APOV
I sat in the bathroom while my husband showered. He was angry at the moment and I needed to give him the time to calm down. I knew there was blood going down the drain and knowing that it wasn't Christian's had me calm at the moment.
Someone had died tonight, who I didn't know but I know he would tell me when he was ready.
We had just put the children to bed when he told me he was needed at the club. With going in on Tuesdays, he is normally at home in the evenings so I knew it must have been something serious for him to leave. I always wait up for him, not liking to be alone in our bed until he is with me. For once he didn't carry me up the stairs, I woke to his voice and the sight of blood.
"Princess" I heard him say behind the fogged up glass of the shower and I knew in that moment that I needed to be in there with him.
"Are you ok" I asked, stripping out of my night gown and walking into the shower behind him.
He was clean now, the blood was gone and in front of me was Christian. Hands clenched so tightly they were turning white, his head down as the water beat down on his back. Taking his hand between mine, I straightened his fingers out before he looked up to me.
"I killed three men tonight."
"I can tell, you have scraped the skin on your knuckles. Let me look at them" he let me look at each of his finger which thankfully apart from a few scrapes were fine.
Resting his hand on my little bump, he rubbed his fingers over gently. Our children always calmed him down whether they were here in the flesh or growing in my stomach.
"What did they do."
"They were selling drugs near my club, the same drugs that have been going around Seattle and Portland. Riley spotted them hanging around when he came in to pay his tribute tonight."
"Did you find anything out" I asked him.
"They were told to specifically sell the drugs at that spot, told to make sure it was near enough to the club so it would be implicated if someone would report it."
He moved his hands from my bump, taking my hand in his and started paying with my rings.
"Sam said something the other day about drugs being planted in areas where we would be as if they are trying to trip us up. We're not that sloppy thought. That Isaac said they had planned to take over our territory. Having me go down is obviously someone's plan but it wont accomplish what they want which is Seattle and our other city's."
"Why now though, why not a month or a year ago. You have been Boss for years and if this was another mafia organisation that is doing this wouldn't they just try and get rid of us all. Going the route of you being arrested isn't going to shut the family down."
"I know princess, I keep wondering if this isn't all a smoke screen"
"What do you mean."
"I'm wondering if all this trouble with the drugs is to keep us busy while they are planning something else, something bigger. I'm sorry Ana, I am frustrating myself and annoying the shit out of everyone around me with all this. I know I need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, its just the thought of someone hurting you and the boys scares the shit out of me" he held me to him tight, kissing my head.
"I know you will make sure we are safe but you also have to make yourself safe as well."
"I'm fine Ana, I promise. I have to figure this ghost out and the drugs because I know they are connected. I will protect you all if its the last thing I do" he brought his hands to my face, stoking my cheeks before he leaned down and kissed my lips.
Picking me up, I automatically wrapped my legs around his waist. I knew he needed me and I would always be here for him. Positioning his cock, he pushed in side me as our groans echoed around the bathroom. Moving in and out of me, our lips continued to kiss. There was a desperation to his kisses, to our love making, like he needed to be closer.
"Princess I need you to cum for me" he whispered as his movements picked up, I was on the edge and I knew it wouldn't take long to push me over.
"Cum Ana" he groaned loudly as my orgasm washed over me, my pussy squeezing his cock which brought on his own.
"I love you, fuck I love you Ana. So much."
"I love you too, we will figure this out together. I know you are the Boss but that doesn't always mean that you have to work everything out on your own. We're a team."
"A damn good team. Trust me."
"Always" I will always trust him to protect us.
He washed me as I did him before we dried each other and climbed into bed.
"Looking forward to tomorrow" he asked me as I stifled an excited scream.
"So excited, I will be worse than the boys tomorrow when it is time to go to the airport. I wish grandma and granddad were coming with dad and Isabella but I know they will be here soon."
"Come on Mrs Grey, its like we tell the boys at Christmas. The sooner you get to sleep, the sooner it will be morning. We can go and pick your dad and Isabella up then before going to raid my parents house for dinner."
"We don't tell the boys about raiding your parents house" I laughed resting my head on his chest.
"We should do, my dad spends enough time here raiding the fridge. You would think my mother had put him on rations."
"I should try that with you all, save me going grocery shopping so much" I mumbled.
"Don't even think of it" his laughing was the last thing I remembered before I fell asleep.
…
I was up and making breakfast before any of my boys were down. I had pancakes left warming for when big and little hands were ready to eat as I walked around the back garden, sipping my tea.
My bladder had woken me up and I was too excited to go back to sleep. My dad lands at Boeing field at lunch time today and I was counting down the hours before I got to see him again.
Taking my phone off the patio table, I called my grandparents.
"Hello beautiful girl" my grandfather answered.
"Hi granddad, how are you and grandma doing."
"We are doing well, miss you all but also looking forward to seeing you soon."
"Did dad get off ok" I asked him.
"Yes he was positively giddy" he laughed. "Its quiet there, what have you done with my boys."
"The are all still in bed" I told him taking a seat and pulling a blanket over me to keep the morning chill from my body. "I was too excited to sleep once I was awake."
"Your grandmother and I are like that every time you come over which reminds me when are you coming over next." he asked me.
"Soon, the plan is for in the summer but if we can get there sooner we will be there. Theo is back at Pre school next week and we want to come before he starts kindergarten."
"Hows he doing there."
"Ruling the roost, just like he does here. You know what his is like" he laughed knowing what I meant.
"He's his fathers son, that's for sure."
"I wouldn't want him to be any other way" I am very proud of my boys, no matter how much mischief he gets into.
I turned hearing Theo's voice, looking for Hugo.
"He's here son" I told him looking at the dog who was currently keeping my feet warm.
"Who you talking to" Theo asked me as I handed him the phone.
My son could chat, everything he had been up to he told his granddad. All the mischief he admitted too and I could hear my granddad laughing.
"Love you granddad" he said before handing me the phone back as I followed him inside.
"I will let you go sweetheart, I think you will have a horde of hungry mouths to feed soon. Take care of that little one and we will see you soon."
"OK, they are already descending. Love you granddad and give grandma my love."
"Will do, love you too."
I laughed as Luca came into the kitchen kissing his dog with Christian following behind, holding Matteo upside down.
I took the pancakes out of the warmer and let my husband sort them out while I boiled the kettle again.
…
"Is it here yet" Matteo asked looking out of the car window seeing if the plane that had just landed was coming our way.
"Next one to land will be granddad and Isabella" I told them.
It would look comical from the outside, three little faces mashed up against the window but there was no way I was letting them out of the car until the plane had stopped.
I couldn't blame their excitement because it matched my own, I wanted one of my dads hugs again.
Seeing the plane land in front of us the children cheered. They were very close to my dad and not a week goes by when they have not spoken to him. Even if it is a babies gurgled, he has always made the time just for them.
The noise of the plane was deafening as it approached its spot, the steps were moved into place and the doors were getting ready to open.
"No running off boys as it could be dangerous here" I told them as we got out, taking their hands.
Watching the door open, the children were waving madly as my dad and Isabella came into view. They were half way down the stairs when we left go of their hands and just like we thought they would they were running for my dad. Just like my husband does, he managed to scoop all three of them up.
I hugged Isabella knowing I wouldn't get near my dad for a few minutes. Finally he was able to put them down and I was in his arms.
"I missed you so much sweetheart" he said hugging me tight. I knew it was going to happen and I didn't bother trying to stop the tears that fell.
"I missed you too Dad" I hugged him tighter, I will blame my hormones for my tears.
My dad and I had an amazing relationship, one I wished many times that I had had from a child. My children absolutely adore their granddad.
"Welcome back to lovely rainy Seattle" I told him laughing as he wiped my tears away.
"Its good to be back."
We made our way over to the car. It would a bit of a squeeze but we would all get in, having seven seats.
Riley had a car behind us, putting the luggage in. He would take that back home as we headed over to Grace and Carrick's where we had dropped the dogs off on the way..
Pulling though the gate, I noticed there was more security about. Just like at home where it seemed to have doubled, here was the same. We still had our cars front and back but it doesn't bother me, they are there for a reason and I just let them do their job. After our talk last night I'm surprised there isn't more following us. Knowing my husband there probably is, they are just good at blending in.
Walking into the house, I hugged my sister who looked ready to pop. She is becoming more uncomfortable the further she goes in her pregnancy and I know it wont be long until my nephew comes along now. They are keeping his name a secret,wanting for it to be a surprise just like Christian and I did.
"I'm glad you have a wife who is a doctor and I don't have to clean you up any more" Grace told Christian when she saw his hands.
"My wife took very good care of me and cleaned me up, don't worry Mum."
"Have you told your dad yet" Mia whispered as I shook my head.
I didn't want to tell him with the boys jumping all over him and the jet engine in the background, but I would need to do it soon as there is no secrets here and a few big mouths who would let the secret out.
Leaving my sister behind I went over to my dad who was on the terrace being slobbered on by four dogs.
"Leave him alone" I laughed stroking Betsy who had now come to my side.
"I think I have had a dog wash" he laughed, wiping his wet face with his sleeve.
"There is something I want to tell you" I told my dad, taking a seat.
"Is everything alright sweetheart" he asked sitting next to me and taking my hand.
"I'm perfectly fine." I reached into my purse and brought the little wrapped frame out which held a scan photo of his grandchild.
"Oh Ana, this is perfect" he said, opening the wrappings. "Only one."
Laughing I nodded my head before I was engulfed in his arms.
"Isabella" he called as she made her way out onto the patio where he passed her the photo.
"Congratulations" she said leaning down to hug me before kissing her husband and congratulating granddad too.
"That makes you Grandma" he laughed as she shrugged. Isabella although younger than most grandparents embraced the roll she had married into.
"When is my latest grandchild due then."
"October 1st at the moment but Kate is going to confirm everything at my next scan."
We moved into the dining room when Franco said that dinner was ready, thankfully it was all plated up and I didn't have to fight male hands for the food.
"Congratulation" my dad told Christian, shaking his hand before taking his own seat.
"This is yummy" Theo told us in between shovelling food into his mouth.
"Theo slow down, its not going to disappear from your plate if you don't eat it quick enough" Grace told him as he finally slowed.
Dessert as always came from the bakery, we had Cannoli and Tiramisu and I was finally able to have a cannoli here. Usually the boys get them all but I had put some aside so the girls could finally get some.
"Here you go Grace" I said putting one in front of her as she laughed at the look on her husbands face.
"I'm not sharing so you can just eat your tiramisu" biting into the shell, she made appreciative sounds just to wind her husband up.
After I had offered them out, I took my seat seeing I had one spare on my plate. Passing it over to my husband, well you would think I had committed a crime. Favouritism was said around the table.
My dad was laughing as he ate his own cannoli, managing to get one earlier.
"Deal with it" Christian said before biting down and give my forehead a kiss, leaving some cream behind.
Wiping my forehead with a napkin I was finally able to enjoy my own.
…
We were seated in the living room enjoying coffee or in my case tea, I hadn't lost my taste for it so far like I did with the boys so that was a major bonus as far as I was concerned.
Christian had been filling my dad in on what had been going on here, with the club, the drugs and especially the ghost. The boys were playing out in the garden with Isabella and Grace as well as a pack of dogs, not wanting to talk about business with little ears around..
"I don't understand this ghost, if some one is a ghost are they not dead. I know for sure when you get rid of someone you make sure they are gone and unless you have a poltergeist who is setting up drug runs into Seattle I can't see it being that" Dad said.
"A Ghost" I said thinking about something while I watched Matteo and Luca laughing at Theo riding on Hugo's back.
"What Princess" Christian said. I hadn't realised I had stopped mid sentence and everyone was now looking at me.
"The saying, you look like you've seen a ghost. I was looking at the boys, does someone that is now deceased have a relative who looks like them, a twin maybe" I said pointing to my own twins.
We looked over to Carrick who we could tell was thinking, at the moment we didn't know if it was someone Christian had pissed off or was when Carrick was boss.
"During clean up, we don't just get rid of them we always find out any information we can on them, who they are connected to, related to, to see if there is any threat from other family members. I don't remember any twins although like the Lupo's we did get rid of brothers."
I hated hearing their names, and Christian knew it as he pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. I try not to think about what had gone on before and focus on our future but it is hard sometimes especially with the trouble going on at the moment.
The were discussing Christians theory about the drugs being a smoke screen for something bigger going on when I got up to use the bathroom. I know my granddad had sent an arms shipment which was due in next week so maybe that is the target. God the things I think about when I'm sat on the toilet, we need some magazines in here.
Opening the bathroom door Mia was bouncing from foot to foot needing the toilet.
"Sorry but my bladder is about to burst and I cant get up the stairs" she said rushing past me.
"Its ok, knock next time, I would have hurried up."
Moving down the hallway back to the living room, Christian stopped me.
"Are you ok" he asked stroking my face with the back of his hand.
"I'm fine, I have been thinking about something though" I told him.
"In there" he laughed.
"All my best ideas come when I'm on the throne" I laughed with him. It was lovely to see him smiling.
"You said about a smoke screen, isn't granddads shipment of guns coming in soon" he pulled back smiling, mumbling "smart wife" before he leaned in for a kiss, our lips barely touching when I heard a scream.
"Mia" I said, rushing back to the bathroom, I tried the handle but it was locked.
"ETHAN" Christian shouted as we heard running.
"Mia open the door please" I said banging on the door, she managed to open it but was doubled over and there was a pool of water at her feet.
Ethan scooped Mia up and was heading for the door, her waters had broken but she screamed at him to stop.
"Mia have you had pains before now" Kate asked her.
"Backache all day but worse now and pressure down below."
"Ethan, I need to check her out here."
"Kate" he said about to protest. You could see the panic in his eyes, they had lost two babies and he was panicking about losing this one too.
"Ethan let Kate check her out. If we go to the car, she might end up delivering before we can get to the hospital."
Nodding to me, Ethan rushed Mia up to his bedroom and lay her on the bed as we followed. Christian was on his phone and I know he will be calling Eamon or Claire to let them know of the developments.
"Pressure, so much pressure" Mia moaned as Kate removed her soaked leggings.
"Pressure to push" she asked our sister who nodded.
"What can I do Mia" Ethan kissed her forehead.
"Hold my hand and don't let go."
"Never."
Grace came though with my doctors bag a few minutes later, which is always left in the back of the car. I was grateful that Kate also had items from her home visits, hoping the much needed entonox wouldn't run out before my nephew appeared.
Moving over to Mia's side I took her other hand, Kate had told her to push when she wanted to and with a shout she started to do just that. She had no pain relief apart from the entonox and I knew she much be in so much pain but she was focused on the out come. Chanting "I'm going to meet my son" over and over again between contractions.
"Mia pant" Kate told her. Watching Ethan doing every pant with my sister was beautiful to see.
"OK sis, he has a beautiful full head of hair and on the next contraction you are going to meet him" Kate said getting choked up herself.
She gripped harder on my hand as she pushed and then the beautiful sound of my nephews cries filled the room. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room and we all smiled, relieved that he was finally here.
I checked him over and he was perfect.
"You have a perfect little man here" I told them handing Ethan his son.
He had given up on trying to stop his tears and he shouldn't. One thing I loved about the men in this family was they showed their emotions around us. Outside they were hard as nails but here, they could be themselves, not the people they were expected to be.
"Thank you both" Mia said looking down at her little boy.
"You don't have to thank us sis, we always do this together."
"He's hungry" she laughed as he started trying to suck on her finger as she stroked his cheek.
"Do you want to try feeding him before the family meet him" Kate asked her.
"Please."
"Come on sis, lets get you out of this wet bed before you feed him" I told her.
Ethan held his son while we helped Mia clean up, she looked a lot better in the clean dry clothes we had gotten from their wardrobe.
"Babe, I'm going to let everyone know he is here although I don't think anyone could miss his cry" Ethan kissed his sons head before passing him over to his wife.
"OK can you ask my mum and yours to come in" nodding he kissed his wife and son again before leaving the room.
"Are you ok Mia" I asked her.
"Perfect now, I cant believe he is here" she said wiping a tear away.
We heard a cheer go up downstairs so we know Ethan must have give everyone the news, the door opening shortly after and Grace and Claire came into the room.
Mia got comfortable on the couch and was able to quickly latch him on. Seeing my sister looking down to her baby boy, I don't think I have ever seen her look so content.
…
I was downstairs in the living room with my husbands arms wrapped around me and his hands on my bump, we were waiting for Mia, Ethan and my nephew to come down the stairs.
The boys were sat waiting to meet their little cousin having heard his cries earlier. I don't think I have ever seen them so still.
Watching them come into the room, I could see he was wide awake although yawning.
"Everyone we would like to introduce you to our son, Christian Elliot Grey."
I looked up to my husband smiling who looked stunned at the name and I think Elliot was a bit choked up too.
Christian finally released me to hug his brother and kissed my sisters cheek as Elliot did the same. Both looking down on the little boy who shared their names.
Poor little boy was soon passed around the room. Theo was sat on Theodore's knee, they were laughing at the fact that they shared the same name.
"Did you know" Christian wrapped his arms around me and kissed my lips.
"No, I think they were both too worried to tell anyone his name after what happened before."
"Two Christian in the family" Carrick laughed as if we were in for trouble.
"Yes and two Elliot's" Ethan laughed. "Thank god there is only one of me but dad you cant say anything Alex's middle name is Carrick."
It was my turn to laugh at Carrick's protest when Alex was born, telling Elliot he was cruel for saddling his grandson with the name.
I looked up to Christian who had gone rigid beside me. He knew something, had thought of something and I knew when his hand came up to my cheek to keep me calm that what it was, was significant.
"What if it isn't twins in the physical sense but twin names. Jose Rodriguez."
Thank you for reading.
Take care
Caroline