6 weeks later

It's been 6 weeks since Nevaeh was born. She is the calmest baby. I'm going to start back to work next week but I'm going to take her to work with me.

Today I'm going shopping with Kate for dresses for the Coping Together Gala tomorrow night. I started donating over a year ago and was invited to this year's event.

I haven't been to an event like this since Christian and I ended so I'm a little nervous.

I decided since Christian and I have had a strained friendship since the incident that I would invite him to lunch today to discuss it. I don't want things to continue feeling so strange between us. He was a good friend and then he just sort of went silent. Any conversation we've had has felt forced. He comes over to pick up Ella and says hi and that's about it.

"Babe, Kate's here." My husband announces.

"I'm almost ready baby." I say as I finish applying my lip gloss. I grab my purse and walk to my husband who just had a look of admiration on his face. I wrap my arms around his neck and give him a soft kiss. "I will miss you. I'll have Caroline Acton choose you a tuxedo. Have a good day at work, baby." I kiss him again and squeeze him tight. "I love you Luke."

"I love you too Ana. So much." I finally let go and smile at him and leave the room.

I walk downstairs and greet my friend in the foyer. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be. Let's go get some killer dresses."

I smile. "let's do."

We spend the next hour searching for our perfect dress.

"So how have you been Ana?"

"Great actually. I'm ready to get back to work. I haven't worked in so long, I'm going stir crazy."

She giggles. "I understand that. I need my work to create balance for me."

"I'm so nervous about the Gala. I haven't been to an event in 5 years."

"Well at least this time you can't get auctioned off because you're married."

I giggle remembering how Christian paid a ridiculous amount of money for me because Flynn was bidding against him.

"I'm meeting with Christian for lunch today."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. We had a good friendship before the incident and now it's very strained and just weird and we hardly talk. I think he feels like it's his fault but I'm not sure what's going on so I'm just going to come out and ask."

"Yeah. He has been acting a lot more closed off from everyone since then."

I pull out a beautiful silver gown and show Kate.

"Try it on!"

I nod and go put it on and show Kate. "This is the one Kate."

A Smile erupts on her face. "definitely hot Mama. I'd kill for your ass."

I giggle. "It's huge."

"It's the perfect size Ana." She smiles at me.

I change out of my dress and we go pay and we leave the store. In the parking lot, we hug and go our separate ways. My CPO James is here to take me to the Mile High club.

When I arrive I stop at the bar and pick up a Cosmo and the waitress guides me to our reserved table in the back.

I have a seat at the table and check my phone while waiting. I have a text from my loving husband. I smile.

Bored out of my mind. Come see me when you're on your way home? Xo -L

It's a date love. Xo -A

As I'm finishing my text I hear someone clear their throat and look up and see Christian and smile. I stand up and give him a hug and we sit back down.

We order our meals and I decide to start the conversation.

"So, can you tell me how you really are Christian. Things have been strange between us for several months."

He shakes his head slightly. "I've been upset with myself, Ana. I feel like if I hadn't been in your life none of this would've happened to you. Elena wouldn't have been after you, and THEM. You said you were tired of people apologizing and that's all I want to do because indirectly, this is MY fault. It's true that I didn't cause your pain but had they not been after me, it wouldn't have happened."

I close my eyes thinking about how differently things could've been. I open my eyes back up and see him wiping away tears. I put my hand on his on the table. "Will it make you feel better if I told you I accept your apology and forgive you. All you did though is be you. They wanted revenge for things that were beyond your control Christian. If I didn't have you in my life, I wouldn't have my kids or Luke. I'm thankful that I met you. We always had something special. It's not the same as what I have with Luke but I will always consider you my friend."

"That does make me feel better. I've missed my friend."

I nod. "me too. Now… you are coming to the Gala tomorrow night?"

His eyes shoot to mine. "You're coming?"

"Yes. I've been donating over a year and Grace invited me. I thought you knew. I will save you a dance." I smile.

"I'll hold you to that Ana."

After casual conversation throughout our meal, we hug and go our separate ways. I'm glad we got that out of the way. I'm confident that our friendship is in a better place again.

I stop by Sawyer Publishing and walk in and find my husband with his stoic expression until he sees me and smiles. I smile back and run into his arms and give him a soft kiss.

"I've missed you husband."

"I've missed you wife. Thanks for coming by."

"Get someone to relieve you and come see me in my office Mr. Sawyer." I wink at him and saunter to my office, swaying my hips.

When I get into my office I sit at my desk and grab a few manuscripts and throw them into my bag while I'm waiting.

My husband walks in and I instruct him to lock the door. I walk him to my chair by his tie and sit him down. I pull my panties off and sit astride him and kiss him softly and then deepen it. He wraps his arms around me and I fumble with his belt and open his pants and free his erection. He picks me up by my butt and aligns his erection with my core and I slide down onto him and gasp. I start to move slightly. He stops me and kisses me deeply. "Just feel me baby. This is my home." I can only nod.

I kiss him again and put my forehead against his and looks into his eyes. I can clearly see all the love and desire he has for me etched on his beautiful face. He slowly lifts me up and lets me back down moving hips slowly, over and over again. It's a slow sensual dance. The whole time, we just look into each other's eyes while panting hard. I can feel myself building and he stops moving. "Not yet baby. I'm not ready for this to end yet."

I just nod as we start slowly moving again. This goes on for a while but eventually he says, "cum with me Ana." And I detonate around him hard. The most intense orgasm of my life. He cums along with me. And I kiss his lips softly and lay my head on his shoulder and he just holds me close while we catch our breaths. "That was perfect Ana. Just like you."

"Mmm…" after my breathing returns to normal, I sit back up and look at him. "You're perfect Luke." I trace my finger along his jawline. "Through everything, right from the moment we left to Paris together, you have been patient, kind and supportive. And so much more. Even when you didn't have to be, you were there and you helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life. I don't know how I would've survived all this time without you Luke. Honestly. You're the best husband a girl can ask for."

I kiss him softly and deepen the kiss. I feel his erection start growing again. "again?"

"I always want you Ana."

"Take me on the desk. Hard and fast this time." He nods and picks me up and lays me down on my desk and fucks me until we both cum gloriously.

It's the day of the Gala and Kate and I spent the day at the spa getting dolled up and groomed. I arrive home and find my husband in the office and he smiles at me. I walk around the desk and sit on his lap. "You ready for the ball my love. Cinderella awaits her prince charming."

He chuckles. "Cinderella would never approve of all the naughty things we did last night baby."

I smack his arm and laugh. "I'm gonna go feed Nevaeh and then get dressed. I just wanted to let you know I love you. Now go get dressed Mr. Sawyer."

"I love you too Mrs. Sawyer and I'm on it." I kiss his lips and nose softly and get up and go in search of my baby.

After feeding my baby and getting dressed, I walk down the stairs to find my prince charming looking even more handsome than usual. He gasps when he sees me and smiles brightly.

"Looking extremely handsome tonight Mr. Sawyer."

"You look absolutely stunning Mrs. Sawyer. I don't know how I'm expected to keep my hands off of you."

I giggle. "I'm sure you won't have to. We can always sneak off like we did at Kate's wedding." I wink.

"Let's say goodbye to the kids and head out. Our carriage awaits."

I nod and we say goodbye to our children.

"You look beautiful Mommy." Says Kirsten.

"Thank you baby girl. I will see you all in the morning so be good for Susan and Heather"

"Always Mommy. Love you."

"I love you too baby."

We leave and get into our SUV.

We arrive at the Gala and my husband escorts me through and we get our pictures taken and walk into the tent.

We stop and get champagne and we're greeted by Grace and Carrick. We hug and I kiss their cheeks.

"It's lovely to see you dear. Please mingle and get to know some people. Make some new contacts. Some of these people can probably help you to expand your business. Please bid on some auction items. I have to go greet more guests." I nod.

Luke keeps his hand on the small of my back as we circulate and talk to various people.

Finally we come to Christian and I give him a hug and then I see who he is with. Leila.

"Christian, are you fucking kidding me?"

"I was going to tell you but didn't know how."

"She held me at gunpoint Christian. Fuck. You're clearly insane if you think this is okay." I turn on my heel and storm out of the tent and my husband follows me and I walk up to the house and walk inside. I grab a bottle of tequila from the bar and pour a large glass and start chugging.

"Ana, you care to explain that to me?"

"Right. I guess you weren't around for that shit storm." I pour another glass and take a drink. "That woman is Christian's ex sub that held me at gunpoint. He brought her here. I don't give a fuck if he dates again, in fact, I encourage it but I don't accept her… AT ALL… EVER!!"

"Are you kidding? He brought a woman that held you at gunpoint?"

I nod and take another drink. "Yes. This shows how much he really gives a flying fuck about my safety and how I feel. I'm so angry Luke. Like, driven to violence angry."

He grabs me and hugs me tight and I start crying and I see Christian approach over my husband's shoulder. "Fucking great." I pull away and wipe my tears.

Luke turns around and sees him. "Why would you bring someone that tried to hurt Ana here? Why would you want to even be around someone that did that?"

"I wanted to explain. Ana…"

I put my hand up to stop him. "I don't want to hear it Christian. It's obvious that my well being never meant shit to you so you know what? This fucking… friendship is OVER.." I pour myself more tequila and walk briskly out of the house and run right into her.

"Anastasia?"

"No! Fuck off. You wanted to fucking shoot me and you think it's okay to even try to speak to me? Just… NO! Stay the fuck away from me."

I storm past her and go out to the dock and take off my shoes and pull up my gown to my thighs and put my feet in the water.

I have to calm down and try to enjoy the festivities. I can't believe he would actually bring her here. Now I wish I hadn't come. I finish drinking my tequila and lay back and just stare at the stars.

Christian's POV

Ana is angrier than I have ever seen her. I didn't get the chance to explain that I just brought Leila because she donated some paintings for the Gala. She is only here for that. I can see in hindsight how bad this can look. I've not forgiven her for what she did to Ana either.

I am standing outside the tent when I'm approached by Luke.

"Have you seen Ana? I can't find her and no one has seen her and she drank quite a bit of tequila in the house."

"No. I haven't. I will help you look."

I go towards the boathouse and Luke goes to search the house. I search inside the boathouse and don't find her. When I come out I hear someone attempting to sing something about things being complicated. I look around and find someone on the dock laying down. Ana.

I approach slowly so I don't startle her. I don't need her falling in the sound. "Ana." I say as I get closer.

"Christian, Christian, Christian." She shoots up straight and falls back down and starts laughing. I walk over to help her up and as I'm trying to help her up she puts her hand on my cheek. "I thought you loved me Christian. But I was fucking wrong again. I thought I could read people. WRONG!!" She takes another drink out of her glass and I take the glass from her and sit it down and stand her up and she sways so I scoop her up and she throws her arms around my neck.

We're walking up to the house and she cups my cheeks and kisses me softly. I pull back. "Ana, you're drunk."

"Yeah, who gives a fuck? I know you don't. I'll always love you Christian. I just love Luke more. I'm in love with him."

"I know baby. Come on. We need to get you inside."

"Still bossy as ever Mr. CEO."

I just shake my head and continue walking towards the house.

I run into Luke. I look at Ana and she has passed out. "She was singing on the dock. Or trying I should say."

He takes her from me and chuckles. "I wish I could've heard that. Thank you for bringing her to me man."

I nod and head back to the tent thinking about the fact that Ana kissed me and said she loves me. I sigh. I don't know if I should feel hopeful but I'm a little hopeful.

Luke's POV

Ana is beyond drunk. I lay Ana on the couch and go and get her a glass of water. I sit down by her and put her head in my lap and look at her while running my fingers through her hair. I can't believe my sweet girl has been through so much and then she has to face her past at a Gala of all places.

After sitting here for about 30 minutes she starts to stir. "Shh. Ana, I got you a water. Sit up."

"I have a headache."

I hand her the water. "I'm going to get you something for your head. Drink all of that and I'll get you some more. You need to be hydrated." She just nods.

I come back with advil and another glass of water. She takes it. "let's fix you up and go see if we can still get something to eat. It will help you feel better."

"I'm so sorry Luke. I need to bid on something. I promised Grace. I'm still drunk but I can walk now. Well better than I could."

"Let's go then." She stands up and I walk her to the tent with my arm around her. We make our way to our table and she keeps her head down in shame. I pull out her seat and she sits down.

They still have appetizers sitting on the table so I put some on a saucer and sit in front of her. "Thank you baby." She gives me a soft kiss and proceeds to eat slowly.

She seems a little distant. I guess the shock of Christian's date is still bothering her. I can't believe he would want to be near someone who held a gun to Ana.

When the auction comes, Ana bids on a trip to the Bahamas and wins it. The first dance auction goes off without a hitch. After the first dance is over Christian approaches us. "Ana, are you still up for that dance you promised me?"

She looks at me and gives me a kiss, "I love you Luke. I'll be right back."

"I love you too. I'm going to get s drink and I'll be here."

She nods and takes his hand and he leads her to the dance floor.

Ana's POV

I go out to the dance floor with Christian. I'm still so mad at him for being with Leila.

He pulls me close and we begin dancing and I have a flashback. "Holy fuck. I kissed you."

He nods. "You did. Care to explain?"

"Yes. I was drunk. It was a mistake."

"You said you still love me Ana."

I just shake my head and look away. "Why did you bring her Christian?"

"She donated art and wanted to be here for the auction. She's just my date. An acquaintance really. I don't forgive what she did either Ana. I just figured since I always come alone I'd just bring her. I didn't see the harm. I haven't touched her even."

I look into his eyes and I can see he is telling the truth and I just lay my head on his chest. "I hate it. I want you to date Christian. Just not her."

"I want you Ana. It's always been you."

I pull my head back and look into his eyes trying to gauge what he is thinking. "I can't Christian. I love my husband and I'd never hurt him intentionally. I have to come clean about kissing you."

"You kissed him?" Fuck.

I let go of Christian and turn to my husband. "yes. I was drunk. Lapse of judgement. It's you I want always it was just a kiss. A small peck."

He nods. "dance with me."

He pulls me close and Christian walks off the dancefloor and I just lay my head on my husband's broad chest. His touch is so much more comforting.

"I understand that you still have love for him Ana but do you love him?"

I sigh. "only in a 'you're my first love and lover' kind of way. I don't love him even close to how much I love you Luke. You're it for me. I will be yours always." I look into his eyes and see the hurt in his eyes.

I cup his face and softly. "I am so sorry. Emotions were heightened after the Leila thing and then I was drunk and he just showed up. It really meant nothing Luke. I won't see him anymore if it helps." I give him a soft kiss. "come to the boathouse with me and let me love you."

He nods and takes my hand and we walk to the boathouse. As soon as we're in the door my lips attack his and he picks me up with my legs around his waist and carries me upstairs to the couch and he lays me down on it and makes love to me.

We're laying there in the afterglow and we hear a commotion downstairs. "fuck. Someone is here."

We get up and compose ourselves quickly and slowly make our way slowly and quietly down the stairs and I hear Kate moaning. I lived with her for years and know her moans too well and I giggle and the sounds stop.

"Ana?" I hear Kate

"and Luke are leaving now so enjoy yourselves."

I hear them laugh as we exit the boathouse and laugh all the way back to the tent. We enjoy a few more dances and pay for our trip and leave. I managed to spend the rest of the night avoiding Christian and Leila.

We go home and go straight to bed and make love again then drift peacefully off to sleep in each other's arms.