Ana's POV
It is 2pm exactly 24 hours after I met Mr Grey for the first time as he lifted me off the floor and I blush just to think about it.
"What are you thinking about?" he asks with amusement obviously having noticed my blush.
"That it's exactly 24 hours since I fell into your life and complicated it all. I'm sorry" I whisper and he rubs his hands through his hair which I am starting to understand is a "tell" for exasperation or when he is trying to figure out what to say or do.
"Please don't be sorry for falling into my life. I am the one that should be apologising, 24 hours ago you were just asking me questions, some very probing questions, I might add." I am sure he said that just to see the blush rise again as he quirked his eyebrow and then continues with "You did nothing wrong, the accident wasn't your fault and I hate that you are lying here so injured just for doing an interview." He sighs and says "I knew there was a reason I hated interviews and never do them." He stops for a second and then concedes quietly "Although, I'm glad I did otherwise I'd never have met you. For the record, I'm glad Miss Kavanagh couldn't do the interview."
He decides to change the topic by saying that Taylor is picking up Ray and Carla and that he has called Kate and everyone should be here soon and that perhaps I should save my voice for them because it doesn't sound like it is going to last. Despite all the pain I am so happy that he is sitting with me and looking out for me and I decide that he's right and I just close my eyes to try and rest until everyone arrives as I know I am going to be overwhelmed. I feel him smooth out the bed clothes and then sit quietly next to me holding my hand, rubbing soothing circles with his thumb across my fingers.
As we hear voices coming down the hall I open my eyes and he smiles at me, squeezes my hand and moves to a standing position at the end of the bed where he reminds me to press the pain relief button and to not be a hero as I need to heal.
The door opens, I don't have a clear view but the shock in his face makes me push past the pain and turn and I can't help but smile.
There is Kate in all her glory holding hands with a gorgeous blonde stranger. The thought crosses my mind that only Kate would be able to pick someone up while waiting in a hospital cafeteria and then I am smothered in a patented Kate Kavanagh hug until she is almost pulled away by Christian who is hissing at her "Watch out, she has broken ribs, a punctured lung and dislocated shoulder and that's just the damage in the area you are touching her, BE CAREFUL".
I can't tell if the anger is all aimed at her or some is aimed at the blonde god who has just slapped him on the shoulder and it filters into my brain has just said "Nice to see you bro, so this is Ana?'
"Ana, this big buffoon is my brother Elliot" he says
Elliot comes over and squeezes my hand saying "Pleased to meet you Ana, I've heard a lot about you. I'd give you a hug but I don't want to give my brother a heart attack". And when I look quizzically between him and Kate who is sitting on the edge of the bed stroking my head and whispering, "I'm so sorry Ana", he continues with "I met Kate when we being tested for blood compatibility and then we had lunch" as if that was the most natural thing in the world – only Kate would meet a gorgeous man like that.
Iit makes me smile "Nice to meet you Elliot".
"Kate it's ok, it's not your fault" I say, trying to make her look at me, "it was an accident." I know it wasn't an accident but I am going to trust in Christian to tell me what happened because I don't want a Kate Kavanagh investigation that could cause problems for Christian.
"Sorry about your car" I say, "I know you loved that car"
Before I can say any more, Christian pipes up with the fact that the car has been retrieved and is being kept for investigation but that he has organised a replacement new car and it will be delivered to the hospital either today or tomorrow in which case she will be able to drive it back home.
Kate is stunned, we are all stunned but Kate narrows her eyes and says "Why? Oh that's rude, sorry, thank you. But why?".
I watch in awe as Christian's face becomes harder, somehow more angular and he simply says "Because I can. I decided it was the right thing to do and that way you aren't put out." It is obvious he does not want to and probably will not speak about it again.
For once, Kate just looks at him and lets it go but does say "Thank you, can I have some time with Ana by myself now?"
He looks at me like he is fighting some sort of internal battle and then he asks an unexpected question "Where is Jose?".
Kate looks really upset and says "He's gone" and I wonder what happened.
With that Christian says, "Ok I'll go outside with Elliot but just remember Ana isn't supposed to be speaking much and should be resting and her parents are yet to come in, they are on their way" and they walk out.
"Oh Ana, I have been so worried" Kate chokes out at me, finally letting out the tears she had been holding back and she leans into my hand and I need to relieve her guilt.
"It's not your fault but more importantly, thank you for calling Christian. It was the best thing you could have done because they were able to track my phone and find me, he has a very good security team and then they saved me. Somehow they or I think it was just Christian, pushed the car away from the tree, something about a huge adrenaline rush, and then Taylor (his security guy) did first aid and they called the ambulance and I'm here. So if you hadn't called Christian, I probably wouldn't have made it." She smiles and then sobs harder, but I hope that will be enough for her to feel better about the situation and I think it does the trick because she decides to try to give me another hug but I have to stop her as it really hurts.
I remember too the whole reason I am lying here is that interview and tell her to grab the notes and recorder from my bag saying "I hope it wasn't broken in the crash and that you can get something from it."
She grabs onto it like a life raft and says cryptically "The font of all knowledge, I shall guard it with my life" and then says "I have something for you" and places my favourite Tess book on the edge of the bed and I couldn't be more grateful.
I can't believe how tired I feel and how sore I am, the pain relief is there but I desperately want to see my mom and Ray and then I think of a way of distracting myself. "Um tell me Kate, how did you meet a gorgeous guy while you were waiting to see me?" and she giggles and then goes quiet and looks sad and I don't understand.
I don't have time to pry though because Ray and mom walk in with my self-appointed guard Christian close behind warning them that "Hugs are going to hurt"…it sounds like a new mantra.
Mom rushes in for a kiss and says "Oh darling, it is so good to see you out of ER" then without drawing breath, "This is a nice room, did Christian organise it?" and before I have a chance to answer she continues with "You look awful, better than last night but still awful. I went shopping this morning and bought you a top and a skirt so you aren't lying there in that hideous hospital gown."
Gee, thanks Mom I am thinking but I know there's no use in talking as she will just bulldoze me anyway. She keeps going on and on and then Ray says quietly, "My turn" and I am so grateful to finally feel his hand in mine and his kiss on my cheek.
"How are you doing baby girl?" he asks with a catch in his voice "You gave us such a fright this morning" and I squeeze his hand to try and reassure him that I feel better, "I'll be ok Dad, but I'm sore" I whimper quietly, I feel safe enough to say it to him because I know he really cares.
"Oh Annie, please take the pain relief, we've all seen you and spoken to you, please take the pain relief so your body heals. It's not even 24 hours since it all happened is it, I'm amazed you are even talking. You shouldn't be, you should be sleeping. Promise me you will look after yourself and let us look after you for once."
And almost on cue, Dr Grace walks in, smiles at everyone with her eyes lingering questioningly for a second on Kate leaning against Elliot's chest, his arms around her waist and says "Ok, you've all seen Ana, you've all spoken to Ana, I'm sorry that it hasn't been long but now it's time to let the girl rest. We have some tests that need running, some bandages to be changed, some casts to be measured and she needs to sleep so we will see you tomorrow ok? After midday again please and we will let you know if there are any issues."
After a small procession of kisses and hand squeezes everyone files out, the last one to go is Ray who speaks quietly in my ear "I need you to be strong for me, stronger than you've ever needed to be before but this time I will be here for you" and I understand what he means although I don't want my mind to go there. Ray then turns and shakes Christian's hand and I wonder if Christian heard because he looks steadily at him and seems to nod.
Thankfully the only person who doesn't leave the room is Christian and I close my eyes with relief as he comes over to me and straightens the covers, kisses my forehead and holds my hand. I drift off to sleep as I listen to his steady breathing. I hope that the nightmare doesn't return and I don't know if I am dreaming when I hear "Sleep beautiful girl, we'll keep you safe".