Teddy and Family

Chapter 9

A/N: I was asked by stearncs321 for a family tree and here it is…the main players…

Immediate Family (Matriarch and Patriarchs)

Dr Grace Elizabeth Trevelyan-Grey m Carrick Alexander Grey

Elliot Johnathan (35)

Christian Alexander & Amelia Ella (Mia) Twins (25) Adopted

Carla Rose m Raymond Jason Steele

Anastasia Rose (24)

Taylor Jason (TJ) (15)

Gail Marie m Jason Logan Taylor

Logan Jason (35) Adopted

Sophie Gail (6)

Michael Jason (still to be born)

Ella Aurora James-Walker –dating- (don't worry that mystery is gonna be solved)

Christian Alexander and Amelia Ella (Twins)25

Jessica Katherine m Eamon Ethan Kavanagh

Katherine Jessica and Ethan Andrew (Twins) 25

Big Brothers and Sisters

Elliot m Katherine

Ava Grace (2)

Elliot Johnathan Jr (unborn)

Logan – dating- Samantha Danielle Prescott both (35)

Adam William Welch (35)- Dating- Angelica 'Angel' Marie Sanders (22)

Hope Elizabeth (3) Angel's with another man died in Iraq before Hope was born

Luke Eric Sawyer (35) married to Hanah Anne Winters (25)

Ryan Reynolds (35) engaged Sara Patricia Summer(24) (Teddy's former Nanny/teacher)

The Scooby Gang (Minus Kate and Hanah as both are already above)

Theodore 'Teddy' Raymond (3)

Alexander 'Xander or Alex' Christian, Aribella 'Ari' Grace, Aroura 'Rory' Gail, (triplets less than two months old)

Mia and Ethan

Gabriel 'Gabe' Carrick (2yrs nearly 3) Valentines Day Baby

Isabella 'Izzy' Amelia (not born yet)

Rosalyn 'Ros' Rachel Bailey-m- Gwendolyn 'Gwen' Jennifer Jameson (both 25)

Jennifer Rachel (not born yet)

Bernard 'Barney' Robert Sullivan-m- Andrea Angela Edwards (Both 25)

Jose Rodriguez and Dr. Paul Clayton (both 25)

Extended Family

Carrie Diane (21) and Chloe Felicity Danver (15)(Angel's 'sisters'…(TJ is dating Chloe)

Thank you, so much for your lovely reviews. I love you all and am thrilled that you are all loving this story. To all the guest reviewers and those who follow and fav it, again Thank you for the support! For those dealing with weather disasters, illnesses, loss, and all of the above. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you lots of love and healing hugs. To everyone else I love you guys! Happy reading!

Cin XoXo

Disclaimer: EL James and sometimes SMeyer (I love to play with her characters but with my AU spin on them from my other story. Sorry folks I don't do Cannon ever. Like, Love it, Hate it…you have been warned ^^) own it all I'm just having fun with the characters, but the OC ones and story ideas are all mine.

CPOV

I might be hospital bound for the night, but that doesn't mean that I still can't keep an eye on things at home. Thanks to the wonders of technology I have the means on my laptop and phone.

I took my pain meds without any protest, but turned down any sedative flat. I get nightmares at times, more often than not when Ana's not sleeping in my arms. I loathe hospitals. They to this day still freak the hell out of me and bring back memories of the fire and burning. Yep, a nightmare is a given, so no sedatives wanted.

Jason is working while sprawled out on the couch in the room and Adam is parked outside my door. Neither one of them wish to incur the wrath of my moms, so no escaping for me. Ella's talking with Paul and Weston my primary care physician, but promised me that she'll be curled up in the easy chair after she's done. Weston has been my doctor since I grew out of the need for a pediatrician. Let's face it. You don't want your Mommy checking over your person after you hit nine, ten tops. He's a close friend of the family more like an Uncle and Elliot was already seeing him, along with the guys, so Mom didn't put up too much of a stink about it.

Why Dr. Marcus Weston is doing rounds this late, not a clue. Then again he is the best in Seattle, so that has him in high demand. Mom could have called him too. He seemed to know Ella and had her actually blushing. There's history there that's obvious. I don't know exactly how I feel about it, but Ella can more than handle herself, and Ana would geld me for sticking my nose in when I don't know what's going on.

Marcus is a good man, early forties. Never married. Mom's single friends and those in her circle have been after him for years and he doesn't even give any of them a passing glance. That wasn't the case a little while ago when Ella walked in, their eyes locked, and Ella actually blushed. I felt like I was intruding on something just being in the room. Though, after a moment or two they acted like nothing had happened. He introduced himself as my primary doctor and then after a few brief words. Wished me goodnight then turned to Ella and informed her that if she had any questions about the procedures that had been done that he was going to be around in the hospital for awhile and just have him paged. His card was given and then he left us.

Paul came in later to check on me and she had questions. Specific medical jargon that I hadn't clue one what they were saying came out of Ella's mouth. He offered to answer those questions while he was conferring with Marcus about my recovery.

Ella walked over kissed my forehead. Told me she'd be back in a bit, and I was left with even more questions. I would call in every favor that I have just to get my hands on her full background check, but to be honest I'm kinda terrified of her. Yeah, she's my birth mom, but she's got to be the, if not one of the top five deadliest females on the planet. Just when I think I know everything about her I find out that I haven't even scratched the surface. Was my birth mom having a secret hot affair with Marcus between ops? It sure felt and looked like it to me. How? I mean, where did they meet? There are a million questions that I want to ask and I am too chicken to even start.

Ana's gonna write a book on Ella's life or that's her plan anyway. Yeah, Good luck with that. Baby.

She brought me stuff from home, my tech, night clothes, robe, slippers, and clothes for when they let me leave, and even 'backup teddy' for me to cuddle from Teddy to keep the nightmares away. He's so much like Ana and her nurturing ways.

I need to get my mind off Ella and Marcus, so I fire up my laptop and click the program to access the CCTV footage at Grey Meadows. Six squares appear on my screen each LIVE feed for various rooms in the house.

Gail's enjoying a large glass of Welches finest in the kitchen and indulging herself devouring Ana's sinfully chocolate cake. She looks like she's been through the wringer.

"Jason? Gail's hitting the Welches and it's midnight." I shoot a look at Jason and he looks like he's trying not to laugh. What gives?

"Nothing alarming, Chris. It's just been a long one today and grape juice is the closest that she can get to wine." He clears his throat giving me his poker face, but his shoulders are a dead giveaway that there's more to this than he's letting on.

"What's going on at home?" I narrow my eyes.

"Nothing. All's quiet at the homestead. TJ and Chloe are in the theater watching a movie. Logan's chaperoning. He was stopping to collect Carrie and Chloe for Angel and found them playing in the snow instead of tackling it and his big brother instincts kicked into overdrive." Jason's evading, but I will find out what went down at home.

I click on the feed for the theater to check on the teenage lovebirds and it's showing me Baby brother cuddled up with a pretty girl who seems to favor colorful hair choices. Hers is streaked from what I can see. Logan's got his legs propped up on the back of their seat and is not even trying to watch the movie. What the hell were they doing that has big brother glowering at TJ?

"Teddy and Hope are all tucked in for the night…" He continues.

I change to the feed for Teddy's room, but he's not in his bed. "He's not in bed, Jason." I growl.

"You didn't let me finish. He's with Hope…" He grins.

I choose what Teddy calls the sky room and sure enough I find my son cuddle up with Hope in her princess castle bed. The pups are snoozing with the kittens at the foot of her bed.

What the hell?! "What happened to one kitten?" I glance sharply over at Jason.

"Teddy named the kittens Mage and Mystic and it's love for the pups…"

"Yeah, I can see them snuggling at the foot of her bed on the screen. What about Sophie?"

"Kismet had five kittens. Gabe, Ava, and Soph are all covered kitten wise. Give in this is a battle you can't even try to win. Think of this as karma for all the pets that you both rescued when you were kids." Jason is trying to get me to read the writing on the wall. The cats aren't going anywhere and to just live with it.

"Allergen free cats? Is that even possible?" I'm still on the fence.

"This breed is not unlike allergen free dogs. Russians and Maine coons are more like dogs than they are cats and they get along with dogs because of that quirk. They're also highly trainable and excellent family pets." He's spouting out the research to me and I haven't got a leg to stand on.

Cats plural! Fuck!

My phone pings and it's from Ana.

Babe, I know that you're still up, click on the link that I sent you! This is so cute! Ax

I glance at the time it's past midnight. We can't sleep unless it's with each other, but she needs to sleep while the babies let her.

Baby, sleep while the kids let you. Rest is key to your recovery and nurturing the babies. C :(

Me?! Speak for yourself, Babe. I'm not the one healing broken bones. I'm in the Great Room feeding Alex while Angel and Carrie feed Ari and Rory. Worry wort. Just click on the link that Carrie made for me. Please. A :P

Jason's not able to contain his laughter now at whatever he's looking at.

My guess is that it's whatever Ana wants me to see, so I check my messages on the laptop and click the link that she sent titled crazy antics and adorable. I'm rewarded with a home video compilation of this evenings CCTV footage.

Holy shit! The kittens love water?! I can't help but laugh along with Taylor at what's playing on my screen. Logan didn't stand a chance against four water loving fur balls! No wonder Gail's hitting the Welches and cake after midnight the whole house was a zoo. All that work to get it ready for the new family members dashed by four wet mischievous pets. Never in my wildest dreams did I think Max and Leo would willingly ever snuggle up with two felines, but the proof is there in front of me.

Hope and Teddy are too cute for words and so like Ana and I were at their age. She's bright enough to be a match for him that's for sure. Dr. Frost, Teddy's mental wellness doctor, has told us that he needed a balance to keep him grounded and I do believe that Hope is exactly what the good doctor ordered. They worked together in perfect harmony to catch the pups with treats and their favorite chew toys.

"You're getting old, Jason." I grin at him. "Out smarted by six month old pups."

"Hyper, wet, puppies will run anyone ragged. Age has nothing to do with it. They even exhausted the kittens. Logan didn't stand a chance in hell against four water loving pets." Jason rolled his eyes at me.

I watch as the kittens spy down at the babies from the safety of Ana and Angel's shoulders. Who needs a fur wrap when you have Mage and Mystic lounging across your shoulder? "How old are the kittens anyway, Taylor? A year?"

"Hardly, try six months if that, Chris." He shrugs.

Fucking hell? They're already the size of small dog and not even a year yet? How big are we talking here?

"They're a Russian/Maine Coon cross, so we're talking medium size dog or bigger when they reach their full size. They're also as intelligent as a poodle and as trainable as a dog." He ripped the bandage right off.

"Fucking fantastic. Gigantic dog sized trainable felines, well, we have plenty of room for them to prowl. Are they chipped like our pups?" I arch a brow.

"Chips with tracking just like all the family pets. More so with cats, they love to roam. Luke took care of that during their last vet visit." Jason nods.

"We'll see about invisible fence collars for them, can't have them getting lost." I sigh, resigned to the chaos of what was once my orderly castle. "See if we can get doors added to my shower. The tub isn't feasible, but I believe the shower can be modified."

"I'll check into it in the morning. Worst case, just fill the tub." He suggests.

"True, but they looked like they had shower envy in Teddy's bathroom." I point out the obvious.

"Stop focusing on the pets and watch Teddy with the babies. You're growling about a battle that you cannot possibly win." Ella makes herself known in the doorway.

"Mom, My entire household is turning into utter chaos and I thrive on order." I mutter under my breath.

"Yes, I know. You get that from me, however with children come endless challenges and pets happens to be on the top of that list." She settles herself into the easy chair and gets comfortable for the night.

"I never thought that cats were even a possibility, because we're severely allergic to felines. I got my OCD from you, good to know. Now as for the challenges part, Mia and I never had pets when we were with you that I can remember and I think that I would have remembered a fur ball even at two. So just to clarify here, exactly what context are you drawing from to back your lecture on childrearing?" I know that I'm being a snarky ass, but seriously lecturing me about raising my kids? It's too soon for that.

I'm still trying to process that Ella and my doctor have been…Nope not going there…Note to self. Start vetting a new Primary Care Doctor ASAP!

"We had fish…you and Mia were sensitive to anything with fur, so fish were the safer route. Momma and Gran had massive aquariums in all of the main rooms and in the bedrooms as well. Yours was a night light to keep the monsters away. Corals, bright colorful tropical fish, and even a few eels lived in your tank. You wanted a shark but then we told you that he'd eat the other fish in the tank and that changed your mind right quick. It was built into the wall between yours and Mia's room. She wanted it to have a princess castle and you wanted a pirate ship in yours. It was two aquariums, very complex. Gran and Momma arranged for them when you turned one. You also tended to bring up to the porch whatever your little fingers had discovered on the grounds. I had dealt with more than my share of surprises before you even hit two. That's the knowledge that I'm drawing from in giving you advice about dealing with pets and kids." Ella takes a moment before handing me my ass, in a calm, cool, motherly manner like she's dealing with a kid not a grown man.

"That explains my severe reaction to aquariums…" I shudder and blow out a breath that's one phobia that's always stumped me. Why I can't stand aquariums or that being around one causes me to have vivid flashes of the fire and often will trigger me to feel like my skin was on fire again. Mom and Dad had one when they first adopted me, but after me freaking out in a full-blown panic attack had it removed.

"That's why you have those flashes? They remind you of the fire?" Jason's brows raise at that little nugget of information.

"I can't even walk into a pet store, because of it…Teddy desperately wants fish like he's seen on TV, but that's a hard limit for me. I can't even be in the room when something like that is on the TV. I can fish with the rest of the guys, because that's not the same, but I grit my teeth when we put them in the holding tank. Flynn's tried to use hypnosis to break me of my phobia, but it's hardwired in my brain." I mutter under my breath. I hate weakness and that's one that has never made any sense until now.

"I got you bundled up in wet sheets after finally being able to reach your room. You were shielding Mia with your blanket…You were already getting burned from the fire and I had to get you out of there. You tried to wriggle out of my arms to go save them…you screamed at me while I got you and Mia out…It was too late the house was fully engulfed in flames, but you cried for your lost friends. It was heartbreaking and then to have me leave you and your sister must have wired your brain into believing that all aquariums were bad. All of those happy memories were erased by the pain and loss." Ella's barely keeping it together and her voice is breaking.

"I'm sorry. Grace was bringing you home finally from the pediatric burn ward and I wanted you to have something familiar. I suggested the aquarium…" She buries her face in her hands and breaks down into heart wrenching sobs. "I didn't know…"

"Mom…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to make you breakdown like this…" I'm helpless and can't even get out of bed to hug her like I so desperately want to right now. I can't even reach out to touch her, because the easy chair is by the window not the bed. "Please…you didn't know…" I croak out hoarsely. I need to rein it in or Ana's gonna clue in and hightail it back here regardless of the treacherous road conditions.

"Ella? I brought you some extra…" Marcus opens the door with his arms loaded with blankets, but drops them on the floor as soon as he sees that Mom's in emotional extremes.

"What the hell did you do, Christian?!" He's glaring murderously at me, after racing over and pulling her out of the chair and into his arms. "Well?! Answer the fucking question! Why the hell is she crying?!"

What the fuck?! Mom's got a shiny expensive rock on her left hand?! Well, shit! Like I wanted to break in another father & Doctor! He works fast or was he waiting for her to finally retire and that's why he remained dateless all these years. He was taken already! He's clearly gone over my mom to threaten me with Jason sprawled out on the couch and Welch outside the door.

"That's private between mom and me. We're going on a little over a month since she's been back in my life and with that comes emotional strife at times like this one. Mentioning a fear of mine led to answers to long unanswered questions and those questions and answers to them caused revelations that resulted in tears and unneeded guilt."

I shoot him my coldest CEO glare that usually results in immediate answers. "What the hell are you to my mother, Weston? You two just met this evening, yet you wanna kick my ass because she's crying about something that's frankly none of your fucking business!"

"Christian Alexander, not now." Ella's shooting me an identical glare and no longer crying. Shit! I got the mercurial mood swings from Mom too!

Fuck that shit! She's sporting a million dollar rock on her finger and I want answers now! "You weren't engaged when you left my room and now you are and I wanna know just how long Weston and you have been…"

"Don't even go there…" She shoots me a warning glare.

"Having intimate relations…" I ignore it.

"Nearly twenty-six years since we've met and started our relationship beginning with friendship, but most of our lives…I was an orderly during my breaks from Med-school when she was brought in after the attack. We struck up a close friendship, after not seeing each other for years, and I was there when you were born. Our families knew each other quite well, but Ella was always away at school. Our Grandparents encouraged our friendship and we kept in touch after you were born, but I was away at Harvard while she finished High School. I was an Intern starting my first rotation when she was brought to the burn ward at Seattle Northwest…the other, well, that's none of your business. She's my soulmate. As soon as the retirement paperwork was signed and filed I got the ring out of the safe and was waiting for the right moment. That's never going to happen anytime soon, so I chose carpe diem, and asked her over coffee while discussing her mule headed son." Marcus has her settled in his arms in the easy chair and is daring me to have an issue with him asking my mother to marry him over coffee and a patient consult.

"Fuck! This explains why you willingly volunteered to chaperone us all these years! You've been a part of our fucking lives since day one and said nothing…" I glower at my 'Uncle' this is just fucked up!

"My focus was on Ella and her recovery first and foremost. I wanted to adopt the two of you myself, but Grace and Carrick had already petitioned for that honor and Ella had already signed the paperwork, before we could even discus it. She believed that anyone connected to her was marked for death and her babies were her first priority. I wasn't established yet, still an intern, and it wouldn't have been easy on any of us, but I was willing to put the two of you both before my career. Grace and Carrick had both acclaimed and established careers and a son, making them the perfect fit to adopt you. I did have one ace in my pocket that could have put a wrench in their adoption application, but I never used it because Ella convinced me that the Grey's were the perfect fit and that you and Mia would thrive under their care..." Marcus is locking eyes with me and Ella is not happy that he's coming clean at all. Ace in his pocket that could stop Grace and Carrick from adopting Mia and me? The only way it could have been stopped was if a blood relative came forward to claim us as their own.

What the hell?! He had better not be saying what I think he is! I'll have Taylor take him out to sea and deep-six his ass! I'm glaring murderously at him.

"Damn it, Marcus!" Mom's ready to strangle him. "This is not how I wanted either of them to find out!"

"That I'm their biological Uncle and have looked after them since day one. Whether you liked it or not there was no way that I wasn't gonna be in my niece and nephews lives. Danger or no danger it was my risk to take and I took it. My brother was a sick son of a bitch and confessed all in his suicide note. All of his prat frats were vile evil monsters and deserve to burn in hell for eternity for how they preyed on innocent girls. For what they did to you! Hyde loved to watch, but those monsters…my twin brother…liked to do vile, unspeakable, things to innocent girls and you were their last victim. The nails to their coffin were already being struck home the second that they dared touch you. They had no idea that you were a Walker-James and when Hyde broke that to them they all went into hiding for their lives. My brother cleaned out his trust fund and headed to South America. All of them fled the country. None of them ever came home alive. All of them committed suicide, sans Hyde. He remained the last one standing until he received his poetic justice." Marcus is filling in the blanks to so many unanswered questions.

My phone rings and its Ana. Fuck! She's not skyping meaning that she's felt my rollercoaster of emotional hell and is speeding her way to me. "Chris, I'm on my way! The babies are all down for the next few hours. I've pumped and have the fridge supplied with my milk. I'm taking my Range Rover it can handle anything…"

"Anastasia Rose, I'm fine…" I glower at Taylor. Luke fucking dropped the ball!

"Save it for someone who that works on, Christian Alexander! You are anything, but fine! Teddy woke up demanding to see you and he's not taking no for an answer! He's so upset that he's not even zonked out in his car seat! Grace has cleared our way to see you, as soon as I park in the underground parking area! Wanda2 is by far the safest off-road vehicle period when it comes to tackling winter roads of any kind and I have taken every driving course there is! You are in extremes, so much so that even Teddy is tuning in! We will be there in thirty minutes or less, seeing as there is zero traffic at this time of night and because of the road conditions!" She hangs up on me and I hurl my phone so hard that it smashes against the wall.

My wife and son are speeding here at risk to their own lives, because Ella still thinks that Mia and I aren't capable of hearing about her life after the fire! To say that I am livid is the understatement of the century! I am nuclear level furious at being kept in the dark like a fucking child!

"How many other fucking secrets are you keeping from us, Ella?! How many were your eyes and ears!? How many of the suicides weren't?! Not that I give a fucking shit about those monsters and their demise! I saw it all! Fucking Hyde sent me those horrific home movies! Teddy walked into my fucking office and heard them! I can't ever un-see them in my head! All of them were wearing creep ass Joker masks, except for Hyde! How the hell did any of them get found?" I snarl through gritted teeth.

"DNA." Jason answers before either of them can. "Alexandra was one of my first clients. She had my team collecting evidence before the cops even stepped foot in the basement after the attack. She wanted justice and knew that senior had eyes and ears everywhere including the SPD. I had all of them tagged in less than twenty-four hours. My team was the best in the country, so the police had no choice, but to follow through with an actual investigation. This they couldn't tweak for the cartel, because I had them cold. We never ran a paternity test, because Ella refused to allow one. I wish that I could say that I persuaded them to end it, but that wasn't my task. Alexandra had relatives who took care of that for her that I was never in the know about. I lost five good friends that night three of them were brothers to me and Alex was like a mother and Aurora a little sister. When I say that I will always have your back, no matter what shit rains down on you it's because Ella's always been a niece to me and you two have always been mine to protect. Ray's my brother blood relation or not and Ana's mine too. It will be the same with Angel, Hope, Chloe, and Carrie. I protect what's mine at all costs. Marcus has patched up your mother more times than you can count on all of your digits. Not unlike how many times he's had to patch up you. He covered for you and your motley crew more times than not. Went and got you from a concert that you were banned from seeing. Drove you and Ana on your first date, because we were all swamped getting ready for Coping Together. Chaperoned your dances. Co-Coached little league, football, soccer, and basketball when you were in the peewee leagues. Carrick and sports besides hiking and fishing don't mix. Do I need to go on…?"

Fucking hell! Now Jason's handing me my ass! He's right though, Marcus has more than done his share of looking after us as an honorary uncle and close family friend. Ana will have my hide when she gets here for going nuclear on them.

I scrub my face with my good hand and resist the urge to start pulling my hair out. "Fine! I'm sorry! I was being an ass! But you have to make it official because going on twenty-six years is more than enough time to avoid taking the plunge. I'm shocked that you didn't give in and secretly elope! I'll even throw the party! We'll have a Frozen Christmas Wedding! Go catch up on quality time! Jason's here and Ana's not gonna leave my side…" My head is starting to come off and I've burned off my meds, so I am one big ache.

"What part of no sudden movement did you not understand, son. You're one massive bruise. How you're even moving defies the imagination, but then you're as resilient as my Ella and as stubborn." Marcus rolls his eyes at me in exasperation. I'm not exactly the model patient. I loathe hospitals.

"Let me go home, as soon as Ana gets here. It's not like you don't know the codes to the front gates. The walls are closing in on me…" I decide that seeing as he's stepping up to play the dad card and has basically all of my life that I can pull out all the stops to get me sprung from this room and home to my big comfortable bed, with my Ana.

"It's not like he isn't used to the drill, after going through it in October. It's just the other side this time round." Jason doesn't like hospitals any more than I do.

"You're alert…" Marcus gets out his penlight and blinds me while checking the reactions of my pupils. "No signs of head trauma and the CT scan was clear…"

"How old were you when you went to med school?" I try not to wince as he continues to poke and prod me.

"Young…" He checks my pulse.

"You're evading. Are we talking teens or younger?"

"I was a teenage Doogie Howser. I tested out of secondary and primary school when I was twelve. I was nineteen by the time I graduated from Harvard Med with top honors. Ella's two years younger than me. Practicing Medicine runs in the family and has for generations." Marcus is updating my chart and the one on his tablet.

"Doogie who?" I have no clue who he's talking about.

"Neil Patrick Harris played a character called Doogie Howser, only I was the real deal. Google it. I've gotta go see about getting you released. We'll talk about physical therapy tomorrow." He takes a sucker out of his pocket, unwraps it, and sticks it in my mouth, following that with a happy face sticker to the forehead. Then goes over and plants one hell of kiss on my mom, before striding out of my room.

"Is it ethical to have a relative as your main doctor?" I arch a brow at Jason.

"Kid, Grace is your mom and has never stopped being your main doc. So, yeah, Chris, looks like you're stuck with the two of them." Jason's going to give Adam and the others the heads up on me getting to go home. Leaving me and Mom alone.

Ella's eyeing me like I'm a ticking time bomb ready to go off if you make any sudden moves.

"Mom, it was just a lot to take in and this hasn't been the best twenty-four hours for me. I'm broken again. Ana's never gonna let me hear the end of it. My kid thinks that I enjoy getting broken. My honorary Uncle and Doc is actually my Uncle. He's been courting you since before I was born and you finally put the poor sap out of his misery and said yes." I carefully make room on my bed and motion for her to crawl in, so I can hug her.

She instead carefully sits on the bed and gives me a gentle hug and kiss on the forehead like she used to do when I was little. It makes me feel warm inside. "He didn't ask. I had my hand on the table and before I could blink it was there and Paul gave him hell because that was the worst proposal ever, as he didn't actually propose. Then again he's asked every year since I turned eighteen and it's always different. He's run out of ways, so times up. He misses you guys and has been staying clear while we bonded. He gave me a month to tell you and Mia and the family. Today was times up. The answer has always been yes and he has to be the most patient suitor in modern history. Half of his vacations were anything, but holidays. Marcus and Grace were the only ones I trusted and either of them dropped everything to see to my treatment. Those spur of the moment medical conferences that both attended when you were growing up and in college. Try patching me up again. I was relentless on my mission and tended to take unnecessary risks if it was just me on the hunt. They gave me a team to rein me in and added Logan to make sure of it. I would never risk others, not if I could help it to achieve vengeance. Logan's just as wild and reckless as I am, but we've always taken down the monsters. This was the only mission that went south to the point of losing half the team, by no fault of our own. The only positive is that the Director is under investigation and will face charges. Logan's and my deposition will make certain that he's going to pay for his actions."

"Now you can focus on family, friends, and relaxing." I hug her close. Fuck. Counting back in my head, going by memory, she's been patched up more times than I wish to even fathom. "I love you, Mom." I kiss her forehead.

Well, hell, there goes the water works again! I gently pat her back with my good hand while she cries against my shoulder. "I love you more than the moon and the stars in the sky, baby boy."

Now, I'm leaking! She used to say that to me when I was little and it flashes clear as day in my head. More and more happy memories long buried come flooding back and I'm crying like one of the kids. "I love you more than chocolate, candy, ice-cream, and all the treats ever, Momma." I mummer hoarsely in her ear and she carefully sits up and stares happily into my eyes.

"You remember?" She sobs out, these are happy, happy tears.

"Everything…" I nod, managing a watery smile. It also brings back memories of Gran and Nana and how much Mia and I loved them. "I miss them so much, Momma…" I sob like a baby in her arms.

"They would have been over the moon with pride at what you've accomplished in such a short amount of time. You are so much like Gran in so many, many, wonderful ways. Momma was happier with her causes and charities than running JWET. You get that from her the wanting to save the world. Daddy was more driven and ran JWET with Mac more than Momma did. You get a lot of the drive, we both do, from Daddy and Gran." She carefully rocks me in her arms and kisses my head. "Happy, memories, baby boy. No more sad ones. Only good from now on." She croons.

Ana and Teddy must have just arrived and can hear me blubbering like a baby, because she rushes in with Teddy in her arms.

"Babe! What's wrong? What's going on? Why are you both crying?! Marcus said that you're clear to come home, as soon as gets the discharge paper work in order. Holy crap, is Ella sporting engagement bling? Is that why you got so upset?" She's firing off questions at lightning speed and doesn't even pause when Teddy wriggles out of her arms and makes a mad dash to me and mom.

Ella scoops him up and gets him settled in the crook of my good arm. "Daddy needs a hug, Teddybear." She kisses the top of his head.

"Where's backup Teddy? He's suppose to make you safe and not scared? Mommy! Find Daddy backup Teddy, please! Uncle Jason didn't give it to him and he needs it really bad!" My little guy is gonna take a strip off Jason if I don't bail him out of this.

I produce backup Teddy from the covers and he instantly calms down to a confused frown. "Easy, Teddybear, he's right here."

"Then why are you crying?" His cure all for everything, his plushies isn't working and he's lost.

"Daddy's had a lot happen to him in a short amount of time and it all caught up with him at once. I'm not even sure that a Teddy could keep the tears away right now, baby boy." Ana croons to him, as she carefully peels off the happy face sticker from my forehead.

The sucker I trashed, as soon as he left the room. It was candy apple, yuck! He gave that one to me on purpose! I saw the cherry, orange, and grape sugar free ones in his lab coat pocket.

"These are happy tears, not sad ones." I kiss his forehead and he burrows against me with the bear in his arms. "Daddy remembered some happy memories from when I was small just like you." I croon softly, now that he knows that I'm safe and it's all good, he's out like a light.

Ana get's settled in the chair beside the bed. "Who's the lucky guy and where have you been keeping him?"

"We've known him all of our lives. He's my Doctor. Try over twenty-six years. Oh, and here's the best part. He's my Uncle. Mom's been leaving him hanging since she turned eighteen. He let Grace and Carrick adopt us, but remained in our lives so there is that little gem. You know how you always joked that he was testing out his Dad skills on us growing up, well, that's exactly what he was doing. He and Mom have also been secretly jetting off to patch up Ella when she was injured enough to warrant it and their cover was those spur of the moment medical conferences. We're throwing them a Frozen Christmas Wedding in the backyard." Ana jumps up and runs over to give Ella one of her I am so happy for you hugs. She'd be jumping up and down squealing with glee, but Teddy's sleeping so she'll do that tomorrow, along with all the other females.

"I'm so happy for you both. Jose and Andrea are miracle workers when it comes to creating dream weddings. They've done Chris and me. Andrea and Barney. Jose and Paul. Elliot and Kate. Luke and Hanah. Mia and Ethan. Ryan and Sara are next and Logan and Sam when he finally grows some and asks her and she says yes. Not that they'll even get a chance those two will be in Vegas hours after she says yes. We'll make it happen. We've got Tyler Crowley and his crew coming in the morning to set it all up for us or that's the plan if the snow ever stops. The plane's grounded in Aspen, so the trees are on standby. But we've got twelve days to get it all done. The creator of this mindboggling Christmas outdoor lighting extravaganza assured me that her crew can work under any conditions that snow isn't a problem at all." Ana's been busy while at home.

"Have Jason and Adam cleared this Crowley and his crew?" I arch a brow.

"I know them and they aren't a threat." Ella answers soothingly. "His boss was the fellow that built Grey Meadows and Mia's dream Victorian."

"Yet another mystery that you refuse to fill in the blanks for." I sulk.

"Let's just say that his clan have been friends of the family for generations and leave it at that. Two of the boys are teens and star extreme athletes, so I've given Gail fair warning that she's gonna be feeding high metabolisms. One has been drafted into it and he's their big brother and a Vet by trade. With him and the boys usually come two brilliant young ladies that Teddy will adore, as they happen to be very similar in nature. One in particular has an eidetic memory as well and focuses on art and music more than academia. Her partner in crime is also quite brilliant and a musical prodigy as well. Brilliance and gifts run high in their family. We may just be graced with the designer herself, but then she's a free spirit and does what she pleases. One minute it could be fashion, the next a big event." She's being on purposely vague and its driving me nuts.

"Not even a first name or a clue?" I grumble.

"The boys are Olympic winter games champions. The girls attended Julliard as well as the Sorbonne before they even turned sixteen. Their big brother WSU and he specializes in exotic animals as well as domestic and graduated in six years top of his class. Tyler graduated from UW with an architectural engineering degree and his wife is a specialist in natural medicine. Tyler's boss loves to build things as well as tear them down and is unusually strong, but brilliant at what he does. His wife is a lawyer. Nope already gave you enough about the designer, her husband is a tech-head as well as a troubleshooter of sorts. Loves to dabble in technology and is a councilor to youth." Ella muses as she taps her chin.

With no dates to go by this gives me nothing, not really.

"Her brother excels at whatever he sets his mind to, as does his wife. The oldest brother enjoys protecting the vast outdoors and his wife could give Ethan a run for his money. Their parents are out of this world and one of a kind. Though, Grace and Carrick come a close second. Our family has been close with theirs for generations and one of them is a direct relation to our family tree. The list is long and their family is vast, but that gives you something to sink your teeth into."

"Come on, momma! A last name at least!" I whine in frustration.

"One more clue and that's it, baby boy. Two of them have given you healthy competition." She kisses my forehead and scoots off the bed then bolts out the door with that parting shot. "I'll leave you to help get him ready to go."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I am pouting like Teddy when he's denied a cookie before dinner.

Ana carefully takes Teddy and gets him settled on the couch. "She gave you so many brilliant clues, now all you have to do is piece it all together. Let's get you ready to go home. Do you want to change or we can just get you bundled in your robe, coat, and cozy Prada moccasins? We're leaving using the underground parking area, so you won't be exposed to the elements."

"Baby, I ache from the roots of my hair down to my toenails, even the thought of having to change makes me want to whimper like a baby. I burned through my pain meds…all I wanna do is go home, crawl into our bed, and hold you and Teddy."

I file away that it's obvious that she knows or has an idea as to the identity of the individuals that Ella was giving me vague clues about and I will persuade her to reveal all to me that you can bank on, but all I want is to go home and get the hell out of here. The rest can wait.

Hope you loved it and that it was worth the wait. Thanks Shalonda33 for giving me that extra push…

Sorry about the longer wait, but I've been roasting alive with this endless summer heat and suffering from allergies from hell, so writing wasn't priority. Meds and keeping cool came first. Can't really type when you're in a medically induced fog…

Cin xoxox