"So, Ana, you're a lawyer?" Christian's mother Dr. Grey asked around the dinner table. Ana swallowed the tender fish before answering.

"Yes. I graduated and took a job in corporate law. But then I saw the heartless CEOs and employees who wanted nothing more than money and I knew I had to get out."

"Then what are you doing with my brother?" Elliot joked. Everyone at the table laughed as Christian scowled before throwing a roll at his brother's head. Grace rolled her eyes at her son's and Mia only smirked. Ana was surprised to be welcomed so openly by the Grey family. The next day after their night tryst, Christian took a disheveled-looking Ana home to get ready for an evening with his family. She couldn't believe she agreed to it, but the man had convinced her with several orgasms that morning.

He came back later that day to take her to the exclusive neighborhood his parents and sister still lived in.

"Your sister? You told me you only had a brother."

Christian maneuvered the car on the freeway, about to take the exit that led to his family home.

"I thought I mentioned her. Well her name is Mia, she is a culinary student, and because she travels a lot she still lived with my parents. They urged her to stay with them because it would make no sense to move. She wasn't really big on living alone anyway so it all worked out."

"That sounds like a good idea. Wish I did that," Ana muttered thinking about Jose. "My brother lives in the city with Kate, his girlfriend who you will also meet tonight."

"Oh great. More people," Ana deadpanned. Christian chuckled before squeezing her thigh.

"Trust me, you have nothing to worry about."

And she was surprised to find that she didn't. Christian's family was very warm and kind. Funny and a bit eccentric but who cared? Grace was a mother through and through and Ana could see that even with her being a doctor. Her husband Carrick seemed very attentive and looked like a love-struck man whenever he gazed at his wife. It made her heart clench to see such a loving display of affection. She was pulled back from her thoughts when she heard Christian give a slight cough.

"Are you alright, Christian?" Grace asked quietly. He offered a smile and Ana frowned when she saw the worried looks of everyone present at the table.

"Son," Carrick began only for Christian to laugh. It seemed forced but he shook his head.

"Dad, I'm fine. Really. Now, where is my chocolate cake for dessert?"

After a lovely dinner and dessert, Christian and Ana took a walk around his parent's backyard. Ana loved it. There was a giant swing set to the left and a massive treehouse to the right. Ahead was a gate that led to a dock, and the waters were calm and beautiful.

"This is a wonderful family home," she said when they got to the gate. He opened it, allowing her to go first before closing it behind the two of them.

"It is," he said a smile in his voice. "I loved growing up here. It was the best childhood I'd ever had. My parents are wonderful people. I never knew a person could have careers like they do and still be very active in our lives. At one time my mother rushed from the ER to my brother's football game with a stethoscope still around her neck, and my father would go over some paperwork during half-time. Their dedication was inspirational."

Ana smiled at the thought. She could see Grace and Carrick bust professionally and at home.

"Your brother played football. You did as well?"

"No," he said laughing lightly. "I played baseball, hockey, and I was in martial arts." At Ana's eyebrow raise he snorted.

"Let's just say I had a lot of rage inside of me."

"You were an angsty teenager?"

"You have no idea," he said wryly. When they got to the edge she turned to him.

"Back at the table, when you coughed your family looked worried." When he gave her a blank expression she sighed before crossing her arms over her chest.

"Please don't cover those lovely pieces of flesh up."

She flushed but ignored him wanting to know the situation.

"Christian," she stated causing him to sigh. He nodded before focusing his gaze on the water.

"When I was nineteen I was diagnosed with lung cancer."

He ignored her gasp and continued.

"It was the worst pain and fear in my life. It not only upset me but my family as well. It was the reason, the real reason why I dropped out of college." When she placed her hand on his arm he relaxed a bit as he continued.

"Luckily it was caught early. But not early enough to skip chemotherapy. Which I did. Religiously. It was awful. But my family gave me hope. And I didn't want to die. So I fought. And I changed my diet. And I got better. Enough for it to go into remission."

She stepped into his line of vision and when he glanced at her she reached up and cupped his cheeks.

"You are a brave man. Is that why you haven't had any real relationships?"

He offered her a sad smile.

"No, Ana. I had one real relationship. But I got sick. And she didn't want to deal with a sick young boyfriend."

"What? Does she not understand if you love someone you stick with them?" Ana asked.

"She never loved me. She told me that," he said before sighing.

"Her name was Leila. She was beautiful. Not really into having a career, her dad was her meal ticket. Looking back I saw that she was more excited about who my family was. I got sick, she told me I believe it was the sixth month of my treatment when she said she didn't want a sick boyfriend."

Tears welled up in Ana's eyes. Because even though she heard the words, she could hear the pain in his voice.

"I'm so sorry," Ana said genuinely. She shook his head but she did see a sheen of tears that he quickly blinked them away.

"I was in a dark place. But my family pulled me through. That was almost nine years ago. I had dates, women who I knew weren't serious when I got better, but I haven't found anyone worth bringing home. Until you," he confessed. She blushed before looking away. When he stepped even closer she placed her hands on his chest.

"This, you and me. It's for real, yeah?"

"Yeah," he said, his easygoing smile coming back.

"Well, I just want you to know I think I'd like to stick around." His eyes danced and his smile became wider.

"I would appreciate it," he said before leaning over and kissing her. Christian would've kissed her deeper except he heard footsteps running to them. He pulled away before sighing.

"I'm sorry Ana."

She frowned.

"What are you-Oh my God!" Ana watched as Elliot came out of nowhere and shoved Christian into the lake. Christian came to the surface seconds later before glaring at his brother. Elliot tapped her on the shoulder before grinning.

"Hey, Ana. I'm going to head home now because Christian will try to get me back. It was nice meeting you. Kate's in the car but she said she'd get your number from Christian. Mia too. And my mom said she wanted to have lunch with you."

"Um. Okay."

"Great."

Right as Christian pulled himself out of the water Elliot ran as fast as he could. Christian kissed Ana before taking off after his brother. When the two were finally gone Ana found herself grinning.

She quite liked the Grey family.

Very much.

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