A/N: I'm using the short period left in July to update my stories (yeah STORIES — in plural). I'm not much for tracking reviews and metrics, but the people have spoken… loudly and often - Letters comes first. We'll see.

Consider this my obligatory Winter solstice fic or outtake, though it's not completely necessary to read the entire story to understand it. Though, if you blink, it does progress the story. This chapter will be mainly from Ray and Taylor's points of view.

Inspiration Song(s): Air - All I Need

TaylorPoV

It has been several months since she'd been rescued, but Ray informed me that Ana was having a little bit of trouble. She was, and still is, friendly, but there was this world weariness that we as soldiers could recognize. She just did not seem to want to connect with people anymore. At least not people her age. She'd already been too old for too long, having sacrificed most of her childhood to Carla's shenanigans. It was hard to be a child when your mother was childish, selfish and irresponsible.

It was extremely difficult for Ana to acclimatize after being hypervigilant for so long. She was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. But even her loneliness, bloodshot eyes and haunted expression seemed to dissipate, her ingrained wariness remained.

At first, Grey had done his best to stay out of her way. He told me he was afraid of being friendzoned. And he definitely didn't want her thinking about him as an older brother, so it wouldn't do to be constantly in her presence.

How he could say that with a straight face with stacks of letters to disprove his claim I didn't know, but that was his story and he was sticking to it. But that's how we ended up here on some Washington mountain.

Grey had gotten into his head that he wanted to take a load off and have a vacation. This would be the first vacation I've ever seen him take. Can't count Aspen house because even then he has to put on a show for the folks. Even so, he usually spent most of that time working out of his office. It was the same old shit only in a different location.

This time, he made it quite clear that this was time for fun and games. There wasn't even a laptop to be seen and as soon as we crossed the threshold of the cabin, he handed over his BlackBerry with instructions not to give it back unless someone important was on fire, and even then find out who it was first, then have someone else put it out. In other words, Grey was truly incommunicado, possibly for the first time in his entire life.

I was especially pleased as that meant he would not be accepting any calls from that blonde bitch from hell. Although he denies it, her talons are still dug in deep, and I'm pretty sure they have poison tips. Although he's been avoiding her and I haven't seen any of those subordinates around, I understand that she's been pressuring him to take on one of her new hopefuls. Makes me even happier that Annie's around to add balance to his life. She keeps him honest for the most part.

Being a stone-cold bastard is an essential part of his character and nothing's going to change that, because that's most of the reason for his success. A lot of dumb ass reporters may believe the company line, that the secret of his success is demanding excellence and accepting nothing less than the best from his employees or even himself, but many of the businesses he's taken over had those things in abundance yet still failed.

He paced around, hands shaking until he balled them up into fists that he held tightly to his sides, scrubbing his fingers over his face where he'd let a little bit of fuzz grow in. Some relaxation this was. Every once in a while he'd stride to the window, covered in frost from his breath as he peered out. As soon as grey turned away from the circuit walking toward the fire to warm his hands, I decided to take Grey on an errand before he either paced a trough through the wooden planks or I was compelled to force-feed him a sedative.

Snow fell in thick clusters, and the temperature had dropped tremendously. It seemed like his sledding idea would bear fruit after all. He was only waiting for the woman of the hour and her father. One thing I could say about Grey. In all those years, he'd never looked half this anxious and excited to play "Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry" with the subs, which is a lot considering he's a young man and they were a sure thing.

I convinced him to take a ride with me to get an overview of the property, which we'd missed out on in his haste to get to the cabin. But about thirty minutes in, he'd gotten restless, so I turned around to backtrack to the cabin. As we turned the corner, he shouted for me to slow down. Then I saw Ray's work truck, the one that had all-wheel drive to navigate the tight turns and mountainous terrain, parking in front of the cabin.

Ana hadn't seen us, but I could see Ray peering at us through his rearview mirror. As Ana hopped down, going around the back of the truck to begin offloading the groceries, I carefully pulled in next to them.

When Ana noticed the SUV, with Grey getting out, she dropped one of the bags she was holding. I was afraid she'd start hyperventilating. Like magnets, they gravitated toward one another, with Annie racing headlong, leaping into Greys waiting arms. She was jumping up and down and he swept her up into his arms, swinging her around. If any of his competitors could see him right now, they'd see Grey's Achilles heel firsthand.

Ray's eyes met mine over their shoulders, as Grey grabbed both of their duffels, entering the cabin looking back, as if saying are you coming? We felt sort of forgotten as they had their little reunion in the elements. They walked back into the room holding hands. It was strange, like watching a first date. You want to look away because it's so private, but I've never seen Grey this way. I resolved to keep my camera phone nearby. For proof or blackmail.

I guess seeing is believing. Ana gingerly grabbed her duffel looking for some direction, and I pointed out their rooms. Gail had packed up over a week's worth of meals although we would only be here for a brief weekend. Gray had even conscripted me to help pick out the tree and choose decorations. We actually put it up with the decorations left on the side, ostensibly for Annie to help. It was a beautiful tree, standing at least three or four feet above the hearth of the fireplace. He had gone all out for this place.

Grey's still in shock that Steele brought his daughter even though he'd agreed and even suggested this. Christian just couldn't understand what would make this man allow him to spend time with his underage daughter. I could have told him that Ray knew plenty of places to hide a body if he moved one foot wrong, but it was obvious that Grey would not hurt a hair on Annie's head, so that wasn't the issue. They needed each other. They'd both gone through a tumultuous childhood, with Annie still reeling from the effects of hers. And truthfully, they were each other's best friends.

After the episode in Texas, Annie dug her heels in, refusing to see a psychiatrist. According to her, if she had actually spoken to a counselor, that counselor would be required to report Carla and she'd be sent to jail. She may have despised her mother with the heat of a thousand fiery suns, but she didn't want to put her in the lock up. It was enough that Morton was under arrest and would face justice for his victims. While I'm sure that was true, I knew Annie's biggest fear was that bringing attention to herself could result in her removal from Ray's house.

Carla was sitting indefinitely and unhappily in rehab. And that was enough for Annie. Did it really matter if she was sequestered behind bars or in a padded room? No, as long as she stayed far away from Annie, it was all good with her. She'd been hamstrung by numerous contracts drafted by Grey's lawyers. If she sneezed towards Washington she would probably be locked up. Radio silence was the name of the game. I wished I could finagle it to send that Lincoln broad somewhere like that.

The cabin slept twenty, but there were only the four of us. It would've been five, but Gail had a better offer, spending time with her family. My control center was in one of the corner bedrooms. We went back to the truck for the turkey and fixings. Ana planned to cook and she'd said that Grey would be her sous-chef. Man's never cooked a day in his life, unless you count reheating things in the microwave. I don't believe he's ever used a toaster. But who knows with drill sergeant Annie, anything is possible.

Annie was with Ray in the kitchen, organizing supplies, amazed at the sheer amount of food that Gail had sent along. Our fest would be abundant. Considering that only the four of us would be eating, it was quite a haul. Gail had mainly made side dishes to go with the huge dinner that Annie planned to create. Though Gail was spending time with her sister and her nieces for the holidays. So except for a skeleton crew at Escala, not a creature was stirring. Unless one counts Elena who was doubtless prowling around Escala, waiting to pounce on Grey once he showed his face like the deluded stalker she was.

I was sure that the Greys and Mrs Lincoln were left chasing their own tails as, for the first time in years, Gray would be a no-show for the feast. He had made some excuse of being out of town on business, which they all ate up. It's one thing to think your child's a workaholic, but it's another to believe that he managed to find like-minded individuals to work with him on Christmas.

Proof people are blind. Mrs Lincoln didn't push too hard because she knows that he hardly ever has subs over the holidays anyway. It's not like he buys them Christmas or Valentine's Day presents either. Even subs tended to like going home for the holidays. They weren't likely to get much warmth from him unless it involved him lighting up their asses with his whips and canes. Ho ho ho.

We did manage to pass Thanksgiving with little fuss although the demands for his time were registered, he managed to ride the storm while saying no. He couched his rejection in neutral tones, but his intention was clear. He wasn't planning to spend any extra time with them than he needed to. Mia Grey, what a pill! She was already putting in her bid for Christmas presents at the Thanksgiving table while in the midst of stating what everyone was thankful for. I could tell she wouldn't be thankful for anything he bought her. Even Elliot tossed out a hint or two. Shameless. But Mrs Grey was the worst ingrate.

Despite insisting the dinner table was a work-free zone, Grace managed to make the entire evening about a future benefit which was code for donations from Greys coffers. I swear the man seems to be single-handedly sponsoring all of her charities. Even at $2500 a plate, he more than met and matched anything she could bring in. Especially as she hired the most expensive Caterers security waiter service decorating her home. She'd even sent out for luxury porta potties that look better than most people's master bath. Live musicians. And she must have bought out a liquor store with all the fine wine, champagne, brandy & strong spirits she has planned for their open bar. The things you had to do to get Seattle's elite to part with their money were ridiculous.

After a long evening with Greys we took our full bellies back to Escala where he could decompress. The evening was already so stressful, and wouldn't you know that Elena had been invited. She never gives them a break. She'd even managed to make Thanksgiving look inappropriate, wearing a black silk blouse with three buttons undone, and plunging into a very form-fitting pair of black velvet slacks along with her black patent leather stiletto heels. I swear she stalks towards us. I can almost hear a ghost cackling in the background. She'd probably strut just as tall and proud if she had to cross over a pile of skulls and decomposing bodies to get to Grey.

She made to get her hug and kiss but this time even I caught his minute flinches as she made contact with him, holding his arms as she gave one of those air kisses on either side. She wanted to talk business at Thanksgiving, but thankfully Grace put the kibosh on that saying that this was all about family.

Conveniently forgetting that every single family member had put their bids in for what they wanted in the future. That didn't stop Elena from planning to have a meeting later during the week. Beginning to think that's all she came for as she ate like a bird to Christian's tight-lipped disapproval. Barely eating the salad without dressing and fish dish she'd requested and tossing back a glass of wine. Elena didn't like poultry.

The difference between the Grey Thanksgiving and this Christmas were astounding. Whereas his face seemed like a stone mask at his parents house, he wore a smile that wouldn't quit from the moment Annie left the truck. I never suspected Grey could laugh so much without cracking his face.

He had a shit-ton of things planned for them: sledding, horseback riding, even a horse-drawn sleigh for later on the next evening. I wouldn't have been surprised if he had hired a pack of dogs to pull the sleds, but apparently that would have been a bridge too far. This, from a man who wants to learn how to fly his own plane and helicopter. With the size of the place, I was shocked that he hadn't imported elves and Saint Nick or had the whole place decked out as Santa's Village on her behalf.

As it was, There was an entire room packed almost floor-to-ceiling with his gifts for Annie. I hope he realizes that he should only pick maybe three or four of them. Otherwise she and Ray might rightfully think that he's trying to buy her. He has never been this anxious or happy to buy anything for his family, Elena or even any of the subs. This time however he spent hours browsing, personally, just to find different things that he thought she might like. And a bunch of stuff he thought she should have.

He'd even bought her clothes and suitcases. I think he was going into bookstores looking at teen magazines just to find the most appropriate things that they would like. At least he now understood that Mia's wish list was ridiculous, but the lengths he went to try to make it a happy Christmas for Ana were shocking.

We'd hung stockings for goodness sake, which were embroidered with each of our names: Ray, Annie, Chris, and Taylor. he was still a hard-ass; he hated calling me Jason. I noticed that there were even a couple presents with my name on it just in case Annie kicked up a fuss. They were stuffed with candies and other various toys and such. He had gotten Ray season tickets to the Mariners. Ana's stocking held an iPhone and iPod. he'd actually managed to fill up my stocking too, with things that I would like for Sophie, namely certificates for clothes and another deposit to her college account. He knew that I had the ability to pay for her schooling considering Sophie's other Trust, but he still wants her to have the best.

He also got me some plane tickets to go back home to visit the folks. And those were things that were just in my stocking. For a man who thought he had no heart, he's really damn generous.

Ana was making pie dough in the kitchen. I didn't realize it required so much flour to be worn by the people making it, but there was Christian Grey tossing flour like confetti as Ana dodged. I didn't realize he could be so playful; I could hear Ana forcing him into the living room.

She was making apple pie, pumpkin pie and pecan pie from scratch. And she's one of those cranberry purists that like the actual berries and not the jelly sauce in the can, though Ray informed me she had bought the store out of those, too. She also likes making two turkeys, one at night and one in the morning. That way you could eat turkey sliders all the way through noon and then have the turkey carved in the evening for Christmas dinner. I had a feeling we're going to roll away clucking from this vacation.

It seems as if she was an ace at time management, because soon wonderful, truly scrumptious aromas emanated from the kitchen. The place had two sets of double ovens, so at least Annie wouldn't be slaving for hours in the kitchen, though I did hear what sounded like a smack followed by a whimper as she took umbrage with Grey pilfering apple slices she'd earmarked for the pies. She chased him out of the kitchen with a big wooden spoon, threatening to spank him with it.

"Ouch, Annie! Do you have to hit so hard?" he cried out.

"You can take it," she says slyly. Apparently he's told her about everything, even his years as a sub. But it did get his hands off her apple slices. She felt sorry for him and handed him three before sending him off to lick his wounds. But he couldn't fool me; he was grinning his ass off.

He docked his iPod, and music filled the cabin, jazzy Christmasy stuff along with old-time carols. After Ana slid glass pie plates into the oven, she strolled out, coming to join us. It was time to decorate the tree. This evening, everyone was comfortably dressed down in sweaters and jeans with nobody to impress.

First, she made a circuit of the tree examining it as if for some small flaw. I wasn't fooled. Ray had filled me in on her ritual. First, she has to get to know the tree, and it always has to be a fresh tree; not one of those artificial doodads. If it's artificial, they may as well not have a tree at all.

She walked around rubbing the different needles and fronds, sniffing them. And yes, it had a beautiful smell. Fresh and spicy like the great outdoors. She had popped a huge bowl of popcorn, doubled some thread on a needle and had each of us stringing them together. We worked together like a well-oiled machine. Pretty soon there are yards and yards of popcorn string. Next, she pulled out a bag of pine cones that Ray says she had simmered in cinnamon. Then I pulled out the lights, rows and rows of white because Ana doesn't like the colorful ones. She believes the ornaments and the tree produce more than enough color. Personally, Ray thinks she likes Christmas lights bright enough to read by.

Soon the tree was completely decorated except for a few little knick-knacks which Christian took out of finely tooled boxes. There are specialty ornaments for him and for Ana. Ana's had her picture in it as did Christian's with their names etched in glass. And finally, in the next largest box was an ethereal star ornament which looked almost like a snowflake. Ana's face took on a beautiful glow as the blush rose up to her cheeks and she whispered "beautiful" while reaching out, ghosting her fingers along the edges. The star seemed lit almost from within because it was made from crystal with silver and gold piping and some so thin it was like a spider web of molten color. Underneath was a rather long, thin cord that could be plugged in however, it was clearly also solar powered which meant during the day the light would store up energy so when night falls it glows in the dark.

That star was something different. At Grey manor, they always had a snow angel on top, and Mia, as the only daughter, usually got held up or used a ladder to put the star on top. But this time, the only young girl was Ana and she'd have the honors.

As Ana approached the tree holding the star, I realized too late she wouldn't be tall enough to reach the top. Grey and I moved out the way to give Ray room to lift her. However, Ray looked at Grey contemplatively for a moment, then gave him the very barest of nods. It seemed like resignation. Grey's face lit up like those lights, but I had to give him credit, he managed to walk instead of run to snatch her up.

He carefully lifted her up by her hips, letting her place the star just so. Then he let her down, his arms seeming suddenly bereft. I couldn't help thinking that could be him, in ten years or so, helping one of their children do the same thing.

After every light was lit, and all the food placed upon the table, we ate and damn Gail had some competition! Ana's main dishes coordinated well with Gail's sides. I could imagine them cooking side by side in Escala's kitchen.

We'd decided to follow the Steele tradition of one gift before Christmas when somehow Ana and Grey got caught up in a conversation about how huge the cabin was.

ChrisPoV

"All of this? This is rustic?" Ana asked incredulously, waving her hands, as if to encapsulate the whole vacation retreat, humor threading her words.

"Well, it's as close to nature as I planned to get. As far as I'm concerned, I spent the first four years of my life roughing it. I wasn't about to waste money to purposefully endure an artificial struggle," I replied.

"Couldn't you have gotten something a bit smaller?" she persisted.

"No," I said shortly. "This place has six or seven bedrooms, and there's four of us."

"But the brochure says this place can sleep up to twenty people!" she argued.

"Trust me, those twenty people would be stumbling and bumbling into each other every five minutes. It'd be a tight fit," I explained. "Like the biggest crock of shit I've ever seen is tents. The tent claims to sleep six people. But the reality of it is the floorplan only allows for those six people to lay side by side in their sleeping bags, packed like sardines."

Ana seemed to take that in, realizing that a smaller place would probably wreak havoc on my touch issues. Besides, I wasn't a man of modest or limited means; it would be cutting off my nose to spite my face to reserve a cheaper place. Besides, if I experienced a night terror tonight, I wanted a buffer between me and my guests.

"Oh my God, I just realized. You're a snob," I teased. "My money. You're prejudiced against wealth."

"No," she drew out. "I just hope we're not keeping some huge family from gathering over the holidays."

I somehow doubt said huge needy family would be willing to fork over the almost two grand per night for a week I'd shelled out, but I'd let her gripe if it gave her comfort. Besides, her indignant posturing was worth more than the price of admission.

As we started passing around our one gift, Ray asked Ana what she had sent Carla for Christmas. He'd long since let the cat out of the bag that he had not sent my present as promised, but had hidden it away to bring on this trip.

It turned out that great minds indeed thought alike, as both Ana and I had given each other knit hats, scarves and gloves, though she had knit mine herself in steel gray and the ones I'd selected for her were a delicate pewter to cobalt blue ombre.

Ray chided, "You're not getting out of this. What could you have possibly sent her?"

Ana blushed brick. "Um, so it's good to send people things they need, right?" she asked.

"Yes," I replied, joining in. My curiosity had grown too strong. "So what did Carla need?"

"I sent her an enema," she whispered.

"What was that?" Taylor asked, getting in on the action.

"I said I sent her an ENEMA! Ugh! I hate you all!" she exclaimed, covering her face in embarrassment.

And at once, all the men at the table yelled and hollered different variations of "That's my girl!" And we all looked at each other and laughed.

"Jinx!" Ana yelled back.

I couldn't believe Ana sent Carla a present basically telling her she was full of shit. In other words, screw with Ana at your own peril. Every time one of us remembered that, we'd burst out laughing.