CPOV
"Ana, are you ready," I asked, walking into the bedroom where she was just righting her dress.
"Yes, guzzler here wasn't satisfied with a bit of milk, he wanted the lot."
"You do know, I'm not going to share those breasts forever," I said, picking my little boy up.
"As if you would ever deny either of them," Ana said, putting her coat on.
"No, never. Especially when it comes to food."
I carried Elliot out into the living room giving him over to Carla. Ray held Emily to his chest as my little girl snored away.
"I don't know how long we will be," Ana told them.
"We know, don't rush. This is the last time you will have to be apart from them" Carla told her daughter as she watched her kiss our children's heads.
All this week we had been away from our children during the day and it had been a wrench for us both. It needed to happen though as we could not have them anywhere near the courthouse.
Today will hopefully be the last time we ever see Kate Kavanagh or Leila Williams again and I hope they both rot for what they were planning to do.
They were part of the reason why my children arrived the way they did, the stress they put on my wife. Add to that Kate breaking a restraining order and also her NDA, her day in court was set.
There were letters that were sent to S.I.P which thankfully Ana has never seen. Some that were from Kate, others that were more recent. The threats contained within those recent letters alone were cause for an arrest warrant on Leila to be issued too. It seems that with Kate being denied bail, she had taken it upon herself to continue the harassment Kate had started against my wife. After being given a tip-off to her location, Leila was taken into custody, trying to start a fight in The Bridge of all places. I hear she was vocal while being taken away, thankfully boasting about what Kate and she had been planning.
My children, they had planned to take one of my children while they were still in the hospital. How, when they were so heavily guarded, I don't know. Besides they wouldn't have even known where my children were being born if they hadn't arrived early. That was their plan though. Kate was to use the Grey name, her old id and bluff her way past unsuspecting staff by saying she was family once they had found out where we were.
I don't want to think about if they had succeeded, as I don't think they had counted on my children being premature. When Leila's apartment was raided, a place Kate had been staying too, they found baby clothes, formula, bottles and diapers but nothing that would help them survive.
Taking Elliot, he would have had a chance. Emily though, if she had been taken from the machines, we could've lost her.
This was all kept from us while we cared for our sick children, but my dad knew, Sky did too. They kept it to themselves until we were safe at home.
Today we go back, and Ana will take the stand again giving her impact statement this time, of the effect their actions have had on us. Hopefully, this will put them away for a very long time.
"Are you nervous?" I asked her.
"No, determined to send them away."
The drive to the courthouse was quiet as Ana was lost in her thoughts. I could see her trying to remain calm, being in a room with those women though, I know Ana would happily rip them apart.
"And I thought they would all take the day off," Ana said, about the waiting press.
"Last day Ana, then we can go home."
"I can't wait. I want to enjoy our Christmas without thinking of anyone else but our family."
"We will have the best Christmas ever," I told her, kissing the ring I had placed there.
As always, we waited until our security were assembled, our barrier between them and us. I know my family will be here, they have every day apart from when they had taken their turn at Escala to look after the children.
"Mr Grey, Mrs Grey, how do you feel the case is going."
"Mrs Grey, how is your health during all this."
"Mrs Grey, what outcome are you hoping for today."
These were all questions shouted at us, as we continued to walk towards the doors of the courthouse. On the last one though Ana slowed turning to the reporter.
"I'm hoping they rot in hell," she told them before we were quickly ushered inside.
We didn't need to check which courtroom we were in, it's been the same one every day. There were a few members of the press in here, some with camera's too, to record everything that was said. We ignored them all, hugging our family before taking a seat.
As Kate and Leila were brought out their focus was instantly on my wife. Their looks meant to intimidate did nothing but bring a smile to her lips.
As we all stood as the judge arrived, we once again took our seats and the proceedings started.
…
Watching Ana make her way to the stand, I watched those around her. She was closer to the women down there than she was up here, but she ignored them, focusing on the judge.
She was not afraid of them both, even when the judge told them if they weren't quiet they would be taken down to the cells. My beautiful wife, stood tall, showing them both who really had the power here. They could do nothing but shut up and listen when Ana started to speak, especially when she stated her full name as Anastasia Rose Grey.
"Mrs Grey, you may begin" the judge stated.
"Thank you, your honour… Finding out I was pregnant was one of the greatest moments of my life. After a lifetime of pain and sickness, I was finally going to achieve what had been once just a dream, to be a mother. I knew carrying a child wouldn't be easy, nothing about my life had been that far so I didn't expect my pregnancy to be anything different…. I didn't expect it to come to the end it did either, all because of the stress caused by two women, one who I had a restraining order against."
Ana took a deep breath, looking my way. I could only look back, nodding and smiling in encouragement when all I wanted, was to be down there holding her hand.
"She's doing brilliantly Christian," my mum said.
"I know, I just want this all to be over."
"The first time I met Kate Kavanagh was at the fertility clinic when we were informed of the donor mix-up. She thought it was funny at first, happy that she was not pregnant, that was until she found out I was. I left that room under a barrage of abuse and had to be hospitalized because of the stress. That abuse continued throughout I hear, although despite the letters being sent to my publisher they have been kept from me. I'm happy about that as hearing their words would not be beneficial to my health or my children's. My children, not yours Kate Kavanagh. My eggs, my husband's sperm was what created our children. We're their parents, not you. My children although having a rocky start to life will continue to grow strong, they will continue to thrive, all that would not have happened if they were successful with their plan. I do believe that while they're free and, on the streets, no child especially my own is safe. Thank you."
I smiled as she left the stand, feeling prouder than I have ever felt before. Ana slowly made her way to me before she was soon wrapped in my arms.
The judge wrapped up proceedings sending the jury off to decide their fate. They had all the evidence in front of them, watched countless videos of Kate's behaviour as well.
When they were pronounced guilty the judge had to call order because of the cheers that went up around the room. Guilty of all charges they were, both being sent away for a very long time.
Kate's parents tried to get our attention as we were leaving the building but stopped fast when my dad blocked their way. They had tried to make out she had problems and needed help, not prison. The jury had seen through their act though declaring her just as sane as the rest of us. She was evil, deceitful and as my wife wanted, she was going away to rot.
"It's over," Ana said, cuddling into my side as we climbed into the car, once we had stood with my dad and Sky as they made a statement on our behalf.
"It is. Let's go and get our babies and go home."
…..
"Who's the baby," Ana asked laughing, startling her dad who was lay on the floor with Elliot, kicking his feet in the air like my son.
"Ray, no doubt," Carla said, hugging her daughter tight before she hugged me. "Put it all behind you, both of you and start living your life."
"We are mum, when is Bob arriving" Ana asked.
"Tomorrow."
Carla went home at the beginning of December only to come back two weeks later for the start of the trial. With only one week to Christmas, it seemed silly for her to have to go home only to come back here a few days later.
"Are you coming to Montesano or slumming it in Seattle" Ana teased, knowing her parents enjoy staying here in my penthouse.
I'm glad I kept it, if even for when family visit. They can stay here and still be in Montesano in ninety minutes.
"It really is slumming it, here" Ray laughed, gesturing around the large room. "I have to get home though, work to do."
"I'm sorry we pulled you away from it dad," Ana said.
"Don't be, I would've never got any work done, worrying about you all here."
"I still have some Christmas shopping to do, without all of you around. I will come on Monday with Bob" Carla told us.
Hearing a cry over the monitor I left them and made my way into the bedroom where my little girl was now awake.
Emily didn't cry often, I think it was more of a signal to say I'm awake come get me. Picking her up, she settled against my chest.
"Daddy's got you, Emily," I said, kissing her tiny curls.
I took her over to the changing table, relieving her of the wet diaper she wore. I didn't have to avoid the fountain like I did with her brother, although her little bum could make a mess when she wanted to.
"There, all clean," I told her, putting her tiny trousers back on.
"Does she need feeding?" Ana asked, slipping into the room, closing the door behind her.
"She might do. You can try her before I take you all home. Are you excited" I asked.
"To finally be going up in your helicopter," she asked, seeing the nod of my head. "Of course, it's about time you took me flying Mr Grey."
"It is."
"I hope the babies are ok."
"Knowing them, they would probably sleep through the whole flight."
I hope, I thought having no idea how my children will be up in the air.
….
"Your escape route is blocked," Sky told us before Ana hugged her friend when we took Emily back out into the living room all happy and fed.
"Thank you, for everything you've done."
"I'll second that, to my dad too."
"I wouldn't have stopped until they had been put away…. I have news" Sky said, excitedly. "Of the good kind this time though."
"What, you won the lottery" Ana teased.
"I did that when I met Elliot, he's every lottery rolled into one. Besides that though, Carrick asked me to be a partner in his firm. We worked well together on this, so he asked me to come onboard."
"Sky that's brilliant. This is what you wanted" Ana said, joining in her friend's excitement.
"It is. I've loved working for Gandres, but I would always be the junior there, never a partner. They have the publicity for this case, me working for them so although they won't be happy that I'm leaving, I've left them on a high."
"Have you told Elliot?" I asked.
"Yes, he was there when I spoke to your dad. He will be here soon, he said he was bringing food."
"He needs to get his finger out, propose and then the company would be Grey and Grey Law" I teased.
"Give us a chance" she laughed. "We don't all work as quickly as you Christian."
"There is nothing wrong with the way I work. There was no way I was letting Ana go" I told her, kissing the top of my wife's head.
"Foods up" Elliot shouted, upon entering the apartment, upsetting his niece in the process.
"One day Elliot, you will learn not to shout around the babies" Mia admonished him as I rocked my little girl, quietening her cries.
"Sorry baby girl, uncle Elliot has a big mouth," he told his niece, kissing her forehead.
Elliot had brought Chinese food which was quickly plated up. Ana hadn't really eaten anything this morning, worried about today so it was nice to see her relax, eat, even laugh with the girls.
"What are you going to do when you get home," Carla asked us.
"Go to bed," Ana answered before turning to Elliot and telling him to shut up before he could even speak. "I have a lot of sleep to catch up on, something which I think we have all missed out on this week."
"How long will it take us to get home," Ray asked me.
"Not long, thirty minutes if that," I said, excitement in my voice that I get to fly my family home.
Ray will be in the helicopter, Taylor too. The rest of our security will be driving down if they haven't already left. They will not be needed as we don't plan to go anywhere near the press below, having Charlie Tango already up on the roof.
"Every news channel is covering the story. I've just been bombarded with questions by some of the press who were being thrown out of the parking garage" dad said, joining us and gratefully taking the plate of food my mother had saved for him.
"It will die down eventually, I hope," Ana told him, taking a sip of her tea.
"I know, let them stay outside here. They won't be anywhere near your real home them."
"If they ever do find out I will leave them to the dogs," I told him.
"Are we getting a dog?" Ana asked, excitement in her voice.
"You want a dog," I asked. "Because I was talking about the dogs that patrol the outside of the property."
"Ana always wanted a dog when she was little, but she was too sick to have one" Carla told them.
"If you want a dog," I told her.
"Christian we have two children that are barely three and a half months old. One day when they're older, especially old enough to look after it, then maybe but not at the moment."
"I always wanted a dog," Elliot said, laughing when he heard me groan.
"I got you a dog, you weren't satisfied," I complained.
"You bought me a stuffed dog when I was in the hospital and I was satisfied," he told me. "It kept me company."
"I'm glad as that dog went everywhere with you for a while."
"A while, always is more precise. It still does go everywhere with me."
"What, how," I asked.
"It's in my truck, my companion on my trips around the city," he said, proudly making me smile.
….
"Are you holding the twins or strapping their seats in?" Elliot asked as we made our way to the roof.
He had both of my children at the moment, a car seat in each hand.
"Strapping them in. I won't be taking off until I know they're secure."
The elevator opened up onto the roof, causing us all to shiver with the cold. Emily and Elliot were wrapped up tight, wearing little snow-suits and wrapped in a blanket too.
"Get in baby," I told Ana holding the door open for her.
She happily got into the helicopter before taking hold of the children. I would've loved to have Ana up front with me but with not knowing how the children are going to be with flying, it's best she's with them. Ray will be my co-pilot for the day instead.
"Have a safe flight and we will see you Christmas day. Make sure he doesn't eat all the food Ana" my brother complained.
"There will be plenty of food, especially with what our mothers are cooking," Ana told him.
"Good, I will get Sky to roll me home" he laughed before stepping back and going to Sky's side.
"Is everyone ready?" I asked, once I had contacted the tower and gained permission to take off.
The little murmur from the back gave me my answer and also made me laugh as Emily gurgled away.
"She's saying take us home daddy."
"Yes, little miss," I told her before lifting off the ground and taking my family home.
….
Our home was crazy and all chance of getting any work done had gone out of the window. Carla and Bob arrived yesterday along with Mia too. Her goal, having already done everything she needed to do for Christmas was to look after her niece and nephew so we could get everything for Christmas day finished.
"Where have you gone" I called out in our bedroom, finding my wife behind the pile of gifts she was wrapping up.
She had banned everyone else from coming into the room and it was a good job too as there were still quite a few to wrap.
"Can you guess what it is, or more importantly do you think dad will guess what it is?" she asked, giggling as she held the wrapped fishing rod up to me.
"Poking stick, pole vault, who knows," I said, making her laugh more.
"Do you need me?" she asked.
"I always need you, Ana," I told her, hearing her groan.
Making love to Ana is one of my favourite things to do. I would say it's the number one favourite thing but playing and cuddling my wife and children is up there too. Last night we had made love for hours being promised a night off from my mother in law and sister. We certainly enjoyed ourselves, although trying to be quiet in a house full of people, some you definitely didn't want to disturb had its problems. Ana is vocal when we make love, I'm not so quiet either, so mostly throughout my lips were attached to hers.
"Do you need me for the children?" she asked again.
"No, Emily is having a conversation with her aunt and Elliot is snoring away."
"Your sister had better not be planning any shopping trips with our little girl soon. I heard her talking yesterday about when they're going to hit the mall."
"I will have the mall closed down for the day if our girl goes in there. I won't have strangers near her."
"Christian we can't wrap them up in a bubble. One day, hopefully far off in the future they're going to want to forge a life, friendships for themselves."
"I know. It's hard to forget there's a world out there when we're here though. I think had we chosen to live in Seattle, I would've been a nervous wreck by now."
"I know, let them grow up away from the madness and they can make their own choices when they're old enough. Who knows they might be vying for your job one day and force you to retire" Ana told me, causing a smile to come on my face.
Everything I do now is to provide for my children, my wife. Not just the money for things they need now, a business that I can hopefully hand down to my children one day when they all leave home and I can have my wife to myself once more.
I stayed with Ana, helping her to wrap the gifts. I say wrap, but I know whoever has the misfortune to open them will think the children had wrapped them. I try though.
….
Settling the children down in their cribs after it was daddy's time to feed and settle them, I made my way back downstairs.
"Beer Bob," I asked, walking through the living room on my way to the kitchen.
"Please Christian."
"What about us, don't we get a beer" Carla complained although I know she was just messing with me.
"No, after you have polished off a bottle of hundred-dollar wine with my sister, I'm cutting you both off."
"You're a braver man than I am" Bob laughed.
"I know what my sister is like when she drinks and if you're anything like my mother, it's best to stop now," I told Carla.
"I will have a tea then."
"Ana," I said, asking if she wanted tea too. All I got was a nod while she laughed.
Bringing the drinks in on a tray, I was finally able to take a seat by my wife who instantly cuddled into my side, her head on my chest.
Ana was talking to her mother and Mia about avoiding the sales, so as you do on Christmas Eve, I was speaking to Bob about business.
"Tired," I asked Ana when she tried to stifle her fifth yawn, having finished her tea.
"A little, someone wore me out last night" she whispered although, by the look of disgust on Mia's face, I know she heard too.
"Come on then, Santa is on his way. You won't get any gifts if you're still awake."
We said goodnight to our family, although I know I will be back downstairs before long. I like to check the house is locked up, my last thing of the night to do before I climb into bed myself.
Ana must have been exhausted because as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was asleep. I must have really worn her out last night.
Kissing my wife's head, I left the room going to the nursery. I could hear the soft snores as soon as I entered, the night light casting a warm glow across the room.
"Good night Elliot," I said, quietly, moving him around the right way. I think it was him more than Emily who kicked inside their mother as once Emily is asleep she doesn't move at all.
I kissed his little forehead before moving over to my baby girl. Like I thought, she was in the exact same spot as when I had put her down earlier.
"Good night Emily."
I pulled her blanket up a little, making sure she didn't get cold. Placing a kiss to her forehead too, I then quietly left the room, closing the door to.
It was quiet downstairs now, everyone else going to bed. The only light came from the fairy lights that surrounded the Christmas tree. It was full to overflowing with gifts, mostly for my children no doubt. I know when Ray and the rest of my family arrive tomorrow, there will be more to come.
Once I had again checked the doors, I took a look around the room, smiling at what I saw. There was life here, where in my apartment in Seattle, there was only existence. This home was full of love, of laughter and full of my family and for the first time in my life, I felt I could truly breathe.
If someone would've told me last Christmas that my life would now be like this, I would've thought you'd had too much eggnog. I have been blessed with Ana, with our Children, our families. All were healthy and safe. I continue to be blessed with every kiss from my wife and every windy smile I receive.
Life is a gift, A Beautiful one.
Thank you for reading.
There is one chapter left, an epilogue of sorts.
Until next time, take care.
Caroline.