Anastasia

As soon as Charlie and I got back home from meeting Christian, we were instantly bombarded by the Kavanaghs. Kate and Ethan wanted to know how the visit went, and Charlie was all to happy to tell them all about her daddy and his tower in the sky. She told them we're going to the zoo on Saturday and invited them to join us. I told Charlie that Kate and Ethan can go next time and that this time was just for her and her daddy.

After Charlie had her bath and went to bed, Ethan asked the more adult questions, like if we discussed support and custody, and what this meant for our relationship.

Obviously nothing will change with us, I don't know why he asked that. The only change is that I'll have to share my baby since Charlie will have her father in her life now. We didn't really discuss anything about support or custody, but I'm sure we will talk more about that in private without Charlie overhearing things. But Christian did say he didn't want the paternity test that his lawyers insisted on.

Ethan agreed that it's nice that Charlie has her father now, but I don't think he's too happy about it. I think he's worried that he'll lose Charlie's affection now that she has her daddy.

When we started our relationship, Ethan said he's okay with Charlie calling him dad. It's one of the things that made me say yes to dating him; that he was okay with me being a mother. He also brought up marriage... Ethan may be 29 and ready to settle down, but I'm only 20 and I'm not ready for that yet. I refuse to be like my mother and marry a man just so he can support me and my baby. If I marry, I want it to be for love, and I'm okay with never getting married if I can't find it. I like Ethan, but I just don't think he's my forever.

I've never told him this before, obviously. I don't want to hurt his feelings.

.

It has been three days since Charlie and Christian met, and it is now Saturday; zoo day.

The past three days, Christian has called and sent messages, even sending me a new phone so he and Charlie could face-time, since I couldn't do that on my old phone. And if Christian called while Charlie was napping, we would chat about everything that has happened within the last 3 years. We even discussed more important things, like trying out weekend visits soon and support. I was a little surprised that Christian didn't want to have his lawyers involved, like he originally said.

I don't know why, maybe the excitement of what we're doing today, but I am awake before anyone, even Char! And that almost never happens.

Ethan slept over last night, wanting to 'officially' meet Christian. I almost thought he was wanting to join us, since Charlie invited him, but thankfully Kate convinced him it would be better for Char if we went alone; just Christian, Char and me. I'd like Kate and Christian to meet, but they kind of already have since she interviewed him, and she'll be at work by the time Christian arrives.

I'm surprised when I hear my phone go off, announcing I have a text message, since it is so early.

I mean, who could possibly be texting me this early on a Saturday morning? Both Kate and Ethan are here and Christian isn't picking us up until later.

Grabbing my phone, I see that it's Christian.

So he is to blame for Charlie's morning bird syndrome!

I giggle and quickly cover my mouth with my hand so as to not wake Ethan who is still sleeping right next to me.

But why would Christian text this early?

Crap, maybe he's canceling because of work.

I check that Ethan is still knocked out before turning my attention to the message Christian sent.

Does Charlie like animal crackers? - C. Grey

Shit! Sorry, it's early, you're probably not awake yet. - C. Grey

I giggle quietly as I reply.

Actually, and surprisingly, I am awake. And she does like animal crackers. Why do you ask? - Ana

I'm at the store, getting snacks and shit for today. Did you know they sell animal crackers in a bag or a box? - C. Grey

He has attached a photo of the bag and box he's talking about, along with a few other 'amazing' things they sell at the store he's at, to show me.

I do go to the grocery store on a regular basis, Christian, I know what they have. LoL You don't have to send pictures of products. - Ana

Sorry, I'm just excited. - C. Grey.

He's excited over animal crackers and bug juice bottles? That's cute. I guess he has never really shopped for kid-friendly stuff before, so that could explain it.

He sends me a photo of the self-checkout next and I can't help but laugh again.

When was the last time you went shopping? - Ana

Last week. - C. Grey

Really? I don't believe you. - Ana

They've had those self-checkouts in stores for awhile now, no way he was at the store last week, someone else must do his shopping.

It's true. I was shopping in Houston last week. - C. Grey

Okay, then what did you buy in Houston? - Ana

I'm sure they have self-checkouts all over, not just here.

An airline. - C. Grey

I know the message is meant to be a joke, because I was teasing him first, but it's a small reminder if how very different our world's are. He bought an airline, I can't even afford a plane ticket in coach to the next state over. I guess I could now, but that's because of him. He put a substantial amount into my bank account, I didn't even give him my bank information! I think it's way too much, but I'm sure he thinks it's not enough.

Look at this! -C. Grey

His next message really makes me laugh, because attached is a selfie of him in what looks like a car with an elephant animal cracker held up near his face. He looks so young and excited over an elephant shaped cracker. It's cute.

Another message comes through with a photo of the elephant's butt missing and it looks like Christian is chewing.

And they taste delicious! - C. Grey

You know you're eating an elephant's ass, right? - Ana

I love ass. ;) - C. Grey

You are soooo nasty! - Ana

Hey, don't knock it til you've tried it. - C. Grey

No thanks, I'll pass. - Ana

Just try it. - C. Grey

Anal or animal crackers? - Ana

Oh my god! Why did I send that?!

Both. - C. Grey.

Um. No. - Ana

Why not? - C. Grey

I decide to keep this little exchange innocent and not freaky.

Two words; Elephant. Ass. - Ana

Just. Try. It. - C. Grey

No. - Ana

Come on, you know you want some of this. - C. Grey.

I'm not eating elephant butt and there is no way you can convince me to do so. - Ana

Nothing like I thought an elephant ass would taste. You might like it. - C. Grey

"What are you laughing at?"

My body stiffens, tense at hearing Ethan's husky, sleepy voice.

I don't know why, because our interaction was totally innocent, aside from the anal comment, but I feel guilty for texting Christian while Ethan was laying next to me.

"Nothing." I answer Ethan while texting Christian that I have to get Charlie and I ready soon so I need to go.

After putting my phone back on my bedside table, I look over at Ethan who still has his eyes closed.

"Charlie still sleeping?" He asks.

"Yeah."

"Mmmm." He moans, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me towards him. "Go lock the door."

Ethan and Christian are the only men I've had sex with, and I hate to compare the two, but I do. Ethan pleases me well enough, however, he's only made me cum with his fingers and he refuses to do oral. It's not the best I've had, but the best I've had I can't have again; he's never going to be available since he's getting married. Ethan is a good guy though and he adores Charlie, so I can't really complain if he doesn't fully satisfy me.

Just as I'm about to shut and lock my bedroom door, I hear little footsteps running down the hall.

"Mommy, mommy!" Charlie comes into my room, grinning and excited. "Is zoo day!"

"It is!" I tell her, matching her excitement. "Let's have breakfast and get ready, your daddy will be here soon."

"O-tay." She runs out, towards the kitchen, not waiting for me.

I give Ethan a sorry, maybe next time look and walk out to feed my daughter.

Christian

I woke up early to make sure I had everything ready for today, even shopping for snacks myself.

While Anastasia and I are taking Charlie to the zoo, Gail will oversee the child safety company to 'child proof' my apartment and Charlie's bedroom renovation. I've confirmed everything with Gia yesterday and today she and her team are starting the project while I'm gone. I'm hoping for it to be finished before Charlie comes back to my apartment again so it will be ready for her.

I've spoken to my parents to confirm when would be good for them to meet Charlie. My parents don't do well together, for obvious reasons, so we'll need to separate their visits. However, they both have picked the same day. Tomorrow. It's a bit last minute, but I'll need to confirm with Ana. She said she was available on weekends so I don't see it being a problem with her, though.

The plan is to have dinner with my father, Elena and Mia while we have desert with my mother, Carrick and Elliot.

After Ana sends me a text saying she's going to get Charlie ready, I turn my phone off and put it in my pocket. I don't want any interruptions today while we're out, giving Charlie and Ana my full attention.

Since Ana said she's getting Charlie ready, that must mean we can leave soon. We're working around Charlie's schedule, only staying at the zoo until it's her nap-time. If she's awake, I want all the time I can get, I've already missed enough, so with that in mind, I grab everything and head towards the elevator.

I'm shocked when I reach it, because it announces its arrival and opens for me.

At first I think Ana and Charlie are meeting me here instead of me picking them up, but then I hear the familiar click, click, click of heels and see that it's Tia.

"What are you doing here?"

"Why do you always ask me that?" She pouts. "I think I should just move in early since you seem to ask me that so often. Then I could say, I live here."

Fuck, I don't need this shit right now.

"I told you, I'm busy today." I walk passed her and push the button to call the elevator back. Since it hasn't left my floor yet, the doors open immediately and I step inside.

"Where are you going?" Tia asks, joining me on the ride down.

"I'm taking Charlie to the zoo." I hide my smile.

"Oh, I haven't been to the zoo here. Maybe I can join you?"

"What?" No. "You don't care about shit like that."

"Well, if she's going to be around, Christian, it would be nice if I got to know her. I will be her stepmother, we do need to meet and you didn't introduce me that time she was here."

"Alright," I give in, because she does have a point, she will need to meet Charlie, too. "You can come, but we're going to be walking a lot." I nod towards her heels.

"Please, Christian, I can walk in heels higher than this all day while I'm shopping. Walking around a zoo is no different."

The elevator arrives in the parking garage, and because Taylor knows me well- he has the SUV ready and waiting for me.

I have a child seat already installed by a professional and double checked by a certified technician, ready for Charlie. The plan is for Taylor to follow us, so I'm driving this SUV.

Five minutes later and I pull up outside Anastasia's apartment building.

"Wait here." I tell Tia, not waiting for a response before I get out.

I'm buzzed up to her apartment and when I reach her door a man a little shorter than me answers. I recognize him as Ethan Kavanagh; aka Ana's boyfriend. And he's shirtless.

"Grey."

"Kavanagh."

We size each other up, and I know he feels threatened. I can see it all over his face, and it explains why he's not wearing his shirt.

"Is my daughter and Ana ready?" I ask.

He opens the door for me to come inside, not saying anything.

"Hey, babe," He calls out to Ana.

He turns to me and gives me a cheesy ass fake smile.

I smirk back, because I'm taking his girl. And then I stop to think about what I just thought. I'm not taking his girl, Charlie is mine, my daughter... And Ana-

"Daddy!" Charlie comes running out of the back rooms before Ethan can say more, distracting my thoughts.

She runs towards me, full speed, hitting me like a linebacker.

"Hey, baby girl." I pick her up with a bounce and kiss her head.

"Hi, daddy!"

I swear my heart melts every time I hear her call me daddy. I'm so fucking happy she has accepted me as her father so quickly and easily.

"Effen, my daddy is here!"

"I see that." Though he doesn't seem to happy about it. What the fuck is this guy's problem?

"Are you ready for the zoo?" I decide to focus on Charlie.

"Uh-huh," Charlie goes on and on about all the animals she wants to see, and I tell her about the animal crackers I bought for us as a snack.

It's hard keeping my eyes off of Ana when she walks out, but I manage.

Ana dressed Charlie in an over-all jean jumper and light purple shirt, with two pig-tail braids. Ana is wearing skin tight jeans that hug her curves just right, with a single braid down her back. They look almost similar. Charlie may look more like me, but she is Ana's mini me today.

Ana does a quick introduction while putting her shoes on. I did show up early so I don't mind waiting.

"I just gotta grab her bag and then we can go." Ana lets me know.

My eyes drift on their own when she bends over to reach it, and I'm reminded of our not so innocent text of anal.

Obviously Ethan notices my staring and stands in front of my view.

Jealousy is not an emotion I'm familiar with, but I am when I see Ethan kiss Ana's lips as they say goodbye. I shouldn't feel this way, and I don't know why I am. Ana and I just had one night, there were no feelings involved, no promises of more. Perhaps their could've been, but now that can never happen.

Which reminds me.

"My fiancé wanted to meet Charlie," I tell Ana once she's joined us, taking Charlie's bag from Ana. "She'll be coming with us today, if that's alright."

"Sure, that's fine. I know everyone in your life will want to meet and be a part of Charlie's life."

With the news that Tia is joining us, Ethan seems much more at ease letting Ana go. Insecure fucker.

When we make it outside, Tia is standing next to the SUV, impatiently waiting for us.

"Tia." I gain her attention.

"Hi, cutie," Tia squeals and starts talking in some sort of a baby language to Charlie that even I can't understand.

A quick glance at the girls, I see Ana is now forcing her smile, obviously not liking the way Tia is talking to Charlie but not wanting to be rude about it.

"What's her name?"

"Well, you could ask her." I point out. "But her name is Charlie."

"That's a boys name." Tia laughs.

"I not a boy!" Charlie demands.

"Sorry," Tia says, looking at Ana now. "You named her Charlie?"

"Actually, Charlie is her nickname, or Char. It's short for Charlotte."

"What's your name?" Charlie asks Tia in a tone I'm sure I'll learn quick.

"I'm Tatiana, but you can call me Tia."

"She's my aunt?" Charlie asks Ana in a whisper.

Wait. Aunt? She knows Spanish?

"No, silly, I'm your daddy's fiancé." Tia glances at Ana as she says this, like it's more for her benefit that she's explaining her title than for Charlie's curiosity, before turning her attention back to Charlie.

"What is a pee-on-say?" Charlie asks innocently, not knowing the meaning of the word and trying to pronounce it.

"It means that your daddy and Tia are getting married." Ana explains.

"I don't like you." Charlie says sternly, turning her head away from Tia so she's no longer looking at her, surprising us all, even Ana.

"I'm so sorry," Ana apologizes to Tia as she takes Charlie from me. "I read her fairytales, and the movies she watches all have wicked step-mothers. Apologize, Char."

"Don't worry about it, Ana." I tell her.

"Yeah," Tia agrees. "Charlotte will get to know me soon enough and will learn that I'm really cool. Maybe we can go to lunch and do some shopping together, just us girls, so she can get to know me better."

That'll give the paps something to talk about; I can just see the photos of Ana and Tia having lunch together and the rumors that will form from that.

Mistress and wife have sushi lunch while they discuss sex with Christian Grey.

Since we're on a limited time schedule, we load up into the SUV now.

I've impressed Ana with the car seat and its installation, but I let her buckle Charlie in since I'm not that skilled yet.

With Anastasia and Charlie in the back, and Tia up front with me, I drive us towards the zoo.

.

It's a nice day to walk around the zoo, admiring all the magnificent animals. Except Tia insists on holding onto me like I'm going to run off and chase the lions.

"It's hot." I complain as I pry her hands off of me.

Tia huffs and plays with her engagement ring instead.

Why the fuck is she acting like this? Is she jealous? Of what? One glare towards Ana and I have my answer. But Ana and I weren't together- Oh. Tia doesn't know that Ana and I weren't together, together. She doesn't know it was only one night. She must think we were together but doesn't know what broke us up. Well I'm not telling her shit.

"Charlotte," Tia insists on call Charlie by her full name. "would you like some yummy cotton candy for your wittle tummy?"

Charlie doesn't respond to Tia so I ask her.

"No thanks, daddy. I'm lergic."

"She's allergic to cotton candy?" I ask Ana.

"She doesn't like it." Ana amends. "If she doesn't like something, she's 'allergic' to it. I don't mind that she's 'allergic' to cotton candy, though. Too much sugar."

"Is she allergic to anything?"

"Not that I know of, no."

Tia continues trying to get Charlie to talk to her, but Char wont even look her way. It's actually quite funny to watch. It isn't until Tia suggests getting Charlie a coke that Ana steps in and turns down the offer politely.

"Mommy, I wanna see the brown bears now."

"Okay, baby."

"How do you get her to talk like that?" Tia asks amazed, and a bit rude if you ask me.

It never really hit me that Charlie spoke so well, I haven't been around many kids to know how each behaves.

"Um, well, Char has always been a fast learner. She learned to walk at 8, almost 9 months old, and said her first word around the same time."

I know this because Ana has already told me.

"My friend has a four year old and he only speaks gibberish." Tia laughs like it's a joke. "You can only understand, like, about a word in every sentence he says."

"All children are different." Ana smiles kindly, and obviously not wanting to say anything rude.

Maybe if her friend didn't speak gibberish to her children, they wont speak gibberish. And like Ana said, every child is different. There are times I don't understand a word or two that Charlie has said so I need Ana to translate, but other than that, she's easy to understand and is very vocal about her wants and needs.

"I couldn't help notice, Charlie understood Spanish?" I change the subject, curious and wanting to know.

"She doesn't know a lot." Ana explains. "There's a five year old little boy named José in her daycare during the afternoons. He speaks both Spanish and English."

"Mommy. Daddy." Charlie interrupts, reminding us that she wants to see the brown bears when we take too long to walk in that direction.

"Alright, let's go see these bears." I pick her up, causing her to squeal when I place her on my shoulders.

"The brown ones." Charlie insists.

.

Charlie has ahold of mine and Ana's hands, not letting go and dragging us to each exhibit she wants to see. There is no rhyme or reason as to what she wants to look at, it's whatever her heart desires.

Ana and I have no problem walking from one end of the zoo to the next and back again, and when Charlie gets tired she has me carry her, but since Tia decided heels would be a good choice for a day of walking, she's having difficulties and keeps falling behind. She almost looks like some sort of crazed stalker, not dressed for a trip to the zoo and too far away to be considered a part of our group. Even Taylor is wearing 'plain clothes' as he follows us from a safe distance.

"Is it time to go home yet?" Tia is the one complaining like a two year old, rather than the two year old, when we stop to look at the tortoise eating his lunch.

"But I wanna see the gawilla next!" Charlie says and I can't help but laugh. She's sure giving me a workout today.

"They're at the other end of the zoo!" Tia whines. "We were just there when we saw the rest of the monkeys!"

It's true, we were at the primate exhibit before coming to see the tortoises and they are quite the distance apart. But we've been following Charlie's lead all day, letting her decide what she wants to look at, and if she wants to see the gorillas again, we're going to see the gorillas again.

"My feet are killing me, Christian, can't we come back another day?" Tia begs me, pulling me to the side.

"No. I told you it wouldn't be a good idea to wear those shoes, this isn't a shopping trip, Tia, there are hills and we are walking around the zoo all day. If you don't like it, wait in the gift shop until we're done. There's air conditioning in there and you could do some shopping."

We're near the gift shop now, so she better decide. The path to the primates has a steep hill and she knows it.

She thinks about it for a second, glancing between me and Ana, who is paying more attention to Charlie than our exchange, before she huffs and stomps off towards the gift shop.

Thank fuck for that.

"Where is Tia going?" Ana asks when I walk towards her and Charlie.

"She's tired so she'll wait in the gift shop until we're done."

"I'm not tired." Charlie says sweetly, like she's trying to dodge her nap that is fast approaching.

"She's going to sleep so good." Ana whispers to me.

I laugh, picking up Charlie and then we're off to see the gorillas. Just Charlie, Ana and I.

.

Charlie loved the gorillas, but I learn quickly the attention span of a two year old isn't very long. Next she wants to see the pretty penguins wearing their cute tuxedos, that we've already seen, I might add. I don't mind, seeing her smile and giggle is worth it.

I'm having so much more fun than I was when we first arrived, and I have no idea what has changed. Sure, Tia isn't following us anymore, but she wasn't very involved before. Whatever it is, the mood has changed now and it's much more pleasant.

Anastasia and I take turns taking photos of Charlie looking at the animals. I send a few to my mother, Carrick and Elliot, and my mother sends me a message back reminding me that she wants to meet Charlie and Ana tomorrow. I still need to talk to Ana about that, but right now we're enjoying the animals.

A zookeeper walking around the grounds takes a group photo of Ana, Charlie and I. That one is going as my phone's screensaver. I've never really used a photo as a screensaver before. Elliot put his ugly mug as my screensaver once as a joke, but I took it off as soon as I saw it.

When I set the screensaver, I notice a few work calls and emails that I've missed, so I end up turning my phone off and we use Ana's phone to capture photos after that.

"What brought you to Seattle?" I finally ask Ana the question I've been wondering about since I found out she was here.

Now that we're somewhat alone, Charlie being distracted with the animals, we can talk a bit more.

"My mother." She says cryptically before explaining, "She didn't want her friends to know that her teen daughter got pregnant from a one night stand. It would look badly on her skills as a mother, as she put it. Her current husband was going to pay for my college anyway, at the local college in Georgia, but she convinced him to send me somewhere else so I wouldn't be seen. Washington was his idea, I don't really know why exactly but I'm glad we're here."

Me, too.

"So... you were underage... when we..."

"Um, yeah," She blushes. "I'm sorry I lied about my age, I used a fake ID that night."

"I was young once, I understand." Elliot and I did a lot of crazy, stupid shit when we were teens, and even more in college.

"Hey, I'm not that young!" Ana bumps my arm with her shoulder. "We're only, what, nine or ten years apart?"

"Okay, ten years older than you isn't that bad, but you being underage when we..." I raise my brows to make my point clear so Charlie doesn't overhear anything she shouldn't. "is."

"I was almost 18, a legal adult." Ana says in her defense. "And it was consensual, I wanted you just as much as you wanted me that night."

Wanted?

"I didn't expect this to be more than what it was. I never expected to see you again, and I never expected to get pregnant, that's for sure."

"Tell me about college." I change the subject, not wanting to think about how I feel regarding that word.

"It's going well. I changed my major after Charlie was born, because I needed to start making money, but I like it. And I took a lot of online classes so I could finish sooner. Thankfully I'm almost done with school and I'm working now, so it's going better than expected. I don't think I'll do the whole ceremony thing, though."

"You should. It's an experience you'll never forget, and it would be good for Charlie to see what her mother accomplished."

"Maybe."

"That's nice that your stepfather paid for your tuition."

"Well, after my first year, my funding was cut off. I think my mother and the husband who paid for my college divorced or something, I don't know, so I had to drop out. The Kavanaghs have really helped me out, I don't know what I would do without them; Kate's parents pay for her apartment so I don't have to pay rent, and I was helping her mother with her in-home daycare and getting paid for that. I was able to make money and have Char with me, but it wasn't enough money to raise her without help, so I decided to go back to college. That's when I got a loan and changed my major."

"Let me pay your student loans," I offer. "It's the least I could do."

"Christian, no, you don't have to do that. The loan I got I don't have to pay back until I graduate and I have a good job now. You just worry about Charlie, not me."

"You're the mother of my daughter, I'm going to worry about you, too."

I've already been putting money into her account that I don't think she has figured out yet. At least I don't think she has because she hasn't mentioned it. So if she doesn't let me pay her student loans, the money I've already given her will cover it.

Ana is about to say something when her phone goes off and Charlie pulls my hand to show me something.

We're near the polar bears now and Charlie likes watching them go into the water.

"What?" I overhear Ana. "How?"

She starts looking around the grounds so I do as well, picking Charlie up and watching for any threats. That's when I see Taylor making a B-line towards us.

Fuck, something's up and I turned my phone off.

Shifting Charlie in my arms, I reach for my phone in my pocket just as Ana finishes her phone call.

"Thanks, Kate." She ends the call and turns to me. "The media knows that you're here with- um. Us."

"How?" I ask, not sure if she even knows the answer.

"I don't know how, but my friend Kate works at the Seattle Times and she said every media outlet is on their way here now. They already have a few pictures leaked online."

We both look around the grounds, but don't see anything other than families with their phones.

Fucking camera phones and nosey ass people who can't mind their own damn business.

"Sir," Taylor finally approaches us. "We have to go."

Keeping Charlie in my arms, I place my arm around Ana's tiny waist and hold her to me while we speed walk towards exit with Taylor.

By the time we reach the main gate, paparazzi are already flashing their cameras in our faces.

Charlie, thankfully, hides her precious face in my neck and holds on for dear life. I'm livid, pissed that they are scaring my daughter and ruining our first outing.

As soon as we're in shouting distance, that's what they do.

"Mr. Grey, can you tell us who you're with today?"

"Mr. Grey, what are you doing at the zoo?"

"Who's the kid, Grey?"

"What's your name, sweetie?"

"Back. The fuck. Off." I growl instead of my usual, 'no comment'.

Taylor already has the SUV pulled up to the curb, so we don't have to walk far.

I open the back door, helping Ana and Charlie inside, as Taylor runs to the driver's seat.

"I'm sorry," I apologize to the girls. "I should've known this would happen and suggested something else, something more private."

"It's okay." Ana shrugs it off, not at all freaking out over the safety issue the paps caused as she straps Charlie into her seat.

Once we're all buckled in, which doesn't take long, Taylor honks and maneuvers the SUV around the photographers.

We give Charlie the animal crackers I bought and a sippy cup with juice to distract her, but all she wants to know is if her hair looked okay in the pictures the crazy people took of us. Her comic relief is enough to almost calm me down, but I still pull out my phone to do damage control with my PR.

As I do, I see a message from my mother asking if we're on for tomorrow.

"I forgot, my parents are ready to meet her," I tell Ana of their plans and when, making sure it's okay with her, before I forget again.

"That works for us."

"I'll make sure there will be absolutely no photographers around then."

After confirming the plans with my mother, I start emailing my PR about these photographs that are already online. It's annoying, but I don't mind if they take pictures of me, however, I don't want Charlie's face plastered all over the internet and magazines. I'm hoping for at least a little curtesy and respect when it comes to her since she is so little.

As I look through the photos my PR found, to confirm if I want them removed, they suggest I allow some to stay online so that this doesn't happen again. Well, fuck that! I want them all gone.

Since Ana is sitting right next to me, she leans over to look through the photos with me. It looks like most were taken from camera phones, no professional paps were at the zoo until these photos where posted online. There are only a few; most are of the three of us, but there are a couple with Tia, too. And I was right, she looks like some crazed stalker who was following us.

We make it a mile away from the zoo before my phone goes off.

"Grey." I snap, only answering it because it could be about what just happened.

"Christian!" Tia wails. "Where are you?! Did you leave me here?"

Shit.

"No." I lie. "I'm taking Ana and Charlie home, I'll find you at the zoo gift shop when I get back."

"What?! Christian-"

I end the call and give Ana a guilty smile.

"That was Tia."

"Oh my gosh!" Ana gasps. "I forgot all about her."

I laugh because so did I.