Saturday dawns, I got up early and headed to the local gym and pool. I needed some me time before Mia arrives. I've pretty much had the house to myself for 6 months and it's been so quiet which suits me fine with all the studying for exams I had to do. But this is it; the last few hours of tranquillity will be shattered as Mia descends upon us once again.
I arrive, slightly out of breath after the 15minute run to get here and decide to head straight to the pool as its quiet. The local swim team has just finished their early morning session but the coaches remain on the deck, deep in conversation as I dive in to start my set. Up and down the lengths I go in a graceful, almost lazy front crawl as I get into a steady rhythm. After 20minutes warming up I pick up the pace, alternating every 100m between fly, back, breast and free at varying pace. As I push myself to my limit I remind myself that this is one thing that I'm better at than Christian. I push him close on so many things like piano, rowing, and kickboxing. We compete against each other as equals, occasionally I beat him but he's so angry if this happens I know I'm in for a thrashing the next few times we're up against one another as he doesn't like to lose. He is my favourite person to train with though as he always pushes me to the limit without fail every time. The swimming is the only thing that I outclass him at, he's good and would certainly push me in a race over a short distance but he doesn't understand how I can spend 2 hours at a time losing myself in the monotony of pounding up and down in the water. As I finish up I quickly change, plug myself into the iPod and jog slowly home.
As I head through the front door, dad tells me Christian has just called to say Mia arrived ok and they're on their way up to Bellevue. Mom quickly hugs me and sends me off to shower as she's going to get lunch ready.
I hear Mia shrieking whilst I'm dragging on my jeans and t-shirt. I dash down the stairs as she's enveloped into a hug by mom and dad, Christian comes through the door and as he looks at me he rolls his eyes. Mia sees me and I'm next on the hug front, crushed tightly against her in a cloud of French perfume. Christian is now smirking at me and the two of us head outside as Mia drags mom and dad into the living room to tell them of her experiences, I'm sure we'll hear all about it later when Elliot arrives.
We saunter towards the boathouse and walk out onto the jetty. Christian still seems preoccupied about something but he won't say if anything is bothering him. Instead we talk about me going to work for him next week. On Monday I'll work with him in his office where he'll show me round Grey House and talk to me about the company and then I'm going to work in the accounts department. He has laid down the law in banning me from taking my skateboard to the office, sometimes after school I've gone to see him and managed to get it down to a fine art, skating through the doors, across the marble foyer and into the elevator. I think the receptionist must let Andrea his PA know I'm on my way because he's always there waiting for me at his office door, arms crossed trying his best to not smirk at me whilst telling me off. I've got to wear a suit as well, no jeans, no converse!
Mom shouts lunch is ready and as we look at each other we grin widely then we revert back to being small boys by racing up to the patio trying to trip each other on the way. Christian is having a good day and beats me hands down.
As we sit outside in the sun over a relaxing lunch Mia chats enough for all five of us, in fact she doesn't shut up. Mom asks Christian so no-one can hear how Ana is. Well I thinks that what she said but she was speaking so quietly, he just gives her a shy smile and says ok, but it's got me thinking, whose Ana or did I mishear and did she say Andrea but he hasn't mentioned there being anything wrong with her. Mia then distracts me asking if I'd seen any of her friends around or if I'd managed to get myself a girlfriend. As if! I mean I have friends that are girls but have never actually plucked up the courage to ask one out, I think I take after Christian as I don't think he's ever had one either.
Dad holes himself up in his study for the afternoon as he's got a big case in court coming up, Mia goes to unpack all her suitcases and Mom starts on the evening meal so Christian and I go out on the boat for a few hours whilst we wait for Elliot to arrive. Apparently he's helping a couple of friends move from Portland to Seattle today so will arrive early evening. The weather is perfect for being out on the water and Christian is as usual good company, totally relaxed but totally attached to his Blackberry that keeps vibrating.
As we steer the boat back into its mooring we see Elliot and Mia wandering across the grass towards the water's edge to meet us. We meander back up towards the house, Elliot is totally relaxed, chilled out and in a 'let's pick on Matt mood' so I'm bearing the brunt of the jokes as usual. Mia continues with her chirping, does she ever shut up and is this what all women are like. Christian and Elliot have fallen behind us and are having a conversation about removal trucks and fixing TV's to walls.
We sit down to dinner in our usual places, mom and dad at either end; I sit on the same side as Christian next to mom and opposite Elliot. We've nearly finished dessert when Elliot pipes up to Christian that 'Ana says hello'. Christian blushes and smirks, Mia and I gape open mouthed at Elliot, Christian and then back to Elliot. Mia squeals and asks who Ana is. As Christian isn't very forthcoming Elliot fills us in about how he's spent the last week with her and even took her in Charlie Tango. Even mom revealed that she's lovely and had met her last Sunday. To say I was shocked was an understatement, I mean Christian with a girlfriend, moms already met her and no-one mentioned it, since when did this family start keeping secrets like this. It's no wonder Christian has seemed pre-occupied the last couple of days. Of course Mia goes into overdrive with the questions but my brother's clam up so now mom's asked Christian if he'll bring Ana to dinner tomorrow and whilst we're at it Elliot might as well bring his new girlfriend Kate, who happens to be Ana's roommate.