A/N:
It's been a thousand years!
Sorry for the wait, especially to Vicky (guest reviewer) who left comments on three different occasions, I really hope you're still out there. I wasn't sure where I was taking the story and I lost my muse. This chapter is my first attempt to get back to regular updates. If you just found this story and want to read more, please review. If you're a long time reader, also review. I get my best inspiration from your comments and right now, honestly, I feel my muse is partially but NOT completely back for this story.
Prologue:
After dinner with the Grey clan, Taylor drives Christian and Ana to Escala. Wanting to give the couple some privacy, Mia had stayed at her parents house rather than go back to the home she shared with her brother.
…...
Chapter Twenty-one
If Ana thought that Grey's manor was breathtaking with its mace of rooms and corridors and beautiful crystal chandeliers reminiscent of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, then, stepping foot for the first time at Escala was just as awe-inspiring.
Once inside the penthouse, Ana only stared; the luxury was stunning. The large airy room in front of her had been done in whites and blacks, definitely a masculine residence. There were a few feminine touches nonetheless such as ornate flower vases, Mia's influence she supposed. As if she had not felt already overwhelmed by the vast differences between her lifestyle and his, her spirits sunk to an all-time low as Teddy scampered around the place for the next few minutes, exploring. Her lips smiled a forced smile, afraid he'd knock over and break an expensive irreplaceable piece. Thank goodness she had the good sense to leave his toy vacuum in the car this time, otherwise he' d be bumping into things for sure.
"What do you think?" He asked, already regretting not taking the time to make the place toddler-proof. Had he stopped to think about Teddy he would have realized that this place was very much like a museum and the corner opposite of child-friendly. Yet, the only reason he'd refrained from bringing them here before was because he understood that Teddy needed the stability of staying on campus at the Institute, and not because he was concerned over Teddy messing up the place, but he also understood that nothing he said at this point would completely put her mind at ease.
"I'm afraid Teddy and your expensive vases are not a good combination," she admitted as the three of them rounded the corner and automatic doors opened into the kitchen. It was enormous and with pristine white appliances, acres of stone counter-tops, and a chef and a maid.
The two women were blonde, one an older woman wiping down the counters and the other petite with a chef''s apron but no hat, both turned around when they walked in.
"Ana this is Mrs. Jones, my housekeeper."
"Pleased to meet you," Mrs. Jones said wiping her hands on a towel before shaking Ana's hand.
"Nice to meet you too," Ana greeted the older woman warmly.
"And this is Evelyn, the best chef in town."
Evelyn flashed Christian a kittenish smile in response to his compliment but Christian had eyes only for Ana and so he turned to smile at her.
Ana returned his smile and snuggled up against him and he circled his arm around her waist. "Nice meeting you," Ana said without offering Evelyn her hand, letting her know with a single look that her man was off limits.
The two women appraised each other rather coolly.
The blonde woman was about the same age as Ana, attractive and sported an hourglass figure. Her thin lips turned down at the corners ever so slightly, the I-don't-like-you very much was clearly implied. "Nice meeting you," she mumbled.
Everyone's attention then shifted to Mrs. Jones and Teddy, they were standing by the refrigerator when started banging at the door with his little fists.
Christian stepped in to properly introduce the young toddler to both women. Then he turned to Teddy and spoke in a lighthearted tone. "Teddy, can you stop all the banging and say hi to Mrs. Jones and Ms. Evelyn?
Teddy stepped back and made fleeting eye contact with both women and made an unintelligible sound. Then he turned back to look at his mother and continued to whine. It was clear he wanted something.
Ana knew it had been a long day for Teddy and while he had a wonderful time in the children's playroom at Grey Manor and he seemed ready for a nap, still Ana said yes to his invitation to come here. They would only stay for a little while, she said and he agreed and she was really looking forward to Christian playing the piano.
"He's tired," Ana said in an apologetic tone. "He wants his bottle," she added, digging in her denim diaper bag- stylish yet practical- for a clear ready to use bottle.
"I'll be more than happy to fix it for him," Mrs. Jones smiled reaching for the bottle. "Warm milk? Room temperature?"
"Room temperature is good, thank you." Ana smiled back gratefully.
"I will fix your bottle, Mr. Teddy," Mrs. Jones said joyfully, "I have heard so much about you, you know that?" She winked at him.
Ana and Christian exchanged a look, the kind of look that lovers give one another when they needed time alone to focus on each other.
"Gail, we're going to be in the foyer playing the piano, can you bring Teddy's bottle when it's ready?" And with that he took Ana's hand in his, and looked into her eyes.
Somewhere in the back of her mind Ana was aware of Evelyn's eyes boring holes through her but she didn't give it a second thought.
"Certainly, sir. I can keep Teddy here entertained until then if you like."
Both Ana and Christian nodded. Then, he lead her the baby grand piano. They kissed for a little and Christian whispered sweet nothings in her ear until they heard Mrs. Jones coming back with Teddy.
Ana settled on the sofa and wrapped her squirming boy in her arms while he took his bottle. And while Christian played Chopin's Nocturne, Ana re-visited in her head the events of the day, focusing on the dinner party. The Greys had been gracious and courteous except for Elliot. Something about the way the man had looked at her while he thought Christian wasn't looking, reminded her of her ex-husband Derek and it brought shivers down her spine.
…...
FLASHBACK
Three years ago.
At first, Ana thought she should cut him some slack, after all Derek really tried his best to be kind and attentive after he messed up and had the best of intentions. However, it became increasingly difficult to excuse his behavior. Trouble had reared its ugly head as soon they tied the knot. Much to Ana's dismay, the man she married turned out to be a completely different man from the man she had dated. The transformation had been gradual yet powerful. Barely a couple of months into the marriage, it became apparent that while her new husband could very well shower her with roses, he could just as easily fly into a rage the minute he discovered evidence of her failure to stick to the budget such as store receipt with an item or two that wasn't on the list.
From day one, Derek unveiled his book of rules for every aspect of their finances which had to be followed to the letter. At first, Ana had found no reason to object to what seemed like a good financial plan. They had both agreed on a common goal of building a solid financial portfolio so they could afford to buy a home and expensive vacations. The financial sacrifices did not seem over the top. She was not a big spender so she already lived without what other women considered absolute necessities such as a lavishly updated wardrobe.
Ana had grown up understanding the need for budgeting, and she and her mother had lived comfortably within their means but Derek's rules of budgeting and spending left no room for personal spending (things that you buy but don't necessarily need). So it was virtually impossible for Ana to go shopping without violating one of the rules in one way or another.
He kept an inventory of everything in the house and she often found herself on eggshells, dreading the moment when Derek would find out that she'd bought something that wasn't on the approved shopping list.
"What do we have here, Ana?" Derek said, taking the cap off the lipstick and holding it close to Ana's nose.
"Uh," she slowly spoke feeling like a naughty child, "that's a...a new shade of lipstick."
"And when did you get this?"
Ana considered lying and telling him it was a gift from Kate, but her cheeks were burning red by now, and there was no way Derek was going to buy it.
Derek clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Ana, we've been through this. All purchases must be budgeted first."
Ana bit her lip furiously. She hated his rules and yet, at the same time, she didn't want to rock the boat.
"Why do you do this, Ana? Every time you do this we have to go through this interrogation." He clicked his tongue again.
"I'm only doing this for your own good, Ana. You have a big spending problem Ana. Just admit it."
"What are you going to do with my lipstick?" Ana asked weakly.
Derek smiled a devilish smile. He looked at the lipstick in his hand and then again at Ana. "What do you think I'm going to do with it?"
"Throw it away?"
"Yes I am. You think I'm being mean to you but I'm really doing this for your own good."
Together they went through Ana's purse and see if she had hidden away any goodies.
Often, Ana felt conflicted. Sometimes, it was just impossible to argue against what seemed like sound financial principles, especially when he resorted to quoting financial guru Suze Orman. 'Living on a budget isn't really constrictive or confining, it's just the opposite. It's the only way to live with any freedom. A budget really helps us enjoy our money more, because we're in control of what we're spending," he would say.
Other times, she resented the way he scrutinized every penny she spent in this same malicious manner She even regretted giving him so much control of all the financial decisions early on in the marriage, including depositing her paycheck into their joint checking account. She had trusted him completely and he'd taken advantage of it.
Later, when she became pregnant, she couldn't help but feel trapped in the marriage; there was no way she was going to get a divorce and leave her child without a far. She tried to make the best of the situation by trying to be more understanding. So she kept on depositing her entire paycheck in their joint checking account so as not to give her husband cause for concern (and he would become less controlling). She had nothing to hide and she thought that by being completely open about their finances would give him no reason to think she was planning on spending her hard earned money frivolously.
By the time her due date grew nearer, things went from bad to worse. Derek became increasingly suspicious, accusing her of reckless overspending THEIR money on what he considered luxuries. He even went as far as questioning the gifts she received for her baby shower and when she at last decided to start depositing her paycheck in her own bank account and gain some financial independence, he retaliated by refusing take care of their other household bills even though his income was at least twice as much as hers.
By the time Teddy was born, Ana was at her wits end; still she refused to even consider a divorce thinking she didn't want her child to suffer like she did when her own parents divorced, and still had hope that Derek could still change and stop being so controlling.
"I'm only doing this for us, Ana. We got to build a solid nest egg for us, for our son." He would tell her. .
She continued suffering in silence. She never even talked about her financial difficulties with anyone, least of all her mother or Kate. Part of it was that she was deeply ashamed and also, part of her started believing that there was nothing she could do to stop the abuse. While it was true that the man was virtually suffocating her, it wasn't as though Derek was physically abusive, she told herself.
One day, when Teddy was only a few months old, they had a huge argument over her breaking one of his rules by purchasing the most expensive brand of baby wipes –as opposed to their usual genetic brand- without a coupon or discount of any kind. Yes, he scrutinized every receipt like a shark circling over its prey. The argument escalated when Ana decided to start packing her bags. Derek's immediate reaction was to back off as soon as he realized she was serious about leaving. Instead of yelling back, he begged her forgiveness. He went as far as surprising Ana with a new car the next day as a way to make it up to her and show her 'how much he cared about her'.
Ana had been home cooking dinner when she received an unexpected call from the Toyota dealership informing her that Derek had purchased a new Toyota Corolla for her as a gift, and that all she needed to do was to come down and co-sign the papers. Ana was beyond shocked. Later, he invited Carla and Kate and a few friends to dinner so he could proudly make the announcement. But before everyone started expressing their congratulations-they all knew Ana had been driving an old clunker more suitable for a junkyard since forever-Derek delivered a well-timed punch line.
"And you know the best part?" He grinned. Everyone at the table looked at him expectantly, smiling, expecting to hear something great. "She got to choose the color," Derek said in a derogatory tone.
END OF FLASHBACK.
...
Ana blinked twice, her thoughts back to the present. Teddy had fallen asleep in her arms and Christian had moved away from the piano. He was beside her on the couch, looking at her expectantly. He had said something about how beautiful she looked and wanting to wake up every morning with her by her side.
"So, what do you say Ana? Would you move in with me?"
"Move in?" Ana took a deep breath and let it out slowly. First, he had proposed to give her a loan so that she could stay home with Teddy and now he was asking that they move in together and it seemed to her they were moving too fast. "Christian, please, I need time to think."
"Is that a no?"
Ana took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Christian had a way of making it all sound so easy but the bottom line was that she had a child to think about. And while she had agreed on accepting a loan from him, she was still thinking of going back home where she belonged. If she stayed in Los Angeles it would be all too easy to let him take over her life, and she couldn't let herself become completely dependent on a man. Although Christian wasn't any man, he was the LOVE of her life. But she was scared of rushing things. And they needed more time getting to know each other better before moving in together. Furthermore, she was confident they could still make it work; she clearly remembered Christian expressing his willingness to travel three thousand miles and back ( or something along those lines) just to see her.