50 Shades of Family

The Application

Ana's POV

 “Where do we even start?” Christian asks. I look at the screen and rub my hands over his arm with a sigh.

“What agency did your parents use?” I look up at him and kiss his shoulder. I just can't get enough of this man.

“I'm not sure, but we can find out.” A few clicks later we have Grace on speaker phone. “Hello mom.”

“Oh, Christian, how are you? I wasn't expecting a call.” I open my mouth to greet my mother-in-law, but a squeal in the background makes me smile instead.

“Carrick, dry that child off and put some clothes on her!”

“What's going on over there?” I laugh.

“Oh, Juliet went for a swim, now she is crawling around naked in the living room.” I watch as Christian's jaw tightens at the word “swim”. He never liked the kids in or around the pool without his supervision, in case something happened. “I wish you could see Carrick chasing her on all fours. Anyway, what did you need dear?”
Christian clears his throat, “What adoption agency did you and Dad use?” From the look on his face, it's still hard to talk about.

“Adoption?” Grace's voice was small.

“W-we are just thinking about it.” I stammer. “We thought what better agency to use than the one that gave you your amazing children.” I smile up at my husband and he pecks my lips.

“We used Amara, here in Seattle.” I typed it into the search engine and clicked over to their website.

“Thanks mom.” The admiration he has for his mother is clear in his voice. “We will be by tonight to pick up Juliet.”

“She can stay longer if need be.” See, they just want to steal our children.

“She has been with you for two days. I would like to see my baby girl every once in a while, you know?”

“Well I would like to see my baby boy once in a while too Christian. But if you insist. See you later darling, love you both.”

“You too,” I call through the speaker. “I'll be sure to let Elliot know you miss him,” Christian calls, ending the connection.

We scour the website, clicking on every link they offer. We make our rounds until we end up back at the home screen. “So do you still want to adopt?” He sounds worried.

I look up at Christian with an are-you-kidding-me face. “Do you still want to adopt?” He does't even hesitate on his answer.

“Yes.”

“Then I do too.” I smiled. Christian nodded his head without a smile, smirk, grin, anything. “So what's first?” I snuggle closer to him.

“Well.” He points on the screen, “It says we would need to schedule an information meeting. What do you want to do?” I roll my eyes and hand him the phone. He dials the number on the website and puts the device to his ear. “Yes, hello, my name is Christian Grey and I was wondering when the next adoption information meeting spot is open?...My wife and I...Any time this summer...Thank you, Natalie.” And he hangs up.

“So you're already on first name basis, huh?” I poke his mid section. “Do we have a spot?” He nods his head as I patiently wait for his answer.

“Two weeks.”

***

“That meeting wasn't so bad.” I shrug holding on to Christian's hand as we walk out of the adoption center. The meeting was longer than he would have liked; he couldn't sit still for more than one hour.