-CHAPTER NINE-

RECEIVING GIFTS

Friday 20th November 2009

ANASTASIA

"KATE WHY ARE ALL THESE BAGS OUT? Please tell me you're not taking… one, two, three. Three bags! Who needs this much stuff!" Impossibly waving my hands around the stacked luggage in our living room.

Kate is someone who needs everything including the kitchen sink when it comes to traveling. I'm in awe with the amount of beauty, hair care products and don't even mention the amount of shoes that fit in these bags.

She walked out of her bedroom carrying another small case in her right hand, "This?" pointing to the stack, "God no, not three," she was completely clueless to why I was concerned.

"Good, because I was going to say we're only away for nine days, not nine wee—" being cut off tersely.

"No I have more in my room," she smiled as always.

"Are you serious?" hitting my head on the door-frame. What the fuck!

Looking at Kate I couldn't help but crash in a huff, landing on my butt in the middle of the room. At times I think Kate and I are worlds apart. Staring at the carpet beneath me, all of a sudden a cat walks by.

I'm not ready for the cat stage. I'm not that old am I? I don't want to be a cat lady!

"Kate why is there a cat in our living room?" All she did was shrug.

Am I completely losing the plot or am I dosed up on narcotics? She gaped at me and didn't stop.

What? I'm having a melt down!

Looking at the stack of luggage and then my own small backpack and small suitcase, why does she need so much? For fuck sake it's only nine days.

"Why Kate," pointing my hands towards her luggage. Without warning she bursts into laughter, "Ok did I miss something, what's so hilarious?"

"I'm joking Ana. I'm only taking one, plus our dress bag, oh and my carry on," Kate grabbed a case from her bedroom, an overly large handbag and dress bag.

My eyes followed Kate going in and out of her room, it made me feel dizzy. I closed my eyes, and tipped my head into my lap.

Just breathe, Ana.

"Hey are you ok? Girl you have been working non stop, this break will do you wonders, you'll be a new woman,"

"Just a dizzy spell, I think I'm starting to get a headache or something. Just feeling a little off for the past couple of days. Did you turn up the thermostat, it's feeling a little hot in here," I started to fan my face and take a few large deep breaths.

Slowly trying to get up off the floor, my pants were digging into my stomach.

Damn I thought the hair tie trick would work. Fuck I'm fat! I'm never eating chocolate again!

"Hopefully you're not ill because I don't want you hurling your guts next to me on the plane for the next six hours. Oh my Ana, are your pants tied together with a hair tie. You need to cut the carbs I think," walking towards me Kate placed her palm on my forehead, "You don't feel warm Ana? No chocolate ok. Just keep it together until at least Sunday morning."

"Thanks Kate, you know how to make a girl feel good about herself. I'm ok it just comes and goes. I think my period is trying to start, or maybe a migraine. I don't want this feeling on a six hour flight. Fuck I need bigger pants," they are so tight.

"Ana," Kate stood there with a stern look, folding her arms across her chest and tapping her right foot.

I could only shrug, and rub my head.

Fuck it's going to be a migraine.

"It still hasn't started. Ana you've been saying this for over a week."

"Well it feels like it's going to gush out, but it doesn't."

"Girl, you have too much stress in your life,"

"Yeah you," answering with my tongue out.

HONK HONK HOOOOOONK!

"Ok, the impatient driver is here. Ready?" she chuckled.

How do I even answer the complex question 'Ready?' Ready for what, the pain staking plane trip next to the energizer bunny that never shuts up about her sex life or ready to make a complete fool of myself at this Ball tomorrow night. Or ready to see Ray and tell him what I have planned for the next several years.

Rolling my eyes, "I have no choice, do I?" I answered not with the strongest of replies.

"Oh come on Banana!"

If I had lasers for eyes Kate would be dust, long gone, so I only had the ability to groan at the bubbly Kate.

"Yeah, I'm ready, bring it!" Saying it in a bubbly cheerleader manner but internally dying.

Weeks have passed and I have started to submerge my life and soul into study. The only time I made for myself outside my bedroom and Harvard, was to buy a dress for the Ball I voluntarily said I would attend. Honestly I surprised myself and I really do love my dress.

"Ana, why are you smiling?" Kate said.

"I don't know I think it will be nice to get away for a bit, I'm looking forward to seeing Ray. I've got some things to tell him,"

"Come on you were thinking about that dress, look you're blushing,"

"No I'm feeling hot," Kate felt my cheeks.

"Yeah whatever, not hot at all."

…..

OUR CAB RIDE wasn't too painful to JKF. I can't believe we are heading to Seattle SeaTac. I haven't seen Daddy since Christmas and I am missing him like mad. We are both hopeless when it comes to communicating, he hates being on the phone and I'm forgetful. Sunday I'm telling him everything: the extra classes, graduation, MCATS preparation and hopefully UW Medical Seattle for study and a possible internship.

For the past month I have been trying to get a doctor on my side so I have a better chance of getting a scholarship. I would be more than happy to work shadow over the Christmas New Year break or whenever I can. I've contacted several departments, but gynecology and pediatrics have only returned my calls. I have several meetings two days before we leave, so my fingers are crossed and hoping something positive will happen.

Lifting my check-in baggage to be weighed, I felt a slight twinge in my back.

"Ouch," I rubbed it hard, "crap is it hot in here? I feel really horrible."

I felt dizzy and slightly losing my balance. Kate being the self-absorbed person she is didn't even notice.

Slapping my back, "Oh Ana, we are going to be in Seattle in under seven hours. Tomorrow, oh my God!" She squealed, dancing on her toes.

Taking a few deep breaths to ensure I don't vomit everywhere I was in shock, "I'm amazed you aren't counting down the minutes to jump Elliot," she continued to shove her phone in my face and there it was a count down clock to the second as to when she will see her boyfriend.

Checking the timer it was a little over eight hours. That's not right.

"Kate, your timer is wrong,"

"No," she flicked her head back and forth.

"Shouldn't it be about seven hours or even a little less?"

"Elliot isn't picking us up."

"Who is?"

Maybe Kate isn't the self-absorbed person after all, maybe it's Daddy to surprise me, or maybe we are just getting a cab. Fuck I need to make sure I have enough cash to split with her.

"Your date."

It was starting to become a very bad habit, eye rolling.

…..

WHAT CAN I SAY, our plane ride was less than ideal. Other than being completely silent to my best friend, for a six hour flight within close quarters was hard enough, but the impending migraine was killing me, which it wasn't helping the situation.

Exploring my backpack attempting to discover any kind of pain relief to dull the throbbing ache in my head. I have my fingers crossed I can miraculously find a sedative to knock out a yapping Kate in my left ear. I don't think I can handle one more detailed description of what she has and will do to Elliot.

Just like that I found the foiled covered pill, popped it into my mouth and prayed I could fall asleep. Looking at my watch I still have over four and a half hours until we land.

Fucking hurry up!

Waking from a restless sleep, I notice a peaceful Kate snoozing in a rather uncomfortable position. I couldn't help but giggle. Just like that the captain over the cabin speaker announced landing was underway. Peaking through the small window, it was dreary and wet. As we made our decent the plane was experiencing some turbulence while landing.

As the cabin began to shake, Kate woke up in a daze, with a little drool running down her chin. Unable to hold in my laughter I covered my face with my two hands hoping not to disturb the other passengers.

"Ouch, you bitch", she hit me hard on my left arm giving me a stern look.

"My neck is so sore, don't laugh at me missy," I couldn't help but notice that her false eyelash had unglued and holding on by a thread.

I could only point to her face. The whole situation was almost making mucus come out my nose since it was hilarious.

"Kate, your…umm," I pointed to her misplaced eye lashes, "oh and," my finger dragged down my face informing her of the drool.

"Oh dear lord, we need to land ASAP. I need a mirror pronto."

Instantly all the anger I had towards her was gone. She maybe a pain in the ass but she keeps me grounded and gives me a humorous daily fix at her own expense.

…..

I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYONE SPRINT out of a plane as fast as Kate. I couldn't keep up as I was taking my time, trying to get my bearings since my head wasn't easing from my constant dizzy spells. Things I hate: air travel and headaches.

Waiting outside the female bathroom for her, I sat on the floor of the airport. My care factor for the dirtiness of the ground was zero; I was just feeling too dizzy. Grabbing my water bottle and sipping a few times, I decided to turn on my cell contemplating whether I should call Ray and tell him I've landed or not. Or should I just wait until I see him on Sunday night? Decisions, decisions.

Flipping my cell over and over, and to my surprise I had a message from an unknown number.

UNKNOWN: Anastasia I'm trying to do the gentlemanly thing. I'm sorry but will need a rain check for the airport pick up. Elliot is surprising Kate. Don't tell her or he will have my balls. C

I didn't read the complete message, rather I started to fume. Kate couldn't help herself, our chauffeur and my mysterious date I didn't want. Taking a few breaths to calm myself, I reread the message in full.

What? Who?

C

I started to sweat and my heart began to race. Deep down it couldn't possibly be the person I was thinking. I couldn't message back, 'oh hi I'm Ana, you aren't C that I fucked a few weeks ago and that never called me back. You have messed with my head, FUCK YOU!'

As always I'm too kind and considerate, I couldn't leave the guy hanging so I replied.

ANA: Thanks for the heads up, C. Also don't call me Anastasia, everyone calls me Ana except for Elliot then it would be Banana. Don't call me Banana.

As the message sent, Kate made her appearance, all refreshed with two attached false lashes.

"Oh honey, lets get these bags and I have a surprise for you."

"I think the surprise has prematurely informed me, but I believe the surprise is all yours," Kate was puzzled, and we continued to walk towards baggage collect.

…..

FINDING OUR WAY to collect our baggage, Kate grabbed a Starbucks and of all things a cheeseburger from McDonald's. Watching the carousel go round and round, hearing the myriad of commuters, my head began to spin.

Trying to breath through it, the smell of Kate's coffee and cheeseburger were making it worse. Running for the closest trash can, I hurled the contents of my stomach among the trash.

"Oh my God," I moaned as I rubbed my head.

"Ana, you haven't had a headache like this in a long time."

"Migraine. It's a migraine. Water, I need water" I hoarsely whispered due to the acidic breakfast remnants.

Surprisingly I did feel much better.

Kate, a little out of her element, rummaged through my backpack, found and then passed my water bottle. I grabbed it harshly: sip, swish and spat into the trash. I couldn't believe how much better I felt. Kate handed my backpack over and my cell buzzed.

C?: Well thank you Ana, but I have a surprise for you. Christian.

Smiling, I couldn't help maybe he knows that's it me?

"Now who is messaging you?" Kate hollered, bringing me out of my bubble.

"Apparently Christian?"

My C? My fingers are crossed.

Kate smiling with glee, "Ahh… Elliot's brother, he's messaging you. Aww how sweet."

It happened so fast, I turned my head and my dizziness returned. I could see Elliot standing with another guy about the same height with cinnamon copper hair. I couldn't see his face, I'm not sure if it was the direction he was facing or my spinning head.

"Ana, Oh My God look… Elliot!" Kate dropped her bags and ran towards him.

When I saw his face, it suddenly went black.

…..

MY HEAD WAS RESTING on something soft and the regular beeping was giving me a slight throb to my head. Scratching my chin and licking my dry lips, I sensed I wasn't at SeaTac any longer.

Opening my eyes, blinking and covering my face, it was extremely bright. For some reason I was lying down.

What the fuck?

Rubbing my forehead I recognised the whining sound of Kate's voice.

"Jesus Christ Ana, you scared the shit out of me," Kate trembled.

"What? Where am I?" trying to hold back my loose hair in face, but I was limited due to an IV drip in my right hand.

"It's ok Ana," digging in her handbag, she handed over a hair tie, "you are in the hospital," she uttered while holding my hand.

There was a slight knock on the door. Kate gripped my hand a little tighter and smiled at the middle-aged woman who has walked into my private room. I assumed she was a doctor with her white coat on.

"Mrs Trevelyan-Grey, thank-you," Kate thanked the woman.

"No, no, please don't call me that, I sound like an old women, now it seems my patient is waking," she pumped some anti bacterial wash into her hands rubbing them thoroughly.

Staring with my mouth open at this woman, I was confused. What happened? Why was I in the hospital?

"Now darling, you should be feeling better, we have pumped…" looking at bag of clear liquid, "almost 500cc of fluid into you. You were quite dehydrated. Kate said you were feeling unwell and vomited."

I nod my head.

This is embarrassing!

Squinting with a warm smile, "darling can you entertain my sons, I'm sure Elliot is missing you," Kate grinned at the doctor and tightened her hands with excitement and skipped with glee out the door.

"Anastasia."

"Please I'm Ana," I hated when people called me that, only mom did.

"Ana, as I'm sure Kate told you, you're at the hospital, UW Medical. My name is Doctor Grace Trevelyan-Grey, more commonly I'm referred to as Dr Grey. I'm a gynaecologist at this hospital. My son's told me you collapse at the airport. Christian was quite concerned regarding your health. As I speak I'm sure he's pacing the hallways."

"Christian? Elliot?"

"Yes they're my boys, you are actually staying with me for a couple of days because of the Coping Together Ball,"

This fucking ball, maybe I should have stayed home.

"Mrs Grey. Elliot's Mom? Oh God I'm so sorry for all the bother. I'm confused why is Christian concerned, honestly we haven't met," rubbing my face confused, embarrassed and wanting to sleep.

"Not from what he tells me. Ana I'm a little concerned, I'm not being my boy's mother right now rather your Doctor, this is why I told Kate to leave the room, so you had some privacy," she paused and I was growing with worry. What is wrong with me? "How many weeks are you darling, assuming you haven't told her."

"What?"

NO!

"How many weeks pregnant? You have all the signs, dizziness, vomiting. Kate mentioned you were feeling hot but you don't have a temperature, your blood pressure is elevated, and your lower abdomen is quite firm – your pants are quite tight. I was working from a Doctor's perspective and took bloods, your results came back positive. Your hCG levels are well in the range for pregnancy, it's hard to tell how many weeks but it's well over one hundred thousand." I shook my head back and forth confused, suddenly the tears fell.

It can't be correct. FUCK!

"I'm not. I did a test weeks ago, my period started."

This divine woman began to stroke my hair and wipe my tears. What have I done?

"Will you give permission for me to complete an ultrasound, we can confirm the pregnancy and identify the gestation," Dr Grey calmly spoke.

Crying into my hands, I couldn't believe it, I'm pregnant. It must be a bad dream.

Wake up, WAKE UP!

"I don't want Kate to know, please Dr Grey. I need to get my head around this."

"Call me Grace. Should I call someone?" She stroked my hair and I calmed immediately.

"No it's ok, I'm seeing my step-father on Sunday."

"Well can I let my son in, he was adamant to speak with you when you woke,"

"Elliot?"

"No Christian,"

I sighed, "yeah my date."

Please don't be C, this is going to be extremely awkward.

"You don't seem enthralled to see him, he's the complete opposite,"

"OK but I don't want him to know and especially Elliot," shaking my head back and forth.

Grace smiled at me and she walked towards the door.

Gripping the door handle, Grace whispered "Ana it's ok you have options, I'll just wait outside."

Staring at the ceiling, the thoughts were tumbling through my head. A baby. I'm going to have a baby. Oh God school, I need to organize a place, I need a job. The tears were falling, these days I couldn't help it and clearly I now know the reason.

The door swung open and I didn't even bother to look. I could hear beyond the walls Elliot and Kate talking. If I only I had more.

"Pixie?"

A/N:

Thank you for reading the new reworked/beta-ed "Misplaced & Found." If you haven't already done so, please favourite, follow, review and PM me regarding any M&F questions or concerns. See you soon for chapter 10.

missmusicteach