Chpt. 58 APOV:
"My parents invited us over for dinner tonight," Christian says over breakfast.
"I am working all day today at the hospital, but should be done around five," I reply.
"I'm not sure what time I will be finished, do you mind if Sawyer just brings you to my parents and I meet you there?" He asks.
"That's fine," I answer.
"My dad will have the paperwork ready for us to sign while we're there," he says.
"Paperwork?" I ask confused.
"For the cabin," he explains. "We need to sign the paperwork to transfer the deed into our names."
"Oh! I wasn't expecting it to go through so fast," I exclaim.
"Since there is no bank involvement we were able to cut through a lot of the typical red tape that is involved when you purchase a property. We didn't need approvals and inspections, just a transfer of funds and a few signatures on some paperwork will finalize the deal tonight. The cabin will officially be ours," he explains.
"And we'll invite everyone for Labor Day tonight?" I ask.
"If that's what you want," he smiles at me.
"We should go shopping before everyone comes to visit though," I think aloud. "I'd like to get some outdoor furniture for the deck so everyone can sit outside if the weather is nice."
"I had my eye on a new grill," Christian says.
"A grill? Do you know how to use one?" I joke.
"Of course! I've grilled once or twice," he laughs. "More for my dad and Elliot to use, the two of them really enjoy grilling."
"Let's go shopping this weekend," I suggest.
"We can give Taylor a list and he will order it," Christian says.
"No, I want to go shopping and pick everything out," I argue.
"Okay," He laughs. "We will go shopping this weekend."
"Is that how you bought your furniture for the apartment?" I ask on our way to work.
"No of course not," he says. "Taylor found an interior designer who picked everything out and ordered it."
"Did you pick anything out?" I ask.
"No?" he replies guiltily.
"You're too much," I laugh.
"What?" he jokes.
The last couple of weeks have by very quiet….almost too quiet. According to both Taylor and Sawyer, Carla has not attempted to make any contact with me or Christian since the night at the restaurant. Taylor has confirmed that they are no longer in Washington and that someone is watching them at all times and will immediately notify him if they leave the state. I had hoped Carla would go quietly but also expected her to put up more of a fight for money. She hadn't changed one bit in all the years since I've seen her last…not that I expected her to. Work has been going well too, every so often I put in a few extra hours but I don't mind since it gives me something else to do while Christian is at work. Thankfully my volunteer schedule is pretty flexible so if I have to put in additional hours in the publication department I can change the day I volunteer. I still can't figure Jack out…one day is he nice to me and the next he is snapping at me for not getting my suggestions back to him quick enough. I had expected Mary to cut him lose by now but for some reason she keeps him around and my work is nearly completely focused on proof reading his articles.
"Good morning Ana," Mary greets me as I walk in for the day.
"Good morning," I smile back.
"Today is crunch day," she warns as we walk to my desk. "Everything must be finalized and to the printer by four today."
"Just let me know how I can help," I offer.
"Jack has several articles that need to be reviewed, he decided to scrap the ones that you reviewed yesterday and went a different route," she says.
"No problem, I will focus on them this morning," I assure her.
She seems like she wants to say something more but quickly turns to leave the moment Jack approaches my desk.
"Good morning Mr. Hyde," I greet.
"Morning," he scruffs. "These are the articles I need proofed and back on my desk within the next two hours. These are the ones I will need by two and these by three."
"Of course," I say taking the stack of papers from him.
"Make it quick…the printer is waiting for these," he quickly retreats to his office.
I roll my eyes at is attitude before opening the first folder containing the articles that he said he wanted by eleven. My jaw drops realizing the number of articles he gave me; if it were any other writer having these reviewed in two hours wouldn't be an issue but with Jack everything takes so much longer given the amount of corrections that are needed. As I get through the first article, I realize what a long day today is going to be and I'm thankful that it's Friday so at least I get a break from Jack over the weekend.
"Mr. Hyde?" I knocked on his office door a few hours later.
"What?!" he snaps.
"Your first round of articles," I hand him the folder.
"I asked for these an hour ago!" he yells causing me to jump.
"Given the amount of articles and corrections that were needed, two hours was not feasible. I was not willing to provide you with something that I had not thoroughly reviewed," I stand my ground knowing that I did the right thing by taking my time.
"Well, you will be working through lunch to get the rest of the articles reviewed then," he snaps dismissing me.
I quickly send a text to Sawyer reluctantly asking him to pick me up lunch, explaining that I'm in the middle of something and cannot leave. I hate asking Sawyer to do something like pick up lunch for me or anything that I can do on my own but I know if I don't ask him I won't eat at all until dinner tonight. Sawyer quickly responds, stating my lunch will be here in a few minutes. I open the next folder and begin reviewing the articles which require even more edits than the first batch do however I sigh in relief realizing there are not as many articles as were in the first folder. Sawyer quietly places my lunch at my desk and just as quickly disappears with no one paying him any attention.
"Ana!" Jack yells from his office.
"Mr. Hyde?" I stand in the doorway of his office.
"Where are those articles?" he demands.
"On your desk," I point to the folder in front of him. "You were out to lunch when I finished reviewing the articles."
"Be sure the next batch is done before the deadline," he dismisses me.
The day drags on slowly and Jack's mood doesn't change, however I eventually just starting tuning him out and focusing on the work at hand. When I hand him the final folder of edits, I sigh in relief knowing that my day is finally over. He doesn't say anything, doesn't thank me for all the work I've done as I leave.
"Mrs. Grey?" Sawyer immediately greets me in the hallway.
"Can you take me to Grace and Carrick's?" I ask.
"Of course," he walks me out to the parking garage and quickly starts on our way to dinner.
"Sawyer can I ask a favor?" I say a few minutes later.
"Anything," he quickly answers.
"Can you run a background check on someone for me?" I ask hesitantly.
"Who?" he replies.
"Jack Hyde," I say.
"I will have Welsh run a complete background check on him while you're at dinner," he confirms.
"It doesn't need to be tonight Sawyer!" I exclaim not wanting to create additional work for Welsh on a Friday night.
"It's fine Ana, it's his job," he reminds me. "Is there anything specific you want to know?"
"I'm not sure," I sigh. "There's just something about him that rubs me the wrong way. I can't figure out how he got this job or why Mary keeps him there. He's rude, moody and lousy at his job."
"I will let you know what we find," he says.
"Thank you Sawyer I appreciate it," I reply.
I don't know what I expect Welsh to find, but there's just something about him that I can't put my finger on. Ever since Mary first introduced us I have gotten a bad vibe from him; the first couple of weeks we worked together weren't too bad but now he is almost unbearable. I know if I say anything to Christian he will suggest I quit and remind me again that I don't need to work. He doesn't understand that I like to work and at least want to feel like I'm contributing something financially to the relationship. I know my checks are absolutely nothing compare to what Christian must bring home every week but at least I don't feel like I'm taking advantage of him if I contribute something.
"Ana, it's so nice to see you," Carrick kisses me on the cheek when I arrive.
"Thank you for having us for dinner tonight," I reply.
"Ana!" Kate screams as soon as I walk into the great room.
"Kate! I wasn't expecting to see you tonight," I sit on the couch next to her and we immediately start giggling.
"How's married life?" Kate asks.
"It's great, how are you and Elliot?" I ask.
"Good, really good," she blushes.
"Oh?" I ask.
"I think he's going to ask me…you know soon," she whispers.
"That's wonderful!" I reply.
"Hey baby," Christian's voice pulls me from wedding details with Kate a few minutes later.
"Hi," I greet him, hugging and kissing him.
"Sorry I'm late," he says. "My call ran later than expected."
"That's okay," I glance at Kate giggling; we were so wrapped up in our talk that I hadn't noticed Christian was even running late.
"My dad is ready to meet with us for a few minutes if Kate can spare you," Christian smiles.
"Sure," Kate laughs.
"Christian, Ana," Carrick greets us as we walk into his office which is very similar to Christian's home office but has more personal photos. "I just need a couple signatures and you will be the new owners of the cabin."
He quickly walks us through the paperwork, thoroughly explaining what each item is that we are signing. A few minutes later we sign our name to the final document and just like that we now own the cabin. I'm surprised at how excited I am after signing the paperwork; Christian and I had such a wonderful time at the cabin and I can't wait to make more memories there. Other than the outside furniture and the grill that we will buy this weekend, there's not a lot that needs to be done before everyone comes for Labor Day. There's a great deal of conversation over dinner, Elliot is talking about a new construction project his company just won a bid for and Mia is talking some new reality tv show that I've never heard of.
"Everyone," Christian speaks up as desert is being served. "Ana and I would like to invite everyone to our cabin for Labor Day weekend for a cook out."
"What a wonderful idea!" Grace gushes and I can see tears in her eyes although I'm not sure why but she looks very happy.
"We've haven't been there in years," Elliot sighs happily. "It will be nice to go back."
"Well, I don't do the whole hiking and fishing thing but that deck is perfect for sunbathing!" Mia exclaims.
"Just let us know what to bring Ana," Kate chimes in.
"We'll have to replace that grill…I think the last time I was there the wheel fell off and half a grate was missing," Carrick laughs.
"Christian and I are going shopping this weekend for a new grill," I say and immediately the room falls silent.
"Christian is going shopping?" Mia gasps.
"Yes, I told him he wasn't allowed to have Taylor order it for him," I laugh and everyone joins in as Christian's face turns red.
"Oh come on, Dad you would do the same thing if meant you didn't have to go shopping," Christian jokes.
"You have a point," Carrick agrees.
We enjoy a delicious array of deserts, coffee and tea as we continue to make plans for Labor Day weekend. We decide everyone will arrive on Sunday and spend the night; the guys immediately start making plans for fishing and hiking. Grace, Mia, Kate and I discuss sleeping arrangements and plans for food for the weekend. It will be a little crowded, but I'm looking forward to having everyone there.
"Do you need any help?" I offer as Grace is wrapping up the left over desert.
"No, thank you, I'm just about finished," she smiles. "I want to thank you for everything you have done Ana."
"I haven't done anything," I say confused.
"You have done more than you will ever know," she hugs me, careful not to touch my back. "Before you came along, we never saw this side of Christian. He would come to dinner or charity events because he had to. He never entertained; I don't think he had once invited everyone to his apartment before he met you. You bring a light to him that I've been waiting for years to see, for that I will always be grateful."
"Grace," I gasp not knowing what to say. "He loves all of you so much; when we were at the cabin he constantly talked about all the memories he had there from growing up."
"I'm so glad you two are keeping it in the family," she says. "Carrick and I talked about buying it but we knew we wouldn't use it very much given that our kids are grown but this way we get to continue making memories there. Please don't be afraid to change anything and make it your own, I'm sure some of the décor is out of date."
"I actually like it," I reassure her. "it's very warm and inviting."
"If you decide there is anything you want us to bring please let me know," she offers.
"Do you want some company shopping?" Kate asks as Grace and I make our way back to the great room.
"I don't mind," I glance at Christian who nods.
"This guy knows nothing about grilling, you can't possibly let him pick out a grill Ana," Elliot announces.
"Is this your way of hinting at an invitation to come shopping Elliot?" I smirk.
"Well, if you're insisting I suppose I could come along to pick something out," he laughs.
"Kate, Grace, Mia….would you like to join us? I suggested to Christian that we might look at some outdoor furniture for the deck," I ask.
"Oh! Absolutely!" Mia exclaims.
"I'd love to join you, but unfortunately I'm working at the hospital this weekend," Grace explains.
"Can everyone meet at Escala around ten on Saturday morning?" Christian asks.
Everyone agrees to meet on Saturday; although Christian grumbles about it on the way home I can tell that he is touched by everyone wanting to go to the cabin and wanting to help pick out the furnishings for it. I hope that this continues to be a place that we can enjoy many weekends together as a family and I want everyone to be comfortable there. I'm still touched by Grace's words to me in the kitchen tonight; I don't know why Christian is still so unsure of his parents love for him. He wasn't sure anyone would want to come to the cabin for Labor Day yet by the end of tonight we have almost everyone joining us for a shopping trip for finishing touches on the cabin.