APOV

"Behave Christian" I giggled as we made our way through the garden to the back of the house.

It was still early as far as Christian was concerned, 2pm early. I would like to know what his late would be then.

At this moment in time, my husband was sucking on my neck and squeezing my arse as we tried to walk. He didn't care how many guards were around, he just could not keep his hands to himself today, not that I was much better.

"How is your hand" he asked.

"It's fine, I didn't hurt it" I said, smiling up to my husband.

"You gave it a fair whack against the headboard."

"That is usually what happens when my husband is fucking me so hard, we end up moving up the bed."

"It's your fault, you're too irresistible. I can't keep my hands off you."

"I can tell" I laughed as his hand squeezed my arse once more.

As we approached the open patio door, I could hear Lucy's voice but the distress in it had us quickly moving.

"Please stop, no" she cried.

Getting ready to kill anyone who was touching our daughter, we stopped short when we reached the door.

Lucy was sat at the table, hands over her ears in obvious distress.

The dogs were going crazy, wanting our attention but it was Lucy who had it all at that moment.

"Lucy, what is it" Christian asked her, after wading through a mass of fur and slobbery tongues to reach our daughter.

"Mum, Dad, what" she asked puzzled, looking towards the ceiling.

It was then we heard it, recognized the sound for what it was. Bouncing bedsprings.

"It has been going on for hours" Gabriella told us, giggling.

"I thought" Lucy said, happy it was not us but I could see the look on Christian's face when he realised whose bedroom was over the kitchen.

"Gross, at their age."

"Are you saying that when we're their age, there will be none" I asked, trying not to laugh.

"Mum, please. I'm traumatised enough" Lucy complained.

"I think your Dad is too" I laughed, hugging my daughter.

I made sure then to give the dogs some attention, knowing it was the only way I would be able to move from where I was stood.

"Is no one else up" I asked.

"No, Grandma Claire came down to make a cup of tea a few hours ago before going back to bed. It has been us and Gail all morning, no one else has surfaced. Charlie is around though, but he's working."

"I'm so glad that they didn't decide to do the bachelor party, the night before the wedding. We would have all been late apart from these two" Christian nodded to the girls. "The boys too, where are they."

"Jason took them fishing."

"Fishing? Where can they go fishing near here" I asked.

"There is a place not far from here."

"Where" I asked, putting the kettle on.

"It's a little place called Lake Michigan" he laughed.

"Shut up you. You deprived me of my tea this morning so I'm not awake yet."

"I gave you lots of other fluids" he whispered in my ear.

"Christian" I groaned when he nibbled my ear before going back to our daughter who had ignored our exchange thankfully. She was too busy talking about boys and make-up with Gabriella.

Throughout the day, couples surfaced. When Carrick and Grace came down, neither Lucy or Christian would look at them.

"What did I do" Grace asked as she helped me fix dinner.

"You traumatised your granddaughter and your son too."

"How" she asked, worried now.

"Where is your bedroom."

She looked up, then back to me, a smile coming onto her face.

"It was good though" she laughed before going to set the table.

Kate and I had made spaghetti and meatballs, something simple and something easy to make en-mass, especially with my hand. I don't think either of our minds were awake enough to make an intricate dinner so if it wasn't enough, there were enough places nearby for everyone to go and get their own.

All plates were emptied though and I could happily

take a seat as the men cleared away.

"What time did you all leave last night, or this morning" I asked.

"We left about an hour after you did. I had to practically drag your grandmother off the dance floor" my Granddad laughed.

"It was fun, although I think my aged bones felt it this afternoon when we got up" Grandma said.

"More dancing tomorrow and we get to come this time" Lucy said excitedly.

"Yes, your Dad owes you a dance because you couldn't come" I said, reminding my husband of the promise he made to our daughter.

"Yes, I'm going to get them to put the fastest song on they have" she giggled.

"I will dance you off the dance floor. My Dad dancing will see to that" he laughed. Lucy wouldn't mind as long as she got to dance with him.

…

Giulia and Dante's home had been completely transformed for today. What once was a plain lawn, now was laden with white chairs and a carpet of rose petals that would lead Valentina towards her nervous groom.

"I don't think rose petals on the floor will work in a church" Oriella said quietly to Luca as they sat behind us.

"A few scattered maybe but not this many, it might make it too slippy. You're getting married on Christmas eve remember, you could have a white wedding literally."

"Snow on our wedding day, I hadn't thought of that" Oriella said excitedly

"It doesn't snow in Caccamo every year at Christmas but it has been known."

"Get summer out of the way before talking about snow, I'm craving a smoothie now" Christian said from beside me.

"Only you could sit waiting for a bride to come down the aisle and want something to drink" I laughed as he smiled.

Our focus turned to the doors of the house as music started and Petra emerged. She looked lovely in red with a cream sash under the breast, leading to a bow at the back. Red and cream were Valentina and Garret's colours which surrounded us now.

As the music changed, we all stood. Christian still had hold of my hand, playing with my rings. We had been talking about our own wedding day this morning and he was no doubt thinking of that as Valentina and Dante came down the aisle.

There were hundreds of people here, sat in many rows behind where we were seated near to the front. Some family, most associated with the family business in some way. None of them mattered at the moment apart from the two people who were now hand in hand after Dante had placed Valentina's into Garret's.

The ceremony was beautiful, tearful at times as I remembered the little girl who always got up to mischief with my twins. If my daughter gets married, when she's a lot older. I know I will be worse than Giulia at the moment, a blubbering mess.

"You may now kiss the bride" The priest said before applause echoed across the lawn when they took their first kiss as man and wife.

As I turned to look at my husband, he kissed my lips too.

Photographs, so many photos had to be taken from every angle after we had all congratulated the happy couple. We had been in some but for the most part, we stayed seated.

"Where are all the dogs" Pippa asked us, as she took a seat for a moment.

"Gail has them. They're all probably sulking" I said, smiling.

"You should've brought them. I don't think Valentina would have minded."

"Pippa you do remember who they are descendants of."

"Oh, of course, lovely Hugo. That dog was full of mischief" she laughed and I couldn't disagree.

"They probably would've run riot, terrifying half of your guests."

"Watching some here scared would've been fun" she laughed before getting up to have yet more photos taken.

"Come on Princess, let's go and find our daughter and also, where we're sitting" Christian said, taking my hand.

We walked towards the giant marquee that had been set up, stopping every now and then to speak to people who Christian knew from the business. I said hello, I was not quiet and I was never expected to be either. I could tell who were here as arm candy and also those wives and girlfriends who were treated as equal. I would speak to anyone and if they didn't like that, they could deal with my husband or sons. My days of hitting people were over, my hand aching. It needed a rest, for a little while anyway.

"Lucy, Gabby" I called to the girls who were stood with Jac and Daniel.

"Aunt Ana, can we have some" Daniel gestured to the large trolley of candy that was set up.

"Don't try and get me in trouble. After your dinner" I said, stealing a piece of fudge which had them all laughing and sneakily taking something themselves.

"You're a little thief" Christian laughed until I put the rest of the fudge into his mouth, silencing his words.

The marquee filled up as my family all made their way towards the table, or tables as there was so many of us.

We all stood clapping and cheering when the bride and groom were introduced before taking our seats again.

"Dante looks like he's either about to burst out crying or have a meltdown" Christian whispered in my ear.

"You will be like that one day."

"Not in this life time Ana."

"You say that now but one day, Lucy will bring someone home who you will like and you can't find an excuse to say no to."

"When that day comes then I will concede defeat but not for years, many years."

As the best man embarrassed Garret, laughter rang throughout the marquee. His poor mother looked like she could have happily hid at some of the stories that were told.

"I don't think there is anything that would surprise me when you do your best men speech" I told Theo and Matteo.

"No Mum, you and Dad are probably the only people who won't be" Theo laughed.

As soon as the speeches were over, much to the relief of everyone on the top table, the food was brought out.

We must have had at least a hundred servers, all efficiently laying dish after dish on the table before us.

"I didn't realise how hungry I was until this was placed in front of me" Christian said.

"Well you were on the phone with Jim this morning through breakfast, too impatient to wait until we were back in Seattle" I told him, filling my plate with food.

"I didn't want the house hitting the market."

"He wouldn't have, you know that."

"I know, you can blame my Dad. I have his impatience."

I laughed, looking over at Carrick who stopped with a forkful of food about to reach his lips. He shrugged his shoulders before continuing to eat, knowing his son was right.

"Impatience is where our children are split" I told him, before taking a bite of my meal. "Theo and Luca have the patience of a saint."

"Namely their mother" he told me.

"Matteo and Lucy have no patience at all. Everything has to happen now and if it doesn't, they try and make it so it does."

"Matteo will soon learn patience. Lucy, not so much" he smiled. "I quickly learned to have some patience in this business when I had something to lose. Theo and Luca have that something now. Matteo is not at that stage yet. He will be, when he starts thinking with his head more that his" I placed my finger to his lips before he could finish his sentence, his teeth gently biting down.

"In his own time" I said looking at my children. Time goes by too fast, especially in this life.

…

As the food was cleared away and the main lights were turned down leaving the twinkling fairy lights above, the music started playing.

"You owe me a dance Mr Grey" I told him after the very happy couple had danced and other couples were encouraged to join in.

He took my hand, ignoring some who wanted to speak to him and led me onto the dance floor.

"You're a very popular man even at weddings" I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Usually christenings, large weddings and funerals are the only time a lot of us get together. Tonight, is family though, business can wait until I'm back in my office."

"Hatched, matched and dispatched" I said, making him laugh.

"Something like that Princess."

We continued to dance and laugh as he twirled me around the dance floor. After a couple of songs, I left Christian dancing with Lucy while I excused myself to use the bathroom.

I felt an arm link my own when I was halfway to the bathroom. Kate looked like she was making an escape from her crazy boys who were dancing too.

"I need to pee" she laughed.

Dante and Giulia had hired in bathrooms so as not to have people traipsing through the house. Despite being told we could use either, in or out, this one was closer at the moment.

As we stepped into the bathroom, under the florescent light we were not alone. A woman was stood at the sink, fixing her make up in the mirror. She looked up, nodding in greeting before Kate and I made our way into stalls.

It was a relief to sit down for a second, my feet feeling like they were going to fall off. I had just finished my business when I heard a knock on a door.

"I will be a second" Kate said, mumbling that she couldn't even have five minutes peace to pee.

When I opened the door, I looked towards where Kate had gone in, to see her face to face with the overly made up woman.

"I don't want to use the toilet" she said, smiling. "You're Elliot's wife."

"Yes, and you are" Kate asked.

"Shannon Sanders, Elliot and I go way back."

"Funny, he has never mentioned you" Kate said, as I wondered who the hell this woman was.

I knew Christian had been with women before we met, way before we met and I know Elliot had to have too. He's as devoted to his marriage to my sister as my husband is to me though so why this woman is stepping up to Kate now, I had no idea. I would find out though as I pulled my phone from my pocket, sending my husband a message.

Christian do you know who Shannon Sanders is x – Ana

She's like a second cousin or something of Dante and Fed's. She was a pain in Elliot's arse when we were younger though, followed him around like a bad smell. Why x – Christian.

She has just approached Kate in the bathrooms x- Ana

Shit, El and I are on our way x – Christian

This woman's name had never come up before so seeing her try and tell my sister that she was someone important to Elliot was not only annoying as her voice grated through me, it was also pissing me off because I had promised I wouldn't punch anyone for a while and this one was a prime example of someone who deserved a fist.

"I can't believe he never mentioned me" she said, shocked as if we should speak about her at every meal.

"No, not once."

"I'm disappointed as we were really close" she said before her words cut off when the door opened and Christian and Elliot entered.

"Hello boys" she smiled to them, a smile that was ignored as our husbands came to our sides.

"How close" Kate asked, looking between this woman and Elliot.

"We all used to go out as a group when they came here to Chicago. Elliot and I would always end up together at the end of the night."

"You're so full of shit Shannon. If you class ending up together as me having a final drink before going home when everyone else had left with their girlfriends and you being shunned by every guy there and desperately asking me to get you a drink, then yes, we were the only two left at the end of the night."

"You didn't go drinking with your brother here" I asked Christian, quietly.

"No, I was usually in meetings with Dad, Aldo and Dante. Plus the clubs or bars they went to were not really my scene, I prefer to be able to hear myself think. Besides, despite working in a club, it's not really my favourite place to have a night out."

"You were in Passion instead" I teased to which he barked out a laugh.

"Only that one night I told you about and it wasn't called Passion then. Any more nights out there, you will be with me."

"I think once was more than enough" I told him.

Christian and I left Kate to deal with this woman at Kate's request. I can only imagine how this other woman is going to come out of that bathroom but Elliot was beside her and Kate's gun was back at the house, so there will be no bodies being buried tonight.

"Where have you two been" Grace asked us, hiccupping as she took another drink.

"Just helping Kate deal with a problem" I told her.

"Problem, no one had better be starting trouble today" Dante said, looking over to the dance floor where Valentina was dancing with Lucy and Gabriella.

"Shannon Sanders decided to corner Kate in the bathroom" Christian told him.

"Is she ok" he asked.

"Who."

"Kate of course."

"She will be fine. This other woman, who knows."

He laughed, walking in the direction of the bathroom to make sure no one tried to ruin his daughter's day.

Kate and Elliot didn't come back over to the table for a while. I was getting worried until I saw them laughing and dancing, embarrassing their kids in the process with their dance moves.

"If they're that happy, what happened to Sanders" Christian asked.

"I don't know but I doubt it would've been pretty. If you haven't realised, we're very possessive of our husbands, especially when women try and come in to stake a claim."

"I know. My possessive wife is very hot."

...

"My feet have fallen off" I laughed, laying back onto the bed.

"Are you too drunk that you can't feel them."

"No, I'm still sober. They have been danced off. You danced with Lucy, Gabby, Ori and your mother. I had Theo, Luca, Matteo as well as Jac, Daniel, CJ, Giorgio and Alex, most at the same time. Whatever dance Jac was doing, it battered my poor feet."

"You all looked like you were having fun" he smiled, throwing my shoes into the corner of the room before taking one of my feet in hand.

"I did" I groaned, enjoying my foot massage. "Lucy had a lot of fun. She's going to have us up all night at her party in a couple of weeks."

"Can I have you up all night, the day before" he asked, switching feet.

"As long as there is not a dance floor in sight, you can do what you want but remember our daughter doesn't sleep in, especially on her birthday…. Oh, I found out what Kate did" I laughed, thinking of my triumphant sister.

"Do I want to know."

"Oh yes. Kate flushed her before Dante tossed her arse off the property, literally. She was a soggy mess with a long walk into the city" I giggled, thinking of my sister's face when she told me.

"She got off light then."

"She did. Am I a bad person that I killed a woman for threatening our marriage when Kate just flushed someone who tried to interfere in hers."

"No Princess you're not. The threats you have come up against have been so much deadlier than anything Kate would ever face" he said, moving up the bed to rest his hand on my cheek. "You're my perfect partner Ana, the brains in our marriage, that's what the children keep telling me anyway."

"Christian there is no one I know more intelligent than you. You run that side of the business perfectly, put the right people on a job when needed. I have seen our many bank balances, we have more money than we could ever need in many life times. Although I have helped a bit with this latest problem, everything else is you. I have to admit though, I love being able to be by your side in meetings. I know there has only been a few but I feel proud to be included and especially proud to be your wife."

"I love you Ana, I always want you with me" he whispered before his lips slowly came down onto mine.

We were both exhausted after this long and busy week but it didn't stop us coming together and bringing each other pleasure, only the other could bring.

…

"HOW MUCH" I squealed, mimicking my daughter when Christian had told me how much money he had won at the bachelor party.

"Twenty-five G's."

"He was the only one out of all of us who came away with any money" my grandfather said as we walked towards the cashier to collect our chips.

Christian and I had been out to dinner. Our first date in who knows how long. I have been promised many more when we get home, especially after the call this morning from Lorenzo that we had an address for Garcia. With him hopefully out of the way soon, maybe life can go back to normal.

"Did you have a nice dinner" Grandma asked.

"It was lovely and quiet. How was dinner back at the house" I asked, smiling.

"Crazy as usual, that's why we were here before you" she laughed.

"Christian don't wipe us out tonight" Dante said, joining us.

"Not up to me, these are Ana's chips tonight" he laughed as Dante groaned, knowing he wouldn't complain if I won.

"Did they get off ok" I asked.

"Yes, they flew by private jet to Fiji. I'm surprised you didn't hear Valentina's scream when she found out where she was going" he laughed.

"Where is Giulia."

"Winding down from the copious amount of alcohol she has drank this week. Giulia said she's not drinking again until we get to Sicily."

"You're coming" I asked, excitedly.

"Of course, we wouldn't miss a family wedding. Besides it will be nice not to have my wife running around on Christmas day, cooking for the masses. Everyone has been told this year, we're going away."

"Won't she still be cooking in Sicily" I asked.

"No, I have hired a chef to come in and make it."

"I should try that" I said, laughing at the look on Christian's face. There is nothing he loves more than a home-made Christmas dinner. I don't mind making it, especially when all the boys do the washing up.

Dante was called away so we made our way into the casino. I couldn't believe I had twenty-five thousand dollar's worth of chips when all I wanted was some coins for the slot machines.

"Christian can you hold these for me please" I asked, handing him the chips as I made my way to a slot machine, his laughter following behind me.

"There had better be a very good reason for that laughter Mr Grey" I said, looking over my shoulder at him, as I pulled a spare chair closer to the machine and took a seat.

"I was thinking, when I was in here the other night that you would prefer the slots. That's why I asked Dante to arrange for these" he said, handing me a bag of coins, perfect for my machine.

"You know me so well" I said, smiling before starting to feed the machine.

...

"Is she winning" Grandma asked when she joined us about twenty minutes later.

"Well Ana has more money than when she started" Christian laughed.

"Better not tell Dante then" she laughed, taking the handful of coins that I gave to her and soon we were both feeding the machines.

I had fun, a lot of fun, especially on the roulette wheel. Christian said he didn't care if I lost it all, it was my money to play with. I placed chips on all the birthdays, eighteen coming up this time.

"My lucky husband" I smiled as the chips I had won were handed back to me.

"What number did you think I won first on, your birthday" he told me before kissing my lips.

I continued to play the roulette wheel, my biggest win just happened to have been on Hugo's birthday. Christian joined my grandfather at the poker table while my grandmother and I finally took a seat. I had cashed the chips in, leaving me with an overflowing purse.

"Ladies, drinks?" Dante asked us.

"Tea would be lovely" my grandmother asked, startling Dante. I think he was expecting us to order an alcoholic beverage but he smiled to Grandma before asking what I wanted.

"Tea for me as well please."

"Coming up" he smiled before leaving us.

"Is your purse stuffed" Grandma asked as I tried to close the clasp.

"Yes, I feel like I'm walking around with a brick. Add to that my gun as well. I wouldn't need it if someone tried something, I would just hit them with my purse" I laughed.

As we were halfway through our tea, my Dad and Isabella joined us. They had been out for a meal, enjoying the sights.

"How much have you won" Dad asked me as my purse popped open again. "That looks a bit more than the twenty-five Christian won."

"It is. Hugo won it for me" I smiled.

"He always was your lucky mascot" my Dad said, kissing my forehead before wandering over to the table where my husband sat.

When our tea was finished, Grandma and I made our way back over to the slot machines again, where my husband found us thirty minutes later, his hands full of chips once more.

"Please tell me you haven't bankrupted your grandfather" my grandmother asked.

"No, these are Granddads. Mine are in my pocket."

"He won that" she asked, holding out her hands, no doubt claiming the prize.

"Yes, I have cashed mine in. Here princess" he said, pulling yet another stack of notes from his pocket.

"Where am I supposed to put those, down my bra. My purse is full."

"You stuff those down your bra, you would look like you have had funny shaped breast enlargements" Grandma laughed, as Christian put the money back into his pocket.

"Those breasts are perfect the way they are" he whispered before kissing my ear. "Fit perfect in my hands."

"You dare grab my breasts in the middle of the casino and I will not be happy" I told him.

When his hands moved in closer, I stood, stepping away. It didn't stop him catching me though but a hug is what I received.

"Are you ready to go home" I asked, trying to hide a yawn.

"Yes, let me take my wife home."

My grandparents decided that they still wanted to stay and play, my grandfather taking Grandma over to the roulette table as my Dad and Isabella joined them.

"They will have either spent every penny by the time they come home or cleared Dante out."

"I'm betting on the latter" he laughed. "Where did Mac and Sofia end up tonight, they were very vague in their plans" Christian asked me as we made our way home.

"They went to Passion" I said, shocking my husband.

"Really, he took his wife to a strip club" Christian laughed.

"Yes. I think having AJ there for the bachelor / bachelorette parties, they were on their best behaviour. Tonight, they can enjoy themselves and they're booked into the same hotel we stayed in."

"I hope not the same room" he laughed.

"I don't know why but that would just feel weird."

Pulling through the gates, Christian parked in front of the house. He had drunk a glass of wine at dinner, we both had but that was the only alcohol either of us had drank tonight, hence the tea.

"I think they have all gone to bed" I said.

Apart from the light at the top of the stairs, everywhere else was dark from the outside.

"We have had one party after another this week, even I'm feeling it. No wonder they have all gone to bed." he told me.

We quietly let ourselves into the house. The only sound was that of paw steps that quickly approached.

"Hello boys" I said quietly, stroking their ears.

Rosie must be with Lucy as she was not here.

"Do you want to go out" Christian asked them.

"They have been out" we heard from the living room.

It was Luca's voice but it didn't sound right.

"Luca" I said, as we entered the room.

There were only the lamps on but I could still see the tears that glistened on my son's cheeks.

"Luca what is wrong, what is it" Christian asked as we took a seat on either side of our son.

He pulled something from his pocket, something I had seen many times before. I looked to my son who despite his tears, had a smile on his face.

"Oriella's pregnant."

Thank you for reading.

Until next time, take care.

Caroline.