You guys are awesome! Sorry for the long wait.
On another note: This story is a slow burner. Yes, this is Team A&C, so don't worry it'll get there. Just a heads up, NOT everyone will like some chapters, but they are necessary to this storyline.
As always this is just for fun!
Anastasia
Arriving home, Teddy and Phoebe head to their rooms to change from their school clothes and begin their schoolwork. While they're busy upstairs, I head to the garage to get empty cardboard boxes. I knew they would come in handy someday. I find four movers boxes and take them along with me. As I'm walking out of the garage, I stop and look at our home. Our home isn't a palace; it's just a modern family home with a white picket fence and olive green shutters. It's a small two story house with four bedrooms, kitchen, living room, dining room, and a laundry room. Kate jokes around saying if and when I decide to move out she would gladly buy the house from me. To be honest I don't think that will ever happen, I love it too much.
When I first saw the house I fell in love with it instantly. I just knew I had to buy it. Luckily for me, my dad had a savings account set up for me years ago, so I used half that money to pay for the house. Yes, it might have needed some repairs here and there, but it was beautiful and I fell in love with it even with all the few crooks and crannies. Dad helped fix and restore it like new. Teddy was just about two months old when we finally moved in. That's when it really began to feel more like home.
I'm awoken from my thoughts when I hear my phone ring, pulling it out of my pants pocket I look at the caller id. Oh, this will be an interesting conversation.
"Hello?" I answer my phone as I make my way back inside the house.
"Hi Ana, I'm just calling to let you know I'll stop by your house around five, to pick up my brother's belongings." Erick says through the phone and I can tell he's embarrassed. Oh, Erick it's not your fault your brother's an asshole!
"Yeah, Erick that's fine. Will you be staying for dinner? You know the kids have been asking, where Uncle Erick is lately. And, it would be nice if you would spend a couple of minutes at least with your niece and nephew." Erick has always been great with the kids, taking them to the park, out to eat, movies, or going out for ice-cream. He would come and visit every once and a while, but hasn't really had the time since Erick is a landscaper and travels for work.
"I would love to stay for dinner, that's if I'm still welcomed?" What?
"Why, wouldn't you be?" I ask with a bit of curiosity for why he would think he's not welcomed. There is nothing but silence on the other end. Obviously he feels bad for what Josh is doing to us, but he has no reason to feel bad or even guilty, this isn't his fault.
"Come have dinner with us around five." I say after what felt like three minutes of silence.
"Okay. Ana?" He sighs. "I'll see you then." He sounds hurt and I can tell he wants to say more but refrains from doing so, and just decides to hang up.
As I'm making my way to the master bedroom, MY bedroom, I peek first inside Teddy's room and I see him doing his homework on his small desk table in the corner of his room.
"Teddy, are you almost done with your homework?" I ask, making my way towards him.
"Yes mommy, I just need to do my addition problems, and then I just need to read a book." My son is way too smart. Teddy knows how to add and subtract and he's only five. Dad says Teddy inherited my capacity for knowledge, because he sure didn't get it from Josh. Every time dad says that I can't help but laugh. Josh is gorgeous, but what he has in beauty he lacks in brains.
"Okay baby." I kiss the top of his head. "I'll be in my room if you need me, okay?" He just nods, as I turn to walk out of his room, I look across the hall towards Phoebe's room and notice her door is open as well. As I peek in, I see she's taking a nap. I also notice an ABC workbook on the floor including crayons and markers, no doubt about it; she was also doing her homework. I turn back around and head towards my room with the four movers boxes I placed outside Teddy's room. As I make my way to the door I take inventory of everything that is his, funnily enough he doesn't have a lot of things, just his clothes and personal belongings, and everything else is mine.
I take a deep breath and make my way to my walk-in closet, and pull out everything that belongs to him, shoes, sweaters, jackets, shirts, pants, everything and place them on the bed. I turn towards the chest of drawers and pull out all his clothes as well, his boxers, socks, and undershirts and place them on the bed. I head towards the bedroom bathroom and take out all his toiletries, shaving cream, razors, toothbrush, body wash, shampoo, lotion and deodorant. I open the cabinet under the sink and pull everything that is his as well, his grooming kit, extra shampoo, lotions, and extra body wash.
I walk out of my bathroom and place all his toiletries in one box. Next, I place all his clothes in two boxes and then his shoes in the last empty box with his stuff. As soon as I'm done I lay back on my bed and I can't help but feel good, like if I finally broke loose from something that was pulling me down. I feel liberated. I don't know where it comes from but I laugh a full blown belly laugh.
"God do I feel great," I mutter to myself after my laughing fit.
"Mommy, why are you laughing? And why are there boxes as tall as me in your room?" Teddy says coming to sit next to me while I'm still lying down.
"Well baby." I sigh. How do you explain to a five year old that his father has officially moved out? God give me strength! "Your father will be moving out." I cringe. What the hell is wrong with me? "I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean for it to sound that way…" I'm panicking. I feel like I'm hyperventilating. I was supposed to ease into it, not be so straight forward.
"It's okay mommy, we hardly see dad anyways, so it's as if he doesn't live here already." Hearing your five year old son say that is heartbreaking, no child should ever be neglected by any parent, EVER!
"Oh baby, I'm sorry." I have tears rolling down my face as I hold on to my son with dear life. I hate to see him hurt. He doesn't deserve this and I know I'm making the right decision.
"Mommy, don't cry it'll be okay." He says cupping my face with his hands and kissing my forehead, like I do to him when he cries. My little man! "Mommy do you want some help?" He says eyeing the boxes.
"No baby I'm already done." I say as I get off the bed. "I just need to take them down stairs. But would you mind, going downstairs to the kitchen and taking out some fruits and vegetables from inside the refrigerator and placing them in the kitchen sink, so once I'm finish all I have to do is wash them?" I ask him while I'm lifting one of the boxes. Wow, they're heavy!
"Okay, mommy," he jumps off the bed and stands beside me, I look down at him and he cups my face once again. "It will be okay mommy." He lets go of my face and walks towards my bedroom door, but before he exits he says, "I love you mommy." and then leaves.
"I love you too Teddy. More than you can possibly imagine." I say out loud and smile.
I've finally finished bringing all the boxes down stairs and placed them near the front door, mentally checking off step two of my list, and head towards the kitchen where I see Phoebe and Teddy sitting around the kitchen island.
"Hi baby girl, did you have a good nap?" I ask her and she nods as I kiss the top of her head before I make my way to the kitchen sink and begin to wash the celery, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, and the head of lettuce that Teddy pulled out of the fridge. "Teddy, where's the fruit?" I turn to look at Teddy and he looks down at his feet.
"I ate the apple and Phoebe ate the orange." He says in a near whisper.
"Baby, you don't have to be embarrassed if you ate them. We'll just buy more, later." I shrug. "Did you remember to wash them before you ate them?" I ask Teddy while I smile at him.
He looks up at me and has a proud smile on his face. "Yes, mommy I washed them both. And I also washed the orange before and after I peeled it for Phoebe."
"Good job Teddy." I say as I chop all the vegetables and place them in a salad bowl. "Now, do you both want to help me mix the salad?"
"Yes please!" They yell in unison. Teddy jumps off the bar stool and helps Phoebe off her chair. I can't help but watch him with her, he's so protective of her it's amazing.
I watch from under my lashes as Teddy pulls out the stepping stool so Phoebe can stand on it so she can reach the kitchen sink. My heart flutters when I hear him sing the ABC song while Phoebe scrubs her hands. Ever since his teacher at school taught her students how to wash their hands properly by singing the ABC's, Teddy's been doing it with Phoebe.
After Phoebe is done washing her hands, Teddy passes her a paper towel so she can dry her hands. Before Phoebe climbs down, Teddy wraps her clean hand with the towel so he doesn't touch her clean hand with his dirty ones. As he climbs the steeping stool himself, he asks Phoebe to sing the ABC's for him. Phoebe's brilliant but she doesn't know the order of the letters, but she tries. Teddy and I applaud her when she finishes, and she blushes a delicate pink. She's my daughter, alright.
"Good job Phoebe!" Teddy says while giving her a high five.
"That was really good." I praise my daughter's efforts, no matter how small of an achievement.
"Thank you, mommy," Phoebe smiles shyly at me.
While the kids are mixing the salad I'm thinking about what to make for dinner. Chicken fajitas sound pretty good right about now. I make my way to the refrigerator and open the freezer pulling out the frozen chicken breasts, and place it in the kitchen sink for it to thaw. I turn back to the refrigerator and pull out the rest of the ingredients, red tomatoes a purple and white onion, but notice there's no green or red bell peppers.
"Kiddos, I believe we have to head over to the grocery store. It seems I don't have all the ingredients, I'll need to make dinner tonight." I turn my head in the direction of my children.
"Okay mommy, I'll help Phoebe put on her shoes. We'll be right back." Teddy says with a controlled manner and helps Phoebe get down.
When the children come back downstairs, I check them over to make sure they have on their shoes as well as a sweater on, and we make our way towards Doris.
"Mommy," I turn my gaze for a second to see Teddy through the rearview mirror.
"Yes, baby?" I respond when I turn my sight back on the road.
"Do you have to sing EVERY song, we hear on the radio?" I laugh at his statement.
"No, Teddy. I don't have to, but I like to." I smile at my baby boy and he sighs shaking his head while gazing out the window.
"Teddy is your sister awake?" I've noticed Phoebe has been quiet during the drive to the grocery store.
"Yes, mommy I'm awake." Phoebe answers my question.
"Phoebe, what are you doing?" I ask her.
"I'm reading a book, mommy." That makes sense. She usually tunes out her surroundings when she's reading.
Ten minutes later we arrive at the closes grocery store. I get out of my truck and head over to Teddy's side to get him out and then I do the same with Phoebe. While crossing the parking lot, Teddy holds my left hand as Phoebe holds onto my right. As soon as we make it inside the store I grab a wet wipe from the entrance and wipe down the handle bar from one of the shopping carts. I don't know where other people's hands have been.
We go down each lane to see what else I will need to buy for today's dinner, besides the bell peppers. Phoebe's walking ahead of me with Teddy holding her hand. I turn to get a loaf of white bread from the shelf, when I notice the kids have turned the corner of the aisle.
"Phoebe Grace, Theodore Raymond!" I say as I make my way quickly towards them.
"How many times have I told you both not too wonder so far from me?" I say as I'm turning to the produce aisle. I stop in my tracks when I see my kids talking to a man. I can feel my heart pick up a beat as the words 'Stranger Danger' run through my mind.
"Phoebe Grace, Theodore Raymond! How many times have I told you not to wonder too far away from mommy?" I say looking at my children.
"Sorry mommy." They both say in unison, with their heads down. I take a deep breath and shake my head, "I'm sorry if they were bothering you." I say looking up at the copper hair man. Oh God! He has long legs, a well-built torso and oh those grey beautiful eyes.
"Don't worry, they weren't." he smiles at me and I returned a shy smile.
I turn my attention back to my chastised children, when I kneel down in front of them they lift their faces to see me. "Theodore Raymond, Phoebe Grace," I say looking at them both. "You never do that again, okay?" they both nod. "Good." I sigh, "How about we stop later for some ice-cream or would you both prefer I bake a chocolate cake at home?" I smile as I ask Teddy and Phoebe, and I can tell by the twinkle in their eyes they would prefer I bake a chocolate cake. Teddy is the first to hug me and then Phoebe, "Yes mommy, please!" they both say before letting go.
As I'm trying to get up, I notice the copper hair gentleman extended his hand to help me up. When I take his hand, my heart starts to beat at a faster rhythm one more, and my breathing has become shallow. Feeling guilty for feeling this way in front of my children, I try to pull my hand out of his, but he holds it tightly, not wanting to let go.
"Names Christian, Christian Grey to be exact." he says shaking my hand and looking at me intently, like if he's waiting for something. What does he want?
"Ana, Anastasia Steele." I respond noticing he's expecting an introduction.
"Pleased to meet you, Anastasia." he smiles at me. Wow, he has a beautiful smile.
"I'm sorry?" he says with humor in his voice. What?
"What?" Please tell me I didn't say that out loud. Please, please, please!
"You said, "wow"…
"Did I?" I ask and right on cue a blush is taking over my face. Geez, Ana play it cool!
"Yeah, you did." he laughs. The bastard actually laughs, but it's such a beautiful laugh. What is wrong with me?
"I'm sorry I don't know why I would say that. Hmmm….we really should be going. It was really nice to meet you, Mr. Grey. Have a good day." I turn back to push the grocery cart up the aisle. Grabbing the attention of my kids we start to proceed towards the apples, oranges, and grapes and pick a few. Just when I'm about to reach for the green bell peppers, I need for dinner; I feel this tug like magnetism coming from behind me. I take a deep breath and I smell him. God he smells fantastic!
"Ana, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on grocery shopping. You see, I've never done this before." He sounds like Teddy when he's embarrassed to ask for help.
"Mr. Grey, does that pick up line ever work for you?" I ask with an annoyed tone in my voice. Really just go away hot stuff!
"Ana, I…." I interrupt him.
"Mr. Grey didn't your wife give you a list of what she needed?" Lucky bitch!
"Ana, I'm not…" I don't let him finish.
"Mr. Grey as I said once before, I will say it again. Have a good day!" I turn to place the produce bag of bell peppers in the grocery cart and take two steps to the left to pick a head of lettuce. I can still feel his gaze on me. Just go away Mr. Sex On Legs!
"You know Ana, it's rude to interrupt someone when they are speaking! If you would have let me finish what I was trying to say, maybe you wouldn't have wasted precious time going on a rant." Is he scolding me? I look up from the head of lettuce and turn my gaze slowly back to him. Is he serious? I open my mouth to say something, but he interrupts me this time.
"It wasn't a pick up line, I truly have no idea how to grocery shop. I'm not married, matter of fact I don't even have a girlfriend. And the reason for why I don't know how to grocery shop is because my housekeeper, Ms. Gail, is the one who does the grocery shopping." he says looking at me, and I can see in his grey eyes the honesty. I give him an apologetic smile and turn my gaze back to the vegetables. I take a deep breath and sigh. Why am I acting like such a bitch?
"Mr. Grey I apologize for interrupting you while you were speaking. If I would've held my tongue, I would've found this out in the first place." I tell him while keeping my focus on his eyes. He gives me that gorgeous smile once more, I turn my head so he won't see the blush that spreads over my face once again. God, he is so sexy!
"Mommy, are you okay? Your cheeks are pink." Teddy asks noticing the blush covering my face. I bend at the waist as I answer my sweet child.
"I'm fine Teddy. I just got hot."I cringe when those words leave my mouth. I can hear Mr. Grey trying to suppress his laughter. He must be really enjoying this.
"Are you sure mommy?" Teddy asks placing the back of his hand on my forehead and slowly bringing then down my cheeks to check for a fever. My sweet baby boy!
"I'm fine Teddy, really. But thank you for checking on mommy." I kiss my baby boy on his forehead. After teddy is done checking if I'm okay, I send him to pick some bananas. I straighten my self out and turn around to look directly at him.
I don't know what possesses to me to say what I do, but yet again I don't stop myself.
"Well Mr. Grey, I believe I'm all yours. What would you like my help with?" I lift my eyebrows and return a flirty smile. Game on Grey!
"I actually have a list of things I need, but I have no idea where they're located, would you mind showing me where I can find them?" I can't stop staring at his lips. Gosh I want to kiss those appetizing lips of his. When I see him lick his lips, my panties are immediately wet. I would love to feel those lips against my skin. My inner self purrs, and I'm slightly surprised.
I blink and remember we're playing a game. Just relax Steele and enjoy it! She purrs once more as she fans herself with her hand.
"Of course Mr. Grey, would you like to follow me?" I flirt or at least I think that's what I'm doing. What if I'm just making an idiot out of my self?
"Of course Ms. Steele," he nods after he hands me his grocery list.
"Teddy, Phoebe, come on we're moving," I call my children over. I can feel his gaze on my ass while we're walking in front of him. Naughty, naughty Mr. Grey! How do I play this game? I've only had one sexual partner, and Josh never played like this. Just try!
"Mr. Grey I believe you have already picked up the lettuce correct?" Please let me know, you know what I'm doing? I don't look at him, I'm too afraid to see a confused expression on his face.
"Yes, I did Ms. Steele," he counters. Oh thank heavens!
"Good!" I just purred, where the fuck did that come from? Probably from the nonexistent sex life you've had in your marriage.
"We need tomatoes, and….cucumbers," I feel naughty playing this double innuendo game with vegetables. I will never be able to look at the vegetables the same way after today. For crying out loud we eat this! I look up at him and I can tell by the smirk on his face, he knows what I'm thinking.
I turn and I make my way to the tomatoes and pick up four. Come on Steele, you can do this! My subconscious is right, I can do this. "The trick about picking… tomatoes," I smile looking directly at him, "Is you have to judge them by texture," I gently squeeze them. "color, and fragrance," I smell them and close my eyes and moan a little, as I exhale. Maybe that was a bit over board? I open my eyes and he's no longer in front of me, but behind me. Fuck, is that? No, can't be…
"You know Ms. Steele, keep talking like this, and I swear I will cum inside my pants." He presses himself harder and I gasp. Fuck! Oh yes, yes, YES!
"Is that what you want?" he continues, pressing himself even harder against my backside and I can feel his full length between my butt cheeks. Damn, he's huge! Come on Steele, just fuck him already please!
I lean my head on his shoulder and I hear him inhale my scent and I feel him running his nose against the side of my neck. I can feel the moister seeping from between my legs, and I know it's because of him. Damn him! I've been abstinent since Phoebe was born, and I haven't had a naughty thought ever since. Maybe this was a bad idea?
"I like the way you smell Anastasia," I'm playing with fire here and I'm burning, I'm scorching! I have to put an end to this, I can't play like this. I open my eyes and straighten myself and move towards the cucumbers.
"You know Mr. Grey," I say as I pick up a cucumber. "It's the exact same way with all fruits and vegetables," I look up at him.
"You judge them by, texture, color, and fragrance." I notice I've unconsciously picked up a cucumber that resembles his engorged member. I wonder how it would feel in my grasp. I grab the cucumber in my hands and begin to stroke it gently. While still, absent mindedly stroking and twisting my hand, I look up at him and I see he has his eyes closed. I bet I know what you are thinking Grey! I smirk when I see him swallow hard; he opens his eyes and looks at me. That's right baby, I know exactly what you were thinking because I want it to, my inner desire screeches in my head.
I can't help but make fun of the situation, "Did you have a nice trip Mr. Grey?" I smile and place the bagged cucumbers in his grocery cart. I just seriously flirted, big time with a complete stranger in a grocery store. I laugh, who would have thought?
"Come on Christian," I say and motion with my head. "Let's go get your dairy produce. We've had our fun for today." I smile when I notice he hasn't moved. Why is he… Oh shit!
"Ana, I would love to follow you, but you see… I have a situation at the moment," he says looking down at himself. I want to laugh, but I feel a little guilty because I've caused this. But he started this, I just ended it!
"I'm sorry Christian but you asked for…" I don't finfish what I was saying when I notice anxiety written all over his face when we hear a child's cry. I see him; stand taller and ready to charge towards the crying child. At a snap of a finger 'Playful Grey' is gone and in place is 'Protective Grey'. Wow! I place my hand on his arm to get his attention.
"Christian, its okay it's not them." I tell him as I am now noticing he's worried about MY children. Why? I ask myself.
"Are you sure? How do you know?" he asks, with such fatherly concern in his voice, it's amazing. Why can't Josh be as concerned as Grey is right now?
"Christian," I say as if I'm speaking to my scared children.
"I know, because I'm there mother and I know the sound of their cry, from miles away." I rub his arms. Wow, he must work out. I wonder how they would feel wrapped around me.
"And second," I continue. "They haven't left my eye sight." I point towards the oranges. He sighs and nods his head. Oh Grey!
"Ready, to finish your grocery shopping or have you had enough for one day?" I ask after I see him relax a bit. I'm suddenly aware I'm still holding his upper arms and I immediately remove my hands. I see an expression on his face and then it's gone as fast as it came, I've seen that look on Teddy but I can't place.
"Yeah," he nods with a puzzled look on his face. Why is he confused?
"Come on kids," I say to Teddy and Phoebe, motioning for them to walk along with me. We make our way towards the refrigerator aisle.
"Do you know what brand of dairy products your housekeeper buys?" I ask turning my attention to him when I see him shrug. Really!
"Christian," I start, while I place my hands on my hips, "Have you ever taken the time to, I don't know, notice what's inside your refrigerator?" I ask with a bit of curiosity in my voice.
"You know," he walks towards me scanning quickly the location of my kids.
"You look very sexy, grabbing your hips that way. It makes me wonder how it would look, if I was the one to grab your hips like that from the back." I blush and once again I'm hot and bothered. Fuck!
"Mr. Grey you never quit, do you?" I smile while I open the refrigerator door and pull out a blue cap gallon of milk, eggs, and a brick of mozzarella cheese.
"No Miss. Steele I can honestly say I don't." he smiles at me. God that smile! I look away and my eyesight lands on his grocery cart.
"Well Mr. Grey I believe your grocery shopping is done." I say as I notice all his items on his list are placed in it. Please don't leave!
"Thank you, Ana." he says crestfallen, as he pushes his grocery cart through the aisle. Fuck, say something, anything don't let him leave! I can't think of anything. FUCK, you still have some time he's speaking to the children, come on say something!
Just when I'm about to, I notice he's gone. Fuck, you fucked it up this time! You had him and you let him slip out of your grasp, what is the matter with you? I shake my head. I'm a married mother of two, who's going through a divorce. He doesn't need my baggage. I sigh, "Fuck," I whisper as I turn around and grab a gallon of milk and a carton of eggs and place them in my grocery cart.
"Come on kids lets go get in line for check out," I say grabbing my children's attention.
"Mommy, that man said we should stay close to you," Teddy says. I smile thinking about the small panic attack he had when he thought my kids were hurt.
"Did he now?" I ask looking down at my boy.
"Yes, mommy he did." Phoebe adds in.
We make it through check out and make our way towards the grocery store exit. Teddy and Phoebe are slightly ahead of me when Doris comes into view. I press the key remote button to unlock her and Teddy helps his sister in the truck before he jumps in.
As I'm pushing the grocery cart, I notice a sleek black Audi R8 Spyder parked next to Doris with heavy tinted windows. I smirk, while putting the grocery bags in the back. I should buy myself a car like that. I shake my head knowing if I do, I wouldn't be able to drive it since I do have two small children that need to go places. I push the cart to the where the 'Return Carts Here' is located, and make my way back to Doris to buckle Phoebe in her booster seat.
"Teddy put your seatbelt on please; while I help your sister put hers on." I state, while opening the left hand side rear passenger door where Phoebe is sitting on her booster seat, and he has done as I've said.
After I'm done fastening Phoebe on her seat and double checking hers and Teddy's restraints. I climb on the driver's seat and turn on Doris. Before I pullout of the parking spot I can't help but eye the grocery store.
Grocery shopping will NEVER be the same, thanks to Mr. Grey. And with that thought, I pull out of the parking spot and drive out the grocery store parking lot and head home.
Driving up the drive way of our home, I see Erick's truck is parked outside. Wow, he's early!
"Mom, is that Uncle Erick's truck?" Teddy asks, as he and Phoebe eye the silver Silverado. "Yes, baby that's your uncle's truck," I answer Teddy.
When I park Doris in front of the house I see Erick walking down to help with the groceries. Teddy is the first one out of Doris and makes a swift getaway towards his uncle. I shake my head as I see Teddy lunge himself at him. I swear Teddy thinks he's light as a feather! I get out and help Phoebe out of her booster seat. When I set Phoebe down on her feet she also makes a quick getaway. As I close the door I notice Erick is sprawled out on the lawn while Teddy and Phoebe are on top of him, no doubt my kids are getting heavier by the minute. I laugh at the sight of my brother in law playing with my children and him acting like one.
"Come on guys, help me with the groceries." I yell as I open Doris' trunk and start pulling the grocery bags.
"Do we have to?" They whine, all THREE of them. Thirty acting six, will he ever grow up? I shake my head in amusement. "Yes, please help." I say looking at my children, and smile when they run back over and grab one of the bags. Erick stands and makes his way towards us. He gives me a hug and then he kisses my cheek before releasing me and bending to grab a bag.
"So… umm." he says as we make our way over to the front door where Teddy and Phoebe are. He's nervous. I hate his brother for putting him in the middle of this. Fucken coward!
"Before we talk let's have dinner?" I turn my head and smile at him. He relaxes and then nods in understanding. Thank god. I sigh, "Plus, we have little ears present." I nod towards the door where my kids are standing waiting for me to open the door. He nods again and whispers "Later." I nod.
Entering the house I place the grocery bags on the kitchen table for Teddy and Phoebe to take everything out. "I'll be right back, I'm going to go upstairs to change." I notify my children and see Erick nod his head as his way of saying "I've got it". I turn and make my way upstairs to my bedroom. On entering my bedroom, I walk inside my bathroom and I start removing the make up I have on, when a sudden thought hits me. Fuck!
I look down at my blouse and notice it has a low-cut from the top which exposes my breasts a bit. Now if I was, let us say a 6ft handsome specimen who was standing behind me, I would be able to see an eyeful. He saw my breasts! I cringe at that thought. I'm not ashamed of my body, not at all. I just didn't realize this blouse had such a low-cut. He probably thinks they look gross. What if he doesn't like the way they look? And what if he does Ana?
Why am I thinking of him, it's not like I'll see him again. I shake my head and finish removing my make-up. I change out of my black blouse and grey pencil skirt and into a white shirt and grey lounge pants, with my comfortable tennis shoes. As I'm tying my left shoelaces, my phone rings. I pick it up and see Kate's picture on my phone.
"Hi Kate," I answer the call while I finish tying my shoelace and start picking up my scattered clothing.
"Ana, you never called me back, are you okay?" she asks. Oh shit, I so forgot I was calling Kate back!
"I'm sorry Kate, I forgot. Erick called and asked if he could spend a few hours with his niece and nephew, today, which reminds me, I can't go out but if you would like you can come over for dinner?" I ask shutting my eyes tightly.
I know Kate will be upset about not going out today, but I know she will prefer it that way, then having to see Erick. Ever since they had a very drunken hookup, they can't bare to see one another. Till this day, she won't tell me exactly what happened, but I'm assuming it was bad.
"Oh… well I guess I'll see you later than. What time is… ugh, you know WHO, leaving so I can come over?" I want to laugh but I know better than to rile 'The Katherine Kavanaugh' up. She's not a pretty picture to lay your eyes on, when she's in a 'Don't-Fuck-With-Me' mood.
"Well I'm making chicken fajitas now, so he'll be having dinner with us. But I would say he'll be leaving around six or seven. You could just come by then and spend the ni…" I don't finish what I was going to say, when she starts screaming through the phone. It's been a while since Kate has slept over usually it's because Josh is around. She has no excuse now does she? Nope, she sure does not. I smile at my thoughts.
"Okay I'll see you then," she yells and then hangs up. I look at my phone dumbfounded, "Wow, good bye to you too Kate," and I laugh out loud.
Making my way down the stairs, I can hear Teddy speaking to his uncle about the grey eyed man we met at the store. "and mommy helped him grocery shop." Teddy says with innocence in his voice. Mr. Grey is anything but innocent. I lick my lips thinking about his hard shaft. Wow, he really is ALL man! I bite my lip.
"You okay there Ana, you looked a little… lost… for a moment." Erick smirks and I blush. Shit, I got caught daydreaming, or is it fantasizing? Erick knows about Josh and I's, nonexistent sex life, since Josh has mentioned it to him on numerous accounts.
"What are you talking about, Erick?" I walk towards the kitchen sink and wash my hands with soap while absentmindedly singing the ABC's. I smile when I hear Teddy and Phoebe singing along. Thank god for the distraction, I don't think I could stand in front of my brother in law and talk about Mr. Grey. I inwardly sigh before I turn back around to dry my hands on a paper towel, and I see Erick is confused.
"What?" I ask as I toss the paper towel in the wastebasket. He shakes his head, and I turn to the sink and grab the whole raw chicken. I turn back around and place it on the cutting board that's on the kitchen island. As I'm cutting the meat, it hits me… he's confused because of the random singing. I giggle in understanding. To someone outside of my home it would look odd, but to us it's become part of our daily routine. So, I explain.
"Teddy's kindergarten teacher taught her students a very fun way to wash their hands. Every time they wash their hands they start to sing the ABC's, so their hands are thoroughly washed, cleaned, and scrubbed." I shrug, "But I think it's a way for the students to remember their alphabet." I smile, "So now whenever Teddy or Phoebe, or even I wash our hands we sing the song." I say to Erick as I've been cutting the chicken into portions.
"Ah, that explains it," I shake my head while I bend to pull out a pot.
"Does he know?" he asks as he's coming around the island to wash his hands so he can help chop the vegetables. From the living room we can hear the kids singing the Alphabet song, while Erick washes his hands. We look at each other and brake into a fit of giggles.
"I see what you mean now." he says smiling and picking up a paper towel to dry his hands.
"No, he doesn't know. Teddy just started this a couple of days ago. Last night, was the first time he has slept at home for almost two weeks." I shrug indifferent and pass him the extra cutting board and the chopping blade.
"I don't get it Ana," he says as he chops the vegetables. I'm mesmerized by the way he does so. The bell peppers and the onions are sliced thinly and perfect.
"I know…" I say as I turn my attention back to the pot of now boiling water I placed on the lit stove top.
"He has everything, why would he…" he stops and tenses. Oh, I know what you were going to say Erick! I smile and shake my head as I place the now cut portions into the boiling pot of water.
"Erick I know, you don't have to panic." I say after I turn my back to the stove and place the chopping board and knives into the sink.
"What do you mean you know?" he asks as he stretches his arm to remove the sautéing pan from the hanging grid on top of the kitchen island.
"I stopped by your house this morn…" he drops the pan on the counter before I finish my statement.
"Ana, I wasn't at home and I didn't know he was bringing Crystal over, if I knew I would've never let him…" he says with so much honesty in his eyes, I know he wouldn't have allowed for that to happen. One thing Erick is known to his family for is his honesty as well as his loyalties. He would make a wonderful husband!
"I know, Erick… I know," I say hugging him. Erick is really the big brother I didn't get the chance to have. I love him and he loves me just as much. We brake out of our embrace when the kids come into the kitchen.
"Mommy, is Uncle Erick taking dads things?" Teddy asks. I look at Erick and I can tell by the look on his face he's furious with his younger brother. I turn my gaze back to my son, and I can't lie to him. It wouldn't be right.
"Yes baby, Uncle Erick's taking Dad's belongings, but later… first we eat okay?" I say, while I rub his cute innocent face. My sweet innocent child!
"Okay mommy." he smiles at me and turns his gaze to his uncle Erick. "Can I help you later Uncle Erick?" he says excited with the idea. I know it's not the idea of removing his father's belongings, but of the idea of helping his Uncle Erick. I smile and look at Erick and shrug my shoulders. Sadly enough, I know my children won't miss their father when he's gone; he's pretty much absent in their lives now, so it won't make a big difference to them.
"Sure kiddo." Erick says as he ruffles Teddy's hair.
After we're done eating, Teddy, as promised by his Uncle Erick, has helped move the boxes into his truck. Teddy couldn't pick them up, since they were heavy so he decided to push them instead. I laugh at the thought.
"What's so funny Ana?" Erick asks as he finishes saying his 'good night' to the children.
"Just thinking about how smart Teddy is growing up to be." I say to Erick while I see Teddy playing with Phoebe.
"What did you expect Ana? They're YOUR children…" he says, gently bumping me with his shoulder. More like arm… that man is tall! She's right. If I look straight at him I will be looking at his chest. For some reason I attract tall people.
I smile at his comment. They are my children. And god as my witness I love them dearly! If I ever lost them it would be the end of me. I would have no air to breath. They are my pride and glory. My strength, my courage, my sanity, and without then I would have none of this and more. My children are the reason for why I work so hard in life. My children deserve better, much better.
"Well Ana, I should be going, I told Josh I was coming for a bit. Which has turned into three hours," he smiles. "I'll be stopping more often," he shrugs feeling guilty. I nod "You sure you're okay?" he says eyeing me carefully.
"Yeah I'm fine," I give him a warm smile. "It's not like if I've not been raising my children on my own already, right?" I shrug and open the front door.
"You're strong Ana," he says with a smirk and shake of his head. "He's fucken stupid for letting you go!" he whispers so the children don't hear him swear. We have a good laugh and he walks out the door, "Good Night Erick and thank you!" I give him one last hug before he leaves and I close the door behind him.