A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!

"What was you mom up to when you left?", Christian asks after I arrive at Escala Thursday evening. My mom's still at the apartment, and although I'm enjoying her being there, my alone time with Christian has been limited.

"She was about to make some popcorn and watch some movies." I kick off my shoes and collapse next to him on the sofa. "As I was leaving, she told me that she would be ok at the apartment if I wanted to stay over here tonight."

"Hmm, maybe you should take her up on that offer.", he murmurs, kissing my ear lobes.

"I'd like that...very much. Kate's out with Elliot but said that she would be home later. I just...don't want her to feel like I'm abandoning her." He sweeps my hair from my eyes and kisses the tip of my nose. "It's kind of ironic though."

"How so?"

"I used to at times feel like she abandoned me when I was younger, choosing her second and even Bob over me. I think she regrets how she acted in the past. She hasn't come and said it, but the way she's been attentive and wanting to spend time together."

"How do you feel about that?", he asks.

"I don't know. I'm glad to have her as more of a constant in my life, but it comes after things went south with Bob. What if she decides to go back with him and then resorts to her old self?", I suggest. "Do I not get attached to her so that it won't be as hard if and when she leaves?"

"Has she talked with Bob?"

"They've texted and had a few conversations although I don't think they've actually talked in depth about their issues. Anyways, let's not talk about her anymore. Tonight's about us. How was work today?" He rubs his eyes and sighs. "That bad?"

"I ran into some issues with a tech company. They keep talking in circles about getting things done. I've been as patient as possible with them, but that patience is wearing thin. I actually picked the phone up and almost called them to forget about our deal, but I refrained. They do a hell of a job when they do work."

"I'm sorry."

"Then I got a call from my mom who said that she saw Elena at a luncheon at the country club. Elena had the nerve to try and say hello to my mom as if nothing happened. It's been a few weeks since things came to a head, but did she really think everything would be swept under the rug. Mom simply walked away." I've been wondering if and when Elena was going to resurface to cause trouble. She's been laying low recently so I shouldn't be shocked that she's rearing her ugly face again.

"Grace did the right thing. Standing there and making a scene is probably what Elena was hoping for. The woman is relentless." He places his feet and the floor and extends his hands to me.

"Gail made glazed pork chops for dinner. Why don't we go and indulge ourselves in them and then indulge ourselves in each other, all while fogetting about Elena Lincoln?"

"I'm all for that plan.", I reply.

"Are you sure you didn't want of the chocolate cake Gail baked?", Christian asks following dinner. Instead of dessert, I chose to go into the bedroom so we could continue our alone time. I shake my head and stalk towards him, smirking as I begin running my hands over his broad chest. I catch him by surprise when I rip his shirt open. Buttons go flying in all directions, but the only thing I'm concentrated on is the man before me.

"I'd rather cap the night off with something else. Wouldn't you?" As I'm about to drop to my knees, I feel a vibration in my pocket where I shoved my phone.

"What's wrong?"

"My phone. I should have put it in my purse."

"You know that you won't be able to fully concentrate on what you're about to do until you answer it. Go on." At his urging, I pull the phone from my pocket and see that it's Kate. She was having dinner with Elliot so for her to be calling is odd.

"Kate?", I answer. I listen as she tells me that she arrived home to find my mom crying hysterically on the sofa, but she refused to tell her what was wrong. "Ok. I'll be there in a few minutes." Hanging up, I look at Christian who's now sitting on the bed. "My mom was crying when Kate got home from dinner. She wouldn't talk to Kate. It's probably nothing, but I need to go and check on her. I'm so sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for wanting to be there for your mom. I understand. Let me find another shirt so I can drive you." He gets up and starts heading to the closet, but I pull on his arm.

"I can drive myself.", I tell him. He breaks free from my hold and continues on to the closet. "Christian, you don't have to go with me."

"I know that I don't have to, but I want to. Ok?", he asks. It's hard to say no to him wanting to be there not only for me but also for my mom.

"Fine." He finds and starts putting on a black tee. "And Christian?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

On our way to the apartment, Kate texted that my mom had calmed down a bit, but that doesn't seem to be the case once we step inside the apartment. I don't see my mom, but I can hear the sound of her wailing from my bedroom.

"I thought you told Ana that Carla had calmed down.", Christian tells Kate.

"That.", Kate points to the closed door, "Is her being calm. It's nothing compared to how she was when I first got home."

"I'm going to go and talk to her.", I say. Christian nods and kisses the corner of my mouth.

"I'll be here if you need me."

I return his kiss and slowly walk to my bedroom, tapping lightly on the door but getting no response. I turn the knob and find the door unlocked. When I open the door, I see my mom sitting on the right side of the bed with her head down.

"Mom?", I ask as I sit down next to her. "Hey, what's going on?"

"You're supposed to be at Christian's. Why aren't you there?", she sobs. "Is it because of me? Oh. I ruined your night."

"Kate said you were upset but wouldn't tell her what was going on. You were fine earlier so please tell me what happened in the space between then and now."

"I was in the middle of watching Steel Magnolias which always gets me emotional when Bob called. He told me that he wanted a divorce. I should have felt more when he told me, but I didn't. I felt kind of relieved that I could start over. Then I got to reflecting and realizing that my marriage may have failed, yet, the one thing I'm truly upset about is my failure as a mother."

"You're not a failure as a mother.", I insist.

"Ana, you're being too easy on me. I've spent years focusing on everything in my life except the one constant, you. I put others before you. When you wanted to stay with Ray, it hurt, but I didn't try to change your mind. I put my own petty desires before your needs." Like I told her, she's not a failure, but this is my chance to tell her how I felt all those times. "Say something."

"Did I want you to be around more when I was younger and even grown? Yes. Did it hurt knowing that you wanted to be somewhere other than with me? Absolutely. I used to sit in my room and wonder what I could do to change your mind and have you want to be more involved in my life. I never found a solution. I simply adjusted."

"You shouldn't have had to adjust. You blossomed into this incredible young woman and that was thanks to Ray, not me. Ray still holds a special place in my heart, and I don't mean in a romantic sense. He's a wonderful man and father who raised you better than I probably could ever, even if I was around more. I'll be eternally grateful to him for being there for you through the good and the bad. Still, I'm envious that he had the time although my absence was my own doing." As she's speaking, I hear regret and sincerity.

"Here's what I'm thinking, we can't go back and change what did or didn't happen in the past. What we can is learn from it and move forward. You're my mom. I want you in my life."

"I want to be in your life more than anything. I promise from here on out that I'm going to be here for you. I won't turn my back on you ever again." I shift and wrap my arms around her as she sniffles. We continue to hold each other for several minutes before she pulls away. "I still feel bad about interrupting your night with Christian. Was he upset?"

"No. He actually drove me here even though I told him that I would be ok. It was a sweet gesture."

"It was more than a gesture. It was an act of love. I'm not a psychic, but something tells me you and Christian are in it for the long haul."

"Mom, it's too early to be discussing marriage.", I shrug.

"Is he in the living room?", she asks while getting up from the bed and walking to the door which she opens. "Christian, would you please come here for a minute?" I remain seated on the bed as he follows her request and joins us. "Hi."

"Hi.", he says softly. "Are you ok?"

"I'm much better than I was. First of all, I'm sorry for your night getting ruined."

"It didn't. Ana and I had a nice dinner and spent some time together. Don't apologize."

"I also want to say thank you for being so good to and for Ana. She deserves the best, and you appear to be that for her."

"And she for me. Your daughter is one remarkable woman."

"You two are going to make me cry.", I laugh from my spot. "Since we're expressing our feelings, I want to say that I'm lucky to have both of you in my life."

"I have a headache from hell.", Audrey groans from her desk the next day at work. She places her head down on the desk while Daniel comes to her side and begins massaging her shoulders. "That feels good. Thank you Daniel."

"How did you know it was me?", he laughs.

"I know those hands. Unfortunately, it didn't help with my headache."

"You wouldn't have that problem if you wore your glasses like you're supposed to.", he scolds her. Kate and I turn our attention from our computers and on to them.

"Glasses?", Kate questions with an arched brow. "You're supposed to be wearing glasses?"

"Only when I read. I picked them up yesterday, but I don't like them."

"I think she looks cute in them.", Daniel says while going back to his desk. "Why don't you put them on and let Kate and Ana give their opinion?"

"They'll say that I look ok in them."

"Actually, I've never been afraid to give my honest opinion so I won't hold back.", Kate tells Audrey. "Do you remember that time you wore that bright yellow sweater?"

"Yeah. You said that you were sure the astronauts in space could see my shirt since it was so bright.", Audrey replies. "I never wore it again."

"But I was honest with you, just as I'll be when you show me your glasses. Come on. I've got work to do and can't stand around all day."

"I'll second that.", Olivia teases as she stops to see what's going on. "What are we doing?"

"Audrey was about to show us her new glasses.", I answer. Audrey sighs and reaches for her purse, pulling out a pair of red oval shape framed glasses. She curses under breath and eases the glasses on. "They look great on you."

"Ana's right. I really like them.", Olivia says.

"Told ya.", Daniel tells her, but Kate hasn't said anything yet.

"Audrey...you're rocking those glasses.", Kate smiles. "I'm serious."

"Thanks guys."

"Ana, you have company.", Kate says, nodding to the doorway once lunch arrives.

I swivel my chair around and see not only my mom but also Christian at the front of the office. Rolling back my chair, I stand and head towards them.

"What are you guys doing here...together?", I ask.

"Christian and I just left his office where he invited me for a job interview.", my mom grins.

"Job interview? When did that come about?"

"I got to thinking about it last night so I called Carla earlier to see if she might be interested in working at GEH. We had an opening in accounting which needed to be filled." I wonder if the job vacancy actually existed or if he's doing it to help my mom. "She impressed during the interview."

"Congratulations Mom." I step forward and wrap my arms around her. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you. I was nervous since it was my interview in forever, but I gave it my best. Christian said that I can start next Monday. Of course I'll be nervous again."

"You're going to fine. I was about to go and grab some lunch from the cafe down the street, but why don't the three of us go and celebrate?"

"Sweetheart, thank you for the offer, but I think I'm going to go back to the apartment and make some tomato soup for lunch. You and Christian should go and make up for last night. Before you try to change my mind, know that you'll be wasting your time. Go and enjoy lunch with your guy."

"I think she means me.", Christian laughs.

"Are you sure?", I tease. "Mom, since you don't want to join us for lunch, why don't we drive you back to the apartment on our way?"

"I can take a cab.", she replies. "And again, don't try and argue." She hugs me one more time and then turns to Christian. "Thank you again for the job. It came at the perfect time." She catches Christian by surprise when she tries to hug him, but his body relaxes as accepts the hug. "Have a wonderful lunch." She goes to the door and stops to wave before leaving me and Christian.

"What would you like for lunch?", he asks as I get my bag.

"I'm kind of in a pizza mood, but it doesn't matter."

"Pizza sounds good." He places his hand on the small of my back and leads me out of the office and down the hall to the elevator.

"I need to know something so I'm just going to come out and ask it. Was there really an opening in accounting?"

"There was an opening in accounting which has been filled by your mom. I know what you're thinking. You think that I made up the job for her."

"Yes and no.", I murmur. "I'm not saying there wasn't a job, but I wonder if you hired her just because she's my mom who's having a difficult time."

"Baby, I admit when I called her I knew hiring her would be beneficial, but I decided that I would treat her like anyone else during a job interview. Even though it's been a while since she's worked, her past work record is exemplary. I called her last employer who after all this time still has nothing but high praise for her. She was excited when I told her the job was hers."

"At the risk of sounding like a broken record, thank you." Before we get on the elevator, he closes his eyes. "What?"

"I was able to make progress with Newton Corp, the tech firm I told you about last night. We settled some issues but a few things remain unresolved. Unfortunately, the remaining issues can only be solved where they're located which is New York. I leave tomorrow and will be back late Sunday night."

"Ok.", I mutter. "I'm going to miss you, but I'll keep myself occupied."

"You could come with me.", he says. "My apartment in New York has an incredible view. We can dine at the best restaurants and do some sight-seeing."

"I can't. It's not that I don't want to go, but I've got work. I also don't want to leave my mom here alone. I'm sorry." He smiles slightly while disappointment dashes on his face. "We can go some other time."

"Yeah, we can go when it's not business related. It's probably best though since I wouldn't be able to give you all the attention you deserve. It's fine though."

"Sure?"

"I'm sure."