I DO NOT OWN FSOG.

As all of you know, I've been incredibly sick going on months now. While in bed, in between lots of sleep, I worked on my stories and caught up on new stories that I have missed. I had to share two new stories I've discovered that have completely hooked me: A Different Shade of Fifty by wishingmrgreywashere and Fifty Shades of Sacrifice by 50-CG-AS-fan. I recommend everyone go check out both right now if you haven't already. I have several favorite stories on this website, but those two have kept me completely entertained since my sickness began.

APOV:

I back out of Will's room unhurriedly, hoping my almost absent presence doesn't wake him up. He woke up as soon as we arrived home and clung to me ever since. I have no doubt all the chaos of the night left him rather frightened. This is exactly the thing I have been trying to avoid. Will comes first in all things and the fact he was uncomfortable makes my heart hurt an unbearable kind of pain. I close his door completely, worried that my upcoming conversation with Christian may lead to raised voices. I slowly make my way to the bedroom expecting to find Christian getting ready for bed. His face looked drained of all energy when we made our way into the house and his body moved slowly. I walk through the doorway to the bedroom and find it empty. I make my way to my bathroom expecting to find Christian there, but no sign of him appears. Stumped, I make my way back to the living room. I find him standing at the back window, looking out towards the yard and pool. I can see his reflection in the glass and his eyes are glazed over. He's lost in thought. I make my way to stand beside him, but he doesn't acknowledge me. I take a deep breath and get the ball rolling on the conversation that is needed right now.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I ask with light humor. I need him to open up and unleashing my motherly rant on him right now will not help anything.

"I really fucked up tonight." His words are full of remorse and my heart now aches for the man standing next to me. How can I be disappointed in him and want to comfort him at the same time? I don't reply because I'm not sure how to confirm he did mess up without him shutting down completely. I don't have to wait long though because it's like the dam breaks and all his words come falling out at once.

"I shouldn't have opened my fucking mouth. I should have shut Katherine down before the moment she laid eyes on you. I should have ripped Elena and Leila a fucking new asshole for being at my parent's home uninvited, especially after I specifically warned her not to. I should have been upfront with my parents about the whole thing. I should have been brave, but guess what? I froze. I couldn't so much as move my mouth and make words come out. I command people in the business word. I dominate every single business owner I come across from the start. Yet, I completely freeze up when two people from my past walk into my parents house unexpectedly. I…" He lets his words hang for a second before continuing. "I thought you were going to break up with me when the whole incident with Elliot and Kate happened. I thought-" he says in a sob without making eye contact "I thought this was over. Me and you. I fucked up by opening my big mouth to Elliot. I begged you to tell me about Katherine and the first chance I see Elliot it comes tumbling out by accident. It's just he was talking about being engaged and family and I just lost all thought. It was out before I could even register what I was doing." He is rambling now while tugging at his hair. I tilt my head towards the floor so I can close my eyes for a moment. My heart aches for this man next to me. He's silent now and I know it's my turn to let everything off my chest.

"Christian…" I start while looking up at him. He doesn't take his eyes off the backyard. I need him looking at me while we talk. I need him comfortable and not scared. "How about we go change into something more comfortable?" His head snaps in my direction and his eyes find mine. His gray eyes search my blue ones and at this moment I'm slightly lost on what he is looking for.

"I can stay?" He asks me in a shocked whisper and I find myself confused. Stay? Was he leaving? "I just figured you'd want me to leave after the dinner we just had." He answers my unasked question. Do I want him to go home? We haven't spent a night apart in a while. My brain is telling me a little space after tonight wouldn't hurt, but my heart hurts at the thought of not being near him.

"I want you to stay." My heart speaks the words for me. A smile falters on his lips. He wants to smile, but his gloomy mood wins out. "Come on big guy; let's go get our pajamas on." I shoot for humor once more. A smile, even though a small one, now forms on his lips and he lets me lead him to my bedroom.

As soon as we reach the bedroom, I head towards the closet to change while he heads into the restroom. I sigh as I open one of the drawers and see a small piece of red ribbon sticking out. I completely forgot all about his nighttime birthday present I had planned for him. I huff out a frustrated breath at what seems to be a cluster fuck of a night. How did this day start so wonderfully only to end like a daytime soap opera?

I leave the closet and find Christian sitting on the end of the bed with his elbows on his knees. I approach him carefully and slink down to the spot next to him. He looks up after feeling movement on the bed. I grab his hand and pull him off the bed. I crawl up the bed until I reach the headboard and position myself much like he usually does. His eyes roam my body and I suppress a giggle at the sight of the tent forming in boxer briefs. Even after the crappiest night and in the middle of a serious conversation, he is turned on. My urge to giggle disappears and my mouth becomes dry at the sight of Christian crawling up the bed to me. I see the lust cloud his eyes and I know he wants me. Fight the urge, Ana. Finish the talk. I shake my head and focus on the topic at hand. Christian sits against the headboard, much like me, but he is only sitting for a second before he pulls me to straddle his lap. He motions for my legs to wrap behind him and he pulls me flush against him. Many couples talk through things in the living room, at the kitchen table, maybe even standing up, but not us. We always end up in this position and I find it so… calming for the both of us.

"I'm sorry." The words come out of his mouth vulnerable and I hate seeing him like this. I take his hands in mine then run my petite hands up his muscular arms. "I think its time I told my parents…" He doesn't look at me while saying this. He actually looks shocked at his own words. I don't say anything in fear I may push him to do it when he isn't ready. This has to be his idea, on his time, and when he is ready. "Could I do it here?" He asks shyly and I nod my head in reply. My subconscious is jumping up and down at his words, but I try to keep any sign of happiness off my face.

"I will do whatever you need me to do to support you Christian." I say honestly and his eyes finally catch mine. Love shines through his eyes at my support of him and I match that with a reflecting smile. All too quickly, his mood shifts and he is back to being gloomy in under a second.

"Do you hate me?" He drops eye contact with me and fidgets with the hem of my shirt… well, his shirt that I have on.

"Of course not." I answer truthfully. I let out a small sigh and try to arrange my next words carefully. "I don't hate you… I am disappointed in you for repeating what I told you. You begged to know about the pregnancy test and promised not to repeat the information. Then the first time you see Elliot, it's out of your mouth faster than lightening." His shoulders sag and I am reminded of Will when he gets in trouble. "I know it was something small and not completely life altering…that I know of anyway. If you can't keep a small secret, could you keep a big one? It just concerns me that I possibly couldn't trust you with everything. I…" I drift off as my insides are sent into a whirlwind of panic as I think of what could happen if Christian repeated the information I shared with him this weekend.

"I will never repeat a secret again. What you tell me stays with me and only me unless you want me to share it." His deep voice surrounds me and pulls me out of the darkness that was quickly taking over my mind. His warm hands cup my face and it immediately calms the anxiety that was brewing in my body. "I promise." He whispers as he stares into my eyes as if he can see every single thought flying around my head. He pulls me to him and I honestly don't think we can get any closer in this moment. My head falls into the crook of his neck while he nuzzles my hair… our favorite comfort places on each other it seems. I hear his repeated sorry over and over while his face is buried into my thick mane.

"She also looks like me." I say so quietly that I am unsure if I even said anything. The words were out of my mouth before I could even register the thought in my head. Christian tenses around me and it causes him to grip me tighter. He remains silent and doubt creeps into my mind. "Do they all look like me? Are we your type?" My weak voice speaks my realization. I am no different than all his exes… no, that's not true. Elena is blonde and wax-like…

"Yes… I had a similar taste I guess you could say, but none of them even compare to you. You have gorgeous locks of chocolate brown hair that are almost auburn in the sunshine. I could spot your bright blue eyes more than a mile away. I love your long legs that seem to fit on your petite body, small hands that get swallowed up in my hands, the way your nose crinkles when something sounds unpleasant, the way you bite that plump lip when you're deep in thought, and the way you twirl your hair unconsciously while daydreaming. I couldn't tell you a feature about any of those girls besides their brown hair." He says so earnestly and confidently that I feel that self doubt start to disappear. In fact, only one thought is left in my mind.

"Elena needs to go Christian. I can deal with the ex girlfriends, but I cannot deal with her." I sit up as I tell him the truth. "She is the issue. Not anyone else." I make it clear that I am not jealous of his past, but that this never ending story with Elena ends soon. I will not risk another night like this for Will.

"I know baby, I know. I promise I will end this." His words are accompanied by a stern nod. My body can finally relax knowing the Elena drama will be over soon… I hope at least.

GPOV:

"Carrick! Let's go!" I holler from the kitchen as I finish packing up the snacks I made. Chocolate chip cookies for Will, sliced apples with fluff for Will, chocolate covered pretzels for Will… I stop in the middle of placing the containers in my travel picnic basket. I look over the three containers already in there and the four still sitting out. Did I only make things for Will? I check around the kitchen and I laugh at myself. Yup, only snacks for Will. Well, I have no doubt Christian will like them as well and surely Ana too. I finish placing everything in the basket as Carrick rounds the corner.

"I'm all ready for a pool party, baby." He says while wiggling his eyebrows. I snort at his cheesiness. Carrick Grey is the epitome of cheesy. He is wearing floral swim trunks, a tank top that shows a cartoon woman's body in a bikini, and he has a beach towel that we picked up on vacation to Hawaii in 1989 draped over his shoulder. No wonder he and Will get along so well… he is still such a child.

"I can see that." I reply trying to contain my laughter. "Will you grab the drinks out of the fridge?" I motion with my head to the fridge and he moves without hesitation at my request. Carrick Grey may be cheesy, but he always helps without as much as a second thought. I smile at the fact I am so incredibly blessed with a wonderful husband.

"Ready, baby." He says once he has the drinks tucked under his arms. We make our way out to the car and are on the road before I know it. The ride is filled with a comfortable silence and it lets my mind drift to the commotion that brewed last night. Elliot, my calm and carefree child, has never been so upset in his life. Of course he had his fair share of fights in high school, but it took a lot to get him worked up to that point. Unlike Christian, who would swing at the first ounce of anger. Clearly, a pregnancy was the issue that started all of the unnecessary drama. I do not know all of the details, but I did hear Katherine confirm she was not pregnant. Truth be told, I let out a sigh of relief with that news. The next source of ruckus came from Elena and her friend she explained she was giving a ride home to. I make it my business to know every new face in my neighborhood and I know for a fact that girl does not live anywhere near here. On first appearances, she resembled Ana. When Elena left just as quickly as she showed up, I knew it immediately had something to do with Christian or Ana. I was so dumbfounded by Elliot blowing up at Katherine, I didn't think twice about Elena being there at that moment.

"Grace, you're thinking too loud." Carrick's voice sounds loud in the quiet car. I glance over at him and his warm smile relaxes me back into the seat. He grabs my hand then brings it to his lips for a tender kiss on my knuckles.

"Sorry, last night is still weighing heavy on my mind." I share hoping he will tell me I'm over thinking things.

"I may not know what all transpired last night, but I do know that Will was petrified at the sight of Elena." He shares while giving me a pointed look. I sink in my seat when I realize this conversation is about to shift. "I could smell Elena's bullshit from a mile away last night. She showed up looking to stir shit up." I chance another look at my husband. It is extremely rare that he cusses so I know this has worked him over too. Something is not right with that situation involving Christian, Ana, and Elena. "Didn't Ana warn you about Elena? That she had a gut feeling or something?" He questions me and I vaguely remember the conversation the first night I met Ana. Motherly instincts tell us when something is amiss. My instincts are telling me Elena is no good and that Ana might feel the same. I nod my head in confirmation, unable to speak due to my guilt. "Don't." Carrick's deep voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this today. You couldn't have changed a thing last night. Leave it be until we find out what's going on." He requests of me and just like that my worries seem to subside.

We pull up to a beautiful home not too far from our neighborhood. The home reminds me of a house that would be in one of those famous house magazines. It looks so picturesque. It looks like Ana.

"Should I park right here? I don't see their cars. I don't know where Christian normally parks here…" Carrick talks to himself as he parks in the driveway close to the front door. He's right...where is Christian's vehicle? I double check my watch and we are right on time. A little early for a pool party, but I wanted to spend the full day with them seeing how last night was a flub. Christian comes to dinner without any resistance and it's squashed before we could even do presents and cake. Movement out of the corner of my eye takes me away from my thoughts and makes my heart beat in my chest.

"Would you look at that…" I mumble as a grin plasters from ear to ear on my face. Christian, adorned in red swim trunks and a navy shirt, is holding a similar dressed Will who is sans shirt. Will is waving and his smile is so big I think it mirrors my own. I quickly grab my phone out of my purse, ready to snap a shot as soon as I climb out of the car.

"As usual, you are right on time mother." Christian jokes with a wink as I climb out of the car. I hold up my phone to show my intentions and he whispers in Will's ear. They pose for a picture and I cannot contain my excitement at the fact Christian willing posed for a picture for me.

"Come help us with the snacks. Your father will carry the drinks." Christian grabs hold of my basket while still carrying Will. I do a double take. I forget my son is no longer the lanky fighting fifteen year old, but now a well built man. We find our way inside the house and it is a perfect match to the visualization outside. I'm serious; this may have been designed by a top of the line interior designer for a magazine. Ana turns the corner in a black swimsuit cover up.

"I'm so sorry guys; I didn't realize you were here. I would have come out to greet you myself." She apologizes so sincerely that I find myself pulling her into a hug.

"Ana, your home is magnificent. Thank you for having us today." I reply as I pull away and hold her at arm's length. She blushes and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. She doesn't like compliments that much I can tell.

"Thank you. Would you like a tour?" She says shyly, recovering from the compliment.

"Yes! I would love one." I tell her as she leads the way into the kitchen. We drop off the snacks and I see she has made plenty of her own. We tour her home and I feel so inspired to redecorate my own afterwards. Will helps guide us on the tour around the home. It's not huge or anywhere near the size of ours, but it somehow feels spacious. It's comfortable. We make our way back to the kitchen to get the snacks and drinks put in their appropriate spots for the day. It leaves just Ana and myself since the men have gone outside to swim.

"I'm sorry about last night." I say quickly and focus on the plates in front of me. I see her pause her movement out of the corner of my eye but she returns back to what she was doing quickly.

"I…" She starts as if she is trying to gather the right words. My stomach is in knots hoping I didn't upset her. "I don't like Elena. I know I've expressed some concern over once, but I don't want her around my child at all." She says casually and I admire her for being honest.

"I know. I should have immediately turned her away at the door. I was so flustered with Elliot and Katherine that I think I honestly was in shock. I didn't say much of a word to Elena and that girl, we all returned to the living room with the raised voices." I sit at the barstool feeling a little lightheaded still about the situation. I think I need a drink to get through this because I have a gut feeling something is so off about this whole situation with Elena.

"Drink?" She asks sweetly as if she can read my mind. "I have wine, beer, water, cokes, Capri-Suns, or I could make us a little fun mixed drink." She says while eyeing everything in her fridge. I'm usually a wine lady, but it's a pool party so I branch a little.

"A mixed drink would be wonderful." Her face lights up at the unexpected selection by me and she immediately begins to make us a drink. Instead of making us single drinks, she concocts a pitcher full.

"I usually have mimosas this early, but I don't have the champagne I like to use for those. I forgot it last time I was at the store." She shares casually while placing a purple cup in front of me. I take a sip of the drink hoping to feel the alcohol burn my throat but it doesn't come.

"What's in this? It tastes like candy!" I ask amazed at this delicious drink that truly tastes like a tropical vacation in my mouth. She taps her nose as if it's a secret drink recipe only for her to know.

"It may taste like candy, but be warned: you must pace yourself. There is rum in it and it will hit you when you least expect it." I find myself giggly at her words. I take another sip and search for the courage I misplaced earlier to continue this conversation. Before I am able to finish the conversation, a small wet child walks into the kitchen begging us to join him in the pool. Just like Ana, it seems I am unable to say no and find myself in the pool moments later.

CPOV:

"Will is down for a nap. The sun and swimming must have drained him. He didn't even move as I placed him in bed." I say out loud for everyone to hear but it's directed at Ana. I place the baby monitor in front of her on the table and slide into the chair next to her. The table is cleaned up and dishes all put away. Will barely made it through lunch and fell asleep when I placed him in my lap while I finished mine.

"He has played hard this morning and it's not even 1 yet. I need to set an alarm to make sure he gets up soon. I want him to sleep through the night." She says while grabbing her phone, setting two alarms in the process.

"Do you want to go back outside and layout for a bit?" I ask my parents and they look at each other nervously. I squint my eyes at the pairs odd behavior.

"Actually, I think there are a few things we should talk about." My dad says in his lawyer tone that I've been familiar with since I was a child. My mother agrees with a few nods of her head. She looks incredibly nervous and my dad looks anxious…shit. This is it. This is the talk. They are about to bring up last nights dinner and the chaos the ensued from it. "Is there somewhere a little more private we could talk?" My dad asks while looking between Ana and myself.

"You can use the library." Ana says when she turns to look at me. Concern masks her features and I know I probably look like shit. She grabs my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. I stand from the table, effectively taking her with me at the same time. I have a death grip on her hand, anchoring her to me in this moment. I lead the way to the study and wait for everyone to enter the room before I shut the door. My parents sit in the double chairs opposite of Ana and myself on the couch. I can feel the sweat slowly building on my forehead. Ana flexes her hand under mine; alerting me to the fact it's uncomfortable for her. I let go of her hand, but she quickly places her own back in mine. This time I keep a light grip. I study her for a quick second. She sits comfortably next to me with her legs crossed casually. Her back is straight and her head is held high. She's confident. I stare in awe of her. Her confidence gives me the courage to find my own. I look to my parents and give my father a stern nod, letting him know he can begin.

"What is going on between you and Elena Lincoln?" my father asks in demanding voice and I know this is about to be the longest discussion I've ever had in my life.

xoEW