A/N: I'm re-posting it because of you all. I will finish Marriage before I come back to this one to finish. LOL. You guys make me feel so happy liking my stories. If only I could get my Amazon reviews up just as high LMAO. Love you!
Synopsis
Ana loved Christian. She was engaged, and then she found out the truth. That he was in the mob. More specifically he was the mob. A leader to be exact. Ana called off the wedding, never telling him the reason why, because she didn't want him to know that she knew. It also didn't help that her father was chief of police. She loved Christian enough to let him go.
That was six years ago.
Now they share a six-year-old boy.
I give you, Reckless.
Ana cheered as her son, Theodore Grey, also known affectionately as Teddy scored yet anther goal for his team.
"The Seattle Thunder has won the game!" She laughed as she watched Teddy throwing his fist up in the air and all of his teammates and friends surrounded him. Ana was already planning at party after the game because today was also her son's birthday.
"That was quite some kick your son did," Jose Rodriguez, another parent and friend said to Ana. She smiled and was about to answer when her ex did.
"Yes. my son is brilliant," he said cockily. Ana rolled her eyes and Jose smirked.
"Hey Christian. When did you get here?" he asked. Christian stepped closer to Ana, and she couldn't help but admire the way the dark gray suit fit the man. His hair was in the same messy style as it had always been. Just like their son's.
"I got here for the last half of the game." Ana smiled at him.
"I didn't even notice. Why didn't you come over?" she asked. Ana had looked away for a moment to watch her son roll around on the grass with his other teammates and to the amusement of the parents. When she turned back to Christian however she found herself blushing. Christian's eyes roved her entire form, lingering on her legs. She was wearing jean shorts with a high pink wedge and a pink tank-top to match. It was unseasonably warm the last month in Seattle, but Ana was taking advantage of the weather. Her hair was in a top knot, but Christian looked at her as if she was wearing an expensive gown.
"Christian?" she said again. He blinked and cleared his throat before answering her.
"I was handling a trade business over the phone," Christian said, the lie coming smoothly out of his mouth. Ana gave a slight nod before turning away. She knew it had something to do with his "other," business, but she wasn't supposed to know.
"Hmm. Well, I'm planning Teddy's seventh birthday party today so you're welcome-"
"Of course I'm welcome I'm his father," Christian said harshly. Ana's eyes snapped up to his before her own narrowed in anger.
"I know that, Christian. But you were unable to come to his last couple of games, and I was offering you an out if you couldn't," she said sharply. Christian instantly felt guilty. He knew snapping at Ana wouldn't work. She was a good mother and she told him about everything in Teddy's life. She refused to go to court over their son, opting to leave everything open to Christian coming over whenever or just dropping by. He always wondered why she ever said no to marrying him, and why they couldn't work it out. He was pulled from his personal pity party when Teddy came running up to his mother.
"Mama! Did you see me? Did you see the kick?" He asked. Ana giggled before leaning over and kissing his messy hair.
"Yes I did Teddy bear. You did absolutely great! Are all your teammates coming over to your birthday party?"
He nodded before grinning at her.
"Look who came to see you today!" she said excitement in her voice. Teddy turned his head and finally recognized Christian.
"Daddy! You came this time!" he shouted before jumping into his arms. Christian had the decency to look shamed before he kissed his cheek.
"I did, buddy. And you were wonderful. I can't wait to give you your gift at your party today," he said before sitting him on the ground. Christian knelt in front of him. Ana marvelled at how much Teddy looked like his father. It was eerie. Christian's mother often said that it was as if Christian produced another him with Ana. She always laughed but knew it was the truth.
"What is it?" he asked. Christian chuckled before standing.
"Now that would ruin the surprise." Suddenly a mocha-complexioned boy came running up to Teddy. They did this hand-shake move causing Ana to giggle at how serious it seemed to be for the boys.
"Devon, are you coming to my party?"
The handsome boy with the close cut hair grinned at Teddy.
"Yes. My mama wanted me to ask what time it was." The boys turned up to Ana at the same time. Ana smiled.
"Hi Devon. And the party will be at 3 p.m. Tell your mom in two more hours." He nodded before saying bye and running over to his mom. Hannah smiled at waved at them before they got into their own truck.
"Alright winner. It's time to get you home and changed so that you can get ready for your birthday party," Ana said at her kid.
"Mom. Can I ride with dad on the way home?" he asked. Ana sighed and glanced over at Christian who looked excited at the thought.
"I don't mind Ana," he said quietly. Ana sighed before nodding.
"Alright. I'll see you at home," she said to which her son cheered. She sighed before glancing at the father and son before stepping back.
"I'll see you later," Ana said to Christian. He offered a smile.
"Yeah."
As soon as Ana got home, her doorbell rang before it was opened. Ana knew who it was before she walked into the kitchen.
"You know the party doesn't start for another hour and a half." Plopping into the kitchen chair Kate tossed her blonde hair behind her head.
"Well your like my sister so I get to do what I want."
Ana glanced up from icing Teddy's cake before rolling her eyes.
"Hi Kate."
The woman beamed before she pulled out a large gift-wrapped box out of a black bag.
"What did you get him?"
She grinned.
"Why, I got my godson a lovely soccer set up for your backyard. He'll be a pro by the time he's done using this."
Ana smiled.
"He will love it."
"I know," she said lightly. "Anyway, how is the mafia baby daddy?" she stage whispered. Ana shushed her before looking around.
"Really, Kate?"
The woman rolled her eyes.
"What? It's just us."
"Yeah, but Christian hired some extra security for Teddy's birthday. He put it under the guise of children needing to be protected, but you know," Ana said before sighing. When Ana first found out about Christian, days before their actual wedding, she ended up telling Kate the night she broke off the engagement. Her best friend was in shock, just as much as she was. She was only dating Elliott at the time, and it made her wonder if he was in the mob as well. Ana told her she found out that his brother wasn't involved.
"He has no idea, Kate. Apparently Christian is the oldest, so it was given to him."
"How do you know all this Ana?"
She sighed before answering.
"I stumbled on some paperwork in Christian's office. I wasn't snooping I swear, but I was looking for the last minute wedding documents. I ended up spending the night reading all through the documents Christian had on me. Apparently he already knew about my father being chief of police before he was marrying me. My father had no clue the man he was looking for would have been my husband."
Kate looked at Ana sympathetically.
"I'm sorry, Ana. but maybe you should talk to-"
"No. That would change everything."
Christian begged to know why she broke off their wedding. But Ana couldn't tell him the truth. That she knew he was in the mob. And that if she married him, it would put her father's career and his own moral compass in the worst position. She loved both men and she couldn't have one destroy the other, so she opted to pull out. It wasn't until a couple months later she realized she was pregnant. Looking back, Ana was so happy that she had Kate to confide into. Her best friend ended up marrying Elliot, and she was happy for her. It was funny though, because even though Ana didn't marry Christian, his parents, brother and sister all treated her as if they were married.
"Elliot told me that he'd been delegating all of his work recently. Well, for Grey Enterprises. I have no idea about the other side, and after being around Elliot all these years I can tell he has no idea what his brother and father do."
"That still doesn't change-"
"I know."
Ana closed her eyes and exhaled before picking up her piping tool and resumed decorating Teddy's cake. Changing the subject, Ana spoke lightly.
"You know Jack asked me out," she said quietly. Kate raised a brow before she reached over the counter and grabbed a capri-sun.
"Really? The handsome blonde owner of Seattle's baseball team?"
Ana blushed before nodding.
"Yeah. We met at my book signing event," Ana admitted. One of the positive things in Ana's life, apart from Teddy was that her novel, became a best-seller overnight. She was now signed to one of the best publishing houses on the west coast. She loved writing, and was glad it provided a more than comfortable life for her and Teddy. Yes, Christian gave for his son, but she was happy to note she could care for herself and Teddy with no hesitation.
"Oooh. Is he coming by today?"
Ana smiled.
"Yes. Teddy has met him a couple of times. Jack loves kids, and I was nervous the two wouldn't get along but that isn't the case at all. They actually like one another."
"It sounds perfect," Kate stated.
"Yeah," Ana answered. She looked into Kate's knowing gaze and cleared her throat. Before Kate could say anything however, the doorbell rang, saving her from answering any more uncomfortable questions.
Thank God!
"Saved by the bell Ana," Kate sing-songed as she jogged down the hall to answer the door for her.
"Mom this is the best birthday ever!"
Ana laughed as her son, hopped up on junk food ran around her massive backyard with his best friends. The other parents were talking and laughing with one another, commending Ana for throwing such a lovely birthday party. She was taking paper plates to the kitchen to throw them in the trash when she heard a voice from behind her.
"I hope I'm not too late."
Ana turned and smiled.
"Jack! You made it." She dropped the plate on the counter and walked over to him. He leaned over and kissed her cheek before holding out an envelope.
"This is for the birthday boy."
Ana smiled.
"You can give it yourself. I'm sure he'll die to know he's got tickets to any baseball game," Ana said wryly. Jack has discussed it with Ana the previous day, and since her son was a fanatic baseball, football, and soccer fan it was almost a given to give him tickets to one of those events. Since Jack owned a team, he figured he could swing that.
"This looks like a wonderful party," Jack said. He glanced around the power-rangers themed event with the jump-house in the backyard. The kids shouting and screaming only added to the simplistic life that Jack always wanted.
"How are you though? I know you've been stressing. What with your second book coming out and your son's birthday party."
Ana took a breath, grateful that he asked.
"I'm doing fine, thanks. I'll be much better after today. The book comes out next week, and then I can focus on my son. And sleeping," she said in amusement. Jack chuckled.
"Maybe you and I could-"
"Ana, I was wondering-oh! I'm sorry dear I didn't mean to interrupt," Grace said smiling between the two. Ana laughed and shook her head before introducing the two.
"Oh, that's okay. Jack this is Teddy's grandmother, Dr. Grace Grey. Grace, this is Jack Hyde."
"Aren't you the owner of the Mariners?"
Jack chuckled.
"Yes ma'am. Are you a fan?"
She laughed before shaking her head.
"No. But my sons, and now grandsons are fanatics. My daughter and I would rather do other things." Smiling, Grace turned to Ana. Jack, sensing the two needed to talk, bent over and kissed Ana's flushed cheek.
"I'll go say hello to the birthday boy."
"Okay."
When he left the kitchen and stepped into the yard Ana heard Teddy yell Jack's name before focusing on Grace.
"So. Is that the man you're seeing?" she asked with excitement. Ana giggled.
"I don't know. Maybe."
Grace sighed, which contradicted the twinkle in her eye.
"Well, I have always wanted you as my daughter-in-law but if this man treats you right and you care for him, then I guess I can allow it. I will however reserve judgement until I get to know him better."
Ana sighed in relief.
"Thank you, Grace. This is still new to me, but thank you."
Anastasia, his beautiful, wonderful, kind Anastasia was talking with some man. And not just any man. But the owner of the Mariners.
Christian could say that if his kid didn't like the guy, it'd be a piece of cake to get rid of him, but the moment Teddy saw Jack, he shouted his name and the two began to play fight. Ana laughed at the two, and Christian didn't miss the look of longing in the man's gaze when he stared at his ex. He felt someone stand beside him, only to roll his eyes when he knew who it was.
"Ah. I see someone is poaching on your territory," Elliot joked. Christian sighed.
"She's no longee mine, E."
"Then why does it feel like you two are still together but you live apart? Why on earth did you break off a marriage that you obviously wanted?"
"It wasn't me," Christian said for the thousandth time. Christian was stunned to find out three days before his marriage to Ana she called it off. Said she couldn't do it, that she didn't want to be with him in that way. Every word she said made a liar out of her because her eyes were screaming at him. That day all he saw was anger, fear and betrayal. And he had no clue as to why she would look that way. He made sure to cover his tracks. That Ana had no part of his other life. But something just wasn't adding up to him. He thought when she got pregnant that they would get back together, but she kept firm in her decision to be co-parents.
Still, he wanted her.
"Kate told me that Ana is doing fine. And is thinking of moving on."
"Why are you telling me this?" Christian said harshly. Elliot kept the smile on his face before grabbing his brother's arm and pulling him to the side of Ana's house.
"Listen. I don't know what happened between the two of you, but I can see that you still love her. But Christian, now is not the time to sit back and watch. If you want her, you need to act now. Or it will really be over between the two of you," Elliot said with conviction. He knew his brother was right, but he was on uneven ground with Ana.
"You're right," Christian said before straightening out his shoulders.
"There's my brother," Elliot said smirking.
"But we need to talk."
"Yes, you guys do. How about this? I'll offer to watch my nephew tomorrow and you can stop by and have a conversation with Ana. then go from there?" Elliot suggested. Christian looked at his brother in amazement.
"When did you get to be so wise?"
Elliott snorted.
"It's not me. It's Kate."
Alright! Tell me what y'all think. This won't be a long story.