Thank you guys! I'll apologize in advance for this being a super short chapter for this story. But where it is going next, I felt like it should be separated into it's own chapter. I'll try to update quickly to make up for this one being shorter. Enjoy!

Chapter 26

It was strange, Anna thought, as they walked over the threshold and into the beach condo that they came to every year. This year she held a four month old against her and John's hand was on the small of her back.

"Ah! There she is!" Charles eagerly stated, walking forward and grabbing Carson out of Anna's hands. He lifted her up and pressed kisses on each of her cheeks, before babbling with her. All gruffness faded away from him when he held his granddaughter.

"Well, hello to you too, Dad," Anna chuckled. Charles shifted Carson to the side and bent over to kiss Anna's cheek.

"We're very happy to see you all," he told her. "How was your drive?"

Anna and John had to come up a few days later than her parents. Work for John had been overwhelming and Anna had just begun some online classes to get her degree. This year, their trip to the beach would be cut short. But some time was better than none.

"Good, she slept most of the way. So I'm afraid she'll be awake all night," Anna replied, her lips frowning slightly. Charles just smiled at his granddaughter and tickled her chin with his finger.

"That's alright, Granny and I'll happily watch you while your mummy and daddy sleep," Charles said to Carson.

"What are you signing me up for?" Elsie's voice carried down the hallway. As she saw John, Anna, and the baby her face lit up. It always surprised Anna at how happy they were to see the three of them. They lived only 5 minutes away, but every time they were excited. "Oh so glad you all made it! How's my little one?" She quickly hugged Anna and John, before turning her attention to Carson. The baby cooed and Elsie laughed. "She looks so much like you, Anna."

"Yeah?" Anna asked. She didn't think Carson looked like anyone. The fuzz on top of her head had an auburn tint to it and she still had the bluest of eyes.

"Yes. You two go and do what you need. We've got Carson."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

That night Anna curled up into John's arms. Carson slept in the bassinet by the bed. Anna thought she heard the baby fuss, so she quickly sat up, but saw she was still in a deep sleep.

"My darling?" John hazily asked. "Is everything alright?" His hand came up to rest on her shoulder. He sat up slightly, kissing gingerly against her neck. Anna let out an involuntary moan. Her hand came up to cover her mouth and hoped John couldn't see the pinkness on her cheeks.

"Yes, I thought I heard Carson fuss," Anna finally said, composing herself. Her heart was beating rapidly in her chest and her fingers ached to touch him. This feeling had begun to hit her more and more lately. It was strange. The two of them had been together for a year now, but they still hadn't taken it to that intimate level. There had been too many obstacles before now. She hadn't been ready; he had come back; she had a baby. But now, she wanted him. Wanted him badly.

Their wedding was two months away. Surely, she could wait until then. They had waited this long. Anna sighed, but laid back down next to John. Yes, she could wait a little while longer.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna sat on the back porch of the condo holding Caron in her lap. The baby was a happy baby. She only cried when she needed something. Otherwise, she was nearly all smiles. Anna lifted her up and brought her closer to the railing, so she could try to show her the beach.

"In a little while, we'll take you out to put your feet in the water for the first time," Anna informed Carson. "I do hope you like it here."

"How's my darling and my little darling?" John asked, stepping onto the porch. Anna turned and smiled. Carson's eyes lit up upon seeing her father. It always made Anna's heart skip a beat to see the two of them together and to know that Carson had won the lottery when it came to fathers.

"Anna? John? Have you seen this?" Charles' voice called from the living room. The two stepped inside and saw that Charles was watching the news. Before Anna could ask what was going on, the voice on the television let them know.

Last night, Tony Gillingham of Gillingham House was arrested on charges of money laundering. It has been found that he and his lawyer, Richard Carlisle, have been using their money and power to quiet anyone who may have information about them. As of right now, Carlisle has not been arrested, but reports are saying he is still being investigated.

"She did it," Elsie breathed.

"Who did what?" John asked.

"Mary. She said she wasn't done with them. I am guessing she found out what they were doing and turned it over to the right people," Elsie explained. Anna felt a sense of relief. While it didn't protect those of them that had already been hurt by Green, it would protect the future women from being bullied into signing away their rights to tell someone. She hoped this would put a stop to him, too.

"I…." Anna stumbled over her words. She handed Carson to John and then finished, "I need to call Mary."

John took Carson into his arms and watched as Anna disappeared back into their bedroom.

-X-X-X-X-X-

"You did it," Anna happily cried into the phone. "How…how did you do it?"

"Oh, you don't want me to bore you with the details, Anna, surely," Mary coolly replied.

"No, I guess not."

"I couldn't let them get away with it," Mary explained. "There's more, Anna. Something you won't see in the news, but I thought I should tell you." Anna braced herself, afraid of what was to come.

"What…what is it?"

"The gag orders. They have been dissolved, Anna. The women who were raped by Alex Green can now press charges against him."

Anna's breath hitched in her throat and she suddenly felt the urge to cry. "Wh…what? But…I…."

"It's all been sorted out, Anna. I've spoken to them all. They all want to press charges, Anna. The evidence doesn't look good for Green, especially with the gag orders he placed on them. I have set them up with a lawyer and I believe he'll be going away for a really long time."

"But…shouldn't…shouldn't I help? I could tell…"

"No, the paperwork for Carson's paternity had a clause that you would drop your case. If you go after him, he can come back for paternity rights."

"I just feel like I'm letting the others down. I should…."

"No, Anna. You haven't. I'm proud of you," Mary sincerely stated. Anna was about to ask why Mary would be proud of her, but she didn't get the chance. "I have to go. When you're back next week, we'll talk about the final wedding plans?"

"Yes."

"Alright, goodbye." Then the line went dead.

Anna dropped her phone on the bed, before sitting down. Her body shook and a sob escaped her lips. John had somehow sensed that she would need him, because only seconds later, he was in the room, sitting on the bed next to her.

"My darling?" He worriedly questioned. Anna wrapped her arms around John's neck and held him tight.

"It's over," she cried. "It's…it's all over."

To be continued...

Thank you for reading! :)