Chapter 19:

Roz watched Christian closely as he sat at the conference table listening to the Acquisitions Team pitch their ideas. She could tell that he wasn't listening wholeheartedly. There was this little smile on his face that confused her. Christian Grey did not smile, especially when in a meeting. Where was his sneer? Where the raised eyebrow of question? He was too silent, not asking the usual questions. He kept checking his phone.

Roz finally excused the team and then turned on her boss. "What in the hell is wrong with you, Christian?"

"Whatever do you mean?" He smirked. His eyes went back to the phone.

"Damn it, Christian." She stood. "Your head isn't in the game?"

He didn't disagree with her. He couldn't keep his mind on business when his heart was with Ana. He had to leave her early this morning for a breakfast meeting. He almost cancelled when she turned over and draped herself over his body. Her arms wrapped about his torso and her legs were entangled with his. He could feel the heat coming off her body. She was snuggling deeper into him and whispered his name. Somehow, he disentangled their bodies, leaving her in their bed. God, she looked so sweet, and content snuggled in the sheets.

"Christian, will you stop that goofy smile? You are freaking me out!"

"She said yes, Roz. Ana agreed to marry me this weekend."

His second in command fell back into her chair. "Really?"

"I know, I still can't believe it. I keep thinking that I am dreaming, and I am about to wake up."

"Well, hell…she is one damn brave woman to take you on for a lifetime. She should get hazard pay."

Christian laughed knowing that he was hard to handle. Not many people could talk around him, but that woman, that goddess, that beautiful, strong woman was the exception to the rule. She owned him, lock, stock, and barrel! And the funny thing, he didn't give a shit! Christian looked up at Roz. "So, I was wondering if you would stand up as one of my groomsmen at the ceremony?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, you. Roz, you are one of my best friends. Besides Elliot and Jason Taylor, I trust you the most…so yeah, I want you standing up there with me."

The redheaded ball-buster almost cried…almost. "Well, hell…when you put it that way…"

The wedding was planned for June, a week before Christian turned 30. Grace was ecstatic to be able to host her son's wedding in the garden. It was Ana and Christian's choice for a small wedding with only family and a few friends. The guest list was less than fifty people. They chose silver and royal blue for their wedding colors with white roses tipped with blue and white daisies. The dress had been delivered under guard to Grey Manor and was under lock and key. Not even Mia could gain access. She was not happy! Ana let Grace and Christian take care of the catering, the wine choices, and even the cake. She trusted their good tastes.

Choosing the MOH and bridesmaid dress was the one event that almost sent Ana and Christian to Vegas to elope. Kate and Mia could not agree on a style that would complement each other. Kate wanted sleek and sophisticated, and Mia wanted Disney fairy tale dresses. The fight was on. Ana's only suggestion was that they were to wear a royal blue. It took almost two weeks for the two divas to come to an agreement. Kate would wear an off the shoulder, body-hugging sleek sheath made of silk. On her long lean body, she could pull it off. Mia kept going back to the full bell skirt with layers and layers of tulle, but Ana nixed it. Grace reminded her daughter that she was not the bride, but a bridesmaid and her dress should complement the bride, not compete with her for attention. Mia threatened to step down as bridesmaid thinking she could force Ana's decision, but the young woman just said fine, and she would ask another friend to attend her. Then, the war began! Mia threw a fit like Ana had never seen. Ana walked out on her, and they didn't speak for a few days. Christian barely kept his temper when informed about the encounter and he went off on Mia telling her that she was being a snot-nose little bitch. This was when Ana and Christian seriously considered calling off the wedding and eloping. The next day, Mia was apologizing and would wear whatever Ana chose. Ana not being a bitch chose a lovely gown that complimented Mia, with spaghetti straps in a Grecian style. She would be stunning but complimentary to the wedding party. It was the same color as Kate's. Thank goodness the men were easier; they all wore silver tuxes with royal blue cummerbunds and ties. Grace had chosen a royal blue silk and lace gown with a high neck, sheer sleeves, and a gentle flounce. Since Ana did not have a mother-of-the bride, she asked Agnes Kavanaugh to be her stand-in mother. She also chose a royal blue silk dress like Grace's.

Wedding planning was stressful for Ana. She decided to forget about wedding planning for one evening and sat at the table in the kitchen watching the clouds drift across the evening sky. Christian was working late so she had time to herself. She poured a glass of wine and made a plate of cheese and fruit. The house was silent, which she appreciated. She slowly began to relax. She was pouring a second glass of wine when Gail appeared with a worried expression on her lovely face.

"Ana, there is a person at the gate claiming that she is your mother and is demanding entrance."

Ana froze. No, it couldn't be. She wouldn't! "Who does this person say her name is?"

"Carla Adams."

Shaking her head not believing her bad luck Ana took a drink of her wine. "Tell her I am not here and have her escorted off the property. Call the police if needed and make sure that Christian is informed." She took a piece of fruit and nibbled it. "Will you please call Sawyer? I will need to talk to him."

Luke Sawyer met Ana in her study. She was on her phone with Christian. After she finished, she turned to her CPO. "I never want to see that woman that tried to gain entrance to my home. She is to never have access to me, my home, or where I work."

"She will be on the no-show, no-call list. I'll take care of it, Ana." Luke promised. He noticed that the future Mrs. Grey was more than upset. She was furious. "Is she really your mother?"

"More like egg donor." Ana harrumphed.

"That bad?"

"You have no idea. I haven't seen that person since I was ten or eleven. She ran off with some guy she picked up at a liquor store."

"A real mother of the year, huh?"

"More like nightmare of the year."

"Should I inform Mr. Steele?"

The last thing any of them needed was to have to deal with Carla Adams, especially with the wedding just a few weeks away. "Yeah, you better let him know. I'm going to go up and have a bath and try to calm down before Christian comes home." She looked up to Luke with worried eyes. "Make sure she is gone."

"I have Ryan on her as we speak. She won't get near you."

The bath was relaxing. Ana felt her tense muscles loosen. She couldn't believe that woman! After all these years, that woman decides to come back and inject herself into her life now. She laid back and closed her eyes. She was almost asleep when her phone rang. She looked to see it was her dad.

"Hey, Daddy." she said softly.

"I'm on my way to Seattle. I think I will hang around until after the wedding, that is if you don't mind."

"Daddy, you could live here if you wanted." She had to smile. Her daddy was coming to protect her. She could always rely on him. "Why do you think she showed up now?"

"Don't worry about her, sweetie. I'll take care of her."

Christian arrived home to find his beautiful angel already in bed and asleep. He could tell that she had been crying. His heart hurt to think that someone had upset her. He had contacted Ray and found out more about Carla Wilks Lampert Steele Morton Adams. The woman had walked out on her family and ran off with a man that was arrested a few days after their quickie marriage for charges of pedophilia. His arrest had probably saved Ana from sexual abuse since Carla had planned to come back for her. Carla was married only a few months after her quick divorce to Bob Adams and they lived in Vegas for a while until his job transferred him to Georgia. According to Ray's information, Carla lived in comfort. Bob had money so she had access to the country club set. Ray had no idea why Carla suddenly appeared. Christian had his team investigating both Bob and Carla.

Christian quickly showered and slid into bed with Ana. As usual she reached out to him in her sleep and was cuddled up close to him with her arm draped over his chest. He held her and promised in a soft voice to always protect her. There was no way in hell anyone was going to hurt his Ana!

xxxXXXxxx

It seemed like old times! Christian being summoned to his father's home office. He was even sitting in the chair that he sat in many times being punished for fighting or drinking. He knew Carrick was nervous. He could see it in the man's face.

"Ok, Dad, you got me here without Mom or Ana knowing…what's up?"

Carrick cleared his voice. "Christian, in case I have never mentioned it before … I am damn proud of you and your accomplishments." The elder Gray held up his hand to keep Christian from commenting. "You are a self-made man and owe no one anything for your success, including me. You probably thought I was acting in malice when I refused to give you the trust fund, but son, you must believe when I say that I truly thought finishing college was the best for you. I will admit that I was so very wrong." Carrick took another deep breath. "It is with that pride in mind and knowing how hard you have worked for everything that you have accomplished, that I took it upon myself to draft a pre-nup for Ana to sign." A pile of papers sat before Carrick, and he pushed them toward Christian.

"Dad?"

"Listen, I adore Ana and I think she is a wonderful young woman. However, in my experience in my line of work, I see happily ever after go to hell in a handbasket pretty damn fast. This is to protect you, your assets, and even Ana herself … in case … well, one just doesn't know what the future holds."

"I know damn good and well what the future holds for Ana and me." Christian lowly said trying to hold on to his quicksilver temper. This conversation was opening old wounds that Christian thought had healed over, but, no … here they stood glaring at him. His Dad still didn't trust his judgment. Carrick didn't believe in Christian when he left Harvard to start his business and basically told the boy that he expected him to fail in the first year. They didn't speak to each other for almost two years. Christian refused all requests to return to his childhood home, even for holidays. His excuse … the work! Christian took the papers, stood, and walked to the trash bin at the end of his father's desk. He threw the damnable papers into the garbage! "If I lose Ana, I will lose GEH. She's what keeps me sane, settled, and happy. If she wasn't around to share in my fortune, then I wouldn't want it. I wouldn't need it!"

"Christian don't be unreasonable. You must protect yourself and your assets. You are a very wealthy man and Ana, well, she … she doesn't bring to the table what you have."

"No, she brings much, much more. What she brings is unmeasurable in wealth. She brings me peace, understanding, and love. A love I never thought I was worthy enough to have. I will not insult her by asking her to plan for our divorce before the ink is even put down on our marriage license." Christian swiped his unruly ginger locks back from his face. "Dad, I know you are looking out for my best interests, but don't ever speak to me about this again … and don't you even dare to bring it up to Ana. Got it?"

Carrick frowned. "I understand." The barrister watched as his son walked out of his office. In a few seconds, he heard the front door slam. "Shit, what have I done?"