APOV

I woke, feeling kisses across my neck and shoulders and Christian's hardening cock against me too. I must have turned over during the night, which was a feat in itself some days but this morning I was happy that I had otherwise I would've missed out on this.

"I know you're awake" he whispered, kissing the back of my head.

"I know, I'm just enjoying the feel of your lips on me," I said, pushing my body back against him, hearing his groan when my bottom rubbed against his cock.

"Ana" he moaned, making me giggle.

"Sorry."

"No, you're not," he said, gently nibbling my shoulder before his hand came around, cupping my right breast.

That had me moaning too as they were so sensitive these days, they also had a tendency to leak.

"You keep doing that and you'll get wet," I told him, but he didn't stop.

Before a condom was put on, he asked if I was alright to continue. I nodded my head, unable to speak at that moment, as his fingers had moved to my clit. He quickly put the condom on, before gently lifting my leg over his, and pushed into me from behind.

Christian gently moved inside me, his lips never leaving my skin. From little kisses on my neck and shoulders to the hickey he left there. Throughout his thrusts were bringing me closer to my release.

"Ana…. Being inside you is just..."

He couldn't finish his sentence and I was in no fit state to finish it either as his movements started to pick up.

I closed my eyes, absorbing the pleasure Christian was giving me as his hand moved from the nipple he had been teasing towards my clit, rubbing gently once more. I couldn't keep silent when he did that, his name tumbling from my lips.

"Come for me Ana" he groaned, holding off his own release until I found mine. Mine soon came as our names were called, replacing the moans that echoed around the room.

He held me close to him, after we had both finished, making sure I was alright. I don't know how much longer we can continue to make love before it becomes too uncomfortable, but after this morning, a while I hope.

"Stay there," he said, kissing my lips before disappearing into my bathroom.

"I don't have the energy to move" I called after him, hearing his laughter.

I could hear he had put the bath on and I sighed at the thought of being able to have a warm bath after so long. I probably could've gotten in but being on my own, I always feared that if I slipped, or just couldn't get out again, there would be no one around to help.

"Come on sleeping beauty," Christian said, lifting me from the bed. There would be no point in complaining that I was too heavy as he wouldn't listen anyway.

I hadn't been asleep, I just had my eyes closed, feeling my babies moving around, both been woken up yet again by our sexual activities.

Feeling the water surround me, I groaned.

"Is that good" Christian asked, sitting on the edge of the bath.

"Yes, amazing… are you not getting in."

"I wasn't sure if you wanted to lay back and relax in there."

"I can still relax with you behind me, come."

I carefully moved forward, as Christian got in behind me. He picked up the sponge, submerging it in the water before he brought it back out and started to run it over my neck and shoulders, down my arms before settling onto my breasts. Feeling the water dripping over my sensitive nipples had me groaning. Picking a cloth up also, he placed it into the warm water before leaving it covering my breasts.

"Are they sore?" he asked.

"Sometimes. They become sensitive to touch, although your touch is very welcome" I told him, turning my head so I could see his face, being greeted by his smile.

"I will be sure to continue then" he whispered before kissing my lips.

Our bath was very enjoyable and so was being dried by my boyfriend afterwards. We didn't go far that day, spending a lazy Saturday at home, knowing Sunday we will be travelling into Portland for José's show. I was looking forward to seeing my friend and I was just as excited to see his photos.

I know there was a chance that our relationship would be out in the open for the world to see after tomorrow and we were fine with that. We wouldn't hide us and we certainly wouldn't hide our children. I had my merry band of security, all who much to my amusement had been approved by my dad. If he didn't trust them, they would be gone. They had all impressed him, but none more so than Christian.

When I spoke to my dad about the children being Grey's he admitted something to me. He was welcoming to Christian, happy that I was happy, but at first, he still watched how Christian was around me. On guard in case, he did anything to upset me or change his mind about being the twin's father. Seeing him settle quickly into the role of expectant father, had impressed him. The more he had gotten to know Christian, see how he is around me and our children, had put him at ease.

….

Driving through the city, we passed sights that were once familiar to me. We had just left the Heathman where we were checked in for the night.

"Does José know we're together?" Christian asked.

"Of course, he does. He's my best friend and friends talk."

"Do you. What have you told him about me then? Is that like girlfriends talking" he asked, amused.

"José wants me happy like I am. No private details are shared between us if that's what you're worried about."

"I wasn't worried about anything."

"Yeah right," I laughed. "I would like José to settle down. Find happiness with a nice man."

"What," he asked, practically choking on his saliva. "He didn't seem gay when we spoke."

"José's, José. He likes what he likes, one day women, another day men. Whoever makes him happy is fine by me, although he has had more boyfriends than girlfriends, so I had better keep an eye on you tonight Mr Grey."

"Forget Taylor, you can be my bodyguard," he told me, kissing my lips.

"That's fine, you're safe with me."

"Mr Grey, Miss Steele, Reynolds has just called in. The gallery is busy, but he hasn't seen any press around."

"That's fine Taylor, just make sure he stays outside while we're in, in case someone does recognise one of us and the press are notified."

"Will do sir," he said, before speaking to someone through a microphone on his wrist. Very James Bond, very over the top for someone who's used to the quiet life like me.

"If the press does turn up, I hope they don't ruin his show. José deserves the recognition he's receiving for his work."

"We won't let them Ana" Christian told me, squeezing my hand.

Arriving at the gallery soon after, we could see people walking around inside, looking at my friend's work. Last night had been the busiest night for his show so far José had told me earlier when we spoke, so I was hoping to continue the calm day we had been having and for it to be quieter tonight.

"If you get tired or need a rest, please tell me. We will leave, or find you a quiet place to sit."

"I'll be fine, I'm looking forward to seeing José and his photos," I told him and I'm sure by the smile on his face, he could hear the excitement in my voice.

"Come on then."

Walking into the gallery, no one paid us any attention. We were just like everyone else here, there to see the photos. I spotted José straight away. He had his back to me, speaking to a man about a photograph of a wooden bridge that was surrounded by woodland flowers. It was a bridge I knew well, going over the steam at the end of my dads garden.

"Perfect place to play Pooh sticks," I said, causing José to spin around.

"Ana" José said, laughing as he excused himself from the man he had been speaking to and tried to hug me. "I can't even get my arms around you."

"Are you saying, I'm fat" I teased.

"Ana, I'm not that brave. Christian, it's good to see you" he said, shaking his hand.

"You too José, your work is amazing."

"Thank you, I hope they make a lot of money tonight."

"I'm sure they will."

"Where's my photo," I asked him, rubbing the side of my stomach when one of the babies kicked.

"Ana, those babies' had better not be showing their faces anytime today," José said, his face paling considerably.

"Don't be silly" I laughed, taking his hand and resting it onto the side of my stomach where he could feel the kicks for himself now. "See, safe and happy, and still where they're meant to be."

"That's good, oh did you need me," José asked a woman who approached.

"Sorry to interrupt, we have a guest who would like to speak to you about one of the photos," she said.

"You speak to your guests and I will see you when you're finished," I told him, kissing his cheek.

"Ok, your picture is just around the corner, the others are further down the hall."

"Alright, see you soon," I told him as Christian and I left him to his guests and disappeared around the corner out of sight.

We were soon in front of my favourite picture, stopping in front of a photograph of tulips, yellow tulips. My favourite colour and flower.

"I know what flowers to buy you now," Christian said, smiling as I looked to the large photo before me.

"I don't mind, they're my favourite."

"Your favourite colour too," he said, wrapping his arms around my waist, and resting his hands on my stomach.

"You remembered," I said, surprised.

"I remember everything from our days of twenty thousand questions," he told me, making me laugh.

"Do you know, some tulips don't have a scent."

"They don't?" he asked.

"No, dad bought me some when I went home from the hospital. They were the only ones that didn't make me sneeze. There are a lot planted in the meadow, but they won't flower until spring, daffodils too."

"So, come spring, there will be a meadow full of yellow flowers."

"Yes, and I've been lucky enough that they come back year after year."

Leaving the tulips behind, we moved further down the hallway towards my photographs. The first was a photo of me taken a few years ago now, a ring of flowers in my hair. You could just see the side of my face, but mostly, I was facing away. This was the photo that my dad wanted.

Besides that one, I moved my finger over the photo of José's and my hands clasped together. I had been in a lot of pain that day and, had a lot of drugs pumped through my body. José had brought his camera to show me as we had spoken of his love of photography on a previous visit. I looked deathly white, so I didn't want my face to be taken so it was my mum who actually took the photo of our hands after José struggled to do it and hold my hand at the same time.

"My mum took this photo," I told Christian.

"She did, but it's here with his work."

"It is, more for what it symbolises than anything else. Strength, friendship and that fight to survive" I told him, as I nodded to the photo next to it. Our arms in the exact same pose, older, still together and more importantly, alive.

"I nearly tripped over that photo when I came here looking for you. I asked him what it was. He confirmed that it was you and him, but it wasn't his story to tell."

"Now you know all the story," I told him, wrapping my arms around his waist and feeling a kiss to my head.

"Yes, I do. I know that the woman who I love and is carrying my children is one the bravest and strongest people I know."

I smiled up at him, receiving a kiss to my lips too.

We continued our walk, viewing the photographs and stopping in front of the one José had taken of me on the beach.

"It's you," an elderly woman said who was enjoying the photos with what must be her husband.

"It is" I confirmed, smiling to her before looking back at the photo.

José' had taken the photo so it looked like the sun was in my hand. I thought it was cheesy at the time, but it had turned out beautiful.

"I would love this picture, but it's not for sale" Christian told me.

"Speak to José, I know the only reason he's not selling them, is because I'm in them. If he says yes, I'm sure you could find a bathroom to put it in."

"Ana that picture would have pride of place wherever it's put. My three-favourite people" he said, resting his hand on my stomach.

We continued to walk around, and I found a few more photos that I liked which were thankfully still up for sale. Walking back into the main area, I took a seat while Christian got us both a drink.

"Sorry Ana, I was hoping to spend more than a few minutes with you tonight," José told me, finally taking a seat by my side.

"It's ok, I'm glad I got to come."

"Do you have to drive back tonight?" he asked.

"No, we're staying at the Heathman."

"Separate rooms I hope" he teased.

"No," I told him, a smile on my face.

"As long as he makes you happy, he's fine by me."

"He does José. I know our circumstances of coming together are unique, but I wouldn't change anything."

"I'm glad," he said, smiling at me.

"I wanted to ask you, what are you doing on the 27th."

"Whatever you're doing," he said, looking at me as I smiled at Christian as he approached, glasses in hand. "Let me rephrase that, I will be at yours," he told me, making me laugh.

"If you're doing what I'm doing, I can't wait to meet them."

"One day Ana, I wish."

"You'll meet the right person one day and I will be sure to vet them, see if they're good enough for my best friend."

"Love you" he laughed, kissing my forehead.

"Love you too."

"I'm afraid there was only water for you," Christian said, smiling as he watched José and I joke around together.

"Shit, I forgot when they said about ordering wine that I should've got some none alcoholic stuff. I apologise now for the wine, it's not my choice. Not that anything I would've chosen would have tasted any better as I know nothing about wine."

"I'm sure it's fine," Christian said, taking a sip. Seeing the grimace on his face had me giggling.

"I wanted to ask about the photos with me in them, what are you doing with them," I asked, in between bouts of laughter as Christian, quickly ditched his drink.

"I was going to give them to you. I know your dad wanted the smaller one of you with flowers in your hair and there is one of you from the front like that too which I didn't put out. He's having that one as well."

"Could I buy the large one of Ana on the beach" Christian asked him, as José looked to me. Seeing my smile, José nodded his head.

"You can take it at the end of the show if you want."

"I want to buy it," Christian told him.

"Make a donation to the hospital like Ray's doing," he said shaking his head. "He wouldn't just accept it either."

"Ok, I'll do that, thank you," Christian told him.

"You're welcome," José said before he was called away again.

...

Needing the bathroom, I excused myself, leaving Christian on his own for a few moments to look around. Coming back out again, I found Christian speaking to a couple. Who they were, I didn't know but he excused himself as soon as he saw me.

"Friends of yours," I asked.

"No, he's a businessman, desperate to do business with me. I've always told him I'm not interested so he took the opportunity to bore me once more while I was here."

"What does he do," I asked.

"He's into computer security and thinks he's the best. Don't get me wrong I looked into what he had to offer but he doesn't even come close to the team I already have in place."

"I can't even imagine needing a whole team of people to make my business work. Unless you count Hannah and the people at SIP, it's just me and my trusty laptop."

"What about these two, they're always with you," he said, resting his hands over our children.

"They are, they keep me company, although they do like to kick me in the bladder sending me running to the bathroom when I have just thought of something good I need to put in my book. By the time I'm back, I've forgotten what it was if I don't write it down."

"Wait until they arrive, neither of us will have much time to think of anything else."

"I can't wait to meet them, just not too soon," I told him, and I knew from the look on his face that he agreed.

Once the final gallery patrons had left, I was able to sit down and speak properly to my friend. We had moved into a private room, one where he had stored his photos before the show, while a cleaner started to clear up after today's guests. José wanted to know about me, my health and the babies, more than what we thought of the photos we had just seen.

"I'm fine José, you're getting as bad as my dad" I laughed. "I'm a little tired but that's to be expected."

"Did you have a sleep on the drive over?" he asked.

"For a little while."

"She was snoring before we even left Montesano" Christian teased, making José laugh.

"I do not snore," I protested, poking Christian's side which just made them laugh more.

"No, you don't," he said, kissing my lips.

Before we left the gallery, Taylor went outside with Reynolds to see who was hanging around while Luke stayed with us. Taylor was soon back, letting us know that Reynolds had gone to get the car.

"There are still a few people mingling around outside but as there is a bar a few doors down, that's to be expected," he told us.

"Do you think there will be any trouble with you being here together tonight?" José asked.

"Christian and I haven't exactly stayed at arm's length and we're certainly not hiding that we're together," I told him.

"There are some that I've seen tonight who have known who I am, whether they know who Ana is, I don't know" Christian told him. "We have the press release ready though if our relationship comes out. We tell the truth because lying would just feel like our children were a mistake and I won't have that."

"How's Elliot. When I spoke to him at the barbecue, he couldn't wait to get divorced" José asked.

"A lot better and finally living his life. He's fully on board with telling the truth about why I was a donor. He knows any other story coming out will just state us as liars because you can guarantee if we lie, Kate will be sure to have her say so she can put it right."

I reached for Christian's hand, entwining my fingers with his. He was still angry about Kate coming to his work but more so with the upset, she has caused Elliot.

"I hope his divorce goes through quick because she sounds like a real piece of work," José told him.

"That's an understatement," Christian replied.

...

Walking out to the car, Taylor was right, there were quite a few people here. I ignored them though, turning to José.

"I'm so glad I got to see all your photos where they should be, displayed properly."

"I'm glad you're here," he said, laughing when he tried to hug me again.

"I will be back to normal in a few months, although with all the extra weight I have put on, I doubt I will ever be truly back to what I was before."

"You will be beautiful as always," he told me, kissing my cheek before I stepped back to Christian's side, watching them shake hands.

Once we were in the car and the door shut, I blew José a kiss which he caught and then sent back. Leaving him behind, I sent him a message to thank him for the evening which I'm sure he would read once he got back inside the gallery.

"Tired Ana" Christian asked, as I lay my head against his shoulder.

"A little," I admitted, trying to stifle a yawn.

"Come on, let's get you and these little ones into bed," he told me, gently stroking my stomach as we pulled up outside of the hotel.

"You too."

"I will be right by your side Ana, always."

…

Climbing into bed, I was fighting to keep my eyes open as Christian emerged from the bathroom, getting in by my side. He had wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer to him when we both felt a strong kick.

"They don't want to sleep," he said, putting his hand over my own as I rubbed the side of my stomach.

"Mommy's tired, so as usual, they want to play."

"You try and sleep," he told me, placing a kiss on my lips. "Let me look after them for a little while."

I laughed as Christian moved down the bed, the sheet soon covering his head. I felt his kisses on my stomach before I heard him speaking to our children, letting them know that Daddy was here and Mommy was going to rest now. The last thing I heard before I let sleep take me was him telling them how much he loved them, and how much he loved me too.

Thank you for reading.

I had some ask last chapter as to why they would need to use a condom when Ana was already pregnant. They are following doctor's orders so as not to bring on a premature birth.

Next chapter, their relationship will be out in the open, and all the fun that brings.

It will not be this weekend though, as I leave for Paris on Friday with my son for four days. He surprised me with a trip to Disney so I'm going duck hunting, looking for my favourite, Donald.

Until next time, take care.

Caroline.