Elliot and Kate arrive soon afterwards and ask why the front gate security were being such assholes about letting them down the drive way. A brief explanation from Christian answers the question.
Kate and I hug, she is very nervous, I can tell from her eyes, I give her a supportive hug and whisper everything will be fine. Elliot comes over and hugs me, asking how the blips are. I tell him lively and growing and keeping mummy awake with their acrobatics at night. He laughs and winks.
The door flies open, banging against the stopper, making us all jump. It's Mia bounding in with her customary enthusiasm.
"Oh it's so good to see you all again, Ana how are my little nieces, nephews or both?" she giggles
"Good thanks Mia" as she is muttering things in the direction of my belly.
"Christian, Elliot, Kate" she tries to have a group hug but it's difficult with Christian and Elliot being six feet tall and Kate and Mia being significantly shorter, everyone ends up laughing.
Grace and Carrick come through and say their hello's and invite us all to be seated as dinner is ready. It's all lovely, a light starter of Melon and cucumber salad with mint, so refreshing, Pea and Asparagus Risotto and Chocolate Coconut Banoffee Pie to finish. Coffee and cheese board appear but I can't manage another thing.
As coffee is being poured, Elliot stands up and taps his glass, reminiscent of Christian when he told everyone about the twins.
"Mom, Dad, thank you for letting us invade the house again for the weekend and for the delicious food" he starts "I would also like to say that some when in March of next year, Kate and I will be celebrating the momentous occasion of the… third Grey grandchild being born"
Jaws drop, I look at Christian and he mouths to me "You knew?" I nod.
Christian stands up, shakes Elliot's hand "Never knew you had it in you bro" they laugh together. He kisses and congratulates Kate. Mia looks like she is either going to implode or pass out for the second time recently with the news. Grace and Carrick just look wonderful, the look of pride for their sons is so evident and the news of a third grandchild has just made their day.
Elliot stands again and clears his throat "Oh and Kate has agreed to become my wife at some point in the future" I clap my hands together in delight. I hope Christian will decide to propose but if he doesn't I will still be happy.
Carrick calls for another bottle of champagne to be opened and glasses are topped up for toasts to be made. Kate and I chink our glasses of water before doing the same with everyone around the table. I forget the hassle of earlier and feel that sense of family enveloping me, making me comfortable and wanted.
When dinner is finished, Christian and Elliot are chatting about impeding fatherhood, Mia and Kate are having a very excited chat about babies and I manage to catch Grace to ask her about the first weekend in August and my parents coming over. She is more than happy to host a gathering at Grey Manor and for them to stay overnight to save extra travelling. I am most grateful for her offer as the thought of catering my parents is exhausting enough without organising food, drink and entertainment for the weekend. So we settle on Saturday 3rd August at Grey Manor, I tell Kate and Elliot to save the date, Mia as well. I explain briefly about my parents, the divorce and subsequent partners. At least I will be surrounded by people who care for me.
I tire easily now and by nine thirty am ready to sleep so I excuse myself, go upstairs, shower and sink into a deep and very peaceful sleep. Christian joins me at some point, I am vaguely aware he got into bed but it is now morning and I turn to find he is awake and watching me.
"Morning pumpkin" he smiles
"Morning Christian, you were staring at me?" I ask smiling
"Yes, do you know you have a beautiful body?" I blush as he runs his hand over my hip and thigh.
"Thank you, you do too in case you didn't realize" I giggle
"Oh Ana, you have no idea what you do to me" he whispers in my ear "I want you now"
His hands begin exploring all over my body, just a simple brush of his hand sets me on fire. I writhe as his fingers run over my nipples, down my tummy and into the warm, wet depths of my being. I, in turn very lightly run a finger up and down the middle of his spine causing his back to arch in pleasure, I kiss his lips, nibble his ear lobe and caress his buttocks and his erection digs into my thigh.
"Are you sure we won't hurt them?" he asks quietly. I nod my head and I proceed to massage his erection, stroking, teasing and licking him. I take his length into my mouth, sucking and very gently nibbling his shaft. The moans and groans from him only serve to excite me more. He grabs my hips and pulls me so his erection is pushing against the sensitive rosette that he teased and pleasured before.
"Tell me if you need to stop baby" he whispers as he pushes his length into my depths, oh that feels so good as he gently thrusts and strokes me at the same time. I feel his balls slap against my buttocks and that intensifies my arousal. He is being extremely gentle which greatly hastens my need for a release, I can feel it building, I moan and my breathing quickens as does Christian's pace until I feel that familiar tingling that rises from my toes.
"Oh baby, you are getting so tight" he groans. He pushes his finger through my rosette and the sensation brings my orgasm to the brink before a final thrust tips me over the edge and I come with Christian following with his own orgasm shortly after. We lay down facing each other to allow us to catch our breath, smiling and tracing our fingers over the others face.
"Hmm you were ready for that baby" he comments
"Just because I am pregnant it doesn't mean I don't want to make love" I tell him
"I think I have just gathered that" he laughs and I laugh too.
"We had better get ourselves sorted and go for breakfast. Gramps and Nana are coming over today" He reminds me and we head for the shower where our antics continue but is more feeling and caressing than anything else.
Breakfast is a happy affair, Kate doesn't seem to be suffering with morning sickness, which I am pleased about for her.
Gramps and Nana arrive for morning coffee at ten thirty; we are all sitting in the conservatory making general conversation.
"Gramps, Nana I have something to tell you both" Elliot begins "Kate and I are expecting a baby" he beams.
"Oh there must be something in the water in Seattle" Gramps says dryly, the rest of us burst into laughter.
"There must be something said for super sperm though" Nana pipes up, Grace chokes on her coffee and we all look at her with amazement "I read it in Men's Health last week" she matter of factly states, which tickles us more.
My muscles ache with that much laughing on top of sex this morning but there is nothing else better for the soul than a hearty chuckle.
Christian and I go for a walk in the grounds, flanked by security of course. We head to the boat house; it's a lovely warm morning so we sit on the veranda overlooking the lake. I close my eyes and allow the sun to shine on my face.
"Ana, can I ask you something?" I look over at him
"Of course Christian, what's up?" I say as I close my eyes again. He doesn't reply so I open my eyes again and he is in front of me on one knee, holding a beautiful and huge diamond ring between his fingers.
"Will you marry me Ana?" he looks absolutely petrified.
"Oh Christian, it's beautiful" I can't take my eyes off how it sparkles in the morning sun.
"Nothing like keeping a guy waiting" his voice is shaking.
"Oh I'm sorry" I look at his crestfallen face "to keep you in suspense" he lifts his face "of course I will marry you" I smile at the look on his face which is a combination between shock and relief.
"Really?" he asks
"Yes but I want to wait before telling people so we don't steal Kate and Elliot's thunder, If that's ok with you?"
"That's fine baby and thank you" he has calmed down.
"Thank me for what?" I am puzzled.
"For being patient with the fucked up person that I am and giving me a chance. I promise I will try not to screw this up for us all" Wow that's quite a statement for Christian.
"I believe you will be the best you can" I reassure him.
"I guess we ought to be heading back, mom was planning a card or games afternoon. It sounds boring but with Gramps and Nana playing I can see it being totally outrageous" Christian says fondly.
"I think it's a great idea, let's go" I proffer my hand to get him to help me up and we walk back to the house.
Lunch is waiting; it's early but fits in with Gramps and Nana. I see Grace has got out every card or board game they have, some I have never heard of before but others are warmly familiar.
Elliot picks up and game
"Ok, who's up for twister?" Kate and I both give him a mock irritated look and considering that leaves only Elliot, Christian and Mia under thirty and flexible enough to play, it's a no go. Elliot sulks for a moment before seeing Operation. Oh even Christian gets excited about this. He and Elliot start and after much buzzing and laughing, admit defeat and we split into two teams to play trivial pursuits. Carrick, Gramps, Kate and I take on Grace, Nana, Christian and Elliot. I can't believe it is so much fun especially Gramps miss-hearing a question and coming out with a totally inappropriate answer.
I hold out for as long as I can but tiredness overtakes me again, I excuse myself and head for bed. I must have been exhausted as I neither heard Christian come to bed or get up but I look over at the clock and it shows 9.17am. Goodness me that is late, a knock on the door makes me jump, and Christian comes in with a tray from breakfast. Toast, a bagel and cream cheese, fruit, tea and juice. There is everything I could want except I can't face cream cheese right now.
"Ana pumpkin, what time do you want to leave today?"
"I don't know, maybe not too late as I need to store a few things at your place" I start
"Our place" he corrects and I smile as that sounds funny to hear.
"Perhaps before it gets too dark also in case we run into trouble again" I suggest
"Ok sounds good, I will tell Mom we will leave right after lunch" he kisses my forehead and leaves the room as I am munching on my toast.
Kate and I opt to read in the library while Elliot and Christian go jogging. They are going to leave at the same time to give Grace and Carrick some time alone for the rest of the weekend.
The sweaty boys come back and head straight up for a shower; they also pack our bags ready to go. A lovely relaxing morning followed by a simple lunch is perfect. Taylor loads the car up with our luggage; he liaises with Sawyer and Peters for the route home and talks to Christian for approval.
We thank our hosts for a lovely weekend; I tell Grace I will send details for the 3rd as soon as possible. I feel a small knot starting in the pit of my stomach as my anxiety about the journey home resurfaces.