A/N: I want to say first that this chapter is a little darker then all my other chapters and it's the longest one yet. I don't know if it needs a trigger warning. It's not super dark, cry in the corner or anything like that. But I don't want someone to read and wish they had a warning. I don't think it's bad, but that's me. If you have questions before you read PM me. I'll answer them for you… With that said. "The bitch is back…"
Monday before Thanksgiving
Ana
It's 11 am, and I'm sitting at my computer going through final reports for a new telecommunications company we just acquired when the phone rings. There's no number or name on the caller ID.
"Ana Grey," I answer
"It's about time, I didn't think I would ever get through."
"Who is this?"
"It's your mother dear. I've been trying to get in touch with you for a while. I always get hung up on. I used a fake name to get me through."
My blood runs cold, and I'm totally silent. I haven't seen or heard from her in almost three years. I had her name added to the no-call and proscribed list along with Steven's. She had her chance with me, and never once tried to get in touch with me after she left, I just accepted she was gone, so why now?
"What do you want Carla?" I say with certain hostility.
"Now that's no way to talk to your mother young lady." She snaps at me. Really?!
"Well, considering I don't have a mother the point is moot."
She sighs. "I just want to talk Anastasia, make amends."
"I think the time to talk was three years ago." I scoff.
"Ana, I was forced to give up my rights to you. Grace and Carrick said I would lose everything if I didn't."
"Bullshit!" I yell. "You called me a whore and told me to get rid of my baby." I'm seething, my blood now beginning to boil.
"You were too young for a baby Ana. I didn't want you to throw away your life…"
I cut her off. "I was going to college in a few months, you told me I had to move to Texas before I finished my senior year and forget about MIT. That was before I told you I was pregnant." I'm shaking I'm so mad.
"Listen, Ana, I made a… mistake." She's lying. I can tell by her voice and the way she had paused before she said mistake.
"I just want to try and make it right."
"Funny how now you're trying to make it right. Is it because you found out that Christian and I stayed together, got married, and now worth millions? Would that be the reason you're coming around now?"
Now she's silent. I knew it.
"Fine, you're right. I have nothing and need help. I was hoping my daughter would help me." She's crying. The award for worst actress goes to...
She can cry all she wants, I don't care. "You have no one to blame but yourself, Carla. Dad gave you money when he died, you had your share of the house, but you blew it all didn't you? If you stayed and tried to be my mom, love and support me, you could have been a part of my life, and you wouldn't be suffering. Sucks doesn't it?" I hang up.
I would cry, but I'm too angry. I want nothing to do with this woman. I take a couple of deep breaths and decide that there's only one person here that can make me feel better.
I head up to the 20th floor, go straight past Andrea, and into Christian's office. His hair is an untamed mess, he has the phone between his ear and shoulder and is tapping a pen on his desk. When he sees me, he smiles but looks at me questionably.
He pushes out his chair when I start walking to him. I curl into his lap, putting my face in his neck. He smells so good, coconut body wash, cologne, and Christian. It's heaven.
"I'll call you back," He says to whoever was on the phone and hangs up. I start kissing his neck.
"Not that I'm not happy you're here, but I have a meeting in five minutes." He brushes my hair back.
"I know, I just needed to see you." I pull his face to mine and kiss him. Even though he hesitates slightly, our tongues battle feverishly.
"Ana," He mumbles against my lips and pushes me back a little. "Stop."
I stop, leaning back and looking at him.
"Babe, I have a meeting, I don't have time for this today. I have so much to do if I hope to get out of here before midnight."
"I know. I wasn't looking for sex, I just needed to see you." I lean back down back in the crook of his neck. He sighs and runs a hand through my hair.
"Ana?"
"Mr. Grey," Andrea interprets. He reaches for the intercom with me still clinging to him for life.
"Yes, Andrea?"
"Ms. Davidson is here to see you."
"Thank you, Andrea, just give me a minute."
"Yes, sir."
I reluctantly stand up, when Christian pushes me off his lap. I fix my skirt that was pushed up. Christian gathers papers from his desk.
"I really need to start this meeting Ana." He says not looking at me, sorting out papers. I don't understand why he's so distant.
"I guess I'll see you later?" I question quietly.
"I don't know yet, I'm going to be here late. I'll let you know." He's still not looking at me and waves me off. Is he serious right now? He never treats me like this.
"Did I do something wrong?" I'm trying not to cry, but between my mother and his cold shoulder, I just want to curl up in a ball somewhere. He stops what he's doing and looks at me.
"Of course not. I'm just really busy now. With the holiday, the Taiwanese, the shipyard, my time is stretched. I don't have time for office rendezvous." He all but snaps at me. Then goes back to what he was doing.
"Yes, Mr. Grey" I sass him.
"I don't need your smart mouth, either."
I ignore him and walk to the door.
"Send her in Andrea." I hear him bark behind me before I close the door.
On my way to the elevator, I pass a beautiful leggy busty brunette. She looks at me up and down and smirks at me, then enters Christian's offices. For the first time, in a long time I'm jealous.
I head back to my office and after much debate with myself, I spy on my husband. Today isn't the first day he's been distant and moody. Since last Monday he's been holed up in his office either at work or at home. He doesn't come to bed till one or two in the morning and is gone before I'm awake. I think we've had sex twice since then, both times quick, and filled with no emotion from him. Wam, bam thank you, ma'am.
Even Sunday he worked all day. He hasn't missed a Sunday since the early days of GEH. Teddy hasn't been going to bed without throwing a fit because he wants his daddy. I had to demand on Friday that Christian spend some time with Teddy. He grumbled at me but thankfully did it. I've brushed it all off till today. I know he's been crazy busy. With the holidays, finalizing four new companies, and a mole in the legal department. I know he's overloaded and almost drowning. I shake my head and load the security cameras in his office and watch.
Ms. Davidson is leaning over Christian at his desk pointing to papers on his desk. She's lightly touching his shoulder, pushing her hair back, and laughing. What the hell could be so funny about a shipyard? And I don't know how I feel about the bitch touching him.
I decide I've had enough watching this 'lovefest.' I trust him. I think just right now my emotions are a mess, and I'm making something out of nothing, and this woman has all my man's attention, something I really needed. Don't be a child Ana. He loves you. He's allowed to be distracted in his own world once in a while. I know it was just Carla's phone call that has me worked up. I never dealt with the issue, and I put her on the back burner, out of my mind. I had better, more important things to deal with.
I shake my head trying to rid myself of any doubts and thoughts of my mother out. I just need some fresh air, and time to myself. I don't alert Sawyer that I'm leaving. It's not like he can't track me. I just want to be alone, so I go for a walk around Pike Place Market and walk around, maybe get some retail therapy.
I feel as someone is following me and figure it's Sawyer. I'm standing at a craft stand, when I feel something pressed against my back and a voice I hoped to never hear again.
"Well, well, well, you're even prettier than I remember." Stephen Morton, my mother's husband. "Now I wouldn't make a sound and come with me. Your mother missed you."
"I know you wouldn't kill me because I'm the one who can get you what you want," I say calmly, as we start walking out of the market. I touch the panic button on my watch. It should alert the security team that I'm in danger. I could scream out and alert the small crowd that is around, but I don't trust that he wouldn't shoot me.
We get to a Dodge Caravan, and he opens the side door. There's no seats in the back and pushes me in.
"Give me your purse." He demands and points the gun that was on the back of my head. I willingly hand him my bag. He finds my phone, throws it on the ground and stomps on it. Smashing it to a hundred pieces. Takes my money and cards out, then leaves my purse with the now smashed phone on the ground. He slams the van door closed and gets in the driver seat. That's when I notice my mother is the passenger side.
"Hello, mother," I say sarcastically.
"Oh, so now I'm mother? What happened to Carla?" She sneers at me. Stephen starts driving, I look around and notice all the windows blacked out.
"Whatever do you guys want from me? If it's money you want, I'll give it to you."
"Oh, it is money we want. Three million dollars," Stephen says.
"Fine go to the bank, and I'll get it for you." I'm doing my best to act calm and disinterested.
"Well, that wouldn't be any fun, now would it? I think we should get that husband of yours to bring it to us."
"Steve, she's willing to give us the money. The quicker we get it, the quicker we get out of here." My mother tells him, almost pleading.
"Shut up Carla. I'm in charge here. Don't you think she's way too willing to give up the cash? She'll go in that bank and have them call the cops."
"I'm willing to give you the money because all I want to do is go back to my family," I say. "Carla can come with me."
"NO!" He shouts. "I want that boy that ruined you to bring me the money. That way I can show him how to really take 'care' of a girl like you."
I pale, and my stomach turns. He wants to rape me? My mother looks at him with her mouth open, which he doesn't notice. She quickly shakes her head and looks out the window. Maybe this wasn't part of the original plan.
I don't know how long we drive for when we arrive at an abandoned factory, in the middle of who knows where. The van door opens, and Stephen pulls me out of the van by my hair.
"Walk bitch!" He points the gun at me as I start to walk inside the building.
"You don't need to point the gun at her Stephen, she's going," Carla says. I hear him hit her in the face.
"Shut up Carla," He growls.
I'm pushed into the room and then thrown onto a dirty mattress.
"If you move from this spot I will blow your head off, understand?" I nod. "Good."
He leans down and brushes my face with his hand. I try to move away when he grabs my face and holds it tight. He leans his head into my hair and sniffs. "God, you smell good." He then licks my face, "taste good too."
It takes everything in my power not to vomit. He finally moves away. "It's time to call that husband of yours. Carla watch her. If she moves, she won't be the only one on the way to the morgue." He leaves, and I look at my mother who is white as ghost and tears falling down her cheek.
2 hours earlier…
Christian:
I'm trying to finish this meeting with Ms. Davidson. She's driving me crazy, with all her touching and flirting. I'm trying to smile and laugh in all the right places to be polite, but I just want to bang my head against the wall.
If I didn't need her father's shipping yard so bad, I would have kicked her out. After what seems like hours, we're signing the papers to close the deal.
"I think we should have dinner tonight, Mr. Grey, and celebrate." She looks at me fluttering her eyes and twirling her hair at me acting like she's 16.
"That won't be necessary Ms. Davidson."
"Sonya." She interrupts me, trying to get me to call her by her first name for the 100th time today.
"Ms. Davidson. I have way too much work to get done this week and don't have time for social dinners." I stand up and move to my desk.
"Well, there are other ways to celebrate, Mr. Grey." She purrs and walks closer to me.
"I'm going to stop you right there," I say sternly. "I'm married, everyone in America knows it, and I don't step out. So please thank you and your father for the business, but I need you to get going because I have another meeting." I don't understand these kinds of woman. I just smile in their direction, and they think I want them. It gets so annoying.
"Nobody ever turns me down." She scoffs.
"Well, there's a first for everything. Like I said it was a pleasure doing business with you, but we're done now."
"Oh come off it, Mr. Grey. You were flirting…" She's cut off my Taylor flying into my office.
"SIR!" His face is alarmed. "We have a situation." He looks at me and then to Ms. Davidson.
"Please get Ms. Davidson out of here and then we can talk." Taylor starts walking to her.
"I can do it by myself" She snaps and walks out of my office.
"What is it, Taylor?" I ask when the door closes.
"It's Mrs. Grey sir." My heart drops in the pit of my stomach.
"Her panic alarm was activated ten minutes ago at the Pike Place Market." Barney and Welsh and two other security guys enter my office. This can't be good. I fall into my chair.
"Mrs. Grey left Grey House about thirty minutes ago and didn't inform Sawyer. He quickly noticed her missing and tracked her down at Pike Place. When he arrived, that's when the panic alarm went off. He found Mrs. Grey's bag and her phone was smashed."
I put my hand through my hair. "Oh God."
"Her watch is still on her. Sawyer got into his car and started following her location, which is going down the I-5. I have alerted the police, and we have three more guys heading down now. We have to be careful, though. We have no idea who had her, what they want. If we just.." He trails off.
I know what he's saying if we just go get her they could kill her. "I get it, Taylor. So we just sit and wait?"
"Yes, sir."
I shake my head. This can't be happening. Maybe I'll wake up, and it will be all a dream.
"I want to follow behind."
"I figured sir. We need Barney with us, so if they call for ransom, we can trace it, maybe find out who has her."
I quickly tell Andrea to cancel everything today and if anything can't wait give it to Ros. We head out to the cars and head down the I-5 towards Portland. About forty minutes later Taylor's phone rings.
"Sawyer?" He puts it on speaker.
"They have stopped outside of an old factory, outside of Portland. I had to pull over so I wasn't noticed, and so I wouldn't alert them. They are driving a Dodge mini-van."
"Do you have the tags?"
"Yes, I have already notified Welsh for the trace."
"Thank you, Sawyer, keep us updated." He hangs up, and Taylor's phone rings again.
"Welsh, what do you have?"
"The van is a rental. According to Enterprise, it was rented to a Carla Morton."
"Ana's mother," I gasp. The bitch is back.
"Yes, sir."
"What the fuck?" Before I know it, my phone rings from an unknown number.
"Grey!" I snap.
"Well, if it isn't Christian Grey. I'm not sure if you remember me, we only met once. You stopped me from getting what I really wanted when you knocked up my step-daughter."
"Morton," I spit. "What do you want? Where is my wife?"
"Well, first we'll start with three million dollars. I will text you the drop-off location. The second thing will be your beautiful wife," He laughs.
"You son-of-a-bitch. If you touch one hair on her body." I'm seething.
"Did I ruffle your feathers, Grey? Come on you need to learn to share your toys. You have two hours to bring me my money. No cops! I'm not afraid to blow her brains out. Later."
He hangs up. I'm shaking with fear and anger.
"Sorry boss it's a burner," Barney tells me.
"I know who it is. It's Stephen Morton, Ana's step-dad. He's texting me the address." My phone beeps notifying me of the text.
*1438 SE Spokane St. Portland. 3 mill 2 hours*
Don't worry baby, I'm coming. Please God, don't let anyone hurt her.
We finally arrive at the factory location and meet up with the police. The plan is to hopefully lure him out with the money, which we don't have, and make the attack. The address Stephen sent me is two blocks away from the factory. I don't think the dumb fuck knows that we are aware where he is. I'm sweating bullets, waiting, to make the phone call, and get Ana back.
ANA-
Stephen has left to make his call, and I make his call. I take this time to talk to my mom.
"You can't let him do this mom. If it's money you want, you can have it, but you can't let him do this." She says nothing and won't look at me. "You were a good mom, till you met him. I know you had a hard time when daddy died, but you worked hard, and you tried."
"But your father left you everything. I read about your trust fund that he gave you a half of million dollars, and I got pennies." She sniffs. "I broke my back to pay for everything."
"You spent the money he gave you right away, on what I don't know. I couldn't touch mine till I left for college. I would have helped you mom, but you pushed me away." Great, now I'm crying. "If I didn't get pregnant and I went to Texas with you, what would have happened? He would have raped me then mom. I bet he's already been in trouble for stuff like that. He's your husband mom, and you can't let him do this." She's still staying quiet. However, I feel like something dawned on her. "I did love you mom, a part of me always will. I just want you to know that." I whisper.
Before long Stephen comes busting through the doors.
"I talked to your husband. He's bringing me my money. You better hope he listens."
He starts walking around me like I'm his prey.
"I wonder if your body is still as good after having a baby. I did see those tabloid photos a few months back." He touches my arm, up and down. "You looked nice and tight."
"Stephen, leave her alone. Let's just get our money so we can get out of the country before they find us."
He bolts up and grabs Carla's arm and pulls her to the side of the room. I hear him yelling at her, but I can't really understand them. I know I hear if she didn't mess up years ago they wouldn't be in this mess and he could have had me years ago. I cringe at the thought. I hear a loud smack and see my mom crash to the floor.
He comes storming back over to me. His eyes are filled with something I can't place, he almost looks murderous. He pushes me down on the mattress and takes a hold of my blouse and rips it off me. Then starts pulling down my skirt. I try my best to fight him, but he's too heavy. He smacks me across the face and ends up just ripping my skirt off. He leaves my underwear on and gets off me to sit in the chair across me. He's just staring at me, plotting, waiting. I don't know how long he does this. Christian where are you? I just want to go home to him and Teddy and put this nightmare behind me. I look over at my mom who still hasn't moved since Stephen hit her.
Breaking the silence Stephen's phone rings.
"You're early Grey." I wish I could hear the other side of the conversation.
"Leave the money at the door. I'll release your wife after I have my money, and have a little fun with her first. Tell me is her pussy nice and tight?"
Even though I can't hear what Christian is saying, his voice is booming through the receiver. Stephen lets out an evil laced laugh.
"Now that's not the way to talk to someone holding a gun to your wife's head." He laughs again before hanging up.
"I don't trust that husband of yours for a minute. I know you have a security team that is with him. Maybe even the cops."
He crawls over to me.
"So after I have my way with you, I'm going to send Carla out. While she is distracting them, I'll grab the money and shoot whoever gets in my way.
"You're not going to get away with this," I mutter.
"Maybe not, but at least I'll have you first." He grabs my face to kiss it while trying to reach down my panties.
Then everything happens in a flash and before I know it I feel his body collapse on top of me. He's not moving, but bleeding from his head. My mother standing over him, with a heavy metal pipe. I move quickly to get out from under him. He starts to groan and move. My mom starts to hit him again, and again.
"Mom, Stop!" I scream, tears falling from my face. She drops the pipe to the floor, zoned out on Stephen's now lifeless body. "Thank you!" I yell at her trying to get her attention.
She finally looks at me, her eyes lost and filled with unshed tears. I start to walk out of this place and pray someone is out there.
"ANA!" my mom calls out, and I stop and turn around to look at her.
"I'm sorry I failed you, Ana. I do love you. Take care of that boy of yours. I know you'll always be a better mother than me. I'm proud of you. Now Go! Get out of here!" She's pushing me now to the door. She's now crying.
"I love you too, mom." I quickly pull open the doors...freedom. I look ahead of me and see a large group of people in uniforms in front of me. Then the gun shot. It stops me in my tracks. Mom? No…
I'm pulled into someone's arms, and my body crashes into them. I know his scent anywhere. Christian.
"I got you, baby. Everything will be ok." I finally break down and start crying, uncontrollable sobbing. I barely notice someone wrap a blanket around me, or Christian picking me up in his arms and carrying me away. I just stay wrapped in his arms, my face buried into his chest, where I know I'm safe.
Christian:
Everything happened so fast after I hung up with Morton. We're standing around, about 300ft back from the factory, waiting for him to leave to get the money. When he comes out, we plan to take him down.
In a flash, the doors open and Ana is running out the doors in only her underwear.
"Stand down," One of the officers shouts as Ana comes running to us. Then bang, a gunshot echoes through the air. It stops Ana in her tracks, and she turns around. I run to her along with a team behind me. She's in shock when I approach her, and I pull her into my arms, where she breaks down. A large team of officers and the swat team enter the building.
Taylor walks up to me, carrying a blanket. I pull her away long enough so Taylor can wrap her in it, and pull her back to me.
"We should move her out of here so EMS can look her over."
I pick her up in my arms and carry her to the waiting ambulance. I sit on the back of the truck, as Ana won't budge from my arms. She's holding onto me with a death grip. I do my best to look her over and only notice a slight bruise on her right cheek.
Officer Wilkins comes up to me. "Mr. Grey, it seems both suspects are dead. When Mrs. Grey is ready, we will need to talk to her."
"I'm ready," Ana mumbles into my chest.
"Honey, you don't have to do this right now."
"Yes, I do." She finally lifts her head up and looks at me. The pain in her eyes breaks my heart. I just want to make it all go away.
"If I don't do it now, I'll just have to replay it late. I want it over with."
"If you need to stop at anytime Mrs. Grey let me know." Officer Wilkins states. "Can you tell us what happened today?"
Ana recalls the story of being taken at the gun point at Pike Place Market to everything that occurred in the factory. If the guy wasn't already dead, I kill him again.
"Stephen was about to rape me when my mom came behind him with a metal pipe and hit him. I managed to get out from under him when he started to move, she hit him again over and over. I had to yell at her to make her stop. I thanked her in an attempt to try and pull her from the haze. She then told me that she was sorry, and I'll be a good mom and that she loves me."
Ana starts crying again. It takes her a few minutes to relax again.
"She told me to get out, and I told her I love her too. When I did get out, I heard the gun shot. Is she?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry."
"And Stephen?"
I guess Ana wasn't listening during the first part of our conversation.
"Yes, ma'am."
"She saved me," Ana whispers then hides her head back in my chest. I brush her hair back and kiss the top of her head.
"Thank you, Mrs. Grey. If we need anything else, we'll call you."
He gives me his card.
"But this looks pretty much like an open and shut case, Mr. Grey. If you need anything, let me know."
"Thank you." I reach out and shake his hand, which he accepts.
"You're welcome. Take care of her."
"I will." With everything I have.
It's after 10 pm when we finally get home. While we waited at the scene, Sawyer had picked Ana up some clothes and some food for everyone. Ana refused to eat anything and passed out on my lap. The EMT said she probably lost consciousness due to shock and the adrenaline. We were able to lay her down in the backseat with her head on my lap. We buckled her in around her hips.
I carry Ana into the house and lay her own in our bed. I lean down to kiss her when she wakes up.
"Christian?"
"Yeah, baby? I'm here."
"Where's Teddy?"
"He's sleeping. It's late." She nods at me and looks really lost.
"Will you stay with me while I sleep?"
"Of course." I strip out of my clothes and leave my boxers on. I climb under the covers and pull her to me, kissing her, breathing her.
"I love you, baby. I died a thousand deaths today. I'm so glad you're safe." She doesn't say anything as she snuggles up to me and falls back to sleep.
I wake up the next morning to an empty bed. I then hear the shower running. When I enter the bathroom, the sight in front of my stabs me in the heart. My wife on the floor of the shower, her knees to her chest, rocking back and forth.
Without taking my boxers off and I get in the shower with her and collect her in my arms. "Ana? Talk to me."
"I tried washing Stephen off of me. I could feel my skin crawling when I woke up. Then I started to remember everything else. How my mom stopped him, now she's dead. I wondered if I didn't leave without Sawyer yesterday because I was upset would this have happened."
I turn off the water and pick her up so she stands and I hug her.
"Why were you upset yesterday?" I gently rub her back up and down. She shakes her head.
"Baby, talk to me. I want to help you. I'm here for you."
"I needed you yesterday, and you dismissed me. I left upset in part because of you." She pushes me away and gets out of the shower.
Me? I try to rack my brain about what happened yesterday. As she dries off, it clicks. She was curled in my lap, needing me, and I pushed her away because I was so busy. Trying to focus on the next deal. I don't think I've ever done that.
I follow her out of the bathroom, still partly damp. She's throwing on a pair of sweatpants and a shirt.
"Ana, I'm sorry. I didn't even pay attention that something might be wrong."
"It's fine Christian. I know you're busy, and you don't always have time for me." Ana sits on the bed and sighs.
"This is week has been rough, you haven't been acting the same. I mostly let it go. I know what your job is like, but even when things are crazy, you're never this closed off." She shakes her head, and I sit down next to her.
I take her hand in mine, "I'm sorry baby. I couldn't even tell you where my mind was this week. I've just been so worried about all these deals, trying to get everything done. Looking back, you're right I have been kind of out of it."
"I know. My mom called right before I came to you. Then you just brushed me off, for not the first time this week. Then Ms. Davidson goes into your office." She gives a tiny laugh.
"I admit I was jealous. All crazy thoughts came into my mind. I spied on you."
She spied on me? Well, that's a first.
"Watched as she touched you, leaned so close to you, and you were both laughing having a grand old time. I stopped watching, and I remembered that I trust you, and it was just my mom making me nuts. I figured I would talk to you later after I cleared my head."
"Baby! I would never cheat on you!" I say forcefully. She just shrugs.
"I know that, but I was just so worked up. I wasn't thinking straight. I haven't seen you all week. Then watching you look like you're having a good time with someone else was hard."
"I wasn't having a good time. I was just really trying to be polite. She made me what to gouge my eyes out."
"Well, I didn't know that at the time, and it was hard to watch when you couldn't even be around me. So I left without Sawyer to clear my mind. I knew he could figure out where I was. I just wasn't worried about it. Now I'm angry at myself."
"Ana, don't be. I'm only a little upset you didn't tell Sawyer. But we will never know if it might have still happened." I pull her close to me, and she rests her head on my shoulder.
"I know," She whispers. We sit there a little while longer in silence. I so badly want to kiss her, make love to her, but I know I have to wait till she's ready.
"I'm starving. Shouldn't you be getting to work?"
Is she crazy? I'm not going anywhere.
"No, I'm staying with you."
"You don't have too. I'll be okay. You have things to do. Shoot, even I need to get things taken care of."
"No Ana. The only thing I have to do is be with you and Teddy. I might need to make a few phone calls, but nothing I can't do at home. As for you Barney, Welsh and the rest of your team have it taken care of."
I can tell she wants to say something, but instead she gets up and leaves the room.
I'm so confused about what to do right now, but I know I have to be here, even if it seems she doesn't want me here. I get dressed in a pair of jeans and a white shirt and decided to make a call to Ros before going out there.
"Hey, Christian. How is Ana?"
"She's doing as good as expected. Will you be able to handle the conference call with the Taiwanese today and also the department management meeting?"
"I got it covered boss man. I have Ralph helping out with both. You know how the Taiwanese feel about a woman in charge." She laughs.
Ralph is fourth in command. He's the head of the legal department, who came highly recommended by my grandfather. He's in his 50's and sharp as a tack. He has no qualms about working for three 20-year-olds. He's our go-to guy when we are slammed and need an extra hand.
"Oh, I know. I'll be available if you need me. Tomorrow I'll teleconference Arbor United and tackle them. I need them to shape up before I start firing people."
"Got it boss. Take care of that hot mama of yours. The place isn't going anywhere. Also tell her I love her and if she needs me to call me. I'll see you guys on Thursday."
"I will Ros, thank you." I hang up and head to the kitchen. I see my wife and son at the breakfast bar, eating pancakes. Ana sees me and whispers something in Teddy's ear. He spins around to see me, a huge grin plastered on his face.
"DADDY!" He jumps out of his chair and leaps into my arms.
"Hey, champ!" I hug him and kiss his cheek. Did he grow this week?
"You stay with me?" He holds onto me tighter as if I might disappear. God, I can't believe how stupid I was. Not only did I ignore Ana, but Teddy too.
I sit down on the stool where he was sitting and keep him on my lap. "Yep, I'll be here all day. Actually for the rest of the week. Do you remember what Thursday is?"
"Thanksgiving!" He cheers. "I love turkey!"
"That's right, and everyone is coming here."
"YAY! I wanna see Unke Lelliot, grammy, pop pop, Auntie Mia, Auntie Maddie, oh-oh Unke Danny owes me a dollar."
"For what?" Ana laughs.
"I made a basket." He smiles and shoves a large piece of pancake in his mouth. Gail sets another plate of pancakes and bacon in front of me. I move Teddy off my lap and put him back in his seat, and I go to sit next to him. My son is full of energy this morning.
"I remember that. You're going to have to show everyone how good you are on Thursday," Ana says while ruffling his hair.
The rest of the morning we spent with Teddy showing us how good he is at basketball, using his child size hoop in the gym. Then we watch "Finding Nemo" before his nap time.
While Teddy is down for his nap, I decide to use this time and talk more to Ana.
ANA:
I sit on the couch and wrap the blanket around me. I don't know how I'm really feeling right now. It's not so much the kidnapping that's making me feel this way…lost. It's when Stephen touched me when my mom saved me and then killed herself. I actually never thought about having a relationship with my mom in three years. Now, knowing that there will never be a chance, stings a bit. Even if she went to prison, maybe we could have talked and tried, now I'll never know.
Christian comes and sits next to me, he's close, but not touching or talking. I knew when I left the office yesterday that he wouldn't cheat on me. I feel kind of dumb for even thinking it. I mean if I really did think that I would have stormed into his office pulled the bitch out by her hair and kicked my husband in the balls.
He was just so cold to me. I needed him, and I was dismissed without a second thought. I can't help but wonder if he didn't do that would all of this have happened. Even I know it would have. I turn to look at Christian and see the pain in his eyes, he looks helpless. We sit there staring at each other what seems like forever.
"Why did you take the rest of the week off?" I know why. I just need to hear it.
"Because you need me, as much as I need you. I can't say sorry enough for acting the way I did this week. I still can't believe how I acted. I love you, Ana. I would move heaven and earth for you. I'm so mad at myself that I couldn't protect you."He runs his hands through his unruly curls. "I'm here for you always. I know some bad shit happened yesterday and I'm more than willing to talk to you, or if you need someone else to talk to, I understand. All I want is for you to be happy."
"I know you've been crazy busy Christian. It didn't even really bother me until yesterday. I've seen the stuff you need to get done. Shit, I even brushed off the quick unattached sex we had. Even with Teddy on Friday, I let it go because you've never done anything like this before. I knew you were lost in your own little world. Shit, I didn't get all jealous and insecure until Ms. Davidson sized me up. You know me, I'm not one to stay mad forever, but this incident just shook me up. I'm hurt, confused, angry, and sad."
I play with my wedding rings and look away from him. It won't do me any good to stay mad at him. I need him, he's my rock. Compared to the incident yesterday, what he did was minor. I mean the man runs a billion dollar company. I'm lucky I ever see him. If anything I'm mad at Stephen for even coming into my mom's life. I'm mad at my mom too, for picking him over me, for taking the easy way out.
"I'm going to hug you, Ana, is that ok?" I nod and let myself be taken into his arms. Right now I just want to forget everything, forget about Steven touching me, my mom being dead.
I reach up and run my hands through his hair and pull him to me and kiss him. Our kiss is slow and hungry. We're lost in each other when I climb onto his lap.
"Let's go to our room. I need you to show me how much you love me." I whisper against his lips, and I rub my core against his harden member.
"Are you sure baby? I don't want to push you."
"I'm sure. I need you."
"As you wish, Mrs. Grey."
He picks me up, and I wrap my legs around him. We're still kissing as he carries me to our bedroom. He lays me gently on the bed, kissing every inch of my body as he carefully removes my clothes.
"I love you so much, baby." He lips lock to mine, and he removes his pants. His lips never leaving mine.
"I love you too." I mummer against his lips. He reaches down and plays with my clit before inserting his fingers inside of me. I buck against his fingers, enjoy the feeling of him.
"Tell me what you need baby," He whispers in my ear; biting and sucking on my earlobe, moving his way down to my neck.
"I need you! I need you inside of me. Please," I beg. I grab the back of his hair and pull his lips to mine again. I need to taste him. I need to feel him. He slowly enters me. Our lips never leave each other has he pumps in and out of me slowly. Oh, it's been too long since I really had this man. This is my safe place. I never want this to end. I can feel and see just how much he loves me. As much as I never want to come down from this high, I can feel us both starting to build, as we both find our release together.
"Christian!"
"Ana!" He rests his forehead against mine, both of us trying to catch our breaths. "
God, I missed you!" He kisses my lips and smiles.
"I've missed you too." He pulls me in his arms as we lay curled up in our bed.
"That's what I needed to thank you."
"Anytime baby." He kisses my hair. It was nice not to have to think about anything and just be lost in my husband.
"Mama, Dada. Up. Up!" Our son beckons from the monitor.
"I think we're being hailed." I giggle.
"I love that sound." He groans and kisses me before getting up to get dressed to grab our son.
The rest of the day Teddy keeps us busy with activities. We took him swimming and played basketball with him. I get calls from everyone asking me how I'm doing. They only know a few minor details of what happened and who was behind it. I told that I was doing ok, and I would see them Thursday. The media has been reporting how I was involved in a kidnapping, and my mom and stepdad were the ones behind it. After I saw one report, I refused to listen or read anything else. We plan to make a statement but are going to wait until tomorrow. I'm going to let Christian and Maggie handle it.
Christian stayed close to me all day, light kisses, light touches, and I love you's. Teddy was so happy to have his mommy and daddy to himself all day. We sent Gail home after breakfast and let her spend time with Taylor.
I cooked lasagna for dinner with a Caesar salad. We decided it would be fun to eat in the media room on the floor, picnic style, while we watched a movie. I stayed so busy it kept my mind off everything that happened yesterday.
I wake up the next morning wrapped in Christian's arms, my head resting on his bare chest. My hand rubs against the slight stubble on his face and place a kiss in the middle of his chest.
"Morning'," He says sleepy, tracing his fingers up and down my naked back.
"Morning." I sit up so I can lay my body on top of his and kiss him. I can feel his erection between my legs.
"How are you feeling this morning?" He asks with a slight concern.
I smile mischievously at him. Sitting up, I line myself up with him and drop myself onto his dick, pushing myself all the way down so he's deep inside of me.
"Does that answer your question?" I ask as I start to bounce up and down on him, throwing my head back in pure pleasure.
"Oh, very much." He pants. He grabs onto my hips, helping me move.
"I love watching you tits bounce. You look so sexy riding me, baby."
It's not long before my orgasm tears through me. He flips me on my back, slamming into me hard and fast.
"I want you to cum again baby. I want to feel it."
He pinches one of my nipples between his fingers and sucks on my neck. I think he's going to leave a mark. I feel myself start going over the edge as Christian picks up speed.
"Cum with me Christian," I moan. I start to cum again, and he grunts as he starts to spill inside of me.
"Ahh. Yes."
"Good morning." He tells me after a beat.
"That it is." I smile at him.
After breakfast Christian had a conference call with Arbor United, so I decided I that I need to get a few answers about Stephen and Carla Morton.
"Hey, Teddy do you want to go to mommy's office and help her work?" He nods at me, taking my hand and leading me to my home office. I set him up with his toy computer, some paper, and crayons. I put on the TV "Paw Patrol" his favorite cartoon.
I don't know why I never did a background check on Carla and Stephen sooner. I guess I just figured them out of my life, why worry. Boy, was I wrong.
I start back to when they met each other. It seems my mother had a $100,000 in gambling debts. I always believed she was working, but it looks like she was at the casino instead. She had borrowed money from a loan shark and needed his payments when she met Stephen.
He had just inherited over 6 million dollars when both his parents died in a car crash. His family appears to come from old money. A great grandfather that was in the oil business. Stephen had paid off her loans and shortly after they moved to Texas and were married.
The house that I grew up in, that my dad paid off, had been agreed to be split between my mom and me. Carrick told me shortly after they left, instead of charging Carla the penalty of leaving before I was going to college, that we could split the cost of the sale of the house. It was supposed to go to my trust, but I decided to donate my half to cancer research in my dad's name. I can't trace what happened to Carla's half, but it wouldn't surprise me if she gambled that away too.
The money was gone within a couple of years. It seems that Stephen and Carla both had records in Texas. Carla had a couple D.W.I's. and public intoxication charges that had to be paid off. He also had a couple D.W.I's. However, last year he was accused of sexually insulting a 16-year-old neighbor, but the charges were dropped. However, 3 million went quickly missing out of his bank account. I guess there was a payoff. I went back years into Stephen's police records, and he has had a number of sexual assault charges, that all seemed to have been dropped. I wonder if my mom was blind or brainwashed when it came to him. Everything changed so quickly in her when he came along. Maybe it was the money he put in front of her face. I guess it's something I'll never know.
They had only about $20,000 left before they kidnapped me. They had been in the Seattle area for over three weeks, according to the report Welsh e-mailed me. They rented a van and have been staying at a Motel 6 off the highway. I guess maybe they have been watching me, and the other day just got lucky that I was alone. Who knows?
Strong arms wrap around my shoulders and a kiss is planted on my cheek. I look at the time on my laptop and realize I have been sitting here for over two hours.
"Hey, champ. Gail is making cookies in the kitchen, you want to give her a hand?"
Teddy turns away from his coloring book and looks at Christian with the biggest smile on his face.
"Yep, yep, yep! I want sugar cookies" He rubs his little belly. I can't help but laugh at him.
"I don't know what's she's making, why don't you go find out and mommy and daddy will be right out."
"Ok daddy." Teddy runs excitedly out the door. Christian pulls up a chair and sits next to me.
"What have you been up to?"
"Investigating." He raises an eyebrow at me.
"Find anything?"
"Yeah, a lot," I explain everything I found out about them. He looks pretty shocked.
"How does that make you feel?"
"Well, Dr. Phil…" He slaps my arm teasingly and smiles.
"I don't know how I really feel. I guess I now know the why this might of all happened. I keep feeling like this whole thing should be messing with my head that I should be in some corner crying. Somehow, I feel free. They're out of my life. It's over. It hurts a little knowing I'll never get to know my mom. In her own fucked up way, she loved me and proved it when she stopped Stephen. I plan to live by her final words and take care of my son and be a good mother. I can't do that if I let this eat me up inside."
Christian smiles and kisses me. "You're very brave. My brave girl."
I crawl into his lap, my head in his neck, smelling his aftershave.
"We should go find Teddy before he eats all the cookies." I giggle.
"Just one more minute." He tells me pulling me tighter to him.
"Promise me, no more going off without Sawyer."
"I promise!"
To my guest reviewer Gg since I can't respond to you to answer your question... the answer is Chapter 20! :) So it's soonish...
A/N: See that wasn't too bad. Now I know what some of you are thinking, Ana sure got over that fast. Maybe she did. She's still going to be upset for a while, but I'm not going to drag it on. Remember the last thing she said is she feels free and wants to live by her mother's last words. Plus if I start writing about a depressed Ana, well this story would get to dark and that's not what this story is. I want to show her being strong and overcome this obstacle. Next up some fluff with Thanksgiving and a short about Christmas.
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