Authors Note:

Hi everyone. I will write chapter 26 this weekend. Work is extraordinarily intense, so I have to wait to the weekend. As a result, then I am writing exceedingly minor cliffhangers. Not mind blowing ones, so you all won't have to wait on baited breath. In terms of ending this story, yes eventually it will end but not right now… a few things I want to write about still.

Again, I massive thank you to Crytal9034 for her edits. Also thank you for reading…

Regards,

Maria Amore.

Developments

Christian's POV:

"Christian if you tell me then maybe I can help" Elliot offers. I shake my head, horrified at this predicament.

"Elliot I think, I may have fucked up my relationship with Ana. Again." I confess, expressing my biggest fear. I look down and see Ana, looking so carefree and happy. The way I have always wanted to make her with me. Kate passes her a glass of wine, and I want to scream out! Ana shouldn't be drinking if she is pregnant.

"Shit bro, what have you done now?" Elliot throws his hands up in the air. How do I explain this without explaining punishment fucks? Glorious memories of Ana on top of me and teasing me fill my mind. She told me to 'control' but that is one thing that always gets thrown out the window when I have been with her. Fuck, I will just bypass this explanation and get to the point.

"I think Ana might be pregnant," I say bluntly. Elliot gets a large smile on his face.

"Wow, Christian, you really are the man, aren't you!" He raises his beer and takes a long drink. "But I don't get it, you wanted another child. You told me and dad. Why the fuck up then?"

"Ana doesn't realize that she may be pregnant. Nor does she know that I want to have another child with her. She doesn't know that I came inside her. We weren't using a condom, she kind of took control, and it happened." I add.

Elliot who is still taking a long drink of his beer, scoffs unceremoniously spits it out, as he hears out my confession. He starts to cough loudly. Too loudly, as it gets the attention of Ana and Kate, who have raced up from the lower deck, to see what's happened.

"Elliot!" Kate goes over to see him concerned.

"Kate, I am fine. I just had a tingle in my throat" he says still coughing.

"That was one hell of a tingle." Ana states perplexed.

"Oh you have no idea, Ana. You have no idea." He says almost laughing. I tighten my lips and give him scolding look. He cannot give anything away.

"I will get you some water" Ana offers as Kate rubs Elliot's back.

"NO!" Elliot states. "Kate and Ana, both of you go back down and relax. Have some girl time. Christian and I were just talking about…. Sorry little brother, I seem to have forgotten due to that little tingle. What were we talking about again?" Elliot gives me his stupid grin while Ana and Kate look at me. I try not to look uncomfortable.

"World population" I tell them.

"Oh yes, that is it. Christian and I were talking about population and its impact on the life unit." Elliot states stifling his laugh.

"That is an unusual topic for you Elliot. Actually it's a funny conversation for a day of sailing" Kate evaluates.

Elliot gives a small smile. "Kate and Ana, I am alright. You both go back downstairs and relax. You both deserve some girl time. Plus I rarely get to have time with my little brother, he recently offers such fascinating information" I want to groan. I think the girls are getting suspicious already

"I have missed us all being together. I have also missed you both together. It has always been so…..amusing." Ana says at my expense.

"Well we will all be able to spend more time together as a group of four, when you both finally get back to Seattle." Kate adds. Elliot glares at me which catches the watchful eye of Kate. I notice him shake his head and state that everything is well. I don't know if Kate is buying it or not. Ana comes over and gives me a soft kiss on my lips. I grab her around the hips, pulling her close to me as I continue to steer the yacht. I breathe in her scent. She smells so good.

"I have a bathing suit for you and Kate in the cabin. Want to go swimming?" I offer.

"Yeah. Will you join us?" Ana asks.

"Yes, as soon as I anchor the yacht. Also, you need to stop drinking wine then. Alcohol and swimming are not a healthy combination" Ana rolls her eyes at me, but quickly moves off with Kate to get changed, leaving Elliot and I alone once more.

"Good move on the swimming and having Ana stop drinking." Elliot states and stares at me waiting for me to offer more information. Information that I am hesitant to divulge.

"So are you quite sure that Ana does not know that you came inside her? Surely your dick hasn't shrunk so much that she wouldn't feel it inside her anymore?" Elliot states trying not to laugh.

"Ana and I were being intimate, and I didn't pull out early enough. I have already told you this." I try not to get frustrated.

"For a bloody business genius, you are a twit bro! You finally get Ana back, re-start a decent relationship with your son and start to act like a human, and you may have screwed it all up" Elliot is furious. I cock my head to the side at him, repulsed by his analysis.

"Christian, I refuse to sit here and watch history repeat itself. I don't want to watch you get hurt again. You don't deserve to be miserable. If you genuinely think Ana is pregnant, then you are going to have to tell her and soon."

"Hum..." I reply incoherent. I hate the obvious being stated. I growl a little. Elliot and shakes his head once more.

"Christian, you are my brother, and for reasons I cannot fathom, I love you. I want you to be happy, and Ana is the key to that. Just make sure, when you talk to her, let her know that you aren't the same jerk that you were when Ana got pregnant with Ted. Make it obvious. Take out a billboard if you have to but do it!"

"Saintly advice from my brother" I mock.

"Relatively speaking, yes!" Elliot states. "Christian you have to be honest. I honestly missed you over the past 18 years, and I feel like I am only just getting my brother back." I nod at my brothers warm words. It is probably the nicest thing he has ever said to me.

"So what are you going to do?" Elliot asks.

"I am going to wait till we are back in New York, and if Ana starts having symptoms, I will make her visit a doctor with me and let the rest happen" The key thing of my lose plan, is that I am with Ana when she finds out. I don't want her to freak out and worry about telling me. That is how everything started last time.

"Or you could just go and tell her. You know, 'Hey Ana, I think I got you pregnant again, but I am not the same jerk off I was when you first got pregnant with Ted, so please come and live with me and my overbearing fucked-upness and let's have our happily ever after ending. Please do not run off because I am no longer an asshole that will just throw money at my child, I actually want to be a part of this child's life not waiting until he is seventeen and confronts me over a larger than the moon trust fund.' How does that sound?" Elliot smirks. He turns away

I chose not to reply. Regardless of my brother's tackles comments, he has a point. My biggest fear is losing my family, and a big part of me is rather happy that Ana maybe pregnant. Who would have thought I would ever find myself in this position. Elliot joins Kate and Ana downstairs, leaving me to my thoughts.

After dropping the anchor, I go down to the bottom deck. Ana and Kate are lying on the lounge chairs, both dressed in bathing suits, and chatting to Elliot. Thankfully they are both drinking water. Damn it, I am going stir crazy just wondering about this. I grab the bottle of sunscreen lotion and sit behind Ana. I start to rub the lotion into Ana's perfect skin.

"I already put some on" Ana whispers into my ear.

"I am just making sure. I don't want you to burn" I tell her. I rub generous amounts into her back, shoulders and then on to her front. Softly I rub the lotion on to her stomach, deep thoughts go through my mind as I touch this part of her body. I notice Elliot look at me concerned.

"You alright? You are even more quiet that usual." Ana comments trying to make eye contact with me. Elliot goes and takes Kate's hand.

"Kate, come and swim with me." Elliot practically lifts her up and guides her to the back of the boat, leaving Ana and I alone. He gives me a look to tell me to spill the beans. I narrow my eyes at him. I have no intention of telling Ana, especially as I only have suspicions.

"I love your skin" I tell her, now rubbing lotion on her legs. Ana giggles and shakes her head.

"You being very mercurial today." Ana assessed.

"It's a habit of a life time Anastasia, and you are sufficiently greasy with sunscreen lotion." I reach up and kiss her. I never tire of her kisses.

"Kate wants me to go shopping with her before we leave. Just her and me." I frown at the thought. I don't really want Ana away from my side while we are here in Seattle. "Don't be like that. You can go and spend some time with Elliot or workout or something. Plus I want to go and shop for household stuff."

"Household stuff?" I enquire.

"Yes. I want to look at some furniture for my study for the house and anything else we may want." Ana tells me.

"Just look?" I cock my head to the side.

"Well I thought you might want to come and actually chose furniture with me" Ana pouts.

"I can, but I am happy with whatever you chose. We should go through the house and take inventory on what we want to keep and get rid of." I can't hide my smile at this development. I lie next to Ana, allowing my hands to roam free on her flawless body. I am rather happy that I selected a bikini. It allows free access of so much of her body.

"I want to kiss you. Everywhere" I tell her, starting with her shoulders and moving on to her chest. Ana giggles, and it only encourages me to continue.

"Boy, I know you both have years to catch up on, but please let's hold off acting like rabbits whilst in the presence company if you don't mind" Elliot mocks. He and Kate have just returned on board after their swim in the water.

Ana sits up abruptly, blushing a deep shade of red. However I have a strong desire to take Elliot down for his rabbit comment, especially after what I confessed to him earlier. Elliot looks so full of himself. Time to take my brother down a peg or two.

"Okay Elliot, up for a challenge. Freestyle to the island." Elliot and Kate look to the side of the yacht to locate the island. Elliot grins back at me.

"The island is over three miles from here. You can hardly see it." Kate states concerned, which makes Ana a little worried also.

"Don't worry Kate. Christian has never beaten me in a swimming race." Elliot reassures her.

"The only thing you have ever beaten me at. Plus, don't be so cocky, you haven't trained much lately." I point out.

"Neither have you, unless you include doing the horizontal hokey pokey, as training. Apologies for my crudeness Ana, but it is the truth and to be honest, my brother is less of an un-sufferable old ass with you around. You deserve the congressional medal of honor." Ana again blushes to a deep red. Time to shut up my older brother.

"Race starts now" I tell him and run to the back of the yacht. I jump in and start swimming. I know that this will make Elliot cease his jeering and his competitive juices will start churning. I have to shut him up before he says something that pushes my hand early.

Ana's POV:

I wake up to my cell phone beep, telling me I have received a new email. I know exactly who it is from. But my email address is new... Or to be honest it is old...

To: Anastasia Grey

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Another apology.

Dearest Mrs. Grey, (I love calling you that again)

I have taken the liberty to reset up your Grey Publishing email and set it up on your blackberry. I much prefer to send an email to Anastasia Grey than Anastasia Steele. Also, this is a private email and not monitored like your HarperCollins email.

I am sorry that I had to leave you today. Even more so since you were still asleep. I could have stayed and just watched you sleep for hours. Trust me when I tell you that if I didn't come in to take this meeting, it could put a lot of jobs at jeopardy. You should realize what it takes to separate me from you.

Thoughts of you in our bed will keep me going. I look forward to seeing you tonight.

Keep security close to you and Kate today while you shop. I have put your credit card in your purse. Please use it. I am happy with whatever you chose.

I love you. You are my all.

Christian Grey

Missing every inch of his wife, CEO of Grey Enterprises

I roll my eyes. Reinstating this email is so Christian. He has also apologized for the twentieth time since he got a call from Ros yesterday. It is the day before we are to return to New York and there has been an issue at work that Christian has to resolve over some of his shipping yards.

I quickly type a response.

To: Christian Grey

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: Apology accepted.

Mr. Grey,

Our bed is way too big without you. I am lying on your pillow still gloriously naked after last night's escapades. The scent of your pillow is extremely enticing.

Kate is meeting me here in less than an hour. Yes, I will take security, do not fret.

I love you too. You are my all, also

Anastasia Grey

Or otherwise known as Mrs. Grey.

I send the email and grin. I know I won't have to wait long for his response.

To: Anastasia Grey

From: Christian Grey

Subject: Jealous

Anastasia,

Never before have I ever been so jealous of an item such as my pillow. I have a good mind to drive back home, take care of you and then return to the office. However, my 8:30 meeting is almost here.

I will be back at the sound at 5pm. Please be there when I arrive as I am looking forward to taking you in hand.

Christian Grey,

Very Jealous CEO of Grey Enterprises

To: Christian Grey

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: May I make a request?

Rather than meet at the sound… could we go to Escala? Is everything the same at the apartment as it used to be?

Anastasia Grey

I take a deep breath after sending the email. I am blushing just sending this email. It has been something on the back of my mind for a while.

To: Anastasia Grey

From: Christian Grey

Subject: request received

I haven't changed the apartment.

Why?

Christian Grey,

Intrigued CEO of Grey Enterprises

Oh is he really going to make me spell this out? I bet he is grinning behind his desk.

To: Christian Grey

From: Anastasia Grey

Subject: play time?

I think you know why.

Anastasia Grey

To: Anastasia Grey

From: Christian Grey

Subject: We aim to please

I think I am still capable of meeting your request. Gail and Taylor are back this afternoon. I will have them pack up for us and bring our bags to Escala.

I have to go to my meeting, but I fear I will be terribly distracted by thoughts of you.

I love you more than you can ever imagine.

Christian Grey,

Smitten, crazy in love and beyond aroused CEO of Grey Enterprises

I smile at Christian's email signature. Sometimes it is as if we were never apart and at other times we really need to work at our relationship.

"Ana, are you ready yet?" I hear Kate's voice from outside mine and Christian's room. It seems to take me a lot longer to get ready lately. I suspect it is the radical change in routine that Christian's presence has had on my life.

"Yes and come in" I call out as I put my shoes on. Kate looks radiant as usual. "Sorry I am running late, I haven't felt well to be honest" I shrug.

"You are sick?" Kate asks

"Not really. Just a little nauseous. Must be the thought of shopping" Kate and I laugh. I have never enjoyed shopping much.

We go from store to store, mainly so I can select furniture for my study and so Kate can satisfy her need to shop for clothes. Before we realize it, it is 2pm, and we haven't stopped.

"I am getting hungry. What about you?" I ask Kate.

"Yeah. Just let me pay for these" Kate says holding several pieces of clothes.

"I am just going to go to the bathroom. Meet you here in a few minutes" I tell her.

"Again? That is the fifth time since we have been shopping. If you are just taking a moment to call or email Christian, you don't have to walk away" Kate says smiling at me. I walk away, really needed to go to the bathroom. Gosh Kate can over exaggerate, I haven't gone to the bathroom like five times, have I?

We chose to eat at an Italian restaurant, though the minute we enter I wish we hadn't. I scrunch up my nose a little as we sit down.

"Ana what is wrong with you?" Kate asks.

"It's just the smell from all the garlic bread. It is rather strong isn't it" I comment.

"No, not really." Kate shakes her head at me.

"Oh, maybe it is just me then" I shrug my shoulders.

"Yes, maybe it is just you" Kate is eyeing me off. I chose to ignore it and order. Kate orders a chicken salad and a coffee whilst I order a tuna salad with focaccia and pot of herbal tea.

"You don't usually drink herbal tea" Kate interrogates me.

"I have just started to develop a dislike for tea," I say shrugging my shoulders. I don't understand why. I have been drinking English breakfast for twenty years!

"So you and Christian seemed to be going well. I also hear from Ava that Ted and Christian are unquestionably growing their relationship." She smiles.

"Yes. Things are certainly going well actually. I am surprised honestly. You would think it would be hard, but it isn't." I reflect smiling.

"You and Christian are meant to be together, and that is why it has been relatively quick. If you were honest with yourself, then maybe you too will admit that all the mistakes of the last eighteen years were exactly that, one monumental mistake" Kate sums up.

I am about to agree when our drinks and lunch come out. Hunger overtakes me, and I start to eat. Man I don't think I have been this hungry in a long time. I have to stop skipping breakfast. The stench of Kate's coffee hits and for some reason my stomach churns. I put my hand over my mouth.

"I am going to be sick," I tell Kate and get up to go to the bathroom.

Several minutes later I return to our table, thankful that my lunch and Kate's coffee has been cleared.

"I am sorry Kate. I think I have some sort of stomach bug" I tell her. I grab the glass of water and drink, though it does little to refresh me.

"Ana, are you…" Kate stops and shakes her head.

"What?" I ask.

"Have you been using any protection?" She asks bluntly now. So like Kate.

"I went on the pill a couple of weeks ago." I tell her unsure of what she is actually asking me.

"So you had a period before you went on the pill?" Kate probes.

"No, I didn't" Shit she is right. I messed it up. I am supposed to menstruate then go on them.

"Ana, I think we should go to the drug store and get a pregnancy test or you should make an appointment with your doctor." Kate tells me straight up. A pregnancy test? Doctor?

"I am not pregnant," I tell her.

"Ana this morning when I met you, you were nauseous, you have gone to the toilet constantly, and you just vomited after eating and you couldn't handle the smell of my coffee. So unless you have developed an eating disorder then maybe you are pregnant." Kate tells me. I can't conceptualize what she is saying.

"Kate, I am fine, I have a stomach bug. I am not pregnant, and I don't have an eating disorder. Maybe it has been all this shopping. I hate it. I should just go home and get some rest" I tell her smiling.

"Did you and Christian ever have any unprotected sex?" Oh great the Kate Kavanagh inquisition has reached full throttle

"No, we didn't" I tell her looking. "We have always….. " Oh shit, there was that time... That time when I was on top and was slow to come off... Did Christian come inside of me? I try to recall exactly what happened second by second, but I am so unsure.

"Ana, let's go. I am going to get you a pregnancy test" I nod and robotically get up. I work on automation and try to come to grips with the possibility that I may just be pregnant. Oh no, how will fifty react? Do I even want another child? Shit don't tell me this is history repeating itself again. I need to know and now.

I sit in the car as Kate walks into the drug store. This way security won't follow and will not know what she is purchasing. We go to Escala as it is close by.

Nervously, I read the instructions of the pregnancy test. Kate is waiting outside the bathroom for me. Carefully I follow the instructions and wait. A few minutes later the test results become apparent. I walk out of the bathroom, and Kate stands up.

"Well?" She says impatiently.

"Positive. It is positive I am pregnant." I tell her. I feel strange and light headed. Before I know it, all the blood rushes from my head, and my legs feel like jelly.

"Ana" I hear my name being called out before all I see is black.

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