Chpt. 20 CPOV:
I close the bedroom door behind me; before doing so though I glance back to see Ana sleeping peacefully in my bed. Part of me expects the site of her sleeping there to worry or scare me given that no other woman has ever slept or even laid in my bed before Ana. But it doesn't; in fact the first thought that goes through my head is that it looks like she belongs there. I don't know how or even when, but at some point Ana has broken down so many of the walls that I had put up. Hell, even little Teddy managed to get past them to the point where twice now he's fallen asleep on my chest and it hasn't bothered me in the slightest. I have no fucking idea when everything changed, but suddenly I can't imagine my apartment without either of them. And seeing Ana sleeping in my bed right now? Hell, that just makes me want to find a way to keep her there every night.
Pushing that thought aside, I close the door and follow Taylor to the kitchen where I realize the sun is barely starting to rise. That realization immediately causes a knot to form in my stomach; Taylor wouldn't have woken me up this early if it was something he could easily deal with. Without him even saying it, I know whatever the problem is it has to do with Ana and Teddy.
"What happened?" I place the monitor on the breakfast bar.
"Photos from today were leaked; they're all over the gossip sites," he pushes his phone in front of me since mine is still in my bedroom on the charger. I look down and see a picture of me holding Teddy, another photo of me, Teddy and Ana and a close up picture of Ana's lips close to my ear whispering to me. The last picture is of the three of us walking into my parents' house, with Ana's hand in mine.
"Fuck," I run my hands through my hair in frustration. "I'm going to kill Mia. I'll cut her off of everything; arrange to take back the car-"
"Mia didn't do this."
"What?" I turn to look at him. "Are you sure?"
Mia loves social media; I swear she would be lost if facebook or Instagram ever shut down. She's constantly posting pictures of the stupidest shit on there or telling people what's she doing at any given moment. Personally I don't understand it; do people really care about that sort of stuff? Even though she's addicted to social media, once we explained why I needed her to leave me off of her updates unless she cleared it with me first, she immediately stopped posting pictures of me or mentioning my name. Now if she posts about something where I am, she's certain to leave me out of pictures. There have been a few times, at charity events where it could be used to bring attention to the charity, that I've let her post a picture of the two of us together. But she never does so without my permission….
"Even though Mia and Elliot aren't aware, Barney is notified whenever they post to social media. He has a system in place to immediately record their activity even if it's later deleted. While Mia posted yesterday morning about having a cookout with her family, she never mentioned you or Ana or Rose by name. There are no pictures or posts from either Mia or Elliot about the cook out or even mentioning you were there. Barney also looked through their cloud storage and the pictures that were leaked to the media did not appear on their phones."
"So how the fuck did this site get them? There's no way a photographer was hidden in my parent's backyard and besides these are close up pictures. The person who took them had to be sitting at the table….FUCK."
"We suspect Ms. Elena Lincoln took the pictures sir," Taylor confirms what I already know. "Barney is working on…getting access to her phone back up to confirm she took the pictures."
"He's checked my parent's cloud?"
"Yes sir. Your mom took a picture of you feeding Teddy and talking with Ana but otherwise she didn't take any other pictures. You dad hasn't taken a picture on his phone in several weeks."
"Yeah he's not big on using the camera on the phone," I start pacing the floor. "Is this the only site with the pictures?"
"Yes, but it's being shared all over social media sir," he tells me.
"Is Ana or Teddy's name mentioned?"
"No," Taylor pulls up another site to show me.
GEH CEO….a daddy? Is Seattle's most eligible bachelor in fact a father? Has Mr. Christian Grey been hiding something from us, from the world? A source close to the family confirms that Mr. Grey brought his girlfriend and their child to a family cookout this weekend. The unnamed woman seemed very comfortable with his family. Our source also says that Mr. Grey was a natural with the child…
"FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK…."
"Your PR team has been calling all morning wondering how you want to address the rumors that this is your child-"
"I don't give a fuck about the rumors!" I slam my fist on the counter. "Focus on how we can get these fucking pictures down to protect Ana and Teddy."
"Yes sir," the surprise is evident in Taylor's eyes. "I already have your legal team reaching out to the site owners however since the pictures have already been shared so many times…"
"I'm going to fucking kill Elena," I grumble. "I need to use your phone."
"Of course sir," he hands it over to me without question.
I quickly find the number I need and call it; yes it's early but this can't wait.
"Taylor? What's wrong? Has something happened to Christian or to….someone else?"
"Mom, it's me," I quickly assure her.
"Christian, is…Rose and Teddy okay?" she must still be in bed with Dad.
"I need to talk to you….can you go into another room please? It's important."
"Of course," I hear her shuffling around and a few seconds later a door closes. "What's wrong dear? You're scaring me. Is everything okay with Ana and Teddy? Is he running a fever again?"
"They're both fine, actually they're both sleeping right now."
"Thank God," I hear the relief in her voice. "What's got you calling me so early Christian. And why are you calling from Taylor's phone."
"I needed to talk to you and my phone is still in my bedroom, where Ana is," my mom has to know there's something going on between us even if I haven't told her. She always knew things without us telling her when we were growing up so I have no doubt she saw something when she first invited Ana and Teddy to dinner. "We believe Elena sold pictures from yesterday's dinner to the media-"
"No! She wouldn't do something like that Christian. You must be mistaken."
"There's no one else," I knew she would have a hard time believing that Elena would do this. "We've checked Mia's, Elliot's, Dad's and even your phone; the pictures that were leaked to the media don't appear on any of your phones. We've checked Mia's and Elliot's social media accounts and they didn't post any pictures from the cook out-"
"They wouldn't," she quickly interrupts. "They know how you feel about that; they wouldn't post pictures without asking you first."
"They didn't. These pictures though, they were taken close up…from someone sitting at the same table we were at."
"Why Christian? Why would she do that?"
"I don't know, but I need to know what you told Elena about Ana."
"What I told her?"
"After we left, did she ask about Ana? Or Teddy? What did you tell her?"
"I told her the same story you told her Christian. That you and Rose met when she was working for you at GEH and that you brought her for dinner."
"You never mentioned Ana's real name?"
"Of course not!" she hisses. "Not after what Ana told me Christian…there's no way I would ever disclose who she really is. Your father doesn't even know that Rose isn't her real name."
"Okay, good," I sigh in relief. "I'm sorry Mom, but I had to ask so I know what Elena knows and what the press might know."
"Did they….does the article give Ana's name? Well, Rose's name I mean?"
"No, they leave both her and Teddy as unidentified….for now."
"Is it bad? Can you get them to pull the pictures down? Maybe your father can help?"
"I have my legal team on it already, but the pictures have been shared all over social media."
"Why? Why would people care that you were at a family cookout?"
"They're saying that Teddy is mine; the reason it's getting shared so much on social media is because they think I'm Teddy's father."
"Oh."
"Yeah….I need to go Mom; I need to figure out what our next step is."
"Of course dear; let me know what I can do to help."
"Just…don't talk to Elena for now Mom. I know that's going to be hard, but I don't know what her motive is. I don't want her to try to pull information from you; I know this puts you in a difficult position because she's your friend-"
"Don't even think that Christian," she says sharply. "You're my son; whatever you need comes first. If you need me to ignore her phone calls until you figure this out to keep Ana and Teddy safe, of course I'll do that. Consider it done."
"Thanks Mom."
"Anything you need Christian, you just let us know. Keep that sweet girl and adorable little boy safe; God they've both already been through so much already. I had no idea Elena was going to stop by yesterday; I never would have allowed her to if she had called first-"
"I know you wouldn't have Mom; I have a feeling she drove past the house and saw all the cars in the driveway."
"Even so, it's been years since she's just dropped by unannounced like that and we've had plenty of other family dinners she didn't barge in on. I wonder why this one…"
"I'm going to find that out. In the meantime I'm going to have Taylor assign each of you a CPO; I have a feeling the media is going to go nuts when anyone tries to go out today. I wouldn't be surprised if they're already waiting for you at the hospital."
"Good Lord, with everything else going on in our world, they need to focus on whether or not you're a father."
"I know…I don't understand it either, Mom. Just don't leave until Taylor has someone there."
"I won't; I'll call your brother and sister right now to let them know what's going on."
"Thanks Mom."
"Take care of them Christian."
"I will."
I end the call and head back to the kitchen where Taylor is typing away on his laptop that he must have grabbed from his office and brought out here. I really should go in the bedroom and grab my phone, but I don't want to wake Ana up considering once she wakes up she's going to learn all of this. I want to try to get a few more answers for her before that happens. I want her to enjoy these couple of hours of sleeping peacefully as I'm sure tonight is going to be very difficult for her. If only…
"Sir?"
"She didn't tell Elena anything," I assure him. "Find anything new?"
"Not yet; although it seems the pictures have been shared thousands of times."
"Fuck. Do we still have eyes on Braxton?"
"Yes…"
"Put another man on him, he's gotta be planning on heading to Seattle soon."
"Already done sir."
"Babababa baba baba baba," a soft voice from the monitor instantly pulls my attention from what's going on to the very reason we have eyes on Braxton to begin with. How that fucker could want to hurt the little boy who is sitting up in his crib chatting away is beyond me. I'll never understand how someone could want to kill their own child.
"I'll get him-"
"I can get him," I quickly argue. "Although…I have no idea how to make his breakfast, if you could…"
"I can make the bottle."
I follow Taylor into the apartment and head to the spare bedroom; I haven't been in this space since Taylor moved in a few years ago. Even before that I was only in here to show Gail the space when she moved in. I've always respected that this is their space; I know it's hard living where you're working so I wanted to make sure they knew that they would have privacy here.
"Good Morning Mr. Grey," says just before I enter Ana and Teddy's room.
"Morning," I'm glad she doesn't seem bothered by me being in here. I hadn't thought about it when I told Taylor I would get Teddy.
"If you need help finding anything just yell," she smiles before continuing to the kitchen.
"Hey there Teddy," I head over to the crib where he's looking up waiting for me to appear. He smiles the moment he sees me which instantly has me smiling forgetting just for these few minutes all the shit that has been going on for the last few hours. I reach down and pick him up before carrying him over to the small changing area set up on top of the dresser. I manage to get him out of his clothes and his diaper changed without needing to call Taylor for back up like I needed to last time. I'm fairly proud of myself until I realize I have no idea where his clothes are; I don't want to go looking through the drawers if Ana's clothes are in there. I don't think she would be mad but I'd feel like I was invading her privacy. I guess I would be? Fuck….I've never thought so much about opening a frigin' drawer before.
"Sir….is everything okay?" Gail asks from the doorway.
"I….where does Ana keep his clothes?"
"I'll grab him something from the closet," she quickly crosses the room to the small closet and grabs a few things before handing them over to me. "Do you need anything else sir?"
"No, I think I can manage this part, thank you Gail."
"Of course sir….Taylor said to let you know the little guy's bottle is ready whenever you are."
I nod and focus on the task of dressing Teddy; I screw up the snaps on it yet again but at least it's snapped in a way that I'm pretty sure won't come undone. Besides, the snaps are hidden by his pants so it's not like anyone is going to see them right? It's not like Teddy will care that the snaps on his shirt aren't perfect.
"Sir," Taylor hands me the bottle and a burp cloth when I reach the kitchen.
"Thanks, let's go to the dining room and figure out a game plan. Oh I told my mom that you would be assigning CPO to everyone again given the increase in media attention."
"Everyone is already outside their residences, figured it was a little early to have them knocking on their doors," he chuckles.
"Perfect."
"I'll start breakfast for everyone and will bring it to you when it's done," Gail says following us out of the apartment.
"Game plan Taylor," I request as soon as I sit down. Teddy grabs for the bottle, obviously hungry, as soon as it's within his reach.
"We've increase security on the Grey's as I said, security codes have been changed here and at GEH and the media protocol policy has been sent out to everyone. My contact at the front desk has reported that they've had a at least two reporters try to enter the building-"
"Already?"
"Yes sir, but they were immediately escorted off the premises of per policy. Your legal team is working on getting the pictures removed from the gossip site as well as identifying who the source is that sold it to them although as soon as Barney gets into her phone I'm sure we're going to know who the person is."
"Recommendations?"
"Don't leave the apartment for now sir. If you can, work from home the next few days."
"Do we need to move Ana and Teddy?"
"Why…would Teddy and I need to move?" Ana's sweet voice comes from behind me and I immediately stand to greet her.
"Morning," I lean over and kiss her cheek loving how she blushes at my touch. Just before I pull back I catch the scent of toothpaste on her lips and fuck the idea of her in my bathroom, using my toothpaste doesn't do something to me. If my arms weren't full, they would be wrapped around her right now.
"Morning Taylor," she blushes further realizing we're not alone. "Hey there Teddy; these guys taking good care of you this morning?"
"He's just finishing breakfast and I changed and dressed him before we came out," I reply for Teddy.
"You did?" her eyes meet mine in surprise.
"Come sit down," I gesture to the chair next to me.
"So….um why did it sound like you were asking Taylor if Teddy and I needed to leave? Has something happened?"
"Ana, I'm sorry," I shake my head still in disbelief that this has happened.
"For?" I don't miss the uneasiness in her voice.
"We're all over social media-"
"How? I thought you said Mia and Elliot wouldn't post anything?"
"They didn't; we've checked their accounts and their cloud history, they didn't take the pictures that were leaked."
"Then who did?"
"We're waiting for confirmation Ana but we believe it was Ms. Elena Lincoln," Taylor answers.
"When you say we're all over social media…."
"There are several pictures…of the three of us and of just me and Teddy that were published on a gossip site and then shared thousands of time on social media."
"I don't understand," she shakes her head. "Why would a gossip site care that you're at dinner at your parents' house? Why would they put those pictures up to begin with?"
"They….they're saying that Teddy is my son. Seattle's most eligible bachelor is a father is what one article led with."
"So he knows where we are," she states rather than asks.
"We still have eyes on him, in fact we've added a second person," Taylor quickly assures her. "If he decides to come to Seattle, we'll have eyes on him the entire time."
"Not if though, when right? That's what you were thinking when you asked if Teddy and I needed to be moved? You know he's going to come here; now that he knows where we are, there's no way he's not going to come to Seattle."
"It's highly likely."
"I have a vacation house in Aspen, we can fly out there on the private jet-" I suggest.
"No," Ana interrupts.
"It's not a bad idea Ana," Taylor agrees. "The house is in the middle of nowhere and isn't even in Christian's name. There's a state of the art security system there along with everything else you need-"
"No, I'm done running," she turns to me and smiles sadly. "Yesterday….God Christian, yesterday reminded me of what I've been missing these last few months. For the first time outside of this apartment, I didn't have to worry about someone watching me, someone trying to find me or Teddy or anything else. I've missed simply sitting outside in the sun, having a cookout at my dad's house and everything else that that bastard hasn't let me do because I've been so worried about him finding us. So I'm done; I'm not running, I'm not hiding out somewhere."
"But Ana-"
"You told me the other night that you wouldn't let me run if he found out we were in Seattle," she reminds me. "Let's come up with a plan to get this bastard out of our lives once and for all, but one that doesn't involve me and Teddy living the rest of our lives on the run. I don't want to do that again; I don't want to get in a car and start driving not knowing where I'm going or what is waiting for me at the end of the trip."
"Are you sure Ana?" Taylor asks.
"Yes, I'm sure. There has to be some way that we can the evidence we need to take to the police to get him put away for good."
"We could set up a meeting-"
"NO!" I scream, immediately startling Teddy who starts to whimper in my lap. Ana takes him before I have a chance to console him; he's not crying but I know it scared him which is my fault.
"Hear me out," Taylor puts up a hand. "We set up a meeting, without Teddy, between Ana and Braxton. We set the location, where we can have security in place before hand; I have a few sniper buddies from the service I can call in for a favor. We choose the location so we can control any blind spots. Ana wears a wire and we get him to confess that he was behind Kate's…accident and that he arranged to have you kidnapped."
"No fucking way; I don't like this at all," I argue.
"You can keep me safe during the meeting?" she asks.
"Yes, if we set the location for the meeting we can ensure you're safety. If he won't meet where we decide, then there is no meeting."
"No," I argue.
"You think he would want to meet with me?"
"I think he's desperate; he's going to want to get this done once and for all. You tell him he has to meet with you first before he can see Teddy or we let him think that after the meeting you'll take him to where Teddy is."
"And if he confesses, it'll be enough in court?"
"Combined with the other information that Barney and Welch got from his computer and your testimony it should be plenty to put him away for a long time."
"There has to be another way," I argue even though it seems like no one is listening to me.
"He's coming to Seattle," Taylor states simply. "It's going to be a matter of time before he arrives now that your picture with Ana and Teddy is out there. He'll know exactly who you are within minutes if he googles you. He's probably preparing to leave right now; I wouldn't be surprised if Barney and Welch call us in the next few hours with recordings of his calls this morning. I guarantee he's going to be making phone calls and plans."
"You think he'll come himself?" Ana asks. "Or do you think he'll send one of his friends?"
"I think he'll come; he went last time to Maine and like I said he's getting desperate."
"Okay."
"Are you sure Ana? I can have you both in the air and on your way to Aspen within an hour-"
"No, I'm tired of running," she looks directly at me. "I don't want to run anymore."
"I need to go make some calls," Taylor gets up from the table. "I told Christian, it would be best for you two to stay put for right now. Let us figure out what's going on before we decided what to do next."
"Okay," Ana agrees.
"I don't like this; I don't like this at all Ana," I get up and start pacing the floor behind her. "What if he tries something during the meeting? What if Taylor's buddies aren't fast enough and they don't get to him first? What if-"
"Christian, I don't want to run anymore. I don't want to runaway…not from you."
"Ana," I gasp at her words and turn to find her standing right in front of me.
With Teddy in one arm, she leans up and kisses me every so gently almost as if she's nervous. I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to me needing to feel her against me. As much as I hate this fucking idea, I don't want her running away from me either. I don't want her or Teddy leaving this apartment; I want them both here. I want them out of Taylor's apartment and living in mine. I want Ana in my bed every night. Unfortunately I know that I can't have any of that if she has to run because that bastard comes to Seattle.
"You do whatever Taylor says, no deviating from the plan," I growl.
"I won't," she promises.
"Sir, Ana," Gail's voice has Ana blushing yet again. "Breakfast is ready."
"Thank you," I nod as she sets the plates down on the table.
"Thank you Gail," Ana says quietly.
"Let's eat and then we can hear the brilliant fucking plan that Taylor better becoming up with to keep you safe."
"Christian?" Ana asks after a few moments of silence.
"Hmmm?"
"Who is Elena Lincoln exactly? Why would she sell your picture to the press if she's a family friend?"