A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
A POV
Slowly opening my eyes to a soft light I see Christian with his head down on the bed I'm on. Where am I, and why am I on a bed? I lightly touch the top of his head. He looks behind him and then at me.
"Hi." My voice is so weak and small. The smile on his face widens at my words.
"Hey.", he whispers on the verge of tears. "There are those beautiful blue eyes."
"Where am I?", I ask as Christian's smile fades.
"You're in the hospital.", he finally murmurs. "You and Sawyer were in the parking lot at your work, and you were shot."
"Shot?", I gasp, feeling a surge of pain ripple through my body.
"In the chest. Sawyer was shot in the lower abdomen and the shoulder." I try to raise my head up, but it's a fruitless effort. "He had surgery but is ok. Ana, I was so scared." Tears well up in his eyes which are bloodshot.
"But like you said I'm ok. I'm here." I hear the door open and see both my mom and dad with their hands over their mouths. They rush over to the bed as I see a woman in a white lab coat.
"Ana, sweetheart, you're awake.", my mom sighs.
"Our precious girl.", my dad adds. The woman steps closer and smiles.
"Ana, I'm Dr. Moss, and I've been treating you. It's so good to see you awake. You've got a long recovery ahead, but what I've seen you've got a great support system behind you." She turns to my parents and Christian. "At the time though I need that support system to step outside so I can check you over." Christian knots his hands together, appearing unsure of the request. "It won't take long."
"Fine.", he sighs. He kisses me and creeps to the door. "I'll be back."
"When was the last time you slept?", I ask Christian who ran back into my room the second Dr. Moss gave the all clear. He runs his index finger along his chin in contemplation. "It's been a while if you have to think about it."
"Sleep has been the last thing on my mind. If it'll make you happy, I'll close my eyes for a bit here in a little while." There's a small tap on the door, and a guy in a suit walks in. "Detective Tosh."
"Hello.", the man says. "Ms. Steele, I'm Detective Tosh, and I'm in charge of the shooting investigation. I've already met with Mr. Sawyer and heard what he remembers. I'd like to hear what you can remember."
"He can come back later though.", Christian snarls.
"Now is fine.", I say. "Sawyer and I were on the way to the SUV when he said saw someone in a ski mask across the street. I looked and saw a gun being pointed at us. Sawyer took out his gun and told me to run. I started running just as a shot was fired from across the street. Sawyer fired his gun as well. I remember the person being shot in the left leg. I also remember Sawyer being shot in the shoulder." I close my eyes and sigh. Reopening my eyes, I see Christian settling on the side of my bed. I tried to run as fast as I could, but the bullets just kept coming. We finally made it to the dumpster."
"Mr. Sawyer said he saw the shooter jump into the passenger side of a black car.", the detective informs me.
"I didn't see the car although Sawyer told me the person was gone. Before getting to the dumpster I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I mentally knew what it probably was."
"Detective Tosh, maybe you should come back later.", Christian says. This time I don't argue.
"I'll be back later.", Detective Tosh replies. "Ms. Steele, thank you."
"Hi.", Grace says as she walks into the room. She lightens her steps when she sees Christian asleep on the sofa that's by the wall. "I'm glad he's finally sleeping."
"I tried to get him to go home and sleep, but he refused.", I whisper. She looks around the room which is overflowing with flowers. "He sent about ninety percent of them." She quietly pulls a chair up next to my bed.
"It's good to see you awake. We were all so worried." Her eyes go to Christian. "Ana, I want to thank you." I narrow my eyes. "Christian's never been as full of life as he has been in the last few months, and it's because of you. You've awakened him. Thanks to you he sees there's more to life than work."
"I was so hell bent on nothing happening between the two of us, but I soon realized I couldn't fight the inevitable."
"You wanted me as soon as you saw me.", I hear Christian chuckle. He raises up in the chair and yawns.
"We didn't mean to wake you.", Grace tells him.
"You didn't. I got enough sleep in for now."
"You were only asleep about thirty minutes. Christian, you're running on fumes.", I say.
"I'm not really tired.", he insists. "You, on the other hand, need to get some rest. You're recovering from a gunshot wound to the chest."
"You don't have to remind me.", I mutter. Both he and Grace look remorseful.
"Christian's right, Ana. You need some rest. I'm going to head home, but I'll be checking in.", Grace says.
"Ok." She carefully places a small hug around me and then hugs Christian. Once she's gone, he turns to me and sighs.
"How about you close your eyes and think about something nice to help you sleep. Maybe you can think about our trip to London." I scoff at him. "What? You still want to go, don't you?"
"Of course I do, but the trip won't be happening anytime soon. I'll be stuck in the freaking bed for who knows how long, and then I'll have to recover at home." He scurries over to me.
"Listen to me and listen good. You can't be negative. You've got to think positive. True you won't be fully recovered over night, but you're going to get there."
C POV
"Detective Tosh, please tell me you've got something." With Ana asleep, I stepped into the waiting room to return the missed call I had from the detective.
"I checked into the area hospitals to see if anyone had come in with a bullet wound to the left leg. It seems a man arrived at Virgina Mason Hospital and had a matching injury. He claimed he was walking down the street when someone shot him, yet he couldn't give an accurate location of where the incident occured. He was told the police were going to be brought in so he could give a statement. That's when he changed his story, claiming he was cleaning his gun when it accidentally went off. He told the doctor he was embarrassed and didn't see the need to call the police. A detective still went and took his statement."
"What was the fucker's name?", I hiss through the phone.
"Craig Monroe." Monroe? The last name sounds familiar. "The bullet's been removed and placed in an evidence bag so it can be compared to the bullets from Ms. Steele and Mr. Sawyer. I'm on my way to the hospital to speak with Mr. Monroe and will let you know what comes of it."
"You better.", I snap before the call ends. The second I put my phone away it dawns on me where I've heard the last name Monroe before. Leila once introduced me to a cousin with that last name. He was the son of Elena's sister Kathleen. Shit! His first name was Craig. I look behind to Taylor who's waiting for me. "We need to go and pay a visit to Elena and Leila." We start walking as Richard Lincoln enters the waiting room. "Richard."
"Hello. How are Ana and Luke?", he asks.
"They're stable and will recover." I've never had an issue with Richard in the past since he's kept to himself, never trying to interfere like his wife and step-daughter. However, he could've changed. "What brings you here?"
"I wanted to see how Ana and Luke were, and I also have to tell you something. I arrived home from work a little earlier than usual today and accidentally stumbled on a conversation between Elena and Leila. They were in the kitchen where they were drinking wine and toasting to what they called "a success.", he replies. "I was curious and chose to continue listening. Elena said she hadn't heard anything on Ana's condition, but she was sure she was either dead or near death. Then Leila added that she wished she could've seen the entire shooting but had to stay hidden until time to pick up Craig." I ball my fists up in fury. "I had no idea they were behind it. I swear. I knew Elena wasn't happy that you didn't want to be with Leila, but it's your life."
"Were you aware that Leila recently hired a guy to beat her up to make it look like she had been attacked?" His mouth falls open in shock, and I know this is news to him. "She did."
"I'm sorry. I work my ass off to provide a nice life for both Elena and Leila, but lately Elena hasn't felt like that's been enough. Sure she has her salon, but she's money hungry. Leila's the same way. I think she sees you as someone who'll provide for her and allow her to keep living the high life."
"And they see Ana as threat.", I murmur. "I know it's your family, but will you tell the police what you just told me?"
"Elena's not going to be happy, but I haven't been happy in a long time. I'm tired of being stuck in a love less marriage. Of course I'll talk to the police." I reach into my wallet and give him the card Detective Tosh gave me.
"This is the number of the detective in charge of the case." I decide not to tell him Detective Tosh is on his way to see Craig Monroe. "Elena and Leila are still at your house?"
"Yes.", he answers.
"Christian, what a surprise.", Leila says when she opens the door at Elena's house. "Come in." She's about to close the door when Taylor pushes it back open. "Of course you brought him." Taylor and I walk into the living room and see Elena sitting by the window.
"Christian Grey, seeing you here is the shock of the century.", Elena mutters.
"I imagine it's a big shock.", I growl.
"We heard about Ana and Luke and figured you'd be at the hospital."
"I've been there since the beginning and only left to come here. I could've held off, but I needed to pay a visit to the two of you." Elena smiles and takes a drink from the wine glass in your hand.
"You can march right back out that door if you're going to verbally attack us.", Elena smirks.
"She's right.", Leila says. "Besides I didn't think I'd ever see you again considering how our last meeting went."
"The one where I let you know I had figured out your lie about being attacked?", I hiss. "Trust me when I say I didn't ever plan on speaking to you again, but I'm here thanks to recent revelations." I stand in the middle of the living room as mother and daughter sit on the sofa, looking at each other in confusion. "The two of you are responsible for Ana and Sawyer being in the hospital."
"No we're not.", Leila replies.
"That wasn't a question. It was a statement. I honestly thought I had seen the worst in what you were capable of, but I was wrong."
"Stop talking nonsense and tell us what you mean.", Elena demands.
"You had Craig Monroe, your nephew, shoot Ana and Sawyer. Don't even try and deny it."
"The only truth coming out of your mouth is that my nephew is Craig Monroe, but he didn't shoot anyone." I look at Taylor who's shaking his head.
"Then how did he get that bullet in his leg?", Taylor asks. Elena's eyes shift to Leila.
"He wasn't shot, and I don't know where you think you heard that."
"From both Ana and Sawyer. They didn't see the face of the shooter, but they both know he was shot in the left leg. A guy with the same wound showed up at Virginia Mason Hospital. His name was Craig Monroe."
"It was probably another guy by the same name.", Leila shrugs. "You're being ridiculous, and we don't appreciate what your accusations."
"I don't give a fuck what you do or don't appreciate!", I yell. "You and your mother have done nothing but cause trouble since the first day you learned of my relationship with Ana. I've told both of you repeatedly to leave Ana and I alone, yet you've kept meddling. Nothing will ever change the way I feel about Ana. She's the woman I'm in love with."
"So you've said.", Elena sighs. "Christian, darling, you're blind. You only think you're in love with Ana. She's this boring little thing that you probably feel the need to make feel better about herself. It's sweet, but the longer you pretend the harder it's going to be on her in the end."
"How much have you had to drink?", I snarl. "Ana is anything but boring. She's refreshing and enlightening. She inspires me and is so full of hope. If anyone should feel bad about themselves it should be you and Leila. You buy all these fancy clothes and wear layers and layer of makeup, but you still can't hide the ugliness of your souls. You're nothing but vindictive bitches who are going to jail." We hear sirens that are drawing closer. "And I'm sorry but prison clothes aren't designer." The front door opens, and in walks Detective Tosh who I called a few minutes before getting here. He wasn't happy that I was going to confront Elena and Leila, but I managed to convince him to give me some time before arriving.
"You have no proof to back up your claims.", Leila snaps.
"Actually, we do.", Detective Tosh says as two uniformed officers walk into the house. "We've got the statement of Richard Lincoln. He overheard you and your mother discussing the shooting. I've also got the statement of Craig Monroe. He admitted to shooting both Ms. Steele and Mr. Sawyer, and he revealed it you who picked him up afterwards."
"My nephew would never turn on his family.", Elena says harshly.
"Oh he would and he did."
A POV
"Who is that?", I ask my mom and dad who are laughing. Standing in the doorway of my room is a huge teddy bear. The thing is so large that I can't see who's holding it. Finally the person moves the bear to the left, and I see it's Christian.
"Hi.", he smiles, padding into the room. "I wanted to bring you something, and I had already sent every flower known to man."
"You didn't have to get me anything but thank you. You weren't here when I woke up so I got hopeful that you had gone home to get some real rest. My mom and dad have been acting weird though, and that made me worry that you were up to something besides sleeping."
"I was, but it's over now." I see my parents' shoulders relax. "It's all over."
"Thank goodness.", my mom says.
"What's over?", I ask.
"It was Elena's nephew who shot you and Sawyer.", Christian tells me. "Leila was driving the getaway car. I was told by Richard Lincoln, and so I went to see Leila and Elena. I had Taylor there with me. I just needed to let them know what I knew and to see the looks on their faces when their dreams were crushed."
"I bet it wasn't a pretty picture.", my dad murmurs from his chair.
"Thanks to Richard and Craig, Elena's nephew, Elena and Leila are going to jail."
"Her nephew turned on them? Wow.", I say.
"Yeah. Getting shot wasn't part of the plan Elena had given him so he decided to change it as well." He sets the bear down and walks over to my bed. "Baby, they're never going to bother us, especially you again. It's over."