The Wedding Effect
by
Ava LeBeau
"I've had a rough day and honestly all I want right now is a drink and-
"... someone to fuck?", his brother cut in.
Actually, he had had something very different in mind, but how was Elliot supposed to know?
"You have no idea, E", he smirked.
"Anyway, I'm glad you made it, Christian."
He let his gaze roam around the ballroom, undoing his tie.
The room was rather crowded, a fact that made him curl his lip.
People, strangers in particular, getting too close to him made him feel uneasy, more than that actually, but he supposed that he would have to manage.
Most of the other guests were already paired up, Waltz music was playing, apparently they were rehearsing the first dance.
When Lily noticed him she waved but he tried to ignore her.
There was no denying, today was not his day.
"Lily?", he stared at Elliot, stony-faced. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Mia says she has a huge crush on you", Elliot grinned, giving his younger brother a pat on the back.
"Wanna bet?", Elliot tried to goad him on, "Also, by the looks of it you still need a plus one."
"Oh, shut up. Just shut the fuck up, E."
Together they walked over to the rest of the wedding party.
His grandparents and parents, Mia, Kate's family and people he didn't know were dancing in close form in pairs, turning rhythmically to the soft tune.
A sonorous melange of Strauss and happy chatter was filling the room.
"Well, can we get this circus started?"
"This isn't the time for showing off, Christian."
"I can and I will", he puffed out his chest and Elliot laughed.
Lily was turning her head to look at him over and over again. Hungry eyes, most unnerving.
But it was somebody else who had caught his eye already.
Tall, slender, brunette.
Yes, exactly his type.
Not to mention those deep blue eyes.
He had never seen her before and wondered who she was.
He had to know.
Elliot had to introduce him to her.
"So good to see you again, Christian", Kate's soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
Exchanging niceties he leaned in to kiss his future sister-in-law's cheek.
"Partner swap", the dance teacher called and Kate, who was wearing what seemed to be an underskirt over her dress, held out her hand.
"Only practicing for the big day", she mumbled when she noticed his curious glances.
Grinning he slid his arm around her slender waist and pulled her to him, starting with a basic box step while the music commenced.
"Nervous already?", he asked while he expertly whirled his brother's bride-to-be around, proudly squaring his shoulders as they moved across the room.
"Yes, quite a bit", Kate admitted coyly, blushing rather badly, so very unlike the confident Kate Kavanagh he was used to.
"No surprise there, you're getting married to the biggest jerk in Seattle", he laughed mockingly.
Mia, who was dancing close by with a guy he had never seen before, gasped at his comment before she nudged him in the ribs, making him growl.
"The jerk who, strangely enough, happens to be your brother, Christian", Kate retorted, obviously not affected by his biting sarcasm in the slightest, giving him one of her flawless smiles.
"Touche", he had to admit, returning that smile just as beamingly, loosening his grip on her waist for a moment to rub his torso where Mia had hit him.
"Anyway, where's Ethan?"
"Currently out of town on business. But he will be home for the wedding."
"Glad to hear it", he tightened his grip around her waist and whirled her around some more.
"Partner swap!", the teacher's voice came again and they moved on.
His gaze darted across the room, unfortunately the mysterious brunette was on the opposite side, out of his reach.
He wasn't used to not getting what he wanted when he wanted it. But he was willing to beat the odds.
Yet it was Mia for him this time.
His little sister, never one to be shy, pulled him to her immediately.
"Christian, nice shirt. Givenchy Couture?", she moved to touch the front of his shirt but he grabbed her wrist just in time.
"BOSS... your compliment was sufficient, Mia", his smile was rather a snarl while her arm glided around his neck, her free hand grabbing his.
"You better get us moving, brother", she teased, the others were already in full swing.
"So, what have you been up to? Buying another publishing firm?", Mia inquired, her constant babbling could indeed be very annoying but it was simply Mia at her best.
"Actually I was giving a talk at a charity crowdfunding event."
"You know, it would be much easier to hate you if you weren't so fucking honorable, Christian."
"Language, Mia", he grinned nonchalantly.
"Mom, Dad and I are going to Tuscany next week. Spa retreat."
Mia sure was a pro at changing the subject in the blink of an eye.
"Dad?", he was really surprised to hear Carrick was keen on wasting his time with facials and Shiatsu.
"Yes, he always wants whatever Mom tells him to", Mia giggled.
"Anyway, I have to convince Lily to come along, she really needs some time off to unwind. She's dumped her boyfriend, he just couldn't keep up with her in bed. He called her insatiable, you know."
"TMI, Mia", he frowned, not really surprised by the news, Lily's now ex-boyfriend had always been a wimp, new money, bad at golf, actually bad at everything.
"Anyway, Lily needs a plus one and so do you, right?"
"You should really give it a try. You'd look cute together, Christian", Mia urged.
"Can't date. Non-viable material, I'm afraid", a wry grin and a lame attempt but it would have to do for now.
Where was she?
Dancing with Kate's father.
He tried to catch her gaze, making serious attempts to close the distance between them, dragging a stumbling Mia with him as he moved.
"You'd be perfect together. Just like Sean and I."
"Douchebag Sean?", he arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow at his little sister, the look on her face was priceless.
The guy whom she called her boyfriend had run his second start-up into the ground earlier this year.
Definitely a dead loss and definitely not suitable for his sister.
Mia was glaring at him, just about to retort when he swiftly extended his leg a little to make her trip only to catch her, bringing her back into his arms with an elegant twirl.
"I hate you", she hissed, grasping his bulging biceps as she tried to step down hard onto his toes, a move that he expertly avoided.
"Feels so good, doesn't it?", he said in a low voice, winking at her.
Apparently Mia had noticed that Lily was trying to make a move on Sean and mumbled, "Gotta go."
"Love you, Mia", he grinned, letting go of her.
"Is that the part where you apologize profoundly?", she asked.
"It's actually the part where you leave", he smiled casually.
If looks could kill.
"Bye, Christian", a dramatic air-kiss and off she was.
Another change was due and his mother stepped up to him.
"Mother", he kissed her cheek while she reached up to hug him to her, making him wince.
"Christian, it's so wonderful to see you. Where have you been, darling?"
"New York. Up to my ears in work promoting my latest food program. Next week I'm giving a talk at a charity dinner."
"You're making me so proud, Christian", Grace beamed at him.
"Elliot is so happy that you're going to be there for his wedding despite your busy schedule. I know that all this must be horribly overwhelming for you."
"Mother", their conversation sure was taking a very unpleasant twist.
And as if this hadn't been enough already, Grace continued, "I really hope you find love just like your brother has. You're working way too much, darling. A loving wife and kids would really do you a world of good."
He cleared his throat. Why did she always have to be so fucking straightforward?
But then again, how was she supposed to know that he did not do what he called 'hearts and flowers', that he did not care for all those things in the slightest?
"Mother, what is this?"
"Only a mother to her son. You know, Mia's friend, Lily, she's such a lovely young lady. Oxford-educated. Of British descent. Aristocracy even."
'Also a needy maniac', he added in his thoughts.
"At your age you should-"
"Mother!", he warned.
Sound and orderly conditions, that was what she had in mind.
The societal norms.
Appearances.
That was what this was all about.
To his relief the song they had danced to came to an end and so he loosened his grip on his mother's waist.
His gaze was already darting across the room to catch another glimpse of her.
She was talking to Elliot now.
Who was she? He had to know.
"You're suffocating him, darling", Carrick, who had joined them, stated dryly when Grace drew her son into another long hug.
"I've missed him", his mother protested but let go of him.
"You should really get around, Christian. Everybody's dying to see you, dear."
He however was dying to only meet a certain someone.
But as there was yet another partner swap due Lily stood right in front of him all of a sudden, beckoning him with her index, a haughty grin ghosting across her plump lips.
"Hi, Christian. I was hoping I'd see you here tonight", she purred, they both knew what kind of message she was trying to convey.
In his eyes she was failing miserably.
"Shall we?", her tiny hand reached for his.
"Lily. Where's Weston?", the pain in her eyes was rather satisfying.
"Not here", Lily stated casually but he was seeing right through her.
"Shame."
He didn't really want to dance with her. Not at all.
Craning his neck he was trying to catch another glimpse.
She was dancing with Elliot now, both laughing quite a bit. That lucky bastard.
"Well, I've still got you", Lily claimed his attention.
"Oh, really?", a frown ghosted across his features, he couldn't believe that his dear brother had dragged him into all this.
But then, all of a sudden, a pleasant buzz, godsent, made him smile broadly.
He pulled the phone out of the front pocket of his pants.
Ros.
"Yes, Christian", Lily continued, ignoring the call he was receiving but he raised his index, indicating for her to shut up.
"Ros? What have you got for me? I've read a few pages but I wasn't really impressed", a fake wry grin for Lily, he really liked her so much better when she kept her mouth shut.
"Nah, find me something worth my time", he stared at Lily who was blushing badly now.
Stop bragging, Grey!
"So modest, Christian", Ros, on the other end of the line, was talking over him, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"What's the matter with you? I only wanted to tell you that we've closed the deal."
A husky laugh was his answer, Lily was pleasantly unaware that he was only trying to bow out of the wretched dance with her.
He didn't want to be close to her, didn't want to touch her, didn't want to engage her in bland conversation.
He did not want his mother and Mia and whosoever get their hopes up.
He was not keen on gossip about Lily and him.
Actually, he was bored out of his mind by now, sick and tired of all this.
All he wanted was to get to know the mystery brunette.
Think, Grey. Think!
"All right, Ros", he had managed to catch his older brother's attention and motioned for him to meet him at the bar.
"I'll take a closer look at it and email you", with that he hung up.
"Excuse me, Lily, I really need to talk to Elliot", he lied.
She nodded quietly and followed him.
Worse even, unlike Lily, the mystery brunette had stayed behind, Kate by her side now, looking rather stern, while Elliot made his way towards the bar.
"Listen, Ethan is really sorry that he can't be here tonight. But he's promised me to make it up to you for letting you down tonight", Kate sounded contrite.
"Never mind", Anastasia replied, turning her head to catch a glimpse, somewhat distracted, knowing just how angry Kate had been at her brother's lapse.
After a moment of awkward silence, Anastasia pointed across the room and towards the bar,
"Who's that guy over there?"
"Trust me you don't really want to know, Ana."
"I think I do", Anastasia giggled.
"No, you don't. Better leave him well alone. Please."
"Who is he? He's even talking to Elliot now."
"He's his younger brother. Christian."
"Oh?"
"Mhmm. Stay away from him, Ana. He's a player."
Anastasia stared at the tall, handsome guy at the bar who was now talking animatedly with her best friend's husband-to-be.
There was a girl with them, she had seen her once or twice and recalled that she was a friend of Elliot's younger sister, Mia.
She wondered if the girl was Elliot's brother's girlfriend but to be honest they didn't look very much in love, quite the opposite, Christian seemed to try to avoid her but she could be wrong with her assessment.
Anastasia bit her lower lip, humming the melody of the song that was playing, her deep blue gaze still resting on the man.
Kate had really stirred up her curiosity.
A player?
He was beyond handsome, yes, he should definitely wear a warning, but he didn't really look like a player.
But then again, how did a player even look like. Anastasia giggled at the thought.
"Promise?" Kate's voice made her avert her curious gaze from him.
"I'll try" she laughed and bit her lower lip when Kate gave her a warning look.
"Join them?", Ana held out her hand for her best friend, beaming at her.
"There you are", Elliot hugged Kate to him.
"Having fun?", she pulled back to kiss his cheek.
"Christian's suggested a cellulite clause in the prenup, baby. I think I'll give it a serious consideration."
"He... what?", Kate's eyes grew wide.
Elliot chuckled and kissed her.
"Just kidding."
She slapped his upper arm.
"Ow!", Elliot whined mockingly, rubbing his arm.
"Ana, I don't think you've met my dear brother Christian, yet. His favorite hobby is perfecting his outright assholism...", Elliot turned to introduce Kate's best friend to his brother.
"If genius skips a generation, your children will be brilliant, Elliot"
"Sorry, Kate", he leaned down to kiss Kate's cheek, challengingly staring at Elliot before he pulled away.
"Anyway, nice to meet you... Anastasia", with a nonchalant smile he extended his hand.
"Oh, brotherly love", Kate sighed and the others laughed while Ana beamed at him, giving his hand a soft squeeze as their gazes met.
"Care to dance?", still holding her hand in his, nodding towards the dancefloor.
Anything to have some time with her alone.
"Sure", she smiled.
Kate's warning glare did not go unnoticed as he led the way back to the dancefloor, leaving them behind.
"Thank you", he said when he wrapped his arm around her waist, beginning to move them in a steady pace to the music.
"What for?", Anastasia smiled again, the faintest blush creeping up her neck and to her cheeks.
"For literally saving my life", he grinned, expertly whirling her around the dancefloor.
She looked confused but didn't say a word, instead she lowered her gaze for a moment.
Shy, that's what you are.
"Where have you met Elliot?", he inquired, smalltalk was not really his thing.
Anastasia told him everything about Kate, who had been her roommate, their time together in Portland and Seattle, the time when Elliot had stepped into Kate's life.
There was the slightest hint of embarrassment noticeable in her voice when she told him about her job and having to look for another apartment for quite some time with Kate moving in with Elliot after a while.
"My mom is living in Georgia, so I had no other choice..."
"I see. What about your father?"
She pressed her lips together for a moment and he knew that he had gone too far.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"No, it's okay, it really is. I just- I've never met him."
A moment of silence ensued and a wave of sheer relief was washing over him when the music changed.
Salsa of all things.
Anastasia smiled up at him, her face lit up. Unlike him she seemed to prefer Salsa over a traditional Waltz.
His parents had always made a point cultivating good manners which had included dance lessons at an early age for all of their children.
Your dance space and my dance space. That's what their teachers had always stressed. And that was what he preferred.
But Salsa was different.
Anastasia gazed up at him expectantly, gently moving to the rhythm, waiting for him to pull her to him again.
You can do this, Grey!
He took her hand, wrapping his arm around her slender waist.
"Well", he smirked as they started to move to the music, energetic, fast.
He led her into a turn and Anastasia, chuckling when he did so, threw her head back, her hair flying, he gasped when it hit him in the face, that scent of vanilla and strawberries so mesmerizing while she stumbled back into his arms again, pressing her free hand against his chest to regain balance, causing him to wince.
Wide-eyed she looked up at him, "I-I'm sorry."
Both were dancing out of step for a moment and she giggled.
"You aren't supposed to laugh", he grumbled, always so overambitious, only causing her to laugh even more.
"I'm embarrassed."
She chuckled again, her laughter was rather contagious.
"Promise not to tell anyone", he urged as they were standing in the middle of the dancefloor.
"What are you gonna do? Make me sign a NDA?", Anastasia bit her lower lip.
He wondered if she knew what she was doing to him.
"Maybe", he shrugged and took her hand. "Let's go outside."
He hated the fact that she was looking around, obviously distracted.
He was used undivided attention.
Everybody's full attention.
Attention to his needs. At all times.
But Anastasia was different. Quite obviously so.
She pulled out her phone, apparently checking her messages.
One of them seemed to catch her attention, he noticed that she was furrowing her brow when she read it. He wasn't aware that it was from Kate.
'Where are you? Jose and I are at the bar. Ray is talking to your mother.'
"My friends are probably waiting for me", Anastasia mumbled, not looking at him.
"Is that so?", he arched his eyebrow, she wasn't giving him a brush-off right here and now?
"Yeah", her gaze was darting across the room.
"I better get going", she waved at some guy who was talking to Kate.
"You seem really nice, Christian."
'In a strong, scary way', Anastasia added in her thoughts, but still she would love to kiss him. Right now. Just once.
'Really nice'?, that was worse than a slap right across the face, he thought, managing a fake smile.
"See you", Ana said, her voice was low, apparently a small smile was all she had left for him now.
"I know you dig her", Elliot's voice jerked him out of his thoughts as he watched her pushing her way through the crowd towards her friends.
"That doesn't even make sense, E", he was trying to act cool.
But his heart sank when he saw Anastasia hugging another man that he had never seen before. She had joined Kate, the man and that other guy at the bar.
He wondered if they were in a relationship, the very thought of it was too much for him to bear.
While the one guy that she had waved to was about her age, the man she had hugged so lovingly was much older than she was.
'Daddy issues', he should probably not waste another single thought on her.
In fact the guy could be her father. Yet he was athletic, flat top haircut, his face unreadable, an air of military sternness was surrounding him even when Anastasia kissed his cheek.
Today definitely wasn't his day.
"You know, Lily is still-", Elliot grinned.
"Don't even mention her name again, E", he warned.
"Are you going to stay for dinner, Christian?", his elder brother tried to placate. "Catch up with grandma?"
"I'm not really hungry"
Anastasia was now animatedly talking to that man, beaming, the whole prospect of having to endure such scenes the whole evening long made him feel nauseous.
"Also, I've got work to do, you know."
Sleep hadn't come easily for him last night but there had been loads of reports to read anyway.
A bottle of Chablis, Premier Cru of course, had kept him company. That and the latest report on SIP.
His early morning runs were invigorating. And, as everybody knew, non-negotiable. As usual Taylor was joining him.
Fortunately, Taylor wasn't a man of many words which gave him the time to mull over last night's events.
There was nothing in this world that he couldn't offer Anastasia.
Except for maybe erectile dysfunction, bifocals and lots of early nights in in front of the TV?
His sarcasm sure was getting the better of him again.
He curled his lip at the thought of Anastasia spending her nights with that average guy.
He needed to talk to her again.
At a controlled pace they made their way back to the hotel.
Craving a nice long shower he crossed the lobby, dabbing his face with the towel that was hanging around his neck. It was still early and there were only few people around.
Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a woman in a seating area by one of the windows overlooking the park.
She had turned her back on him but he was sure that it was her, Anastasia.
Her trooper boyfriend was nowhere to be seen.
He supposed it was best to give it a go and walked over to her.
"Anastasia, I- I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend you. I am aware that you are in a relationship with another man."
The fact that she didn't look up at him was both peculiar and relieving at the same time, making it easier for him to express his feelings, something he had never been good at.
"But I really enjoyed your company last night and that is why I wanted to tell you that I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to the wedding anyway. I, for one, would love for you to come with me."
To his surprise she got up and turned to face him.
"I'm afraid you're mistaking me for someone else", the woman smiled at him.
He looked at her, eyebrows raised, she looked a lot like Anastasia.
His gaze wandered to the huge engagement ring and the wedding ring on her finger as her left came to rest on her rounded stomach.
Married and pregnant, definitely not what he had been looking for.
Sound and orderly conditions for sure.
'A loving wife and children would really do you a world of good', his mother's words from last night were resonating in his head.
"I'm really sorry, Ma'am", he could feel a sudden heat rising to his cheeks.
"I hope she says yes", the woman smiled and took her seat again.
"So do I", he said, more to himself, and turned to leave but stopped dead in his tracks.
"Anastasia? Have you been here the entire time?"
"Yes", she smiled, standing right in front of him.
"Oh, uhm, I see."
"Where are you going? You know, we could have breakfast together, if you like."
"The spa.", she smiled again. "Kate's already waiting."
Apparently, Kate was treating her bridesmaids to a day at the spa.
He raked his fingers through his disheveled hair, hardly believing his own eyes.
There he was again!
The trooper.
Heading straight towards them.
"Good morning, Ray", Anastasia hugged him, kissing his cheek.
Oh the things he wanted to do to that damn guy.
"Ray, this is Christian."
This was rather confusing.
"Christian, this is my father, Ray."
"Your... father?", he felt like a fool now.
"Yes."
"But I thought-"
"Step father, to be more precise", she beamed at him.
"Pleasure to meet you, Sir", he shook Ray's hand, wishing he had had the chance to take a shower before meeting her father of all people.
"Nice to meet you, Christian. I'm really impressed by your work. I read the article in Times Magazine last month."
"Oh, yeah? That's nothing. Nothing really", a dismissive handwave.
He felt Anastasia's eyes on him, he sure liked it better when they didn't know what he was doing for business, it made things so much easier.
For him. And for them.
But he guessed it was all out now. Too late to pretend.
"Your mother is waiting, Ana, so if you two will excuse me", Ray looked at Anastasia, then him.
They both nodded.
A wave of relief was washing over him when her father left.
"Anastasia, I-"
"Just call me Ana."
"Okay, Ana, I-"
"I know, I still owe you an answer", she said quietly.
"An answer?"
"Yes."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"Well?"
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"The answer is yes", Anastasia chuckled, her laughter as contagious as always.
"I'd love be your plus one at the wedding."
Today was definitely his day.
A/N: Thanks for reading and favoriting. One chapter for now, might write another if you're interested in the storyline. Let me know what you think. x