A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Sweetheart, I want you to know I had a wonderful time with you yesterday.", my mom says while I manage our phone conversation and my typing of an email. As promised, she and I spent yesterday afternoon together after my dad and Rebecca left. It was a great weekend but also eventful with the news that Elena had died of a heart attack. Her memorial service is tomorrow, and it's safe to say Christian, Carrick, and Grace won't be in attendance.
"I agree Mom. We should schedule more mother/daughter time."
"We can absolutely do that. I hate to cut this conversation short, but my break is over. I'll see you at dinner tonight, ok?" Carrick and Grace asked everyone, including my mom, to have dinner at their house tonight since everyone has been so busy lately and not been able to see one another.
"Ok Mom. I love you."
"I love you too." Hanging up the phone, I notice Audrey heading towards my desk with a newspaper in her hand.
"Ana, I wanted to ask you about this obituary in the paper." Audrey holds up today's issue of the Seattle Times which I've unfortunately already seen. Staring at me is a photo of Elena. Even in death the woman is still making her presence known in my life. "Didn't we see her while we were shopping at Victoria's Secret a few months ago? She said she was good friends with Christian's family."
"That's her.", I mutter.
"How's Christian's family holding up with her death?" I'm tempted to say they're thrilled the nuisance is gone from their lives, but I decide to take the high road.
"They're dealing." I look back at my computer screen and hope Audrey doesn't want to discuss Elena any more.
"I'm sorry for dampening the mood. Why don't I liven things by telling you about my mother's new boyfriend." Audrey's parents divorced about a year and a half ago after thirty years of marriage, but their split was very amicable. Though her father got back into the dating scene last year, her mother hasn't done so yet. "His name is Michael, and he's an investment banker by day and a...get this...rocker by night. Can you believe? My mom wasn't a fan of Kenneth when I was dating him. She said and I quote, "A drummer won't be able to support you." Now here she is dating a guy who plays the guitar. I mean granted he does have a day job which pays his bills. It's kind of weird though."
"Have you met the guy yet?"
"Not yet. Daniel and I are supposed to have dinner with them later in the week." She looks over her shoulder at Daniel who's been working on this week's list of restaurants he plans to review. A smile that only he's able to bring lights up her face. "I'm so glad we're back together. Thank you for helping me."
"It's the least I could do since you helped Kate in her bid to help me find love."
"And aren't you glad you listened to us?", Kate asks after returning from the editing department. She gloats the entire time she's dropping into her seat.
"Yes I am glad. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be getting ready to plan a wedding." Hopefully now that Elena's dead we can plan our wedding without any more interferences.
"You better be prepared for dinner tonight at the Greys. Elliot saw Mia with a stack of bridal magazines. She claimed she was simply researching."
"I'll try my best to be prepared."
"I'm a little misty eyed seeing all of you here tonight.", an emotional Grace murmurs. "Gathering all of you at the same time is difficult."
"I know Mom, but life gets busy.", Elliot shrugs. "It's not a good excuse though."
"You're right. It's not.", Carrick replies after taking a drink of his wine. "I know just as well as anyone how hectic work and life can get, but I also know how important my family is. I'm going to try my best to make more time for what matters the most."
"Mia, it's a shame Will couldn't make it.", Kate says. Mia continues eating her stuffed mushroom like she's not fazed by Will's absence.
"He stopped by for a few minutes this afternoon but had to get to work early. The restaurant is keeping him busy, and I'm being supportive. He mentioned that some food had been ordered for tomorrow. One of the stylists at Esclava is get together after Elena's memorial service. Mom, I know you said you weren't going, but I can't understand why not. The two of you used to be such good friends."
"Used to being the key.", Grace answers. "Elena and I no longer had a friendship." While Christian's past with Elena is known to Carrick and Grace, Christian hasn't disclosed the relationship to his siblings.
"I've lost touch with some of my friends, but if something happened I would be there to pay my respects." Beside me, Christian is shaking his head and mumbling under his breath. "What's wrong with you?"
"You don't think Mom should pay respect to Elena?", Christian scoffs.
"Well, what about you? The two of you were in business together. Aren't you planning to go to the service?" The atmosphere is intensifying around us. "The woman wasn't my favorite person either, but she died."
"Thank fuck for that.", Christian snarls as Elliot almost chokes on his water.
"Why would you wish for someone to be dead?", Elliot asks Christian. "Ah. Is it because of how she always seemed to have a thing for you?" All eyes at the table jump to Elliot. "Dude, I saw how she would look at you and lick her Botox injected lips. She had a crush on you."
"Elliot, stop teasing Christian.", Kate says.
"You know what? I can't do this anymore.", Christian sighs. "I can't sit here and listen to my sister go on about Elena Lincoln being deserving of our respect while my brother jokes about Elena's "crush" on me."
"Christian, what are you doing?", I ask.
"I'm lost.", my mom says, confused like the rest of us.
"It's time for all of you to be clued in to the person Elena Lincoln truly was. She was a cruel and heartless bitch who I hope is rotting in hell at this very moment. Elena was the woman who I lost my virginity to at the age of fifteen."
"Is this some way of playing along with the crush thing?", Elliot grimaces.
"I wish it wasn't true, but it is. Besides seducing me, Elena also introduced me to BDSM.
"You don't have to do this now son.", Carrick says.
"I want to Dad. No. I need to. It's time Elliot and Mia know the truth."
While Elliot and Mia are staring at Christian, my mom and Kate have their attention fixed one me. My mom is showing what looks like sympathy, but Kate seems to be furious. She's probably thinking the same thing my dad thought, that Christian and I are in a BDSM relationship. I need her and my mom to know and understand that's not the case. I look at Christian and place my hand on top.
"I think it might be good for you to talk more about this with your family while I have a word with my mom and Kate."
"Or he could stay here and tell us all about who he really is.", Kate hisses. "I've heard about BDSM relationships. Do you beat my best friend for your own enjoyment? Is that what gets you off?"
"Kate, don't.", Elliot chides.
"Don't what Elliot? Don't demand answers from the guy who's marrying my best friend?" I get up from my chair and go to Kate, motioning for her to follow me as my mom is on her feet in disbelief.
"Please Kate.", I beg. She's shooting daggers at Christian while reluctantly getting out of her chair. I go back to Christian and lean down into his ear. "Everything is going to be ok." He kisses my hand and smiles. I muster all my courage and go to the living room with my mom and Kate staggering behind me. "Have a seat." My mom does as I asked, but Kate continues standing.
"Kate, have a seat.", my mom tells her. Kate rolls her eyes and sits on the sofa next to mom as I pull one of the arm chairs in front of them. "Ana, I don't even know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything. Let me explain. Christian's life wasn't the best before he was adopted by the Greys. His birth mother chose her drugs and pimp over Christian. She overdosed when he was four, and if Grace hadn't been at the hospital when he was brought in...Christian might very well not be here today." A world without Christian Grey is something I don't want to think about. "He had a lot of anger towards his birth mother. Elena saw that anger and took advantage of it. She seduced Christian and introduced him to BDSM which he used to deal with his anger and frustrations."
"Do the two of you have that sort of relationship?"
"No. Our relationship is the first real relationship Christian has ever had. I was his first girlfriend."
"But he's had uh...subs?", Kate asks.
"Yes."
"How long have you known?"
"He told me shortly after we met. Initially I was hesitant about being with him. I was afraid that he would want me in the same capacity as the others, but he told me that I was different. I believed him because it's the truth. I see how he feels about me every time he looks at me. Is he perfect? No. I'm not perfect either."
"I'm one who knows all too well about not being perfect.", my mom murmurs. "But I do see the love between the two of you."
"We've had our issues but have always worked through them. Elena, however, liked fanning the flames. She couldn't stand that Christian was with me. The woman tried so many things to come between us, but the lowest was the letter she sent to Dad." Kate scoots forward in her seat.
"She sent your dad a letter?"
"Telling him that Christian likes to hit women and would only hurt me. Dad got the letter right before coming for his visit. He wasn't too thrilled when he arrived, but he was better after listening to Christian explain things."
"Ana, if he were to ever lay a hand on you, I would cut his balls off and feed them to a goat."
"I know you would.", I giggle. "But it's never going to come to that."
My mom, Kate, and I talk for almost forty-five more minutes until the Greys enter the living room one at a time. All five of them have red eyes and look as though they've aged at least five years. The first thing Mia and Elliot do is hug me.
"I knew you were good for my brother. I just didn't know the depths of it.", Mia sobs.
"Thank you Ana. Thank you for giving Christian back to us.", Elliot adds before Christian goes to my mom and Kate who are standing in the middle of the room.
"Did Ana tell you everything?"
"She did.", my mom answers. "All I ask if for you to love and respect my daughter."
"I swear on my life." My mom stays still for a few seconds and then puts her arms around Christian. He steps back and turns to Kate. "We've had our share of problems in the past."
"Indeed.", Kate replies. "You promised I wouldn't regret giving you a chance. I'm going to hold you to that promise. Oh, and I've already informed Ana that I'll cut your balls off and feed them to a goat if you hurt her."
"It won't come to that."
"Dinner went well.", Christian says from the bedroom while I'm standing at the bathroom sink. I stick my head out slightly and raise a brow. "As well as to be expected considering my family, your mom, and Kate all know about my past."
"Once we finally got back to the table and our reheated food, it was a nice evening." I sit on the edge of the tub and stare at the counter where a pregnancy test is laying. My period is late which never happens. I got a little light-headed yesterday while shopping with my mom but thought it was only because I had been on my feet for so long. Christian doesn't know about my suspicions. He told Elena he would never resent our child, but what if he freaks out?
"You've been in there a while. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine.", I stammer. "I'm just brushing my hair."
"Has your hair suddenly grown so long that it takes you forever to brush it?"
"It's tangled. Give me a break." Add moodiness to the symptoms. I'm about to get up to look at the test when Christian appears in the doorway. "I thought you were in bed."
"I thought you were brushing your hair. Why did you tell me that?", he asks as he sees the test. "A pregnancy test?"
"Yes." He glances down at the test and studies it. I bring myself to my feet and move behind him.
"Oh Ana.", is all he says. "It's positive."
"I'm pregnant?." A grin goes to his face.
"No baby. We're pregnant."