I see her visibly squirm in her seat.
Hah! No answer to that! I am rubbing my hands together gleefully awaiting Christian's next 'question'.
"I seriously doubt you realize who you are dealing with Miss Carter or should I call you Loretta Wiesnewski or perhaps you prefer Candice Jackson?"
Niamh gasps "but how…?"
"I am an influential businessman Miss Carter, with many connections. Did you seriously think that I wouldn't find out about you and what you are trying to do?"
"But I am not trying to do anything Mr Grey!"
I see Christian shake his head and tut "Miss Carter, I would strongly advise you stop lying to me!"
She turns on the waterworks and I know that it will have absolutely no impact on Christian what so ever.
"So I will ask you again, what do you want Miss Carter?" His face is stony and she remains silent.
"Ok, then I will continue, perhaps you could tell me what you were doing associating with Elena Lincoln?" he asks and once again no reply from Niamh.
"As I understand it she gave you up for adoption when you were born, you recently traced her to Seattle, made contact and had a happy reunion?"
"You bastard!" Niamh shouts at Christian "you embarrassed her, you ignored her and then you KILLED her" she lunges forward at Christian.
I gasp but Taylor and the detective grab her arms and pull her back down in to the seat and remain standing by her side.
"Enlighten me Niamh on how I achieved this so called embarrassment?" Christian leans back in his chair and crosses his arms.
"You humiliated her in front of your family, the clubs you made her go to, engaging in that sick, depraved behaviour. Then you ignored her, married that bitch… "
"That's my WIFE and the mother of my children you are insulting! Be careful Niamh" His eyes flash a warning too.
"She couldn't cope with your rejection anymore" she starts to cry again.
Christian starts slow clapping his hands "Oh that was a very convincing performance Niamh but unfortunately for you I can see right through your façade. I knew your mother for a very long time you see" he pauses "she is a very different person to the one she has obviously conveyed to you. Manipulating and controlling are two that spring to mind"
"She wasn't, how DARE you slight her like that!" her face is in a twisted snarl.
"She shot and almost killed me and a member of my team; she caused my wife to go into premature labour that could have harmed her or my children AND THAT IS JUST RECENTLY" he pauses to draw breath "so DON'T tell me what I can and can't say about your mother!" he is shouting at the end and I see Niamh shrink back slightly.
"Now there are two ways we can handle this situation, firstly the detective here will be happy to arrest you for not only attempted breaking and entering and endangerment but as I understand it you left a previous employer after you were caught thieving and fraternising with a teenage boy"
"But that was never proven…"
"I haven't finished yet!" I can see a trace of frustration in Christians face "Your previous employer has agreed to press charges if you do not comply with the recommendation we will reach today"
"What agreement? I'm not agreeing to anything with you!" she shrieks
"Ok then" Christian rises out of his chair, buttons up his jacket, approaches the detective "Please escort Miss Carter out of my house, I would appreciate formal statements to be taken at my office rather than here…"
"WAIT!"
"I'm sorry, you wish to reconsider?" Christian turns to face her.
"What do I have to do?" she looks defeated.
"You will NEVER come anywhere and I mean anywhere near my family, my apartment or workplace, in fact stay right out of Seattle. My Parents, Sister and Brother are included. The detective has organized some restraining orders that indicate should you break our agreement you will be arrested and charged with numerous counts of endangerment, harassment, breach of confidentiality and then any Felony charges that may arise from your previous employer's information and any other information I find. We all know that in itself could lead to years in a penitentiary. If you should need to come to Seattle for any reason, you will inform SPD before you travel here, I will be informed. I have also secured the services of a private detective to keep a check on your movements as quite frankly Miss Carter I don't and never will trust you"
"Is that it?" she asks timidly
"How's Linc by the way?" Christian asks "I have not heard you mention him at all"
Niamh looks petrified "No please don't say anything to him, he doesn't like me, threatened me, please don't, please" she begs.
I detect the faintest of smiles on Christian's face.
"Then you know what you must do Niamh" Christian looks at her "the detective is going to escort you to your residence, wait while you pack your things and escort you to the city limits"
"But that's not really necessary" she mumbles.
"Oh it's absolutely necessary Miss Carter" Christian hardens his voice again so she can be in no doubt.
Christian stands again, nods at Taylor and the detective; they take an arm each and escort Niamh from the office. Gail and I are now in the kitchen and watch as she is removed from our home and our lives forever. I turn and hug Gail in delight, this problem has gone, she hugs back and we are both feeling relieved.
"Oh my goodness Gail, I am so relieved she has gone"
"Absolutely Ana, the atmosphere has lightened already" Gail beams.
Christian comes into the kitchen; I rush into his arms "Oh I am so glad that is over honey"
"Me too baby, I need to go back to the office and tie up some paperwork" and he walks away but his shoulders are back and he has a spring in his step.
"I need a drink" I exclaim "I think I will open a bottle with dinner tonight, I need to relax but before then I am going to the nursery" I wave a hand to Gail and go to the nursery.
I am thankful that Niamh wasn't responsible for looking after Max and Melissa. I lay on the floor with them both on a thick blanket watching them kick and gurgle, they find each other and their hands clumsily but gently touch, squeaking loudly in excitement. I caress their cheeks and am so thankful to have them. Christian comes in and the twins kick even more excitedly at the sound of his voice.
"Hello Baby, Hello my babies" Christian says gently.
"You're excited to see daddy" he comes and lies down next to them so they are sandwiched between us "Hey little guy" he holds Max's pudgy hand so lightly "Daddy is scared he is going to break you" the excited gurgling reaches a crescendo and I can't help but chuckle, even Christian is laughing and the stresses of the last couple of months drains from his face.
"God they are beautiful Ana, how did we manage to make two things so perfect?"
"Because they are both you and me" I reply.
Christian reaches over and strokes Melissa's face
"She looks so much like you baby" his face is in total awe of his daughter "You are going to be smart and beautiful just like your mommy Melissa" she coo's at the right moment.
"Max, you are going to be smart like your daddy without the...err…difficult times, you might like to take over and run daddies business one day or maybe jointly with your sister"
"Don't forget handsome and perfect in every way" I chip in and Christian smiles.
"You're too kind baby" he leans over and kisses me but as if they know what is going on, they both start yelling as food is now due, well over due actually. Gail comes sweeping in through the door, shutting it with her foot as she has bottles, bibs and clothing in her hands.
"Oh my, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, I have food" she gestures the bottles forward.
Christian leaps up and relieves her of the feeding equipment, hands me one set for Melissa as she is closest to me, Gail leaves us alone again, Christian picks up Max, deftly feeds and winds him.
"See, he won't break, you did that perfectly" I extoll
"I was really shaking" he chuckles as he settles him into a bouncer.
Christian leans over to whisper in my ear
"I fancy a trip to the play room tonight" he smiles
"Are you sure you are up to it?" I ask cautiously
"Are you?" his eyes darken to that sultry 'need to fuck you now' look.
"Yes" I simply reply noting those familiar feelings stirring.
"Good, dinner is ready" he strolls out of the nursery.
I tuck the twins in bed and as I walk toward the kitchen my eyes are drawn to the dining table. Christian has dimmed the lights, lit candles and is standing at the table with a glass of champagne and a single red rose. He is wearing jeans and a tight t-shirt with my favourite silver grey tie casually looped around his neck.
"This is a surprise" I exclaim "I feel overdressed" I tease him.
"You're perfect Ana, come, sit down, I have had Gail cook your favourite, it's a night to celebrate after all"
He pulls the lid off a tray of Oysters and presents one to me…
I tilt my head back and Christian tips in in to my mouth "Hmm delicious" I say after the first one.
"I thought you might appreciate them" Christian looks thrilled as I have another.
I sip the champagne and the bubbles fizz in my nose, I chuckle and I have to rub it with my serviette.
"Oh you have no idea how good it is to hear that giggle again" He lowers his voice "You know what it does to me but…" he raises his voice again "we must tackle main course and dessert"
The main course is Chateaubriand Steak; I take a bite and close my eyes as it melts in my mouth.
"You're really enjoying that aren't you baby" He looks pleased but then he is always pleased when I eat.
"Oh this is delicious" I savour another mouthful.
Desert is a mercifully light Stem Ginger Chocolate Mousse.
"Satiated baby?" Christian asks me.
"For food, yes" I sip my champagne whilst keeping eye contact with Christian to see his reaction and his eyes intensify.
"Dance with me Ana" he stands, comes around to where I am sitting, pull's me to my feet and in to his arms where we sway together to the music.
I inhale his body scent, he nuzzles my hair before he spins me around and back in to his arms again, I laugh, feeling young and carefree once more. I look up at Christian and see him smiling, the smile reaching his eyes and making them dance.
"Phew, all this dancing is making me thirsty" I break away and pour some more champagne in to our glasses before making a toast to the future.
"I feel things will be a lot calmer from now on honey" I say
"I think you are right baby but enough talking" Christian takes my glass, puts it on the table before twirling me across the floor again.
His phone rings "Shit" he frowns "Sorry baby I need to take this" he strolls away toward the office.
I seize the opportunity to go in to our bedroom, strip down to my panties before tiptoeing to the playroom, I leave the door very slightly ajar, take up position on the floor and wait for Christian to find me.
I hear his footsteps go past before returning and stopping at the door. It creaks slightly as his hand pushes it open. I hear his intake of breath as he sees me kneeling before stepping in the room and closing the door…