Okay so I know I've dragged this 'meet and greet' for 13 chapters, like one of the guest reviewers mention, and I agree... but lets face it. Are you really going to read ONE chapter that has roughly 60k words, and that's NOT including the A/N's? The answer to that is no, so I had to brake them down.

Anyway the visit is over and the fun will now begin. If you have any questions or are confused about something from the previous 13 chapters PM me. I'll respond as long as I don't have to give away the story.

And now for the legal stuff= I don't own these characters. I'm just having some fun with them.

-Jackie

Christian

After washing my hands in the downstairs bathroom, I make my way towards the chatter that is coming from the kitchen.

"Mom is it just me, or is the house full of laughter today?" I ask mom who's getting the plates and silverware ready. "I know." She smiles and I can tell she's pleased. Mom has said in plenty of occasions how big and empty the house feels now since Elliot, Mia, and I have moved out. Of course it's been years since we left home. We visit on the weekends, but she says it's not the same as having us living with them.

"Do you need help mom?" I ask as I see she's preparing the tray.

"No honey, Gail and the boys are helping me. Why don't you see where you father went off to now?" she shakes her head gently, "He was just here a minute ago." she smiles and with that I excuse myself.

Walking back inside the living room I notice Phoebe is drawing something, while Teddy is quietly reading a book and the adults are seated and laughing.

"Christian, Ray is inviting us to go fishing with them on Sunday morning. What do you think? You think you might want to go." Dad asks and I can hear hope in his voice. Fishing does sound like fun. Maybe it would be a good idea.

"Sure dad." I nod.

"Okay well then I think I should also ask Elliot if he…." he doesn't finish his statement.

"Ana what in the world were you doing?" Ray asks amused, while looking behind me shaking his head. I turn around and Ana is soaked from head to toe with mom behind her.

"Jose." She says in a whisper. I lock eyes with Ana when I hear her say his name. I feel my jaw clench and my teeth grinding. She tilts her head slightly looking at me intently.

"Ana sweetheart go upstairs and shower, before you catch a cold." Mom says as if reading my mind. Ana nods her head and makes her way upstairs, towards my old bedroom.

"He got her good this time." Jose Sr. says while Ray laughs.

"Grandpa, why is mommy, all wet?" Phoebe asks as we are all wondering the same thing.

"You see Phoebe," Ray says as he and Jose Sr. are both smiling, "Your Uncle Jose as well as Uncle Ethan played a joke on mommy and Aunt Kate once when they were younger."

"They weren't that young Ray." Jose Sr. says with a smirk on his face. Ray laughs and shakes his head at the memory.

"They were at home and played a silly game. Well mommy didn't want to play, so the boys ended up tossing her in the lake behind the house. So if my suspicions are correct she didn't want to play today, so she got tossed in the Sound." He says with a smile on his face. Phoebe looks wide eyed at Ray and then turns to Teddy who has a wicked smile on his face.

"Will Teddy do that to me, grandpa?" Phoebe asks with fear in her voice.

"Only, if, he'll let me do it to him." Ray says in a serious tone and Teddy shakes his head, all amusement gone.

"Good," she sighs and we all have a little laugh. I turn my head once again towards the kitchen when I hear laughter coming towards us. Elliot, Jose and Ethan are laughing as Mia and Kate are also soaked.

"For heaven's sake girls go upstairs and shower before you catch a cold." Mom says as she scowls at the guys for laughing. The girls nod and make their way upstairs, with the guys following behind.

"It's hard to believe they're twenty-seven and thirty years old." Dad shakes his head and points to the children who are paying no mind to any of what just happened. "And those two are only five and four." We laugh once again and mom makes her way back towards the kitchen.

As I'm staring at the kids a thought comes to mind. Is Jose in the shower with Ana in my old room? I immediately stand on my feet and practically run upstairs leaving a confused Ray and Jose Sr. while dad has a smile on his face.

Entering my room I hear the shower running. I absentmindedly lock the door behind me, and I take a deep breath trying to control my anger, but before I know it, I'm standing in front of the bathroom door. I can still hear the water running but when I hear Ana laugh, I lose it and I storm in.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I growl as I open the shower door.

"Christian!" Ana yells as she jumps with shock. Fuck!

"I'm sorry… I… Fuck… Ana" I stutter when I notice she's by herself and she pulls back the shower door. Oh shit! Seeing Ana naked and wet is the most amazing image I have ever seen. I look down at my erection, and as much as I want to turn and leave I can't.

"Christian what the fuck is the matter with you?" she yells back as she turns off the water. I want to answer but I can't find my words. All I can think about is Ana's wet body. Her beautiful full size breasts and her firm stomach, her long lean legs, as well as her beautiful shaped ass. I gulp when the thought of my fingers entering her drenched core, comes to mind.

"I'm sorry… I…"

"Could you pass me the towel please?" she asks extending her arm around the shower door. I would give her the towel, but I can't move my limbs momentarily.

"Christian!" she says snapping me out of whatever the fuck it was.

"I'm sorry." I answer quickly grabbing a towel and handing it off to her.

"You know you could've knocked." She shakes her head stepping out of the shower with the towel wrapped around her torso.

"I know. I just," I stop when I see her roll her eyes.

"Do you mind? I'd like to get dressed."

"Sure." I turn and leave the bathroom and she closes it behind me with a resounding click of the lock.

Good job asshole now you scared the poor girl!

"Ana I want to say sorry." I blurt out, before Ana can step out of my childhood bedroom, blocking her path where I've been pacing the hallway while I waited for her to come out.

"Christian it's fine, really." She shrugs like its nothing, but I don't believe her. Hell I would be furious if the situation was reversed.

"No Ana, it's not fine. I just, I don't know…" I ramble off as I attempt to make an excuse for my actions, but yet I'm confused myself.

"Christian, everyone's waiting. Trust me it's fine." She smiles and turns around to walk downstairs.

"Ana what is going on between you and Jose?" I blurt out. And in this exact moment I know I've gone completely mad. This woman who now stands in front of me wearing a confused expression, has the ability to turn me into a complete idiot. How the fuck did this happen?

"Nothing is going on between us, he's basically family." She stares at me as if I've said the sky is green. I nod my head in understanding and watch as she goes down the stairs leaving me behind.

Entering the dining room I find everyone has been seated.

Dad is sitting at the head of the table with Jose Sr. and Luke at his right side, as Ray and Taylor are seated to his left side. Ethan, Mia, Jose and Kate are sitting across from Elliot, Phoebe, Ana and Teddy. And mom is seated at the end of the table with Gail seated by her right. I take a seat on the vacant chair that's placed between Elliot and Phoebe.

During dinner our families have been getting to know each other. I found out Ray likes carpentry and he's a fan of the Mariners. Kate and Ethan's mom is a clothing designer, who now lives in New York. Jose had his photos on show, in an Art Gallery in Paris last year, and has recently bought a house near Ana's neighborhood. Jose Sr. has been looking to buy an RV, which surprised Jose.

"Dad do you really want one? We can look into it tomorrow, if you'd like." Jose asks his dad who smiles and nods his head. "I'd love to Son." I can tell they have a very strong bond between father and son. I gaze at my father who continues his conversation with Taylor and Ray. I know my father and I don't have that bond or anything near it. As my father he knows things about me, but I could never share my life with him, for once I'm ashamed of whom I am.

"Ana what is your husbands occupation?" mom asks and I turn my head quickly to my right to look at Ana. She looks at her food and then at mom. "He works in construction."

"What company?" Elliot asks looking at Ana.

"Manki Constructions, it's his company." Ana states while looking at Jose and Kate.

"Wow. That's a really good company." Elliot states while nodding his head in approval.

"You know it?" I ask Elliot who nods his head.

"Yeah it's one of my top competitors. His company is the one who landed the remodeling deal for the new private school three blocks from here." He says and I can see Kate roll her eyes in distaste of his support.

"It's been what… Five years now since it's been up and running?" Elliot asks turning his attention back to Ana.

"Yeah… just about." Ana nervously keeps looking at Ray, who is talking to my dad. I gaze back at Ana who looks at Kate and Jose.

"Oh please Ana, it's your company as well. If I'm not mistaken you helped… Ouch!"

"Ana," Ray speaks as he turns away from the conversation he was having with my dad. "Did you give him starter money for his company?" Ray asks and I can hint the anger in his voice. Is that why Ana was nervously looking at Ray? He didn't know she helped start his company?

"You know Kavanaugh, for being the third musketeer. You really have loose lips." Ana states while scowling at Kate, who lowers her head. "Yes dad, I did." Ana sighs while shaking her head at Kate.

"That son of a…" Ray grits out through his teeth.

"Dad!" Ana admonishes Ray, while she shakes her head. "Honestly what is wrong with my family and their loose…" she's interrupted by her cell phone ringing. When did she get that? Kate, Jose and Ethan sit straighter as the ringtone is heard. Ana turns her sight towards them as she too wears a confused expression. She shrugs and excuses herself, while pulling out her cell phone and walks out of the dining room.

"You don't think?" Jose asks Kate who shakes her head gently while shrugging her shoulders. Think what?

"I don't know. Could be, I mean he did want them today." She turns to Ethan who I can tell is not comfortable with the conversation. Who's he?

"You kids need to stop. This has nothing to do with any of you three. Let her fight her own battles, she'll be fine." Jose Sr. admonishes them three. Kate, Jose, and Ethan nod their head in understanding while they continue to eat.

"Christian what exactly is GEH?" Ray asks. I smile and begin to tell him everything that has to do with GEH. My ideas, goals, and what we've already accomplished so far within GEH and how it helps.

"Wow! Sounds like you have a great company Christian. You should be proud of yourself." Ray speaks with pride in his voice. I can see dad shake his head slightly while keeping his gaze on his plate.

"Thanks Ray." I smile and begin to eat the honey glazed chicken with sweet and sour beets mom has baked. When I was attending the University, I decided I no longer wanted to continue. Approximately three months before earning my degree, I dropped out. Dad of course was furious, but I told him why. He wasn't happy with my decision but he supported me in it.

"I'm sorry I took long." Ana apologizes as she sits back down. I turn my sight towards her. She's no longer smiling or giggling along with Kate or Jose and looks lost in thought. I want to ask her if she's okay, but Ethan beats me to it.

"Are you alright?" She nods while giving him a sad smile and continues to eat her plate of food. He nods once and goes back to his conversation with Mia.

"Mommy, I'm full." Phoebe says while pushing her plate forward. Ana's attention is immediately turned towards her plate. "Phoebe, eat at least three more spoonfuls of beets."

"Mom," Phoebe whines and turns to me for help. I smile at her while I take a spoonful of my beets.

"They're really yummy Phebs." She shakes her head. "They're yucky."

"Phoebe Grace." Ana turns to face Phoebe as the table has gone silent. "Eat your beets."

"No." Phoebe pouts and folds her arms over her chest. I want to laugh at Phoebe's behavior, but I choose against it.

"Phoebe, eat your beets please." Ana speaks once again as Phoebe turns to me with tears in her eyes.

"Ana maybe she's just had enough." I tell Ana who glares back at me. Ana's glare can shrivel a grape and turn it into a raisin in seconds. Why is she so mad? Phoebe surprises us all, by rising awkwardly and sitting down on my lap with her legs draped over my left thigh and her arms around my neck.

"Phoebe what are you doing?" Ana asks. I look at her as she has confusion and hurt written all over her face. Why?

"Good luck Annie. I had to pry her to let go of Christian earlier while you were being tossed in the Sound. She was clinging onto him, like you would cling to me when you were her age." I can see everyone's demeanor change. Kate, Jose, and Ethan turn to each other with what I assume is sadness. Ana has her eyes on Phoebe while slowly shaking her head as if in pain. Mom and Mia have tears in their eyes as Elliot and dad wear small smiles as well as Taylor and Gail. While Luke wears a smirk on his face. I look down at myself and all I can see is mahogany hair. I smile and shrug my shoulders while reaching for another spoonful of beets.

"Let me take her from you so you can finish eating." Ana says as she gets up and wraps her hands around Phoebe's waist carefully not touching me. Phoebe tightens her hold around my neck causing me to wince slightly. I can hear a gasp coming from my side of the family. Ana stops and lifts her eyes to see me. She probably noticed my discomfort.

"Ana just leave her." I tell her and she gently nods her head and sits back down on her seat. I look back down to Phoebe as she still has a tight hold on me. Leaning down I whisper in her ear, "Phoebe mommy has sat back down, you can relax." I feel her hold on me loosen immediately. I smile and kiss the top of her head in a 'thank you' gesture and begin to eat once again. As I'm in mid chew I notice everyone is still silent.

"What?" I ask feeling rather uncomfortable with everyone's eyes on me. After a second, everyone goes back to enjoying their dinner.

Minutes go by when I feel Phoebe's head start to go limp. I smile and turn towards Ana, who is laughing along with Elliot's impersonation of Kate being tossed in the sound. For a moment I ask myself how it would feel to start a family of my own. I shake my head to rid myself of such thoughts.

"Ana Phoebe has fallen asleep." Ana turns to me with a smile on her face and nods as she stands to grab Phoebe by her waist, careful not to touch my chest. I smile as I see her standing in front of me with Phoebe back in arms.

"Dad we really should be going. I think we over stayed our welcome." She smiles towards Teddy who has fallen asleep on Jose's lap as well. Teddy made his way over to Jose when he was telling us why Kate, Mia and Ana where tossed in the Sound. I have to say it was quite funny actually, although the image of him sprawled on top of her while she was lying on the lounge chair will be forever engraved in my memory.

"I believe your right sweetheart. Will you be alright at the house by yourself?" Ana's by herself? Why would she be? I peek at Ana who smiles and nods towards Kate and Jose. "Jose's staying with me and Kate is sleeping over."

"Ana, why don't you just stay here? It would be like a slumber party. We can sit out back in the patio and place the fire pit around the lounge chairs and we can get to know more about one another." Mia suggests.

"I've already set three of the spare bedrooms just in case. Although your father did mention he and Jose Sr. where going up north to visit a friend, earlier." Mom continues when she notices Ana is about to kindly refuse her offer. "It would be no bother Ana trust us. We don't mind the company. After the kids moved out, the house has been rather lonesome." Mom sadly says as she looks towards a sleeping Teddy and Phoebe.

"Thank you Grace, but we really shouldn't." Ana smiles lovingly at my mother, who smiles back.

"It's okay Ana I understand." She smiles and looks toward Phoebe who is still in my arms, "Thank you for coming. I must say, it was a pleasure having you and your family here." Mom softly laughs.

"Son," Dad's voice stops me from walking out the door.

Fifteen minutes after Ana and her family left, Elliot and myself decided to call it a night as well. Although we did have to promise Mia that we'd spend some 'guy time' with Ethan sometime this week, which is beyond ridiculous seeing as we just spent half a day with him and his family, but mom did point out the fact that we, as in Elliot and I, didn't spend time talking to him, but more time being around his family.

"Yeah dad," I ask turning around to face him.

"I'm proud of you." He states, and I'm momentarily confused. Why is he proud of me?

"I'm sorry dad, I don't quite follow? Proud of what?"

"You. Everything." He gently smiles and continues, "I don't know what has happened to you in the past week," he raises his eyebrows as if he can't believe it himself. "But it's good." He squeezes my shoulder, before he turns around and walks upstairs to bed, leaving me standing by the door confused.

"Christian?" Taylor's voice comes from behind me and I shake my head, turning around I close the front door to my parent's home and make my way towards my car.

"Home Taylor." I say as I walk towards my car.

"Yes Sir." Taylor responds as he walks towards the SUV, where Sawyer and Gail wait for him.