All rights belong to E. L. James; story line is mines as are any additional characters therein.

I stare at the blank email message trying to think what to say, and how to say it. On one hand I don't want to lead him on by being flirty or overly friendly, and on the other hand I don't want to be curt or professional! I'm trying to work out a balance between the two.

From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: RE: You!
Date: 26th August 1.19pm
To: Richard Harper

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your lovely email. Unfortunately I am unavailable on Wednesday, but I can see you tonight. Would that be alright? Don't worry about reservations; I will take care of that if tonight suits you?

Ana

Anastasia Grey, CEO, Grey Publishing.

I don't have a clue what I'm going to say to the man. I feel awful, I shouldn't have slept with him – although if I hadn't, I know that Christian and I wouldn't be trying to work things out. Last night was… wonderful. I enjoyed my night with Richard, but it was purely healing for me and there are no residual feelings there. I was low, broken, and wounded; and Richard healed me. With a heavy heart I start to read through the countless work emails I have received and my head starts to throb at the mere thought of addressing them all. A few moments into replying to one of them, my email pings.

From: Richard Harper
Subject: I look forward…
Date: 26th August 1.26pm
To: Anastasia Grey

To seeing you tonight, what time shall I pick you up? I have wonderful thoughts running through my mind right now and all of them involve you.

You're a stunning, wonderfully ravishing woman and I'm lucky to be sharing another evening with you.

Richard

My stomach free-falls as I read his email.

He's not going to think you're 'Stunning, wonderfully ravishing' woman tonight! My subconscious tut's whilst looking down at me from her spectacles. I try my best to ignore her and email Richard back.

From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Time & Place
Date: 26th August 1.31pm
To: Richard Harper

I have booked us a table at Brassiere Margaux for 6:45pm; I would rather meet you there.

Ana

I start to sort through my emails again and I'm just about done when Gracie comes toddling into my office rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Momma, hug?" Her little voice husky with sleep. I hold out my arms and lift her into my lap. She snuggles into my chest and I run my hands through her hair to move it out of her eyes.

"Are you still sleepy baby girl?"

"Yeah"

"Is everyone else still asleep?"

"Mmhm" She states as her eyes close. I finish up the rest of the work that I needed to do with her curled up in my lap. I decide to go and check on the others with Gracie in my arms. I walk into the bedroom and go over to where Teddy is lying beside his father still sound asleep. I place my palm on his forehead and he's clammy and burning up. I softly start stroking his hair and talk softly to him to waken him up.

"No, I don't want to wake up! I don't feel good"

"I know baby but you need to drink something, and take more medicine then you can go back to sleep okay?" He starts crying, and my Teddy never cries.

"Oh sweetie, if mommy could take it away I would but the medicine will start to make you feel better soon! I'm just going to go get it from downstairs okay?" He nods as he sobs into his dads side.

"Christian, you need to wake up" I kiss his forehead and slowly his beautiful grey eyes open.

"What, what's wrong baby?" He asks sleepily.

"Teddy's really not feeling good, can you keep him company whilst I go downstairs to get him something to drink" I look down at Teddy and Christian notices immediately that he's crying.

"It's okay sport, mommy will get you some more medicine" I take Gracie back down stairs and hand her over to Gail. I grab the Tylenol from the cupboard and the spoon, and then get some fresh apple juice and head back upstairs. Christian has laid Olivia down on the bed and has Teddy in his lap

"Ana, I'm going to call my mom he's soaking in sweat" Christian looks at me and I can tell how anxious he is, none of our children have ever been as sick as Teddy is right now. He's really ill.

Christian grabs his blackberry from the side table and dials his moms number

"Hi mom it's me… listen, when Teddy woke up this morning he had a fever so we gave him some Tylenol and kept giving him fluids, we got him in bed and he's just woke up, he's dripping with sweat, shivering and feels sick…um, I think it was around 7:30am…yeah, please?...okay…okay mom…thanks, I love you too."

"What did she say?" I ask anxious

"Give him more Tylenol and she's coming over right away, oh and I've to get an icepack to put on his forehead" I nod numbly at him as he gets up and heads out the room

"Oh, Christian – there is those 'Be cool' stick on cooling strips in the medicine cupboard, just ask Gail if you can't find them" I hand Teddy his apple juice then lift the spoon to his mouth. Usually I have to fight with Ted to get him to take any form of medicine but he just hasn't got the energy to even try.

"Mommy, can you get in beside me for a little while?" My heart just melts andI want to cry. I hate seeing my son like this. I lift Olivia out of the bed and carry her into the nursery the last thing I need is for her to catch this too. Once Christian comes back up I'll get him to give the girls their lunch and I'll lay with Teddy.

He comes back upstairs and passes me the cooling strip and I press it onto his forehead. I wash my hands then go wake up Olivia, usually she's very grouchy but she's had a nice long nap so she shouldn't be too difficult. I pass her over to Christian and put on another movie for Ted, I slip into bed beside him and pull him over so that I can cuddle with him. I coax him every so often to take a sip of his juice and I think the medicine and cool pack combo has brought his fever down a little bit.

A little while later Grace and Little Gracie come walking into the bedroom, she has her medical bag with her and sits beside Teddy.

"Hi buddy, daddy told me that you weren't feeling so good – can you tell me how you feel?" We're damn lucky to have a paediatrician in the family.

"I feel cold, but sweaty and my throat hurts" He rasps, Grace nods along whilst she inserts the thermometer into his mouth and listens to his chest, then looks at his throat

"I think you have a viral infection bud!"

"Is there anything you can give him to make him feel better Grace?"

"Most of the time the virus just has to run its course, just keep him taking fluids and medicine for the fever symptoms along with some cold yogurt or ice cream as it'll soothe the raspy, itchy feeling in his throat" I nod along and kiss Teddy's forehead.

"Oh baby boy I hate it when you're sick" I whisper to him.

"Would you like some yogurt or ice cream?"

"Some ice cream, just plain vanilla please?" I choke and smile at the same time, thinking how I'm Christian's one and only vanilla conquest.

Teddy falls asleep relatively quickly after devouring his bowl of ice cream so I head back downstairs to see Grace before she leaves.

"Thank you for dropping in to check on Ted, I feel so helpless. I'd take it away from him and have it myself rather than watch him be in pain"

"I know, I was the same with my three, you never understand it when people say that until you become a mother" She says with a smile. I love Grace like my own mother, she's a wonderful woman to be around. Christian and I walk her to the front door and we each receive a hug.

"Ana, I just want to say how happy I am that you and Christian are trying to work things out" I squeeze her that little bit tighter as tears spring into my eyes.

"I am too Grace, I missed him a lot more than I was willing to admit." She turns away and gets into her car, giving us a wave as she drives out onto the street.

"Christian, come sit down with me; I have something that I need to discuss with you" I see Christian's expression change from blissfully happy to scared stiff in a nanosecond. I take his hand and sit on the sofa with him.

"Remember how Richard emailed me last night." Christian nods warily

"Well, he was emailing me to confirm our arrangements for dinner tomorrow night" His grasp on my hand tightens as his eyes widen.

"Before you say anything let me finish, okay?" He stares at me for a long time before giving me a subtle nod to continue.

"I emailed him back saying that I was unavailable tomorrow but that I would go to dinner with him tonight, he asked to pick me up here but I told him that I'd meet him at the restaurant. I need to do this Christian so please try to understand – I owe him that much, by the tone of his emails I know that he very much wants to be in a relationship with me, and I have to let him down gently, face to face" Christians mouth is set in a hard line and he's breathing rapidly.

"Can't you just call him and tell him that we're working things out? I don't feel comfortable with you going out to eat with a man that's been… in your panties Ana!" Oh, hell no. Not going to happen.

"I will be seeing him tonight Christian. I have enjoyed my freedom so don't think you are going to come rushing back into my life and dictate who I am aloud to go out with, and what I'm aloud to do because it's not going to happen I can assure you of that" I snap at him, I can tell that he's taken back my assertive tone that I reserve for using at work.

"Well you're at least taking security with you Ana!" He mutters petulantly.

"I haven't had a security detail for months and that's not going to change any time soon. I don't want to fight with you, I love you and only you Christian. Please believe me when I say that you are all I want and need" He nods along obviously unhappy with this change of events.

Yeah unlike you who get your kicks by cheating on your pregnant wife and beating random brunettes!

As Christian and Gail are feeding the kids I go upstairs to change. I don't want to dress up too much because Christian would feel threatened by the fact that I dressed up for someone other than him. I select a pair of black skinny jeans and a sleeveless mulberry linen shirt. I have my black blazer over the top and my trusted Laboutines. My hair is loose and wavy and I apply some mascara, and lip gloss. I pick up my purse and head back downstairs whilst everyone else is tucking in and stuffing their faces. Christian notices me and his eyes widen and his mouth pops open, creating a perfect circle shape.

"You look beautiful, Anastasia. You are my world, and I'll be waiting in our bed for you when you get home okay baby?"

"I love you so much Christian… so, so very much" I kiss his cheek, then his lips. Her wraps his arms around me, which always seem to gravitate to my ass, giving my cheeks a firm squeeze!

"I'll be waiting here for you Mrs Grey, always." I can't help but smile at my glorious husband. I really can't believe that we're back together, I am happy because I love him so. I turn around and jump into my R8 before speeding away into the night.

I pull up to the front of the restaurant and hand my keys to the valet. I am super excited to see Ana again, especially since…

Don't go there. It's over, and has been for a very long time. You need to focus on Ana, she's good for you, and you're good for her.

I walk inside and give the name 'Grey' to the Maître d'. I am shown to a secluded booth in the back of the restaurant, it's nice and private – hopefully they serve chocolate lava cake.

"I'd like a bottle of Crystal please, on ice with two glasses" I say to the waiter he simply nods and goes to fetch my order. I can't stop thinking about that. I sigh happily and wait on the most beautiful woman I have ever met; she just radiates light and warmth. That Grey fucker was a fool to hurt her; I'd never do that to anyone especially as I know how it feels to be betrayed by the one person who you trust the most. The waiter opens the champagne with a flourish and I stop him from serving it until my date arrives.

I get lost in thoughts of Ana, and when I look up I see her walk up to the podium. I gasp as I take the sight of her in; the craziest thing is she doesn't notice how beautiful she really is. I watch every guy in the room stop and stare at her, and every girl scowls. She's a wonderful woman. The Maître d' leads her over to our table and I stand up as she approaches. She has the softest lips of anyone I've ever kissed, and I'm dying to feel them move against mine.

"Hi Ana, It's so good to see you again" I say whilst I pull her into my arms. I lean in to sample those lips but at the last second she turns her head so my lips fall on her cheek. Her reaction pulls me up short; I can't help the hurt expression that briefly flits across my face. I pull her chair back and let her take a seat. She seems odd and a little… uncomfortable maybe?

We both take our seats and I pour a glass of champagne for us both. I lift mines to my lips and take a slow sip, focusing on Ana's mesmerizing eyes.

"You look stunning this evening Anastasia" I have to stifle the groan that was about to rumble from my chest. Again, she looks momentarily uncomfortable, but I can also detect that she is breathing heavily; she still wants me that much is clear.

"Thank you Richard" She replies breathy and sexily then takes a slow sip of her champagne, obviously unable to hide the tremble in her hands. I'm a little worried to be honest, she doesn't seem herself.

"Ana, are you alright, you seem a little… distant?" Her brow furrows and she takes my hand in hers, she looks a little sad.

"That will be because I am being a little distant" Oh this can't be good. Please, don't say you don't want to see me anymore, I really fucking like you.

"Richard, I wanted to see you tonight, because I feel like I owe you a face to face explanation. I really enjoyed spending time with you"

'Enjoyed' which is past tense. This is definitely not good!

"Ana, what's going on? I really enjoy spending time with you too?" She leans across and takes my right hand in her left and my eyes glance at her hand, and the massive mother-fucking rock that has returned to her ring finger. I slowly lift my gaze back to hers and I can see that she is trying not to hurt me, that doing this is hurting her. She really is a wonderful woman.

"I think I understand now Ana. I take it Sunday's meeting with your husband went better than you expected it too?" I am really trying to keep the pain and disappointment out of my voice but I don't think I'm having much success?

"Richard, I am so sorry. I… I really didn't think that Christian and I had any hope of every reuniting" I squeeze her hand and give her a sad smile.

"It's okay Ana, don't worry about it. You deserve to be happy, just please don't let him break your heart again, you don't deserve that"

"I know" She whispers, looking like she might burst into tears. This woman is so broken, that husband of hers, he doesn't deserve her.

"Does he make you happy?" I ask and give her hand another reassuring squeeze; she nods her head and runs her bent index fingers under her eyes.

"Yeah, well before everything blew up – he's really trying and, well to be completely honest I love him with everything I have and we owe it to our children to at least try to make it work."

" I've always wanted a couple of kids; my ex-wife couldn't get pregnant, and she refused to even try IVF. She would just say 'Richard, nature has decided that I'm not supposed to be a mother and we need to respect that!" I shake my head and finish of the champagne at the bottom of the glass.

"Do you think… do you regret getting a divorce?" She asks in a quiet voice, looking at our joined hands that rest atop of the table, and then focuses her gaze back on mine.

"Every damn day!"

"What happened?" She flushes and looks at me with panic in her eyes, I can't help but chuckle at her adorable face.

"It's okay Ana, I don't mind telling you – who knows, it may help to talk about it!" I take a deep breath and decide to not go into the grubby details, just tell her the basic facts.

"I suspected that my wife was having an affair, so I told her that I was going away on business but I followed her, and caught her in the act" I sigh at the memory, it still hurts to think about her. She was everything to me.

"She begged and pleaded with me, she said that she would get help, she'd fix her shit and we could be happy again. I was just so angry, I didn't want to hear what she had to say, I wouldn't let her apologize or explain the situation and I filed for divorce about two weeks after I caught her. After the divorce was finalized I thought I'd get a sense of closure and that I'd start to feel better, but it never happened. By the time I realized that I made a mistake she was long gone. She moved away, not telling a soul where she was going. I tried to track her down but never made much progress with it"

"I'm so sorry, god I feel so much worse. I hope I haven't… made things worse for you. You're a wonderful man and I know that there is someone waiting for you to come along and sweep her off her feet" I can't help the automatic snort that makes itself known.

"That's how I understood exactly how you were feeling that night at my house. I hope that you find your happiness Ana, you deserve to be happy. If you ever need to talk, just call me and I'll be there. I hope we can still be friends" I add with a reassuring smile, when smiling is the last thing that I want to do right now. Ana stands up from the table as do I and she walks around and wraps me in her arms, tucking her head under my chin.

"You deserve your happiness to Richard" She whispers into my chest. I don't know how, but I have developed feelings for her and I know she feels it too. I just know it, but I am not a cheater and I doubt Ana is either, unfortunately for us, we both know how it feels to be on the other side of the fence.

I walk her outside of the restaurant after paying for the bottle of champagne that we each had one glass of. I gave it to the couple in the booth next to us, no point in wasting it. Ana hands over her ticket to the valet as do I and we wait in comfortable silence whilst he radio's to get our cars brought around. Ana's arrives first and good lord, she has a nice car.

"She's my baby" Ana whispers appreciatively.

"I bet she is" Ana hugs me one last time before getting in the car,

"It was nice to have a chat with you tonight, thanks for being… understanding about everything"

"I had a good time, drive safely" She nods and I close the door of her sexy car, then stand and watch her pull into the traffic until she disappears out of my sight.

As I drive home I can't stop thinking about the last encounter I had with the love of my life. I was so cruel and callous to her, I wish I could turn back the clock…

Well, I hope you enjoyed a brand new point of view – It was odd writing in my 'own' character's point of view, lol. How do you guys think Ana will be feeling after her dinner with Richard? What do you think happened between Richard and his ex-wife? And last but not least, how do you think Christian would have coped with not only Ana being out with Richard, but with two young kids and a sick Teddy bear? Next Chapter: *waggles eyebrows suggestively*