Freed

Closing my eyes, I breathe in his scent; after Ana’s, it’s the sweetest fragrance in the world.

“He smells so good.”

She shows me how it should be, and that it’s okay to feel this thrill, this passion for someone so small. This flesh of my flesh.

Ted.

My boy.

She is my everything.

And I’m hers…always.

“Love me. Please, Christian.”

My resolve crumbles, and I skim her jaw with my teeth. “Go.”

I’m all yours, Ana.

“I will do anything to keep you safe. Keep my family safe. Keep this little one safe.” I place my hand on her belly, and Ana’s breath hitches.

“I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“You didn’t,” she whispers.

I arch a brow. Does she mean that? Or is she trying to make me feel better?

“You just took me by surprise,” Ana concedes.

I’m going to crush him, break up his company right under his nose, and sell the pieces to the highest bidder. I’m going to bankrupt him.”

Ana gasps.

God, I miss my wife—all of her. I lie down, gently resting my head on her belly, and close my eyes, trying not to think of all the things I’d like to do to her right now. Her fingers caress my hair.

“Oh, blip,” I breathe in wonder. “Yeah, I see.”

Our blip. Wow. Our tiny human. Baby Grey.

And I’m surprised by a momentary pang of regret, that I missed this moment with Ana.

“Your child,” she whispers.

“Our child,” I correct her.

“First of many.”

“Many?” What?

“At least two.” Ana sounds hopeful.

“Two?” Shit! “Can we just take this one child at a time?”

She smiles up at me fondly. “Sure.”

I reach out and spread my hand over her belly. Ana’s breath hitches and she places her hand on mine.

“It’s hard to believe,” I whisper.

“I know. Oh—here, I have evidence. A picture.”

“You do? Baby’s first smile?”