CHAPTER 10

Two weeks later on the day before Christmas, a four day weekend, Christian was with Ana on a ski slope in Aspen Colorado. They had just eaten breakfast on top of the mountain at the cafe there at the top and were waiting for Elliot and Mia. Ana said looking down the slope, "I'm gonna have to teach Mia how to do things without it involving her looks and buying stuff. There is so much more fun to just be, than money."

Christian said chuckling, "If you can do that, I'll believe you are full of magic."

Ana said smiling, "You'll be an indoctrinated believer soon enough. I'm just full of magic."

Elliot walked up behind her and said like a smart aleck, "You're full of something alright." Ana punched him lightly in the arm.

Elliot acted like it hurt and said whining, "Can't you control her bro? She's like beating me up." Mia fake punched him too in the other arm. Mia grinned at Ana in solidarity.

Christian said, chuckling and shaking his head, "Sorry, Lelliot. You are on your own, man. My girlfriend can even kick my ass."

Ana said smart assed, "Glad both you girls could make it finally. Let's get our slide on and get in the groove. Time's a wastin. We're missing precious ski time." Mia laughed at the ladies' reference and Elliot tickled Mia for laughing at him. Ana took off down the slope like a bat out of hell and Christian chased after her. They went up and down different ways all afternoon.

They had been doing things together and having lunch whenever Christian would have time from his busywork schedule at work. They were getting to know one another more and more. She was trying to show him how relationships are supposed to be.

Ana and Christian got to the bottom of the final run at the same time. They waited for Elliot and Mia. All four of them went into the lodge and had lattes and cocoa. They all thawed out, laughed and talked while having fun in front of a roaring fire in the lounge.

—--

The next day, Mia, Grace and Ana cooked a traditional Christmas dinner for the whole family staying at Christian's Aspen home for the holiday. Ana did the ham, candied yams. The sides and desserts were done by everyone else. The ham turned out perfectly with a caramelized crunchy coating. She had smothered it in honey, brown sugar, a can of coca cola and added all of the seasonings. The gravy was to die for.

Mia said as they all sat down to eat, "Everyone give one thing to be grateful for that they received this year."

They went around the table and when it came to Christian's turn, he said seriously, "I'm grateful for that day I met Anastasia because that was the day that led me to be her boyfriend and boss as well as coworker." Ana looked at him and thought, 'He is? Oh my, what do I do? I'll just give it back to him.'

Ana said seriously, "I'm grateful for that day too, because I was left all alone in this world when my daddy died. He made sure I would be ok financially after he left. I was just about a year before I was out of college and got my degrees. He died in July that year. I was worried that I would spend my holidays alone until today. So, yes, I am grateful for Christian because he let me not feel so alone anymore." Everyone was quiet thinking. They never realized she was all alone. She hadn't really spoken about her dad to Christian's family.

Christian said looking at her and holding her hand on the table, "I guess that makes me more grateful for being able to be with you and you're not alone anymore." He kissed the palm of her hand.

Grace said, getting emotional, "No, you're not. You can always come to our house if you need us." Mia nodded.

Elliot smiled and said, "I can pick on you more if you want. Then you'll know what a big brother's like?"

Ana giggled saying, "I'll getcha if you do that. Watch out. I have magic, El. Christian said so." Christian chuckled.

They all started eating, talking and laughing like a family and opened gifts afterwards. Ana got a set of diamonds to wear on New Year's Eve though she didn't know yet that's what he got them for and Christian got a solar helicopter for his desk at work with gold and black diamond cufflinks from Ana.

In the days following Ana got creative with leftover ham - ham pot pies, ham salad celery sandwiches with lettuce and tomato. Everyone enjoyed the ham done in creative ways. Christmas was good for them all.

—--

It had been three weeks since Elena had been disconnected financially from Christian and Elena had been raising hell to Grace and trying to get her to make Christian help her. Grace said she asked but he wouldn't budge. Elena went home angry every time and would sit looking out her window at the Grey's house to see if she spotted Christian coming over there. She was going to wait before calling him. She wanted him to miss her, so maybe he will be nicer. She hoped that little dominatrix bitch would be gone soon. Every time she looked out her window at night there were red laser dots showing up on her walls and it was scaring the hell out of her. Christian told his mother he had a falling out with her and she was cruel to Ana and disrespected him in his home. He did not tell her she had embezzled four million dollars from him but would if he had to. He did not say anything because he was just glad she was gone. Christian said to his mother that he and Ana wouldn't stay around long if she invited Elena to the house while he was there. Grace was trying to work around it.

—--

The following Tuesday, Christian took Anastasia out for lunch from work at a mom and pop deli that was the best in homemade bread for stacked grilled sandwiches. They were sitting eating a Reuben with sauerkraut on marble rye. They also split an order of a small blooming onion. Ana was sitting next to him in the booth so they could see everyone coming and going. Taylor was eating his own lunch watching too.

He said honestly, "Anastasia, I want you to go with me to New York Friday night to the Archer Hotel for New Year's Eve."

Ana was surprised. She had no idea he planned this. She smiled and, "Of course, I would love to do that and bring in the New Year. Sounds like fun as long as you dance with me."

He grinned at her and said, "Baby, I only dance with you and my mother. I've never done this before, by spending holidays and time with anyone. I can't imagine not celebrating everything with you now." She kissed her oily mouth to his, making him melt into her. He looked in her eyes after she broke the kiss and said, "I love you, Anastasia."

She softly smiled and said, "I love and adore you, Christian, my sweet." She leaned into him and nudged him. He chuckled and nudged her back because it was too good and messy. They continued eating and talking.

—--

When they got back to GEH, Ana went to her office and found the door open and her potted plant dumped on top of her chair. Her reports were torn up and thrown around the room. Water was also poured all over her desk, laptop, tablet and her leftover coffee was spilled on her chair. Even the phone cord was cut along with her framed photos blown up slashed on the walls. Ana was pissed. She marched over to Christian's office being Roz wasn't back yet from lunch.

Olivia stepped in her way blocking her from his office. Olivia said, "Mr Grey can't be disturbed right now!"

Ana roared, "Like hell he can't!" Ana pushed Olivia out of the way. Olivia backhanded Ana across the face, cutting a gash on her cheek with her ring and busted her lip. Ana took her to the ground by one hand then the other and pinched the shit out of her pressure points. Olivia screamed bloody murder on her knees.

Christian flew out the door and saw Ana holding Olivia on her knees with both her hands. He shouted, "What the hell is going on?!"

Olivia whined, "Help me! She's hurting me!"

Ana looked at Christian and he saw the blood smeared and dripping on her face. Ana said, "Someone destroyed my office and this little bitch wouldn't let me in your office. I pushed her out of my way and the bitch backhanded me in the face with her rings on. I took her to the ground and I am pinching the hell out of her pressure points."

Christian yelled, "Why didn't you call me?!"

Ana yelled back, "Because the goddamn cord was cut on my phone and the electronics are all destroyed with water, plant soil and my leftover coffee." Christian grabbed the phone and called Taylor to call the cops and get the surveillance tapes Ana's office that was vandalized for the last two hours and his PA's area in the last half hour. He then called for the medical nurse to come up and treat Ana's wounds. Olivia was trying to get up and screamed again at Ana pinching her hard again. Sawyer showed up, took hold of Olivia and made her sit on the couch telling her not to move.

Taylor came up and showed Christian the tapes on his laptop in his office. The video showed Andrea going to lunch and Olivia going into Ana's office with a pitcher of water. Several minutes later, Olivia walked out going back to her desk. The next video showed Ana and himself going into their offices and Ana come out pissed off and headed to Christian's office. The next video showed Olivia blocking Ana and Ana shouting, then pushing her out of the way. Then, Olivia struck her in the face and it went exactly as Ana said. Christian got up and was watching the nurse cleaning the wounds on Ana's face. The nurse said, "Miss Steele, you are going to need stitches and you should go to the ER and get it documented."

Ana replied, "Thank you. I will." The nurse smiled up at her.

Christian walked up to Ana and said, "I called the police. Your pressing assault charges right?" Ana nodded yes as the nurse packed up everything. Ana had a piece of gauze on her lip and cheek that was still bleeding.

Christian said, "Taylor and I are going to take you to the ER and precinct to file charges." The police came off the elevator. They were given the CCTV recordings showing the vandalized office and the assault of Ana. Olivia threw a fit saying that her father was a senator and they can't treat her this way. Christian made sure to tell her she was fired. Christian was going to give Senator Blandino an ear full later because he only hired his daughter as a favor.

Once Olivia Blandino was arrested and cried blubbering like a baby being hauled out, Christian and Ana went with Taylor to the hospital leaving Roz in charge. Roz was in shock when she came back from lunch to office chaos and a surprised Andrea followed. Ana grabbed her bag with her purse and home computer that wasn't destroyed thank goodness.

They walked in the door of the ER and they spirited Ana away to get examined. It was determined that the plastic surgeon on staff would do the sewing up of her face. It took a while, but eventually a groggy Ana woke up in recovery and moved to an exam room. Christian's mother Grace was there and looked her over, gave her a mirror and said, "Oh, he did a good job. The stitches are so tiny and hidden on the inside too. You'll be ok, Ana dear." Grace put the light bandage back on her face. The attending doctor came in and gave her her discharge instructions and prescription for pain pills.

As Taylor and Christian drove Ana to the pharmacy, Christian asked, "Anastasia will you come stay at Escala with me. Let me take care of you. You're off work the rest of the week. They are going to clean your office and Barney will come give you replacement hardware and phone. We can then leave for New York."

Ana said softly with her head on his shoulder, "Ok, but I can get Sawyer to pack me a bag. He has access to my apartment. I gave your CPO guys a copy of my key a couple weeks ago. Are you sure you want a woman with a face wound as your date for New Year's Eve?"

Christian kissed her head and said, "Don't be silly. Let's get you healed up." Ana fell asleep.

When they got to Escala, Christian carried Ana bridal style into the elevator. Taylor had her computer bag and purse. Christian took her up and placed her in his bed taking off her coat and shoes and tucking her in. He went to his office and called the senator and chewed his ear off.

—--

The next day Christian was in his office and his phone rang. It was Elena. She hadn't called him for a month after her acting like a bitch to Ana in his office. Like it was punishing him or something. She was probably going to apologize now after all this time to placate him and get back into his good graces. He wasn't going to just give in, ever. Elena knew the girl was still at his work, working for him and visiting him at his home from her spies report and the investigator that was following them around. Though Ana's father's friend knew and told her she was being followed around by Elena's minions. Prior to all of this happening, Elena sensed a wall starting to build up between herself and Christian because he would not contract another subs no matter how she tried to get him to. She wanted another finders fee from him and one from the sub. He paid her $100,000 for a sub to her. Elena collected $5,000 from every sub she contracted with also and she needed more of his money, but she knew now that he had a dominatrix, he had switched back from seven years ago. She just couldn't understand why he didn't come to her instead.

Christian groaned and answered or she wouldn't leave him alone all day.

Christian answered, "Grey."

Elena snapped, "That's how you answer my calls now?"

Christian said dryly, "What do you want, Elena? I'm busy."

Elena asked, "I have the perfect sub for you. I can bring her over tonight and have her ready for you after work?"

Christian sighed and said, "I don't ever want a fucking sub, Elena. I'm not contracting any more. I'm done with it. I'm sick of you cramming lame ass subs that are annoying or clingy. I am just not interested in submissives anymore. I'm done."

Elena said, "Well ok then, I'll come over and give you release."

Christian about threw up. He said, "That will never happen ever again as long as I live. I told you that repeatedly was in the past and that is where it is going to stay forever. I want you to leave me alone." He hated when she peddled herself. It made his skin crawl.

Elena simpered and said, "Don't you remember how good we were together? We were both satisfied mutually."

Christian shouted, "Goodbye Elena!" He hung up. She called over and over again leaving scathing messages on text and voicemail. He ignored them, then he blocked her numbers.