A/N After the next few chapters are complete I am going to start skipping ahead a bit. I don't think writing about every single day of Ana's pregnancy is going to be all that interesting. I have plans for when she is a few months along but I don't want to write twenty filler chapters before I get there. The story will get boring and too long and that's the last thing I want.
Ana POV
"Three glasses of the Bollinger," Kate tells the waiter and turns to smile at us, "we are celebrating."
Shit. "Uh, n…not for me," I stammer awkwardly. "I'll have a cup of tea, English breakfast if you have it, bag out. Thank you." I don't make eye contact with the girls as the waiter walks away.
"Aw Ana," Mia whines, "don't be a party pooper. I got a job today, I want to celebrate."
This is so awkward. Christian and I haven't talked about when we plan on telling people I am pregnant yet, the only thing we decided is that we want to keep it to ourselves for a while. Christian is afraid that 'the wolves will descend' when the news becomes public and it will be harder for him to protect me. So far only his parents and my Dad know. I bite my lip nervously, what can I say that won't give me away? I can't think of a lie quick enough and start to panic when I am saved by Kate.
"Is it because of the antibiotics the doctor gave you last week?" Kate asks while staring straight at me.
"Huh?"
"The antibiotics," she says again, "for your stomach infection."
"Uh, yeah I c…can't drink with them, sorry Mia," I say apologetically. Why is Kate lying for me? And how is she so good at it? I can't tell a lie without blushing and here she is making up a whole story for Mia without batting an eye.
"Oh you poor thing," Mia says then her eyes get huge, "wait, it isn't contagious is it? I don't want to be sick for my new job." She puts a hand over her nose and mouth.
"No Mia it isn't contagious," I assure her, smiling at her silliness.
Once Kate has explained my phantom illness Mia lets the subject drop and we order our food. She doesn't even question how I can eat normally with a stomach infection. While we wait we discuss Mia's interview and subsequent job offer.
"I had only left the building fifteen minutes when I got the call," she beams. "I start next week and they already have a list of smaller events lined up for me to start on," she squeals.
The job Mia has gotten is as an apprentice to an event organiser for a charity that Christian is heavily involved in. We all know her getting the job was a foregone conclusion before she stepped in the door because of who her brother is, but we also all genuinely believe it is a job she is well suited for. She may come across as a spoiled brat sometimes, even a little ditzy but she is no fool and I am sure she will be a great success. I would never tell her though that from what I overheard I gathered that Christian had the position created for her when she expressed an interest in event planning after tiring of the idea of becoming a chef. He didn't however want to just hand it to her and that's why he had them interview her first.
"That's fantastic Mia, you'll do so well. You are perfect for it," I tell her sincerely.
The waiter arrives and places our meals on the table. I ordered the caesar salad with bacon and croutons and it looks mouth-watering when it is laid in front of me. We dig in and for a few moments there is silence while we enjoy the food.
Then Mia puts down her knife and fork, wipes her mouth delicately with a napkin and clears her throat. "So" she says and I chew slowly while I watch her. "Now that I am an official event organiser," I see Kate roll her eyes and hide her grin against her glass, "I want to ask if you and Christian will allow me to plan your wedding."
I choke on my food. Kate pats my back and hands me my water, once I can breathe again Mia starts with the pleading. "Please Ana, I know Christian will say yes if you do. Please." She gives me puppy dog eyes, "think of my career!"
Kate snorts, "Is this how you are going to win every contract?"
Mia makes a face at Kate. "Maybe," she pouts.
"We haven't even set a date," I argue, "Christian might not want to get married until after…" I clamp my mouth shut. Crap, I nearly spilled the beans.
She squints at me, "after what?" she asks slowly.
Shit. Think Ana, think.
"After their trip to New York in a few months," Kate says smoothly.
"Ooh you're going to New York. Are you going to stay in Christian's apartment there?" Christian has an apartment in New York? I try to remember if he has already told me but I can't.
"Of course they are Mia. Christian wants to take Ana to a show." I have to start taking notes, how does Kate do this? "He asked if Elliott and I wanted to go too," she says with a sly grin.
"Why didn't he ask me?" Mia says, affronted. "I love Broadway."
I see what Kate is doing. She keeps diverting the conversation back around so it is centred on Mia, and the poor girl doesn't even notice. "I'm sure he will get around to it," she waves her hand to signal the waiter and orders more wine.
Mia turns back to me, "so what do you say Ana? Can I do your wedding?"
"I don't see why not," I hesitate, "as long as it's okay with Christian. I don't know what he has planned."
"But this is your wedding," she protests.
"It's his too," I argue quietly.
She waves a hand as if she's swatting away a fly, "men don't care about those things, trust me. All they want to do is turn up for the food and drink; they never want to be involved in the planning of the actual day."
"Um…have you met your brother?" I ask incredulously.
She laughs and ignores my comment, "this is so exciting! You have to tell me as soon as you set the dates and we can discuss colour themes and…." She is cut off by her phone ringing. She picks it up, "hey, babe." I give Kate the 'save me' look while Mia chatters away to Ethan. She only laughs at me.
She hangs up, "sorry ladies, I gotta go. I promised Ethan I would meet him after our lunch and he is on his way now."
It doesn't matter anyway as we have already finished our food. Actually, I'm glad as I will be saved from further interrogation from the intrepid Ms Grey. She pulls out her credit card and pays for all of our food before she leaves. Once she has gone me and Kate simply sit in silence for a few moments before we burst out laughing.
"I swear I love that girl, but sometimes…" she just shakes her head and doesn't finish her sentence. I sip my tea and say nothing. I too love Mia to pieces, but when she wants something she is like a dog with a bone until she gets it. It must run in the family.
"So when are you due?" Kate says so bluntly I almost drop my cup.
"I figured you knew when you kept lying for me," I say wryly.
"Someone had to. You would have given the whole game away if left to your own devices," she laughs and I can't help but laugh with her. "You're right, I couldn't tell a lie to save my life."
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Are you happy?"
"Oh my God yes, so happy," I say emphatically and without hesitation.
"What about the mogul? Can't say I see him being the fatherly type."
My back stiffens at her words, "Christian couldn't be happier," I say sternly leaping to his defence. "He will be a wonderful father." I don't see the point in telling anyone about how he took the news, it is our business alone. What matters is how he feels now. People who haven't had his experiences wouldn't understand his fear and they would judge him harshly.
Kate raises her hands in surrender. "Ok, calm down Momma bear. I'm sure he will be Dad of the year."
"Sorry," I mumble but she only shrugs.
"No worries. So…are you really going to let the energizer bunny plan your wedding?" she asks and gestures towards the door where Mia exited.
Groaning dramatically I hang my head, "I couldn't tell her no when she looked so excited. Besides she will do a better job of it than I could in ten lifetimes. Anyway, I more than likely will have months before we even need to think about setting a date." We have a lot on our plate right now, I don't want to freak Christian out by throwing a wedding into the mix as well. Kate raises a brow but says nothing.
"Elliott wants kids," her mouth twists a little.
"And you don't?" I ask quietly, sensing her inner struggle.
She downs the last of the Bollinger and stares into the empty glass, "I'm twenty two. Babies are not something I have even considered yet. I am so focused on my career. Ha, career…I sound like Mia."
"No, you don't" I disagree softly, sensing the delicacy of the subject, "I…" I hesitate, "I didn't consider them either…until I had no choice. But now that I am pregnant I can't imagine ever feeling anything other than happiness."
"Really?" she asks, "Elliot says he's ready now but understands if I'm not."
"Yes I feel that way, but I also understand that it's not the same for everyone." I push away memories of my mother telling me she was sorry she didn't get rid of me when she had the chance.
Kate shocks me when she swipes at a tear, she never struck me as the emotional type. "I think that's why he hasn't asked me to marry him. He's afraid I won't change my mind."
"Do you think you will change your mind?" My chest hurts for my friend.
"I don't know," she says sadly. "I would never agree just to get a ring on my finger…but I love Elliott, so much. It terrifies me that he might leave me over this."
"He loves you Kate. He will wait until you are ready, I'm sure of it," I say and I believe it. I've seen the way Elliott looks at Kate, he adores her.
Kate visibly shakes herself and forces a smile for me, "look at me sitting here feeling sorry for myself, anyone would think I had problems." Knowing she's done discussing this I smile weakly and let it go. If she wants to talk about it again she will, I won't pry.
By the time Christian comes home at five thirty I have been home hours and have just woken up from a nap. I stretch on the bed as Christian sits on the edge and leans over me. He kisses the tip of my nose and I giggle. "Hey sleepy head."
"Umm," I hum sleepily.
"I'm surprised to find you awake," he kisses my forehead and between his fresh scent and the comfort of the bed I almost purr like a kitten. "You are asleep all the time lately."
He's not complaining but I instantly feel bad regardless. Thinking about it I realise that he is right, I have been sleeping a lot lately. Maybe I need to do more around the apartment to keep myself from getting too lazy.
I sit up awkwardly. "Sorry Christian, I will try and stay awake more," I whisper, embarrassed at my sudden laziness.
Christian leans over me forcing me to lie back down, "baby that's not what I meant. I want you to sleep if you are tired. It's perfectly normal in your first trimester."
"What? How do you know that?" I didn't even know.
He shrugs as if it's no big deal, "I read it in one of the baby books."
"What baby books?" and where can I get my hands on them?
"The ones I sent Taylor out to buy today."
I can't help but laugh at the image of Jason Taylor buying baby books in Barnes and Noble. Christian tickles me, "what's so funny Ms Steele?"
"Nothing" I giggle.
"Mia called me this afternoon," he says, changing the subject.
Oh God, please say she didn't.
"Apparently she is our official wedding planner, what with her being a professional event organiser now."
She did. Of course she did.
"She made me do it!" I almost screech.
Christian grins and I'm so embarrassed I want to hide under the bed. "She informed me we need to pick a date asap so we can decide on a seasonal theme."
I groan and cover my face. I'm going to kill her then fire her, in that exact order.
"I told her I would have to discuss it with you and get back to her," he continues.
"Do you think she will notice if we never call her back?" I mumble.
"Probably."
Christian pulls my hands away from my face. I expect to see amusement but my breath catches at the tenderness I see there. "So?"
"So...what?"
"Do you want to get married?" he asks softly.
"Now?" I almost shout.
He laughs, "well...not right this minute. But yes, soon."
"B...b...but..."
He leans forward, his lips almost touching mine. His hot breath scrambling my thoughts. "Say yes."
"Yes," I breathe.
"Next month." He runs his hand up my inner thigh, cupping me there. He still hasn't kissed me and I'm getting frustrated I am so turned on.
"Yes," I whimper.
"Good girl," he says and crashes his mouth to mine.
A/N Not much Christian in this one I'm afraid, just a bit at the end there to keep you from getting withdrawals. I know, I know I'm so bad! I just thought Ana needed some girly bonding time.
On another note...Chapter FIFTY. Yay (does happy dance)
Please review xxx
