Standing Still - Chapter Fourteen

I'm heading home to see our children and to give Ana some time to cool off. She just found out about Sawyer and she's pretty mad at me for keeping her in the dark about his condition.

I have my father to thank for revelling Sawyer's state of health to my wife, when he announced he had been to visit him. He back peddled as soon as the words left him, realising he had said too much but the damage had been done.

Ana was so upset especially it seems with me and has been adamant that she's going to see her bodyguard as soon as possible. Try as I might I couldn't persuade her that it wasn't a good idea and then my sweet wife broke down in floods of tears.

It took me my mother, my father and Ray to calm her down, I left her sleeping she was so exhausted.

Gail's going to see her today as soon as I get home so I'm really hoping she can talk some sense into my wife. She's really not well enough to see Sawyer yet, she had an unstable pelvis fracture that had to be surgically repaired. I hate to think how much hardware is keeping Ana's bones in place and I see the level of pain she endures daily.

Her physical therapy can't begin until her pain levels lower and her body is still reeling from everything it when through only twelve days ago.

Pulling up to our large iron gates I punch in the key code and drive up to the house. I hope Teddy's behaving himself, I'm really not in the mood for anymore quarrels today.

Happily as I walk through the front door nothing but silence greets me. I walk further towards the kitchen and I spot Gail loading the dishwasher.

"Nap time," I ask as Gail looks in my direction.

"Yes, they both went down about thirty minutes ago."

"Any problems," I ask hoping for none.

"No, They've both been good as gold all morning. We played early on then Jason and I took them outside to play in the gardens. They ate well at lunchtime and were so exhausted they went down for their naps without a fuss."

"Good, I'm glad things went smoothly and no Teddy tantrums?" I question.

"Not one, he's really been a lot happier since he started seeing Ana."

"Speaking of Ana, she's been a bit upset today so I'm not sure what kind of mood she'll be in when you visit."

"Upset, oh dear what's wrong," asks Gail sympathetically.

"She found out about Sawyer and got pretty cross with me. I know I should have told her but she's been so ill and I didn't want to upset her."

"I understand, how about I head off now and see if I can cheer her up."

"I hope you can and I wish you the best of luck. Thank you so much for your help with the children and I hope you have a nice visit with Ana."

"Your very welcome Mr Grey, goodbye."

"Bye," I reply, silently praying Gail can work her magic on my wife like she has on our children.

Gail's POV

Poor Mr Grey looked very anxious as I left the house. He's been through the mill so to speak, we all have since the horrible day just twelve days earlier.

I'm anxious myself and not because of Ana's possible mood shift but because I'm finally going to see her again.

I've wanted to be with her since the second I heard what had happened. I've been neurotic with worry and only the presence of those two precious children has kept me sane. I can't fathom what's kept Ana's mother away, I've been chomping at the bit to see her.

I reach the hospital in less than twenty minutes and quickly park the car. I hope I don't get lost finding Ana's room especially with the thorough directions Grace has given me.

Fortunately I find the room number without difficulty and lightly knock on the door. There's no answer so I slowly open the door and peek inside. The Grey's must have left because no one apart from Ana is inside and she herself is fast asleep.

I stand by the door for a moment unsure what to do, I debate going down to the cafeteria and coming back later but I'm not particularly hungry. I settle on waiting inside and sit myself down on one on the chairs beside the bed.

Ana's face is partially obscured by the bedding but what I can see is washed out and covered in fading bruises. It shocks me at first at seeing her so changed and delicate, an IV still inserted in her hand giving her what I know not. She sighs in her sleep and her hand twitches but no other part of her body moves.

I feel sad when I remember the girl before, always active and busy looking after those around her. Now she can't move from her bed and the independence she once enjoyed is gone.

Glancing around the room trying to keep a lid on my emotions I notice it's pretty fancy and probably only reserved for VIPs. I'm sure Mr. Grey has set this up and paid a fortune for it. Not that Ana doesn't deserve it, she deserves this and much, much more.

The silence is starting to grate so I walk over to the window and stare outside. There's lots of people across the street enjoying the sunshine in the park and I notice several joggers running laps. Children are shouting as they play, while their mothers and fathers chase after them. So much activity is visible from this window I suddenly wonder if Ana has ever looked out. I almost hope she can't see out from her bed, the view would be too painful.

"Gail," a small voice suddenly asks.

I turn and notice Ana was woken and is staring at me apprehensively.

"Darling, I didn't wake you did I?" I reply walking back to her bedside.

"No, you should have though. How long have you been here?"

"Not long. I wasn't sure if I should come back later when I saw you sleeping, but once I saw you I found I couldn't leave."

"I'm glad your here, I missed you."

"Oh sweetheart I missed you too, how are you feeling," I ask sympathetically.

"Better," is all I get as a reply which leaves me to think Ana's hiding things from me.

I reach for her hand then stop halfway debating if Ana wants me to touch her.

"Can I hold your hand," I ask noticing Ana watching me.

Ana smiles and turns her hand so her palm is open but seems unable to move her arm. Lightly I cover her palm with my own and gently squeeze it. Hand holding is not something I normally do even with Jason but in this moment I just felt I needed too.