I am actually quite relieved that Mom and Dad will only get chance to meet at Grey Manor, hopefully it will means she won't cause a scene in front of everyone. Dad, Christian and I have light banter on the way down. Dad glances out the back window from time to time.
"This must seem a little familiar to you Ray, security detail, following people?" Christian comments.
"It is" Ray replies "just not used to it being me that's followed" he laughs.
All is quiet on the journey down and I am very relieved that is the case, I don't think the ear chewing from my mom would be very pleasant. We arrive at Grey Manor, I look at my dad and his face is a mixture of awe and a little embarrassment perhaps.
"Are you ok Dad?"
"Sure sweetie, I am fine, this is an amazing house your parents have Christian" he has recovered his composure.
"Thank you Ray, it was my childhood home and have some very fond memories here" wow I have never heard Christian talk about home like that before.
"That's the way it should be son" Did my Dad just call him son?
We pull up; Grace, Carrick and Mia are all waiting. Mia does her usual of flinging herself at us although she stares at me first and mouths wow! I guess I have grown a bit in a few weeks.
"Grace, Carrick, Mia this is my Dad, Ray Steele" a round of hello's and handshakes follow and then my mom comes towards us "This is my Mom Carla van Grutten and her partner Frank" and more handshakes go around.
Grace cordially welcomes everyone into her house and through into the conservatory. Mrs Logan is ready to serve beverages, most opt for coffee but I stick with water for now.
Ray goes out on to the patio and I can see him taking in the view. His eyes do a double take when he sees the lake. I see Mom go out to join him and I move a little closer to the door to see if I can hear what is being said.
"Hello Carla, you look well" Ray smiles at her in a way that makes me believe he still holds great affection for her.
"Hello Raymond, thank you, you don't look so bad yourself" ok he doesn't like being called Raymond but so far so good.
"So our daughter is going to be a mother after knowing this man for 9 months, how do you feel about this?"
"Mom, would you please lower your voice, this is, after all, Christian's family home and I don't want them offended" I frown at her "and I am standing right here, I am a grown woman and I can make my own decisions"
"Well Carla as Ana says she is an adult and it's her call whether we like it or not, I, personally am looking forward to being a grandpapa" I love my dad, he is always supportive.
My Mom's face looks like it has been slapped "Well of course I am too but I am concerned about her and the impact this has on her life"
"Mom I am getting married and having children, what part of that is abnormal, You married my father when you were 20 years old and had me two years later, how is that different to me now?" I am getting riled.
"But that's different, I was secure and happy" she tries to defend herself.
"You think I am not secure and happy?" I ask her forcefully.
"I didn't say that Ana" she pulls a hankie out and blots her eyes.
"Mrs Van Grutten, please know that Ana and our babies are my priority, we are financially secure, I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know her and I love her" Christian loves me? He said it in front of me, my family and his, my jaw has hit the floor, my heart is racing, I move over to him, kiss him on the lips and whisper 'I love you too' in his ear. He hugs me tightly, like he never wants to let go.
"As almost everybody is here, Ana has consented to be my wife and when the babies are born and settled into a routine we will announce a date" Christian tells and then puts the huge diamond ring on my finger. I gasp at seeing it again, it's so beautiful and I spend a few moments just staring at how perfect it looks.
Mia bounces over and hugs Christian, gawps at the ring for ages and then hugs me too. Grace and Carrick more reservedly congratulate us.
Carrick tells me the ring was given to him when his mother died and he passed it on to Christian and he is honoured that I agree to wear it. I tell him I am proud too, Christian and I never did get chance to talk about the origins of the ring but I will dig a little deeper when the opportunity arises.
Kate and Elliot enter the room shortly afterwards which kind of distracts from some of the awkwardness of the last half an hour. I haven't seen Kate in almost a week and she has grown too. She walks over, beaming and blooming!
"Kate, honey you look fantastic. How are you?" I ask excitedly
"I am good Ana, look at you! And look at that ring!" she is examining it closely "It's beautiful, so I guess you will be deciding when to get hitched then?"
"After the babies are born, I couldn't walk down the aisle like this" turning sideways and showing the huge expanse of my belly. We both giggle and I can't say how much I am pleased to see Kate again.
Gramps and Nana arrive too just in time for lunch which turns out to be a very happy time, conversation flowing, laughing and joking especially with Gramps and Nana on form. After lunch, Kate, Elliot, Christian and I go for a walk to the lake. I ask Christian if he will bring Ray here and do some fishing tomorrow perhaps, Elliot is keen too.
The afternoon was lovely, no tension, laughs watching Christian and Elliot interact and mess around, Despite all of Christian's difficulties as a child, I think he will be a wonderful father and Elliot is a big kid so no problems there then.
Back at the house the wine is flowing, Nana is well away and my mom is visibly letting her guard down, unfortunately it takes alcohol to make her relax but we glimpse the real Carla rather than the 'I've acted like this for so long, I don't know how to be different' Carla. I think the death of my Dad hit her very very hard and she became somewhat hardened, trying to look after me, keep a job and roof over our heads until Ray came along but she never really let him in properly and he gave up trying after nearly twelve years.
Gramps is talking to Dad about the police even though he wasn't on the force but a marine in his younger years and is generally trying to put the world to rights. Dad is genuinely interested to hear what he has to say and they talk for a good hour or so before dad excuses himself to find the bathroom. I hear raised voices and I instantly know its Mom and Dad, I move in to the corridor as quickly as I can.
"PLEASE can you keep your voices down!" I snap "everyone can hear you"
"Sorry Ana but your Mother was trying to discuss your situation but I told her that I am very pleased about everything and I find Christian polite, charming and his family are lovely too" with that he storms off.
"Did you have to do this here and now Mom? It couldn't have waited until later when less people are in listening distance?" I growl at her.
"Sorry darling" she says looking sheepish "it was inappropriate but I needed to talk to him after all he is the closest man to a father you have"
"That's fine but can you do it some other time, maybe over the phone when you are back in different states?" I snap and walk off too.
I head for the library, it's always felt calming and peaceful here but I can't help a few tears falling down my face, I quickly try and brush them away when Christian comes in to see if I am alright.
"What's up pumpkin?" he sits beside me and kisses me.
"Oh parents, well Mom really, she can't just let something drop or find an appropriate time to approach a topic for discussion, no, she does it here in front of people and I swear it's to embarrass me because I am not doing what she thinks I should be" another couple of tears fall.
"Baby, don't worry about it, at least she cares enough to make sure you are happy, even if that is questioning the very thing that makes you happy" he always makes sense and proceeds to calm me.
Grace knocks and peers around the door cautiously "Everything ok Ana dear?" I nod "good because we need you and Christian to make up the teams for trivial pursuits. We have more players this time but we can still divide into two teams" Oh boy, I think my ribs and abdominal muscles are going to suffer from the laughter this game induces.
We make it boy's verses girl's as it's an equal divide and the game begins. The girl's take an early lead but the boy's start to catch us. The next question to us girl's is 'What house hold item vibrates at ten thousand micro vibrations when in use?' We talk amongst ourselves for a moment before Nana's voice pipes up with
"Well that's easy, it's a Rampant Rabbit" The silence is palpable until my Mom asks what a Rampant Rabbit is.
The game of trivial pursuits has to be abandoned as no one can regain their composure enough to ask or answer any questions. I thought last time was funny but this is really side splitting hilarious. Kate whispers to my Mom what a Rampant Rabbit is; she looks a little embarrassed initially but the joins in with the laughter eventually. Grace is dabbing her eyes, Mia is slumped down in the arm chair still laughing. Carrick looks a little embarrassed and is trying not to laugh but even he has a grin on his face.
Elliot and Christian are chuckling, Dad is laughing but not really sure if he should be; Kate and I are leaning against each other and against the back of the sofa for support as our laughter is bordering on hysterics.
Nana can't see why everyone is laughing, she looks a little confused so we try and calm down a bit. It's nearly lunch so Grace asks Nana to help set the table as a distraction. Mrs Logan has organised a buffet meal in the dining room, she has covered everything you could possibly want, Polenta with fig and red onion relish and goat's cheese, Smoked salmon rice balls, Daikon rolls and White chocolate mousse with lime or Baby baklavas for dessert and everything is perfect.
The doorbell rings and Mrs Logan leaves the dining room to answer it.
"I am afraid you can't come in, I can pass a message to Mrs Grey" Mrs Logan is heard to say.
"I want to talk to her myself, thank you very much" I recognise that voice, Christian looks concerned and then pissed off at who is talking.
"You cannot go in there Mrs Lincoln" Voices are now getting louder and more strained.
"I can and I will!" Elena shrieks. The dining room door flies open and plastic Barbie is standing in the room looking menacing.
"How dare you burst in to my house Elena!" spits Grace
"I need to talk to Christian" she looks over at him.
"I have nothing to say to you" Oh the iceman is back, not seen him for a while but I am not surprised, she makes me feel very angry.
"I want to talk to you in private Christian" she snarls, Grace looks ready to smack her if she moves any closer.
"Anything you have to say can be said here Elena" he snarls back and she looks decidedly uncomfortable with everyone in the room except my Mom and Dad glaring at her.
"Ok, if that's what you want, why have you withdrawn funding from the beauty salon chain?" she asks.
"I would have thought that was obvious after our last conversation Elena" This could get interesting.
"But you know I cannot support the business by myself" she blushes with embarrassment.
"I don't believe we have a sustainable working relationship anymore so I will no longer take any part. However please feel free to find a new silent partner" she looks stunned. Go Christian!
"You will regret this decision, mark my words Christian, you will pay" the venom with which she says these words is frightening.
"Is that a threat Elena? I hope you realise I have many witnesses here who will be more than happy to testify to your words" His face is cold, calculating and he is scaring me, no one makes a threat and gets away with it.
"Oh, I, yes…" she looks sheepish.
"If your business is concluded Elena, please get out of my house!" screeches Grace as well as pointing a finger towards the front door. Elena pursued by Carrick and Elliot leaves the house and roars off up the driveway and I for one am glad she has gone.
Dad looks at me questioningly, I mouth 'another time' and he nods his head.
"Was that the polyfillered Barbie Doll again?" Nana pipes up once more and smiles form around the table and the tension is broken somewhat.
Christian's face is like thunder "Excuse me, I need to talk to security" oh my, someone is in for a huge ass chewing, I only hope it's not Taylor, Sawyer or Peters but I am sure we will find out soon enough.