CPOV
I can see Ana glaring at me and I know she wants more information from me. I really don't want us to have any secrets from each other, but I really don't want my past mistakes to ruin my future.
" Christian I think it's time for Max to go to bed and then we are going to talk."
Ray says goodnight and leaves he is a smart man. I help Ana get Max ready for bed while he is giggling away in the tub, he whispers my name so I kneel down so he can talk to me.
" What's up little man."
" I wuvs you Wistian. you can be my Daddy I wuvs that."
" I love that to buddy."
" Sssssshhhhhhh Wistian Mama will hear us." Oh how I love my little boy. Ana tells me that I should have not shown Max the onesie right before bedtime as now he wants to wear it for bed. Ana allows it as she said it does get colder of a night. I show her mine and hers and she laughs so hard saying she will have to get a picture of the three of us wearing them. I won't build my hopes up as I know how the conversation we are about to have will ruin any chance I have to be a daddy and it breaks my heart.
" gudnites Mama and Daddy. ooooppppsssss hahaha." Hearing my boy giggle melts me. I just want to go back in there and snuggle with him and never leave his side; but Mama bear is ready to talk.
" I guess Max will be onboard with you being Daddy then."
" He does seem to enjoy calling me daddy doesn't he. We will tell him when you think the time is best."
" How about a glass of wine Christian as I have a feeling we are both going to need it. Well she isn't wrong I think she might as well open a few bottles for what I am about to tell her.
" It all started when I was 15..." I finish telling Ana everything and I can see the tears rolling down her face. I am waiting for her to tell me to get out of her house and never come near her or Max ever again; my heart is pounding so fast. Ana is sobbing now and I feel so guilty for coming into her life and turning it upside down like this. I don't expect what she does next and it shocks the shit out of me.
Instead of yelling at me and kicking me out she hugs me. I am in shock not because she's not mad at me but the fact that she can hug me and I am ok with it.
" Christian I am so sorry; no child should ever have to go through that. My heart is breaking for you." Once she has realized she is hugging me she apologizes and let's go of me. I did explain my fear of being touched and now she looks guilty for doing it. I don't know what possess me to do it, but I pull her back into my chest.
" Ana I am so sorry that I have come into your life and disrupted it. I will leave and you don't have to deal with me ever again. It will kill me to not be with Max but I will understand if you can't have a person like me in your life."
" Christian you are not going anywhere. Max wants you here and I want you here to." " How can you be ok with all of this, I am a monster."
" Listen to me you are not a monster the monster was the one who did all of that to you. You think you needed it and it was all ok, but it wasn't. How would you feel if Max was fifteen and came and told you everything you have just told me?"
The thought of someone doing that to my child knocks me sick, and I have to run to the bathroom as I throw up. For the first time I have realized that it was all wrong. She wasn't helping me she was corrupting me. How could I have been so stupid all of these years. I allowed that woman to manipulate me and use me for her own disgusting kicks. I head back downstairs to see Ana sitting in the same place I left her in.
" Christian I am so sorry I should not have said that you."
" No you should have said it and I am glad you did. You put all the years of bullshit in perspective for me in a few minutes. My therapist has got nowhere near a breakthrough with me in six years. In one evening you have made me wake up and realize that shit was not right."
" Do you want to stay in the spare room tonight? I know Max will love to see you when he wakes up."
" I would like that, thank you Ana." We both head off to bed and I am in shock about what has just happened. I call Flynn and leave him a voicemail explaining everything; he will have a field day with this one.
"Daddy" I feel little fingers drawing circles on my face. I pull Max closer to me and snuggle up pretending to sleep more.
" No Daddy its nots sweeps time."
" Ok buddy I am getting up let's go see where your Mama is."
"Food" Is Max's reply to me. I know Ana is obviously making breakfast. I have to say I could get used to waking up to see my little boy and having his Mama making us breakfast. I hate knowing that I will have to leave soon. I have a meeting in work and far too much paperwork to deal with.
" Good morning Christian I hope you slept well." for once in my entire life my answer won't be a lie.
" Best night's sleep I have had for a long time thank you." She puts me a cup of coffee down and carries on what she is doing.
" I have made pancakes and bacon I hope you're ok with that" Oh hell yes
" Thanks Ana and thank you for letting me have this time with Max."
" Your welcome now eat up. I have even packed a muffin to take with you in case you get hungry."
Ana is not only the best mother in the world but it looks like she would make a pretty good wife to. Why the fuck am I thinking such things.
" Mmmmmmmmm twasty." Is all I hear coming from Max. He really is a good eater and enjoys his food which makes me happy knowing he will never go without. Taylor has text me to let me know he is outside and has clothes for me. I am running so behind today but it is worth it. I tell Ana I am just going outside and I see Max's head turn really quickly and he looks sad.
" Hey buddy I am just going outside to grab my clothes I will be right back." I guess that was enough to reassure him as he goes back to shoveling pancake in his mouth.
" Christian there is a bathroom next to Max's room. You can shower and do whatever you need to do in there." I nod to her as I have to rush getting ready as I hate being late. I get a quick shower and dress in good time. I can hear Max singing very loudly while watching tv. I get down the stairs and Ana is cleaning up I feel bad that I didn't ask if she wanted any help.
" Ok buddy I have to go to work now." Max runs to me and holds my legs tightly.
" No Wistian I nots want you go." Oh great I am back to being Wistian again. I feel like I have been sucker punched.
" Buddy please don't be upset; how about if its ok with Mama you can come to see where I work and have lunch with me, so that means we will see other really soon."
" Otay."
" Don't worry about it Christian it gets easier trust me. Lunch will be great I needed to drop a
few things off at the office today; so we are going to be near you at around lunch time."
" I will have Taylor meet you at the front desk and have him escort you up to my office. I can show you both around."
" We will look forward to it. Max come and say goodbye too Christian."
"Bye" is all I get while he is slumped on the sofa.
" He will be ok he is just doing this so you will give in and he gets his own way." " Well its working I will see you both later."
I start to walk down the drive when I turn back to see a sad face Max in the window waving at me. Oh that boy is going to break me he really is. I wave back at him and I just want to say fuck work and go back into the house. Today's meeting has been rescheduled that many times that I just couldn't do it again. I get into the car and I feel so alone and lost for the first time. All these new emotions will be the death of me.
" Sir it gets easier."
" Thanks Taylor let's get going to the office."
The drive was painful as I kept wanting to call Ana and ask if Max is ok. I need to not overplay the concerned daddy role just yet. I am so surprised at Ana being so ok with everything I told her last night. I guess for all the years I have blamed myself and made excuses. I thought I deserved everything that happened. I know I have not known for long that I am a daddy but since I have known things in life have become a lot more clearly; it's like I can see for the first time. After two hours of sitting in this bullshit meeting I am glad when Ros takes over as I am done with it. I have been looking at pictures of Max on my phone and would rather be spending the day with him than sitting here.
" Finally it's over and I can spend some time with my little man." Ros looks at me so confused oh shit I have not told anyone at work.
" Ros I have a son called Max he is three and." She looks so shocked right now that she has not spoken a word and for Ros that is a major thing as she never shuts up. I show her a picture of Max on my phone.
" He looks just like you Christian you must be so proud. Wait a minute how am I only hearing about this now."
" Well it's a long story but I have only found out myself really."
" After all these years you still confuse the hell out of me Grey. Now wait a minute who is that piece of hot ass walking towards us."
" That would be the mother of my child Ros."
"Nice one boss."
" Hey Christian sorry we are early but can I talk to you?"
" Sure Ana this is Ros Bailey; Ros this is Anastasia Steele." I can see Max running towards me like a mini tornado.
" Wooks daddy Tay gave me this." I look at his visitor's badge and can't help but realize how cute my boy us.
" Ros this is Max."
" Wello wos."
" Oh Christian he is so adorable. I have to go was nice meeting you guys."
" Come on into my office and we can talk." Ana follows me into my office as I have hold of Max.
" Christian I really hate to ask this of you but something has gone on in work and I have to go in just for an hour to try and fix it. Is there any chance you could watch Max until I get back? I have tried to call Elliot and my Dad but I can't reach them." I feel so pissed off that she called my brother before me I am Max's daddy.
" Of course I will and in future you can call me first."
" I was going to but I didn't want to push you into things too fast. I am sorry and if it's what you want you will be my first call where Max is concerned." "Thank you I would appreciate that."
" Ok Max come give Mama a kiss I have to go to work." I hear my boy huff and puff as he walks towards Ana. He is just having grouchy as he was with me this morning, and I can see it in Ana's eyes that its killing her. Once Ana has left I have asked Andrea to order us some lunch in as I know my little man will be hungry.
" Daddy wheres unc Lelliot todays."
" He will be at work buddy why do you ask?"
" I want my saurus bed."
" Your bed."
" Wes look." Max grabs his little backpack and takes a picture out that I know EL has drawn for him and it's a Tyrannosaurus Rex bed
" Did Lelliot say he was making this for you?"
"Wes I want it now." I take out my phone and call EL to see what is going on.
" Hey Bro."
" EL did you promise Max that you were going to build him a dinosaur bed?"
" I did and it is nearly finished why?"
" I am with him in my office now and I guess he is tired of waiting for it."
" I will have it at the house tomorrow."
" Ok can you make another one for to have at Escala please?"
" Sure so I guess things with you and Ana are going well, and your jumping right into the daddy role."
" I am indeed will speak to you later bye EL."
" Lelliot said you will have your new bed tomorrow."
" cooooollllllllll. Will you comes and sees it daddy."
" Of course buddy." I get a call from my PR team saying that photos where taking outside of Grey House of Ana and Max. The media have linked them to the pictures from our day out together. Oh great the press will have a field day. I get Taylor to call Sawyer and have him come to the office as I think it is time Max and Ana meet him. I want them both to be protected at all times. I know my PR team will want to release a statement. I will talk to Ana about all of this when she gets back. Lunch arrives and Max takes no time in clearing his plate he makes me smile so much.
" Daddy is this your job?"
" It is; this is my company I am the boss."
" Mama has a boss he is a bad man." My heart stops as I don't know what to make of what Max is saying. I can quiz him on it and I certainly don't want to ask Ana about it, because she will tell me to mind my own business. I sent Welch an email telling him I want background checks done on all SIP employees. Max is having so much fun with the intercom and poor Andrea is run raggered with him. He is the son of the CEO so if he wants all the staff to sing the barney theme song then that's what will happen. After an hour of playing around the office with my little man, I see his beautiful Mama come back into the office and I could swear she has been crying.
" Ana are you ok?"
" I am fine Christian I just want to get Max and go."
She picks Max up and I notice a bruise on her arm and now I am pissed off. I give Max a hug and a kiss and tell him I will see him tomorrow. He is not pleased but I think Ana does not want my company any longer. When they both leave I call Ros and tell her I want SIP by tomorrow at any cost. Max telling me Ana's boss is a bad man to Ana coming into my office looking upset with a bruise is enough for me to go on to protect my family. I didn't even get a chance to introduce them both to Sawyer and explain the situation. I am sending him to her house and he is on full protection detail from today on. All covertly of course as Ana does not know yet. I get the background checks back from Welch, and there is the pricks name in black and white. JACK HYDE!
