Chp05 groom vs. Everyone else

I watch the most important thing in my life, in one of my Audi SUV; head out of the Escala underground garage. I stand watch My Angel, Anna leave me. I hope for just the night. God? I hope that is true, will she realize what a messy I'm? She felt so good on the couch, just reading. Not talking or anything. Just quiet, meaningful emotions. I want to have that every day, I need that every day. She completes me.

I turn to Jason, he stands next to me longing after Gail. He told me yesterday he popped the question. She said YES! I'm happy for them.

I'm happy and sad at the same time for myself. Happy she said yes, and will marry me tomorrow: sad she is not in my arms right now.

I see Elliott's crew truck roll up with close to nine guys cramp in. I have to laugh as they untangle themselves. I head upstairs, still carrying Winston; leaving Sawyer to help Elliott. Jason looks at me in the Elevator. Putting Winston down. I'm shaking and rubbing my hands, pulling my hair. He hits the stop. I look at him?

"Christian what are you worried about?"

I look away, dare I confess my fears. I don't know, should I? Shouldn't I? "AGGGGHHAAA." Jason just nailed my gut, I land on the floor, throwing up. He grabs my hair, pulling me up to my feet. I don't see pleasure or joy; just pain in his eyes set in a stone face.

"Christian what are you worried about?"

"She'll leave me, come to her senses. That I will hurt her, damage her. Everyone gets hurt around me. I'm just no good, fifty shades of F #$k Gray! Not worthy" I cry for the second time today.

Jason holds me. Holding my face, he gets close almost kissing range; what is he doing?

"Christian, you are not responsible for Ella, Susannah, or your family. You are just responsible for yourself. This self-loathing is a figment of you guilty over Ella's death. You couldn't save her, no one could save her. She couldn't save herself or you. All she could do is die; So, you could have a chance, a better life. You've had that. Your living your life as a good man. We all have faults. Sins; Past things that embarrasses us. You have risen above that. Anna would never be with you; if she thought you were bad, evil, harmful."

"I'll f #$$k this up!" I moans

"Christian! That is what it means to be in a relationship. You're going screw up, make mistakes, sleep a lot of nights on the couch. Women are a mystery from the time we first suck the tit till we lay them in a pine box. The best you can do is love them, show them your love and learn to duck when dishes fly." He hugs me, restarting the Elevator.

The door opens, Winston bolts from the smelly space; to Elliott looking concerned, seeing us OK, ignoring the throw up on the floor. "Does the little lady know you two are have tete-a-tete in the elevator; something you want to let me know Bro; maybe the B. I. Word" he laughs at his joke, but I see the concern in his eyes.

I see Mrs. Whitaker is already busy, as Elliott crew is setting up a band kit around my piano, two beer kegs with spouts. And a stripper pole. OH' hell no!

"Take that damm pole down, their will be no strippers, no pro's, no semi-pro's, or just plain sluts: up here. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ELLIOTT!" I have everyone attention.

"Come on bro? Got to have strippers? It's a bachelor party. PARTY! Not a wake."

"If you guys want that, go to a club, not here. NOT in the house I'm bring my wife to. This is our home! Am I clear Elliott, Jason!"

"Elliott have the pole and one keg put down in the recreation room on three. You can have the girls there, although did you think what Kate is going to say about it?" Jason speaks calm and easy; but the question is a smack to his face.

"Shit, forgot about what Kate will say; you guys wouldn't rat me out would you?"

I take Jason cell phone, dial Mom's number showing Elliott "YOU BET YOUR ASS I'M RATTING YOU OUT. I'M NOT HAVING ANNA MAD AT ME FOR YOUR SHIT! HI, can I speak to Kate? Yes Kavanagh. Sure I'll" Elliot grabs the phone hanging up. Brain dead brother, doesn't realize that the women just left less than fifteen minutes ago. They should have just picked up Kate. Nowhere near Grey Manor; I see Jason getting my bluff, smirking at Elliott and crew.

"Asshole! Sam, Clint get the pole downstairs with a keg. See if there are tables to layout food?" Elliott pouts. No lap dances for you 'lliott. I go talk to Mrs. Whitaker. Jason will get the elevator cleaned up. I find my dad and Ray in the kitchen smirking at me. I raise an eyebrow?

"Smart move son, Elliott is going to be spanked a lot by Kate till he realizes he's hook, landed and filleted." Dad laughs

"Yepa, smart move." Cracking his knuckles "was going to bruise things, you hope to use on the honeymoon. But now I don't get too. Pity I was looking to vent on you for taking my little girl." Ray smiles the whole time he's threatening me.

"I know I'm screwed up, lots of problems. But Anna makes me want to be a better person, man. Makes me believe I can make this marriage work." I sit sucking a heavy pull on a nice white wine. Watching people tickle in. I move to my Piano.

We rock late into the night. Around ten pm, Clint and the single guy's head down stairs for the debauchery, then home. I have Sawyer, Parks and Timmons herding them.

Elliott is passed out on the floor under the wreckage of the drum set. His head inside what left of the bass drum. He tried to Keith Moon while drunk, way-way-too drunk. He landed on the snare like he was mating with it. Rolled around till he was tangle up in the whole drum set; gave up as too exhausted too drunk. So, he just when to sleep under the wreckage of the drum set. My big brother.

Elliott always proclaimed his party animal status; he never paces himself. I can drink him under the table any day of the week. I just let him power slam the glasses, within an hour he's toasts.

I see Jason come back in, he put dad and Ray to bed upstairs. They were very maudlin about serving in Korea, and Washington DC. Never knew dad had been an Army AG lawyer for four years before he met Mom. I watch the night lights of Seattle, the colored lights on the Great Wheel. They talked a lot of Anna's uncle Robert, the SAS Colonel. Very little about Anna's birth father. I know I will plant a fist in his face, for every moment of pain and humiliation they dealt her.

I find myself on the terrace watching the night. Eerie ghost of ships, with just their navigation lamps floating in the darkness. In two weeks, when we return here. I will be holding Anna in my arms; sharing this scene. I miss her, now that I have found her. I turn and head to my piano for solace.

I play easy, emotional music, thinking about my girl, how I want her so damm bad. To just hold me and tell me everything will be alright. I feel a bump on my shoulder. I open my eyes turning to my right. Grandpa T hugs me lightly. Putting his head to mine. "You sure?"

Smiling, kissing his cheek. "Yes I am."

"Good, Roz tells me she's a great girl. I dropped Theresa off at your Mom's. Where Carrick?"

"Him and Anna's stepdad are upstairs passed out. Two bottles of straight 101 24yr Kentucky bourbon will do that to you at their advanced age." I smirk at him. He stands, holding out his hand. I take it, he leads me to my bedroom. "4am is going to come on fast. Try to get some sleep. I'm going to bed, if I hear the piano, I'm going to tie you to the bed. Go to sleep, my little buddy." He tells me, ruffling my hair. I smile at his caring gestures, he uses every time he tucks me in since I first met him; since I became a Grey. He puts snoring Winston next to me. I smile at my dog, Elliott feed him two beers, bullshitting about his coast needing a shine.

Laying on my bed, I don't think I can sleep. I wake to the Alarm going off. I slept three and half hour without a nightmare, just dreams of Angel holding me.

I get up, shower and shave. Trying to make my hair behave. I walk out in fresh pajama bottoms, I don't want to spill anything on my suit. Anna picked it out before we left our room yesterday. I smile at her choice; she said it goes with her dress. I whispered what dress?

She smirked, looking serious; whispers in my ear between tongue licks. "My wedding dress, Abby brought it. Helen my governess helped me pick it out before she died. It belonged to my Great-great-great-grand aunt, who I was named after". She smiles at me; "She once kneed Prince Albert in the balls at a Ball; remember that husband-to-be. We have a female family history of bruising ill-mannered powerful men."

I swing her into a movie starlet deep dip full tongue heavy suction kiss. Smirking when I let her up. "I'll be sure to use that as a cure, substitute for my balls. You'd be cutting your nose off to spite your face." She giggles, I could live forever on her giggles. It makes me happy, light as a feather, nothing can touch me, except her.

We head down the elevator to say goodbye. Hugging her she bites my neck. "There I branded you, your mine. Be at the chapel, I'll be in white; coming down the aisle" I bite her's "your mine, now and forever. You won't be able to miss me; I'll be standing at the alter in Tom Ford Blue, struck dumb by your beauty, your love and above all else the mother of our triplets." I squeeze her ass. Putting her on the SUV seat. One last fleeting kiss. They are gone.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Great House in London: seven days earlier:

I watch the adults go nuts. Anna watch dogs just called after being fire in Sydney, Australia. Anna used a body double to frustrate them. I would cheer but they don't realize; I'm in here spying on them. They are going nuts. I smile, my sister rules. I need to help her, but how.

I need someone devious, underhanded, evil personified, mistress in the dark arts. I'm going to have to ask Chuckie. She been acting really strange since she started her period. Or so says the other guys. No one's brave enough to ask her. The last guy to tick her off, had to have his arm in a cast.

I walk down the block, around the corner and walk up to the Rhine House. The Viscount Maynard of Easton Lodge in the County of Essex; house in London. The Viscount who served in the British Tank Corp in WWII, brought back timbers, bas relief molding, a several ornately carved fireplace mantel from Germany after the war, supposedly stripped from some Nazis Estate house on the Upper Rhine river, thus the name of the house.

I walked in, Edward, the guard and butler gave up stopping me, when Chuckie's threw a vase at him; when we were seven. I run up to Chuckie's office. Walking in, I smile at her reading a book on her stomach in the window seat. Headphones on, head matching the beat, ankle crossed, knees bend up. She's wearing a dress. She is so hot, always since the first time I saw her in kindergarten, the prettiest girl in the world.

I can see her panties, green, lace. I harden. She always affected me. Since the first time I met her.

First day of kindergarten; adults were in San Tropez. So, Anna walked me to class, I enjoyed the half days in preschool. The teachers were upset, I was so advanced for my age. I Squeeze my sisters' hand. She has read to me since I was a baby. When everyone else would ignore me. She would stop everything to help me; love me. She is the mother figure in my life. I smile; I'm on top of the world. I'm in the Advance Kindergarten class.

Walking in, I introduce myself; smiling. I take a seat next to a dark haired, nearly black-haired girl with almond skin. "Hi, I'm Frankie" she glares at me. Ignoring me. I turn back to the class. Another student is walked in. He intro's himself. After a half hour, class begins with making name plates for our desk. I see the girl next to me is Chucky Maynard. Wild name for a beautiful girl.

Second period, we do partner exercise with math. I correct her. She slugs me. I fall out of my seat. Standing up, I glare at her. "Boys don't hit girls"

She punched me again. Smirking at me. I see my sister Leia, I punch her and we go down in a pile, wailing on each other. I straddle her; She grabs my privates, twisting. I scream and head butt her. She lets go. The teacher separates' us. We are sent to the headmaster. Her brother in Admiralty day uniform arrives followed by Anna. Great! I'm screwed!

We are sent home, with warnings not to repeat it. As if we could obey that stupidity. We spend the next two months, fighting and suspensions. Till She invites me over during our last suspension. She kisses me, I kiss her. We play and work on our workbooks. I help in math and writing; she helps me in art and social studies. We become a pair, Frankie and Chuckie.

Now as I start Eton college and her at Wycombe Abbey; we have become closer. She loves to kiss me. We take showers together, since we were five. We have to be careful; her brother was very put out, when He caught us, at age eleven. We had a mud fight in the garden. I smile at the memory.

I sit in front of her, she smiles at me and my world is good. When Anna isn't around, Chuckie soothe my family woes. Heals my tattered emotions. I lean over and kiss her. my world is brighter. She stands, dragging me to her couch. Her hands in my shirt, kissing me. "Frankie? Do you like me?"

"Yes, I like you."

"I want you to be my boyfriend." She pouts; something she started doing a few months ago.

"Why should I?"

"Because I'll kick your ass. You're my boyfriend and you don't have a choice!" She says strongly; but her eyes are terror filled. I push her back. Forcing her to the end of the couch. Dominating her; I'm the only boy to be able to do this. Her eyes are happy filled, the terror is gone.

I pull down the straps of her dress, making her chest naked. I pant at her pert breast, wanting to suckle from them. I pull the dress off. Leaving her in those delectable green lace panties. I remove my shirt. We are almost thirteen, a couple of months. I smirk at the reality; we were born seven days apart. She is seven days older than me. I lean in, holding her lethal hands to her side.

"You are mine, now and forever. Do you understand Charlotte?" I breath close to her face.

She arches to kiss me. I let her arms go as she holds me. We kiss and enjoy the feel of skin to skin. "Frankie; yes, yes. I'm yours." She whimpers to me. I pull her on top of me. Letting her set the pace. We are in a bubble till we hear the door bang. "I locked the door" we break apart and dress. I go open the door to her newest battleax governess. "Good, bring us Tea and snacks. Your dismissed." She wants to say something; but she knows better.

I return to the couch. Chuckie is stifling a laugh. We both lose it. She cuddles into my side. Stroking my chest. She loves to cat scratch my chest since third grade. It makes us both mellow and happy. Once the tea and snacks are here. I relock the door.

"BANG! BANG!" I unlock the door opening it to find the battleax glaring at me. "yes?"

"You will not lock the door. It is to remain open while you are here."

"No. I will lock this door when I want to. When Chuckie wants to. This is her private study; we will do as we please."

"Her brother will not be happy."

"Then he will bring his grievances to us when he returns tonight. How leave us in peace." I close the door, lock the door and set the crossbar to be sure.

I walk back, my girlfriend pulls me down into her arms. "Ok, why are you here." forehead to forehead.

"Anna's escape as been discovered. Frank is pushing hard to find her. I need to buy her more time."

"You want me to do my dark arts; witch-ways. I feel so used. So? Used. You cad." She teases me vamping, laying back against the arm of the sofa. Putting the back of her hand to her forehead, leaning back. Like those silent & noir movies Anna and Chuckie like to watch. I try to hold in my laughter.

"Yes, how can I make that big hairy brain of yours flow and solve my problem?"

"Well, my neck is cold." I pull her on my lap. Nibbling her neck, licking her lips, ear. Making her purr."

"Ok. Stop I have a plan, we need to flesh it out." I reluctantly allow her up. We go to our computers on the face to face desks. I stare across at her, pensive face, chewing on a pen; 'Her I'm studying don't ask me, disturb me, or breath on me face'. "Where is she at?"

"America, maybe NYC?"

"No, she known there. She would move away from NYC. So? We need to keep them away from America?" She stretches her neck, god I want to kiss that territory, my territory.

"We need a gigolo, nobleman outside of the country? Where are they looking?"

"Europe right now. Anna led them to Australia; but their thinking Europe."

Her finger fly over the keyboard. "Ah, got two candidates: a frog Comte and a German Knight."

"Where are they at?" She says to herself, lost in the game.

"The frog is two days out of Nassau, Bahamas on the Windjammer Sail-Cruise; due in Bermuda ten days."

"The other?"

"Knight is on a Captain Cook Cruises in the Fiji Islands due in Suva in fourteen days."

She is typing furiously. Three years ago, Anna had us take a short summer typing course. I can hold about 100wpm; Chuckie usually runs around 140wpm. It's been paying off in school and these side projects.

"Yes, the Windjammer is ex-navy, huuummmm; He served with my brother. The Fiji is American Navy, I will have to ask him." She smiles going into a frenzy of typing. The printer starts to pump out papers. I take the first page. A general outline of her operation plan.

Being the daughter of a MI-6 Operation Department Chief and a mother who was a MI-6 Top Tier Analyst, the sister of a Naval Intelligence Commander seconded to MI-6, Naval Department. Her brother is twenty years older than her. Her May-December married parents died when their car was stuck by a lorry on A501 where A1 connects from Islington, a month before she started kindergarten. The lorry driver suffered a heart attack, killed six people in the crash.

She is a genius on these strategy and tactic games. I'll stay for dinner, and see if her brother will help us. Philp is friends with Anna. He is committed to his girlfriend Elizabeth Mattison, Naval Architect for the Old Royal Navel College in London.

She loves him, but hate his title, public duties and blue blood sobs of court; refuses to marry him. They been together for close to thirty years. She will be home in two hours, she was running new hulls designs at the QINETIQ water track in Portsmouth. She is very smart and shyer than Anna. I marvel that anyone can be shyer than Anna. But she is. The two make a daunting duo, Beth and Anna; throw in Chuckie, and we mortal men tremble in fear and awe.

We work the things we can do. I have the logins to the Firm mainframe. We sent everyone on a wild goose chase. The only issue is Abby, our housekeeper and friend in Swainswick. She knows exactly where Anna is. I must follow Anna's wedding trunk, if it moves. If she decides to follow her solicitor advice. To be free of the family. I have all the money; I will need, security is questionable since Frank sent Ferguson away. Sgt-Major Sharp will escort me, yea that will work.

As My girlfriend take a suck my tonsils-out break. I let the world disappear. Just here in my slice of heaven, peaceful heaven. Here in Charlotte's arms, I'm safe, and loved.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After dinner, I need to stay here tonight, hide out in the Main Library. Anna's friends there will help me, I've done it before. Not letting Eliana or Leia get to me. I watch Chuckie strip and head for the bathroom door, she turns to me, looking sexy and unsure. ? I shrug.

She nods her head, I smirk, walking to her. Lifting her chin, looking into green eyes, emerald-ed orbs searing into my soul. "Join me" she whispers.

I smile and strip, taking her hand into the shower. I wash her, she me. I must look lost when she grabs my manhood. Looking into her eyes, I lean over, we kiss as she jerks me off. I squirt on her thigh. It's heaven. Our first sex act.

Once cleaned up, she don's a Sheffield night shirt. I don a pair of pajama pants. I keep several sets of cloths here. We get in bed and cuddle. She is everything to me. We spoon and I feel so right and happy; like my life could be turning bright and flowery.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sitting in the 2nd floor unused office of the British Library. I can watch the coming and going, on the security monitor. Anna has more friends here in the Royal Library then in our house or court. The Head of the Collection Department, dotes on Anna, hoping she will come here to work.

Anna's been hopping the bus alone to get here since she was nine; When she got her readers pass. I got mine when I was ten, mostly so Anna could keep me under watch and key. Chuckie got her reader pass with me. We try hard not to abuse the trust of the staff.

Tina, secretary to the Director, dropped off lunch from the King's Library Café. A roast beef sandwich and Dorita Ranch Chips. I'll be sure to drop money in her purse to cover the meals. She refuses to take my money any other way.

When I leave, I must take the roundabout way to Chuckie's cousin house on Ladbroke Grove rd. In Notting Hill. Just across the street from Ladbroke Square Garden. Staying away from the family house at Lennox Garden. Her cousin is away for the summer on an archeology dig in northeastern Guatemala at Nakum; on the tomb of a female ruler from the second or third century A.D. She won't be back till October.

XXXX

Wednesday 9am:

I stride towards the library, backpack on my shoulder. Coffee in my hand, trying to blend in with the other young scholars headed into the modern architecture of the British Library. When a hand lands on my arm. I breath, ready to fight; slowly turning to my capturer.

I let the breath out, "SGT-Major"

"The Trunk is on its way to Bristol airfield, direct to Sanford International at Orlando. I have your bag in the car: We have a hop from Gatwick to Sanford International at Orlando. We should arrive ten minutes before them, plus whatever U.S. customs does. We need to hop the Thameslink train in 10 minutes; trip time forty-three minutes to Gatwick Airport. Security and normal delays about forty-five minutes."

"The car?" I ask

"Zipcar in Chuckie's butlers name." He smiles at me, most children run from his scarred face, he got when Uncle Robert died. I don't: I see the devotion and love for me and Anna.

We book for the station, I see Parks, one of Chuckies CPO holding are luggage and tickets. Can't use our Oyster card. He hands us non-UK Visitor Oyster cards, nearly impossible to track. We head for the train.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

I tried to sleep on the 10-hour flight to Orlando. I tried to rest, nut's I couldn't. I worried about the man Anna is marrying. How she is, does he love her or her money. Question and more question I can't answer's?

I know Abby flew to NYC on Monday. Sharp says she disappeared. I wonder about the rumors about the Trantar twins. Chuckie's brother hints they used to be MI-5 or MI-6. I know the hidden, double locked scrapbook Abby has; shows them in fatigue somewhere hot and dirty. They each have a Dame Commander Cross Order of the British Empire, Dame Commander Order of St Michael and St George, Dame Commander Order of the Bath. Abby has a Distinguished Service Cross and a Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct. In her swimming costume; you can see terrible scars, like Uncle Robert's, Sgt-Major, and Ferguson have.

Helen, her younger twin sister, had a Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct, Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Service Cross, and an honorary member of the Order of Merit. How a Governess and Housekeeper won these awards are a mystery; if you overlook the oddities of each.

Both shoot better than Ferguson, with only Anna coming close to matching the Twins. I shoot on par with Ferguson and Sergeant-Major Sharp. Anna and I have both run the Shoot House at Herefords. Anna would have been ranked tenth overall if she could be ranked; she's murder on the paintball field. Abby teaches several martial arts to us. Anna talks about Helen teaching her several more as a child.

Secret passages, hideaway message drops, and hidden compartments and puzzle boxes litter the houses. Helen taught me stalking as a preciouses' five-year-old. Everyone is afraid of Abby and were terrified of Helen. Anna in her keepsake chest hidden at Swainswick, has a one-inch thick board she broke as a six-years old Brown Belt in Kempo. There are pictures of Anna, Helen and Uncle Robert firing heavy weapon at a military gun range. Anna has a bull eye target from the light machine gun with only the center shot out.

So, I am not surprised Abby has evaded detection. Ferguson cell goes to a dead drop in Gibraltar. I'll bet he's with Anna. "SGT-MAJOR. Call Ferguson. Find out where and how to get in on the party. Don't tell me you can't. I know better." I walk away watching the cars stop and load tourist outside of the luggage carousels.

"We have a van picking us up in a few. It has the trunk, a round-robin transit schedule to Anna." He says. So, begins are trek across America. From Orlando Florida we drive to New Orleans. Private passenger plane flies us to Indianapolis, Indiana; drive in another uncomfortable van to Saint. Louis, Missouri. A private cargo plane to Portland Oregon. With a long drive in the dark to Seattle. We stop in a skyscraper downtown; Sharp exist and Ferguson enters, tossing me an energy bar and orange juice. We drive over a long bridge. I watch the hazy twilight as we pull into a beautiful copy of a British Lake Country Manor House. This screams money and prestige.

I see several ladies; older matron exits the door. YES! Abby is here! I hop out of the SUV. "Frankie, what are you going here?" Abby asks amused.

"Ladies, I'm Frank Lambert the Second. Call me Frankie, I am very pleased to meet you all." I say kissing each ladies hand, ala gallant. The short Blondie is smirking at me. I wonder why.

"Frankie?" Anna ask walking up on us. "Ferguson." She nods to him as he helps move the chest inside. OK? I'm on my own here. I hope I survive mom's scolding.

"Simple, when Abby left, she took the trunk. Thus, it is logical to deduce you are following the legal advice and getting married. The rest of the family can wait, I'm no missing your wedding for anything. Besides I need to approve of the groom." I state in a clear an accurate voice. Please god let Anna be satisfied.

"This is (Short Blondie) Dr. Grace Grey, The groom's mother. This is Mrs. Gail Jones (Tall Blondie) the groom's other mother and housekeeper. The Groom is meeting us at the church at 8am." Anna introduces the unknown ladies.

"Who's the groom?" I ask.

"What do you mean?" Anna ask, that damm Anti-Verbose style of rapid back and forth. Like nails on slate chalkboard

"I hear Elliott or Christian?" I bark back, she hides a smirk.

"Frankie I'm marrying Christian. Since it has little to do with the legal stuff. I found my forever, happily ever after. How far behind are the parents?" Anna blushes. I want to back flip down the drive way. YES!

"Well, they are kind aaaaaaa innnn Bermuda? Waiting for you to arrive on the Windjammer Sail Cruise Ship with the froggy player, gigolo Comte 'de Craon. Who dazzled you to run away with him; to shack up with, kind aaaaaa: Talked the Captain into sending the information to the Firm. About your nuptial in Bermuda next Thursday" I waffle like a flag in a gale storm. Looking down sweeping imaginer pebbles with my foot, maybe if I act small, she won't see me.

"How did you do that?" Anna hands on hips, asks. Here's mother scolding me. Nothing like Eliana slaps; those I can bear. This guilty trip on steroids. I wish my girlfriend was here to hold me.

"He's a friend of Chuckie's brother. Royal Navy an all." I try to down play.

"How is the Lady Charlotte, still kicking your ass." Anna asks.

"Kind a? She decided? Ah' she wanted to be, girlie sometimes? Not always a bud (tomboy)." I sputter.

"Kind a what?" Anna refuses to let this go. I can see the future pain Chuckie's brother and Anna has for us.

"She's my bird, my burd (girlfriend) OK!" I bark to loud

"God your worse than the headmaster at Eton." I mutter under my breath; shit still too loud and Mrs. Grey and Mrs. Jones heard me. Great just let the earth swallow me. Anna hugs and kisses my hair.

"So, now Charlotte is your girlfriend. I need to remind you about birds, bees, safe sex." Anna speaks. I blush a look for an escape. Luck for me Mrs. Grey takes pity on me. I use the distraction to bolt inside.

"I believe Anna? That is Abby, Gail and my line. Now the Birds preens an"

"NO! LA! LA! LA! LAND!" I hear Anna following me.

I enter a great room, with massive wall of windows on a wide lake. A regal lady sits on the couch. A younger girl sitting next to her. The younger one is springing like Tigger. Dragging me to the couch. Sitting beside the lady. "I'm Mia! Christian's sister, this is our Grandmother Theresa Trevelyan"

"I'm Anna's brother; Frank Lambert the Second. Call me Frankie"

"Call me Grandma T, what is Anna's passion?"

"Books and more books. She hopes to be an editor in a publishing house someday."

"MOM?" Mrs. Grey states.

"Grace, get us some tea or coffee. Frankie was just telling me about his sister's love of books." Grandma T' asks.

"You must be Anna. My newest Granddaughter; come sit child? I can't believe you're marrying Christian I always though he batted for the home team." Grandma T' jokes, not very funny. Must be a inside family thing.

"What my Mother means Anna she though Christian was gay. Not into his?" Mrs. Grey stutter, I wonder why.

"If you mean the BDSM, we already talked; Taylor talked to me earlier before I met him official. He doesn't need it with me. I can touch him, even in the no-go areas." Anna says matter of fact.

I'm going to get Ferguson's gun and shot the bastard after the ceremony. She whispers into my ear; "I'll explain later, he's changed from that past. I love him" My angry face disappears; I hugging Anna. If she wants this. I'll move Heaven and Earth, kill anyone intruding on her happiness, her happily ever after.

"Well mom?" Grace says to Grandma T' "Did you think I would miss my grandson wedding."

"No, I sent a car for you this morning." Grace barks frustrate with her mother. I smile at the interaction, refreshing from the horror of my family.

"Good thing our favorite Grandson Elliott called yesterday. Your father drove us in near midnight. We're at Escala in the condo on the fifth floor." Grandma T' snickers at her jab and duck.

"Ok, what now Abby, Gail?" Grace asks as Tea and Coffee service is wheeled out. I get up and serve with a blonde airhead Scandinavian bimbo flirting with me. Good thing I Know the punishment for dabbling as dad says and does regularly. Chuckie would leave me blue balled; Black and blue balled.

"Anna's Wedding Trunk is here, everything is good. Miss Keller, Anna's LA Lawyer, has arranged flowers, and the chapel and city hall civil appointment. Andrea will set up the reception brunch at Grey house; Roz and Gwen are paying. Christian's PR with Miss Keller and Roz Bailey will handle announcement and press. Carrick's law firm will handle The Lambert Commercial Bank & Associates: the 'Firm'. Mr. Taylor will handle security and the Honeymoon transportation. We are charged with getting the bride to the Chapel, dressed and ready to make an honest man out of your son. Questions Anna? Anyone?" Abby talks assured.

Anna enters a combination, I enter my combination. I open the lid, slowly to Anna dream: Her endowment from Helen, the only woman she considers her mother. I can hear her last words telling Anna to never stop dreaming and trying to be herself. This chest; a chance to be happy and loved for who she is, not what she is or has.

They stare shocked. Yes, ladies a wedding in a box. Anna removes her wedding dress bag, turning to Mrs. Jones "Gail we may need this steamed"

I see the cherished family heirloom; Grandma Lambert would stare at the beautiful, antique patina, fine detail lace for hours before making Anna but it into her trunk. This to the females of the Lambert clan means family, love, soulmate "four-hundred-year-old Spanish lace, grandmother said it was from the Spanish Armanda, Grandpa said we stole it during Wellingtons Iberian campaign." I hand it to Grace. She reverently holds the veil. I can see everyone understands the meaning of such a gift.

"Grandma said getting married with it guaranteed the marriage will last forever. Neither Carla or Eliana wore it." I state the true. Their marriages were doomed, are doomed because they refused to wear the lace veil, Eliana called it a dirty dish rag. Abby told me Carla wouldn't because she wanted a tiara

We watch as Mia ogle the jeweled embroidered silk flat ballet shoes. "Annas' not very stable in heels over two millimeters" I laugh, remembering her practicing before every event. Two left feet Anna Lambert. Dancing and even Katas; are nightmares and traumatizing, especial if you get near her. Spar with her and find a very different graceful lethal swan emerges.

"Frankie! I can wear heel, I just want to concentrate on the groom, not on me crashing into a fishpond. O' wait that was you in your first dress shoes." Anna tease back. I blush, see Ferguson wave me. I head over; "what?"
"Frankie you're going back to Escala to be part of the guys preparation."

"OK. What is Escala?"

"The skyscraper you stop in this morning. Grey owns the Penthouse. That where the males are preening and getting ready."

"ok, lets go; Shit Ferguson I don't have a suit."

"Abby bought your Brioni." He laughs as we pull out of the driveway.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Escala C-pov

I sip my coffee, no one is up yet, Mrs. Whitaker left a note that Mr. Salomon would arrive at 5am, to take over housekeeping. I take my coffee into the great room. Its mostly put together. A pile of trash in the Foyer, empty keg, flatten drum set, four trash bags of I don't know what or what to know, a large box filled with glass for the recyclers.

It was hell of a party last night. I've never experience life like last night. It'll be years before I try again. I hope. I walk to the great window, sitting on the floor. Watch the cargo ships float past me. The dawn is peaking over the mountains behind me. As shadows length to some, shorten to others. The city awakes.

A kid drinking coffee sits next to me. We look at each other, measuring other. "Who are you?"

"Don't know if my sister mentioned me or not. I'm Frankie; Frank Lambert the Second. Anna's kid brother." He looks for recognition. She did mention him. When she wished he'd be here today for the wedding?

"Yes, she hoped you be here for the wedding. How did you get here so fast?"

"I came with her wedding trunk. An it damm well wasn't fast. Abby sent it all over the Midwest, before getting here this morning around 4:30. Anna's CPO Ferguson said Abby left my suit here. I was to participate in the Grooms stuff. Doesn't look like much is going on. Other than a very British Jamaican guy is making breakfast. Ferguson, Sharp and Taylor are sucking coffee at the breakfast bar."

"Well that sums up things so far. We have it far easier than girls. But you don't need to understand that yet." I tease him

"Boy? How did you get too be a billionaire? Making such dumb opinions." Frankie laughs at me.

"Ok, wise ass. What did I get wrong?"

"One; I have girlfriend. Two we've been sleeping together since Kindergarten. Although we have not done the deed; we have done stuff. Three; Mr. Money bags: Anna is not poor, she brings five-billion dollars to the marriage, with ninety million income ever year. I have an asshole mother and sister that don't take nearly as long as my dad to preen and dress for parties." He looks pissed off

"Ok, point well made. Why are you pissed off?"

"Because I want to like you. But your SM ways want me kicking your ass." Frankie fumes

"I gave it up before last Christmas. I would never hurt Anna intentional; I am not #3 or your father. I love Anna. Since the first time we touched. Ask Taylor how obsessed I was to find her after she disappeared. How I begged God ever day to return My Angel." I confess my needs, it feels good; lighting my burdens

Before he can answer, Winston walks across his lap and bloops down head on my leg. Giving a long snort. My dog, always doing something to break to tension.

"This is Winston, Winston Churchill. Your sister gave him to my mother, who blackmailed me to take him. Hour after I left Grey Manor; I knew I was keeping him. He led me to Anna, dragged me to Anna."

"That sounds like Anna, she loves animals. But the parents say they are allergic, so we never had pets. I think they were just being mean. How can you be allergic to fish in a bowl, or a turtle? But they claim the are." Frankie stroke Winston's luscious coat.

"Then we need several more dogs; to ward off the assholes. No in-laws! Except you. You're on probation. So, let's get up, eat and shower and dress. My happily ever after is a few hours away.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Luke-pov

I got in late from squaring away Elliott crew. The strippers want me to play; but I can't. I have my eye on a very fine filly. She is way out of my league. But I want her, need her! Since the day I flew to Paris to straiten out her CPO mess. I stayed for two months. We went everywhere. She on my arm, the whole time.

Then I came back here, while she finished up school. I saw her last night shuttling the drunk from Escala and Grey Manor. She gave me the cold shoulder, it was to be expected after our goodbye in Paris.

I'm surprised she didn't cry to Grey about firing me. If he did fire me, I would feel cheated; because we never slept together. Just shortstop, I remember her kisses. Her scent in the early morning walks to school. Her scent in bed, holding her.

She was the first girl; I enjoyed being with, around, just holding her close. We didn't need sex to hold the relationship. Then I had to break it off, as best for both of us. The nearly ten year difference is almost as hard as the money difference. So, this morning she will be happy, shining at her brothers wedding.

I need a cold shower and quart of saltpeter. I need a long draw of JD (Jack Daniel Whiskey) numbing medicine. I head for the staff quarters when I hear Jason in the main kitchen.

I walk in to find Jason and Christian, hugging in laughter. A kid is burying his head under the counter. A smiling waist coated guy is flipping pancakes, trying hard not to laugh. Welch is frozen half way to his mouth with a fork. Two guys who's have their backs to me, turning around. WHAT THE HELL!
"EDIE! What are you doing here!"

"That's my line Luke? I thought you were working commercial security?" Ferguson says

"This is my Commercial job, I work for Mr. Grey. Now? What are you and Sergeant-Major Sharp doing here?"
"My charge is marrying Grey this morning."

"Our charge Ferguson, The Majors daughter. Anastasia Lambert" Sharp tell everyone. The image of the crash flash before my eyes. I bolt for air, ending on the balcony off the great room. I gulp air. Trying to accept reality.

Anna, the girl I made friends with, originally to gain information, but quickly as a real true friend. Is the Major's daughter. I feel two people with me; Jason and Christian. My buddies.

On my last tour in Iraq; In 2005, I was newly posted second lieutenant assigned To Heller-Four Mike Force, Team Two. The Brits lose a Hercules to enemy missiles. We received intel on the leaders who ordered it, and carried it out. We mounted an attack force with SAS 22nd G first team, led by the squadron's EXO Major Lambert, Heller-Four, and couple of translators. We charged in to battle in three Blackhawks.

About twenty miles out we dropped low for terrain hugging. About five minutes after we dropped. The engine malfunctioned and blew up. the rotors separated and we dropped about a hundred feet, luck for a few. We landed on the fairly steep slope. But it was enough to allow some to survive.

I can hear the inhuman screams, smell fuel gushing, wires sparking. Both my legs were broken; I was sure I was going to die. Thru the confusion, the Major with busted ribs, hauled me out of the wreck. I laid next to Ferguson in the dirt, both his arms were broken. I watch the Major and Sergeant-Major Sharp go back inside to haul more guys out.

I watched the Sergeant-Major trying to stop the Major from going back inside one more time. He shakes Sharp's hold. Walking back into the inferno. He staggers out with the copilot, just as he stepped clear; the wreckage explodes. Engulfing them. He pushes the Copilot to safety as he burned. Sharp's brave the fire, drag them to us. He is still alive, dying fast. We see the other Blackhawks landing on top of the ravine.

The Major tries to speak. Ferguson tried to lean over, his broken arms left him on my chest, moaning is pain, I think he blackout a couple seconds. Sergeant-Major Sharp collapsed next to the Major.

Sergeant-Major Sharp's bleeding from his chest, face. His head was burned, blisters already bubble up around his charred hair. A four-inch piece of helicopter sticks out of his thigh. What was left of his uniform still charred and smoking.

"Anastasia, Anastasia. Tell her I love her. Tell her please, Ed. Please tell her. Anastasia!" the Major last words. To his niece, Edie told me later. I have never seen grown men cry like the SAS guys did for the Major. He died think about his niece. Edie on my chest sworn to protect her.

"He arrived in Seattle the same day as Miss Steele. I live a couple of blocks away from them. If we ask him; He's been watching Anna, every day she been here. He's been living in my spare bedroom. I never put two and two together. Sorry Jason."

"Did he know you were friending Anna?" Jason ask before Grey can.

"NO. I don't think so. All my interactions were inside Grey House."

"No, I never saw them together, I didn't put it together either. Sorry Luke. I'll move out if you want me too." Ferguson states, he's ashamed he ruined our friendship.

"I think it would be best if you two stopped pissing in your cups and figure out how to protect my wife. And down the road; our kids." Christian states. Cutting the bullshit as usually. We nod.

"Far down the road Christian." Frankie says seconded from the doorway by Mr. Steele, Mr. Grey and Grandpa T' all nodding. "Far down the road."

"Ok guys clock's a ticking. Get dressed or get married in what you have on. Chop! Chop!" Grandpa T' laughs in his double-breasted Brooks Brother suit. I see where Grey's curt style comes from.

We scatter to shower, shave and dress before the adults haul us to the church in our underwear.