Chapter 11

A/N: I'm glad y'all don't know where I live.

Narration: The BBQ is in full swing. Low key casual, young people and laughter, Ana is having a blast, even with Christian's arrival she is determined to enjoy herself. Christian's sanity is put through the wringer as he watches the attention Ana attracts. Surprise meetings, internet revelations, and midnight musings make for an interesting evening.

~oo0oo~

ANA

He's here. As always I feel him before I see him. Why does that still exist for me and not for him? I have been having a great time; I am determined that he will not ruin my evening, so I don't acknowledge the feeling. I let Oscar, or Ozzie as he's called, take my beads from around my neck. The game Kate came up with is big fun, and keeps everyone engaged, riled up, and alert. It has been my job all evening to 'lei everyone with mardi gras beads' Kate's phrase, not mine. Upon arriving everyone gets three strands of mardi gras beaded necklaces, and when anyone says the word 'no', whoever catches them gets to take one strand of the beads. It has been so much fun and very raucous. It is hilarious seeing these great big construction type guys wearing the very colorful necklaces. And someone is constantly getting caught. You don't realize how often you say the word 'no'; the beads go back and forth fast and furiously. Whoever has the most beads at the end of the night gets a case of their favorite beer.

Ozzie caught me when he asked whether the raspberry lemonade had been spiked.

"No, of course not," I blurted out before realizing what I said.

"Oh, give it up little lady." He chuckles as he reaches in to divest me of a strand of beads. He is making a meal of it, leaning in, smiling lasciviously, and pulling gently on my braid once he gets the strand from around my neck. Just then I feel the hum of Christian's presence. After a moment, I glance in the direction of the electric tether, and there he stands, gray eyes blazing, looking like he might lose it at any second. He can just deal with it, according to his own words his feelings lie somewhere else now, he can get over himself. I have to play unaffected, so I grab three strands of beads and head in his direction. Ozzie gently pulls on my hand.

"Hey, where ya goin'?"

"I have to go 'lei' my husband." I say cheekily and hold up the mardi gras beads. He shakes his head letting go of my hand.

"Can I watch?" He asks on a low growl. I gasp, but throw over my shoulder "Be my guest," as I walk away. Well hell, who knew flirting would make you feel so empowered, so strong, and innocently naughty? It's just the kick I need as I approach my philandering, estranged husband. At the moment I feel ten feet tall, I look pretty and feel confident. I picked out two cute, sexy beach wear outfits on our hurried shopping trip earlier today. The first is a pretty ocean blue embroidered cover-up by Mud-pie that I paired with a coral colored tankini style swimsuit. The other, which I am wearing now, is a Marie France Van Domme Kurta Embroidered Short Caftan in sheer white voile. It is gorgeous. I have on a scandalous blue bikini that Kate insisted I buy because it will highlight my eyes and my smokin' hot body. She was right, it is a very eye catching ensemble.

I don't know what that little display was all about. Why he is trying to get me to touch him, I don't know? But I hang the beads around his neck and have to restrain myself from chocking him with them. I take my sleeping son and head for the house. Where I know his grandparents are going to melt all over him.

Sure enough Grace and Gail help me put Teddy to bed when I decline Christian's offer to help. While upstairs I take off the bikini and throw on a pair of white leggings and tank top and pull on the same cover up before returning to the BBQ. I add the leggings in part because the sun has set and it's a bit cooler outside, but truth be told I am more comfortable covered up with Christian around. I also want to head off any heavy flirting, less there be a massive fistfight. When I arrive in the backyard, I scope Christian in the corner of the patio talking with his dad and Taylor, beer bottle in hand. Ignoring him, I make my way to the lower deck where some kind of rowdy card game is going on.

"Buuull-shit." I forget the name of the guy yelling the expletive, but he is one of Elliot's crew.

"Let's see 'em." Kate's friend Debbi from the paper says.

"Is there going to be a fight," I ask Kate. "What are they playing?"

"Bullshit." A roar comes up from the table when Ozzie scoops up all of the cards in the pile. I'm not sure if he's won or lost.

"Is that the name of the game?" I'm confused.

"Steele, sometimes I forget you actually went to college to study." She slurs, oh shit she's wasted.

"I'm going to get something to eat." I try and make my escape.

"Hey guys, Ana has never played Bullshit, deal her in the next hand." She loudly informs the entire neighborhood. Jeez, thanks Kate.

I've eaten and played several hands of that completely ridiculous and hilariously fun card game. It's after 11 and I'm starting to get tired. The music is loud, and the thumping beat is giving me a headache. I need to escape for a moment so I decide to go check on Teddy and Ava. They look so sweet and innocent, hell they are sweet and innocent. This is the perfect opportunity to check the Nooz's website again. They've been down all day, and Kate has been doing her level best to keep me distracted, but she's half drunk, and playing hostess with the mostess right now. I slip into my bedroom and power up my laptop. Bingo. The Seattle Nooz is back online. Oh shit, so that's her. I close my laptop after studying the images for longer than I should. There is no mention of her name, thank God. The pictures are blurry but that is without question Christian and his new love. The kiss is the clincher.

After what I just viewed alcohol is in order, lots of alcohol. Seems I'm in luck, as they are just setting up tequila shots at the outside bar.

"Set me up." I exclaim loudly as I walk up. Kate turns to look at me and I guess my face says it all. 'Fuck', is all she mouths.

"Yeah, you and I will have words." I lick the space between my thumb and forefinger, Ozzie shakes on salt. I suck the salt, slam the shot, and quickly bite the lime, all while staring at Christian while he stares back at me from the upper deck.

~o0o~

Christian

For a split second I forget that Teddy is asleep in my arms as I begin to rush forward. Taylor is instantly in front of me telling me to get a grip, who in the fuck is that fucker pulling on her braid? What the fuck is going on? Half of Elliot's hound dog crews are here, and all of them are ogling my wife. Ana is a vision. She is wearing a very short, sheer, white pool cover-up that barely fucking covers anything and leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. What is she doing parading around in that bikini? The bikini she's wearing underneath is sexy as fuck, showcasing her amazing breasts, and that delectable ass. It is the exact same blue as her eyes. It's very alluring, slightly veiled by the tiny sheer white dress, and has captured the attention of every fucking male here, who are secretly, and not-so-secretly, eye fucking her. The truth is, she looks hot as hell. She has the best legs and ass I've ever seen. She's beautiful. And she fucking hates me. She is walking over to where I am standing and the motherfucker who just took the beads from her neck has not broken eye contact with her ass yet. I can see now he and I are going to have a problem.

"Are you playing?" She asks, pulling me from my murderous reverie. Huh, what?

"Playing what?" I'm suspicious.

"If you say the word 'no' whoever hears you can take a strand of beads, if you hear someone say 'no' you get to take a strand of their beads. The winner gets a case of beer."

"You're playing aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Then sure, I'm game." I say trying to dazzle her with my smile, to no avail, I just look and feel like an idiot.

She hangs the beads around my neck and as her hands pull back I shift my head so her hand grazes my face. She snatches her hand away, reaches for Teddy and lifts him from my arms turns and hurries away.

I follow her slowly up to the house. My parents are instantly all over their grandson, even though he's knocked out. What are they doing here; I can't imagine this is their kind of get together.

"Ana, let me help you get him ready for bed." I offer.

"Thanks, but I can handle it." She quickly dismisses my offer. My mom and Gail quietly flank her as they take him to join Ava.

I grab a beer and stake out a spot on the upper deck where I can see everything happening below.

The evening passes into night, me, my dad, Taylor and Sawyer talk and nurse beers, eat and keep an eagle eye on the festivities. My Blackberry buzzes several times throughout the night, mainly just updates, and shit that can wait, until I see on the caller ID this is someone I need to speak with.

"Grey." Barney is calling in to let me know the Seattle Nooz is back up, and that a few other media agencies are sniffing for a story also. Just as I disconnect from Barney, Kate is in my face.

"Jus' thought I'd let you know the Nooz's website 'sback up, and you're the creature feature." Glassy eyes narrow in on me, "Wheresh Ana, I gotta tell 'er before… *hiccup*… sees it on 'er own." Fuck she is plastered. I deliberately point her in the wrong direction.

As I am headed through the kitchen my mom stops me.

"Mom, can you hold on a min…." I try dodging her.

"No." Her tone of voice makes me stop and give her my attention.

"What is it Mom, I need to find Ana."

"I want to tell you about the interesting meeting I had this afternoon…" She's slightly sarcastic, which is unusual for my mom, but I can't dwell on that at the moment. I really need to find Ana. Ok, this can wait. I don't care what Mrs. Weintraub thinks about the seating charts, table settings, or any of the inconsequential nonsense they talk about. I am clearly not paying her any attention until I hear….

"…at the Georgian." What! Why was she at the Georgian? "Do I have your attention now?"

"Who did you meet at the Georgian?" I'm terrified and getting angry.

"Paige….I believe she said her name was. She boldly introduced herself as I was leaving with Mrs. Conner."

"What, when was this?"

"Christian, keep up, I said this afternoon. I had a late luncheon meeting with the members of the Coping Together planning committee to finalize last minute details of the ball. Please tell me you weren't planning on bringing that barracuda to my event?" Her eyes are boring into mine and her voice has taken on an uncharacteristic hard edge.

"Of course not, and I told her as much last night." What the fuck is Paige playing at? She approached my mother, MY MOTHER! If I hadn't already decided she was through, that shit would have certainly cinched it. I am done with that bitch! She has obviously lost her mind, and is completely out of control. If this is because I wouldn't answer her messages, she is fucking testing the wrong one. She is playing with fire and about to get fucking fried. I feel like I don't have control of my limbs, I stand rooted to my spot.

"Taylor, Sawyer!" I bellow and turn back to my mother.

"Mom, what did she say to you?" My tone is much softer, and slightly defeated. Just before she begins her tale, Taylor and Sawyer come through French doors. I inform them of my mother's afternoon encounter.

"Evidently Miss Dennison accosted my mother this afternoon during her luncheon at the Fairmont, she's just about to tell me the details. I want you two to hear this."

"When she first walked up to us , it was clear that it was me she intended to speak to. She said 'Hi, I'm Paige' Mrs. Conner and I both said a quick hello and tried to return to our conversation. I recognized her as the hostess, as I'd seen her standing at the front podium or whatever it's called and then escorting guests to their tables, and thought she was just being friendly, but then she added '….I'm a good friend of Christians' and looked me very intently in the eye. In that second, I knew exactly who she was, and was livid, furious even at her tactless, self aggrandizing introduction. My first thought was, what a pushy tart, how completely inappropriate for her to approach me this way. I knew I had to get rid of Mrs. Conner before she said anything else. When I turned back to her, she blathered on about what a pleasure it was to finally meet me and that she had heard so many wonderful things about me and 'the rest of the Greys'," Grace makes air quotes with her hands, "and get this….couldn't wait until she becomes a member of the family. What is she talking about Christian, have you told her you're going to marry her?"

"NO!" I all but shout, "Of course not, I think this is all because I cut off communication with her last night. Is there anything else, what did you say to her?"

"I basically told her I thought she crossed the line, that she was wildly inappropriate and pushy. That I had no idea what she was talking about because she was too old for adoption and you already had a beautiful wife whom I consider my second daughter, all without raising my voice or using vulgar language, though I wanted to blow her hair back with some of the names that were coursing through my brain."

Taylor is asking her if Paige attempted any kind of physical contact, like a handshake or a hug, just as Ana enters the kitchen looking ghostly pale with red rimmed eyes. FUCK, I scream silently in my head. There's no question as to whether she's seen the pictures. She's seen them.

"Ana," I finally find my limbs and take a step in her direction. The look in her eyes stops me dead once again. "It's not what it looks like." I bleat lamely, shamefully.

"Really," Her voice is sarcastic, accusing."You could have had the decency to wait until the divorce was filed, but I'm not surprised since you have no respect or consideration for anyone but yourself. Why are you still here?"

If looks could kill, in this moment, I would truly be dead. Honestly I wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole. I am in a complete panic. If there were any reservations about filing for divorce before, I am sure they have now evaporated. There seems no hope of repair. I've got to talk to her, tell her that I know I've made a terrible mistake. That she is the only one, and that I've been a damn selfish fool, that I will do anything, absolutely anything, to make this right. She doesn't wait for an answer to her question, she continues past us and heads straight for the outdoor bar. Don't Ana, please don't, I beg her quietly under my breath. I have followed her out of the house, and stand watching from the upper deck. I'm not going anywhere, I'll be right here until she is safely ensconced in her bed. Yeah asshole, but it's not her bed, is it? Her bed is the empty one back at Grey Meadow. You know, the one you chased her away from. The one she'll probably never return to.

~o0o~

Elliot

"Alright, Itty Bitty, I think you have had enough." It's time I step in, this appears to be getting out of control.

"Awww, Elliot, let the little lady have some fun. You're among friends, right sweetheart." Ozzie Pelletier tries to lean in on her. I step in between them, if I don't get Ana out of here Christian may start swinging and ask questions later.

"Oz, hey man, cut the shit." I say to him sternly. "Give it up, it's not going to happen, for-get-it."

"Come on Ana, let's get you upstairs." I direct her toward the house.

"Good night Itty Bitty." Oz tries one last time.

"Good night Ozzie, it was good to meet you." She giggles. Oh fuck, God give me strength. And just where the hell is Kate?

"Elliot, that was sooooo much fun, and those shots were sooooo tasty." Yeah, she's lit.

"I hope you feel the same way in the morning." I chuckle as I walk her into the kitchen and thank all that is holy that Gail is sitting at the breakfast table. "Gail!" I practically shout. "Would you help me here, can you get her upstairs and ready for bed?

"Yeah Elliot, no problem," She says as I hand Ana off to her.

I turn and come face-to-face with a furious Christian. "Don't fucking start," is all I have to say to him before brushing past him to go find my own drunk wife.

~o0o~

Ana

"Gail, what are you still doing here? Oh, yeah, I guess you'll be catching a ride with Chwis…Chwis, awww, him and Taylor." I start giggling at myself.

"It's been a long day, let's get you to bed." She's so patient and motherly.

"Yup," I pop the 'p', "I'm done. But I did have a blast." We arrive at my room.

"That's good dear, you go on in and take care of your business, and I'll get you night clothes laid out." When I come out of the en suite, she's there putting my clothes away. "Gail, stop, you are not working." I grab the short nighty donning it quickly and slipping into bed.

"Sleep well Ana, I left you a glass of water and some Advil by your bed."

"Thank you, Gail." At least I hope I said it, I can't be totally sure.

"Mmmmm." I groan into my pillow. Big, warm hands are roaming my hip and down my leg. It feels glorious. They make their way back up and slide under my nightgown, to my breast gently squeezing, kneading, his thumb rhythmically stroking back and forth against my straining nipple, slowly, languidly strumming it, until it is a pebbled aching peak. Another groan escapes my lips.

Sweet kisses pepper that most sensitive spot below my ear. I tilt my head for him to have easier access. I feel warm breath fan my neck as he asks, "Baby are you sure?" I moan my permission. "Keep your eyes closed Love, let me worship your body while you relax and enjoy." I happily obey, if I open my eyes I'll have to make it stop, and I am anxious for him to continue. Still torturing my sensitized nipples I feel a sweet, sharp, pinch, that pain/pleasure that Christian likes to administer, ride straight to my pulsating sex.

"Please." I whimper. My breathing ragged, as my chest rises and falls rapidly.

"Soon beautiful, very soon," Christian's scent fills my nostrils. I writhe beneath him desperate for the friction his well endowed member promises. "Stay still," he commands. I don't know where I find the will power, but I do. I am rewarded once he slides down my body shifting my panties to the side and begins to nibble, lick and sip at my engorged lips and love button. Two fingers sink into me and pump me mercilessly. I am at the precipice, the very brink of blinding ecstasy, just don't stop. I hump his fingers with abandon; I want this release like I've wanted no other in my life. I am so close, right there, yes…yes….fuck yes. He growls, the sound foreign to my ears. And everything stops….Oz-Ozzie?

~oo0oo~

My eternal thanks to fungirlygirl, your ideas, input, insight, and inspection are valued more than words can say.

Thanks Greytosteele, you blazed the trail, I'm just following.

FiftyShadesofJess I would love to hear from you.

Thanks to E. L. James for creating such rich characters and allowing us to mangle them. All previous disclaimers still apply.