Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as told by Christian novel Chapter 64

I laugh, and I’m so grateful that it’s Grace I got to see first. “I’m okay, Mom.”

She clasps both of my hands. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” My anger has evaporated, beaten back by the woman I call Mom, and I resolve that, today of all days, I will not think about Mrs. Lincoln.

“I’m so excited for you, darling,” Grace adds, beaming up at me.

“You look good, Mom. Makeup and all.”

“Thank you, dear. Oh, the donations to Coping Together have been unprecedented. I can’t thank you enough. It’s so generous of you.”

I chuckle. “That was Ana’s idea. Not mine.”

“Oh, that’s lovely.” She’s trying to hide her surprise.

“I told you. She’s not acquisitive.”

“Of course she isn’t. It’s a wonderful gesture on both your parts. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. I got an aggravating text from an old business associate.”

Grace narrows her eyes, and I think I may have said too much, but she chooses to ignore my explanation and checks her watch. “Kickoff is in fifteen minutes. I have your boutonniere here. Now, do you want to wait here, or go out to the pavilion?”

“I think Elliot and I should go take our seats and wait.”

Mom pins the white rose to my lapel and steps back to admire her handiwork.

“Oh, darling.” She stops, placing her fingers over her lips, and I think she’s going to cry.

Shit. Mom.

My throat tightens, but Elliot steps into the room, saving us both. “What am I, chopped liver?” he chastises Grace, with a wicked gleam in his eye.

“Oh, darling. You look so handsome, too.” She recovers and cups his face and pinches his cheeks, and I feel a momentary stab of envy that they have such a touchy-feely relationship.

“Mom, you look like a queen.” My brother, charming as ever, plants a kiss on her forehead. She laughs, a girlish, sweet laugh, and she pats her hair.

“You boys,” she admonishes us. “You’d better get out there. The ushers will show you where to go. But first let me pin on your boutonniere, Elliot.”

As we head to the pavilion, Taylor intercepts me.

“Sir, I’ve picked up Miss Steele’s suitcase, and everything else has been sent on to Sea-Tac.”

“Excellent. Thanks, Taylor.”

His lips twitch into a smile. “Good luck, sir.”

I nod my thanks and continue with Elliot toward the barnlike tent.