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Sins of The Father

Chapter 12

Like Father Like Son

Ana's POV

Christian didn't say anything about meeting his dad the whole ride back to Hunt's place. Its most likely a lot to process for him right now. It's not everyday a kid meets his dad.

He did well with the test. I was afraid he would freak out when the nurse swabbed him, even though I had prepared him earlier that day, but that wasn't the case this time. I don't know if Christian senior's little pep talk was the cause for the compliance but I can't help to think it played a role.

I didn't even make it out of the elevator before my cellphone started buzzing with a message from Christian asking when we can talk. I send him a quick message back saying when the test results come in. We can't officially do anything until then. I know he's going to want personal information about his son and I can't give him that until his paternity has been established.

"You're back," Hunt says, greeting us at the door much to Giles's chagrin. The man is like a Pit-bull who has marked his claim on opening and closing the front door and no one dare beat him to it.

Hunter gives me a small kiss on the lips, only to have it cut short with Christian running past him. I'm sure he is off to find Nora and the treat she promised him if he did well with his test.

"That kid is never going to gain a pound with all the running around he does," Hunt jokes, watching Christian go. "I take it the test went well."

"It did," I say, sitting down with him in the living room. "We should have the results in a few days."

"Good," he says. "Right? At least we'll know. That's the first big step. Let's hope Christian does his part and actually shows up for his test."

"Christian was there," I tell him. "His test was scheduled at the same time."

"How did that play out with him seeing his potential son?"

"It wasn't easy at first. He was surprised and it caught him completely off guard, but he covered it well," I tell him, looking back to make sure Christian isn't around before I continue. "He told him that he was his dad."

"Really?"

"He asked if he was his dad and he told him he was."

"He told him just like that?"

"Just like that."

"After all the hell he raised and all the work you had to do to convince him to even go in and take the test?"

"Yep."

"Ana, the guy is a damn drama queen," he says and I laugh. I haven't heard Christian described quite like that before. "Well what know?"

"We still have to wait for the results to make it all legal. Then if all goes well, Christian Williams will have himself his very own daddy."

"And he'll be moving to Seattle," Hunt reminds me in a low voice just in case little ears are listening. "A new home. A new city. A new daddy. 3000 miles away from you-"

"What do I have to do with it?"

"Come on, Sweetie," he says, giving me that look he reserves for when he thinks I'm being naïve. "The little guy has bonded with you. It's a real possibility he may fight tooth and nail once he realizes this 'new daddy' business means he won't have you around anymore."

"He'll adjust. Besides, he'll have something way better than me. He'll have the Greys. His real family who will love him to pieces. Much better than I ever could."

"He may not agree with you on that."

"Stop trying to make me feel guilty."

"I'm not, Sweetheart. I just hope you realize this whole thing, however it's supposed to work, may not go as text book as you are used to it going with your other cases."

I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and cringe. Any snag in this process now will most likely unravel a very delicate fabric for father and son.

"Everything is in limbo know anyway," I tell him and myself. "Once its official, I'll take steps to prepare him and his dad. Kind of ease them both in to it. I'm sure it will be fine."

"Perhaps," he says getting up to go upstairs. "Come and help me pack."

"Perhaps? Well, gee. Thanks a lot Mr. Don't Help Fix It," I call to him as he goes.

"I love you too," is his smartass response.

I stay sitting on the coach ignoring his request for help. I only hold out for a good minute before I am in the room with him, helping him pack his bags. I'm more like sulking around as I throw his toiletries in.

"What's the matter?"

"I'm going to miss you," I tell him. "I hate I can't go. I was really looking forward to it."

"Me too, Sweetie," he says.

"Can't you postpone it? Maybe reschedule it for next month."

"I wish I could. I tried. I even tried convincing my older brother to go in my place."

"Why can't he?"

"Its bad business. This deal is sensitive enough as it is and they are used to dealing with me."

"I know," I tell him. "You've done amazingly well with this deal. I shouldn't be selfish enough to ask you to skip out on it."

"I would if I could," he says taking me into his arms. "Just the thought of sleeping in a bed with you being half way around the world in this one is already making me insane with need for you. Its driving me crazy."

"Well, I do love driving you crazy, but lucky for you, I am in the mood to help you out with your insanity," I tell him, going over and locking the bedroom door. "How long do you think Nora can keep him busy for?"

I strip out of my clothes.

He closes his eyes and inhales me in. I will never stop loving how he does that. Like I am something he is savoring.

"For as long as it takes," he tells me.

"That's Good, because we are definitely going to be a while. You may just miss your flight."

"Good thing I own the plane."

"We can really take our time then."

"I insist on it."

"I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart."

….

Two Days Later

"Don't worry about it, Sasha, I can handle it," I tell my boss and BFF on my way to meet Christian at his place.

"Are you sure you can handle it," she says. "I'm right around the corner. I can just pop on over there and 86 this meeting. Nothing new to talk about anyhow. Same boring shit as always from people who have no idea what it's like out in the field. They've been sitting on their asses since the 70s."

"You better stay put until it's over. You know what happened the last time you ducked out on your boss."

"Screw him."

"Yeah, I think you had to," I remind her. "I'll call you later and keep that mouth of yours closed. You can't afford another suspension."

"No regrets. It was worth it."

I hang up with her as I pull into one of Christian's parking spaces.

"Miss Steele, how are you," Taylor greets me.

"Its Ana, remember. And I'm well. How are you and how is Gail?"

"Both doing great, Ana," he says, escorting me into the living room. "It was wonderful to see you."

"You too. Please give Gail my best."

"I will. Take care," he says, before turning to Christian. "I'll be upstairs if you need me."

"Thank you, Taylor."

I take a moment to look around his penthouse. He had mentioned bringing me here a few times, but we never got around to it. It's just as I expected it to be, large and understated in its décor, with captivating views of the city.

"Thanks for meeting me here. I didn't want to take the risk of discussing something this important in a public place. You never know whose listening in. Would you care for anything?"

"No, thanks. And I can't stay long. I left Christian with Nora and I need to get back to him."

"Nora?"

"Oh, she works for my boyfriend. She's great with Christian."

"Your boyfriend? Yes, of course. How could I have forgotten about him. Hunter Barrington III," he spits his name out. "How is good ole Hunt doing? Still drowning the earth tar, I take it."

"You mean the oil you use to operate that fleet of Audis you insist on having or that plane you came out here in? Unless you've discovered something else to power them."

"Anastasia-"

"Christian, I'm sure you didn't ask me to come here to argue about my boyfriend's family business or to talk about my personal life."

"No. Surprisingly enough, I have more urgent concerns. I am in awe of that revelation."

"What revelation?"

"Something being more important than you in my life."

"I was always low on your priority list, Christian. Now, can we stick to the business at hand, please?"

"Fine. First things first, I don't want your boyfriend around my son."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious and before you go jumping on your high horse and riding off, it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me not liking him. I didn't like the bastard before I found out he was with you and I sure as hell despise him now. Keep him away from my son."

"He's been your son for all of an hour and already you're on this possessive trip."

"As his father, it is my decision who I chose to allow to have influence over him. Barrington is not on my approved list. And now whose making this personal?"

"You're right. I apologize. It is absolutely your call."

"Thank you."

"I am staying at Hunter's place-"

"What's wrong with your place?"

"It wasn't the best space for a young child. Anyway, he's out of the country at the moment, so it won't be an issue."

"Will I have that problem with my place?"

"Are you still living at Escala?"

"Yes, nothing has changed."

"Then it's more than fine. Christian will love exploring it."

"Will you tell me about him," he asks me. "I ran a background check on Leila, but it didn't tell me much about him."

I smile at the thought of the adorable little boy that has crept into my heart.

"He's smart. He takes great care in the things that he does. I think he's inherited your task oriented gene."

"Poor kid," he jokes and I laugh.

"Guess what his favorite food is?"

I've been dying to share this with him.

"What," he says, then thinks about it for a minute. "No."

I nod yes and he laughs.

"Unbelievable."

"He'll eat almost anything though," I assure him. "You two are going to have a lot of fun in the food department."

"He's eating well now? He isn't hungry at all, is he?"

"He's eating very well and very often. You would be pleased at how he can finish his plate."

He smirks at me.

"At least someone likes to eat around here," he says and I roll my eyes at the slight before catching myself from doing.

"He truly enjoys it," I assure him again. I know this above anything else is bugging him right now.

The fact that his son has starved for food while he has spent a better part of his life making sure kids are well cared for through the Coping Together Foundation as well as the many other charities he gives to. That has to be a hard pill for Christian to swallow.

"He looked so small the other day when I saw him," he says.

"There wasn't much by way of food to eat when he was with Leila."

"Was it that bad for him," he asks.

I nod my head.

"Was it as bad as it was for me?"

I nod my head again.

"Jesus Christ," he whispers. I slide him a copy of the police report and Christian's medical record and watch as he looks over them. "Was Leila into drugs?"

"She had drugs in her system when they found her. The cause of her death was due to an overdose."

"You make it sound like someone poisoned her. You don't believe she was an addict?"

"I don't know. I didn't really know her. Do you believe she could?"

"Fuck, I didn't know her either. It was just all fucking as far as I was concerned. I never invested more into it than necessary. As manipulative as she was, I wouldn't be surprised if she was on drugs the whole damn time and hide it from me."

"Christian, you need to know, he was found next to her body."

"Fuck," he says, running his hands through his hair. "That fucking bitch. How could she do that to him."

I can feel the flash of anger coming off him from where I'm sitting opposite him on the couch before he gets up and heads to the bar to pour himself what looks like bourbon.

"He had bruises on his arms," he says, after downing his glass and pouring another. "Did she abuse him?"

"I don't think it was her."

"Why not?"

"Because he seems so fond of her, not that he wouldn't be if she abused him, but I just don't get that vibe from him. He has a fear of men and that makes me think he was abused by one. Most likely more than one."

"Daddies."

"Yes. It seems he has been subjected to many daddies that were hurtful to him and probably to his mom as well."

"His mom," she says the word with venom. "His mom should have protected him."

"Maybe she tried to."

"So now you're sympathetic to her?"

"I'm trying to be. I'm sorry. I know this isn't easy for you. I don't mean to defend her. I've just had longer to process it all."

"Is he processing it all?"

"It's hard to tell. I think at this point, it's still all pretty close to the surface for him. He doesn't talk much. He hasn't had any nightmares-"

"Nightmares," he says. "FUCK."

He throws his tumbler still full against the wall, shattering it.

"Christian. He's fine," I tell him. "Right now, he is safe and happy, eating Apple Jack's in a blanket fort he built.

He smiles at least, letting go of some of the anger from finding out how close his son's childhood parallels his own.

"I should have protected him. I should have been there for him since day one. None of this would have ever have happened."

"Stop blaming yourself for something that you didn't know. You're here for him now, that's what matters."

"You seemed surprised that day at the lab."

"No, no, just, um… happy," I try and fail to cover how shocked I was at his acceptance. I had myself geared up for more of a battle with him about the whole thing.

"It's okay to admit it. I was surprised myself. Mind you I was ready to call this whole thing bullshit."

"What made you change your mind?"

"He did. Seeing him. There is something about him. I can't explain it but I can't deny it either. I just knew he was mine. I just knew."

"I know what you mean. I had a similar reaction when I was called into the hospital to help him."

"Help him how?"

"He was refusing care. The nurses were trying to assess him and address his bruises. He was fighting them. He was lashing out every time they went near him."

"He's afraid of being touched, isn't he?"

"Yes, he is."

"Jesus Christ," he starts to pace. His hands are pulling at his hair and his eyes are bulged out at the thought of his son having been tortured so much that he is now afraid to be touched. "Is he burned? Is he?"

"No, Christian," I get up to stand in front of him to stop his back and forth. "I promise he isn't burned. I think it has more to do with the pain of the bruises than anything else. They hurt worse when he was touched."

"Because those bastards that he thought were his daddies hurt him," he says. "Do you think maybe Mom or Mia should take him?"

"No, Christian, it should be you."

"How is this going to work if he is afraid of men? I am going to fuck this shit all up, Ana. I'm going to fuck him up."

"That is not true," I tell him, putting my hand on his cheek to calm him down. I've never seen him this distraught before. I can only imagine how this must be making him feel. All of his demons alive and well in his son.

Its only when I feel his hands around my waist that I take a step back.

"It won't be easy at first," I tell him. "I won't lie to you about that, but you'll have a social worker assigned to help you through the process."

"A social worker?"

"Well she'll be Christian's social worker, actually. His case will be transferred to Seattle once he arrives. She'll help you both with the transition."

"So he'll have to get used to not only me, but a brand new social worker," he says. "That's just great. Let's all traumatize him even more."

"He is very resilient little boy. He'll bounce back."

"A goddamn rubber ball can't bounce back THAT fucking fast, Anastasia. He's only five for fuck sakes."

"There's no other way we can handle it, Christian. What choice does he have?"

"Oh, Anastasia, my son will always have choices and he will always have what he needs."

I frown not having a clue as to what that means, but the way he is looking at me when he says it makes me feel very uneasy.

My cotton mouth creeps back in again when I try to speak. Where is a glass of water when I need it? I go and grab a bottle from the bar and drink it.

I narrow my eyes at him when he smirks at me.

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading and reviewing.