APOV
Being surrounded by Christian's arms after so long being apart was heavenly, unfortunately he missed my graduation, but it wasn't the end of the world. Knowing that while he was away that immoral thing of a woman was trapping him in a room, was enough to make me forget all about how upsetting it was.
I peeled Christian's arms off me and went to go have a shower, looking at the clock as I walked towards the bathroom it was around 4 in the afternoon, nearly time to go pick up Jasmine. Having left the bed Christian woke up soon and decided to join me, I playfully slapped his chest when he smacked my ass first.
We quickly showered and got re-dressed, Christian with a towel wrapped around his waist went to the front door, I peeked around the corner when he came back to the bedroom, I saw he was holding a garment bag.
"What's in there?" I asked.
"Just some clothes for me, I can't very well wear the same thing as before." He smirked; I nodded my head in agreement. I ducked back into the wardrobe and slid on a pair of black leggings and a simple pink Aline dress which stopped before the middle of my thighs.
I went back into the bathroom and made sure my hair was completely dry before going back to the bedroom, Christian was dressed in comfortable worn jeans and a tight black t-shirt. He looked completely edible; hair tousled like he'd just gotten out of bed. I licked my lips as I raked my eyes over his body, the man was far too attractive for any one person – it was completely unfair.
Once we were dressed, I gathered up my bag and keys and together we headed out the door. Christian held my hand as we waited for the elevator, I felt a soft squeeze, so I turned towards him only to see his boyish smile. My heart thudded in my chest.
We got a few glances from the other tenants in the building, but Christian ignored them all and kept hold of my hand as we entered onto the street. "Where to?" He asked.
"Jasmine's day-care is this way, not too far of a walk." Christian smiled and together we set off to pick up the little monster, I didn't realise how well-known Christian was in Seattle. Nearly every third of fourth person we passed looked up at us in shock, when I turned around slightly, I saw they had stopped walking and were openly staring, right until Taylor turned towards them as well.
"Don't worry, Taylor is right behind us baby." I felt another soft squeeze.
"I'm not worried... I think. "I muttered.
"Of course." Christian grinned. At one point his phone began to ring so he answered it and began to bark into the phone but did not take his hand out of mine. I saw a van pull up sharply ahead of us and a few people began to storm out of it, only to have two men who resembled Taylor stop them. Christian ignored them, and I couldn't stop staring as we walked past. What the fuck is going on there?
We eventually got to the day care without too many more issues, Taylor waited outside with Christian whilst I went inside. "Ana! I was about to call and ask who was picking Jasmine up today since Kate dropped her off, but she just called to say she wasn't going to be here at 4 to pick her up."
"Oh, I'm so sorry I'm a little late, there were people everywhere on the street today." I blushed slightly.
"It's all over the news currently, apparently Christian Grey has been running around in this neck of the woods, there's speculation there's a mystery woman." Sarah was a nice enough girl, very blonde and bubbly the kids loved her, however right now I wanted to avoid this conversation as much as possible.
I heard the door open and when I looked up Sarah resembled a fish. I felt Christian's hand at the small of my back. Yeah... I am that mystery woman... "Hello." Christian greeted her.
"Uh, hello..." Sarah's all but whispered while staring at me with wide eyes.
"Can I go through?" She nodded. I turned and left Christian in the waiting area, without clearance from the day care he can't go through yet. The room was bright and colourful with all the artwork the kids had completed, littered with toys and screaming children. When Jasmine saw me, she screamed out Mumma and ran into my arms.
I hugged her tightly before putting her back on the ground, she ran to her cubby hole to get her bag before we went back into the waiting room, the moment she saw Christian her bag was thrown to the ground. She ran directly to him, he bent to pick her up and she gave him a hug.
"Mr Gwey!"
"Grey." I corrected with a little chuckle, I left the two of them to get reacquainted and turned to Sarah, who looked even more like a gaping fish.
She shook her head once both left the room, I heard Jasmine's squeal of delight when she saw Taylor. "Just wow..." Sarah breathed.
"Yeah, do you want me to settle the bill now?"
"Oh yes Ana, it's $50 today." I handed the bill over with a smile before going outside. I knew that Sarah would be discussing my love life the moment I walked out the door.
Jasmine was in the process of explaining to Christian every meal she's had since he's been away, she was sitting slightly on his hip, and he looked utterly devoted to the conversation. There was a black SUV waiting for us, and once ready to go she was quickly placed inside buckled up and we headed off.
"Where are we going?"
"I thought we might go to Escala, get changed then head out to my parents place at Belleview for dinner?"
"Wow, I should have some clothes to wear back home."
He rolled his eyes at me. "I had something delivered for the both of you last night." Jasmine was grinning manically at this.
"WE GET TO BE PRINCESSES MUMMA!" I saw Christian shake his head slightly to say that wasn't the case.
"Maybe next time baby, I'm sure you want Mumma to make a good first impression, right?"
She reluctantly agreed. Christian went back to his phone to continue working whilst I spoke with Jasmine about her day, what she learned and what toys she thought were the best ever. The time passed relatively quickly, so before we know it, we had arrived.
We went upstairs and Gail had prepared a room ready for us to get ready in, I got Jasmine dressed in the cutest outfit imaginable. It was a floral pink dress with frills at the hip, with white stocking and the same shade of pink shoes, she even had a hairband to go with it. I had a similar pink dress, only without the flowers It came in at the waist and lightly blew out at the hips, making me appear curvier, it had a simple white belt to go with it, the sweetheart neckline gave me the appearance of having a bigger bustline.
I too had a pink hairband, together Jasmine and I looked like a pair, once we were both ready, we left the room only to see Christian in a comfy pair of blue jeans and white polo shirt. He looked every part the comfy rich guy at a club.
I saw the same two men earlier standing in the foyer, Christian placed his hand at my lower back and guided us over. "Ana, Jasmine these two men are additional security working with Taylor."
"My name is Luke Sawyer." He nodded to me and waved to Jasmine who waved back.
"My name is Ryan Johnson." Again, a nod and a wave.
"This is Mumma, and I'm Jasmine!" She introduced us, only to earn herself a chuckle.
"Ana, pleasure to meet you both."
"They are here to make sure you both remain safe, if you have any issues and Taylor or myself are not here, please advise them." We both nodded and after a quick goodbye, which for Jasmine meant a hug to both their legs we set off for his parents' place...
CPOV
Knowing that Ryan and Sawyer were on the street today stopping those god damn rats of paparazzi was a huge relief, I didn't want Ana to realise that they would be a huge, annoying part of her life too soon.
Taylor recommended them for the job, both without spouses or children to impact their ability to work long hours, or travel at a moment's notice. From a proud military background. Although having met Sawyer and seeing how good looking he was I was nervous of him being Ana's guard...
Once talking to him I calmed down though, both Taylor and he swore up and down that he was only interested in the job long-term, and Sawyer jokingly said no woman was going to go for him when they had me. That made me a little prouder I'm not going to lie.
Seeing the effectiveness of both men stopping that van was a relief, both men were going to be Ana and Jasmine's guards and needed to be the best people for the job. Ryan was okay looking after little kids, and even took the opportunity to enrol in one of the best first aid courses for children once he found out about the job and was the youngest out of all three men.
That sold him to the job, taking that innovative and responsibility, I offered to pay for it once I found out and he declined. "Sir, my mother always told me to better myself, and I can't very well claim that if you pay for it after all." Knowing my own mother, the bragging rights would be worth the price alone.
So now they follow us in a second SUV towards my mother's house, the text message I sent telling her we were on our way for dinner had her questioning everything, what do they like? Do they have any allergies?
This was the first time bringing a woman home to meet the folks and I was bringing her kid too. Jesus Christ she's probably having a heart attack right now. Hopefully Dad was with her and keeping her from going crazy with questions, I gave Ana's hand a quick squeeze prompting Jasmine to hold out her own hand, with a chuckle I gave it a squeeze as well.
They looked amazing, I knew that dressed in anything they would look like perfection, however I wanted Ana to not feel exactly how I saw her, powerful, perfect...
The gates opened and we drove through the long driveway towards my childhood home, I took a few deep calming breaths before getting out of the car, walking around to Ana's door and helping Jasmine and Ana out of the car. By the time I turned towards the front door I saw my parents standing there. Dad with an amused expression, and mum practically sobbing.
I guided my two lovely ladies towards them, gave my mother a quick hug and my father a handshake. "Mum, dad, this is Anastasia and Jasmine. Ana, Jasmine these are my parents Grace and Carrick."
My mother bounded from her place and launched herself at Ana, giving her a too tight hug. "Oh Anastasia, you are simply lovely! It is wonderful to meet you. "She then knelt down to Jasmine's level and the little princess threw herself at Grace and gave her an equally tight hug... No doubt thinking this type of greeting was completely normal. Ana shook my dad's hand, and he placed his hand on the middle of her back and began to lead her into the house.
My mother picked Jasmine up and followed them leaving me trailing behind, I could hear the conversation between Ana and my dad discussing the home, the priceless artworks hanging on the walls, my mother was currently discussing exactly what type of Princess Jasmine is going to be tomorrow – I grinned when she said it was a fairy princess of course.
Gretchen stood at the doorway leading to the dining room, she pushed her chest out towards me and gave me what I could only assume was a sultry look, I actively ignored it.
"Oh Christian, I forgot to mention Elliot will be coming over tonight as well."
"When does he arrive?"
"Right now, fucker!" Elliot wrapped his large arms around my neck and began to 'demonstrate' what new wrestling move he saw on TV, I managed to worm my way out of the headlock and pushed him slightly.
"What do they call it the dancing moron?" Elliot laughed and then feigned horror at my suggestion.
"I don't know what you mean dearest brother." I rolled my eyes and began to talk away from him and towards the dining room. "Hold your horses bro, it's only dinner with mum and dad. Tell me all the gossip I've missed so far."
"Nothing to tell Elliot, besides didn't you know it's more than mum and dad tonight? They told me it was an intervention for your man=whoring ways."
He swung his arm playfully to punch my arm, which I dodged. "Fuck off Christian." He was grinning just as widely as I was, we both walked into the dining room, and I snickered at the pure look of shock registering on his face. The spluttering and cough trying to cover it up made burst into laughter.
"Christian! Manners!" My mother called, I quickly went over to sit beside Ana and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Sorry mum, Ana baby this is Elliot, my endearing idiotic brother." He started to flip me off until he looked back towards Jasmine and grumbled under his breath to fuck off. Ana was smirking.
"Elliot, pleasure to meet you, baby do you want to introduce yourself?" Jasmine who was currently invested in a colouring book my mother produced from somewhere looked up at Ana, only to turn towards Elliot and it was in that moment we all turned to see Jasmine's evil smirk.
"Hi I'm Jasmine Steele." She waved innocently.
"Hi Jasmine, I'm Elliot, Christian's older brother."
"Would you like to play a game?" I felt a shiver go down my back at her words, the smile was too perfect – too innocent to be believable.
"Sure, what kind of game?"
"My Aunt Kate calls it the naughty game." Ana's eyes went wide before she put her hand over Jasmine's mouth, sending apologetic looks to everyone at the table.
Elliot went pale before his booming laugh went around the room, causing Ana to go from embarrassment to amused, mum was holding back her laughter behind her hand where dad rolled his eyes in amusement.
"Jaz, baby what did we say about telling people about that?"
"To make sure Aunt Kate was there first?" Ana was bright red.
"I give up." Ana muttered under her breath. "It's alright, just no more talk of it okay?" Jasmine nodded but grinned at Elliot.
"Your Aunt Kate sounds like fun."
"She is very fun; she plays games a lot though. I don't think she'd like you though." Mum snorted when she said it, Ana had her face in her hands.
"I'm sure she'd really like me; don't you think she should give me a chance?" I glared at Elliot, trying to hook up through a 4-year-old is pretty pathetic.
"Don't you have your own friends?" Jasmine's eyebrow was raised as she questioned him.
"Of course."
"Then you should ask them." I was waiting for her to say DUH, but it never came.
Elliot who had officially been outsmarted by a four-year-old was spluttering again, when Gretchen came in with our meals he was trying to still think of a retort because he didn't flirt her pants off.
We all began to eat in peace since Elliot was still stuck on the conversation, Jasmine began to charm the pants off my mother who had not taken her eyes off the little lady.
"Oh, I know!" Elliot said under his breath, "What if we call Aunt Kate, and let her make the final decision?"
Jasmine pulled a look that screamed Who are you again? "I don't know, Mumma what do you think?"
I snickered at Ana's helpless plea in my direction and merely shrugged my shoulders, she glared slightly at the lack of response. "I think she's on a date tonight Elliot, I'd hate to interrupt her dinner." Elliot pouted at Ana, bringing his big blue eyes out hoping to change her mind. Ana scoffed. "Elliot… I have a four-year-old daughter who tries that look, it doesn't succeed for her, it won't work for you."
I burst out laughing, moved towards her and kissed her lips. "You're amazing!" We left the dining room table to move into the living room, Jasmine had immediately grabbed hold of my mother's hand and skipped the entire way.
Elliot grabbed my arm keeping me in the room, I nudged Ana along and turned to my brother. "What the fuck is that?" He whispered.
"That is my girlfriend and her daughter." I raised my eyebrow thinking the answer to be obvious.
"Wow, girlfriend huh? Finally lose your v-card?" He waggled his eyebrows; I merely rolled my eyes at him.
"I lost if fucking years ago." We both grinned at the play on words. "I just don't parade the women in my life for everyone to see."
"You never introduced a girl to us – we thought you were gay for fucks sake." We both laughed at the thought.
"Yeah, it was a running joke with Ros at work for a long time."
"She's a little cutie."
"Who?"
"Jasmine, man… She's something else. A firecracker with that wit, Ana doesn't seem the feisty type."
"She has that side to her I promise. But I agree Jasmine is very cute, she has this power to bring everyone on her side."
"I can tell, mum is obsessed, although any woman you brought home would have gotten the same treatment." Well, I disagree with that.
"Ana's just the right girl, what can I say."
"Who's the dad by the way?" I raised my eyebrow at the question before frowning. "Oh fuck, someone you know? That must be awkward as hell."
"Elliot, I'm just going to say Jasmine's father is not in the picture, okay?"
He nodded understanding the tone, of leave it the fuck alone. "Is Aunt Kate a hottie though?"
"It's Katherine Kavanagh, we've met their family before."
"Oh, she's hot but a fucking tough one to crack. She was more interested in my life story and connection to you getting down to it." He waggled his eyebrows.
"They're best friends, she's a journalist. The only reason I met Ana is because Kate was sick, and Ana covered for her. Something I'm extremely thankful for."
"Ah journalists can be so god damn hot, but they're so nosey. I like to keep my options open, and they are way too good at finding out." He sighed dramatically.
"Do you ever think of not fucking around on the women you're fucking?"
"Never crossed my mind, why?"
"Elliot, you're 30 years old. Unmarried, no kids that we know of… Don't you ever wish for… More?" This was a conversation we'd never discussed, what the fuck had Ana done to me to make me so soppy.
"Wow, uh no. I've never met anyone who made me think of more. I love my life; I don't have anyone I'd give it up for."
"Makes sense, but honestly… When you meet her, I think it'll all change for you."
"Is that what happened to you?" I nodded and smiled at my two girls I could just see sitting in the living room.
"Yeah, every moment since I met her, all I could think about washer. When I found out about jasmine I freaked the fuck out, I'm so fucked up I didn't want to bring that into an innocent kids' life… Then, I met Jasmine and honestly, she started healing something deep inside me.
Those two girls, fuck… If I didn't have them now, I don't want to think about what I'd be like."
"So, she's going to be sticking around then huh… I better go make nice with the little princess." Elliot grinned.
"Honestly that kid is the cheekiest, sneakiest little thing I've ever met. She's smart too. Go play prince and princess with her, you'll be her favourite person in no time at all."
"I like the sound of that." He grinned, clapped me on the shoulder and raced out of the room. I heard him calling out Jasmine's name just before the question of have you ever heard of WWE?
When I went into the living room, I saw Ana sitting beside my mother talking about Jasmine and other things to do with children, whilst I sat beside my dad watching Jasmine currently try to tackle Elliot.
She barely made is past his knee, but she collided with his leg, and he fell dramatically. She then jumped all over him, Dad told her to 'pin him!' When she managed to barely cover the length of his chest dad got down on his hands and knees, tapping the ground till the count of three was heard.
Jasmine then jumped up; arms raised in the air exclaiming she was in fact the best wrestler in the whole house. Right until Ana grabbed her, laid her on the floor and began to tickle her until she cried uncle.
"I do think I am the best wrestler in the house now." Ana blew a raspberry on jasmine's stomach.
"Nah uh Mumma, I let you win!" My family watched this gorgeous woman play with her child, and my heart constricted with warmth knowing that she will always be a better mother than my own ever was.
Hello lovely, lovely readers.
First off! I want to apologise for the length of time between updates, I'm 3 hrs away from Sydney Australia - but we're all in lockdown at the moment. Meaning, my work as picked up due to being an essential service, longer work hours, more stressful scenaries at work... Topped off with Hubby having to go back on night-shift, three German shepherds to exercise daily...
It all got way too much. So I just focused on writing between my lunch breaks, but even then I found I wasn't eating. It was becoming super unhealthy.
HOWEVER! Hubby got a weekend off! So YIPPEE I got an hour of my day to myself, and thought I would finish off the chapter I've been writing for the last two-ish weeks.
I hope you like this little chapter - I know it's not much. I also want to thank those that have left really lovely reviews, and sending me their thoughts and everything really to be happy, healthy and safe. You honestly have kept me going. I'll try to write another chapter tomorrow XX
Love you all.
- AnnoyedPrincess - AKA. Chantelle.