Christian was sitting in his office one Thursday a few weeks later, preparing to head back home. He had decided that Ivy needed a car, she had her license already and she was getting on much better with Him, Ana and the rest of the Grey's. Barney still hadn't sent Christian the information about her mother as he had rushed back to his hometown outside of Chicago when his own mother had unexpectedly died. Welch had taken on some of Barney's work for the last two weeks but Christian was happy to wait for Barney to return. Whilst it was an inconvenience him not being there, Barney was such a good employee he didn't mind.

Christian was distracted from his thought when his phone started ringing 'Grey'. There was a lot of background noise from the other end of the line 'Mr Grey, I understand you are currently acting guardian for Ivy Van Rensberg?' he groaned a little, hoping this wasn't the police 'yes. Why?'.

'Mr Grey, this is Dr Conrad from Tacoma general hospital, we have a patient here who is awaiting a transplant from Miss Van Rensberg'. Christian frowned, Tacoma General was Ruston's nearest hospital but Lewis wasn't booked in for surgery for another few weeks

'Mr Grey, Lewis Van Rensberg has got much worse the last few days and this surgery needs to happen sooner than expected. I understand that...' he could hear the doctor flicking through papers 'a Dr Trevaleyen has been keeping an eye on Ivy and has suggested she is okay for the surgery. Have you spoken to Dr Trevaleyen recently?'.

Christian sighed 'she's my mother' 'oh, I see, well that's good. As I said Mr Grey this transplant needs to happen as soon as possible, Lewis Van Rensberg has taken a turn for the worst and as Ivy's guardian you are in charge of the paperwork etc. I will contact your mother then with the details. I have to go, emergency downstairs. Goodbye mr Grey'.

He blinked in surprise at the phone. Christian felt like he should have kept in better contact with his father over the last few weeks as he was now much worse. They had exchanged a few messages but nothing more, and now he was in Tacoma with failing kidneys.

Christian didn't really know what he should do immediately. Ivy's blood work and general tests had all come back clear and well, under the watchful eyes of Gail, Grace and Ana she had also put on a small amount of weight. Whilst it wasn't as much as Christian would have liked, at least Ivy was now covering the once prominent ribs.

Ivy was currently at Escala he assumed, she had taken a shine to Taylor's daughter Sophie and when she'd found out the little girl was struggling at School, she had taken it upon herself to tutor her. Sophie was probably still with her at Escala, where she was progressing with ease through most of the syllabus for her grade.

Ivy had brought herself seemingly the entire Seattle store of Forever 21 with her own money before Christian had been able to give her a credit card. Whilst Ivy had been getting on better with all the Grey's, she wasn't much more communicative about either of her parents.

Christian was curious, wondering how Ivy would take the news that within a few days she would have to be under anaesthetic and having her Kidney taken out of her and given to a father that she physically hated.

He took a few minutes, stating vacantly at the phone before hitting speed dial 7. 'Hey? I thought you were at work?' Christian sighed and sat back in the chair 'Uh...Ivy, is Sophie still there?' 'she literally just left, why?'.

Christian bit the inside of his cheek for a few seconds 'Ivy, let me start this with saying that I can give my kidney if necessary, okay? But Lewis is in Tacoma Hospital and they want to bring the donation forward. They want to bring the surgery forward a little, I don't know all the details. Uh, Ivy, I also want to offer you a job...my finance department...you could probably was the entire thing, I've seen your grades, you're smarter than anyone I have in that department...'

He had been rambling, barely stopping for breath between his sentences and Christian trialled off, waiting for her to respond. Ivy was quiet for a few seconds 'when do they want to do the surgery?' 'as soon as possible'. There was another pause 'alright, I'll give your mum a call, get Grace to set things up'. Her voice was a little hollow and detached, Christian didn't know what else to say. There was a long pause and Christian gulped loudly 'Ivy...Ivy? Are you okay?'.

She audibly sighed down the phone 'uh uh, I have to go, I've got another call coming in. Bye'. Without another word Ivy hung up, leaving Christian stating at the phone.

A few days later Ivy was heavily sedated and lying on a hospital table. Grace had insisted on being in the room whilst the operation took place. Even though it was a fairly simple procedure, the fact Grace was in there was the only thing that was placating Christian's pacing outside the doors.

Carrick arrived about fifteen minutes into the procedure and say beside his son. 'I guess it's going well?' Christian shrugged and Carrick continued 'so...how is your father doing? Do you know?'. Christian glanced up at Carrick 'he's not my father, you are- thank god'.

Carrick was surprised and warmed by the comment and took some papers from his inside pocket 'When I saw Ivy the other day she was asking me very persistently to draw up the documents for Lewis to sign. I've got them here, I had Daniel Sullivan look over them as well, he's initialled them'. Christian nodded appreciatively, taking the papers from his father. 'Good, thanks Dad. Dan's good, I'm glad you went to him, there's not many people I'd trust with this, and it's only the two of you'.

Daniel Sullivan was the 24 year old nephew of Barney Sullivan, Grey Enterprises head of IT. Daniel was a lawyer and Christian had always got on well with him, inviting him to work for him Grey Enterprises when he'd graduated. Christian probably wouldn't have been singing Daniel's praises if he was aware that within three months he would have the younger man pinned against a wall and shouting in his face, Elliot pulling Christian away after he had punched Daniel twice. Of course Christian would take things too far and destroy one of his only friendships, and he would also ruin everything with Ivy. For the next three months however, everything was going to be fairly smooth- smooth compared to the mess that was coming.