The two men entered the recovery room and the nurse took them toward the only occupied bed. As they drew closer, Christian slowed his steps allowing Mr. Steele to reach her first. Mr. Steele quicken his steps and choose the side of the bed opposite the IV stand and beeping heart monitor.
Christian chose to stay a few feet back from the end of bed to give Mr. Steele some space. He watched the love of father as he enveloped Ana's small pale hand in his aged calloused one.
It was a few minutes before Mr. Steele found his voice.
"Hey Annie, it's time to wake up sweetheart." His voice was choked with emotion as he paused waiting for a response. When none was received he rubbed her hand in his and tried again with more strength in his voice. "Annie, sweetheart please wake up."
It took every ounce of Christian's self-control to keep his mouth shut. Mr. Steele needed this moment with his daughter. So, he turned and made his way to the nurse's station to double check that Ana would be transferred to the private suite he requested. Just as he was returning to Anastasia he heard her voice. "Daddy."
" Yes, I'm here. My strong girl, open your eyes for me sweetheart." Mr. Steele pleaded.
Just as Christian reached the end of her bed she opened her eyes and smiled at her dad. "I'm here dad. I'm okay."
Hearing her speak brought a swarm of nurses to her side. They offered her ice chips and assessed her status for what seemed like forever. One nurse finally turned and began heading back to the nurse's station when she stopped in front of Christian.
"She's doing very well Mr. Grey. The private nurses have arrived so I'm going to make arrangements to move her to her room."
"Thank you. How long do you think it will be before you move her?"
"I would estimate about a half an hour, Sir." She replied before for heading off again.
Christian was considering checking in Taylor when he heard the sweet voice of his angel call for him.
"Christian, why are you so far away?" Ana voice was barely a whisper with a note of sadness that pieced Christian newly rejuvenated heart.
Christian was by her side in an instant not caring that he had to compete with the medical equipment to get close to was only then that he noticed the mist in her eyes. Why was she on the verge of tears? "Baby, the doctors say with rest and therapy you are going to be fine."
"Baby? You called me baby." She smiled.
Confused he nodded and said, "I called you baby earlier and I thought you liked it. But if you would prefer I use a different term of endearment I'm open to anything but sweetheart as that one seems to belong to your father."
"Damn right about that Grey." Mr. Steele sneered.
"Daddy, Be nice. Christian and I have become more than just friends." She reprimanded.
"Yes, he has made me very aware of your relationship. Now is not the time to discuss it, but we will be having a very serious conversation in the future." He sneered again.
"Daddy" Ana started to respond but Christian interrupted her.
"Baby, there is a lot of things happening at the moment that you are unaware of so go easy on your father. Once you are settled in your private room I'll explain everything."
"Christian, I don't need and can't afford a private room."
Mr. Steele snorted. "Annie, let it go. You have already been treated by the best doctors his money could buy. Trust me you will never see a bill for anything. I know this first hand."
"Christian, what is he talking about?"
Christian leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I covered all of your dad's medical bills from his accident and he called me out on it earlier this evening. So, yes you will have a private room with a private nursing dedicated only to your care and no you will not be paying for anything."
Ana huffed and turned from Christian to her father. "I still don't understand why I need a private room."
"I know I raised you to be a strong and independent woman but in this case I agree with Christian. Please just let him take care of you." He pleaded.
She heaved a sigh and turned back to Christian. "Okay fine, but this is not an opening for you to go crazy with the gifts. You know how I feel about them."
Christian smiled, "Thank you Baby. I will try to suppress in my desire to spoil you rotten."
Ana was taking in her new surroundings. Her private room looked like a room from a five-star spa hotel and not a hospital room. Her bed was super soft and came with a mission control panel. In addition to your typical hospital beds functions it also controlled the surround sound system for the television, music and sound machine. She was currently enjoying listening to the sounds of the ocean in a soft blue ambient lighting after finally talked her dad into calling it a night and heading to the hotel room Christian had booked for him.
Christian, she wasn't use what was going on with him. One minute he was attentive and caressing her hand and next he seemed distant. Then there was the overwhelming tension between him and her dad. Her father obviously has an issue with her being in a relationship with Christian and Christian was being extremely understanding about it. She hoped to get an answer from him when he returned from walking her father down to Saylor who was going to take him over to the hotel.
The door opened and Christian sauntered back into the room. In his hand he held a red gift bag that cause Ana to raise her eyebrows at him. "I thought we had come to an agreement about gifts."
Christian approached her cautiously. "I know, but in my defense I had this piece in the works for a few weeks and since it's custom made I can't return it."
"Fine" she said reaching out of the bag. "But this is the last gift for a least a month, capeesh."
Christian smiled and nodded in acceptance as Ana pulled the small red leather box from the bag. She opened the box and gasped. It was a ring. A rose gold ring in the shape of a rose with stems of the rose roped into the shape of an A on one side and a C on the other. It was overwhelming beautiful and thoughtful.
Christian took the box from her shaking hands and pulled the ring from it. "You don't mind if I do the honors do you?" When she shook her head he gently took her left hand and positioned the ring at the top of her ring finger and continued. "Now don't get the idea that this is your engagement ring. When the time comes for that I will be down on one knee. It is however a promise ring. I promise that as we take our relationship to this new level I will do my best to deserve your kind and beautiful heart."
As he wiped the tears falling from her eyes Christian asked, "Anastasia Rose Steele will you be my girlfriend?"
She barely got the word yes from her lips before he slid the ring on her finger and claimed her lips in a tender kiss.