Hope you enjoy and don't forget to tell me what you think about chapter 11
Ana nodded and looked at Christian with determination in her eyes." Give me fifteen… twenty minutes tops, and then we'll get to work immediately."
After Ana had taken a quick shower and was dressed, she made coffee for the both of them. She was pouring the hot liquid into two mugs, when Christian appeared, moving himself from the living room into the kitchen.
"I thought we could have breakfast first." Ana commented, as she sat in one of the chairs." I made sandwiches; there's one with cheese and another with scrambled egg."
Christian didn't say anything back. He was staring at her again, brows furrowed and grey eyes boring into hers. As she waited for him to grab his mug and sandwich, Ana sat silently and drank her coffee, while avoiding his gaze.
She knew he had agreed on starting with physical therapy, and thought that he'd be a bit more talkative. Boy, was she wrong...
At a certain point Christian moved closer to the kitchen table and grabbed his mug. However, he kept staring at her, making Ana so uncomfortable.
Oh, how much she wished that he'd just tell her what he was thinking right now. But she knew he'd never tell her, even if she would ask him. So, Ana decided to change the subject. She had been contemplating about this the evening before, listing the pro and cons for both locations. However, Ana knew Christian ultimately was the one who gets to decide where he wants to work on his legs.
They were his legs after all. It was his body and only he had a say in it. Not even her.
"Christian… uhmm, I was wondering…" she started, as her eyes darted towards him." Do you want to do this here? Or… would you be more comfortable doing therapy at home… in my family's private practice?"
As those words reached his ears, Christian placed his leftover sandwich and the mug on the table, after drinking his coffee." Here." He simply said, and swiftly moved out of the kitchen with his wheelchair.
Ana let out a deep breath and got up from her seat." Well, this time he said exactly one word to me." She muttered, while grabbing their mugs and placing them in the sink.
She then walked into the living room and as Christian watched Ana, she began moving the couch and the other furniture.
"I'm making room for us so we can work in here." Ana commented without expecting a reply.
"Ana." She heard him say, almost making her stumble over her own feet. Ana did not expect him to say her name— especially not in that manner…
Which manner? Well, in the manner that made Ana feel as if the room had caught fire. Heat instantly spread to her cheeks, as she remembered how many times he had said her name that way. (When they were still a couple years ago)
Christian said it with such intensity, like he still cared about her. It sounded pleading and gentle and all things beautiful.
'He probably forgot for one split second that he hates me.' Were the words that bounced inside her skull, as Ana's eyes finally locked with his.
"Yes, Christian?" she managed to say, her voice a bit shaky.
"I want you to promise me something." He said, as he moved towards the couch." Can you take a seat? Please?"
Ana nodded, not knowing what to expect and sat on the couch, while a lump was gradually forming in her throat." Of course." She commented." What is it, Christian?"
He moved so they were locking eyes on one another. As a sigh escaped his lips, Christian said." You know exactly what to do to get me back on my feet, right?"
"Yes." Ana replied." I do."
Christian nodded." OK, I had a quick conversation with Elliot's friend this morning… you know the one you helped four years ago?"
Ana nodded." Yes, Eric Lopez." She pointed out.
"That friend… yes. Like me, he also was paralyzed from the waist down." Christian said, his voice trembling slightly." I called him up, because I wanted to know what to expect."
"OK." Ana replied, as she felt something tug on her heart, their eyes still locked.
Christian had made it very clear that he wanted to walk again. However, she didn't expect him to be this far along, mentally. At the moment Ana saw a flicker of that familiar fire in his eyes.
As she attempted to swallow the lump in her throat, Ana remembered how she searched for it in his eyes, the evening in her family's private gym. That evening she saw Christian after six years for the first time and noticed instantly that the fire had died down completely.
And yet, there it was once more… it was only a flicker, barely there. However, Ana was seeing it and felt her heart explode in her chest.
Christian was accepting it, she noticed. He accepted the fact that he needed physical therapy and also that he needed her expertise. He accepted that he had to work hard— very hard, if he wanted to walk again.
That was something no one could force on him. Christian had to want it for him and only him.
Tears began to pool in Ana's eyes, when Christian continued." He gave me some tips, Ana. And he also warned me about you."
His voice was playful, and yet Ana didn't see a smile there. However, this was a huge improvement, considering how Christian refused and declined her help just a few days ago.
She was so grateful that he was doing his best, asking a former patient of hers how Ana went about the rehabilitation.
"Oh, did he now? What did Eric say to you?" Ana asked, and raised an eyebrow." Hmm? What name did he give me?"
It was so weird hearing Christian attempt to chuckle, making Ana wonder how long it's been since he had laughed.
"Eric said, and I quote: who did you say is your physical therapist? You're so dead, Grey. She's a bully. You know what I used to call her during therapy? 'The tormentor'." Christian replied, as he watched her reaction.
Ana burst out into laughter at that, while her whole body shook.
As Christian watched Ana laugh, he couldn't help feeling something inside him stir. It was unsettling and yet calming. He knew that Ana lost him a long time ago,— and was so sure that he never wanted to forgive her.
However, that didn't mean he stopped caring. That definitely didn't mean that he stopped loving her…
But now is not the time to dwell on the past. Christian couldn't let himself be vulnerable like he had been six years ago. And right now, his top priority was to rehabilitate.
Ana wiped her tears away, (the ones that appeared from laughing so hard) and cleared her throat." Well, Eric can exaggerate sometimes. However, he's right. I can be brutal, Christian." She pointed out and looked him straight in the eyes." When I start, I will commit one hundred percent. I will be brutally honest with you the whole time and I intend on doing everything in my power to get positive results. I won't give up. So, I need to know now. Can I expect the same from you, Christian?"
"Yes." He replied and nodded.
However, Ana wasn't convinced." Christian, I need you to be sure. Will you give it your all? Will you commit and not give up, even when there are setbacks?" she asked, while looking at him so serious, her brows furrowed." Cause I promise you, there will be setbacks!"
At that, Christian looked at Ana with determination in his grey eyes." Yes, doctor. I will commit a hundred and ten percent. I will give my all. And I will not give up that easily."
Ana was finally convinced and nodded." Good. Let's begin then. I'm gonna take my stuff out the van first." She said, and got up from the couch. But when she was almost out the front door, Ana remembered something." Hey, you wanted me to promise you something?"
"That was it."
"What was it?" she asked.
Christian looked up at her and sighed." I wanted you to promise me to push forward no matter what. Even if I would act ugly towards you at one point or if I would fire you. And even if I want to give up... "he explained, and then looked away." If it came down to all what I've summed up, I want you to promise me to continue."
Ana smiled at that and closed the gap between them. She then placed a hand on his shoulder." I promise."
Those were 2 simple words, however they meant so much more to Ana and also Christian. He knew she was being truthful to him and that made the little something inside his heart stir more than before.
"Thank you." He commented.
She nodded and wanted to reply, but then they heard a knock on the door.
"Oh! That must be my assistant, José." Ana pointed out and walked over to the front door and swung it open.
"So… what are you doing all the way over here, doctor? We're in the middle of nowhere." Christian heard a man say.
Ana chuckled and said." Well, good morning to you too, José."
He rolled his eyes at her and replied." Morning, doc."
"Let me introduce you to our patient." She remarked and walked towards Christian.
Ana's assistant sighed softly and followed her.
Christian observed the man from head to toe, his face expressionless.
The two men shook hands and greeted each other.
"So, please get my stuff out of the van, will you?" Ana requested, as she looked José in the eyes.
"Of course, Doc." He replied and strode towards the car.
"Ana, I thought it was only gonna be you and me." Christian pointed out, while looking at her questioningly.
As those words reached her ears, Ana bit her bottom lip." Yeah, I'm sorry about that. But I need José's strength." She pointed out." My equipment is heavy and I have to look at your legs first… I can't place you on the examination table by myself. Get it?"
He nodded at that." Yes, I understand."
"Good. Thanks for understanding," Ana said and walked out the door to help her assistant.
After José and Ana were finished setting up the living room for his rehabilitation, Christian's eyes darted towards her. Ana's cheeks were pink from all the lifting and he even noticed a drop of sweat trailing down her temples.
At the moment she looked great… it was that simple.
Ana looked content, her eyes were sparkling as she gave José last of the instructions. She looked determined and from the look of it, Ana was in Doctor-mode right now.
"OK, can you help the patient lie on the examination table?" Ana asked, while looking at José.
He nodded and walked over to Christian.
The moment Christian was on her table, Ana grabbed the chart and a pen. She wrote Christian's name on it and began looking at his legs. Ana thoroughly inspected the right leg first and wrote down her findings. The left leg was next, also being inspected by her.
Like with all her patients, Ana took her time. However, this was Christian and she didn't want to miss one single thing. The whole time she was doing her job, Christian had been observing Ana.
Mentally, he smiled because of the way Ana looked whenever she was concentrating. She furrowed her brows, and bit the insides of her cheeks, while it looked like she was a million miles away. And those eyes…
Christian was taken out of his thoughts by Ana's voice.
"So…" Ana said, while closing the chart." It's not looking very good, Christian."
Ana was in Doctor-mode, attempting to keep it professional, and locked her eyes on him.
"Yes? What's the verdict, Ana?" Christian asked, while clenching his right hand.
"It's gonna take time— a lot of time, because you haven't used the muscles of your legs for so long." Ana replied, the tone of her voice low, while looking Christian straight in the eyes.
He let out a deep breath, and closed his eyes for a few moments." But what does that mean? Am I a lost cause?" Christian asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"Of course you're not. We can do this. I believe so." Ana said, self-assured.
"Are you certain, Ana?" Christian asked, his voice sounding as of someone who felt defeated." Because if I won't be able to use my legs anymore, then…" he began, but she cut him off mercilessly.
"We can do this! You and me." Ana said, while looking at him, the look in her eyes so convincing." Stop doubting your doctor, Christian. Stop that, will you? And more importantly: stop doubting yourself! OK? We'll start now."
At that, Ana broke eye contact with Christian. She didn't want to hear about giving up, when they haven't even started yet. Ana was going to make sure that Christian will work his butt off… cause that's what she was planning on doing herself.
Right now isn't the time for pity or doubts! Now is the time for work… hard work!
Ana then instructed her assistant what to do next." José, help the patient, so both his knees are up and keep them both in place. Yes, like that."
After that, Ana instructed Christian what to do and also what not to do.
"I can't feel my legs… that's really frightening, An…" Christian started, but then he hesitated to continue, the look in his eyes haunting.
As his words reached Ana's ears, and while noticing that look in Christian's eyes, Ana cleared her throat, while attempting with all her might to push back her tears. It's like Christian just realized a few seconds ago that he was paralyzed…
And in a way that was indeed so, because Christian knew for more than four weeks now that he can't use his legs. However, it was today that he had accepted it all.
That's why it was difficult for him… especially now that he had said it out loud. Christian had been in denial the past weeks and now that realization hits him, it hits him like a ton of bricks.
Ana instantly recognized the look in his grey eyes. Hell, she had seen it so many times in all of her patients. So you'd think Ana was used to it by now. However, that was not the case…
She could never get used to it, because Ana put herself in her patient's shoes. It was terrifying for Christian (and for any paralyzed patient) to accept that he can't feel his legs anymore.
At that very moment, Ana wanted to comfort him, because Christian looked utterly lost. However, she was terrified to even try, not knowing how he'll react if she would.
As Ana, his ex-girlfriend, she could handle his silent treatments and very harsh remarks. That's because in her opinion she deserved all of it for leaving him. He was still angry that she had left him.
However, as Doctor Steele, she could not swallow anything harsh from Mr. Grey, her patient.
Ana was a highly respected and brilliant physical therapist. She couldn't let a patient disrespect her, especially not in front of her assistant…
However, the look in Christian's eyes was so heart breaking. As Ana watched how he stared at a spot on the wall, while his hands trembled, she felt a gnawing ache cutting right through her heart and soul.
Well, at that moment she decided to throw away her Doctor's hat for a few minutes. As a sigh escaped her pink lips, Ana placed her hand gently on Christian's wrist.
His eyes instantly darted towards her, while it locked on Ana's eyes." Hey, you can do this. You are Christian Grey." She simply said." As what did you start off in the company that you're now CEO of? Hmm? And how many years did it take you to become CEO? Less than anyone else who have ever tried. So… you can do this."
As those words reached Christian's ears, he was reminded why he had fallen in love with Ana. The reason? She's in one word amazing. She believes in doing good deeds and in bringing out the good in people. No wonder her patients love her.
Well, they hate her during the physical therapy itself, when Ana 'torments' them and grills them. And yet they love her, because she's not only very good at her job, but also because Ana cares… she genuinely cares.
Christian almost wanted to let go, but he forced himself not to. As he pushed his tears back, and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, Christian nodded." Yes, doctor. You're right. I can do this."
Ana smiled at that, and nodded with a satisfied look in her pretty eyes." Good." She replied, and then her eyes landed on her assistant." José let's continue, shall we? Hold his knees up and then …"
As Ana gave the instructions, Christian listened closely to her and José. They helped him do the exercises for three hours straight. By now Christian's muscles weren't slack as this morning.
There were times when he wanted to ask Ana for a break. And yet Christian decided every single time not to, because of the look in his doctor's eyes. Ana kept pushing forward, only her goal on her mind.
Eric Lopez was right… Ana can be brutal! Christian had never seen this side of her, and he had to admit that he liked it.
"OK, it's enough for today." Christian heard Ana say after a while, making him sigh in relief, his eyes fluttering shut, while he attempted to catch his breath.
"Finally." He mumbled.
José chuckled at that, and began tidying up the living room. When Christian finally had opened his eyes, he noticed Ana and her assistant looking at him.
"And? How was your first day, Mr. Grey?" Ana asked.
Christian's eyes landed on Ana, while Jose handed him a towel.
"Well, to be honest. Your former patient was right, doctor Steele." Christian said, while his eyes darted from Ana to her assistant and then back to Ana." I should call you 'the tormentor'.
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