End of Year
DECEMBER 2016
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Fw: Compulsory Message from the Health Department
This is an email marked with high importance.
Forwarded content below:
There is an outbreak of a very contagious viral disease. It is commonly known as a type of flu. It is contagious through air and spit.
Major symptoms may include but not limited to: cold, fever, fatigue, feeling weak.
It has affected more children and elderlies, and of the 6 people that has already died, 2 of them are kids and the rest are Seniors. It is believed to be stemmed from the coast line on both sides.
To prevent the spread of the disease:
Wash your hands thoroughly and constantly
Wear masks whenever you and your family are going out
Avoid dense population
Always keep warm and drink water
Do not use your hands to rub your nose and eyes
Keep your children and elderlies from going out as much as possible
It is currently not mandatory to wear masks inside of the workplace, however it is very important to wash your hands with soap, especially when you return from outside or before you eat. It is highly recommended that you remain indoors as much as possible and avoid travelling as well as crowded areas.
Anastasia Steele
Head of Anesthesiology Department at the Northwest Medial Center
End of forwarding content.
Christian T. Grey
CEO of Grey Enterprise Holdings
…
"I didn't know we have a health department," Christian joked. His phone was on the vanity with FaceTime connected to Anastasia's. He had just forwarded the email she sent him earlier to everyone in the company.
"You have now," she bit back spitefully. He had been trying to get on her last nerve lately. "I'm serious, you need to schedule that meeting to a teleconference. There is no way you are going anywhere, even it's just Portland."
"No one has heard of this."
"It's not in the news yet, but it's going to be very soon," she stressed. She was laying spread eagle on her bed in the hotel room in Brazzaville, Congo, where she and Adam and a few others were sent to check in with their medical team sent over a few years ago. It was the trip that was the product of shitty budget planning by the hospital organization. "There is a reason that I know these things first, because I work in a hospital."
"Okay," he conceded, clearing having caught on her tone. "I'm already getting to work hours later than I usually do, which is exactly obeying your orders."
"Good! You should, because I'm kicking you out of the house if you dare catch that flu due to your lack of self-awareness."
"You really sound more like my wife than my girlfriend," he jested, peeking at the phone as he adjusted his tie. She was also half-paying attention to the video, but at least that wouldn't make her pay extra phone bills.
He heard her scoff but he still grinned at the idea nonetheless.
"Wear a mask," she reminded as he picked up the phone to walk out of the closet.
"See?" He picked up a mask and held it in front of the phone for her to see.
"Good boy," she smirked making him narrow his eyes at her. "You have to take this seriously, Christian. Wait until you got caught with the flu and we'll see how sassy you're going to be."
"I am taking it very seriously. I forwarded your email, got a mask, and got to work late. All of those are your requests. Don't tell me you're going to make me reinforce the mask at work."
"We'll see. You don't have to for now, since not many of them are aware of it. But, you haven't seen how serious it has been in the hospital. The nurses in those ICUs looked like they were battling Ebola."
"Isn't that in Congo?"
"That started in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which isn't where I am."
He shuddered, she was still in Africa, which still scared him to death.
"Granted, the condition isn't much better here."
He sat down at the breakfast bar and tucked into his omelet that Gail placed before him. She and Taylor had been occupying the guest room lately since Anastasia was rarely home lately.
"Take Tucks to the dog park on the weekend if you can?"
"I will. I have been taking him to the dog park in the morning, too, but there's no one."
"Duh, you run in the middle of the night."
"Nah, just very early in the morning."
"Same difference. Tucks needs to socialize. I think he's doing well with other dogs, though there is one guy who's got a golden retriever that likes to get close to Tucks."
"Is he the one with the dog that constantly gets into fights with Tucks?"
"Yes, that golden retriever is brutal, man. I mean it. On top of that, that owner doesn't seem to get the hint that I'm not interested in him no matter how he tries to get close to our dog."
"He's trying to groom you?"
"I think so," she was less confident now. "We rarely show up at the dog park together because whenever we take him out, we go for a long stroll. He probably thinks I'm the dog walker or something."
"Or maybe I'm the dog walker for you?"
"You look too prestigious to be a dog walker, pretty boy. I look more down to earth. Then again, did that guy approach Tucks when you take him out?"
"Not really. He still tries to pet Tucks though."
"Tucks won't let anyone pet him. He hates it when strangers touch him for some reason. He also hates it when I touch other dogs."
"He's jealous."
"I wonder where he gets that from."
"He can't possibly know that I'm the jealous type. He hasn't seen me in action," he defended lightly making her laugh.
Their conversation faded into a comfortable silence as they both focused on doing their own thing with the FaceTime still connected, and they could hear noises in each other's background.
"Anything updates?" She asked, rubbing her face tiredly after a few more beats of silence.
She had flew there the first Monday of December, and was due back a week later. They barely had a few days together as he returned to Seattle before her to ensure that they were on top of the situation this time, and also to check on Taco.
Leila and Susannah were both arrested, and Rebecca reportedly went to bail them out, notwithstanding the eligibility to actually do so for committing a felony. At least they were now under supervision, and they knew the address of their apartment.
"Taylor is advocating to obtain a search warrant since none of them are willing to talk."
"So, court date?"
"Nothing," he shook his head. He had a feeling that no one's heart was actually on work since it was nearing the end of the year, and all they were really waiting for was to go on holiday and spend time with family.
"This is such a shitty time to sue someone."
"It's a shitty time to sue anyone anytime, really."
"End of the year is usually the busiest for everyone, and many of them really don't have their mind on their work anymore."
"Yeah…" he echoed as he chewed on the last bit of his omelet. "I'm heading off to work now," he stood up and thanked Gail.
"Okay, I'll let you go, but wash your hands and wear a mask, Christian. I mean it!"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Also, don't chew your nails these days," she stressed.
"Yes, mom."
"Don't mom me."
"Okay, wife."
Now it was Anastasia's turn to roll her eyes. They had never broached the topic of marriage in a serious manner, it was always mentioned and brushed away or joked about, like now.
"I love you," she bid.
"I love you, too, bye," he echoed and hung up the video call completely unaware of the gaping from his personal staff. "What?" He asked the couple who were staring at him immobilized.
"She said it," Gail couldn't help contain her glee while Taylor simply cleared his throat and petted Taco on the head.
"She said what?" Christian frowned, he felt so disconnected from them at the moment. Recalling the hour-long conversation he had with his girlfriend since he woke up this morning, he didn't find anything unusual.
"She finally said it!" Gail bounced on her spot, attracting Taco's attention and he bounded over equally excited, only for different reasons.
Christian stared at her for a moment longer before finally registering what she was so delighted over. The smile that slowly turned his frown upside down also made Taylor release a breath.
"She said it," he assented in an almost dreamy tone. "Yes!" He leapt up from his spot and charged at Taco, momentarily stunning the dog, then he made a run. "Tucks, she said it!"
Taco gave no indication that he had heard anything but was enjoying being chased by Christian.
He arrived the office receiving strange looks from everyone, though not many voiced their reasons for shooting him the looks. Ros, as always, was the first one.
"What's with the email this morning? You look hideous in that mask by the way."
"Doctor's order. Ana said the flu is spreading nationwide now."
"What flu?"
"A flu believed to have stemmed from the coastlines are now spreading along the line and to inner states. There are already several people diagnosed with it in Seattle and isolated."
"So, Ana is our health department now?"
"She has the potential," he shrugged still with that mask on. "I would've made it more GEH original and have Andrea send it out later, but Ana made me do it the moment I got it."
"She's not even in the States and you're still so compliant? Man, you are seriously whipped," Ros laughed, slapping her hand over his shoulder as they entered the conference room for the executive meeting that Ros had called.
Christian shrugged. He didn't see it like that. He now truly thought that men who were afraid of their wives were the ones that truly loved them, and wouldn't dare to disappoint them. He was just the kind. He wouldn't want to disappoint Anastasia by going against her reasonable wishes.
"She'll be back soon," he said with no reason. "She said the disease hasn't been made public yet but it will very soon, because there are more people admitted to the hospital with each passing day and very little people are actually aware of it."
"Why isn't it reported sooner?"
"She said it's rather new. It just spreads really fast. So, probably only happened recently."
"Are you going to wear this mask in the meeting, too?" Ros stared at him in utter disbelieve. For one, she knew that she'd never wear this hideous mask anywhere even if Gwen insisted it, unless someone was sick around her. She was also under the impression that Grey took shit from no one, yet he was now looking ridiculous all because his girlfriend from across the globe told him to.
"We'll see. I just might," he smirked but she couldn't see it, still, she knew that he said this just to spite her in some way.
…
Anastasia was due back very late Sunday evening, but Christian was going to wait up. He was finally talked out of going to the airport to pick her up since the hospital had a bus for the team, so he had decided to wait for her at home with some refreshments and Taco.
Her flight back was extremely tiresome, with three stops on the way and spending over thirty hours on the road. He had a feeling that if he wasn't in a good mood they would be getting into fights the moment they saw each other. So, he knew that he had to behave so he wouldn't get on her last nerve.
It was already past midnight, and the door had yet to be opened. Taco had long fell asleep by his feet, snoring his ass off like he was in a recording studio with soundproofed walls. Christian was tempted to wake up his pet from his seemingly peaceful sleep when he twitched himself awake. He watched the dog stretch his four legs with his eyes closed, turned onto his back so that his stomach was in the air and taking up Christian's entire two feet, then heaved out a sigh; all with his eyes closed.
He chortled lightly at that lazy behavior, and shook his head, he knew Taco would be the first at the door when Anastasia arrived. He picked up his phone and clicked into the album that contained all the pictures of them at all the end of year celebrations that they attended, from the hospital performance where he had recorded her leading a hip hop dance with a few other nurses from the operation room, to the charity events that his parents used to attend due to his mother's position on the board. It had been a hectic few days, and he couldn't recall eating a single meal at home with her since she returned from London.
Between the time she met him back in Seattle and the Monday she departed for Brazzaville, they only had three whole days together—Friday and the weekend—which were all filled with social engagements.
On the one hand, he was glad that he could have a reason to turn down the other demanding functions when she wasn't in town; on the other hand, he missed her terribly during the times when she was away. It wasn't helping that they were separated for the majority of the last two months of the year.
Smiling wistfully at the pictures, he recollected some of the bittersweet memories. The celebration from Northwest was seriously a social networking experience for him. He was invited to be seated among the hospital authorities and some other politicians, and instead of allowing him to enjoy the one performance where his girl very reluctantly agreed to partake in, he was forced into dialogue after dialogue of business.
He placed down his phone and picked up the rough draft of their cover interview. It was an experience that he'd probably never forget. That was his very first interview where he delved into his personal life.
"Your press conference has made a profound impact in the media, and stirred up various reactions from the public. You are a man of few words in public, so what made you give that impromptu speech about justice being overrated?"
"I was in a dire situation starting at the beginning of this year, as everyone is aware. I am constantly under huge pressure and stress. The entire thing made me question my entire belief system of my entire life, and doubt everyone around me. The press conference happened at a time when I thought everything would return to normal but didn't due to reasons beyond my control. I felt let down… so, as the more intrusive and rather inappropriate questions continued to fire in my direction, all those pent up frustration sort of just exploded."
"Anastasia was the only woman who has been romantically linked to you, publicly known. She was asked what her opinion on the situation had been early on in the stage, and she said that she'd support you in any way she could. You also said that you weren't together at the press conference in January. Speculations are now rising that there's more to your relationship."
"I'm not sure what you are implying by 'more', but it is universal fact that I am extremely private. Ana and I did break up four years ago on amiable terms. We remained friends. We have a bond that is really special, and deep, and I think that is what got us through. We were barely in contact during the four years apart. I didn't tell her that she needs to help me, but she just stood up for me."
"Ana, you fought an uphill battle to save Christian. You put your life on hold for him and your decision has hindered everything in your life, including how you were viewed by the public. Why were you so determined to drop everything to run to his aid?"
"All personal sentiments aside, I did this as a way to show him that he wasn't alone because he did the same to me when we first met."
"Can you elaborate a little on it?"
"Christian and I are both very private regarding our personal lives, and despite everything that we've been put through, we've never talked about our relationship to the public. In spite of speculations that our relationship might be more complicated than a traditional one, it is actually simply a relationship formed because we are in love with each other. It wasn't exactly love at first sight, and we did forge a rather complicated relationship back then, but we soon simplified everything, and just settled as a couple. Without divulging any details, he helped me to stand back on my own feet when we first met, so I wanted to help him do the same and feel cared for. In my opinion, I didn't think that I've gone out of my way to accomplish such tasks because I believe that I was capable of helping him."
"It appears to us that you were the only person who stood by his side, along with his personal staff and employees, and we—the public—are silently wondering the role his family had played. Christian, you have once spoken highly of your parents but you've never given credits to the family friend, Elena Lincoln, who claims to have been equally supportive. Why is that?"
"I'm not sure how much of the media the general public believes, but Elena wasn't correct in a lot of aspects. While I am not connected to Kaetlyn, the reporter who has released all of the footage of my childhood and adulthood to justify my name to the public, I will say that what she has published are all facts. So, it is pretty self-explanatory as to why I made no acknowledgement of Elena. It is already very sad that I need to reveal every sordid details of my life to justify myself to the public, since it is my life and nobody else's business. But, it is even pitier that I actually have to rely on someone that is completely unrelated to me in anyway shape or form, namely my girlfriend, to save my life because my parents failed to do so."
"So, it is safe to conclude that the criminal mastermind—the culprit—behind all this scandal is Elena Lincoln?"
"Yes. My parents are also her victims in this sense."
"Elena's funeral happened in mid-September, just a couple of months ago, and attenders have reported sighting of your parents. Were you aware of the event? If so, why are your parents present if what Kaetlyn has reported was true? And, why didn't you go? As the saying goes, leaving the past in the past just so you can move on to your future."
"I am aware of the event taking place, but that time is also around my girlfriend's birthday, so I have to get my priorities straight. And, of course, my girlfriend is way more important than seeing an enemy being laid to rest. As for my parents, I honestly do not know why they did what they did."
Taco's startled bark made him leapt out of his seat, nearly having the manuscript thrown over the couch. He followed the dog as he trotted to the door where they could hear the jiggling sound coming from the fumbling of a chain of keys.
And, with the increased wiggling of Taco's tail as well as the tilting of his adorable humongous head, Christian knew for sure who was on the other side of the door.
He was very tempted to just snatch it open but he didn't want to startle her. So, he waited patiently for the door to be pushed open followed by the warm welcoming committee consisting of Taco, and Taco only.
"Tucks! Hey, baby!" Once the door was opened, she quickly dragged her luggages into the apartment and locked the door behind her. The moment she turned around, the pooch attacked. "I need to go change first okay, honey?" She gently removed his paws from her body and blew him a kiss through her medical mask.
"I took him to the dog park today," he told her. "But there were very few people."
"The flu broke out, and it made the news."
"I read," he followed her into the bedroom and leaned against the doorway. "A few of my employees called in sick because their kid got sick right after your email. Though, it is thanks to your email that way less people in my company got affected than many others."
"You've got a health department now, Grey."
"I do," he chortled awkwardly, matching her wry grin.
"Don't take him to the dog park anymore. Just take him out on walks nearby, and let him relieve himself. That's it, he can't play outdoors now."
"I thought the news are exaggerating a little."
"No, they're not. The disease broke out in West Yellowstone and medical professionals from the west coast are already called for backup. Adam and I are lucky that we're not needed, because our colleagues probably won't be back for Christmas and the New Year."
"That really sucks," he echoed her sympathies toward the team assembled from all the hospitals to Montana.
"When I sent you that email, Montana was already falling and all its bordering states are affected as people all prepared to head home for the end of the year. Idaho state is ready to enter emergency status even before it broke out this violently. So, I was going to suggest that you think about shutting down the building for the time being and have everyone work at home, to stop people gathering. I forbad you from going to Portland or anywhere for business because of the exact reason why I wanted you to consider working at home."
"Is it had enough that I have to risk productivity by letting everyone go home?"
"Yes, you'll just have to trust them to stay online all the time. Washington State should be fine given that it is already prepared to isolate the entire state. Central America is more worrying at the moment."
"Okay, I will consider it and consult the executive team," he was still hung up on the fact that he still didn't receive a proper greeting, and she had finished changing. He wouldn't consult with anyone regarding the decision, but he would still like to know the feasibility of bringing work home.
He followed her out to the kitchen and tidied up the coffee table that he was at earlier on his way. The manuscript caught her attention and she picked it up, scanned at it, and grinned. She was equally fond of the experience, not precisely the memory.
They had been absolutely professional and diplomatic that day. Too much that they even felt cringed.
"You've changed after you got home, right?" She queried the same time she opened her suitcase and laid it out onto the kitchen floor just so she could take stuff out. He couldn't for the life of him understand why in the world would she feel the need to clear out her suitcase in the middle of the night after a thirty hour plus travel.
"I did. I wouldn't dare not following your instructions, baby."
"Good," she tossed the neatly folded clothes onto the kitchen counter and the suitcase was almost empty other than a few small boxes scattered around. Then, she leapt up to her feet and threw herself at him.
He stumbled backward and out of the kitchen, he could feel the air getting knocked out of his lungs but the joyous giggles coming from the side of his head distracted him from the discomfort.
"I missed you, Christian," she squeezed him tighter with her four limbs that were wrapped around him, nearly strangling him as she squealed in his ear in a small voice.
"I missed you, too, baby," he returned the tight embrace equally fiercely. There he thought she wasn't happy to see him, in the end, she just wanted to get the serious business out of the way first. "You need to go on less trips."
"I do," she nodded furiously against his shoulder. "We've been apart for so long."
He sat down on the couch and brought her into his lap. When their eyes met, there was only love, adoration, affection, and longing in them. She cupped his face and he mirrored her move, and they both inched closer, until their lips touched.
That was when they let out a content sigh in unison as their eyes closed to savor this sensation of homecoming.
"I love you," she declared against his lips. He beamed at her and resumed their kiss, only more passionate this time.
"And, I love you," he parroted, still with a beaming smile.
She straightened her legs so they were intertwined with his, and she shuffled up the length of his body so their fronts were touching and her face leveled with his.
"Are you hungry?" He whispered quietly to her, and he felt the slight shake of her head on his shoulder. She was already on the verge of entering a very deep and peaceful sleep, and he wasn't planning on interrupting it. "Let's just go to bed," he decided, sitting up slowly, carrying her with him as he stood from the sofa and head toward their room.
Taco trotted out of the guest room at the commotion from the living room just in time to catch the lights being flicked off and his owners making their way to their room. At that sight, he seemed satisfied to return to his collection for some shut-eye. His bed long abandoned in the living room, untouched. He returned to the corner in the guest room where all of his toys and his many spoils of war. It was now snuggled around him forming a tight circle of warmth.
…
"Where have you been?"
"Out on a run with Tucks."
Anastasia shot her eyes open and glared at the back of his head angrily.
"How many times do I have to tell you that you have to stay indoor!"
"There's no one out there."
"It doesn't fucking matter! Christian, the flu is serious despite what has been reported in the news. Go run on the treadmill."
He scowled at her. He knew firsthand that he had to take his own wellbeing and health seriously, after all, he was the one who kept chastising her for not taking her security and safety seriously. He was the one that would urge her to eat when she didn't have an appetite. It was ironic how he had always been the one to reprimand her but it was the other way around now.
Obviously, they both still had issues.
It had been six months since he came out of intensive therapy. Career wise, he should be well into the millions, yet he was still tittering at the edge of hitting a hundred million. Personally, he should have already moved past the fiasco and moved on with life, yet nothing went according to plan.
Not with his work and not in his personal life.
It was just beyond frustrating, and it was nearly Christmas.
Before he knew it, everyone would be off to celebrate the holiday seasons with families and friends while he mulled over his own miserable life that he couldn't seem to pick up. Something was lurking in the shadow to certify that he couldn't live his life normally.
He didn't want to act so whiny and clingy, but he really felt like he was lacking the support from the one person that meant more to him than anything.
Yet again, she was at work.
Work.
He was starting to loath that word.
She had been back for a couple of days now, but other than the first night which was blissful and sweet, they spent very little time bonding. Given the severity of the flu, he gave into Anastasia's pestering suggestion that he move his work home just to prevent more people from getting affected.
Taco strolled around the small apartment gloomily, seemingly have felt the atmosphere in the room growing heavier with each passing day.
In addition to all the pent up frustration, his gut intuition was telling him that they wouldn't be having a peaceful holiday.
2016 is cursed.
…
Christmas was just days away, but he felt nothing Christmassy. GEH had began the holiday a few days early this year due to the flu that was now all the news stations report. Anastasia still had to work until the day before Christmas Eve.
He wanted to talk everything out with her before the holiday seasons but their time was either spent at some charity gala, or her working late.
"Christian, you voiced your concern regarding the effectiveness of the series of therapy sessions with your siblings."
Flynn snapped him out of his musing. Anastasia was currently at work and he was on the phone with his therapist trying to get to the bottom of this impending stress that he felt like would blow up in his face sooner or later.
"Yes, I have. Elliot is wrecking my life when I am trying to make progress. Mia isn't really supportive of this idea."
"Have you voiced your concern with anyone else?"
"Heck no, who would I turn to?"
"Who do you normally turn to?"
"Ana?"
"And?"
"She's not home. She hasn't been lately. With the flu and the end of the year approaching, she has been even busier than me."
"Have you tried forcing her to talk to you?"
"We do talk. Just not about anything heavy. We still cook together on Sundays when she's home."
"Communication is important, Christian. When you came to me about Ana's nightmares, I told you that I would recommend someone for her but only if she's willing. If she's not, there is nothing you can do other than to lend an ear."
"I do, but she doesn't like to talk about it. I didn't pester her too much because she's been draining herself lately and I just want to be supportive. You told me that I have to weigh my options and recognize my priorities, and right now, I don't believe that my priorities should be to construct a close rapport with my siblings when they are less than willing. I should just probably focus on my life and my family, which only consists of Anastasia."
"So, you are just going to give up on your siblings because they keep letting you down?"
"It's the same with Isaac. I am incapable of helping him just like I am not in the stage to be the one to reach out to my siblings and take the initiative to bond with them, when all they've done is watch as my life blows up."
"Have you pondered on the fact that maybe they don't know how? You have been difficult growing up and perhaps they haven't found the correct method to get along with you?"
"And, that's my problem?"
Flynn nodded solemnly, and Christian puffed aloud, throwing his arms up in frustration as if there was nothing that could be said to pounce into this dense British mind sitting next to him.
"Ana got along with me just fine."
"She is your lover, Christian. You are willing to spend time with her to get to know her. Your siblings are a different case. You have the choice to cut Ana off but you don't have it with your family."
"That's just bullshit!"
"What reasons do you have to cut your family off, then? You've done so to your parents with rightful reasons that you can justify to sooth your conscience, but what of your siblings? Because they're unsupportive and make mistakes?"
Christian huffed.
"You are placing the blame of the media's fuck-up on your siblings."
"And, you're saying that they're innocent?"
"Did they tip the press?"
"No."
Flynn then stared at him expectantly.
"You just don't want to work on the more gritty problems. You think sorting out the issues with Ana is easier, so you opt to ignore the potential ones that could fest and turn your relationship with your siblings even uglier. How's that different from Ana's coping mechanism of scraping it under the rug?"
He continued to identify the current issues with Flynn, and the more he talked, the more confused he felt and the more he believed that the method Anastasia chose to just brush away the problems rather than taking the time to sort through them had hindered their progress in moving forward.
But, she was blaming it on her hectic schedule.
…
The decorations were up in the apartment on Thursday night, and Friday was her last day. Anastasia would finally be relieved from her duties. Her last day consisted of attending meetings and an auction, which resulted her coming home with a wad of cash in her hands, and as always, she gave half to Christian.
"I was thinking," she nestled in his arms as they laid on the couch that night, Taco on the rug before them in the living room, and they all stared at the small Christmas tree at the corner. The fireplace alit with a tiny fire that barely conducted any heat, just contributing to the cozy atmosphere.
"Yeah?"
"Maybe we should move back to Escala."
That effectively broke their peaceful night and he tensed up slightly.
"What made you- why?"
"Living here bothers me."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. I can't quite put a finger on that feeling but there's just something that's been bothering me for a while. I don't know what exactly it is. I just have this feeling that if we force ourselves into the environment that we were in before everything blew up in our faces, perhaps the questionable feeling would stop?"
"We can do it after the New Year. If you really do want to move back to Escala," he compromised and he knew some would call this spoiling her by giving into her commands every time she voiced it. He was the one that was scarred from the memory in that penthouse.
He was putty in her hands, and he would proudly admit it when it didn't compromise her safety and health; he'd rarely object her.
"I want to get it sorted before the next year. Maybe we can have an independent fresh start for 2017. I don't know what is the root of the problem."
…
"Carrick, you have been trying to reach me. I apologize for the inconvenience. It has been a pretty chaotic time, you know, to tie the loose ends for the end of the year."
"I understand, and I hate to trouble you with anything but is there a way that you can speed up the adoption process?"
"How fast?"
"Maybe before the New Year?"
Silence followed but it was a mute confirmation.
"Now, we're even, Carrick."
"We are. Thank you and Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," the man hung up the phone and blew out a frustrated breath. "What a selfish prick."
Thank you for reading and reviewing!
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