Six months before
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Daughters 14 Birthday Wishes
Date: July 28, 2028 9:54 AM
To: Christian Grey
Mr. Grey
Your loving and exasperating daughter has called me five times since I dropped her off at the youth center. She would like a gift every day for the next fourteen days. I believe one of us has spoiled her terribly!
Anastasia Grey
Non-Spoiling CEO, Grey Publishing
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Guilty As Charged
Date: July 28, 2028 10:01AM
To: Anastasia Grey
Mrs. Grey
My children will never know how it feels to want. What gift shall we present her today?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
I shake my head at the email and gather my things for my next meeting.
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: No Gifts
Date: July 28, 2028 11:12 PM
To: Christian Grey
Mr. Grey
I don't think we should cave in. She's turning fourteen, we told her last year that was the end of gifts before her birthday. If we must, we can give her a present the of her birthday and one at her party. There really is no need for fourteen presents. She will never work or make a living if you continue to give her what she wants and when.
CEO, Grey Publishing
P.S- I'm ready to leave, I will be at your office momentarily.
I carelessly put my phone in my purse and collect my documents and walk down the hall to Christians office. I laugh at the memory of moving my office to the Holdings Inc. building. Christian was quite the... fifty shades that day. I shake off the memory and walk right in.
"New receptionist?" I ask as I casually take a seat at the far end of his office.
"Yes, my wife had a problem with the last. Something about her hair I think?" He stifles a laugh.
"Oh, that jealous hag. Are you too busy to leave early?
Without answering he picks up his phone and tells someone he'll be leaving and to move his meetings around to accommodate. I look puzzled at his call."
"Christian if you were busy plea-"
"We aim to please Mrs. Grey."
He opens his arm and I slide my arm through his, walking out of the office and onto the bright Seattle sun I can't help but smile. We left an hour ahead of out plans and it's nice to have it alone with my husband. Things have been perfect for so long, it's hard to remember all the drama from years ago. Christian reaches his cell phone and places to his ear, distracting me from my thoughtless day dreams.
"What?! Since when? Do we know where he is? He's not out yet? When? Ok, keep me updated."
I stop and look at him confused. Christian stares at me sympathetically, uncertain if he should tell me the matter of his call.
"Ana, Jack-"
"No! He still has..." I try to calculate the time. I had forgotten all about him and his stunts nearly sixteen years ago. How can he be out already? I thought he was in for longer... much longer.
"Hyde isn't out yet. He does have a board he's going to see. If they find him fit to enter society, Ana he might be released early."
I can barely think straight, how did life catch up so quickly? We talked about what we would do if Hyde was ever released but I cant remember the plan. I clinch my side at the memory. The look of his eyes, demonic and black. It was his voice though, I will never get his voice out of my head, I shiver and Christian looks over at me.
"I wont let him near us Ana. I've planned this out for a very long time."
We pull up to the youth center and Phoebe jumps into the car.
"Where's your brother?"
She looks at Christian and giggles. "He's with his girlfriend!"
"What girlfriend?!" I sound panicked as Christian laughs at my sudden outburst. I open the door to step out. "I'll be right back."
"Baby, you'll make him angry if he spots you."
I pause, weighing his statement. I know he's right, Theodore has his fathers rage and handsomely; unnecessary good looks. His phone is ringing from one desperate girls call to the next. I sigh in complete defeat and move my legs back in the car just in time to see Teddy walking out of the school, arm around a pretty blonde with a skirt too short.
"Teddy come! We have matters to attend." Christian was near the steps of the building, rushing his son to the car. Teddy looked back and yelled something to the blonde. Since he was twelve years old he has been seen with crowds of young girls catering to his ego. Teddy gets into the car and laughs.
"You couldn't give me two more seconds dad?"
"No, you'll give your mother a heart attack if you bring one more girl home."
"Aw mom, she's just a fri-"
"They are all 'just friends' teddy. You should treat women with more respect. Leading these poor girls on! What happen to Crystal? I really did like her. She was good for y-"
"Mom, can we just talk about why I was pulled from football early?"
Completely exasperating, like someone else I know. Christian explains that we're meeting the rest of the family for Grandpa Carricks birthday.
It was nice to be out on the boat again. The kids love it, Teddy already helping and perfecting his sailing. Seeing everybody smiling and laughing, it's been too long. Now Christian and I stand in the middle of Escala, our get away when other family members have the children. Thank God for Elliot and Kate because, I've been missing the red room.
"Well Mrs. Grey, what would you like to do?"
"Mr. Grey, you already know."
I feel Christians hands on my skirts zipper.
"This skirts makes your ass look fantastic Ana."
"You should see it without the skirt." I smirk at him, turning my head to face him as I bite my bottom lip, slowly, seductively.
Time stands still between Christian and I. Wrapped in the after glow of rough kinky love making. Just like a fine wine, this moment we share, this unconventional way of love just gets better with time. We gave up safe words ages ago. He knows my body, the reactions and timing better than I do. He knows how much pain my body can handle and I trust him to deliver, close enough to the breaking point. I never got over his touch, I'll never get over the control he has of my body.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Christians voice break through the silence.
"I was just thinking about how this never gets old. How you will always have a power over my body."
"And you over mine." He kisses me, rough, round two.
I jump out of my sleep, momentarily confused. Where am I? I look around to see Christians bedroom, he must have carried me downstairs. Not bad for an old man, I laugh of the thought. He may be in his mid forties but, his body hasn't aged a bit. I see the light from the hall and hear Christians voice in the distant. What time is it? I glance at the alarm, nearly three in the morning, who could he possibly be talking to? I get myself out of bed, grabbing my robe and walk down the hall to his office.
"Suicide? Are you sure? He tried to do what?! Holy Christ! How long did he plan that out?"
I knock on his door and he turns to look at me.
"I'll call you later to get more details. Yes, I've woken up my wife." He hangs up without a good bye and looks at me cautiously. Why?
"What was that about?"
"A friend of a friends committed suicide."
I gasp in horror. "Did I know them?"
"No Ana, it's late, lets get some sleep?"
"Mr. Grey, what exactly are you questioning?" I let my robe drop to the floor, exposing my naked body as I turn slowly and leave the office.
