CHAPTER 16: HEARTS AND FLOWERS

"Are you sure about this?" Anastasia rolled her eyes, again and ignored Christian this time. He's been on edge since morning and honestly, it was pissing her off. She understood his hesitancy to invite his family for dinner since she had been anxious to see them all together. Mia was forgiven very quickly, mainly because she was the first one to apologize for her outburst and try to keep in contact. But Elliot and Carrick had been tense, she met them a few times but the conversation was always tense and awkward. After her last therapy session, though, she decided to put on her big girl panties to move on. She remembered how she told Christian that she wanted her baby to be loved by as many people as possible in the very beginning and that didn't change. She wanted to melt the ice between them, but she wasn't under any illusions, she knew that she would never feel like a part of their family again and that was okay. They were all adults and she could see them as the family of Christian. And she explained this to him a thousand times. It didn't keep him from hovering all day while Gail and Anastasia prepared.

"I think this one needs a little more cumin." She said, tasting the sauce Gail was stirring and turning to him in exasperation.

"Stop acting like they are strangers or they are coming to fight. Everyone wants to move on from what happened and I'd like to put this behind us until Abbey's here." His eyes softened as they always did when she mentioned their daughter's name. He sure was a softy for someone who claimed that they didn't have a heart a short time ago. He runs his hands through his hair, sighing. He was wearing a maroon t-shirt with black pants, his feet bare as always. She was in a light blue dress, material hugging her baby bump, he thought about how adorable she looked.

"I'm sorry. I'm just worried that they'll set you off and put you on bed rest again."

"Well, you are stressing me out more than them."

"I know." Another sigh. He took a step towards her and pulled her into his arms, feeling the baby's movements against his stomach. He reached out and caressed her belly. "She's been very active lately."

"Yeah... I feel her feet in my ribs sometimes, it's uncomfortable."

"I'm sorry. But she'll be here soon."

"3 weeks."

"Yeah." She leaned into him and enjoyed the feeling. She loved being pregnant but her back ached all the time now, she couldn't see her feet and every type of clothing felt very uncomfortable against her nipples. She couldn't wait to hold her daughter in her arms. He leaned down and kissed her, smiling against her mouth and thinking about their last nights together. Who knew how horny pregnant women get? It was sure a delight. She pulled back and understood what he was thinking the moment she looked at his face, a faint blush spreading her face.

"Stop it, you perv." She ignored his chuckle and turned back to Gail to offer help. But she wasn't allowed to do anything by herself these days, mainly because the infamous pregnancy brain appeared. Christian found the TV remote in the freezer yesterday, she forgot it there when she put some ice cream for herself. Everyone was worried that she was going to cause an accident or fall somewhere again.

They both looked up as the doorbell rang. Christian went first, opening the door and meeting his family. Grace put the big paper bag with the pink logo in his hands, "Eclairs. Mia said Ana loves them." She smiled shyly. Kate was quick to hug Christian lightly and rush to her best friend, gushing over how good she looked. Anastasia rolled her eyes but Christian could see how much she enjoyed the compliments.

"Hi, Dad." He murmured. Carrick squeezed his shoulder. His face was solemn but calm.

"Hi, son. How are you? How's everything?"

"I'm good, thanks. Everything is fine, we are nearly done with the nursery."

"Hmm hmm. And how are you feeling? Ready to be a father?" He watched as a big smile spread his son's usually serious face, he beamed.

"I can't wait." He smiled, patting his shoulder and moving inside. Elliot was the last one, looking very out of place, Christian felt bad.

"Hi."

"Hi." He raised his hand and scratched the back of his head. Christian sighed and moved to embrace his brother, understanding that Anastasia was right, he didn't want this nervous energy around his daughter when she came. Elliot immediately hugged him back, careful not to touch his back as always, and coughed, clearing his throat.

They both felt lighter as they joined the loud conversation at the dinner table.

Christian sat down next to Anastasia, holding her hand.

"Christian, can we know the name now? Mia had been very secretive..." Grace looked at the happy couple, hoping that they would let them in. Anastasia laughed and looked at Mia in question, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm surprised that you managed to keep it quiet."

"It wasn't an easy job, I'm telling you." Everyone laughed. She squeezed Christian's hand and nodded. He was so happy and proud of the name, he always enjoyed saying it.

"We decided to name her Abbey. It means a father's joy." He smiled proudly and squeezed her hand.

"Aw. This is such a good name!" Grace tried to keep her tears at bay. Was this proud father the same man who told them that he wanted nothing to do with that baby? She appreciated Anastasia's positive influence on her son once again as she watched them kiss.

"I'm sure Abbey will be your joy but I'm not sure you'll be hers, bro." Elliot's joking voice had a hesitant note on it as he looked at Anastasia carefully, trying to see if she'd react badly but she smiled at him and whispered:

"Well, she doesn't need to speak to his coworkers." Elliot laughed, she winked at him.

"I'll let you know, I don't have coworkers. I have employees." Christian mockingly wiped the fake dust from his shoulders, making her giggle and rejoice at the sound.

"I'm sure Ros will appreciate hearing how you see her," Grace added, a glint in her eyes. Anastasia laughed and joined in, putting her hand on Christian's thigh as she leaned forward.

"Grace, you should see how in love she is! Who knew Christian could be the ultimate matchmaker?! Gwen and Ros hit it off right after he introduced them. She's smitten. It's so cute to watch them text each other, she came to visit last week."

Conversation flowed as they asked for more details about the house, baby, and Christian's newfound matchmaking abilities. When they sat down for tea after dinner, he looked around and found himself awed at the new ease he felt with his family. Before the facility, he never felt like he belonged. He always had thought of himself as a burden, someone they tolerate. Now, after witnessing his parents' remorse after everything went down with Elena and Anastasia's support, he felt like seeing the world and his parents in a new light. He felt content.

Anastasia was looking for her soft socks when she got distracted by the chunk of papers she had found in the second drawer. Her hands caressed the blue plastic of the folder, remembering the day she deposited them there. It was after a few days later she moved in, she was sure that she would never see Christian ever again and her heart ached. Now, he was in the shower after a satisfying tumble in the sheets. He helped her shower first, as always. He was worried that she'd slip again but he also enjoyed seeing her naked. What a huge contrast her life was now. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice him getting out of the shower and calling her. She looked up, startled when he touched her shoulder.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." He said softly. His towel was wrapped around himself, he sat down next to her and looked at the papers curiously. She smiled, it was a privelege to see him so naked and raw like this, she always enjoyed it.

"I was looking for my socks." She explained, waving the papers slightly. "I don't know what to do with them now. Should we update it or something?" He shook his head.

"No. I'll be there at every step with you but I'd feel better if I knew you'll be taken care of is something happened to me until the new contract."

"New contract?" She raised her eyebrows. How could he draw a new contract without her input?!

"Yep. It comes with a lifelong commitment."

"Of course we won't be the parents who abondon their kid when they become 18. But don't you think you should've talked to me before drawing a new contract, Christian?" He sighed and nuzzled her neck, wetting her neck with his wet hair. He whispered.

"I was talking about marriage, you silly girl."

"Oh." It was like her mind stopped working for a moment. He smiled and kissed her neck, his lips climbing up to kiss her lips.

"I don't want us to be only parents or boyfriend-girlfriend forever. I know we are forever but I also know that you probably don't think about marriage now. I still need to earn your full trust before I can-"

"I trust you." Her voice was so strong and final as she looked into his eyes. His gray eyes got warmer.

"Thank you. But I have a feeling that you wouldn't say yes if I proposed before."

"You wanted to propose before?!"

"Yes. The moment I moved in here. But I know it's early for you and you are probably going to drive yourself crazy by thinking that I asked you because of the baby. I don't want you to doubt me when you say yes." She felt a rush of love in her whole body, this beautiful, controlling man was trying to protect her even from herself. Her eyes filled with tears, she felt loved and alive and beautiful.

"I'd say yes." He was surprised, his body tensed and his eyes searched for hers carefully.

"Really?" She nodded.

"And I think it's kind of romantic to be married when she joins us." He raised his eyebrows before frowning and shaking his head.

"No."

"No?"

"No. You are not stealing my proposal." She took a relieved breath and laughed.

"I'm not!"

"You are trying to!"

"No!" She was laughing so hard that she held her belly, feeling their daughter dance. "I'm just telling you, if you want to ask-"

"It's not asking if I know you'll say yes. Don't tell me." She laughed harder, he huffed and stood up, walked to the his side of the wardrobe and pulled a pair of sweatpants and a white t-shirt, getting dressed.

"No underwear? I'm disappointed in you Mr. Grey." He raised an eyebrow and dropped the towel, watching her eyes lower.

"Can you say that again Miss Steele?" She got all red and squeaked, dropping her face to her face and laughing again, her shoulders shaking. He smiled at her antics and got dressed quickly.

"I can't believe you got me a kid's champagne." She was giggling as she watched him present her with the bottle as if it were an expensive wine in a restaurant.

"We are on a date, I can't let you drink tea, can I?" She smiled but remained seated. Doing "home dates" had become their tradition. Every Friday he got takeout when he came home from work, they sat down and pretended to be in a fancy restaurant.

He brought her the pink, shimmery drink in a champagne glass. She was about to tease him when she saw the glittering ring inside the glass. She looked up in shock. He faked a surprise, "Oh, someone must've dropped it. Let me take this." He took the ring out with a fork, she expected him to drop to one knee and ask her but he just pocketed the ring and gave her the glass back. She watched in surprise as he sat down and started to eat normally, like nothing happened. It took her a few more minutes to understand that he was teasing her but she couldn't help but feel irritated.

He talked about work, and how they were launching a new tech to lower the cost of renewable energy in less fortunate cities and countries. She tried to remain angry but he was always so passionate about his work, especially when it involved helping people, that she found herself listening and asking questions.

"Ros is going to Hong Kong this weekend." He added, "I'll be going to the office but I hope I'll come home quickly." She smiled.

"I know you have a busy schedule, it's ok. And aren't you supposed to be going with her?" He shook his head.

"No, not when your C-section date is so close. Besides we talked and already agreed on my paternity leave."

"What?"

"What?" She frowned.

"What paternity leave? I'm going to be at home until I'm fully recovered from the birth and hysterectomy. You don't need to be here all the time. I know how much you care about GEH." He reached over the tiny table and caressed her cheek.

"Baby, I know that. But you are going to be recovering from a huge surgery. And honestly, this is just not about you. I'd like to have some alone time with Abby, to learn how to be a father." He suddenly felt self-conscious, remembering how much she wanted to be a mother. Did she want to be alone? "But of course, if- if you don't want me to be around, I can find some other solution." She smiled wide, turning her head and kissing the hand that was still caressing her cheek.

"I think I love you." He took a relieved breath, smiling and leaning back again to resume eating.

"I think I love you, too."

"So this is it, from me." He said, smiling. "How was your day?" She smiled ruefully and reminded him that all she does is tour down the block with Sawyer and Prescot as exercise. He gathered up the dishes and led her to sit down and pick a movie. She chose Mamma Mia, earning a hard eye roll. Christian Grey hated musicals. Before they started the movie, he brought dessert. Brownies.

She took her first bite and frowned at the hard object inside the cake, taking it out of her mouth and seeing another ring, with a huge diamond on it.

"Oh, I must've forgotten that one there." He took it from her fingers, pocketing it, and kept watching like nothing happened again. She frowned, trying to understand what was he planning.

"Mr. Grey, you better stop playing or I'll steal your proposal."

"You wouldn't be there." His eyes were on TV but he was smirking.

"Oh yeah? Let me get the ring I bought." She bluffed, standing up with his help, as usual, and stumping up the stairs. She planned to just sit and call Kate, she was very confused about his behavior and in two incidents felt like he was mocking her instead of humorous so she was feeling down. But she was distracted by the warm light coming from under the door of the nursery. They painted the walls a lovely lilac color but Christian wanted the windows changed to make sure it was airtight so they didn't put on the furniture. She opened the door and a beautiful smell of bouquets filled her nose. The room was full of flowers, all kinds and all colors. A string of light surrounded them. She looked around, awed by the beauty, it was like a tiny meadow. A set of arms circled her body from behind, he leaned down and kissed her neck.

"You have always been all about hearts and flowers Miss Stele. You have two hearts that are yours completely already." Another kiss. "And here are the flowers." Tears spilled unprompted, she felt so relieved, that he wasn't toying with her. His arms squeezed her gently before he walked in front of her and got down on one knee. He held her hand, eyes shining.

"I've thought about you every day one way or another since you fell to my office. I love you. And I want you every day. I want to see your books scattered around my bedroom every day. I want to come home to your smiling face and rushing feet. I want you until we both cease to exist and promise to love you every day. Will you marry me, Anastasia?" She nodded before she could find her voice, she'd have thrown herself to him if she could.

"Yes. Yes. YES!" He stood up, joy as clear as day on his face. He laughed and put both of his hands around her face.

"Really?"

"Really, yes! YES!" She hugged him as close as her belly would allow. They hugged each other and enjoyed the moment for a while. He took a step back before smiling shyly and taking something fistful from his pocket. She looked at him shocked, he had 4 rings in his hand. All different colors and styles.

"I didn't know what you'd like."

"Wait, were you going to fake purpose 2 more times?!"

"Umm... Can I lie and say no?" She slapped his arm, pretending to be mad.

"I'd have said no! This is the most stupid idea I've ever heard. I thought you were mocking me." She burst into tears, shocking him with the sudden change of emotions, although he should've been used to it by now. He hugged her and apologized for being an asshole, he thought that she understood what he was trying to do.

She chose a rose gold band with 3 small diamonds on it. He offered to keep them all but one murderous look was enough to convince him to give the rest back to the jeweler. He was smart enough to keep it to himself that all of them were handmade and reselling was going to cut the price to one-third.

AN: There is a huge decrease in reviews after every new chapter I post. Did you start to get bored after we switched to fluffy part? If so, that's sad because I enjoy writing fluff so much.

Alas, I hope you also didn't give up on reading.

Take care!