Fifty Shades After

Chapter 31

Ana POV

Grace has been sweet and caring while trying not to hurt me. I am retreating inside of myself. I know no one here will hurt me, but I have trust issues big time. It's a good thing Flynn is here, I can't afford to go back down that road again. I want to go back to being Ana but I do know that I have changed and will never be the same. Grace mutters she's finishes and leaves me the clothes to put on. For me it is strange to wear clothes again. But I am glad to have my modesty back.
"Thank you Grace. I really appreciate this. I will get better I am just still in shock that I am here it's almost like a dream and I am afraid to wake up" "Dear I understand completely. Now lay down and let's check on this baby OK"? "Yes please" she takes the gel and probe and places it on my abdomen. There is a heart beat and I have never heard that before. But then I hear something else. "Grace what is that sound"? "Honey that's the babies heart beat. Haven't you heard that before"? I shake my head no. "It sounds good and strong, but wait....I see a second. Ana dear you are carrying twins. I can tell you the sex if you want". Twins? My gosh that is a surprise. "Yes please" "Let's see now, no guarantees now but I would say it's a girl and a boy. Dr Greene can confirm when you see her but everything looks good with them. Do you want to see Dr Flynn first or would you like to meet your son"?
"Oh I would love to meet my son. But Christian doesn't know about this, I am scared Grace. I don't want him to hate me". "Oh Ana he won't hate you, this isn't your fault. It's Jose's fault. Just be strong and everything will work itself out". Grace and I leave the room and start down stairs. I begin to have anxiety and Grace grabs my hand and takes a deep breath and I mimic her. I feel better and we continue down. 

We walk into the living room and I see all the men sitting around the couch, playing with Teddy. They don't notice us walking into the room until Grace steals Teddy from Carrick. They all turn and look over at us. I see Christian and it looks like he wants to come over to me but he is hesitant. I walk over to him and start the conversation. "Hey Christian. Long time no see". He looks stunned to see me like he is unsure if I am real or a figment of his imagination. I reach out to touch his face gently, so he can see I am indeed real. After I touch him he gently takes me into his arms and holds me. "Ana I have missed you so much baby. I have looked for you non stop baby. I promise, I tried but just as I would get to where we thought you were, you were gone". "I understand Christian, I didn't realize how far Jose's mind had gone. I also tried to get away both before Teddy and after, but after was harder. There were threats against you and him and I WOULD not think of putting him in danger. I knew he was safe with you, believe me but to hear a mad man threaten to kill my son. I would suffer anything to make sure that didn't happen. I am only glad we went to Mr Rodriguez's home and he called daddy. When I saw him and he got me away just for a few minutes, I felt actual hope to come home to you both". I continue to hold on to him but soon I let go and rush off to the bathroom to be sick. "Excuse me". Grace follows behind me to make sure I am OK. "Morning sickness"? "That and stress, shock and relief". I chuckle. "Grace do you have iced tea? That generally helps settle my stomach, and some ginger cookies"? "Actually I do, Carrick just got over the flu and ginger cookies help his stomach as well".  We walk into the kitchen and Grace gets me the drink and cookies. Christian follows soon after. 

Christian POV

I watch in shock as Ana runs to the bathroom suddenly. Mom follows after her to make sure she is OK. I wonder what is wrong with her. It felt so good having her in my arms again. I hear them leave the bathroom and go into the kitchen. I give them a minute then follow after them. "Ana are you OK? Are you sick, whats the matter baby"? Ana looks at mom and she comes over to hold Ana's hand. "Christian the past year has been really hard. I don't want to tell you everything right now, because I am still processing things. But I will tell you somethings. Since I was taken until today, I have been raped multiple times a day. I never wanted it and I fought to begin with but when I did I was abused so I quit fighting but I didn't want it. Shortly after Teddy was born like three weeks after he began again because he wanted to impregnate me to mark his territory in a way. He was pissed and jealous about Teddy but allowed me to carry him and  let him go to you. So anyways as I was saying about three weeks after Teddy Jose began his actions again. That was almost 5 months ago. I am 4 1/2 months pregnant with twins it turns out". Ana looks into my eyes searching for my emotions.

"Ana I am so sorry baby, I could never hold what happened against you. You did what you had to and you survived. I want us to talk with Flynn and get back to where we can talk again. I have felt so guilty because I left you that night and you left because you thought I didn't want Teddy. Baby I wanted him, I didn't know I wanted him but I always did. I just froze and couldn't reset my mind to be able to talk. If I had talked to you instead of leaving maybe none of this would have happened". I see her eyes glisten with unshed tears. "Baby don't cry, just because you are pregnant, that doesn't change things for me. They will be MY children, you and I will raise them together. If that is what you'd like. They are Teds siblings and you are their mother. Nothing can change that. I will love them like I love you and Ted". 

"Christian, I always knew you were capable of this kind of love, but you didn't see it in yourself until you had to care for Teddy alone. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise, because it made you see what I have always seen. A strong loving man who has taken his childhood and changed it for the better. You could've never hurt a child like you were. Now that my stomach has settled, I would love to meet my son. I never held him or saw him before they took him to you. I need to give him my love". 

Ana and I walk into the living room and see Ray playing with little Ted. Ray sees us enter and he walks over and hands Ana Ted. The look on her face is immense joy and love. "My goodness he looks just like you Christian, gray eyes and copper hair to boot. He is so handsome. Has he been a good baby? Colic? Sleeping through the night? Does he have a nanny"? "Well he is actually a good baby no colic, thank goodness not completely sleeping through the night but he goes about 4 to 5 hours at a time at night and mom says that good for his age. He doesn't have a nanny, I have been working from home and caring for him myself. Mom and Gail have been a god send but after I got the hang of everything, I became Mr Mom and am proud to admit it". Ana looks at me with such love and pride, my heart swells. "I can't wait to take care of him and cuddle him. I imagine he is the best cuddlier".  "Actually he is, he loves to cuddle in our bed on your side by the way. Maybe he knew it was mamma's side and wanted to be close to her". She nods in agreement. "Ana" John calls to Ana and she looks over at him. "Are you ready to talk about what happened? We need to record it for the police dear". She nods and hands Teddy to me and give me a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back soon my love" she whispers. "We'll be waiting baby" I whisper back.

Ana POV

I look back at Christian and Teddy and my heart is bursting with love. I knew he'd be a great dad. I see Flynn and Taylor walk into the den and I follow them. "Ana I have asked Taylor to sit in because he was also a witness to the photo documentation. I know this will be hard and in the future we will break all this down and dissect it but for now, we just need to know what happened in as much detail as you can. Anything said in this room will be recorded but not repeated to another soul". I nod and sit down beside Taylor. "Taylor, I may need your support to get through this, its pretty gruesome. Is that alright". "Whatever you need from me Ana, I am here for you". "Thanks, you know you remind me of the older brother I always wanted. Thanks for that Taylor". He looks away embarrassed. "You ready Ana"? "No but lets get started".