A/N: Thanks again for R&R/reading and reviewing – Your comments are greatly appreciated even those who don't necessarily agree with my take on the characters are doing from chapter to chapter.

Readers: On Tuesday of last week my niece was being assisted by a state trooper in Ohio, after her vehicle had broken down – The trooper's vehicle was struck by a large truck and she has been in a coma ever since. I am a little out of sorts right now – please bear with me during this difficult time for myself and my family—your patience is greatly appreciated. Please know that I do not intend to abandon my story.

To the Guest (you know who you are) how tragic that you would allow yourself to waste time with boring characters (Dominique) who render my story prosaic (in your opinion) – Ultimately I have no idea what the cure would be for faux literary critique prowess but perhaps like Lily you too could use some rest.

Chapter 25 – Family Ties

APOV

After we returned from our honeymoon - I gave Welch all of the information I had on my father which was only his name along with his date of birth and death. It turns out my father was from a close knit family in San Diego, California, we were unable to determine how he and Carla met, because it was not evidenced by her background check. At any rate, she was married briefly to my father – according to the information Welch tracked down, my father had two siblings, I have an aunt who lives in Sacramento and an uncle who still lives in San Diego – both have children. My grandfather has been deceased for some time – and my grandmother is still living in San Diego in the home where my father was raised.

My father was a dentist who lived in Seattle at the time of his death. My grandfather was also a dentist and my grandmother Charlotte is a retired high school English teacher. My uncle Charles is married with two sons and is a podiatrist – My aunt Sarah along with her husband owns a real estate brokerage firm in Sacramento–they have a son and a daughter.

I have had the information for about a week and a half now and one afternoon after I returned from UW - I decide that the best plan of action would be to contact my grandmother. It seemed prudent because she would likely have the most information about my dad, also out of respect for her as the matriarch of the family and as a matter of good manners I thought it would be best to ask her about her family as well as solicit her guidance with respect to making contact with my aunt and uncle. My plan is to make an introduction and then broach the topic of DNA testing. I head into our library and make the call.

"Hello, my name is Anastasia Steele Grey, I am trying to reach Charlotte Lambert or members of the family of Frank Lambert, Jr." I need to relax, I'm so nervous, breathe Ana.

"This is Charlotte Lambert, Frank Lambert, Jr. was my son."

"My mother's name is Carla Shaw Lucas, I believe she was married to your son Frank and that he was my father." There is silence on the other end of the phone.

"What did you say your name was again?"

"Anastasia, my stepfather adopted me when I was a baby and my last name was changed to Steele, I was recently married and my last name is now Grey. I have been told very little about my birth father and I was hoping to learn something about him and to find out if I have any other family members." The fact that we conducted background checks is not something I believe would be received well, so for now that tidbit stays with me.

"Where do you live?"

"I live in Seattle, but I was raised in Montesano. My mother Carla—"

"I know who Carla is…" She cuts me off, I take a deep breath and continue.

"I was raised by my stepfather for the most part, and Carla is not a part of my life. My mother is currently married for the sixth time and we've had little or no contact for years. I am only interested in learning about my family, I don't ulterior motives but I would understand completely if you would prefer I not be in touch with you." I pause, taking in a deep breath, having no idea why I just desperately blurted all of that out.

"Well Anastasia, your mother was married to my son for a time, I only met her once or twice. Frankie was working as a dentist in Seattle—he had a small practice, he married a very kind and sweet woman named Robin whom he met while he was in dental school at UCSD – their marriage was brief but from what we knew he was happy. One day we received a call from Robin who was crying hysterically, she told us that Frankie was leaving her for a woman he had an affair with and had gotten pregnant, he wanted to do the right thing by her and the child."

My heart sinks – is there any relationship Carla touched that she didn't turn to shit? I am once again disappointed in Carla's choices, but it's not lost on me that my dear grandmother has recounted this story with pointed venom, I guess it's understandable…I guess.

"Are you still there?"

"Yes, yes I am. I'm sorry, I'm just trying to process this is all."

"So…Frankie got a quickie divorce and married Carla, all before we ever met her. Carla later told him that she wasn't pregnant, she claimed she made a mistake. He stayed married to her out of obligation and I believe embarrassment. Eventually she managed to get herself pregnant" hmmm now wouldn't that be something? I doubt even someone as conniving as Carla could pull that one off "but the marriage was not a good one because even though he told her he believed her Frankie confided in me that he never fully trusted her…why would he?" In no way am I defending Carla, but is she seriously blaming her for everything that happened, I mean really…did she pull a gun and tell him to get it up?

"About six months before the baby… you I guess were to be born Frankie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; it was aggressive and he went downhill very fast. Your mother just left one day - she abandoned him when he got sick – we never knew what happened to her or the baby… you or if there even was a baby, he died not knowing what ever became of either of you. Frankie had all of his policies and property information changed to exclude Carla, but not you—he wanted to make sure you were taken care of - "

"Oh no ma'am" I interrupt.

"I don't care about his property or his estate, that's not why I'm calling. And I know you have no reason to believe me but my only interest is in knowing who my family is, my husband and I plan to have children, I want to share their family history with them — something I was never given."

"I'm not sure if you're into computers or not, but if you're familiar with Google, please do a search for my name, either Anastasia Steele or Anastasia Grey as well as my husband's name Christian Grey. This is not at all about money for us. My stepfather was killed in a car crash after my first year of college and like I said I have had no contact with my mother except for when she read of my engagement online and came here looking to make money. Having closed that chapter of my life – and after repeated attempts to glean information from her without success I decided –"

"You're very pretty." She says cutting me off, and I detect something in her voice, maybe anger?

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I am very technically savvy and I'm looking at photos of you and your husband online, how can I be sure this is you." Yep, it's anger, but anger with whom?

"Do you Skype?"

"Sure, I Skype with my grandkids."

"My handle is AnaBanana0910"

In just a moment I hear my Skype tone—and I'm flushed and nervous. I answer the call after smoothing my hair behind my ears.

"Hello." I say with a smile, and there she is my grandmother, she's very pretty but what would be her gentile good looks are obscured by the scowl on her face, I instantly regret doing this.

"Hello Anastasia." She says speaking my name as if it's a disease.

I just want to end the call but I solider on—after all, this is a lot for her to take in as well.

"I'm not sure what to say, I feel very overwhelmed right now Mrs. Lambert."

"You look a lot like your mother, from what I can remember of her…but you…you have my Frankie's eyes."

"I do?" I perk up a little unable to hide my smile, thinking perhaps she'll find comfort in that somehow and see me as my father's child and not just Carla's. "Do you have a picture of him?" I ask terrified she'll deny me.

"Of course I do he was my son. Hang on." Yep, all she sees is Carla – this was a mistake.

In just a moment she returns – and shows me a picture of my father, I stare at the image in silence, I don't have words to describe what I feel, he's very handsome with dark hair like mine, keen features and beautiful blue eyes. She takes the picture away too soon and I feel incredibly let down, but I'm grateful for the glance I guess.

"This is your uncle Charles and your aunt Sarah and I have four grandchildren." She says holding up the pictures. I look at the pictures of my aunt and uncle, and ignore being excluded from the number of grandchildren—she meant to put me in my place with that comment. Mission accomplished.

"Well…like I said I am a newlywed, so no children's photos to show here - Christian and I have only been married for just over a month now." I say beaming at the mere thought of my husband.

"Hmph looks like you married well." That's it! She has every right to be surprised and feel skeptical about my motives – but I've done nothing wrong – I cannot help who my mother is or how I came to be. Her last sardonic comment was my absolute limit – and though I realize her point of reference as it relates to me is a negative one, I feel hurt by the inference that I am Carla, I take a deep breath and after a moment I respond.

"Yes, my husband is a wonderful man, I love him more than words can say." I inhale, unable and unwilling to mask my devastation and hurt anymore.

"Mrs. Lambert… I thank you for your time, I appreciate your willingness to both talk and Skype with me, but I really must be going – thanks again.

She looks surprised – clearly she thought I was going to continue to take her shit one nasty bitter ass spoonful at a time, but I'm no one's emotional punching bag – fuck that!

"Goodbye." I say, ignoring her surprised expression and denying her whatever nasty comment she was about to make, her mouth was actually still open when I ended the session.

I will not suffer one more person taking their shit out on me – it's enough already, I'm through making excuses for bad behavior and extending the benefit of doubt where none is afforded me, I'm only interested relationships that are earnest – I deserve it after all. Worthy. I grab my phone and leave the library and my computer behind, I need something right now, but I have no idea what.

#####

"Ana, are you okay?" Gail asks as I pass through the kitchen on my way to I don't know where, maybe the patio for fresh air.

"Not really, I contacted my grandmother and she shared yet another Carla nightmare. I swear Gail every relationship that woman had." I pause, resting my phone on the breakfast bar. "She was skeptical, and that's understandable, but I guess I just couldn't take anymore assumptions, I only told her about Christian and I so that she would know I wasn't looking for money or anything – she made a few snide comments but her last comment about my marrying well pierced me to the core and that was all I could take. No one gets to sully my marriage to Christian to my face. I decided rather than continue to just end the call."

"Ana I have no idea what that would feel like, and like you I get the idea of her being skeptical, but that's not a license to take cheap shots – and that was a cheap shot I don't give a damn what your mother did – you were innocent in all of that."

"I know, and I know I shouldn't feel hurt or disappointed but I feel both. Now I have to tell Christian there's no point in flying to San Diego for the Lambert family reunion." I say fighting back tears. "I miss Ray a lot—he was the only constant in my life for so many years, I guess marrying him was the one thing Carla did right, I can't even imagine what life would have been like if he didn't care and sent me with her when she ran off, he fought for me – at least someone did. I think I will go for a run on the treadmill and shower before my hubby gets home, I was going to work on the syllabus for the fall semester but I'm really not in the mood right now."

"Okay Ana, see you soon."

Gail POV

"Jason, hi. I know Mr. Grey is busy – but if he could get home soon it would be good."

"No, no Ana is fine, but she contacted her grandmother, and though I don't have all the details it did not go well, she's downplaying it but she's pretty upset—fighting back tears, I thought he should know."

"She's getting ready to run on the treadmill."

"Okay, see you soon…I love you too."

"Ugh, what a bitter old hag…her loss."

Charlotte POV

I don't know why I decided to hang on the line – I guess my curiosity got the best of me, it's not my fault she never hung up the phone when I Skyped her. I feel horrible. I guess there's no right way to call your long lost grandmother, and I think she handled it well. Something about seeing her face – and then her marrying an obviously very rich man angered me because I knew money and the "good life" was Carla's primary motive in trapping my son.

The look on her face told me she knew exactly what judgment I was making about her, I am angry, but not at her - her housekeeper I'm guessing, was right I took cheap shots at her. I know she only told me her husband had money because she wanted to assuage my suspicion that she was after money but it had the reverse effect on me. I came across as a bitter old woman and that's the farthest thing from truth.

I will give it some time and reach out to her.

Two weeks later…

APOV

I arrive home after a quick trip to the market – I spoke to Gail earlier and gave her the afternoon and evening off – I want to make a romantic dinner for Christian and I, it's Friday night and I want to spend some quality time with my husband. I plan to pan sear and then broil filet mignon, with scalloped potatoes and broccoli salad with bacon and bean sprouts.

This has been a busy week and the ball is tomorrow – I'm looking forward to the outing and to our date on Sunday afternoon; this weekend I'm taking a break from UW – well I have to read a few chapters for an assignment but other than that I have no work in my capacity as TA.

I'm rinsing the broccoli for blanching and prepping the mushrooms for stuffing – I decided last minute on an appetizer of stuffed mushrooms when I spotted fresh gorgonzola and mushrooms in the veggie crisper – gotta love Gail. I turn on some music and get busy prepping our meal. I'm in full on chef Ana mode when my phone rings, I answer the phone not recognizing the out of state number.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Anastasia?" I immediately recognize the voice and go silent for a few beats before I respond. I have moved on.

"Yes, this is Anastasia."

"Hello dear, this is your grandmother Lambert —." Oh, it's dear now is it—and you're MY grandmother now? I cut her off before she can even complete her sentence.

"Mrs. Lambert, I recognize your voice, what exactly can I do for you?" My voice is stern, perhaps annoyed but definitely not inviting, I owe her nothing and I'm sure as shit not interested in anything she has to say after two weeks. Perhaps she thought I would beg to meet her? Oh lady have you got the wrong one.

"Oh, well I felt terrible about the way our conversation ended Anastasia, and I wanted to –" I cut her off again. Ended, what about the beginning and the middle? Enough with this bullshit.

"Listen, Mrs. Lambert, I've had weeks to move on and I have done just that – and unfortunately you've caught me in the middle of something important, but thank you for calling, I offer before disconnecting the call and promptly blocking her phone number; later adding a contact I simply label "Lambert." I also entered all of the phone numbers Welch found in his investigation, because I don't want further contact from the Lamberts. This probably was somewhat extreme, but I'm not just protecting me, I'm protecting Christian and our kids.

I don't need an apology, I was looking to connect with family and her reaction to me was anger. I saw her face and I heard her words - I can't erase that as my experience with the Lamberts. I don't think it would be proper to contact my aunt and uncle, the bottom line is – she is their mother and I would never knowingly cause a rift in a family or try and win them over behind her back – for me the juice just isn't worth the squeeze. For all I know they might want to take pot shots at me too. I do know I won't open myself up to that type of scrutiny and hurt again. For the first time in my life I'm putting a mean spirited person in the rearview mirror before they have time to do real damage.

Charlotte POV

I didn't expect that response from Anastasia, it really wasn't until now that I realized how much my words hurt her – I was wrong. I feel ashamed – doubly ashamed that it took me so long to reach out to her, the truth is I didn't know what to say. I took my anger with Carla out on her and that was so unfair – she's Frankie's only child and I've driven her away, I hope that I can make this right, after all the truth of the matter is Frankie was married to a wonderful girl and cheated on her – no one made him do that, but no matter what happened none of it was Anastasia's fault.

When I tried calling her back around ten minutes later the phone rang and then went to voicemail, I don't blame her actually, I have to figure out a way to make this right with her – I pray I haven't ruined the chance to have her in my life...in our lives.

#####

CPOV

I love coming home to Ana. I've been driven to distraction all day – It's Friday and the weekend is coming and I get to spend a quiet evening with the love of my life.

"Baby dinner was delicious – you know I would have been happy to take you out."

"No Christian I wanted to cook for you, I wanted to stick close to home tonight, how was your day?"

"Productive, I have two teams in place that have been preparing projections for some potential acquisitions. Ros is going on vacation, and I wanted to make sure there are no surprises for the next couple of weeks and finish up some paperwork. I will need to respond to a number of emails at some point this weekend, other than that I'm caught up and we can have a relaxing weekend. How was your day?"

"Hmph. Mrs. Lambert called me today."

"Oh?"

"Yep. She called and I hung up on her, blocked her and all Lambert phone numbers from my phone." She says this sort of nonchalantly but I can tell she wants me to probe.

"Are you sure you want to slam that door shut?"

"Christian, she slammed the door, I just didn't beg her to open and slam it again. I can't imagine that that much hatred could dissipate in a matter of weeks – at any rate I'm over it." I let it go. When I came home that day Ana was heartbroken and I never want to see that kind of hurt and disappointment in her eyes again, she may feel differently at some point, but not today and I've got her back. Always.

Ana sits up and climbs onto my lap straddling me on the sofa and begins kissing me softly but passionately.

"I missed you today Christian, it felt like the day dragged on forever." She breathes into my ear out of breath and panting.

"I missed you too baby." I respond grinding my erection into her to demonstrate just how much.

"I need you." She whispers untying the halter of the flowy maxi dress she's wearing exposing her breasts.

"You're so beautiful Ana, so beautiful." I say latching onto her nipple and sucking while she pants and moans softly. I'm massaging her clit through her panties and feeling her wetting my hand is sending me into orbit. "I want to bury myself deep inside you."

Ana stands and leads me to the covered portion of our patio to our oversized round chaise, where we make love and talk for hours. I love my wife with my heart and soul.

###

I must admit I had not been looking forward to this event tonight – another evening of hobnobbing and glad handing for Christian Grey – but my wife is excited about this award and she's so proud of me – it warms my heart and that alone makes not only the evening but the work itself worthwhile—having Ana's admiration means more than the world to me. She looks like a goddess in her blue silk gown down boy Ana is always impeccably dressed for the occasion, no matter what it may be. Her gown accents the color of her eyes, the dress has a plunging neckline that is sexy and classy at once. She's wearing diamond drop earrings with a diamond cuff bracelet—paired with metallic kaleidoscope like Louboutin pumps with a matching Judith Leiber clutch – she is perfection. Her gorgeous hair is down tonight and I noticed she had Drake give her very tasteful dark auburn highlights. I swear I'm going to have to resist the urge to hurt someone tonight if the men at this function can't control themselves.

My entire family is attending the event – my speech will be meaningful, heartfelt and most importantly brief. I excel at public speaking, but I'm not one of these blowhards that gets off on the sound of his own voice. Ana has invited everyone to attend, including Dominique; the Hunters and the Kavanaughs, This is insane, I Christian Grey, have friends and family who would have thunk it? I am amazed that Ana includes everyone in everything, and if I'm being completely honest, I'm glad they're all here. I never felt like anyone would want to show up for me like this – that was a combination of Elena's influence and my own insecurities; and in spite of my lifestyle and the money to do anything I wanted - I realize what a very lonely man I had been. Falling in love changed everything about my life for the better my Ana, I've never seen anyone so proud, it's so genuine and endearing – I'm actually starting to feel like this guy she loves and it's a wonderful feeling.

We arrive at the event to a throng of reporters desperate for a photo or soundbite. We give them nothing. Ana is holding my hand while Taylor is leading the way with Sawyer bringing up the rear and the rest of our party in tow directly behind us. I love the fact that none of our inner circle seems phased by or hunger for the limelight. This must be so frustrating for bottom feeders like some of these people—there are good reporters who are just doing their jobs, but there are a lot of opportunistic vultures – far too many in fact. This is why Ana and I decided to allow People Magazine a pictorial and interview with us next month—they have been warned about rude probing questions and understand that they will be one backhanded double entendre from being thrown bodily from our home. We also set limits on what they can photograph.

Inside the huge ballroom at the Washington State Convention center is gathered every important businessman in the Pacific Northwest – well most of them – Gates will be here, and they call me aloof, its' funny maybe it's an age thing, but the Gates don't appear to get hounded like we do, I'll have to ask him one day how he does it.

My mom and dad are practically beaming – before Ana I wouldn't have even told them about something like this until after the fact or if they read it somewhere – I never realized how important something like this would be for them, I'll never exclude them again.

"Thank you for always thinking of our family Ana, thanks to you I won't take them for granted again."

"I love you Christian – I'm so proud to be here with you and to be your wife."

"The food is edible for once at one of these things, but my little green monster is getting restless with all of the eyes on you baby."

"Christian I'm so sure. I am going to patent a pussy swatter to keep these thirsty bitches at bay. And have you seen your sister? Christian her body is sick in that red number, Aaron can't let her out of his sight." I laugh at the pussy swatter comment and narrow my eyes at her and lean in close to her resting my lips on her ear. "The only pussy I want is the one that's custom fit – just for me." I whisper into her ear while gently caressing her thigh. "I'm not pulling out until you pass out tonight Ana." Fuck, can we get this show on the road I need to get my wife home.

Although we're secure in our love for each other – it's nice to see Ana as jealous over me as I am with her. She has no idea how much she lights up a room. Ana, while much more confident than she was when I first met her is still very unaware of how breathtakingly beautiful she is. I have literally seen men lose their train of thought when they get a glimpse of her, like that fucker at the next table who keeps gaping at our table.

After my award is presented and I give my twelve minute speech, we enjoy dessert and it's time for some obligatory mingling. Ana is with me for the important introductions, the usual suspects, she is so at ease and remembers the information I provided her on key members of the community and their wives. She compliments me and contributes meaningful dialogue in each instance, I am exceedingly proud to have her standing next to me. There are members of the press present, but business press is about facts, figures and predictions, they could give a shit who Ana is wearing tonight. Ana rejoins the ladies at our table and I mingle with my dad, Elliot, Terrence and Aaron, who I introduce to the guys over at 3Tier Group, even though there's rumors circulating they might get acquired by Vaisala. I know he wants to connect with other innovators in his field and the 3Tier guys are pure innovative genius, I have a feeling that mergers and acquisitions may also be in Aaron's future, but I won't push…for now. We talk at length with those guys.

I glance now and again and notice that the ladies are chatting each other up – Sawyer and Reynolds are keeping a close eye on them, so we're not worried, but there's always one – like the ass clown approaching the table. Interception! And that's why I pay them the big bucks.

APOV

Christian is holding me flush against his body and I feel the hammer coming to life – seriously Christian – he is always on. I love that he's so turned on by me I must admit, and this craziness that we have going as it relates to the attention we both get from others I think is born out of the fact that in spite of his sexual experience, neither Christian nor I have ever been in a relationship or in love. I know at some point we will become more secure and this won't be an issue at all – but I have to admit I feel just fine having him right there crazy in love with me.

Christian is funny, moments ago he was so preoccupied with the guys possibly checking me out – okay there was one idiot who attempted to approach Mia and I - that he hadn't even noticed the three scantily clad ladies that paraded past he and Aaron no less than four times while they were deep in discussion. I decided it was time to crush their dreams and I took Mia with me. Kate and Dominique were mingling with their guys and Grace was chatting with the wife of one of Carrick's partners.

It was unbelievable, they had positioned themselves near our men attempting to be noticed, it was sickening. If they weren't so pathetic I might have actually been angry – I bet we'll be in the senior community one day and old bitties will be throwing banana peels in front of my walker. When I told Mia we needed to go and she was already on it. God I love Mia!

We made a beeline for our husbands walking deliberately through the middle of the hoochie triad without looking at them - Christian and Aaron each greeted us with an embrace, sexy ones at that. Now they might not have known Aaron is married, even ignoring that impressive hardware on his left ring finger, but I know for damn sure my husband, tabloid target and tonight's honoree/speaker is known to them. Some women have no shame. I have no idea where they are right now because my back is to them, but I do know that Christian's hand with his wedding band is resting on my hip with his fingertips grazing my ass, just in case they hadn't figured it out by now.

"I thought I'd give your little fan club something to talk about" I say leaning in as if I'm sharing a very funny anecdote.

"I love it when you claim me Mrs. Grey." He says pulling my body flush against his. "Would you like to dance?"

"I thought you would never ask."

After a couple of kisses and longing looks Aaron and Mia join us on the dance floor as well.

I glanced out of the corner of my eye and found the triad had abandoned their lookout perch, I don't know that I will ever be able to get used to women wetting their panties at the sight of my husband. He's gorgeous, wealthy and TAKEN.

I plan to keep him up very late tonight reminding him of the stellar choice he made.

CPOV

"I love you Ana, thank you for making every occasion special for me. I used to dread these functions and I always felt alone – it never occurred to me that my family would want to be involved, but they…they seem so happy and proud."

"That's because they are Christian, you're a wonderful brother and son – they love you very much."

I take my wife's face in my hands and kiss her deeply, she tastes so amazing – our kiss becomes wild and passionate as I peel her out of her dress.

"You're so gorgeous baby."

She turns bright pink – I'm her husband, all hers…and I still make her blush.