Chpt. 33 APOV:
"Good Morning baby," Christian wakes me with soft kisses on my lips the next morning.
"Too early," I moan.
"It's almost noon, you have to wake up if we're ever going to make it to dinner tonight," Christian points out.
"Noon?" I ask shocked that I slept so late.
"Yes, I've been up for a few hours getting some work done-" he says.
"I can't believe you let me sleep until noon!" I interrupt.
"You were tired and needed your sleep, why wouldn't I let you sleep?" he laughs.
"I can't remember the last time I slept so late! I need to send a few emails before getting ready to go to your parents for dinner," I explain.
"Come, let's eat and then you can tackle your emails," Christian smiles.
"Why are you so happy this morning?" I grumble as Gail sets two plates of grilled chicken salad in front of us.
"Why shouldn't I be? Your dad didn't kill me yesterday and he was the person I feared telling the most," he explains.
"Really? I'm just as worried about telling your parents," I confess.
"My family likes you, don't worry. They will be surprised I'm sure but I don't think you have anything to worry about," Christian tries to assure me.
"I hope you're right," I sigh.
After breakfast I take a shower and then Christian and I spend a few hours responding to emails. We have a few authors getting ready to go on small book tours so I have a couple of the senior editors at SIP putting in extra hours to insure everything is perfect. In reviewing all the emails it seems as if they have most of it under control, just a few random questions that I need to respond to as well as sign off on a few purchase requisitions. After a quick shower, Christian and I are on our way to his parent's house for dinner and to reveal our big news. The calm, reassuring Christian from earlier is gone; he is replaced with a tense and although he won't admit it very nervous Christian.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
"Fine," he answers shortly.
"Can I do anything?" I ask.
"No," he sighs but squeezes my hand tightly.
"Christian, Ana….it's so wonderful to see you both again!" Grace greets us at the door when we arrive a few minutes later.
"It's wonderful to see you again Grace, thank you for having us for dinner," I hug her.
"When Christian called and asked if we could have a family dinner this weekend there was no way I could say no," she says suspiciously.
"Mom, how are you?" Christian kisses her on both cheeks.
"I'm great dear, how are you?" she asks concerned.
"Christian! Ana!" Mia screams as she races down the steps spotting us.
"Hi Mia!" I laugh at her excitement.
Grace ushers us into the great room where Carrick, Elliot and Kate are already seated. The guys are talking about some game that was on last night while Kate looks bored out of her mind. Christian goes to join the conversation with his dad and brother while I sit next to Kate.
"Hi Ana!" Kate exclaims.
"Not wanting to talk about sports I see?" I ask.
"I don't even know what sport they are talking about!" she exclaims. "Elliot was talking about it all the way here and hasn't stopped since we arrived! It's like they forget there are other things going on right now!"
"Oh? Like what things?" I giggle.
"Well….I….something!" she stutters as we both laugh.
"How are things with you and Elliot?" I ask quietly.
"Good, we're really good," she smiles. "I think we might be moving in together soon."
"Really?" I ask.
"We've been talking about it a lot lately but neither of us has asked the other yet," she explains. "How are things with Christian?"
"Well you know we're living together now," I remind her. "It's been a really easy transition thankfully. And we moved SIP to Christian's building so we can have better security."
"You must get to see him a lot," she says.
"Not as much during the day as you would think," I explain. "We both have pretty busy schedules but we have had lunch together a couple times."
"Everyone, if you will make your way to the dining room dinner is ready," Grace announces.
Christian waits for me before we take our seats at the table surrounded by his family. Grace and Carrick are each at an end, Elliot and Kate are across from us and Mia is seated next to Christian. Dishes of food are slowly passed around the table; lasagna, fresh garlic bread, mixed vegetables and a side salad all make their way around. Thankfully nothing seems to trigger my nausea; it seems that is reserved mostly for eggs lately. There is are glasses of wine and water in front of each person; I have to remind myself each time I reach for a drink to take the glass of water as it's almost second nature to grab the wine glass.
"Everyone….Ana and I have something we would like to share," Christian takes a deep breath while squeezing my hand. "We recently learned that Ana is pregnant and we are expecting our first child in early April."
"Oh! I'm so happy for you both!" Grace gushes.
"I'm going to be an Aunt! Do you know what you're having yet? When can I start shopping?" Mia asks excitedly.
"Congratulations guys!" Elliott exclaims.
"How wonderful Ana!" Kate runs around the table to hug me tightly.
"How are you feeling Ana?" Grace asks everyone finally stops talking.
"Good….a little tired, but overall still pretty good," I answer.
"As long as eggs aren't served for breakfast," Christian laughs.
"Oh don't remind me," I moan.
"Poor Gail, she made over easy eggs one morning which made Ana run straight for the bathroom!" Christian explains.
"Oh dear," Grace laughs.
"Mom, the baby is due right around your birthday," Christian points out.
"It's a perfect time to have the baby….not too cold, not too hot," Grace jokes trying to hide the tears that formed when she realized what Christian said.
After dinner everyone returns to the great room except for Carrick and Christian; after dinner Carrick asked to talk with Christian in his office saying he needed his advice on something. I didn't think much of it but now I realize that Carrick barely said two words after we shared our news. I didn't want to say anything to Christian but he was the one I was worried the most about out of all of Christian's family. With Carrick being a lawyer, I knew his first thought would be to protect his son as he would assume I was doing this to trap Christian to get to his money. Carrick knows nothing about my own financial situation; I have enough money that I would be able to take care of myself and this baby if Christian were to ever decide that he didn't want to support us not that I think he ever will. The room falls quiet as we hear raised voices come from another part of the house which I can only assume is where Carrick's office is located. It's too far away to hear exactly what they are saying but I can tell both Christian and Carrick are raising their voices. Grace quickly excuses herself to go check on the situation while the rest of us continue talking. Mia rambles on and on about how Mark broke her heart, saying he needs to focus more on his education and has no time for dating right now. I knew by looking at him that it likely wasn't going to last but of course there was no way that I would ever say that to Mia. I could just tell that he couldn't keep up with her.
"Everything okay?" I whisper as Christian sits down next to me on the couch a few minutes later.
"Yes," Christian sighs.
Carrick and Grace return a few minutes later; Carrick and Christian avoid eye contact with each other and the tension in the room can be felt by everyone. Grace does her best to try to lighten the mood as coffee, tea and desert is served. Christian's hand doesn't break contact with me the remainder of the night; he holds my hand, rests his hand on my leg or wraps an arm around my waist protectively. I can tell that whatever Carrick said to him upset him but that he was trying to hide it.
"Do you want to go?" I whisper as everyone has finished desert and the evening is winding down.
"Whenever you're ready," he says.
"I'm ready if you are," I reply.
"Ana and I need to get going as we have early morning appointments to prepare for," Christian announces moments later.
"Thank you both for coming," Grace kisses Christian on the cheek, as she gently squeezes his shoulder.
"Thank you for having us," I say as she hugs me.
"You have no idea how happy you have made us," she whispers and I immediately blush.
The ride back to Escala is quiet; Christian is just staring out the window obviously still upset about whatever Carrick said to him in his office. When we get back to the apartment, Christian storms into his office mumbling something about having to get work done. I don't know if I should try to talk to Christian about it because this far it hasn't gotten me anywhere. I decide to give him some additional time to cool off while I spend some time in the great room catching up on emails and starting a manuscript. I can't seem to concentrate on anything as my mind keeps wondering to what Christian is doing and what he might be thinking. I can only imagine the sort of things that Carrick said, that he might have accused me of considering he is a lawyer. After an hour of not focusing on anything, I decide to take a long hot bath. When the tub fills up, I light a few candles and snap a picture before sending it to Christian.
Join me? –A
I don't wait for a response, but turn off the lights and climb into the large soaking tub letting my head rest against the back of the tub as my eyes close. A few minutes later, I hear Christian come into the bathroom but I don't say anything. Without a word between us, he strips out of his clothes and climbs into the tub urging me to sit up so he can squeeze behind me. My back rests against his chest, my head on his shoulder as his arms wrap around me holding me close to him. I can feel the tension in his body and as much as I want to ask him what Carrick said that bothered him so much I think right now he just needs this. We sit like this for some time before Christian takes the bath poof and begins gently washing me.
"He had me so fucking mad tonight, if it wasn't for you I would have left long before we did," Christian says quietly.
I don't say anything, not wanting to push him if he isn't ready or doesn't want to talk about it. I wrap my arms around his, silently letting him know I'm here if he wants to continue.
"He had the fucking nerve to suggest I demand you get a paternity test done on the baby….that I don't know what your intentions are…that you are just trying to trap me to get to my money," Christian grimaces.
"Oh baby," I sigh. "I'm so sorry he said those things to you."
"It wasn't what he said, rather what he insinuated about you that fucking pissed me off!" Christian yelled. "He even had the nerve to suggest that you might have purposely tampered with whatever form of birth control we were using to purposely get pregnant!"
"Christian…I….you have to know that I would never…." I mumble trying to defend myself.
"I know you didn't and I know you wouldn't do something like that," he gently kisses me on the cheek. "I was just so fucking shocked that he would fucking suggest that! He even said that I know nothing about you and you could be doing all this just to get to my company."
"Christian…you have to know-" I quickly.
"Shhhhhhhh…." Christian kisses me passionately. "I know you wouldn't try to take my company or my money. I know that you purposely didn't get pregnant. I don't need a fucking paternity test to tell me that baby is mine; I know you haven't been with anyone else."
"Since Taiwan, I haven't been with anyone but you," I swear to Christian, desperate to know that he believes me and that Carrick didn't put any doubt in his head.
"I know you haven't….I know this baby is mine," Christian places his hands on my belly just below my belly button. "I don't need a fucking test to tell me what I already know."
"I'm sorry your dad said those things Christian," I say. "I'm sure he was just trying to look out for your best interest."
"I don't give a fuck what his intention was! He essentially accused you of trying to trap me! Of using me! Of purposely bringing a baby into this world just for money! Why are you fucking pissed?" He asks angrily.
"I'm not pissed, Christian. Hurt? Yes. Scared? Yes. But angry, no," I admit.
"Why are you scared?" he asks quietly.
"I'm scared that even though you say you don't believe him that he might have planted doubt in your mind. I mean I know it's very sudden….we haven't been together for very long, we're living together and now having a baby-" I explain.
"Don't even think for one minute that I believe a word Carrick said!" Christian gently turns me so I'm straddling his legs, looking at him. "We may not have planned this, but I don't think for one minute that you manipulated me or your birth control pills to purposely get pregnant."
"I love you Christian," I put my head against his shoulder, resting my chest against his. "I don't care about your money, about your company or even about this apartment! I love the way you take care of me, how you know what I need even when I don't and I love the relationship we have together."
"I love you too Ana," he hugs me tight against him. "One of the many things I love about you is that when you see me you don't see money. I love how we have explored a new lifestyle together, how you keep my nightmares away and how we both can't sleep without each other. This baby is going to be a new adventure, but an adventure that I wouldn't want to go on with anyone else."
Christian's lips find mine, his tongue dancing with mine as his hands roam my entire body. I know it wasn't Carrick's intention, but the hurt he put in Christian just brought us close together. Right now, it's as if I feel how much Christian loves and cares for me with every kiss, with every touch of his hands, with every movement I can feel his love. I can't remember ever feeling this close to him as I do right now; it's almost as if we both are trying to show each other how much we love the other person by our movements.
"I need you," I nip at his ear as his fingers find my nipple, pinching it gently.
"I'm yours," he whispers.
Christian gently lifts me up, bringing me closer to him so erection is at my sex; he continues to explore my body with his hands letting me take complete control. I slowly lower myself onto him, relishing the connection I feel with him knowing that we are closer now than we have ever been. He holds me against him as I slowly move up and down on him, bringing each of us to the edge.
"I love you so much Ana," he whispers.
"Oh Christian! I LOVE YOU!" I scream as the orgasm takes over my body.
"So good…..God, you feel so good….Don't stop…..ANA!" Christian's hands are firm on my hips, gently but quickly moving me against him as he finds his release deep inside of me.
"I could stay like this all night," I moan a few minutes later.
"Except for the water getting cold," Christian jokes.
"We should probably get out and head to bed. I'm sure it's pretty late," I suggest.
"Ana?" Christian pulls me against him when I try to get up.
"Hmmmm?" I ask.
"Thank you," he whispers.
"You're welcome," I smile against him.
We wash up, dry off and head to bed where we both quickly fall asleep in each other's arms. The next couple of weeks pass by fairly quickly; my pregnancy is still a secret at work and to the general public as Christian and I decided to keep it between us until I was further along. We haven't seen or spoken to Carrick since the night we announced that I was pregnant; Grace has called a couple of times to check in but Christian says Carrick hasn't once tried to reach out to him. I'm hopeful that the two of them will work things out, but I know Christian is going to have a difficult time forgiving Carrick for what he was suggesting. I think the part that surprised me the most was Carrick demanding that Christian insist I get a paternity test done. As if he was implying that I was sleeping around and that there was a chance that the baby was anyone's but Christian's! Regardless of what happened that night, Christian and I have become closer than ever. I don't know if it was what Carrick implied or something else, but that night in the tub Christian and I grew and our relationship became stronger.