Tuesday Afternoon

Christian POV

Taylor alerted me when Ana was downstairs in the garage so I'm waiting in the foyer for her. I hear the elevator ping and look up to see Ana in the elevator staring in to space.

"Ana." I call out to her and she snaps out of it to walk towards me. "Are you okay."

"Yeah." she gives me a smile but I know it's not real and something is bothering her so I continue to stare at her. "Just thinking about some things we need to talk about." she finally admits.

"Okay.. lets talk. Mrs. Jones has prepared an early dinner for us."

She moves slightly cautiously in to the apartment and towards the kitchen.

"Where do you want to eat?"

"I think the breakfast bar will be fine." I respond. She takes off her coat and then goes around the counter. She reaches up to the cabinet where the late date and realize that she is about to set the table. "Ana-" I stop her. "You don't need to do that, you're my guest. I'll set the table." I say getting up and getting everything out. Seeing her revert to sub behavior felt wrong for some reason - because she's not my sub? Or because she's now the mother of my child? Or something.. more. I shake away the questions running through my head and set the table.

When I told Mrs. Jones that Ana was coming over tonight, she automatically made one of Ana's favorite meals: garlic and Parmesan crusted chicken with rice and green beans, but Ana hair picking her food around and has barely really eaten anything. Ana's always had a healthy appetite so when she I see her behavior I know something must really be wrong.

I put my utensils down and clear my throat, she does the same.

"So, what were you thinking about in the elevator?" I ask gently.

Ana puts her hand down and starts playing with the ends of her hair, which has grown much longer over time.

"I'm just really sorry. Not for not telling you necessarily, but for how things have been since I have."

I frown. She's not sorry about keeping her pregnancy from me?

"I regret stringing Gail and Jason in to this and for ruining your trust in all of us but I'm most sorry about bulldozing you once you didn't run away. I never, ever thought you would be how you have been -"

"Ana-" I try to interject but she just keeps talking baking me understand that she may need to just say whatever she needs to say.

"-so for the past 5 or 6 months, I've been planning mine and Teddy's life without you in it and once you were.. I don't know. I guess I didn't take you seriously and took you for granted and I'm so sorry for doing that to you but I promise I'm going to include you in everything from now on." She releases a long, shaky breath.

I'm speechless. It takes me a few moments before I can think of what to say.

"Ana. I can understand why you didn't tell me at the time and I want to thank you for telling me sooner rather than later so I can still be here for our son." I say genuinely

"I'm glad." She says after letting out a large breath. That being said, it's not fair to make or ask you to come by whenever you want to see Teddy. If you get the necessary items, I don't mind him coming here but I don't want any of those.. Women to be near my son. It just wouldn't feel right to me." She says the last part shyly.

I have to agree with her, although I haven't been involved with anyone since her, I wouldn't want any of them near my son either. What we do up there is nothing that a kid should know of. But weren't you a kid when you were introduced? I start to think about my introduction to the lifestyle and somehow Teddy morphs in to my spot getting whipped by Elena. I stop thinking about it before it starts to make me sick.

"Ana, I haven't been involved with anyone since you left." I tell her getting back on track to our conversation.

She starts to frown slightly but quickly masks it again. "But when you do get-"

"Ana, trust me, I have no intentions of getting another submissive. But if I were, I agree that they would not be anywhere near our son." I tell her. I want to tell her that I haven't been able to even think of anyone else but her since our contract started and even more so since she left but I don't want to set us back on the progress we seem to be making. "And thank you for that option. I will look in to getting the necessary things to put around the apartment." She smiles slightly. "Actually, I could probably use your help there since you've already done so much research." I add. I want the things I have here to be familiar with the both of us, much like her suggestion with the car seats.

Her face lights up. "I loved baby shopping. I'd be happy to help."

—

After falling in to a somewhat awkward silence, we decided to head to the hospital. We took Ana's car here and the staff have signed NDA's so hopefully this will be an easy adventure.

The nurse has just finished explaining to us the schedule that they have him on now and where things are located throughout the room we are in. Right now Teddy is in his bassinet awake and looking around. I'm looking down at him and smile. I can't believe I have such a perfect son.

"Why did you name him Teddy?" I ask Ana still not taking my eyes off my son.

"Well.. I remember one day, when we first started out, I asked you about GEH and you started to talk about how your grandfather was your inspiration and how he supported you. I could see the love when you talked about him and if you didn't— well, I wanted him to at least have some connection to you other than your last name."

I smile recalling the memory. That night Ana and I sat in the living room and talked all night about anything and everything. Eventually, we fell asleep and I woke up before she did. I carried her to the sub room so she would be more comfortable. I stared at her for some time before eventually willing myself to go back downstairs. It was also the first night in a long time that I didn't have a nightmare. I didn't dwell on it too much at the time but now, after some talk with Flynn, I realize the significance of that night.

Anastasia POV

I remember that night well. Christian and I talked all night. He was different that night for some reason, he seemed so human in a way that a lot of people don't get to see in him. We laughed and relaxed on the couch. I remember dozing off on his shoulder, I felt to warm and comfortable it was hard not to. But then I woke up alone upstairs in the sub room. I think that was the first time I really started to understand how our relationship was going to be. I was going to wake up alone a lot and that upset me but I also really wanted to get to know Christian more so I stayed and made breakfast that morning. It became like a routine on most days..

Author's Note: I'm sorry it is short but writing has been difficult lately and this seemed like a good stopping point to prepare for their night together. I hope to update soon.

On another note: I've had some people ask me about making a Facebook page so.. I did! The page name is Zaviarah and the profile pic is the same as my avatar on here. The page will have sneak peaks, updates on progress of stories, polls, etc. to keep you all updated. As always, feel free to contact me (review, PM, email, message, etc.) if you have any questions or suggestions.

Thanks for reading!

-Ari