I know there isn't a whole lot going on at the moment, but I don't want the story to be so dramatic so early, plus I'm having sort of a block. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter as it is a little bit more interesting. Thanks again for following, faving, and reviewing! ~Whit
"My Ana. She is the only one I love." Hm. Christian's murmuring wakes me.
"Ana." He whispers softly and I smile smugly. What did I ever do to earn such a prize?
"You're leaving?" Christian begins to shudder and I cuddle back into his chest and inhale his scent.
"No, Christian. I'm right here." I whisper into his ear, hoping he will hear me.
"But I love you, Ana. No. NO!" I rise quickly and begin to shake Christian's shoulders. His words are filled with so much pain that it hurts to hear them. I could never leave him. Ever.
"Christian! Wake up!" I shake him, a little harder this time, and his scrunched up face brings a few tears to my eyes.
"Please, wake up." I half whimper. Thankfully, his gray eyes pop open and I'm left staring into their depths. I just wish I could make it all better.
"Baby." He cries out. I fall into his chest and begin to sob. I'm such a hormonal mess and seeing Christian this scared is so frightening to me. The love I feel for Christian is frightening.
"You know I love you more than I could ever tell you, right?" He kisses my hair and hugs me close, wiping my few tears away.
"Yes. I do."
"Good. Never leave me." It's a heartfelt plea, and I know my answer must be as heartfelt as his.
"Never. I'm yours, always." He kisses my nose and grins at me. Even after an awful nightmare, he still manages to smile at me, and he looks as beautiful as ever.
"Sleep, Mrs. Grey. We both have lots of work to do in the morning." I nod, silently wishing it was just a work free week, but Christian could never know that.
"Goodnight, baby. I love you dearly."
"Oh Ana, what you make me feel." He kisses my hair one last time and I drift off into a deep sleep filled with tall meadow grasses, a little boy named Teddy, and a beautiful gray eyed girl named Phoebe.
"Pancakes for you, Ana." Mrs. Taylor places my plate in front of me. I'm nearly exhausted, but I'm also starving. I begin to devour the pancakes and I look up realizing Christian is smiling at me.
"Mr. Grey, I do not enjoy your mindless gawk at me this early in the morning." I huff. What if he thinks I am fat for eating this much? I immediately slow down my eating and Christian starts to frown.
"I'm not exactly gawking, just enjoying the view."
"Why is it enjoyable?"
"Because you're feeding yourself and my unborn daughter. It's two of my favorite things."
"Food and your daughter?"
"No, you eating and feeding my daughter." I giggle. Christian loves to watch me eat, so I wash away the 'fat' thought and begin to eat again… it's delicious.
"Teddy will be with Grace today." Christian adds. Ted loves Grace dearly and I love when he gets to spend some time with her.
"That is wonderful. I should be home around 3."
"Short work day for you, Mrs. Grey?"
"When I run my own company, I can do whatever I want."
"You make it sound so sexy… maybe we could stay here today…" This sounds like a great idea, but I must go to work. I can't let some deals fall through and I have a meeting later today with a new, promising author. Boyce Fox.
"Not today, darling. I have a few meetings I must attend."
"With who?" Christian cocks an eyebrow at me and I groan. The endless questioning is coming soon, I know.
"Just some new authors who are interested in publishing."
"Obviously, Ana. Why are you so vague?" He'll want to know everything about Boyce. His birthday, his siblings, and probably what his favorite store is in the Northgate Mall.
"There is a new author, Boyce Fox. I've read a lot of his work and it is quite amazing. Very intriguing, but romantic. He has agreed to meet with me at the coffee shop across from my office. It's a nice public place and I'm looking forward to meeting him." Christian eyes me warily and I know he will tell me to do this is one of the many meeting rooms that Grey Publishing has, but it's nearly too formal for me and Boyce's work is so stellar that I'm willing to do nearly anything to get his work published.
"You have a lot of great things to say about him." Is all Christian has to say.
"I know an exceptional author when I read one." Christian sighs and finishes his omelet.
"Just be careful, Sawyer will come with you."
"Thank you, baby, for understanding." I kiss him softly before standing up to go.
"Any particular reason you've chose to dress up like this for today?" He asks nonchalantly. I glance down at my ensemble. I'm wearing my navy blue shift dress that has short sleeves with my white Louboutin pumps. My hair is flowing around my shoulders and I have some mascara on. I gaze up at Christian, confusion sketched all over my face.
"Is it too much?"
"No… you just look.. Glowing." He places his hand over my belly and kisses it.
"You two have fun at work and be safe, please. This is not a request."
"Yes, Daddy. We will be careful." I walk into the living room and pick Teddy up and kiss his cute chubby cheeks.
"Goodbye my little Teddy. Have fun with Grandma, okay?" He giggles and nuzzles my neck.
"Otay, Mommy. Bye bye." I set him down and he waves at me. I blow him a kiss, give Christian a quick peck on the lips, grab my briefcase and Sawyer and make my way to the Audi SUV. Christian must want to take his R8 today.
There is a slight drizzle outside, which is quite the norm for living here. I'm glad the rain held off from Ted's party. I watch the raindrops drip down my window and am soon staring right at my work building.
"Thank you, Sawyer." I say, letting him know I appreciate him.
"My pleasure, Mrs. Grey." I nod and shut the door to the Audi and make my way inside.
"Good morning, Ana! Coffee or tea?" Hannah chirps. She's such a wonderful assistant and is so caring. I'm lucky to have her.
"Tea, please." I smile back at her.
"Coming right up! Oh and someone named Boyce has left a note for you. I placed it on your desk." I am intrigued. I nod at Hannah and grin and she scurries off to fetch my tea.
I return into my office and find a yellow sticky note stuck to my desk.
"Thank you immensely for meeting with me today. Coffee at 11? My treat." I grin at the note, but notice that he wants to pay. Such a sweet but odd gesture. Does he think I'm broke? Does he know I am Christian Grey's wife? A knock on the door announces that my tea is finished.
"Come in!" I exclaim to Hannah and she does, grinning at me.
"Sit." I command her, so she does.
"Let's catch up on our weekends!" Hannah beams at me and we both strike up conversations about Ted's birthday and her night out on the town with some of her old college roommates. Before I know it, it is 10:45 and I'm due for a meeting.
"We'll talk soon, Hannah. It sounds like a wonderful weekend!"
"It was! See you when you get back." She exits and I gather my items for the meeting. I can't ignore the butterflies in my belly… or is that Blip two?
The coffee shop is dainty and quiet today. A few people are spread throughout, sipping iced lattes and warm mugs of coffee. The inside of the shop is so warming. The walls are a dark cream color with lights lined up on the walls. There are quite a few dark wooden tables throughout the place and some large abstract paintings over top of them. I think I spot Boyce in the corner, so I make my way over.
"Mr. Fox?" I say quietly, hoping this is really him.
"Ms. Grey?" He chimes back and I notice that he doesn't say 'Mrs.'... weird… I have my rings on… and I'm six months pregnant. I just ignore it.
"It is lovely to meet you. I have enjoyed your tremendous work and I have been looking forward to this meeting." I feel like I'm rambling, but I need to impress him.
"Oh, trust me, I have, too." He smiles back and I finally take in his features. He is tall and very tan, especially for someone living in Seattle. He has a scruffy, bristly brown beard and sideburns and chocolate brown tousled hair. He has a strong, square jaw and also a strong-looking build. He definitely works out… possibly as much as Christian. His eyes are the most noticeable feature. They are a dark sapphire color and they seem warm and inviting. I warm up to Boyce immediately.
"So, Mr. Fox…" I begin, but he cuts me off.
"Please, call me Boyce." Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know I have heard this before, but with someone else. I push the thought away because I need all my focus on this task.
"Okay, Boyce. I have enjoyed reading your work. It is absolutely fantastic. Could you tell me what inspired you to write this story?" I must get to know who he is before we seal this deal, even though I wish we could right now.
"Well, Ms. Grey.." It is my turn to cut him off.
"It's Mrs. Grey." I correct and he scrunches his nose.
"I don't exactly like the sound of that." And all I hear are distant alarm bells ringing.