Aki's first Christmas with Gray after their hurried marriage came early that year. Their gifts were exchanged, feelings about the past year were exchanged, and so was love. He seemed new and wonderful to her aching body, and she knew in her heart he was the only one who could make her feel that way. She'd gone through so much to get him back, and the magical Christmas night they shared was well worth the wait.

Two months later, Aki announced her pregnancy to the entire Deep Eyes crew, after she'd told Gray, who was elated by the news.

"That's great, Doc!"

"Congratulations, Dr. Ross."

"That's great, you two!"

All of the comments filled her with hope for their future together, and she shared her dreams with Gray.

"I can just picture her being a Daddy's Girl," she'd told him one night as they lay side-by-side. He laughed quietly at the thought, smiling as he pictured the new member of their family.

"What if it isn't a she? Those tests can be wrong, you know."

She rolled her eyes playfully, and slugged him. "Those tests have been around for sixty-four years, Gray, they're proven to be 95% accurate."

He feigned hurt from her punch, and looked over at her, raising an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Well what about that 5%?"

She glared at him, smiling the whole time. "You really are annoying, you know that?"

He nodded his head, grinning. Averting his eyes toward her bulging stomach, Gray placed a tentative hand on it. She planted her hand on top of his, looking in his eyes and kissing his lips.

A short time later, Aki went into labor. It was long and grueling, but Gray held her hand through the whole thing. A beautiful, healthy baby girl was born to the Edwards family, and they told one another they would raise her right.

"So what should we name her?" Aki asked as she cradled their daughter. She felt weak and practically like an invalid, but she had to see the new life she'd brought into the world.

They had debated many names; until Aki finally told him it would be his decision after the baby was born. After a few moments of thought, he answered, "Grace. Just like the quality her mother has."

Aki's face lit up, and she agreed heartily, thinking to herself what a sweet comment he'd made. Gray moved to her side, and wrapped an arm around her, stroking his new baby's chubby red cheeks. "Grace," he whispered again, and felt an almost instant love for the child.

The years of Grace's adolescence sped by all too quickly for the mother and father, although Grace herself couldn't wait to grow up. She grew into a beautiful young lady of sixteen years, and it is at this age where our story begins and our problems arise for the loving family.