Gramps tires easily so Grace takes him back for an afternoon nap, in fact we all yawn when the twins go to sleep a few moments later, Christian doesn't argue when I suggest a nap for him but I think that's more due to Grace coming back in to the room. Then Grace suggests I join Christian and relax for an hour or so. I am surprised at how tired I feel and some rest is very welcome.
Mia is being a fantastic Aunt, when I emerge after my sleep she has laid Max and Melissa on a play mat, she is playing peep bow and singing nursery rhymes to them. She is a total natural.
"Oh hey Ana, I didn't realise you were up, I hope you don't mind but they woke up so I changed them and fed them and then well here we are" Mia babbles.
"Thank you so much Auntie Mia" I smile and I see her relax.
"They are so beautiful and happy Ana, I can't believe my brother is a Dad, between you and me I never thought it would happen. He has had such mixed fortunes and you have brought so much into his life" she continues "I pleased Elliot is a Dad too but he is a different character altogether and didn't have such a difficult time"
"Elliot is doing great and so is Kate" I say.
"I know he is so proud of Kate and Ashleigh, he is so happy for you and Christian, he absolutely adores Max and Melissa. We never thought Christian would be a father with the start he had but you managed to 'tame' him and I have not seen him this happy ever" she continues "We are so glad you came into his life, it's all so fantastic"
I lay on the floor next to my children "We think Auntie Mia is pretty fantastic to, don't we?" Melissa lets out a perfectly timed squeal as confirmation of what I just said.
"Well I love you too little Missy" Mia chuckles.
Gramps does not join us for the evening meal, Grace says he is still resting but I can tell she is extremely worried. In bed later that evening I ask Christian what is wrong with Gramps.
"He was injured during the Second World War; he was at Pearl Harbour when it was bombed by the Japanese. He sustained abdominal and leg damage from a shell and has had long term problems from those injuries" Christian explains.
"Oh how horrible, poor Gramps" I exclaim
"He has told me a lot of things from those days, memories, friends he lost, friends he kept and how he met Nanna, the day he proposed. He hasn't forgotten a thing, where as Nanna's version varies from week to week" Christian smiles affectionately as he talks about his grandmother.
"I never met my biological fathers parents, Mom's parents lived quite a way away and I never saw them aside from Christmas and Birthdays or special occasions, I also don't think they were impressed by Mom's choice of third husband, Dad, err Ray being a police officer wasn't good enough, he didn't earn enough, not enough social standing so I saw them even less" I feel sad.
"That's a real shame baby, Grandparents have seen a lot of life and give great advice…sometimes" we both chuckle.
Christian yawns; we snuggle up together and fall asleep.
The following morning brings forth a beautiful day, after breakfast and before it gets too hot, Christian, the twins, Grace, Gramps and I take a walk down to the lake. Its slow going with Gramps and Christian both having to take things easy but the view, sunshine and light breeze make it worth-while.
I put the twins on a rug beside the seat, they spend time looking about making gurgling happy noises accompanied with legs kicking and lots of arm waving too. Then Max takes great delight in 'throwing' his toys and gurgling. Christian stands up, retrieves the toys and lies down beside his children. He makes Mr Ted come to life, using a different voice he talks to Max and Melissa who are absolutely fascinated by Daddy/Mr Ted.
Gramps takes my hand "Ah Ana, enjoy them whilst they are this small, they grow so fast" Gramps says patting my hand "My Grandchildren are having children, it's hard to believe and I am very privileged to be seeing them"
"We are very privileged to have you too Gramps" I say and I am sure he tears up a little.
Lunch time is drawing close so we make our way back to the house. Mia and Nanna have prepared the food and arranged it on the patio table under the huge parasol. Gramps is please to sit down and takes a drink of iced water as he relaxes.
All too soon the time comes for us to leave; I feel a little teary eyed saying goodbye to Gramps and give him an extra big hug. I can see Gramps saying things to Christian and Christian looks upset by the end, they hug affectionately before Christian turns away wiping a tear from his eye. Gramps fusses over the twins while we say goodbye to Grace, Carrick, Nanna and Mia.
Our journey home is subdued, I ask Christian what Gramps said but he really didn't want to talk about it so the rest of the journey is in silence.
Grace is at Escala when we get home, she takes the twins to start getting them ready for bed.
"Everything ok?" she mouths to me
I shake my head "Will tell you tomorrow" I mouth back, she nods before disappearing to the nursery.
"I'm going to the office" Christian says and I can tell tonight is not the night to put up an objection
"Don't be too long" I say before pecking him on the cheek and gently squeezing his hand in the hope he understands it's a sign of support from me.
I intend to sit and read while waiting for Christian to emerge from the office but my eyelids begin to feel heavy and I obviously fall asleep. I wake with a start, my eyes dart to the empty space beside me and realise Christian hasn't come to bed yet.
I wrap myself in the sheet and quietly leave the bedroom and walk into the office but that is quiet and dark. I hear a soft tinkering sound and follow it, finding Christian playing a sad melancholy tune at the piano.
"Christian, you need to rest, come to bed with me" I say softly
"I can't sleep; too much going on in my mind to sleep" he whispers back.
"Please come to bed" I almost beg "even if you just rest"
"Its ok baby, I will come when I am ready" he tells me with a small smile but I know that he will not be persuaded.
"But thank you beautiful, you look gorgeous in that sheet" he says as I turn to leave.
I walk over and sensuously kiss his lips before going back to bed.
When the morning sun shines through the gap in the curtains, it casts a ray over the bed and Christian is lying beside me blissfully asleep. I lie still as I don't know what time he came to bed and I don't want to wake him.
I prop myself up on one arm and admire the form of my husband. I think he looks much better than he did, his colour is better; his expression is more at ease and the lines less obvious.
"Didn't anyone tell you it's rude to stare?" I jump when I hear Christians voice, I was so busy looking I didn't see that his eyes had opened.
"I'm sorry, it's just I didn't want to wake you by getting up so I got lost in your face instead" I say hastily.
"Did you see anything you liked?" he teases.
"Of course, you know you have the most fabulous earlobes darling" I giggle.
"Why thank you Mrs Grey, my earlobes are that fascinating?" he laughs.
"Yes they just hang so perfectly" I laugh too.
"Naughty minx" he slaps my bottom playfully.
I sigh "Monday morning already"
"I have a conference call at eleven so I am going to shower and go to the office" he tells me.
I get up, put my dressing gown on and go to the nursery. Max and Melissa are still fast asleep so I quietly leave again and go to the kitchen. Niamh and Gail are both in the kitchen, Gail preparing baby bottles and Niamh has started cooking some breakfast.
I plate up a bagel and cream cheese along with some fruit, yogurt and a cup of tea for Christian and take it to the office. The door is slightly ajar and I hear an unfamiliar sound coming from inside. I peek through the gap but Christians chair is facing the window, I knock and go in but he doesn't turn around. I feel quite concerned, putting the plate and cup down on the desk with a little louder than normal thud, he turns and I can see he is crying.
"What's the matter honey?" I say brushing my hand down the back of his head.
"Everything" is his reply and my heart freezes for a second "So much has and is happening that I feel I have lost control of things I should be able to control"
I sit on the edge of the desk facing him "A lot has happened and in a very short space of time but Christian, no one could predict and control the things that happened, it's impossible"
"The last 3 months have been the worst and the best of my adult life and just as things start to look good again, Gramps is poorly, Moms worried, I want to get back to work and soon as things are falling apart or it feels like they are"
"Work is fine but you have been out of the loop for a while, it must feel funny leaving others to deal but circumstances beyond anyone's control except Elena Lincoln have meant that this is the way it has had to be. You will soon be back to Christian Grey CEO, boss, lover and family man. Your Mom is a strong woman, she has been dealt a few blows in her time but she will be ok"
"I am worried about Gramps, I know he is old and has had a full life but he was a big force and influence in my younger years, he helped me focus on achieving goals, he was the biggest advocate of my business and even helped out in the beginning"
"That's wonderful Christian and you have helped him too"
"Hug me baby, I need to feel your warmth, your skin, your smell"
I lean in and wrap my arms around him. He smells pretty good too.
His lips kiss my neck while his hands begin to roam, his breathing is quickening. He stands up suddenly and leads me to the bedroom. After locking the door he comes over, gently and very seductively undresses me, he kisses each area of my skin as it is revealed before coming back to my lips. His hands tenderly stroke up and down my body. He slowly undresses himself and allows me to kiss him as he unveils his glorious body. We lie down facing each other, our legs intertwined. No words pass between us, only our eyes and hands are moving, caressing and arousing.
That morning we make love, no urgency as before, only gentleness, tenderness and loving. It's like our time to reconnect to ourselves, to familiarise each other with our needs and desires again, after all it has been a long time since we had this opportunity.
We fall asleep wrapped in each other, contented, satiated and very much in love.
A/N: Thanks for all your continuing support.