Chpt. 23 CPOV:

Ana tenses against me at Taylor's words; a quick glance at the time on my computer screen tells me exactly who the visitor is. He's early as I wasn't expecting him for another half an hour, but if it were anyone else there's no way they would have made it up here. We have too many security measures in place right now to allow anyone up here; hell I doubt even my mother has the new security code yet let alone anyone else.

"It's okay," my hands glide over Ana's back trying to calm her. "Taylor, we'll be out in a minute."

"Do you think it's-"

"Ana, you know from the call we just finished it's not him. It's not his buddies either; even if they made it to Seattle that quickly, which I doubt, there's no way they would get up here. You heard Taylor's plans that are in place, he has extra men all over this building. No one would get up here without his approval."

"You're sure?"

"Ana, baby, trust me," I hold her face in mine, bringing my lips ever so slowly to hers. "You're going to want to see this visitor."

"You know who it is?"

"Yes-"

"Who is it?"

"I'm not ruining the surprise, baby. Just trust me, nothing bad is going to happen to you or to Teddy."

"I know that, I do and I trust you and Taylor so much Christian. But, my brain seems to forget all of that as soon as I hear…"

"I know, your instinct is to assume it's him or one of his guys. But I promise you, it's not."

"Okay."

"Are you ready or do you want a few more minutes?"

"No," she lets out a breath. "I'm ready."

I hate that even though I've reassured her it's not who she thinks it is, that her mind still goes there and that her guard goes straight back up. I can't wait until this is behind her, so that she doesn't have to constantly look over her shoulder. I hate that she has to worry whenever the elevator dings, that she can't run out to the store with Sawyer without fearing that someone is following them. Sawyer told me that during their trip to the store to buy diapers that Ana never stopped searching for someone, almost as if she expected someone to be following them. Ever since then, I told Taylor to let Sawyer know when Ana needed something for Teddy and to have Sawyer pick it up on his own unless it was something she needed to be there for. She shouldn't have to worry about going to grab diapers or formula.

"Will you…come with me?" her soft voice pulls me from my thoughts.

"Of course," I take her hand in mine as she slides off my lap.

I debate, yet again, if I should just tell her who is waiting for her. But I'm selfish, I want to see her face light up, to witness the excitement that I know will be there once she steps out of my office. I don't want to take that from her by spoiling the surprise in here. She slowly walks to the door and I squeeze her hand the moment her other hand is placed on the door knob.

"You have nothing to worry about."

"I know," she whispers.

She opens the door, immediately looking towards the elevator before taking a step out of my office. But once she sees who is in the foyer, she drops my hand as if it were on fire.

"DADDY!"

I smile as she runs to the man I've never met before, but have heard so much about.

"Annie," his arms wrap around her waist the moment she embraces him. I step out of the doorway quietly into the hallway not wanting to interrupt this moment. Taylor is next to me, smiling like I've never seen before as he watches it all unfold. My eyes fill with tears before I even realize what's happening; I quickly blink them away but the smile never leaves my face. Teddy's voice pulls us all away from Ana and Mr. Steele, as Gail brings him into the hallway.

"Oh," Mr. Steele is speechless the moment he looks up.

I take Teddy from Gail and bring him over to where Ana is still clinging to her father, with tears pouring down her face. The smile on her face makes all that went into getting her father here more than worth it. For as long as I live I don't think I will ever forget how happy she looks right now.

"He's gotten so big," Mr. Steele quickly takes Teddy from me. "I can't believe…he's changed so much in the last two months."

"He's a quiet little guy," I share. "He hardly ever cries."

"Daddy," Ana leans off her father's chest, looking over at me. "This is Christian, Christian this is my Dad."

"It's nice to finally meet you sir," I offer my hand which he quickly shakes.

"Please call me Ray," he says. "Though I'm pretty certain I told you that before."

"You may have," I chuckle.

"It's nice to finally meet you in person-"

"You've…you two talked?"

"Of course Annie," Ray smiles down at her. "Christian, Taylor and I have had numerous calls over the last couple of days trying to figure out the safest way to get me here. They're both very determined and a little bull headed."

"Yes they can be," Ana giggles.

"Why don't we move into the great room? Gail has some fruit and cheese set out," I suggest already knowing what Gail had prepared for today.

"I'll take care of your bag General-"

"You see, bull headed I tell you Annie," Ray groans. "I told him numerous times to drop the General crap. After all he's done for you…for my family….we're past that rank bullshit Taylor."

"Yes sir."

I don't hide the chuckle as we walk into the great room and Taylor takes Ray's luggage upstairs to one of the spare rooms. Everyone sits on the couch; the coffee table in front of us is set with bottles of water and some snacks to tide everyone over until dinner.

"I can't believe you're really here," Ana says.

"Neither can I," Ray shakes his head. "I never thought I'd have a chance to see either of you again. I was convinced we could have to stay apart to keep you both safe."

"What changed?"

"Your new boyfriend," he glances at me just as Ana's jaw drops obviously having not anticipated her father knowing what was going on between us. Obviously he doesn't yet know that Ana and Teddy have moved in with me, but when we first started talking he immediately asked the same question Ana has. Why was I doing this for someone I didn't know? I of course told him that in the beginning it was because I felt like I needed to do something to help Ana and Teddy especially after learning what had happened to them and to Kate. But I also told him that I care very much about Ana and Teddy and that we were seeing each other. "And Taylor came up with a brilliant plan, one that even I couldn't argue was a sound plan. How they put it together so quickly I still don't know, but they had arranged for a team to meet me and from there we traveled over I can't tell you how many states before crossing back to some private residence that had its own airfield. From there we flew to Nevada and then drove up to Seattle."

"Holy shit," Ana says in disbelief. "That's…wow…"

"It lost the tail and that's all that matters," Taylor says walking into the room.

"They were following you?"

"It seems that way," Ray sighs. "I felt like I was being followed but I could never find the person until Taylor's team picked me up. It took a couple of hours, but we found the person following me and eventually they managed to shake them."

"And now you're here," Ana whispers.

"I am," he smiles. "I understand just in time too. From the little I've gathered, things are about to heat up. Are you sure you don't want to go somewhere else? From what I understand Christian has offered his house in Aspen for us to hide out in-"

"No, Dad," Ana interrupts. "I'm tired of running; I didn't realize how tired I was until we went to Christian's parents' house for a cook out. It was the first time that I was able to relax outside of this apartment. It was the first time since this…all began that Teddy was outside for more than a few minutes. It was the first time that I didn't have to look over my shoulder, to worry that he followed us there or that he was going to come through the door at any moment. I want to be able to take Teddy to a park one day, to watch him go on a swing or down a slide. Kate wouldn't want this…life for Teddy."

"No she wouldn't," Ray says sadly. "I just….I can't lose you both, not after losing Katie."

"You won't Daddy," Ana looks at me, begging me to do say something.

"Taylor and his team have begun to put a plan together sir," I explain. "He's calling in several additional teams and we're going to control the situation to ensure that nothing happens to Ana or Teddy."

"I have retired snipers coming in sir," Taylor adds. "They're going to be positioned so that they will have an open shot from anywhere if he tries anything."

"What makes you think he won't try something? He's desperate!"

"Exactly, he's desperate," I repeat. "Desperate people fuck up. Our goal is that Ana can get him to confess to his involvement in Kate's…accident. Between that and what my team has gathered from his phone conversations, emails and hard drives we should have enough to get him behind bars for a long time."

"What about the guys who took Ana? What are we doing about them?"

"We know the identity of one, thanks to Ana keeping the knife she stabbed him with. As soon as Braxton is arrested, we will provide the FBI with the information they need to arrest the guy who took Ana. That leaves one other guy who was involved in the…in taking her but we don't have anything on him yet."

"And you're sure this is the only way Taylor? What if I went and met with him instead?"

"No Daddy."

"With all due respect sir, I think he wants Ana the most," Taylor's words have me grimacing.

"Why? Aren't I just as much of a risk as she is?"

"She's the one who is the sole guardian of Teddy; she is the one who is legally responsible for the child. If he gets her and…Teddy, then his problem is solved as far as his father's will is concerned. The risk would still be the negative publicity that you could bring him, but I think his focus is only Ana and Teddy right now," Fuck listening to Taylor has me wanting to go out and kill the bastard right now.

"There's got to be another way; where Annie and Teddy aren't at risk."

"I said the same thing," I say. "Unfortunately we haven't come up with another plan that puts Braxton behind bars for life so Ana and Teddy can finally stop running. I'm confident that Taylor's team can keep them safe-"

"I'm going to be there."

"Daddy, you should stay with Teddy-"

"No Annie, I want in on this mission Taylor," he says. "You're not going to keep me out and don't even think about giving me the excuse that this is too close to home for me to be involved."

"Wouldn't dream of it sir," Taylor quickly says. "I expected you to say this and have already identified an area for you to watch."

"Annie goes in armed; we're not sending her in their without a way to protect herself," Ray looks at me when he says this though I'm not sure why. "She may not look it, but she can shoot a weapon with an accuracy that some experienced soldiers don't have. She's good Taylor."

"If you taught her to shoot, I'm sure she is."

"I'm right here you know," I chuckle at Ana's statement. "I was never going to go in unarmed, Daddy. I still have my guns and knives that I came here with. They're locked away now, but I have them and have always had access to. Plus, I've had a few lessons in self defense-"

"What? From where? How?" Ray fires off, his accusing glare doesn't go unnoticed.

"Ana was always safe when she had her lessons," I point out.

"Lessons occurred downstairs, in this building, in a private room with security stationed outside the room at all times," Taylor describes.

"I was in the room with her as well."

"You trust this guy? You don't think he could be feeding Braxton information? He has more connections than you would believe."

"No, not only was the trainer fully vetted by Mr. Grey's team but he's worked for Mr. Grey for the last three years, so long before Kate….," Taylor points out.

"Claude is not just a retired MMA fighter turned professional trainer but he also volunteers his time providing free self-defense classes to victims of crimes. He is especially passionate about domestic violence victims as his mother was a survivor. He has no idea the true reason behind Ana's need for lessons, but even if he did I guarantee you that he wouldn't disclose the information to anyone. In fact, he'd probably be lining up to join Taylor's team," I add.

"I'm sorry, I know you both probably think I'm paranoid-"

"Not at all sir," Taylor interrupts.

"Nobody thinks it Daddy, not after…everything," Ana says.

"So what's the plan? What's next?" Ray asks after a few minutes of silence.

"We wait," Taylor answers. "Braxton's boys should be in Seattle soon, if they're not already. Sir, you saw the security it took to get you into the building and up here, I assure you they're not getting close to Ana and Teddy. This is the safest place for them right."

"But Braxton is with them?"

"Not yet, we believe he'll fly in soon though."

"So we wait."

"Yes."

"I wish I could offer the use of facilities of the building, but right now it's best everyone stay in the apartment," I explain. "If you need anything, one of the security members can run to get it but otherwise I hate to say it you're going to be cooped up here."

"Christian, son," he shakes his head at me. "I haven't seen my baby girl and my grandson in nearly two months; hanging out with them for a few days is no hardship at all."

"No I'm sure it's not," I look at Ana when I reply knowing how easy it is to spend days with her and Teddy.

We need to call Welch; Ana doesn't need to be there –T

I glance over at Taylor reading the text; I take a deep breath formulating a plan vowing not to ruin Ana's time with her dad. If I tell her that Taylor and I have to call Welch she's going to freak out. She needs this downtime with her dad and based on what's he been through for the last two months he needs it too.

"I hate to do this, but unfortunately I have a call I need to be on starting in a few minutes," I walk lean into Ana gently kissing her cheek. "I won't be too long. Gail should have dinner ready in the next hour or so, but if you need something more to tie you over just let her know."

"Thanks Christian," Ana squeezes my hand before I stand up.

"I'm going to leave you guys and go check in with my team," Taylor announces. "Mr. Steele, your bags are in one of the guest rooms upstairs. Ana, it's the bedroom at the top of the stairs to the left."

Ray's POV:

"Thank you Taylor," I rise and extend my hand. "For taking care of my baby and my grandson. I couldn't…we wouldn't….."

"It is an honor sir," Taylor quickly takes my hand. "You saved my ass that day and I've owed you my life ever since. This, this is nothing compared to what you did for me that day sir."

With that Taylor leaves the room, not giving me the chance to argue which he knows I will.

"What day was he talking about?" Ana asks.

"It's not important," I shake my head knowing there isn't enough liquor available right now to tell her what happened over there. "Tell me everything I've missed for the last two months Annie. You look so good, so different than…"

The anger boils inside of me remember how she looked that day when I finally met up with her; it killed me that it took more than two hours to reach her. I'll never forget how she looked when she walked out of the woods near the rest stop that evening.

"I'm fine Daddy," she puts her hand on mine assuring me. "Christian's mom is an emergency room doctor; he called her from the plane before we even landed and she was here only hours later to check me over even though Greg already had."

"So you and Christian?" I don't hide the surprise in my voice. When Christian told me the other day that he was seeing my daughter, I wasn't sure what to think. My first thought was that he was taking advantage of her; a young, lonely girl staying in his apartment all day every day likely feeling overwhelmed. Immediately I called Taylor who contradicted everything I thought.

"It surprised me as much as it did you," she giggles. "I wasn't expecting….it just sort of happened."

"He's not….taking advantage of you is he?"

"WHAT?! No Daddy of course not."

"Because if he's threatening to not help you or withdrawal his team if you don't-"

"DAD! He's not like that, not at all."

"I had to be sure…this situation is…."

"I know," she sighs. "But it's not like that, not at all."

"I just….I struggle with him doing all this for someone he doesn't know Annie. It makes me nervous."

"I felt the same way, but that's just who Christian is. He donates to so many different causes, almost all involving child abuse or domestic violence-"

"It's one thing to throw money at a cause, but it's another to take in a young woman and a baby into his home."

"Security wise, this is the safest place for us. A hotel room doesn't even come close to the security here; until this morning Teddy and I were staying in Taylor and Gail's apartment which while in this apartment is separate-"

"What do you mean until this morning?"

"Christian asked me and Teddy to move in with him this morning-"

"Annie-"

"No, I know you're worried, but don't. You have to trust me; I've spent the last two months with Christian Daddy, I know the man he is. You've only known him for a few minutes, he's a good man."

"I don't doubt he is Annie, I knew that from the moment I heard all he was doing for the two of you. And then what he arranged just to bring me here today, I have no doubt that he's a good man. I just want to make sure you're happy and not making a rash decision based on what's going on right now. Because some day this will all be over, hopefully that day happens soon, but nonetheless the day is coming. Have you thought about what happens when you don't have to hide here any longer?"

"Of course Dad," she sighs. "In the beginning, I didn't; I couldn't let myself think that not running was ever an option. But, that's changed. Taylor and the men who work with Christian have resources that we never had access to. They're gathering information that they swear will be enough to put this all behind us."

"And then what?"

"Then, Teddy and I are going to stay here in Seattle. Last week he offered me a marketing job at GEH that I'm going to take-"

"What about Teddy? What if-"

"It's all worked out," she assures me. "Christian said I could work remotely from here, he's going to turn one of the spare bedrooms upstairs into an office and GEH will provide everything I need. Gail has offered to watch Teddy while I work, but Christian also said that the hours don't have to be the typical nine to five."

"This is what you want Annie?"

"Yes, Dad.

He makes me happy and he's so good with Teddy, you wouldn't believe it. He's watched Teddy while I worked on project for him and offers to take him so I can eat if Teddy also needs to eat."

"Well then I guess I'm moving to Washington-"

"Wait what?"

"Annie, I'm not going to have my daughter and my grandson across the country from me. I…You two are all I have left," my voice betrays me and cracks as I think about my Katie.

"You're going to move here? But Daddy, what about the house? That was your dream, to have all that land, to be so far away from everyone."

"The house is gone Annie-"

"What?"

"They burned it," I grimace remembering the pictures I saw online. "It's completely destroyed, all of it. The house, the barns, the sheds…it's all gone."

"No," she sobs and I wrap the arm around her that's not holding Teddy.

"It was just a house Annie, you and Teddy…"

"Why would they do that?"

"I don't know."

"By the time the fire department arrived it was all destroyed. A buddy of mine contacted the investigator and was told they're treating it as an arson investigation. Several explosions were heard by the closest neighbors."

"Taylor never said anything."

"It happened the day you left to meet Taylor -"

"You never told me!"

"Annie, you had other things to worry about. Keeping you and this little guy safe was all that mattered. So, like I said there's nothing left for me there. When this is all behind us, I'll put the land up for sale but I have a feeling that Johnson next door will jump at it to expand his farm land. I'm not going to be in Seattle, but I'm sure if I drive a couple of hours from the city I can find a nice piece of land with a house away from everything just like I had. And this way I can visit you and Teddy more often. I've missed you both so much."

"I've missed you too Daddy, there were so many times I wanted to call you or send you a picture of Teddy. He's still such an easy going baby, just like he's always been. He just sort of goes with whatever is going on."

"I'm so glad he has you; if Katie hadn't listed you as his guardian I don't know what would have happened when…"

"He wouldn't have gotten him; he's never going to get near him again."