It was their last night in Croatia.

They were sitting in the sand facing the beautiful sea. Christian was gripping Ana's hand tightly and Ana squeezed his hand just as tight.

"What are you thinking?" She asked softly. Christian gave a nervous laugh before answering her.

"Honestly? That I don't want to leave. I want to stay on this island with you forever."

Ana felt the same.

"But," he continued, "I know that's important for my health." Christian turned to Ana. "I just want to be healthy. And happy. And Live my life with you. I just found you, Ana," he confessed quietly. Ana felt her own eyes welling with tears from the ones reflected in Christian's gaze.

"I keep repeating what your mother said on the phone. I was so scared Christian," Ana said quietly. Christian was about to speak, but Ana kept going.

"We just had a wonderful night of making love and having fun and I hear about your cancer. Christian, I feel the same way. But I'm going to keep saying it. I'm not going anywhere. It's going to be you and me. That's the only thing that matters. We're going to get through this." Ana wasn't hurt at all to see the doubt creep into his face. She had to cut him some slack. He had been deserted before. Ana knew that talk was cheap. So a demonstration was in order. Ana leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Tell me. What else is on your mind," she said. He forced air through his teeth before he focused on the calm waters.

"What would happen if I didn't make it."
Ana's blood ran cold.

"Christian-"

"Ana." he placed his hand on her leg before continuing. "I am not trying to be negative. But I just want to have a realistic viewpoint, okay? I don't want to be taken off guard. Not anymore. If something were to happen to me, I need you to know that I have a drawer in my home office. It's locked with a code. Inside are all the documents that will answer every aspect of my life. I had the code changed a month ago. Ana's eyes teared up but she nodded when she saw how serious he was.

"Okay," she sniffled before wiping her eyes. "What is the code? Is it long? Do I need to write it down?"

He smiled at her. The first genuine smile he had all day.

"No. It's 910."

Ana's frowned at the number until it dawned on her.

"It's my birthday?" she asked. He nodded.

"Yeah. I knew from the moment I met you, Ana. I just knew."

Ana's heart clenched and she was unable to stop the flow of tears. Christian leaned over and wiped them gently.

"Just you and me. I'm going to hold you to that promise, Ms. Steele."

She laughed before giving a nod.

"I promise. Just you and me."

The next morning found the couple back in Seattle. The weather was cold and dreary and reflected both of their moods. Ana found herself missing Croatia and turned to Christian to tell him that.

"I had fun, Christian. I want you to take me back soon."

Christian's eyes brightened at her request and what she was saying in between the lines.

"I promise," he said grabbing her hand and kissing it. Christian was dressed in jeans and a gray sweatshirt and Ana's was dressed similarly, save for her sweatshirt being blue, and it had her university across the front. When they landed they headed to Christian's condo in the city. They both wanted to shower and change. Then, Christian would start his chemo right away.

"We're here, sir."

Christian thanked Taylor. Before he could ask Ana if she was staying the night his phone rang, and he saw it was Ros. He smiled at Ana.

"I've got to take this call. It's Ros."

"Okay," she said. She watched him step out of the car and head to the private elevator. Ana decided to hang back and grab her bags with Taylor. The man smiled at her before speaking.

"Ms. Steele. We haven't been properly introduced but I'm Christian's bodyguard. Me and Sawyer, another guard he recently hired. I'll show you how he looks so you're not caught unaware." Ana smiled at the man before shaking his hand.

"So nice to officially meet you, Taylor. You know I'm Ana." Ana was about to grab her purse when Christian stopped her.

"Ana. I just wanted you to know. Dr. Grey already spoke with Christian's staff per your instructions, and we are prepared for his hospital visits. I just wanted to thank you. Because he's a good man, but it's nice to see he chose someone who saw that. We are here if you need anything," he finished. Ana felt herself tearing up at the sincere gratitude in the man's eyes.

"Thank you. And I'm not going anywhere," she said softly. Taylor smiled.

"I know."

"Christian, I've been trying to get in contact with you, You said that you'd be back in time for the Japan merger and-"

"Ros. Cancer came back. They caught it early, but I have to start chemotherapy immediately," Christian said quietly. It was quiet on Ros' end on the phone until he heard a sigh and a door shut.

"Christ. How long have you known this?" Ros asked.

"For a couple of weeks," he admitted. "I wasn't going to do anything about it. But Ana really helped me."

"Well, thank God for small favors," she muttered. "Okay, so what do you need from me?"

Christian smiled while in his office chair. He was so happy to have a partner like Ros. She was perfect, sympathetic, smart, and always calm under pressure. He needed that. Especially now.

"You are now running the company. I will do what I can from home, but you are in charge. I've made Ana supervising lawyer, so please make sure everything she instructs is followed through."

Ros whistled.

"She's in charge of the legal team? Well, good choice. I don't think anyone will be able to snow her."

"I highly doubt that," he said a smile in his voice.

"I'll come in for the monthly meetings. When I am unable to I will let Ana know. For now, I'd like to keep the press out of this."

"Duly noted."

"Alright. I'll let you get back to your work Ros. Thanks."

Before Christian hung up, Ros spoke.

"Christian."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry. I really truly am. And if you need anything, even if it's not work-related let me know."

"I will."

Hanging up, Christian leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He was already more tired than usual and knew that was another sure sign that this was very real.

An hour later found them outside in front of the hospital building. Grace was waiting for them under the awning because it was raining. Taylor put the car in park when it looked as if Christian wasn't stepping out of the car. It'd been ten minutes. Ana's heart was racing at the way in which he gripped her hand. She was about to speak when Christian suddenly spoke.

"I'm doing the right thing, Ana?" he asked her his eyes on his window, and not on her. She squeezed his hand back.

"You are."

"And I'll be okay?"

Ana scooted over in the seat and grabbed his face turning it slightly to her. When he looked at her, Ana smiled.

"You're doing the right thing. And you're going to be fine. And even if you're not, I'll still be here. I promise. Now, let's go inside before your mother thinks you'll leave the country again."

He nodded and gave a slight smile to Taylor who gave an encouraging one back.

Once the two stepped out of the car, Christian grabbed Ana's hand and they walked towards Grace.

Together.