Ray's POV

Present Time

Today is a happy day. My little girl is finally awake and I am carrying good news in my hands. I walk towards her hospital room and reach for the doorknob when I hear Christian's voice from inside.

"Who is Ryan?"

Fuck. I silently open the door and peek inside. The first thing I notice is the impassive face of my beautiful daughter but her daddy knows better than that. Her eyes show anguish and no dad wants to see that in their kid's eyes. Never again so I decided an intervention is needed. I clear my throat causing Ana and Christian to look at my direction. I turn on my happy face.

"Sweetheart, I trust you were able to rest well" I walk towards Ana and kiss her forehead. I nod at Christian and shook his hand.

"Good to see you Christian. I am glad you are here so you both can hear the good news. Let us just wait for Welch and Taylor. They should be here any minute" I held my daughter closer. The talk about Ryan can wait and right on cue there is a knock on the door.

"Annie, Ray?" Taylor's voice booms from outside

"Come on in Jason, Christian is already here," I tell them.

"Hey there Annie, you're looking better everyday" Taylor pats his niece's head.

"Hi Uncle T and Welchie" Ana greets smiling at both Taylor and Welch.

"You are really never going to let that nickname down now are you?" Welch says shaking his head.

"Never" my daughter giggles and we all enjoy the sound we thought we would never hear again. I hug my baby tighter thinking of the three weeks we waited for her to wake up.

"Dad, can't… breath" Ana gasps and I grimace.

"Did I hurt you Annie? I'm so sorry" I apologize while checking her for any damage.

"Dad, relax. I am fine. You just hugged me a little bit tighter but you know I love your hugs" she beams but frowns when she sees the brown envelop I placed on her bed,

"What is that?"

"Allow me" Welch says picking up the good news I was carrying and began explaining,

"This is the final report of the investigation the authorities have conducted against Lincoln and Hyde. Mr. Grey, it is unfortunate that you had to go through the recent ambush for us to close this case. Lincoln was a very dangerous man who was on the most wanted list of the government. It also turned out that Hyde is more than just a disgruntled employee of Seattle Independent Publishing, now Grey Publishing. He was in the same foster home with you before the Greys adopted you. The way I see it, the man wants what you have and has been planning to take everything from you – including your family. Meeting Lincoln was just an icing on the cake. Nonetheless, this two planned to kill you but in the end they are now the ones rotting in hell" Welch pauses and glances at Christian warily,

"Mr. Grey, I admit that I have failed you one way or another. We could have avoided Ms. Grey's abduction and the ambush if we did all we can to pursue them even before getting the FBI involved. Consider this my two weeks notice" he finishes and we all stare at Christian.

"Mr. Grey, Christian, you are like a friend to me and like Welch, I have failed you too. I will understand if you decide to terminate my contract. I assure you that I will help you find a better security team" Taylor adds.

"What the fuck is wrong with you people?" Grey stands and shouts. "I am not blaming any of you for all of this. Linc's dead, Hyde's dead. My family is safe. End of story" he huffs.

"Christian" I warn him. He takes the hint and sits.

"Damn it" he curses and looks at Welch. "Look, I'm sorry alright. I just want to forget all of this. This is supposed to be good news. Welch, you are the best head of security for GEH, you are staying with me whether you like it or not" Christian then turns to Taylor. "And Jason, unless you are sick of my face, you too are sticking with me."

"How about me?" we hear the small voice of my daughter say, "I mean I still want to work for you Christian."

"Ana…" he starts.

"Mr. Grey, with all due respect…"Ana begins but Christian cuts her off.

"Oh no, not again Anastasia. If you still want to work for me, you can, just not as my security. Ros told me you have an eye for business. You mentioned once that you love reading and if you didn't get in the Marines you would study English Literature. Grey Publishing is in need of a trustworthy leader, if you are up for it. It's yours" he suggests.

"You… you are giving me a company?" my daughter asks bewildered. Hell, all of us are now gaping at Christian.

"Yes, well, it's up to you." he smiles shyly.

"I don't know anything about business" Ana whispers.

"That is why I am here. I will help you and so does Ros. Like I said, you have the eye for it, go for it. I am sure Ray will agree" he glances at me.

"Well actually, I think it will be good for you Annie. I mean, if you don't like it you can find something else. There's nothing to lose. At least try"

"But daddy, I'm a Marine" my stubborn daughter resurfaces.

"And you will always be sweetheart. I don't think I can have a repeat of what has transpired the last three weeks anytime soon. Please sweet pea, for me? Can you try and accept Christian's offer?" I beg my daughter and finally she nods.

"As long as you can spare a room for me in your house daddy, I would like to live with you again. I missed you" Ana says and my heart swells with happiness.

"Of course darling, you're always welcome in our home" I smile big that my cheeks are starting to hurt.

"You will no longer live with me? I mean in Escala?" Christian's timid voice gets our attention.

"I will no longer work undercover or as part of your security anymore Christian. I think it's time I move out" my daughter reasons and I swear I see Grey pout for a second.

"Fine" he relents.

"Oh don't be such a baby. Once I'm good as new, we are heading to the firing rage then I'm gonna kick your ass in the ring. We'll always be friends Christian" my daughter explains and I see Grey stare at her for a moment before uttering,

"Friends"

Few Days Later

Today is a Sunday and the Greys invited us for a barbecue in their backyard. Well I don't know if you should call this a backyard because it is huge. Grace and Carrick are rich but kindhearted fellows. I am thankful for their hospitality and I know they adore my daughter. I mean, who wouldn't?

A couple of days ago, my Annie was finally released from the hospital. She has been insisting to walk on her own and I must say that she is really my kid. She is tough as nail and now walking without crutches. A little slow but Christian is there to assist her. She will start working at Grey Publishing next week but she now lives with me and that boy regularly visits her. I almost offered him to live with me too. He's got it bad.

"Ray" speaking of the devil,

"Christian" I smile.

"How about some beer?" he offers and I nod.

"Here you go" he says as he hands me the beer and looks around. "Where's Ana?"

"She had a girls day out with Kate and your sister. They should be here in" I look at my watch "Thirty minutes?" I shrug just as we hear giggles coming from the patio. I guess I'm wrong.

"Oh, they are early" Christian says sarcastically but frowns. There is no sight of my daughter.

"Ladies and Gentlemen" little Ms. Mia Grey calls out. We all turn to her and she looks like she's about to burst with excitement any moment now.

"It is such a great honor to introduce a new found friend of mine. You see, we had a girls day out today. Kate, Ana, and I went to the salon, got our mani and pedi, received full body scrub, had our hairs done, got waxed…"

"Oh for fuck's sake Mia" Elliot grunts.

"Elliot, language" Grace admonishes.

"Sorry Mom, it's just that Mia keeps going on and on. We don't need to know they got waxed. Well, unless... hey baby did you get waxed down there too?" he wiggles his eyebrows at Kate and she blushes. Kids.

"Anyway…" Mia begins again, "Someone had a makeover. Well not really a makeover. She changed her hairstyle before and now she got it back. She did trim it a little but I think it's perfect on her. She also…"

"For the love of all holy Mia!" now it's Christian's turn to stop his sister's rambling.

"Sweetheart, maybe you should get to the point" Grace suggests and all of us sighed in relief.

"I'll handle this Mia" Kate takes charge. "Alright everyone, please welcome my best friend and maid of honor, Anastasia Rose Steele"

My daughter gets out of the two double doors leading to the backyard and I am speechless. Wow, my baby certainly grew up into a beautiful woman. She looks just like her mom. Her hair is flowing freely down her back and it's no longer blonde. Everyone is silent and taking in the beauty that is in front of us. I am a proud daddy.

"So what do you think guys? I convinced Ana to dye her hair back to brown. She's originally a brunette after all. I don't know why she changed it to blonde but whatever; she's still pretty even if it's red. Right Christian? And please close your mouth" Mia gushes and all of us look at Christian who is still staring at my daughter. I should be wringing his neck with the way he is looking at Anastasia but I'll let this slip… today.

"Uh, umm…" he stutters. "Yes, you are gorgeous… beautiful… perfect, Anastasia" finally he gets his sentence straight.

"Thank you" my daughter murmurs looking all shy.

"Well now that is taken care of. Let's all head to the pool!" Kate announces.

"Pool?" Christian questions.

"We thought we could turn this barbecue into a pool party. That's okay right Mom? Dad?" Mia begs her parents with puppy dog eyes. They don't stand a chance.

"Sure darling" Carrick answers and with that Mia and Kate squeals while dragging my daughter back in the house.

"Race you!" Elliot shouts at Christian while removing his shirt. I give the guy a credit. He came in prepared.

It looks like Christian is unsure if he will follow his brother until Taylor hands him a paper bag, he all but run to change.

Grace offered everyone a swimwear. How she got one for everyone, I have no clue but I passed. Mia and Kate emerge with the smallest bikinis I have ever seen. I sure hope my daughter is not wearing something like that.

"Belinda and Gail, come out here. Drag Ana along with you please" Mia shouts just as Belinda and Gail came out wearing one piece bikinis. I see Jason's eyes light up at the sight of his girlfriend.

Christian gave his trusted employees the rest of the afternoon off. They weren't able to say no when Grace orders them to change into swimsuits and enjoy the afternoon in the pool.

Out of nowhere, Luke strides. And I mean with his chin up, chest out and walking in all his glory. I remember the time when I use to sport the same body in my early years. I see the girls check him out and the men groan. The bastard smirks and dives into the pool.

"Show off" I hear the Kavanaugh boy huff.

"Anastasia Rose Steele! I swear, come out now or I will drag you by your hair!" Kate threatens and I start to pray my daughter will not come out if she's wearing next to nothing. I raise my eyebrow at Kate but when I hear gasps, I look at the direction they are staring and saw my daughter make another grand entrance the second time today.

A/N: Hello! Thanks for the reviews, favorites and follows as always! I was debating if I will continue or stop in the last part I did. In the end, I decided to leave it right there and let Christian be the one to describe what Ana is wearing in the next chapter. This is a closure on the Lincoln and Hyde debacle. Also, it is a filler chapter before the big reveal. I figure we enjoy a light chapter before the drama, I hope that's okay. And oh, Ana's back to being a brunette!

Thank you for reading and have a nice day!

Credits to E.L. James for writing Fifty Shades of Grey, Darker and Freed