Thank you so much for the lovely reviews! I hope you like this chapter the same. Sorry, I made y'all wait an extra day, I forgot.

Moving on from the Kid

Anastasia didn't know when she had become one of those light sleepers that would wake up when her partner was no longer in bed, and wouldn't fall back to sleep. It had been happening so frequently lately that she hadn't slept past six as Christian would always head for his run around five—just so Taco wouldn't need to be on a leash as the streets would be practically empty.

Normally, she would debate on showering or making breakfast, but the more she thought about it every day, the more she thought it was pointless for her to shower now only to get under the water again once Christian arrived home. If she didn't have the desire for him to scrub her back, then she'd shower alone, but that desire just never waned.

So, breakfast it is.

"Yes, mom?" She walked out of the en suite bathroom after to find Christian flopping back down on their bed all sweaty and stinky with his phone pressed against his ear, a look of annoyance across his facial features. It was either she had gotten up later than usual or he had gotten up earlier, because the most she had done was wash her face.

Call her nosy, however, this greeting had got her full attention. Sauntering over, she sprawled her limbs out on top of him, unashamedly pressing her head near his so she could hear what was being said from the phone. If it wasn't for the fact that he wanted to keep her on his body, he would've gladly put the call on speaker.

Giving her a silent kiss as the both of them listened to Grace babble with disinterestedness.

It had been exactly a week since their impromptu trip to Montesano, and she could still remember the morning they return to Seattle, Christian demanded her parents to apologize or at least offer some sort of apology to mend her allegedly fragile heart. Her parents then asked for a private conversation, and Christian excused himself to pack their belongings.

After he left, her parents basically told her that the Greys were young and just starting out when they adopted their three children, so it was understandable that they were making a few mistakes here and there. Carla was strongly convinced that they didn't look past Christian's behavioral change on purpose, or at least that was what she and Ray were trying to use as an excuse so their daughter could get off of this case.

"So, they shouldn't have adopted such a troublesome kid in the first place! They clearly weren't ready!" Anastasia argued passionately. She glanced at the door from the patio at the back garden, it was left ajar and she prayed that Christian wasn't there, she didn't want to risk him misunderstanding her words.

"They wanted to start a family, and when is it ever a good time for kids and family? They were young and of age, so they think they're ready, but which couple didn't think that when they planned a pregnancy or an adoption? The reason why we didn't have more kids isn't only limited to the fact that we're too old to conceive, but more importantly because we believe that we didn't have the ability or the energy to deal with more than one adolescent at the same time."

"That doesn't give them the reason to neglect their children, especially one that came from such a complicated background! They just threw themselves back into building their own public profile once the adoption came through. Neither Elliot nor Mia felt that they were too involved in their childhood growing up, and they have far less issues than Christian."

"They were young, Ana."

"Their age doesn't excuse a mistake that lasted for six years!"

"I'm sure now that they're older and wiser, the Greys will want to do themselves justice by taking good care of Isaac."

The Steeles honestly weren't in favor of the Greys adopting Isaac, they thought the boy needed a completely new environment, but they knew better than to voice their opinion aloud, because it would just fall on deaf ears since they weren't anyone of importance; just like their daughter.

"I don't know why you're all so willing to hand the poor boy to a couple who clearly lacks parental skills."

"Did you think we had them when we raised you? Besides, your words don't count. Whether you are willing or not, Isaac goes where he's assigned to. You don't have the authority to dictate and you don't get to decide."

"It's not only about parental skills! They not only accuse me of spreading false rumors regarding their dear friend, but they were also quick to jump to the conclusion that their son, whether he was innocent or not, was going to destroy their celebrated careers. What kind of parents think about their own lives before of their children's?"

Carla and Ray couldn't agree more with their daughter's perception of the Greys, but it really wasn't their place to judge. At least not their place to act upon their judgments like Anastasia was trying to do at the moment.

"Whatever opinion you have of them shouldn't give you the right physically intervene with their decision making. I know you're concerned and worried about the child, but if you aren't the one adopting him, then there really isn't anything you can do. You need to stay out of it before you get yourself into a situation even more difficult to get out; if you get involved."

"Self-importance," she scoffed at her mother and huffed even louder when she noticed that Ray wasn't going to make a single comment—either to help with the situation or to further bring Carla's point home. They were only perhaps approximately ten years the Greys' senior, yet those experiences gathered from the decade seemed to provide much wiser insights into life.

Perhaps it was the decade that became their eyeopener to a grander view in regards to everything. Nonetheless, Anastasia couldn't fathom the reasoning behind the lectures that she had gotten. She thought Christian was the one receiving one, not her.

Either way, Anastasia had had enough. She wanted to end this discussion before they end on an even worse term. Right now, she knew that her parents were only really trying to help her see what was more sensible.

Christian appeared at the doorway just in time to inform her that they got everything loaded, including Taco. Sometimes, she wondered if he had put a hearing device on her or that he was actually lurking behind the door.

Christian had already gone back to work full time since the Monday after their return, and today they were scheduled to get her stitches removed. Her suture had healed ideally, the tiny rupture caused by Taco did very little damage to her healing process.

"Mom," he called dryly, heaving a mute sigh and shared an eye roll with Anastasia who had been huffing beside him ever since Grace started talking. "I don't know if you're saying all of this to me out of guilt or for whatever reason, but I can't help you. Anything about Isaac is out of my control. If, like you said according to the young boy that, he would like to return to Detroit and you'd be willing to move with him, then go to the police or the social workers. I honestly don't have any information regarding Isaac's case."

That was a bit of a lie.

They both knew exactly where Isaac was—at an orphanage because he refused all offers to be placed in a foster home. He was lucky enough to be given a choice.

"I'll be honest with you, Christian," Grace sounded desperate, however Anastasia couldn't muster a single emotion of pity for this woman. "We want to move out of Washington State and seek employment elsewhere."

"Are you two fired?" He couldn't keep the astonishment from his tone but he knew his reaction would have little difference no matter the answer. While Anastasia might have been taken the issue with the Greys a bit too personally but he was going to stick with her from now on. His parents had proven to be less loyal than this girl currently attempting to fight off sleep atop of him, and it wasn't going to get him anywhere if he stuck by them and their vanity.

"I am demoted, and any chance your father had to be elected for Washington State Attorney General has vanished."

"Oh," Christian acknowledged dully and flatly. He had expected this somewhat ever since the entirety of the sordid details of his life since his birth had been dug out and unveiled to the public, he knew that people wouldn't let his parents off the hook so easily. There would be people speculating what his family life was like, because there was no privacy when it came to the media and the press; even Anastasia's life was somewhat half-exposed.

"It might be time for us to head somewhere to start over."

Anastasia let out a snort uncontrollably. Coward. She thought, failing to realize that her reaction had been captured into the phone call; not that she would care too much either.

"Sorry, mom, Ana's asleep next to me," he winked at her as he made up the lamest excuse. "I can't talk much but just do whatever you and dad think is best." He was tempted to tell them that he had now learned their true colors and would no longer actively seek them out for any kind of help or support. In fact, he wouldn't mind not keeping them up-to-date with his life.

Granted, some might believe that he was a little harsh since they all did play a part in saving his company. However, that was too little, too late in his opinion.

Anastasia chuckled the minute the phone was chucked to somewhere tangling up with the sheets.

"Stop using me as an excuse," she smacked his chest playfully, unable to use too much force given the awkward position she was currently in.

"You are my priority. You come first all the time."

She scoffed but didn't comment. Instead, she clambered off of him and headed toward the bedroom door, preparing to resume the plan to make breakfast. It was still early.

His thought however was still reeling on his earlier comment about her being his priority. He couldn't help but reflect on the past four years that he had been through, even though Flynn had went through helped him make peace with his traumatized toddler life; still, he had too much fucked up problems that probably needed straighten out with. Though, it was a first for him that he was reflecting on his life to begin with.

It was hypocritical of him to keep repeating to her that she was his everything when he was the one who went around fucking subs. He knew exactly how he would react if she told him that she had sexual partners during their time apart, and it was only then that he realized how hideous his double standards were.

Honestly, he had never thought about any of it until he made that comment, it was no wonder she said nothing in response. He wasn't used to people not answering or reacting to whatever he had said, not that he was that important, but people usually would at least indicate some acknowledgement. Perhaps it was him that didn't know his self-worth?

"You're back early." She retreated back into the room after stepping out, breaking him out of his musings.

"I didn't go for a run this morning. There's a call this morning with an international investor wanting to work with my shipyard in Baltimore. So, Taylor and Sawyer took Tucks out and I got a short workout in the gym; ran on the treadmill."

"Aren't you going to shower?" She asked when she saw him still laying on the bed spread eagle with his eyes closed.

"Yes," he answered but made no movement.

"Are you going into the office today?"

"Yes," he repeated. "After you get your stitches out."

"You're coming with me?"

"Yes," he parroted again. "I need you in the office today. People are coming over to discuss the procedure of signing over shares."

"Everyone?"

"According to my calendar, yes."

"What am I doing there?"

"Your signature and presence are both needed."

She frowned, and he didn't have to open his eyes to know that confusion was marred on her face.

"You're the majority stockholder, and that's not going to change, so big changes like this will need your signature and your approval."

"What if something like this happens in the future? Can't you just be some CEO who has all the power?"

"I will bring the papers back home for you."

"I can't believe my signature is going to worth billions one day," she quipped lightly and sauntered out of the room to occupy herself in the kitchen. She was still not a morning person, and getting up so early each day certainly didn't make her feel any better. She just felt sleep deprived sometimes, and she swore she had been taking naps more than pregnant ladies these days just because she was having trouble falling asleep without Christian.

That shit needs to be sorted!

"You have too much faith in me, baby," he sighed ruefully but he failed to notice that she was no longer in the room.

He laid in bed for a little bit longer, thinking about anything but nothing at the same time. Nothing had been resolved yet, and he still hadn't answered her question she asked him. He honestly didn't know what he wanted from her, because nothing came to mind when he actually pondered the question, he just wanted to be with her and deal with all of the aftermath from this huge scandal together.

Frankly, he really didn't want to give a shit about anyone else, he just wanted to get his life back on track and back to normal. Isaac, sure he was a poor boy that got taken advantage of, but that wasn't his problem. He should've outed Elena, but at what cost? He was so determined that no one would buy his shit, so why waste the breath when he could just live his life ignorantly. He pitied the young teenager, but that was as far as his feelings went, because the more hang up he was on the issue, the less focus he would put on building his own life. There were people responsible for Isaac, and he should learn to trust them even though he really didn't.

But, he needed to convince himself to let go.

"Are you going to join me?" He yelled, thankfully the apartment was small because there was no way she could've heard him if they were in his penthouse.

"For what?"

"Shower!"

"Yes! Wait for me!" She quickly switched off the stove and placed the breakfast into the oven before scurrying back to the bedroom, making a beeline directly for the bathroom. "You've been thinking."

"Yup, it's tiring," he deadpanned dryly. He wasn't going to bring up what he had been thinking about just because she had finally given up on the idea of interfering with the government just to ensure that Isaac got a decent settlement.

The irony was, when she had finally accepted the fact that none of them were in a place where they could afford to go out of their way to help a boy; he become concerned, and he was only very indirectly related to them.

"Grace said she's demoted and Carrick's hopeless with the next election to become the state's attorney general," Christian said, taking the loofah only to put it back.

She stared at him perplexed but her confusion was soon answered when she got placed under the water with her head tipped backward.

"I'm washing my hair today?"

"Yes, you are," he bossed, but was still distracted by the phone call from earlier.

"I thought demotion was a light sentence." As if reading his mind, she said. It also wasn't completely lost on her that he had referred to them in their first names.

"That's what she told me, but honestly," the feeling of belongingness that never occurred to him in the Grey household once again surfaced. He knew they weren't telling him everything, it was just sad that he had to find out from third parties. "I think she's just putting it lightly." That was the understatement of the century and she knew that he was withholding information since he didn't sound surprised at all from what he was told in that call.

She cocked her head, allowing his fingers to dance over her scalp, making sure her hair was entirely soaked before being moved out of the stream, so he could squirt shampoo on his palm.

"Grace has always been very protective of her career, so does Carrick."

"Your siblings said that they were never really too involved with your upbringings. Something about them too focused on building their public profile and establishing their reputation."

"They are successful in that regard," he concurred, not making a comment about their involvement in his childhood. "The Grey name open doors in Washington; mostly Seattle."

She bit back a moan when his fingers scratched a spot that she didn't know had been itchy. It wasn't the appropriate time. Though, they didn't get up so early only to waste it talking in the shower, she was determined to make good use of their current surrounding.

"I'm surprised your mother isn't fired right away after everything came out. I mean, she is a decorated pediatrician, so naturally, she must be good at her job. She should've already had around twenty years of experience at the time of your… abuse."

"She's human, and humans make mistakes," he defended, bemusing the both of them for the action.

Perhaps he was the one with this so-called Stockholm syndrome that Grace had slapped on Anastasia's forehead previously when they met in the penthouse.

"If she overlooked a patient that's more understandable than missing the signs of the children in her own family; one that spends way more time under her eyes than any of her patients. This only reflects her lack of actual participation in her children's life, which is going to be another stain on her shiny reputation."

Christian pursed his lips and thought. It did sound like a logical argument.

"I mean now that everything has come to light, there is literally nothing that people don't know about you. So, the lack of mentioning of your parents' role in supporting you through all of your troubles is really questionable."

"They're just busy!"

"If they're really so engrossed and excelled in their career, then why didn't your dad put his lawyer hat on and investigate after I outed Elena; gather all information before making a judgment and jumping down my throat? Why didn't your mother notice the changes in you, and the fact that this hopeless kid who couldn't even pass the most basic math test got into Harvard Business School? Most of all, why didn't your parents reach out to you, at all?"

"Flynn wasn't in favor of me seeing anyone that would remind me of the harsh reality."

"That's just bullshit. You see your domestic staff and the two bodyguards on a daily basis, surely the latter is going to be more of a trigger than your own immediate family. He just doesn't trust that you're strong enough to handle anything."

"Okay, maybe I've not provided enough context. You might need a little more insight about me."

"How so?" She was so focused on the dialogue that she failed to notice that her hair was once again being placed under the running stream of water coming cascading down.

"I've never truly felt that I've belonged to the Greys. I thought I don't deserve to have this prestigious name. Seeing them may set me back, in the sense that I'd be reminded of the scandal circulating around me, and subsequently failing them by dragging the Grey name through mud. I've always had a weak mentality, you've discovered that since I told you everything."

"People really have fucked your mind up," she clicked her tongue in pure disappointment at his supposed guardians. "Your parents set the wrong priority for you at the very beginning."

It was now his turn to tilt his head in question.

"All they cared about is how other people will see them, and hence planted that idea in your head. The idea that you need to meet society's expectations no matter how vain you will need to act."

He opened his mouth but his mind was soon flushed with images of his outfits, his cars, his living quarters, his hobbies, and more along the lines.

They were all of famous brands; the newest model; the unnecessarily spacious penthouse; the expansive activities… he was taught that living up to the standard would reflect his wealthy income, and that was the propriety expected from Seattle's elites.

Also known as, rich, shallow people who cared too much about the opinions of the people that were completely irrelevant.

"Then, enter Elena," she continued, mindful of his inner musing thus purposefully breaking him out of it. "She puts more shit in your already shit-filled head. Then, negative times negatives… bam! It's a positive!" She clapped her hands together just to emphasize her sarcasm. "You suddenly transform into this golden boy where every parents would love to show off with and the kid everyone dies for."

He rolled his eyes at her exaggeration. She was now on a roll, and he wasn't going to stop her entertaining yet meaningful rant.

"Say for some reason your parents failed to notice the changes in you because, let's say, you're supremely good at hiding and they're too trusting of your own judgement." She continued, waving her hands around, flicking droplets of water in his eyes and making no efforts to acknowledge his discomfort. "Then, Elena goes to adopt another kid. His past resembled yours and such. That all sound legit, until this kid shows up in your parents house looking all battered and bruised, but behaves just like you; I imagine. Over well mannered young boy, he is. Yet, once again, your parents are blind. Granted, that boy also has much more visible bruises than you on the pictures."

"So, what's your verdict?"

"My verdict?" She huffed. "I'm not allowed to judge remember? It's none of my business."

He chortled affectionately at her petulant behavior. She could be such a child around him. Not childish, but just taking advantage of his unconditional love, so to speak.

"You just want to vent?"

"Basically," she didn't bother denying it. If she wasn't going to run to him with every problem and go to Kate for it, then they could never make past dating.

"You're still hung up on Isaac?"

"No," she quipped. "I'm not. I just… don't exactly like your parents at the moment. Not their person anyway. They kind of showed their true colors after the whole thing about you broke out."

He couldn't exactly disagree with her assessments. They were all evident-based.

"But my point is," she continued.

"There's a point from all of this ranting?" He mocked, earning an equally mocking glare.

"Point is," she repeated. "Since when did you harbor any dislike toward your parents? Aren't they like angels? Lifesavers?"

"They were, but truth is, they only saved me from the male pimp only to hand me off to the female one. Who's even sicker. So, honestly, the level of trust and security I once thought I felt with them pales compared to what I feel when I'm with you."

"So, you're like… picking sides?"

"They kind of forced my hand, don't you think? They didn't exactly show much remorse other than buying my company shares. I don't know," he groaned in frustration. "I just don't think sticking with them would take me anywhere, while I know I'm going to at least have a life with you."

"You do realize that, while I may not be so amiable with your parents, but we can coexist in your life, right?"

"Yes, but right now, I don't even know if I believe that they'll be supporting me and sticking by me because they didn't really express much interest in rekindling with me either. They just thought once this whole thing dies down, we can just go back to normal and pretend like nothing happened. Since, they thought it's okay to abuse you when I'm not around."

"You think your parents aren't going to fight for you?"

"They didn't when I needed their support. When they didn't believe you but also didn't question Elena."

"No, I mean fight for their reputation, and also to save the family from falling apart?"

"That's already a lost cause. They believed the wrong person to begin with. I don't know how they can be so gullible but they just were, and now that everyone saw what they really are…"

"Oh," was all she said.

"What?" The sudden silence contrasted from her previously chatty persona threw him off.

"We need to dry off now. Are you done?" With that the subject was going to be dropped any time.

He nodded mutely.

"I think you need to think about it a bit more, consider everything then make a decision."

"What decision?"

"To cut off your parents."

He shrugged. After the rather unpleasant phone call this morning, and also a few news links from Kate throughout the week squashed his last bit of high opinions on his parents.

Seattle General's most decorated pediatrician with 30 years plus experience deemed phony according to anonymous patient responses

One headline said, while the other said.

Coping Together, charity for abused children chairwoman suspended from pediatric duty

That all came before Grace's phone call, so he didn't know why she even bothered.

The headlines alone were enough to make Christian believe that her mother was probably already out of a job before they were even properly settled into this new condo. He only kept it to himself and didn't ask her outright because he didn't want to prolong the conversation by listening to her reasons and lame explanations.

They were all just excuses to save face.

She might be able to bullshit her way out of something no one gave to fucks about, but being blindsided by a pedophile not once but twice for nearly two decades really said a lot about her level of professionalism, and ability as a doctor.

In the past four weeks, he had very limited interactions with his parents—they must be dealing with their own downfall—with all his focus consumed by Anastasia, he had experienced the most down to earth lifestyle in probably his entire life.

In the few days that he had returned to work full time, he would still make time to cook for her, take care of her and just spend time with her.

If he was in this situation four years ago, no matter how intimate and romantic they had been, he'd never felt the strong desire to leave the office before dinner and not work at home, because he'd never felt so content with the idea of going home to his loved ones and make them food to feed them.

"Grace was fired like weeks ago?" Anastasia scrolled down the page, scanning the rest of the article.

"Are you going through my phone?"

"No," she denied automatically, but still flipped the device around to check. "Oh," she realized that it was actually not hers. "It beeped with a text from Kate so I assumed it was mine, even though I didn't save her name under Kate but I unlocked the phone with no problem, so," she shrugged shamelessly. The gesture alone still irritated the wound a little but it didn't hurt anymore.

"She's been fired for a while now, I think." He dried himself and threw on some clothes before deciding that he should probably tend to her too.

"Carrick too?" She continued to tap on the links and read.

"He was on a longer probation than her. Either way, termination is inevitable, hence their decision to move out of the state. They should be glad that they're not blackballed." He let his voice travel through the spacious bathroom as he picked up a smaller towel for her hair from across the room.

"That's what you'd do, right?" She dangled her feet since she had somehow managed to crawl onto the massage bed at the corner with her towel loosely draped over her.

"Most likely," he shrugged nonchalantly, having never thought about what he'd done in the situation.

She looked up at him dubiously as he approached her.

"As much as I don't mind you digging through my shit," he gently removed his phone from her clutch and placed it aside. "You need to dry off before you catch a cold."

"Isn't that what boyfriends are for?" She wrapped her fluffy towel tighter around her only feeling the gush of cool air hit her front just now.

"You're getting clingy," he jibed, throwing the smaller piece fo cloth over her head and started to ruffle it roughly feigning annoyance.

"Can you blame me?" Even under his strong ruffling, she still managed a saccharine tone with the most coquettish coy cheeky grin that she'd ever given him.

"Your skin is growing thicker, woman." She giggled very girlishly when he tilted her chin just to pinch her cheeks playfully.

"You messed up my hair," she pouted her lips and whined like a girl.

"I did? Isn't that what girlfriends' hair are for?" He shot right back with a teasing smile.

She glared at him, feigning anger.

"Mine's the best," he pulled her close granting her a kiss on her forehead.

…

"Don't forget about the muffins," she called from the bedroom dresser where she was checking her reflection after pinching her cheeks just so she could avoid using blush.

"Aren't they cupcakes?" Called Christian from the living room, or kitchen.

"You ate those yesterday, cupcake," she deadpanned as she put some finishing touches on her face to complete her simple makeup. She kept it light like her usual appearance when she wasn't attending something fancy.

"I ate the frosting."

"They're for the cupcakes!" She groaned at her clueless boyfriend. "They were going to be cupcakes before you decide to share half of them with Tucks," she grumbled under her breath and made a face at her own reflection to show her dismay.

He got back home yesterday earlier than usual, catching her baking, so he sat there watching and fought for leftover bowls with Taco. The dog obviously wasn't too happy about it but he was helpless. Christian did steal a few cakes here and there before it was cool, and he shared it with Taco, too; pretending that Anastasia never caught him red-handed since the beginning.

"By the time they were room temperature, I find the frosting and the tray of cupcakes half missing." She walked out of the bedroom heading for the kitchen while buttoning her blouse and tidying her collar. All she could see was Christian's ass sticking out of the fridge and his head stuck inside the cooler.

"Didn't you also bake cookies?"

"Yes," she rolled her eyes knowing he would be asking why they weren't on a plate in the fridge anymore. "You ate an entire batch so I had to make another batch and actually wrap it up. I swear you're worse that Tucks," she groaned. "Are you done? Or are you trying to freeze your brain just to keep it fresh?"

"So, what are we bringing?"

"The muffins! That's the only kind which has enough for everyone of your executives," she rolled her eyes again. "You shared the cupcakes with Taco, ate an entire batch of cookies."

"You made another batch."

"I need two batches to make enough for your executives!" This man is so dense. She threw her hands up in surrender and turned to her furry baby who had his tail whipping her thigh with his head stuck in the fridge, sniffing through bowls after bowls of food and snacks. He's just like Christian, no wonder they get along so well.

Honestly, is this story still interesting? Or are you only here for the drama?

Thank you for reading!

Leave me a review, it is the only way that I can know what you think about this.

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