A/N: Hey everyone. Hoping the next chapter will be the final one with the wedding. After we're finished here I'll probably continue with the story from Christian's POV (AND I LOVE HER) although that one isn't getting too much attention. We'll see. Currently I'm writing two new novels, one will be under the name of Lulu Astor and the other will be published under my real name, I think—it's not a romance. However, when the one that is a romance is about to launch, I'll try to get that info to you. If you follow me on FB and/or Twitter under Lulu Astor you'll get all my news.

The following should have been part of the last chapter but it was proving to be very long and I wanted to get something to you sooner. I've been editing nonstop for other authors, grading papers, and trying to run a business. Perhaps I'm doing too much? :D

Chapter 47

As if the debacle with Kate and Elliot wasn't enough, I wake up the next morning to find my mother in the great room waiting for me. She's sitting there and Dante is right in front of her, reveling in all the attention he's getting. Last night Christian was surprisingly amenable to the dog's presence. I think my threatening not to come home with him last week has put him on his best behavior and he's being very lenient with me.

"It's about time your majesty rolled out of bed. I've been waiting over an hour for you. I've drunk three large cups of coffee and now I'm jumping out of my skin." My mother is sitting with her legs crossed and her dangling foot is kicking the air rapidly in annoyance.

"That's because Gail makes the morning coffee with a shot of espresso. But… what the hell, Mom? You never told me you were coming."

"Of course I did. When we last spoke, I told you I'd talk to your father and then pay you a visit at the end of the month when I had time off. Honestly, Ana, you still don't listen worth a damn."

I sit down and rub my face. "I'm afraid you're going to have to wait even longer because I haven't even showered, Mom. I'm sorry… I didn't hear you say you were coming."

Her lips tighten in annoyance but it's gone as soon as it came. "Aaaana, this apartment is unbelievable. How can you be so nonchalant living amid all this luxury?"

I chuckle. "I was just as impressed as you are when I first came up here but you can get used to anything, Mom. It just feels like home to me now. Have you met Christian?"

"No, unfortunately. He was gone by the time I arrived. A very nice man, Mr. Taylor, showed me in and asked me to wait here. He said the lady of the house was not yet arisen."

I laugh. "Mom, you sound miffed. Are you jealous?"

"Of course I am. This place is fantastic. Why don't you show me around?"

"Can I take my shower first? I promise I'll be quick."

"Fine, I'll just read this magazine I bought at the airport for the tenth time, cover to cover."

Shaking my head I have to laugh at how quickly she can get under my skin. "I can show you to the library where there's plenty to read. Would that help?"

She sniffs. "Yes, it would. Thank you."

I take her to the library, listen to her exclaim for thirty seconds, and then duck out to get my shower. Was I that annoying when Christian first showed me his penthouse? He never gave any indication. I half-stomp in annoyance to the bathroom. I usually make my showers as quick as possible to conserve water but today I allow myself an extra five minutes as a reward for having to put up with my mother.

As I'm drying off, my phone chimes. I manage to grab it right before it goes to voice mail. It's Christian.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?"

"Good morning to you too. I'm still home. Peter's not in today so he told me not to bother. I was—"

He interrupts, "How very nice of Peter. What a guy." His voice is thick with sarcasm. Suffice it to say, Christian feels threatened by any man who comes into contact with me and therefore hates him. Peter is no exception—especially since he's divorced and attractive.

Rolling my eyes, I try to continue but he interjects again.

"I know you're rolling your eyes right now. I do not appreciate it and it may come back to bite you in the ass—literally."

I can't help but laugh, all but confirming his accusation. "Well, don't say stupid things, and I won't roll my eyes. As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, I was planning to go in later for a few hours to catch up on some paperwork but when I wandered out to get coffee this morning, my mother was in the great room waiting for me."

"Your mother?"

"I think I'm speaking English. Si, mi madre es en su casa."

"Why is she here?"

"I guess to help me with the wedding plans. She claims she told me about it but I don't remember her saying anything. Then again, I have been known to tune her out now and then."

"Hmm. Should I come home and take you two to lunch? I should meet her."

"Oh, you will, never fear, but you don't have to rush home. If you'd like, we can meet you at the office and go out to lunch together."

There's a pause and I assume he's checking his schedule. "I have a two o'clock meeting. If you can make it here at noon, it would work for me. Is that doable?"

"What time is it now?"

"Just past ten."

Gazing into space, I rub my neck, thinking. "God, she got here early. All right. We'll be there at noon. Will you come down to meet us or do I have to face the gauntlet?

"Ana, after personally speaking to my employees about my fiancée, none would dare to be even the slightest bit rude to you, baby. Trust me, they know who signs their checks."

"Do they know I'm your fiancée?"

"Yes. I've told my inner circle and you know how word spreads in a gossipy office. I'm sure everyone down to the night porter knows I'm getting married."

"So far the gossip mags don't, right?"

"Since we've only told our friends and family until earlier this week when I shared with my staff, no. Though, I'm guessing by Monday it will be public knowledge."

"Hmm. I got the feeling that Heather—though she was polite to me—has a crush on you and you might have broken her heart by telling her you're engaged."

"Oh? Well, she'll get over it. I got the best of the best. Anyway, I've always made it a practice never to date any staff, regardless of circumstances."

"So if I had come to work for you rather than becoming your concubine, you wouldn't have dated me?"

"I don't know about that. Concubine? I like the sound of that, actually."

"I'm sure you do. All right, gotta go if I'm going to make it in time. See you soon, Grey."

...

So now I have to dress since I'm going to GH. I wasn't planning on putting on anything but jeans, sandals, and a tank top or something else casual. Grr. I stomp over to the closet to search out something up to snuff.

I'm trying to decide between my two choices for the day: a white sundress or a very pale yellow shirt with a short black skirt. I opt for the sundress, which is sleeveless and short, not to mention tight fitting and designed personally for me by Kent. I pair it with tan wedge sandals and lots of big silver jewelry. I wear earrings that dangle with an antique cut of a smoky black Swarovski crystal. The earrings might not be expensive ones but they are among my top three favorite pairs.

I partially dry my hair and then run my fingers through it with a dab of product to style it. Eyeliner, a tiny bit of bronzer, and pink lip gloss. Done.

It's kind of fun to see everything for the first time again through my mother's eyes. I easily remember feeling the exact same way when I first met Christian. We stroll up to his office building and she immediately notices the engraved stone with the single word: GREY.

"Why doesn't it say Grey Holdings, Ana? Is the building owned by his family?"

"No, Mom, the entire building is for his firm. The reason it only says Grey is because it's the name of the building—the Grey building. The name of the corporation is inside, pretty much everywhere."

"Oh. Damn, this is a massive building for one company. How many people does he employ?"

"In the U.S. I think it's about sixty thousand. Worldwide, it's closer to a hundred thousand, maybe more. I'm not sure—you should ask Christian."

"Impressive. How on earth did such a young man accomplish so much?"

"Mmm, wait until you meet him, Mom. Focused is the operative word to describe the man. Plus, he's brilliant… at most things."

Her head swivels to look at me. "Most? What isn't he good at?"

I smirk. There she goes again, pinpointing things without even trying. "He's making progress, mind you, but he's somewhat stunted emotionally."

"Ah, that's not good for husband material, Ana."

"No, Mom, he's fine. It's just that he's insecure emotionally, if you could believe that."

"Oh I could believe it. For him to accomplish all this at so young an age, something had to be neglected. Concurrent development is difficult if not impossible. You see that in biology."

I shake my head but say nothing, which only encourages her.

"You see it with babies, Ana. For example, you were an early talker but your motor skills lagged behind the other children who didn't speak as early or as well as you. It's because if one part of the brain is engaged fully, others lag behind. It's a proven fact."

"Makes sense."

I nod to the front desk though there's a new woman there. She's about to stop us to sign in when the man, the same one as usual, hurriedly strides over and greets us instead. "Hello, Ms. Steele. It's nice to see you again."

I smile. "Thank you," I say, acknowledging him with another nod, and proceed to the appropriate elevator bank.

The elevator doors ping and swish open and there's my friend Heather, sitting at the main reception desk. We step over and she notices me when we approach. I see the recognition flash in her eyes and she quickly composes her face. "Hello, Ms. Steele," she says and then presses a button and speaks into the mouthpiece attached to her head, "Mr. Grey. Ms. Steele is here."

"Go right in, Ms. Steele. He's waiting for you. Oh, and may I offer you my congratulations?"

I give her my best smile. "Yes, you may. Thank you and please, call me Ana."

The corporate-drone mask slips just a tiny bit with her flush. "Thank you."

Despite that little exchange, I sense hostility emanating from that girl but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and consider it my overactive imagination. My mom leans over to whisper in my ear.

"They treat you like a VIP."

I throw her a look. Of course they do now that they know I'm Christian's fiancée. Before they treated me like I was flotsam floating on the water and ruining their view. I lead my mother through the massive doors into his inner sanctum.

He's on the phone when we enter but he crooks his fingers at us in a silent gesture to come in.

"Get it done. Yes. Yes. I'll be there at two. Right." Finishing the call abruptly, he rises to his feet and comes around his desk to meet my mother.

"Mrs. Steele, a pleasure to meet you. You have a beautiful, wonderful, kind, and generous daughter, as I'm sure you're very aware."

He's turning on the Grey charm full blast and dazzles us both with his toothpaste-ad smile.

"Wait," my mom says, looking worried. "Have we got the wrong office, Ana? Oh, you're speaking about my daughter? Just how long have you known her?" She giggles in a way most unbecoming of a woman her age, in my estimation. Christian looks startled, his smile frozen in place. But then she extends her hand and says, "Just kidding. Mr. Grey, it's very nice to meet you," my mother says, taking his extended hand. "Please call me Carly."

"Thank you, and I'd like you to call me Christian. We're going to be family in a few weeks."

"So we are. So. Your company is very impressive. I was just remarking to Ana how amazing it is that you've accomplished so much at such a young age. To what do you attribute your great success?"

I look at her with an expression that asks 'have you lost your mind?' but she's focused on my handsome boy.

He tilts his head back and laughs, saying, "Is this a stealth interview? You probably don't know but I generally don't do interviews except on the rarest of occasions."

"No, I didn't know. I don't mean to interrogate you—it's just that I've never met anyone like you before, quite frankly."

"Why don't I give you the express tour of the building and then we can talk more at lunch. I'm sorry to say that I'm a bit pressed for time today. I hope you'll forgive me and allow me to make up for it sometime soon."

"Of course, Christian."

"How long will you be visiting?"

"About five days.

"Good. After tomorrow my schedule will free up to some extent."

As Christian is pointing out architecture and design of the Grey building to my mom, I'm frenetically texting Kate, dying to know what happened with Elliot. Very unlike Kate, she's not responding. I texted her last night when I got home, before I went to bed, and again when I woke up this morning. I'm starting to get worried now. If I don't hear from her by the time we finish lunch, I'll ditch the texting and call her.

"Christian," I interrupt his conversation with my mother, "have you spoken to Elliot recently?"

"Two days ago. Why?"

"I haven't been able to reach Kate."

"What has that to do with Elliot?"

I lock eyes with him. "He dropped by the condo for an unannounced visit last night and he seemed… upset."

Brows knitted in a frown, Christian went silent for a moment, and then went back to his conversation. As we were exiting the building, after touring the lobby, my phone pinged with a text.

Finally.

Long, long story. Can't do it by text. Can we meet for a drink sometime soon?

That's it? That's all I get for my patience? I quickly tap out my response:

You're kidding. That's all you're going to give me?

Until I see you. How about later this afternoon, say about 4:30?

My mother is here visiting. Should I bring her too?

If she wants to come… though part of my story is x-rated.

I'll be there. At the condo?

No. Let's go to Frieda's. I'm in the mood for a coconut latte.

All right. Frieda's at 4:30. I'll be there.

Lunch is lovely but I'm obsessing over what Kate is going to tell me. Why x-rated? With Elliot or Rudy? Or maybe both? With Kate one never knows. Now that would be a long story for sure. Meantime, Christian is being his charming self and winning my mother over easily. He orders wine with lunch, a wine he thought Mom might like, based on what she told him she looks for in wine, so for that alone, she was appreciative. Christian himself drank very little since he has to take an important meeting very soon. I glance at my phone as we are served and see it's after one.

"Don't you have to go soon, Christian?"

"Yes, I do. I'd like to eat, however."

"Yes, you must be hungry. You've been leaving so early in the morning that I doubt you have the time or the appetite for breakfast… but it's not good for you."

"It will pass," he says. "This week everything came at us at once. It's unusual." He turns his attention back to my mother. "So Carly, you should ask Ana to take you sightseeing for the remaining afternoon. I can have my driver escort you so you won't have to worry about finding taxis or parking cars. How does that sound?"

My mom just about fawns over him—guess that quality runs in the family. Then again, who wouldn't fawn over the handsome bastard? Especially when he turns on the high-velocity faucet of charm.

After lunch I take my mom to see some sights, but only driving by them. I promised Kate I'd meet her at Frieda's by 4:30. We spent most of our time in Lower Queen Anne, driving by the space needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the performing arts center. Driving up—appropriately enough—Elliott Avenue to Pike Place, we stopped for some shopping at the market and then take Alaskan Way past the Great Wheel and the aquarium. Frieda's is on First and University, near the art museum and we get there, courtesy of Taylor, at 4:20, both of us ready for a drink, preferably of the alcoholic variety.

"How about we get an Irish latte, Ana?"

"You mean an Irish coffee only with latte? That sounds yummy, Mom."

She gets a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Since we have the luxury of a ride home I can't see why it would hurt to take a drink."

"You're on. Let's sit at the bar until Kate gets here."

"Kate's already here," comes a voice behind me and I whip around to face a smiling Kate. "I got us a table already, ladies. Follow me."

Once we're all tucked into a cozy rear table, I turn to my friend. "OK, out with it. What happened?"

The brazen woman just smiles and winks at my mom. "I think we need to table that discussion for another time. I mean, how often do we get to visit with your mother, after all."

"Oh no you don't. Spill it now before I lose my shit." My voice is loud enough to carry and my mother looks around us.

"Ana. Stop it. You're attracting attention and—"

"Not in a good way," Kate interrupts to finish. "Chillax."

The waiter arrives—serendipitously—and serves us tall glasses of water. "What may I get for you ladies?"

I look toward my mother. "Mom?"

"I'll have an Irish coffee… but can you substitute the coffee with a latte instead?"

Bob, our baby-faced waiter, nods his head. "I think we can do that for you." He looks at Kate. "And you, miss?"

"I'll have a coconut latte—large—and a slice of butter streusel crumb cake. Just keep the calories coming…" She smiles at him and he almost melts into a puddle of boy goo.

I roll my eyes. So predictable. "I'll have a Drambuie and a bottle of mineral water, as well."

Bob-the-waiter smiles and disappears, letting us resume our conversation.

Swiveling my gaze directly to Kate, I give her my sternest look. "Out with it. What happened with Elliott?"

"Fine. But I warn you, it's unbelievable."

"What is? Tell me." I'm nearly whining at this point, dying to know all the dirt. I'll be honest—my curiosity is almost physically painful.

"After he dragged me into the bedroom, Elliott told me he didn't want to see me out with other men, that I deserved to see him with other women because of what I put him through with my promiscuity, and that he expects me to suck it up for a while until his anger subsides enough for him to consider coming back to me. Can you believe the nerve?"

I gasp. "He called you promiscuous?"

Kate nods solemnly.

"So what'd you tell him?"

"I told him that he had to leave because I had a date and I didn't want to keep my date waiting."

"That must have gone over well. Then what?"

"He grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me almost violently and said…" She looks at my mother. "I don't think your mom wants to hear all the gory details, Ana."

"Oh, go ahead, Kate. I can take it," my mom insists, patting Kate's arm.

I burst out laughing. "Mom, you are so full of it. You want to know as much as I do, don't you?"

"Stop it, Ana. I just want you girls to have your convo. Is my lingo right? Anyway," she sniffs, "if you'd like, I can step away to the ladies'?"

Kate just goes on with her story. "He said… and I quote, 'You fucking bitch, I've never in my life wanted to strike a woman as much as I want to hit you right now. In fact, I'd like to take a belt to your ass. I know this is probably Karma getting me back for all the women I've hurt in the past but I really have feelings for you and you shit on me, Kate. Now… seeing you with other men is making it all the more worse.' Then he kissed me hard… you know, like a Mafia kiss, then spun around, and walked out."

"What's a Mafia kiss?"

"You know, bacio della morte...how they grab someone and kiss him right before they kill him?"

"And that was it? All of that just to tell you that?"

"And to kiss me." She grins. "He also called me later that night."

"What'd he say?"

"He asked me how I felt about him." Kate was staring at the table, her finger swirling in the wet ring left by her water glass.

I wait patiently. This might be too personal to share at the table so I don't want to prod.

Kate took a sip of her water. "I told him how I felt and then we hung up. About a half-hour later he was at my door."

"What? And…?"

"Aaand… the clean version is... we're reconciled. I think anyway." She smiled.

The waiter, with his impeccable timing, comes back to deliver our drinks, allowing me time to digest Kate's incredible story. Then I think about poor Rudy, left out in the cold once again. Who could I fix him up with? He's too tame for Minx. Maybe I should invite him to my wedding and introduce him to some of the single girls? Mia's friends and my own from Ohio? Food for thought.

A/N: Next chapter: the x-rated version. ;)