The ring on the door signals their arrival and the evening begins. Kate and I sit talking about our latest appointments, comparing and getting nervous together while Elliot helps Christian with some drinks. Elliot starts on beer straight away and to my surprise so does Christian. He normally drinks wine before switching to spirits but that is a combination that results in a bad hangover so perhaps he doesn't want a hangover tomorrow morning.

Gail announces dinner is ready, we all take our seats and the first course is brought in and devoured without much conversation between mouthfuls. Christian and Elliot's first beer has been consumed too quickly.

Christian engages Elliot in talk about the project Christian is helping to fund for Elliot, while Kate and I have a laugh over the recent magazine articles from beach bodies to fashion and who is wearing who designs.

Gail clears away the dishes and returns with the duck course and all the trimmings. I nod at Christian and turn to Kate and Elliot…

"Oh I know what I have been meaning to ask you two, are you free next Friday for a few hours in the afternoon?" I ask as casually as I can.

Kate and Elliot look at each other "I think I can spare some time in the afternoon" says Elliot.

Kate is looking at me suspiciously "What's going on Steele? Spill" she orders

"I wondered if you would mind witnessing something for us?" I'm still teasing them.

"Go on" say Kate "Tell us when and where"

"It's 2.30pm at the Civic Offices, wear something smart" I giggle.

The reality dawns on Kate long before Elliot has a clue what I have been saying.

"No way, really? You are really going to do this?" Kate says excitedly.

"Ok, not wanting to sound dumb here but what is going on?" Elliot pipes up.

"Elliot, they want us to be witnesses for them getting married!" Kate tells him.

"Really?" Elliot looks shocked

"Yes really bro" Christian begins "Will you do this for us?"

"Yes, we would be honored, we would love to but what about Mom, Dad and Mia and Ana's parents?" Elliot asks.

"Mom, Dad and Mia are all coming, Ana's dad too but Carla can't make it" Christian fills them in.

"We have also invited Mrs Jones and Taylor" I chip in "so that means while you boys are getting over your hangovers tomorrow, Kate, Gail and I can go outfit shopping"

"Fantastic" shouts Kate.

"We are also going to have a further blessing at Mom and Dad's house after the twins are born when we can have a really good party with all the family and friends" Christian continues "and then we can have our children with us to celebrate our day"

Awe what a sweet thought and my heart swells at the picture that has grown in my head of Christian all smart and sexy in his suit, me in a bridal gown and the children dressed up in gorgeous outfits having our photographs taken.

Now that that conversation has taken place we can tuck into dinner and a light teasing banter goes around the table. Christian and Elliot are 'lightening up' after 3 or 4 beers and they are alternating between brotherly affection and making challenges to each other that neither could hope to accomplish. Kate and I peel into laughter just listening to them for a few moments.

"So sweetie, have you seen anything you want to wear?" Kate asks me.

"I am a little limited" we both giggle "but there is a shop not too far away that looked a possibility so I thought we can go tomorrow if you want to?"

"OF COURSE I want to go" Kate shrieks in excitement "I might find something for myself"

"Uh oh, the wallet is going to take a bashing tomorrow bro" Kate glares at Elliot and he playfully pokes his tongue out at her.

"Oh shush Elliot, take no notice of him Ana"

Dessert appears and it tastes as fantastic as it looks but then again it's chocolate so it would always taste good. Christian and Elliot are gradually heading toward being hammered but it's so nice to see Christian interact and relax without fear of photo's being taken or his words being overheard and then printed for the world to read.

I top up our drinks before heading into the lounge unbeknown to me, Christian has rigged up our Nintendo Wii, so much for board games. Firstly we all try bowling; surprisingly Kate is a bowling demon and beats us all by miles. Next, too much hilarity the boys try tennis, I have never seen so much flailing, sweating and swearing at a game. Kate and I are absolutely worn out with laughing. Elliot has a bruised knee from diving at a virtual shot from Christian and Christian is nursing a sore shoulder from putting so much effort into his virtual shots. I didn't realise how 'dangerous' this game could be as I wipe another laughter tear from my cheek when Elliot misses an easy shot and has a John McEnroe moment, blaming the computer for allowing a shot when it was clearly out, before regaining his composure to carry on.

Beers are replenished and after Elliot beating Christian they have moved on to the slightly more sedate and marginally less competitive golf game. Kate and I are quite happy sitting with our feet up watching them sweat, laughing when they are acting like children. I don't think I could feel any better about life than I do right at this minute. My soon to be husband playing on the Wii with his brother who happens to be my best friends fiancé, both of us expecting babies-perfect! I don't want the bubble ever to burst.

After about 45 minutes of 'golf', Christian and Elliot collapse onto the sofa, sweaty and exhausted, in need of more refreshment and a towel to mop up some of the perspiration. Kate heads to the kitchen for drinks and I head to the bedroom for a hand towel each.

The decision is made to play a game a little more sedate for a while, Kate picks Buckaroo, goodness it's been a very long time since this has been played but much fun had including Elliot and Christian crawling around the floor picking up the pieces after a particularly good aimed buck. Elliot bangs his head on the table whilst finding pieces, he curses and comes up rubbing his head but I think the alcohol has numbed most areas.

I glance at my watch and its gone midnight; that went fast! I try to stifle a yawn but it sneaks out causing a chain reaction around all of us. The boys shuffle Kate and I to bed saying they will be along shortly, glancing at each other as we know full well it will be a another few beers before they are ready.

"What time are you thinking of shopping tomorrow Ana?" asks Kate.

"Oh whenever we are ready, I just need to give Taylor a couple of hour's notice but I am not planning to be up early" I smile.

"So not before 10am then" Kate laughs.

"Nope definitely not, Night honey" I kiss her cheek.

"Sleep well sweetie" Kate turns and heads into the guest room.

I change into my night shirt, brush my teeth and asleep by the time my head hits the pillow. I have absolutely no clue what time Christian made it to bed but the snoring that ensues when he is lying on his back is horrendous. I nudge him several times and he turns over and it stops only to return a while later.

However, I wake up feeling refreshed and 9.15am is perfectly respectable time to get up, dressing in a casual pair of navy trousers, flat pumps and a white and navy short sleeved swing top, I head to the kitchen. Kate and Gail are already talking at the breakfast bar.

"So how about leaving here in an hour's time Ana?" says Kate.

"Perfect, just have a bite to eat and put some makeup on and I am good to go" I start "oh does Taylor know?"

"Yes Ana, I primed him last night" Gail says smiling "He has got everything worked out"

Great I think as I munch on a piece of toast. Christian delicately walks in still in his pyjama bottoms and no shirt, oh boy, if he wasn't hung over, I wasn't pregnant and we didn't have company, I would have made a move on him.

"Morning honey, would you like some water?" I ask quietly.

"Yes please" comes the whisper back "and a couple of paracetamol if we have any". Gail hands a glass and two tablets to Christian.

"We are going out in an hour honey, ok?" I tell him.

"Ok, be careful baby, I'm going back to bed" and he creeps back toward the bedroom.

"I wonder who will be the first to say they're never drinking again?" Kate comments.

"Until I see what Elliot looks like, I am not going to judge" I chuckle and moments later Elliot comes into the kitchen looking every bit as worse for wear as Christian.

Kate walks over and kisses his cheek and Gail is standing by with a second glass of water and two paracetamol.

"Morning babes" Kate begins "hope you had a nice time last night?"

"Great fun but I am never drinking again" he says and the three of us burst into laughter causing Elliot to grimace in pain at the volume.

"Sorry Elliot, we just didn't know who would say that first" I say fighting a snigger.

"We are going out shortly babes so you go back to sleep" Kate smooth's his forehead for a moment before he returns to the guest room.

We all go to finish getting ready, a little makeup, check for purses, phones and keys, we are ready to head out. I am so excited but have to remember to play down why I am shopping for an outfit. We have already discussed that if asked; we are going to a wedding of a former college friend of ours and hope that knocks them off the trail.

Taylor is already waiting with Sawyer and Peters and we drive off to the boutique store. It only takes about twenty minutes as the traffic is light this morning, we pull up outside the store, Sawyer and Peters do a sweep as normal before Taylor will allow us to get out of the car. The store is quiet thank goodness and we have a moment to browse before the assistant comes over to offer her services.

"May I be of any help to you?" she asks.

"Just looking for the moment thank you" I reply.

"Oh Ana, Ana, look at this" waves Kate frantically.

She pulls out an exquisite dress, a Chiffon Spaghetti Straps Sequins Bodice Empire Style Baby Pink Dress with Flaps Tea Length Skirt. It's beautiful; Kate drags me to the changing room for me to try it on. It feels silky soft and apart from needing a slight adjustment in the length of the straps it looks wonderful. Could I really have been any luckier?

"Ana, it's perfect" squeals Kate "Don't you think Gail?"

"Oh Ana you look beautiful" Gail extolls "That is so lucky to find something right away"

"We just need to find you some jewellery and how would you feel about having a flower in your hair instead of a hat or fascinator?" Kate is really getting into this.

"That's a great idea Kate" Gail joins in.

"Well as it appears I am sorted, we need to get you two kitted out" I say eagerly "Keep looking while I change"

I hand the shop assistant the dress and go to where Kate is looking.

"Hmm, what do you think of this one Ana?" she shows me a two piece dress suit in a creamy beige colour.

"Ooh I like that, go and try it on" I encourage her and she scuttles off to the changing room with Gail and myself in hot pursuit.

"I'm not sure" she says "what do you think?"

"It needs something" I start "you need some colour, nothing bright but something to break up the plainness. What about a scarf?"

"Excuse me, do you have any scarves?" Kate asks the shop assistant and moments later she is back with a variety of lengths, colours and patterns.

We spend a few moments trying each one until Kate shouts "that's the one!" when Gail puts a brown and beige subtle patterned silk scarf around her neck.

"I have the perfect shoes to go with this at home" she clasps her hands together in glee.

"Do you want a flower in your hair too Kate?" I ask.

"Yes please" come's the reply.

Excellent, two outfits down and one to go. Kate disappears to change and I walk back to the rails with Gail and we begin searching. We search and search but nothing hits the spot and I can tell she is disappointed but she tells us she will go shopping again on Wednesday afternoon.

Kate and I go to the counter to pay, I suddenly realize I never even looked at the price tag so before she rings it up I have a look, steadying myself on the counter when I see the $2000 label. I can't buy this, it's crazy money. Kate see's the shocked look on my face.

"Ana I hope you are not thinking what I think you are thinking, because if you are, stop it and get out your bank card and pay" she sternly whispers to me.

"What if Christian goes nuts at the cost?" I shudder at the thought.

"He is rich, rich, rich, $2000 is like pocket change to a man who is a billionaire" her eye plead with me to buy it, so I reluctantly hand over the bank card and pay.

Kate's dress came in at $1250 and she didn't bat an eyelid but Kate comes from a wealthy family, whereas I always had to be careful.

We leave the store and head back to Escala with happy faces and lighter purses.


A/N: Thank you for your support. Some of the readers have commented about the CG's cold nature towards Ana. Yes, he is cold, because of what he has been through, on some level, he is still holding back from her. He is afraid of completely losing himself... He will get there but not just yet and will be discussed in a later chapter. It's a long journey. Habits of a lifetime cannot be changed in a short time.