Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great start to the New Year and that 2015 will be a great year for all of you.
I've waited to post this chapter, because something weird was going on with other stories this weekend. New chapters were posted, but I couldn't open them and stuff like that, so I've waited until the problem seemed to be fixed.
There are two more chapters left. So, keep your fingers crossed that my little Hannah doesn't decide to show up early. If she waits until her due date, then I should be able to post the remaining chapters this weekend.
Four weeks later - Ana
"Today we are going to visit your daddy, Teddy bear. He misses you when he is at work, you know. And you can meet some more great people. There is Olivia, Barney, Welch and some more people. Also, your mommy can have a look at Olivia's new assistant Georgia."
She is the forth assistant Olivia has had so far and none of them lasted long. The first one spend all of her time exchanging text messages with her boyfriend, the second one only had eyes for Christian and the third one quit after she found out that she is pregnant and moved back to Idaho where her boyfriend lives. Therefore, Georgia was hired two weeks ago and so far, things seem to run smoothly.
I wish I could say the same thing about things here at home. Teddy is really challenging us, sometimes crying for hours on end for no obvious reason and the only thing that really gets him back to sleep when that happens is to put him into his stroller and walk through the house with him. Even the security and Lauren are now taking turns, so Christian and I can at least have some sleep. However, the worst part is this flipping baby blues.
I'm just so emotional and sometimes I find myself crying along with Teddy and feeling like an absolute failure as a mother, because I just can't figure out why my baby is crying. Christian was so nervous about this that he had John come over and talk to me, just to make sure that I am not drifting into post partum depression. However, not only John, but also my Mom, Grace and even Mia reassured both of us that I am doing fine and that it just takes a while before my hormones are balanced again.
Today however I am feeling great. Mostly because I am finally able to wear normal clothes again, I'm not back to my normal size, but Caroline Acton has sent me some really nice clothes from Neiman's and I have decided to wear black leggings, a loose fitted white shirt and boots. It's nothing fancy, but it is a nice outfit and I feel pretty wearing it. I still have over 15 pounds to lose, but I'm not in a hurry to do so, after all it took me nine months to gain the weight, so I can't expect it to just magically disappear over night and I don't want to go on some crazy diet just to lose weight quickly. In addition, Christian likes me with a bit more weight. He keeps telling me how great my ass looks right now and he can't keep him hands off my boobs.
We have been fooling around a bit, but it's really hard for both of us that we still have two weeks to go. Not that I even wanted to have sex for the first three weeks after Teddy was born, but now that I am no longer bleeding I would love to be intimate again, but I have to talk to Doctor Greene first. My scar is healing very well and since I haven't delivered Teddy vaginal, she might give me the okay a bit earlier.
"Oh, are you hungry again? Well, lets get you fed darling." I sit down in the rocking chair in Teddy's nursery and open my shirt. I nurse Teddy and I'm just trying to get him to belch when Sawyer knocks to tell me that the car is ready.
"A couple of minutes, Luke, I need to get Teddy ready and he has to be burp first." I call out and continue to pat his back until he gives me a loud burp.
"Good job, darling. Now we can get ready and go see your daddy." I check his diaper bag again, have Sawyer double check the car seat after I have done twice already, and look at my now sleeping son.
I never thought I could love this much, it's funny, I love Christian and my family with all my heart, but the love I have for this little boy is completely different. I can't even describe it, but being a mother is the most amazing thing in the world.
Also with us in the car is Regina Wyatt, she is my new female CPO. Both Christian and Taylor have insisted that I need her. Especially now with Teddy. She can follow me into the ladies room, where in most public places the changing tables are and it is just more convenient to have a female CPO, so I didn't give Taylor and Christian a hard time about it.
I just wish they had hired someone closer to my age and not a woman in her early forties, who is looking so grimly all of the time that I am sure no one wants to come anywhere near us.
When we arrive at Grey House everyone is looking at us, trying to get a glimpse of Teddy, but he is still sleeping in his car seat which I am carrying while Sawyer and Wyatt are making sure that no one comes to close to us.
On the topfloor, I see Olivia at her desk and seated at the other desk is another beautiful blonde, who is typing in lightning speed at her computer.
"Mrs. Grey, it is so good to see you again. You look great; being a mother really suits you." Olivia says with a big smile and gets up to great me.
"Thank you, you look good too, is this a new haircut?"
"Yes, I just wanted to try something new."
"It suits you, I love the layers."
"Thanks, and that must be little Teddy." She says and looks at my sleeping son with a smile.
"He already looks like Mr. Grey." She says and I laugh.
"And he has his daddy's temper."
"Oh dear, well looks like the future of GEH is safe now. Can I offer you something to drink? Mr. Grey is still in a meeting, but he should be back any minute."
"Yes, a water would be great." I sit down by her desk and place Teddy on it, while she gets the water for me.
When Olivia is back, she reaches under her desk and hands me a bag. "Just a little something for your son." She explains and I reach into the bag and retrieve a cute teddy bear that is wearing a grey suit.
"Aww that is so cute Olivia, thank you."
"Your welcome, I saw it a couple of weeks ago and thought a CEO teddy bear is the perfect gift for our future CEO Teddy Grey." She says and we both have to giggle.
"Hey, look who came to visit." I here Christian's voice behind me and he goes straight for the baby seat and picks Teddy up.
"Man, I miss you while I'm here buddy." He says and kisses Teddy's little face and head.
"I'm here too." I mutter amused, because my husband has yet to acknowledge me.
"Sorry baby." He laughs and gives me a quick kiss.
"I'm starting to get used to it." I chuckle, because truth is, right now we are both so focused on Teddy that we have started to joke about how sometimes we don't even notice the other one. At first, I was a little worried about it, but my Mom told me she and my Dad went through the same thing and after the first two or three months things became normal again.
"Olivia, you can cancel my appointments for the rest of the day, I am taking my wife and son home after we had lunch." Christian tells Olivia and she smiles and makes herself busy by rearranging his schedule.
Christian leads me into his office and we sit down. "So, do you think you can live with the new CPO?" He asks and I roll my eyes, as if me saying I don't want a second CPO would change anything.
"Honestly, I haven't even noticed her really, she is there, she doesn't talk much and she makes sure that no one comes too close to Teddy or me. You know, sometimes I would love to go out on my own, but being kidnapped or murdered is not something I'm looking forward too, so I guess I'm okay with her."
"Well, I am glad to hear that, Mrs. Grey. Was Teddy fussy this morning?"
"No, everything was fine, but we need to try different diapers. When he started to cry after you left his diaper wasn't just full, there was poop everywhere, on his back, legs, shirt, in the crib... just everywhere."
"What, is he having diarrhea? Have you called my mom?"
"No, he is fine, no diarrhea, they diaper just couldn't hold all the poop. So, I want to try different ones, I've read online about a brand that I want to try, I've asked Lauren to buy a package when she goes to the supermarket today. Gail uses the same brand for Jamie and she says since she uses them there has only been one time where something spilled and that was when he had an upset stomach after trying formula for the first time."
"Well, let's give them a try. Has anything else happened while I was here?" He asks.
"No, other than that we had a blissfully uneventful morning. Oh, but I am thinking about getting some lessons in baby massage. I've found some groups online and if you are okay with it, I'll give Taylor the list so he can vet the instructors and I can contact one for private lessons."
I wish I could just take Teddy to one of these classes, but going through all the hassle of having background checks on every single person who is going to attend done and trying to get everyone to sign a NDA is just too much.
"Yes, I like the idea, just give the list to Taylor and we should have all the information we need by the end of the week, have you compiled the other list with the swimming teachers?"
"Yes, Taylor already has it. Grace told me we can start taking Teddy into the pool with us when he is eight or nine weeks old."
Christian frowns hearing me say this, because he isn't a fan of the whole baby-swimming thing, but I see it differently. We have a pool in the backyard, an indoor pool and we live right at Puget Sound, so I want Teddy not only to enjoy being in the water, but I also want him to learn how to swim as soon as possible. I know he is too young for that now, but it's a good start for him to get used to being in the water. He isn't too keen on being bathed, so I am not sure how this is going to work for Teddy, but I want to give it a try.
"He will only get these lessons while I am around, I mean it Ana. No offense, but you are a lousy swimmer, so please for my peace of mind, schedule the appointments with the instructor while I am at home." He says and I pout.
"I'm not a lousy swimmer, I just prefer to swim in a pool and not the ocean, but I agree, I will feel much safer if you are with us."
A moment later Taylor knocks at the door and enters with our lunch. I can't help but snort when I see Christian's lunch. He has a plate with a humongous steak, mushrooms, onions and a helping a side of fries that would be enough for three. I'm the one who is breastfeeding, but he sure is the one who eats as if it was him.
"Something amusing you, Mrs. Grey?" He asks and I smile.
"Yes you, good lord, you eat like a lumberjack lately." I giggle and put the dressing on my salad.
"I know, do you want some?" He asks and I shudder.
"I love you, Christian, but honestly, you like to eat your steak so rare it's almost raw, you might as well just walk into a field and bite a piece right out of a cows butt." I say and he laughs.
"I guess that would be taking it a step too far." He chuckles and we both eat our lunch before Teddy wakes up.
After lunch, we head to the elevator and just as we step in, I remember something.
"Wait Christian, I want to say hi to Barney, do you know where he is right now?"
"Yes, it's his lunchtime, so he should be in his old office." He says, so we get out of the elevator on the next floor and Christian stays back to take a call. I knock at the door to Barney's office, open it and slam it shut immediately, but I'm pretty sure that the picture of my little sister naked on the desk with Barney eating her out is branded into my memory.
"What's wrong, Ana?" Christian is by my side, alarmed by my reaction and I just stare at him.
"I... oh God, why didn't they lock the door?" I whine and he frowns.
"Wait, he is in there with a girl?"
"Yes and not just any girl. He is in there with Anya."
"Say that again?" Christian says wide-eyed.
"I just saw my little sister naked on the desk with Barney's head between her legs. Eww, why does shit like that happen to me? I don't want to have that picture in my head."
"You are fucking with me, right? Anya isn't really in there." Christian says incredulously.
"No, she is in there." I insist, right then the door opens, Anya and Barney step outside, holding hands, and both look pretty shame faced.
"Mrs. Grey, Sir." Barney mutters with his gaze still fixed to the floor.
"When the fuck did this happen?" Christian asks and Anya looks up at him.
"Well, remember I was at your place the day you confronted that psycho bitch? I saw Barney on the CCTV and I thought he is really cute and I couldn't stop to think about him, so a couple of days later I waited outside of GEH for hours, until I saw him come out of the building and I asked him to go for coffee with me. We instantly had this weird connection between us, so we have been dating for over three months now. We just wanted to keep it to ourselves for a while and just enjoy spending time together, but I guess now we will tell everyone about us." She says and I have to say that they look cute together. Of course, my Dad won't like the fact that his eighteen-year-old daughter is dating a guy who is twenty-seven, but he will get used to it.
Christian stares at them in disbelieve for a moment and then clears his throat.
"Barney, a word in your office." He says and Barney follows him while I stay behind with Anya.
"You and Barney?" I ask again and she lifts her chin.
"Yes, I love him. And don't say it like that. Not all of us have to date guys who look like GQ models. Barney is everything I was looking for. He is kind, intelligent, he listens to what I have to say and we have so many things in common. We love to cook together, watch Star Trek, play chess and he evens enjoys to go shopping with me, but what is more important is that he would never push me to do something I am not ready to do. I mean we had sex already, but he waited for me to make the first step, so he would know that I am ready. I know to most people he is just the weird little nerd, but he has a heart of gold, Ana. I want to spend the rest of my life with him, he is my happily ever after." She says and for the first time I really see her as a young woman and not a child.
"I'm happy for you, Anya. Barney is a great guy and it's not like he isn't good looking, I actually always thought that he is attractive. Not that it would matter, but anyways, I'm really happy for you. How about the two of you come to our place this weekend, we could have dinner together."
"Really? You are not pissed, you know, that I decided to stay in Seattle to be with Barney when I could have studied in England."
"Anya, you are eighteen years old, I'm not going to judge you for the decisions you are making. The only thing that is important to me is that you are studying and not where. You are bright and I know you can go far, sure a prestigious college looks good on your resume, but many people go far in their careers, no matter where they've studied and WSU is a good college. Besides, I'd rather have you happy and in love here in Seattle than sad and heart broken in England."
"Oh, I love you, sis." She says and hugs me. "So, can you help me to tell Dad?" She asks and I laugh.
"No, absolutely not. That's something you have to do yourself. If you want him to see this as a real relationship and not just something temporarily, you have to show him that you are serious about it. Sending me to tell him is not very mature and Dad will think you are not serious about it."
"Okay, I guess I have to talk to him. Mom is going to love Barney, but Daddy, he will give him hell. Dad still treats me as though I am a child." And that would be because you often still act like a child... but I am not going to say that out loud...
"Just show him you are serious about your relationship." I repeat and Christian and Barney step out of Barney's office again. Judging by how pale Barney is, Christian has just given him the big brother talk. Poor Barney, he will have to go through that with Cooper and maybe even Elliot again... maybe it will prepare him for the talk my Dad is surely going to have with him...
"Well, you are sure full of surprises, Anya." Christian smirks at her and she grins back.
"You know, had I known that the cutest guy on earth is working for you, I would have come to visit you here a lot more often." She says and Christian smiles.
"Good thing Barney is always holed up in his office then, you hanging out here all the time sounds like a horrible thing..."
"Hey! That's not nice, if you keep making fun of me; Barney is going to kick your ass." Anya pouts and I have to turn around, so I won't laugh at the thought.
"I'll keep that in mind." Christian replies clearly amused and we say our goodbyes, because Teddy is due for another feed soon, but they promise to come over for dinner on the weekend.
"Well, your sister has a weird taste when it comes to men." Christian mutters still amused when we are on our way home.
"I don't know, Barney is kind of cute... in an understated nerdy kind of way. Besides, if she loves him, then I am happy for them."
"Let's hope for the best." He says and I frown.
"Wait, did you know he was seeing her? You still have someone following him, right?"
"I have someone who makes sure that he isn't in contact with Andrea and that he doesn't do any illegal hacking, but he isn't under surveillance 24/7. Oh man, can you imagine Ray? Poor Barney is probably going to crap his pants when your Dad gives him the talk."
"He'll live... oh and by the way, I have an appointment with Dr. Greene on Monday, maybe you won't have to wait two more weeks after all." I tell him with a flirty little smile and burst out laughing, because Christian is nearly drooling as soon as he hears this...