Jade and Luke went home to the apartment they shared in the City, it had been Jade's apartment and when they'd decided to live together she had refused to move. Luke had wanted a new, fresh place but had been easily talked down by Jade. He understood why she wanted to stay there though, it was her home, and the place where she had recovered after Israel.
Jade was tired by the time they arrived and Luke got out of the car quickly and opened the passenger side, taking her hand and helping her out. 'What are you doing?' She looked tired and he tipped her chin up, kissed her deeply, and then picked her up in his arms. 'I'm carrying the birthday girl up to her bed because she's been wearing shoes that are clearly hurting- and because I love her'. Jade makes little resistance and smiles, leaning up to kiss him 'I love you too'.
By the time Luke had made it into the bedroom, Jade was fast asleep, hardly stirring as he laid her gently onto the huge bed. Humming to himself, Luke took off her shoes and the delicate bracelet he had brought her at Christmas. He looked at her for a second, feeling truly happy and truly in love. Jade was fast asleep and Luke wandered into the open plan area, which was a kitchen, eating and living area. He pulled out his mobile and dialled, 'Mum…yeah it's me, how's Lexa?...Oh thank god…so she'll be discharged in a few hours?' he exhales, looking relieved '…Jade's asleep, she's got a family lunch then I'm giving her the surprise…yes Mum, of course I will…indeed, well, I'll come and see her when Jade's at the Grey's…look Mum it's like 3am, you should get some sleep, I'll see you later. Bye'.
Luke hangs up, looking relieved and reassured, standing up and heading back to the bedroom, stripping his clothes off on the way.
In Escala Ana turned to Christian who was half asleep in the large bed. 'You know the dinner is a lunch now?' he nodded absently 'what's wrong?'. Christian turned to Ana, sighing 'she's my daughter, and I know nothing about her anymore. She's been dating Sawyer for well over a year, she ran away to join the Israeli army probably because he knew how much it would annoy me' Ana sat up slightly, intrigued by the information she was suddenly getting from her Fifty. 'Her mother- well their family are originally from Israel, she didn't have to do national service but she volunteered. Her Grandfather is a very powerful man over there...I found out a few weeks ago that he was the one who oversaw some of her training'. He sighs, looking annoyed 'why is that a problem?' 'it's not...he only wants to protect her, he's been working for Mossad for years, I don't know the extent of it but I'm sure that Jade could probably take down most of my security team if she tried. And she's just so... Distant with me now. She's refusing to go to University, admittedly her painting is bringing in a lot of money but still...I don't want her to end up like me'. Ana frowned, looking at Christian 'you seem more than okay to me Mr Grey' he raised an eyebrow, a cheeky smirk on his lips 'do I now, Miss Steele'
Jade woke up to the alarm at 10.15, grumbling loudly and pulling the covers up over her eyes. Something touching her arm woke her up and she sat up at lightning speed, eyes wide open and ready to strike. She saw it was Sawyer and relaxed immediately 'I thought you'd be at the hospital?' 'I rang mum last night, Lexa's being discharged today, it's not too serious, so I'll go down later and visit.
Jade looked relieved and stood up, going to the toilet and coming back into the bedroom, looking down and realising she was still wearing the long dress from last night, now all crumpled and creased. Idly she unzipped the back and let it fall to the ground around her. A longing groan from Luke who was still in the bed made her look up and she saw the hungry look in his eyes as he looked over her. She was in a matching set of black and red lace underwear, showing off just how perfect and toned her figure was. Jade glanced down at herself, the only thing she was aware of initially was the jagged scar on her abdomen, and the small surgically made one just below. Absently she ran her finger along the twisted skin, a disgusted look on her face. 'Don't do that' she glanced up, dropping her hand 'do that'. Luke swung his legs off the bed and moved over to her, wearing only his boxers and displaying his muscular body as he took her hands. 'Jade you're beautiful, and those, they are part of you, part of what makes you the woman I love, please, don't do it to yourself Jade'. She smiled and pulled closer to him 'you always know the right thing to say'.
He smiled and she could feel his grin against her lips as they kissed, the tender moment becoming passionate, heated and fiery. Luke had his hands in her hair and their hands were all over each other. Jade jumped up, wrapping her legs around Luke's waist as he moved them over to the bed.
It was a few hours later when Jade was sitting at the Grey family birthday meal, wearing skinny jeans and a white vest top, her hair in a long side plait with a black ribbon at the end. She had arrived a little late and they had started to eat straight away. The presents would come later, which was the way the Grey family did birthdays.
It was twenty minutes into the dinner that Christian received a phone call he couldn't ignore- it was from his bank. There was a few minutes where he said nothing, listening intently and then hanging up angrily.
Christian looked up at Jade, eyes livid. 'You've spent it ALL- what the fuck?' she blinked and said nothing, Christian looked even angrier and Carrick looked annoyed at his son. 'Christian what on earth is going on?' 'Her trust fund, she's had access to it for less than 14 hours and she's spent all of it!' Mia looked confused 'trust fund?'. 'It was meant to be for her 21 at birthday initially but I changed it to her 20th because I was under the impression that I had raised a mature young woman, not an idiot who can spend 100 million dollars in 14 hours!'. Elliot raised an eyebrow but said nothing, it sounded like a lot of money but for Christian it was literally nothing, especially as he had been putting instalments in over the last 20 years.
Christian was literally boiling with anger and snapped at his daughter 'So- how many Tiffany necklaces and Chanel dresses have you managed to get yourself then?'. Jade looked distinctly hurt 'The only Tiffany jewellery I have is the necklace my mother brought me for my 18th, and the only Chanel dress I have was brought by you, actually'. Christian waved a hand 'well what have you spent it on then? If you've spent it on clothes-' Jade cut him off sharply, looking like she'd been slapped in the face. 'You think I'd have spent all that money on clothes? You really don't know me at all do you? Call him back- the guy from the bank- call him back and ask what I've spent it on'. Christian and her met eyes in a heavy silence for almost a minute before he pressed redial on his phone and Jade stood up. 'I need a cigarette' Grace's expression twisted and it was clear she wanted to say something but kept silent, watching as Jade made her way to the open French windows and stood at the doorway, lighting up and staring- well technically it was glaring really- at her father. She turned her head away to exhale the smoke as Christian told the man on the other end of the phone to tell him what she had spent his money on. 'Dad, speakerphone, I want them to hear just how much of a 'spoilt bitch' I am'. He obliged, putting the phone down on the table, the male voice coming out of it loud enough for everyone there to hear.
'Sir, you want me to just start..?' 'yes'. 'Uh, okay, well $300,000 was to pay the medical bills in the Sawyer family name- I think their daughter has kidney problems or something-' Christian snapped his eyes up at Jade and then back down quickly '$8,000,000 has been given to a charity attached to several hospitals in Seattle that help people in financial difficulty pay their medical bills, or people who's families are left with huge bills after long stays in hospital'. Grace and Carrick look at Jade, an incredibly proud look on their faces. 'Another $8,000,000 has been given to a charity that helps injured soldiers when they return home, counselling, physical therapy etcetera, $10,000,000 is going to Quern Springs Physical Rehabilitation Centre in instalments over the next 4 years. Miss Grey hasn't yet decided on a definite amount yet but a large sum has been put aside to create scholarships for three universities around the country that she has chosen, roughly six to eight students will benefit from a full scholarship each year with the money put aside'.
Jade was still slowly smoking the last of her cigarette, stubbed it out and leant against the doorframe, looking into the room as the bank manager continued. He was obviously leafing through notes and papers as a rustling noise interrupted the speech. 'I think that was nearly half of the money Sir, let me just find- oh here we are- right, here we go. Miss Grey has spent nearly $2,000,000 on various donations to a notable homeless charity that works all along the west coast, she has used the money to donate food, clothes and places to stay. Pretty much all the rest of the money has gone to educational charities here and in Africa, various charities throughout Africa and Israel, and three Charities that help with plastic surgery for injuries and wounds, they are worldwide also. Ah, after that there's not a lot left- Sir'. There is a long silence and Christian blinks. 'Thank You, Morgan, authorise it all in my daughters name'. He hangs up before the bank manager can say anything back. The room is incredibly silent and everyone is either staring at Jade or Christian, waiting for the explosion between them. Instead, Jade sighs, 'you really don't know me at all do you Dad?' the pain in her voice is clear and she glances away, eyes shining with a glistening of tears. 'I'm gonna go and see the Sawyer's, I want to see Lexa before she's discharged'.
Jade looked over her family with a cold expression and emotionless tone in her voice 'Thanks for my presents'. She moves quickly past the unopened presents on a side table and slams the door behind her.
Lexa had been glad to see her and she had spent time with the entire family, feeling more at ease with them than she did with the Grey's. They had given her a few small, thoughtful gifts and she thanked them as Luke dragged her off for her 'surprise'. They drove to the beach, which surprised her but she let him cover her eyes and slowly walk her down the beach. He took his hands away from her eyes and she saw what was there. There was a small bonfire going and a rug laid out next to it, along with what appeared to be a bottle of champagne and a small meal, which included chocolate covered strawberries- her favourite. She squealed in happiness and hugged him, then they both sat down. Luke looked awkward and it only took a few seconds for Jade to notice 'what's wrong?'. 'This, uh, this isn't all of it…your present' she smiled and looked up 'so why do you look so awkward, if this is only part one then you've got nothing to worry about'. She had a huge smile on her face and turned around to open the champagne as Luke shuffled behind her. As she turned, after having tried to undo the wire cage on the stopper she saw what he had done. Luke was looking directly at her, a small velvet box in hand and on one knee in front of her. The only noise she managed was an 'oh-' before he started speaking. 'Jade Grey, I love you more than I thought was ever possible. You mean the world to me, and I want to spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel as beautiful as you truly are, and as happy as you make me feel. Jade- will you marry me?'
There was a shocked silence where Jade literally couldn't manage any words, her mouth opening and closing twice with no words before she nodded, tears in her eyes. 'Yes?' she nodded again and he kissed her deeply, her tears mingling with their kiss. The ring fitted her perfectly and was what she had always imagined, a white gold band with a large diamond and one either side of it. She had never felt as whole and as happy as she did on that beach, lying against his chest as he ran his fingers through her hair.
Christian Grey could be dealt with tomorrow, the mess of their relationship after what she had done with her trust fund, and telling him she was marrying Luke- that could all wait for another day.