Epilogue

With Phoebe finally fed and asleep, Ana returns the baby to her crib. After placing the blanket over her ten-month old daughter, she moves to clip the maternity bra back in place, idly noting that her breasts are showing the effects of nursing a second child. And then she smiles at the thought that Christian doesn't seem to mind her changing body; quite the opposite, in fact. Still smiling slightly at pleasant memories, Ana goes looking for husband and son. They've apparently abandoned the X-box, the controllers of course placed neatly out of sight, and Ana smiles again that Christian is managing to maintain some semblance of neatness in the home of an energetic toddler.

Ana hears sounds coming from Teddy's bedroom, and silently thanks Christian for taking over the occasionally monumental task of getting their active son to take his afternoon nap. It's always worth the effort, though, because they then get to dine as a family in the evening. At three years of age, Teddy is already displaying an aptitude for cooking. That had been a battle, with Christian stubbornly insisting that a kitchen is too dangerous a place for a young child. Of course, Ana wasn't about to risk burning or cutting their son. She'd eventually gotten her way only by permitting Christian to personally supervise Teddy's efforts. Now, when their schedules permit, they prepare dinner as a family and Ana treasures every moment. Letting Christian think that he's won the round, when in fact the end result is exactly what Ana wants, has become the pattern of their marriage.

As she approaches the room, Ana wonders what game they're playing. She can hear Teddy demanding that his father "Guess," and Christian's apparently insufficient attempts to get it right, prompting loud disapproval from their son. Ana's hand covers her mouth to stifle her laughter at her son's authoritative tone; he really is a mini-Christian at times. Peeking around the door, so as not to disturb them, Ana sees that Christian is face down on Teddy's bed, wearing only jeans and socks, with the boy sitting on his father's lower back. Ana's heart threatens to crack under the strain of too much love when she finally understands the rules of the game; Teddy is using the scars on Christian's back to make shapes.

Ana is trembling in an effort to contain her tears at the thought that, when she met Christian, he couldn't bear to be touched and now the visible reminders of the horrific abuse he suffered when only Teddy's age are merely props in their child's game. Perhaps inevitably losing the battle with her emotions, Ana's sob betrays her presence. Teddy looks up and exclaims, "Mommy!" But then he immediately frowns and asks, "Why you crying, Mommy?"

Turning onto his side, capturing Teddy in his arms as he does so, Christian's gaze stays anchored on Ana as he gently explains, "It's okay, buddy, they're happy tears. Mommy is just crying because she loves you very much."

As if his words are permission, Ana's tears really flow. Having inherited his father's empathy, or perhaps his mother's, Teddy is immediately concerned and reaches his arms towards her as he struggles to escape the loving arms around him. But Christian only tightens his grip and, still looking only at Ana, whispers something to the boy. Avid as ever for any attention from his hero, Teddy listens and then loudly declares, "Daddy says that's a silly reason to cry."

In all their time together, Christian has never called Ana's actions silly, not even when she deserved it, so she trusts him enough to check her anger and only asks, "Why?"

Teddy eagerly leans towards Christian for the answer. After listening to the next, whispered instruction, their shining boy nods and says, "It's silly 'cos all Mommies love their sons."

At these words, Ana knows that Christian has finally forgiven his birth mother and her weeping begins anew. This time it's Christian who extends his arms towards her. Ana readily climbs onto the bed beside her two men, testing the limits of the king-single. Teddy clings to Ana, still a little upset by her tears. For his sake, she manages to bring herself under control and hushes him, saying, "I'm okay, Teddy. Just too happy not to cry." It's enough to calm the boy and he settles against her, safe between his parents, and quickly falls asleep. After kissing Teddy's hair, Ana looks at Christian, to see the wary expression that indicates he may have gone too far and caused her actual pain. So that he'll know they're okay, she smiles at him and lovingly whispers, "Bastard."

Author's note: Thank you, for assisting, supporting, critiquing, commenting, favoriting (that a word?) and following. But, most of all, thank you for reading. I'll see you soon.

Author's other note: In case it's avoided your notice, my fic "Pebble Beach" is the sequel for this one, beginning at the end of the wedding reception. I hope you enjoy it.