CPOV

I smiled pulling onto the road that will take me up to the house and to Ana. I know it's only been a day but it feels too long since I held her. I carefully followed the road around the curves not knowing how Ana does it so fast. I will learn, hopefully I will have a lifetime with Ana to learn how to get up this road a bit faster and in one piece.

Pulling up to the house, I expected to see Ana's car here. She said she was at the store and due back soon but that was over thirty minutes ago. Maybe she got held up at the store, talking to someone.

I opened the door using the key that Ana had given to me before she left. Bringing all the presents in, I put them under the tree joining the ones Ana had already placed there. I quickly went up to our bedroom, hiding the bauble and ring in the back of my bottom drawer before going back out to the car.

Once all my things had been put in the house, I looked back to the road. She should be here by now, something just didn't feel right. I locked the door up and got back in my car, hoping I met her on the road into town.

"Call Ana" I said, when I was finally able to get a signal but it just rang out.

I passed the store not seeing her car out of the front so I drove over to the station.

"You arrived safely" Ray said, just getting out of his car as he pulled in next to me.

"Yes, it's good to be back. Happy birthday."

"Thanks. Has Ana sent you out on errands already" he laughed.

"No, I haven't seen her yet. I have just been to the house and Ana wasn't there" I told him.

"What do you mean, she should be at home."

I shook my head as he looked down the street to the store.

"We had breakfast together and then she said she was going to the store to get eggs for my cake."

He pulled his phone out, calling her number but like my call it went unanswered.

We both turned when a car pulled up beside us, one of Ray's deputies getting out.

"Bradley was Ana still in the store."

"I haven't seen her, she wasn't in the store when I was there. Something wrong."

"I don't know. My daughter seems to have disappeared."

I followed Ray into the station, asking Kelly if Ana had come in but she hadn't seen her since this morning either. My stomach was churning and I could see the panic start in Ray's eyes but he was trying to stay calm. There was no point me running off somewhere, not really knowing this town apart from the high street and I didn't need them worrying about needing to find me too. Finding Ana meant sticking to Ray.

Bradley called the diner to see if Ana had gone back there as I continued to try her phone. After a few minutes it finally connected and the room went silent as I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ana baby, where are you."

"Christian dear it's Doris."

"Doris, why do you have Ana's phone."

Ray frantically gestured for me to put it on speaker, so I did.

"I'm at the store dear. Ana's car is just around the side, next to mine. I spoke to her earlier when I arrived to do some shopping, she was on her way to the checkout then. Her phone was on the dashboard and the door was left open with her shopping on the back seat but she's not here. I've waited for her to comeback not wanting to lock the car in case I lock her out because her purse is here too."

I felt sick, where was she.

"Doris how long ago did you see her" Ray asked.

"It must be over thirty minutes ago now. I have been talking to Lily for a while so I've only just gotten back to my car."

"She must have seen Ana just after I had spoken to her" I told Ray.

Ray sent Ben down to speak to Doris while Kelly was ringing around the bar and restaurant to ask if they had seen Ana. I told Ray, I was going back to the house to see if Ana had arrived, needing to do something. I don't think I had ever felt so helpless than in this moment, just needing to know where ever Ana was, that she was ok.

I was on the phone to Taylor, apprising him of the situation when a truck pulled up in front of the hardware store down the street. The occupant didn't get out for a few minutes, seeming to be arguing with himself while I continued my call with Taylor.

Looking over when the truck door opened, I now saw who it was that emerged. He just stood there, looking terrified as I started to walk towards him.

"Where is she" I asked, gaining on him but he didn't move.

I could see up close that he had been crying, now cringing in pain when his back slammed into the truck.

"Where is Ana" I asked again.

"Um, excuse me. Can you let go of my son please. We don't throw people against trucks around here" An older man said to me, but I ignored him.

"Where is Ana, WHERE IS SHE" I screamed in his face.

"Ana. Son what have you done."

"I just wanted to talk to her without you around but she wouldn't listen" he spat out.

Pulling him forward, I slammed him back against his truck.

"WHERE IS SHE."

By this point, there was a large crowd gathering. All come to see who was arguing. I could see the fear in Clayton's eyes but I don't think it was from me. He had hurt her.

"She got out, I went back but I couldn't find her."

"Got out where, where were you."

"Elum Point."

I heard the anguished scream of NO behind me, that could only be from Ray.

"CHRISTIAN" he shouted, as I quickly ran after him but not before my fist to Paul's face, had him slumped on the floor.

Getting into Ray's car, others were running for theirs. Ray shouted for someone to contact Beth and Joshua, who ever they were before we were speeding into the storm.

Ana's words from thanksgiving night were running through my head. You don't go up there this time of year, it's too dangerous. You don't go up there this time of year, it's too dangerous. She had to be ok.

Higher and higher we climbed, the snow getting thicker. She had been out here god knows how long. All alone.

"Please be safe" Ray chanted over and over.

As we rounded the corner I shouted at him to stop. The wheels skidded, before coming to a standstill. I pushed the door open, fighting against the wind that wanted it shut again and ran over to the purple bundle that was curled up against the snow. I dropped to my knees, brushing away the snow that had settled on her face before pulling her into my arms and standing back up. She was so cold, frozen.

"Back" Ray pulled on the hood of my coat, to get us back to the car.

I climbed into the car, brushing my hands over her cheeks, trying to rouse her. Ray turned the heating up before reached for her arm. He was searching for a pulse, focusing on that while I spoke to Ana, letting her know if she could hear me that she wasn't alone any more.

"Her pulse is faint but she's still with us." he said, choking back a sob when he finally looked at his daughter's face. "Keep her warm please Christian" I nodded, it was the only thing I could do so I didn't break down also.

Ray turned around, heading back the way we had come. Only one other car had made it this far with us, who Ray told me was Daryl. He followed us back down the road and into town. There was no need to go slow now in case we missed her and it seemed the whole town was waiting for us outside the hospital when we arrived.

My door was quickly opened and as I got out I was urged to lay Ana on the waiting gurney. They quickly covered her in blankets before rushing through the doors with us hot on her heels. One of the doctors was asking Ray questions but he could barely get a word out as the enormity of the situation crashed down on both of us.

"Don't worry, we'll take care of her" he said as he went to follow Ana behind the doors they had taken her.

"I found a week pulse" he finally got out to which the man nodded before disappearing behind the door too.

Ray moved over to a chair, collapsing into it as his sobs echoed around the room. Leisa who had followed us into the hospital, held him as he cried in her arms.

"She's a fighter Christian, she loves these mountains. There is no way they will take her from us" Jose told me, as he brushed his own tears away.

"She was so cold, so so cold" I said, finally letting my emotions take over. I couldn't lose her, not now.

Hours it felt like, we waited. I would wait forever as long as Ana was ok. I had spoken to my dad who told me they were all on their way after Taylor had informed them what was going on. I hadn't spoken to him since my initial call earlier but I knew he wouldn't just leave it and would be in contact with the police here for updates. The snow might slow them down though as it was raging outside the windows.

"He was lying, Ana knows how dangerous it is up there. She would have never gotten out of that truck voluntarily" Ray said quietly, his voice hoarse from crying.

"I know Ray, Ana is the smartest and also the strongest person I have every met. She will fight to come back to you and Christian. I have never seen her happier, than she is now" Leisa told him.

We heard a door open and the doctor from earlier come through.

"Harry" was all Ray said as we stood up.

"We have stabilised Ana, Ray. Her temperature had gone so low that her body had just shut down to protect itself. At this stage she hasn't regained consciousness but that is not uncommon. We need to keep her warm and hydrated and make sure she doesn't suffer any infections from her prolonged exposure to the cold."

"Is she going to be ok" I asked.

"Harry, this is Christian. Ana's boyfriend."

"Hello" he said turning to me. "As I said, with keeping her warm we are slowly raising her temperature, any quicker and she could go into shock. Ana just needs to rest now, she will wake up when she's ready."

"Can we see her Harry" Ray asked, relieved with his answer to my question.

"Of course, they were just moving her to the ICU. I will call and see if they're finished."

He left the room, as I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"She will be ok Christian, she has to be" Ray said, pulling me in for a hug.

…

We walked quietly down the corridor of this small hospital and into the ICU. There were only two beds in here and at the moment, only one was occupied. A nurse was checking all the machines, who Ray introduced as Alexandra but although I nodded in acknowledgement, my focus was on Ana.

She looked tiny in this bed and if it wasn't for the beeps of the machines and the wires going to her, I would just think she was sleeping.

Ray brushed the hair from her forehead, avoiding the bump that was there and placed a kiss on his daughter.

"Stay stronger baby girl, you have to stay strong."

He didn't bother to try to stop the tears then, but then neither did I.

"Ana, I love you so much" I said, brushing a tear away before I continued. "I know you're tired but you need to stay with us. We have so much of our lives ahead of us and I want to spend every moment with you."

I kissed Ana's forehead before taking her hand in mine. Apart from her head and hands, the rest of Ana was covered. She had blankets over her as well as something that was heated, all keeping her warm and alive.

Neither of us spoke. We just watched Ana, waiting for any movement from her. The monitors that were around, gave us the constant knowledge that she was still with us.

"Any change" I asked the nurse who had woken me, when she tended to Ana.

"Her readings look promising, her temperature is rising so she's going in the right direction. There are a few members of your family in the waiting room, all refusing to go anywhere."

"Thank you."

She smiled patting Ana's hand. She's so loved in this town and that is on display today more than I had ever noticed before.

"Is she ok" Ray asked me, sitting up in the chair where he had slept.

"The nurse is happy with her progress but she hasn't opened her eyes yet" I sighed.

"She will, when she's ready. If sleeping helps Ana, then I will have to wait a bit longer for her to wake" I nodded, agreeing with him.

"The nurse said my family is here. Are you ok if I go and let them know how she's doing."

"Of course, you go. My whole family is here."

I kissed Ana on the forehead, telling her that I wouldn't be long. Every step I took away from the room, made me want to go back. Anxious to be by her side in case she wakes and I'm not there.

Walking into the waiting room they were all here. Mum, Dad, Elliot, Mia even Kate. Taylor, Ryan and Reynolds was here also.

"Christian, please tell me she's ok" Kate pleaded.

"She hasn't woken up yet but they are happy with her progress. He took her up the mountain. When we found her she was frozen, covered in fresh snow."

"Why would he do that" she cried.

"To get her away from me, he could've killed her" I said, brushing my tear away. "I don't know what happened to him after he hit the dirt but I don't want him near Ana ever again" I told my Dad.

"He was taken to a station in Lewian" Taylor told us. "I spoke to Bradley, one of Ray's deputy's. He said Paul Clayton has already been charged with kidnapping. Other charges will follow, the severity depending on how Ana comes out of this and what she tells the police when she does. I doubt he will be back in this town for a very long time."

"I will make sure he stays locked away for a very long time" Dad told us.

I told them I was going back to Ana, having been away from her for far too long as it was. They said they were booked into the bed and breakfast, none of them wanting to go to the house unless Ana was going home with them. I didn't blame them, I couldn't go back without her either.

Getting two cups of black coffee from the vending machine, I headed back into the room, not wanting to go back to sleep again. I passed Ray the coffee which he took from me, whispering his thanks before we continued our vigil.

"Did Ana tell you, she was born in her house" Ray asked me, as I sipped my coffee.

"No she said she could never imagine calling anywhere else home but I didn't know she was born there."

"That was always going to be her house, my parents told me the day she was born. I didn't mind, Ana has always had an emotional connection to it just like she does to the mountains."

I smiled looking to Ana, hoping she would wake soon.

…

It was early afternoon when we got the first sign that Ana had turned a corner. She had still not woken up but she had mumbled in her sleep.

Ray smiled, telling me she was terrible for sleep talking when she was a child. Usually telling her mother off, not having the courage to do so when she was awake.

"That's something that has changed. Would you call her" I asked him.

"No. Maybe one day when Ana is up and back in Seattle, but not now. Carla, if she did come would only hamper Ana's recovery. She would make everything about herself like she always does, plus Ana has make her feeling's clear when it comes to her mother."

Ana had been on a drip since she had come in, giving her the fluids that she couldn't take in herself at the moment. As the nurse was changing the bag, the machine started beeping. She quickly quietened it so as not to disturb Ana but she must have heard the noise.

"Too early to get up Christian, sleep just a bit longer" she mumbled, mistaking the beeping machine as the alarm clock at home.

I stood from the chair, my hand still in hers and stroked the hair from her forehead before kissing it.

"Sleep as long as you need Ana, no work today. Just rest baby."

"Ok" she mumbled before sleep took her again.

I looked over to Ray who had tears on his face. A smile appeared as he nodded, she was coming back to us.

APOV.

My body ached as if I had spent the day in the gym and I was too tired to get up for work.

My mind felt foggy when I spoke to Christian as if something didn't make sense. It was Dad's birthday, I had a cake to make which meant I was home so why was the alarm set. In fact when did I put an alarm at the house. Being home meant I was on mountain time, equals slow.

Singing happy birthday came to mind, I had done that and I also treated Dad to breakfast. I had to get this cake made so I didn't spend all day in the kitchen and I could spend some time with Christian before dinner with Dad.

As I slipped in and out of consciousness, I remembered more. I was stood on the top of Elum Point trying to see through the snow. That must be a dream because it's too dangerous to go up at this time of year. My body shivered from the cold that I no longer felt but I had felt it. I had been colder than I had ever felt in my life before. It was then, his face popped into my mind.

"PAUL" I screamed, hearing the beeping start again.

"Shh Ana baby I'm here, he's gone. Open your eyes for me please" I could hear Christian as I fought against the darkness to open my eyes.

Slowly they did as I asked, coming into focus as I looked up into the red eyes of Christian.

"Paul" I said choking on a sob as I felt someone stroke my hand. As he came closer, I knew who it was, my Dad. "Daddy."

"He's gone Ana, I will make sure he never comes anywhere near you again."

My Dad was crying, my Dad doesn't cry, not that I remember. I brought my hand to my head trying to remember everything that had happened, when I winced in pain.

"Careful Ana, you have a nasty lump" Christian said taking my hand in his.

"I hit it on the road." the memory's coming back to me. "He told me to get out, screamed at me. When I refused to move, despite pleading with him to take me home, he opened the door and pushed me out. He left, he left me up there, knowing full well I wouldn't survive there for long."

I could see the anger in both of their eyes. It takes a lot for my Dad to explode and I think he had reached his limit.

"Your cake, I never made your cake" I said putting my hand to my mouth to stop the sob that was trying to escape. "Your birthday, I missed it. He made me miss it."

"Ana, you being here with us is the best birthday present you could ever give me. Are you listening to me sweetheart. We have to make sure you don't get sick and when the doctor lets us, we can take you home."

"I don't want to spend Christmas in hospital."

"You won't Ana, my mum is here and I'm sure they will let you home with a doctor in the house. I just want you to rest ok, no running around after everyone."

"I'm too tired to run after Dad never mind anyone else" I yawned.

"Are you saying I'm slow" he said, smiling.

I giggled, closing my eyes and let sleep take me.

…

I woke to see the room in darkness, apart from the lamp that was on in the corner. Christian was still here but my Dad had been replaced by Kate.

"Thirsty" I said, my throat dry.

They both shot up, reaching for the cup at the same time but Christian, ever the gentleman let Kate take it.

"Little sips, Doc doesn't want you sick especially if we want you home for Christmas."

I took the little sips, more to wet my dry lips than anything. The drip had been removed and in its place was now a bandage.

"What day is it or what time is it" I asked.

"It's just after 9pm on the 23rd. Tomorrows Christmas eve."

"I have things to do on Christmas eve, I have a whole list" they were both shaking their heads which I would do too if it didn't hurt.

"When we get you home, you and Christian are going to curl up in front of that fine and not move. Grace and I are looking after Christmas dinner."

I nearly choked on my drink as Christian rubbed my back.

"You're cooking Christmas dinner. I think I will stay where I am then" I teased, making her laugh.

"Ok Grace will be cooking Christmas dinner and I will assist."

"That's fine, I don't fancy food poisoning."

Kate stayed a little bit longer but Christian wasn't going anywhere. I don't think he had left since he had arrived in town and I know he won't leave the hospital until I do.

"Tired baby" Christian asked me when I yawned yet again.

"A bit, my bones ache."

"Do you want me to get the doctor to give you something.

"No I think they just shook so much" I told him, quickly brushing away the tear, hoping he hadn't seen it.

I had been keeping it in, not wanting to break down in front of my Dad but here alone with Christian, there was nothing I could do to stop the tears.

"Let them go Ana" he said, climbing onto the bed and wrapped his arms around me.

The tears flowed easily then as he held me. All I wanted was for him to hold me once more and he was.

"I thought I would never see you again" I sobbed.

"We would have never given up looking for you Ana, never."

"I was so cold. I tried to make my way down the road but it was just getting harder and harder. I don't want to ever see him again."

"You won't Ana. Between your Dad and mine, they will make sure he goes away for a very long time."

"I love you Christian, so much" I told him as his lips touched my forehead.

"I love you too Ana, I'm never letting you go. I promise.

I fell asleep as he spoke to me about how much he was looking forward to Christmas together. His whispered words told me how much this Christmas would be the best one ever. Up on the mountain all I wanted was his arms around me one more time. Being completely warm again. I believe, I received my wish.

Thank you for reading.

There are only three more chapters of I believe to come, which I'm hoping will be up before Christmas day.

Take care

Caroline