A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"It's weird being back at this house.", my dad says from his side of our phone conversation. He returned to Montesano two days ago to start the packing of his house. I could see in his eyes that he wasn't ready to go back, but it's only temporary. Soon, he'll be back in Seattle where he's going to be moving into the house near Sawyer's building. He instantly liked the two bedroom, one bath house which has a decent size backyard.
"It's probably because you know you're going to be moving and that you have a new place to call home." I hold my phone to my ear while smiling at the framed black and white photo on the living room mantle. It's of Christian, Oliver, and myself and was taken by Ethan just before we left the hospital.
"Home is where you heart is a fitting saying. My heart is with my family in Seattle. It shouldn't take too long to get everything packed up and on the U-Haul. I went and told some of the neighbors yesterday that I'm moving. Jerry Ewell said he was going to miss me and my gardening tips. I promised to keep in touch with him and the rest of the neighbors who I've become friends with." I know my dad moving is going to be a big change for him. He's going to be leaving behind friends, but I also know that he'll stay connected with them while also making new ones in Seattle.
"Isn't Jerry the guy who had the huge garden of nothing but tomatoes?", I ask as Christian joins me in the living room. He clasps his hands together and places them against his face while closing his eyes. It's his way of telling me that he got Oliver to sleep.
"That's him. He had so many tomotoes that he gave some to the entire neighborhood and still had a lot left. It sounds quiet there."
"Christian just got Oliver to sleep."
"I miss him. I miss all of you. However, I'll be back soon. In the meantime, I'm going to get back to packing."
"Just don't over do it.", I tell him. "We love you."
"I love you guys too. Bye.", he says before the calls. Christian settles next to me on the sofa and brings his arms over my shoulders.
"Oliver was fighting his sleep.", Christian says. "I could sense he was sleepy but didn't want to go to sleep. His little eyes were fluttering. It was so cute."
"When is he not cute?", I tease. Taylor enters the living room with a clipboard in his hand and Ryan at his side. With Sawyer on leave, Ryan has been assigned to be my CPO along with Lewis. Christian made it known that Ryan was going to be taking on a much more important part in the security field.
"Make sure you don't let any one within an arms length of Mrs. Grey and the baby. Undestand?", Taylor asks.
"Yes sir. I'm going to do my best.", Ryan replies. Christian's brow goes up.
"You're damn right that you're going to do your best.", Christian says sternly. "I've already made it known that you're not going to be just checking perimeters and security cameras. You're going to be guarding my wife and child, the two most precious things in my life. If even the slightest amount of trouble occurs, you're not only going to be taken off the assignment but also terminated all together." Taylor glances at Ryan who appears nervous. "Please lose the nerves. The last thing that's needed is for you to be nervous."
"I'll do better Mr. Grey."
"Good."
"Ryan, let's go over this one more time.", Taylor says, holding up the clipboard. He and Ryan go from the living room to the security room.
"You were pretty tough on him.", I sigh.
"Why wouldn't I be?", Christian scoffs. "He's been given the most important assignment in his career. He has to be one hundred and ten percent on his game." Christian's protectiveness has gone to the next level with Oliver's birth. "Since we're talking about staff issues, I want to discuss possibly hiring some help."
"We have help. We've got Gail and the security team. What more do we need?"
"A nanny. We're going to need someone to help when you return to work."
"Christian, I've still got a while before I go back to work."
"Yes you do, but finding the right person takes time. I don't want to have just any one watching Oliver. We need the very best person. You understand, right?"
"Sure.", I shrug. "In a way, discussing me going back to work makes it feel like time is going by too fast. I want to relish each and every day." He tightens his arms and kisses me tenderly before meeting my eyes with his.
"I completely hear and understand what you're saying. The thought of him growing too fast is sad, but we still have so much to look forward to."
"I want to be a mom. I don't want to be one any time soon, but down the road, I'd like to be a be mom.", Olivia whispers while holding Oliver. "At one point in my life, I thought having kids was something I didn't want to experience. Family members and friends would have kids who I adored, yet I never had the sensation of wanting kids of my own. That slowly changed."
"In part because of a guy named Luke Sawyer?", I smirk.
"Maybe. He's someone who I can see myself having kids with in the future. He's incredible. I just wish I could help alleviate some of the pain he's going through right now. I've been around him and his dad on several occasions, and the bond they share is so special. When he told me his dad was going to the doctor about his headaches, he kept saying it was going to be nothing major. He was optimistic up until the moment he was told by his mom that his dad has brain cancer."
"Sawyer's become a part of our family, and I hate that this is happening. Sawyer said his dad's going to have surgery. Have they set that up yet?"
"He's going to have it next Tuesday. The surgery like any medical procedure is risky. Removing the tumor is going to be complicated since it has finger like tentacles. The goal is to get as much of the tumor as possible, and what can't be removed will be treated with chemo and radiation."
"Sawyer said Dr. Long is one of the best in the country."
"One of the things that Sawyer's parents like about Dr. Long is how he actually listens to them and hears them out. He doesn't talk down to them.", Olivia says as Oliver starts to get fussy. "Uh oh." Panic is on her face as I get up from my chair and move over to her.
"It's ok. He's getting hungry.", I assure her while taking Oliver into my arms. "For the record, you're going to be a great mom when the time comes."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"How are things going at the office?", I ask Kate. We're relaxing in the living room while Christian and Elliot clean up following the baked chicken dinner Kate and Elliot brought over.
"I've been waiting on you to ask that question. The answer is things are good. Everyone has been working on their assignments and getting them in on time. The only issue we've had is there was an outage yesterday. It was only about an hour, but it was an hour of work that was lost."
"It'll be ok. Are you making yourself comfortable in my office?" Kate shakes her head several times. "You should. I was hesitant at first when I took over for Olivia, but then I added my own touches to the office."
"I don't want you to think my adding a plant means I'm taking over.", she says.
"I'd never think that. Feel free to add a plant or two. The only thing I ask is for you to not paint the walls."
"You mean I can't paint the walls zebra print? Damn." Christian and Elliot walk into the room as the laughter between Kate and I grows louder.
"Sounds like the two of you are having a nice conversation.", Christian says. "And it's music to our ears. Right Elliot?" Elliot stands before Kate and I with his index finger running along his jaw.
"As long as that laughter isn't about me.", he mutters.
"Don't be silly.", Kate giggles. "Our conversation about you ended a while ago."
"Perhaps I should go upstairs to see my adorable nephew who would never talk or laugh about me."
"That's because he can't talk yet but just wait until he gets older.", Christian laughs.
"Elliot, you kind of set yourself up for that one.", I say.
"I could get back at you all by not saying another word for the rest of the night, but I'm not going to to be that cruel to you."
