APOV

Jasmine began to tire quickly after the impromptu wrestling match, Elliot continued to play with her throughout the night much to my relief. Speaking to Grace throughout the night gave me a chance to learn more about the family.

Knowing that Jasmine and my presence has given Christian a 'new life' made me feel a heck of a lot more confident around his family. Grace didn't even care I didn't come from money.

"Ana, Jasmine's all but passed out on Elliot. Did you want to head home?" Christian came into the room tip-toeing as well as whispering.

"Don't be silly, your father and I have a bed upstairs prepared for you all. You can tuck her in and come back down for a few drinks if you'd like Ana." Grace placed a hand on my arm, a soft smile on her lips.

"Would you mind Christian?"

"Not at all, breakfast at mom's it'll be great baby." Christian kissed me softly before going to talk to one of the security guys.

"Can you help me get her ready for a bath? She's going to kick and scream about it but it needs to be done." I grinned at the good Doctor.

"Bath time... My favourite. Gretchen can you please prepare a bath for the young miss? Keep in mind the temperature." Gretchen nodded, waited until Grace turned around before glaring at me.

Make sure to test the temperature before jasmine does...

We walked into the living room to see Jasmine all but passed out on Elliot's chest. I picked her up slowly turning her towards me letting her head rest on my shoulder, Christian began to get up but I waived him down.

"She's going to have a bath; I'll be there Christian." Grace whispered.

"Get me before she goes to sleep?" I nodded at him, earning myself a small smile.

When we finally got up the stairs Grace helped me peel the princess out of her clothes, chuckling as her arms fell to her side like they were heavy weights, the bath itself was quick with help.

We kept her hair completely dry and got her in and out in record time, as I was towelling her off Grace ran into the bedroom and got out some pyjamas Christian had conveniently packed.

Once completely dry we worked together to get her dressed, they were pants decorated with a princess dancing around in different coloured dresses with a simple pink tank top to match.

I brushed through her hair quickly before braiding it in two sections, picking her up again I heard her softly snoring making me smile.

Grace showed me to the bedroom and I sucked in a breath out how grand the bedroom was. The bed was in the middle of the room a canopy went from the ceiling to fall around the bed completely. The bed itself was of the finest quality wood, detailing in the legs showed a craftsmanship I had yet to see before.

The closer I got I could see the canopy was made of the most intricate lace. The rest of the room has the matching set to the bed, decorated with soft plush toys, a pink faux fur rug.

It was a room fit for a princess. Christian arrived in time to pull the bedsheet back allowing me to place her under the covers. I kissed her forehead softly earning a little grunt of recognition. Christian placed a note on the bedside table that she could read when she woke up.

"Just lets her know we're next door if she needs us." I smiled at the thoughtful gesture. Christian kissed her forehead softly, tucked the sheets in around her before making sure the window was locked.

He gestured for me to follow, I got up from the bed slowly making sure not to wake her. Christian placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me back downstairs.

Grace held a glass of white wine out as we passed the kitchen, I accepted it sipping a small amount. I groaned at the flavour coating my tastebuds. "This is divine."

"I'm glad you like it, Ana." Grace looked at where Christian's hand sat on my back, a soft smile appearing.

"Is she asleep?" Elliot asked.

"Yeah, she passed out. Wouldn't even wake up to enjoy that bathtub." I laughed at the image of how tired she was.

"The poor thing. I turned the baby monitor in her room on as you were coming downstairs. I didn't know how she would go being in a new room." Grace smiled knowingly. "The first time I left Elliot in a new room I did the same thing."

"I appreciate the thought Grace, really I do." Grace sat down on the loveseat beside Carrick whilst Christian and I sat opposite them, Elliot sitting in a lone arm chair.

Carrick wrapped his arm around his wife, kissing her cheek softly. "You know Elliot, you could have a wonderful woman on your arm too if you'd finally settle down." Everyone chuckled as Elliot stuck out his tongue.

"Unfortunately, daaaad, all the good ones are taken. Ana, can I ever convince you to leave my boring brother?" He turned his large blue eyes onto me.

I blushed at the question, "I'm sorry, I'm ruined forever thanks to your brother." I kissed Christian's cheek revealing in the twitch of his lips.

"Alas, I'm heartbroken." Elliot pretended to swoon.

The rest of the night we continued to talk amongst each other, Elliot left to go into his room retiring for the night, kissing my cheek earning him a playful punch from Christian.

Cristian and Carrick began to talk about eh business and different things happening in the world of everything Christian, leaving Grace and I to talk amongst ourselves.

"Come with me Ana." Grace wrapped her arm in mine and lead me towards her study, set into the walls was a bookcase filled with all the classics.

"Wow, this is amazing Grace."

"It's my favourite room in the house other than the kitchen, Christian loved reading as a child. I still remember him curling up on that couch reading a new book every week." Grace's eyes shone with the memory.

"That's what I'd love to have Jasmine do, but sharing an apartment with another person plus Jasmine is difficult. She has her room but it's filled with her toys and outfits, doesn't leave much room for books."

"You also work from home is that correct?"

"Yes, but there isn't really room for a study. Certainly not our own study either." Grace gave an understanding nod.

"It's hard with a young one, we're lucky we had all the resources we did I can't imagine doing it how you have. You're a strong woman." I blushed slightly at the praise.

"Thank you, Grace."

"I have to ask dear, and I do not mean this is any way other than curiosity..." I turned towards her and saw the awkward look on her face, the one that each person gets whenever they're curious as to her father.

"The father isn't in the picture Grace, I'm not interested in a baby daddy, or someone to become a permanent father figure for Jasmine. Honestly, I wasn't even looking for a relationship, certainly wasn't expecting someone like Christian to be interested in me." The flash of guilt crossed her beautiful features. "I want someone who will love me for me, treat me as an equal and live a long happy life with me. Of course, they have to understand I'm a mom and Jasmine will always be my number one priority in life. The fact that Christian seems to really care for me, and even for Jasmine is a bonus. The wealth, resources, assets honestly I couldn't care less about."

Grace came to me immediately and pulled me into a strong embrace. "Thank you, Ana. He's my baby boy, you understand a mother's instinct and desire to keep her babies happy never fades."

"I get it, you raised a wonderful man, you should be proud." We broke apart from one another, Christian had just walked out side the living room, he opened his arms and I willingly went into his embrace.

"Hey baby, I was wondering where you disappeared to."

"Just looking at books with your mom." He chuckled and opened his arms to his mother; Grace jumped at the chance and fell into his embrace as well. He kissed her forehead.

"Thanks Mom." We saw a flash of light, turning we saw Carrick standing there with a camera, a soft smile on his face.

"I couldn't resist." Everyone chuckled softly, Christian and I pulled away from Grace who seemed reluctant to leave Christian's arms, and I could understand why.

"Goodnight, Mom and Dad."

"Good night." Christian held my hand and walked with me slowly to the bedroom made up for us, the moment the door was closed Christian took me into his arms, our lips touching tenderly.

He intertwined our hands, slowly moving closer to the bed, I felt his focus entirely on me as a hand slowly moved down my waist to rest on my hip, the other remaining intertwined.

Slowly he stepped around in a circle, moving my body along with his. The slow sway of hips, the graceful twirl had my heart thumping wildly in my chest.

The slow hum from his lips began to slow, the hand from the hip moved up to support my back as he dipped me. I opened my eyes to see his stormy grey eyes looking back at me.

Words didn't need to be spoken in that moment, I felt his soul open to me in ways I'd never experienced before. The fabric of my clothes could only just be felt when it was sliding down my skin, he captured me completely.

CPOV

The lovemaking between Anastasia and I last night was like nothing I have ever experienced in my life before, the slow dancing was supposed to be fun and carefree, but as I looked into her blue eyes as I dipped her...

I felt that impossibly black hole inside of me begin to crumble, only to be replaced with her blinding, all consuming light. Holding her in my arms, I took in every mark on her skin, every freckle, dimple or imperfection and stored them away in my mind. They were parts of her, and she was perfect.

I didn't sleep long, the sun broke through the sky lighting the room through the sheer curtain. The way it touched her skin made it appear to glow.

I heard a soft cry coming from Jasmine's room, I slipped out of the bed leaving Anastasia to continue sleeping. I opened Jasmine's room and saw her rubbing tears from her eyes.

I moved over to her quietly, I opened my arms to her and she quickly moved into my embrace. I murmured soft words trying to stop her from crying like I'd seen Anastasia do so many times.

"Mr Gwey..." I looked down into her tear filled eyes.

"What's wrong Jasmine?"

"I was scared... But I'm not anymore." I smiled at her confession, her soft words filling me with pride.

"I'm glad Jasmine. You can call me Christian you know."

"Ok... Cwistian."

"Christian... Think Christmas, but say Christian."

"Christian."

"That's my girl." I kissed her forehead. I made sure she was secure in my arms before picking her up and moving back into the room I shared with Anastasia.

I placed Jasmine in the middle of bed and slipped in behind her, tucking us both into bed I watched as Jasmine tucked herself in my arms and nodded back to sleep.

I don't know how long I lay there watching them both, but for once I didn't care about anything other than looking at them and thinking Maybe... Maybe I can do this.

Hey guys,

Sorry for the long absence, I've been crazily busy between renovating my house, working full time plus extra hours (thanks covid...)

To rhe gues reviewer that pointed out my grammatical mistake, hey I'm sorry. It slipped through the net. It happens, however there is a polite way to point out the mistake.

You could try "Hey I noticed in the first couple of paragraphs a mistake... here it is."

Don't act like a total baby about one word, fanfic is about creating something new, or adapting something to a unique idea.

It also is a free platform that helps writers learn and be better, but it's narky comments that make writers stop, because we honestly get tired of the negativity.

Otherwise! Everyone has been fantastic, don't be afraid to send me a PM reminding me to keep writing xx I love you all, and please be safe. X