Ana

One Week Later

"Do you have any sevens?" I ask Christian expectantly.

"Go Fish," he chuckles.

I groan frustrated when I pick up another card from the deck. Christian and I are playing Go Fish on our cots. It's more of a child's game, but I am so bored, I pleaded with Christian that we at least play a game of cards. He wanted to play poker, but I wanted to play something more fun. So, Go Fish it is.

We play for a little while longer, until I decide I didn't want to play anymore. Christian looks relieved as he puts the cards back inside the box they came in. I stretch my arms above my head and yawn loudly. It is about two o'clock in the afternoon on a Saturday. I look out of the shelter windows and see that it is raining outside. I sigh and look around the room in boredom.

There isn't anything to really do inside of the shelter, but I am grateful we have somewhere to stay. I look over at Christian, and he gestures to the game room. I scrunch up my nose and shake my head no. I don't really feel like playing any more games.

"I'm a little bored of playing games. Why don't you go and play? I'm actually hungry, so I am going to go and get myself a snack," I gesture towards the kitchen.

"Is the baby hungry?" he rubs my stomach.

"Yes, probably. I don't know, I have been hungry a lot here lately, and I'm not even that far along yet," I frown.

"Well, enjoy it while you can. You know what they say about morning sickness," he shrugs innocently.

I groan as I close my eyes at the thought of morning sickness. "Don't remind me. I am not looking forward to it," I whine.

"You don't know for sure if you will have that anyway. Just don't worry about it right now. Just marvel at the fact that you feel fine right now," he smirks.

"Yeah, your right. Morning sickness is the easier part than the actual delivery. Well, at least that is what they say," I sigh.

"You'll be okay, baby," he kisses my forehead. I nod, and he lets me go. "Come get me if you need me," he says before he walks away.

I walk into the kitchen and see that they still have pieces of fruit laid out. The shelter usually keeps apples, and bananas out for everybody to snack on during the day. They at least want the children to have some healthy options for snacks instead of filling them up with sugar. The parents are grateful for that part. I wouldn't want my kid to run around here with a sugar high all day too.

I pick up a banana and peel it back. I nibble on it while I walk over to the window. I sigh as I look around the wet Detroit streets. The shelter is not in the best of places, but it is the best one in the area. I couldn't imagine going to any other housing. They were always dirty and not well managed. Everyone used to seal everybody's things, especially at night. It got so bad that a lot of people wouldn't even sleep at night because they were afraid that their stuff would be stolen when they got up in the morning.

Christian and I even had our things stolen a few times. I shiver suddenly at the memory. I look back out into the street and eat the rest of my banana when I suddenly notice an expensive black SUV pull up in front of the shelter causing me to frown. Strange.

At first, I don't pay attention to who gets out of the car until I see a familiar figure coming out of the driver's side. I squint and see the passenger door open and an elegant woman steps out onto the pavement. My eyes widen when I see who they are. Is that…Grayson and Grace?

Holy crap! What are they doing here? I start to panic when they walk over to the shelter doors. I watch them knock on the double doors and they both wait patiently. Grayson is wearing a black designer suit, and a crisp white shirt. His dirty blond hair is slicked back, away from his eyes. He is scanning the area with an impassive look on his face. I look over at Grace, and she is now talking with one of the other managers of the shelter. Mrs. Shana is off this week, so Mr. Nelson is taking her place for the next few days.

Grace and Grayson suddenly walk into the doors causing me to back up slowly. I turn around and power walk to the trash cans and throw away the banana peel. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. What are they doing here? Are we in trouble?

The worst case scenarios run through my head all at once. I rub my temples as I walk out of the kitchen and into the main room. I see them saying something to the manager before they both look around the room. Grace beams at me when she spots me from across the room. Grayson nods and smiles at his mother when she points to me. I blush when they walk across the room over to me. I start to fidget and try to smooth down my unruly hair. My hands are slightly shaking as I put my hair behind my ears. They are now standing in front of me smiling.

"Ana, hello darling," Grace embraces me. I hug her back.

She is wearing a dark gray turtleneck with tan slacks and a broad matching brown belt at the waist. She is also dressed in a long dark gray cardigan that matches her shirt with brown high-heeled boots. Her sandy blonde hair is also in an elegant bun on top of her head. She looks as amazing as she did the first time I met her

"Hi, um what are you doing here?" I ask slightly embarrassed.

"We were coming to see how you are. I wanted to talk to Christian as well. Is he around by any chance?" Grayson asks while glancing around the room expectantly.

"Um, yes he is. He is in the game room," I point to the room.

He nods and walks off towards the room. Grace looks over at me and smiles. I smile back as we chit chat for a second before she suddenly asks me how I was feelings.

"Um, okay thanks," I frown.

"Elliot told us that you and Christian are expecting your first child," she explains.

My eyes widen, and I look down at my feet. I didn't know Elliot told them. What they must think of me.

"I…Yes…Christian and I are having a baby," I stutter.

She gives me a warm smile. "Why don't we have a seat?" she gestures to the tables that are inside of the kitchen area.

I nod hesitantly and follow her to a nearby table. I sit down across from her as she sits down and places her designer purse next to her.

She straightens out her cardigan and gives me another smile. "How are you doing dear?" she folds her hands elegantly in front of her.

I squirm and fidget with my hands that are sitting on my lap. "I'm alright. How about you?" I say shyly.

"We are doing well. We didn't mean just to drop by unannounced, but I wanted to come here and see if there is anything that you need? Addison did mention that you stayed here, and of course of what Elliot told us about the baby, I wanted to know if you needed anything? Perhaps for the baby? I know we only met last week and I do not want to overstep. So If I am just let me know," she kindly explains.

I nod slowly at what she just told me. I don't know what to say. Do I need anything? We don't have anything for the baby, but we have seven months to get everything we need. The shelter is providing us with what we need when the baby gets here, so I don't think we need anything at the moment.

"Well, the shelter is providing us with the essentials for when the baby is born, so I don't think we need anything else right now," I shrug shyly.

She nods and gives me a tight smile. I hope I didn't offend her. "What about when those essentials run out? Where do you plan on taking the baby when he or she is born?" she asks expectantly.

I squirm again and stay quiet for a moment. How do I put this?

"Um…the shelter is providing us with a room and a crib," I murmur.

"Yes, that is wonderful, but what I mean is how much longer are you planning to stay here? I mean the shelter is only a temporary solution," she pauses and looks like she is debating on if she should go on or not.

I put my head down and bite my lip. I know it is not a permanent solution but what other choices do we have? We don't have any other family, and we don't have anywhere else to go. I guess the only other option is to get jobs, but it's not that simple. A low wage job is not going to get us very far. We could always save the money and use that to get us a small apartment, but that could take a while. I frown, and it's then I wonder why we haven't started doing just that? I suppose it's the history of what Christian went through when he had employment at the fast food place. Would he get another job like that? Would those places even hire two homeless people?

I look up at her and she is staring at me with warmth in her eyes, and all I can give her is a shrug. She gives me a sympathetic smile.

"Sweetheart, I know that I am coming to you with all of these questions, and I do not mean to come on so strong, but Carrick and I want to help. You two seem like you need the support, and we wanted to offer that to you, whether it's clothing, a place to stay or even housing resources, Please, let us know," she pleads.

I widen my eyes in disbelief. She is willing to do that? Why? Why does she want to help out two strangers?

"Why?" I blurt out. It doesn't make any sense. Why would she want to do this for us? She doesn't even know us. What makes us so unique that she takes time out of her day to come all the way out here?

"I am a pediatrician. I help with physical, emotional and the mental well-being of my patients. I know your baby is not under my care since he or she isn't born yet, but that doesn't mean I don't want to look out for your well-being and of course the welfare of your child. Now, I am not implying that you are not capable of raising this baby. All I am offering is help so please," she takes hold of her purse and digs around for a second before producing a crisp white card. She hands it to me, and I take it hesitantly.

"This is my number. If you need anything, please, don't hesitate to call me if you are ever in trouble or you need someone to talk to. Addison, wanted you to have her cell phone number as well, and you can find it on the back of that card," she explains.

I nod and turn the card over and see Addison's name and number written in neat cursive handwriting. I look up at Grace and see her looking behind me. Before I have a chance to say anything about her heartfelt gesture, Christian comes into view with Grayson. He looks annoyed.

"Everything okay?" Grayson asks the two of us.

Grace smiles and stands up, smoothing down her cardigan once again. "Of course. Ana, it was a pleasure to see you again. Please, call me if you need anything," she gathers up her purse and stands near Grayson.

I nod hesitantly and get up from the table. Christian wraps his arm around my waist. I look up at him, and he still has a hint of annoyance on his face.

"Christian, I hope you take in some consideration on my offer. It is always available, so let me know," Grayson says causing me to frown. What offer?

"I will think about it," Christian murmurs.

Grayson nods and holds his hand out to Grace. "Come, mother," He says to her.

She nods and walks towards me, giving me another hug. I wrap my arms around her, and I do everything in my power not to cry. I sniff and let her go and smile tightly. She smiles and walks over to Christian, and he tenses when she suddenly kisses his cheek. He blushes slightly.

"Have a good day you two," Grayson smirks and walks out of the kitchen with Grace in tow.

I sigh as Christian runs his hand through his hair. His annoyance is back. He turns to me.

"What did Grayson offer you?" I ask suddenly curious to know what they were talking about.

He sighs heavily and says, "He offered me a job at one of his sites."

"Really?" I say in disbelief.

He nods and runs his hand through his hair again. "I don't know why they feel the need to come here and offer me a job to a complete stranger," he says getting aggravated once again.

"Grace offered us some help too," I say causing him to frown.

"What did she tell you?" he says curiously.

I tell him what we were talking about and he looks more annoyed than before.

"Why? They don't even know us," he stops then snorts suddenly. "Pity, that is all this is. Fucking pity," he scoffs.

I huff and roll my eyes. "It's not pity, Christian. They just wanted to help. I don't know why it's an issue. It's not like we don't need the help that they are offering," I say.

He looks at me in disbelief. "You actually want to take them up on their offer?"

"Why wouldn't I? Christian, they are right by the fact that we can't stay here forever. We need to start thinking of the baby and where we are going to take him or her when it's born," I frown.

"We're not taking them up on their offer, Anastasia," he says firmly causing me to look at him dumbfounded.

"Why? Christian, they just want to help. Why don't you want them to help us?" I say frustrated on why he is acting like this.

"I don't need their help. This is not their problem. This is my family, and I will take care of you two without their help. This conversation is over and were not discussing it again," he narrows his eyes at me.

I shake my head at his attitude. I know Christian is a prideful person, but they are offering a chance for us to make our own money. To find our own place to live, and he doesn't want that, so I ask him.

"Well, if you are not going to take Grayson up on his offer, can we at least look for employment elsewhere?" I ask.

He runs his hand through his hair and sighs loudly. "Yes, Anastasia, I will look for employment and you are not."

"Why? I can work," I frown. What does he mean?

"No, Anastasia, you are not working. I will take care of it, and you are going to stay here and just relax. I don't want you working while you're pregnant," he points to me.

"Fine. Also, stop calling me, Anastasia. You know I hate that!" I huff.

He smirks as I throw my hands up in annoyance, turn around and march away while he chuckles behind me.

Carrick

I am sitting here in my home office on a Saturday afternoon. I am holding a tumbler of scotch in one hand and an old photo in my other hand. I am staring blankly at my closed office door while trying to make sense of the information that I received just two days ago.

I robotically take a drink of my scotch and marvel in the burn that it gives me. I hesitantly look down at the photo once more and see a picture of a young woman from my past who is holding a small child.

A child who looks exactly like me.

AN: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Keep them coming. Until next time :D