A/N: The theme of this chapter is redemption. Thank you readers for hanging in there with me - I am grateful for your encouragement and kinds words.
Chapter 21 – Life Affirmed
EamonPOV
My head is killing me, I don't dare open my eyes as I stir from my sleep. Where the hell am I? Mmmm I smell bacon – maybe, maybe it was all a dream.
"Well. Look who's waking up. Morning sleeping beauty." The voice of my enemy rings painfully in my mind's ear.
No, it's not a dream it's my goddamn nightmare, I think as I sit up and take in my surroundings and construction boy in sweats, a Hong Kong Phooey t-shirt and flip flops with a kitchen towel slung over his shoulder.
"Why don't you get cleaned up so we can have breakfast, the bathroom is down the hall on the left.
"How…what am I doing here?"
"Oh that. Well…you came by my office last night to kill me apparently and after you threw up in my freshly cleaned private restroom, I managed to get you into my car and onto that sofa – I was afraid of what might happen to you otherwise."
"I was only trying to scare you, I didn't even put bullets in that damn gun."
"I know this and, mission accomplished by the way, I was sufficiently terrified. There is a toothbrush, some mouthwash, a washcloth and towel on the sink, there's some Tylenol as well." He says tossing me a bottle of water. Breakfast should be ready by the time you've freshened up."
"Where? Where is…" I ask, nervously looking around for Katherine. Surely she does not want me here.
"Kate is changing and dressing EJ in his room. He finally got his big boy room two weeks ago, and he's very excited." Why are his eyes twinkling – what is he so damn happy about?
I turn and walk to the bathroom and close the door. The face that stares back at me from the mirror is almost unrecognizable, what the fuck have I been doing this past year – I look like shit. What is this Elliot Grey guy playing at with me? I know he must hate my guts, why would he bring me here – why is he making me breakfast and talking to me as though my being here is the most normal thing there is. He's up to something I just know it. Fucking asshole.
Ten minutes or so later I head into the family room and I find the jerk with my daughter and their kid still in the kitchen. Katherine looks so different – it's strange – as though I'm seeing her for the first time, she seems…I'm not sure…happy, they all seem happy. Katherine seems so relaxed with her husband, she was always so jumpy around me, me her own father. The baby is babbling away so it takes a moment before they notice me.
"Eamon, we're about to eat – grab those plates for me would you please?" Elliot asks, nodding at a stack of plates on the breakfast bar.
I don't know why I do it, but I do as I am asked. He did say please.
"Morning Eamon." Katherine greets me coolly.
"Morning." I respond, unable to meet what I imagine is her scornful gaze, before placing a plate at three places on the small dining table adjacent to the kitchen and taking a seat at one of those chairs, I am fucking starving.
Elliot strolls over to me and hands me the kid without a word and returns to the kitchen to grab platters of food, while Katherine pours orange juice and gathers silverware. I don't miss the alarmed, annoyed scowl from my daughter in response to his actions. Does my daughter think I would actually harm their baby? I changed her diapers for chrissake.
He is a cute little guy I must admit – he has my family coloring and big green eyes like mine and Katherine's, but I would be lying if I said he didn't in spite of those things, look exactly like his annoying daddy. He is staring up at me with a look of wonder and confusion – as if he's thinking – who is this guy and why is he about to eat eggs and bacon in my house? I have never felt more like an outsider in my entire life, here I am much to my chagrin for the first time in my own daughter's home, a very nice and well-appointed home if I'm being honest. She is married – I was not in attendance at the wedding, despite having received an invitation – and has a child who does not recognize me. I don't recognize me. I'm startled from my inner musings by the sing songing of table grace.
"God is great, god is good, and we thank him for our food, by his hands we all are fed, GIVE us lord our daily bread…aaaaahmen."
They recite grace just like Diane and I used to with Ethan and Katherine. She remembered. The delight of the little guy is obvious as his eyes light up at his parent's goofy antics. Try as I might I find it impossible not to smile at his delight.
Katherine reaches for the baby and straps him into his built-in high chair which is between us – his little plate shaped like an elephant, giraffe sippy cup and utensils with his portion of bacon and eggs make him smile and before long he smashes a piece of bacon into his mouth. Katherine does not look at me as I'm sure the sight of me would likely spoil her appetite and jovial mood.
We eat in measured silence with both my daughter and son-in-law briefly talking about the week ahead and some ridiculously priced stroller they saw on one of those TV shopping shows.
"So this is awkward huh?" Captain Obvious over here remarks after the lull in their conversation.
"Lil bit." I remark unable to suppress my smirk.
"How are you feeling this morning Eamon?"
"I'm fine." I am not one for small talk and I can imagine this must be quite the laborious task having me at their table, so I have to know. For me the direct approach is always best.
"Elliot, Why are you being so…inviting. I know you hate me."
"That's just it, I don't hate you Eamon, I never have – what I dislike is how you have treated my wife and in-laws. I don't even know you man, but that's your fault."
"You know Eamon…if Elliot was the man you imagined him to be you would have awakened in a gutter this morning or worse – the King County lock up. Instead he comes to bed last night and informs me that you are sleeping it off in our home…on our sofa." I am both humbled and annoyed by this notion at once.
"Thank you Elliot." I find myself saying and meaning sincerely.
"It's not a problem Eamon, you're Kate's dad and EJ's grandad – you're family." He says in a matter of fact manner as though his altruistic motives should somehow be obvious to me.
"How…why would you…?"
"Because Eamon, in a hundred years no one is going to care about any of the shit you've done, or said even. EJ is still a baby – all he knows is when he looks at you he sees his mom's eyes, – EJ doesn't care that you've been a total dick to your family, he will love you in spite of everything that's happened – it's up to you if you want to love him back. With EJ you have a clean slate, but it's up to you dude."
As if he somehow understands the conversation – EJ offers me a piece of bacon and I respond by leaning in and allowing him to feed it to me. I growl as I take it and he bursts into a fit of laughter.
"Bwocs?"
"Bwocs?"
EJ says to me with a very serious face – he's trying to communicate something though I have no idea what, but it's clear from the inflection of his speech that he is asking me a question.
"Sure buddy." I look to Katherine and Elliot wide eyed, with a shrug asking for clarification.
"He wants to know if you want to play with his blocks. It's his favorite thing to do." Katherine explains, still not making eye contact with me, rather gazing lovingly at her son. Katherine is a mom.
EJ responds by nodding his head in excited agreement.
He reaches his arms towards me and I stand to pick him up – prompting him to point toward the stairway.
I glance in his parent's direction and receive a nod granting the permission to take my grandson to his room.
...
...
EJ's room is fit for a little king. I've never seen anything like it - no wonder he seems so blasted happy – any child who wakes in this room could not help but be happy. His room has an actual tree trunk that looks as if it's growing out of the wall – the branches are painted on the walls and ceiling and have a 3D effect because of what looks like painted silk leaves. There is a train track around the base of the tree which has an opening for the train to pass through. His bed is in the shape of a bulldozer with a lighted canopy that resembles the bucket scoop, amazing. It is a child's paradise complete with built in lighted bookshelves that look like they are floating on the wall. I am not however, prepared for what I see on one of those shelves – among the family pictures is a framed picture of me. The frame is shaped like a newspaper page and the picture is of me at my desk – I remember this was taken a few years ago when we updated our website at KM.
"EJ, who is this?" I say pointing to the picture.
"Gandee!" he laughs and points at me. Smart little guy, he does know me, they made sure of it.
I cannot fight the tears that form. EJ notices my tears and leans forward in my arms giving me a sloppy bacon scented kiss to the cheek complete with raspberry, no doubt he's earned the same type of comfort from what I realize are his loving parents. He's trying to make me feel better.
"Bwocs!"
"Okay, buddy – show Grandy your blocks."
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...
CPOV
"Lillian. Come in. It's good to see you." I say planting a kiss on her cheek.
"Christian, thank you for seeing me."
"Don't mention it you and Luke are family – what can I do for you?"
"I'm not going to take up much of your time – I just wanted to give you an update on The Dignity Project." Her eyes light up as she talks about her charitable organization – almost as much as when she speaks about Luke.
"I wanted some advice on expansion, to other states – I believe we have a solid business model that can be replicated and our mission advanced as well to include international outreach. I have already talked to Ana about nationwide staffing concerns and she suggested that I speak with you about ways to first take TDP national and then global."
"I am so very proud of you Lillian and the work you're doing. How about I put you in touch with Don Jamison who is head of marketing and global outreach here at GEH? After you speak with him – I want to put you in touch with some of our contacts in the Sudan. Does that sound like a good start?"
"Yes, it sounds amazing. I don't know how to thank you." She says her eyes dancing as she attempts to blink back her threatening tears.
"Well, there is one thing you can do."
"Please, I'm more than willing to get my hands dirty."
"Lillian, what you can do for me is to find balance." She eyes me quizzically.
"The work you do is incredibly important, but so is having a life of your own, something you don't have to share with the world – being sure to connect with those who love and depend on you personally is even more important than the lives you impact every day. I had to understand and find that balance as well. We are more alike than you know. I know what it feels like to be hungry too Lillian, to have no one care for me, to be afraid. I understand the fear of slowing down because I might have to absorb, embrace and remember all of those things that are at the root of what is driving me. I know what it is like to fight against the notion that slowing down means I might wind up in the same or even worse position than I was before – to desperately need to be in control of what happens next. In the process of earning billions I lost precious time with my family and I had no friends to speak of. Honestly it wasn't until Ana came along and literally knocked me to my knees that I stopped to find that balance, I don't want you to miss out on your best life. I know that all of the things I worked toward led me to Ana and the family that she and I will build together – but I will never be able to get the time I spent worrying back. There is an old saying 'worry is like a rocking chair – it keeps you busy, but doesn't get you anywhere'. Worry also takes up an enormous amount of real estate in our psyche if we allow it."
Lillian is staring at me – and believing I have struck at the heart of her fear I continue.
"You're no longer alone Lillian. No one can or will throw you out of your home – you have love in your heart and in your life and it is real – embrace it and cultivate it. Everyone deserves love but not everyone gets it – enjoy your life and the gifts you have been given – while helping others."
"I am afraid." She breathes barely above a whisper.
"That's natural – and healthy. The trick is learning not to allow your fear to consume you."
"I honestly had no idea I had become so driven that I was insulating myself from my own happiness. I want to be better at balance, I cannot imagine my life without Luke."
At what point did I become this guy? I never envisioned myself as a man who involves himself in the personal lives of his employees or friends for that matter, what the hell has happened to me?
Ana.
Luke is scared shitless about proposing to Lillian – he thinks she will either believe it is too soon or that she cannot fully focus on a relationship beyond what they have at this point. What he is really afraid of is the notion that Lillian's distraction with her work is her way of letting him know that he is not her priority, and never will be. I could not in good conscience sit back and watch two people I have come to care about a great deal allow fear to ruin their future together.
"You need to make sure he understands that – Lillian, we men are nowhere near as emotionally intelligent as women, we are, in spite of our larger than life personas, extremely simple creatures. When we find love, it is devastating because it is usually unexpected and for this reason, nuance is often lost on us. When we feel good we think all is well – when we are not connecting, we think it's the end of the world, at our core we are extremely needy – we need attention and affirmation, we need to feel needed, especially by the woman we love. Without words and clear indications from the women we love – we are left to our own emotionally stunted devices and that's not good for anybody. Trust me, we're idiots." Finally, a smile.
"Wow. I really need to fix this."
"No, Lillian. Nothing is broken, your relationship is not another problem for you to manage. What you have to do is relax, enjoy your life and love your boyfriend. That's it."
"That's easy. Luke is amazing."
"Tell him that."
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APOV
"Ana, I have no idea what I'm doing."
"That's why I'm here, and that's why we're at Tiffany – they will walk you through the four C's and Enri will help you to make a lovely choice, besides Lillian will love whatever you chose, trust me it's about the man much more than the ring."
"Yeah, says Lady Grey of Bellevue with the Hope Diamond on her finger…" He scoffs and bows to me in dramatic fashion and we enjoy a good laugh.
"Whatever. I'm so excited for you Luke!" I say doing a little happy dance. I've spent entirely too much time around Mia.
"Calm down Ana I'm nervous enough. I've already thanked the boss for arranging this after hours shopping trip – thank you for helping me out with this, I wouldn't have a clue about where to start."
"Stop worrying about Lillian, she is going to say yes you big wuss."
"What makes you think I'm worried about that?"
"Because we're friends and I sense your anxiety – you have been stressed for weeks now."
"You would be stressed too, Lillian spends all her time working or thinking about working. Maybe she doesn't want to take things to the next level, she might not want to marry me. She might think getting married will slow her down, she's extremely driven." He says this more for reassurance than anything.
"Oh don't be ridiculous. She's as much in love with you as you are with her. You have to learn how to communicate your needs to her. We women look at the men we love like they are super heroes – I mean hell, you took a bullet for her Superman! If you need more time and attention she will not see it as a lack of support of her dreams I promise you. She will understand that you are communicating your feelings to her and Lillian will know that your future is wrapped up in her and her alone."
"Shit. That was good. I should have you propose."
"I'm serious Luke. Communication is key, now let's do this thing."
...
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...
Four months later
"Oh fuck yes! Right there baby. Oh please don't stop."
"Ana you look so beautiful." He remarks as he grinds himself against me while squeezing my swollen boob, his new favorite body parts. Hashtag baby tits!
"Oh Christian – I'm so close baby – I'm gonna…"
Shit!
I am rudely awakened from my wet dream by the sound of a loud crash from downstairs. I'm going to have to remember that position for later.
Shit. Shit.
"Aaaaaanaaaaaah…oh Aaaaaaanaaaaaah?"
"Christian, are you okay?" He's stumbling around trying to take off his clothes…in the great room. I notice in addition to the now shattered one of kind crystal Lalique vase, that Elliot has to be practically carried to the sofa by Taylor and Reynolds. Boy's night out slash Luke's bachelor party must have been a real blast.
"What happened here Taylor?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.
"Well ma'am…this…" he waves his hand towards my husband and brother in law "all started with a game of quarters. There was a bit of wrestling involved along with a dance off and finally a rather interesting game of football played entirely on their knees."
Taylor impassively recalls the evening's events in a dispassionate manner that is completely hilarious – I respond by giggling my ass off which alerts my oversized inebriated toddler to my presence in the room.
"There's my baby – you're so beaut…(belch) tiful Ana – I looove you – You're tha prettiest girl I've ever seen, I love you sooooo much babe…"
"I love you too Christian…you're shitfaced huh baby?"
He slides off the ottoman he was prone upon onto his knees and wraps his arms around my waist and starts kissing my belly.
"Taylor that's my baby in there – I'm gonna be a fa..ter!" He slurs.
"Yes sir." I think I saw one corner of Taylor's mouth turn up.
"Christian did you have a good time with Elliot and the fellas tonight?"
"I DID hah fun wiff El…wiff Lele…wiff him." He says pointing to Elliot's passed out figure on the sofa.
"Did you speak with Kate Taylor?"
"Yes ma'am I called her on the way here. She asked that we keep Mr. Grey for the evening."
"Awesome, would you find a couple of buckets for these two while I grab some linens for Elliot?"
"If yah hornay…lesss doooo it…ride it my poneee…" Christian is barely standing in the middle of the great room, gyrating his hips while grabbing his crotch singing the lyrics to Pony, when I return from our linen closet. He's also winking at me, which seems to be somewhat painful for him. Oh dear lord.
"Why don't you help me get Cassanova here to our room first."
"Yes ma'am."
"Taylor?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Cut the shit!"
"Yes ma'am." He responds with a huge smile, breaking his stoic reserve with me, for the first time ever.
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CPOV
I wake when I hear giggling. I don't feel nearly as bad as I thought I would, I was drunk but I managed to stay hydrated and we did eat a substantial meal and snacked throughout the evening.
I am hung over, but my wife's giggle calls to me like a siren.
"What's so funny?"
"Really Christian? What were you thinking?" Nearly doubling over as she focuses on something on my phone.
"About what?" I say as I tentatively open my eyes.
"This."
Damn cell phones.
It is one thing to have a dance off mimicking the best moves from Magic Mike, and play tackle football while kneeling – it's another thing entirely when in your stellar drunken wisdom to insist that Taylor record it all for posterity.
"Give me that, I'm going to delete it."
"Go right ahead, I've already forwarded it to myself via e-mail and text. Aaand I sent a copy to Kate."
"You didn't!"
"Of course I did, her husband is one of your co-stars why wouldn't I?"
"What are you gonna do with that video Ana?" I ask sitting up much too quickly.
"I haven't made up my mind yet…maybe nothing. Your Channing Tatum could use a little work." She says handing me a bottle of Gatorade and two Advil.
"How was my Christian Grey baby?" I remark while tracing my index finger around her hardened nipple.
"Perfect."
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...
"Fuck baby! It's so deep like this – how did you come up with this angle?" Ana is lying on her back on top of me, I am on the edge of the bed with my legs on the floor for leverage, and I am holding Ana's legs up with my arms hooked under her knees. Ana is using her elbows for leverage and we are banging the shit out of each other. Clearly she read about this in some contortionist manual, she's almost in birthing position with my arms being the stirrups – all I can think is...
"Thank fuuuuck you're so limber baby."
"Christian! Oh baby, this feels better than in my dream. Aaaah…your dick curves the right way. Yes! Right there!"
With that I lose it and jackhammer my wife's constricting pussy as if tomorrow I am going off to war or to death row.
The roar that escapes the two of us in unison is animalistic and raw. I have never come so hard in my life, it feels like my balls are deflated and my dick feels drenched. I am still hard.
I roll Ana on her side, free myself from her for the few seconds it takes to I prop her up on all fours, on the edge of the bed. I crouch behind her, lean down and rim ass her with my tongue until she screams, and before she has time to recover I ease into her discovering much to my delight that her pussy is still quivering – at the same time I ease my thumb into her tight ass.
"Oh, Christian! Oh fuck…"
"You like that baby?"
"Yes, please, don't stop."
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...
Six years later
APOV
"Ana, the journalist from Forbes is settled in the conference room along with Kate and Sawyer."
"Thanks Hannah, I'll be right there."
Life can be so funny. If someone told me when I was in college that I would be a working mother of two with offices located at Grey House, being interviewed by Forbes Magazine, I would have insisted they have their head examined.
This Saturday we're having a birthday party to celebrate our little girl's birthday. Christian has as usual gone overboard and that's putting it mildly, I have learned to pick my battles with him and I for one think birthdays deserve a bit of fairy dust so I turned him loose. Our Friday Ciara Grey came screaming into the world on August 20th she was born naturally on her actual due date with her eyes wide open, ready to take in the world around her. Like her father she likes to be on time for everything even now.
She is my spitting image with her father's eyes, it is fitting seeing as she is the apple of his eye. Friday while dainty with delicate features is a total tomboy and has followed her daddy around since she was able to walk. It is hard to believe Christian once worried about being the father of a daughter, he is a complete natural, I have never known a more competent and devoted dad.
When Friday was around eighteen months old we learned we were pregnant for a second time, and nine months later Christian Trevelyn-Grey II, whom we call Chris was born. Chris is all boy and at the same time a total mama's boy. He idolizes his sister and annoys her to no end by following her absolutely everywhere.
Christian and I had begun the process of delegating a great deal of our day to day functions at GEH and Elite when Friday was born, but after Chris was born, Christian and I cut back our work schedules dramatically, Christian became president of GEH and turned over the day to day operations to Ros making her CEO and gifting her with a healthy package that included GEH shares. Christian works from his home office around three days during the week and only goes into GEH for face to face meetings with the executive team.
Kate is a full time mom and acts as vice president of Elite Staffing while I am president with Jose at the helm as CEO. Jerome is CTO of both Elite and Elite Global our training program and has a staff of six now that the program has nationwide presence. Kate and I teach the training program three times per month and we would not have it any other way. We are both almost completely out of the day to day running of Elite, but still make major contributions in decisions about the scope and direction of the company, but our families are our priority hands down. Chris is four months younger than Haylee and Tanner, Kate and Elliot's twins, who oddly do not share a birthday as Tanner was born seven minutes after midnight while Haylee was born ten minutes before midnight on the previous day.
Kate and Elliot tore down her old family home that Diane and Eamon shared and built a sustainable smart home, their dream home - but it was not without drama. The architect they hired, had a past with Elliot and unbeknownst to him still carried a torch for him despite being married with a child of her own. Elliot sent Kate to the home site in his stead after he received a message from Gia Matteo that there was a minor post construction design flaw that needed to be addressed. Elliot had an emergency come up on another site and asked Kate to meet with Gia and take pictures of said flaw. When a newly pregnant Kate showed up at the house with EJ and her father in tow, they discovered a G-string clad Gia spread eagle on a rug in front of the fireplace along with chilled champs and caviar with toast points, ready for a private celebration with Elliot. Needless to say Gia was not paid for the designing of their new home and Kate pretty much ruined her socially. She threatened if she ever contacted Elliot again she would send a few of the photos she snapped much to Gia's chagrin, to her husband.
Mia and Aaron married six months after Friday was born, they opted for an intimate and beautiful destination wedding in the Maldives. They recited their vows on the beach at dusk with the beautiful crystal clear waters of the Arabian sea as their backdrop. Mia opted for no attendants she only asked that both families wear the color blush in some form and when we saw the pictures a few weeks after the wedding the optics were absolutely breathtaking. Two years ago, our nephew Devon was born and Mia has finally slowed down, she promoted her sous chef deciding to spend more time at home with Devon. She works four days a week still, but no longer goes in to work before dawn, she always says that those two am feedings cured her of her early to rise mantra. She and Aaron are expecting their second child in about seven months from now.
RJ married his girlfriend Tyler last year and lives in Washington, D.C. Though he was heavily recruited by a number of AM100 law firms he decided instead to partner with two of his law school classmates and started the firm Steele Mitchell Brown, LLP. He sought guidance from Carrick, Christian and of course Dad for the start up. Christian remarked how impressed he had been with the preparation of their principal partners for the meeting he took with them, and my dad was over the moon.
Luke and Lillian married four months after their engagement and learned after returning from their honeymoon, that the reason Lillian had been under the weather was that she was pregnant their now five year old son Micah. Lillian did develop The Dignity Project into a foundation for the homeless which has offices now in ten states and Washington, D.C. She managed to find her balance, and while the buck ultimately stops with her she does have a board of directors and a full staff, including volunteers that facilitate the running of the foundation which as a 501(c)(3) organization is now eligible for funding after being certified through both the United Way Campaign as well as the Combined Federal Campaign. She now concentrates on her local efforts, including the flagship Dignity Project in Seattle, her salon and beauty school.
Jaiden is a high school senior now, having skipped a grade during middle school. She plans to study nursing like mom, wants to specialize in oncology and will be attending Stanford University opting to begin school in an accelerated program beginning in the summer two weeks after her high school graduation. While Jaiden assured me she plans to immerse herself in a great deal of the college culture she does not plan to live on campus, opting to live at home with Mom and Dad. She of course didn't admit it, but I could tell she wasn't ready to leave home just yet, and with her I have a feeling that even when she does she won't be going very far at all. Jaiden, while very well adjusted and bright is likely still somewhat co-dependent when it comes to our parents, especially Mom – my guess is she is just making up for lost time. I am glad that with me in Seattle and RJ on the east coast that she will be sticking close to home.
After a few years of hints, some not so subtle, Jim finally convinced Diane to give marriage another try. They eloped to Vegas about a year and a half ago and still live at Escala. Those two have become quite the world travelers now that Jim has retired, spending time together with Grace, Carrick and my parents regularly, often all travelling together. Last year as a Christmas surprise we learned that all of our parents had jointly commissioned Grey Construction to build a thirty thousand square foot chalet in Montana to accommodate our extended and growing family, which right now totals twenty-six, during holidays and vacations. For the first time in history I'm told, Elliot managed to keep a secret, and the entire family including Eamon and his girlfriend Lana had a wonderful Christmas and New Years, together.
Eamon sold his shares of Kavanagh Media and moved to Bainbridge Island after making amends with his ex-wife and his children. He spends the majority of his free time with his grandchildren, his favorite people on earth. Although he has a great relationship with all of his grandchildren, he and EJ are best buds. Eamon came to terms with his abusive and troubled upbringing, learning in therapy how it caused him to resent his wife and children and what he viewed as their charmed lives. Every summer he takes all of his grandchildren on a month long jaunt to his place in Hawaii. He is an amazing Grandy.
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CPOV
"When I met Mommy I tripped over my feet and fell on my knees, because she was soooo beautiful."
"That's funny Daddy." Friday giggles.
"It's true, she was like a princess, now that we're married she is a queen and you're the princess."
"And I'm a prince, right Daddy?" My four year old son asks not to be outdone.
"That's right bud."
"Does that mean you're a king Daddy?" Friday asks with wide eyed anticipation.
"No my lady, I am your humble servant." I respond taking a bow in jest, but no truer words were ever spoken, my children and my Ana own me, body and soul.
"But if Mommy is a queen you have to be the king Daddy because you got married and stuff, right?"
I'm not sure if she's asking or telling me, and Chris is nodding his head yes, so clearly he agrees. Okay, King Christian it is.
"Okay, I'll be King Daddy, but just remember, Queen Mommy is in charge of the kingdom okay?"
"Kay!" They say in unison almost. These two.
I had no idea what exactly our lives would become when Ana walked into my life and future that Friday morning all those years ago, but I knew she was my forever. I always thought it was hokey the way my parents were all lovey dovey, with their displays of affection and tales of love at first sight, at the time I just did not understand. I get it now.
Just when I believed I had maxed out on my capacity to love with Ana, along came Friday and Chris who with their mom have made me the man I was always meant to be. I made billions as a CEO becoming a titan of industry, and while in the past I would blow off family time to pore over details of some fledgling company or go blind watching the stock market crawl across the bottom of my television, permanently set to CNBC – I would give it all up, and I did, for the chance to make my daughter's lunch, or watch my son's face light up when plays with his solar helicopter, or sit in our loggia holding my wife's hand as we dream together and awake about our future and those of our children. I am a husband and a father, this is my life's work.
I am yanked from my daydreaming by my squealing children.
"Mommy's home, Mommy's home!" They chant while running to the door before Prescott can even bring the SUV to a complete stop.
"Mommy we made spaghetti for dinner." Chris informs his mom practically dragging Ana into the kitchen.
"You did, oh I bet it's going be soooo good." Ana says bursting with excitement and rubbing her tummy, much to the kids' delight.
"Hi Daddy." She purrs, before planting a soft kiss on my lips.
"Hi baby. I missed you today."
"I missed you too." She says slyly and briefly glancing at my package. Ooooh yeah.
Even after all this time, Ana and I cannot get enough of each other. I get turned on at just the sight of her. Having two very active and inquisitive kids presents some struggles in terms of spontaneity, but I am proud to say we have perfected the art of the quickie, Ana and I can accomplish a satisfying, dirty, nasty little romp in about five minutes flat, with or without muffled sound. It's an art.
"Gail took off about thirty minutes ago, dinner in about ten?" But not before helping the kids and I get a jump on this bolognaise sauce – while I've gotten better at preparing meals, I understand my limits.
"Perfect, I'll run and change while you guys get everything ready." Ana beams at the three of us.
"Kay Mommy!" As always in unison with these two.
Once we were in the new house, we realized that while Gail was a great help with the children and somehow managed to stay on top of household duties, the square footage was just too much for one person. We attempted to use staffing services and none seemed to work out, so Gail took the lead and fully staffed our home with our housekeepers Madeline and Georgia, and groundskeeper Jake, she also coordinates and contracts such extras as winterizing, window cleaning and pool maintenance. Now that the children are little older and in school we don't need as much help with their day to day routine, especially with both of us at home most of the time now. It was then that Ana, ever the talent aficionado, suggested that Gail start her own domestic focused staffing service, because of her discerning nature and unparalleled professionalism in staffing our home.
Managed Home Care is an executive home management service for Seattle's elite. The work is mostly consulting so Gail works on an on call basis, which amounts to about twenty hours a week. She still manages our home including the staff, does grocery shopping and prepares most of the family meals during the week, unless Ana or I are otherwise inclined. She and Taylor live in their own cottage on the grounds of our home, unlike at Escala it is separate from the security quarters that are located in the auxiliary dwelling unit we had Elliot build along with the thirty five hundred square foot cottage he built as a surprise for Gail and Taylor.
Taylor is in charge of security for our family exclusively, with each of us having our own CPO. Once Sawyer and Lillian became parents he expressed a desire to cut back his hours to a more traditional work week, so he was promoted to deputy chief security officer under Alex Welch and works full time at Grey House, only acting as a CPO for special events and outings.
"This looks amazing guys!"
"Daddy and Mrs. T did most of the stuff." Friday points out.
"That's just cuse you and Daddy say we can't mess with hots, right Mommy?" That's my boy.
"Right bud, high five!"
...
...
Soon we are done eating, the kitchen is clean and our children were last seen in the play room discussing the finer points of Candy Land and Connect Four, giving Ana and I a moment to catch up.
"How did it go today?"
"Good, I love the continuing ED classes. Kate gets really fired up – it makes a fun time for everyone."
"I want to get away with you soon, it's been too long."
"You're right baby, I've been missing us time too."
"How about we head to Barbados for a week next month?"
"Sun, sand, you…Sounds like paradise."
"Good, I'll make it happen. The kids are self-sufficient, no need for baby sitters right?"
"Oh agreed, six and four? Those slackers should have been driving by now! We've coddled them too much."
We laugh at our silliness before making out on the family room sofa like teenagers who might get busted at any moment, and we just might.
"Mooooommmmeeeeee!" We hear from the playroom.
"Yes, Chris!?"
"Can we have story time?!"
"Okay, just a minute!"
"No, give us five minutes bud!" I yell.
"Kaaaay!"
...
~fin~
A/N: The epilogue where Elena's fate is revealed will follow in about an hour.