Chapter 26:
Issac Winters, even when lawyered up would not break his silence. He was charged with trespassing and terrorism. If convicted, he was looking at twenty plus years in prison. The DA even offered a plea bargain, but Issac wasn't talking.
"So, what now?" Christian asked his father who had come to deliver the news to him and Ana on a lovely Saturday afternoon.
"He will go to trial and will be found guilty. Whoever hired him or sent him is still out there. You both are still in danger." Carrick rubbed the back of his neck. This situation was causing him such anxiety. He so much wanted to be able to protect his son and daughter-in-law, but he was stone-walled by the non-talking defendant. "The police have gone through his computer and even his bank records. They found a significant amount of money had been deposited the day before the bombing attempt but can't find where it came from."
"Damn." Christian breathed. He looked at Ana who was paler than usual. He had noticed that in the last week, his little wife had been under the weather. Her appetite was non-existent, and she seemed fatigued. He chalked it all up to the changes at GP and the massive move.
"Jack Hyde needs to be found and questioned." Ana said out of the blue. "He hates anything to do with the Grey family." She looked up at Christian with tired and sad eyes. "He made bail a few days ago." She looked at her father-in-law. "He was involved with an employee that was let go before we moved GP in house." Ana closed her eyes. Her stomach felt queasy. "Elizabeth Morgan was sleeping with him. She should be questioned also."
"The police have been looking for her, but she is off the grid." Carrick added taking in the young woman getting paler and paler. "Ana, sweetheart, are you feeling alright?"
"I think I've caught a stomach bug. If you will excuse me…." Ana ran from the living room into a small powder room. Carrick and Christian could hear her retching, a few curse words, then the water running.
"Is she going to be alright?" Carrick asked, worried. "Maybe, I should call Grace."
"Her PA left the other day with the stomach flu, so I am sure that is what this is." Christian replied but he was still worried. This was the third time today that Ana had gotten physically sick. He frowned. Maybe, he should have Grace visit and look over his precious wife. "Dad, go ahead and ask Mom to come over, then you can stay for supper."
Grace listened to what Christian described as flu symptoms, then she found Ana who was in the bathroom once again. She quietly listened to what Ana had to say then started a physical exam. Ana's blood pressure was slightly elevated, she didn't have a fever, and she didn't complain of any body aches and pains. She was nauseated. She had no appetite and wanted to sleep all the time.
"Sweetheart, do you think you may be pregnant?" Grace asked as she placed her stethoscope in her medical bag.
"Grace, I am on the shot, and I am up to date." Ana said lowly. "I don't have periods."
"How long have you been on the shot?"
"Before I left for England. I started when I … when Christian and I started seeing each other."
Grace handed Ana a specimen collection cup. "Why don't we make sure. Shots run out early…or you could have gotten a bad batch."
Ana stared at the offered cup. She couldn't be pregnant! She had the shot over two months ago and the pregnancy test that her OB/GYN ran came back negative. With a sigh, she took the cup and went back into her ensuite. She hated this. She knew she wasn't pregnant; she was just exhausted. She had been working ten plus hours a day for the last few weeks getting GP on track and dealing with HR problems. After she gave her "offering", she left the cup on the back of the toilet. After washing her hands, she returned to her bedroom where Grace waited patiently. "All done."
"Okay, then, let's rule this out." Grace entered the bathroom to perform the pregnancy test while Ana sat on her bed. The girl was tempted to curl up in the soft blankets and take a nap.
Two minutes.
It was the longest two minutes of Grace's life.
Two pink lines!
Grace closed her eyes and reopened them to see the results once again. She was going to be a grandmother! She picked up the test and returned to find Ana snuggled in the blankets and almost asleep. "Ana."
"So, is it negative?" The girl yawned.
"Ana, honey…it's positive. You are pregnant." Grace showed her the test.
Silence
Ana looked at the test not believing her eyes. "I don't understand, I'm on the shot."
Grace joined her, sitting on the bed. "Are you not happy?"
"I'm shocked." She swallowed hard. "I want children, but Grace, we've only been married three months. What if Christian … doesn't want … we never really discussed it. I thought we would wait a few years."
"Well, speaking as a grandmother, I am thrilled. Putting on my doctor's hat, I see that you are worried. I can make an appointment with your OB/GYN. I'm sure we can get you in immediately."
Ana was still in shock. Pregnant! This was a straight out of left field. Pregnant! A baby! A little, innocent, precious baby! A part of Christian was living inside her. Her delicate hand went to her belly as the tears sprung to make her blue eyes sparkle like sapphires. "A baby." She whispered softly. "Mine and Christians." She looked at her mother-in-law. "Grace, you're going to be a grandma!" She bit her lower lip. She cried and laughed at the same time. "Grammy Grace." The tears flowed as Grace gathered her into a warm and loving embrace. They rocked together celebrating a new life. Ana pulled away and looked into those warm and caring eyes of her mother-in-law. "We are having a baby."
"Yes, honey, I know." Grace smiled through her happy tears. "My first."
"I have to tell Christian. He's probably going crazy." She started to stand up, but a dizzy spell brought her back down to the bed. She felt a little sick to her stomach. "Oh, so it starts!"
Christian was pacing in his study with his dad watching. Carrick could understand his son's worry. Ana was Christian's everything, just as Grace was his. "You are going to pace a hole through the floor, son."
Christian stopped and looked behind himself almost convinced that there was an opening in the floor. "Dad, so you think something could really be wrong with Ana?"
"I think she probably has that flu that is going around. You said yourself that her assistant was down with it. Relax, Son, your mom will handle it. I'm sure she is probably ordering some chicken noodle soup and other fluids as we speak."
"I don't know." Christian started for the door of his study. He stopped suddenly. "Dad, what if Ana is really sick…I mean…what if it's not the flu?" His mind was racing with the possible scenarios and none of them was good! His worst fear was that something horrible was going to take his Ana away from him.
"Christian, calm down." Carrick rose from his chair. He could see that his son was seconds away from a panic attack. "Let your mother do her job."
"But it's Ana! Dad, you don't understand. I can't … I won't … what if…?"
"Christian don't do this. Don't jump to conclusions." Carrick led his son to the brown leather sofa and sat him down. "Take a few deep breaths and let them out."
"Dad."
"Humor the ole man, okay." Carrick had his hand on his son's shoulder. "In with the good, out with the bad." He breathed with Christian. "See, you are looking better already. You don't want to worry Ana. If she sees you this way, she will get upset."
"Yeah." Christian exhaled deeply. He had to remain calm. He had to stay in control. He had to be strong for his wife.
Before either man could say anything, the door to the study opened a bit. Ana stuck her head in. "Can I come in?"
Christian nearly pushed his dad over getting to his wife. He drew her into the room and into his embrace. She looked good, not as pale as before. "Are you alright? It's just the flu, right?" He looked down at Ana then at his mom who had followed his wife into the room. Grace had a peaceful smile on her face which gave Christian a bit of comfort. "So …?"
"You better sit down, honey." Ana started but Christian began to shake. Ana led him back to the sofa. "I'm not sick. It's not the flu."
"Then, what in hell is wrong?" He yelled loudly. His gray eyes frantically searched for answers in the faces of his wife and mother. "Ana, please?"
With a giggle, Ana took his hand. "We are going to have a baby."
Christian stared at her; the words didn't make sense to him. She was speaking some damn foreign language. He shook his head. "What?"
"We are having a baby." Ana repeated slowly.
"What? No! It's too soon!" They stared at each other for a moment with Christian's face turning red and he began to hyperventilate. Christian fainted, sliding from the sofa to the floor.
Both Carrick and Grace jumped into action to catch their son. Grace was laughing, knowing that her oldest son would have a heyday with this information. The mighty Christian Grey fainting at the news of his fatherhood! Elliot would not ever leave this alone! With Carrick's help, Christian was placed on the sofa with Ana sitting by his side. The girl was worried once again. She saw this as a rejection of their baby! She knew this would send Christian into a tailspin! The nausea was returning. She covered her mouth and ran from the room, praying she made it to the powder room in time!
Christian came to embarrassed that his parents and wife witnessed his moment of weakness. He was a bit shaky but managed to get to his feet. He looked about his study for his beautiful wife, but it was only his father.
"Ana?"
"She's in the family room with her ponies." Carrick said with a snort of laughter.
Christian gave a little laugh and went looking for his precious wife. She was sitting on the floor, using the sofa as a backrest with both dogs beside her. She was staring into space as she petted each dog. Zara had her massive head in Ana's lap and Xena was cuddled up to her side. He was about to call out her name when she started talking to the pups.
"We are going to have a baby, girls. I hope you will love him or her as much as you love us." Christian noticed a tear trailing over her cheek. "It's going to be an adjustment for all of us. I don't think "daddy" is all that happy though. He passed out when I told him the news." She leaned over and nuzzled on Zara. "Maybe he doesn't want a child." Ana kept petting Zara who remained calm by her side. "Maybe he will never want a child. What if he leaves me? Oh, Zara, … what if he leaves?" She began sobbing which broke Christian's heart. Every tear, every sob tore at his soul! He had caused this! Xena moved even closer to the crying woman trying to give her comfort. He watched as the pup placed her paw on Ana's belly gently as if saying, "I accept your child". "Xena, you are a sweetheart." The tears were still rolling down her face as she cuddled with their canine children. "You both will take care of us. I know."
Christian stepped farther into the room which got Xena's attention. He swore that "his" dog was glaring at him. How dare you? Idiot! Scaring our Ana this way! No kibble for you!
Christian softly touched her shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I was so shocked… I never thought of pregnancy." He shook his head knowing that this was no excuse. "I thought…I … I was so worried that you were sick with something else."
Ana looked up at him with her eyes glistening still with tears. "I was shocked also." Her voice was barely a whisper.
"So, we are having a baby?" He knelt to be closer to her. "You are having my baby."
"That's what the stick says." She wiped away a tear. "I'm scared, Christian."
"There's nothing to be scared of. You are going to be a wonderful mother." He longed to touch her but was afraid she would deny him. He reached out to Zara who kept vigil on Ana's lap. The dog grunted at him and looked away. Every female in the house was upset with his reaction to the news. "I want children, Ana. I do. And, truth be known, I was hoping to get you pregnant sooner than later, but then all this shit with Issac, the bombing attempt and the GP move."
"So, you're not upset about the baby?" she asked timidly.
Christian sat beside her, scooting Xena over, and gathered her into his arms. "Baby, I am ecstatic. I couldn't be happier. I know the timing isn't perfect with the security issues and you working crazy hours." He took another long breath. "Of course, security will …"
"Be even more." She finished for him. She laid her head back on his shoulder. "I will be a target when the public learns that I am pregnant with the Grey Heir." Being married to The Christian Grey was a challenge. Just because of his wealth, there were people who felt that they were entitled to it. She and the baby would be prime targets. "I hope we have a boy."
He thought the same thing but didn't want to voice his opinions. "Why's that?
Ana sat up and looked back at him. "You with a girl…oh, lord. You would be the overprotective father from hell with a little girl!" She then smiled for the first time since he came into the room. She moved Zara off her lap to switch positions. She was facing him. Her soft fingers caressed his face then she leaned in and kissed him. "You are already a wonderful father."
Christian rolled his eyes. He wasn't too sure about that!
"Mr. Grey, rolling your eyes, how rude!" she said with a giggle. "Look how you are taking care of me at this minute. You are also taking care of our child." She placed a hand on her still flat stomach. "Our baby, a piece of you and me is sleeping here."
"Amazing." Christian's big hand covered hers. It was a miracle. Their love had made a baby, a tiny human. His mind began racing with thoughts. Would the baby look like Ana with brunette hair and those blue eyes, or would they have a ginger-haired, grey eyed hellion like him? Maybe a mixture. Where would they go to school? College? Would they play piano? Sports? Or would they be a reader like their mother?
"Hey, cool it, Grey. You are getting all blustery again. I can see your thoughts running a million miles a minute. Our little one is not even the size of your thumb yet. Let's not let ourselves get coo-coo."
"Coo-Coo? Your choice of words…." He gave her a kiss. "I love you, Ana." Another kiss was given to his beloved wife. "And I love our baby."
Ana straddled his lap, making the dogs whimper that they no longer had her undivided attention. They watched quietly with their tails wagging. Mommy was no longer upset! "I love you, Christian Grey." She looked away a bit embarrassed about her earlier behavior, thinking he didn't want this child. "I'm sorry that I doubted you."
"I'm sorry I made you feel that way." He gave her his boyish charming smile. "Am I forgiven?"
"Of course. Will you forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive. You were worried." His big hands took advantage of the moment and cupped her delectable ass. She shook her head at him knowing what he was doing. "What? Can't a man cop a feel from his sexy, desirable wife?" His lips found hers before she could answer. All he wanted was to reconnect with the woman that he loved. He wanted to savor her warmth. "Why don't we move this upstairs to our bedroom?"
"Umm, the parents are still here, Christian."
"Oh, crap! Cockblockers, the whole darn family!"