Standing Still - Thirty-seven

Elliot's POV

I'm waiting with my brother, not holding his hand exactly but watching him as closely as a brother can when his wife is having major surgery. I've sat with him for almost four hours and getting him to sit still and not shout at everyone who passes is the biggest challenge of my day. Kate's been with us but she keeps calling home to check on the children and that's where she is when Christian suddenly jumps to his feet.

"That's it something's wrong they said it would be between three and four hours,"

"They said approximately, it could take longer. Please try to calm down they'll tell us when it's over."

He sits down then just as quickly shoots up again, he's a nervous wreak and he's starting to wear down my own shaky confidence that everything is alright.

Of course I'd be alone with him when he finally snapped, it's been coming for days but he broke on my watch. Mom's in recovery with Carla after her donation and Dad's outside sitting with Ray after he ran from the waiting room a little over an hour ago. He like Christian now was having a hard time sitting still and something about the hospital was making his skin crawl. My Dad took him outside and I haven't seen them since. Mia and Ethan are looking after the kids and keep calling every half hour to check if Ana is out yet.

"Everything okay," I ask as I see Kate return from her call.

"Everything's fine, how's everything here," she asks casting a concerned glance at Christian who is now pacing back and forth.

"Christian stop you're making me dizzy," I snap jumping up and trying to get him to sit back down. He looks a little livid then pulls at his hair, it's started to grey at the ends and no wonder. The stress he's been under lately it's going to be a tie to see if he ends up bald or completely grey.

I'm just thinking me may need to get someone to shoot him with a tranquiliser dart to prevent the inevitable heart attack when I see one of Ana's doctors approaching.

Christian dashes over and I have to physically restrain him to stop him grabbing the good doctor by collar.

"Is she okay," he asked breathlessly.

Easy now I think as I see him teetering of the edge of sanity. His face is ashen and his hands are visibly shaking.

"Mrs Grey's stable and being moved to recovery as we speak. She hasn't come round yet but as soon as she does she'll be moved to the ICU."

"The ICU, what's wrong, what's happened," my crazy brother inquires.

"Christian remember we talked about this before the surgery, it's just a precaution but if anything changes it's the best place for her to be," he explains.

"Okay, right, the best place," he mutters.

"The very best place and Ana has a whole team of doctors and nurses looking out for her there," I also explain. He seems to calm down a little as I talk to him but his hands are still shaking, he looks a mess if I'm honest.

"Can I see her," he hesitantly asks.

It's strange seeing him like this, I don't think I've ever seen him so timid, he keeps looking at for reassurance and I start thinking I'm really going to have to take him by the hand.

"As soon as she's been moved to the ICU you can see her but not for too long. Remember she's had quite the ordeal today and the best thing for her is a good long rest."

I watch him nod his head but can tell he's annoyed at having to wait a little longer before he can see his wife again. I pat his back and talk about getting a drink but he's sunk back down in his chair and is now shaking with tears.

Glancing at Kate she gets up and dashes away, it's almost like she seen something unpleasant and wants to get away from it as quickly as she's can. I'd quite like to run myself but he's my brother and his wife is still in a very precarious situation.

"Hey it's going to be okay, Ana's going to get through this, I know it," I confide.

He nods his head and I stoop down wrapping my arms around him, I realise I've never really held him like this before. He never would of allowed it before Ana came along and helped him to overcome his fear. I'm glad she did, because as strange as it feels I'm so happy I can support him, especially now.

Christian's POV

Elliot has his arms around me and is gently patting my back, the expression on his face is so out of place that I suddenly let out a belly laugh so loud that my brother jumps three feet in the air.

"Jesus Christian are you trying to give everyone a heart attack today,"

I smirk then burst out into more hysterical laughter, I can't seem to stop and the more Elliot stares like I've lost my mind the more I laugh.

I'm filled with the most intense relief, I truly wasn't sure Ana would make it through the surgery. She's okay, she's still with me and I've cried and laughed over the news.

Finally I pull myself together enough to stop laughing at my brother then glance around only then realising that Kate has gone.

"Where's Kate."

"She ran off when she saw your first breakdown, I should have joined her especially after your second."

He smiles and I smile back, it feels strange to me like I haven't used those muscles in a long time.

About half an hour later once Kate has returned and brought us all refreshments, the doctor comes back to tell us we can see Ana now. Ray's still outside with my Dad we tried to track them down but failed, hopefully my Mom will have better luck.

Not one to stand on ceremony I get up and together with Kate and Elliot we're shown where to go. The corridors are darker here almost cocooned from the rest of the hospital. I pick up the pace, I need to see her with my own eyes I need to see she's really okay.

When we arrive they reluctantly let me enter first and I see her, my wife, my Ana. She looks far away at first, small, frail, but the closer I get the better she seems to me.

Then surprising me completely I see that she's awake and she smiling at me with a strength that overwhelms me.

"I told you," she says in a soft and feeble voice. "Didn't I tell you I'd do fine."

"You did, I'm going to have to start believing you from now on baby."

"You are."

Sorry for the delay but I can't post as often as I once did as I've started studying for a degree. I'm a late starter but hopefully I'll get there in the end. Thank you for all the kind reviews and I'm happy so many people have enjoyed my story so far.