APOV

"I was getting used to a large bed and now we're back to small again" Christian groaned, pulling me closer to him as I once again slept on his chest.

"You could've had the large bed all to yourself" I stated as I started placing kisses upon each of the scars on his chest, starting with the one closest to my lips.

"And miss the chance of spending the night with you, never."

Lifting my head, I looked to the clock on the dresser, the time just after 9 am. We were in the guest room at Kate's where I was supposed to be spending last night alone but after our groups merged, there was no way Kate was going to separate herself from Elliot in her drunken state and I'd been in no rush to leave Christian either.

Luke, I think had taken the couch unless during the night he had decided to go home.

The bed we were in now wasn't a single as Christian was making out but compared to the king-size bed he had at Escala, this was considerably smaller. It was cosy though, as was any other bed that we slept in due to how close we were when we sleep.

"Kate was telling me all about this gala, and what will be there. She's looking forward to going, as am I."

"Ah more wasted hours spent with Katherine Kavanagh. Are you sure we can't ditch her once we get there" he teased, jumping when I smacked his chest.

"Be nice."

"I am, I was the perfect gentlemen to her last night, I even said hello."

A giggle left my lips at the serious way he said it. I don't know if Christian and Kate will ever be friends, especially as Christian liked his privacy and Kate was just nosy. As long as they tolerated each other when I was around, that was enough for me.

"What's happening today, before the gala I mean," I asked him.

"Well, I would like to start my day, making love to my girlfriend but not being in my home or yours, that doesn't feel right. Instead, I will settle for a kiss, one that will see me through the day until we're alone tonight."

"I like that, and tonight?"

"You're all mine" he replied.

He kissed my lips, just a peck, groaning as I licked his own. Christian was just about to deepen the kiss when we were disturbed by a knock on the door.

"Put her down" Luke called out from the other side.

"No, I refuse to" Christian shouted back.

"Are you ok Luke" I laughed.

"Yes, Boo. I'm just heading home to get changed, I will meet you all at the gala later."

"Alright, see you then" Christian called out.

"You too, and put her down."

We heard him laughing, Elliot too who banged on the door as he passed. Knowing we would not get any peace together until this evening, we did what the others had done and got up.

…

The field beside the hospital was vast, one that had a redundant helipad on the other side. Every inch of the field seemed to be filled with people, fairground rides too, stalls containing games you could play, while others sold food.

"It's like a carnival," Kate said, just behind us as we walked through the throng of people in search of Carrick and Grace.

"That's the general idea, babe" Elliot replied as we continued our search.

We found them, Christian and Elliot's grandparents too by a small stage, one that had a DJ on, who at present was blasting music out. The music seemed to have moved from the noisy bars we visited before Sawyers last night following us to the fairground. To be honest though, despite the noise, this place looked more fun.

"Hello, my dear" Grace said, pulling me in for one of her motherly hugs. I had missed them over the years as I had never received any from her.

"Hello, Grace, Carrick" I spoke, receiving a kiss upon my cheek from him.

They said hello to Kate, although there was no hug or kiss from the Greys. This was nothing to be alarmed about and Kate certainly didn't seem worried about it. I had a history with this family even though we had been parted for many years. Despite them being welcoming to my best friend, the closeness to her would only come with time.

"Where's Mia, she said she was coming. She seemed excited, too excited I think when I told her we would be here," Christian asked.

"She has volunteered to man one of the games, one she's hoping you two will take part in" Grace laughed, nodding to Christian and his brother, before smiling to Luke when he joined our group. "You too…. put me down" Grace squealed as Luke lifted her up before spinning her around and then continued to do the same to me.

"Why do I think I'm not going to like whatever Mia is planning" Christian grumbled.

"Ah, son just like you've done with everything else since Ana's returned, embrace it and have fun" Carrick laughed as we watched Grace take to the stage with two men.

We were welcomed to the Gala by one, told to donate big by the other. Grace then declared the Gala open and told everyone just like Carrick had told Christian, to have fun.

Fun was something we were all having, well until the witch arrived. A witch who was welcomed by none.

"Grace, Carrick, how wonderful is this" Elena Lincoln spoke, her words as fake as she was because she looked and was dressed like she would rather be anywhere else than here. Here being the middle of a field, instead of some fancy restaurant or ball.

I heard the elder Grey's let on although she was ignored by the younger generation. Christian especially was having too much fun to pay attention to her and soon so was I as his lips met mine, joined together after we had eaten a hot dog from opposite ends, meeting in the middle.

"You two, I can't take you anywhere" Luke laughed, finishing his own hot dog off.

I'm surprised I was able to eat anything and keep it down after being dragged by Luke onto the Ferris wheel before. Going up wasn't too bad, coming down again was much better but having the seat rocked by him while we were what felt like miles up in the air, I had no doubt that those on the ground, by their smiles and laughter when we descended had heard my screams.

"It's you who I won't be going anywhere else with again" I complained.

"What, I only went on a ride with my best friend. I made sure to take you on before you ate something, I've got to get points for that. Plus, you two were away in Africa for July fourth, I had to make up for some of the fun you missed out on."

"I forgot about Independence Day" Christian admitted. "Out there it's a whole different world that nothing outside of that bubble seems to exist."

"I agree," I said before looking to Luke "I'll let you off as long as you go in the dunk tank. You've been avoiding it and Mia all day, you too" I said to Christian.

"Me, what have I done wrong" he protested.

"You had a millimetre more hot dog than me."

"A millimetre, that's a crime" he laughed.

"Of course, it is, plus you've been avoiding your sister too. She's bound to find you at some point, it's best to get it over with."

"I'll do you a deal," Luke told me. "Christian and I will go in the dunk tank, as long as you do too, Three best friends together."

"Umm, you do know that Ana will get all wet," Christian asked him.

"Of course, if the target is hit. That's the point."

"And you're alright with your girlfriend, our best friend walking around with a top that will no doubt become see-through."

"I hadn't thought of that" Christian replied, bringing his hands into fists to hit the first man who would look at me.

"Don't worry, this top won't be see-through so calm down. To be honest, I could do with cooling down and it looks like fun" I told them. "The three monster musketeers together" I spoke, placing my hand out in front of me, to which the boys quickly joined mine. Raising them with a laugh from us all, we heard laughter behind us from Grace.

"I haven't seen you do that for years" she spoke, a beaming smile on her face. The one stood beside her though looked like she had swallowed something sour.

"We can only do it when we're together," Luke told her.

"I so glad that you are" she smiled at him, to one she always classed as a son too.

"Is this where all the fun is" I heard spoken from behind us, as Christian whipped his head around before getting to his feet.

I didn't know who this couple was that now approached but from the way Christian looked at them with a smile filling his face, they must be important to him.

"It sure is" Christian replied, shaking the man's hand before after the briefest of moments he kissed the woman's cheek. I thought it strange until he introduced them to me as to why he waited.

"Ana, this is John and Rhian Flynn."

"A pleasure to meet you," I said, knowing now who these two were.

His mentor and his submissive, although as I see them now speaking to my boyfriend, speaking to me they acted no different than any couple here. Christian had waited for permission to kiss Rhian on the cheek, as was right he told me in their world but that was more because of the friend he was to them and the knowledge of how their relationship worked. Even though Christian had not been in that scene for a while, he still respected that others are, respected them but not the woman who continued to try and insert herself into our conversation with not much luck at all.

"Are we doing this or what?" Luke asked, nodding to the dunk tank.

"You're going in" John laughed when he asked Christian.

"Of course," he replied.

"Please Christian, never let this one go," he said, smiling to me. "If she can get you in there with all the press around, she can get you to do anything."

"No worries there, I don't plan on ever letting her go" he stated before placing a kiss to my upturned lips.

As we started to walk away, the woman desperate for attention who was losing her patience at not being included called out Christian's name as he finally turned to her.

"What," he asked, his voice raised just as much as hers which seemed to embarrass her, highlighting her desperate need for attention.

"Are you really going to bring yourself to their level. Wouldn't you be best suited to writing a cheque" she spoke quieter now, nodding over to the dunk tank where Elliot sat upon it, two children, one who was in a wheelchair, laughing loudly as they took it in turns to throw balls at the target.

"Their level, that's my brother who's having fun and I'm going to join him" he replied as the children cheered when Elliot hit the water. "Everyone is here to have fun, if you don't want to join in, I would suggest you leave."

With that he turned his back on her, his arm draped over my shoulder as we followed Luke over who was now talking to Kate and a very soggy but happy Elliot.

"I know she used to hire girls for you but why does she still keep lingering around, thinking she has a right to demand your time," I asked quietly before we stopped to have our photo taken by one of the official photographers who had been walking around.

"She was a friend of my mothers, still is in that my mother tolerates her at occasions like this. I think she thinks my mother owes her something because when we moved to Seattle, she was the first to introduce herself. Not knowing anyone around, my mother welcomed the friendship at that time. With regards to me, she helped me with submissives and escorts as you said and in return for a while, I helped get her businesses, her salons off the ground. I have nothing to do with any of that now, I pulled my backing a while back, something I think she has told no one about as she certainly made it known to all that would listen that we were in business together at the time. If people found out, I pulled it because she was stealing, they would see her in a different light, the light I see her in."

"Are you sure it's not her children she was interested in to start with, not Grace. I've seen the way she looks at you."

"Ana" he spoke, turning me to him before we reached the others. "Nothing has ever happened between her and me, that would be..."

"Disgusting, sickening..."

"And every word in between. When I was mentoring with John, we visited a few clubs around the city, BDSM clubs and in one of them, she was there. We were both shocked to see the other there, and I was concerned at the time that she would open her mouth to my parents. I needn't have worried as she has more to lose than I did. BDSM isn't a crime no matter how some people would look down on it but with her, she likes them young."

"How young," I asked, worried for a second that she had tried to get to Christian when he was younger before I remembered his family were still living in Montesano when I left and there, she was nowhere in sight.

"They're legal as you have to be twenty-one to get into the clubs we were in but some of the subs I saw her with there, made me question if their ID was right."

"Please don't tell me she's been messing with kids because as a human being, never mind being a teacher, I will report her arse in a heartbeat."

"No Ana, not kids, although one looked like he was barely out of school. He could've been older and he just looked young, I don't know, I was young myself and didn't stay around to ask."

I looked back to her now, seeing her speaking to a man who had his back to us. I didn't like that woman at all, but now facing the dunk tank, I forgot about her as Luke took a seat.

"Who gets to throw the ball," Christian asked excitedly, picking one up.

"Only the children can," Mia said, taking it from him and gave the ball to a young boy.

The boy, stood with a frame, a woman nervously standing close by as if to catch him should he start to fall. The first ball he threw, was feet away from its target, the second further still. My heart melted then as Christian knelt down beside the boy, speaking quietly to him before he showed him how to aim the ball and within seconds the bell rang followed by a splash.

I laughed, seeing through the glass in the tank, Luke underwater. He was pulling funny faces which had the little boy in fits of laughter.

"Thank you," he said softly to Christian.

"You're very welcome, young man."

"Christian you're up" Mia shouted.

"Oh, wonderful, I'm so looking forward to this" he replied sarcastically but from the smile and the wink he gave me, he really was.

Handing his phone and keys to me which joined Luke's in my purse, Christian took a seat.

If I thought the press who were in attendance were interested in taking photos of the Seahawks quarterback, it was nothing to when Christian got up there.

I could see Taylor who as always was close by, I suspect others in his employ were around as well today with this many people in attendance. None we would know about though, they had all blended in.

"I bet you wish you could take this shot" I called over to him, seeing a smile appear on his face.

"I could not possibly comment on that Professor" he replied.

"Couldn't comment, or won't" I laughed, hearing his own.

I watched as a little girl came up and was handed a ball, she was tiny, maybe four or five. She had a feeding tube up her nose but she didn't let that bother her as she threw the ball.

"Close" Christian called down to her with a smile.

"I'll get it" she replied.

The next ball went a little further away, her last ball missing as well.

"Kate, hold this for me," I asked, handing her my purse.

"What are you doing."

"Helping" I replied. "She was close with all three, I'm sure a bonus shot is allowed," I said to Mia, stepping up to the little girl. "Can I help you?" I asked her and her parents, all who nodded.

I reached out my arms to pick her, hers she held up to me. With the ball in hand, we walked closer to the target until we were only a foot away.

"You're not allowed to throw the ball, Ana," Christian told me, a beautiful smile upon his face.

"Don't worry, I'm not….. Throw it now" I told her, nodding to the target which at how close we were, she couldn't miss.

She cheered as the bell rang before I rushed back from the tank as we both squealed, laughing as the water came over the edge before I placed her down in front of her parents.

"Again, again" she cheered.

"Well maybe you can get me in, I'm next" I replied, leaving the happy family as I took a seat.

I could see everyone from here, see my soaked best friends itching to pick up a ball and throw it my way. Mia was in charge though and she was determined to only let the children throw the balls today. They may have help and many came to throw the ball but with three children's turns gone, none who hit the target it was my boys who took charge.

The three who had taken turns, the little boy who Christian had helped and the little girl who I had too, now stood a few feet from the target, all with a ball in hand and an adult who was ready to move them quickly out of the way. I knew it was coming and I welcomed it on this hot day so as five balls hit their mark and the bell rang above me, I was quickly cooled.

"I need to get one of these" I laughed, climbing the ladder to the top of the tank.

"What, to wash off after a day in the farmyard" Luke laughed as I took his and Christians offered hands and with one hand in mine and their other under my arm I was helped down to the ground.

"No, fundraising at uni. I'm sure there are a few professors there I could dunk for charity."

"Let me know."

"Us know" Christian added to Luke's comment.

"Yes, let us know where and when and we'll all take part," Elliot told me before proceeding to soak Kate with his wet clothes.

"Can we please have a photo of this?" one of the press photographers asked.

We were soaked to the skin, hair stuck to our heads and a smile on each of our faces. None of us shied away as the photo was taken though not just by the man who'd asked and the press in attendance but also others around. Front pages around the country no doubt would be showing that picture tomorrow but none of us cared about that.

"That was hilarious" Carrick laughed as we joined them again.

"Your turn Dad," Elliot said.

"No thanks, who do you think Mia used as the guinea pig to try it out, me and then your mother had a go."

"You never went on that Grace," Elena asked, her voice filled with shock.

"I did, it was fun, refreshing too" she laughed.

"It's certainly that, although my clothes are stuck up in all the wrong places" I giggled.

"You would never get me" Elena spluttered.

"What, taking part, giving to charity," I asked.

"I wrote a cheque."

"Ah, the cheque. It's so easy to write a cheque and forget about it, think that's all that's needed to help out. You will find it's more rewarding, more enjoyable to physically do something that helps others and after you can think, I did that."

"I certainly did, I wouldn't have missed Africa for the world" Christian said, placing a kiss upon the top of my wet head.

"So, what do you say Elena," I asked smiling.

"If Grace says it's safe to do it," she said although she turned to Mia, willing her it seemed to say no it wasn't safe for her to do. Her words though had Elena heading for the ladder in a huff.

"I was only saying I'm not sure, with your ageing years and the lack of exercise you do..." Mia called after her retreating form, unable to keep her laughter in.

"Please let me have a go Mia," Christian asked his sister who just laughed as she shook her head.

"It wouldn't be fair, only children."

"We're all someone's child Mia," Luke said, having his hand swatted away as he reached for a ball too.

It was a teenage boy who stepped up after his sister had missed the target, something Elena found amusing, that rang the bell. Seeing her plunge into the water, emerging with her hair, coving her face, laughter filled the air.

"Well the witch might not be dead but she's all washed up" Christian whispered in my ear, making me laugh harder especially when Luke's screech of "SHE'S MELTING" filled the air.

She had smiled to the camera's, making sure that they knew she had taken part. No one bothered to help her down though, and I doubt she stayed much longer than that.

We all had a good time, enjoying every moment of it as we slowly dried off throughout the day before being dunked again, by each other this time as the sun went down.

Thank you for reading.

Until next time, take care.

Caroline.