"Much as I could stay here for ever, my arms are beginning to go to sleep and Elliot, dad and I have some business to attend to. Shall we go to my office and leave the ladies to chat?" Christian suggests.
"Oh wait wait! I need to take a photo of you all together" Grace is frantically searching her purse for the camera "Got it, ok smile" and the first of many memories is recorded.
"Here. Let me take Max" I take him from Christian "Kate, will you take Melissa for me?"
"Of course, It's cuddle time with Auntie Kate" she grins and is talking to Melissa as she walks to the chair.
"You're a natural Kate" I say "and I meant to tell you before but seeing Elliot interact with the twins is just lovely, he is going to be a great dad"
"I think so too, not only seeing him with Max and Missy but he has been so attentive and caring, he has been taking an interest in everything baby related but it's nice to know someone else has noticed too" she beams.
"You will both be great" I encourage.
"I'm starving Ana, any chance of a snack?" Kate's stomach rumbles as if to justify her words.
"I think Gail is ready when we are, I will see how the guys are doing" I hand Max over to Grace and walk to the office. As I draw close I hear voices, somewhat angry at times.
"What the fuck did you do that for Elliot?" Christian snaps "Did you not realize what was going to happen?"
"Well if I had I wouldn't have taken that course would i!" Elliot shouts back.
"Boys, boys, enough now" Carrick's voice chips in "Christian, everything that was implemented in your absence was done with the knowledge at hand and good intentions. If anything appears out of place or has not proceeded according to plan we are sorry but it is what it is"
"Sorry Dad, sorry Elliot, I just feel so fucking useless" Christian's voice is oozing detestation "I couldn't protect Ana, myself, family or staff from that…that bitch and I have had to rely so heavily on others when I am usually so in…in control of everything"
"Son, what happened to you, Ana, everyone, was most definitely NOT your fault. Without raking up the past, Mrs Lincoln used us all; some more than others BUT at no time were you responsible for her actions Christian"
I notice Carrick didn't use Elena's name; I guess that's his way of showing his total disapproval of her. I peek through a gap in the door.
"I'm sorry bro, I know you have been working really hard with your own business and mine, with Kate needing you too and supporting Ana in hospital, I really do appreciate your help, I am just not used to not having control over every aspect of my life" Christian and Elliot embrace in that manly way and I can see Elliot is trying to be 'gentle' but I can see Christians face is screwed up in pain never the less.
I decide to knock at the door as it seems like an opportune moment.
"Hi, we were just wondering how long you were going to be as Kate is getting hungry" A chuckle ripples between us.
"That's my girls" Elliot says. It takes a moment before I gasp at the realization of what Elliot just said. I don't even know if he knows what he said.
"What's the matter Ana?" Christian asks looking slightly confused.
"Oh nothing, it doesn't matter" I say as casually as I can.
"Annnnnnaaaaaaa" Oh there's that you're not going anywhere until you tell me voice.
I sigh; I was hoping to get away without saying anything but it's not going to happen.
"I think Elliot let something slip a moment ago" I say quietly before looking apologetically at Elliot.
"Damn, I knew I would let it slip sooner or later" He grumpily says and I feel awful for hearing what he said "Don't worry Ana, I am pissed off at myself for having a loose tongue"
"Could one of you please tell us what is going on here?" Carrick interrupts looking mystified.
"I let slip the sex of the baby a moment ago but it appears only Ana picked up on it" Elliot reluctantly admits.
Christian and Carrick both look at me to tell them "It's up to Elliot if he wants to tell you both" I gulp. I see them both look at Elliot in unison.
"You don't have to tell us if you don't want to Elliot" Christian sees Elliot's face which is a mix between panic at what Kate will say and annoyance at himself.
"Thanks guys, let me run it past Kate first ok?" Elliot looks a little relieved "but I am hungry so let's go eat, we can pick up where we left off here later"
We leave the room and I am struggling to keep my emotions in check. Kate and Elliot having a girl, how fantastic is that? I see Elliot quietly talking to Kate in the lounge, I see a flicker of annoyance cross her face but it softens quickly and she nods. I busy myself helping Gail with the food and drink and before long we are all tucking in to delicious food and the banter around the table is flowing nicely although there is still an undertone of anxiety and fear.
At an appropriate moment Elliot coughs and uses his spoon to tap a wine glass to get everyone's attention.
"Due to me having an enormous mouth that inadvertently lets important details slip out that shouldn't, Kate and I would like to announce that we are having a girl" he smiles, promptly sits down but he looks emotional.
"Elliot, Kate that IS wonderful news" Grace clasps her hands in front of her before getting up to hug Kate and Elliot.
"Great news bro, congratulations Kate" Christian says.
"Could we please keep it quiet though, only you guys now know, my side of the family don't know and I wouldn't want them to find out via press or word of mouth" Kate asks.
"Of course Kate, our lips are sealed" I say with a smile.
"Funnily enough that's what Elliot said" we all chuckle, Elliot looks a little hurt but he gets a kiss from Kate and a pat on the back from Carrick.
"Is everyone finished with eating? I wonder if we could finish off with business" Christian asks.
"Are you ok son?"
"I'm fine Dad" he says but can't stifle a yawn "Just a little tired that's all"
"Ok let's get this done so you can rest" Carrick indicates to Elliot to go back to the office, Christian raises from the chair stiffly, Carrick offers him a fatherly shoulder to lean on and they all disappear.
"Oh My God Kate, a girl!" I have been bursting to say something but somehow kept control of myself until now "I am so excited for you"
"I was totally beside myself when the ultra- sonographer told us, I think secretly Elliot wanted a boy and I think that's where the hesitation I was worried about started but as we have started to buy things and of course the later ultrasounds where you can see much more detail, he has become so excited"
"I am so glad, we are gonna have such fun shopping for girls clothes, there was a fantastic outfit in…oh goodness I can't remember which shop now…we will find it" I chuckle.
"Oh we will, I can't wait to stop waddling and start shopping" she beams.
"Here we are ladies" Grace has brought in a tray of tea and little biscuits.
"We were just talking about going shopping Grace, after she is born to find some outfits, I hope you will join us" Kate says.
"I'd love to and I know someone else that would be over the moon to join us on a shopping trip" Grace pauses "Mia has felt a little left out looking after Nanna and Gramps but she knows it was essential. I am going to send Carrick home at the weekend so Mia can come over, she is absolutely itching to come and see everyone again"
"It will be great to see her again, she is so bubbly and certainly brightens up the atmosphere with her enthusiasm" I say truthfully.
"She certainly does" Kate agrees and Grace smiles.
"Hello Gail" I say.
"Could I have a brief word Ana?" she asks.
"Of course Gail" I follow her through to the kitchen; I feel slightly apprehensive "Is everything alright Gail?"
"Yes Ana, I just wanted to tell you that I have spoken to Jason and we decided that I would be able and very very happy to look after the children" she beams.
I fling my arms around her "Oh Gail you don't know how happy you have made me"
"I just couldn't let you down and miss out on the joys of being a nanny again, when would you like me to start, officially?"
"I will make some enquiries to hire a new housekeeper but I want you to sit in on interviews as I would like you to be their supervisor" I say.
"Really? That would be great" Gail looks choked. The monitor tells me Melissa is stirring and I have to break our conversation short but I promise to discuss in more detail tomorrow.
I check my watch and see it has just gone 10pm and I instinctively yawn. A voice behind me turns me quickly.
"Ana, sorry I didn't mean to make you jump" Grace apologizes.
"Oh Grace, its ok, I still am not used to having people in the house at night, I was just on my way to the nursery, Melissa has started to fuss"
"I will sort Melissa; I think it is time to extricate your husband, my husband and son out of the office. Christian really can't afford to do too much too soon otherwise he will pay for it, I imagine his blood pressure has risen twenty points just talking about work!"
"I am sure you are right Grace, I will get him into bed and come back" I see Grace nod as I turn toward the office.
I can still hear talking in the office but the tone has changed to lighter, less fraught so I just knock once and walk in.
"I've come to break up the party, my husband needs his beauty sleep, Grace is wanting you back Carrick and I think Kate is very ready to go home to bed Elliot" I smile, in different circumstances I would love to be taking my husband to bed for very different reasons than sleep but given time this will change.
Christian is very tired, almost swaying so he says his goodnights, tells Elliot to say goodbye to Kate for him and reminds him to look after her, I steer him in to our bedroom before wishing our guests farewell and goodnight.
The twins are settled so I return to our room, Christian has fallen asleep where I left him a few moments ago, fully clothed and on top of the covers. This could be a challenge to get him undressed without waking or hurting him or hurting me for that matter but with some careful twisting, pulling and manouvering, some grunting from me and a couple of 'wass goin ooonnn's' from Christian, he is naked and almost properly on his side of the bed but I ran out of energy and clothes to help move him. I pause for a moment glancing over my husband, an overwhelming sense of relief that he is home and back in our bed flushes through me. His physical wounds are gradually healing, the surgery scars still look angry but they will fade in time, I fear the psychological scars will remain for a while but for now I am content to have them all home.
A/N: Apology for the lack of updates. Real life has been a bitch, and health has not been that great. Whenever I can get time I will continue to write and update. At this time I am not sure I can commit to a weekly Tuesday schedule but I will try to do them as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience and all your support. It means a lot. - Toni