Standing Still - Chapter Four

I watch outwardly as Carrick arrives at the hospital with Kate and Elliot in tow. Kate's face is blotchy, her eyes red raw and seeing her so upset manages to bring be back to the here and now, as my mothering instincts sink in.

Briskly I walk towards them and reach out for Kate, I hug her tightly and she sinks into my embrace.

"Have you heard anything new," she asks between sobs.

"Nothing, I'm afraid I was escorted out of the theatre when I broke down. I tried to keep it together but she looked so small and vulnerable, it hurt to see her that way."

"Have you talked to Christian yet," Carrick asks as he takes my hand.

"No, I talked to Jason. He's going to call back once Christian is informed. I just hope he can keep it together, they're a long way away."

"Me too," Carrick agrees.

I lead them to the visitors section and silently we all sit down. Carrick sits beside me still holding my hand and Kate sits on my other side. I watch Elliot sit beside her and reach for her hand, he's unusually quiet for my son. A sad serious expression rests on his face and I don't like it, it seems so out of place on my happy go lucky boy.

The stilted atmosphere is soon disrupted my cell phone ringing and I hurry to answer it, knowing it's my son.

"Christian," I ask softly.

"Mom, tell me," he asks, his voice choked with uncertainty.

"She's fighting sweetheart, it's the best we can hope for right now."

"Have you seen her," he murmurs.

"I have," is all I manage to tell him in return. How do I tell my son just how bad his wife looked when I saw her last.

"Did she say anything, was she in pain," he sobs.

"Darling Ana was sedated when I saw her, the doctors gave her drugs to keep her comfortable. I promise you Ana isn't in any pain anymore."

"But she was, she was suffering and where was I, on a God damn plane. I'm thousands of miles away from her, she needs me."

"Christian I know it's hard but you need to keep it together. We're all here for Ana, we'll keep her safe and look after her."

"Her parents," he asks suddenly.

"Ray is on his way to the hospital, I'm sure he'll be here soon. I'm afraid I couldn't get hold of Carla."

"Typical, the one time Ana needs her. Please keep trying and call me when Ray arrives I need to tell him that I'm sorry."

"Christian you didn't know this was going to happen. You're a wonderful husband and Ray knows that."

Silence follows my statement, then I hear Christian crying. I wipe away some tears of my own as I wish I could be with him now just to hold him.

"Mom," he suddenly voices brokenly.

"I'm here sweetheart."

"Do you think Ana will die?"

I swallow a sob at his question then take a deep breath.

"I can't answer that, I don't know."

"Medically speaking, you know. What are the odds that I will see her alive."

I'm silent as I weigh up what to tell my son. I was there, I was in the theatre and I know Ana's odds aren't good, not good at all.

"Please, tell me Mom. You don't lie, don't lie to me."

"It's unlikely she will come back from this," I whisper softly.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry sweetheart," I repeat but only silence follows.

I wait hoping Christian will talk back to me but he never comes back on the phone. Eventually I hear Jason's voice and he informs me that Christian has locked himself in the bedroom.

"Jason, I'm scared, can you hear anything."

"Nothing, he's quiet."

"Jason can you open the door," I ask fearing Christian is about to do something stupid.

"I have a key somewhere, hang on I'll go get it."

I wait anxiously as I listen to Jason thumping around in the background. Carrick looks up at me and seems to tell that something is very wrong.

"Grace what is it?" he asks but I shush him when I hear Jason pick the phone back up.

"I have the key, I'm opening the door right now," he explains.

I should have lied, I shouldn't have told Christian everything. Not when he's so far away and can do nothing to help.

"I have him," says Jason and those small three words seem to fill me with hope.

"Is he okay," I practically shout.

"He's safe," is all Jason will say.

I know why because I realise quickly my son is a long way from being okay. I wait for Jason to say something else as I hear he talking softly to my boy.

"I'll stay with him Grace and I'll keep an eye on him. I promise I won't let him do anything stupid."

"Thank you," I sob and together we both hang up.

"What's wrong," asks my husband the second I look up.

"Nothing, everything," I say then break down in his open arms.

Carrick's POV

We've been waiting here for hours but so far nobody's told us anything. Ray arrived about an hour ago but so far Carla is still unreachable.

Mia and Ethan were here but reluctantly they when back to Christian's house to help Gail with the children. Kate and Elliot left Ava with Gail on her insistence so I'm sure she needs some extra help.

Kate won't leave and Elliot won't leave Kate so Mia's presence will have to do if Ava is lonesome. Happily we're a close family and the children all love to hang out with their extended family.

Grace has been a rock and will do anything to help Ray during this nightmare. God knows what she saw in that theatre, she wont tell anyone of us.

Christian hasn't been in touch since his talk with Grace but Jason Taylor has called several times to touch base.

I still can't believe where we are especially when I think that just yesterday everyone was safe and well. Now Mr Reynolds is dead, Luke Sawyer is unconscious with a nasty concussion and Ana, poor Ana only God knows.

"Family of Anastasia Grey," asks a man in a white lab coat that has somehow managed to sneak up on us.

"Yes," says Grace and Ray together as they jump to their feet.

"Please, sit down," he says ominously waving his hand to the chairs.

"My daughter," Ray questions.

"She's alive," the doctor exclaims and an audible sign passes from us all.

He then sits down across from us and gently starts to explain Ana's injuries.

"She's not out of the woods so to speak but at present she's finally stable. Her injuries though are extensive and if she manages to pull though we're looking at a vey long recovery time."

"What are her injuries," Kate asks interrupting the good doctor.

"Severe blood loss with resulting shock. A fractured pelvis with possible spinal damage. Several broken ribs, internal bleeding, whiplash and numerous soft tissue lacerations due to broken glass."

We're all silent as he lists Ana's many injuries. I can hardly believe that anyone can come back from this, let alone my petite and slender daughter in law.

"She's in recovery and as soon as her blood pressure rises she'll be moved to intensive care," he elaborates when none of us reply.

"When can I see her," asks Ray the first to find his voice.

"As soon as we move her you can visit but only briefly, she's still very sick remember."

I nod my head when no one else responds and the doctor excuses himself rather sharply.

"She's alive," I reiterate hopefully as I look at the sea of sad faces.

"Yes," says Grace then she suddenly breaks down. I do my best to comfort my wife but I can't do much when my own mind is reeling.