Author's warning: Contains some reference to child abuse. So, please, approach with caution if that is a trigger for you.

Epilogue

"Ma'am? If you still want to pick up Teddy, we'll need to leave in thirty minutes."

Looking up from her computer screen, Ana says, "Thanks, Jay. I'll be ready."

When Taylor then wordlessly picks up the baby monitor from her desk before leaving, Ana knows that Gail will watch over a currently napping Phoebe. It's a comforting thought; their housekeeper having, unsurprisingly, proven to be an incredibly efficient and loving part-time nanny. And her expertize got Christian through those difficult first months, when he'd panic over every sneeze or cough from their newborn; often calling Grace in the middle of the night for guidance. Still, he'd been amazing; not once losing his temper with Teddy. It seems that the man famous for having no patience at all had been merely saving it up for when he became a father.

One night, Ana had awoken alone; no Christian and no baby in the bassinet by his side of the bed. Usually, all that was needed was a clean nappy, a feed and a pat on the back for Teddy to go straight back to sleep, but a glance at the clock confirmed that it'd been quite a while since Christian woke her with, "Up and at 'em, Mommy; we need your ducts." Honestly, he could be so crass at times. That night, she'd gone looking for them; an easy task once she heard Teddy wailing. At first thinking that Christian was pacing backwards and forwards, gently bouncing their screeching son while softly crooning "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," she soon realized that Christian was actually singing, over and over, "One day I hope you have children." Morning solved the mystery of Teddy's recalcitrance; his first tooth peeking from his reddened gums.

Of course, Christian had eventually become quite adept at parenting and, by the time Phoebe was delivered by scheduled C-section, he was able to look after both offspring with ease while Ana recovered from the surgery.

Ana takes the time to wrap up the paragraph…who would have thought that she could write? She'd always got the highest marks in school for creative essays, but never imagined that her life choices would lead to this; editing her own novel in her extremely limited spare time. Worried that any success would hinge on the fact that her surname is "Grey", Ana had submitted the manuscript to her own company under the pseudonym "Anna Lambert" and had read the acceptance letter three times before believing it. Of course, Christian has supported her every step of the way, once he got over the fact that she ditched "his" name to publish.

She can't resist peeking at Phoebe, still sound asleep; her chubby cheeks twitching slightly as she dreams. God, this feeling in her chest! How can such a small thing as watching your child sleep actually hurt with happiness? Thankfully, she's gently shut the door when her phone starts playing "Your Love is King"—she'd updated her phone but kept the ringtone. Walking as she talks, Ana answers it, "Hello, handsome."

"Hey, baby."

"Oh, sorry; thought it was someone else."

A moment's pause and Christian lovingly says, "Oh, baby, how I miss your smart mouth."

It's a different sort of love-ache, but just as powerful. "I know, darling. I miss you, too. How's the Big Apple?"

"Blighted and cankerous without you. But it's going well. Should be home by noon tomorrow. You're still okay to pick up the little man?"

"Yep; just getting ready. He knows to expect me?" Currently, Christian is responsible for escorting Teddy to and from school, while Ana does the same with Phoebe and pre-school, around her many duties as editor-in-chief of Grey Publishing. Multi-tasking has become a fact of her busy lifestyle, and she doesn't always manage it with one hundred percent efficiency, so Ana had completely forgotten to ask the details when she'd farewelled Christian last night, and Teddy this morning.

"Yes. And he was surprisingly okay with it."

Still, after so long together, that pout in his voice makes Ana love her man-child even more. "Don't start that, Grey; you know very well that our son worships you."

"Yeah, I guess. And I'm glad he loves his mommy, but they do sometimes stick the knife in, don't they?"

Ana smiles at his petulance and says, "Look on the bright side; one day they'll have children and then we can sit back and laugh."

Christian chuckles and agrees, "Yeah. Oh, if you see some girl push him and run off, don't panic. His teacher says that's flirting at their age and the girl has a crush on him." When Ana is silent, channeling all her energy into not laughing, he resignedly asks, "Is this one of those things that everyone else in the world already knows?"

It had not been easy for Christian, given that he missed all the years until fourth grade; he's simply ignorant of so much that most people learn in those first few years, but everyone is helping him cope and, of course, he's researched what he could. "Yes, I'm afraid so, darling. If we'd met in elementary school, you would have been even rougher on me than you are now."

Christian chuckles and says, "Yeah, you're probably right. I sure as fuck wouldn't have been able to leave you alone. I probably would have followed you home."

Affecting a childish voice, Ana jokes, "Daddy, he fowowed me home; can we keep him?"

"Fuck! How the hell is that sexy? I know I'm not attracted to actual girls, but you just about made me come in my pants here, baby."

Delighted to have discovered a new game, Ana teases, "Well, we can't have that. You're supposed to be working…unless you think that semen stains on your slacks will improve your chances?"

"Certainly not in my line of work. Seriously, babe, can we add that voice to our repertoire?"

"Of course, darling. Oh, is Teddy okay about the girl who has a crush on him?"

"You would have been proud, baby. He told me about it and said, 'I wanted to push her back, but we don't hit girls, do we?'" Ana is proud. She's still beaming about her little gentleman when Christian adds, "Of course, I told him, 'Not unless they ask very nicely.'"

"Christian! You didn't!"

"I fucking did. Oh, come on; that's funny."

"And when he starts repeating that to his classmates?"

"Oh, right." After only a moment, Christian adds, "Hell, if anyone asks, I'll stand by my statement."

He's still paranoid about their private lifestyle becoming public knowledge, but moments like this confirm that he's no longer ashamed of his kinky appetites. Not that Ana particularly wants to discuss her sex life with strangers, either. But she knows it's a good thing that her partner in kink no longer feels any guilt about it. "I love you, Mr. Grey."

"And I love you, baby." They're both quiet for a few seconds, savoring the tender silence, then Christian audibly sighs and says, "I'd better let you go. Give the kids a kiss for me? I'll call later to say goodnight to them."

"What about me?"

Lust practically dripping from his voice, Christian promises, "And I'll call much later to say goodnight to you."

Her teasing, as usual, has backfired, because now her groin is hot with need for him. "God, Christian, it's so not fair that you can do that to me from the other side of the country."

"Baby, trust me, you're not alone. Just hearing your voice is giving me a hard-on that will be difficult to conceal when I return to the boardroom. Go get our son."

Grinning, as she has the final word, Ana puts on the little girl voice to promise "Yes, Sir," and hangs up on the sound of Christian groaning, as if in great pain.

Taylor is driving, so Ana uses the time to get some work done. But her mind is dwelling on Christian, and she suddenly remembers a conversation she'd had a few years ago with Teddy's pre-school teacher, Wendy; the same woman who is now teaching Phoebe the principles she'll need to cope with life. It had been one of the rare times, like today, when Christian couldn't pick up his son…

"Uh, Mrs. Grey? I was wondering if I might have a word?"

"Sure, Wendy. And it's 'Ana', please." Nodding a command to Teddy's bodyguard, Seth (a much-adored part of Teddy's everyday life), Ana had waited until they were out of earshot and asked, "Something wrong?"

"No, nothing…well, nothing momentous; I need your advice on a small problem." When Ana had only patiently waited for more details, Wendy took a deep breath and said, "How do you think Christian would feel if I asked him not to volunteer anymore?"

Mystified, Ana was too shocked not to be completely honest. "Gutted. He loves helping out in the classroom, reading to the class and seeing Teddy interact with the other kids. He talks about it all the time. And Teddy…well, I'm sure you know our son would do anything for his father. He brags about everything they do together on those days." Though she couldn't imagine what it might be—he even curbs his language in front of the children—she'd asked, "Has Christian done anything inappropriate?"

"Lord, no; he's the perfect gentleman, as is Teddy. It's, uh…he's our only daddy helper, and, well…he's, uh…he's Christian Grey, so…" Taking another deep breath, Wendy had grimaced as she explained, "The single moms only volunteer on those days."

"Oh. So…you don't have anyone putting their names down for the other days?"

"Not many; most of my clients are wealthy divorcees looking for their second or third husband. I'm getting unbelievable pressure when I then have to make the decision for them. And…whomever I roster on with Christian is invariably quite disruptive in class, practically ignoring their own child to fawn over your husband. I've spoken to the least subtle of them, but it doesn't seem to have made much difference." On seeing Ana's highly amused reaction, the beginning of a smile had replaced Wendy's frown and she'd insisted, "It's not funny. You have no idea."

Taking it as permission, Ana had finally released her laughter. Once she'd calmed down, she said, "Oh, I've a pretty good idea." Proving himself as a loving, capable parent had only increased Christian's appeal, though he's never given Ana cause to worry. Quickly thinking of a possible solution, she'd suggested, "I'm sure you've noticed that both my little and big man are very energetic and productive?"

Immediately understanding, Wendy had verified, "Just Christian on the days he's available?" At Ana's nod, the exasperated teacher had smiled and said, "Now, why didn't I think of that? We only roster two at a time to make sure everyone gets a turn helping out; I don't actually need two parent helpers. He said you're smart."

"He said I'm smart?"

"Yes. I commented on your son's already impressive reading ability, amongst numerous other skills, and Christian insists that Teddy takes after you." Suddenly nervous, Wendy frowned for a second and said, "Ana, I hope you know that you don't have to worry about the other women. When he's here, Christian only has eyes for Teddy. The only time I see him interested in anything else is when he speaks of you."

"I know. But thank you, for saying that."

Ana had greatly enjoyed (gently) teasing Christian about him being "too cool for pre-school". She's still lost in daydreams when they arrive at the school. "Damnit; this book will never get published."

"Ma'am?"

"Oh, nothing, Jay. I wait here? That's the drill?"

"Yes, ma'am. They'll be out soon."

She absolutely hates that Teddy attends elementary school with a bodyguard always nearby (not just because Seth immediately dubbed his delighted young charge "The Tedster"), and that the entrance gate has security measures sufficient for a modern airport, complete with visibly armed guards. At the same time she's incredibly grateful for both these things, and more, that keep her son safe when he's not secure behind the fortified walls of Aurora (Christian had named their home, after one morning waking to the waters of nearby Puget Sound transformed into a golden celebration of the sunrise).

At Taylor's touch of a button, the rear door slides open with barely a sound—how excited Christian had been when Audi released their first ever minivan in 2014; perfect for wealthy, safety-conscious parents. Teddy sees her and breaks into a run, or would have, if Seth hadn't clamped a hand on his shoulder and cautioned him with a slight frown; his professional gaze alert for any danger. It almost snaps her heart in two that her son looks up and nods his understanding of protocol; again, even as she silently expresses her gratitude that he's compliant with the man who would take a bullet for the boy.

And then she's hit with a copper-haired whirlwind of vocal and physical affection, Teddy hugging (God, he smells good enough to eat!) and kissing her, then loudly greeting Taylor with "Hey, Jay," and giggling at the rhyme (Ana guesses that he does that every single time) before tossing his backpack behind them and sitting back so that Seth can secure him. Despite her conflicted feelings about the constant security presence, Ana smiles her gratitude to Seth, who nods a greeting and takes the front passenger seat as the door slides shut and they're underway. From here, Ana can see Seth retrieve his sidearm (not permitted inside the school grounds) from the locked compartment and check it before holstering it. Just don't think about why he needs a gun.

Meanwhile, Teddy is still talking, "…and I got two goals, Mom; one of them from a penalty. Do you know how hard it is to kick a goal from the penalty line?"

Soccer is on the relatively short lists of sports that safety-obsessed Christian can tolerate for their son, and Teddy has shown great promise at the internationally popular sport. "I imagine it's very difficult, kiddo…wait, penalty…someone tackled you?"

Rolling his eyes—seriously, she could eat him up, he's so goddamn adorable—Teddy explains, "No tackling in soccer, Mom. The other kid used his hand to try and take the ball from me, so I got a free kick."

"Oh, that's okay, then. Sorry, Teddy; I didn't know you had a game, or I would have tried to get here sooner."

"S'okay, Mom; it was just a practice game, so it doesn't really count, but Dad will still be proud, won't he?"

Fighting an increasingly powerful urge to unclip his belt and drag him onto her lap, there to keep him forever in her arms, Ana smiles and vows, "Yes, darling; Daddy will be very proud. He sends kisses and will call you before bedtime."

"Oh." Wondering why he suddenly appears crestfallen, Ana doesn't have to wait long. "I forgot to ask him about our song."

Seth explains, "The Tedster and Mr. Grey always sing their song on the way home, ma'am." Then to Teddy, he adds, "I can do it with you, buddy? I don't sing as well as your dad, but I know the words."

His frown turned upside down, Teddy excitedly swings his legs and says, "Thanks, Seth; you start off, remember?"

Ana is pleasantly surprised at the quality of the young man's voice (though he's right; not quite as good as Christian's) when he begins, "Son, when you grow up, would you be the savior of the broken, the beaten and the damned?"

Despite recognizing the song, and not approving of the choice, Ana will never get tired of Teddy's angelic voice. With the encouragement and coaching that his father never had, their son practically is good enough for the Heavenly Host, and he sings out loud and clear, "Dad, when I grow up, I will be the savior of the broken, the beaten and the damned."

Ana hears the phone ring, but ignores it, intent on coaching Teddy as he reads for his sister. Phoebe is snug under the covers, but a long way from sleepy. As expected, Gail enters a minute later, carrying the handset, and reveals, "Mr. Grey, for the children."

Of course, this prompts a combined chorus of "Daddy!" And eager hands compete for the phone.

Ana settles the matter with, "It's Phoebe's bedtime, so she can go first." At Teddy's bitter frown (an immature echo of his father's pout), she tells him, "But you can talk longer."

Satisfied, Teddy hops off the bed and replaces the book as Phoebe gratefully accepts the phone and babbles at her father about the "exciting" events of her day. Meanwhile, Ana captures Teddy in a hug and whispers, "You're a good brother."

Also in hushed tones, Teddy reveals, "Dad says I have to look after her until she's old enough to kick my..." Glancing at Phoebe—still babbling and not quite holding the phone to her ear properly—he concludes, "A-s-s."

Choking on her laugh, Ana recovers enough to say, "Daddy shouldn't have taught you that word."

Rolling his eyes, for the umpteenth time today, Teddy reveals, "Dad didn't teach me; I already knew that one. I know lots; like bloody, and hell, and sh—" When Ana removes her hand from over his mouth, he blushes and says, "Sorry, Mom."

"That's okay, kiddo. Just please don't say those words at all, especially around Phoebe."

"Yes, Mom."

"Mommy? Mommy, I can't hear Daddy!"

Instantly recognizing the problem—Phoebe tries to look at the phone while speaking, because she's used to video calls from relatives, and it invariably slips away from her ear—Ana takes the phone and pushes a button before handing it back as she says, "You're on speaker now, darling."

Christian's exasperated voice says, "Thank the fu...thank you. Sweetheart, can you hear me now?"

"Yes, Daddy. You home soon?"

"I'll be home in time to have lunch with you, okay?"

"But I had lunch."

Ana shares a glance with Teddy, as they both try not to laugh. "Tomorrow, Peaches; I'll be home to have lunch with you tomorrow. Would you please hand the phone to Teddy, now?"

Phoebe does as instructed, even as she asks Ana, "Finish the story?"

"Okay, sweetheart, but then it's sleep time."

Teddy expertly takes the phone off speaker and saunters out of the room, telling Christian, "Sorry about that, Dad. She's a little d-u-m-b sometimes, but I'm trying to learn her…right, teach her; that's what I said."

Phoebe, as usual, is asleep before the story finishes. Again, that intense love-ache as Ana tucks in her little brown-haired, blue-eyed girl and kisses her forehead before going in search of Teddy. His attention is consumed by some electronic game. Ana trusts that it meets Christian's criteria for suitable entertainment, but it's past the time when he's permitted such unproductive distractions, and Teddy knows it. So she stands where he can see her, arms crossed and tender reproach in her gaze. "Please, Mom, just a little longer."

"Because?"

His brow furrows for a second and Teddy smiles before suggesting, "Because I got two goals?"

It was Christian's idea, but Ana had wholeheartedly agreed; once they're old enough to reason, the kids are given the opportunity to work out consequences. Of course, it doesn't always go smoothly—even good kids have bad days—but they're raising two humans who are focused on doing what's right, and that makes the bad days easier to endure. Ana gently prompts, "Are results rewarded, or behavior?"

His eyes light up as realization strikes and Teddy confidently suggests, "Because I was a good brother to Phoebe?"

"Yes, darling; you were a big help to me tonight, especially with Daddy away. Twenty more minutes, then start getting ready for bed, okay?"

With a scarily shrewd expression, as if he knows that she'll comply, Teddy haggles, "And I didn't tease her for still not using the phone properly."

Kissing the top of his head, Ana says, "You are a better negotiator even than your father. Okay, thirty minutes, but no more. Next time you see me it'll be bedtime."

She's already lost him to the virtual word and he doesn't look up to promise, "Okay."

And much later, finally; peace. Ana loves her children with an intensity that could move mountains if they needed it. But there is nothing like this snapshot in time, when all is right with the world and no one is asking anything of her…well, almost right. It would be better if Christian were here. Even as she has that thought, he calls her. "Excellent timing, darling. Things just got quiet."

"Oh, I love that time. They didn't put up too much of a fight?"

"No. They're both exhausted. Did you ask Teddy to be on his best behavior for me?"

"He helped out?"

"He was wonderful. He draws the line at helping Phoebe bathe, but he even read to her."

"Good. And, yes, I asked him to take over for me now that he's old enough to do so."

"That reminds me, why are you teaching our seven year old son a song about death?"

She can easily picture his guilty expression in the few silent seconds that follow before he says, "Oh, he told you. He needs to know this stuff, baby. And it's not really about death."

They would usually make such decisions together, but she trusts him, so gives him the opportunity to explain. "No?"

"No. It's about strength of character, doing the right thing even against adversity, and continuing the struggle when your inspiration is no longer around."

"When they've died."

Tension evident in his voice, Christian concedes, "Yes."

Ana gives it some thought, picturing his worried but defiant expression. "You were even younger than Teddy when you learned this lesson."

Recognizing it as surrender, Christian gently says, "Thank you, baby. We're okay?

"We're okay. He doesn't really get that it's a lesson, and he's certainly not bothered by the lyrics. He just loves having a song with you. I was impressed that you've managed to make it a duet. Oh, Seth has a good singing voice, doesn't he?"

The suddenly profound silence reminds Ana that Christian's "darkness" is not gone, just permanently eclipsed by his love for her. Yet again vindicating her faith in him, he eventually says only, "He sang my part? I must remember to thank him."

Despite still retaining a few shades of "fucked up" that occasionally create tension between them—though the make-up sex almost makes the drama worth it—he's kept his jealousy under control for several years now. "Thank you, darling."

She can practically hear the modest shrug of his shoulders, and Christian says, "Hey, why would you go for a young, handsome guy with a good singing voice when you have me?"

He sounds tired. "Long day?"

"Yeah, I'm fucking shattered. Maybe I'm getting too old for this shit."

Ana can't help the disbelieving laugh and says, "Darling, you're only thirty-five."

Christian also laughs a little and then sobers to say, "Yeah, well maybe I just don't like being this far away from you and the kids. I love you, Ana."

Tears burning her eyes, Ana takes a deep, trembling sigh and says, "And I love you, Sir. What can I do?"

"I don't really feel like tele-fucking; nothing's as good as your skin against mine. But can you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

"Right now, I can't think of anything I'd rather do. Thank you. Oh, and how about, if you arrive early tomorrow, you come straight to GP, so that I can put my skin against you?"

He's so far kept every single promise he's made to her, including one of the earliest ones; not interfering in her career, and only visits her office when invited. "I've just spent fifteen hours with some of the brightest minds in the business world. But that is, by far, the best idea I've heard all day."

The next morning, Ana hasn't been at GP very long when Sawyer knocks and enters her office. "Sorry to bother you, Ana, but Elena Lincoln is downstairs and asking for an audience. She's on the list."

Quickly recovering from the shock of hearing that name, Ana jokes, "I'm guessing it's not the 'nice' list?"

With the hint of a smile, Sawyer replies, "More like the 'If you ever let her near my wife, I'll have your balls and then your job' list."

"Oh, that list…so, why are you telling me?"

"Because Mr. Grey was just as intense during the 'Ana is the smartest fucking person I know, and I trust her implicitly, so ask her if you're not sure' speech."

Surprised and pleased that Christian issued such a command, Ana asks, "You've memorized it?"

"He's said it more than once." With a cheeky grin, Sawyer adds, "I suspect, in the early days, he was trying to convince himself, as much as instruct me."

Ana laughs and agrees, "Yes, you're probably right." Then giving the current matter some thought; she is curious what Elena might have to say—they've not heard a peep out her since that burglary attempt on Escala—Ana asks, "Do you feel she's a threat?"

"No, ma'am. She's been past the scanners, and permitted a search of her purse." With a slight grimace, he adds, "And her outfit doesn't allow for concealed weapons."

"Do we know what she wants?"

A shrug and, "Just to speak with you."

"All right. Send her up. You'd better be in here for the duration, or you'll wish that Christian had only castrated you."

Sawyer laughs at the idea, then heads off to do her bidding as he says, "Thanks, Ana; I'd rather be here for this, just in case."

Taking the time to check her appearance—grateful that she bothered with her cream Armani Collezioni wool crepe jacket and pencil skirt; the suit never failing to make her feel both pretty and professional—Ana is outwardly calm and relaxed (though a little worried that her too-fast heartbeat might actually be audible) when Sawyer returns with Elena; dressed, as usual, at least a decade too young for her age in a skin-tight red dress with distractingly and distressingly deep cleavage, permitting a glimpse of her apparently gravity defying breasts. Ana doesn't stand, but gestures for her "guest" to sit opposite her as she asks, "What can I do for you, Elena?"

With a nervous glance at Sawyer, Elena asks, "Must we have company for this?"

She'd forgotten how much that voice grates on her. There is no hesitation in Ana's answer. "Yes."

With a shrug, Elena said, "As you wish. I want to first apologize for…the incident that led to our last discussion. I've since learned that what I thought was a threat to me is not. And I genuinely regret losing Christian as a friend, but I understand why, and I'm glad he's found happiness at last, because he deserves it." Opening her purse, prompting a small movement from Sawyer, who visibly relaxes on seeing that it's merely an envelope, Elena continues, "And I wanted to give you this in person. Your people have examined it."

Without being asked, Sawyer takes the envelope and opens it, setting Elena's lips into a harsh, straight line. He examines the card and then passes it to Ana. She has to read it twice before recovering from her surprise enough to ask, "You're getting married again?"

"Yes, hopefully for the last time."

"And you honestly expect Christian and I to attend?"

With a quiet smile, Elena says, "Of course not, though you would be welcome."

Ana catches on and asks, "You're saying it's finally over between you and Christian?"

"Well, it has been for quite some time, hasn't it? You'd won long before I was ready to admit it."

This may be her only opportunity, so Ana asks, "What did you hope to gain by pursuing Christian?"

Apparently genuinely shocked—not a good look on someone who's had so much cosmetic surgery—Elena says, "Him, of course."

Ana had suspected as much, though Christian always doubted it. "You really loved him, didn't you? Christian has said, more than once, that you don't believe in love."

"I didn't, until it was gone."

Ana just stares at the woman she's spent so long hating, and the last few years trying to forget. It sort of makes sense that only now, when all is apparently settled between them, she's finally able to really look at Elena and see the truth; a woman who has suffered a great deal. "He hurt you."

The flicker of pain in Elena's eyes confirms this theory before she says, "Yes." Forcing a smile, she adds, "Nothing like the callousness of youth to really break a woman's heart, though it was not until he met you that I truly felt the sting of it…even then I didn't really understand. I loved and lost him without comprehending any of it. Please don't tell him. It would only cause him pain."

"I won't." Recalling a long-forgotten conversation with Christian, Ana suggests, "He wasn't the only one to hurt you." When Elena again glances at Sawyer, Ana reminds her, "If our employees weren't the epitome of discretion you'd already be suffering the consequences."

"Yes, I suppose so." Taking a deep breath, Elena asks, "I presume Christian hasn't disclosed much of my story even to you? He was ever discreet."

"He told me about the time your husband put you in the hospital, and hinted at earlier hardship; I think in an effort to help me understand you a little better. But he maintains that it's your secret, not his."

With a quiet smile, Elena says, "And you ask why I pursued him?" Without waiting for a reply, she reveals, "My stepfather molested me from the age of three until my body could accept his cock, then he raped me…except that he'd misjudged, and my juvenile womb was ravaged during the thankfully quick process. What little innocence I had left was taken in those few minutes, along with my ability to give birth." Ana is already feeling the horrified bile rise in her throat and reflexively swallows as Elena bleakly continues, "When my mother found out—because, despite his threats of worse if I told anyone, I couldn't keep such severe injuries from her—she beat me for seducing her man. I was eight."

"Oh, God." Ana really does feel like she's going to throw up. Even Sawyer has paled, though nothing else betrays that he's listening. "How did you even survive?"

"A teacher; Marissa Lincoln. I passed out in class and awoke in hospital with her watching over me."

"Oh…your sister-in-law?"

"My eventual mother-in-law; now long dead." With seemingly genuine sadness, Elena muses, "I think…I'm afraid that Linc must have actually loved me, though I never felt more than gratitude for him, even after we wed. Watch out for him, Ana. That beating was as much to hurt Christian, as it was to punish me. He truly hates Christian; the sort of hate that doesn't die."

Ana can't keep the anger from her voice when she says, "We're aware, thank you."

"It was him?"

"We haven't been able to prove anything, but Christian seems to think he was behind it."

"Ana, I'm so sorry. Please believe me. I've never wished harm on Christian and, if only because of him, I would never risk you or the children."

"He knows. We don't blame you." Examining her feelings now for Elena, there is nothing…oh, she's not about to let the woman back into their lives, but there is no more hate. "So…do you understand now?" At Elena's confusion, Ana prompts, "You said that you didn't, at the time, understand your feelings for Christian? He had the same problem when we met, and couldn't at first accept my love, or admit his love for me."

For the first time in Ana's memory, Elena Lincoln looks happy as her gaze settles on her engagement ring for a moment before she smiles and says, "Yes, I understand now; Larry is helping me. It appears that you can teach an old bitch new tricks."

Ana laughs a little—she'd been thinking almost exactly those words—and says, "It is never too late to be what you might have been."

"A quote?"

"Mary Anne Evans writing as George Eliot."

Elena smiles and says, "An ironic statement from a woman posing as a man. I hope she's right." Suddenly standing, she adds, "Thank you, for seeing me."

Ana finally stands and, on impulse, extends her hand across the desk. "Congratulations, Elena."

Clearly shocked, Elena hesitates a moment before accepting Ana's generous gesture as she says, "Thank you, Ana. If you tell Christian about this, would you please consider saying goodbye for me? Our last meeting was somewhat acrimonious, and I'd prefer to remember a fonder farewell."

Suddenly desperate for the woman to be gone, Ana says, "I'll consider it. Goodbye, Elena."

With a slight bow, Elena again finds the right thing to say, "Goodbye, Mrs. Grey."

Sawyer escorts Elena to the door, revealing that one of their in-house security team is waiting just outside, and commands, "See Ms. Lincoln safely to her car."

"Yes, sir."

When Sawyer closes the door, Ana teases, "They call you 'sir'?"

He rolls his eyes and reveals, "I can't stop them."

"Now you know how it feels." She knows why he's lingering. "I'm okay; really. Not an encounter I'd care to repeat, but I'm all right. Do you think I should tell Christian?"

"Yes."

"Because he'll find out, anyway?"

"Because you know he'll ask about your day when he returns from New York, and you're the worst liar I've ever met."

This accompanied by such a smug grin that Ana says, "Think you're pretty smart, don't you?" When he merely nods, not losing the grin, she jokes, "And if I ordered you to tell him?"

Clearly unafraid, Sawyer says, "You're also the kindest person I've ever met."

"You are such a suck-up. Get out of here."

Sawyer cheerfully salutes her and says "Yes, ma'am," on his way to the door, almost colliding with his other boss as it opens. "Christian! Uh, sorry; welcome back, sir. I was just on my way out."

Without a word, Christian steps inside so the former US Army Ranger—decorated hero of several campaigns—can flee the room. Confused, Christian shuts and locks the door as he asks, "What the fuck is up with him? I thought he got over his fear of me?"

Moving around the desk to greet him, Ana says, "I doubt he ever will, but today he has extra reason; you just missed an old friend. Hello, husband. Incredible timing, as always. I'm so glad you're here."

"Me, too." Welcoming Ana into his arms and kissing the world away, Christian then just holds her, gently tracing the line of her face—so precious to him—and says, "Hey, baby. What old friend?"

She should have known that not even the promise of her lips would distract him. "Elena; soon to be nee Lincoln."

Shock, fear, anger and finally confusion travel quickly across Christian's face, then he asks, "She's getting married?"

"Yep. And it sounds like true love; some guy named Lawrence Harwood who puts a genuine smile on her face when she speaks of him." Reaching behind her, Ana retrieves the invitation without leaving his arms and holds it up for him to read. "She doesn't expect us to attend, but I don't mind if you want to go. She was your closest friend for a long time."

"But not a good friend." Taking the card from her and turning away to study it for a few seconds, Christian doesn't look at Ana to ask, "Do you think I should go?"

He wants to. She can tell. "I'll even accompany you, if you wish? It might give us a nice sense of closure. If you choose to ignore the invitation, she asked me to say goodbye for her."

Abruptly turning his worried frown on her, Christian insists, "Baby, I swear to you, we said goodbye almost eight years ago, and I've not spoken with her since."

Resting a reassuring hand on his arm, Ana says, "I know, darling. She just wants to do it right this time, because you were both so angry back then."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking; that it might be nice to just…I dunno, see her once more, but with no drama. I know you hate her, and I agree that she messed me up for a while, but she didn't mean to."

"It's all right, darling. She told me about her stepfather. I understand now that she couldn't have behaved any other way. I don't hate her. If anything, I feel sorry for her." With a grin, hoping to lighten the mood, Ana concludes, "Just don't expect us to join the same quilting group or anything cozy like that."

Christian chuckles and tosses the card aside to embrace her as he says, "I doubt that Elena Lincoln, soon to be Harwood, will ever take up quilting. Okay, baby; if you're sure, RSVP for the both of us, and we'll get our closure. Any other shocks for me, this morning?"

"How does Elena know that the Polaroid was destroyed? Oh, and she says sorry for that break-in, too, and…and to always remember that Linc hates you. She said that he must have really loved her, to hate you this much."

Distressed enough to again leave her arms, Christian runs a hand through his hair as he says, "Fuck, baby, I come here expecting a shag and you hit me with all this? Maybe I should have stayed in New York?"

It's not her fault. She didn't expect Elena to visit. And she certainly didn't orchestrate fate to intervene with the god-awful timing. Plus, he just asked if there was anything else! "Maybe you should have."

The flint edge to her voice gets through to him. He turns and warily studies her for a moment; her arms and legs defiantly crossed, casually leaning against the desk as she coolly studies him. Then, with that carefree grin that tugs at her heart, he passionately declares, "Fuck, you look sexy right now!"

Resisting the urge to smile, Ana says, "Don't start that, Grey. I'm trying to be angry with you."

Daring to approach and place his feet either side of hers, even as he again enfolds her in his arms, Christian traps her against the sturdy desk with his body, confirming his arousal with that contact. "Baby, you know very well that you can never stay angry with me. What, exactly, did Elena say about the Polaroid?"

God, this heady mix of his delectably masculine aroma, his perpetual heat, the vibrant resonance of his achingly familiar voice, and the hard promise of his body easily overpowering hers; it's enough to make rational thought almost impossible. "Uh…that she, uh, found out it wasn't a threat to her, after all."

Christian nods and says, "She's probably talking about statute of limitations. I'd forgotten about that when I threatened her with it; not exactly at my best that night, as I'm sure you recall. Can we shelve this conversation for later? I suddenly have a desperate need to fuck you."

Wriggling a little in her Christian prison, Ana rubs against his groin as she says, "Evidently. About twenty minutes before we have to go and pick up Phoebe. Is that enough time?"

Releasing her only enough to unzip her skirt and slide it down past her hips—his warm hands gliding over her skin with practiced ease, he says, "Never enough time with you, baby, but it'll do for now."

The End

Author's note: The song referenced is "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance. The "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" anecdote came from a women's magazine; unfortunately so long ago that I can't recall which one (I only read them in waiting rooms).

That's all, folks! Thank you for favoriting, following, reviewing and, most of all, thank you for reading. As mentioned, I've lots of plot ideas. However, if there's a particular question about our favorite kinky couple that you want answered, PM or email me and I'll see what I can do. Or write it yourself...seriously, it's fun:-)

If you're not sure what I'm referring to when I hint at drama orchestrated by Linc, that's because I haven't yet written it. Remember to click on Follow Author if you want to find out what happened.