Warning: This is not an Ana and Christian happily ever after novel. Ana will get her HEA. This is a strong, independent Ana. If you don't like them not as a couple, don't read. Takes place after the epilogue for 50 Shades Freed.

First chapter a time jump to 2020.

I'm working in my office looking out over the Puget Sound in Olympia, going through a manuscript. It is Saturday evening and this is the Saturday my ex husband has the kids. They'll be back soon and I'm excited to see them. Custody took forever to arrange, predominantly because my ex-husband never seems to have time for his own children. It was finally agreed he would have them on a Wednesday evening one week until they were dropped at school on Thursday morning and then would have them on a Thursday evening through until Saturday evening the alternate week.

I would love to say my kids hate their father but they don't. They idolise him and miss him when they don't get to see him. It breaks my heart because it is never what I wanted for my children. To only see daddy for 1 or 2 nights a week when I know they'd love to see him more. Personally, I'd like for him to not be a part of their lives but I want them to be happy.

I rub my pregnant belly and stand, picking up two mugs as I go from my day working in my home office. The sun is still bright as it is June and streaming in through the windows. It's been warm which has made a nice change. I wonder what the kids have been up to with Grey in the sunshine.

I walk through to the kitchen where my boyfriend is marking books. He's a head of department at the local public school. He is everything Grey wasn't. Easy-going is my favourite quality of his. He never tries to control me or what I am doing. It doesn't mean he cares any less than Grey but he trusts me to make decisions by myself. We've been together for just a little over 3 years now.

I kiss Errol on his lips as he moves to rub my bump as well. It will be our first child together. A boy and we're both so excited. I've been clear I only want us to have one kid together, but I know he has been desperate for a child of his own. He's great with mine and Grey's kids too though. They adore him and he makes much more time for them than Grey does. Hell, Errol does the school run. Grey has people to do that for him.

I spot an Audi Q8 appear on my drive and Taylor is back with my kids. Grey and I avoid seeing each other as much as possible but as far as I am concerned, Taylor is still the enemy. I will never forgive him for what he knew and never told me. We keep our communication on a nod only basis wherever possible. I prefer when the nanny brings them back.

I open my arms as they run towards me and scoop Harry up. Harry is our youngest and only 3 years old. He is a copy of Grey from his messy copper hair to his bright grey eyes. I've seen a photograph of Christian a little older than this and they could be twins. I keep Harry on my hip as I guide Teddy and Phoebe into the house. Phoebe immediately hugs Errol as well before running to her room.

Phoebe is the only child who could possibly have any resemblance to me, with long dark hair down to her waist. But her face is still Grey's, grey eyes and the lot. Teddy, our eight year old, is the same. He looks just like Christian with his messy hair and defined face. He has my blue eyes at least.

Teddy heads through to my office to do something on the computer as Harry climbs up to the table.

"How was your weekend, buddy?" Errol asks him with a smile as I make Harry a juice.

"It was the best," Harry tells him with a big toothy grin, sipping his juice.

"What did you get up to?" I ask as I start getting ingredients out for our dinner. The advantage Grey has of only having one weekend day a fortnight is he can always find something fun and expensive to fill it.

"Today, we went to the zoo," Harry beams at me. "I liked the penguins."

I nod as Errol helps Harry down. "They're pretty cool," Errol agrees with him.

"Did you have movie night last night?" I ask, chopping some chicken for our dinner. I don't need people to do this for me. I actually enjoy being able to take ownership in my own kitchen. Although Gail was lovely. But I'm sure she must have known the dirty truth about Grey, I think bitterly.

"Yeah. And we met Alys-Alys-sa," Harry is sounding the word out but I have frozen. Who the hell is Alyssa?

"Who?" I ask not looking around.

"A-lys-sa," Harry tries again with her name, sounding it out.

"Um and who is she?" I ask turning to look at Harry who looks nonplussed.

"Daddy's friend," Harry says calmly as he moves to head out the kitchen door. I'm tense. Grey knows the rules. I will not have any of his submissives near my children. I don't want them meeting an ever changing parade of women.

I walk through to my home office. Teddy is playing Minecraft on the computer. "Teddy, who is Alyssa?" I ask him as calmly as I can manage.

Teddy shrugs. "I guess daddy has a girlfriend." My stomach flips. Christian seeing other people is not my issue. Grey was seeing other people throughout our marriage. But to bring them around our children? He was specifically warned of this.

"Did he say girlfriend?" I ask Teddy slowly.

"Have I got him in trouble?" Teddy asks, not answering my question. He is scarily like his father when it comes to avoiding the truth.

"No," I say quickly to my son. Hell, what power do I have over Christian Grey? My lawyer has a fair bit more, I think darkly.

"Are you two going to fight?" Teddy asks, his blue eyes wide. I always tried to hide when Grey and I were fighting from our kids, but Teddy was 4 and knew something was going on. And then there was that night. I take a deep breath. I don't want to go there.

"No, darling, of course we won't," I say quickly as Teddy's face continues to look distressed. He is the only one who remembers our life as a family, he misses living with both of his parents. He wants his dad around more, he's never hidden it from me. Whether Grey himself knows is up for debate.

Teddy looks dubious. "You have a boyfriend," he counters firmly. I sigh. It breaks my heart he is always on his dad's side when his dad is never there for him.

"Of course, sweetheart. Don't worry about it," I say gently as Teddy bites his lip, clearly worried. "Enjoy your game and I'll call you for some dinner in a few minutes." I kiss his hair as Teddy turns back to Minecraft.

Given Ted's reaction I decide to move softly with his father. I send him a simple text message telling him we need to talk and I'm patient throughout Sunday when he doesn't reply. Sunday night, I text him again, still calm.

By Monday, I am getting pissed. I drop the kids off at school first thing and head to work. I quit Grey Publishing in the divorce and I have been working at a competing publishing house ever since. I am a fiction editor and I enjoy my role. I never wanted to be CEO, I knew what job I wanted and now I get to actually do it.

By Monday night, I am furious that my ex has not had the courtesy to respond and I drive to Escala. I've asked Errol to get the kids so that I am able to speak with my ex. I drive my Mazda CX 5 into the parking lot at Escala, still able to use the access codes and head up to the penthouse. I walk into Grey's living room to silence.

Taylor appears from nowhere. "Miss Steele," he says quickly, stopping me in my tracks. At least he is one of the few that remembers I no longer want to be Mrs Grey.

"I need to see Mr Grey," I say firmly as I regard him in his two piece suit, arms behind his back.

"I'm afraid Mr Grey is ill disposed," Taylor answers me smoothly. Still this dick continues to lie to me.

"I need to speak to him about the children we share. Fetch him," I tell Taylor. I am not a curt person usually, but I have no respect for Taylor anymore. He broke my heart almost as much as Grey.

Taylor remains calm. "Miss Steele, if you could come back another time."

"Taylor, I know he's fucking. It's after hours so he's not in meetings. He can do that anytime. Go and fetch him," I say more firmly. If Taylor reacts his face gives nothing away.

"Miss Steele , I-"

"Christian Grey, get your motherfucking ass out here!" I shout at the top of my lungs. Taylor doesn't flinch.

"I will fetch him," he says stiffly as he stalks off. I am surprised he moves in the direction of Grey's bedroom, not the playroom. Maybe he's rearranged. My eyebrows knit together.

Grey walks through in jeans and a t shirt a couple of minutes later and looks pissed as hell. There's thunder in those dark grey eyes I once thought so beautiful. "Good evening, Anastasia," he says to me smoothly.

"I'm glad it is for you," I comment as he adjusts his dick in his jeans in front of me. "What are you doing?" My eyes travel down to what he is doing.

"I'm sure you know what I was doing," he hisses through his teeth at me. At least there's a small joy that I've ruined his evening like he ruined so many of mine.

"Well you've ignored me for two days now," I say firmly. I'm always impressed when I manage to not raise my voice with this man. After everything he put me through.

"I've ignored you because I don't believe we need to talk," he retorts, pushing back his messy hair. Grey is now 36. His looks aren't fading at all. He looks almost identical to when I met him 9 years ago.

"You have no idea what I want to talk about. There could be something seriously wrong with one of our children," I point out to him.

"If there was something seriously wrong with the kids, you would have called me. You always do," he states smoothly and I glare at him. "It's not my fault you're too nice. I know what you want to talk to me about, and I don't believe we need to discuss it."

"You have no idea -" I begin as Grey walks past me to his enormous kitchen.

"One of the kids has let slip that I introduced a woman to them. I know what has happened," he shrugs. All the arrogance he lost during the divorce has been back for years. He firmly believes he is in control. Well not here. He's breached a legally binding condition. By ignoring me, he's given me time to speak with my lawyer.

"You've intentionally gone against the terms of our divorce," I snap at him as he pours himself a glass of water from the fridge.

"I've done no such thing," he says eventually, leaning on the counter. "And even if I had, what are you going to do?" He whispers at me, his eyes are glinting malevolently.

"Firstly, you have," I say, refusing to lose my composure with this weasel. "And secondly, I'm perfectly entitled to remove access from your children." I meet his expression. Trouble glides across it and then fades.

"Well you know that would hurt them the most. So what will you want? More money? My earnings have increased threefold since we divorced. Your alimony hasn't been touched. Is $100,000 a month no longer serving you well?" Grey is giving me a playful smile. I feel physically sick.

"I think you're labouring under the illusion I care or use that money. It is being saved for our children. I use some of the child support for them now, but that is also mostly saved. I don't need your pathetic money. I have my own," I snap back at him. Now he's making me angry.

"Yes, how much does an editor and a public school teacher make?" He asks, not removing the grin from his ugly face. Well it's not ugly, it's beautiful. But his personality is ugly.

I snort in derision. "It's none of your business, Grey. You breached our contract. Start talking," I snap at him.

Grey leans back on the counter behind him. His white t shirt is stretched across his muscular chest as his hands grip the side of the counter top. "I haven't breached our contract," he says smoothly.

"Our settlement was clear. You will not bring your submissive around our children. All three met Alyssa," I spit her name at him like it's poison.

"I haven't breached the settlement. You're a smart woman, Anastasia. I wouldn't breach a contract when I have… so much to lose," he says slowly. Oh he's talking about my evidence in the dissolution meeting now.

"You are not to bring her around our children again," I snap firmly.

"Or what?" He whispers. He's back on his elbows on the counter in front to me. Our eyes are level. Those grey eyes that I have to see every day in two of our children.

"I will go to the courts. That simple," I say as I turn to leave.

"I don't think they'll be too worried. After all, submissive and girlfriend are two very different things, aren't they?" He sneers and I whip back around.

"Girlfriend?" I ask him, refusing to show I have been rattled. "Grey, you don't do the girlfriend thing."

"I did it with you. Admittedly, that was a huge fuck up," he pauses so he can give me a smile and let it sink in. "But maybe second time round it will be a lot better right? I mean could it honestly be worse?"

I swallow back tears. I think of all the things I did for Grey while he fucked his way through submissives, even while I was pregnant. I look up at him once my eyes are clear and they are blazing. "You are a repugnant individual, Christian Grey."

"And you are a jealous little woman," he says with ease as he goes to walk to his room. I laugh. I actually laugh.

"You think I'm jealous?" I'm incredulous.

"Of course you are. You might not like me, but you're jealous of the thought of another woman getting to spend time with our kids while you desperately miss them," he grins. "I mean, you're having a replacement baby," he gestures at my bump.

"You sick fuck!" I shout, finally losing my cool with him. Grey beams at me. "This is not some replacement baby. This is my child with Errol, a man who actually loves me for who I am. Not keeps me in his back pocket whilst sleeping with half of Seattle. I was pregnant with your child and you were still cheating on me!"

"Just try and be happy for me, eh?" He suggests as he moves for his bedroom again.

"Happy for you! Grey, I wish you were dead. I wish I'd never met you. But I fucking have! And now I'm stuck with you until our children turn 18. And then probably again when they get married and have their own children!" I shout at him.

"Anastasia, I don't have time for this I-" Grey stops, becoming aware of the water on the floor at the exact same moment as me. "Er.." He gestures down.

I grab my bump. This is far too early. I'm only 35 weeks. I grab my phone, quickly calling Errol. Grey is stood there uselessly. Errol is as panicked as I am. He is calling his mom then going to meet me at the hospital. I look up and Grey is on the phone. Is he making a fucking business call?

"Mom, Anastasia is here. She's having a baby," he says urgently into the receiver. "No mom. I mean she's having a baby right now," he says worriedly. He's listening to his mom. "Okay bye."

"I'm going to take you to hospital," he says quickly heading to get his car keys.

"I don't need you to," I snap back at once as he raises his eyebrows. I clutch my bump again.

"How else will you get there?" He asks in disbelief.

"I'll get a taxi. I'll call one now," I snap firmly. Grey has been there for three births already. I don't want him there for a fourth.

"Ana, it's five minutes round the corner," he says firmly, going to call the elevator.

"No, I'm giving birth at Kaisier's," I tell him irritably rubbing my belly.

"Anastasia," he says frustratedly running his hand through his hair. Oh we're back to Anastasia now? "That's at least two hours away in Seattle traffic."

"I have a birthing plan," I grab my bump again as the first contraction arrives and I scream. Grey grabs me.

"Plans change, Anastasia," he says helping me to the elevator. "I was planning on having a nice fuck tonight. Now I'm taking my ex wife to have a baby," he's practically holding me up.

I'm not fighting now. The second contraction comes in the elevator down and I practically fall on him. Strong arms hold me up. He half carries me to the Audi, getting me in the passenger seat as I call Errol and tell him of the change of plans. Grey backs out and drives up to the traffic, shooting out and getting horns blared at him.

I'm aware I'm crying and I'm aware his hand is on my knee. The ride is quick and he carries me into the hospital and up to the maternity suite. My last midwife from when I had Grey's 3 kids is there, waiting for me. Grace has done a good job.

"Okay, Mrs Grey, let's get you through," Dr Forge says gently as we're taken to one of the labour rooms.

"My boyfriend. My boyfriend isn't here," I say weakly. Grey is and this is the last thing I want. He's stood uncertainly by me as they get me in a wheelchair to take me through.

Dr Forge nods and realises she's made a huge mistake with Mrs Grey. "Er, do you want Mr Grey in the room?" She asks me as she looks to my ex husband who is clearly nervous. Grey has some of my waters down his t shirt and jeans and looks disheveled from carrying me.

Do I want Grey in the room? He clearly doesn't know if he wants to be there or not. He's torn between doing the right thing and being his usual self-centred self. Grey has seen me give birth before, this is nothing new to him. But do I want him seeing me naked now? After everything? When it's not even his child? But do I want to be alone while I wait for Errol?

"It's up to him," I eventually say as we enter the ward and I'm helped onto the bed.

Grey's face looks alarmed. "I'll stay," he says quickly and I'm shocked at how promptly he decides to do the right thing. If this even is the right thing. I scream as another contraction arrives and he rubs my back.

"Okay, Mrs.. Steele," Dr Forge says looking at her papers. "How often are the contractions?"

I'm about to open my mouth before Grey jumps in. "Every 4 minutes, they're lasting about a minute. Ongoing about 20 minutes," he states quickly. When he had chance to time them I don't know.

"So we're still early," Dr Forge nods. "But this could be a quick labour given it is number 4 I believe?" She says checking her notes as I nod. Grey's hand is still on my back. Do I even want him here?

"Will she need a c section, she needed one with our first born," Grey is too fucking involved. Still worrying about my damn health. Funny given he was spurting abuse at me less than an hour ago. I want his hand off my back. I move out of his touch.

"Well the last two have been vaginal deliveries, so it is possible we will have another vaginal delivery. What is your birthing plan?" Dr Forge asks me as she moves to write on her pad.

"I was supposed to have a water birth,"I tell her as I lay back for a minute.

"A water birth?" Grey asks loudly. "Why would you have a water birth?" He asks me in surprise. I want to laugh at his fucking audacity.

"Because it's my preference, my body and baby and nothing to do with you," I snap at him. He looks like he wants to respond but then he remembers I'm in labour.

"Okay," he says stiffly, taking a seat in the chair by my bed. He rests his arms on the sides, his legs wide open. I look away from him and answer some further questions from Dr Forge. She asks one of the nurses to continue timing my contractions and heads to prepare a few things.

The next contraction comes faster at 3 minutes and Grey stands. I grab his hand as I scream, gripping his fingers increasingly tightly. It seems to go on for forever, but he calmly informs me before the nurse can it was 54 seconds.

I lay back, I'm sweating now. "Can you pass my phone now?" I ask Grey as he goes to get my purse and hands it to me. "Can you find it?"

Grey looks uncertain about going through my bag but reaches in to locate my iPhone and hands it over to me, setting my bag back on the floor. I call Errol, who is still 50 minutes away. I hope the baby takes longer than that to come. I don't want to give birth with Christian fucking Grey as my birthing partner again.

Grey sits watching me. His grey eyes have that intensity they do when he's worried and they're burning into me. He passes me ice chips between contractions and I grab him more firmly each time. "Where are our kids?" He asks me after one as I look to him.

"Errol's brother and his partner will have them. Or else his mom," I tell him as he looks shocked.

"Why can't you have a nanny? Someone properly vetted. I don't know his family. How can you be sure they're safe?" He blurts out and I shake my head in disbelief.

"Just stop. I know his family. How well do you know Alyssa?" I sneer back at him as he glares at me.

"Pretty well," he snaps at me standing up.

"I suppose you've done your usual background check," I say nastily as he looks at me. Those grey eyes are angry.

"It is not your business. And at no point has she ever been left alone with them," he snaps again, his hands on his hips.

"Well until she leaves the country with them," I retort.

"Why would she leave the country?" He glares at me and I want to laugh at him.

"Maybe because she's had sex with you-" I don't know what Grey's response is as another contraction comes. He doesn't move over to me, doesn't hold my hand. He just watches impassively.

"Well we managed a whole 30 minutes of being civil. I've tried to do the right thing. I'm going," he turns and walks out the room before I can beg him to stay and I start crying. I'm not sad that Grey is gone. But I'm scared and alone. I'm mad at myself for driving right across town to Escala and being so far from my partner and his family. Tears splash down my face.

I'm pushing by the time Errol arrives. He holds my hand as I scream. I've never felt so alone until he got there. By 10.33 pm I am safely delivered of our son, Levon Speller. Errol takes me home the next morning and I am surprised to find Christian Grey has already covered the bill of our child being born.

So how did Ana and Christian get to this point? Chapter 2 up now.