Anastasia

It's Heaven here! The smells of the sea and green grass and the animals that wander about and the boats that bobb on the water and the magic in the air... gosh. I'm in dreamland.

Going to bed with Christian without having to sneak in and waking up to him with no worries on if Ellie was going to catch us was also amazing. She has her own room across the hall from us and she knew we shared the bed. It was so relaxing waking up in Ireland... especially with my sexy man kissing me awake with his scratchy beard that is starting to form. He hasn't shaved in three whole days and damn he looks good. He promised he'd leave it for the trip and I cannot wait to see how it feels everywhere.

We were too exhausted last night to have any sexy fun, but when I woke up to him in nothing but little boxer briefs, I couldn't help, but treat him for everything he's doing. One BJ is not near a enough of a thanks for everything he's done, but I have a whole week. He told me not to worry about it, that he wanted to, but I also want to. I like making him feel good and making him relax a little.

We're going sightseeing today and I cannot wait to try out the new camera. We are going to a place called The Fairie Forts, where legend says are the entrances to get to and from the fairie world. They have animals there that you can feed and pet and Ellie is super excited about the goats.

We're also going to be traveling to a couple of places where they filmed some Star War scenes, which Elliot and Carrick are dying to see. Nerds. No wonder I like them so much. I'm a nerd at heart, too.

"Ana? Will you do my hair? It's stuck!" I finish tying my shoe and give her a smile when I see her bedhead.

"Of course I will." I run a hand over it as we make our way over to her bathroom. "I think your hair might just be long enough to do a little French braiding on the sides. What do you say? We can surprise Daddy and have matching braids."

She gives me a giant smile. "Yes! He'll love it! Oh, I hope it's long enough now!" She pulls on her hair, trying to make it longer.

"Don't worry, we'll manage."

It takes some water, gel, and hairspray but I manage to get her hair in two French braids on the sides of her head behind her ears. I barely have enough of a tail left to tie, but I manage with her tiny clear ties.

"We did it!" She squeals and hops on the pads of her feet. "After that gum, I never thought it'd grow! Thank you, Ana! I gotta show Daddy!"

I giggle as she races away and I comb my own hair out so I can braid mine. I'm just securing one side when there's a knock on the door and I see Christian standing there with a smile on his face.

"You made that girl's whole trip."

I laugh. "Don't know about that, but happy I could help. I might end up with arthritis after that braid work!" I wiggle my fingers at him.

Stepping into the room, he pulls me close to him and kisses me. "You are so good to her. It's hard to wrap my head around. She's been so self conscious about her short hair since I had it cut short. She said you made her feel pretty again."

I actually get teary-eyed at this. "That sweet girl. I hate that I can't give her mine."

"I hadn't meant to make you cry, Ana. It'll grow back. I just wanted you to know how special you are to us. How good you are to her." He kisses me again and lets it linger. "I want more. I want another with you. I'm giving you everything I have here, Ana. My life, my child... give me another."

"Christian, baby, I... that's a lot right now. We have a lot to figure out." I don't want to have this conversation right now... or in Ireland at all for that matter.

"Don't you want a baby?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Do you not want it to be with me?" He looks hurt by the thought.

"Don't be silly, of course I do."

"Then what's the problem?"

I hold his face in my hands. He looks so hurt and I hate that. "The problem is I need time to settle. We need time to settle. We need to find our new normal and if this new normal is going to work. Hell, I'm still sneaking into your room at night-"

"Not anymore. That's not happening anymore. I've had Gail move you to the big house while we were gone."

"Oh my word. Okay, these are the kinds of things we need to learn to navigate first. You should have talked to me about it first before making that decision."

"But you want to be there. And I want you there. There wasn't much else to decide."

I sigh, realizing he isn't understanding what I mean. "Okay, but you still should have talked to me about moving my things. Just like you should have talked to me about my car. I need communication, Christian. I need a discussion. You telling me what is happening after the fact is not my idea of communication. I want to be involved in decisions that include me."

He nods, looking more somber than ever. I hate that I've made him feel like this on vacation. "Should I call Gail back?"

"No, no. Of course not. I love being there with you. I do however want us to sit down will Ellie before we go home and tell her about me moving in. I want her to feel included as well."

"Yes, you're right. That's a good idea. I'm sorry I'm moving so fast. I'm just anxious for my family to grow and become more cohesive. I want a baby so fucking bad with you Ana. I dream about your stomach growing because of me every night. Of having a little baby that's half you and half me. A baby that Ellie absolutely adores."

"Oh, baby, we'll get there." I kiss him. "I want a baby with you, Christian. It's all about timing and devotion. I need to know you're going to be as devoted to me and our relationship as you will with our baby. I dont want us to separate, only to be leaving multiple children dealing with split households. Just give me time."

He nuzzles my nose and rests his forehead against mine while he thinks. I give him a few seconds. "I can't promise you that I won't keep asking... just because I want a child with you so bad... but, I will promise I won't be angry with you for denying me or ignoring me."

I giggle. "I can deal with that." Hopefully it isn't some plan he has to wear me down enough for me to stop my birth control before I'm ready. A step at a time.

Christian

The day has been entertaining, that's for sure. Ellie even had me looking for fairies with her while Ana took candids of everyone and secretly sprinkled silver sparkle fairie dust for our girl to find. Ellie was so ecstatic when she found the fairie dust and I even happened to have a small baggy for her to collect some in to bring home.

"We've got fairie dust, Ana. I can't believe it! You were right! Ireland really is magic! I wish we could have seen one."

Ana pretends to look around the car and then puts her finger to her lips. "Don't tell anyone, but look!"

She shows Ellie a picture of her looking around one of the mounds where the fairies are supposed to come from and she managed to photo shop a small sparkly creature with wings behind Ellie. You can't see any true details, just enough to convince my girl.

"Ana!" She squeals and covers her mouth with her hands, trying to silence herself. The others in the van look over at my excited girl.

"Mind your business. Nothing to see here!" Ana shoos them away and then leans in to us. "Do you really think we got a real fairie?"

Ellie dances in her seat. "Of course we did! What else could it be?" She pulls out her baggy of silver glitter. "Look! It's even the same color!"

I know I'm grinning like an idiot while my girls are talking excitedly about the picture.

"What are you girls giggling about up there?" Elliot hollers.

"It's a secret, Uncle!"

"Secrets don't make friends!" Elliot complains.

"This is a AB conversation, Uncle Elliot, so C your way out of it!"

"Ouch! The sass on this one!" Elliot reaches up to our row and pokes her ribs, making her giggle.

XxXxXx

Everyone is huddled in the sitting room playing games and laughing, but I've got other plans. Mom and Dad agreed to watch Ellie so I could take Ana on our first official date.

I wrap my arms around her from behind, causing her to startle in her seat. "Go get your shoes on. I'm taking you somewhere."

She turns in her seat and grins up at me. "Just us?"

I nod.

She hops to and hurries to grab her shoes so she can pull me out of the door and away from the others.

"Are you taking me on a date, Mr. Grey?" She asks when I hold open the back door of the vehicle I ordered to take us.

"Yes, finally, I'm taking you on a date. Just the two of us." I slide in next to her and as I shut the door, she kisses me.

"I'm so excited, Christian! Our first date will be in Ireland! So awfully romantic of you, don't you think?" She snuggles into me and I hold her.

"What would have been romantic is if I would have asked you months ago. Then maybe we'd be celebrating our monthly anniversary here." I hate that I missed this time getting to know her better.

"Don't say that. I like the way this all happened. We got to know each other in our own little way. No stuffy dates with button downs and jackets and overpriced food. We got to enjoy each other and form a family dynamic with Ellie. How many people can say they've done that?"

I look down at her and grin. "I guess that's true."

"See? No regrets. Tonight is going to be great. Completely worth the wait." She kisses me soundly and my hand finds her cheek so I can deepen it.

We get interrupted by the driver clearing his throat and I realize we've made it.

"Ready for some real Irish food and song?" I give her a dazzling smile.

She beams at me as I open the car door and pull her out after me. "Absolutely!"

We enter the local Pub and the band is already plugging away on their instruments and singing, making the pub feel warm and cozy. Seeing an empty half circle booth in back, I pull her along the hoards of people congregating either to talk, dance, or wait tables and we're both laughing at the maze I led her through to get to the table.

"This is chaos!" She hollers over the music. "Amazing! But complete chaos!"

I slip into the booth beside her and slide in close so we can talk and cuddle.

"What's it gonna be?" The waitress leans in with a grin and gives me a wink.

Oh no.

"My boyfriend and I are going to start with a Guiness and the Dingle Special."

"Boyfriend can't speak for himself, huh?"

"No need. He wants what I want." Ana gives her a smile and rests her hand on my leg.

The girl walks away and I chuckle into her ear, kissing her temple. "And the claws come out."

"You bet your ass. You're mine. I can finally claim you. The Irish bitch needs to find some other American to flirt with."

"You're sexy when your jealous."

She laughs. "Not jealous. Just territorial. If it was jealousy, I'd be worried her flirting would work. I don't feel that way. I just guard what's mine."

"I like that." I press another kiss to her temple and look over the menu. Looks like the Dingle Special is a mix of various starters. Sounds perfect.

XxXxXx

Ana and I find comfortable conversation while we nibble on the random food and she foregos the Irish beer for something fruity and strong. We talk about visiting her parents, Ellie's activities, what our most romantic dates have been. We talk about the world and the future and traveling and our careers. About our silly fears, our ideas on what a perfect date would entail and if we could have a magic lamp, what our three wishes would be. Everything is so easy with her. Opening up to her is easy. Maybe Ireland really is magic.

"Enough about me, Christian." She smiles when I ask her about her photography. "Tell me what is inspiring you at work right now. What gets your blood pumping."

I tell her about my current situation with the soil in Africa and how my research team is looking at ways to maximize crops so that they'll have enough to go around.

"So you're telling me," She points the small straw at me that she's been chewing on, "that you have a whole team working on soil... just so you can help end world hunger."

I shrug. It isn't much for me. "There are too many people... especially children... who have no sustainable food source. They deserve nutrient based food at their fingertips."

Her eyes haze as it makes me grin. "What?"

"I never knew a topic like this could get me all hot and bothered. All I want to do is tear your clothes off right now."

My head falls back in a laugh. Who would have thought something I consider so serious could be getting my girl wet for me. At least that tells me that she appreciates what I do.

"Tell me what else you're doing." She snuggles in closer and runs a hand down the front of my button-down.

"You sure your panties can handle it?"

She giggles, biting that delicious lower lip of hers. "Eh, they're already a lost cause. Tell me."

I tell her about another part of my research team looking into energy sources that'll make the cost of shipping lower for the low income.

She nibbles on my bottom lip, pulling it into her mouth and sucks it lightly. Oh fuck me. "Take me home. Please. Take me home." She's practically begging.

"Sounds like I'm getting lucky tonight." There's a light smirk on my face as I search hers, my cock lengthening at the thought of her slickness around it.

She shrugs and gives me a smirk in return. "I usually don't fall into bed with a man after one date... but I just can't help myself. You're gorgeous and confident and kind..." She squeezes my thigh, right next to the tent in my pants. "You are protective to a fault and so passionate about helping the world." I watch her hazy blue eyes blink up slowly at me, her mouth open in a delectable little pout as she tries to suck in air from her panting.

"You're so fucking sexy." I growl into her ear, ready to blow a fucking load right in the middle of this crowded pub. Too much tension. Too much pent up aggression. Way to much attraction. It's fucking painful. "Dance with me."

Her eyebrows raise. "Dance with you?" She looks like what I've said is a disappointment, but I feel like I need this first. We're still staying with my family and if I don't tire myself out a least a little, I'll have the whole damn house waking up to us fucking.

Panting, I nod. "Dance with me. Then I'll take you home and fuck you so deep, you'll still be feeling me there tomorrow."

XxXxXx

I was wrong. Dancing only aggravated my little problem. Flipping her around the dance area while she smiled and giggled only drove the fact that I needed her more. Having her in my arms even though we were both sticky with sweat and panting, had me wanting to rip the dress right off of her.

When we finally escape into the night air, I find myself panting in the cool air while I rest up against the side of the building. This woman is going to kill me.

"You alright?" She's still panting herself, but the worry on her face is evident.

I chuckle, letting my head fall back against the building. "Yes. Just trying to grasp at any logical part of my brain I have left. I need to get you back to our bedroom. I want to take you around the side of the building and fuck you senseless right now, but what kind of gentleman does that?"

Smiling, she bites her lip. "Gentleman is overrated." Pressing herself into me, she grips the collar of my shirt and yanks my head down, kissing me roughly. My hands find their way under her dress and I squeeze her ass with both hands, any thoughts of trying to be a gentleman gone.

There's a honk and someone hollering, making us pull apart. The car has come to take us back to the house, which means we're only ten minutes from me tearing her dress to shreds and fucking her until she can't walk straight.

I yank her towards the car, wishing we were already there.

"No boking or faffin you feckin eejits! I don't get enough coin for that!"

We look at each other in the back seat and she mouths 'what?' before we both crack up.

"You think I'm jokin'?"

Ana tries to stifle her giggling by covering her mouth. "I'm sorry, sir. We're just not sure what you said. We're not from around here."

"Ah, now you think I'm an eejit! Obviously you're not. I said no puking or feckin in my vehicle!"

"Oh, gosh. Oh no. We won't be doing any... of that in here. No worries."

I give my girl a grin as she stumbles through her embarrassment.

"You seem quite proper. Not one to shift on a wall of a pub in front of strangers! Does your Da know what you're up to?"

Her mouth drops open and I chuckle from my side of the car. She's getting the third degree from a strange man at midnight who can't be any older than twenty-three or twenty-four.

"I beg your pardon! I am twenty-five years old. An adult! What I do with my boyfriend is none of my father's business!"

"Twenty-five, eh?" He looks at her through the front mirror, not bothered that he's annoyed her. "You look good. Thought you might be at the wee end of nineteen."

"Oh." Her shoulders shift straighter and now I'm annoyed that this asshole has given her confidence. "Well, thank you."

"So what's the story?"

"Sorry?"

"Well, you're a stunner. You seem feckin smart... so, I haven't a baldy notion to why this tosser hasn't made an honest woman outtya."

"Fuck off, Irish boy." Now I'm pissed.

"Easy, you wanker. Just making conversation with the pretty lady."

She reaches over and takes my hand, trying to calm me down. "Well, there's a lot at stake."

"Is that right?"

I relax when we pull up to the house and open the door. "Don't think you're getting a tip from me." I growl out, pulling Ana out after me.

"Enjoy your evenin' Aisling." I see him give her a bright smile and her cheeks are tinged pink when she shuts the door behind her.

Anastasia

"Christian...!" I see the look in his eye. It's anger mixed with possessiveness mixed with a little bit of jealousy. I see the way he's struggling to keep his composure. His jaw is clenched, his Adam's apple bobs as he breathes heavily through his nose.

"Just relax." I put a hand up as he circles me like a predator circles its prey. I don't know how to fix this. I don't know if it can be fixed. I've never seen him like this before.

He takes a step forward and distinctively, I step back.

"Where are you going?"

My mouth opens, but I realize I don't have an answer. "I... I don't know."

"Come." He points straight in front of him.

What? He wants me to come running when he's half frightening? I don't know what to do. There's nothing to do. I have no key to the door... no means to go anywhere...and fuck if I'm not completely turned on my the scary bastard.

"I said come to me." His finger is still pointed on the ground in front of him.

I realize I'm moving. What the fuck am I doing? I'm obeying him like a child and I don't know why.

When I'm in front of him, I can't look up at him. I keep my eyes on his wrinkled button down shirt and I can feel myself trembling in front of him.

"Easy, babydoll." His palms find my cheeks and he raises my face so I look up at him. His eyes are softer than before. "I would never hurt you. I needed to show you that I'm the only one."

I search his eyes. "Only one?"

He nods. "You submit to me and only me. You came when I commanded because you wanted to. You wouldn't do that to anyone else."

Did I want to? "It was just natural."

He gives me a soft smile and I can feel the tightness in my chest uncoiling. "You belong to me. Any fucker in this world can flirt with you as long as you and I both know that. You come when I call."

I find myself smiling back up at him as I give him a nod. He's so fucking sexy like this. He didn't throw things, scream, or threaten the man. He just reminded both of us where I belong.

"I want to keep you, too." I need this to be at least somewhat 50/50. I know he has more of the control in this aspect of our relationship, but I still need to hear it. I want him to belong to me just as much as I belong to him.

His grin widens as he caresses my face with his thumbs. "You have me, baby. Anytime you call, I come running."

I bite my lip. I like that.

"Are you going to take me upstairs and fuck me now?" I ask him, giving him the sweetest smile I can muster.

His smooth chocolate laugh courses over me. "You better be ready, babydoll, because I intend to set up camp there all night."

XxXxXx

There's a knock on the door, rousing us awake.

"Christian? Ana? I need to talk with you!" Christian's mother whispers through the door.

Looking down, I'm thankful to be wearing Christian's button-down. I'm getting used to throwing clothes on after fun time now that there's a little girl that can surprise us at any second.

I look behind me to where Christian is curled up and find him running his hands through his messy hair. Our eyes connect and I can feel the anxiety running off of him. This obviously isn't normal for his mother to be doing this.

"Come in." His voice is rough with sleep, but she hears cause she slips inside quickly and closes the door behind her.

Reaching over, I turn on the bedside lamp and Grace has a seat in the chair beside the bed.

"I have some terrible news to tell you."

Christian sits straight up in bed and I roll to my back, propping myself up on my elbows.

"What is it, Mom?"

"Ron just called me. A few hours ago... well, the police showed up at their door in regards to Leila." Grace swallows.

"Is she hurt? In jail?"

By the look on Grace's face, I don't think it's either one of those. I reach up cup his cheek, running my fingers through his short beard.

"Honey, she overdosed."

Tears spring to my eyes as I watch Christian sit there shocked.

"She... she... she overdosed. And they- they couldn't..." His sentence fades.

Sniffling, Grace shakes her head. "It was too late, sweetheart. She had been gone for awhile."

"No." Christian looks completely broken. "No. She couldn't. How could she do this? What if..." He swallows hard. "What would have happened if Ellie-"

"No, no. No Christian. You can't go there. It's not like you and Ella."

"Don't!" Christian winces and I feel completely confused, out of the loop, and broken for the man beside me. "I swore that this kind of shit wouldn't happen to my children!"

"Hey! Easy!" Grace moves to sit beside the bed and hugs him to her. "You cannot control other people's actions, nor can you see the future. None of this is your fault. Leila was already gone in Ellie's life, Christian. This isn't going to be the same as what you went through. Yes, it will hurt her, but we can't let it scar her. You can't let your past scar your child's future."

Maybe I should go. I suddenly feel like I'm eavesdropping on a private conversation. I begin to slide out of bed, but Christian grabs my wrist.

"You can't leave. You need to stay."

"Okay. Okay, no problem. I just wanted to give you two privacy. I'll stay. I'll be wherever you need me to be."

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