CPOV
"Taylor this best be a joke. This shit can't be true. Now tell me that you and Welch came up with this as a prank, because that's the only answer I am willing to accept right now."
I see Taylor bow his head and he only does this when he has to tell me shit I do not want to hear. He tells me that the information is correct and I demand that I get more information. I want to know the ins and outs of a cat's ass at this point, and I do not want to wait for it. I know Taylor will pass on a message to Welch as I am in no mood to talk to that fucker right now. I look down at my phone and see a message from my mother.
She expects me to be at dinner tonight, and I think back to her wanting to have a serious conversation with me. Great let's add to my already shitty afternoon. While I am sulking in my office, a light bulb goes off in my head and I realize that Welch can find Ana. I know she works as an editor for SIP which brings me out of the mood I am in. I send an email to Welch and decide to give up on working for the day. I head home for a workout and then family time.
After my workout I take a long shower to try and relieve the stress of my day. I can only think about that woman potentially being the mother of my child. I can't understand how any of this is possible. She has been out of my life for so long now, and I don't want to have to deal with her ever again. I have watched Elliot go through hell for the last three years with the mother of his child. It has not been pretty; my nephew has just recently turned three. Elliot now has joint custody and actually gets to see Matty. Having a front row seat to Elliot's baby mamma drama has made me stress out even more at the thought of a woman having my child.
I push all those thoughts deep down as I am making my way to my parents' house. I have to mentally prepare for the killer I call Grace Grey. I know something I have done or I am about to do is bothering her. She only says we need a serious conversation when shit is bad. I walk up to the front door and it opens before I even know. I am greeted by my parent's housekeeper who looks at me like I am a piece of meat. I have told my parents to get better staff but they never listen.
"Christian Grey meet me in the living room now." It's very serious as Grace always exchanges pleasantries first.
"Yes mother what would you like to talk about?"
"Are you Max's dad Christian?" I see the look of hope and disappointment on her face. I am so confused about her question.
"Mother if I had a child don't you think I would know about it." No Grey you fucking wouldn't know about it dumbass.
"He looks likes like you Christian. I have not been able to get the thought out of my mind. I even showed Ana the picture I have in my purse of you. She gasped as she was shocked how much alike you and Max are."
"Mother please be rational about this. I have not had any kind of relationship with Ana so I am certain she and I would know if we had a child together." My mother lets out a huge sigh and seems really disappointed which makes me feel like shit.
During dinner I can't get my mind off what my mother was saying. Yes, there is a resemblance but why is it bothering me so much. Ana obviously has or had a man in her life that is the father of her child. She is far too young to need a sperm donor. I have it in black and white who my sample went to which needs dealing with once I have the information I need. After saying goodbye to my parents I get a text from Elliot saying he is going to bring Matty to my office tomorrow, so we can have a boy's lunch. I am not great with kids but Matty is my nephew. I am going to try and make more of an effort with him and EL. I hear that I have an email and I decide I will look at it once I am home. I know it will be long and I don't want to get caught driving while looking at my phone.
Once I am back home I decide to have a glass of wine and sit and read through my emails. I see two from Welch so I decide to read his first. I want to know what he has dug up on the sperm stealing bitch and the beautiful Ana. I read the email about the bitch first and according to all the information Welch has found there are no signs that she has ever had a child. This is a relief but I email him back to dig a little deeper just in case he missed something. I open up the Email about Ana and there I have it all the information I need on her. Her full name is Anastasia Rose Steele she is 24 years old wow that's young. Her son is called Max Steele which I already knew but I was unsure about his last name. I am about to question myself as to why he has her second name and not his fathers. I see on his birth certificate that there is no father listed. I should leave this woman and child alone. I need more information and I am overly curious as to who Max's father is.
I don't get much sleep that night as my brain is working overtime, but I get ready for the day ahead of me. I have had a shit morning in work, I have fired two people and I think Andrea my assistant is actually avoiding me so I know I am bad today. I hear the little voice of my nephew entering my office, ready for his man lunch with me and EL. I am happy that Elliot looks more like his old self nowadays as he fought so hard to be a part of his son's life. I commend him for wanting to be a good parent.
"Bro I am kicking Kate's ass to the curb I cannot continue to deal with her anymore." I usually never ask questions but I am curious as to what she has done now.
"Why EL what has she done now?"
"For starters she left Ana stranded at the restaurant knowing she had to take Max the hospital. Good job mom was there to take her. Then she goes and shouts at Matty because he was crying. She moved all his toys as she did want them near her. I have had enough of her selfish
behavior. The way she treats Ana and Max is wrong but Ana is too loving to see it."
" It sounds like it's time to move on as your kid is more important than a piece of ass EL. So you know Ana well then?" He looks at me suspiciously and I know he is contemplating whether or not to answer me.
" Yes I know her well enough. We have a lot of play dates with the boys and spend a lot of time together I really like her." I feel like I have just been punched in the stomach.
As Elliot is leaving he lets me know that Ana and Max will be at my parents' house for a BBQ on Saturday. He also states that Matty and Max are excited to get in the pool. I put it in my calendar as I will defiantly be in attendance. For the rest of the day it bothers me that Elliot is close to Ana. His whole I really like her comment is not sitting well with me. Why is this bothering me so much? I only saw her for a few minutes. Why am I such a tailspin over it all? I spent the night at my piano and I receive a text which bothers me.
UNKNOWN: Yes I am the mother of your child. She is three and so beautiful. I was willing to let you live your life, but since you have your idiot goons getting information on me, I guess it is time to make your life a living nightmare. You should learn when to let things go I will see you soon lover boy.
I throw a glass across the room and Taylor is armed and ready. I have to give the man credit he is fast.
"Taylor I need that bitch watched 24/7 I want to know where she goes who she talks to. I need everything you understand."
"Yes Sir."
I have made it to Saturday with no crazy bitch sightings. I made two deals which is going to make me richer than I am, but nothing can satisfy me. I am getting ready to head over to my parents' house for a fun day as EL is calling it. I make sure I have packed a bag as I plan on taking full advantage of the pool as it is hot today. I keep thinking about Ana and how I will feel about seeing her again. I should have just contacted her as I already have her number. I don't think Ana would have responded well to a strange man contacting her.
I get to my parents house before anyone else which is new for me. Usually I am the last to arrive and the first to leave.
"Hey Son." My father says as he is headed outside to the BBQ. My mother is doing whatever she is doing in the kitchen.
"Christian I am so sorry about practically accusing you of being a father."
" Its ok Mother no harm done."
"Wistian." Is all I hear before I feel Max wrapped around my legs. I am actually shocked he even remembers me.
"Hey little man are you ready to go swimming?" He takes off his T-Shirt and shorts so he is just in his Nemo swimming trunks.
" I am Wistian lets go now."
"MAX STEELE." Max looks like he has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
" WES Mama."
" You are not to take your clothes of like that MR."
"I sworry Mama I want to go wiming now."
" Please be patient ok we will all go swimming real soon."
"Hello Christian it's nice to see you again I apologize for Max's excitement he just loves the water."
"Hello Ana it's nice to see you again. There is no need to apologize, as I love the water as well so I have a new swimming buddy."
I already know that Matty hates the water. Elliot and my parents have tried so hard to rid him of this fear, but they have had no luck. We all head out to the back garden and Mia appears wearing the most revealing bikini I have ever seen. I am about to tell her to go back up the stairs when my dad tells me I will not win. I figure there are no men here looking at her so no harm I guess.
Ana takes the sun longer next to mine and starts to literally cake Max in sun cream. I can see in her eyes how much she loves this little boy. My dad approaches Ana rather too fast for my liking. I am about to stand up to keep him from her when I hear Ana's sweet voice.
"Carrick oh my god I can't believe that is you."
"Ana it's been so long pumpkin how are you. Oh this can't be little Max he is so big."
They both exchange hugs and everyone is looking in shock around the pool until my father speaks.
"Grace this is Ana remember, I told you about her from the case I worked on over three years ago now." Case what case yes I need more information about this.
"Oh you're that Ana oh honey I need a hug." Am I missing something here because for once in my life I am clueless.
After Max spends a good five minutes pestering me I decide to get into the pool with him. I have to admit the kid has a way with people, and I am sure he can wrap anyone around his little finger. Elliot decides to cannonball into the pool which scares Max. He is clinging onto me with his body close to my chest and I hear gasps, and see a lot of shocked faces. It's then I realize that I have allowed someone that close to me. What surprises me the most is that I did not even think of Max touching me. I just wanted to make him feel safe. The burning sensation I usually get from someone's touch is not present right now. Maybe it's because he is so small. I see Ana look worried and I wink at her. I smile to reassure her everything is ok.
"Wistian Lelliot is so silly I was sqward" He is looking at me with those big blue eyes and I can actually feel my ice cold heart melt.
" It's ok buddy you don't have to be scared I will keep you safe."
" And Mama to Wistian she needs you to."
I would love nothing more than to have Ana wrapped in my arms right now. what the fuck is wrong with me? I need to get out of this water maybe there are too many chemicals in here making me act all weird. It is started to get hotter out so everyone is starting to get in the pool. I see Ana all on the sun lounger still with her cover up on. I guess Moms are self-conscious about their bodies after having babies. She looks amazing to me, and I keep wishing for her to remove the cover up so I can see what she on underneath. Max starts calling for Ana to come into the water and after what feels like a lifetime she stands and removes the cover up. I see the hottest body I have ever seen. I am soon snapped out of my daydream by Elliot saying the world MILF under his breath and I just want to punch him.
Ana seems nervous in the water but Max tells her that I will look after her, which makes us both smile and giggle. Since when did I smile let alone laugh?
"Wistian I wikes you."
I am stunned at how much this kid has taken a liking to me. Even my own nephew has reservations about me.
" I like you to little man." He gives me a big hug and then asks me a question I don't know how to answer.
" Wistian u wikes Mama." I look at Ana and she seems less nervous than I do right now so I decide to answer honestly
" Yes little man I like your Mama she is very pretty."
"Ewwwwwwwwww Wistian wikes girls ewwwyyyy."
" That's still up for debate." I hear Elliot say in the background. He is such a dick when he wants to be. My mother tells us it's time to get dried off and get ready for dinner. Elliot carries Max out of the pool while being the gentlemen that I am I allow Ana to walk up the steps before me. I see her climb the last step she slips and I put my hands out to catch her. My hands land right on that sexy ass of hers and I don't know who is more embarrassed.
" Ana I am so sorry you slipped and I should have looked where I was putting my hands to catch you."
" That's ok Christian thank you for saving me from falling."
Once everyone is cleaned up and in their evening attire we are all sitting outside ready for
dinner. My mother strikes up a conversation with Ana and I am all ears for this.
"Ana Carrick has told me all about you. I feel like I know you so well already, I am so happy to finally meet you."
"You to Grace I can't believe that I met you today, then you turn out to be not only Max's new doctor but Carrick's wife it's such a small world."
I see Elliot ready to say something and I dread to think what will come out of his mouth.
" So Ana, as we are really good friends now I need to know what happened to Max's father."
I see Ana, my father, and my mother all tense up. I am ready to get my phone out to tell Welch to dig a lot deeper as I know something isn't right here.
" Well Elliot I don't know max's dad I never got to meet him." Ok I am so confused right now and Elliot looks like his brain is about to explode. I think Ana senses the confusion and carries on talking.
" I went to an appointment with an OBGYN as I was having female problems. The doctor accidentally inseminated me using a sample that was meant for the woman in the room next door. I got a call the next day saying I needed to come into the clinic as it was an emergency. I went and that's when I was told what had happened. My dad was so angry about it; I didn't know how to feel my dad hired Carrick as he thought it was best to sue them for negligence. I wanted to forget that the whole thing happened. It worked fine for me until two months later I found out I was pregnant. We won the case and I got a very nice settlement that will give me and Max a very comfortable life. Once Max was born I realized that the doctors mistake was the best thing that ever happened to me. I do still think of the poor woman in the room next door as I got the baby she wanted. I did see her at the hearing and I tried to apologize to her but she just slapped me and walked away".
I can't believe what I am hearing right now and I feel for Ana to go through that. I look at a sleeping Max cuddled into her and I know she is happy with how everything turned out as her boy is so beautiful. After we all have finished our food we all head into the family room to relax for a while. I carry Max into the playpen we have here so he can sleep while the grownups talk. I see my mother and Ana looking at the pictures on the wall, and I see Ana is fixated on a picture of me when I was around five.
"Christian can I talk to you in private please?"