Hello Ladies! I can't believe that I have another ready for you. Please know that it might be a little bit before the next one. We leave tomorrow for family vacation, so I won't have any time to write.

Please Be Advised. WARNING: This story has strong, bloody violence, strong language, contains material that some find disturbing, and contain scenes of sexual nature.

I do not have an editor so there are going to be blips and mistakes. Please be kind when reviewing. This is purely for entertainment and not real life.

As always all mistakes are mine. Enjoy!

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ANASTASIA

Nine days.

That's how long it's been since learning that my life wasn't a fairytale.

Nine days since talking with Christian. He's not here when I go to sleep or wake up. I know that he comes in and sleeps during the night because his side of the bed is warm when I wake. The pillow smells of him and I can vaguely remember clinging to him when he slides into bed. My body seeks his. His comfort. I wake with a note on the nightstand every morning telling me that he loves me and to have a good day. Back in Cali I'd always find a post-it note on my steering wheel every morning when I got in heading off to work.

But we haven't spoken. I've asked Mrs. Grey- Grace, as she insists on me calling her that or Ma, about him and she said that he's out with Ray and Carrick dealing with a pest who thinks it's okay to move product on our turf. And by turf she's referring to West Coast. I'm not sure what 'product' she's referring to but I'm sure Christian will fill me in when we actually see each other face to face.

Collins is leaving today. As much as I thought, I'm not a prisoner here. I'm able to come and go as I please but the stipulation is that we have guards with us at all times. After going with Grace and Collins the first day I realized the type of danger we could be in if we're not protected. Grace travels with no less than 5 guards when she's by herself and that certainly doubled now that I'm here.

According to Grace, people are curious by nature but it's hard to decipher between those and the ones who have an agenda against the those who run organized crime.

Yesterday all the women went shopping. All day. Collins, Grace, Mia and I hit every store within ten miles of Seattle. As much as I didn't want to admit it I was having a good time but in the back of my mind Kate kept creeping in. She's an entirely other headache I want to avoid until I have to, but I miss her. I miss my best friend.

I was also shown Christian's home that is not far from here and still on the compound. It's beautiful like our home in Cali but definitely needs a women's touch. We're supposed to head over to a designers office later to pick out some samples to redecorate and make the house into a home. Collins is pushing that I make an effort to get to know Christian's family. Our conversation from last night has me yearning for a big family.

"What if I decide that I don't want this and can't get back my trust in Christian?" I ask over coffee. Collins and I are at this little coffee shop in town after dinner with the girls.

"But what if you can? You've always wanted to have a big family because of how you grew up alone. This might be your chance at that family. I'm not saying that you have to jump in with both feet, I know everyone understands the situation that you've been put through and is giving you some breathing room. I'm just asking that you keep an open mind and not push away what's right in front of you because you're scared to open back up. Weren't you and Christian wanting to start trying to expand your family?"

I wince at the mention. Christian and I had been wanting to try for a baby for the last two months. I'd gotten off the pill and we were having fun until three days ago. Summer break was going to our little love fest in the baby-making. Is that something I still want? With him?

"It's hard to even think about all of that right now until I can figure out how to navigate everything. I don't want to make a hasty decision when I feel like I'm not even on stable ground." Trust has always been such an issue with me after my mom died.

"My advice is to go back to journaling like you did when we first started seeing each other. Put your feelings down, do a pro and con list, or just write about the blue sky. If you need an outlet then use that. I know Kate is another issue and I really wish I could be here for that when you speak with her, but I know you can do this." She grips my hands over the table and squeezes them. "You've come a long way from that young girl who moved away all on her own to the beautiful, smart woman that you are now."

I know I've come a long way. I was scared of my own shadow when I first arrived in Cali to start college. Collins helped me overcome so many things.

"I know what you're thinking over there and you need to stop right now. I didn't help you, I only gave you the tools and you did all the rest. The most important part is to believe in yourself. Follow your gut and heart and you'll be just fine."

"Are you listening to me?" Collins nudges me as we head toward a deli in downtown.

"Sorry, my mind continues to drift lately." I shrug my thoughts and focus back on her as Todd drives us with Sam in the passenger seat. There is also another SUV behind us with a couple more guys coming with us. I don't think I'll ever get used to having someone follow me around everywhere.

"Just don't stay in your head for too long. Assess the situation, make the decision, and then move on whichever you choose. Doubt can get caught up in the what ifs. Nothing good ever comes from that. Smart, educated decisions."

I smile, "Got it."

Pulling up to the curb, Sam gets the door for us, and we slide out as the other men from the SUV behind us gather around us. We walk in and before we can even speak to a hostess my entourage is ushering us to a booth in the back.

"I think we were supposed to wait for the hostess, Sam." I whisper as everyone starts to stare.

"We called ahead Mrs. Grey." Sam states as his eyes never come in contact with mine. He's always looking around at our surroundings.

"Ana." I say and for the first time Sam looks down at me with a raised eyebrow. "My name is Ana, you can call me that." I suggest feeling weird to be called something so formal.

I know that in my classroom all the kids called me that but coming from someone who's older than me seems awkward.

"That is how Mr. Grey would prefer us to call you ma'am." Ma'am?

"Oh, I guess if my father-in-law wants that…"

"No ma'am, not that Mr. Grey but your husband." Sam continues.

Why the heck would Christian want these men to refer to me as Mrs. Grey?

"I'm pretty sure it's a respect thing, honey." Collins says as take our seat with the men seated at a small table in front of ours, their backs are toward the solid wall.

The young waitress comes over to our table after getting almost stripped searched by the men and takes our orders.

"Here are your cups, the drink station is over there by the counter." She bounces to the next table to take another order.

Just as I'm getting up to take our drinks Sam is there reaching for our glasses.

"What would you ladies like to drink?" He offers.

"Oh, um I'll take a Coke," I offer and sit down as Collins asks for a tea.

We sit for a while talking about Cali and Collins' husband for a little bit until our food arrives and we dig in. I'm going to miss her so much.

"You know that you can always come and visit right? Or stay with me. If you truly wanted to leave Christian and walk away there is always a place for you." Collins sincerely states. "Ana, you are like a daughter to me, and I want you to be happy and healthy."

"Thank you and I appreciate that."

Halfway through our meal we both run out of drinks, so I grab them up and head over to the drink station by the counter at the front. As I'm filling them up someone comes up behind me. Normally it wouldn't be such a big deal but whoever it is, is crowding me. So close that I can feel their breath on the back of my neck. Trying not to make it too obvious, I slide a step over forgetting ice for my cup and reaching to place the cup under the nozzle for the dark liquid to come out.

"Hello gorgeous, can I help you with something?" A slimy voice says behind me and the hairs on the back of my neck rise. "Aren't you a pretty little thing."

At this point I forgo the soda hoping that Sam will refill it for me and take large side steps towards the tea canister to escape but as luck would have it, it doesn't seem to deter him.

"Ahh don't run away sweetie. I'm just making conversation."

My eyes cut over and come face to face with a man who looks pure evil. He has jet black hair and almost yellow eyes. He's wearing a button down white shirt with the sleeves rolled up his forearms. Black slacks that are creased down the center without a wrinkle in sight along with polished black loafers.

His smirk makes him look even more sinister along with the scar on the left side of his face from his eye toward his chin.

He takes another step towards me and the sound of chairs scraping the floor echo the room. Just as he reaches out with his hand to touch a strand of my hair, I'm yanked back and facing the back of Sam.

"Cat got your tongue Mrs. Grey?"

"Get the fuck out of here unless you want trouble." Sam's voice is low, but I swear I could fall over dead because of it.

"Now, now is that anyway to speak to your future boss?" His voice get deeper. "I was only trying to get to know the pretty little thing that has the prince twisted in knots and hiding her like a treasured gem. Damn if she isn't a looker. How do you boys watch her all day without wanting a little taste?" I almost vomit over his words. My hands seek the back of Sam's suit jacket and dig in.

"She isn't any of your concern."

I peek slightly around Sam just as the door opens and several men storm in with their hands inside their jacket pockets. My breathing starts to pick up because I swear Kate and I have seen enough gangster movies to know that what is about to happen next isn't going to be good.

Hands grab my upper arms and I'm shoved behind every one of my guards with all of their guns drawn.

"This is your last chance to walk out of here alive." Sam states calmly. How in the hell is he so calm while I'm barely able to hold myself up. Collins is now by my side.

"There's no need to get your panties in a wad, I was only trying to say hello. Tell Mr. Grey and Prince that I'll be in touch soon. Very soon." He turns on his heels and heads out but not before he takes one last look in my direction.

I'll never forget the way he looked at me and mouthed 'see you soon'. Chills start to run down my body, and I shiver enough that Collins begins to rub my arms with her hands to help calm me.

As soon as the last man walks out the door our guards jump into action every one of them places their guns that I didn't notice before were drawn back into their jackets and are on the phone with someone. Every one of them. Sam stalks over to me but continues to give me his back as he speaks to someone.

"Sir, we have a situation… yes sir… the package is secure… yes sir… no sir he didn't… six sir, black SUV… yes sir…"

I have no idea what is being said but then Sam turns a hands me the phone. "Mr. Grey would like to speak to you."

Why would Carrick want to speak with me?

"Hello?" I say into the phone as Sam gives me a half turn as he watches the activity in the deli.

"Baby…" Hearing Christian's voice cracks the dam and tears that I didn't know I had in me, and they start to flow and I can't seem to turn them off.

"Oh God Christian," I sob.

"It's going to be okay and I'm on my way right now. I'm forty minutes away but I'm coming. Nothing is going to happen to you I swear. Sam will kill anyone who looks at you. I need you to stay calm and don't leave his side. I'll be at the airport soon to pick you up after you see Collins off." I can't talk. I can't even form words. "Babygirl, I need you to talk to me so that I know you are okay. Sam has an inhaler in his jacket pocket and so does Todd if you need it. Tell me you understand."

"I…,"

"Take a deep breath in your nose then out your mouth." I do and it helps the sobs. "That's my good girl. I love you so much."

"Okay. I'm o-okay." I finally say.

"Good. Hand the phone back to Sam, baby."

I do and Sam gives one more 'yes sir' before ending the call.

"Do you need your inhaler Mrs. Grey?" Sam gently asks holding one out from his pocket. I shake my head as I start to feel my back being rubbed.

"I think we need to get out of here and to the airport." Collins urges but I'm not sure who she's talking to.

After a few more moments our cars are pulled up to the curb and we are safely placed in the back seats of our SUV with two additional ones added to our group. It doesn't take long for me to get my bearings about me and all I can think about is what the hell just happened back there. Who was that guy back there? Why did he want to talk to me? Was he going to do something back there with his men at the deli?

"Ana, your phone has gone off twice now." Collins says as she shakes me out of my thoughts.

"What?"

"Your phone's been vibrating, honey. Someone is trying to get ahold of you."

Oh.

Checking the screen I have two notices, both from Dr. Fulton. Strange, I wonder what he could be calling about. Hitting the call back button I put the phone up to my ear waiting for him to answer

"Sweetheart, how are you doing?" He answers right away.

"Fine."

Am I really though? Did I just witness a modern day standoff like they did in the old days of a western movie?

"That's good. I just received your results from the bloodwork that I drew a few days ago and wanted to tell you the findings. Are you sitting down?"

"Uh-huh."

The SUV pulls up to the private jet and all the men get out and survey our surroundings. Collins opens her door while gathering up her belongs. I hold up a finger letting her know that I'll be right behind her in just a second. She nods then gives me some privacy as she makes the short distance to the steps of the jet.

"Sweetheart, when I sent your blood off to be tested I went ahead and had the lab do a full workup, high blood pressure, cholesterol, the works. I wasn't expecting the results that I just received and want to tell you as soon as I was made aware." I can hear him shuffling papers in the background. "You're pregnant."

"What?" I swear I don't think he just spoke English.

"Sweetheart, I said that you're pregnant. In fact the numbers are pretty high which means that I think you might be further along than four to six weeks."

"Pregnant?"

"Yes."

"Me?"

"Yes."

Holy shit. I'm pregnant. Oh my gosh. Pregnant. Me. I'm going to have a baby.

"I'll get with my good friend Dr. Green who is an excellent obstetrician and schedule and appointment asap."

"Okay."

A knock on my window lets me know that I'm needed, and I quickly get off the phone. I can't believe it, I'm going to be a mom. Stepping out of the SUV I see Collins waiting by the steps and is on the phone.

"Okay honey, I'll be home in a few hours. Love you too." She says with a smile then hangs up before looking at me. "What's wrong Ana? You're white as a ghost. What did the doctor say to you?"

I shake my head to clear my head. I can't believe that one minute I thought I was going to be taken or in a shootout and then the next I'm told that I'm going to be a mom.

"Ma'am we have to leave now if we are going to be on time and make the flight. They have a tight window for us to fly out before the next plane is scheduled to go." The pilot calls from the top of the stairs.

Collins nods then turns back to me. She sees my face and her mouth turns down to a frown.

"Come with me. Right now, get on the plane with me and come back to Cali. Leave all this stress behind and come with me. Leave Ana, right now." She pleads.

The pilot yells that the doors have to close in the next two minutes, or the jet can't take off. Collins looks back at me and sticks her hand out to me. Inviting me to take it and come with her. Away from what happened today and the last nine days.

"Come." She urges.

I look at her hand one more time and take one second to think before I slip my hand in hers and take a step forward and make the biggest decision of my life and the life of my baby growing inside of me.

A/N: I know and I'm sorry for the cliffhanger! Next chapter we'll be back to Christian's POV and see how he's handling everything and what's going to happen next.

Thanks for your kind reviews and well wishes! They mean the world to me for sure!

~Amber