Chapter 37: Without My Sister

Eva smiled like she had never smiled before as she picked up her son. Andrew, in her opinion was perfect. "So, my little man, shall we call your Aunt Ana? I know, I know, I miss her also. I can't believe it's been months since we've seen her." Business had kept Gideon either at the office or in the air so they did not have a chance to visit Seattle. Andrew snuggled into his mom's shoulder. Eva dialed the number and waited to hear that voice growl "Grey" like only Ana could do.

"Hey, Sissy…guess who?"

A delightful laugh came across the phone. "Hmmm, let's see…my favorite sister in the whole world?"

"Your only sister in the whole world." Eva said. She adjusted Andrew on her shoulder as she sat in a chair. "So, what's going on in your life? Still seeing Moneybags?"

"We see each other." Ana admitted. "We've stepped back a bit. I still have some issues to work through."

"Such as?"

"I have a lot of anger. Laura has recommended that I take out my anger out in a productive way instead of running from Christian. So I have been going to the gun range and jogging more. It seems to help. I don't feel the need to bitch slap everyone." Both girls laughed.

"How is Andrew? I can hear him. I bet he is growing fast."

"He is three months old and growing like a weed." She proudly said like only a Mom could do. "Are you going to ask about Gideon?"

"I figured he was alright. He never gets sick."

"Ana, don't be difficult."

"Eva, whatever do you mean?" Ana heard her sister's exasperated sigh. "Oh, alright…how is Gideon? Is business doing well for him?"

"Ana."

"Eva, I am trying. I don't know how to do this. I don't want to do anything that will upset you or set off any issues. You forget, I know you better than I know myself."

"I can say the same thing about you, dear sister." Eva said back. "Why are you afraid of Christian? Hasn't he proven himself enough?"

"I am afraid he will go back to the old Christian the minute I say yes to his proposal." She answered lowly. "Even Laura thinks I should wait some more. There is no reason to race back into a marriage until we are sure. We can't fuck this up and do harm to our children."

Eva could see the wisdom in that thought. "That makes sense. Is Christian on board with this?"

"So far. His therapist also agrees with Laura. So we see each other a couple of times a week. He takes the children on his weekends and I stay away so they can have time with their Dad. It also gives me time for myself."
"Yeah, I saw those pics on the net. You and Kate looked great. I wish I could have been out with you two. Have you two been out since?"

"Are you missing the New York nightlife?" Ana asked as she flopped down on the sofa in her family room. She began the usual search through television channels to see if anything good was on. "You need to grab Bro and go out as a couple for a night out on the town. Don't forget that you are husband and wife besides being parents."

Eva appreciated the sage advice from her sister. "How are Teddy and Phoebe?"

"Teddy is riding almost every day now and Phoebe wants to know when her baby is coming back home. I told you, she thinks that Andrew is hers." Ana had to laugh. Phoebe asked almost daily about Baby Andrew. "I think we need to come to New York soon."

"Oh, I wish you would, Sissy. Come next weekend."

"I can't Sissy. Elliot and his crew are here and I have to stay close by and then there are other business deals here in Seattle that I need to stay on top of. But, I will make it before school starts for Teddy."

"I will hold you to that." Eva could tell that Andrew had fallen asleep on her shoulder. It made her feel warm and needed. "I decided not to return to work. I want to stay home with Andrew."

"Is that your decision or Gideon's?"

"It's mine. Besides it's not like we need the money. Gideon makes a good living and I have my trust fund." She said laughing. "I have been doing some work for Cross Industries as a Promotional Advisor. I can work at home but still feel useful."

"Good for you. It will keep you sharp."

Ana heard the call waiting beep on her cell phone. She looked to see that it was Christian. "Hey, sissy, hold on..Christian is calling." She flashed over to Christian. "Hey Handsome."

"Hey, Baby." His deep voice said. "I just wanted to hear your voice. I'm missing you."

"I miss you, too." She breathed. "How are the children?" They were spending their two weeks of the summer with their Dad at the Sound.

"Phoebe is in bed already and Teddy is watching cartoons."

Ana knew where this phone call was heading. His voice was sultry and oh so sexy. "Christian, I have Eva on the other line. Can I call you back?"

"Later's baby."

Ana flashed back to Eva. "Sorry about that. Christian wanted phone sex, but I told him that I busy having phone sex with you." Eva sucked in her breath. Still, after all these years Ana could shock her sister speechless.

"Ewww, Ana…that is gross. I hope you are just joking with me."

"I am." She laughed knowing that Eva was rolling her eyes. "Are you and Gideon going to make it for Grace's End of the Summer BBQ on Labor Day Weekend?"

"We are planning on it."

"I wonder if Christian and Gideon will take a dip in her pool."

"Oh. Please don't give them any ideas. I think they are bad influences on each other." Eva moaned.

Ana and Eva laughed at that idea. Christian and Gideon had become friends and had even done business together. "Hey, Sissy, I need to get off here. I haven't had dinner yet and I gave Mr. Gailey the week off."

"No problem Sis, I need to put Andrew down. He fell asleep on my shoulder. I love you Annie."

"I love you, too, Evie. Bye."

Eva just put Andrew to bed when Gideon walked in. He grabbed her close and kissed her hard. "Oh, Angel, it's good to be home. Where's my boy?"

"He just went down." She reached up and kissed her handsome husband promising a night of passion. "Did you eat?" Eva hated when Gideon worked late. He usually did not eat properly. "I can fix you something."

"I grabbed a cheeseburger on the way home." He peeled off his suit jacket and loosens his tie. "So, what did you do today?"

"I took care of our son and worked on the Peterson account. I think you will like my notes on the ad campaign."

"I like having my own advisor at my fingertips and at my beck and call." He deeply drawled as his hands went back around her waist. "Come take a shower with me."

"Do you shower with all your advisors, Mr. Cross?"

"Only you, Angel." He picked her up like a groom carrying his bride over the threshold and took her into their bedroom. He spied the bed. "Maybe the shower can wait awhile." Eva only giggled and whispered in his ear. "Love me, Ace."

Eva relaxed deeply into her bed savoring the warmth of her husband after their lovemaking session. As usual, she was very satisfied. Gideon was a fantastic powerful lover. Her thoughts went to Ana. Her Ana. She was missing her sister and there were times she wished that they could move to Seattle. Even though they tried to talk everyday it still wasn't the same as a face to face conversation. Eva had not seen Ana since they left in the middle of June. The first few days of separation were not too bad. Eva was kept busy trying to get Andrew on New York time and setting up their daily schedules. She also had to make a decision about her job. Of course she called Ana at once for her opinion and Ana suggested taking a leave of absence then return to work when Andrew was six months old. In Ana's opinion just because a woman was a mother, she did not have to give up her career. Eva decided to give up her job at the ad agency to stay home with Andrew then Gideon suggested that she be his promotional advisor for all of Cross Industries and she could work at home if she wished. Of course, her loving husband made sure she had an office adjacent to his at the Crossfire Building that also included space for Andrew.

It was now August and Eva wanted to go to Seattle, but the Ranch was under renovation and Gideon was not able to get away. He did however promise that they would attend Grace's BBQ on Labor Day Weekend. Eva had become so dependent on her sister during the last of the pregnancy and during the six weeks that they lived with Ana after Andrew's birth. Ana was a wonderful sister who made Eva confident in her role as a new mother.

Eva left her bed and padded down the hallway to the kitchen to pour a glass of apple juice. She sat at the island. She did love her life. She was a wife and a mother. But, she felt incomplete. She was missing her sister. It was true that they had been separated before in their lives such as for college, marriage and careers, but this separation was bitterer. She needed Ana. She felt more secure when Ana was around. Eva took a drink of her juice and chastised herself for being a whiner. She was a grown woman with a child. Why was she crying over missing her sister? She knew why. She became dependent on Ana in those weeks before and after Andrew's birth. She was missing the sister interactions. She was missing the laughter and the banter. Hell, she even missed irritating Christian by calling him "Mr. Moneybags". She finished off her juice and decided on her next move. She was going to Seattle without Gideon. She missed her sister. She put her glass in the sink then made her way to her own home office and fired up her computer. Within minutes she sent off an email to Scott, Gideon's PA and asked him to have a plane ready for her by noon if possible for Seattle. She then sent an email to Ana telling her that she was coming for a visit. After she was done, she made her way back to bed. Gideon was still asleep, his breathing deep and steady. She took a moment to admire his male beauty. His black hair was tousled over his head, ebony thick eyelashes made crescents on his high cheek bones. His strong jaw was covered with a day old shadow of a beard. She loved this face, so handsome and sexy. She sighed heavily grateful that he was hers. She snuggled into his side and automatically Gideon held her close. Eva went to sleep quickly and enjoyed a peaceful sleep.