The Other Grey Girl

Now that I was pregnant again, my status as a member of the Grey family became more and more real. Although I love Elliot with all my heart, I was doubting if he was my happily ever after.

I mean seeing him, playing with Ava and Teddy and Phoebe still melts my heart, but deep down I know Elliot is missing his old life as a single man. And quite frankly his friendship and his business relationship with Gia Matteo freaks the living shit out of me. I know that even Ana doesn’t trust her. We are friends long enough, so I have to trust her feelings. I grabbed the phone from my desk and dial Ana’s office number. “Anastasia Grey’s office, Hannah speaking.” Her sweet voice is actually calming me down. “Hi Hannah, its Kate. Is Ana in?” I fumble my fingers while I stare down at the desk. I grab a pen and some Post-it’s and doodle on it. “Sorry, Mrs. Grey, Ana is in a meeting. Can I take a message?” Deep down I sigh silently, ‘cause I know it’s not Hannah’s fault that Ana is in a meeting. “No, that’s okay Hannah. Please call me Kate. Just tell Ana I called.” I know that I am a journalist so I am used to deal with all kinds of emotion but I am having trouble with holding up my own. I clear my throat. “Okay, talk to you later, Hannah.” Quickly I hang up.

Suddenly there is a knock on the door. “Come in,” I call. “Mommy, mommy.” I slide my desk chair backwards and stand up. “There is my beautiful little girl.” I say with an honest smile. I wrap my arms around her. And give Elliot a quick kiss on the cheek. “Sorry to disturb you here, sweetie. But Ava wanted to see mommy.” Elliot says shyly. “It’s okay, baby. I was just about to call.” I lie. I check my watch, and I notice it’s a little after 1 pm. “Shall we go to lunch together?” I ask. I just want to get my mind on something else. My latest thoughts are kind of scary. Then there is another knock on the door. “Come in.” I call again. Brookelynne, my assistant walks in. “Sorry Kate, but I have Mrs. Young in the reception. She says it’s urgent. “Okay, do you know what it’s about?” Brookelynne shakes her head. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. Show her the meeting at the end of the hall.” Brookelynne turns around and walks out door.

Ava

“Sorry baby, but can we do a rain check?” I say slightly disappointed. “Sure babe, we’ll go to my mother in the hospital.” He kisses me chastely on the lips and turns around. Have picks up Ava and walks towards the door. “Say bye- bye to mommy.” He says sweetly. “Laters, baby.”

Those words bring me back to the past. The time in the bar when I first met him. I was dancing my ass off. From the first time our eyes met, I knew that I had to have him. He was everything I wanted in a man. Strong, mysterious good looking. His broad shoulders... Oh god, only the thought makes me swoon. And then that night in the apartment, the tender love making. His sweet kisses. I close my eyes and while I savor the moment. The ringing of the telephone brings me back to the now. “Katherine K… Grey.” I answer a little flustered. “Kate, it’s Ana. Everything okay?” Ana asks worried. “Yeah, I’m okay. But I have to call back. I have an important meeting. Sorry.” I say. I was so looking forward for some girl talk. “Sure, are you sure you’re okay?” She asks again. “Yeah, I am sure, sorry gotta run.” And without saying goodbye, I hang up the phone. I straighten my skirt and walk out of my office. As I walk down the hall, I can’t help feeling guilty towards Elliot. As I open the door I see that there are two people sitting and waiting. “Mrs. Young.” I offer my hand and she kindly shakes it. “Kate, this is my daughter Gina.” When I hear the name a strange feeling build up in my gut. “Gina, how are you?” I say a little bit to over eager. Gina is a beautiful girl, she has long brown hair. A beautiful, slightly tanned face. And big dark brown eyes. For a second I can’t take my eyes of her. I am not sure what they are doing here, but it’s a welcome distraction. I take a chair and sit down. I place my hands on the table. “Gina, will you tell Kate what you know?” I see her glancing down. She’s ashamed of something.

Mrs. Young and I go way back. She is my informant on the outside. If she smells a good story, she reports back to me. Mrs. Young replaced me when I was on maternity leave. But she did good work, so I convinced my boss to keep her on a freelance basis. Because now that I am expecting my second child she will replace me again in a couple of months. I know that it will be in capable hands but I will miss my job. And Elliot won’t shut up about me cutting back some hours. So I need Ana’s help to talk to Christian. He bought the Seattle Times when the crisis struck the states. I remember I was so mad at him. But I was also grateful, I love my job. Christian made sure that everybody could keep his job. Of course I got promoted, much to Elliot’s dismay. The first couple of weeks I was not at home as much as I wanted, but Elliot understands what my job means to me.

“I think, I have a great scoop on the previous owner of Lincoln Timber.” Mrs. Young brings me back to the now. “What about, Linc?” I say interested. “I don’t know if you

knew this, but remember a couple of years ago, Jack Hyde kidnapped your husband’s sister and Ana helped by paying Jack ransom?” I scoff. “Yes, sure I remember. But what has Linc has to do with Jack Hyde?” I say confused. “Hold on, I am gonna grab some paper.” I shove my chair back and then it happens. It’s like all the light go out……..

by Kate Kavanaugh - Grey