Enjoy

The Garden of Eden.

Part 3

Christian's POV

As the early morning light makes its way through the penthouse, I find myself still at the piano lost in my own thoughts.

This particular piece of music I've been playing has done little to lift my spirits.

The events of earlier keeps playing over and over in my head.

The pain my mother felt when she discovered the depth of my relationship with Elena is cloying, so is the knowledge of my father's anger and disappointment. The level of betrayal the feel is deep.

It showed me that I was right all those years ago when Elena and I first started. I knew my parents wouldn't understand and that all I would end up doing was hurting Grace. That was the last thing I ever wanted.

Hurting mom is like a knife in my chest and disappointing dad is the same.

Never will they see how much Elena helped me.

Looking back, I know I would be nothing without her help. She was the first to believe in me when I dropped out of college announcing I wanted to start my own company.

She gave me the startup capital. She introduced me to her asshole of a husband Linc's business advisors and to key people she'd met helping him with his business over the years.

But even before any of that, she helped me to gain control over my emotions. She helped me to be less angry and more productive in reaching my goals. Everything was based on goals with Elena, meeting certain tasks was key to gaining her approval as her submissive.

I laugh now at how easily and willing I was to jump through her hoops. I never tried to put up a fight. Even on that third day clearing her garden, I was a ready to be tamed by her.

So caught up in my thinking, I didn't even complain about the dinner that night, like I usually did. I even let Elliot's obnoxious comments roll off my back instead of fighting with him the whole meal. I barely paid him any attention. I just kept replaying what Elena said and did, thinking maybe I imagined it. I tried to convince myself I did, but my reddened face told me that was a lie. It certainly happened and if what she said is true, more will happen.

Mom and Dad sat eyeing me the whole dinner, waiting for the other shoe to drop, wondering if I was suffering from some form of heat stroke.

It was really the first time I had been at dinner without being buzzed. Only Elliot knew I was completely sober and he was getting a kick out of giving me hell for it. He probably thought my secret stash ran out.

I woke up early that next morning, ensuring I'd be at work on time. I had spent the previous night racking my brain trying to remember exactly what she asked me to do after she touched my dick and walked away.

She promised to take care of it for me.

I didn't even chance taking a sip of whiskey knowing she hated the smell. I showered and put on a fresh pair of jeans and a new T-shirt straight out the pack. Grace kept buying me new ones because she was tired of the holey ones I liked wearing.

My socks were even clean.

"A guy can't fuck a girl in dirty socks, right," I said to myself as I pulled them on my feet and stepped into a new pair of sneakers without even bothering to untie them. "Or am I supposed to take my socks off?"

Christ, I had no fucking clue.

I even tried to comb down my wild hair, putting water on it to slick it to my head.

"Damn, look at you all prim and proper," Elliot came into my room unannounced. I rolled my eyes at his intrusion. I forgot to lock the damn door. "You blowing off Mrs. Lincoln for bible study today?"

"If you only knew," I laughed. "Hey, El. How do you kiss a girl?"

The smug grin he wore on his face quickly disappeared.

"What girl?"

"None of your business."

"Its that fine ass red-head from down the street, right? She finally got your attention."

"What red head?"

"The one that's been riding her bike back and forth across the driveway all summer, trying to get you to come out. You had third period with her before you got kicked out she said."

I had no idea who he was talking about. No girls where interested in talking to me. The minute they saw the gross scars on my chest or they found out I was scared to be touched, they'd go laughing about me to their friends. Girls were idiots, plain and simple. I wanted a woman. A really hot woman.

"Well, are you going to tell me how, or not?"

"There really is nothing to it. Its just dancing tongues. Just twirl your tongue around hers. Maybe suck on it. Suck on her lip and try to feel her up too. On second thought, she seems shy. Maybe wait until you see her again before going to second base. But kissing is overrated. It's the stuff between her legs you want. But don't force it."

"Force it?"

What the fuck did he take me for? I was an asshole, yeah, but I wouldn't have force it.

He takes out his wallet and tosses a condom on my bed.

"Use that," he says, seriously. "Never trust anyone when they tell you its cool not to. Its never cool not to. And the last thing you need is some chick walking around here with your kid in her belly. Mom would shit herself and somehow, it would be all my fault. You need me to show you how to put it on?"

"I think I can figure it out. I took sex- ed last year."

I remember him awkwardly scratching his head and shifting his feet. Looking back on it now, I'm sure that whole conversation threw him for a loop. He was expecting a little teasing and shit talking when he walked through my door. Me asking him for sex advice was new to the both of us.

"Mom told me to be sure you were up to go over to the Lincolns. I can see why you're blowing her off today. That red head is worth getting in trouble for. Don't worry about it, I'll cover for you with mom."

"Thanks, El."

I felt bad lying to him about where I was going but that went away when I got to my destination.

I walked quickly up the Lincoln's drive going over her list in my head.

On time? - check.

Freshly showered? - check.

Sober? - check.

She opened the door to let me in.

"Good morning, Mrs. Lincoln," I greeted her.

She smiled pleased with me.

Respectful? - check.

"Good morning, Christian. You look very nice this morning. Very handsome."

"Thanks…I mean… thank you, Mrs. Lincoln."

"Go to work," she told me. I nodded and did what she said.

I didn't feel her eyes on me like I had the first two days. I didn't understand what the problem was. I had done everything she said, but I was getting nothing in return. Not even a fucking glass of lemonade.

My confusion and frustration grew as the hours went by. I wanted to give that shit up and go home. Maybe find that damn redhead Elliot told me about.

I shake my head at the thought of that girl now. Once in a while when a red head crosses my path, I imagine its that girl. I wonder what might have happened if I'd left Elena's that day and found her instead. Would my life be any different?

But I didn't go and find her. I never seriously entertained the thought. I only wanted attention from Elena, so I stayed.

I stayed and waited for her.

...

Elena's POV

I was expecting to hear from Christian last night. I truly should have known better. Ana probably has him locked away and Grace most likely has the key.

The nerve of Grace, throwing me out of her house.

I gave her back her son. She knows that I did. She had completely lost control of him. She was so blinded by the little boy he was, she couldn't see that he had grown into a teenager with hormones that were making him crazy. He wasn't able to be touched. Had she not noticed his the hard on he consistently wore?

It certainly couldn't have helped his situation having a brother like Elliot around with his many girlfriends.

Christian was lashing out because he was feeling neglected. I knew with a little attention and affection, he would straighten out. He needed strong discipline and rewards for his efforts. That's how my father raised me. One hand was for discipline, the other for reward.

I offered Christian a chance to relieve some of his pent-up frustration. It had turned into a very self-destructive aggression. When I saw his sexual response to me, I couldn't help myself. The way his eyes looked at the top of my exposed breast. The way he couldn't even form a coherent thought from being so enamored by it. No one had ever responded to me that way. I was always the seductress with men. But with Christian, he wanted me with very little effort on my part.

The path he was going down was certainly not one any parent wanted for their child. I saved him from all that. He is the man he is today because of my time and tutelage. I demanded he show Grace respect. I demanded he exceed in school. All her troubles with him disappeared over night she said and it was all thanks to me. How could she not see that?

She should be thanking me, not assaulting me.

To think that she likes Ana. She thinks she is good for her son. How can she not see that girl for who she is? She is changing Christian, using him for her own selfish needs. She is giving him nothing in return.

Carrick himself even has reservations about her, but not Grace. That woman is beyond guidable and so is her son where Ana is concerned.

I gave her the benefit of the doubt. I trusted Christian's judgement about her. Until she started in on me and her Mrs. Robinson nonsense. The judgmental little snot. She knows nothing about me. Of all the women to pursue a relationship with, he chose one that thinks she is above him.

When he told me he no longer needed my help in finding BDSM partners, I was pleased. I only offered to help because I knew how difficult it was for a man of his public stature to find women in the lifestyle. He was afraid it would somehow get back to the tabloids. So, I did the work for him.

Meticulously, I searched for women who I knew were only interested in what they could get from their DOM and not with having their name in the paper. Christian offered them more than what they expected and they have all been loyal to him.

When Ana came along, I thought he'd transitioned the same way he did when he informed me he no longer wanted to be a sub.

But then he told me of her utter distain for his way of life. Red flags went up about her. Why get involved with a man whom you dislike so much about? Money was my thinking. Especially since she had none.

I leave the mirror and strip off my Kimono, stepping into the shower. The warm water feels good on my skin. I allow my fingers to caress me. I am feeling sexually frustrated at the moment. I won't be able to see Isaac until the weekend.

I smile thinking of him. He is a lot like Christian used to be when we first got together. Of course, he is far more experienced. But training Christian was half the fun, especially our first time.

I remember how torn I was that day.

He had come over on time and smelling good, just like I had instructed him. He was even respectful. I could still see the glint of cockiness in his eyes though, I still can. I've never been able to rid him of it. Not that I truly ever wanted to. My goal was to cultivate it. To have him reserve it for all its usefulness.

It allows him to master a boardroom.

It allowed him to master me when he was old enough.

I frown at the term "old enough". He was always old enough. His age just disagreed with me.

His body certainly was all man. It was nothing like the 15-year-old boy he truly was. Physically, he had developed extremely well.

The bulge in his pants was bigger than any man's I'd ever been with. I knew I shouldn't have touched it, but at the time, I was so caught up I couldn't help myself. Kissing him, set my soul on fire. He was inexperienced. I could sense that. I'd assumed that he'd at least kissed a girl before. After all, he was an extremely attractive boy.

I could tell by his reaction that I had just carelessly given him his first kiss.

I walked away from him, hating myself. I was disgusted with what I'd done, but it didn't stop me from wanting to do it again.

The next day when he was at my door, I had told myself what happed between us was enough. That I couldn't allow for more. That I wouldn't allow for more.

I had gone up to my room while I sent him to work. I was determined to stay there, but my resolve soon faded. I was tortured. My thoughts were so torn. He was my best friend's son. He was fifteen. He had never been kissed before yesterday. Surely, I was about to do more harm than good.

But I was weak. My mind and body were weak. I convinced myself that it would be better with me. That I knew how to take care of him far beyond the abilities of some teenage girl. I knew he wanted me. It's the reason he was there. It's the reason why he came early. I knew he was ready.

I knew he was waiting for me, so I went to him.

"Christian," I called to him. Immediately, he stopped working and gave me his full attention. "I want to show you something downstairs in the basement."

"What is it?"

"Just a room. It's a secret room used mainly for pleasure. I think you'll like it. But If I show it to you, I'll need your word never to tell anyone. Not your parents. Not your siblings. Absolutely no one."

"I promise," he said quickly.

"Christian, If I allow you into this part of my world-if I share this with you. I need to be able to trust you. Trust is utmost important."

"You can trust me, Mrs. Lincoln. I promise I will never tell anybody."

I smiled at him. I could tell my smile relaxed him.

Whatever demons I was battling in my mind were all banished away when we entered the basement.

There I was in control and he was mine.

He was completely mine and he fucking loved it. He loved every single moment of it. Every punishment. Every ounce of pain and every inch of pleasure I gave him. He ate it up. He begged for it. He relished in it. He thrived.

Things between us started off slow, of course. It was imperative that I give him the needed time to adjust.

I took the lead. I had to.

He was so clueless in all things sexual, but he was so willing and ready to learn.

He learned fast. Soon, he didn't need any coaching from me.

He held his sub position down perfectly. He followed orders to the letter. Giving me complete control came naturally to him.

He was much better at it than I was with Linc.

I needed to be in total control of what we were doing. I wanted to absolve him of all responsibility. To allow him to focus on what he needed- on what he wasn't getting anywhere else. In our secret room he found solace. He found stability. He found an outlet for all his stress and aggression.

It healed him.

By the time he went off to college, he was a straight A student. Grace would go on and on about how well-mannered he'd become, how even tempered.

"The change was so instant," she'd say. "I think we've finally found the right therapist. We have our son back."

Never did she question it beyond that. Never did she truly want to question it. Why rock a very steady boat? Why aim it back toward troubled waters?

I was saddened when he went away to college, but I was also excited for him to have that experience in his life. He had earned it.

He promised to return to me and he had, much earlier than expected. But this time he had his own agenda. He had his own destiny and I was happy to help him with it. I was touched that he had asked me. Our brief time apart proved that our bond was still strong. The trust was still there.

I did everything I could to make him successful. His success was my success because in the end, he rewarded me with giving me my dream of owning a salon. I was pleased at both our accomplishments.

...

The shower stream turns cold, so I turn it off and wrap myself in a heavy terrycloth robe. The fragrant flowers from the Garden are coming through the patio. It reminds me of the long hours Christian and I used to spend out when he helped me plant them. It was just he and I with our gloves on getting dirty and sipping lemonade.

I go back to the bedroom to find Linc awake. He just finished on the phone.

"Who is calling so early," I ask him.

"I was calling in a few favors," he said.

"What kind of favors?"

"That jackass you've been coddling all these years is about to get what's coming to him."

"What does that supposed to mean? What have you done?"

"What I should've done years ago."

"Linc?"

I call after him as we leave the room, but he ignores me.

I look at his phone he left on the bed, frowning when I see his last call was to a bail bondsman. Who could he possibly know in jail that needed to be bailed out and what does that person have to do with Christian?

I wince at the sting of my face from Grace's hand.

I was so thrilled about being with the Greys to celebrate. I saw last night as a new chapter in Christian's life. I was happy to celebrate his birthday.

The engagement announcement came as a surprise to me. That, I was not expecting. That, I was not at all pleased with. He never even consulted me on marrying her. But like everything he has tried without consulting me on, it will fail.

He will marry Ana and it will fail. She is not the woman for him. How can such a man condescend to be with a woman who hurls lemon martinis in people's faces.

She is so disgustingly beneath him.

He will figure that out for himself. I know he will and soon, he will return to me. He always does. Its only a matter of time.

…..

Present Day

Elena's POV

I find myself locking up Esclava tonight. I stayed late going over the books. I used to do this with Christian on our weekly meetings, but since he is no longer my business partner, its up to me to dot all the I's and cross all the T's.

Its chilly out so I warp my black shall around me tighter as I lock the door.

"Christian," I say, jumping at the sight of him. "You frightened me."

I haven't seen or heard from him in three months.

"I didn't mean to," he says, moving closer.

"What's wrong," I ask him. I can tell something is wrong. He looks defeated. He looks terrified.

"I was just walking," he says. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I didn't even realize…"

He stops to shake his head. Its like he doesn't even understand why he's standing in front of me. Like he hadn't meant to come.

I smile knowingly at him.

Where else would he go? Who else would he seek out at times like these? Its always been me and it always will.

"Come and have a drink of bourbon with me," I tell him.

"Bourbon," he says, surprised. Rarely did I let him drink bourbon in my presence.

"I'm in a good mood tonight. And it looks like you can use something a little stronger than wine."

I have reason to celebrate. My divorce from Linc has finally come through. I am glad to be rid of him. I was gladder that the judge awarded me the house and a substantial amount in alimony.

"Its Ana," Christian said after his fourth shot of bourbon. "I fucked up with her tonight. Now everything is fucked up. I'm fucked up."

"You stopped being fucked up at 15 years old Christian," I remind it.

"Do you think…Do you think I'd be a good father Elena?"

Is he really thinking of starting a family with Ana? Is this truly what he wants?

My mind is reeling. The whisky isn't helping. My judgement is so impaired that I make a pass at Christian. I only meant to soothe him the way I used to. It only proves to scare away.

"Ana," he says, getting up to go. "Only for Ana."

I order a coffee to sober up, shaking my head at my stupidity.

I take out my cell to apologize to him.

I'm sorry about tonight. You know I would never do anything to hurt you. And don't worry so much. You will be an excellent father.

I smile putting away my phone, thinking of a little Christian Grey that might soon be in the world.

Oh, how I am going to adore that child.

And as for Christian, I spoke the truth. He will be an excellent father. He is already and excellent man. I have no doubt that I will continue to be an important part of his life. I always have been.

I always have been after all. I'm sure if ever his story is told, I will have an important part in it.

Hopefully, I will have my own little chapter. Maybe I'll get my own book.

Elena Lincoln: The Woman Behind the Man.

The End.

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