Hey Everyone,

Hope you're having a good weekend!

More coming soon.

Much Love,

Chelsea x


Everywhere was crammed full of people – sidewalks, stores, diners - shoppers desperate to grab their final bargains before Christmas. Even driving through the city was pure hell, taking four times longer to get around than it usually does. I had done all my shopping online this year. I had wanted to avoid the chaos and crush, but when Kate asked me to join her on a last-minute dash to find presents for Elliot, I couldn't refuse. There was just four days before Christmas and the world was going crazy.

Sawyer and Jaz had driven us around all morning, dutifully escorting us here, there and everywhere. Since Christian and I had revealed our news to them, they had been on an even higher alert than normal. While Ray is the only person in our family to know about my pregnancy, our security detail and Mrs Jones were in on the secret. We couldn't possibly keep it from them.

Sawyer was quick to dart in front of me anytime someone got close, stretching his arms out as if I was five feet wide. It was a miracle Kate hadn't sussed it out. At least Taylor was more subtle about things. He simply gave a knowing nod, his fatherly instincts kicking in anytime I felt sick, tired or cranky. I think Christian appreciates being able to talk to Taylor about impending fatherhood. I had caught them talking on a few occasions.

"Can we stop here?" I asked as we passed a café window. I looked inside and saw it was only half full, a Christmas miracle. "I really need a drink."

"Sure," Kate nodded.

We headed inside and sat at one of the tables in the window, our bags dropping around our feet, Sawyer and Jaz occupying the nearest table.

Kate ordered a cappuccino and an almond croissant, while I opted for a lemonade and a strawberry cupcake. Nausea had started to ripple in my stomach since early this morning, and it was threatening to cause trouble now. I had figured out that whenever those feelings begin to set in, the best thing to do is to eat or drink. No matter how much I worry about it making a quick reappearance, I had yet to actually vomit.

Fingers crossed it stays that way, I thought.

The waiter brought over our trays with a beaming smile, and I thanked him for his quick service. I grabbed my lemonade and started downing it in loud gulps.

"Jeez, you really were thirsty!" Kate snorted, blowing gently over her steaming coffee. "Thanks again for coming out with me today. I know you hate crowds the best of times."

"It's fine," I shook my head, smiling. "I'm having fun. But, as a thank you, you have to let me head to at least three more book stores. There's a few more books I want to check out."

"Deal," she laughed. She tore off a piece of her croissant and tossed it in her mouth. "So… have you got everyone's presents?"

"I might pick up a few more little things for Christian. Stocking fillers, really," I said. "We agreed we wouldn't go overboard with gifts. Not with the wedding so close."

"Do you think he'll stick to his word?"

"I hope so," I sighed. "He promised me he would… What about you? What else do you need to get?"

"I need to get a secret Santa gift for one of the guys in my team," she reeled off on her fingers. "He's a golf fan so something along those lines… I might get some slutty lingerie to perk Elliot up, and then it's just Mia I have to buy for. What did you get her?"

"A pair of those weird kitten shoes she likes," I shrugged. "You know the ones with the faces on the front? Super expensive but kinda cute?"

"Oh yeah," she hummed. "I was thinking maybe some earrings. But she's so finicky, I'm worried about getting her something she won't like."

"If you're that concerned, you can always get her a gift card," I suggested. "That's what Christian has done. He asked her what she wanted and she never gave him an answer, so he bought her some gift cards."

"Yeah, it's an idea," Kate nodded. "If I don't see anything, I'll do that."

I scoffed through my cupcake and sank back in my seat, the sugar rush squashing down the nausea.

"How are you feeling?" Kate asked. I furrowed my brows at her question. "About the wedding?"

"Oh, pretty excited," I grinned. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, because I am, but that's only because I want everything to go to plan. Otherwise, I'm just excited."

"No cold feet?"

"Nope," I shook my head.

"I'm glad to hear it," she smiled back at me. "I'm happy for you."

"Who knows, maybe you and Elliot will be next up the aisle?"

"I don't think so," she snorted. "Well, not anytime soon. We still want to take things slow. Enjoy the moment. Live in the moment. We're in no rush."

"I get that," I nodded. "It's different for me and Christian."

"No, I'm not trying to say –"

I smirked and raised my hand, stopping her protests.

"I know you weren't making a comment about us," I said. "But it is different for me and Christian. Both of us want that security now. We both crave it, after everything we've been through. Life is short and we've been reminded of that, so we want to just do it. Whatever it is. That's our living in the moment."

Kate lowered her eyes to her coffee and smiled. "You two really are the perfect couple."

"We have our moments," I shrugged.

"All couples do, but you guys know how to get through it," she added. "I admire you both. I really do."

"You and Elliot are doing okay, aren't you?"

"Better than ever," she said, her gaze lighting up as she thought of him. "We're looking at some more properties in the New Year. We decided to wait until after the holidays. Trying to house hunt before would be a nightmare."

"Still looking forward to officially moving in together?"

"I am," she nodded. "It's gonna be weird, but living on my own when you moved out was weird. It's just something you have to get used to."

"Living with a man is certainly something you have to get used to," I hummed, raising my brows.

"Oh come on, you're living with Mr Perfect," she snorted. "You can't tell me he does things around the apartment to annoy you."

"He does," I nodded. "I hate to shatter any illusions. But he has his faults."

"Like what?"

"The man cannot make a bed to save his life," I explained. "The pillows get thrown on the bed, he doesn't square up the blankets, he doesn't pull the comforter so it's equal on all sides."

"You're telling me Christian OCD Grey doesn't make sure it's all neat and tidy?"

"Nope," I shook my head. "He doesn't line up the towels after he's used them either. He will quite literally toss them on the side, or put them on top of the hamper basket. Not in it, on top of it."

"Anything else?" she laughed, enjoying this.

"He never puts the toilet seat down," I added. "But I think that's a man thing in general. Ray never puts it down either."

"Elliot does," she nodded. "Well, he actually sits down to pee so it's never up anyway."

"He sits down? Why?"

"He's a lazy bastard," she snorted. "Which he openly admits. If he can grab a few minutes to sit down, even if it's while having a piss, he will do it."

"I'm not sure I needed to know that," I giggled. "But, in all honesty, Christian does things that annoy me. In the same way I do things that annoy him. But it's all about give and take. You let the little things slide. There's no point arguing about the small stuff."

"You always have been the voice of reason," she winks at me.

We resume picking at our sweet treats, almost clearing our plates when something outside caught my eye. There was a flash of animal print and blonde hair, a hard stare fixing on my face.

I let out a deep sigh as the woman charged for the entrance to the café.

Sawyer was quick to his feet, stepping between our table and the intruder.

"It's okay," I spoke up. He looked at me from over his shoulder and I nodded. "Let her say whatever she wants. I could do with a laugh today."

Maria crossed her arms around her chest and scowled at Sawyer as he backed down, stepping back but remaining near my side.

"What do you want?" I asked.

Across from me, Kate sat up straighter, looking Maria up and down, assessing her.

"Is this the bitch you fired the other day?" Kate checked. I nodded. "Hm, I can see why."

"Shut it," Maria snapped. She glared at me. "Before you even ask, no I haven't been stalking you. I have better things to do with my time."

"Like finding a job?" I hummed.

"I was passing and saw your suit monkeys," she said. "I want a word."

"About what?"

"The fact you're refusing to give out recommendations to everyone who left," she explained. "That's completely unfair. And downright petty."

"I'm under no obligation to provide references to anyone," I told her. "Besides, you wouldn't want a reference from me. You wouldn't like what I have to say."

"Because you're gonna screw me over no matter what?"

"Because you were regularly late for work, your timekeeping overall was appalling, your attitude was frankly disgusting," I reeled off. "And your hostility towards me was uncalled for. You took an instant dislike to me, and now you have to accept that I'm not prepared to help you out."

"By rights I deserve a reference!"

"The most you will get is an acknowledgment of how long you worked for SIP," I told her.

"You've only been there five minutes, you can't judge me -"

"But Mark worked for SIP for years. He was there long before you were hired. He has verified that your behaviour only got worse over time, and that you were always an unreliable, lazy bitch."

Her lips puckered, her face seeming to turn inwards on itself.

"The best thing I did was firing you," I smiled.

"You lost your team because of me," she shot back, as if that gave her some ground. "They walked out behind me. They listened to me."

"And I'm sure they regret their decision now," I nodded. I held up a finger. "Oh wait! I almost forgot. Several of your so-called followers have begged for their jobs back… funny that."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Many of them want to reapply for the new positions we're advertising," I added. "There's no saying we'll hire them. Mark and I are keen to establish a level of trust and respect at GG Publishing."

"GG?"

"I'm sure you'll hear about us soon enough," I smirked. I turned back to my lemonade. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to finish my lunch in peace."

She opened her mouth to say something in retaliation but Sawyer closed the gap, marching in front of her. She glared up at him.

"If you don't turn around and leave right now, I will forcibly remove you from this building," he warned her.

"You can't lay a hand on me," Maria huffed. "I'll call the cops if you do."

"Try it," he whispered coldly. "You have three seconds."

She debated it for a moment but then swiftly turned on her thin heels and stomped out of the café, slamming the door shut behind her.

Her abrupt exit roused eyes from around the room, everyone turning to see what the commotion was.

"Nothing to see here," Sawyer explained, holding up his hands. "Just a disgruntled former employee trying to cause trouble."

Smiles of sympathy made their way to us, before everyone returned to their conversations.

"Thank you," I smiled to Sawyer.

"I'm glad you got rid of her," Jaz spoke up. She shook her head, her long braid flicking over her shoulder. "I always hated her."

"Me too."

"The number of times I wanted to slam her head off a desk," she tutted.

"I feel that," Kate sighed. "I've never seen her before but in just those few minutes, I've already mentally killed her three times."

I chuckled to myself, almost inhaling my drink.

"How did you survive it?" Kate asked, shaking her head at me. "I'd have slapped that scowl straight off her face."

"Christian says I must have the patience of a saint," I shrugged. "I think it's more that I don't want to get arrested."

"I'm sure Christian would bail you out."

"I'm sure he would," I nodded. "But I'll save it for when I really need it. I'm sure I'll encounter many more Maria's in the future. The publishing industry is full of them, apparently."

"No regrets taking over SIP?"

"None whatsoever," I replied instantly. "I can't wait to start interviewing soon. The thought of creating a new team, having the building completely renovated, making a name for ourselves… it's a dream come true. I love books and I get to work with authors and help create them?"

"Everything's coming together for you," Kate grinned. "As it should. You've been through a lot. You deserve this, Ana."

She raised her coffee and I chinked my glass to her mug.

"I also want first dibs on any smutty romance," she added. "You know I love some good ol' hot guy, sex god stories."

"I do," I laughed. "Don't worry, I'll get you signed copies."

"Love you, bitch," she blew me a kiss.