Anastasia

I woke up the next morning, wrapped tightly in Christian's arms. The sun was shining, and I was so warm and content. For the first time in a few days, I truly felt much happier. I watched Christian as he slept, reminded of just how young he looked during slumber. Sometimes I would catch small glimpses of the little boy I used to crawl in next to at our sleepovers and my heart would melt. Everything always felt better when I was with him and we were together and united. It felt like everything would always be okay, as long as we had each-other.

He stirred a little, shifting so that the blanket came down just below his navel. He had still kept up with the training from Taylor and they chatted regularly on the phone. These days, his body looked absolutely glorious. Gone were the childhood and teenage days of lankiness. He was all man and filled out. Defined and chiselled in all the right places. I lifted my hand, stroking a finger across his chest. Desire welled up inside me like a heated pool and I leaned over, kissing him awake.

He awoke sleepily, grumbling his discontent about been awoken.

"I want you," I whispered, manoeuvring so that I was on top of him.

"Again?" He yawned. "We did it three times last night."

I grinned, pressing my lips to his once more. "I know."

As I kissed him deeper, moving over him, he gradually became more alert and kissed me back fiercely. I was wet already as I eased down on him, my lips breaking away from his to moan. Being on top always allowed the best angle for hitting my g spot and I came within minutes. Afterwards, Christian kissed me breathlessly.

"Somebody is extremely horny lately," he chuckled, stroking my hair back.

I flushed, shrugging. I was, even more so than usual and I had no argument for it.

"I just want you all the time," I grinned, running my fingers through his hair. "Do you have a problem with that Mr Grey?"

He flipped us around, pinning me beneath him.

"No Mrs Grey," he smirked. "I'm here to satisfy."

I kissed him again and he squeezed my boob playfully before dragging his hand down over my stomach. He stilled for a second and I looked up at him, questioningly.

"That's the second time you've done that," I noted, raising my brows. "Yes, I've been eating a little more lately. It's not as flat as it was."

It was true. I had noticed the past few weeks my shorts becoming the tiniest bit snugger. I had a few more curves and fuller boobs but I had attributed it to the fact that I was now at a healthy weight and eating more food. Plus, I was no longer sixteen. I was a woman now.

"I don't care about how flat your stomach is," he said ruefully, caressing me gently. "You're perfect to me and always will be. That's not the reason I was touching you there. I thought there might be something else."

"Like what?" I urged.

It was his turn to raise his brow at me, as if it was completely obvious.

"Do you think you could be pregnant?" He asked carefully, watching my every expression.

Surprised, I sat up slightly with a little giggle. "No," I said. "I'm on birth control."

And then with a start, I realised that I wasn't. Ever since I was fifteen, I had been on the mini pill. Just before heading off to college however, I visited my OB/GYN and we decided to change to the shot for convenience. I was supposed to get it every few months and I had been whilst at college. Since I had come home though, and with everything happening with Riley, it had completely escaped my mind and I had forgotten to go to my doctors here for it.

I sat up, breathing heavily. Eating more. Bigger boobs. High sex drive. Hell, when was the last time I had my period? I couldn't remember.

"I missed my shot," I said to Christian, covering my mouth with my hand. "Christian…I think you're right."

He pulled me into him, stroking my face with his thumbs gently.

"Don't be panicked," he said gently. "We'll go and find out, okay?"

"What if I am?" I whispered.

"Then we'll raise our baby together," he smiled, kissing my neck softly. "Don't panic. I've got you. I've always got you."

I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, about to ask him to make love to me once more, before we were startled by a sudden loud knock at the door. He jumped up immediately, throwing his pants on.

"Who could that be?" I asked, puzzled as I followed suit, slipping into a robe.

"I didn't think she was being serious," Christian said, irritated.

"Who?"

"My mom," he said exasperated. "She told me that if I didn't come back home to talk about things, she was catching a flight out here."

I headed to the door quickly, opening it to find that it was indeed Grace standing on the other side. She had a big bag with her, and her face looked blotchy and tear streaked. my self-pity and wallowing, I had failed to see how the situation had affected Grace and I immediately felt awful. Seeing her like that made me unexpectedly tear up too and she shook her head before pulling me into her arms.

"You'll be okay sweetheart," she said softly.

"I'm so sorry," I said, pulling back to let her in as I shut the door behind her. "I wanted to say goodbye, but we just had to get out of there. It was too much."

Christian joined me a few seconds later, pulling his crying mom into a big hug. I left them alone for a moment whilst I went to make tea. When I came back, they were both seated and Grace clutched the mug I passed to her gratefully.

"You didn't think I was going to let my babies walk off without seeing them, did you?" She asked sharply.

I smiled softly, letting her take a sip.

"Did you ever suspect?" I asked after she had gathered herself together.

She nodded with a sigh. "Of course I did. I could see your birthmark as well as my husband could. The part that hurts the most is that whilst your mother told your father, my husband didn't offer me the same courtesy."

"I'm so sorry Grace," I said, squeezing her hand.

She offered me a small smile.

"What's happening now at home?" Christian asked.

"Elliot has stayed at home for a few days to look after Mia whilst I'm here," she said, wiping the tears from her face. "Your father has gone. He told me he needed some time alone, away from everything and I did not try to stop him."

My heart broke for her.

"I'm appalled at what he did," she said, looking back at me. "I had no idea he was capable of such atrocities. I'm so sorry Ana honey. I'm truly ashamed."

I shook my head. "It's not your fault."

"For what it's worth," she sighed. "Ethan Kavanagh came to see me shortly after I arrived home and found you both gone."

Both of us tensed at the mention of his name.

"He had meant to see you again, but when he knew I was coming to California, he wanted to tell me that the two of you never slept together. You were drunk and you weren't quite sure what was happening. He says he's deeply sorry he lied to you and hurt you."

She reached into her purse, pulling out a piece of crumpled paper and passing it to me.

"He wrote this for you," she said softly. "Hopefully it will explain everything."

I sat, thinking over her words. I was confused and in shock. How could we not have slept together? I may have been drunk but I know what I felt. I remember him touching me. At my confusion, Grace cleared her throat, obviously knowing what was running through my mind.

"I think that he may have only used… foreplay with you," she stated, trying to sound mature and professional about the matter. "Either way, it was terribly wrong of him."

Beside me, Christian let out a sigh of relief. I looked at him to see that despite everything, he was smiling slightly. I elbowed him.

"You're still mine," he breathed, hugging me close. "Only mine."

Grace took another sip of her tea, but I noticed that she couldn't quite keep her gaze away from me. I wondered what was running through her mind. Whether she was seeing me for me, or if she was just now trying to see Carrick in my features.

"How are my parents?" I asked her. "Have you managed to see them?"

She nodded, placing her tea down. A glance at her hand showed me that she was no longer wearing her ring. An ache arose in my chest and even though I knew it was not my fault, I couldn't help but feel as though the destruction of our families was all my doing.

"I saw your mother the same evening," she said. "She was so distraught, but I told her that I didn't blame her. How could I for something that happened over twenty years ago? Before she even knew who I was? I can't be sorry for what happened, no matter what. The result of their reunion got us you. How could anybody regret it?"

I smiled, reaching across for her hand. She took it in hers.

"I don't blame your mother," she reiterated. "The only person I blame is my husband. He was the one who betrayed me, nobody else."

"He doesn't want us together," I told her. "He never has and that's why he's always tried to push me away. I didn't understand before, but I do now. He is uncomfortable with it."

Grace nodded again. "I understand that," she said. "But you and Christian have absolutely no biological relation. You've grown up as lovers for years with two separate families. As far as I'm concerned, nothing changes. Your father is Ray and Christian's father is Carrick."

I smiled at that, happy that she believed it too.

Christian wrapped an arm around my waist, kissing my cheek softly. "I told you nothing has to change," he said, before kissing me again. "Everything will be okay now Ana. I promise."

Automatically, his hand slid down to my belly and at the realisation, both of us stilled as Grace looked at the action with her mouth wide open in shock.

Christian cleared his throat, suppressing a smirk before speaking. "Um…we might have something else to tell you mom."