Chapter 18:
Christian informed his mother that he and Ana would be attending her Sunday lunch. Grace was more than ecstatic. This was another joy to add to her list of things that made her happy. Christian was in love and with the only woman who could make him happy, Elliot was plain silly over Kate Kavanaugh, and Mia had decided to return to school and get a nursing degree. The young girl's dallying in artistic pursuits of being a chef or fashion designer was for naught. After shadowing a few nurses for over a month, she decided to follow her mother into the medical field.
"Grace, calm down." Carrick replied as he snapped the paper he was reading. His wife had been arranging flowers, quickly dusting tables that she already had dusted, and all around driving him crazy with her anxiety. "These are our children, not the Queen of England."
"It's not every day we get all three of our children at home and around the table. I want everything to be perfect, besides, I think there is going to be announcement from our oldest."
One eyebrow tricked up with thoughtful curiosity. "Do tell."
"Elliot has been very quiet and secretive, and we both know that our oldest is never so self-contained. He wears his heart on his sleeve." Grace sighed hoping that she was correct in her assumptions. "I think he has proposed to Kate."
Carrick laughed. "More like Kate proposed to him." He joked. Grace frowned at him. "C'mon, darling, it's Elliot. He plays the field like a soccer player. He's not getting serious with that Kavanaugh girl. She's just a bit of fun and fluff."
"You don't think too highly of her, do you?"
The paper was folded and put aside on the end table next to Carrick. "I think she is pushy and nosey. She is Eammon's daughter. And I for one do not want our family business on the front page of the "Times"."
"She would never do that." Grace softly defended the girl that she loved a great deal. Grace could see the good that Kate had performed on her son. Elliot was no longer the "sexhound" of Seattle. Instead of photos of Elliot with a different lady every night, there were only photos of him and Kate having dinners, dancing, going out with friends, or at society galas supporting the family's interests. They had been dating for almost two years. "You forget that her mother and I are great friends. Agnes would never betray us."
"The press is the press, my dear."
"Carrick Grey, I am shocked at you." Grace was appalled by his attitude. "What is bringing this on?"
"Honey, as a lawyer I have seen many cases tried in the public forums. I do not trust the press." He shrugged his shoulders. "Even though I consider Eammon and Agnes friends, I am still cautious about them … especially about our private lives and the lives of our children."
"Even though Agnes helped with the Elena Lincoln situation?"
"She did it for her own interests. Didn't she win an award for her investigative abilities?"
"Carrick, you are being overcautious."
"Never again will I let us be in that kind of situation … ever! You thought that Lincoln woman was a friend …"
Tears began to form in Grace's warm brown eyes. "You still blame me, don't you?" The thought that Carrick put the blame of Christian's abuse on her shoulders was deeply engrained into her mind. He never came out and said it, but she felt it. He had told her many times that Elena Lincoln was a social piranha and was using them for her own gain. And the main gain was access to their troubled second son.
"I blame us both. I should have put my foot down about that woman." He stood gracefully, tying his robe about his still trim waist. "It's over, Grace. It's done. Now, I am going up to change for lunch and hopefully we can get the boat out and enjoy some time on the water with our kids."
Grace watched as her husband left the room then she fell onto the sofa and cried. "I fucking hate you, Elena, and I won't rest until you are completely driven from our lives and minds."
The sound of delightful giggles greeted Grace when she answered the door to find Christian pulling Ana close for a quick kiss. The sight made her smile ever brighter.
"I am so glad to see you both." She said leaning into a hug and kiss for Ana and then kissed Christian on the offered cheek. She gasped when Christian grabbed her and pulled her into a long, close hug. She was beyond shock. "Christian?"
"Good morning, Mom." He said as if he had hugged her like this all the time. "Are we the first to arrive?"
"Kate and Elliot are in the kitchen with your father." She was a little saddened when Kate flitted in without an engagement ring on her finger. Grace had been so sure! "Mia is still upstairs getting dressed. She shadowed a nightshift nurse and got home around six this morning."
"So nursing is her newest outing?" Christian lead his beautiful fiancé into the house. "Do you think she is committed?"
"I hope so." Grace answered. She could only hope that this vocation would hold Mia's attention. "Here let me take your jackets. It's a bit chilly today."
As the family got settled about the kitchen table with their plated food from the breakfast buffet that Grace and staff provided, Christian cleared his voice and stood up. "I have announcement to make." He motioned for Ana to join him, and he wrapped his arm about her waist. "As you know, the beautiful lady agreed to live me, and we have officially moved into the house on The Sound." The family cheered as the couple kissed softly.
"And we must give credit to Elliot and his awesome work crews for doing such a wonderful job on the restoration. Thank you, Elliot." Ana added, making Elliot nod in gratitude.
"Oh, there is more … Ana and I getting married." He lifted her left hand that she had kept hidden. "She said yes!"
Silence. Mia screamed first, jumping up and throwing herself into her bother's arms. Grace was crying happy tears and Elliot gave his laid-back thumbs up. Kate was also on her feet going to Ana for a hug and a look at the ring. Carrick only smiled thinking he would need to prepare an iron-clad prenup for his son.
"So, you and moneybags are going to do the big hook up?" Kate asked as she and Ana sat on the patio. "You have any dates in mind?"
"We have thrown around a few ideas." Ana answered as she took a sip of her lemon martini that Carrick had made her. "I do know that I want you to be my maid of honor."
Tears sprung up in Kate's eyes. She jumped up, hugged Ana, and agreed to be the best damn MOH ever! "So, what are you thinking?"
"Small, intimate, and here at Grey Manor. Christian loves this house and wants to make better memories here." Ana understood that her fiancé did not always feel worthy to live here or be the child of Grace and Carrick Grey. She didn't care where they got married, so if this made Christian happy and secure, she would agree to having the wedding here. "I've already found my dress."
"Really?" Kate was pleasantly shocked. Ana was much of a clothes horse.
"Yes, it's a Monique Lhuillier with an off the shoulder bodice. The dress is head to toe lace with an illusion back that has silk covered buttons running down the back. It is so beautiful. I emailed her and asked her to design me something that was romantic and airy. Within hours, she emailed me with the sketches and description of what she designed. I fell in love with the concept and dress and asked for her to make it for me."
"Damn, Ana." Kate breathed. Monique Lhuillier designs were very popular and desired among the elite. "How in the world…"
Ana giggled. "I have a few connections since I work in the publishing business." She took another sip of her drink. "I actually have met Monique, and she is a wonderful talented person. I have worn her a few times to book launches while living in England."
"Lucky bitch." Kate joked as she picked up her glass and saluted her friend. "And what does Ray have to say about all this? He wasn't so happy when you ran off to England."
"I called him and told him Saturday morning. He wanted to speak to Christian."
"And…" Kate was on the edge of her seat. The investigative reporter in her came to the surface.
"They spoke, Dad told me that Christian had already asked for my hand in marriage, and he is more than happy to give us his blessings. I think the conversation Saturday morning was just Dad's little reminder to Christian that dad has many guns, knows how to use them, and plenty of land to be rid of a body." The girls began laughing so hard that they nearly spilled their drinks. Ana shook her hand to get rid of the sweetened lemon martini on her fingers. "Of course, I asked him to walk me down the aisle."
"Of course." Kate was so happy for her 'bestie'. Maybe this would give Elliot some ideas for proposing someday. Kate would not say no, but she wasn't ready for marriage and children. She wondered if Elliot did propose, would he agree to a year's engagement. She wanted a little more time to work on her career and time to plan the perfect wedding. She wanted the chapel wedding with six bridesmaids, tons of flowers, candlelight, and an orchestra to play the wedding march for her entrance on her dad's arm. Kate once again raised her glass to Ana to find it almost empty. "To you, Ana, and to more of Carrick's mighty tasting Lemon Martinis!"