Sera's POV

Like every past year, we never missed Grandma's Grace Birthday. All the family always made it a must that we plan a party for her. She never liked celebrating her birthday in a restaurant. She loved the family, and she wanted to celebrate the start of her new age with all of us. This time, it was our turn to do the party. Last year it was at Uncle Elliot's. It was a great one. However, Aunt Kate made things a bit too much. She panicked in everything, and needed the help of my mum, but it was fun working with my aunt for grandma's birthday.

It was at around 4pm that I decided to take a shower, and start to get ready. I know how my parents were when it came to time and punctuality, and tonight was one of those special nights. I stripped naked, and stepped on the scale before entering the shower. I smiled to myself. It was getting lower, and lower than it was before. It was finally down to 68.2.

'Few more, and I'll Perfect.'

I thought to myself. I felt a momentarily happiness, but the smile soon faded away, when I turned around taking a look at the mirror. I was still fat. I couldn't stand the sight. I wanted to break the mirror… but I couldn't… I was a failure… a failure at anything…

Ana's POV

I was helping Gail, preparing everything before the whole family arrived. I wished my parents to be here. They always loved this… but this time of year, they decided to take a trip to Europe. It had brushed on us, when we spent 2 years in Italy. We loved the climate, beach, culture, food. It was one of the best years we had there… but here I'm happy. I have Christian… and he's everything to me. We're almost back to what we were before. Our fights decreased… but we still argue and they do take a toll on me… but as my mother would say… 'Marriage is a closed box…' Guess she is right…

Taylor came quickly running into the living room, telling us that Elliot and Kate arrived. I wondered how Clarissa was doing… Last time I've seen her, she was broken… She loved the kid… It is a mother's instinct after all.

'Tell them to come in…' My husband ordered. '… and Taylor… you can join if you want tonight.'

'Thanks Sir, but I have to take Natalie out tonight.' He replied. 'Sawyer will be taking over tonight.'

'Ok… but the offer is still open if you want to join us later.' Christian continued.

'You're a major part of this family.' I added.

'Thanks Mrs. Grey… but I really can't tonight…'

'We understand Taylor…' Christian said again, while he gave him one of his compassionate smiles. '…Give our regards to Natalie.'

'Thanks Sir.' He replied while he made his way out, and soon after Elliot and Kate all joined us.

They all seemed in their usual family coordination. Clarissa looked better than I had last seen her. She had that smile back, and her eyes were full of light again. Unlike my daughter's… she's enclosed in this dark place… but she doesn't seem to be losing weight…

'Ana!' Kate took me out of my thoughts.

'Kate! How are you?'

'I'm better… we're all better.' She smiled. 'Do you need any help?'

'Yes please.' I replied as I handed her the napkins to fold. 'How's Clarissa?'

'She's better. Flynn helped a lot…' She smiled back. 'Elliot was still angry with Clarissa, although he accepted her pregnancy… but when he saw her in that state… I never saw him like that.'

'Kate you have to learn one thing… Men all seem tough… unless the moment of truth comes.'

'What about Christian?'

'We talked… he was honest… and we kind of fixed everything… we only have little more work to do.' I smiled back while I saw Christian winking at me while sipping his scotch with Elliot. 'We're better…'

'…and Sera?'

'She seems ok…'

'What do you mean 'seems'?

'She's still not talking… she stopped going to therapy… I'm worried… We are both worried… but we're giving her space… her world was turned upside down…'

'Ana…' She started, while John and his family came in, and joined us all. The men went straight to each other, while the kids joined Clarissa and Ava. They always loved playing together. They were attached to the hip. I loved seeing them like that. I miss my own days with my daughter. She's grown up so fast, and had to mature beyond her age. Rhian came to help us as well. We were caught up in every conversation, until Gail came.

'Mrs. Grey, should I take Sera's dress up to her?' She asked gently.

'No need. I'll take it, and please, tonight call me Ana. You're a guest not an employee tonight.' I replied. 'Um… would you mind if you finish these please while I take this up to Sera?' I asked.

'Yes sure.' They smiled.

I went up to my daughter's room, with the dress in my hand. I knocked slowly on her door, while I entered. She was still coming out of the bathroom in her underwear. I dropped the dress on the floor. I stared at her. She … she was worse than before… Only skin was covering her bones, and it seemed like her bones were going to tear her skin like a piece of paper. Her hip bones jutted out… Her legs didn't even seem legs… She had become a skeleton.

'Oh My God! Oh Sera! What's that?' I asked in utter horror.

'What's what mum?' She asked not seeming to know what I was talking about.

'Oh my God!...' I kept repeating. I took few deep breaths, and tried calming myself down… but I couldn't… How did I miss this… again? How did we do this?

I stormed out of the room immediately, leaving her dumbstruck behind me. I had to tell Christian… I had to… I ran down the stairs, and made my way to Christian.

'Christian!'

'…It's the forth ticket this month… I think the police are holding a grudge on me.' I heard Elliot say.

'Christian!' I said again, while this time he took notice, and caught me with open arms. He could see my pained face, and swiftly went into alert mode.

'What?'

'Christian!' I replied as I burst into tears into his arms, not even realising that Grace and Carrick had arrived, and joined Rhian, Kate, and Gail.

'What is it Ana? What's wrong?' He urged gently.

'All those baggy clothes she wore, she must have hid it.'

'What happened? Tell me what happened Ana.'

'She's a skeleton… I don't think she weighs 80 pounds… Every bone… every rib… '

'Calm down…' He tried again.

'Oh my God… What is happening to her?' I panicked.

'Let's wait… We'll see when she comes down…' He tried reassuring me, while all of us moved to the living room, where everybody was. We greeted Grace and Carrick, but they also noticed the tension.

She came down the stairs slowly, holding to railing. He fingers seemed so little, like a tiny girl, still learning how to go down the stairs. Her legs wobbled at times. Her dress was barely fitting her. If it wasn't for slim fit, it would have fallen off her. I looked at Christian, and I saw the colour draining from his face.

'You see what I mean Christian?'

'She's very sick Ana!' Elliot replied shocked.

'You have to talk to her…' John added. 'She needs to get back into therapy.'

'Happy Birthday Grandma!' She said while she moved forward and hugged her. I could see Grace's face turn into a different expression. She was almost scared of hugging her. Everybody stared at her frail body. We missed this… She pulled it off. I held on to Christian strongly. There would have been no blood shed if his head was cut off. She looked towards us and waved at us slowly.

Walter and Ava went running straight to her. They both jumped on her, but she almost fell over, if it wasn't for Carrick to hold her for support. Everybody seemed afraid to touch her. We were losing our daughter… and the worst part… we didn't notice…

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