Lying in her bed with her laptop next to her, Ana can hear her daughter singing in the bathroom. She can't make out the words; Sara's brushing her teeth while wailing some pop song or other. It's good to have her back home again.
She's checking her work schedule for the upcoming week and browsing emails. It saves her start up time when she arrives at work on Mondays and makes for better Sunday evenings. Being prepared relaxes her.
When Sara is finished with the nightly teeth-brushing and face-washing, Ana usually brushes and braids her daughter's hair. Sara has long, brown, wavy hair like her mother and she often takes short cuts with the brushing, which eventually leads to tangles and tears. But it's become a bed-time ritual they both enjoy.
"Mom, can I sleep in your bed?" Sara asks, after having recounted everything said and done at Ray's over the weekend.
"Of course, honey. Go get your pillows." Ana finishes the braid and kisses Sara's head before the girl scoots to her room to get pillows and her all-time bed companion; an often-mended dog called Charlie Henderson. Charlie Henderson used to be a neighbor of theirs when Sara was only two, and she had been very fond of him. Hence the name.
Sara returns with pillows, Charlie Henderson and a few of his soft toy colleagues and proceeds to arrange everything neatly in the bed next to Ana. This is more or less a ritual when Sara comes back after sleeping at Ray's or a friend's, and Ana realizes that this is something she should tell Christian about. Living with a child sometimes means having to share a bed with that child. It's hard to say if this is something Christian would be aware of, but given how he never sleeps with anyone except her, this should probably be addressed.
Ana sighs while watching her daughter make herself comfortable next to her. Everything seems so clear and easy when she's with Christian. She decides to call him tonight after Sara's gone to sleep and they can talk about this immediately, which he prefers anyway. Saves her dwelling on things.
Together they had decided that Ana would talk to Sara alone at first; Ana wants her reaction to be true and not inhibited by Christian's presence. Sara doesn't know him that well yet and Ana regrets this. It doesn't seem fair to the girl that her mother desperately wants to live with a man Sara hardly knows. Then again, it will be many months before the move so hopefully that will change.
Part of Ana wants to go slowly for her daughter's sake but the other part wants to spend every night and every day with Christian, starting now.
A pair of ice cold feet find their way to her legs and she cries out in surprise. Sara is trying to find places to warm her icy dogs, laughing while her mother is squirming to avoid them. This is an on-going game between them – their feet being equally evening-cold – and Ana tries to reciprocate. Naturally Sara always wins in the end and gets to place her feet on Ana's thighs.
They have some time before Sara needs to sleep and she doesn't seem that tired so Ana decides now is as good a time as any. Starting by suggesting they go with Christian to his farm next weekend to visit Sara's and Jamie's sheep, she thinks she gets her daughter in a good place.
- You know I really like Christian, right?
- Yes. I like him too.
- I am very glad to hear that, Sara. Because Christian and I have been thinking that it would be nice if the three of us lived together in the same house."
Sara nods but doesn't say anything.
"How would you feel about that?" Ana asks softly.
Sara shrugs. "I don't know." She' has no plan on elaborating, it seems, and again Ana finds it difficult to know what's happening in her daughter's head.
Searching Sara's small face for any sign that she's upset or worried, Ana's relieved to see that she mostly looks curious, albeit in a taciturn way.
"That's understandable. Do you want me to tell you what we've been thinking and then maybe you can ask me questions and we can talk about it? You do have a say in this, too."
Sara nods and turns on the pillow to get a better look at her mother. Ana, resting her head on her elbow, starts telling her daughter about the "plans" while playing with a get-away strand of Sara's hair. When she starts describing the house, Sara frowns.
"Why can't Christian move in with us? I like this house."
"I like this house too, honey. But it's too small. There are people who work for Christian who actually have their own living space in his apartment, and there wouldn't be room for them here. But if we move they would have their own house next to ours."
Sara looks utterly surprised at this grandeur, but decides to leave it for now.
"Would we have a pool?" she says hopefully, eyebrows raised at Ana. A pool is always on top of every Christmas or birthday list, but they have never had neither the room nor the money to build one.
"No, I don't think so." Ana laughs. "But Christian has a really nice boat," she throws in, slightly ashamed for trying to sweeten the deal.
"Ok," Sara sighs, resigned, as if a pool would have been too much to hope for anyway. "Can Eric still come over?"
"Of course, Sara. Eric or any of you friends will always be welcome. We'll have a huge garden to play in. The house isn't very far from Eric's and you will stay in your school, so thing's won't be that different." Right, except for the billionaire's step-daughter part.
"Yeah, I guess. Can I help decorate my new room?" This idea seems to please her and the eyebrows are raised at Ana again.
Ana nods, smiling.
"Can Ray stay over sometimes?"
"Yes, Sara, Ray is always welcome to stay over, just as he is now." Not that he ever does if he can help it, he likes his own bed too much.
"Ok. Mom, I'll think about it, but I suppose it could be fun. But it's still a shame Christian doesn't have kids."
Sara very much wants a sibling and she's already asked Christian twice if he has kids, just to make sure.
"Yes, I know you think so. But he never met the right person to have kids with. Sometimes that happens."
"I know, mom." Sara rolls her eyes. "But now he can start practicing on me, and then we'll see." Sara yawns.
It seems her daughter has already started planning for a sibling. Ana decides not to answer the last comment for now, so she just smiles and kisses the sleepy girl's cheek.
"Good night, baby girl. It's good that you'll think about it, thank you. Just ask me, or Christian for that matter, if you have any questions."
Sara is already starting to close her eyes. "Hm-m. I'm going to ask him about the pool."
Ana shakes her head at her daughter. "Are you now? Go to sleep."
…. …. ….
Ana is curled up in the corner of her comfortable couch reading a promising manuscript. She's tried to call Christian an hour and half ago, but there was no answer, which is unusual but happens occasionally; he will call her back when he can.
Now she's caught up in this teen novel which she definitely will be putting forward for publishing. Teen novels are very in still although the market has been flooded after the successes of Twilight and The Hunger Games. But this is one of the better ones she's read for years. And her bosses will like that the author, a woman, is planning sequels. That could mean exponentially higher sales and movie deals, which in turn increase sales.
Ana really likes this book, but she's also aware that it's marketability and potential to be a success increases her own freedom in choosing and getting new authors published, should it pan out. It's very difficult for a new author to be published and ninety percent of her job is working with author's that are already established and selling. Which is fun, but nothing beats the thrill of reading something amazing from somebody no one's ever heard of. For a little while it feels like she's the only one who knows the way to the treasure.
When her phone rings, buzzing obnoxiously on the cluttered sofa table, it startles her and she jumps and drops the manuscript on the floor. Knowing it's Christian, she doesn't bother to look at the caller ID, instead she bends down to pick up the pile of papers from the floor while she answers.
"Hey baby." She tries to make a sexy voice while leaning over, but it sounds more like she has a cold.
"Hey". Christian's voice is strained and Ana sits up immediately.
"What's wrong?"
Christian laughs a little, but it doesn't sound convincing. "Am I so obvious I just have to say hey and you know something's up?"
"Yes. Spill." Honestly, she's starting to sound like him. "I mean, please tell me what's up, you know I don't give up anyway."
Christian snorts in acknowledgment.
"That I do know. It's nothing too serious – it's just that Mia and the kids are stuck in their house because reporters have set up camp outside. And getting them out of Australia is proving to take time. I mean, we could get the kids here, but they would probably just worry too much about Mia anyway."
He sounds weary and Ana can hear the undercurrent of anger in his voice. She knows that he hates feeling powerless more than anything.
"I've been on the phone with the lawyers and Carrick for hours, trying to find ways to convince the district attorney's office to let Mia come here. At the same time I get that they need to make sure she doesn't know anything. It's just a mess."
Christian sighs deeply and in her head Ana sees him run his fingers through his hair. She wishes he was here so she could do that for him and then comfort him any which way he'd want..
"You haven't gotten any indication on when they might let her go?" she asks softly.
Again he sighs. "No, but I don't blame them. This thing is huge, Ana, and it makes me so fucking mad that that fucker has tried to get Mia caught up in it. From what Carrick can gather at least it seems she's avoided signing anything."
"Poor Mia. And poor kids. I wish there was something I could do to help you."
"Oh, but you are, Ana." Christian says quietly, anger and frustration gone from his voice. "Do you remember telling me that I have to share with you, good or bad?"
"Of course I remember."
"Well, I don't share my problems with anyone, you know that. Except now you, meaning you're the only one I can talk to openly." Christian pauses. "And I find that … it makes me feel better, lighter." He sounds embarrassed and surprised. "Is there anything your magic doesn't work on, Anastasia?"
Ana feels her face split in a huge grin. "Probably. Let's hope we don't have to find out." If he has finally discovered the advantages of unburdening himself, that probably means that he will continue to do so. Which is a huge step.
"It just keeps on getting better, you know." Christian's voice is low and sincere and although Ana just saw him today longing soars through her, so much it hurts.
"What does, baby?"
"Us. What we have."
"Isn't, though?" she says warmly. "And to make it even better, it seems Sara can be won over to move in with you, too."
Christian gasps. "You talked to her already?" His tone is both excited and apprehensive. "What did she say?"
"Yes, we talked earlier tonight. She's not opposed to the idea, but she wanted to think about it."
"Oh, ok …" he hesitates, wary now. "For how long?"
Ana laughs. "That's something Sara says, Christian, and it usually means yes. But I think it's her way of feeling in control of her own destiny. In the next couple of days there will be a million questions about the house and by the end of the week we can't move in soon enough."
Christian sighs again, but this time it's relief. "It's good that you at least understand your daughter. It sounds way too complicated for me." Ana knows he's shaking his head.
"She and I have known each other a long time. But you will get to know her too, Christian. And you have a head start – she thinks the world of you already."
She can almost hear the shy smile she knows is on his lips. "I like her, too. You know that."
"She's quite shrewd though." Ana continues, giggling. "She tried to negotiate a pool into the deal."
"Of course we're getting a pool." Christian says quickly.
"Not because of her, Christian. That's not what I meant, I just thought it was funny."
Ana is already regretting mentioning the pool-thing. Why does he take everything so literally?
"Ana … a; why not for Sara's sake? You know it's nothing for me and if she loves the idea of a pool nothing would give me greater pleasure. And b; don't you want a pool? I'm sure I could think of a few fun things you and I could do in water."
Of course you can. Ana realizes there won't be any stopping this anyway – she's moving her and her daughter's life into a billionaire setting – things are going to change dramatically. Somehow the thought still makes her uncomfortable.
"Yeah, sure, why not." She tries for resigned, but can't help smiling. "But in that case you should be the one to tell Sara and not for a few days. Let her think about it without the allure of the pool."
"That I don't mind." He's happy as a kid on Christmas, all of his earlier frustration gone. "Maybe we can take Sara to the house together the upcoming weekend? And after that we'll make the final decision. Could that be a plan?"
"It sounds like a perfect plan, Christian." Ana hesitates. "Wow, this is big. Are we ready for this?" She almost whispers into the phone.
"I've been ready for years, Anastasia. But if you don't feel ready I don't want to push you. If you need to wait we'll wait – I know you're mine."
He's dead serious and just hearing him repeat that it's all up to her is instantly reassuring.
"I want it too, I really do. In fact ..." It's Ana turn to be embarrassed and she pauses.
"What baby?
"Uhm, I was thinking that, if it's not inconvenient for you, maybe you could stay here a couple of nights this week? I can't stand not knowing when I'll see you again and I think it could be good for Sara to get used to you being around more, you know?"
She's suddenly strangely nervous for asking him to stay over. Probably because he looks so out of place in her tiny, eclectic house. An image of his hideously expensive Savile Row-suit jacket pops into her head, hanging on one of her done-up yard sale chairs. But he's said that he likes it – her home that is, but the chair too, come to think of it.
Ana can hear Christian's breathing but he's not saying anything. He either doesn't want to or he's in shock. Eventually he clears his throat.
"As ever, Miss Steele, you're full of surprises. And you have no idea how much I want to spend the night with you, as many as you'll give me." He snorts. "The coming week just got much more fun than I anticipated. Again with the magic, baby."
::::: :::::: ::::::
When Christian hangs up after talking to Ana he stares at the wall of his study for a while. Although worried about his sister and her family he's at the same time ridiculously happy. The missing pieces in his life so far – Ana and family – are within reach.
And despite having been hurt so deeply before by Ana he can't help wondering if maybe it was for the best after all. Because somehow it's even better this time around. The love and passion he experiences with her is as deep and desperate as ever, but without the drama that was surrounding his life back then.
Most importantly he's in a different place these days; not insecure with her love and more or less at peace with his demons. They do still come at night sometimes and the only time he feels safe from the nightmares is when Ana is sleeping next to him.
Swiveling in his office chair toward the window and the Seattle night, he contemplates the fact that Ana was so adamant at taking it slowly in the beginning, but since then has been pushing their relationship forward ever as much as Christian himself. Now they will be moving in together which is a huge step, but for Christian it's not the final one. Is it for Ana? They haven't discussed that yet, never even mentioned it.
He swivels back, facing his desk again. Putting both his palms on the desk as if supporting himself to get up from the chair, he stays that way for a few seconds before making up his mind and rising.
By the wall to the right of the desk there are shelves stacked with annual reports, budget proposals, profit projections and other paper work stemming from the array of businesses he's involved in. He walks over to it slowly and from a corner on the top shelf he grabs a small wooden bowl, quite different in style from anything else in his study, or in his apartment for that matter.
The bowl is beautiful in a rugged kind of way and is hand carved by Ray. When Ana lived at Escala she'd brought the bowl from her own apartment. She'd kept hairbands in it. Then when she moved out it got left behind. At first Christian had meant to send it to her – but he found he couldn't part with it. It was so much of Ana – she had touched this bowl every day and loved it because her dad made it for her. Like her it was uncomplicated, beautiful and unbreakable.
Taking the bowl with him he again sits down in the office chair, facing the window. Inside it is a small, red leather box. He picks it up but hesitates; it's been more than ten years since he last looked at it's contents and he's afraid that opening the box will also open a flood of hurt.
Even without opening, Christian remembers exactly what the ring inside looks like. It's been etched in his mind since the day he bought it, only a few weeks before it was all over.
His fingers play around the edges of the leather cube. It looks new and immaculate still, Gail apparently takes dusting on the top shelves seriously.
Suddenly he flips open the lid and there it is; the perfect engagement ring that has represented the demolition of his hopes and dreams for a decade. Tucked away on that top shelf to remind him of what he'd lost, he'd thought.
Now Christian thinks that maybe, deep inside, he just hadn't given up. That would sound completely pathetic if it wasn't for the fact that Ana is now back with him. Still loving him. Wanting him to spend weeknights with her and her daughter. Moving in with him.
Prying the ring loose he examines it closely. It looks gorgeous, untouched by the years, but he will send it to be cleaned anyway. No, he will bring it in himself to make sure nothing happens to it. Somehow it's important that this ring finally ends up on the finger it was intended for.
Before putting the ring back in the box, Christian kisses the large stone for luck. Fingers crossed he can soon stop pretending that Ana's last name isn't Randall, but Steele. And that instead it will be Grey.