" Ana I know where you are coming from. Believe me I would rather sit right here and wait for him wake up. So how about I wait here with you and keep you company. We can send Carrick out to get us some food. "
After a few minutes Carrick comes in the room and lets them know that Elliot called they will be on there way back in just few minutes. Grace let's him know that they would rather hang back and sit with Christian some more. Carrick says he will call Elliot and have him bring some food up so they can just eat at the hospital.
" Grace I am going to go find a rest room since both you and Carrick are here I will be right back. "
Ana gets up and leaves the room she goes to find the ladies room and she realizes she needs to call her mom and dad. They will want to know what is going on.
" Carrick, I am worried about Ana. I know this is just the first day. But, she needs to take a break at some point and I really don't think she will. "
" Grace she just left to take a break. Just because she won't leave the hospital doesn't mean she will not take a moment and just step out as she did. Let's not worry."
The doctor's have decided it's time to check Christian's vital's. The family goes into the waiting room to eat there dinner and wait to hear any news.
" Ana Elliot and I are thinking of leaving in awhile and going to see the Opera. We thought you and Mia would like to come. I think Christian would want you to see the Opera. "
"Kate, I think you are wrong Christian wanted me to experience the Opera with him. I am going to skip this one and go with Christian when he gets better. "
Mia looks at the them and says, Why don't you and Elliot take mom and Dad and I will sit here with Ana and Christian. "
When Kate and Elliot decide it's time to leave to go get ready Carrick and Grace have also decided to go with them. Taylor has volunteered to drive them. Sawyer has decided to stay behind incase Mia or Ana need anything. He tells Sawyer besides that is what Mr. Grey would want he was hired to keep Ana safe for Mr. Grey. The others say they will check in with them after the Opera and then they all can go back to the house and sleep.
Sawyer heads down to the gift shop to find some chewing gum and maybe a magazine to read. While there he sees some playing card games. He grabs a some playing cards a pack for him and a game that Maybe Miss. Steele and Miss Grey can play while they sit and visit with Mr. Grey. When he is back up on the floor for the ICU he finds the nurse on duty and asks her to take the card game to room 14 for the ladies. She tells him it will be alright if he would like to take them. Just as long as he is not long. Sawyer walks up to room 14 and knocks lightly and then enters.
" Good evening ladies, I was down in the gift shop and I thought you might like a card game to play now I know it's a simple kids game but might give you something to do just to pass the time. He hands them the card game uno. They both smile at him.
" Sawyer this is really great it will help us to get our minds something else to do other than worry about Christian. "
" Yes ma'am Miss. Grey you are welcome. I am going back out to the waiting area. Let me know if you will need anything else. "
It is really getting late and after multiple games of uno they both feel like the are getting sleepy. Mia helps Ana pull out the chair sleeper and gives her the blanket and pillow. She tells her good night and says good night to Christian and dims the room light. She goes out to the waiting room to find Sawyer and have him take her back to the house.
The room is so quiet without Mia here with her all Ana can hear are the machines that are hooked up to Christian. Mia has helped her move the chair closer to him. She stretches her arm out and places it on his. She softly rubs his arm and let's him know she is there so he can sleep. It takes a bit but eventually she does drift off to sleep.
When the Opera is over Taylor swings them by the hospital they have heard from Sawyer that he has taken Miss Grey back to the house and he is resting and will go back up to the hospital soon. They all head up to check on Ana and see if she is ready to go home and say good night to Christian.
Grace ad Kate decide to go check in Christian's room when they don't see Ana in the waiting room. When they go in they see Ana holding on to Chrisitan's arm and she looks peaceful and sound asleep next to him. Grace goes in and kisses Christian good night. She also stops and reaches down and strokes Ana's hair. Kate smiles and Grace she knows that Grace is so happy to have Ana in Christian's life. Kate puts her arm around Grace and they walk out of the room.
" Is Ana coming home tonight or what?"
"Elliot, I think we will just leave Ana here tonight we can bring her fresh clothes in the morning. She is sound asleep and with Christian where she will want to be. To make her come home she would only be up all night worrying. Here is can be with him at every second. She is asleep now and so we will leave here. "
Elliot shrugs his shoulders and says, " Ok fine. Well let's go home it has been a long day and I need to crash. "
It's a quiet ride back to the house. Everyone seems exhausted from the events of the day. Mia is already in bed when they get in. Grace and Carrick retire up the there room. Kate and Elliot head upstairs as well. When they walk by Ana and Christian's room Kate remembers what Ana had found this they are in bed she decides to ask Elliot if he knew about the ring.
" Elliot today when I was telling Ana about what happened to Christian she took a hold of his tux jacket and well a box fell out of it's pocket and inside was the most exquisite diamond engagement ring I have seen. Did you know Christian was going to ask Ana to marry him tonight?"
Elliot looks at Kate, " I knew it was going to be on this trip but I wasn't sure when he was going to do it.I am sure Christian didn't spare any expense when picking a ring for Ana well actually I believe he had it designed for her. "
" Yes he does tend to spoil her doesn't he. Kate laughs but, I am glad he does. What would you like to do tomorrow? I mean yes go to the hospital but if you feel like a hike or something I am up for that. Some time in Nature to clear our heads."
" Yes, I think that would be a good idea maybe Mia and Ana would like to go. I know my parents will stay around here and the hospital. For now anyway no news is good news or at least the same. I wonder if Christian will have his lawyers look into this and see if the resort is at all liable for his accident. "
" Elliot why would he do that? Surely it wouldn't be for the money. He doesn't need anymore. "
Elliot pulls Kate into his arms and gives her a tender loving kiss. He holds her as they both fall asleep. He is glad is here with him. His parents would be driving him mad and he would be pacing the floor.
Elliot finds himself thinking about when mom and dad adopted Christian and his first night with them. He remembers how tentative Grace was to him. Elliot really hated him and felt like that skinny little kid who didn't talk was taking his mom away. Elliot learned right away don't challenge him because he may have been small but he was tough little guy and sure could fight. The have come along way since kids. They are very close now and both would be lost with out the other.
Ana hears her name being whispered she cant make out where it's coming from her dream must be ending but her name is soft and spoken slowly. Suddenly she jolts up and opens her eyes. Christian! She looks over at him but he is still asleep looking as peaceful as he can with all the tubes and machines. She must have been dreaming that he was saying her name. She sits up and leans over and takes his hand and kisses it. She stands up and kiss him on his lips and forehead not letting go of his hand. She sits down and says.
" Good morning baby. Do you want me to read you today's business section. Then maybe I can find a good book to read that we both will enjoy. "
For another second she thinks she feels Christian's hand tighten around hers and give it a quick squeeze. But it can't be. He is still asleep and has not come too yet. She let's go of his hand she knows how much Christian can't stand just laying around and not being productive.
" Christian I bet your legs and feeling stiff laying still for so long."
Ana moves the blanket aside and begins managing his leg muscles. She sits back down with him after she finishes both legs.
" Oh Christian I miss you please wake up and come back to me I miss your voice and I miss your smile. I love you. " " I hope you don't mind but I would like to cuddle with you just for a minute. I miss being close to you. "
She lays next to Christian and holds his hand. She knows he can hear her. Grace said people have different opinions on this but she knows Christian and can hear her. She reaches up to his ear and whispers Christian I love you come back to me. I miss your touch and your love. "
Her head resting on his shoulder she hears it again a faint whisper of her name. "Ana".
She lifts her head she knows he is trying to come back to her. It must be him she is not crazy.
" Christian I am here. I am not going to leave you. Rest now. I will be hear when you have the strength to wake up. "
She places her hand on his cheek and sits and looks at him for awhile. She can't believe her eyes when she sees his mouth move just a little and enough to say her name,
"Ana."
She can't believe he is saying her name she starts to cry and hugs him.
"Oh Christian I am here. I love you. I am going to get the nurse and have her bring us the newspaper. You must be dying to here today's business news. She wipes the tears from her eyes before she can push the nurse button in walks a burnett older nurse.
" Good morning Miss. Grey my name is Caroline. I will be Mr. Grey's nurse today. I hope you both rested well. I am justo going to look at his vitals and see how he is doing. "
Ana sits out of the way and watches Caroline. She wonders if she should mention him saying her name. She decides not to say anything yet.
" We will be taking Mr. Grey up to have another MRI then doctors will look and see how many more surgeries might be needed. I should be back to wheel him up in about an hour."
Ana looks at her and shakes her head. She feels a little anxious now she really wants everything to be approving for Christian. When he wakes up keeping him down will not be an easy task. He doesn't stay in bed for anything. She smiles and thinks well she can keep him down for awhile. After Caroline leaves the room Ana heads over to Christian.
" I will read some more to you when you get back. They are going to do some tests to see how everything is going. I will be here waiting for you. I love you Christian I always will. I should call everyone at the house and tell them about your tests this morning. "
Ana kisses Christian on the head and then goes to get her phone out of her purse to let everyone know what was going on. She dials Grace because she knows it's to early for Kate or Elliot to be up.
"Ana good morning how is everything? "
" They are taking Christian in just a bit for a MRI and some other tests to see how everything is coming along and improving. "
" Thank you Ana for letting us know. Carrick and I will be there in about 30 minutes to sit with you while we wait. Have you had Breakfast yet? We can get you something."
" Grace I didn't eat yet but, I think I will wait until we hear the results."
Grace doesn't say anything but, Ana can tell that she is not to happy about her skipping another meal. If she didn't know where Christian's hang ups about food came from she would think he got it from Grace. When the conversation with Grace ends Ana goes back and sits with Christian she takes his hand in hers and just sits and watches him. Tears start welling up in her eyes. She squeezes his hand as the tears start to fall. She release her grip a little and she feels and sees his hand close harder around hers.
" Christian, Can you hear me? Baby, please come back to me. I know you are listening to me. I know you are trying to let me know it will be ok. I love you so much. "
She lifts his hand up to her mouth and kisses it. A moment later The nurses come in to wheel Christian to have the tests run. Ana squeezes his hand and leans down and kisses him. She whispers, Laters Baby. She then grabs some of her things and goes to sit in the waiting room and wait on Carrick and Grace.
Mia decides she is going to ride to the hospital with Grace and Carrick. Taylor tells them he will drive them there. Elliot and Kate are still asleep as they prepare to leave Sawyer mentions he will stay back and fill them in and come down to the hospital with Kate and Elliot.
Taylor drops them off at the main entrance and then goes and parks. When they arrive at the waiting room they see Ana sitting on a far couch. She looks like she maybe sleeping her head is against the back and her eyes are closed. Mia walks up to her slowly and sits down by her.
" Ana, are you awake? "
Ana opens her eyes and looks at Mia and Grace and Carrick. " Yes I am I guess I was just resting. I slept good last night I think but I know I was worried."
Grace smiles at her, " Yes I think we all were and still now a little on edge. You should try and go back up the house today and rest and soak in the bath. You need to eat and take care of yourself. I know you are worried for Christian but, I will be here and I promise to let you know if anything changes. "
Ana smiles. She will think about it but, she is not leaving until Christian's tests are done if she leaves all she promised him she would be right here when he got back.
" You know mom Mia says next year we should all come to Aspen for Christmas it's so beautiful here at Christmas times with all the decorations. I think as a family that is what we should do. "
" Mia, that is a great idea. We will discuss it as a family when we are all together. I am not sure what your brother's plans will be like next year around Christmas. "
" Mom you just better tell them that Christmas is family time and we are going away to enjoy some quality time."
" Mia that worked much better on them when they were younger. Grace laughs at her."
" Mom they have to listen to you. You are there mother. I mean you and dad are not getting any younger. So spending time with you should be what they want to do. "
" Mia let's discuss this later. I am sure it will all work out we have plenty of time to plan next christmas. "
" Ana, Mia says, did you have much time to do anything fun while you were here before this happened?"
" Well yes I did go to the ski slopes on Tuesday and try to learn how to ski. That is is what I am hobbling on this ankle. It was a lot of fun. I had no idea what down hill skiing
was like. First I went with Kate and then after awhile Christian helped me. I hurt my ankle on Kate's second training session. I feel like I have been in shock I haven't even felt the pain in the ankle. "
" I am sure you will be ok. We could shopping or something at lunch. Whatever you want to do Ana."
" Thanks Mia I will think about it. I am just hoping to hear some good news on Christian. "