A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Good morning." I glide into the kitchen and grab a glass for my orange juice. Before opening the fridge door, I notice both Christian and Gail's eyes on me.
"Good morning Ana.", Gail says. She and Christian exchange glances. "What would you like for breakfast?"
"Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast." She smiles and starts getting things together to prepare the food. Christian, meanwhile, is still staring.
"You wasted your time getting dress.", he tells me. I'm wearing a deep purple wrap dress that highlights my growing bump.
"I thought you said you liked this dress when I first showed it to you.", I sigh as I finally pour my juice. "What's wrong with it?" I take my glass and sit down in the chair across from him.
"Nothing is wrong with the dress. It looks great on you, but you put it on with the intent of going to work which you're not doing. You're staying here." After leaving Dr. Barrett's office yesterday, Christian brought me home where I spent the day going back and forth between the bed and the sofa.
"I need to be at work. They're counting on me.", I murmur.
"Olivia can handle it. She knows what she's doing.", he says. In addition to doing her work, Olivia spent yesterday taking care of things in my office. She called last night and said things had run smooth, but I still feel bad that she's managing the work of two people.
"Olivia should be in her office, not doing my work for me. Even though she said it wasn't difficult yesterday, today might very well be a different story."
"Ana, you can go back to work tomorrow. Today needs to be spent getting as much rest as possible for you and..." He looks over his shoulder at Gail, but she's too consumed with cooking the eggs that she doesn't seem to be listening. Still, he leans forward. "Our son." We haven't told anyone we're having a boy, and we plan on keeping it that way for a while longer.
"Are you staying home today as well?, I ask as Gail sets my plate in front of me. "Thanks Gail."
"I've got a conference call with a some guys from London, but it can be done from here. So, the answer to your question is yes. If you behave, we might possibly go out for lunch.", he smirks.
"If I behave? I'll try my best.", I tease back. My mind and body are already feeling more relaxed following yesterday's scare. I need to ensure my son is safe and healthy. I start in on my food while Christian watches me. "It's not polite to stare."
"I don't mean to. It's hard not to admire you as you eat. If it's creeping you out, I can stop."
"It's not creeping me out. Are you creeped out by this?" I grab a piece of bacon and dip it in my orange juice. I wave it front of him before taking a bite.
"I wouldn't say I'm creeped out, but I don't think that food combination is one I'd try."
"Mr. and Mrs. Grey, you have a visitor.", Taylor says while standing in the doorway. "It's Miss Kavanagh." The mood quickly goes downhill. I texted Kate yesterday to let her know both the baby and I are fine, but I didn't want to discuss the conversation we had prior to my dizzy spell. She called me later in the evening, but I was so resting so the call went to voicemail. "I told her I would have to get it cleared with the two of you before allowing her in."
"Tell her she can see Ana when she returns to work tomorrow. For now, she needs to go.", Christian snaps.
"No Taylor. Let her in.", I tell him. Christian basically slams his cup of coffee on the table, spilling a few drops of what's left. "I listened to her voicemail earlier. She sounded like she's sincerely sorry for yesterday. Avoiding her isn't going to help things."
"You wouldn't be avoiding her. You'll see her tomorrow."
"I'd rather do it today. You can be in the room with us."
"You're damn I'll be in the room. The minute she starts pouting about the smallest thing she's out of here. Taylor, allow her in."
A few minutes later, Christian and I are sitting on the sofa with Kate directly in front of us in the chair that Christian positioned so he's able to see her every move. Kate's playing with the ends of her blonde hair, a habit she has when she's nervous which doesn't happen often.
"You..uh..look good.", Kate stammers.
"Thanks. I'm feeling a little better.", I reply.
"I'm glad you agreed to see me. I feel terrible about yesterday. I shouldn't have gotten upset about being left in the dark about the sale."
"You're right.", Christian hisses. "You had no right going on a tirade against my wife, your best friend, over something she was told not to do. I asked her to keep the news from you and the rest of the office." I place my hand on his knee to calm him. "Ana's pregnant and doesn't need any stress, but you failed to care about that yesterday."
"Christian.", I murmur. He turns and sees my pleading eyes. When we look back at Kate, she's crying. "Kate, you're my best friend who I share so much with, but Christian buying the magazine is something that needed to be kept secret. It wasn't done to be mean. Now that I've taken Olivia's position, there needs to be a line between our working relationship and our friendship."
"I know. Seeing you get light-headed and then having to go to your doctor scared me and slapped the sense I had lost back into me. When you texted that you were fine, I was relieved. Friends don't bring harm to each other. I failed that."
"What happened may have played a part in the stress, but it wasn't all of it." I feel Christian's knee tense up underneath my hand. "I've been letting the smallest things get to me. From now on...my priority is this baby."
"Which is should be. Is there any chance we can still be friends?" Kate might overstepped yesterday, but she's my best friend who has been there for me more times than I can count. Her apology is nothing but sincere.
"Of course.", I answer. Christian clears his throat as both Kate and I await his response.
"You screwed up.", he says flatly. "But a very wise person once told me people make mistakes. It happens, but you learn and grow from those mistakes."
"Thank you both." She checks her watch and stands. "I called Olivia and told her I might be a few minutes late, but if I get going now, I'll be right on time."
Kate and I rise to our feet as Christian's phone rings. He moves to the opposite side of the living room to take the call. It could be about work or it could be about what's going on with Leila and Rachel. I want them to just leave us alone, but my gut tells me that won't be happening. Stay calm Ana.
"I'm going to be back tomorrow although I'm not sure if I'll be allowed to work a full day.", I giggle, nodding towards Christian.
"He's only making sure the two most important people in his life are healthy. I'll call you later. Ok?"
"Ok." We hug before she starts out of the room, waving at Christian on her way. He holds the phone with his right hand and waves back with the left. He tries to smile at me, but the call seems to be hindering him. The phone finally returns to his pocket. "Work?" His eyes travel to the carpet, telling me my guess is wrong. "I understand that I don't need to be stressed but not being kept in the loop is stressful. Just tell me. Please."
"It was Bryant. He wants to meet with me. It's about Rachel."
"What does he have to say about her?", I ask.
"He didn't go into detail. He only said it was important. I told him I'd meet with in about an hour at my office. You and I can go have lunch after I get back."
"We can just stop for lunch after leaving the office."
"You're not going. You are staying here.", he says. He turns and heads to the bedroom with me right behind him. "This isn't about me being worried about your ex being in the same room with you."
"I know. It's because you're trying to do what you think is best for me. Since I'm going to make you tell me what's discussed, you might as well save some time and let me be there." I sit on the side of the bed and watch as he grabs his coat from the closet.
"All right. You can come with me."
"Wow. The view from here is spectacular.", Bryant smiles while standing in front of one of the window of Christian's office. "You can see the entire city from here." Christian rolls his desk chair out but motions for me to take the seat. He stays by my side as Bryant finally sits down in one of other chairs.
"Bryant, you said you needed to talk about Rachel.", Christian says.
"Before I start, congrats on the baby."
"Thanks.", I reply. "About Rachel?"
"After I broke up with her, she tried for the longest to get me back. She would call and randomly show up at my apartment. A few weeks ago, she stopped. I thought maybe she had finally gotten the hint and moved on." Christian laughs from his spot.
"It's because she was busy breaking up my sister's relationship."
"She told me about that. I arrived home from work last night and found her sitting in the hallway outside my apartment. I told her to go home, but she refused. She said she would only leave if we talked. I gave in and agreed. She started in about Ana being the cause of all her problems. She wants to destroy her in any way she can even if that meant going after the ones she cares about. Seducing Mia's boyfriend was part of that plan."
"I knew it couldn't be a coincidence. She didn't just show up at Will's restaurant the night they first met. It was orchestrated.", I murmur. "She's a crazy bitch."
"I figured out she was a bitch a while ago, but I'm now seeing the crazy part. I told her no one wants to be around someone who is so mean and vile. That drew a laugh after which she told me about her friend Leila being in town. Rachel used to spend her summers with her aunt in Connecticut. Leila lived on the same street and would come over and play with her. Rachel's aunt eventually moved to Paris, ending the summer visits between the two friends. They lost touch. Rachel didn't know Leila moved to Seattle for a while." Christian sways uncomfortably beside me. One thing he's been wondering is if Leila told Rachel about the type of relationship she had with Christian. If Leila did tell Rachel, could Rachel have also told Bryant about Christian's past? "Rachel said she got a Facebook friend request from Leila a couple of months ago. Leila had been down about her life and wanted to reconnect with who she felt was the only real friend she's ever had, Rachel. They started chatting back and forth online. Rachel said she felt awful that Leila had been in town without her knowing about it. The reason Leila left Seattle was she had been dumped by a guy. It's safe to say we all know who that guy was. Christian."
"It was complicated.", Christian sighs.
"Leila wanted more, and you didn't." I hear Christian's breathing steady. Maybe Bryant wasn't told about the true nature of Christian's relationship with Leila.
"It wasn't until I met Ana that I wanted more with anyone. She's what changed my perspective on love, hell on everything."
"I see it. I've come to terms with you and Ana. I only wish you the best. I can't say the same for Rachel and Leila. Rachel said Leila wants nothing more than to be back with you. The only thing is Ana is the way. Now that Leila is back in Seattle, she and Rachel have been scheming."
"Rachel told you they're plotting something? What did she say?", I beg as Christian's hand goes to my shoulder.
"Nothing specific, only that they were going to make sure you pay for ruining their lives."
"Fucking psycho bitches!", Christian snarls, pushing a stack of papers from his desk. "Bryant, I'm not saying you're lying. I believe you. What doesn't make sense is why would Rachel confess all of this to you knowing it was given that you'd tell Ana."
"I asked myself that same question.", Bryant answers. I tap my finger on the top of the desk until a possible answer pops in my head.
"Maybe wanting me to know is part of their game. They want to scare me. Getting into my head could cause stress which it has unfortunately." Bryant darts his eyes to Christian who I see nod. "I had a little scare yesterday. I've had some added stress lately, and most of that has been thanks to Rachel and Leila."
"Damn it. Christian, please tell me you're trying to end this."
"I've got people on it. Ana has security with her round the clock. I swear on my life no harm will come to her or the baby."
"If you need any help, I'm here." Bryant's about to stand when Taylor opens the office door.
"I'm sorry for interrupting, but I have some important information.", Taylor says to Christian.
"Let's step outside for a second." Christian kisses the top of my head and follows Taylor out of the office. Bryant and I both look at the door. When he turns his head back around, he's smiling.
"You're going to be an incredible mom."
"Thanks Bryant. Other than Rachel's crap, how have you been?"
"I've been ok. Work has been good. My dad and I have gotten closer since Mom passed away. I miss her every single day, but I'm living my life in a way that I'm hoping she's proud of."
"I know she's proud of her.", I say, hearing the door open again. Christian walks in and rubs the back of his neck. "What?"
"Taylor got a call from Reynolds."
"Who is Reynolds?", Bryant asks.
"He's part of my security and has been keeping tabs on Leila since she returned to town. I was about to assign someone to Rachel, but that will no longer be needed."
"Has she suddenly changed her ways?, I scoff.
"Not exactly. Reynolds was parked outside the Edgewater where Leila was still a guest. All of a sudden police cars and medics showed up. Then a crime scene investigation van arrived. He got and tried to find out what was going on but was stopped at the door. They weren't letting anyone inside the hotel so he started back to his vehicle. Just as he got there, one of the side doors opened. It was one of the hotel's concierges whose shift had ended. Reynolds asked what was going on. What he was told is a game changer. The bodies of two females, a brunette and a blonde, were found in one of the rooms. They had been murdered."
"Who were they?", Bryant asks.
"The guy didn't know their names, but the room was the one which Leila had been staying in."
"It's possible the two women were..."
"Leila and Rachel."