AUTHORS NOTE: I am totally overwhelmed by the way this story has been received, and with that in mind I need to apologise to everyone who has reviewed and who I haven't got around to responding to personally. There have been literally so many reviews and along with the fact I am still writing the story I have lost track of who I have responded to and who I haven't. Therefore, I want to say if you haven't received a personal message from me, I'm not ignoring you. I have seen and read your review and I thank you for it.

I would also like to take a moment to say thank you to 'Tammi' the guest reviewer who has taken the time to write a number of lengthy positive reviews. Generally speaking, I tend to just skim through the guest reviews mainly to just wheedle out the trolls as that tends to be where they live but the sheer length of those reviews caught my eye. Thank you for taking the time to write as it is always nice to hear when people are enjoying what you have written.

In fact, a massive thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review and for continuing to inspire me with titbits and remarks which I can form into parts of this story. I just hope that along with the plot I already have in place in my mind I do them all justice.

CHAPTER 21

The Next Day…

(EVA)

"Thank you" I say as the plate of food is placed in front of me, I don't normally eat breakfast and neither does Gideon. But we have both noticed that Christian is big on eating properly and well. Ana told me why that was and it is incredibly sad that his early experiences had such a profound effect on his life. But that leads me to think about Gideon and realise that he too is still affected by his early childhood experiences.

Ana hasn't appeared yet, but Christian and Gideon are both sitting eating and chatting.

"So, you are both heading back to New York then?" Christian asks and Gideon nods.

"Yes, unfortunately it is essential or I certainly would've planned to stay much longer". Christian shakes his head and holds up his hand.

"You don't have to explain and I know Ana understands, I know that she was upset last night when you announced it but she knows that your life is in New York and that you were going to return at some point," he says kindly.

I smile sadly, as I recall last night when Arash Madani, Gideon's personal attorney had called and said that there was some issue with one of the companies which he recently acquired and he needed to get back to New York to be on the ground to deal with it. When he had broken the news, Ana had just burst into tears. Her response had surprised me but I think it was just a reaction after everything that has happened along with the fact she still has to deal with Kate. She had quickly recovered and apologised for her outburst but if I am honest, I am equally sad to be leaving so soon.

I know Gideon feels bad about it as he had previously assured me we would stay in Seattle as long as I wanted to and now he feels as though he has broken that promise. I look up to see Ana walk in, she leans down and kisses Christian as she walks past him to grab a mug which she takes to the kettle. A few moments later she is sitting beside Christian with a steaming mug of hot water which she dunks a teabag into before quickly taking it out again.

"Good morning" she says as she looks around the table. I look carefully at her; she has a bright smile on her face but she is also quite pale.

"Where's Uncle Arnie?" she asks as she takes in everyone around the table. I realise for the first time Arnie isn't here.

"He is busy making arrangements for the rest of my biological family to fly in. My plane is fetching them and I think he is making the arrangements with Stephan. His father is coming in from Ohio, and his brother Hal currently lives in Colorado so he is liaising with everyone to be in the right place at the right time for when the plane arrives to collect them.

"Is Liam's family coming?" Ana asks and Christian nods.

"Yes, Liam's parents are coming, his mom and dad" he says simply but doesn't elaborate and nobody pushes him to. Ana reaches for him and squeezes his hand and he looks at her and gives her a weak yet loving smile.

This is a massive moment for Christian. He will be meeting his biological grandparents on not only his mother's side but also his fathers, and knowing that only a short while ago he had no idea who his father was and had formed the assumption it was a faceless client of a hooker, this really has to be a huge thing for him.

"I am inviting my parents, Mia and Elliot for dinner when they arrive so I can introduce everyone" he says after a moment.

"If Elliot is coming then that means Kate will have to be there too" Ana mutters, and Christian looks at her apologetically.

"I know baby, but she knows how to behave in public. You know she always puts on a show for my parents. They were oblivious to the issues Elliot and Kate were having and assumed that they were as happy as we are, and El is biding his time before he serves her with the divorce papers" he says.

Before Ana can respond Gail appears and places a bowl of granola in front of Ana and she thanks her politely. Just as she is starting to eat her phone buzzes insistently and she rolls her eyes and looks at it. She freezes and glances at Christian and then at me.

"It's Kate" she says.

I watch as she bites her lip and I can see she is debating whether or not to answer the call.

"You can't keep ignoring her baby" Christian says gently.

Ana nods and hesitantly answers the call, putting it on speaker so we can all hear.

"Hello" she says and she barely has the word out before Kate is talking at her.

"Oh, so you do remember me then? Your best friend and sister in law! I have been trying to call you for days, have you been avoiding me? What the hell is going on Ana? Since when did you have a sister and why am I only hearing about this now? I can't believe that you are related to Gideon Cross, he is even more wealthy than Christian you know. I'd love to interview him so do you think you could introduce us? So, come on tell me everything and explain to me why you never said anything to me. I am hurt Ana – did Christian tell you to freeze me out and not tell me what was going on? I tried to call him too, and surprise, surprise he didn't take my calls or get back to me! Where the hell did you go? I get back from Hawaii and the news is full of you finding your biological dad and a sister and you are nowhere to be found. I'll come and meet you for lunch and you can tell me all about it, talk to you soon… look I have to go now asswipe is coming, bye". The line goes dead and Ana presses the button.

"And that was Kate" she says simply while Gideon and I just sit with our mouths hanging open.

"Who is asswipe?" Gideon asks.

"Elliot" Christian and Ana both answer at the same time.

"She openly calls him that?" Gideon says in shock and they both nod.

"So, what part of her not giving a damn about him was he unclear about as it seems she is very concise about her feelings towards him" Gideon says.

Ana sighs, "When she says he is coming she could probably hear him coming downstairs, but she has never openly called him that to his face, only behind his back".

"You said he is biding his time and that he hasn't told her yet that he is divorcing her?" I ask, "Which was obvious as she didn't sound like a woman who was being divorced by her husband" I add and Christian nods.

"That's right, he is hoping to get irrefutable evidence of her behaviour. He is divorcing her on the grounds of irreconcilable differences and unreasonable behaviour but if he can get her admitting to never loving him, or wanting Ava then it would make things much easier as she is bound to dig her heels in and make life difficult once she is served with the divorce papers… as she is rather attached to the privileges the Grey name affords her," he explains.

"Do you plan on helping him?" Gideon asks and Ana nods.

"Yes, I do. Jason has set up a state-of-the-art surveillance system with audio so when she comes and starts bad mouthing him it will all be captured".

"What, here?" I ask looking around and Ana nods.

"Yes, and at Grey Publishing as well in case she shows up there" she says with a satisfied smile.

I turn towards Gideon, "Baby, I know you have to return to New York but can I stay here? I need to be there when Kate shows up. I really need to witness this, plus I want to support my sister when she has to deal with… that" I say as I gesture at Ana's phone.

I see Ana's face light up at that and she looks towards Gideon hopefully. Gideon shuffles in his seat, he is uncomfortable about this idea but I also know he will do anything in his power to make me happy.

"Alright, but Angus stays with you" he says firmly and I nod in agreement. I had expected that and readily agree.

I lean towards him and wrapping my arms around him I kiss him, "Thank you Ace" I murmur in his ear.

"You know you have me at a disadvantage as I am unable to say no to you" he replies.

As I pull away from my husband Ana stands and she moves towards Gideon. She hugs him as she thanks him profusely and I see him grin at her kindly in response.

"You know she'll be safe with us" Christian assures him and I wonder just how much these two men have shared in their private conversations since they met.

After breakfast, Ana calls Grey Publishing and speaks to her assistant telling her she is working from home today. We had discussed what was going to happen knowing Kate would be showing up at some point and Ana had decided that if there was going to be a confrontation, she would sooner it happen here rather than at her place of work as she didn't want to give her employees a free show. Christian had also decided to work from home as a result, as he also wanted to be on hand when Kate appeared.

We are just getting ready to head to the airport to send my husband back to New York when Taylor appears.

"Excuse me, Mrs Grey is at the gate," he says carefully.

"Kate?" Ana asks although I'm pretty certain if Grace was here, she would be in the house by now.

Taylor nods and Ana takes a deep breath, "Ok, we don't have long but that could work in our favour" she says.

Moments later I hear the voice I had heard earlier on the telephone and I step forward to Ana's side.

Kate marches into the room and stops dead as we are all standing there. "Why the hell was I stopped at the gate?" she snarls as she glares at Christian, clearly thinking he had been responsible for not allowing her in.

"Because, we are just on our way to the airport as Gideon is returning to New York and the security guys obviously wouldn't let any visitors in knowing we are on our way out," Ana says sharply.

"Oh," Kate says deflating immediately.

"What do you want Kate? As we really need to go, Gideon has a flight" she says.

"I want to know what the hell is going on" Kate retorts glaring defensively at Ana and totally ignoring the fact that she has told her that we need to leave.

Ana folds her arms and glares right back, "Well, first of all you have invited yourself for lunch so you'll just have to wait until then because right now isn't convenient" she says.

I see Kate's eyes flash with anger as she clearly isn't used to being told no.

I see Taylor hovering waiting for the word to escort Kate out.

"Kate, we really have to go. Gideon has a flight to New York" Ana says again.

"Well, are you at least going to introduce me?" she says her eyes falling on Gideon. My anger starts to bubble at the way she is blatantly eye fucking my husband. She steps forward her hand outstretched, "Katherine Kavanagh-Grey" she says as she flashes a brilliant smile at him.

Gideon looks at her hand derisively and doesn't offer to accept it, which I know is going against all his instincts. He doesn't say a word to her and the awkward silence continues a moment until her smile fades and she finally withdraws her hand.

Her eyes fall on me and she glares at me with open hostility, "So, you are the sister" she says sarcastically.

"And you are the self-centred bitch" I retort unable to stop the words coming out my mouth.

"Angel" Gideon says warningly.

I shake my head and gesture towards her, "No Gideon, I'm just speaking the truth. She comes barging in here demanding to know things which aren't any of her business. She eye fucks you in front of me and she totally ignores the fact that Ana has said multiple times, that now isn't a convenient time and she is still standing there despite the fact we are obviously trying to leave".

Kate's mouth drops open and her eyes almost pop out of her head at everything I just said. Christian is hiding his obvious amusement behind his hand and Ana is openly smirking.

"Are you going to let her talk to me like that, I was your sister first?" Kate says childishly.

Ana shakes her head, "Kate, I have told you we don't have time right now but you are still standing there and as usual you are expecting me to do what you want. Eva is correct it really is none of your business, I haven't deliberately kept anything from you as the situation evolved quickly while you were in Hawaii. Now, we really have to go," she looks up at Taylor. "Jason if you would be so kind as to escort Kate out" she says.

Taylor nods and steps forward and gestures towards the door. Kate looks astounded that she is being dismissed but eventually relents and turns to leave.

"You haven't heard the last of this Ana, I will see you at lunch and I want to hear everything" Kate says over her shoulder as she is shepherded from the room.

"Bye Kate" Ana calls and lets out a long breath.

I walk up to her and hug her tightly, "Well done" I whisper.

Ana almost sags in my arms and shakes her head. "That is what she is like, she thinks the world revolves around her. I can't believe I let her use me for years" she says.

oooOOOooo

(CHRISTIAN)

I am quietly working in my study, after we had seen Gideon safely off back to New York and left the airport, Eva and Ana were discussing what they are going to do when Kate arrives for lunch. Neither of them intend to let her stay for lunch and Ana is adamant that Kate isn't going to get the full explanation of who Eva is and everything that has happened which she is expecting.

I wonder if she is expecting to see Ana alone. We had made it clear that Gideon was returning to New York and I wonder if she is assuming that Eva has gone with him as that would be a natural assumption to make.

Taylor has been briefed to set the audio surveillance in action as soon as Kate arrives in case she says anything that can be of use to Elliot. As I am thinking this there is a knock at my door and I quickly call out to whoever it is to come in.

The door opens and Eva pokes her head in and grins at me.

"Hi, I'm not disturbing you, am I?" she asks and I shake my head.

"Not at all, please come in. Is everything alright?" I ask.

Eva nods, "Everything is fine. If it's ok with you, Ana and I have decided that I am going to hide in here and listen in when Kate arrives. Ana is hoping to get her talking about Elliot and Ava while she has her alone, to try and get something that Elliot can use. She has no intention of telling her all about what happened with us and how we found each other and when Kate becomes aware of that fact that is when I will appear if she starts kicking off again".

I grin at her, "You both appear to have it all figured out" I say.

"Ana hasn't really said much about Kate, I think she is a bit embarrassed that she let her manipulate her for so long. She said they lived together and knew each other from college?" she asks.

I sigh and lean back in my chair, "Yes, in fact Kate was responsible for me meeting Ana in the first place. When they were both in college, Ana was studying English Literature and Kate was studying Journalism. Kate was involved in the university newspaper and she wanted to interview me for the graduation issue. I had been asked to give the commencement speech and confer the degrees to the graduates that year after I had given the university a substantial grant. As a rule I don't give interviews, but I know her father and also she was persistent. She kept bugging my PR department, and my PA for an appointment. So much so that in the end I agreed to shut her up. Also, it made good business sense as if I ever needed a favour from her father I could point out what I had done for his daughter".

Eva nods and lets out a small snort, "I can imagine her hassling your company as she would see it as her right to interview you" she says.

I nod, "Quite" I say.

"So, she interviewed you… how did that go?" Eva asks.

I let out a loud snort, "It was a complete train wreck, she asked invasive personal questions and after several warnings that she was being intrusive she asked me if I was gay and I told her to leave".

Eva's mouth drops open at that, "Seriously? Good god! How the hell does she expect to be taken seriously as a respectable journalist if she alienates people like that?" she says.

I nod, "I know, well she left. I watched the security cameras to make sure she left the building and that was when I saw Ana. She was waiting for Kate in the lobby. She had accompanied Kate to Seattle, it appeared Kate was using her as some kind of lacky. As soon as I laid eyes on her I knew I had to meet her. I got the desk to stop them from leaving and I went down personally to meet her. As I approached, I heard Kate whining that she'd been thrown out. Ana asked her why and she told her. Ana was appalled and I heard her telling Kate that she was out of order asking questions like that and what did she expect. She said that she had been given the opportunity of a lifetime to interview one of the most enigmatic businessmen and she had spoilt it by being invasive and sensationalistic".

"I bet that went down well" Eva says dryly.

I nod again, "Yes, although I think she realised Ana was right she would never admit that to her. So, I helped her. I walked up and agreed with what Ana had said. As I recall I said something along the lines of you should listen to your friend as she talks a lot of sense. Kate had retorted with the fact that Ana was just an English Literature major and knew nothing about journalism. Ana immediately put her head down and it made me angry. So, I said to her that she may not have studied journalism but she clearly knew more about how to get the best out of people. I turned to Ana and asked her if she would like to interview me instead, I have no idea why I did that but it just popped into my head and I ran with it. Kate was astounded but she quickly jumped on the idea and handed Ana her notes and recorder and asked her to do it. I made it clear that Ana had to be credited on the finished article and Kate agreed, although she did renege on that when the article appeared minus any mention of Ana. I escorted Ana to my office and as I opened the door she walked in, tripped and fell head first into my office. It was at that moment I fell in love with her". I pause as I fondly remember that day.

"Wow" Eva says. "Ana told me about her less than dignified entrance into your office when you first met and it mirrored how I fell on my ass at Gideon's feet in the lobby of the Crossfire" she adds.

I smile kindly at her, "Gideon told me about how you two first met. He was completely captivated by you as I was with Ana" I say.

Eva grins at the mention of her husband and she nods. "So, what happened next?" she asks, clearly invested in our story.

I smile, "I pursued Ana quite comprehensively and she was equally stubborn. She knocked me back, and I wondered why as it was clear the attraction between us wasn't one way. I realise now that Kate was making Ana doubt herself, she was feeding her the notion that she wasn't good enough for me. I backed off as I knew Ana was coming up to her finals and I wanted her to focus on that, but I made a point of seeking her out at the Graduation Ceremony. I managed to get her on her own and asked her out to dinner. I made a point of talking to Ray and I told him that I'd previously met Ana and that I wanted to get to know her better. He wasn't too keen on that idea, but he was polite enough. He didn't tell me to stay the hell away from his daughter which to be fair I was expecting. Ana agreed to have dinner with me and the rest they say is history. A month later I proposed and a month after that we married".

"And Kate was happy for Ana and wished her well?" Eva asks and I let out a loud laugh.

"Not exactly" I say.

"She tried everything to try and separate us. You see, Ana took care of Kate. She cooked and cleaned for her so there was no way she wanted Ana to leave. Ana just couldn't see she was using her; I didn't want to push it or point that out to her as that would confirm for her that Kate was right about me wanting to control her. I introduced Kate to Elliot so that she would leave Ana alone and stop interfering in her life. You have no idea how bad I feel for that decision knowing how things have turned out".

Eva reaches out and pats my arm, "Hindsight is a wonderful thing" she says kindly.

I am about to answer when Eva holds up her hand and I can see she is listening, then her phone pings and she pulls it out and grins.

"Kate is here" she says.

With that we stop talking and move towards the door and open it slightly so we can hear what is happening.

"I feel like we are spies or something" Eva whispers as we stand behind the door listening to Kate arrive.

Moments later I hear Taylor announcing Kate is here and then Kates annoying voice fills my ears.

"Well, at last I manage to get you alone without Christian!" she says and I scowl at the inference.

"Kate, if you are going to start bad mouthing Christian you can turn around and leave right now" Ana says which makes me smile.

Eva is grinning widely at that and she looks at me knowingly.

"Oh come on Ana, he says jump and you say how high" Kate pushes.

"Alright, I warned you… goodbye Kate" Ana says sharply.

"Oh come on Ana you know I'm just joking. Jeez can't you take a joke. Let's sit down and you can tell me all about what has been going on. You have no idea how hurt I was that you didn't tell me about being related to Gideon Cross".

I glance at Eva and she rolls her eyes, Kate is focussing on Gideon which is not a surprise.

"Gaslighting" Eva whispers to me and I frown wondering what she means.

"She is gaslighting Ana – making it seem that what she is saying is Ana's fault" she whispers. But before I can respond we hear Ana speak.

"I am only related to Gideon by marriage, just as I am related to you by marriage. However, I am related to Eva by blood" Ana says. This produces a massive grin from Eva and she holds up her hand to high five me and I respond as I am grinning equally widely at the way Ana is standing up to Kate and putting her in her place.

"Yes, well… I've known you longer than she has so I'm more of a sister than she could possibly be," Kate retorts.

"She doesn't like her perceived position in Ana's life threatened does she?" Eva whispers and I shake my head.

"Anyway, you could've told me" Kate says in a hurt tone.

"Kate, I have already explained to you that things happened while you were in Hawaii. I wasn't about to call you when you were on holiday with your husband, did you have a good time?"

I am so proud of Ana how she has taken charge of this conversation and is moving it into the direction she wants it to go.

I hear Kate let out a loud laugh. "It would've been wonderful if asswipe had stayed at home. He spent most of his time whining about missing Ava and pining over the little brat. For gods sake he was supposed to be on holiday with me but I swear he spent more time thinking about Ava".

"She is his daughter" Ana says with obvious disgust.

"Yes she is, I never wanted kids. Oh god Ana I know I can't stand Elliot and had he had any other surname other than Grey I would never have married him, but it was awful it really was. You have no idea how he ruined that holiday for me. When he wasn't pining over Ava he was following me around like a lost fucking puppy, it's pathetic. That man makes my skin crawl".

I am stunned, if this is an example of what she had previously said to Ana it's no wonder she wants nothing to do with her. I look at Eva and I realise she has slipped her hand around my arm and is squeezing it. I look down and see my hands have balled into fists and I take a deep breath to try and calm down.

"Please tell me that Taylor is recording all this?" Eva whispers and I pull out my phone and text Taylor.

Please tell me you are recording everything that Kate is saying?

A moment later his response comes through and I smile as I read it.

Every word.

I hold up my phone and show Eva the text and her smile gets even wider.

We return our attention to the conversation going on in the other room and Kate is still trashing Elliot.

"If you are so unhappy Kate, surely it would be better if you put an end to it?" Ana says.

Kate lets out another mirthless laugh, "I don't think so, I told you before there is no way I could divorce him as I signed a prenup. How am I going to maintain the lifestyle I have become accustomed to without asswipes money? If I leave, I'll have nothing and I certainly wouldn't take the brat with me. No, call it compensation for having to put up with him". She lets out another laugh as if she is amused by her own words.

"Well I'm sorry Kate but you disgust me" Ana says coldly.

"Oh, don't come the high and mighty with me. You had nothing when you got with Christian. You were just one step up from white trailer trash. Don't you start being all moral as you really landed on your feet when Christian Grey decided he wanted you. I still can't figure out what it was about you that attracted him though".

I am livid and I move to get out there and give Kate a piece of my mind, but Eva grips my arm and shakes her head. "No, let me it will just make her worse if you go out there… you are the controlling husband, remember?" I pause and think a moment and then just nod once.

"Put her in her place" I whisper and Eva gives me an evil grin.

"Oh, trust me, she won't know what's fucking hit her".

With that she leaves my study and I watch her disappear into the other room.