For all those that wanted an Ana and Sera moment.

This chapter is dedicated to curls86, JulesTaylor, vdlucas, and Winless

Christian's POV

The night was still not easy with her. I kept waking up every hour, only to find her still awake. It was at around 4.47am that she lost herself into sleep. She looked so peaceful. It made me smile from the inside. I had missed that innocent face. I smiled to myself. I just realized… I had lost so much with her… and these are the little moments that I always loved… she sleeping in my arms… holding her close to my heart… the way that a father should love his daughter… unconditionally…no matter what happens or what she may do. I placed her arms gently under the covers, making sure that I won't wake her up again. She slept so lightly, that she could wake up with the little sound.

I lay down gently staring at the ceiling, still holding her hand and running smooth circles. Vivid images of her running towards us. I can never forget all that energy she had in her. She could bring a bright blue sky from a rainy stormy day. She knew exactly what to do to make a hard day's work dissolve into nothing except happiness.

I looked towards her again, and caressed her cheek gently. She was cold as ice, and she still looked very pale. My father said that she's improving… the blood tests are showing that… but physically she still is the same… Guess it truly is quality not quantity.

'Please… don't give up…' I whispered gently as I let sleep take over me.

It was at around 6am, that my alarm buzzed. I quickly made a move to switch it off before it woke up Sera… It did… she stirred gently, but I sent her back to sleep, as she was still very groggy. I slowly got up and made my way to the bathroom, where I put on my jogging suit.

After getting ready in few minutes and greeted Gail, I decided to head out before Sera woke up. It would be easier like that. I don't want to leave her alone for any minute… but I need that hour run, and I can do it while she's sleeping.

Ana's POV

I looked outside the small window. The sky was clear… exactly like my thoughts. I didn't tell Christian about my plan, I wanted to surprise him… both of them. Besides I was missing them very much. I finally feel that we've broken all the ice, and finally we all are getting somewhere. I smiled to myself at the thoughts. It's a good thing that in Europe there is a time difference.

I grabbed the bag, and made sure for the 10th time that the souvenirs I brought were still intact. I had a small made scale of Christian's glider. I was so proud of the souvenir I managed to get my hands on. I know he loves these. He already kept the other Glider on his desk. He can keep this one somewhere else. He'd love this…

Beside his glider, I picked up my daughter's new ballet pointe shoes. She needed one… she had been using the same one over and over again that I was getting scared she'll hurt herself on it. It was becoming more of a soft shoe rather a pointe one. During one of the visiting sites, I managed to meet a ballet shoe maker. I visited his shop, and I got my daughter a perfect pale pink. I could only imagine her face when she'll have it in her hands.

The flight wasn't long, and soon Sawyer was already making our way to Escala. I quickly switched on my phone, and called Gail, to make sure that Christian is out. I'd love for him to find me home rather than entering and he'll still be there.

I kept staring at the window and the life was starting. Everybody going to work, or else returning from their night shift... I realized how lucky both Christian and I were to have flexible hours, and most of all a career that we are both the bosses of. We could do anything we wanted… and to think, we threw away our family for so long… I lost so much with both… and my damn addiction made the worst of me…

I saw children on their parent's hip. Quickly, and image of Sera on my hip was in my mind. Both Christian and I used to wake up early, and start the day like that. She would get tired already, and it was why I carried on my hip. She would take a nap while we drove her to school. She would sleep on my shoulder. Soon I realized. She was growing up so fast… I wondered how things was to be when Sera moved to College. She would forget us… and would rarely visit… damn… Christian is right… she's growing up so fast! Maybe he's right… we shouldn't let her drive for now… she's comfortable as she is… she'd end up independent and she wouldn't want us… damn… we're losing her… it's how it all starts… then she'll get a boyfriend… then we'll meet him… then they'll marry… than they'll have kids… and life would have just past us as a breeze…

'Ana! Ana calm down!' I told myself… 'She's just 17…' I continued.

Damn… I'm losing it… not her… Let's make the best time I have with her for now… and when that time comes, we both will do the hurdle.

'Anastasia, we are here.' Sawyer took me out of my thoughts, as he opened my door.

'Thank you Sawyer…' I smiled gently as he took my luggage and made our way to the elevator. He punched some codes and we were soon at the pent house. I made my way to the kitchen where Gail was already there, whereas Sawyer took my luggage into the living room.

'Welcome back Anastasia. How was your flight?' She asked sweetly.

'It was amazing…' I smiled. '…and thanks for keeping this between us.'

'I love surprises myself… why should I ruin this?' She asked. 'Do you want any breakfast?'

'I'll have some when Christian comes… we'll have breakfast with Sera… which reminds me… where is she?'

'Sera couldn't sleep and Christian stayed with her the whole night. She's in your room…' She replied. 'Christian said she didn't sleep until almost 5am… he wants to make an appointment with Dr. Fynn.'

'Good… I think it would be best for now… ' I replied as I placed my coat on the chair. 'I'll go visit her… do you need help with anything before Gail?'

'No… go to your daughter…' She smiled.

I entered our bedroom, and I found the room empty only for a running tap water. I knocked on the bathroom door gently, and a tiny 'damn' was heard.

'Sera… I'm coming in…' I called from outside. I knew she was having a problem in managing around with only one hand.

'Mum?' She asked gently as I walked in. It tore my heart out. There was still nothing of her, and the baggy clothes managed to hide everything.

'Hey baby…' I replied as I moved forward to her, while she tried hiding everything. 'Don't baby… there's nothing to be ashamed of…' I smiled as I tightened her broken arm with tap in a plastic bag.

'You're back?' She smiled.

'Yes honey… I missed you… and I thought on giving you guys a surprise…'

'You did it mum…' She smiled as I rubbed her back gently. 'I'm sorry I'm using your bathroom.'

'Hey… don't be… what's ours is yours… it's just a bathroom!' I smiled again. 'Is this ok?'

'I'm done…' She smiled as I handed her the towel.

'I'll give you some privacy. Call me if you need anything… I'm changing into something more comfortable. More than 10 minutes and I'm in… ok?'

'Yes mum…' She smiled back.

It wasn't long till she came out. I was already in my pj's and she was also in her new set. I had already prepared a movie which we both could watch together. We could have a day together.

'Hey baby!' I started as I patted the bed beside me, while she came gently beside me. 'Hey… what's wrong?'

'Nothing mum… it's just… I haven't seen you like this in ages!'

'I know… I'm weird right?' I joked.

'No… not weird! You're just amazing mum…' She smiled while I hugged her close to me. 'Oh, and I watched those botfly removal things.'

'Did you enjoy them?'

'A lot… you just have to go on with me with dad that it was nothing… you know how squeamish he can be… I had to keep changing web pages…'

'For a man he is squeamish… guess men aren't that tough.' I joked. 'Don't tell him I said that… He'll definitely do the tickle torture.' I continued as I pulled her to me and held her protectively from her shoulders. 'How are you feeling honey?'

'I'm okay…'

'Sera?' I asked her gently. 'I know you're not sleeping.'

'It's nothing mum… as I told dad yesterday… It's really nothing…'

'Honey, your father and I don't keep any secrets between us. There is no need in hiding it… I don't blame you!'

Christian's POV

I had just returned home, and as I went up to the living room, I realized that Ana's luggage was there. I heard voices from our bedroom coming, and made my way there. I realized that they were having a conversation. I didn't want to ruin the moment, so I remained outside listening…

'Mum… did you like guys… when you were younger?'

'Of course I did…' I smiled. 'There was this guy back in high school… he was really hot…'

'Hotter than dad?' She joked. 'Wait… you know what? I don't even want to know!'

'No baby! Your father is the only man that I'm attracted to…' I smiled. '…anyhow… this guy used to be the one mostly wanted… and well… as a teenage, I wanted to experience it too!'

'What happened then?'

'When we got together, grandpa Ray wanted to keep tabs on him… and well… he found him cheating… it didn't last long believe me…'

'What happened?'

'Let's just say that your grandfather took care of him… he never bothered me again, and I matured… I don't need guys like that to satisfy me… I'd rather be single that being in a relationship for just being in it.'

'What about with dad?'

'Your father is different honey… he's the most loving, selfless man I know!' I smiled. 'He could have left me when things got hard, and I was on drugs… but he didn't… he helped me through and here we are…'

'Mum… when… when you found Elena with dad… how… what… I mean what went through your mind?'

'I was angry… hurt…mostly hurt… I didn't want to stay… and I didn't want to leave you… I had to do what's best for you… In a marriage kids always come of priority… no matter what happens baby girl…' I explained. '…but that is what makes us strongest… when we work through everything.' I smiled.

'I admire you mum… I'd love to turn half the woman you are…'

'Baby… you and I share a lot together, and you don't need to be the woman I am… you are already a woman… you manage to teach your father and I many things… you taught us how to forgive and forget… you taught us how to love unconditionally… and I've always loved you baby girl…'

'…but mum… you used to get angry out of nothing… and at times I felt you pushing me away… even when dad spanked me… you remained there watching… only when I lost the fight you would come… and these last few months you slapped me a couple of times… You tried sticking up for me with dad to talk to me… but you never went against his word… why?'

'Honey… I'm very sorry for that… you don't know how sorry I am… I should have never hurt you in any way… I never knew what I was supposed to do when the spanking started. I always talked to your father that it shouldn't be the way of discipline… but it's the way he was taught… and I cannot go against his word… we are your parents and if one of us puts down someone, it may lead to trouble.' I explained. 'Sera… I need you to be honest with me… how did you feel when your father spanked you?'

'Mum…' She grumbled as she looked away from me.

'Honey… I need to know… I need to know what we did to you…' I encouraged. 'I know this is hard… but it's the only way… I see you flinch when we hug you from behind… I see you flinch when your father touches your arm without you noticing… please… talk to me…'

'It's just…' She started gently. '…I never felt it to be a form of discipline. It was more… of… dad never controlled himself… I remember he used to leave marks, and I had almost a week after one spanking to be able to sit properly again… I felt exposed… for me it wasn't punishment… it was anger… pure hate and anger… and I thought you wanted me to feel it… because you never did anything to stop it…' She replied as she brought her knees up to her chest.

'Is that why you stopped eating?'

'I don't remember how it all started… all I know is that I started enjoying the feeling of hunger… and when I didn't feel it because I was getting used to it, I started restricting more… I feel guilty if I eat…' She admitted gently.

'You still feel like it?' I asked while she looked at me. 'You said 'feel' Sera… it's in present tense…'

'…many times I do mum… and I don't know how to stop this feeling…'

'Baby girl… it will stop by time… and I'm so proud of you for wanting to get better…' I smiled as I hugged her tight to me. 'Baby, I want you to promise me one thing… I want you to promise me that whatever it is, you are going to come to us… no matter what… even if you think you'll hurt us…'

'Mum how did you feel in the family session?'

'Honestly… I felt it as a slap across my face over and over again. We've neglected you… both of us did… and we didn't realise anything… on grandma Grace's birthday, I felt that we've let you down… we've let you drown deep enough for the second time under our eyes.' I closed my eyes in pain as I brought the picture in front of my eyes. 'When you were in hospital… I felt so helpless… we couldn't do anything to ease your pain… and we still can't… we're hoping and holding on the hope that you will get better… that we won't lose the only person that truly love us…' I continued while I felt a crushing hug.

'Ohh mummy!' She replied as I hugged her back tightly.

'I love you baby girl… don't ever forget it!'

'I love you too mummy!' She said again as I felt a tear on my neck, while I saw Christian entering and joining us.

'I missed you baby…' He whispered in my ear as he kissed our daughter's head.

'I did too honey.' I smiled. 'Why don't you go get into some new pj's and we'll have a late morning?' I suggested.

'We can…' I smiled. 'It's not like I have a boss over me…'

'That's what I thought…' I smiled.

'…but at around 2pm, Sera has to meet Natalie…' He replied.

'I thought we agreed that you won't be hanging out with her…' I turned my gaze to her.

'Mum you told me to be there for here when she really needs me… and that's what am doing…'

'Ok…' I smiled. 'Now you Mr. Grey… go shower because you stink! Doesn't he Sera?'

'Mhmm…' She smiled.

'Oh… so you two are back to ganging up on me?' He smiled as we tickled her.

'Yes…' Both of us managed to get as she struggled from under our grip.

'Let's stop…' Christian said again. 'I'll soon be back…'

'Terminator!' Sera joked as she caught her breath.

'I thought you weren't going to watch it…' I replied

'Dad let me…' She smiled.

'Hey… that was supposed to be our little secret…'

'We have others dad! It's just a movie…' She smiled again.

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