CHAPTER 10 - The cohabitation begins
Over the past three days, Ana has started a routine of her own in this new job; she wakes up at around 6.30 am, goes to the gym for some spinning, or steps, or treadmill for about 30 minutes. Then she goes back to her room for a quick shower and then dress up for the day. Around 7.30am, she begins preparing breakfasts, first for the employees – Prescott, Ryan, and now that he is back, Sawyer. Around 8am, Prescott comes and collects the trays for all of them. Then Ana wakes up the children – except on Sunday were she left them oversleep for a couple of hours. They then have their breakfasts, get dressed and are ready for activities before 9am. Lunch around 12pm, a one hour nap then more activities during which Ana keeps busy with some cleaning or tidying, more activities and dinner around 6.30pm. Then after the children go to bed, around 8.30 or 9pm, Ana usually either stays in her room and reads by her window, or she researches the internet. On Saturday, she even went for a swim in the indoor swimming pool and really enjoyed it. Now that Mr Grey is back, she knows that she will have to adapt to whatever works for him.
The most difficult aspect of the job for the moment is all the cleaning; the house is quite big, and she needs to be able to deal with it while spending most of her time with the children. Gail has left her her own schedule, which allows her to perform all the tasks over the week. So far, Ana managed to follow it, but it required lots of focus. Ana cannot complain about this job which is her first real job with actual responsibilities; the children are adorable, the house is amazing, she has access to all the facilities such as the gym, the indoors swimming pool, the jacuzzi, etc. And the salary is very generous. So Ana is determined to do all she can to deserve it all. And she figures that things will become easier once she manages to find her pace.
This morning, as she reaches the gym, some unusual noise catches her attention. She soon realizes it comes from the treadmill that is obviously currently in use. These past three days, she had been by herself every morning during her working out, as Prescott and Ryan have their own gym in the males' cottage. As she keeps walking and is just around the corner from the entrance, she hears two male voices, without really distinguishing what they are saying or even who it belongs to. She walks in and there they are, Mr Grey on the treadmill in the middle of the room and Sawyer lifting weights by the mirror at the opposite side from the entrance but looking towards it. Ana just stands there, playing with her towel, not really knowing what to do next.
Sawyer is the first one who sees her. He simply nods, acknowledging her, the way he always seems to proceed; Ana is not sure that she has even heard the sound of his voice yet. He is dressed in black shorts and a plain white shirt with black Nike sports shoes. His hair is wet from sweating. Ana had never really paid much attention to Sawyer's looks, but she has to admit that he is very good looking, and well built; he reminds her of these quarterbacks, so appreciated in American football.
Mr Grey, who was turned towards the other end of the room but who probably saw her in the mirror in front of him, carefully slows down his speed before turning his head to acknowledge her as well. "Good morning Miss Steele, come in, please." He stops the treadmill and steps next to it. He grabs his towel and dries himself with it "There is definitely enough room and machines in here for the three of us." He is dressed with grey cotton shorts, a white tank top barely covering his sweaty muscles and a pair of grey and white Nike shoes. This is actually the very first time that Ana sees Mr Grey without a suit on, or at least a dress shirt on, and God, how distracting this view is; this man is handsome whatever he is wearing.
"Good morning Mr Sawyer, Mr Grey." She finally manages to say, nodding at both men before walking towards the bike at the opposite end of the room. She puts her towel on one handlebar grip then climbs on the bike, adjusting it with her usual setting – someone obviously used it today. But unlike the previous days, today she remembers to keep her jacket on. From now on, she definitely needs to remember to bring long sleeves shirts for her working out session.
Mr Grey then moves back towards the middle of the room, quickly lying down on his back on the exercise bench. From her bike, Ana can see it all thanks to the mirror. He then grabs weights that seem quite heavy a couple of times before putting it back, then addresses Ana. "Miss Steele, how did things go when we were away? I trust the children behaved."
Ana then turns her head to look at him directly "Hm, it all went well, Mr Grey, they are sweet children."
"I heard that Teddy was a bit difficult yesterday…" He asks are he lifts the weights one more time.
Of course he would know, Prescott and Ryan could not not have noticed the child's mood.
"Well, he is a very nice little boy, very sensitive." She then adds, beginning to pant a little from the effort. "He misses Gail. And missed you too these past three days. He will be so happy that you're back." In the meantime, Sawyer has moved to the treadmill and has begun running. This additional noise as well as the sound coming from her own machine makes it difficult to hear what Mr Grey says now.
"I'm glad to be home." Ana thinks she hears Mr Grey answer "And what about my little girl? As serious as ever?" she asks, smiling sweetly.
Ana has to slow her spinning now, in order to be able to hear and answer "Yes, she is a bright young girl. Yesterday, she played the piano, she is very gifted, and already quite impressive after just taking lessons for one year. Her focus is unbelievable for her age." Ana says enthusiastically.
"Yes, she is good, we often play duets together, did she tell you?" Mr Grey adds, with the same enthusiasm.
"No, I would really like to hear that." Ana says.
"Then you will Miss Steele." Mr Grey says, lifting the weights one final time before getting up, drying himself once more, under Ana's appreciative stare. He then takes his bottle and drinks it and Ana adverts her eyes after a few seconds, this is too much to take and he will definitely notice. She looks in Sawyer's direction and she is pretty sure that she saw him smiling. "Sawyer" Mr Grey calls in a harsh tone "Let's go." Then towards Ana, with a definitely nicer tone "See you later Miss Steele."
As he is about to leave the room, he stops and adds "Miss Steele, at what time do you usually wake up the children?"
"8am" Ana answers.
"Would you mind if I did it this morning?" Mr Grey asks almost shyly, which is in contrast with his whole attitude in this gym this morning.
"No, of course not." She says "And then would breakfast at 8.15am be okay for you?"
"Sure. Thank you Miss Steele" Then he leaves the room, leaving Ana by herself for the final part of her working out.
Christian had not expected to meet Miss Steele at the gym this morning but it was a welcome and pleasurable surprise. She was so pretty in her tight pants. Christian could see that she was wearing a white tank top, but somehow she kept her jacket on top of it the whole time; she must have been extremely warm as she was spinning. She probably kept it for a reason. Was she uncomfortable in her sports clothes with two men in the room? Was it too crowded for her? Christian wonders. He decides that from now on, Sawyer will no longer come with him for his working out session in the mornings, he can go in the security gym over at their cottage. Christian also had not appreciated the way Sawyer was looking at Ana, with a small smirk. So definitely, from tomorrow on, he would go to the gym by himself, in the hope that Miss Steele joins him again.
Now, after a cold shower and spending some time on his computer to deal with some emails, he is heading towards Phoebe's bedroom. His little girl, his first born, the baby that he could not help but love from the minute that he held her in his arms. There she was, lying in her bed, with a book open on the bedside table next to her. Christian sits down in the rocking chair by the bed and looks at her for a few more minutes. It was from this exact same rocking chair that he used to rock her to sleep when she was a baby. This little girl is the reason why Christian wanted GEH to succeed so much. Unfortunately, it meant spending more time than he would have wanted away from her. But he has learned with the years to make the best of these moments so that his children have lots of good memories with him. The fact that in his line of work, people see him as a cold hearted asshole is of no importance for him. But he definitely does not want his children to think that he is aloof and uncaring. So with them, he tries his best to convey just everything that he feels for them; as their father, he needs to be a role model, but also person they enjoy spending time with, and hopefully, his children think this way about him.
He could definitely stay here for more hours just looking at this sleeping angel but he knows that it is not possible. So he quietly calls her "Phoebe Grey" she does not move. He then says a little more loudly "Phoebe Grace Grey, time to wake up" This time, she seems to hear.
At first, she moves her head, then brings her fists to her face, and finally stretches, before opening her eyes "Daddy?"
"Yes darling." He answers as he sits down on her bed next to her.
"I dreamed that you were back. You were touching my cheek in my dream." She says as she stretches.
"Oh was I?" he says, doing that exactly at that moment, the same he had done it the night before.
"Yes. Daddy" then she straightens up and sits down on her bed "we did lots of things with Ana. We read my book, we played the piano" she yawns then goes on "we learnt the names of all the trees in the garden, in French! We called Aunt Mia and Uncle…"
"I know baby, I'm glad that you had fun" he interrupts "Keep some of it for our breakfast together, or you won't have anything to say."
The little girl simply nods.
"Now, get up, we need to go and wake up your brother." They both get up and walk towards Teddy's room next door "Phoebe, tell me, what do you think, will it be a cheerful Teddy or a moody Teddy this morning?"
"Well, we had a very moody Teddy yesterday. And you are back today. So I would say cheerful Teddy!" Which turns out to be the case.
Ana had time to clean up after Prescott collected the first batch of breakfasts, for the staff, and is now preparing the second batch when she hears two happy children singing as they are nearing the kitchen area. Ana seems to recognize "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands". Phoebe is the first one to appear in the kitchen, smiling widely, with her father just behind, Teddy on his broad shoulders.
"Good morning Ana!" Phoebe says as she comes next to Ana and hugs her at the waist, while Ana has her hands full with the pan and a spoon.
"Good morning Miss Phoebe!" Ana replies with a smile as the little girl sits down at the table.
"Good morning Anaaaaaa!" A laughing Teddy then says, as he is lifted by his father that sets him on the ground.
"Good morning Teddy!" Ana replies with a large smile, appreciating the difference a day makes.
"See, Daddy is back!" The little boy says happily as he comes closer to her and hug her.
"Yes I can see it. Are you happy?" Ana asks, gently caressing his slightly red hair.
"Oh yes!" He says, going closer to his father and taking his father's in his.
"What do you think about two Cars pancakes this morning to celebrate it?
Intrigued, the little boy comes back closer as Ana shows him what she means: this morning, she decided to use a Cars mold for the pancakes "Oh, yummy!" Teddy says, jumping on his feet.
"Do you want them with some strawberries or some raspberries?"
"Some raspberries please" the little boy answers as he sits down at the table, impatient for his tasty breakfast.
Mr Grey, who seems quite playful this morning adds "What do I hear, you want raspberries Teddy?" with a mischievous smile.
"Yes." The little boy answers genuinely
"Are you sure?" Mr Grey gets closer to Teddy, winking at the ladies
"Yes" Teddy answers a bit annoyed at having to repeat himself.
"Ok, here it comes!" he says as he comes closer to the boy and starts blowing raspberries on his cheek, seizing him firmly while doing so.
"No, no Daddy!" The little boy says laughing hard.
Ana is surprised at this but definitely loves this interaction. Mr Grey usually looks so serious. She had already noticed that around his children, he is different, more laid back, but she finds this playful version of Mr Grey that she is witnessing very refreshing.
Phoebe is still sitting at the table. As Ana places two Cars pancakes on her plate, she looks at Ana, frowning, and says "Oh, boys!" with such a serious expression that Ana cannot help but smile.
"What did you say, young lady?" Mr Grey says, as he finally leaves poor Teddy alone.
"Nothing daddy!" the little girl says smiling shyly.
"Are you sure?" Phoebe nods, smiling wider now "Because I think I heard something about boys…"
"Maybe." Phoebe admits reluctantly.
"Miss Steele, shall we give some raspberries to Miss Phoebe? I think she likes them" Ana replies with a smile as Mr Grey begins blowing raspberries in his daughter's neck.
Phoebe is all laugh, which was very nice to see, as she was always so serious; it is good for her to behave like her age sometimes. She is all smiles when Mr Grey finally releases her.
After this little fun interlude between the three Greys, breakfast goes on with the children detailing every minute of their weekend activities while their father was away.
"I can't believe that you did all that!" Mr Grey replies when they are finished, with some deliberate exaggeration intended at Teddy.
"We did." Teddy confirms proudly.
"So what kind of trees did you see in the garden?" as Phoebe was about to answer he adds "In French."
"Oh" Phoebe says "Well, we saw "un chêne""
"There was also "un pin"" Teddy added, with some excellent French accent which even surprises Ana.
"Then "un hêtre" " Phoebe remembers.
And after thinking for a few seconds "And "un saule pleureur" She says hesitantly, looking towards Ana who nods.
"Translation?" Mr Grey asks.
Ana listens carefully as she gets up to start cleaning a bit. Teddy starts "Oak, Pine, Beech tree and…"
"And weeping willow" Phoebe adds "it sounds like a tree in Harry Potter. I love it."
"Ana used to live in France when she was my age. She was even born next to where aunt Mia lives now" Teddy adds.
"Oh really?" Mr Grey asks, looking towards Ana, but as she is by the sink at that moment, he cannot see her face.
"Yes, she lived in Normandie. With lots of apple trees and weeping willows!" Phoebe adds.
Thankfully, Mr Grey does not ask more questions about it, which is a relief for Ana. Naturally, she had shared personal things with the children, and it came naturally in their discussion with Mia and her French friends the other day, but now she regretted sharing so much about herself. Children are not as inquisitive as people think, honest and simple answers are enough for them in most cases. But adults tend to want to know more when things are a bit different from what they expect and Ana does not want that, she is not ready to share anything about all the darkness in her life.
EDIT: Thanks again for all the follows, favorites and review, they really make my day. I am back to work tomorrow so the posts might no be as regular, I'll try my best though to post at least twice a week.