All rights belong to E. L. James; story line is mines as are any additional characters therein.


I am fucking pissed, I don't think I have ever felt this much rage; I feel livid. I wanted to rag that woman all over that apartment, especially when she flaunted the fact that Christian hangs on her every word; what's so special about her, I'm just as pretty, and if he would give me half a second of his time and attention he would know how nice I am. I'm a good person…

Yeah, you're just trying to convince a billionaire that you're carrying his child –which you aren't– and you're trying to split up a happy marriage – right, you are so super nice and such a good person. FYI that was sarcasm!

I head into my apartment and I just want to cry; this was supposed to work, it was supposed to be 'fool proof' now I'm going to be lumped with a kid that I don't fucking want without him. I am at a total loss for what to do, what do I do to win him over? I tried flaunting my submissive personality at him and it backfired big time. If that fucking Anastasia thinks she's going to be around to help care for our baby she has another thing coming. Once the baby is born, and is placed in his or her daddy's arms he'll be putty in my hands, we'll be holding and bonding with our baby and Ana will feel like the third wheel, the spare part and the soon to be 'ex-wife' I will find a way to make him mine, for good this time. I'll make sure of it…

Game on bitch, game-fucking-on!


Usually whenever Ana's parents visit, we collect them from the airport together, I am not ashamed to admit that I refused to go pick up Ray and Carla because I am a little terrified at Ray's reaction. Ana hasn't told her parents that we are back together and working on our marriage, they'll find out once they arrive I suppose. I'm not looking forward to the next few days at all, I know that I deserve whatever he says or does to me but it doesn't mean that I have to like it. My cell vibrates in front of me and I quickly pick it up and press it to my ear…

"Grey"

"Hi Mr Grey, its Welch sir… I've done some digging around, and tried to track Ms Anderson's movements from the night she left Escala to when she showed up at GP"

"What have you found?" I ask, desperate to have some information, something to back up our theories that Allyson is up to no good.

"Well here's the thing sir… Ms Anderson took the service elevator downstairs and left with the driver you hired to bring her to the city, and he drove her straight back to her apartment in Edmond, they didn't make any stops and he waited until she was safely inside before he left. This is where it gets strange sir… Ms Anderson used her credit card for some groceries the next day, but after that… I can't find anything, credit card transactions, bill payments, phone records… absolutely nothing for nearly seven months, until she popped back onto our radar when she purchased a new lease for an apartment in Pike Place Market, three weeks ago. I'm sorry sir but that's all I've got?" He sounds perplexed and genuinely confused, join the fucking club Welch! I sigh heavily and run my hands through my hair in frustration.

"Just keep digging, find something, she can't have fucking disappeared for seven fucking months Welch" I snap at him. "Why do I pay you so much fucking money? For fucking information, that's why" I yell!

"Yes Sir, I'll keep digging. I'll do a search to see if she has any other known aliases, hopefully I should have something to report back to you soon." He says, sounding contrite.

"Keep me informed" I say before ending the call. I rub my hands over my face repeatedly, trying to wipe away the frustration from not having any idea of what Allyson is trying to accomplish with this whole fucking situation.

"Daddy, why you yell?" Gracie asks, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Shit, she must have woken up because of my yelling.

"I'm sorry sweetie, did I waken you up?" I ask as I lift her onto my lap, she nods sleepily and snuggles into my chest.

"Do you want to go lay back down in your bed princess?" I ask, pressing my nose into her hair and inhaling her clean baby scent.

"No, I lay wif you daddy" I smooth her wild curls away from her face as I stand up, she still trails that god damn pink blanket that Kate bought for her when she was born. Ana say's that she'll throw it away eventually, but I'm not as optimistic – I remember one night not long after Gracie's second birthday, I had to attend some function in the city and instead of us being apart we decided to just stay at Escala overnight. I got a phone call halfway through the mind numbing, piss poor dinner from Ana, begging me to drive all the way back to the big house to get that god damned blanket – which was also when we named it, 'that god damned blanket'

"How about, we go downstairs and lay on the couch with your blankie while we watch cartoons?" I ask, whilst rubbing her back and kissing her hair.

"Otay daddy, we do that! Is baby Liv still seepy?"

"Yeah, Olivia's still asleep sweetie. Would you like some breakfast just now?" Gracie has such a good appetite, unlike her mother.

"No, we get breakfast later, my tummy still seepy daddy" I quietly chuckle at her cuteness. I grab Olivia's monitor and head downstairs with Grace and plonk her on the sofa then switch on the cartoon channel. She crawls onto my lap and snuggles her little hand on the collar off my shirt and it's not long until she is curled into me, sound asleep.

"I love you Gracie pie, even though grandpa is going to kill me"


I'm standing waiting at the gate for my mom and dad, my stomach is in a pile of knots, mostly because I'm worried about their reaction of Christian and I working on our marriage. Plus the fact of Allyson and her baby, all I need is for Ray to find out about that; I'll never see Christian again.

People finally start filling out of the terminal and eventually I spot them. Ray gets to me first and picks me up into a massive bear hug

"Annie, I've missed you so much honey" I squeeze my dad even tighter and kiss his cheek.

"I've missed you too dad!"

"Ana come here baby!" My mom gushes at me, pulling me from my father's embrace into her own.

"I've missed you mom, it's so good to see you" I feel myself getting a little teary.

"So, where are the kids? I want to see my grandbabies!"

"Oh, they're at the house, it was too early to bring them with me"

"Well, let's get our bags and head to your mansion" I shake my head at my mother. She always has to mention the size of my house. I am nervous about telling them that Christian and I are back together, I figure it's probably better to just let them figure it out for themselves.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that… you might just end up believing it! Snarky bitch!

We pile into the car and I send a quick text to Christian,

'On our way back from the airport, no matter what happens over the next few days, know that I love you, and that's all that matters. – A. xx'

'I know baby, don't stress yourself about me, everything will be just fine and I love you too. – C xo'

On the ride back to the big house, we mostly talk about the kids, what they've been up to and stuff, keeping on safe topics of conversation only… thank god!

"So, how's Olivia? Is she talking more – what's her personality like?" My mom asks, and I can't help the face splitting grin that comes over me whenever I think about my baby.

"She's wonderful, yeah she's talking a little… her first word was 'Da' and for ages she just refused to say anything that resembled an 'm' sound!" I giggle nervously when my father snorts.

"So what's her character like, is she anything like Gracie?" I shake my head quickly.

"Oh good god no, one Gracie is enough for me thanks very much! She's quite giggly, she's a happy baby she went through a phase where she was trying to test my will on weaning her. That was difficult, it's still difficult. I liked having that special bond with her but I stopped nursing Ted and Grace when they turned six months old, whereas Olivia is now eight months and still sometimes manages to get me to relent and nurse her – especially when she was teething. That was hell!"

"Ana honey, each child is completely different, just because Ted and Gracie were ready to stop nursing at six months doesn't mean that Olivia is ready just yet"

"I know she doesn't get anything from me during the day, just at night when I'm trying to get her to go to sleep. If she doesn't get her own way, that's when she has her little temper tantrums and starts clawing at me" I suddenly remember that we're not alone in the car and I steal a glance in my rear view mirror and even dad's ears are blazing red.

Shit! Oh well, you've just discussed in great detail how your daughter 'claws' at your breasts.

"So, how's your love life? I saw the pictures of you online with some ob/gyn. He was hot Ana, are you guys getting serious?" My mom raises her eyebrows at me suggestively.

Great, first your breasts are a topic of conversation and now apparently your sex life.

"My love life is great, and no Richard and I met at some club Kate and Elliot dragged me to that night, then we met up, and had dinner the next night and I haven't seen him since. He was nice and stuff but he just wasn't right for me mom" I keep my gaze firmly on the road because I know that my mom is now curious by my answer.

"So you've met someone else then, because you said you're love life 'is great'?"

"No, I haven't met anyone else, good god have you been taking lessons on inquisition technique from Kate?" I snap at her. Her eyes widen and she raises her hands up in defeat.

"Okay, okay, don't get your panties in a knot. I just want you to be happy baby, especially after what that asshole did last year" I gulp at the venom in her tone and her lip curls in agitation, my mom is the most calm and peaceful person I know, so it's odd to see her reacting so aggressively, but I suppose I am her only baby and I know how I'd react if someone hurt any of my own kids.

"Your mother is right Ana, we both just want you to be happy" My dad says whilst meeting my eye in the rear view mirror.

I pull up in the driveway and turn off the ignition, my mom and dad go to get out of the car but I need to speak with them for a moment; I need to at least try and prepare them.

"Wait, I need to talk to you both about something"

"What is it Annie?" My dad asks and I can hear the apprehension laced in his deep voice.

"Remember how you both said that you just want me to be happy?" I ask in a tight, wavering voice.

"Yes, of course we do, that's all any parent wants for their child, right Ray?"

"Absolutely Carla, you deserve happiness baby girl" I nod and try to drag some semblance of a smile on my face, but I expect that it more resembles a tight grimace.

"Just, please try to remember that when we go inside…" I jump out of the car and head into the house before either of them can say anything back to me. I'm pretty sure, from my dad's thunderous expression that he knows who is waiting on us inside.

I walk into the family room and I'm floored by the cute sight that I see. Teddy looks up at me and puts his forefinger to his lips, signalling me to be quiet. Christian is still in his pyjama pants and t-shirt. He's asleep on the couch with Gracie snuggled up beside him, sucking on her thumb, gripping onto her blankie and Olivia is asleep on his chest. Teddy gets up quietly, he has an empty cereal bowl in front of him; with fruit loops scattered around the bowl on the floor.

"Good morning mom" He whispers, hugging me around the waist. I kiss his hair and run my hands through it.

"Good morning to you baby boy" I say as I kiss his hair again.

"Did you get breakfast by yourself?" I ask, slightly annoyed at Christian for falling asleep and leaving Ted to his own devices.

"No, I got to feed Olivia her oatmeal then dad helped me pour the milk for my cereal, and said that I could eat in here while we watched cartoons then they fell asleep"

"You're a very good boy Teddy, and such a great big brother. Guess who I picked up this morning?" I ask as I take his hand and lead him out of the family room, closing the door and take him into the kitchen.

"Poppa RAY" He shouts as he runs over to my dad and jumps into his lap, wrapping his arms around his neck.

"There's my Teddy bear, I swear you've grown half a foot since the last time I saw you!" Teddy's brow furrows and I immediately know what he's thinking and I stifle my giggle.

"Nope, I still only have two feet poppa, can you really grow more than two?" He asks quizzically, his eyes wide and fascinated by the possibility of having more than two feet and we burst into fits of laughter.

"No sweetie, Poppa means a foot in height because you're getting so tall"

"I'm going to be just as tall as dad when I grow up" Teddy says with a nod.

"Grandma CARLA!" Ted squeals when my mother walks into the kitchen. He leaps out of my dad's lap and throws his arms around my mom's waist.

"Hey cutie, oh good lord you look so much like your dad"

"Thank you grandma, I want to be just like my dad when I get big" He says smiling. I love my son so much.

"Are you going to be the next CEO of Grey Enterprise Holdings Teddy bear?"

"Yup, that's what dad always says too"

"Poppa Ray, can we go fishing in the lake while you're here?" He asks, excited.

"Sure sport, we'll figure some plans out because grandma and poppa will be here for a few days" My mom smiles at my dad and sometimes I wonder if she regrets her decision to divorce Ray, from what I remember, they were always so happy together.

"Where's the girls Ana? I'm so excited to see Olivia; I haven't seen her in such a long time, it's been what… three months?"

"They're in the family room with dad, you'll have to be quiet because they're all asleep" Ted says the last part in a whisper. My dad's eyes flash to mine and I can tell that he's angry, so is my mom.

"Ted, can you go upstairs and get dressed please baby? Remember to wash your face and brush your hair and teeth" I say as I kiss his forehead

"Yes Ma'am. Poppa, can we go out back later and I can show you my fort. There are no girls aloud in my fort, I have water balloons and if Grace comes anywhere near it… SPLAT!" He whispers to my father.

"Sure bud, I'm not sure that you should soak your little sister though? Can you go get dressed like mom asked, poppa and grandma have to talk to mom real quick" I gulp, why do I feel like a teenager that's just got caught making out with her boyfriend whilst babysitting? I'm a grown assed woman for god sake?

"Have something you'd like to share with us Annie?" He asks in a deathly quiet voice.

"Um, yeah so Christian and I are back together. We've been in couple's therapy and everything's getting back to where it should be" The words spill out of my voice so fast that they barely register what I've said.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but that sounded like you said you and Christian are back together" He shakes his head laughing, thinking that he misheard me.

"We're back together, you both said that you want me to be happy and he makes me happy okay?!" I say, getting irritated with this whole situation.

"Yeah, he makes you happy until the next time you catch him with some tramp!" He says using that incredulous tone and shaking his head.

"Dad, I know you are just trying to protect me, but this isn't your decision to make – my husband and I are working it out. Case closed" I cross my arms and scowl for added effect.

"The hell it is, if he'll cheat once he'll do it again" My dad yells.

"RAY! Enough, it's her decision. We may not agree with her but it's her choice"

"Ray, I can assure you that I won't hurt Anastasia ever again, you have my word"

"You also gave me your word when you asked for my permission to marry her, so your word doesn't mean shit to me!"

"Daddy, please stop this because it isn't helping anyone. I love him, that's never going to change" I look up at Christian's face and I can see the self-loathing bubbling just beneath the surface of his eyes.

"What I'm supposed to believe that he loves you Annie? Because when we had to fly out here to pick you up and put your shattered heart back together it sure didn't seem like he loved anyone but himself"

"Ray, enough! Can't you see what you're doing right now?" My mom try's to reason with him, but I think it's a lost cause; his reaction has gone way worse than I ever could have imagined. I just want to curl into a ball and cry.

"You're trying to tell me that you're okay with this Carla? After everything that HE" He points at Christian angrily "put her though, put the kids through, especially Olivia?"

"No Ray, I'm not okay with it but this, you arguing and losing your temper isn't helping anything or anyone!"

"What am I supposed to do Carla? Sit back and play happy fucking families with that jack ass? You need to send him back to wherever he fucking came from Annie, send him back to his whore"

"ENOUGH!" I roar, and throw the cup that I'm holding into the sink; it clatters noisily and smashes. "I am so fucking sick of people trying to tell me what's best for me, what I want and what I need. Just because YOU TWO didn't have the fucking guts to fight for each other, or for your marriage doesn't mean that we don't have to fight for ours. I will not let MY children live in a fucking multi-father family like I had to, because it sucked. So don't tell me what's best for me and our children because you are both god damned clueless" I leave the kitchen and storm upstairs, slamming the bedroom door for added emphasis to my point. I am shaking with temper, how dare they come into our home and try to tell me what's best for me? I get that they're mad at Christian, I honestly do but to bring up Olivia was just so out of line, I know how Christian feels about what happened with Olivia and he's probably sitting thinking that they're right! There's a small timid knock on the door and it slowly opens, I am ready to chew out whoever is on the other side and I whip my head around with an expression that could kill daisies and instantly rearrange my face when I see Ted standing, still in his pyjamas with such a sad, pained expression; he looks like Christian when he's sad.

"Mommy, please don't send daddy away again, please?" He has tears streaming down his face and I hold my arms out to him, he comes running into the room and anchors his little arms around my neck.

"I'm not sending daddy away baby. Shh it's alright Teddy bear" I say whilst I run my hand up and down his back, trying to soothe him and stem his tears.

"I don't like that daddy hurt you but we love him just the same. Please don't send him away like poppa wants you too, please because we all love him, right? Promise you won't send him away mommy, please?" My eyes water and I sit down on the end of the bed with Ted in my lap.

"Yes, we all love daddy baby, I love daddy lots and lots. I promise, I'm not sending daddy anywhere, I promise" I say as I kiss his temple over and over again. I pull a few tissues out of the box on the dresser and wipe away his tears. I really want to kill Ray right now, making me mad and upset is one thing, but hurting my son is another entirely. A few moments later Christian knocks on the door and I'm still sitting with Teddy in my arms rocking him back and forth.

"Ana, maybe it's better if I just go to Escala for the rest of their stay?"

"Daddy please don't go, mommy you promise, you promised that you wouldn't send him away?" Ted sobs into my neck, I try to contain my tears but it doesn't work, and they come rolling down my face anyway.

"Whoa, buddy. What's wrong?" Christian asks, panic stricken eyes flash to meet my own.

"He heard us arguing. He thinks I'm sending you away like poppa wants me to. I promised that I wouldn't because we don't want you to go, this is our home and we're happy here together, no matter what"

"Come here buddy?" Christian takes Ted into his arms and hugs him tightly.

"Listen son, remember what we talked about the other night, what you asked me about with the newspapers?" Christian asks in a soft and quiet voice and Teddy nods

"Well, Poppa Ray is still mad at daddy for that, because daddy hurt mommy a lot"

"But you said sorry, and Poppa Ray always says that when you say sorry you should be forgiven? You said sorry right dad?" Christian gives a sad chuckle.

"If only it was that simple son, it's going to take a little while longer for Poppa Ray to forgive dad, so we just need to be patient okay?"

"I love you dad"

"I love you too buddy"

"Christian, I'm going back down to talk to them, because if they can't straighten their shit out with you then they can just go check into a hotel"

"Ana, no you can't do that, they're your parents?"

"I know that Christian, but you're my husband and the father of my children and our children come first" I kiss him on the lips and kiss Ted's hair before going back downstairs to face the music. Gail is sitting with Olivia and Gracie in the living room and my mother and father are still sitting at the kitchen table

"I hope you're happy with yourself dad, Teddy is upstairs hysterically crying because he thinks that his daddy is getting sent away again. Are you going to at least be civil during your stay?" I ask, with my arms folded across my chest and a raised brow

"Fine, I'll be civil. I'm sorry for upsetting Teddy. It's just that we had to watch you Annie, you were completely broken hearted and seeing you like that hurt us"

"I get it dad, I really do but this is what's best for me and our family. I want to make this work with Christian"

"Okay, I understand – I'm sorry for freaking out at Christian, you'll understand when Gracie and Olivia get their hearts broken, and you'll do anything to make sure it never happens again" My dad places his hand over mines and gives me a gentle squeeze.

"You're right Ana, we were too scared to fight for each other, to fight for our marriage" I stare at my mother in shock, well this visit has sure started with a bang, here's hoping that this will be a pleasant experience from here on out.

At least you're optimistic, that's one thing! Oh boy, this is going to be one long visit.


Come on, how many of you want Allyson to show up whilst Ray & Carla are visiting? I hope this satisfies your craving for more C&A Susie style!

What kind of drama would you like Allyson to cause whilst they're visiting?

*Insert evil laugh here*

With Love…
-Susie. xoxo