Christian had his first personal experience of Ana and morning sickness when room service arrived. He was horrified. First, the smell sent her running to the toilet, then, the mere sight of food made her gag some more. Christian had the food taken away and called Gail. He quickly explained the problem. Gail suggested dry toast and flat ginger ale but also said they needed to look for triggers.
Sometimes, the key to morning sickness was simply finding the trigger. Was it the same time every day? Was it the same food? What was she doing just prior to being sick? Christian thanked her and ordered some dry toast and several bottles of ginger ale.
Next, he called Taylor. Grey couldn't help smiling as the very hung over, beaten and bruised Taylor answered his phone with a groan.
"Taylor, I need the best OB-GYN doctor you can get me here today to see Ana. Call me back with the time, asap."
"Yes, sir. What shall I say when asked the reason for the visit?" Taylor asked and in the background he could hear Ana suddenly calling frantically, "No! Christian, wait!" Then Grey's brusque, "Hold off calling until I get back to you."
"Yes, sir." a relieved Taylor agreed as he sighed and thought to himself, thank fuck. He knew what had just happened. Grey had taken control, like always. Sawyer had shared the 411 that Ms Steele and Grey were becoming parents. It was rare that Sawyer could tell Taylor anything about Grey he didn't already know, but last night Sawyer had knocked him on his ass in more ways than one.
To be honest, he wasn't sure how Grey would react to the pregnancy news, forget about the reality of morning sickness and eight months of hormone fluctuations. Crying jags, sleepless nights, back aches and middle of the night food cravings. He had little to no self esteem outside of the boardroom. His self loathing would be sure to make him think he would be a horrible parent. Ana might be some help there. Ana, how the fuck was she going to let some doctor touch her and not just touch her anywhere, but touch her there. Shit, Grey was so fucking possessive, he probably wouldn't let anyone touch her. He couldn't think about it anymore, his head was throbbing enough as it was.
Christian ended the call with Taylor and looked at Ana concerned. "What is it baby?"
"Christian, I just realized something. An obstetrician is going to have to examine me there. He is going to have to touch me." Her voice started to waver and tremble. "What if I can't?"
Christian stared at her as the blood left his face. How had he forgotten all of Ana's issues. His mouth opened and closed while he tried to think of something to say and couldn't.
"You look like a fish!" She laughed and imitated him.
Reluctantly, he smiled. "Talk to me, baby. Tell me what you need."
A now serious Ana replied, "I agree I need to see a doctor. Like it or not, I do need an internal exam. Can we try and find a kind, gentle woman doctor? Maybe if I explain, we could hold off a little on the internal. I have a woman who comes and cleans the condo once a week, I thought maybe she could recommend someone local who would be more compassionate. I'm pretty sure I could let a woman doctor touch me there, once I know her. I think. Maybe."
"You are so brave. I love you."
"I love you too. Let me call Maria." Ana out led out her phone and called Maria. Twenty minutes later, a smiling Ana said, "She is going to have Dr Santiago call me. She said she is the best and she is fairly close, in Portoviejo ."
"Well, that's a start. Let's..." he stopped speaking as Ana answered her phone and began to speak in Spanish. She didn't speak long and ended the call with a big grin. "She's coming, she's coming here right now. She'll be here in half an hour. "
Christian looked stunned. "What's her name?"
"Dr Gabriela Isabella Cardenas Santiago."
"Jesus! That's a mouthful."
"But everyone calls Dr Gaby."
"I can handle that."
"I need Taylor over here. Sawyer too."
Ana smirked, "Background checks and NDA'S?" she asked knowingly.
"Seriously, Ana. You can never be too careful. Never."
Ana jumped up, "I'm just going to tidy up, just in case."
"Don't worry. I will insist no internal today."
"I know. I just want to check my deodorant and change my panties."
Christian knew Taylor would be absolutely seething because his Spanish was minimal, at best, and what little he had, was of very poor quality. His accent was horrendous, his grammar non existent. He would need help securing a local background check and Taylor hated to ask for help.
Sawyer, on the other hand was fluent in Spanish, and if he had an accent, it would be Mexican. The two men reported to him. He had twenty minutes and they both looked like absolute shit. He stared at them, furious, wanting to fire both of them. Then Ana walked in. She placed a hand on his arm and he calmed. Just like that. From furious anger to calm in a nano second. He looked at her in awe, unable to speak.
Ana spoke for him. "A doctor is coming in twenty minutes. You two need to make yourselves presentable. We need a preliminary local background check even if its just a credit report as well as a signed NDA. Here is her name. Hurry."
"How did you do that? How did you make my anger disappear?" Christian asked
"Magic, baby. Ana magic." Ana laughed back at him.
Christian just nodded and pulled her close for a long passionate kiss. When they finally separated, each dragging in long gulps of air, Ana swore. "Damn you, Grey. Now I have to go change my panties again." and she turned to dash out of the room.
Christian smirked, "If I had my way baby, you wouldn't own a pair of panties."
"Pervert!" Ana called laughingly over shoulder.
Somehow, Taylor managed to shower, shave and suit up in a different but identical black suit. Sawyer concentrated on the background check, then slipped into the shower, and Gail, remarkable woman that she was, left his suit, and suitcase just outside the bathroom. Somehow, he got downstairs with a printed out an NDA and a copy of the preliminary background check.
The background check was different than what he would have gotten back in the states. Most entries were by hand, or cut out of newspapers and medical journals. He handed the report to Grey, who dismissed him with a warning to shave or he would fire his ass. Taylor couldn't help smirking.
"Something funny, Taylor?" he asked pointedly.
"No sir, " Taylor replied, eyes straight ahead, back ram rod straight, hands clasped behind his back in a parade rest position, looking more military out of uniform than some men look in uniform. True, his bottom lip was swollen, nothing could hide the black eye and another even larger bruise below that ran along his jaw. Grey marveled at how instead of looking like he was hung over and had been in a brawl, he simply looked menacing. "Put your sunglasses on, looking at that eye bothers me."
Without a word, Taylor whipped out some dark sunglasses and put them on. The phone rang. Grey answered it. Then after replacing the phone back in the cradle, he directed Taylor to get the NDA taken care of before bringing the doctor up.
Taylor met Sawyer in the hallway near the elevator. Sawyer was shaving with an electric razor in one hand, feeling his beard with the other. Taylor handed him the folder with the NDA, smiled and told him to make sure she signed it.
Sawyer stepped in the elevator, turned around and nonchalantly flipped him the bird.
Dr Santiago signed the NDA. Grey was satisfied with the background check. Time to get Ana. There was a knock on the door as Taylor entered with the doctor, it coincided with Ana's return from the bedroom into the sitting room as she sat beside Christian. Taylor took up a position near the sliding glass doors that led to a terrace. Sawyer was in position out in the corridor. Christian stood and offered his hand to shake, keeping his other hand around Ana protectively. He dutifully introduced her as his fiance and explained she had issues with touch. All of this in fluent Castilian Spanish. Christian directed the doctor to a seat in a comfortable club chair, and offered her refreshments, which she declined.
"Dr Gaby, I don't know if can you understand how frightening it is to know I will have to be touched in the most intimate, most untouchable areas? Two months ago, it would have been enough to cause me to stop breathing. I have come a long way since Christian and I met. "
"I see. Okay, so for today, I will converse with you and observe you. Tell me what is happening."
Christian held Ana's hand as she began to speak. "I haven't been able to eat for almost two weeks. I've lost weight and just the smell of food has me racing to the toilet. Yesterday, I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. Actually, I took two."
"Both positive?" Asked the doctor.
"Yes, Doctor."
"How much weight have you actually lost?"
"Uh, I'm not exactly sure." Ana replied.
"She's lost at least 12 pounds, minimum." Christian interjected.
"I see. Do you know what your weight was?" Dr Gaby asked.
"I'm very petite. My normal weight is 102 pounds."
"What have you drunk today?"
"I'm had a half a cup of tea." Ana began.
"And threw it up." Christian interrupted.
Ana made a face at him and continued, "I also had some ginger ale ."
"How much?" asked the doctor.
A defeated Ana admitted, "Not much. Two sips."
"But you kept that down? Yes?" asked Dr Gaby
"Yes." replied Ana.
"What else?" the doctor asked.
"Nothing." Ana replied sadly.
The doctor looked at Christian, "Your security people, are they able to touch your fiance?"
"Yes, they can."
"Do they have any medical training."
"They are all EMT certified first responders. Plus they all have medical training in their military experience."
"Ana," Dr Gaby began, "My concern is you are dehydrated. That must be resolved. When a pregnant woman presents with hyperemesis, the first thing we must do is hydrate her. The easiest way is with an IV. Normally, we would pop you in the hospital overnight, but in your situation, I think it would be too stressful. Perhaps we could have your security start the IV under my supervision. Would you both be okay with that?"
Ana nodded a reluctant yes. Dr Gaby pulled out her cell phone and called the local pharmacia. After several instructions to the pharmacist, she asked Christian if he could arrange for someone to pick up what she had just ordered. Christian immediately notified Sawyer to pick up the order from Dr Santiago at the pharmacia.
While they waited, the doctor spoke to Taylor about his medical prowess. He assured her that neither he nor Sawyer would have any problem starting or removing an IV. Before long, Sawyer returned with multiple bags of saline solution and smaller bags of bags an anti emesis medication and an actual IV pole. He explained the pole was on loan and needed to be returned when the IV therapy stopped.
After a long discussion with both Taylor and Sawyer, Dr Gaby was ready to proceed . She sent the men to wash their hands and then handed them a open box of sterile gloves. She asked Ana where she would be most comfortable for the next three or four hours. Ana said she'd prefer to be in bed, so everyone moved to the bedroom. Ana laid down and Taylor approached. He smiled gently, explaining what he was going to be doing, how he would tie off her arm with a piece of elastic, and then feel her arm, searching for a good vein. Taylor found the vein and tapped it as Ana looked away. Dr Gaby wanted several blood tests done and decided since Ana didn't get her blood drawn often, she would order a wide range of tests. Taylor efficiently filled the test tubes with blood, then prepared her to start a bag of saline. When that was accomplished, Dr Gaby turned to Sawyer. "Your turn," She announced. "I want you to start an IV on her other arm."
Dr Gaby was secretly impressed by both men. Not only were their actions smooth and efficient, they were reassuring and gentle. Although the doctor watched carefully, she never saw Ana react to their touch with fear. She appeared quite comfortable with both men. Once she had the infusions running to her satisfaction, she smiled at them all and explained for today her work here was done. She would speak to Taylor and Sawyer and leave written instructions. In four hours, she wanted Ana to try and eat some toast and whatever she wanted to drink, as long as it was non alcoholic. She would be by tomorrow afternoon and see how she was doing. Dr Gaby turned to go, but Ana called her back.
"Yes, Ana, what is it, my child"
Ana smiled and slowly held out her hand. "Thank you so much for coming, Dr Gaby. I really, really appreciate you doing this."
The doctor gently shook Ana's hand and replied, " And thank you for this wonderful token of your gratitude. I appreciate how difficult that was for you. You are a very courageous woman."
Sawyer escorted the doctor out of the room and asked for her bill. The doctor stopped, put down her things, grabbed a pen and a pad and wrote out her bill and handed it to Sawyer.
"Excuse me, Dr, but this can't be right."
"All my patients are charged the same. I do not charge the rich more."
"But.. " Sawyer stuttered, "Twenty five dollars! Surely that is not enough!"
"I assure you, I would never under charge you." She said with a smile. Sawyer handed her the cash and she scribbled 'pagado' across the bill showing it to be paid.
"I must go now Senor Sawyer. Do not hesitate to call me for even the smallest question. Do not forget to log everything and I want vitals every four hours. Call me when the first bag is empty and give me a status report.
"Yes, Mame. We'll take good care of her. You can count on it."
"Good, hasta manana."
"Si, Doctor Santiago, hasta manana."
Christian told Ana he'd be right back, he just wanted a word with both Taylor and Sawyer.
He texted Taylor that he wanted to see him and Sawyer in the sitting room.
Both men entered the room and acknowledged Grey's presence with a respectful "sir."
Grey looked them both up and down and could find no fat with their appearance. He repeated his earlier threat to fire both of them if they ever showed up for work, looking the way they did. In the future, if they found it necessary to brawl with each other, they were to make sure it was outdoors or, preferably in a gym. No brawling in their work suits, which were custom made from bullet resistant material and cost over twenty thousand dollars each. Taylor and Sawyer each had three. Grey would not be covering the cost to repair Taylor's trousers, which were stained and appeared to have a burn mark.
Then Grey wanted to know what news there was from Seattle. Lastly, he asked about Flynn. The doctor was staying in the same hotel and according to Sawyer had called Ana several times already today. Sawyer had arranged for all of Ana's calls to be forwarded to his phone.
Grey decided to draw up a letter terminating his services and get Ana to sign it and have Sawyer deliver it. With Flynn settled, Grey dismissed both men. He got on his phone and called Gail, as he wanted an update on the condo. Gail explained she had hired a maestro and his crew and they were shopping in Portoviejo for paint, and replacement cabinets and a new tv.
Grey explained he had a new task for Gail and wanted to know if she could find someone else to supervise the work so that she would be free for this new assignment. Once she did that she was to report to him in the hotel.
While waiting for Gail, Grey took the time to write out the letter terminating Flynn services. He went in to see Ana and had her read it. She agreed it was fine and signed it. He left her reading a book and returned to the sitting room. He called Sawyer in, handed him the letter and asked that he hand deliver it to Flynn.
A few minutes after Sawyer left, Gail arrived. Grey explained his quandary. He wasn't sure how long he would be staying in Ecuador. If Ana was going to develop a comfortable relationship with the doctor she saw today, then it would be necessary to stay for the duration of her pregnancy. He needed Gail to go out and find him a place to stay. She knew his style. She could take Sawyer, so he could assess it from a security stand point. She needn't worry whether the house was for sale or not, just find him somewhere big enough to hold his family and security."
Gail promised to do her best and returned to her room, where she texted Sawyer to see her when he returned from his errand. In the meantime, Gail called her new friend Maria again. Maria was sitting in the condo, waiting for the maestro and his crew to return. Gail asked Maria if there were any really large homes in the area. Large and luxurious. Maria replied there was only one. Construction had just been completed but the new owners hadn't moved in yet. Maria suggested Gail take a walk down the beach and look up. The house is located on a bluff that juts out over the beach. If she should decide to speak to the maestro, just call her back.
I text Sawyer and ask what the chances are of driving to a house in the area. He texts back that there are complications with Dr Flynn. Ana has terminated his services and he is not accepting that and has threatened to get the police involved. Needless to say, Grey has gone thermonuclear. He is wild. Sawyer has to stay close in case Flynn insists on a confrontation. This makes me very sad. What is going on? I just don't understand. I decide to taka walk on the beach.
The house proves to be gorgeous. It is private with a beautiful ocean view. There are wrap around decks that literally wrap around the entire house, one for the first floor, one for the second floor and then a roof top decks are made of bamboo and simply gorgeous. This house has definite possibilities. I need to see it up close. I decide to call Maria back and see what else she knows.
Maria informs me this is a 'dream house' that a retired Canadian couple had built. Supposedly, it cost almost a million dollars. It has every luxury you can imagine, including central air, dishwasher, a well, and a huge back up generator that runs off propane. There are even solar panels set up on part of the roof. Maria asks if I am going to go see it and I explain, I don't have a ride right now. Maria offers to take me and have the maestro meet us there. I explain I am down on the beach. We arrange a meeting place and she agrees to be there in fifteen minutes.
I agree. I am sure she is thinking I may want to hire this maestro, but she is wrong. Hopefully, he can answer all my questions. Maybe by the time we meet up, everything with Dr Flynn will be settled. I pull out my IPhone and starting making notes about questions to ask the maestro.
Right on time, Maria shows up in a pick up truck. She scoots closer to the driver and I squeeze myself in. It turns out the driver is the maestro. I sincerely hope Mr Grey can not see me, because sitting three across, with no seat belts, in this very old and loud truck would not make him happy. As we pull away, my eyes nearly pop out of my head as I see Dr Flynn headed for the hotel entrance accompanied by a police officer. Oh no! I text Jason. There is no response. I try not to think about what that means but it's hard. Then we are turning off the highway onto a dirt road. The road twists and turns and climbs. The sides of the road are lush wild growth. There are trees and overgrown bushes everywhere. It is filled with dense undergrowth and impossible to transverse by foot. Security will like that, I am sure. Soon the land opens up and I see cattle. We come to a farmhouse and Maria explains it is the farmer who sold the original plot of land that the house was built on. The farmer has granted a right of way easement to the new owner of the house. Another dirt road goes behind the house and there out of sight. In just a few minutes we are arrive.
There is a 10 foot high stone wall with 2 heavy wooden gates. It is a very impressive. The maestro is yammering on about the stones and the wood used, but frankly I am not interested in that. I want to know the size of the plot, and are there any servants quarters. He advises me there is a three bedroom guest house with two bathrooms. The main house has six bedrooms and six bathrooms. The new owner is a retired bank president from Massachusetts. He is looking to spend his winters here.
The maestro offers to show me the inside. I ask if I can take pictures of his work. He agrees. The kitchen is to die for. I love it. There are wall to wall windows on two adjoining walls. It is by far the brightest, most airy kitchen I have ever been in. I don't want to get too excited but boy, would I love to cook a meal here.
The maestro explains electricity in the area often goes out for an hour or so at a time, to combat this, the maestro has a back up generator that cuts in automatically when the electricity fails. He then escorts me through a huge dining room to the connecting great room. The furnishing aren't quite Mr Grey's taste, but that's an easy fix. There is a full bathroom off the great room and next to it a large bedroom with ocean views and a luxurious ensuite. A short hallway on the other side of the dining room leads to another bedroom. Not as spectacular as the first and no ocean view. It could, however make a magnificent study for Mr Grey. We head upstairs then there are two large ocean facing bedrooms with en suits and two smaller bedrooms facing inland. There is one more full bath in the hallway and a laundry room.
Lastly, the maestro leads me to the rooftop deck. It is simple, eloquent and beautiful. I am quite sure this is a home that Mr Grey and Ana could be happy. I want to ask the maestro if he thinks the owners might lease the home, but negotiations, even the groundwork for negotiations is simply not my forte. I thank Maria and the maestro, and look forward to telling Mr Grey. The three sided spit of land the house rests on, actually consists of over 5 acres. Most of it is uncleared. The maestro, Miguel is his name, then shows me the guest house, a barn and a three car garage. Everything is top notch, high quality and beautifully done. Even the garage. It has a TV in it. Miguel says the owner likes to tinker with cars but he also likes to watch sports. He specifically requested a direct TV hook up in the garage. Wow.
I do not know if the owners are willing to postpone their dream or if Mr Grey would prefer to just buy it outright for some obscene sum of money, but I do think if Ana likes it, one way or another we will be staying here.