Chp16 Anna doppelganger

Gpov

I move thru the crowd of my Gala. Searching for my children. I spot Elliot with a blonde bimbo, where does he find these girls. I use to think he did it just to piss off Cary and me. Now I suspect he is terrified of a real relationship. Seeing him watch Christian and Anna with such envy, longing, and wishing. I thought he had feeling for her, but no he doesn't. He confessed that our relationship and Christian's new one depress him, how could he ever find a soulmate, and have a relationship like us. I know somewhere out there is a girl for him to settle down with.

I spot Christian in a group of businessmen and wife. A striking brunette, in a simple elegant silver gown is fawn over him, and he's returning the flirt. HOW COULD HE CHEAT ON ANNA! I move to break this up. He sees me approach, but smiles and pulls the tramp tighter to his side. I reach them and all the steam in my body vanishes as Anna turns and smile at me.

My god! She has transformed from a beautiful girl into a gorgeous sophisticated woman. She is perfect. The simple line of her gown accent her body. The backless design, with the simple lace edging is perfect. Her skin, hair is perfect. I can't get that word out of my mind. I can't find another word to replace it. They are a perfect couple.

I feel a hand on my back, Cary leans over and kiss my neck. I lean into him. My world is perfect. Mia has one more year of high school, Elliot is successful both business and social. Christian is turning into the son I always knew he could be. And Anna's the icing on the cake. Just what he needs. Dream walking the night away, lost in this Eden. Surrounded by family and friends.

My mother is awe stuck by Anna transformation. With the striking looks and still the loving, serene caring girl inside. We watch as They laugh, looking young, free. So carefree. My mother holds my hand as Anna steals a kiss. All the pain and misery was worth it. Just for this moment. As my son become a man. Loving, caring, happy. My mother hugs me. "Perfect, just perfect!" I nod.

Christian and Anna dance all night. I watch them cuddle as the fireworks explode, the look of wonder and awe on both of their faces. Grinning like a loon, I hug Mia. My family, my world.

XXXXXxxxx

A pov

I sit in the emergency room. Pissed off, fuming as Elliot sits with me. Welch is getting grilled by Carrick. I waiting for my chance. Eco terrorist attack Christian at a Conference on Green Technology. Put six stiches in his thick, hard, stubborn, HEAD. I don't need CPOs', bullshit. Frigging college drop outs beaming my man with a paint can. I sit fuming.

Grace walks out my man. A little purple from the paint. I don't care as I hug him and kiss him. I let all my love pour into him. As we walk I lean into him. "from now on you have a CPO. Period end of story."

"Anna I don't need a CPO, it was a one off thing" I stop, drag his face with my hand. Looking deep into his eyes. "Christian Grey ONE! is way too many. Now if I have a CPO, you have a CPO. Or are you wanting to break up?" he stiffens, and violently shakes his head, causing a loud ouch "that hurts, Anna I am never breaking up with you. Augh. ugh. Fine I will get a CPO. I don't need him, but if it will make you happy." Looking deep I see he is going to fight me tooth and nail. But I am not losing him, even to his stupid, macho ego.

Grace insisted we go to Grey Manor; so she can monitor her son for concussion. I even get to sleep with him. He brightens at the news. Mia is already baking a chocolate cake. Sally is doing her pot roast and peppers. Holding his hand in the car. I feel proud of him, taking on four eco-nuts. The worst part is I leave Friday to start WSU. I need him safe. I know how much hate mail he gets. I have three days left. I am going to keep him in bed, relaxed and 24/7 Nurse Anna. I smile in the dark.

Xxxxxxxxx

Saturday Portland.

Christian Grey is a pest. Underfoot, and pouting as Kate and I unpack; Set up the condo her dad bought for us. Chris is pouting about leaving tomorrow, and having moved the couch three times. We just can't decide where it works best. His new CPO is our former camp neighbor Taylor. He is no nonsense, but I can tell he has a devilish hidden humor, just waiting to pop out. At least they can talk fishing, hiking, and run together.

Sitting on the floor, between Chris's legs, eating take out Hunan Chinese food. Watching reruns of Star Trek Deep Space Nine. I will miss this. Kate is laughing at us eating off each other forks. She is party girl on steroids. But she is also a good friend and genuine caring person. She already has an interview for the student newspaper.

I start my part time job at a language translation company. I know Chris help me get an interview. But my resume is good. The owner is a bright grandmotherly former Flower child of the sixties. Right down to her tie dyed skirt. I feel at home with her. A security is already in place there. Warren, my CPO is going to dress down to fit in the college campus. I watch as Chris steals the last piece of chicken. He is so going to pay. We clean up and I drag his weary body to my bed. Curling into his arms. I cannot believe how good life is.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

October: first week

My second straight week without Chris. We talk and sext every night. I miss him more than I realized. I was hoping he be here next weekend, but the English company demands his presence. I head to my job.

"Hi, Terry what on my plate tonight?"

"Well, my dear, I want you to train a new employee. She will be working from home. So you'll have to go there for the next couple of weeks."

"Ok? I'll gather the stuff, and head over."

"She's had a really rough experience, so she need a soft touch."

"not a problem, Terry, I'll make sure she comfortable."

Driving Alice, my new car an Audi. I had plan on Wanda but she died. Christian is loaning me the car, I know he's never taking it back. I still feel uncomfortable spending his money. But dad and him teamed up on me about a safe car. Men! Arriving at a small house in the western suburb of Portland. I ring the bell. A friendly middle age woman answers the door. "Hello?"

"Hi I'm Anna Steele from BI. For Mary."

"O good, she and Gail are in the four-season patio. I'm Gail's sister Micky" she leads me thru the house to a bright airy glass enclosed patio. Another middle age woman, I assume is Gail. I startle at a brown haired girl, with big brown eyes stares at me. it like looking at a mirror. I softly hug her and introduce myself.

She is a bright, caring girl a year older than me. She was violently attacked is Seattle over the summer. She is scared to leave the house. She is my new project, get her outside, I remember my struggle after husband 3. We talk, sipping tea. I ease her into job. She speaks and reads four languages. We start to work. Setting up her laptop, explaining the procedures and quotas. We work good together. I look forward to are next session.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

October, last weekend.

We drove up from Portland last night. We are going fun running today. The club is meeting up and driving to Tacoma. We're all meeting at GEH, taking a bus to the run. The guys are bringing their wife and girlfriends. I managed to convince Mary to join us. As we were one short. Max is married to a bright, pre law girl named Alex. Morgan is dating a chef, Theresa. Christian and I, but Harrison is single. I plan on matchmaking him and Mary. Her and Gail drove up with me. They'll both be running. We will have Gail paired with Taylor for cover.

While waiting for the run to start, several of Ray's military friends stop bye and say hi. We're all invited to Cowboy Bobs. Harrison and Mary are whispering. Looking everywhere but at each other. Do Christian and I look that goofy? I hope not but suspect we do. I'm surprised how quickly Gail and Jason mesh. I mean all the pairs are lovey dove, googly eyed. I wonder if Christian and I are contagions.

We stay a pack to the last mile. Apparently Max and wife have a bet. Turns out she's a marathoner. She leaves him and us in the dust. Apparently Max is spending both holidays with the in-laws. After the race, it's barbecue time. The party is loud and fun. Even the riblet. Afterwards on the bus everyone is cuddling. Mary is comfortable enough to have Steve arm around her. She's getting better, one day at a time. I cuddle deeper into Chris. Today was a great day. good fun, good friends, good boyfriend. I hope we have more days like this.