CPOV

"You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, Christian," Ana told me as we spent these last few moments together.

Going back to Seattle today, back to reality means I will be further away from my children, from Ana. I can understand why Ana loves it here so much, understand why she needs the peace and quiet compared to the noise of the city but it doesn't make leaving any easier.

"I have work to go back to, people who depend on me for their jobs, but my business is not my priority any more, our children are," I told Ana, turning to face her on the bench.

She really was beautiful. With her hair in a messy bun, wearing just yoga pants and a tank top, the only thing Ana said she really feels comfortable in at the moment, she's still so beautiful.

"They do quickly become your life, your whole world even. My pregnancy feels like it has gone so fast, then some days especially when I'm trying to get about and I feel like a sloth, those days feels like forever."

I nodded placing my hand on her stomach, where I felt a few slight movements.

"I think one of them has hiccups" she laughed, making me smile.

"Before I left, I wanted to speak to you about security, for you and the babies."

"Ok," she asked, worry in her voice now and I hated that I put it there.

"I know when you're here, you're safe. Even we wouldn't have found you if you hadn't told us exactly where you were. Out of here though, I worry. At the moment no one knows that we're involved in any way together. You're a famous author and I'm a prominent businessman, we've both experience the paparazzi at some point and we know how ruthless they can be."

"Why do you think I moved out of the city. With them and strange men who had read my book, confusing fiction and reality and thinking I was like the characters I wrote about, the city didn't feel safe."

"These men hurt you."

"No, nothing like that. I had one man who lived down the street and when I went out of my apartment some mornings, he would shout Cherry to me. Cherry was the lead character in one of my earlier books and he asked if I wanted to act out some of the scenes in the book with him. That was Portland not Seattle though and a punch on the nose from José soon sorted him out, unfortunately not before his mouth had alerted everyone around that I was the mystery author of the number one best seller."

"We visited José in Portland. Is that the area where you lived," I asked.

"Once upon a time. My book might have been a best seller then but until the money started coming in, around there was all I could afford. I stayed with dad for a while also before I bought this place. If you're asking if I'm opposed to security when I have to travel, then the answer is no, no I'm not… you just sagged in relief" she laughed when I did just that.

"All ready to go," Elliot asked, coming from the house, where he had disappeared into fifteen minutes ago, stating that he needed the bathroom. I hope for Ana's sake he has been stalling in there and not on the toilet that long as I know what my brother is like.

"Yes," I told him, reluctantly as I got off the bench.

Offering Ana my hand, she took it as I helped her up. With her hand still in mine, we made our way towards the car.

"Call me when you get home," she said.

"Of course," I told her, wrapping my arms around her, needing Ana and the children close at the moment as I was unsure when I would see her again.

I know Ana's the mother of my children and I know she's supposed to just be that, but I can't deny the feelings I have for her. Would it complicate things if something happened and it didn't work out, probably, but I need to take Ana's advice and not worry about what ifs?

"You have a safe journey," she said, kissing my cheek before stepping back from me so I could open my door.

My cheek tingled where her lips had touched, and I wanted to kiss her badly, just not in front of my brother.

"I will do. When are you back in Seattle."

"Next Friday. I have an appointment with a baby store in Bellevue. They have agreed to close early so I will have the store to myself for a few hours. I'm hoping I can get everything for the babies before I'm too big to move. I could get everything online, but I'd miss the experience of touching all the tiny clothes, seeing the bedding up close and feeling how soft it is. Sorry, my brain has a habit of going off into baby land."

"Don't apologise" I laughed.

"Would you like to come, help me choose clothes, bedding, breast pump. Although you don't have to choose the last one" she smiled.

"I would love to. You're staying over in Seattle?"

"Yes, I will stay at the Fairmont again. If I can't get everything on Friday, I might stay the weekend, as long as I'm back for my appointment on Tuesday."

"Stay with me," I asked her.

"What!"

"Stay with me" I repeated. "I have a large apartment with plenty of room, no ducks I'm afraid, but plenty of security so I know you're safe."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes," I told her, stepping back towards her. "Stay with me please."

"Ok."

Taking the opportunity now I was close to Ana again, I hugged her. When I stepped back, it was my turn to kiss her cheek before I finally got into the car.

"I will see you next Friday."

"Yes," she smiled. "It was lovely meeting you Elliot, I hope things get better for you."

"Thanks, Ana, so do I," he told her.

As Elliot pulled away, I turned my head to look back at Ana. She was still stood in the driveway, watching us leave when we disappeared from sight, her arms around her stomach, protecting our children as always.

"I'm sorry brother, but you're fucked," Elliot said, amusement in his voice.

He was right though, I was fucked. I was falling for the mother of my children.

….

I was back in my glass tower, overlooking the city of Seattle when in reality, I wanted to be back on that bench by the duckpond spending my time speaking to Ana.

My days have always been meetings after meetings, kicking the crap out of Bastille in the gym on some days and trying to avoid family dinners if Kate was there on others. I don't have to worry about that last one any more, she's gone, from my parent's dinner table anyway. Gone completely would be stepping over lines even I wouldn't dare to cross, no matter what Ros suggested.

The highlights of my days since I left Montesano was speaking to Ana every evening. I tried to restrain myself from calling her during the day as I didn't want to interrupt her writing so it was usually Ana calling me. I spoke to her no matter what time she called, even if it interrupted an important meeting.

"Alright, how many women have you knocked up," Ros asked, barging into my office interrupting the first real time this week that my mind had gone onto work.

"Physically none, medically one."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Ros, what are you on today. Of course, I'm sure."

"Alright, don't get your panties in a twist. It's only the last time a woman came here asking to see you, we found out she was the mother of your children. Taylor took a call when I was speaking to him in the security office, there is another woman in reception asking for you as well. She was just as insistent as the first one, although from what I've seen on the security feed, she doesn't have a large stomach to go with it."

While Ros was going on with herself, Taylor came into my office.

"Sir, a Skylar Graham is in reception asking to see you urgently. Do you know her?

"I know a Skylar, she's a friend of Ana's, I don't know here surname though."

He passed me a grainy image from the video feed, showing Sky.

"Yes, this is her, show her up," I told him, as he left the room with Ros thankfully following behind.

It wasn't five minutes before I could hear Sky and Taylor talking as they approached.

"Sky, I think you were the last person I expected to see here," I told her, standing when they entered the room.

"I wish it was a barbecue when I saw you again Christian, but this couldn't wait."

"Please take a seat," I told her.

"Thank you, I think your security should stay as well."

"What is it," I asked, worried now she needed Taylor here.

"Did Ana tell you what I did for a living?" She asked me.

"No, it never came up."

She nodded, pulling a file from her bag.

"I'm a lawyer," she said, looking through some papers. "Or I will be unless I get fired for being here."

"What!"

"Like I said, I'm a lawyer and this morning I met with a woman who I was asked to represent in a divorce case, only I can't, conflict of interest."

"I don't understand," I told her.

"The woman who I met with, I believe you know her. Katherine Grey."

"Yes, I know her," I said, trying and failing to show my distaste for that woman.

"You see the reason I can't represent her and it's not the reason I have told my bosses about, which was that I was friends with your brother. The real reason was the crap she was reeling off about Ana. Ana is the target of her anger as if she had stolen her children and her life too" Sky told me, handing the piece of paper to me that she had found in her file. It held scribbled notes, not about the divorce but about the things Kate had said about the mother of my children and a few words for my own mother and sister too.

Every derogatory name you could call someone was on here. Every moment of hate, aimed at everyone else but herself was written down.

"I'm worried," Sky said quietly. "If someone hurts Ana or does something to one of those children, I don't think Ana will survive it. She's so strong, incredibly so and she fights every day just to stay healthy and be here, but you've seen how tired she gets, how exhausted a simple day can be. Those children are everything to her."

"They are to me too, Ana is as well."

"I know, I just needed to let you know. I don't know that woman apart from the meeting I had with her today. I don't know if this is all talk or if she would ever do anything to my friend."

"Does she know where Miss Steele lives" Taylor asked.

"Not from what she was saying. She sounded like she didn't know anything like that. She was going off of one meeting and the only bit of information she had on Ana could've been easily found out on the internet, especially how much it's stated she's worth. Kate was certainly interested in that. In the few interviews Ana has done, she always puts Seattle as her home but that's a ruse as you know to keep her true home secret. In fact, the only address that is available for correspondence is her publisher here in Seattle. They forward any fan mail on to Ana."

"Does she read it?" I asked.

"All of it, every review as well."

"Is her mail checked" Taylor asked.

"I don't think so, it's actually delivered to her dads once a month and he takes it up to her home."

"Sir I think it would be advisable for someone to check her mail. I'm not stating Mrs Grey would send her anything but it would be the easiest way to contact Miss Steele."

"I agree, I will mention it to Ana when I speak to her this evening. No matter how much I want us to, we can't exactly push our way into her publishers and demand her mail."

I looked to Sky who had stood, walking over to the window before she turned to face us.

"During the meeting once I realised who she was, I told her that I couldn't represent her, and she demanded to know why. That's when I told her about being friends with Elliot. She didn't walk out like I thought she would, even after I had told her I would give her case to a colleague who would be best suited. She either didn't want that, she wasn't listening to me, or she wanted me to let Ana know what was being said. Hearing that woman today, it's like she had an audience and she was going to vent whether I wanted to listen to her or not. She's blaming Ana and the mix-up at the clinic for the breakdown of her marriage and nothing that came before it."

"My dad will crucify her then. We were hoping she would go quietly and realise what she had done. I doubt that she wants everything to go public, her parents especially" I told Sky.

"I agree, she did say her parents wanted everything finalised as quickly and as quietly as possible. If Kate tries to bring Ana into this, I will represent Ana myself and make sure her name is kept out of it. I won't have my friend's name dragged into a fight that isn't even hers."

While Sky stayed in my office with me, I called Elliot and my dad, informing them of what was going on. Dad wanted to speak to Sky but with Elliot letting me know he was on his way to my office, he will take Sky over there when he arrives.

With all the chaos that once again surrounded us by that woman, I longed for duck ponds, my children and hopefully, my girl.

….

"I spoke to Sky today," Ana said, when I called her that evening, while I enjoyed my needed glass of bourbon.

"She told you about Kate."

"Yes, I know everyone wants to keep my blood pressure down and protect me, but I need to know these things."

"I agree. I was going to tell you when we spoke, but you beat me to it."

"Sorry" she laughed.

"It's alright. I wanted to speak to you about your fan mail also."

"Really, do you want to help me open it."

"If you like. I would prefer it if someone else did though before it got to you."

"What."

"It's just something we were discussing today, about that being the only way anyone could contact you and if Kate would ever try," I told her, trying to keep my voice calm.

"Christian I know when Sky said fan mail, she made it sound like hundreds of letter. We're speaking ten, twenty at most some months and most of them are asking for advice on how best to get their own book published."

"Whatever your mail is about, I would still prefer it if someone filters it and not you. I know I sound pushy Ana, I just want to protect you."

"I know, I can ask my dad to look through it or better yet, speak to Hannah, my editor and ask her if it can be opened there."

I took a drink, letting the breath that I had held go. Taking another mouthful, I nearly choked on it with what Ana said next.

"Oh, by the way, Luke got pecked by a duck."

"What" I laughed."

"Yes, who needs security when I have crazy ducks."

"He was meant to stay outside of your property."

"Well when he arrived, he was guarding an empty house because I needed grocery's, so I took my car into town."

"I thought you didn't like to drive."

"I don't normally but running out of milk for my tea is enough for me to get the car out. I could've called dad, but it seemed silly to ask him to drive all the way to my home to bring me a bottle of milk. It wasn't too bad driving, although my stomach gets closer to the wheel every time. Luke was blocking my drive when I arrived back. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with him."

"Ana, you don't have to do anything with him. He's there to guard you and our children."

"I know but he's sat in his car, having a staring contest with one of the ducks at the moment. I know he's here because he's driving me into Seattle tomorrow but am I supposed to put him up for the night, does he sleep in the car or is he staying in town? God my brain needs to shut up" she laughed.

"He will have a place to stay tonight. He was only supposed to be introducing himself before checking out the area for any security weak points. On the outside of the property that is, not come inside and have a stand-off with the ducks."

That had her laughing then and it did me too.

"This Kate is a real bitch, eh."

"She is Ana. Nothing that is going on with Elliot and her, has anything to do with you and she will soon realise that."

"Ok, I will see you tomorrow."

"You will. Good night Ana, sleep tight."

After her quiet goodnight, my phone was silent.

Instead of putting it down, I opened my photos looking at the few that I had taken of the fourth. There did seem to be a theme going on as Ana was on each of them. My favourite which actually takes my breath away every time I see it was taken by Elliot and not me. It was taken when Ana and I were sat by the pond, my hand on her stomach and smiles on both of our faces. Looking around my quiet apartment, I couldn't wait to have them here.

….

APOV

Heading into the city with Luke, I'm sure the poor man wanted me to shut up. I'm a chatterbox when I'm nervous and knowing I get to see Christian again and we will be staying in the same place, the butterflies had come and would not go away.

My children must be sleeping as I had not been kicked for the past hour. The gentle car journey must have rocked them to sleep.

Christian had given me his address, but Luke was actually taking me to G.E.H. Christian did say I could go straight to his home, but it didn't feel right walking into his apartment when he wasn't there.

Seeing the building come into view, the large letters that spelt out Grey house, I smiled. I just hope I don't get the third degree this time when I try and visit my friend. A friend is that what Christian was to me. Yes, he was my friend, but he felt like so much more. We had grown closer, no one could deny that but was that closeness due to our children or was it us two. That is something I hope to find out during the weekend and I hope I don't ruin what we already had by doing that.

Luke stopped the car outside the building and immediately my door was opened. The man who opened it, was not my guard but he did have a kind face and was not knocked to the floor by Luke, so I took his offered hand.

"Hello Miss Steele, my name is Welch, I'm Mr Grey's head of security here at GEH. I'm hoping to make your journey up to Mr Grey's office a lot less troublesome than the last time you were here."

"That would be much appreciated, thank you," I told him.

With Luke and Welch by my side, we easily made our way towards the elevators, no one stopping us on the way. When the door opened on the twentieth floor we were greeted by two women at a reception desk.

"Good afternoon," the older of the two said, smiling at me.

"Good afternoon, I'm here to see Christian, sorry Mr Grey."

"I will show you through," she said, escorting me down the corridor, asking if she could take my coat or if I wanted a drink on the way.

"I'm fine thank you," I told her before the door was opened before me and I found Christian sat at his desk, a smile on his face as I entered.

"Hi."

"Hi, how are you," he asked, getting up from his seat as the door closed behind us and we were alone.

"I'm fine. These two enjoyed the car journey, sleeping most of the way, although I think they're waking up now."

Christian moved closer to me, kissing my cheek before placing his hand on my stomach.

"Sorry, it's an automatic reaction, wanting to feel them."

"I don't mind, they're your children too."

"Come and sit, can I get you anything."

"No, I'm fine. The lady who brought me in asked me if I wanted anything and I declined."

"Andrea, my P.A."

"She's the woman who keeps your affairs in order," I asked sitting on his comfortable couch.

"Yes," he laughed. "She certainly earns her paycheck, that's for sure."

"Are you a bossy boss or one who asks for something to be done and doesn't mind waiting an extra day."

"Bossy boss" he declared, making me smile. "I do give my staff time to do the tasks I set them. Some try to push it but learn too quickly that I won't be messed around."

"I will remember that if I'm ever late."

"Ana as long as you and the babies are ok, you can be as late as you want as long as I know."

"I don't do late. I'm usually the one who turns up thirty minutes early, just to be offered a cup of tea and look professional when my name is called."

"Have you had to wait around a lot?" he asked.

"When I was publishing my first novel, I interviewed a lot of publishing houses for the right one."

"You interviewed them and not the other way around."

"God that sounds so bad" I laughed. "I had sent my manuscript off all over the country and I had a lot of feedback, a lot of publishing companies wanting me to sign with them. I visited them all, arriving early. I was only sixteen at the time and some thought because of my age, I would sign all the rights away and be paid a pittance for my work. Those realised that I would not be a pushover no matter my age. I was in remission at the time and despite wanting to publish my book, I needed a company that was flexible and gave me the time to finish any future books without the pressure of a deadline. S.I.P did that. I signed a three-book deal which was perfectly fine by me as the book I was writing at the time was a trilogy. I have worked with them ever since. I do set a deadline, for myself more than anything else, although I don't tell them that. If I pass it, it's no hardship as they're willing to wait for my book."

"How have you been getting on with the book you're writing," he asked.

"I have been writing all this week so I'm getting there, in between naps. It will be finished by my deadline as I don't want to worry about writing anything for a while, once the children are born."

While we had been speaking Christian's hand had remained on my stomach until he reluctantly had to return to his desk to take a call.

Standing up to stretch my legs, I walked over to the floor to ceiling windows, looking down on the city below. I had never been this high up before unless you count a flight. When Christian ended his call, he came over to my side.

"This building, this business you've created, it's an amazing thing, Christian. I know about the work you do with Africa, the money you put into feeding the world's hunger. I Googled you when I was in Florida to see who my children's father was" I told him, seeing a smile coming to his lips.

"You can't eat money, so it's best put to use finding better options to feed the hungry. I created my business when I was twenty-one, building it up to what it is now. Nothing I've created before though has meant as much to me as these two" he told me, resting his hands on either side of my stomach.

"They are very special" I smiled, placing my hands over his while we felt of children move.

It was the perfect moment, or it would've been if the door hadn't opened and a woman entered.

"Ros" Christian practically growled at her which made me giggle.

Seeing the warm smile on this woman's lips as she approached, instead of running out of the door made me realise that she knew Christian well.

"Sorry, to interrupt. You said you would have the Hemsworth papers signed before three, so I could have everything finalised before I leave."

"I've done them" he sighed stepping away from me and heading over to his desk to pick up some papers. "Ana, this is Ros, my COO and general pain in my arse. Ros, this is Ana."

"The mother of your children," she said, finishing Christian's sentence and earning a raised eyebrow from him. "Ignore him, he gets grouchy in the afternoon if he's not had enough coffee," she told me, approaching to shake my hand.

"Christian is never grouchy," I said, defending him.

"He must save all that for the office then" she laughed. "How long do you have to go."

"Around three months. I'm due the week before Halloween, so if they arrive on time, it might be a bonus so we're ready for the day."

"They will be a little small for candy Ana" Christian told me, handing the papers to Ros.

"I was talking about me. I had a very sweet tooth before I got pregnant. Anything too sweet now, makes my teeth itch."

Once Ros had left the office, Christian got his coat on and it was our turn to leave too.

"Are you sure you don't want to go back to my apartment for a while, drop your things off?" he asked me.

"If we do and I get comfortable, I won't want to move. Shopping first and then I can rest."

"Ok, what is it that we need to buy today anyway," Christian asked me as I passed him my long list. "This will take forever" he laughed.

"Why do you think I asked them to close early. It's the only time I've used my name to get anything and they were only too happy to do it."

We drove past the Bravern centre and to the smaller baby store, parking around the back away from the busy street.

"There are no cribs on here," Christian said, gesturing to the list.

"I know, my dad's making them as well as a changing table and rocking chair. He asked me if you wanted him to make some for your apartment too, his gift to his grandchildren."

"If he likes" Christian said, quietly.

"You can choose some here if you like. There's no pressure to take my dad's."

"No, your dads would be perfect," he told me, climbing out of the car.

Taking his hand, Christian helped me out of the car and just like in the doctor's office, he didn't let go of my hand.

There was a woman waiting for us at the back door of the store, Megan was her name. She welcomed us in and left us both to have a look around.

"I was going to send some non-disclosure agreements over, but I was told they had already signed some" Christian said quietly, as we walked the rows of clothes.

"Yes." I told him, "I don't want my life broadcasting to the tabloids any more than you do."

"You're a smart woman Ana Steele."

"Are you only just realising that Christian Grey."

I heard him chuckle behind me before he told me to turn around. In his hands, he held two onesies, one with daddy's girl on it and the other with Mommy's boy.

"We have to get those" I laughed as he placed them up to my stomach before putting them into the basket.

We continued down the rows, placing more and more into the baskets, I mean plural this time as what had been one was now three. We decided to get newborn clothes, but we also got some plain onesies which were for tiny babies, not wanting to think about our children that small but for the first time ever I have bought something for just in case. I say me buying it, when in fact it was Christian footing the bill. He insisted, and I protested, giving in when he told me that I was doing my job providing for them while they were inside of me and he wanted it to be his job to provide for them when they first arrive.

When we finally arrived at Christian's apartment, I would've been perfectly happy if he had carried me in. Everything was going to be shipped here tomorrow before being sorted out and then some being shipped to Montesano. I understand Christian's reluctance at having two sets of items, two sets mean two homes.

"Do you know our son could have a sit-on-train going around this room and our daughter will still have enough room to dance around in the middle, or she could be on the train and he dance, either way, could work."

"There's an idea, I might hitch a ride too" he laughed, carrying my bag to the guest room which was next to his.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, placing my bag on a chair beside the bed.

"Yes, famished," I told him, so he took my hand once more and led me into the kitchen.

"Gail my housekeeper left this afternoon for her sister's but she should've left enough food for the weekend."

"Do you want me to do anything?" I asked.

"Only take a seat and watch the master cook at work," he said, making me laugh when he pulled the box from the fridge and popped it straight into the microwave and turned it on.

"You're a ping man" I laughed, watching the timer countdown.

"A what," he asked, as the microwave pinged to let us know the meal was done.

"Ping" I laughed as he pulled the hot food out.

"I'm afraid, my cooking skills are basic at best. I blame my mother, she banned Elliot and me from the kitchen when we nearly burnt it down making French toast as teens. No skills from my mother have passed over into adult life."

"I will be sure to teach our children how to cook then. How is Elliot" I asked.

"I'm not sure fine would be best to describe him but he's better. He has a plan in place of where he wants his life to go, things he has wanted to do but couldn't because she didn't want to. He's concentrating on work, his house is on the market and he's living again instead of just surviving."

"Wasn't he staying here?" I asked.

"Yes, he started renting a place a couple of days ago, not far from here. He wants to buy somewhere but wants to find the place that is perfect for him, out of the city if he can."

"There are homes for sale in Montesano, if he wants peace," I told him.

"I might look into them myself, I won't be too far away then."

"No, you won't," I told him, as I started to eat my dinner. Mac and cheese, who would've thought that this would be a billionaire's favourite meal.

…

I had said goodnight to Christian, tired after my day. I had fallen asleep very easily, but it was a shout that woke me.

I sat up in bed, wondering if I had imagined it as I have had some crazy dreams while being pregnant. I was about to lay down when I heard it again.

It was Christian, and he sounded in pain. Climbing out of bed, I walked towards the door, opening it and stepping into the hall. I could hear his words louder now, his cries at someone to stop.

"Miss Steele don't," Taylor said, coming from where ever he had been hidden as I reached for the handle on Christian's door.

"Taylor I..."

"Ana...please...don't hurt them."

Hearing my name once more, I ignored Taylor opening Christian's door. He was thrashing about in bed, his words louder now. Whoever was hurting him, was hurting me too.

"Christian, it's Ana..."

"Miss Steele, he will never forgive himself if he hurts you."

I looked to Taylor before back to Christian. As I spoke to him, he calmed down as if my words brought comfort and banished the pain.

"Christian," I said again, his movements stilling on the bed.

"Christian" I repeated, more quietly this time sitting beside him. I brought my hand to his face, stroking his cheek. He turned into my touch, his breathing starting to calm before he opened his eyes.

"Ana" he panted, as if he was out of breath, running away from something but he was right here.

"I'm here Christian."

I heard the door close behind me, but I paid no attention to it, my complete focus on the man before me.

"Ana" he repeated, sitting up this time and I was soon wrapped in his arms. "You're here, you're safe."

"I am, I'm not going anywhere."

"I don't want you to," he said, his hands moving from my stomach up to cradle my face.

"What do you want," I asked him, seeing the longing in his eyes that was sure to match mine.

"I want you, I want us to be more than just parents to our babies, I want you to be mine."

"I want that too, Christian," I told him, stroking his cheek with the back of my fingers.

He looked to my lips as if asking permission to kiss me. Instead of nodding, I pulled his face closer to mine and kissed him. It was a gentle kiss at first before he wrapped his arms around me and I opened my mouth to him. The kiss deepened as we held each other tight, only breaking away to take a breath. Seeing the smile on his lips as he placed kisses over my face and lips again, made me smile too.

I never left his bed that night, neither of us wanting to be apart. There were no more nightmares, he slept peacefully and in his arms, so did I.

Thank you for reading.

Until next time, take care

Caroline.