fifty-shades-of-grey

“Take care of yourself, Ana, dear,” Grace says kindly.Christian, embarrassed or frustrated by the lavish attention I’m receiving from the remainingGreys, grabs my hand and pulls me to his side.“Let’s not frighten her away or spoil her with too much affection,” he grumbles.“Christian, stop teasing.” Grace scolds him indulgently, her eyes glowing with loveand affection for him.Somehow, I don’t think he’s teasing. I surreptitiously watch their interaction. It’sobvious Grace adores him with a mother’s unconditional love. He bends and kisses herstiffly.“Mom,” he says, and there’s an undercurrent in his voice – reverence maybe?“Mr. Grey – goodbye and thank you.” I hold out my hand to him, and he hugs me too!“Please, call me Carrick. I do hope we see you again, very soon, Ana.”Our farewells said, Christian leads me to the car where Taylor is waiting. Has he beenwaiting here the whole time? Taylor opens my door, and I slide into the back of the Audi.I feel some of the tension leaving my shoulders. Jeez, what a day. I am exhausted,physically and emotionally. After a brief conversation with Taylor, Christian clambers intothe car beside me. He turns to face me.“Well, it seems my family likes you, too,” he murmurs.Too? The depressing thought about how I came to be invited pops unbidden and veryunwelcome into my head. Taylor starts the car and heads away from the circle of light inthe driveway to the darkness of the road. I gaze at Christian, and he’s staring at me.“What?” he asks, his voice quiet.I flounder momentarily. No – I’ll tell him. He’s always complaining that I don’t talkto him.“I think that you felt trapped into bringing me to meet your parents.” My voice is softand hesitant. “If Elliot hadn’t asked Kate, you’d never have asked me.” I can’t see his facein the dark, but he tilts his head, gaping at me.“Anastasia, I’m delighted that you’ve met my parents. Why are you so filled with selfdoubt?It never ceases to amaze me. You’re such a strong, self-contained young woman,but you have such negative thoughts about yourself. If I hadn’t wanted you to meet them,you wouldn’t be here. Is that how you were feeling the whole time you were there?”Oh! He wanted me there – and it’s a revelation. He doesn’t seem uncomfortable answeringme as he would if he were hiding the truth. He seems genuinely pleased that I’mhere… a warm glow spreads slowly through my veins. He shakes his head and reaches formy hand. I glance nervously at Taylor.“Don’t worry about Taylor. Talk to me.”I shrug.“Yes. I thought that. And another thing, I only mentioned Georgia because Kate wastalking about Barbados – I haven’t made up my mind.”“Do you want to go and see your mother?”“Yes.”He looks oddly at me, like he’s having some internal struggle.“Can I come with you?” he asks eventually.What!?