spend more time in the kitchen with me then."

"Are you going to be ok, while I am at the club today" he asked me. It has taken us a while, to not panic when the other was out of sight but we were getting there. His side was healing nicely and the cut on my neck was also.

"I will be fine and it's not like I will be alone, anyone bothers me and Hugo will jump the gate followed by Luke."

He leaned down kissing my lips as I pulled him closer, opening my mouth to his as our tongues moved together. I loved this man so much and holding and kissing him it was hard to pull back and get anything else done.

He picked me up and sat me down onto the counter sending the bottles everywhere that were there. I only had his t-shirt on so it didn't take long before that hit the floor and he pushed inside of me, all while our lips never left the others.

Wrapping my legs around him, I pulled Christian even closer as I held him in place.

"Fucking love you" he grunted in my ear as his movements sped up.

"Fucking love you too" I said hearing his groan.

"I love your dirty mouth" he said through ragged breath.

I could feel my orgasm approach as I buried my face into his neck, willing myself not to scream and have the house rush in. At the peak I latched onto his shoulder to quieten myself as he grunted in my ear, spilling himself inside me.

"I'm sorry" I said running my finger over the teeth marks I had left in his shoulder, I hadn't realised I had bitten down that hard.

"Don't ever apologise, and you can mark me anytime" he pulled my lips back to his before he carried me into the shower.

We washed each other, before getting out and dressed, I knew Hugo was waiting for us and would need to go out soon. After we made a fuss of him, getting licked in the process we went downstairs together to let him out.

...

I arrived at the bakery just after nine, Hannah was already in the kitchen making everything that needed to go out front. Making sure Hugo was in the office I worked my way down the list of everything that we still needed to do for today.

"Can I have a Cannoli please" I heard from the front as I laughed.

"If you want one, you can get it yourself" I said to my dad as he came into the kitchen giving me a hug.

"You can't get the staff these days" he laughed washing his hands before going to the chiller cabinet and taking out his Cannoli. He went to the till and put a note into the jar underneath. I know it is not good business sense considering how much from the bakery my family eat but I told them I don't want family paying for anything as they all helped me set the bakery up. They all complained.

Christian put the jar under the till and said it was for family payments and they were not actually putting anything into the till so I couldn't complain. There is usually more money in there by the end of the day than in the till. My dad passed me the tea he had just made and Hannah her coffee before taking a sip of his own drink.

"Where were you this morning" I asked him as I noticed only my grandmother was home, knitting some blue booties for our baby.

"We have been to the shooting range, your fiancé had just arrived with his brothers as I was leaving to come here. They said they are going to the club after so Mac was going with them while Antonio was off to see Carrick" he grabbed a seat in the kitchen so he could talk to me as I got the cupcakes in the oven.

"Ana, are you ok" he asked me. I hadn't realised I was deep in thought for a moment.

"I'm fine, I'm going to miss you when you all go back to Italy" I told him sadly.

"Hey, I have to get my house ready for your wedding. I can't have you leaving from a mess."

"And ask Isabella out" I teased knowing they had spoken on the phone for a while after we had called her about my wedding cake.

"Ana Please" he whined. "This isn't the sort of conversation a father is supposed to have with his daughter, it's supposed to be the other way around."

"Well my love life is sorted so there is nothing to talk about there" I said smiling.

"Saved by the bell" he said as I got up to take the biscotti out of the oven.

"For now."

I gave Rhian the biscotti once they were cooled, asking her to keep an eye on the cupcakes before I took Hugo out into the car park so he could have a run around. I heard Luke contact David who was at the front to keep a look out as he was coming with me. My dad was throwing the ball around when Kate came through with my phone.

"When did you arrive" I asked her giving her a hug before she passed me my phone seeing a message from Christian.

"I just arrived and thought I would come and see my sister since I have the day off."

"Well you're always welcome, I'm sure I can find something for you to do" I laughed as she tried to hit my shoulder.

"Hi Christian" I said when I dialled his number, deciding to ring him instead of sending him a message.

"Hi princess, I hope you are not running around."

"Ha are you kidding, my dad is here and Kate followed by security I can't run anywhere" I told him laughing.

"Please take it easy."

"I will, are you still at the range" I asked him hearing Ethan in the background.

"We just left, I'm going to the gym first, Bastille has been working out something's that will help with my side. My arm wasn't shot but it is aching after holding my gun up for too long and that's not good in this business, so I need to strengthen that too."

"OK don't over do it and say hello to Claude for me" I told him.

"Will do, love you."

"Love you too, I will see you later." I disconnected the call and got back to some work.

….

Today was new years eve and we were all heading back to Christians club, Christian was having the whole upstairs club blocked off for the night so it will only be family, and the Capo's and their spouses that were invited. I hadn't met many of these spouses only knowing Rhian and Grace. Christians team will be there including Ian and David and his sister. I did ask Christian if they were old enough to be in the club for which he laughed saying nothing legal happened there.

I had woken up this morning, relishing in the fact I could just lie there and do nothing until my bladder had other plans and I slowly got up. I was having today off otherwise I will be asleep before the new year came in.

We had a busy week coming, something's I was looking forward too, others not so much. On Tuesday we are going to look at dresses. Thursday Juliet was flying over to discuss and measure me up for my wedding dress and on Saturday my family were going back to Italy, Mac was going back to kick arse as he told me.

Just because the Boss and Underboss hadn't been there, some of the men thought they could skim their tribute. His Capo had already dealt with some of them but they are low level and not Made to the family. What being dealt with meant I didn't want to ask and I had to ask Christian what skim their tribute meant. He told me that the money they pay in was down, thinking that because they were not being constantly checked that they could take more than they were entitled too. I will stick to the bakery, I understand that money more. Either way I wasn't looking forward to not seeing my family every day.

I walked downstairs after washing my face to find the house quiet. Christian didn't say he was going out anywhere and where ever he is, Hugo must be with him. My family must be up and about early or still be in bed because they were nowhere to be seen. I made myself some tea and took a seat at the table, it was about ten minutes later when Christian and Hugo came into view of the window. They must have been jogging together as Christian was full of sweat.

I got up walking to the fridge taking a bottle out for him which I passed him when he came through the door.

"Thank you" he said quickly emptying it before doing the same to another.

"You thirsty" I laughed as he held his second empty bottle in his hand.

"Not any more" he laughed. "Where is everyone."

"Still in bed, HUGO" I said receiving a sloppy lick to the side of my face.

"He's just showing you some love, aren't you boy" I stroked his belly before he got into his bed and the snoring began.

"I have just thought, we are going to be gone for hours tonight, what are we doing with snorer over there."

"He's coming with us, if the music is too loud we can leave him in my office but I want him close to you, he can't carry a gun but he has a hell of a set of teeth" I looked over to Hugo.

"Yeah he's a tough guy" I said as he lay on his back snoring his head off, flashing his bits.

...

"Good morning sweetheart" my dad said coming into the kitchen where we were sat having breakfast.

"Morning dad."

He helped himself to coffee before taking a seat by my side after kissing my head.

"What time did you all go to bed last night" I asked him as my grandparents and Mac joined us for breakfast.

"You fell asleep on the couch just after nine but we didn't go to bed until midnight, Mac was on the phone to Italy" my grandfather said.

"Problems" I asked them concerned that they had trouble at home.

"No sweetheart, like here we have our own territory's and there is always someone trying to push there way onto the island. Carlo and Santo have been dealing with it along with our crews we left behind but we will make sure they disappear for good when we get back" my grandfather told me.

"I wish you didn't have to go" I said sadly as my grandmother hugged me.

"Me too sweetheart, me too."

…

Well from the dress I had on you could definitely tell I was pregnant, it seemed to accentuate my little bump which seemed to have one member of the family or another's hands on it. I was three and a half months now, still a way to go but I was looking forward to eventually meeting our little one.

"God you're beautiful" Christian said coming up behind me in his suit, yes a suit. He doesn't wear one often, usually wearing jeans but it will be me trying to keep my hands to myself tonight not the other way around.

"You look incredibly handsome yourself" I said straightening his tie. "How long will that stay on for" I laughed as he smiled. Not long at all.

We made our way to the cars as Hugo got into the back seat. My family was travelling behind with our security in tow. The house was all alarmed and the cameras active and was like Fort Knox. There will be security in the grounds but no one in the house.

Arriving at the club we were greeted by a very long line, we had noticed the cops out around the city probably looking for trouble on new years eve.

"Christian, why do we not just go through the upstairs club entrance" I asked him.

"With the extra cops on the streets there is a chance it could be spotted. When we go through the roped off area down here, the security just tells people it is the way to a private party room downstairs if anyone is brave enough to ask the guard."

We walked into the club past patrons asking why we were taking a dog.

"HE'S A DRUGS DOG" Mac shouted to which some people exited the queue.

"Can I borrow him on a permanent basis" a man said to Christian laughing as we walked in. we made our way through the club in small groups taking our turn to go upstairs. Mac took Hugo so he could have a sniff around.

"He will be here soon" Christian said as we waited at the top of the stairs.

"I don't think I have ever seen people move so quick" Mac laughed as Hugo came back to my side.

The music was playing but it wasn't bothering him so far, as long as Mia or Grace doesn't start singing then I think we will be fine.

"What do you want to drink Ana" Christian asked me when the waitress came over.

"Just a bottle of water please for me" she took the rest of the orders before disappearing back to the bar.

It was starting to get busy as people got up to dance. I was happy where I was sat with Christians arm wrapped around me, his tie in my purse. He said it was strangling him and the next time he wore one was our wedding. I spoke to Tommy and Sally asking how their daughter was.

"Come on Princess" Christian called over the loud noise as I was stroking Hugo. I think it was starting to get to Hugo so Christian took us to his office.

"There you go boy" he walked straight to the couch making himself comfortable and closed his eye.

"I love you" Christian said pulling me into his arms as he stroked my cheek with his fingers. He placed his lips to mine as I held him against me not wanting to let go while I deepen the kiss. My hands moved into his hair, my fingers tangling within until we both needed to take a breath.

"I love you Christian."

I hadn't realised how late it had gotten until we heard the countdown from everyone in the bar. We could hear the fireworks as they lit up the nights sky but we just concentrated on the two of us.

"Happy new year Ana" he said cradling my face in his hands.

"Happy new year Christian" he leaned in closer to kiss my lips again when we heard a snort from Hugo in his sleep.

"Happy new year to you too Hugo" I said laughing as his snores continued and so did our kiss.

…

We all survived the new year with clear heads, well a few were a bit cloudy come morning but not Christian or I and definitely not Hugo who didn't appreciate being woken up from his nap so we could leave the club. Mia and Ethan were engaged, with being in the office we had missed it but hugged them both as soon as we went out to join the others. Kate told me he had gone down on one knee with thirty seconds to go and she had said yes on the stroke of midnight. Eamon told us all it was a good job he had been saving up for his daughter's weddings since they were born but my dad told him he wanted to pay for mine. Christian was going to tell them that he was paying for it all but it was important to my dad and also to Eamon who said he would be funding our honeymoon.

I had left Hugo with Christian and was on my way to the bridal shop with the girls, I was trying not to think about the separation from my family which would be happening in four days.

The first shop we were in for less than a minute before Grace wanted to shoot the saleswoman after asking me if my baby was a whoops baby and that is why we needed to get married. I had to practically drag her out of the shop as the whole street could hear her. Never piss off Grace Trevelyan Grey, especially when it is one of her children as she calls us.

We moved onto the next bridal shop where we got a much nicer welcome, as well as looking at the styles of dresses for me I wanted to have a look at dresses for the girls. Max will have a mini version of Christians suit so we can have his suit made when Christian has his.

"Do you know what type of dress you are looking for" she asked me while I looked at the dress that was on display.

"No I have no idea what will suit me so today is about finding what dress style I feel comfortable in and to try and find bridesmaids dresses for my sisters." I told her not finding anything I liked so far.

I had an image of my perfect dress in my head but I couldn't find it here, there were bits on some dresses I liked but not the whole thing so I focused on the bridesmaids as they brought out dresses in pale blue or silver, the other colour we decided on.

"What do you think" Mia said coming out of the changing room as we all called "NO". She went back again laughing, it was like she was expecting it every time she came out.

There were only two left on the rack as they took one each, both a pale blue, both long but different designs around the bodice. Each suited the person that was wearing them.

"Do they have to be the same dress because I like those" I told them.

"You can have anything you want Ana, it is your day" my grandmother said as I told the lady who had been helping us that we would have those two, now to find mine.

We went home after not finding anything I liked in the next shop, I'm not normally a fussy person but this was my wedding dress and I wanted it to be perfect.

When Juliet arrived on Thursday morning she was straight down to business, she was five foot nothing but she knew what she was doing and quickly kicked all the men from the house so they didn't listen in.

"Christian turn the cameras off" Grace called after him as he went back through to the kitchen and then came past us and out the front door with Hugo in tow.

"He must think I was born yesterday" Grace said as we all laughed.

She had brought some of the dresses that she had made before and they were beautiful and I definitely wanted her to make mine.

"Now Anastasia, close your eyes and imagine your wedding day" I closed my eyes thinking of walking towards Christian and taking his hand.

"Can you see it" she asked as I nodded, eyes still closed.

"Now before you go to your husband, you're stood in front of the mirror looking at your dress. What do you see."

"Long, to my feet but not too long to fall over, A-line with a train."

"What colour is it" she asked me.

"Cream or ivory. Lace all the way down, around the bodice and also lace on my arms." I heard a gasp opening my eyes to see my grandmother visibly upset as I got up from the couch and went to her side.

"Grandma what is it" I asked her.

"Nothing, it's silly. You are so much like your mother" she said resting her hand on my cheek

"How so."

"You just said the exact same thing when your mother described her wedding dress" my tears joined hers then as I wondered what my mother would have looked like on her wedding day.

"I would love to see it" I said as Juliet went to the last garment bag that hadn't been opened yet.

"I asked Juliet to bring your mothers dress with her in case you wanted an older style of dress as opposed to what modern brides are wearing now.

I took the dress from the garment bag as I ran my fingers over the Italian lace.

"She would have looked so beautiful in this" I said to my grandmother. "Has my dad see this" I asked her as she nodded.

"Yes he's seen it and agrees with you she would have been so beautiful in it. Why don't you try it on" she said shocking me as I shook my head.

"Its mom's dress, I can't wear her dress" I told her.

"Do you know how many times my daughter wore my wedding dress when she was younger, hundreds. She loved to dress up. Go and dress up in your mother's wedding dress."

I nodded taking the dress to my bedroom. I stripped out of my clothes standing in front of the dress for a few minutes with shaking hands unable to take it from the hanger. This is mums dress, she chose this dress. She must have been so excited for her wedding.

I finally took it from the hanger and put it over my head, it was like it slid down my body until it was in place. A perfect fit, for now anyway with my growing bump. I looked into the mirror and looked at my reflection. I smiled, its silly but I felt like I was being hugged by my mother.

Taking myself away from the mirror I descended the stairs into the living room shocking my family there. My grandmother was in tears again and so was Grace, she told me my mother had sent her a picture of her wedding dress but she had to keep it hidden from my dad.

I twirled around, feeling like the little girl I should have been dressing in my mother's dress. I wish she had worn this for real.

I reluctantly took the dress off as I went over the design for mine with Juliet. She took measurements compensating for my growing stomach and told me that whatever I decide on now will need adjusting closer to the time My mind kept going back to the dress hiding behind the bag again though.

…

The dreaded day soon arrived as I was stood at the airport hugging my dad goodbye. My grip was tight on him as I cried into his shirt.

"I don't want you to go" I said through my tears.

"I know sweetheart, I know. You will be in Sicily before you know it and then we will spend a lot of time together" I nodded looking up to him.

"I love you dad" I said, choking on my tears.

"I love you my baby girl" he pulled me tight into his arms again.

I hugged my grandparents especially my grandmother tight. I never thought I could become so close to people who I didn't even know three months ago. These people were my family and I knew I couldn't go too long without seeing them again.

We stood back, seeing the little heads from the windows as I waved to them and as the jet took off taking them away from me they took half my heart with them.

Thank you for reading

Until next time

Caroline.