Here comes the drama. I had forgotten about this incident in the story. I hope enjoy it as much as I did writing it.
Chapter 52*
"What? What happened? Is he okay?"
"The plane hit a wind shear and went down. He is unconscious and being airlifted to Seattle Grace. I will take you there. Get dressed."
Unconscious, I know that is not good, but how bad are his injuries? Seattle Grace is where is mom works so I know she will be on top of this. I need to see him. I need to make sure he is okay. Taylor speeds to the hospital and drops me at the door. I find Grace immediately.
"Oh Ana, it is so good to see you. I am glad that you are back."
"How is he Grace?"
"He's in a medically induced coma. His brain was swelling and they needed to let it rest. This is the best thing in this situation."
"Is he going to be okay?"
"I can't say sweetheart. It is touch and go. Christian is strong though. If anyone can make it through its him."
She wraps me in a hug and I sob.
"Can I see him?"
"I'll take you in. He is badly bruised and there are a lot of wires and machines. His head is wrapped up. Don't be afraid, he should be able to hear you so just talk to him."
I walk close the bed trying to keep my emotions in check. I am so grateful I had the conversation today, but I can't help but feel guilty. He was coming home early to see me. He could be in New York safe and sound if it hadn't been for me.
"Christian its Ana. I love you and I need you to come back to me. Please just come back to me. I can't live without you. We have so much to look forward to. I am sorry that I hurt you and I want to make it up to you. Please come back." I sob in his chest and then kiss his lips. There is no movement. I just sit watching him all night. The next morning they take him to get an MRI to check the swelling. Grace forces me to go with Kate to the cafeteria and eat. We all know how badly Christian would react if he knew I wasn't eating. I eat a few bites and tell Kate I have to get back. She walks with me not saying a word.
"He proposed to me."
"What?" Kate says.
"He proposed. He asked me to be his wife."
"That is wonderful Ana. I am so happy for you."
"I asked if I could think about it. He was mad and I left. I called him and explained. He asked again and I said yes. He wasn't supposed to come home today. He was coming Saturday and then I said yes and he decided to fly today. This is my fault Kate. He is here because of me." I say in a catatonic voice.
"Ana look me in the eyes." She spins me. "This is Christian Grey we are talking about, the most stubborn man in the world. You know he would have moved heaven and earth to get to you. This is not your fault. It was a horrible accident."
"If I had just let him be mad at me he would be safe. He would be sleeping safe in his bed in New York. Either way I was going to lose him. Why? I just don't want to lose him Kate."
"You won't Ana. You aren't, I promise."
"I wish it was that easy."
We get back up to the room and Grace tells me they are going to try to get him out of the coma. The swelling has reduced significantly and they don't want to keep him under any longer than necessary.
"Will he wake up today?"
"I don't know Ana. The brain is a mystery. We can only hope for the best." Grace wraps her arm around me. "Just keep talking to him Ana. You were able to reach him when no one else could. If he is going to wake up it will be for you."
"I hope so, Grace."
I call Maggie and promise to take work home to help her catch up. She dismisses my suggestion urging me to stay with Christian. For the next 3 days I rarely leave his side. I eat and sleep just enough to survive. I talk to him for hours. I reminisce about our time in New York. I laugh and cry, sometime simultaneously. On Tuesday morning at 6:05 am he opens his eyes.
"Hey. How do you feel?" I say.
"I have a headache. What happened?'
"You were in a plane crash. You have been in a coma for 5 days."
"Are you my nurse?"
"Well it is good to know you still have your sense of humor."
"What do you mean? I am serious. Are you my nurse?"
"No Christian I am not your nurse." I reach up to touch him.
"What the fuck are you doing? Nobody touches me. Who the hell are you? Why do you think it would be okay to touch me?"
He is screaming at me and the tears are flowing down my face. Grace bursts into the room trying to figure out what is happening.
"He doesn't know me Grace. He thinks I'm a stranger."
"Ana go out and let me speak to him. He needs to calm down or he is going to hurt himself."
I stand in shock tears soaking my shirt repeating. "He doesn't know me. He doesn't know me."
Grace physically eases me out the door and I crash to the floor. I have to be dreaming. I start pinching myself, hitting my face willing myself to wake from this nightmare. Kate rushes to my side.
"Ana what it wrong? Stop hitting yourself." She forces my hands away from my body.
I yell at her. "He doesn't know me Kate. He thought I was his nurse, a complete stranger."
Kate holds me as I sob uncontrollably.
"I lost him. I lost him forever!"
Grace exits the room. I look up at her lost.
"Ana I am so sorry. This is not unusual after a head injury. You just have to go easy on him. Do little things that may trigger his memory. It could all come back any time."
"What if it doesn't? Is it possible that it may never return?"
"Yes, but I don't want you to think about that. I want you to treat this as temporary. He is so much better for knowing you Ana. Don't give up on him."
"I love him Grace. He asked me to be his wife. I will never give up on him."
"He proposed? That is great news Ana. That means you are embedded in his heart. He will remember you. He has too."
"What should I do right now? I don't want him to get mad again."
"I told him I was going to send you in. He promised to be on his best behavior. Just go slow and be patient. He will have questions. Just answer them honestly."
"Okay, thanks Grace." She just smiles.
I open the door slowly. I stand just looking at him full of a million emotions. I want to run into his open arms and kiss his lips. I am thrilled that he is alive. I am scared, scared to touch him or talk to him. I don't want him to get angry. So I just stand still too afraid to move.
"Ana? That is your name?"
"Yes" I look at my feet.
"Sit."
I obey and sit still not looking into his eyes.
"Are you my submissive?"
I come immediately out of my trance.
"Absolutely NOT!" I am firm with my answer. I don't want him to mistake my actions as being his submissive.
"Then who are you?"
"I am your fiance'."
"Impossible. I have never even had a girlfriend."
"Actually you have. You have had one and I am her."
"How did we meet?"
"Your mom said you need to rest so I will tell you a little of our story every day. Hopefully something will trigger a memory. In the meantime ask me any question you want."
"Do I let you touch me?"
"Yes and you enjoy it." I see the surprise in his eyes.
"What happened to Charlotte?"
"You ended her contract after you met me, but before we had an relationship because she tried to touch you."
I can see him trying to process my answers. We sit in silence for a long while. I lose myself in the good memories, but his voice thrust me to my current reality. This isn't the Christian that loves me.
"Can you leave for a while I need to make some phone calls."
"I know you are skeptical. I will have Taylor bring the files. Then you can see all the dates, my background check, that I don't have an NDA or a contract."
"You didn't sign an NDA? Why?"
"You decided you wanted me more than you wanted the NDA."
"This is not possible. I never do any transaction without an NDA."
"Christian I am not a transaction. I am the love of your life and you are mine. I know you don't remember, but I hope one day you will. In the mean time I will take it slow and keep as much distance as you need." I reach up and touch his hand, hoping he will allow it. The electricity runs through us and his eyes get big. "We are magical Christian. You will see. I will be back later. If you need anything your mom knows how to get a hold of me."
