Fifty Shades Trilogy 03 - Fifty Shades Freed

she heads out of the office.
    I gaze after her departing figure. “You see that woman?” I talk quietly to the Blip. “She might be the reason you’re here.” I pat my belly then feel like a complete idiot, because I am talking to the blip. My tiny little Blip. I shake my head, exasperated at myself and at Hannah . . . though deep down I know I can’t really blame Hannah. Despondently I switch on my computer. There’s an e-mail from Christian.

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: Missing You
    Date: September 13, 2011 13:58
    To: Anastasia Grey
    Mrs. Grey
I’ve been back in the office for only three hours, and I’m missing you already.
Hope Ray has settled into his new room okay. Mom is going to see him this afternoon and check up on him.
I’ll collect you around six this evening, and we can go and see him before heading home.
Sound good?
Your loving husband
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
    I type a quick response.

    From: Anastasia Grey
    Subject: Missing You
    Date: September 13, 2011 14:10
    To: Christian Grey
    Sure.
x
    Anastasia Grey
Commissioning Editor, SIP

    From: Christian Grey
    Subject: Missing You
    Date: September 13, 2011 14:14
    To: Anastasia Grey
    Are you okay?
    Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
    No, Christian, I’m not. I’m freaking out about you freaking out. I don’t know what to do. But I am not going to tell you via e-mail.

    From: Anastasia Grey
    Subject: Missing You
    Date: September 13, 2011 14:17
    To: Christian Grey
    Fine. Just busy.
See you at six.
x
    Anastasia Grey
Commissioning Editor, SIP
    When will I tell him? Tonight? Maybe after sex? Maybe during sex. No, that might be dangerous for both of us. When he’s asleep? I put my head in my hands. What the hell am I going to do?

    “Hi,” Christian says warily as I climb into the SUV.
    “Hi,” I murmur.
    “What’s wrong?” He frowns. I shake my head as Taylor sets off toward the hospital.
    “Nothing.” Maybe now? I could tell him now when we’re in a contained space and Taylor is with us.
    “Is work all right?” Christian continues to probe.
    “Yes. Fine. Thanks.”
    “Ana, what’s wrong?” His tone is a little more forceful, and I chicken out.
    “I’ve just missed you, that’s all. And I’ve been worried about Ray.”
    Christian visibly relaxes. “Ray’s good. I spoke to Mom this afternoon and she’s impressed with his progress.” Christian grasps my hand. “Boy, your hand is cold. Have you eaten today?”
    I blush.
    “Ana,” Christian scolds me, annoyed.
    Well, I haven’t eaten because I know you’re going to go bat-shit crazy when I tell you I’m pregnant.
    “I’ll eat this evening. I haven’t really had time.”
    He shakes his head in frustration. “Do you want me to add ‘feed my wife’ to the security detail’s list of duties?”
    “I’m sorry. I’ll eat. It’s just been a weird day. You know, moving Dad and all.”
    His lips press into a hard line, but he says nothing. I gaze out the window. Tell him! My subconscious hisses. No. I’m a coward.
    Christian interrupts my reverie. “I may have to go to Taiwan.”
    “Oh. When?”
    “Later this week. Maybe next week.”
    “Okay.”
    “I want you to come with me.”
    I swallow. “Christian, please. I have my job. Let’s not rehash this argument again.”
    He sighs and pouts like a sulky teenager. “Thought I’d ask,” he mutters petulantly.
    “How long will you go for?”
    “Not more than a couple of days. I wish you’d tell me what’s bothering you.”
    How can he tell? “Well, now that my beloved husband is going away . . .”
    Christian kisses my knuckles. “I won’t be away for long.”
    “Good.” I smile weakly at him.
    Ray is much brighter and a lot less grumpy when we see him. I’m touched by his quiet gratitude to Christian, and for a moment I forget about my impending news as I sit and listen to them talk fishing and the Mariners. But he tires easily.
    “Daddy, we’ll leave you to sleep.”
    “Thanks, Ana honey. I like that you drop by. Saw your mom today, too, Christian. She was very reassuring. And she’s a Mariners fan.”
    “She’s not crazy about fishing, though,” Christian says wryly as he rises.
    “Don’t know many women who are, eh?” Ray grins.
    “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” I kiss him. My subconscious purses her lips. That’s provided Christian hasn’t locked you away . . . or worse. My spirits take a nosedive.
    “Come.” Christian holds out his