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~Epilogue~

Apov

Five Years Later

Christian and I have been blissfully happy these past five years. My new life is just as wonderful as I could've ever imagined it to be. I've been writing more and more while the kids are asleep. I love it that I have my own money and I don't really have to work that hard so I have more time for the things that matter most to me; my family. I have no deadlines and everything is stress-free.

After my first book, I started writing a trilogy of what it could've been like for Christian and Anastasia to meet under different circumstances. I decided to wait until I finished writing the third book before releasing it to be published. The response for the books blew me away. I'm still unknown, nobody has a clue who the author of my books is, but the books sales went through the roof. I, myself, am now a millionaire.

Gosh, I still remember the first time I saw someone purchase my books. Teddy and I were at the mall, shopping at a sports store for his junior tackle gear when I made a pitstop in one of the books stores to see my published books on display. Since I don't promote my work, I didn't expect the display to be empty and workers restocking the shelf when we walked in. When I saw a lady at the register with a set of my books, it was a phenomenal feeling. Though I was almost outted by my ten year old.

Blush does not even begin to cover it when Teddy asked, "Mom, isn't DJ Steele the name on your paperwork at home for Seattle Independent Publishing?"

Thankfully nobody overheard him. I only pray he and his siblings do not find out what is written on those pages.

Christian helped a great deal with the books, especially with the sex. After I published my set, Christian decided to publish a 'his pov' version. So far only one book has been released for his pov because I convinced Christian to return to GEH. It was obvious that he missed it, and if he toned down his hours to be home when they kids are out of school, Christian working again shouldn't be a problem. And it isn't.

Since I made more money with my book sales than I ever thought possible, and we needed a bigger place, I bought our next home. It's in Bellevue with a view of the Sound and a gorgeous meadow in the back. The best part about it is our neighbors! Grandma and Grandpa Trevelyan live right next door to us. Grace and Carrick live down the street. Kate and Elliot also made the move along with Mia who is now officially engaged to Kate's brother.

Since we have young children and it would be nice for them to actual read what I write, I started writing a children's book for them instead of erotica.

After I proposed to Christian, the next day he bought me an engagement ring with Teddy's help. He did the whole down-on-one-knee-thing saying it was his duty as a man. We got married soon after; the ceremony was small and held in our backyard at sunset. Ray even walked me down the aisle. He's become a bigger part of our lives, too.

Not long after Phoebe was born, Christian and I got pregnant again.

Our children are the loves of our lives.

Teddy is best big brother anyone could ask for and takes his role very seriously. He is very protective of his siblings and me. He is our hero when it comes to bugs, or any other critter. He loves animals, so much so that he volunteers at a shelter once a week. When it's summer vacation, he goes more often, but during school it's limited to once a week. I told Christian that Teddy is going to be a vet when he grows up.

My little Phoebe is now 5 and is in kindergarten. I can't believe how big she's gotten. She is the spitting image of her father, both Teddy and Phoebe look a lot like Christian. She is currently the only girl so she is spoiled, but not rotten. Her 8 year old cousin, Ava, is her best friend. They do everything together.

And the baby of the family is very bright. He loves books, though he can't read yet, he is still very interested in learning. And he loves numbers. Everywhere we go, he is always counting and trying to add. I keep teasing Christian that Ray is going to be his mini me and take over the GEH throne. Christian, of course, is okay with that and is happy that at least one of our children enjoys takeovers.

And then there is-

A child's giggle brings me from my thoughts.

I didn't even realize I dozed off thinking of how wonderful my life has turned out. Of course, there have been rough times, but nothing is comparable to my previous life.

Christian and I had a picnic lunch together in the meadow. Teddy and Phoebe are in school so we only have one child home home right now. While he was napping, we decided to get in a little alone time. He left to check on our son, and I didn't realize how tired I was until the giggle woke me from my little cat-nap.

It's a warm spring day today, the wind blowing against my skin feels amazing, the sound of birds chirping and the waves of the Sound behind our home is so relaxing. I love laying in our meadow, it's one of my go-to writing spots.

So exhausted, I close my eyes only to hear the laughter calling my attention once again.

I'd know that little giggle anywhere, it's almost identical to mine. Which means our sweet boy is awake from his nap.

Leaning up on my elbows, I look around and over the tall grass of the meadow until I spot Christian with my sweet baby boy.

Raymond Grey was named after his grandpa Steele. - Ray losing his daughter hurt me to think about, and knowing he was alone, just like I was, nearly gutted me. Since we met, Ray has been a permanent fixture in our lives and the kids think he is my biological father. He loves when they call him Papa Ray and he always has a treat for them when we visit since Grace showed him how to bake cookies. He was overjoyed to learned that Christian and I were planning to name baby number 3 after him.

Christian picks up little Ray and my heart nearly stops when he tosses him into the air. The overwhelming relief I feel when he's safely in his father's arms calms me just enough not to yell at Christian for scaring the daylights out of me. He knows I don't like it when he does that to our children, he nearly dropped Teddy while doing that. Okay, so they were in the pool and Christian was purposely throwing him without catching. But still, a mother's heart can only handle so much.

Before Christian and Ray reach me, I look around again, trying to make sure I'm well hidden and that Ray hasn't seen my location yet. My baby boy loves to play hide and go seek; another game that scares the living daylights out of me. I've told him time and time again, not to hide if I don't know we are playing. Thankfully he's finally starting to listen to that one. He gives security a run for their money, that's for sure.

"Where's mommy, buddy?" Christian asks Ray, knowing as well as I do he is on a mission to find his mama.

"Mommy!" Ray calls out, hoping I will give myself away. I've done I before. But I'm not falling for that little trick again. Last time I spoke up, he found me quicker than a jack rabbit on the fourth of July.

I peek over the tall grass again, smiling as I watch them approach me. I have to bite my lip to keep my giggling at bay. They're both looking around, though Christian knows where I am, and it's not long before Ray sees me.

"There she is!" He cheers happily as he points in my direction.

"Where?" Christian pretends not to see me, but I see him looking right at me with a huge smile on his gorgeous face.

"There! There!" Ray shouts excitedly as he jumps up and down.

He lets Christian's hand go then takes off running like a linebacker ready to tackle the quarterback in the Superbowl. If that makes sense. I know nothing about sports, but with two boys, along with Christian and Elliot, it is something I am going to have to get use to. Especially with Teddy in Junior Tackle.

"Mommy!" Ray squeals, jumping into my arms.

"Careful with mommy, Raymond." Christian gently reminds him.

"He's fine, Christian." I assure him, just like I did when I was pregnant with Phoebe when Teddy wanted all of my attention.

"How are you feeling, Mrs. Grey?" He sits beside me and kisses my lips.

"Mmmm." I moan quietly. I love when he refers to me as Mrs. Grey. It's only ever been me and it will only ever be me.

"Exhausted." I yawn. "Maybe I should've napped with Ray instead of eating a second lunch with you."

Christian reaches around Ray, who is still sitting in my lap, and places his hand on my stomach.

I look down and smile at my very noticeable bump.

Our due date is only a few weeks away, all the kids are excited to have a new sibling but not nearly as excited as I am. This is number four! I am ready for this kid to be evicted.

Christian and I both agreed after I gave birth to Phoebe that I would get on birth control, because it felt good making love bare while I was pregnant, and the only time we've went bare was while I was pregnant. We didn't want to go back to using condoms as our method for birth control for that reason but we didn't want to get pregnant again either, at least not so soon, however, at my final check up, the doctor announced we were expecting again. Talk about heart failure!

So after Ray was born, we were extremely careful until I could go on birth control. With this little one growing inside of me now, my shot ran out. I swear, it's true when they say the only 100% method of birth control there is, is abstinence. But with a man like Christian, who is not only the sexiest man alive, but also a man who introduced me to all kinds of hot, kinky sex, that is simply not possible. Perhaps we should consider a more permanent method, this is our forth child.

Christian's hand is still on my bump when I feel our baby moving around. It's the most incredible feeling in the world, I loved it with each one of my babies and missed the feeling after they were born.

Suddenly, as if I've been slapped with a stick, I get a moment of Deja-voo. This has happened before, I know it. Or has it?

I start to overthink, trying to remember. Why does this feel so familiar?

"Baby is ready to come out." Christian announces as he feels our baby move.

"I think we're more ready than the baby is." I laugh.

"Only a few more weeks." Christian smiles. "I can't wait."

He is, without a doubt, the most amazing father. I know he was worried when Phoebe was born because she was a girl, but he's been amazing with her. Of course, the dreaded teenage years are still to come, so who knows what will happen when she finally starts dating. She and Ava are the only girls so their boyfriends have to go through their dads, their granddads, along with Teddy and little Ray. I wonder if we're having another boy, it'll be just the girls' luck.

Just like when I was pregnant with Phoebe, this baby refuses to show us the goods on the ultrasound machine. It's made us consider this baby might be a girl as well, but we're merely guessing. This time, however, we are looking at both gender names, although we still can't decide on a name. It would make things easier if we knew which gender to focus on.

It hits me like a brick; the reason this all feels so familiar is because I dreamt it. Except I thought Ray was Teddy. The first night I slept with Christian, I had a dream. In my dream, everything that is happening now, happened in my dream. Though now I'm thinking it wasn't a dream, more like a vision of the future. Because everything, every little detail, it's exactly like my dream. But in my dream, we knew we were having a girl.

It has to be a sign so I tell Christian.

"It's a girl." I grin. "I know it's a girl."

"I know you and Phoebe are set on having another girl around, but it could be a boy, baby."

"No, Christian." I shake my head. "You don't understand. It is a girl."

"Baby, we thought Phoebe was a boy until she was born."

"I know it's a girl because I've dreamed of this before." I explain, probably sounding like some sort of crazy person.

"You dreamed we were having a girl?"

"Yes, awhile back. And you've made every one of my dreams come true thus far."

The way Christian's face lights up when he smiles is enough to make me swoon. Can a girl lust after her own husband?

"What are we going to name her?" He asks.

"How about Grace? Or Gracie." I suggest. "Your mother would be thrilled and it would continue with the theme of naming our babies after their grandparents who mean so much to us."

"My mother would be thrilled." He agrees. "But what are we going to do if we have another baby later on? We're running out of grandparents."

"Oh, no." I laugh while shaking my head. "This baby factory is shutting down for business. Four is enough. More than."

"I was actually thinking of trying for twins."

"Twins?!" I shout at his joke. Because he has to be joking. SIX kids?! "Are you mad?"

"No, I'm happy." He laughs, correcting me. "Are you happy, baby?"

"Yes." I answer truthfully as I wrap my arms around Ray, who is now playing with his father's phone.

I'm the happiest I've ever been, all thanks to Teddy and his father.

I never expected to find love on the run. But I know this isn't over, far from it, because a true love story... never ends.

The End


I hope you enjoyed this story and thanks for overlooking any errors that slipped passed my attempt at editing.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has read my stories, reviewed them, favorited me, followed me,
because it is much appreciated and encouraged me to continue writing.
I'm not sure when you will see another story from me...
But in the meantime, you can find me on Facebook in the FSoG Fanfic Obsessed group that lanieloveu & I created.

Thanks again to everyone.

Until Laters,

{SdaisyS}