This is my first ever written story, and I'm slightly afraid to upload it. This story idea came to me in 2013 and has been sitting on the backburner since then so I thought, "What the heck, I'm going to upload it."

So here it is.

I don't own any of these characters, this is just for fun!

Anastasia

I woke up this morning to a note on my nightstand,

Ana,

I need space, I'll be moving out. My brother will be by to pick up my belongings, later today. My lawyer will send you the divorce papers. I hope you have a good life.

Josh

I can't believe he's doing this. I get out of bed and make my way towards the bathroom and shower. Fifteen minutes later I'm out of the shower and dressed in my black lace bra with matching panty set, my grey pencil skirt with my black silk blouse, and I pair it up with my black stilettos. I let my mahogany hair fall loose in my natural waves. While my make up is light, my eye shadow is a smoky grey and I'm wearing a nude lip-gloss. I look at my self in the mirror and smile to myself.

My body has changed after both my pregnancy with Teddy and Phoebe and I love the way I look now. My breasts are bigger, so is my butt, and my hips are slightly wider. I'm toned due to all the exercise I do, for keeping up with Teddy and Phoebe when they are on the go. My eyes are a bright blue, brighter than usual, actually. Is this how your eyes should look when your spouse asks for a divorce? It's Wednesday, which means the kids should've been at school at 8am and luckily for me Kate has taken them this morning on her way to work, which leaves me with enough time for my curiosity to get the best of me.

I get in my white GMC Terrain, Doris, and head over to his brothers home. If I know Josh like I do, he will most likely be there. It takes me about twenty minutes, depending on traffic, to drive to His brother's home. And sure enough as I'm turning the corner, I spy his black Jeep Cherokee. I knew he wouldn't go far. Every time we would have a disagreement, Josh would always run to his older brother's house, it never failed.

As I sit in my truck I see Josh coming out of his brother's house with a blonde. What are they both doing here and who is she? I can't help but watch as they affectionately kiss and hold one another. He left his kids for her. He chose HER over OUR KIDS? My phone starts ringing breaking my concentration from watching them further.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Steele, what are you doing today after work, and by the way, I don't know how you do it, but it took me about ten minutes to wake up Teddy and then five to wake Phoebe." Oh god I love Kate. Kate asked if she could wake up the kids and take then to school since there is a single dad who she has her eyes on. She truly has no shame! I inwardly laugh.

Kate's been my best friend since high school. We were roommates throughout our four years of attending WSU, but I eventually moved out after graduation, when I started working for SIP. I figured why not move out and let Ethan, Kate's older brother, move in since he was moving to Seattle. Kate of course tried to change my mind, but I wanted to move out and have my own place. And look at me now five almost six years later, I own my own home, I'm VP at SIP, and I'm a mother of a five and four year old. And pretty soon I'll be a single mother and a full time VP. But I will not complain, Teddy and Phoebe are literally my world and everything I do is for them.

"Hello, Steele? Are you still there?" she asks when I don't respond. How is it, possible for him to spend minutes with a stranger, but chooses not to dedicate sixty minutes of his time to his children?

"Yes, Kate I'm still here. It's a lot of work but I have to do it, and thank you for dropping them off this morning. And what do you have in mind?" I ask as I see Josh, open the passenger door for his blonde friend. Should I fallow them, or let them be? I can live my life not knowing the details, but I'm intrigued. I'm still on the phone with Kate while I drive a few cars behind Josh's Jeep to what looks like a hotel.

"Ana are you sure you're okay? You sound distracted." I can't tell Kate what Josh is doing, since I know she will physically harm him, so distraction is the best way to play this out.

"I'm fine Kate, nothing to worry about, just thinking about what I have to get done at work. So, what are your plans?" I ask in a tone that hopefully resembles a calm demeanor. I'm hoping I will have some time before I tell Kate anything about what's going on between Josh and I, I know she will be angry about what he did and how he did it, but she will also be happy for me. Kate has never truly been okay with me and Josh, but she plasters a fake smile and deals with Josh for my sake and the kids. If it was up to Kate she would've had someone else father my kids. She won't have to put up with Josh anymore!

"Yeah, okay. Well, I was thinking we could go out for dinner around seven and then we can go to this new club that opened last week, unless you have something to do?" Kate says with a bit of curiosity in her voice. Shit, she knows something is going on with me. I should already know I can't hide anything from her. You got caught!

"Okay, well I'll need to find a sitter for today and then I'll call you for the location to the restaurant. But that sounds like a plan Kate, so I'll call you later?" Gosh, I hope everything goes well tonight. I really could use a good drink after today's events, but I really don't want to deal with Kate and her one-hundred questions today, but that is the price you pay, when your best friend is a news reporter. I should've listened to 'Reporter Kate' six years ago when her instincts kicked in about Josh! But then I wouldn't have had Teddy and Phoebe. I shudder at the thought of not having my children in my life. No matter how bad our relationship was or is; I will NEVER regret my children.

"Why doesn't Josh take care of HIS kids tonight? He should know by now it takes TWO people to create a child. I swear Ana you married an asshole!" Who are you telling Kate? That's old news. I shake my head and smile because Kate's right. Josh has NEVER taken care of the children while I'm at work or on an outing. I ALWAYS have to pay for a sitter or ask Kate. Of course Kate is always my first choice, since leaving my children with a stranger is out of the question for me. But Josh still, should step up to his father role.

"Kate, you know he's always busy, so it's hard for him to find time." I say rubbing my forehead with my hand, while I'm parked outside the Holiday Inn and turning off the truck. He can't spend two hours with his kids, but he for sure can spend his time with his mistress? I think to myself as I turn my sight to look at the Holiday inn.

"Ana, when will you stop making excuses for this asshole? He doesn't CARE, he has his priorities all disorganized, and I'm amazed he knows his ass from his head!" Her comment no matter how true it is, still stung, but I can't help the laughter that comes from my belly, through my throat, out my mouth. After we're both done laughing, there's an awkward silence. I'm guessing Kate figured out her words stung me a bit, but before she has a chance to apologize I speak.

"You're right, I should stop making excuses for him and I am. If he wanted to spend time with his children then he would've made the effort to do so. And I agree with you about him not caring, because if he did he should've been spending all his available time with his children." Hearing myself say these words out loud are life altering, I guess I never really sat down to really see what was in front of me this whole time.

Josh and I have been married for almost six years, which in the beginning it was love, but after Teddy was born it was a routine. Josh would only come by to sleep and shower and he would be gone again. He would mostly say, it was due to work relations but I think I knew better, ever since that one day. That one day I will never forget. As I mentally say those words I look towards the Holiday Inn and smile, a genuine smile. WE are his lost; he's not ours!

"Ana? You know I didn't mean for it to sound that way, but I'm glad you think I'm right. I love you Ana, you're the sister I never had. He's not worth it, but you and the kids are. I just want someone for you, who knows what's in front of him, when they see you, is that so bad?" Oh, Kate! No matter what, I know Kate will always stand by me.

"No, it's not Kate and to be honest, I think you're right. I'll call you after I get home from work. I love you Kate, bye!" I say while I still have a smile on my face. She's right. Maybe I do need someone who knows our worth, who would treasure us, and WANTS to spend time with us. I truly like the idea of being a divorcée right about now, maybe this is for the best. I guess in time I will find out.

"I love you Ana. Call me later. Bye." And with that she hangs up. I turn my sight once more, towards the Holiday Inn. The past six years of my life are somewhere in a room inside there. I got all the answers to my questions and knowing I did nothing to cause Josh to run to someone else, is very comforting. This feeling of inadequacy is no longer present. I feel liberated, I feel content, and I don't feel like a failure. I feel like I can conquer the world and nothing will stand in my way.

"Doris, let's go to work…"

As I'm parking Doris in the underground parking structure at SIP, my mind plots a plan. I need a lawyer. I walk towards the elevator and press my alarm key to lock Doris's doors. Who can I call? Entering the elevator I press the twenty-second floor and in seconds I arrive at my destination.

"Good Morning" the stand by P.A greets me when she sees me. Since Rachel, my permanent P.A is feeling under the weather, she has requested off today.

"Good Morning," I respond with a smile and make my way towards my office and immediately turn my computer on. Since there's not much for me to do today, except sign a contract with a new author in two hours, I browse through the internet for a Divorce attorney.

As I'm scowling down the website I see the name "Grey Offices." Well, THAT doesn't sound too promising. I think to myself, but still decide to click on the link. Immediately I see a picture of a very good looking man, no more than sixty years old, I believe due to his white and black pepper hair. He has warm brown eyes and he's clean shaven, but besides the color of his hair, you could say he appears to be in his late forties.

Under his picture is a caption that reads, "Carrick Grey, Seattle's number one lawyer." Well if THEY say number one who am I not to find out? So, I dial the number on my cell phone.

"Grey Offices, how may I help you?" says a rather chirpy woman on the other line. She's too chirpy to be working at a LAWYER'S office!

"May I speak with Attorney Carrick Grey, please?"

"May I ask who's speaking?" she asks, and I swear I can hear her smiling over the phone. How weird is that?

"Anastasia Steele."

"One moment Ms. Steele." She says as I hear her connect me, to what I would believe, is his office phone.

"Attorney Grey speaking, how may I help you Ms. Steele." He says as he answers. Wow! His voice is warm and smooth, and it goes along with his physical traits nicely. The perfect match!

"Good morning, Mr. Grey. I'm calling to ask for advice on a divorce case. Well actually it would be my case, I believe although I'm not sure if he has applied for divorce," I go on without stopping. Fuck shut up! "Maybe this was a bad idea? Or maybe not, but I'm not quite sure…." His laughter stops my stupid rant and I blush.

"Well Ms. Steele or should I say Mrs…" he says as his laughter dies down, and oddly enough I don't feel so nervous anymore.

"Please call me Ana." I say with a smile on my face.

"Well Ana, first thing I would have to ask is, how long have you been married?"

"For almost six years." I reply thinking about that day.

"Okay. Do you have children?"

"Yes, Two, a five and four year old," I stupidly, nod my head like if he can see me.

"Oh, okay. Who's the main source of income?"

"Me."

"I see, well Ana. I have all your information dotted down, if you'd like I can schedule an appointment for you with my self, for tomorrow afternoon. My advice, as a lawyer to you is 'Strike while the iron is hot'. Proceed with the divorce and take matters in your own hands, even if he hasn't contacted a divorce attorney. If he has, he may want to fight, and you're better off being aware of what may occur, if he does."

"Okay. Thank you Mr. Grey, tomorrow afternoon will be fine."I say followed by a sigh.

"I'm terribly sorry for your divorce." He says with sympathy in his voice. Don't feel sorry, because I don't! "I look forward to speaking with you tomorrow morning at 11:30."

"Thank you Mr. Grey. I'll see you there." And we hang up with a, "Goodbye."

I put my head in my hands and sigh."I'm doing this for them." I tell my self.

"Ms. Steele, Adam Richardson, is here for his afternoon appointment." Lisa the stand in P.A's voice comes through the intercom.

After a very tiring two hour meeting, I look up at the clock and it's about time to pick up the kids. I pick up Mr. Richardson's now revised contract and place it in my briefcase. Since Mr. Richardson has issues with the contract I'm taking it home to look over it and hopefully, I will be able come up with a new one for Monday morning.

"Have a good afternoon Ms. Steele."

"Same to you." I smile, as I walk pass her and head over to the call button for the elevator. I sigh and shake my head as I walk into the now arrived elevator. First step accomplished four more to go. I say to myself as I turn to face the now closing door of the elevator.

I park, Doris, in one of the 'reserved for student pick-up' parking spots, as I wait, I'm still thinking about the decision I have decided to take. My children are worth it, they don't deserve this, they deserve better. By the time I look at the time it's, two minutes to three. I step out of Doris, and make my way to the gate to pick up my kids. When I see my kids on the other side of the gate playing with their fellow classmates, I know I'm doing the right thing. At least I hope!

As I get closer I see the most beautiful sight, my five year old son is holding on to his four year old sister's hand. I feel like my heart is going to burst from my chest any minute. I could never regret my children's existence. He should be here to witness this. I can't help but feel sorry for him, these amazing kids will grow up sooner rather than later, and he will miss seeing them reach their milestones. They're beautiful, not just physically but emotionally and mentally.

Teddy has blue eyes like mine, short straight light copper hair like Josh, and taller than an average five year old. His facial features are more like Josh, but when Teddy is near my father, you would think my son is my dad's five year old self, the resemblance is eerie. His personality is bubbly, caring, loving, kind, and forgiving. He's very optimistic. He's quick to make friends and keeps you laughing, with his positive charisma. I believe Teddy got it from Josh, well at least the Josh I knew six years ago, not so much now.

Phoebe resembles me, she's my exact clone. Her eyes how ever are not. Phoebe has grey eyes almost blue, like my grandmother, my father's mother. Her hair is a wavy mahogany color at shoulder length. She's average height for a four year old. She's very smart mainly when it comes to defending or protecting Teddy; my little girl has a witty smart mouth. She mostly reads her books, but likes to spend her time near our garden at home. She's very artistic, she loves colors and textures. She's very bashful when it comes to meeting new people. She's respectful, loyal, and very protective. She's sensitive but passionate.

"Mommy!" Teddy and Phoebe squeal in unison when I come into view, with their eyes bright and full of love. They both run towards my open arms, as soon as the private school supervisor opens the gate and I scoop them up. I love my kids to the max, they complete me.

"I missed you both so much," I respond after I'm done showering them both with kisses. "Gross mom, really?" Teddy grumbles while wiping off my kisses with the back of his hands. He's growing up too fast! "What? I'm not allowed to kiss my own son now?" I ask Teddy while keeping a straight face. "I love mommy kisses." Phoebe adds in. "Yes, mom no more kisses, at least not in school." Teddy whispers while holding Phoebe's hand.

"Oh… I'm sorry Teddy I didn't mean to embarrass you. I'm sorry," I say to Teddy as we're almost to the truck. Teddy stops dead in his tracks when we're no longer in eyesight, and looks at me as if he's having an inner dialog within him self, two minutes later he snaps out of it.

"Mom," Teddy asks looking down with his fingers knotted at front. Oh my sweet boy!

"Yes, Teddy?" I turn to look at him as I'm about to place Phoebe on her booster seat.

"May I have some Mommy Kisses, please?" Teddy's shoulders are slumped and he's rubbing his hands profusely together.

"Teddy, do you want Mommy Kisses, because we're now away from your friend's eye sight?" I can't help the smile that spreads across my face.

"No, mommy, I really want Mommy Kisses." He looks up at me with his big blue eyes that mirror my own. I turn back around to buckle Phoebe to her seat and turn my attention back to Teddy. Once again he's rubbing his hands and his head is now lowered, hiding his blush. My poor baby!

I walk towards Teddy and kneel in front of him so we're at eye level. I lift his head gently with my hand and give him a kiss on his forehead. As soon as I remove my lips from his forehead, he wraps his little arms around me and gives me a good squeeze.

"I love you Theodore." I hug him back with all the love I can muster.

"I love you to mommy! May I have another Mommy Kiss please?" I smile as I lay another kiss on his forehead.

"I'm sorry mommy, I didn't mean to make you sad." He looks back down at the floor and has a tear streaming down his cheek.

"Oh Teddy, you didn't make me sad, baby. I love the fact you're growing up, but you'll always be my baby boy. But no more 'Mommy Kisses' for you in front of your friends, okay?" he nods. Trust me Teddy I know how embarrassing parents can be. I say to myself, as a memory of my father teaching Kate and I, a new dance move when we had our senior prom. Dad volunteered to chaperon the dance and he made such a spectacle of his dance move, it was too horrifying to reenact. It was somewhere between The Robot and The Chicken. I shake my head from that painful memory.

"Come on lets go get some ice cream." I tell him while he's still in my arms. Teddy doesn't answer, he just nods his head.

I drive to Zac's Frozen Custards, which is only about ten blocks away from my kid's school. I park Doris near Zac's outside seating area, so we don't have to walk that far. I cut off the engine and step out while Teddy unbuckles himself, and then his little sister from her seatbelt, and helps her out of the car. We walk inside and order our custards. Phoebe orders bubble gum swirl, which is bubble gum with strawberry. Teddy orders fish food, which is literally like Rocky Road and I order a vanilla custard shake. After we've bought our frozen custard and we've made our way to the seating area on their patio, my phone rings. Oh shit, it's my dad. I take a deep breath, while I try to figure out why he would be calling.

"Hi Dad," I say as I answer my phone with a smile on my face. I turn my head towards Teddy and Phoebe, to see if they heard me mention DAD, and sure enough, they are immediately by my side asking to speak with GRAMPA. God, I love them!

"Are those my grandbabies I hear in the background?" My dad asks, while laughing through the phone. No doubt, he can hear Teddy and Phoebe throwing multiple questions at him, from "When are you coming to visit?" to, "What did you eat for lunch?"

"Yes dad, hold on they want to talk to you." I press the 'speaker button' and pass Teddy the phone so my dad and the kids can speak for a minute.

Since my dad, Ray, raised me as a single parent after my mother walked out on us when I was four years old, we have formed a very close bond. My dad is not just my father, he's my best friend. When I didn't have a woman to talk to about puberty, my dad stepped up to the plate, my father at that time, was ex military and currently a FBI agent. At 6'3 and 200lbs, it was a bit awkward having THAT talk with my DAD, especially, when he would mention the words, penis and vagina, to my thirteen year old self. I still cringe at that memory. I'm brought back to the here and now, when I hear my dad tell the kids he will be here in Seattle this Friday, which is one day away. Oh shit, now what?

"Hey dad, did I hear correctly, you'll be here on Friday? Like the next day after tomorrow, or next week Friday?" Ask sounding calm, but inwardly I'm a nervous wreck. Josh you better run and hide, because your going to be a dead, dead, DEAD man, by Friday. Oh gosh just want I need. I close my eyes and hope Josh does NOT show up at the house.

"Yes sweetheart, I hope its okay? I haven't seen you or my grandbabies in a month. A month is too long for me to go not seeing my third generation." I frown. I feel bad now.

"Dad, I've already apologized to you about us not been able to visit you two weeks ago. I was real busy trying to snatch a new author from one of our competitors. Stop making me, feel bad." I pout over the phone and look down at my now melted vanilla custard shake. It's not very tempting when it's melted. Ugh, there goes four dollars in the trash! I turn to see Teddy and Phoebe running around playing, I guess they've been finished with their ice-cream for a while now.

"Sweetheart, you know that's not what I wanted to accomplish, I just miss you and the kids, that's all." He sounds so broken.

"I know Dad, but just think, you'll be here by Friday and you'll get to spend the whole weekend with the kids." I mention this to my dad, hoping it will cheer him up a bit. After a short pause I hear him sigh. I can't help it; I giggle over the phone. My dad always does this for one reason and one reason only.

"Dad, if you want, you can stay longer with us. You know that, right?" I love my old man.

"Annie, I don't want to bother…." I don't let him finish.

"Dad, how many times have I told you, you are MORE than welcome to come over our house? Dad, just say yes! That's all you have to say. And don't worry about anything else," I hate when he thinks he's a bother. He's my FATHER for crying out loud.

"What will Josh say or think? I don't want to cause problems between you two." Oh dad, if only you knew.

"It's my house, my rules." I shrug, "You taught me that." I smile thinking how many times I've heard THAT phrase come out of my father's mouth. I can hear my father laugh, a full blown belly laugh, through the phone.

"That's my girl! I'll see you this Friday, sweetheart. I'll call you later with all the information. Okay?" I can sense his smile over the phone.

"Okay, dad I'll be waiting for your call." I'm such a sucker for my dad.

"By the way Annie, make sure you pick up your phone this time!" he says in his 'No bullshitting' tone.

"Roger that dad!" I smirk out my response.

"Smartass!" he says deadpanned and I break out in laughter.

"I am your daughter dad!" And after that quick, father daughter teasing, we hang up.

"Teddy, Phoebe! Let's go!" I call after them so we can head home.

"Mom, do we have to?" Teddy whines looking at me with hope in his eyes for me to say,' No we don't have to'. I'm sorry kiddo.

"Yes, baby we have to. You have homework to start." And I have some early spring cleaning to accomplish!