A/N: Hi! First of all, thank you so much for the reviews and messages. I appreciate every single one. It's still a little weird to be sharing this little piece of my imagination with other people, but I'm excited to see where it goes and I hope you are too. I'm going to try to do a chapter a day for as long as I can (I still have a few written in advance), but I am in grad school and it is final project season.

A lot of people want clarification on whether or not there is cheating in this. I purposely didn't say because that feels like spoilers to me and, personally, that kind of annoys me when I read a story. I like to just see what happens. So, let's compromise. If you're like me and you like a little suspense, stick with me and I promise that many questions will be answered within a few chapters. If you're dying for more details and you can't wait, just message me and I'll tell you. :) and if you're a guest reviewer and you can't message me, trust me that all will be revealed soon. This is important because you might really not like Christian after this chapter, BUT I encourage us all not to jump to conclusions.

Finally, like I said, I already have some idea where I want this to go, but I don't quite know how it's going to get there, so I have no idea how long this will be. If you are wondering, I do love a happy ending. But I also love exploring the not-so-sunny side of relationship dynamics and I've always seen a lot of potential for that in A&C. Anyway, I'll explain more as we go. Please enjoy, and remember, try not to jump to conclusions!

Chapter 2

Ana

Teddy is wearing a little grey suit and bouncing in his car seat as Sawyer pulls up to Grey House. He always loved to get dressed up to go visit Daddy's office, feeling like one of the grown-ups. I swallow the lump in my throat that forms as I recall the days when Daddy was actually in his office from time to time, wanting us to visit. Not now.

I hold his hand and carry Phoebe on my hip as we get in the elevator. No one is in the lobby on a Saturday, but I dressed up anyway in black heels, fitted grey plaid pants, and a tight black long-sleeved shirt. My body after two kids isn't terribly different. I have new curves, but I've been able to tighten my looser skin back up thanks to working out with Claude, so I don't necessarily look like I've had children. To be honest, I'm probably smaller than is healthy for me at the moment. Stress goes right to my appetite and food is rarely on my mind these days, but I eat in front of the kids because I know that isn't a habit of mine that I want them to pick up on.

The elevator sweeps us smoothly up to the top floor. Andrea's desk is empty, which I expected, but her assistant's desk has some clutter on it. Christian's office door is closed, but Teddy is already growing impatient, so I open it without knocking.

I'm greeted with the sound of a woman's soft giggling. A statuesque brunette is leaning against Christian's desk right next to his chair, gazing at him. The corners of Christian's mouth are slightly upturned. At the sound of the door opening and Teddy's urgent footsteps rattling off the marble floor, they both lean back and look at us.

"Daddy!" Teddy yells as he jumps into Christian's lap. Brunette Barbie takes her ass off the side of the desk and takes a few steps back, giving my son a sour look.

Christian looks a bit shell-shocked and quickly stands up, holding Teddy. "Ana. I'm so glad you made it," he rushes out. "This is Andrea's new assistant, Lena Catton. Miss Catton, my wife, Anastasia Grey."

Lena Catfight walks up to me and sticks her hand out. "Pleasure, Mrs. Grey."

I am saved from having to touch the prototype of my husband's wet dreams by Phoebe's whimpering. "Hello, Miss Catton," I manage to say as I bounce my little girl on my hip, smoothing her hair gently with my other hand.

"Lena, will you please bring in lunch for us?" Christian says. She nods and sashays out of the room. I didn't miss her smirk as she appraised me.

I keep my eyes on my daughter, though again I can feel Christian's stare burning a hole through me, and try to work out what I'm feeling. What I just witnessed wasn't exactly confirmation of anything, except yet another assistant's unsubtle attraction to my husband. Still, they looked cozy enough. I can't recall ever seeing Andrea with her ass on his desk. I expected pain, but, surprisingly, it makes me feel numb. The only other discernible feeling is clarity.

I blink, dispelling these thoughts for the moment. I just want my babies to enjoy their likely limited time with their father, so that's what I decide to focus on. "Phoebe, who's that?" I coo in her ear.

"Daddy," she smiles. I set her down and she toddles over to him. Christian sits back down and pulls both of them up into his lap as I settle myself on the large white couch.

Phoebe plays with the buttons on his suit jacket while Teddy talks about the cartoon we watched this morning. I use the time to check my messages, seeing a few from Mia and Kate. I make a mental note to rally them both once the dust settles after tonight. While Leggy Lena sets up lunch, I catch the subject line of an email I've been waiting for.

Re: Final Documents

My chest sinks as I read it, but I feel somehow calmer. It was the last thing I needed to get in order before our talk tonight. Please, if there's anyone up there, let him be agreeable to this. I don't see why he wouldn't be, given the state of things, but you never know with my control freak.

He's not yours.

Teddy and Phoebe dine on peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat with apple slices while Christian and I are both given Cobb salads. I choke mine down, mindful that my children are here. A few bites into my salad, Teddy asks me to come sit at the desk with the rest of them, and I can't think of a way to refuse in front of them, so I pull up a chair. Phoebe squirms out of Christian's lap and deposits herself into mine, and we continue to eat as Teddy fills the silence with chatter, asking his father a million questions about his job. Being in a suit brings out a very serious side of my little boy.

We pass about twenty minutes like this, before I see the kids starting to lose steam on their meals. I secure Phoebe on my hip again and start to clean up the remnants.

"Ana, Lena will do that," Christian protests.

"It's okay. I've done it now," I reply, pulling out a wet wipe to clean their hands up. "I'm sure Daddy has to get back to work now and we have to get to the park."

Teddy cheers and hops up at the mention of his favorite place. I help him get his little coat on, since it's still a bit chilly in March, and quickly text Sawyer that we're ready to get going.

Christian sits there observing us with a bleak look in his eyes. "Ana?"

I finish with Teddy's coat and look up at him. "Hmm?"

He just stares, opening and closing his mouth a few times. "I, uh… I'll see you for dinner tonight."

Sawyer opens the office door then. I just nod and take Teddy's hand as we leave. I ignore Leering Lena's haughty glare at me on the way out and resolve to enjoy the first somewhat warm day at the park with my babies. We'll deal with this tonight, for once and for all.

After a long afternoon keeping Sawyer and I on our toes at the playground, Teddy and Phoebe are subdued and sleepy as Gail and I get them ready for dinner.

"Ana?" Gail asks, breaking me out of my reverie. "You seem distracted."

I pause and swallow against the ever-present burning in my chest. "It's happening tonight."

Gail's eyebrows raise a fraction, then her jaw sets in grim understanding. "Oh, honey… I'm so sorry it's come to this," she says in a watery voice.

I blink the stinging in my eyes away. "Me too. But I…" I take a shaky breath. "I can't," I whisper.

Gail abruptly pulls me into a hug, and I gasp at the comforting contact. I wrap my arms around her and squeeze my eyes shut to fend off the threatening tears. "I know, dear. I don't blame you. None of us saw this coming."

She steps away from me as we both hear the car door outside. Teddy gets up from his chair to investigate and Phoebe follows curiously behind. I hear squeals as the door opens. Seeing their father three times in one day. A real treat.

I set up Phoebe's booster seat at the kitchen table as Teddy drags his father into the room. "We're having 'sketti for dinner, Daddy!" he shouts excitedly.

"Teddy, volume, please," I admonish.

He makes a show of zipping his lips. "Sorry, Mommy."

I giggle at his display. I swear I hear Christian gasp and when I look up, he's staring at me wide-eyed, lips parted. It's intense. He almost looks… loving.

Love. Impossible. I can't recall the last time he used those words to me.

I settle Phoebe into her booster seat and Teddy excitedly tells his father about how he's a big boy now and doesn't use his anymore. Christian momentarily looks stricken at this news, which has only happened within the last few weeks, but composes his face before his son can notice.

Gail serves us spaghetti and meatballs with a side salad and then discreetly retires to her own quarters after patting me on the shoulder. Christian cuts Teddy's food up as I help Phoebe with hers, the silence again being filled with Teddy. Bless that boy and his never-ending monologue.

I can feel Christian's eyes on me from time to time, but he doesn't address me and I focus on Phoebe, occasionally answering Teddy if he asks me something.

I manage to finish most of my plate by the time Phoebe is done and her eyes begin to droop. "I think it's bath time, babydoll," I murmur as I wipe her hands up. "You too, Teddy bear. Upstairs, please."

"I want Daddy to!" Teddy says, tugging on Christian's arm.

"Of course, son," he murmurs, his brows knit together as he gazes at his little boy.

"Okay, Daddy will help you get ready for bed," I agree and scoop up my little girl to begin her bedtime process.

Within half an hour, both munchkins are bathed and picking out their book for tonight. Christian lingers in the doorway of Teddy's room with a look of confusion as he pulls out books and shows them to his little sister.

"They started to have their story together in Teddy's bed. Phoebe is usually out cold halfway through, so I just carry her to bed afterwards," I explain. He looks surprised that I addressed him directly. Well, when it comes to my babies, we can keep it civil.

"Come on, Mommy!" Teddy pats the side of the bed inviting me to sit as he tucks the blankets around his sister. I sit and he hands me the book for tonight. Chrysanthemum, one of Phoebe's favorites.

"Come sit with Mommy, Daddy!" Teddy urges. I tense slightly as Christian sits next to me, lightly wrapping his arm behind my lower back. I can feel his breath tickling my ear as he looks at the book over my shoulder, and I swear I hear him inhale deeply as if he was smelling me.

I focus on the job at hand. Within four pages, Phoebe is a goner, and Teddy is about two seconds away from it by the end of the book. I put it back on the shelf and kiss Teddy's little mop of copper curls. "Goodnight, my darling. I love you so much," I whisper.

"Love you too, Mommy," Teddy garbles sleepily as he pulls his blanket tighter to him. "And love you too, Daddy," he adds just before sleep takes him.

Again, I swear I hear a sob escape Christian from where he's stationed by the bookshelf, but I disregard it as I gently pick up Phoebe and take her to her room. I kiss both her cheeks as I pull the blankets around her. "Goodnight, my little princess. I love you so much." I don't expect a response, she didn't even stir when I put her down.

I peek my head into the hallway and don't see Christian, so I take this opportunity to run downstairs to my home office, where I retrieve the documents I printed out earlier and stuff them into a manila envelope. I drop the papers onto the coffee table in the great room, then head into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine. Then, I settle myself onto the couch and wait.

He doesn't keep me long, appearing in the doorway within a few minutes. His eyes are red and he looks bone tired. I take a long sip of my wine and hold my glass up, offering him one. He shakes his head and begins to pace.

I feel oddly relaxed even though deep down, I know I've been dreading this moment for months.

Christian takes a deep breath and rakes both hands through his hair. "Ana, this is long overdue. So long, I know that. I don't quite know where to begin."

It's time. Now.

"I have to talk to you too, Christian. I'd appreciate if you allowed me to start." I slide the manila envelope across the table towards him. "Please."

He locks eyes with me for a moment, looking startled and apprehensive, then opens the envelope and slides the first sheet out. I watch as all the color drains from his face.

"Ana…" he chokes out. "Please don't do this, Ana. I can explain, I swear."

So sorry. I love a good cliffhanger. But we'll return here soon, I promise. Next chapter, we get a peek into Christian's mind and we'll relive some of the last day through his eyes.