APOV

"Well look who's back" Kate greeted me as I walked into the surgery.

"Yes, it's lovely to be back in the Seattle drizzle, who needs 90degree heat anyway" I smiled, hugging my sister.

"Me, I need some heat" Mia sneezed, wiping her nose on a hankie.

"Why are you here and not in bed," I asked, hugging Mia too.

"If I'm at home then Ethan will catch it and he's worse than the boys when he's sick."

Tell me about it. Put a gun in Christian's hand and he's lethal. Pass on a few germs and he has the deadliest flu known to man and cannot move an inch.

"Rest anyway. If you need a doctor, there are a few around here that you can choose from."

"I know" she smiled.

I said hello to Chelsea, our receptionist before making my way into my office. I switched on my computer and opened the blinds, letting some light into the room before taking a seat at my desk.

The mail had piled up but it was quickly dealt with. The amount of junk mail I have is ridiculous but it all gets filed in the bin.

My computer beeped, announcing the arrival of my first patient so once I had everything ready, I went out to greet them.

"Willow McKay" I called out, seeing a little head pop out from her mother's arms. "Hello little girl, are you not feeling well."

I received a little shake of her head before she buried her face back into her mother's hair. They followed me back to my office where I showed them a seat.

"How long has she been like this" I asked.

"She started yesterday morning with what we thought was a cold as her brother had just gotten over one but she's really tired and she has a few spots."

"Where are these spots," I asked being shown her stomach.

I checked that is wasn't anything serious before going back to my first thought.

"Has she been near anyone who has chickenpox."

"There was a little boy in her playgroup last week who wasn't too well, same symptoms as Willow but I haven't spoken to his mother since. My son had them a few years ago but apart from the cold, he has been fine."

Looking back to Willow, she had obviously had enough by now and was sleeping in her mother's arms. I prescribed some infant paracetamol and some lotion to put on the spots before they were on their way home.

I remember when my children had chickenpox. Poor Luca was covered from head to toe while the others had a handful of spots between them. Lucy had just turned two and it was one of the times which made me think of my childhood. I had no idea if I had chickenpox as a child. Claire remembered I was sick when I was about three and my mother mentioning a rash I had but as she didn't see us for a couple of weeks after that, she didn't know. I never got it with the children so who knows, maybe I had already had it.

My next patient was an 80-year-old man, suffering from pains in his legs. After he told me he still went running with his son, I can understand why. If I'm jogging when I'm 80, I will be happy.

Since Eamon semi-retired a few years ago, my workload had grown but so had our staff. I still did a children's clinic on a Tuesday but the other days I'm here, it's mixed now.

My phone vibrating on the desk at lunch, had me reaching for it. My husband's smiling face greeting me. Christian had been in Portland this morning, leaving before I was even up, although he had kissed me breathless before he left.

"Hey, how's Portland," I asked, answering the call.

"Dull as dishwater or the parts I have just been to are. I just wanted to let you know that I'm back in Seattle. I will get Luciana from school."

"You mean you want to check out the boys" I laughed.

"Princess, nothing against that but I'm only interested in women or one woman, in particular, should I say."

"I should hope there is only one woman in your life" I teased.

"Only you Princess, only ever you. Now about this boy that I need to look out for," he said, making me laugh.

A boys name out of our daughter's mouth and my husband practically has a heart attack.

"Stow your gun, Mr Grey. If you had heard the whole conversation before panicking, instead of the little bit you overheard. You would know that the boy our daughter mentioned likes Nicole and not Lucy. There will come a day though when you will have to let her grow up."

"Not happening, Ana. She wants to be a doctor, no boy is getting in the way of that."

"Luciana will become whatever she wants to be and I hope one day that she will have someone as supportive as I have, by her side. She's a Grey Christian. No one will ever stop her doing what she wants to do" I said.

"Ok when she's 25, she can date."

"Let me ask you this. If my life had been different and I had grown up with my parents. We would've met at some point in time, maybe when we were children. Would you have waited until I was 25 to ask me for a date?"

"That's different Ana," he said quietly. "I knew the second I met you, that you were it for me, that you would become my whole world."

"You're my world too Christian, but what would you have done if my Dad had said no."

"I would've had us elope the first second I could. Shit, I need to hire extra security for Lucy."

I was laughing, hearing my husband's meltdown on the phone.

"She's fine Christian, believe me, if someone was making her uncomfortable or pressurising her, I would be wading in first."

"I know Ana."

My intercom beeped then, letting me know that my next patient was here.

"I will see you at home Christian. I love you, silly man."

"Your silly man. I love you too."

With that, we ended the call and I continued the day.

…

Opening the front door, I kicked my shoes off as soon as I could. My feet were used to sandals or warm sand underfoot, not the heals I wore here.

I walked into the kitchen, to Christian and Lucy laughing as they stirred what they were cooking.

"That smells delicious, what are we having."

"Dad's making us spaghetti and meatballs."

"Dad is," I said, hugging my daughter before receiving a kiss from my husband.

"Yep, I'm assisting but Dad has cooked it all."

"I look forward to eating it then. Are the boys in" I asked, walking to the back door where there were four large dogs, their noses squashed up against the glass.

"Luca is with Oriella, he called before. Her Mum is being a bitch" Lucy said.

"Luciana," I said shocked, nearly getting knocked over by the dogs in their rush to get to me. Each had their ears scratched and a pat before they sat down. I have been doing the same routine for over 25 years and I hope I will be doing it for some time to come.

"What, I'm only repeating what Luca said."

"I think your allowance will be topping up the swear-jar," Christian said.

"That's fine Dad, I'm not going out this weekend. You can add my money when you put yours in."

I barked out a laugh, taking the tea from Christian's hand before having a seat at the breakfast bar.

"Where are the other two."

"Theo was still at the club when I left earlier and Matteo is upstairs."

"Not any more," Matteo said, hugging me. "Hi, Mum."

"Hi son, how's your arm."

"Its fine mum, really," he said, kissing my forehead before he took a seat next to me.

"That smells nice, hold on who cooked it," Theo asked, looking shocked at his father by the stove.

"Your Dad is cooking, I'm having a night off so we can all enjoy dinner together."

"Is it edible?" Matteo asked.

"This is why I don't cook" Christian said, sounding offended.

"Boys lay the table before you upset your Dad. Christian what can I do."

"Sit down and rest."

I did just that. Dinner was delicious, much to the annoyance of my boys who I think wanted to wind their Dad up. When they asked for seconds, the smug look on my husband's face said it all.

As Christian and Lucy had cooked, it was up to the boys to do the dishes on their own. Christian took my hand and led me down towards the water, hearing the patter of paws following behind. Gizmo looked longingly through the gate at the water beyond but there was no way I was bathing one dog tonight let alone four so I picked up the ball that had been left on the grass, throwing it to which four dogs chased after.

"I think Hugo might need staining," Christian said.

"Probably, he has been out here long enough."

We were looking at a wooden replica of our dog. Theo had brought it home from high school, having made it in woodwork class with his teacher. It was a lot smaller than my old friend but he had been so proud when he had first shown it to us and now it lays outside where my friend fell asleep.

"Have you thought any more about what we talked about in Italy" Christian asked me, bringing my hand to his lips.

"About the Garcia's" I asked.

"No, I mean about you being my Consigliere."

I stopped, turning to face him and he looked down to me.

"You're serious," I asked.

"Deadly."

"Then I'm there. I will always be by your side Christian, in whatever capacity you want me to be. Well unless you want me to hang about drinking with the boys and watching the girls on the stage. Although I am pretty good on a pole."

"Don't I fucking know it. Sweet Jesus Ana, I don't think my heart or my cock could handle seeing you up there again."

I laughed being pulled into his arms as his mouth crashed down onto mine. Christian's scent as always drew me in, his taste uniquely him.

I worked hard with a dancer for my husband's fortieth birthday, not one from the club as that would have felt weird. A lap-dance was something I had done to drive Christian crazy many times before but getting on a pole took a lot of time and energy. The place had been cleared, cameras turned off and even though I know there are naked dancers in the club all the time, that night it was just us. I could've put a pole up at home but I don't think the kids would've believed the idea that it was necessary to keep the ceiling from coming in. I also wanted the atmosphere that was there, the lights, the music but just for us. Dressed in lingerie along with stockings and stilettos, I had seduced my husband, driven him wild before he had taken me back to his office and lay me over his desk. It was well and truly christened that night and the party of two certainly continued when we got home.

"No talk of Poles when the kids are around Ana please, it creates a problem."

"We do have your fiftieth coming up, I will have to think of something to top forty."

"You and me naked together, perfect birthday for me. We also have Theo's 21st that night and they were talking about going to the club."

"Are the twins going, they won't be of age."

"Since when does of age mean anything in this family," he asked.

"Remember you said that when Lucy asks to go too."

"Anaaaa."

I could hear his growl as I ran back to the house, the dogs hot on my heels.

"Mum phone for you," Luca said, bringing my phone out onto the terrace.

"Who is it," I asked.

"Kelly."

I took it from him, taking a seat.

"Hi, Kelly what can I do for you."

"Hi, Ana, sorry to bother you at home. I meant you catch you at the surgery."

"It's fine Kelly, is everything ok."

"I wanted to ask if you could do a favour for me, doctor to doctor."

"Sure, if I can."

"I have a patient due to be released Thursday afternoon and he needs a doctor in the community. His parents don't exactly have the best health insurance but this little boy will need someone when he gets out. They live over in Sea-tac and I know that's not your usual area but you're the best paediatrician I know."

I looked to Christian who had taken a seat opposite, probably wondering why I was getting a call at home.

"Pen and paper" I mouthed as he got up to go inside, coming back less than a minute later with what I had requested.

"Do you have contact details and an address and I can see them Friday morning before I go to the bakery."

"Thank you, Ana, you're a lifesaver. They're good people. The ones I usually get told off for, for looking at the sick child first before the insurance details."

"I don't envy you. That was my constant battle when I was there."

We continued to speak for a few minutes as Kelly told me about this little boy's medical condition. Christian had taken the paper from me and I don't think he was too happy with the address.

"I will send you a message when I have seen him."

"Thanks, Ana" with that we hung up.

"What's wrong Christian, you look like you're chewing a wasp."

"What's going on Ana, why do you have an address for Sea-tac."

If my husband is asking questions about where my work takes me, then there must be a reason.

"Kelly asked me to take a little boy on who's being discharged on Thursday. What wrong with Sea-tac" I asked.

"Who's going to sea-tac," Theo asked, joining us on the terrace.

"Your mother."

"Will someone tell me what is wrong with that area."

"Do you remember when I told you about the cars being stolen and stripped-down Mum" Matteo said, joining us. This conversation was turning into a family meeting.

"Yes. You burnt their garage to the ground and the guy said he was going to get his revenge, only to be found floating in The Puget Sound face down, shortly after."

"Can I have your memory Mum" Luca asked.

"I'm like an elephant, I never forget. Remember that next time you do something wrong, now stop changing the subject. What has that got to do with Sea-tac."

"The garage was in Sea-tac. No one has dared to start it up again but there are still some in the area that are pissed because we ruined their business. The garage is a couple of blocks from this location" Christian told me.

"What am I supposed to do then. Tell a little boy that he can't have a doctor because she's not allowed in the area" I asked them all.

"No, you take your eldest son with you" Theo smiled. "We can drop Lucy off at school and then I will take you. With David and Ian as well, I don't see any problems although back up on standby might be advisable."

"You make it sound like we're going into a war zone. Do you really think there will be a problem?" I asked Christian.

"No Ana, I don't. It's just everyone knows I'm married, even our enemies."

"Ok" I sighed "It will give us a chance to talk about your birthday Theo, about what you want to do."

"We have over a month until that mum, no rush."

"Yes, but I have your dads 50th to plan too."

"Don't forget you can quiz him about any girls he's seeing."

"Lucy please" Theo complained, as I laughed with my daughter.

"Now there's an idea. Thank you, son, for coming with me" I kissed his cheek before I made my way inside.

…

Christian and I were sat watching the evening news when the buzzer went for the main gate. Before long the phone rang which Christian picked up.

"Thanks" was all he said before it was put back down. "My parents are on the way up."

"Grandma and Granddad are here, cool" Lucy smiled from the dining room table where she had all her homework laid out. Her first day back and she's already laden down with work. I think I got what she has received today in a week never mind the first day. Lucy works her way through it though, the only noise in there is the constant snores at her feet.

Christian extracted himself from me to go and meet his parents.

"What do we owe the honour of a visit from the Senator and his lady wife" I laughed, getting up to greet Grace, one of my oldest friend.

"We needed normality from balls and brown-nosing idiots. I think my face has stuck from all the smiling I have to do for the press."

"Smile and wave Grandma, smile and wave," Lucy said, having us all laughing before she was wrapped up in her grandparent's arms.

"How long are you back for," I asked them.

"A while now. I want to sleep in my own bed and hear myself think."

Grace and Carrick greeted the boys who came down from their rooms. I keep waiting for one of them to move out but I think they get too well fed here and they will never leave. The only one who has another place is Theo for when he works late in the city but apart from that, they're all still here. We did buy the house next door for when they grew up and wanted a bit of freedom but as of yet, it remains empty.

We left Christian and Carrick to talk as Grace and I went into the kitchen to make a drink. We still have Gail who works for us along with Dulcie, but evenings are for family and that is the way it's been for a long time.

"How's the bakery doing."

"It's good, are you missing it," I asked.

"Like you wouldn't believe. I know Carrick became Senator to piss the ruling bodies of this city off and to help Christian out but being surrounded by the fake and nasty wife's, I just want to get Carrick's gun and be done with the lot of them."

"Do you have to go to the functions a lot."

"I think there is one every night. How they get anything done I don't know but Carrick said unless it's something that benefits us or Washington State, he is staying home and will work from here."

"I don't envy you. I know the number of functions and parties I have attended over the years with Christian, have made my eyes roll. It's fun to shock the hell out of some of the men when I strike up a conversation and they have to speak to me or face my husband's wrath."

"I know, you're also probably the only wife of a mafia boss on this planet that works. Most are expected to look pretty and smile. You have the brains to take over if you need to, then again it's in your blood."

"Thank fuck for that. I didn't want to marry a dummy, have a bimbo on my arm. I wanted someone who would challenge me" Christian said, placing a kiss upon my lips.

"Ana has certainly pulled you up on your shit over the years" Carrick laughed.

"That's why my wife is taking your job," Christian told him, bringing a smile to Carrick's face.

"I can't think of anyone else who could do it better."

"How's Mum going to be a Senator," Lucy asked, placing the swear-jar on the counter.

They know the drill. I'm surprised my children are not foul-mouthed sailors, the amount of swearing around here everyone does.

"She's not. Your mother is going to be my Consigliere."

"No shit. That's cool," Theo said before Lucy shook the jar under his nose too.

"Hold on, how involved is Mum going to be," Matteo asked us.

"Don't worry son, I won't be hanging around the club and cramp your style, although I might pop up there when you least expect it, keep you on your toes. I will be your Dad's adviser when he needs me and if I'm needed at the club, I will be there. We need rules though."

"Name them Ana."

"This role is just an advisor right."

"Yes, it is."

"I will advise as best I can but I know that Carrick, you would be a spokesperson between our family and others. I don't want to be put in that position."

"You won't Ana, shit I would never put you out there like that. This is an advisory role, one that can be us just talking at home in the evening but there may be one or two meetings which will be just within our men, where I need you there. I know you work, harder than anyone I know and I don't want anything to come before that. Unless it's urgent, everything will be kept to the evening. If it's too much though."

"Shush," I said, putting my finger to Christian's lips. "Does this mean I would be a Made Woman then?" I asked.

"You have been since the day you were born," Carrick told me.

I wasn't nervous to take on this new role, Christian has always talked about everything he could to me anyway so it will be no different than it is now in that aspect.

Sitting down at the table with the men will be something new. Many I have known for years but there is always new blood coming in as Christian calls them. Many I have yet to meet. I just hope for their sake they don't object to a woman at the table because with my husband and sons there also, it will be the last thing they do.

Thank you for reading.

Until next time.

Caroline.