Chapter 16

APOV

Kate and I had a lot of fun last night. We had the lettuce cups and wine and then had an at-home spa night. We're hanging over at Elliot's today for a cookout. It is a perfect day for it and that is the one thing we can't do living in an apartment.

Kate and I pull up - with another strawberry shortcake that Elliot begged me to bring - and I see Christian's R8. I should have expected that. Elliot has been trying to get us together. I can't fault him for trying but the person holding things up is me. I still don't know if I want to take the risk with Christian but in the same sense, I can't deny the feelings I have for him.

We're sitting outside enjoying dessert when I get a call from a phone number I don't recognize.

"Hello?"

"Is this Anastasia Steele?"

"Yes? Who's this?" I get up from the table to get out of earshot.

"This is Chief Vance from the Montesano Police Department. Ray Steele was involved in a car accident and you are listed as his next of kin."

Immediately I gasp fearing the worst. "Oh my god, Ray. Is he OK?" My voice cracks at the end. My strength faltering. I can't lose my dad. He's my rock.

"He's in critical condition and has been airlifted to Providence St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia."

"I'm on my way. I'll get there as soon as I can. Thank you for calling Chief."

"I'm sorry to deliver the bad news, Miss Steele. Ray is a good man."

I look at Kate and I start to break down. "Ana, what happened?" Kate is now hugging me hard trying to figure out what's wrong.

"It's Ray. He's been in an accident. He's in the ICU at Providence St. Peter's in Olympia. I need to go now."

"Ana, take my car. Wanda won't make it there fast enough if she makes it at all." Kate goes to grab her keys from her bag."

Christian comes up to me. "Ana, I can fly you in Charlie Tango. They can have her ready at Boeing Field by the time we get there. Then I can fly you back home."

"Christian, thank you, but I can't. I don't know how long I'll need to be there and I don't want to mess up any of your plans."

"Ana, please let me help you. I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to." I nod. I really do want to get to Ray as soon as possible.

"OK. Thank you Christian." Christian makes a call on his Blackberry to, I assume, Taylor.

Kate puts her hands on my shoulders. "Ana, Ray will be OK. He's in good hands. Let me know how everything is when you get there. Be safe, OK?"

Now I am sobbing. I nod and she takes me into a big hug. "It'll be OK."

Christian walks up to me. "Ana, they'll have Charlie Tango ready for us when we get there. We should get going."

Christian and I leave in his R8 headed to Boeing Field where he normally keeps Charlie Tango. Once we've been driving for a few minutes and I've calmed down a little, I look over at Christian. "Thank you for doing this. I know you didn't have to."

"Of course I did, Ana. I care about you and you care about Ray. I would do anything I could to try and make you happy." Under any other circumstances, I think what he just said would have me swooning. But right now I am without any other feeling than fear.

We get to the airfield rather quickly and pull practically right up to the helicopter. Taylor is there waiting for us. "It's ready for you, Sir. Stephan did all the pre-checks, everything is good."

He is walking over to Charlie Tango and opens the door for me to get in. "Thank you, Taylor. I'll let you know if anything else is needed."


CPOV

I buckle Ana into the seat and hand her the cans. I look at her and give her a kiss on the cheek. "Ana, I do have to say I wished the next time I had you in here was under happier circumstances."

She smiles at me and she looks absolutely radiant. I wish I knew what she is thinking. Once everything is given the go-ahead we are off towards Olympia and arrive there in under an hour. We land and there is a pilot waiting to take care of Charlie Tango. And, there's a car with a driver waiting to take us to the hospital. Once at the hospital, Ana is rushed to the ICU waiting room. A doctor comes out to speak with her.

"Miss Steele?"

"Yes, my father, is he OK?"

"He's in critical condition and currently unconscious but as far as we can tell there has been no brain damage. He was pinned in the car and lost a lot of blood but he should come out of it. We just need to watch these next 48 hours to make sure he's in the clear."

I'm not sure if what the doctor told her is a relief or makes her more anxious. "Can I go see him?"

"Absolutely. Follow me." I stand here to stay in the waiting room but Ana grabs a hold of my hand pulling me to go with her. I don't hesitate and I walk with her. She's so vulnerable at the moment that I don't think she can take much more.

We get to Ray's room and she instantly starts to cry. Ray is there, unconscious. And even though I only met him that one time at Ana's graduation I can tell he looks only like a shell of himself. He's hooked up to different machines and there are hoses helping him to breathe. Ana's legs go weak and I hold her up so she doesn't fall and give her a hug. In the back of my mind, I realize she is touching me and it's OK. I try not to focus on that and instead give all my attention to Ana.

The nurse comes in to take Ray down for another MRI so we head to the waiting room. Ana is pacing back and forth. It's late - we've been here for a few hours already and I can tell she's exhausted. "Ana, you need to rest. We need you to be strong for Ray when he wakes up."

Ana looks up at me, her blue eyes wide in alarm. "Christian, I can't go back to Seattle. I can't leave Ray."

"Ana, Taylor got us a room at a nearby hotel. It's already late. Why don't we go back to the room for the night so you can rest and we'll come back in the morning."

"But, don't you have to be at work tomorrow? It's Monday. Shit! I have to call Jack and tell him I won't be in."

"Ana, I already called Roach and let him know. Don't worry. And I'm not leaving your side." The ride from the hospital is only a few minutes but Ana fell asleep almost right away with her head resting on my shoulder. The driver pulls up to the front of the hotel. I carefully get out of the car and pick a beautiful, sleeping Ana up in my arms. She must be exhausted because she doesn't even stir as we make our way to the suite. I carefully hold Ana while I unlock the door with the key card. I carry Ana to the bedroom where Taylor put some of her bags he collected before coming to the hotel. I lay her down on the bed and take her shoes off. I smile as I recall the first time I did this for her. Thankfully there is no vomit involved this time.

And wakes up and gives me a sleepy smile. "Thank you, Christian. For everything." I lean down and give her a kiss on her forehead.

"Of course, Ana. Sleep well." I turn around to walk out of the room and I hear her call to me.

"Christian?"

"What's the matter?"

"Will you stay with me? I don't want to be alone even if you are next door." I give her a smile, turn around, and walk over to the empty side of her bed. I take my clothes off so I am just in my boxers and climb in under the covers. I reach over to the bedside table and turn off the light. Then I do what I've wanted to do for weeks and I pull her close to me so we're spooning and I hold her tight. She thinks I'm comforting her but it's just the opposite. She's my angel and my lucky charm. I fall asleep holding her to me thinking about how I would be happy to do this nightly for the rest of my life.