CPOV

It's been four months since Ana and I had our "talk." We've quietly gotten to know each other again, going on private dinner dates and taking our baby girl sailing on my yacht, The Grace. For the first time in a little over two years, Ana joined me at my parent's home for Sunday dinner, only this time we added a new family member into the mix, my daughter Kristen. It feels very odd to say my daughter but it also feels wonderful.

Before Sunday dinner with my entire family, though, I made it a point to have Ana over for dinner with just my parents the evening after she and I had our talk. I felt I owed it to my parents to properly introduce Carrick to his beautiful granddaughter, since Grace had already met her. Carrick's only concern was one of finances. That didn't surprise me; that's how my dad shows his love and concern for us, by worrying about our financial stability. I think he should be more concerned with how Mia is going to survive on her own; I'm sure he's lost many a night's sleep worrying about her financial future.

I spoke to Carrick privately earlier that day before I brought Ana and my baby girl over for dinner. He wanted to be sure that my relationship with Ana was real and that she had no ulterior and or financial motives for our reunion. I was angry and upset but I was proud of myself for not losing my temper. I calmly explained to Carrick how much I love Ana and how I eventually plan to gain her trust and win her back.

He also wanted to know if Ana is really "the one" that I want to be with for the rest of my life, and without missing a beat, I said yes. I further went on to say that I have every intention of making her my wife. He wasn't very happy with my revelation but I needed to be honest with him. I needed to let him know that this is my future and he can either get on board or step aside. He eventually relented with some coaxing from Grace. That entire conversation was all for naught. I went about it the wrong way. I should have introduced him to Kristen before we had our little talk.

I think back to the first time he saw his granddaughter and I can't help but smile. Carrick had a stern look about him when I walked in with Ana and my baby girl, but as soon as he held his granddaughter, I could see him begin to melt; any concerns and reservations that he had previous held completely dissipated as Kristen held him tight. I could really see that Kristen had grabbed hold of his heart without any intention of ever letting go. The most difficult hurdle had been jumped and Kristen did her job, just by being the perfect baby.

Sunday dinner with the entire Grey family was also a huge success. I'd already spoken to Elliot and Mia and they were both beyond ecstatic that Ana was back in my life. I was very nervous about the reunion and I'd hoped that everything would run smoothly and without a hitch. I'm not sure why I worried; once again, Kristen made her grand appearance and she soon had Elliot and Mia fighting over her. My little girl is very friendly and loving and if you have arms, she will happily reach out to you, demanding that you give her all the attention that she so rightly deserves.

Once the "ooohhhing" and the "aaaahhhing" calmed down for a bit, everyone welcomed Ana back, no questions asked.

After dinner, we went to the family room for what I thought would be some light conversation. No such thing when you have a little sister like Mia.

"So? When do you two plan on getting married?" Mia asks with her big brown eyes, looking as innocent as can be.

"Mia!" Grace shouts.

I glare at her and Ana freezes mid drink. Elliot continues making faces at Kristen and she keeps giggling and pulling on Elliot's lip. He's oblivious to what was just asked.

He finally catches on that there's tension in the room. He looks at all of us, and says, "Whoa? What did I miss?" He looks to Mia and says, "What did you say, little sister?"

"I only asked when Christian and Ana plan on getting married? I mean, they do have a daughter together."

"Dude, slow down. Give them a chance to catch up on things!" Elliot exclaims and then goes back to playing with my baby girl.

"Mia, this is none of your concern," I snap.

"Yes, it is," Mia snaps back. "I have a niece and I want her to be a Grey and you two should get married."

"Would anyone like some dessert?" Grace asks as she tries to calm us down.

"Mia?" Ana finally speaks.

"Yes, Ana?"

Shit! What is she going to say? That she merely wants me in her life for Kristen's sake? Does she still love me? We've had many a date but I've always gone home every fucking evening with a severe case of blue balls. We may have gone out on dates, but the way we are with one another, we could be brother and sister!

Shit! Say something Ana, the suspense is killing me! For God sakes, put me out of my misery already!

"What Christian and I are to each other...has yet to be defined. Please be patient with us and I hope that for now, getting to you know your niece is enough."

"I'm sorry Ana, you're right. I'm just so happy you're here and I think the wine got to me."

"What's your excuse when you're not drinking Mia?!" Elliot shouts as he continues to play with Kristen.

"Quiet, Elliot, and quit hogging my niece, pass her to me," Mia exclaims as she takes Kristen from Elliot.

"We weren't finished playing monkey faces."

"Monkey faces? Hmph! I'm taking my niece out for a day of pampering and bonding. She's going to love her Auntie Mia and all the things that I buy for her."

Oh no! She's going to turn my baby girl into a pampered princess! A mini Mia! This will not do!

"It's getting late, everyone, we really should be going now," I say as I stand and extend my hand to Ana.

She looks to me and smiles. She places her hand in mine and I feel it, just like I do every single time we touch...

On the ride home, I think about the evening. I am beyond happy that dinner went over so wonderfully but a part of me is angry and upset. Mia basically called me out in front of my family; truthfully, I couldn't care less about that, but to do it in front of Ana? Surely she must know that my feelings for her haven't changed, I still want her to be my wife. If anything, those feelings have only grown stronger these past four months.

"Sir?" Taylor says as he opens the door.

Shit!

We're here, at Ana's place. I fucking hate this part of the night. Ana has made it perfectly clear that I am not allowed to stay at her place. That one night I stayed was the only exception. Ana stated that she and I need some distance in order to sort out our true feelings for each other.

Complete rubbish if you ask me; I already know what my true feelings are and I know what I want, but I relented for Ana. I don't want to rush things, I want to make things right. I plan on taking things slow and steady. I hate waiting but I would do anything for Ana, anything to get her back, anything to make her mine.

I never knew that love could and would make me do so much for one person, well, two people now. The only way I would consent to leave Ana and my baby girl at night was to beef up security, but truth be told, it wasn't needed. I had Taylor hire the company that secured Escala, and wouldn't you know, it was the same company that Ana hired as well. I did add an additional security detail, so aside from that Sawyer fucker watching over my woman and my baby girl, I've hired Belinda Prescott; her sole duty is protecting my baby girl.

It's fucking ridiculous how we go through the same routine every fucking night!

Kristen's nanny, Kate, approaches the car, and takes in our baby girl, with Prescott at her side. As soon as they're gone, Ana and I make out like fucking horny teenagers. Once we've calmed down, we go inside and I kiss our baby goodnight and leave. I fucking hate this shit! I hate it! I hate it! I hate it!

This is such bullshit! But, if this is what Ana needs, then I'll go home with yet another severe case of blue balls.

I have to remind myself of the ultimate goal. I will eventually make Ana my wife. That thought alone does things to me, but then there's Kristen, my precious baby girl. I've already gone through the legal process of changing Kristen's surname from Steele to Grey. I've sent a memo to my office staff that I have a daughter and that her mother and I are friends. They are not to discuss this matter with anyone and they're all reminded of the NDAs that they have willingly signed.

So here I am, outside Kristen's room. I've just kissed my daughter good night and the time has come for me to leave Ana's home. A home that should be ours, together; just thinking about this shit makes me angry.

Fuck! I should just throw Ana over my shoulder and fuck her all night long, slowly and lovingly worshipping her body as she so richly deserves, loving that body until the sun rises.

Christ!

Just thinking about that makes my cock twitch.

Sorry, big guy, it's just you and my hand again, I think quietly to myself as I walk Ana to her bedroom.

"I had a lovely evening, Christian," Ana says as she holds me tight.

I keep my arms to my side, knowing where this is headed. I will not get my hopes up as I do every single night.

Ana nuzzles my chest and I tip my head down to inhale her intoxicating scent.

Fuck! This is so hard and so is my cock!

"Christian?" Ana mumbles as she runs her hands up and down my back.

God, give me strength! This tiny creature has the power to drop me to my weakened knees!

"What is it, baby?" I ask as I try to control my breathing.

"Why aren't you holding me?" she asks.

I want to yell out loud, I don't want to hold you because I'm sick and tired of being shot down, night after fucking night and going home with blue balls and jacking off so hard that it takes me back to the first time I did it while thinking about you and nearly spraining my damn wrist. However, since I don't think that will go over very well, I reply, "No reason."

Ana giggles. She fucking giggles. I'm going to suffer tonight and she has the audacity to giggle!

"Ana, I do love your giggle; however, I fail to see the humor in this situation."

"I'm sorry, I'm just picturing you going home alone tonight and having to deal with your BBD."

"My BBD?" Why the hell is she talking about it?

"Yes, your blue balls disease."

"You think that's funny?!" I exclaim.

"I'm sorry Christian, no, it's not funny. I would like to help you with your...dilemma, if I may?"

Holy shit! Did she really just...

"What? Are you uh...offering? I mean, did you just say? Well, what I mean is..."

"Stay with me tonight Christian, please."

A/N

I hope you enjoyed this update, it's all I got for now. I'll be wrapping up this story pretty soon. I just need to get my 'happy' on in order to complete it.

If you have a moment, please review and let me know what think.

Cheers,

Rosie :D