APOV

"Good morning, Ms. Steele. You appear to be much better than the last time we saw you. If you'll just take this cup and give us a urine sample so that we can rule out a pregnancy, we'll get you the Depo shot and send you on your way."

I don't care how careful I've been with my birth control pills. Now that I'm having sex, and a lot of it, I'm nervous. Christian has said he's on board with having kids one day but I know that day is not now for either of us. So when the doctor comes back and her first question is the date of my last period I just about pass out.

"Um, Wednesday, July 27th." OK, I'm not even due yet so I should be good, right? Right?

"Great. I need to give you a full pelvic exam since it's been just about a year and then we can go ahead and give you the shot."

"Oh, so I'm not pregnant then." She looks at me over her glasses and purses her lips, referring to her chart one more time.

"No, did you think you could be?"

"Well, no but I am sexually active and I know the pills aren't 100% reliable…"

"Nothing except abstinence is completely reliable." She pauses and asks me to scoot my 'derrière' to the edge of the table and then inserts the freezing cold speculum. You'd think that by now these freaking doctors would think, 'maybe I should warm these up a bit'. "And, judging by your boyfriend's reaction, pregnancy is definitely not something he's interested in at this point so maybe abstinence is your best bet if you're so worried."

She's fishing for information.

"Neither of us are interested in it at this point. He was on edge that day. There was a firestorm of shit we were dealing with and me being hurt just put him right over the cliff." Her lips purse again and she uses the swab and finally takes that damn metal ice out of my…daisy.

"Even so, I was concerned when he wouldn't allow you to speak to me in private. As a physician, we're taught to look for certain things and one of the tells of a questionable situation is when one party refuses to allow the other to speak to anyone alone." I wait until my internal exam is over before responding. I'm not about to have a conversation with this woman about my boyfriend while she digs around my ovaries.

"Dr. Brodsky, I appreciate your concern, I do. But I'm a grown woman and he's a grown man and we have grown up problems just like everyone else and that's all that was. He didn't leave because he was concerned about my health. If he was so worried I'd tell you something sinister, he wouldn't have let me come alone today. So while I understand you have a job to do, if I tell you nothing's going on, then nothing's going on."

She stands, snaps the gloves off and does a breast exam which hurts like hell since after our romp on the floor in front of the fireplace last night we made love for hours in our bed. My breasts were a central part of that particular interlude and while it felt good last night, today tells a different story.

"I'll take your word for it, Ana but if you should ever need to go somewhere for help, you can always call this office. Now, that being said, I do not think you're in any danger. Why don't you get yourself dressed and I'll prepare the syringe." Do not act like a wussy. It's just a needle. Just a needle. Just a needle.

Why the fuck do I have to do this? Damn it, in matters pertaining to sex, women get the short end of the stick when it comes to contraception, pregnancy and birth. Just as she empties the syringe into my upper arm I growl out a "Fuck you, Grey," much to her amusement and then finish dressing.

"Now, since you're currently on a birth control pill there is no lapse in hormone coverage. However, you're right around ovulation so if you want to play it extra safe, wait at least two more days to have unprotected sex and understand that the same risks apply."

I am not at all surprised when there is no charge for the visit since, 'it's been taken care of already'. Of course it has.

I don't really feel like running with Sawyer but we made a pact in Africa to run at least twice a week for a minimum of five miles each time and damn it if I'm going to be the one to break it first. By mile three I realize how stupid it was for me, 5' 3" to choose Sawyer, 6' 4" to run with. One stride of his equals two of mine but he's a good partner and holds back just enough for me to feel like I can hang with him.

By the time we finish, I'm mad at him too just for being tall.

Back at Escala I shower and get dressed in a killer deep red, side ruched dress. When Andrea told me Mooooona was coming back today, this was the first dress that came to mind. Paired with nude colored Louboutins, courtesy of Caroline Acton, my legs look much longer than usual.

Sawyer is in position by the elevators waiting to take me to take me to work as normal. His brows shoot up but he says nothing, just ushers me into the lift and hits the G for garage.

"We'll be making a quick detour to GEH first and then we'll head over to my office." One side of his mouth lifts but he controls his smile. In the lobby men and women turn to check me out as usual but this time, it's my outfit they're ogling. It's not slutty by any means, in fact, it's quite classy. For a date or dancing. It's most certainly not a work dress though.

Andrea can barely hide her smile when I exit the elevator and stand in front of her desk.

"Good morning, Ms. Steele, I didn't expect you today. Can I get you anything?" Jacqueline turns and looks, does a double take and stifles a laugh.

"No thanks, I'm good. Is he available?" Andrea presses her lips together and nods once, composing herself the best she can.

"For you, always. Just go on in."

In my left hand I balance a small tray of almond biscotti, the kind Christian likes with his coffee in the evening, and with my right hand I tousle my hair so it looks wild and windswept. Jacqueline walks to the elevator banks to, 'wipe off that smear' on the door and winks.

"You look a-freaking-mazing. Once I pop this kid out and lose the baby weight I'm buying that dress." I stop and turn just in time to catch the deer in headlights fear on her face before she covers it with her hands. "Oh my god. I'm sorry, oh god."

"You're pregnant?" My eyes go to her empty ring finger, not that I care but she'd never mentioned a husband or a boyfriend so this comes as a shock.

"Yes, I just found out a few weeks ago. I was going to tell Mr. Grey before you left for Rome. Shit, I'm so sorry." The biscotti's forgotten, I hug her and assure her that I won't say a word to anyone.

"Andrea knows and so does Barney but don't ask me how, that's a story in and of itself. I don't want to ask you to keep something from your boyfriend but I really would prefer to tell him myself."

"Christian? Oh, I'm not going to say anything, this is yours to tell. Besides, I'm going to be totally truthful, he's not going to think twice about it. He's a guy, until you're actually holding a screaming baby, they don't believe any of this shit is real."

She snorts and rolls her eyes. "Tell me about it. This baby's father had me take four tests before he believed it."

"Your boyfriend?" She blushes and rolls her eyes again.

"This conversation is so unprofessional of me, I'm sorry. Yes, we've been together for years but he won't get married. So I broke up with him a few weeks before I started here and we got back together about a month ago. But in the meantime…we made this." She points to her very tiny baby bump and smiles.

"So you…you weren't trying to flirt with Mr. Grey?" Now it's my turn to be unprofessional. She has the good grace to blush.

"I was, I admit it. Not because I actually wanted him or any man for that matter, but because you guys were so damn happy and I was hurting and pissed and man! I just hated to see it. I'm sorry I was like that."

"Forgiven and congratulations! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go bitch slap some chick who's eyeing up my man."

If I don't go in there right now I'm going to chicken out because this…vixen role, this isn't me. But I'll be damned if this woman thinks she can come and see my boyfriend whenever she wants to. Deep breath, Ana Steele.

When I push the door open the first thing I notice is the overwhelming scent of cheap perfume that permeates the air enough to make my nose itch. Christian is at his desk, suit jacket on and formal as ever with a plate of god damn cookies in front of him.

Both look up surprised but where Christian's face breaks out into a beaming smile, Mona's falls into a scowl and then just as quickly a smile reminiscent of someone chewing on glass.

"Oh! I'm sorry, baby. I didn't realize you had a meeting." He stands to come to me and then takes in my dress, his steps faltering for a second.

"Shit, Ana." he whispers into my ear before grazing his lips over mine in a greeting. "I like this dress. A lot." When he backs up to sit down he keeps his body angled away from Mona, the reason obvious when I see the bulge in his perfectly pressed black pants. "I'm glad you stopped by. You remember Ms. Turche?" The side of his mouth pops up as realization hits him but I refuse to acknowledge it.

"Of course! I won't keep you, I just wanted to drop these off so that they weren't tempting us at home." He's full on smirking now but takes the plate of biscotti. "Oh, is this where the cookies come from?"

"Yes, Ms. Turche is kind enough to bring them on her visits." With deliberate sensuality I bend over just enough so that she gets a good eyeful of my ass and lift the saran wrapped plate.

"That's really sweet of you. The staff is always so grateful when these show up in the kitchen." Her perfectly made up face falls before she can stop it, her eyes skittering between my body and my man before she folds her hands in her lap. And now for the coup de grace.

"I'm heading over to my office now but I'll meet you at the wedding hall at five, ok? And just a warning, I'm a little sore from the Depo shot this morning so keep that in mind when we're dancing." You know Moooona, the Depo shot since Christian and I are having sex. Lots and lots of sex. And with that I walk to the side of his desk, lean in for a quick kiss that reeks of comfortable intimacy and then walk to the door stopping only long enough to turn and shoot her a quick goodbye.

Andrea, in her perfectly poised professionalism is waiting with wide eyes when I get out.

"I'll take those." She says and takes the plate of what look like oatmeal raisin cookies. "Did you make those biscotti?" I bellow out an unladylike laugh and shake my head.

"Ha! Hell no. I can't bake to save my life. Gail buys those things from Costco, I just took them out of the wrapper and plated them up." She laughs and lifts the corner of the plastic to grab a cookie out.

"Shame. I'll miss these." And then all three of us break out into laughter before I get on the elevator, Sawyer next to me with his head hung to hide his expression.

"What's wrong with you?" I snap. He lifts his head and stares at the mirrored doors, shrugging and then sighing.

"They were really good cookies."


The rest of the day flies by in a blur of crazy. Eliza Ferrai's background check came back clean as a whistle and with the current backlog of work I have, I've asked her to start right away. Fortunately, she's a starving kid straight out of college whose broke and has rent due in two weeks so she's more than happy to oblige.

We order in sushi since it's Friday and toast to Missy who's home getting ready for her wedding. Eliza seems nice enough and mature for her age but damn is she awkward. At 5' 11" she probably weighs 140 pounds but judging by the food she inhaled today, it's not because she doesn't eat. I find her laugh adorable even if it does sound a bit like a pig eating and more than once I catch Matt covering his face to hide his laughter at something she said. She's so awkward, she's adorable and I love her instantly.

At two Devin blusters in, and I do mean blusters, papers literally fall from the sky behind him, and claps his hands together.

"Sister Sledge! What are you doing here still? My god, Anniebaby you need a trim, a pluck and I would bet Grandma Kline's teacup collection a wax. I know you don't need a pedicure because that sweet little thing at the salon told me you were in last week." He pets my head like a dog and kisses my cheek. "Good girl. Now have you been practicing your kegels like we talked about? I found a YouTube clip that shows you how should you need further instruction."

"For Christ's sake, Devin. I don't think that is any of your concern." He stops halfway to the door and turns on his heel, hand bent, fingertips pressed to his sternum.

"Oh no you did not." He takes a step towards me and closes his eyes, head thrown back as if he's the most frustrated person on the planet.

"It is most certainly my concern. Your man got me out of a very serious legal…condition. I won't even mention the fact that he owns THE restaurant to be seen at in Seattle which I am now invited to eat at, free of charge mind you, whenever the fancy strikes me. I also won't mention the amazing glow your skin has taken on since meeting with him though I'm sure that has more to do with the orgasms than the man himself. And I'll remain tightlipped about the fact that a man that beautiful must have friends who are just as beautiful but are still in the closet. And I am all about opening that door."

"What about Casey?"

"Casey shmacy." But I know better. Devin is to Casey what I am to Christian and visa versa. He may talk a big game but outside of Bradley Cooper or James Franco, Devin is completely devoted to his boyfriend. His eyebrows shoot up and scan Matt from head to toe before shooting out his hand. "Devin Janea. You must be Matt." Matt opens his mouth to say something but Devin's eye catches on Eliza and I know, just know what he's thinking.

"And who, pray tell, are you?"

"Hi. Um, I'm new. Eliza Ferrai. It's nice to meet you." Devin shakes her hand and then gently grabs her chin with his fingers.

"Oh Ms. Liza, you and me? We are going to be best of friends." Outside of gossip, makeovers are Devin's favorite thing in the entire world. Eliza Ferrai has no idea what's coming her way.


At Missy's house we help her get ready, emotions flying high with a house full of women...and Devin. "Dude, get a grip." Lisa shoots to him when Missy's mom hangs her gown in the doorway.

"I'm trying." He sniffles and dabs at his eyes, reapplying a firming cream to 'avoid wrinkles'. "But I haven't cried this much since Justin Guarini lost on American Idol." He tips back the last of his champagne and blinks furiously before clapping his hands to get everyone's attention.

"Alright ladies, chop chop. We've got ten minutes to finish up and then we help Mis into her dress. Oh good lord here I go again!" And then he grabs two oranges from a bowl of fruit and presses them into his eyes. "I cannot have puffy eyes for pictures! Devin James Janea, get a hold of yourself!"

Heather looks at me and then at Lisa and then at Devin. "I thought your middle name was Larkin."

"Ugh. It is but only technically. James is so much more masculine, so much more in line with who I am. I mean, really. My parents named me Devin Larkin and didn't expect me to be gay? Jokes on them!"

I'd laugh for his sake but it's not funny. Devin's parents disowned him in high school after he broke up with his girlfriend of four years, a girl named Dawn, to tell them that he was gay. How they didn't know, I'll never figure out but the fact that after four years he and Dawn hadn't even had oral was a pretty clear indicator that he was not just 'in a phase' as they said.

"Poor Dawn." Lisa says, smoothing her matt gold halter dress down before touching up her makeup. Devin huffs and snorts.

"Poor Dawn? Poor Devin. I dated the most butch girl in school and still couldn't get it up for her. You know my parents still talk to her? Guess who's a lesbian?"

"Wait, they talk to her and not you?"

"Yup." And because there's no snarky comment or the regulatory humor he hides behind we leave it alone and start talking about Elliot and how he wants to do it up the butt. I am dying. DYING of laughter as Kate explains, in detail, how he's pleaded with her for a full on week now.

"At first I couldn't figure it out. I'd come home and he'd have dinner made and then give me a massage. Or he'd have all the laundry done or get my car detailed and then one day, I come home and he conveniently left a sex toy magazine out. So I ask him, 'Elliot, sweetie, what is this magazine doing here and why is it open to the butt plug page?' And he says, 'Oh, well, I just thought we should get one so you're more comfortable with anal sex.' Like we had discussed it over tea the day before. 'Presumptuous much' I say? And then he has the balls to say that since he's going to Barbados with me and my family for two weeks, that he feels it's only fair that I 'give up that ass'."

"Well," says Devin, pulling a curling iron out of Lisa's hair and then spraying it with enough hairspray to gag a horse, "he's got a point. I mean, Katie, your father is the biggest asshole in Washington. Oh god! Get it? Asshole? Anal sex? I am hil-a-rious!" To this she rolls her eyes and adjusts her boobs in her fitted gold dress.

"I told him, you want 'owe you sex', you better do a Beyoncé and put a ring on it."

"Ring!" Devin says and then bursts out laughing while we all just look at him like he's nuts. Well, all of us except Lisa.

"Ring. You don't get it. Oh my god you girls! Ring! Ass ring!" He continues to howl until Missy comes in, beautiful with flowers in her hair and a bottle of ginger ale with a straw in her mouth.

"What's so funny?"

"Butt sex."

"OK, who let Devin drink this early? Come on, pull yourselves together and help me into my dress and do NOT mention butt sex around my mom. I will seriously die if you do."

When she slips the gown over her head I have this weird moment where I almost feel resentful of her. It's fleeting and I really am happy for my best friend but seeing her in that dress hammers home how much I want to marry Christian. I want the commitment and the vows. I want the paperwork that legally binds his life to mine.

Kate notices my reticence and makes her way over, nudging her shoulder against mine.

"That could be you tomorrow if you want it to be." I say nothing but I nod to acknowledge her presence and her words. I know. But I don't want that…the big white dress and the tons of people and the flowers and cake and dj and photographer. I just want Christian.

"I know. What about you, Kate? You and Elliot? Butt sex aside." We both break out into a fit of giggles and hug each other as we walk to the limos waiting for us.

"Maybe in a year or so. I'm sure he's the one, I'm just not ready for that level of commitment yet. He needs work that one. He's lived on his own for too long. My mom says I should train him but I like him the way he is, you know? But I will give him this, he can cook. Which works out since I can't!"

"Who taught him to cook and how did Christian never learn?"

"Mia. Christian was always too cool for that kind of shit but Elliot saw it was her passion and let her run with it. She designed his kitchen remodel. Did Christian tell you that Ethan and Mia are looking for a place together in Tacoma?"

"What? No! Tacoma? What happened to him moving back East?" Kate laughs and crosses her legs demurely while Heather pours us all glasses of champagne. "You know, for not being bridesmaids, I certainly feel like a bridesmaid."

"Please, that girl just didn't want to buy us gifts that's all this charade is." Devin waves his hand and passes a flute to Lisa who cheers him.

"Kate? Tacoma? Ethan? Fill me in."

"Well, he wanted to move out East because that's where he went to school and where a lot of his friends are and I think he wanted to get far away from dad but then he met Mia and fell in love. Now he doesn't care where he lives so long as she's there and she's too attached to the Grey's to move far so he found a job just outside of the city and that's that. So we're all settled down now."

"Speak for yourself!" Lisa yells from the far corner. "Me and Heather have each other, right Head?" My heart breaks when Heather lifts her flute and sips. She's in love with someone, she just can't be with him.

At the hall we climb out one by one. When I emerge Sawyer walks close to me and then holds me in the lobby while everyone else hits the bar area.

"What are we doing?" He pushes something into his ear and then speaks quickly into his wrist watch. Sometimes, I feel like I'm in a movie. A really bad one.

"You're all clear. We had to secure the site and do another sweep once you arrived. Mr. Grey will be here in about 15 minutes." He shifts his feet and puts a hand on his suited hip which gives me pause. He seems nervous which is not something I've ever seen in him.

"Luke?"

"I called Heather. Twice while we were in Africa and another three times since we've been back. She sends me straight to voice mail." I'm still a bit pissed about my friend being a booty call but I swallow that down and cross my arms in front of me.

"I told you, she's not interested in being with you like that anymore. I'm sorry you got your heart broken but that doesn't give you carte blanche to break her heart. You want a rebound or a fling? She's not the girl." He shushes me to listen to something in his ear piece again and then takes my arm, moving me gently away from the window. Seriously? Ugh.

"I know she's not. That's why I was calling. To apologize."

"So do it now. She's 50 feet away." He scoffs and then straightens his back, shaking out his hands and adjusting the gun holster under his suit. I'm definitely in a movie.

"No. I'm working right now. I shouldn't even be standing here discussing this with you. Go on in, I'll give you a 15 foot parameter until Mr. Grey gets here and then you'll have free reign so long as you stay in the bar and reception area."

When I walk into the bar, one of those old ones where the wood is dark and the walls are mirrored, Heather smiles until she sees him behind me. Can't say I blame her.

"Hey. What are you drinking?"

She chugs it back and then motions for another. "Malibu Bay Breeze. I thought it was too early for whiskey."

"What does Luke drink? I've never seen him out." She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

"Beer. Craft beers preferably American brewed though he says he drinks Guiness in the winter time. I don't want to talk about him, Ana. I don't even want him here. Christian didn't have another goon he could have sent instead?" I brought that up but he said, and I quote, 'His romantic life has zero to do with his job. He's the best and he's assigned to you. If his romantic life begins to affect his job, then he can choose between it and a paycheck.' I'm not telling Heather that though, I want her to like Christian.

"He said he's tried calling you a few times."

"Yup. Must be horny. Well, he can just figure that shit out on his own from now on." She looks hurt.

"He said he called to apologize." Her lips turn into a pout and she shrugs one shoulder unconvincingly.

"Don't care anymore. I'm moving on. I've got a date with Alan Prescott tomorrow. Remember him from my first Bikram yoga class?"

"Alan Prescott? The MMA fighter? Wow, he's hot!"

"I know. He's been asking me out for almost a year and I finally said yes last week. I am hell bent and determined to get over Lucas Sawyer."

Ten minutes later guests have started to arrive. We're all in a private room with Missy and her mom but when Sawyer informs me that Christian is here I excuse myself so that I can show him where to sit. He's already standing in the second row with Elliot and Ethan and I can see they're laughing at something Devin is saying. Please please please don't be about butt sex.


CPOV

"Mr. Christian Grey, savior of small town FedEx/Kinko's super hero defenders and oh forget it you are so hot I can't even finish my thoughts. Come here and let me hug you."

Blue hair. Black skin. Gold sequined bow tie.

"You must be Devin." I say and offer him my hand which he looks at twice and then shakes. Yea, I don't hug.

"My reputation precedes me I see. I'm not surprised."

"I almost didn't recognize you without the glitter." Elliot says with a laugh but Devin waves it off as if it were the most normal comment in the world.

"Can't upstage the bride. Besides, this shirt is vintage and that glitter, that is a bitch to get out. So tell me, have you boys seen our own version of the Supremes yet?"

What?

"Oh yea, you wait. Gold from head to toe. If they stand and start to sing 'Baby Love' it wouldn't surprise me in the least. Well, 'cept for the fact that your Katie and your Annie should never ever ever sing in public. Now, you two just sit down right here and I'll go get our girls."

When he turns I shoot Elliot a grin and we both start laughing again. He's like a cartoon caricature in the flesh right down to the bright blue hair which he apparently has revamped since there is now gold streaks as well.

"He's…different."

"You have no idea. He was in my house for what? An hour? I still don't know where he put my can opener. He said I had no right to own such a kitchen if I didn't know how to arrange it."

I can feel her before I see her and turn towards the pull. She looks beautiful in her gold sequined dress, hair all swept back into a tight bun like a ballerina. Flexible like one too.

"Hi." I stand and kiss her soft lips that taste like watermelon right now and pull back with a smile.

"Watermelon?"

"Mmmhmm. Devin put me together. Can't you tell?" And then I see the sparkles all over her skin where he's 'dusted' her as she says with glitter.

"Well shit, does Katie have that on? It's kinda hot." And then he excuses himself to go find out for himself affording me a few minutes of alone time.

"You look beautiful, baby." Her hand goes to my tie and slides up until she reaches the knot. Her finger is bare and I'm not going to lie, it's starting to really get to me.

"So do you. I didn't realize they made gold ties that weren't tacky." She smiles and then pulls me down for a kiss that takes my feet out from under me. Damn.

"Yes, well, Gail said I should try to match you since this is a wedding and they were all out of gold sequined bow ties." The sound of her laugh, content and caused by me is enough to get me going so I sit before the entire crowd gets a view of my boner.

"Ha! I imagine with Casey and Devin on the prowl, the greater Seattle area is out. They bought ones for Missy's dad and her brother too but for some reason, they refused to wear them."

"So, Ana." I begin when I see that everyone else in our row is distracted. "Biscotti's?" She blushes fifty shades of red and swats at my chest.

"That woman brings you cookies! Who does that? What grown ass woman brings cookies to a man who is involved with someone else?" I have been high on this all day. Her jealousy does a few things. For one, it makes me feel like less of a douche when I get jealous. It also makes me feel wanted and claimed, two things I desperately need from her. And finally, it lets me see Ana at her best. Demonstrative, confrontational, sarcastic and sexy as all hell.

"I don't eat them! I don't even like cookies!" She huffs and crosses her arms, kicking out one gold shoed foot.

"Yea. Well. You better not eat her cookies. Or anyone's cookies!" If she weren't so pissed off this would be adorable.

"I promise not to eat anyone else's cookies or pluck anyone else's daisy…if you know what I mean…" She gets impossibly redder and then bursts into laughter.

"Oh I know what you mean! My god, you are the most inappropriate person I know."

"Well how's this for inappropriate. I scoped out the place before I met up with you. There's a vacant office at the end of the hall to the right before the bathrooms." Shock replaces her laughter and she gapes at me in disbelief. "What? I told you I wouldn't forget."

Ten minutes later the music begins and Logan takes his place in the front, nervous and a bit red in the face but clearly anxious to see his bride. I'm so jealous right now it hurts but I hide it well and drape my arm over Ana, my other hand idly playing with her barren ring finger. Elliot looks a bit put out too, I know he's seen my guy at Cartier but he still hasn't chosen a diamond.

I am at a wedding, holding hands with the woman who I want to spend my life with. On my left is my brother, holding the hand of the woman he wants to marry and to his left is my sister, holding the hand of the man she wants to marry. How in the hell did this happen?

All eyes are fixed on Missy when the doors open but I'm watching Logan. What is that like? To have the woman you love walk down an aisle in front of your family and friends to give herself to you publically? Ana wipes a tear from her eye and then smiles as Missy passes us before leaning against my chest. When we sit she turns her face to me with a look that says, 'soon'. I'm doing my best to be patient but when I want something, I get it. And marrying Anastasia Steele is what I want more than anything.

Once the vows are said and the pictures are taken our group makes its way to the bar to wait for the reception to start. This is usually the part where I'm on my phone in a hallway doing all I can to avoid interacting with anyone but not today. Today, I'm pressed up against the back of my girlfriend, sipping a cheap gin and tonic and laughing at my brother tell a story about two gorillas he saw mating when he took Kate to the zoo over the weekend.

It's odd to be a part of a group when for so long I've been alone. Yet here I am, literally in the middle of a group of people who will somehow be in my life forever once I marry this woman. I've spoken with Missy a number of times but always for business but Lisa and Heather I barely know. If these people are important to Ana and Ana is important to me, then I need to make the effort to know them.

Despite her best efforts not to look, Heather cannot keep her eyes off of Sawyer who's stationed in the far corner of the room. He's here to work so I observe carefully but his resolve remains firm and he watches the doors, occasionally speaking into his watch piece to check in with Taylor who's stationed in the lobby. Even though he's conducted a background check on every guest and every employee, I still authorized the use of every CPO not currently overseas with one of my executives. So tonight, there are no less than 14 of them here. Four are coverts and mingle in the crowd but the rest make it obvious to everyone else that we're not to be fucked with.

"Christian, can I call you Christian?" Casey, Devin's boyfriend begins. Good thing he's gay because he is just the right mix of bleached blond surfer academic type that my sister usually goes for. Ethan would have some serious competition with this one.

"Of course." I answer, like it's the most natural thing in the world for me to go by my first name. Both Elliot and Mia stare but say nothing. The truth is I haven't allowed anyone but my family, Ros and Jamodo to ever call me that. Until Ana of course.

"I wanted to say thank you personally for the new phones. It was a very nice surprise and I understand the need and take it seriously. We all do." The entire group nods and says thank you over and over but Ana just turns to me, head cocked.

"What are they talking about?" Devin pushes through and whips out his phone, brushed gold of course, and starts tapping away at the screen.

"The new iPhone. We all got them after my…oh what should we call it…legal run in with the paparazzi. Your man here outfitted them all with the latest security features and then somehow had our numbers transferred."

"Is that gold?" She says and then reaches out, taking Devin's phone from him.

"Sure is sweets. And look at this, I even got mine with my name monogrammed into it."

"You did this? When?"

"While we were in Africa. After Mr. Janea's little run in we thought it would be best if the people you contacted most frequently were outfitted with the latest security features since they are now being targeted. It's important that texts, messages and pictures that you're a part of are kept confidential." Kate whips her silver phone out along with the everyone else except Mia and Elliot. They get new phones every six months or so already.

"You did all that?"

"Oh he sure did, Annie. And we got to pick out our covers, our apps, our everything. I felt like the celebrity that I am when the Apple rep came to my home. I was like, 'It's about freaking time someone sees the fabulousness that is me.'"

Ana smiles up at me and it feels great that I've pleased her. From this vantage point I have a clear view over her head and down the front of her dress. I'll have to remember that for any tall guys that come over to her.

We're seated at one large round table and I have to say I'm relieved to learn that not only will there be no best man speech, there will be no garter toss, no bouquet toss, no Electric Slide. I may not have been to a lot of weddings but I'd already come up with a plan should someone try to force either me or Ana onto the floor for that shit.

Instead we're served seared duck over wilted greens with a wine that I find palatable. Maybe it's my good mood, maybe it's knowing that soon this will be me and Ana getting married, maybe it's the company. All I know is that despite my jealousy during the ceremony, I'm happy for Missy and Logan. So happy in fact that I don't even care that Ethan Kavanagh is all but sucking my sister's face off in front of me.

"Fucking disgusting, Kate. Do something about that shit or I'm going to." Elliot's growling but Kate just pats his knee and tells him to simmer down.

"Get used to it, E. They've got a room right next to ours in Barbados. You're going to need to get over it and quick." I actually feel bad for him.

"So, Christian. Kate said you guys are going camping with us next weekend?" Lisa, right? Yes, I'm pretty sure that's Lisa. Ana turns to me in surprise.

"You said yes?" Elliot starts laughing and hands the waitress his empty plate with a wink. The eternal flirt.

"He didn't exactly say yes but I left him no real option. Ryan already scouted out the locale and from what I understand, has a few tree stands being erected in the area as we speak. Got to watch for them bears, right Katie Girl?"

"I had my period!" She exclaims red faced. Or shit faced, I'm not sure which one.

Dinner is entertaining. I'm quickly learning that anything with Devin is entertaining but not for obvious reasons. Yes, he's wild and loud and obnoxious but the guy is an emotional genius. I realize his training is in trauma counseling but his emotional acumen is way beyond schooling. He gets people on a level I've never seen before and somehow, no matter who it is, he relates to them. A few months ago, when I was a total fuck up, I'd have avoided him like the plague.

The second the women excuse themselves to 'freshen up' he slides over three seats until he's right next to me. "So, Miiiiiiister Grey. When are you gonna put a rock the size of Gibraltar on our girl's finger?" My eyes dart around but nobody seems to be paying attention to us.

"Don't act like you don't want to either, I see the way you're pie eyeing her, all moonbeams and unicorns. She's worth it too, any hoop you have to jump through, any mountain you have to climb, she's worth it all." He sits back and waves his hand in front of him, puffing out a bit of air before reaching for her crème brulee. "She won't mind, she's more of a chocolate girl."

"See, the thing with our Anastasia that I'm sure you've recognized by now is that when it comes to matters of the heart, she takes a little longer than most girls. It's not that she doesn't want the same thing, it's that she doesn't think she should have it." Another wave of the spoon and shrug of the shoulders before he reaches for, and begins eating Kate's dessert. "You know, mommy issues and all that shit."

"Yes, I've met Carla."

"You have?" He raises his brows and purses his lips, clearly impressed that I've made it that far. "Well don't worry, our Ana is nothing like that C U Next Tuesday and I reserve that word for the worst of them. She is useless as a mother. Well, except for her skin, that girl has the best skin and I'll be damned if that she-devil isn't the one who gave it to her."

"Hey, is he hitting on you?" The soft skin of Ana's arms slide around my neck and she kisses my cheek playfully before swinging over to her seat.

"Oh sugar tits, if I thought he swung that way, you'd have lost that battle already."

"Dance with me." And get me the hell away from this conversation. Her eyes light up and she takes my hand, allowing me to lead her to the dance floor. Elliot and Kate and some elderly couple I don't know are already out here but outside of them, we're the only ones. "We've never slow danced together."

"Mmm, I know. But this is a good place to start and a good song to start with." Our hips line up and sway together to 'Here and Now' by Luther Vandross. "This was my friend Sharon and Adams wedding song. What should our wedding song be?" My heart thumps hard against my rib cage.

"Our wedding? So…you're thinking about that then?"

"Yes, of course." Thank fuck. Because I am seriously about to freak out if I have to wait much longer to make her my wife. How long after we're married until I can get her pregnant? "So, the song?"

"Uh uh. Not until we're married and we're dancing will you get to hear it." She rolls her eyes and sighs, resting her head against my chest. From the corner of my eye I see Mia dab away a few tears as she watches us.

"What if I told you I didn't want this? The big dress and the fanfare? Would that upset you?"

"Baby, so long as you say I do and we get hitched, I'm good. But my mom and Mia would be very upset if we eloped."

"Not elope so much as keep it intimate. I want something that represents us, not what we're supposed to do. I want just our families and close friends. I mean, this is lovely and all but it's not me and it's not you."

"Ana, you're preaching to the choir. I want a marriage, not a wedding. The wedding is the means to an end but I assure you, if we elope, the female Grey's will never forgive either of us." And in this sweet moment of closeness, having a conversation about our wedding and our future I see a finger tap on her shoulder and look up to see a guy with bright blue eyes and blonde hair. Who the hell...

"Ana?" She turns and her eyes go wide as saucers but surfer boy just opens his arms as if to hug her. I don't think so fucker. Instead I pull her under my arm and bring myself to my full height. He gets it. Immediately.

"Paul? What are you doing here?" He smiles at her like she's the light in the room and even though I'm glaring at him he ignores me.

"My girlfriend is Logan's cousin. I thought you might be here when we got the invitation since you and Missy are such good friends. She's still working for you, huh?"

Paul? Paul Clayton? The one other man on the planet that has seen her without her shirt on? This gets shut down now or I'm going to jail for murder. I'd fire Taylor except for the fact that I've never mentioned this douche bag's name to him. Both he and Sawyer are on opposite corners of the dance floor waiting to see how I want to play this out but Ana pleads with her eyes to stay calm.

"Um, oh. I didn't realize you were dating his cousin. Small world. Uh, this is my boyfriend, Christian Grey. Christian, this is Paul Clayton, his brother owns the hardware store I worked at in college." And he's the guy that sucked on your tits.

His hand shoots out and I grip it tightly enough for him to grimace. Step away asshole.

"Big fan of yours, Mr. Grey. I studied business myself in college." I. Don't. Care.

"Paul works at a small hedge fund in Portland." Don't. Care. The arctic chill emanating from me finally reaches him so he cuts off his attempts to kiss my ass and instead turns his attention back to my girlfriend.

"Your business is doing well, I've been following it through the papers. I've tried to reach out a few times but you must have changed your number." I swear to Christ if he asks for her new one I will lay him out right here on the dance floor while Lady GaGa whines about paparazzi.

"I had to change it once I started dating Christian. It was good to see you, tell your brother I said hello next time you see him." Her attempt to get rid of him sits well with me but he refuses to leave and instead asks her how she likes Seattle.

"The firm is thinking about opening up a satellite office here and I've been offered a vice president position should I agree to relocate. From one Portlander to another, how's the Big City?" Conversation over.

"Mr. Clayton, we need to be moving along. Have a pleasant evening." She shoots him an apologetic look and I'm sure I'm embarrassing her but I don't give a flying fuck right now. That man has seen her half naked!

"Let's go."

"Where?" But I say nothing. Instead I drag her behind me like a caveman and motion for Taylor to sweep that back room again while I get a drink at the bar. "Christian. I'm with you, not with him, calm down!"

"Scotch. Rocks. Make it a double." After two burning sips that take the edge off of this anger I finally look at her. "You really didn't know he'd be here?"

"No, of course not. I would have told you had I known even though he means nothing to me. I thought Taylor did checks on everyone?"

"He did but that dick's name isn't on any list. You can bet your sweet apple ass that's changing though. And he may mean nothing now, Anastasia, but he meant enough for you to have taken your shirt off for him. Fuck! You had feelings for that guy and now I've got to watch him drool all over you."

"Baby, you do not have to watch him do anything, I'm with you. I will always be with you. I had the opportunity to be with him and I chose not to before you even came around. Clearly there wasn't much there to start with. I'm not going to dance with him, I'm not even going to talk to him so just relax. I want to have fun and enjoy my friend's wedding, not deal with stuff that means nothing."

She has so much she can throw in my face, so much of my past that she could use as ammunition in this petty fight over a guy that means nothing to her but she doesn't. Inside I struggle with the desire to spank her ass until it's the color of the cherry in her drink. Tomorrow I take her into my playroom and it cannot come fast enough.

"I want you in that back room." Confusion crosses her face and then she grins, rolling her gold dusted shoulders back seductively.

"Oh! The back room. That can be arranged."

"It already has been. Let's go." I shoot the rest of the liquor back and take her hand in mine but between the scotch and her assurances the rage has lessened and in its place is a sincere need to fuck the living shit out of my girl.

Taylor steps aside and opens the door for us when he hears me stomping down the hall. I would love for nothing more than for Paul 'I saw her breasts' Clayton to walk out and see me pulling her in this room.

Inside she reaches for the zipper on her dress but I stop her with one word.

"No." Immediately she recognizes the tone of my voice and stops, hand frozen mid-air. "Lift it up and take your panties off. I want to see what's mine." Her hips wiggle a bit when she slides the gold fabric up around her waist and then shimmies out of a pair of tiny gold thongs. One eyebrow pops up at the same time my hand reaches for her panties.

"Devin."

"He buys you underwear?"

"Um, we all have matching ones." Oh Christ I did not need to know that.

"Ana, you won't need a safe word right now but you will need to be quiet. There are 125 people less than 50 feet away and they all need to walk past this door to get to the bathrooms. It's bad enough some fuck out there has not only seen your breasts but has sucked on them. I don't need him to be reminded about those sexy as sin noises you make too."

"Christian, I didn't"

"Shhh, baby. Fuck time. Not talk time. Now, push down your dress so that I can see those perfect tits that are only ever going to be mine." Her creamy mounds bounce out from the sequined confines of her dress and beg me to touch them. But I won't just yet, I have other plans in mind for those beauties.

"Unzip my pants and take me out." Her hand quickly reaches out to me but I grab her wrist and lift it, kissing the palm of her hand. "On your knees." Damn her lashes are so long from this angle. "Now suck me, nice and slow."

There's only a desk and a chair pushed up against the wall in here but they'll work for what I have in mind. In my head I'm thinking about baseball, the chicken dance, the trip to Rome. Basically anything I can to enjoy the sensation of her giving me head without coming because damn if she's not amazing at this too. Just when I'm about to blow I grab her hair and pull her back, a string of spit connecting her mouth to my dick. So hot.

"Who do you belong to, Anastasia?" With the back of her hand she wipes her mouth and stands, lids heavy with desire. For me.

"You, Christian."

"Show me. Bend over the desk and stick your ass in the air." I need to calm myself down inside because I just might fuck her to death if I don't. I've got a dangerous mixture of lust and rage and the last time this happened, it did not end well. I'm determined not to repeat that mistake but I'm also hell bent on making her walk funny. I let my eyes fuck her first, taking in her supple skin, her delicate feminine folds. "So pretty, Ana. So wet and ready, all for me. Tell me again who you belong to."

"You, Christian." And then I slam into her, grabbing onto her hips as tightly as I can. She cries out and then falls silent except for a low continuous moan into the crook of her arm.

"So tight. You know why you're so tight, Ana?" But she can't answer or she'll yell so I do it for her. "You're so tight because your body was made for me. I'm the only one who's ever fucked you. I'll be the only one to ever fuck you." Her ass is red from my harsh thrusts and it's a shade I like a lot. Yes, I definitely need the playroom.

"Turn around, legs spread, hands above your head. Don't move them." When she's situated I position myself at her hot little opening and slam in again but she's expecting it this time and instead of screaming she bites her lip and lifts her chest off the desk. My hands grab onto her tits and hold tight, the mantra, 'Mine mine mine mine mine' running through my head with each thrust.

"Who do you belong to, Anastasia."

"You, Christian." My fingers pinch each nipple and twist enough so that she can feel a bite of pain but still be able to enjoy the pleasure. Her gasp and the sudden flood of her juice around my cock tell me all I need to know.

"Whose are these, Ana?" God I'm so close.

"Yours, Christian!" I can feel her clench down but that's not what I want just yet so I pull out and let go of her breasts, pulling her off the desk.

"Back on your knees. I want you to watch what you do to me. I'm going to mark you baby so everyone out there knows you're mine." And with her on her knees right in front of me I jack off onto her tits, a fantasy of mine since I first saw her and watch her face when the first hot rope hits her.

"Yes, Christian, yes." She pants and when I'm finished I lift her back to the desk onto her back, burying my face between her legs and sucking her clit like it's the only thing that can save my life. Two fingers pump into her until I feel her clench down again. I add a third and then stop sucking, pulling away and blowing on her. When I look up all I can see is the outline of her ribs and her chest, glistening with my semen.

"Who do you belong to, Ana?" My tongue flicks over that little pulsating nub.

"You!"

"Say my name!" I pull back and watch her throb for me.

"Christian!" Ten quick licks.

"Again!"

"Christian!" This time a whimper with a bit of frustration. Twenty quick licks and my fingers start pumping again.

"Who. Do. You. Belong. To. Anastasia?"

"You! Christian, only you!"

"Don't you ever forget it." I take her over the edge then, sucking on her clit until her thighs tremble and her stomach contracts. Her juice flows over my chin and drips onto my shirt but I don't give a fuck. I'll wear that with pride.

When she finally stops shaking I withdraw my fingers and smear the wetness on my cock so she can see me marked with her as well. The rage is gone but the lust isn't. We aren't nearly finished for the night but what I really want is to have her screaming and this is not the place for that. When I help her to her feet she giggles and reaches for my hankerchief.

"No, Ana." Instead I carefully lift her dress over top of her breasts and zip it up before handing her back her panties. Normally I'd keep them but with him out there, there's no way I'm letting her go pantyless.

"You're serious?"

"Absolutely. I want you to dance with me with my cum all over you while he watches." Her face goes red and her eyes grow big but she surprises me yet again.

"That's hot. And while all those women out there are eye fucking you, you'll have me all over your cock." Oh baby you keep talking like that and we're leaving whether you want to or not.

Sawyer escorts Ana to the table so that I can wash my face. Anyone knowing her scent is a hard limit for me or I'd leave it there all night. When I sit back down she's dancing with the girls with Missy in the middle. She looks so happy. And well fucked.

"I know where you were." Devin says, his chin down on his chest as he looks at me and nods slowly.

"Do you now?"

"Mmmhmm. Where do you think Casey and I were during the salad? I just hope Ana was quieter than I was."


Author's note: I know little about Depo and the pill but the quick internet research I did said there was no lapse in coverage if you switch between the two. HOWEVER, I'd hate to be responsible for any new babies in nine months so...don't take that shit as fact.