Christian returns home from Dr. Flynn's office with a heavy mind and heads straight for his home gym. As he runs on the tread mill all he can hear in his mind is Flynn's' words. After about an hour running he switches to the punching bag hoping to calm his rioting mind of the what ifs, he also can't shake the feeling of guilt about even considering accepting these people as his family without betraying Carrick, Grace, Elliot and Mia. With this in mind Christian finishes his work out, showers then makes a call.
"Hey mom"
"Christian, what a lovely surprise, how are you dear?"
"I've been better, I hope this isn't a bad time"
"No darling it's perfect timing actually I just finished a meeting, what's troubling you"
"Can we talk over lunch?"
"Sure meet me at the Deli down the block from the hospital"
"Okay, see you there" The ride seems to take forever Christian's tense and its palpable.

Finally arriving at the Deli Christian parks and heads inside. Grace is sitting at a both by the windows, seeing Christian she waves him over. Christian makes his way over, before sitting he leans over and kisses Grace on the cheeks.
"Hello mother"
"Hello Dear, I've taken the liberty of ordering for us, now tell me what's troubling you. I haven't seen you this tense since waiting for the twins to be born" Christian goes to say something but the words don't pass his lips. "It's just….. I mean… i…" He runs his fingers through his hair on a long exhale, hanging his head down.
"Christian does this have anything to do with your biologic family?" He nods. With sudden understanding Grace takes Christians' hands in hers. "My boy, my sweet boy what you are feeling is normal." Christian meets her gaze. "Your father and I will love you always and forever nothing could ever change that. And it's okay we knew a day like that would come eventually maybe not exactly how it happened but we knew. It's natural for an adoptive child to be curious about where they came from, since we knew how you felt about your past we just left it alone."

Just then a waiter brings out their lunches, B.L.T with French fries for Grace and a bowl of mac and cheese with a side of mixed fruit for Christian. This gets a grin out of him, he meets Graces gaze. "You will always be my boy whether you choose to accept them into your life or not I support your decision one-hundred and ten percent."
"Thanks mom."
"Anytime darling"

They enjoy their lunches as Christian tell her about what both Ana and Dr. Flynn said about giving them a chance, then they talk about the upcoming trip to New York. After lunch is finished they say their goodbyes and heads their separate ways. The ride back to Grey manor is more relaxed and Christian is in a better mind set when he pulls up the driveway and into the parking garage. As he makes his way into the house Christian get a text.

Ana: Are you still with Flynn?

Christian: No, I'm just getting back from lunch with my mother

Ana: So where are you this exact moment?

Christian is in the middle of responding when he opens the door that leads from the garage to the house when he bumps into Ana. Swiftly, Christian grabs Ana steadying her. Ana giggles as she buries her face in her hands and Christian smirks.
"We've got to stop meeting like this"
"Oh hush, I was coming to see what car you took. So how did everything go?" They walk further into the house headed towards the family room sides by side "Wait why are you home so early?"
"Well I couldn't focus and I didn't have anything pressing to handle other than my morning meeting so I decided to come home" They sit next to each other on the sofa, Ana curls up next to Christian and he puts and arm around her. "How did your meeting go?"
"Nice try but we can talk about my day after you tell me how everything went with you since I asked first" With his free hand he rubs the back of his neck and inhales deep then slowly releases it. "Well Flynn helped somewhat but after I left I was still feeling off so i called my mother and we talked over lunch"
"And how do you feel now?"
"Better and I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt"
"So you're not mad?"
"Not anymore, but I was never mad at you just to be clear. I was mad that this situation blindsided me what with finding out I had biological family and then in the same breathe I was meeting them, I had no time to reflect so my natural response to having no control was to get angry then once the anger subsided I felt guilty because I felt like if I accepted these people as my family that Carrick, Elliot and Mia would feel as if I was trying to replace them that's why I went to talk to Grace."
"So… is the guilt is gone as well?"
"For the most part, yes but i will have to find time to talk to Elliot and Mia so they know how I feel" Ana cuddles closer "I'm sure they'll understand and be just as accepting as Grace is" Christian kisses Ana's head and squeezes her to him. "I'm hoping so, how about we go out to dinner and maybe spend the night at Escala" Ana turns and looks at Christian with a raised eyebrow, Christian simply waggles both of his then grins mischievously. "Mmmm, I'll start getting ready then. Text the kids and let them know we are going out" Just then they hear a ruckus followed by laughter and shouting. "I'll let them know we are going out you then I'll come up and get ready too" Christian says, "Well I wanna spend some time with them before we leave ok?"
"Sounds good to me" Ana curls back on the couch next to Christian, seconds later Cary, Chloe, Lindsey and Liam come barreling into the family room. Cary piggybacking Chloe and Liam piggybacking Lindsay, they all crumple to the floor laughing not even noticing their parents.
"Oh mom, dad you guys are home early" Teddy says walking in followed by Phoebe. Both sets of twins look up to see their parents looking at them with a quizzical look on their faces. "What in the world were you guys doing?" Ana asks smiling. "Stronger twins challenge and we won" Cary says high fiving Chloe.

"Um I don't think so we clearly made it here first" Lindsey says fist bumping Liam. "Fine since we are at an impasse, Parents who won" Phoebe says. Ana and Christian looks at each other then back to the children "It's a tie" Christian and Ana say in unison. The twins all groan as Christian and Ana both laugh. Phoebe sits next to Ana "So why are you guys home so early, don't get me wrong it's a nice surprise"
"Well your father and I had light days so we came home early to get ready"
"Oh you guys have an event tonight?"
"No, we are going on a date and we'll be back late. We were about to text you guys to let you know but then you came home" All the younger children make a sour face and Christian notices, "What's with the expressions?"
"We're old enough to know what that statement actually means". Christian and Ana share a confused look with one another. "A date?" Christian asks. "No the 'we'll be back late' part, its code for 'we're gonna do it' ". Chloe says using air quotes. Ana goes crimson and Christian bursts into laughter. "And on that note, we are going to get ready" Ana gets up with a still chuckling Christian in tow and heads to their room. The children all go to their rooms to start their homework. Everyone comes back to the family to watch tv all accept Chloe. Ana stops in the doorway to the family room, "Goodnight you guys try not to drive Gail, Taylor or Ms. Riley insane"
"Mom you look nice" Lindsay says, "Thank you sweetie"
"Aren't we a touch too old for a babysitter?" Phoebe asks skeptically "I mean we are teenagers we can totally capable of taking care of ourselves". Christian comes beside Ana wrapping an arm around her waist. "We don't doubt that at all, think of them as just house sitting with you guys in it" Phoebe rolls her eyes smiling. "Well we're off, don't stay up late and behave yourselves" Christian states. "Have fun you two" Lindsay bellows as the head out. A few minutes pass and Chloe enters the family room asking, "Can you make it very far in life with only a seventh-grade education?" as she flops down on bean bag sprawling out like a starfish. "If you want to live in a box under an overpass you should be good" Cary adds sardonically. Phoebe throws a pillow at Cary "Not helping Cary, what's going on Clo?"

"Ugh… it's this science class they want us to dissect a frog and I don't see that happening, so I'm going to fail" Teddy rolls his eyes "Chloe you're not going to fail, who's your teacher?"
"Mr. Esler"
"Oh I had him" Lindsay says "If you don't want to dissect the frog you have two other options, one is a 4 page report and the other is you can make a power point about the dissection of the frog. I wrote a paper about the eco system and the effect it would have on the world if frogs were to be taken out of it. Just ask him to do one of those"
"Lindsay you are a lifesaver!" Chloe says as she sits upright then Cary says "So who's excited about New York?"
"Oooh I so am" Lindsay says excitedly. "Oh I know I am, I can't wait to see how this plays out" Chloe adds
"What do you mean?" Teddy questions Chloe. "Don't you think it's a little odd that mom would suggest a trip to New York then all of a sudden out of the blue dad's biological siblings turn up whom happen to live in New York"
"I think Chloe is right, mom must have known about it. When did she mention New York?" Everyone's ponders then Liam answers. "Like a week ago or so" "Yea there is no way that this is just some coincidence, mom was planning this all along"
"So what do you think of them?" Cary asks "They seem really nice, I like them" Lindsay replies cheerily. "It just seems very bizarre to me and out of the blue after all these years now you want to look for your long-lost brother." Teddy voices
"They said they tried before but with no information they obviously didn't get very far." Chloe adds. Phoebe shakes her head "But what changed that made them want to try again"
"Who knows, oh maybe they need an organ" Liam quips. Teddy throws one of the decorative pillows at him just missing him. "I can't wait to get to know them better" Lindsay voices. "Of course, you would Lins" Phoebe remarks rolling her eyes.

"I'm with Lindsay on this one, if they don't have a hidden agenda wouldn't you want to accept them as family?"
"Honestly, I don't think I would, it would feel like they're trying to one up Elliot and Mia because they are blood related." Teddy says. Cary and Chloe share a look "So do you love us less because we're adopted?" Cary says sounding hurt. "Of course not Cary"
"Then why won't you give them a chance? It might be different for you guys since your all older and blood related but when you're adopted all you want is to be accepted into the family especially when you're the babies of said family"
"Cary I honestly never thought of it that way, but you know what mom always says; Blood doesn't make a family, Love does and we all love you guys regardless to the fact that adopted. I'll give them a chance, if not for them for you guys" Teddy hugs his little brother then gives him a nuggy, they start play wrestling for a little while then stop. The rest of the night goes on uneventful, the children have sandwiches for dinner and soon after everyone calls it a night.