A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!

"Miss Steele, hi.", Andrea, Christian's assistant greets me upon my arrival at GEH. In the times I've visited his office, she and the other employees have been very nice to me.

"Hi. I'm here to see Christian." Christian had an early meeting so he didn't stop by the apartment to pick up my mom this morning, and he called earlier to tell me that he would be working late. Although my mom's leaving straight from work to have dinner once again with co-workers, I decided to stop by GEH to see Christian.

"All right. His father is in with him now, but I can buzz in and let him know you're here." I glance towards the closed door and debate with myself.

"No that's ok. I'll just take a seat and wait.", I reply, padding across the carpet to one of the white leather chairs. I look towards the floor to ceiling window which has a spectacular view of the city.

"Andrea, I'm on my way to a meeting, but will you please give these files to Christian?", Ros, Christian's second in charge asks while handing Andrea a stack of files. She was shocked but pleasantly so when Christian first introduced me as his girlfriend. Although the two have a professional relationship, I see that they care for each other. Ros turns and smiles when she sees me. "Ana, hello."

"Hi Ros. How are you?"

"I'm good. You know who has been keeping me busy, but it's ok. How are you?"

"Good. I was on my way home from work and thought I'd stop by and see Christian for a few minutes. Andrea said that Carrick is with him now so I'm waiting."

"Well, I've got to get to a meeting which begins in..." She looks down at her watch and grimaces. "Ten minutes. The plus side is that it's in the building. It was good to see you."

"It was good to see you too.", I say with a wave as she walks away. I resume my staring out the window and become so transfixed on the picturesque scene that I don't hear Christian's door open. It's only when I feel a hand on my shoulder that I awaken from my daze. I jump and see Christian standing next to me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle.", he apologizes.

"It's fine. I guess I was daydreaming." I see Carrick standing behind him. "Hi Carrick."

"Ana, it's nice to see you. Why are you out here waiting? You should have come inside the office.", Carrick smiles.

"I didn't mind waiting out here."

"Dad and I were just going over a few things.", Christian says.

"And now I have to get home to your mother who has arranged for us to go to the symphony. Notice the excitement on my face.", Carrick mutters.

"Oh now Dad, you know you're going to enjoy sitting there bored for at least two hours.", Christian laughs. Carrick rolls his eyes and tosses his hands in the air in defeat.

"I'd better go." After Christian and his dad hug, I stand and hug Carrick. "Christian, I'll be in touch about that matter. Ana, take care."

Once Carrick's on the elevator, Christian takes my hand and leads me into his office, shutting the door behind him. He cocoons me in his arms and kisses me. The sheer feeling of his lips against mine is intoxicating. We kiss for what feels like eternity before finally pulling away.

"I take you've missed me.", he smirks.

"Maybe just a tad.", I tease back.

"Are you picking your mom up?" I shake my head and sit down on the white leather that's against the window.

"She told me this morning that she's going to a birthday dinner for one of the women she works with. It's the second night in a row that she's been out, but I'm more than ok with it. I want her to get out and make friends."

"From the sound of it, she's doing exactly that. How was work?"

"It was ok. I got the rough draft of the restaurant opening article done. I'm going to do a few tweaks to it when I get home and then it'll be ready to turn in tomorrow. Olivia's still sick and didn't work today, but she sounded a little better when I talked to her at lunch. She said she's going to be there tomorrow. What about your day?"

"It's been busy. It feels nice to finally have a little bit of a break. I had just finished a conference call when my dad stopped by. He wanted to tell me that his friend who's been looking into Elena's financial records has discovered that she hasn't paid her taxes in three years. He's going to be making a call to the IRS." I feel a smile cross my face at this development. "I though you'd be happy to hear that."

"I am. I'm very happy to hear it."

"Oh, um, Dad said that Mia's going out with that Will guy tomorrow night. I realize you only talked with him for a few minutes last night, but does he seem like an ok guy?"

"He seemed like it. He and Mia hit it off immediately. Has Welch got the background check yet?"

"He's working on it. All I ask is for him to treat my sister with respect. If he fails to do so, we'll have issues.", he sighs as I run my hand through his hair to keep him calm. "That feels good." I decide now is a good time to tell him my moving in decision.

"Remember what Mia..."

"Mr. Grey, Mr. Salinger is on line two. He said it was important.", Andrea says over the intercom on Christian's desk.

"Shit. I'll have him call me back.", Christian murmurs while we stand.

"You don't have to. I should get going so you can get back to work.", I shrug.

"You were in the middle of telling me something. What was it?"

"It's nothing that can't wait. Take your call and call me later."

"I will. I love you.", he says, kissing me one last time.

"I love you too."

"Which of these polishes do you like best?" I look up from my laptop and see Kate standing in front of me with two bottles of pink nail polish.

"Aren't they the same?"

"No. The one on the right is called Forget Me Nots and the other is called Off the Shoulder. How cool are those names? Anyway, they're not the same." I look at the one on the right and then the one on the left but still don't see a difference between the two. "Look closer." I scoot forward on the sofa to try to find some sort of variation. "Do you see it now?"

"Sure.", I lie. Kate falls back on to the love seat and opens Forget Me Nots or maybe it's Off the Shoulder. She begins painting her the nails on her right hand while I go back to my work.

"I may use a different bottle on each hand." I hold back from telling her the nails would look the same. "Your mom wasn't kidding when she said the people at work have been welcoming to her."

"It's a good thing. Moving to Seattle wasn't easy for her, but she's adjusting. Having us and new friends helps." As my words escape my mouth, I realize that I haven't told my mom or Kate that I want to move in with Christian. I'm certain Kate will be fine with it, but I'm not so sure about my mom. I don't want her to feel like I'm abandoning her just when our relationship is improving.

"What has you suddenly frazzled?", Kate asks. I close my laptop and place it next to me on the sofa.

"Christian wants me to move in with him.", I murmur.

"I know." I narrow my eyes. "Elliot told me last night. He said that he and Christian were having a conversation when Christian brought it up. "He wants you to move in even though he's almost positive you're not ready."

"But I am." With her left hands still unpainted, Kate sets the nail polish on to coffee table. "I've told him in the past that we weren't ready for such a step, but we're falling in love more and more every day. Even though we've had some hurdles, we've gotten past them...together."

"I think you should follow your heart. If moving in with Christian is what makes you happy, go for it. Sure I'll miss you, but we'll still see each other." I get up from the sofa and settle next to her on the love seat.

"You're my best friend who has been there for me more times than I can count. Thank you for all you've done for me." I wipe away a tear while recalling how I showed up here after the Bryant debacle. Kate gave me a place to stay, but most of all, she gave me her friendship.

"You've been there for me too." We give in and hug as my mom arrives. "Mom, hey. How was dinner?" She takes off her coat and sits down in the space I vacated on the sofa.

"It was nice. The dinner was for Clara who works in the cubicle next to mine. She had no idea that so many people from the office where going to be there. It really made her night. The two of us got to talking, and she told me how she took the job at GEH three years ago when her husband passed away. Working there has been a great way to keep her occupied. I don't think Christian knew how much he was helping me when he gave me the job. He's a good one Ana."

"A very good one." I glance at Kate who seems to be reading my mind about my hesitancy to talk to my mom about moving in with Christian. "Mom, there's something I want to talk to you about."

"Ok. What is it?", she asks.

"I kind of want to move in with Christian.", I murmur.

"You kind of want to or you do?"

"I do. It's been mentioned before, but we weren't ready for that step. I'm more than sure that we are now. I want to fall asleep and wake up with him every day and night."

"I had a feeling that it was coming to that. I'm thrilled you and Christian are moving forward."

"What about you? What about us? We're making up for lost time and growing closer. The last thing I want to do is make you feel neglected." I'm surprised when she begins laughing. "What's so funny?"

"I'm just laughing at the situation. Ana, moving in with Christian isn't going to derail our relationship in any way. You're still my daughter, and I'm still your mother. Our bond will continue to strengthen. Besides, you've already made so many sacrifices for me in such a short time."

"Concentrate on your relationship with Christian while me and my roommate live it up.", Kate laughs. My mom looks at her in shock. "Carla, you didn't really think I'd make you move out just because Ana was moving, did you?"

"I hoped you wouldn't but didn't know.", my mom replies. "I plan on finding my own apartment soon."

"Take all the time you need."

"Hey. I'm glad you stopped by.", I say after opening the door to Christian. With my mind at ease, I called and asked if he could come by after he left the office. He closes the door and places his hands on my shoulders.

"You said you needed to discuss an important matter with me. I've had all these theories going through my mind."

"It is important, but it's a good important or at least I think so. Let's sit down." I guide him to the sofa and steady my breathing. "I'm kind of nervous."

"Baby, don't be nervous." He looks around the room and then back at me. "Where are your mom and Kate?"

"They went out for a late night ice cream run. My mom thought it would be nice and also give the two of us some time alone to talk. I want to talk to you about the thing I was going to talk to you about this afternoon in your office."

"The thing that got interrupted by my call. What is it?", he asks.

"I'd like to move in with you.", I answer as he furrows his brows.

"I'm sorry, but did you just say that you want to move in with me?"

"Yes. Of course that's if you want me to move in. I'll completely understand if you've changed your mind."

"I haven't changed my mind. I still very much want you to move in with me. I just want you to be sure it's what you want."

"It is a hundred and ten percent what I want." His lips curl into a boyish grin. "I can start moving in this weekend."

"Or tonight.", he shrugs.

"This weekend will be easier and give me more time.", I smile, hearing a knock at the door. "I wonder who that could be." I stand and go to open the door. The happiness I was feeling only seconds ago evaporates when I see Bryant standing with his head down. "What are you doing here?" The hostility in my voice makes Christian get up and join me. Bryant doesn't answer or look up. The only thing he does is sniffle. Is he crying?

"I believe Ana asked you a question.", Christian snaps. "Why in the hell are you here?"

"I was having a nice time with my parents. We were talking and laughing. It was nice.", Bryant murmurs, bringing his eyes up. "Then...my mom fell to the floor. My dad and I rushed to her, but she wasn't breathing. I begged her to wake up while my dad did CPR. She had a weak pulse by the time the medics arrived, but she didn't make it. She died shortly after arriving at the hospital." Although Bryant and I are not on friendly terms, his mother is one of the nicest people I've ever known. I feel Christian's arms go around me as Bryant continues. "She was there one minute, and then she wasn't. She's gone."

"Bryant, I'm sorry. Your mother was an incredible woman."

"I just left the hospital. I needed to get away from everyone. I ended up here."

"I'm sorry for your loss.", Christian tells Bryant with sincerity.

"Thank you." He shuffles his feet. "I just wanted to tell you. My mom was very fond of you. I'm going to go." He starts to walk away, but Christian moves past me and after him.

"Bryant, my driver is downstairs. Why don't you let him take you home?"

"I couldn't do that.", Bryant replies.

"You're upset and shouldn't be driving. Please." Both guys look at me as I nod.

"Ok. Thanks."

"I'll call and let him know you're on the way down.", Christian says. Bryant smiles slightly and resumes his walk down the hall.

"That was nice of you.", I tell Christian who pulls his phone out.

"I don't like the guy, but I feel bad for him and for you."

"And once again, your compassion for others shines through."