Chapter 10

Christian POV

Dad had a heart attack. Dad had a heart attack. Dad had a heart attack. Elliot's words keep echoing in my head as I grip Ana's hand so tight like it's my only lifeline. Today went from being the best day of my life to a panic-driven crisis. My father is the center of our family, he has to be ok. I am a strong man, but my parents are my weakness and I don't know what I would do without them. Well, maybe my second weakness. I'm pretty sure Ana just became the one person I know I can't live without and I only met her this morning.

Before I know it I'm ushering Ana protectively into the hospital. I grip her hand in mine and she squeezes back making me feel stronger with just that small gesture. My father's assistant, Dawn, is sitting in the private waiting room looking like she has seen a ghost. I bypass the front desk and go straight to her.

"Dawn?" I ask hesitantly, Ana still at my side watching my every move.

"Mr. Grey!" Dawn startles and goes to stand up but I immediately motion for her to stay seated. I take the seat next to her and like a magnet, Ana sits on the other side of me taking my hand again. "Mr. Grey, I'm so sorry. I called 911 as soon as I found him but he had asked not to be disturbed and I only went in when he didn't answer the phone. I don't know what to do – I -I " I place my free hand on her shoulder before she has a panic attack.

"Dawn, listen - it is not your fault. You are ok and he will be ok. You did the right thing and probably saved his life ok? Just relax. Now is my Mother here?" My voice is commanding and calm.

Dawn relaxes slightly and then looks from Ana to me and back again. "Yes, Mrs. Grey is in there with Mr. Grey and the doctors. She said if you got here to go straight in. It's room 39 on the left." Dawn's voice stabilizes and she calms ever so. I nod at her and then sit back in the chair. Ana leans into me and places her other hand on my arm.

"Christian…". Ana's soft voice captures my attention immediately. "Do you want to go be with your Mom and Dad?" Her sweet voice is like honey and I just want her to keep listening to her talk. I look into her eyes and her concern and sweet face are all I need to feel strong again. This woman is making me weak at the knees and I can only hope I'm having a similar effect on her.

"Yes… I need to go be with them… Come with me?" My voice is strong but waivers as my insecurity shows.

She looks at me and gives me a sweet smile, "If you want me to, of course... Will she be ok by herself?" She asks in a whisper motioning to Dawn, who now has silent tears coming down her face. I think she sees that I'm at a loss as to what to do with the crying 60-year-old woman. Ana suddenly stands up and walks to the other side of Dawn. "Dawn? Hi… My name is Ana. I work for Mr. Grey – that Mr. Grey" She says quickly catching the confusion that could arise and she gestures to me. "Do you need me to sit with you for a while?" The look of surprise on Dawn's face at the selfless kindness Ana is showing her is evident on her face. Dawn looks from me to Ana and a small smile forms on her face.

Clearing her throat and straightening her back, "No dear. Thank you though. Go be with Mr. Grey. I'll be ok. I should sit here for when Ms. Grey and the other Mr. Grey get here. It's the least I can do… Besides, I think this Mr. Grey might need you more than you realize." She says the last part as if I can't hear but her eyes are glued to Ana's hand I'm still gripping, even when she moved.

Ana and her share a quiet laugh and Ana moves away from her to stand in front of me. "Christian?"

I allow her hand to pull me to my feet and in a second of spontaneity, I bring my lips to meet her cheek and kiss her sweetly. I can feel her freeze beneath my hands that find their way to her waist. I smile against her cheek and pull away gently. "Thank you," I say lightly into her ear. I pull away and see her still in shock at my sudden gesture. I smile and pull her to follow me down the hallway.

Room 39.

I stand outside gripping Ana's hand tighter. I can hear beeping machines and the bustling of people inside the room. I just need him to be ok. I think to myself.

Taking the lead Ana reaches out and opens the door. Inside the room, several doctors and nurses are moving about in the spacious suite. I see my mother having a conversation on the far side of the room with a doctor and finally, my eyes find my father. He is in bed with wires connected all over his chest and a nurse putting in an IV. His eyes are closed. My mother suddenly spots me. "Christian!" She pulls away from the doctor and is suddenly in front of me. She reaches her arms out as if to hug me but then stops herself. Thinking I can't embrace my mother makes me sad. Ana sees all this and grips my hand even tighter. In that split second, I step forward and wrap my mother in a one-armed hug.

I can feel my mother's shock in her body. She immediately wraps her arms around my middle but is ever so gentle and doesn't hold me tightly. Which I am very grateful for.

"Christian… thank you for coming." Her voice is shaken.

"Of course, Mom. Mia and Elliot are on their way. How is he?" Mom looks at me and then sees Ana and before she can answer me, she is hugging Ana. I see Ana's face is ever so shocked at the action but embraces her back.

"Thank you for coming Ana," Mom says as she pulls away. Watching my Mom with Ana makes me feel complete in a strange way. "And I know dear. I called Elliot when I couldn't get hold of you at your office. He will be ok. He is resting now. The doctor said it was stress-related. You know how your father gets. It was a very small attack and he should be able to leave as soon as they have done some more tests." I feel my body suddenly relax and Ana moves in closer to me as if to support some of my weight.

"That's good Mom. That's really good news." I say as I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Christian I need to go and organize some things with the doctors. Can you sit with him? I don't want him alone if he wakes up." My mother's request comes just as the doctor pulls her away again to fill out more paperwork.

Hours later, Ana and I are sitting on the sofa next to my fathers' bed. We have sat here for several hours waiting for him to wake up. My mother has fallen asleep in the chair pulled up on the other side of Dad's bed. We all talked for a while before the exhaustion of the day's events wore on all of us and we drifted off to sleep. Well, my mom and Ana did. Ana is draped across my chest, with her hand against my heart and her head on my shoulder. Having her comfortably in my arms was not something I wanted to sleep through. It fills me with pride and happiness knowing I could comfort her enough that she can sleep. I run my fingers through her hair gently as she sleeps, and I let my mind wander to what a future would look like with her.

She is the only woman in my entire life with who I have even entertained the idea of a forever with. I'm woken from my daydreaming by my father gently clearing his voice. I look up to see him with his eyes wide open and a smirk on his face while he stares at the position Ana and I are in.

In a slightly croaky but amused voice, he whispers. "Something you want to tell me, son?"

Today has been hard. I woke up and went to buy flowers because I have no immediate friends and family near me. Got a chocolate croissant, an iced latte and came home to write this chapter for you all. Thank you so much for all your kind messages of support and kindness. Means so much. Love to you all today, whoever needs to hear it. I know if today seems tough or long, or unbearable or you have anxiety about something, know you can do it, today will be over and a new one will start tomorrow. I'm right there with you. Best, LJ xox