Ana

We get back to the penthouse and I decide to bite the bullet and call my mother while Christian gets some work done in his office. I have been dreading this call but know it's the right thing to do. I dial her number and she answers the call as if she is forced to.

"Hello Anastasia. What can I do for you?" I guess she has caller identity on.

"Hello mom. How are you?"

"Well, considering my own daughter would not help me out financially I would say I am great." I ignore that jibe and push on.

"Mom I have something very important to speak to you about."

"Oh you do? Anastasia are you pregnant?" Shit that pisses me off.

"No mother I am not pregnant but I am engaged to the most wonderful man in the world."

"Your father mentioned you were seeing someone important." I go cold at the mention of that man. I grit my teeth and say.

"He is not my father nor my anything. He is the man who put me in the hospital yesterday when he ran me off the road mother." I hear he gasp and realize she did not know.

"He did what? Why was I not notified? I am your mother and should be told these things. What kind of a fiancé do you have that keeps your own mother out of knowing the important things in your life? Does he like to control you like that? It makes me wonder if he is just like Morton. Funny how the daughter always ends up finding a man just like her father. Oh wait was it all Alex's idea? He has hated me before he ever met me. That boy has always had it out for me." I can't take it anymore and I slam the phone down ending the call. I don't want to listen to her when she attacks the most precious people in my life. I realize I have tears running down my face. Alex was right all along. There I no way she is going to respect me enough to not spoil everything. Maybe not having her at my wedding wont be so painful. As much as I need her I don't think I can do this. Just then my cell rings and its my mother. I opt not to answer but decide against it.

"Hello."

"Ana its not Carla but me." I recognize my stepdads voice and wonder what is going on.

"Stan how can I help you?"

"Ana I want to apologize for what your mother has said to you. She was way out of line." Just hearing him say the words pushed me over the edge and I crack and I give him my everything.

"You want to apologize for her? I suppose you want to also apologies for her telling my convicted ex-step father were to find me because I would not gave her ten thousand dollars to go on holiday with you. Because of your wife my life lately has been a living hell. The same bastard who physically and mentally abused me for years now knows were I live because of her. She told him how to find me because I would not give her more money. He ran me off the rode yesterday because of her. So excuse me if I feel a little apology is not enough Stan. All I ever wanted was my mom to love me for whom I am but that was to much to ask. I am getting married in 4 weeks time and would have loved to have you all there but I guess that was wishful thinking on my part. I am sorry for being a burden in you and my mothers life and for being the daughter Carla never wanted. I guess she really has the family she always wanted and I am not needed anymore." By now I am sobbing into the phone and cant even stand the pain anymore so I throw my phone as hard as I can against the wall and watch as it shatters into tinny pieces and I just sink to the floor and just sob.

Christian

Alex warned me Ana wanted to invite her mother to the wedding but what the hell was said on that phone to have Ana break like this? I have watched from the time her phone rang and realized it was not Carla but Stan her step dad who called back. I scoop Ana up into my arms and just hold her. From what I gather he tried to apologies for his wife's behavior but Ana would not have any of it. I have never seen Ana like this before and I am so lost as to what I should be doing so I just hold her close and she clings onto me like I am her life line. Slowly but surely her cries die down and eventually she falls off to sleep in my arms. I carry her to bed and tuck her in. She has had a lot of drama in the last few days and just needs some rest. I walk out the house on a mission and decide I need to do something to help Ana out. Maybe a little visit to Carla Riley will help her change her mind. I grab my keys and head out alone. I arrive at there home and walk up to the door hoping I am doing the best think for Ana. The door opens and a very pregnant woman that looks like an older version of Ana answers and I see her eyes widen when she see's me there.

"Mr Grey?" I guess she has being keeping tabs on who I am. I am not surprised as Ana always made her mother sound like a money and fame type of women.

"Mrs. Riley may I come in?"

"Of course you may. Sorry come on in." I follow her in and realize we are not alone. Standing there is a shit load of kids of all ages and I suppose Mr Riley. These must be Ana's 6 stepsiblings. I get introduced to every one of them and they range from there early twenties to young. Everyone seems nice but I know its all an act.

"So Mr Grey what can we do for you today?" Carla says as soon as we are in a private room.

"Carla I think you know why I am here. You upset the women I love and I refuse to stand by and let that happen anymore. Ana is my life and I will do whatever it takes to keep her happy. I know for a fact having the only family she has at her wedding will make her happy but you blew that all to shit today with whatever you told her on the phone." I am angry and try my hardest to keep my cool.

"Mr Grey I spoke to Ana after she talked to her mother and is it true what Ana was telling me?" I don't get to answer because Carla cuts in and says.

"Stan we had this conversation earlier. I told you Ana has always being a bit dramatic. It was never as bad as she makes it out to be." I cut her off before she can say anything else to me.

"Carla you of all people know what you are saying is bull shit. Things were very bad and you failed her as a mother and protector. You failed your daughter and you are going to stand there and deny it." I am shaking with Anger but manage to control myself. I don't think Ana would like me to go crazy on her mother.