Disclaimer: I don't own any part of FSOG. They all belong to E.L. James.

Chapter 50

CPOV

"You know it's not too late to change your mind baby?" We are lying in bed after two rounds of incredible morning sex.

Ana smiles and stretches allowing the sheets to moves and making her perfect nipples visible.

"We've talked about this Christian, don't make it harder than it already is. Besides, three days won't kill us right? You will be extremely busy doing what you like best and I will be busy with Sam and Lambert Publishing."

"They are going to place the sign today" She says enthusiastically.
Ana has decided to place a huge sign in the reception area. It is going to be hung behind the receptionist desk and I have to admit that I was pretty impressed and loved the idea after I saw the sketches. The first thing people will see when they enter the 29th floor is the word Lambert, huge across the wall.

"I know baby. Will you send me a picture when it's ready?"

"Sure I will. But know we really have to get moving if we want to be on time for our appointment with John."

She tries to get up, but I pull her right back to me and hover above her. "Just five more minutes baby, I need more kisses…"


"Well that's quite a development" John states when Ana finishes telling him about Sam's mother.

He stares at his notebook for a while, but turns his gaze to us and starts speaking.

"I have no idea how the legal side of this works, because she resigned all rights from her child when he was born. But maybe you could ask your father, Christian or someone else from your legal department."

"I will ask my lawyer as soon as possible" I say. Ana's hand is tightly holding mine. I can see the apprehension on her face as she waits for John to continue.

"From my perspective I would say…get acquainted with her. Just the two of you, without Sam being present. Get to know her, ask her questions. Don't expect to get to know her in one time. You should make different appointments in neutral settings. Maybe after a few times, when you both get to know her better, you can assess why she took that ... decision."

"We all know why she took that decision John" I say.

"And who can guarantee us that she isn't going to reconsider after she has met Sam?" Ana says.

"Just imagine, we finally decide to tell Sam that Danielle is his mother and then she decides after a couple of months or even weeks that she can't handle it…how do we go from there?"

"I can't guarantee you that Ana." John says looking apologetically. "And that's why it's so important to get to know her first really well. But on the other hand, if the law is on her side, and she goes to a judge…maybe he assigns Sam to her, since she is her mother."

Ana's head snaps up and her eyes are burning holes in Flynn's face.

"I guess she is her mother John! And somehow I can understand that she got scared and confused when Sam was born…but to wait almost 4 years to turn up…makes her a shitty mother John!"

"Ana I know that you are angry and..."

But Ana is very, very angry. I felt her body shaking as the conversation progressed. She just can't stomach the fact that it took Danielle four years to come back. She abruptly stands up from the couch and starts pacing the room.

"You have no idea how angry I am John. I can't wrap my head around the fact that after carrying Sam inside her for nine months, giving birth to him…" she wipes a few tears that have fallen on her cheeks and crosses her arms in front of her chest.

"She even held him when he was born…she kissed him…and she just walked away because she was afraid of what her parents would say?" She snorts and walks back to the couch.

"She probably wasn't thinking about her parents when she was having sex with José" she huffs and rolls her eyes.

"Well, I can guarantee you that I will make it very clear to Danielle that she hurt Sam enormously by running away like a coward!"

Flynn and I are both quiet. We somehow want to give her the space to get this of her chest.

She suddenly stops pacing the room and looks at both of us. "Am I the only one who feels this way?" She says while she is looking at me.

"I know that I'm not a mother…" she shakes her head and the sadness is now evident in her eyes. "She was never there when he was growing up…when we first gave him solid food…or when he started talking…and at first he would say really funny things." She smiles at the memory and again she looks at both of us. "She was never there when he grew older and started asking about where his mommy was…you know…Ethan and me where there when José told him that his mommy died and that she was in heaven with the angels." Her arms are now hanging loose along her small frame and her wrists are clenched.

"José is to blame too…they both don't deserve him."

"What do you think Sam deserves Ana?" John asks.

Ana is looking at him as if he has grown three heads. She closes her eyes and sits back on the edge of the couch.

"Sam deserves loving and caring parents. He deserves stability and to be loved unconditionally, as a child should be loved. A child doesn't need distress or hurt, because I'm pretty sure that it will haunt him for the rest of his live. There will always be a little voice inside his head, telling him, that maybe this was all his fault."

"Is that how you feel Ana? That it was all your fault?"

Ana cocks her head to one side and squints her eyes. "We are not here to talk about my youth John, but to answer your question; Yes, I always blamed myself when my mother divorced Ray, I also blamed myself when things didn't work out with husband number three. But as I said, this has nothing to do with me."

"Actually I think it does." John replies smugly.

"NO! It doesn't!" Ana replies forcefully.

"Don't you see John, I only want for Sam to be happy. Children who have been raised in broken homes, whether it's from a divorce or something else. These children are so very vulnerable. And Sam has been hurt enough, he has seen enough."

"You don't know the exact reasons from Sam's mother Ana. You have no idea of the situation back then, she was very young from what you told me, and maybe she felt overwhelmed and scared."

"Oh. I'm sure she was scared" Ana replies. "I am in a loving relationship and I would be scared out of my mind if it turned out I was pregnant. But no matter how scared I was or how much I would doubt myself, I would never, ever walk away from my child John. Never."

"Ana you don't know under what kind of pressure she was…I truly don't think you can judge her without knowing why she took that decision."

John staples his finger in front of his mouth and continues; "I want to give you this last advice Ana, children are very sensitive, and since you have been a major influence in Sam's live he will sense your apprehension towards his mother. That will only make things complicated and confusing for Sam. Because he may call you Auntie Ana, but you are the closest he has to a mother. Unwillingly you are going to transfer those feelings towards Sam, that will cause a huge confliction in his mind, because he wants to stay loyal to you, but on the other side, Sam will obviously be ecstatic to have a mother."

We stay a while longer discussing things with John. We decide to follow his advice and to make an appointment with this Danielle woman, and then we can decide how to handle this further.

Ana is still upset. I can tell that she is thinking about this. She is silent and doesn't react to what John is saying. I wish I wouldn't have to leave for New York and leave her alone.


"Be careful okay?" Ana whispers. We are standing by the SUV in front of John's office. Taylor is already seated waiting for me to get in the car and drive us to the airport. "And call me the minute you land."

"I promise" I skim my lips against hers and kiss her soft pouty lips.

"As for you Ms. Steele. Stay with Sawyer and call me if there is anything wrong, it doesn't matter what time it is okay?"

"Promise…just be safe…please Christian."

With one last kiss I step into the SUV and wave until she is a little spot in the distance. Fuck! I'm going to miss her.

APOV

"So, you must be Sam." Mike enthusiastically greets Sam with a high five when we enter his office.

"Yes." Is the only thing that Sam replies.

"And you are going to help us right?" Mike asks him smiling.

"Auntie Ana said that I had to be really quiet." He shrugs. Since I didn't want to leave him with Gail I decided to bring Sam with me to Lambert Publishing. In about 10 minutes Mike planned a meeting with some of the editors and the editor-chief.

It's all a bit strange since everybody is still working in the old building and I'm working from here. Mike goes there at least three times a week to keep an eye on everything that goes on. It's now time to introduce myself and tell them how I want things to be done from now on. Mike is here purely as backup. I'm the one leading the meeting and I would be lying if I said I wasn't shitting my very expensive Donna Karen pants.

"Is there anything specific I need to know?" I ask Mike anxiously while wringing my hands.

"I told you everything you need to know Ana. Really you are ready for this. You have a very clear vision of what you want Lambert Publishing to be. You somehow will have to convince them, because you have to keep in mind that some of these editors have been working at SIP for years and they will need time to adjust in doing things differently."

"Okay"

"You will be fine Ana. Have faith in yourself."

I gather my things and place them on the conference table and wait for the rest of the people to arrive. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

We are now halfway through the meeting and I have never felt so uncomfortable before. Opposite me are several people who have no faith in me or how I want things done. They have made it perfectly clear to me several times that I'm wrong and that things are working perfectly well as they are right now. But it isn't. And I know, they know…we all know…they are just trying to rile me up.

Christian warned me that this might happen. Some of the employees have been working for SIP for a long time. And know a 23 year old girl is going to tell them how things have to be done. For some of them it's a hard pill to swallow.

"Ms. Steele, again I don't agree with you." Adam Brown is a challenge. Adam Brown is a middle aged man, wearing a crumpled beige colored suit. When SIP was still under Roach guidance, Mr. Brown had a lot of freedom. He made his own decisions, without even having to discuss them with Roach. Things happened how he wanted them to happen. But that's about to change now and he knows it and doesn't like it one little bit. Throughout the whole meeting he has been sighing or making inappropriate remarks. I understand that within his role as editor-chief, a lot of things are going to change. Before I have the chance to speak he stands up from his chair and starts pacing through my office.

"You might not be aware of this Ms. Steele, but the editor in chief, is the person who is ultimately responsible for maintaining the brand and integrity of the house, and is financially and legally responsible for the contracts and financial health of the house…" He says raising his voice.

Inwardly I roll my eyes. I think that's the third time he has mentioned this.

"I know Mr. Brown as you already told me three times. But since this is my company we are going to do this the way I want it. So, like I said before…all decisions will go through me. I don't care if you had that responsibility with Roach, but let's be honest with each other shall we Mr. Brown, SIP wasn't doing very well financially. So, if you want to discuss this topic further, I want to suggest to make an appointment with Andrea to make a new appointment. Now please sit down, so we can continue this meeting."

Sam is looking wide eyed from me to Adam when he tugs at my jacket sleeve. I lean down to listen to him when he whispers very loud. "I don't like him Auntie Ana…he is mean."

Mike suppresses a smile and buries his head in the papers in front of him. I really want to smile too, but I think that it would only make matters worse.

"Why don't you draw me a nice sand castle Sam…I will be finished in 10 minutes and then we will go and have lunch okay?"

He nods his little head and with still a frown on his face he whispers again. "I don't like him."

I clear my throat and try to focus back on the task at hand.

"So I will say it one more time Mr. Brown." I say looking at him. He is now tapping his pencil on his notebook and looking very pissed.

"You still will responsible for what you just said, till a certain point that is, but I will keep a close eye on both the balance sheet and the income statement. Till the time being I will be the one that ensures Lambert Publishing stays solvent."

I look at my watch and see that time has flown by. In two hours I have a meeting with the unpleasant. Ms. Mateo. God, I really don't like her.

"I see that we have exceeded our time already, so I'm going to end this meeting now, since I have another appointment scheduled. I am aware that we haven't yet discussed all items on the agenda. Andrea will schedule a new meeting so we can discuss this further. I want to thank you for your time and flexibility. I understand that things are not ideal at the moment, but I expect that after the opening and the move everything will become less hectic."

I gather my notes from the table and hope that everyone gets their asses out of here as soon as possible.

It's not even noon and I'm already exhausted. I still have that horrible meeting planned with Ms. Matteo and I miss Christian terribly and he isn't even gone for four hours.

I hear the door close with a soft click and I know that it's safe to look up again, since everybody left my office. Mike is the only one left in the room. He is looking at me with what looks like pity. Immediately I shake my head. "Don't say it Mike. I know you warned me, I just have to grow a thicker skin."

"I just wanted to tell you that you did a great job Ana. For someone who has never chaired a meeting before, you did an exceptional job. They will have to deal with the huge changes, give them some time."

He walks towards me to gather his things from the table and whispers. "I was planning on taking Andrea for lunch. Why don't I take Sam with me, in that way you can relax a bit and I will bring you a sandwich."

"No, it's okay Mike, I appreciate your offer, but I want to spend some time with Sam. Take your time."

"See you later then."

I straighten my dress and walk to the couch where Sam is sitting now playing with his iPad. "What do you say if we order some food Sam? Are you hungry?"

Instead of answering me Sam looks at me with intense sad eyes. "Auntie Ana, when is daddy coming back?"

Shit! Shit! Shit!

"Uhm, well I don't know exactly. Do you miss daddy Sam?"

He shrugs and just stares at me; finally he says. "A wittle…I don't like it when daddy yells…"

"No, yelling isn't nice."

He shakes his head. "One time daddy grabbed my arm and he hurt me really bad…and he yelled." He whispers the last word.

"What did he say to you Sam?" I take the iPad from his hands and place in on the couch. I take him on my lap and kiss his head.

"He said a bad word…and he said shut up…shut up…shut up." I close my eyes and hold Sam really tight.

This is exactly what the child psychologist told us could happen. The moment we least expected it he could start talking about what happened with José. I keep quiet and give him the change to tell me what happened without pressuring him.

"Daddy then brought me to Uncle Ethan…" He straddles my lap and places his head on my shoulder. I can feel his heart beating rapidly against my chest.

"Did daddy yell at you a lot Sam?"

He sighs and nods his head. "Only when he was sleeping and I woke him…but it didn't wake him on purpose Auntie Ana…I was being really quiet."

"Of course you were quiet. You are a sweet boy."

'Uh huh" He immediately agrees with me. "Daddy has a room with pictures." He says really softly.

"Of course … you mean his dark room?"

"No" he shakes his head fervently "Daddy has another room and he has all pictures of you. But it's a secwet…and…and daddy said…that I couldn't tell anyone…" I see his bottom lip trembling and the tears are brimming in his eyes.

"It's okay Sam…you know you can tell me everything…you know that right?"

"But it's a secwet…" he repeats again. "I don't like secwets Auntie Ana. My tummy hurts when I have to keep a secwet…" he rubs the tears from his eyes with the back of his little hand and throws his arms around my neck.

"Then why don't you tell them to me. I promise I won't tell daddy you told me. And then maybe your tummy ache will go away…"

I feel him nodding his head against my neck.

"Why don't I ask Sawyer to get us a sandwich and we'll talk."

"Can I have chicken fingers too Auntie Ana?"

"Sure you can. Now let me call Sawyer."

I ended up cancelling my meeting with Ms. Matteo, because the moment Sam started talking he couldn't seem to stop.

What left the biggest impression on Sam has been the yelling. It seems that José spend a lot of time sleeping on the couch, probably drunk or high, and every time Sam would make a noise he would stand up and yell. I'm also concerned about this so called room José seems to have with just pictures of me.

When Christian hears this he is going to lose his shit.

So, that's how I ended sitting on my office floor. I'm leaning with my back against the couch and Sam's head is lying on my lap. He is fast asleep.

I hear my phone buzzing on my desk. Shit, that must be Christian! However, if I move now, Sam will wake up and I don't want to wake him, since he is sleeping so peacefully.

The buzzing ends, but starts again…and again. Yup, that's definitely Christian calling. Then I hear a soft knock on my door and Sawyer comes in with his phone in his hands. "Ana, it's Mr. Grey."

"Hi" I whisper.

"Ana. Why the hell didn't you pick up your phone and why are you whispering?"

I sigh and immediately feel the need to cry.

"Ana!"

"Yes, I'm here…sorry but Sam fell asleep on my lap and I didn't want to wake him"

"Okay" he breaths. "I'm sorry I snapped at you, but when you didn't pick up the phone I panicked…"

"It's okay. But are you in New York? Did you have a good flight?"

"Yes, I worked on the plane. I'm now on my way to the office." I hear a door close and some shuffling and then Christian's voice again. "Sorry" he chuckles "I dropped my phone on the car floor while stepping in."

I giggle when I picture his face. "I miss that giggle." He says.

"I miss you too Christian…"

"Tell me baby how did that meeting go this morning?"

"It went well" I say a little too excited. There is a long silence on the other side.

"Ana, what happened?"

I sigh and let my head fall on the couch. "Nothing that I couldn't handle. They aren't too happy about the changes Christian. That's all."

"Are you sure? If I can help…"

"I'm sure…and you have enough on your plate as it is…"

"Ana…"

"Christian I know…I know that I can always turn to your for help, but really I have everything under control." Yeah, right Steele.

"How's Sam?"

I decide not to tell him about the talk I just had with Sam, because knowing Christian he will take the jet back home. He then will order Taylor to drive to jail at once and he will beat the shit out of José. Then he is going to drive to José's home and burn the place down.

"Sam is okay. He was just a little tired." I lie. Shit. I hate lying to him.

"Good. Tell him I called as promised and that we can skype later on okay?"

"I will"

"I have to go now baby. We just arrived at the office."

"Okay be careful and I love you."

"Love you too baby."

"Bye Christian."

I glance at my watch and see that it's probably best if I wake Sam up, otherwise I'm going to have a very energetic toddler on my hands this evening.

Running my hands through his hair he starts to stir until he slowly opens his eyes.

"Why don't we go home Sam?"

"Yeah, I want to watch Finding Nemo" he says. Of course he wants to watch Finding Nemo.

"Why don't we watch another movie today?" I try.

"But I like Nemo, Auntie Ana."

"Okay…Nemo it is buddy." I sigh.

We've already had dinner and I'm standing in the bathroom dressing Sam in his pajamas. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and take a quick look.

*Skype in five minutes? Christian x

-See, you in five minutes! Can't wait. Ana xox

"Sam, that was Uncle Christian. Let's hurry so we can talk to him."

"Yay! Uncle Cwistian is home?" he says and his eyes are full of hope.

"I'm sorry Sam. Uncle Christian is still in New York. But he is going to call us. Now let's go!"

We run to the library where I left my laptop and fire it up. A few minutes later I am looking at the tired, but handsome face of my fiancé. I quickly do the math and realize that it's after 10 pm over there and he has had a really long day.

"Uncle Christian!" Sam is squealing and jumping up and down in my lap. Clearly excited to see Christian.

He shoves his little head very close to the laptop screen and yells. "I WATCHED FINDING NEMO WITH AUNTIE ANA!"

"Sam you don't need to yell, Uncle Christian can hear you perfectly well. It's the same as talking on the phone, only we get to see his face now." I say smiling.

Christian chuckles. "Well that's a surprise. You watched Finding Nemo again. What more did you do today."

"I was in a meeting with Auntie Ana…and…and there was a mean man…he was yelling. I don't like him Uncle Cwristian." Crap.

I see Christian's face change for a second, but immediately it disappears.

"And Mr. Sawwer bought me chicken fingers and a chocwate milkshake…And then I helped Mrs. Jones bake a cake…and…and…we ate pagetti…and I ate everything." Sam is leaning with his elbows on the desk waiting for Christian to answer back.

"I'm so proud of you Sam that you ate everything on your plate."

"Yeah, Auntie Ana said that when I eat everything I will get very tall and strong…"

"Why don't you pick out a book that we can read later Sam?" I tell him. He jumps from my lap and goes straight to the shelve with his books.

"Hi" I say shyly.

"Want to tell me about that mean man Ana?" Christian says and raises his eyebrow.

Rubbing my fingers along my fore head I sigh. "It was nothing Christian, like I told you this afternoon…nothing I can handle…please don't worry."

"I always worry. What's his name?"

I furrow my brow and cock my head to the side.

"Sorry?"

"I said what's his name?"

"Why?"

"Because I need to know"

"Why? So you can call him?"

He doesn't respond, but just keeps staring at me. "Please Christian, let's not argue… please. You are in New York and I am here…just don't…" Because this was a shitty day and I'm very close in breaking down.

"I just want to help you Ana…"

"I know but I need to this by myself. They aren't taking me serious as it is…imagine if you go barging in there and telling him off…just let me do this my way…please…"

"Okay. If that's what you want." He says sighing.

"Yes…now tell me how was your day?"

"I yelled a lot" He says grinning. God, how mercurial.

"You did? Well that doesn't sound like you at all!" I reply sarcastically.

We talk a few minutes longer until Sam comes sitting on my lap again and takes over the entire conversation. He is showing Christian the book he just picked out.

As I listen to Christian and Sam talking about the book Sam has chosen, I completely understand why parents with small children plan date nights.

"Sam say goodbye to Uncle Christian, because it's time to go to bed!"

"Can I sleep in your bed?" Sam asks. And I almost succumb when I look at those brown pleading eyes.

Christian and I already discussed this. We both agreed that it's for the best to accustom Sam to sleep in his own bed.

"No mister, you are going to sleep in your own bed."

"But Oscar can sleep with me Auntie Ana." He says pouting.

"Of course! Oscar always sleeps with you!"

After saying goodbye to Christian, Sam and I walk to his bedroom where his bedtime ritual starts. He first has to brush his teeth, then I have to read his the story he picked out…preferably twice. Next I tuck him in and kiss him goodnight and then when I have almost reached the door, he calls my name, because he supposedly forgot to tell me something.

"Auntie Ana"

"Yes Sam"

"You forgot to kiss Oscar goodnight."

"Oh right…" I walk back and give his teddy bear a kiss then place another kiss on Sam's forehead and walk out of the room.

"Ana, do you want some tea or something to drink? You look very tired." Gail says while she is tidying up the kitchen.

"No, thank you Gail. Why don't you call it a night. I will be all right. Kate is coming this evening, so I'm going to change real quickly and wait for her to show up."

"Ana, why don't you leave Sam tomorrow here with me. I know you want to take him with you to work, but you can always leave him here with me." Gail is nervously fidgeting her hands.

"And I won't let anything happen to him." She adds nervously. "Besides Ryan will be here with us."

"I know that you wouldn't let anything happen to him Gail. But are you sure you won't mind?" I ask just to be sure.

"Sam can be very demanding"

"Oh I love to spend time with that little guy. And he isn't demanding, he is just a little boy who loves to talk" She smiles.

"I guess it's pretty boring for Sam to have to sit with me in all of those meetings. Tell you what, I will go to the office tomorrow morning and I will get back in time for lunch."

"That's wonderful Ana." Gail replies smiling. "But it won't be a problem if you have to stay longer at the office. I don't mind spending time with Sam."

"Thank you Gail."

After changing in more comfortable clothes I sit on my favorite spot in the great room. While I look over the Seattle skyline, my thoughts go back to our conversation with John Flynn this morning. I know he is right on some levels, but I just can't seem to let go of the anger I'm feeling. I truly hope that Danielle has a very plausible explanation for her decision.

I do not know how long I sit looking out when I am startled by my phone. A smile spreads over my face when I see Christian's name will appear on the screen.

"Hey"

"Hi baby" Christian's smooth voice comes from the other side of the line.

"Something the matter Christian?"

"No, I just wanted to hear your voice before you went to sleep. I miss you Ana."

"I miss you too Christian." I place my fore head against the cold window and close my eyes.

"What are you doing?" he asks

"Thinking…I have been thinking Christian."

"About what?"

"About everything…I'm still very angry at Danielle…I think I will have to figure out a way to not let my feelings interfere…but I truly don't know if I can. And then there is Lambert Publishing…what if I screw up Christian?"

"You won't Ana…look I talked to Mike just a while ago and he told me that you did a magnificent job today."

"You called Mike?"

"Ana, don't go jumping into conclusions and let me finish baby."

"Okay…sorry."

"Anyway Mike called me…" He pauses a little bit to let the words sink in. "He called me because we hired this new guy for the GEH finance department. He just wanted to let me know that he has already arranged a meeting with him. And then he was the one who told me that you handled yourself really well in that meeting today. He didn't tell me the details or anything. He just told me that I would be really proud of you."

"He did?" I ask.

"Yes he did. So it would be nice if you started having a little faith in yourself too."

"Yeah maybe" I reply while fidgeting with the hem of my t-shirt.

"What are your plans for this evening" Christian asks.

"Uhm Kate will be here shortly."

There is a long silence on the other side of the phone.

"You didn't tell me she was coming"

"I think I forgot Christian. Look she just wants to talk, you saw for yourself that she has changed."

"I still don't trust her. Just be sure that Sawyer is with you Ana."

I roll my eyes and sigh. "Christian she isn't a serial killer or anything like that and besides I missed her." I shrug and brace myself for his reaction.

"You missed her? You mean you miss how she treated you? The hurt she caused you?"

"Everybody deserves a second chance…and sometimes a third." I answer clipped.

"You're right. Look baby I have to go, I have a conference call in five minutes."

"Love you."

"Love you too baby, and remember, call me if you need anything."

"Promise. Christian I have to go, Kate is here."

Kate is standing awkwardly at the entrance of the great room. I have to admit that I have to get used to this Kate. She look different then the last time I saw her before she left to New York. She is glowing.

"Kate come in please." I say walking towards her and taking her in a hug. "You look so beautiful Kate, this pregnancy suits you." I whisper in her ear.

"Thank you Ana."

After making small talk to Kate I notice that she isn't her actual self. The atmosphere in the room is charged and I think she is afraid of saying or doing something wrong.

Taking a deep breath of air I decide to address the elephant in the room. But before I have the chance to speak, Kate beats me to it.

"Ana, I know that we didn't part on the best way a month ago, but I would like to give our friendship another chance. I know that I didn't behave like a true friend for the last year and that I don't even deserve your friendship, but I'm truly sorry…about everything. Can we have a fresh start… please?"

The tears are brimming in her eyes and her hands are clasped tightly together in her lap.

"Look Kate, I don't want to rehash everything that happened this last year, because frankly, I don't even want to think about those things. As for our friendship, I would like to pick up where we left, everybody makes mistakes." I take a another deep breath and go to sit beside her and take her hand in mine. "As my friend I want you to tell me how you feel or how you think about certain things, but treat me with respect. And as for Christian. I love him. I'm going to marry him, so if you think you can't deal with him…"

She squeezes my hands and sniffs.

"I was completely out of line in saying those horrible things about Christian. I know that you are a good judge of character and that you wouldn't stay with him if he treated you badly…I'm truly happy that you have found your happiness with him."

She wraps her hands around me and then squeals in my ear. "OMG Steele! You are getting married!"

"I know, oh my God Kate, I know…I'm so excited you know…"

"Where is Christian now?" She says looking in the direction of the hallway.

"You can relax Kate, he is in New York for business."

"So tell me how have you been doing and more importantly how are you feeling now that you are going to be a mommy?"

"To be honest, the first week in New York was horrible. The only thing I did was cry. Then I started thinking about what you told me and I decided to call Greg."

"What did he say?"

"The first thing he asked me was if I was sure that this child was his."

"Oh Kate."

"Ana, I had that coming. Really, I wasn't even surprised by his question. Anyway, we talked for a while and then he came to visit me in New York. We talked and he asked me what my expectations where. I told him that I had no expectations what so ever, but that I already had decided to keep the baby and that I called him because I thought he had the right to know."

She takes a sip of her orange juice and stares a long time at the glass in her hand.

"He called me back after a few days and told me that he wanted to be a part of this child's life, to make a long story short…I decided to move back to Seattle. I'm looking for a job right now. I had a job interview the other day, but the moment I tell them I'm pregnant…" she leaves the words hanging in the air and just stares at me.

"Where are you living right now?" I ask.

"With Ethan in our old apartment."

I nod and think of a way to help her.

"Kate, I don't know if you know, but I am the new owner of SIP. My editor-chief resigned this afternoon, and I'm looking for someone who I can trust. I know it has never been your ambition to work in a publishing house, but I would like to offer you this job. What do you think? I will be your boss, so if you are able to handle that…the job is yours." I shrug and look everywhere but at Kate.

"Do you mean that Ana?"

"Yes, of course I mean that."

"Thank you…I promise I won't let you down."

"So that's a yes?" I ask just to be sure.

"Oh that's definitely a yes!"

"Why don't you come tomorrow to my office? I will introduce you to Mike Veninga, who is my second in command and we can get this ball rolling."

The hours fly by as we catch each about everything that has happened in the past weeks. And when we say our goodbyes and I see the elevator door closing I can only think that I'm glad in having my friend back in my life.