Chapter 36:

Christian's POV:

When my wife told me that her father and a friend of his was going to be staying at our home, I was not happy. I was livid. I pouted, shouted, and stomped about until my beautiful and patient wife told me that she loved me with her kisses. The woman owns me … what can I say? We ended up in bed making love for a couple of hours. That is when I am the most relaxed. I am in her arms and all is right with the world. She soothes me, her voice is a siren's song to my heart and soul. How in the hell did I ever get this angel to fall in love with me? She loves me, respects me, and damn she loves to fuck me, but she will never let me disrespect her or dominate her. I have to laugh at my thought there. No one dominates Ana Grey! She is a wild natural force that can be gentle or she can be a hurricane that destroys whatever is in her path.

I am late getting home and I know Ana isn't that happy with me, but she runs a multi-million dollar company and she understands that there are days that business does not end at five o'clock on the dot. So, here I am walking into my home two hours late. I am tired, hungry and I miss my wife and son.

Speaking of my son, he sees me in the foyer and he comes crawling to me after falling from his five step attempt. I sweep Teddy up into the air to hear his giggle and to proclaim that I am his DADA! I hug on him as I make my way into the living room to find it empty. I hear Ana's laughter and know that my wife is in the kitchen. With Teddy tucked under my arm, I make my way to one of my favorite rooms of the home that Ana made for us. The kitchen is huge, painted the lightest yellow shade with an eat-in area and seating at the island. All the appliances are a brushed stainless steel top of the line items. Only the best for the Grey home! Ana and her Dad with his guest are sitting at the round table that fits into the bay-windows that looks over the water. My wife gets up and greets me with a soft kiss that made a promise of more to come later. She wiggled her eyebrows at me and I know that after everyone retires for the night, I will be balls deep inside my wife.

After greeting my wife, she takes Teddy from me and places him back into his high chair. She knew I was home and she let Teddy scramble to find me. I know how she works. She sent the boy to make sure I stayed sociable and polite! Damn the woman is smart!

"Christian, this is Carlos Balitrane. He is a friend of Dad's." She sweetly introduced us. "Carlos, this is my wonderful husband, Christian Grey."

A tall man with the handsome looks of the classic Latin lover stands to greet me. We shake hands and offer our salutations like the gentlemen we were taught to be. I look to Ana who gives me her little smile. This man is a Dominate. I recognize the stand, the demeanor of man used to having his way. I also have his background report. I know he is involved with Kate Kavanagh. I know he was a suspect in the attempted murder of Elena Lincoln years ago when her rental home went up in flames. He left the United States and lived abroad all these years. I wonder what brings him back. Is it really Katherine Kavanagh that has brought him to Seattle?

I stop and greet my father-in-law with a handshake and one of those back-pat hugs that men do. We exchange ideas of fishing this weekend if the "boss" will let us which gets us both the Ana glare. I sit down at my place and Ana has a plate ready for me. As I eat they discuss the weather, the chances of fishing this weekend, and Ana asks her Daddy if he would design and build her another bench for her garden. Nothing is said about Katherine, why Balitrane is here and how he knows Raymond Steele. I think that my team has been dropping the ball on their covert coverage of my father-in-law. I never get any reports on him. I guess I am the one who dropped the ball because I never noticed the absence of these reports. I look to Ana who is trying to eat and keep Teddy happy. She needs to eat more, I think now that she is having our second child. She catches my eye and her eyes sparkle. This is woman who is content and I am damn proud to say that I caused it!

"I can take Teddy so you can eat." I lowly say as Ray and Carlos go on with their discussion.

"I'm alright, sweetheart. I'm just tired. You know how I am when…" She bit her lip. "I played a bit too hard with our son."

"Mom warned us that he would be a whirlwind when he started to walk." I add.

"He was that when he was crawling! He's a F4 tornado now!" She exclaimed with her sweet laugh.

"Dada!" My demanding son exclaimed wanting my attention. Then, I felt it. A cold clop of mashed potato landed and slid down the side of my face. The room was silent for about a millisecond then my darling wife along with her usually stoic father along with his friend burst with laughter. My beloved son, the fruit of my loins, the apple of my eye, and my mini-me had found his throwing arm.

"Really?" I said laughing at the situation now. How could I not laugh? I would have done the same thing to Elliot if I could! I wipe the spud poop off my face and take my son out of his high chair. "Listen here young Grey, I am not the target. It's always your Uncle Elliot and do not forget that!"

"Christian!" My wife exclaimed trying to be firm with me, but she ended up laughing.

Ana excused herself after dinner to give Teddy probably his third bath of the day and to put him to bed. She kissed her Daddy goodnight and wished Balitrane a goodnight then turned to me. I get a kiss and a hug and I hear her soft voice. "Be nice."

I watch as my wife and son leave the room. Her soft voice telling me to be nice echoes in my ear. I am always nice. When haven't I been nice? I turn back to the men. "Gentlemen, let's converse in my office for a while." I give Zoe or Chloe, or whatever her name is a nod that she can start the cleanup. She's a part-time domestic that Gail hired to help around the house. I only know that she has passed the Gail inquisition and her background check came back clean.

I offer my guests a choice of whiskey or wine and we settle in the seating area that Ana insisted that every grand office needed. I have to admit, she did do a wonderful job decorating in here. It was classy, sophisticated and had a bit of color, mostly blue like her eyes. I take a sip of my whiskey and see that Balitrane seems entranced with my wife's photograph.

"She is a very beautiful lady." Carlos says more to Ray than to me. "I can see why Katherine is jealous of her."

"I'm glad you brought up the Kate subject." I offer. "We know she is comatose, but we haven't heard much out of the family."

"She is still in the coma." Carlos said with a sadness that reflected on his face. "I should have seen it coming. She … she needed help."

I didn't have words of comfort to give this man. In a small way, I was relieved that Kavanagh was somewhere she couldn't hurt me, Ana, or our children. "Is there a chance she might recover?"

Carlos shook his head. "She was under far too long. I believe her parents brought her home to die." Carlos drained his glass. "I came to say my goodbyes and pay my final respects … that is if the family will let me." He took a deep breath. "They found out about our relationship and they think that I beat her into this coma."

"So, they know their little girl was into BDSM? I'm sure Papa Kavanagh isn't too shocked. He dabbled enough through the years." I downed the rest of my drink. "And, what about you, Mr. Balitrane, who do you blame for this?"

Carlos knew where I was going with this. "I have nothing against you, Mr. Grey. I knew exactly what I was getting into when I took up with Kate. Her problems were self-induced from her entitlement psyche." Ray offered us another shot of whiskey which we both took. "Believe it or not, I fell for the little witch. When she was in her submissive role, she was damn good, and she was always up for fun. Even when we were out on the town or off sailing, she was wonderful." Carlos drifted off for a moment but came back. "She was so lively, so full confidence and sass! It was when she was alone for a period of time that she went …I don't know how to describe it … she went inside herself and became moody, hateful, and vindictive."

"She wanted to hurt me." I said putting the matter out on the table, "because I didn't want her."

"Yes." Carlo answered.

"So, is there anything else to say?"

Carlos came to his feet. "There is one thing, Mr. Grey." Carlos reached into his suit jacket and pulled out an envelope which was thick with papers. "Before Mr. and Mrs. Kavanagh even arrived in France, I took the liberty of searching Kate's belongings. I found this in the lining of her suitcase." I opened it up to find a copy of the NDA that she signed, a copy of the contract, and pages and pages of Katherine's obsession about me and Ana. "I didn't think that you would Kavanagh finding something like this."

I had to laugh as I tore the papers in two. "You are correct. He would try to bury me. For some reason he hates people who are richer than him."

"I guess that explains his attitude towards me." Carlos extended his hand in comradeship. I took it knowing that we have common ground. We both like the kink.

"Carlos, if there is anything you need, please let me know. I mean if Kavanagh gets a bug up his ass or something." I have to admit I rather like Carlos. He's easy to talk to and he has his own money, so he doesn't want or need anything from me.

"Thank you, Christian. That's very kind of you." He said with a little stammer. I can tell that he is uncomfortable. I put my glass down on the coffee table and make a mental note for Zoe or whatever her name is to have this cleaned. "It's been a long day, gentlemen and I think I will retire for the night."

I watched him go. He had a moment where his shoulders drooped as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. That was a man with a broken heart. I can't see what he saw in the Kavanagh girl, but he is a man without his lady. I almost call out to ask him if he knows where he is going, but knowing Ana that way that I do, she already showed him the house and where his room was. At that moment, I realize what a lucky sonofabitch that I am. I have the love of a very good woman who looks after my interests as well as her own. She has given me a son that I adore beyond belief, and most importantly, she showed me that I have a heart.

As much as I want to retire to my bed and to my wife, I still have a few questions for my father-in-law. I turn to him. He pours us two more drinks and sits down in the chair he had previously sat in. That one eyebrow of his is cocked up to show that he was waiting. Oh, hell, this man was a true Dominant! He didn't go to classes, have a tutor, or a mentor to show him the ropes of being a Dominant. This came naturally to him as breathing. I always knew that Ray was a formidable man, where else would Ana come across this trait?

"You have questions." He said in his taciturn way. No emotion. No easily seen "tell" about this man. He must be a demon in Vegas. "And, I have answers. Let's talk."

My head is reeling. I sit alone in my home office totally blown away by the information given to me in the last few moments. Raymond Steele is nothing as his profile report claimed. Yes, he is retired military, he works as a carpenter, and he has a beautiful daughter. But, what is missing from the profile that was given to me, was what a badass motherfucker he was! He brought down a well-established sex trade syndicate that somehow I was involved in without my consent, and kept my name or Balitrane's from being known. He did this without firing a single shot, just quiet reconnaissance under the noses of my best men. Raymond could give my team a few lessons! I am impressed!

Now I have to process all this information. Everything that I thought I knew is out the window. Elena Lincoln was never a friend, never a saving grace, but an evil procurer of the flesh. She was nothing but a high-class pimp that preyed upon the children of her "friends", children she came into contact with thru the charities she "worked" on. Everything that woman did was calculated for her benefit! She used me, my parents, their charity, and their good social standing. My life since 15 had been a toy for her to use for her amusement and for her gain. This was going to drive me mad! Or to drink! I thought I slayed this dragon in the past, but there is the bitch once again to haunt me! I shoot to my feet and I run to the only place where I feel safe at the moment. Ana! God, I need this woman more than air! Ana will soothe the pain and the doubt that runs through my veins. Ana!

I calmed myself as I approached our bedroom doors. My heart is racing but not as bad as before. I quietly enter our Master Suite to find Ana not in our bed, but in the sitting area with Teddy in her arms. They are both asleep. All at once, every doubt, every misconception about myself flew out the window. I fall to my knees before them. I belong to this woman who carries another child of mine within her body. And, this boy, this beautiful boy is ours. Teddy is the best of both of us! Together, we made a fine boy and together we will raise him and all other siblings into fine adults. I have a future that is filled with positivity. It is full of love! My future is full of Ana!

"Fuck off, old dragon." I said aloud to the dark thought that once again tried to invade my soul.

And, a little voice quietly demanded from the sofa. "Language!"

I could only smile when she opened those beautiful blue eyes. There she was, my sweet Ana! She smiled up at me and all the doubt and worry melted away. What was there to be worried about? My life has turned for the better. "Wife, you get lovelier every time I see you."

"So, is this Katherine thing behind us now?" She asked hopefully. I think she knew in her heart that her friend was not coming back. Even if Kate did come out of the coma, the chances of her being her normal self was nil.

"I think so." I kiss her a few times hoping to ease her disappointment.

"I know you will think me crazy, but I will miss the Kate I knew in college. The girl with the big smile and big ideas!" Ana patted the baby's back as he slept upon her shoulder. "She wasn't like…when we first met she was full of life and carefree. Then something happened in our senior year and she changed. She became moody. One day up, the next day crying in her cereal."

"She met me." I state.

"No, actually, it started before you and her obsession for you. I just don't know what sent her spiraling."

"We may never know, sweetheart, and that's alright. We have our own lives to live. And, we have another little baby on the way." My hand gently went to her still flat stomach. I didn't let myself worry, she would be showing soon enough. "Do you want another boy or a girl?"

"I just want a healthy baby, Christian."

I can see a wave of fatigue overcome her. I take Teddy from her and motion her to bed which she does with no argument so I know she is beyond tired. As Teddy is tucked sweetly into his bed, I find myself caressing his soft cooper curls. He such an adorable child and I think the next great genius of our times! "Goodnight, little prince. Sleep well and know that Daddy is always here to protect you and your Mother." Teddy yawns and rolls over to his side. "I love you, Teddy."

"Da … Da." His quiet sleep talk warms my heart. He knows even in sleep that his Daddy loves him.

I felt a tear roll down my cheek. It was a happy tear. I finally get it. I do deserve love and happiness!