Authors Note:

Sorry this chapter is out a little late. I have been there was a lot of mixed opinions in the previous chapter's cliffhanger. Whilst I always read my reviews, I have always planned out in my mind what will happen in the next chapter. I hope you will continue to read my story. Just read this chapter and see how you go! I think you will all be happy enough. Again, cheers to Crystal9034 for her editing prowess.

Regards, Maria Amore.

Aftereffects

Ted's POV:

"Then let's have some of our own secrets then. Let's keep some from our family," Ava says. I look into her eyes, and I know exactly what she is thinking.

"Ava, we can't." I tell her.

"I know, I know! Our fathers were adopted by the same people, so legally we are cousins and it would not be appropriate." Ava recites. "I have had my dad tell the same lecture enough. I don't need it from you also." I sit up on the bed instead on lying next to her, thinking it best to keep some physical distance. Ava looks pained, and I can't help but feel that this is just another thing that is my fault. I need to put some distance between me and everyone. I know what I need to do. I make a mental note to put my plan into action as soon as I can get some time to myself and to my laptop.

"It isn't just that. There are other reasons why I, we can't go further." I point out.

"Like what? Do you find me unattractive?" Ava seems so insecure.

"Oh my gosh, Ava! NO! Have you looked in the mirror lately?" I am dumbfounded at her question. "You are gorgeous. You're the whole freaking package. If you weren't my cousin, I would probably have my father put multiple security people on you, so no one could touch you, and you could be mine." Regardless of my impassioned pleas, Ava still looks unconvinced.

"Your dad already has security people on me." Ava says in a huff. "So it isn't just the cousin issue the then what else makes you, not want me." Ava challenges me.

"One, Your dad would literally castrate me, if I touched you and because you are a virgin" I tell her.

"So are you." Ava spits back.

"Yes I am, and I don't want your first time to be with someone like me. I am too screwed up right now. I am not good enough for you or anyone whilst I have so much shit going on." I tell her.

"You are not screwed up. You are just upset and grieving. You are the least screwed up person I know." Ava says. I run my hands through my hair unconvinced.

"Ava, I keep hurting everyone. I have hurt my mother several times today, she has cried so much today because of me, and my mother has been there for me every moment of my life. I even hurt my father. I said some nasty things to them. Fuck I started hurting people even before I had a heartbeat. I am no good." I reiterate.

"Ted, if you want me to believe that I am attractive then you have to accept that you aren't screwed up, instead you are exceptional. You are simply just over exaggerating, due to the last several hours. Maybe I am the one who hurts people. I was the one who blurted out about your Mom collapsing. It is my fault that you learnt about the pregnancy in the way that you did. So you Mr. Future whatever college you are finally going to but haven't told anyone, you need to apologize to your parents first thing tomorrow morning." Ava says kneeling on the bed with hands on her hips. She looks so angry. So domineering.

"You know you look even look more attractive angry" I smirk. I desperately want to change the conversation.

Ava screams frustrated and then literally throws herself at me, and before I know it she has pinned me down. "Say it Theodore Raymond Steele or Grey, whatever you are going to choose your last name to be, SAY THAT YOU ARE NOT SCREWED UP. SAY THAT YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE PERSON. Say it. SAY IT!" She yells from the top of her lungs.

"Ava, seriously. I am way stronger than you, I can easily disarm you." I tell her arrogantly.

"SAY IT TEDDY! SAY IT NOW." Ava continues to scream.

"Ava keep your voice down! You are going to wake someone up" I warn her. She looks down at me, her intense stare and facial expression is not breaking.

"BETTER SAY IT NOW THEN! OR I WILL KEEP SCREAMING AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO, and SOON" Ava warns.

"Too late. You both have some explaining to do, now." An authoritarian voice says. Ava jumps off me, and I also quickly stand up.

"Grandma and Grandpa, it isn't what it looks like" I tell them. Ava is literally shaking next to me.

"Well I should sincerely hope not." My grandmother says in disgust.

"Why don't you both put on some clothes, and then join us in the kitchen? We need to talk about this." My grandfather is strangely calm. They both leave the spare room and once they are out of sight. Ava and I look at each other horrified.

"We better get moving. I pray they don't tell my parents." Ava is anxious.

"We didn't do anything" I tell her.

"I know. Our grandparents are tremendously supportive and will listen to us, but our parents may not be so lenient. Then again our grandparents, may be quite harsh, they know how I feel about you." Ava says putting on a pair of sweat pants.

"How do they know?" I ask surprised.

"I told them" Ava reveals walking out of the bedroom. After putting on a pair of pants, I head to the kitchen.

"Ted. Take a seat" My grandfather gestures, with a real controlled tone to his voice.

"Yes, well let's focus on the issue of this Ava's bedroom shall we." My grandfather starts.

"We didn't do anything. I know how it looked like with me having pinned Ted down, but we weren't having sex or anything." Ava says.

"You two weren't having sex, but you were on the same bed, with minimal clothes on. Now, that was one observation, we never expected to walk in on. So, which one of you is willing to enlighten us on exactly what was going on?" My grandmother asks.

"I went to see Ava after her text, asking if I was okay. That is all. Nothing untoward was going on" I try to explain.

"Then why were you pinned down on the bed, if that isn't supposed to be an untoward action?" My grandfather investigates. I open my mouth to speak, but am stopped by Ava.

"Look that was my fault. I pinned Ted down to force him to say that he is not really messed up. Ted has it in his head that he is tainted. I figured if I made him say it then he would start to believe it. I swear to you both I wasn't trying to do anything else to him. I know that it must have looked that way, but as you both often tell me, things are not always as they seem." Ava points out in a very matter of fact tone.

"Very good point Ava, though I would certainly recommend next time you try to convince someone of a matter, you would do it wearing more than night clothes and not on your bed" Our grandfather points out displeased.

"Point taken," Ava says blushing.

"Look I think we should just forget this happened, and keep this between us four. We have far more pressing issues at hand. Ted, as your grandparents, we love you and will always be there for you. We are, also your father's parents, so the same goes for him and your mother. Even though your words this evening were the truth, they were extremely painful. We want you to talk to your parents again. It is the only thing that is going to stop this state you are in." My grandfather states.

"I can't. I am too angry. I will just say something and hurt my parents even more." I admit.

"No, you won't. You are also remorseful over today's incident." My grandmother smiles at me while Ava squeezes my hand.

"Okay fine. I will talk to them." I give up. I can't fight the combined force of my grandparents and Ava.

Grace's POV:

"Here Grace, this will help" Carrick passes me a large glass of Gin and Tonic, whilst he has a glass of what I assume is whiskey. I rub my eyes, I am tired, but I don't know if I can sleep. I thought the last several weeks had been life changing enough, but the events of the last several hours have unquestionably taken its toll.

"Are you tense?" Carrick asks. I had been trying to relax myself by stretching my neck, but I can't get rid of these knots in my back.

"Yes. Very." I reply.

"Let me try help." He offers. Carrick starts to massage my neck and then moves on to my shoulders.

"That feels fantastic" I tell him.

"Remember when I use to do this for you all the time?"

"Yes. If my memory serves, that was the same time, Christian was getting into trouble as a teenager, and when we found out about him and Elena." The thought of those memories still haunt me. Maybe if I had been a better mother, those events would never have happened and then everything could have been different. Ted would have had his family, and Christian and Ana would have always been happy.

"Our son has made life interesting" Carrick says discontentedly. It is his tone that makes me spin around and focus on him.

"I don't regret adopting Christian, in fact, I think it was one of the best things we ever did in our lives. Regardless of everything that has happened or he has done, Christian is a phenomenal person. He has so much talent and has lived up to it. Now he needs our help, with our grandson." I surmise

"I kind of think Ted's reaction was normal in fact it was somewhat overdue. He took all that information about his birth, parents break up and early years too well, in Seattle. Discovering his parents are expecting a baby just made him face everything." Carrick evaluated. He is right, as usual.

"Carrick there is something that has been bothering me"

"Oh, and what is that?" He asks casually,

"When Ana and Christian told us that they pregnant, you didn't seem all that shocked. You acted surprised, but you were clearly not as shocked as you should have been. Did you already know about the baby?" I probe.

"When Christian came back to Seattle, for the first time after temporarily relocating here in New York, he spoke to me about wanting another child." I look at Carrick, astounded.

"Why didn't you ever tell me? That was weeks ago." I ask annoyed. We rarely ever keep secrets and especially not about our children. I don't care if they are one or one hundred years old. They are my children just as much as they are his!

"Grace calm down! Christian was just talking about it, and I never thought it would truly happen. I didn't want you to get your hopes up or be upset, for a similar reason that Ted is. Trust me I was just as stunned as you." His attempts to placate partially work. Truth be told I can't really stay mad at my loving husband. I never could.

"To be honest, I am actually thrilled about this baby. I think it actually is a new beginning for our son. He missed so much with Ted. Those are experiences that are invaluable. Plus it would be lovely to have a little child run around Bellevue again." I can't help but smile at the thought. I hate that Ted is upset over the matter but still.

"Do you worry about Christian, and if history will repeat itself? What if he and Ana cannot maintain their relationship" Concern is etched on Carrick's face. It was the concern I felt also when Ana and Christian told us about the pregnancy today, but that fear faded away early.

"I have no such fears. Christian and Ana have both been through hell, even though it was a hell of their own making! Our son can finally be the incredible father, he should have always been."

"Are you putting us down for babysitting duties already?" Carrick laughs.

"Absolutely, though I do have one fear," I voice

"Oh. And what would that be?"

"What if the baby is a girl? Christian is going to end up having a heart attack worrying about every boy, and he will have a team of security assigned to her. She won't be able to cough, without it being reported back to Christian." We both laugh at my analysis, but the thing is we both know it is true. Our son's means of avoiding fear and worry is to make sure we are all guarded always.

"Personally, I think if it is a girl, she would quite easily have, Christian wrapped around her little finger from the second she was born. Look at Christian with Mia. Even though she accosted Ana in New York and she didn't tell Christian, he is still remarkably close to Mia." Carrick comments.

"Well Cary, I want you to take me to bed. I have the feeling that I am going to need some sleep for tomorrow's adventures" I drink down the remains of my gin and tonic a little too fast that Carrick has to help me to my feet.

"You know after all these years, taking you to bed has always been one of my favorite parts of the day"

Christian's POV

"You awake already?" Ana frowns at me, making me break my focus off my laptop.

"Yeah, I have just been doing some work, we have some rather large projects going on at the moment." I close the lid of my laptop and discard it on the bedside table. I run my hand over Ana's stomach. I can't wait till it pops out and I feel the baby kick and move.

"How do you feel?" I ask Ana. Whilst she hasn't had any more light headedness or symptoms of passing out, I am still terribly worried about her health. She is still so thin, and last night's events with Ted, undoubtedly took an emotional toll on her.

"Physically or emotionally?"

"Both"

"Physically I feel amazingly well. No morning sickness yet, no cravings nothing. But emotionally I am genuinely worried about Ted. He has never acted that way he did last night." Though Ana's words were not intended to hurt me, I can't help but to feel anguish over them.

"I never should have stayed away." I am starting to realize that no matter what, I won't ever be able to make amends for those twelve years. Hell, why did I even think that I could have. "Ana, you do know that I will never stay away again, don't you?"

"Yes, I know" A strong somber mood fills the room. I lean down and kiss Ana's soft lips

"Christian something has been puzzling me. You were so controlled yesterday when Ted walked out with Ava. You didn't get your usual Thermo-nuclear self. Then you left with your dad as if you were both going out for a beer" Ana looks at me perplexed.

"Because when Ted and Ava left. I rang the door man to stop them walking out the front door, so they would have to go the back door. I knew that Taylor was still in the garage, so I texted him to intercept them and take them were ever they wanted, within reason of course, and keep an eye on them. After a period of time, I then went my dad. He was to take Ava with him, and I was hoping Ted would agree to going out and talking to me, just like we did when I picked him that night." I run my hands through my hair

"Christian, I don't want to live without Ted in our lives," Ana tells me emotively. I wrap my arms around Ana, pulling her close to me.

"I promise you, Anastasia Grey that I will do whatever I can I ensure that Ted is always part of our lives. In fact, I know something that you don't know, that will show you he will be around more than you realize. But this news can wait till later. Get up, I want you to eat. You need to keep your strength up" I tell Ana

"Mr. Mercurial is never far away, is he? Are you intending on cooking for me?" Ana says smirking at me.

"Surprisingly whenever you are around with me, Mr. Mercurial often makes an appearance and no Ana, I am not going to cook you breakfast. My cooking skills are still terribly limited. However, I want you to come and shower with me." I wink at Ana, and she is now wearing her trademark blush.

My parents and Ava are sitting already at the table, both drinking coffee and eating some of the croissants, I organized to be bought up. We all exchange pleasantries and it is almost as if nothing happened last night, but then we are missing a vital personality from last night, my son.

"Is Ted awake yet?" I ask my parents. They shake their head. I then look at Ava. She is desperately trying to avoid eye contact with me

"Ava, is Ted awake?" I enquire.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him today" I cock my head at Ava. Ana has told me that, Ava and Ted have been close for so long that for her to not have sought him out this morning is unusual.

"Fine I will go and find him for myself then" I take a quick drink of my coffee and whisper into Ana's ear. "Eat all your breakfast." I can sense Ana rolling her eyes at me, and Oh how I'd love to take her in hand right now but sadly there are distractions.

Reaching Ted's bedroom, I find his door ajar. He is lying on his bed, fully dressed and on his laptop. I tap on his door and wait for him to look up, but he doesn't. I hate this behavior.

"Ted it is time for breakfast. Everyone is at the table" I tell him. Ted, quickly finishes whatever he is working on his laptop and closes it before I get close enough to see what ever webpage he is on.

"I am not hungry," He says still not looking at me. I sense that he is still upset, but he is also different today. He is defensive, if not a little guilty.

"Bullshit, Ted." He finally looks up at me and gives me the same look that I use when I am pissed. "Ted you are always hungry in the morning. Come, your family is waiting for you."

"Family?" He says as if testing out the word.

"Yes. Family" I spit again. I look at Ted, but he isn't moving.

"Okay Ted. I get it you are mad at me. I fucked up, and I accept it. I have been a shit father. Do I regret it? Yes, with every fiber of my body and I will till the day I die. Yes, I understand that you probably hate me again, and I don't blame you to be honest, But hell Ted, you have no right to treat your mother poorly! She made mistakes, but she was always with you." I tell him.

"I understand that dad. I love Mom, nothing would change that." Ted says honestly.

"How do you feel about the baby? Your sibling?" I need to know this before he tells Ana. I need to pre-meet what could happen.

"I don't hate the idea of having a sibling, but my feelings haven't changed. I will forever mourn the loss of what I could have had and what this child will have." Ted is strangely cold. I sit down and take everything in once more. Before I know it I am running my hands through my hair and then I am scrunching my face up. I can't control my emotion.

"I don't hate you Dad." Ted adds. His voiced is filled with mixed emotions though his words mean so much to me after yesterday. I grab a chair and sit next his bed.

"Good" I respond.

"I don't know why, but for some sentimental reason Dad, I have never been able to really hate you. So don't even worry about me treating mom badly. It isn't going to happen, I have measures in place to ensure I don't hurt mom or Ava or anyone. Now you are right I am hungry." I am extremely cautious of everything that Ted said. I am confused by everything he has said just then, but I can't question him further as he has left the room. I make a note to make him explain further and soon.

As I return to the kitchen, I notice Ted kiss his mother 'good morning' and tell his grandparent's that he is fine. He even starts to talk causally. There is something dreadfully uneasy about this. I resume my seat next to Ana. She smiles at me, obviously enjoying the relaxed morning. A stark contrast to last night.

"Thank you. Whatever you said to Ted obviously has made a difference" Ana says to me. I smile at her, but she knows me too well. It is a fake smile.

"So Ted, are you finally going to tell everyone where you are going to college? You haven't even told your mother, and your father has been hugely tighter lipped about it all. I don't see why it has been such a secret" My mother asks. I smile at the thought. I already know the answer to this question, and I can't wait for Ana to hear this.

"Well I was waiting till everyone was around to be honest." Ted says. Ted looks at me and Ana, then to Ava. He pursues his lips quickly and then looks up. "I am going to Harvard," Ted says. There is an immediate excitement around the table as my parents, Ana and Ava congratulate him. I look at my son, furious! When did he do this? My father stops and looks at me. I glare at him, and he too now knows something is amiss. I need to talk to Taylor.

After breakfast, and Taylor briefing me, I seek Ted out. He is in the main room with Ava, watching TV.

"Ted, I need to talk to you now. Can you come to my study?" Ted obediently listens. He knows I am ordering him more than asking. I close the door of my study so no one can hear or interrupt us. Ted looks at me controlled, even though he knows exactly why I want to talk to him.

"So Ted, why did you do it? Why" I ask him. Ted shakes his head at me and then grins.

Authors note No2: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I have started the next chapter and will hopefully finish it soon. I am fighting some illnesses at the moment. Please review and tell me what you are thinking.