APOV

"I wonder what surprises await us today" my mum laughed as we headed into the hospital.

"Don't mum, I will need a lie down if they find a third baby" I laughed, giving my name in at the reception.

I had been due to have my first real scan when I arrived back home but staying here, it was arranged to be done at the local hospital.

I had had a quick scan done very early in my pregnancy to confirm that it had worked, but at that point, only one baby was seen. My scan here revealed another baby who must have been hiding behind their sibling. It was a surprise but a beautiful one. If they do find another today, despite my teasing, they will be as welcome and as loved as the others.

Today I was here for my twenty-week scan, well twenty-two weeks and two days to be precise. I'm hoping that I will be able to find out what sex they are.

Staying in Florida, I have gotten a lot done on my book and I believe now that it will be finished before my babies are due. The peace and quiet has given me the time and space to do a lot of thinking too.

"Anastasia Steele" a woman called my name as mum and I followed her into the room.

"This is your second scan," she asked as I lay down on the bed.

"Yes," I told her excited to see my babies once more. It's felt like so long since my last one, so I was excited to see how much they had grown.

I lay still on the bed while she checked every detail of my children, making sure they were growing right. She measured them before finally turning to me.

"Are they alright?" I asked her.

"Yes, they're both growing very well. You have one slightly smaller than the other but that is nothing to worry about at this stage as that is usually the case with twins."

She explained the checks she had done, and it was lovely to hear both of their hearts beating, still just the two.

"Do you want to know the sex of your babies."

"Please," I said smiling as I turned to my mum who had taken hold of my hand.

"The larger of the two, I can see if they move over, oh yes, you have a boy."

"A boy" I whispered, my voice gone for a moment.

"The smaller of the two, who needs to steal some food from big brother is a girl."

"I'm having one of each" I laughed, resting my hand on my stomach when it looked from the screen like my daughter had kicked. I think she was protesting being pushed as the woman had to push down on my stomach a little to get a clear view of her.

"Do you want photos?" she asked before I moved.

"Please," I said. "Five if you can."

I know I have to pay for them, but I didn't mind one bit. They were worth every penny to have an image of my child.

After leaving the sonogram room, I went in to see the doctor. He knew I was going home soon so as well as checking me over, especially my blood pressure, he was also checking to see if I was fit to fly. If I wasn't, then it would be a long drive home.

"I'm going to miss you when you're gone," Mum told me as she drove us home.

"I'm only a plane ride away mum."

"I know, but that doesn't mean that I won't worry, especially with these two," she said, placing her hand on top of my stomach when we stopped in front of the house. "You've decided haven't you."

"Yes, do you fancy a walk on the beach."

She nodded as we got out, heading towards the sand instead of the house. It had only been last week that José was here, snapping pictures everywhere we went. I was looking forward to seeing him and them at his show.

"Talk to me sweetheart, I know writing keeps your mind busy but when you're not writing, your mind is someplace else.

"I'm sorry mum. My mind goes back to that day in the clinic and I keep going over everything in my head or more importantly him."

"What about him."

"He has two children who will come into this world in less than four months if they don't decide to come earlier."

"Does he."

"He does mum. I know my donor should've been someone else, but it didn't happen that way. You raised me by yourself until you met dad and I love you so much for that. My children's father is alive and well though and I can't deny them the chance to know him."

"You're going to give him parental rights to those children," she asked.

"I'm going to give him the choice. If he doesn't want to know then I know where I stand, and I will raise these children by myself as I would've anyway. If he does want to be a part of their lives, then it has to be all or nothing. I won't have someone popping in and out of their lives and upsetting my children."

"What are you going to do."

"Contact the clinic, it's the only thing I can do. I will ask them to contact him. If I don't hear anything back, then I will know where I stand."

"Ana" Bob shouted from the back deck.

"Yeah."

"José's on the phone."

"Ok, coming."

Mum and I made our way towards the house, stepping up onto the deck. Hearing Bob say that this is the fourth time José had called, had me worried.

"You're up early my friend. It must be what, eight there. You don't normally get up until lunch."

"I didn't sleep."

"José what's wrong," I asked, concerned now as he didn't sound like my happy friend.

"I had a visit yesterday evening from three men who were looking for you."

"What, why didn't you call me last night," I asked, sitting down on one of the sun loungers.

"I know you had your scan today Ana, I didn't want you worrying before you went in for that. One of them was him Ana, the donor."

"What did he want," I asked quietly.

"Mostly to know that you were ok. He knows about the baby and I apologise as he now knows that there are two. He saw the picture I took of you and the setting sun and immediately knew it was you. Ana, please be calm."

"I am calm. I found out not long ago that I'm carrying a boy and a girl. Both of them are keeping me calm at the moment."

"One of each Ana, that's brilliant."

"Not if he wants to take them away."

"He doesn't, he was pretty adamant about you knowing that he didn't want to take them away. He said he only wanted to know that you were ok. I told him you were and to leave you alone, but he wanted to speak to you, see for himself that you were fine."

"Did he leave you a name or number."

"Yes, he left his business card. You're really going to speak to him."

"You know what we spoke about last week. I need to give my children the chance to know their father. It's up to him if he takes it or not."

"Do you want me to pick you up from the airport, I can drive down."

"From Portland, only to have to drive back the same night, no José, I can catch a cab."

"You'll call me when you land."

"Of course, send me the name and number please."

He sent me the number before I told him to go to bed and get some sleep.

Instead of him texting me the number, José sent me a picture of his business card. It wasn't so much the name I recognised but the company logo as I passed the building every time I went to my publishers, as SIP was on the same street.

"Christian Grey, your daddy's name little ones, is Christian Grey," I said quietly to my children.

"Ana are you ok," mum asked, bringing my focus away from my large stomach.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm going to do some writing for a bit."

"Is José alright?" she asked in her, I know you're not telling me something mum voice.

"He's fine mum…..The babies' father is looking for me and found José" I told her, showing the picture on my phone.

"That's good, isn't it. That's what you wanted, to find him. If he's spending all this time looking for you, then he can only be worried about the children."

"Yes, it's good" I smiled.

"Are you going to call him."

"No," I said, shocking my mum and confusing her in the process.

"I know this company, I go past it every time I'm in Seattle. I have to go to SIP before I go home, so I'm just going to go there. They might show me the door and if they do, I will leave my contact details and go. I'm staying in Seattle for a few days but if I don't hear from him in that time, I will call the number when I get home. I know it may seem cruel mum but catching him off guard in a way, might give me a look at the real person and not someone who has time to prepare for a meeting and what to say. I'm hoping I see someone who genuinely wants to be a part of my children's lives. If not I'm out the door and I won't be looking back."

"You do what's best for you and your children Ana."

"I am."

….

God, I hate goodbyes. I think I have shed as many tears as when I arrived as I said goodbye to my mum and Bob at the airport.

"It's not easy to hug you" mum laughed, with my large bump in the way.

"When you come over, I will be even bigger," I said, as she brushed my tears away.

"You look after yourself and my grandchildren. Make sure you eat and rest, plenty of rest" she told me, making me laugh.

"I will be fine mum, please don't worry. You and Bob can go on that trip you keep postponing now."

"We'll see. Call me when you land and after you have been there. I want to know you're ok."

"I will, I love you, mum."

"I love you too sweetheart, and these two," she said, placing her hand onto my stomach where she received a kick.

Hearing the call for my flight, I finally let go of my mum to hug Bob. He was a good man and I knew he would be holding my mum together when I walked through security and out of sight.

Taking those steps away from them was hard as I had no idea what would happen once I reached Seattle. Turning around to wave before I disappeared from their sight, I know my mother's tear-filled face matched mine.

The flight was ok, although I got up often to walk around as I couldn't get comfortable in my seat. I probably annoyed a few people with my constant walkabouts, but no one said anything to the woman with the large bump.

Landing in Seattle we were greeted by rain, torrential rain, a complete contrast from the sun I had left behind. Before I left the airport, I made sure I was wrapped up against the elements as the last thing I needed was to catch a cold.

"Where to," the taxi driver asked.

"The Fairmont please," I told him, getting comfortable in the seat.

"You been anywhere nice," he asked, the usual taxi driver banter when you're picked up from the airport. I was tired now though, so he only got the minimal answers.

"Florida."

"Wow, I bet it's a lot warmer over there."

"A bit."

We were soon pulling into the Fairmont where a porter rushed forward to get my bags from the trunk. Paying the driver, I was soon checked in and once the porter had left with a nice tip, I was alone in my room.

"We're home little ones, nearly anyway," I said, rubbing my stomach.

I called mum, my dad and José to let them all know that I was here. They could tell how tired I was getting so I wasn't on the phone long before I soon lay down for a nap.

…

"The covers are beautiful Hannah, I love that one. I just need to get you the finished book now."

"No rush Ana, we just wanted to get a head start, have a play around with the details you gave us for the cover you wanted. How far do you have to go?"

"Not far. A couple more months if I can write at the rate I have been, and then it will be finished."

"Wow, I thought you said early next year."

"That was before I spent time in Florida with my mum where I was able to write without being disturbed. I have two little ones on the way so there is no way I can write when they're here, not unless I get a nanny and I don't want that. I want the book finished before they arrive."

"Two, I struggled with one" she laughed.

We continued the meeting as I told her the direction that my latest book had taken from when I started. It was good to talk about my work and I know Hannah can speak forever but I know in my heart that me keeping her talking is just putting off the inevitable of me visiting the building I had passed in the taxi on the way here.

"You rest and write, and I look forward to reading it," Hannah said, as she walked me to the door. "Do you want us to call you a cab?" she asked, looking to the rain that was falling outside. It had eased off a lot from when I had arrived back in Seattle, so it wasn't too bad.

"No, after Florida a bit of light rain is nice, as long as I'm wrapped up and have my umbrella."

"Ok, I will speak to you soon," she said before I left the building and stepped out into the morning drizzle.

As I walked up the street, the imposing building of Grey Enterprises Holdings came into view. I do admit that I googled the company and the CEO reading all that I could find. He was adopted when he was four, built the company up from scratch when he was twenty-one, close family, siblings and does a lot for charity. From what Jose told me this morning when he called to see how I was, Christian Grey was a donor to help his brother who was unable to have children himself. Hearing more about what kind of man he was, did put me at ease somewhat. It didn't stop the butterflies though or maybe that was my children who were kicking constantly as we climbed the steps in front of the building.

"Thank you," I said, to a man who held the door open for me while I shook my umbrella out, before stepping inside.

This building was large from the outside but if I have to go off the reception area alone, I would say impressive too.

I made my way over to a reception desk, having no idea really what to say.

"Can I help you?" the blond woman asked, taking in my appearance. I wasn't exactly dressed for a place like this but with my coat that came down to my knees, I was dry.

"I was hoping I would be able to see Christian Grey."

"Do you have an appointment with Mr Grey?" she asked.

"No, not really" I sighed, knowing this would not be easy. What was I going to say, my children, are my appointment card?

"Miss, you need an appointment to see Mr Grey."

"I understand that. It's just imperative that I speak to him."

"Ma'am" I heard behind me, as I turned to see a man who was putting his phone away in his pocket.

"Yes," I said, quietly, expecting for him to ask me to leave.

He didn't though, his features were soft, kind even, not an angry guard about to throw me out.

"Can you please come this way?" he asked, his hand pointing towards the opposite side of where I had entered.

"What," I asked, thinking how quickly I could get to the door.

"Please," he said, quietly now. "Please come with me."

I came here to see Christian Grey, maybe this man could help. I nodded, following him into an office where two security guards were sat.

"Am I in trouble?" I asked, concerned for my children's safety now when these men got to their feet.

"No ma'am, they're leaving. Please take a seat."

"I would rather stand," I told him, walking towards the window which looked out onto a garden. It was filled with benches, trees, flowers. Maybe somewhere the people who work here go to have their lunch. No one was out there today though as the rain continued to fall.

It was only moments later when the door opened, startling me to turn around, coming face to face with the man from the clinic, the father of my babies. They knew which made me smile as I received a swift kick to my side.

"Do you want to sit down?" he asked, his voice but a whisper.

Not knowing how long I would be here, I finally took a seat.

"I hear you have been looking for me," I said.

"Yes, since the moment you left."

"Why."

"I wanted to know you were ok. You left in such a rush."

"When someone is trying to take your children away, you do what you can to protect them. Being in that room was not healthy for my children."

"No, it wasn't. I want to apologise for what Kate said. She had no right to take her anger out on you. I don't want to take them away from you, that thought has never crossed my mind. I just wanted to know you were all ok, well I wanted to know you were both alright at the time but now I hear there are two."

"Yes," I smiled, rubbing my stomach when I felt one of my children move inside. "What she said about me wanting a designer baby, she was wrong, so wrong. Life deals us a stack of cards, only mine were stacked against me probably from the moment I was born. My chance to conceive a child naturally was cruelly ripped away but thankfully my mum thought ahead and had my eggs frozen. That and what was supposed to be an anonymous donor was to give me the chance to become a mum."

"I'm not anonymous though," he said, and I could see something in his eyes. Longing, want, I don't know what it was but there was something there, especially when he looked at my stomach.

"No, you're not. You have a face and a name and despite how much I would like to walk away and never look back, I can't because of that fact."

"What do you mean."

"I grew up without a father as my own passed away when I was one day old. I know what it's like when all the other kids in the class have their dads picking them up and they turn to me and ask where's mine. My mum is the most amazing person on this planet, who did everything for me. She's seen me at my best and worst and she has never left my side. My children have a father, you and it's up to you to decide now what you want to do."

"You're letting me..." he said, his words trailing off, unable to speak.

"You need to think long and hard if you want to be a part of their lives. If you don't, walk away and you will never see us again. If you do, then you have to be all in. I won't have someone who picks and chooses when they see my children. I won't put up with someone messing with their heads."

I took a small envelope out of my purse, placing it on to the desk before him. It had the hotel name and my room number on, but no more details than that. If he decides to walk away I don't want him having my name and number, ringing when he feels like it to see how my children are.

"What's this," he asked as he looked down to the envelope.

"My ultrasound scan pictures for the past two scans I have had. If you decide no, then please send them to the hotel, do not destroy them. If you decide you want to be a part of their lives, that is where I'm staying, I'm sure the hotel switchboard will put you through."

I got up, needing to leave here and get some fresh air. Before I left the room though, as I reached the door I turned back to him. He was watching me, his eyes meeting mine.

"Whatever you decided, that woman will have no contact with my children."

With that, I left the room and the building, taking in some fresh air. Whatever happens now, it's up to him.

….

I had had a long bath when I arrived back in my hotel room, needed to relax for a while. I listened out for the hotel phone, but it didn't ring.

I had ordered room service, needing to eat something to feed my children but with the butterflies that filled my stomach, I didn't eat much.

I was just about to switch my laptop on and write for a while when there was a knock on the door.

Opening it, I was shocked that he was here. He looked nothing like the polished man I had seen today. His jacket and tie were gone, his hair completely dishevelled, and in his hand, he held the photos of our unborn children.

"Can I come in please?" he asked, as I silently moved out of the way, so he could step inside. He walked into the sitting area of my suite before turning to me. "I never saw myself as a father. I was helping my brother who was unable to have children with his wife. He's my best friend as well as my brother so I would do anything for him."

"I understand you wanting to help your brother but if you can't see yourself as a father, why are you here," I asked, needing to sit down.

"Because all that change the second Dr Greene told us about the mix-up. If Kate had gotten pregnant, the baby would've been Elliot's and I was perfectly happy to be an uncle to them. Kate didn't get pregnant with my sperm though, you did."

"I know," I told him, wrapping my arms protectively around my stomach.

"My start in life was not a nice one and if I'm honest, for a long while it completely messed me up. My parents are amazing, they adopted me when I was four and only with their love, patience and support am I able to be the man I am today. I worried when you left that the child might end up having the same start as me."

"What, I would never hurt my children. I have fought so hard to get them."

"I know that now but at the time I didn't. When I first started looking for you, it was fear that fuelled my search. As time has gone on, it was something else. I knew I had a child out there, one child at the time and not two. I wondered what they would look like, if they had any of me in them. I have no biological family but then suddenly I had a little one who I felt protective over and I struggled to figure out why."

"It's called being a parent. They may not be here yet but that doesn't mean I won't protect them, do anything for them" He nodded his head, smiling as he looked to the photos in his hand. My name I had cut off these pictures not wanting him to contact me if he took the choice to say goodbye. "What is it you want to do," I asked as his eyes looked into mine.

"I want to be there for them, be their father. I want to help raise them, help pay for them, co-parent if that's what it's called."

"You would travel, to see them."

"If I have to. I don't know where you've been or where you live."

"I've been to Florida where my mum lives. I live in Montesano about ninety minutes away from here, depending who's driving."

"What do you mean," he asked, smiling.

"My dad's the sensible driver, drives like a snail though. My friend Jose, he drives like a speed demon so you're there in an hour."

"What about you," he asked.

"Me, more like my dad but a bit faster. Although getting behind the wheel at the moment is a bit of a problem."

"I can understand that. How long are you in Seattle for if you don't live here."

"My dad is picking me up tomorrow. So, we should be back in Montesano by the fourth of July."

He laughed, and it was a lovely thing to hear, one of my children heard it too.

"Come here," I said, unsure at first if I wanted him too close but if he does want to be their father then he might like to feel them move too. If he still has any doubts, this will get rid of them.

He came closer, sitting by my side as I slowly reached for his hand. We both gasped quietly at the touch, but his was more pronounced when I placed his hand on my stomach and he felt one of our babies move.

"I can feel, one of them" he laughed, a smile filling his face.

"The other is here," I said, feeling movement on the other side too.

He moved in front of me, kneeling on the floor with one hand on each side of my stomach, feeling our children move.

"I'm on my knees before you, holding our children and I don't even know your name" he laughed, receiving a swift kick which I think was from our son.

Holding my hand out to him, he placed his into mine.

"Anastasia Steele."

His grip tightened for a second, as he looked at me smiling.

"Christian Grey."

Thank you for reading.

Ana still has a lot of information about the babies that she has not shared with Christian yet, especially what sex they are. That will come, and a lot more as the trust and friendship builds between them.

Kate's anger rears its ugly head next time when she finds out that the mother of Christian's children has been found.

Until next time, take care.

Caroline.