JUNE 18TH 2000
Dad and Ray's plans to fish have been put on the backburner as Ana wants to know everything about sailing. They are walking around showing her how the rigging, rudder, and centerboard work. I already know the basics, and she is fast catching up. "Ana, Mia want to go for a swim?" They both run below deck to change.
"Christian please keep an eye on the girls, I'm going to make lunch."
"Will do mom." I grab the floaters and get ready while the girls get changed.
"Okay, let's get these floaters on."
"Do I have to?"
"Yes Mia, this is not the pool at home this is open water." I jump in feet first off the back, Mia and Ana followed using the ladder.
"Can we play Marco Polo?" Mia asks.
"You seem to be forgetting we are in open water."
"Chances of you tagging anyone will be slim to none," Ana adds. We swim leisurely around the yacht until mom announces lunch is ready.
I'm sat with mom watching Mia and Ana run around like headless chickens. I look at mom, and she's busy staring at Ray and dad; they have abandoned all attempts at fishing, not sure if there's any fish to be found here, and are drinking beer and clearly enjoying themselves. Dad and Ray's friendship have grown stronger over the last few years.
Looking around all I see are relaxed and smiling faces a stark difference from my 15th birthday.
Looking back on that day it feels like it was someone else's life, my family were tense around me, I quickly had breakfast that morning not saying a word to anyone. I left the house, found a liquor store that would sell me alcohol, found a secluded spot and drink till I passed out. "Sorry, what?" I blurt when I realize mom is talking to me.
"You seem miles away."
"I was thinking about my 15th birthday, wondering how I got home."
"You didn't." Huh. "Elliot brought you home… I don't know where he found you." She mumbles the last part.
"Oh right." Yeah, he was always there to bail me out. I notice mom is now staring at Ana with a look of pure gratitude; she gets that way every now and again.
"She brings out the best in you." Mom says still staring at Ana.
"That she does… I didn't know how to accept It." Mom finally looks at me. "I could see it; I just didn't know how… if my own mother didn't love me enough to protect me, how a bunch of strangers could love me was beyond me. You stood by me despite all the trouble I caused and yet…" She doesn't interrupt; just waits patiently for me to talk. "When I met Ana we were complete strangers, and yet we were so drawn to each other it was surreal. I think that was the moment I started to just about understand why you loved me when my own couldn't, you can't help who you are drawn to. Then she said something that brought it all home. Carla didn't want to be there and when she was it was clear she'd rather be anywhere else. Ana wanted her gone; she said she just wished Carla would one day leave and not come back. She wanted the woman who was her blood, her mother to leave because it would be better for all concerned. Ray loved her to such intensity I didn't realize they were not related by blood and she loved him just the same and wanted her mother gone. At that moment, I had an epiphany if Ana could accept Ray's love because it was the best thing for her and Ray why couldn't I accept yours when it was clearly the best thing for me."
"I loved you the moment I laid eyes on you, there was no question in my mind that I was going to be your mother and give you the love that had been denied you."
"I love you too mom, I know I don't say it enough, but I love you soo much. You are the best thing that ever happened to me."
"I love you too." We are both silent listening to the laughter around us. "How are you sleeping?" She means do I still have nightmares.
"Only had one nightmare since London. I had a few before, but it had nothing to do with…" She nods knowing what I mean.
"I've had more nightmares than you. When you are a mother and also have Elliot Grey for a son you are bound to." She says making me laugh.
"Christian it's your birthday have a beer."
"Carrick." My mom warns.
"Come on Grace it's just one beer."
"Can I try it?" Mia asks. Mom is now glaring at dad not that he pays any attention to it, he pours Mia and Ana a small amount in a cup.
"That is disgusting," Mia says grabbing a bottle of water.
"We will see just how disgusting it is after your first year at university," Ray says.
I help dad and Ray bring the yacht in with Ana watching intently. We are walking to the car when someone shouts Ana's name. "Andrew, how are you?"
"I'm good," hHe says breathing a little hard from running.
"This is my family."
"Hello," he says shyly as though it's the first time he's noticed us.
"Andrew what have I told you about running away from me." Says an infuriated girl coming up behind him.
"That would be my sister," Andrew says rolling his eyes. "Sophie this is my friend Ana and her family."
"Hello sorry about this, Ana I don't know how you managed to get Kevin reading, but my parents are very grateful." Mom, dad and Ray chuckle.
"We don't know how she does it either, she got me reading, and I still can't tell you how she did it," I tell Sophie.
"Sorry to keep you, it was nice meeting you. Hopefully, we will see you around." She says smiling. "Come on Andrew."
"Bye," Andrew shouts. We finally get in the car and head home after a wonderful day out on the Sound.
OCTOBER 15TH 2011
GRACE
"I feel like such a fool."
"Grace dear you didn't know, she knew exactly what she was doing." Cary wraps his hands around me." She crossed the wrong woman, we all know what Christian is like with anyone that shows Ana any disrespect, she might as well pack her packs because Seattle is about to become very uncomfortable." I know what he means; no one can dictate where their exes should live but to then try and worm your way back into their life knowing full well the person in question is not available is downright repugnant.
Christian isn't going to take this lying down, Ana might not be the jealous type but it doesn't mean my son is going to let it go and I will do everything in my power to aid. I have been warm and pleasant, welcomed her into my service with open arms, and this is how she chose to repay me. Christian didn't look her way all evening, Ana couldn't care less, she might as well not have been there. I was going to make my displeasure known when we got to work away from prying eyes. Her attempt to touch Christian was the last straw, and I told her in no uncertain terms, she was no longer welcome.
CHRISTIAN
I haven't felt this sort of anger since before Ana, my life before her was a constant feeling of worthlessness and self-loathing despite the love my family showed me I found it hard to accept their love. The anger coursing through my veins as I watch Ana sleep is aimed at one person.
Ana's indifference towards Alex is something I'm still trying to get my head around. It's easy to say how you feel about a situation but then to have said situation in your face is an entirely different kettle of fish and yet she remained true to what she had been saying all along.
I had forgotten just how protective Ana could be when it came to my haphephobia. Despite everything I didn't have much of an issue with Alex until she tried to touch me. It was a move made to undermine my relationship with Ana. Seattle is my town, and Alex is about to find out just how ruthless I can be.
My phone vibrates, and I see a message from Elliot. I get up and put my pajama bottoms, and I'm reminded of my night with Ana. When we got back home, Ana pulled me into the bedroom and rode my dick till I was begging for mercy, God my dick feels sore.
"Hey E."
"Hello, Chris." He wouldn't be Elliot if he didn't go there.
"Yeah, there's been a lot of that tonight."
"I seriously did not need to know."
"Then don't start," I say laughing.
"Fair enough."
"So happened after we left."
"Don't know if you noticed but mom ignored her after she found out."
"Yeah I did."
"After Ana damn near took her hand off, mom pulled her aside, don't know what she said to her but the blood drained from her face. Men I thought she was going to pass out. She left after that."
"Ana told her not to worry, but I think she feels used and pissed off at what Alex did."
"I completely get where mom is coming from, when Kate mentioned the phone call she heard to me I was pissed off. You are one lucky son of a bitch you know that. If that had been Kate and me, there wouldn't be any screaming of my name." I can't help but laugh. "Anyway bro as long as you are alright, I'll let you get back to the little lady."
"Alright E catch you later."
"Mr. Grey, your next appointment is here."
"Send him in." When Eric requested this meeting, I was quite reluctant to take it. I have no desire to use his company again if his son is still running things. But I have a distinct feeling that's not why he wanted this meeting. "Hello, Mr. Parker."
"Please call me Eric."
"Okay Eric, please sit. What can I do for you?"
"As you know, The Parker Shipping Company has been in my family for generations, and I would like nothing more than to keep it that way. Christian… it has become very clear that my son is not capable of running PSC. Within months of taking over, he has lost three very valuable and influential customers, the kind that gets people asking whether we are capable of meeting their shipping needs." My instinct when it comes to business has never failed me, and that winning streak is still going. "I had my doubts about Fredrick, but his mother convinced me to give him a chance… well, I did, and he screwed up. I like my life; some might say it's a life of excess. It's all I've ever known, and I have worked hard to keep the life I know, son or no son it's time Fredrick stepped down because if I let him continue running PSC, I will not have a company by the end of the year. So I would like to offer you the opportunity to buy PSC." Boy, when I'm right I'm right.
"Right, I will have to discuss this with my COO and get back to you."
"Naturally, thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you." I walk him out, and I find Ana waiting for me with lunch. "Hello, Miss Steele."
"Hello, Eric?"
"Congratulations again on your engagement, you make a beautiful couple."
"Thank you." Ana and I say at the same time. I wait till he leaves and I escort Ana to my office.
"Are you going back to PSC?" Ana asks.
"No, he just offered me PSC," I answer.
"Wow, Fredrick is fucking up that much."
"It would appear so."
"So?"
"I'll have to speak to Ros before I dec..." A knock on the door interrupts me. "Hey, Ros come in."
"Sub." Ana offers.
"Excellent saves me having to go out for lunch," she says happily grabbing the meatball sub I had my eye on.
"Did you need something?" I ask still perturbed she took my sub.
"What did Parker want?" She asks before biting into the sub.
"He offered us PSC." Ros nods not all surprised by that. "What do you think?"
"It will certainly make things easy on the shipping front, but it's too vast a company for what we need."
"My thinking exactly."
"We could always go for a merger," Ana adds. Ros and I can't help the smirks we are spotting. "I said we, it doesn't mean shit so wipe that look off your faces." This is the first time I've heard her use we in conjunction to GEH she does occasionally with GEP but never GEH.
"We could offer to run the company for him, and in return, we get priority on GEH shipping." Ros counters.
"He will go for that, I sensed he had a hard time with the idea of his company no longer being in the family."
"I will have a rough draft of the contract for you to look at tonight," she says getting ready to leave.
"I will call Eric and run the idea past him.
"The best part about this deal is we can tell the Taiwanese to stick their shipyards where the sun doesn't shine." She's clearly happy about that.
"I take it things are not going well."
"Far from it." she sounds exasperated.
"You know the moment you tell them we longer need their shipyard…"
"Is when they start playing nice. I am going to milk it for all it's worth." She says with a smirk. Lord have mercy. We talk families, weddings, and life in general for the rest of our lunch break.
"Christian that was quick." I quietly chuckle.
"Eric PSC is too vast for what we need…"
"Oh." He sounds disappointed.
"But we think a form of merger might just work for both of us."
"What do you have in mind?"
"We will run PSC for you, and in return, we get priority on our shipping." Last year we had to put a product we were manufacturing on hold simply because we had to wait for parts to be shipped. That cost us three months and almost a million dollars in lost revenue. God knows I don't want a repeat of that fiasco.
"God Christian you have made my day. I thought of it, but GEH is mainly acquisition." I've never been a fan of mergers, too many companies, and its subsidiaries. I have a life I happen to love and would actually like some time to live it.
"You are right, but in this case, this is the best for all involved."
"Thank you, Christian, you really helped me out a great deal."
"Personally, I've got a lot on my plate, so my second in command will be dealing with this."
"So this is not a merger," Ana asks.
"Not as mergers go no, we will run the company for him, take care of the logistics. PSC will still pay us for the… service we provide."
"And in return, our shipping needs come first, but you will pay for the shipping. So effectively you are just giving him someone to do what Fredric couldn't do. Why couldn't he just hire someone to do that for him?"
"Reputation, Fredrick has done some serious damage to PSC and having him associated with GEH the first company to walk out will more than likely bring back the others they lost. We already own a logistics company, so there's not much that we need to do. A shipping company losing shipment is effectively the end of the company. Meaning the value of the company falls and getting just anyone to come run it for you will not quickly fix the damage done."
"Then this has worked out well."
"Very well indeed." Her eyes widen slightly when she hears the Lust in my voice.
"Don't get any ideas Mr. Grey; I have to get back to work."
"Ana, baby we always have a little hanky panky in my office." She burst out laughing.
"Hanky panky really Christian." I give her a shy smile. "Sorry baby but I have less than five minutes to make it to a meeting. I'll make it up to you when we get home." She tells me walking out of my office. I chase after her wanting the exact details of how she intends to make up to me. Only to see my next appointment stepping off the elevator, fuck.
When we get back to the penthouse, Taylor decides he needs to have a word with us, and it cannot wait.
"Ana, Christian my job is to protect you, and you are making that job difficult." Ana looks as shocked as I feel.
"What did I do?" She asks with an air of innocence that is quite disarming because Taylor softens a little.
"If you want to go for a drive to Portland at one in the morning that's fine as long as you let me know what you are doing. To make matters worse, you drove there in just over an hour and made it back in even less time." The tracking system, how did I forget?
"Sorry, Taylor I drove back," I say feeling like a 15-year-old getting scolded by their parent.
"I'm sorry to I should have informed you," Ana adds.
"Good." Is all he says before turning on his heels and matching out of the room.
Gail serves us dinner, and I can tell she's trying really hard not to crack up laughing, Ana and I stayed glued to our seats after Taylor left. I have to admit Ana, and I have been breaking a lot of the security protocol in place recently and really we should be more careful especially now that we are in media more than ever due to our engagement.
After dinner, we go to our bedroom and Ana collapses on the bed. Ana has moved in but without most of her things as she refuses to pack twice since we will be moving to the new house in four months according to Elliot's estimation.
I walk out of the shower to find Ana on the duvet reading something on her phone, I drop my towel and get in behind her.
"If I remember correctly there was something about you making it up to me."
"You have a one track mind Christian Grey."
"Huh uh." I slip my fingers between her legs and find my favorite spot. I pinch her clit causing her to whimper and drop her phone. I lift her legs and drape it over mine and quickly enter her.
I set a slow, measured pace while still rubbing her clit. "Christian...please."
"What do you want, baby?"
"Fuck me." I wrap my arm around her stomach and increase my pace. "That's it…fuck." She moans. I continue to drive my dick in and out of her, her walls tighten around my dick, and I pull out before she can complain I have her on all fours and ram my dick back in. I grip her hips and pound her hard. She is moaning and whimpering and begging me not to stop. Not on your life.
She clenches hard around me and cums. "Oh…god." I don't slow down, I grip her hips and grind my dick hitting her favorite spot. I can tell she already close, I'm right there with her.
"That's it, Ana, I want to hear you." I groan.
"Fuck... Chis… oh, fuck." She screams as she cums a second time. We crash on the bed exhausted.
ELLIOT
"Hey, mom, ready for lunch."
"Oh yes, give me a minute Elliot." I'm reading the pamphlets in the office waiting for mom to finish whatever she's doing when a voice has me feeling giddy as fuck. I pray mom doesn't ask me to wait outside.
"Dr. Fox…"
"Dr. Grey I… I want to… say how sorry I am…"
"Sorry, sorry… years ago a friend or a woman I thought was a friend made me feel foolish beyond words…I told myself I will never be put in that position again, and yet here I am again. You knew from the get go he wasn't available, God knows I haven't shut up about his engagement and yet you persisted with your plan to try and…"
"Grace..."
"Dr. Grey." Mom snarls.
"Dr. Grey I don't know what I was thinking."
"I'd be inclined to buy that line if I had mentioned him once and you said nothing, hell I'd buy it if you had turned up at my house to truly surprise an old friend but that's not what happened. You came with the sole intent of trying to pick up where you left off." Alex doesn't say anything; she can't even look at my mother. "I would feel some sympathy for you if this had simply been a case of you thinking Christian was single and you hoped to get a chance at some sort of relationship. Despite finding out he wasn't available, you then tried to undermine his relationship with Ana by attempting to touch him. Ana is ten times the woman you are; she has more grace, dignity and respect in her little toe than you could ever wish to have." Aint that the truth. "I have forwarded your file to Dr. Isherwood because I sure as hell don't want you on my service. Seattle is going to become a very uncomfortable city for you."
"You can't possibly be trying to threaten me because I tried to…"
"What you did shows a lack of respect for my family and me, you made me feel like a fool and an idiot, so you bet your ass I am." I quickly step in because mom looks ready to slap her.
"Christian Grey is not a man to cross especially when it comes to his family, worse you know just how much Ana means to him. Word of advice you'd be better off leaving Seattle." I warn her, I saw the fear that flashed through her eyes, but it's quickly gone and replaced by something I have seen before. This is someone who isn't sorry and given the chance she will do it all over again. "Come on mom let's go."
"She's not the least bit sorry." Mom says.
"Far from it," I add.