A/N: Omg guys! I am SO SO SO sorry it has taken almost a whole entire month. I totally take the blame. School has been stressing me out, but it is break time, so more updates to come! Also, I am sort of suffering on where I should take this story. I want drama, but I have no idea what to do or how to introduce it in the story. Suggestions are appreciated. I'm so sorry I left you on that cliffhanger and then waited forever. I thought I'd be able to update a lot sooner. Thank you guys for being so patient. Here's chapter 21! ~Whit
"It was Jose, Ana."
All the air leaves my body at his revelation. My head is clouded and my stomach has made a complete 360. I completely want to disregard Christian and tell him that he is wrong, but the look in his stormy gray eyes, tells me that he is telling the honest truth. My body is numb and I feel my eyes welling up with tears. Steamy tears slip from my eyes and fall down my cheeks. How could I have been so foolish to not realize? It all makes complete sense. The photography, love notes, the access code, it all comes together like a huge, one thousand piece jigsaw puzzle that I could somehow not comprehend. I stare straight ahead, still in total shock.
"I know, Ana. I know." Christian mutters, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my tears away. In the moment, I know I appreciate him. My strong, smart, over-protective husband always saves the day.
"Thank you, Christian," is all I can breathe before I succumb into his arms and a large over-flow of tears. I weep quietly, wondering what Jose's motive is behind all the trouble. Something must be fueling him; he wouldn't act this way. What if he decided to hurt me or worse, Christian? I shudder and Christian's hold on me tightens. My tummy rumbles, causing Christian to cock his head to one side. Despite the tears slipping down my face, a giggle slips out, and Christian's lips lift into a small smile.
"Hungry?"
I nod and Christian releases me. Standing, he extends a hand to me and I take it, struggling growls.
We make our way down the stairs and I'm greeted with the exquisite smell of balsamic chicken and mozzarella. We make our way into the vast kitchen and I spot Mrs. Taylor setting up our plates and utensils.
"Dinner is served, Mrs. Grey." Christian states, beaming at the steaming plates in front of us.
"Where is Ted?" I ask, looking around the room.
"He's been in the bath. Jason gave him a quick bath while you two were upstairs. I hope that is okay?" Gail looks a little worried about my reaction, but I am not upset.
"That is perfectly fine! Thank you so much, Gail, and if you see Taylor before me, please thank him." I smile sweetly, causing her to beam back. Christian and I sit and begin to devour the delicious feast that has been prepared for us. It's mouth-wateringly good, as usual. As I sit, I gaze out to the patio and to the spot where I was betrayed. Suddenly, I become ever curious.
"What did Jose say to you when you caught him?" I quietly announce my question. Christian's eyes widen a fraction and he shakes his head.
"Nothing." Christian whispers back. His gray eyes are bleak and I know he isn't telling the whole truth. I wonder what Jose said.
"Where is he now?" I continue to probe with my questioning and Christian's side glare to me is a warning.
"Police custody." Short, clipped answers from Christian always alert me to stop, so I give up. He's not going to let me in even though I was the one who has been repeatedly attacked. Huffing, I continue eating. Small feet padding down the hallway catches my attention. I turn and see my copper-haired little boy barrelling towards me. Bending to the best of my ability, I scoop him up in my arms, smelling his dripping wet hair.
"Mommy!" Ted exclaims, nuzzling my white t-shirt that is actually Christian's. My eyes widen as I realize what might show through. My head turns to Christian as he watches Teddy. He's smirking. Can he see something I can't?
"Hey, Teddy!" Grinning like a loon, Christian holds out his arms for Ted and he releases me, practically jumping to his dad.
"Daddy!" Ted beams, wrapping his little arms around Christian's neck. Christian holds him, slightly rocking him. Abruptly, Teddy pulls back, placing both his tiny hands on Christian's chest. I watch Christian's expression. It doesn't change a bit; he doesn't even flinch. I watch them with amazement, Teddy in an animated conversation about army men and flying rubber duckies and Christian completely lost in his story. They're just alike and I am blessed that they are both mine. My hand wanders down to Phoebe, who has started moving around. Our family will be complete once she makes her arrival. Gail has started to clean dishes away, causing Christian to stand with Teddy.
"We're going to play army men if you wish to join us, Mommy," Christian explains, a huge smile plastered across his face. It takes my breath away.
"Of course!" I exclaim, abandoning my plate to join my Grey men.
OOOOOOOOOO
After a long hour of reenacting every possible war, Teddy is wiped out and Christian is holed up in his study, no doubt dealing with Jose. Ted cuddles into my chest as I carry him to his bed. Once we reach his room, I hear him slightly snoring. I stand for a few moments, listening to his soft breaths fill the air and watch his chest rise and fall with each breath he takes. It stops me in my tracks.
"I created this life." I think to myself. I put Teddy on this Earth. This beautiful, intelligent, imaginative little boy is here in my arms because of Christian and I. I watch him in wonder, drinking in the sight of his long lashes fanning over his chubby cheeks, his lips slightly slack, and his copper hair all trussed up from a long day of play. I hold him close, knowing that one day he will be too big for this. He won't want me to hold him anymore and he will be "too cool" for his mommy. One day, he won't even call me "mommy", I'll just be "mom". I silently pray that the day that this happens is far, far away. I gently set him down, cover him up, and turn on his monitor. I stroke his cheek my the back of my hand very lightly before kissing his forehead.
"I love you so much, Teddy," I whisper to him, taking one last, long look at my sleeping beauty. I turn to leave and I spot Christian leaning against the door frame, regarding me intently. I give him a small smile.
"Hey." He whispers as I make my way to the door.
"Hi." I whisper back, quietly closing the door behind me.
"How long have you been watching me?" I ask, walking towards the bedroom.
"Since you first walked in with him. You were completely lost in thought. What were you thinking?" He asks, furrowing his brows. He puts a finger under my chin and tips it up so our eyes meet.
"How one day he won't be so little anymore." Sighing, I look down to the floor. Christian sighs, too.
"I hope that day is an eternity away." He breathes and I nod. I really do hope so. We reach the bedroom and I peel off the T-shirt that is now dry.
"Ready for bed already?" Christian inquires and I nod, giving him a weak smile.
"It must be tiring growing a human." He smiles and so do I.
"Oh, it is." I giggle and run my hand over my naked bump. Christian stalks towards me and rubs my belly.
"I hope she has your eyes." Christian whispers, sounding slightly lost.
"And I hope she's exactly like me because her daddy is a little crazy." I try to hide my giggle, but it doesn't work. Christian is giggling with me.
"I wouldn't be the slightest bit upset if she was just like you." Christian smiles before planting a soft kiss on my lips. He leaves me standing while he pads over to his T-shirt drawer.
"Do you want another one?" He asks, pulling out one of his larger, light gray T-shirts.
"Yes, please." I answer, holding out my hand as he tosses it. I slip it over my head and remove my sweatpants, discarding them on the floor. I remove my lace panties, discarding them with my sweatpants. Christian smirks at me and walks out of the room, leaving me to rummage through my underwear drawer. I open the drawer to find it completely empty. What the hell? Is this a joke? I spot a small piece of white paper in the corner of the drawer. With shaking fingers, I open it and read.
"What will you wear to bed, Mrs. Grey?"
I turn my head to the side and smile. I know exactly who wrote this. Well, Grey, two can play this game. I pad over to Christian's underwear drawer and pull out a comfy looking pair of boxers. I slip them on and begin pulling all his underwear out of the drawer. After removing all the underwear, I pick up the rather large pile, who needs this many pairs of underwear and move them into a cabinet in the bathroom.
Ha! How about that!
I head out of the bathroom and make my way into the bedroom. Christian is nowhere in sight and I think my plan is perfected. I slip under the covers and snuggle in. I hear the door slightly creak and I peek up to see Christian coming in.
"You have everything ready for bed?" He asks, smirking as he says. He knows exactly what he is doing, but so do I.
"Yes, of course, Mr. Grey. I do hope you'll join me." I strongly state. He grins and slides into bed next to me. I turn my back to him so we are spooning. I close my eyes and begin to doze when I feel his expert hands wander down to my backside. I grin triumphantly, knowing that I have ruined his plan. He feels the material of the boxers and I hear his low growl.
"These will not save you, Mrs. Grey." Christian deliciously whispers into my ear as he slowly peels them off my legs. I pout. I should've known he would still get to me. He's a man on a mission. I squirm a little, helping Christian to remove the boxers. He smiles against my neck and I can't believe I would ever try to stop this man.
"My defiant, little Ana. What will I do with you?" He growls, his hot breath against my neck.
"Spank me?" My high-pitched voice asks, hoping he will.
"Not tonight." He's serious, causing me to pout again, but he can't see me.
He has completely removed his boxers from me and thrown them on the floor next to us. He rubs my backside, causing me to throw my head back just a bit. His fingers lightly touch my most sensitive area, causing a small moan to escape my lips. Suddenly, Christian's hand stills and he stops.
"Goodnight, Anastasia. Sleep, sweet girl." He whispers and turns his back to me. What?!
"Christian?" I ask, annoyed, but he doesn't answer. I huff and cross my arms, snuggling under the covers. If that's how this will be, I can play this game, too. I push my naked behind against him, feeling his supple back muscles against me. I hear a low groan escape his mouth.
"Goodnight, Christian." I whisper, playing the game just as good as he is.
I rest my head on the pillow, thinking back to all of today's events. It has been such an exhausting day. My eyelids agree as they begin to droop. Soon, I'm lost in a dream of roaming hands, hot breaths, and removed boxers.