The days passed quickly as Ana and Christian renewed their relationship. The twin beds were replaced by a massive king size bed with plenty of room for Bianca. Christian was disappointed that living with Ana had not transitioned as easily as he had hoped. He struggled to make his relationship with Ana priority number one. Unfortunately, GEH did not play along. Emergency phone calls, unending emails and late night video conferences soon had them drifting apart again. He wasn't there even forty eight hours before he was working for GEH 14 -16 hours a day. As quickly as they had reunited, they were slipping away from each other. Christian focused on GEH and Ana focused on her pregnancy.
One morning, after losing several pages of important work when the electric went out, Christian lost his temper. He was frustrated and furious. Yes, they had a back up generator and it had kicked in, but not in time to save the documents he had been working on. He went in search of Ana to complain only to find she wasn't even home. She had gone to a doctors appointment in Porto Viejo. Christian was irritated. He ranted and raved at everyone who was near, demanding to know why he hadn't been informed, only to be told he had ordered everyone to see that he was not disturbed for any reason. He wondered childishly why Ana hadn't mentioned the appointment; maybe she didn't want him to come? Well, too damn bad.
Ana returned from her appointment to a pissed off Christian.
"My office," he ordered.
Ana stared at him, laughed and ignored him, continuing on to their bedroom.
"Anastasia! We need to talk. I have issues. My office, now."
Ana stopped turned around and stared at him incredulously. "Are you serious? You honestly think you can talk to me like I am your employee who you are dissatisfied with? You have issues? What are you going to do? Write me up? If you think you have issues, I promise you, I have a lot more. Just a little heads up, Christian, if you think I plan to spend the rest of my life being ordered around and treated like an employee, when you remember I even exist, think again. I love you, Christian Grey I will never love anybody else, but don't EVER talk to me like I am a servant or an employee. If this is what our future is going to be, you working all day and half the night, ignoring me completely unless you have a hard on, talking down to me, well, if that's what it's going to be like, we need to cut our losses now."
Ana stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door. Prescott jumped in front of it before Christian could get there and he stood helplessly as he heard the lock turn. Christian sized Prescott up. She gave him an evil grin. "If you are thinking you can get past me, you better think again."
Reynolds was at his side then and Christian knew he had lost. "Sir, she's not supposed to be upset."
Christ! their How could he forget? What type of idiot was he? He stormed back into his office, and on seeing his laptop, he heaved it against the wall, watching with satisfaction as the glass shattered. Thirty minutes later a heavily perspiring Christian looked at the destruction of his office as the red haze of his anger faded. There was nothing left. He collapsed in a corner and noticed blood dripping on his hand. He wiped the sweat from hid forehead, smearing blood instead. It was then that he heard an enormous bang of his door, than another and then the door crashed open.
Reynolds shoved the demolished door out of the way and Ana came rushing to his side, shaking her head in dismay and carefully checking him for injuries. She had Reynolds take him to their bathroom, where Reynolds applied first aide to some scalp cuts, and a gash between his fingers one hand. The gash didn't need stitches, but he was going to have to rest the hand for a while to stop the bleeding. Reynolds ended up putting his arm in a sling.
Christian was quiet. He said nothing. If Reynolds asked him something, he answered in one word responses. Yes, no, go. Christian continued to sit on the toilet seat, mired in deep despair. Tears ran down his cheeks as he realized, once again, he had made a fool of himself and hurt Ana. Why did he do this?
That is how Ana found him. She said nothing, just nudged his arm up and guided him out to the bed. She got in and moved to the center, he got in and pulled her close. Neither spoke. They just held each other as they both cried, both afraid the other would say it was over.
Christian awoke to the sweet scent if Ana. It automatically relaxed him and aroused him at the same time.
"Down, boy. We need to talk. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
"I know you had to work long hard hours to establish your business. I understand that you enjoy working those hard hours and controlling your business, but your life is changing. You are about to become a father and hopefully, my husband. You can't tell me that a lot of the work you do couldn't be delegated to someone else. You don't want to delegate it because you are afraid of losing control. You are only one person and no matter how hard you try, you can only do so much work in a twenty four hour period. If you keep up the pace you are setting, you will be dead before you are forty. And you will be alone. Christian, you have to make changes."
Christian held her tighter, "I know. I discussed it with John. It's just stuff happens. I don't plan on it happening. "
"I thought when you came here, it would be different. I thought if you came here to see me, I would be the most important thing in your life. "
"You are the most important thing in my life. You are the most important person in my life. I want to make it right. I am sorry about before. I think I was in work mode."
"We need to do something about that. I have a suggestion that I want you to consider seriously. I want you to think about taking a year long sabbatical from work."
Christian immediately lifted his head and Ana felt his body tense.
"Don't answer me yes or no right now, but start thinking about it. If you are going to be working 16 hour days, seven days a week, there won't be any 'us' . You would never see your child, never experience his love. He would look at you like a stranger."
"Ana, that's ridiculous. You sound jealous."
"I am jealous. GEH gets all your attention. I get the leftovers. It's like she was your mistress."
"Ana! Really? That's absurd"
"Think about it Christian. I am the one carrying this child but I need to know you are right there beside me, ready to face whatever we have to face together"
"Ana, you know I am here for you, why do you say that?"
Ana turned over and faced him. " I told you three times I was going to Dr Gaby today."
"No, you didn't."
"Yes I did, but what I say isn't important to you, so you just said yes, of course you will go and then went back to your email."
Christian swung his feet to throw floor and sat up. "So let me understand this, because I missed a doctors appointment you want me to take a leave of absence from my business. Really Ana?"
"Don't twist my words Christian and don't make this any harder than it has to be. All I am asking you to do is to consider taking a leave of absence from your business so we can be together and find out what's really important."
"Fifteen billion and forty thousand employees is not important enough for you?" Christian growled harshly at Ana only to have Bianca suddenly snarl at him and then start barking. Prescott entered with her gun drawn, took one look at Ana's tear stained face, shook her sad sadly from side to side and calmly said, "Mr Grey, you need to leave. Miss Steele has had a long upsetting day and she needs to rest and get her blood pressure down."
An embarrassed Christian rose and quietly left the room, cursing himself for once against forgetting about Ana's medical issues.
Prescott got out her stethoscope and blood pressure cuff but before she put it on she asked Ana, "Why did Bianca bark? Did he threaten you physically Ana?"
"No, Prescott. He would never hit me. I can't imagine that."
"He has quite a temper."
"With objects, not with people. We were having an argument and it was getting heated and Bianca just suddenly decided to butt in."
"Smart dog. " Prescott unscrewed the pressure valve, releasing the air. "Ana, if I called Dr Gaby right now and told her what happened and that your blood pressure has leaped back up to 200/100, what do you think she would say?"
"Please, Prescott, please don't tell her. I'll do anything you want but please don't tell her," Ana implored, her eyes full of tears. "You don't understand him. He doesn't mean it."
"He may not mean it, but the results are the same."
"Prescott, please, you don't know him. He will get it right in the end, it just takes him a while. Ask Sawyer or Taylor. Jason knows him better than anyone. Please don't tell Dr Gaby. I'll stay in bed, I swear."
"You will have to. I'm bringing back the wheelchair. I will inform Mr Grey he will have to find somewhere else to sleep."
"Prescott, I need him. He calms me down."
Prescott rolled her eyes.
"You know he does."
Prescott smiled because it was true.
"Yes, he can make me crazy, but I love him and I need him. I don't want to be alone."
"Alright, Ana. You win. I'll go talk to him, maybe give him a little advice."
Ana giggled, "Thank you, Prescott. Please don't scare him too bad."
Prescott's eyes danced merrily while she grinned and replied, "I will try my best"
Ana wondered what best Prescott was talking about, hoping it wasn't anything too scary.
Christian knew he should be talking to Flynn, but he hated having to admit just how much he had fucked up. He stormed out of the house with Reynolds on his heels and headed for the stairs. Half way down the stairs to the beach, he abruptly stopped. He stood silently, looking out over the calm ocean, watching frigates soar on thermals. The sun was hot, but it felt good. Maybe Jason could help. Pulling out his phone, only to be interrupted by Reynolds.
"Sir, I'm sorry but you can't stand here, you present too big a target. You need to either sit on the step here or return to the house."
Christian swore and sat on the old worn wood step. "Is this satisfactory, Reynolds?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Now get the hell away from me."
Reynolds returned to the landing above Christian. Christian hit speed dial for Jason.
"Taylor." He answered gruffly.
"Hey, Jason. How's it going? How is everyone?"
"Sir. We are doing as well as can be expected. The boys made it through the first forty eight hours. Gabriel only lost a quarter of an ounce today so we are hopeful that tomorrow he will either hold his own or possibly gain a little. CJ is another story. He's down to one pound eight ounces and the doctors are concerned. They are doing tests later today."
Christian suddenly put himself in Jason's shoes and felt awful. He had no right to disturb him when the twins were so critical, but before he could try to end the call, Jason came right out and asked, "So sir, why are you calling?"
"Jason, I just wanted you and Gail to know if there is anything..."
"With all due respect sir, just tell me what's wrong. I have heard things are a little rocky,"
Christian smiled sadly, looking down at his phone and staring down at a photo of Ana and himself holding hands and looking deep into each others eyes.
"Sir, did you fuck up again?"
"Jason, I, shit, Jason. It's a big fucking mess. I'm not bothering you with this. I will call Flynn."
"Boss, I could use a distraction, and your fuck ups are always entertaining. Besides, you have me curious now. What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything." Christian replied in a defensive tone. "I was busy with work. Really busy and the harder I worked, the busier it got. Somewhere along the line, Ana requested me to accompany her on a doctors appointment. I honestly don't remember agreeing. I would have gone if I had known."
"Didn't security let you know she was leaving and where she was going?"
"No. I ordered them not to interrupt me for any reason"
"Bad move, Boss."
"When she came home, we had words."
"And?"
"She said she refuses to be treated like this, she wants me to take a one year sabbatical where we can cement our relationship and be together for the baby's first six months."
"What did you say?" Jason asked in a neutral tone.
"Jason, I can't do that. I have a fifteen billion dollar business with forty thousand employees, I can't just walk away from it on a whim from a pregnant woman."
"Boss, last month GEH made a healthy profit, and you were no where near it for three and a half weeks."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You are not stupid. You know what it means. You hire the best and only the best. You could take a year off and it would probably do everyone some good. You can't keep working 16 hour days and not have it take a toll on your health. Look at Bill Gates."
"He's way older than me."
"True, but he was just as involved in his business as you were. Like you, he worked day and night until he finally got to where it didn't need his constant supervision and input. Then he cut back. Way back."
"I'm not Bill Gates, Taylor. Please don't compare us"
"Well, you probably should be calling Flynn then. This sounds like it's a lot more about you and your control issues than it is about putting your company and people's jobs at risk. Ana doesn't care about money, you know that. She loves you. I know you know that, but if GEH is more important to you, let her go. Don't keep hurting her. if you really love her, for God sakes trust her! " Jason sighed. Christian painfully yanked his hair.
"The Doctor is here, I have to go sir. Let me know what you guys decide."
""Yeah, sure, Taylor. I'll talk to you."
"Okay sir, good bye."
For two hours, Christian sat on the weather beaten stairs, looking out at the ocean, talking on his phone. From time to time Reynolds offered him water, juice or sub sandwiches. At some point, Reynolds handed him sun block. Christian would learn later that the sun block came too late. He called Flynn and spoke at length. He called his father and, once again had a long conversation. He called Ros. It was short and , he turned back to the house and started up the rickety stairs.
"Reynolds! Why aren't these stairs repaired?" He asked.
"No one uses them sir. We have utility vehicles to get to the beach."
"Aren't these the stairs that Ana and Gail used?"
"Yes, sir."
"Am I using them right now?"
"Yes, sir."
"I want the stairs completely replaced and I want to speak with the engineer before he starts work."
"Yes, sir,"
"What time is dinner?"
"Six o'clock."
"Sir?" Reynolds started, a bit hesitantly, as he watched his boss stride across the great room heading toward the master bedroom.
"Sir!" Reynolds repeated, a bit more desperate.
Grey halted and turned his head, lifting one eyebrow.
"Sir, Prescott moved some of your things into the guest bedroom. If you want to get ready for dinner, you need to go there."
Christian felt his insides clench and turn. Was he too late? Without a flicker of emotion he turned and headed to the guest suite. He concentrated on not letting his emotions on display, but inside his whole world was falling apart. He entered the guest suite, shut the door and threw himself on the bed, letting the sobs come. When his out of control emotions finally subsided, he took a shower. Then he grabbed his phone and texted Ana.
"I trust you are feeling bettet?"
"A bit."
"Will I see you at dinner?"
"I don't know."
Christian tensed. "I have an answer for you."
"What is it?"
"Have dinner with me and I will tell you."
"I'm not in the mood for games."
"Good, because I have never been more serious."
"I'm not sure I can eat."
"Why?"
"My pressure only went down a little. It makes me nauseaus when it's high like this."
"Has the doctor been notified?"
"Yes, Prescott called and Dr Gaby is stopping by later."
"Prescott moved my things."
"I'm know. I am sorry. She thought you were upsetting me."
"She was right, wasn't she?"
"Why can't life be simple? We love each other more than life; why can't we just be together and be happy?" Ana started to cry then and Christian was pushing past A smirking Prescott seconds later.
He laid beside Ana and wrapped her in his arms, cooing softly in her ear, whispering reassurances until she fell asleep. As she slept peacefully in his arms, sleep claimed Christian as well.
They awoke two hours later, content and full of smiles. Ana decided to treasure every moment she had left with Christian. She had no doubt what his decision would be and no doubt she would be nursing a broken heart sooner rather than later. Christian wasn't the kind of person you could issue an ultimatum to; he would issue you one right back.
They held hands as they left the bedroom, only to have Prescott halt them and point to the wheelchair. Ana was furious and adamant she was not going to dinner in a wheelchair. However, she was not prepared when Christian's strong arms casually lifted her up and sat her down in the wheelchair, whisking her into dinner before she could ever end protest.
To her great surprise, Dr Gaby was there and very pleased to see her in the wheelchair.
"Ah, now I see what it takes for you to follow my orders, a strong, handsome man, no?"
Everyone laughed. Ana enjoyed a small bowl of chicken soup with barley and fresh vegetables along with a hunk of bread. She enjoyed the conversation. Christian was on his best behavior and most entertaining. Ana couldn't help feeling proud, when she heard Dr Gaby ask Christian how long he would be staying and he replied, "Forever, I hope."
Ana stared at her plate, "What about GEH?"
Christian reached over and grabbed her hand, "You and I, together, that's what is important. I'm taking a year off. Ros and someone from legal will be here in a few days to draw up the papers. My parents are coming as well."
"Your parents?" Ana questioned.
"Well, when I started to think about it, I realized, we have never told them about the baby."
"Oh my god! Your mother is going to be furious."
"No. My mother is going to be ecstatic that she is going to have a grandchild. You are going to be her favorite person."
"Is she going to be upset that I am five months pregnant and we put off getting married?"
Christian looked a little uncomfortable. "Ana, if I know my mom, she will be planning your wedding with you every minute that you are awake."
"Ugh! Did you have to tell me that?"
"Think of it this way, it could be worse. She could be bringing Mia."
"Oh, god. I will pray every day that your parents come alone. Being pregnant, planning a wedding you are not ready to plan and being with your over enthusiastic sister sounds like a recipe for disaster."
"It's all right, baby. Whatever life throws at us, we'll get through it because we are in this together, right?"
Ana nodded, as she blind ked away tears. "Together!" She whispered
