*Ana's POV*

Over the last few weeks I've been working hard with Dr. Flynn to work through the guilt I carry in my relationships. Christian and I have had a couple of appointments together, where we were able to talk through the Jack Hyde trauma and it's only made us better.

Dr. Flynn has encouraged me to reach out to my mother. He wants me to talk to her about the trauma and guilt I went through as a child. I know that there is a chance she will not be receptive to it and that I might never get the relationship out of if that I want, but it's something I need to do for myself. Right now it's an open, bleeding sore and this will help mend it. I hope communicating and setting boundaries with my mother will be the beginning of something wonderful, but Flynn has braced me for the worst so I don't find myself caught off guard.

*You've got this, Steele.*

Kate's text message puts a smile on my face. After my therapy appointment with Dr. Flynn, I had told her what he had asked me to do. It's now Friday at lunch and I know she's worried I'll chicken out and not call her. Looking at the clock, I see that lunch is in a few minutes. If I call her now it gives me an excuse not to stay on the line with her too long and I can talk to Christian about me heading to Savannah while we eat.

I find myself cracking my knuckles anxiously while the phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Mom."

Silence.

"Momma?"

"What?" In the background I can hear glass clinking and a bottle being slammed down.

"Mom, are you drinking?"

"What's it to you? You don't give a shit about your mother."

I wince. My heart clenches painfully hearing her slur her words.

"You know that's not true. I love you. Where's Bob?"

"Hell if I know!"

"Oh, Mom. I'm sorry." She doesn't answer, but I hear her sniffle into the phone. She's all alone. "Listen, momma. I'm going to come down."

"Really? You want to see your old mom?" She sounds so happy, I can't help a small smile.

"Yes, I do. I'll come soon."

"Tomorrow?" She's hopeful.

"I think so. I have to be back for work on Monday though." Even though I like hearing her happy, I still need to set boundaries. She'll never let me leave the damn house if I don't.

I hear her crying into the phone.

"Are you okay?"

She blows her nose. "Yes. I'm just so happy! My baby is coming home!"

"Okay. Try to sober up a little for me, okay? Drink some coffee."

When we disconnect, I relax back with a sigh and give myself a breather before heading to find my fiance. I hadn't even thought of the possibility that my mother would be on a bender, but I feel stupid for it. I thought she and Bob had been doing well, which is ridiculous, because if they hadn't, she wouldn't tell me and since we haven't been talking I wouldn't know anything different. She has been so happy with him though, I really thought that it would last longer. Her whole world revolved around him and his hobbies.

When I make my way into Christian's office, I find him leaning back in his chair with an ear bud to his ear. He doesn't look happy with whoever is on the other side of the line. Deciding to let him brood alone at his desk, I head toward the opposite side of his large office, plopping down on his leather couch. I make myself comfortable and slip my shoes off before laying back and stretching, sighing when I hear my bones and joints crack in appreciation. My feet are swollen and unhappy with me. I roll my ankles to try to find relief, but it doesn't do much.

Feeling warm hands on my achy feet, my eyes open and I give Christian a smile of appreciation when he rests my feet in his lap so he can rub them. He responds with a wink and I rest my eyes, letting his hands do the work.

"What do you mean you don't have the numbers, yet? My team has given you a fucking month to get this shit together! I'm sick of this game. If you don't give me what I want by tomorrow morning, I'm pulling my team. If you want Grey House to back you application, have your numbers and legal team ready by 10:00am."

I wince. Poor bastards on the phone.

I hear him sigh. "Stupid fuckers."

I chance a look at him and find him concentrating on my feet, but the deep frown line on his forehead is gone.

"Everything okay, Christian?"

He wets his lips. "Fine now that you're here, angel." He gives me a smile and I roll my eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes when I'm trying to be charming."

I giggle. "I think the word your looking for is cheesy."

The boyish grin he gives me makes my heart go pitter-patter.

Offering his hands to me, I take them so I can pull myself up into a sitting position. It's been hard to do lately with my big stomach. Considering I still have a few months left, it's going to be impossible by the end. My feet slip off his lap and he pulls me against him, holding me tight.

"How's our baby?"

"Perfect." I run my palm over my stomach. Besides the swelling, aches, and big belly, I haven't had any other issues. I haven't vomited in weeks and my nausea is non-existent.

"What do you want for lunch, future Mrs. Grey."

"Let's order something in, future Mr. Steele."

He gives me an incredulous look and releases me, making me giggle. "No?"

"No." He mouths back.

"Future Mrs. Grey it is."

His smile returns and he pulls me back into him, nuzzling into my hair. "Better."

We order food from across the street and while we wait, I rest against him, keeping my feet elevated on the couch. His hand caresses my stomach and it's such a calm relaxing moment I find it hard to talk to him about going to Savannah, but I know I need to.

"Christian, I wanted to ask for a favor. A really big one." I crane my head to look at him, causing him to press a kiss to my forehead.

"Whatever you need, angel."

"Can I use your plane to go to Savannah in the morning?"

He sighs. "I can't go tomorrow, Ana."

I nod. "I figured, but I talked to my mom today and told her I'd come see her. Dr. Flynn thinks it's important to get things off my chest and I want to do it soon. I want this past me so I can enjoy our marriage and the birth of our son."

He's pouting, but I see the cogs working in his brain. "I don't like you going by yourself."

"I'm sorry. It's honestly probably something I need to do myself though. I've been to my mother's by myself plenty times before. Taking your plane felt safer than going commercial, but I understand that since you can't go, you don't want-"

"Don't be silly. You aren't going commercial. You will never fly commercial again, Anastasia. Like you said, it's not as safe and it's a waste of time. The planes will be yours soon, too."

"Planes?" As in, plural?

He laughs and I'm glad he isn't too angry with the thought of me going alone.

"Yes, Ana. Planes. I have one for my personal use and then a couple for business."

I shake my head at him. "You have too much money."

His eyes roll, but he ignores me. "Sawyer will go with you. What time do you think you'd want to leave?"

I shrug. "Probably around seven o'clock since the time jump will make it later when we land. I'll come back on Sunday evening, whenever you feel is best." I'm hoping that giving him the control over part of it will ease his anxiety.

"I need to stay in touch with you, Ana. Keep your phone on you. Let me track you."

My eyes widen, shocked... then I laugh. He looks annoyed. "I'm sorry, Christian. I'm surprised that you asked. I just thought you always kept tabs on me... I thought it was a given."

When he realizes why I responded the way I did he visually relaxes. "I use to, you know that. But I'm trying to work on my control issues."

Turning, I give him a sweet kiss on his mouth. "Thank you, baby. I appreciate that. I don't mind you keeping GPS on me while I'm gone."

He searches my face. "...Can I pick the hotel?"

This man. "It better be a good one." I decide instead of being annoyed, I'll tease him a little. "With a king bed and a view."

XxXxXx

By the time we touch down in Savannah it's almost 2:00pm. Christian has a car waiting for us on the tarmac and we head to the hotel to get settled first. I called my mother on the plane and she was still slurring her words. I begged her to stop drinking since I would be there soon and I'm hoping going to the hotel first will give her more time to sober up.

Opening the car door for me, Sawyer let's me slide in while the driver throws our luggage in the trunk. Surprising me, he has a seat in the front passenger's seat instead of sitting by me.

"Are you trying to make me feel like a toddler? Damn. Surprised you didn't buckle me in, too."

"Buckling you in wasn't in the job description, Ms. Steele, but keeping an eye on everything is. My job is to keep you safe and your job is to let me. Sit back and relax."

"I thought my job was to give you a hard time. Maybe I need an updated job description for myself."

I see the edge of his lip curl into a grin from the side mirror. "You'll find the updated version in your inbox by the end of the next business day, Ms. Steele."

"Can you add that I can call you Luke now?" I giggle at my own joke.

"Negative."

"How about Lucas?"

"You are not my mother, nor my grandmother. Sawyer is what you'll call me."

I let a long out a long sigh like it's a bother and rest back in my seat. "Fine."

I find my phone in my handbag and text my favorite person in the world.

*Just landed, Ace. Heading to hotel before going to see Mom. Miss you already.*

*I know. Miss you more.*

I roll my eyes, knowing Sawyer probably briefed him as soon as we touched down.

I busy myself with the book I brought with me for the plane ride and get alerted by Sawyer when we're two minutes away. Throwing the book back in the bag, I grab my phone and take a couple pictures. We're down by the waterfront and it's beautiful.

The driver turns and pulls down a lane and, coming into view, is a large hotel built on the water, surrounded by it on three sides.

"Wow." Christian really knows how to pick them. I take a few more pictures as we pull up and see the sign: The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa. Suddenly, I feel severely under dressed in my black leggings and stolen button down of Christian's. I love wearing his shirts, but I know in a couple weeks I'll be too big to wear them. It's already tight against my bump.

As soon as we pull in, there is a woman standing to greet us while another man pulls our luggage for us.

"Welcome to the Westin, Ms. Steele. My name is Janna. Mr. Grey has called ahead and checked you and Mr. Sawyer in. If you follow me, I'll take you to your rooms."

On our way up the elevator and to our rooms on the sixteenth floor, Janna continues her ass-kissing like a good concierge would and explains the amenities and services that they have to offer, along with her hopes that our stay would be better than imagined. She hands me a card to my personal concierge service line so I can ask for anything I want whenever I want. She drops Sawyer off at the room beside mine and opens my door for me, handing me my room keys.

"This is our Champion Suite; the best suite in the house. It is a 1,600 square foot suite with three balconies giving you every possible view you could want. It's a one bedroom one and a half bath with separate living room, dining area for six, and a full kitchen. We've stocked the fridge with fruit, snacks and beverages according to Mr. Grey's requests along with the message to you to eat."

I giggle and shake my head, apologizing. "My fiance is a little overbearing sometimes." My hand rubs over my round stomach, knowing he wants to make sure our baby is happy and fed.

"It's our job to make our clients happy. It's no bother. Let me show you the bedroom and then I'll let you be. Our nightly turndown service will arrive at 8:00pm and bring you warm chocolate chip cookies and milk."

"Yum, that sounds wonderful. Will- Oh my God!" I start to laugh. In front of the balcony window in the bedroom is a life-size cardboard cut out of Christian. "You really do do everything!"

My phone rings and it's Christian's ring tone. Perfect timing, Ace.

"Christian!"

He laughs. "I take it you found it?"

"Yes, you're a mess, but I love it!"

"You said you wanted a view."

I have a seat on the bed. "I did say that and it is quite a view. Much better than the view outside. The only thing that could make it better is if it were really you."

Janna gets my attention and nods to the door, letting me know she's making her exit so I can have my privacy. I give her a wave and mouth a thank you.

"How about me naked?"

I hum. "Even better."

"Damn, now I'm hard."

"That didn't take much. You're on your own this weekend. The lotion is under the bathroom sink." As he laughs, I rest back against the pillows and realize just how comfortable this bed is. "Thank you for the suite, Ace. It's so fancy! It's almost as big as our apartment at home!"

"It's my pleasure, Ana. I like spoiling you. Soon these suites are going to feel small compared to what you're used to at home. "

We signed for a property a few weeks ago and it feels giant to me. Elliot's team will be finished with the renovations in a week or so and we'll get to move in then. I don't know if I'll ever get use to this luxe lifestyle, though. I don't know if I want to. I don't want to lose touch with the real world and the Ana I am now.

XxXxXx

We pull up into my mother's driveway and I find myself having to take a few cleansing breaths. It's a red brick, ranch style home with a solid wood door and white screened storm door.

Sawyer parks our rental car and I wait for him to open my door, not in any hurry to see my mother. He follows me up the concrete walkway and before I ring the doorbell, I turn to him.

"I want to apologize in advance if she's inebriated. She doesn't handle her alcohol well."

He shakes his head. "No need to apologize, Ms. Steele. I'm here to support you. It's important that you tell me when and how I can help."

I give a forced smile and thank him before turning back to ring the doorbell.

We wait.

No answer.

I knock hard on the storm door. "Momma! It's Ana! Open the door!"

Still nothing.

"God damn it." Opening the storm door, I check to see if the wooden door is locked. Luckily, it isn't. As the door opens, the smell smacks me in the face causing me to gag. It smells like dirty dishes, trash, and filth. I call out for her again. Not seeing her in the living room, I head to her bedroom and Sawyer follows. I am so embarrassed that he is seeing this. I find her in her bed, clothes thrown everywhere, wine and vodka bottles lined up on her bedside table.

Handing Sawyer my handbag, I move toward the bed to wake her. I don't want to set it down in this mess.

"Mom?" I shake her. "Mother, wake up!"

She groans. "Ana?"

I sigh when she tries to look at me through slits. My stomach does a somersault at the thought of Christian finding me in bed hungover like this only months prior. I will not end up like this. Once was enough.

"I need a drink."

"No. You need coffee. Up." I pull the blanket off of her and then quickly cover her back up again, realizing she's nude. Sawyer is still in the room and I don't want to embarrass her. When Sawyer realizes, though, he makes himself scarce. "Where are your clothes?" Besides dirty on the floor. "You need to get up and shower and get dressed. I'll make you coffee." I yank the cover back off of my mother since Sawyer stepped out of the room and help her sit up and get to the bathroom. As she sits on the toilet, I run the water for her shower and feel her hand touch my stomach.

"You've grown so much, Ana. I hadn't realized how much time has passed."

I decide to ignore her for now. "The water is warm. Take a shower and I'll find you clothes."

Once I find her clothes, I head to the disastrous kitchen to make coffee. Every single one of her dishes seems to be dirty, there is food and stuff all over the counters and the stove is covered in dried crusty food. My stomach churns and I have to keep my mind on my task so I don't throw up.

I find the trash bags and start tossing things in to clear some of the mess. I manage to clear off most of the counter and kitchen table by throwing things out and then I go through the house collecting liquor bottles and dishes. Sawyer stands in the living room and holds the bag for me as I toss the glass liquor bottles in that I find. The clinking they make when they hit the bottom is a miserable sound that brings back too many memories for me and makes me want to cry.

I am so glad Christian isn't here to see this. I know that he'll learn enough about it from Sawyer, but at least he doesn't have to see it and smell it for himself.

It's almost an hour before my mom comes out from her bedroom and she holding an almost empty bottle of vodka.

"Seriously, Mom?"

"I was getting the shakes, Ana."

As I watch her come through, I can't help, but notice her hands still shaking a little as she holds the bottle.

"When did Bob leave, Mom?" It has to have been awhile since she's having withdrawals.

"Who the fuck knows." She waves me off and then she notices Sawyer. "Well, hello there. Are you the boyfriend? No wonder she's knocked up." She looks him up and down.

"Mother! This is my security guard, Sawyer. Don't be crude."

"Security, huh? You afraid of me now?"

I roll my eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. He goes everywhere I go." I try to grab her bottle from her hand but she pulls it away.

"Get your own! This one's mine."

"Okay, Mom. Why don't you rest on the couch for a little bit?"

"Don't tell me what to do, Anastasia. Don't think you can come back here after all this time and treat me like a child!"

I take a deep breath and blow it out, trying to stay calm. "I'm going to have a seat on the porch for a few and take a breather."

Sawyer follows me out and is nice enough to grab the trash bags to throw in the bin outside.

"Thank you." I tell him as he sits next to me on the bench swing.

"Not a problem."

We sit in comfortable quiet as we rock back and forth and I'm actually glad Sawyer has come. I know that Christian gave him orders to pull me out of any situation that was too emotionally or physically demanding on me and I don't know if I could handle two days of this by myself. Just knowing he's my scapegoat if I need it is comforting.

When we return inside, my mother is snoring on the couch, gripping the empty bottle. A part of me wants to take it from her, but I'm actually thankful for her sleep. I pick up the rest of the living room and vacuum, my mother too deep asleep to care.

As I'm winding the cord up on the vacuum, there's a knock on the door. My eyes find Sawyer and he looks out the front window. He gives me a nod and I take it as a sign that it's okay to open. I hope Christian sent dinner.

As I open the door, I find my Adonis standing there looking good enough to eat in a black polo tucked into dark-washed jeans and white tennis shoes. His sleeves are tight against his biceps and his tucked shirt shows off his strong shoulders and lean body.

I find myself tripping over my feet as I step outside, shutting the door behind me. Why is he here? My cheeks tinge pink in embarrassment of what he might see behind the closed door. I don't want him to see how fucked up my family is. I don't want him worrying I'll end up like her.