Synopsis: Ana cannot forgive Christian for fleeing to Elena the moment she needed him most. She needs some time away, time to think and clear her head. Will she miss the signs that Christian isn't coping as well as she'd hoped?
Setting: This story is set in the time period of Ana breaking the news about blip but for my purposes it happens on a Friday. Note* Jack is still in jail in my story at this point.
Disclaimer: The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy and associated characters are property of EL James—I'm simply borrowing them I make no profit.
A/N: Thank you to everyone reading/alerting/reviewing/subscribing/favoriting! The response has been amazing which is why I wanted to get this chapter out soon rather than keep people waiting! This story is a WIP but I will try to keep up with it while I have time off from work.
~LiaWalker
*Sick Warning! If you do not like bodily fluids discussed in detail this is not the chapter for you…or the book series :p
Fifty Shades Broken
"The course of true love never did run smooth."
-William Shakespeare, Midsummer Night's Dream.
Christian POV:
My alarm clock blares it's monotonous tone at 6:45AM this morning. It's Saturday which is usually….my day with Ana.
I stand and shake my head, attempting to clear the cobwebs before I realize what a terrible idea that is. A sharp pain shoots from behind my left ear into my temple and back before I fall dizzily to my knees on the side of the bed.
I rest there for a moment trying to keep the pounding in my head to a dull roar. My stomach churns viciously—a reminder that it's thirst hasn't been quenched in almost 36 hours.
An aching head and nausea are not the way to start the day but as I move to stand I can't help myself, I try to get the waste basket in time but the majority splashes into the basket and on the floor near me.
I pathetically crawl towards the foot of the bed and sigh, I really am worthless. "Gail!" I call weakly "Taylor!"
It's no use. The apartment is too large for them to hear me. I struggle to stand, using the bed as leverage before I sink down onto it and grab my phone. I hold speed dial down.
"Taylor" he answers.
"I need help." I tell him bitterly "Cancel any appointments I have for today and please bring Gail into my room with cleaning supplies."
I hear his sharp intake of breath before he responds "Sir?"
"I'm not feeling well today." I answer before hanging up.
I lean back against the headboard and rest my eyes for a moment. This is a delayed hangover if there ever was one. But I know I deserve every minute of it, I let Ana down and now I've lost her forever.
Rationally I know this cannot all be from the alcohol though I'm sure it's playing a large part, and the fact that I've not eaten a bite of food since…Thursday evening.
Gail rushes into the room with a bucket, and towels but abandons them all when she sees me. Taylor's normally stoic face frowns in concern.
"What?" I wonder looking at both of them.
"Mr. Grey…" Gail begins "Your head." I turn to my nightstand and look in the tableside mirror that rests there. From the left temple to my ear there is a fair amount of swelling and bruising. 'Job well done Claude.' I think sourly.
"I'm fine" I assure them both "I think I've come down with a bug." I shrug apologetically when Ms. Jones begins to clean my mess "Apologies Gail" I sigh.
"It's no bother Mr. Grey" she smiles "It's what I'm here for."
"Taking care of an adolescent was certainly not why I hired you." I remarked bitterly. Taylor re-entered the room before I'd noticed that he left and returned with a glass of water and a small pharmacy.
"I'm fine Taylor." I told him" Like I said just a bug." I accepted the water but refused the pills. I didn't need medication…I needed Anastasia.
I have Taylor retrieve her Ipad and headphones from the closet before he and Ms. Jones exited to enjoy their Saturday. "We'll be back around 3 to check on you Mr. Grey." Ms. Jones assured me and I couldn't help but smile at her, so helpful.
Prior to Anastasia's arrival I doubt I ever smiled this much, even in my bitter mood. She…made me a better person.
I couldn't help but notice as the sky over Seattle darkened and rain began to descend that it matched my mood perfectly. I turned her Ipad on and read through our old emails to each other as her music list played.
It was going to be a long weekend.
Ana POV:
I awoke at 9:30 to rainy skies but I somehow felt…refreshed. After a break from Christian my head felt clearer but my heart felt heavy. I feel guilty knowing how miserable he must be right now. And it surprises me that I kind of hope he's feeling a little sorry for himself.
'50 Shades Baby' is all I can think.
I'm feeling better thinking with a clear head…I think we can make this work. I just need to set my limits and boundaries and he needs to accept that or…this can never work.
I sigh…it's going to be a long weekend.
Kate bursts into my room around 10AM as I'm tweaking a manuscript.
"Ana!" She says excitedly bouncing on the bed "Elliot and I are going brunch and to the movies with Mia and Ethan would you like to go?" she smiles looking hopeful.
"I don't know…." I begin "I'd feel a little out of place being the only one…you know…alone."
"Oh please Steele" she gushes "Mia and Ethan aren't a thing yet so it's like a bunch of friends going out for food and a movie."
My stomach answers for me "I'll be ready in 20." I tell her smiling.
Elliot picks us up in a black Cadillac escalade at quarter to 12 he smiles at me "Ditched the babysitter for a day?" he asks before Kate silences him with a glare.
"Oh right…Sorry Ana." He fumbles for the right words.
"It's okay Elliot you couldn't have known." I tell him.
"Is it…is it serious?" he asks
"We'll get through it." I tell him and Kate smiles at me.
"Nice night of sleep huh?" she asks and I smile.
The movie was good and the food was GREAT but…the rest of our 'pal day' would have to wait.
"I'll be right back!" I call out to the group as I make my way towards the bathroom. I glance at the time on my BlackBerry. It's 3:56PM
I go into my contacts and pull Taylor's number from the list, I take a deep breath before dialing.
"Taylor
"How is he Taylor?" I ask my voice breaking as I try to convey as much emotion as I can into such a tiny statement.
"As well as can be expected Mrs. Grey."
Taylor turns behind him and tries to ignore Gail's furtive glances towards Christian's bedroom door.
"Can you let Christian know that I'm going to Portland with Mia and Kate to get away until tomorrow night." I ask
"It'd probably bet better if you tell him ma'am."
I know what he's up to. "Taylor…please?"
He sighs "Affirmative ma'am."
"Thank you Taylor." I saw quietly into the phone and he acknowledges me with a sigh before hanging up.
I wipe my face off with a damp cloth before reapplying my makeup and exiting the bathroom.
"Portland is a go." I tell them as we climb into the car.
Christian's POV:
I can hear Taylor on the phone with her as I'm kneeling over the porcelain god in my bathroom. I've nothing left to lose but my body doesn't seem to understand that.
I groan as another spasm rips through my head and into my chest. 'What the hell is wrong with me?' I wonder aloud.
"Sir perhaps we should call Dr…" Taylor begins but I interrupt him.
"Stop right there." I warn "It's just a bug, I'll be fine by Monday." He looks as though for the first time in his service to me that he's going to object but says nothing.
I allow him to help me into the shower, there's nothing this man hasn't seen before.
I sit in the warm water as I begin to drift, vaguely catching bits and pieces of conversation between Gail and Taylor.
The next thing I know, I'm coughing and sputtering as Taylor pulls me from the depths of my generously sized tub.
"Mr. Grey!" Taylor yells as he shakes me "Mr. Grey!"
"Not deaf Taylor!" I bark in between coughs "I must've drifted off."
I see Ms. Jones standing in the doorway as pale as a ghost "I'm okay Gail." I assure her.
She bustles in to the bathroom with my robe and as Taylor helps me stand she helps me get into the robe before they both help me into my room.
I notice the linens have all been changed, the glass of water on the stand has just been replaced, and my cellphone sits fully charged next to Ana's Ipad and a cup of soup.
I ignore the soup and turn to Gail "I'm sorry to be a burden on your day off." I tell her "I'll be feeling better by tomorrow for sure."
"It's not a problem sir." She tells him "Just feel better soon."
"You can take the soup with you." I tell her as she turns to leave "I'm just really not hungry right now."
She frowns but does as I ask giving me a look of worry as she exits the room.
"Taylor?" I call
"Yes sir." He responds
"See that she gets a raise."
"Yes sir." He answers before moving to speak again.
"Anything else Taylor?" I ask
"Mrs. Grey wanted me to inform you that she was with Mia and Kate until tomorrow evening in Portland something about a girls day."
I nod to him "Thank you Taylor, that will be all."
"Sir" he nods before turning to leave "Please get some sleep."
I'm glad Ana is enjoying herself. She deserves it. It pains me to think that she must not be thinking of me at all. "Has it really been that easy for her to move on already?" I wonder
I put the earphones on as I take a small sip of water and lean my head back it's 7:45 PM as I begin reading Hamlet and listening to the sound of Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.
Sleep won't come easy to me, as exhausted and bone weary as I am I just can't close my eyes. The visions haunt me when I do. I'll never be able to sleep without Ana again. The thought chills me "Well I'd better get used to it."
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A/N: Darker I know but it'll be worth it!