Chapter 1

CPOV:

I'm sitting around in the board room of WSU, surrounded by people but it seems like I can't think about anything other than Ana this morning. Although I just ran from her; I really can't stop thinking about her and what she revealed to me.

A baby… I'm going to be a father….. How!? How do I do this?

I behaved in an appalling manner with Ana, hurt her in every way possible…just because I couldn't handle the news.

But we are so young... I thought I'll show her the world... are we really ready to be parents? To handle a small fragile baby, so dependent on us. I think about how Ana wants the child and I realize the child is as much a part of me as Ana's.

I love my baby already… the realization hits me like a freight train! Less than an hour ago, I was repelled by the idea of fatherhood; but now I see how much this baby would mean to me and all my family! They'll be ecstatic and my precious little child would be spoiled rotten by Elliot and Mia and Kate.

After what seems like ages I finally smile. I'll need all the help in the world, but I want my Ana to be happy, I want us to be happy. The thought of an abortion repels me now. It would be like murdering a child that is not born.

I finally make up my mind. The first thing I'll do once I return to Seattle is run back to Ana and apologize. I'll show her how much both she and the baby mean to me.

And with that thought I quickly address all the members of the meeting and get up to leave. I call Taylor and ask him to drive me to the helicopter right away. I need my Ana. That's all I could think of.

We are getting ready to take off, when Taylor gets a call and he sounds tensed. The look on his face tells me something is wrong. I ask him immediately what's wrong.

"It's Ana Sir, she's not feeling well. Sawyer took her home. I think we should take off for Seattle right away." He says it all in one breath. God this man is equally protective of Ana as me. God I hope she's fine. I hope the baby is fine.

We hurry through the rest of the flight check and take off. I'm desperate to get back to my wife. Soon we land on the helipad of Escala. And I rush out of the helicopter; Taylor right behind my heels, when all of sudden Taylor shouts "Fuck, how did you let her get away!"

I spin around and a chill shoots through my spine. I see Taylor is gripping his phone like he is about to crush it and I swear he has a pained expression on his face. He is always so composed and formal, but all traces of composure is lost.

'What is it?' my voice is barely a whisper.

'Mrs. Grey is not at home Sir, she got away' he says with a pained voice.

"What do you mean she got away?" I bellow in anger. Is she running, she's running from me...? I've lost her

"She evaded Sawyer and took her car. She's at the bank" Taylor says and I barely hear him.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and hope that it is Ana. I answer without looking at the screen. And I'm met with the voice of Mr. Whelan, the manager of the bank where I keep my accounts.

"Mr. Grey, I'm sorry to disturb you but your wife is here at the bank demanding to withdraw 5 million. Do I have your permission?" he asks. That's all I need to hear to break down. I fall on my knees.

"Mr. Grey, are you still on the line?' Mr. Whelan inquires. "May I talk to my wife please?" I say as smoothly as I can manage.

"Yes of course, Mr. Grey. Give me a moment please" and with that I'm put on hold.

After what seems like hours, I finally hear Ana's voice on the other end of the line.

Hi" she murmurs.

"Are you leaving me?" I whisper. My voice sounds pained even to me.

"No!" she replies at once. Her voice mirrors my pain. And before relief could course through my veins at her answer, she says "yes". Something's changed in her voice.

I gasp and I slump down, I've lost all hope. I try desperately to think of something to say, to apologize but nothing comes to my mind. "Ana I –"

"Christian, please. Don't." she cuts me off before I can say anything else.

"You're going?" I ask

"Yes."

"But why the cash? Was it always the money?" I whisper out barely audible to myself.

"No," She whispers back. Her voice is heavy with tears. Is she crying?

"Is five million enough?"

"Yes."

"And the baby?" my voice is a breathless echo.

"I'll take care of the baby," She murmurs.

She is definitely upset. She really doesn't want to leave, does she? I have to try getting her back!

"This is what you want?" I ask praying that she says no.

"Yes."

I inhales sharply. "Take it all," I spit out.

"Christian," she sob. "It's for you. For your family. Please. Don't."

What! What is she saying? My family….."Take it all, Anastasia." I repeat without thinking.

"Christian - " she pauses. I can hear her breathing heavily.

I need to figure out what's going on. I have to get her back. I'll follow her and get her back.

"I'll always love you." And with that I disconnect the line. I'm met with Mr. Whelan's voice again and i quickly instruct him to liquidate all my assets and let Ana withdraw as much as she wants.

With my new resolution to get Ana I get up with all the determination in the world, and I turn to Taylor. "Taylor I need to see her, take me to her"