A/N: Thanks for reading! Enjoy!
"Good morning Miss Steele." I rub my eyes and smile at Gail who's refilling Christian's coffee. He thanks her and looks at me with a sly grin. I should be upset that he turned the alarm off, but it's hard to be mad when he probably had good intent. The fact that he's looking hot as hell in his dark gray suit also makes being upset difficult.
"Morning.", I mutter, letting my lips meet Christian's in a delicate kiss. "You taste like coffee."
"And that's a bad thing?", he laughs as Gail hands me a cup of tea.
"What would you like for breakfast?", Gail asks. My mouth waters at the omelet Christian's eating. "An omelet perhaps?"
"You read my mind. Thank you." I take the seat across from Christian while Gail prepares my omelet. "Thank you for turning the alarm off Mr. Grey." Christian grins over his cup.
"I have no idea what you're referring to." He keeps his eyes on me while taking a bite of his toast. "Your mom called while you were asleep. She doesn't need us to pick her up this morning. Kate's going to drop her off." Even though I'm no longer living at the apartment, she's continued to ride with Christian to work.
"Oh...all right."
"Is it really all right?" I grab the Lifestyle section of the Seattle Times and nod. "Ana."
"I guess I had gotten used to spending the morning commute with her, but I'm glad that she's getting along with Kate and moving forward with her life."
"She also mentioned that Bob called last night." The paper falls from my hands as he continues. "Although she only wants to get a few things when she goes to Georgia in a few weeks, he's planning to send her some money."
"How nice of him." I wonder if Bob is truly being nice or if he has something up his sleeve.
"Carla said she was taken back initially, but he convinced her his intentions are genuine. He feels bad that she's having to start all over. You don't look so sure."
"My mom has been doing well with rebuilding her life, and the last thing I want is for Bob to turn that upside down." Gail places my plate in front of me and returns to the counter. "If he means well, fine. If not, he needs to stay the hell away."
"Easy there tiger.", Christian laughs. "Ana, I know you're looking out for your mom, but she's tough and has grown since being here. I've seen it. Haven't you?"
"I have.", I answer. In the short period my mom has been here she's grown into a more independent woman. "I suppose I should give her more credit." His hand slides across the table and into mine. "What time are we leaving for the party tonight?" Two of Carrick and Grace's friends, Donald and Eleanor Thompson are celebrating their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary tonight at the Bellevue Club. Since they've been friends with the Greys for years, the entire family is attending the black tie celebration.
"It officially starts at seven so I was thinking we could arrive at six and mingle before the opening toast."
"Six sounds like a good time."
"I'm looking forward to tonight. Elliot, on the other hand, didn't want to go at first. Getting dressed up isn't his favorite thing to do, but I used my negotiating skills and changed his mind.", Kate says with a mischievous grin. We're walking to our cars at the end of the work day.
"You mean with sex?"
"Not entirely. I did a few thing with my mouth and promised to continue after the party. He gets dressed up in exchange for me getting undressed."
"You're good.", I laugh. We keep making our trek to our cars but are stopped when we see Audrey crying on her way out of the building. With Sawyer behind us, Kate and I immediately rush to find out what's going on with Audrey. She halts on the pavement and takes off her sunglasses, allowing us to see her tear streaked eyes. "Audrey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I have something in my eye."
"Tears.", Kate counters. "Since I don't see Daniel anywhere, I'm assuming those are relationship related tears."
"Don't mention his name.", Audrey groans while putting her sunglasses back on.
"There's our confirmation.", I add. "What happened?"
"Daniel told me today that he was engaged. Can you believe it? I've told him everything about me while thinking I knew everything about it. I was so wrong." Kate and I look at each other and mentally try to decide what to say to her.
"Who was he engaged to and when?", Kate asks.
"It was his high school girlfriend who he dated for a year before proposing to on graduation day. He claims it was a spur of the moment thing. He just said that to cover his tracks."
"Maybe he was telling the truth." Kate's words turn Audrey's face red with anger. "Clearly you don't like that theory."
"How would you feel if Christian or Elliot had been engaged before and didn't tell you? Isn't honesty a key ingredient in a relationship?" Honesty is something Christian and I have struggled with more than once, but luckily we've seemed to have found our footing and are now being open with each other.
"How did he go about telling you?", I ask.
"We were at lunch when this blonde haired, blue-eyed girl came inside the restaurant. Daniel nervously looked at me and then tried his best to not make eye contact with her, but she came over to the table and said hi. He acted like a deer in headlights. He eventually her as Becca Tatum, a friend from high school. She seemed to expect him to elaborate, but he didn't. She ended up getting a phone and had to leave but told Daniel it was nice seeing him again. I knew there was more going on, but he wouldn't tell me. I finally got to give me the truth before I left the office. He said the engagement only lasted a few weeks and was in the past. He tried to chase after me as I was leaving, but Olivia stopped him to talk about his column. Thank goodness."
"Audrey, I'm sorry. You shouldn't shut Daniel out just yet. Talk to him and give him a chance to tell his side."
"I might after I've cooled off by throwing a few things. For the time being, I'm going home. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
"If you need anything or to talk, don't hesitate.", Kate tells her.
"The same goes for me. Anytime, day or night.", I add.
"I got a thank you note from Bryant today. It was delivered to the office.", Christian says, placing his hand on the small of my back as we're on our way into the club for the party. "It was to thank me for the arrangement I had sent for his mother's funeral. It also wished us well."
"I'm still keeping my guard up, but he does seem genuine with no longer interfering in our relationship anymore." Christian was shocked when I told him about Bryant promising to stop trying to win me back, but like me, he's giving Bryant the benefit of the doubt. "Now if we could only get the other pests out of our lives.", I murmur.
"We will, but I don't want to think about them tonight. I want us to have a nice time. Have I told you how stunning you are?" His eyes roam my body which is cloaked in a peach layered chiffon dress with an A-line neck and pearl and rhinestone dazzled waistline.
"Only a few hundred times.", I answer bashfully. I can't stop drooling over the black tux he's wearing. He pulls me closer to him and presses his lips on to mine just before opening the door.
Inside the club, we're directed to a banquet hall which is already filled with people. Christian keeps his arms around me while guiding me towards Carrick and Grace who are standing by another couple.
"There he is. We were just talking about you.", Grace smiles before hugging me and Christian.
"All good, I hope.", Christian replies.
"Your mother was bragging about your relationship.", the woman who Grace and Carrick were talking to says. She turns and extends her hand to me. "We haven't officially met, but I feel like I already know you. I'm Eleanor Thompson, and..." She grabs the arm of the man beside her. "This is my husband Donald."
"Hello. It's nice to meet both of you.", I tell them. "And happy anniversary."
"Thank you.", Donald says. "Being married to this woman for thirty-five years has been the greatest accomplishment of my life, and it can only get better."
"You're a sweetheart.", Eleanor blushes. The two of them share a quick kiss which is broken by Grace's laughter. "Yes I know, we're acting two lovesick teenagers, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Donald, your brother just arrived."
"We better go and say hello before he pulls his hair out. We'll catch up a little more later." He and Eleanor wave as they walk away.
"Christian, Ana, you look wonderful tonight.", Grace compliments me and Christian.
"Thank you Mom. You and Dad don't look so bad yourselves." Grace is radiant in a long sleeve ivory dress and matching shoes while Carrick is wearing a tux similar to Christian's.
"Mia's around here somewhere, and Elliot and Kate haven't arrived yet." Seconds later, Mia comes barreling towards us.
"Here I am.", she announces. "I'm glad the two of you are here. It's been boring so far."
"You're way too dramatic.", Grace sighs. "Donald and Eleanor have been friends of ours for years so the least you can do is try and enjoy yourself for their sakes."
"I'll try."
"Are you flying solo tonight?", I ask Mia who had a successful first date with Will Stewart, the chef she met at Delish.
"Unfortunately. I wanted to ask Will to come with me, but he had to work. The plus is the restaurant has been doing extremely well since its opening."
"You and Will should have dinner with me and Ana one night.", Christian suggests. "I'd like to meet the guy." A waiter stops and offers us a flute of champagne from his tray. "Thank you."
"Thanks.", Mia says. "In a way you've already unofficially met him through the background search you had done on him." Carrick and Grace glance at each other and shake their heads. "Don't be shocked."
"We're not.", Grace replies. "We know how your brother does things, but we also know he does them with the best of intentions. He's only looking out for you." I take a sip of my drink and see Elliot and Kate striding in our direction. "Elliot Grey, I was beginning to worry that you weren't going to show up."
"I didn't want to come at first, but Kate convinced me." I smirk at Kate who seems flustered. "Besides, you all love seeing me so who I am to refuse."
"Yeah right.", Mia scoffs over her glass. She and Elliot continue to bicker until Grace snaps her finger.
"No arguing. Donald and Eleanor are about to speak." Everyone's attention goes to the front of the room where Donald has taken hold of a microphone.
"First of all, Eleanor and I would like to thank all of you for being here tonight to help share in this magical time of our lives. Thirty-six years ago I was on my way out of a movie theater with some friends when I accidentally bumped into a girl who was leaving the concession stand with her popcorn which ended up on the floor. Her words to me..."
"Watch where you're going jerk.", Eleanor laughs as Christian smiles at me.
"I apologized and offered to buy her some more popcorn. There was something about her that I couldn't ignore. I told my friends to leave without me so I could at least try and get to know this mystery girl. She got her popcorn and thanked me. I followed her to her seat and sat down next to her. She tried to act like I was invisible for a while until she finally gave in and asked what I was doing. My answer, "Getting to know my future wife." She giggled but didn't try and push me away. We ended up whispering to each other during the movie and then exchanged numbers afterwards. A year later, we were married."
"We've had our ups and downs, every marriage does, but we've always gotten through the rough parts. I wouldn't trade any of these past thirty-five years for anything in the world."
"To Donald and Eleanor!", Carrick shouts, raising his glass in a toast. The rest of the room follows suit. Everyone soon returns to mingling among themselves while Christian and I keep looking at Donald and Eleanor.
"You can see the love they have for each other in their eyes.", I smile.
"Yeah. The old me would be here toast them and go about my merry way. I was a cynic when it came to love. My entire perspective on the subject changed when a certain woman came into my life. I love you."
"I love you too." He takes my now empty glass and places it along with his on a table next to us before engulfing me in a passionate kiss. Once we finally break away from our kiss, Christian reaches inside his jacket and frowns. "What's wrong?"
"I had a card for Donald and Eleanor. It must have fallen out in the SUV or parking lot."
"I'll go and get it."
"No baby. I'll get it.", he says as an elderly gentleman approaches.
"Christian Grey, it's been forever since I've seen you. How are you?", the guy asks.
"Mr. Denison, hi. How are you?" While Christian is listening to Mr. Dension, I mouth that I'm going for the card. He runs his hand along his jaw line and nods.
On my way out, I see Taylor standing against the wall with his eyes on the party goers. He straightens his posture when he sees me.
"Taylor, I'm going to get a card that Christian either dropped in the SUV or on the way inside."
"I'll go with you." I start to protest, but I also know Christian would feel better if Taylor were with me. Taylor opens the door of the club and begins following me into the parking lot. Midway to the vehicle, I see of all people Rachel. She's walking with a woman who's speaking to her, but Rachel doesn't appear to be listening to a word. Taylor, seeing her, shortens the distance between us. Rachel stops and turns to the woman with her.
"Mom, hold up."
"Rachel, we're already late. The party will be over before we get in there.", the woman mutters.
"Then go on inside. I'll meet up with you soon.", Rachel snaps. Her mother glances at me before finally heading into the club.
"What are you doing here?", I ask.
"My parents are members here and are friends with the Thompsons who I've had maybe one conversation with. My dad's out of town, and I got pulled into being my mom's plus one. Yay me. What about you?"
"The Thompsons are friends of Christian's family. I would say it's nice seeing you, but I'm not going to lie." I see her inspecting my dress.
"Nice dress. Of course it would look better if you had the body to wear it, but I guess you've got to work with what you've got."
"Ah, you're right. I mean look at you." I wave my hands at the red mini dress with a plunging neckline. "You clearly love showing you're a two-bit whore."
"Call me what you want, but I was the one who stole your boyfriend.", she snarls.
"And where is he now? Oh that's right! He woke up and realized he could do better."
"Bryant's going through a phase but will be begging to come back soon enough. Will I take him back? Probably. In the meantime, I'm not going to sit at home and mope over him like some pathetic loser. Sound familiar?"
"I believe you've said enough.", Taylor interrupts. "Go."
"Aww, aren't you a big, strong guy.", Rachel says, licking her lips. "I bet you're an animal in bed."
"That's something you'll never find out. I have standards...high standards."
"Whatever." I look past her and see Christian running in our direction. "Christian, I was wondering where you were."
"Rachel, tonight is a celebration for two people who I adore. The last thing I want is a scene."
"I'm going. See you around." Christian and I keep our eyes on her while she goes inside.
"She said her parents are friends with Donald and Eleanor.", I tell Christian.
"Why don't we get out of here? We can say our goodbyes to everyone and head home."
"Ok."
After saying goodbye to everyone and avoiding a second run-in with Rachel, Christian and I arrive back at the penthouse. He goes into his study to check his emails while I start getting ready for bed. I decide to forgo my usual pajamas and wear one of his comfy tee-shirts. I open the drawer and pick out a dark blue. As I'm lifting it, I see a small black velvet box. A zillion questions swarm my head. What's in the box? Is it a ring? If so, is he planning to propose and when? I should leave it alone, but my curiosity gets the best of me. I pick it up and open it. Inside, I find a large princess cut diamond ring.
"Fuck.", Christian mutters from behind me. I slowly turn around. "I had that out while you were in the shower before the party. I was going to put it in a better hiding spot, but I heard you coming so I put it in there until we got home."
"I was getting a shirt for bed and found it. I wasn't snooping."
"I believe you. If you're going to ask if I plan to use it, the answer is yes. I'm not going to tell you when, but I do intend to put that ring to use." The two of us are so close I can feel his breath on my neck, sending shivers throughout my body. Life has a lot of uncertainties, but one thing I do know for sure is that I want the proposal. I want him to be my forever.
"I'm going to give this back to you now, but I hope to see it again." I place the box inside his hand.
"You will."