Just Breathe, Chapter 23 – Birthday and time crunches before the Big Day
Sunday, September 11
Ana's POV
"This should wake you up…" Gail handed me tabloids and set my tea next to me.
Thwarted! Anastasia Steele foils her own kidnapping!
Anastasia models at Seattle Bridal Faire – almost kidnapped!
No prenuptials for Christian and Ana! It's love or nothing!
"I think I like that one the best," I pointed at the front page pictures of Christian and me entering Escala last night; hand in hand.
"I got an extra one to mail to your mother." Gail laughed. "By the way, I think the paparazzi have tripled downstairs. The doorman sent them to the common area south of the building. Police and security are keeping them fifty feet from the building. The doorman sent up 100 messages from the press earlier. I just tossed them; unless you want to deal with it."
I groaned.
"The Greys are here already; they are in the study with Christian. Your father is with Taylor in the security office. The doorman just announced Elliott and Kate are on their way up with Mia and Grandma and Grandpa Trevelyan."
"I'm sorry everyone missed the lovely dinner you made last night. It's very good of you to prepare breakfast for everyone." I thank her for all her work.
"The police enjoyed your birthday dinner; so enjoy this morning with your family. I'm just glad we're celebrating your birthday, not feeding FBI and waiting for ransom demands." Gail shook her head.
XX
"Really," I blushed. "I don't need birthday presents…I'm just glad to have a belated birthday to share with all of you." I raised my mimosa to toast all of them. "Being with all of you – best present I ever had."
"We're glad you're here to celebrate with us also," Ray said. "I cannot believe you were almost kidnapped yesterday!"
"I can't believe we spent hours talking to the police. They finally let us leave the convention center; but they transported us separately. I think they came here just to eat Ana's birthday dinner under the guise of questioning us over and over." Kate shook her head. "I owe you Christian and you Ana!"
"Well, I hope you forgive me for quashing some of your pictures. Especially the ones of Ana laughing into her knees. Since Prescott had been shot; I didn't want the press labeling Ana as insensitive." Christian's bland tone belied his overwhelming need to protect Ana.
"Well, I think yesterday's events pulled me out of the coffee urn and into real reporting!" Kate gloated. "I'm glad we were unharmed; but I'm thankful for the boost to my career!" She kissed Elliott excitedly. "I won't be the assigned reporter when they are arraigned tomorrow or when they go to trial, but I get to be a star witness!" She laughed contagiously. "Although, my dad would be especially happy if they all pled guilty and were incarcerated immediately. The Bridal Faire assignment went off without any problems. I've been assigned a puff piece on interns working at the top ten companies in Seattle called Interns Dish Internships. It's due for the October 2nd lifestyle section."
I laughed. "Good luck with that…I think our wedding announcement will overshadow anything else in the papers."
"We tried to do a coordinated birthday effort," Mia said. "You know how Christian is about organizing things."
"I know I will love all my presents," I said, "but not until after breakfast, okay?"
XX
I blew out the candles on the lemon and cream cheese swirl coffee cake Gail made for my birthday breakfast. "Just to get things started, Christian gave me this," I pointed out the charm bracelet gracing my wrist. Mia and Kate set to examining it and claiming over the charms: ice cream cone, mask, book, running shoes, helicopter, boat, glider and graduation cap.
"You can admire it later, ladies," Christian said. "Okay – who drew the something you need cards."
Grace and Ray held up their gifts. I reached for Grace's gift and opened it. "It's lovely," I gasp and stroke the lovely black leather briefcase. It is so soft!" I open it and examine it. "So much handier than the totes I've been using. Plus it will hold my laptop! Thank you Grace and Carrick." I gave her a hug while he squeezed my left hand.
"You are very welcome," Grace smiled.
"My something you need present," Ray said casually, sipping his tea to draw out the suspense, "comes in two parts. Here's part one." He handed over an 18x18 square wrapped package.
I opened it with a bit of curiosity, laughing aloud when it was completely unwrapped.
"Nerf gun and target, for stress-relieving target practice. You can either put it up at Grey Publishing, which I recommend, or behind your office door here at Escala." He shrugged. "I figure if it's at Grey Publishing, you can write down the things annoying you daily and then shoot at them. Besides; you need it for the second part of your present, which is my presence for at least the next week. I'm staying with you until Taylor can find a new female CPO. Prescott is out for six weeks. She can work at three weeks, but you'll be on your honeymoon and she won't be allowed to travel. Taylor has to replace her for a while. I may need that toy to relieve my complete boredom at your office."
"She does want to come back, right? We didn't scare her off?" I asked.
"Prescott was shot in the upper thigh. The bullet was lodged close to her femoral artery. She was rushed into surgery because they thought her circulatory system might be compromised. Sawyer applied a field dressing with pressure because that Prescott could not stop what she was doing to apply pressure to her wound. However, the artery was not injured, they removed the bullet and she's recovering just fine. But, Prescott is pretty pissed at Elena for ruining her five-year safety record," Christian said. "I sent flowers, chocolates and a new iPad with an Amazon gift card so she can get music, games, movies or books to entertain her while she recovers. She gets released Wednesday if she behaves herself. Ryan is taking her home. I arranged for Welch to give her six weeks off with pay."
"Does she have someone to look after her?" Grace asked.
"Family – mom, dad, and younger sister who is studying to be a nurse," Christian reported.
"Thank you, Ray," I hug him and he hugs back.
"My something you need present," Christian indicates a large box, decorated with a smaller box. I shake my head. I open it and find a lovely set of cobalt blue luggage consisting of a very large rolling suitcase, a medium rolling suitcase, a carry-on size rolling suitcase and a cosmetics case which sits comfortably on top of all of them and straps to the handles. There is also a cobalt blue passport portfolio to carry my itinerary, airline tickets, passport, money, ID, etc.
"Thank you love," I give him a chaste kiss. After last night…I don't dare put any heat or passion in my kisses. I don't want to embarrass Ray or Christian's family with over-the-top displays of affection.
Kate interrupts before we get overly mushy. "Our presents," Kate said. "Elliott and my presents are something to read. You need your iPad."
I opened my iPad and there was a new app on it. "The British Library?" I asked.
"You have to have something to do on your honeymoon," Kate said. "I know you're not going shopping for Italian shoes or attending an afternoon runway at Dior in Paris."
"Hey!" Christian started to object, thinking Kate might know something about the honeymoon but Grace tapped his arm and shook her head.
"My something to read is a contract," Christian held up a manila folder. "Basically it says that you will be the CEO of Grey Publishing on your 30th birthday. It delineates your training and steps toward that goal. I know you will want to discuss it later and read it before you sign."
"Yeah…about that…reading later," I promise and give him a wink. He just shakes his head at me.
"Our turn," Frannie and Theo announced. "We drew the something to wear gift with Mia." She smiled and passed a small box.
I open the box to find a beautiful vintage white and rose gold watch. "It's lovely!" I thank them.
"It will go with your wedding rings," Frannie said.
"It's also a promise of sorts," Theo said. "It's about time Christian had someone to share his life with and we hope to have more time to spend with both of you."
"Symmetry," Kate smiled. "Ana can do that."
Mia passed me a large box. "I drew the something to wear card too. I know you hate to shop. I also know your mom has been really vocal about what you wear to the rehearsal dinner. So, I bought you something gorgeous."
I sighed mentally and opened the box. Inside was a blush pink dress. I pull it out and hold it up to me while Kate swoons.
"That is gorgeous!" She examines it. "Lace-embroidered tulle with beading over satin. Boned bodice for support, A-line skirt. Scoop neckline, sleeveless. There's no way your mother can object to this dress. It has a wrap which matches the overlay."
"We'll have to go shopping for shoes and a purse to go with it," Mia announced.
"Huh uh…" I shake my head. "From now until the wedding is over, I'm only going to work and appointments. I'm not giving anyone a chance to kidnap me, hit me with a car, drop a paint can on my head, or any other misfortunes." I look at everyone at the table. "I know we can't talk about yesterday. However, I'm not running away from anything but I'm not giving anyone an opportunity to finish yesterday's agenda. I have a ton of work to clear from my desk, not to mention wedding things."
"I personally think Ana has the right idea," Carrick interjected with nod of approval from Ray.
"My something to wear," Christian passes a rectangular box to me.
"I have enough presents from you," I protested.
"You need this one," he insisted.
I opened it to find a tennis bracelet and stud earrings in pink diamonds and white gold to match my engagement ring. "They're lovely," I murmured, stroking them.
"They're perfect accessories for your rehearsal dress," Mia announced.
I managed to give Christian another chaste kiss.
"Hey," he protested. "Don't I deserve a better kiss than that?"
"Yes, but I thought we should not embarrass Ray or your family by overly graphic public displays of affection." I tease.
"Speaking of public displays of affection," he kissed my forehead and pulled me down to his lap, "I intend to kiss you every time paparazzi are around. If our lips are busy kissing, we don't have time to answer stupid or invasive questions."
"I'm glad you reminded me," I turned to Carrick. "How is that NDA coming for my mother and Bob?"
"Done. As quick as the arraignments end tomorrow; I'm off to Georgia to speak to your mother. I won't come back until I've explained it and they have signed. Should I ask her to stay in Georgia until Tuesday before the wedding?" Carrick asked.
"Please," I ask and catch a look on Elliott's face.
"Spill Elliott…" I order.
"She's been calling the condo and leaving messages," Elliott confessed. "She's freaking out because she can't get ahold of you except after six at night, which is eight her time. Bob's an early sleeper. He's ready for bed by nine, which means she only has one hour…"
"One hour to overload me with suggestions, questions and comments," I sigh.
"Yeah," Elliott said morosely.
"Send everything to voice mail; block her calls; I don't know what to suggest. I called her the first opportunity last night and instead of being worried that we were almost kidnapped…she wanted a stitch by stitch description of the dress I modeled." I rolled my eyes…catching a frown from Christian.
"Everyone, send Carla messages and calls to me," Mia offered. "Dad, give her my cell number. I can give her enough things to think about so she'll leave you alone for another couple of weeks until she arrives."
"How can you do that," Christian asked.
"Well, I'll tell her some of the graphics she sent won't come through because they are too large and it bounces her emails. That means she needs to lower the resolution of the graphics before she can resend them. Or, she will have to send the graphics one at a time, which will be time consuming. She can't create a Pinterest page and upload graphics there to view because it's banned by her NDA." Mia laughed. "I'll get her to send me the seating chart for the rehearsal dinner and then suggest changes. I'll enlist her help for a seating chart for the wedding and then one for the wedding reception, but at the last minute I'll let her down gently and tell her that you and Christian worked it out."
"And if that's not enough?" I asked.
"Well, we'll discuss the bridal attendant's shoes – peep toes, pumps, stilettos, suede, leather, dye to match, Louboutin versus Kate Spade versus Prada versus Jimmy Choo versus Manolo Blahnik. Then when she arrives, Kate and I will show her the Kate Spade silver glitter peep toe shoes we're wearing with their matching handbags."
"If that's not enough to distract her?" I asked.
"We'll talk about the spa, the services, the ambiance, the food and what services she might like? We're getting natural French manicures…but I'll string it out suggesting she send pictures of acrylic nails with grey, pink and white motifs."
"You are evil," Grace said in an appalled tone of voice. "I will cut off your clothing allowance if I ever suspect you're pulling something like that on me."
"It's okay mom…I know you need to go buy shoelaces," Mia laughed.
"Shoelaces?" Frannie asked.
"It's the secret buzzword Mom gives her security staff when she's tired of shopping with me," Mia said.
Ray excused himself from the table; but I could hear him laughing in the security office.
XX
Before everyone left, we discussed the arrangements for the wedding. Carrick found a judge who will officiate. He signed an NDA and was rewarded with a wedding invitation when he signed. He agreed to create a gag order for when Christian and I obtain our marriage license. He and his wife are added to the invitation list. Grace explains venue issues are all under control and she has signed NDAs from her vendors. She has the string quartet; they have signed NDAs. She gave them the wedding details.
Elliott has two wedding DJs for us to vet. He leaves their web information for us to go out and check their song lists and watch their promo materials. They are both willing to sign NDAs with a caveat that they are allowed to bring one staff member to help and that they are allowed to list us as clients on their website after the wedding is over.
Kate shares pictures of the flowers. Everything looks lovely, especially the low centerpieces in antique silver bowls with antique silver candlesticks for the tables. We disagree on the flowers for the mothers. I think leis made from baby roses are excessive and Grace concurs. She and I select wrist corsages of baby white roses with a trio of streaming grey, white and pink ribbons for the mothers. We choose simple white rose corsages for Frannie, Rachel and Gail. The linear rose bouquets Kate and Mia will carry are lovely also. Gail says Sophie's basket of white rose petals is the perfect size for her to carry. The boutonnieres Kate chose are perfection. Christian's will be heart-shaped like my bouquet. It will be fashioned from three baby roses. The topiaries she selected are breathtaking. The rose wreaths are elegant. Kate has chosen a florist and they signed their NDA also.
Taylor says the transportation details are in order. He will have two SUVs to transfer guests from the Bellevue Hyatt to the house. Taylor has asked Sophie to join him and his ex-wife has granted him permission. She won't make it to the rehearsal, but Taylor says he and Gail will talk to her when he picks her up on Friday night. She will know where to dress, walk and stand. Gail explains Sophie's dress and shoes have been ordered and will arrive this week. Gail verifies the caterer is hired and signed his NDA. The baker has been hired and signed his NDA. The cake topper has been ordered and is due to arrive this week also.
Theo asks Elliott what they are doing for a bachelor party and Christian intervenes and explains the morning sail and afternoon golf plans. Elliott is staying at Escala with him Friday night. The tuxes will be delivered to Bellevue on Friday. The men will dress in the pool house on Saturday.
Frannie asks about a bachelorette party and Kate explains it will be spa day with champagne and a catered lunch at the Elaia Salon at the Hyatt. We will all meet at Escala at nine on Friday and go by SUV to the salon. When we're finished at the salon, we'll return to Carrick and Grace's house where Kate and I are sleeping overnight. We do a head count and it will be me, Kate, Mia, Carla, Grace, Frannie, Aunt Rachel and Gail at the spa. Our clothing and accessories will be delivered to Bellevue by Friday at the latest. Mia has arranged for three aestheticians from Elaia Salon to be in attendance to fix hair and makeup for the bride, bridal party, mothers and grandmother. They will touch up any manicures that need it.
We cover the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Rehearsal will be at five on Thursday in Bellevue with the rehearsal dinner at Canlis beginning with cocktails at six and dinner at six-thirty. Grace explains there will be a wedding breakfast/brunch for everyone at their home in Bellevue beginning at nine on Saturday; but the bride will be served on a tray in her room to keep the groom from seeing her on their wedding day.
Mia is next. She says everyone invited has returned their RSVP. So far the table arrangements are working. None of my single co-workers are bringing plus-ones. I laugh and tell Christian I'm going to ask Elliott to bring a half dozen construction workers to drink and dance with the ladies. Christian just shakes his head no at me.
Christian explains Welch talked to Treehouse and had them sign an NDA. They will not release the information about the donations from our wedding until after it is announced in the paper. Then they are welcome to use pictures of us for their press release and on the donors' page of their website.
XX
"I cannot believe Elena tried to kidnap Miss Steele," Taylor shook his head over and over.
"What's hard for me to believe is that Isaac decided to out Elena to the police. "The boy who was detained was being groomed to become her new submissive." Christian said. "His mother was arrested for public intoxication and driving under the influence when she came to SPD to pick him up. The boy agreed to tell SPD anything they wanted to know if they sent his mom to rehab instead of sending her to jail. SPD found space for him in a good foster home that specializes in helping teenage boys. He's been added to the list of kids supported by Treehouse. Welch gave them a donation for the boy when he discussed the wedding with them. They will ensure the boy gets counseling, clothes and anything he needs. He maintains Elena never touched him and Isaac concurs. Franco claims the boy just started working for Elena this week. It was a close call, but we've saved him."
Carrick sighed. "The truth is; I don't know if he would have become Elena's submissive. He followed along with her yesterday because he thought he was going to get a shot at Kate. What worries me is the police were granted a search warrant for Elena's home. She may have evidence of your arrangement."
"Are you attending the arraignment tomorrow?" Taylor asked Christian.
"No, I'm sending Dad, but he's going to let me know the outcome before he goes to Georgia." Christian said. "I'm off to bed. Ana isn't sleeping well; which means I'm not sleeping well. Please make sure we're all up by six in the morning. Ana needs to swim; Ray will guard her. I have a kickboxing appointment with Claude."
XXXXX
Before Midnight; Sunday, September 11 and early hours of Monday morning, September 12
Asia Manning returned home from her job at American Traveler Truck Stop. She worked there as a waitress on weekends in high school. As soon as she turned legal, she started working as a cashier in the truck stop mini mart. She filled in as an on-call waitress when asked, like today. She waitressed during the day shift; cashiered during swing shift. She was tired and glad Monday was her day off.
She had seen too many bad lifestyle choices in the last six years. She didn't want to think about living in Felony Flats, a crappy area of Las Vegas where bright neon lights didn't permeate the darkness of people's souls. She should move somewhere safer, but she was saving to take online classes and weekend seminars to earn college credits. She wanted to get a degree in public administration. She wanted to change her corner of the world one day at a time.
Around two a.m. Monday morning, Asia awakened to screams from the apartment below. Armed with a baseball bat; she tiptoed down the stairs. She met this couple during the early summer block party. Through the slightly ajar door; she could hear the man swearing at the woman.
"Your daughters too good to come to dinner again?" He sneered. "They were no-good worthless bitches who needed discipline. You're the stupid bitch who let them go live with your parents. I don't want to hear how much you miss them!"
Asia peeked through the doorway and saw him choking the woman. The woman passed out and he threw her to the floor. He staggered to the bottle he left on the coffee table. What looked and smelled like a nice roasted chicken dinner slid down the walls of the dining room and puddled onto the floor. The dining room table was overturned and the apartment was a wreck.
Asia stepped back from the doorway for a minute, holding the bat next to her body, breathing slowly. The other two apartments in the building were empty. The previous occupants snuck off in the middle of the night before the new month started. The landlady, an elderly but extremely nice lady, had cleaners and painters around this week to clean up the mess left in the wake of human roaches scurrying away in the night. A thudding sound caused Asia to peek around the door frame again. The man passed out, his head hit the wall; his bottle hit the floor.
Asia cautiously entered; closing and locking the door behind her. She knelt over the woman and felt her pulse. The woman was unconscious but alive. She picked up a semi-clean dishtowel and the bottle of booze. Using the dishtowel, she pried the man's lips and mouth open, slowly pouring the rest of the contents of the bottle down his throat. If he didn't die from alcohol poisoning, or by choking to death, Asia hoped the woman would kill him and put him out of her misery. She placed the bottle in his hands, several times, making sure lots of his fingerprints and palm prints were all over the bottle. She left the empty bottle lying on the floor near his outstretched hand.
She felt the woman's pulse again. It was getting stronger. Asia unlocked the door and opened it with the edge of the dishtowel, wiping her fingerprints from it. She closed it from the outside and wiped her fingerprints off the outside door knob. She tiptoed back upstairs and shoved the dishtowel to the bottom of her trash can. She showered with a loufa mitt and washed her hair. She made a pot of coffee and closed up the windows to retain the cool night air in her apartment. She dressed completely, vacuuming herself all over to keep from shedding hairs in errant places. Just after dawn, the woman downstairs began screaming again.
Asia grabbed up her baseball bat and ran down the stairs. She pounded on the door, yelling at the woman to open up. The sobbing woman came to the door, her eyes blackened and visible grip marks bruised around her neck.
"He's dead..." she sobbed; hoarse from her near-strangulation.
Asia felt for his pulse. There was none. Nor was there any vomit. She wasn't sure how he died, but she bet on alcohol poisoning.
Asia called the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, "I need to report a death and you better bring paramedics. Mrs. Morton looks like she's been beaten and strangled." She gave them the address of the apartment building and the apartment number. The woman stood for a long time looking around the apartment and looking down at her husband's body. She never moved; Asia got a blanket from the back of the couch and wrapped her in it. They went out and sat on the steps until the police came.
The Medic West EMTs wheeled the woman to their ambulance. Asia was quartered on the stairs by questioning police officers. She explained she had been at work yesterday; having pulled a double shift working as a waitress on the day shift and cashier on the swing shift. She came home exhausted and collapsed into bed about midnight. She was dressed, ready to go back to work if the truck stop called for her to fill a morning shift for them, when she heard the screams. Since she lived in Felony Flats, she had the baseball bat for safety. Then she wrote down everything again, attempting to make her handwriting shaky, like she was in shock. When the story on paper matched what she told the police officer; she signed off on the form. The officer gave her a card with the case number if she remembered anything.
The coroner arrived within record time. Pictures were taken of the woman, the apartment, the dead body. The coroner stated Mrs. Morton had defensive injuries; Mr. Morton had none. An autopsy would have to be performed. The woman was transported to the hospital, the man's body transported to the morgue. Asia took the police officer upstairs and found the phone number for the landlady. The officer used his cell phone to call.
Asia left minutes after the police and paramedics. She went to a large park and prayed. She didn't pray to not be caught, or for forgiveness for perhaps taking a life. She did not pray for the deceased's soul; but prayed the woman could find peace, health and live a productive life. She prayed the woman's daughters would find peace, health and live a productive life. She heard him several times over the last few months. He ranted at Mrs. Morton's teenage daughters, calling them whores, beating them with his fists when they were unlucky enough to get too close to him. She celebrated a month ago when the girls came to her and begged for a ride to their grandparents' home in Pahrump. She was pleased to deliver them to their grandparents – bruises and all. That was the end of their living with the abusive drunk, Stephen Morton. She gave the grandparents her cell number and offered to testify against Morton in court if Mrs. Morton tried to bring her daughters back to that situation. Asia remembered how tough it was to live with an alcoholic stepfather. She couldn't wait to get away. One minute after midnight on her 18th birthday, she was out of the house and sharing a pay-by-the-week hotel room with another girl. She had not returned to her mother's home since.
Asia went to North Vista Hospital to see Mrs. Morton. She stopped in the auxiliary gift shop for a bouquet of flowers. Asia felt awkward when Mrs. Morton thanked her for her coming downstairs and for her help. Tears began to form in the woman's blackened eyes. Asia gave her the flowers which turned the tears of unhappiness to tears of joy.
Mrs. Morton's indignant sister revealed secrets. "The police have been here twice to question my sister. She's told them she cooked dinner and waited for Stephen to come home. He come home drunk as usual; ruined the dinner; trashed the apartment and beat Olivia unconscious." She reached out and held her sister's hand. "She can't remember Stephen choking her, but the doctor says there are pinprick hemorrhages in her eyes and fingerprint bruises on her neck which indicate she had been choked. We all know Olivia didn't kill Stephen. The bottle finally got him. We've known for a while that it would."
Asia left the hospital and went home. She parked in the back of the building and entered by the security door between the building and the garage. She showed her identification to the CSI as they departed, having processed the crime scene. Police tape barred the doorway of the Mrs. Morton's apartment. Asia lay on her futon chaise for a long time, thinking of all the things she would miss in life if she were caught. She made the decision to move. She would apply for school loans and grants and get herself out of Felony Flats. Surely she could find a better job. She had six years of work experience at the same place…that should show she was reliable. If she could get a job working for a state agency; they would help pay for her education.
XX
Mid-morning, same day
Christian's POV
"Isaac asked to speak to me alone before he was arraigned. He signed an NDA which he backdated to the day he met Elena. He said Elena's submissives resembled you in one way or another: tall, lean, redheads, light-colored eyes. The boy with her at the Bridal Faire was the closest she had come to finding your doppelganger since she met Isaac. He tried to be patient when Elena picked up a new boy because she always came back to him. He was angry with her. He counseled her that it wasn't safe to seduce teenage boys; but she would not listen. She mentioned she hoped he would last for six years like Isaac and like you." Carrick signed. "Once Elena left to set up at the Bridal Faire, Isaac accessed her house. He claims he took every bit of information he could find about you and Ana, especially explicit pictures of you as a teenager. Isaac said it took hours, but he's sure he retrieved everything connected to you. He destroyed it in a barbeque pit at a park before he went to the Bridal Faire. It's why he arrived just before Ana exited the building. He believes there is nothing to tie you to her personally. You're free." His quiet voice unnerved me.
I understood. Elena no longer had proof of a relationship between us. It would be her word against mine. If asked; I will say she was a business partner who wanted MORE from our relationship. That ought to frost her ass.
"Isaac Reynolds was charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Susannah Martin was charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempted kidnapping and possession of a firearm while committing a felony. Elena Lincoln was charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping and attempted murder. She was just going to be charged with assault with a deadly weapon until Prescott's surgeon informed the DA the bullet was lodged less than two centimeters from her femoral artery. The doctor insisted it was attempted murder and is willing to testify, so the charges against Elena were changed. As soon as the police finish searching her home and find enough evidence, more charges will be invoked." Dad reported. "I'm on my way to the airport as we speak."
"Thank you, Dad," I whisper hoarsely on the phone to him. "If Isaac contacts you again, please tell him I owe him. I'll help him start a new life somewhere else when Elena's sentenced and shipped to prison."
"She called my office; the morning of your engagement announcement in the paper," He admitted. "She demanded I create a prenuptial for Ana to sign. She said you paid off a dozen women before Ana. She suggested if you offered Ana a lot of money; she'd get out of your life."
"Not going to happen," I said; feeling stronger than before. "Yes, there were women before Ana; but I never loved them. They wanted anything I gave them - car, clothes, jewels. In exchange, they provided sexual companionship. Ana doesn't want things my money can buy, Dad. Ana wants me; she loves me. I didn't know what love was until Ana came into my life. Elena can't believe I love Ana. Love is a foreign concept to her."
XX
Before lunch, Grey Publishing
"Ray," Hannah approached him. "There was a call for Ana. The woman identified herself as an officer of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. I wouldn't put her through; this is her phone number." Hannah handed him a message slip with the officer's name and phone number. "I don't know if it's someone from Ana's past trying to reconnect with her; or if it is a media ploy."
XX
"Samantha Sullivan; how can I help you?" A cheerful voice answered the mysterious phone number.
"This is Raymond Steele of Montesano, Washington. You left a phone number for Anastasia Steele." Ray's voice did not reveal his curiosity.
"Mr. Steele?" the voice sounded surprised. "You may not remember me, but I was the girl who helped Ana pack when she moved back to Montesano with you. We were on the track team together."
"The strawberry blonde," Ray recalled. "Five feet, eight inches tall, 120 pounds, you bite your fingernails when you are nervous?"
"That's me, sir," she said. "I have a message for Ana; but I can give it to you."
"What's up?" He asked gently.
"I'm an officer for the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. I was called to a crime scene early this morning."
"Stephen Morton?" He asked bluntly.
"Yes, sir. He assaulted his current wife and then drank himself to death. The coroner says he died of alcohol poisoning. His blood alcohol level was .31. Nevada's legal limit to drink and drive is .08. I'm pretty sure he was drunk when he drove home." Samantha related.
"Does anyone know you're calling me?" Ray asked.
"No sir, this is my private cell. I don't believe anyone knows my connection to the dead man either. I Googled Ana and found her engagement announcement which is how I knew to call Grey Publishing for her." Samantha explained.
"Thank you for the information, Samantha," Ray said kindly. "Are you doing alright? Is life good for you?"
"Yes, I graduated from A-Tech in Las Vegas; joined the police force and am taking forensics classes at UNLV. Mom moved away from the complex where we lived when Ana moved home with you. I would never have recognized Mr. Morton. I had to see his identification to verify it was him."
"What's going to happen to his body?" Ray asked.
"If Mrs. Morton claims it; she'll be in charge of the arrangements. I don't think her family will let that happen. He'll probably be cremated and his ashes stored in one of Clark County's unmarked crypts. If that happens, there will be a death notice in the paper for three days if friends want to come forward. Usually in cases like this; they don't."
"Has anyone connected him to Ana?" Ray asked.
"I don't think so. I didn't find anything regarding Ana at the crime scene. His current wife was unable to give much information about his life previous to her. She claims his family was dead when she married him. Since he died from alcohol poisoning, my partner and I moved it into the solved cases pile. My unit commander will read our reports and the coroner's report; but I doubt if he assigns us to research it any further. Once he reviews the reports; he'll give us the authority to release the crime scene. Once that happens; everyone is free."
"Please call me with any updates," Ray gave her his number, thanked her and hung up.
XX
Ana's POV
"Let's go for a drive before dinner," Christian escorts me to the Grey Annex parking garage and seats me in his sports car. We're followed out of the garage by one of the black SUVs from Christian's fleet.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"Well, I wanted to do this after I picked you up from the Bridal Faire, but since everything was crazy, I postponed it until now. Put your seat back, close your eyes and relax. I apologize that you didn't get much sleep last night."
"I'm not complaining," I smiled at him, closed my eyes and listened to the music. I must have dozed off, because it seemed only a few minutes later when Christian woke me by softly calling my name. As I become coherent, Christian turns left into a driveway. We're stopped before two ornate white metal gates set in a six-foot-high, pink sandstone wall. Christian presses a button on his door handle and the electric window hums quietly down into the doorframe. He punches a number into the keypad and the gates swing open in welcome. He gives me an uncertain smile.
"What?" I ask calmly. "What's up? I watch the gates swing close and the SUV following us is no longer there.
"Taylor, Sawyer and Ray went back to Escala. I had an idea about something and they didn't to intrude." Christian said.
We head up a tree-lined lane just wide enough for two cars. On one side, the trees delineate a densely wooded area on one side of the lane. On the other side there is a vast area of grassland and wildflowers, creating a meadow. The evening breeze softly ripples through the grass and the evening sun highlights the wildflowers. It's lovely…utterly tranquil and suddenly I remember a line from Jane Austen, To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.
The lane curves around and opens into a sweeping driveway in front of an impressive Mediterranean-style house of soft pink sandstone. It's palatial. All the lights are on; each window brightly illuminated in the gathering dusk. There's a black BMW parked in front of the four-car garage, but Christian pulls up outside the grand portico.
"Promise me you'll keep an open mind?" Christian said anxiously as he turned off the car.
"Yes, because it must be important to you if you changed the appointment from Saturday to tonight." I answered quickly. Lord, please don't let this be Elena's home. I can't help myself from feeling a little dread.
The dark wood doors open and a petite older woman with dark brown hair stands waiting. I amend my prayer. Please don't let this be the home of someone he was once involved with, like Dr. Charlotte.
"Mr. Grey." She smiles warmly and they shake hands.
"Miss Kelly," he says politely.
Once she can tear her eyes away from Christian's beautiful face…she realizes he is not alone. She smiles at me and holds out her hand, which I shake. "Olga Kelly," she introduces herself.
"Ana Steele," I reply.
She stands aside, welcoming us into the house. I'm puzzled when we step in. The place is completely empty. We are standing in a large foyer. The walls are a faded primrose yellow. The old-fashioned crystal light fixture shines brightly on the dull hardwood floor.
"Come," he says and taking my hand, he leads me through the archway in front of us into a large hallway. It's dominated by a curved, sweeping staircase with an intricate wooden balustrade but still he doesn't stop. He takes me through to the main living area, which is empty, save for a large faded gold rug and four crystal chandeliers. I notice the room is huge and double height, a little like the great room at Escala. The balcony above must be the landing of the second floor. There's a huge fireplace and a whole line of French doors opening onto the terrace. It has an old-world charm.
Christian leads me across the room and outside through open French doors to a large stone terrace. Below us there's half a football field of manicured lawn, but beyond that is a panoramic, uninterrupted vista of late afternoon settling over the Sound. In the distance lies Bainbridge Island. On this crystal clear evening, the setting sun sinks slowly, glowing neon pink and flame orange, beyond Olympic National Park. The blue of the sky… aquamarines, azure, cobalt, indigo, cerulean…meld with the darker purples of scant wispy clouds and the land beyond the Sound. It is nature's best, a visual symphony orchestrated in the sky and reflected in the deep, still waters of the Sound. The scenic beauty renders me speechless.
I realize I'm holding my breath in awe and Christian is still holding my hand. As I reluctantly turn my eyes away from the view, he's gazing anxiously at me.
"You brought me here to admire the view?" I whisper.
He nods; his expression serious.
"It's amazing…astounding…wonderful…incredible…marvelous. Christian; thank you," I murmur, letting my eyes feast on it once more. He releases my hand.
"How would you like to look at it for the rest of your life?" he asks.
"What?" I whip my face back to his, staring…lost in his grey eyes as much as I was lost in that panoramic view.
"I've always wanted to live on the coast. I sail up and down the Sound coveting these houses. This place was just put up for sale. I want to buy it, demolish it and build a new house; just for us," he whispers and his eyes glow, translucent with his hopes and dreams.
"Why do you want to demolish it?" I ask, looking back at him.
"I'd like to make a more sustainable home, using the latest ecological techniques. Elliot could build it."
I gaze back at the house again. Miss Olga Kelly, the real estate agent, is too busy watching Christian to interrupt our conversation with facts about the size of the lot, boating access, etc.
"Can we look around the house?" I ask.
He blinks at me. "Sure," he shrugs, puzzled.
Miss Kelly's face lights up like Christmas when we head back in. She's delighted to take us on a tour and gives us the spiel.
The house is enormous: twelve thousand square feet on six acres of land. As well as the main living room, there's the eat-in kitchen with an attached family room. The kitchen suite contains a pantry, mudroom, laundry and wine cellar. There is a formal dining room, a music room, a library, a study, housekeeper quarters and au pair quarters. Downstairs in the basement there's a home theatre/media room, a game room/playroom for children and a home gym with a lap pool, sauna and shower room attached.
Miss Kelly points out all sorts of features, but basically the house is beautiful and was obviously at one time a happy family home. It's a little shabby now, but nothing that some TLC couldn't cure.
As we follow Miss Kelly up the magnificent main stairs to the second floor, I can hardly contain my excitement; this house has everything I could ever wish for in a home. "Couldn't you make the existing house more ecological and self-sustaining?"
Christian shrugged. "I'd have to ask Elliot. He's the expert in all this."
Miss Kelly leads us into a master suite where three sets of French doors open onto a balcony and the view is still spectacular. I could lie in bed and gaze out all day, watching the sailing boats and the changing weather. The master suite includes a master bathroom, of course, his and hers walk-in closets.
There are five additional bedrooms and two baths on this floor. Kids! Carla remonstrations come crashing on me. I don't want guest bedrooms on the family floor. Could we convert the housekeeper or au pair quarters into guest rooms? Miss Kelly suggests installing riding stables and a paddock on the grounds since there is room to accommodate. Horses! Terrifying images of my few riding lessons flash through my mind, but Christian doesn't appear to be listening.
"The paddock would be where the meadow is at the moment?" I ask.
"Yes," Miss Kelly says brightly.
To me the meadow looks like somewhere to lie in the long grass and have picnics, pick wildflowers, kiss Christian behind a large tree…not to house four-legged fiends of Satan.
Back in the main room, Miss Kelly discreetly disappears and Christian leads me out onto the terrace once more.
Christian pulls me into his arms and tips my chin up with his index finger, staring intently down at me.
"Lot to take in?" he asks, his expression unreadable.
I nod.
"I wanted to know you liked it before I bought it."
"The view?"
He nods.
"I love the view and I like the house." I explained.
"You do?" He seemed surprised.
I smile shyly at him. "Christian, you had me at the meadow."
His lips part as he inhales sharply, then his face transforms with a grin. His hands fist in my hair and his mouth is on mine. He kisses me almost senseless. "I brought a picnic dinner, just in case," he said. He murmurs something to Miss Kelly who gives him a key and departs. He comes back with a blanket and a picnic basket. I kick off my shoes and get comfortable on the blanket to watch the changing sky.
Christian opens the picnic basket and takes out a bottle on Sancerre, opens it and pours me a glass. "Here's to our house,' he toasts.
"So you're going to buy it?" I ask.
"Yes."
"You'll put Escala on the market?"
He frowns. "Why would I do that?" He pulls out Chicken Caesar Wraps; a salad made of halved cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, carrot matchsticks and short asparagus spears; a tub of cold roasted rosemary red potatoes; and a tub of fresh strawberries and kiwi fruit.
"To pay for…" My voice trails off; of course. I blush.
He smirks at me. "Trust me, I can afford it. Besides, we're renovating the playroom; I don't think there's a place in the new house for one." He winks. "Tomorrow at lunch time, I'll have Miss Kelly bring the paperwork so we can put in an offer on the house. What?" He sees my face.
"What if we don't get it? I've heard that people seldom get the first house they look at. What if someone else puts in a better bid?" I ask.
"Won't happen; I paid to have the showings embargoed for a week so that we're the first ones to see it. Consequently, we'll be the first bid. Also, I'm willing to pay the asking price to get it. I want to sign the papers for it and have the sale go through while we're on our honeymoon. I'll send the address to Elliott and tell him we're buying it and to work out suggestions about what to do with it. If he gets the blueprints to us before the wedding, the work should be completed before December first. We could celebrate Christmas in our new home."
"I'd like to suggest something," I bite my lip.
"Don't bite that lip or I'm taking you back upstairs to christen the master bedroom, sans furniture." He warned.
"I'd like to convert the housekeeper quarters and the au pair quarters into guest rooms. I don't want guest rooms on the same floor as the family bedrooms."
"Planning on being loud, Mrs. Grey?" He smirked.
"No, I figure Elliott could do something with soundproofing our quarters like he did at Escala. I suggest we convert the chauffer quarters over the garage for a security monitoring station with sleeping quarters for security as needed. I'd like to build a cottage or two between the garage and the meadow for staff like Gail and Taylor. Plus, when you build a boathouse, we can put more quarters over it for guests if needed."
"All of that went through your head while we were touring the house?" Christian asked, amazed.
"Well, a few other things went through my head… I'd like the family room to open out onto the patio and I'd like to upgrade the master bathroom. Is it possible to put in a large tub that has a view out to the sound? I wouldn't want anyone to see in to the house, but I think a bubble bath just watching the sun set on the Sound seems very…decadent. I want to locate the boathouse and pier so that there is no line of sight into our bedroom and our view of the sound isn't impacted."
"Maybe put the boathouse and pier behind the garages by the proposed cottages?" He asked.
"I'd like that," I said. We toasted the house and ate our picnic dinner, watching the sun set.
"Let's go christen the meadow," he whispered lasciviously to me, gathering up the blanket and basket.
XXXXX
Wednesday, September 14
"Sorry to interrupt your work day," Detective Clark apologized. "I know you are very busy," he apologized to Christian. "I asked to meet with you today because I have news and I'd rather answer all the questions at once. While we found pictures and tapes Elena Lincoln had of teenage boys; we have no names. Isaac Reynolds doesn't know any of them. We can try to run visual recognition programs on the pictures and tapes; but we cannot guarantee we will be able to get a match. Unless one of them comes forward; we cannot charge her with pedophilia. We've talked to the boy who was detained at the time of Miss Steele's attempted kidnapping. He doesn't know any of the boys in the pictures."
Carrick gasped.
"I know this comes as a shock to you. We've consulted the Sex Crimes Unit at SPD. She was not on their radar; not even a hint from a source. Unless the person/persons she's involved with decide to come forward, we don't know where to look for possible victims. It looks like she will not be charged with pedophilia until we get more proof."
"Well, that's a media catastrophe waiting to happen." Christian commented. "It will look like Isaac lied about Elena to get even with her. Will it affect his testimony in court?"
"She hasn't been charged with pedophilia. She will still go to trial over shooting your security officer and attempted kidnapping of Miss Steele. Her lawyer has not asked what evidence we removed from her home. While we did not find proof of the kidnapping plan; we have video proof of it from the WSCC security chief, Isaac Reynolds and the boy."
"I've already assigned PR staff to monitor the press over Elena's arrest, the attempted kidnapping and my business association with her. We'll just step up our monitoring of the situation." Christian explained.
"We're keeping track of who she calls daily, which has been her lawyer and who visits her, which has been no one. We'll keep an eye on that situation also." Clark promised.
XX
Carrick explained the meeting with Detective Clark to Grace.
"You don't think she…touched…Christian do you?" Grace asked.
He ran his fingers through his hair. "He admitted to me the bitch seduced him when he was a teenager. Lincoln caught them together when he was 21. That's why Lincoln beat Elena and divorced her. Christian felt guilty and gave her the money to start Esclava Salons. It's why she was obsessed with Christian. It's why she hated Ana. She's always hoped Christian would be with her."
"Do you think Ana knew about Elena and Christian?" Grace asked.
"Yes, Christian told Ana everything about his past. Ana confronted Elena about it at the Coping Together event. Ana confronted Elena about it on the Sunday after. It's why Ana hates her and why she hated Ana. Ana wouldn't put up with her involvement in Christian's life. That's why he is working to end his and Elena's business arrangement before the wedding. Elena called my office to suggest we write an iron-clad nuptial for Ana to sign."
"It explains a great deal. Why he dropped out of Harvard. Why he was so distant for years. Why she always wanted to come to his birthday parties and family events at our house. My friend seduced my son." Grace burst into tears.
"She wasn't your friend," Carrick said. "No one who is your friend would use you to gain information she could use to seduce a teenager. In a way, I'm sorry SPD has not found enough information to charge her with pedophilia. Now that you know what is going on – you should know all the young men in her life resemble Christian in one way or another – tall, lean, red hair or light eyes. The boy detained when Elena was arrested is a doppelganger for Christian when he was 15."
"Is there any…proof… to tie Christian to her from that time of his life?" Grace gasped.
"Her long-term lover is 24 now. He swears there is nothing personal that will tie Christian to Elena." Carrick sat beside Grace and held her hand. "Please let me know if she contacts you. We have to protect our son. The first step towards that goal is ensuring he marries Ana; whom he loves so much. We have to support them so they have the happiest possible life together." He hugged her and then wiped away her tears. "On the bright side, I saw Ana and Ray at lunch time today, shortly after seeing Detective Clark. Christian signed the papers to buy a house for them. Elliott will be out there tomorrow to look at the house. He said he'll take us with him. It's on the Sound. They will have a pier and boathouse by the time Elliott is done."
XXXXX
Lunch Time, Thursday, September 15
Ana's POV
'So, we're not speaking to one another right now," Kate sobbed. "I'm so damn mad at him."
"Why are you mad at Elliott? I'm mad at her. Gia came by last night, unannounced. She seemed surprised to find me at home with Christian. I don't know what her game is. She had been out to the house. She looked it over and came here with drawing boards of suggestions for changes to the house. We both pretty much vetoed what she produced. We gave her a list of what we want done to the house. He told her she had one shot to impress me on the night of the 22nd, after dinner. Then we will see if her vision matches ours. She comes back on the 28th with the final renderings. Then it's full steam ahead to November 30th. I want to celebrate our first Christmas in our house." I said
"I'm just so mad that she's working with him again. They were friends with benefits for a long time." Kate said.
"Wow…my totally blonde, totally together, totally hot best friend is jealous over an ex-friend-with-benefits? You can't fall apart right now…I need you to keep it together until after my wedding. Besides, I'll bet it frosts Gia's ass that he's living with you when he never lived with anyone before. Plus, you're not stuck in his man-cave. You're living on neutral grounds. Elliott deserves you to be polite to Gia. He's the one that has to work with her. If you stomp your foot and lay down an ultimatum that she goes or you go…you might not like his decision. You don't have to be friendly to her; you don't have to do girl dates with her. You are above it all, remember? You're the girlfriend who is loved by his mom and dad. Gia can't take that from you." I said.
"You're right," she sniffed.
"Now, go do a Carla and make up with Elliott," I said.
"Carla?" Kate sounded confused.
"Pretty lingerie, good wine, hot sex," I suggested.
"Oh…I have…" she started to tell me about a set of scanty underwear.
"TDMI, Kate. Just make Elliott a happy man who shares your bed…and your life," I said.
"I love ya, Steele. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks push-up bras with V-neck sweaters are tacky. I'm surprised Trenton Trash hasn't been stabbed through the heart with a stiletto. Do we have any wedding things to deal with tonight?" She sounded eager to get off the phone.
"Not that I know about. Just go have a good night with Elliott." I hang up.
XX
"This is so relaxing," I sighed and sipped my tea while Zann looked over my journal.
"I like the way you have just set aside pages for your mother's wedding questions and your responses or feelings about them." She sighed. "I'm surprised you didn't elope to avoid this. I'm not surprised she was upset by Carrick's visit and the NDA. But, we need to talk about the kidnapping attempt and how you feel."
"Kidnapping – scared but glad it's behind us. They've all been arraigned. Christian's business partner is no longer is business partner. Some clause in their business agreement allowed him to remove her with cause from the business. Then he sold the salons to one of the long-time employees. He's completely out of business with her. Accounts have been changed, bank accounts changed, etc. Now that she's locked up until the trial; there is nothing she can do to stop the wedding." I sipped my tea. "I'm angry that Prescott was shot. I'd like to go kick Elena's butt; but I think Prescott deserves to lead that parade. I'm glad Carrick got my mother to sign the NDA and to shut up about anything related to Christian and me. I feel I owe Mia for dealing with my mother. However, I have decided on the wedding gifts for my attendants and for Christian. I'm not telling what they are so no one can argue with me. I paid for them out of my own accounts, which makes me feel good that I'm paying for something for my own wedding."
"How do you feel about the house?" Zann asked.
'If I tell you that I don't want guests sleeping on the same floor as Christian and I or future children, does that make me paranoid?"
'It depends on the reason," Zann said.
"We have a perfectly good housekeeper suite and au pair suite that can be changed into guest suites; which is what I want. My issues with my mother's third husband and Christian's issues with his mother's friend…I just feel better about saying the floor with our family bedrooms is off limits. I might be able to work with Gia…now that I'm over wanting to stab her stilettos through her heart."
"I love your description of her in your journal," Zann said. "I get such vivid pictures from the way you express yourself." She poured us some more tea and passed the luxury biscuits. Zann helps me brainstorm what I want in a female CPO to replace Prescott. I have to feel comfortable with the person who is going to follow me to bathrooms and stand outside dressing room doors. When I tell her about Ray's birthday present…she suggests that I just make a list of the things bothering me, tack them to the target and shoot the paper until it hangs in tatters. She also suggested printing out any of Carla's emails that bother me and then feed the paper through the shredder. LOL.
A/N:
Thank you for the reviews and viewers; thank you for the messages and questions; thank you for the favorites and follows!
I do not own Fifty Shades Trilogy or the characters. They belong to E. L. James. My story is the interpretation of my thoughts about how the characters could have, should have, would have acted.