A/N: Happy Saturday everyone!
All mistakes are my own.
I do not own FSOG.
"Dad, how are you doing?"
Ana smiled when she heard a lightness in her father's voice. It had been several weeks, and she was pleased to hear him sounding like his old self.
"I'm good, Annie. Much better than before. The doctor says that the treatment is working, and I'm resting easier," Ray admitted. Ana sighed and quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. She was sitting in her living room taking a quick break while her son ran around the backyard like a crazy person with his best friend. She had no idea where he got all his energy from, especially after soccer practice, but at least he was happy.
"That's good. I wanted to check on you to know when you were coming home, and-"
"Why did you really call?" he asked frankly. Ana gasped.
"Dad, what are you talking about? You know I'm calling to check on you."
"And I greatly appreciate it. But I also want to know the real reason why you're calling."
"I-"
"You facetime me when you want to see my face and to see whether or not I'm lying. You did neither which made me know you didn't want me to see your face. Let me guess, It's about Christian Grey," he said wryly. Ana snorted, even though she knew she did a poor presentation of not being unaffected.
"Look, I just wanted to-"
"Tell me."
"What?"
"You heard me, Annie. Tell me what's going on. I'm your dad, which means I know everything," he joked. Ana smiled.
"That's impossible old man." Ana was quiet on the other line before sighing.
"I don't know how to forgive him. I want to but-"
"Then do it."
Ana frowned.
"What?" she asked. Ray sighed.
"I know it's hard, Annie. But if you want the guy, then you have to move forward. He's apologized, and yes, I'm still mad at him for putting you in this position, but you want to be with him. You have a child together. You owe it to yourself to at least try."
This was what Ana had been thinking all along. When she left Christian under the bleachers at Teddy's practice she thought the same thing. But she didn't want to seem weak. She voiced those concerns aloud.
"Am I weak, dad?"
He sighed.
"No, Annie. You're the strongest woman I know. You love the man, then do something about it. But make it clear that you will not put up with any future lies. If that's a soft spot for you, then let him know. Give him a chance to prove himself. If he fails, move on. But when you do, or if you do, you have to close that door permanently," he said seriousness in his tone. Ana breathed shakily.
"I don't know where to start," she confessed. Ray chuckled a bit.
"Don't younger people go on dates? I know I've been out of the loop for the last several decades, but I thought couples went out to do stuff. And with his family, I'm sure they wouldn't mind watching my grandson. Now, be a big girl, and do what I say."
Ana giggled at that. She hadn't heard him say that in a long time, and that was more proof that her dad was going to be okay.
"Alright. Well, I don't want to keep you up, old man. Get some rest. And Teddy will call you before his big game this weekend."
"I look forward to his call."
"I want to get back together with Christian."
Kate's eyes bugged out of her head even as she grabbed a bag of chips and opened them in front of Ana. They were currently at Kate's home as Teddy wanted to play with his cousin and vice versa. It worked out perfectly because Elliott wanted to take his son and nephew to laser tag. This was the perfect opportunity for Ana to catch Kate up on everything.
"Really? What are you going to do? Please tell me you'll be like Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies. It would feel me with joy to see you pretending to be a prostitute and dance for your estranged mob baby daddy lover."
"Kate!" Ana shouted even as she blushed. She had to admit, it wasn't a terrible idea. However, Ana was the least coordinated person on the planet. She was so happy that Teddy was blessed with Christian's balance.
"You were thinking it was a good idea, weren't you?" she said smirking. When Ana covered her eyes, Kate cackled.
"Anyway," Ana said trying to steer the question back to the topic at hand, "I don't know what to do, Kate. I mean I want to be with him, but I just-"
"Can't forget that the man is in the mob?" she said dryly.
"Yes," she said honestly. Kate sighed. "Look, If I were you, I would be mad. That this perfect guy came and I fell in love only for him to hold back the truth as to what he really does. But you said yourself that is only part of who he is, right?"
"Right."
"And when you're with him, he never brings that stuff up?"
"No. He apparently keeps that part of the business away from his family. I'm sure his father and mother know, but that's it. Does Elliott still have no clue?" Ana asked her friend. Kate nodded.
"I've been checking. At first, it bothered me that he came from this family, but now Ana, even if he was involved, I could never turn my back on him. I love him too much."
Ana nodded.
"I think you should tell him upfront that you want to try. That you want him, but you have to make the rules on what is acceptable and what is not."
Ana bit her lip before asking quietly.
"What if I'm no longer what he desires. Sexually, anyway?" Kate frowned at Ana's question a bit confused. Ana saw the look on her face and sighed.
"I had Teddy, right? So everything is not how it used to be. You know I had a complicated birth and-" Understanding dawned on Kate when Ana cut herself off.
"You're worried about stretch marks and stuff like that?" Kate asked softly.
"Mmmhmm."
"Ana, it's apart of life. I know your kitty is tight because it's had no action in years,"
"Kate-"
"But, " Kate said continuing the conversation, "I don't think Christian cares about that. He never struck me as that type of man. He has to know that you had a kid, his kid, and things aren't always the same. In fact, they are so much better," Kate drawled, much to Ana's shock. Kate leaned in close.
"Go get him, Ana," she smirked. "Go get him, and make him want you bad."
Hey! We getting warmed up. Y'all gonna like the story from this point on. I'm about to become a porn writer again hahahahaahaha!