Christian's POV
"Go get Daddy, go get em" Ana whispers to Natalie excitedly. She giggles as she sticks a finger in her mouth and some drool drips down her chin. Ana leaves go of her and she toddles over to me. She just about makes it to me and then almost falls head first into my lap. I catch her and pull her into a celebratory hug before she falls down and the three of us cheer for her.
Ana and I are sitting on the floor in the main room and Gail is capturing the experience on video. Our baby girl's first steps without the help of any of her toys or anyone holding her hands. She's been able to balance herself on her own two feet, but this is the first time she is taking steps. Good thing the camera wasn't too far away.
"Can you clap hands? Clap hands, Sweet Pea."
"Yeahhhh!" Ana sings as she claps her hands. Natalie claps her little hands and squeals. I am so proud of her. She is just under a year old, younger than Teddy and Phoebe were when they walked. I kiss her hair which is starting to grow in real nicely. She has very short and very soft brown baby hair. Her eyes are gray just like mine. I lift her and steady her on her feet again. When I feel that she's ready I let go and encourage her to go to Ana. Ana holds her arms out and Natalie toddles over to her. This time she makes it without falling forward. We cheer again as Ana lifts her and turns her around to face me. Natalie shoves her fingers in her mouth and squeals again. Then she starts bopping her body up and down while Ana holds her. "She's dancing" Ana giggles. "Dance, Baby."
Natalie giggles again and continues to bop up and down. "Dih dih dih" she says and then looks at me.
"He's right there. Go get em" Ana says as she helps Natalie balance herself.
"Dih dih dih dih" she says again. Ana and I have decided that she is saying 'Dada' when she does that, even though she's not always looking at me when she's saying it. She makes it to me again and claps my face when I lift her. She was trying to clap her hands again but my face got in the way. I kiss her face which is wet from her drooling.
"Someone needs a tissue, Mommy." Ana tosses the tissue box to me. I take two and clean Natalie's face thoroughly since her nose has started to run. She doesn't like when we do this so she tries to lean away from me as I do it. "Let me see that nose." She continues to turn her head away from me but I manage to get her nose really good. "All done. Now, go get Mommy."
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Christian's POV
Natalie is in the main room snuggled on the sofa with her princess pajamas, princess slippers, princess blanket, and of course she is watching one of her princess movies. I interrupt her for a few minutes to film her. I usually leave the home video making to Gail and Ana, but Ana's starting to have a hard time with her pregnancy. I told her a few days ago that she is prohibited from doing anything that doesn't involve resting or eating. I am officially on paternity leave so that I can take care of her and the kids. I wouldn't have it any other way.
"Hi Sweet Pea" I say to my baby girl as I'm filming her. I'm sitting on the coffee table in front of her so I have her full attention. She looks at the video camera and giggles.
"Hi Daddy"
"Does somebody have a birthday today?"
"Natawee" she says shyly. She can't quite say her name properly but she's getting there.
"How old are you?"
"Fwee"
"Three years old" I say proudly. "Shall we have a party?"
"Yes, wif cupcakes and tea….. and pink and pupwa bawoons."
I can't help but chuckle at my baby girl. She is just too cute. "Would you like to wear one of your dresses today?"
"Ahhh, Wapunzel, I wanna weaw my Wapunzel dwess. And my pupwa shoes."
"Okay, you can wear your Rapunzel dress and purple shoes. And since you have been doing a fantastic job with your toilet training, I think you should wear the new underwear that Mommy and I got for you."
Since I was home this week I had decided to start her training early. She's been doing really well with it. She tells us when she needs to go and she's gone each time. She's been the easiest to train out of all three of our kids, which is great because Ana cannot bend or squat down to help her. It's only been me. I know Ana is bummed about not being able to help with this milestone. I've been working extra hard trying to get Natalie to sit with us and have quiet reading time during the day to make up for that, and so that Ana can enjoy as much time with her as possible. She uses that time to help her work on her letters, number, colors, shapes and animals. But Natalie is like any other toddler. Unless we have one of her movies on, she can't sit still for too long so it only lasts about ten or fifteen minutes at a time.
I stop the video and pick her up to hug her. She wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes. "I wove you Daddy"
"I love you too." I kiss her forehead and hug her again. I cannot believe she is already three years old. It feels like just yesterday I was holding her tiny form in my arms for the first time. She was the quietest and most pleasant of the three when she was born. She didn't cry a lot, and when she did it didn't take long to calm her. I'm sure Ana and I aren't going to be as lucky with the twins.
"Whew's Mommy?"
"Mommy's resting" I tell her. "We're going to have breakfast with her shortly."
"Okay" she accepts that as I sit on the sofa and settle her on my lap to watch her movie. We are able to watch a good amount of it until we hear some commotion in the foyer.
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Ana's POV
I slowly climb down the steps to the foyer while holding my pregnancy belly. I feel like I can pop at any moment. I can't possibly get any bigger, can I? When I reach the bottom step, the front door opens and I am met with my kids. Teddy and Phoebe are home. I rush to Phoebe and wrap my arms around her. She's only been gone for a week but I've been so worried about her.
"Oh Baby, thank God you're okay." I think I've frightened her with my emotions, but I can't help it. My hormones are all over the place. Teddy comes over and gets me to leave go of Phoebe, and then wraps his arms around me.
"Hi Mom, you doing okay?"
"Yes, Baby. I'm okay. I'm so happy to see you." I sniffle into his shoulder as he continues to hold me. Christian joins us with Natalie in his arms. He puts her down and wraps his arms around Phoebe. I know this week has been tough for him with Phoebe being away. But not as bad as the road trip. This time we knew where she was and when she'd be home, and we've been able to skype. We also knew that Teddy would take good care of her.
Natalie runs over and puts her arms around mine and Teddy's legs. Teddy chuckles and leaves go of me to pick her up. He is such a mini-Christian, right down to the way he chuckles.
"Hey Munchkin! How's the birthday girl doing? How old are you today?"
"Fwee"
"Three? No way. You can't be three" he teases her.
"Yes I am" she says seriously. I can't help but giggle at her. He squeezes her in a hug and kisses her cheek.
I look over at Christian and he is having his own conversation with Phoebe. I join them and wrap my arms around my daughter again. "Honey, where's Trevor? And Rebecca?"
"Trevor went home to shower and change, and Rebecca wanted to spend some time with her father. They'll be back later for the party."
I smile at her and run my hand through her hair. She seems different to me now. Is it because she had sex? I remember how I felt when I found out Teddy was having sex. I was angry and sad because I didn't want him to grow up so fast. But when I look at Phoebe, I don't feel angry or sad. I feel happy for her. I don't know what to say to her so I just wrap my arms around her again.
"Daddy, I need da potty" I hear Natalie say from behind me. I can't help but giggle. I watch as Christian takes her from Teddy and carries her up the steps.
Teddy comes over and wraps an arm around me since Phoebe is still wrapped in my other arm. "So, my baby sis has decided to ditch the diapers?"
"She's doing very well with it" I tell them. "We wanted her trained before the babies are born.
"Which looks to me like it can be at any moment" he says while observing my pregnancy belly. "You sure you're okay, Mom?"
"I'm fine, Darling." I lean up and kiss his cheek. "Your father has been seeing to that. Speaking of your father, he will probably start to temper if I don't sit down. Why don't we take this into the main room? I want to hear all about New York."
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Christian's POV
"Daddy, ders more but it won't come out."
We've only been in the bathroom for a few minutes. She's been able to go but it wasn't a lot. Usually that's all she does and then we're done, but she keeps insisting she's not done.
"Okay Sweet Pea. We can wait a few more minutes. Do you want to sing a song while we wait?"
"Yes Daddy. The Spidah song. You sing wif me."
She starts singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and I sing along with her. I love hearing my baby girl's voice while she sings, so I skip a few words so that I can listen. I often do that and tell her that I forget some of the words and need her help. Singing with our kids was always Ana's way of getting them to cooperate with her while bathing them, changing them and doing things that they just didn't like. I've done that occasionally too, but I find myself doing it more with Natalie since Ana's had to take a back seat to her care for the past couple of months because of her pregnancy. Before she can finish the last part of the song we hear the trickling sounds in the toilet. She looks down between her legs and then she looks up at me and giggles. "Aw done Daddy."
I clean her up and let her flush the toilet. "What's next?" I ask her.
"Wash hands."
"Good girl." She steps onto the stool that I've placed in front of her vanity and I help her wash and dry her hands. She hands the towel to me after I've washed mine.
"Hee go Daddy."
"Thank you, Sweet Pea. Do you want to get dressed now or have breakfast in your pajamas?"
"Ah, jammies."
"Jammies it is." I pick her up and kiss her forehead before setting her down again.
"Come on, let's go." I watch as her little legs run her out of the room. Before following her I look around and take in the site of her things. Her scribbled art work, photos, stuffed animals, her princess things, and I cannot believe this amazing little girl is mine. What did I do to deserve this beautiful family? To this day it still boggles the mind. "Daddy?" she comes back for me. I let out a chuckle and approach her at the door. I pick her up and surprise her with raspberries on her belly. She lets out a hearty laugh. I love it.
"Breakfast?"
She nods her head and giggles.
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Ana's POV
"….Happy Birthday to you." We finish singing to Natalie and tell her to blow out the candle that is placed in the middle of her pancake. Our tradition for Teddy and Phoebe has been to have breakfast in their beds on their birthdays, but since Natalie is little we haven't started that with her yet. We will in a few years. She blows out the candle and we all cheer for her. She claps her hands too. It reminds me of when she was really little and starting to clap her hands. My God, I cannot believe my baby girl is already three.
Christian moves to stand next to me after starting Natalie on her pancake and puts his arm around me. "You okay?"
"Christian, how did this happen? How is our baby already three years old?"
Natalie looks at me and giggles as she enjoys her pancake, while Christian rubs his hand up and down my arm. "I don't know. The time went by so fast. Shall we eat?"
Penny serves the rest of the pancakes and we sit as a family at the breakfast bar. I love it when the five of us are together. Pretty soon it will be seven. Oh my! Things will certainly be different when the babies are born. It occurs to me that there won't be any room at the bar for them.
"Ana Baby, are you alright? You're not eating." I don't know how long ago I stopped eating and lost myself in my thoughts, but it was long enough for Christian to notice. The fork is still in my hand. I must have been staring off into space.
"We need a bigger breakfast bar" I blurt out softly. He chuckles and goes back to eating his pancake. "Am I amusing you?" I start to feel angry. He's laughing at me.
"I'm sorry Ana. It was just so random. Of course we need a bigger breakfast bar. I'll take care of it."
Is that supposed to solve everything? He'll take care of it? I don't know what comes over me, but my anger gets to me and I abruptly leave the table. Christian comes after me and stops me before I climb the stairs.
"Ana, wait. Baby, what's wrong?"
My anger dissolves when he confronts me and is replaced by sadness. I start crying. He wraps his arms around me protectively and holds me until I am able to calm down.
"Have I upset you?" he asks me softly.
"No… Yes. Why did you laugh at me?"
"I'm sorry, Baby." He holds my face and wipes my tears with his thumbs. "Sometimes you just bring it out in me. I don't mean to make fun."
"I know. I'm sorry I got so upset."
"You don't need to apologize" he assures me. "But you do need to eat. I know I don't need to remind you that you are eating for three."
"No, you don't. This gigantic beach ball in front of me is plenty reminder."
He gently places his hands on my pregnancy belly. "It's a beautiful beach ball. Home to our little miracles." He leans down and places a kiss on my belly, and just like that I start to feel better. "Come, let's go eat."
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Christian's POV
The guests are arriving for Natalie's party. Ana and I had decided to keep it small. My parents are coming, as well as Elliot's family, Mia's family, Sawyer's family, Collins' family, the Taylors, and we've also extended invitations to Trevor's parents and Rebecca's father. Carla and Scott didn't make the trip from Tennessee, but they plan to come out here for a visit after the babies are born.
When my parents arrive, they are greeted with a big welcome from Natalie.
"Gamma! Gwampa!" she screams as she runs up to Grace. She picks her up and they both attack her with hugs and kisses. I've always loved watching my parents with my kids. Hugging and kissing my daughter, they were able to do those things with Elliot and Mia, but never with me. I couldn't handle touch. I didn't realize at the time, but it must have really hurt them to not be able to do that with me. I can't imagine never being able to hug my kids.
"Mom" I greet her and kiss her cheek and give her a one arm hug. I shake my father's hand and also give him a one arm hug. After they put Natalie down she raises her arms up to me. I smile at her and lift her into my arms. Ana curled her hair for her and she's wearing her Rapunzel dress. My mother takes a box from my father and shows it to her.
"This is for you little princess." She opens it and Natalie gasps with excitement when she sees what's inside. Grace pulls it out and carefully places it on Natalie's head. "A princess is not complete without her crown."
"What do we say?" I ask my daughter.
"Fank you"
"You're welcome Sweetheart."
My parents seem extra happy today. They have great reason. They are both officially retired. They plan to volunteer their time in medicine and law, but after they do some traveling. They are going to wait until the spring though so that they can spend some time with their grandchildren. They walk in to the main room to join the other guests.
I put Natalie down, pat her bottom and tell her to go play with the kids. She happily runs toward the main room to find them. Ana joins me and wraps her arms around me. I wrap my arm around her and kiss her hair. "You should be resting, Mrs Grey."
"I'm okay, Mr Grey. I'm just stretching my legs." I rub my hand up and down her back and watch as she places her hands on her pregnancy belly. "The babies are saying hello, Daddy." I place my hand on her belly and feel the kicking.
"Hi babies. Are you being good for Mommy?" I continue to feel the kicking and can't help but snort. "You better be careful. Your Uncle Ethan's going to have you both playing soccer before you can walk."
Elliot's family arrives next. Cameron runs over and wraps his arms around Ana's legs. Kate gets him to leave go and greets Ana with a hug. Ava is with them as well. She's been down because her boyfriend has been in Florida playing basketball. He was chosen among thousands of applicants to participate in some program they have there for high school basketball players that are serious about making a career of the sport. She was surprisingly supportive of him going even though it meant being away from her for four months. Phoebe asked if she could start spending some time here to get her mind off of missing him. Ana and I agreed to it as long as it doesn't affect her school work, hospital volunteer work and dance. I say hello to my niece and let her know that Phoebe is in the main room. Elliot and I chat for a bit before he joins the rest of the party.
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Ana's POV
Rebecca and her father are next to arrive. I hug Rebecca and fuss about her being here without her wheelchair, walker or cane.
"Thank you so much for helping with Natalie last weekend" I tell her. Rebecca stayed with her, Collins and his wife while the rest of us were with Phoebe at the hospital.
"Oh it was no trouble" she says. "She is such a sweetie. She was so excited to sing her songs for me and show me her toys. We were just so relieved to hear that Phoebe was going to be okay."
"Rebecca" Teddy greets her with a kiss. He shakes Mr Lincoln's hand and then awkwardly puts his arm around Rebecca. There seems to be something off with Teddy and Rebecca but I can't put my finger on it.
"And thank you for looking after Phoebe this week" Christian adds. "I hope it was no trouble having her and Trevor there."
"It was great having them there. I hope to get to spend some time with them while we're home for winter break." Teddy just nods in agreement. Yes, there is definitely something going on with them. The three of them proceed into the main room as more guests arrive. Trevor and his parents are here, and Ethan and Mia arrive with their kids. Christopher and Sophia run past us and into the main room while Elizabeth stays with her parents. I greet her first and then welcome a hug from Mia. She is as energetic as her two youngest as she fusses about my huge pregnancy belly. She places her hands on either side while Christian wraps a protective arm around me.
"Time for you to sit down, Mrs Grey."
He leads me into the main room and half of our guests stand to offer their seat. I look around and start to feel overwhelmed. There are so many people here. I don't realize it until it happens but I take a step back.
"Are you alright?" Christian whispers to me. I offer a nod and a light smile but grasp his hand tightly. I suddenly don't want him to leave my side. "Come, you need to sit." He leads me over to the sofa and I take a seat next to my son. Rebecca is not with him so this gives me an opportunity to talk with him. "I'll get you some water" Christian tells me before he walks away.
"Are you okay, Mom?"
I take his hands into mine and offer what I hope is a reassuring smile. "Yes, Baby. I'm fine. What about you and Rebecca? Are you doing okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you just seem different around her. Uncomfortable even."
He looks away from me and shakes his head. "Rebecca and I are fine. It's just, you know, final exams. They're stressful. I think we're both just detoxing from them."
"Are you sure that's all it is?" I don't believe him. I have this feeling that something isn't right, but he's not going to confirm it.
"I'm sure. Don't worry, Mom. Everything's cool."
I snort. "Everything's cool?" Teddy is so much like his father, but you would never hear Christian drop a line like that. Teddy leans in and kisses my forehead.
"Please, don't worry. Save your energy for these babies."
Christian returns with my water and takes the free seat on the other side of me. "Thank you." I take a long sip of the cold ice water and it feels good. I didn't realize I was so thirsty.
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Christian's POV
It is time to have Natalie's cake. We gather everyone into the dining room and have Natalie sit in the middle with me and Ana on either side of her. Penny brings her cake out and she gasps with excitement. Natalie loves cupcakes, so we have cupcakes on a platter shaped into a princess castle. The baker did a fabulous job with the colors in the icing so that it looks like a castle.
We light the candles and wrap our arms around her as everyone sings to her. Ana and I each kiss her cheek as people take pictures and cheer for our baby girl. We help her blow out the candles since there are so many of them. Once we remove them we allow Natalie to pick out the first cupcake. Penny then takes the rest of them and gives them out to the rest of the kids. Some adults even opt for a cupcake over the assortment of other desserts.
Ana and I keep our seats next to Natalie as she enjoys her cupcake. The icing is all over her fingers and her face, no surprise there. We are served coffee and tea as we make conversation with Mia and Kate. Ethan and Elliot are busy helping the kids with their dessert. I glance over at my mother and she smiles. I return the smile. I then see her smile fade as she looks at Ana. I look over at Ana and quickly realize something is wrong.
"Ana?" She is leaning forward and I can tell she's in pain. "Mia, could you get Natalie cleaned up and have the kids go and play in the main room?" Mia doesn't hesitate. She takes Natalie before she can see that something is happening with her mother.
"Ana?" I try again now that I'm next to her. I put my face close to hers and wrap my arms around her. We are soon surrounded by Teddy, Phoebe, my mother and Trevor's parents.
"It hurts, Christian" she whispers to me.
"Mom, Dad what's happening?" Teddy asks, but I can't answer him. My focus is on Ana.
My mother is on the other side of her now. "Ana, Honey are you having contractions?"
"I think so" she whispers, but then she screams out in pain. "Ahhhhh, no, no this can't be happening. It's too soon." I take her hand in mine and she squeezes it tight. Ouch!
"Ana, it's going to be alright" Grace gently assures her as I try to work through the pain she had just inflicted on my hand. "We need to get you to the hospital."
"No, no we can't. The party…."
"Ana, I agree with Mom, okay? We need to go to the hospital. Taylor, can you please get the car ready?" He nods and rushes out of the room. "Ana, Baby, it's going to be alright. Just breathe Baby, okay?"
I look around and I'm grateful that the little kids have all been taken out of the room. Phoebe is still here and I can see the worry in her face. Trevor is by her side comforting her. "It's okay" I repeat myself. I'm trying to convince my son, my daughter, my wife and myself of that.
Collins rushes into the room and announces that the car is ready. He and Trevor's parents help me get Ana up and out to the car quickly. I tell Collins to keep everyone else at the house and that he and Barlow should wrap up the party once everyone is finished with dessert. I tell Teddy and Phoebe to stay at the house as well. They try to argue with me but back down quickly when I snap at them. I certainly don't mean to but now is not the time to argue. My mother climbs into the front seat and tells Taylor to step on it.
I do my best to comfort Ana as we ride to the hospital. Her head is rested against my shoulder and I'm running my hand through her hair. She grabs my hand again and squeezes it. "Christian"
"Yes Baby?"
"I'm scared"
This is killing me. I feel helpless as we ride in the backseat of the car for the 5.6 miles that separates our house from the hospital. We can't get there fast enough for my wife and our babies. Ana's right, it is too soon to have these babies. They aren't due for another six weeks. What if something happens to them? To Ana? I don't want her to know this by I'm scared too. I kiss the top of her head and try to assure her.
"I know, Baby. It's going to be okay."