For some reason despite feeling exhausted, it takes an age to fall asleep and it seems like only minutes before Max is shouting for food. Dawn breaks way too soon, the sun rises and blares through a gap in the curtains. Max is still asleep so I use the time to have a shower, I feel a little better but any idea of drying my hair goes out of the window when I hear a whimper from the crib and so the day has begun.
Gail and Taylor are in the kitchen.
"Morning Ana" they both say together smiling.
"Moorrnnninnnngggg, oh excuse me" I hadn't meant to yawn at that moment.
"Max kept you up?" Gail asks
"No, not really, I kept myself up really, thinking, worrying and trying to do some forward planning" I say.
"Gail said you wanted to go to see legal soon to get an official statement out to the press. You want me to some?" Taylor asks.
"If you could I would really appreciate your experience and advice" I feel embarrassed to not feel capable of doing this alone but I don't think Christian would want me to go alone either.
"I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of making an appointment at SIP this morning at 10am, however if that's not convenient I can change it" he advises.
"That's good except for Max…..i would need…" I start
"All sorted Ana" Gail pipes up from inside the pantry "I am here all day, take your time"
"Really? You wouldn't mind?" I feel blessed to have Gail and Taylor.
"Not at all, now why don't you eat some breakfast and then go and put on some smart clothes ready to go?" Gail says.
"Thanks Gail, you are a gem" I lean over and give her a hug, grab a piece of toast before heading back to the bedroom.
I come out about 20 minutes later and feel lucky to have been able to put a pair of pre pregnancy trousers on, they are still a little on the neat side. I couple it with a short sleeved swing top and pumps. A splash of make up to try and hide the dark shadows and I am ready to go.
Gail has got Max comfortable and I am very secure leaving him. Peters arrives to drive as Taylor still has his arm in a sling and will have for a few weeks to come.
"Ma'am, Mr Taylor, we still have some press interest outside of the building so I will circle around the back to avoid them" Peters interrupts my thoughts.
"Very good Peters" Taylors authoritative voice sounds besides me.
"I suppose we are not as news worthy anymore" I say.
"Not so Mrs Steele, in fact you are more so until this press statement is released, then I would expect a decrease in interest" Taylor says very seriously.
"That would be good" I smile as we pull up to SIP. The cameras begin flashing and the shouting from reporters hits me like a brick wall. I can only catch a few words like, why shot? And babies names? I see the front entrance to SIP and I shudder
"Are you ok Ma'am?" Taylor asks.
"Yes I'm fine, just remembered what happened the last time I was here" So much has happened since then, it is hard to comprehend but I steel myself to go inside again.
Peters drives past swiftly to the rear entrance which is now protected by huge iron gates, armed security guards, cameras and intercom. The car stops, Taylor gets out and Peters opens the door for me, I hesitate, closing my eyes I see Jack Hyde making his presence known just inside the door we are going to go through and I feel very shaky.
"Ready Ana?" Taylors voice pulls me back and I see he has offered me his undamaged arm to help me out of the car, I also see security men have formed a barrier around the car which blocks anyone's view except those in tall buildings surrounding us. I take Taylors hand and we swiftly enter SIP.
I look at the entrance and other than some decorators doing some touch up work you would not know what had taken place a little over a week ago. I shiver again at the memories of that day and Taylor puts his good arm around my shoulders guiding me to the elevators. A light layer of sweat has formed on my forehead, I really wasn't anticipating feeling like this, and well I didn't really know how I was going to feel. Peters offers me his handkerchief to dab my face for which I am very grateful.
The legal team are assembled in the board room waiting for our arrival. Everyone stands as Taylor and I enter the room.
"Good morning Mrs Grey, how are you?" Mr Redmond, the chief of the legal department asks.
"I'm fine thank you Mr Redmond" I answer back.
"I suggest we get this meeting underway as Mrs Grey's time is short" Mr Redmond directs.
"Thank you" I reply, Taylor pulls out a chair for me and everyone sits down.
"Mrs Grey, we have to save time, already drafted a statement, would you care to read through and give me your thoughts?" Mr Redmond produces a document from his briefcase and hands it to me.
"Thank you Mr Redmond, would you mind leaving Mr Taylor and I alone for a moment so we can discuss this?" Where is this Ana coming from? The strong forthright and in control Ana?
"Of course Mrs Grey" He and the rest of the team leave the room shutting the door behind them.
I visibly relax when they have left and begin to read the prepared document with Taylor.
PRESS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF MR AND MRS GREY.
As you are aware, an attempt was made on Mr Grey's life last week and this attempt was made by a former business partner and friend Mrs Elena Lincoln. Details as to the reason behind the assassination attempt are still under investigation at this time. Mrs Lincoln was shot dead at the scene by SPD officers and an associate was arrested trying to gain access to SIP offices, although it is not believed he was involved nor had any knowledge of the attempt on Mr Grey's life.
Mr Grey remains stable in hospital with three gunshot wounds, two security personnel were also injured but received treatment and have been released from hospital.
Mr and Mrs Grey welcomed the birth of their twins during this difficult time, both are progressing well. Mr and Mrs Grey thank everyone for their cards, flowers and support but ask for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.
No further statements will be released at this time.
Thank you.
Right, well short and sweet and to the point I suppose.
"What do you think Taylor?" I look over at him.
"It all seems in order Ma'am, gives enough details to satisfy the press without giving too much away" Taylor looks serious.
"Taylor, would Christian be happy with this content? And who will deliver the message?" I ask.
"Yes, I think he would be ok with it, I mean he hates intrusion of any sort but something has to be said as it all happened so publicly. I am not sure whose responsibility it is to read press releases, check with Mr Redmond" Taylor says.
"Shall I get them all back in here?" I ask and Taylor nods. I press the intercom and tell the secretary we are ready to speak to the team again. One by one they file back in and sit down.
"Mr Redmond, I am happy with the statement but can you tell me who will give the statement to the press and when this will be issued?" I ask.
"We were planning to release it straight away if that is suitable for you Mrs Grey. It will result in an increase in press attention and speculation but there is nothing we can do to prevent that. We have a media relations officer who delivers any statements and releases. Her name is Mrs Olivier and she has been at the company for eight years" Mr Redmond explains.
I look over at Taylor who gives a very slight nod of his head as a signal of his approval.
"This is agreeable Mr Redmond, Please can you release the statement later this afternoon once I have safely reached home?" I almost plead as I don't want to fight through a melee of press to get Max and possibly Melissa home.
"Of course" he checks his watch "we will call a briefing at 5pm and that will hopefully be late enough to allow you some time to evade them and it will be tomorrow before the statement really has an impact" Mr Redmond smiles apologetically.
"Very good, Thank you Mr Redmond" I check my watch; I really have to go to the hospital.
I stand up and watch as the legal team scramble to stand quickly and everyone politely expresses a speedy recovery for Christian and congratulations on the birth of the twins. We eventually get down to the car where the group of security men have been re-assembled to enable us to leave.
At the hospital I make my way straight to the Nicu and Melissa. Nurse Diane is there and gives me the great news that Melissa is fine to go home today. I am so excited and I immediately start to get all her things together ready to go and see Daddy. Peters has gone to get the car seat and returns shortly afterwards. She fits snuggly into the seat and I cover her with a yellow blanket. Taylor wants to carry her, despite my objections.
After bidding a tearful farewell to Diane and thanking her for all her help, Taylor and I walk over to ITU to see Christian. All is quiet; I look through the door and see Christian is asleep. I feel a little disappointed but he will wake soon and he can meet his daughter for the first time. Taylor waits outside the room after bringing Melissa in for me and I sit beside him as I have done so many times before. I grasp his hand gently and slowly rub his palm in a soothing therapeutic way. He begins to stir and opens his eyes.
"Hi Honey" I say quietly.
"Hey baby, sorry I hope you haven't been waiting long?" he croaks.
"No, only 5 minutes or so. How are you feeling?" I ask.
"Oh you know, like I've been shot" he pokes his tongue out playfully and I swat his arm in mock crossness.
"I have got some one here to see you"
"Oh, who? Wait, is that Taylor out there? Why is his arm in a sling?" he says.
"Yes that's Taylor and he was shot trying to protect us all" I reply.
"Really, I didn't know" he says "tell him to come in Ana" I get up and signal for Taylor to come in.
"Good morning Mr Grey" Taylor says in an official voice.
"Good morning Taylor, how are you?" Christian asks.
"On the mend Sir, how are you?" Taylor asks back.
"Oh the same Taylor" Christian responds.
"That's good to hear, Mrs Jones sends her regards" Taylor says.
"That's kind of her. Any problems I should know about?" Christian starts to try and pump information out of Taylor and I am really hoping Taylor plays the 'everything under control card'
"All under control Sir, Mr Grey has been doing a fine job I understand" Thank you Taylor that was the right answer.
"Thank you Taylor, I will get an update from Elliot"
"I have an appointment in orthopaedics in 20 minutes so I will be back to escort you home whenever you would like to go Ma'am" Taylor tell us.
"No worries Taylor, we hope all is ok" I wave as he leaves the room.
"So baby, tell me how you are? How is Max? Let me see him" Christian points to the car seat.
"I am fine and I would like you to meet Melissa, she has been discharged from the Nicu today" I tell him.
I gently lift her out of the seat "She is beautiful Ana"…
A/N: Thank you for your support. Please let me know what you think.