"Mia, it's Ana," I said. "It's been a hell of a day and Christian is resting."

"Mom said you're in Detroit meeting Christian's birth father?! Is that true?"

"It is."

"What the hell? When did this happen? How long has he known? And why did no one tell me?!"

"Very recently, and it wasn't a secret – we just haven't seen you and it's not the sort of thing to discuss over the phone."

"So everyone else knew?" Mia wailed. I switched her onto speaker, not that there was much need; she was shouting so loud Christian could hear every word.

"Grace, Carrick, and Elliot were aware," I confirmed. "I'm in the bath, Mia. I've put you on speaker, so I don't drop the phone."

"Where's Christian?" Mia asked suspiciously.

Holding my finger up to my lips and looking at my man I replied, "He's in the bedroom sleeping, as is Teddy. Like I said; it's been a long emotional day."

"I can't believe he didn't tell me," Mia said, crying. "There was a time when Christian told me everything!" She didn't come out and say it, but the implication was there. She meant before I came along.

"We haven't seen you in weeks, Mia. Christian is not excluding you – he's just had a lot on his plate. You need to remember, your brother is running a multi-billion-dollar business, he's making sure he's an active, present husband and father and he's been supporting Elliot as he goes through the breakup with Kate." My implication was also there. Mia didn't have the responsibilities Christian did; she was a spoiled trust-fund baby who relied on handouts from her parents and brothers to maintain a largely indolent lifestyle.

Taking a breath, I calmed myself.

"Christian will no doubt call you or see you once we're back and tell you everything."

"Can't you tell me?" she urged.

"It's not my place, Mia. This whole process has been hugely emotional for Christian. He'll share with you when he's ready."

"Mom said he has another sister, now?"

"That's for Christian to discuss with you," I replied firmly. "You said you were visiting your parents? Is Grace there?"

Appreciating I had dismissed her, Mia called out to her mother, summoning her to the phone.

"Ana? I'm so sorry. When Mia came over, we thought she knew about Christian's search for information about his birth mother and your trip to Detroit!"

"It's fine, Grace. Christian had planned to call you, but he's fallen asleep. I was taking a bath then I was going to ring you."

"How did it go?" my mother-in-law whispered sounding nervous.

"It was ok. David really is Christian twenty years on," I said, smiling at my husband as he nodded, acknowledging he, too, could see the resemblance. "There's no doubt he is Christian's biological father, and he could tell Christian his mother's proper name. They were high school sweethearts."

Grace sobbed. "I'm so thrilled to hear that," she sighed, unaware Christian could hear everything she said. "Christian has always assumed the worst about everything. Hearing his birth parents cared for each other must be such a relief to him!"

"It's been an interesting day," I replied, not wanting to reveal too much or speak on Christian's behalf. "It went well. We had two meetings with David and his daughter Aisling. We're not meeting tomorrow as the counselor has recommended a day off for reflection. So far, though, so good."

"And Christian?"

"He's ok," I reassured her.


Christian must have been emotionally drained because it was past 9:00 am and he still hadn't roused. I'd fed Teddy, dressed him, and gone across to apprise our staff of the plans for the day. There was no reason to suspect today would be anything other than a casual picnic, so I explained I'd organized three hampers and that Gail was welcome to join us if she wished, or otherwise chill out and do her own thing.

"I'd love to come," Gail announced, mentioning it had been an age since she'd gone on a picnic. "If Mr. Grey is asleep, how about you leave Teddy here with Taylor and me so you can have a nice quiet breakfast together?" The gleam in Gail's eyes hinted she knew we'd do more than eat.

"If you're sure?"

"Absolutely," Gail declared. "We'll feed Teddy and have a play. Take your time and enjoy your breakfast together; I'm sure you have a lot to discuss."

I slipped out of Taylor and Gail's suite, blushing just a little. Letting myself back into the Commissioner's Suite, I peered into the bedroom to see Christian still sprawled, naked, across the bed. Like a fine wine, he just got better with age. I toyed with the idea of dressing in some sexy lingerie and waking my husband by taking him in my mouth, but after the excitement of the last few days, I thought something lower key might be in order. Accordingly, I took my clothes off, neatly piling them on the occasional chair, before slipping under the sheets. Letting Christian find me, I was unsurprised when he pulled me to him, spooning me as he nuzzled my neck.

"There you are, Mrs. Grey," he crooned.

"Here I am," I agreed, wiggling my backside against his crotch. "Now what are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing with our son in the crib right next to us," Christian growled in disappointment, his eyes still closed.

"You're misinformed about current events… Teddy is with Taylor and Gail," I informed him smugly. "They're feeding him breakfast."

"Is that so?" Christian asked, and I could feel his lips smile as he continued placing light kisses on the back of my neck and behind my ear.

"It is," I gasped as he moved his hand up from my waist to find my breasts, tweaking each of my pink puckered nubs.

"Well that puts an entirely different spin on things," Christian growled, his hand leaving my breasts and traveling down the center of my body to my core. Pushing my legs apart, he helped me drape one over his hip, leaving me wide open to him. Tickling the hair on my mons, he moved downward until his fingers were just outside my opening. Meanwhile, his hips were flexing against my ass, pushing his hardening cock against me.

"Christian!" I whined. After Mia's call last night, we'd never got back to our activities. I needed some satisfaction.

"Yes baby," Christian replied, slipping into position and pushing into me. We both sighed as he moved. Spooning was a position we discovered when I was pregnant. Used, then, out of necessity, it remained a favorite, especially for morning sex.

"This is the best way ever to wake up," Christian moaned into my ear, voicing my own thoughts. "Wet, warm and buried in my wife."

"It is," I agreed, unembarrassed to voice my pleasure to the man responsible for it. More than once I'd woken up spooned, Christian's hands stroking my breasts, or slit, his cock hard and nudging against my wet hole. And I'd never refused him; if I had my way, Christian could wake me that way every single day!

"God, I love this!" Christian growled, speeding up. Now he was firmly sheathed within me, I'd lowered my leg. "Fuck, Ana! You feel so good, baby!"

"You make me feel so good!" I gasped, grabbing the sheets and bracing myself so each thrust of my husband's hips would bring me closer and closer to Nirvana. More rigorous than our usual efforts, Christian's cock was slamming into my g-spot repeatedly, his fingers playing with my clit, the combination of sensations mind-blowing. Christian's sexy grunts were turning me on. I could feel myself tensing – a delicious tightening across the top of my chest, down my belly to where my husband was pushing in and out of me.

"Anastasia!" Christian barked. "Cum for me. Baby! I need you to come for me right now!"

He was desperate. So was I! Christian's wet fingers strummed my clit, the other hand holding me firmly as he bucked into me hard and fast. I couldn't take it anymore.

"CHRISTIAN!" I screamed my tunnel flooding as I squirted. I hadn't done that since our honeymoon, and I certainly had not expected it today, but it felt amazing! I was whimpering and barely coherent as I climaxed. Christian followed, blowing his load into my saturated pussy, the whole time groaning sexy words into my ear. After our peaks settled, I didn't stir. Christian didn't, either. Curled into each other, we nuzzled close, out of the wet spot, relishing the shared experience.

"What is it about hotel rooms and you squirting, Mrs. Grey?" Christian teased, kissing the side of my face.

I groaned, knowing once again some unsuspecting person from housekeeping would have to remake the bed.


"It's quite pretty here," Christian admitted as we lay on a picnic rug in the lawn cemetery, Teddy lying between us. Gail and Taylor were sitting at their own rug nearby, as were McIntyre and Prescott. Christian had worried he would be tense or upset visiting Eleanor's grave. If anything, he was more peaceful than I'd seen him in a long time.

"Yes," I agreed. Essentially a well-maintained grassy lawn, the only sign it was a cemetery was the occasional plaque flush with the grass.

"I'd like to have a marker made for her," Christian said, as though reading my thoughts. "Her life was short… she deserves to have it recognized. She's been gone almost twenty-five years, but I want the world to know she mattered. She mattered to me."

I blinked back tears. It was the most loving thing I'd heard Christian say about his mother, and I hoped it would spark the start of some emotional healing.

"I think that's a wonderful idea," I replied, leaning over and kissing my man.

The picnic baskets supplied by the hotel were superb. We'd enjoyed mixed sandwiches, cold chicken pieces, sparkling mineral water, and a strawberry tart. They'd even included a fruit salad for Teddy. Now we were lying in the sunshine, enjoying peace and quiet.

"Anastasia?" Christian said, his voice languid and content. "I know Teddy is still young. But how do you feel about us trying for another baby?"

Talk of a second child was the last thing I was expecting given the location and circumstances. That said, I wasn't averse to the discussion. It was something I'd been thinking about.

"I'm open to it," I whispered. "We talked about having more than one. I'd like to return to work part-time to edit Boyce's next book, but I could still do that…"

"I'd like our children close together," Christian responded.

"You just love that no one else looks at me when I'm knocked up," I teased.

"Are you kidding?!" Christian growled. "I swear there is NOTHING sexier than seeing you swollen with my seed! You do not understand how hot you look when you're pregnant! Men want you to be carrying their child, and women want to be the woman who looks as beautiful as you!"

I rolled my eyes. "Christian? I think you have a warped sense of reality…"

"Did you just roll your eyes at me, Mrs. Grey?!"

"I may have," I admitted, my breath catching in excited expectation.

"You know what I'll have to do with you later," Christian replied, his voice taut.

"I know… Sir."


"I have the results of the paternity test," Wendy announced without preamble the next morning when Aisling and David had again joined us in our suite. "As no doubt you've both anticipated, it's positive," she said handing a set of documents to Christian and to David.

No surprises there.

"I'd like to do two sessions today… The first of which I was hoping to have with just David and Christian." My eyes jumped to Christian then his father. Christian was frowning slightly. David looked surprised. "Aisling? I thought you and Ana might want to spend the time getting to know each other better?" Wendy suggested.

Christian nodded, letting me know he was ok with the idea.

"We could go shopping with Teddy then lunch?" I suggested, tentatively.

"I'm not much of a shopper unless it's a bookshop," Aisling nervously stated.

"Music to my ears!" I laughed. "Christian's other sister Mia lives to shop and tries to drag me out clothes shopping all the time. But I can lose myself for hours in a bookshop!"

"Take security," Christian ordered. I knew without words he'd want me to pay for anything we bought.

"You ok with that, Ais?" David asked.

"I am, Da." We could all see Aisling was nervous. "It will be fun."

"Come on – I'll introduce you to the security team," I said, standing, grabbing my handbag and cell. Aisling followed me into the hallway.

"Christian's head of security is Jason Taylor, but the only one to call him Jason is his wife, Gail, who's our housekeeper. Gail doesn't usually travel with us, but she's like a second grandma to Teddy, and after the abduction, I don't trust many people to mind him so she came along this time so I could leave Teddy with her when we had our sessions."

I knocked at the door next down from ours. Taylor opened it almost instantly.

"Mrs. Grey?"

"Taylor? Can I introduce Christian's sister, Aisling O'Riley. Aisling, this is Christian's head of security, Taylor." Behind Taylor, I could see Gail with Teddy perched on her hip. I could see she was checking Aisling out, but trying not to be obvious about it. "And this is Taylor's wife Gail. Gail, this is Aisling."

"Oh! You look so much like Mr. Grey!" Gail gushed.

"There's certainly a resemblance," I agreed, smiling at my new sister-in-law. "Taylor? The counselor wants to work with Christian and David alone this morning so Aisling and I would like to go book shopping. Is there somewhere you can suggest?" I asked, turning my focus to Aisling.

"It depends whether you prefer new releases or used books?"

"I love all books, but old books are particularly special…"

"Then the John K. King store downtown is wonderful," Aisling replied. "I don't let myself go there too often but it has everything."

"Then let's do it! Taylor? I thought we'd take Prescott and McIntyre? We'll probably eat somewhere nearby and return in the early afternoon."

"Certainly, Mrs. Grey. Did you want to take the stroller?" Taylor asked, always thinking about the practicalities.

"Pack it in the trunk, but in the bookstore, I think I'll use the baby carrier," I replied. Pushing a stroller up and down tight aisles would be a pain. Besides, Teddy enjoyed the carrier.

Taylor moved back into the suite, no doubt to make the arrangements.

"We'll be going with Belinda Prescott and Liam McIntyre today. Prescott is one of two security personnel who primarily work with me. McIntyre is assigned to Teddy," I explained to Aisling. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"Just forget they're with us," I said. "They'll follow at a distance and only step in if required."

Stepping out into the corridor, Prescott and McIntyre were waiting.

"If you'd like to follow me, Mrs. Grey, Miss. O'Riley," McIntyre instructed, being his most formal.

"Liam, Christian won't be joining us, so Ana and Aisling, please."

In the basement garage, I placed Teddy into the car seat, McIntyre checking it before Aisling and I sat on either side. Prescott climbed into the driver's seat, setting the Sat Nav for our location.

"So just how big is this place?" I asked, hoping to chat to put Aisling at her ease.

"There are four floors, plus the rare book room. It's not computerized, but each section has its own manager so you can ask if you're looking for anything."

"It sounds like Strand Books in New York," I said, telling her about Christian taking me there.

"I've only been to New York twice. We went for a week when I was about ten, and then we went with Mom for a last vacation weekend a month before she died."

"You must miss her so much," I said, reaching across Teddy's baby carrier to squeeze her hand.

"I do. The first year was the worst. The first Thanksgiving without her. Then Christmas. I think about her every day, but we're starting new traditions, now."

Prescott found a park right near the bookshop. Stepping out of the car, I donned the Baby Bjorn. The first time I tried it, it took ages to put on. Now I had the straps over my shoulders and around my hips in minutes, taking Teddy from McIntyre and strapping him in facing out. When he was sleepy, he preferred to face inward. But since he was wide awake, I'd positioned him so he could look around.

"I need to warn you, I will probably shop up big, so feel free to do likewise. And no arguments - today is my treat. Please don't hold back if you want anything. Trust me, my husband can afford it."

"Christian really is extraordinarily wealthy, isn't he?" Aisling asked, as though the idea troubled her.

"He is," I confirmed. "It takes a lot of getting used to," I confided as we walked into the bookshop, McIntyre, and Prescott trailing us at a casual distance. "I didn't grow up with money. I mean Daddy works hard, and we never went without, but there wasn't money on that scale."

"How do you deal with it?"

"Most of the time I don't think about it. I'm not into 'things'… well… other than books! It means a lot to Christian to provide Teddy and me with the best of everything. At first, it was difficult to accept, but over time I recognized it gives him peace to do that; especially when it comes to Teddy. So I just go along with it most of the time."

We were wandering through the ground floor, checking out the classics section right near the front entrance. Most of the titles we already had in our library at Medina, but there were still one or two I'd like in paperback form to replace what Leila had destroyed when she trashed my room in Ethan's apartment. From the corner of my eye, I could see Aisling touching the spines reverently.

"Please… I really mean it. If there's anything you like, just get it. It would mean a lot to Christian if you'd accept that from him."

"Does he buy things for his sister a lot?" she asked.

"All the time," I said, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes as I thought about how much Mia took advantage of Christian's generosity. "He's like that with all his family. It's one way he shows he cares."

McIntyre appeared with two baskets, handing one to me and the other to Aisling. After seeing her pause and look at a bound copy of Mailer's The Naked and the Dead before placing it back on the shelf, I pulled it back out, giving a cursory glance at the price before tossing it into her basket. Eighteen dollars.

"I've never read it," I declared.

"Neither have I. Da and I have seen the film, though. It's on my 'one day I will read' list."

"Then get it," I said decisively, moving on before she could object. I was relieved when she skipped the bible study area. I had no idea about her faith, so if we could avoid that revelation, for now, I was fine with that. We dallied a little in the juvenile non-fiction, cooking, sports, African American, African, and Antiques section, although neither of us chose anything.

We moved into the Binding and Sets area, and a set of Nonesuch Dickens immediately piqued my interest. Locked in a cabinet, I knew what it was as soon as my eyes landed on it.

"Does it have a plate?" I asked the manager of the area, almost scared to hear her response.

"It does," she said, bringing over a photograph of the print and plate. "It also includes the Dickensiana."

I was shaking. The Nonesuch Dickens was the ultimate collection of his works. Twenty-four volumes, they were limited, as each set contained one of the 877 original wood plates used to print the associated images. I'd never seen a complete set in real life, let alone one for sale. I glanced at the print and plate facsimile provided.

"It's from Oliver Twist," I moaned. Probably because of the obvious parallels, The Parish Boy's Progress always made me think of my darling fifty. "What condition?" I checked, my eyes caressing the multicolored tomes.

"Close to mint," the manager declared. "If you're interested, I can have a specialist come up from the rare book room to speak with you?" She was professional, yet I could see the young woman didn't believe two women in their early twenties could afford this set of books.

"Please do," I replied. "How much are they?"

The figure she mentioned was less than I'd feared. Christian urged me to spend at every opportunity; he'd have no issue with me splurging – especially once I explained how special this set was. An older woman glided upstairs, smiling as she approached Aisling and me.

"Dora Emerson. You're interested in the Nonesuch Dickens?"

"I am," I said, stepping forward and holding out my hand. "Anastasia Grey. And this is my sister-in-law Aisling,"

"It's a beautiful set," she said, launching into a description of the history, the set, and the print. "I've worked in rare books for forty years and I've never seen a set like this. I do hope you don't plan to separate it?" she asked, unlocking the cabinet and donning cotton gloves as she extracted one of the treasured books.

"Oh no. Certainly not! The fact the set is complete is amazing!" I sighed, watching as she showed me the superb condition. "Wrap it up. I'll take it."

"Anastasia? Has anyone explained how much a set like this costs?" Dora asked delicately.

"Yes, Dora, thank you. My husband and I collect special and first editions. I can't tell you how excited I am to find this set – especially given the plate. Oliver Twist holds a special significance for us." Without waiting further, I handed over my Centurion Amex; its presence enough to assure Dora I could afford the purchase.

"Prescott?" I said, Belinda appearing at my side instantly. "Can you accompany Ms. Emerson downstairs to wrap up these purchases?"

"Certainly, Mrs. Grey," Prescott replied.

Aisling and I continued into the Michigan History, World War Two, Civil War and Juvenile Fiction section. I went nuts making selections for Teddy, and after very little encouragement, Aisling did likewise, selecting her own childhood favorites for Theodore to enjoy.

"From the moment Da told me he might have a son, I've been scared," she admitted, grasping my hand and squeezing it. "Now I can see it's not just a brother… I might also have a sister and a nephew, too. And that's exciting!"