Although Christian has reassured Anastasia over and over again that his family will take the news of their decision to have a child well, Anastasia still finds herself becoming more nervous the closer Sunday evening gets. Although the Grey's have known her for eleven years now, she still feels the need to make a good impression tonight. She takes her time getting ready, picking out her clothes carefully and taking extra time on her hair and makeup.
Knowing how proper his family is, she decides to wear a navy blue dress with lace overlay that rests at her knees. It's sleeveless and has an illusion lace neckline that rests right below her throat. She slips on her Victoria Secret heels in navy blue satin with sparkles and wears the pearl earrings and bracelet that her mother bought her for her twenty-fifth birthday. She leaves her hair in waves and then braids a side of her hair back away from her face.
She offered to drive separate tonight so that Christian didn't have to pick her up, but he insisted. Secretly, she was hoping to be able to drive separate so she could make a break for it if need be. Unfortunately, she's not going to be that lucky. She knows that Christian would be disappointed in her if she did try to do such a thing. She's a strong woman. If there is going to be a battle, she needs to fight this head on...for her and for Christian.
Anastasia is just finishing up her makeup when she hears the jingle of Christian's keys and the click of the lock disengaging.
"Ana?" He calls.
"Just a sec!" She answers, running her gloss applicator over her bottom lip one more time.
"You aren't ready, yet?" He appears in the doorway of her in suite bathroom and leans up against the door jam, his hands in his pockets.
"Keep your hair on, Grey. I'm ready." She hurries to screw the cap back on her lip gloss and throws her makeup back into her makeup bag.
When she turns towards him, she sees that he's wearing a white button down with the sleeves rolled up his forearms and black pants. He's tie-less and the top two buttons of his shirt are undone. It's annoying how good he can make that sloppy businessman attire look. Here, she has spent over an hour getting ready, feeling like she's just barely looking presentable for his parents house and he probably spent five minutes throwing this look together and looks better than she does.
"I hate you." She mumbles, looking him over.
Christian chuckles. "You look beautiful, Ana." She always complains about his ability to throw himself together so easily. Luckily for him, it's easier for men.
She worries her glossy bottom lip.
"Are you still nervous?" He's surprised.
She nods, but doesn't say anything. Instead, she grabs her lip gloss and makes her way towards him so she can grab her bag. When she tries to step around him, he reaches for her arm, effectively stopping her.
"There's no reason to be so nervous, Anastasia."
"I'll be better once it's out in the open. It's just a nerve wracking time, is all." There's a part of her that knows that all of this could be wasted time. She might not even be able to carry a child. It might not work. She hates that idea. Swallowing back the lump that has formed in her throat, she pushes the possibility to the back of her mind for now. She wants to concentrate on the good and celebrate while she can...that is, if his parents are willing.
Christian notices the change in her face. He knows that when her pupils contract and her iris' become darker that her mood has gone dark along with them. He watches her lips pull into a fine line when she swallows and knows that she's trying to keep a brave face.
"What is it?" His tone is gentle and his hand slides down her arm to squeeze her hand.
Anastasia shakes her head. "Nothing. A conversation for another time. Let's go before we're late." She pulls her hand back from his and begrudgingly, he releases it, hating that they don't have the time to talk over whatever is bothering her now.
"Later." He reiterates and she nods.
"Yes. Now, let's go."
XxXxXx
"Oh, Ana! I am so glad that you could come! I wish you'd come more often. I miss you when you aren't here." Grace hugs Anastasia tight as they enter the house. Anastasia hates to impose on their family dinners. She tries to make it once a month, though. If she doesn't come every once in awhile, Grace begins to worry and calls Anastasia to guilt her into coming to see them. No matter how much Grace gushes over Anastasia or how welcome she makes her feel, Anastasia can't help, but feel a little out of place during their family dinners. It's such an intimate time for the family and she feels like she's ruining it by being there.
"Thank you for having me. Me, too, Grace. Maybe the two of us and Mia can get together for a girl's day?" It's been too long since she's been shopping and she's looking forward to buying some new summer outfits.
Grace's eyes light up at the suggestion. "Oh, yes! That would be great! I'll be in touch once I look at my schedule." She hugs Christian hard and smiles up at him. "Hello, darling. How was your week?"
Christian smiles down at his mother. His savior. "It was great, Mom."
Grace is pleasantly surprised by this. Usually, he finds something to grumble about, but she always enjoys listening to her youngest son talk about his week. There was a time where she thought that he would never speak. He was mute for the first two years that he lived with them. If it wasn't for Mia's sudden appearance, he might have never spoken. He might have been mute his whole childhood.
"Why don't we make our way to the dining room and enjoy a drink while dinner is made?"
Christian smiles down at his mother. "Yes, Mom, let's go have a seat." He slips his arm around his mother's waist and steers her towards the dining room.
"What has gotten into you, Christian?" He's practically buzzing beside her. She hasn't seen him like this in awhile. He's never been one for direct contact and he's just offered to escort her into the dining room. She knows his haphephobia has a lot to do with that and it only gets worse when he's in a bad mood.
He shrugs. "Can't I just be in a good mood, Mother?"
Grace laughs. "Yes, darling, of course you can. I'm sorry. I quite enjoy seeing you like this."
Anastasia follows them into the dining room and she can feel most of her anxiety dissipate as she watches Christian with his mother. His good mood is infectious and his mother is practically giddy beside him. Anastasia is hoping that her good mood will continue throughout dinner and that she'll take the news well.
When they make it to the dining room, they're surprised to see a young blonde woman sitting next to Elliot. Kate Kavanagh. Elliot stands as soon as he sees them and Kate follows suit.
"Christian, Ana...this is my girlfriend, Kate. Kate, this is my brother, Christian, and his best friend, Anastasia. You remember them from the party?"
Kate gives them a smile. "Yes, I remember. It was quite refreshing to see the girls scatter away from Christian when you showed up." Kate offers her hand to Anastasia first and she accepts it with a laugh.
"Yes, sometimes Christian needs saving." Anastasia likes this girl.
"More often than not." Elliot retorts, giving Anastasia a wink.
Christian rolls his eyes at the two. "They're being a little dramatic, Kate. I assure you, I can take care of myself." He offers his hand to her and she gives him a firm handshake. He's pleasantly surprised by her confidence, but he feels as if he shouldn't be. Elliot needs a confident woman to put up with his ass and to put him in his place.
"That's good to hear. Elliot has referred to Ana as your full time babysitter, but I figured he was being dramatic. A man who couldn't take care of himself couldn't build such an empire at such an early age."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Kavanagh." Elliot warns, making Christian laugh.
"I don't know about that, Elliot." Christian states, giving Kate a wink. "It just so happens her father and I had a meeting on Monday about Kavanagh Media."
Kate gives Christian a knowing smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She knows what she's doing and he finds it hilarious. "My father taught me well."
Elliot chuckles. "Ah, so maybe you should bend over so it'll make it easier for Kate to kiss your ass."
"Tell your father not to worry, Ms. Kavanagh. I don't see any reason why we can't do business together." Eamon Kavanagh knows how to run a successful business and Christian is sure that he can make a nice chunk of revenue off this business venture.
Kate gives Christian a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Grey! I'll be sure to tell him that it's all thanks to me." She smiles up at Elliot and he dips down to peck her lips. "There is no reason for him to say no to your company now. I'm sure he'll take your bid."
Elliot is relieved. "Thanks, bro."
Although Christian hadn't realized that Elliot's business with Kavanagh Media depended on his, he was glad he could help out. He should have known.
Christian and Anastasia enjoy a couple of glasses of wine during dinner and it allows them to relax and enjoy the time with the others. While Gretchen begins to clear the table, Christian excuses himself and disappears to the bathroom.
He pulls out the t-shirt that's rolled tightly in his inside coat pocket and undresses his top half quickly, slipping the t-shirt on and slipping his jacket back over it. Buttoning two of the buttons, he hides most of the t-shirt; he doesn't want anyone to be able to read it until he's ready. On his way back to the dining room, he tosses his button-down on the bench next to the front door and continues on his way. When he returns, he sees that there is baked apple pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert. His favorite. It just makes his day even better.
Christian takes his seat next to Anastasia and she eyes him. She notices the change of clothes and she wonders if anyone else has noticed, yet.
"Ana?" Her attention gets pulled from her best friend and her eyes find Carrick's. "How are you feeling? We haven't seen you since your surgery. Christian isn't very forthcoming with any information." Carrick's eyes flick over to Christian's before meeting Anastasia's again.
"Not my place, Dad." Christian answers with a mouthful of apple pie. If Anastasia wants his family to know the details, then that's up for her to decide.
"We don't mean to pry, Ana. We just want to make sure you're alright. I know it must have been such a shock."
Anastasia nods. "Yes, this last month has been nothing, but shock after shock." She gives Christian an accusatory look, but he pretends not to notice her, instead keeping his eyes on his chunk of apple pie that's almost gone. "The surgery went well, though. They managed to get a lot of the scarring and built up tissue from my endometriosis, but the doctor had a few concerns." She knew what this was leading up to. His family would know in just a few minutes.
"Concerns? Oh, no. What concerns?" Grace stares at Anastasia wide-eyed and suddenly fearful. "It wasn't cancer?"
Out of the corner of her eye, Anastasia sees Christian's hand sneak its way over to her plate of dessert. She smacks his hand. "No. No cancer."
Grace lets out a relieved sigh. "So, then...what?"
Christian tries to take her dessert again and this time, she smacks the back of his hand with her cold, ice cream covered spoon.
"Ew."
"Oh, Christian. For goodness sake! Gretchen, will you get Christian another helping of dessert?" Grace asks before turning back to Anastasia. "Tell us, Ana."
Anastasia's eyes sweep over the table and land on Kate. "I just want to make sure that this news doesn't leave this table. I don't mean to single you out, Kate. It isn't that I don't trust you, but I don't really know you and I want you to understand that this is confidential...at least for now."
Kate shakes her head. "I won't say anything, Ana. You can trust me. If it'll make you feel better, I can leave the table?"
"No, that isn't necessary. Elliot will probably fill you in, anyway, but I just wanted to put it in stone."
"You have my word, Ana."
Anastasia lets out a deep sigh and Christian reaches over and takes her hand that is resting in her lap. He gives it a squeeze, reminding her that he's there to support her.
"After my surgery, the doctor said that my chances of becoming pregnant were pretty low for a woman my age...and that they'll only drop the longer I wait."
"Oh, Ana...I'm sorry to hear that." Mia frowns and reaches across the table to squeeze her hand. "What are you going to do?"
"The doctor said that I had about a 60% chance right now. IVF will give me the greatest chance of carrying the child to term."
"How does that work? I mean...no offense, but don't you need two people for that?" Elliot asks.
It makes Anastasia laugh. "Yes, Elliot. I'm well aware of how baby making works. I would need a sperm donor for that. After I take the fertility medication and they take my eggs, they'll take the donor's sperm and my eggs and put them in a petri dish and when they know the egg is fertilized, they'll put the egg back into me. Hopefully, the egg will stick."
"A sperm donor? Do you already have one picked out? I have a friend I went to graduate school with that works at the Seattle Sperm Bank. I know they do thorough background checks. I can get ahold of him if-"
Anastasia shakes her head, cutting Grace off. "I've found one."
"Oh." Grace smiles.
Christian unbuttons his suit jacket and drapes it open. His movement causes the others to look at him and there is a collective gasp from the group.
"What-you mean-you're going to be- are you already-?" Grace doesn't know what to ask first.
Christian laughs. "I have opted to be her sperm donor and no, she isn't pregnant, yet. We haven't even been to the doctor to get her fertility medication."
"Really? Oh, wow. Really?" Grace asks through her fingers that are pressed against her mouth. Her eyes are filling with tears and she's beyond happy for her son and his best friend.
"That's a hell of a gift you're giving her, son." Carrick squeezes Christian's shoulder from his spot at the end of the table. "Proud of you."
Christian smiles at his father. "Thanks, Dad. We're pretty excited about it."
Mia's beaming at them. "I knew it!"
"You knew what?" Christian asks.
"I knew you two would get together!"
Anastasia rolls her eyes. "We're not together, Mia. He's just donating his sperm. We'll co-parent."
"We'll see." Mia wiggles her eyebrows.
Christian is eager to hear what his mother has to say about the subject. He decides to ignore his sister's comment and turns to his mother, asking her what she thinks.
"It's wonderful, Christian." Grace smiles at her son. "Just wonderful. I think it is just so lovely that you two are doing this together." She stands, moving around the table, and both of them stand to hug her. "I'm going to be a grandma." Grace states, realizing. "You're going to be carrying my grandchild…" She cups Anastasia's face and smiles. "You wonderful, sweet, sweet girl."
"So, you approve then?" Anastasia asks, relieved.
Grace laughs. "Yes, silly. Of course, I do. You two have made such a lovely choice for a baby. Christian will be such a wonderful father and you, such a wonderful mother. This way, the baby will have both parents. This is going to be the most loved baby on the planet."
Anastasia can feel her tears rising from her throat and her eyes begin to sting. "Thank you." She croaks out, trying to hold her tears back. "I'm so happy." She hugs Grace close, squeezing her tightly. She can feel the weight on her shoulders immediately lift as Grace holds her.
"Me, too." Grace admits as she pulls away from Anastasia. She now has tears in her eyes, herself. "Christian, my baby boy." She opens her arms and he wraps her in his arms, kissing the top of her head. "You're so lovely for offering, Christian. You are going to be so blessed with this little one. I just know it."
"Why don't we all sit and enjoy our dessert and have a toast to congratulate Christian and Ana?" Carrick asks, noticing his wife clinging to Christian.
Christian gives his father an appreciative smile and Grace finally releases her son.
"Yes, yes, you're right. Let's celebrate! Before Ana can no longer enjoy a good drink."
Anastasia pouts. "Oh, yea. I forgot about that. Yes. Let's drink!"
Christian eyes Elliot, who has been quiet. "Elliot? What do you think?"
Elliot stares at Christian for a minute and then snorts. "I think it's fucking weird, dude. Not the situation, but the fact that you're going to be a dad."
Christian laughs. "It is a little weird...but it'd be weirder if it was you."
Kate's eyebrows crease. "Why? Why would it be weird for Elliot to be a dad?"
He scowls at Christian and Christian snickers behind his glass of bourbon. He didn't intentionally call Elliot out, but he's going to enjoy watching him stutter and explain himself to Kate.
"Yea, Elliot. Why?" Anastasia asks, giving him an innocent smile.
"I hate you people."
XxXxXx
"Ana, are you ready, yet?" Christian calls from the couch in her apartment. They just got back from his parents and they need to Skype her parents before his parents get ahold of them.
"Almost!" Anastasia stands at the stove, making her tea. She had a few drinks, so she knows she needs the tea to calm her and for the hydration. A tea before bed always keeps the headaches away the morning after drinking.
"Bring me a water."
She rolls her eyes. "Yes, your highness."
After she grabs her tea and his bottle of water, she makes her way into the sitting room and pulls her feet up and under her, getting comfortable.
"You're welcome…" She says, a bit aggravated as he takes a drink. He didn't even bother to thank her.
He gives her a wink mid-swallow. "Thanks, love."
She huffs. "Is this how you treat the mother of your future child?"
His head falls back in a laugh. "Already starting with that, are we? Don't worry, Ana. When you become pregnant, I promise to wait on you hand and foot."
"I don't need you to do that. I just want you to rub my feet every once in awhile." She slides her legs out from under her and places them on his lap, wiggling her toes. He runs the nail of his index finger up her left foot, making her squeal and pull her feet away.
"You aren't pregnant, yet, girl."
"You've asked for it, Grey." She scowls at him.
"What are you going to do to me?"
"You'll see." Anastasia gives him a mischievous smile, enjoying that he won't know what's coming.
He ignores her. "Let's call your parents."
She nods and bounces over closer to him, leaning against his side so that they can both be seen from the laptop.
"You don't seem too worried about your parents." Christian said, smiling.
"I'm not. My mother will be ecstatic."
It is late in Georgia...almost midnight...but her mother said they'd be up. She had told her mother she had some news from the doctor, but refused to say what.
It only rang twice on Skype before her parents picked up. They were both in their pajamas and in bed.
"Hey, Mom and Dad."
"Hello, sweetie. What do you have to tell us? We've been worrying all night!"
"Oh, Mom. If it was something that serious, don't you think I would have already told you?"
Carla sighs. "I suppose so."
"So, what is it, Annie?" Ray asks, wanting to get to the point.
"I found a sperm donor." Anastasia announces, smiling.
"You have?" Carla looks a little crestfallen at her news. "From the sperm bank?"
Anastasia shakes her head. "No."
"Then where?"
Christian pulls his t-shirt straight and moves the camera so they can see it.
"What-what does it say?" Ray asks, slipping his glasses back on.
"The bump maker?" Carla states, then gives a shrill gasp. "CHRISTIAN? Christian's the sperm donor!?"
Laughing, Christian moves the camera back up to their faces. "Yes, I'm officially going to be the baby daddy."
Carla is bouncing in her seat on the bed while she squeals, making the camera on their side move all around.
"Ugh, Mom, your making us sick!"
Laughing, Ray takes the phone from her and holds it himself. "That's great news, you two! Congratulations!"
"Thanks, Dad!"
"When do you see the doctor?" Her father asks over Carla's excitement.
"Sometime this week. I'll start my fertility treatments then and we'll go from there."
"Keep us informed, Annie."
She smiles. "I will, Dad."
"I'm going to get off of here and try to calm your mother down."
"Oh, Ray! You hush! I'm allowed to be happy!"
Christian and Anastasia laugh. "Alright, Daddy. I'll talk to you later. Night."
"Night, baby. And Christian? You and I are going to talk later." He gives Christian a stern look and Christian's eyes widen.
"Er...yes, sir."
Once they disconnect, Anastasia turns to Christian.
"Baby daddy?"
Christian smiles. "It was funny."
"Please do not introduce yourself as my baby daddy ever again." Anastasia tries to keep a straight face, but cracks again.
"See, I'm funny."
"No, you're a menace. I just happen to be in a good mood and find it entertaining at the moment. When I'm pregnant, I doubt I find it that funny."
His eyes widen dramatically. "Pregozilla!" He lets out a roar and holds his hands out like fake claws.
She giggles and pushes him sideways. "Shut up and drink your water so you can go home and leave me alone."
"You're not going to share your bed tonight?" He gives her a pout.
"No." Her tone is flat.
"Fine. I didn't want to sleep with you anyway."
"Good. Hurry up."
He shakes his head. "You aren't getting rid of me that easy. I want to talk about earlier."
She's confused. "What about earlier?"
"When I picked you up. Something was bothering you. You said we'd talk about it later."
Anastasia picks up her tea and blows on it, cooling it. "Right."
"So?"
She worries her lip. "I'm worried that all of this energy and excitement is going to be wasted."
He's dumbfounded. "What do you mean?"
"What if I'm unable to carry a child? What if we do the IVF and it just doesn't work?"
His shoulders fall. "Oh, Ana...you can't think that way." He pulls her into his lap and she straddles his legs, looking down at him. She wants the closeness with him and is enjoying the familiar warmth and smell of her best friend; it's comforting. It helps ease her worries almost immediately. "Nothing is set in stone, but we have a good chance. Being pessimistic will only make things worse. If you're optimistic, your body will be, too. Think happy, healthy thoughts." He tucks a tendril of hair behind her ear.
"But what if it doesn't happen?"
"Then we'll come to it when we get there. We'll get through it together." He hates how much this is tearing Anastasia up. He just wants her to be happy and content with where her life is at the moment. He doesn't want her to have to live with the emotional and physical pain that comes with this prognosis.
"I don't want to let anyone down. Especially you." Anastasia looks down at his t-shirt and pouts a little.
"Love...you could never do that." Christian lifts her chin, forcing her to make eye contact. "Don't worry about me, alright? As long as you're in my life, I'm happy and content. Do you understand that?"
She nods. "Yes."
He gives her an encouraging smile. "Good girl. Now, promise me that you'll do your best not to think about the worst that could happen."
Anastasia gives a subtle nod.
"Anastasia Rose. Say it. Promise me." His voice is gentle, but stern. He hates when she gets stuck in her own head.
"Yes, I promise."
"Give me a kiss and then I'll tuck you in and head home."
She giggles. "I'm not a child."
He smiles, happy to hear her giggle. "The way you were pouting, I thought you might be."
"Oh, you hush." She leans down and pecks his lips. "It's sealed. Now go home. I'm tired."
If you'd like a teaser for Chapter 9, let me know. Also, I've already mentioned this at the beginning of Chapter 2, but I'm still getting many PM's about this, so I thought I'd say it again. She will not have a miscarriage and it will be HEA.