CPOV

I looked down from the window onto the scene below. Press, police, candles, so many candles that have been lit for my wife. A prayer sent with each one. It's only at moments like this that you realised how many people my wife's love and compassion has touched in this city. How many children are alive today because of the care that she has given. How many times has her beautiful smile brightened someone's day.

The brightness of the world out there is in contrast to what is inside this room. Letting the curtain fall into place, the room darkened once more. Instead of the chatter outside, the only sounds in here are the beeps of the many machines and my daughters voice as she reads to her mother.

It's been two days since someone had tried to take my wife and daughter away and at this moment, I still feel as helpless as when I arrived.

"Dad, it's starting" Theo said, from the doorway.

"I will be there in a minute" I told him, before turning to my wife. "I just have to step outside for a minute Princess, shout if you need me" god I wanted her to shout.

I kissed her forehead before turning to Lucy, who was looking at me through red eyes. She was exhausted and like my dad had predicted, when she did sleep, her screams came also.

"I won't be long Lucy."

"I know, I will call if Mum needs anything."

I hugged her tightly before letting go so she could continue reading to Ana. As I walked towards the door, I placed my hand on Frankie's shoulder before exiting the room. He's like a sentinel, guarding his post, his daughter.

I acknowledged some who passed, visiting other people who were in rooms surrounding ours. Despite our large numbers and the fact, they had given up on saying only two people could be in my wife's room at once, we were quiet, respectful to those around us. The visitors room though, my family and friends had practically taken over that.

Entering the visitors room, I joined my sons in front of the TV that was showing many of the people I had seen below. My Dad had my attention as he approached the microphones that had been set up for his statement, in the large atrium of the hospital. It was not safe for him to do this outside because as far as the people of this city know, there is a shooter on the loose.

Dad had Sam with him in his Commissioner role. The strong police presence that we need to show is on our side now. Lorenzo had been here in his official role of detective, taking statements from the girls. Lucy's was harrowing, listening to my daughter speak about how she felt guilty that she hadn't ran when Ana had screamed at her to do so. The only one who is to blame, will be dealt with soon enough.

"Mum" Theo asked me as I looked back to the room where I could just see Lucy, still reading to her mother.

"She's sleeping" I told him the only thing that I could at the moment, the only thing I could get my head around because the truth hurt too much.

An assassin hired by Sebastian because he didn't trust Hain to do the job. He had followed my wife even before we had gone to Chicago. He couldn't reach them at their usual spots because Ana hadn't gone back to work and Lucy until last week, had been off school. He only stopped shooting as Ian had scored a lucky shot and hit him in the arm. Lorenzo had found photos of my girls in his apartment. Either would do, that is what Hain was told when he was hired. It could've been both if Ana hadn't shielded our daughter with her own body.

He had photos of other members of our family too. My Dad going into his office, Kate heading into work, even Jac and Daniel playing football. He had time to build the picture of our family life but the photos that had brought everything to a head were of Mac and Sofia, visiting the spa to book the gifts for the girl's birthdays. Who he had tricked from there into giving him the information that he needed, I don't know but he was lying in wait for when they arrived.

"Someone turn it up" I said as Luca moved forward to grab the remote.

"I have a statement to read and then I will try and answer some questions" my Dad told the waiting press. "Two days ago, two of my daughter in laws were gunned down as they enjoyed a day of relaxation at a spa. It had been Dr Anastasia Grey's birthday on the Friday and my granddaughters 16th birthday on Saturday so the day was supposed to help them unwind and enjoy themselves after a few hectic days. That day ended with Anastasia shielding her daughter from harm, being shot twice in the process. Mia Grey sustained a wound to her arm. Other members of my family that were in attendance have been treated for shock and my grandson's pregnant girlfriend had to be kept in and monitored. This person who has caused so much pain to my family, is still at large and needs to be caught."

"Why would someone shoot them" one of the reporters interrupted my Dad when he took a few seconds to compose himself.

"A few months ago, we became aware of death threats made to the females in my family. We informed the police and the girls all received guards. Why they were targeted, we do not know."

"Could it be the new pipeline that was recently approved by this state, your work with the governor in particular. There has been a lot of opposition."

"That is one avenue we're focusing on as well as many more. To try and take the life of a child for that though, is inconceivable."

"Senator Grey, what is Dr Grey's condition" a reporter asked as we all automatically looked back to the room.

"She's sleeping" I said, more to myself than those around me.

"Ana is still in a critical condition. As I said she was hit twice, one bullet had an exit wound, the other caused considerable damage and major blood loss."

I could see my Dad was trying to not get choked up, more for us watching than anyone down there. He brushed a tear away before continuing.

"What is her prognosis."

"We do not know. We wait, we pray, speak to her. Someone is always by her side. If I know one thing, that is Ana is the strongest person you could ever hope to meet. She's a fighter and I know she's fighting now because she has so much more to do."

There was movement to my side as Matteo got up to leave the room, his grandfather's words too much for him to hear.

"Matteo" I called after him, but he didn't stop.

This was hard on all our children and despite how much I want to keep them with me, close to their mother, sometimes I have to let the go, let them be.

MATTEO POV.

I left the room, not wanting them to see my tears as I stopped by my mother's door. I wanted to run away but I knew if she woke, she would be worried to where I had gone.

"Mum I'm just going for a walk" I told her, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

I carefully brushed my tear away from her forehead, looking to the woman who had brought me into this world and gave me life.

Despite the world we live in, I had been blessed with the most amazing parents. Ones who would do anything, give anything for their children. That had never felt truer than in the past couple of days as I look to my little sister. Mum had shielded her, protected her like she always does, and it had almost killed her in the process. I know Mum though, she would do it again in a heartbeat, for any of us.

"Lucy, I'm going for a walk. Do you want to come with me" I asked her.

"I can't leave. I have to give Mum this when she wakes up."

In her hand was my mother's locket. It had been removed during surgery and although a little scratched, it had survived just like our girls.

"Can I bring you anything."

"Rosie, Hope, Milo, Rocco, Gizmo and Sprout. They would make Mum feel better. They would lick her and make her laugh."

"When she's awake, we will find a way to get them to her, even if she has to look at them from the window up here. She's too poorly for them to be near her at the moment."

"I know, I just want her to wake up."

"She will, she has to."

I hugged my sister to me before making my way towards the elevators. Stepping in once it had arrived, I could see the atrium below us in the glass wall of the elevator. I could also see my grandfather who looked my way, the cameras following his gaze. I didn't get off on their floor though, I got off on the one above. I didn't know where I was going, just moving my legs and body at the moment was the only thing I could do.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I read the text waiting for me.

Are you ok – Theo

I'm fine...no I'm not. I just had to get out of there for a bit. I won't be far. - Matteo

Take your time bro, Mum is just sleeping x – Theo

I stopped in my tracks, reading the part of Mum sleeping. That is all Dad has said since we first arrived in the ICU as he can't think of Mum as doing anything else. He can't think that my Mum might not wake up and he's not the only one.

I stepped into the little chapel that I had stumbled across and sunk to the floor, letting go of my emotions.

I cannot imagine my Mum not being here. There has never been a day when she has not been there for us, not supported us in everything that we have done. If there was someone up there listening now, I would give anything to make sure that the angel that is my mother, was ok.

"Here" I heard her voice, startling me. I had not heard anyone approach, but I took the monogrammed hankie from her hand.

I looked up seeing Chiara, one of my Mum's nurses stood before me.

"It's ok to let it out, to talk about it" she told me, which just brought on more tears.

She sat silently by my side as I let the tears go. Tears for my mother, my sister, for all of us. We were all hurting so much. We tried to comfort one another but it was hard to be strong when we were all in so much pain at the thought of our Mum leaving us. Loneliness was a strong feeling that I felt too, especially as we sat and waited for news when we had first arrived.

I knew that if I had asked my grandmother, my sister for a hug, they would've freely given it but seeing Luca with Oriella, Theo with Ava, both having that someone to cling to at that moment, I felt empty. I was alone, and it was of my own doing.

"Tell me your favourite memory of your Mum" Chiara asked, bringing me from my thoughts.

She had been speaking to me, but this was the first time I had responded.

"There are so many" I said, my throat hoarse from crying. "With the dogs we have, Mum is always surrounded by them. If it's a warm day she will jump off the jetty at the end of our garden with them and swim around. When we used to come home from school, the house always smelled amazing as she had spent hours making our favourite treats. Her smile, just everything" I said, turning to Chiara. "Mum is an angel, who would do anything for anyone and a serious mother bear if you mess with her kids."

"She's a legend around here" she told me. "Some people are still here from when your mother worked at the hospital. Your mother is actually my doctor, at the surgery."

I nodded not knowing what to say. How long we sat there, I didn't know. Chiara had to leave when her beeper went off, assuring me that it wasn't my Mum that her help was needed on. My brothers would've called me if that was the case.

The priest whose chapel I was sat in, asked me if I was ok when he arrived, leaving me alone once I had assured him that I was.

It was my grandfather that found me about thirty minutes later, taking a seat by my side.

"The benches would've been more comfortable" he told me.

"I sat where my legs gave out" I told him, seeing a slight nod of the head. "She can't go Granddad."

"Matteo" he sighed as I turned to him, seeing the tears he quickly brushed away. "I remember the first time I met your Mum. I had followed John and Rhian in the car as they took an unresponsive Max to the hospital. A male doctor quickly looked him over and took in his fever and sleeping state and said he had picked up a bug, sleep was best for him and was about to discharge him with paracetamol. Your Mum was treating another patient at the time and had heard Rhian crying that something was wrong, and this was not Max. She was right, Max was always active, always into everything and seeing him like that, we knew something serious was wrong. Ana stepped into the room, ignoring the doctor's protests that she goes and does her own job. She stood up to him as the lead paediatrician she was and told him to get out because she was doing her job and maybe he should try and do his own. She checked Max over, called Eamon in to confirm her findings, her second opinion which Eamon said she didn't need as she knew her stuff and Max was admitted straight away. If he had been sent home, there is no doubt he wouldn't be here now. Your mother fought for Max, like she does with all her patients, all of us. She's fighting now, and we have to be there to give her the support and encouragement to make sure she wins. Talk to her, make her stay with us. It doesn't matter if you cry because those tears are for her."

"She promised Dad forever."

"She did, now she's going to need to hear our voices to get there."

He got up from the floor, holding his hand out for me to take.

"Come on, you know your mother. She will only worry when she wakes up if one of you is not there."

I followed my grandfather out of the chapel, sending one last prayer, one wish that Mum will be ok.

…..

Lucy pov

"Lucy, do you want me to do it" Grandma Grace asked me, but I shook my head.

I took a clean cloth, wetting it slightly and then washed my Mum's face. She would normally do this herself but at the moment she's sleeping, so I'm doing it for her.

I made sure to dry her face once I had rid her of the dirt that I know was not really there. I had a headache today, but I ignored it. It was a reminder of what my Mum had done for me, how she had shielded me. If Mum was going to live through being shot twice, I could live with a headache.

I took the brush Chiara had given me, gently brushing my Mum's hair. It was a baby brush, so soft under touch and it probably didn't do much to remove the tangles, but I needed to do it.

"She looks beautiful" my Dad said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me to him when I had finished.

"She always does" I whispered.

"Lucy, look at me."

I looked up into my Dads eyes, seeing my own misery there.

"It's ok to take a break, get some fresh air."

"Have you" I asked, knowing what the answer would be when he pulled me tighter to him. "I will leave when you and Mum does."

"You didn't sleep last night" he said.

"I see it again and again when I close my eyes. I'm scared of calling out and upsetting Mum if I do. She might not be well enough to speak to us at the moment or open her eyes, but I know she's listening."

"She is listening. She has heard every time we have said that we love her, every time that we have cried her name. Speaking to her is what is keeping her with us."

I made the mistake then of touching my head as my Dad called to Kate.

"Dad, I'm fine. It's just a headache."

"Yes, one that can be treated. Do you remember Sicily when Matteo didn't tell us that he had hurt himself? Do you want to deal with your mother because you left a headache untreated?"

"At this moment yes, I want her to wake up and tell me I was silly for letting it fester and then to kiss it better" I told him as my tears fell. "It's been three days now Dad and she's still not waking up."

"They have her heavily sedated Lucy" Kate told me. "They need her body to heal while she can't move."

"But she's not showing any sign that she's healing. They're not saying that they're thinking of waking her up."

"It takes time baby girl. I'm the most impatient man in the world but I will wait forever if it gives your mum the time to heal. She needs to rest and the only way she can do that is by staying still."

"By sleeping" I asked him.

"Yes. Despite how much I want her to be awake, for now she needs to sleep."

LUCA POV

It was my turn to sit by Mums side. Theo had taken Lucy up to the roof terrace to get some air, also taking my very reluctant grandfather with them.

Mums hand was in mine as I rubbed my finger over her rings and up and down each finger. She had done this to me as a child to calm me and as I had taken her hand into mine, my finger had mimicked her movements from long ago.

"Grandma Anastasia" I said aloud to my Mum. "That is what you're going to be. The best, most over protective Grandma my children could wish for. The babies are ok, they're safe and happy growing inside Oriella. We're all here Mum, camped out in the visitor's room, waiting for you to come home."

I took a breath for a moment, before continuing to speak.

"The bakery has never been so busy. People coming from all over the city, just to see if they had news of you. Hannah was going to shut it and she did the day after the….. after everything turned to hell. She said she wanted it to be running perfectly for when you went back though, not a cupcake wrapper out of place. You will go back won't you Mum."

I brushed the tears from my eyes, continuing to move my finger over her hand.

"We need you Mum; Ori and I need you. We have no idea what the hell we're going to do with one baby, let alone two. I know you wanted to be the one to look after them, be their doctor. We need you well to do that."

I felt arms wrap around my shoulder then and my great grandmothers kiss to my cheek.

"How is our girl doing" she asked me, as I offered her my seat.

"Having a dreamless sleep."

"Good" Grandma smiled.

"Grandma."

"I want her awake just as much as you do Luca but if she has to sleep, I would rather the nightmares be kept at bay. Dreamless sleep is good. Your Dad is in the doctor's office, I thought you would want to know."

I kissed my Mums cheek and then Grandmas before heading into the doctor's office where I found my Dad and Theo.

"Son take a seat" Dad said.

"I'd rather stand" I told him, knowing I will bolt if the doctor says something bad about Mum.

"Luca sit please" Granddad Eamon told me as he entered the room with Matteo and Granddad Frankie, putting his hand on my shoulder as I finally took a seat.

"Is Lucy coming" I asked, looking to my dad. She had a right to be here.

"No, she does know we're here and I will tell her what the outcome of this meeting is, but she said she would rather hear whatever is said from me."

"She's back with her Mum" Frankie told us.

"Ok, the test results have come back that we did yesterday evening and this morning. Both have shown a considerable improvement since when she arrived here. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to reduce the sedation and continue throughout the day" the doctor told us.

"You all have to realised that it could still take time for her to wake when the sedation ceases. She was sedated so she couldn't move and could heal but she still has to come around in her own time. When Ana does wake, she's going to be in a lot of pain and will need rehabilitation but she's heading in the right direction."

"We have to wait until she's ready" Theo said.

"I'm afraid so Theo."

"I can wait" he told our grandfather.

"We all can" my dad told him.

THEO POV

We left the doctor's office, heading back either to my Mums room or the visitors room where I headed. I did look in on my Mum though, but she was lay just the same as when we had left.

Lucy was reading to Mum from one of her magazines about the latest make up product or cleanser. I didn't know which, but it kept my sister talking and my Mum with us.

Making my way to the opposite corner of the visitor's room, I called Ava.

"Theo how is she" Ava asked, upon answering.

"The doctor is going to reduce the sedation tomorrow."

"That's good isn't it."

"Yes. I just wish..."

"I know Theo. I'm going to get my dad to drop me off at the hospital."

"Ok, be careful please Ava. This place is still crawling with press and cops."

"I will. I will get dad to come up with me if it's too busy downstairs. I love you."

"I love you too Ava, I will see you soon."

Pocketing my phone, I went to see my Mum.

…

They had reduced the sedation yesterday morning and still nothing from Mum as a new day dawned. Ava had not left since she had arrived, knowing that I needed her near.

The dogs would probably wake her up but at the moment, that is not possible. Mum has my dad instead who is never far from her side. He talks to her about everything, from the day they met to their wedding day. From their children to their future grandchildren. He talks to her about it all waiting for a reply.

We can all see it. Every moment that she's still sleeping, cuts through him deep. We need Mum to survive, she's the glue that holds this family together. On the outside we're putting on a brave face but inside, we're falling apart.

CPOV

"Come on Princess, you have to give me something, anything" I begged.

A flicker of her eye, a movement of a finger, I will take anything at the moment.

Eamon said it will take time, that we had to wait but how much longer. I had looked at the last photo of the girls Ana had sent me so many times, ran my finger over the smiling faces looking up at me. I needed a real smile now, shit I would even take a scowl so I knew she was with me.

I rubbed my eyes, pushing my own tears away as I continued to speak to my wife.

"Dad, Lorenzo is here" Matteo said, putting his hand on my shoulder.

"What does he want."

"To speak about him."

"Lucy, stay with your Mum please" I told her, getting up from my seat.

I headed out of the room and into the visitor's room where Lorenzo was waiting. Matteo had followed me, Theo and Luca joining us.

"What's going on" I asked Lorenzo.

"Sam asked me to come and find out what you want to do with him. This city is basically on lock down as they think there is a shooter on the loose. If we inform the press that we have him in custody, they're going to want to see him alive."

"No, he dies. I don't want him sitting in a courtroom for what he has done. He deserves to die, and he will."

"Ok, Sam mentioned making it look like he was killed in a firefight while trying to evade capture. Details still need to be worked out though, but it needs to happen soon."

"One more day" I told him.

"Ok."

"Mum MUM...DAD" Lucy shouted as we all ran to Ana's room.

"Lucy what's going on" Frankie asked her, emerging from the bathroom.

"Mum spoke."

"What."

I moved to Ana's side, stroking her cheek.

"Ana…open those beautiful eyes for me please."

"Lucy what did she say" Theo asked his sister.

I looked to my daughter, tears streaming down her face.

"Hugo, she said Hugo."

"Princess you need to wake up now. You have been sleeping long enough. We're waiting for you, we're all here. Come on please… we need you to come back to us."

It was a few minutes before we heard what we had been waiting for, my wife's voice.

"Huuugo….out water….daft dog."

"Get a doctor" I said to the boys as Luca ran for the door, running into Eamon who was walking in.

"Mums waking up."

"Ok, that's good" he said, coming over to us. "Has she opened her eyes."

"No, she was talking about Hugo." Lucy told him.

"He's been keeping her company and amused by the sound of it" Frankie said, smiling.

I stood to the side letting Eamon look her over, all the while I had her hand in mine, holding on tight as if she was my lifeline. Her doctor did come into the room, but he left Eamon to look after Ana.

"Come on sweetheart, open those eyes" he told her. "She's reacting to the light… Come on Ana, tell me to shut it off."

We waited for her eyes to open but it was her mumbles that came first. To hear even a squeak out of Ana was a beautiful sound but it was Lucy's name that came next.

"Christian, bring her back" Eamon told me, stepping aside.

"Ana, Princess, open those beautiful eyes for me please. I need to see them, I need you to see me."

A flicker of her eyes is what started her return to us. The encouragement of our children is what helped Ana finally open them.

"That's it Princess, welcome back" I told her as my hand stroked her cheek, her own hand coming up to cover mine.

She was disorientated, unsure of where she was for a moment as she slowly came around. Ana was looking at each of us and when she finally saw Lucy, that was when the tears fell.

"Ok, you're ok."

"I'm fine, you made sure I was fine" Lucy cried as she moved closer to her mother's side.

Ana gripped Lucy's hand, not letting go of either of us.

"Ori, babies" Ana murmured, closing her eyes in obvious pain.

"They're fine mum, Oriella's resting at the moment" Luca told her, brushing his own tears away.

It had taken time for Ana to relinquish my hand, but she continued to hold on to our daughter with a deathly grip. Frankie had been another one who clung onto Ana now she had convinced the boys that she was alright.

"I could hear you, but it felt like so far away. I tried to speak" she said quietly, before bringing her hand to her head.

"Ana are you ok" Frankie asked her.

"I'm fine dad, still trying to wake up I think" she said with a weak smile.

"How's Hugo" Theo asked her, his arm wrapped around Ava now.

"Hugo" Ana said, a smile coming to her lips. "Silly as ever and by my side with Mum, where they always are."

Hearing Ana talk of her mother, Beatrice wept. Antonio was not far behind, knowing how close mother and daughter had come to being permanently together.

We knew of the threat to the girls and we had foolishly thought that it had ended. We didn't know that Sebastian had hired someone else to complete the job if Hain did not. How could we. Hain had been here, guilt ridden like the rest of us that we didn't protect the girls. He had visited the man, never seeing him before.

Throughout the day, I watched Ana closely. We laughed, we cried and we all watched her sleep. How long she will remain in the hospital for, we don't know. A while is all we have been told. She needs to get her strength up, heal and avoid any chance of infection.

"You have to go" Ana mumbled to me, not wanting to wake Lucy who was finally asleep in the room.

"No, I'm not going anywhere."

"But, him."

"Not yet Ana. He's a bit tied up at the moment and will be there when I'm ready for him."

"You're going to watch me sleep then" she smiled, struggling to keep her eyes open as the painkillers took effect.

"I have for twenty-one years, I'm not going to stop now."

She opened her eyes once more, carefully moving over on the bed.

"Ana, what are you doing. You're going to hurt yourself."

"I'm fine. You say I hog the bed, I'm just making room."

"Ana sleep please" I told her, not wanting to cause her any more pain.

"I'll sleep, in your arms" she told me, holding her hand out to me.

I knew I had seconds to take it as I knew she would be asleep soon. After everything we had been through, I couldn't deny her this and that is where she slept, carefully in my arms.

Thank you for reading. I think I need a lie down after writing these last two chapter, I'm an emotional wreck.

Next chapter, Christian and the boys come face to face with the man who tried to take their girls away.

Until then, take care.

Caroline.