A/N: I know this chapter took a bit to get out, but I've been neglecting my other fic, so I had to work on that one first. This chapter is over double my normal post, so I'm hoping the extra long chapter will make up for it.
Also, I'm editing this while I'm exhausted, so after I post it and go to bed, I might have to go back in and re-edit it later. If you get another email over this chapter, that is why.
The past six weeks has been chaotic, to say the least. Anastasia has been battling morning sickness (which has ended up to be any-time-of-the-day sickness) while working full time, dealing with the women on both sides calling and texting at all hours of the day over everything baby, dealing with Christian's overprotectiveness, and trying to find time to center herself enough to keep from going out of her mind.
Christian, on the other hand, has been worrying himself silly over this pregnancy. With Anastasia being so tummy sick and his family bothering her so often, he finds himself spending all his free time making sure she's getting the proper nutrition and trying to keep the Grey women off her back. This pregnancy is going to last thirty more weeks. There is no reason why their questions, comments, and ideas about baby gear can't wait until a later date. It's obvious to him that Anastasia is overwhelmed, but she's never been one to admit it.
Stubborn woman.
Today is their ten week appointment and the first time they'll get to see their baby on ultrasound. It seems so surreal that this is happening, even with the time and energy they put into getting her pregnant. They realize that it might continue to feel surreal until their baby is born. This won't keep them from enjoying every second of her pregnancy, though. It's the first pregnancy for both of them...just another experience they get to share as best friends. They have so many firsts together and both of them are looking forward to experiencing more firsts together as parents.
Anastasia lays on the table in her paper gown, black slacks, and a sheet, drumming her fingers on top of her stomach while they wait for the doctor. The movement makes Christian smile, reminding him of the night they told his parents that she was pregnant. They had chosen to announce it with yet another shirt, this time Anastasia wearing it.
It is after dinner on Sunday night when Anastasia decides to slip off her thin sweater, revealing her navy blue t-shirt with the word 'Preggers' written in white lettering on the front. She tries to sit patiently, waiting for the others to notice, but no one pays any attention. She begins to drum her fingers against the wooden table next to her plate, impatient and annoyed. Christian had made it a strict rule that the family not ask either one of them how the IVF process was going, promising that they would be alerted if there was new information to give. His family listened and hasn't asked one question regarding it. Which, up until now they've both appreciated, but tonight, they both wished that they would.
When it becomes obvious that no one is going to pay attention to Anastasia's shirt unless they bring attention to it themselves, Christian reaches over and rubs her stomach affectionately. The movement does its job and everyone's eyes catch his hand before chaos erupts. Everyone is talking over everyone else, his sister is talking a mile a minute, asking question after question, not bothering to wait for an answer to any of them. His brother is making inappropriate comments and his father is congratulating them both.
Through the excited chaos though, Christian's eyes don't leave his mother. Grace remains quiet and composed and he can't help, but wonder what's going through her mind.
"Mom?"
She smiles across the table at him. There's a quiet calm radiating off of her and it causes him to gravitate towards her. Before he realizes, he's standing beside her and she's smiling up at him.
"Come here, lovebug." She pushes her chair back.
The nickname brings tears to his eyes. He can't remember the last time his mother used his childhood nickname. She had started calling him that before he had even been adopted. When she'd come to visit him in the foster home, he would cling to her leg through the whole visit, reminding her of a little lovebug. The name means so much to him.
Her using it now means so much. It means that she's happy...proud even. It reminds him that he'll always be her little boy and that she'll always love him unconditionally. There's nothing that will change that.
Like he used to do when he was a child, he kneels in front of her and rests his arms on her thighs. "What do you think, Mom?"
Grace gives him a sweet, motherly smile. "I think that this is just precious." She cups his cheek and a tear rolls down her own. "I know that you will be the most amazing father. You love so hard and so deep. This child is going to be so loved and cared for. I am so proud of you for stepping up and being a man for Ana and a father for this child. It's going to be so rewarding to watch you with your own baby."
Christian's mother always knows how to hit him in his soft spot. He finds himself getting choked up over her words.
"Mom…" He doesn't even know what to say. Instead, he reaches up and pulls her into a tight hug, breathing in her comforting scent...the scent of safety.
There's a knock on the exam room door, pulling Christian out of his memory. Dr. Greene pops in with her usual bright smile.
"Good morning, Ana...Christian." She greets both of them and has a seat on the doctors chair. "How are you feeling Ana?"
"Nauseated."
"Oh? Have you tried anything with ginger?"
"Christian has brought me ginger ale a few times, but I really don't like the taste. It makes my stomach even more queasy."
"What about ginger biscuits? I've had women swear by them. One woman said that she wouldn't even put a foot on the ground until she ate two every morning and it kept her from getting sick throughout her whole pregnancy."
Christian's ears perk up. "We'll be sure to try those."
Anastasia nods, agreeing. At this point, she'll try anything. The thing she hates the most is throwing up and she's been doing it a lot lately. She just wants to feel better.
"Did you drink your water?"
Anastasia sighs. "Yes, I'm not going to pee on the table when you push on it, am I?"
Dr. Green laughs. "That's only happened once and the women was much farther along than you are. If you get to the point where you feel like you can't hold it, just let me know. It's not worth being miserable over, Ana." After she washes her hands, she announces that she's going to do the physical exam of Anastasia's body first.
"Christian…"
He rolls his eyes. "I'm turning around." A part of him feels like it's ridiculous for him to have to hide in the corner when she's carrying his baby, but considering they didn't create the child naturally, he knows there's no way she'd ever agree to him seeing her in that position.
Dr. Greene lowers her sheet and opens Anastasia's paper gown to look her over. She starts on Anastasia's breasts, palpating around her nipple, and Anastasia hisses.
"They're sore?"
"Burn is more like it."
"That's normal." She continues to the opposite breast. "Have you noticed your areolas growing or getting darker since your pregnancy, Ana?"
"Jesus Christ." Christian hisses under his breath.
Anastasia bites her lip to keep from laughing. "Is there a problem, Mr. Grey? Need to leave the room?"
He crosses his arms and throws his weight on one hip. "Shut up."
Anastasia rolls her eyes. "To answer your question, Dr. Greene, I've noticed them becoming a little darker, but not bigger. My breasts themselves are getting larger though. I had to buy a larger bra the other day. I thought that the milk didn't come in until later?"
"Your breasts are growing because of all the extra hormones running through the system. The milk will come later and your breasts will grow even larger then."
Anastasia groans. "So you're telling me I'm going to be carrying two bowling balls in my bra by the time I give birth."
Dr. Greene laughs. "That's very possible. And you'll continue to after the birth, too."
Christian squeezes his eyes shut and does the best he can not to picture Anastasia's chest growing along with her stomach. When his dick stirs, he immediately reaches down and readjusts himself so that mini-Christian doesn't make himself known.
Dr. Greene covers Anastasia's chest up with the sheet and folds it so that she can get to her stomach.
"Go ahead and unbutton your slacks and shimmy them down a little. The baby is still sitting really low."
Anastasia does as she says and then tells Christian that it's alright to turn around now. When he turns, he's shocked at what he sees. Anastasia's slim form is sporting a little bump below her navel.
"How is that possible?" She's only ten weeks along. He reaches out and runs his hand over the bump, feeling the curve for himself. It's really there.
"You're making me self-conscious, Grey." Anastasia warns, suddenly feeling fat. It's the first time she's really paid attention to herself and she can see a pooch. She knew that her bottoms were getting tighter, but she didn't think much of it… until now.
Dr. Greene laughs. "No reason to be self-conscious, Ana. It's the baby. Since you're so naturally thin, the baby is showing faster than it would with other women. You could stand to gain a few more pounds if I'm being honest."
Christian's jaw clenches at the doctor's words and Anastasia winces. Now that Christian has heard this, he'll be trying to shove even more food down her throat.
"I told you that you weren't eating enough." Christian is angry. This is something he's feared since Anastasia decided to do IVF. She promised that she'd eat enough and stay healthy and so far, she's doing a piss poor job of it.
"Can it, Christian. This isn't the place." Anastasia gives him a warning scowl.
Sensing the sudden tension in the room, Dr. Greene steps over to turn off the light. "Let's have a look at the baby, shall we?"
They both remain tight lipped, their sudden anger with each other simmering just below the surface. Causing a scene is something that neither one of them want to do, especially in front of the doctor that they'll be seeing a lot of in the coming months. Both know they need to act like adults even if they don't want to...at least for awhile.
When the baby is pulled up on the screen, all anger is temporarily forgotten. This time, it's obvious what they're looking at. The baby looks like a little jelly bean with tiny little arms and legs sprouting out of it. Even though it's obvious what they're looking at, Dr. Greene still points to the screen.
"The baby's vital organs are all developed already and even starting to function. You can't see it, but the baby is starting to grow fingernails and hair and is kicking up a storm already. Look...see? See the baby move?"
Christian lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He's staring at their child. A child that is currently moving inside of Anastasia's stomach. One that's growing so fast and will be here soon. An avalanche of emotion comes barreling down on Christian and tears spring to his eyes. He has to swallow back the ones that threaten to fall.
"Christian...do you see?" Anastasia's eyes are also filled with tears.
Christian takes her hand and brings it to his lips. "Yes, baby. I see. That's ours."
She smiles up at him and turns back to the screen. "All ours."
XxXxXx
Anastasia and Christian leave the doctor's office hand-in-hand, wearing matching smiles. They're both on cloud nine after seeing their baby for the first time.
"Ready to get some brunch?" Christian asks, hopeful.
Anastasia nods, giving him a large smile. "That sounds wonderful." Suddenly, her appetite has tripled. Seeing the baby move makes it so much more real. The baby needs nourishment to grow and thrive and Anastasia's determined to give the baby everything he or she needs.
Christian's relieved. He was worried it might cause tension between them if she said no. "Where would you like to go?"
"Denny's."
"Denny's?" He's surprised.
"Yes, I want to get the Grand Slam."
Christian opens the passenger's side door of his R8 and lets her slide in, feeling victorious. His baby is doing well, Anastasia is doing well, and her appetite is suddenly off the charts. If she's willing to eat like this all the time, they won't have a problem getting her to gain a few pounds.
XxXxXx
"Ana, I'm heading to Elena's to get my hair done. Are you coming?"
Mia and Anastasia have spent the morning getting waxed, plucked, and primped for the Coping Together event that is later in the evening. Anastasia is now hairless below the neck, her nails are done to perfection, and she has just finished a two hundred dollar one-hour massage that was worth every penny. Even though she's always felt that Elena is an odd bird (creepy really), the girls have gone to get their hair done every year at Esclava for the last decade, so it's tradition. Going to the salon the day of the gala is a social event itself. The salon is full of women getting ready for the event and it's one of Elena's busiest days of the year.
"Yes, I'm coming. I just need to pay first." The Grey's have an account at the spa and although they are constantly reminding Anastasia that she can add it to their account, she always refuses. She makes good money and there is no reason for her to take advantage of such a beautiful, giving family. It makes Christian furious, but she tells him to suck it up. If she didn't love the spa so much, she would have tried to find one not connected to the Greys, but it's such a lovely place, she'd feel like she was cheating on the spa if she tried to go somewhere new.
They climb into Mia's Caribbean Aqua colored Mini Convertible and head towards Esclava, which is about a ten minute drive from the spa.
"I think I'm going to go bold this year."
Anastasia cocks an eyebrow at her friend. "Bold?"
"How do you think I'd look as a blonde?" Mia asks, giving her a smile.
"Blonde, huh?" Anastasia laughs. That'll definitely blow her family away. "Does your family know you're doing this?"
Giggling, Mia shakes her head. "Nope."
Oh, Anastasia is going to enjoy this. "I think blonde is fantastic, Mia."
"You should do something bold, too, Ana."
Anastasia snorts. "I am not going blonde."
"No, definitely not. You should chop your hair off...or maybe get extensions."
There was no way Anastasia would chop her hair off shorter than it already is, but extensions… that's an interesting concept.
"Extensions, huh?"
Mia grins like a Cheshire cat, knowing that she's pulled Anastasia in. Mia knows that Christian loves long hair and she's sure that he will go crazy over Anastasia when he sees her.
When they make it to the salon, they have a hard time finding a parking spot. Thanks to Mia's choice in car, they're lucky enough to find a small spot close to the salon that most vehicles can't squeeze into.
"Good ol' Benny. He never lets me down." Mia pats her Mini affectionately when they climb out.
"I'll never understand why you feel the need to name your cars."
"Well, you're going to name your baby, aren't you?"
"It's not the same thing, Mia."
"It absolutely is. Benny is my baby." Mia pats her car one last time before Anastasia hooks an arm into Mia's and pulls her toward the front door of Esclava.
"Say goodbye to your baby, Mia."
Mia cranes her neck to look back at her car and waves.
When they enter through the door, they're immediately greeted by Elena.
"Hello, girls. I was wondering if you'd be coming." Elena's mouth curls up into a tight lip smile. It reminds Anastasia of The Grinch.
"Sorry, Elena. The spa took a little longer than we expected." Mia leans forward to greet Elena and presses a kiss to her cheek. The girls have a standing reservation every year for 11:00 am, but it's forty-minutes past.
"Anastasia...how are you doing?" Elena's eyes flick down to her stomach and back up to meet Anastasia's gaze.
"I'm doing great, thank you, Elena. And you?"
"Wonderful, darling."
Elena sticks her cheek out for Anastasia to kiss and Anastasia makes quick work of it. She's never understood why she's always been forced to kiss the woman. Mia and the boys have grown up with Elena, but Anastasia didn't come around until she was fifteen. She isn't part of the family and the relationship between the two women has always been forced. Anastasia feels that Elena's personality is insincere and her motives for being close to the Greys, questionable. Anastasia knows that Elena dislikes her, but she isn't sure why. Maybe it is because Anastasia was an outsider that's pushed her way into their lives and sees what Elena truly is...maybe it's for some other reason that hasn't come to light, yet. Either way, the women are like sandpaper rubbing together.
"So, what are you ladies thinking for today?"
Mia smiles, excited. "I think I'm going to go blonde."
Elena lets out a surprised laugh. "Blonde, huh?"
Mia nods, grinning. "They say blondes have more fun. I want to test this hypothesis."
"Alright, then. Blonde." Elena shakes her head at the crazy college girl. "What about you, Anastasia?"
"I thinking about extensions." Anastasia pulls on a lock of hair, which sits right above her shoulder.
Elena's smile fades, but she quickly plasters another one on. "Extensions, huh? Any certain reason?"
Anastasia shrugs. "It was Mia's idea. I think it'd be fun."
Elena licks her lips. "Okay, then. Let me see who's available to get you girls done."
XxXxXx
"How has your pregnancy been going, Anastasia?" Elena has a seat on a stool next to Anastasia's chair.
Anastasia looks up from her magazine that she's reading while Jordan works on her hair. Why is Elena bugging her? There are plenty of women to talk to.
"You're pregnant?" Mrs. Morgan, the wife of Carrick's business partner, sits getting her hair curled across from Anastasia. The news actually gets the attention of the few ladies surrounding her.
Mia smiles in her chair next to Anastasia. "Yes! She's carrying my niece or nephew! I'm going to be an aunt soon!"
"Thank you, Mia." Anastasia has to keep herself from rolling her eyes. "Yes, Mrs. Morgan. Christian and I are expecting a child in March."
Mrs. Morgan gives Anastasia a large smile. "Well, that's just wonderful! I'm sure that Carrick and Grace are just tickled pink over the news. Their first grandbaby."
Anastasia returns her smile. "Yes, they're pretty excited. The whole family is buzzing, really."
"How are you feeling?"
"I've been feeling pretty woozy, but Christian has been such a help when I'm feeling nauseous."
Mia giggles. "He spoils her rotten. Fusses over her every second of the day. It's adorable."
Mrs. Morgan laughs. "That's just darling. You two make a lovely couple."
"Oh, um-"
"Don't they? They're just the cutest!" Mia cuts Anastasia off before she can say anything.
Anastasia can feel her cheeks light up. She hates being the center of attention and Mia is making it worse. It's probably best that she doesn't explain the complicated situation that they're in. It won't look good on their part if she tries to explain that they aren't romantically involved, but are having a child together and are going to the gala as a couple. Anastasia has always felt a little uncomfortable in the Grey's social settings and if she tried to explain their situation to their friends, it would make it even more obvious that she is out of her element. Classless even.
"A pregnancy out of wedlock?" Mrs. Bennett, Bellevue Lutheran's choir teacher and church secretary, pipes in. She's known as the Canary by many of Bellevue's finest because not only does she squawk at the podium at church, but she squawks to anyone around town that will listen, condemning others over the sins they've committed. Ironically, Mrs. Bennett's husband was just found with a high price escort at the Holiday Inn just two blocks over from the church where she spends most of her time, but that doesn't stop her from judging every other member of the congregation. The town suspects that she's known of his transgressions for awhile now and the damning of the others is just her way of trivializing his sins and keeping her mind off the real issue at hand.
"You just hush, you old coot!" Mrs. Morgan waves a hand dismissively at Mrs. Bennett. "Don't you listen to her Anastasia. It's the twenty-first century. A woman in her twenties making a good living should be able to bare a child if she wants."
"Yes, things sure have changed." Mrs. Bennett comments. "If I would have ended up pregnant and without a husband, my daddy would have beat it out of me! My age would make no difference."
"Maybe he should have done that anyway." Mrs. Morgan comments.
"Pardon me?" If looks could kill, Mrs. Morgan would be dead by now. Luckily for Mrs. Bennett, they don't or she might be sent straight to hell for it. With the look on her face, she might still be. Who knows what words are going through that woman's mind.
"Don't you have a choir to preach to or something?" Mrs. Morgan barks back.
"Ladies, ladies!" Elena tries to calm the women down. They're attracting the attention of everyone in the salon. "Why don't we just all settle down. Let's change the subject. Mia? Do you have any inside secrets on tonight's event?"
Mia sits up straight, blinking. She hadn't realized that she was starting to cower away from the two women across from her. "Well, my parents are good at keeping everything hush hush, but there's a rumor that the first dance bidding will be different tonight."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I heard Dad telling Elliot that he better be on his best behavior because the women are going to be the ones bidding tonight."
There's a collective gasp among the women in the salon.
"You mean we're going to be bidding on the single men?" Ms. May, a seventy-year old widow who lost her husband ten months ago, fans herself. "I'm gonna find me a piece of fresh meat tonight!"
The ladies laugh.
"Anastasia, you better keep that boy on a tight leash tonight!" Mrs. Morgan winks at Anastasia.
She laughs. "I better. If Ms. May is coming after him, I'm going to have some stiff competition!"
"It's true, Anastasia, we women are like a fine wine...we just get better with age. I'll try to mind myself around your man tonight. What kind of woman would I be if I stole a man away from his pregnant girl?"
Anastasia gives a belly laugh. "I appreciate that, Ms. May. Thank you." Her cheeks actually hurt from smiling so hard. There's nothing like salon gossip to raise a woman's mood.
Mrs. Bennett huffs. "Well, I think it's just tasteless. Selling them off like cattle!"
"Oh, you hush. It's for a good cause!" Mrs. Morgan rolls her eyes. "If you don't like it, then don't come."
"Well, I'm not going to be rude now, Evie! Grace personally handed me an invitation and it'd be poor taste if I didn't come after all that effort!"
"Plus, if she didn't go, she wouldn't have anything to gossip about to her neighbors next week!" Ms. May adds, grinning.
"Oh, you two are horrible! If I wasn't halfway through my cut, I'd be storming out right now!"
"Not until after you paid your tab, Marion." Elena reminds Mrs. Bennett.
Anastasia and Mia remain silent, but can't stifle the large smiles on their faces while the woman bicker back and forth.
The women continue to cluck like hens while Mia's stylist blowdries her hair, so Elena slides closer to Anastasia to have a private conversation.
"Anastasia, are you and Christian planning on moving in together?"
Anastasia is surprised by Elena's boldness. Her question has come out of nowhere. It's none of her god-damned business. Anastasia knows she has to play nicely since she's a friend of Grace.
"Um, we haven't really talked about it. Usually, one of us just stays over if it gets late."
"Christian sounds really devoted to this...but, really, he's always been devoted to you, hasn't he? Even when it isn't in his best interest."
Anastasia's jaw actually drops. "What does that mean?"
Elena shrugs. "It just seems that he's always been so busy taking care of you that he hasn't had time to concentrate on himself or his relationships with others."
"You know nothing about our relationship, Elena. You know nothing about Christian. I don't appreciate you speaking about him like that."
"I just call it like I see it, Anastasia. When Grace worries, I worry."
Grace? What did Grace have to do with this?
"You are not insinuating that Grace…" her sentence drops. She can't even say it.
"I'm not insinuating anything, Anastasia. She said it."
Anastasia is hurt that Grace could feel that way about their relationship. She always thought Grace supported their friendship. She knows that Elena is trying to catch her off guard and get a rise out of her and Anastasia isn't about to let that happen.
"You can say what you want, Elena, but you don't know anything about us. I want you to keep Christian's name off your lips and keep your mouth shut about things you know nothing about. If Grace has a problem with me, she'll tell me herself. She's a grown woman." As Anastasia's voice gets louder the blowdryer cuts out, catching the attention of Mia next to her.
"Ana?" Mia's confused. "What's happening?"
Anastasia shakes her head. "Nothing for you to worry about, Mia." Mia's hair is now dyed and blowdried, but still needs styled. "The blonde looks good on you."
"Really? You like it?" Mia reaches up and touches her hair.
"I really do." It suits Mia. She's surprised by how much it really does.
XxXxXx
Christian heads to Anastasia's apartment to pick her up with Taylor. Tonight, he's gone overboard on security, knowing that the news of Anastasia's pregnancy will spread the longer they're there. Tonight, he'll introduce Anastasia to her two full time CPO's that will trade off during the day. Christian has also hired more security for her apartment building along with added security equipment on each hallway, every door, and all elevators. Fort Knox security.
He's wearing a black tux with a crisp white shirt, black bow-tie, and platinum cuff links that Anastasia bought him for Christmas and as he walks through the lobby of her apartment complex, several people stop and stare. Just a pretty face, assholes. Keep walking.
He slips his key into her door and the smell of her body spray hits him as soon as it opens. The mixture is of fresh apples and sweet vanilla. It reminds him of his mother's homemade apple pie and french vanilla ice cream. It's a scent that Anastasia has always worn and one that Christian has always adored. The aroma makes his mouth water.
"Ana?" He calls out, shutting the entry door behind him.
"In the bedroom!"
He knocks on the cracked bedroom door, causing it to open even more. He gets a peek at long dark hair and burgundy lace, making him push the door open even more.
Anastasia turns when she hears him and he stands in the doorway speechless.
"A-A-Ana…" His voice is rough and strangled and he can barely get her name out. His throat is suddenly dry as the desert, but the woman standing in front of him is like a tall, cold glass of water.
"Christian? Are you okay?" Anastasia is worried. He looks pale.
He clears his throat and wets his dry lips with his tongue. "Yes. You look...wow."
Anastasia smiles. "So I look okay? Does my stomach stick out too much? I bought the dress before I was pregnant, not expecting to grow. It's a bit tight, but I was scared to wear a long line bra." She's worried that putting all the pressure on her stomach might hurt the baby.
"You look beautiful, Ana." He reaches out and runs his hand over her stomach. The slight bulge along her stomach is obvious since the dress is tight, but a wave of pride runs through him seeing that bump. He wants to show it off to everyone. If he could glue his hand to her stomach, he would.
Christian takes in her face. "Your hair…"
She smiles and runs her hand over her new length. "Extensions. Mia's idea."
"I'll have to thank Mia, then." He takes her hand and spins her so he can see the rest of her dark burgundy lace dress. It fits to her body and has a soft fishtail bottom with just a hint of a train. The back scoops down low, showing off her flawless alabaster skin. Her feet are in a pair of silver slingback peeptoe heels with Swarovski crystals. Her new extensions are flowing halfway down her back in loose curls. There is a lock of hair from each side of her face, pulled back giving her face a fresh, clean look. Her makeup is light, her lips glossy and Christian is glad that she didn't match her lips to her dress. She's naturally beautiful and there's no need for her to cake on so much makeup. Fuck, he can't stop staring.
"Christian?" Anastasia cocks her head to the side. "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
He blinks a few times. "Yes, I feel fine."
A smile forms on her face. "Are you ogling me, Mr. Grey?"
His cheekbones tinge just slightly and it delights Anastasia. Very rarely can she make her cocky best friend clam up like this.
"Ah, so you are ogling me! I must look good." She pretends to dust off her shoulders, making him laugh.
"You look perfect. I love your long hair." Anastasia cut her hair off after high school graduation and hasn't grown it long since. He misses it. "I wish you'd grow it back."
She shrugs. "Who knows. Maybe I will." If it makes Christian react like this, she just might. Looking him over, she sees that he's the epitome of perfection, as usual. "Well, aren't you the Adonis tonight."
Christian gives Anastasia a boyish grin. "Yea? You think so?" He reaches up to straighten his bow-tie.
"Stow your ego, Grey, and take me to the ball."
Christian and Anastasia have never actually gone to the Coping Together event together, before. There was a couple years in high school where neither one of them had dates, but each refused to ask the other to be their date. High school is such an awkward time for most teenagers and neither wanted the other to read into it too much. By the time they became comfortable enough with each other to ask, they both started finding dates. There had been one year that Anastasia went by herself, but Christian ended up spending more time on the dance floor with her than his date, causing his date to go stomping off in the middle of the gala. That year had been the closest they came to going together.
In the SUV, Christian hands her the masquerade mask that he ordered. She hadn't told him what she was wearing, so he was relieved to see that the black he picked matched her dress quite nicely. He also got himself a similar black mask, the website stating that it was a pair for couples. Well, they were a couple alright. A couple of what, he wasn't sure, but a couple tonight nevertheless.
"It's beautiful, Christian. Thank you." The black mask is delicate with a few crystals dispersed throughout.
"May I?" He asks, holding his hand out for the mask.
"Yes, please." She hands him the mask and turns away from him so that he can tie it for her. He's extra careful not to pull on any of her long locks and takes an extra long time tying it so he can take in her soft curls and bare back.
"The only thing that would make this better is if these were yours." He pulls lightly on one of her soft curls and lets it curl around his finger.
Anastasia giggles. "They are mine, I paid for them." She turns and relaxes back in her seat.
"You know what I mean, smartass."
She gasps dramatically and places her hand on her stomach. "Did you just call the mother of your unborn child a smartass?"
Christian rolls his eyes, but can't keep the grin off his face. "I am. And once our baby is born, they'll realize that you are indeed a smartass."
XxXxXx
The line of cars waiting to drop off guests is a long one and it takes almost twenty minutes before they're close enough to the doors to climb out. The SUV behind them houses four more CPOs of Christian's and two climb out of the second SUV to walk behind them. Christian got a CPO for both of them, two to man the front and back exit, and Taylor to supervise and help wherever needed.
There is a part of Anastasia that feels that he might be going a little overboard considering that this is his parent's event, but she knows not to say a word. She knows how Christian feels about safety and she knows that there is more than a couple people that have sent him threats, simply either because he's rich or because they didn't like the way he took over their company. She'll never forget the day she found the death threat sitting on his desk at Escala. It had been in red ink, written in all capital letters, and went into detail in how this person was going to torture and kill Christian. She had nightmares for months following. There are very few things she has kept from Christian, and finding the letter is one of these things. She knows how upset he'd be if he found out she read it. He'd blame himself for leaving it out in plain sight.
Christian, on the other hand, wonders if he has enough security. Taylor has assured him that five security is plenty and that anymore would draw unwanted attention from the guests, making them wonder if the Greys were expecting something to go wrong. With Anastasia pregnant and the news of her pregnancy quickly spreading, he worries that someone will try to take her or threaten her to get something out of him. He could never forgive himself if something happens to her because of him. He also knows that if someone was wanting to hurt him or her, that they might find his parents gala to be the best opportunity, thinking that he might have let his guard down since it's his own parent's backyard. They're wrong. He will never let his guard down. Especially now that they have a little one to keep safe.
Anastasia slips her hand into his elbow as they climb out and are immediately hounded by cameramen, all wanting a picture of the billionaire and poster child for the charity. Why Grace allows photographers from Seattle magazines to snap pictures at the private event, he'll never understand.
Christian's arm automatically finds its way around Anastasia and his opposite hand rests protectively over her stomach. The four magazine photographers try to bark questions at them, but Christian just gives them a nod. Anastasia keeps her mouth shut, even though a couple ask her questions about her pregnancy. If Christian wants them answered, he'll do it himself. Privacy is important to Christian and Anastasia knows that privacy and safety go hand-in-hand. The more the public knows about the pregnancy, the more likely someone can use it against them.
XxXxXx
Dinner is delicious and, although Grace has been nothing but lovely and welcoming to Anastasia, Anastasia can't shake what Elena said earlier. She hates that she has let Elena get to her, but she can't help but be hurt by it. She has always seen Grace as a second mother and what Grace thinks affects her. She would never want Grace to think ill of her or feel that Christian is wasting his time and energy on her. Anastasia knows she's being quiet during dinner, but she can't help it.
"Attention! Attention, please!" Carrick is standing at the front podium while the servers begin to clear the plates. "I want to thank all of you for coming to our annual Coping Together Charity Gala. Each one of you know how near and dear this charity is to our hearts, so tonight I beg you to open your hearts and your pocket books for this fantastic charity that I just so happen to have co-founded. Now that you all have full, happy stomachs, we're going to kick the night off with our traditional first dance bid."
A few women stand, but Carrick puts his hands up to stop them. "Not so fast ladies, although the bidding for the first dance might be traditional, this year, we're going to be mixing it up a bit. Tonight, you ladies will be bidding on the men."
Women because to scream and clap, whistle and catcall.
Carrick laughs. "I knew that it'd be a big hit. Alright, gentleman. If you aren't married, get up here!"
Anastasia claps and whistles along with the rest of the girls and pushes Christian. "Go on!"
"What?" Christian looks taken aback.
"Go on, Christian! It's about time you use that body to do some good in the world." Anastasia tries to pull him out of his chair and he smacks her hands away playful.
"Alright, keep your panties on woman!" He stands and fixes his jacket. "After this fuss, you better bid on me."
"We'll see."
He looks over his shoulder to scowl at her on his way up and she gives him a wink.
"Do we have all men on stage?" Carrick asks into the microphone. "Alright, ladies, it's time to dig deep in those designer handbags of yours! Remember that we do take credit, check, and cash. Make sure to stop and pay for your dance partner before you leave tonight. The booth is on the back right side of the tent." He points in the direction of the collector, and the woman stands to wave. "Alrighty, who's ready?"
The ladies make a mad dash to the front, making most of the men and married women chuckle.
"Now, now ladies… don't forget your manners… play nicely. No elbowing or eye-gouging allowed."
Anastasia remains in her place at the table, along with Kate who is sitting a few seats away. Christian eyes Anastasia and she gives him a smile. She's interested to see who bets on Christian and wonders if she should really bet herself. She'd love to see him stuck with his Aunt Marjorie or Mia's friend, Emily, who's beyond obsessed with anything Christian.
The men begin to be sold to the highest bidder and the switch up seems to be working in the charities favor. The men are going for almost double than the women usually go for. These women are dying for the chance to dance with their pick. Watching the girls try to outbid each other and fight over these men entertains Anastasia probably more than it should.
When Elliot makes his way to the front, Kate sits up a little straighter and he gives her a wink.
"This handsome man's name is Elliot and he just happens to be my son. He owns his own construction business and-"
"FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS!" A girl from the crowd screams, cutting Carrick off. Evidently, the girl didn't care what he had to say about his son.
Carrick laughs. "Five thousand is the starting bid…"
"Six!"
"Seven!"
Women begin to yell numbers back and forth, but Kate sits there calmly. She knows there's no reason to even begin to bid until the bidding slows down.
"Fifteen...I have fifteen as the highest bid. Anyone else going to bid for this gorgeous young man?" The woman who bids last looks around, bouncing on the balls of her feet, hoping that no one else will bid. Kate sees that it's Joanna, her arch nemesis. Kate's eyes narrow.
"Twenty." Kate states raising her hand.
Turning around, Joanna finds Kate in the crowd and throws a dirty look. "Twenty-two!"
Kate laughs. "Twenty-five! You aren't going to win, sweetheart."
Elliot stands on stage, smiling and dusting off his jacket. He's loving the attention.
"Twenty-eight."
"Thirty."
Joanna looks at Kate and chews her lip. Kate knows she wants him, but also knows that Joanna doesn't have Kavanagh money. Kate will squeeze whatever she needs out of her father to keep her man out of the arms of the brunette bitch.
"Thirty! Do I hear thirty-one?" Carrick looks at Joanna, but she shakes her head. "Thirty-thousand dollars going once! Going twice! Sold to the lovely Katherine Kavanagh for a cool thirty K. Sorry, Eamon." Carrick states, laughing. Mr. Kavanagh is sitting with his head hidden in his arms, which are crossed on the table. "At least it's for a good cause! Ms. Kavanagh, come claim your prize!"
Kate jumps out of her seat and as she walks past Joanna, she knocks her shoulder into hers, making Joanna lose her balance. Kate doesn't bother to look back to see if Joanna catches herself. She's too busy staking her claim.
Elliot jumps off the stage and throws his arm over his girl. "That was hot."
Kate rolls her eyes. "Whatever, El. You're mine. Some women would do well to remember that."
Christian is the last of the bunch. There are still a dozen woman waiting at the stage to hear his name be called and Christian looks over at Anastasia and sends out an S.O.S. in his facial expression.
"Are you ladies ready for this last one?" Carrick asks, grinning down at the girls surrounding the podium. "Does he really need an introduction? I mean, he's only the most powerful CEO in Seattle… the youngest self-made billionaire to ever live… Forbes' number one sexiest billionaire who, if I do say so myself, takes after his father in so many ways…"
Christian's chin drops to his chest and he shakes his head. His father is a nutcase.
"Just get on with it!" Emily screams from the crowd.
"Alright, alright. Keep your hair on. Where should I start the bidding?"
Grace stands at the mouth of the tent, watching her son's bidding and finds it entertaining that Anastasia is still in her seat, unaffected by the women that are bidding. Christian, on the other hand, looks like a deer in the headlights. His eyes haven't left Anastasia and he's begging her with his eyes to bid.
"Excuse me, Grace." Elena's husband, Linc, states, sliding past her to head outside for a cigarette.
"Hello, Linc, enjoying yourself?"
Seeing the look on his face makes Grace laugh. She knows that these situations are not his favorite, but he comes anyway, to support his friends and his wife.
"After I take a few drags, I'll be better." He gives her a wink and heads out of the tent.
When her attention goes back to the bidding, it's up to fifty-grand and most of Mia's friends have dropped out. It's down to Emily, who she knows has such a devastatingly harsh crush on Christian, and Ms. May, who lost her husband last year. Ms. May looks determined to outbid Emily, but Emily isn't backing down.
"Seventy-five thousand!" A voice in the crowd yells, surprising everyone. It's a voice she knows well. Elena.
Why was Elena bidding? She's a married woman! Her eyes search for her friend in the crowd and she sees her standing there, her eyes nervously flicking back to the mouth of the tent. She's watching for Linc. It makes Grace's blood boil.
Ms. May counters eighty, and Elena comes back with ninety.
There is no way that woman is going to win her son. If she has to bid herself, then she will. She looks over at their table and sees Anastasia's eyes narrowed at Elena. Grace relaxes. She isn't going to have to bid. Anastasia won't allow Elena the advantage of the first dance.
"Ninety- thousand. Ms. May, what do you say?" Carrick asks the woman down in front. She shakes her head. She's backing out.
Elena looks smug. No one likes it.
"Anyone else? Okay...ninety going once-"
"One-hundred!" Anastasia jumps out of her chair and the relief on Christian's face is evident.
Elena's jaw sets and she gives Anastasia a look that could kill.
"One hundred and ten."
Grace stands there, shocked. Why does Elena want Christian so badly? Thinking about it, Elena has always had a sweet spot for Christian and it isn't until now that Grace realizes it might be more than a maternal fondness over him. Her stomach rolls and sours. She remembers how upset Elena was about Christian turning down her offer to help with her landscaping when he was fifteen.
"Have you thought of my offer, Christian?"
"I appreciate the offer to make money, ma'am, but I think I want to spend the summer with Ana."
Elena's lips press into a thin line. "I want you to reconsider my offer, Christian. Wasting your energy on a young girl is a mistake. You'll soon realize that."
"Elena." Grace stops her. She knows how Christian feels about Anastasia.
"I just don't want him to screw his life up over some girl."
"Elena, stop. Christian, why don't you go upstairs and study for your finals, darling?" Grace tries to keep her son from getting worked up, but she can tell by the look on his face that it's too late.
"She's not just some girl, Mrs. Lincoln! She's my best friend. If you need someone to do your landscaping, why don't you ask Elliot? Leave me alone." Christian's hands are clamped into fists at his side and Grace is proud of how much control Christian is keeping. A year ago, he would have went flying off the handle over something like this.
"Christian, go to your room." Grace reaches up and pushes his hair out of his face. The motion immediately calms him. His whole body relaxes.
"Yes, Mom."
The woman watch him disappear up the stairs and Grace turns to Elena.
"What are you thinking? You know how hard it is for Christian to stow his anger."
"That lack of control is exactly why I want to help him! Physical labor will do well for the boy! He'll work out some aggression in a healthy way and exhaust himself enough to be able to sleep at night. Possibly so much that he'll stop having those terrible nightmares."
Although Grace appreciates Elena's worry for her son, she can't help, but feel that Elena's overstepping a boundary by trying to tell her what's best for her son. "Christian is fifteen. I'm not going to force my son into something he doesn't want to do. He's a child. If he wants to enjoy a summer with his best friend, then I'm not going to take that away from him."
"He needs help!"
"Elena...watch it. He's getting help. He's doing better." The therapy must be working more than she thought. He's learning to control his anger and she's relieved, considering she expected it to become worse after puberty.
"That girl isn't good for him."
"You don't get a say in that. She's his best friend and it's good for him to have someone he can trust outside of the family. Someone his age he can go to, to vent."
"Grace...listen to me. I know that this will help him."
"No, Elena. You listen to me. He is my son and I will not force my son to do this. You do not have a child of your own. You have no idea what will help him. If I force him into this, this arrangement could set him back. It's not going to happen."
Elena hadn't spoken to Grace for two weeks after that and Grace had always thought that it was because Elena was offended by her comment on her not having a child. Only now, does it click that she might have wanted him for other reasons.
As Anastasia stands at the table fighting Elena for Christian, a wave of protectiveness and possessiveness runs through her. She doesn't know if it's hormones or the fact that it's Elena fighting for him, but she knows there's no fucking way Elena is going to win. He is hers.
As Elena counters back at one-twenty, Anastasia finds herself countering back a ridiculous amount. "One-fifty!"
Anastasia turns toward Elena to see if she's going to counter again, but when she does, she sees Linc standing in front of Elena, his arms crossed. Fuck. It's obvious that he wasn't aware of what Elena was doing.
"Were you planning on fucking him, too?"
Linc's voice cuts through the silence in the tent like a knife. There isn't a soul that didn't hear Mr. Lincoln.
"Linc…" Elena reaches out for him, but he shoves her hand away and grabs his suit jacket.
"I'm sick of your shit, Elena. Don't come home." His voice is low and threatening. He gives Elena a warning scowl and then apologizes to Grace as he makes his way out of the tent.
Elena searches the crowd and swallows hard, realizing that everyone has heard their interaction. The embarrassment on her face is evident. Without saying another word, she grabs her handbag and hurries out of the tent, looking like she's about to burst into tears.
After a few seconds of silence, Carrick remembers himself and clears his throat, continuing the bidding. "So, we're at one-fifty. One-fifty going once...going twice...sold to the woman who is carrying my beautiful grandchild!"
His comment changes the air in the room and the guests who didn't know about the pregnancy begin to buzz about and clap.
Anastasia hears a few people try to speak to her as she makes her way forward to collect her prize, but she pretends not to hear them, instead keeping her attention on her best friend.
Christian hops off the stage when she makes her way forward and he pulls her into his arms. "Thank you, Ana."
"Don't thank me. Thank the baby."
He looks down at her and grins. "The baby?"
She nods. "The baby wanted to have the first dance with Daddy."
His heart swells. "Oh, Ana." He squeezes her to him. "Well, I'm glad the first dance is going to be with my baby and my girl."
Without warning, the music for the first dance begins and Christian pulls Ana towards the dance floor. There's no doubt that his parents did it on purpose after the Lincoln incident.
Anastasia's smile widens when she hears the song. "I love Ed Sheeran." The song is 'Kiss Me', one of her favorites.
Christian folds her into his arm and takes her hand. Her other hand finds its way to his shoulder and they begin to dance. "Have a thing for red-heads, huh? Should I dye my hair lighter?"
She rolls her eyes. "Ha ha. I like your hair the way it is, thank you."
His thumb caresses the bare skin on her back. "Thank you for bidding for me."
She laughs. "Oh, that reminds me...you owe one-fifty to the collection woman before we go."
He hisses. "Nice chunk of change for a dance."
Anastasia smiles up at him and then looks down at her stomach. "We're worth it, though, aren't we?"
He releases her hand and wraps his other arm around her, holding her flush against him. "Every cent."
She hugs him around his waist and presses her cheek against chest. "Are you okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"The Elena thing…"
"Oh. I'm fine. It was just a little awkward. The right woman won in the end."
Anastasia sighs. "Yea." She despises that woman. Elena has been trying to get her hooks into Christian since Anastasia can remember. There was something in her eyes earlier at the salon when she looked down at Anastasia's stomach. It's obvious she loathes Anastasia just as much as Anastasia loathes her, but there was something more in the look than that. She's refused to think about it, but with everything that's just happened, it's bugging her. It's almost like she is jealous. Maybe she is. Maybe Elena had always wanted a child and is jealous that Anastasia is going to be a mother. Maybe she's jealous that Anastasia is having Christian's child. The idea instantly makes Anastasia sick to her stomach. It's such an unwelcoming thought. There is no chance that she will ever allow Elena to touch their child. She doesn't care how much it hurts Grace… Grace. Her mind comes back to the comment Elena made about Grace. She knows she needs to sit and talk to Grace. They're both adults. She deserves to know how Grace feels about her.
Anastasia squeezes Christian tighter, thanking God that Elena never got ahold of Christian.
"Are you alright?" Christian's worried about Anastasia. She's suddenly gone quiet.
"I'm fine." She looks up at him and he can see that her eyes are full of unshed tears.
"Ana...what is it?"
Sniffling, she shakes her head and presses her cheek against his chest. "I'm just glad I won." When she squeezes him again, he does the same and holds her tightly against him. He knows that this pregnancy is making her more sensitive and he hopes that it's the reason for her tears. Still, he doesn't want Anastasia to feel like this.
The song dies down and he eases his grip on her. "Why don't we go have a seat?"
She nods. Now that she's on the down-slope of the emotional peak from earlier, she could really use a glass of water and a chair. Her legs are actually shaking a bit from her revelation about Elena Lincoln.
Taking her hand, he escorts her back to the table, where his parents and a few of their friends are now sitting. Seeing that there is only one chair open, he motions for her to sit, but she shakes her head. "You sit first."
Once he sits, he pulls her into his lap and she rests against him.
"Drink this." He hands her a water goblet and she empties it quickly.
Grace smiles. "Thirsty?"
She nods. "This pregnancy has me sucking down water constantly. Unfortunately, it also makes me go running to the restroom every forty-five minutes."
Christian's hand finds her stomach. "It's good to stay hydrated, babe." He presses a kiss to her shoulder and rests his chin on it.
"Christian, will you go get me some more water?" Anastasia cranes her neck to look at him.
"But the waiters-"
"Please? I don't want to wait for the waiters."
"Christian, the bar has bottled water. Be a gentleman and go get your date some water." Grace urges.
Anastasia stands and lets him slide out before having a seat again. "Grace, there's something I wanted to speak to you about."
"Is that why you sent Christian away?"
She gives Grace a guilty smile.
"What is it, Ana? Is everything okay?"
Anastasia wets her lips. "Today, Elena said something that was concerning."
Grace's heart drops. What'd she do now?
"What is it, Ana?"
"She said that you were worried that Christian was wasting his time on me...that he concentrates so hard on me that he doesn't take care of himself and it basically stifles his relationship with others."
"What?" Grace has no idea what Anastasia is talking about. Elena might be a lot of things, but Grace never saw her as a liar...up until tonight though, she realizes she was blind to a lot of things about Elena. "Oh." It occurs to her. "Ana… I did say that… but that was back when you two were freshman. That was a long time ago. I didn't know you, then."
Anastasia's shoulders visibly relax.
Grace reaches out and squeezes her hand. "Oh, sweet girl, I hope you haven't been worrying over this all day. I love you and I love what you've done for Christian. You're good for him. Perfect even." She knows that Anastasia is the reason why Christian got better when he was a teenager. She had given him the drive to be better and the drive to work hard for his education, because it was important to her. There were times where Anastasia refused to let him come over unless he was planning on studying with her. Grace remembers how put off he was at first about studying, but slowly, he began to see how important education was. Without Anastasia, he might not be the CEO he is today. He's thriving. He's a good man. He could have so easily taken a different route for his life.
"I'm so glad I talked to you about this, Grace." Anastasia reaches over and hugs Grace.
"Me, too, Ana."
Anastasia feels silly for believing Elena. She should have never let her get under her skin. She and Grace have a great relationship and she feels terrible for second guessing it.
"Your water." Christian is back and holding the water out for Anastasia.
She smiles up at him as she takes it and places it on the table, unopened. "Thank you, Christian. Let's dance." Standing, she grabs his hand and pulls him toward the dancefloor.
"I thought you wanted water."
"Later."
He shakes his head and lets her pull him to the checkered dance floor.
Women.
A/N: If you'd like a teaser to the next chapter, let me know. BTW, I will always offer a teaser, but sometimes I forget to mention it at the end of the chapter. If I do forget to mention it, you can still ask for one if you'd like one. :)