Chapter three.
Gail knew something was wrong; the security door was closed.
She was in the Grey's home, helping Ana with little Theodore who'd decided that whilst his mommy was at the final stages of her pregnancy he'd want to start potty training. He was a fast learner, a bright little button for sure, but Ana was struggling not to get irritable with him.
Hence why Gail had moved into the guest wing whilst Mr Grey, Jason and Ryan were in the Middle East. Ana had a stream of visitors through the day which meant Gail could work away in the knowledge that Ana was never alone too long; Mia Grey, Kate, her father Ray had come up yesterday, Mr Grey's parents of course.
Standing in the Grey's kitchen, she was looking directly at the security room Reynolds and Welch had disappeared into, closing the door behind them both. Jason never closed the door because he felt that it would make himself and the others unapproachable to the family –mostly for Mrs Grey- which he did not want at all. If the door was at least partially open, Mrs Grey wouldn't feel as though she were bothering him or the others with trivial questions like going over the birthing plan again. Everything Jason did was calculated in a way which would make the Grey family comfortable as well as secure.
Of course, there was one time Gail herself had closed the security room door whilst her husband had been watching the screens intently. Mr Grey was at work with Reynolds, Ana was coming home from a Mommy and Baby group with Sawyer and it had been Jason's birthday…
But there was a difference between a surprise birthday blowjob when no one was in the house and what Welch and Reynolds had just done; locked them out of the security room when there were still people in the house to see.
Right on cue, Ana noticed it too.
"Is something wrong?" she asked Gail curiously, Teddy running around her feet naked, "They closed the door."
"I'm sure it's just because Reynolds is cold," Gail promised, "He's a cold fish that man."
"Do you really think so?" Ana frowned, "Because he turned the thermostat down earlier."
"Well," Gail said, thinking now, "Maybe it's to stop Master Grey coming in? Remember last time Jason let him into the security room?"
Ana laughed then and looked at her scruffy little lamb. He'd his dinner all over his mouth still, focused on the Giraffe plushy Ryan had bought him for his birthday.
Grace had recommended that they try 'pants free' potty training because Teddy was refusing to put on his diapers but had struggled to get his trousers down in time when they'd had him clothed. Jason, like the other men, adored the young Grey and weren't bothered by him coming into the security room to quench his curiosity. Last week, however, Teddy had forgotten to tell Jason he had to potty and instead sat happily eating Jason's breakfast for him before he urinated on the desk.
"I believe this belongs to you," he'd said to Ana as he handed over Teddy, covered in wee-wee himself as he'd grabbed the kitchen roll and went back through to clean up.
"I suppose that's a fair excuse to close the door," Ana laughed as she remembered Jason and Sawyer using Gail's hairdryer in the garden to dry up some of the files Teddy had ruined, "You little monster."
"Mmm," Teddy replied to Ana, more focused on his toy as he sat on the tiled floor.
"How are you feeling, Ana?" Gail asked her now, looking away from the door.
"Like a beached whale," Ana laughed, "Everything is swollen. Everything."
Gail laughed and then fetched her a packet of cheese and pickle crisps, the one thing she was craving. Poor Mr Grey hated pickle, it was the only food he'd asked Gail never to prepare for him. But it was now the only meal his wife could stomach.
"Are you any closer to a name?" Gail asked curiously.
"Nope," Ana grumbled, stuffing her face, "Christian still loves Rachel for a girl but I hate it. I was bullied by a Rachel. I loved the name Sophie growing up but that's been taken," she laughed, "I think it'll be a boy though. I just feel like that's what I've got. In which case I want Richard."
"Richard," Gail smiled, "I love that name. Traditional, clean. Theodore and Richard Grey. Teddy and Ritchie."
"That's the problem," Ana pointed out again with a laugh of exasperation, "Ritchie Rich? Christian pointed that out last time we argued over names. We can't knowingly name our wealthy son Ritchie in case he's labelled that in the media."
"Oh god," Gail laughed, making Ana a cheese and pickle sandwich with a little vegetable on it to try and get some nourishment into her body, "Well what other names for boys have you thought of?"
"I love Richard but I know I can't have that," Ana nodded, "I've always loved the name Jason; it's just such a solid, reliable name. But again, that name's taken," she chuckled, "I don't know. I just love biblical and traditional names. David, Jason, Jonathan, Luke, Matthew, Adam. Christian hates them. No offence to Jason or Luke."
"I don't think they'd be offended," Gail smiled as she handed Ana her sandwich, "And what does Mr Grey think name wise, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Of course, Gail," Ana replied with a smile, "Mr Grey likes James. He really likes James. If I'm honest, it's the only one we sort of agree on but James Reynolds. I'm not really sold on it just yet. It's just…"
"You don't feel like it's a James," Gail said.
"Yes! It just doesn't feel right," Ana smiled, picking at her sandwich. She was eating the vegetables, good girl. Mr Grey would be happy.
"And then," Ana said with her mouthful, "We were watching Game Of Thrones before he went away and he said he liked the name Jaime! After the incest twin."
"Jason likes that program," Gail chuckled, "Barney put him and Reynolds on to it and now they all watch it in the cottage weekly." She smiled.
"Elliot told Christian about it and we'd just finished watching Sons of Anarchy so," Ana shrugged, "It's good, I read the books, but it's very graphic and there's a lot of female nudity."
"Oh is there?" Gail asked, "I haven't watched it. I normally buy the men beer and takeaway and leave them to have a guy night. Usually one of them is on duty but they do make an effort to try watch it together, and Mr Grey is usually watching it himself with you so they're never interrupted." Gail laughed, "I never realised there was nudity in it."
"Oh god yes, there's a lot of nudity," Ana laughed then grinned sweetly, "I hope I've not landed Taylor in trouble."
"He's a grown man," Gail chuckled as she cleaned, "He can watch what he wants as long as he knows what he's got in real life is better." She smiled, hearing Ana laugh at that. "Don't worry about the name, Ana. You'll know the minute you and Mr Grey are holding him or her what to call them."
"I hope you're right Gail," Ana admitted, "Because I'm starting to get stressed about it. We're both positive that it's a little boy again and I'm excited for a little brother for Teddy to play with."
The front door opened then closed, Ana and Gail looking up as Luke walked in to Grey Mansion. He was dressed down in his jeans and a t-shirt instead of the normal charcoal suit he favoured. His thick dark hair was exceptionally ruffled and fluffy, Gail only able to speculate and wonder what he'd been doing, or who, on his time off sick. As he got closer, Gail could smell beer and cigarette smoke on him and judging by Ana's grimace, she smelt it too.
Gail was then able to read what his t-shirt slogan said in instantly she got angry; 'bring back fingering'.
"Please tell me you never wore that out," Gail scowled, the men like sons to her. She couldn't help but mother them. They were like the lost boys; Ryan was so young and still had an air of innocence about him, Reynolds grew up with just his father and five sisters and had recently come out of the closet to them all, Sawyer's mother was terminally ill and his family's business was failing. She spent a lot of free evenings sitting with them and talking with them since Jason was emotionally inept at times, "Luke, that's disgusting."
"Reynolds bought me it for Christmas. It was my secret Santa gift. I love it," Luke mumbled, "And yes, I wore it out. I was on a date."
"That's even worse, Luke," Gail growled, "Honestly. How can you go from being so suave in your work suits to wearing a t-shirt with that slogan? It's offensive to women."
"How is it? I'm supporting a campaign that benefits women," Luke argued back, "Should I cancel Jason's then? I bought him one too," Luke teased then rightfully so he went quiet when Gail glared. He noticed Ana was sitting in ear shot of the conversation and cleared his throat.
"Mrs Grey," Luke coughed and then said politely, "Good evening." he then looked down at little Teddy, "Hey, Tedster!"
"Luke!" Teddy declared, clapping his hands then going back to his giraffe and playing quietly whilst Gail prepared dinner.
"How are you feeling, Luke?" Ana asked curiously, having not seen him since his overnight stay in the hospital.
"I'm feeling fantastic, Mrs Grey," Luke promised. When Ana gave him the 'don't you dare' scowl, Luke corrected himself, "I mean, Ana. The swelling is down, the sickness has passed. I should be ready to come back to work next week if I keep taking the antibiotics, touch wood."
"I'm glad, Luke," Gail smiled then, "You had us all a little worried. Would you like some dinner? I'm making Ana and Teddy fried pickle poppers, iceberg salad and pork chops seasoned with garlic and pickle."
"What?" Luke laughed at the unorthodox menu, "That's…huh," he looked at Ana then, "Cravings still bad, Mrs Grey?"
"I literally ate pickles and chocolate an hour ago," Ana mumbled.
"Well," Luke said, wisely avoiding talking about pregnancy with Ana. It was a touchy subject for her, especially when she was feeling so rotten and huge. "Dinner would be great, Gail. Can you leave a few chops unseasoned though? I'm not a pickle fan. They actually make me gag," Luke nodded, then stared at Ana, "If you don't mind, ma'am."
"Of course not, Luke," Ana shrugged, "It saves Gail making hundreds of meals. Ask Welch and Reynolds if they want dinner too."
"I will Ana, thank you," Luke smiled, "I better go through. Staff meeting."
"A staff meeting without my husband?" Gail questioned, raising her eyebrow. Ana nodded in agreement with Gail, finding the notion strange.
"He's on skype," Luke said as he walked to the CCTV room before they could ask any further questions. What made the whole thing more alarming was that Luke actually knocked, called out 'It's Sawyer' before entering.
"Something's wrong," Ana said firmly, "Something is unbelievable wrong."
"Have faith," Gail said, but she couldn't help the horrible anxious feeling in her stomach.
"Wee-wee," Teddy declared, Ana standing up quickly and hurrying him over to the potty.
Gail smiled and clapped for him but then went back to cooking up the last of the chops for the men in the security room, trying to take her mind off the fearful feeling she suddenly had in her stomach.
Come home to me, Sailor…