Chapter 4 – Baby Fever
After checking her watch, Ana realizes that she has slept for a little over three hours. Frantically, she springs out of bed, hurries off to the master bathroom to quickly freshen up, and then dash downstairs to check on Gail and Ted. Ted's bouncing chair is now in the big room, but he is nowhere in sight. She heads in the kitchen and sees Ted in his high chair playing with his toys while Gail is close by, cooking something delicious smelling on the stove. "Well hey there, Ana! You look refreshed," Gail gleams. Ana walks over to her little boy, who holds up a plush toy block to her face, excited to see her. "Hi Teddy! Mommy slept way too long this afternoon, I am so sorry," Ana apologizes before lifting him out of his high chair. Ted squeals in delight as his mother takes him in her loving arms. He then begins to slobber three kisses on her cheek before she is able to kiss him first. She laughs lovingly at the antics of her sweet baby boy. "You are indeed your father's son," Ana laughs. Gail giggles after witnessing the touching sight while stirring up her famous homemade marinara sauce.
"Ted just had his snack. Baby carrots and apple sauce," Gail informs. "Good. That should hold him until dinner," Ana replies. "Teddy, you wanna go outside and play in the meadow with Mommy before I come back in and get some more work done?" Ana smiles, holding her son at eye level to catch his glee. He squeals in delight, not in acknowledgement of understanding what his mother is saying, but in anticipation of any potential fun headed his way.
"Oh, Ana…a delivery came while you were napping. It's in your study," Gail announces, with a look that attempts to cover up her amusement. At first, Ana resolved to check her delivery after her and Ted return from the meadow. However, the look on Gail's face now has her curious as to what the delivery could possibly be. With Ted in tow, Ana heads to her study.
Before opening the door, a strong, concentrated whiff of fresh roses hits Ana smack dead in the face. Ana shakes her head, already knowing what to expect on the other side of the door. "Oh, Daddy," Ana says to Ted, amused. Entering the room, the sight of it far exceeded any expectation of what she assumed was initially there.
Ana counts seven very tall assorted decorative vases, each one holding what looks to be a dozen long stem roses of one color, except for one of the vases. She walks over to the old ball vase which contains an arrangement of red and yellow roses. Still holding Ted, she pulls the typed card from the middle of the arrangement.
'Happiness: Ana, you bring me happiness each and every day. – C'
Grinning a like a Cheshire cat and holding back tears, Ana gentle places the card back in place and walks over to the next closest vase. It's contains all yellow roses.
'Friendship: Ana, you are my best friend. – C'
Against her will, tears break past the dam. Gasping, she places the card back in place and approaches the next vase and grabs the card. This arrangement contains light pink roses.
'Sweetness and Joy: Ana, you are so sweet and you bring me joy daily. – C'
Ana gulps the tears down her throat and lets out a nervous giggle. Christian has truly outdone himself. The next arrangement contains dark pink roses.
'Gratitude and Appreciation: Ana, you the perfect mother and wife. Ted and I can't thank you enough for all that you do for us. – C and T'
Tears multiply. "Aww, Teddy! Thank you, honey!" Ana cries out, planting a tender kiss on each of her baby boy's cheeks. "Which one should I read next, big boy?" Ana smiles to Ted. She decides to walk over to the coral colored roses.
'Passion and Good Fortune: Ana, I admire your drive and passion and wish you great success in your upcoming GP campaign. – C'
"Aww!" Ana swoons. He cares about her campaign to acquire Bryan Ashford. 'Getting my proposal fulfilled by GEH should be a piece cake now,' Ana reflects, happy to know that Christian appears to be on her side when it comes to this endeavor.
Only the red arrangement and the white arrangement remain. Ana already knows what these colors represent, so she decides to save the red roses for last. She walks over to the white arrangement. Ted is amused with all of the pretty flowers, but stays put in his mother's arms as she reaches for the next card.
'Purity and Innocence: Ana, when we first met, you were as pure as the driven snow. You were innocent. I am the first and only man to ever touch you. You were made just for me. I am in awe of you. – C'
"Wow," Ana gasps out loud. 'He is right. I was made just for him. No man has ever made me feel the way Christian Grey makes me feel,' Ana reflects.
Ana's emotions are now in overdrive. She is almost tempted to run out of the room in order to breathe in fresh air. After taking several deep breaths, Ana slowly walks over to the final arrangement containing traditional red roses.
'Love: Ana, words cannot express or even come close to describe how truly, madly, and deeply I am in love with you. You are the air that I breathe; you are the song that I sing. Mrs. Anastasia Grey, I love you more than life itself. – C'
And that does it. Ana gently places her baby boy down on the floor on his knees before balling up right next to him, and begins to weep uncontrollably. She hugs her legs and begins to gently rock back and forth, suffering from emotion overload. "I can't with you, Christian Grey! You make me a hot mess!" she says out loud, laughing through the tears. 'What have I done to deserve to be loved like this? What have I done to deserve these two beautiful boys in my life?' Ana questions herself. After five minutes, Ana is still quite emotional, but lucid enough to get back on her feet. She picked up Ted, who had been playing in his mother's hair while she slowly tried to collect herself.
"Okay, let's get some air in the meadow, Teddy Bear. Then I will come back and send Daddy a note, thanking him for all of the pretty roses." Before exiting the room, a lone rose lying on her desk catches her eye. She can see from a distance that it rests on top of one last note. 'I don't know if my emotions can take any more of this,' Ana shivers to herself. Reluctantly, she walks over to the desk. This single long-stemmed rose has no thorns. She reads the note right where it lies.
'Love at First Sight and Devotion: Anastasia, I have loved you since the moment I first laid eyes on you. I am totally and completely devoted to you. Always and forever, - C'
A fresh batch of tears stream down her face, and she begins to have flashbacks of tripping over her own feet and falling headfirst into Christian Grey's office back in 2011. 'The moment he saw me on the floor, he loved me even then? Wow. I can honestly say that I fell in love with him at that same exact moment,' she realizes.
Ana backs out slowly towards the door with Ted in tow. Before turning around to exit, her eyes randomly zoom in on one of the vases, and she begins to count the roses. "What a minute. I'm only counting eleven roses," Ana whispers. Ana walks up to another vase and counts the roses in that one. "Yep, eleven." She is confused. For good measure, she counts the roses in one other vase. "Eleven." She understands why there are seven vases (one vase for each Shade of Sunday), but she does not understand the significance of eleven roses. She turns around and leaves the study.
Ana bundles Ted and herself each in a coat, scarf and mittens to shelter from the chilly pacific coast winter. It is only 45 degrees out, but the sun sits proudly on display and radiates the body of the Sound making it appear like a massive pool of diamonds shimmering through the wall-length window in the big room. As Ana wraps her scarf around and picks up Ted, Gail passes through.
"That was so sweet of Mr. Grey," Mrs. Taylor remarks, gleaming at Ana. "Yes, it was very, very thoughtful of him," Ana smiles back. "I have a question. Do you know what the significance of eleven roses is as opposed to a full dozen?" Ana inquires. Gail lets out a smile that stretches from ear to ear.
"Eleven roses mean that you are truly and deeply loved." Gail now has a look of heartfelt admiration towards the young wife and mother. She looks as though she is fighting back tears herself. "Wow," Ana says, catching an escaping tear from her own eye with one of her mittens.
"It's almost five o'clock, Teddy Bear. Let's hurry up and see the sun before it goes down," Ana chimes.
In the meadow, Ana swings her little boy back and forth and around. Fueled by his squeals and bouts of giggles, she does this over and over again. "I can't wait until spring, Teddy. We can have picnics out here again and you'll be able to walk! Then in the summer, we can go to the beach. Then we will sail out here on the big boat, named after your Grandma Grace!" Ana says, longingly to her baby boy.
Ana suddenly feels her iPhone vibrating in her pants pocket. Removing a mitten from one of her hands, she retrieves the phone and sees that it is Christian. Her heart stops a beat and a smile is now plastered on her face.
"Mr. Grey," she answers. "Mrs. Grey, is everything okay?" Christian says with a voice of concern. "Yes. Everything is perfect," she smiles.
"I haven't heard from you," Christian says, in search of an explanation. "After Dr. Greene left, I took a three hour nap. Now, Teddy and I are strolling the meadow."
"A three hour nap?! Wow, Mrs. Grey. Those meetings sure did do a number on you," Christian teases. "They sure did, Mr. Grey," Ana sighs, chuckling at her husband. "We can't be doing that any more on work nights," Ana scolds, laughing under her breath.
"Why not," Christian pouts. "Not Seven Shades of Sunday…that can't be on a work night. We can maybe do two or three shades. Another night and morning like that and I will never get any work done," Ana laughs. "Fair point well made, Mrs. Grey. So three shades tonight?" Christian says, seductively. "Maybe one or two. You're killing me, Grey," Ana jokingly laments. "Alright, two it is," he concedes.
"Speaking of seven shades, did you see your seven vases?" an almost overly excited Christian chimes. "Oh, Christian, just when I think you've outdone yourself, you never cease to amaze me. Your gift made me ugly cry," Ana laughs. Christian laughs at her answer. "Thank you, my dear, sweet husband. I love you more than moonlight, London and Twinings English Breakfast Tea. I love you more than air," Ana swoons. "Oh baby, I can't wait to see you so you can thank the hell out of me in bed," Christian purrs. "Christian Grey! Your son is right here," she laughs. "Sorry, Ted. Your old man's a horn dog," Christian laughs, knowing that his son cannot hear him.
"So, I hope you are calling me from the back seat of the car and Taylor is driving you home right now," Ana sternly speaks. After a moment of silence, Ana dreads Christian's potential answer. "I just got out of a meeting. I am typing up some action items for my management team. As soon as I hit send, I'm heading home," Christian promises. "Good. I'll feed Ted shortly. I'll wait and have my dinner with you. There's something I would like to discuss."
"Oh?" Christian says, curious.
"Yep. We'll talk over dinner. I love you!"
"I love you more, Mrs. Grey."
Christian arrives home a quarter before seven. Baby Ted has already eaten and taken a bath, and is now seated in his bouncy chair in the big room. "There's my little buddy!" Christian says before swooping up the exited baby to perform their weekday evening greeting ritual.
At 8:30, Ted fights to keep his eyes open as his father reads to him about one of Curious George's many adventures. Before Christian can finish the book, Ted is out like a light, falling asleep in his father's arms in the nursery as he steady rocks in Ana's rocking chair. "I love you, Champ," Christian, gently kissing Ted's hair and placing him in his crib before bundling him up in the covers. Ana slowly walks up to join Christian as he stands over the crib, admiring his son.
Without saying a word, Ana plants a gentle kiss on her beloved husband's lips. Christian longingly stares into her eyes. Breaking his trance, he frowns. "You haven't eaten at all today." Ana smiles and shakes her head. "And you still chose to wait for me to put Ted to bed." She nods. "Ana, come on now. We need you to eat. I know you are no longer breast feeding, but I need you healthy. Okay?" Ana looks at her husband in adoration, and nods coyly…not speaking a word. Christian caresses his wife's chin with his hand before bringing her in for a kiss.
Its spaghetti night, and Christian and Ana are digging in at the breakfast bar. "So…what's this you wanted to talk about?" Christian starts.
Ana inhales and gathers her words. "So, Dr. Greene gave me my shot today. She asked me if you and I planned on having more kids."
"Yeah?" Christian nods, prodding his wife to get to the point of this discussion.
"Well, she told me that if we decide to have more children to let her know right away. If I skip my next shot in April, I could get pregnant as early as July this year and as late as July next year. That will take us just past Teddy's second birthday."
"Uh huh," Christian nods, still not showing his hand.
"So….you know how I feel about not wanting Teddy to be the only child. And…and, I hope that our next child would be within two years, three at the most, of their big brother so they can grow up to be best friends." Ana sits and waits. Ana raises her brow, hoping it would prompt Christian to say something. He just continues to stare at her, expressionless.
"So are you saying that you would like to plan on getting pregnant starting this April?" Christian finally speaks.
"Well…I mean…I think our chances would be better if we at least try beginning in April if we ultimately want to have another baby after Teddy turns two. That's if you want to," Ana proposes.
"Well," Christian starts, still expressionless. Ana is starting to get nervous. "2011 was a very difficult year. I had some growing up to do. I didn't exactly welcome Ted's impending arrival with open arms at first. I am still ashamed to this day how I reacted when you first told me that you were pregnant."
"Christian, I know. And I completely understand where you were coming from. You were scared. We both were. But look at us now," Ana argues.
"Yes. I can't imagine my life now without that sweet little boy in it," Christian says, briefly gazing at the celling as if he could never fathom the thought. "He saved my life. And you saved my life, Ana." She reaches over and caresses the stubble on his chin.
"I told you back then that I was afraid you wouldn't have any more room left to love me because you would have to love someone else," Christian says, almost in horror. Ana feels a prick in her heart recalling that very time in their lives.
"Now, I can honestly say that there is no limit to your love, Ana. Your love for me is whole. Your love for our son is whole." Ana is truly touched by the words of her husband. She smiles and nods in agreement.
"I know without a shadow of doubt that your love for our next baby will also be whole," Christian says, finally breaking character and showing a loving smile. Ana giggles in delight.
"Oh Ana, I love to hear you laugh," Christian says, pecking his wife on the lips with his.
"So, um…does this mean we will try for another baby in three months?" Ana smiles, shyly. Christian chuckles. "It means we get to practice getting pregnant for the next three months before actually trying to get pregnant in April," Christian says, arching his brows in a flirty manner. Ana quickly springs up from her stool and embraces Christian's neck. He places his arms around her waist. They share a tender kiss.
"I'm so in love with you, Christian Grey. I will never run out of love to give you, my sweet husband."
"And I am helplessly in love with you, my sweet wife. Now hurry up and finish your dinner so you can shower with me."
"Oh…Christian," Ana moans. Christian is making love to her in the shower.
"Ana," he whispers. "Oh Ana, I will never have my fill of you." Ana's back is against the cold shower wall and Christian is holding one leg up in his arm as he tenderly takes his loving wife. They eventually find their release together.
After showering and dressing up in their respective sleepwear, they spoon in bed. Ana's back is facing Christian's front.
"Christian?"
"Yes dear."
"Do you want another boy or do you want a girl?"
"Healthy will do."
"I agree. But if I had a choice, I would like a little girl."
Silence
"And I would like to name her Ella."
"Ana!" Christian snaps.
"Christian, Ella is a beautiful name."
"Absolutely out of the question."
"I have at least twelve months to get you to change your mind," Ana smiles.
"Don't hold your breath, Mrs. Grey," Christian replies, curtly.
"I love you, Christian. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, my sweet angel." Christian places a gentle kiss on her hair.