"Yes she is Christian" I press the button to sit him up a little to be able to hold her. He winces again so I stop raising the bed, he positions his arms to be able to hold her and support her head.
I take her out of the car seat and place her in his arms. He looks at her so intensely, he picks up her hand and examines her fingers; he touches her nose and cheeks, like he can't believe she is here.
"Oh my god Ana, she is perfect!" he extols "Did we really make them? Are they really ours? Where is Max?"
"Yes, we did and they are, they are beautiful and all ours and Gail is looking after Max for us" I am beaming.
He looks sad all of a sudden "I never thought I would be a parent after…"
"You are going to be great, try not to let the past cloud your and their futures; you have so much to give, as do I and we have each other" I try to reassure him.
"I know you are right Ana, it's just some things are so deep seated I can't forget but I am going to be the best I can be for them" he yawns and indicates for me to take Melissa from him.
"Ok enough talking for now" I stroke his forehead before kissing his lips. His eyes close and he is asleep.
Taylor re appears a short while after.
"Ma'am, I will wait out here for whenever you are ready to leave"
"Thank you so much Taylor, how was your appointment?" I ask
"Much improvement, going in the right direction" Taylor says and gives a rare grin.
Grace comes in "Hello, Taylor, Ana and beautiful Melissa" she kisses me then Melissa.
"Hello Grace, how's things?" I ask.
"Christian is progressing, I see he has had a cuddle with his daughter" she says smiling.
"Yes" I smile "he gets very tired very quickly though"
"As I would expect Ana, great traumas leave the body weak and sleep is not only a time for the body to repair but it prevents emotional overload. His stamina and coping mechanisms will improve over time and knowing Christian I am sure he will try and accelerate things even when he shouldn't" Grace raises her eyebrows as she looks toward her son, we both chuckle "Something we will both need to keep an eye on"
"Indeed" I reply.
"Ana dear, as you have both babies at home now, would this be a good time for me to come and stay? Carrick has a couple of pressing work commitments that he put off when…well you know so he can't stay right now but as soon as he has finished he will stay at Escala" Grace offers.
"That would be wonderful Grace, just to get a shower with Max at home can be a challenge so with two of them it will be even more so" I say honestly. Gail is absolutely fantastic but she has Taylor still recovering, it's a lot to put on her
"I am switching to day shifts only until Christian comes home so I can help you in the mornings and evenings" she tells me.
I can't convey the sense of relief at having her helping me out with the twins.
"Thank you so much Grace" I hug her.
"I have a few more things to do before the end of my shift but would you like a lift home? Peters can follow behind" she tells me "We have car seat bases installed to match the seat so no problem there"
"You have thought of everything" I smile.
"I must tell Taylor to go home, no point in him waiting here when he can be at home resting" I say
"Don't worry, I will see him in a moment and I will see you in about an hour's time then" Grace waves as she leaves the room and I see her talking to Taylor.
Melissa is asleep so I sit down and begin whispering to Christian about how great things are going to be when we are all home together.
"Waaaaahhhhh, waaahhhhhhhh"
Hmm, that sound is familiar but can't quite place…Melissa! I must have dropped off asleep, yes I definitely fell asleep, my neck is telling the full story, aching as I move to console Melissa.
"Oh Missy Missy, its ok, Mommy and Daddy are here my darling" I am rocking her in my arms and she settles fairly quickly once a little burp has escaped. I notice Christian is awake and looking intently at me.
"You are a fantastic Mom, she just responds to you so well and you look so natural with her, like it was always meant to be. I wish my Mom…well" he goes quiet.
"She needed help Christian but none came and then it was too late but if you can take anything positive from this, it's your family now. They absolutely love you, unconditionally as a parent does. Grace has been here around the clock pretty much, Carrick too initially until he had to return to his firm, Mia has been dividing her time between here and looking after your grandparents and Elliot has been fantastic, he has helped keep your business running with Gloria and Sophia's help, he has been driving me around, Kate has been coming back and forth but she tires easily now. Peters has been my chauffeur, helping me lift the babies into the car, Taylor helped me with a press statement to help take some of the heat off the hospital, Escala and SIP. Gail has kept Escala running and helped me with Max. You have many, many people around you that care" My mouth is dry as I wait for a response.
"You are right baby; I just don't find it easy" he almost whispers.
His hand brushes down my cheek and I feel a spark of electricity flowing between us. It's been a long time I have felt like this what with the pregnancy and Elena. As Melissa has settled again I very carefully so as not to hurt him or me, climb in to the hospital bed and snuggle into his chest. I inhale deeply, I smell a mixture of body scent, soap and antiseptic but it's still comforting, familiar and I could quite easily drift off to sleep again except Grace returns as her shift is over.
"Oh glad to see you have managed some cuddle time" she smiles affectionately.
I carefully get up before saying goodnight with a kiss and a hug. Grace hugs Christian and we leave for the night. I am starving hungry, did I miss a meal? I can't honestly remember. I reprimand myself for not keeping track, I can't afford to miss meals especially if I want to continue breast feeding the twins.
"A penny for your thoughts Ana" Grace says.
"Oh sorry Grace I was just scolding myself for missing meals" I smile sheepishly
"Ana, I know I don't need to remind you how important eating is" Grace says softly.
"No you don't Grace, I will make sure I carry some snacks around with me in the future" I smile apologetically.
"Good idea. Who has Max today?" Grace asks
"Gail offered to look after him while I was here. I checked home an hour ago and all was fine" I add.
As we exit the elevator into the foyer, a delicious smell emanates from the kitchen. Gail has prepared a feast, more food that just Grace, Taylor, Gail and I can eat. I follow Grace into the lounge to where Max is sleeping and find Elliot and Kate sitting watching television.
I squeal in delight "Kate, Elliot!" I fling my arms around the both.
"Surprise!" Elliot yells.
"So good to see you" I greet them like it's been ages since I have seen them when in reality it has only been approximately 36 hours "You are staying for dinner right?"
"Of course, Grace thought you would appreciate some company this evening, it's been a while since we were together" Kate adds.
"Oh that's great, let me go shower and change into something more comfortable. Could you keep an eye on Melissa too?" I say to eager nodding from both Elliot and Kate.
Twenty minutes later I am refreshed, comfy but famished, Gail has set the table and she has filled four serving dishes with various meals and I waste no time in tucking in. Max decides half way through that he wants some attention, Elliot signals for me to stay put and he will go and tend to him. When I have finished eating Gail and Taylor offer to clear the table, Grace begins spooning the leftovers into lunch sized portions and putting them into Tupperware containers. I hear her say to Gail that those will be convenient for me to have at the hospital when I am visiting Christian.
Elliot, Kate and I move back to the lounge to have a catch up chat. Max and Melissa are immediately cuddled by them both and I love the fact my brother-in-law and best friend are together, being a huge support to Christian and I and each other. I see the way Elliot looks at Max, a protective loving uncle and Auntie Kate, on the threshold of becoming a mother herself absorbing every detail of caring and loving her niece and nephew.
I spend a little time watching Elliot and Kate interacting with the twins, they will both make great parents. Grace brings in some tea for us all and we all help ourselves.
We are chatting and laughing when out of the blue a huge crash startles us all, I get up out of the armchair, go to see what has happened when I am confronted by Elena Lincoln.
"Elena? you are d.. dead" I stumble with my words.
"All a big misunderstanding bitch" she snarls back at me.
"The police said you were shot dead at the scene" I say "why would they lie" it doesn't make sense
"It's amazing who you can bribe with the right amount of cash Ana, your husband knew that!" she sneers.
"What do you want Elena? The authorities are on their way as we speak" I am trembling as I speak.
"You're afraid of me" she laughs "I have come for what's rightfully mine"
"There is nothing here that belongs to you Elena so I suggest you leave NOW!" I feel my temper surfacing as well as tears.
"Christian denied me the chance to have children so I have come for yours" she demands.
"Over my dead body Elena, you are not touching my children" I growl. The Mama Bear is coming out in me now; I will protect my children from that bitch.
"That can be arranged, I am just sorry I didn't finish off your husband but his stupid bodyguard got in the way" evil is just oozing out of her right now.
I have a weapon but it is in the bedroom side drawer, Dad , being a police officer, taught me how to use a gun but normally I have Christian here who also knows how to handle a gun but I have never actually had to threaten to or actually shoot another person.
Where is everyone? I suspect they cannot hear our conversation but what can I do to alert their attention without letting the witch know.
Melissa lets out a screech, I suspect she is hungry as it is a little past her feeding time.
"I need to go and look after my babies; if I don't then people will be alerted to my absence" I tell her more confidently than I feel.
"Do you think I am stupid Ana? If I let you move from here you will tell them what is going on you silly little bitch" she spits at me.
"It's up to you Elena; I don't go someone will come, if I do go someone will come so it's no win scenario for you so who is the silly bitch now eh?" I am feeling braver.
She looks a little lost for a moment before aiming the gun at me and the last thing I see is a flash from the end of the gun.
A/N : Sorry for the cliffie. Will have the next update soon (hopefully before next Tuesday).