Hey Guys,

Thanks for the love and comments on the previous chapters. It means a lot to know you're still following along.

Hope you enjoy this update.

Much Love,

Chelsea x


Christmas day came and went in a glorious blur. A haze of gifts and food, both supplied in their plenty. The Grey family knew how to host a party, but they took Christmas to the next level.

Finishing work for the holidays, Christian and I went straight to Bellevue after grabbing our things from Escala. There was nowhere else we could spend Christmas.

The entire family was coming together, including Christian's grandparents, Frances and Theo. They travelled to Seattle a few days early and planned to stay on long into the New Year, wanting to relish in every moment of the wedding.

Kate had already established herself as a part of the family, another adoptee into the fold after cutting ties with the Kavanaghs.

Ray, too, was invited to Bellevue. Grace was quick to extend the invitation, reminding him that he is a part of this ever-expanding family. He was thrilled to be included. If I was being honest, I would have dragged him along anyway. I have spent every Christmas with Ray since I was a baby. I refuse to let that tradition go.

It had felt like an incredibly long year and I was glad to have some time to relax, breathe, and just be with my family. I knew there would be no stress, no arguments, no fighting. No drama. Only laughter and love for the coming weeks. It was time to end the year on a high.

We spent Christmas Eve trimming the tree, as per Grey tradition. I helped hang the precious ornaments Elliot, Christian and Mia had made in their childhoods, and was given the honour of putting the star on the top of the tree. After finishing the decorating, Grace and I made cookies together, using her great grandmother's secret recipe. The cookies were devoured while watching It's a Wonderful Life, and then it was time for bed. I slept perfectly that night, wrapped up like a burrito in Christian's old room, his arm draped over my stomach all night long.

Christmas day was the best ever, filled with luxurious food and smiles as gifts were exchanged. Christian kept to his word and only got me small gifts. Although not inexpensive, I noted. He bought me a pristine set of Beatrix Potter books, telling me that he could see me reading them to little bean when they're born. He also got me some perfume and a personalised bookmark. It was made of resin with pressed flowers inside, a beautiful mix of blues and purples with flecks of gold sprinkled all over.

As for Christian's gifts, I had stolen his favourite watch and had it engraved with our initials and the infinity symbol. He had speculated for a few days why his watch had disappeared, but thankfully Gail had intervened and said she had dropped it by accident and sent it to the jewellers for repairs. He didn't question it, but his eyes lit up as he checked the back plate. He called me sneaky and granted me a chaste kiss. I also bought him a set of cufflinks with the date of our wedding on one side, the other side blank with the option to add bean's birthday later.

I was a little sad for the day to come to an end, but I knew it meant another day closer to the wedding.

On the thirtieth, Christian and I will go to the city hall and sign our paperwork, legally getting married the day before the wedding. In a mere four days, I will officially be a Grey. I could hardly contain my excitement.

"Ooof –" Christian huffed as he dropped onto the couch beside me, shuffling closer into my side. He draped his arm around my shoulders and I settled my head on him. "Jeez, have you got enough snacks there?"

He pointed to my stockpile of chips, cookies and cakes that I had collected from the kitchen. They were scattered all around me, a halo of treats for me to gorge on.

"I was feeling hungry," I snorted, popping a chocolate in my mouth. "I mean, it is Christmas after all. The season of indulgence."

"I'm glad to see your appetite is getting stronger," he smiled. He dropped his voice. "You've got to help that baby grow big and strong."

"Not too big!" I said, raising my brows. "I have to squeeze it out of me at some point, remember!"

He chuckled and gently traced his finger across my stomach. I had definitely gained some weight in the last month, my stomach and breasts getting slightly bigger. It was enough for both me and Christian to notice, although I didn't think anyone else had spotted the change yet.

"I knew it was a good idea to book another fitting before the wedding," I said.

"You're booked in for the 29th, right?" he checked.

I nodded my head. "Not even I can gain that much in two days!"

"Not at all," he grinned. "Now, then, what movie are we watching?"

One by one the family piled into the room, carrying various trays of food and drink.

"Mia's in charge of the movie," I said. Christian sank into the couch and rolled his eyes. "Come on, you love a good chick flick!"

"Like a hole in the head…" he huffed.

Everyone settled in as Mia started the movie. A ripple of whoops and groans circled the room as the familiar opening beats of Dirty Dancing blasted through the sound system.

Ray crossed the room and came to sit on my other side. I leaned into him and lifted my feet, draping them over Christian's legs.

"You okay, Annie?" Ray whispered to me. I nodded. "I take it you and Christian won't try to recreate the famous lift for your first dance?"

"Definitely not," I snorted. "Well, not now, anyway…"

I glanced up at him and arched my brow. Ray smirked and winked at me.

"Speaking of the wedding," I said. "Are you going to be taking advantage of that plus one?"

He pressed his lips together into a thin line.

"Are you?" I pressed.

"Well, there is someone I've asked," he mumbled.

"Is this someone a woman?" I raised my brows. He nodded. "And has she said yes?"

"She has," he sighed, his cheeks flushing red as he folded his arms across his chest. "It's my neighbour, Wendy. She's very nice and we've been talking for a little while now."

"Hmm… Daddy's got a date," I teased, poking him in the side.

"Enough of that," he grumbled. "She's just a friend, but I thought it'd be fun to go with someone. No one wants to go to a wedding on their own."

"As long as you like her and she likes you," I shrugged. "I look forward to grilling her. Giving her the third degree."

"You will not," Ray retorted, narrowing his eyes. "Wendy is a lovely woman and –"

"I'm kidding," I smiled. "But it's nice to know you're already protective of her. Shows just how much you like her…"

He didn't respond, instead turning his head to the television and feigning deep interest in the movie.

Christian rubbed my feet, pulling my attention to him. He wriggled his eyebrows in a suggestive way.

"If I don't get to grill her, I know you will," I whispered to him.

"Of course I will," he nodded, no hesitation at all in his reply. "No one gets to hang around with my father-in-law without passing the test. Got to make sure she's up to standard."

"I can hear you," Ray grunted at us.

"We all can," Elliot piped up from his spot at the front of the room. He gave a thumbs up. "Good on you for finally getting your leg over, Raymondo. It's about time you got some bedroom action."

"Elliot!" Grace, Carrick and Kate shrieked, each throwing him daggers.

"Jeez, I can't say anything around here without getting my head chewed off," Elliot moaned as he threw a fistful of popcorn into his mouth.

"Maybe you should keep your mouth shut?" Kate offered, poking him in the shoulder. He was sat on the floor in front of her, nestled between her legs.

He tilted his head back and stared at her.

"Maybe you should find a way to silence me," he winked. "Like you did last night, baby."

"Elliot," Grace snapped. "Be respectful. Your grandparents are in the room."

Theo sat forward in his chair and scanned the room.

"You think you kids can say anything to embarrass us?" he chuckled, shaking his head. "I've got stories that will make your hair curl, let me tell you!"

"Dad, please don't," Grace begged. "Can we just have one day that isn't sullied by crass conversation?"

Theo rolled his eyes.

"I'll save it for my wedding speech then," he muttered under his breath as he sat back.