A/N Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. After this we are going to do a quick time jump but we had to take care of a little business first. Enjoy.

Chapter 47

The second Christian closes the door to go on his run, I throw the blankets off of me and sit up on the side of the bed. I can't for the life of me begin to guess what my mother wants right now and I have to admit to myself that a small part of me hopes it is because she rushed here to be supportive and help me get through the planning of this wedding. The rational side of me knows not to get my hopes up too high. I can't even begin to count the number of times she has let me down in the past. Even if she is here to play Mommy, I really don't think I could trust her. I mean she has already run to the press a couple of times and did tell me she was going to kidnap me and take me away from Christian.

I stretch and then begin to pace the floor. I imagine every possible scenario which is only causing my anxiety to rise. I feel a bubbling up of anger towards Christian for needing a run first rather than just getting this over with but I tamp that down. If the situation was reversed I know damn well that I would want to hit a few things first. I put the phrase, it is not Christian's fault that my own mother is a lunatic, on repeat in my head. I am determined not to lash out at the wrong person.

I swing the door open to the massive closet and step inside. I stare at all my clothes. What do you wear when your nutty mother shows up? I wonder aloud to myself and jump when I hear a response.

"Whatever you damn well please." Gail says with her hands on her hips, standing at the doorway with a look that says she is as confused and upset as I am.

My hands still over my heart, I double over. "Gail, you just scared the hell out of me."

"Sorry dear. I came over because Taylor told me what is happening and I thought you might need a kind ear and some moral support." she tells me with a small smile. "I offered to go down there and kick her ass but I was told I wasn't allowed in my current condition." I giggle because Gail did a bang up impression of Christian when she said in my current condition.

Gail pulls down a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt with a metal band featured on it and a pretty lime green designer dress and I watch her curiously. Aside from a ball gown, she couldn't have picked two outfits from opposite ends of the spectrum. " I haven't worn that t-shirt in years." I observe.

Gail nods her head, "This is what you were wearing the very first time we met." she points out holding up the hand holding the jeans and t-shirt. "If you wear this, it would show your mother that you haven't changed. All this…" as she waves her hand around as if pointing out the drastic change in lifestyle being the fiance of a billionaire brings, "hasn't changed who you are in your heart, which is hasn't."

I nod slowly, seeing where this is going. "But the dress, that would show her that I have grown up in more ways than one."

Gail holds up the dress. "This dress, while pretty is also a show of power. It isn't a dainty dress that shows off your curves. It is meant for power meetings. And it costs an arm and a leg so in a large way it would show off your newly acquired stature. The choice is yours, and there would be good reasons to wear either one of these.' she surmises.

I look back and forth between them for a long minute before reaching for the jeans and t-shirt. If my mother is here for a payday, and a large part of me suspects that is the reason, the last thing I want to do is throw the look of money in her direction. Gail gives me a knowing smile at my choice.

"Thank you for coming Gail. You are right, I did need some help. I sent Christian on a run before we went to see my mother but then I found myself frustrated that I couldn't just get it over with. Did Taylor tell you what she wants?"

Gail raises an eyebrow at me. "He did, but you know I can't betray confidence but beyond that, the only one who really knows what her motives are is your mother. Even if I were to tell you what Taylor said doesn't mean that it is going to show to be true. I think it is best if you figure that out for yourself."

I growl in frustration. Not at anyone in particular, and especially not at Gail but I can think of a million other things I would rather be doing right now than worrying about my mothers purpose for showing up unannounced.

We both sit down on the bed and Gail runs her nails lightly up and down my back to soothe me. "I see the doctor this afternoon. I am hoping he will give me the all clear to come back to work and to go to Vegas with you to celebrate. Even better, Taylor told me he is going to Vegas too so maybe we can arrange some private time with our men."

I am on to Gail's distraction technique but I can't help getting a little excited at the thought of some fun coming in the near future. The wedding is only a month away so the trip can't be too far off in the distance. "I am already on it. Thankfully the Maid of Honor and the Best Man are a couple and I am sure will be all too ready to agree to some private time set in amongst the festivities. I do hope that you will be able to come. Tell your doctor that I will personally see that you get plenty of downtime and that I won't let you overdo it."

She pats my hand and gets up as Christian enters the bedroom. "I will tell him. Thank you Ana. I think you have the best moral support from here so I will see you later."

As she slinks out of the room, Christian saunters over to me and kisses me softly on the cheek. "Do you want to take a quick shower with me before we go downstairs?" He wiggles his eyebrows telling me he has more than a shower on his mind but the last thing I want to do right now is have sex.

"Shower only, yes. If that is going to be a problem I can shower when we come back upstairs." I confess honestly.

A look of disappointment crosses his face but then he nods his understanding that I am not saying never, just not right now. He kisses me one more time. "Shower later. I'll be quick."

I shake my head at his disappearing form going into the bathroom and slide off my bathrobe to get dressed. When Christian comes out of the bathroom he finds me combing my long locks. Getting frustrated I pick up a hair tie and throw it into a pony tail before turning around and noticing that he is still staring at me with a look of confusion. "What?" I ask when he doesn't stop.

"Why are you wearing clothes that look like they came from one of those thrift stores?" He asks. "You have a closet full of nice things, I see to that."

Quickly realizing what he is trying to say I try to head him off. "This outfit was bought at Walmart, I will have you know and it is strategic. I'll change later." I know that one thing Christian prides himself on is the fact that he and those closest to him can be dressed nicely on his dime. I am pretty sure it comes from his years of neglect before he was loved by the Grey's but I have a hard time buying that he wasn't well dressed from that point on in his life.

He shakes his head. "You don't have to change if you don't want to but explain the strategy to me please."

As he gets dressed I explain to him that I don't want my mother to see money if her purpose for being here is for her personal financial gain but if her intentions are pure, in that she wants to find a way back into my life, she needs to see that I haven't changed. Christian listens to me intently. I picture that this is the way he must listen at his department head meetings. As he puts his second shoe on he nods his agreement with my reasoning. "That makes a lot of sense. Ready?"

I take a glance at the clock and see that only an hour has passed since I found out my mother graced us with her presence. "Ready as I will ever be." I take Christians hand and together we walk out of the bedroom to find Sullivan and three other security waiting on us. If they are all up here, who is with my mother?

"Good morning again Sir, good morning Ana. Mrs. and Mr. Adams are waiting down in the conference room with Taylor, Mr. Grey Senior and Welch." Sullivan greets us professionally.

"Mr. Adams?" I exclaim. "I didn't know he was here too."

Sullivan shrugged. "We knew he was here but he was waiting in the car. We had eyes on him the entire time as well as Seattle PD on alert. I think he got tired of waiting or concerned so he came into the building a few minutes ago to check on Mrs. Adams. That is actually a positive because we no longer believe the intent is to capture you since we were able to inspect both individuals and the vehicle and no weapons or devices have been found. If he was going to be a get away driver, he did an awful job of waiting and now we are in a better position to be in total control."

I release a breath I didn't know I was holding. No weapons. Thank goodness. Just them and me and if I am being honest, I have always had a sweet spot for Bob. After husband #3 he has been a stabilizing feature in my mothers life until recently when she has gone of the deep end, even if he is somewhat of a baby.

We step onto the elevator in silence. As usual, the little chimes go off as we pass each floor. Sullivan put the code in so it won't stop on any other floor until we reach our destination. Times like today I am especially grateful for those little extra security features. In no time, the elevator chimes loudly to announce we have reached the lobby. On this elevator there are two sets of doors. The ones that usually open to usher us to the parking garage remain closed and instead the ones in back of us open to the lobby of the building. The doorman greets us cheerfully.

"Good morning Mr. Grey, soon-to-be Mrs. Grey." He booms at us before greeting each of the security members by first name.

We nod at him but hearing him call me soon-to-be Mrs. Grey has me doing an excited little happy dance in my head and I give him a beaming smile despite the fact that I am feeling like I am being led to my execution.

We come to a closed set of double wooden doors. Christian leans over and whispers in my ear, "I can't wait until it is just Mrs. Grey. No matter what happens in this room, remember, I've got you. I love you. I'm here for you."

We allow Sullivan to open the doors for us and the room screams wealth and luxury. The walls are marble and in the middle is a large mahogany table that makes my mother and her husband look tiny. They are surrounded by security and Carrick is sitting to the right hand of Bob.

My mother's hand flies up to her mouth. "Ana," she gasps.

All the sudden all my insecurities leave me and instead I realize I have the upper hand. I straighten my back, pull back my shoulders and finish walking into the room with my newfound confidence. I am in control of this and I feel like I could roar. "Mother." I say flatly. I have no malice but I also am not vested in this. No matter how this goes today I will still win.

Carrick adjusts in his seat as I take mine next to my mother. "Bob." I acknowledge my step-father and he gives me a small wave and smile. Christian takes the seat beside me and Taylor discreetly as he can plants himself between me and my mother. Sullivan and one other block the only doors out of the room. When he leans over to tell the other guy something I notice that he is armed. My mothers widened eyes tell me she noticed the same thing.

The silence in the room is getting to me so I decide to cut to the chase. "Why are you here?"

She looks down ashamed. "Well, I had some visitors in Georgia. They came accusing me of wanting to hurt you and I don't want to hurt you but they said that I already did. I came to try to make amends."

"Mom, you realize that you broke my trust by talking to the reporters. Trusting someone like Elena, even though there was no way that it was Elena and then refusing to listen to reason. Let's just say that it is going to be a long road to rebuilding that trust." I tell her honestly while Christian draws circles on the inside of my hand he is holding under the table.

Carrick speaks up. "Mrs. Adams, speaking as Christian's father and Ana's father-in-law, you need to know that since the night you threatened to abduct Ana they have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on upgraded security measures. Their penthouse no longer feels bright and happy but more of prison. Do you remember speaking to me?" he says angrily.

Carla nods but then she squares her jaw. "Mr. Grey." she spits "of course I do. Do you know what is like being a mother finding out that your child. No, your daughter is in a relationship with a man who gets his rocks off beating the hell out of women? Let me tell you, it is a shock. And I raised her better than that. So pardon me for doing whatever in the hell I could to get her out of that situation and into one that was safe." she yells.

I roll my eyes and Christian nudges me with his shoulder. I'm not sure if it is for the eye rolling or to show solidarity so I nudge him back and smile at him choosing to believe it was showing solidarity.

Carrick slams his hands on the table. "The man you are talking about is my son. He is a good man. Whatever he and Anastasia decide they enjoy doing together behind closed doors in none of my concern but I can promise you that if Ana ever comes to me and says that she is being abused then I will do everything in my power to get her out of the situation. The same goes for my daughter Mia. While she will always be my little girl, whatever she decides to do behind closed doors with her partner Is. Not. My. Concern. Unless she asks for help. But let me tell you this. Anastasia has done more than her fair share of explaining that she is happy, that she is content, and that she is safe with my son and as long as she feels that way it is our job as parents to step back and allow our children to make their own decisions in their relationships." he states emphatically.

"Mom, look…" I start. "I understand that you could be unnerved by the press coverage. It wasn't even me and I was but I am old enough to make my own determinations about another persons character. I have been for a while now actually. What pissed me off is that you so willingly went and talked to the press like they were actually covering you if I am being completely honest. Not to mention, it isn't exactly like you were unaware of what BDSM is to begin with." I accuse and all the air exits the room.

My mother opens and shuts her mouth several times in an effort to speak but no words fall from her lips.

"Ray told me." I answer the unspoken question. "I understand you don't like it. You don't have to like it. But I am not you and even though Ray is not my biological father it turns out I am more like him than a little bit." I say defiantly before pulling my hand away from Christian so I can cross them across my chest.

After a minute of stunned silence my mother finally sputters, "Ray told you?"

I nod. "Everything. And I don't begrudge you for leaving him over it but you are not going to get in the way of my relationship with Christian. By the way, this is Christian. Does he look like a monster to you?" I demand pointing at my beautiful man.

To his credit he holds his hand out to my mother to shake which she does and then to Bob. "Nice to finally meet you." he tells them sincerely which is way nicer than I would have been had our roles been reversed. I might have killed them already.

My mother studies Christian for a moment before agreeing. "No, he doesn't seem like a monster in person. But in the video, yes. Yes, he seemed like a monster. It reminded me of Richard."

"Richard?" Christian asks.

"My third husband. Richard Morton" My mother confirms and I can feel Christian making a mental note in his head of the name. "I thought he was wonderful. While Ray was proposing spicing things up in the bedroom with belts and ropes, Richard was wooing me with lavish jewelry and gifts. Giving me pie in the sky hopes and dreams. He had money but he was the devil in live form. I had an affair. I made a bad decision. He treated me badly but Ana worse and I vowed never to let either of us get in a situation like that again."

I shiver at the mention of the name Richard Morton. He was an abusive creep that tried to molest me. Thankfully Ray taught me what to do and I was able to convince my mother that I needed to go live with Ray. We haven't actually ever spoken about the man and what happened between the time she put on the plane and her leaving.

"I am not in a #3 situation mom." I say with frustration. "And should I find myself in a #3 situation, I will leave just as I did the last time but it won't be because of Christian."

I look up and notice all the extra ears in the room for the first time. I look at them all one by one. "Cover your ears!" I demand loudly to everyone except my mother and Christian. If she wants some truth, I am about to give her some truth.

Once everyone covers their ears to my satisfaction I lean over and say very softly. "Mom, Christian and I are switches. Sometimes he dominates me, sometimes I dominate him and other times no one dominates anyone."

I take a lot of satisfaction watching my mother absorb the new information. "You beat him?" she questions.

"Beating is a strong word, mother. I prefer spanking." I tell her and feel a small amount of vindication as I lean back in the seat with a smug grin. When I glance over at Christian I notice the tips of his ears are red in embarrassment but it is only fair since I had to explain the nature of our relationship to his parents the least he can do is deal with me explaining it to mine. I signal everyone that they can remove their hands from their ears and notice that Taylor never followed my direction. I would be mad but it is his job and he allowed me to at least keep some of my modesty with the others.

Bob speaks up for the first time. "Ana, I promise I tried to talk some sense into your mother but she really only had your best interest at heart. The person who called her really spooked her. They told her that you were being left tied up for days and your life was in danger. Then you called to say you were engaged and lets just say, your mother was mad with worry about you."

Dear Bob, always trying to smooth things over. He doesn't like when things are confrontational and while this meeting could be going so much worse, it is a bit tense in here. "Bob, my mother couldn't make it to my college graduation because you sprained your ankle. She hasn't exactly shown me that she cares that much."

Bob looks at me with confusion before looking at my mother. "I never sprained my ankle and even if I did, why would that keep you from such a momentous moment in your daughters life?" he asks her and my mother looks like if she could be anywhere but here, she would be.

"Yes mother, why would you miss my graduation if you weren't taking care of Bob?" I demand. I was devastated when my mother told me she couldn't make my graduation. I worked so hard to graduate at the top of my class.

My mother wrings her hands together. "Well, you know Bob is in real estate and your graduation was at the height of the recession. I couldn't afford the plane ticket because we had other bills to pay and I was embarrassed to admit that to you because I know you were relieved that we were financially independent from you." she admits softly.

Bob looks at my mother as if he hasn't seen her before. "Damn it Carla. If I had known I would have begged, borrowed, or stole the money so you could watch your girl walk across the stage and get her diploma. I always wondered why once she graduated she was suddenly more aloof with me but it was because she thought she didn't matter as much as I do in your eyes."

Bingo Bob, you nailed that one. It is completely true that I thought you were a big baby that couldn't take care of himself for a couple of days while on crutches.

Bob looks at Christian alarmed. "We aren't here to ask for money. I'm doing much better. I have a large savings so if another recession hits I won't be caught with my pants down again." he tells him.

Christian gives him a half grin. "That's a relief to me because I was prepared to write a large check in exchange for leaving us along for the rest of our lives but I know that Ana deserves to have her mother in her life."

My mother looks up, shocked. "We didn't come here for money. I came here to try to heal the relationship I have with my only daughter who is getting married a short time from now." she says emphatically and I am more relieved to hear that then a little bit even though it will probably take years to get back to a good place.

"You do realize that I can't bring you upstairs to our home, right? You threatened to abduct me and I do not wish to be taken away." I tell her honestlly.

My mom looks at me sadly. "I suppose I deserve that."

"You do." I agree. "I actually had to leave for nearly a week so they could do a complete security overhaul. I can't risk you looking for more cracks. It's bad enough that most of the windows are now covered and we can no longer enjoy the beautiful Seattle skyline."

"I'm sorry, Ana." is my mothers only response to that. The sad thing is as much as I want to believe her, I can't fully.

"The wedding isn't for another month. How long do you plan on staying?" I ask because I have to know.

My mother looks down at the table sadly so Bob answers for her. "We leave tomorrow. I convinced your mother that she had to come and make this right but we knew that what she had done will take time to smooth over and we didn't want to be in your hair too long. Your mother wants to help you make wedding plans but I told her you probably wouldn't let her."

"Well, you are right on that Bob. Mom, look. If we can continue to make positive steps you may receive an invitation to the wedding but since you spoke so freely to the press I can't trust that you will keep the details private which is important to us. I will tell you this, keep your weekends free for the next ten weeks or so. If I decide to invite you we will send a plane and a member of our security. Have a bag packed so there won't be a delay. You will be brought right to the ceremony and stay for the reception but I won't allow either of you to have your phone or a camera because we will be the ones to do the press release once we are married. If you get to the eleventh weekend, then know we decided not to invite you but you will probably have seen the statement by then and already know. That is the best I can do for now." I tell her as honestly and sincerely as I can even though it is shattering my heart in a million pieces to say.

Then I realize I haven't run any of that by Christian who is staring at me gobsmacked. "Is that okay?"

Christian nods. "If I can't send the plane, we will at least send someone with airline tickets." he confirms. "I won't know if the plane is available until closer to the date. I might have to send a team to Japan about that time. It is still up in the air. The only thing not up in the air is the fact that I will not be going." He explains.

Ah, makes sense. I make a note to ask him more about the business later. As his wife, it would behoove me to know more about the business. At least that way I can be more understanding.

My mother looks heartbroken. "I always pictured myself helping you plan your wedding. Finding the perfect dress, nailing down a caterer." She laments.

"You always told me that the best way to judge a persons future behavior is by looking at their past behavior and in this case, I can't chance it. I'm sorry mom. But the dress is bought, the caterer has been found, the flowers selected. There really isn't much more to do. Just be happy I am considering inviting you and take that as a small win. But if you do come, you have to leave Ray and his fiance Melissa alone. That will also play a part in whether or not you come because they have supported us from the start and I don't want them to be made to feel uncomfortable."

Bob stands up which makes everyone come on guard. "I do believe that is fair. Thank you Ana and Christian for your time. Thank you Mr. Grey." he directs towards Carrick. "Carla, I think it is best if we leave them be." Then he turns to Taylor. "I know you have security following us while we are here. We will be sightseeing for the rest of the day and our flight leaves early tomorrow morning."

Taylor looks surprised to get the information. "Thank you sir. That does help my team."

Christian must be in his feelings because he offers them dinner reservations at the Mile High Club which Bob readily accepts. My mother on the other hand still looks lost but gets up and follows her husband and a member of our security out.

The rest of us wait in the conference room until we receive word that they have left and gotten a significant distance away from the building. I know security is going to be tightened until word comes that they are on the plane headed back to Savannah.

"That went better than I thought it would." Christian breaks the ice of silence in the room once they have left.

I laugh nervously. "I couldn't get a good read on my mother." I admit sadly. "I want to believe her but she has done so much lying that it is hard to trust a word coming out of her mouth."

Carrick gets up from his chair and comes around the table to hug me. "You know we already think of you as one of our own daughters. No matter your decision, we will support you." he assures me before heaping praise on his son for keeping his cool. "I know that couldn't have been easy." he offers.

Carrick pauses and shakes his head. His adams apple bobbing several times before he speaks again. "I meant what I said. But this goes for either of you. If either one of you feels like a line has been crossed into abuse, that your boundaries aren't respected please know you can come to us and we will help you find a way out."

By the way Carrick is sputtering and turning red I also start blushing realizing that he heard what I told my mother about switching.

Christian quickly comes to my defense. "Dad, I love you but you really don't have anything to worry about. Ana and I are working on our relationship and communicating and I promise you, I don't feel abused. I think I am safe to speak for her in saying she doesn't feel abused either." They both look at me and I shake my head in agreement. "I don't expect you will ever fully understand what makes us tick but we promise that if things ever feel like we are on an uneven playing field we will come and ask for help. Just don't lose your mind waiting because we don't think that day will ever come. Okay?"

Carrick starts dancing in his spot. "Okay. Glad to hear it. I would just be remiss if I didn't say it. Seeing as you didn't come to us earlier about Elena."

I give Carrick another hug. "Thank you for coming and supporting us with seeing my mother." I gush my appreciation.

Carrick holds me at arms length. "After speaking to her that night, there was no way I wouldn't have been here. I had to meet her." he jests.

Christian tells his father his good byes and before I know it we are back upstairs. Security has largely scattered but I know they aren't far. They are watching stairwells and surveillance and such. For the first time since early this morning, we are finally alone.

"Penny for your thoughts." Christian asks me as I sit at the breakfast bar silently.

He is probably going to be terribly disappointed that my only thoughts at the moment are marveling at the waves of gray flowing through the white marble of the countertops. I am actually feeling kind of numb. I truly expected my mother to be alone and asking for money. That wasn't the case. I also expected to have her try to convince me to leave Christian. And I didn't ask but am now so curious. Who visited her and told her that her actions were hurting me.

"We haven't eaten today." I observe but with no motivation to do anything about it.

Christian enters the kitchen and opens the fridge and starts to pull out the makings for a sandwich. I watch him navigate the kitchen on his own and he is so sexy. He looks at me, trying to make heads or tails of my watching his every move. "Do you want ham or turkey?" he asks with concern.

"Surprise me." I answer to get a laugh from him.

"It will be hard to surprise you with your watching my every move with those smoldering eyes." He jokes back.

He has got me there. He closes the door to his oversized, stainless steel dream of a refrigerator and proceeds to slather mayonnaise on the french bread carefully constructing a sandwich Gail would be proud of.

"Gail needs to come back to work." I blurt out of nowhere and Christian looks up alarmed.

He shakes his head no. "Not until the doctor says she is healthy enough to come back will she lift a single finger. I don't want her overtaxed." He says decisively. "If you need help with cooking and cleaning I can call the service to get someone sent over."

I sigh. "No. I don't need help. Gail is losing her mind going stir crazy. Even if it is just doing something small I think it would do her good to do something. She doesn't have to come back full time or even every day. Just something to show her we still need her around here." I clarify. I did promise her I would talk to Christian about it just yesterday.

Christian studies me for a second before going back to his sandwich artistry. The care he is taking into making a simple sandwich is actually admirable. I know it is one skill in the kitchen because he has regaled me in stories about the times he was left to his own devices for foraging for meals between subs. This is the first time I am actually watching the man in action. "I will talk to her and Taylor tonight. I don't want want her to lose her mind, I just want her to get better."

I know in his big heart that is why he has kept her out of the big penthouse but I also know she is feeling isolated. It is probably why she was so quick to come help me this morning. I have already forgiven her for her behavior in Aspen but I am not so sure Christian has even though he would be devastated to lose her. It is probably easier to focus on that problem than the one we have.

"We see Dr. Simmons tonight. Did you do your homework yet?" I question satisfied that I at least got the ball rolling to get Gail at least a little consideration.

Christian presents me with a turkey sub proudly. "Yes we do and yes I did. But to address the elephant in the room, we are still getting married on the date we planned, right?"

If he wasn't on the other side of counter and breakfast bar I would jump into his arms. He looks so lost and I feel guilty for making him feel this way. "Yes. I am assuming you still want to marry me and I know I still want to marry you." I assure him.

His shoulders sag in relief. "Of course I still want to marry you. You are the love of my life."

I award him with a smile. "Premarital counseling is just teaching us how to be the best partner to each other going forward. Try not to think of it like an college exam you have to pass to get your degree. It is serious work because we are building a solid foundation for our future but it isn't so serious that you are going to lose me. Okay." I try to reassure him. I know I dictated a lot of demands and held our marriage over his head and I regret that because it has brought out his insecurities which absolutely makes me feel like an awful human being. If I have learned one thing through this experience it is to think about things from his point of view also. "I love you too. More than I ever thought was possible to love another human."

I take a bite of my sandwich and it hits me that he instinctively knew that I wasn't up to the task of preparing anything to eat and he took over. The yin to my yang. If there was ever a way to show love, he just did. It isn't just words, it is in the actions. I feel his love in this sandwich which until this very moment I would have thought was the corniest thing ever but couldn't be more real. "This sandwich is delicious. Thank you." I tell him.

He comes and sits beside me at the breakfast bar with his. "Your very welcome my darling. No starvation under my watch."

We arrive at Dr. Simmons precisely at six o'clock as per our appointment. Security advised us that my mother and her current husband were dining at Mile High and seemed to be very happy with their meals. I don't think it was a coincidence that Christian made their reservation for 5:30 this evening and told his staff that they were VIP's. Afterwards he got them reservations for a hard to get show that I know they will enjoy. He is making sure that they are occupied while we are out of the penthouse and I appreciate that.

Dr. Simmons welcomes us into her office and we immediately get down to serious business this time. She is pleased we both did our homework as she asked but I can tell she is somewhat surprised by it.

"Sometimes my most difficult clients are the ones with the most means." she explains. "They think that having money insulates them from having to do the hard word of self reflection. I am really happy to see that isn't the case here."

I go first and read my list of things that make me lovable. It is a bit embarrassing and again feels very narcissistic to me but I am trusting the doctor to lead us down the right path.

"Christian. What do you think of Ana's list" she asks casually.

Christian shifts his body now that he is on the hot seat. "Well, I agree with her list but she left a few things off that I would have added." he answers.

Dr. Simmons nods in agreement. "That is why one of your next homework assignments will be to make a list of things you love about each other. It will feel a lot easier than this one was but it is still important." she notes before prodding him. "Okay, Christian. It is your turn to read your list to Ana."

Christian clears his throat and draws a piece of paper out of his pocket. "First, I am rich." he starts and I nearly come out of my chair. While his status is important to him, it isn't nearly as important to me. I never aspired to be married to a billionaire. I always assumed I would fall for some guy in middle class and have a life similar to the one I was brought up in.

He continues. "Second, I can provide security." And my mind immediately turns to Taylor and Sullivan and the countless unnamed men who make up his security team even though I know his second reason is probably more related to his first reason.

"Third, I know what makes your body tick." he says and I feel my eyebrow raise along with the heat from the redness sure to give my impure thoughts away. He isn't lying there.

"Fourth reason, I am not half bad to look at." and I giggle. He isn't wrong and it probably helped the attraction at the beginning but at this point it isn't about appearance. He could be the Beast and I would still love him. His good looks are superficial at this point. I am in deep.

"Fifth, I am intelligent." Yep. That is true. He goes on, "Sixth, I am loyal." Some of his employees he has fired might have a bone to pick with that but I know that to be true too. It has been both a blessing in that he is a one woman man but also a curse in that is the way that vile woman Elena kept her claws in him so long.

"Seventh, I can show you the world." I sigh. So back to being rich. "Eighth, I am passionate about things I care about." and I think of his extensive knowledge about wine, his late night piano playing, and how he wasn't so quick to fire Gail. Not to mention the amount of time he spent on making me a sandwich or his patience with my mother this morning which I know was out of respect for me. "And last but not least. Reason number nine, "I can deal. I can compromise."

Dr. Simmons looks at me and I know what is coming before she can ask. "There are some things he left out." I acknowledge. Where was that he loves deeply, or that he takes care of those most important to him? Loyal sure but it is deeper than that. Where was the cute little faces he makes when he is thinking or the fact that he has many moods?

The doctor looks down at her notes and looks back up. "So trust was a major theme in our last session. I want to dig back into that now that you both have had a chance for personal reflection as to why you feel that you are lovable." Dr. Simmons states. "And while you both might have more of an idea of what makes you lovable despite any flaws next week you will hear what your partner thinks makes you lovable in addition to what you said but for now did understanding what you think might be reasons for sticking it out through good times and bad help your understanding of why the other might not be so quick to run out?" She asks and looks directly at me.

I nod. "Since I don't have as much to offer financially in our relationship," I start and then realize I really don't have much money at all so I backtrack. "I don't have a job and even the one I had could come close to what Christian makes in a day."

"In an hour." Christian interrupts and I snap my head in his direction with my chin nearly hitting the floor.

"What do you mean an hour?" I ask accusingly.

Christian looks like the cat who swallowed the canary. "I could have sworn I have told you how much I make before." he asserts.

I shake my head no. Maybe he has but if he has I have forgotten. "Refresh my memory, please."

"I would prefer to tell you in private."

I can understand him not wanting to put his financial business in front of another person so I agree. "Later then?"

He agrees. "Later."

So I return to my original answer. "Because I don't feel like I can contribute to the household financially, it makes me feel off kilter. Not in the sense that he controls me but in the sense that I don't have ownership in anything that he calls ours. We have talked about whether or not I will return to work now that I moved to Seattle but I didn't have any luck finding a job here the last time because the publishing market is so small, breaking in is difficult. Because I have to lean on him so much for all my needs, I feel guilty. It isn't so much of a lack of trust. I do trust him and he provides really well but I can't help but wonder what damage is being caused by my constant taking and no giving back." I confess straight from my heart.

Christian looks stunned for a minute. "It pleases me so much to be able to take care of you. That you aren't working or contributing isn't even a thought of mine because you don't have to at all. I could stop working tomorrow and we would be taken care of for the rest of lives so I don't want you to feel that way at all. You contribute in ways that money can't. There is truth to the saying that money can't buy happiness." Christian tries to reassure me.

"Dr. Simmons, could I have a slip of paper and a pen please?" he asks and when she hands it to him he writes on it and then passes it to me.

I read the note he wrote. Ana. I make around $100,000 an hour every hour of every day in interest and investments. Is what it says and I nearly pass out. How do you compete with that? But then I realize that in my asking for $50,000 in a bank account is like asking for half an hour salary. If he asked for half an hour of my salary he would get fourteen dollars and some cents. It really wasn't the money that spooked him. He was completely honest when he said it was the fear of me leaving him.

"I generally don't allow my clients to pass notes to one another." Dr. Simmons asserts.

I look up and crumple the paper in my hand and put it in my pocket. "He just told me his salary, that's all and I don't begrudge him for wanting to keep that information private." I defend Christian.

Dr. Simmons rocks back in her brown leather chair. She puts her hands up. "Okay, okay. Just don't make a habit of it."

I appreciate that she doesn't exactly back down but she knows when to back off.

Looking over to Christian I comment. "It really wasn't over the dollar amount then." I state matter-of-factly.

He shakes his head no at me.

"I don't have any intention of leaving you." I assure him. "I love you and my love for you isn't contingent on how much you have in your bank account. We went over this at our last session. I just don't want you to disappear on me."

Christian reaches for my hand. "I promise. I won't."

Dr. Simmons clasps her hands together. "Okay, so moving on. There are ups and down in marriage. There will come a day when you aren't very happy with one another for what could be a myriad of reasons. Let's talk about the ways that you can come back together and communicate your displeasure in a healthy way."

After a surprisingly brutal counselling session we arrive home worn out and wanting nothing more than to go to bed and get lost in one another. Unfortunately, Gail had other ideas and was sitting at the breakfast bar with a doctors note in her hand. I feel Christian's frustration by the intrusion but since Taylor was with us he accepts the letter from her and reads it.

"Gail, I still want you to rest." He admits. "But I realize that I might be the one being selfish here. Have you talked it over with your husband?" he says moving his head in Taylors direction while handing him the note to read.

"Well, no. You all had already left for your appointment by the time you got back." she admits shyly.

"If it is okay with him I will allow you to come back part time, no laundry or heavy lifting. And I am happy you will be coming to Vegas with us."

All eyes turn to Taylor waiting for him to weigh in. "I'm okay with it but if it is too much you need to say so." he tells her and gives her a kiss.

"Yay!" Gail cheers and we all laugh.