Friday rolls around quickly and I kind of feel nervous.
Jesus, I am nervous.
Phoebe had half a day today so I had to take her to work. Luckily, Christian let her in his office with Theo. At least she was well behaved.
I'm now home getting dressed. Phoebe is in her room already ready. I'm just putting the finishing touches on my hair and makeup.
Phoebe is wearing black leggings, a gray knitted sweater, black tank top and gray boots. Her hair is down with her natural waves.
I'm wearing tight blue jeans, a gray silky blouse and black heels.
Christian is picking me up so I'm now waiting for him.
"Mommy you look beautiful"
"Thank you baby girl" I kiss her cheek. I button the last two buttons of her sweater.
My phone pings with a text and its Christian letting me know he's outside. I grab my keys clutch and head out with Phoebe. Christian is standing next to his car look absolutely yummy.
Wow.
Christian POV.
I've been looking forward to today all week. I'm leaning on the car waiting for Ana to step out and the moment she does she takes my breath away. She looks beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen her hair so straight.
Phoebe looks adorable as ever.
"Hello ladies."
"Hi Christian," they both say at the same time.
"Diner time."
We arrive to my parents house in less than 20 minutes. Phoebe and Teddy have been talking none stop.
Teddy.
I like that.
The first thing he told me when he saw me on Tuesday was how Ana gave him a nick name.
I like it as much as he does.
"Come kids, let's go." I say as I turn on the car. Both kids hop off the car and walk towards me. Ana steps out and look around.
"This place is huge!" She says.
"It is" Teddy says.
We all walk in and my mom greets us. "It's so nice to see you and Phoebe again, Ana. Welcome." My mom says.
"Hi Grace!" Phoebe says
"Hi Phoebe, come in. Hi Theo"
"Hi nana Grace. It's Teddy now." He says proudly.
"Teddy?" She ask smiling.
"Yup Ana gave me that nickname."
"Really?" He nods. "I like it"
"Me too," Teddy says.
"Elliot and his girlfriend are inside." Mom says and we head into the living room.
"Ana, hey." Kate greets Ana.
"Hey," she looks over at Elliot. "Hi, good to see you again."
"Same to you Ana" he smiles.
"Diner is ready," mom announces.
"Christian, nice to see you again." Dad says walking into the living room.
"Who's this lovely lady?" He asks looking over at Ana.
"Dad, this is Ana and her daughter Phoebe."
"Nice to meet you," he greets her. "And you too" he says to Phoebe.
"Nice to meet you mister." Phoebe says politely.
"I'm Carrick"
"I'm Phoebe but you already knew that" Phoebe says making dad laugh.
"Come on let's eat." He says.
"Hey! Sorry I'm late." Mia says walking in.
"Hi Kate! Oh and Ana, right?" Ana nods. "What a surprise seeing you again."
"Hi I'm Phoebe!" Phoebe says introducing herself.
"I'm Mia"
"You're pretty like me"
"I like her already," Mia says laughing.
"Kate your babysitting days are over" Ana looks at her and says in a joking matter.
In minutes we're all seated at the table with our food served.
Teddy and Phoebe dig right in first making everyone else laugh.
"So Ana, where do you work?" Mom asks.
"Oh, I work in GEH.."
"Really? That's great!" She looks over at Kate "how long have you two known each other?"
"Few years now." Kate answers. "She's like a sister to me."
"How cute" she smiles "you two seem like lovely ladies"
Both Kate and Ana blush. I would have seen this coming from Ana not from Kate but this is amusing.
"Grace, Theo said you're a doctor" Phoebe says "I think doctors are cool"
"Phoebe it's Teddy now!"
"Fine teddy!"
"Hey you two.." Ana says.
Mom laughs "I am a doctor."
The rest of the diner goes by smoothly. Phoebe and Teddy keep everyone amused while the conversation flows nicely. Ana seemed a bit shy at first but then broke out her shell.
After diner I whisper to Ana that I want to show her around. She being up Phoebe but I let her know she'll be fine here. I look over at mom silently telling her to keep an eye on her and Teddy and she nods.
"You have wonderful parents."
"Thanks." I take her hand. "I'm glad you came."
"I'm glad I came too" we both walk hand in hand and I show her around.
"I bet it was amazing growing up here."
"I loved it here to be honest. I would like to have Teddy to grow up in a home like this."
"Why don't you move then?" She asks.
"I've been thinking about it."
"Go for it." She tells me.
"Maybe I will,"
Maybe.
"Everything is so pretty. If I could ever have a house like this I'd be so grateful." She says looking around. "Your place is great don't get me wrong but this house is just screams family to me. Escala is more of a bachelor pad."
I laugh "I guess it is."
"Escala is beautiful though" she smile. I love the ceiling to floor windows. The view is just breathtaking."
"My view is breathtaking." Why the fuck am I being so corny? "You look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you," she bites her lip. I grab her arms and pull her close.
"Can I do something?" I whisper in her ear.
"Do what?"
I smirk then lean down giving her a sweet, light kiss on her lips.
"I didn't quite get that. Do it again," I laugh and kiss her again. This time she wraps her arms around my neck deepening the kiss.
"Wow your lips are soft" she says with a giggle.
"The moment I stepped into the office in school and saw you I swear I wanted to kiss you. I felt like a teenage boy not being able to control his hormones." She throws her head back and laughs. "I'm serious"
"It's okay, you had me swooning that day"
"Oh really?"
"Oh yeah" she nods "it's like I'm there trying to figure out what going on between our kids and I was swooning over you"
"That's great" I kiss her again "let's go back before they send a search part"
She smiles and nods. I take her hand once again and walk back into the house. Teddy and Phoebe are on the couch talking while the adults talk. Mia gives me a look and so does Elliot and I glare at them.
At the end of the night I take Ana and Phoebe home.
I don't remember the last time a girl made me smile as much as Ana does.
Ana POV.
It's Wednesday afternoon and I have not messed up anything. Yet. On Monday I finally took over Jessica's job for these next two weeks. Everything is going easy and steady and I have had no problems so far.
I keep thinking about the weekend I had with Christian and Teddy. On Saturday they came over and I made dinner for them and Sunday we all went out to the mall and had dinner at his place.
Phoebe is growing to really like Christian and I adore Teddy. He's a wonderful little boy.
Whatever is going on between Christian and I has been staying between us. We don't kiss or hold hands in front of the kids. Until we're both sure we want to pursue a relationship we're keeping this to ourselves.
I'm on my way to pick Phoebe up from school. Daddy is busy today so I have to take her to work with me. Luckily I'm in Jessica's office.
When I step out the car to get Phoebe I see Teddy hugging her tight then leaves with Mia. Phoebe sees me and runs straight into my arms and I pick her up. She wraps her arms around my neck right as if she holding on to her dear life.
"Sweetie what's wrong?" She shakes her head and begins to cry in my shoulder. "Honey are you hurt? Did something happen?" I ask worriedly.
I open the door the the back seat and step in with her.
"Phoebe what's wrong?"
"There's a daddy-daughter dance on Friday and I have no daddy to take and the girls in my class were talking about the pretty dresses they wanna wear and how excited they are" she says while still crying. I try to hold in my tears. I hate seeing her so sad.
"I'm sorry sweetheart, do you want me to go? You know I can go if you want." She shake her head.
"No it's okay.."
I strap on her seat-belt and head back to GEH. Phoebe is still silently crying in the back seat and that breaks my heart.
When we arrive I step out the car and open her door.
"No I don't wanna go in"
"Why?" I ask.
"I don't want them to see me crying"
"How about I pick you up and you put your head on my shoulder" she nods. So I pick her up. I put her book bag on my shoulder and hold her close.
When I step foot on my floor I hear someone calling our for me.
It's Christian.
"Hey Ana!"
"No mommy no don't let him see" Phoebe says
"Christian just hold on a minute." I say as I walk towards the office.
"What's wrong? Is she okay?"
"Give me a minute." I tell him as I step into the office. "Honey," I say as I place her on top of the desk. "It's just Christian."
She shakes her head and I wipe her tears.
"Hold on I'll be back okay?" She nods and I step out.
"Hey, is she okay?" He asks again. He seems worried.
"Hi Taylor," I wave at him then turn to Christian. "She's upset."
"Why?"
"Because there's a daddy-daughter dance and she doesn't have a daddy to take." I bite my lip as a tear slips.
"Oh man.." He pulls me into a hug. "Can I talk to her?"
"She doesn't want you to see her crying. Let me just talk to her first." He nods and I step back in. "Phoebe, Christian wants to say hi. Can I let him in?"
"I don't know.."
"Come on? Let's let him in okay?" She nods and I open the door for him to come in.
"Hey Phoebe, how are you doing princess?"
"I'm okay, how are you?" She asks.
"I was good until I found out you were sad. Now I'm sad too"
"Why?"
"Because I don't like seeing you sad. You're always cheerful and laughing and very sassy" he says and she laughs. "What's wrong?"
"There's a daddy-daughter dance and I have no daddy"
"Hmm.. How about I go with you?"
What?
"But.. You're not my daddy." She frowns.
"But we're best friends so let's call the dance best friends dance"
Best friends dance? I have to hold my laugh back. That is beyond adorable.
"Deal!" She says excitedly. "I'm going!"
"You sure are," I say.
"How about you go with Taylor and he'll buy you something to eat while I do business with your mommy" Christian says.
"Come on little miss Phoebe," Taylor walks in and takes her hand.
"Can you buy me cookies?" She asks.
"Food first. Sweets later." Taylor tells her as they walk out.
"So you're going to take her?" I say as I close the door. "That's nice of you. Thank you."
He leans down and kisses me. "It's no problem at all."
"You're the best"
"I know I am," I laugh at his response and kiss him again.
This man is the total package.