A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!

"I realize you two just got engaged, but I may suggest something?", Max asks while he, Ethan, Christian, and I are relaxing after the dinner he and Ethan cooked. "I know the perfect person to take both your engagement and wedding photos." Christian and I simultaneously glance at Ethan who's trying to act as calm as possible. "A certain guy named Ethan Kavanagh. His work is incredible."

"Max, you're too kind, but Ana and Christian came here tonight for dinner, not to discuss wedding plans.", Ethan says.

"It's fine.", Christian tells Ethan. "While wedding planning hasn't taken off, Ana and I have decided that we'd like for you to do our photos. Of course that's if you want to."

"If I want to? Hell yeah I want to! I'm sorry for my excitement. It's just I'm honored that you asked me. Taking photos is something I love but to do your photos makes it more meaningful."

"Christian and I want to hire the best and that's you.", I say.

"You guys made my night. I promise I'm going to capture every ounce of your love on film. It's going to be my most challenging job yet, but you won't regret it." Seeing his Ethan's excitement makes me even more anxious for the wedding. Christian picks up my hand and places a small kiss on the top. I feel the love and bond strengthening in that slightest touch.

"Ethan, you've got to tell them about what happened in the laundry room.", Max laughs.

"Ugh Max, I'd like to erase that image from my mind. Why do you have to mention it?"

"Now you've got my attention.", Christian says with his eyes darting back and forth between Ethan and Max. "What happened in the laundry room?" I place my hand on my knee in anticipation of Ethan's response. He picks up his wine glass and takes a large gulp.

"I needed to do some laundry yesterday so I grabbed the basket and went downstairs to the laundry room. Before I go any further, I've got to say that people should respect that the entire building uses that room. I'm going to need more wine after this." He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "I walked in on Ms. Herron and Mr. Lawrence having sex."

"You're kidding.", I scoff. "What really happened?" I'm having a difficult time believing Ms. Herron would do such a thing.

"Do I look like I'm joking? No. I wish I wouldn't have seen it, but it happened and can't be undone. Mr. Lawrence had her propped up on one of the washing machines. I somehow managed to pick my jaw up off the floor and slip away unnoticed. My eyes are still burning." Both Christian and I are silent while trying to also not have the vision in our heads.

"I..um...kind of wish I hadn't pushed you to tell us that.", Christian murmurs.

"I agree.", I add.

"It's getting late. Are you ready or do you want to stay a little longer?" I look down at his watch and see that it's already almost ten.

"We should go. Ethan, Max, tonight was great."

"We should do this again soon." Christian gets up and holds his hand out for me, helping me to my feet while Ethan and Max stand.

"I'm glad you guys had a nice evening. Well except for what I told you.", Ethan chuckles while he and Max wave goodbye.

"Tonight was nice.", Christian says once we're on our way to the elevator. The door slides open and he ushers me inside.

"It was. Ethan and Max appear to be getting more serious." He presses the first floor button and pulls me next to me. "I like seeing people as happy and in love as us."

"Me too. Are you looking forward to seeing your dad tomorrow?" My dad and his new girlfriend Rebecca are arriving in town tomorrow evening and will staying with at the penthouse with us.

"Yes. I always enjoy spending time with my dad, and I'm also anxious to meet Rebecca. She sounds like a good person who makes him very happy which is what I want for him." Christian's lips find their way to my neck, making delicate kisses and warming my body.

"I can't wait to get you and be buried deep inside you. Do you want that?" The huskiness in his voice dampens my panties even more than they were. "Hmm?"

"Yes.", I mumble as the elevator arrives on the first floor. Christian's in such a hurry to pull me from the space that he bumps into none other than Ms. Herron.

"Ms. Herron, I'm so sorry.", he apologizes. "I should have been paying more attention to where I was going." Even though he's talking to her, I catch that he's trying to not make eye contact.

"It's all right.", she waves. "I'm perfectly fine." She looks at the front doors of the building and then back at us. "I bet you two are in a hurry to get home before the storm comes." She couldn't be more wrong. "It's supposed to be severe. You two be safe."

"You too.", I say. She gets on the elevator and disappears, leaving me and a red-faced Christian behind. "Why is your face red?"

"Thanks to Ethan I'm never going to be able to look at her the same way, and I'm not even the one who saw her." An uncontrollable series of giggles erupts from my mouth. "You find that funny?"

"Just a little. We'd better get home before the comes."

"Baby, we'd better get home so I can make you come.", he smirks.

"You don't look like you're having a good day.", I tell Audrey who's rummaging through the top drawer of her desk.

"I'm not. The copy machine is broken which means anything that needs to be copies has to be taken to upstairs. I've already made two trips and see at least two more in my future. It would be much easier if everyone could get all of their things together at once so I can make one trip. Is that going to happen? No. I also can't find my stapler." I move one of the folders from the right side of the desk and point to the stapler. "Of course it's going to be practically right in front of me."

"I'm sure things will get better."

"I hope so.", she groans with her eyes going briefly to Daniel.

"Are you and Daniel still at a stand still?"

"It's more of a time-out and yes. We've talked here at work but haven't outside of here. I miss him."

"Then talk to him. Stop being stubborn. Things aren't going to get better if you keep ignoring the issue. He's as miserable as you."

"I doubt it. I heard him talking to some guys about going out tonight. He's probably going to go out and meet some girl who he'll take back to his place. I'll soon be nothing more than a distant memory."

"That won't happen. Daniel cares about too much." She's trying to accept my words, but I'm not sure if it's working. As I get ready to go back to my desk, I see Daniel walking towards us.

"Audrey, when you have time, I need a few copies made." When he hands her the piece of paper in his hands, I hear her breathing changing. "You don't have to rush with it. I've got all the time in the world."

"How many do you need?"

"Two should should do.", he replies before going back to his desk.

Audrey's eyes fill with tears as she looks at the paper in her hands. She places it on the desk and reaches for a tissue from the box on her desk. How can a piece of paper bring her to tears. Answering my question, she nods at the paper. There in black ink are the words I Miss You.

"I think you know what you need to do.", I say softly.

"My dad and Rebecca should be here any minute." I finish pulling my hair back into a low ponytail and take one more look in the mirror. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful like always.", Christian answers. "I can see you're nervous about meeting Rebecca so I'm going to give you some news to help you feel better. The indictment against Elena for tax evasion is going to be handed down next week."

"Why do I suddenly feel like it's Christmas morning? This is great." I jump into his arms and kiss him. It's very possible that Elena Lincoln will be spending time behind bars and out of our lives. I still feel foolish for allowing her into the apartment the other day, but I've learned my lesson. Christian releases me at the sound of my phone buzzing from its spot on the bed. I pick it up and see a text from my dad.

*Here* is all it reads.

"Your dad?"

"Yeah. He's here." Maybe I shouldn't read into one word text, but it's unlike him. We smooth out our clothing and go into the living room just as my dad enters. I'm not sure if the man in front of us is the same Ray Steele. His jaw is clenched as he moves closer to me and Christian. I've yet to see a smile. "Dad. I'm glad you're here. Where's Rebecca?" Not only do I not see Rebecca, but I also don't see his luggage. "And where's your suitcase?" He allows me to hug, but I feel tension in his body and notice he's giving Christian a harsh glare.

"Ray, it's good to see you.", Christian says, holding his hand out, but my dad merely shakes his head.

"What's wrong?", I ask my dad.

"The three of us need to talk.", he mutters while looking around the room. "In private."

"We can go to my study." Christian points across the room to his study door. Both men wait for me to go before walking to the room. Once we're all in the room, my dad closes the door behind him. "What do you want to talk about?" My dad pulls out a piece of paper from his pocket and throws it at me. Puzzled, I unfold the paper and begin reading.

Mr. Steele,

You don't know me, but I feel the need to warn you about the man who your daughter is marrying. Christian Grey is anything but the man who he pretends to be. He's a man who likes to hit women for his own pleasure. This is a fact which your daughter is aware of but refuses to accept. Ana is a sweet girl who seems wants to see the good in people, but Mr. Steele, there's no good in Christian Grey. While I don't believe your Ana has been hurt yet, I believe it's only a matter of time before Christian unleashes his anger out on her. You probably won't trust my words, but I assure you I'm telling the truth."

Sincerely,

A Friend

"This is bullshit.", I snap. "You don't believe this, do you?"

"Annie, I don't want to, but I also don't understand why someone would send me a letter with such allegations. They say you never know what goes on behind closed doors. Christian's always been a nice guy to my face, but he could be a really good actor." Christian's now holding the letter in silence. "Aren't you going to try and defend yourself?"

"He doesn't have to defend himself. Christian has never and will hit me. It hurts that you'd rather take the word of some delusional person who obviously wants to cause trouble over your own daughter."

"Ana, don't be upset with your dad." Christian's silence finally ends as he sits down on the sofa. "Ray's only looking out for you."

"You came to me and asked for my blessing to marry my daughter who means more to me than life itself. Now I'm wondering if I made a huge mistake. Should I pack Ana's things and take her away from you? Answer me damn it!"

"The truth is I'm far from the man who you think I am. I've made more mistakes than I can count, ones that I'm not proud of. I had a terrible start to live. My birth mother didn't care about me. All she cared about was her pimp and getting her next fix. I was just a waste of space to her. After she overdosed and died, I was left alone in our run down apartment. I was four so I couldn't exactly get help." My dad's eyes drop as he sits down in shock. "The police found me and took me to the hospital where I was in poor health. Grace Grey was one of the doctors on duty and saw something in me. She and Carrick took me in and gave me a home, but I still didn't feel loved. I also had a lot of hate towards my birth mother. A friend of my mother's saw what was happening with me and offered to help me. She introduced me to the BDSM lifestyle which was an outlet for me to get out my frustrations."

"I've heard about that sort of thing.", my dad sighs while looking at me. "Annie, do you..." He can't bring himself to ask the rest of his question, but I know where he's going.

"No Dad. Christian and I don't have that sort of relationship."

"Ana's the one who changed me and my entire perspective on life. She showed me that I'm loved and can give love. She's my breath of fresh air."

"Christian's the man who I'm going to marry, no matter what anyone says or does. Was there a return address on the letter's envelope?"

"No. It only had a Seattle postmark.", my dad answers. "Who would send it?"

"I've got a pretty good idea.", Christian hisses. "The woman who introduced me to the lifestyle. She's been against my relationship with Ana from the beginning, but Ana and I aren't going to give her the satisfaction of destroying our happiness. Ray, I promised you when you gave me your blessing that I would make Ana the happiest woman in the world each and every single day of my life, and I keep my promises."

"I'm sorry for my attitude. I should've had more faith in you and your love for Ana."

"You were looking out for her. I understand."

"Are we going to be ok?", I ask my two guys.

"Yeah.", my dad answers.

"So where is Rebecca? Is she not coming?"

"When I got the letter, I felt it was best if she didn't come with me."

"If you'd like, I can arrange to have her brought here.", Christian says. A smile finally breaks across my dad's face.

"I'd like that very much." Tears are falling while he and Christian both stand. Christian once again holds his hand out, and once again my dad refuses. Instead, he pulls Christian into a hug. "I'm sorry for doubting you."

"It's all right Ray." My dad breaks the embrace and looks at me, unsure if I'll take his hug.

"Annie."

"Everything's fine.", I say as I wrap my arms around him.

"Well, that's not at all how I thought your dad's visit would start.", Christian says after my dad leaves the study to call Rebecca.

"Things are never boring around here."

"That's the fucking truth.", Christian laughs.