Family

by bluesky5679

Carrick and Grace have always had a marriage that was the envy of all. The truth is so complicated and strange.

Hello, everyone. This is #24 and I'm still obsessed with Christian Grey and Jamie Dornan. I'm a grown woman, for heaven's sake! Well, let's just call it inspiration instead, eh? Sounds saner.

This idea has been scratching at my brain for several years actually but something else always came along. I'm writing this on the fly…don't know where it's going to end up. I'll know when I get there right along with the rest of you . I don't have any notion of where I want it to end up really. So, fly along with me. It is like nothing I've ever written and you may find yourselves wondering "What the hell"?

Carrick and Grace have always had a marriage that was the envy of all. The truth is so complicated and strange.

FAMILY

Christian held Ana in his arms as they watched a perfect yellow new moon hanging over the water. When they'd bought the house, they'd had Elliot remove most of the wall opposite their bed so that they could do just this….watch the moon rise over the water.

Their daughter, Madeline, was sleeping through the night now and going to bed around 7 p.m. so there was plenty of mommy and daddy time. Despite being together for almost 3 years, the honeymoon never ended for Christian and Ana. Ana was more fatigued now after running after a toddler all day but nothing dampened her need for Christian. They were both very physical people who needed time together every night. They'd spent the evening and into the night making love and talking. Ana was always interested in GEH and Christian was curious as to how she knew that an author had just handed her a best seller.

Now they'd made love one more time before they curled into each other for sleep. Christian had jolted awake as his phone vibrated with Taylor's ringtone. This had better be good, he growled to himself. He reluctantly disconnected from Ana and went into the bathroom so as not to disturb his wife's rest.

"Taylor, it's well after midnight. What couldn't wait 'til morning? He demanded of his security chief.

"Your sister, sir."

"Well, you know the drill, Taylor. Show her to her room and make sure that she's sleeping on her stomach."

"Sir, Ms. Grey is upset. I've never seen her like this. She wants to see you."

"Oh, I suppose that her latest broke up with her?"

"No, sir. I gather it is far more serious and devastating then boyfriend troubles. We've put her car in bay three and sent her up in the elevator."

Ana, wearing Christian's robe, appeared in the bathroom and then turned around to greet the elevator. How, he marveled does she maintain her patience?

As they watched the elevator from the stairs, they could see Mia crumpled in a heap on the lift floor. She was hugging the wall and violently trembling.

"She wants to talk with me, sweetie, so please go back to bed. You need more hours than me."

Ana reluctantly agreed and stumbled back to their bed. Christian could be up all night with Mia.

.+.

Christian showered and dressed before looking in on his sister who was sleeping fitfully. Then he went down to the kitchen and kissed Ana's head as she helped Madeline eat without leaving most of her breakfast on the floor.

Ana smiled at his kiss and pulled him by his tie down to kiss her lips.

"Did you get any sleep at all? You weren't in bed when I woke up."

"I was with Mia in her room." Christian sat on a stool next to Ana and rubbed his face. She loved his hands but this was no time to be entertaining lascivious thoughts. Clearly, he'd had a rough night.

"Christian, tell me." He reached out to take her hand. She always steadied him.

"Mia went out clubbing, of course, but she wasn't feeling well so she went home early. Just as she was about to pull into the driveway, the front door opened and a beautiful woman emerged…followed by Carrick. Mia killed her lights and pulled her car further down the street. She returned to observe Carrick in a tight embrace with this woman…"

"Well, maybe…." Ana began.

"…playing tonsil hockey. She said that they stood kissing for a long time. When the woman got into her car and left, Mia put her car in the driveway and went inside, trying to pretend that she'd seen nothing. Carrick was in his study, drinking bourbon. Mia remarked that he was up awfully late and he just smiled and said that he had a hard time sleeping when Mom worked nights at the hospital.

"I think when she arrived here, she was in shock. It took a long time to get her to talk."

"This must be a misunderstanding, Christian. Your parents always seem so in love."

At this point, Christian produced Mia's cell and showed Ana all the pictures that Mia had taken while hiding in the bushes. There was no denying it. Carrick was cheating on Grace.

CHAPTER 2

"I hate to leave you with her, Ana, but I have a major teleconference with Singapore at 9 a.m. and a full day of meetings after that. Mia will probably be staying here with us. I'll have Taylor pick up some clothes for Mia after Dad leaves for the office. With any luck, Mia will sleep most of the day. She's pretty traumatized. I'll tell Mom that Mia is helping with Madeline for a few days. Call me if you need anything. I love you, baby, and Momma, too," he grinned. Ana could see sadness and confusion in his eyes. She assured him that they'd all be fine until he got home.

After a baptism of applesauce, Ana took Madeline into the bath with her. Madeline was full of beans this morning and Ana foresaw a busy day. Maybe Madeline could distract Mia. She was worried for Christian and oh so angry with his father.

Ana was close to all the family except Carrick. He was always polite, even warm sometimes but she could tell that he still didn't trust her. More than three years together and Carrick was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Ana had begged Christian to sign a pre-nup to put his father's fears to rest but Christian had insisted that a pre-nup was out of the question. Ana had promised to never leave him and Ana kept her promises.

Whenever the family got together, Carrick noted a new dress or more jewelry. Christian would warn his father to stop questioning how he spent money on Ana. Ana tried to dress as simply and plainly as possible but it never helped. When Christian bought her a diamond tennis bracelet just because he could, Carrick had warned him against frivolous expenditures. However, he never objected when the Grey jet took him and Grace to Christian's place in Aspen and he certainly liked his Rolex.

Ana tried hard to not take any of it personally. She told herself that Carrick was just protective of his son but they were married and she'd given him a child and anyone could see that they were mad for each other.

Eventually, Carrick would get to know his daughter-in-law well enough to trust in her love for Christian. Ana thought that she would just have to be patient.

.+.

Mia came down for a late lunch and she looked like hell. After putting Madeline down for a nap, Ana settled Mia into a chair in the bathroom and washed her hair. Mia found that to be quite soothing and before too long she was baring her soul to Ana. Together they studied the pictures on her phone for any sign that she'd misunderstood but it was hopeless.

"Why, Ana? Why would Dad cheat on Mom? I always thought that they had the perfect marriage. Can you imagine Christian cheating on you?"

"Anything can happen, Mia. And Carrick's cheating may have nothing to do with his marriage. Sometimes older men need reassurance that they're still studs, still desirable to other women and, crucially, not old. So, they go looking for affirmation from younger women."

"What would you do if Christian cheated on you?"

"I'd nail him to the wall by his balls," Ana laughed. "And he knows it, too. He likes the idea that we belong to each other and no one else."

"I should call Ethan. He'll wonder where I've gone off to."

"Well, you are our guest and you wanted to spend more time with your niece."

"What do you think that Christian will do, Ana? You don't think that he'll punch daddy, do you?"

"I don't think that Christian knows what he'll do, Mia. I don't think that he'll let his father keep making a fool of Grace. He's going to find out what's going on before he interferes in their marriage. I trust him to handle it the best way possible. Now, I don't want you to fret anymore. Let Christian and maybe Elliot handle your father, okay?" Mia nodded numbly.

CHAPTER 3

"Welsh, I have a particularly sensitive issue for you to handle. No one can know about this."

"I'm insulted, Grey. I never discuss clients' business with anyone but the client," Welsh huffed.

"Sorry. I'm just shaken by this development and it's about as personal as it gets," Grey replied, taking a deep breath before going on.

"I want you to investigate Carrick Grey. I have evidence that he's cheating on Grace. I need to know as much as possible about the situation before I confront him. I'm sending you a video taken by my little sister last night."

Welsh said nothing. He was shocked and wanted to choose his words carefully. He decided on a coolly detached and professional response.

"I'll check out the video and then move on from there. This matter will be priority #1."

Welsh rang off without another word. Grey put the phone down and rubbed his eyes. It was almost 9 a.m. and he had a full day ahead of him. He supposed being busy would be a helpful distraction but it also meant that that he'd be less than attentive to important matters. He sat staring down at the video on his phone. Maybe, he thought, if I look at it long enough, it will be less of a shock.

15 minutes later, after viewing it many times over, he was only sicker and angrier. He and his father had been close when he was a child. Carrick was a very involved father. He took Elliot and Christian on many fishing trips. He put in a full day in court and then came home to help his sons with their homework. He was endlessly patient with his difficult younger son. Things between them had changed, however, when Christian turned 15 and became enthralled with his mother's best friend, Elena Lincoln. Christian withdrew into himself. Matters got worse when Christian wanted to drop out of college and use his trust fund to start Grey Enterprises Holdings. His father refused his son's request and would not even loan his son the necessary funds to begin his business. Carrick was frank about his feelings on the matter. He didn't trust his 21-year-old son to make a go of it. Money down a rat hole…those were his words. Christian was crushed. He had to resort to borrowing money from Elena which made him more indebted to her than she already considered him to be. When Christian succeeded beyond anyone's expectations, his father acted as though his son had gotten lucky.

Just when affairs began to improve, Christian had brought home a beautiful, blue-eyed brunette. Grace was thrilled and instantly loved Ana. Carrick was skeptical of Ana's motives.

"Take it slow, son. We don't know enough about this girl and her intentions."

"Well, I'm hoping that her intentions are to stay with me, Dad."

"Son, you've been quite lucky with GEH but this is much different. You've had so little experience with relationships."

"Dad, I've had a lot of experience. I've just never met a woman that I wanted to introduce to my parents and siblings. Ana is a prize beyond measure."

Carrick said nothing more. He just watched Ana and asked intrusive questions. Ana patiently answered every query. Yes, she was from a lower-class background. Yes, she was aware that Christian owned a multi-billion-dollar company and she admired him. No, she wasn't after his money.

"DAD! Enough!" Christian bellowed. Ana told him that it was all right. His father was just watching out for him. Slick move, Carrick said to himself.

When Christian proposed and showed up at the family home with Ana and an engagement ring worth half a million, Carrick ordered him into his study and insisted that his son have Ana sign a pre-nuptial agreement.

"Son, be sensible. I know that you think that you're in love and you'll never divorce but that isn't realistic. This girl could take you for half of everything you've worked so hard to accumulate."

"She could have it all, Dad. Without Ana, none of it would be worth a thing to me. No pre-nup. Understand?"

When Christian married Ana in the Grey Manor backyard with immediate family and a few friends, Grace pointed out to her husband that if she was after the name and the fame and the bank account, she would have wanted an extravaganza and Christian would have given it to her. Still, Carrick suspected that she was playing a long con on his naïve son. When she gave birth to Madeline, Carrick told Grace that this was just her way of truly trapping Christian.

Now, more than three years later, Carrick still thought every move his son made was at the behest of the little con artist he'd married.

"Now she's gotten him to buy a mansion on the water. It more than doubles his commute to GEH."

"Carrick, Christian bought the house as a surprise for Ana. She didn't ask for it, never even hinted that she wanted to live elsewhere than Escala. When will you realize that our son married brilliantly? I myself am so proud of him for his choice. She is a wonderful young woman and anyone looking at them together could see that they are madly in love."

Carrick kept to himself that he thought that his wife was gullible. He thought back to when they had met. She was an intern and had done well in her surgical rotation but she wanted to be a goddamn baby doctor. Even after he pointed out that she could make a lot more money as a surgeon, she insisted that she wasn't in it for the money. She wanted to be an OB/GYN. He loved her and so he tried to support her but he sure resented those middle of the night deliveries.

CHAPTER 4

"Yes, Ethan. I'm fine now. I was just tired last night." Mia giggled. "Well, I can't be your little fireball all the time. No, I'm over at my brother's house. I haven't spent much time lately with my niece because I have this hot new boyfriend. Uh huh. So, I've decided to help with Madeline for a few days. You have a lot of studying to do and I'm kind of a distraction so I'll see you next Friday or Saturday. Now, go ace that exam you have on Wednesday. Love you, too."

After she rang off, Mia sat down and bawled. Ana put her arm around her sister-in-law while Mia cried.

"Now I'm the liar. I want to throw myself into Ethan's arms but instead I have to lie to him."

Ana couldn't find the right words to say to Mia so she just sat with her and let her cry. Madeline would be up soon from her nap and caring for her would distract Mia. Ana felt an emotion she rarely had….anger. The idea that anyone, least of all her husband, could hurt Grace was anathema to Ana. Ana had been gently urging her husband to come clean to his family about Elena Lincoln but the news that her BFF of 20 years was a pedophile would certainly have to wait now. Oh, Grace, Grace. Such a warm, gentle soul. Her world might be about to fall apart. Ana couldn't understand, despite her words to Mia, how Carrick could cheat on his wonderful wife. They had always seemed so much in love…even after 30+ years together.

Now he was about to bring an hellacious storm into all their lives. Ana wanted to melt into her husband's strong arms but it wasn't her father who was going to destroy his wife so she had to be strong for Christian.

.+.

His teleconference with Singapore had gone well. He'd dredged up the Dom that he'd buried shortly after meeting Ana. Well, he hadn't given it up so much as it had left him. His Dom was helpless in the face of the gentle angel with the soft blue eyes. Occasionally, he summoned it when he really needed to crush an opponent. Now that opponent might be his own father.

When he returned to his office, his PA Andrea told him that Welsh was waiting for him. Oh, no, thought Grey. Welsh doesn't make house calls. This must be really bad.

"Welsh. What do you have for me?"

"I was able to use the license plate number off the car to learn the identity of the woman Mia saw with your father. Her name is Angela Carter. She's a realtor with her own agency. Tracing her activities, I discovered that she met your father at a hotel in San Francisco. He was attending a legal conference and she was there for a realtor convention. My source said that she approached him and that they spent quite some time talking. She was pouring it on pretty thick and your dad was eating it up. He did go to his room alone, however, while she stayed behind networking.

"The next day, they met up again and left the hotel without attending their respective conventions. Maybe they explored the city. Anyway, phone records show that they've been talking almost every day since. The calls were from their offices. CCTV cameras from the city show that they've been meeting up for lunch once a week. The good news is that I've found no evidence that they've gone to any hotels and the first sighting of her car heading to your folk's house is the night that Mia caught them. That night Carter and your father spent a little over 2 hours in the house.

"I want to do some more looking into Angela Carter and her activities. For instance, is she in the habit of picking up men at conventions? Is she setting your father up?

"Your father might be a foolish victim of his ego. Let's wait before you go over to Grey Manor to beat his head in, okay?"

Christian nodded and saw Welsh out. Then he called the only person who could soothe his anxiety.

CHAPTER 5

"Hi, honey. How are you? Did the Singapore call go well? Did you Dom them into submission?"

Christian chuckled. He recalled the first time he'd told Ana about his Red Room and what he did in there. She was the first woman he'd known who hadn't been supplied by Elena. He'd even taken her out on a few dates before he confessed that he wanted her to be his sub.

"Say what?" Ana stared at him.

They were having a private dinner on his balcony and he felt it was time to reveal his alter ego. He explained BDSM to her as they walked up the stairs and he unlocked the door to the Red Room. Ana had walked around, intrigued. He hoped that her interest would translate into enough curiosity to give BDSM a try. She asked a lot of questions and didn't react to his answers. She said little as they walked back down the stairs except to ask if this was how he conducted his sex life.

"Yes. It's all I know."

"So, if a woman doesn't want this life….?"

"Then I can't have a relationship with her," answered Christian, feeling a chill down his spine.

Ana regarded him for a long time until he begged her to say something. She picked up her coat and walked up to him, close. She stood on her tip toes to reach his face as she placed her hand on his cheek. She looked sad. She kissed him tenderly and then turned to the elevator. She didn't say goodbye. It was definitely implied. He watched the doors close and then he went into his study and proceeded to get black out drunk on a very expensive bottle of Jim Beam.

He had a policy. Once a woman left, that was it. No do overs. No second chances. Even if Ana had walked back in, it would be too late. He turned on his computer and watched her as she waited for the reception desk to call a taxi. Once she was gone, he continued drinking.

For the next few days he held firm to his policy. For the next couple of weeks, he drank. Elena sent over subs to be interviewed. They left him cold. He sent them away. He sat in his Red Room and thought about all the good times he'd had there. He imagined Ana cuffed to his St. Andrews Cross and hanging from his carabiners and trussed up on his spanking bench. Slowly, he realized that those thoughts did not arouse him or comfort him. They, in fact, made him feel queasy. Hitting Ana with a flogger or a belt? No. No. She didn't want that. It would hurt her. She wasn't a sub.

He tried to forget about her but with every passing day, her memory strengthened. He felt that last kiss still on his lips. He saw her smiling at him as he shaved. He heard her laughter as he rode into work. Every long-haired girl he passed made his head swivel. One day he made Taylor, his driver and security chief, park across from her office at Seattle Independent Publishing so he could see her leave at 5 p.m. When she didn't emerge, he became nervous. He knew that her boss had a reputation for sexual harassment. He was just about to run over to the door when she emerged….with Jack Hyde.

He watched as they walked down the street to a bar called Fifty's. Without thinking he got out of the car and strode quickly down the street. Taylor could barely keep up.

Ana was telling Jack about a new author that she liked and Jack was leaning one hand on the bar…boxing her in. The moment Grey entered Fifty's, he could see Ana and the uncomfortable look on her face. Grey walked up and put his arm around her, introducing himself to Jack Hyde as the boyfriend. Jack stood back and was clearly put off by Christian's appearance. Ana made her apologies for having to leave so soon but she and Christian, she said, had made plans.

As soon as they were safely ensconced in the back seat of Grey's luxurious Mercedes Ute, Ana let out a long breath. Christian imperiously announced that Ana would no longer work for Jack Hyde unless a CPO was stationed outside her office. Ana looked wide-eyed and amazed at Grey before she burst into a fit of giggles.

The stronger his language and the more he insisted on his idea of how she should run her life, the harder she laughed. Then she said that he could just let her off at the next corner where she'd parked Wanda, her ancient car, and then she'd be on her way.

No, Grey demanded. She would come home with him. Furthermore, there would be no Red Room in her life. They would have an ordinary relationship like everyone else. Yes, he had said that he didn't know any other way but he'd just figure it out. Despite using his commanding Dom voice, Ana was simply regarding him with skepticism.

"You said that BDSM was all you knew. You said that you couldn't have any other kind of relationship."

This time, he dropped his Dom. He gazed at Ana with a look she hadn't seen before. It was one of hopefulness and fear. He told her that he couldn't sleep…or eat…or work. Would she please consider giving him another chance? Her heart went out to him but, still, she had her doubts.

"You'll try to convince me to go to the Red Room of Pain with you. After I get in deeper and it's so much harder for me to leave you, you'll use that to try to convince me to give BDSM a try."

"Taylor?"

"Yes, Mr. Grey?"

"Dismantle the Red Room at your first opportunity. Just turn it into another guestroom."

"YES, SIR!" Taylor replied, a rare grin on his face.

CHAPTER 6

What the hell have I just done? Christian asked himself as Ana looked at him with wide eyes and gaping mouth. What the hell makes me think I can just give up BDSM? It is me. It is what I am. This is crazy talking…not the premier Dom of Seattle, not a man superior to all others. What will Elena say? Oh, she is going to turn a deeper shade of red than he paddled his subs. She will remind me that BDSM is me and I am BDSM. She'll ask how long do I think I can go before I explode. When I tell her that I had my Red Room, my beautiful, very expensive Red Room turned

into a guest room, the shit will really hit the fan.

He sat there in the back seat with Ana, his brow moist and his expression that of a man climbing up to the gallows. Ana could only watch and listen with a stunned expression. She gulped and then spoke.

"Christian, you look scared to death and I don't think it's because you're waiting on my answer. Your impulsive declaration to give up BDSM and dismantle your Red Room is making you a bit ill, if I'm not mistaken. I know you want me back. I believe your intentions are true…but, Christian, you've devoted almost half your life to BDSM…and that shrew, Mrs. Lincoln. Can you really start over? Am I really worth all that? Maybe you should give normal sex a try and if or when it doesn't work out, you'll still have your Red Room."

As Ana was speaking, her soft voice slowly calmed Christian. Watching her lovely, plump lips speak….her gentle manner…those eyes looking into his….God, how he wanted her. The last few weeks had been hell. There was no denying it. There was really no choice.

Christian took Ana's face into his hands and kissed her until her toes curled and she was gripping his arms.

"It might be hard for me. I might relapse…but you will be there to bring me back to my senses. My choice is clear. You or an endless line of faceless women who mean nothing to me, who leave me cold. After you, I could only leave my Red Room empty and disappointed."

"But you'll want me to…"

"NO! Never. The thought of hitting you or tying you up…no, I can't do it. I'm going vanilla. Will you help me? Will you give me a second chance?"

Oh, Ana thought, his face. I've never seen his face like this. He is desperate. Am I really all that? He kisses me like I am. Maybe to him I am all that.

"Have you been lonely, Christian?"

"Yes, desperately. All my life and I didn't know it because I hadn't yet met you. I've been so alone since you left me. Please come back."

CHAPTER 7

As Taylor drove him home, Christian stared out the window. The way he felt about Ana, he couldn't imagine even touching another woman. What happened to his father? Christian had watched Carrick stare at Grace as she walked across a room. How could he touch another woman?

"Taylor, drive faster. I need to get home."

Taylor didn't speed, of course. He just nodded acquiescence and kept driving. Christian didn't notice. His request was more a way of expressing his need for Ana. He breathed a sigh of relief as the gates to the mansion opened and Taylor maneuvered the Ute into bay 2. Ana's car was in bay 1 though she rarely drove herself. Christian made a dash for the elevator. Taylor sighed and decided to take the stairs. Sometimes, being in Christian's company really wore him out.

"ANA, ANA!"

"Here!" she called from upstairs. Christian raced up the stairs and found Ana in the bathtub with Madeline. He quickly disrobed and climbed into the bubble bath with his loves. Madeline giggled and yelled "daddy" and crawled into his arms. Ahh, Grey sighed, a load lifted, his shoulders free of the weight of his day. Ana moved over and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him like he'd come back from war. Then the threesome quietly relaxed in the warm water, just holding on to each other. His head cleared. His heart lightened. His vision saw only what mattered.

.+.

Christian carried his tiny daughter into her room and placed her in her crib. He could see that she would be graduating to a twin bed soon, all too soon. The day that they dismantled her crib was going to hurt. Maybe they could just move the crib across the hall and put another baby into it.

He followed Ana into the bathroom and then into the shower. She giggled as he ran his hands all over her wet, soapy body. She loved when Christian washed her hair and he loved when she washed his. Ana thought that Christian was better at it. His strong hands gently massaging the suds would almost put her into a trance. He'd sit on the bench and then pull Ana onto his lap, slipping inside of her while he rinsed her hair, sliding in and out slowly, enjoying her warmth, her softness. He wanted to make it last but he could hold out only so long until he felt joyful spasms overtake him. Then he would gasp and cling to Ana as they sat under the warm water raining down on them.

"Christian," Ana asked as he wrapped a towel around her and set her down on a stool to dry her hair. "You haven't told me what you learned today about your father and his mistress."

"I was in meetings all day. What makes you think I learned anything?"

"Well, the first thing you did was call Welsh, right? Don't act as if I just walked into your life yesterday," she teased.

"I just want to make love to you, again, and then sleep with you in my arms. I was trying to forget what my father was up to last night."

"And what was he up to last night, hmm?"

Christian sighed as he finished drying Ana's hair. He buried his nose in the top of her head and breathed in her scent. He carried her into the bedroom and laid her with care on the bed. Sometimes he was so moved by her beauty that he felt overcome. He thought of the first time he saw her. She took his breath away and he didn't understand why. Obviously, she was quite pretty but he was used to that. He was surrounded by good-looking women all the time and all his subs were very pretty brunettes but they didn't move him like Ana did. Looking at her filled him with joy, with a sense of well-being, with peace. He didn't understand but he wanted to keep feeling those things. They were more than he'd ever felt and Ana was the only way to "more".

He slipped under the covers with her and pulled her close. Usually, they would lie on their sides and look at each other as they talked but he didn't want to tell her that his father was a sneaky, cheating, lousy s.o.b face to face. 'Course, he found it wasn't so easy telling her while he was looking at the ceiling either.

Ana listened without questions or interruptions but as her husband talked, her arms around him tightened, anchoring him to his safe place, their bed. And when he finished, she took him out of the wide, weary world by asking him to make love with her until he was exhausted and could fall to sleep.

Tomorrow with all its disheartening realities would be there in the morning.

CHAPTER 8

"Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well?" Grace always started her calls to Christian the same way…probably because she'd had her own sleep disrupted so often when her little son had his nightmares.

"Of course, Mom. I always sleep well with Ana. You know that. And you, how are you today?" Christian answered…wondering if Grace had a clue about her husband's behavior.

"Oh, very well. Things were rather slow at the hospital last night so I was able to get in a nap. I'm calling to see if you're coming to brunch this Sunday. You missed last week when Madeline was having a fussy day. You were missed."

"Missed, eh? Tell me...how did Dad blame that on Ana?"

"Oh, ignore him, darling. I don't know how long it will take him to come to his senses about your wonderful wife. And he's been in a bad humor for some time now. Won't tell me what's wrong either. Just says that he's frustrated with judges and defendants and juries. I've suggested that he retire early or at least cut back on his hours but he prefers to complain."

"I guess that I didn't notice those bad moods or I just put it down to Ana's presence…like always. You say that he's been like this for some time. Do you recall when it started?"

"Hmmm…actually, a while after he returned from that conference he had to attend in San Francisco. He didn't want to go in the first place but when he got home, he said that it wasn't all that bad. Still, he's been snarly a lot ever since. Well, he's had stretches of bad mood in the past. He'll snap out of it. So, can you make it this week? Elliot is bringing his new girlfriend."

"Another skanky blonde?"

"Christian! Please don't bring that attitude with you. Maybe this one will be nice. I do so want Elliot to find what you have."

"He won't, Mom. Ana is one in a million."

"Yes," Grace agreed. Christian could hear the smile in her voice. "She certainly is that. So very special. Have I ever told you how proud I am of your good sense?"

Christian chuckled. "Yes, Mom, a few dozen times. Now go get some rest and we'll see you at brunch."

As he rang off, Christian couldn't help wondering if his father's "stretches of bad mood" in the past were for the same reason as his current ill temper.

.+.

"Mr. Grey. Welsh on line 1."

"Talk." Grey said without preamble.

"Digging deep into her life, one finds that Ms. Carter has a busy social life. Your father isn't her only 'friend'."

"These other men...married?"

"Yes. All wealthy. She does well in her job as a realtor but not well enough to afford the life she lives."

"Which is?"

"If you stilled lived in Escala, she'd be one of your neighbors. She drives a new model Mercedes every year. She vacations in a variety of European locations. And her wardrobe is most certainly not Walmart. Her bank account is quite impressive as well."

"Blackmail."

CHAPTER 9

Christian's mood grew darker the longer he stared out his window. Out there in the city, 30 stories below, Carrick Grey was litigating his little black heart out. Grey wondered how much he'd end up spending to shut up Ms. Carter. Christian had ordered Welsh to dig into his father's life for the past ten years at least. What his cheating a pattern? Christian had been so preoccupied with his own "activities" that he didn't recognize his father's changes in disposition. In fact, the first time he'd seen his father being less than charming and warm was when he'd brought home Ana. What a hypocrite, he thought. All this time he'd been treating Ana, his angel, like a grifter while he was probably paying off blackmailers.

Christian leaned forward, arms on his knees, face in his hands. He wanted to be disgusted and furious with his father because it was easier than feeling heartbroken. He had been so happy for so long because of Ana that having to feel sick at heart for his mother hurt so much. He didn't want to hate his father. True, things between them had been chilly for some time but he could still recall the good times…the times that Carrick would tousle his hair, the only touch that he could handle for so long. Since Ana, he'd learned to hug his family, to show them affection like Ana showed him.

"Mr. Grey?"

"Yes, Andrea?"

"Your father is here." Grey froze. Carrick had never before visited his son at his office. He'd seemed dismissive of the need for such opulent surroundings…even told his son that a 30-story building was ridiculous. Christian had put it down to jealousy.

He got up from his chair and went to the door to greet his father.

"Hello, Dad. This is a surprise. I've been in this building for five years. Everyone in the family has taken the tour. Is something wrong?"

"Wrong? No, I just happened to be in the area and decided to check out my son's castle. Andrea had to vouch for me to even get on this floor!"

"Taylor's security measures. Private elevator. Private floor."

"Shame being richer than Croesus makes you a target."

"Not just me, Dad. That's why I have coverts on my entire family. Kind of amazes me that none of you has ever been kidnapped….or blackmailed." Christian smirked but saw no reaction from Carrick.

"Geez, this office is larger than my entire firm."

"Your firm doesn't employ 10,000 people. Gotta put them somewhere. Would you like a drink of some kind?" Christian said, indicating the liquor assortment on one wall.

"Yeah, a bourbon would be nice. Do you have meetings in this room? I couldn't have liquor out in the open at my office. Wouldn't look good to my clients," he grimaced.

"Well," Christian said as he handed his father a tumbler of bourbon, "you have to inspire confidence in your clients. I inspire fear."

Carrick shot his son a quick look…one that Christian couldn't identify but one of which he was instinctively wary.

CHAPTER 10

"Ana! I'm home."

He heard a happy squeal as his wife careened around the corner from the kitchen and jumped into his arms. He dropped his suitcase on the floor, ignoring the way it snapped open and scattered papers all over the floor. He whirled Ana around and came to a stop at the stairs…the ones he wouldn't let her climb because they were too slippery…thus, the installation of a retro reproduction of an elevator from 100 years ago when the house was built.

He sat down on a step with Ana on his lap. They kissed and would have continued to do so for quite some time except that Mia was in residence and discretion was one of the social skills that she had never thought it necessary to acquire.

Grey sighed and leaned his forehead against Ana's as his sister greeted him…loudly. She immediately ignored Ana straddling her brother's lap and the both of them breathing hard.

"Hi, Christian! Madeline missed you," she asserted as she pushed the toddler in between her brother and his wife. Ana moved out of the way so that Christian could hold his daughter who patted her daddy's cheeks and then turned back to Mia, demanding to be picked up.

"Christian, I wanted to know what you've discovered about Daddy and his skank. It's been days and you haven't told me anything," Mia whined.

"I'm going to change out of this suit and talk with my wife for a while. Then I'll come down and we'll talk alone in the study, okay?"

Mia made a face but left the stairs and went back into the living room. Christian swooped Ana up into his arms and ran up the stair as she giggled. He dashed into their bedroom, closed the door and pinned Ana against the wall. It took him less than a minute to tear off her panties, release his cock and slip inside of Ana. As she wrapped her legs around his waist, he nuzzled her neck and breathed out a sigh of relief. As badly as he wanted to just stay inside Ana where it was soft and safe, within a minute he'd come, grunting out her name. Then he walked over to the bed and fell on it with Ana.

"We don't have much time. Mia will be yelling up the stairs any minute now. Lord, I love my baby sister but…." He stopped when Ana claimed his mouth. He was right, though.

"Christian! When are you coming down?" Mia bellowed from below.

"Jesus H. Christ," Grey groaned. "I think it's time for Mia to go home."

Ana tousled his hair and kissed him softly. "Go, talk to your sister and then come back to me."

"Coming, Mia!"

"I adore you, Ana Grey." Christian look down into her sweet blue eyes and kissed her tenderly. Then, groaning again, he zipped up his pants, tossed his jacket on a chair and rolled his sleeves up to his elbows. Ana then groaned. He looked so hot. Her eyes screamed 'hurry back'.

CHAPTER 11

"Mia, we appreciate you being here the past week to give Ana a little break but I think it's time you get back home to support Mom. I talked to her earlier today and she misses you…especially since Dad is in a bad mood. Mom doesn't know why and we certainly can't tell her."

"We're gonna keep Mom in the dark about her husband cheating on her? Are you gonna lie to her 'cause I'm sure not going to. I can't stand to look at him," Mia snarled.

"I haven't finished my investigation yet so I can't approach Dad about this until I have all the facts. I think it's only fair to wait until we know everything before we confront….."

At this, Mia loudly interrupted. "confront him? I don't want to say a word to him. You don't think that he's going to notice that I'm ignoring him?"

"Can't you just pretend that you're going through one of your periodic snits, mad at Ethan, wounded by life, something that keeps you confined to your room? He's used to those," said Christian, trying to wheedle his way out of telling his sister the truth.

"How do I pretend to Mom that nothing's wrong?"

"Same way."

"That won't work with Mom. She'll want to hug me and bring me tea and try to help me feel better and then I'll break down and bawl and it's gonna come out."

Christian knew that Mia was right. He also knew that he really needed her to leave his house. Then the lightbulb went on in his head.

"How would you like to spend some time in Aspen at my chalet? You could take anyone you want with you…even that odious Lily. Skiing, shopping, clubbing? Think that you could pretend with Mom and Dad just long enough to pack and get on the jet?"

The way her face lit up, Christian knew he'd stuck gold. Hedonism was Mia's calling. Getting her to stay in Aspen for a week or two or more would be easy.

"Okay, tomorrow after Dad's gone to his office and Mom's gone to bed after her night shift, you sneak into the house, pack what you need and I'll make sure that one of the Grey Jets is ready to take you away from this mess until we get it figured out."

Mia's screams brought Ana down the stairs with a crying Madeline. Well, he may not be getting rid of Mia tonight but the future had a bright gleam to it. Grey called Taylor and told him to make all the necessary arrangements.

"By this time tomorrow, sir, your little sister will be out of your hair. Welsh wishes to speak with you as soon as possible."

"Bad news?" Christian inquired.

"Don't you mean more bad news, sir," replied Taylor. Grey rang off and lowered his head to his desk. His life had been so perfect with Ana, Madeline, love and light. Damn his father!

.+.

He felt strong, soft hands massaging his shoulders. He closed his eyes and reveled in the touch of his wife until he needed more to hold her. He swiveled his chair around and pulled her onto his lap, capturing her mouth at the same time. When he'd given up subs, he'd discovered the thrill of simply making out with his girl. Doms rarely kissed their subs… at least he rarely did. It was too intimate and, truthfully, Christian didn't enjoy it. He actually thought that kissing was overrated. Fucking and orgasms…that was where it was at.

Then he'd kissed Ana the first time. Just the feel of her lips on his gave him a thrill like he'd never known, had never realized existed. Now he needed to kiss her at every opportunity…and not just her lips but her cheeks, her neck, her hair, her hands, all of her. They were hot at it when Mia yelled for them to come to dinner. Christian sighed and buried his face in Ana's shoulder while she tightly embraced him.

Tomorrow morning Reynolds would drive Mia back to Grey Manor and then escort her to Aspen. And Christian would take his wife back to bed and nirvana.

CHAPTER 12

Christian sighed. Welsh had asked for a meeting this morning…not a quick call…not an email…a sit-down-face-to-face discussion. Christian didn't feel that he could listen without his backup…Ana. So, now the two of sat side by side on his couch, waiting for Andrea to announce his PI. Ana held his hand. She was feeling grateful for Gail and her superior nanny skills…although Gail did not consider herself to be a nanny but rather Madeline's Aunt. Madeline had not been happy about both her parents disappearing into the early morning light but Gail was there to cuddle and love her.

"This is going to be bad, Ana. I told Welsh to lay off the updates until he had everything that he figured on getting. Yesterday he met with the Dad's coverts. They were reluctant to tell him anything because I'd always told them that they were to protect my family and their privacy, even from me. Jepson and Collins texted me yesterday for permission to betray my father. This must be very hard for them. They've been protecting him for years and had grown attached.

"Like Taylor," Ana smiled. "Gail and I could pin him against a wall and threaten his balls and he'd say nothing about you."

"The difference being that I keep nothing from you anymore. I believe 'no secrets' was in my vows," Grey smiled as he kissed Ana.

"Mr. Grey, Welsh is here," Andrea announced, wondering again if Welsh had a first name.

Welsh walked through the door and shook Grey's hand as he rose to greet him. It was a formal greeting…so business-like. Grey's hand shook a bit. He indicated that Welsh should sit and then he quickly grabbed Ana's soft little hand again.

At first Welsh tried to be professional and cool but he'd been working for Grey for a long time and he'd grown to understand him better. Noting the presence of Ana, Welsh knew that Grey was expecting a really bad report. He couldn't help but feel for the guy. He'd been through so much and now his life was running smoothly…had been running smoothly.

"You remember my wife, Ana," Grey stated. It wasn't a question. No one ever forgot Ana. She smiled kindly at Welsh.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Welsh. How are you and Diane doing these days?" Welsh had met Diane at the wedding and it was love at first sight. For the first time in his life, Welsh had found something more interesting than his work.

"She's a very patient woman, ma'am, and I'm trying to be less occupied with work because of her. Lately, she's had to be extra patient but she understands the importance of my current assignment."

"About your current assignment…." Grey began.

Welsh coughed and took a deep breath. "Sir, your father is a philanderer of the first order. He's been having women on the side throughout his relationship with your mother. From all indications he's been a devoted husband, a loving husband. However, he's also taken every opportunity to enjoy the company of other women. Judging from my surveillance on your mother, she has never suffered from his cheating. The man has managed to complete a JD and a masters and a doctoral degree in law, build a first-rate law firm, father three children and still squeeze in affairs. Somehow, he has also managed to earn the loyalty of all these women who have never revealed his relationships with them. Of course, he has usually romanced married women."

By now, Ana was not only holding her husband's hand, she had her arm around his back. He was sitting like a stone, staring at the floor.

"His luck may have run out with his latest paramour, however. She is single and she likes men with money. I wasn't able to secure proof of her blackmailing but there is circumstantial evidence. Every so often, she deposits a large sum of money in a special account that she thinks is secret," Welsh smirked. "Shortly thereafter, she buys a new car or a new residence or takes an extended vacation or buys a piece of jewelry. She and your father have been canoodling for some time and her request for payment should be coming."

Welsh sat quietly, looking at Grey. Grey didn't move or speak. Ana pressed her lips to Grey's cheek and then smiled again at Welsh.

"Thank you, Mr. Welsh. I assume that your investigation is complete. Of course, if anything else should arise, please call. Your service to my husband is and has always been most appreciated."

Welsh stood, bowed slightly and left the office.

Ana left Christian's side long enough to ask Andrea to hold all calls unless it was an emergency concerning their daughter. Andrea nodded and smiled kindly at Ana.

Ana then locked the door and returned to Christian. She gently began to undress him and then made sweet love to him. After his release, he cried into her shoulder as he held onto her for dear life.

CHAPTER 13

"I'm lost, Ana," Christian said as he held his wife that night. He'd gone over everything he'd learned about his father in the last week, trying to make some sense of it.

"No, you are not lost, my brilliant husband," Ana replied, pulling him close to her. "You are heartbroken, as am I. Tell me what you want to do."

"I want to drive over to Grey Manor and punch Carrick in the face until it is nothing but bloody mush."

"Okay. I'll notify Sawyer that I'm going to Grey Manor in 30 minutes. How does one dress for a beat down?"

Christian looked at Ana for a moment and then burst into laughter. "For a formal occasion such as this? I think the dress you wore to the last Coping Together Gala would be lovely. I recall Carrick telling me that you never looked more beautiful."

"Your dad said that about me?" Ana ask skeptically. "Are you sure it wasn't something more along the lines of how much of your money I was spending on one dress?"

"You got me. Right after he said that you looked beautiful, he remarked that it would be difficult to look anything but beautiful in something that expensive."

"Did you tell him to go fuck himself?"

"No. No, I did not say that. I told him to go get fucked…which, in hindsight, was the wrong advice since he probably did. There were a lot of pretty, married women attending and Mom was really busy running the show."

"Elliot is always bragging about his sexual prowess. Do you suppose that Carrick is a pro in the sack?"

"Ana!"

"Well, I'm only wondering why so many women want him. I suppose that there must be a lot of unsatisfied women out there. Their husbands generally ignore the wives at the gala, standing around drinking and talking business and sports. I think that they only dance with their wives because the wives see the two of us practically alone on the floor and they get jealous so they bug their men to give them some attention."

Christian considered his wife's words and slowly nodded. "You might have something there. The wives' being interested only in a bit of fun would explain why Carrick's never had a serious enough affair to be noticed. I think this Angela Carter business could be serious, however."

"You think that your dad might consider leaving Grace?" Ana asked in horror.

"If dad is stupid enough to think that he's in love with this woman because she worships him…maybe. Mom is scheduled to work during the day tomorrow. Dad usually works in his study on Saturdays."

"I thought that you wanted to alert Elliot first and confront your father together."

"Oh, yeah. Right. Brilliant, you say? I think I'm losing my mind."

"Why not call El in the morning and invite him over for breakfast? He loves my pancakes. After, you can call your father and tell him that you need to talk with him," Ana suggested.

"Will you come, too?"

"I'd just be a distraction. Your dad would say that I put you up to it. He'd try to deflect from the truth and then you'd spend the whole time defending me and trying to get your dad back on track."

"Yeah, you're right. It would for certain be all your rotten influence, my little minx. For instance, right now you're trying to redirect my anxiety by stroking my defenseless dick with your soft little hands."

"I'll stop. I really want to suck on my favorite popsicle anyway," Ana giggled as she dove under the covers and licked her way down Christian's happy trail.

CHAPTER 14

Elliot had bulldozed his way through a tall stack of Ana's pancakes and, after belching, now leaned back in his chair, sighing in contentment. Christian said that he'd just gotten in a good year of Maker's Mark if Elliot would care to have a drink in his study.

Elliot looked surprised at his brother's suggestion to drink at 10 a.m. and leave Ana to do cleanup as well. Ana just smiled and indicated by a nod of her head that Elliot should go and join his brother. Elliot didn't need any more encouragement than that. In the blink of an eye, he was on his feet and off to the study.

As Ana began gathering dishes, Luke Sawyer appeared to help. He knew what was going on and he was concerned about his charge. She was always surprising him with her strength but still she was so small, so sweet, that he couldn't help worrying about her. He saw that the past week was wearing on her. There were circles under her eyes. She pushed her food around on her plate at breakfast and dinner and didn't eat lunch at all because Grey wasn't there to nag her about it. Sawyer could also see how she deliberately brightened up when Grey walked in the door at night after dragging herself around the house all day. When she was on the floor playing with her daughter, she was mostly staring into space. Even little Madeline noticed.

"Mommy, mommy, you go now. Play, mommy," she demanded. Ana would try but soon she'd be distracted again. Sometimes, Sawyer or Gail would join in the playgroup to give Madeline the attention she wasn't getting from her mother. Ana would understand that they were trying to help and she'd turn to them with a smile and tears brimming in her eyes.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL, BRO?!"

Ana was so startled that she dropped a dish and it shattered into pieces. Sawyer took her arms and settled her in a chair.

"Don't touch. I'll get this. You might cut yourself. Why don't you try to get in a nap? I can see that you didn't sleep much last night."

Ana smiled up at Sawyer gratefully and nodded her head. Then she walked slowly to the elevator. Madeline had gotten up early and eaten breakfast at 7 a.m. before settling down for a midmorning nap. Ana figured that perhaps she could get some rest before Madeline woke for lunch.

.+.

Thirty minutes later, Christian's big brother, who'd always been so protective of his younger siblings, was the one in need of consoling. He'd finished his tumbler of whiskey and badly needed another. Christian, instead, handed him a glass of ice water.

"Bro, I need another drink," complained Elliot.

"I'm sorry, El. You need to keep control. We have to confront dad. He's going to treat us like the little boys he brought up and we have to be calm and adult."

"I won't need any more control than it takes to coldcock him," snarled Elliot.

"I know how you feel but we have to think of Mom. We need to talk to Dad and get the full picture before we decide what to do about Mom. I don't feel like Dad deserves advance notice but I want to get an idea of how he intends to approach Mom. If I feel like he's going to go right on lying to her, then we'll tell her ourselves. If I feel like he's truly contrite, I'll give him the chance to fess up on his own."

"Oh, god, Christian. Mom thinks that she has this great marriage. How many times has she told us about her and Dad falling in love at first sight? How many times has she commented that she is so lucky to have such a patient husband who never tires of hearing her hospital tales? What is it going to do to her to learn that since the moment they met, he's been lying to her? She's been talking about retiring so that she and Dad can travel together, spend a lot of time together. Now she's going to learn that he'd probably be picking up a sidepiece in every port."

Christian rubbed his eyes. He hadn't slept much last night even after Ana did her best to exhaust him. He knew that she didn't sleep much either. Madeline seemed to sense tension in the air and she kept calling for her mother. It was at times like that that Christian wished he had the ability to breastfeed. Even though she was weaned, when their baby was scared or anxious, she wanted to be close to her mother. When Ana returned to their bed, Christian pretended to be asleep so that she wouldn't worry. So, they both lay awake…unbeknownst to the other. He'd rolled over and wrapped himself around her. At least, he could comfort her.

CHAPTER 15

As they left the car and approached the front door, Elliot stopped in his tracks. Christian put his arm around Elliot's shoulder. He'd had a week to adjust to the ugly truth about their father. Elliot had a couple of hours. Elliot gathered his wits about him and nodded at his brother. Then he rang the doorbell. Carrick had been expecting them and was concerned. Christian had simply said that he and Elliot needed to talk with him. His first thought was 'what had Elliot done?'.

"Boys, it's good to see you. What a nice surprise! I've been having a lonely morning what with Grace having to work today and Mia being out of town. I'm not used to baching it." He turned and led the way into the great room, indicating that they should sit. They didn't.

"Baching it, Dad?" Elliot sneered. "From what I hear…" Christian stopped him with a squeeze on his shoulder. Carrick was confused. He'd expected to hear that Elliot had gotten some girl knocked up. He'd really hoped that Elliot would marry 'up'… unlike his younger brother. Ana brought nothing to the family except a lowly lineage and student loans that his son insisted on paying before they even got married. Oh, she was pretty enough but that was neither here nor there. Beauty was expected in a wife entering into a prominent family but Grey hadn't striven all his life to rise in society only for his first child's marriage to be to a nobody. Grey hoped that Elliot's "mistake" was of a higher quality than Christian's.

"Well, Elliot, what did you do and who is she?" Carrick asked wearily. Of course, he knew that Grace, god bless her, would love any grandchild but she didn't understand the need to rise in Seattle's ranks. She'd been born into Trevelyan nobility and never knew the feeling of being looked down on or being snubbed as he did. Marrying Grace had given him his opening even more than all his degrees. And she was easy to love. He had from the start. Finding out shortly after their first meeting that she was Seattle royalty had been such a relief. He wouldn't have to give her up to go in search of someone else. He'd somehow had the good fortune or the good instincts to zero right in on the prettiest, smartest, wealthiest and most important girl in the sorority that he'd targeted in his hunt for a proper mate. He couldn't believe his good fortune. He'd literally done nothing but walk in a room and there she was. She was so pretty, elegant and sweet that it took him all of ten minutes to remember that that wasn't enough. For a while, his heart ached. He wanted this girl. How could he let her go if she wasn't what he needed? Then someone told him who she was and he latched on and didn't let go.

Grace, for her part, was charmed by the handsome boy who beamed at her from across the room. Most boys, knowing that she was a Trevelyan, were afraid to approach her, were afraid that she'd reject them out of hand. This boy pursued her without hesitation. On their third date, he straight-forwardly told her that he was in love. He understood that that statement could be overwhelming and that she'd probably heard it from a dozen young men already but he knew how he felt and had felt from the start and he would not give up until she believed him.

She did believe him. She instinctively knew that he was telling her the truth. And it didn't take her long to feel the same way. He was her first. He was patient with her…no pressure. His kisses were loving and then passionate and then not enough. She needed more. He waited until she convinced him that she was sure and then he embraced her with such gratitude, such joy that she actually wanted him. She hadn't expected much from their first time but Cary made love to her with such tenderness and passion and made her feel things she'd only read about in romance novels. Soon, she craved him.

Somehow, they made it through college without Grace getting pregnant. Cary was quite protective of her. She never saw that he was protecting himself as well. And he also knew that a law degree would not be enough to impress her parents or her country club circle so he pushed himself to earn a master and then a doctorate. By the time that Grace had completed med school, he'd opened his own legal office. Grace's parents advanced his cause until he was doing well enough to take on one associate and then another and another. By the time, he was thirty, he had his own firm…Carrick Grey & Associates.

Grace wanted to get pregnant after she completed med school but Cary advised patience. She'd be so busy interning and then being a resident that she wouldn't have time to mother a child. She'd have to leave that to a nanny. That Grace did not want so she put off her dreams of being a mother until she was hired by Seattle General for her first job as a OB/GYN. Her being a surgeon would have been much more prestigious and financially rewarding but Cary didn't fight her on it. He wanted her to be happy. When she had miscarriage after miscarriage, his heart broke for her. He even stopped catting around for almost a year so that he could give everything he had to Grace.

When they adopted, he found that he really liked the kid and he liked being a father. For several years, he was a faithful husband…too consumed with fatherhood to need a new woman to want him. By the time that Mia was walking, however, he was getting antsy. Grace was so involved with motherhood that he felt the need for more attention. His older children were growing more independent and Mia was a mommy's girl. Carrick would come home to his study and no one seemed to notice that he was occupied all evening. If they popped their heads into his study, he'd always be on the phone so after a while they didn't seek him out anymore. Mom told them that daddy was working. When Mommy had to work the night shift at the hospital, Carrick had to see a client or two. He'd get home in time to tuck them into bed, tho'.

They thought the world of their dad.

CHAPTER 16

Right up to the moment that they didn't.

Elliot found that he could do no more than stare at his father…as if he could truly see Carrick if he looked long enough. This man he was looking at was an enigma…someone he no longer knew.

Christian decided to get right to the point.

"Dad, do you know why Mia isn't home with you?"

"Is this about Mia? I thought you were here to tell me that Elliot had gotten some girl pregnant! Well, that's a relief. Mia left a note saying that she was taking a vacation with some of her friends…skiing in the mountains or something."

"I sent her to my place in Aspen, Dad. She needs time to come to terms with her trauma."

"Trauma! What are you talking about? What happened to Mia? Is she all right? Why didn't she come to me?" Carrick was really concerned. He was suddenly pale.

"She couldn't come to you, Dad, because you are the trauma."

"What are you talking about, son? I haven't seen Mia since last Wednesday and she doesn't answer or return my calls. I've been worried sick and her mother is upset as well. I don't see why Ana should need my daughter to tend to her child."

"Mia went clubbing that last Wednesday but she came home early…just in time to see you sticking your tongue down the throat of Angela Carter."

Then Carrick really went white. Christian could see his hands shaking. He continued.

"She turned up at my place in hysterics. It took me all night to calm her. At first, I thought she must be drunk until she showed me the video on her phone. Care to explain this?" With that, Christian shoved his phone in his father's face. Carrick just stared, his brain frantically attempting to justify the presence of this woman in his arms at midnight.

"I needed the truth, dad…all of it. So, I had you investigated. I was desperate to find out that this was a one-time slip…that some woman had just turned up and you were helpless to deal with her. The truth was so much more disturbing. To find out that the man I looked up to most of my life…the father I agonized over because nothing I accomplished impressed you, even marrying an angel…that man is a womanizer." Christian practically spat out the final word.

"We know everything, daddy dearest," Elliot grimaced. "We know that you've been cheating on our beloved, angelic mother, since the moment you met her. You fuck some skank and then come home to Grace. You could have given her any number of STDs, you arsehole," Elliot snarled.

"I've always worn a condom," Carrick mumbled. At this, Elliot dove at his father, his hands around his neck while Christian struggled to pull him off their father. Carrick wasn't fighting back. Christian threw Elliot onto the couch opposite Carrick. He told him to stay put and then he went to get his father a glass of water. As Carrick gulped it down, his sons just stared at him…waiting.

"I love your mother very very much. I have since the first moment I saw her. I've always done my best to take care of her, to give her what she needs and wants." He looked at his sons to see them looking back in astonishment.

"I know that sounds ridiculous after all I've done but it is the truth. The other women have never endangered my marriage." Still, his sons stared at him…stunned by his blatant hypocrisy.

Finally, Christian spoke softly and calmly. "The other women, so I'm informed, were married…just looking for a little excitement on the side. Angela Carter is a different sort of beast, however. Her record shows that she targets men with money. If she hasn't already, she'll be coming for your bank account."

Carrick sighed. "I know. She's already hinted. I expect a direct blackmail attempt any day. She was a stupid mistake on my part."

Elliot rolled his eyes in exasperation at his father's lack of self-awareness. "Ya think, dad. Do you?

Do you think that this one was the mistake? YOUR WHOLE FUCKING LIFE IS A MISTAKE, YOU RAGING STUPID ARSHOLE!"

Christian put a firm hand on his brother's shoulder. "Elliot, try to calm down. We have to think of Mom now, okay. How do we protect her? What is best to do….for her?"

"We tell her everything and send this arsehole off to some rented room," Elliot growled.

Carrick went white again. "No. No, please. It would kill her. I'll go to a shrink. I'll quit. I'll give Angela whatever she wants and then she'll be the last. I've learned my lesson."

Now Christian rolled his eyes. "Bullshit, father dear. Oh, I agree that you need heavy duty in-patient rehab in a sex addiction clinic but I doubt you'll quit cheating on our mother. I could have your coverts report your every move to me but I don't want to spend the rest of your life receiving weekly reports on your activities.

"I'm curious, dad. When you and mom retire and begin traveling, how were you planning to continue having your affairs? Were you going to drug mom and then sneak out to meet one of the local tramps?"

"I really hadn't thought about it at all. I was just looking forward to having Grace all to myself for a change. There's always been something or someone in the way. School, work, children. Those women were just fill-ins for all the time that I didn't have with Grace. She was always pre-occupied with something besides me."

Elliot huffed. "Poor dad. Mommy didn't pay enough attention to you so you had to turn to other women for it. And here we kids thought that our father was a grown man…not an old baby."

"When Grace wanted me, needed me, I was always there for her. I was a good husband but Grace had her work, her children, her garden and I usually came dead last but I never held it against her. I never expressed anger."

"No? You just had sex with other women. Probably other women mom knew and thought of as friends. You know, she's going to want names and then she's going to realize that she didn't matter to either you or any of the women she's know all these years."

"I'm telling you. Telling Grace would do harm, not good. She'll break in half. She'll never recover. Her heart is too soft. She's happy now. If you tell her the truth, she'll never be happy again. And that will be on you, not me."

"Wow. You really are a piece of work," Elliot sneered at his father. "For forty years, you've been humiliating this wonderful woman, lying to her every single day, fucking her friends and then coming home to her with a warm embrace…and having the gall to call her soft, breakable and in need of you for her happiness. Yeah, when she learns the truth, she'll be badly hurt but that will be on you. She'll lie in bed, thinking back on the moment she met you and how wonderful she felt but then realizing that all the while that you were romancing her, you were fucking one of your professors."

"That professor," Carrick said quietly, "was my first. She taught me how to make love to a woman. I'll be eternally grateful to her. Because of her, I was able to love Grace well. I learned from the other women as well and I brought that new knowledge home to Grace."

Christian and Elliot were fixed to their seats. Every word out of their father's mouth was confounding. The way that he was thinking, rationalizing his infidelity…they couldn't get a grasp on it. They had thought that he would break down, say how sorry he was, promise to never do it again but he saw nothing wrong in breaking his vows. What, they were thinking in unison, were they going to do about him? If they made him confess to Grace, could she stand to hear all this?

" I learned from the other women as well and I brought that new knowledge home to Grace."

CHAPTER 17

Christian rubbed his face, his eyes, tore his hands through his hair. None of his habits could calm him. Ana watched him anxiously. If she could think of a good reason, she'd ask Grace to stop by and check his blood pressure and heart rate. He'd been pacing for nearly an hour, unable to talk.

"Christian? Can you try again to talk to me?" Ana pleaded with him. She'd gotten a bit of rest but she was still wan…with dark circles under her eyes. Her uber-protective husband would normally notice anything to do with her health but right now he was truly lost in his own despair.

Ana stood and walked to him. She embraced him with all her strength. He had to stop pacing and he wrapped his arms around her almost too tightly. They stood like that in their bedroom for a long time.

"I think that my father is a sociopath, Ana. It's the only way to explain his behavior, his thinking."

"Can you sit down now and tell me everything?"

For the first time, Christian looked at Ana. He was hoping to find something in her eyes that would make it all better but instead he saw how pale and tired she was. It only upset him more that he'd neglected her. He kissed her lips tenderly and pulled her down to the sofa with him.

"Forgive me. I've been selfish, thinking only of my own pain and leaving you alone."

"I'm all right, sweetheart. I've just been so worried about you. Now, what did your father say in his defense?"

Christian haltingly related his father's crazed explanation for his actions. Ana's eyes opened wider and wider.

"Oh, my lord. He is a sociopath….or rather, he has Antisocial Personality Disorder."

Christian looked at her in surprise. "I had a psychology minor at Harvard," Ana answered to his look.

"You never told me that."

"Who talks about their minors? Anyway, psychologists don't really use the terms psychopath and sociopath much anymore. They're actually similar to a degree. People with ASPD have difficulty empathizing with others. They're also highly manipulative."

"That sounds like Dad. He claims to really love Mom but he feels entitled to cheat because he isn't getting the attention he thinks that he deserves. I made him promise to make an appointment with John Flynn but I don't know if he'll do it. He has no problem with lying."

"So, did you and Elliot decide to say nothing to Grace? What about Mia?"

"She hasn't called. Maybe she'll never come back from Aspen." He paused. "Of course, then you and I will have to get a new house…maybe in Vail," he chuckled. Ana's heart lifted to hear him laugh.

"How is Elliot?"

"Bad. I think he's worse than me. He and dad have always been close while dad and I have been hot and cold, especially since I married you."

"You mean, since you first brought me home."

"I think that he saw something in you that he couldn't manipulate. He also sees something in me that he didn't recognize…utter devotion to a woman. He and Elliot may have always been closer because he saw himself in Elliot's man-whore ways. Whereas it has always bothered mom that Elliot is candid about his promiscuity, that's something with which dad has always identified. I think that Elliot has avoided commitment because he doesn't think that he can maintain it. Now he sees himself in dad. He's horrified."

"Do you think that Grace would want to know the truth?"

"Would you?" Christian looked closely at his wife's face.

"Well, I told Mia that I'd nail your balls to the wall. So, do you think you'd want to tell me the truth?" Ana said, looking quite serious.

"Never gonna be an issue, baby," Christian said, kissing Ana.

"Good to know, darling," she replied, smiling sweetly.

"Is the baby asleep?" Christian asked as he slowly slipped Ana's t-shirt over her head, delighted to find that she was braless. Ana didn't answer as she continued unbuttoning her husband's shirt. Christian quickly slipped Ana's yoga pants and her panties to the floor as she unzipped his jeans. They rolled off the couch and unto the floor where they began wrestling and laughing about who got to deliver the first orgasm. Ana grabbed hold of Christian's dick as he dove between her thighs. Neither would concede defeat.

It was a tie.

CHAPTER 18

"First, without a word, she decides to spend more time with her niece. Then, leaving just a note, she decides on an extended stay in Aspen. Well, I'm going to call and demand an explanation, Cary. I'm worried about this distance that she's put between us," Grace frowned.

"Honey, this is Mia we're talking about. Impulsive, impetuous Mia. After a few days of Madeline, she was exhausted and Christian offered his jet and Aspen as a thank you for giving Ana some rest. Besides, she felt that she owed some vacation time to Lily because she'd taken Mia to the Caribbean with her family."

"Well, that does make sense, I guess…but it's still disturbing that I haven't seen or spoken to her in so long. Ordinarily, we have a conversation at least once a day. Did she say when she's coming back?"

"She gets to shop, ski, go clubbing and live in luxury all on her brother's dime," Carrick laughed. "Maybe Christmas?"

"It has been a bit gloomy around here lately. At least, your mood seems to have improved. Are things going better at work?"

"Oh, my love, don't worry about me. I'm sorry that I've been such a grump. This past couple of years has been wearing on me. I think that I am really ready for retirement. I want to set sail for Europe with you on the QE2. Yesterday, preferably."

"Really? We haven't talked about this for a while. I'm not sure if I'm quite ready to quit my practice, Carrick, but I'll certainly think about it."

Carrick pulled his wife down to his lap and kissed her. Getting her on a boat, far from his children, would solve at least one of his problems. Perhaps when they returned from their second honeymoon, happy and sated with each other, his kids would think twice about outing him. They would never feel the same about him and that made him sad but at least he would still have his Gracie.

.+.

Elliot had taken to drinking a bit much every day after work. When the weekend arrived, he didn't go on the hunt as usual. Finding a willing woman was the last thing on his mind. It reminded him too much of his father. His father. He'd loved his dad since the first time they'd met at the social worker's office. He remembered his poor mum…so sick, so sad. His wonderful new parents had brought her home to Grey Manor to live out her last days. They'd cherished her as he did and they'd even buried her in the family plot. His new daddy had treated him like a grownup…letting Elliot pick out the plot and help design a headstone. Grace had chosen a beautiful dress for his mother who had never had nice things in all the time he'd known her. After the gravesite service, his new daddy had cradled him in his arms all the way back to his new home. It was Carrick who'd taken Elliot aside and told him that soon he'd have a little brother. He told him how important he would be to Christian and that he knew that Elliot would be the best big brother that Christian could ever have and so, that was exactly what Elliot tried hard to be…even though it certainly wasn't easy at first. Every time Elliot felt that he'd failed, it was Carrick who would tell him that he was doing the best he could and that he knew that Elliot always would.

Yes, Carrick had been a good father to him. He was proud that Elliot had secured a masters in Design and Architecture at Harvard. Carrick was furious with Christian for dropping out even though within a couple of years, Christian had made enough money to help Elliot begin his business as soon as he graduated. If Christian hadn't dropped out, he wouldn't have been able to help Elliot two years later but Carrick never gave Christian credit for that. Thinking on it, Elliot realized that Carrick had never truly approved of anything Christian did.

Elliot thought that his younger brother was a genius and the most generous man he'd ever known. He was philanthropic to a fault. He'd given most of the money needed to make Seattle General a first-class hospital. He contributed millions to victims of natural disasters in the states and abroad. He'd donated $30 million in the last year to fund a special project at Washing State University to improve soil in underdeveloped countries so people wouldn't continue to starve. Yet Carrick never seemed impressed and Elliot could see the sorrow in Christian's eyes when Mia and Grace expressed their admiration and Carrick just sat there without comment.

Yet it was Christian who was willing to give their father a chance to save his marriage. Frankly, even if Carrick turned over a new leaf and became a model of fidelity, Elliot didn't know if he could ever forgive him for making a fool of their mother. However, he trusted Christian. He would follow his lead. Between Christian and Ana, he felt the right thing would be done.

It was midnight. Normally, Elliot would be escorting a pretty blonde or redhead home to her apartment for a few hours of carefree fucking, satisfying to both, and then he'd leave a note of thanks on his pillow and duck out as quickly as possible. He rarely repeated his conquests…always dodging involvement…but tonight he felt like a eunuch. Too depressed to have a meaningless fuck…the kind his father had all the time. Tomorrow, Sunday, he would be expected to be at brunch as would Christian and Ana. However, he would be too busy with his latest project and he suspected that Ana wouldn't feel well and need Christian to stay with her.

But, oh, how he hated to disappoint his mother.

CHAPTER 19

"I'm sorry, Mom. Ana wanted to come to brunch but I forbid it. She can't keep anything down and she's impossibly tired. If she doesn't perk up tomorrow, I'm taking her to the doctor. No, she had her period. You know that her pregnancy was really tough and I was so busy with that Thailand deal that I kind of neglected her. Gail helped, sure, but Ana needed me. I'm feeling kind of guilty. I really think that she just needs a lot more recovery time. Madeline is really a handful sometimes. Yes, Mia was a wonderful help for those few days but she wore out fast," Christian chuckled.

"Elliot? Last time we spoke he was really excited about a new project, his biggest yet. He thinks that this one could tip him over into millionaire status. He even stayed home last night to work on it. Why don't you don't take a day to relax? Order in. We worry about you, too, you know. You work all week and then spend Sunday cooking for us. Please nap and read and play piano today. I'll call later to check up on you. Love you, mom."

"I'm a little worried, Christian. You lie really well. Do I have to sic a PI on you someday?" Ana teased.

Christian wrapped his arm around her shoulder and cuddled his daughter with his other arm. "I'm adopted, Ana. I don't think I've inherited my father's proclivities. Tomorrow, I'm going to check on his promise to make an appointment with John Flynn. I don't really know much about my father's parents. They were gone before I was adopted. Maybe his father was a philanderer, too. Maybe that's where he got this idea that as long as you kept your wife happy, what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her."

"It bothers me, Christian, that perhaps a lot of people in their social circle either have had an affair with Carrick or know about that. All those country club soirees where Grace is Queen Bee but everyone is snickering about her behind her back. Her being lied to and humiliated by people she considers to be her friends…it just gives me shivers."

"Yes, I agree. I don't know what to do, Ana. I thought that I might approach mom with a story about an employee who is being cheated on but thinks her marriage is happy and would she want to know if that employee was her? What do you think?"

"I don't know, sweetie. She might think that she wants to know while she thinks the problem is someone else's but…."

"I could kill my father," Christian growled. "Same here," agreed Ana.

.+.

Ana was sitting on the wicker porch swing, cuddling with and singing to Madeline when Reynolds came out to speak with her.

"Mrs. Grey, you have a visitor," he said in a strained voice. "If you decide to see her, be assured that Baxter and I are close at hand."

Ana smiled at Reynolds. "Of course, you are. I never worry about my safety when I'm home with you." Reynolds actually blushed.

"Obviously, this visitor is somewhat undesirable? Who is she?"

"A woman I've seen in pictures, Ms. Carter."

"Are you sure that it's me she wants to see?"

"At the gate, Ms. Carter specifically asked if Mrs. Grey would receive a visitor. She did not mention Mr. Grey."

"All right, Reynolds. This sounds interesting, don't you think? Do not call Mr. Grey, understand?

You may think not alerting him will get you into hot water but crossing me could be hotter," Ana

grimaced. She did not want Christian getting hysterical and pushing Taylor to drive too fast.

Reynolds nodded and returned to the security office. Ana went inside and called out to Gail to take Madeline. Gail shook her head in disapproval but Ana just smiled. Gail didn't have to be told to take Madeline upstairs and out of sight. Ana wished that she looked better. She was wearing

a sweatshirt of Christian's and a pair of skinny jeans, her hair in a ponytail. It was her usual uniform and she never gave it a thought. When he got home, Christian's eyes would light at the sight of her. He would envelope her in his arms and bury his face in her shoulder, murmuring that he could smell himself on her. He thought she was beautiful no matter what she wore.

"Mrs. Grey, your visitor is here. Ms. Carter." Ana knew that Reynolds wanted the woman to know that she was not alone. "Baxter and I will be close by if we can do anything for you and your guest." Ana nearly rolled her eyes.

"Well, this is certainly a surprise. What brings his father's mistress way out here?"

The woman's eyes suddenly blazed. Ana continued to smile pleasantly. She sat in her favorite chair while she looked her over. She did not offer a seat.

"I've come on a mission of peace so there is no need to be snide or unpleasant," Angela snarled.

Ana laughed derisively. "Sure. Okay. Why are you here, Ms. Carter? You want money, I assume."

A small smile briefly appeared on Ms. Carter's face but was quickly gone. She helped herself to a seat on the couch. Ana's eyebrows rose for a moment.

"I am not your father-in-law's mistress, Mrs. Grey. I am his victim."

Ana loudly guffawed, laughing so hard that she snorted. "Ms. Carter, My husband and I are well aware of your reputation and behavior of record for many years past. You seduce pliable men and then blackmail them. Carrick is only your latest victim. I presume that you are here at his son's home rather than Grey Manor because this time your victim has an incredibly wealthy son who will be able to pay off a great deal more than his father."

"Ms. Steele," Angela fired off, "I find it rather galling that you, of all people, should accuse someone else of using a man for his money. Don't get me wrong. While I find you despicable, I also greatly admire your success at convincing a god like Christian Grey to marry you…a dull little nobody."

At this point, Baxter walked quickly into the room, ready to toss Ms. Carter out the door but Ana raised her hand. "Baxter, as long as you are going to the kitchen, would you return with a pitcher of ice water and two glasses? Thank you."

"Ms. Carter, you forgot plain, mousy, gold digger, and devious. But let's get on with it. What do you want exactly?"

"Carrick has used and abused me emotionally. He led me to believe that I had a future with him and then he abruptly dismissed me from his life, breaking my heart. He wounded me so that I'd found it difficult to work, to support myself."

Ana found it difficult to keep a grin from her face…but to business.

"And exactly how much of our money," she said, emphasizing that she and Christian now shared everything, do you need, Ms. Carter, to mend your heart and to make up for your lost wages?"

Ms. Carter looked rather nervous which surprised Ana. Perhaps Ms. Carter was only at ease with stupid men.

"Ms. Carter, can you speak? Surely, you've given this some thought."

"Oh. Well, actually, I've never been in a position like this before and I suppose that I'd have to consult a lawyer for an idea of a fair remuneration."

"Ms. Carter, did you not hear me earlier? My husband and I are well aware of your part-time job for many years. We have names, dates and amounts. You have never dealt with an attorney because they don't deal in blackmail. Now, I'm becoming impatient. How much?"

"Exactly nothing." Ana shivered. When Christian used his commanding Dom voice, she just melted.

CHAPTER 20

He stood, tall, lean and muscled, glowering, in the doorway. Ana was drawn to him like a magnet to steel. She quickly crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his neck. He melted a little himself. He needed to kiss her and he did…in a manner that engulfed Angela in an inferno of jealousy

Ms. Carter just stared. God, he was so handsome, beyond anything she'd imagined. This was the first time she'd seen him up close. And the way that he was holding his wife….Oh, god. If he'd give her the time of day, she'd forget all about the blackmail money.

With his face buried in her shoulder, Ana whispered to him. "Let's excuse ourselves for a while. I need to get you alone."

Christian rested his forehead against hers and grinned. How he loved being wanted by this woman.

He sighed and turned to the visitor. "Well, Ms. Carter, are you going to answer my wife's question?"

By now, Ms. Carter was shaking. Christian's Dom was out in full force and she was completely unnerved. She didn't know what to say.

Then, summoning her inner bitch, she coolly suggested an amount somewhere between 8 and 10 million. She'd never taken a mark for more than ½ a million.

Christian smiled at Ana and asked for the whereabouts of his daughter. Then he kissed her sweetly on her lips and moved quickly up the stairs.

Ana returned to her seat. She stared at Ms. Carter. "That's quite an upgrade from your usual payday, isn't it, Ms. Carter?

Ana smirked. "Tell me, Ms. Carter, do you usually demand a certain amount from the men you entangle in your web or did you wait for them to make an offer?"

"Well, usually they would realize the harm they'd inflicted on me and their conscience would have them try to make amends. I didn't ask for money. They would offer. If I didn't immediately accept, they would increase the amount and this would go on until I was satisfied."

"Did any of these men refuse you, ah…..remuneration?"

"Yes, a couple did!" replied Ms. Carter, looking appalled. Ana shook her head in amazement.

"So, after you had been, shall we say, so good to them, they refused a decent goodbye gift?"

Ms. Carter was now looking at Ana as an ally…someone who understood her side of things.

"Did anyone ever call you on your blackmail, threaten you even…and what did you do then."

Ana was leaning forward, her eyes fixed on Ms. Carter's as if they were old school chums talking about their ex-boyfriends. Ms. Carter was eager to continue.

"Some did think that they could just walk away. You know men, Mrs. Grey. They always underestimate women."

Ana's head bobbed up and down in agreement.

"Convincing them to see things my way merely required copies of incriminating photos landing in their inboxes," she giggled.

"So, of course, you have photos of Carrick Grey? May I see? Are they on your phone?"

Ms. Carter eagerly swiped until she came to several photos of Carrick asleep in a hotel bed with a topless Ms. Carter taking a selfie of the two of them. Ana looked puzzled.

"But, why would he let you photograph him like this?"

"Well, he was asleep and so he didn't know, of course. Though he will if he refuses to pay me off."

"Did you have to drug him or something…..?

Ms. Carter smiled, nodded and was about to speak when she thought better of it.

Christian walked casually into the room. "Our daughter is asleep, dear. Have you finished your talk?"

Ms. Carter was gaping at him. Ana smiled at her.

"Ms. Carter, my husband and I will have to talk about your proposal. Would you leave your number so that we can contact you?" Of course, they already had all of her personal information but she didn't know that. She may have thought that she was sophisticated but she was years behind a man like Grey.

Reynolds emerged from his office and escorted the woman to her car. Christian escorted Ana to their bedroom. They were both thinking that the other was incredibly hot.

CHAPTER 21

Ana and Christian had made intense love with each other for the last hour and though worn out, they still kissed and nibbled each other. They lay on their sides facing each other, connected, with Ana's hands curled into Christian's chest and Christian's arms wrapped around his wife. For some time, they just looked into each other's eyes.

"Please don't be angry with Baxter or Reynolds," Christian spoke softly. "Neither called me. I was going over spreadsheets in my office when Taylor came in to tell me that she was driving up our lane."

"Of course. Maybe I'll have a bit of fun with the boys anyway. Just a glare or two before I explain that I know why you came home early," Ana giggled. "You and your Dom made quite the entrance. Ms. Carter nearly swooned."

"Well, you seemed to have matters well in hand anyway. I'll just take any excuse to forgo spreadsheets," Christian chuckled.

"Baxter tore into the room at one point but I redirected him into the kitchen for beverages. Had I failed to do so, I think he would have tossed Ms. Carter out the back door."

"So, what did you learn from your little tete-a-tete?"

Ana shared the substance of their conversation and revealed her belief that Carrick had been drugged to get him into Ms. Carter's bed.

"Ms. Carter may be good at seducing men but she really isn't bright or cunning. She more or less admitted that Carrick was out cold when she took the selfie. Whatever his intentions, I rather doubt that he consummated the affair. I suspect that he didn't admit as much to you because doing so would wound his male ego."

"So, Angela thinks that she's getting 8-10 million out of me to hush up my father's indiscretion, eh?"

"Oh, did your father make an appointment with Flynn?"

"I guess I ought to call John." Christian disconnected from Ana and lay back, wiping his sweaty hair off of his forehead.

"I could call, honey. Carrick, I mean. He knows that lying would be useless."

"No. It would just give him one more reason to dislike you."

"You know that I don't care, Christian. It's been almost four years. I certainly can't let his low opinion of me continue to hurt me. Truly. I'm over it."

"No. I'll call John. Maybe I'll tell him about our visitor this afternoon and he can share that with dad so I don't have to talk to him."

Christian leaned across his wife's body to pick up his cell phone. When John answered, Christian first asked about his father making an appointment. John, of course, said that client/therapist privilege forbid him releasing any information. Christian knew from John's tone that Carrick had kept his promise. Then Christian told John about Elena's and Angela's visit and monetary demands and asked that he share that with Carrick. Sure thing, said John, as he and Christian laughed at the failure of client/therapist privilege.

"Madeline will be waking soon and I'm sure that Gail is busy making dinner. We're going to have to put on clothing," Ana said.

"Nuts. I hate clothing. When I retire and we're alone, let's never wear clothes," Christian pleaded.

"By that time, I doubt seeing me naked will be quite as pleasing," Ana laughed.

"When you are a lumpy, bumpy, veining old grandmother, I'll still be chasing you around the house," Christian swore.

"Ditto, sweetheart," Ana beamed.

CHAPTER 22

Sunday brunch was a subdued affair. Mia was still in Aspen and, although she'd called home to speak with Grace, she hadn't asked to speak with her father and she hadn't even called Christian or Elliot. It was clear that she was going to dodge the whole sordid matter as long as possible.

It was so odd sitting at the table where everyone, except Grace, knew the truth. Elliot tried to make conversation with Grace about hospital life. Ana, who normally spoke very little, made a difficult attempt to contribute questions and comments but Christian and Carrick said nothing.

After dinner, Carrick invited his sons into his study for drinks while Ana helped Grace with cleanup.

"I had my first session with Dr. Flynn on Thursday. I think that it went well," Carrick allowed.

"Were you expecting applause, dad?" Elliot grumbled.

"No, son. I was just providing information. I wanted you to know that I kept my promise."

"You made promises to mom, too, and spent almost 40 years breaking them. What did Dr. Flynn have to say about that?" Christian challenged.

"It was only our first hour, Christian. I imagine that he'll get around to my motivation eventually. Mostly he asked why I was coming to him. I told him that I'd cheated on my wife and my sons demanded that I see a shrink. Knowing you, I suspect that he already knew that you suggested that I get help. I said that my behavior toward my wife was unforgiveable and that I was under no delusion that my children would ever forgive me no matter how many hours I spent in therapy. He asked me if I thought I would continue to see other women. I told him the truth."

"And what is that truth, dad?" queried Elliot.

"That I don't know. That is the unfortunate truth, son. I can't even tell you why. I can tell you that I have no intention to ever hurt your mother again but I've sworn that to myself every time I've ended one of these affairs. I'm not sure that they could even be called affairs. How long does a period of cheating have to go on to be called an affair? Is it a month, a year? Dalliance seems more accurate…though no less wrong. The longest I ever spent with one of the women was 2 weeks. Dr. Flynn thought that that was odd. He wanted to know what feelings or events brought on one of my 'mistakes'. I couldn't tell him."

"Good grief, dad," snarled Christian. "Are you trying to say that you just had black-outs of some kind and woke up in strange women's beds for all these years?"

"Now that you mention it…well, never mind. No."

"No. Go ahead. What were you going to say?" urged Elliot. Christian had told Elliot about Angela Carter's visit and her hint that she had drugged him.

"Angela Carter and I had many conversations and a few lunches together but only one sexual experience and, well, I don't remember it. I just woke up in her bed. I felt groggy and figured that it was drinking too much at lunch and not eating enough."

Christian and Elliot just looked at each other.

"Dad, I had Ms. Carter investigated."

Carrick narrowed his eyes in anger. "Do not go blaming Angela for my errors in judgement. I alone am responsible for my behavior. Of course she shouldn't have been sleeping with me and then trying to get money out of me but putting blame on her means nothing. She means nothing. Every bit of blame for hurting your mother is mine."

"Wow," said Elliot, "just wow. Such an acceptance of your abhorrent actions. Why, you almost sound like a responsible adult."

"Elliot, could I continue?" Christian requested. "You are not Ms. Carter's first conquest, dad. You are only her latest victim. The reason that you were groggy when you woke up in her bed was because you were drugged. She probably offered you a drink when you arrived at her place and you passed out before anything else happened. She's been pulling this scam on married men for many years. You may, however, be the first man she's had to hint at to get money. The others saw it coming and made offers that she sweetly accepted as their apologies for taking advantage of her delicate feelings."

Carrick stopped his glass before it reached his mouth. He was genuinely gobsmacked. How could this man be such a brilliant and successful attorney, wondered the brothers Grey?

"Dad, have you never been blackmailed in all these years of messing around on mom?" Elliot asked.

"Well, no."

"Elliot, his first conquest was a teacher. Thereafter, school girls who probably liked Mom too much to hurt her and then, married women who only wanted a bit of fun and no exposure themselves. Dad simply didn't know what he was doing. He lucked out."

"Mom sure didn't."

Christian then revealed what Ana had learned from her visit with Angela at his home. Carrick's eyes popped out and stayed that way throughout his son's tale. He explained what it would take to keep Angela"

"10 million dollars!?"

CHAPTER 23

Christian sat on the patio steps watching Ana and Madeline play "tag" in the backyard of Grey Manor. As Grace came up behind him and sat down, she wasn't surprised to see his eyes glued to Ana. He rarely took his eyes off of her even after almost four years together. She was surprised, however, to see tears rolling down his cheeks. She was, indeed, very disturbed.

"Christian," she whispered, "what is wrong? Darling, is Ana all right?"

"She's perfect, Mom. I've never been able to detect the slightest imperfection in my girl. I'm just so in love with her," he sighed as he lowered his head to rest on his arms as he leaned forward on his knees.

Grace just gaped at him. "Then, why…?" she began.

"Sometimes I'm just overwhelmed by the intensity of my feelings for her. I love her so that I just can't imagine ever doing anything to hurt her."

"Well, of course not, my darling. Why ever would you think to hurt her anyway?"

"Husbands do, Mom. All the time. They neglect. They lie. They cheat. I just don't know how they could do that," Christian said as he wiped his eyes with his sleeve. His heart was so heavy.

"Yes, some do. Lots do. But what made you think of that?" Grace put her arm around Christian's shoulder.

"Oh, I learned Friday that one of my employees, a man I thought so well of, who has been married happily for many years…has been cheating on his wife for a long time with a long string of women. Ros and I were discussing it. She wants to tell the wife. I don't want to break her heart. She's a lovely woman and hasn't a clue."

"Oh, that's a shame. He must be a decent enough man if she's happy with him. Is she happy with him?"

"Yes, to all indications, she thinks he hung the moon. He's been quite discrete. Ros thinks that she would want to know if Gwen were cheating on her. I don't know. I really don't know if I'd want to know that my whole relationship had been a lie. What do you think?"

"Oh, that is a difficult question, son. Would I want to know if my husband had mistresses? It's really hard to empathize. Carrick and I have been happy together for so many years that I can't imagine being in that situation. It's one thing if one hasn't been happy. Then the truth would answer a lot of questions and perhaps be freeing. However, if a couple has been happy, then the truth may not be welcome. Women often suspect that there has been another but they close their eyes to it. They'd rather pretend all's well and preserve their happy homes, especially if they're sure that their husbands will never leave the marriage. Some husband's, you know, treat their little flings like squash games. A bit of short-term entertainment."

Christian laughed. "Squash games, eh?" Ana said that if I cheated on her, she'd nail my balls to the wall."

Grace roared at that image. "Oh, she jests. I think her faith in you is so complete that you'd destroy her if you every betrayed her. No, I think that Ana and I have complete faith in both you and your father and we're very lucky women for it."

Christian gazed out at his wonderful wife and knew that if she ever cheated on him, he wouldn't want to know. He'd just want to keep her no matter the cost. At that moment, he decided that he and his sibling would just keep their secret to themselves.

"Cary," Grace called out, "come sit with me and Christian on the patio." There was no answer.

"I guess that he's still on his call. It's Sunday evening, for heaven's sake. You'd think that he could forget work on Sunday."

"I'll go get him, mom. You watch the show," he smiled at Ana and Madeline.

He put his ear to the door and heard his father speaking. It wasn't a work call, however. Carrick was trying to sooth the injured feelings of someone.

"Please be reasonable, Angie. I'm a happily married man with children and a grandchild. I'm not giving that up. I made no promises and my actions did not promise anything either. You've been down this road before and will probably go down it again. And I'm not asking my son for 10 million dollars. Our relationship is hanging by a thread as it is."

Christian opened the door and looked at his father who suddenly looked quite nervous.

"I can't talk any more about this right now. We'll talk later."

"Come in, Christian. Difficult client. Always needs reassurance."

"Why didn't you tell her that you're finished, that she can go to hell?"

Carrick sighed. "I'm trying, Christian. She's insistent on seeing me again. She's also insistent on receiving 10 million to keep quiet. I don't know what to do about her."

"Grace wants you out on the patio. It's a beautiful evening and she wants the man she feels so lucky to have to sit with her to watch her beloved daughter-in-law and grandchild play tag. So, I'd suggest that you make your perfect wife happy."

CHAPTER 24

Ana was once again 'IT'. Madeline always hid in the same place but Ana would wonder aloud as to where she could have gone. This time she'd "hidden" in her grampa's lap because she was tired. Ana finally threw her hands in the air and declared surrender. Madeline clapped happily and then snuggled sleepily against Carrick.

Christian could see that Ana was tired as well so he announced that it was time to go. Ana and Madeline had a Mommy and Me class in the morning and then some shopping to do since Madeline was quickly growing out of her wardrobe. Christian had a long day ahead of merging and acquiring so hugs, kisses and out the door.

Seeing his parents standing arm in arm at the door as they waved goodbye, Christian felt his flesh crawl a little. You don't deserve her, you son-of-a-bitch. You ought to pay, pay BIG!.

"No, Christian." Ana spoke firmly.

"Stop reading my mind. It's creepy," Christian replied. "He was in the study… talking to her."

"I figured as much. Honey, we have her on tape admitting to the blackmail scheme. Can we not use it to make her go away?"

"Then we would have to name the blackmail victim and she'd show the photos. Carrick would be exposed.

"No, we have to come up with something else."

"I know of some nice swamp land, sir," teased Taylor.

.+.

Christian cradled his baby daughter to his chest, softly singing a lullaby. She was too sleepy to notice that she was changed into her footie pajamas, the ones with Winnie the Pooh dancing in the rain with an umbrella. Her tiny Mary Jane shoes were placed carefully back on their shelf. Her pink checked dress put into her laundry hamper.

Christian reflected that his daughter was getting big, walking and talking. He wanted another baby to get him up in the middle of the night to change, to sit in the rocking chair with a warm bottle of mama's milk. He had to laugh at the thought of his former self who so feared child care. Now, it was his job at night and he had conversations with Ana about diaper contents.

"Did she go down okay?" Ana asked as she sat up in bed reading her book.

"No problem," Christian replied as he lay on the bed on his stomach, watching Ana.

"Good," Ana answered absently as she concentrated on her story.

Christian just lay watching her, taking in every detail of her face, her hair, the tiny furrow in between her eyes as she concentrated, her plump pink lips. She looked up from her book to see that his bright gray eyes had darkened. She was tired but she knew her body. He would touch her cheek and she would want him as badly as he wanted her. He always wanted her. A thought occurred to her.

"Christian, do you think that Carrick still wants Grace? I know that he loves her but perhaps the reason he goes after these other women is because he and Grace have lost that spark. I've even heard her muse on perhaps having separate bedrooms because Carrick's snoring keeps her from getting her rest."

"We are never having separate bedrooms," Christian shuddered. "Do I snore?"

"Not yet but I understand that the problem comes with age. Do I snore?"

"You have this lovely little soft thing you do that I find soothing."

"Maybe you should talk to Carrick about his sex life." Ana's eyes were wide and innocent. Of course, Christian was horrified.

"I am not talking to my father about his having sex with my mother! He'll no doubt be covering that topic with Dr. Flynn. Geez, Ana. Would you talk to your mother about her sex life with Bob?"

"Well, I wouldn't bring it up but yes, Mom has talked about it. If she doesn't like the way things are going, she'll tell me about it and even ask my advice. She knows that we go at it like rabbits and so she considers me something of an expert."

Christian was gaping at this wife. "How does she know that we go at it like rabbits?"

"Oh, she just assumes because we're so heavy on the PDA. She even asked me once about how you are in the sack. I blushed like a newlywed and assured her that we're fine."

"Fine? That's it…fine?

"Well, what did you want me to say? Mom, he's a god! An insatiable sex machine! If we're not doing it on the kitchen table, we're up against every wall in the house. I'm dripping wet 24 hours a day." Ana put down her book and very dramatically threw out her arms, breathing heavily as she thrashed about. Christian would have been laughing if he weren't so hot for her just then.

Ana wasn't far off. Their hunger for each other never abated. Christian needed to have his mouth on every part of her and her wild response drove him crazy. His ability to bring Ana to orgasm over and over was his second greatest pleasure. His first was to plunge himself into her, to feel her warmth and soft cushion as it tightened around his cock. He wanted to climb right inside her and stay there. If he could shrink himself down, he'd just set up camp in her vagina…maybe have a chair and a lamp and a good book.

He loved it when she climbed on top of him and rode him, resting her hands on his former no-go spot, his chest. He loved feeling her hand there and then moving through his hair. She could bring him screaming out her name.

As they lay worn out and wonderfully sated, Christian spoke of how much he loved her, how much he always needed more of her, and when could they have another baby?

Ana rose up from her place on his chest and looked at her husband. "My shot is effective for two more months and then it could take another couple of months to get it all out of my system. Shall I cancel my next appointment with Dr. Greene?

"I'd love a boy next time. Of course, a girl would be nice, too, so that Madeline could have a sister. Mia has said a thousand times that she wishes she had a sister."

"And give up having all of yours and Elliot's attention? Hmmm. What don't you come with me to my next appointment with Dr. Greene? We could discuss my getting pregnant again."

Christian kissed Ana fiercely and held her, talking about babies. He didn't recall when they fell asleep.

CHAPTER 25

"I don't want to come home, Elliot. I can't go back to living with dad," Mia whined.

"Well, how about you get an actual paying job and an apartment of your own? Look, Christian and I will help you get started. You have a degree from a culinary school in Paris, for cripes sake, and with the Grey name, any top restaurant in Seattle would hire you.

"We really need you here at home, Mia. Mom may be in the dark about Dad's activities but she still needs her daughter. She's doesn't understand why you've been gone for so long."

"All right. You're right. I have to face him sooner or later. Will you tell Christian to send the jet Saturday afternoon? I'll spend the night at your place and on Sunday we can go to brunch together. Can you run defense so I don't have to hug Dad?"

"Oh, I don't think that Dad will push it, Mia. He knows how we all feel."

"But Mom doesn't. Geez, El, I feel so crappy about this. All of us keeping this gigantic ugly secret from Mom."

"I concur but it's all we know to do right now. Dad's seeing a shrink and he knows that if he has one more fling, he's done. If the therapy works, the ball will be in his court. He'll have to decide whether or not to be straight with Mom. It'll be his secret to tell."

As Elliot rang off, he leaned back in his chair and stared out the window. He hadn't spent a night out in weeks. He seemed to have no life in him. He didn't want a woman. He didn't want to drink and dance and laugh. He was turning into the man that Christian used to be…work, work and then work some more. He was now a millionaire although it meant nothing to him. He was always so tight with his folks but now he couldn't look at his dad and he had a hard time looking his mother in the eye. How could he lie to her for the rest of her life? The more he thought about the mess his father had made of their family life, the angrier Elliot felt.

Elliot had always been such a happy-go-lucky guy. Nothing got him down…especially since he'd discovered first girls and then sex with girls. Of course, sex with girls was a lot more fun before he founded his company, Grey Design and Construction. Girls used to be attracted to him because he was good-looking. Now he didn't know if it was his looks, his personality or his bank account. The gleam in their eyes seemed to shine brighter once they knew that he owned his company. He had thought at one time that in the future, far in the future, he might want what his little brother now had but girls like Ana were one-in-a-million. If Christian had his pretty face smashed into ugly in an accident AND lost all his money, Ana wouldn't blink. Anyone else would be singing D-I-V-O-R-C-E inside of a month. No, Elliot sincerely believed, there was one Ana out there and she was oh so taken.

Sometimes, when Elliot was trying to have a conversation with his brother, he'd realize that Christian's mind was elsewhere. Oddly, Elliot wasn't insulted by Christian's inattention, he was instead envious. No woman had ever held Elliot's interest for long but for Christian, Ana was the sun, the moon and the stars and always would be. Elliot had once told Christian that he admired his capacity for love. Christian had shaken his head. It isn't me, Elliot, it's Ana. There could never be a woman unless it was Ana.

Elliot sadly wondered if it was even possible that he could feel that way about a woman. And now, look at the way he'd lived his life all these years. He'd never even had a real girlfriend. Maybe he was just his father all over again.

.+.

"Elliot! It's so good to hear from you, son."

"Yeah. Sure, Dad. I just wanted to warn you that Mia is coming home this weekend. She's very nervous about seeing you again since the last time she saw your face it was all over Angela Carters. Do her a solid and don't grab her for a hug. Keep the give and take to a minimum. She's going to be staying with me with the excuse that we're going to be doing a lot of clubbing. Then she's going to be moving into her own place."

"Oh, I understand. I guess living with me would be about her worst nightmare right now. Will she be announcing this plan at brunch?"

"Yeah, I think that's the idea."

"Okay, I'll play along and convince Gracie that it's for the best."

Elliot rang off without a goodbye. Carrick put the phone down and then just stared at it. He'd had several sessions with Flynn now and he'd told the doctor all about his Don Juan career. He'd also pointed out that throughout all the years of his extracurricular activities, his wife and children had been happy. He'd hurt no one. On the contrary, his stress-relievers had made him a better husband and father. Oh, sure. There had been times when he hadn't been available to his family and times when the women and their demands had put him in a sour mood but for the most part, his little flings had done no harm. Of course, this latest paramour was a major problem. And his promise to go straight? Could he really do that? Did he even want to? He just didn't know.

He knew that he loved Grace, always had. Losing her would kill him yet it had never occurred to him that he might. He figured that he'd lost his children and he wondered why that hadn't ended him. His baby girl didn't want to look him in the eye anymore and yet he'd been able to accept that loss. He felt a chill go down his spine, a sense of something wrong that he couldn't identify.

It wasn't his first loss. His father had left when he was seven, right after his mother had had her second miscarriage. After that, it had been just the two of them. His mother had to go to work and he became a latchkey kid. At first, he thought it was exciting to have his own key to the house, to be able to do what he wanted but soon he looked out the bus window at moms greeting their children and the children rambling on about their days and he felt sad. No one was waiting for him at the bus stop anymore and when he entered his house, no one was there. He did his homework and made a sandwich and watched television until his mother arrived home after nine o'clock. She was always tired from being on her feet all day but still she tried to take an interest in his day. By 10 p.m. she was falling asleep so they'd go to bed. They would have breakfast together but then they both had to be somewhere by 9 a.m. He always made his bed, washed the dishes and, as he grew older, he learned to cook easy dishes like pasta for his mother.

She died shortly after his high school graduation, as if she held on long enough to see him through to adulthood. He'd struggled through his first two years of college but in his third he'd met Professor O'Grady who took a strong personal interest in his work and his life. It wasn't long before they were spending two-three nights a week in her bed. His classmates may have lost their virginities years before him but they were light years behind him in learning technique. When he told her that he'd met Gracie and had fallen instantly in love, the professor was not alarmed or jealous, instead she coached him through his courtship of Grace. Being able to have sex with Professor O'Grady satisfied his need for the sex he wasn't having with the virginal young Gracie Trevelyan. He could wait….no pressure. Meanwhile, he was learning how to be a good lover.

And people could say that expertise wasn't necessary but he knew better. He wanted to make Grace happy. He wanted her to enjoy sex…not just endure it for his sake. After they married, he said goodbye to the professor. He thought that he was done with other women but they kept popping up. He found it amazing how many married women were unhappy with their husbands and found a few nights with him made them happy. They never tried for more and they never wanted their husbands to know. They'd be gone from his life and he'd be satisfied for a while…until the next woman stumbled into his life.

And they just kept on stumbling his way as the years went by.

CHAPTER 26

Mia was alone in the chalet now. The caretakers, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, had secured the house and locked it up. Mia had a key. All of her friends had left…they had jobs and plans. Her brothers wanted her to come home. They wanted her to deal with reality. Had she a choice, Mia would have simply continued her routine of taking walks and staring into the fire.

Mia wasn't completely alone. She just never considered her CPO as company. He came in handy for carrying luggage, tho'. He loaded the car and drove away from the chalet and to the airport. Most people, on viewing a private jet as their transportation would have been thrilled, but Mia was accustomed to the finest of things. Her parents had always indulged her and when her brother became a rich man, he lavished the best of everything on his little sister.

Alone, in her plush leather seat in the lounge area of Grey IV, the newest of the GEH fleet, Mia stared out the window. To what, she pondered, was she returning? She was 24. Her parents and her brothers supported her financially. She'd broken up with Ethan while hiding out in Aspen. She couldn't trust him, trust any man, anymore.

Both of her brothers had offered her a place to live so at least she wouldn't have to face her father again. Many times Christian had urged her to start her own business…with his help, of course. She supposed that she ought to take him up on his offer. Except for Lily, most of her friends had married and now had families. As much as she loved shopping, it was finally not enough to fulfill her days.

Mostly though…she was leaving home and not because she wanted to do so. She felt overwhelming sadness. Her family was falling apart. Nothing would ever be the same.

She tried to sleep but memories kept her alert. Waking in the morning to smell coffee and hear her parents talking and laughing…lying in her pink bedroom feeling safe. Running to the door, screaming "daddy!" when she heard the wheels of his car crunching the gravel in the driveway. Sitting on his lap, playing with a toy, while her father watched the evening news. Being tucked in for the night and kissed for sweet dreams.

He was endlessly patient with her as she grew up…or rather, grew older. He expected his boys to mature but all of her childish shenanigans delighted him even as her mother insisted that Mia behave.

Still, oh, she loved her mother. The mother who cuddled her as they read stories together, gave her baths and didn't complain when Mia splashed water everywhere, kissed her head and wished her a good day at school.

But now…as she ruminated on the warmth and comfort of her home, other memories intruded. The nights her daddy didn't come home 'til late…her mother concerned that he worked too hard. The many conferences he had to attend on the weekends. The times she found his study door locked because he had an important phone call.

She jumped in her seat as a particularly sharp memory overwhelmed her...coming home late from a club to find her father pacing in the living room. Worried for him, she embraced him and was startled by the fragrance wafting off of him. It was, she thought, an odd scent for a man's cologne…too sweet. She didn't recognize it as one of her mother's perfumes. Almost immediately, she dismissed the strange feeling that came over her.

That was a year ago and Mia realized that she probably knew then but she didn't want to admit to herself that something was not right. She thought now of all of the times that Carrick was in foul moods. Grace would explain that he was having a hard time with one of his cases. He seemed to have a hard time with one of his cases every couple of months.

As a young adult, she slept in and rarely heard her parents talking over coffee anymore. She did hear Grace often urge Carrick to think about retiring because she was concerned about his workload and his health.

Mia gripped the armrest of her seat as the jet began its approach to SeaTac. The flight had gone too fast. Christian had wanted to send a car but Elliot was coming to collect her and her CPO because he wanted to update her on the situation at home. She had turned off her phone most of the time that she was in Aspen in order to avoid being updated. Now she would have to listen to all the ugliness again.

How, she worried, would she get through Sunday brunch with the lothario she used to call daddy?

CHAPTER 27

Elliot sat in his car, his knee nervously bouncing up and down. When Mia had left for Aspen, she believed that her father had been with one woman. Now Elliot would have to reveal to his little sister the magnitude of their father's cheating…a marriage filled with deceit. This is why he felt it best to pick her up rather than have one of Christian's people do it. He would dump everything on her on the long drive back to his place so she could scream and cry and swear in the car. Possibly she would be calmer once they got to his condo so the neighbors wouldn't have reason to come banging on his door to complain about the noise.

He'd been over and over what he would say to her and nothing he came up with made it any easier to hear. There was only so much that he and Christian could do to protect her. Mia needed to grow up in a hurry 'cause Elliot also needed to scream and cry and swear. Christian had Ana to smooth his furrowed brow.

He watched Grey IV taxi to the hangar, took a deep breath and stepped out of the car to greet his sister. She flew into his arms and held on tight. He took hold of her shoulders and pushed her back from his chest. He smiled at her and kissed her forehead.

"Your CPO will drive, Mia. Come sit in the back seat with me. I have a lot to tell you and none of it good. You have to try to be strong, sis. Mom needs you and I don't have an Ana to lean on so please try to hold it together."

The alarm on his sister's face didn't give him much hope that Mia would heed his plea. Nonetheless, he launched into all he and Christian had learned. Mia's face went from white to red during the trip.

"I'm going to kill him, El. I'm going to come up with a plan to get rid of him so that Mom never has to know what he's done. She'll mourn the loss of her wonderful, faithful, loving husband and that is the only pain she'll know."

"Mia, Chris and I have gone over and over how to handle this. We're hopeful that this therapist can get to the root of Dad's problem. He's given us his word that he'll behave. Dealing with Angela Carter is our biggest issue right now."

"I don't give a goddamn if Dad reforms, El. He can give his kidneys to dying babies but he'll never be able to do anything to deserve forgiveness from any of us…especially Mom. I just want him gone."

"Mia, that isn't our call. He's always made Mom happy and she loves him. I don't know if Dad will confess. If he does and Mom wants to forgive him, that's her choice. If he doesn't and he gives up his sidepieces, Mom will never find out and she'll go on having faith that hers is a great marriage."

"And what do we do for the next few decades…waiting for the s.o.b. to die…just grit our teeth? I won't be able to fake it, El. Mom is going to see that something is wrong…with all of us. Chrissy can always claim that he's fed up with Dad's attitude toward Ana but what is Daddy's little girl supposed to give as a reason? And you've always been so close with Dad. What excuse are you going to find for creating distance?"

Elliot had expected that his little sister would be weepy and fragile. Her fury was a surprise…and she was correct about him as well. There was no way that he could disguise his disgust with the man he had been proud to call "Dad" for 24 years.

No, it wouldn't be long before Grace had Carrick up against a wall in his study…demanding the reason for the children's refusal to come by for Sunday brunch.

CHAPTER 28

Ana lay with her head on Christian's chest and her right leg curled around his left. Her breathing was even and deep. Christian needed to use the loo but he felt too warm, too relaxed to make the attempt. Almost four years of marriage and he still needed to cling to Ana. Sometimes he'd wake in the morning to find that Ana's body was close to the edge while he was in the middle of the bed. It was a giant bed…too much really for just two people. Then he'd wrap an arm around Ana's belly and ease her back to the middle. Tonight he had to use the loo and reluctantly retrieved his arm and moved his leg out from under Ana's.

"Chrissan," Ana murmured. He stopped. She was still asleep as he made his way to the en suite. While washing his eyes, he looked at himself in the mirror…eyes red-rimmed, skin pale. His daughter noticed his face when they played legos and had remarked that daddy needed a nap. Yes, daddy did feel the need for a nap but Ana was in the kitchen and he was the only playmate available.

He thought back to his childhood…fishing trips with his dad…checkers…choosing birthday and Christmas gifts for mom…bedtime stories while snuggled up against his daddy. Even though he wasn't as close to Carrick as Elliot, he cherished the good memories. Their relationship had been strained for many years now…not only because of Ana but also because his father had let him down when he wanted to skip college and start his business. Even now, having built a global company and achieved multi-billionaire status by his thirties, Carrick refused to credit his son's arduous work ethic.

Ana had suggested that Carrick had labored quite hard and long to achieve less than his son. Jealousy and embarrassment probably played a large part in Carrick's failure to acknowledge Christian's accomplishments. Perhaps, also, Carrick could not fail to see that his son had a genius IQ and realize that this gift was not from the Grey gene pool since he was adopted. Carrick was a proud man…too proud. Maybe, Christian pondered, that was one of Carrick's reasons for needing the ego stroking of so many women.

For a long time, Carrick seemed to take some perverse comfort in Christian's lack of a social life. He'd express his concern but Christian never felt that it was sincere. Ironically, in his defense, he'd pointed out to his father that he met Grace as a junior at Harvard and so his "social" life was meager as well. Then Carrick would smile…a smile that Christian now saw as more a smirk because Carrick had a secret that finally made him feel superior to his son.

When Christian had come out to his family as a former Dominant with a quite exotic sex life prior to Ana, he now realized that the look of shock on his father's face was not because of BDSM but because his son had again bested him…this time at sex. This was probably the greatest blow of all to Carrick's fragile ego and…Christian now understood…a contributing factor to his dislike of Ana.

His naïve, virginal son was anything but…and to pop the cherry on top, Christian now had a better marriage than Carrick…although at the time no one else knew it.

Christian thought back on all the times he'd caught his father staring at him as Christian gazed with love at Ana. There was something disturbing about the look in Carrick's eyes that Christian could not explain. Now he understood better. It was a combination of envy, anger and, oddly, loss.

Christian had unwittingly beaten his father at every game Carrick had quietly been playing with him all his life.

CHAPTER 29

"You're coming, right?" Elliot demanded of his little brother. "I'm not going to brunch without you and Ana, especially with Mia. Geez, Chris, I don't know if I can keep her in hand without you there. She's like a bubbling caldron."

"Great image, bro. Surprising, too."

Mia's hands were shaking. He had to force her to stop drinking coffee. He tried to interest her in an outfit but she didn't care what she was going to wear! The world was truly coming to an end when Mia Grey wasn't agonizing over her apparel. She'd gone shopping in Aspen with Lily, of course, but as soon as her friends flew on home, Mia didn't change out of her pajamas for days.

"Mia, one of the first things Mom's going to ask about is what you bought while in Aspen. She thinks that that is what you care about. You should wear one of those new things and prepare for a conversation about partying."

"Don't care, El."

"Well," Elliot blew out a breath in exasperation, "you're gonna have to care, Mia. For Mom. She's been worried sick about the way that you just disappeared for weeks and haven't called for long, shallow conversations with her. You had better put on your Mia persona for her sake. Right now, lil sis, how you feel doesn't matter. Everything is about MOM! Chris and Ana and I have been earning Oscars in that house while you've been thinking about your tender feelings. Today you start contributing…understand? Mia?"

Mia burst into tears and crumbled to the floor. Elliot let her get it out. In just two hours, she would have to join the Grey Company Players on the Grey Manor stage. The show must go on.

CHAPTER 30

Grace was fluttering nervously about in the kitchen. She and Margaret had prepared a feast for Mia's homecoming. Everything to be done was done. Now there was just the wait for the kids to arrive. Cary had been holed up in his study…working again. Grace found herself mildly irritated with him. This was Sunday brunch. Could he not stop for one day and concentrate on family? He'd been in a strange mood for weeks and she was sick of it. With Mia gone and incommunicado, Grace felt like she was living alone in the house. It didn't help that Margaret had been on vacation for the past couple of weeks.

Grace had taken on extra shifts at the hospital which hadn't so much distracted her as worn her out…making her less able to handle the strange tension she felt around her.

Thank god for Ana. She called every day to share stories about Madeline and to ask Grace's advice about new developments. She made Grace laugh along with her as she described her daughter's latest goofy behavior and new words and Christian's befuddlement at how to handle Madeline.

"Having subs all those years did not prepare him for disobedience!" Ana would laugh. Grace thought Ana was a wonder. She didn't know that after Ana rang off, she was exhausted from her efforts to brighten Grace's graying world.

Now today, Grace was so looking forward to Mia and her silliness and the fashion parade she expected they would all have to endure after dinner.

Where were they? The table was set, food cooked. The roast, Mia's favorite, was going to dry out. Grace went to the front window, looking out just in time to see the Mercedes Ute and Elliot's giant F250 pulling into the drive. Carrick hated that truck…said that it was too heavy for the asphalt…yet he kept refusing Elliot's offer to put down concrete. Cary had some strange notion that concrete driveways were only for the middle class living in the suburbs. Sometimes, Grace thought, Cary had some very snobbish notions of which she did not approve.

One of those snobbish notions was just getting out of the Ute…his low-class daughter-in-law. She was holding Christian's hand while Madeline rode in his other arm. Grace's heart lifted. It fairly sang when she saw Mia climbing down from the F250. Her family was here!

"Cary, Cary! The children have arrived!" She rushed to the door, flinging it open and trying to wrap her arms around everyone all at once. Madeline began babbling but the only word that Grace heard was "gamma"…the only word that mattered. Mia buried her face in Grace's shoulder. She was crying which alarmed Grace until Elliot explained that Mia was just so happy to be home. She really missed her mother.

Cary didn't emerge from the study until all the greeting was over. He had a big smile on his face as he wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulder and boomed hello to all the children who did their best to smile back…even Mia.

Soon, all her family was seated at the table…little Madeline in her highchair next to mama. Grace looked out over everyone as they clasped hands for the prayer. She held Cary's hand in hers as he held Madeline's in his other. Then he began slicing the roast while bowls of side dishes were passed around. Elliot teased his sister than he'd been eating all of her slices of pie in her absence and that he felt that this had created a tradition that ought to continue. Ana started a steady stream of chatter that somehow included everyone at the table. She even teased Carrick about working on a Sunday. He cast her a grateful grin.

Christian demanded that Mia deliver a blow-by-blow description of her partying in Aspen…kidding her that he'd better not have to make too many repairs to his chalet. Carrick asked Elliot all about his latest and greatest project…showing his pleasure that his eldest son was now a millionaire. Ana squeezed Christian's hand under the table. He whispered that he adored her.

And, thus, they all managed to get through the meal together…filling the room with laughter and talk.

Grace sat quietly listening through most of it…a small smile on her face as she enjoyed her children's company.

But Grace Grey, matriarch of the Trevelyan-Greys, was nobody's fool.

CHAPTER 31

"How do you think it went today?" Christian asked his wife as they lay tightly together in their bed. They had spent the evening cuddled with Madeline, reading stories and then watching her as she slept in their arms. After putting her to bed, they had gone about their bedtime routine without talking. As soon as they climbed into bed, they reached for each other.

Christian wrapped his arms around Ana, kissing her hair. "Ana?"

"Another Oscar," she said softly. Then she was quiet. "Tired?" he asked. "Hmm…" she answered.

There was silence for a while. "We don't have to make love," he offered. Ana did not reply.

"She knows."

"Who knows? Who knows what, Ana?" Christian asked, feeling a rising anxiety.

"Grace. She knows that something was amiss today. No matter another great performance from the Grey Company Players. I watched her face as Mia went through her fashion routine. And when Mia announced that she'd done a lot of thinking while she was away and had decided that it was time to leave home."

"Damn. Elliot and I were afraid that Mia couldn't pull it off." Ana reached up to smooth the frown lines on her husband's face.

"No. Mia was brilliant. She said all the right words the right way. Her tears as she told Grace that leaving home was so hard but that she'd finally understood, watching all her married friends being so adult, that it was long past time for her to make her way in the world…perfection."

"Then why do you think that Mom is suspicious?"

"It wasn't Mia, Christian. It was all of us. Grace had such an expression of contentment on her face during dinner but it faded as the day went on. Even as we cleared away the dishes, I could see that she knew. She was trying to puzzle it out…looking at each of us…one after the other. She knows that we're hiding something from her and…" Ana hesitated.

Christian shifted to look directly at Ana. He didn't ask. He waited for Ana to be ready to tell him.

Tear brimmed in her beautiful blue eyes. She caressed his cheek. "She knows that it has something to do with Carrick. We all tried so hard to include him and look at him but it was all for naught. She knows that there is something wrong between her husband and her children."

Christian gently pressed his lips to Ana's eyes to catch the tears before they fell. He crushed her to him to keep her, to keep them both from falling off the cliff inches in front of them. He would not let his beloved wife suffer. He felt helpless but determined to protect her from all the bad surrounding them.

They fell asleep with a huge yellow moon just outside the window…watching over them.

Several miles away, Grace listened to her husband snore as she stared at the ceiling.

CHAPTER 32

Ana smiled as her daughter put her legos together in strange configurations. When Madeline felt that she'd completed a piece, she'd alert her mother who would then ask her what she called it. This was fun for Ana as she watched Madeline ponder the identity of this jumble of legos. Then she would light up and loudly name the mess. Many times it was Gail or Tay. Sometimes it was the river wandering by their backyard. Ana would pronounce it lovely and Madeline would move on to another toy.

Ana was just pleased that Madeline had become good at playing alone. Being ordered constantly to "go now!" was tiring and Ana didn't have a lot of energy lately. She'd cut back on her hours at Grey Publishing…delegating many of her duties and training assistants to take on new responsibilities. Better pay and titles made her employees happy and was slowly moving Ana into a true CEO position. She'd been doing too much of everything and neither she nor Christian was happy about that. If they wanted to start for a second child, Ana needed to be healthy and lacking in stress.

Dr. Greene had counseled them that Ana was slightly anemic and a bit run down. Her Depo shot was due to run out in another month but Dr. Greene asked that they use condoms for a couple of months while Ana got back into shape. Her first pregnancy had been hard and Dr. Greene wanted Ana to be in top shape if the second one was equally difficult.

Christian hated condoms but he was willing to do anything to protect Ana. It killed him that he wasn't able to shield her from ongoing family drama. She was worried about Grace.

"I can't help feeling that we're gaslighting your mother, Christian," Ana fretted.

"We're trying to protect her, Ana," he countered.

"Perhaps if she was completely in the dark, that would work…but she knows something is off with her children and her husband. That puts her in the position of wondering if she's imagining problems where none exist.

"And everyone she loves is lying to her."

Christian and his siblings were confabing all the time it seemed…going over and over the same ground. Ana's "gaslighting" remark haunted them. More and more, closer and closer, they were coming to the same conclusion.

Grace had to be told the truth. Carrick argued that it would destroy her but going on this way was already doing that.

Grace was losing weight and sleeping badly. She was quiet during brunch…quiet and watchful. Aside from asking once if everything was okay, she didn't question any of the children. Carrick insisted that she seemed fine to him but he was as good at lying to himself as he was at lying to his family.

Angela Carter, despite her "requests" for money, was being largely ignored. Taylor and a couple of his minions had visited her…sitting her down for a little chat about the danger she was in going up against Christian Grey. Perhaps, he suggested kindly, she did not know what kind of man Grey could be if crossed.

"What do you mean? Am I being threatened?" she responded with indignation.

"Not physically, of course. Mr. Grey isn't a mafia don," Taylor chuckled. "However, Mr. Grey has the means to legally contain threats against his family and, " he lowered his voice, " to retaliate…legally. You have your own real estate agency, I understand? Our research has also revealed your…hmm…other sources of income that are questionable. You know, many people feel that their offshore accounts are safe but, truthfully, only someone with Mr. Grey's superior level of resources is capable of protecting his money.

"We have you on video demanding millions of dollars in blackmail and admitting that you drugged Carrick Grey to obtain that picture of him in bed with you. Not to worry. The video is safe with us. No one will see it unless necessary."

By now, Ms. Carter was quite pale. She was beginning to understand that she had underestimated her quarry.

"Perhaps I was overzealous in my quest for justice," she said in a quavering voice. "I think that I ought to forgive and forget. Carrick hurt me terribly but he has a family and I don't want to hurt them. It will take me some time to recover but I'm willing to move on."

"It is our understanding that you have, indeed, moved on…several times in the weeks since your acquaintance with Mr. Grey began. One wonders when you have the time to conduct legitimate business, Ms. Carter. However, with your assurance that you forget you ever knew Mr. Grey, Christian Grey might be persuaded to stand down.

"Your phone, please." Angela reluctantly handed over her phone and watched as Taylor erased the photos of Carrick. "Printed copies, please." Angela huffed as she retrieved a manila envelope from her desk and gave it to Taylor who examined the contents. Then he asked Ryan and Baxter to leave the room.

He began in a soft voice to list all of Ms. Carter's assets…from her Cayman accounts to her properties to her personal belongings right down to the exact amounts of money in her savings and checking accounts. He knew everything about her. He detailed her family and friend relationships, her latest conquests, her personal habits (Raisin Bran for breakfast followed by an hour on the treadmill)…everything.

He didn't explain or say anything more. It was surely implied. Angela was no longer pale. She was gray. Taylor stood up and, bowing slightly, took his leave. Angela spent an hour searching her home for cameras and bugs but, of course, they had all been removed before Taylor's visit.

After, she took herself to bed and didn't emerge for days.

CHAPTER 33

Carrick insisted that his sessions with John Flynn were going quite well. He did not go into details. After much discussion, the siblings decided that they needed a session with Flynn…with their father present. It was time to decide if Grace needed to hear the truth.

Mia described the changes she saw in her mother since she returned from Aspen.

"I don't think that she is well, Dr. Flynn. Aside from physical decline, she is emotionally subdued. She's always been very physically affectionate with me but she's been withdrawing."

"Have you spoken with her about this?" John asked.

"No. I'm afraid that if I call attention to it, I'll open up a whole can of worms."

"Have any of you brought up to your mother your concerns about her?"

Lowered heads all round…except for Carrick who seemed oblivious. "I don't understand. Gracie is fine. Yes, she's tired but she's been working a lot. I've encouraged her to cut back on her hours and her only reply is that I should cut back on mine…except that I have already done so. And when I'm home, I don't spend time in my study much anymore.

"I encourage Grace to take walks with me, to go out on Christian's boat. I've suggested that we take a vacation…go to our ranch in Montana for a couple of weeks, just the two of us."

"And how does she respond to all this effort?"

"She doesn't…really. She smiles, says nothing and goes back to her book or leaves to nap. I'm at a loss."

"It sounds like Grace is withdrawing from you, Carrick. Can you see that?" John inquired. Carrick looked blank. His children stared at him in dismay.

"Dad, can't you see that mom is suffering? She knows something is very wrong and that everyone in her family is keeping some truth from her. We can't go on like this. We've discussed this for hours and come to the conclusion that mom has to be told the truth."

"NO!" Carrick cried. "The truth will destroy her, destroy us! NO! Please!"

John quickly summoned his secretary, asking for a carafe of cold water and several glasses. Everyone needed a time-out. Carrick shook as he held his glass. "I'll not allow my children to destroy my life," he grumbled.

Elliot jumped to his feet but then took a deep breath. "Dad. Have you learned nothing? You have destroyed your life. You've been doing so since Harvard. Tell us, what have you discovered about yourself and your actions after all these sessions with Dr. Flynn?"

Elliot sat back down and all the siblings leaned forward, anticipating great revelations from their father…answers that they, too, needed.

There were none forthcoming. Silence, as Carrick looked befuddled. Dr. Flynn cleared his throat.

"Your father was abandoned by his father while quite young. He had no siblings. His mother worked two jobs to keep a roof over their heads and was unable to give her son much attention. Her health suffered as well and she died when he was 18. He had no relatives who were close or cared. His friendships were superficial until he met Professor O'Grady and then your mother.

"I've diagnosed Carrick with Antisocial Personality Disorder…ASPD. Once I would have called him a sociopath…someone who is unable to empathize, to feel emotions or to sense them in others. They operate without a conscience. There are, of course, degrees of ASPD…ranging from relatively mild cases like Carrick's to severe cases like serial killers."

"How did Dad get to be like this, doctor?" Mia asked.

"First, through no fault of his own. If he'd been diagnosed while young, he could have been taught how to cope with it but there is no cure as yet. The cause, as much as we know at this point anyway, is partially a matter of genes mixed in with youthful trauma. Undoubtedly, Carrick's father was also a sociopath."

The children turned to look at their father. Suddenly, their anger left them. Carrick was suffering and didn't even know it. He might never know it. All he'd been doing his whole life was coping in a world that he didn't really understand.

Carrick was red-faced with anger. "Stop looking at me like I'm some kind of lab rat. John makes it sound like I have no feelings. Of course, I do. I love Grace…have from the moment I first saw her. I love you kids and you have always given me great joy."

The siblings turned to Dr. Flynn. "This subject is complex. There is no one size fits all. Some sociopaths are high functioning. I believe that your father is at this level. He's lucky. While he experienced trauma in childhood, he did have a good mother who managed to offset some of that trauma. Her loss at a young age exacerbated his condition. He does love but those with ASPD do not love as we do. They love what they can get by being with a person. In Carrick's case, Grace gave him respectability, cache. He wanted a superior place in the world and with Grace's background, he could achieve that. Having a family again aided his objective."

Carrick was looking furious again. Now, however, his children were beginning to understand that his fury was over being discovered, found out.

Mia was weeping. Her brothers put their arms around her. Carrick seemed confused. This was not an outcome he desired and he was at a loss for how to manipulate her into a better mood. He was experiencing a lack of control and he didn't like it one bit. He jumped up from his chair and ran from the room.

"It's all right. When someone with ASPD loses control, they tend to remove themselves from the situation. I assure that he is not disturbed by Mia's tears. He does not understand them."

"John, we all do feel that our mother needs to be told the truth about what Dad is and what he's been doing. How do you advise that we go about this?" Christian asked.

"Well, I wouldn't have your father in the vicinity or aware of this meeting. He will do anything he can to influence the outcome. Lying and manipulation are his bread and butter. Perhaps at one of your homes and during a time when your father is preoccupied elsewhere…like in court.

"Your mother may be in rough shape after finding out the extent of Carrick's condition and actions. To be told that one's husband of decades is a sociopath who has been involved with an untold number of women can be overwhelming. If you like, I can be present."

"Yes, of course. Our heads are buzzing. A level head to explain things would be welcome. I know that Wednesdays are Dad's usual court days. I'll convince Mom to take the day off and come over to our house where my brother and sister and wife will be to help Mom."

"Thank god we're adopted," Elliot gasped.

CHAPTER 34

"Ana, you have a visitor," Ryan informed his boss. He was frowning.

"Someone I don't want to see, I presume," Ana teased. Ryan nodded and reached out his arms for Madeline.

"Mad, come to Uncle Ryan, sweetheart. Let's see what Auntie Gail has going on in the kitchen." He turned to Ana. "I told your visitor to stay out on the porch and warned her that we have eyes on her."

Well, now Ana was intrigued. She knew Angela Carter was out of the picture and she knew of only one other person who could get Ryan's back up like that but surely…

Elena Lincoln had made herself comfortable on a wicker chair. She jumped to her feet when Ana stepped out.

Ana stopped in her tracks, grateful to Ryan for removing her daughter from any sight of this pedophile. As one of the conditions of her return to Christian's arms, he had vowed to cease any and all contact with Elena Lincoln. On one occasion, he'd done a complete about-face when he and Ana had arrived for brunch to find Mrs. Lincoln in attendance. He said not a word to his parents or siblings…just taken Ana's arm and whirled around, returning to the Mercedes and racing away. Later, he made the only kind of excuse he could to explain this behavior…a lame one.

Taylor had made a call on Mrs. Lincoln warning her away from future visits to Grey Manor on Sundays. When she'd asked what she was supposed to say to Grace when invited, he snarled that someone like her ought to be able to come up with a good lie but whatever she said, she was never to be anywhere near Christian Grey or his little family.

Yet…here she was…on Ana's front porch.

"I tried to reach Christian but I'm not even allowed in the building downtown," Elena whined. "I told the gate that if I wasn't allowed in, I'd cause a ruckus. Please hear me out. It's about Grace."

"Grace has family who love her and take care of her, Mrs. Lincoln. She doesn't need the likes of you who uses her for social gain," Ana grimaced.

"She talks to me in a way she won't with her 'loving' family. She doesn't like to complain or worry any of you. She is candid with me." Elena took a deep breath. She felt intensely uncomfortable in this place. She felt that she was in danger and she wasn't wrong. Christian would break his promise to Ana only to break Elena's neck. He had undoubtedly already been informed of her presence at his home. She had to talk fast.

"I was horrified by Grace's appearance at lunch today. She looks terribly ill. She told me that her entire family is keeping a heinous secret from her…something about Carrick, she thinks. She hasn't slept more than an hour a night in weeks. She is drawn and gray and unsteady on her feet. Her CPO had to practically carry her into the café. I wanted to take her straight to the hospital but she refused. You must do something immediately, Ana.

"I know you think I don't truly care for Grace but I do. She has been my only friend for 30 years. I'll do anything you ask but please take care of her. Tell her the words that will make her hate me if you must but just help her…please!"

Elena turned abruptly and fled to her car. She passed Christian's Ute on the road. Ana was still standing, stunned on the front porch, when Christian pulled her into his arms. He was shaking with worry and rage.

"I'll kill her this time. I will," he swore.

"No. No. Christian, she took a real chance coming here and it was all about Grace. She said that Grace has been somehow concealing her true self from all of us. Call Jackson. Ask him how she is today. Do it. Do it now."

Christian was alarmed. He called Taylor in. "Get ahold of my mother's CPO. I need to speak with Jackson.

"Ana, come here. Sit down. You're white. Where is Madeline?"

"With Ryan. He took her when Elena showed up. She said that she tried to reach you first but wasn't allowed in the building."

"No, of course she isn't. The guards would recognize her on sight. I made a promise to you four years ago and I've never broken it."

"I know, dear. When did you last see your mother?"

"Well, we missed brunch because of Madeline's cold so about ten days, I'd guess. What did Elena say?" Taylor interrupted, handing Grey a phone. "Jackson, I know that I asked you to always respect my mother's privacy but this is a special occasion. I'm putting you on speaker. Go ahead."

"Thank god, sir. I've wanted to say something but your mother forbade me. Sir, she is in need of medical care asap. Today she could barely walk. I begged her to go to the hospital. Her friend begged her but she was adamant that she is fine. I took her home after lunch…which she didn't eat…and helped her straight to bed. Mr. Grey isn't home. I've been standing outside her bedroom door and periodically looking in on her. She smiles and says that she is fine but she is not sleeping, sir."

"Jackson, call an ambulance. We'll meet you at Seattle General."

CHAPTER 35

"Severely dehydrated. Rapid weight loss resulting in malnourishment. High blood pressure. A perfect cocktail for a heart attack. We're treating your mother for all this right now. I anticipate at least three days inpatient…perhaps more. We'll have to see how she responds to treatment.

"Dr. Trevelyan fainted while doing rounds last week and was sent home. She hasn't returned since. Dr. Morgan called her home to check on her and her husband said that she was in need of rest so we took her off shift rotation. We haven't heard anything from her since. It turns out many people working with her have been concerned for several weeks. She just hasn't been herself."

Ana wrapped her arms around her husband. Mia and Elliot looked stricken. Jackson was trying hard to appear cool and professional.

"Mom was in good shape until we decided to fix things," Elliot muttered. "How ironic is that?"

"Yes, we've certainly made a mess," Mia agreed. "How do we proceed? Ana?"

"Well, she's in no shape right now to be told the truth…but just as soon as her doctor gives the go-ahead, we have to say something to turn this around. Quiet. Carrick just flew in the door."

Carrick hurried up to the little group standing outside Grace's door. Since learning of his true nature, they didn't know what to believe of him. Was he truly worried? He looked distressed. Was he?...or was he merely parroting their expressions?

"I got a call. What's wrong with Grace? Can I see her?" It all rushed out of him and sounded so sincere. Was it? Ana tightened her grip on Christian.

"Let's sit down over here, dad." Christian led everyone to a small sitting area. "Dad, Mom is quite ill…brought on by her anxiety over our relationship with you. She has long suspected that something is wrong. While we intended to safeguard her from heartache, she intuited trouble and has been getting sick because we've all been lying to her.

"We brought her here because she's on the verge of collapse. The doctor says that it will be several days before she is stronger."

"Well, we certainly can't tell her the truth now. It could kill her," Carrick argued fiercely.

"Dad, try to understand. Mom knows that something is wrong…very, very wrong. Continuing to keep the truth from her will only make her sicker. I know this is hard for you to understand but emotions, like the ones she has been dealing with, can make a normal person ill."

Carrick looked insulted. "I'm a normal person. What are you talking about?"

Ana touched Carrick's arm. "Carrick, do you remember when Madeline had the flu last year? She was vomiting and her diapers were nothing but diarrhea. Do you recall how the rest of us were unable to eat or sleep because we were scared to death? You were our rock then. You said that kids get sick all the time and we shouldn't worry. Do you remember how you felt then?"

Carrick mused for a moment and then nodded. "Yeah. I thought that you were all over-reacting and I was right, wasn't I? Madeline came through it just fine."

"We were all scared. You weren't. You didn't feel anything, did you?"

Carrick became flustered. "She's my grandchild. Of course, I wanted her to be well. I just figured that she would be, that's all." He looked confused. This feelings business was just out of his bailiwick.

"Of course…but you didn't feel much, did you? You weren't overly concerned, were you?" Ana pushed. "You see, for the rest of us, our fear, our emotions were overtaking us but you were calm because you didn't feel fear, did you?"

Carrick looked at the floor. She was right. He hadn't felt fear. In truth, he didn't feel real fear at this moment either. He wanted Gracie to be well, to be home with him but he didn't fear that she wouldn't be. He simply needed her to be as she always was. She was so easy to be with, always had been…and now she wasn't easy. It was irritating.

CHAPTER 36

Navigating an emotional landscape with a sociopath was certainly new territory for the Grey clan. The siblings found themselves checking with each other constantly to see if one of them understood their father at any given moment.

Carrick sat at Grace's bedside hour after hour, eating only when prompted. He seemed to be focused on her. When she would wake for a bit, he'd talk to her in whispers…making her laugh. He told her that he loved her very, very much. He kissed her lips, her forehead, her hands. He held one of them at all times.

When the doctor came in, he would look on with a worried expression on his face and ask questions. If the answers were encouraging, he would look relieved. If the answers were not good, his shoulders would sag.

Ana had gone home to Madeline. Christian, Mia and Elliot stayed…taking turns to go home for a nap and a shower but mostly the three were always in the room.

Christian had called Dr. Flynn and filled him in on recent events. He asked for Flynn to come to the hospital and for a fee, of course, to sit for a time and observe Carrick. He and his siblings were desperate to understand their father.

Watching Carrick, Flynn sat on the other side of the primo suite that Christian had insisted upon…talking with the siblings in hushed tones. Carrick didn't seem interested in anything but Grace.

"Is this real?" they asked anxiously.

"Your father does love your mother…not in a way that you and I understand and experience love but he does love her. She is necessary to him. Without her, his existence is chaotic, meaningless."

"That doesn't seem so different from my feelings for Ana," Christian remarked.

"Your devotion to Ana is selfless. Your love for her is focused on making her happy, keeping her safe. Carrick's love is about his need. He doesn't love your mother for herself alone but for what she contributes to his needs…for safety, for an ordered world around him. Her presence helps him to make sense of the world. Right now, he is clinging to his anchor.

"Let me see how I can explain another way. Infants, toddlers, even older children do not love their parents per se. They develop a bond because they need their parents for food, initially, and later for a place to be and be safe. It takes maturity to truly love. In a way, Carrick is an infant who needs Grace for his world to be safe but that is as deep as he is capable of feeling."

"So, when he "needed" all those other women, why?" Mia asked.

"They provided something he wasn't getting elsewhere…not necessarily from his wife…maybe from his children. When you were very young, he was faithful to your mother. His kids needed him, looked up to him…satisfying his need for attention, confirmation. As you became independent, he needed "more"."

"I'm going to have to do some heavy reading," Christian sighed.

"Followed by some heavy explaining," Elliot replied as Mia nodded. Sometimes Christian got tired of being the brains of the outfit.

"Doc, we've told dad that should he "need" another woman, we'd out him to mom. So, how do we stop him from his compulsive need for more affirmation?" Elliot wanted to know.

"Your father cannot be cured. There is treatment for his condition and he would have to remain in treatment for the remainder of his life. He may not agree to this." Flynn subtly winked at Christian who took it to mean that Carrick had been told this and was not in agreement. Damn.

"Well, we're outing him to mom regardless, Elliot. We can't keep any more secrets from her. Look what lying to her did to her. Although, I'm kind of surprised that mom didn't demand answers from any of us. She knows that Mia will cave every time."

"Hey!" Mia objected. "I can keep a secret!"

Elliot guffawed. "Not when mom sits you down and looks sweetly into your eyes. I'm really surprised that she didn't do that."

The siblings all looked at each other. Here was another mystery. Why hadn't Grace simply sat her children down and demanded answers? They looked at Flynn who knew what they wanted to know.

"I can only surmise about your mother's reasons for keeping quiet and ending up in this shape." He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I think Grace knew all along but was unwilling to accept the truth. Doing so would have meant destroying her family. In a sense, it would have meant destroying the man she's always loved. I suspect that when you tell her about the other women…she won't be startled. As for Carrick having ASPD, well…your mother is a doctor. It's possible that she's also figured that out. By staying quiet, she might have felt that she was protecting all of you.

"I'm only surmising now, you understand," Flynn warned. He stood up to leave. "Call me when you decide to have your talk with your mother. I'm sure that she will have questions about Carrick's status."

He left the room with the siblings sitting like little ducklings watching anxiously as their mother waddled off without them.

CHAPTER 37

Ana had been playing with Madeline for some time and was growing weary. This kid needs a sibling, she smiled to herself. However, there were other issues to deal with first. She wondered how her husband was doing this afternoon. The past couple of months had kept Christian up at night and he didn't sleep much anyway. He was running on fumes…just like his mother but he was younger, stronger and accustomed to getting by on a few hours.

After making love and talking for hours, it was Ana who was sleeping in. Christian had been used to getting up at 5 a.m., going for a run no matter the Seattle weather and then showering, dressing and eating an egg white omelet before meeting Taylor at the Escala elevator at exactly 7:30. His life was a clock on Naval Observatory time before meeting Ana. She threw everything out of whack. Forcing himself to adjust to the ways of another person turned out to be easier than he anticipated.

Now, getting up for a run was difficult. It meant letting go of his warm, sleeping wife and so he rarely managed that run. Watching Ana slowly and adorably wake up and then wanting to make love to her husband also meant that getting to the office by 8 a.m. was no longer on his schedule. Instead, he showed up when he showed up. He was the boss, after all. Meetings could be rescheduled no matter who the participants happened to be. The people he employed had to make adjustments now. This was also the case if the boss's wife happened to drop by unexpectedly. She came first…this was understood.

Everything Christian Grey's life had been was now catawampus, a word that he never knew existed until Ana Steele applied for an internship at GEH. Roz had hired her to float from department to department…learning as she went and, gosh, did Ana learn. Roz was getting reports back from every department head…all raving about Anastasia Rose Steele. The praise was usually followed by a plea to keep her on in that department. After a couple of months, Ana was famous throughout Grey House. Roz was considering moving her to an office abroad for more training. Paris, on the GEH dime, was a tantalizing thought. Ana was quite excited.

However, just as she would turn Grey's life upside down, he would do likewise with Ana's. It was meant to be a simple 10-minute interview with an intern highly recommended by his #2. Sending an intern to Paris had never been done. It would be an expensive outlay that needed the boss's approval.

Grey, upon meeting Ana and feeling wobbly on his feet, felt that 10 minutes was not enough. They would need to go to dinner to discuss her future…then they would need to go to dinner again. The heat between them was almost unbearable…for both. He had never had sex with anyone but his mentor, Elena Lincoln, and a succession of faceless subs. She had never had sex at all because she was waiting for a thunderbolt to hit…as it did when she walked into Grey's office and instantly had a sexual awakening.

They were both breathless and speechless, standing in that huge room, staring at each other. It seemed like hours before Grey managed to get out a greeting. Neither knew what they were saying…it was all a blur. Each was desperate to touch the other but they held off until Grey returned Ana to her studio apartment after that second dinner.

He slammed the door behind them and pushed Ana up against a wall, one arm around her slender body and the other hand behind her head, holding her still as he claimed her mouth. Ana had never been kissed like that…with a possessive tongue exploring her mouth. She had read about French kissing and thought it sounded disgusting but when Grey took it back to focus on her neck, she missed it. He put his mouth on everything, working his way down to her breasts first and then further down.

Ana couldn't breathe. She slid to the floor in an actual swoon.

CHAPTER 38

Ana giggled now when she thought about that first time. The heat between them had cooled just a bit since then. A child changed the energy in a room…as in sucking all the energy out. They found that just sitting on the couch watching their daughter running around was exhausting. Everyone in their house went to bed earlier now. Some years in the future they would stay up later waiting for their daughter to come home from a date. Madeline set their clocks now.

"Ana!"

"Media room!" she shouted back.

As Christian walked in, Madeline screamed "daddy!" and ran to him. She didn't toddle anymore. They needed another baby asap, he thought. She did talk, tho'. He understood most of the babble, pleased that strangers could not understand his child but he could. Roz would look at him with a 'what did she say' expression. He loved translating. Today's topic was the usual at this time of day…Paw Patrol. Poor Ana had seen every episode a dozen times. They'd tried to interest Madeline in Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny but she said that those cartoons "looked funny". They thought Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig looked funny. Whatever. As long as they could plant Madeline in front of screen and have a few minutes to themselves.

They used those few minutes now to make out on the couch. "I need you…now" "Ditto…child"

"Sigh". They tamped down their desires and settled for snuggling closely with Christian's hand up Ana's sweatshirt and his nose sniffing her ponytail.

Security knew to turn off surveillance when the other boss returned home. It was also a time for relaxing and looking forward to dinner. Taylor wandered into the kitchen to kiss his wife's neck as she stirred something on the stove. Sometimes Taylor mused that Gail loved her kitchen more than him. It was at least a tie, he thought.

Dinner was usually a family affair and Taylor and his wife were considered family. Christian could tell by Taylor's relaxed demeanor that there had been no significant threats that day. If Taylor was tense, Christian would invite him into his study after dinner for a bourbon. Taylor used to be a beer man but he'd converted. He'd changed his approach to Grey from standing ramrod straight like the ex-military man he was to having a seat and swirling his bourbon in his Waterford tumbler as he discussed the latest threats to the Greys. Grey was more comfortable with this Taylor. The man had saved the lives of all of his family at least once…had taken a few bullets…he was Grey's friend as well as security chief and he didn't take his job any less seriously because of their friendship status.

There had been a few recent death threats. Taylor's team was running them down. Much of the time it was some incel living in his parents' basement, spending his day playing video games. These men would see media coverage of the beautiful Mrs. Grey and the handsome Mr. Grey attending a charity event and become angry that Grey had so much. They never stopped to consider how he earned his wealth or all that he and his wife did for the city. They just hated and assumed that everything had been handed to the couple and so they sat down to write a profane and furious letter threatening horrible deaths to all Grey's loved ones.

Thus, Christian Grey spent millions every year on protection for all his family and Roz. It was up to Taylor make those millions count. He had to stay ahead of the bad guys and his nightmares were about failing to do so.

The men kept the conversation short and to the point usually. Both had spent the day away from the ones they most loved and they were anxious to get back to them.

"Thanks, Taylor. Appreciate the good work. Keep me in the loop"

"Goodnight, Sir. Sleep well."

Christian fairly ran up the stairs. Ana and Madeline would be in the bath. The little family would have a good soak which always made Madeline sleepy. Then Christian and Ana would cuddle on the couch and look out at the water, talking softly of this and that.

"Mom is better. Gained weight and her blood pressure is under control. I think having Dad so focused on her these past few days and her children gathered 'round her was good medicine. It's been agreed that Dad has to go back to work so mom is coming to stay with us for a while until she can go it alone."

Ana nodded. It would do Grace good to spend time with Madeline and it would be a nice break for Ana as well.

"Next Wednesday Elliot and Mia are coming over for lunch with Dr. Flynn. D-day."

"Dad-day?" Ana giggled. Oh, that giggle.

CHAPTER 39

Christian was pacing and tearing at his hair. Periodically, Ana would stop him and take his hands out of his hair. They'd made love for a long time both last night and this morning. They could easily return to bed if not for D-day. All that lovemaking had helped, certainly, but only being physically connected to Ana would calm Christian enough and that would look odd to the family.

Grace had been doing much better the past few days. She was stronger…strong enough to play with Madeline. It was a nice break from Paw Patrol. When Madeline did want to watch, Grace would laugh along with her granddaughter. It was all new to her and Madeline enjoyed explaining the obvious goings-on to her gamma.

With Grace occupied with Madeline, she didn't notice the fog of tension surrounding her son and Ana. They stayed mostly in the kitchen. Gail's presence was soothing and when she told them that all would be well, they tried to believe her.

When Elliot and Mia walked in, Madeline yelled their names and raced to them. Uncle Elliot would pick her up and whirl her around. This hadn't worked out so well when she was younger. Uncle Elliot got spit-up on regularly. Mia was less bouncy. She liked to hold Madeline and walk around with her, asking questions.

Both were more subdued today…trying to appear casual and failing to fool their empathetic mother. Madeline was handed off to Uncle Ryan for some outdoor play to be followed by a nap. Gail set out a tray of finger food and drinks just as Dr. Flynn arrived.

Grace began to look curious but she said nothing. Finally, everyone was seated…with Elliot devouring the food. No one else was hungry. Grace spoke first.

"This is about your father, isn't it?"

"Actually, mom, it's more about your husband. We have some information to share and Dr. Flynn is here to help. Dad has been seeing Dr. Flynn for the past couple of months." Christian gulped. His brother and sister were looking to him to emcee this little gathering.

"Mom, dad has been keeping secrets from you, from all of us… disturbing secrets…and we're so sorry to have been so mysterious lately. We made you sick. We didn't realize that your intuition was so strong. We should have known better. Ana was the first to note that we were "gaslighting" you…telling you that everything was fine when you knew full well that it was not. For that, we heartily apologize. We thought that we were protecting you but it was only lying."

"And you're going to tell me the truth now? And the truth is about your father?"

"Yes. Dr. Flynn is here to help. Oh, I said that, didn't I? I'm repeating myself." He reached for Ana's hand. "I don't know where to start. John, what do you suggest?"

"I suggest you look closely at your mother. She is calm. Grace, you know more than we thought, don't you?"

"About Carrick's extracurricular activities? Yes. I've known for some time…years. I don't know the extent but I assume his affairs have been on-going for most of our marriage. I'm sorry, too, children. Perhaps if I'd shared that information with you, you wouldn't have turned on your father. Certainly, when you became adults, I should have sat you down but his behavior had become so intrinsically interwoven into our lives that I usually paid little attention to it."

There wasn't a closed mouth in the room as all stared in astonishment at Grace Grey. She had always known. She had, in effect, aided and abetted her husband's infidelity. It had not wounded her nor dulled her happiness or her love for her husband. Christian gripped Ana's hand more tightly.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Leave it to Elliot to most forcefully express the group reaction.

"Elliot, dear…language." Grace scolded.

Dr. Flynn took the lead. "Mrs. Grey. How long have you known that your husband was being unfaithful to you?"

"Oh, gosh, let me see." Grace tapped her lips with one dainty finger. "He was having that affair with his professor back at Harvard until we married. That went on for several years. She must have taught him well. He was a wonderful, skilled lover from the first time we were together. I had listened to my girlfriends and classmates complain about their boyfriends but I was a very happy camper myself. Thus, I understood that I was lucky."

Ana leaned in to push Christian's jaw back into position. She handed him a glass of Chardonnay which he knocked back like it was water. Then Ana picked up a peanut butter covered celery stick to gnaw on.

Grace sat primly, elegantly, with her hands folded in her lap…the very picture of a society doyen. Her other children were still gaping at her…their disbelief portrayed in abundance all over their faces. Had they never truly known their parents?

"Mom, how could you be with a man whom you knew to be cheating on you throughout your marriage? A man who pledged in his vows to always be true to you? A man who left some skank to come to your bed?" Mia was ready to go on but Grace put up a hand.

"Now, dear. Your father didn't have his little flings with 'skanks', as you call them. I knew that he was with one of the women I knew from the club…all fine women, discrete women. His liaisons with them never affected our friendships. In fact, if anything, those women became more friendly with me…rather grateful, actually. I've had a wonderfully satisfying marriage…one that they all envied. I felt bad for them. Their husbands were such bores. Neglectful."

"Mrs. Grey, were you never concerned about STDs?" Dr. Flynn asked.

"Oh, no. Carrick promised to always take care of me…and he did. I'm sure that he wore quite thick condoms. You see, it wasn't about the sex for him and so they didn't lessen his pleasure. We've always had a quite fulfilling sex life. The other women were a distraction, a bit of attention and assurance that he was stallion."

A stallion? Her children watched their mother delicately lift a cracker to her lips, wiping crumbs on her napkin.

"Does Gail bake her own crackers? These are special. Yum."

"So, when you became ill…because your children were hiding something from you…you never suspected that they'd discovered the truth about Carrick?"

"I knew that there was trouble between them and Carrick. Carrick was behaving oddly as well. That they'd discovered his secret did not occur to me. I suppose because it was such a small thing to me, I never gave it much thought regarding the children. In retrospect, that was naïve of me…and wrong. I do ask your forgiveness, children. Perhaps I should have explained about your father once you were grown but I felt that what is between husband and wife should be sacred."

"I feel like the ceiling is closing in on me," Mia groaned.

"Dr. Flynn, I think that we might all need therapy now," Elliot moaned.

"Perhaps family sessions would not be a bad idea at that," Dr. Flynn agreed.

CHAPTER 40

"Mom, does dad know that you know?" Christian asked.

"Well, we've never discussed it. I felt that he might be embarrassed, you see. I don't really see the need to throw it in his face. He does feel that he is doing wrong, you know. That is why he gets growly when he's in the middle of one of these to-dos. This latest one must be bad because he isn't sleeping well and he hasn't tried to touch me for some time. I'm getting a little backed-up myself," Grace giggled.

"Ah, Jesus, ma," Elliot buried his face in his hands. Mia began to laugh…a bit hysterically. Christian put his arm around her.

"All right, everyone. Let's all try to take a deep breath and calm ourselves. Our first concern is Mom and she seems to be absolutely fine. Yes, these new versions of our saintly parents will take some getting used to…that is true. Dr. Flynn can help us with that. John, send me the bills. However, the important thing is that mom is not psychically damaged. No, I don't understand either. If it were me, you'd be dredging me out of the Sound but our mother is fine.

"Dr. Flynn, should we proceed or schedule another session?"

Dr. Flynn launched right in. "Grace, since your children discovered that their father has been cheating on their mother"….at the word "cheating", Grace made a face of disapproval. Dr. Flynn tried a different tack. "That is to say, having extra-curriculars as you called them, they've insisted that he come to me to discuss his need for these and to help him to remain faithful to his marriage vows. We've been meeting several times a week."

Flynn paused to allow for a response from Grace. She was something of a conundrum for him which was not something he was used to when dealing with patients. He was good at his job and it didn't take him long to narrow in on a diagnosis. Most of his patients were short-term yet he could see that keeping Carrick on the straight and narrow would mean a long-term relationship. He wasn't pleased about that. And now he was being to have thoughts about Grace.

"Grace, did you do a psych rotation in med school?"

"Yes, I did. I found it to be fascinating. I even briefly considered going into psychiatry myself but my heart was with the babies. And no, I never tried to get Carrick into therapy. I understood his needs and I've always been happy in my marriage. He is a quite high-functioning sociopath, you know. I'm proud of him. He's worked hard all his life to rise above his inclinations. He is highly intelligent which has helped.

"He and I have never discussed his condition. There has just always been an understanding between us that we accept each other as we are. We support each other as we are. During my psych rotation, I was required to undergo therapy and was surprised to discover things about myself. Through this, I came to understand Carrick better and it made our marriage stronger. He relaxed quite a bit about himself…knowing that I knew and loved him anyway.

"My, it occurs to me that all this confusion could have been avoided if your father and I had just sat all of you down years ago but, of course, at the time it seemed too personal. How did you find out?"

Mia, pale with shock, recounted that horrible evening some months past. Grace put her hand to her mouth in dismay and reached for her daughter who moved to Grace's side for an embrace.

"Oh, my dear. How awful, how completely wretched for you to find out that way. I don't understand why Carrick would be so careless as to bring one of them home."

"This woman wasn't like the others, mom. She wasn't married and she didn't want an affair. She wanted money. Dad never had sex with her. She drugged him and took photos with which to blackmail him…and me. She wanted 10 million dollars." Christian grimaced as he shared this sordid news with his mother.

"What did you do to her, dear?" Grace glowered. At this point, her children weren't entirely sure that their mother would have objected to a violent outcome.

"Taylor had a word with her. She turned over the photos. Ana had also cleverly gotten Angela to incriminate herself during a conversation here at the house which we have on video tape."

"Elena will be so relieved that you're well, Grace. She was frantic with worry for you." Christian shot his wife a look but Ana ignored him. She decided that Elena was a friend and deserved to remain so as long as Grace wished it. Besides, Ana wasn't at all sure that Grace or Carrick could be trusted with finding that Mrs. Lincoln had molested their son. Best to let sleeping dogs lie or they might tear Elena to shreds.

"Yes, we've spoken and we're going to have our usual luncheon on Tuesday. I've missed the last couple."

"Mrs. Grey, I take it that you're not bothered at all knowing that your husband is a sociopath?"

"Now, Doctor, you should know better that sociopath is not really a usual term any longer. I prefer ASPD…makes Carrick sound less crazy. I do hope that all of you will keep this to yourselves. Mia, do not be telling Ethan…should you get back together. And Elliot, not a word to any future wife. People will not understand. There is nothing to fear from Carrick's condition and I don't think he needs to continue treatment, Doctor Flynn. We will go on as we always have. BUT no more keeping things from me. I thought that I was going crazy."

The "children" didn't say that they thought she was more than a little nuts.

CHAPTER 40

"Are you still awake, honey?" Ana turned her head to look over her shoulder at her husband.

"Yeah. I can't seem to turn off my brain. For all my life, I thought that I was not normal. Remember all the therapists I told you about? My parents were sending me to one shrink after the other…all of them useless."

Ana rolled over to face Christian. "Ironic. Yes, I get it."

"Is my mother ASPD as well?"

"Well, Dr. Flynn didn't say so. Of course, I think that he was completely baffled. The look on his face when your mother ever so nonchalantly dismissed your father's infidelity and his disorder…I mean, he was as thrown as the rest of us. There were times when I almost began laughing but I wasn't sure if it was hysteria like Mia or genuine. If she is a sociopath, then I suppose that she and Carrick are well matched.

"Still, no. Sociopaths lack empathy and Grace has always been so understanding with all of her children."

"Yes, but was that just a charade for our sakes?" Christian needed to kiss Ana's shoulder…run his hand down her silky curves.

"She did rather hint at one point when she spoke of discovering issues of her own during therapy in school but I suppose that we should have asked her to clarify. If she is also ASPD, then she and Carrick are to be congratulated on raising three healthy children despite their handicaps."

"Me? Healthy?" He put his hand on her naked back and pulled her closer to him.

"Yes! There is nothing wrong with you, Christian. You are open and giving and self-aware. You are perfect."

Ana never lied. She would never lie to him. He tried to ignore his self-doubt. He'd always been the odd one in the family and now, to find out that he was the product of extremely odd parents? It was all a lot to take in.

"I have to start reading, Ana," he responded. He reached for his laptop so that he could begin by googling ASPD. Ana kissed his neck while her hand softly massaged his chest and then began moving down his happy trail. Within seconds Christian began to moan and his laptop was forgotten.

The first, important element of their sex life that had always meant the most to Christian was that Ana wanted him as much as he wanted her. Being wanted wasn't something that had ever occurred to Christian while he was a dominant. With his subs, what they wanted didn't matter. He made certain that they were satisfied. That was only good manners but whether or not they wanted him was not a consideration.

Finding that this beautiful woman wanted to make love with him as much as he did her was a revelation. He'd been content having sex as long as the women allowed it. His brother Elliot still operated pretty much that way. But if Ana someday for some reason didn't want Christian…well, that was too horrible to contemplate. They were equals in initiating sex…something he had learned was not necessarily usual. Compatibility was rare and Christian was determined that he always be a good lover so that Ana would always want him.

Of course, at the moment all the blood in his brain had headed south so philosophizing about his sex life was not what he was thinking. He wasn't thinking. He was feeling…feeling so good that it was unreal. Ana didn't give head as well as any of his subs had been able to do. They had been trained to…as Elliot would crudely put it, "suck the chrome off his trailer hitch"…and Ana didn't have that kind of strength but it didn't matter. She had a way of licking up and down his cock and trying always to bring him to the back of her throat. She wanted to swallow his cum not just to please him but because it pleased her. He found her to be amazing.

They had read books together in Ana's quest to raise her sexual IQ but still they generally stuck to the same few positions because Christian loved to look into her eyes and watch her face as the joy of an orgasm overtook her. He didn't need a large variety of odd positions to love his wife. They had tried some but only wound up laughing before he stopped, took her face in his hands and simply stared at her…his heart pounding with the thrill of loving her and the thrill of knowing that this incredible woman loved him.

He looked down at his sleeping wife and wondered if his mother missed knowing that her husband truly, deeply loved her…for he could not.

CHAPTER 41

Except for Madeline babbling away, breakfast was quiet the morning after the meeting with Grace. Ana and Gail were talking quietly about the day's agenda and Christian studied his pancakes. Finally, Grace spoke up.

"Darling, you know that I've been feeling much better…and I miss your father. So. I'm going to pack up my things after breakfast and have one of your men drive me home."

Christian looked alarmed. Ana's head turned quickly. "Grace, we love having you here. Please don't feel that you have to go."

"Thank you, sweetheart, but I do feel that it's time to get back to normal."

"Normal?" Christian smirked.

Grace frowned at her son. "Yes. Normal. I understand that recent revelations have been jarring for you, Elliot and Mia but my life is normal for me. 40+ years with Carrick and it is all normal. I am going to tell him to cease his therapy and continue his life as he has been. I want him to be happy."

"Mom. He can't be happy. That is an emotion and he doesn't have those. Remember what Dr. Flynn said yesterday."

"Yes, of course I do. It was all quite dramatic but nonetheless your father does feel things. They may not be emotions as you and I understand emotions to be but he does feel. He becomes upset when things go wrong. A true sociopath is calm. Dr. Flynn even pointed out that Carrick does not remain calm in the face of trouble. I'm not certain that he does have ASPD. It is a complex diagnosis.

"Whatever. I am accustomed to your father as he is and I love him as he is."

"And if…or when…he returns to his old habits? You okay with that, mom?"

"I wouldn't say that I'm 'okay' with it but neither does it upset me. I look at it as a hobby of sorts."

Christian's eyes popped wide. "Hobby!?" Mom, a hobby is golf…not fucking the neighbors!"

Grace laughed. "Well, thank god that Carrick hates golf. I do not want to be a golf widow like so many of my friends. Fucking the neighbors takes far less time than 18 holes. Carrick is home on Sunday afternoons."

Christian banged his head on the table while Ana giggled. "Grace, you are a hoot. Okay, go home to your unconventional marriage and your crazy husband. I'll get Ryan to drive you." Then Ana left the kitchen…still giggling.

Grace reached over to her son and patted him on the arm. Then she wiped her granddaughter's face and lifted her out of her highchair. Madeline beamed at her gamma and Grace kissed her nose.

Gail was biting her lower lip to avoid laughing out loud while Christian keep his head down and thought about going back to bed.

EPILOGUE

Grace and Carrick had never spoken about his flings. He now knew that his kids knew but was still unaware of the meeting with Dr. Flynn. He didn't know that Grace had long understood him and known what he was up to when he told her that he had to work late. He didn't know that Grace understood his pathology. He didn't know that when he and his elegant wife walked into a gala filled with women he'd been with that Grace was not embarrassed…did not feel foolish. She and the other women smiled at each other and none felt that Grace was a pathetic fool with a bed-hopping husband. Heck, their husbands were doing the same…and Grace knew it. Many of those husbands had approached Grace with indecent proposals…often within audio range of Carrick.

The difference with Grace and Carrick was that they were truly devoted to each other. They enjoyed each other's company. Theirs was an odd but successful marriage. The marriages all around them were held together by a thread and the wives' disinclination to give up all the perks of being married to wealthy men and their black Amex cards. Shopping and lunches, along with the occasional affair, were all they needed. Grace and Carrick truly needed each other.

Sunday brunches continued. The children noted Carrick's smiles as Grace walked by. Their confusion about the situation continued but gradually they adapted. It was all quite odd but had to be accepted. The siblings didn't forgive their father per se…they simply put it all out of their minds.

Carrick had not forgotten the dinner when Ana had tried to smooth things over and he slowly ceased his sly objections to her. He complimented her on her pretty dress without further commenting on its cost. He told Christian about a diamond necklace he'd seen in a jewelry store and recommended that he buy it for his wife before the annual Coping Together gala.

When Christian and Ana announced that they were expecting a son via surrogate due to Ana's health issues during her first pregnancy, Carrick applauded their good sense. Ana's health, he proclaimed, came first. Both were surprised that Carrick approved but where Ana was concerned, he was a changed man.

However, Elliot and Mia noted that where screwing around was concerned, he was not a changed man. His CPO now had orders to report on Carrick's "activities"…only because Christian wanted to be sure that his father didn't get himself into trouble.

Elliot brought home a nice woman one day. She was his age, educated and a writer who made more money than he did. Ana had met her at a publishing conference and given her Elliot's number when they talked about Meredith's need for a kitchen and bath renovation at the fixer upper she'd just purchased. After Elliot's company rehabbed the entire house, he moved in. The family loves Meredith and is hoping for a ring to appear soon.

Mia reconciled with Ethan on the condition that he never push for a better explanation for their breakup. He was just content to get his girl back. A ring would be appearing soon.

Sometimes, Christian would lie with Ana in his arms, watching a huge golden moon outside their window…feeling grateful for surrogacy because he'd been terrified when Dr. Greene expressed rather serious concerns about Ana's ability to endure pregnancy and labor. The thought of ever losing Ana for any reason still kept him up at night sometimes. He was a man so in love with a woman that it consumed his being.

Life was seldom easy for Christian except at moments like this…his lover, the moon. GEH took too much of his time and energy. His parents were loons. His intrinsic need for control was rarely satisfied and this was something he dealt with and probably always would. In this, he felt somewhat simpatico with his father.

He'd had many talks with Dr. Flynn and had begun to understand his father's struggle…his brave struggle…to understand himself. It had taken Carrick a lifetime to realize that he was so different from other people and to stop blaming himself for it. It was what it was and he was dealing with it the best way he could. He hadn't been a failure as a person. He hadn't chosen to be what he was and yet he had successfully raised a family. He was an excellent lawyer and had helped many people. His wife, a special woman, loved him and understood him.

Christian saw a new peace shining from his father. The broken road to that peace had been hard but he'd made it.

And Carrick's latest woman had newfound confidence thanks to his attentions. She wasn't a waste of time like her husband said. With Carrick's help, she became certified as a paralegal and kissed him goodbye as she ended their affair and began her new job in New York City.

Grace was proud of him. Christian just shook his head and held tight to Ana.

Fin