One year later.

"What are you doing my Teddy bear? Are you making a mess again?"

Ana picked her son out of the high chair and kissed his sweet cheeks. He giggled as she tickled his stomach and she smiled when he snuggled into her arms. Ana hummed before she sat him on her chest, and quickly wrapped him so that he was near her heart before she started to clean up the mess he made while eating his lunch. Gail came into the room and smiled.

"Ana, I can take care of that."

Ana laughed.

"Nonsense! You've done everything else. Plus, I really appreciate when my mother comes, how you always steer her to a couch when she starts crying about my son growing too fast."

Gail chuckled.

"Okay. Well if you need anything I will be in the laundry room."

"Okay."

Ana watched as she walked away and shook her head at the recent changes in her life. After the entire Elena fiasco, Christian and Ana settled back into their typical routines. The only addition being Ana was pregnant, and they went to a lot of doctor visits. Christian and Ana were like any normal couple who had fights, but this time they were able to talk it out and learn to compromise. Since Christian was starting to get better at communication, he spoke to his parents more and let them be a part of his life. He started to hang around Elliott more, which the man loved, and Ana was able to convince Christian to do more activities with his niece and nephew. Once Christian got over his fear of kids, he realized that he was quite natural with them. His niece and nephew loved him and Christian adored him in return.

About six months into Ana's pregnancy Christian surprised Ana with a house in his parent's neighborhood. She was surprised but after taking one look at the grand home that was frozen in time, she loved it. She was frantic however that they wouldn't be finished by the time the baby was born, but Christian demonstrated that there was nothing to worry about. He hired people to remodel the home in four shifts, so it was done in one month rather than three, and he also hired an interior designer so Ana could tell the woman what she wanted for the nursery. It was all so perfect.

Since Christian signed a major toy store deal with Jack Hyde, the toy stores only became more popular than before. Christian and Jack's name was almost spoken in every business meeting. The two were raking in enough cash to put Christian well into billionaire status, and Hyde was almost at the billionaire mark as well.. Jack was thinking of opening several chains and of course, he was excited that Christian took the business deal. They had become friends outside of work because of Leila and Ana.

Speaking of Leila.

Ana was so happy and surprised to find out her dear friend was moving to Seattle.

"Not permanently darling, but Jack's business is doing so well, and since I'm a stay-at-home mom with Gabriel I figured why not? But, I have to go back to the sea. I cannot stay away from it for too long."

Ana giggled.

"You speak about the water as if you made a pact with it."

"I did. When I was a young girl, on the cusp of womanhood."

Ana loved having her close friend living in the same state. Kate of course fell in love with Leila, and when Ana couldn't go out because of Teddy, the two would often go to lunch or hang out. Since designer clothes went over Ana's head most of the time, it was Kate who accompanied the supermodel to fashion week in New York, and sometimes Milan. Ana didn't mind. As long as her best friends got along, all was okay in her world.

Especially now that Elena was arrested.

Ana smirked at that thought.

You see, Elena had messed with the wrong mother's child. She thought no one would find out about her trying to lure a young teenage boy into her sick, twisted lair in Japan. But one did not mess with the Yakuza and get away with it. The boy immediately told his mother, the daughter of one of the top members in the Yakuza gang. Her father, never one for crimes against young children, immediately had Elena's husband killed and dismembered, and made sure to frame her for the crime. Elena of course was nowhere near her husband when it happened, and she didn't know how the men did it, but one morning she was on her way to get coffee, then next thing she knew, she was being charged for the murder of her husband. The last any of them heard was that she was being sent back to the U.S. where she would be placed in a cell for the rest of her life.

Ana was so thrilled with that news, as was Grace and Carrick. But the most important thing, other than Christian, was Teddy. Her son. Christian was right in that she was pregnant with a boy. Theodore Grey was the apple of his parent's eye. Everyone adored him, and most of the time he was quiet and happy. Ana enjoyed seeing Christian playing with Teddy. Their son seemed to make Christian younger, and happier. He was more relaxed, and Ana would even find him talking to Teddy about his business.

"Your dad runs a large company. And he makes sure hundreds of people are happy in their jobs. He also helps with trying to make sure other people have food to eat. Maybe one day you'll want to do the same. Maybe one day you can change the world, Teddy. I believe you can," he whispered into his hair as the baby drifted off in his arms. Ana would tear up but she would leave the two to their privacy. She never wanted Christian to start feeling insecure.

And now here they were.

Today was Teddy's birthday so Ana had been busy planning for the cake, streamers, and all of their family being present. Ana's parents flew in for the day, and Christian's parents just walked down the street. Grace had been with Ana all morning helping and holding Teddy. She never let him go, and Ana could see that Teddy didn't want to leave his grandma's arms.

"Grace, if he's too heavy-"

"Nonsense. He is precious and perfect. Already one year old? I can hardly believe it," she said as she made a face at him. Teddy's eyes were riveted on Grace's face as he jumped a bit in her arms causing her to laugh in delight.

"Me either," Ana said as she walked over and smoothed a hand over his hair.

"He's so perfect. I need him to slow down on growing up."

"That'll never happen," Kate interrupted from the doorway. She was beside Leila who was smiling while holding her son's hand. Gabriel smiled at Ana.

"Hi, Auntie Ana!"

Ana grinned at him before walking over to hug and kiss his cheek.

"Hi, Gabriel. How are you?"

"Good." Kate's son whooped when he saw Gabriel and the two instantly went to play with the blocks and toys Ana purposely left in the center of the living room. She figured the kids could play in plain sight and the adults could talk while watching them. Kate's daughter stayed with her, and Kate kissed her cheek before walking over and setting her on the couch.

"There baby girl. You just stay here and watch your brother and his friend, okay?"

She nodded before she picked up the dolls Kate placed beside her and began to comb their hair. Leila and Kate hugged her.

"This is so perfect, Ana. You really did a wonderful job with the house and the party."

Ana blushed.

"Thank you. Where are Jack and Elliott?" Ana asked. They both snorted.

"They are outside with Carrick. They wanted help to bring in the giant toy house they brought for Teddy. They want to put it in the backyard," Leila said wryly. Ana's eyes widened before she sighed.

"He is one year old. He doesn't even know what it is!"

Grace chuckled.

"I know, honey. Just let them do it. Who knows? Teddy will grow up and he'll love it and bring his little friends to play in it."

Ana shook her head, even as her mother walked in and kissed her cheek.

"Hi sweetie, love what you did with the decorations. Why is Elliott, Jack, and Carrick bringing in some giant toy house?"

Ana groaned before she hugged her mother.

"Beats me. Where is dad?"

"Helping them. He said it looked fun. He also wanted me to remind you-"

"To make sure the grill is prepared? It already is. Christian agreed that dad could man the BBQ this time, but next time, he would be doing it."

Carla laughed.

"I understand. I don't get it. These men and their precious grills."
"Elliott is the same way."

Leila's eyes widened.

"Jack is the same. Is it an American thing?"

Grace laughed.

"Yes. It's also a man thing."

While Christian was talking with Ray at the grill he was holding Teddy. The boy was just as enthralled with the flames cooking the meat, and Christian made sure to keep a tight hold on him so he wouldn't fall.

"That toy house is huge."
Ray chuckled.

By the time the toy house was unboxed, the men spent the afternoon putting it together. It came to their fence and an adult could walk inside. It had a swing, a slide, and even a place to lay down. Jack brought toys to fill it with, and Gabriel along with Kate's kids hadn't left it since it was set up.

"It's the top-selling thing at the toy store, Christian. I figured Teddy should have the product that is making his dad money," he joked. Christian smirked. He could see the logic in that.

"It is huge," Ray said, bringing him back to the present. "But, it shows how much Teddy is loved."

"I guess."

Teddy squealed and jumped in Christian's arms causing the man to laugh before he kissed his cheek. Ray watched their interaction and spoke quietly.

"I'm proud of you, son. You not only made my daughter happy, but you are a good father. Teddy has good parents." Christian found himself getting emotional over Ray's words. Ana's father was a hard man to please. He wasn't impressed with money and shallow things. He was more moved by a person's substance, and what they were at their core. Christian, after all these years, finally passed his test.

"Thank you, sir," he said, keeping his eyes on Teddy.

"Yeah well, I mean it. Now, When are you going to learn that a burger isn't complete without burger seasoning? Do I have to teach you everything?"

Later that evening while everyone was talking and enjoying the weather, laughing at the children, and marveling at the twinkle lights Ana put up, she felt a buzz from her phone. She saw that it was from Christian and she opened it.

Ana,

You are extraordinary. Because today, last year you bought our son into this world. You labored and never gave up, and here he is. One year older, and the happiest, healthiest baby I have ever seen. He is happy because of you. Because you are his mother. And he will have the best of luck because he has a woman in his life who cared about him the moment she learned about him. You are tough but kind. Gentle yet firm. And you love with your whole heart. It's one of many reasons why I love you. I want nothing from you. I just wanted to let you know how much I adore you, and how happy I am that you decided to come back home to me after running away from my mistakes. I'm still a work in progress. But being with you has shown me that I don't have to be perfect. I just have to be myself.

I love you so.

Yours.

Ana excused herself for a moment to head into the kitchen and give herself a breather. Christian had said such beautiful words to her, and she loved everyone. She glanced up when tissue was draped in front of her.

"Christian, only you can make me cry like this," She said before setting down the phone and blowing her nose. She washed her hands and dried them before turning back to him. He caged her in behind the sink and smiled down at her.

"I had no intention of making you cry. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you and love you. I meant every word, Anastasia."

Ana searched his gaze even as she placed a hand on his chest.

"I know you meant every word. And I love you too, Christian. So much."

Christian slid his arms around her waist.

"Still glad you came back from Italy?"
Ana nodded.

"Mmhmm. I'm glad you found me," she said before kissing him softly.

One thing was certain. Anastasia Steele would only ever love Christian Grey.

Wasn't that beautiful! EEEEK! Leave me a review, let me know what you think. Now I gotta start on Reckless as I promised. But not now. Maybe next week.