Disclaimer: The characters portrayed in this story are those in E L James's Fifty Shades Trilogy, therefore they remain her property. The plot and themes in this story are those of the author. The author is in no way affiliated with James. No copyright infringement intended.

In the process of writing the next chapter, will be posting shortly!

Enjoy!

Much love :) x


Anastasia.

"No, leave me alone." I thrash around, trying to get the hands from me but they tighten their grip, holding me down.

Ana.

"Get off me!" I buck my legs, feeling weight on them. "Get off!"

I scream out, my throat burning and lungs exhausted.

"Christ Ana, wake up!"

Jolting upright and gasping for air I try to fathom my surroundings. What the fuck just happened?

"Baby, it was just a dream." Christian pulls my face towards him. He's sat up in bed, pushed over to the edge and fully dressed in his suit trousers and shirt. "It was just a dream."

Panting heavily I lower my head into my hands, rubbing my eyes.

"Ana, are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a bad dream." Mumbling through my hands I fight back the urge to just come out with the truth. I want to tell you, but I know this is just going to blow up again. I can't deal with this again.

"Baby, I know something's wrong. Just tell me."

"It's nothing."

"Stop lying to me Ana." I lift my head slowly out of my hands and turn to face him once more.

"I'm not lying, and that fact that you're calling me a liar makes me feel about this small." I gesture to him, closing the gap between my forefinger and thumb to that of a penny.

"Ana -"

"No Christian. I've told you over and over again, I am fine. There is nothing to tell you, I have dealt with it. End of."

I find myself scowling at him. His lips press into a hardline across his face and he diverts his attention from me.

"I didn't intend on calling you a liar. I just wish you'd open up and let me in."

"I don't see the point in stressing you out with something that I have dealt with on my own, and if I know it's something that you're going to fly off the handle with and go all King Kong, beating your chest and snapping at everyone."

"I'd prefer it if we didn't have any secrets Ana." He looks up at me again, his grey eyes wide and sad.

"Ditto." I shuffle down the bed, making my way to my feet. "I'm going for a shower."

"I'll be downstairs."

As I walk into the bathroom, lifting his t-shirt from my head and pushing my sweats to the ground I look over to him, watching him heave himself from the bed and shuffle out of the door, fisting his fingers through his hair.

Way to go Ana! Great start to the day!

I stand under the shower head, allowing the warm water to cascade over me, thinking about last night and this morning. Christian's right - we shouldn't have any secrets, but how can I just come out with this? He said he'd sort it out if she made contact again; what exactly does that mean? The idea of him having to see her and speak to her is more sickening than me having to keep this from him. I don't want him anywhere near her.

I decide to throw on one of my new dresses from Neiman's - a plum, empire lined, knee-length dress - with some dark stockings underneath to shield my legs from the growing chill in the air. I let my hair hang loose today, allowing it to fall down over my breasts, covering the slight cleavage I have on show from the low neck line. I keep my makeup minimal, just throwing on a little mascara and lip balm.

Heading down into the kitchen I find Mom and Bob sitting around the counter devouring their lunch; I hadn't realised it was already 1 o'clock until I caught the alarm clock in our bedroom on my way out. I walk around to them, kissing my Mom on the cheek as I wrap my arms around her back.

"Glad to see you're awake now. Christian said you had a bad dream?" Mom turns to face me, her eyes lighting up with worry.

"Yeah, it was nothing." I smile, loosening my hold of her and walking over to the fridge to grab a drink.

"I remember when I was pregnant with you, I had no end of bad dreams! Your poor father had no sleep for months!"

Smiling, I take out the Orange juice from the shelf, pouring some into a glass from the cabinet next to me.

"Speaking of which, do you know where Christian is?"

"I think he said something about going into his study to make some calls? He looked pretty out of it, is he okay?"

"Just a lot on his mind. I'm just going to go and check on him, when we can do whatever you want today." I grin over to them both, making my way past them and heading in the direction of Christian's study. After my little self-examination of the house earlier this morning I found that Christian's study is on the other end of the hall, overlooking the sound.

As I approach the door I hear him talking into his phone, something about business plans and contracts. I don't bother to knock the door, instead just turning the knob and entering off my own accord. The room looks a lot better in the light of day. Everything in here mimics his office at Grey House - black and white, very clinical and sterile. The only significant details in the room is the dark mahogany desk in the middle of the room, and the various photographs lined up on the wall adjacent to it. He's sat down in his chair, the receiver pulled up to his ear. I close the door behind me, feeling out-of-place.

As I walk over to him slowly he looks up at me, his eyes narrow and pissed off. Shit.

When I reach him I settle my glass down on his desk, next to a file with our names on it. He stalks me with his eyes but remains fixed to his conversation. I turn him in his chair, towards me, and climb up into his lap - throwing my legs over his and wrapping my arms around him. His free arm hangs low past the arm of the chair.

"No... Tell them I want it signed today... Make them. I don't have time to wait around for them to pull their fucking finger out. Get Ros to press for it... No, I'm taking the day off. Family priorities... No, no calls today." His voice vibrates through his chest, tickling my ear as I lay my head against him.

In one swift movement he ends the call and throws the receiver back on to his desk. I watch it as it bounces, confused of how he didn't break it into several pieces with the force of his throw.

"Ana -"

"I'm sorry."

"Baby, don't be." Christian cradles me in his arms, rubbing his fingers against my bare arms.

"We shouldn't have secrets."

"Ana, is it something life-threatening?"

"No."

"Something serious?"

"Not exactly." I huff, squeezing my arms around him.

"Why won't you tell me then?

"I don't want another argument or a reenactment of Saturday." I lift my head to his, looking into his eyes.

"Ana, what do you mean? Is this about Elena?"

I don't move, closing my eyes and taking a few breaths before nodding.

"What the fuck has she done now?"

"She contacted me last night."

"Fucking bitch!" One of his hands leaves me and finds its way to his hair, pushing it back out of his face.

"Christian, I've dealt with it."

"How? What did she do?"

"She sent me an email, saying that she wanted to meet with me - that we have 'a lot to discuss'. I ignored it at first then messaged her back. I told her we want nothing more to do with her. You can read the email if you want?"

"Oh, baby, I don't need to. Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I didn't want you to go all postal and piss off again. Not after what happened on Saturday, and with my Mom here -"

His hand moves back to me, cupping the nape of my neck and holding me as he brings his lips to mine.

"Thank you."

"What for?" My voice hitching at the end.

"For opening up to me."

"What are you going to do?" I pause, finding the right words. "About her?"

"Nothing. I'll call the lawyer and send him a copy of her message. They can deal with it."

"So you're not going to find her and shout at her until you're blue in the face?"

"No." He laughs, throwing his head back slightly. "As much as I want to, I won't. It's a legal matter now, I don't need to speak to her."

Christian leans forward once more, slipping his tongue into my mouth and pulling me closer to his chest, my bump pressing into him.

"You're getting bigger."

"I could say the same for you." I giggle, feeling his erection pressing against my thigh.

"Ah, what I wouldn't do to throw you on the desk and fuck you right now."

"Fuck me then." I pant, rubbing myself against him and possessing his mouth once more.

"Ana, I would. Gladly! But not when my mother-in-law is just down the hall."

"Be quick then." I kiss him all around his mouth, moving to his cheek and ear. The slight stubble on his face tickling my lips.

"Baby, how would we explain the screaming? We both know I can make you scream!"

"Hm... I love you."

"I love you too. Now, let's go and spend the rest of the afternoon with your mother and Bob. We have our appointment with Dr Greene at five."

I stand, sliding out of Christian's lap, and smooth down my dress.

"Five? What time are they leaving?"

"Four. We'll just have enough time to go straight from the airport to the hospital. I'll be much happier once you've been checked over thoroughly."


"Oh Ana, don't cry. We'll be back for the holidays, and you can always come and stay with us before this little one gets too big!"

I can't stop the tears falling from my eyes. Saying goodbye to my Mom has always been awful - normally she's the one blubbering like a baby, but this time I'm the emotional wreck. I cling to her oversized multicoloured sweatshirt, not ready to let her go again.

"Come on Carla, we better get going." Bob places his hand on her shoulder, prizing us apart. "Christian, thank you for having us." He reaches out his hand, offering it to Christian. He accepts it with a smile.

"Absolutely. You are both welcome anytime." I feel his arm stretch around my back, resting his hand on my hip. "Ana, we've got to go."

"Bye Mom!" I squeeze her once more, the tears falling fast.

"You take care baby girl! Christian -" Letting of me she makes a grab for Christian, throwing her arms around his waist. I check his face, concerned of how he might react to her touch but he's unphased, smiling even. "Take good care of my baby girl and grandchild!"

"Always. Have a safe flight."

I move close to Christian as they walk over to the jet, climbing the staircase and waving back to us once last time. they disappear into the Grey Enterprises jet and I cling to Christian. He wraps his arm around me and walks me over to the car waiting on the tarmac beside us. We climb back into the SUV, Taylor waiting for us patiently.

I settle in beside Christian, putting on my seatbelt and staring down at my stomach, running my fingers over my bump.

"Are you okay baby?"

I nod over to him, trying to regain composure. I duck my head, wiping my nose with the back of my hand.

"Mrs Grey?"

I look up to glance at Taylor in the driver's seat. He reaches back to me, holding out a handkerchief.

"Thank you." I smile at him and his kind gesture, taking it and wiping my eyes and nose. He smiles back at me through the rear view mirror then returning his eyes to the road.

We arrive at the hospital promptly and on time, much to my amazement, considering the rush hour traffic. The receptionist shows us directly to Dr Greene's office, where a nurse waits for us. She's young, mid-twenties, with peroxide blonde hair. She's stunned as Christian enters - yet another woman falling at his feet! Be grateful she's blonde! I roll my eyes, dumping my purse on the chair and taking the gown from the bed.

"Dr Greene will be with you in a moment." She stutters, then makes her way from the room reluctantly.

I change in the bathroom, cloaking my body with the gown and head back into the office. Christian helps me on to the bed, kissing me as he lowers me.

"Everything's going to be fine." I reassure him.

"I think that's my line." Dr Greene smiles, stepping into the room and placing her notes down on the desk beside us. "Now Ana, I heard about your accident the other night. I'm sorry I wasn't available, I was in surgery."

"It's fine." I smile to her, crossing my arms around my stomach.

"Okay, now everything came back clear. Any further bleeding or pains?"

"No, just a little pain in my back, but that's better."

"Good. Now then, I'll do a quick physical and check that everything is good down there and then we can discuss everything."

I settle my legs up into the stirrups and reach out for Christian's hand, squeezing it when places his fingers between mine. I try to breathe through the examination, feeling uncomfortable from her probing and that she's staring at my crotch! I suppose I should get used to it, preparation for when I'm trying to push Blip out of my area?

"Okay Ana, all done now." She pulls away from me, tapping my legs to show that I can lower them and cover myself. "Everything is just fine. There is nothing to worry about."

"You're sure?" Christian mutters from his chair, leaning forward.

"Absolutely. We've already checked the baby's heartbeat and that came back healthy, there's been no further bleeding or pains. There's nothing to be concerned about." She smiles at him and I feel his fingers relax between mine.

"Thank you."

"It's all part of the service. Now, we do have to discuss what happened. Ana, you'll need to be more careful, keeping your iron levels up and reducing any stress. Make sure you're taking your vitamins and keeping your fluid levels up as well. Apart from that, I'll see you in a few weeks for your next scan."

"What about work?" I interrupt as she walks towards the door, clearly in a rush to see other patients.

"You should be fine to return to work. Obviously no heavy lifting, but you work in publishing so there's little of that to worry about. I would suggest cutting the hours down a little, just until that bruising has died down completely."

I breathe a sigh of relief - at least Christian heard her say this!

"You're not going to work!"

"I am! I need to go in tomorrow - I have applicants to interview." I grin at him, sitting up and hopping down off the bed.

"What applicants?"

"We're hiring a new illustrator - Joanne is leaving to have her baby, and she's decided not to return to work."

"Oh, okay. Well, let's get you home so we can pick up where we left off earlier." He winks at me as I shuffle past him, to change in the bathroom.

"Always so keen to get me naked Mr Grey!"

"I'd have you naked and tied to my bed everyday if I had my wish."

"Only if you use that silver tie, Sir."