Fifty Shades Of Grey: My Years With Elena #Explicit [Fifty Shades] #fanfic

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

JUNE 2002

It's almost my nineteenth birthday! Time is flying by since starting Harvard. I've already completed my freshman exams and now I'm home on a little break, looking into Internships for my next academic year. Luckily, I managed to get it all to coincide with my birthday.
Dad left earlier in the morning to take Elliot and Mia to the Mall. Elliot needs stuff for his new trail bike and Mia just needs stuff! That girl would live at the Mall if it was possible. Dad's gonna have to put a spending limit on her credit card when she gets one!
I have a sailing slot booked today and moms not on call, so she is coming with me to watch and then we're going off for lunch. It seems a little weird having mom all to myself, but I'm secretly delighted. It hardly ever happens now I'm not a kid anymore and I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss her emotional support when I'm at Harvard.
Puget Sound comes into view from the coast road as does the marina and the myriad of sail boats. My heart does a little dance of joy.
God, I love it here...
Mom pulls up in her Chevy and I excitedly exit. Offering Mom the crook of my arm we stroll happily towards the waterfront.
"Christian, do you mind if we grab a quick soda first? I'm quite thirsty from the air-con during the drive."
I ignore the quick pang of disappointment from the delayed start to my sailing.
"Sure, Mom."
Like I am ever able to say no to her or any of the other important women in my life.
We walk up to SP's - a large seafront bar I frequent with Mac, my sailing instructor - whenever I'm at the marina. It has a cool tranquillity and peaceful white and blue decor. I hold open the door for mom and beaming at me, she walks in.
It takes a couple of moments for my eyes to adjust from the bright June sunshine to the dimness of the bar.
What the fu...
Sitting at a large table in the middle of the bar is Dad, Elliot, and Mac. Mia bounces on her seat for a couple of seconds and then bolts towards us.
"Happy 19th birthday, my darling son," mom whispers as she kisses me softly under my ear.
I barely have time to react before I am head-butted in the chest by the dark-haired thunderbolt that is Mia Grey.
"SURPRISE!" She shrieks as she wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me tight. I snake one arm around mom and kiss her temple and another around Mia and kiss the top of her head.
"You guys..." Is all I can manage over the lump in my throat.
"Hurry up bro, we're wasting beer-time here!" Elliot calls getting to his feet and jiggling a cold bottle of Adnams Explorer at me. Mom pulls away gently, but there is no surprise when Mia doesn't let go.
"Happy birthday son!" Dad rises and claps me on the back as we arrive at the table. "Mia - let go of him! He's not going anywhere till at least after we've eaten!"
"But...my sailing..." I begin pathetically, taking my beer off Elliot and clinking bottles with him.
"...Has been moved to a late afternoon slot," Mac grins as he also rises and clinks bottles with me. "When your family told me what they had planned, I was only too happy to help."
I grin at the rugged Irishman who has become more like a friend than an instructor since first teaching me to sail. We've recently progressed to Laser Dinghy's and I love the speed and freedom they bring, whilst keeping you completely on your toes to control them.
"I'm glad you're here to help me celebrate too, Mac," I say warmly. "But you do all realise that today is actually Saturday and my birthday isn't until Tuesday, right?"
"Really?" Elliot begins and taps into his cell before putting it to his ear. "Yeah hi, I need to re-schedule a stripper I've organised..."
"ELLIOT!" My mom exclaims in horror whilst Mia gasps, her beautiful eyes wide and on stalks. Elliot, Mac and I stifle giggles whilst dad shakes his head and tries to look disapproving with a twinkle in his eye.

After a wonderfully loud and raucous lunch - mainly thanks to Elliot - we all finally head off down to the marina. I'm feeling quite nervous now. I've never sailed in front of such a large audience before.
"Don't you ever wish you kept up your sailing lessons?"
Elliot chuckles. "There are only so many times a guy can puke up bro, before he realises it's a bad idea!" He shakes his head. "I'm much happier on two wheels, thanks!"
"May sent me a birthday card," I begin tentatively.
Elliot nods. "Yeah...she said she would," he says softly.
"You must miss her."
Elliot shrugs. "I'm dealing with it. I'll admit the shock of her suddenly having to immigrate back to Spain to help look after her mom was a biggie. I thought..." He looks wistfully over the dancing ripples of the water. "Well... It just wasn't meant to be."
I sigh feeling sorry for them both. They were so happy and we were all hoping they had a future together, only for May's mother to develop cancer, meaning May had to transfer to a college in Southern Spain, so she could finish her degree and help look after her mom. Her mother had only just moved back to Spain in January, having relocated there.
A car horn blares loudly as we pass the car park, startling me and I look towards the noise.
The car doors open and two familiar heads pop out.
HOLY SHIT!
I stare in shock as my maternal grandparents make their way over to us. Mia immediately barrels over and launches herself at them.
"I can't believe nanna and pops have come too," I finally breathe.
"Yeah...guess we all know who the favourite gran-kid is now, huh?"
I look worriedly over to Elliot who frowns for a moment then grins and punches me playfully in the arm.
"Relax bro! Let's go say hi."