Chapter 29

Maternity. He needed Maternity.

His mind went into autopilot as his legs frantically carried him through the hospital corridors. His eyes glued on the signs above the doors as he searched for the maternity wing, everything else was a blur. He took no notice of the visitors he passed carrying Get Well Soon balloons or the faint beeping buzzing repeating in the monotone white background. He couldn't hear anything but the sound of his heart frantically thumping against his chest. Thumping so hard it felt like it was about to burst. Or his heavy laboured breath as he paced as fast as he could.

This all felt like a dream. Nothing felt real.

Surely this wasn't happening.

It was still too soon.

He had been at home just an hour ago. He was concerned about Ana, about what happened to her last night, about the cramps she was feeling, about where they would be in a matter of weeks once he decided what he was going to do about school. There was a lot on his mind, so he decided to take a shower. The scorching water had felt amazing against his exhausted body. As he leant against the old tiled walls, he let the hot water run down his skin. The burn took his mind off everything else, including the buzzing of his phone that sat atop a pile of clothes on the basin. It took until the second ring for him to pay attention to it.

He didn't rush to pick it up. He took his time turning off the water and reaching for a towel to dry his wet hair that dripped down his cheeks. Finally, he picked it up.

Grace?

Why would Grace call him? Maybe she needed help cleaning up after last night. He may as well. He had nothing better to do today. Or maybe she was calling to talk up the fight that happened. According to the numerous texts that both Elliot and Kate had sent him, it was all anyone was talking about this morning. The whole town now knew how horrible Carla truly was. Good.

"Hello?" He answered, tucking the phone between his ear and shoulder blade as he continued to dry his body.

"Christian" He immediately heard the rhythmic beeping in the background. The unmistakable sound of moans and groans of pain. "Christian, listen closely. Ana is in active labour-"

And like that, time stood still.

Grace's words hummed in his ear, but he couldn't hear them, only the beating of his trembling heart.

Somehow, he found his voice "Labour?"

"Yes," Grace repeated. Calmly. "She is okay. She is doing great"

Chills swept over his body as he heard Ana call out in pain. The scream of agony that came from her lips was something he would never forget. He could hear Grace tell her to breathe through the pain. Ana called out again. He quickly reached for his jeans, the fabric stuck to his wet body. He had to go.

"She arrived about twenty minutes ago and she is already eight centimetres dilated. I believe she has been in labour all night and now it's progressing quickly. Your baby boy is going to be here within the hour"

"Oh god" He reached for his sweatshirt. "What do I do!?"

"You come to the hospital. Go to the maternity wing and tell them you're here for Anastasia Steele. They'll let you in. Okay?"

"Okay…Oh god…Okay…"

"Breathe, Christian" Grace tried to soothe him. "I know you're terrified but you need to stay calm. Ana needs you to stay calm. Can you do that for her?"

"Yes. Yes, I will"

"Good. I'll see you shortly"

He couldn't remember much after that phone call. It was all a blur. Before he knew it he was sitting in the passenger seat of his truck with an excited Ella behind the wheel. She may have told him to remain calm and to breathe, or maybe that was just Grace's words repeating in his mind. He wasn't sure. Nothing felt real-

"Ahhh!"

A loud groan of pain echoed down the halls, forcing him out of his daydreams.

A sign with Maternity Ward sat boldly above two double doors that swept open at Christian's arrival, revealing a nurses station. Two ladies dressed in blue sat behind the brightly coloured desk. Mugs of tea or coffee in their hands as they chatted about some TV show. They laughed quietly amongst themselves, not seeming to notice the frantic Christian before them. He pressed forward.

"Ana…" He was out of breath. "Anastasia. Where is she?"

"I am sorry" One of the nurses frowned "Who are you looking for?"

"My girlfriend. She is in labour. Anastasia Steele. Where is she?"

"Oh," The nurse jumped out of her seat. Suddenly, the last episode of The Bachelor or Bachelorette wasn't as important "Down that corridor. Room 3B. On the left"

"I'd hurry if I was you," The other nurse said with a friendly smile "It sounds like she is ready"

He took her advice, hurrying his steps as he made his way to the corridor.

On the walls, either side of him, black and white photos of newborns lined the walls. Some of newborns being lifted onto their exhausted mother's stomach. Some of them in their hospital cap and blanket. Their little nametag wrapped around their tiny ankles.

In just a few short moments, that would be Teddy.

Groans of pain becoming louder with every step he took. He knew it was Ana in pain. A sickening tug pulled at his stomach every time he heard her muffled screams.

He passed the waiting room. Some daytime talk show played quietly on the TV, although the man waiting didn't seem to notice. His calloused hands ran through his buzzed hair. His skin was as white as a ghost. There was something familiar looking about him. The man looked up to Christian as he passed, his light brown eyes glaring up at the boy. His hands dropped to his sides, balling in fists. Christian kept on walking.

Her moans and groans of pain became louder and louder. He was getting closer. At the end of the hall was room 3B. The door was firmly closed shut. He could still hear her cries. He wasn't sure he was ready to go inside. He wasn't sure if he could handle seeing Ana in such pain and being helpless to do anything about it. He had no control over what would happen in there.

He closed his eyes. He took a breath, just like Grace had told him. He slowly counted to ten inside his mind.

Okay. It was time.

"One. Two. Three…good girl, Ana…four. Five. Six…keep pushing right into your bottom…seven. Eight-"

Her legs were being held high by stirrups. A thin sheet covered in blood sat below her bare bottom. A sheet barely covering her upper half. A heart monitor wrapped around her exposed stomach. Her beautiful mahogany coloured hair stuck to the sweat on her forehead and chest. Her face was pale, dark circles formed beneath her tired eyes, yet her cheeks were bright red as she pushed. Her hands digging into her thighs.

He had never seen her like this before.

He wasn't sure whether he should be terrified or in awe of her.

Grace glanced over to Christian as he stood helplessly in the doorway. She was sat at the end of the bed, carefully watching. She offered him a smile.

"Look, Ana, we have a visitor"

She rolled her head back against the pillow. She let out a long breath. "It better be Teddy…I don't know how much more I can take…"

Christian smiled. "Well, I am sorry to disappoint you"

"Christian" Her tired eyes opened at the sound of his voice.

He took a step towards the bed. Bending down, he pressed his lips to the top of her head. He could taste the thick layer of salty sweat upon her skin. "I am sorry I didn't get here sooner"

She reached for his hand. "I don't care. You're here now" Her head rolled back against the pillow once again. Her back arching off the bed. Her nails digging into the skin of Christian's hand causing him to wince. "Oh, fuck, another one is coming…"

"Chin on your chest, Ana" Grace instructed her "Push deep into your bottom. Remember to breathe. Good girl, just like that"

He watched in amazement as she pushed with all her mite.

She was a small girl both in size and weight. Christian could wrap his hand around what little biceps she had. He had no idea where she was pulling this strength from. He swore he could feel every knuckle in his fingers breaking as she pushed. Quietly, he swore out in pain. Ana must've heard it since she tightened her hold. Grace smiled up at him.

Her iron grip relaxed as her contraction did. She fell back on the bed.

"I can't…" She struggled to regain her breath. She shook her head. "I am so tired…"

"I know, Sweetie," Grace said "But it's too late to turn around now"

"I want a C-section!" She declared.

"No, you don't"

"Yes," Ana begged "Please…I am so tired…"

Grace smiled "I know you are. I also know that if I offered to cut off your legs to get rid of the pain, you'd do it. Okay?"

She gave a strained nod of her head.

"The shoulders are going to be the worst part and then it's over. I promise"

He pushed the sweaty strands of hair off her face "He is almost here. You're doing amazing, Baby"

"Okay, Ana, another contraction"

She lifted herself forward. Her chin pushing into her chest. Her cheeks turning as red as a tomato as she began to push again. A groan escaping her tight lips. A bead of sweat running down her forehead. Her nails digging deeper into Christian's skin the longer she pushed. He knew better than to wince in pain this time.

"Good girl" Grace encouraged her "Keep going. Keep going. Just like that. Shoulders are almost out. I can see him, Ana! Shoulders are almost out!"

She relaxed for a brief moment to catch her breath before pushing again. "Ahhh!" She cried out in pain as she used every ounce of strength she had to birth him. It was amazing. Christian had never seen anything so powerful before.

She cried out "Ahh…fuck….Ahhh…."

"That's it, Ana. Deep push down. Keep going. His shoulders are almost out – That's it, Ana. Well done!"

Just like that, he was here.

"Happy birthday, baby boy!" Grace smiled up to Christian as she began to wipe Teddy down from his head to his tiny little toes. He was so small. So limp. "Congratulations, Daddy. Would you like to double check that he is a boy?"

He wasn't sure what to say. "I…I trust you"

Ana instantly relaxed her hand. She fell back onto the bed, breathless. A limp Teddy was sprawled out on the bed between her legs. Limp. There were no cries. The only sound that could be heard was from the beeping monitor attached to Ana. Everything else was silent. The silence wasn't good. Why wasn't he crying?

Grace continued wiping him. Her hands becoming firmer around his head and mouth as she wiped the gunk away. Her happy smile was gone as she focused on the silent baby. Ana heard the silence. Her worried eyes looking up to Christian, asking for answers that he didn't know how to give.

Breathe.

Please Breathe.

"Why…why isn't my baby crying?" She asked. Grace focused on the wiping. She raised her voice "Is he breathing!? Christian, is he breathing!"

"I…I don't know…"

Grace continued to wipe his tiny, limp body. Christian held his breath in anticipation of hearing his cry. Grace quickly reached for the scissors, cutting off the umbilical cord that tethered Teddy to Ana. Her fingers slamming into the red button situated above Ana's bed.

"I am calling for help" Grace answered them. With one hand beneath his neck and the other beneath his bottom, she lifted him from the bed. "He is early. His lungs may not be strong enough yet. We'll get him attached to a ventilator-"

Wahhh. Wahhh.

Just like that, he was here.

Everyone let out an audible sigh of relief as his lungs filled with air, and his high pitched squeal filled the room. He never thought he would take so much comfort in hearing it. His cry was beautiful. Grace lifted the sheet that covered Ana's body and placed Teddy beneath it. His head poking out from beneath. His squirming, crying body wriggled against her chest. Her hands wrapped around him. Her lips coming to rest against his gunk covered hair. It was dark like hers.

"My baby" She cried with relief as she held him tightly. "You scared me. You scared me so much, Teddy!"

Her lips never left his skin. Her hands holding him firmly to her bare body, afraid to let go.

She had always beautiful to Christian. The unexpected night they met, when she had first run into him at the party, knocking the drink down his shirt, he had been blown away by her beauty. Those eyes. Those lips. That hair. He didn't think she could be any more beautiful. He didn't think he could love her any more than what he did. He loved the way she smiled. He loved that despite everything they had gone through the past eight months, she still smiled. Despite how fucked up he believed he was, she would still smile at him as if he put the sun in the sky. As if he were the reason for every rainbow after it rained. As if he was her world.

Now she smiled at Teddy in the exact same way.

His love for her grew even more.

He felt a gentle hand come to rest on his shoulder. "You can breathe now," Grace told him.

He hadn't realized he wasn't breathing.

"He is okay" Grace assured him as he too slowly began to breathe. "He is here. He is alive. He is beautiful. Breathe"

He reached out for her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders in a tight hug. Her arms wrapping around his waist. "Thank you. Not just for today, but for all your help"

"You're more than welcome. You're family, Christian"

Family.

Cautiously, he took a step toward the bed. Ana's blue eyes rolling up to look at him. Her smile grew even bigger. "Look at him" She whispered "He is perfect"

"You are" He whispered back as he came to sit on the edge of the bed. He pressed his lips to the top of Ana's head once again. "You did amazing today. I don't know how you did it"

She smiled "I don't know either. It was worth it, though. Look at him"

Christian gently let his fingers run through his dark head of hair. It was so soft. They brushed against his chubby little shoulder and then down his wrinkly arms. His skin was so soft. His fingers were so small. They barely wrapped around his pinkie finger. Teddy's dark eyes rolled back. Blinking he looked up to Christian. His soft, pink lips opening and pressing into the skin of Ana's chest.

"Teddy," He said. "His name is Teddy, isn't it?"

"Yes. It doesn't have to be, though"

"I think you've made up your mind" Christian smiled

"Well…" She said, "I know you don't want to put Teddy on his birth certificate, so what about Theodore?"

"Theodore Grey" He smiled "It's perfect"


He was perfect.

She would go through every moment of stress and heartache. Every fight she had with Carla. Every weird look or gossip that was spread behind her back. Every cramp she experienced. Every needle. Every hour of the short labour that she had experienced. It was all worth it if it meant she had him.

Truth be told, she couldn't remember the pain she felt during birth. Grace had told her that was normal. Her body had been filled with adrenaline as if she had downed a six-pack of energy drinks and run a marathon. Her brain had been in over-drive trying to bring a human into the world. Now the energy was slowly leaving her system. The exhaustion was beginning to kick in.

They were both checked over. Ana had a few tears that needed stitching, but apart from that, she was fine. Teddy also was fine, despite being four and a half weeks early. Christian made sure to ask lots of questions as he was being examined to make sure there was nothing wrong. Grace assured them that he was perfectly healthy, just slightly underweight and minor jaundice. Both of which caused no complications.

Once she and Teddy had been cleaned up, a midwife came in to help Ana place him on the breast. It had been awkward at first. Christian sat by the bedside, watching in amazement. It took a lot of squeezing and rubbing in order to get him to latch on. She wasn't sure what to make of the feeling.

"It's an odd feeling" The nurse smiled "It made my toes curl the first time I did it"

Thankfully he latched on quickly.

Christian was able to hold him after he had been fed. He didn't take his eyes off his son. The smile on his lips never leaving. She could already see the intense love in his eyes that he had for their baby. He rocked him, gently caressed his cheek with his thumb and talked to him until he fell asleep. He was going to make a great father.

Ella arrived not long after that. She popped her head around the door and quietly tip-toed into the room. She came to sit on the side of her bed and gave Ana a big hug.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired"

"I bet" She smiled "We could hear him crying from the waiting room. He is a loud little one"

"Don't even get us started on his crying" Christian groaned "He scared the shit out of us"

"Language, Christian!" She chastised him. "You're a father now"

"I know" He grinned, looking down to the peacefully sleeping baby in his arms. "How does it feel to be a grandma at thirty-three?"

"It feels great, although, Grandma does make me sound quite old"

"Well, do you want to hold your grandson, Grandma?"

She didn't want to let him go.

Ella stood there, rocking him and singing nursery rhymes to him. She cooed at him and called him her little Theo. Her love for him came naturally and easy to her. Ana laid back and watched with a smile. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if Carla had been the same. Teddy would have two grandma's who loved him unconditionally. There was no point in Ana thinking about it. Ella's love for Teddy was so great, he would never need another grandma.

Christian picked up on her thinking. He came to sit beside Ana. "You okay?"

She gave a nod of her head. "Just…thinking about Carla…"

He pressed his lips to the top of her head "I know" He said gently.

"I don't even know if she came to the hospital today. She was there when my waters broke. She knew I was in labour"

"I didn't see her when I arrived. I am sorry"

Ana shrugged her shoulders. "It's fine. I would rather her not be here if all she is going to do is cause trouble"

"Wait" He frowned "How did you get to the hospital?"

"My…Ahh…" She fiddled with the sheet "My dad drove me"

The frown on his forehead deepened "Dad..."

"Yeah, he arrived home early. He and Carla started arguing about me being pregnant. I was stressed. I think that's what sent me into labour" She explained "That or us having sex last night despite Grace telling us not to"

A small smile pulled at Christian's lips "It was worth it. Teddy also gets a cool birthday. April first"

She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

"So, he is probably going to want to have a talk with me then?"

Ana slowly gave a nod of her head.

"He probably wants to kill me"

She wasn't going to deny it.

"He wasn't happy earlier. I am not sure how he is going to feel about all this, Christian"

"Well, as long as he isn't anything like Carla, we'll be fine"

Nurses returned to take Teddy into the nursery so Ana could get some rest. It took Christian some convincing to do it. They assured him that Teddy would be fine and that he could even come if he wanted to.

Ana was left alone to asleep. She tried to, at least. She rested her eyes and dozed off a few times but couldn't fall into the much-needed slumber her body was desperately craving. She had never been more physically and emotionally exhausted. She wasn't sure how long she had been left alone for when she heard the gentle click of her hospital room door. Her eyes fluttered open to see Ray quietly stepping inside. He pulled a chair from the corner of the room to the side of her bed.

"Hi" She whispered as he sat down. Their eyes meeting.

"I didn't mean to wake you"

"I wasn't really asleep"

Ray reached out for his daughter's hand, gently squeezing her fingers "You look exhausted"

"I am," She said as she closed her eyes once again. "They took Teddy to the nursery so I can sleep before he feeds again. I don't think I can. I still have so much adrenaline. My hands are shaking"

"I can see that," He said with a soft smile. "Teddy is an interesting name"

"His name is technically Theodore. I like Teddy"

"I saw him in the nursery"

Ana smiled "You did?"

"Yeah. He is a small little guy. Looking at him was like looking at you all over again. God, he reminds me so much of you " Ray's smile grew. "The father was with him. Holding him in there"

"Christian"

"That's his name"

"He is a good man, Dad," Ana said "I love him and he loves me. He has done everything to provide for Teddy and me. He has paid for all my doctors' visits, clothes, furniture, he saved up thousands of dollars to buy a suitable car for us-"

"I know, Annie" He calmed her "I spoke to the doctor, Grace. I asked her some things. Apparently Christian is family to her. She seems like an alright lady, so does his mother. Given the situation, I don't think he will ever be my favourite person, but I will give him a chance"

"Thank you"

"If he ever does anything to hurt either of you – and I mean anything – I'll make him disappear"

She knew he would.

"Did…Did Carla come to the hospital?"

She wasn't sure why she was asking when she already knew the answer. Ray uncomfortably shifted in his seat, clearing his throat. "No, she didn't, Annie. I tried to call her and tell her the news, but she didn't pick up the phone. I left a message. She might come later"

Ana smiled "She isn't coming"

"Are you going to tell me what happened between you?"

Ana rolled back on her pillow. The exhaustion was really starting to kick in. "I was born. That's what happened" She glanced back to her concerned father. "She wanted a different life, Dad. She tried to change me, make me fit this fantasy she has. I was the only thing left tying her back to her old life and she hated it. She hates me-"

"She is your mother, Ana. She doesn't hate you"

"She hit me"

"What?"

Ana held up her arm to show her father the deep nail marks on her wrist. "She hurt me a lot. She drank a lot. When she found out I was pregnant, she took my phone away and pulled me out of school so I'd have no contact with anyone besides her. She tried to adopt Teddy out behind my back. The list goes on, Dad"

"Annie…" He hung his head in his hands, letting his fingers run through the ends of his buzz cut "I should never have left you with her"

"You didn't have a choice"

"No, I didn't, that doesn't make me feel any less guilty" He sighed "I can't help but feel like none of this would've happened if I was here. This is partially my fault"

"I don't regret my son" She spoke softly. "If I had a choice to go back and choose differently that night, I wouldn't…"

"I know" He lips rose up in a sad half smile. She wasn't sure if it were all the pain killers she had been given or the exhaustion that was playing tricks on her, but she swore she could see tears in his eyes. "I guess that's something you'll learn being a parent. Your children won't always make choices that you agree with"

"If this is too much for you to take on, then please just leave me alone to take care of my son. Christian's family will support us-"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Ray shook his head "What're you talking about?"

"I get it if you can't support me in this. I won't ask you to-"

"You're my daughter, Annie. As much as I don't like this decision you've made, it doesn't mean I won't support you. It's just going to take me some time to get used to. That's all"

"Really?"

"Yes," He went to stand from his chair. "Now, you need to get some sleep. You're a bit loopy from all the drugs" He stood from the chair, reaching across the bed to kiss his daughter on the top of her head. "Rest now," He said. "I'll check up on you and Teddy later"

"Thank you for being here and not being too angry"

He smiled "Oh, I am very angry. I am still your dad and I still love you"

Those words felt good too here. "I love you, too"

"Sleep now, Annie"


He was so little.

His blue beanie sat loosely atop his tiny head. His pouty little lips sat slightly open as he peacefully slept in Christian's arms. He looked like Ana when she slept. They had the same lips. He drooled in his sleep like Ana too. Christian was just starting to notice those little things. The nurses had come by multiple times to ask Christian whether he wanted them to take Teddy for a little while. He should be getting sleep, too, but he wasn't ready to let him go just yet.

He wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there for when he noticed Carrick standing at the nursery window. He called the nurse over who helped place Teddy back in his portable crib, alongside the other babies that had recently been born. Teddy was by far the smallest – and also the cutest.

It felt good to stretch his numb legs. He hadn't realized how long he had been sitting in there for. Carrick greeted him with a pat on the back and congratulations.

"Ella called"

"Of course" Christian said, "I think she called everyone in her contact list. She is quite happy"

"I hope you don't mind me stopping by. I came to see if you needed anything. Food, water, a change of clothes"

Christian's belly rumbled at the sound of food. He hadn't realized he was starving. He couldn't remember the last time he had something to eat. The past twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind.

"I might get some crisps from the vending machine-"

"Don't be silly" Carrick waved him off "You need real food. I can run down the street and pick up something. There should be a Chinese or kebab shop open at this time of the day"

What was the time? Christian had no clue. There were no windows lining the hospital walls, only black and white pictures of newborn babies.

"I also sent Elliot to your place to build the bassinet. He'll come by tomorrow to install the car seat. I know he is keen to see you and the little one"

"Thank you" Christian hadn't even thought about the bassinet or car-seat.

"He is a cute little guy. Have you thought of a name?"

"Theodore. Teddy for short"

Carrick gave an approving nod of his head "Your Great-Grandfather's name was Theo. Theo Trevelyan was an ex-marine who went on to become Attorney General of Detroit. A very smart man. He would've loved to sit down and have a chat with you. I am sure you guys would have a lot in common"

"I had no idea…"

Carrick turned his attention to the near-empty nursery, only two other babies laid in their cribs. One wrapped in blue and fast asleep, the other in pink with eyes that wondered around at their surroundings. Teddy lay in the middle. His eyes slowly fluttering open. His adorable lips smacking together. He was starting to get hungry.

"He looks like you"

"Looks like us, don't you mean" He joked, "I think he looks more like Ana, anyway. With the lips especially. You'll see when you hold him"

"How is Ana?"

"Exhausted. She would be after everything her body did today. I don't know how she did it"

"She is tough"

"Damm right"

Carrick glanced from the corner of his eyes to his son "How are you?"

"I am not the one who pushed a human out of my hoo-ha" Christian shrugged "But to answer your question, I am fine. I am just trying to figure out the next step"

"You always are"

He and Ana hadn't discussed what happens now. They were naïve in thinking they still had plenty of time to figure this out. As helpful as the Flynn's had been, it would be over-stepping for Ana and a newborn to move in with them. She wouldn't want to live across the road from her mother anyway. Ana was welcome to live with him, in fact, he would prefer it…but would her father allow it. Christian had no idea how Raymond Steele would react to any of this. These were all things that they would have to figure out, and fast.

"Your mother spoke to me about Harvard"

Christian's head snapped up to meet his fathers. "What?"

"About not getting the scholarship"

"She shouldn't of" He grumbled. "There is a reason I didn't want to tell you"

"Well, after the way you acted at that party, I knew something was up. You should've told me"

"It doesn't matter"

"You knew I would try to help, that's why you kept it from me?"

"Yes!" He hissed. It was hard for him to keep his voice down. "I don't want another person to tell me that I should take out a loan and go to that school. It's not happening"

"Good. It's not worth going into debt over"

"Thank you, you agree with me"

"It's also not worth giving up on that easy. You and I both know you don't want to go to WSU"

He groaned in annoyance "It's not about what I want any more"

"I can help you"

"I don't want your money"

"Why not?"

"It feels wrong"

"Why?" Carrick frowned "You're my son. I've worked hard for my money. What's wrong about that?"

"Because…" He tried to think of a reason. His mind was coming up blank.

Truthfully, there was nothing wrong with a parent wanting to help their child. It was Christian who felt wrong. He had survived so far by getting by on his own, refusing the help of others because his whole identity was forged around being independent. If he wasn't ambitious, hard-working, or determined, he wasn't Christian Grey. He couldn't take the easy route and accept Carrick's money, no matter how badly he dreamt of Harvard.

"You have a trust fund"

He didn't want to know that.

"I was never sure when to tell you. Ella doesn't even know. At the time, I wasn't comfortable with her having access to such a large amount of money, given the state that she was in. All three of you kids have one of equal value. You have since the day you were born – or in Elliot and Mia's case, the day they were legally adopted. It's three separate payments that you will have access to at three different ages. The first is when you turn eighteen. It's enough money to get you through college. No more, no less"

"That's still a lot of money"

"Yes, it is," Carrick said "But legally it is yours"

"What if I don't want it?"

"Then it will sit in that account to the day you die and then be passed on to Teddy"

"I am not eighteen until June"

"You won't leave for college until August" Carrick extended his hand out to firmly grasp Christian's shoulder. With a light squeeze, he said "Please, don't be stubborn about this, Son"

He could go to Harvard, the only thing holding him back was his pride.

Something caught his attention from down the corridor. The man that he had seen earlier in the waiting area. The man that had looked him up and down. That must be Ana's father. Carrick also noticed the man heading their way. He excused himself from the conversation, promising Christian that they would talk more about it later.

Christian always knew that one day he would have to come face-to-face with Ana's father. It was a fact that he had buried deep inside his mind. He never thought the day would be the same day as the birth of his son.

Raymond Steele was slightly shorter than Christian. His heavy brow covered his focused glare that had zeroed in on Christian. His lips in a firm line as he came to stand before the boy. His head high, his shoulders back. This was a man not to be messed with.

"Christian"

"Raymond"

What was he meant to say to the man? I am sorry that I impregnated your teenage daughter and plan to run away with her to Massachusetts in the coming months. I hope you're cool with that.

He extended his hand to the man "I am glad we finally have a chance to meet"

Raymond glanced down to his hand, almost as if he were surprised at the gesture. Slowly, he took Christian's hand. His fingers squeezing the boys so hard he swore he heard a bone pop out of place. "Yes," Raymond smiled menacingly.

His grip loosened, releasing Christian's hand. "I must say, meeting my daughter's first boyfriend at the birth of her unexpected child, was not what I had in mind"

"I understand that"

"As you can guess, I don't particularly like you"

"No" Christian agreed "I can't imagine I'd be your favourite person"

"If my grandson wasn't sleeping a few feet away, this conversation would be a lot different. Do you understand?"

He gulped "Yes, sir"

"You need to count your blessings that you have a son and not a daughter. You don't have to experience the pain I am feeling right now. She is too young to do this on her own. She is sacrificing so much for that little boy. It breaks my heart"

"I understand that, Sir"

"So, what's your plan?"

"Umm"

"I don't want to hear that you plan on marrying her or whatever bullshit you want to tell me. To be frank, I don't care if you two ever end up together. I care that she is never left to raise that little boy on her own. You're a young man. I know how most boys your age act in these situations and I swear, if you ever abandon that child, you will dream of the days when your biggest threat was Carla. Do you hear me?"

Christian swallowed hard "Yes, Sir"

"So, tell me what you plan on doing?"

"College, Sir"

"Where?"

"Harvard"

"You're going to move across country?"

"No, Ana and Teddy will come with me" Christian didn't back down to him. It was incredibly hard not to. "I know you may not like it but you said yourself that you never want her to be left alone to raise him. I don't want that either. My father left me as a child and I would never put my son through that pain. I plan on being there one-hundred-per cent for both of them. I want the best for my family and what's best for my family is me going to a good school, getting a degree, a good job, and us staying together. I am sorry if you don't like that but that's what's happening"

"I agree"

"What?"

Christian hadn't been expecting that.

Ray turned to face the nursery. His tight shoulders relaxing as he took in the sight of his grandson. "I haven't told Annie why I am home early. I'll talk to her once she has settled with the baby. There was an attack one day when me and my squad were out on a routine patrol. It was something we did every day. I lost three of my men. They were like my brothers…"

"I am sorry to hear that"

His eyes met Christian's. His were a light hazel, the colour so different from his daughter's, but they held the same warmth.

"We were sent home early to deal with the grief" He continued. "I was going to take Ana home to Montesano for the weekend, let her catch up with her old friends, let her be with family. I know how hard this move was on her and I hated that I couldn't be there to stop it. What got me through it was knowing that one day she could return home…with me. But, Montesano isn't home to her anymore. You are"

"What're you saying-"

"I am saying that I want her to be happy. I wasn't there for her for a few years, but I am here now" He then asked, "You said you're going to Harvard?"

"Yes"

"Well, Annie and Teddy will be going with you"

"Really!?" His eyes went wide "Thank you, Sir-"

"Don't thank me just yet" Ray said "I will be going, too. I can find carpentry work. It isn't hard to come by. They will be living with me, though. You will be expected to help out with baby expenses and whatever else Ana may need. I expect your free time away from class, work, or study to be spent with your son. If he is sick, you will be there. If he is being fussy, you will be there. If Ana just needs a five-minute break, you will be there. Understood?"

"Yes!"

"If you fail to follow any of those rules, I will move her back to Montesano. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir"

"Good" Ray patted him firmly on the back "And one more thing"

"Yes?"

"No more babies," He said with a tired sigh "Let her finish high school and experience life. Give yourself a chance to graduate college. You have years and years ahead of you to get married and start a family, for both your sakes, please don't rush it"

Christian chuckled "Yes sir. You have my word"


Teddy peacefully slept against Ana's shoulder. His head tucked into her neck. His curled up fists swaddled to his chest. His gentle snores breathing in Ana's ear. She gently rubbed his back, letting her heavy eyes rest. He had been fed and his diaper changed, which meant the only thing left for him to do was sleep. When he slept, Ana would sleep. She hadn't imagined she would be this tired. It was as if the past thirty-five restless weeks had caught up to her.

Ella had come to check on her one last time before leaving. She kissed both Ana and Teddy on the cheek, told them she loved them and would come to and visit again tomorrow. Grace also stopped by before her shift ended to make sure they were okay. She even stayed to give Teddy a cuddle. Her eyes lit up and her smile warmed the room. She sang a soft lullaby to him and rocked him from side-to-side. Ana had been wrong before. Teddy would have two grandma's who loved him dearly.

The door opened and in the dim-light, Christian stepped forward. He tip-toed across the floor to come and sit down on the side of the bed. He reached out, his hand replacing Ana's as he gently rubbed Teddy's back.

"I was hoping he'd be awake" He whispered.

"He is out like a light. Where have you been?" Ana smiled and nudged him with her knee "You missed his diaper change. You should've seen it. I didn't even know it was possible for your body to produce poop that colour"

He matched her smile "What a shame, I missed it. I needed to get something to eat and your dad wanted to have a chat with me"

"Oh god" Ana groaned "How badly did he threaten you?"

Christian winced.

"I am sorry"

"It wasn't all bad. He wanted to talk about our future and what our plans were"

"We don't even know what our plans are" Ana sighed "What did you tell him?"

"That we're going to Harvard…"

If there wasn't a sleeping baby on her shoulder, and her nether regions weren't in intense pain, she would've leapt from the bed.

"What?"

A bashful smile tugged at his lips. "The Trevelyan trust-fund can cover my tuition. I don't really want to use money that I haven't earnt. It feels dirty, but I also don't want to go to WSU. You're right, I would never be content at that school. I want to go to Harvard and I want you there with me, both of you, with me"

Ana reached for his hand "Where you go, we go. We stick together"

"We have someone else coming with us"

"What do you mean?"

"Your dad" He explained, "He told me he would move there with you. He thinks he can find work on the east coast. You and Teddy would live with him. I would be expected to pay for anything you two may need. But, he is going to help us, Ana"

"He really said that?"

"Yeah, it surprised me too"

Christian couldn't help but smile

For the first time, in a long time, he was at peace. He looked down to the babe that slept peacefully against Ana's chest. Teddy's pink pouty lips pressed to her shoulder. His hand curled up in a ball, rested against his mother's skin. Christian reached out to gently stroke his fingers through his dark, fine hair. Teddy was here. Ana was okay. Nothing else mattered.

Ana looked up to the boy she loved so much. The corners of her lips grew into a smile "Last night, I had gone to bed terrified of what would happen next. I was kicked out of my house. I thought I had no family left. I had no idea where we were going to be in a year – or even a months – time. It felt like nothing would ever work out…"

"And now everything has fallen into place" Christian finished her train of thought. "It somehow always does for us"

He moved in closer on the bed, sharing the space with Ana and letting his legs stretch out. He pressed his lips into Teddy's hair. It was impossible to not want to kiss him.

"I was thinking" He spoke softly. "We haven't thought about a middle name"

"Does he need one? You don't have one"

"Doesn't mean he shouldn't" Christian shrugged "He has my last name. I was thinking the middle name should resemble you"

"Theodore Steele Grey?" Ana thought.

"No" He shook his head "Raymond. Given how much he is willing to help you and Teddy, I think it's only fair that we thank him in some way"

"What about Greg?" Ana joked "I thought you had your heart set on that name?"

"The birth certificate hasn't been submitted yet" Christian joked "We can still change his name to Greg if you want"

"No! His name is Theodore. Theodore Raymond Grey"


And they lived happily ever after...

I'll never be able to express how grateful I am that you guys have enjoyed this story as much as you have. To everyone that followed, favorited, or simply read every chapter, thank you so much for your support. To the people who reviewed every single chapter or PM'd, you guys make writing so much fun. The happy, angry, frustrated, upset, comments you left would make my day and I am happy to have affected you guys so much.

Going forward, I will be posting a new story in the coming weeks. It will be another Ana and Christian story titled Professor Grey. I am sure you can guess what it will be about. That story will be the main writing focus in 2019.

But...

I can't say goodbye to these characters just yet. So, I will also be writing a sequel of sorts. This sequel will be a collection of one-shots throughout the years between Ana, Christian, and Teddy. It will follow births, engagements, marriages, funerals, graduations. Whatever the future holds for them. That story will also be posted in the coming weeks. It will be titled: Unexpected Night: One-Shots.

Once again, thank you for all the support and I'll see you soon ;)