APOV

I wandered down the aisle of cut grass, my hands gently touching the meadow flowers that were at both sides of me now. Entering a space where tomorrow would be filled with chairs, with our family and friends I looked forward to the antique arch, white roses climbing up it, which in just over twenty-four hours I would marry Christian under.

The weather was said to be perfect tomorrow, a warm spring day. Should it change as it has been known to do at short notice around here and a spring shower should come, we would be ready for that and move into the marquee that had been set up to hold our wedding reception. I doubt we'd need to though as if tomorrow is like today, jackets would be shed too.

"It will be perfect" I heard behind me as I turned with a smile to greet the man who at 2 pm tomorrow will be my husband.

"I know it will be. I can't believe tomorrow I will be your wife" I spoke, stepping into his arms. "The time has passed so quickly."

"It has, thankfully" he replied, bringing his lips to my own.

I would never get enough of this man, one who I felt I've waited for all my life. I loved all of him, his mind, his body, his smile but more than anything I love his heart.

We'd kissed many times before out here, kissed many times also inside the house. We had shared many kisses in what will be our new home too as we had planned, and with the help of Elliot, renovated it.

My days left living here now numbered one as once we were back from honeymoon we would be moving into our new home. There was no sadness as such at leaving this place as I will return most likely every day.

"I think someone wants attention" Christian whispered in my ear upon us breaking our kiss to take a much-needed breath.

"Who," I asked as he nodded over to the alpaca enclosure, seeing Sully looking at us through the fence.

Whereas Mike was always up to mischief and would try and escape any chance he got, Sully was a mommy's boy, never straying too far from her. He also liked to follow me around when I was in with them, booping me in the head just as his father liked to do when I was bending down to do something.

They had both grown so much since their births, no longer Bambi trying to walk on spindly legs. They had all been sheered recently, and after shedding their thick fleeces, I sometimes forget how skinny they all can be.

"Sully" I called over to him, his full attention I now got.

When I called his name it usually meant a treat was coming his way, either that or he was going on the halter. He didn't like that much at first, especially if that meant a trip to the vet but now, he associates it more with a walk around the yard. It's all part of our preparation for when we move them to their new home once we're back from Africa.

Today though the call of his name meant lots of attention when we reached him, Mike too who refused to miss out. A treat also went their way, all of them in the shape of a horse treat, although the younger ones only got half.

"How do you think they are going to do tomorrow," Christian asked as we left the alpaca's behind and headed back towards the house.

"I'm not sure. Barnard will be on guard, having so many people around he doesn't know, that's why I stated that all who are coming do so an hour earlier so by the time of our wedding, he might have calmed down somewhat and knows they are not a threat. With you and Luke out here, showing no fear of those that are arriving, that will help calm him too. The only children who are coming are John and Rhian's boys and you said you've spoken to them."

"I have, they can't wait to see the animals. They think it's the coolest thing ever to have them at our wedding and want them to come to their birthday parties."

"They would eat everything, the goats certainly would" I laughed. "That's why the marquee is on the opposite side of the yard from where they all will be."

"Tomorrow is going to be perfect Ana. Who knows, hopefully, we will make a baby while we're in Africa."

"I hope so" I replied. "I think creating a child in the place where we came back together again would be perfect."

Looking back at the marquee, the rose arch, before we entered the house. I looked forward to tomorrow and the days that would come then. I would embrace whatever came our way.

…

"Ana, sleeping beauty, it's time to get up. In six hours, you're getting married" Grandma whispered, her words waking me from my slumber, bringing a smile to my lips.

In six hours, I will be Professor Anastasia Grey.

I will be sad to lose the Lambert from my name but that is something I will always be. I am my father's daughter, grandma's granddaughter, nothing will ever change that. Grey is my future, with the man who at present was probably pacing the hotel room where he had stayed last night.

"Morning grandma" I mumbled. "How are you doing."

"It should be me asking you that" she laughed.

"I know" I replied, sitting up in my bed as grandma sat beside me. "Are you sad that I'm leaving."

"Sad, no, never. You're getting the future you've always deserved, one of happiness. Will I miss you, of course, Christian too but I know you both will be minutes away from me should I need you. Besides, I will still see you when you work at the shop and for many dinners too either here or at your new home. We might not be living under the same roof any more Ana but we'll always be close."

"We will grandma. Thank you, for everything you've done for me over the years."

"Hey, no tears, you'll set me off" she spoke, brushing my tears away. "You have nothing to thank me for Ana, I'm just so blessed that you came home."

I pulled grandma to me, hugging her tightly as we both ignored the tears that fell.

I was ushered towards the bathroom and a steaming bath once we'd been able to compose ourselves for a few minutes. The tears will be back throughout the day, of that, I have no doubt.

Whilst sat in the bath, I was able to speak to Christian who although he was nervous, eager as I was for the time to pass quickly until two, he was so excited about our day.

"I will see you soon Ana, I left something for you with grandma."

"I have too" Luke called out from somewhere further away.

"Did you hear that?" Christian asked before telling Luke to get out of the bathroom where he must have snuck in, to make the call.

"I could hear his voice without the phone" I laughed, making Christian laugh too.

"I'd better go before they all confiscate my phone, men's time they're calling it although I'd much rather be with you. I will be waiting for you Ana under the arch of roses."

"I'll meet you there. I'll be the one in…. Whatever colour I chose."

"Tease" he murmured.

"Always, I love you."

"You too Ana, always."

With that, we ended the call as I continued to soak in the bath.

…

"You look so beautiful" Grandma spoke, standing beside me as I stared at my reflection in the large mirror before us.

"Grandma stop crying" I laughed.

"I can't" she smiled, bringing her hand up to the slide in my hair, one she had worn on her wedding day.

It had a butterfly on it, the bracelet from Luke that adorned my wrist, matching it. I loved them both, I also loved the locket from Christian. It was platinum to match my ring and inside it contained photos of us, one from when we were kids taken as we cuddled up on Ray's porch, a blanket over us to keep us warm as the rain fell close by. The second was of us kissing both on our knees, taken moments after he had proposed under our family tree. Our initials adorned the front and on the back was two letters, T. R.

There was enough room to have the initials of any future children we may have but for now, those two letters were there, resting over my heart.

"I'm ready" I announced, smiling at the old woman who had given me so much more over the years than just a roof over my head.

"You are, my dear. You've been ready for that man for such a long time, you just had to find each other again."

"Time to go" Kate announced as she went to my bedroom door to open it, she too trying not to cry as grandma still was. I'm not even married yet and the tears have arrived so god only knows what everyone's like during and after the ceremony.

Kate looked beautiful in her pale pink flowing dress as she turned to us both once the door was open. She was my maid of honour today and besides my boys and grandma, there was no one else I wanted more than her by my side.

Looking to grandma, we walked towards the door, leaving the window behind where I had spent most of the morning, peeking behind the curtains to see what was going on outside.

I had seen Christian out there, his family too as well as our friends and those who we were close to, arrive. I had seen Luke both outside and in when he had visited me in my room before I started to get dressed, an hour ago. I'd hugged him tightly, his hug tighter still, our friendship one that will last forever. I may be marrying our best friend, Christian may be moving away from him to be with me but he will always be an important part of our lives. We were the three monster musketeers and that will never change. Married or not, living near or far, I will always be their Boo.

When we arrived downstairs, we were greeted by Marco who was the wedding coordinator we had hired to manage the details of our day. He knew what we wanted and was adamant that we would receive all that we wished for and nothing would get in the way. I think it's Christian who has made sure of that, making sure we both had the wedding we wanted with no interruptions from those who were camped outside.

There had been no formal press announcement about the day of our wedding, no details sent out of where and when it would take place. The only clue that has given anything away is that the farm shop is closed, the gate locked and guarded and has been for the past couple of days.

They've taken that as a clue and ran with it, camping outside on the street. They will gain no pictures from out there except of the people that have been arriving this morning. Only one official photo will be released for free, others we may put out, the proceeds of them going towards our foundation. If anyone tries to get around the back of the property, through the field behind, they will be met by Robert's hundreds of cows or maybe his bulls and likely trampled in the process.

"Ready," Marco asked as Kate made sure my veil was in place, the train on my dress perfect.

"Yes, eager to get out there and be married" I laughed nervously.

I watched as Marco opened the door as Kate squeezed my hand before she left me to walk outside. She had checked me over quickly as she passed as I nervously stood by grandma's side.

"This does go beautifully with your dress" Grandma whispered, touching the bottom of my veil. "I was worried the colour would look faded, old."

"Grandma, it perfect, you looked after it well and I made sure my dress matched," I told her of the antique veil I wore, one she had worn herself when she had married my granddad over fifty years ago.

"Ready," Marco asked, gaining our attention and then we too were on our way out of the door and towards the man who not only filled my past but would do my future too.

Leaving the house, the porch behind, we walked towards the start of the aisle, the bottom of my dress brushing past the lavender I had planted many years ago, the smell soothing, a smell that meant home. It was the first thing Grandma and I had planted here together and I would make sure I planted it everywhere in my new garden once we were back from Africa.

Walking down the aisle, I smiled at all who were here before my eyes were on what waited for me at the end. My best friends, both who I loved so much, both who had large smiles on their faces as we approached.

My boys scrubbed up well in their suits, not like when they would come home from school after gym, covered in mud. Not like how I had seen them earlier this morning as they had fed and mucked out the animals, something to do to keep the nerves at bay. I envied them then for being able to do that, embrace the calm that those animals bring. Now I couldn't wait to be close to them both for another reason entirely, especially Christian as I couldn't wait to be his wife.

Reaching them, grandma placed my hand into Christian's before receiving a kiss on the cheek from us both. Once Luke was back in position after escorting grandma to her seat, the ceremony could begin.

While the priest spoke, Christian looked into my eyes. The only time our focus from the other was broken was to laugh when the priest asked who gave me away. It wasn't just Grandma who spoke up, but Luke too.

With each word spoken, ones filled with love we came closer to those we craved to hear. I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride. When they did come, Christian brought his hands to my face once the veil had been moved out of the way and kissed me as a husband should a wife, not caring as we poured all of our love into the kiss, who should see.

Only releasing each other to take a much-needed breath were we embraced by our family.

…

We had photos taken with everyone here, the humans and some animals, the alpaca's definitely getting in on those. Roberts cows seemed to have come closer to the fence to see what was going on so if anyone would have gotten into that field, they would likely have been crushed or found themselves vying for a place with a cow. Not one person was reported out there, although we heard noise from the front when the photo was released.

Anyone else outside of our bubble was forgotten though once the food had been eaten, the speeches done much to Christian's relief and the music began.

"Come on sis, my dance" Luke spoke up over the music, pulling me from where I had been very comfortable sitting on my husband's lap.

The first chords of Hey Brother rang out then as I was spun on to the dance floor, my laughter no doubt heard by all, my squeals too.

"I'm going to miss you," I told him as the song changed to a more sedate one.

"Are you going somewhere I'm not?" he asked.

"Well, I won't see you while we're away and then I'll be getting the animals settled in their new home plus being back at work."

"I'll come to visit, don't worry about that. You have a guest room perfect for me in your new house and I will be making plenty of use of that."

"Libby too," I asked as he looked at his girlfriend who was now dancing with Christian.

"Yes, Libby too" he smiled."

"I'm happy for you Luke, who knows it could be your wedding we're at next, or maybe Kate's and Elliot's" I laughed as they spun past us, nearly knocking Carrick and Grace off the edge of the dance floor in the process.

"Who knows" he admitted. "I have an added advantage if it is."

"What do you mean."

"Well if it's my wedding, I won't just have a best man, I can have my best woman by my side as well."

"We'll always be there for you, Sully."

"I know, I love you Boo" he replied, before spinning me around again.

When the music changed again, we all swapped around and I was back dancing with Christian. Being in this beautiful man's arms is where I should've been for the past ten years but we have more years than that to come.

"Happy," he asked as we stepped outside of the marquee, away from the music inside.

"More than I've ever been" I admitted, bringing my hand to his cheek when we had stopped by the fence of the alpaca's enclosure.

Bringing my lips to his I was able to kiss my husband with no distractions, no music blasted in our ears, no one trying to pull my attention away from him or so I thought. On our cheeks, we felt the cold air, followed by the damp nose. As we pulled apart, we both turned, laughing at Barnard's face which was so close to ours.

"I can't even have five seconds alone with my wife" Christian laughed.

"I'm afraid you'll have to get used to that" I laughed, watching Christian run his hand down the back of Barnard's neck before he was booped again on the side of his head.

"I don't mind Ana, this is the life I want. One with you, with Grandma and all these amazing creatures here."

We stayed outside of the marquee being entertained by the alpaca's, the goats, long past midnight being joined by others. Luke had Libby wrapped in his arms, Elliot was just as bad with Kate. Carrick and Grace, the Trevelyan's too were sat out on the deck having tea with Grandma. Many had already left an hour or so ago, those with children they had left at home. Mia, Jasper and Hannah filled the dance floor now with a few others that had come from GEH. We left them to their dancing while we embraced the peace outside, standing under our family tree.

"When do you think we'll add to it," I asked him.

"When the time's right" he replied, smiling as he placed a kiss upon my lips. I'd been off the shot a while now and although I know it can take time, I was as eager as the man stood beside me was, to add to our family. "Although I do think we should start trying tonight" he declared, making me laugh.

"Trying, we've never done anything to stop it" I laughed.

"I know, maybe your little egg and my tadpole are waiting to join up on special territory," he said, making me laugh even more. "A hill, overlooking family is maybe where they come together just like we did."

"I look forward to their meeting then" I replied. "Until then, we can continue practising."

"I agree, practice does make perfect" he declared before sweeping me off my feet and carried me towards the house, where we would be saying goodbye to them all for a little while.

…

Our wedding night had been spent in our new house, which although still needs a little work doing to it, the rooms that we needed had been completed. We'd christened our new bed and that was only after making love in front of the open fire. Now though we had left that behind and were on our way to the airfield wherefrom we would be soon on our way to Africa.

Arriving at the airfield, we could see Taylor who was instructing the men loading the hold with supplies that would be going to Dembe, Ryan was here too. They were both coming with us, although not as security as when we have visited Dembe before we had never encountered any problems. They are coming with us to distribute the supplies then I presume, they would be heading back home.

Where Christian and I would be heading off to, being dropped off during the way, security would already be there for us, organised by a man called Zane who works for Welch and comes from the area where we will be visiting, wherever that is.

"Are you ready Professor Grey?" Christian asked, taking hold of my hand after helping me from the car.

"To start our life together, I've been ready for a long time" I replied, bringing my hands to his cheeks, before placing a kiss upon his lips.

"Me too," he said, before lifting me, a squeal leaving my lips before he carried me towards the steps of the plane, and up, all the while the kisses continued.

It was at the top of the stairs when we heard it, the beeping of a car horn as it drove into the airfield, stopping beside the car we'd just left. Taylor wasn't on guard, he wasn't startled by the arrival, nor shocked by who got out of the car.

"Are you here to see us off" I laughed, looking down at Luke as he offered Libby a hand out of the car.

"No, we thought we'd hitch a ride" he called up to us as I looked to Christian, who was as surprised as I was.

"Hitch a ride where" Christian asked him.

"To Africa of course" our best friend laughed. "You've spoken so much about it, I thought a tour myself was needed and I have a perfect guide" he announced, kissing Libby.

"Where about in Africa. I only ask because you know I love you man but you're not coming on our honeymoon with us," Christian told him.

"No, thank you, hearing you two would be just gross. I thought, or more like we did, that we would distribute that aid you have stored in the belly of the plane while you're off doing stuff, I don't want to think my best friends of doing, plus I get to finally meet the wonderful Dembe."

I looked to Christian, his smile matching mine. To have Luke with us, a part of this trip as he had been part of our lives for so long is perfect.

"Come on then" Christian laughed as Taylor turned to us, announcing his departure.

They had obviously planned this, Taylor and Luke, it just made me wonder what else they had planned for this trip.

As Luke and Libby joined us on board, I hugged them both as they entered the cabin before they took their seats. Seeing them together a thought did cross my mind, one that was accompanied by a giggle.

"What," my husband asked me.

"I wonder."

"Wonder what."

"If Luke knows about the beds," I said, seeing a brilliant smile once again fill his face.

"If he doesn't, he will soon find out. Besides I found those beds at Dembe's very comfortable."

"That's good because married or not, we'd still be sharing that tiny space again once we get there."

"I can't wait" he spoke as the door was closed behind us and we too took our seats.

An adventure awaited us all in a foreign land and like every time I left my country for theirs, I couldn't wait to embrace it.

….

Three years later.

We walked into the offices of T. R. Grey, her hand tightly held in mine. Looking up at the photo that filled the wall behind the reception desk, I failed to hide my smile.

It was of the little girl who was happily chatting away to anything and everything, taken at sunset on the beach. It was one of her in the distance at the water's edge but more prominent was the footprints she had left in the sand. Beside her footprints on the wet sand looked like another set had been left, although she had walked alone at the time. Was her sibling with her, I'd like to think that, think they were always by her side.

Phoebe Hope Grey, we believe was conceived on a hill in Africa, one very special to us both. It was where Christian and I had made love for the first time when we had come back together again and where we had celebrated that coming together more than once when we visited Dembe on our honeymoon.

"Mama, me draw," Phoebe asked, looking to the colouring pencils and paper that were in the reception area.

"For a moment sweetheart, then we'll go and see Daddy."

"Uncle Lukey too," she asked.

"Later you can see Uncle Luke, Uncle Elliot and granddad too," I told her, laughing at the little happy dance she did.

Phoebe had them all wrapped around her finger, her daddy especially and she liked nothing more than getting up to mischief with her uncles.

"Ana, here you go," Jordan said, taking my focus off my daughter for a moment.

"Thank you."

I had come here to pick up and sign some papers, having both the T. R. Grey foundation and the program I set up many years ago, now run through the same offices here at Grey House. The charities had gone from strength to strength, the balls, the events we ran every year more popular than ever.

It was all a lot of fun but not as much fun as what went on at home. We had 22 alpaca's now, Barnard having his own small herd of boys which Mike and Sully were a part of. The girl's side, we had three cria's all born to our new girls in the past few weeks alone with Nola the llama Christian bought me for my birthday last year, her cria still yet to come. Most women have flowers, chocolate or jewels for their birthday, me, my husband buys me alpacas, llamas, chickens and pigs.

Signing the forms Jordan had given me, I returned them, taking the papers that contained the survey that had been done for the property we recently purchased in Arizona. It was a ranch, one we planned to renovate, not only the buildings and the grounds but would also start the process of making sure produce would grow.

Last year I had a student in my class, Matthew who although had special needs, had the drive and the will to succeed. I cried when he walked onto that stage to receive his diploma, cried with his mother who throughout her son's life had faced nothing but obstacles in their way. Matthew wanted to tend the land, raise animals just as I have done but without the funds and living in a small apartment despite the knowledge he'd learned, he didn't have the space to fulfil his dreams. Christian and I are going to help him fulfil them, giving him and his mother the space to live, others too, give them the independence, that chance that they need.

"We need to get started on this," I told him. "Top priority."

"We already have the crews ready to go on the property. We can clear the land but will need your expertise to get the soil ready to grow."

"You don't need me, besides by the time it's finished, I'll be a little busy. Hannah wanted a project, a challenge, see if she'll take it on."

"Will do boss" he spoke before heading back to his office to get on that call.

"Phoebe, come on, let's go and see Daddy" I called out, taking one more look at the photo on the wall. It wasn't the only copy of that photo, we would see another shortly when we entered my husband's office upstairs.

Walking into Christians office, he was on the phone, quickly ending the call as our daughter climbed onto his lap, showing him the stick people she'd drawn. She had his full attention as she told him about her day, that attention turning to me as she ran off to play with her doll, his arms coming around my waist to rest on my growing stomach.

"How are you both doing," he asked, placing a kiss upon my neck.

"We're doing fine. Your son likes to let me know he's here, just like he's letting you know now" I replied, knowing Christian could feel the kicks I could.

"Are you going to be ok tonight."

"Christian" I sighed, turning around to face my overprotective man. "I'll be fine, there's no way I'm missing the game."

With Phoebe and now with our son, Christian has been so protective of me throughout my pregnancies, not like he isn't the rest of the time. He panics for the first three months, only calming when I reach my second trimester. He's by my side every step of the way, feeling at first, he had a lot to make up for because of how my first pregnancy turned out. He has nothing to make up for, yes it was a horrible time but our child is still with us, in our hearts. We have three children as far we're concerned, one may be sleeping eternally, another is running around the office, and the third much to my amusement seems to have the hiccups.

"I can feel them, does he have hiccups," he asked.

"Either that or he's gained Uncle Elliot's arse and is farting all the way" I laughed.

"I hope not. Phoebe's diapers were bad enough as it was without the release of gas as well."

"It's all part of being a parent. You get the kisses and cuddles but you also get to deal with the shit" I whispered so our daughter couldn't hear, she heard his laughter though.

"I look forward to it all, even the dirty parts" he replied.

"Do you know what I'm looking forward to, what I'm craving now."

"What baby, a kiss."

"Always," I told him. "But what I'm really looking forward to tonight is a hot dog."

"Dog dog" Phoebe cheered making her daddy laugh.

"You can both have as many as you want," he told her as we watched as she told her dolly they could have one too.

We stayed in Christian's office until he was ready to leave, my daughter taking over the final meeting when Ros came in. It wasn't a planned meeting, she had only come in to speak about a business they were in the process of purchasing but as usual talk of work ceased as between Phoebe and Ros, talk of dolls and tea parties started.

…

Arriving at the stadium that evening, we were escorted to our suite, security all around us. We'd had no problems since Morton and Bordoff, both who were rotting away in jail but Christian never takes any chances with our safety so just like when we were dating, our CPO's are a constant feature wherever we are.

Elena Lincoln is still hanging around this city like a bad smell but no one goes near her, the business at her salons long since dried up with Grace making sure of that. A few words spoken, a few rumours started about her preference for younger men, boys and people couldn't desert her quick enough.

"Son, if you make me walk any quicker, I'm going to demand you give me a piggyback," Grandma told Reynolds who was trying to escort her through the crowd.

"Yeah, piggyback, piggyback daddy" Phoebe called out, bouncing in her daddy's arms.

"You can have your piggyback with Rasher when we're back home again," Christian told her, holding on tighter still to our daughter.

"Bacon too," she asked him, cheering when she received a nod.

I don't know if it was some sick joke of my boys to name our pigs, Rasher, Bacon and Gammon as when they arrived on our farm to join Heather, Lavender and Nutmeg, the female pigs we already had I was told they'd already been named and I wasn't allowed to change them. They weren't the only ones with some crazy names. We had Homer and Marge, our cockerel and one of our hens, then there's Bart, Lisa and Maggie too, goats this time. We had Donald, one of the ducks obviously that made a home on our pond, not forgetting Daisy, Huey Dewey and Louie as well. They were but a few of the animals that now lived on our farm, a few amongst many that I know won't be the last.

Entering the stadium, we made our way up to the private suite, a place we'd visited many times. Grandma was adamant about coming to Luke's home games when we did, not that we'd leave her behind anyway. She lived with us now, in the cottage on our farm. She's still independent as ever, still goes back to RoseAna's to work every day where Hannah now lives. It was a fall she had about a year ago that made her take up our offer to live with us, one she still doesn't remember much of, apart from she was coming down the stairs before waking up at the bottom. The cottage is all on one level now and close enough she can be with us and us her within minutes should need be. I will always be there for her whenever she needs me as she has always been there for me.

"Grandma, I hope you're going to behave yourself tonight," I told her as we removed our jackets on this warm evening, saying hello to the Greys who were already here.

"Me, behave. I'm always on my best behaviour until someone tackles that boy."

"That's the idea of the game Rose," Carrick told her, always amused as we all were at her antics.

"That may be but I still don't like to think of him getting hurt."

As Christian set Phoebe down, she bypassed her grandfather's open arms, running out to the balcony of the suite with the men in hot pursuit. She was looking for Uncle Luke, her favourite I think but I'd never tell Elliot that. Only when her daddy told her Uncle Luke would be out soon enough did she turn to give Carrick the hug that he craved.

"Always second best" he grumbled happily.

"No, he's just the one who sneaks her candy when he thinks we're not looking. Do that, come to think of it don't, she'd come looking for you too" Christian told his father.

"I've already told him, he's not allowed to do that with this one" Libby spoke, rubbing her stomach which was even larger than mine.

Luke and Libby got married just over a year after Christian and I did, with his best man and best woman by his side.

"You look ready to pop Mama," I told her, as we tried, which caused a lot of giggles from us both, to hug each other.

"I am, I'm hoping the excitement of the game will bring on labour but usually they just give me kicks of excitement as if they're cheering their daddy on."

"It sounds like madam over there. The roar of the crowd and she was kicking away, this little man seems to be more sedate at the games, so far anyway."

"Do you still not know?" Grandma asked Libby of the sex of the baby.

"No, we wanted to wait."

"Not as impatient as Mr Grey then" Grandma added nodding at Christian.

"Excuse me Grandma, who was the one who every day asked us what we were having just so you could know what colour to knit. We found out just for you," he told her.

"Well us grandma's need to know these things," she said, huffing as if that is the end of that conversation and he should say no more which made my husband laugh.

Our hot dogs were delivered right before the game. There was no longer posh food as I called it ordered as it turned out to be a waste. Beer and hot dogs the staple for Grey's to watch the game now, although Libby, Grandma and I stuck to tea and Phoebe her juice.

The game as always was a riot to watch, not just down on the field but up here in the suite. From Grandma shouting at anyone who went close to her grandson, to Luke's happy dance when he scored a touchdown, one my daughter did too.

No longer did anyone shy away from the cameras that were around, no longer did my husband hide who he really was. The man of old, the one he was before I returned to his life, that man had long been forgotten about in the minds of others, never reported on any more.

On show was the man I always knew him to be, the one who laughs, shows emotion but above all else, shows his love for others. The way he holds me, our daughter, the way he treats an old lady and those others like Taylor and Ros who've always been around. Yes, he can be seen as tough in the business world but that's all part and parcel of getting things done.

Some reporter called him a farmer's husband, but he's not, he's the farmer just like me. It's just a small part of who the man sat by my side holding our tired daughter is.

He's my husband, the father of my children, my best friend, my Mikey, my monster, my world.

In truth despite our early years, Christian's finally the person he was always meant to be and so am I.

~~ The End ~~

Thank you for joining me on their journey, it's taken me a lot longer than planned to get to the end but it's been a lot of fun to write.

Take care and stay safe everyone.

Caroline.