Chapter 9

Ana

Just like every other morning for the past two months, Ana was awakened by her son's demanding cries for breakfast. This time was a bit different, however, because she could actually see the sun peeking through the blinds.

She picked up her phone.

Six-thirty.

Kit had slept for over six hours, a new record.

"Thank you, baby boy."

She lifted a squalling Kit from the portable crib, another example of Kate's largesse. Unbeknownst to Ana, her friend had ordered the Pack & Play on her phone while they were at Escala. The crib was sitting on Kate's doorstep upon their arrival. She figured her friend had probably paid a fortune for expedited off-hours home delivery. Kate didn't possess Christian Grey level wealth, but she could often be extravagant like him.

Ana smiled at her son as he nursed. He released her breast to return the smile, then resumed his meal. It wasn't his first smile, but it was his brightest to date. He seemed to have put away the previous day's horrible events and moved on with life. She wished she could do the same.

"Have you forgiven your daddy? It seems so. You're mighty happy right now. I may be able to forgive him one day, but I will never be able to forget. I thought I'd lost you." She ran her fingers across Kit's cheek and over his russet fuzz, silently sending a thank you to the heavens.

A knock at the bedroom door told her Kate was up.

"Come in," she called.

"Twinings with lemon, just the way you like it." Kate placed a small tray on the nightstand. "And I brought Greek yogurt with strawberries and blueberries."

"Thank you," Ana said, enjoying her friend's care. "You spoil me. And thank you for providing the crib. Kit slept for over six hours. You don't know how much I needed that."

"Congratulations to you and our little mister on the marathon sleep. By the way, I intend to continue spoiling you, until you agree to move back to Seattle. I ordered the crib with the ulterior motive of enticing you and Kit to make regular visits. I figure eventually I'll wear you down and you'll move back in. This place is way too big for one person."

It was a beautiful condo, a three bedroom, two bath loft with high ceilings. The location was perfect, on Vine near the Western intersection.

"I thought Ethan was planning to move in," Ana said. "And if I ever figure out a childcare solution, I'll happily move back here to Seattle."

"Ethan found a place with some of his rugby buddies and I don't think he has any intention of moving. I'll ask around and see what other folks do for childcare. Gotta go pull myself together, but holler if you need something."

As much as she wanted and needed a job, watching Kate rush around and prepare for work made her grateful she didn't have any responsibilities beyond Kit. Her father was easy to feed, the small house was easy enough to care for, and she currently had plenty of time to enjoy Kit.

After finishing his breakfast, Kit was always in a lovely mood. She routinely used this time for bed cuddles while she played, sang, and chatted with him. Today they played the triathlon game.

"Kit, the world champion triathlete," she cheered. "Run, run, run. Swim, swim, swim. Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle." She moved his little legs up and down to simulate running, flutter kicks, and cycling. He smiled and gurgled as she moved his legs. "And he crosses the finish line. Kit is the winner. Hip, hip hooray. Hip, hip hooray."

These little moments were so gratifying. Her baby's smiles and gurgles were everything.

"Time for me to go." Kate raced into the bedroom to kiss the top of Kit's head. She threw an arm around Ana for a half hug. "Are you still planning to leave today?"

"Yes, but if the transportation Taylor arranged doesn't work out, we'll stay here. I've still got my key. I'll text you as soon as I figure out what's going on."

"Stay another night. We need more girl talk time. I know you didn't bring a change of clothes. I absolutely forbid you from wearing those sweats. Please choose something from my closet. Laters!" Ana laughed out loud at the way Kate issued orders and breezed out the door.

It wasn't long after Kate's departure that Ana's phone began to ring. It was her father.

"I rearranged the cabinets a few days ago," she told Kit. "I bet your grandpa is calling because he can't find the cereal."

"Hi, Dad. Looking for the Grape Nuts?"

"No, but some bitch found my nuts." Ana could hear the fury in her dad's voice.

"What in the world… what happened?" The terror she'd felt less than twenty-four hours earlier returned. Her gut soured at the thought of someone harming her father.

"Damned nosy press, that's what. A bunch of vehicles are parked along the road in front of the house. I was buck naked, taking a shit, just before getting into the shower. I looked up and there she was, phone camera searching for her shot. Scared me so bad… made me jump right off the crapper. Dammit, a man's shit and shower time should be sacred. Now I'll be backed up and agitated for the rest of the day. My blood pressure is probably through the roof."

"I'm so sorry." The thought of her father being harassed by reporters nearly brought her to tears. "Did you call to report the intrusion?"

"Of course I did. The county mounties are on the way. I'd like to wring that billionaire's scrawny neck. It's all his fault."

It was just as much her fault, but she wasn't about to get into any of that when her dad was so touchy.

"I think I already did enough damage to him," she said. "I'm certain he's currently sporting a black eye. Please stay inside. Kit and I have been assigned a couple of close protection officers. They'll arrive in Montesano sometime later today and you'll need to let them into the house. As soon as I find out the details, I'll text you. I'm sorry your day got off to such a lousy start. Maybe after the sheriff shoos away all the pests, you can go out back and get some work done."

"Can't remember when I've been this riled up. Are these a-holes also bothering you?"

"No. I don't think they have a clue where I am. Don't worry. Kit and I are safe here at Kate's. We're going out later today, but I'll have someone with me. Jason Taylor, who is head of Christian's personal security, has arranged everything for our safety."

"That's all well and good. But I've got the twelve gauge loaded just in case."

Ana gently jiggled Kit in her lap, resting her hand on his tummy. He made cooing sounds, which produced tiny bubbles. He looked so content and happy. In an effort to not transfer her stress, she leaned down to nuzzle him.

"I'm worried about you," she told her father. "Please close the blinds, take your shower, and try to relax."

What a difference a day makes. Life had suddenly become so complicated.

She found the loss of privacy to be terrifying prospect.

"Too late for relaxation. When are you coming home?" She heard the impatience in her father's voice.

"I'll keep you posted," she said. "I'm not sure when we'll be back, but there should be plenty of pot roast left over from yesterday. You did eat dinner last night, I hope."

"I had no appetite, so I stuck the entire thing in the fridge. If you don't make it home tonight, I'll heat up some of it. Are you sure you two are okay?"

Her father's lack of appetite was worrisome. He'd been so strong for her during the previous day's panic, but clearly the kidnapping had been just as traumatic for him as it had been for her. Rage once again bubbled to the surface as she remembered what Christian had done.

"Yes, it's been overwhelming, but we're holding up fine. Please don't worry about us."

"Too late for that. Just get back here as soon as possible. Do you hear the sirens? I gotta go put some pants on. Sounds like my reinforcements have arrived."

After hanging up the call, she needed to immerse herself in Kit and get her mind off all the changes that were occurring in their lives. She sang silly songs and played with his fingers and toes as she recited the "piggy went to market" rhyme. She pulled out one of the little cardboard books Kate had gifted, and with Kit propped up in her lap, she held the book in front of him, reading "What Can Baby See?" Every day she read several books to him, hoping to foster a love of the written word.

She thought of Christian, imagining him reading aloud to their son. More than anything, she wanted Kit to have a father who loves him.

"Keeping you a secret from your daddy wasn't proper or smart, but maybe I can somehow atone for it. You just keep being the cutie patootie that you are. Mommy will do the rest."

Her phone dinged twice, signaling two texts.

The first was from Carrick Grey.

DNA testing. Quest Diagnostics Madison Street 3pm. Sawyer knows where to go.

The second was from Jason Taylor.

Prescott and Osbourne, your CPOs, are currently on the way to Montesano, ETA noon. They will live in trailers on your father's property, one in front, one in back. Call me if you have questions/concerns.

Ana forwarded Taylor's text to her father.

Ray: Lord help me. I don't know whether to be grateful for the help or pissed over the intrusion.

Ana: Be grateful. And please work with them. We can't do this on our own.

It was nearing time for Sawyer to pick them up for the lunch date with Grace Grey. Ana cleaned up Kit, then dressed him in an outfit her mother had purchased from Baby Gap: blue ribbed pants, a cream and blue striped bodysuit, and blue socks. Before they departed she would add the denim jacket and the blue bear hat.

"You are looking your most adorable," she told him. He answered her with a gummy grin. "Please don't spit up. We're having lunch with your Grandmother Grey and we both need to look our best."

She left him in the Pack & Play while she dashed into Kate's closet. Kate had always been a bit curvier than Ana, but with the pregnancy and nursing, Ana could now fill out her friend's clothes rather nicely. She found a couple of pant suits that seemed appropriate for a lunch date.

"Red or green?" She asked Kit, holding the fabrics side by side close to his. His eyes lingered on the red a bit longer. "Good choice."

The pantsuit was a deep brick red, so she paired it with a cream blouse. She found a pair of low pumps and some earrings. She decided not to carry a handbag. Hers had seen better days and she could fit her personal items in Kit's diaper bag.

She'd never been good with her hair, so she pulled it back in a low ponytail. A bit of gloss, blush, mascara, and she was ready to go.

"This is an important meeting," she told Kit. "Our eventual goal is to earn your grandmother's affection. This is the first step. You're a little charmer, so your work is done. But Mommy has to win her over and that could be difficult. If events ever reach a point where your grandmother must choose between Mrs. Lincoln or us, we don't want her to give it a second thought. She must choose us."

Her son chose that moment to pass gas, which made her laugh out loud.

"Oh, child, you are so good for my soul." She picked him up, resting him on her chest, rubbing his back until he fell asleep.

Sawyer soon arrived, right on time, bearing a shiny new stroller.

"Mrs. Jones selected it. The car seat is built in. I practiced popping it in and out of the car," he said proudly. "If there's any other equipment you want, just say the word."

"Wow. Thank you." She was impressed by the thoughtfulness of Christian's employees. "And please pass my thanks to Mrs. Jones."

It was wonderful to be driven around town and helped with the stroller. Being on the periphery of Christian's life certainly had its perks.

When Ana had lived with Kate, she'd often walked down Post Alley past The Pink Door, but had never been inside. There was a bit of mystery about the place because there was no signage to indicate what was inside the building. The only clue was a door that was more beige than pink.

"Oh, it's so pretty," she said to Sawyer as they stepped inside. The restaurant's interior was enchanting, very feminine and very much Parisian-inspired.

Pushing the stroller, she followed Sawyer to the back dining room, which offered a breathtaking view of Elliot Bay.

She was surprised to see that Grace wasn't alone. Carrick was also present. Both Greys greeted her warmly with cheek kisses and half hugs. All smiles, she could see they were both in a conciliatory mood.

"May I hold him?" Grace asked, gazing longingly at her grandson.

"Of course," she said, handing off a sleeping Kit.

The waiter was very attentive, immediately pouncing to deliver lemon water and take her order. He talked her through the menu and helped her settle upon gnocchi and a fennel orange salad.

"I like the decor and ambience. Do you come here often?" She asked.

"Yes, Mia and I love it," Grace said. "It's one of our favorite places. Sometimes I meet my friend, Elena, here. She's in Vegas at Hair Expo, some big trade show. Otherwise, I would have invited her."

The mention of Mrs. Robinson rattled Ana. She twisted the napkin in her lap and tried not to show any reaction, but her left eyelid twitched repeatedly. She looked up to see Carrick, who was studying her reaction.

"I don't want Kit around anyone other than close family members. Please don't invite guests without checking with me first."

"Of course," Grace said. "I'll remember."

There was an awkward silence. Grace cradled Kit in the crook of her arm, while stroking his face with her free hand. Carrick sipped red wine as he looked out the window, while Ana surveyed the decor.

"It was wonderful to see Kate yesterday," Grace suddenly chirped. "She's so good with Kit, a real natural. We've missed her. We've always enjoyed Kate's company."

"And I know she's enjoyed her time with you," Ana said.

"Do you think there's any hope for those two getting back together? She and Elliot were so good together," Grace said wistfully.

"I have no idea," Ana answered. No way would she talk about Kate's business with the Greys. "Frankly I've been rather self-absorbed in recent months."

"Completely understandable," Carrick said. "And we appreciate you being such an attentive mother. He's a strong, healthy little guy. I can't wait to take him fishing and camping. I used to take all three kids, until Mia got caught up with ballet and sleepovers. Then it became just the Grey men."

After listening to Elliot's stories about the senior Grey, she knew his enthusiasm was sincere.

"You and Dad are of the same mind. I swear he's counting down the days until he can get a flyrod in Kit's hands."

"Yup, fishing trips with my boys are some of my happiest memories," Carrick smiled at the recollection. "I anticipate experiencing it all over again with Kit. Your father has the right idea. Raymond, right? I look forward to meeting him."

Ana felt certain that by now Carrick had thoroughly investigated not only her, but also her parents. He knew darn good and well what her dad's name was and probably his social security number and credit score.

"Everyone calls him Ray. When you visit Kit, you'll have to make time for fishing. I'm sure Dad would enjoy taking you out on the Wynoochee or Lake Sylvia. You catch it, clean it, and I'll happily cook it for you."

"That's a deal," Carrick said. "Gracie and I would like to visit this Saturday, if that's okay with you. Our first visit will be for just a few hours."

"That's fine. Do you have any dietary restrictions?"

"No, we eat most anything," Grace said. "But you don't have to cook for us. We're happy to pick something up on the way for all of us to enjoy."

"I'll be cooking for Dad, so two more plates won't make for any extra work. Montesano is a very small town, with few options." She hoped they remembered that their visits would be supervised. No one would be taking Kit out of her sight.

"Thank you," Grace said with a nod. "Do you enjoy cooking?"

"I do," Ana replied. "It's a relaxing and welcome distraction from any problems. Though since Kit's arrival, his needs come first, which means I have to stop in the middle of an important step and then come back to it. More than once, Dad has been forced to endure overcooked food or missing ingredients. Kit, as darling as he is, can be quite a distraction."

"Please know that you and Kit are always welcome to visit us in our home." Grace's invitation felt warm and sincere. "We'd love to host both of you for weekends. You'd be right there with Kit every moment."

There was absolutely no way Ana would allow Kit to enter Mrs. Robinson's neighborhood. A visit to the Grey home was out of the question. She was becoming increasingly frustrated over the constraints of Christian's NDA. She wanted to shout from the rooftops to anyone who would listen: Elena Lincoln is a pedophile. But she'd decided it was Christian's place to make that announcement.

"Thank you for the invitation. For now, I think we should limit visits to Montesano. After Christian lifts my NDA, we can consider other options."

Grace and Carrick exchanged a look of frustration. The desire to bring their newly discovered grandson fully into the family fold was obvious.

"We understand. Please remember that you have an open invitation," Carrick reiterated. "All you have to do is say the word."

Ana nodded politely. She was counting on the Greys to bring pressure to bear on Christian. She didn't see how she and Christian would be able to move forward as co-parents without freedom from the blasted NDA.

"May I ask a question?" Grace asked, her voice meek and low.

"Of course," Ana said.

"Why didn't you tell Christian you were pregnant?" Grace shifted Kit in her arms and leaned forward, hoping for the answer to her question.

Fuck the paperwork in all forms, including the damned NDA, she thought. Do these folks not understand the binds, both literal and figural, their son has imposed on me?

"I can't tell you all the reasons, because there are many, and most are private. But I'll share a couple of things." Carrick was now leaning toward her in the same way his wife was. She needed to make them understand some things about their control freak son. "The NDA stated that if I broke things off with Christian, I was forbidden to ever contact him. I was never to acknowledge that I'd ever met him, much less that I'd had a relationship with him."

"What?" Carrick's brow furrowed in confusion.

"That's ridiculous," Grace said dismissively.

"Ridiculous though it may be, your son placed extreme restrictions on me. You might be interested to know that I'm violating the NDA just by accepting this lunch invitation. The conversation we're currently having is verboten under your son's NDA, which clearly states that I'm to have no contact with any of his family unless I am under his supervision. I went to your home for dinner last year only because it suited his needs. This lunch meeting is not sanctioned by him, therefore it's in violation. So you see, I couldn't have come to any of you, not you two, not Mia, not Elliot. By virtue of his absurd NDA, I had no avenues by which I could communicate."

Both Greys sat, stunned, their mouths agape.

"My God," Carrick slowly shook his head. "Do you still have a copy of this NDA?"

"Of course I do. And I fervently hope you will tell Christian that I have violated the agreement. I'd like nothing more than for him to sue me. I'd like to challenge the validity of the document before a judge. And as long as my testimony is relevant to the suit, in a court of law I can speak freely."

"I can see you've done your research. I'm having a difficult time understanding why you'd sign such a document," Carrick said.

"I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't read it before signing." She released a sigh of annoyance at herself. "Christian encouraged me to read it, but I didn't. Stupid me."

"I'm sorry," Grace said. "I don't understand what happened between the two of you and why he asked for such a strange agreement."

"You'd have to ask him about that." Ana had no intention of ever getting into a discussion of BDSM with these two.

"May I see the document?" Carrick asked.

"Nice try, but no," Ana grinned and narrowed her eyes playfully. "You're one of Christian's attorneys. He has his own copy, which he can provide for your review."

"Well played." A tiny smile played on Carrick's lips.

"I'm sorry that we didn't know earlier." Grace gave her a bittersweet smile. "But everything has a silver lining and we're privileged to have you and Kit in our family now. I'm trying to not be sad about everything we've lost."

Ana gently placed her hand on Grace's arm in an effort to comfort her.

"I am, too. I've a feeling it's going to be difficult," Ana said. "But my hope is that if we all work at it, Kit will eventually have a cooperative support network. Christian isn't well, but I haven't given up on him. I want to figure out a way to co-parent with him, because Kit deserves two loving parents."

Grace began to quietly weep. Tears plopped onto Kit's receiving blanket.

The waiter approached with a large tray and stopped, confused about whether it was the appropriate time to deliver the meal. Carrick motioned him forward and they all sat in silence until the plates were served. Ana tucked a soundly slumbering Kit back into the stroller so Grace would have her hands free to eat.

Grace used a napkin to wipe her eyes.

"It's going to be okay," Carrick told his wife.

"Yes, I'm sure you're right," Grace answered. She picked up her fork and pushed around a bit of food.

Ana felt as if she were intruding. She sensed a private subtext to the Grey's exchange.

"This gnocchi is divine," Ana said, in an attempt to change the subject. Apparently her mention of their son not being well had cast a pall upon the meal.

"The interior design is a bit over the top for my taste, but I do enjoy the food and the view," Carrick said. "This place consistently receives high marks. Isn't that right, Gracie?"

Grace pushed food around her plate, as if trying to decide whether she wanted it.

"Yes that's right," Grace said, forcing a smile. "Our Mia knows pastry and she has great regard for the chef here. By the way, she's over the moon with news of Kit's birth, very excited at becoming an aunt. She's anxious to meet our new addition and see you again. May we bring her along when we visit on Saturday?"

"Yes, of course, bring her. I'd love to see her again. She should meet her nephew and I want us to become better acquainted." Ana had only met Mia once, at the family dinner, but she'd liked Mia's energy and verve.

"She wanted to have lunch with us today," Carrick said. "But Gracie and I didn't want to overwhelm you."

Ana nodded and tucked into the salad. The food was delicious, but the view was the star of the show. As they dined, Carrick and Grace made small talk, noting how few boats were out on the bay. They chatted about their own sailboat and expressed their eagerness for the weather to improve so they could spend a day on the water. Their conversation seemed to put Grace into a happier mood.

"What does Kit need?" Grace asked. "Mia and I have a shopping trip planned for Friday evening. We want to pick up a few things for him."

It was generous of the Greys to want to buy gifts for Kit, but she hated the idea of wasting money on things he didn't yet need. She also didn't want them to believe she was the avaricious sort.

"I do laundry every day, so Kit doesn't need much in the way of clothes. But I appreciate the thought."

Grace's face fell in disappointment. In a show of sympathy, Carrick covered his wife's hand with his own.

She'd messed up. She realized that the Greys wanted to do something for Kit so they could feel closer to him. She needed to fix this, bring them on board, and reinforce their excitement to be grandparents.

"He doesn't need anything at the moment," Ana said. "But he will need some sleepers and summer outfits in the next size. Maybe a hoodie for summer evenings on the lake. And somehow the dryer keeps eating his socks. I only have two crib sheets, so another spare would be helpful. And books. I've read to him every night since he was born, so books are always a good thing."

Grace's face split into a beautiful smile.

"Oh, sweet girl, you've made me so happy." Grace looked down at Kit and back to Ana. "Thank you for making us feel included."

Carrick mouthed a silent thank you.

Ana felt like a complete shitheel for not having thought more about the Greys' feelings. They were harboring a pedophile, but as far as Ana knew, they'd been groomed just as surely as Christian had. If Grace Grey needed encouragement and reassurance in the grandmother department, Ana could provide that.

"I can't say it enough. It's very important to me that Kit have a close, loving relationship with Christian and all of the Greys."

"These are happy tears," Grace said, as she dabbed at her eyes.

"Have you given any thought to amending Kit's birth certificate?" Carrick asked. Ana was beginning to understand the origin of Christian's obsession with contracts and paperwork.

"No. What are you suggesting?" She knew where this was going and she would not be strong-armed into any changes.

"Adding Christian's name as father and changing Kit's surname," Carrick said. He was relaxed, leaning back in his chair with his almost empty glass of wine.

"I see no immediate need. Christian hasn't expressed any interest in fatherhood, so my inclination is to watch and wait."

"I understand that, but I'm an attorney. I have an aversion to forms with incomplete information. I'm also a grandfather who'd like for his grandchild to carry on the family name."

"Mr. Grey, I know you're disappointed. Christian and I have made a lot of mistakes. I also understand that I'm not what you'd hoped for in the way of a mother for your grandchild. But please know that I am honestly doing the best I can under the circumstances. Your support of my decisions will go a long way in ensuring Kit has a happy, harmonious childhood."

"As long as you call me Carrick, you and I will get along just fine. For the record, Grace and I have never harbored any preconceived notions about what kind of woman might mother our grandchild. As far as we're concerned, you're a Grey now, whether or not you ever carry the name legally. You're Kit's mother, and to that end, Grace and I will do whatever we can to assist you."

This was her opportunity. If Carrick Grey, hotshot attorney, was offering help, it was time to speak up.

"Do you mean that?" Ana asked. "Because I have problems only a lawyer can fix."

"You're talking my language," Carrick said between bites. "Please continue."

"I want to sue my former employer for unlawful termination and a hostile work environment. I called a bunch of attorneys here in Seattle and also Olympia, but none will take my case on contingency. I'm broke, so paying legal fees isn't an option for me. Do you know of anyone who might take my case?"

"That depends," he said. "Tell me the specifics. These cases can be difficult to prove."

"I was employed by Seattle Independent Press for about twelve weeks. I worked as an assistant to an editor named Jack Hyde. He was a wonderful boss at first, but then he started standing too close, brushing up against me, that sort of thing."

"That's horrible," Grace interjected.

Not nearly as horrible as what Mrs. Lincoln probably did to your son, Ana thought.

"I was sick a great deal of the time, morning sickness, though I didn't recognize the signs of pregnancy. I never missed a day of work, but I was constantly ducking into the bathroom to heave. Hyde began publicly berating me, insisting that I wasn't sick, but faking it to shirk responsibilities. I was constantly stressed out.

"One day Hyde cornered me in his office and put his hands on me. I was afraid he'd rape me right then and there. I screamed, kneed him in the groin, and ran away. I raced straight from Hyde's office to tell Mr. Roach, the owner, what happened. Roach said he'd heard all about my 'abysmal work performance' from Hyde. He defended Hyde and said he was an exemplary editor. When I argued with Roach, told him Hyde was the liar and goldbricker, I was fired on grounds of insubordination. I went straight to the police and filed an attempted rape charge."

Carrick steepled his fingers and looked up at the ceiling in contemplation.

"As I said, these things can be difficult to prove. Hyde exhibited misconduct of the worst kind. I believe you, but in order to win a suit, we need someone who can corroborate your assertions."

"The whole building probably heard Hyde calling me lazy and mocking me for being sick. Hannah and Claire, my workmates, heard me yelling for Hyde to stop during the incident in his office. Those two also endured the 'accidental' touches. There are two more women who worked for Hyde who have filed police reports against him. I've never met them, but they were let go under similar circumstances. The one before me filed an attempted rape charge and the one right after me, accused him of rape. The last time I spoke to Hannah, she told me that Hyde had been arrested and was awaiting trial for rape."

"Did you ever hear back regarding the disposition of your case?" Carrick's brow furrowed in concern.

"No," she said. "Should I have?"

"Yes, you should have received a response. The charges were probably dropped," he said. "It could be they believed they had insufficient evidence, conflicting accounts, or maybe they tried to follow up with you and couldn't get in touch. I'll check with the DA's office."

Hearing her charge against Hyde had probably been dropped, she lost some hope.

"I appreciate anything you can do," she said. "I want my employment record cleared. I'm having a difficult time finding work."

"I'm sorry to hear that. One of the junior partners at the firm is well-versed in employment law. I'll assign him to you, at no cost, of course. I would never charge you for legal services. Remember, you're family now."

"Thank you. You don't know how much I appreciate that." His concern felt genuine, so she decided to broach the topic of child support. She loathed asking for money, but she and Kit were in need. "As soon as the DNA tests reports are available, I wonder if you'd be willing to set up a meeting so Christian and I can discuss child support, health insurance, visitation…you know, all the practicalities of caring for Kit."

"Of course," he said. "I'd be happy to take care of that. Does Kit not have insurance? Are you in need of funds?"

Ana suppressed an eye roll.

These people have no idea how the rest of us live, she thought.

"After I was terminated at SIP, I soon realized I was pregnant. I moved back to Montesano to live with my father. I was able to find part-time work, a few hours a week waiting tables, but it was barely enough money to keep gas in the car. Dad has been happily supplying room and board, but I don't feel right about that. Being pregant I qualified for WIC, food stamps, and Washington State Apple Health Coverage. I haven't worked since a couple of weeks before I delivered Kit, so I'm still receiving all the benefits. We're not hungry, but I have no savings, so we're living week to week. I need a job, like yesterday."

Carrick took out his phone and before he opened his mouth to speak, she knew what he was about to offer. She was mortified.

"Give me your banking details and I'll transfer funds," he said.

"I didn't tell you any of this to elicit sympathy or shake you down for cash. I won't take money from you. This is Christian's responsibility. Like I said, we're getting by. It can wait."

"Okay," he said, putting his phone away. "The DNA tests I ordered will be fast-tracked, so we could have results as early as this evening or tomorrow morning at the latest. If you can stick around town, we can sit down tomorrow and hammer out child support, visitation, and all those other details. I can also put together a session with the employment law specialist I mentioned earlier. Does that work for you?"

"Yes, that will work just fine. Thank you." Ana felt relief and a new hope that some of the loose ends in her life might finally get tied up in a neat little bow.

"Oh, my goodness," Grace exclaimed. With a barely perceptible hand movement, she discreetly gestured toward a table of four ladies, none of whom appeared young enough or blonde enough to be Mrs. Robinson. "I see some friends from the Catholic Women's Association. Would it be alright if I pushed the stroller to their table and chatted for a few minutes? I'd love to show off my grandson."

"Sure," Ana said, feeling in a generous mood. She watched as Grace proudly push the stroller over to her friends. The ladies greeted her warmly and kindly oohed and ahhed over Kit.

"Thank you for stepping outside your comfort zone," Carrick said. "As miserable as she feels over Christian's dreadful behavior, she's so damn happy with Kit. That baby is such a blessing."

Ana smiled and nodded in agreement.

"What do you think will happen with Christian's case?" She asked. "I'm worried about how a prolonged prison sentence could affect Kit."

"Don't worry about that." Carrick exuded confidence.

"But the charge carries prison time and there's no denying he took Kit."

"I can't predict the future," he said. "But I feel sure he can avoid prison time. The case has been transferred to King County, which means we'll probably be able to get a closed hearing, good for all of us, since it guards our privacy. But Christian has created a huge public relations problem for himself and for you. Both of you should lay low and stay mum. Because the story is still breaking news and the press is unaware that you're in Seattle, you should be okay. But Montesano is another story. The press are swarming around town trying to find out more about you. Your name and high school yearbook photo have been published by the Nooz, as well as a photo of you and Christian that was taken at your graduation."

She gasped aloud at the implications of being outed. Head in hands and her eyes closed, she realized the loss of privacy could end up being more impactful than she'd imagined.

"I had no idea my identity and image were circulating. My dad called me first thing this morning, because when he woke up there were already press snooping around. I figured they just wanted to know the origin of the 911 call. Thank goodness for the security folks Taylor hired. They should be setting up by now."

"Are you afraid to go back?" Carrick asked. "You're welcome to stay at our house."

"Thank you for the offer, but I can always stay with Kate. I'll admit to being a bit frightened, but I can't stop living my life. In case you haven't noticed, I'm pretty good at facing challenges." She hoped he understood that she was no pushover.

"I have noticed," he replied. "I also noticed how you flinched when Elena Lincoln's name was mentioned. Should I be worried about her?"

She couldn't argue with what Carrick saw; she had a physical response every time she heard the bitch's name.

Sure, she'd opened up to the Greys about aspects of the NDA, but she would never convey to anyone the more intimate aspects of Christian's life. If she were the one to tell about the sexual abuse and BDSM, Christian would never again trust her, and she needed his trust if they were to optimally co-parent. The pedophilia and subsequent kink were two pieces of information that had to come directly from Christian.

"I only have the capacity to concentrate on my own concerns." Ana shrugged in a non-commital way. "I have no opinion on what your worries should be."

"Has Christian ever mentioned Elena Lincoln?" Carrick's question unnerved her. She suddenly felt as if she were on the witness stand.

"No, he never mentioned her, but Kate has. She met Mrs. Lincoln at your home."

"Ah, yes, they've met on several occasions," he said. "I'm sure Kate had plenty to say. I can see you're uncomfortable. I certainly would never ask you to betray a confidence."

"Thank you." She hoped the subject of Christian's abuser was tabled for now.

"FYI, the judge in Montesano issued a No Contact Order for you and Kit. Once the DNA results come back, I hope to make the case that Christian should be able to visit Kit so the two can bond. Under your supervision, of course, and only if you feel comfortable with that."

"That's fine. I welcome supervised visitation. When I spoke to Christian yesterday, I issued my requirement that he make regular visits with his therapist. He's deeply troubled, and if he isn't making the effort to receive treatment, I don't want him around Kit."

She wondered how Christian was doing, but the part of her hoping he was miserable held her back. Her feelings about him were all over the place and she desperately needed her own therapist to sort it all out.

"That's more than reasonable," Carrick said. "And I do appreciate it."

Both turned toward the low, clacking sound of stroller wheels against the restaurant's tile floor. As Grace approached the table, she looked down at Kit, her face beaming with delight. It warmed Ana's heart to see the affection Grace already had for her grandson.

"He's the most wonderful gift," she said to Ana.

"Our grandson made quite the impression," she said, turning to Carrick. "They asked about Christian, but I explained everything you told me last night, how the facts weren't out, and everyone should refrain from judgment. They were very kind."

Ana didn't understand how either of the Greys could say the facts weren't out. Her 911 call and the subsequent Amber Alert were facts enough. But she held her tongue and made the rest of their meeting as pleasant as possible.

Hello, Gentle Reader!

It's a beautiful day here in North Carolina and I do hope it's just as lovely in your corner of the world.

What do you think of Ana's budding relationship with the Greys? What do you make of the exchange she had with Carrick regarding Elena?

The next chapter is from Christian's POV. What do you hope to see from him?

Many thanks to Carol222 for pre-reading and to snoopylover60 for jogging my memory re: canon facts. Both ladies have been more than generous with their time.

Thank you, Dear Reader, for reading and reviewing. Your feedback is fuel for my growth as a writer. I value your thoughts and opinions.

All the best, Paula