Chapter 21

A/N: So so so so so so sorry for the way late update. I really try to get these chapters out but I have so much going on in my life. I promise by the end of June, I will have a stable update schedule. I really love yoi guys for all the amazing reviews and support. For those of you who said they didn't want me to end the story for a long time, trust me, this story has a long ways to go before it ends. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I will be posting Pins for it. And I think a lot of you will enjoy this mostly drama-free chapter. Also, there is going to be a time jump in this chapter. Thanks.

Rose xoxo

Ana POV:

4 days before Thanksgiving

Life has pretty much settled down in the past month or so. Christian and I are happier than ever, getting acquainted with the new house and everything. Rosie has gotten much better since she started seeing Dr. McCallum. She had nightmares every now and then but not like they used to be. And she started her tumbling tots class. I took like fifty pictures of her at her first practice. Christian said I was being overdramatic but I couldn't help it. My little girl looked so adorable in her little leotard.

The only thing that everyone has been a little...off put about was not having Carrick around. Yeah, he didn't care about me or Rosie even though she was his biological granddaughter but Christian and the rest of the Greys deserved to have an apology from him. He hurt them and even though Elliot and Christian tried to hide it, I knew they were hurt just as bad as Grace or Mia because he had been their father. And they looked up to him. Not being able to do that anymore, must be an extremely hard thing for them.

Since Jack fired me, I've sort of been a housewife/stay-at-home mom even though I didn't like doing nothing and I wasn't exactly a wife. But I got over it. Having Jack as a boss wasn't my passion, being in publishing was so I didn't mind finding a new job that didn't have someone in charge that made me uncomfortable. Besides, I got to spend more time with Rosie and Ali while Christian was at work. Sometimes, Kate would come over along with Mia.

"Mmm. I like coming home to this," Christian slipped his arms around my waist from behind and kissed my neck.

He had to go into the office for a couple hours but he was home in time for lunch, which I was currently making. But it was simple. Just homemade pretzel dogs. They were amazing. I used to make them all the time for Rosie.

"Me in a striped shirt and jeans cooking a kid lunch?" I laughed, putting my hands over top of his which were rested on my stomach.

"You look sexy in anything, doing anything," he mumbled against my skin, his hand sliding further down south.

I shied away from him, giggling. There was no way I was having sex in the kitchen when Christian had security cameras everywhere besides our bedrooms and bathrooms. He may say no one was going to be watching but it still felt weird.

"Come on, baby," he said as I turned around to face him and wrap my arms around his neck. "I had a stressful day and Rosie nor Ali are here."

I bit my lip, knowing what it does to him, before running my hands down his chest. "Well, you do make a good point..." He grinned and leaned forward to kiss me but then I walked away from him, "but I don't feel like it."

It was fun to tease Christian. Especially when he was sexually frustrated. He grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder, making me squeal with laughter. I held onto him, tightly, as he carried me up the stairs to our bedroom. When we reached it he dropped me on the bed and climbed on top of me.

"Is it so bad that I want to make love to my beautiful beyond words girlfriend?" He brushed my hair away from my face.

I ran my hands through his hair before they rested on the back of his neck. He was so amazing and sometimes I had to wonder what I did to deserve him.

"I love you so much it's suffocating...and I don't want it any way else," I said, genuinely.

"You're it, baby," he promised, leaning down to kiss me.

The kiss quickly became heated and my shirt was off within split second. I unbuttoned his dress shirt and threw it somewhere. His lips moved across my cheek, to my earlobe, down to my jawline, and my neck. One of his hands disappeared downwards and slipped into my jeans, rubbing me through the very thin material of my lace panties. I gasped and bucked my hips to meet his hand. Then I flipped us over so I was on top.

"We have to pick Rosie up in a hour," I mumbled against his lips.

"Then we'll make it quick," he tore my panties off and we both worked on pulling his pants and boxers down.

He lifted me up and lowered me down on his awaiting cock. Both of us moaned at the contact. He was so big, I had to stretch to accommodate him. I sat still for a moment before starting to move. Using his chest as leverage, I started picking up my pace.

"Fuck, Ana...that's right, baby," he grunted.

"Ohh, Christian," I moaned as he lifted his hips to meet mine.

I swas moving at a faster and quicker pace than ever. My breasts bounced with every move and I tugged at his hair when he leaned up to take my left nipple into his mouth.

"Oh god!" I buried my face in his shoulder as he thrusted up into me over and over. "I-I'm so close!"

Christian lifted his face up to kiss me, roughly, while one of his hands reached between us to rub me. It pushed me even closer and I felt myself climbing higher and higher.

"Scream my name, baby," he wrapped my hair around his free fist, pulling it back gently so he could have better access to my sweet spot.

"CHRISTIAN!" It was suddenly a pressure overload when he started sucking on the spot just below my ear.

My walls clenched around him and my body was shaking from the force of my orgasm but I didn't stop moving. He thrusted up into me three more times before releasing his own load inside of me.

"Fuck, you're still tight," he groaned. "Take it all, baby!"

I collapsed on his chest, unable to help the smile that crossed my face. Amazing, as always. I would never get tired of this man.

"Satisfied?" I asked him.

"Always, baby," he lifted my chin up to kiss me. "Now, let's go get cleaned up."

I rolled off of him and let him lead me to the bathroom where we washed each other up. Once we both got redressed, me having to find new underwear since Christian decided to rip my other ones off, Sawyer drove us to Comanetti's Gymnastics Academy. It was only twenty minutes from the house and what we paid was worth it. Christian wanted to pay all the dues but we argued until he agreed to let me pay half. I didn't want him taking all the responsibilities of our daughter. Was that so terrible? Kate's friend, Tara, taught the class Rosie was in and she was amazing at what she did. Rosie loved her.

As soon as we walked into the gym, Rosie spotted us. Grace bought her the little owl leotard she was wearing now and it was so pretty.

"Mommy! Daddy!" She squealed, running over to us.

"There's my little champion!" Christian picked her up and tossed her into the air, making her giggle.

Tara walked over to us and greeted me with a hug. She was like a slightly older version of Mia. Very energetic. Didn't believe in handshakes, only hugs but I liked her and she passed Christian's background checks. Yes, he checked every single staff member before we put Rosie in here. Couldn't do anything about the love for his little girl.

"Rosie did wonderful today and was well-behaved, as always," Tara told us.

"Someone deserves ice cream," I kissed Rosie on the cheek.

"Yay!" She beamed, making us adults laugh.

"The gym is going to be closed from tomorrow until two days after Thanksgiving," explained Tara. "We understand that a lot of families are going on vacations."

We chatted for a little while longer before leaving. Christian and I took Rosie to get ice cream at this cute little one that just opened called Ike's. The design was amazing. It sort of had the feel of retro diner with a modern twist to it. The rest of the day was pretty easygoing. Christian finished up the last little bit of work he had and I finished packing for the Aspen trip. My wonderful boyfriend decided it would be best if we took a road trip to Colorado instead of just flying there so we were leaving super early, at four in the morning. It was an 18 hour and 40 minute drive apparently.

"Night night, Mommy," Rosie said sleepily as I tucked her in.

She was snuggled into her teddy, her eyes half-closed already. I smiled before leaning down to kiss the light of my life on the forehead.

"Good night, baby." I went downstairs and peeked my head into Christian's study. "Chris, I'm going to pick up a few things for the trip from the store."

He nodded, his eyes still focused on his laptop. "Be safe, please. Take Prescott and Hunter with you."

"Okay," I closed the door behind me.

They must've gotten their orders already, somehow, because as soon as I put on my jacket, grabbed my purse, and got to the front door they were waiting. But I didn't put anything past them. They were like superhumans. Hunter opened the back door of the SUV for me and I thanked him before climbing in. Once we were in the road, I decided to tell them the truth.

"I'm not going to the store," I told them.

"But, Miss Steele, those were our orders," Prescott said.

I pulled up the address on my phone and handed it to her so she could direct Hunter to where we were really going.

"Don't worry, Prescott. I'm not going anywhere dangerous. That is the address of Carrick Grey. I just need to talk to him. It won't take any longer than 15 minutes."

Hunter and Prescott exchanged hesitant looks before Hunter took a left turn. Five minutes later, we were in front of one of the Greys' vacationing homes. Mia said they only used it occasionally but she knew that that was where her father was staying. Maybe it wasn't the smartest move going to see Carrick but he needed to know that what he did wasn't okay. The Greys were like my family and I wasn't going to let anyone hurt them just like I wouldn't let someone hurt my sister or my dad.

My two bodyguards followed close behind as I walked up the steps and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. It was barely a minute before Carrick opened the door. He looked slightly distraught and unlike his usually put together self.

"Anastasia..." He looked surprised.

He must've been hoping it was Grace or one of his children but they were still to upset to be able to face him.

"Can we talk?"

His hesitation was evident before he finally stepped aside to let me in. It was a nice house. More modest than what I would expect from the Greys but they weren't flashy or snobby or anything like that.

"How are they? How's Rosie? They hate me, don't they?" All the questions came rushing out of Carrick's mouth at one time.

"They're doing the best they can considering your betrayal. Rosie doesn't understand anything that's going on. Then again, why would you care considering you were basically the one ready to give us back to Adrian on a silver platter?" I threw it right back in his face.

"Ana-" he started but I cut him off.

"I'm not done talking. I'm not here so I can ask you why you hate me and my daughter so much. I'm here to tell you that I don't like what you did to them. You hurt them beyond what words could describe. Grace loves you more than anything besides her children, of course. Mia always thought she was your little princess. Christian and Elliot looked up to you. They want you to say that you're proud of them but now...now your word means nothing. I know I'm probably the last person you want to hear talk about what's right and wrong. Because I still don't know the difference sometimes and I will admit that. Ever since I met them, the Greys have treated me like I was one of their own. And, when I see them, I think about how lucky I am to have them along with my dad and my child and my sister. How you could do something to jeopardize the greatest thing you will probably ever have will always be a question I have to ask myself. They deserve an apology but you know what they also deserve? A family Thanksgiving where they don't have to be upset or stressed," I didn't want to talk too much because then it would just be a mouthful and I needed Carrick to take in every single word I was saying.

He didn't speak for a few moments. I thought he was going to tell me to get out but that thought was pushed to the back of my head when I saw him pick up what looked like a family picture of them when Mia, Christian and Elliot were younger.

"I love them beyond what words could describe, Ana...I truly do," he looked up at me with watery eyes.

"Then give them some space to think and when we come back from Aspen, you better be ready to grovel, because that is the only way they will see you're sorry and the only way they ever even consider forgiving you. Do you understand that?"

He nodded before putting the picture back down and running his hands over his face. It was getting awkward so I started to walk out but then he stopped me.

"I truly didn't know what Adrian was capable of, Ana. I was just trying to avoid making a bigger mess than I had already made...Rosie is my granddaughter and I would like to be in her life," he told me and I saw the honesty shining in his eyes.

I reached in my bag and pulled out one of the many pictures I had of Rosie. This one was of her and Christian outside the gym. She was in her leotard and tights.

"She started gymnastics...Carrick, you already have everyone against you and I'm not going to turn my child on her grandfather. She doesn't have any idea what's going on and I don't want that to change. She's 3 and Christian wants to give her the world. If you don't do anything, let your granddaughter know you love her and your son that your proud of him," I put the picture in Carrick's hand. "Happy Thanksgiving, Carrick."

Before I went back home, I got a few necessities from the store. Hopefully, this trip was relaxing and care-free.

Christian POV: (the next day)

When I woke up at 3 the next morning, Ana was already out of bed and I didn't hear Rosie over the baby monitor so she must be up, as well. I jumped in the shower and got dressed within the time span of thirty minutes. Ana and Rosie were downstairs packing fruit and other snacks in the cooler when I went down.

"Why didn't you wake me?" I kissed Ana on the head and then Rosie before helping myself to a cup of coffee.

"Because you were up late last night finishing your work and it's a long ride since you refuse to let me drive," Ana pouted, slightly.

I smirked and put my coffee down before pulling her against my chest. Alison had spent last night with Mia since she was going to be riding with her and Jay. My mother wanted complete order on this trip so she gave everyone an itinerary for the whole week we were going to be there. Sometimes she drove me crazy but I loved her to death.

"Okay, I will let you drive after the first five hours. Deal?" I negotiated.

"Four," she mumbled before leaning up to kiss me.

Our moment was interrupted by our little girl squealing, "Eww!" Ana and I both pulled away, laughing. My security team put our luggage sets by the door. They were going to be following behind in the SUVs.

"Rosie, don't forget your bookbag," Ana said just as everyone was arriving at the house.

"Alwight, alwight," she sighed, stomping away towards the living room.

I chuckled under my breath. Ana stared after our little girl before looking at me and then shaking her head.

"What?" I stared back at her.

"That's your daughter," she walked out to greet Ray. "Hey, Daddy."

Ray hugged his daughter, tightly. There was a question in his eyes and Iknew what it was so I nodded. He smiled before pulling back and kissing her on the head.

"Where's my little Princess?"

"Getting her bag. Speaking of where people are...you've sort of went ghost lately. Is everything okay?" Ana asked her father.

Before he answered, Rosie came in and ran straight into his arms. We all conversed for a little bit and discussed stops and all that before finally getting on the road. Rosie dozed off the first few minutes, snuggled up under her blanket with her teddy bear. Ana stayed up with me, looking over the itinerary.

"Did Grace really put "Free Time" on here?" Ana laughed.

God, I loved that sound.

"My mother likes to do things as though we're still children but I know what I want to do in my free time," I reached over and put a hand on her upper thigh, dangerously close to where I really wanted to be right now.

"First off, keep it PG. Child in the car. Second, we are not having S-E-X in the same house as our parents. It's weird," shuddered Ana.

I looked at her in shock. "You're really going to derive me of se-" Ana gave me a dirty look so I corrected myself. "You're really going to derive me of physical interaction for an entire week? Besides, the rooms are sound proof and they're going to be on the other side of the house."

We talked about it for another 10 minutes before we gave it a rest. But, the car trip actually turned out to be more fun than I thought it would be. We sang songs, played games, and I ended up with stickers and glitter all over my face thanks to my lovely daughter. That's what I get for sleeping while she was awake. Then, close to midnight, we pulled into my Aspen home. Ana's face completely lit up and so did Rosie's. I was ecstatic I could make my girls this happy. And, hopefully, I could make them even happier on Thanksgiving.

"Mr. Grey," Anya, one of my housekeepers, opened the front door. "All the rooms are ready."

"Thank you, Anya," I said, dismissively, wrapping my arm around Ana's waist.

She looked between Ana and I before huffing under her breath and storming back into the house. Someone was getting a pay deduction. When my family came, she had to have the utmost respect for them. Everyone went straight to bed, exhausted from the long drive. Rosie was right next door to us. The baby monitor was already set up and everything. Ana and I had the room with one of the best views. You could see the mountains in the distance and there was a lake just a little ways from the house. It shone under the moonlight and I knew Ana would love to see that.

"You slept with her, didn't you?" Ana asked me, tilting her head to the side as she sat on the large bed.

I was caught off guard by the question.

"What are you-?"

"Christian, I'm not blind," she sounded...amused. "I saw the way she looked at you. I'm not going to be mad if you say yes. It's your past."

Anya was the only woman besides Ana that I slept with who wasn't a submissive. Don't get me wrong, that didn't mean I had feelings for. She was an occasional fuck. When I got a submissive, I broke it off. Besides, I wasn't even in Aspen that much.

"Yes...twice, but that was it. It didn't meant anything. I was bored and she was a willing participant," I started to explain, hastily.

Ana crawled over to where I was standing at the edge of the bed and she got on her knees, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Christian...I'm not mad. As long as she doesn't try anything, it never happened. We're together now and that's all that matters."

I took her face in my hands and kissed her, passionately,

"No one can ever compare to you. You know that, right?"

And that night...she changed her mind about abstaining from sex with me.

Ana POV:

The day before Thanksgiving, we sent the men out to do whatever while we cooked so they wouldnt get in the way. None of them could cook and the last thing we needed was the turkey burning. It was nice to bond with the girls anyway.

"So, do you think Christian's gonna ask anytime soon?" Mia asked me.

"Ask what?" I asked, obliviously.

They all looked at me with raised eyebrows, even Grace. Rosie tried to raise her eyebrows but failed.

"Ask you to marry him," Ali told me and I shrugged, looking down. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's great. I love him, he's adopting Rosie, Adrian isnt in our lives anymore...he's even talking about having a baby soon but...I dont know. He hasnt dropped any hints or anything that he wants to get married anytime soon. Look, if he isn't ready, I'm going to respect that. I love him and I don't want to ruin a good thing," I explained.

Things were amazing between us and I would never complain, especially when I got a lot worse before. He had a bad past, he was scared of abandonment...and if us getting married would just reinforce those issues, then I would wait however long it took for him to trust that I wasn't going anywhere. Just as we were halfway done on the sides, I heard the door close. Rosie was in the family room watching TV when I suddenly heard her squeal "Doggy!" I wiped my hands on my blue and black apron and went into the family room to see Rosie holding a tiny, brown puppy.

"Christian!" I exclaimed and he looked up, surprise. "Can we talk? Please?"

He stood up from where he was kneeling by Rosie. Elliot, of course, had to be the one to say something.

"Oooh. Someone's about to get in trouble."

Christian hit him upside the head before walking over to me. I grabbed his hand and dragged him into the empty hallway.

"Did I do something wrong?"

" You got her a dog?!" I exclaimed in a whisper so no one would oever hear.

He raised his eyebrows at me as if iI just said the most ridiculous thing in the world. "Yes, I did. It's just a dog, Ana."

"Dont say that it's just a dog because you know that that is not why I'm mad! I'm mad because you keep buying her things without talking to me first. You bought her a diamond bracelet, an IPad, you rented a damn horse for her birthday, and now a freaking dog! Is it too much to ask that you involve me? I know that you have an unlimited supply ofmmoney and I appreciate everything you do for us-"

I didn't want this to turn into an argument but he needed to understand where I was coming from. Yeah, it was his money. I didn't care about that. But, I didn't want Rosie to grow up spoiled just because she knew she had a pile of money to fall back on if anything ever happened. She still had to work for everything she got.

"Oh, come on Ana. Is it so bad that I wanted to buy my daughter a few things?" He scoffed.

"You spoil her, Christian."

He shook his head and ran his hands through his hair beforr shrugging. "Fine. I'll take the dog back."

"Dont try to make me into the bad guy!"

"Then what the hell do you want me to do?" He snapped.

"Forget it! Just don't do anything!" I turned and stormed off towards one of the guest bedrooms that wasn't occupied.

The longer that I sat there, the more I realized that I was probablyjust overreacting and the real reason I argued with him was because I thought things were going too well and it was just going to come to an end anyway, which is why he wouldn't ask me to marry him.

"Ana?" Grace poked her head in. "Can you come here for a second?"

I hesitated before sighing and nodding. "Sure."

She took my hand and led me back to the family room. What I saw completely shocked me.

Everyone was gathered around and there was a woman playing the violin, softly. Also, there was a slideshow of pictures of us on the flat screen. But what shocked me the most...was Christian was down on one knee. And as soon as he saw me, he said,

"I dont know why I waited so long to do this."

The ending is kind of cheesy, I know, but I hope this somehwat long chapter makes up for the late update. Don't forget to check out the Pins for this chapter and I'm working on the next part of Save Me now. Hope you guys like it. Next chapter will be much more sweet. Please review and let me know what you guys thought. Thank you.

Rose xoxo