CPOV
"Christian? Christian, wake up."
I lift my head and look around, I see Grace standing before me.
"What is it, mom?"
"Christian, you need to go home. Get some rest. You've been here, in this hospital room for two days. I'll call you if there's any change."
"Mom, you don't understand, there are some things I haven't told you about..."
"About what, darling?"
"About Claire and I. We...we had a fight, mom. I was going to leave her and that's why she fell down the stairs."
I take Claire's hand in mine and stroke it against my cheek.
"Oh dear God. What did you fight about, Christian?"
"Mom, I've done something awful, something unforgivable."
Grace frowns at me, she grabs a chair and sits next to me.
"Christian? What did you do?"
"The worst thing any married person could do, mom."
"Did you...did you have an affair?"
I drop my head and let the tears fall, "I did, mom."
"I don't understand, I thought you wanted to have another baby, Christian?"
"I did, mom. Then I met Ana and..."
"Ana? You don't mean Elliot's new assistant? Quinn's wife?"
I nod my head.
"Christian, what's wrong with you?!"
"I don't know, mom. I couldn't help myself. I'm in love with Ana. I know that's an awful thing to say, especially as Claire lies here, in this hospital fighting for her life and for our child's life but it's true. I'm in love with Ana."
"Stop talking, right now. No more words." Grace says as she takes my hand and leads me out of Claire's room.
"Where are you taking me, mom?"
"To my office. We can't speak like this in front of Claire, there are times when patients can hear bits and pieces of conversations and I do not want to upset her."
She takes me to her private office in the hospital. She sits at her desk and I sit across from her and I tell her everything. From the first time I met Ana, from me wanting to have a child with Claire, to Claire stating she wanted to have a child as well and then, how she lied to me and continued taking the pill, to my spending an entire week with Ana. It's all one huge cluster fuck!
"Aren't you going to say anything, mom?"
"I don't know what to say, Christian."
"Mom, please don't hate me. I couldn't bear it if you hated me."
"Christian, I could never hate you. Stop talking nonsense. You're my son, I will always love you. I'm shocked and disappointed in your behavior, to say the least, but no, I could never ever hate you. You're my son, Christian, remember that."
"Oh mom, I don't know what to do."
"Christian, you need to sort things out. I can't tell you what to do, but I do know that I want you happy. I want all my children happy."
"I don't love Claire, mom. I know that's an awful thing to say, but I don't. I thought I knew what love was but I was wrong. What I have, or what I had with Ana, that was magic, mom. I know what love is now, I'm sure of it but, it's too late for us. She made it perfectly clear that she wants to work things out with Quinn."
"Then you have to respect her wishes, son. You have to let her go." Grace says as she stands from her chair and walks over to me and touches my shoulder.
"I don't want to, mom. It hurts, it hurts like nothing I've ever felt before. I know I'm a selfish bastard but I can't help it. I'm in love with her." I say as I stand and hug Grace.
"Oh Christian, my baby boy has finally found love and now...oh darling, I'm so sorry."
"I'm being punished, mom. I thought I wasn't going to be punished anymore. Haven't I had it bad enough? I had a crack whore birth mother and lived with her abusive pimp. Wasn't that enough? I thought things were getting better for me. I thought I was in love with Claire and then Ana shows up and turns my world upside down. I know what real love is and now I can't have it! Why mom? Why?" I say as I cry on her shoulder.
"Oh darling, you need to go home. Have Gail make you a nice big meal, get some sleep and then come back later. You're falling apart, and you not eating and sleeping is not making things any better darling. Now go."
GPOV
I cannot believe what my son has just confessed to me. I made it a point to not tell Christian about the odd 'feeling' that I had about Claire, when he began to date her. They were both young and I didn't think that it was anything serious, I couldn't have been more wrong! A few weeks later, Christian said he was in love and that he was going to marry Claire. I was gobsmacked, but rather than lose my son, by voicing my concern, I quietly accepted the fact that they were to be married.
Claire was and is very beautiful and came from a wealthy family, so I had no concern about her marrying Christian for money or status, the Cassidy family is very well-known, much like our family, only Claire's parents are constantly traveling abroad. I think that was the main reason why I attempted to reach out to Claire, she was an only child, raised by nannies, but as much as I tried to reach out, the more she shut me down. She caught me off guard when she called me to say that she would like to take me up on my offer for a week of pampering.
I almost forgot about that invite, as I suggested we go away over one year ago. Why she decided to take me up on my offer now, was a complete mystery to me, until she told me that she was pregnant.
I wanted to be happy for her and for Christian, but, something held me back. I hugged Claire and of course, I offered her my best wishes but, I couldn't help this feeling deep inside of me, and I felt ashamed for not being able to feel overjoyed at the announcement.
Claire went on to say that she felt as though she and Christian were growing apart, she said she sensed something and hoped that this baby would help bring them back together.
Number one, you don't have a baby to solve problems in your marriage, number two, she had made it clear that she didn't have any intention of wanting another baby, and number three, why did she take me up on my offer after all this time? Does she expect me to be 'Team Claire' because we spent one week together? Number four, she had no clue how on point she was, when she stated to me that she felt that she and Christian were growing apart.
Bottom line for me, my loyalty lies with my son.
CPOV
After sleeping for a couple of hours, showering and having a quick lunch, I decide to make my way back to the hospital. Taylor announces that my brother Elliot has arrived.
Elliot walks in and says, "Dude, any word?"
"No, no change. What are you doing here Ell? Shouldn't you be at work?"
"It's Sunday bro."
"Oh, I'm so out of it."
"It's cool little brother. Come on, I'll give you a lift to the hospital. I need to talk to you anyway."
"Taylor, meet us at the hospital. I'm riding with Elliot." I say as we leave.
Taylor nods and we head for the elevator.
"So, what is you want to talk to me about?"
"I want to talk to you about what you did to my building. You demolished my building and rebuilt it."
"Elliot, I don't have the strength or energy to fight with you about that, not now anyway."
"It's cool bro, I actually wanted to thank you for fixing up my place. It looks great."
"You're welcome, I'm glad you like it."
"I do. Ana's going to love it as well. You really put a lot of thought into it didn't you?"
"Did I?" I reply as we take the elevator down.
"Of course you did. You love her don't you?"
"What the fuck Ell?"
"Tell me bro, it's true isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Dude, Quinn loves Ana. I know they're having problems but I thought you should know."
"I spent the week with her while you and him were out-of-town."
"What the fuck? Are you kidding me?"
"No, I wanted to ask Claire for a divorce, she lied to me about wanting to have another child and she was on the pill and she got pregnant any way and my life is fucked because I'm in love with another man's wife."
I step out of the elevator and Elliot stands there, his jaw on the floor.
"Let's go Elliot!" I shout as I walk towards his car.
Kate's POV
"Thanks for meeting me for lunch, Ana. I know it was sort of spur of the moment."
"It's fine, I got tired of waiting for Quinn to come home. He's tying up a few loose ends at the office, that gave me an opportunity to get away and think things through."
"Think things through? That sounds rather ominous. What do you need to think through?" I ask slightly concerned as I see a brief look of panic on her face.
Oh shit, what is she going to say to me?
"Kate, I need you to listen and not interrupt me, because if I stop talking, I may not have the courage to continue. Are we clear?"
Holy moly! I can't even speak, I merely nod my head and wait for her to start speaking...
My jaw is on the floor and I am completely and utterly stunned. I'm a fucking reporter! How in the hell did I miss this?
"You mean to tell me, you spent the entire week with my brother-in-law? Christian Grey?"
Ana nods and keeps her head down.
"Ana, look at me."
Ana lifts her head and says, "I'm so ashamed, Kate. I don't know what I was thinking."
"But how? I mean, when I left you, you were supposed to meet your mom. Don't tell me that you lied to me and you had this planned out all this time?"
"No, of course it wasn't planned. It just...happened. My mom's husband injured himself and she couldn't leave him and that left me alone and I tried to call you but I got your voicemail and then Christian showed up and then...well."
"Holy shit! I cannot believe I didn't catch this. I'm supposed to be a reporter for God's sake. Damn!"
"Kate, I cheated on my husband, with your brother-in-law, is that all you have to say?"
"Well, yes. I'm so angry at myself. I should have put two and two together! Damn!"
"What about Claire? Don't feel anything for her?"
"Claire?! Hmph! Not really, I mean I'm sorry, I guess but, I never liked her much anyway and it wasn't for lack of trying. I tried and tried and tried. I told you about that."
"There's something else, Kate."
"Jesus, Ana. There's more?!"
"Yes, this wasn't our first time."
"Shit! Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"Fuck, Ana. If there's anything else, please warn me ahead of time so I can have a drink ready."
"There is one more thing."
"Holy shit, what is it."
"Quinn and I had a fight."
"Oh my God! Does he know about..."
"No, he doesn't, our fight was about something else."
"Well then, what was the fight about? What else do you have to tell me?"
Ana is about to speak when my phone rings, it's Elliot.
"Shit! Ana, I completely forgot! I'm supposed to meet Elliot at the hospital."
"The hospital? Is he ok?"
"He's fine, it's Claire, she had an accident a couple of days ago, she fell down the stairs or something."
"Oh my goodness, I hope she's ok."
"She'll be fine, Ana. Listen, I'm sorry I have to go."
"It's ok, Kate. Quinn and I need to finish our little discussion and figure out what we're going to do. He should be back home soon."
"Ok, we'll catch up tomorrow?"
"Yes, I really need someone to talk to."
"Ok, take care. I'll call you tonight, Ana. I really have to run." I say as I stand to make my leave.
"Ok, give Christian my...well, nevermind."
CPOV
I hold Claire's hand and ask her to please wake up but I don't get a response.
"How long has he been like that?" I hear Kate ask Elliot.
"For an hour, he's out of it. I don't even think he knows that you're here, Kate."
"I know." I reply as I turn to see Kate, she offers me a sad smile.
"Christian, can I get you anything? Food, some coffee, anything?"
"No thanks, I went earlier and took a quick nap and Gail made me something to eat."
"Ok. Any word?" Kate asks.
"No, we just have to wait for her to wake up, mom said she will wake when she's ready."
"And the baby?" Kate asks.
"The baby is fine."
"Oh thank God, Christian."
"Kate, let's leave Christian alone."
Kate nods and says, "Ok."
"Are you sure we can't get you anything before we go, little brother?" Elliot asks.
"No, I'm fine. Go on you two."
CPOV
I feel someone caressing my cheek and I can see Ana's beautiful face.
I can't help but smile.
"Christian, wake up." I hear a soft raspy voice call out to me.
I look up and I see Claire's eyes open.
"Hi, sleepy head." Claire says as she looks at me and smiles.
"Claire, you're awake." I say quietly.
"It would appear so, where am I? What happened?" Claire asks as she looks around.
"You're in the hospital Claire. You've been unconscious for two days. Let me call Grace." I say as I stand.
Claire grabs my hand and looks frightened.
"Two days? I've been out for two days? What happened? I don't understand."
"You fell, Claire. Don't you remember?"
"I don't remember anything, Christian. I mean, I remember going away with your mom and then coming home, but I don't remember anything else after that."
Holy fuck! She doesn't remember the fight? Her being on the pill, my confession of being with Ana?
Shit!
I need to tread lightly.
Grace comes to calm me down and to check on Claire. She has me wait outside Claire's room while Doctor Thomas examines her. She walks back out and says, "Christian, she doesn't remember a thing. She remembers coming home to Escala and that's where her memory stops. It might come back, it might not, it's one of those things darling."
"Shit, mom. What do I do?"
"Doctor Thomas is going to give her a thorough examination and then more than likely, she will be released, probably as soon as tomorrow."
"What do I do, mom?"
"Listen Christian, Claire has been through enough trauma as it is. I can't make your decisions for you. You need to decide what you're going to do with your life and what you have planned for the future, but for now, you will take your wife home and care for her. You need to put your own personal feelings aside and step up. She is your wife and she needs you, so suck it up and deal with it. Are we clear?" Grace asks.
"Crystal." I reply.
"Good, now get in there and speak to your wife."
"What do I say, mom."
"Well, for starters do not talk about Ana. Pretend that all is well between you two, let her lead the way and guide the conversation, follow her lead."
"What about the baby?"
"Claire does know that she's pregnant and from what I can gather, she's very happy about it. Call Gail and have her dispose of Claire's birth control pills. Small steps, Christian. You have to take this, one day at a time."
"Ok, thanks mom."
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Mistakes are mine and reviews are appreciated.
Thanks,
Stem