Standing Still - Twenty-six

When I get home from work it's later than I expected and the children are already asleep. I tiptoe into each bedroom and kiss each rosy cheek as I whisper goodnight to my babies. I hate missing saying goodnight to them and today I've hardly seen them but for a few minutes this morning.

After seeing the children I walk to our bedroom and carefully open the door unsure if Ana is asleep yet. She's sitting up in bed reading and looks up as I enter, smiling she pats the bed.

"Hey baby, waiting up for me," I ask.

"You're late tonight, have you eaten?" she asks affectionately.

"Sorry I thought I'd get back sooner but I had to wait for a conference call with Japan. Don't worry Taylor brought me a sandwich."

"Just a sandwich, do you want something more. I could heat up some of the pot roast Gail made us for dinner."

"No you don't, you stay where you are I'll get some in a minute I just wanted to see you first."

"Is something wrong," asks Ana, her expression changing in an instant.

"Nothing's wrong but I really missed you at work today. I'm taking tomorrow off so we can spend the day together, I don't like leaving you here alone."

"I'm hardly alone, I have Gail and Holly's here most days. I have Luke and Carol and the children."

"The children can't help you and everyone else has other duties, I want to be there for you."

"You are," says Ana solemnly.

I reach down and kiss her lips then reach so I can hold onto her hand. Kissing each finger I squeeze her hand tightly between my own as I silently thank Mr Fletcher for saving my wife.

"Christian what's wrong," Ana asks sweeping her other hand thought my hair.

"I missed you," I reply softly.

"It's more than that Christian, you're upset."

I look up and notice a tear fall down my cheek, I dash it away but it's too late Ana's seen it.

"I was just thinking about a call I received today," I explain.

"A call from who, please Christian what is it?"

"A lady called me today asking about you. Her husband is a police officer and he helped rescue you after the accident."

"Was he hurt," asks Ana.

"No, but he's not been himself since what happened. His wife was so worried about him that she called me up to see how you were doing. Her husband convinced himself that you didn't make it she wanted to help put his mind at ease."

"What is his name," Ana ponders.

"Jim, Jim Fletcher," I reply.

"What does he look like?"

"I don't know sweetheart but don't worry I told Mrs Fletcher that you are getting better and I passed on my thanks to her to give to her husband. She's going to call back I'm sure and give me Mr Fletchers number so I can thank him personally for what he did."

"What did he do?" Ana wonders out loud.

"He pulled you from the wreckage Ana, he gave you CPR when you stopped breathing."

"He saved my life," Ana mutters.

"He did."

"I want to thank him too, do you think he would be willing to meet us."

"I don't know, hopefully we'll get in contact with him and then I can ask him. Do you remember him?" I ask.

"I'm not sure it's still pretty hazy but I think I remember a voice asking me to stay awake. Do you think it was Mr Fletcher's voice."

"Probably, his wife said he never left your side. He was with you right up till the helicopter took you away."

"I hope he's alright, it must have been upsetting seeing everything so clearly. I can't remember much so at least I've been spared from that nightmare."

"I'm glad you don't, you've had enough to deal with baby."

"Do you know anything about him, does he have children?"

"Two boys, ones at college and the others in high school."

"Wow high school, it makes me glad that ours are still babies."

"Me too."

Ana's thoughtful for a moment then looks up with tears in her eyes.

"Ana what is it?"

"I just feel bad for Jim and his family, I've put them through so much."

"You have put them through nothing, it's not your fault what happened. Mr Fletcher made the decision to be a policeman, he wanted to help people he wanted to help you."

"I hope he calls back soon, I want to thank him so much. He gave me back my life and everyday I've had since then is because of him."

"I hope he calls back Ana, I feel like I owe him my life too."

Ana's POV

I can't sleep and it's past midnight I can hear Christian's even breathing but I can't seem to join him. Ever since he told me about Mr Fletcher I can't stop thinking about him. He saved my life and for months he's believed that I had passed away from my injuries.

I close my eyes and try to picture his face but all I can see is Christian's face in Jim's place. His voice is different though I can plainly hear it and it's force as Jim tried to keep me awake.

Thinking more about that horrible day I remember someone holding onto my hand and recall just how much that gesture helped me to hold on. Was it Jim that held my hand was it Jim he begged me to stay conscious.

Giving up on sleep I sit up then carefully get out of the bed. Wrapping the covers back over my sleeping husband I walk over to the door and step out into the hallway.

It's so dark that I can only make out Teddy's night light twinkling through his slightly ajar bedroom door. I walk towards it and slowly pull the door open.

Teddy's fast asleep in his big boy bed his face partially covered by his brown teddy bear. I stare at his little face and marvel at how angelic my mischievous boy looks when he sleeps.

I might never seen his sweet face again or bounced my baby girl on my lap if not for Jim. I'll be grateful to him for as long as I live and I'm so lucky that he crossed by path that day.

Lightly I kiss Teddy's cheek then leave him to dreamland as I go to seek out my baby girl. When I find her she's pulled her blanket down so I lift it back up and wrap it around her shoulders.

Even more angelic than her brother her baby face is lit by the moonlight filtering in through her window shade. I kiss her too then stroke my hand over her soft baby curls.

Turning I look over at the door when I hear a noise and see Christian standing in the doorway.

"Ana, come back to bed," he whispers.

Nodding my head I take one last look at my sleeping baby then let Christian take my hand and lead me back to our bedroom.

I lay back in the cool covers and Christian pulls me over to his open arms. I lean into his embrace and he strokes his hand up my back soothing me. At some point I drift off and soon I find myself dreaming of the voice calling out to me.

It's both strange and familiar and oddly comforting so I don't wake. I stay and listen and hope to get a glimpse of the face that matches the voice.