A/N: So, here's a new story. I have the meat for this story written out, I just need the gravy for it. If you know how I write it will more than likely be a short story. Just don't know how short or long yet. And I won't be updating till after the holidays. Consider this chapter like a teaser of sorts. Also, I would love to hear what you think. (it's HEA and no cheating…)

Dear Christian,

If you're reading this that means I have passed. You were always one of my best friends. When my wife died, you did everything you could do to help support me and Autumn. When I had to pick, who would take care of Autumn when I passed, I knew you were my only choice. I know you were never much on children and swore up and down you would never have kids, but you let Autumn into your heart. And I know for a fact that she adores you, as much as you do her. Please love her and take care of her like I would. Please don't let her forget about me and her mother. Please tell her we love her, and always looking down at her. Let her grow and flourish. Also, if you haven't yet, please find someone for you. You've been alone for way too long. Plus, Autumn could use a strong woman's influence. Someone to show her how to grow into a young woman. Maybe show us both how to do a braid the right way.

Oh, and watch the sailor talk will ya?

Your heart is bigger than you let on Grey. I know you will be the best to guide my little girl out in the world. I'm sure she'll give you a run for your money sometimes, she's way too wise for her years. Must've been Summer's influence. I know she didn't get that from me.

Just watch her she might take GEH from you by the time she reaches her teens. Just don't spoil her too much, keep her humble and kind. Also, no letting her wear makeup till she's 16 and no dating till she's in her 30's. I know you won't let me down there.

Take care of my little girl, Grey. She's truly special, my Angel. However, now she's also yours. I'll be watching, even from Heaven.

Ted

I finish reading the note and look down at the girl next to me. Autumn Rose Marselas is a sweet four-year-old, with strawberry blonde hair and bright green eyes. She looks so much like her mother, Summer, but with her father's eyes.

My God daughter.

Two years ago, Summer died in a car accident on the way home from work. Ted was beyond devastated, not that I blamed him. The love of his life gone in an instant. He couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, he was barely functioning. I stepped in and helped with Autumn who was just two at the time. I found Ted someone to talk to, helped with bills and whatever he needed while he couldn't work. After a couple of months, he started to get back to normal and made his little girl the center of his world again, knowing he couldn't let her down anymore.

Ted was my best friend since middle school. We were thick as thieves. He saved my ass so many times when I was teenager. When Elena Lincoln tried to get her claws in me, she had hit and kissed me while I was working for her. I told Ted what had happened and how she offered to help me with my issues, he was the one that told my parents, because I didn't think they would have believed me. And well she's now serving a life sentence for child abuse, molestation, and child porn. I was so glad he saved me from that before it was too late.

I remember when Ted and Summer met in highschool. The two were crazy about each other, they sometimes made me sick with just how sweet they were. Like get a room, nobody needs to see that, sweet.

But, in reality I wanted that for myself. I never came close. I dated, played the field, but nothing ever lasted.

I then started my business, Grey Enterprises and Holdings, after my freshman year at Harvard. Within a year, I was worth millions by the third year, billions. Dating became one night stands. I didn't have time for it, I didn't have time for commitment.

Ted passed away two nights ago, from an undiagnosed heart condition. Now here I am, the Guardian of a four-year-old child. Sure, I've known her since she was a baby, helped take care of her when she was two, but now she solely relies on me.

She's the same as me when I lost my birth mother from a drug overdose. I lived with such anger towards my birth mother for years. Her pimp did unspeakable things to me. With intense therapy and with a good friend like Ted, I was able to get past my childhood horrors.

I'm very glad Autumn first four years were nothing like mine. She's happy and healthy. However, it's my job she stays that way. It scares the crap out of me that I could mess it up at any moment.

I think I'm going to need some help.

"Uncke Christian?"

"Yes, peanut?"

"Is my daddy in Heaven with my mommy?" She stares at me with those bright green eyes.

"Yes, peanut she is. They're both looking down at you and will always be with you."

She lowers her head and twiddles her fingers.

"You won't leave me, will you uncke Christian?"

"No, I'll never leave you."

I pick her up and hold her in my arms, hugging her tightly. "I'm going to do my best by you little one. Just promise you won't get to mad at me when I mess up."

"I promise." She gently puts her hand on my cheek. "I wuv you." She tells me, then buries her head in my shoulder.

"I love you too, peanut. Let's get you settled in."

She nods her head and we make our back to my penthouse. She already has a room made up in my house. She didn't spend a lot time here, but when she did, I wanted to have something for her.

Ted always said I was spoiling her. That she didn't need her own toy store. But, what are Godfather's for?

Her room is a purple princess room. She's really into Disney Princess' her favorite being little Mermaid.

When we get into the apartment and some of her stuff put away, we make our way to the kitchen.

Gail is standing at the breakfast bar, I'm sure getting ready to prepare dinner.

"Good evening, Mr. Grey, Miss. Autumn. What can I get you for dinner?" Gail asks sweetly as I help Autumn into her chair.

"I want Scadi."

"Scadi?" Gail asks looking at me.

"I think she means Spaghetti."

"That's what I said, Uncke Christian." She folds her hands across her chest.

"You're right, I'm sorry peanut."

Gail gives a small chuckle and moves to go make dinner.

I took two weeks off work to spend time with Autumn, I couldn't take more time off because I'm in the middle of a merger. So, I'm looking into hiring a nanny while I'm at work. I already told Ros, I will be cutting down my hours. But, if I'm truly honest with myself, I could just use the help.

Gail offered to help, but on top of her other work I didn't want to give her even more responsibilities. Plus, she already has such little time to spend with Taylor, who is my CPO, and her boyfriend. It didn't seem fair. I'm sure the woman could do it all, if I can't find anyone, I might just result to it. Or find a new housekeeper and give Gail the nanny job.

So, here I am on a Tuesday afternoon in my office, interviewing candidates for a live-in Nanny position. My mother and father have taken Autumn for the day to spend at the zoo, while I do this. They too also have a special bond with Autumn. She's already like a grandchild to them. Ted was like their fourth child, sometimes they liked him more than me.

My mom asked about me adopting Autumn, but I don't know if I could. To me, it would be like replacing her father, and it's not something I want to do.

The fifth candidate just left my office. She was a nice older lady, in her late sixties. But, I'm looking for someone younger, who will be able to keep up with the rambunctious Autumn. Plus, her methods seemed a little outdated to me. However, I put her into my maybe category. She's been so far, the only one I have liked.

"Mr. Grey, Miss. Anastasia Steele is here to see you." Andrea's voice comes over the speaker.

"Send her in please."

The door opens and I notice a body go flying to the ground. A mat of brown hair falls over the girl's face.

I get up from my desk to help her off the ground. "Are you ok, Miss?" I ask, putting my hand out to her.

She takes my hand and it's like a jolt of electricity bolting through my arm. When she looks up at me, pushing her hair out of her face, I feel almost undone. Her baby blue eyes are staring right through me. I almost feel naked under her gaze.

She's absolutely stunning.

"I'm sorry, sometimes I forget how to walk." She giggles at me, as I help her stand up.

That giggle! Holy crap, it sent tingles down to my crotch.

"It's quite alright, Miss. Steele. Why don't you take a seat? I'm sure it's safer for you sitting down." I help guide her to a chair in front of my desk.

"Thanks," she smiles as she sits down. I move behind my desk. I pick up her resume and glance over it again. I remember when I first looked at it, I was impressed by it. She's 23 and graduated from WSU in child development and education. She worked for a couple as their nanny for four years while she was in college. And she also volunteers her time at a Boys and Girls club.

"So, Miss Steele tell me a little about yourself." I inquire.

"I graduated college with a Bachelor's in Child development and education last year. I worked for Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright for four years, helping take care of their twin daughters. I only stopped working for them because Mr. Cartwright got a new job over in Spain. I help tutor kids at the local boys and girls club, and I'm also looking to helping out at Coping together."

"That's my parent's charity." I inform her. I can only wonder if she's trying to use that to get in my good graces.

Just her looks got her there, alone.

She looks surprised by the statement, and starts to stumble out her response.

"Oh, I had no idea. My friend Kate, who also volunteers with me, told me about it. To be honest, I've never heard of you before yesterday." She shyly smiles at me. "I saw this ad for a nanny and well here I am."

"Well, Miss. Steele I would like to hire you on a trial period. As you know this is a live-in position. Depending how the two weeks go, and if Autumn takes to you, then we can discuss a full-time position. Does that work for you?"

"Yes, yes of course Mr. Grey. Thank you."

"Would you be able to start tomorrow?"

I would like to be around for the first week to see how everything goes.

"Yes, that will be fine."

"Wonderful." I stand up and walk over to her giving her my hand. "When you arrive tomorrow we can go over everything else." She takes my hand and shakes it.

"Thank you again. I won't let you down."

The next day Taylor brings Anastasia into the living room where Autumn and I are waiting. I told Autumn about hiring a nanny last night. All she cared about if she will play princess tea party with her.

"Miss. Steele it's good to see you, again." I greet her and show her to the seat in front of us.

"Same. And you must be Autumn." She greets Autumn reaching to shake her hand. "I'm Anastasia."

Autumn's mouth drops open. "Like the Princess?"

Anastasia giggles. "Yes, like the Princess."

"Will you play tea party with me?"

"Oh, I love tea party. I've come quite good at making tea and cookies over the years."

"Ok, you're hired. Can we go play now?"

Ana and I both laugh. "Peanut, Anastasia and I have a couple of things to talk about. But how about as soon as we're done I'll send her to you."

"Ok, Christian." She pouts and walks back to her room.

"She's adorable." Ana says.

"Yes, she is. Let me show you where you will be staying. Then I can give you the tour and we can go over paperwork."

I show Ana to her room where she will be staying. Then I give her a quick tour of the apartment. I show her the media room, and then the library/balls room.

"Wow," She says in amazement when she sees the library.

"I'm guessing you like?"

"Yeah, this is incredible. If I didn't go into Child development I would have studied English Lit. But, I liked working with kids better." She tells me as her hands trace the books on the shelf.

"Well, you are welcomed to use or borrow any books while you're here. Maybe we could play a game of pool…" I wave my hand to the pool table.

"Well, I hope you don't mind losing." She smirks.

"Oh, is that so, Miss. Steele. Well, that sounds like a challenge that we will have to partake in soon."

"I look forward to it, Mr. Grey." She tells me before walking out of the room.

Was she flirting with me?

We go back to my study and finish all the paperwork. She'll be on a two-week trial, if and I'm sure I will hire her full time, I'll offer her a higher pay and insurance.

I don't think I'm going to want her to ever leave. There's something about this girl.

We walk to Autumn's room and she's already set up for a tea party. She dressed in one of her many princess dresses and a tiara.

"Are you ready to play, Princess Ana-tas-ta?" Autumn asks, trying her best to pronounce her name.

"Yes, but how about you call me Ana. It's easier to say."

"Ok, Ana. I like that too." Autumn walks over to her hat collection and hands Ana a hat.

"Come on uncke Christian, play with us." Autumn begs me, as Ana sits down in a tiny chair, putting on a big pink hat.

How can I say no, to that face?

"Alright, for a little bit."

"YAY!" Autumn gets up and grabs a huge purple hat with pink feathers and places it on top of my head.

"Doesn't he look handsome?" Autumn asks Ana. I can tell she's doing everything in her to hide her laugh.

"Oh, very handsome. I think the purple brings out his eyes." She says hiding her smile under her hand.

"I think so too."

"Well, thank you ladies." I tip my hat at them.

Please don't let Taylor see me, I might be all over Facebook and Instagram by tomorrow.