Hard to believe its been a long time since I've added any chapters to this story... Well that's all going to change because I will be finishing this story.

For those of you who stuck with me for three plus years thank you! And for those who are just now finding this story, I hope you enjoy!

Anastasia

"Babe, who else will be here?" Kate asks Elliot who is currently driving her car up the driveway of the Grey's home. After dad, Luke, and I arrived back home, we found Elliot and Kate sitting on the couch waiting for our arrival. I told dad I would ride with Kate since there was no point in taking three cars.

"Nobody really just family and mom said dad invited his partner from the law firm."

"I thought your dad had his own firm?" I ask seated from the backseat of the car.

"He does, but he recently hired a Harvard law graduate, who he met when he had gone to teach a class last year. He says he's smart and has an ear for the law." He shrugs as he steers the car through the front gates of his family home.

A smile forms on my face when The Grey's home comes into view.

"Your mom looks excited." I say as I see Grace's beaming smile on her face when the car comes to a stop in front of the house.

"Yeah, she's been looking forward to some company." Elliot teases and receives a glare from Kate, as she swatted his upper arm.

"Elliot that's not nice. She your mom." I laugh as he fakes an injury, while Kate shakes her head at his joke.

"Come on you two." I say, getting out of the car just in time to see my dad and Luke walking towards the house.

"Hello Ana!" Grace greets me with a motherly hug, before she shakes hands with my dad and Luke, informing them the men are in Carrick's study.

"Thank you Grace." My dad speaks as he makes his way towards the study with Luke behind him.

"Grace, I've brought the Pot Pie you requested." I say as I see Kate and Elliot walk up the the front steps, holding the container.

"Oh sweetheart. You didn't need to, but I'm happy you did." She says smiling lovingly at me, "Thank you."

"It was no problem Grace." I say, returning her smile.

"Mom! Ana brought her Pot Pie." Elliot speaks as he swoops Grace of the floor, eliciting a laugh from her. "Elliot put me down," she says as she holds on to his biceps.

once Elliot places Grace on her feet, she turns to welcome Kate with a warm embrace, "Hello Kate."

"Hello Grace." Kate says as Elliot wraps his arm around her shoulder.

"So where is everyone at? I thought you said the cookout was for today?" Elliot questions as his eyes search the driveway.

Turning around I notice the only cars on the driveway besides Kate's and Sawyer's, are Grace and Carrick's in the two door garage.

"It was but Carrick changed his mind last minute, since he had to go to the office. So instead of a cookout, I've made a dinner." Grace smiles triumphantly.

"Grace, if you need any extra help I'd be glad to help you," I offer as we all walk inside. "It'll be no problem really."

"Ana I couldn't possibly ask you to do that, I mean..."

"Don't worry Grace Ana's a really good cook." Kate says as she's being pulled by her hand by Elliot, who's turning towards the living room where the men are joined.

"So Ana how's the publishing world?" Grace asks as she checks her baked mac and cheese in the oven.

"It's really good," I smile as I help her by stirring the steamed vegetables. "There's this author who's giving me a hard time, but besides that all the deadlines we have originally thought of are right on sche..." My rambling stops when I see the beautiful baked chocolate cake Grace had set aside to cool.

"Guys, Grace asked me to come get will be served shortly." I say walking inside the living room.

"Oh Ana, I'd like to present you to David, he's my partner at the firm." He says and I genuinely smile as I shake his hand. He can't be older than me, if anything I'd say he's probably three years older. He stands at 5'6 with a tan complexion, beautiful honey brown eyes and a body to go with it.

"And this is my nephew Thomas." Carrick introduces the gentleman behind him, who is speaking to Elliot.

When he turns around, and I finally see who he is, I plaster a fake smile and shake his hand. "Nice to meet you." I say quickly moving my hand from his grasp.

"Nice to meet you too, Anastasia." He says giving me a smile, that gives me the chills. I don't know anything about this man, but there is something off about him.

"Kate," I turn and step between Elliot and Kate. "Can you help me set the table?" I ask as I narrow my eyes at her.

"Yeah, okay." She shrugs and gives Elliot a kiss on the cheek as I drag her behind me, by her arm.

"Ana, what's wrong?" She asks as I pull her near the hallway and into one of the empty rooms.

"Remember the guy I spoke to you about?" I say as I sit on the bed.

"The one from GEH?" She ask and I nod my head. Her eyes widen when it clicks in her mind.

"No fucken way!" She all but screams, and I shush her. "What is he doing here?"

Taking a seat near me she looks down at the floor as I to try to piece everything together.

"He's Carrick's nephew."

"Ana, will you be okay?" I can hear the concern in her voice, I extend my hand and grab hold of hers, squeezing it gently. "I'll be fine. As long as I don't have to sit near him."

I should've known better. I should've just taken a seat near my father, but since Elliot is seated on the chair beside that one, Kate took the seat, sending me an apologetic smile as she did.

I internally sigh with frustration, when I turn to my left and see no one else but Tom seated next to me. Fucken great.

"So Ana, do you have any recommendations of books I should get for the pediatric wing at the hospital? I've been thinking about donating some books, since the books there are torn and written on." Grace, who's seated on my right asks, as she takes a sip of her water.

"Well there are some books we have published that are child friendly. They have very powerful messages and help children's imagination expand. I can actually give them to you." I say thinking about the books one of our new author's has written.

"Oh that would be lovely dear, thank you." She gushes as her hand engulfs mine in a show of gratitude.

"There's no need to thank me Grace, "I shrug as I feel a small blush rising on my cheeks, "I'd love to help anyway I can."

"So Ana, Elliot tells me you live here in Seattle," my eyes meet Kate who looks like she's going to be sick. "I'm not from here, but I'd like a tour of the city, if you wouldn't mind, I mean." He smiles and I politely smile back, "I'll think about it." I respond, kicking Kate on her shin, causing her to flinch.

"Are you okay babe?" Elliot asks turning to her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She smiles sweetly as I'm burning inside.

This is why I moved out of Kate's apartment as soon as I did. I like my privacy. I like the fact people don't know where the CEO of SPC lives. I love having my freedom, without having my privacy threatened. This Tom guy just oozes bad news and from the looks of everyone's behaviour I must be the only one who can smell it.

I'm broken out of my thoughts by the sound of a car in the parking lot.

"Oh Christian must home." Grace gushes with a wide smile on her face.

I turn to look at Kate when I feel Tom's arm resting on top of my chair. Oh fuck!

Seconds pass before Christian enters the dining room, greeting Carrick and my dad with a firm handshake, as well as David. Nodding towards Elliot and Kate, and kissing his mother on the cheek.

"So what did I miss?" He asks Grace, but I can feel his eyes on the side of my head.

I tense when I feel Tom's fingertips ghostly graze my upper arm, sending goosebumps from my head to my toes.

"If you excuse me I have to use the bathroom." I say turning to Grace, who nods in approval.

"Of course sweetheart." She smiles as I stand, excusing myself as I walk out of the dining room and into the hallway making a beeline towards the confines of the bathroom upstairs.

I take a deep breath as I attempt to tame my beating heart. My eyes land on the place where his fingers touched me and I feel sick.

Turning on the faucet to wash my hands, I hear the door creak open, and my eyes widen when I see who it is.

"What the fuck are you doing here! Get out!" I hiss as I see him step closer to me.

"Come on Ana, I know how you feel about me." Tom says as I walk back slowly putting distance between us.

"Tom you're delusional, if you think..."

"You can't deny it Ana, I know what you felt." He smiles a smile that has my heart racing with fear.

Don't let fear overcome your senses Annie. Relax, and think of your opponent's next move.

My dad's voice comes to mind and I can feel my right hand ball into a fist and before I know it, I punch Tom right in the middle of his chest cavity, causing him to slump forward as he's wheezing for air.

"Don't ever fucken think you can intimidate me Tom." I hiss through clenched teeth as the bathroom door swings open and there stands Christian, looking from me to Tom and back again.

"Ana..." His brows furrow and I can see the anger in his eyes when he realizes what just happened.

Before I know it, I run towards Christian and wrap my arms around his neck, trying to stop him, from what, I don't know. But if looks could kill, I have no doubt Tom would be a dead man by now.

"Ana, baby are you okay?" He says cupping my chin and lifting my face so he can look at me.

Unable to say anything, I simply nod my head and place my cheek on his chest.

For a moment I feel him tense under me, but then I feel his arms wrap around my waist pulling me closer to him.

"You're shaking, let's go for a walk yeah?" He asks and once again I nod my head.

Before we leave, Christian steers me outside the bathroom door and leans me near the wall, kissing my forehead as he goes back in the bathroom, bending down to whisper something near Tom's ears.

I can't hear what is said, but by the look of fear on Tom's face, I can tell it's bad.

"Ana are you sure you're okay?" Christian asks while holding my hand.

I roll my eyes and smile at him, "Christian that's like the tenth time you've asked that question." I tease, squeezing his hand lightly.

"I just want to be sure." He says running his free hand through his hair.

"Christian I'm fine, really." I shrug, "I'm a big girl, I can handle myself." I say trying to lighten the mood.

"Baby you are anything but big," he says picking me up by my waist.

"Christian!" I screech as he holds me three feet off the ground.

"I've got you." He says as I wrap my legs around his waist.

"You're an ass, you know that?" I say as our breathing comes out in pants.

Our faces are inches away from one another, but our bodies are pressed together. His arms are wrapped securely around my waist as my legs are wrapped around his. My eyes flutter to a close as I feel his breath on my chest.

"Christian... Please put me down." I ask as I feel my heart race once more.

"Why?" He asks and I can feel the tip of his nose run up my neck.

"Please." I beg as I gently push the palm of my hands on his chest.

He looks me in the eyes for a moment as if he's searching for something, which I think he finds, because before I know it my feet touch the floor.

I wrap my arms around myself as I suddenly feel the loss of warmth.

"Why do you do that?" He asks as I begin to walk back towards the house.

"Do what?" I turn towards him as we stand in the middle of the backyard.

"That," he motions to me and I roll my eyes.

"Be more specific Christian." I hiss.

He shakes his head as if he's trying to figure out a way to say it.

"Fucken say it already!" I impatiently growl as I see him shake his head once more.

"What the fuck are you so afraid of? If you didn't want this to go any further, why the fuck didn't you put a stop it? Why Ana?" He yells, and i can see his chest rise and fall quickly.

I can feel my eyes become watery as I look at the man standing before me.

"You want honesty Christian?" I say, wiping my tears away, and shaking my head when I see him step closer to me. "I'm fucken scared. I'm scared of having my heart broken. I'm scared of having to repair myself after all is said and done. I'm fucken terrified Christian, of loving someone who in reality would only use me. I'm scared of loving someone to the point I'd lose who I am. If I love someone it will be hard and fast, and I know it will tear at my soul if they ever left." I say as tears are running down my face, faster than I can wipe them.

"Ana baby, just stop running." I close my eyes as my heart thumps with the sorrow I hear in Christian's voice. Is it insane that I have already fallen hard for someone I barely even know?

I don't have to open my eyes to know Christian is now standing in front of me.

"Ana baby, I'm not going to hurt you. I promise, just give me a chance." I feel his hands on my waist and my arms wrap around his neck as I cry on his chest.

"Just don't hurt me Christian." I whisper as my hands run up and down the back of his neck.

"I promise baby." Christian whispers as he kisses the top of my head and holds me tightly.

"Come on everyone is probably worried." He says, pushing me at arms length so he can look at me.

He laughs once he sees my appearance, "Baby maybe we should go get you cleaned up first." My eyes widen when I think about everyone seeing my makeup all over the place. "Don't worry we can go to my old room." He laughs as he pulls me behind him by my hand.

"So... Does this mean no more running?"

I look in the mirror at Christians reflection as he's leaning against the door frame of his childhood bedroom's bathroom door.

Smiling I swipe my cherry lip gloss over my lips, before I swipe two coats of mascara on my eyelashes, "Yes." I answer and giggle as I feel him wrap his arms around my waist.

"So when can we go on our first official date?" Christian asks, running his nose up my neck, and kissing me under my ear.

"I don't know." I answer tilting my head slightly.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Pressing a kiss on my shoulder he turns around and begins to type on his phone. "Mom wants to know if you're okay. I guess Tom must've told them I showed you the grounds." He says sliding his phone, back in his pocket of his jeans.

"Nothing really, I was just going into the offi..."

"Okay it's settled then," he says kissing my temple. "I'll pick you up at your home at 8am sharp, unless you're also spending the night here?"

My brows furrow in confusion, "Why would I be?" I ask as I fold my arms under my chest.

"Mia went out with some friends and she came up with the idea of going out later, since she's not here. Mom even gave her permission for a sleepover." He smirks once he finishes talking.

"Christian I have no extra clothes, and I doubt Kate brought any..." I stop mid-sentence, when I realize I indeed saw Elliot carry my small duffle bag to his car.

"Those sneaky fuckers." I whisper under my breath as a smile forms on my lips.