Thank you to those of you who have left reviews. I hope you are all enjoying the story so far. This is quite a long chapter compared to previous ones so i hope you all like it!

Ana's POV

I have the kids in the car and were heading over to Kate's place to have a playdate. Kate told me last night on the phone that she's taking Fridays off all summer to hang out with Ava. Mia will be there with baby Aaden too and it'll be good to catch up with my sister in laws without our husbands around. Just some good old girl chat is just what I need. It's Friday afternoon and it's been a busy week. Christian and I decided after the whole Chandelier incident on Sunday night that we'd take away all the kids 'electronics' for the week.

It's been good being home with the kids all week I must admit. On Monday we stayed around the house and they entertained themselves in the pool majority of the day. Both my kids are like fish and are strong swimmers, even Phoebe. I know it's because Christian has had them both taking swimming lessons since they were about two years old fearing that they one day might drown in our pool. We have always had enclosed pool areas but Christian has always been very over cautious with them both. It's been near impossible for me to get them both out of the pool at home all week when its dinner time. I blame Christian for having two water slides installed because honestly what five and eight year old want to come and eat when they have a waterpark in their backyard.

On Tuesday I had Ava with us all day as well and we went to pier 59 to visit the Seattle aquarium. Sawyer and Taylor followed us around all day per Christian's request. Christian has been quite lenient with security over the past few years considering that Jack Hyde was sentenced to 25years life imprisonment a few years back. That's not to say that Sawyer doesn't trail after me, because he does. We just don't usually have Sawyer and Taylor and Reynolds and everyone else all out with us together when we go out anymore because there isn't as much of a risk as there was when we first got married.

I'm even allowed to drive to places like our families homes without security. That was a compromise Christian and I reached after I had a full blown meltdown when Teddy was three. We agreed that I was allowed to drive myself to destinations where he knew that his paid security would already be waiting. In instances where there would be none of Christian's security at my point of destination and I wanted to drive myself somewhere Sawyer and someone else had to follow me in one of the SUV's. In this case Kate and Elliot have their security guard Brock at their home so my security team isn't needed.

The kids enjoyed the aquarium particularly the underwater dome where they have fish feedings. Since then Teddy has asked me multiple times why we don't have a fish tank with fish at home. So far we've held of getting the kids any pets but I know Teddy would really like one. Ava and Phoebe enjoyed the aquarium too. With Ava being six and Phoebe five I had to keep a watchful eye on the two of them because they had a habit of wondering off together. That would set Taylor into full panic mode who tried to convince me later that it would be a good asset to have them micro chipped in case we ever lose one of them to save him from having a coronary.

On Tuesday night I had the annual shipbuilder's association banquet to attend with Christian. The Kids were of course at home with Gail. It definitely is not a function you'd bring your children with you to. After an hour and a half of pleasantries I was practically begging Christian to leave because I was so bored. We ended up having a playroom session which was much overdue at Escala before returning to our home on the sound.

On Wednesday Ava was at our house again to play with Phoebe while one of Teddy's friends from school, Jamie came over in the afternoon with his mom Marissa. The kids were in the pool all afternoon while I sat on our deck socialising with Marissa. Marissa and her husband James Batten have become good friends with Christian and myself over the years particularly since Teddy and Jamie go to School together. Christian has known James for years through work and the friendship kind of formed after Teddy and Jamie became such good friends at school. James owns a reputable PR company in Seattle and even though Christian has his own PR team for GEH he's used James services over the years.

Marissa and I decided that we'll all get together sometime next week for dinner before our family all head off to France for two weeks. Everybody is getting excited about our trip to France at the end of the next week. We'll be gone for two weeks and I'm so glad all of our family could join us. Christian hasn't had a proper vacation in so long that it'll be good to see him unwind and relax. It does however mean the he's been putting in some late nights this week coming home from the office and crawling into bed after midnight last night. He's trying to get as much work as possible so he won't have as much to do while we are away.

We get back to Seattle about a week before Christians Birthday and the night of our engagement. We have a few events over the summer including our Wedding anniversary, Phoebes 6th birthday, and my 31st birthday. I quickly calculate that ill at least have to host two birthday parties over the summer. One for Christians 37th birthday and of course one for Phoebe too. Soon Christian will be 37, old man.

I pull up to Kate's Drive way and press the buzzer for her to open the automatic Iron Gate. Kate's house is only a few blocks from ours. It's good to have family so close by especially while our kids are growing up. They have a huge Cul-de-sac drive way to their front door unlike our U shaped one. I park the car and the kids jump out of the car dispersing around the side of the house off into their backyard where Ava is. I love how their house is designed that you can basically see out in to the backyard from every room on their bottom floor. It makes keeping an eye on the kids that much easier.

Their front door is open and I walk into their entrance to see Kate and Mia out on their back deck with baby Aaden. I walk outside to them both to coo over my only nephew. Kate greets me in her typical manner and pulls me into a Kate Kavanagh, I mean Grey hug. "Hey Steele, I knew you were lurking around here somewhere when I saw two random children roaming around my backyard." I laugh at her and joke back "HAHA Kate, those random children happen to be your niece and nephew." I look over at Aaden sitting up in Mia's lap. He is the cutest baby. "And here is my favourite nephew" I say as I smile at Mia and reach out to hold Aaden as I sit down next to her. Mia laughs "Let me remind you Ana, he is you're only nephew". I laugh "I know, I know but Christian and I always joke that were the only ones allowed to have favourites in our extended family when it comes to the kids". Kate gives me a weird look "How do you figure that one Steele?" I look at her "Well I mean we have a favourite daughter and a favourite son because we have one of each. Then there's Ava who's our favourite niece and little Aaden here is our favourite little nephew because we have one of each too. So you guys can't have favourites because you all have more than one niece and nephew". Kate laughs "That's not true, Phoebe can be our favourite niece because Ava is our daughter and Teddy can also be Mia's favourite Nephew because they have Aaden". "Well you get the point" I say as I cuddle Aaden.

Kate goes inside to grab us all a drink and Mia is smiling at me playing with Aaden. "Is my handsome son making you clucky for another baby Ana?" I look at her with what I'm sure is a shocked expression. "Well it would be nice to have another baby but I think Christian and I are happy with Teddy and Phoebe at the moment." Kate re-joins us with a pitcher of ice tea and some snacks. "Oh Ana if my body bounced back to its usual pre baby self like yours does I'd pop out some more kids" Kate laughs. "Kate your ridiculous you looked amazing after you had Ava. Besides it's your turn to pop out the next grandchild". She looks at me as if I'm crazy. "Yeah I'm all for practicing making a baby with Elliot but having another baby, not so much". Mia's eyes nearly pop out of her head. "KATE! Too much information he is my brother." Kate laughs and then points at her "Oh Mia who cares. You sleep with my brother anyway". I interject "Well I'm all for hearing this banter about you both sleeping with the others brother but I for one didn't have siblings and speaking as an only child think you both need to pop out one more each at least".

We continue talking for hours as the kids run around and play in Kate's Backyard and Ava's tree house. Time slips away from us and I'm brought into the present from girl world when Elliot comes home at about six thirty. Were all surprised to see him because none of us had bothered to look at the time and didn't realise it had gotten so late. He walks out to us "Hello ladies, what do we have here, a little soiree?" Kate walks over to him and gives him a quick kiss on the lips. "Hey babe. We just had a little get together with the kids". Elliot walks over to Mia who is now holding Aaden and takes him off her much too quick before Kate can stop him. "Elliot, you are literally filthy and covered in mud and you're going to get it all over the baby". It's kind of funny the parallels in what Christian and Elliot have to wear to work each day. And how they return. "Oh Shit Mia, sorry" Elliot hands Aaden back to Mia before he covers him in mud and takes a vacant chair opposite me.

Elliot cuts across to me "So little lady, Where is my little bro tonight?" I realise I should probably check my phone to see if Christian has called to see where we all are. "I actually have no idea, I guess he's still at the office. I probably should call him actually" I say. I grab my phone from my purse and dial his number just as Elliot tells me to tell him to come over and we can all have dinner together tonight. I hadn't even thought about what the Kid's will have for dinner, I know Gail will probably have prepared something so I should give her a call too. I stand up and walk inside to talk to him.

He answers on the third ring. "Hey baby. Sorry I haven't called you. It's just been a hectic day at work today. I had to fly down to Portland this morning. I'm just about to leave the office and come home to you now. I promise". I smile at him knowing he hasn't let me get a word in. "Babe it's all good, I've been at Kate's with the kids all afternoon anyway and Elliot just got here and has invited us to stay for dinner so just come here instead of going home okay?"

"Uh ok Ana, but do we have to stay long I'm exhausted and would love to just come home and hang out with our kids and lose myself in you later". I can tell he's exhausted over the phone and I know he's been under a lot of stress lately with work. "Christian don't worry about it, we can just have everyone over for dinner this weekend and I'll bring the kids home now. I know Gail will have something prepared for dinner anyway". "Are you sure baby?" I smile. "I'm more than sure. I look forward to you loosing yourself in me later anyway". He seems convinced. "Alright well I'll see you when I get home soon anyway Ana". "Alright, love you". "Love you too".

I round up my kids and after we say goodbye to everyone and I invite everyone to our place for dinner this weekend we head home. It's well on for 7.30pm by the time I walk through the door with Teddy and Phoebe. There both a bit grouchy and tired after a full day of running around. I'm glad to see that Gail has dinner served on the table for us. Christian isn't home yet so we start dinner without him breaking our rule that we should all eat together but the kids are too tired to wait up.

"Mommy, where's daddy?" Teddy asks as he finishes his plate of chicken risotto. I look over at his plate impressed that he's eaten it all. "I don't know Ted, he said he'd be home soon." Teddy scrunches his little face up. "Buuttt Mom! He hasn't been here for dinner for two nights now". He hold two fingers up at me. Phoebe cuts him off before he can say anything else "Yeah Mommy, daddy didn't tuck me in last night!" She also has a frown on her face now. She is by far the biggest daddy's girl besides Ava who comes in at a close second with Elliot. "He did tuck you in baby, I promise. You were just asleep when he did it". I smile at her and grab a napkin to wipe her face. I do know for sure that Christian always kisses his kids goodnight when he's home no matter what time he comes home.

I look up at the clock and its nearly 8pm. Gosh where is he? I have to get the kids in the bath. Usually I have all of this done by 7.30 at the latest but we're a bit behind schedule tonight. "Come on Ted, help me clear the table and then you two can go get in the bath". "Alright mommy". Phoebe starts to protest "MOMMY! I want to help too!" "Alright Phe don't scream, let's take everything into the kitchen." We clean up everything and I put all the plates and cutlery in the dishwasher. I know Gail would clean up but I want my kids to know that they have to help around the house too and not be waited on hand and foot by Gail.

We all head upstairs and I bathe Phoebe in her ensuite. Teddy has gotten to the age where he just needs me to help him run the bath and he can do the rest. Phoebe is a different story on the other hand. I decide to wash her hair tonight because she's managed to get food in it from dinner. Phoebe's hair is much like mine and is starting to get quite long. It might be due for a trim. Now that I think about it teddy needs a haircut as well. I get Phoebe out of the bath and blow dry her hair and brush it so it doesn't tangle. She's nearly falling asleep in the chair she's so overtired. I Put her in her princess canopy bed and start to read her Cinderella. She's fast asleep within five minutes. I turn on her nightlight and kiss her good night before exiting her room and heading towards Teddy's bedroom.

Where is Christian? He said he was leaving his office two hours ago. I head into Teddy's room next to Phoebes and find him asleep on top of his covers. I lift my baby boy and tuck him in then kiss him goodnight. He doesn't even stir, he's fast asleep. My kids are like me and can fall asleep quickly. I leave his room and head down to my room to call Christian. He doesn't answer so I text him. WHERE ARE YOU?!

I head into my ensuite and decide to have a bath to relax. Christian still isn't home when I get out so I call him again. This time there is an answer.

"Hey Ana, sorry I was going to call you I just got swamped last minute with Work and had to have a Skype session with Ros and our guy in Taiwan at the moment". I knew it would be something like this. "That's alright Christian but it's a Friday night come home." "I am getting into the SUV with Taylor as we speak". "Good!" I say. "You've been working so much lately Christian I haven't seen you since yesterday morning. You were already gone when I got up this morning!" he sighs. "I know Ana. I miss you and the kids". "They miss you too Christian, they've been asking for you". "Well rest assured Ana I plan on spending the whole day with you all tomorrow". I smile. "Good. I'll see you soon baby". "See you soon Ana".

Christians POV

Christ! I'm so tired. I haven't worked so late so many nights in a row for a while. I just hung up with Ana and I'm in the car on the way home. Thank god Taylor thought to grab us all something for dinner while I was on a conference call with my Taiwan guys. He's been over worked as well and I know Andrea hasn't had to stay back at GEH in a while either. I do pay them well so I'm not too worried about it. I miss my kids though. I haven't seen them since Wednesday night besides when I kiss them when I get home. They've always been asleep though. That reminds me I have to call my Mom back. She called earlier but I'll do it tomorrow. It's too late now. I look at my watch. It's after 9 and we're just pulling up our drive.

Taylor says goodnight and heads over to his and Gail's apartment over the garage. I unlock our front door and walk around the house to check that all the doors are locked before heading upstairs. The house is quiet. I see the hallway light on and head into Phoebes room. She's sound asleep and I kiss her goodnight and stroke her hair back of her face. She's in a deep sleep and looks so serene and peaceful. She is the most beautiful little girl. I kiss her again before tiptoeing out of her room and heading into Teddy's room. My little man is also sound asleep and I kiss him goodnight before retreating to my own room.

Ana is in bed reading a manuscript when I walk in. "Glad to see you made it home tonight". She smiles at me as she says it and I sit down on her side of the bed and lean in to kiss her. I start to take of my tie and kick my shoes off. "Uh Baby you have no idea how tired and so over work I am at the moment". She replies "I know you have been so incredibly busy but I'm glad your home now." I look at her. God I'm horny we haven't had sex in at least three days. "I know baby, I look forward to spending much needed time with you over the weekend." "She smiles then scrunches up her face.

"Babe, go jump in the shower. You smell". I chuckle at her. "You love it". She narrows her eyes at me and I'm amused by her expression. I Jump up and head towards our ensuite. "Alright. I'm having a shower then I expect you to help me relax and let me make sweet passionate love to my beautiful wife so I can sleep like a baby". I jump into the shower and wash my hair. I dry myself and don't bother to put any clothes on because there just about to all come off. I walk into the bedroom bearing all with a raging hard on to find my wife sound asleep. Tonight is not my night at all. I throw some boxer briefs on and turn the light off before jumping into bed and pulling Ana towards me. She's in a deep sleep already and doesn't even stir. I sigh. She can make it up to me tomorrow morning before we get up. I close my eyes and fall into a deep sleep as well.