A week has passed since our eventful dinner. I started my job at SIP, and I love it. Since Jack Hyde is still out there somewhere, Sawyer has been keeping guard at work. So far, Hyde hasn't made any more threats, which kind of scares me. What if he is spending his time laying low and planning something big? Jose called me yesterday and told me that he is going to be back in town tomorrow. He is considering moving to Seattle. The idea of him and Elena together stills gives me chills.
"Penny for your thoughts?", Christian asks as we ride to his parents' for dinner.
"Just thinking. I would give anything to be a fly on the wall in the room with Jose and Elena. I mean, has she ever had a normal relationship?", I ask Christian.
"With her husband, but that ended when he found out us.", Christian says with his head down. Plus, I think that was more of a marriage of convenience for both of them. He had a fat wallet and needed someone to be his trophy wife. She was more than willing to be that."
"Do you think she has done things to Jose? You know like sub things?", I ask Christian.
"I don't know, and I really don't want to think about it. What Elena does is her business, not mine. Jose is a grown man and can take care of himself."
"Yeah, you're right. I don't want to think about them at all tonight.", I say as we arrive. Grace and Carrick meet us at the door. "Hello Grace, Carrick."
"Ana, sweetheart, you look lovely. Christian, darling, hello.", Grace says hugging us. Carrick hugs me and Christian. We walk into the living room where Mia is seated reading a fashion magazine. Seeing us, she immediately jumps up.
"Ana! I am sooo glad to see you. Christian, my favorite brother!", Mia exclaims. She is her usual vibrant self. "Mom said that Elliot and Kate were coming tonight as well. Kate's brother is coming too."
"Ethan? That's great.", I say. Ethan has always been a nice guy. Kate told me that he had gotten back from Europe.
Christian and I sit on the sofa and drink wine as we listen to Mia talk about how she was tired of dating losers. Apparently, the last guy she dated had cheated on her with her friend.
" I wish you would have told me about that creep Mia. I would have done something.", Christian says. He is every bit the protective older brother.
"Christian, while I do appreciate your offer, no thanks. I can fight my own battles.", Mia says.
"All right. remember he is just one of a million fish in the sea.", Christian says as I recall my talk with Mia that night at the pub. Mia looks at me and grins.
"Christian is right. Your perfect guy could be just around the corner." As if on cue, I see Kate, Elliot, and Ethan standing in the doorway. Ethan is as good looking as Kate. The Kavanagh's have good genetics.
"Wow, who is the hottie?", Mia whispers to me. Clearly, she is taken with Ethan.
"Everyone, this is my brother Ethan.", Kate says. Kate starts introducing Ethan to everyone. When he comes over to me, he smiles.
"Ana, wow, look at you. You look wonderful.", he says as he hugs me tightly. I can feel Christian's eyes on us. Pulling back from Ethan, I look at Christian.
"Ethan, this is Christian Grey, my boyfriend.", I say proudly.
"Ah, yes, Kate said you were seeing someone. Nice to meet you Christian.", he says shaking Christian's hand.
"Nice to meet you as well."
Mia is standing behind me waiting for an introduction. I grab her hand and pull her beside me. She is blushing. "Ethan, this is Mia Grey, Christian and Elliot's sister."
"Mia, lovely to meet you."
"Same to you. So, Kate tells me that you were in Europe? I was just there myself not too long ago.", Mia says
"Cool, who knows we could have been in the same place and not known it.", Ethan laughs. I think he is as equally smitten with Mia.
"OK everyone, dinner is ready. Let's make our way to the dining room.", Grace announces.
"Ethan, why don't you sit by me, and we can talk about our Europe trips?", Mia asks.
"Sure, sounds great.", he says with that boy next door smile of us.
"What is that? And should I be worried?", Christian asks as we watch Mia and Ethan head to the dining room.
"That Mr. Grey, is your sister finding another fish in the sea.", I giggle. "I wouldn't worry. Ethan is a great guy."
"Kate, I know that is your brother, but if he hurts my sweet little sister in any way, I will make him suffer.", Christian says to Kate.
"Sweet? Christian, have you forgotten that she is the one who somehow managed to saran wrap my entire apartment?", Elliot asks. "That was not cool.", he says pouting.
"Oh, Lelliot, it was just a joke. I thought it was pretty funny, mainly because it was you instead of me that it happened to.", Christian says as Kate and I are fighting hard to hold back our laughter.
Dinner starts out nicely. Everyone is enjoying the meal and having a great time. As I look around the room, thoughts of Jack Hyde disappear from my mind. I am not going to let him ruin my night. I am also not going to think any more about Jose and Elena.
"I was having lunch with Elena yesterday, and she has herself a new guy.", Grace says. Damn.
"Really? Well, I suppose she needs to move on. She hasn't dated anyone since her husband, I think.", Carrick says. Yes, because she takes on subs instead.
"She seemed happy. But, he is a lot younger than her. Ana, Kate, you two are friends with Jose Rodriguez, aren't you?", Grace asks.
"Yes, he is a great guy, very sweet.", Kate says.
"I just don't know about the age difference. I mean, she is old enough to be his mother.", Grace responds as I see Christian become uncomfortable.
"Mother, I think that who Elena dates is her business.", Christian says. I can sense he is trying to stop the conversation.
"I suppose you're right."
"As long as you don't trade me in for a newer and younger model, we will be fine.", Carrick laughs.
"No chance that is going to happen. You are the only one who gets my engine revved up.", Grace says as everyone at the table stops eating.
"Ewww, can you guys not talk about this while I am trying to eat.", Elliot says.
"Oh, Elliot, relax.", Carrick says. "Just because there is snow on the roof, it doesn't mean there isn't fire in the furnace.", he says winking at Grace.
The rest of the night turned out well. Ethan and Mia made plans to go out for dinner. Something tells me that they are going to be a good couple. As I watched Christian sleep that night, I thought about how thankful I am for him coming into my life. He changed me, for the better. Jack Hyde may still be a threat, but I was not going to let him control our lives. Love conquers all.
Thank you all for reading and reviewing. There is plenty of drama and twists coming up ;). I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sherry