A/N: I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday...

I'm going to kill Taylor, the bastard thought it would be a thoughtful gift, if he would frame the picture of me in my purple feather hat with Autumn in my lap.

Actually, framed is an understatement; it's a 12x12 canvas. And I actually blame Anastasia since she's the one that took the picture.

However, Ana was right, purple really does make my eyes pop.

What the fuck are you saying, Grey?

Ana has been working here for a week. Autumn is totally smitten with her and honestly, so am I.

I just don't think it would be right if Ana and I were more than employer and employee.

I lean back in my chair, staring at the photo that now hangs on the wall in my study, and think about what almost happened last night, if Autumn didn't stop it.

I walk into the library after putting Autumn down for a nap. She asked, no demanded, that I read Cinderella to her.

Ana has been working out great so far. Autumn is still convinced that Ana is some kind of princess. Doesn't matter to me what she thinks, as long as she's happy. When those two are playing together, I become chopped liver.

I feel so much better about going to work on Monday. I know Autumn is in good hands with Ana.

When I enter the library, I see Ana curled in a ball on the couch reading a book.

"Hey, what are you reading there?" I ask as I sit down next to her.

"The Woodlanders... I can't believe you have a first edition of this."

"What can I say, I'm a bit of a collector."

"I wish I could only collect things as nice as this." She smiles at me and closes the book.

I glance over at the pool table and back at her. "Do you fancy a game of pool? I think you mentioned how good you are and I would like to take you up on that challenge."

"I don't know. I wouldn't want you crying in your wheaties when I kick your butt, Mr. Grey." she smirks at me.

"I think it will be you who will be crying, Anastasia. And I think we can drop the formalities. Call me Christian." I offer my hand to help her stand from the couch.

There's that damn jolt again. Her touch affects me in ways I don't understand.

"Ok, Christian." She purrs.

Holy hell, I love the way my name rolls off her tongue.

I rack the balls and hand Ana a pool stick.

She chalks up the end of her cue and blows off the excess dust, staring at me while she does it. The sight of her makes my dick twitch.

"Do you want to break?" My words hitch in my throat.

She smiles at me, not saying a word, takes the white ball and lines it up. I'm standing behind her as she bends over the table. I don't even notice that she hits the balls, because I'm too focused on her ass.

"I'll call solids." She says, as she spins around. I assume that she pocketed a ball. The rest are scattered on the table.

She bends down again, this time I watch the sheer concentration on her face. She bites her lip as she moves the cue back and sends another solid ball into the pocket, then another, and then another.

She wasn't lying. She is good.

She misses the next shot and it's finally my turn.

"Show me what you got, Christian."

I line up my shot and sink the green stripe ball into the right pocket, then the blue stripe. I then up fouling when I sink the white ball.

"I thought you said you knew how to play." She tuts at me.

"Just go.." I huff while rolling my eyes at her, but I can't help but smile at her playfulness.

"Don't be a sore loser, Mr. Grey."

"I haven't lost yet, Miss. Steele."

She lines up her next shot and sinks the rest of her balls in rapid succession.

"Who taught you how to play?" I ask.

I'm starting to think she plays secretly in the UPA.

"My dad plays all the time. He taught me how to play at an early age." She remembers fondly. "Left corner pocket." She calls out, before bending over to take her shot.

Ana sinks the eight ball into the corner pocket and wins the game. She's laughing about her win. I come and walk over to her. Standing myself right in front of her.

"See I told you, I would win." She sticks her tongue out at me.

"Oh, very mature, Anastasia." But I can't help but laugh with her. "We'll just need to have a rematch."

"You're on. But you'll just lose again." She grins. She moves to go around me and slightly stumbles.

This girl really can't walk on her own two feet.

I catch her and pull her up right. She looks up at me with those big blue eyes, and I'm totally hypnotized. I round my one hand around her waist and rest the other on her cheek.

Her lips are just begging to be kissed.

I lean down to move my lips closer to hers. Ana closes her eyes, ready for the contact. Her breathing hitches as my lips gently brush hers.

But the moment is lost when Autumn makes herself known into the room. Ana pushes away from me, practically running to the other side of the room.

"Uncke Christian, Ana, I'm awake." She announces proudly

"Yeah, I see that little one."

"Can I play?" She asks. pointing to the table.

"Sure." I tell her.

I just have to find something for her to stand on.

"Autumn, let me teach you how. Uncke Christian isn't very good." Ana smirks at me.

"Don't listen to her. I play just fine."

I was just distracted by your ass bent over the table, and learning a thing or two about self control.

After spending an hour showing Autumn how to play pool, we had dinner. Ana never brought up the near kiss, and well... I didn't either.

I mean, she's the nanny. If I hurt her and she leaves, then I hurt Autumn.

I just need to keep things friendly and professional.

I just need to tell that to my dick.

I leave the safety of my office and go see what Autumn and Ana are up to.

I find them in the library, cuddled up on the couch. When I approach them, they appear to be looking at photo album.

"What are you two looking at?" I ask hovering over them behind the couch.

"Autumn found this photo album and wanted to look at it." She answers, almost guilty like.

"It has mommy, daddy and you." Autumn tells me as she points to the picture of the three of us from high school. These are the albums that came from Ted's house. I have a bunch of his stuff boxed up, unsure of what to do with. I can't get rid of it either. I have his and Summer's most important memories in Autumn's room.

I move around to the front of the couch and sit next to Autumn. We flip through the book and I stop at the picture of Ted and Summer holding a picture of a sonogram next to the tree.

"Oh, yes. I remember this. It was Christmas, and your mom had just found out she was pregnant with you. They told everyone that day. I don't think I've ever seen your mommy and daddy so happy." I tell her, planting a kiss on top of her head.

"My mommy and daddy are Angel's, Ana." She smiles when she tells her.

It amazes me how well she's been taking her dad's death. I don't know what Ted said to her in his final moments, whatever it was must of made her stronger. I wish I was only as brave as her when I was four.

"I know sweetie." Ana answers brushing her hair back.

"Lookie here, you guys look so pretty." Autumn points to a picture of the three of us dressed for prom.

"That I think, was our Junior Prom. I was their third wheel all night." I laugh.

"What's a third wheel?"

"The extra person, hanging around a couple. My date ended up getting Mono or something, so I went by myself. Let's just say it was a rough night, because your mom and dad, let's say… forgot I was there a lot. And I wasn't a very social butterfly. So I sat at the table and kind of watched."

"You mean, you really couldn't find anyone to dance with? You?" Ana asks curiously.

"Like I said, I wasn't a very social, approachable person." I shrug.

"I get that." Ana smirks at me.

What does that mean?

"What's daddy doing here?" Autumn points to the picture of Ted attempting to spin on his head.

"Your dad was trying to break dance, he's lucky he didn't break anything while he was trying." I laugh.

"Aww, look how cute you two were." Ana points to a picture of Ted and I from middle school.

"Were, huh?" When I look over at Ana and notice she's blushing.

"Well…." Ana looks away from me. "How did you two meet?" She asks, changing the subject.

"He moved in across the street from me in seventh grade. I was outside, kind of just hanging around… I was a mess back then."

My fear of touch kept me away from others. I'm thankful after the Elena thing my parents found the right therapist for me. I still have trouble with strangers, however the ones close to me, there's no problem anymore.

And I really like the feel of one Anastasia Steele pressed against me.

Snap out of it, Grey. It can't happen.

"He came up to our driveway to say hi. He kind of bugged me at first. Was really pushy in trying to make me play basketball with him. I finally just wanted him off my back and agreed to play with him. After that I really couldn't get rid of him." I laugh. "And I'm thankful because I don't think I would of survived my teen years without him."

"Then I'm glad you got to have a friend like that. That's hard to find." Ana says.

"My daddy was the best!" Autumn says proudly.

"That he was, peanut."

This is still hard to think about, losing Ted, and to not try and break down. I cried the day he died, but I've been doing everything to not do that in front of Autumn.

"Why don't we get some lunch. I hear a couple of belly's rumbling." I say as I tickle her belly.

"Stop, Christian…" She giggles. "The monster in my belly doesn't like to be tickled. Only fed."

I stop tickling her and she crawls into my lap.

"Come on, let's see what Gail has ready for us." I stand up, taking Autumn with me as I stand. I put out my hand to offer it to Ana to help her up. She takes the hand and that bolt of energy goes through me.

What is that about every time I touch her?

I guess she felt it too, because after she stands up, she removes her hand from my hold. She bites down on her lower lip and looks at me shyly. I don't know how long we are standing there looking at each other, when Autumn's stomach growls again.

"Christian.. My monster!" She tells me, moving my face towards her.

"Right, sorry peanut. Let's go."

With one final look at Ana, we all leave the room.

Later that night, after I put Autumn to sleep I make my way to the kitchen and find Ana nursing a glass of wine. She mentioned she was going out tonight with a couple of her friends. She's dressed in a tight black dress. I can only see her back and it really hugs the shape of her ass.

It's takes everything in my power to not want to take a bite out of it.

She turns to look at me and smiles.

"You look lovely, Anastasia."

And right on queue, she blushes.

I feel insanely jealous that other males are going to see her like this.

"Thank you, Christian."

"Where you headed tonight?"

She sighs and leans back on the counter. "I was going out with a couple of friends to this new club. But, my friend Kate got sick, my friend Jen then bailed and it would only leave me and my friend Jose. And well, I don't feel really comfortable about being alone with him, without others around."

"Why?"

"It's a long story. I'm sure nothing you want to hear."

"Try me." I urge her.

"He made a pass on me one night. We were drinking, we had just finished finals. Anyways, I told him no, he became kind of aggressive. I ended up kicking him in the balls, and well he finally backed off. He apologized. He claimed he really liked me, but I couldn't return the feelings. He hasn't done anything since, but I refuse to hang out alone with him." When she finishes she takes a large sip of her wine, before filling her glass again.

I'm pissed that someone would do that to her and a friend no less.

"How can you still be friends with someone like that?" I snap at her.

She looks shocked for a minute by the venom I'm sure is coming out of my voice. I just hope I never meet this guy.

"He made a mistake and said he was sorry. I'm giving him a benefit of a doubt. I've known José since high school, our dad's served together in the Marines." She shrugs her shoulders.

I have so much more to say about this, but I hold back on the issues… for now

"So, I guess you're staying in tonight? If you are, I could keep you company." I offer

"You don't have to, Christian. I might just take a bath and go to sleep."

That's the last image I needed in my head, Anastasia naked and wet, while trying to talk to her.

"I don't mind. Plus, it would be nice to talk to someone other than a four-year-old, or someone always trying to kiss my ass."

"Well, it's a very nice ass." I hear her whisper under her breath. I don't think I was supposed to hear that. So, I ignore it and store the thought for another time.

"And you shouldn't drink alone…" I stand up to grab another glass, and pour myself a glass. When I reach for the bottle I notice it's half empty.

"Thirsty?" I ask as I shake the bottle. I notice she blushes and look away.

"Sorry. I'll pay you back…It's just really good. "

"You will do no such thing. I told you in the beginning to eat and drink whatever there is in the house."

"But, this probably cost a fortune."

"It's a small price to pay for how well you've been taking care of Autumn. She really adores you. I think I've become chopped liver. All I hear now is Ana this and Ana that."

"Well, I adore her too. She's absolutely wonderful and brave. I can't imagine her lost and she still goes on with a smile on her face." She shakes her head smiling. "Plus, when you're not here it's Christian this and Christian that. Or she'll tell me stories of how you and her dad got along. Just today she told me how you two went on an adventure to fix the plumbing under the sink and the water ended up gushing out of the pipes." She giggles.

I laugh with her at the memory, "Yeah, Ted and I weren't really what you call handyman. We thought we could do anything, but we ended up making it worse. The plumber even gave us a talk to never touch anything ever again. It was quite the mess. And little Miss. Giggles just laughed at us the whole time. We were covered head to toe in water. Nobody said anything about turning off the water first" My laughter stops as I remember. "That was about two weeks before he passed." I sigh.

"I'm sorry…"

"It's ok. At least there will always be a part of him around." I smile thinking about Autumn.

"You're really good with her. She looks up to you."

"I'm just afraid I'm going to fail her. I never pictured myself with kids, I really have no idea what I'm doing. I don't want to let her down." I knock back my glass of wine. I haven't been this truthful with anyone in a long time.

"I highly doubt you're going to let her down. You've been with her since she was a baby. All you can do is love her and do your best. That's all any parent can really do." She lays her hand on top of mine, in a way to give me reassurance.

"Thank you." I finish draining the bottle of wine into our glasses.

We finish the night talking about upcoming events with Autumn. We have a trip planned for the aquarium and the zoo next weekend. It's a surprise for her, that I'm sure she'll love.

After a couple more glasses of wine, Ana excuses herself to bed for the night. Before, she left she told me she had a wonderful time talking to me. In return, I told her the same.

Soon after that, it became a nightly ritual, to have a glass of wine and talk. It's something I really miss doing with Ted, and I'm glad that I can have it again, even if it's with someone else.

Three weeks later I find myself coming home late for work. I'm dead tired, I've had to put in the hours this last week for this major deal GEH is working on. I feel awful that I have seen very little of Autumn this week. But, now the deal is done and I should manage to get back home by five everyday.

I've also missed the little talks Ana and I would have every night after Autumn goes to bed. I've learned so much about her. I find myself drawn to our talks, I find myself drawn to her period.

I like to think we have grown a good friendship, no matter how much I think I want more, at least I have that.

The apartment is dark, except for the over hang lights in the kitchen. As I wander to my room, I hear the TV coming from the media room. I decided to go check it out just in case the girls are asleep in front of the TV. When I get in there, it's only Ana.

She's sitting up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn watching what looks like some horror movie.

I walk over to her and touch her shoulder. This causes her to jump, causing the popcorn to go flying.

She looks up at me, her hand on her heart and her breathing heavy.

"You scared the crap out of me." She tells me, as she tries to catch her breath.

I can't help but chuckle at her. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I heard the TV on and wanted to make sure you weren't both sleeping in here."

"Oh," She smiles as I move to sit around next to her, pick up some of the spilled popcorn and put in the bowl. "Autumn has been asleep for a couple of hours. I figured I take advantage and not watch something disney hasn't made." She laughs.

"So, you decided on something to give you nightmares tonight?"

"I don't get nightmares." She huffs.

"Oh, you don't huh?"

"Nope." She says popping the 'p'

"What movie is this? And what the hell is going on?"

Looks like a snooze fest. I've never found anything entertaining about horror movies.

"Oh, it's The Conjuring. It's about these two paranormal investigators that are summoned to this house. The Perrons and their five daughters have recently moved into a secluded farmhouse, where a supernatural presence has made itself known. Things start to happen and they figure out the house's dark history, and so on."

"Interesting." I lie. I settle next to her as we finish watching the movie.

I have no idea how she can watch crap like this, it was an awful movie. I ask her if she wants to watch another, even though it's after eleven now and we should be in bed.

"Sure, I'll let you pick this time." She smirks. "Wouldn't want to bore you any further."

"I'm not bored..."

"Uh-huh. I can tell by your face and you checking your watch every 30 seconds that you were just waiting for it to be done already."

I look over at her giving her a shy smile. "Oops." I chuckle.

She picks up a handful of the fallen popcorn and tosses it at me.

I pick up my own handful and throw it at her.

She laughs and looks around the room. "I think we made quite the mess."

"Indeed, we did." I throw another handful at her.

Ana stands up and starts picking up all the fallen popcorn back into the bowl.

"I would hate for Gail to have to see this in the morning. She would never believe her boss is such a slob."

"That's because I'm not. I'm not the one that spilled the popcorn the first time. Or threw it first. It's all on you."

"I only did that, because you sneaked up on me." She looks up at me, from kneeling on the floor batting her eye. "Please, help?"

"Fine." I jokingly huff as I move to go help pick up the popcorn mess. We get most of it picked up. What's left of it, nothing a good vacuum won't take care of tomorrow.

Afterwards I pick out the movie "Taken", but we end up not watching and spend the time talking.

We ended up talking from our favorite things to our troubled childhoods.

Besides my family, Ted and Summer were the only ones I had ever been able to share my formative years with.

To say she was shocked and appalled was an understatement.

Then she talked about hers. Well, let's just say it wasn't pretty either.

"My mom was always a bit of a flake. But when she was married to Ray, life was good. Then one day, when I was fourteen, she took me away from the only man I knew as my father to move to Texas with her new boyfriend. The guy was a creep. He was also abusive, physically and mentally. I tried telling my mom and teachers at school. Nobody seemed to believe me or cared. It made me lose a lot of faith in the human race. I finally got in touch with Ray after he came back from his tour and he took me away from it."

"Where's your mom and this guy now?"

She sighs, "A year after I left, Steven and my mom, I guess were out partying. Well, Steven ended up driving home drunk and they were both killed when they rolled off the highway."

"Wow…I mean…"

"It's ok. I miss my mom sometimes. I hate that she chose him over me, but she was still my mother, she wasn't always bad. I choose to remember the good times." She stops and looks at me.

"Maybe we should cut the heavy talk…" She giggles, "I haven't had enough to drink tonight to keep it going. So, tell me what has been keeping you so busy this week?"

I go on to tell her about the new deal I'm working on with a publishing company and I can see Ana's ears perk up. She asks me a million questions about the process of buying and selling companies and how I turn failing companies into successful ones again.

She actually seems really interested in what I have to say.

When I tell most people about I do, I can usually see their eye rolls back in their head by how bored they were. Shit, even Ted would get bored to tears and he worked with me.

It's after 4am when I feel Ana's head on my shoulder. I look down and notice she has fallen asleep.

I can't believe we've been talking for five hours, I don't even know how I'm still awake.

"Ana?" I gently shake her shoulder.

Nothing. I try shaking and call her name again and only met with a small grunt. I turn the tv off and I get my arms around her, so I can lift her in my arms as I stand.

I make my way out of the room and carry Ana to her bedroom. I lay her down on her bed and cover her with the blanket.

I sit on the edge of bed and study her sleeping form.

I can feel myself falling for the girl, but I can't. God, knows I'll only end up breaking her heart.

But, by god she's beautiful. I really just enjoyed talking to her tonight, even if was about nothing. All the stress of the week melted off.

I bend down and kiss the top of her head. She moans out on her sleep.

My dick is now at attention, in need of her attention.

I need to get out of here. I need some sleep and maybe a stiff drink.

This girl is going to be the death of me

A/N: See you sometime after the new year... 2017 has to be better right?