APOV

After Christian left, I checked on Jasmine to make sure she was truly out for the night, I tucked her in, kissed her forehead and partially closed her door. I poured myself a glass of milk then proceeded to turn on the TV to see what movies were on. They were re-running some Harry Potter movies, so I kept it on and managed to fall asleep.

Kate didn't return home until the next morning, she looked beyond tired. "Kate, what happened?"

"Oh Ana, it was horrible. There was a large fire in one of the apartments downtown, they wanted me there to cover the story for front page news this morning. I had to spend all night there watching what happened, trying to get someone to talk about how it started, only to then spend the rest of the time piecing together the article for publish." She groaned as she threw herself on the couch beside me.

"Sounds rough. Head on into bed Kate, I'll just get little miss up, dressed and we'll head out today." Kate never told me to leave the apartment on days like this, but I knew she appreciated the fact I do. It's hard to sleep when you've got a demanding toddler.

"Thanks Ana Banana, say hello to princess for me." She trudged into bed while I went to wake Jasmine up.

"Come on, time to get up." Jasmine rolled over and tried to bring the blanket up over her head. I couldn't help laughing at her little fists clinging onto the blankets, I grabbed the sheet from her hands, pulled it down and picked her up to get her ready for the rest of the day.

She groaned in my arms, trying to hide her face into the crook of my neck. I walked straight to the bathroom and got the shower at a temperature that wasn't too hot for her skin. She didn't fight me when I undressed her, nor when I quickly ran a brush through her hair.

In the shower she stood there essentially staring at the floor with her eyes closed trying to ignore the need to wake up, I shampooed and conditioned her hair at the same time I did mine. Without her fighting or trying to play in the shower I managed to get it done rather quickly.

I picked out her outfit for the day, opting for blue jeans, white tennis shoes and a white shirt with lady bug designs in it along with a little red cardigan to keep her warm. After brushing her hair earlier and washing it in the shower I made her sit down in front of me as I blow dried it. Once dressed and presentable for the world I sat her down in her highchair, made some toast with orange juice for breakfast and kept my door wide open whilst I selected my outfit.

I could still she her as I dressed myself, she was sluggish in her movements and even scowled at her breakfast as if it were solely responsible for waking her up. The weather was nicer today meaning I was able to wear a long summer dress with a cardigan on top. The dress was dark blue in colour with small white floral design on the left chest and bottom right of the dress, I paired it with navy sandals.

I went back into the kitchen got out Jasmine's lunchbox and packed it with a few essentials, such as a sandwich, a juice box, crackers and cheese. Enough that if she needed a kick-me up, it was on hand ready to go, after placing it back into the back I made sure the bag also had some colouring in supplies, a change of clothes and hairbrush. The other child-essentials were there.

The bag wasn't heavy, and since it had the pattern of her favourite princess – naturally, Princess Jasmine on it she held out her arms for me to put it on her.

My bag was slightly larger at it had my laptop inside of it, as well as my wallet, phone, keys and even a few toddler items too. Can't ever forget the chap stick, Advil for any headaches or issues with myself or Jasmine, and sunglasses for us both.

I held out my hand for Jasmine which she took and together we left the apartment as silently as a toddler is able. It was still quite early so a lot of people were heading off to work, the same man from Christian's office saw us again. "Hello." He smiled cheerfully.

I tucked Jasmine slightly behind my leg as we waited for the elevator. "Hello." I returned the greeting but looked away from him quickly. He was handsome enough, but the way he remembers exactly which apartment I'm in, the way he stares at myself, and Jasmine is unsettling.

You're over-reacting! I'd rather Over-react than under-react.

The elevator going down was rather packed, so Jasmine was tucked right into my legs as I made sure no one was careless enough to step on her. Many of the people were on their phones not looking at their surroundings as they stepped on and off the elevator.

The moment the elevator opened I waited for everyone to get off before Jasmine and I left as well, I grabbed her hand, made sure she still had her backpack on before walking out of the building. We stopped at the same café as yesterday, the young girl behind the machine grinned when she saw Jasmine and went out the back before coming out from behind the counter.

"Do you mind?" She motioned to a M&M cookie and mouthed the words to me; Jasmine was too concerned with the dessert fridge to be paying attention. I shook my head and mouthed "Go ahead."

"Jasmine." I called her back to me, she immediately turned and ran back to where I was, I bent down and motioned to the small girl. "I think she has a present for you, what do we say?" Jasmine immediately ran over to her and shouted thank you loudly and even hugged her leg. Several people who watched the exchange chuckled at the display.

"We have to wait before we eat it, would you like a hot chocolate?"

"Wif Marshmallows?" I grinned at her expression; her eyes were impossibly wide.

"Of course." When we got to the counter, I ordered both our drinks and took a small table at the back of the shop. They came and brought the drinks to us, and knowing the hot chocolate was for a toddler they made sure it was warm enough to drink but not hot enough to burn.

Jasmine sat on my lap as she drank her drink, making sure to take small sips and hold it with two hands. "Oh my god, is that him?" I begin to hear whispers amongst the people in the little café.

"Mr. Gwey!" Jasmine exclaimed, I looked up to see Mr. Grey was indeed in the café, only he didn't notice we were sitting there until he heard Jasmine's voice. When he looked up, I watched his expression change from shock to joy. He walked straight past the line and proceeded straight to Jasmine and me.

"Miss Steele." He sat down in the chair opposite us, Jasmine abandoned her drink in that moment, wriggling out of my arms to go to him. He picked her up and placed her directly on his knee, she then explained how her entire morning as been in great and un-great detail.

I looked around us and saw several people staring in complete shock, when one began to get out their phone to essentially take a picture Taylor another security guard blocked the shot. "What brings you here today Mr. Grey?"

"I was in the process of buying you a coffee to bring up, an apology for last night and the time you ended up getting home." He whispered. I nodded in understanding.

"Thank you for the offer, but the little miss and I are nearly finished. Would you like a coffee?"

"No thank you, Andrea will most likely have one ready for me when I get to work. What are you doing today?" He was focused on me and Jasmine, not asking because of some social etiquette but because he generally seemed to want to know the answer.

"Well, I've got a little bit of work to do today, so jasmine will most likely be going to day-care in the afternoon. I've got a class in the afternoon that I can't miss." He looked to Jasmine, and I saw both of them begin to grin evilly.

"Mumma…"

"Yes?" I held back my groan, her voice changed when she was after something. It was overly sweet and adorable.

"Do I haaaave to go?" I sighed.

"Yes, you like day-care, the ladies adore you. Besides there's that little boy you said you like?" It's always a different boy depending on what snacks they have; the mothers and I tend to giggle about it when we pick them up.

"Geoff? I don't like him anymore." She says determinedly.

"Oh really?" I grinned and saw Christian looking rather confused.

"Yes Mumma, what if I promise to be really good while you work?" Well, that's an improbability, she's a good kid, a great kid really but trying to entertain a toddler whilst focusing on editing work is nearly impossible.

"We'll talk about when Mr. Grey is gone darling."

I saw her pout sadly, I knew she'd be giving Christian the biggest, bluest eyes possible to try and get out of it. "Dat means no." I laughed only causing her frown harder.

"What if I look after her?" My eyes tightened slightly as he said the words, causing him to flinch.

"PLEASE MUMMA?!" Jasmine got exactly what she was after, for him to cave and do whatever she wanted. If I said no in this moment, I would have a full-blown tantrum on my hands, whilst surrounded by a bunch of people with smart phones trained on Christian. Fuck.

I stood up from my chair after downing the coffee, I put Jasmine's backpack back on her and held out my hand nodding to Christian to leave the coffee shop. Once we were outside, I turned to Christian. "Christian, why would you want to watch her?" I whispered to him.

"Because it would help you, I like her she's funny and adorable. I have a security team trained in First Aid for children, Taylor is a father himself. I don't mean for you to leave us alone, why don't you come to the office with me, you can sit at the conference table in my office and work whilst I keep the little one entertained?" Fuck, that is a nice offer… "Also, if I wish to have anything to do with you in any sense, your daughter is a non-negotiable part of that. Believe me Anastasia, I want nothing more than to be part of your lives." He smiled, and it caused my heart to jump a little.

"Fine. However, if I feel you aren't able to look after her in my absence at the moment, I will be taking her day-care." He nods and smiles brighter.

Jasmine who was feeling out of the circle moved to stand between us, her hands on her hips as she stared up at Christian, he bent down to be eye-level with her. "Would you like to come to work with me today?" Jasmine thought this meant it would be candy at reception and adoring looks all day, somehow, I expect it would happen.

"YEEEEEES!" She threw herself and Christian wrapping both arms around his neck as she hugged him, he picked her up the same way he had last night before walking towards a black Audi.

"Christian! She needs a car-seat!" He turned back towards me and the grin from earlier was still there, only Jasmine's was now a duplicate of his. Taylor opened the door and I saw a car seat, a top-of-the-line brand new car seat if I had to guess already placed inside. "Never mind then." I laughed.

I have no doubt after yesterday he went to the store and picked up the most expensive car seat possible, I watched his smile falter as he began to think of how to get her in the car-seat.

"Put her on the seat beside it, she'll crawl in usually." He did as told, and Jasmine did in fact crawl over and seat in her 'special' throne as she called it. I showed him how to buckle her in making sure the straps were straight and tight but not too tight.

He looked relieved when she was buckled in, then proceeding to buckle himself in. "To Grey House please." Taylor nodded and together we all headed into his work.

Jasmine continued to talk to Christian about every topic that popped into her head, currently she was discussing why Barbie loves Ken, but Ken doesn't like her back, and how they live together in Barbie's house. Christian nodded and made approving noises as she talked, I couldn't help but snicker. She captured his attention so completely, it was adorable.

When we arrived at Grey House Taylor opened the door for the both of us, I unclipped Jasmine from her seat after Christian got out, he held out his hands for her, and then held out a hand for me.

Once I made sure we had everything out of the car, I held out my hand for Jasmine to take, she held my hand tightly and together we walked in the same building I was dreading yesterday.

I saw the same receptionist from yesterday only she was looking shocked. I looked down at Jasmine who was looking all around her, it was one of the fancier buildings she's been in. Christian had his phone out and was beginning to answer a phone call. I heard him bark out his name, as we entered the elevator.

I knew I was blushing bright red at the amount of attention we received walking in together. When the doors closed, I breathed out a heavy sigh and smiled nervously at Christian, who merely grinned in response. His assistant was immediately at the elevator giving him his notes from God knows what, she smiled at Jasmine and made sure to bend down to her level to introduce herself.

"Hi there, I'm Andrea, what's your name?" Jasmine looked at me for permission, I nodded and made sure to smile.

"I'm Jasmine." She pretended be bashful, looking down at her shoes with her hands behind her back. I rolled my eyes at the display and managed to hold back my snort.

Jasmine waved goodbye to Andrea when Christian called out her name, I followed them both only to look behind me to see his other receptionist glaring at me. I raised an eyebrow at her, I should probably ask her what the heck her problem is.

Christian immediately took Jasmine to his large desk showing her what many of the buttons do and began to explain his job in the simplest terms I have ever heard. If I didn't know any better, I could have sworn he was trying to make her a mini-CEO. I sat down at the large table and began to work on the edits given to me the other day. Andrea had come into the room and placed a hot cup of tea in front of me, I thanked her and even nibbled on the cookie she gave me with it.

"Ana, what would you like for lunch?" Christian came over and asked after a few hours had passed. I stretched hearing the satisfying crack of joints popping. "Whatever is easiest for you Christian, I eat anything. Jasmine will most likely want a sandwich though; it'll be easy for her to eat in her own time." I looked away from my laptop to grin at him.

"She's currently taking a little nap, she announced to me that all princesses require their 'beauty' sleep." We both chuckled at that. "Should we leave it until she wakes?"

"I can run down to the café and grab her lunch now, that way when she wakes, she won't be grumpy for too long. I brought some with me, but I know if I'm eating something 'special' she'll want something special too."

"Don't be silly Ana, I'll ask Andrea to get three subs from the café, the menu is with Andrea at reception. Pick something for yourself and Jasmine then we can continue working." I stood up from my desk, making sure to lock the laptop before I left the desk. I leaned up and kissed him softly.

"Thank you." I gave him one last look over my shoulder before I left his office, I caught him checking out my ass, and it made me feel desirable.

I walked out into the receptionist and Andrea wasn't currently around, no doubt doing something for Christian but the other one was. "Excuse me." I said softly after I'd been standing there for a few minutes with no response. I heard her exasperated sigh before she looked up at me, the expression on her face was one of extreme annoyance.

"Yes?" I bit my tongue at the tone of her voice, she's not my receptionist after all.

"I'm after the menu for the café downstairs, Christian would like to order lunch."

"We are already aware of what Mr. Grey prefers to order." Well… Yeah obviously you work for him, however what about eeeeeeveryone else there sunshine?

"Well, I am not aware of what I would like to order, therefore I would like a menu." I felt a fire starting to set in my belly.

"Well, you can go down to the café yourself, grab a menu, place an order and pick it up all on your own." My mouth popped open when the words crossed her lips.

"Are you serious right now?" I was flabbergasted that she'd have this kind of attitude at work.

"As a heart attack." She then looked away from me and went back to writing something down on a notepad.

"Look here love, first rule in dealing with the public or someone working with your boss or even associated with your boss. Learn some manners. Second, you have been asked to provide a service, such as finding the damn menu so you can do exactly what you're being paid to do." She smirked as she slowly looked up at me, I saw the attitude shift when the door to Christian's office opened.

"I'm sorry ma'am, is there anything else I can do for you?" She looked sweet, innocent and acting as if I'm the party that's being difficult. Pure manipulation.

"You know just because I know he's there doesn't stop me from telling you, you're a horrible person. You're manipulative, nasty and entirely too focused on trying to get into your bosses pants to actually do a half-way decent job. Don't worry about getting the menu, I'm sure your replacement can." I said it loud enough for Christian to here.

"Olivia." His voice was deep, stern and dominating. It sent a delicious shiver down my spine.

"Mr. Grey, your guest has been swearing at me, I'm afraid for my safety!" I saw tears starting to prick her eyes, I rolled my eyes, turned back towards Christian and motioned towards her.

"Seriously? Do you believe her Christian?" I saw his lip twitch but when he returned to looking at Olivia his gaze hardened.

"Olivia, are you aware the intercom was on the entire conversation?" I couldn't help grin at this, when I looked back to her, she'd gone pale.

"Mr. Grey I can explain!" He rolled his eyes and came over only to grab my hand and begin leading me back into his office.

"Don't bother Olivia, you can explain it to Taylor on your way out of the building. Don't bother coming back in." I didn't exactly want to get her fired, but God damn lady, some basic manners and human respect goes a long way.

The moment the doors were closed Christian pinned me against the door, tangled his hands in my hair and kissed me. His body was so close you wouldn't get a slip of paper between us, I moaned softly and placed a hand on his hip trying to pull him closer.

He stopped kissing me only to nip, lick and kiss up my neck to whisper in my ear "You are fucking gorgeous." I moaned at his words but pushed him off me slightly. I motioned towards where Jasmine was sleeping, and he sheepishly smiled. "I almost forgot." We laughed at his remark.

When they're sleeping it's almost easy to forget, the peacefulness and silence is truly bliss. After the fiasco with Olivia, Andrea came in and took our orders for lunch and apologized for her behavior which was waved away as not necessary.

So, when Jasmine woke, we all went to the table and tucked into our lunches, with Christian playing footsie with me under the table. It was possibly one of the best lunches I'd had in years.

CPOV

I can tell Ana has finished her work, her typing has drastically slowed down, and she has begun to look around the room trying to find something to distract her. I didn't want her to leave, but I still had so much work to do at the office. Jasmine was currently colouring in all over my office floor which surprisingly didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.

I went over to Ana and when she looked up, I kissed her swiftly, so jasmine didn't catch us. "Baby, if you're ready to go home I can get Taylor to take you both home. I'm going to be several more hours…"

I saw her face drop as she thought it over. "Is it bad I don't want to go?" I smiled at her confession.

"I don't want you to go either Miss Steele, you've managed to do what every other woman has failed to do."

"What's that?"

"Capture my whole attention." I kissed her again softly and watched her skin flush with embarrassment. "Ana, there's something I want to do with you tonight… It's not normal to bring someone there on a first date or even a second or third date… However, I want you to be fully informed of what it will be like coming into my life."

Her eyes went wide with my words, "What… Kind of place Christian?"

"It's my psychiatric appointment…" Run…

"Oh, that would be okay. There's actually some things you need to know as well…" I've already guessed baby, it doesn't matter, it'll never matter.

"In an office with a third-party to help us both understand would be a good place to do that with. He calls it a 'safe' place." She grins at my quotation marks.

"What time tonight?"

"Let me give him a call and ask." I pulled my phone out not bothering to move away from the woman who has begun to slowly unravel my world.

"Christian, do you need another appointment?"

"John, I'm wondering if Anastasia and I are able to come to you tonight?" I heard him gasp slightly.

"Are you sure about this Christian? How much are you wanting to divulge?"

"Everything. Anastasia also has some things she would like to discuss."

"Alright, how does 6:30 sound?"

"6:30?"

"Sounds good, Kate should be home to watch Jasmine."

"That's perfect John, see you there."

"Goodbye Christian." I hung up the phone, kissed Ana one more time before jasmine declared herself that it was indeed time to leave. So, I walked them to the elevator, leaving them in Taylor's very capable hands. Tonight, I was going to bare my soul to a woman I'd just met, because somehow, I just knew that she wasn't going to run from me, the girl who went above and beyond for her daughter. I just hope she could understand how hard I will work to make her happy, safe and secure.

I just want to say thank you for everyone who has reviewed.
I really appreciate the kind feedback and words of encouragement.
Jasmine in my head is the happiest, most carefree child I have ever met.

Have you met those mums or dads that literally do anything for their child, every second of their lives are dedicated to their children, whether it's two jobs, working full time and studying. You can see the hard work and the stress they are under and the toll it takes on them, only to see their kid and it's like they are the happiest person ever? That's my mum, and when I think of what kind of parent I want to be, it's like her. Ana has some qualities that my mamma has, and honestly it makes me so proud to see people appreciating it.

I know what you're thinking though - Christian is a serious stalker, rocking up at the cafe in the morning? However, after what she went through the other night I think it's kind of sweet he wants to make sure she's okay.

I might be a little weird with updating for a few days- I'm back to work and hubby is doing night shifts at 12 hrs a pop. Meaning I'm not going to have much time to myself.
LOVE YOU ALL