"This is taking far too long for fuck sake, just get me out of here" Christian barks.
"Shouting or swearing is not going to speed the process up" I point out.
"I don't see what the hold-up is, just a bunch of doctors needing to sign a piece of paper" he grumbles.
"They need to sort out your medication and any follow up appointments too" I advise.
"I am not taking any more pain killers, I feel like a zombie when I have those and antibiotics make me feel bloated and nauseous" moan moan moan.
"Well I don't think the alternatives would be any more palatable" I sigh.
"What alternatives do you mean?"
"Wound infection and lots of pain to name a couple" I sigh a bigger sigh.
"Humph oh for goodness sake" grumble grumble.
"Oh Christian, just shut up and kiss me" I move in and plant my lips on his. He responds immediately, his tongue exploring, his hands roaming and a small but sexy groan escapes from him.
"That's not fair Ana" he says as we pull apart.
"I had to do something to stop your whinging" I poke my tongue out.
"Any chance of another whinging preventing kiss?" he asks.
"Anytime" I smile and lean in again.
About 10 minutes later Grace returns, the paperwork has been signed so just waiting for the pharmacy to make up the prescriptions.
"Have you packed up your things yet Christian?" Grace asks.
"Not all of them" he slowly gets out of bed and with my help, is packed and ready to go as soon as the pills arrive.
Taylor has arrived; he paces outside the room, talking on his cell, no doubt co-ordinating everything down to the last detail.
A nurse brings in a bag with the medication in and a wheelchair and I know immediately that this poses the next problem. Christian sitting in a wheelchair anywhere is going to be a problem but where the possibility of a photograph being taken and printed in the next day's paper, it is never gonna happen.
"I know what you are thinking Christian and don't even go there. You will use the wheelchair until we are nearing the exit and photographers. I will allow you to walk supported to the car. Any questions?" Grace gives him a fierce look, a 'don't you dare argue with me' look.
"No Mother" oh he is pissed with her.
"I want to wear that Ana" he points to a smart but casual cream Ralph Lauren shirt and jumper, coupled with navy chino's and deck shoes.
"Damn I need a shave, help me Ana?"
We head into the bathroom and I assist with shaving him but also giving me chance to caress his face, he looks a little older, a few more lines perhaps but maybe this will change as his condition improves, I forget the trauma his body has gone through the last few weeks, it's bound to have an impact. He applies some lotion and a little aftershave, hmm my favourite, I get momentarily lost in the aroma before Christian touches my arm and he is good to go.
"I need to go and fetch the twins from the crèche so we can make our exit together and quickly" I tell Christian.
"Hello you two, all ready for the trip home?" we both turn and see a beaming Elliot standing in the door way.
"Hi Elliot, what are you doing here?" I say without thinking.
"I have come to help chauffeur everything back to Escala, I figure I can take bags or just be another pair of eyes on the road" he smiles again.
"Oh that's so lovely of you Elliot. How's Kate?" I ask.
"Getting bigger by the day but everything going to plan" he beams.
"Hey Bro, you're not gonna come over and see the patient?" Christian grumbles again.
"Of course bro, how's it going?" They give each other a manly hug and Elliot begins to immediately tease Christian about hospital gowns and drafts, harassing the nurses and anything else he can think of but it's great to see the interaction and leg pulling between them again.
"I hate to break this reunion up" I laugh "but can I enlist you Elliot to help me with the twins, I need to get them from the crèche"
"Any chance I have to see my niece and nephew, of course I can help" he smiles.
"We will be right back then, don't go anywhere" I wink at Christian and I can see him cursing under his breath.
"Thanks Elliot, I am still not supposed to lift too much and carrying two at once is a definite no-no" I chat as we walk along.
"It's no problem Ana, as I said, another chance to see them again"
I am so pleased to see my babies again, it's only been a few hours but it's like I can't imagine life without them, I don't want to miss a minute but realize that I cannot spend 24 hours a day looking at them.
I pick up Melissa and begin to make my 'mummy' noises while Elliot has picked up Max and is giving him a cuddle. I take a moment to watch Elliot interact with my son; at that moment I know he is going to be a fantastic father to his own child as well as a fantastic uncle to Melissa and Max. I make a note to tell Kate as I know she was feeling a little worried about how he would react but in my mind he will do just fine.
"Ready to go?" I ask Elliot.
"Sure, just fixing the last strap" Elliot says before lifting both the babies to save me struggling.
Back at Christians room everyone concerned with security, driving and protection has assembled to be briefed on the 'leaving hospital' protocol with Taylor giving instructions and reminders to all those involved.
We have been given a thirty minutes to leaving time, it has been decided that Christian and Grace will go together with Taylor, myself and the twins will go with Sawyer and Elliot will be bringing the 'baggage'. A number of other security personnel including Peters will be driving in front and behind to prevent the press from following too close. Honestly it feels like a military operation but I am happy to go with the flow.
Elliot has taken some luggage to his car already, he joked about having more stuff here than is generally taken on a two week vacation and Christian scowls at him, muttering something about needing some home comforts whilst staying in this hell hole.
Then the time has come, Christian under protest sits in the wheelchair, Grace pushing him, flanked by Taylor and another man I don't recognize. Elliot has the car seat with Max in, I carry Melissa and we are flanked by Sawyer and Peters. As we near the exit Christian dispenses with the wheelchair but Grace insists on supporting him much to his annoyance and then the camera flashing begins. It's blinding me; I am pleased the twins are covered at the front so they cannot be affected by the light.
"Mr Grey, how are you? Pleased to be going home?"
"How did it feel to find out you became a father while you were unconscious?"
"Where were you shot exactly?"
"Why did she shoot you Christian?"
"Where are you staying now?"
"How long before you return to work?"
"Are you looking forward to spending time with your children?"
"Have you decided on names yet?"
The questions are inane, invasive and pointless, I can see Christian wants to really say something but Grace and Taylor are skilfully steering him away from trouble. Then…
"How do you feel about your husband coming home?"
"When are you going back to work?"
"Oh come on love, give us a picture of the babies"
"Tell us their names, don't keep us in suspense"
Oh for goodness sake just back off and leave us alone!
We get in the cars unscathed and we head for home, as predicted, there are a few hard-core reporters following us in cars and in tandem on bikes but with blackout on all the rear windows it is unlikely that they will get any pictures. Escala security as well as personal security are on alert at Escala, Taylor swoops in past a small collection of reporters with Sawyer and myself behind and I glance back to see Elliot following moments later.
As we exit the cars a commotion erupts from behind us, a motorbike reporter has come off his bike and slid into a crowd control barrier which disintegrates leaving a hole that is immediately breached by the press. A shout rises from Taylor to move, move, move, as reporters come towards us at speed. Sawyer grabs Max, Elliot rushes up from behind and gets Melissa and we all hurry as fast as we can into the safety of the lobby. Building security prevents any reporters entering the building but I can see Christian is wincing in pain after having to move rather suddenly.
It's a bit of a struggle but we all fit in the lift with the exception of Peters who will stay in the lobby guarding the elevators. As we step into the foyer of the apartment, a sense of relief washes over me. We are home and I can see Christian observing his apartment like it's all new. He closes his eyes and inhales deeply, relishing the familiar scents before gingerly walking to the piano and tinkering with the keys.
Elliot has taken our bags to our bedroom, I saw Grace exiting the spare room after unpacking and then heading for the kitchen to put the kettle on.
"Tea anyone?" She asks.
"Hello Grace, here left me do that for you" Gail has arrived and takes over tea duties.
A chorus of yes please goes around from everyone including Christian, when I look over I feel he is looking a little pale.
"Christian, are you ok?" I ask.
Grace looks over "You look a little pale, do you feel woozy?"
He nods before starting to sway
"Taylor we need you" I yell, Grace is already rushing over
"Uh Oh, too much excitement today, I think you ought to go to sleep Christian" Grace says as Christian leans up against her for support. Taylor rushes up and supports him towards the bedroom; I am following behind feeling a bit useless to be honest. Grace helps him to lie down before taking his blood pressure.
"Hmm a little low but that I suspect is because you have moved around more today than for a while so now rest and I will check back in an hour"
"Ana, stay with him, Gail and I will look after the twins but call if you are worried ok?" I nod.
Grace leaves and I snuggle in beside Christian.
"Hey baby, sorry, not the homecoming I wanted for everyone but I just felt weak" he whispers.
"It doesn't matter, we are home, in our own bed, with our family close by, and that is the important thing" I console him.
"True, it's just…." I put my finger to his lips to stop him talking "Sleep now honey" I soothe.
I wake what feels like a few minutes later, only to find that in fact, two hours has passed. Christian is still asleep but visually he looks a lot better. I carefully get up and pad out into the kitchen.
I yawn as I walk around the counter to put the kettle on again. It's quiet except for the bubbling sound of a Gail special cooking on the stove. I am hungry so I grab a couple of biscuits from the cupboard which will go just right with my tea.
I put the television on and flick through the channels but nothing catches my interest, I glance at the newspaper and see an article related to Christian and I. I laugh, where do these people get their facts from? Most of this article is pure fabrication with a spattering of truth accompanied by some photo's, not all of which I remember being taken.
"What's that little smile for?" Grace has come into the room.
"Oh just the newspaper and their lack of facts" I reply.
"Ana" Grace sits next to me "I think you should consider hiring a nanny at least part time"
"I was beginning to think the same thing to be honest; they may be able to take them outside without attracting as much attention but I will have to speak to Christian as I am sure he will have something to say" I laugh.
"That's the one thing we can be sure about" Grace chuckles too.
A/N: Apologies for delay in posting this. Real life has been a bear. I have tried to stick to Tuesday's posting schedule however sometimes I may not make it. I am still actively working on this story in any spare time I have so you will see regular updates and I will try my best to keep to the Tuesday schedule but if I am a few days late... please understand. Hop you enjoy this chapter. - Toni xx