APOV

"Christian" I mumbled, hearing his phone ring from the bedside table.

He was wrapped around me like we slept most nights and hearing his name, Christian only pulled me in tighter. Christian doesn't get enough sleep as it is but as the ringing soon stopped, it wasn't long before it started again.

"Hello" I mumbled, trying to rouse myself.

"Ana… it's Jason. Can I speak to Christian please?"

"Yes, if I can wake him."

I felt his lips kiss my head before Christian took the phone from my hand. No longer needed, I settled back down onto my pillow.

"I hope this is important….Really" Christian said, sitting up.

He looked over towards the clock seeing it was just after three am.

"Keep him there, I will be there soon… Ok."

I raised an eyebrow to Christian, wanting to know what was going on. It isn't the first time he has left in the middle of the night but it didn't mean I would let him leave easily.

His eyes followed the movement of my hand as I lowered the sheet, revealing my breast beneath.

"You're leaving me in bed at this time of the morning, all alone."

"You're not making it easy to go Princess."

Pulling the sheet completely off, he revealed my naked body to him. Christian climbed back onto the bed, covering my body with his own.

"I didn't plan on it" I said, wrapping my legs around Christian's waist, pulling him in closer. When he took my breast into his mouth, his teeth gently scraping my nipple, my back arched into him.

Christian quickly moved into position, pushing inside me as his lips crashed against mine.

"Fuck Princess, you feel amazing" he groaned into my shoulder as his thrusts continued.

"You're going to be late."

"Don't give a shit… do that again."

I had squeezed his cock with my pussy, something that I knew drove him wild. The pleasure we were both feeling, had his movements picking up.

By the time we came together, we were both a sweaty mess.

"You have to go" I panted, pulling his lips back to mine.

"Yes, someone has come forward who knows where Garcia moved too."

"Go then, stay safe."

"I will Ana, I will be back as soon as I can."

I watched him dress, kissing my lips before he left our bedroom. Pulling the sheets back around my body, I turned on my side and tried to fall asleep again.

…

Christian hadn't returned when I made Lucy and I breakfast. The boys were gone too so they were obviously with their father.

"What time is Dad back" she asked.

"I don't know Lucy, Theo was supposed to be coming with me this morning. I'm going to get a shower, get dressed. If they're not back, we will have to make other plans."

I left her feeding half her pancakes to Sprout and headed into the shower. I had finished washing my hair when his arms wrapped around my waist.

"I thought I was going to Sea-tac alone" I said, his lips on my neck, biting gently.

"Don't even think about it Ana. I'm sorry we didn't make breakfast, it smelt delicious."

"It was. There are pancakes in the warmer unless Lucy has given Sprout your share. Where did you go."

"The warehouse."

"Oh no, who did you kill" I asked, hearing his laugh.

"No one Princess, we just had a little talk that's all."

I turned around to face Christian, wanting to know what was going on. I picked his hands up, all his knuckles were clean so he hadn't been speaking with his fists.

"No one hit anyone Ana. Our visits to Salem had obviously ruffled a few feathers so to speak but also brought a surprising result. Nick who runs one of our clubs in Portland was approached by a man yesterday evening who was looking for us."

"Us as in the family. We're not exactly hiding Christian."

"I know that but he had his reasons not to come to us directly here."

"What do you mean."

"Back when the Garcia's were in Salem they had a little protection racket going on. One of those businesses was this man's mother. She had a small bakery not dissimilar to your own when you started out and couldn't afford what they wanted. They trashed the bakery, ruined her livelihood, breaking his mother's arm in the process. He was twelve at the time and was helpless, being made to watch what they did. When Elliot an Ethan went down, there was an old man who had been too worried to speak to us but obviously not afraid to speak to him. Micali, said he spent years wanting his revenge on the Garcia's trying to find them. He did, he found them but one man against the organisation that the Garcia's once had would be suicide so he tried to get evidence and give it to the police instead."

"Did he go to the police."

"No, seeing Garcia snr laughing with the cop you were going to see put an end to that."

"I remember when those two guys came in that the Lupo's sent wanting protection money when I was setting up the bakery, that was bad enough. Hurting a mother in front of a child though, that's sick" he wrapped his arms tightly around me as I pushed away the thoughts of my own mother being hurt, focusing on her smile and the fun things we did together. "Where is Garcia."

"A town called Dalton, just over the border. We already have a team on the way, do some sniffing around. He might be gone by now but it's a place to start."

"Why did you have to meet in the middle of the night then."

"Nick brought him to Seattle, Micali said it was the only time he could come down. His mother is sick, in the hospital down there and he tries and spends time with her every day. As it's just the two of them, if he didn't turn up because she was here, she would worry and he didn't want that. It's just another lead that hopefully will lead us somewhere. Lorenzo has looked this kid up, his story checks out and he's clean. Now he's checking into this location as well."

"You must be very scary Mr Grey, as few are brave enough to want to meet with you face to face. They all go running."

"Our name carries a lot of weight around here, add in who we associate with also and you're right, most stay out of the way. Micali is very brave but I can understand his reasoning. Mothers are to be treasured and protected."

"We are" I smiled, kissing his lips before I stepped out of the shower.

I dressed while Christian continued his shower before he joined us in our bedroom, I made sure my locket was in place, keeping my mum with me at all times.

"What are you hiding in there" I asked as Christian opened the drawer on my puzzle box, placing an envelope inside.

"Just some spare change, if you need it."

From the thick envelope, if that was the change I would like to see what the hell he bought.

"Do we have a new car outside then."

"No, I just picked up some money from one of our guys while I was out. I thought I would put some money in the box but you haven't even touched the last envelope I put in there."

"I did, I took a $100 for the last school trip that Lucy went on. I didn't have it on me."

I laughed, seeing the look on this face, knowing the hundred I took was nothing to what he had put in there.

When we arrived downstairs, the boys were already polishing off the breakfast I had made, leaving their Dad with barely anything.

"I will remember this next time you want me to share my tiramisu."

"Your tiramisu" Theo laughed. "Mum makes it."

"Yes, she makes it for me. You can all have what I decide to leave."

"Christian, before this turns into world war three about who gets the last Cannoli, which will be me by the way. What would you like for breakfast."

"I'm fine Ana" He laughed. "I will get something when I'm out. You have to leave soon if you're going to get Lucy to school before your appointment, although I could drop her off."

"We have to go past school anyway, besides you should all be getting some sleep."

"We will sleep later Ana."

"Ok, Lucy have you got everything you need."

"Yes, it's by the door."

Christian walked us to the car, holding my door open for me to get in.

"Go back to bed Christian."

"I will later, love you" he said, leaning in for a kiss.

"Love you too."

I left Christian, Luca and Matteo to clean up after breakfast as we headed towards the school.

"Dad won't get any sleep until you're at the bakery Mum. He hates the unknown" Theo said.

"I know."

"I have Gym class first" Lucy groaned. "Can't I come with you."

"No" Theo and I said together as we pulled up to the school with Tyler pulling in behind us.

He would go in the school with her, into the security office and they cannot refuse. It wouldn't make a good impression for the Senators granddaughters safety to be compromised. That and her father and I would rain hell down on them if something happens to our little girl.

We walked Lucy towards the front office, making sure she was inside with Tyler before we were soon on our way to Sea-Tac.

It was a lovely warm day today so the window was down a little bit, letting fresh air into the car.

"Have you decided what you want to do for your birthday" I asked Theo.

"I don't know, it's Dad's 50th as well. I would like to go to the club, maybe later on. I would like Dad to be there but I also know that he will want to be with you mum. I want you at my birthday as well."

"Ok that's fine, I can work with that."

"Ok. how do you collect all those different conflicting details and say ok."

"I'm female, we can multitask. Now apart from the club, do you want a big party."

"No. I don't want a party where the whole organisation and their uncle comes. I would like a drink with my friends at the club but maybe do something with the family during the day."

"What about a family dinner then. Your grandparents will be over but I don't think Great Granddad will be dancing. What am I saying, he will probably be the first up."

"I like that mum" he laughed. "Family meal, spend the day as a family and then do something in the evening. Do I get cake."

"Is that a stupid question" I laughed. My children will eat whatever comes from the bakery but only I'm allowed to make their birthday cakes.

We pulled off the highway and Theo sat taller, more focused on the area we were in. He already had the address programmed into the sat nav so he knew where we were headed.

"What are we doing for Dad's birthday."

"The only thing your Dad has asked for is some alone time, don't cringe" I told him, taking his mind off the streets we were now driving through.

"What have you planned."

"If we're having a family meal, we can have two cakes there as long as you don't mind celebrating it with your Dad" his shaking head gave me my answer. "After dinner, I will take Lucy home and you can all head to the club. I will meet your Dad later."

"Sound perfect mum."

"I can't believe my baby boy is going to be 21, you're growing up too fast" I smiled as we turned onto the road.

"Not too fast. Dad had better not be planning on retiring anytime soon. I'm not ready for the roll of Boss yet, not for a long time."

"Oh, you might find your Dad collecting his pension and still running around with a gun."

"Fine by me. I have learned so much from him already but I still know there is so much more I need to know."

"One day when you're ready Theo. He would never force you to take on that roll, beside he enjoys it too much. When your Dad decides Lucy is old enough to date and gives his full permission, then plan for that day."

"Hell doesn't freeze over very often so I have a long while yet" He laughed as we pulled up outside a small house, a swing set in the garden to the side.

"Looks normal."

"Sometimes they are son. Not everyone is trying to take our family out."

"I know, but we can never be too cautious, especially with you" I kissed his cheek before getting out of the car. I could see David at the other end of the street and Ian had followed us in.

"Mum, watch."

"All working" I said looking to my wrist.

I don't know what my husband's team will come up with next but all I had to do was push the crown in on the side of the watch and everyone would come running.

I walked up the porch steps and knocked on the door, hearing a woman's voice and little feet approach.

"Hello" I said, looking down at a little girl and was greeted with a sweet smile. "Hello, I'm Dr Grey. I have come to see Tobias."

"He my little brother, come see him" she said, reaching for my hand.

"Hello" I said, shaking the mothers hand as my other one was pulled.

"Hello Dr Grey, please come in. I'm Zena, Toby's mother. The little girl who's pulling your arm off is Chloe."

"Well it's lovely to meet you all."

I followed them down the hall and into the living room where a man sat, and on his knee must be Tobias.

"Dr Grey, this is my husband, Niall. And this is Toby. Please take a seat"

I shook the fathers hand, taking a seat before my focus settled on the little boy and my heart broke. He had tiny wisps of hair where, by the photos in the room, a full head had once been. He reminded me so much of Max when he was like this and I just hope the outcome for Toby as he liked to be called, was the same.

"Do you like being home Toby" he nodded, a little smile on his face.

He pulled out a little truck he had in his hand, placing it in mine.

"Truck" he said before showing me two more smaller ones in his other hand.

"Trucks" I said as his little smile grew.

He was four years old, probably wondering what the hell had happened to him but he was on the road to recovery now and it was my job to help him stay there.

We spoke at length about how he had been in the hospital and what the plan was now he was home.

By the time I was ready to leave, I had booked a follow up appointment and finished my tea which Chloe informed me that I had to drink for our tea party.

"You look after your brother" I said when I reached the door, saying goodbye.

"I will" Chloe smiled.

"Thank you for taking Toby on. Bringing him home without a doctor in place, the thought was terrifying."

"Just be on the lookout for any illness. I know from my own children that if one child gets it then the whole house gets the cold. His immune system would've taken a beating so just keep a look out, you have the number if you need help" I told Niall.

"Yes."

He opened the door as I stepped onto the porch, waving towards Chloe before making my way down the steps towards the car, which was empty.

"Mum" Theo called out.

He had been speaking to a man who was now walking into one of the houses.

"Do I want to know" I asked.

"Probably not, just one of our guys."

Heading towards the bakery I sent Kelly a message to let her know how my appointment went before I moved onto the topic that I really wanted to ask Theo about.

"So, your birthday. Will I get to meet someone special?"

"Muuum, no. If I ever meet someone that I really like and I feel like it's going to go somewhere, then I will bring her home. Besides I live by the Grey family motto."

"And what's that."

"If I bring someone home to meet my mother, then I had better have the ring ready."

"You sound like your father" I laughed.

"It's true mum. Just know if I ever meet the one, you will be the first to know."

"Good to hear."

I finally said goodbye to Theo at the bakery, once he had filled a box with goodies that is. I had to pick Lucy up from school later but David and Ian would be here to take us. Them and whoever else Christian has hidden around here.

I had in my bag the paperwork that Christian had given me for the two property's that he has, that could make a bigger kitchen space for us. One is on the other side of town but the one that I like the look of from the photos Christian had taken, is two blocks away. If we're doing this then it's time to delegate.

"Good, is it still morning or afternoon" I said, walking into to the kitchen where Hannah was pulling a large tray of brownies from the oven.

"Morning, just about. I finished the roses for the McLynn wedding cake but I haven't had time to put them on yet."

"It's ok thanks, you saved me some time. I will do it."

I left my purse in the office where Ian now resides. Luke is still my guard from time to time but he is mostly working with Christian now.

"Hi Ana" Lyndon greeted me as he entered the kitchen with an empty tray which would've held Cannoli, picking up the full one that looked like it had just been finished.

"Hi, busy."

"Not stopped all morning."

"Can you stay for a few moments before you leave as I would like a word with you all."

"Problems" Hannah asked me.

"No, unless you class trying to make everything in this little kitchen a problem. I think it's time to think bigger and I would like all your input on that."

"You're taking over the next store again" Megan called from the counter, after she had served a customer.

"No, bigger than that."

I could see the excitement on their faces, always excited for change. We had bought the store next door a few years ago, extending into there to make the store front bigger. Due to the room shapes, it didn't give us much more room for the kitchen though.

I started to position the sugar flowers on the wedding cake as it became more and more beautiful as I went. We make many cakes here especially holiday cakes like Christmas and Easter and with Mother's Day this coming weekend, we're in the middle of those too. I loved doing the wedding cakes though, happy to be a part of someone's special day.

"It's strange" Hannah said as she took a sip of her coffee, taking a break for a few moments.

"How so."

"I'm used to seeing a furry face over the gate."

I smiled looking to the open gate into the office, I usually have one of the dogs with me here but with today's visit, that just wasn't possible.

"Do you want me to get Christian to bring one down so you can give him a cupcake."

"Who Christian or one of the dogs."

"Christian doesn't need any help, getting his own" I laughed. Then again if the dogs were here, they would probably help themselves too.

"Consultation for a wedding cake" Melinda said, coming into the kitchen. "Oh, hi Ana"

"Hi Melinda, I will do it. I will be out in a few minutes, offer them a drink for me please."

Melinda was one of our newest members of staff, well she had been here only four years so that is new compared to the rest of us.

I went into the office, getting my wedding folder before going out to greet the happy couple. Kelly and Jazz were over the moon happy to be getting married, that is the only way I could describe them.

"He proposed on Saturday but we don't want a long engagement" Kelly gushed, kissing her fiancé's cheek.

"What type of cake flavour would you like."

"I love chocolate but Kelly's favourite is Red velvet."

"You want two tiers as you said you were only having a small wedding, it doesn't mean that you both can't have what you want."

"Really, I love it" Kelly said, practically bouncing in her seat.

"Ok the look of the cake, what would you like. Traditional white or cream, colours, the choice is yours."

I handed them the book I had brought with me as they looked through each of the cakes. By the end of the book, although there were over fifty in there, they still hadn't found what they liked.

"I love these cakes but as you can tell, we're both vibrant people" I never would've guessed with the luminous pink dress she had on. "I like colour, lots of different colours."

"It's your cake you have what ever you want. Do you want flowers on your cake, that's a good place to start?"

"No, no flowers" Kelly said.

"Colour, which one."

"All of them" she said smiling.

"A bit like your fiancé's shirt."

He had on a t shit which had a hippy vibe. All colours in a swirl next to each other.

"Can you do it" Kelly asked in wonder, looking to her fiancé before they both looked to me.

"If that is what you want on the cake then sure. Let me just go and grab my iPad and we can look at the designs."

It didn't take long for them to decide on which design they wanted. By the time they left, I had two very happy customers and a cake to make which will probably make my eyes go funny by the time it's delivered.

…

"What is it that you wanted to speak to us about" Hannah asked when we had a quiet moment.

I had just returned from picking Lucy up from school, who was now manning the counter while I spoke to Hannah, Lyndon and Megan.

"I have been looking into expanding the business as well as the premises" I told them.

"Move out of here" Hannah said, sounding worried.

"No Hugo stays here as well as his cupcakes. We have a lot of business with the restaurants which takes up a lot of space and time to keep up with. I'm talking about having a kitchen off site to deal with that part of the business and then we can claim back the kitchen here for the personal customer side."

"Will this other place have a store front and counter like here" Megan asked.

"No, it will have an office to meet with prospective clients but it will be mainly kitchen, decorating and delivery. We cannot continue here as we're running out of space and I wanted to put it out to you three first, it one of you would like to take it on and manage it."

"You're serious, you would let one of us run it" Lyndon asked.

"Yes. I would rather keep it in the family before looking elsewhere."

"I'm grateful for the offer Ana, I love being here though" Hannah said, as I breathed a sigh of relief. Hannah running this place takes all the pressure off me.

"That's fine Hannah."

"Lyndon, Megan?"

"I would love the opportunity to run the kitchen there" Lyndon told me. "If Megan wanted to?"

"No, it's fine" she said happily.

I know Megan loved working here. Lyndon started as a driver for us but came to me one day and asked if he could learn how to make all the dishes we had. He has worked himself up to be the assistant manager and takes over when Hannah is not here.

"Ok, as soon as the premises have been decided on, I will bring you on board and you can help with the layout and hire the staff. You will be the one working there after all. I will work out a new contract for you, with your new pay rate on as well."

"I look forward to it" he smiled.

I left them talking as I went to see Lucy. It was busy out here now, children and their parents coming past on their way home from school.

"Making plans mum" she smiled.

"Oh, you know how we are. Nothing stays the same for long in this family, apart from us."

….

I was sat in bed with a tray of breakfast on my lap, being spoiled by my husband and children. I had cards, flowers, a diamond bracelet and chocolate, so much chocolate as well as the balloons which I know will be downstairs.

Mother's Day, and like always I was not allowed to do anything. I didn't mind, it had been a busy week so I was going to enjoy being pampered today. We were going to Palermo for dinner, taking my cake with me.

I giggle when I think of the cake sat on the counter downstairs. I have to give it to Christian and the children, they had tried and although lopsided, it smelt good so I hoped it tasted good as well. My kitchen had been covered in flour and icing. Blaming the dogs who looked like they had their fun as well, just wouldn't work. Why Christian, Elliot and Ethan decided to get their own children together to make a cake for my sisters and myself I don't know. They had probably run out of ideas on how to outdo each and from the pictures Kate and Mia had sent me, it had produced some funny results. I have to say I prefer mine, at lease my cake was in one piece.

When we arrived at the restaurant, the laughter rang around the room.

"Well I know which cake I'm eating" Grace laughed as we all took our seats.

"Well Christian had Lucy so it's only right that their cake is standing, she does work in the bakery" Ethan complained.

"Yours in the best Aunt Ana" Jac said, laughing at his Dads face, when he pointed to his own.

Jac and Daniel were Kate and Elliot's twins. At 14 they get into more trouble in school than my kids ever did, well with Elliot as their Dad it's understandable. As well as CJ, Mia and Ethan have one other son, Giorgio. This family is still dominated by the male species with my little girl in the middle. Being in the same school as Kate's, twins, Lucy can never get away from them.

"To mums, whether here or looking down on us. Let us never have a day without them" Christian said, clinking his glass to mine before my children's glasses were against mine too.

"To our amazing Family" Lucy said and I will drink to that.

Our meal was delicious and so were the cakes, no matter what they looked like. As we watched the balloons float into the air with their messages on the way to the mothers looking down on us. Although I only had mine for a few years here, I know she will always be there.

Thank you for reading, I hope the chapter emails have started to work again as not everyone got the last one.

If you are on Pinterest I have finally gotten around to putting a page on there for this story. If you look up mattlukejess it should show up, hopefully. At the moment there is only a few pictures on there, mainly what I imagine the children to look like and will add more as the story goes along and I can find ones for the older characters.

Until next time

take care

Caroline.