Fifty Shades Full Circle

Chapter 49

A/N: I am officially done with sophomore year (yay!) so I have quite some time to write and relax in general. Not much happened since my break except that I finished this chapter. I hope you guys are okay! Enough of my talk, enjoy xx

Anastasia's POV

"Ana, can you help with setting the table too?" Grace asks while I finish the salad.

"Of course." I answer, looking for the family china. I grab the nearest one I see and I put it down at the table, marvelling at the beautiful design. It's one of a kind and it looks expensive.

"This china is amazing, mom. Where did you get it?"

"It's a gift. The design is actual gold."

"This is from Christian, isn't it?" I ask, running my hand at the gold flowers.

"It is. He gave it to us at our 25th anniversary. He isn't big at saying he loves us, but the actions and the gifts are enough. I know he's still finding it difficult to be honest."

I chuckle. That is an understatement. "Yes, I know, but he's come a long way."

I can hear familiar footsteps and it's Christian. He's removed his suit jacket and has his sleeves rolled up.

"Do I smell salmon?" He says, sneaking a kiss at my cheek. I smile at him and he winks at me.

"I cooked your favourite breakfast." Grace says, putting the bowl of potatoes at the table.

"Thanks, mom. How can I help?"

"Pick a bottle of wine and call your dad."

"Okay. Where is he?"

"Boathouse. Come back immediately, we don't want the food waiting."

"Yes, mom. Be back in 10." He says, kissing Grace in the cheek.

"How was Teddy when you babysat them?" I ask, grabbing wine glasses and teacups.

Grace pulls the salmon out of the oven and sets it at the table. "He's very composed, unlike other kids I know who will cry every chance they get. He only cries when he's hungry."

"That's good to hear." I say, sitting at one of the chairs around the table.

"I saw that he has a tooth already. He's advanced for his age. And he's premature, right?"

"Yes. I gave birth a few months early."

"Who was with you?"

"My mom, my stepfather and Ray. Ray held my hand during the whole thing."

"I'm so sorry, Ana." She apologizes.

"It's in the past, mom. What matters is that I'm here."

"True." She says, smiling.

Carrick and Christian come inside the house and they are both carrying bottles of wine.

"I thought I only said a bottle?"

"Mimosas, darling. A brunch isn't a brunch without mimosas." Carrick says, sitting at the head of the table.

Christian sits beside me and Grace sits beside Carrick.

"What is this?" I ask, holding the bottle.

"Oaky Chardonnay."

"Never had it."

"Now you will." He says, smiling.

"Let's start eating." Carrick tells us, and I continue drinking my orange juice. Christian immediately digs in the salmon and he puts some on my plate, too. I can feel Grace and Carrick watching us. Why the attention?