follow text

Enter your email below and submit to be alerted to new posts:



Thursday, November 1, 2012

Chapter 14 - All that's new(s)

Chapter 14

It’s eleven forty-five and I am arriving promptly for my lunch with Kate after a morning spent with delicious flashbacks of the eve prior.  Stretching as I exit the car, I’m actually surprised I’m not achy or sore at all.  Though I knew there were be little or no residual pink marks on my skin and certainly no bruises, I expected my arms and shoulders to be tender.  Christian’s magical massage he gave me in the tub, along with a few Advil he pumped into me this morning, seems to have done the trick.  
Harry is setting Teddy’s car seat into the stroller, so I glance at the restaurant.  The outside patio adjacent to the sidewalk has all high round two-person tables with bar height chairs, the building itself is just a wall of windows bringing the outside in, and the awning has the name of the restaurant in a ‘we’re so trendy we use all lower case letters’ manner. “ocho.”  Kate swore the food was great and the place was ‘in’.  I have to laugh.  If it wasn’t for Kate through college and Kate and Mia today my sense of style, in clothes, food, well, everything, would still be in 2007. 
On cue, Kate comes bounding up the sidewalk dressed in a black pencil skirt, a cap sleeved red knit top, black wedge sandals about four inches high, and carrying a blue gift bag with a picture of a teddy bear on it.  She looks perfectly together and beautiful.  Beautiful, blonde, confident.  As always.  The two waiters who were setting tables for the lunch rush both look up at her.  I’m wearing my new mauve and peach skirt again with my peach cork shoes.  Passable, but not sophisticated.
Kate engulfs me in a tight hug, “Hey, Steele!  This was an awesome idea.”  She releases me and is instantly out of the gate, “You’re going to love the tapas here!  Elliott and I considered having the restaurant cater the rehearsal dinner before we decided to keep everything at the hotel, you know, for convenience sake.  Hey, I thought we could eat outside, you game?”
Sawyer doesn’t even try to hide his grimace.  Outside, exposed patio practically on the sidewalk, lots of lunch foot traffic.  Thinking quickly, “Actually, it might be hard for me to easily reach Teddy in his stroller if we are up on high chairs.  Besides, Kate, you’re wearing a short pencil skirt.”  She looks perplexed.  “Ugh, Kate.  Pencil skirt, bar stool, out in the open.  Think about it.”  After a moment, I can tell she hasn’t pieced it together.  “Kate, you won’t be comfortable, your skirt will ride up, and you’ll spend most of lunch either tugging it down or trying to strategically cross your legs.”  I mean, if Elliott were here and she were trying to seduce him…before I know it I have a flashback to Christian and I at the bar at the club and the same scenario. 
Except I was six months pregnant.  And after thirty minutes I just couldn’t pull it off anymore, and I couldn’t tell if Christian was turned on or on the verge of laughing.  It had seemed like such a good idea when I was getting dressed, but the hormones must have taken over my brain.  Yeah, right.  Seduce my husband publicly when I’m practically waddling in my heels.  I finally just gave up and blurted out, “Oh for God’s sake, will you just take me home and fuck me!”  Christian’s eyes went wide for a moment before he cracked up, and glanced at the bartender who had obviously overheard. 
“I should torment you more, Mrs. Grey, and I should make you eat some dinner.  But upon the advice of many, I’ll accede to your demands.”
“What advice?  Who is many?”
He leans towards me.  “Do what the pregnant lady wants, and no one gets hurt,” he whispers in my ear.   Damned straight.  “And I must morally protect my sources or risk multiple marriages.” 
Kate has been glancing down at her skirt, “You’re right, Steele.  Always the pragmatic one.  Inside it is, but let’s sit near the windows.”  Sawyer won’t love that, but it’s an improvement. 
We stroll inside and Kate immediately instructs the hostess to the precise table she wishes.  Harry takes a seat at the bar and Sawyer stations himself outside the door.  Kate has the hostess move another table away so we have room for the stroller.  This is one of those times I envy her commanding presence.
As we take our seats, Kate hands me the gift bag, “A little something for my nephew.”  She winks as she says it.  The bag is stuffed full of tissue paper, concealing the contents. 
“You’re going to spoil him,” I admonish as I put the bag under the stroller.  I glance at the menu, “So, what is good here?” 
“Ooh, let me order for us.”
I’m game, and I tell her.  When the waitress returns we each order an iced tea, then Kate appears to order a selection of dishes from the menu plus a few of the specials.
“I don’t think I’ve eaten tapas before,” I share. 
“It’s just small dishes, usually Spanish or Mediterranean,” she says knowledgably.  “The advantage is if you don’t care for something you just move on to the next thing.  But you have to promise to at least try everything...promise?”  I nod.
“Good, now I can cut to the chase.”  Uh oh.  My subconscious just hid behind my first edition Hardy’s.  “What was the deal Saturday night?  How bad is it?  Are you and Christian in a fight?  Spill now.”
“I told you.  It’s just a lawsuit and I have to give a deposition.  I’ll have to meet with lawyers and stuff.  It’s just a nuisance,” I bluff.  But Kate knows me all too well.  She rolls her eyes, sighs, then goes into full on journalist mode.
“Ana, we can go around in circles, but I will not leave today until I know.  Is the suit against the company or against Christian personally?”
I look down at the table, “it’s personal.”  Even though I already told Kate this much, I’m struggling to talk to her in person.  The waitress returns to the table with our beverages just then, giving me a blessed moment to regain my composure.  Deep breath in and out.  Raise your eyes back up.  This is your best friend, Steele.  You can do this.
The waitress retreats, and Kate advances, “So, are you going to make me pry this out of you?”
I shake my head.  “A woman Christian was sexually involved with is suing him.”
Kate’s eyes go wide and I can practically see the wheels spinning in her head as she processes the information.
“Croquetas Borrachas,” the waitress announces placing a plate of goat cheese with roasted peppers on the table along with a basket of breads.
Kate silently reaches for a piece of a baguette, and smears a dollop of the cheese and peppers on it.  She gestures for me to take some.  I select a wedge of pita and mimic her actions.  She wants time to formulate her next question. 
I take a bite and set the pita down on the small plate in front of me.  “Is there a child?” she whispers.
“A what? No!” But then I take a moment to consider it.  Christian was militant about birth control, but then look at me.  No.  He would not have hidden this.  I know it in my heart and soul.  Christian would never brush off a child.  Not with his history.  I am decided and without doubt on this. 
Kate takes a bite, pondering her next question.  She knows me well, too well, and knows if she steps over a line my answers will cease.  However, I have been working on being more open and keeping less in.  Mostly with Christian, but with others, too.  I have a habit of keeping people at bay.  At least Flynn thinks so.  “Does she want palimony?”
Do they even have that in Washington?  “No.  It wasn’t a long term thing.”
“Was she a sub?”
“Sort of.”  There is no way to stop her now, Kate is on a roll.
“Sort of how?”
I take a bite of my pita.  This would probably taste good if I didn’t have a lump in my throat over this discussion.  Kate is studying me and waiting for my answer. 
“Ensalata con Trucha,” the waitress deposits a dish with fish sitting on a bed of romaine lettuce, topped with two exceptionally small poached eggs.  She is awfully perky, bordering on irritating.  But her timing is impeccable. She stays for a moment to refill our iced tea.  I look over at the fish wondering if it is sufficient distraction.  I’m not sure what type of fish it is, and I wonder where they found an egg so small.   
“First of all, it is a quail egg and the fish is trout.”  So much for verbalizing my questions.  “Second, are you going to answer me?”  Nope.  Not sufficient enough to distract. 
“Christian had an,” I wave my hand in the air as I search for the word.  Tryst?  Hookup? “encounter with her at an S&M club.”  Kate’s eyes could not get any wider.  I try for nonchalant as I scoop up bit of the trout dish onto my plate and taste a forkful.  It’s good, and gives me something to focus on as Kate gapes at me.  Aiming for casual as the silence stretches, I take another forkful, stabbing the quail egg this time so it oozes over the salad. 
Kate’s expression has relaxed minutely and she helps herself to some of the trout.  This is a standoff, or a test.  I don’t know if it means I win or lose, pass or fail, but I break first.  “I should have said alleged encounter.  Christian doesn’t remember her, per se.” 
Kate freezes with her fork in her mouth.  As she recovers, she slowly chews her trout salad.  “Is that something he did a lot?  Hook up with random women at clubs?” 
I just shrug.  What am I supposed to say?  “I don’t ask too much.  I don’t like to think about it.  It was years ago.  BA.  Before Ana.”
“Jamon Serrano.”  We both jump.  Our focus on the topic was such that we didn’t even see perky waitress approach with the ham and chorizo sausage dish.  Then we look at each other.  And giggle.
“Oh, Ana.  How are you handling this so well?”  Kate shakes her head in disbelief.  “I seethe with jealousy when I stumble upon an ex of Elliott’s.  Which you can imagine is not an infrequent occurrence in and around this city.”  I nod at her, and feel a little bad for her.  I imagine that our architect being one of Elliott’s conquests is not an anomaly in the Greys’ circle.  My subconscious smirks at me…you feel bad for her?  Who has to give a deposition?   Fair point to my subconscious, I don’t have any call to pity someone else on this score.
We both help ourselves to some of the ham, and I spread more goat cheese on another pita.  “Ana, really, how do you keep calm with this?”
“I wasn’t calm on Saturday, but predominantly due to being caught unawares.”  Do I tell her I have been seeing Flynn?  I don’t even classify myself as in therapy, it just helps to talk to someone.  Though I surmise that is what therapy is about.  “I guess I just compartmentalize.  I endeavor not to make Christian account for actions taken prior to meeting me.  It wouldn’t be just to force him to answer for things he cannot change.  Do you vilify Elliott for past, um, experiences?”   
We pause as we see Miss Perky coming this time.  “Gambos al Ajillo.”  She lays a plate of grilled shrimp on the table, and refills our teas again. 
Kate smiles, the first real smile since we sat down. “I try not to.  BK.  Before Kate.”  She serves herself some shrimp.  “You should call Grace.  She’s terribly worried.”  I look at her puzzled.  “Come on, Ana.  They know you were served papers and you know them.  They don’t want to intervene, but they worry so much about Christian.”  They do worry about him, but not necessarily more than Elliott or Mia.  Differently, but not more.  “You do realize what their biggest fear is?”
I scowl at her, perplexed and unsure what she is getting at. 
“Ana, the Grey’s are constantly petrified of something happening between you and Christian.  Chiefly of him doing something asinine and driving you away.”  Do they really fret over Christian and me?  Do they think our marriage is that fragile?  “They spent twenty-four years inducing him to trust and relate to others, then he meets you and is somehow ‘fixed.’” She uses annoying air quotes to make her point.  “They know you guys are in a good place, but somehow you two are magnets for drama.  Just do me a favor and call Grace.  You know she won’t call you.  Doesn’t want to be a meddling mother in law.” 
Kate is right.  With everything on my plate, I hadn’t realized it had been four days since we saw Christian’s parents.  And longer since they saw Teddy.  Poor Grace must be beside herself.  I promise myself to call her on the way home. 
With the lawsuit out in the open, at least with Kate, I tell her all about the visit with the attorneys, my coaching on answering questions.  Even the offer to squire Teddy and me away from Christian.
“Did you tell him about that?”  I nod.  “And he didn’t go ballistic?  Seriously?  Ana, I don’t know how, but I think you are taming that man.” 
I smile and shake my head, “Trust me. Christian is no more tractable than the day I met him.”  And certainly not ‘fixed’.   “I’ve just acclimated to his, you know, quirks.  Navigate around the portentous zones.”
Kate is shaking her head and laughing at me, though unfortunately she had just taken a bite of food.  While holding one hand over her mouth, she holds up one finger.  After a minute, she swallows, “Steele, really!  You and your vocabulary!  You can be so sesquipedalian!”
“Ses what?”
“Aha!  I got you!”  A fresh round of giggles overtakes her.  “I’ve been saving that word for you and Christian.  For once I have the privilege of stumping you.”
“I’ll admit you have me.  Now what does it mean?”
“No, no, no.  Go look it up!”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”  Her laughter subsided; Kate excuses herself to use the ladies room.   Teddy is sound asleep in the stroller, so I check my email.  As expected, I missed one from Christian.   
To: Anastasia Grey
From:  Christian Grey
Date: June 6, 2012 12:05 pm
Subject: Bachelor party
Hope you have a lovely lunch with Kate.  I am attempting to plan Elliott’s bachelor party, though I find the notion redundant with his exploits of the decade past.  To keep things simple (just Elliott’s speed) I will likely fly Elliott and his sophomoric friends to Las Vegas.
Could you check if Kate has any concerns?  Any boundaries?  My mother would annihilate the cause of bridal distress. 
Christian Grey
CEO Grey Enterprise Holdings who is daydreaming of last night.
I smile thinking I’m daydreaming, too. 
“My, my, what is that grin for?”  Kate has returned.
“Just an email from Christian.”
“You smile like that for just an email?  Must be some email.”
I think I smile at almost every email from him.  And every phone call.  “Kate, he’s planning the bachelor party.  He wants to know if you are okay with Vegas and if there are any boundaries he should enforce.”
“Vegas is fine, and I definitely have boundaries.”  Of course, Kate has thought this through.  I listen as she ticks off her mental list.  “Dancers are fine, but no strippers and no lap dances.”  Okey dokey.  “As long as they’re in Vegas, I won’t have to worry about them returning him to me drunk and sick, but make sure Christian knows that Elliott better be sober when he comes home.  He can be hung over, though.”  Uh huh.  “And most importantly, no pictures.  It is one thing to know what happened, but another to see it.  I don’t want to see it.” 
She has really thought this through.  I start to reply and am almost finished.  “Spell sesqui – whatever.”
Kate beams with her lexicon victory.  And spells the word.
To: Christian Grey
From:  Anastasia Grey
Date: June 6, 2012 12:51 pm
Subject: Bachelor party – hard limits
Kate is fine with Vegas.  Here are her limits:
1.      Make sure Elliott is sober before conveying him back to Kate.  Hangovers permitted.
2.      Dancers ok, strippers and lap dances are precluded
3.      No photographic evidence.  Visual of the shenanigans may cause bridal distress.  You are warned.
xo fantasizing about last night Ana
PS – am I sesquipedalian?
“So, what are we doing for the bachelorette party?”
“Kate, I’m giving you a choice.  I can plan it, or I can turn it over to Mia, who I’m sure has some interesting ideas.” 
Kate pretends to mull it over as she spreads the last of the goat cheese on a hunk of bread, and I finish the trout salad.  “Steele, I love you.  Let Mia plan it.”
Smirking at her, “You know it is a win-win-win.  I’m lousy at these things, you’ll like whatever adventure Mia cooks up better, and Mia is dying to do this.”
“That’s just because you and Christian didn’t let us throw you one.”  Yeah, I remember that fight.  Fight with Kate.  I had no desire to go to some male strip show. Though I acted like I didn’t want it because it would upset Christian, I knew I was using him as an excuse.  But there would be no getting out of it now as I’m certain Mia has some sort of male revue on the itinerary. 
“I think that no photo rule should apply to the bachelorette party, too.”
“Definitely,” Kate agrees.  “By the way, have you scheduled your fittings?”
“I was trying to wait until the last minute.  To see if any of the baby weight miraculously disappeared.”  Kate rolls her eyes at me.
“You barely look like you had a baby.”  Kate cuts the last piece of shrimp in half for us to share.  “I hear we’re going to the Mariners Saturday?”
“Are you coming, too?”
“Yeah.  Us, Mia, Ethan.  By the way, nice to hear through Elliott that José is coming down.” 
“Sorry.  It was just...”
“Kidding, Steele.  It’ll be fun.  Grace and Carrick had plans, but we’ll have fun.  It’ll be nice to see Ray.”
We ramble on about wedding stuff.  Something with the florist over the dahlia’s being small this year.  Paying extra for real pacific salmon, not farmed.  Some social overlaps and clashes between Grace’s circle and Kate’s mother’s friends causing seating plan issues.  Before we know it, Kate’s one hour lunch has stretched to two, Teddy is waking, and it is time to part ways. 
We split the bill.  Though Christian would never let any member of his family pick up a check, I’ve conceded this battle with Kate.  Though neither one of us ever cared about money, I rarely let her pick up tabs for me in college and we’d both just as soon keep our status quo. 
As we stand to make our way out of the restaurant, Kate takes the wheel of the stroller, so to speak, as the handles were closer to her.  “Let me.  Who knows, maybe in a year or two this little guy will have a cousin and I’ll be borrowing all your equipment,” she says with a wink.  I lead the way through the now crowded restaurant, asking people as sweetly as I can to move their chairs so Kate can navigate past.  She is doing quite well; as we exit to the sidewalk I smile at the sight of my best friend and my son.
“Oh my, look at this handsome fellow here.” I turn to see the person with the voice.  Fucking bitch!  “Well hello, Theodore.”  Before I can move or block her, the most nauseating thing I can imagine happens.  Elena Lincoln, established pedophile, leans down and tickles my son.  No!  My private warrior is awake and struggling for words.  Even Kate, outspoken Kate, is at a loss. 
My mind, mouth, and body are frozen as horror fills me.  The one person I truly loathe straightens up and gestures at my left hand.  “Your collar is lovely, Anastasia.”  My what?  Oh, hell, no!
I square my shoulders to let fly a barrage of every insult I can think of, but before I do my private warrior whispers in my ear.  
I utter one word.   “Sawyer.” 
And that is all it takes.  In the blink of an eye, Sawyer and Harry have come between us and backed Elena up against the building.  They are not truly touching her, just using the presence of their bodies to make her move. 
“Mrs. Grey, I have the car here,” Ryan has approached, taken the stroller from Kate, and is leading us to the car.  “Miss Kavanaugh, allow us to drop you back at your office.  Kate nods, and Ryan pops the car seat off the stroller and secures Teddy.  Kate and I follow into the car and I will myself not to look back.  A moment later, Harry climbs into the back, Sawyer is in the passenger seat, and we are underway. 
“Bitch troll,” Kate mutters and smiles at me.  She knows my nickname for Elena Lincoln.  “You handled that phenomenally.”   Kate reaches across Teddy to squeeze my hand.  I’m shaking, and angry, and angry that I’m shaking. 
A moment later we pull up outside Kate’s office.  “Are you okay?”
“I will be.  Don’t worry,” I reassure her.
“Her face was priceless when you didn’t respond.  She doesn’t deserve the time of day from you,” I nod in ascension.  Stretching over Teddy, Kate gives me a hug before bounding out of the car. 
I let out a deep sigh.  I want to get Teddy home and scrub that woman off him.  Even though she only touched his belly through his outfit, I want to rid him of any trace of her presence. 
“Mrs. Grey,” my thoughts are interrupted.  “The proscribed visitor breach, I need to report that.”  Sawyer sounds like he is asking permission, but I know that is not accurately the case. 
“Of course,” is all I say.  And then I grab my blackberry from my purse to head this off at the pass. 
To: Christian Grey
From:  Anastasia Grey
Date: June 6, 2012 2:17 pm
Subject: unexpected run ins
Just to let you know, I am fine.  Ran into old news outside the restaurant.  Sawyer handled it.  Teddy and I are on our way home.
Xo Ana
I can hear Sawyer on the phone, presumably speaking with Taylor, but I block it out as we leave downtown.  Teddy is completely unfazed, by the incident, as he should be.  Staring out the window I realize the biggest victory over the bitch would be to not let her ruin my day.  Closing my eyes I breathe deeply, and will myself to let it go.  I had a lovely two-hour lunch with a wonderful friend, and a sixty second conversation with a blot on humanity.  I will not let this eat me up.  I. Will. Not. Let. Her. Win.
By the time we pull past our gate, my mantra is starting to work.  There are no new messages on my blackberry, so either Taylor didn’t get to Christian yet, or my email assuaged his worry. 
Upon entering the house, I take Teddy immediately to the nursery, leaving the stroller for the team.  Resisting the urge to scour the memory of her off my son, I settle for changing his outfit.  Stripped out of the blue footed outfit covered in bears and his onesie, I change Teddy’s diaper and put a fresh onesie on.  I am tempted to throw the outfit in the trash, but toss it in the hamper.  See, I am rational.
Sitting to nurse, I know this will relax me.  I close my eyes and let the endorphins take over.  The tension leaves my body slowly.  I wipe my mind clean and do not allow myself to think of the incident.  I focus only on the infant in my arms.  After twenty minutes, I shift Teddy and close my eyes again. 
Hearing footsteps enter the room doesn’t disturb me.  Mrs. Taylor bringing water, I presume.  I don’t even open my eyes.
The minutes pass as Teddy contentedly feeds.  This is better than any form of meditation.  I feel relaxed, purposeful, and focused.  A little voice in my head reminds me that I should be drinking.  But I never heard Mrs. Taylor put the glass down.  Perplexed, I open my eyes and meet gray ones boring down at me. 
“Christian, when? How?,” I stammer.  Trying again, I regain my thought process, “I’m fine, baby.  You didn’t need to come home.”
“You’re fine?” he seems unable to grasp the concept as he runs his hand through his hair.
“Yes, I am decidedly fine.  I sent you an email.”
“That you did.  But fine does not always mean fine.  I,” he pauses to work out his phrasing.  “I was worried.”  Kneeling down he leans on my knees.  “What happened?”  His eyes are searching mine, full of concern.  It is an odd sight. Christian dressed in a custom made slate suit, blue shirt with monogrammed cuff, and Italian tie squatting in front of me and looking up.  The power juxtaposition makes my inner goddess grin. 
“We bumped into her outside the restaurant, she tickled Teddy, made an inappropriate comment, then Sawyer handled her, and Kate and I left.  That’s it.  Sixty seconds, tops.” 
Christian takes a breath and absorbs what I said.  He looks me up and down, then runs his finger along Teddy’s arm.  “And you are really fine?”
I don’t answer immediately, because I know he won’t believe me if I don’t give it thought. 
“Yes, I really am.  I have also suppressed the urge to bathe Teddy to remove an entire layer of skin to rid him of her.  However, I have given one concession to my irrational side.”  Christian cocks his head to the side, waiting.  “I needed to change Teddy’s outfit.  She touched it.  I did refrain from throwing it away, though.”
Smirking at me, he responds, “No bonfire for the tainted outfit in the backyard?” I shake my head, grinning because of course I know how ridiculous it is. 
Teddy is finished.  Christian reaches his hands out asking to take him.  I hand Teddy over to his father.  “I’ll find another ensemble for him.  Well, young sir, what shall you wear?”  Christian takes Teddy over to the dresser. 
I leave them to it and head to the master suite.  The continuous iced tea refills from perky waitress must be attended.  When I’m done with the necessities, I check myself in the mirror.  I don’t look like I just had a run in with my husband’s ex-whatever.  I actually look…fine.  Way to go, Grey. 
As I exit the bathroom, Christian is waiting for me with Teddy in his arms.  I see the outfit and immediately frown, “where did that come from?”  It came out sharper than I intended.  I hadn’t seen this outfit before, and I certainly wouldn’t have chosen it.  It is a simple yellow outfit with a duck on Teddy’s belly and ducky feet. 
Christian frowns at me, unsure of my reaction.  “It’s from the girls at work.  I brought it home last week.  Mrs. Taylor laundered it and put it away.”  He looks down at Teddy to see what is wrong, then presses the duck on Teddy’s belly and it ‘quacks’.  “Don’t you like it?”
I shrug.  “It’s cute and all.  Duckies just aren’t my thing,” I say dispassionately.  At least that was my goal.
Christian just shakes his head, “No duckies, then?”
What do I say that doesn’t make me sound nuts?  Thank goodness for all the bear stuff, the ducks were minimal.  And they’re gone.  “No ducks.”   
My husband has the same look he would get when I was tremendously pregnant and insisting upon something he thought uncritical.  Like insisting we needed to pick a diaper brand and have it on hand ahead of time.  Of course I knew someone could do it for us later, but I wanted to do it then.  For some reason. 
“Well, Mrs. Grey, I will leave you to attire our son.  I have some conference calls and other work.  I’ll be in my study.”  He hands Teddy over to me and brushes my cheek, “Are you really okay?”  I nod and smile.  Christian isn’t sure he’s satisfied, but he leaves it be.  “By the way, Taylor left a thumb drive with the revised protocols on your desk.  Have at it, madame editor,” with a wink he strides away. 
“Teddy, let’s get you in something decent.”  I take him back to the nursery and find a purple with royal blue polka dots outfit for him.  Then I lay him down for a well-deserved nap.   
I fetch the monitor receiver from our bedroom.  Making my way downstairs and across the house, Christian’s office door is slightly ajar.  He is his usual commanding self, barking orders to whomever is on the phone with him.  Master of the universe, as always. 
Cutting through the library to my office, I see the aforementioned drive on my desk, next to the thick binder from the attorneys.  I decide to work with the protocol first, so I pop the drive into the USB on my MacBook and have a seat.  The document is every bit the disaster it was previously.  I cannot believe Christian let this pass his inspection.  I set to work organizing, rephrasing, removing redundancy. 
I miss this.  Editing.  Christian has been good the past three weeks, never once mentioning staying home.  I know he wants to offer it again.  I know he thinks he should.  I know he thinks that I choose to work so that in some fashion I earn my way. 
But the reality is I love my job.  Not just the reading, my favorite pastime.  But taking the raw material of a book and shaping it, molding it, until ready for publication.  Helping to make something that might inspire thought, change opinions, entertain.  Bringing words to life so someone may get lost in them, the way I do.  I love my job.  I think I’m good at it. 
I’m elbow deep refurbishing Taylor’s work that I don’t notice Mrs. Taylor enter.
“Pardon me, Mrs. Grey.  This was in the stroller.  Should I put it with the other gifts?”
She’s holding the gift bag from Kate.  “Um, no, I’ll take it,” I practically snatch it from her hands.  I pray I don’t look guilty. 
“Very well.  Since Mr. Grey is home, is dinner around six-thirty okay?” 
“That will be perfect.”
“Is there anything special you want?”
“No, anything is fine. Thank you.”  I watch Mrs. Taylor walk out of the room.  Once I’m sure she’s down the hall, I look in the blue gift bag and remove the tissue paper.  And there, underneath, are three manuscripts my assistant, Hannah, gave to Kate. 
I take them out and glance at the titles.  I thumb through the pages.  Ahhh, books.  I feel a twinge of remorse at sneaking them into the house.  My subconscious is looking down her snooty nose at me and shaking her head, but I ignore her.  Reading soothes me, and it would upset Christian to know I was working, even just a little.  Or so I tell myself.
Checking the bottom of the bag, I find a thumb drive with the soft copies.  I stow the drive and the printouts in my desk drawer for another time, and continue editing the security protocol.  Once again engrossed in my work, I don’t look up until Teddy’s cry comes over the monitor.  It was a good two hours work.  Another good session and I’ll have it done. 
With a bit of a spring in my step, I briskly move across the house and bound up the stairs.  Entering the nursery, Teddy seems a bit put out that it took longer than the usual thirty seconds to get to him.  “Now Teddy, Mommy only took two minutes.  Rest assured that if I let you cry longer than that someone else would come.  It’s probably in the protocol.”  I make a mental note to check the protocols for Teddy related material.   
A quick diaper change later, and Teddy and I are once again relaxed in the oversized glider. 
Damn it.  This would be a good time to call Grace, but I didn’t bring my cell phone.  I left it in my purse.  “Teddy, remind me to call Grandma later.”  
Later, Teddy and I spend the remains of the afternoon in the family room.  We even get to three full minutes of tummy time, on the boppy. 
“Mrs. Grey, dinner in ten minutes?” Mrs. Taylor is standing on the threshold of the family room.   
“Sounds perfect.  Did you let Mr. Grey know?” 
“I will right now.”
“No, let me,” I smile at Gail. 
Gathering up Teddy, I’m treated to the wonderful aroma of dinner as I pass the kitchen.  Some butter, some rosemary.  My appetite is present in full force.  My private warrior holds her fist in the air in victory.  I win.  Bitch didn’t even make me lose my appetite for a single meal.
Outside Christian’s study, I hear him on the phone.  I tap lightly on the door, and step inside.  He has his cell phone in hand and the desk phone on speaker and is barking orders to someone.
“Do not execute the intent contracts without a full four weeks for due diligence in the terms.  If they threaten to back out, we’ll buy their competition.  Got it?”  The person on the other side of the conversation agrees.  “Good.”  And Christian hangs up.  No goodbye.  Then he resumes his cell phone conversation, “Ros, the Vietnamese chip manufacturer deal may not happen.  They are trying to cut short due diligence.  They must be concealing something.  Get Welch’s team to try to get something from the Vietnamese government.  Maybe there are safety or quality violations.  If we can’t figure it out, we’ll drop them and go plan B.  Good.”  And he hangs up again.  He doesn’t look at all frustrated by the exchange; he doesn’t run his hands through his hair.  He looks….energized.  
Raising his eyes from his desk, Christian breaks into one of his heart warming smiles.  I smile back, “Mr. Grey, I am here to inform you dinner is ready to be served.”  He rises from his chair and strolls around the desk.  Enveloping Teddy and I together in a hug, his lips meet mine briefly. 
“Though I have a general policy against full time work from home, I am beginning to see the benefit.  I may need to reconsider my stance on the topic.”  Releasing me, he takes my hand and leads me to the dining room, where dinner has been set for the night.  Someone has thoughtfully brought the swing next to the table, so I buckle Teddy in and take my seat, where a rather large glass of water has been set.  Larger than our standard service.  Once again, Christian sits at the head of the expansive table, where a glass of sancerre awaits him.  He doesn’t mention the water, but we both know it means I didn’t drink enough today. 
Mrs. Taylor sets our salads in front of us.  Spinach salad with citrus vinaigrette.  Christian takes my left hand in his right as we eat, forcing him to eat left handed.  I shouldn’t be surprised at my husband’s dexterity, but I still smile and shake my head.
“What?” he asks.
“You,” I answer.  He still looks confused.  “Is there nothing you can’t do?” I nod at the fork in his left hand.
“Cook.”
“Okay, there is one thing you can’t do.  Anything else?”
Christian is pensive for a moment.  “Laundry.”  I laugh.  That is what he came up with, laundry.  “I am quite serious.   In college all my whites turned gray and the reds ran all over.  I can fold, however.” 
“Aside from domestic skills.  Any sports you cannot play?  Games you don’t win at?”
With a doting smile Christian replies, “Ana, I am far too competitive to allow insufficient skills at most games or sports.  Video games excepted.  Which I have no patience to master.  Athletically, I never cared for basketball.  Too physical.  I would never attempt wrestling, for obvious reasons.”  I nod.  Contact sports are understandably out.  Except for one, my inner goddess winks at me.  
Mrs. Taylor clears our salad plates and brings the main course.  “Thank you, Mrs. Taylor, it looks delicious,” I look down at the scallops in beurre blanc sauce, with cous cous and sugar snap peas.  “So, cooking, laundry, video games.  Those are your weak spots?”  Christian nods slowly, certainly wondering what I am getting at.  “Aside from kickboxing, running, and fishing…any other favorite sports?”
Taking a moment to chew and swallow, “Baseball, but I enjoy it more as an observer than participant.  Skiing, of course.”
Aha.  Christian eyes me as I’m smiling.  “Since you enjoy it, then you’ll teach me so we can enjoy it together.  Skiing.”
Christian chokes on his cous cous and releases my hand to regain his composure.  Once the choking coughs subside, he reaches past his wine glass for my water and takes a drink.  After replacing the water on the table, he takes a few deep breaths.  “Ana, I really don’t think skiing and you is an advisable combination.”
“Why not?”
“Ana, think about it.  The day I met you, you tripped over your own two feet.  You have complained about falling off high heels.  Do you honestly believe skiing is a prudent pastime for you?”
“Yes, I do, thank you very much.  If five year olds can do it, so can I,” I say the words, but I don’t truly feel the conviction of them.  But I’m going to hold my ground.  “You are going to take me skiing, Christian Unreasonable Trevelyan-Grey.”  I nod to emphasize my point, and turn my attention to my scallops.  Which are delicious and buttery and melt in my mouth. 
Christian eyes me up and down several times.  “What are you doing?”
“I am trying to memorize what you look like in one piece.  I made need to fall back on the recollection someday.”  I roll my eyes and feign offense.  “I will find a safe sport for you.  Let’s see, bowling?  No, you might cast yourself down the alley.  Badminton?  Hmm, it is played on lawn.  You could trip on a mole hill.” 
Christian continues to catalog preposterous suggestions through our meal.  “Curling?  No, that’s on ice.  Needlepoint?”
“Christian!  That isn’t even a sport!”
“True enough.  Plus there are sharp needles.  I know better than to put a weapon in your hands, so archery is out.  Golf?  You could get sunburn.”
Mrs. Taylor walks in to clear our places and finds me nearly doubled over in stitches.  Christian doesn’t even miss a beat, “Geocaching?  I don’t think you would be that adept with GPS software.  Biking?  Too hazardous on the road, and mountain bikes are a definitive no.”
“Christian, I can ride a bike!” 
Mrs. Taylor lays a plate of cut melon in front of each of us. 
“I have got it,” Christian declares.  “Mall walking.  Just the sport for you.  Indoors, readily available first aide, even terrain.  Yes, that’s it.  Mall walking.”
“Mall walking?” I can’t believe my ears.  “Walking in circles with the old ladies in the mall?  That’s what you think I would be good at?”
“You can do it in any weather, run a few errands while you are at it.  Yes, mall walking.  It is ideal.”
“Christian, I think skiing sounds better.  And more fun.”
“Better than mall walking?  More fun than mall walking?”
“I’ll make you a deal.  I’ll mall walk if you do it with me.” 
Christian pauses with a forkful of honeydew just at his delicious lips.  “Hmmm.  Perhaps I have not fully considered all the possibilities.”
“Perhaps.”
We sit for a few minutes eating our dessert, and I brace myself for the next outlandish suggestion.  As we finish, he takes my hand again.  “Very well, Mrs. Grey.  Skiing it is.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely,” he leans forward and whispers with a wink, “now I just need to get you pregnant again before winter.” 
“Christian!”  Argh.  That man. 
Christian stands, still chuckling.  “I have a bit more work to do tonight.  I’ll be in my study.”  He looks down at Teddy, who is gurgling to himself in the swing.  “Purple and blue.  Excellent choice, Theodore.”
Taking Teddy from the swing, we head upstairs for our evening routine.  An hour later, Teddy is out for a bit and I’ve changed into the silk and cotton pajamas from last night.  Christian is right.  The pants do feel heavenly against my legs. 
Sitting down on the bed, I pull the big bad legal binder into my lap.  I start with the table of contents.  There is a summary of the case, a copy of the complaint, a copy of the initial offer and the rejection, several medical reports, transcripts from meetings between the two legal teams.  Where to start?
With procrastination.  Closing the binder, I grab my blackberry and dial Grace.  My subconscious may not like my avoidance tactic, but this needs to be done, too.
Grace picks up on the second ring, “Ana, dear.  How are you and my favorite grandchild?”
“Grace, your only grandchild and I are both excellent.  We had lunch with Auntie Kate today at a tapas place.”
“She mentioned you were going.  How was it?”
“The food was excellent, I recommend it.  The company, of course, was terrific.”  I pause for a moment.  Grace and I have always had a very good dialog.  She is uber protective of Christian, and by extension, me.  So I take a deep breath and tell her about the run in with her former friend.  Leaving out only the comment about my ring. 
She is silent for a moment.  “Ana, I cannot even tell you how proud I am.  You handled that stupendously well.  I know that woman, and not acknowledging her is a profound insult.”  Grace pauses for a moment, “Did you mention the incident to Christian?” 
Grace knows more than anyone but Kate about the history between Elena, Christian, and I.  “Of course,” I respond, omitting that it wasn’t really my option. 
“And?”
“He unnecessarily rushed home.  But I was actually only fazed for a few minutes after, and then I resolved not to let someone like that have the power to ruin my day.”
“Here, here.  Now, about Teddy.  I think I have forgotten what he looks like.”  I have to chuckle at her blatant exaggeration.  “I am not working tomorrow, would you like to meet for lunch?”
I think about it.  “Why don’t you have lunch with me here?  I have an errand to run in the afternoon, and if you wouldn’t mind staying with Teddy…”
“Grandma babysitter will be there!” Grace cuts me off.  And now I need not worry about bringing Teddy to Flynn’s office. 
We finalize our plans and hang up.  Time to face the big binder.  I start with the complaint. 
Ten minutes later I need to look away.  The cold, legal, moment by moment description of the incident is stupefying.  I don’t want to read this.  I know I have to, though.  Difficult as it may be, I must inure myself to the impact of the words.  If I react during a deposition or in a courtroom, it could impact the case.  Especially during Christian’s deposition.  Ms. Barkes requested I read this, so I take a deep breath, and open the binder again. 
The description of their meeting and deciding to enter a private room is brief.  No names were exchanged.  Upon entering the room, she undressed and he cuffed her to the cross.  There was a brief discussion of safe words.  Yellow and red, just like he taught me.  I’d presumed those were common safe words.  I should ask Christian. 
The complaint continues to describe Christian using…allegedly using?...a cat o’nine tails on her for an extended period.  Then he ceases…allegedly ceases?...whipping her and has vaginal intercourse with her.  A condom was used.  When he was finished, he released her and left. 
The complaint takes ten pages to describe the event.  I can’t tell if it is the sterile legal language, the written word itself, but there is something distinctly off.  This isn’t the Christian I know.  But is it the Christian that was?  Post bitch troll Christian?
I search my mind for the details of my first encounters with fifty.  Even our first time in the playroom, even before ‘more’, he was never indifferent.  The incident description is oddly barren of any verbalization from either party.  Yet with me Christian, though distinctly not chatty, is definitely verbal.  Mostly provocative talk, but the occasional check in where he requires a verbal response.  I know it’s a turn on to him to hear me, but it is also validation of my willingness to participate.  He also checks in other ways, watching my face and body for positive and negative reactions.  This is the Christian I know, and it doesn’t resemble the man on the pages in my lap. 
I’m not sure if it is pertinent, but I jot some notes of these inconsistencies in the margin.   
I peruse the settlement offer letter and the rejection letter.  Despite the legalese, both are straightforward.  The offer was five hundred thousand dollars.  Not a lot for Christian.  I’m fairly surprised.  Until I read the summary and strategy.  It is clear that the attorneys feel Christian’s net worth shouldn’t come into play.  The summary explains our overall finances are only relevant if there were to be punitive damages, a punishment.  Since entering the club and the room was consensual, and she never safe worded, they felt that unlikely.  So the only assessable damages were direct medical costs, loss of work, and pain and suffering.  The strategy cautions the third could be most costly and lists defensive points for limiting this payment, such as the woman never ceased work and did not cite any long term emotional damage. 
I’m just closing the binder when Christian enters.
“Light reading, Mrs. Grey?”
“My homework assignment from Ms. Barkes,” I answer.  Christian immediately scowls.
“You don’t have to read it.  I don’t want it upsetting you.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes.  “Christian, we’ve trod this road already.  I need to read it.  And if there is anything upsetting, I’d rather be upset here, in our home, then in a room full of attorneys.  I want to indurate myself to the details in privacy.” 
Christian’s grimace intensifies.  He resembles a child forced to eat brussel sprouts.  It verges on comical. 
“Besides, your concern is unwarranted.  I didn’t really find the contents disconcerting.”
“No?”
“No.  It’s actually rather dry. Sterile.  All the legal verbiage to wade through.” 
Christian’s expression relaxes slightly.  He sits on the end of the bed by my feet.  He takes my right foot in his hands and begins to rub absent mindedly.  “Do you need to ask me anything?  I’ll answer,” he says, gazing at my foot in his hands.
“I know you will.”  But what to ask him?  “Does everyone use yellow and red as safe words?”
“I wouldn’t say everyone, but they are fairly common.  Everyone knows the stoplight symbols.” 
I nod and he migrates his massage to my left foot.  He goes on for several minutes before my subconscious taps me on my shoulder and clears her throat.  “Christian, asking questions…you know that goes both ways?  I’ll always answer you.”
He shifts his eyes to mine.  His expression is almost blank right now, unreadable.  A full minute ticks by. 
“What did she say?”  I shake my head in confusion.  Are we still talking about the lawsuit?  “What did she say?  The inappropriate thing she said.  What was it?”
Oh.  We’ve circled back to that.  I try to remember her exact words, but I’m not sure.  “She, um, complimented my collar.”  I hold up my left hand. 
Christian holds up his own left hand and twirls his wedding band with his thumb.  Then shrugs.  “It is a similar concept.  Represents a commitment.  An obligation.  The difference is we both have them.”  For the second time today, my private warrior celebrates victory.  My husband just acknowledged marriage as a two way street.  I think.
I know I’m sporting an ear to ear grin.  Christian looks back at me and cocks his head to the side.  “Mrs. Grey, you are grinning like a cheshire cat.”  His eyes return to my feet, now sitting in his lap.  Then he gets his own cat like grin.  “I have an idea,” he says, rising to his feet and letting mine back on the bed.  “Wait here.”  He heads to the bathroom.
I squirm in anticipation.  He has such…creative ideas. 
Christian returns with…nail polish?  And remover.  And cotton balls.  “Lift your feet, Ana.”  I do, and he lays a hand towel on the bed.  Following his gesture, I put my feet on the towel.  Taking a tissue, he carefully winds it between my toes on my right foot, then repeats for the left foot.  There is barely a trace of my last pedicure remaining, yet Christian takes a cotton ball and remover and carefully cleans each toe.  They he takes the clear polish and fastidiously applies a base coat. 
Christian is intensely focused on his work, and my feet.  Perfectionism consumes him, and a trivial pedicure is no exception.  He holds up a lavender polish for my blessing and I nod my approval. 
Once again he is engrossed in his task.  Never once straying off the nail.   I’m marveling at this previously unknown skill while he applies a top coat, wondering where he learned this.
And then it hits me like lightning.  I’m nauseous. 
The bitch troll taught him this.  Made him do this for her.  Anger is threatening to bubble up, along with dinner.  Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath to suppress it.  Logically I know it is wrong to love all the things Christian knows how to do, sexually and otherwise, yet hate with a passion how he acquired that knowledge. 
Opening my eyes, Christian is watching me.  “You okay?”
I force a grin and nod.  Electing to focus on today and not the past, I admire my now completed toes.  Christian is blowing on them to dry them, but it just tickles, eliciting a genuine giggle from me.  So he does it again, forcing me to pull my feet away.
Grabbing me by the ankles, “Do not ruin my handiwork, Mrs. Grey, or there will be consequences.”  Delicious threats.  He places my feet back on the towel, and gathers up the polish, remover, and cotton balls, returning them to the bathroom. 
A short while later, he is ready for bed and declares my feet dry.  Curling together under the covers, my back to his front, he quietly says, “Tell me.”
I surmise any other man would have let a fleeting expression earlier pass.  Any other man might not notice residual tension in me.  But not Christian.  He is so tuned in to my body and emotions. 
“It’s nothing.  Nothing to make a deal over,” I whisper back.
“Then tell me.”   
I turn to look at him and brush his cheek with the back of my hand.  “I love you and everything you know how to do for me.  But when I acknowledge how you came by those skills…”  I let my voice trail off. 
Christian squeezes me tighter.  “As much as I would wish to, I can’t change the past.  But everything I do now is only with thoughts of you.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”  I nod.  “I love you, Anastasia Grey.  And though you have an extensive vocabulary, I would not say you wield it in a condescending manner.  You are not sesquipedalian.  Now sleep.” 

116 comments:

  1. Loved this! Love the story ... I check multiple times a day to see if you updated it ... Thanks again for a wonderful chapter! I am so addicted :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I too check multiple times a day to see an update. In keeping with Ana's strength and conviction as an independent woman, you did not describe her reaction to Elena negatively. I, however, would have had some choice words for her like, "Get your filthy taloned paw off my son!!" LOL!! You described Christian so deliciously wearing his slate suit and monogrammed shirt, kneeling down to speak to his beloved wife. mm mm mm!! Thank you again for your incredible writing. It was a joy to see chapter 14 posted. Love, Carol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had choice words. And you'll find out later why Kate's words didn't make it out of her mouth (the invective she was ready to spew!).

      - Mazie

      Delete
  3. This is awesome great story can't wait for more. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome chapter! Thanks for writing it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Had to look up sesquipedalian. Fun Chapter, thanks
    adjective Also, ses·quip·e·dal  [ses-kwip-i-dl] Show IPA.
    1.
    given to using long words.

    2.
    (of a word) containing many syllables.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is what I posted on the Author's notes in TWCS:

      FYI - sesquipedalian is a FAVORITE word of mine. I found it in a word of the day calendar in 1997 and I've had a fixation with it since then. I hope I wove it into the story well, because I've been dying to use it.

      Dictionary.com just says it means 'given to using long words', but the word of the day calendar I found it on said it was one who uses long words condescendingly or to give the impression of superiority.

      And yes, I am a nerd. Who else would have favorite words!

      Delete
  6. Fantastic chapter. Like everyone else, I too check every day to see if there is a new chapter. Love your writing and just wish we didn't have to wait so long between chapters. Thank you so much for your writing. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martha,
      I really do try for 2 weeks. But for some reason my boss thinks I should be doing the job I'm paid for instead of this (the gall!). And my kids think I work for them.

      :-) Mazie

      Delete
  7. I adore your story :).I love the way you draw from their past to bring drama and substance to the story. FF has a lot of authors who use personal crisis to make their story interesting. But yours always remains tasteful and interesting. GOd knows why yours was deleted from ff. Try reposting, lots more people need to know about this gem :).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sany,
      I may take your advice and try reposting. I do post on TWCS (the writers coffee shop) as they don't mind NC17 content (FF bans it, and then randomly enforces the rule). I think I was deleted because I was one of the first FSOG ff's posted so it was easy to scan the category. Maybe not that it is more crowded.

      I've also heard that if you avoid lemons in the first chapter, you'll be ok. But not knowing that, I started my story with an orgasm in the first chapter. And now I don't want to change it.

      I'll try again.

      :-) Mazie

      Delete
    2. Did you ever finish this story some place else because this cuts me off at chapter 14 :(

      Delete
  8. Amazing chapter yet again! God i hate elena so much. If i was ana i would not have been able to contain myself!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Brilliant chapter once again
    Love this story!
    Jealousy is eating that Elena up
    Looking forward to more

    ReplyDelete
  10. it's so wonderful to see christian act like a normal husband and father. he's more relaxed and playful. i could feel and see the love between him and ana the more i read your story. thank you. well done.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I do love your story and your writing, but I really wanted to slap Ana during this chapter of yours(so I did when I first read mrs James trilogy!) She is nauseous? No s**it? Get over it, for Christ' sake! Yes, Fifty had a horrible relation with the bitch troll, but it's history. Why has this twit of a woman always come back on it?
    These caracters seem real, and it's another victory for you. thank a lot.
    a French fan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Solanne,
      If she was more secure with herself, she might get over it. And if she didn't overthink things. But then, she wouldn't be Ana.

      Merci for reading!

      Delete
  12. This was a great chapter! I love the banter between Kate and Ana, they are such great friends. And, I almost jumped out of my skin when the "bitch troll" showed up. I wanted to smack her for touching Teddy as well. Thanks for pulling me into this story. It's so true about what you said Ana loves about reading books and getting pulled into a story, this is what's happening with your version of this story and me. Thanks again. Can't wait for the next chapter.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I was so excited to see a notice of the chapter!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE your blog!! I am nervous to see how the case moves forward.

    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  14. looking forward to more!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Brilliant.. I loved this and loved the ending. I was wondering when he was going to tell her what the word meant. Haha... I love your writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See my response to a comment above regarding the meaning of sesquipedalian. I love that word!

      - Mazie

      Delete
  16. Such insightful, absorbing writing. Really enjoying this so, so much. I appreciate that the spirit of your story retains the essence of Christian and Ana while continuing their story in an interesting way. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I check this site almost daily for updates. Can't tell you how excited I was when this chapter came up. You have such a great voice and point of view. I'm anxiously awaiting chapter 15!

    PS- Must say I am very very curious about the "inconsistencies" of Christian in the lawsuit. I wonder......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dexick - thank you for reading. And you are observant ;-).

      I'm working on 15,
      Mazie

      Delete
  18. Loved this. I'm starting to get the feeling that somehow Mrs Robinson is behind the lawsuit against Christian. Did she find someone in that s&m club and pay them off?

    Love this blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Loved it!
    although i always wish there was more i am always happy to see your lovely long chapters with lots of wit and humor!
    Christian is very sweet <3

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can't wait for the next chapter. I'm really curious about the gift Ana said she was preparing for christian a few chapters ago!

    ReplyDelete
  21. As always loved this chapter and am anxiously waiting for the next chapter!!! Your writing constantly keeps me drawn into the story just as the 50 shades books did!!! Your an excellent and extrodinary writer and I go through sort of a withdrawing while waiting for your next chapter!!! Lol what can I say I'm hooked!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. had to look up that word - did someone call you that? I loved the story and wish you could update more frequently. You should seriouly think about publishing a book, you have a gift :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Will there be a new chapter soon?

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am in love with this angle of the story. Thank you for sharing you talents.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hello, friend!! Will there be another chapter coming?? I hope so..I'm suffering Christian and Ana withdrawal symptoms LOL!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Please tell me more chapters will be coming soon... I am anxiously awaiting more of your storyline. I love your writing, please continue!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh please let there be another chapter really soon, I am addicted to this continuation it has helped with my FSOG withdrawals lol!! You are an amazing writer....for mine & many others selfish reasons please keep this story going :-)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Are you going to be continuing this story? I really hope so!!

    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  29. More please...I keep checking & hoping the next chapeter is here!!! Love your writing!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. When will we all be able to enjoy CHAP 15?

    ReplyDelete
  31. So, it's been almost a month since the last update. I think that's the longest stretch between chapters yet. I think your story deserves a big readership, but I fear the interest and support will drift away if it continues like this. What about publishing shorter chapters, more often?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, At least tell us the chapter is in progress, let us know that we actually have something to be waiting for... We don't even know wther there is or isn't a next chapter.

      Delete
    2. I agree. It is difficult to stay interested in a story with such infrequent updates. However, I perfectly understand having a job, kids and family that depend on you. Such ashame that you have no time to develop your story more fully. And I am sure that you get tired of all of the endless requests for an update or constant badgering for a new chapter. If your talent, story and imagination weren't so compelling, you wouldn't have any followers.

      Delete
  32. Dear Mazie, I see from your profile that you live in the United States, like I do. I live in Staten Island New York where many of our residents suffered devastation after Hurricane Sandy. I was very fortunate, however, it has occurred to me that perhaps you were not. I hope that is not the case. I will pray for you and your family. You are a brilliant writer who obviously does her research before writing any chapter and I respect that. We are all Fifty Shades Impressed by you and of course Christian and Ana. You keep our obsession alive. I think I speak on behalf of all your followers when I say that we wish you the best, and hope that your computer and your property has not been destroyed. We love you! God bless. Carol xo

    ReplyDelete
  33. I didnt even think of that as a possibility, Carol! how scary...i hope our writer, her family, and just her LIFE in general were not effected by Hurricane Sandy! Hoping that she is just terribly busy with the GOOD things in life for the moment!

    I probably check this blogspot about 15 times a day for a new update. really hope all is well with my favorite blogger!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I check just as often, and though there hasn't been an update, I'm always happy to revisit some of the earlier chapters.

      I considered Carol's concern, as well as work/family obligations, which is why I've tried to refrain from expressing my anxiety(!) and just wait patiently, as I recall Mazie posting in early November that she was working on 15.

      These stories take time... Don't worry about the momentum of weekly/biweekly posts-- we'll be ready & waiting for you

      Delete
  34. Love your take on the story, very enjoyable reading. Can't wait until the next chapter...

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Mazie, I am new to this blog and just want to let you know how much I enjoy it. There is only few good fan fiction around, and I am really glad I've found this continuation of the story.
    I thought Ana was a little out of character in the first few chapters, not that light hearted girl I think she is, but it got better and better by every following chapter. On the other hand, I am deeply impressed how beautifully you write the erotic and sex scenes which are really hot and sensual and in the same time very romantic and intimate. Christian's and Ana's love is palpable, always present and so very deep it makes me cry.
    I also like the twists and turns of your story and I wonder where this ex-club-encounter is going to lead us. I love the fact that Christian's lawyers put ethics above money. I think it doesn't happen very often.

    As you haven't updated for a long time I share the concern of the other commentors and hope you and your closest are ok. I hope you're going to continue your great work.

    Please forgive my mistakes, I'm not a native speaker.
    Cheers, grublue

    ReplyDelete
  36. I've been late to the party, I've just read the books by EL James, and reread them. Now I found 3 blogs that feed my obsession. www.christiangrey50shades.blogspot.co.uk, www.craziemazie.blogspot.co.uk, and www.fifty-shades-of-grey.me But there aren;t enough!! Does anyone have other sites that are worth reading??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. there is a lot of crap out there. you have already found the best ones. also check out NUWRITER on http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/library

      Delete
    2. I started reading the Nuwriter's trilogy continuing from the FSOG trilogy. I stopped after the first one because of a plot twist that the writer took with Christian. Just a friendly warning :) The Writer's Coffee Shop has some great FSOG stories to read especially 33 chapters written by lisalilac. Very lighthearted and pleasant. Enjoy!!

      Delete
    3. Try this one: http://meetcgfiftyshades.blogspot.com - it's pretty new, but really really good. The writer is on facebook where gives little updates and stuff. I can highly recomend it

      Delete
  37. Try this one: http://eminethe1st.blogspot.co.uk/
    she has done the first two books in christian POV, also adding missing sections such as the wedding, along with other view points such as elena and linc even olivia. - Would recommend I read it all within 2 days

    Also look at fan fiction, there are loads of stories there based on a range of books.

    :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for recommending that site, I love it. She thought of everything!! .:)

      Delete
    2. No problem, she updates every week so you don't miss much :D

      Delete
  38. I remember the twist NUWRITER took. It wasn't easy to read, but she pick it up really good. You should continue to read her books!

    ReplyDelete
  39. are you ever going to post again. ITS BEEN FOREVER!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Ok. It's been a month and a half. Can't you atleast answer us, tell us if you plan to keep on updating or not? \=

    ReplyDelete
  41. Try this blog - it's really good
    Http://meetcgfiftyshades.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I hope everything is ok? It has been a long time since you last posted and with the hurricane I have an awful feeling something has happened as this is the longest you've gone without posting. Thoughts and prayers and with you. UK Fan x

    ReplyDelete
  43. Please continue writing. It's been a long time hope everything is ok.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Does anyone know if she continued her writing on another blog?? Daniella

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hopefully it's just the busy season that is preventing you from posting. It is concerning to hear nothing for such a long time. I hope you are well.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I've just reread the very last part of the last post and now I have a new thought. Maybe, the reason we haven't heard from you in a while is that someone forwarded a sample of your work to a publisher or a book agent and they came to you requesting a few chapters for a new book to sample, so you're terribly busy getting those done! Yes, I like that explanation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had the same thoughts... though I hope you will continue "And baby makes three". I love it so... All the best for the new year!

      Delete
  47. WHERE DID YOU GO!!!!! I guess that you gave up on all of us readers

    ReplyDelete
  48. I feel like this blog is now dead and finished. After all it's been almost 2 and a half months since the last update.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Ok glad to see I'm not the only one wondering what gives!! I LOVE this idea of picking up where the last book stopped... I sure hope all is well and we hear from you soon again!!! We need our fix!!

    Amy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's really a good writer isn't she? I love the cliff hanger/mystery aspect of this FanFiction. I can't wait to hear who she has suing Christian. I bet it's someone we've met before.
      Michele

      Delete
  50. I keep checking for new work hope all is ok

    ReplyDelete
  51. I keep hoping for the best and that we will hear something one way or the other.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I hope everything's alright too. I don't think Mazie has abandoned us. There has to be a good reason why there has been no updates or any feedback. I am just trying not to think the worst. There is another great blog that someone who posts here recommend to me.

    http://www.eminethe1st.blogspot.com/2012/05/chapter-ix-fanfiction-christian-and.html. you'll love it. Let me know. Carol



    ReplyDelete
  53. I keep coming here several times a day saying "maybe this time there will be a new chapter! Or at least the writer will answer us, tell us she's OK" But I keep getting disappointed everytime:( This is my favorite FF and I'll keep checking this blog for an update everyday... But PLEASe for the love of god, PLEASE UPDATE!!(:

    ReplyDelete
  54. Me too... anyone know of other fsog blog they can recommend?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See me previous post above? Go to this link and you will be glad you did.
      http://www.eminethe1st.blogspot.com. The writer is a sweetheart and she has written everything you need to satisfy your FSoG obsession. She also posts regularly. You'll love it!

      Let me know. Carol

      Delete
    2. Try this one:
      http://fifty-shades-of-grey.me/
      and this one:
      http://fiftyshadesofgreyandmore.wordpress.com/
      Both excellent writers.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for the recommendations. This one http://fiftyshadesofgreyandmore.wordpress.com/
      I hadn't seen yet and it is a great suspense version.

      Delete
    4. Try this one, it is amazing writing.

      http://meetcgfiftyshades.blogspot.com

      Delete
    5. Ewww! Julie, Thanks it IS a good one. I love how she writes Christian's inner turmoil. Thanks.

      Delete
  55. Sorry you seem to have stopped writing this story. I have been enjoying it and I know many others have too. We don't mind waiting but please don't stop!!

    ReplyDelete
  56. This is such a bummer!

    I loved this blog and am soooo disappointed in CrazieMazie for not writing more in this blog or at least telling her fans what is going on!!!!

    Are you done writing?

    ReplyDelete
  57. OH NO....I just found this and LOVE it although I must say I am a bit distressed wondering about the pending lawsuit. I wonder if Elena is somehow involved? Hope all is OK as it hasn't been updated in sooooo long!

    Please keep writing - it's very well done - wondering if you're going to follow the original Epilogue and include Phoebe who should be coming along quite soon?

    THANKS...don't desert us!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Has anybody emailed this person?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I did, but I haven't got a reply. As I'm a complete stranger to her - I discovered this blog after her last post - I'm not sure she would reply. To be honest, I'm a little worried.

      Delete
  59. Sadly, I think this is all we will see. It's been 2 full months with no word of any kind. This was such a great story line and fun to read. I am hoping for the best but...

    ReplyDelete
  60. I too keep checking in here daily, hoping desparately to hear from Mazie. I do so hope everything is well with her. Her story so far has brought so much joy to so many of us. Can't bear never to find out why it suddenly stopped.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Please, please continue to write this story, it's so good, I can't stop reading. I laugh in some chapters, I cry in some chapters, just like when I was reading the books. Please write how it's going on, I will check your blog everyday, to see if there is anything new. Please continue to tell us the story of Christian and Ana and Teddy. It's so lovely to see the story between father and son and just how the get on :)
    Thank you so much for writing this :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. This is such an intriguing story and so wonderfully written. I hope you are able to continue. You are very talented.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I found ur blog this week and I'm sad theres no more...4 months and no update.. hope everythings ok?

    ReplyDelete
  64. I fear this story has been abandoned... But then I wonder why it's still online. There is hope. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  65. Please please please say that this isn't the end. There is so much more to know..I absolutely love you writing and truly hope you continue.

    ReplyDelete
  66. So i think that one of us needs to pick up where Mazie left off and finish out the story..... who is up to the challenge

    ReplyDelete
  67. I really hope this blog hasn't been abandoned. The writing is brilliant. Please come back.

    MC NJ

    ReplyDelete
  68. Pleeease, pleease Mazie, come back! It was such a wonderful time here reading your view of C&A!

    Are you ok? Hope yes. Please, keep us posted.

    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Mazie, darling, come back!! There are a lot of crying fans :(
    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  70. Really enjoyed reading your blog! Congrats! I have started my own attempt at reinterpreting the story of C&A:http://fiftyshadesbetter.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  71. why did you stop? please continue. we are waiting!!

    xoxo
    jane kincaid

    ReplyDelete
  72. This is great writing....please continue!

    ReplyDelete
  73. I so miss this blog. It was one of the best. Keep checking from time to time hoping of an update. Someone has to know what has happened to Craziemazie

    ReplyDelete
  74. Just checking in, wishing for an update

    ReplyDelete
  75. Hey, what happened to you Mazie? You have what it takes to be an author and a terrific one at that. How come you stopped updating your story? Please write again soon. We miss your version already. Hoping you're well and waiting to update soon.

    Angie

    ReplyDelete
  76. Just finished the last written chapter!! Gosh, I am so sad, now that I realized there is no more:(
    Gosh it was so freakin good. I am at a loss, I have a need to know!! You were so good at writing this, it was just beautiful. Gosh I love seeing them being happy, with little bumps along the way. I k ow Hannah would have saved the day in the end, because of her intellectual abilities and Christian would have been proud of her��
    Where are you?? I hope and pray to God you are alright!!

    ReplyDelete
  77. I agree with everyone else posting that this is a fantasticly written blog continuing the love story so many of us can't seem to get enough of! Although it seems I am left to draw my own conclusions as you have not posted any new chapters in nearly a year, I still felt that one more begging fan couldn't hurt! I hope you are alive and well and still writing even if you never finish this story because you really are a very talented writer. I laughed, I cried, I even shouted expletives at my phone when the bitch troll re-entered ana's life! So thank you and please, if you dont finish this I at least hope you post something letting us all know you are ok and if you are writing your own novels now! :)

    ReplyDelete
  78. need more chapters

    ReplyDelete
  79. can anyone tell us what happend to the writer. she is so damn good man!!!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Just checked in again to see if there was any updates. Sadly none. Will keep checking tho !!!!

    ReplyDelete
  81. it's been a year and no updates. been checking the sites regularly. hope you're okay though!

    ReplyDelete
  82. I hope you are allright, this is the best FSOG fic I have ever read, I miss this fic!!

    ReplyDelete
  83. I found your blog today and could not stop reading. You address an amazing writer, I can't wait for the next chapters.

    ReplyDelete
  84. I read through all of her chapters over the last weekend, and I'm ready for more.

    Throughout the EL James books, I always suspected Elena had a behind-the-scenes hand in Leila's actions toward Ana. She could have drugged her, influenced her, and helped her get a license and buy a gun. Elena probably still held stock in Lincoln Timber, which she quietly used to post bail for Jack, on the condition that he kill Ana, when Leila failed.

    Elena did not want Christian to leave her "Scene", and now that he has, she continues to be vindictive. She probably talked another former 'sub' into filing that lawsuit, in hopes of exposing Christian publicly, which would be ultra humiliating to him--and Ana, as well as his empire, since he is the popular, enigmatic Gray brand.

    Mazie has done an excellent job of continuing on with the story, the 'playdate 1' chapter was hilarious, with the security guard conflict and the resulting revelation. Excellent imagination on that. I had hoped Mazie was thinking along the same lines as me above re: Elena/Leila/Lincoln Timber/Jack, and making Elena responsible for the current Sub lawsuit as well.

    In the end the lawsuit is thwarted, as Christian threatens to likewise divulge her molestation of him at age 15, thus influencing him toward the S&M Lifestyle, which he now shuns.

    Hoping the best for your return Mazie. Thanks for all you've written so far, and so well. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  85. Would love this story to continue.
    Why did Mazie stop . hope all ok

    ReplyDelete
  86. I enjoyed reading your blog would love for you to write more its really good kinda was left hanging but hopefully you will write more you are an amazing writer please lets have more of everyones favorite couple :)

    ReplyDelete
  87. So I'm a little late as it is 2020 but would it still be possible to continue your story? Your writing is great and I've really enjoyed it! Hope you are well.

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate all comments - positive and constructive. Thank you for reading.