Chapter 17:

The honeymoon was beyond unbelievable. London, the home and places of Ana's favorite British authors, a couple of nights in a Scottish castle, and then France! The food and wine were beyond excellence! Then, the day that Ana was reunited with her daughter.

Ana was anxious as she waited for the grandparents and Trista to disembark from the chartered plane that Christian provided them. They were on the tarmac with Ana skipping from one foot to another as Carrick carried Trista down the steps. When Trista was placed on her feet, she looked up to see her mother and squealed in joy. They both ran to each other with their arms outstretched. Christian teared up when he saw his wife and daughter embrace with Ana on her knees. The kisses and hugs were endless with many 'I love yous' and 'I missed yous'. Trista climbed into her mother's embrace.

Christian joined his two ladies and wrapped his arms about them. He gave Trista a kiss. The little girl squealed and reached out for him. She settled into his arms and her hug warmed his heart. He still couldn't believe that these two females loved him. His only fear was that all this was a dream, and he would wake up alone with only subs and the Red Room in his life.

"I think someone missed her Daddy." Ana softly said as she caressed the dark copper curls of their daughter.

"I did, I did." Trista said sprinkling kisses all over his face. "I misted you, Daddy." She reached for Ana and pulled her closer. "You, too, Mommy. I misted you so much!"

Ana laughed delighted with their daughter. "I missed you also." Trista transferred herself once again to Ana while Christian greeted his parents with hugs. Ana could only smile to watch her husband embrace Grace and Carrick. It had been a long journey for him to fight his fear of touch and let his love and admiration for his parents become evident. "Okay, sweet girl, are you ready for some fun?" Trista nodded. "Well, then let's get going."

It took two days to go through Euro Disney and enjoy all the activities that Trista wanted to attend. She had meals with her favorite Disney princesses and had VIP access to all events. The little girl lived the dream of every little girl thanks to her Daddy.

Ana was always living the dream of every bride on her honeymoon. Private dinners prepared by the best chefs in Paris in various historical places such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louve, and Versailles. She was sent shopping with Grace to purchase the best wardrobe available. Between her purchases and the gifts given to her from designer houses, the merchandise was sent to their plane to be taken home. There was no room in their suite.

The last night in Paris was spent in their suite without Trista. Christian sat Ana on his lap and fed her. She was pampered and fussed over then taken to bed where he made the sweetest love to her. His kisses were deep but gentle and their mating bordered on savagery, but Ana enjoyed every moment. In her heart, she prayed that a child was made in the pink lights of Paris.

After Paris, Christian took the family to the French Rivera where they stayed on a private yacht to enjoy the sandy beaches and partake in watersports such as parasailing, riding wave-runners, and snorkeling. Trista spent her evening with the "grands" while Christian and Ana enjoyed the nightlife with dining, dancing, and trips to casinos and theaters. When it was time to return to Seattle, Trista was exhausted, and she and Ana slept most of the way home.

Ana sat at her desk daydreaming about her honeymoon. They had been home almost a month and were getting back to the usual routines. Christian was back at the helm of GEH and Ana was kept busy with her security firm. Trista was enjoying the last few weeks of summer before school started once again.

"There's that sigh again." Ross said as he stood before his boss. "Still on the honeymoon?"

Ana laughed. "Yeah, it was wonderful."

Ross threw a manilla envelope in front of her. "Take a read there."

"What is this?" She asked looking down at the folder.

"Just read it." He gave her a smile and sat down.

Ana opened the folder and began to read. The longer she read, the bigger her smile became. She looked up at her number-two. "How is this happening?"

Ross shrugged his shoulders.

"Ross, tell me it's not you."

"It's not me."

"Then, who?" Ana asked only to get another shrug from Ross. She kept reading about the misfortunes of Elena Lincoln, her ex-husband, and stepson. It seems that the general population learned of their pedophilia, sex trafficking, and murder and was serving some prison justice to all three. Robert Lincoln, Sr. had been beaten up numerous of times as well as his son. Elena, also had been beaten up, hospitalized a few times, and sent to solitary confinement. However, her stint in solitary confinement wasn't for her protection but because she tried her dominant ways on a bad-ass bitch who took no shit off anyone. According to the prison tattle, Elena was targeted to be rubbed out.

"Oh, my." Ana breathed. "This doesn't look good for Elena." She placed the papers back into the manilla folder. "Not my problem. It's up to state to protect her or not."

"Yeah, but who told the prison population? You know how it is when pedos are sent up the river. They are almost always put in protective custody. Someone paid someone to make sure that Lincoln was sent to general population."

"Ross, let it go." She shook her head. "We have nothing to do with this. That's all I care about."

"Not even interested?" He asked.

"As long as it isn't you or anyone affiliated with SSE." She handed him the folder. "Shred it and let's be done with it." She began shuffling through the rest of her papers. "All I want to know about Lincoln is who she is talking with from the outside and what they are talking about."

"Got ya."

A delicate porcelain teacup sat before Grace Grey as she enjoyed her morning. It was a beautiful day in Washington with sunshine filling her morning room. She stared out into her garden with a smile on her face. Life was good. Christian was a happily married man with a delightful child that was adored by all. He embraced her and Carrick with such ease that it was hard to believe that he ever suffered from haphephobia almost all his life. Her mind went back to his childhood when he couldn't stand for her to even help him bathe. She had to tell him what to do and show him with a baby doll how to wash his body and hair. She couldn't even help dress him. Her beautiful sad little boy! Now he was a happy man with a wife and child and dare she hope, more children. He was so open with everyone in the family. He let Mia hang off him and he even wrestled with Elliot out on the lawn. It was pure joy to see Christian enjoying their family time and playing as if he was a child. Heaven knows that his childhood had been stolen away from him so many times. His birthmother, her drug use, the pimp who beat them both and of course, Elena Fucking Lincoln! The very thought of that woman made pure rage boil through Grace's veins. Her smile dropped and a look of determination etched across her face.

"Revenge is mine sayeth the Lord, but I am going to give him a helping hand!"

The rest of the summer was spent preparing for Trista to return to school and for Ana and her father to go on their fishing trip in Minnesota. Ana returned from the trip more than happy. Christian and Trista met her at the airport with kisses and hugs. They went to their car and waited for their security to retrieve Ana's luggage. She had Trista in her lap listening to the little girl talking about what she and Christian had been doing while she was gone. They had gone on a helicopter ride, went to the zoo, had picnics at the park, and tried their hand at painting and making pottery. Christian admitted that his attempt had been a failure and his pot looked like it had melted but Trista still insisted that it should hold flowers and be placed in a place of honor. Ana had to laugh and said she couldn't wait to see it. When Taylor opened the door to tell them that all the luggage had been placed in the trunk, Christian got Trista settled in her car seat. He turned back and noticed the shirt that Ana had on. It was a white t-shirt with bright red lettering on it that said:

"Hello Daddy!"

He looked and then looked again. "Ana?" He whispered.

"Yes, honey." She gave a little smirk.

"What does that mean?" He pointed to her shirt. She could only giggle and nod her head. "Are you … are you pregnant?"

"Yes, I am. I found out two days ago." She began laughing as Christian began to whoop. He pulled her close into his arms. "I take it you are happy."

"Oh, baby … you have no idea." He hugged her again then pulled away. "Are you alright? We must see a doctor." He pulled out his phone and started to call his mother to find out who the very best OB/GYN was in Seattle. Ana reached over and took his phone away from him. "Ana?"

"I have already made an appointment for tomorrow morning. Listen, I figure that I am just a few weeks. I haven't even had any morning sickness. I don't want to tell anyone until we are absolutely sure." She smiled at him and glanced over at Trista who didn't understand what was going on, but she was smiling. She only knew that her parents were with her and happy.

Christian and Ana settled into their seats and belted up. He took her hand and kissed it tenderly. "Thank you."

"It was my pleasure." She whispered back to him.

Christian gave her a side-long glance and grinned. "Mine also."

Trista returned to school in September and Ana was experiencing her first bit of morning sickness. Her favorite foods made her turn green, and she was pretty sure that she was going to starve to death. She sat at her desk trying to ignore the nausea that plagued her. She tried breathing through the bout but ended up in her bathroom kneeling at the porcelain altar. This was where she was when Christian found her.

"Oh, honey." He went to her and gently stood her up. He was getting concerned for her since this had been going on for over a month. She was so pale, and she had lost weight. Too much to his liking. "Has this been going on all morning?"

"I can't even keep water down." she admitted.

Christian scooped her up into his arms. "That's it, we are going to the hospital and do not argue with me."

"I won't." She replied as she wrapped her arms about his neck. She snuggled into his chest letting his warmth soothe her. "I feel like crap."

Christian was sitting next to his wife's bedside watching her sleep. The diagnosis was Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Ana's weight loss was such a concern that she was given an IV to replenish her body with nutrients and hydration. As soon as she was able to go home, she would have to be mindful of what she ate and when she ate. The doctor suggested a bland diet avoiding spicy and fatty foods, plenty of fluids when not feeling nauseous, eating high-protein snacks, and avoiding anything that would trigger her nausea. Christian had already called his housekeeper to make sure that the recommended foods and drinks where already at both their homes.

"Christian?" a soft voice asked. He turned to see his mother standing beside him.

"She's resting quietly. She hasn't been sick."

Grace smiled down at Ana and noticed that Christian was still holding Ana's hand. "She will be kept overnight for observation. Honey, why don't you go home, and I will stay with Ana."

"I won't leave her." He brought her pale hand to his lips. "I can't leave her." He sighed heavily and his voice was shaking. "Mom, she will be alright, won't she? And the baby?"

"Dr. Green is very positive that all will be fine. You brought her in before her condition was too serious. The baby has a strong heartbeat and is growing on schedule." Grace gave him a gentle hug. "I am so happy for you both."

"I hate seeing her so helpless."

"I know, I know." Grace lovingly strokes his copper waves to soothe him like she did when he was small boy. "Since you won't leave, I will go stay with Trista. She probably is worried about her mama."

"Does the rest of the family…"

Grace shook her head. "No, I didn't tell anyone except your father and Ray. Everyone thinks that Ana had caught the flu." Christian nodded his approval. He knew that Ana wanted to tell their family and friends when the time was appropriate. "Now, you get some rest also and I will tell Trista that you and Ana love her and will see her soon." She leaned down and gave him a kiss on his forehead.

"Thank you, Mom…for everything."

"You are welcome, honey. Now, if you need anything, just call me."

He gave a small smile and nodded. "I will, Mom."