Chapter 5

Narrator

Christian, little does he know, is about run the gauntlet of angry family members, and it's only the beginning. Ana has found her voice, and quietly but with steely resolve gives him a heartfelt and truthful, wake up call. He will be left shocked, alone, and shaken as the repercussions of his actions fall like anvils.

Evening after the fall

Ana

"What the fuck is he doing here!?" The animosity in Elliot's tone is almost as surprising as the sight of Christian standing there.

We all stare like deer caught in the head lights. Christian is the first to find his voice. "Ana…" He is moving rapidly toward me. Elliot moves in front of me intercepting him, each has a handful of the others shirt and a shoving match ensues.

"Let me go Elliot." Christian snarls. Elliot is growling as he maneuvers Christian farther away from me and Kate. "I said take your fucking hands off me." Christian shouts. Carrick has stepped in to separate his unruly sons. Grace is trying to herd me and Kate to move to the kitchen.

"Come on girls, let's leave this for Carrick and his sons to work out. We reluctantly allow Grace to lead us out of the family room, glancing back at our husbands engaged in this bizarre dance.

"Grace please tell me you didn't ambush me this way." I plead once in the kitchen.

"Gretchen, can we have this room please," she says to her housekeeper/cook, whom I didn't even see in my state of shock and confusion.

"No, of course not dear, I had no idea Christian had asked his dad if he could come over this evening, not until I got home from work, and I certainly had no idea he would be delivering that kind of news."

"So he's told you what he's been up to."

She nods while grasping both my hands in hers. "Ana, Sweetheart I'm so sorry." I really want everyone to stop saying that. The warmth of her hands and the sad, tender expression in her eyes are quickly becoming my undoing. I don't know what to say, so I say nothing. Then the reason I'm here dawns on me.

"You wanted to talk about the ball?"

"I did, but that really is inconsequential now, isn't it?"

I shrug, "Life goes on doesn't…" Hurricane Mia takes this inopportune moment to blow into the kitchen.

"What-is going on in the family room? Elliot and Christian look like they're about to take each other's heads off; Dad is standing between them and they are huffing and puffing like two raging bulls. Hey Ana, hey Kate," she walks over to her mom and gives her a hug and kiss.

"Mia dear, I guess you'll find out soon ennn…." Grace is stopped midsentence by Christian's appearance in the doorway. Mia in her perpetual state of giddy excitement is oblivious to the somber atmosphere, and takes no notice of her mother's sudden change in demeanor.

"Ok, who's in trouble, it's Christian right, it's always Christian."

"Mia, enough…Christian, what is it?" Grace says trying to alert Mia to her brother's presence. Mia turns and looks only slightly sheepish for her childish comment.

"Hey big bro."

Christian ignores her, ignores everyone for that matter. He stalks into the kitchen, stopping in front of the massive marble island. Kate grabs my hand and positions herself to my side but slightly in front of me. She doesn't utter a word, but her body language says, 'bring it bitch, I am ready for war.' Did I mention I love her, but alas, this is my battle to fight.

"Ana, can I speak with you?"

"No Christian," He is taken aback. "Your actions have spoken loud and clear, now it's time for you to listen. Things were finally calm for us, no crazy gun toting ex's, no car chases, no insane kidnappers, no jealous pedophiles. I feel like you intentionally waited for me to let my guard down, to get comfortable in your love for me, and then you snatched the rug out from under me."

Carrick and Elliot have joined us in the kitchen.

"You demand loyalty from everyone that surrounds you, yet you had none for me. You were faithful to girls you told me meant nothing to you, but you run around behind my back, while I was taking care of our home and son. I thought I was being a good wife to you. Do you remember during the interview, when we first met? You told me that the people who knew you didn't think you had a heart…I believe you now….after our coffee date you said you weren't the man for me…I believe you now…how you always thought you were a monster…I…"

"Ana stop, please stop." The pain in his voice stops my monologue.

The room is still as a grave, no one speaks; I don't think anyone is breathing.

"I am sorry that I have caused you this hurt and pain." He is being genuine, sincere, truthful even, I'm sure he is sorry, now, but at this moment it means nothing. This can't be undone.

"Christian please, as I stand here looking at you I don't know who you are, the person standing before me," I gesture with both hands toward him as tears fall like raindrops from my eyes, "is not the man I married. And your words have no meaning." I step past him leaving him standing there with his mouth hanging open, looking like the slack jawed asshole he is.

Kate has followed me from the kitchen leaving only the nuclear Greys to deal with the aftermath.

Grace

I look around and realize it's just us, just my immediate family, all of us standing in stunned silence.

"Christian can you please tell me how…how did this happen?" He shakes his head. At first I think he is telling me 'no' he won't tell me, but soon I understand it's a gesture of confusion. He's silently saying he doesn't know.

"I…I don't know. Things haven't been right between us for some time, it was pretty bad…I wasn't happy." He stopped for so long I thought he was finished, but he continued. "I was convinced she stopped loving me." It's a barely audible, painful confession.

"She stopped loving you." Mia spits. "Is that what you are telling yourself, is that your justification, your excuse." We are all shocked. Mia never gets angry with Christian. "Convinced by whom, that whore you're banging."

"Mia." Christian croaks out.

"Mia, that's enough." I jump in.

"No, she's right, let her speak, he needs to hear it." Elliot's anger is building again. "So you hit a rough patch and that makes it okay to step out on your wife...on your son? You've destroyed your family Christian; you've destroyed our family because you chose to think with your dick and not your brain. For a brilliant man, you sure as hell have a lot to learn about life and love. Look, I'm done with this for now, besides I need to get Ana back to the house. Mrs. Taylor has been there all day with Teddy." He glares at Christian. "Don't worry…bro…I'll make sure your wife and son are okay, since they obviously aren't your priority right now." He turns and leaves without giving Christian a chance to respond.

"Christian you know we can't support your choice." Carrick too has recovered his voice.

Choice…what choice?" Mia's head is whipping to look at each of us. "Are you choosing her over Ana?" She is nearly apoplectic. "You. Make. Me. Sick." Christian visibly winces.

"Christian, let's get back to how this happened." I try to douse the anger in the room. Maybe he can make us understand, though I highly doubt it. "Surely this...woman...knew you were married. What does that say about her?"

"Yes, she knew I was married. I...I was with Ana the first time we met."

Oh dear god, tell me he did not just say that. I did not raise him like this. What on earth has happened to my son? First, Elena Lincoln, now this, my hand flies to my forehead, and I rub.

"What in the hell do you mean you were with Ana when you met her? Son, this just keeps getting worse." Carrick is irate.

"Dad, I...she was working an event, a GEH event at the Fairmont, she, we...we were flirting before Ana got there and then she showed up at my office a couple of days later..."

"Jesus, Christian!" Mia rips into him again. "What kind of a fool are you? If that doesn't scream gold-digging whore, I don't know what does! You've just lost the best thing that ever happened to you for some cheap piece of trash. I can't believe you would do this to Ana...to Teddy. My god, Ana was right. I don't know who you are, but you are not the brother I have always idolized."

"I hope you know we won't tolerate her company, we can't, she's not welcomed here. You are our son, we will always love you, you are forever welcome here, but as I said before we simply cannot support your choice in this." Carrick reiterates.

"I think we've all had enough for tonight." I look to Christian. "Will you stay for dinner?"

"No, I think it's best for me to leave." He says stiffly.

I don't fight him. "Well, okay," I walk over and give him a hug and whisper in his ear. "I love you son, don't forget that."

"I love you too, Mom." He whispers back. "I'm sorry."

Carrick comes over and shakes his hand. "We'll talk soon," clapping him on the shoulder. When he turns to Mia she won't look at him and finally she just leaves the kitchen. The look on his face is pure torture, it's clear he had not expected this kind of backlash. I have to admit I am more than a little concerned for him. Christian has always been our problem child, so volatile, emotionally distant, and deeply insecure. Dear God, some of the battles we've had with him.

Carrick and I are alone in the kitchen, he wraps me in his arms and I sag into his embrace. "This is a shit storm." He whispers

"Carry, can we not discuss this anymore for the moment. I just want to get dinner done and process all I learned this evening, okay?"

"Absolutely," he brushes a gentle kiss across my lips. I get Gretchen and we get a simple salad and a pasta and shrimp dish on the table. After dinner and several glasses of wine, Carrick and I head off to bed.

We move around each other with the practiced ease of long standing routine. I am in the right side mirror removing my make-up, and he is at the other sink brushing his teeth.

"Carry I think we've done a real disservice to Ana and Christian."

"What do you mean?" He speaks around his toothbrush.

"I think we put a lot of pressure on them, all the talk about how she saved him. I've been thinking about it since dinner, I've thought about it before." I've stopped removing my make-up and am watching my husband. He rinses and wipes his mouth and has turned to look at me directly. "Go on."

"Well, it's a heavy responsibility to think that you are some ones savior, for lack of a better word. I know we've all said it, I know he thought it. Maybe it was all getting to be too much for Ana. You heard what he said, 'I thought she stopped loving me', think about it Carrick." I pause to let him gather his thoughts. "I saw her as saving Christian, she handled him so well, seemed to understand what he needed, and was willing to give it to him no matter what. Giving so much of herself, maybe trying to live up to every ones expectations. I think she got lost in it all, overwhelmed, unable to catch her breath, focus on her needs, on their marriage, and started to shut down. That's why he thought she stopped loving him, ugh," I sigh. "I'm not getting this across well." I stop.

"Grace stop it…I understand perfectly what you're saying." I finish removing my make-up. We walk back into our bedroom. As I am standing in front of my dresser pulling out a nightgown, Carrick slides up behind me gently rubbing my arms, kissing the back of my neck. "Come here Baby." I turn to face him, wrapping my arms around his waist and lean into his chest. Mmmm, this feels good.

"I think you need a distraction, I know I do," he smiles slyly.

"I was just going to grab a shower and wash this day away." I look up and kiss his jaw.

"Okay, but it can wait til after I get you all sweaty." He's walking me back toward the bed. "No more talk of our kids and their problems," he is pressing me tightly against him, I can feel him on my belly.

"Alright counselor, but I reserve the right to revisit this topic," and we fall onto the bed.

Christian

As I climb into the SUV I actually feel like I've been beaten. Perhaps I have been, perhaps I deserve to be. All I want to do is get to the penthouse, have a shower and a drink and drift off to sleep. I can feel Taylor eyeing me in the rearview mirror, but I'm not engaging him. I'm having a hard enough time not rehashing this horrible evening as it is.

We finally reach Escala and before exiting the SUV I tell Taylor he's done for the evening. He insists on coming up to check the apartment. I don't want him here, but I guess I have to let him do his job. He lets me out by the elevator and I wait for him to park and meet me. He walks up and hands me my briefcase, I hadn't realized I'd forgotten it. I'm really out of it.

"All clear Sir."

"Good, you're dismissed." I'm gruff and irritable.

"Sir, will you be okay?"

I stare for a moment. "Of course Taylor, you are done for tonight." I turn and walk to my bedroom. Stripping down, I step into a scalding shower. As I stand there I remember the first time Ana left me. It still, after all this time, is a kick in the gut. You never learn, do you?

Sitting in my study, fresh from the shower, I feel no better. My mind is in a whirlpool. I'm accustomed to clarity. My thoughts are never muddled. If this is what emotion does to your head, it's little wonder I only had subs before Ana. Shit. I am one fucked up bastard.

Did Andrea get an appointment with Flynn? I grab my cell and punch speed dial #3. I put the call on speaker.

"Yes, Mr. Grey."

"Did you get an appointment with Flynn?"

"I certainly did, and it is in your calendar…tomorrow at noon. He's squeezing you in during his lunch hour."

"Fine, first thing in the morning contact…uh, uh…."

"Marian."

"Yeah, Marian, find out his lunch order and have it delivered for two, to his office at noon."

"Very well, is there anything else?"

"No," I click off.

Almost immediately my cell vibrates, I have a text. Fuck, who is it.

*Are you back at Escala?* PD

*Yes, but I'm not fit for company.* CG

*But I'm not company.* PD

*Not tonight, Paige, I mean it!* CG

*I know it must have been hard, I just want to make you feel better.* PD

*Then respect my wish for privacy tonight.* CG

*Privacy from me…* PD

I don't reply nor do believe for one second that she'll respect my request, so I get my elevator key and put the elevator on lock out, and grab another bourbon on my way back to my study.

Ana thinks I'm a monster. Cuz that's the way you treated her, jackass. Her voice never went much above a whisper but the emotion and truth of her words hit me like a wrecking ball.

"You told me that the people who knew you didn't think you had a heart…I believe you now….after our coffee date, you said you weren't the man for me…I believe you now…how you always thought you were a monster…" I wrestle with these thoughts until the bourbon and sleep claim me.

Paige

Oh, I'm not letting this stand. He is not going to shut me out. I will not let Miss Steele get her hooks back in my man. I grab my purse and keys and head for Escala.

I march past the desk, and hit the call button for the elevator. The button lights but the elevator never opens. I press it a few more times in impatient rapid succession. Nothing. Back at the desk I ask the attendant if there is something wrong with the penthouse elevator. He checks his screen and informs me the penthouse elevator has been put in 'lock out' mode by the penthouse occupant.

The rage I am feeling must transmit in my expression as the attendant takes a step back. Fine, I'll sit my ass right in this lobby til daylight. Don't fuck with me, Christian.

Big thank you to fungirlygirl, for your editing and your contribution of Elliot and Mia's rants, it added just the right umph, it's nice that we are simpatico in our view.

No being nice to dirty home wrecking whores, or cheating bastards. (Is that appropriate for notes, sorry)

Hey Chica, hope you are having an amazing time in Spain.

As always, I do not own these characters, they are the domain of E. L. James