Author's note: Hi guys. Let me start by apologizing for the lack of update last week, I was pretty busy, but I promise to make it up before next week.

I also want to ask for patience, I do not know how the adoption agency's work, so let's pretend that what I wrote is how a real process goes, after all, this is fiction. I hope you like this chapter, let me know your opinion. Also, what stories do you recommend? I'm looking for something to read.

Chapter 10

I didn't sleep. I just couldn't. All night I thought about the baby. What is going to happen to the baby if Ana decides on adoption? I really need to call Flynn, I feel the control running away from me again. I have been in my bathroom for an hour looking at the mirror, hoping that my reflection gives me answers. Do I tell her I feel the baby kick? Maybe that's not a great idea, she is going to ask why was I in her room.

After a deep breath, I go to my room to get ready and find Ana, we have to eat breakfast and go to de doctor.

"Good morning, Christian", Ana says from the breakfast bar. "I'm going to need you to tell me where did you buy your beds. I think it was the best sleep I had in a long time".

"Morning. I'm sorry, I don't really know, the person who decorated the apartment bought everything. I could call her and ask her if you want".

"No, probably they are really expensive, although it may be worth the inversion", she giggles.

"I'll find out. Hey, maybe if you behave, I could get you one as a present for when you move back", I say with a smile to let her know I'm joking.

"Well, I don't think I ever misbehave, so…", she smiles at me. "I even make us breakfast".

She gives me some food, but my head is still thinking in the baby, I can help to look at her and stare at her belly…

"Christian? Are you ok?".

"What? Yes, of course. Why you ask?".

"I asked you something, you didn't answer".

"Sorry, what was the question?".

"How was your dinner last night?".

Shit.

"It was good, you know, a little boring", I say but don't look at her in the eyes. "How was your night? I'm sorry I wasn't here", I quickly change the subject.

"Don't worry, I understand. My night was good, I enjoy the dinner Gail made me, I even try to get her recipe".

We talk some more about his travel and move to Seattle before we go to the doctor.

We are in the SUV on our way to the doctor, Ana has been in her phone answering emails and posting on social media to promote an article she wrote. And I been sitting here pretending to look at my emails, but I'm really trying to avoid asking her about the baby. Is she excited? Does she have a preference about the gender?

"Ok, what's wrong?". She asks me and just now I realize she caught me looking at her bump.

"Nothing", I quickly say, and I notice that my voice came out a little higher than normal.

"You have been acting weird. Did I did something wrong?".

I realize I need to be honest with her.

"Are you nervous to find out the sex?".

Well, maybe not that honest.

Ana looks down and I see her touch her belly.

"I'm scared", she whispers.

I take her and sit closer to her.

"Why?".

"I'm afraid to get attached. It sounds stupid, I know. I'm carrying this baby, but I been focusing on not thinking about the future. I'm taking care of myself, I eat good, I exercise, I sleep… I think that in the back of my head I know the baby it's going to be here soon, but I'm not thinking about raising him. I'm scared of thinking about a future where I won't be able to take care of a baby by myself. I don't want to get attached, what if I decide to give the baby on adoption and if I get attached is going to hurt me more.

"And then it's Ethan… what is he going to do? I don't know anything about him, but what if he comes looking for the baby, or something goes wrong".

Ana starts crying and I feel like shit. Of course she is scared, and I just make her feel worst. I hug her and I'm trying to think about the right thing to say to her when I notice we are outside the doctor office.

"Everything it's going to be ok. You're not going to be ever alone. I'm here", I take her face in my hands and look at her eyes. "I'm always going to be here, by your side. It doesn't matter what you choose, I will support you".

We look into each other's eyes, and it's quiet. I even think Taylor got off the car. I start to get close to Ana, but we are interrupted by a knock on the window. I turn around and see Elliot standing on the sidewalk; he can't see us because of the dark windows.

Ana looks at me with horror.

"You told him?".

Shit, shit, shit. What is Elliot doing here? I should have told Ana…well, she should have told Elliot in the first place.

"I did. He deserves to know. He is been with you every step of the way. I get you don't want Elliot to get attached, but we are a team. All three of us". There's another knock on the door and I'm thinking of getting him out of the team.

"You're right. I should apologize".

We get out of the car and Elliot sees Ana's been crying and hugs her.

"Are you crying because I'm here?". He asks her.

"No. Christian just make me realize my fears. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about today".

"If you weren't crying, I would be reproaching you", Elliot tells her.

"Let's go".

We get inside the doctor's office and Ana goes to register herself, leaving Elliot and me alone.

"What are you doing here?", I ask him.

"I couldn't sleep. I need to know and I need Ana to know that I'll be here, for her and the baby".

"I get it".

Ana comes back and tells us we can go with her to the ultrasound. And is kind of awkward. The nurse is looking at us weird. Elliot is looking at the models of female anatomy in the office and I'm reading some pamphlet, while Ana is sitting in a paper gown.

The doctor knocks on the door and greets Ana and Elliot, and then they introduce me. We see the doctor click some buttons on the machine and then puts something on Ana's belly. I can see how big it is and I get excited, but I know I have to cover my feelings for Ana.

"So, Ana. You said you want to know the sex of the baby. I just need to warn you, depending on the position of the baby, we may not be able to find out what it is. In your past ultrasound, I didn't get to see".

"Oh, ok. I just need to know because I'm going to go to an adoption agency and I would like to tell them what the baby it's going to be".

"Well, considering the parents are here, I think they can understand the situation", the doctor says and looks at Elliot and me.

What? Elliot and I look at each other.

"We are not adopting the baby. He is my brother", Elliot almost screams at the doctor.

Ana stars to laugh and I look at my brother with disgust.

"I'm so sorry", the doctor says and looks embarrassed.

We all laugh, but I see Elliot with a serious face, the face he used to do when he was a kid and focused on his homework.

"Well, let's hope this baby shows", the doctor says trying to avoid making eye contact.

We look to the screen and I see the baby for the first time.

I think I'm in love. I can see the baby's face and his hands. The little nose. It looks like the baby has his hand in his mouth.

"Is cool, right?", Elliot asks me and I just nod.

The doctor stars to move the wand and we see more of the baby.

"We are in luck. Looks like the baby knows you want to know what to expect. See here, it's a girl".

I hear a big gasp and I instantly reach for Ana's hand and I see Elliot took her other hand. When I look at Ana I can see a tear on her cheek.

We go out of the doctor office and I can't help my smile. I'm walking behind Ana and Elliot, I have with me some papers about pregnancy and the states, and I'm planning to read them all. I need to know what's happening with Ana and the baby.

We get in the SUV and Taylor drives Ana and me, while Elliot follows us in his car to the agency. I was really happy until we get there, and it looks like he is just like me.

"Do you want to wait here? I can go on my own", Ana says to us.

"No, no, we'll go with you", I quickly said.

"I'm going to wait here, guys. I'm sorry, Ana", Elliot says.

"Don't be, I get it".

I go with Ana to an office and we meet with a woman name Jane, who explains to us the process of adoption.

It's a big private agency that has kinds of all ages. They take care of them until someone adopts them or until they go to college. If the kinds don't get adopted they raise them, they give them food, clothing and see they study. I'm in awe of their work and I make a mental note to give them my support and a big donation.

They explain to Ana that, since she is thinking on give her baby in adoption, there are a lot of people that look to adopt babies, so they can give her a list for her to analyze. She can meet them and can have an open adoption and know what happens with the child, or a close one, where she'll give the baby and never know anything about her. She chooses the second option and we get a dossier of candidates.

Ana asks a lot of questions, they share histories of happy adoptions and bad ones, what leads us to knows what the agency does to secure the well being of every child.

By the time we get back to the reception and to Elliot, we see him sitting and talking whit two boys. I go to him while Ana makes an appointment with the therapist of the agency. They are going to make an evaluation to help Ana confront her feelings and see if she really wants to give the baby to someone else.

"Hey, Lell, we are done".

"Hey, Bro. Look, let me introduce you to my two new friends. This is Jaime and this is Henry. They are twins".

"Hello", I say and extend my hand. They seem to be like four or five years old. One of them has a cast on his arm.

"Hi", they bout say and shake my hand at the same time, and I smile. They are cute.

"Ok, I'm ready", Ana says. "Oh, hi there", she greets the kinds.

This time they blush and try to hide behind each other. Yep, Ana has that effect on everyone. She smiles at them and we heard someone calling for the kinds.

"Bye", they say to us, they hug Elliot and then run to Jane.

"They live here. They are waiting for someone to adopt them, but they getting old, they soon be four years old". Elliot says and we start walking to the SUV.

"How do you know?", Ana asks him.

"They told me. Henry hurt his arm playing, so someone from here took him to the hospital, they took Jaime to make him company. I talked whit the guy and he explain me that because they are twins, it's difficult to find someone who will take them bout".

I don't know what to say, I can see the pain in Elliot's eyes and remember our conversation about adoption. I can feel the loss of control and I'm sure that's how Elliot feels. Ana doesn't say anything and gets in the car.

Elliot looks back to the agency and I can't place his feelings.

"Shit. Sorry guys, I forgot my phone inside. I'll meet you at the restaurant", he says.

"Do you want us to wait for you", I ask him.

"No, it's cool. I'll be just a minute". He says and runs to the agency.