I do not own FSoG.
I am about to start a load of laundry when a knock at the garage door pulls me out of my day dream of Christian. I make my way towards the door when I see it swing open.
"Will, I have no idea why your mother doesn't take her safety more seriously." I hear Ethan mutter to Will.
"Woooo" I hear Will whisper. "Mama go to timeowt?" He sounds so serious as he asks Ethan this. Ethan chuckles while shutting the door. Their backs are to me and I decide to make my presence known.
"What am I on timeout trial for?" I ask leaning on the kitchen counter. Two heads snap my direction so quickly that it causes me to giggle. Caught red handed guys.
"Safey, mama." Will says as he fidgets in Ethan's arms. Ethan lets him down and he takes off towards me. I bend to pick him up as he hits in arms in full speed.
"Safety? What about safety?" I ask pretending I haven't heard their short discussion. Will looks to Ethan for help explaining. Ethan laughs before responding.
"Your garage door was open and the garage door was unlocked. Your lack of safety for yourself is..." He sees my eyebrows raise, challenging him to finish his sentences. "Not good." He says while sitting down on one of the bar stools.
"See mama, not good. You haft to go to timeowt." Will says in a stern voice. It almost reminds me of Christian earlier... "MAMA!" Will shouts pulling me from my thoughts quickly.
"Yes, baby?" I ask while peppering his face with kisses. He doesn't mind and it causes him to giggle. I already dread the day he becomes a big boy and he will hate so much affection from me.
"Why the frown?" Ethan asks. I look to him and see slight concern start to mask his features. I give a reassuring smile to him.
"I was just thinking that I already dread the day he won't let me pepper his face with kisses. He's growing up so fast." I say while fixing Will's hair. A content sigh leaves Ethan's lips.
"I know. I can't believe our big boy will be four before we know it." I look at him and see he is staring at Will with the same melancholy look I was a few moments before. Will is completely ignoring us as he wiggles out of my arms.
"Me pway?" He asks while looking up at me.
"Of course. But tell me one thing first." His eyes shine brightly waiting for me to ask my question. I bend down to his level and grab his hands. "Did you have a great day with Lolly?" His answering smile was the only answer I needed.
"Mmhm. Lolly gave me cakes!" Of course she did. The woman loves to bake almost as much as I do. She keeps their house smelling like a bakery.
"No way! Did you bring me any?" His little eyes became wide and worried.
"No..." He said in a low voice. I give him my famous mama smile and open my arms for him. He flies into them quickly and curls into my neck.
"That is quite alright sweet boy. That just means we will have to bake some for ourselves later." I pull back and give him a wink.
"Cwistian too?" There goes my heart again. I'm going to have a heart attack from how many times Christian and Will make my heart sore.
"Christian too! Maybe we can make his favorite chocolate cake for dessert?" Little eyes light up with delight and he claps happily. After his excitement over making a cake for Christian, he went on his way to play in the living room. I stood back up and was startled to see Ethan at the counter. How in the ever loving- how did I forget he was sitting in my kitchen? He is giving me a tight smile. Oh, so it is feisty Ethan I get to talk with today.
"Want a drink?" I ask, trying to be a great host.
"Do you have any Gatorade?" I almost frown at his request. Ethan hates Gatorade unless he is sick.
"I do. Are you feeling okay?" I ask as I go to the fridge to see what colors I have.
"Just feeling a little icky. I didn't have a normal breakfast this morning. That's probably it." Once again, very unlike Ethan. He never misses a meal or the thirty snacks in between meals.
"Light blue or yellow?" I ask once I spot the few I have left.
"Light blue, please." I grab the bottle and myself a water. I slide the Gatorade to him and lean on the counter.
"Are you hungry?" I finally get a good look at Ethan. He's pale and his eyes are slightly black underneath.
"Have any snacks?" There he is. The hungry asshole that I used to buy groceries for once
a week. He literally would eat Will and myself out of the house, but he never gained any weight. It is still a mystery to me where all that food goes.
After Ethan eats a small snack, we sit down at the nook in the living room that overlooks the vast back yard. It's a bench window seat that has a smaller table in front of it and chairs on all the other sides. I let Will color here and some times I find myself reading here - much like my office it's another peaceful place in my home. It also provides a full view of the Will, but we are not close enough for him to hear our conversation. We sit in silence for what seems like forever but is probably only two minutes. Ethan is the first to speak.
"I was shocked to see your picture splashed all over the tabloids this morning. Not only yours but Will's also." He looks towards Will then back to me. "I know you're seeing...him. I just wasn't expecting to see it on almost every gossip magazine this morning." He takes a deep breath as if he is collecting his thoughts. "I spoke to my dad and there isn't much we can do about Will not being placed in them. Unless you breakup with Grey." He looks at me hopeful. I want to laugh at the absurdity of his suggestion. I fortunately keep the laughter to myself and watch his shoulders sag. I hear him mumble something under his breath but can't quite make out the words. He takes another deep breath and continues. "My main issue is Will being linked to anything negative. Most of those stories were nothing but people curious to who was seen with Grey. There is actually only one tabloid in particular that was quite nasty and that's what I don't want Will associated with." I'm not sure if my face is portraying how shocked I feel or not because Ethan doesn't give any clues away that he suspects that. I... Is he actually being mature about this? I smile inwardly...guess it was the nice Ethan after all.
"I agree wholeheartedly. While I rather Will not be in there at all, I know it's going to happen no matter what. I just wish they were all positive. That one you are mentioning...well, let's just say it had me in tears earlier. I don't care what they say about myself or Christian. I care about what they say about Will." His eyes soften and admiration shines through them. he clears his throat after staring for a moment.
"Okay, so I'm going to speak with my dad regarding our decision. He's friends with many outlet owners and I have no doubt he can convince them to leave Will out of anything negative." I nod my head in agreement. Whew, this went easier than I thought it would. "Secondly, what happens when they find out you are?" Stumped. His question leaves me completely stumped. Why would people care who we are? We are not important like celebrities. He continues, "Once they know your name, they are going to hound you every time your out. They can find your address and telephone number-" I cut him off right there.
"You know my address is unlisted. No one knows this address besides family and select friends. We have your crazy mistress to thank for that." I say with a small giggle. I guess that nasty bitch was worth one good thing. Ethan let's out a small chuckle as well.
"I guess so...anyways, I just need to make sure you and Will are safe." I want to laugh, I truly do. Christian and Ethan have no idea how much alike they are. Safety is number one.
"Chr-" a knock at the door cuts me off. I glance at my watch and see it's only 4:30. Who would be here at that time on a Monday? "Excuse me. Let me see who that is." I say to Ethan. I pass Will in the living room. He is so enthralled in his trucks he hasn't noticed me yet. I check to see who it is - Christian. I see Christian standing on the other side of the door. I check my watch once more. Wow! He got off earlier than expected. I swing open the door and almost collapse on the spot. He has taken off his tie and his top buttons are undone. His jacket is slung over his arm and his sleeves are rolled up slightly. My eyes finally make it to his face and his famous smirk is on display. I'm checking him out and he loves it.
"Well, are you going to let me inside or are you going to undress me with your eyes the rest of the day?" He asks huskily. I would love to drag him upstairs, rip off his shirt, and slowly make my way in between his legs to-
"Cwistian!" A child's voice can be heard and I feel a slight wind rush past my legs. Oh, that's my son. OH! Lord I must have been completely lost in my day dream. I know my blush is covering my whole body. Come on Ana. Don't think naughty things when your ex is right inside. Craaaaaappppppp. I say in a whiny voice inside my head. This can't end well.
"Hey little buddy!" Christian greets Will and picks him up in his arms. Will is holding on to Christian tightly. Christian tickles him slightly and my favorite noise rings out: Will's laugh. I cannot contain the smile that is reaching from ear to ear.
"Come on baby. Let's go inside so I can see your visitor." He says in an tight voice. Is he upset that Ethan's here? I already told him that Ethan was stopping by and going to talk about the tabloid issue for a bit. I open the door fully and step aside so Christian can walk in with Will in his arms. I shut the door and lean against it as I watch Christian make his way into the house. My stomach drops at the thought of this ending badly. I wonder if they would notice if I just snuck away... I decide to put on my big girl panties and make my way into the house as well to handle this head on.