*Ana's POV*
We just got home from the hospital and I'm finding myself nervous about taking care of Christian by myself. I don't want to hurt him or cause him any long term effects because I didn't do my job right. I have taken him straight to the bedroom where I fluff up a bunch of pillows and make him lay back, supporting his shoulder with a throw pillow underneath. I find myself cocking my head to the side while I tap my lips, trying to decide if he's supported like he needs be.
"Does it pass your inspection Nurse Steele?"
I giggle. "I think so. Are you comfortable?"
"I'd be more comfortable if you sat with me."
I climb in the bed beside him and lean up against the headboard, letting his good arm rest on my leg. For the hundredth time, I look over the do's and don'ts. "Now it says here not to use that arm for anything, Christian, for 4-6 weeks or until your physical therapist tells you."
"For the twentieth time, Ana, I understand."
I know he's annoyed with me nagging him as well as not being able to do his normal everyday things. "Okay, ace. I just know how stubborn you can be. Let me help you in anyway I can."
He winks at me. "I'll let you baby me, angel."
"That also means giving up control of a lot of things, Mr. Grey."
"Yea... well, I don't have a choice. I might just be a little moody, is all."
I feign surprise. "Christian Grey moody? I've never heard such a thing." I yelp, feeling his light pinch on my thigh. No fair. I can't retaliate right now. His thumb runs over the spot, soothing it for me.
"Once Taylor gets back with food and meds and we eat, it's a nap for you, mister. You're already moody."
"Take your top off and I won't be."
"No, Christian. You heard the doctor. Nothing that will cause added stress to your heart or lungs. Your body can't take it."
I see him grin but his eyes don't leave my thigh, where his thumb is rubbing circles. "It'd be my preferred way to go."
"I'd prefer you to go when your old and gray and can be buried right next to me." I hope we can make a lifetime of this. "I can't get the image of last week out of my head, Christian. I can't bear to do that again." I can still smell the faint earthy metallic odor of his blood, warm and wet, pumping and spilling between my fingers no matter how much I pressed. I could barely keep my hands from slipping from his wound, but the blood quickly became thicker and clotted once the air made contact with the spillage on the back of my hands. The bright red hue pumping directly from his artery quickly darkened until the air made it rusty...bringing a strong iron smell with it. With each beat of his heart it oozed through my fingers, the blood running thicker, while the beats grew weaker.
I push myself off the bed and into the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before I get sick. I've found myself sick more often than not this past week. I can't stop living those ten minutes over and over in my head. The deep devastation of losing him is too much to think about. He's here but it doesn't give me much relief. We can still lose him; he's still in danger from his weakened circulatory system. His lungs, his artery, his heart could give out at any moment... and if it happens during my watch, I'd be at fault. I couldn't face that. I couldn't face his family. How could I tell my son what happened to his father because of me? They'd miss a lifetime of memories because I wasn't good enough.
"Angel..." He's bending beside me with a cloth in his hand. I quickly shut the lid and flush, grabbing it.
"You shouldn't be up!" His good hand grabs my elbow to try to help me up but I slap it away. "You should be resting! You can't lift more than a couple pounds."
"You're sick." He's concerned.
"You're sick. I'm pregnant. I'll get over it." I rinse with mouth wash.
"So will I." He gives me a hard look, but it's not my normal Christian. His face is still pale and his eyes have dark circles underneath them. His lips aren't ad full as they usually are. Delicate Christian. I wonder if anyone has seen him so broken before.
I sigh. "Only if you rest." Taking his hand, I guide him back out of the bathroom and to his spot on the bed. Once I get him settled, I brush his hair off his forehead and give it a kiss. "Please do this for me. If not, for Teddy. Just rest. That's all I'm asking."
Once I get him fed and his medicine takes affect, he's out like a light. I lay the bell I asked Taylor to bring next to his good arm in bed and crack the door. It's been a week since I've been to work and I decide to look through my emails. I am hourly, so technically I'm not supposed to, but my curiosity has got the best of me. I sign in to my Outlook and it automatically signs me into Teams Messenger, too. As it loads it starts to ding with messages, startling me.
"Sh! Shh!" I hurry to turn the volume down so that it doesn't wake Christian.
Tons of messages pour in, asking about Christian. Some of the names I don't even recognize from Grey House, but I see Andrea's name as well as Ros, so I send both of them a short paragraph letting them know he is home and resting and give them my cell number so they can call or text when they want updates. Savannah asks me if I'm ever coming back and it makes me smile. She's been dealing with the sea witch while I've been gone and I'm sure she's sick of her. I respond with 'Someday'.
Elizabeth's message pops up and I can feel my stomach clench. God I hate this woman.
Morgan, Elizabeth A: Can you tell me why you are on company material while you are not at your desk?
Steele, Anastasia R: Just catching up on emails, Elizabeth.
Morgan, Elizabeth A: Need I remind you of the contract you signed? NO COMPANY RECORDS ON PERSONAL DEVICES. Considering I never issued you a work laptop, I'd imagine you are on your own. Am I right?
I frown. She's right. The contract that wrote like an NDA does state such. Looking at an email could be enough for a hacker to find all the info they need to make a breach in the system. My laptop does not have the same firewalls and protection that the computers at Grey House do.
Steele, Anastasia R: You would be right. I made a mistake.
Morgan, Elizabeth A: A very big mistake. That on top of taking an unexcused absence occurrence of more than one week in your first 90 day probationary period with Grey Publishing is grounds for dismissal.
Steele, Anastasia R: You can't be serious!
Morgan, Elizabeth A: Breach of contract. I no longer have to keep you. You may come pick up your personal items at your earliest convenience along with your badge and keyfob to hand to security.
Angry, I slam my laptop shut. Christian is going to be pissed. But he can't know about it. Not now. He can't handle anymore stress right now.
*Christian's POV*
I wake, groaning. The mix of those muscle relaxers and pain medication knocked me out. What time is it? I reach up to rub my face and a jingle gets my attention. On the bed beside me is a bell. I grin. This is going to be fun.
I ring the bell and wait for Anastasia to appear. When the door opens, she's wearing a smile and carrying a tray with what looks like a snack and hot beverages.
"Look who's up! Good afternoon sunshine!" I quickly sit up and try to scoot back with one hand but all these damn pillows make it impossible.
"Wait! Here, let me help you." Setting down the tray, she hurries over to help readjust the pillows. Once I'm settled, she frets over me a little longer and makes sure my arm in the brace is resting comfortably on a pillow. I watch with a smile on my face, enjoying watching her fuss over me. I feel like I'm the most important thing when she does. I like having all her attention. When she begins to stand, I grab her arm and tug.
"Kiss." It's not a request. I hate that I can't just kiss her myself. She has to come to me.
Giving me a sweet smile, she leans down and gives me the first proper kiss in a week. Our lips mold together, her pouty pink lips so warm and soft against mine, and I want more. My tongue barely touches her lip before she pulls back, severing our connection.
"Nope. None of that!" She pulls out of my grip to go get the tray and I frown. I don't like how delicately she's treating me. I am not as fragile as she thinks. "Time for a snack. Dinner isn't for a few hours but you need to keep your strength and I need to keep my strength to deal with your moody ass."
I give her a playful scowl but she kisses it away when she sits beside me.
"Green tea?" My lips curl in disgust. "No caffeine."
"Welcome to my world, Grey." She pats her stomach affectionately and rests her head on my shoulder while she grabs an apple slice from the tray, dipping it in peanut butter.
"Is that actually good?" It doesn't seem like a logical combination.
"So good. Here, try." She dips another and holds it to my lips. I groan and take a bite.
"You know how I feel about you feeding me." It turns me on.
She giggles. "Sorry, ace. Best stay relaxed. Nothing is going to happen anyway." I hate that I can't make love to my girl... Especially when I think she needs it. I heard her nightmares from her spot on the pull out couch at the hospital. I want to show her that I am fine and that I am not going anywhere.
When we're finished, she takes the tray and I wait for her to get to the kitchen before ringing the bell again.
She appears like magic.
"Yes, baby?"
"I need to use the restroom."
She cocks an eyebrow at me.
"I just figured you'd might like to hold it for me." I give her a smile.
"I've got something better." She puts a finger up and disappears into the closet. I hear her rustling around in one of the bags we brought home.
She reappears and produces a urinal with a flourish. "Tada!"
I just blink up at her.
She shakes it again. "Yea?"
"No."
She giggles. "Okay, fine. Do you need help with your pants?" She walks with me to the bathroom.
"I've got it." I'm in pajama pants so all I need to do is unbutton and yank it out.
She sits on the side of the bath and I laugh.
"Problem?" She asks.
"No. You know I'm not modest!"
She waits until my stream starts before mumbling under her breath. "Understatement of the century..."
XxXxXx
*Ring-ring-ring*
"Yes, honey?" Her smile looks a little force and I try to make mine look apologetic.
"I'm hot."
She giggles and wiggles her eyebrows. "You don't have to tell me. I know."
"Ana."
"Alright, alright! Here is the remote to the ceiling fan. Let me fold your blanket down." I watch as she fusses and she leaves me covered with the sheet. "Better?"
I nod and raise my chin so she gives me a kiss.
XxXxXx
*Ring-ring-ring*
"What do you want, ace?" She's standing at the door, a dish towel over her shoulder. Too much attention on dishes, not enough on me.
"My laptop please."
She shakes her head. "No. No work."
"I don't want to work, I want to play."
Looking me over, I can tell she doesn't believe me.
"I'll let you look over my search history if you'd like." The doctor said no work for at least one more week since my work is stressful. Thank God I have Ros and a great executive team. They'll keep things running smoothly.
"I know how to find it even if you delete it..." It's a warning.
"I won't delete it."
XxXxXx
*Ring-ring-ring*
"Yeeesssss?" Her eyebrows are raised.
"I dropped the TV remote."
"You're supposed to be sleeping."
"I'm not tired, yet."
"Okay." Squatting, she gets the remote and I feel a little guilty about making my pregnant girl bend for me. "I'm going to take a shower. Will you be okay?"
I nod. "Will you sleep naked?"
"Christian..."
I put my hand up, showing I mean no harm. "I just want skin-to-skin." I want to see how her body has changed in the last week. Even though I can't enjoy it like I normally would, I can still commit it to memory. I am so in love with her pregnant body.
She concedes. I know she wants the connection, too.
I watch as she closes the door to the bathroom and wait one more minute.
*Ring-ring-ring*
"CAN I TAKE A PISS IN PEACE?"
My head falls back in a laugh. "I just miss you!"
"Damn you, Grey. I can't believe I got a mini-you growing right now. I can't handle two!"
XxXxXx
When she steps out post-shower, I almost have to roll my tongue back in my mouth. "Heeelllllllllllooo beautiful." Her naked body is tinged pink from the warm shower, her hair is up in a bun showing her long neck, and her breasts are heavy, her nipples hard. "Fuck, I'm so hard."
"Do not tell me that unless you want me to put on sweats. We need all your blood flow to your heart, not your dick." I know its an empty threat cause she slides under the covers and into me, resting her head on my shoulder.
"What you looking at? Houses?"
"Yes. I can't stay at Escala anymore."
She frowns. "You hate it here?"
I lean over and press a kiss to her frown. "No, I love staying with you. I just feel like we should own a real home once Teddy comes."
"A real home? Like white picket fence and brick walkways? The whole nine yards?"
"All of it. I want Teddy to have space to run and play like we did when we were little."
She presses a kiss to my clothed shoulder. "I like that."
"You do?" I can't hide my surprise. "What happened to the woman who refused to live with me?"
"Do you want me to go back to that?"
"No, no, no. Just pleasantly surprised. We're making strides, Ana. One more step closer to you becoming a Grey." I nuzzle my nose with hers and kiss her.
"I almost lost you forever, Christian. Before I was worried we'd break up... but that didn't mean you would cease to exist. What happened last week took you away completely. I can't be away from you anymore. I need to see you every night before bed and wake up to you every morning. I need you." Her eyes fill with tears and damn it, if mine don't as well.
"Oh, my Ana...angel, I need you, too." I would do anything to make love to her right now, but I know I can't. I wipe her tear that falls. "Will you help me get my shirt off so I can feel you against me?" I can't get close enough.
XxXxXx
We're curled up together, her head on the front of my shoulder and her hand over my heart, while we watch TV. My nose keeps finding its way into her hair, breathing her in, while my hand grips her backside. Even her ass has gained some since pregnancy and it's phenomenal. She's mentioned she hopes it goes away, but I'd be perfectly happy if it stays. Her post baby body is going to be even sexier than before. This body is working a long nine months carrying my baby and it's transforming from a young woman's body to a full grown woman's.
I feel her sigh heavily against my shoulder, rousing me from my thoughts.
"What's on your mind, angel?"
"I don't know... a lot. I need to run into work for a few minutes tomorrow to give some stuff to Savannah. Is it okay if I do it while your mom is here? I don't want to leave you alone, yet." She nuzzles into my neck.
"Sure. Taylor will take you."
"Christian."
"If I have to babysat you do, too."
"But my CPO is Sawyer."
"Sawyer is watching our apartment building during the day. I'm only making Taylor work when necessary. He deserves some time off, too." Plus I trust him more. "Speaking of work, how is Elizabeth handling having you gone? I'm surprised she hasn't demanded you come back, yet."
She tenses and now I'm even more invested. "Ana..."
"She has Savannah doing my job. I think she likes her more anyway."
"When will you go back?"
"I'm not sure. Not this week. They gave strict instructions to keep an eye on you constantly this week."
I roll my eyes. "I'm well aware."
She gives me a smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes. Turning her head, she kisses my shoulder.
"What's wrong, Ana? Did I do something?"
"Of course not, silly. Just been a long week is all. Now shut up so I can enjoy your skin."
"Yeeaaaa, that's not creepy at all." Her giggle makes me smile and I know I achieved my goal. "I enjoy your skin, too."
A/N: REDS your back! I've missed your in depth reviews. :) If anyone wants a teaser to 22 let me know.