This is my story using some of the characters and lifestyles from Fifty Shades:
Grammar, is not my forte: including the placement of these suckers!,:?
I have a Pinterest page, go to their site and type this into the search bar...
WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS... (All caps & dots)
WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS...
Chapter 36: She shall go to the ball:
Christian's POV:
As we head back to the reception, it seems we have lost a few guests; it is as I suspected, and they are changing for the ball. Taylor has Gail on his knee and is being rather romantic and wheeling his chair around so they can dance. Ana grabs my arms and smiles.
"There's a romantic man hidden behind that hard exterior he puts on."
"There is Ana. Now, do you want a drink and perhaps we may get to finish it, and add some food this time?"
"Yes please, this bar is amazing, it's all amazing."
"Will you be angry if I say it's all the other couples things, Ana?" I tentatively ask...
"No, but I am now wondering why they cancelled?"
"They eloped; her mother was apparently very annoying and his mother hated her mother and his choice of bride. So, we inherited their wedding and the wedding planner too. That's why it has gone off without a problem, the wedding planner has been paid twice for the same thing. Only she didn't have to place three hundred seats near the Medici Fountain in the Luxembourg Gardens Paris, it's where they met and it was supposed to be very romantic, which was apparently the reason it turned into a giant fist fight between the mothers. His mother thought it was in bad taste, her mother, she made it a tacky affair because she wanted swans, so his mother then wanted doves, her mother then wanted Peacocks, and then his mother wanted them to be white. Apparently, the mothers ruined their day; the young couple thought they were auditioning for the remake of Hitchcock's 'The Birds' in the end. So they flew the coop to Vegas! They were having a lavish garden party wedding in the gardens, so to bring it here was not too much trouble, as it is only at the back of the house. Though I have to say, I am glad we do not have their swans that were to swim in the water there. I managed to hijack their caterers too. I am a fraud, who cashed in on their cancelled wedding!"
"You are nothing of the kind, you were very lucky and, in turn, I am very lucky because it's beautiful; it's still amazing she has managed all this. I do hope they are happy wherever it is they went."
"So do I. I want the world to be as happy as I am right now." I am a very cheesy groom!
"What is Elliot doing?" She asks after she tells me I am cheesy and her dreamy, cheesy guy? I stare over at him.
"I would hazard a guess he is giving Kate a surfing lesson? She seems a little more relaxed Ana, what do you think, will she cope, because I do not think Elliot will? He's, well not to put too fine a point on it, a frat boy surfer dude, with only fun on his mind, God knows how he is such a business success?" I do employ the best behind the scenes people to do the paperwork and such for him. My brother is a great builder and a great guy to work for, but the mechanics of his business, he leaves to others, he's a hands-on boss. Him with his cool 'Big Boy Toys'. I sometimes have Toy Envy visiting his sites, that is where I have to admit my big brother is shit hot at doing his thing, he is great to see in action and I really do feel very proud of his achievements! Ana is gently stroking my chest and she snuggles in closer, so close I smell the hair products she used in the shower and remember the very nice time we had. She is amazingly good for me...
"I don't know how she will cope? She's not too organised, she cannot cook and well, to put it bluntly, she needs a Gail of her own, oh and she is anti-marriage too so there will be no big hats for your mother, hers or Grams to fight over, it's not happening."
"Elliot will be glad about that; he's not into weddings either. He will be stunned and happy or stunned and amazed; he will definitely be in Mom and Grams good books. They want Grandchildren."
"No pressure on us then?" She says and I hug her.
"No, they have taken The heat off you and I. All we need to do is enjoy being us."
"I would like that. Alas, it will have to be between business meetings, I guess? Have you got someone to replace Clare?"
"Yes Hillary Green, she is Ros's right hand and one Clare had vanquished to Seattle, I now believe she broke many rules to get the position she had. I will make time for us Ana, granted there are a lot of important meetings, some are lunches and dinners."
"Okay, so between meetings and lunches and dinners, will there be you and me time?"
"Yes Baby, not as much as I would have liked, but you can still come with me can't you?"
"If you want me too, I am good at being your PA/Wife/Junior Editor and whatever else I am..."
"The list is endless, but the top of the list is my best friend, followed by my lover and all wrapped up in my wife... Now, wife, you and I need food, what do you want?"
"I want to graze the table and pick, is that okay? What will the food be like, at the ball, so I don't fill up?"
"Mass produced, small portions and lukewarm, if any of the others is anything to go by. So eat up, besides we can party on here afterwards, if you would like that, seeing as the cruise was given the thumbs down."
"Oh, to continue the party back here and then lots of you and me alone time, and lots of sex. or you could have me being seasick and you getting no sex, you choose."
"Well it looks like we are coming back here, besides the DJ will be happy, he gets to spin a few records. The Rats seem to have left alas, it was a flying appearance; they did fly over from London for us and they still have their own nightly West End show to do."
"What they flew in, just for that, for us?"
"Yes, I flew them in for you, my wife, because she said she loved their stuff, besides, I could hardly dig the others up could I? They were very good. Now, here is your plate, graze and eat, I need to see if the bar has champagne. Do you want the same or something else Baby?"
"Surprise me, because I know you can!" I head off to get my woman a drink, as I pass Gage and Luke they are sipping orange juice, with Ryan and Reynolds. They seem to be relaxed, but they are eyes peeled and on duty.
"When we get back from the ball, you can hit the bar, and the GEH guys can take over. I am working from home tomorrow, and Gage, limit it to just two bottles of wine please?"
"I am never drinking Mr Grey again, not even if it is a free bar. And may I just say your grandmother is hilarious, I wish I had grown up with her, she's a hoot? She's been telling us about you and Elliot when you were little. The pranks you both pulled?"
"I wouldn't believe her if I were you, besides she egged us on into doing most of it. My Grandmother is a big kid at heart and is very, how can I say, individual?"
"Was she responsible for the piglets in Wall-Mart Sir?" I smile. That was a happy, hilarious memory. Elliot and I caused havoc and all because they threw us out for testing the cakes, granted he wanted munchies and was drunk and or wasted and not a kid, but I was, and like a dutiful brother, was just following him to keep him safe. Lord, it was funny finding the piglets, he did a deal with the local farmer, he got them cheap if he did the catching, and a drunk Elliot managed to catch four of the squealers, eventually. He went back to Wal-Mart covered in pig shit...
"What, she told you about that? That stunt was all Elliot, I just got the blame. He was the one that let the four piglets loose, which he had numbered 1, 2, 3 and 5. It took them ages to look for Piglet four. Our mother grounded us for a month for that stunt. The poor piglets, were sent to live God knows where?"I smile as I remember the stunt that cost Elliot a month's allowance, and with him away at uni, that meant fewer keggers for him, as I said he is and was a Frat Boy...
"What about the bread Mia baked and you changed it to microwaved soap bars?" Luke asks.
"Again Elliot, and it has Elliot who used cable ties on all the schools toilet rolls, and he was the one who taped fog horns under the principles chair and the toilet and under his car seat."
"Did you do anything bad Mr Grey Sir...?"
"Yes, at Mia's sweet sixteenth. I swapped out the ice cubes for homemade Mentos ones! It was so good seeing her grabby friends all covered in coke. I also will plead the fifth on placing food wrap over the toilet seats at my father's office, and the walking of fake bloodied footprints though the corridors of my mother's hospital. Security saw a woman walking her size elevens through the corridors and with no face photos, as I knew where the cameras were. It was only when Mom recognised her expensive dress, that she twigged it was me. Thanks, I had forgotten I was normal at some point in my childhood, oh and don't ever accept a vanilla sundae off Elliot, because it's just freezing cold mashed potato!" I smile and go for cocktails. It is then I see Mia she has the reddest of eyes.
"Mia, have you been crying all afternoon?"
"Nope." Liar...
"Well why the red eyes then?" I am not going to cave into this act of hers; though it normally works, not, this time, Baby Sister, not this time!
"Okay, I may have had a cry. I upset Ana, I have pissed off Kate and I have been told by our parents my allowance has been cut and I have to manage on what I earn. You took my cards from me, and I have no money, and I'm supposed to be going on holiday with a man I broke up with, or he walked out on me? Either way, I am not going to Bali, but going home with Mom and Dad to work."
"It's about time you stood on your own two feet Mia; you were very disrespectful to my wife earlier. I would also like to point out that since I have been with Ana, you have had way more spent on you than she has. Way more."
"You never used to mind giving me money and using the cards, has she stopped you giving me things so she can have then instead, she was always envious of me and being able to shop and spend money, eat well and enjoy life?"
"No, that was all me, I now see what Ana's sees, a spoilt rich girl. Mia, you were never such a mean girl, or were you, and I just didn't notice?" I think I chose not to notice...
"I was only looking out for you Christian, I won't interfere again. I am not mean on purpose, I just don't think before I say something. Ana will like not having to worry about money, she had two jobs and still it wouldn't make a dent in her debts, I guess marrying you, she doesn't have to worry about money anymore? That's my problem now. I am the poor church mouse and not her!" Wow, this is not a side of Mia I have ever seen before, she is a spoilt rich bitch, and that's my fault.
"Have Mom and Dad spoken to you, Mia?"
"What about, besides the cutting me off talk, are you happy now?"
"About Ana being left millions by her mother?"
"No shit?"
"So you see she doesn't need me to fund her Mia, she has her own millions, millions that she is giving back to the people who her mother stole it from, if she wanted money and easy money, she would be keeping that and she isn't. Mia, being married to me is not going to be an easy ride for her? Don't make it harder by being a bitch, Mimi. She is a good friend to have. Don't treat her like she is nothing Mia because she is, she is my wife, my wife who I adore."
"Why to rush to get married, explain that then?"
"Because Mia, we want to be together nothing more nothing less, there is no hidden agenda and she has no plans to have me killed, for god's sake Mia you and the others orchestrated out meeting, you must have thought something would happen?"
"Yes, you would date her a few times and be normal, do normal family things and find someone more suitable."
"Who, like Lily, the best friend from hell?"
"She is the right people Christian." Right fucking people? She is a socialite bitch and I think I know where my sister gets her attitude from.
"Mia, you really are a stupid little girl. I would rather you left our wedding than sit here and be a brat."
"I will then..." She left and I was left stunned. My kid sister is a grade A tantrum queen, I then wonder how much this is going to cost me? I don't give her a second thought, her security is here, so she is monitored. I order two Strawberry Daiquiri's and when they are made I go in search of Ana, who is still eating as she chats with people as they 'graze' the table. I see she has met the neighbours, it was kind of rude not to invite them, especially seeing as the tent erectors woke them at stupid o'clock! I smile as I see her speaking to them. She makes friends with people so easily, and I am in awe of her genuine ability to be nice, as I struggle with that task on a daily basis, even now. So I must have been a real pain in the butt pre-Ana, oh who am I kidding I know I was.
"Ana, can you grab me a little something I need to eat too?"
"Sure Honey..."
"Ana, no..."
Honey was what Elena called me...
I shiver at the thought of what she and I had, what we had done and how foolish I was. I am so far removed from my old self, that smile. Although I have to wonder had I met someone like Ana way back then, just how would my life have panned out? Would I want to go back and change things? I would if it meant I met this Ana but that's all stupid thoughts, I did what I did, it made me who I am and I did meet Ana. I still have to find a way of helping Ethan, I guess publishing his paper will help, I guess and he is a trust fund kid so I cannot help him financially, perhaps I could introduce him to John Flynn? I haven't needed to see him for a while, okay that's a lie because I saw him before we flew out, I needed reassurances that I would be able to maintain the new me. The new me? That nearly went to pot when I drove off, the thoughts were frightening, the session we had before I left, I guess must have reinforced Ethan's sleep therapy because I so very nearly turned to the dark side again. Would Ana have been dragged into it too? I shudder to think of doing the things to her that I did to the others. Others that were and still are as sick as I was, and I guess still am, I am as John said, like an alcoholic, each day is a new day of sobriety, had I been a drunk the next bar I saw I think I would have been paralytic that night. However, and this is a good thing, clubs that are to my singular tastes are not on every road you drive down, you can find them, yes, but it's not a thing easily done. Thank fuck... Now, I need to learn to kerb the swearing too, alas my mother has been trying for years to do that to both Elliot and I, she or we fail constantly. My wife brings me out of my daydream...
"I was still trying something new!" Oh yes, the name and the reason for the reminisce with my old self.
"I like it when you say my name, I really like it." I do, she says it in a special way, and I like it. I go to sit down and as I do I see Kate and Elliot having a row, fuck, this bodes well for the later show and tell... I see a flash, fuck, that damned photographer has been like a mosquito, buzzing around everywhere and generally grating on my last nerve! The only ones I am looking forward to seeing are the ones of Ana and me together and dancing, the one we will be releasing to the Seattle times, one of Kavanagh families own papers, it hopefully, is the one where we are showered with confetti. That one, I hope, will be the one. Ana returns and has a tray of sliders.
"This is good food Christian. I wonder where they went to elope?"
"Vegas Baby."
"I bet that was fun. Now eat, these shrimp things are really good and these things here, they are foul. They have some sort of grit on or in them? I took a bite and the lady passed me a napkin before I was ill. The lady said it was caviar? It tastes worse than the dirt. How come you rich folks all eat things that taste like crap, just because someone says it's good and because it is expensive, you all think it must be? Yep, because it costs the same as a month's worth of groceries, it must be good, well it's not. It tastes like my fish paste sandwiches I had at the beach, you know when they got blasted with sand?" No Baby I don't think I have ever had a paste sandwich, ever? "Tell me why that caviar is way better than sand and crab paste sandwiches Mr Grey, when they both taste the darned same?" I shrug my shoulders, how would I know, never having had sandblasted sandwiches before?
"Firstly, you too are one of the rich folks. Secondly, it is not to everyone's refined pallet and thirdly, I wouldn't know how much it costs, if I like it, I eat it. Simple..."
"Okay grumpy butt, I was just saying. So, that steak tartar, is it really raw beef? The nice lady there she filled me in on what the chefs are making, really three chefs for a finger buffet, or as Madaline said 'food of the finger' that made me laugh, I gather she doesn't do that sort of food for you here, for your clients?"
"Umm, she does and she has always called it that and I have never corrected her? The tartar is raw Kobe beef actually and mega expensive, I believe your sliders are made of the same cooked variety..."
"Okay then those I love, so you know now that I don't like the raw meat either, one bite and I nearly puked, again. I like the sushi and I like the lobster tails too."
"So you have eaten something raw then?"
"Yes, I have and I have a napkin full of stuff I didn't like. Lord, I am such a fussy eater."
"No, you just like what you like."
"Thanks, but my dad will tell you otherwise. Now, how come they are all going back tomorrow instead of on Monday?"
"To give us some time alone. Besides The Kavanagh's will need time with Elliot, especially with their daughter about to tell them she's having the idiots child. Plus there are storms predicted on their flight, for Monday so they are beating the storms over the Indian Ocean and going tomorrow."
"They should have flown the other way around; I looked on Google and its closer the other way, flying over the Pacific? Did you set this up, Mr Grey?"
"No, they already had seats at the ball, but they had the holiday booked too; they are only going now because Mom and Dad were going. They have been their friends for quite a while."
"I know, that's what I got bummed out about hearing Mia say those things, it brought back memories of me having to say no to going out with them, I had money issues, they did not and I am nobodies hard luck charity case. Mia, she really should be a little quieter when she backstabs me, they Mia and Kate, they knew the same people and went to some really great places, bars, restaurants, parties and holiday places. They knew the right people, people apparently who are all rich and stuck up? They once came to see me at work, with a group of Mia's Seattle Society friends, and yeah they taunted me behind my back, Mia joined in and Kate, Kate left with a headache instead of sticking up for me and hurting Mia's feelings. So you see my skin it thick for a reason, I have had to put up with those sorts of people since I left Montesano. You can apparently take the yokel out of the local, but take the local out of the yokel. Mia's favourite put down of me when she was with Lily."
"Well, you too will now know the same people. Though they are not the right people, they are just people with money and a family history of wealth and there is the occasional idiot in there, Mia's friend Lily and her sidekick Mia. It's all they know Baby. I could apologise for the few bad apples, but they are not worth apologising for, you know that right? They are just money orientated bitches and my sister is one of them, Ana, I have heard things about Mia that I guess I have known all along but chose not to believe? Now, Baby, I mean Mrs Grey, you have what Lily wanted to capture so desperately, me and my fortune, I guess she won't be happy. You will see her a lot as she tends to mingle with at parties and things that I have to attend for business."
"Oh lummy, Lily, crap. I need to go to some sort of training like Eliza Doolittle had in Pygmalion."
"Ana, I don't think you need lessons, but I am willing to be your Professor Higgins if you want them?"
"Christian I need all sorts of lessons and I think I would love you to teach me more! Now, we have eaten and drank, so can we dance? I would like the Crazy Sting Guys to play something proper, I am not romantic dancing to Bond and Star Wars, can you ask them to have the something more romance dance worthy?"
"Leave it to me, Ana." I leave her staring and people watching, or as she says, she is not staring; she is allowing the day to soak in, so she doesn't forget a thing? She is adorable; does she not think we have CCTV footage of everything that happens here? I speak to the Crazy String Guys and yes, that's their actual name! They had a more relaxed repertoire, but apparently Elliot has kept on asking for more outlandish theme tunes. They start to play the song I remember asking me for. "Ana, they are playing our tune..." She listens and smiles.
"You remembered." I hold her in my arms and we dance to John Legends, All of me... I hum and she sings. She has the voice of an angel, but then again she is my angel. When the music ends, we have apparently got to cut the cake? Then Ana needs to re-apply her makeup, grab her bag and change her shoes before we go to the ball? What do I know? We stand with a knife and as the family smile, we cut the first slice, as we each take a fork full, I remember I have seen footage of the cake in the face mush, do I dare? I dare and as I eat her forkful, mine is pushed into her face... I get an oh god from my Grams and Mom, and a way to go Bro from Elliot, she smiles and kisses me, Ana and cake, oh god this day gets better... Who knew under all that white frosting and those Macaroons, was my favourite cake flavour, Chocolate.
"Right folks, if you are nearly ready, when my wife clears away the chocolaty mess I made, the cars will take us to the ball. I would guess you have ten minutes, Mother, have you seen Mia?" My mother shakes her head.
"Mr Grey, she is passed out in her room..." Says Luke. "Her security is watching her, she has had a bust up with Kavagnah!"
"Is she drunk?" I ask.
"Yes, she has had a very bad day, I don't know if you noticed but Ethan Kavanagh left the building shortly after you and she had words?"
"I will go and see to her, you and Ana get clean. Kate, Elliot and the Kavagnah's can go there now and we will follow. Christian is there any need for as much security as we have?" I don't blame Ethan my sister is hard work when she is a brat. My mother is annoyed at Mia; she is not the only one!
"No mother, you will each only have the one CPO now, the threat is now not as it was before. Madaline and Gail are here, they can see to Mia; please ask Madaline to keep an eye on Mia, you are not missing out on the ball Mother!"
"Good, good I will ask them, I am glad about security too, we don't always need to look like the presidential cavalcade riding into town," I smile.
"No, no we don't Mother!" Ana and I take the elevator to our room and she cleans her face and smiles, any more smiling and I am sure our faces are going to crack. It's a good feeling being so happy...
Ana's POV:
As I wipe off the cake and the makeup, I am watched by Christian, I swear my face aches with all this smiling, but I am sure that's what you do at your wedding, smile? My father has done a little mingling, but he has preferred to sit with security most of the time, he is happiest with the ex-service guys, like me he is not a social butterfly, we, it seems, share some of the same traits! I am just sorry that Sally and the boys did not come. So, I will have to make sure they play a bigger part in the grander-hob-knob-wedding! Christian is singing in the bathroom and seems very happy. Maybe this soul mate malarkey has some merit, or how else would something so quick so confusing and so unusual, seem so right? I sound like a scratched record...
I wipe off the gunk and moisturise and run through the makeup lesson Rafe's girls gave me. I look at Christian for advice on the amount. I smile when he saunters in and helps me blend and tone. He is still worried about Mia. "She is in a sorrowful mess Christian; don't be angry, life is too short to wallow in the mire. She is a silly girl and a spoilt girl and that I am afraid to tell you is down to you and your family spoiling her, but, and this is the big but, she only does it because she doesn't know any better. You are right about Lily too, she and her used to talk all the time about you and she being an item. Wow, you could always be a makeup artist if you flunk out of billionaire school." He laughs as he takes off the towel protecting the dress.
"When you have Mia for a sister you learn some odd yet useful skill sets, hair makeup and shopping. Ana, as far as Lily is concerned she was always avoided like the plague, she was and I suspect, is still a bigger brat than Mimi. She may have thought she stood a chance with either me or Elliot, but she didn't."
"She loved the saying Mrs Lily Grey, and Mia and she would croon about being sisters."
"Again, she is going to be upset. She is a very immature girl, as you have witnessed, but they have been friends like 'forever'" He over exaggerates the last word and I laugh so hard I bray like the f-in donkey again... "Ana stop you are killing me; she does say it like that and they both scream and shout O.M.G all the darned time and she is very handsy, you may have to guard my butt, Baby!"
"Such a task and yes I do know, she used to lord it over me at the apartment and say stupid things like could the girl perhaps get us a drink Mimi? Or does the girl own anything other than converse and jeans, does the girl own a hair brush and they would laugh at my having to work two jobs and missing out on the fun, as I said I have a thick skin. Besides, I put a few drops of Little Tummy's Laxative Drops in her coffee. If she pissed me off too many times, she always left our place with a bad case of the squits..."
"Ana, you didn't?"
"Christian I did. She was a bitch. Mia needs to ditch her. Now, am I presentable, will I pass inspection for being Mrs Christian Trevelyan Grey?"
"Yes, is the only truthful answer I can give, my wife is beautiful and I am lucky but have you got more lip colour because that will need constantly updating, I think I may kiss you, a lot!"
"Good, Christian let's get this show on the road then. I am suddenly very nervous Professor!"
"Ana, you have no reason to be worried, you look stunning. I am the lucky one Baby, so fucking lucky!"
"I may ban sex if you keep swearing, then you won't be so f-in lucky Mr Grey."
"Oh Baby, I think we both know who would miss the sex more?"
"Okay, shot, foot and for-get-aboud-it!"
"Joey..."
"Yup, Joey..." We head out and I have my bag with me. The catering staff they are clearing away, everything that is left and is still edible, I laugh, because we had chefs in the kitchen, and they spent the day making everything fresh. So everything left, is being donated to a homeless shelter. I am pleased they are not wasting it. The rest of the party have disappeared in dribs and drabs to the Four Seasons, where this ball thing is happening. I am ver
Christian takes my arm and I smile as Daddy and the Greys set off, he is coming to the ball too. I am helped by Christian into my seat because me and the dress are a lot to get in.
"Mrs Grey..."
"Yes, Mr Grey?"
"I love you."
"Oh, okay I love you too. Come on them let's get this ball thing out of the way."
"Umm, we don't have to stop long Ana."
"Hey, just call me Cinders; I doubt I will turn into mousey me at midnight?"
"Mousey? I doubt after the press gets an eyeful of my new bride, they will be describing you as mousey Ana!"
"Press? Fuck..." I say and cover my mouth.
"We may have to run the gauntlet of their questions Ana if you don't know the answers smile and move along. It's a cattle market of paparazzi. I am always known as 'America's most Eligible Billionaire Bachelor'."
"Old news..." And I smile as I say it.
"It is, now, are you really okay? We can give this a miss Ana if you want to?" We ride on and I hold my husband's hand and sigh.
"I will be fine, besides I am with the best looking newly married unobtainable youngest billionaire in America, what could possibly go wrong?" As we pull up I see exactly what could go wrong, Alexander gets out of the car that arrived just before ours. Crap fest, Bummer and Fuck... Let the fun begin, why did I not think this was the ball he was attending. Okay then, it is time for Christian to meet my step brother, crap there are two of them... Double crap... Now I really do feel like firkin Cinderella, only I have two step brothers, step brothers who ain't ugly at all!
So what will Christin make of the Russian Billionaire Brothers? Ana makes more frenemies and Christian sees a face from his past? Thank you: my guest reviewers, I do appreciate your taking the time xxx
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