A/N …. Thank you all who have emailed me about the story. I sincerely apologise for the delayed update and because of that I will update again before Christmas. I have a few personal issues I've been dealing with and so I didn't want to update for the sake of it. I wanted something that I hope would be meaningful to you guys. As always I am grateful for you support more than you know.

Thanks you again

Chimbwido

ANA POV

It's Christian's birthday tomorrow and I have no idea what I'm going to do. One thing I know is that Christian isn't big on birthdays because he hasn't mentioned it, not even once to me. The only way I found out was when I flicked through his passport a few weeks back and made a note of it.

I twiddle my thumbs plotting something. He has just jumped in the shower after trying to convince me to join him. I had to refuse knowing nothing else would have happened apart from some more amazing sex. I sigh, does everyone experience it this way?

I tried to get rid of him yesterday but he wasn't having it. I tried to convince him that he needed to get clean clothes but this only made him go to the local mall.

There is however one man who could aid me on my little mission

"Hello Taylor speaking."

I roll my eyes I know who you are you fool. He needs to loosen up a bit; seriously

" Jason how are you?"

"Very well Miss Steele." He sounds very hesitant

" Urm I need some help" I decide to cut to the chase conscious that I only have a few minutes as Christian doesn't seem like the type to lather himself in the shower for longer than necessary while he attempts to solve the problems in the world.

"Tomorrow is your boss's birthday, right?"

" Yes it is."

" I need you to stall him for me today please, for at least two hours so I can get him his present." I have no idea what to get him but I think being away from him will help. I feel like some teenager in love as I try to contain my excitement. I should be allowed to be excited; this is my first real relationship.

" Okaay." I sense his unease, I'm sure the idea of deceiving his boss is something that's alien to him and he clearly will need some help in that department.

I try to think for a second of what he could say or do to convince Christian to leave me alone for at least two freaking hours.

" Has Elena Lincoln called you at all?" I hate the thought of that woman but she could be reason enough, knowing how Christian will avoid even mentioning her name in my presence.

"Yes.. She has." I know he is wondering about the potential direction that this conversation is headed.

" Then tell him that you need to discuss issues about her. That you think it's best he speaks to her now instead of avoiding her and get whatever it is he may need to get out-of-the-way. I know it's a conversation he won't want to have in my presence "

There are a few seconds of silence

" Look Taylor, it doesn't have to be that. You can think of something else because you probably know what will work but please help me out here. "

" Ok Anna, don't worry I have this. I will think of something, there are few things I need to discuss with him actually."

" Thank you Jason." I respond feeling relieved "If you can call let's say in about 15 minutes, he should be out of the shower then. I need to go now."

I hang up the phone and delete the call history just in case he picks up my phone and decides to snoop.

I hope my plan works. I hate shopping under normal circumstances and in my mind I just kept asking myself 'what do you give a man who has everything?"

As soon as he walks out of the shower with a towel wrapped around himself, it gets hard to breathe again

" Is everything okay?" He gives me a slightly worried look

" Yes I'm fine." I barely manage to construct the words watching him dry off. It's a very distracting sight and I know he is doing it deliberately whilst suppressing a smile. All I can think of is getting onto my knees and devouring him.

I wipe the sweat off my brow heading for the bathroom.

After my shower I come out to find Mr handsome with a slightly worried look on his face and I want to do a victory dance but I stop myself. Thanks Taylor I say silently

" Are you okay?" It's my turn to ask and I bite my lip to stifle my grin

" Urm yeah.. I need to go to my hotel for a few hours.. There are a few things I need to discuss with Taylor and frankly don't want to bore you with them"

" Hmm, things? Well as long as it doesn't involve naked women I'll be fine. Are you coming back?" I ask innocently

" Of course baby I'll be back as soon as I can, at least that way I can get my clothes and move in permanently in here."

I walk to him and give him a quick kiss

" That would be perfect." I stroke his cheeks and he closes his eyes pulling me closer to him. He holds me for a moment and lets me go without saying a word.

When he finally leaves after kissing the life out me; I give myself a few minutes and head out. I told him that I would treat myself to a few spa treatments and so he shouldn't return anytime soon.

Walking out into the warm June sunshine. I can't help but smile. I feel happy. A week ago I was in turmoil, but now I know where I stand and it's a good place.

My phone rings, its Sarah.

"Hi Sarah how are today?"

" Fine thanks Anna. Unfortunately I have a young man here who has pestered me all morning, he wants to know if you are going swimming again today. I did try to distract him but now I have exhausted all my options."

I smile, "put him on the phone please."

" Hi.. Hi Anna where's Chris… Kwristian."

Just when I thought I was his favourite person clearly not.

" Hi sweetie, Christian is not here"

" I want him to play trains with me."

"Is that so? Okay I will tell him when he gets back"

" Tristan been naughty, he … he ..push mummy!"

The moment he says that I see red. What the hell is going on there? I don't trust Tristan; actually I don't have a reason to trust the bastard who had me driving across the country because he was twisted. Now that he knows who Christian really is, I don't trust him even more.

" Sarah what's going on?"

" Nothing really happened," she answers dismissively. " He just came back home a bit drunk that is all."

" How about this pushing you?"

There is silence for a moment

"Well he blames me for not getting the money he thought he deserved from Christian and according to him I am owed money for each day that I have looked after Christopher. Tristan has his own issues; he blames the world for his predicament but never takes responsibility for his actions. He wasn't happy when I mentioned the possible that Chris may not be Christians child."

By now I can hear the strain in his voice

" Did he hurt you?"

" No he couldn't hurt a fly if he tried"

"I don't know what Christian wants to do at the moment, but either way I'm sure he will make sure Christopher will be well cared for." I try to sound reassuring as all the hope I have is pinning on a positive result paternity result

" Is there any chance we can have Christopher tomorrow please? It's Christian's birthday and I want to surprise him, there will be no better surprise that having his new best coming to celebrate with him"

" Are you sure? I don't want him interfering with your day"

" I think having Christopher will make it extra special. I will have a car pick him up perhaps about midday tomorrow. It will be Jason Taylor. If you could pack some Pjs and a change of clothes. I haven't decided what we will do but I will see."

" I'm sure he will love that. Thank you Anna, I really don't know what I would do with you."

" No need to thank me Sarah, I can't help but love the little man" and I love his daddy too.

As soon as I hang up the phone it rings again and I answer without seeing who the caller is. I instantly assume that it's Christian only to be greeted by a female voice

" Hello, is that Anna.. it's Grace.."

"Oh hi Grace, how are you?"

I guess she is trying to locate her son who has been locked in my love chamber for the past few days.

" I'm good.. I got your number from Jason. He said that Christian is with you. I have tried to get hold of him for a few days now."

" Umm he was here but he has gone back to his hotel. He had left his phone there that's probably why you couldn't get hold of him." It feels a bit awkward trying to explain the whereabouts of a grown man to his mother.

" No need to worry Ana. I was actually devastated when I heard that you two weren't together, knowing what you have done for him. Am I correct to assume that you guys are trying to work it out. You can tell me to shut up you know. I know it's non of my business." She laughs nervously.

" We are, well I think we have reached an understanding." I smile

" Wonderful. Did he tell you it's his birthday tomorrow"

" No he didn't but I have managed to find out."

" It's a shame, this year I was actually hoping to host a small dinner for him but I know things are a bit all over the place. How's Christopher?"

" He is fine Grace. He is the most adorable child I have ever laid my eyes on. He has taken a liking to Christian as well. I had a call from him just a few minutes ago and all he wanted to know is Christian this and Christian that."

" Did Christian say what he going to do about the situation?"

"Not really, it will take a bit of time to process everything. Any decisions made will have to be well thought out."

"Do you think he is his?" I guess this is what she really wants to know

"There is some resemble there. But then it could be just my eyes deceiving me. I'm a sucker for happy endings."

" Ana, I honestly don't know how to thank you for all you have done for him." She chokes on her last words.

I don't think I deserve to be portrayed as some saint when I actually haven't done much. At least I don't think I have done much.

" You don't have to thank me Grace, I … I will let him know you called. Christopher and I will do our best to give him a great party tomorrow."

"Bye Anna and thank you again"

" Bye."

Christian's POV

What the fuck does that bitch want from me? I ask myself as I make my way back to my hotel. I could be buried in my woman right now but instead I have to deal with Elena related issues; seriously? I couldn't discuss this with Anna around, she hates the bitch and so do I.

I get in to find Taylor relaxed watching TV, a thought crosses my mind instantly; I need to let him go his woman. I cant keep him here waiting on me when I'm not even anywhere near him.

I also need to speak to that bastard Robinson who is going to get a million of my dollars for doing practically nothing, but I suppose that's his hustle and I signed up to it. And oh yeah tomorrow is my birthday. If it were another year, another time, I would have spent in locked up in my apartment, pissed off at the world and giving my staff hell. But tomorrow I want to spend it inside the warmth of Ana. The way she holds me with so much care is beyond words. I fucking love that woman and she doesn't know it but intend on making our relationship permanent. I still have the engagement ring I had made the day I was taken away over that stupid submissive shit.

I sigh, I have truly been to hell and back and now heaven awaits; at least that's what I hope. I will get my clothes and send Taylor on his way for the next few days and then see how it goes from there.

" So tell me Taylor what does the wicked witch of the west want from me?"

" Urm well she has called me non stop, asking if you are still with Ana I mean Ms Steele and honestly I have had all that I can take from her. I blocked her cell number but now she keeps calling from different numbers."

" Fuck!" I say out loud " Doesn't she get the message that I don't want anything to do with her, she needs to leave me alone."

Taylor throws his hands in the air as though he is personally responsible for my Elena drama.

" Has Ros called for me at all?"

" No, not a word from her"

" I guess I'm not as needed as I thought I was."

I didn't mean to say it out loud but it seems like the fucking truth. Just when I spent my adult making myself feel indispensable I realise I'm like the next person. Now the thought of selling my shit and spending the rest of my life fucking Anastasia is more tempting than it's ever been.

I have made enough money for anyone with an ounce of my blood in them to live on, and recently I have actually questioned the meaning of life; the meaning of My life how does the saying go? What good is it for a man to gain the world and lose his soul? It's fucking pointless. All those years buried in subs; it was all pointless!

As I dial Elena I know its time to cut ties for fucking good.

" Christian.." Her voice grates on my every fucking nerve ending "I was close to reporting you as missing. Has that little vixen got you tied up or what!"

I take a few deep breaths and count before I can even formulate a response.

" For future reference Ana is my girlfriend, and you shall refer to her as that Elena, is that understood!" I end up barking at her causing Taylor to raise his brow. He makes a move to excuse himself but I signal for him to stay. I have a few things I need to discuss with him. My call with Elena is not meant to last long anyway.

" Wow Christian, don't forget who you are talking to here. I taught you all you know remember? I dread to think what ..what that .. Ana is doing or what she has done to you, but it looks to me like you're burning your fucking bridges over some false hope of love or whatever it is. You don't do love Christian remember I know you in and out."

The moment she says that I lose it completely.

" Actually Taylor can you excuse me for a minute, I will call you when I'm done here."

I'm fuming; breathing fire. She is trying to do it again. Keep a tab on me as though she fucking owns me. She knows me in and out? What the fuck!

"Elena I suggest you think twice before you open your trap. You know me? Huh? Tell me how you know me? Is it because you are a fucking paedophile who fucking preyed on me after my mother confided in you? Do you want to let the whole world know just how you know me? How many more little boys have there been?"

" Christian don't.. now that's not fair You know it wasn't like that?" She sounds like she is about to cry, fucking crocodile tears if you ask me.

" It's not fair? So how was it then? What's not fair is being 15 and fucked up and having a trusted person betraying you! I think me and you are done Elena. Actually, if you gave a fuck about my welfare you wouldn't have split when shit hit the fan. If it wasn't for Ana going across states to clear my name I would probably still be trying to find a way to make this whole sub shit go away. But where was Mrs Lincoln when i needed her? In fucking hiding. Me and you are done Elena and I don't ever call me or my family again."

" What about Grace, Christian?" She cries " We have been friends for years. I was actually trying to find out where you would be for your birthday tomorrow."

I find myself laughing hysterically, she just wont give up.

" Elena I hate to break to you that my mother knows. So that's you off her Christmas Card list and frankly what I do on my birthday is my business and it will be a happy one without you. Goodbye."

With that I terminate the call and a weight automatically lifts from my shoulders.

I go to the bar and take a shot of whiskey neat just to calm my nerves.

I need to get away and be in the arms of MY woman. That's all I need and that is all that fucking matters to me now.

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