I hear activity coming from the great room, knowing that my Mom has most likely arrived. My suspicion is confirmed when she walks into the room. As always, my Mom's presence calms me and I send a prayer up that she rescued me so long ago, because she still is rescuing me.

She smiles when she sees Ana awake.

"Hello, Ana. How are you feeling?" Ana turns and smiles at Mom, as she squeezes my hand.

"I'm doing well, Grace. I finished!" She grins up at me looking for my confirming nod. I manage to arrange my face in a manner to convey my pleasure, which she either accepts as genuine or ignores the true emotion behind it.

"Yes, dear you have. Congratulations. I knew you would, but I'm so glad it's over."

Mom walks over to the side of the bed. I shift towards Ana's head to make room for Mom to join us. Ana gives her cheek for Mom to kiss as she sits on the bed.

"I know why you're here, Grace. Because Christian won't stop fussing over me until I've received the Dr. Trevelyan seal of approval. So, you can reassure him that I'm fine, so he can stop worrying." My Mother laughs at Ana while looking into my eyes and winks.

"Now, Ana! I came to see you! I don't think anything I say is going to affect Christian's anxiety. That's your job, by getting better now that the chemo is behind you."

"Yes, I know." Ana's eyes begin to droop.

"Why don't we leave you to rest for awhile, then we'll discuss what you are going to have for supper." I say as I stand up. Mother kisses Ana one more time before getting up as well.

"Yes, dear. Rest. I'll call in tomorrow."

"That's sweet of you Grace, but it's really not necessary. It's just a matter of riding out the effects of this last chemo and as soon as my counts are up enough, I'll be back at the big house with the kids. I miss my babies so much."

"I know you do, dear. But, they are doing fine. Your and Christian's "business trips" are just part of their lives and they cope with your absence really well." My Mom pantomimes quotation marks, when she says" business trip".

After Ana's hospitalization with dehydration, Dr. Sellers felt it would be better if Ana was not around the children when her counts dropped. Ana was dead set against it, but it was too hard on the children for her to be physically in the house, but separated from the children. When her white count was non-existent, I forbid her to have physical contact with the children, knowing an infection could potentially kill her. She was livid with me, but I wasn't budging on that. The staff was well aware that I'd fire their asses if they aided Ana to see the children.

My Mom suggested us staying at Escala, telling the children we were away on business. It allowed me to focus solely on Ana, and the kids weren't upset that they couldn't see her. We do Face time, but the kids are no wiser that we aren't out of town.

Mother and I head out as I see Mai Lu whisper into Ana's ear, hopefully encouraging her to drink or eat something.

I quietly close the door, and Mom puts her arm around my waist as we walk into the great room.

"Christian. It's almost over, just hang in there. I know this has been hell for you, but I'm so proud of you. You've handled Ana's illness much better than I initially feared."

I sigh as we sit together on the couch. I lean forward and put my head in my hands.

"I don't know Mom. I've really had no choice. The treatment and Ana have dictated everything. I've just been along for the ride. I still don't see why she had to take this last course. Her odds of a cure were good, even without the chemo, and Dr. Sellers did say that other patients have survived 5 years on a shorter course out of necessity because they couldn't tolerate the full 8 treatments. How could he really look at her weighing barely 80 pounds and say she could tolerate this! That's what upsets me!"

Mom rubs my back as I talk, knowing I just need to vent my anger and frustration to someone. I take a deep breath, working to keep it together. I don't want to start crying in front of her. No one gets to see that. I do that alone because I'm being selfish. I know so much of my fear is the thought of losing Ana and how it would just destroy me. I have no doubt about that. I can't live without her at my side.

"Dr. Sellers and Ana still won't budge on feeding her, either into the vein or feeding tube. I just don't understand it. He said once her counts are up, if she doesn't start gaining weight, he'd consider it. I'm tempted to get another opinion."

"Christian, we've been through this before. You are the one who found Dr. Sellers and insisted he take Ana's case instead of the specialist Dr. Green wanted her to see. You can't fire him if you don't like how he is treating Ana. Ana has already called you on that and she has the final say."

"I know, I know, Mom." I sigh again. I look up at my Mom; her eyes are warm, but tired. I forget she's had a full day at the hospital and needs her rest.

"You should get home. You've had a long day. We're fine, really. Mai Lu is here and will be monitoring Ana tonight. She's getting fluids and Zofran, so will hopefully won't have the nausea and vomiting again. I hope she sleeps through the night. Maybe Mai Lu can slip her a dose of Morphine so she will."

"Christian!" My Mother warns me. "Stop it! If Ana's not in pain, she doesn't need to have narcotics. It's more likely to cause nausea! Promise you won't. Please."

"Ok, Ok." I acquiesce. I won't."

Mother stands, picking her coat off the back of the couch.

"Call me if you need anything. Ok?"

She looks me directly in the eye, then draws me into her arms. Since I met Ana I've discovered how wonderful her embrace is. I choke on a sob.

"I can't lose her, Mom. I just can't! So much of this is beyond my control. I hate it!" She holds me closer.

"You just have to keep the faith, Christian." I nod was she steps away, turning towards the door where Taylor quietly stands waiting to escort her downstairs to her car.

"You sure you wouldn't like to leave your car here and ride to the big house with Sawyer? I intentionally had him wait in case you did."

"No, Christian. I'll be fine, but if it would make you feel better why doesn't he just follow me there? That way you won't have to worry."

"Ok."

I look up and see Sawyer at Taylor's side.

"You heard that, Sawyer?"

"Yes, Mr. Grey. I'll walk you down, ma'am." Sawyer says.

Mom kisses my cheek and heads towards the door.

"Give Dad and the kids our love." I call after her.

"I will, dear. Good night, Christian."

They disappear into the elevator.