When we get back to Escala, Christian and Elliot are in the kitchen looking very much hung over. They each have a glass of water and a small piece of dry toast in front of them, neither of them has touched it. I look at Kate and we both giggle.
"Hey, alright? We had a very successful shopping trip this morning" Kate brightly announces and I see them both wince at her exuberance.
"That's good" Elliot weakly replies putting his head in his hands.
"Go back to bed you two!" I order them and they don't need telling twice, they walk softly back to their rooms. This gives Kate, Gail and I chance to talk further about Friday.
"What flowers are you thinking of having Ana?" Kate asks.
"I saw this" showing them a picture of a small bouquet I have seen, it's filled medium pink roses, dainty purple Monte Casino and variegated miniature Italian ruscus.
"That is just perfect Ana, you must have known you were going to find that dress" Kate gets excited.
"Why don't you get some ties for Christian and Elliot in the same colour as your dresses?" Gail chips in.
"Great idea Gail, don't forget to do the same for Taylor, err Jason" I stumble.
"You make me laugh Ana, I don't mind you calling him Taylor, and I have even done it myself a few times" she guiltily admits.
Kate and I laugh at her admission; Gail very rarely gives anything away.
"What about rings Ana?" Kate asks.
"Sorted already, Christian has some wedding rings, heirlooms that are to be kept in the family and there is one that goes with the engagement ring and his ring is in a similar style" I explain.
With the dress bought, flowers ordered, rings in hand I feel I can relax a little and enjoy the rest of the day with Kate until Christian and Elliot re surface with hopefully less of a hangover.
Kate spends some time confiding in me some of the worries she is having over her relationship with Elliot and of course the baby. It all boils down to worrying about how her relationship will change with Elliot once the baby is born and I am honest when I tell her I am concerned about that too, we have gotten pregnant in the fledgling stages of our relationships and those relationships haven't been able to pursue the 'proper course' of dating, romance, weekend breaks, holidays and all the little things you do when you first start dating. However I tell her, we are adults and that talking is so important, don't let things fester, get them out in the open before resentment builds and arguments start.
"Oh Ana, I really love him but I don't think he realises what it means to be a father" she tells me.
"No one knows what it's like, even you and I don't Kate but because we feel every kick, every movement and experience every emotion before we meet them for the first time, we have already built up a relationship but they don't get that insight" I continue "I have no doubt that when the time comes both Christian and Elliot will be just fine, when their sons or daughters are put into their arms for the first time I am sure lots of things will click into place"
"I know you are right Ana, I should stop thinking about it and concentrate on us as a family" a single tear drops onto her cheek.
"Hello ladies, Kate, what's wrong?" Elliot looks at her then me.
"Don't worry Elliot, I'm fine, just talking about the birth and how scared I am feeling about everything" she admits.
"Oh Katie, I am here for you…always…I love you and little bean" Elliot caresses her face as he speaks.
A tear rolls down my cheek too, I have every confidence they will be fine. I brush the tear away as Christian comes into the room.
"Hey, you feeling more human?" I ask him as he leans in to kiss my cheek.
"Yes I am but I am feeling hungry now, you want something to eat Elliot?" Christian signals over toward where he is standing with Kate.
"Yeah but keep it simple bro, the insides are still a little tender" he smirks as he rubs his stomach.
"Yeah, was thinking a chilli with basmati rice or just toast, choice is yours?" Christian gives a chuckle at the look on Elliot's face at the mention of a chilli.
Elliot has turned a greener shade of pale "Thanks for that bro, think maybe I am not ready for anything" he tries to cover a small heave.
Kate and I chuckle "Perhaps we should go home Elliot?"
"You are more than welcome to stay" I tell her "The spare room is yours for as long as you need it"
"Thanks but I have some catching up to do with work and Elliot needs to get himself together to go to the site tomorrow" Kate says.
"On a Sunday?" I question.
"Unfortunately that is the case Ana" Elliot chips in.
"That's ok, but let me have Taylor drive you home" Christian offers.
"I need my car tomorrow but thanks anyway" Elliot answers.
"Sawyer can follow and bring Taylor back, safer for you" come's the reply from Christian.
"That would be great, thank you Christian" Kate says.
Christian goes out of the room toward the office to call Taylor to inform him of the arrangement. About half an hour later we are saying goodbye at the elevator, telling them to be careful, take care and see them on Friday. Kate gives me a massive hug, tells me she is so excited and she will call next week to talk again.
I have had such a great day, great company, a very successful and exciting shopping trip but tiredness has crept up and now my body is pleading for rest and sleep but before I do that I want to talk to Christian about something that has been niggling at me for a little while and my conversation with Kate has heightened the need for me to talk.
"Christian, can we talk for a moment?" I ask
"Sure baby, what's on your mind?" he replies.
"Please don't get upset but I feel you are quite cold towards me sometimes. I see Kate and Elliot together and they seem 'together' but you are distant. Am I doing something that irritates you or you want me to do something I am not?" I say.
His face falls, eyes downcast and I worry I have opened a wound that he wanted to remain closed.
"I have so many bad memories from the past, my birth mother who allowed herself to be abused in front of me and then died, Elena who used pain as pleasure and as punishment, I feel confused about the level of my own feelings and their intensity. If I let go completely I am scared my whole world will crash down around me and I will end up broken again" he rests his head on his hands "I'm sorry baby, I am damaged goods, I don't mean to be cold but I have not been able to conquer my fear yet"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stir up bad memories but I needed to know" I gently stroke his head.
"Why don't you hit the shower and sleep baby?" he suggests
"Hmm, was just thinking the same thing actually" And I yawn as if to confirm.
"I could use a snack after my shower" I hint.
"Sure, what would you like pumpkin?" he asks.
"Do we have any nibbles? Nut's or crisps?" I am hopeful.
"You go shower and I will have a look" he kisses my forehead.
The warm water washing over my body is wonderful; I use aromatherapy shower gel on a bath sponge and begin massaging my upper arms. My nipples start to harden and I use my fingers to circle the areola, when a hand reaches in, takes the sponge and begins to sensuously run it up and down my spine causing me to shudder. His fingers slide over my buttocks and find my hot, wet and soapy folds, I let out a small groan as his finger brushes over my clit before pushing inwards finding a very sensual g-spot. His other hand is brushing over my breasts, pinching and rolling each nipple. I put my hands up against the wall to steady myself and I can't help but push backwards with every finger thrust from Christian.
"Oh baby…..ohhhh" I can't help myself
"That's it Ana, come for me baby" he moans.
"Take me Christian, I want you inside of me, pleaseeee" I plead.
"Oh Ana" he bends me over a little more before plunging into my depths, he grunts with every thrust, I am climbing higher and higher, I feel him tensing up ready to release himself into me and after a few more thrusts we come together, moaning, grunting and panting. I lean heavily on the wall before Christian helps me into the bedroom. We both slump down on the bed and cuddle for a few moments whilst we come down from our high.
"Well that was an unexpected but…" I close my eyes to try and find the words.
"Sorry I didn't mean to wear you out more but when I saw you playing with yourself I couldn't hold back, you made me so horny" he admits.
"Hmm, liked that did you?" I tease, tweaking my nipple; Christian emits a low growl and begins to harden again.
"You evil tease woman" he smiles and kisses me "Food, I forgot, I brought you some food"
"Looks err...different" I exclaim
"I wasn't sure so I put a little of a few things on the plate" he looks at me with a grin.
"So what do we have then? Some ham, cheese, breadsticks, biscuits for cheese, grapes, cashews and pistachio's and err, what's that?" I frown at something unidentifiable.
"It's Pate but that's for me" he says knowing it's on my list of 'not to be eaten during pregnancy'
I greedily tuck into a selection of food until I am full and Christian clears away the plates. He returns to the bedroom and kisses me Goodnight, kisses the babies before heading to the office to complete some overdue paperwork.
The following day Christian and I talk about the wedding, without giving too much away I explain about the flowers and I ask what suit he is going to wear. We go to his wardrobe and find a fantastic single breasted black suit; black shoes, white shirt and I will find the appropriate tie to match my dress. Taylor will drive Christian to the civic offices first and then come back for me. The building will already have been checked out before our arrival. Kate and Elliot will come together and be escorted from parking to the building by Sawyer.
I ask Christian if he would like to have a celebratory drink with everyone afterwards but he suggested perhaps going to his parents Friday evening after visiting SIP to say my temporary farewells to the staff and I agree that it's a great idea.
Christian has arranged for me to see his flower contact tomorrow at 11am and has been assured whatever we need will be ready for Friday. His Mom is having the rings cleaned and polished so really everything is at hand which I am pleased about.
Monday morning comes around so quickly and before I know it, Taylor is driving me to see about the flowers. I tell the owner the idea, show him a picture I printed off the internet of what I would like and he is more than happy to do that. We arrange for them to be dropped off at Escala on Friday morning as long as the delivery van and flower boxes are unmarked just in case any press is hanging around and I leave for home about 90 minutes later.
I head into work on Tuesday, really to start tying up some loose ends, completing as much as I can before Friday, only my PA, Sophia knows I am finishing so she can direct things appropriately to my temporary replacement or another department. I accept some new manuscripts on my replacements behalf with the authors full knowledge it will not be me that is reviewing them but I will have my eye on any correspondence and make contact if I need to.
It's almost harder to handle the thought of my clients being dealt with by a stranger, she is experienced but still a stranger but I have to change my outlook as my priorities are soon to be changed in the biggest way imaginable. I tuck into the lunch that Gail made for me this morning, it's easier than going out or sending someone out to get lunch and to be honest Gail's food is much better than shop bought.
I think Christian is getting nervous, he contacts me more and more the closer I get to my due date, I tell him I have enough people around me to help me and contact him should the need arise but he doesn't settle unless he make voice contact at least every couple of hours. I also find it quite sweet that I am on his mind and he is thinking about me a lot of the time. I daydream and again feel I am exceptionally lucky to have Christian in my life and all my hopes and dreams are coming true in the next few months.
A/N Thank you for your continued support.