Standing Still - Chapter Nineteen

Pulling up to the house I immediately notice all the cars in the driveway and realise any element of surprise is now over for Ana. She looks at me and smiles then brushes her fingers across my cheek.

"So everyone's here," she asks apprehensively.

"I'm afraid so, I'm sorry but everyone just wanted to show you how happy they are that you're home."

"It's okay, It will be nice to see everyone and thank them for helping you and the children."

I smile back then shout for Taylor to bring Ana's wheelchair to her side of the car. I jump out and dash to Ana's side to help and together we help her into the chair.

Pushing her up the driveway I chat with her about the flowers Gail had planted along the walkway. They smell amazing as we brush against them and I smile when Ana complements how welcoming they look.

My Mom meets us at the door and without much effort I manage to push my wife up the ramp and into the house.

As soon as we reach the family room we're greeted by a chorus of cheers as our family welcomes us home. Kate and Elliot swoop in and hug Ana tightly, then Mia and Ethan descend on my poor shell-shocked wife.

Ray waits for a clearing then dives towards his daughter, a bright smile etched on his face. My parents welcome Ana too as Teddy pulls himself into the chair and squeezes his mother closely.

My baby girl and little Ava are both in the nursery napping so we'll have to wait for their welcome. Finally Gail reaches Ana and kneels down beside her so they are both eye level.

"I'm so glad you're home," Gail tells Ana softly.

"Me too, I can't begin to thank you for taking such good care of our children."

"It was my pleasure sweetheart," Gail replies as she runs her hand through Teddy's curls.

"Thank you for visiting and letting me unload on you. I'm so grateful you helped me when I told you my secret and I'm sorry that I burdened you with it."

"Nonsense, I'm glad you trusted me with it. How are you feeling now, can I get you anything," Gail asks breaking the tension.

"I feeling good thanks, glad to be home," Ana replies smiling.

"I'm glad," says Gail.

"Me too," I echo as I pick up Ana and Teddy too and carry them to the sofa.

"There, that should be more comfortable," I announce kissing Ana's cheek.

"Thank you. Can you see if Phoebe's awake yet I really want to see my baby," asks Ana.

"As you wish," I tell Ana then dash upstairs to the nursery.

Ava's sat up smiling as I walk inside but my baby girl is still fast asleep in her crib. Picking up Ava I call out for my brother and soon he's thumping his way up the stairs. I hand him his daughter then carefully scoop up Phoebe and rock her in my arms.

"Come on sweetheart, Mommy's home and wants to see you."

Phoebe stirs but doesn't open her eyes but I still carry her downstairs to my wife.

"Here one baby girl still sleeping," I say as I place her in Ana's open arms.

"Christian you should have left her in her crib, poor baby did Daddy take away your bed," coos Ana.

"I can take her back," I say.

"No don't, let me hold her. She's getting so big and we need to catch up."

I nod my head then reach for my son who's loosely pulling on my trouser leg.

"Can I get you something," I ask.

"Hug daddy," he asks reaching up.

Bending down I pick up Teddy and hug him tightly.

"Are you glad we're home," I ask.

"Not glad, happy," smiles my son.

I guess he's not familiar with the word but I'm happy that he's happy. God knows he's missed us and struggled without Ana. Hopefully things will settle down now we are home and my son can enjoy out constant presence.

A few hours later and the welcome home party seems to be dying down. Ana's dad and Kate, Elliot and Ava have gone home. Ethan and Mia and getting ready to leave and my folks look exhausted.

Teddy's still full on energy and racing up and down the hallway with a toy car Mia brought him. I was trying to wrangle him and get him to calm down but Ana was tired so I took her up to bed.

It's been a long day, happy but long and I can't wait to join Ana in our bed. As she sleeps me and my Mom manage to get the kids to bed. Then we say our goodbyes and they leave to go home. Gail and Taylor go too and I organise for Ana's nurse to set up in one of the guest rooms.

I walk the halls securing the house and turning out lights. I silently creep into the children's bedrooms and give them a final goodnight kiss. I've really missing doing our bedtime routine with the children and I revel in it.

I get to our bedroom eventually and quickly change into my pyjama pants. Pulling back the sheets I carefully settle beside Ana and sigh with relief. It's been so long since Ana shared our bed that just the warmth coming from her side makes me smile.

Taylor's POV

Its good to have Mrs Grey back with us but I realise as Gail and I go home that the Grey's are a long way from being back to normal. Ana needs a nurse and physical therapist at the house to help look after her and Mr Grey is a long way from going back to work.

"Do you think Ana looked alright," Gail asks as soon as we're in our own home.

"Yes, she looks a lot better. They wouldn't have let her come home if she wasn't," I reply.

"She's lost a lot of weight, I need to make her some of her favourite dishes. Clearly the food at the hospital wasn't up to much."

"Mr Grey only gave her the best food from several five star restaurants close to the hospital. I assure you Ana has been very well fed," I explain.

"Still she needs some home comforts and she loves my lasagna. I think maybe I'll make it for tomorrow."

"Ask Christian first because Ana may not be allowed it with the diet the doctors have her on."

"Diet, what diet," asks my wife a little taken aback.

"The diet because of her kidney damage, she can't have a lot of fluids and salt is a big no, no. I don't know much more about it but Mr Grey had a diet sheet and I'm sure he'll make Ana stick to it."

"Poor thing, I had no idea she had to follow a particular diet. Of course I'll check with Mr Grey and make sure I follow the diet sheet. I understand Mr Grey is trying to get hold of a dialysis machine so Ana can stay at home for her treatments."

"Yes, his mother is helping to sort it out but it might be tricky. Of course the expense isn't a problem but getting hold of one and shipping it in one piece may be a problem."

"Well I'm sure Christian will find a solution, he'd do anything for Ana. How was Luke when you saw him," asks Gail completely changing the subject.

"Okay I guess, he has a bit more colour but there's still no change."

"Oh dear. I really must get out to see him, I hate to think of him all alone."

"Don't worry he's had plenty of visitors," I explain.

"He has, who?"

"Well me of course and Mr Grey, Ryan stops by and several of the other guys. Grace checks in on him everyday and even Mia and Kate have been to see him."

"And Ana," asks Gail.

"Yes I forgot about Ana. She was finally able to see him the day she was first discharged from the hospital. Of course that didn't pan out so she's visited him every day since. Even when she really wasn't up for it she went up to see him and hold his hand."

"They were close, like brother and sister," says Gail thoughtfully.

"They are close," I amend not wanted to think in past tenses.

"Yes, I just wish he would wake up. It's been far too long are the doctors still hopeful."

"They are, all his scans are clear and the swelling to his brain has receded. I guess Luke just needs a bit more time before he wakes up."

"What will happen then," asks Gail sympathetically.

"Grey wants him to stay here at the house, he's even talked about hiring another nurse to look after him."

"That was nice of him."

"Yes though I'm sure a lot of it was down to Ana. I think Christian was a little jealous at first when he saw how upset Ana was about Luke. But they talked and Ana explained how she loved him like a brother, besides our Luke is quite clearly gay. I'm surprised Grey never realised before, he even met one of his boyfriends once."

"You know Mr Grey he thinks the world is after his wife."

"True, well hopefully he can put away his jealous nature and help Sawyer once he wakes up. He'll probably need physical therapy too, he and Ana will be able to help each other get through it."

"Well lets hope it's soon and then we can have Luke back home just like Ana."

I nod my head in agreement as we settle down in our bed. It's cosy as I pull Gail into my arms and kiss her soft lips.

"Goodnight love," I say softy.

"Goodnight sweetheart."