A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Did you have a nice day at work?" Ana continued putting away Layken's toys while Christian waited for an answer to his question. Layken, who was feeling better from the previous day's stomach virus, hurried into the bedroom with her arms extended for the stuffed elephant Ana was holding. Finally, Ana turned and answered with only a shrug. "I sense something is wrong."
"Nothing's wrong.", Ana replied. "Considering you have cameras installed in my office, you should know how work went." Feeling an argument on the horizon, Christian decided it be best for Layken not to be in the room. "Layken, why don't you go and see what Landon's doing?"
"I play wif Lan Lan.", Layken giggled as she happily left the room.
"For your information, I didn't sit back and watch what was happening at your office today." Ana scoffed and crossed her arms. "You don't believe me?"
"I didn't say that although it is kind of hard to believe you when checked in on me the other day."
"I told you I was only doing that to test the system. It was the first and only time. It was a coincidence it happened to be the day Dawson sent the flowers." Christian rubbed the sides of his face in frustration.
"We still don't know if those flowers were from him."
"Ana, don't be so naive. The guy called your office yesterday to ask if you had received them. There's the answer right there." Christian felt his blood pressure rising at the thought of Kurt Dawson trying to manipulate his way into Ana's life, but the anger on Ana's face was as intense.
"Get this straight. I'm not naive, and I don't appreciate you saying I am." Christian opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by Ana's hand. "Let me finish. I'm aware that Dawson may or may not have questionable intentions towards me. If you haven't forgotten, I'm a pretty smart woman who has good instincts."
"I thought we had gotten past this the other night when I apologized. Why are you bringing it back up? Did he call you back today?"
"Ugh. No. He didn't call back today. I thought we were past it, but the moment I walked into that building this morning I started looking around for cameras. I just can't help but feel there's more going on than you're saying. Maybe you don't trust me."
"Ana, you know I trust you. It's Dawson I don't trust.", Christian sighed. "And as much as I can't stand the guy, he was right about one thing." Ana slowly took a seat in the rocking chair by Layken's dresser. "He told me that insecurity can cause trouble in a marriage. I reek of confidence when I step into the boardroom, but when it comes to you, I'm not." Ana's face softened as Christian bent down in front of her. "Here we are in happily married with three amazing kids, and yet I still like I'm going to wake up and have it all be a dream. I can't help but feel you're too good for me."
"This isn't a dream, and I'm not too good for you. You've got me and will never lose me just like I know I'm never going to lose you to anyone else."
"Are you guys still coming to coming to my school tomorrow?", Landon asked Christian and Ana during dinner. With the following day being Parents' Day at school, Ana and Christian had promised Landon they would have lunch with him.
"We sure are. It's at eleven, right?", Ana replied.
"Yep. I'm not sure what they're serving." Christian leaned back in his chair, stretching his neck so he could see the copy of the school menu that was hanging on the fridge.
"Salisbury steak and gravy, carrots, mashed potatoes, and fruit cups.", Christian said. "I'm sure it's going to be delicious." He glanced at Layken who was being fed with green beans by Ana. The little girl giggled once she saw Christian watching her. "I'm proud you're not playing with your food."
"Only because Mom's feeding her.", Landon pointed out. "Drew's dad is going to be there tomorrow too, but Hannah can't be come because she has to take care of the office while Mom's gone."
"I'm sorry Landon.", Ana told him.
"It's ok. They're going to have dinner and go to a movie tomorrow night. Drew really likes Hannah."
"Hannah likes Drew. She thinks the world of him."
"Do you think she'll be his new mom?" Uncomfortable with being put on the spot, Ana reached for her water and took a long drink. "Mom?"
"That's a question I can't answer. I do know Drew's dad and Hannah care for each other deeply." Ana went back to feeding Layken while Christian picked up a crying Liam from his seat. "You and Daddy still care about each other, don't you?"
"Yes. Your daddy and I love each other very much. Why are you asking?"
"I was going to tell you that I didn't want Layken in my room, but I heard you and Daddy fighting. I want our family to stay together." All color drained from Ana's face. She and Christian had failed to do the one thing they had agreed never to do, argue in front of the kids.
"Landon, I'm sorry you heard that. Your daddy and I are staying together, and our family's not breaking up. We had a disagreement, but it's over now. We worked it out."
"You did?", Landon asked in a tiny voice.
"We did.", Christian said.
"Ana, hey." Nathan closed his car door and started walking towards Ana who had just gotten out of the SUV being driven by Sawyer. "Drew said lunch was going to be at eleven, but I thought I'd get here a few minutes early."
"I wasn't sure how traffic was going to be on the way so I left the office early. Unfortunately, Christian called me on the way and said he's running late. He hopes to be here before lunch is over."
"That sucks." The two of them along with Sawyer started walking towards the front door of the school where Ana noticed Kurt Dawson was having a conversation with a tall blonde woman. All attention he was paying to the woman vanished the moment he saw Ana. He waved at the other woman and
"Mrs. Grey, hello.", Dawson greeted with a smile that weakened as he turned to Nathan.
"Mr. Dawson, this is Nathan Wilson. His son is a student here."
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Wilson." Nathan tightly shook the hand given to him. "I'm here checking in on the Parents' Day lunch. I assume the two of you are joining your kids."
"Yes.", Ana muttered. "We should be heading inside."
"Before you go, I'd like to discuss something with you that I'm considering bringing up at the next board meeting."
"Ok. Nathan, I'll be inside in just a minute." Nathan studied Dawson for several seconds before nodding. After he was gone, Dawson's eyes went to Sawyer who had been standing guard a few feet away. "What are you wanting to bring up at the meeting?"
"Before I go into detail about it, I meant to call you back yesterday, but I was so busy with meetings. When I called your office the other day, your assistant said you weren't there, and she wasn't sure if you had received the flowers from the board." Ana suddenly felt on the spot, not sure how she should respond.
"Yes she told me, and I didn't receive them. Sorry."
"Huh. Well, the florist assured me they would deliver them. They were a customary welcome on board bouquet from the board. I hate that you didn't get them."
"Things happen. What is it you want to talk about?", Ana asked in a quick attempt to change the subject.
"I've talked with a few parents as they've been entering the building, but with you being both a parent and board member, I'd like your opinion. What do you think about us setting up a recycling program here at the school? Taking care of the environment is important. We need to make sure the planet is in a good place for future generations, and the best time to do so is now."
"A recycling program is a great idea. I'm sure Christian will think so as well. He's constantly working on environmentally friendly projects."
"I've read a few articles on his work with solar power. Is work what's keeping him from being here today?" Dawson licked his lips during his question.
"He's running a little late but will be here." Ana looked over her shoulder at Sawyer who had moved closer. "I really should get inside." Dawson placed his hand on Ana's arm as she tried to stepped around him. The gesture sent Sawyer to her side.
"One more thing. Please. I'm guessing from the awkwardness you're radiating that your husband told you about his suspicions of me. I told him I'm not after you, but I sense you're not so sure. I'm going to confess something to you. When I first saw you, I was intrigued. You stood before the board with confidence as you gave your speech. Any other time, I would pursue you, but I'm not. You're a married woman, and I won't show any disrespect to your vows."
"I don't think I can continue being on the board knowing this. You've just stood here and admitted to having feelings for me.", Ana murmured.
"I promise you I won't do anything to act on those feelings. Call it a crush, one that'll go away. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut, but I couldn't. I needed to get it out. Please don't resign from the board. You've got a lot of brilliant ideas that'll bring the schools where they need to be."
"This conversation is over." Unlike before, Dawson didn't try to stop Ana while she headed inside the school.
"This is pretty good.", Nathan laughed as he took a bite of his salisbury steak. "Cafeteria food has come a long way since I was in school. Drew, do you like it?"
"It's ok.", Drew shrugged. "Landon likes his though." Across the table, Landon was almost finished with his meal.
"It's yummy.", Landon said. Picking up his juice box, he smiled in the direction of the door which Christian was walking through. Christian waved on his way to the lunch line. He hurriedly placed food on his tray and headed to join everyone.
"I'm so sorry I'm late.", Christian apologized to Landon. He took the empty spot on Landon's right while Ana was already seated in the one on the left. "How much time is left?"
"About fifteen minutes.", Ana replied.
"Drew and I didn't get our pudding cups. Mr. Nathan, will you go with us?", Landon asked.
"Ok. We'll be back.", Nathan said before following Drew and Landon to the front of the cafeteria. Christian noticed Ana's mind seemed miles away as she pushed her tray away.
"You're upset that I'm late, and I don't blame you. I tried to shorten my meeting, but it couldn't be done."
"It's fine. You...uh...", Ana stammered. "You were right about Dawson. He stopped me outside and told me he has feelings for me although he vowed not to act on them."
"Is he still here?", Christian snarled, scoping out the cafeteria for Dawson.
"I haven't seen him since I left him outside, and I'd rather not. Even if he does show up, I don't want a scene."
"I'm not going to cause a scene here, but Kurt Dawson just made an enemy."