A/N: I told you the chapters would get longer. Enjoy!

Chapter 25 - Single Ladies(Beyoncé)

"If you like it

Then you should have put a ring on it"

(I couldn't resist)

Saturday, July 10.

Anastasia POV

I know they think I'm asleep but in reality I am wide awake. Hearing them go over everything that apparently went down yesterday while I was asleep makes me feel absolutely horrible. If I wasn't sick none of this would be like this. I know it's not my fault that I'm sick but now this is turning in to an even bigger lie/situation and-

"Then she asked about my stepping away from GEH-"

"Wait, what?!" I croak out. I really hope that I didn't hear that right and it's just the chemo brain making things fuzzy.

"Hey, Annie, your up. How are you feeling?" Ray asks.

"I'm fine, daddy." I say ignoring he growing numbness of the headache I woke up with. "What do you mean stepping away?" I direct towards Christian.

"I'll go get a nurse." My dad says stepping out of the room, understanding that this needs to be a private conversation.

"What have you done?" I ask.

"I just thought it would be best if I take some time away from GEH to focus on you.." I continue to stare at him blankly. "So.. I put my seeding in charge for the time being. If they really need me, they can still contact me."

"Christian, you can't just leave your empire to come babysit me."

"It's not babysitting. And as you said it is my company and I can do whatever I want." He states petulantly. "Do you not want me here?" he asks frowning.

"Of course I want you here." I say in what I hope is a reassuring way. "I just don't want you to stop living your life because of me. I'm in a hospital with a specific doctor and a team of nurses whose job it is to all look after me."

"Yeah, and that worked out really well the first time."

I sigh frustratedly. I am about to respond when a nurse comes in with my mitoxantrone. "You're father went to go get your breakfast and once you eat we will administer your other medicine."

"Thank you." I say politely while she exits the room. "I get it, you're scared. I am too. You think I'm not scared being hooked up, and poked and prodded by all these things that make me feel like absolute shit.. Just, please don't take off any more. I'll be fine here."

"There's no way I can talk you in to letting me stay here with you is there?"

"Nope. And if I have to I won't allow you to come up here so you'll probably wind up going to work anyway."

"Fine. But I will be here whenever I'm not at work."

"I know that. And please don't forget about your family. I can tell that they're worried about you. Especially your mom."

"You heard all that?"

"Yes, I was awake just kept my eyes closed in hopes this hea-" I cut myself short. I know I've already said too much and whenever something is wrong, Christian always overreacts. It comes from a good place bu- uh oh. I think I'm gonna be sick. I pat the bed in hopes that Christian will understand from the look that I probably have on my face, what needs to happen. He just looks panicked and I realize that he won't be much help. I turn away from him to the other side of the bed and hurl onto the floor. I am absolutely horrified while Christian is frantically pressing the nurse button.

Two nurses come rushing in to the room. "I'm fine." I croak out. The vomit has made my throat hurt. The nurses quickly assess the situation and make a move to get me up while Christian stands in the corner.

"Can you help wash her up?" One of the nurses ask Christian. It's not really a secret around here that we got married since it needs to be known for medical reasons and such; luckily he had all the staff sign NDAs and I think everyone else is too caught up in their own lives to care around here. He quickly comes back to the side of the bed and helps me in to the ensuite bathroom.

"I'm sorry." He whispers while wiping my mouth. I am about to respond when a nurse comes in to take care of my port so I can change my shirt.

Once all is cleaned, I make my way back to the bed and get hooked back up to my medicine. I know its a side effect but hopefully it was a one time thing and doesn't happen the rest of the days. Just in case, a nurse places a sit bucket on my bed under me arm. I give her a grateful smile as she retreats.

"Where were we?"

"Are you okay?"

"I said I was fine."

"Yes, but are you really fine or are you just saying that?"

"What's a little throw up?" I breathe. "Look, you have to go back."

"Why?"

"Because you need to live your life. Look, I really appreciate that you want to be here with me and take care of me and everything but.. look I'm really sick of having this same conversation.." I say exhausted. It seems like we've had this same conversation/argument practically everyday and I'm sick of it.

"Okay, I'll go back." He says reluctantly.

"Good, you can start tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yep. I heard pretty much the whole conversation including the part about some dinner thing tonight."

"Ana.." He whines. It's actually kind of cute.

"Christian.." I mock him. "Seriously, this is your company we're talking about."

"I know but you are more important."

"I appreciate that but like I have said before and will probably say another hundred times, I will be fine here. You go to that dinner in a nice tux looking all sexy. Razzle dazzle some people, conquer the world, all that jazz and then if you really want, you can come back and tell me all about it." I smile. Honestly, I'm still not really all that optimistic about chemo the second time around. I mean look what happened the first time. I don't want him to stop living for me because when if I die, he will too.

"Fine. But I will be staying the night."

"No objections here!"

"Is everything alright in here?"

"Yes, daddy."

Ray POV

Christian left not too long ago so I figure now is the best time to approach Annie.

"I can see the cogs turning. Whats on your mind?" Annie, ever the perceptive.

"Kate."

"Kate.. what about her?" she asks hesitantly.

"Well, when she went looking for you, I said that you were staying with me for a while to breathe, relax, things like that."

"Okay, that sounds fine. Whats the problem?"

"Well, she said she wants to come visit you before she goes back to New York.."

"Oh.."

Silence.

"Dad, I know you don't really agree with keeping this quiet, especially the marriage and families, and.. I'm just trying to protect everyone. Kate, if she knew.. she's the type to quit her job and set up camp in this office."

I nod pensively. She's right. I don't necessarily agree with all of this secrecy but I also can't go against Annie. The only person who knows about her even being sick outside of us three is Rebecca. I had to tell her to ease her mind about me being gone a lot during the weekend. I don't think she's thinking about things in the long run and how this is going to effect the people around her.

"Just tell her that I don't really want to see anyone right now. Tell her I need some time and space." She says dismissively. "I'll give her a call. Maybe that can hold her off for a while more. And I can see that you want to say something more but please, just don't. Not right now."

"Okay.."

Afternoon, Sunday July 11

Anastasia POV

"This time last week, I don't know what you looked like but it mustn't have been pretty if its anything like when I woke up. I know your family is worried about you." Heck, I'm worried about you and you're right here in front of me. "I'm sure they'll be happy to see you."

"If you say so.."

"Trust me."

"I do. And I love you, I'll be back later."

"I wouldn't expect any less, I love you Mr. Grey."

"I love you too Mrs. Grey."

Christian POV

I ring the doorbell. I'm a tad late due to my reluctance to leave Ana but I don't think I'm too late. My dad opens the door obviously upset that someone has interrupted until he sees that it is me.

"Christian, we weren't expecting you to come." My dad says opening the door more to allow me to come in.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss a family dinner." I say walking in to the dinning room where everyone else is already seated.

"Christian.. we weren't expecting you to come."

"Of course I would come." I go over and stand behind my usual seat. "I just want to thank everyone for being concerned about me this past week. I.. things have been rough recently but I think they're starting to look up and I guess I'm just assuring you all that I'm alright." I finally take my seat after my little mini-speech.

"Of course we were concerned bro. You looked like hell when we walked in to that room and even worse when we were at your place. Are you sure you're alright?" Elliot is usually joking around but his tone is extremely serious. It makes me start to realize how things must look from the outside and how they might be feeling.

"I will be." I answer.

"So whats up with the ring?" Mia answers getting in to inquisitive mode. I guess my ring is pretty large and noticeable; the closest form to jewelry that I wear are my cufflinks and those don't really count.

"Nothing." I say dismissively. That's probably the biggest and worse all out lie I have told my family and I feel horrible about it. I can't wait until Ana is out and I can clear the air.

Dinner goes along pretty well. After my dismissal, no one had brought up the ring again. I know they all probably think I'm gay or some celibate virgin since they know nothing of my past. No one does and I plan to keep it that way.

Morning, Monday July 12

"Okay, spill." Ros says coming in to my office before I've even had a chance to sit down. I sit down to face her who has so graciously accepted my offer to sit down and make herself comfortable..

"I decided" really Ana decided "that taking a step back wasn't the right course of action. Therefore, I am back. You will still be taking a lot more responsibility so we will be splitting it down the middle to see how you do. I am planning to take at least one month off in the meantime and I want to make sure you're ready."

"Okay, this is all good to know and it's about time you give me some more responsibility around here but this is not what I'm referring to. What is that?" She asks pointing to my ring.

"A ring." I answer deadpan. What is she getting at?

"No shit." Only Ros would dare talk to me like that besides my family and Ana. "The whole world probably knows about that ring."

"What are you talking about?"

She huffs before turning her attention to her phone and then handing it to me.

o0o

Saturday July 10

Seattle Nooz:

Billionaire Christian Grey off the market?

You heard it here first. Billionaire and CEO of Grey Enterprise Holdings, the Christian Grey was spotted last night at his Mile High Club with a huge ring on that finger. We haven't seen him much as of late, but we also won't let this slip through our fingers. Maybe it's a purity ring?

We will leave no stone unturned. Stay tuned for the latest update on our favorite bachelor.

o0o

Well that's just fucking fantastic.. I didn't think a simple ring could bring so much attention.. Eve so I'm not taking it off. Ever. This directly concerns Ros and its starting to effect GEH. If I tell her the truth, maybe she can help handle it. Then again, how could I tell her, or anyone for that matter, before I tell my own mother.

"The press have been hounding us since Sunday morning. I wasn't going to bother you while you were away but since you're here, handle it. What's the deal with the ring anyway?"

"I will not be releasing a statement. The press, and you, can hound all you want. I'm not giving up any information. They'll die down eventually." I state with finality all the while ignoring the question. This situation is beginning to be more stressful than I had originally anticipated.

Anastasia POV

Christian is on his way over. He sounded stressed, like he had a bad day at work. But I have a feeling that it could also be about his ring fiasco. I got bored and turned on the TV and on one of those 'entertainment' shows, they were talking about him. Really, that's 'news' and 'entertainment'? A gross invasion of someones life and privacy.

I look over to my phone and see that it's Christian calling. Why is he calling? He would usually be here by now.

"Hey, whats wrong?" I ask immediately.

"Hello to you too baby. Nothing that I can't handle. The article was brought to my attention today. I didn't think it would be like this."

"Me neither."

"I'm being followed by some paps no doubt trying to figure out if you exist and who knows what other bullshit they can think of."

"You could just take it o-"

"Don't even finish that Anastasia. I am never taking this ring off."

I sit quietly. Again, this is all my fault and now I'm making life difficult and stressing people out.

"I know what you're thinking and don't."

What is he a mind reader.

"No, I'm not a mind reader but I know when your quiet like that it's because your thinking. This isn't your fault. This will die down and we'll get through this. When you're ready, we can tell people. But for now, I'm still coming over I just need to go back home and switch cars to mix it up a bit. It shouldn't take long."

"Okay.. I'll see you in a while I guess."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Christian POV

I finally make it to Ana's room and find that she is asleep. I go forward to give her a kiss and notice that she had been crying. She probably cried herself to sleep. I give her a kiss and walk over to the window while rubbing my face. She really doesn't need this added stress. I wish there was something I could do to make it all better but I can't really think of anything. If we tell people, they will go crazy, my family included and that probably won't be any better than what I'm dealing with right now. But I am dealing with it and I hope to keep it that way. I really want to keep this, among with other parts, of my life as far away from Ana as possible. She doesn't need anything messing with her getting well or her recovery.

Tuesday

Anastasia POV

"Kate Kavanagh."

"Uh.. Hi Kate. It's Ana."

"Ana! Thank goodness. I was seriously about to send a search party out to find you. Ray said you would cal but that was two days ago. I can't believe its been forever since we've talked or even seen each other. Why aren't you at the apartment? Did something happen? Did you move with Ray or what? God.. I miss you." she fires off without a break between any of the sentences.

"I miss you too Kate. I know you have a lot of questions and I'm really sorry about keeping you in the dark but I'm not ready to answer them right now. Give me a couple of weeks and then we can meet up and I'll tell you everything."

"Okay, I'm back in New York but I'm sure I can make another trip sometime. My internship will be over soon anyway so I should probably start moving my stuff back. I think I may need to buy a whole 'nother apartment just to fit all the stuff I bought."

"Actually, I was thinking about moving out pretty soon." I say trying to break the news gently. Katherine Kavanagh does not take big changes very well and we've been living together for pretty much three years.

"Oh.. well that's okay. If you can move out that means everything must be going well and that's good. Look, I've gotta go before I'm late but I'll call you later. Is this your new number?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'll talk to you later. Love ya."

"Love you too Kate. Later."

Well, that went better than expected. But now theres nothing else for me to do I guess.. Maybe I'll just take a little nap until Christian gets here..

Christian POV

I was able to leave the office a little bit earlier today and spend some time with Ana but it seems her body has other ideas. I've been here for a few hours now and Ana has been asleep the entire time. A little while ago, I decided that I would do a little work from here so now I'm sitting in my spot with my laptop answering some emails. I hear Ana starting to stir so I power down my laptop and focus my attention on her.

She's mumbling incoherently and then gets in to a sitting position with her legs dangling over the side. I don't think she has even registered that I'm in the room yet but I still watch her cautiously to see what she is going to do. She grabs her IV stand which I assume has some fluids and vitamins, or something helpful, hanging and makes a move to stand up but loses her balance and sits back on the bed. I rush over to help her.

"Hey, what do you need?" I ask her softly.

"I really have to pee." She says but it's more like a whisper and I see that her eyes are barely open which is of course extremely worrying me. I put one arm around her waist to help her stand. She is practically leaning all her weight in to me and shuffling toward the door.

Once I know she's steady, I let her stand on her own near the toilet and step away slightly.

"Go!" She whisper-shouts at me.

I look at her like she's crazy. Which she is if she thinks I'm leaving.

"Okay, can you at least turn around please?"

I hear her finish up and then wash her hands in the sink conveniently located a short distance away from the toilet but knowing how she is and how she might be feeling, I wait for her signal to turn back around.

"Okay.." I help her back and gently place her in to bed.

"When did you get here?" she asks once settled.

"A few hours ago."

"Have I been asleep that long?" she asks shocked.

"Well, I did take off early but yes, you have been asleep for some time. Why don't I get you some soup and you tell me about your day." I say already reaching for the thermos I brought with me.

"Well, I woke up. Texted you. Had chemo day number.."

"Four."

"Yeah. Four. Then I called Kate and took a little cat nap." she giggles.

"Cat nap?" I raise my brow at her while placing the soup on the rolling table in front of her.

"Okay, maybe a little more like a tiger nap." she jokes and smiles. Its good to see her smile. "I know you're smiling. I can see it in you eyes.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better now that you're here and I have some of Gail's soup. But you know what would make me feel a lot better?"

"What?" I ask interested.

"A kiss."

"Ana.." i groan. As much as I want to kiss her, its not safe.

"You don't have to take off your mask. Just a peck" she points to her lips. I gently peck her on the lips through my mask and when I step back she has one of the brightest smiles I have seen in days.

"Thank you Mr. Grey."

"Anytime Mrs. Grey."

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