A/N: The Greys are back! This story picks up about seven months after the last chapter of Loss and Love. Ana's almost at her due date while Layken's now fifteen months old and Landon's seven. Enjoy!

"Hi Daddy." Landon closed his notebook and stood from his spot on the sofa so he could hug Christian who had just arrived home following a strenuous day at GEH.

"Hey buddy.", Christian placed his briefcase and jacket down in the arm-chair and hugged his son. "And there's my baby girl." Toddling towards him was Layken who had started walking at twelve months with no signs of slowing down. "You're showing off those walking skills, huh?"

"Dada.", Layken replied, holding her arms out for Christian to pick her up.

"Ok. I'll hold you. Come here." Christian picked up his daughter and then smiled at Gail who was sitting on the love seat. "Hi Gail."

"Good evening. Ana's upstairs resting for a bit. She was down here with the kids earlier and started yawning uncontrollably. I suggested that she take a nap before dinner while I watched the kids."

"Why don't you stay here with Miss Gail while I go upstairs to check on Mommy?" Layken grinned as he placed her next to Gail. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

"If Mom's awake, tell her that I hope she gets rested.", Landon told his dad.

"I will buddy.", Christian said as he started up the stairs.

Just three weeks from her due date, Ana's energy level was virtually non-existant. She had taken her maternity leave from work a month earlier than originally planned, a decision that pleased Christian. He wanted her to be as relaxed as possible in preparation for the new baby whose gender they decided not to learn this time around.

Christian eased open the bedroom door and padded quietly into the room. Ana was laying on her side, with her back turned to him, but her stillness made him believe that she was asleep. He eased next to her on the bed and kiss the top of her head.

"Hey.", she mumbled groggily.

"Hi. I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't. I've been awake for a while although I've been trying to go back to sleep." She shifted on to her back and puckered his lips as Christian grinned and placed his lips on hers. "We missed you today." Her right hand traveled to her large bump.

"I missed you guys too. I had a meeting with Grant Erickson this afternoon. We might be working jointly on a solar panel project. Anyways, we started talking about our families. His son and daughter-in-law are expecting their fifth child."

"Please don't tell me that you're already thinking of more.", Ana giggled.

"No. Their baby's a girl which they've decorated and bought clothes for. I got to thinking maybe we should rethink our decision to not find out. We can prepare ourselves better if we know."

"I see your point, but I also like the idea of not finding this time. Besides, we've done a good job in buying clothes and accessories that can be for a boy or girl. We'll also know very soon." Christian leaned down and placed a kiss on her stomach. "Will you help me up so we can go and see the two best kids in the world?"


"Mom, are you feeling better?", Landon asked Ana once she and Christian made it to the living room. She sat down next to him on the sofa and pulled him into her arms.

"I'm feeling much better. Thank you for helping Miss Gail watch Layken while I rested. I know your sister can be a handful now that she's walking." Layken came barreling towards Ana with her copper curls bouncing. "Hi there baby girl. Kate called today and wanted to know if we want to get together for dinner tomorrow night at their house. I told her that I'd ask you.", Ana said to Christian who had started looking over Landon's homework.

"It's ok with me. How about you? Do you think you'll feel up to it?"

"Just because I get tired easily and walk slower than a tortoise doesn't mean that I'm not capable of having dinner with our family."

"Ok. I need to talk to Elliot about the construction of the new garage for the security vehicles so why don't I tell him?", Christian suggested, standing up and kissing Ana's forehead before kissing Layken's cheek. He then moved to Landon who sighed and held his arms out for a hug. "Oh, Gail, what's for dinner?"

"Pot roast. I added extra carrots at someone's request." Without saying a name, she glanced at Landon who placed his notebook in front of his face.

"Ah, good. The carrots are what makes the roast even more tasty." Landon shifted the book slightly so Christian could see him nodding in agreement.

"And they're good for you eyes. The more you eat, the better you can see.", Landon said.

"Very true. I won't be long."

In his study, Christian picked up Layken's stuffed teddy bear which she had been playing with the evening before. With her mobility even greater, she was leaving toys scattered more and more. He sat down at the desk and smiled fondly at the memory of Landon giving Layken a lecture the evening before about picking up her toys.

"Elliot Grey, baby whisperer speaking.", Elliot laughed once he answered Christian's call.

"I'm sorry, but I must have dialed the wrong number."

"Ha ha very funny. Kate's been looking up recipes to prepare for the babies. Tonight she made butternut squash and potato purée, but Connor and Charlotte didn't want to try it so I saved the day by tasting it first. Bro, let me tell you that stuff was out of this world delicious. Once they saw how much I was enjoying it, they gave in and ate it. I'll get the recipe from Kate so you guys can try it. You'll thank me. I'm even going to take some for my lunch at work tomorrow."

"You're taking baby food for lunch? Never mind, I forgot that you'll eat anything. You're a human garbage disposal.", Christian chuckled.

"I would be offended by offended by your comment if it weren't true."

"Before I laugh more at you, I wanted to ask about the new garage. When do you think you'll be able to start?"

"I'm finishing up a house in a development but should be done in about a week. Are you still wanting it to be a four car?", Elliot asked.

"Four car. I'd like for it to have plenty of shelving as well."

"No problem. The thing is, given the timing, I'll probably be doing the construction after the new baby is born. The noise might be a distraction for the little guy." Christian rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. He hadn't even considered the construction would be around the time the baby was born.

"First of all, the baby may be a girl despite your repeated statements that you're certain we're having a boy. Secondly, I may need to rethink things. As much as I'd like to have a new garage for the vehicles, the baby is going to need tranquility."

"I understand completely. How about we put things on hold for a while? We can always revisit it at a later time."

"Would you be ok with that?"

"Sure. I know all too well the importance of peace for the babies. Kate told me that she asked you guys over for dinner tomorrow night. Are you going to be able to make it?"

"Yeah. We'd like to.", Christian replied.

"Good. Mia and Ethan were invited as well, but Mia's got a catering gig downtown for some hotshot broker. She's doing a birthday dinner tonight and then has another lined up next weekend. Our little sister is making a name for herself." Despite having her catering business stop off slow, Mia had recently found herself the go-to caterer in the city. She realized that she needed help so she hired her friends Mandy and Julia.

"I'm proud of her. She was a little nervous at first, but she's becoming more and more confidant with each job. Mom's friend Regina was at one of the dinners Mia worked last week and had nothing but positive feedback. She said Mia was social to the guests and always on her toes."

"Social to the guests.", Elliot murmured. "It's good to know that she's putting her fondness for talking to good use." Christian laughed as he heard crying in the background. "Uh, I've got to go. Connor's crying and Charlotte looks like she's about to as well. I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Ok. Give my niece and nephew a kiss from me."

"Will do. Laters."

Christian rolled his chair back and picked up Layken's bear on his way to rejoin the family. Layken's eyes sparkled the moment she saw the stuffed animal in her father's arms. She came barreling to him with a grin on her face.

"Layken, here's your teddy bear that you had in my study last night. You probably didn't even notice it missing until now.", Christian told her.

"She needs to start picking up her things.", Landon pointed out.

"No.", she said with a scowl trained on her brother.

"Yes."

"No no no. Lan." The mention of her name for Landon brought a smile to his face. His adoration for his fifteen month old sister was endless.

"I give up.", he laughed.


"I bought a blanket for the baby the other. I meant to bring it but forgot.", Kate told Ana as she pushed the twins' double stroller through the mall. Ana had been caught by surprise when Sawyer volunteered to push Layken's stroller for her.

"Kate, you've already bought several outfits for the baby. You didn't have to buy anything else."

"I know, but I wanted to. It's a mint green which is gender neutral since someone won't tell us what they're having." Ana turned her head away from Kate and rolled her eyes. "Don't think I don't know that you just rolled your eyes."

"It's not that I'm withholding whether it's a boy or girl from you. Christian and I genuinely don't know. He asked me last night if I wanted to reconsider, but I remain determined to hold out until our delivery day." Approaching a bench, Kate turned her stroller so the twins were face to face with her before taking a seat. Ana glanced down at Layken who was laughing at Sawyer's funny face show. "Sawyer, not that I have a problem with you pushing Layken's stroller, but why were you so adamant about it?"

"I'm not sure if I should tell you.", he answered. Ana followed Kate's actions with Layken's stroller and then eased down on the bench next to her best friend.

"Sure you can."

"I don't think Mr. Grey would want me to."

"I should have known that Mr. Grey had a hand in it. You work for me just as much as you do for Mr. Grey so why don't you tell me. I assure you that you won't be punished."

"He didn't feel you should be pushing the stroller while so close to your due date. I already feel bad about telling you. Can we just forget what I said?" Ana pulled out her phone and dialed Christian's number, winking at Layken.

"How's shopping going at the mall?", Christian asked.

"I bought Landon some new socks and a pair of jeans. We're taking a break and then heading to find Layken and the twins some new clothes.", Ana answered.

"Spend as much money as you want. Out of curiosity, how has Sawyer been today?"

"Sawyer's been the perfect security today. Do you want to know something odd? He wanted to push Layken's stroller? I agreed though."

"You did?" Ana could hear what sounded like relief in Christian's voice. "Well, that was a nice gesture of him."

"I couldn't agree more. It just seemed like he got the idea from somewhere or someone else. Hmm."

"Ok, ok.", Christian muttered. "I did it. I told him to push the stroller due to the fact that I don't think you should be doing it."

"I appreciate your concern, but pushing the stroller isn't bad for me.", Ana sighed.

"You know how I worry. It's part of who I am. Baby, my dad just walked into the office with a serious look on his face. I'm going to see what's going on but will call you later."

"You better." After the call was over, Ana stared at her phone for several minutes as Kate looked on. "Carrick showed up at Christian's office. I'm not sure what's going on, but Christian said Carrick looked serious."


"Dad, hey. I was on the phone with Ana." Carrick staggered to the middle of the office. "Are you ok?"

"Andrea was on the way to get some more paper for the copy machine, but she told me that I could come in. I knocked, but I guess you didn't hear me.", Carrick stammered. "Welch is good at what he does, right?"

"The best. Why do you ask?"

"Christian, I just left the hospital where Mia was admitted a couple of hours ago." Christian leaped from his chair while trying to steady his breathing.

"No one called me. Why am I just now finding this out?"

"Because we knew how you would react so we decided to hold off for a bit."

"What in the hell happened? Did she have a car accident or something?"

"She was picking up some things from a restaurant supply store when someone grabbed her and pulled her into a side alley."

"In broad fucking daylight?!", Christian shouted.

"The store is in a part of town where there's not a lot of traffic. According to Mia, everything happened so fast."

"When you say everything, what do you mean? What did the bastard do?" Carrick dropped to the sofa and shook his head. "Was she...?

"She was beaten up pretty badly but wasn't sexually assaulted. By some miracle, one of the workers from the store decided to take a smoke break and was able to scare the guy away."

"Fuck.", Christian murmured. "Is she still at the hospital?"

"For now, but she'll be released soon. Your mother and Ethan are there with her. I had to get out of there. It was hard looking at my little girl as she looked so helpless. I got in my car and started driving until I got here. The police are going to look into it, but Christian, I want Welch to as well. Do you think he can do that?"

"He'll do it. Does Elliot know yet?"

"Not yet, but I know his reaction is going to mirror yours."

"Was her purse or anything else taken?", Christian asked.

"Nothing. She said he didn't even try to take her money or jewelry. All he seemed interested in was hurting her."

"The fucker messed with the wrong family."