A.N
Sorry for the delay guys! It's been a super busy month already! Plus, with this coronavirus around, my work load got a bit crazy but we are now in lockdown and I'm considered high risk so I'm home for about 12 weeks 😊
I hope no one is affected and you are all keeping yourselves safe and healthy. There are so many reports on what this virus is actually like, but let's keep strong and going healthy!
Next up Ana tries to adjust life back home!
Much Love
K xx
"Oh wow…you live here?" Ana asked in complete awe as she gazed around Christian's Escala apartment. It was huge! She was not expecting his place to be so grand. And so clean! She felt like she was in a museum right now.
"We live here." Christian confirmed with a smile as he looked to her before he put Teddy's car seat down on the floor and unclipped him before bringing him up into his arms, pressing a soft kiss to his head as he supported the back of his neck. "This will be our new home until we find something more suitable." He told her as he gently rubbed his son's back. Just having Teddy in his arms felt so soothing for Christian. He was desperate to make up for lost time right now with both Teddy and Ana. He was actually looking forward to taking some time off work so they could spend time together as a proper family.
Ana looked to him and frowned a little. "More suitable?"
Christian gave a nod. "A home. A real home. Somewhere this little guy can run around in the backyard, not just look down at the world from a balcony."
Ana couldn't help but smile. "No rush for that though, the little guy can't even hold his own head up yet." She giggled shaking her head as she gently stroked Teddy's cheek with her finger.
Pressing a kiss to Ana's head he smiled down to her. "Let me give you the tour and introduce you to Gail." Kissing Teddy's head he then headed to the kitchen, seeing Gail busy making a range of food he smiled. "Hello Gail."
"Oh, Mr Grey!" Gail jumped as she turned and faced her boss, blushing slightly. "I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in." She frowned. "I don't recall the elevator dinging…I'll get Jason to have a look as soon as possible." She made a mental note to get Jason to look at the elevator.
Christian smiled. "That's quite alright Gail. I'd like you to meet two very important people in my life who will also be moving in." He smiled down to Ana. "This is Anastasia Steele, my fiancé and the love of my life, and this little guy is Teddy. My son. Ana this is Gail Jones, my housekeeper and woman who reminds me to eat ninety percent of the time. She's basically like a second mom."
Gail stood there in shock. Taylor had informed her that Christian would not be arriving home alone and had instructed to get a nursery ready, never in a million years did she expect Christian to come home with his son! Shaking the shock away, Gail smiled to Ana and held out her hand for her to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Steele."
"Please, call me Ana." Ana told her with a smile as she politely shook her hand back.
Christian could see that Gail was in shock, chuckling he smiled and gave a little shrug. "Get it off your chest Gail."
"I'm sorry sir I'm just in shock! Jason didn't give me any information just that you wouldn't be arriving home alone and to set up a nursery. I never imagined this scenario."
"I thought it would be best to do this in person." Christian explained with a soft smile. "We've just introduced Teddy to my brother and sister as well as Kate. They also had no idea about Teddy. It's been a very complicated and emotional few days but Jason can give you all the information you need but Ana is the love of my life…and finding her again and finding out about our son has been the best day of my life."
Ana couldn't help but smile up to Christian before she looked at Teddy as he started to get fussy. Taking him from Christian she kissed his head before she smiled and moved closer to Gail, turning Teddy to face her, holding him close to her chest for support. It was difficult sometimes to hold him because of her cast but she was getting used to holding Teddy while she had it on. There was no way she wasn't going to hold her son while she had the stupid thing on. "Teddy say hello to Gail." She cooed, pressing a kiss to the top of Teddy's head.
Seeing Teddy properly, Gail's mouth dropped slightly before she chuckled. "Well Mr Grey, there's certainly no denying you're his father. I don't think I've ever seen such a double act!" She chuckled before she smiled and stroked little Teddy's cheek. "Hello young man." She cooed, smiling as he gurgled up to her. "How old is he?" She asked curiously. "I've got some baby formula and some clothes, but didn't know which one you would need so I got a couple of each. Jason sounded very rushed when we spoke as he tried to explain what you were needing so I just used my initiative best that I could as I didn't want to disturb anyone." She explained looking to Christian and then set her eyes back on Teddy, continuing to stroke his cheek.
"He's nearly 3 months old." Ana told her with a smile.
"Oh, he's so precious." Gail beamed before she looked to the pair of them, going back into housekeeper mode. "Now, the nursery has been set up, any problems just let me know, everything you will need for Teddy for the next couple of weeks are in the nursery. I shall do my weekly shop tomorrow so I can get everything in for the three of you." She frowned slightly. "Jason didn't tell me to get you any clothing…"
"Oh, you don't need to do that…" Ana told her blushing slightly.
"It's my job, Ana." Gail told her with a smile. "You're a young family reunited. Just let me know if you have any dietary needs. As for clothes I can have some things sent over first thing for you."
Sensing Ana was getting overwhelmed, Christian stepped in. "Ana how about we go and freshen up while Gail finishes off here in the kitchen? Then we can come down and have something to eat?"
Ana nodded. "Yes, I'm starved." She smiled and looked to Gail. "Perhaps while we eat, you'd like to have some cuddles with Teddy?" She suggested. If Gail was going to be part of their household, Ana wanted Gail and Teddy to bond. Christian trusted Gail, so she had no fears of letting their son get to know Gail.
Gail couldn't help but look in awe at Ana as she gave a nod. "It would be my pleasure. I just need to put the brownies in the oven."
Christian let out a moan. "My favourite." He looked to Ana. "They're the best." He chuckled. "Come on let's go freshen up."
Ana smiled to Gail before she followed Christian through the kitchen and through to a bedroom. "So where does Gail stay?" Ana asked curiously as they headed into the bedroom.
"In the staff quarters next door. She shares with Taylor. There's a door that separates us so they're always close by if there's an emergency and it's easy for Gail for she's cleaning."
"She seems like a lovely woman." Ana smiled sitting on the bed, turning Teddy around and holding him close as she gently stroked the back of his head, something she discovered early on would sooth him if he was getting restless.
"She is. She's been a life safer. Both her and Taylor." He admitted leaning against the door frame of his closet.
"Are they together?" Ana asked looking to him.
"I suspect something is going on. They haven't told me anything but they look at each other the same way we do. I'd say it is only a matter of time, but they're both great people." He told her before he smiled to her. "Want to check out his nursery?"
Ana smiled and nodded as she got back up. "Though I'd feel a bit more comfortable if he was with us for a while…I don't think I'm ready to let him go into his own room just yet."
"Whatever you want baby. We'll bring his bassinet into our room, and he can sleep within arm's reach." He smiled and headed into the room opposite theirs. It wasn't decorated for a baby but it had all the necessities that Teddy would need. Crib, portable bassinet, changing table, the walk-in closet no doubt filled with enough clothes, and some toys. They could focus on decorating this room when they were settled. "Once he's into a routine we can decorate this room for him. I'm going to take some time off work so we can sit and discuss what we want and stuff. I want this place to feel like home to you guys."
Ana smiled up to him. "Sounds like a plan to me."
"Now how about you go freshen up while I sort him out?" Christian suggested looking to her. "You can have a shower and just put some of my clothes on?"
Ana nodded. "Do you have a bag or something I can wrap around my cast?"
"Sure, I'm sure I got something. Give me two minutes." He headed out of the nursery and into the kitchen. "Gail do we have a carrier bag or something so Ana can have a shower? She's not allowed to get her cast wet."
"Certainly, Mr Grey." Drying her hands, Gail headed to a draw and pulled out a carrier bag and smiled handing it to him. "Is there anything you two need at all?"
"No that's it thank you. We shall be done shortly for something to eat." Christian informed her with a smile before he headed back upstairs to Ana and Teddy. "Here you go." He handed Ana the carrier bag, looking down to Teddy who was in the centre of his…their bed, happily sucking on his fist. "He's so content." He whispered in as he watched his son.
Ana smiled as she wrapped the carrier bag around her arm. "He always has been. Despite how stressed I was feeling I tried not to show it in front of Teddy. I didn't want him to pick up on that kind of negativity."
Moving over to Ana, Christian wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to her neck. "You're such an amazing mom already."
Turning in his arms, Ana smiled. "And you're an amazing dad. You've just took right to it. He loves you so much already. The way he responds to you. It was like we were never gone."
"And you'll never be out of my sight ever again. Ever." He whispered kissing her head. "Go enjoy your shower while I sort him out then we shall go and have something to eat. Bathroom is straight down there." He pointed to the small corridor in his large bedroom that led to the bathroom.
"I won't be long." She promised before heading down to the grand bathroom.
Watching her go, Christian smiled to himself before he then headed over to Teddy and gently climbed on the bed and laid down next to him. "You having fun there little man?" He cooed to him before he smiled and gently rubbed his tummy. He was so beautiful; he couldn't help but stare at him. As he started to get a little fussy, he soon got up and grabbed his baby bag from the floor and hunted through for a fresh diaper, wipes and a sleepsuit for him. Putting everything he needed on the bed he soon scooped Teddy up and bought him closer to him before he began to strip him off and change him. Smiling as soon as Teddy settled in his fresh diaper and clothes he smiled and picked him up and held him close as he kissed his head.
"How's he been?" Ana asked as she came back into the bedroom, towel wrapped around her. She had left the carrier bag in the bathroom knowing she would need it more for the next couple of weeks.
"Good as gold." Christian told her with a smile. "He's all fresh and clean ready for some cuddles with Gail then I think he'll be ready for a bottle and then he should settle for bedtime." He looked to her. "How was your shower?"
Ana nodded before shrugging a little. "Okay. Bit awkward with the bag on. I'm basically using one hand." She sighed. "I can't wait for my arm to be healed."
"All in good time baby." He smiled and gently moved Teddy in the centre of the bed before he went over to his drawers and pulled out some clothes. Pulling out a pair of boxers and a t-shirt and passed them to her. "Here. Put these on."
"Thank you." Ana smiled and took the clothes off him and dried herself off before she slipped them on as she watched Christian keep a watchful eye on Teddy as he happily kicked his feet and punched the air. She couldn't help but smile. "If he keeps that up, he might sleep all night." She chuckled.
"Has he ever slept through the night yet?" Christian asked curiously.
Ana shook her head. "No. I mean he's not a bad sleeper, he'll wake up twice, maybe three times and he easily settles down after a feed. Jack told me in the nights they should be 'dream feeds.;"
"What's that mean?" Christian asked as he moved and helped Ana put the top on.
"It's basically feeding Teddy through the night, but he's still sort of asleep, so once he's had the bottle he should just settle straight away. It helps get them into a routine." She explained before she looked to Christian once more. "When do you think your dad will be able to find out if Jack is okay?"
"We'll ask him tomorrow okay? With the details you gave and Jack's description, my dad spoke to the police in New York and they're doing a full investigation. As soon as my dad knows anything, he'll let us know but we can ask him tomorrow if he's heard anything."
Ana nodded and smiled to him. "Thank you. For everything."
"You don't need to thank me, Ana. Having you back…I honestly can't tell you what it means to me." As he finished helping her dress, he then pulled her gently into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "I love you so much. Being apart has been so painful." He whispered; his voice thick with emotion.
Ana gently tightened her arm around him best she could. "We'll never be apart again." She promised looking up to him. "You might have thought I was dead, but not for one second did I think you'd not find me. Find us. Everything is going to be an adjustment. But being back here with you, with our families and Teddy. It's all that I need."
Christian smiled and kissed her head before he then looked over to Teddy as he began to shout away and kick his feet more. Chuckling he scooped him and kissed his head and held him close. "We hear you little man don't you worry." He smiled and looked down to Ana. "Let's go and get something to eat then we can settle for the night."
Ana nodded and smiled as she kissed Teddy's head before she followed Christian out of the bedroom and down to the dining room. She was a little nervous about getting being back but at the same time it felt amazing to know she was back home safe and she was with the people she loved. She wanted to put the thought of Morton behind her but she knew deep down that he would soon make an appearance but she knew when that day came, it would be Morton's biggest mistake because she knew that her dad and the whole of the Grey family would make the bastard pay for what he had done and she had to admit…she was very much looking forward to that day. Morton would not be getting away with this.
