Chapter 26 (Ana POV)

I told Christian that I wanted my original engagement ring back, but he didn't listen to me. This new ring is incredible. I've never much cared for jewelry or for standing out, but I think I am slowly changing my mind.

For the rest of the night, all I can do is look down at my left hand and then back up to Christian and smile. To be honest, I don't think it's the ring, more than the idea that Christian really wants me back in his life forever. I guess I didn't think I would miss having an outward sign of Christian's love on my hand.

"Penny for your thoughts," Christian asks.

"I haven't been this happy in a long time," I say. "Have I thanked you?"

"Only about 100 times," he laughs. "Now Ms. Steele when I can make an honest woman out of you?"

While he was in the hospital, we settled on the location, our new house.

Our new house, I haven't seen it and all its changes since I left. I can't wait to see how it turned out. Perfect, no less I expect. I know Christian broke the budget on the house. He told me that he added a few things after I left. He said that he always held out hope that one day he would bring me back to the house.

"The good old doc, said I should be good to go in three weeks," he says casually, but I can see we are talking not just about the wedding now and I just smile back. "Is that too soon for you soon?"

"You know I would be happy with a courthouse wedding, we have done the big wedding before," I say hoping that he takes me up on this offer. I don't think I can go through the stress of planning another wedding.

"No, I asked you what you wanted and you said something intimate and a courthouse wedding just won't do. I thought we agreed family only in the meadow."

I know I can't say no to this man, my fifty.

"Well, I guess we can we can do it. I would like to ask for a favor if you are up to it."

"Anything for you, just name it."

"I would like to go see our house."

"I thought you were going to say that, I've already arranged it. If you are amendable to it, we start moving in tomorrow."

Tommorrow?

"Something wrong?" He asks worried that something is wrong.

"No, it's not that, I couldn't be happier, the only thing is that I would like to go to New York and get all of my things from the Brownstone."

"Why haven't you brought this up sooner," he asks.

"Well, you were in the hospital and I didn't know how you would react and I didn't want to put undue stress on you," I say, trying to gauge his reaction.

"If we are going to go there tonight, I need to be honest with you too."

Oh no, what's about to happen.

"Ray called me today and we talked about a few things and he wanted to get my opinion first before talking to you," he said. "He didn't know if you were ready to face everything. I told Ray, that after everything we have been through, you can handle anything."

What in the hell is he talking about.

"What's going on Christian?"

"Did you know that Jose left a will?" A will, what 23-year-old single man would leave a will?

"No."

Well, it seems that right after Teddy's birth he made one with a lawyer.

"He decided to leave everything to you, well Teddy, but since he is not of age, everything would be put into a trust until he turns 18."

I didn't think that Jose had anything more than the Brownstone. For all I knew, he was just making enough to pay the rent, but that's it.

"He seems Mr. Rodriguez had acquired a small little fortune by selling his photographs," he says.

I can't believe it.

"Christian, you know that I don't want anything he has or for Teddy," I say coldly.

"I knew that you were going to say that, but my hands are tied and it's a legal document, I can't do anything. At least not now."

A quick thought came to my mind and I opened my mouth before thinking about the consequences.

"I want to give everything to Jose Sr., the money and all of his personal affects. I don't want them."

"I had a feeling you would say that so I called my lawyer and have it draft up a document for your review and signature. We are going to give Jose Sr. the money up front and then when Teddy turns 18, we can decide together what to do with the money."

I don't think I want to ever tell about Jose, he won't even remember him.

Sensing my fear, Christian calmly walks over to me and puts a hand on my shoulder.

"We have years before we have to think about it," he says. "We don't need to talk anymore about it. Now we need to arrange for someone to get your things from New York."

"If you don't mind, you are being so amendable tonight; I would like to go to New York."

"I will make you a deal; you can go if I can go too. I would really like to learn about your life when you were going to get prospective."

I was hoping he was going to say that.

"Are you allowed to travel? I asked

"Already cleared it with the doc," he said.

We leave a day after tomorrow.

I ask Christian if his parents would watch Teddy while we were away. I don't think I could bear bringing back to the Brownstone and I think the quick trip would be good for Christian and I. We haven't been alone with each other since I came back to Seattle.

"Now, I would like to go to bed with you," he says

"Christian, you know what the doctor said."

"Now Ms. Steele, if you would please get your mind out of the gutter. All I meant is that I want to bed to sleep with you and Teddy. I've missed you three terribly.

That night, I don't think I slept even a minute. I just stared down at my beautiful son in his father's arms. Christian looked so peaceful. I never thought this day would come.

By the grace of God, I did fall asleep at some point in the night and wake up to Christian walking in with breakfast.

"Christian, you know you shouldn't be doing this," I say disapprovingly. "I should be doing this for you."

"I know that you didn't sleep much last night, so I wanted to let you sleep in," he said.

How did he know? He took him less than 20 minutes to fall asleep last night and he was out. I had to check his breathing a few times last night because he was so still.

"I just fed and changed Teddy and he is in with Gail and Taylor," he said. "It's a nice change of pace to see Taylor like this. I think he misses Sophie so much. I hope you don't mind, but I asked if Sophie could come live with him and Gail at the new house."

"Of course I don't mind, but how is he going to convince his ex about changing their arrangement?"

I only have to look at Christian and his expression to know. Money. That woman would do anything for money.

Christian said that she would be moving in while we are in New York. And that she has already been enrolled in the finest private school in Seattle.

"I don't know how is more excited about Sophie coming, Gail or Taylor? She has always wanted a child of her own and now she gets the chance. Now, eat and get dressed, the movers will be here in an hour and I want to take you and our son to our new house first."

I am nearly bouncing off my seat as we round the driveway. The house looks just as beautiful as the last time I saw it. The meadow is full of wild flowers and my first thought that I made the right decision about marrying in the meadow.

"Oh Christian, it's gorgeous," I say as we get out of the car.

"Ms. Steele, you haven't seen anything yet."

Just then he sweeps me into my cars as I still hold Teddy.

"Christian!" I squeal.

"You know me and thresholds."

As we enter the house, I can't believe my eyes. The house is immaculate, just has I dreamed it would be with the limited changes that I wanted to make.

"Now, since we are doing this sooner, I need you to fix out the furniture. We will bring over the basics from Escala, but I want you to make this your home. I think that our trip to New York will be perfect to find everything you need. By the time we get back, your new house will be complete."

"Christian, the house is already perfect because you are here with our son."