fifty-shades-of-grey

“Anastasia, you could be wearing a sack and you’d look lovely. Please don’t worry.I’d like you to meet my mother. Get dressed. I’ll just go and calm her down.” His mouthpresses into a hard line. “I will expect you in that room in five minutes, otherwise I’ll comeand drag you out of here myself in whatever you’re wearing. My t-shirts are in this drawer.My shirts are in the closet. Help yourself.” He eyes me speculatively for a moment, thenleaves the room.Holy shit. Christian’s mother. This is so much more than I bargained for. Perhapsmeeting her will help put a little part of the jigsaw in place. Might help me understand whyChristian is the way he is… Suddenly, I want to meet her. I pull my shirt off the floor, andI’m pleased to discover that it has survived the night well with hardly any creases. I findmy blue bra under the bed and dress quickly. But if there’s one thing I hate, it’s not wearingclean panties. I rifle through Christian’s chest of drawers and come across his boxer briefs.After pulling on a pair of tight gray Calvin Kleins, I tug on my jeans and my Converse.Grabbing my jacket, I dash into the bathroom and stare at my too-bright eyes, myflushed face – and my hair! Holy crap… just-fucked pigtails do not suit me either. I huntin the vanity unit for a brush and find a comb. It will have to do. A ponytail is the onlyanswer. I despair at my clothes. Maybe I should take Christian up on his offer of clothes.My subconscious purses her lips and mouths the word ‘ho’. I ignore her. Struggling intomy jacket, pleased that the cuffs cover the tell-tale patterns from his tie, I take a last anxiousglance at myself in the mirror. This will have to do. I make my way into the main livingroom.“Here she is.” Christian stands from where he’s lounging on the couch.His expression is warm and appreciative. The sandy-haired woman beside him turnsand beams at me, a full megawatt smile. She stands too. She’s impeccably attired in acamel-colored fine knit sweater dress with matching shoes. She looks groomed, elegant,beautiful, and inside I die a little, knowing I look such a mess.“Mother, this is Anastasia Steele. Anastasia, this is Grace Trevelyan-Grey.”Dr. Trevelyan-Grey holds her hand out to me. T… for Trevelyan?“What a pleasure to meet you,” she murmurs. If I’m not mistaken, there is wonder andmaybe stunned relief in her voice and a warm glow in her hazel eyes. I grasp her hand, andI can’t help but smile, returning her warmth.“Dr. Trevelyan-Grey,” I murmur.“Call me Grace,” she grins, and Christian frowns. “I am usually Dr. Trevelyan, andMrs. Grey is my mother-in-law.” She winks. “So how did you two meet?” She looks questioninglyat Christian, unable to hide her curiosity.“Anastasia interviewed me for the student paper at WSU because I’m conferring thedegrees there this week.”Double crap. I’d forgotten that.“So you are graduating this week?” Grace asks.“Yes.”My cell phone starts ringing. Kate, I bet.“Excuse me.” It’s in the kitchen. I wander over and lean across the breakfast bar, notchecking the number.“Kate.”