Chapter 25: Goodbyes and Hellos

I Only Own The Plot

CPOV

Ana and I arrive once the party is in full swing. My Beauty has been feeling under the weather since yesterday and we need to inform Grace that we would not be staying long at all. Luke and I have both tried to talk her out of going tonight, but she insists that we need to support Grace. We made her promise that if she felt like she needed to go home, she would tell us immediately.

"Wow, Grace knows how to throw a party," Luke exclaimed while looking around.

"Since the Coping together ball didn't happen this year, Grace decided to use this opportunity to raise the money. I have already donated two million on all of our behalves. She felt really guilty about Carrick," I explained to my little family.

"Ana, Christian! It's so good to see you both," Says a lady I vaguely remember. "It's me, Susan! You were supposed to marry my daughter, Christian. Ms. Ana came back from Europe and snatched you right up off the market, though. Leaving my Amber all alone," she says fake pouting.

"I have no idea who you or your daughter are. My wife did take me off of the market and I could not have found a more perfect person in MRS. Grey. Please do not disrespect my wife in my mother's house and especially not in my presence. I tend to get vengeful towards people who speak ill of my beautiful wife," I level her with my boardroom stare. She pales and I see her gulp. I hear Ana giggles and Luke's laugh.

"I meant no offense, Mrs. Grey. I apologize," she says, looking at my Beauty. Ana just nods her head and looks elsewhere. She's done with this conversation. Susan runs off to where she came from and we continue through the house to try and find Grace.

"I bet twenty bucks that the next person who interrupts our night does so to get Banana's attention," Luke says. I feel as if he knows something we don't, but I take the wager anyway. Ana doesn't know anyone in my mother's social circle.

"I want in on this too," Jason said from behind us.

"Me too, but my money is on Christian," Gail says.

"You guys are such goofs," Isa says, rolling her eyes.

I steer Ana over to the bar area so that we can get her some water and the rest of us a drink before we continue to look for Grace.

"Ana Steele? I thought I'd never see you again," a guy at the bar says while staring at my wife.

"I'm sorry, you have me at a disadvantage. I am not sure who you are. Also, it's Ana Grey now. This is my husband, Christian Grey," Ana says, waving her left hand in my direction. Her ring glimmers in the light to emphasize her point that we are married. I smile a tight smile at the guy and nod my head.

Once he sees her ring, the light in his eyes goes out. Good, she's mine.

He quickly rearranges his facial features to look smug.

"You went and got married on me, Steele? You're breaking my heart, darlin'," he says, putting his hand over his heart.

"As I said before, it's Grey now. Anastasia Grey. Speaking of names, I still don't know yours," Ana says narrowing her eyes at the guys.

"Seriously? You did a press release for my dad's company. I was in the office while you were meeting with him," he says. Ana still stares at him blankly. "I'm Jack Hyde. My dad is Phil Hyde," he says, dropping the cocky smirk her had on his face.

"I know your father, but don't remember you. Give your father my best wishes. I'll send him a fruit basket," Ana says, turning to walk away from him. He reaches out to grab her arm. I smack his hand out of the way. Luke steps in between us and Jack.

"Touch my sister again and I will rip you to shreds. You should actually be leaving. Seems as if you're no longer wanted here," Luke says. Jack ignores him.

"Don't call me when you get even fatter and he dumps you. Although, I may take you just to take your money," Jack says smirking. He downs his drink and then slams his glass on the counter before walking away.

"Let's find Grace and get the fuck out of here. We can have a family night tonight. Games, music, junk food, and maybe movies," Ana says looking around at our group. We all nod our heads.

"Good. These people are getting weirder and weirder," she says shaking her head.

After about five more minutes of searching and politely greeting the people who we actually know, we find Grace in deep conversation with an old friend of hers.

"My babies have arrived," Grace coos while grabbing Ana and kissing her cheeks. She does the same to me and Luke. Luke blushes while Ana and Isa giggle.

"Hey, Mom. We aren't going to stay long. Ana isn't feeling the best and honestly, your people are a little weird," I say chuckling.

"Oh, Ana. If you're not feeling well, I could've stopped by before I left. You gotta take care of my grandbaby," Grace scolds lightly.

"I'm fine, Grace. The baby is just giving me growing pains. We get to find out what we're having on Tuesday. We'll FaceTime you right after the appointment. I believe the baby is a boy. Christian says girl," Ana says rolling her eyes and laughing.

"I can't wait. You guys should go home. Enjoy each other. I am about to leave soon to go to a hotel closer to the airport. I have a cleanup crew that is coming tomorrow and the security will lock up the house after they are finished. You need to find your sister, she has news for the both of you," Grace says. She kisses our cheeks and is gone with the wind.

"She seems so much happier," I say as my eyes follow Grace around the room.

"She's free," Ana says. She has a far-away look in her eyes that tells me she knows the feeling. I wrap my arm around her to bring her back to me and she graces me with a beautiful smile. My smile. I don't feel like looking for Mia tonight, so I tell our group that I am ready to go home. We go to gather our coats when a song comes on and I hear Luke and Ana gasp at the same time and turn to look at each other.

"Now," they both say and basically run towards the dance floor.

"EXCUSE US," Luke exclaims as they clear the dance floor.

"Big brother, I am not going to be able to spin. I am pregnant and in a dress. We are going to have to switch roles," Ana says stretching.

"Just this once, Banana," Luke says with a stern look and then starts to laugh. The beat drops and they start to weave around each other. This dance has obviously been their thing for years. Upon a closer listen, I notice that the beat is Run DMC's It's Tricky. If one of them starts to breakdance, I probably will start crying from laughing so hard. Right on cue, Luke drops to the ground and starts spinning on his back while my Beauty is doing the robot behind him. The crowd around them starts howling with laughter and hyping them up. I am doubled over in laughter while they continue this dance that is obviously practiced. I turn to my left and see Isa recording them and me laughing at them. I bet that is going to go on social media later tonight.

The song is coming to an end and I want to dance with my wife once before we go home and enjoy our family time. I walk up to the DJ and slip him two hundred dollars to play Work Song by Hozier. Whenever we want to remember our first time in Greenland, we put this song on and hold each other close. As the song ends, Luke and Ana get deafening applause and the goofs eat it up. As they are bowing toward each other, the DJ comes on the microphone to let the room know that this is a slow song and to grab your loved one close. My Beauty and I lock eyes and start to slowly move toward each other. We meet in the middle of the dance floor and automatically fall into each other arms.

"Beauty, do you know how happy you make me? I am so glad you came barreling into my life," I say into her hair as we sway back and forth to our song.

"I feel the exact same way. This is my favorite place to be, in your arms. I feel so safe. So loved. So cherished. You understand what I want or need before I even know. Our hearts couldn't walk by each other that day. We needed each other too much," she says as she nuzzles her head into my chest. I pull her as close as our baby will allow. I lift her head and bend down to kiss her pink plump lips. The flashes go off all around us and I couldn't care less. I am kissing the woman of my dreams.

We pull apart with a gasp when I feel a nudge against my stomach.

"Oh my God! Was that what I think it was? I can't believe it," I say and drop down to my knees and smash my face against her belly.

"Hello, Baby! I am your daddy. I can't wait to see you, hold you, and love all over you," I say with my lips still against her stomach. I get a swift kick in return and I can't help the tears that fall down my face. I look up at my Beauty and she has a breathtaking smile across her face and tears running down her face as well. I smile back up at her and I notice more flashes.

I give Ana's stomach one more kiss before I stand up and take her by the hand and lead her to the exit. I want to talk to my baby some more, but in the privacy of our own home. I wonder if we can move the appointment up to tomorrow.