Grey discussion

I figure this could just be an open thread where people can post whatever they are thinking about as they are reading.

I'm up to the part where Christian comes over to Ana's place after her "It Was Nice Knowing You" email. Kate mentions that Elliot is helping them move and she makes it clear that she disapproves of the fact that Christian won't be helping. A question comes up in this book that I've always wondered...why didn't Christian help Ana move to Seattle? He bought her a car, new clothes and jewelry. He purchased first class plane tickets, a new laptop and he deposited money into her bank account. Why didn't he help her move or better yet hire movers for her? I was surprised that he didn't even offer to help in some way. In "Grey", the answer to that question is given, but it doesn't quite jive with me. He thinks about it but then decides against it because he doesn't want to give her the wrong idea....meaning that he doesn't want to give her the idea that he is interested in dating or a serious relationship. Giving someone a brand new car doesn't do that?

My father used to say that you could tell who your friends are by who shows up to help you move and even more so by who stays to help until you are completely done.

Ok...that's it for now. Feel free to add on whatever is crossing your mind at the moment about the book as you read. :)

I think it goes back to the way Christian thinks. He knows and understands money as part of a contractual sexual relationship so he couldn't see buying a car or providing a laptop relating to a "vanilla" relationship. Helping someone move, that's a little more personal, especially since Elliott is helping Kat move. Elliot helping Kat moves reminds him that that's a vanilla relationship. Hiring movers to help Ana move would not be just for Ana, it would be for Ana and Kat. Again, something that he would relate to "more."

Anyway, that's why think he doesn't help her move. That's how I understood it.

In 50 shades, didn't Ana go with the shot for birth control from the beginning? I don't recall her going with a pill at all. I know it's dumb but this is bothering me and I'm not at a point where I can check against the 1st one right now.

Nah, she goes with the pill first. Then she stops using it after they break up at the end of the first book, with the second book starting off with a new meeting with Dr. Greene and Ana being shocked because she could be pregnant, and then she gets the shot instead....if my memory serves me right :P

Yup you are right . . . I just finished the trilogy again and she stops taking the pill when they break up. So then she goes on the shot.

Jesper wrote: "Nah, she goes with the pill first. Then she stops using it after they break up at the end of the first book, with the second book starting off with a new meeting with Dr. Greene and Ana being shock..."

That's right. The doctor suggested that the shots might be better for her because she wasn't taking the pills properly. However, in the last book, she kept cancelling the appointment with Dr. Greene for the follow up shot. (She would often arbitrarily order her secretary to clear her schedule or cancel all of her appointments.) That's how she gets pregnant.

Jei-Nhy wrote: "I think it goes back to the way Christian thinks. He knows and understands money as part of a contractual sexual relationship so he couldn't see buying a car or providing a laptop relating to a "va..."

You're right. It just seems odd to me. I don't understand Ana. I wouldn't want "more" from a guy that knew I was moving and didn't offer to help. He wouldn't be "more" material in my eyes.

Mochaspresso wrote: "Jei-Nhy wrote: "I think it goes back to the way Christian thinks. He knows and understands money as part of a contractual sexual relationship so he couldn't see buying a car or providing a laptop r..."

That's a good point. I think it mainly deals with Ana's lack of relationship experience. She really hasn't had a serious relationship nor is looking for one really until Christian. She knows he's a different and on a whole other level. I don't know if I'd want him to help me move, lol, or even expect it. It's kind of like "way to fast" so I'm putting the brakes on for a second.

Anna was very naive and still young, in the 2nd and 3rd book she grows into her own.

Cindy wrote: "Anna was very naive and still young, in the 2nd and 3rd book she grows into her own."

That she does, Cindy, and I like watching unfold. I think that's what I enjoyed most about this story. Both parties don't do the "normal" and it's interesting to see how they respond to it.

yeah i agree with you. I loved reading 50 shades, if EL j
James wrote 20 books in this series i would still read them all.

Shara wrote: "In 50 shades, didn't Ana go with the shot for birth control from the beginning? I don't recall her going with a pill at all. I know it's dumb but this is bothering me and I'm not at a point where I..."

No the shot comes in the sequel when they get back together and he's like 'well, I can't trust you to take a pill so lets just do the shot it'll be easier'

Jacquelyn wrote: "No the shot comes in the sequel when they get back together and he's like 'well, I can't trust you to take a pill so lets just do the shot it'll be easier' "

Isn't it Dr. Greene that throws that sentence at her?

This part:

"I can tell by your expression that an unplanned pregnancy would not be welcome news. So medroxyprogesterone is a good idea if you can't remember to take the pill every day." She gives me a stern look, and I quail under her authoritative glare.

Jesper wrote: "Jacquelyn wrote: "No the shot comes in the sequel when they get back together and he's like 'well, I can't trust you to take a pill so lets just do the shot it'll be easier' "

Isn't it Dr. Greene ..."

Not that it matters much but I'm pretty sure I recall him making a jab at her about it when he asks if she had been taking her pill the five/six days they had been apart. But yeah Dr. Greene is pretty hilarious!

Mochaspresso wrote: "I figure this could just be an open thread where people can post whatever they are thinking about as they are reading.

I'm up to the part where Christian comes over to Ana's place after her "It ..."

At that point he was still trying to set the dom/sub rules with Ana, letting her see who was boss. (even though this gets put to the waste side later in the book)

Mochaspresso wrote: "I figure this could just be an open thread where people can post whatever they are thinking about as they are reading.

I'm up to the part where Christian comes over to Ana's place after her "It ..."

It didn´t seem strange to me.Giving clothes, cars, money etc was a basic pack with his subs, so doing all what he did wasn´t that special back then.
Helping with the move, that would have been personal and having Elliot involved with Kate, it would have been more so;it´s natural for him to think it would give her wrong expectations.

Haha, on the flip side of that argument, you know who your friends are when they're moving and they DON'T ask you to help them move. Real friends don't guilt you into helping them move their shit. I am moving next month and I haven't asked any of my friends to help me because moving SUCKS and I don't want to make my friends have to experience that as well.

Chelsea wrote: "Haha, on the flip side of that argument, you know who your friends are when they're moving and they DON'T ask you to help them move. Real friends don't guilt you into helping them move their shit...."

Lol. So true.

I think my craziest experience is with friends who offer to help you pack and then constantly ask "Do you want this?". I swear that the only reason they came over was to raid my closets.

lol

When do you think Christian actually falls in love with Ana?

I'm at the part where he takes Ana to his parent's house for dinner. I notice that he keeps referring to Ana in his head as "my girl" and that he is very insecure and vulnerable about her possibly "leaving him". As we know, she is just going to Georgia to see her mother and taking some time to think, but he is interpreting it as her possibly wanting to leave the relationship. Ana wants "more"...but he does to, even if he doesn't quite realize it yet. I think he's already in love with her at this point.

He doesn't understand what loves is at the moment. he realizes her loves her when she leaves him at the end of the book.

Cindy wrote: "He doesn't understand what loves is at the moment. he realizes her loves her when she leaves him at the end of the book."

Definitely agree.

Mochaspresso wrote: "Jei-Nhy wrote: "I think it goes back to the way Christian thinks. He knows and understands money as part of a contractual sexual relationship so he couldn't see buying a car or providing a laptop r..."

Ah, but in Grey he thinks about helping her move, but he has already agreed to meet his sister at the airport and take her home on that same moving day, so he can't. He's also conflicted because he's never even considered such a thing with any sub. Remember, he's not "boyfriend material" and Ana is just beginning to understand what he means by that.