We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

-Walt Disney

Ana POV

As the elevator doors opened I saw him standing there, mouth slightly open as I watched those dark grey eyes look over my dress that Kate has picked out. I felt the blush creeping into my face as I watched him do this, I felt almost shy I guess that's the word I'd pick for myself, maybe even bashful?

The image of the seven dwarves soon came into my mind, I suppose I can go from angry, to bashful sometimes even sneezy. I knew that if I explained my thoughts right now to Ella she would be in absolute giggles, Kate would probably be thinking I could add an extra dwarf into the mix, mainly named bitchy.

"Anastasia." Christian's voice was different, not so much the silky smooth deep voice I've come to love, and dream about.

"Christian." My voice barely came out, it sounded sort of breathy.

"Ella!" Ella yelled out making everyone chuckle in the lobby.

"Sorry baby, Christian, please meet my daughter Eleanora." I placed a hand on the top middle of Ella's back, moving her slightly forward as I did so. "However, she prefers Ella."

Christian did something that still takes my breath away to this day, he got down on one knee in his fine grey suit and looked my darling daughter in the eye. "Hello Eleanora, my name is Christian." He held out a hand towards her, I never imagined he would expect a handshake from a four year old. Ella looked at his hand with a little bit of confusion clear on her face, she grabbed one of his fingers and shook it in all directions, we all stifled a giggle.

"No. It's Ella. Mumma just told you so." Ella had her tiny little hands on her hips, Kate was beginning to grimace slightly, showing my internal feelings in the matter. Christian's eyes widened slightly as Ella pulled him up on his error.

"I'm sorry Ella, can you forgive me?" His grey eyes were filled with warmth, filled with amusement as well.

"Only this time." My daughter was holding Christian's eyes in a stare down, she was really serious at this moment in time, where was my carefree daughter?

"Ella, shall you introduce your Aunt Kate?" I leant down and murmured into her ear.

"Christian, this is my Aunty Kate and this is my mumma." She moved her hands to each of us in turn, thank goodness Christian actually knew my name was not in fact mumma.

"Ladies, this is my brother Elliot Grey, Elliot this is Anastasia Steele, Ella Steele and Katherine Kavanagh." Christian was smiling politely, I looked at Elliot, big muscle bound man, with cute little dimples as he smiled, definitely Kate's type.

Ella had her little fists on her hips again. "Christian, Aunty Kate!" I was staring at my little girl, she was going to be a formidable woman.

"I apologise, Elliot this is Kate Kavanagh." He quickly corrected himself. Who knew the terrifying Christian Grey CEO and businessman would be correcting himself on a child's demand. "Shall we go to dinner ladies?" Christian held out his arm for me to take, however Ella ran up first and held his hand in her tiny little one, I bowed out to let my little girl have her night, it made me happier to see her wrapping him around her little finger than anything else has.

As we left the lobby I noticed that the usual black Audi was sitting outside, it was driven by Taylor the same man who introduced Christian and I together, from sheer luck I imagined. Taylor held all the doors open and escorted us inside, Elliot and Kate decided to take the other Audi parked behind the one Taylor driving.
There was a lovely little car seat in the car as well, I popped Ella inside it and she fit perfectly inside it, it warmed my heart to know he had gone to the trouble to get a car seat for Ella.

"How do you know he doesn't have kids, nieces or nephews?" My inner self was right, I didn't know that for certain, I hoped that it was true though. Once we were all buckled in we sat in silence as Taylor drove through the traffic to the restaurant, I had no idea where we were going and it made me nervous and anxious rather than excited. "Where are we going Christian?" I looked at him with hopeful eyes.

"It's a surprise." He whispered conspiratorially with a wink. I rolled my eyes at the remark, Ella was clapping her hands happily and starts talking to Christian about all the surprises in her life, Christian nodded along and umm'd and ah'd appropriately. I sat back listening with a small smile playing on my lips.
I felt the car begin to slow after what felt like a few moments in the car, Taylor pulled over and promptly got out of the car and held the doors open for us, Christian got out first, I got Ella out of her chair and Christian held a hand out for her to take, she accepted it and held onto his hand watching me follow her outside the car. Ella didn't want to hold my hand into the building but was content talking to Christian. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face as I watched her.

Taylor stayed next to the car, Christian gave him a small nod and we moved towards the elevator. Elliot and Kate came in through the doors shortly after us, we all entered the elevator together and Christian hit the top button. There were no signs to show where we're going, or what the restaurant is called. It was a very real mystery.

We were all silent as we travelled up, the elevator began to slow and we heard a soft ping to notify us we had arrived. When the doors opened Kate and I gasped softly, Ella was slightly jumping where she stood. There were candles everywhere, and fairy lights in plants that hung from the ceiling, in the middle of the room there was a single table with a highchair at the end, it smelt of roses and I could see white cloud roses surrounding the room. I looked like something out of a fairy tale, it was a perfect romantic night, our own personal restaurant.

I looked over at Christian and he was looking at me with a unfamiliar look in his eyes, it was filled with warmth. "Come." He called for all of us, as if stuck in a trance we moved to take a seat at the table, I put Ella in her chair and fastened her in slowly, breathing out calming her and myself at the same time.
Christian walked over to the chair next to her and held it out for me, a small smirk gracing those luscious lips, my heart responding in kind. I sat down and looked into Kate's eyes and Elliot did the same for her, a small blush forming on her cheeks. We both thanked them quietly. Christian sat next to Kate but opposite me. Dinner was overtaken by Elliot and Kate talking about anything and everything, Christian and I looked at each other silent conversations coursing through the gazes.

"Christian." a little voice beeps out from the conversations. Kate immediately turns to watch the interaction, cutting Elliot off mid sentence.

"Yes Ella?" Christian's eyes were different when he looked at Ella, kind and caring.

"Why do you keep looking at mumma?" Her eyes were suspicious and curious.

"Because your mumma is very beautiful is she not?" He raised an eyebrow whilst looking at her.

"I know that." Ella turns to look at me, determination clear as day written across her little features.

"Mumma. Do you think Mr Christian looks beautiful?" I stared at her shocked.

"Uh, I think Mr Christian is very handsome yes." The determination was still there.

"Can I get down now mumma?" I wanted to look her up and down with suspicion however I couldn't bring myself to do it at the dinner table, I got up from my chair with Christian doing so at the same time. I got her out of the high chair and put her on the ground, she immediately turned around to go look at all the flowers which were surrounding us.

"Thank you." I looked up into those grey eyes, they seemed to swarm around me for a moment.

"You're very welcome Anastasia. Thank you for coming, and for bringing her." He was watching Ella at that moment, my mind began to wonder what it would be like in the future if I stayed with this man, who has the potential to make or break my future...
It's a bright sunny morning on the weekend, Christian is not working today. Ella is running around in a meadow with wild flowers blooming all around her as the sun touched them. Her smile was one of pure happiness with no exceptions. I walk towards her and a hand touches the middle of my back guiding me to where my happiness meets my whole world. I look behind me for just a moment and auburn hair flows slightly in the wind, grey eyes glisten in the sunlight, although he watches my perfection with a almost blissful smile, the smile of unadulterated love, unconditional love.

"She's happy today." He whispers to me, not wanting to break her out of her happy bubble.

"She's happy always, but this time it's thanks to you." Those grey eyes filled with warmth and love turn to me.

"Thanks to us." Slowly his eyes go from mine to my lips, a small lean in and I brace myself as my fairy tale is beginning to come true.

"Anastasia!" Kate snaps me out of my trance, I felt the tug of my heart as I come to realise that it will never play out that way.

"I'm sorry." I shake my head slightly, I walk towards Ella. "Ella, come. We're going home." My head was stuck in flight response.

"Anastasia?" Christian is looking at me, eyes wide, childlike.

"I'm sorry, this was a mistake." I don't even listen to Ella as she struggles against my grasp,

"Take her, hide her away from the potential pain. Keep our girl safe." My head was screaming at me to run in that moment. What hope did I have of the happiness of my dream? The next couple of hours seemed to fly by at the speed of light, I ignored Taylor as he tried to stop me from leaving, I ignored it as Christian or whoever ran after me. "Keep our girl safe."
I will always keep her safe.

Chrsitan POV.

"I'm sorry. This was a mistake." The words were slowly sinking into my brain. She's running, why is she running from me? I just stared at her retreating form with Ella in tow, pulling against her grip, looking back at us with pleading eyes. Anastasia, why did you run?

I tried to run after her but Katherine fucking Kavanagh stopped me from chasing her. I turned around and stared at her with every bit of malice I could in that second. "What the fuck, let me go!" I pulled my arm away from her grasp immediately. Elliot got in-between us in that moment.

"Calm down Christian, she doesn't know remember."

"Don't touch me." I muttered as forced response. "You didn't mind her touching you." my mind flashed back to Eleanora touching my arm just slightly, I didn't respond as I normally would, it was my first taste of normality.

"Christian, if you chase her right now she will always be out of your reach." Katherine stepped around Elliot to look directly into my eyes.

"Why? Why does she run?" I asked aloud but more to myself.

"Because she's terrified." Katherine motioned for one of the chairs at the table, I ungracefully slumped myself into the hair opposite her, Elliot was cautious but naturally curious. "Christian, I know you're stalker to the point of insanity or rather imprisonment however, Anastasia has never allowed herself to ever get into a situation where she is not in control or even have the possibility of being hurt.

"Never... In control?"
"Never. She puts on a amazing show though, she does everything for her little girl and will never do anything to put her in harms way or give her any taste of what she has experienced previously."

"Surely she doesn't think -"

"No of course she doesn't think that, did you not see her zoning out before? She was obviously thinking about what her life could potentially be like with you in the future. It scared her, imagine having everything ripped from you, maturity forced upon you at an early age and then having the opportunity to be truly happy? Wouldn't your mind think that it's going to be some cruel prank? A joke from the world personally designed for you?"

"A mistake." I muttered, repeating her words.

"She won't allow herself to be place into any situation where there is a chance of failing, or of people failing her. She will always put Ella above everyone, even herself." Kate was determined to tell me this.

"So why can't I show her otherwise?"

"Because you'd be forcing her, just like everything and everyone else. She needs to do some of the chasing Christian." She began to stand from the table, looked towards Elliot and apologised. "I have to go. I'll talk to her Christian, and I'll be in contact with you. I believe if anyone has the possibility of giving her everything she needs and deserves, it'll be you." With a nod she left, Elliot walked her to the car and then came back.

"You seem really down bro." His hand hovered over my shoulder unsure of wether or not to comfort me.

"Elliot, I've never met anyone that has changed me so much in such a short amount of time." I looked up into his blue eyes, filled with worry.

"Christian, don't worry. We Grey's have a big personality however we can charm a snake if given the opportunity." He smiled at his own little joke. "Just give Ana some time, she'll come around."

"Why would she come around to the idea of you?" My mind sneered.

Because for once I don't want to be the bad guy, I want to be the prince charming, the knight on a white horse. I want to be everything and anything she wishes of me.

"Will you let her touch your scars too?"

If anyone can change me it'll be her.

"So you say."

Kate POV

I walked inside the apartment and all was silent, I could tell by the clothes littered around the apartment that Ella was not happy about the way things transpired tonight, I flashback to Ella screaming no at Ana , the way Ana's eyes were wide, like a child running from their worst nightmare and I guess in a way it is her biggest fear. I knew not to intervene in that moment. I opened Ella's door silently and looked in, she looked content enough, sleeping soundly, however her hair was a mess and I could see her eyes were a little puffy obviously from crying.

"Anastasia." I knocked on her door softly and opened it to see a lump in the bed. I shook my head and let out a small sigh. I crawled into the bed beside her in the safety of the blankets. "Why did you run Ana?"

I could tell she had been crying, her breathing was irregular. "Kate... It was too much." I wanted to pull her into my arms, to comfort her, to soothe away the pain like I did when we found out Ella was coming along.

"Why was it too much?" Although I had already guessed the answer.

"I couldn't... I can't let myself be distracted. Ella needs me, she needs security, she needs to be loved and be safe."

"Safe, security. Anastasia, do you really believe Christian would hurt that little girl?" I wanted to roll my eyes so badly.

"I can't know that for certain."

"Do you think I'd LET him hurt her?"

"No..." She mumbled.

"Then what's the issue?"

"How can I let myself accept him? Why would I let him be tainted by my past?"

"Why would you taint him?" This poor, poor girl.

"Because. I have a child, with no father. I have so much baggage, that I can't drag him down with my issues."

"You had an unfortunate thing happen to you Ana, but you have a beautiful baby girl who is the spitting image of you. You have some baggage but I'm guessing he does as well. Please, think about exploring the idea of a relationship with that man? You didn't see what I did but he looked at Ella with love, compassion and adoration in his eyes, and the same look was given to you as well."

"Really?"

"Yes Ana. You're a beautiful girl." I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Please call him."

"I'll... think about it."