Me yesterday: don't expect daily updates
Me one day later: psych, here's another update

Chapter 53

Ana

I'm dreaming about feather-light kisses trailing up and down from my neck to my cheek, back and forth. Warm, strong arms are wrapped around me. I keep my eyes shut, staying in the dream just a little longer.

"I can tell that you're awake, Ana," Christian chuckles in my ear.

I snap my eyes open. It's not a dream.

"No, it's not. But I thought the same thing," he says, continuing his journey across my skin. Oh, did I say that out loud?

I turn in his arms, planting a light kiss on his nose. "Good morning. How are you feeling this morning after your big night?"

"I'm fine. Somebody left me a glass of water." He kisses my nose back.

"Wow, that was so nice of someone!"

He smirks. "I doubt Mia is feeling the same. She didn't get to have her drunk snack before passing out."

"Poor thing. So, what did you do? I only heard an overview beforehand."

"Dinner at the Mile High, then we went to some bar with pool tables and game machines and stuff. Very juvenile," he playfully scoffs. "I played Cards Against Humanity without my little freak. Maybe that's why I won," he adds proudly.

"You won? Naturally. I only marry winners." I flick a lock of hair off of his forehead and run my fingers through it.

"I wish you could have come." He pauses, seeming to debate his next words. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I suppress a sigh. I really don't want to ruin the moment by talking about that. "I'm fine. Like I said, I was tired. I wouldn't have been any fun."

"This wouldn't have anything to do with the paparazzi incident?" I stay quiet, not wanting to get into it, but not wanting to lie, either. "Ana," he says gently.

"Fine. I'm scared that if I go out, something is going to happen. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Of course it's not what I want to hear, but I don't want you to bottle it up and deal with it alone, either. You never have to be alone," he says firmly. Instantly, I feel guilty for snapping at him. He's just trying to be there for you, you don't have to bite his head off. "It's completely normal to feel that way, baby. Honestly, I'd be more worried if you weren't freaked out."

"He just came out of nowhere," I whisper. "Security handled it so fast, but… even Sawyer said things could have been different if he had had a weapon. What if they do next time? What if I'm with the kids? Or you? What if someone else gets hurt?"

"Hey," he murmurs, pulling me closer so I'm flush against his chest. The panic bubbling up in me as I imagine these scenarios recedes in his warm embrace and I let out a shaky breath. "You can lay low for as long as you want to. But I will not let anything happen to you, Ana. Do you hear me? I don't care if I have to hire ten guys to stand around you in bulletproof vests at all times. I will do whatever it takes to make sure nothing happens to you. Okay?"

I sigh and nod. "I think I just need some time. I know it was probably a one-off. I just… everything has been a little overwhelming lately."

"I can imagine. You make everyone who sees you lose their minds these days, not just me," he says, a touch of both humor and distaste in his tone.

"I never in a million years thought it would be like this," I mutter. "I wasn't trying to be… famous. I was just trying to distract myself from how miserable I was. That's it. It was an emotional life raft. It never crossed my mind that anyone would want to meet me, or see me play, or that it would blow up like this."

"So… does that mean you won't become a career musician?"

I half laugh, half scoff. "Not like this. I don't think this level of exposure is for me. Honestly, I only did the shows because I needed a distraction from... Carla-gate. If it hadn't been for that, I probably wouldn't have wanted to do something that big."

He kisses my hair. "I had a hunch."

I nod, snuggling closer to him. "I'm glad that I did, in a way. I showed myself that I could do something I never imagined. But it's not my dream. I still have to figure out what's next."

"As long as you're happy… and safe," he qualifies. "I really don't give a fuck what you do, Ana. Perhaps the one benefit to being with me is that you can afford to do whatever the hell you want with your time."

"Stop right there. You're being mean to the person I love. There are at least 10,000 benefits being with you and the money doesn't even make the list." I kiss his chest, right over his heart, and his arms tighten around me. "Right now, I just want to enjoy the last summer we have before Teddy goes to kindergarten and Phoebe goes to preschool. They're growing up and I really don't want to take this time for granted."

He's quiet for a moment, and I'm about to ask him what he's thinking about, but then he loosens his grip on me and pulls back to look at me. 'We should probably go make sure Mia is alive." He grins and picks up my left hand to kiss it, right in front of my rings. I have to admit, having these back on feels right. "You've got a life sentence with me, Mrs. Grey. You're really up for that?"

"I believe 'until death do us part' was the stipulation, Mr. Grey, and with the way things are going between us, I am up for exactly that." He smiles shyly and I shake my head. "One day, you'll believe me."

By the time our couples therapy session on Monday afternoon rolls around, I've pretty much spent the last two days anticipating it. Christian has been sneakily sleeping with me, the kids still none the wiser so far that he's actually staying the night. I'm feeling positively greedy for more time with him, without sneaking around like teenagers. Although, that's also kind of fun. As are the groping midnight makeout sessions…

We have still not re-consummated our marriage, and while I love that our relationship is growing in so many ways beyond the physical now, I think I'm going to spontaneously combust if I don't have my way with him soon. We briefly discussed it, and the conversation didn't get very far beyond Christian insisting that the next time we're together has to be special, so it looks like I may have return to my old habit of sneaking a vibrator into the shower.

Honestly, though, if memory serves, he's worth the wait. And Christian's idea of special is probably larger than life. I'm a teeny bit excited…

We're at Escala now, and Eric is set to arrive soon. Gail watches the kids while we're in therapy, and since Taylor is with Christian during the day, it seemed to make sense to bring them here as well so Gail could spend a little time with her husband. Our separation hasn't exactly been a cakewalk for their quality time together.

Christian is finishing up some last minute work in his office, and I'm in the kitchen with Teddy and Phoebe getting some snacks together so that when they're off in the staff quarters, there's no grumbling tummies. That would be a tragedy.

"When will you be done?" Teddy asks.

"In an hour."

"How many cartoons is that?"

I stifle a laugh at his concept of time. "About three without commercials." He ponders this for a moment, then nods in approval.

"Daddy!" Phoebe squeals, running to him with outstretched arms, a sight that is music to my ovaries.

"Princess!" He catches her and kisses her cheeks loudly. He walks further into the room and does the same to Teddy and me, making us both giggle. "Mia texted. Apparently, a dinner at Bellevue is mandatory tonight."

"Tonight? That's weird. Normally that's a Sunday thing."

He shrugs. "I could make an excuse."

"No, it's fine. I just have to run home first." I peck his lips and he smiles.

Just then, the elevator dings. We exchange a glance. Gail hasn't come out to get the kids yet and Eric isn't due for another ten minutes. Before we can really react, Teddy is running into the foyer to investigate.

"Teddy!" I scold, but I'm laughing, so it doesn't come across as very authoritative. We follow him to find him appraising Eric, whose eyebrows have about hit the ceiling, curiously.

"Hi! I'm Teddy. I'm five. What's your name?" Oh, he's too sweet.

Eric smiles in amusement and gets down at eye level with him, holding out his hand for a handshake. "Hi, Teddy. My name is Eric." He glances over Teddy's shoulder. "And who is this?" Phoebe blushes and hides herself behind Christian's leg.

"That's my sister, Fifi. She doesn't like strangers." He shakes his hand, firmly for a five-year-old. "How do you know my mommy and daddy?" he asks, borderline demands.

"Teddy," I warn, using the voice that he knows means business.

He looks at me, chastised, and then looks back at Eric. "Sorry. I just wanted to know." Eric hides a laugh.

Christian picks up Phoebe and she hides her face in his shoulder. "Teddy, remember how we told you that Mommy and I go see someone who helps us talk about our problems?"

"Oh! You're their smart friend?"

Gail suddenly appears in the doorway, her eyes widening at the scene. "I'm sorry! I came to get them a few minutes late, I see. Please excuse me."

"Not at all. I'm a bit early," Eric dismisses kindly. "Your dad is right, Teddy, I help both of your parents with their problems. But I wouldn't call myself their smart friend. Your parents are both very smart, too."

To our collective surprise, Teddy jumps forward and gives Eric a hug, which he returns after a beat. "Thank you for helping my mommy and daddy. They smile a lot now, and I see them kiss sometimes like they used to," he adds in a low voice.

"It's my absolute pleasure, Teddy. But trust me, your mommy and daddy are doing most of the work on their own. They really don't need my help," he whispers conspiratorially.

At that, I need this moment to end so I don't burst into tears. "Okay, mister." I put my hands on his shoulders and kiss the top of his head. "We'll see you in three cartoons, okay?"

"Come on, Teddy," a misty-eyed Gail says, taking Phoebe from Christian.

"Bye, Eric!" He waves enthusiastically and walks away with Gail with a spring in his step.

Eric glances between us with a smile as soon as they're out of sight. "I apologize for being early. My last session wrapped up sooner than I thought and I overestimated the time it would take to get here."

"Not a problem. I'm sorry about Teddy. He didn't mean to put you on the spot, he's just very inquisitive," I explain.

"Nonsense. You have beautiful children, and your boy was a delight."

"Yes, we think so," Christian comments with paternal pride. He holds his hand out in the direction of the great room. "Shall we?"

We sit in the same positions as last time, Christian and I holding hands. Eric clears his throat and spreads our folder out on his lap. "Well, I would start by asking how you've been progressing lately, but I believe I just got briefed by an insider. So, where would you like to start?"

We both snicker and Christian squeezes my hand. "Actually, we did have something we wanted to discuss," he begins. Eric nods, waiting. "Ana and I are talking about moving back in together."

"Well, I can't say this is entirely a surprise. I was beginning to have my doubts about how long you two would be able to stay apart." He smiles. "What aspects would you like to discuss?"

"Well, as you saw, Teddy is really attuned to how his family has changed. He's old enough that he remembers when we were together, and he regularly expresses how much he wants that back. Phoebe, though, she doesn't remember how things were before, so I worry that she'll be confused. I'm just concerned about navigating the transition with both of them," I confess.

He nods. "Before we dig into that, I just have a few questions. Ana, back when we started, you expressed doubts that this marriage continuing was the best option. Can you explain how and why your feelings have changed?"

Oh, hot seat. "What changed is that I know the truth now. Back then, and the whole time Christian was gone, the story that I told myself was that it was because of me, and that he didn't love me anymore. Now that I know that both of those are not the case, I'm working on… unlearning that narrative in my head. That's something I focus on with Catherine. Just because I think something doesn't mean it's true. It would be a lie to say that I never have moments of fear and doubt, but I refuse to let that run my life when there's so much more love and hope."

Christian clears his throat, and I look over to see his eyes are shiny and red. I use the hand that isn't encased in his to pull his cheek over to me so I can kiss it.

Eric is smiling proudly when I look back at him. "And you both truly believe that staying together is what's best for you? Christian?"

"Yes. Beyond a shadow of a doubt." His voice is gravelly with emotion.

"Ana?"

"I do."

"Well, then. Children are very intuitive creatures. If a marriage is happy, it usually translates into a happy home, and they'll know that. Can you explain to me what kinds of things you already see that Teddy has picked up on? Ana?"

"Things like… a long time ago, he asked me why I don't smile anymore. He always tries to get us together when we're in the same place. He'll ask why we're not hugging or kissing. And when we were on vacation, he cried because he was so happy that we were together, and he was afraid that we wouldn't be anymore when we got home."

He nods, taking notes. "Anything to add, Christian?"

"When I put him to bed recently, he told me he'd ask Ana if I could live with them again. He just seems very focused on us all being together as a family again. He also asked us if we were still married, which is when we explained to him that we go to therapy."

"So, he has some concept of what marriage is?"

I nod. "I think so. He notices that his friends' families are different from ours."

"And tell me your concerns with Phoebe. Christian?"

"With her being so young, I worry that the bulk of her memories are from when we weren't together, and that all of us in the same house will be confusing for her."

"Ana?"

"I agree with that. She's had so little stability."

"Wouldn't creating a home together again be a step towards stability?" he addresses me.

"Probably. My main concern is how to make it not confusing."

"I see." He takes down a few more notes, then sets his pen aside and looks at us. "I think your instinct as parents to be sensitive to your children's reaction to your changing relationship is commendable. I sense a protectiveness for their emotional well-being."

"Their lives already aren't going to be normal just because they're ours," Christian says quietly. "Home should be their safe space."

"My advice is to keep the lines of communication open. Have a talk with them, explain what's going to change, and encourage them to ask questions. You could also consider some kind of symbolic gesture to show them that you're together, such as sharing wedding photos or videos, or even renewing your vows. Whatever you feel is best. You're their parents, and if I may be so bold, you seem like good ones, so I trust that your instincts are safe."

"So… overall, you're saying that the most important thing is for them to see that we're happy, and they'll pick up on that?" Christian clarifies.

"Overall, yes, Christian. I have confidence that the transition will be easy, even joyful, if it's done with love."

"We're not missing that," I murmur. He sighs and smiles in relief.

"I'd say not. Anything else on that note?" We both shake our heads. "Then, tell me about how quality time together has been going."

"Grandma!" Teddy screams from the back seat as we pull up at Bellevue and he realizes where we are. After therapy, Christian had to get back to work since we apparently have evening plans now, and I had to do some things at home, so we're meeting here.

I get them out of their car seats and trail behind as they run forward, yelling for their grandparents. "Teddy! Phoebe! Hello, my darlings!" I hear Grace cry. She's kneeling down and hugging them both when I finally catch up. She stands quickly when she sees me, so quickly that I wonder if she might have hurt her knees. "Ana! Oh, hello, dear." She surreptitiously looks over my shoulder and then back to me. What the hell? "Let's have a quick chat, tell me what's going on."

"Uh. Hi, Grace. Not a whole lot since LA. What's been going on with you?"

She launches into a play-by-play of her week, speaking more loudly whenever I try to turn my head and look somewhere else. And she keeps looking over my shoulder, out the window to the driveway. "There seems to be some summer flu going around, I've seen so many kids with the sniffles lately. Such a strange occurrence in this warm weather, don't you think?"

"You're the expert."

She looks over my shoulder again, I again pretend not to notice, and her eyes alight with recognition. "Oh, Ana, why don't you go look in the other room? I think Mia left something there for you."

I thought we were talking about summer flus? "Ooookay." I walk into the next room and from the doorway, I see a card hanging. I pull it off the string and read it.

Ana! Look down and follow the rose petals :)

Huh? I look down and right at my feet, there is a trail of rose petals beginning. How did I miss that? I follow the winding path until I reach the terrace, then it leads out into the garden in the back. I finally turn the corner, and an elegantly set table comes into view.

A movement catches my peripheral vision, and I see Christian just coming out from the other side of the yard. He looks at the table, then notices me.

"Did you do this?" we both say at the same time, then laugh. Clearly not.

I walk forward and see that the table is conspicuously set for two. "I thought this was a family dinner." He walks up next to me, turning my head and giving me a kiss.

"It is!" I hear a voice behind us, and we both turn to see Mia and Elliot. Mia is dressed in an almost costume-like chef outfit and Elliot is in a tuxedo, except with shorts and knee socks in lieu of pants. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Christian pull out his phone and immediately snap a picture of him.

"It is a family dinner. You two are family. I will be your chef tonight, and my lovely assistant," – she gestures to Elliot – "will be your waiter. I'm going to get to work on your appetizers, and your sommelier will be out in just a moment. Please, sit down, relax, enjoy the ambience." She winks and Elliot throws the coattails of his jacket behind him, turning on his heel with a flourish, and they both make a dramatic exit.

"This might be the best night of my life, and the worst night of his," Christian mutters in disbelief, scrolling through the photos of Elliot he took.

I stare at the space that Mia and Elliot had just occupied and burst out laughing. "What the hell is happening?"

"Whatever it is, I think that resistance is futile," Christian says, pulling out my chair and gesturing for me to sit, then taking his place across from me.

"So… it's just me and you," I giggle. "So much for a mandatory family dinner."

We turn at the sound of footsteps crunching through the grass and see none other than Kate Kavanaugh-Grey tromping towards us, dressed in a more tasteful pantsuit and holding a wine bottle. "Hello, it is I, your sommelier. Don't make that face, Christian. Ezra picked them out, I'm just the messenger." He audibly sighs with relief and I laugh again, out of happiness and the sheer lunacy of this moment.

"You look… nice," I tell her.

"Thank you. Mia picked it out. I know that must be a complete shock." We both laugh again.

"I believe I left my children somewhere in the house…?"

"The young Greys shall be fed and attended to by their doting grandparents. Tonight is all about you two," she says as she pours the wine.

"Is there an occasion?" Christian asks, holding his hand up by his mouth to hide his smirk.

"As far as I know, the occasion is that Mia showed up at our house with outfits and told us she was planning a trap for you tonight. And as you know, resistance…"

"…is futile," he finishes.

"Bingo. Enjoy your wine, kids." She gives a little salute and goes back the way she came.

Christian picks up his glass and holds it up to me, and I clink mine against his. "To… quality time with my love, in the form of a trap," he says. Swoon.

Elliot appears, carrying a tray, and loudly clears his throat. "Chef Mia has prepared…" He pulls a card out of his pocket and squints at it. "…diver scallop carpaccio as your appetizer. Don't ask me what's in it, I don't fucking know. Holler if you need me, I'll just be staring at the sommelier's ass."

We watch as he walks away, stopping to pull his shorts down out of his ass crack, and Christian is shaking his head when I turn back to him. "This is really the best night of my life." He slides his phone towards me and on the screen is a picture of Elliot adjusting his shorts just now. We absolutely lose it laughing.

We each take a bite, clinking forks, and Mia's cooking is delicious as usual. No wonder her catering business is booming. "So… since this afternoon, I was thinking."

"About?"

"When we can talk to the kids and get this show on the road."

He breaks into a megawatt smile. "I love the sound of that. When were you thinking?"

"Friday? And then you can start moving in on the weekend. I just thought that way your work week wouldn't have to be interrupted."

"Baby, I don't give a fuck about work if it's between that and getting to live with the loves of my life again." I smile at his distinction, how he includes the kids. "But if Friday works for you, then I'm all for it."

"I thought it would also give us time to think about how we tell them."

"I thought about that. We could show them our wedding video after we tell them? Maybe go through a photo album?"

I nod, feeling perfectly content. "I love that. We've never done anything like that with them."

"The first time of many." We smile at each other across the table, enjoying this lovely thought, until the stomping footsteps approaching breaks our gaze.

Elliot slaps another tray down on the table. "Chef Mia has prepared…" This time he picks the card up from under a plate. "…black cod brûlée with crushed potatoes and asparagus tips."

Kate appears with a new wine. "Please enjoy, and if you'd like to request a new waiter, blink twice and I'll lock him in the walk-in freezer."

"Hey! I heard that!" Elliot yells from the other side of the yard. God. This gives new meaning to dinner and a show.

"Not a threat, babe, a promise!" she calls back. "Any blinks? Not yet? Alright, enjoy your dinner."

We both take a bite of the fish at the same time. "Mmmmm…" we moan in unison.

"Oh, God. If I wasn't already married to you, I would take this fish to Vegas and marry it," I sigh.

"I'd consider polygamy just this once," he replies, snatching up another forkful. The conversation temporarily lulls as we both dig in.

"This wine… I could kiss Ezra," I mutter.

"Don't get any ideas, Mrs. Grey. I rescind my polygamy comment," he says playfully.

"I'll leave kissing him to Mia, thanks. I'm perfectly happy with my life sentence to those lips." He picks up my hand that he's holding on top of the table and kisses it. "Mmm. Yep, those are the ones."

"Last one, lovebirds!" Elliot yells ceremoniously as he walks towards us holding dessert. "This is a chocolate lava cake."

"Wow, no card. He can memorize three whole words!" Christian remarks, and I giggle into my wine glass.

"Hey, man, fuck off. This is free labor. I'm being exploited right now. I'm gonna go talk to the sommelier about unionizing and maybe also going home with me, peace."

"Garçon, could you please send the chef out?" Christian calls. He flashes us a thumbs-up as he's walking away.

We stick our forks into the cake, and this time pop it into the other's mouth. I giggle and wipe a speck of chocolate off the corner of his mouth, and in return he smears a forkful across my cheek. "Hey!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, let me get that." He jumps out of his seat and starts kissing the chocolate off of my face, really just making it more of a sticky mess. When I'm reduced to a complete fit of giggles, he finally lets up and wipes it off with a napkin.

"I trust that everything was to your satisfaction?" Mia asks with a shit-eating grin just as Christian sits back down.

"It was actually amazing, Mia, for real," I praise.

"Yay! Sooooo, what did you guys talk about?" she says with a wink.

"Mostly just wondering what this hostage situation was about," Christian answers.

"Look. I just thought that since you can't go out to a fancy dinner, because Ana still isn't feeling like it, I'd bring the fancy dinner to you!"

"Why not Sunday? The night we normally have dinner here?" I ask, holding back a laugh.

"Because I was too hungover on Saturday and didn't think of it until Sunday. And then I had to get Elliot and Kate outfits. Duh."

That sentence hangs in the air for a moment before we all start laughing. My sides are killing me. I can't remember the last time I laughed this much in one night.

Mia wipes her eyes. "Anyway, I just thought you two could use some time where I force you to bond. So, did my trap work? Are you back together?"

Oh. My. God. "Is that what this is about?"

"I have been paying attention. And sparks are flying between you two."

"Well, your dinner was so… um… romantic," I laugh.

"Did you happen to listen to our conversation tonight?" Christian asks.

"No! I have scruples. How dare you?" she says with mock indignancy.

"Well… the deal is already sealed, Mia. Before this night even happened."

She blinks. "What?"

Christian and I exchange a glance, and I shrug. "We're moving back in together, Mia. We talked about it in therapy today," he says calmly.

Her mouth drops open, her eyes nearly pop out of her head, and then the screaming starts. The screaming is quickly joined by jumping up and down. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Are you serious?"

"Shhhh! We haven't even told the kids, Mia. Actually, you're the first." This makes her scream even louder.

"I don't even care that it wasn't me who made it happen. I'm just so happy! Oh my God! I can't wait to come over. Can I help you move? Ahhhhh!"

"Mia," Christian laughs. "We're just going to keep it to us and the kids, but yes, you can come over when it's done."

She grabs us both by the hand and yanks us out of our seats, using one arm to hug each of us. "I love you guys so much! I'm so happy!" She pulls back and looks back and forth between the two of us, beaming. "You know what? This night would have been a success no matter what. I got Elliot to wear that."

"And I have never loved you more," Christian says sincerely.

He picks up his phone and pulls up the pictures he took, and as we all nearly pee ourselves from laughing over them, I think I can say without exaggeration that this actually was one of the best nights of my life.

A/N: Remember when my chapters used to be less than 2000 words? Who was she? It's pretty late at night where I am, but I figured since it was done, I would post!

So, Ana and Christian talked, Teddy met their therapist, they had therapy and talked about moving in, and then... that date. That was inspired by the scene from The Parent Trap where Annie and Hallie set their parents up, by the way.

Thank you so much for all your reviews on last chapter. It really means so much to me when you share your thoughts, and it warms my heart to know that you liked it! Hopefully, this was a fun read. It was a fun write. Please let me know what you think! xo