Enjoy
Sins of the Father
Chapter 15
Tying Hands While Outing
Ana's POV
"Taylor brought you over a change of clothes," I tell Christian. "I figure you can change here. That way you won't have to come back and pick Christian up after."
"Pick him up?"
"So, you two can spend the day together."
"The day? Just the two of us? What am I supposed to do with him for a whole day by myself?"
"Its New York, Christian. I'm sure there is something to do here."
"He's five, Ana. I can't go out clubbing with him, for fuck sakes."
I laugh
"Maybe something that is a little more age appropriate."
The look on Christian face trying to plan an all-day activity for a five-year-old is deliciously funny.
Lucky for him, his son is easy to please in that regard. Most five-year- old's find anything exciting as long as doctors aren't involved.
I nearly jump up and down when I see Hunter's face appear on my caller ID. I forget all manners and don't even bother to excuse myself as I rush to answer it privately.
"How is life abroad," I joke when I answer.
"Lonely," he says. I hear the word in his voice and it makes me long to be there with him.
"I'm sorry," I tell him. "Me not going with you was a bad idea."
"You had good reason, Sweetheart," he says. "I wouldn't have had much time to do anything with you as it stands now anyway.
"Why is that? Tell me you are not killing yourself with work already?"
"That's a good way to put it. The negotiations have gone completely to hell. The sons are all in agreement but its another issue dealing with the senior partners. I love family businesses. I'm a product of one, but sometimes its just a pain in the ass trying to get new ideas incorporated. I haven't even been to the hotel yet. From the moment I touched down I've been in meetings, making zero headway."
"Its that bad?"
"Afraid so. I'm forced to call my father in on this one," he says.
"I'm sorry. I know how much you hate to do that, but what other choice do you have? Its not your fault you're too hot and sexy to be trusted."
"It that what the problem is," he says it like I've actually figured it out.
"I'm sure of it. How can they trust you to know anything about anything looking as hot as you do?"
"Is this more of your mom's wisdom?"
"Yes," I say with a laugh. I already told him about her never trust a man who can dance theory. "Mom refused to let me have a hot looking doctor once."
"Why is that?"
"Well, according to her, if he was that hot in college, he was way too busy hooking up and partying then studying. So, she insisted I get seen by this geeky doctor who probably studied more."
"Oddly enough, that makes sense," he laughs. Hearing it makes me smile.
"I wish I was there to keep you laughing."
"Me too, Sweetheart. Especially when I hear you have a guest."
I cringe at the mentioning of it.
"Christian has a guest," I clarify. "He wanted his dad to come over and see his fort. He was so excited, I couldn't say no."
"And once he saw it, he couldn't leave?"
"Well, Christian started reading about green eggs and ham and Nora was making them for breakfast first thing in the morning."
"So, he stayed."
"He did. He slept in the fort with Christian."
"And where did you sleep?"
"In Christian's bed," I tell him. It sounds wrong when I try to explain it. And the silence on the other ends confirms just how wrong it sounds to him.
"And how did you sleep," he says, letting me off the hook.
"Fitfully," I admit. "Its strange being here without you."
"I know the feeling," he says. "I take it that all this bonding time means father and son are getting on well?"
"Very well. They're spending the day together, the two of them."
"And the little guy is okay with that?"
"I think he'll be fine. They are moving back to Seattle the day after tomorrow, so he has to be fine."
"Good. Then perhaps you can join me here."
"In Singapore?"
"It looks like I'm going to be here a bit longer than expected and I'd like you to join me. And since you haven't officially stopped working, I'm sure that Sasha can amend your vacation. What do you say?"
"Are you kidding? Yes. I'll take a flight out as soon as-"
"Sweetheart, you are not taking a commercial flight out all the way here. I'll arrange for one of our private jets to fly you over."
I have to bite my lip to keep from squealing like a little girl. I am so looking forward to this.
...
"Hey you two," I say to Nora and Christian siting in the kitchen. I smile at him eating apple slices like he didn't just eat a truck load of green eggs and ham an hour ago.
The happy little grin he gives me just about steals my heart.
He offers me an apple slice and I take it from him.
"So, your dad is going to take you out on an adventure today," I tell him. His dad's mini freak out drives me to cushion this outing for him.
"You coming too?"
"Not this time," I answer him. I can see his wheels spinning in his head, not liking the idea of being alone with his dad. "Christian, I need you to do me a favor."
"What?"
"I need you to help your dad a little."
"Help how?"
"Well, he is really scared about spending time with you alone."
"He is?"
"Yes, he is. He is still learning how to be a dad and he is afraid he might mess it all up."
"Sometimes I would make a mess. I didn't mean to. Mommy would help clean it up."
"Maybe you can help him like your mommy used to help you."
"Kay."
I pace back and forth in the living room waiting for both Christians to come downstairs. I roll my eyes at how nervous I am. I'm just really crossing my fingers the this goes well. This outing well set the tone for how things will be for them in Seattle.
"There you two are," I say to them. Christian is dressed in his signature jeans and a white shirt while his mini me is dressed in his own jeans and the superman shirt he refuses to go more than a day without wearing. "You both look very handsome."
I gush at them and Christian smirks at me for it. I admit I am laying it on a little thick.
"I'll have him back before dinner time," he tells me.
"Perfect."
Christian gives me a hug like he's never going to see me again and I try not to laugh at how dramatic we all are being.
"I'll try not call you," Christian whispers to me going out the door.
I wave it off as if to say he won't have to, but once he's gone I make sure my ringtone is on high just in case.
…
Christian's POV
Christian keeps a safe distance from as we walk through the lobby of the hotel.
Its only when we get out on the street and he comes face to face with a waiting Taylor that he takes my hand and ducks behind me. I'm sure Mr. Buff Buzz Cut looks scary as hell.
"Christian this is Jason Taylor," I introduce him. "His job is to protect us. Sort of like our very own Superman."
"Can he fly," he asks, looking up at me.
Taylor hides his laugh as he bends down to speak to him.
"Not quite," he tells him. "But I can drive super-fast."
"How fast?"
"Not too fast," I answer for Taylor while reprimanding him at the same time. He damn well better not drive too fast.
"Of course not, Sir," he says to me before turning back to my son. "Super-duper fast." He mouths it to him.
….
Ana's POV
"What's the big emergency," I ask Sasha as I walk thorough her office door.
"Where's your shadow," she asks, looking beyond me for little Christian.
"Spending the day with his dad."
"So, they are getting along? That's good. It will make this go a lot quicker."
"What go a lot quicker?"
"Just the overall process and…everything dealing with why I called you down here."
"Now I'm curious."
"Well here's the thing," she starts and my curiosity quickly turns to dread. Every time she starts an explanation with "here's the thing" it means trouble for me. "You've been doing such a great job with the Williams' case that a request was made for you to continue on until the case is closed."
"That's impossible. The Williams' case is being transferred to Seattle."
"True."
"There is no way I can monitor that case from across the country."
"That's also true."
"You called me down here so I can tell you what you already know? Are you just missing me being here or what?"
"I really am going to miss you around here," she says.
"What the hell does that mean? Are you firing me? Come on Sash. I know I went against protocol but, it all worked out, right?"
"You're being transferred," she blurts out and grins like a fool as I stand blinking at her.
"To where," I finally ask. "Seattle? No. No way, Sasha. Forget it."
"You were requested."
"By who?"
"Christian Grey called my office a little while ago and wanted a meeting. I pressed him to tell me over the phone and he personally requested you to continue on with this case. He made a plea about his son's fragile mental state. It was very touching, I must say. I was moved and you know nothing moves me anymore."
"And that was enough for you to sell me down the river? Him 'moving' you? Come on, Sasha. How could you agree to that? "
"I didn't agree. In fact, I flat out refused him. But then the arrogant prick went right over my head and tied my hands."
"I can't believe him. I really can't believe him. You know he looked me in my face just twenty minutes ago and never said a word to me about any of this. Tying hands. Why am I surprised? This is HIM we're talking about."
"And 'HIM' made his plea to the big boss."
"Well, tell the big boss to forget it. I'm refusing the case."
"I tried. But 'HIM' offered up a whole lot of incentives that quite frankly were hard to refuse."
"He bought us? We're his whores."
"Now let's not go THAT far."
"Seriously? I'm being torqued out to Seattle. That's pretty damned far."
"We are getting new group homes, Ana," she whines to me. "How long have we been trying to make that happen, huh? New software that will make it a hundred times easier for us to do our jobs. New computers that won't freeze up on you every two damn minutes. And not to mention, a database upgrade. Ana, its our dream come true."
"But do you realize he's leaving after tomorrow? So, I have a day to pack up my life and move across country. What about Hunter? I'm supposed to join him in Singapore. I already blew him off once for this. What am I supposed to say?"
"Calm down, okay. Its only going to be for a few weeks. Just until everything is squared away with the transition. Hunter will understand. The man is a paragon of understanding when it comes to you. And anyway, weren't you planning to go to Seattle to help Kate out with the wedding? You even requested to take the little guy with you, remember. You're her MOH. I would think you'd want to be close by. Its not like Hunter can't join you in Seattle."
"Stop trying to sell me on this. Its still wrong and you know it."
"Look at the bright side. At least you don't have to use up your vacation for the wedding planning. So now you and Hunter can still do the whole European tour thing once this is all squared away. So, in the grand scheme of things, we are actually doing you a favor. Right? I'm right…right?"
I shake my head, unamused.
"Did I mention you are getting a raise," she says, pulling her trump card. "So, not only is your work going to be easier, but you're being paid more to do it. It's a win win win."
"Riiight."
...
Christian's POV
I put away my phone after reading the rant text from Ana. Her choice words made my eyes blush. She's always had a flare for the written word. Her email banter used to turn me on like nothing else.
She is beyond pissed at me and my give a damn is being overrode by the fact that my son will not have to say goodbye to her.
As much as he is pretending its okay right now, I know it would have been a different story once that plane took off and reality set in. Perhaps I am delaying the inevitable, but all I can do is buy time until I figure this shit out.
"You okay," I ask Christian as he sits quietly next to me.
"I'm okay," he says. "Its okay."
He says the last part as if trying to reassure me of this outing. I wonder if I look as nervous as I feel.
Taylor pulls up at Game Planet and I grin as Christian's little eyes go wide with excitement.
He is halfway out the car and into the building before Taylor and I can say a word.
The back of our hands is stamped with identical codes and I buy a shit load of tokens so that we can play all the games. I dismiss Taylor who still lingers around a bit longer. My guess is he's making sure not only the place is as secure as it seems to be, but that I also have a handle on my very energized five year old who is eagerly waiting to play the games.
He soon ventures over to the basketball courts where he decides to show the teen players a thing or two.
"What do you want to do first," I ask Christian. He quickly points to a bicycle. I wait for him to climb on the seat before sliding the token in the slot to start it up.
The umbrella that sits on top of the bike start to spin, lighting up and making sounds as if it wants to take off. Christian is not quite old enough to reach the pedals, so I pedal them with my hand, making the bike rise high in the air. It shakes, tilts, and bobbles like its whizzing through the sky.
I get a little concerned when he is over my head, but he's strapped in and holding on tight, so I relax a little and let him enjoy it.
His giggling is contagious and I find myself laughing along with him.
The ride soon comes to an end and we're off looking for another one. I notice how he avoids the other kids, only going over to the rides once no one else is interested in them. I wish Ana was here so she could advise me on if I should encourage him to interact with them or not. I decide against it. I don't want to make him do something uncomfortable on our first outing together.
"Cars," he shouts as he rushes over to an abandoned racing game. "Can I play?"
I look the game over and realize there is no way he can play it. It's a simulated game with the stirring wheel and the peddles of a real car. He won't be able to reach them. I am about to suggest another game but then he goes and whips out the Melt My Cold Heart Card and says the one damn thing that I simply cannot refuse him on.
"Pleeeeease," he sings it to me and fuck it all to hell if I'm not going to make it happen for him.
I am reminded of the first time I thought Ana to fly a helicopter. We were in a flight simulator and she wasn't understanding the controls, so I sat her on my lap to explain them to her more easily. At least that's what I told her at the time. I hope they took my advice and sanitized that seat after we were done training.
I sit Christian on my lap with far less sinister motives than with Ana.
He doesn't truly sit, but stands in front of me with his hands on the wheel while I push the gas pedal for him.
We both laugh as he crashes into the cars he is supposed to be racing past.
He jumps up and down when he finally gets a straight-away and I floor it. He zig-zags across the lines until a curve pops up and he keeps going straight into a brick wall.
"Whoa," we both say when the car explodes.
"Again. Let's race again," he pleads, bouncing up and down and squeals when I put a token in and a new car takes off.
…
Time has gotten away from us, so I text Ana, letting her know we'll be out past dinner. Who knew it would be this much fun. I thought he would be done with me in an hour.
After playing every game in the place, we settle down for pizza.
Like me, he likes his pizza with simply pepperoni. And how I love watching him eat. And shit, can he eat. He polishes off two big slices. Taylor joins us, swiping a slice of pizza for himself before we head out.
"One last thing," I tell Christian before we go. I lead him over to the checkout counter where all the toys are on display. "Which one do you want?"
He looks at the toys on the wall and then looks at me.
"I get to have one," he says, unsure. I nod.
"Just give the lady your bag of tickets and you can pick one," I tell him.
Hell, I'm tempted to pack up the whole damn wall and haul it out of here with him, but I refrain.
Shyly, he hands her the bag of tickets he got for playing the games.
Taylor discreetly slips her a fifty-dollar bill while Christian and I look over the wall of toys and trinkets.
"Can I have that one," he asks me, pointing to a brown medium sized teddy bear. I'm surprised by his choice, especially when there are two big blue and red race cars right next to it. I call the employee over and she takes the teddy bear off the wall, handing it to him. Taylor waves off the change she offers him back for the purchase.
Once the bear is in Christian's arms, he hugs it, nuzzling it up to his cheek like it's a long lost friend.
It clicks why he would chose it. He wants it for comfort.
Watching him with his new bear breaks my heart and warms it all at the same time.
He has no idea what awaits him back home.
Soon he'll have more comfort than he'll know what to do with once Mom and Mia gets a hold of him.
Author's Note:
I dedicate that jab Ana made about Hunter being too hot to be trusted to the ladies of the sisterhood group and to the rest of you ladies who are antiHunter.
Thank you for reading and reviewing.