Chapter 3
Elliot walks us in to the foyer and a woman staff member comes and takes Kate's and his coat. We place our gifts down on an elegant side table already filled with elegant looking gifts and I look up in awe at this masterpiece of a home. It's decorated richly in dark woods and rich fabrics, the furniture looks like it came from royalty and the artwork is museum worthy, I could see myself paying for a tour here for the day like I would if I were exploring a castle in Scotland, jeez! The House is decorated with several different Christmas trees filled with hundreds of ornaments that they have apparently collected through the years and wrapped by expensive looking train sets and nativity scenes.
We walk into a luxurious dining room. The elegant table seats twelve and is adorned with small crystal candelabras and holly berry centerpieces, above the center of the table hangs a glorious crystal chandelier that warms the room with a soft glow its exquisite like everything else here so far.
The archway just outside of the entry to the dining room has the traditional mistletoe hanging above it. Kate and Elliot stop right underneath as I stand and wait behind them and then once again take advantage of any excuse to lock lips. They are adorable but a little annoying!
Seated at the table are his parents who rise elegantly to greet us. Elliot hugs and kisses his mother warmly and shakes his dads hand and gives him a bear hug. His sister Mia sticks out her cheeks and he kisses each one and crinkles his nose at her playfully. Kate gives each of them a kiss on the cheek hello. There are a few other people at the table as well and Kate and Elliot greet them while I stand awkwardly waiting to be introduced.
"Hello my dear, I am Grace Trevelyan-Grey and this is my husband Carrick Grey, it's a pleasure to meet you, Katherine has told us so much about you" she speaks softly, her tone laced with warmth.
"It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am, Sir, I am Anastasia Steele, or you can call me Ana" I mutter nervously
"Very nice to meet you Ana, you may call me Grace" she smiles and I nod. She gives me a gentle hug and Mr. Grey shakes my hand.
"I'm Mia, nice to meet you Anastasia" and she grabs me and hugs me.
"Hi" I smile big
"Wow you are gorgeous, if my brother would have met you first, Kate would have been in trouble" she giggles playfully to me and I flush with embarrassment and Kate squeezes my hand.
"Nice to meet you Mia, call me Ana" Mia is a stunner. She has shiny black hair in a sleek bob, killer curves and as tall as a supermodel which she could easily pass for. A few of her friends sit beside her and coldly introduce themselves to me, one is names Lily and the other is named Emma. Another middle aged couple called Mr. and Mrs. Harmon that are friends of the family introduce themselves warmly as Ed and Lori, both mid 40's perfectly groomed and attractive. Kate leads us to our seats and Mr. and Mrs. Grey sit at opposite ends of the table.
On one side sits Mia, Emma, Lily and the Harmon's are seated. On the other side is Grace's mother sitting next to her, Elliot, Kate, Me and empty chair. I keep my fidgety hands under the table so nobody can see how nervous I am.
Everybody makes idle chit chat about work and family as I sit there trying to pay attention long enough to keep up if need be. Then the room comes to an abrupt silence as a young man enters the room. He is tall, grey eyed, copper messy haired and dressed in a white shirt opened at the collar, no tie, grey flannel pants that hang perfectly from his hips and a grey blazer opened. He is super gorgeous and I immediately know its Elliot's brother Christian Grey.
He walks towards the table gracefully and gently places a kiss on each of his mother's cheeks and she glows with joy
"Mother" he smiles, then he shakes his father's hand and smiles. Mia pops up and grabs him into a bear hug and he kisses her head. I can't help but smile at his affection for his sister, it's so cute. Elliot stands up and the shake hands
"Elliot" he says
"Hey bro" Elliot replies, He then smiles icily at Mia's friends and says "ladies, nice to see you" and the practically fall over dripping with desperation.
He greets the other couple and Kate and kisses his grandmother. Oh fuck it's my turn, he is extraordinarily good looking and I already know I shouldn't speak. Whenever I am nervous I never say the right thing or I have a klutz moment where I either trip or fall. Compose yourself, I scream silently.