A few short snippets about how different Christian's childhood could have been if Grace and Carrick had been a bit more determined to help him get over his
Haphephobia.
All characters belong to E.L. James.
Chapter 1.
The visceral scream rent through the house causing the hairs on the necks of the people who heard it to stand on end.
The scream was from a child; a child in torment and pain. It rent at the heartstrings of his mother who leaped out of bed and ran to the child's bedroom.
He was writhing in his bed, his arms and legs were flaying in an effort to free him self from the twisted sheet.
His face was red and contorted in pain, as he screamed and screamed.
His mother knelt beside the bed, and gently freed the boys' legs and arms. Talking soothingly to him, she tried to take him in her arms to hold him to calm him. But he pushed away, in panic and screamed louder. She released him and began to stroke his hair that was damp with sweat
"Hush, hush darling, you are safe now no one is ever going to hurt you again, ever "
She began to hum a tune, a gentle, soothing lullaby.
Gradually the boy settled and his breathing steadied the sobbing hiccups shaking his frail and tortured little body.
Again, she tried to hold him, but he tried to push her away trembling. She held on to him whispering, "If you let me hold you just a little, little bit you will feel better. I promise I will not hurt you; try and trust me, I love you, please just a little, little bit."
He relaxed for the briefest moment, and then he became tense, his breathing becoming erratic as panic swept over him.
"Ok, I'll let you go, well done, darling. You see that didn't hurt did it? You see Christian, the fear is inside your head, and no one here is going to harm you. Sleep now, dear boy."
Christian held her hand tightly, tears streaming down his face. His mother stroked his hair again, and continued to sooth him until; at last, he drifted off to sleep.
"Elliot, Christian, get in the house at once, look at the state of you. Upstairs and bath NOW!"
The two boys ran into the house roaring with laughter, they had, had a good time playing at the waters edge in the mud.
In the bathroom their mother filled the bath with sudsy water.
"C'mon guys get undressed, daddy will be home soon and he wants to sit and hang out with you both, we are going to have a movie night. No school tomorrow. "
Elliot started stripping off his clothes whooping in delight. And was in the bath in no time at all. Christian however, hung back he was still very reluctant to share a bath with Elliot.
"Christian Grey, get yourself undressed and in the bath." his mother said firmly, "Elliot will stay at one end and you at the other. Don't worry Elliot will not touch you.
Remember Elliot, no touching ok?" her voice was much gentler.
They were making some progress with Christian's fears but it was slow, painfully slow. But his nightmares were becoming less fearsome as was gently held by one or other of his parents. The periods he allowed himself to be held were getting longer, and he wasn't as scared to go to bed and sleep.
He still resisted any physical contact at any other time.
Christian, still wary undressed and using a small stool climbed in the bath. He kept himself as far away from Elliot as possible and he wouldn't allow his mother to wash him.
Elliot began to make bubbles by scooping up the suds in his ringed thumb and fingers and splashing around. Christian was laughing and kicked water at him. Elliot filled the sponge with soapy water, stood and squeezed the sponge over Christian's head. Then the water fight broke out; the boys were kicking and splashing, shrieking with joy. They were having a great time and their mother watched in delighted amusement. Elliot slipped and fell on Christian, he froze, eyes wide. Elliot scrambled off him as quickly as he could,
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to touch you Christian honestly"
Christian sat panting his eyes closed; when he opened them he gave a huge smile and shook his head. He put his hand on Elliot's shoulder and smiling brightly nodded and did ok sign with his fingers.
Their mother's eyes filled with tears, they'd made it a little further across the bridge.
"Come Elliot let me help get you dry and she helped him out of the bath and wrapped him in a large fluffy towel. Christian watched anxiously. But seeing how Elliot didn't mind, relaxed somewhat. His mother wasn't touching Elliot's skin she was just rubbing him gently with the towel. Having towel dried his hair she left him to his own devises.
"Are you going to let me help you Christian?" previously she had, had to watch the little boy struggle to dry himself absolutely refusing to allow her to help.
Today however, he stood and climbed out of the bath and walked into the fluffy towel that his mom was holding and standing stiffly allowed her to wrap it around him. He was rigid with fear. But didn't pull away as his mom softly, gently rubbed his back. He stood it as long as he could then tore himself away.
"Looks like double popcorn for someone tonight "their mother was absolutely thrilled and couldn't wait to tell their father about the progress they had made today.
A/N Please review remember this is pure speculation. I have often wondered why Dr Grace wasn't more persistent. Being a paediatrician she would have know how important touch is to the development in infants and small children