Teddy has been napping for a half hour now. This is my favorite time of the day because Teddy will sleep for at least an hour and by the time he wakes up, Sophie will be home from school and she keeps an eye on him for me. Christian told me he'd hire me a nanny, but I'm tired of having a ton of people working for us. I like the little family we've created here. Taylor and Gail and Sophie now live full-time in the home we built for them over the garage. Though Gail is 4 months pregnant now so we're contemplating building an extension onto their home to give them more space, even though they have 3 bedrooms and a study already but I wanted to make sure they had room for Gail's sister, Maggie, when she visits, which she will do often once the baby arrives.
Sophie is thrilled to be a big sister, and she has been practicing on Teddy. Every day after school she comes home and spends a few hours playing with his favorite train table or watching a tv show or movie with him.
I make my way into the kitchen for a late lunch. Gail peeks up at me from her "What To Expect When You're Expecting" book. I gave it to her when she broke the news to me. Of course, it was something Christian bought me before Teddy was born. He ended up buying himself a copy too, which he read meticulously as if studying for a final exam. I figured I'd give one of our copies to Gail since it was full of useful information.
"Gail, you are glowing." I say with a smile as I sit down at the breakfast bar.
"As are you, Ana! Are you ready for lunch now?"
"Yes, please."
My relationship with Gail has changed ever since she became pregnant. She has decided not to return as our housekeeper but to raise their baby instead. Taylor will continue his work, but Gail will take over as head of housekeeping operations. We recently hired a lovely woman named Rebecca, or Miss Andrews, to replace Gail, and now Gail is her boss. It was the best way Christian could think of keeping Gail on the Grey payroll. I think she enjoys her new title, especially since it will give her all the time to look after the new baby and Sophie. Gail has been busy showing Rebecca the ropes for the past few weeks. Christian wanted Rebecca hired and trained by the time Phoebe was born so we had some extra help in the house.
As we sit and eat our sandwiches together, giggling about different parts of the book, a rush of commotion from the front entry way startles me. It's Sophie, back from school early, and she is dragging her book bag which looks like it weighs a ton. Behind her comes Sawyer who picked her up. Though the school is just a few blocks away, Christian insists that someone pick her up and drop her off at all times 'just in case'. He protects her just as much as Teddy, and I think Taylor, and Gail, appreciate it more than Christian knows.
"Hi Gail! Hi Mrs. Grey!" She says, dragging her bag to the table and leaving it there. "I have a book report to do this weekend so I have a ton of Library books. I wish our teacher let us use the internet for research but she says it's full of plagiarized materials so she'd rather us stick to books, but books are so heavy!" She whines. "Is Teddy in the nap room?" I nod. "Can I have the key?" I nod again and Gail hands her the key.
We call it the nap room, but it's really just a kid's room off the side of the family room. I used to put Teddy down for naps in his bedroom but after a while he became too big for a crib and then naps meant when he woke up he'd get out of bed on his own without needing us. That would have been fine except at three years old he can't maneuver the steps without supervision and one day he took a tumble. Luckily there are only 4 steps before the first landing, but Christian panicked when Gail and I called him from the ER to tell him we were having Teddy checked over just in case. Within the week an extension room was built off of the family room which included a large futon for napping and a door with to another room full of all of Teddy's toys. Christian said he wanted a place for Teddy's toys on the first level so we wouldn't have to keep dragging them all up and down the stairs, and then he wanted a door between the toy room and where Teddy would nap, so Teddy wouldn't avoid his naps and play with his toys instead. So the toy room ends up locked at nap time. Christian's idea of course. My controlling fifty!
As Sophie makes her way out of the room and Gail begins the dishes, I feel a sharp pain in my lower back. It nearly cripples me as I try to stand up. Gail notices me out of the corner of her eye and drops the dish in the sink. Without even turning off the water she rushes to my side.
"Ana, are you okay?" She asks, holding onto me.
"I don't know. This feels like a contraction, but it can't be. I'm not due for another month!"
"My mother had my sister a month and a half earlier than her due date. It very well could be."
Oh no! I can't have Phoebe yet! Christian isn't here. Gail sits me on a lower chair by at the table and goes to turn off the water. She reaches for the intercom and buzzes Rebecca in the laundry room.
"Becca- can you please come to the kitchen immediately."
"Yes ma'am" she answers though the muffled speaker.
"Gail. Can you call Taylor and tell him to alert Christian immediately."
"Already on it." She says as I look up and see her cell phone to her ear.
"Honey, tell Mr. Grey that Ana is having pains. I'm having Sawyer take us to the hospital. Tell him Becca is here with Sophie and Teddy and we'll leave Paul and Arthur in charge of security at the house." There is a pause as she is listening. I admire Gail so much sometimes. Even though I've only known her as someone who takes orders from Christian allt he time, she is a very strong woman and she is smart. She and I have a lot in common. I'm happy she is having a baby too. It will give us more to bond over.
I feel another sharp pain and I double over. Gail has hung up and is at my side again and Becca appears in the doorway. "Ma'am?"
"Becca, I'm taking Mrs. Grey to the hospital. I think she is having contractions. I need you to leave the laundry for later and keep an eye on Teddy and Sophie. They are in the playroom." I wince, half in pain and half at the idea of calling Teddy's toy room a playroom. It just doesn't sound right to call it that.
"Yes ma'am." Becca responds, and looks at me in shock.
"I'm leaving Arthur and Paul in charge of security. Sawyer is coming with us to the hospital." It's now that I notice Sawyer is standing in the opposite doorway of the kitchen, he is talking into his phone, probably giving orders to Arthur and Paul. "Can you finish the dishes for me dear?" Gail says causing me to break my eye contact with Sawyer.
"Of course." Becca responds and goes dutifully to the sink.
"Sawyer." Gail addresses him as he hangs up his phone. "Get the car."
He nods and disappears to the garage. Gail motions down the hallway at someone and I see Arthur and Paul appear together. They instinctively put their arms around me and lift me to my feet just as another sharp pain hits me hard.
"Ahh!" I crie as my knees buckle. Luckily they are both holding me up and practically drag me to the front door. "Teddy!" I crie, realizing I didn't get to say goodbye.
"I'll get him ma'am!" Becca calls. She must have followed us to see us out.
For what feels like an eternity we stand in the great hallway. Arthur and Paul holding me up on either side. Gail holding my purse and hers. I don't want Teddy to see me in pain so I try to gather every bit of strength to hold myself up. I nod at Arthur and Paul who understand and let go of me, but keep their hands behind me just in case.
Teddy comes running into the hallway with his arms out for a hug. I kneel slowly down to the floor, and it actually feels more comfortable than standing. He throws his arms around me in a big bear hug.
"My sweet little boy." I say as I hug him back.
"Where going mommy?" He says, and is worried. Teddy and I barely spend time apart. Christian has had me working from home for the past few months after the doctor ordered me to take it easy. I had begun bleeding and we thought I had a miscarriage. Luckily it wasn't, but the doctor told me all work would need to be done from the comfort of our home. So for the past few months it's been me and Teddy together.
"I'll be back soon, honey. I'm going to bring Phoebe home." I hope that will make him smile and it does.
"Phoebe in there?" He asks, pointing at my belly.
"Yes baby, Phoebe is in there. Remember how Daddy and I told you about the hospital and how Phoebe is going to come out of here and then you will get to see her?" He nods. "Well, it's time for her to come out!" I say with a big smile and my eyes wide. His expression matches mine. "Now you be a good boy for Miss Andrews and Sophie and later today Grandma and Grandpa will come over and have dinner with you." I had planned with Carrick and Grace a month ago that when Phoebe was born they would come over and bring Teddy to the hospital to see her. I knew Christian wouldn't want to leave my side and I wouldn't want him to either. There was no one else in the world I trusted more than Grace and Carrick to do this job, and Christian felt the same way.
I give Teddy a big kiss on the cheek and send him off to Sophie. "Good luck Mrs. Grey." Becca calls to me as she turns on her heels to follow Teddy.
"Thank you, Rebecca." Christian insisted we call her Rebecca, even though she likes Becca. He says Miss Andrews is too formal for someone our age and Becca is too informal for an employee.
Arthur and Paul help me to my feet and usher me to the car where Sawyer is standing by the back door taping his foot. He looks nervous. He opens the door and I can see he has his phone in his hand. As I'm helped into the car and Gail runs around to the other side, Sawyer hands me the phone and I already know Christian must be on the other end. Shoot! I left my cell phone charging in my office. He must have tried to call a dozen times now. Before taking the phone I lean out the door. "Arthur!" I call as he is making his way with Paul back to the front door. They both turn and looks at me. "I forgot my cell phone in my office. Can you unplug it so it doesn't overcharge and then having Grace and Carrick bring it to the hospital with Teddy?"
"Yes ma'am." Arthur responds and he and Paul turn back towards the house.
I take the phone from Sawyer and he looks worried and impatient. He shuts the door and runs around to the driver's side before I can even lift the phone to my ear.
"Hi honey" I say, knowing full well who it is.
"Baby, are you okay?" He sounds like he is panicked.
"Yes. I'm just a little shocked. I'm not due for another month." As I finish my sentence I glance up to see Sophie and Teddy standing in the doorway waving at me. Tears fill my eyes and I let out a little sniffle.
"Ana! What's wrong?" Christian can tell I'm crying and I think I can head his heartbeat increasing through the phone.
"Nothing. Teddy is just waving goodbye to me from the door. This is harder than when I went back to work!" I say, crying a little more now at my admission. Gail reaches out and rubs my shoulder. It startles me but is comforting at the same time. I glance at her and smile through my tears.
"Oh baby, I wish I was there right now. I'm on my way to the hospital now. I love you." He finishes with a whisper. He hates this part of the process. He has been a nervous wreck over the delivery since Teddy was born. He swears I almost died before they gave me the emergency c-section. We've already decided with the doctor that we'll be doing another c-section, so hopefully this time will be less dramatic.
"I love you too. Hurry."
"I'm trying. Hand me back to Sawyer."
I reach up and hand the phone to Sawyer who presses a button on the dashboard and immediately Christian's voice bellows through the sound system.
"Taylor! Hurry up." He says.
"What's going on?" I ask Sawyer.
"Mr. Grey requested he stay with us on bluetooth while we drive to the hospital." Sawyer answers.
"If I can't be there with you in person I want to at least be able to talk to you." Christian answers seriously, probably knowing I'm rolling my eyes at him.
I feel Gail smile, and I whip the previous tears from my eyes. All of a sudden another sharp pain hits me.
"Ana. Don't forget your breathing exercises." Gail reminds me as she takes my hand.
Of course! How could I forget. I begin my lamaze breathing and lean forward as the pain grips me. She takes her other hand and begins to rub my lower back. It really does help. In a moment without thinking, I lay down on the seat curled up in pain with my head in Gail's lap. I know it's unprofessional but something about her comforting touch reminds me of my mother and it makes me really need a mother's touch right now.
"My mom!" I say outloud, to Christian, knowing I left my phone behind and can't call her.
"She and Bob are on the next flight out of Savanna. I just got off the phone with them and I booked it first class. They leave in an hour and a half. And Ray is on his way. I just sent Charlie Tango to get him. My parents are on their way to the house to get Teddy and Sophie. I just text Elliot and he and Kate are on their way as well. Mia and Ethan are on their flight home from Paris so once they land I'll send someone to pick them up and bring them straight to the hospital." Christian has thought of everything and I know it's because he feels helpless on his end and wants to make sure I don't have to worry about anything.
"Thank you." I whisper.
"No baby. Thank you." He whispers back. It's odd to me that we're sharing such a private moment with Gail and Sawyer, but it doesn't matter to me like it would have a few years ago. I stare at the floor of the car as Gail rubs my back and my hair to sooth me. She doesn't seem at all uncomfortable with this and neither do I. I begin to wonder how Mia and Ethan will feel coming back from a relaxing honeymoon and being thrust into this chaos.
It doesn't take long for us to arrive at the hospital and Sawyer runs around to help me out of the car. There is already someone there to park the car for us and a nurse is waiting with a wheelchair out front. The nurse hurries us into the birthing suite Christian has booked for us. Oh my controlling fifty! I wonder how women without husband's like mine deal with these things. I can't imagine sitting around in pain in a waiting room.
"Gail?"
"Yes?"
"Can you get me some ice chips?"
"Of course. Will you be okay without me?"
"Yes, but don't be too long." I know the ice machine is just outside the door so I should be fine. She hurries out of the room. As the door opens I hear her say "Thank God!" and when I look up I see Christian breeze through the door. Behind her Gail gives Taylor a kiss on the lips and he rubs her tummy. I am enjoying how affectionate they've become now that Gail is pregnant. Christian doesn't seem to mind either. I think he understands what it's like to live in the love bubble and he wouldn't dream of telling them it isn't professional.
Relief sweeps over me as I watch my husband take Gail's place at my side. He takes my hand in his hands, careful of the IV, and kisses me on the forehead.
"Oh Ana. I hate seeing you in a hospital bed." Both times I've been in a hospital bed have been terrifying moments for him. He is always afraid to lose me but twice I've laid in a hospital bed and he almost did lose me.
"I'm fine. Besides, this looks more like a five star hotel than a hospital!" I joke while looking around at the birthing suite.
He smiles. He loves to take care of me, and all jokes aside, I appreciate how much he truly does for me.
"Are you still in pain?" I shake my head back and forth. Gail appears in the door with the ice chips.
"Here Mr. Grey." Gail hands them to Christian and winks at me and then turns on her heels.
"Gail!' I call to her and she turns and looks at me with her head cocked to one side in confusion.
"Yes ma'am?"
Christian looks just as confused. In fact, they are making the same face. I let go of Christian's hand and reach out to her. She walks back to me and takes my hand.
"Yes ma'am?"
I reach up like a small child and pull her into a hug. I can tell she feels awkward as she doesn't return the hug immediately, but after a second she relaxes and hugs me back.
"Thank you, for everything." I say, as we let go of each other.
"Of course, Ana. I know you'd do the same for me." She smiles, and I can see a little sparkle in her eye.
"I would." I answer. She winks again and turns on her heels, this time leaving to join Taylor who waits impatiently outside with Sawyer. I catch a glimpse of him through the door and smile. He returns my smile but looks worried. I can only imagine that he is probably thinking about when it's Gail in here and not me. Poor Taylor. He reminds me so much of Christian sometimes. Just a calmer, more controlled Christian.
The doctor waltzes and talks to us briefly about the c-section process, even though we've discussed it before and I've also been through this already. Before I know it Christian is putting on scrubs and I'm being prepped to be taken to the OR. I decide I want to to be wheeled in the wheelchair and not in the bed and reluctantly Christian and the doctor allow it.
As we pass by the door to the family waiting room which belongs just to our suite, I look over and see Elliot coloring with Teddy, Carrick is on the phone, Kate is sitting in the corner next to Grace who is bouncing baby Eva on her lap. Their nanny, Joy, is fiddling with the diaper bag putting together formula.
I tell the nurse to stop. Christian looks so impatient but he allows it. Everyone's heads snap up and look at me. I smile at them all and Teddy squeals, "Mommy!" He goes to run for me but Elliot stops him.
"Hi baby boy. I'll be back soon with baby Phoebe!" I tell him. I see Kate give me a wink and I smile at baby Eva who is giggling in delight reaching for her bottle.
"Good luck." Kate mouths to me with a big grin. Grace smiles at me and returns to Eva. Carrick calls to me "Ray wants me to say he loved you darling."
Oh! Carrick is filling Ray in. How wonderful. "Tell him I love him too." Behind me Gail sneaks into the room and takes a seat next to Elliot and Teddy. Taylor lingers behind and leans in to talk to Christian, who resumes pushing my wheelchair. The nurse trots along side of us.
"Mia's plan landed. I've sent Paul to pick them up. Arthur is waiting by the airport for Carla and Bob to arrive. Becca is getting Sophie dinner in the cafeteria."
"Good. Thank you Taylor." Christian answers with a smile. He is pleased and Taylors efficiency, as am I.
"Good luck ma'am." Taylor says to me as we stop in front of the OR door.
"Thank you Taylor." I say as he turns to head back to the waiting room.
We go in the double doors and are greeted by more nurses and our doctor who has washed up and is ready to go.
My heart is pounding as I climb up on the table. They administer the epidural and I feel warmth and tingling from my back down to my toes until I can no longer feel them poking the bottoms of my feet. The put up a partition of blue paper so I can't see them cutting me open. They do one final poke check, this time poking my belly. I feel nothing and let them know that and a few seconds later I feel pressure on my stomach. Christian isn't watching this time. I think he nearly passed out the last time so he knows better. This time he is just staring into my eyes. He looks scared. We just stare at each other the entire time. My lip begins to quiver part in fear from the odd sensations I'm feeling and another part because I'm feeling cold. Christian is holding my hand and also running the fingers from his other hand through my hair.
"I love you so much, Ana." He tells me as he leans down to kiss my quivering lips. "Every time I think that you couldn't possibly make me any happier than you already have, you surprise me." He smiles, this time kissing the top of my head.
I hear a bit of commotion and start to feel a little fuzzy and a lot colder than before. I watch Christian's face drop as my eyes begin to close a little.
"Ana? What's wrong?" He asks, panicked as I feel a shiver run through me.
"Ana!" He cries as I close my eyes and the nurse is at my side.
"Doctor, her blood pressure is dangerously low!" The nurse calls over the blue sheet. Even with my eyes closed I feel I can still see what is going on.
Christian looks around nervously. I hear Phoebe's first cry but it sounds so far away. Like I felt when I was in a coma after the Jack Hyde incident. I feel Christian squeeze my hand.
"I want my mother in here. NOW!" He screams at a nurse and I believe the doctor approves because the nurse exits to the washroom and then returns a few minutes later with Grace who is in scrubs and a washed up as well.
I hear Grace and the doctor talking. Christian is calling me. Phoebe is crying. The nurse is on the other side of me holding Phoebe.
"Mrs. Grey. Open your eyes. Look at your daughter, Mrs. Grey."
It takes every once of strength in me to try to open my eyes. I feel exhausted. Almost like I'm slipping away into a deep sleep. All of a sudden I get a vision of my little copper haired boy laying next to my lifeless body crying, just like Christian. No! I can't slip away. I have to be strong for my baby boy. The fear causes a sudden surge of strength in me and my eyes fly open. I'm staring at the ceiling. The blue sheet is still there. I feel tiny pressure on my belly. They must be stitching me up now. The room is buzzing with activity. Grace is standing behind Christian, with her hand on his shoulder. Christian is next to me, tears in his eyes, gripping my hand and holding it to his mouth.
"Baby-" he whispers and a tear slides down his cheek. I reach my index finger out of his grasp and trail it along his cheek to comfort him. I don't have the strength to speak.
"She'll be fine." Grace says comforting him. "Just let her rest." She kisses him on the top of the head.
I glance over on my other side and see Phoebe. She looks perfect. She is swaddled in a pink blanket with a little pink knit hat. She is sleeping and her nose is twitching a little. She looks like a little doll. We made that!
I reach out my free hand and trace her cheek with the back of my index finger. She is so soft. I don't feel the strength to hold her but the nurse hands her to Christian, who takes her in one arm and resumes holding my hand with the other. He is sitting next to me now, cradling her in one arm next to my face. His other hand around the other side of my head, almost like he is cradling us together.
"My girls." He smiles. "My perfect beautiful girls."
I smile. I feel so happy in this moment. I just wish Teddy were in here with us.
The finish cleaning me and move me back into the birthing suite. First on the agenda is trying to get Phoebe to eat. It's important for skin-to-sink contact right after birth so I cradle Phoebe in my arms, her skin against mine, and almost immediately she latches on and begins to eat. Thank God.
A little while later Grace brings Teddy. The two of the stroll over to my bed, Teddy's little hand in Grace's. "Uppy Grammie!" His little voice calls. My heart melts. Oh how I've missed him in these few short hours.
She lifts him and sits him next to me on the bed, on the other side, away from my IV. Smart idea Grace.
"Hi mommie!" He smiles.
"Hi baby boy." I smile back. "I missed you!" I reach out and hug him gently.
"Gentle with mommy, Teddy." Christian reminds him as he turns to pick baby Phoebe out of her basinette.
"Fee-bee!" Teddy squeals when he sees Christian lift her.
The sound of him saying her name makes me giggle. Naturally Christian smiles his boyish smile when he hears me. He looks so happy.
Christian beings to change Phoebe. "Come here, Teddy." He says when he is done.
Grace helps Teddy down off my bed and he runs over to Christian and climbs up on the couch. He peeks over and studies Phoebe carefully while Christian swaddles her again.
After a few minutes Christian sits and Teddy hops up on his lap. Christian sits there cradling Phoebe in one arm while he wraps the other around Teddy, who has his head tucked under Christian's chin. Teddy is sucking his tumb, his index finger wrapped around his nose, and is looking at Phoebe inquisitively, with his head cocked to one side. Just like his daddy does.
The sight of the three of them brings tears to my eyes. I can hear a low gasp from Grace who is next to me. I can tell she is just as touched by the scene as I am.
"Mom." Christian calls, without looking up from Phoebe. "Can you escort the photographer in. I want a photo of this."
"Of course." Grace wipes her tear and heads out to the waiting room.
Photographer? I hadn't even thought of that. Christian is so smart. I wonder if he hired the same woman who took the photos of us with Teddy a few weeks ago. She did an excellent job. There was one photo I loved which now hangs in our hallway upstairs. It's of my belly. My hands are making a heart on my belly, and Christian's are overtop of mine. Teddy's hands reach around and he is peeking from behind me. The whole photo is in black and white except for Teddy's face. It's such a beautiful picture. I smile thinking of it.
The door opens and Jose walks in, camera in hand! My mouth drops open when I see him.
"Jose!" I say in shock. I look at Christian who is still looking at Phoebe but is smiling.
"Hey Ana. Congratulations! Christian asked me to fly down with Ray so I could be your photographer for the day." He smiles as he holds up his camera and begins taking photos.
I smile over at Christian who is still posing. I love this man so much. His relationship with Jose has been getting better since Teddy was born. Jose is getting married next month, to a model who worked on one of his shoots a year ago. He got a job with a company after graduation and every once in a while they send him on photo shoot that involves models. He met Victoria- Tori- and they fell in love.
I think it helps that Christian sees Jose has moved on from me. Tori is very sweet and she and I get along well. The best part is, she and Jose take care of my father as if he was their family too. It makes me feel good knowing that even though my father is almost 200 miles away from me, he still has someone looking out for him.
"Will Tori be coming down?" I ask him as he continues his work.
"She can't today. She has her final dress fitting and couldn't move the appointment. But she'll be down tomorrow."
I wonder where they are staying, but watching Christian kiss Teddy on the head distracts me and I forget to ask.
Jose finishes the last few shots and Christian asks him to invite the others in.
"Thank you." I say when Jose leaves.
"No, Mrs. Grey, thank you." He smiles at me, a big wide smile. He looks like a kid in a toy store.
"Teddy. Do you want to hold your baby sister?" He asks.
Teddy looks confused, maybe a little scared. But he nods never taking his thumb out of his mouth. Christian shifts Teddy a bit on his lap.
"Remember hod to hold the baby?" I ask
Teddy nods and puts his arms in a circle. He's had practice with baby Eva.
Christian pulls his arm from around Teddy, allowing the arm of the chair to support him. He pulls a small pillow from the table next to him and puts it on Teddy's lap. Then he turns Phoebe around and lays her on the pillo, and puts his arms around her and Teddy making a circle of protection. Teddy makes a smaller circle of protection around Phoebe. My heart melts all over again.
Just then Jose is in the door again and snapping photos. Behind him, one by one my visitors begin to trickle in signing and gasping and letting out little "ohh's" and "ahh's".
Grace looks at Christian and the kids and begins to cry a little. Since she has already seen Phoebe, she stands in the corner giving everyone else a chance. Carrick taks a photo with his phone and smiles as he looks at it. I can only assume he is setting it as his background photo.
Ray comes to my bedside first and gives me a kiss on the head. "Hi baby girl. How are you feeling?"
"Fine Daddy. I'm so happy to see you." He observes the scene from afar. "She is beautiful. You did a good job."
Kate joins Ray next to me and is stroking my hair. Elliot is holding Eva and he brings her over to Christian.
"Yook it, Eba! Yook it Fee-bee!" Teddy says as Elliot kneels down with Eva on his knee. He and Christian smile at each other and laugh at Teddy's baby talk.
"Yook it, Lleiot! Yook at Fee-bee!' Christian says mocking Teddy. The two of them laugh together and Grace nearly faints from the sweetness. Teddy looks up at Christian with a scowl. He is his father's son alright! This sends Elliot and Christian into a louder roar of laughter.
I remember a time when I didn't understand what "Lleiot" meant. Christian had called Elliot that a few times before, usually as a tearm of endearment. After Teddy started calling Elliot "Unka-Lleiot" Christian confessed to me that as a child he couldn't pronounce Elliot, so he called him Lleiot. It was sweet that our son did the same.
I hope Jose is getting this all on camera. I look over, and he is.
Ray joins Carrick in the corner with Grace and the two talk about fishing as usual. Kate is holding my hand and watching the boys with me. "Look at our boys." She says lovingly.
Elliot looks up at her and winks with a big grin. Eva beings to cry. Instinctively he lifts her above his head and sniffs her backside. "Phew!!" He exclaims and holds her at arms length towards Kate. She looks down at me and rolls her eyes. Before letting me go and taking Eva out of the room for a diaper change.
"Still not changing diapers?" I ask him, laughing. A few weeks back he changed a particularly messy diaper and ended up losing his lunch all over the nursery floor. I don't think he's changed a diaper since.
"I still need time." He laughs and Christian joins in with him. Teddy beings to laugh too, looking between Christian and Elliot. He has no clue why they are laughing but he wants to join in with the big boys too.
Gail appears at my side and asks if I need anything. She smiles as she looks at Phoebe. "She's perfect, Ana." She says, before returning to Taylor outside the door.
Before I know it Ray, Carrick and Grace have stepped out for a bite to eat. Elliot and Kate and their nanny, Joy, have left so baby Eva can get home to bed. Phoebe is asleep in her bassinet after I've fed her and Teddy is sprawled out on the couch sleeping under his favorite blankie and his stuffed "buddy the bunny" under his arm. When he was smaller he called it "nunny" but now we can't tell if he is calling him "bunny" or "buddy" so we just call it "buddy the bunny".
Christian is setting up a spread of food for me on my tray and the door bursts open.
Mia comes sprinting in squealing "Ana!" Oh geez, I immediately check to see if the kids wake. Teddy stirs but doesn't fully wake. Christian puts his finger to his mouth and then points to Teddy and then to the bassinet.
"Oops!" Mia mouths without sound and she tiptoes over to where Phoebe lays. I hear a whispered gasp and she covers her mouth with her hand. Her diamond wedding ring set sparkles in the light. I smile thinking how happy I am that she and Ethan are happy.
"Where's Ethan?" I ask her quietly while Christian continues to set up my tray. He spreads a napkin across my lap gently, as if I don't have two hands to do it myself.
"She is so precious!" She whispers before answering me. "He is calling his parents. He wanted to tell them we made it home okay and that you had the baby."
Christian tries to feed me but I protest. Mia watches us and giggles, probably as Christian's persistance and my stubbornness. "Can I wake him?" She asks, pointing at Teddy. "I've missed him so much these past two weeks." She has her hands folded and is pouting. She is begging in classic Mia style.
Christian looks at his watch. "I guess. Gail and Rebecca will need to bring him home soon anyway."
Mia lets out a little "yay!" and then shakes Teddy a little bit. His eyes open sleepily and he gets excited when he sees it's Mia. Mia is by far his favorite family member. Probably because she is so bubbly and playful all the time.
"Mee-yah!" he cries and jumps up into her arms. She lifts him and swings him around.
"Teddy! I missed you!" She holds him right as his feet kick in the air.
"You go away." Teddy says, with a pout. He is reminding her that she went away and he didn't like it.
"I know buddy. I'm sorry. But I promised I'd come back and I did. See." She smiles and kisses his cheek.
Ethan walks in and gets a big smile when he sees Teddy and Mia. "Hey kiddo!" He says to Teddy who smiles.
"Ee-fin. Yook it! Its Mee-yah!" I don't think Teddy understands that Ethan has been with Mia the whole time she was gone. Ethan smiles and wraps his arm around Mia and kisses Teddys head.
He looks over and peeks down at Phoebe. "Aw!" He says and looks at me. "Good job guys." He approves.
"Didn't they?" Mia agrees.
Christian smiles down at me, as if to say "it was all her" but we both know it wasn't all just me.
"Hey Mia" Christian asks. "Do you guys want to take Teddy tonight?"
"Really?" Mia squeals in excitement.
"Oh Christian, come on, they just got back from their honeymoon-" I start but Ethan cuts me off.
"No, Ana, it would be perfectly fine. We missed Teddy. Mia has been going through Teddy withdrawals the entire trip. We'd love to have him for the night." As long as Ethan approves, I'm okay. I didn't want him to be upset with Mia over this.
"Well, if you insist. Teddy? Do you want to stay with Aunt Mia and Uncle Ethan tonight?"
Teddy nods yes with a big smile.
"Maybe you guys will want to stay at our place since that's where all of Teddy's toys and clothes are." Christian suggests.
"Sure" Mia says.
"Becca and Paul can take you guys. Arthur is getting Carla and Bob checked into their hotel and fed before he brings them here."
"Sounds great." Mia says setting Teddy down. "Teddy, why don't you give Mommy and Daddy a goodnight kiss and then grab Buddy the Bunny and we can go home and find Sophie!" Mia bargains with Teddy.
In a flash he is at my bedside with his arms stretched up to Christian who lifts him to the bed. He leans in and gives me a very gentle hug and kiss and then gives Christian a bear hug.
"Be good for Aunt Mia and Uncle Ethan, okay?" Christian says as he kisses the top of Teddy's head.
"Kay. I luff you Dad-dee."
"I love you too, buddy." Christian replies. "You love Mommy too right?"
"Yess!" Teddy enunciates the "s".
"I love you too my sweet baby boy." I say blowing him a kiss.
Before I know it he is strolling out the door hand-in-hand with Mia and Ethan. Buddy the Bunny and his blanket in Ethan's other hand.
"They look good with a child." I suggest with a smile.
"Easy!" Christian warns. "Hopefully a night with Teddy will be all the birth control those two need for a while."
I laugh. "Maybe in a year." I tease and Christian rolls his eyes.
We finish eating. I feed Phoebe and Christian does a little work on his computer. I'm anxious to see my mom, and Christian can tell. He texts someone and then says "She's on her way baby." How does he always know what I'm thinking?
After about 15 minutes my mom and Bob knock on the door and enter. Christian decides this is the best time to go make an important call. I hear him say "Hey Jose" as he leaves the room. It makes me wonder what he's got up his sleeve.
"Oh Ana!" Carla exclaims as she picks Phoebe up out of her bassinet. Bob peeks at her and smiles. He then excuses himself to give us some girl time. I've never been very close with Bob, so he probably feels uncomfortable. He never had kids either, so I'm sure he is out of his element here. Teddy calls him "Bob", and he prefers that. He is sort of awkward around children. Definitely not the fatherly type at all. But that doesn't make me like him any less. It's just who he is.
My mother is slowly rocking back and forth and humming to Phoebe. It makes me think of how she must have been when I was a baby. Holding her little girl. She continues for a little while before placing her back down and sitting on the bed next to me.
"Was the birth a little easier this time?" She asks. I explain what happened. "Christian must have been a mess." She knows him too well by now. "He was so cute when he called us." She explains how Andrea scrambled to get them on a flight and how determined Christian has been to have everything perfect for me. Apparently he had email threads between all the family members for a month now detailing who goes where and how this would all work out so things went smoothly. My controlling fifty for sure!
After a while I yawn and my mother agrees it's time for her to head back to the hotel. She tells me she'll visit in the morning and how she can't wait to see her little Teddy. She kisses me goodnight and goes to find Christian. I start to drift to sleep after taking one last look at little Phoebe asleep in her bassinet.
At one point I wake and panic a little when I don't see Phoebe or Christian. I want to get up and look for them but I'm still in a bit of pain. I buzz the nurse on the call button and she answers quickly.
"Where is Phoebe?" I ask, not giving her much time to even enter the room.
"Mr. Grey has her down the hall in the waiting room. I think he is taking photos." She answers.
Photos? I wonder why. Must mean Jose is still here. Poor Jose. I hope Christian is paying him for this. But then again, would Jose even take the money? I smile thinking that given he is about to be a newlywed I'm hoping he would take the money.
I feel comfortable knowing Christian has Phoebe and I drift back to sleep. When I wake again, Christian is cuddled up beside me on the bed, which is bigger than a normal hospital bed. I wonder if he had it custom made since last time we were pretty cramped. He's refused to leave my side when I've been in the hospital before, and he always sleeps with me when we are here. Never in the chair or on a couch.
I glance over and see Phoebe asleep peacefully, back where she belongs. I glance at the clock and figure she will be up soon to eat so I nudge Christian to wake him. He startles, as his eyes open.
"Ana? What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm going to need to feed Phoebe and I can't get up. Can you bring her to me?"
"Of course." He leaps out of the bed and over to get her.
I cradle her as she eats.
"I don't know if I can keep doing this Ana." His confession confuses and worries me. Do what? Us?
He reads the panic on my face and continues. "I don't think I can take you being in the hospital again. I know we both want a big family, but after almost losing you a third time, I don't want to keep risking it. Maybe we can consider adoption next time. You know, there are plenty of children out there that need families." He smiles. Yes. I do know that. I think back to little Teddy-like Christian.
"Not that I'm planning on our family growing bigger any time soon-" I start and glance down at Phoebe with a smile. She is contently sucking away, her nose in and forehead crinkled up. "But I think that is a good idea Christian. As much as I love being barefoot and pregnant in your kitchen, I know we can give a good home to children who need parents like us. Especially a father as wonderful as you are." I smile at him and he smiles back.
"You make me a wonderful father. You've taught me so much, Ana. I was just thinking about it tonight. I was standing there, watching you sleep with Phoebe in my arms and thinking of Teddy at home with Mia and Ethan. Without you none of this would exist. You came into my life and because of you, Kate and Elliot met. Without them meeting, Mia and Ethan wouldn't have met. You completely changed my world and the worlds of everyone around us. As much as I love control, I have to say, you are the head of this family. This whole family is a family because of you and you alone. Imagine where we'd all be today if you weren't here."
I think about it for a second. Kate would probably be consumed in her work, we're probably still be roommates and both of us dating around trying to find 'the one'. Neither of us would be as happy as we are now. Christian would still be an angry CEO. A dom with a random sub to keep him occupied. His life would be nothing but therapy sessions with Taylor, sleepless and lonely nights, and working out with Claude Bastille to let off steam. His parents wouldn't have the loving relationship they have with him now. He would have never admitted his love with his birth mother, or visited her grave. Teddy wouldn't be here, nor Eva or Phoebe. He would still be friends with Elena- I shudder at the thought.
"Are you cold?" He says, coming to me with a blanket off the couch.
"No. I was just thinking about it all. What life would be like without all of this." I admit.
"I don't even like to think about it. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, and everyone around me. That's why my parents love you so much. You're like a gift from heaven to them. To me too." He say wish a smile. He leans down and kisses me, with his hand on my cheek. When he pulls back he notices Phoebe is done. He reaches down and lifts her and begins to burp her on his way back to putting her back down.
I adjust myself and then cuddle under the blanket watching him sway back and forth slowly as he pats her back to coax the burp out of her. Finally she lets one out and when he is satisfied she is done, he lays her in his arms and rocks back and forth, humming one of his favorite songs, until she falls asleep.
I watch him in awe. This man has given me everything- a loving partner for the rest of my life, two beautiful children, financial security and stability to last not just my lifetime but our children's lifetimes, and so on. His generosity is endless. I love him more than I will ever find the words to express. I stare at him for a while, as he continues to sway and hum. The sound begins to put me to sleep. As I close my eyes I see the little copper haired boy I always dream about, except he is smiling, and he is happy. He is surrounded by his family- Grace, Carrick, Mia, and Elliot. He is no longer sad or in pain.
I love it. It's amazing. Thank u for sharing your mind in this. ^^
ReplyDelete