Fifty Shades Ever After?

Chapter 20

Christian POV

I decide to come out of the room and check on the kids when I see Ana walking to her room. I decide to try and talk to her, reminding her I am madly in love with her. I walk to her room and knock on her door. "Come in" I hear muffled through the door. I open the door and see a surprised Ana looking at me. "Ana can I have a moment of your time"? She nods and I come to sit on her bed. "What's up Christian"? I sigh "Ana l have been thinking about our conversation....how things went it wasn't what it was supposed to be. I have to admit I was shocked, it was just now Ethan doesn't have anyone. A child died needlessly and this was someone that until a little over a week ago I believed I was married to. I don't regret you found me because she could have overdosed me and I wouldn't have even know, then we're would Parker have been? It just looks hit me at once". She sighs "I understand that and can be accepting of that, its just you saying you regret me finding you, how it could have been your child, how she didn't cheat on you? That's what hurt. You saying I'm the love of your life but not sure your in love with me? It was a knife in my chest. I know we have changed over the last 5 years but I know deep in my heart I am as in love with you today as I was with you years ago. It's what has gotten me through every rough patch I have". I sigh and grab her hand "Baby I am so in love with but with me not working staying at home again being a stay at home dad, just felt like a repeat of life with Leila. I felt inadequate and unworthy of those feelings. But after doing some soul searching I realized why, I don't want to be a burden on you Ana, I want us to be partners neither of us being dependant on the other. I want us to be equals". "I understand how that feels my love, I felt that way before, I respect it. Just give us time, you know you love me and remember the feeling's just don't say things that could be hurtful and with me right now I'm bound to take it completely wrong". I sigh "Baby I don't want to be another weight on your shoulders, I want to be a help for you someone to share the burden with".

Ana looks at me with love in her eyes "I want that too, I'm trying to integrate you with day to day life, I ask you to do things for me. I don't want to overload you. I wanted you to become adjusted to living with 4 hyper children, not counting Parker. Elliot isn't much easier than the kids. I just haven't wanted to overwhelm you". I touch her face "I love that about you Ana but please overwhelm me....I need to be here for you. I need to be needed. I can help here at home, if you need me back at GEH hell if you need me doing laundry I want to help you". "Ok then tomorrow we'll sit down and figure this out. When I first started taking over GEH it was hard and overwhelming. I never wanted that, you know it. But I adapted, but I can honestly say if I had that weight off my shoulders it wouldn't be so bad. I can place my businesses back in a separate part from GEH and just focus on that. We can go over what's gone on or you and dad can. He's been there from the start, guiding me being a pillar for me". I lean my forehead on hers "I don't want to take anything from you Ana, I just want to balance you out like we did before". She laughs "Your taking it back and it's fine. You know what your doing it's fine. Just don't change too much of what I accomplished. If you'd like I can still run the charitable conglomerate I set up for your pet projects". I laugh "That works for me, I was surprised and proud of you setting that up. It never occurred to me to see if other companies would be interested in helping the world poor". She sighs "They really aren't, they just need the donations for the tax breaks at the end of the fiscal year. But I use them for what they need but the board I have set up, they believe in the cause".

I look at Ana and sigh "So are you going to tell me what happened to you? I see your hurt and not talking to me about it". She groans "I guess I can't hide a broken arm. I went for a drive to clear my head. Not being reckless because I was driving my baby. I was on my way back when a car passed the center line. I honked so they went back...then they crossed over again, I honked again but they veered even closer to me and clipped the car. I was shocked when I was spinning out but I didn't brake, I just let off the accelerator and didn't fight the wheel". As my wife is explaining this fear of just what could have happened fills me and makes me sick to my stomach. "So what happened"? "When I got a bit of control I could have gone over the cliff or crash into a tree. Figured it was the best of two evils. The car is bad...I don't wanna talk about it. But basically I'm fine aside from the broken arm and a little whiplash. Not surprising. I'm sure I'll hurt more tomorrow, but I'll deal with that then". "So your still good for surgery"? She groans "Yes still good for surgery". I chuckle "My stubborn angel this is going to make your life easier. I will be here to help you this time. Nothing is going to happen this time, we're all here to help you. Tomorrow we'll get the kids packed and ready for the next day, then we'll get.you ready for the hospital". She leans into me "I'm exhausted just thinking about all of this". I understand baby but this will be good trust me baby".

Ana POV

After Christian and Elliot bathe and get the kids ready for bed, the kids come down to my room for bedtime story. Parker comes to cuddle besides me holding the book and turning pages for me. Christian and Elliot stand by the door, listening to me read to my angels. I finish up, kissing each child before they leave to go to bed. I sigh as the last child leaves for bed. I am more tired and sore than I realized leaning my head against the headboard when I hear bedroom open. I see Christian at the door "Do you mind if I sleep down here with you? Just sleep baby I know your hurt, I just sleep better with you". I nod and turn on my side almost asleep before he joins me. "I love you Christian". He mutters behind me "I love you too baby". I sigh and fall asleep as he wraps his arms around me.

The next day

Today is the day Gail and I start getting the kids ready for camp, packing what they need making sure their bath things are together and the like. The beautiful thing about this camp, no electronic devices allowed. It's a true summer camp. The kids are excited to go, Parker is nervous because of a new surrounding but Hailey and Ava will be her bunk mates, mom made sure of that. Elliot and Christian are wrangling the kids outside so Gail and I could pack without the interference of the kids.
"Gail I'm not sure what I'm going to do in a quiet house without my monsters running around". She sighs "I know this will be the first time they are gone for a long stretch of time. But the peace and quiet will help with your healing also". I nod and Gail looks at me "Are you nervous Ana"? "Yes of course I am. I have a bad feeling something bad is going to happen in the hospital. I just know it and I can't shake the feelings". "Taylor will be there Ana, Taylor is like a rabid dog when it comes to your safety. Don't stress so much. It won't help your healing, and you don't need an ulcer to complicate things". "Your right so mom says camp starts tomorrow but they have to go check in today. Talk about a new twist... thought I had one more night with them". "It's ok the camp is a few hours away and we have Prescott going to go with the kids, so there shouldn't be any issues". "I know I'm just experiencing babies leaving the nest for the first time". "It gets easier from what I hear". I look at the suitcases we've packed and think we're ready. "Do the cases have their names on them". "I made sure last night after I sent Taylor for Parker's case". "I can't believe I forgot she didn't have a suitcase. Kudos to Taylor for finding one dark blue with stars and hearts on it". She chuckles "He took note of the stuff you guys bought. That man is very observant". I nod as Sawyer and Ryan come and get the bags and place them in the car.

Gail makes a nice lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup before we leave to take the kids. They are just excited to be going to explore new things. I tend to keep a tighter rein on things because of Christian and Parker but I have to start allowing them a traditional childhood where they don't have to be around me 24/7. I look around the table and my heart fills with love for my family. "So is everyone excited to go to summer camp"? Everyone shouts with excitement, except Parker. "Parker it's going to be amazing. You'll get to meet new people, try exciting new things. Plus this is a first for everyone. Prescott will be there the entire time,.so nothing bad will happen". She nods and I see Christian rubbing her shoulder. "Angel I promise this is a good thing. You get to bond more with your siblings, and it'll give you an idea of what school will be like in the fall". "It's ok daddy I know it's just scary for me. I am going to be ok. I know. I've just not been away from you for long times daddy. Just a couple days and that was just not long time ago. I have Ava and Hailey and Derrick and Teddy. I am ok I promise". Christian replies "That's my brave girl...just like me. Uncle Elliot and I will be picking you guys in a few weeks". We finish up and the kids run to get ready to leave. Elliot decides stay here, a little childless freedom for a change while Taylor and I take the kids to camp. "So you gave mom the signed papers allowing m to sign Ava into camp"? Elliot nods "Yup basically your her legal guardian for camp, I know that we are doing the secrecy thing....so I thought it'd be better if you and Taylor are allowed access to Ava. You've basically given me the same permissions over the others also". I sigh "What would happen if Kate knew"? Elliot is pissed "I don't give a fuck what she thinks about this...your around her more than her own mother". I sigh "I just don't want drama Elliot. Kate hates me enough, I don't want her thinking taking her daughter from her". He hugs me "Kate isn't around to be a mother to her...your not asking her to call you mom, your just being a positive female role model for her. Nothing Kate says matters".