AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was trying to replace my original Chapter 38 with an edited version, but obviously didn't go about it correctly. So, the newest chapter is Chapter # 38-revised. Sorry for the confusion! Also, thank you to the reviewer who pointed out I had Galway and Glasgow confused! LD

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I had wanted to hire a nanny when Ted was born, but Ana would have none of it, insisting she was going to raise our children, NOT some stranger, pointing out my Mother raised 3 children without a nanny. I countered Elliot and I were older when we were adopted, and she DID have help, we just called her a babysitter! I understand, as Ana pointed out, countless single women raise children and work all over this country, but she did concede most of those women would be delighted for the extra help from someone like a nanny. And despite Ana arguing to the contrary, I felt her working full-time and raising Ted with only Gail's occasional assistance was too much for her. I occasionally have pondered whether the stress of those days, compounded by her 2nd pregnancy, may have allowed the cancer to start to grow. Naturally, no one can tell me if that was the case, plus, as Sellers pointed out, it's really a moot point now, but I wish now I had ignored Ana and hired someone.

Ana returned to work part-time when Teddy was just 8 weeks old, too early my opinion seeing as she had major surgery for God's sake! But, Green had cleared her to return to work despite the concerns I voiced. She resumed her full-time schedule as soon as Teddy was weaned, but would only allow Gail to watch him while she was at the office. The result was Ana's work days were rivaling mine when I was first started out. She usually was up before me, changing Ted and giving him a bottle then she'd settle him in his carrier while she dressed for work. I knew she would skip breakfast altogether if I didn't insist we eat together, but as soon as she was finished she wanted Sawyer to drive her to Grey Publishing, not wanting to wait for Taylor and I. That is, until I played dirty and let Ana know I was really disheartened that we didn't have our time together on the drive into town. I intentionally refused to schedule breakfast meetings unless it was absolutely unavoidable to eliminate opportunities for Ana to rush to the office earlier than usual and without her having had breakfast! I knew she was torn because she wanted to get what needed to be accomplished at work done so she could get back home to Teddy.

Ana would race back in the afternoon to be home by the time Teddy was up from his nap to spend a few hours with him before dinner. After dinner she would head into her office and work until well after midnight unless I went in and insisted she go to bed sooner. From the first, she would argue I was still up, but I would remind her I was a champion insomniac and she's always needed more sleep. The result was Grey Publishing was turning a nice little profit having published several new, talented writers she'd found, and Teddy saw a lot of his mother despite her job, but Ana was always exhausted and frequently frazzled.

Gail finally stepped in saying she would get Ted up and fed in the morning, insisting there was no reason Ana had to do it all. I was already giving Ted his bath and reading him a bedtime story each evening, because it was my chance to spend time with him. I would do my best to get away from the office when Ana did, but for some reason, GEH related business during that period of time kept me at Grey House late, and too many nights I wouldn't make it home in time for supper. When we found out Ana was pregnant again, I gave her a choice; she either stopped working or we hire a nanny once the baby was born. She did her best to change my mind, but I knew two children, her job, accompanying me to various functions, not to mention some alone time for us, would be too much for her. I reasoned she would be a better mother and wife if she had some help.

Oddly, it was Kate who helped me sell Ana on the idea by suggesting we try and entice her and Ethan's former nanny out of retirement. As Kate's best friend, Ana had met Nanny a few times at Kavangh family get-togethers because they still included her in Kate's and Ethan's birthday celebrations. But, much to my surprise, when I approached the woman about coming to work for us, she refused, despite the extremely generous pay and benefit package I offered. I even increased it, to no avail. She privately told Ana and Kate she was aware of my reputation as a hardnosed, SOB and had no desire to work for someone like me. It was Ana's beautiful personality, along with some cajoling from Kate, which ultimately won Nanny over. Her only condition? I had to agree that she would be Ana's exclusive employee, not mine. It was a petty designation as far as I was concerned because I couldn't imagine a circumstance where Ana would want to keep her if I didn't, but that was the woman's terms, and since getting a nanny was my idea to begin with, I went along with it no matter how pointless the agreement seemed.

Initially, we were convinced that, IF Nanny came out of retirement; she'd be caring for Ava when Kate went back to work. But, lucky for us, Kate grandly announced at dinner one night she had decided to sponsor a French Au Pair wanting her children to grow up fluent in both French and English. That made absolutely no sense to me, after all, Kate didn't speak a word of French! But, Ana kicked me under the table and threw me a look when I started to point this out. I'm sure Elliot doesn't give a shit, but why he didn't suggest Spanish instead is beyond me as well. After all, he already speaks it, and it will be a hellava more use than French in the future! Whatever.

Although the woman was the Kavanghs' former long-time employee, and basically a friend of the family, Taylor vetted her nonetheless. Everything we'd been told was true, and her financial statements showed she really didn't need the work; her investments were performing so well she had yet to touch the principle. All of the time Nanny worked for the Kavanghs she shrewdly invested most of her generous salary and bonuses, ending up with a sizable portfolio that meant she didn't have work for another family if she chose not to. But, as she explained to Ana when she finally agreed, her elderly cousin had recently passed away, and she was feeling at loose ends, plus she fell in love with Teddy and Ana.

One evening, once the children were asleep, Ana persuaded Nanny to join us for a brandy, or two. Her tongue loosened a bit, she admitted she was relieved Kate opted for the Au Pair. She went on to explain, not surprisingly, Kate had been a very willful child, and the 2 of them spent a great deal of time being 'toe-to-toe'. Nanny was convinced she would have been 'sacked' soon enough because they surely wouldn't have seen eye to eye about something that would have brought it on. We, however, have been delighted with her and how she deals with the children, especially when it comes to disciplining Teddy.

Nanny's Scottish brogue had always enthralled Ana, and she wanted to know how she ended up in Seattle.

"My Mum had died when I was 12, and my Da' was a difficult man even before she passed. I know he loved her, and me, but after she died, he quit showing what little affection he ever showed towards me. Mind you, he always made sure my basic needs were provided for, but I felt as if I was one of his prized dairy cows, not his daughter. I loved Tavish, we planned to leave Glasgow for a better life somewhere else. He was a barber, and I was taking courses in child development to become a teacher's aide, until he was killed one night coming home from the pub. I had to get out of that town, so convinced my Da' to pay for training as a nanny in Reading. That's outside London and all the graduates are hired by the most posh people including the royal family.

"Being one of the few students willing to go abroad, I was recruited to come to Seattle to work for the Kavangh family when Katherine was born. Both parents were busy on their media business, and I always got the impression Mrs. Kavangh was a little afraid of her small children, but I adored them and the years just few by.

"I'd always refused to drive the children because I'd never driven at home, so I wasn't experienced a'tall, and I didn't wish to endanger my charges. The Kavanghs understood my reluctance, so there was always a driver specifically for the children, at least until they could drive themselves. When both Kate and Ethan were in middle school it became apparent all they needed was a driver to shuttle them to their various organized activities all over town, not a nanny. So, instead I decided to retire. I'd no desire to return to Scotland, my father was gone, not that he ever indicated he missed me, and Seattle's weather is so much like home. . I was naturalized in 2010 because my life was here now, so I purchased my cottage overlooking the sound and spent my time gardening and traveling with my widowed cousin Mavis. Whenever the Kavanghs needed to leave the children in town, I'd go over and stay to watch the kids. I loved being able to catch up with the children's various activities. It was a perfect arrangement for me."

I think the brandy was making Ana bold that evening because she asked the question we both have been dying to ask, how in heaven's name did she end up with the name "Nanny"?

"Surely that's not your given name, is it?"

Nanny chuckled softy.

"No. My given name is Lachlanina."

Ana laughs, "Really, how beautiful, and unique!"

Nanny laughs with Ana.

"Well, beautiful and unique, or not, wee little Katherine couldn't begin to pronounce it!"

She leans forward and winks at us as she continued.

"And to be honest, neither could her mother most the time! I'd get so tickled because she'd go out of her way to avoid saying it! So, I suggested Kate just call me "Nanny", because it was easier. I really didn't mind because folks here in the US found my name a wee bit difficult to understand, they would constantly ask me to repeat it, and then spell it! And, like as not, they'd still get it wrong! And, mind you, Lachlanina doesn't really shorten well either! I was so young, people would mistake me as a sibling to one of the parents, although I never quite understood how, given my accent, but it was awkward just the same! In the end, I was happy to be called Nanny because it greatly simplified things for everyone, especially the children! After a few years, it just became my name."

Ana grinned at her, "Well, I've always wondered, but was afraid to ask. Kate had no idea, she said as far as she knew that has always been your name. I thought perhaps it was a way to keep you mindful of your place, but I never have felt the Kavanghs were like that."

Nanny shakes her head.

"No, you're right, they're not. Now, initially, there was some desire on Mr. Kavangh's part to make sure I knew my place, but once he realized I did, he relaxed. In school they hammered into us unique position we inhabit in a family's life, and how it was up to us to maintain that boundary at all times. Failing to do so was viewed as badly was having a ward in dirty knickers! After all, it's a fine line to tread; you are part of a family's private life, basically providing intimate care normally done by a parent, but you're being paid and can be sacked at any time. I did finally conclude that boundaries are a little more relaxed here in the states than back in the UK. It can still be a bit tricky, but I found the Kavanghs to be a good family to work for and have been grateful for their continued friendship. Many of my classmates haven't been so fortunate, although most of them stayed in the UK and I feel that's the difference. It's been rewarding for me to see Kate and Ethan grow into adulthood and I'm looking forward to watching Theodore and Phoebe do the same, especially your Theodore! He's such a spirited boy!"

Right now, I'm glad we don't have to worry about the children because we have Nanny there making sure they are safe and well. I look at Ana and smile.

"Feel better having spoken to our son?"

Ana nods, smiling. Maybe Mom can devise a way to get both kids here tomorrow. I'll call her in the morning.