A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Ana, when you told me last night that you wanted to make breakfast, I had no idea that you meant breakfast for an army. I can't see the table because there's so much food.", Christian laughs as he places his hands on each side of me, trapping me between his body and the kitchen counter.
"I wanted to make sure you had a well-balanced breakfast." I turn around and fall into his arms. "You said you've got several meetings so you need to be your absolute best."
"I've been at my absolute best since meeting you." His hands move along my sides and begin creeping underneath the fabric of my beige blouse. "Your skin is so soft."
"If you're going to have sex, can you please do it in the bedroom?", Ethan mumbles sleepily from the sofa where he slept. "I'd have a far less chance of hearing you."
"I'm not sure about that.", Christian laughs as Ethan raises up from the sofa and stretches. "Do you want to help make a dent in the breakfast that Ana prepared." Ethan reaches for his tee-shirt on the arm chair, pulling it over his head before gawking at the breakfast spread.
"Damn. How is it that I slept the entire time you were cooking all of that, yet I wake up immediately when I overhear the two of you about to get it on? Anyways, I'd love some breakfast. I'm going to the bathroom but will be back in a bit."
After Ethan has closed the bathroom door behind him, I hear Kate's bedroom door open. She and Elliot walk through the living room and into the kitchen where they see the massive breakfast.
"Good morning.", Kate chirps. Instead of speaking, Elliot begins stacking the eggs, bacon, hash brown, and toast on to one of the plates which I laid out. He then passes by his onlookers and settles into one of the chairs. "Elliot, aren't you going to say anything?"
"Oh, uh, sorry. Good morning everyone.", he replies. "Is the food for everyone?"
"Yes, Elliot. Eat as much as you want.", I laugh. By now, Ethan has come out of the bathroom and is standing between Christian and Kate. "All of you, grab a plate and dig in." Kate and Ethan follow my request, but Christian remains firmly planted in his spot. "Christian?"
"I'll get my plate once you have yours in your hand.", he shrugs with a smile. I kiss him on the cheek and pick up one of the plates, making sure that he's doing the same. Once everyone has filled their plates, Christian, Kate, and myself join Elliot at the table while Ethan stands at the counter. "Ethan, why don't you sit here. I can stand."
"Nah, I'm fine right. Thank you though. I'm going to miss times like this once I move into my apartment." Following his tour of the apartment on the floor above ours, he made the decision to take it and will be moving in next weekend.
"Are you rethinking your decision to move out?", Elliot asks before shoving a forkful of hash browns into his mouth.
"Not at all. I'm looking forward to having my own space and a bed, although I'm getting used to sleeping on the fold out. Kate, Ana, are you sure you're ok with me being in the same building?"
"Why wouldn't we be? It's a great building in a nice location.", Kate replies.
The room settles into an easy flow of conversation while we continue eating. The concern of whether I cooked too much vanishes along with most of the food. Elliot and Ethan seem to have a competition going to see who eats the most.
"Someone's phone is ringing.", Christian says. Realizing that it's mine, I stand and grab the phone from the counter where it was charging. My mom's name is flashing on the screen. We've exchanged small text messages and have had brief phone conversations since the day of the book fair. She and Bob have been gone on what she deemed a much needed romantic getaway to Grand Cayman.
"Excuse me.", I murmur, heading to my bedroom as I answer. "Mom, hi."
"Ana, I know you're probably getting ready for work, but I wanted to call and let you know that Bob and I are back home, safe and sound."
"I'm glad to hear that. How was your trip?"
"It was perfect. Our room had an incredible view of the beach. Even though we were on vacation, we still got up early every morning so we could watch the sun rise. Our days were filled with touring and learning about the culture of the island while our evenings were spent enjoying the five-star restaurants and watching the sunsets. It was beyond everything we had hoped for. You and Christian should think about going there. It's very romantic."
"It sounds like it.", I reply as I start gathering my folders and bag for work.
"How are the two of you doing?", she asks.
"We're great. I look forward to introducing you the next time you come to visit."
"Ah, about that, Bob has a convention next week in Tacoma. I was thinking if it's not going to be too much trouble that I might come and visit you." While I've been wanting my mom to visit, it does hurt somewhat that Bob's convention is the reason for her visit. I guess I should be used to it though.
"Yeah, yeah.", I stammer. "You're more than welcome to visit. You can meet and get to know Christian." Hearing a small knock on my door, I open it to find Christian leaning against into the doorway. After closing the door, he sits down on the edge of my bed.
"I'd like that. Well, I'm going to let you get back to getting ready for work, but I'll call you tonight or tomorrow to talk more about my visit. I love you."
"I love you too Mom." Once the call has ended, Christian pulls me down next to him on the bed. "That was my Mom."
"So I heard. Is she back from her vacation?", he asks.
"Yes. She's going to visit next week while Bob attends a convention in Tacoma. You'll finally get to meet her."
"Sounds like a plan although I'm going to be as nervous going into it as I was when I met your dad." I rest my hand on his lap and kiss the corner of his sexy pout. "Do you think she's going like me?"
"Christian, she's going to love you. My parents are complete opposites, but the one thing they have in common is the fact that they want me to be happy. If I'm happy, they're happy. Besides, all of the worrying whether my dad was going to like you or not was for nothing. The two of you were almost best friends by the time he left."
"He did like me, huh?", he grins. "I came in here to tell you that I've got to get to the office. My meeting with my lawyer is eight-thirty. Hopefully by the end of the day, the salons will be officially off my hands."
"That doesn't mean Elena will be out of our hair.", I murmur, reminding him of the warning Elena gave us Saturday night after she was confronted about her relationship with Christian. The entire thing was tense but watching Grace slap Elena helped lighten the atmosphere.
"Don't worry about Elena. I've already warned her that I will destroy her if she tries anything."
"Ana, who was the guy you were talking to before coming in here?", Audrey asks as she looks towards the door which is a continually opening with employees filing in to get the work week started.
"Luke Sawyer.", I answer. I called Olivia Friday evening to inform her that Christian's assigned a security detail to me. I assured her that his presence wouldn't be a problem. "He's my security guard." Daniel rolls his chair across the room and slides next to Audrey's chair.
"Cool. I can tell just by looking at him that he'll be good. He's built and has that tough guy attitude oozing from him."
"Uh, Audrey, I'm right here.", Daniel points to himself. "You could at least wait until I'm not around to fawn over another guy."
"I'm sorry. He has nothing on you, my sexy beast who can make my toes curl just looking at me." Daniel swivels his chair so that he and Audrey are eye to eye. "Yes, just like that."
"Hmm, where have I heard that remark before? Oh yeah, last night in my car and then on my sofa."
"Don't forget on the bed and in the shower.", Audrey giggles. "Although my favorite was in the car.", Audrey giggles.
"Which one? We did it in both mine and in yours."
"Ok...I think I'm going to get to work now.", I mutter. Kate's already typing away at her desk by the time I settle in at mine. "You seem eager this morning."
"I blame the breakfast you prepared. It gave me energy.", she mumbles with a grin. "So, the film festival starts Wednesday, right?" I nod and reach for my notes on the director who will be presenting their films.
"There's going to be a meet and greet with the participants tomorrow night which I'm going to, but the official kick off is on Wednesday. Christian and I are both taking off work early Friday to watch some of the screenings."
"It sounds like it might be fun.", she shrugs.
"You and Elliot should go. Ethan and Max might want to tag along as well."
"I'll ask Elliot, but I'm sure he'll want to go. He's kind of a film buff who lists facts about movies as we're watching them. Some may think it's annoying, but I think it's cute." As we resume our work, the sound of footsteps echos behind us.
"Good morning.", Olivia says while stepping between our desks.
"Good morning Olivia.", Kate replies. "How was your weekend?"
"If I said it was wonderful, I'd be lying. My sister's boyfriend wanted to set me up with a guy from his work. I had a weak moment and agreed. He didn't get to the restaurant until thirty minutes after the scheduled time. I brushed it off and decided to give him a chance. I made the mistake of asking him what he likes to do in his spare time." She closes her eyes and shakes her head.
"Why do I feel like it's something that pissed you off?", I ask.
"He couldn't be a normal guy who likes fishing or playing sport. No...his hobby is taking selfies." Olivia's frustration only increases when Kate begins laughing so hard that she practically falls out of her chair.
"Sorry but the guy actually said taking selfies is his favorite way to pass the time?"
"I thought he was joking at first, but he was serious. He proved how serious and dedicated he is to his selfies by pulling his phone out and showing me countless photos of himself. He said that his day isn't officially started until he's taken his first selfie of the day."
"Someone has a big ego.", I say. "What happened next?"
"I told him that I didn't think we should waste any more of our time on a dinner that was going no where. I left him and his ego alone."
"Good for you. You definitely don't need a guy like that."
"I'd rather be single.", she shrugs. "I assume the guy who's sitting in the chair outside in the hallway is your new security guy."
"Luke Sawyer. Like I said, he's going to stay out of the way. It was Christian's idea for me to have him."
"You're dating Christian Grey so it comes with the territory. I kind of think it's sweet that he's taken such a step." Olivia looks from me to Kate with a raised brow. "Yet another example that I'm not a hard ass."
"Olivia, since you're bragging about being a good person and all, would now be a good time to ask for a new chair?", Daniel asks from behind us. Once again he's rolled his chair across the floor.
"Didn't you just get a new chair not long ago? If you didn't spin around in them and roll them all over the place, they would last. You're worse than a kid."
"In my defense, it wasn't me who broke the last one. Cory bet that he could spin around twenty times without getting nauseous. He won the bet, but the chair was a casualty."
"You want a new chair? Fine. I'll have a new chair brought in for you. It'll be a nice and comfy non rolling chair."
"A non rolling one.", Daniel stammers. "Where's the fun in that? You know what, forget I even asked. I might be able to fix mine."
"In the meantime, let's get to work."
"How did the meeting with your lawyer go?", I ask Christian while we're having dinner at Bakeman's Resturant. Taking a bite of his roast beef sandwich, he gives me a thumbs up.
"It went well. After our morning meeting, he sent the paperwork to Elena's lawyer who had them signed and returned by the time I called it a day."
"I'm shocked that she didn't drag her heels.", I murmur.
"Maybe she realizes that she got a decent deal by getting full ownership of the salons. She's free to make the decisions on her own and doesn't have to worry about sharing the profit. You're still worried that she might try something."
"A little. She could be making us think that she's going to ride her broom off into the sunset while secretly plotting her revenge."
"Baby, I know you're going to keep thinking about Elena no matter how much I try to assure you, but I want you to forget about her for tonight. What do you say?", he asks as he slides his hand across the table to mine. "Let's make tonight about us."
"Us. Ok." I'm about to take a bite of my sandwich when I see Bryant's mother, Vivian Holt, walking towards our table. Although I don't miss Bryant, I do miss seeing his mother who along with his father Tad treated me like a member of their own family.
"Ana, hi.", she smiles at me before looking at Christian. "How are you?"
"Vivian, hi. I'm good", I reply. "This is my boyfriend Christian Grey. Christina, this is Vivian Holt, Bryant's mother."
"Mrs. Holt, hello.", Christian greets her with a megawatt smile.
"Hello. Bryant told me that you were dating. "I love my son, but I'm happy to see that you're moving on with your life. You deserve it."
"Thank you. The one thing that still bothers me about the breakup is not seeing you or Tad. The two of you were always so kind."
"We miss you too. Rachel doesn't even attempt to get along with us. She comes to dinner and fiddles with her phone while ignoring everyone. Bryant's a grown man who makes his own decisions, but cheating on you was the worst thing he has ever done."
"I know it's rude of me to talk about Bryant in front of you, but I'm going to tell you exactly what I told him. I'm grateful that he messed things up with Ana.", Christian tells her. "It gave me the chance to find love."
"My mother used to have a saying, "There are no apologies in love." You can't control your heart. I'll let the two of you get back to your meal. It was good to see you Ana and nice to meet you Christian."
"It was good seeing you as well."
"She seems nice.", Christian says once she's walked away.
"She is and so is her husband. Actually, the entire family minus Bryant is great."
"I know that I made a big deal about tonight being about us, but I've got something to tell you. I met with Kurt McGregor this morning after I met with my lawyer." What?! "I know you can handle things on your own, but I got so pissed off when I found out how Rachel had showed up at your office on Friday. Sawyer told me that she was right in your face."
"I handled her.", I scoff. "But what did you do?"
"McGregor and I have met a few times during dinners and benefits. He's made it known that he wants GEH to hire his company to help with marketing. I called him Saturday night and set up a meeting for today. I told him off the bat about my relationship with you who he remembers from when you dated Bryant. I also told him how I didn't appreciate two of his employees cornering you at your work."
"Christian."
"Listen, please. Bryant didn't have anything to do with Friday's incident but he's taken advantage of his time on the magazine deal to harass you. When I told him how Rachel had acted towards you on Friday while dropping off papers, he was livid. There were no papers for her to drop off. She used that as an excuse." I feel my blood pressure rising at this news. "This developement along with the fact that her work performance has been less than satisfactory equals her termination."
"You got her fired?"
"I did. Bryant may have been an ass, but according to McGregor, he's great at what he does, meaning he keeps his job. He is going to be placed on probation."
"I can't believe you did that. You went behind my back and scheduled that meeting."
"I'm sorry but I'm not."
"You just keep throwing surprises at me.", I mumble.