Over the next week Gail and I make some adjustments for the arrival of Mrs Johnson, I still feel very uneasy at the thought but as Gail pointed out and I know in my heart of hearts that she will be fine. If she had a grudge against the Grey family surely she would have acted on it before now. I have told Christian that I want the camera's to stay in place but they shouldn't need 24 hour monitoring like before.
I am also getting excited about returning to work, I am starting back three mornings a week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to begin with, although I have been doing a little work at home, there are just too many distractions from the twins, the phone and things in general. My productivity will increase tenfold at the office.
Mrs Johnson arrives promptly for a briefing on Sunday; I leave her and Mrs Jones to talk through the relevant details before I speak to her afterwards and finalise everything. Gail comes back through after Mrs Johnson has left with a smile on her face.
"She seems lovely Ana, I feel much more relaxed now I have met her in person, and I can see why the Greys are sorry to lose her after the length of time she has been with them"
"I feel happier too if I am honest Gail, I am so glad we have hired her" I beam "I spoke to Grace yesterday and she helped to put my mind at ease too".
"You must be looking forward to going to work" Gail asks.
"Well yes and no, it will be nice to be 'me' again for a few hours but I will miss my babies" I feel a little sad at the thought.
"Ah that's understandable Ana but I have a laptop, I can Skype with you if you want to see them anytime" she smiles.
"I might take you up on that offer" I chuckle.
The 7am wake up alarm has me jumping out of bed and into the shower, after drying and slipping on some sexy but sensible lingerie; I dry my hair and investigate my wardrobe for my work clothes.
"Good morning Mrs Grey, Someone is very keen, how are you feeling this morning?" Christian asks "Looking mighty fine" he compliments me, his eyes looking me up and down, darkening with carnal intent.
"I am feeling good Mr Grey, thank you and I know what that look means but I don't want to be late for my first day back" I say with a giggle.
"Oh Mrs Grey, you know what that sound does to me" he pulls me into an embrace "besides I am in with the boss so he won't mind you being late"
"Later Mr Grey, please" I smile.
"OK, ok, but I will hold you too that" he teases "my turn for the shower"
My selection of clothes has narrowed somewhat since having Max and Melissa, I am still carrying some baby weight but it will come off all in good time so I select a knee length black skirt and a floaty cream top as today is going to be fairly warm too.
I watch as Christian disappears into steam of the shower, of course admiring the fine view but also giving thanks to everyone involved in our lives that have helped in the past, the present in enabling us to be a family again and for the future and the challenges it may bring.
"Good morning Mrs Johnson, Gail and my little pumpkins" Gail has the twins up and feeding already.
"Morning Ana, looking very smart today, ready for work?" Gail comments.
"Good morning Mrs Grey, Toast and tea or oatmeal for breakfast?" Mrs Johnson asks.
"Thank you Gail, I think I am ready, Toast and tea for me please Mrs Johnson" I smile.
I tuck in to breakfast hungrily and I am excited to get to the office.
"Good morning Mrs Jones, Mrs Johnson" Christians voice rings out behind me.
"Good morning Mr Grey" both Mrs Johnson and Gail say together before smiling at each other for their dual greeting.
"Ready to go in 15 minutes?" He asks me and I nod in agreement.
He turns to return to his office but not before taking the last piece of toast of my plate and winking at me.
"Right, just need to gather my brief case, get my nerves in check and I am good to go I think" I say taking a deep breath.
"Can I offer you a lift Mrs Grey?" I smile as his hand reaches around my waist and he kisses my cheek.
"Well only if it isn't taking you out of your way Mr Grey" I say laughing.
"Not at all Mrs Grey, it is my pleasure" Christian flashes me a dazzling smile and takes my hand, leading me to the door.
"Bye Mrs Johnson, Gail, I have my mobile" I wave as I leave our apartment.
I feel my nerves building on the journey to SIP, my palms feel a little sweaty and I am fidgeting.
"What's wrong baby?" Christian asks
"First day back nerves" I reply
"Hey, you have nothing to worry about baby, you will rock it!" Christian laughs and in turn makes me giggle "That's better"
"I just hope I slot back in easily and I cope with the workload" I admit
"Baby, I told you I am in with the boss, he will take it easy on you" he smiles a reassuring smile.
"I don't want any preferential treatment, I will be fine" I insist
"That's more like it and here we are baby, SIP"
I take a deep breath and step out when Taylor opens the door.
"Have a good day Mrs Grey" Taylor says quietly.
"Thank you Taylor"
Christian escorts me into the building and up to my floor; I take another deep breath as the elevator opens. Sophia and Vicky are waiting for me to arrive, I kiss Christian goodbye and head toward my office.
"Good morning Mrs Grey, it's so good to have you back, you look wonderful" Vicky says thoughtfully.
"Thank you both, it's good to be back, I guess I have a great deal of catching up to do, shall we go to my office and make a start?"
"Of course Mrs Grey, I will pick up my note book and come through; oh can I get you some tea or coffee before we begin?" Vicky asks.
"Tea would be wonderful, thank you" I don't want to feel too wired with coffee on my first morning. I walk to my office, open the door and instantly feel at home. My replacement has left everything neat and tidy but I grimace slightly at the 'to do' tray that is close to overflowing but resolve myself to knuckling down and clearing it as soon as possible.
My tea arrives and for the next two hours we run through about a third of the files that my replacement has approved or declined and I have to admit he has been absolutely on my wave length when it comes to publishing and it is a relief to be honest.
I break for lunch which appeared unexpectedly at 12.30, I have a twinge of sadness when I start wondering how the twins are doing so I log on to skype and call Gail. She answers promptly suggesting she was anticipating my call.
"Hi Gail, how's it going?"
"Everything is great Ana; here I will just swing the laptop around so you can see them"
They come into view; oh it's a joy to see them, both in highchairs having lunch or should I say wearing lunch, broccoli is particularly evident in both Max and Melissa's hair, face and on bibs. I can't help but laugh and feel happier seeing them smiling and giggling with each other.
"Thank you Gail, I feel better now I have seen them"
"No problem Ana, call through again if you need to"
I say goodbye to them, finish my lunch and crack on with another file, the next time I look at my watch it's 4.30pm and time to go home. I put a call through to Christian
"Hello baby, how's has it been today?"
"Oh very busy but productive, finding my feet again slowly and I feel very tired but I have finished for today now. How have you been?"
"Usual baby, I have another meeting in ten, I will have Taylor take you home ok?"
"That would be great, missed you today, what time will you be home?"
"Oh about 7pm I think baby, I missed you too and Ana?..."
"Yes…"
"I love you"
I can tell he is smiling on the other end of the phone "I love you too, see you later"
A knock on the door signals Taylor's arrival, it will be a long while before security is eased but I am happy with the arrangement for the moment. I feel excited to be nearing Escala, just a few moments more before I see Max and Melissa.
I am rewarded with a huge smile from Melissa and enthusiastic gurgling and arm motions from Max. I pick Melissa up and give her a big hug and kiss before turning my attention to Max giving him the same attention.
"Oh it's so good to see you guys, Mommy has missed you so much today" tears well up in my eyes.
"They have been just fine Ana" Gail comforts me.
"I know, I feel silly being teary but I have missed them more than I thought I would" I admit.
"That's reasonable, I would be concerned if you hadn't missed them" Gail eases my worries.
I take a big breath to calm myself before going to change into something a little more comfortable before dinner. Christian should be home soon and I have a couple of project idea's I would like to run past him.
As I walk out to the kitchen, Christian is standing by the counter with a huge bunch of beautiful Pink roses.
"Good evening Mrs Grey, it's been a while since I bought you flowers which is very remiss on my part, so I thought today was a perfect opportunity to make up for that" he offers them to me.
"Oh my Christian they are absolutely beautiful, thank you" I am stunned and teary again.
"Oh baby, they were not supposed to make you cry but I wanted to say I love you with all my heart"
The tears gently roll down my cheeks, I brush them away quickly with the back of my hand
"Thank you, I'm sorry, it's been a bit of an emotional day today, first day back, I missed you and the twins, it was like a whole different world I need to fit back into again and I feel a little overwhelmed" I confess.
"Ana, you don't have to work if you don't want to" he puts his hands up "I'm just saying if you change your mind and want to stay at home, that's ok too baby" he wipes another tear from my face.
"I will be alright, it will just take some adjustment for me but give me a little time and it will be ok" I throw my arms around him and he sweeps me into his arms and kisses me with urgency, tasting and caressing my lips.
"I have wanted to do that to you since you got out of the shower this morning" Christian says breathlessly.
I giggle and remember my promise from this morning.
"That's better baby" he kisses my forehead "let's go and eat, I want to see what Mrs Johnson has cooked"
He takes my hand; we sit down and devour a very, very delicious Salmon En croute with Asparagus Tips and new potato's. I am starving, Christian clears his plate too.
"If that is the standard of cooking we can expect most days; then Mrs Johnson can stay" Christian laughs and I nod in agreement whilst stifling a yawn.
"Bed for you Mrs Grey, I will tuck the twins in" Christian offers and I can't refuse.
I must have fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow; my next awareness is the morning alarm beeping to awake me to a new day.