7 years later

It has been 7 years since Christian was declared cancer-free. A lot has happened the last 7 years.

My relationship with Luke is amazing. The last 13 years of my life with him have been nothing short of amazing. He is my rock and I am his.

Heather and Holly are now 21. They have been great. They graduated high school 3 years ago, with honors. They were both valedictorian. They were accepted into Harvard but they wanted to come home to be near us and we built them their own house on our property and they are now attending WSU. They are really excelling. They both want to be doctors. After they graduate from WSU, they are going off to med school in New York. I will miss them but I'm happy that they are able to get back out there and become the strong independent women I know they are. They liked to call me and Luke Mom and Dad because the other kids did and we figured it would be better that way. We were blessed to have taken in and saved 2 incredible teenagers and were able to help them excel in life.

Kirsten is now 14. She is such a beautiful young lady. She and all the other kids are on the A honor roll in school and I'm extremely proud of them. Kirsten has started rebelling against us in the last couple of years. She evades security and she sneaks out of the house in the middle of the night sometimes to go meet with her friends and drink alcohol. I took her with me to the therapist and when asked why she does these things, she says, "I learned recently that my Dad isn't my biological father. I feel like my parents lied to me for 14 years." She looks at me And breaks down in a frenzy of tears. "I know Christian is my biological father but Dad will always be MY Dad." This breaks my heart for her. She was set up with her own therapist and she is beginning to do much better. She even started playing piano again and she joined a couple of clubs at school.

Jesse and James are now 12 and they're amazing as well. They are both looking forward to playing football in high school. This slightly terrifies me because of all the possible injuries they could easily get while playing football but I want them to be who they are meant to be so I've relented because they are so excited about it.

Piper is 11 and she has been classified as a genius. I believe all of my kids are geniuses but the school classified her as a genius. She is taking a couple of courses with 14 year olds. She is making straight A's in all of her classes. She had a bright future ahead of her and I look forward to seeing what she does in her life.

Nevaeh is 10. She excels in school and she loves to sing and has a beautiful voice. She sings solos in every school concert that they have. Sometimes whenever her sister plays piano, she sings along with her.

Peyton is now 9. He is the comedian of the family. He is always telling us jokes and playing harmless pranks on us. He excels at school as well and is learning to play the guitar and he is very gifted.

Luke had his vasectomy reversed 3 years ago and I got my IUD out and we tried for another baby since the kids were all getting older.

I got pregnant eventually and 2 years ago, we welcomed Lucas Michael Sawyer Junior and he looks just like a mini Luke.

The older kids are a great help with Luke Jr. The nannies are still with us but mostly as family now that the kids are older and help us with Junior.

We spend a lot more time with my kids now than we did before. I'd felt bad about not spending more time with them in the past.

Daddy and Ella have moved back to Montesano and come to visit every couple weeks for the weekend.

They still use the guest house whenever they are in town. It will always be their other home.

Christian and I bonded over me helping him through his cancer. He and I became great friends. He spends a lot of time with us. We have lunches together once a week. He has really become a health nut since his bout with cancer. He has built back his muscle mass even more so than before cancer. He has proven more than once how much he appreciates me having been there for him through one of the hardest times in his life.

Today is one of those days. He has finally accepted my relationship with Luke is permanent and he started dating. About time.

I am meeting him at the café across from Grey House. He said he wants me to meet someone. I'm hoping it is a woman. He seems even happier than usual.

I walk into the café and I see him in the back at the table with a red headed woman. I smile brightly as he spots me and waves me over.

I approach their table and he stands to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Ana, this is my girlfriend Tammy. Tammy, this is my best friend and ex-wife, Ana."

I extend my hand to her. "it is nice to meet you Tammy."

"Likewise. I've heard a lot about you. I feel like I know you."

"All good, I hope."

"Oh definitely."

I smile and Christian allows me to take my seat before he sits back down.

We order our food and I begin a conversation. "So, how did you 2 meet?"

"At a cancer survivor support group." He says as he looks at her lovingly. Aww I'm so happy for him.

"Did you have cancer too, Tammy?"

"I had stage 4 breast cancer and I have been in remission for 6 years."

"I'm sorry to hear that but I'm exponentially happy that you are a survivor like Christian here."

She smiles at me and gives him a sweet kiss. "Thank you Ana. Christian told me that he just had to introduce me to you. You know, so that you can approve of me probably."

I giggle. "sounds about right. How long have you been dating?"

"2 years this May." She says excitedly.

I smile and look at Christian, "why did you wait this long to introduce us? You said you had been dating but not that you were seeing the same person for the past 2 years."

"I wanted to be sure before bringing other people into our relationship. You are the first person I have told. We have kept our relationship very private up until this point."

"I have to use the restroom. I will be right back." Tammy says. Christian stands and helps her stand and gives her a sweet kiss. He sits back down and leans in to me and whispers.

"What do you think?"

"So far I love her. Does she make you happy? Because that is what really matters to me."

"So happy Ana. I want to ask her to marry me. I waited longer this time. We really rushed into marriage and I think that is why we didn't work out. That and my fear of fatherhood. I want this woman by my side and I want to have babies with her. I need your approval Ana."

"I approve. Make sure to ask her Dad first. We didn't tell my Dad until after. It is a grand gesture that she will appreciate."

He sighs relieved. "I'm glad you approve. I was going to call him anyway after I got your much needed approval. You know me better than anyone so your opinion is important to me."

I smile. She comes back to the table and Christian stands again to let her be seated first. We eat our meal with casual conversation and I really like this woman. I haven't seen Christian this happy in years.

After our lunch, I give them both a hug and make my exit. I have to go home and tell Luke about this. I'm so excited.

6 months later

Christian proposed to Tammy 5 months ago and myself, along with the Grey women have been hard at work planning the wedding that will be taking place today.

Christian asked me to be his best man. It is a little unorthodox but I accepted because, other than my husband and Kate, he is my best friend. Elliot and I will both be best men or wo-men. I still get to wear a dress so I'm excited. Tammy had her friend as maid of honor and my girls are bridesmaids and flower girls.

My husband is also a groomsman. Along with our sons.

I get to stand in the front with the guys and I have the rings for Christian in my clutch. The women all practically float down the aisle and the ceremony is absolutely lovely.

I'm so happy for my best friend.

Elliot, me, and Tammy's friend Liz all give speeches. Mine had everyone in tears.

After the meal, Tammy Grey pulls me to the side. "Can we all have a picture together. Christian and I and you and Luke and your family? I feel like you guys are definitely a big part of our family now."

I smile. "I would love that."

I gather up Luke and the kids and Tammy gets Christian and we all pose for a family picture together.

After the pictures are taken, we go to dance as the wedding party. I kiss my husband sweetly. "Luke, I feel like our families are finally complete. This is our happily ever after and finally Christian is truly happy so we can all be happy in general and happy for him. I feel like this is where we need to be."

"Baby, I know this is where we need to be. I'm glad Christian finally found his happy ever after. I have had my happy ever after for 13 years already. We have our gaggle of little Sawyers and our love. That's all we need."

I lay my head on his chest. "I love you so much Luke Sawyer. Forever."

"I love you so much too Anastasia Sawyer. Forever."

This is our happily ever after.