Fifty Shades Trilogy 02 - Fifty Shades Darker

astonishment, the odd cheer, and then a round of applause! Jeez—this is really happening. I think I am the color of Kate’s dress. Christian grasps my chin, lifts my lips to his, and kisses me quickly.
    “You’ll soon be mine.”
    “I am already,” I whisper.
    “Legally,” he mouths at me and gives me a wicked grin.
    Lily, who is standing beside Mia, looks crestfallen; Gretchen looks like she’s eaten something nasty and bitter. As I glance anxiously around at the assembled crowd, I catch sight of Elena. Her mouth is open. She’s stunned—horrified even, and I can’t help a small but intense feeling of satisfaction to see her dumbstruck. What the hell is she doing here, anyway?
    Carrick and Grace interrupt my uncharitable thoughts, and soon I am being hugged and kissed and passed around by all the Greys.
    “Oh, Ana—I am so delighted you’re going to be family,” Grace gushes. “The change in Christian . . . He’s . . . happy. I am so thankful to you.” I blush, embarrassed by her exuberance but secretly delighted, too.
    “Where is the ring?” exclaims Mia as she embraces me.
    “Um . . .” A ring ! Jeez . I hadn’t even thought about a ring. I glance anxiously up at Christian.
    “We’re going to choose one together.” Christian glowers at her.
    “Oh, don’t look at me like that, Grey!” she scolds him, then wraps her arms around him. “I’m so thrilled for you, Christian,” she says. She’s the only person I know who is not intimidated by the Grey glower. It has me quailing . . . Well, it certainly used to.
    “When will you get married? Have you set a date?” She beams up at Christian.  
    He shakes his head, his exasperation palpable. “No idea, and no we haven’t. Ana and I need to discuss all that,” he says irritably.
    “I hope you have a big wedding—here,” she beams enthusiastically, ignoring his caustic tone.
    “We’ll probably fly to Vegas tomorrow,” he growls at her, and he’s rewarded with a full-on Mia Grey pouty grimace. Rolling his eyes, he turns to Elliot, who gives him his second bear hug in as many days.
    “Way to go, bro.” He claps Christian’s back.
    The response from the room is overwhelming, and it’s a few minutes before I find myself back beside Christian with Dr. Flynn. Elena seems to have disappeared, and Gretchen is sullenly refilling champagne glasses.
    Beside Dr. Flynn is a striking young woman with long, dark, almost black hair, cleavage, and lovely hazel eyes.
    “Christian,” says Flynn, holding out his hand. Christian shakes it gladly.
    “John. Rhian.” He kisses the dark-haired woman on her cheek. She’s petite and pretty.
    “Glad you’re still with us, Christian. My life would be most dull—and penurious—without you.”
    Christian smirks.
    “John!” Rhian scolds, much to Christian’s amusement.
    “Rhian, this is Anastasia, my fiancée. Ana, this is John’s wife.”
    “Delighted to meet the woman who has finally captured Christian’s heart.” Rhian smiles kindly at me.
    “Thank you,” I mutter, embarrassed again.
    “That was one googly you bowled there, Christian,” Dr. Flynn shakes his head in amused disbelief. Christian frowns at him.
    “John—you and your cricket metaphors.” Rhian rolls her eyes. “Congratulations to the pair of you and happy birthday, Christian. What a wonderful birthday present.” She smiles broadly at me.
    I had no idea Dr. Flynn would be here, or Elena. It’s a shock, and I rack my brains to see if I have anything to ask him, but a birthday party hardly seems the appropriate venue for a psychiatric consult.
    For a few minutes, we make small talk. Rhian is a stay-at-home mom with two young boys. I deduce that she is the reason Dr. Flynn practices in the US.
    “She’s good, Christian, responding well to treatment. Another couple of weeks and we can consider an out-patient program.” Dr. Flynn’s and Christian’s voices are low, but I can’t help listening in, rather rudely tuning out Rhian.
    “So it’s all play-dates and diapers at the moment . . .”
    “That must take up your time.” I flush, turning my attention back to Rhian, who laughs sweetly. I know Christian and Flynn are discussing Leila.
    “Ask her something for me,” Christian murmurs.
    “So what do you do, Anastasia?”
    “Ana, please. I work in publishing.”
    Christian and Dr. Flynn lower their voices further; it’s so frustrating. But they stop when we’re joined by the two women I