Please note that there have been two new chapters today, so make sure you have read the other chapter before you start this one :)

Nine months later

" ... Has the jury come to a conclusion?" The judge asks and I feel myself getting nervous.

"Yes your honor, we the jury find all of the defendant not guilty in all charges." The man says and he turns into Norton pulling out a gun...

"Anastasia... baby wake up!" I hear Christian's voice and sit up in bed.

"It was just a dream baby, they all were charged guilty and are in prison." Christian says, knowing exactly what my dream was about. I have been having the same nightmare for six weeks now. Christian made me see Flynn about it who believes that it has to do with the pregnancy and my fear of not being able to protect my own child.

"I'm sorry." I murmur and rub my swollen belly. Neither of us expected for me to get pregnant so soon, but I stopped taking the pill six months ago and now I'm five months pregnant with our second son.

"It's ok, baby... do you need something?"

"No, just hold me." I murmur and snuggle into him.

"Maybe you need a little time out. I could take a few days off and we could go somewhere." He offers.

"No, I know you are working on an important deal and my Dad's birthday is in two days, so I don't want to leave the city."

"I can always make time for my wife." He grumbles and I smile.

His divorce was finalized seven months ago and just two months later we got married. It was a small beautiful ceremony and reception, just like I always imagined the perfect wedding would be. Nothing to big, just family and friends.

But it was his wedding gift, that he gave me when we were on the first day of our honeymoon that turned me into a crying mess, because he had all the paperwork done for me to officially adopt Teddy. I can't even put into words how much that meant to me. I love the little guy so much and even though at first the thought that I could turn out like my own mother scared me, I have come to the realization that I'm nothing like her and I had the perfect example of a good parent in my Dad. In addition, Grace, Flynn and everyone else in my life has assured me that the fear of failing your own child is a natural fear, that comes with all the love you have for your own child. You can just try to do your best every day and hope that your children turn into happy adults.

"I know, but I really want to stay home... I had nightmares before and I know it will pass. Also, both John and Doctor Greene have told me that some women suffer from weird dreams or even nightmares during their pregnancies." I reply and get up.

"Where are you going?" Christian asks when I get up and put my robe on.

"Your son wants waffles with whipped cream." I tell him with a big smile and laughs and gets up too.

"Let's make this a nightly kitchen party." He says with an ridiculous grin.

If I have learned anything about my husband then it is that he loves to see me eat. Usually, I don't even finish everything on my plate, but this pregnancy has given me a healthy appetite since I'm still within the weight frame Doctor Greene wants me to be, I allow myself to have these little late night snacks from time to time. Even though Christian wasn't happy when for a solid month all I was craving were hot pockets with extra cheese on top. According to him it's disgusting and the most processed food in the world, but to me it was the most delicious thing in the whole wide world, now I can't even look at Hot Pockets without wanting to gag.

Once the waffles are ready I stare at my plate and he frowns.

"No longer craving waffles?"

"No... I still want them... but something is missing." I reply and head into the pantry where I find what I was looking for open the can and have to laugh at Christian's horrified expression.

"You know, I love you with all my heart and I love to watch you eat, Anastasia, but waffles with whipped cream and spam is where I draw the line. Enjoy your snack, baby, but I have to go back to bed." He says, kisses the top of my head and leaves the kitchen, while I can't help the giggle that escapes me.

After my snack, I go back to bed where Christian is already sleeping again and manage to get a few more hours of nightmare free sleep.

In the morning, Christian is no longer in the bedroom and I realize that it is almost eight a.m., so I head take a quick shower get dressed and head downstairs, but can't find Christian anywhere.

"Good morning, Anastasia... do you want breakfast?" Gail asks.

Yes, please, pancakes and scrambled eggs if it's not too much." I say and she shakes her head with a smile and starts to busy herself in the kitchen.

"Have you seen, Christian?"

"He has a meeting in his study." She says and I frown.

"At this hour?"

"Yes, your father, Taylor, Ryan and Sawyer are with him." She explains.

"Ok, I guess I'll see if Teddy is already awake." I murmur when in reality, all I want is to find out what this meeting is all about, but instead I walk back upstairs and find Teddy fast asleep hugging his favorite stuffed animal to himself.

Like every morning, I sit down on the edge of the bed for a few minutes and just watch him. He is such an active little guy that it's amazing to see him this quiet and peaceful.

Just last week I learned another valid mom lessons thanks to Teddy. Christian was at work, while I was at home with Teddy. It was raining cats and dogs, so I decided to get some finger paint out and set everything up so we could paint without making a mess. Unfortunately, Mia called and I turned away from Teddy for about ten minutes, which was enough time for him to not just cover himself, but also the floor, a small part of the wall and even the couch in colorful handprint. We had the entire mess sorted out within a day, but I have learned my lesson to never turn away from a child when it has access to any kind of paint or pencils.

Another thing I have learned is that some young kids have a very unhealthy obsession with bugs. Sadly for me, my son is one of those kids and ever since we moved here there isn't a day that has passed where he didn't find some sort of huge bug in the meadow that he proudly showed me. Christian thinks it's normal, but I hate it... I know I'm a grown up, but bugs freak me out. So, it's not a good match.

To be fair though, I wouldn't want to have my little whirlwind any other way. He makes me smile so much and it is a joy to see the world through his eyes, where even the most mundane tasks can turn into an adventure and I can wait for Teddy to be a big brother and play with his little brother.

Christian

"So it's over?" I ask and Taylor nods.

"Yes, we couldn't get the fucker for mistreating Mrs. Grey, but he had enough skeletons in the closest to get to him. He got arrested this morning and will not be released on bail."

"Good." I mutter and shake Taylor's hand before he leaves me with Ray.

"I have to say, you really meant it when you promised me to look out for my daughter." He says clearly impressed.

"It's called self-preservation, Ray. Anastasia is my life, I will never allow for anything to happen to her. That bastard hurt her, it was his job as a doctor to protect her and he didn't do it save his ass and then proceeded to try and find a way for his fucked up son to get out of the mess he created. That made Norton number one on my shit list and I'm lucky enough to deal with the people who have made it onto that list."

"I'm glad, I have to admit, I was skeptic in the beginning, I thought you kids were moving too fast, but I have never seen my daughter this happy... so obviously it was for the best and I'm happy Anastasia found you." Ray says.

"I'm happy with all the mess in the beginning she didn't run... she along with my son is the best thing that has ever happened to me." I say, I was never a man who liked to talk about his feelings, but Anastasia has changed that and I want her father to truly understand how much his daughter means to me. He means the world to his daughter, so it means a lot to me to have his approval.

"Good, well, assuming he is going to the state prison, I have my end covered. He will pay." Ray replies. I'm going to see my daughter now." He adds and leaves my study.

When we realized we didn't have enough evidence to get Norton behind bars too, I was pissed. I didn't want him around, he needed to be gone. So, Taylor looked into it for me and found enough dirt to get him behind bars for a few years, which wasn't enough for me or Ray. Luckily, Ray has an old army buddy who is in prison for killing someone while driving under the influence and is not getting out for another twenty years, meaning he will spend the rest of his life in prison. When Ray contacted him and let him know what happened to Anastasia and that the guy who had part in it would be most like spending time at the prison he was in he understood without words what Ray was asking him to do. So, now all we have to do is make sure Norton ends up there and he will be taken care of too. He might not end up dead, but the guy will make sure that he will never be able to hurt anyone ever again and that is exactly what I want.

After a few more minutes of thinking about the fact that Anastasia's past will never come back to haunt her again, I get up to find my family. When I find they are in the kitchen and I just take the picture in. Teddy is laughing at the jokes Ray is making with him, Anastasia is watching them while cutting Teddy's pancakes and I know this is what I always wanted, my own family with a loving wife and mother to my children. I can't wait for our baby to be with us. Anastasia is the most patient and loving mother to Teddy, so I know she will be just as great with our second boy and I couldn't be more thankful to have found a wife that does not just love me with all of my faults, but also my son. To be fair though, I'm pretty sure Teddy won her over first... but we still got there.

"Hey there... do you want to come in or just keep watching us?" Anastasia says with a smile and I step into kitchen, kiss Teddy on the top of the head and press a quick kiss to Anastasia's lip. She of course blushes because her father is watching which makes me smirking. Judging by the fact that she is carrying my second son, I'm pretty sure he knows we do more than just kiss, but her still being shy and innocent in certain situations is just one of the things I love about her.

Five months later - Anastasia

"He is perfect, isn't he?" I murmur, looking at my baby boy who is just an hour old. He was almost two weeks late and I was convinced I would have to get a c-section. But this morning, just before we had another appointment with Doctor Greene my water broke and Ryan Carrick Grey was born within seven hours of labor. At first I didn't think Christian would agree with my wish to name our son after Ryan, because Christian is always a bit distant with his employees, but to my surprise he agreed right away. After all, if it wasn't for Ryan neither Teddy nor I would have survived the night Reynolds drove the car with us in it off that bridge. Ryan never accepted anything for being a hero to us. He didn't accept Christian giving him a raise nor did he want anything else for it. He said it was his job and he did what he had to do, when in reality, he did a lot more than just his job. Most people would have just made sure they survived and no one could blame someone for that, but he made sure Teddy and I came out of this too, so it only felt fitting for Christian and I to honor him by naming our son after the man that saved my life.

We did go with his last name though, because his first name is Carl and he hates it with a passion. Now, looking at my son, I just can't get over the fact how much my little boy already looks like his Daddy and big brother. It's uncanny, but then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised that my darling husband has dominant genes...

"What has you giggling, baby?" Christian asks.

"Oh, I just thought about how much Ryan already looks like you and Teddy... must be your dominant genes." I say and Christian laughs.

"I can't deny them now can I?" He says with a smirk and kisses me.

"No, that you can't, Mr. Grey, but do you know what I would love to do now?"

"No, what do you want, baby?"

"I would love to take our first family picture as a family of four."

"I'll get Teddy." He says and kisses me before he leave the room to return with Teddy. Once the are back we give Teddy a moment to bond with his baby brother and then Christian asks the nurse to take a picture of us. In it, I look tired and sweaty, but I know it will become one of my favorite family photos of all times.

Twenty years later - Christian

Looking around the house I find Ana in the living room looking at all the family picture we have made over the years. Births, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, first days of school... all captured and framed by my wife who loves to have family photos in every room of the house. Anastasia really is the heart of our family. She taught our children to be close and stand up for each other, to value family time and be respectful and loving. To this day, every Wednesday is game night at our home and even though Teddy and Ryan no longer live at home, they make sure to be there for game night. It's also Gails night off, so Anastasia will make lots of finger food and we order pizza, which I hated at first, but now I do love it and find myself waiting for Wednesdays to come around so I can have a slice of greasy pizza which a can of soda, which on any other day I do not allow myself to have.

Above all though, it is having all five of my children around that I love so much. Just after Ryan turned three we had our first daughter, Phoebe, and two years later we welcomed our twin girls Maddie and Cadie who made our family complete. If I thought my sons are thick as thieves I hadn't seen anything until the girls come around. Even though they are two years apart, they do everything together and most often end up falling asleep all in one bed at night.

Now that they have all hit their teens, it's all about clothes, make up and boys, which is freaking me the fuck out, but Anastasia assures me all the times that it is normal behavior for girls and I can remember Mia being the same, so I can't really say anything. Still, I have added extra security on them just for my peace of mind. My girls are all as beautiful as their mother and I will be damned if anything ever happens to them. I would love to say this world is a safe place for young girls, but one look at the newspaper tells me that sadly it isn't, so I will do whatever it takes to keep my girls safe and happy.

" Baby?" I call out to Anastasia and she turns around with smile.

"Hi, have you been looking for me?"

"Yes, Teddy called, he will pick Ryan up on his way over."

"Good... can you believe Ryan graduated college two years early?"

"I can, after all he is working so much at GEH at this point I can almost stay at home and think about retirement." I smirk and Anastasia laughs.

"As if, you enjoy being master of the universe way too much to retire any time soon."

"Guilty as charged, still both Teddy and Ryan are doing a great job. And if our daughter's ever figure out want they want to become one day I'm sure they will too." I say, with Teddy and Ryan it was easy, they both wanted to work with me since they've been kids, my girls however have a new life goal every five seconds it feels, they wanted to be professional dancers, top models, singer, actresses, Cadie wanted to be an astronaut, Maddie wanted to be a cop and I nearly grounded Phoebe when she saw a movie and decided she wanted to become a professional pole dancer... over my dead body! Thankfully, that only lasted for about a week and now they are back to figuring it out. Still, I'm sure once they have figured it out they will be great in whatever their chosen field is going to be.

A little later all my children are back at home, we have selected a few games and the pizza has just arrived. As I eat my pizza I lean back and look at my family. It still amazes me that this is my life. Five amazing kids, the best wife a guy could ever hope for and a life that has been smooth sailing ever since Anastasia and I left the all the drama that was the beginning of our relationship behind us. All in all I can say that life is pretty fucking good and I'm looking forward to many more years with my beautiful wife, our children and hopefully one day grandchildren...

The End