And So I Ran - Complete

Chapter 57

I woke up to an empty bed. It had been late when Christian finally came to bed. I'd briefly woken when he came into our bedroom. I'd half expected him to wake me for sex – his usual go to when he was feeling out of control with his emotions – but he'd climbed into bed behind me, spooning me and kissing my hair before telling me he loved me and then we fell asleep together. So nothing prepared me for the unexpected sight in front of me at the breakfast bar this morning.

Grace was sitting on a stool wrapped in a waffle-weave robe I recognized from my closet. Sitting beside her was Carrick. Also wearing a bathrobe, his was the navy blue one Gail and I had bought before Ray's last visit. Christian was sitting with them, dressed in long pajama bottoms and a TShirt. Gail was in the kitchen making stack after stack of pancakes.

I was glad I had dressed in long silky pajama bottoms, a tank top, and a matching silky bathrobe before I came out. Smiling at Christian, I joined them.

"Hey baby," Christian said sweetly as he saw me approach the breakfast bar. "You up for pancakes?"

My stomach rumbled loudly in an embarrassing way. Despite what Carrick once thought, there was no doubt this child was Christian's; already it was making sure I ate regularly. I walked into Christian's open arms and accepted his tender kiss.

"First serve goes to the mother to be," Christian laughed, taking a plate from Gail and putting it in front of the empty stool. There was bacon, berries, chocolate sauce and a heap of other toppings already on a platter in the middle of the island bench.

I served myself, heaping bacon and then maple syrup on my stack. The first mouthful was so delectable, I couldn't prevent a satisfied moan escaping my throat as I chewed in blissful satisfaction. Christian smirked, and even Mrs. Jones had a little twinkle in her eye as she served me my usual cup of tea, carefully placing my prenatal vitamins in a small bowl beside it.

"I can't help it," I grumbled, once my mouth was clear of pancake. "This baby has turned me into a walking, breathing, eating machine. Now the nausea is gone, I am hungry all the time!"

Grace smiled. She looked different with her hair out and without makeup. She was still beautiful, but somehow she seemed more approachable.

"A lot of women find that in the second trimester," she explained reassuringly. "Don't worry about it. It's our grandbaby's way of getting all the nutrients it needs. It's the same with cravings. While they might seem strange, there's research that suggests the little one knows what it needs – so unless you start craving non-food objects, or things on the unsafe foods list, you're good to indulge in moderation."

Gail was soon placing stacks in front of Christian, Grace, and Carrick.

"It was late by the time we finished talking last night," Christian explained as he heaped his pancakes with berries. "Everyone was tired, and we'd had a bit to drink. It seemed silly to wake any of security so late, so Mom and Dad stayed over. I'm sorry I didn't run it past you." Christian said it casually, but I could hear a note of pride in his voice. I was fairly sure Christian had once told me none of his family had ever slept over at Escala, so offering his family his hospitality was potentially another first for my precious fifty.

"Yes, Ana. Thank you for having us; it's very much appreciated," Grace added with a smile.

I was caught by surprise. I still thought of this as Christian's place, yet here was his mother acknowledging it as our home.

"You're family. You'll always be welcome," I replied, smiling at Grace, so I didn't have to meet Carrick's eyes. He'd apologized last night, but I wasn't ready to move on. Christian's grin was all the thanks I needed. I had no idea what the hours of discussion with his parents had been about; he was happy and relaxed, and that was enough for me.