A/N

Sorry for the delay in posting an update. I started writing and the words just kept coming. By the time I was finished, I was up to 18k words. So, I finished the entire story and broke it up into the remaining chapters. The chapter title is Nobody but You by Blake Shelton and Gwynn Stefani.

Chapter 25 – Nobody But You

CPOV

The plane ride to California sucked. We didn't receive clearance to land at Anaheim, and the closest airport to accept planes was LAX. That place was a fucking zoo. We circled the airport for at least thirty minutes, waiting for our turn to land. Once we did, it was like rush hour traffic on the runway. Airplane after airplane was sitting in line waiting to get to the terminal.

Six hours after we took off from Sea-Tac, Taylor and I are in a rental car driving toward Anaheim. We have a local radio station playing, hoping for updates on injuries and accessibility of the epicenter. There has been no contact from Sawyer, Prescott, or Ana. I even went as far as emailing the volleyball coach begging for any kind of information. I have yet to hear from him, either.

The closer we get to Anaheim, the heavier the traffic gets. We are lucky to have temporary residency here; otherwise, we would not be able to get anywhere near the area. "Taylor, maybe we should go to the house first, in case they went there. They have all the streets blocked off with emergency vehicles going into the downtown area. We wouldn't be able to access it anyway." I check my cell phone, and there is no service here. Fantastic.

If we were in Seattle, I would bully my way through the blocked off streets and demand answers. But we are in California, and my name and money don't mean shit here. Other families are in the same situation I am. Having faith in rescue personnel and Ana's security is what I will need to get me through this.

"Okay, Sir." He changes course on the GPS, and we can drive around the traffic and get to the house in a reasonable amount of time. When we pull up, Ana's car is in the driveway, but the security SUV is not. I hope like hell it is parked in the garage.

Once Taylor comes to a stop, I jump out and race toward the front door. The door is locked, and I use my key to get in. I run through the house, yelling for Ana, but no one is home. I will now have to wait things out, and I am not good at waiting. I demand results in my business, but this is something I have no control over.

I slump in a chair and rub my eyes. Taylor comes into the room and turns on the television to a local channel, thankfully the power and cable are still on. The TV lists the hospitals that have taken in victims, and a number to call to see if family members have reported themselves safe. I grab my phone and dial the number. When a voice answers the phone, I give Ana's name, and they tell me she hasn't reported to them yet. The male voice, on the other end, tells me their information gets updated every hour, and he encourages me to keep calling.

Now is the time I wish I would have picked a condo closer to the training facility. I would be running there now instead of sitting here going out of my mind with worry.

"Sir, would you like something to eat? Ana has leftovers in the refrigerator, and you know she will want you to eat something. It has been a long day, and we both need something to eat." I nod my head, and he places a dish in the microwave to re-heat it. The smell circulates through the room, and my mouth starts to water.

"Do you know what it is?" I ask, and Taylor smiles.

"Homemade macaroni and cheese. There is some fried chicken in there as well. Maybe Ana needed comfort food while you were away?" My heart aches, knowing she was here alone, missing me. I was in Seattle, missing her just as much.

Taylor and I spend the next few hours checking websites and calling phone numbers, trying to locate Ana and her security team. We are so engrossed in what we are doing that neither one of us hears the front door open and close.

"Who are we looking for?" I jerk my head around and see Ana standing in the doorway. I jump up and run over to where she is, then pull her into my arms.

"Oh, baby. I was so worried about you." I hold her close for a few minutes and feel her warm body next to mine. I suddenly pull away and check her body for injuries. "Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need to go to the hospital?" She shakes her head, no.

"Let's sit down, and I will tell you what happened where I was, alright?" I pick her up and carry her to the couch, sitting down with her in my lap. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sawyer, Prescott, and Taylor head to my office.

"Are you hungry?" I ask while holding her tightly to my chest. I kiss the top of her head.

"Yes, I am. Is there any mac and cheese left?" She tries to move out of my lap, and I squeeze her tighter.

"Don't get up just yet. Yes, there is some mac and cheese left. Taylor and I ate some of it when we got here. Can I hold you for a little longer? I was so worried about you. I couldn't reach anybody on the phone, and no one had any updates on damage or injuries." She wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly.

"You can hold me as long as you like. I have never been in an earthquake before. It was bizarre. We were doing some team drills, and the floor started to shake. It sounded likes big rocks rolling down a hill. The lights flashed, and stuff started falling off the walls. When we realized what was happening, the coaching staff directed us to a hallway room. The room had no windows or shelves of any type. It reminded me of a panic room because there were beds placed sparsely around the room. The utility closet contained cases of water and a wide variety of snacks.

"We stayed in there for what felt like forever. Once the staff felt like enough time had passed, they opened the door carefully. There were balls and various types of equipment all over the place. There was glass all over the floor from the broken windows. The stability of the building was in question, so once we gathered our belongings, we were escorted outside.

"The training center is relatively new and didn't sustain much exterior damage. There were other buildings along the block that had partially collapsed. Luckily, they were vacant. The emergency crews still checked building after building to make sure there was no one trapped in any debris."

Christian rubs his hand up and down my back as I continue to tell him what the area looked like once we were outside. "Luke and Belinda stayed with us the entire time we were in the panic room. He kept his eye on Hannah, making sure she was alright. I want to talk to you about him later, once everything settles down, okay?" I pull back and look at Christian.

"Okay, we can discuss him later. Are you sure you are okay?" I nod my head, yes, and he cups my face with his hands. His lips brush mine in a tender kiss. "I was beside myself, Ana. I have never felt so helpless in my entire life. I couldn't do anything but wait for information. I didn't like it."

I nod my head. "I know." I slide off his lap and reach for his hand. "Let me get something to eat, and we can shower together. I need to wash this day away."

After dinner and a relaxing soak in the bathtub, Christian showed me just how much he missed me. He made love to me over and over, bringing me to orgasm many times. I lay awake now watching him sleep, and I can feel tears welling in my eyes. Christian opens his eyes just as a tear falls down my cheek.

He sits up suddenly. "Baby, what is it? Is something wrong?" I shake my head no, unable to speak. "Something has to be wrong, or you wouldn't be crying. Talk to me, baby." He pulls me into his arms, and I lose control of my emotions. He lets me cry without saying a word. Once I am calm enough to talk, I share what I am feeling at the moment.

"I was so scared today, Christian." He wraps his arms around me, and I rest my head underneath his chin. "Everything between us has been going great, and this happens. I had this overwhelming sense of dread; for one moment, I thought I would never see you again." I get choked up for a few seconds start to speak again. "We have been through so much already. I was hoping it wasn't going to be the end."

"Baby, I would have come to find you. Nothing is going to happen to us. This is just a bump in the road, something we have no control over. Go back to sleep. You need the rest." He kisses the top of my head and lays us back down, keeping me close to his chest.

The next morning, I wake up still feeling tired. Christian is not in bed next to me, so I grab my robe and go in search of him. I smell bacon cooking, and I follow the aroma into the kitchen. He has his back to me, and I watch as his muscles work while he moves. I am one lucky woman. I walk to him and wrap my arms around his waist, resting my head against his back. "Good morning," I mumble into his back.

He turns to face me and places a quick peck on my lips. "Good morning, coffee is ready for you." I smile.

"Thank you. What's for breakfast?" I add sugar and creamer to my coffee and take a healthy sip.

"My culinary skills offer bacon, eggs, and fresh fruit. Have a seat at the breakfast bar, and I will serve you, my lady."

"I can't wait." There is a stack of mail on the corner of the counter, and I reach out for it. I skim through it and find an envelope from Capital Records. I open it, and two tickets drop out. I look at them and then read the handwritten note that came with them.

Ana,

We heard you were in California for a few months and we want you to come to one of our concerts. We will be opening up for Luke Bryan on his summer tour. The record label gave us some tickets to give to family members, and you were the first one we thought about. The concert is on July 18th in San Diego. I hope you and Christian can come. We miss you! By the way, we have changed the name of the band to Beginner's Luck. See you soon!

Love,

Ashley and the rest of us J

I hold my hand over my mouth as Christian walks around to see what is going on. I hand him the tickets and the letter, and he smiles.

"This is great for them. When does the team leave for Tokyo?" I get up and check the calendar on the refrigerator.

"Opening ceremonies are July 24th. We fly out on the 21st. Do you want to go to the concert with me? It appears we have floor seats near the stage." He lays the letter and tickets down on the countertop and takes me in his arms.

"Yes, I would love to go with you. Breakfast is ready, let's eat." He pecks my lips and guides me to the barstool.

After breakfast, we sit out by the pool and enjoy the sunshine. "Ana, what is going on with Sawyer?" I move my lounger closer to Christian so we can have a semi-private conversation.

"Is security here right now?" He nods his head. "I don't want anyone else to hear what I have to say, especially Luke."

"Okay, we can lower our voices. Is something going on?" Christian takes my hand and starts rubbing my palm and the inside of my wrist.

"Hannah commented awhile back, and I am not sure if she is happy about Luke out of town all the time. What would you think if we moved him to security at GEH instead of close protection? You have Taylor and Belinda has done a great job so far. I do not doubt Luke's ability to work, but he and Hannah are planning to get married. She is going into medical school this fall, and I don't want to take him away from her unnecessarily. Do you understand what I am trying to say?"

Christian looks down at our joined hands and then out over the pool. "I like Sawyer as your close protection, but I can see where you are coming from in regards to Hannah. She has already lost one man she was going to marry. I don't want the same thing to happen between her and Sawyer. I will discuss the idea with Taylor and see what he thinks. Sawyer may not react to the change very well. When do you want the change to take place?" I shrug my shoulders.

"I don't want him to go to Tokyo. If you want to extra men to go with Taylor and Belinda, hire someone else."

"Okay, I will talk with Taylor today. Anything else on your mind?" I smile.

"I have wedding ideas, do you want to hear them?" He sat up and reached over, pulling me into his lap. I giggle as he kisses my neck from my ear to my collar bone.

"I'm all ears, baby. Tell me what you want to do." He continues to kiss and lick my neck, making his way across my shoulder. I moan in appreciation. At this rate, there will be no more talking.

"Um," I gasp when he bites a nipple through my bikini top. I feel his erection poking me, and I push myself into him. He picks me up, turning me to face him. My legs straddle his hips, and he grinds his pelvis up into mine. He covers my mouth with a fiery kiss.

We are all hands, reaching for any part of each other's bodies we can. His fingers find my sex, and I pull away from the kiss, gasping for air. "Are you sure we should do this out here?" I close my eyes and expose more of my neck, and he kisses his way down to the valley between my breasts.

"Nobody can see us, Ana." I open my eyes and look down at his face. He moves his hands to my hips and grips them tightly. "Do you trust me?" I nod my head.

"With my life, Christian." He smiles and kisses my lips softly.

"Let me make you feel good then." I nod, and he moves his hand back to my sex. His thumb moves in slow circles around my pleasure button, and I start to pant. I dig my fingers into his shoulders as he continues to apply pressure. He slides the bikini bottoms to the side and inserts a finger into my sex. I lean my head back as he nips at my ear. "You are so wet, Ana. Does this feel good?"

"Yes. Please don't stop." He inserts a second finger, and I move my hips in a circle as he pumps them in and out. I moan out in pleasure, and I feel myself climbing higher toward that heavenly feeling. He applies more pressure to my clit, and that, combined with his fingers pumping, send me over the edge. "Oh. Oh, yes. I need to feel you inside me, Christian."

Without stopping his movements, he reaches inside his swim trunks and pulls out his impressive erection. He removes his fingers from inside me, lifts me by my hips, and brings me down slowly onto his waiting hardness. We both inhale deeply with the feeling.

We set a slow rhythm enjoying the feeling of being wrapped up in each other. Christian brings his hips up as I push myself down. I circle my hips, grinding against him. "Yes, baby. You feel incredible. So warm and wet." He groans in my ear, then pulls back, making eye contact with me. Our eyes stay on each other as we find our release.

We sit there for a few moments as our breathing slows to normal. "Mmm. I missed you this week." He chuckles in my ear.

"You missed me or my dick?" I laugh, and he reaches for a towel. He raises me slightly and slides himself out of me. He wipes me clean the best he can, and I move back over to my lounger. He cleans himself up and adjusts his swim trunks. I look around and make sure no one is watching us out their window. I realize that he is right; no one could see us. The trees are high enough to shield us from nosy onlookers.

"I missed you, Christian. So much. That's why I made the fried chicken and mac and cheese. I ate my feelings." I laugh, and he shakes his head.

"Well, I hope there will be no more separation like that again. I have no more trips planned back to Seattle, and I am going with you to Tokyo. So, what are the ideas you have about the wedding?"

"Well, I already have my dress. Can we get married in our backyard overlooking the water? Maybe around late afternoon when the sun is setting? Then we can go to the Mile High Club for a reception. I don't want to worry about people going in and out of the house during that time." I sit crossed legged facing him, waiting for his response.

"That sounds nice. Do you have a day in mind?" I nod my head.

"Yes. The gold medal match is August 9th. What about August 15th? That is the weekend after the final match. Or can we do August 22nd?"

"Maybe we should do the 22nd to make sure we have enough time for everything to be in order? I like the idea of getting married overlooking the water." I clap my hands in excitement.

"Okay! August 22nd at sunset. I want a small, intimate ceremony with just family and close friends. The reception can be open to whomever. What do you think of that?"

"I agree." He smiles, and I squeal in excitement. I crawl onto his lap and kiss his soft lips.

"Thank you. That was easy," I say, and he laughs, shaking his head.

"I will do anything you want, Ana. This is your special day. I'm just glad to be the one you are saying 'I do' to." I take his face in my hands and kiss him again.

"Christian, from the first day I laid eyes on you, you were the only one for me. Even though it took us five years to get to this point, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you."

"And I love you so much. Do I need to make all the arrangements for the Mile High?"

"Sure, that would be nice. I guess we will need to serve a meal since it will be in the evening. Whatever you decide works for me."

"Okay, I will call them at the first of the week and get things settled. Anything else you need to talk about?" I shake my head, no.

"That is everything." He pulls me down beside him, and I lay in his arms. He kisses my forehead and rubs his thumb up and down my arm. The feeling relaxes me, and I fall asleep.

CPOV

It's the day of the concert, and we are driving to Sacramento to watch Beginner's Luck open up for Luke Bryan. I booked a room at the same hotel the band is staying at so we won't have to drive back home tonight. I still can't believe a small group from Seattle has made it to the big time. I have reached out to them and requested they play at our wedding reception. The dates line up, and they will be able to do it. Ana has no idea, and I hope I can keep it a secret until then.

I have another surprise for her. I have invited the family to our place to celebrate Ana's birthday. We will be in Tokyo on her actual birthday. I know she would want to celebrate the day with her family. They will arrive on the 20th and spend the day with her. I think it will help her get over the anxiety of flying internationally. The flight will be about twelve hours long, and they will leave in the evening. I hope she can rest on the plane.

"Christian, did you hear what I said?" I shake my head, no.

"Sorry, I was daydreaming. Can you tell me again?" I squeeze her hand that is sitting in my lap.

"I asked if you have heard anything from Luke? He didn't take the news well about not being my CPO anymore. Taylor said he was throwing things around the security office and yelling obscenities. I feel bad for saying something now." I take her hand in mine and bring it up to my lips. I kiss each one of the knuckles. Then I kiss the diamond ring on her finger.

"It will be okay, Ana. He is used to being at the center of everything. The job at GEH will be boring for him. Taylor explained to him how important it was for him to stay in town. When Sawyer asked why, Taylor told him that he needed to be there to support Hannah, and he couldn't be that man if he came with us all of the time. You will be traveling with me whenever I go out of town. I can't be apart from you for more than a few days, baby."

She smiles at me, and I put my eyes back on the road. "I know, Christian. Hannah was ecstatic that he would be staying in Seattle full time. I hope that Luke can see the big picture of the situation. I don't like being apart from you, either."

About thirty minutes later, we pull into the parking lot of the Toyota Amphitheatre. We have our passes inside a lanyard hanging around our necks. I can tell Ana is excited to see her friends. I haven't been to a concert since I was a teenager. To be honest, I am a little excited, as well.

We show our badges to security, and we enter through to the backstage area. People are running around everywhere, finalizing details for the concert. We find the dressing room area for the band, and we go inside. They are sitting in a circle, laughing and carrying on. Ashley is the first to see us, and she jumps up, running over to hug Ana's neck.

"Ana! Oh my gosh, I am so happy you were able to come! How have you been?" The rest of the band takes turns in hugging my girl. The guys shake my hand, and the girls give me a side hug.

"I am doing great. We leave for Tokyo on the 21st. Are you guys stoked or what to be opening for Luke Bryan?" The group talks about their touring schedule and going into the studio to record their first album.

"We couldn't believe it when we got the chance to go on tour this summer. There are thirty-five shows scheduled, and they are all sold out! So far, the ones we have already had were a success," Jordan says.

"That's great! I'm glad things are going well for you all. How much time before you go onstage?" Landon checks his watch and says it's about forty-five minutes to go. We hang out with them for about thirty more minutes; then we leave to find our seats.

Despite the drunk girls that surrounded us, we had a great time at the concert. I could tell Ana kept getting pissed when said girls would flirt with me, asking for my phone number. I finally told them I was engaged and not interested in anything they had to offer. They eventually took the hint and left me alone.

Ana's eyes were full of excitement and pride when her friends took the stage. They sang a few cover songs and some original songs that will be on their new album. When Luke Bryan came on, the place got three times louder. All of the girls were screaming his name, and it was difficult to hear the music. During a few of the slow songs, I held Ana close and swayed to the music. I can't wait to make her Mrs. Christian Grey.

Because the music was so loud, my ears rang for over two hours after the concert was over. I know Ana enjoyed the experience, but I will never do that again. I got verbal confirmation from Landon that the entire band will be at the wedding and reception next month. We made sure Ana wasn't in the room when we discussed the particulars. I gave them the song I want them to sing for our first dance. That is another surprise for Ana.

The day of the surprise get together with the family has arrived, and Ana still has no idea what is going on. She has been busy with practice and finalizing the details of the foundation. We found a building close to GEH that will serve as the foundation headquarters, and where most services will be available. Once we return from Tokyo, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

I look at my watch and realize everyone will be arriving shortly. I had mentioned to Ana earlier that I needed to go shopping for some last-minute items before the trip. She looked at me like I had two heads because she knows I hate to shop. Once we leave, they will come in and take care of putting the food out by the pool.

"Ready, baby?" I walk into the bedroom, and she is lying down on the bed. "Ana? Are you alright?" She sits up and shrugs her shoulders.

"I was hoping to see my mother before we fly out tomorrow. I tried to call her, and she didn't answer. Yes, I am ready to go." She stands and slides her feet into a pair of flipflops. I take her hand and lead her out to the car.

"I'm sure everything will work out. Your mom will call you as soon as she can. Come on, let's go."

I open up the car door for her, and she climbs on the passenger side. Once I am seated behind the wheel, she asks why Taylor isn't driving us.

"I gave him the afternoon off. He will be on high alert for the next ten days, and I want to let him take a break before we leave." She seems happy with the answer, thankfully.

I make a few stops and browse longer than necessary. I had to buy a few things I know I already had just to pass the time. I got the text from Elliott, letting me know it was okay to come back to the house.

"Christian, can we stop and eat something? I am hungry." Oh hell.

"We can order something when we get back home, alright? I need to add these items to my suitcase before I forget." Ana rolls her eyes, and I don't think she believes me.

"Sure, whatever you say, Sir." I tap her butt as she walks by me.

"Don't tempt me, Miss Steele. I would hate for you to have an uncomfortable plane ride tomorrow because your ass is sore." She purses her lips together, and I fight the urge to laugh.

"Alright, let's go home then." She takes my offered hand, and we walk back to the car.

She knows something is up when we pull into the driveway. As soon as we walk through the door, Carla greets her with a hug and kiss. "Mom! What are you doing here?" Ana starts to cry as her mother holds her tight.

"It's your birthday, sweetheart. I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Carla kisses Ana on the cheek and takes her arm, leading her to the back patio. When the door opens, Ana squeals in excitement.

"Christian! What have you done?" She runs to me and jumps into my arms. "You did this for me? For my birthday?" I nod my head, and she kisses me hard. I set her down on the floor and pull away from her kiss.

"Your family is waiting to celebrate your birthday with you. Let's go outside and join them. What do you say?" I smile and rub my hands up and down her back.

"I say, yes. Let's go." We walk together to the patio area and spend the remainder of the evening celebrating her birthday. She almost passed out when she opened my gift. The diamond pendant necklace with matching earrings and bracelet made her teary-eyed and speechless.

"Oh, Christian. They are beautiful! Thank you, baby!" She kisses me and hands me the necklace to put around her neck. I don't dare say anything about how much the ensemble costs. She would probably pass out.

"So beautiful." I kiss her on the tip of her nose, and she turns around to show everyone her gift. The rest of the time, we listen to Carla talk about Ana's birthday parties over the years. I can see Ana tear up when Carla mentions Ray. I squeeze her shoulders and kiss her temple.

Kate and Elliott share their wedding date for May of next year. They are in no hurry to get married. I figured they would elope, but I think Kate's dad would have a cow. Mom tells us the Mia and Ethan will be returning to the United States for good in October. Ethan is wrapping up some things there to make sure he is ready to partner in his new practice in Seattle.

Everyone leaves around ten pm to fly back to Seattle. Ana hugs everyone tightly as they go, promising to keep them updated on what happens in Tokyo. I mention some of the matches will be on television so they will be able to watch if they wish.

The team gathers at the training center before the flight. The coaches remind the players about representing the USA, bla bla bla; also not to drink anything but bottled water. Some places are not clean and carry diseases that are difficult to overcome.

We finally board the plane, and Ana looks petrified. "Baby, maybe you need to take something to relax you. Can the team doctor give you anything?" She shakes her head, vigorously.

"I will be fine once we take off. I have never been on a plane this big before. Plus, we are flying over water, and that makes me nervous as well. Just hold my hand during takeoff?" She buries her head in my chest. I wish we were on my private jet. I would do more than hold her hand.

"Sure, whatever you need." We find our seats, and I place our carryon bags in the storage space above us. We get comfortable and buckle our seatbelts. The pilot comes across the speaker and tells everyone to get seated and buckle up.

Take off is successful, and Ana finally gets comfortable enough to fall asleep. I cover her with a blanket given to us by the flight attendant. I watch her sleep for a few moments before I decide to sleep myself. I turn off the overhead light and lean over to kiss Ana's cheek. She mumbles something under her breath and snuggles under the blanket.

Ana sleeps for a majority of the flight, only waking up to use the restroom. We land safely in Tokyo after some turbulence about an hour before the trip ended. Thankfully Ana slept through it. Otherwise, she would have been out of her mind with panic. We will be flying back home on my jet.

We board the shuttle bus and make our way through the city. One thing that I love about traveling is the culture in different countries. The building structure is different, as well as the people themselves.

As we arrive at the athlete's village, Ana and I will be separated. I am not allowed to stay with the athletes since I am a spectator. We were able to find rooms close to where they are staying, so at least I can see her regularly. I have a three-room suite for myself and security. Taylor felt we only need one additional security person. I felt confident in his decision.

After the team settles in, they are allowed to check out some sights around the area. The only schedule they will have to keep is the practice schedule and team meetings. They are free to do whatever outside of that time. Today must be the day most teams arrive because there are people everywhere. The participating countries are wearing their colors proudly, as they should be. I wonder if Ana will want to watch some of the other activities when she isn't practicing or playing.

I am glad I thought to bring plenty of shorts because it is very humid here. I am already sweating through my clothes, and it's only ten am. Ana walks out of her building with Prescott close behind. They are both laughing at something.

"Ready, Christian?" Ana asks and hooks her arm through mine.

"Of course. Where are we headed?" Prescott pulls out a map, and we decide to walk toward the many sporting venues to get an idea where most events will take place. We spend most of the day trying to become familiar with what will be our home for the next ten days or so.

I am not sure why the team came here so early. Pool play doesn't start for another four days. They are practicing and doing workouts together, but nothing else. Maybe the coach wanted them to get used to the location. I think Ana is still struggling with jet lag. She has been sleeping a lot. I may encourage her to see the team doctor if she continues to drag herself around.

That evening before I return to my room, Ana gets sick. "Ana, I think you need to see the team doctor. I have never seen you like this." I hold her hair as she continues to dry heave in the toilet. I reach across the sink and wet a towel. She flushes the toilet and sits back on her heels. "Here, baby. Wipe your face off with this." She nods her head and takes the towel from my hands.

"What did you eat for dinner?" I ask her as I sit down on the floor in front of her. She wipes the corners of her mouth and tosses the towel in the sink.

"Whatever they served in the cafeteria thing. It looked okay and didn't taste bad. Would you mind grabbing me a can of Sprite from the machine outside?" She looks at me, and her face is pale.

"Ana, I think you should call the team doctor now. You don't look so good."

"I just want to go to bed. If I still feel bad in the morning, I will see the doctor first thing. Will you stay here with me? Please?" I stand up and reach down for her hand. I take both of her hands and help her up.

"Do you want to shower first?" Ana shakes her head no and walks over to the bed. She strips down to her underwear and crawls under the covers. I step outside of her door and see Taylor waiting patiently. "I am staying here with her. She is sick and asked me to stay." He nods his head and turns to leave.

I grab a Sprite from the machine and a cup of ice. I think twice about the ice and dump it out. When I get back into her room, she is sound asleep under the covers. I set the drink on the bedside table and get undressed. I crawl underneath the sheets and pull her body close to mine. She doesn't feel feverish, but that doesn't mean anything. I rest my head on top of hers and try to fall asleep.

Ana POV

I wake up feeling like death warmed over. I have no idea what is causing me to be this sick. I can't eat anything. I tried to eat some crackers last night and threw them back up. I promised Christian I would see the team doctor If I wasn't feeling any better. I try to get out of bed, but Christian has me on lockdown.

"How are you feeling this morning, Ana?"

"I need to get up and go to the bathroom. I'll be right back." He lets me up, and I make it to the bathroom just in time to throw up in the trashcan. I hear Christian come into the bathroom, and he reaches for my hair, pulling it back away from my face.

"Ana, I am calling the team doctor. Something isn't right." Poor thing, he is panicking right now.

"Hold on a minute, please." I grab the towel from his hand and wipe my face off. "Do you mind giving me a few minutes to clean up before we go to see her?" He nods his head and leaves me alone to my thoughts.

I rack my brain as to what is making me so sick. I think back to when I had my last period, and I freeze. Oh shit. I haven't had a period in two months. I attributed it to the stress of the earthquake and the rigorous practice schedule we had. Christian is going to freak out. I finish my business and clean myself up. I walk out of the bathroom to find Christian already dressed and talking on his cell phone.

I put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, then put my hair up in a messy bun. I slide my feet into flip flops and wait by the door. Christian finishes his conversation with Taylor and takes my hand. We will see if he still wants to hold my hand after I tell him I'm pregnant.

I called the team doctor, and she told me to meet her at the practice facility. We arrive at her office, and she takes me right in. She asks Christian to wait outside, and he tries to argue. "It's fine, Christian. I'll be out in a few minutes." He nods his head and sits in the chair outside her door.

"What is going on, Ana? How long have you been sick?" I shrug my shoulders.

"I have been overly tired for the past month or so. I realized something this morning, and I need for you to do a blood test or let me pee in a cup. I think I'm pregnant. I haven't had a period in two months. The sickness and fatigue matches with the timeline." She reaches in her cabinet and pulls out a pregnancy test and cup.

"Take this in there." She points to the room behind me. "I think the rest is self-explanatory." I nod my head and walk into the attached restroom. I pee in the cup, which I find difficult to not pee on myself in the process, and set the container on the sink. I open the test and dip it in the sample, then set the test aside. I wash my hands to pass the time and wait for the remaining minutes. I watch as the test produces two lines, and I cover my mouth in shock. I feel myself breaking out into a cold sweat. What is Christian going to think?

I leave the test on the sink and pour the leftover urine in the toilet, then flush. I open the door, and the doctor is sitting on her stool. "Well?" she asks as I hop up on the exam table.

"According to the test results, I am pregnant." I look down at my hands and see my diamond engagement ring sparkling in the light of the room.

"I take it this pregnancy is a surprise?" I nod my head. "Will the father be upset with you?" I shrug my shoulders.

"We both want to have children but agreed it would be further along in our relationship. We aren't even married yet. How is this going to affect me playing volleyball?" I look up at the doctor with watery eyes.

"We need to do an ultrasound to try and see how far along you are. When was your last period?" I wipe my eyes with the heel of my hand.

"It has been at least two months. In all honesty, I forgot about it. Between the earthquake and international traveling, my mind was on other things. I was due for another shot right after the earthquake." I cover my face with my hands. "Christian is going to be so upset with me."

The doctor gets up and walks over to me, placing her hand on my shoulder. "Ana, from what I've seen when he's around you, I don't think he will be upset. Surprised maybe, but not upset. I will bring him in here, and you two can discuss things. You look dehydrated, Ana. I will need to discuss some treatment options with the coaching staff, and then we can all talk together, alright?" I nod my head as tears run down my cheeks.

She walks out into the hallway and escorts Christian back into the room with me. He rushes over and takes me into his arms. "Ana, baby. What is going on? Is everything all right?" He stands in between my legs, and I try to muster up enough courage to tell him he is going to be a daddy.

I take a few deep cleansing breaths and start talking. "Please let me say everything before you ask any more questions, okay?" He nods his head, and I continue. "First of all, I am okay. I have no deadly disease. I am a little dehydrated, and the doctor will be giving me some IV fluids after you and I talk." I take his hands in mine, playing with the pinky ring on his right hand.

"It appears that you and I are going to be parents. I took a pregnancy test, and it came back positive." I look into wide grey eyes and prepare myself for him to go thermonuclear on me.

"What?" His voice is scratchy, and I swear he has stopped breathing. He lets go of my hands and reaches to his hair, grabbing a handful and pulling. He paces the room, and I sit quietly, waiting for him to tell me we are over.

He stops walking and turns to face me. "How far along are you? Do you know yet?" I shake my head, no.

"My last period was before the earthquake. I was due to have my shot right after it, but my mind became occupied with other things. I'm sorry, Christian. I know we talked about now not being the right time for kids. I did not plan this, or try to trap you into marrying me." My eyes fill with tears again, and his head jerks toward me.

"What? You think I'm mad at you?" He closes the space in between us and takes my face in his hands. "Look at me, please." My eyes find him, and he smiles. "I am just shocked, baby. This is fabulous news! I was so worried you would need to go to the hospital to get treatment for some crazy disease. Our lives have been hectic for the past few months. Are you alright with it?" I nod my head. He kisses my lips softly and pulls my head underneath his chin.

"This is almost as good as you saying you would marry me. Can I bring the doctor back in? I want to know what we can do to make you feel better for the time being. Will you be able to play volleyball?" I wrap my arms around his waist and nuzzle into his neck. I breathe in his scent and instantly start to feel better.

"The doctor said she needs to discuss things with the coaching staff about my treatment and so forth. I don't see why I can't play. I long as I stay hydrated and don't overexert myself, It will be okay."

I hear a faint knock on the door, and I tell whomever it is to come in. It's the team doctor followed by Coach Kiraly. They both are smiling, and I bury my face in Christian's neck again.

"Well, it appears you both are happy about this. Congratulations. Coach Kiraly and I have discussed what we feel would be the proper treatment for you. Right now, I am going to give you a bag of IV fluids, followed by some anti-nausea medication. You need to eat small meals, preferably a protein with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Stay away from greasy foods until you can keep food down, alright?" I nod, and Christian kisses the top of my head.

"Does Ana need to be taking prenatal vitamins? Will playing volleyball cause harm to the baby?" Christian asks the doctor, and I lean back on the exam table as they talk things out.

"We can get her some vitamins to take while she's here. I would highly recommend seeing an OB when you get back to the United States. We can try and schedule an ultrasound if you want to see how far along things are. As long as she doesn't have any direct trauma to her abdomen, there is no danger to the fetus. She has been very active for the past month, and any problems would have arisen before now. We will keep a close eye on her while she's here, Christian." He nods his head and turns to me.

"Are you alright? Do you need anything?" I shake my head no, and tears fill my eyes again. Christian pulls me into a hug, and I cry into his chest.

"I am so sorry, Christian. I didn't mean for this to happen right now. Please believe me." Christian picks me up bridal style and sits us down in the chair.

"Ana, baby. I am not upset about this, alright? You know every part of our relationship has happened backward, right? When we finally got together, we skipped the dating and went straight for the sex." I chuckle into his neck.

"We both want children. It's okay that it's a little sooner than we wanted. But if I'm honest, it doesn't matter to me. As long as I have you in my life, the rest is an excellent bonus." He leans down and whispers in my ear, "I can't wait to see you pregnant and naked. I heard pregnancy hormones are wild, and you will want sex all the time." I punch him lightly in the ribs, and we both laugh.

"Okay, Ana." The doctor interrupts us and directs me back up onto the exam table. She has the IV supplies laid out and ready to use. "Are you afraid of needles?" I shake my head no, and she prepares my arm for the IV. She turns to Christian, "Will this bother you?"

"No, ma'am. Is it alright if I stay with her the entire time? There are some other things we need to talk about." The doctor nods her head and gets back to starting my IV.

"Okay, Ana. Everything is looking good. Please remember to eat several small meals throughout the day, or whatever you can tolerate. If you are unable to keep any food down, please come to me, and I will give you a shot to help with nausea. The Athlete's Village will have a wide variety of food that you can eat. Practice as normal, but don't over-do it. You know how much your body can take. Any questions?" I look at Christian, and he shakes his head no.

I let her know we are okay for now, and she leaves the room.

"What else do we need to talk about?" I ask Christian.

"I want to make sure you understand that I am not mad about you being pregnant, baby. I am excited to be a father. Especially because you are the mother." He leans down and kisses my lips tenderly. "I don't want to tell anyone until we get back to the US, and a doctor can examine you. I will need to tell Taylor and Prescott."

"I agree. Should we wait until after we are married? I don't think it will matter either way." I am lying on my back, and he is rubbing circles on my lower belly. I giggle, and he makes eye contact with me.

"What's so funny?" He continues to circle my belly.

"You rubbing me there tickles a little bit." I run my hands through his hair, and he rests his head where he was rubbing circles. We lay there for a few minutes without saying a word.

Once my IV bag is empty, the doctor comes back and removes the IV from my arm. She gives me a shot in my hip to help with nausea and instructs me to eat something small before practice. "If you start to feel light-headed or dizzy during practice, stop immediately and have them come get me. We will need to check your blood pressure. You may still be slightly dehydrated, so drink plenty of water as well. Any questions?"

"No, you covered everything. Thank you." I sit up from the table and reach for my shoes.

"Here, let me help you." Christian puts my shoes on and helps me down from the table. I roll my eyes, and he tells me to get used to it. I spend the rest of the day trying to get back to normal.

The next morning, I find myself worshiping the porcelain gods. I can't believe I am just now getting sick. If I have been pregnant for two months, how come I haven't been ill before now? Christian comes into the bathroom and wipes my face with a cool cloth.

"Can I get you anything, Ana?" I clean myself up, and he helps me stand.

"Maybe some crushed ice? There should be some crushed ice in the freezer. I made some last night out of bottled water." He nods his head and goes in search of the ice. I crawl back into bed and cover my face with my arm. I still feel a little nauseous but not as bad as earlier.

"Here, baby." Christian hands me a cup and a pack of saltines. I nibble on the crackers and ice until I start to feel human again. I place them on the bedside table.

"Maybe I should keep a pack of crackers by the bed for times like these?" Christian gets back into the bed with me, and I cuddle into his side.

"That sounds like a great idea." He kisses my forehead, and I close my eyes. The doctor and Coach Kiraly recommended Christian stay in my room in case I have a medical emergency. They were able to find another place for my teammate to stay. I have been taking naps every chance I get. I hope I won't be this tired during the entire pregnancy.

We finished in first place during pool play in our bracket. The quarterfinal matches have the top two teams in each of the four brackets playing each other. It's double elimination, with the winners continuing to advance to the gold medal round. If we lose, we still have a chance for a bronze medal. Honestly, I am happy that we have made it to this point. Yes, a gold medal would be fantastic, but I would be satisfied with any of the three.

We will be facing Canada in the first quarterfinal match. They finished second in their bracket to Brazil. Lucky for us, China and Brazil are on the same side of the quarterfinal bracket. If we can win the next two matches, we will play in the gold medal game. I have been playing the majority of each game we've had, but haven't overdone it. I have to remember that every athlete here is considered the best in the world. There is no need for me to be selfish.

"Ana, I brought you a snack." Christian hands me a plate of fresh fruit and granola. I give him a long, sensual kiss and take the tray from him.

"Thank you, baby. This looks scrumptious!" I take a strawberry from the plate and feed it to him. He shakes his head, and I stick my lower lip out pouting.

"This is supposed to be for you and my little one. Please eat it." I take a bite and offer him the other half. He opens his mouth, and I slide the strawberry along his bottom lip, then put it in his mouth. Christian's eyes turn dark with desire, and I continue to feed both of us.

Once the plate is empty, I pull him on top of me. I haven't started to show yet, but he is still mindful of my belly. He doesn't put all of his weight on me, even when I pull him against me. I take the opportunity to lick the fruit juice from his bottom lip. He groans, and I run my tongue inside of his mouth.

"Ana, are you sure you are feeling up to this?" I grind my pelvis against him, and he takes a ragged breath.

"I'm sure. I need to feel your body against me, please?" I feel him hesitate, and I have had enough. We haven't had sex since I found out about the pregnancy, and I am very horny. I wrap my legs around his waist and rub my sex against his growing erection.

"Ana.." Really? Okay, if that's the way he wants it. I unravel my legs and press my hands against his chest to move him out of the way. If he doesn't help me, I will take care of it myself.

"I'm going to shower before our game." I go into the bathroom and shut the door, engaging the lock. I'm sure it will piss him off, but I don't care at the moment. I am not glass, and I won't break. I turn the water on and start to undress.

"Ana, let me in, please." I don't answer, and he jiggles the doorknob. "Why did you lock the door? What if you fall? I won't be able to get in and help you?" I roll my eyes. I practically begged him for sex, and he only wants me to keep the bathroom door unlocked.

"I'll be out in a minute," I yell at the door. I finish undressing and walk into the warm shower. I let the water flow over my body and consider my options. I could masturbate and feel the relief myself. But that would only make it worse. I lean my head against the tile as tears fill my eyes. If I cry in the shower, no one will know, right? I'm only two months in, and already my hormones are all whacked out.

I quickly finish in the shower and wrap myself in a towel. I forgot to bring clothes in with me, so I walk out into the room and see Christian is sitting on the side of the bed with his head in his hands. He looks up and I continue walking past him. He reaches out and pulls me to him, not saying a word, only resting his head against my stomach. I keep my hands at my side and wait for his next move.

He looks up, and I see so much sadness in his eyes. I don't say anything, waiting to see if he will. He remains quiet, so I pull myself away from him. "I need to get dressed."

"Wait." He stands up and moves closer to me. "I am sorry, Ana. I know you want to have sex, but I am afraid I will hurt you. I don't want anything to happen to you and our baby." I roll my eyes and walk toward the dresser that has my clothes in it.

"I understand Christian, but even the doctor said I would be alright. I need to get ready, or I will be late. We can talk about it later, okay?" He nods and goes into the bathroom to shower. I finish getting dressed and decide to lay down while he is getting ready. I must have dozed off because feather-soft kisses awaken me to my cheek and forehead.

"Ana, baby. It's time to go. Are you feeling alright?" I nod my head and try to get up. Christian presses me down with his body but doesn't make any other move.

"I feel fine, Christian. Honestly. Now please let me up so I can get to the venue on time." He moves to the side, and I get up.

"Ana, I just don't want anything to happen to you." He runs his hands through his soft hair.

"What's it going to take for you to realize I am not going to break? The only thing that has changed is I am carrying around a little human. It is safe where it is. Nothing is going to happen to it, okay?" He stands and walks to me, engulfing me in a hug.

"I know you aren't fragile. But you are now carrying a part of me, and I will do anything to protect you. Even if it means protecting you from me." He kisses my neck and releases me from the hug. "Come on, let's go." We leave the room, and I wonder what he means about protecting me from him.