Chapter 5
CPOV:
I have been sitting alone with Ana, for what seems like hours when the door suddenly opens and Ray walks in. I see concern etched all over his face as he sees his daughter lying there motionless.
When he looks at me, I see his eyes are glossy. He walks up to me and engulfs me into a tight hug. This takes me by shock. After a while, he lets me go and says "I met Grace outside. She told me what happened…" his voice breaks but he continues "I'm so sorry, you lost your baby, son. But I'm glad you are with my Ana. Help her through this please. She can be stubborn and she might push you away, but don't let her do that." I'm shocked to hear this from him. I was sure he would be angry that I let his daughter get hurt.
"You are not angry with me?" I blurt out without thinking
"No, Christian! What made you think I would be?" he seems surprised at my comment. "I was livid when I heard about it, but none of my anger was directed to you. You had no control over the situation."
Oh if only he knew how I had treated his daughter… I think grace left out those details. He sits with me for a while till a nurse comes in to check for Ana's vitals. He excuses himself, saying he needs to go talk to Carrick about the treatment the fucker Jack Hyde should receive. His comment almost makes me smile. I can't help but wonder how Ana is surrounded by so many protective people who love her so much, yet she's here, broken on a hospital bed.
It's almost noon and Ana has not woken up yet. I'm getting restless and I can't help but think about all sorts of negative thoughts. I'm pacing around the room when the door bursts open and Mia rushes in. her face is tear-stained and she looks anguished. She rushes over to me and starts crying onto my chest. I hold her till she calms down.
"I'm so sorry Christian. I'm so sorry! All this happened because I refused to take the security with me to the gym. I'm so sorry" and another wave of tears hit her. I'm shocked to hear Mia blame herself and I'm speechless. So I hold onto her tightly while she cries.
"Don't blame yourself Mia. It could have been any one of us in your place. I'm just glad you are safe." I tell her gently, to calm her down. She nods slightly and goes to sit down beside Ana.
It's only then that I realize that Elliot, Carrick and Kate are all present in the room. We sit around for a while, none of us saying anything to each other. After a while, they get up to leave and decide to leave me alone with my wife.
I take Ana's hand in my own, when Kate walks into the room again. She stares at me for a while trying to speak, but I think she is at a loss of words. "I'm sorry" she finally whispers out.
I'm confused. I don't know what she is apologizing for. My face must have shown the confusion.
"I'm sorry for slapping you last night." She clarifies. I start to reply before she raises her hand and cuts me off, "no let me finish Christian. I was so overwhelmed last night! So scared for Ana, that I didn't notice how anguished you were. You lost your baby too, Christian. It's not just her. You are probably hurting as much as she will when she finds out." She pauses for a breath before she continues, "I know we never got along that well, but you are like my brother Christian; if only by law. I can't stand to see you hurt either. I care for you too, even though I never show it. Probably because you are an annoying control freak." There's a ghost of a smile on her lips as she says this. I smile back at her, surprised by her confession. "Remember I'm always here for both of you. You can always talk to me and I'll do anything to help. I love you both." I nod at her. She stays near the door for a beat, before she turns to leave.
I realize now what my brother sees in Kate now. Under all that annoying exterior, there is a compassionate women after all.
I look at Ana, still motionless, and whisper out, "oh Ana, open your eyes baby. You have everyone so worried. Come on now, you have everyone waiting long enough!" I wait for a reaction, any reaction, but there is none... I sigh and just go back to pacing the room.