"And the baby?… Oh, thank God."

Oh my. He's worried about the baby… the baby?… Little Blip. Of course. My Little Blip. I try in vain to move my hand to my belly. Nothing moves, nothing responds.

He cares about the baby.

"The baby's fine, Mr. Grey."

Little Blip is safe.

There is only pain. My head, my chest… burning pain. My side, my arm. Pain. Pain and hushed words in the gloom. Where am I? Though I try, I cannot open my eyes. The whispered words become clearer… a beacon in the darkness.

"And the baby?" The words are anguished, breathless.

"Her ribs are bruised, Mr. Grey, and she has a hairline fracture to her skull, but her vital signs are stable and strong."

"Oh, thank God." The words are a litany… a prayer. "Oh, thank God."

"And the baby?… Oh, thank God."

"And the baby?… Oh, thank God."

"Why is she still unconscious?"

"Mrs. Grey has had a major contusion to her head. But her brain activity is normal, and she has no cerebral swelling. She'll wake when she's ready. Just give her some time."

He wants the baby. Oh, thank God. I relax, and unconsciousness claims me once more, stealing me away from the pain.

"Christian, you should sleep."

Christian! He's here… I will myself to wake -- his voice is strained, an agonized whisper.

"Christian, calm down. Ana's a remarkable young woman. She was incredibly brave."

"I'll sit with her. It's the least I can do after she saved my daughter."

"No, Dad. I want to be here when she wakes up."

Everything is heavy and aching: limbs, head, eyelids, nothing will move. My eyes and mouth are resolutely shut, unwilling to open, leaving me blind and mute and aching. As I surface from the fog, consciousness hovers, a seductive siren just out of reach. Sounds become voices.

"She's groggy… scared and angry. It'll be a few hours before the Rohypnol is completely out of her system."

"I'm not leaving her."

"We all thought Hyde was out of the picture. And my crazy, stupid wife -- Why didn't she tell me?" Christian's voice is full of anguish.

"Christ."

"How's Mia?"

"I know. I'm feeling seven kinds of foolish for relenting on her security. You warned me, but Mia is so stubborn. If it wasn't for Ana here…"

Mia!

"She's a headstrong young woman, Mr. Grey."

"Detective, As you can see, my wife is in no state to answer any of your questions." Christian is angry.

"I wish she'd killed the fucker."

"What do you mean you weren't talking?" It's Grace. She sounds angry. I try to move my head, but I'm met with a resounding, listless silence from my body. "What did you do?"

"Trust me, Ray, I just might do that."

"If you don't take her across your knee, I sure as hell will. What the hell was she thinking?"

"Hey," Carrick murmurs, "don't be so hard on her, or yourself, son… I'd better get back to your mom. It's after three in the morning, Christian. You really should try to sleep."

The fog lifts but I have no sense of time.

Dad! He's here. I fight the fog… fight… But I spiral down once more into oblivion. No…

"Miss Morgan is singing like the proverbial canary. Hyde's a real twisted son of a bitch. He has a serious grudge against your father and you…"

The fog closes in.

The fog surrounds me once more, and I'm dragged down… down. No!

"That would have meant more paperwork for me, Mr. Grey…"

"Brave and headstrong and stubborn and stupid." His voice cracks.

"I was so angry." It's almost a sob… No.

"She was mad at me."

"At first, yes."

"She finally got the message… and so did I… I hurt Ana," he whispers.

"Did you believe her?"

"You told me you'd cut all ties." Grace is talking. Her voice is quiet, admonishing.

"What she did, darling… Children will do that to you. Make you look at the world in a different light."

"Mom --"

"She said she was leaving me."

"We always hurt the ones we love, darling. You'll have to tell her you're sorry. And mean it and give her time."

"I know." Christian sounds resigned. "But seeing her finally put it all in perspective for me. You know… with the child. For the first time I felt… What we did… it was wrong."

No. No. No!

"Christian! What did you do?"

I hear soft garbled voices.

The world dips and blurs and I'm gone.

"Hey…"

"Darling, you always believe the worst of everyone, including yourself. You always have. Ana loves you very much, and it's obvious you love her."

"I'm sure she was. I'm pretty mad at you right now. I think you can only be truly mad at someone you really love."

"Me too, darling. I'm always here. I can't believe I'm going to be a grandmother."

I try. I try. I want to see him. But my body disobeys me, and I fall asleep once more.

"Oh, baby, please come back to me. I'm sorry. Sorry for everything. Just wake up. I miss you. I love you…"

Hmm. His stubble softly scrapes the back of my hand as he squeezes my fingers.

Grandma!

Oh… the darkness closes in. No --

Sweet oblivion beckons.

"Yes, she has, darling."

"I thought about it, and she's shown me over and over how much she loves me… to the point of putting her own life in danger."

Christian! There are muffled sobs. No…

"I know, Mom… I'm glad we talked."

"Oh, Mom, why won't she wake up?" His voice cracks. "I nearly lost her."

I have a pressing need to pee. I open my eyes. I'm in the clean, sterile environment of a hospital room. It's dark except for a sidelight, and all is quiet. My head and my chest ache, but more than that, my bladder is bursting. I need to pee. I test my limbs. My right arm smarts, and I notice the IV attached to it on the inside of my elbow. I shut my eyes quickly. Turning my head -- I'm pleased that it responds to my will -- I open my eyes again. Christian is asleep, sitting beside me and leaning on my bed with his head on his folded arms. I reach out, grateful once more that my body responds, and run my fingers through his soft hair.

"It's taken twenty-four years for you to let me hold you like this…"

"I really need to pee," I rasp. My throat and mouth are so dry.

He startles awake, raising his head so suddenly that my hand falls weakly back onto the bed.

"Will you do as you're told for once?" he snaps, exasperated.

"Oh, Ana." His voice is choked and relieved. He grasps my hand, squeezing it tightly and holding it up against his rough, stubbled cheek.

"Hi," I croak.

He gapes, then frowns at me for a moment. "Okay."

What? Oh, this is gross. I glance anxiously at Christian, then back to the nurse.

"Ana, stay still. I'll call a nurse." He quickly stands, alarmed, and reaches for a buzzer on the bedside.

I struggle to sit up.

"I need to use the bathroom," I whisper.

"Yes. Hospital. I need to pee."

A nurse bustles into the room. She must be in her fifties, though her hair is jet black. She wears overlarge pearl earrings.

"Please," I whisper. Why do I ache everywhere? "I need to get up." Jeez, I feel so weak.

"Mrs. Grey, welcome back. I'll let Dr. Bartley know you're awake." She makes her way to my bedside. "My name is Nora. Do you know where you are?"

"You have a catheter."

"Christian, please," I whisper, reaching out and grasping his hand. Briefly he squeezes my hand, then gives me an exasperated look. "Please," I beg.

"Mr. Grey, I can manage," Nurse Nora scolds him.

"Please."

Christian bursts back into the room two minutes later as Nurse Nora is helping me out of bed. I'm dressed in a thin hospital gown. I don't remember being stripped.

"I'm not going anywhere." He glares back at her.

"Mrs. Grey."

"Fine!" he snaps and runs his hand through his hair. "You have two minutes," he hisses at the nurse, and he leans down and kisses my forehead before turning on his heel and leaving the room.

He gives her a hostile glare. "Damn it, she's my wife. I'll take her," he says through gritted teeth as he moves the IV stand out of his way.

"Let me remove your catheter. Mr. Grey, I am sure Mrs. Grey would like some privacy." She looks pointedly at Christian, dismissing him.

"Ana," Christian warns. I struggle to sit up once more.

"Please. I want to get up."

"Let me take her," he says and strides toward us.

He raises his hands in defeat. "I'll stand outside, door open." He takes a couple of paces back until he's standing just outside the door with the angry nurse.

"Go." I try to wave him out.

"Mr. Grey!" she protests.

We both ignore the nurse.

"Mr. Grey!"

"You might fall."

He ignores her, leans down, and gently lifts me off the bed. I wrap my arms around his neck, my body complaining. Jeez, I ache everywhere. He carries me to the en suite bathroom while Nurse Nora follows us, pushing the IV stand.

"Turn around, please," I ask. Why do I feel so ridiculously shy with this man? He rolls his eyes but complies. And when his back is turned… I let go, and savor the relief.

Tentatively, I sit down on the toilet.

"No. Just pee, Ana."

"Please," I beg.

"Mrs. Grey, you're too light," he mutters disapprovingly as he sets me gently on my feet. I sway. My legs feel like Jell-O. Christian flips the light switch, and I'm momentarily blinded by the fluorescent lamp that pings and flickers to life.

"Sit before you fall," he snaps, still holding me.

Could this be any more embarrassing? "I can't, not with you here."

"I'm done," I call, drying my hands on the towel.

"If you've quite finished, Mr. Grey, I'd like to check over Mrs. Grey now." Nurse Nora is mad.

"Oh, I've missed you, Mrs. Grey," he whispers, and with Nurse Nora fussing behind him, he lays me back on the bed and releases me -- reluctantly, I think.

Christian turns and comes back in and before I know it, I'm in his arms again. I have missed these arms. He pauses and buries his nose in my hair.

"How do you feel?" she asks me, her voice laced with sympathy and a trace of irritation, which I suspect is for Christian's benefit.

He stands back. "She's all yours," he says in a more measured tone.

I take stock of my injuries. My head hurts, my chest aches where Jack kicked me, and my side throbs where he pushed me to the ground. Plus I'm thirsty and hungry. Jeez, really hungry. I finish up, thankful that I don't have to get up to wash my hands, as the sink is close. I just don't have the strength to stand.

She huffs at him and then turns her attention back to me.

Exasperating isn't he?

"How are you feeling?" Ignoring the nurse, he sits down on the bed out of arm's reach.

I glance at Nora, whose eyes narrow at Christian.

"Hungry?" He blinks in surprise.

"Your blood pressure is normal, Mrs. Grey. I'll fetch the doctor." She removes the cuff and, without so much as another word, stalks out of the room, radiating disapproval.

He gazes at her impassively for a moment, then takes his BlackBerry out of his pants pocket and presses a number.

"What do you want to eat?"

I nod.

"Sore and thirsty. Very thirsty," I whisper.

"Confused. Achy. Hungry."

"I'll fetch you some water once I've checked your vitals and Dr. Bartley has examined you."

"Mr. Grey, you'll need the doctor's approval before Mrs. Grey can eat."

"Ana wants chicken soup… Good… Thank you." He hangs up.

"Taylor?" I ask quickly.

She reaches for a blood pressure cuff and wraps it around my upper arm. I glance anxiously up at Christian. He looks dreadful -- haunted, even -- as if he hasn't slept for days. His hair is a mess, he hasn't shaved for a long time, and his shirt is badly wrinkled. I frown.

"Anything. Soup."

Christian nods.

"Oh, Ana, I love to hear you laugh."

I laugh, then stop suddenly as pain radiates through my chest. "Yes, you do."

Nora returns with a pitcher of water. We both fall silent, gazing at each other as she pours out a glass and hands it to me.

"I think you made Nurse Nora mad."

"How did they get her?"

"Yes."

I frown, still not understanding.

"They did have her?"

"She's safe. Thanks to you."

"Mia?" I ask.

He nods. "She picked her up at Mia's gym."

"I have that effect on women." He smirks.

All the madness was for a reason. Relief spirals through my body. Thank God, thank God, thank God she's okay. I frown.

"No!"

"Elizabeth Morgan," he says simply.

"Small sips now," she warns.

"Yes, ma'am," I mutter and take a welcome sip of cool water. Oh my. It tastes perfect. I take another, and Christian watches me intently.

"Ana, I'll fill you in on the details later. Mia is fine, all things considered. She was drugged. She's groggy now and shaken up, but by some miracle she wasn't harmed." Christian's jaw clenches. "What you did"-- he runs his hand through his hair --"was incredibly brave and incredibly stupid. You could have been killed." His eyes blaze a bleak, chilling gray, and I know he's restraining his anger.

"He said he'd kill her if I told anyone. I couldn't take that risk."

Christian closes his eyes, dread etched in his face.

"I didn't know what else to do," I whisper.

"In police custody. Although Hyde is here under guard. They had to remove the bullet you left in him," Christian says bitterly. "I don't know where in this hospital he is, fortunately, or I'd probably kill him myself." His face darkens.

"You could have told me!" he says vehemently, fisting his hands in his lap.

Oh shit. Jack is here?

Oh.

"What day is it?"

"Hey." Christian scoots forward, his voice filled with concern. Taking the glass from my hand, he tenderly folds me into his arms. "You're safe now," he murmurs against my hair, his voice hoarse.

"And Jack and Elizabeth?"

"I have died a thousand deaths since Thursday."

Thursday?

"It's almost Saturday," he says, checking his watch. "You've been unconscious for more than twenty-four hours."

"That's for SIP you fucking bitch!" I pale. My empty stomach convulses, tears prick my eyes, and a deep shudder runs through me.

"What I said. I was never going to leave you."

"You took me by surprise," I mutter into his shirt collar. "When we spoke at the bank. Thinking I was leaving you. I thought you knew me better. I've said to you over and over I would never leave."

"I worked it out. Eventually. Honestly, Ana, what were you thinking?" His tone is strained.

"How did you work it out?" I ask quickly to distract him from his line of thought.

"You do?" His admission halts my tears.

"Hush." He strokes my hair, and I weep into his neck.

"But after the appalling way I've behaved --" His voice is barely audible, and his arms tighten around me. "I thought for a short time that I'd lost you."

"No, Christian. Never. I didn't want you to interfere and put Mia's life in danger."

He sighs, and I don't know if it's from anger, exasperation, or hurt.

"Christian, I'm so sorry." My tears start to fall.

He tucks my hair behind my ear. "I'd just touched down in Seattle when the bank called. Last I'd heard, you were ill and going home."

"Hush, baby, I know."

My lip trembles. He's thinking about our Little Blip.

"As well as me."

"I am so mad at you. What you did was monumentally stupid. Bordering on insane."

Christian's mouth presses into a hard line. "And you gave Sawyer the slip. He's mad at you, as well."

"As well?"

"You don't seem to have any regard for your personal safety. And it's not just you now," he adds angrily.

"So you were in Portland when Sawyer called you from the car?"

I tentatively touch his face, running my fingers over his stubble. He closes his eyes, leaning into my fingers.

"We were just about to take off. I was worried about you," he says softly.

"Jack called me at the office," I murmur. "He gave me two hours to get the money." I shrug. "I had to leave, and it just seemed the best excuse."

"Don't be mad at me. Please," I whisper.

He frowns. "Of course I was." He skirts his thumb over my bottom lip. "I spend my life worrying about you. You know that." Oh, Christian!

"I told you, I didn't know what else to do."

"You were?"

The door opens, startling us both, and a young African American woman in a white coat over gray scrubs strides in.

"Good evening, Mrs. Grey. I'm Dr. Bartley."

Ray. Oh shit… A vague memory of his voice comes back to me. He was here -- yes, while I was still unconscious.

I wince.

She starts to examine me thoroughly, shining a light in my eyes, making me touch her fingers, then my nose while closing first one eye and then the other, and checking all my reflexes. But her voice is soft and her touch gentle; she has a warm bedside manner. Nurse Nora joins her, and Christian wanders to the corner of the room and makes some calls while the two of them tend to me. It's hard to concentrate on Dr. Bartley, Nurse Nora, and Christian at the same time, but I hear him call his father, my mother, and Kate to say I'm awake. Finally, he leaves a message for Ray.

Dr. Bartley checks my ribs, her fingers probing gently but firmly.

"These are bruised, not cracked or broken. You were very lucky, Mrs. Grey."

I scowl. Lucky? Not the word I would have chosen. Christian glowers at her, too. He mouths something at me. I think it's foolhardy, but I'm not sure.

Christian is unpacking the box, producing a thermos, soup bowl, side plate, linen napkin, soupspoon, a small basket of bread rolls, silver salt and pepper shakers… The Olympic has gone all-out.

"Mrs. Grey is hungry," Christian says. "This is chicken soup."

Holy cow!

"Food?" Dr. Bartley says, surprised.

"Thank you."

"I'll prescribe some painkillers. You'll need them for this and for the headache you must have. But all's looking as it should, Mrs. Grey. I suggest you get some sleep. Depending on how you feel in the morning, we may let you go home. My colleague Dr. Singh will be attending you then."

"You're most welcome, ma'am." I think he wants to say more, but he holds off.

Christian pulls the wheeled tray over to me, and Taylor places the box on it.

"Welcome back, Mrs. Grey."

There's a knock on the door, and Taylor enters bearing a black cardboard box with Fairmont Olympic emblazoned in cream on the side.

"Hello, Taylor. Thank you."

Dr. Bartley smiles. "Soup will be fine, just the broth. Nothing heavy." She looks pointedly at both of us, then exits the room with Nurse Nora.

Christian glances down at his shirt, bemused.

Taylor, too! But I don't dwell on that as my chicken soup distracts me. It smells delicious, and steam curls invitingly from its surface. I take a taste and it's everything it promised to be.

"Taylor, thank you."

"Yes, thanks," Christian says, dismissing him.

I nod enthusiastically and don't stop. My hunger is primal. I pause only to wipe my mouth with the linen napkin.

Taylor nods.

Taylor exits.

"Good?" Christian asks, perching on the bed again.

"Since Thursday morning." He gives me a crooked smile.

"How long have you been wearing that shirt?" I ask.

"Tell me what happened -- after you realized what was going on."

Taylor smiles. "Yes, ma'am."

"Will that be all?" he asks.

"Taylor's real pissed at you, too," Christian adds grumpily, unscrewing the lid of the thermos and pouring creamy chicken soup into the bowl.

I glance at Christian. "Just some clean clothes for Christian."

"Anything else I can get you, Mrs. Grey?"

"This is great, Taylor." My stomach is rumbling. I am famished.

He frowns. "Well, after the bank called and I thought my world had completely fallen apart --" He can't hide the pain in his voice.

Christian runs his hand through his hair and shakes his head. "Oh, Ana, it's good to see you eat."

"I'm hungry. Tell me."

I stop eating. Oh shit.

"Don't stop eating, or I'll stop talking," he whispers, his tone adamant as he glares at me. I continue with my soup. Okay, okay… Damn, it tastes good. Christian's gaze softens and after a beat, he resumes.

"Anyway, shortly after you and I had finished our conversation, Taylor informed me that Hyde had been granted bail. How, I don't know, I thought we'd managed to thwart any attempts at bail. But that gave me a moment to think about what you'd said… and I knew something was seriously wrong."

"It was never about the money," I snap suddenly, an unexpected surge of anger flaring in my belly. My voice rises. "How could you even think that? It's never been about your fucking money!" My head starts to pound and I wince. Christian gapes at me for a split second, surprised by my vehemence. He narrows his eyes.

I glare mutinously at him.

"That hurt me more than anything, Christian," I whisper. "Almost as much as you seeing that woman."

"Ana," he warns.

"Mind your language," he growls. "Calm down and eat."

"Go on," I whisper, between bites of the illicit fresh white bread roll.

"We didn't know Mia was missing. I thought maybe he was blackmailing you or something. I called you back, but you didn't answer." He scowls. "I left you a message and then called Sawyer. Taylor started tracking your cell. I knew you were at the bank, so we headed straight there."

"I know." He sighs. "And I'm sorry. More than you know." His eyes are luminous with contrition. "Please, eat. While your soup is still hot." His voice is soft and compelling, and I do as he asks. He breathes a sigh of relief.

He inhales sharply, as if I've slapped him, and all of a sudden, he looks exhausted. Closing his eyes briefly, he shakes his head, resigned.

"I don't know how Sawyer found me. Was he tracking my cell, too?"

"The Saab is fitted with a tracking device. All our cars are. By the time we got near the bank, you were already on the move, and we followed. Why are you smiling?"

I wipe my soup bowl with the last of my bread and pop it into my mouth. For the first time in a long while, I feel replete in spite of our conversation.

I nod gratefully. My head is pounding. I swallow it down with a sip of water.

"You ought to rest, Mrs. Grey." Nurse Nora looks pointedly at Christian.

Christian sighs. "Our money, Ana," he says quietly. "Eat."

"Pain relief." Nora smiles, showing me the white pill in the paper cup.

"On some level I knew you'd be stalking me."

"And that is amusing because?" he asks.

"Finished."

There's a knock on the door and Nurse Nora enters once more, carrying a small paper cup. Christian clears away my plate and starts putting all the items back into the box.

"Yes, Mrs. Grey. It's Lortab -- it's fine; it won't affect the baby."

"Good girl."

"Is this okay to take? You know -- with the baby?"

"Jack had instructed me to get rid of my cell. So I borrowed Whelan's cell, and that's the one I threw away. I put mine into one of the duffel bags so you could track your money."

I scowl at him, then shift onto my side.

Nora huffs but hovers over me and readjusts my pillows so that I have to lie down.

"I don't want to hurt you."

He raises an eyebrow as she closes the door.

"You won't hurt me. Please, Christian."

He stands by the bed, looking tired, and despite the fact that I want him to stay, I know I should try to persuade him to go home.

"Sleep with me."

"You need rest, too, Christian. Go home. You look exhausted."

No! "You're going?" I exclaim, panic setting in. Don't go -- we've just started talking!

"I'm not leaving you. I'll doze in this armchair."

He nods.

"Why not?"

"Good night, Mrs. Grey," she says, and with one last censorious glance at Christian, she leaves.

"Christian. Please."

"I don't think Nurse Nora approves of me."

He frowns. "No. I can't."

"You have an IV."

Christian snorts. "If you think for one moment I'm going to let you out of my sight, Mrs. Grey, you are very much mistaken."

He gazes at me, and I can tell he's tempted.

"Please." I lift up the blankets, inviting him into the bed.

"Fuck it." He slips off his shoes and socks, and gingerly climbs in beside me. Gently, he wraps his arm around me, and I lay my head on his chest. He kisses my hair.

"I don't think Nurse Nora will be very happy with this arrangement," he whispers conspiratorially.

I giggle, then stop as pain lances through my chest. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts."

"Oh, Ana." He groans. "You want to discuss that now? Can't we drop this? I regret it, okay?"

"Why did you go see that woman?"

"I need to know."

"Oh, but I love that sound," he says a little sadly, his voice low. "I'm sorry, baby, so, so sorry." He kisses my hair again and inhales deeply, and I don't know what he's apologizing for… making me laugh? Or the mess we're in? I rest my hand over his heart, and he gently places his hand on mine. We are both silent for a moment.

"I'll tell you tomorrow," he mutters, irritated. "Oh, and Detective Clark wants to talk to you. Just routine. Now go to sleep."

He kisses my hair. I sigh heavily. I need to know why. At least he says he regrets it. That's something, my subconscious agrees. She's in an agreeable mood today, it seems. Ugh, Detective Clark. I shudder at the thought of reliving Thursday's events for him.

"Please let him sleep," I whisper, squinting in the early morning light.

"Hmm," Christian murmurs. I'm soothed by the slow rise and fall of his chest, gently rocking my head, lulling me to sleep as his breathing slows. And while I drift I try to make sense of the fragments of conversations I heard while I was on the edge of consciousness, but they slither through my mind, remaining steadfastly elusive, taunting me from the edges of my memory. Oh, it's frustrating and exhausting… and…

"Do we know why Jack was doing all this?"

Nurse Nora's mouth is pursed and her arms folded in hostility. I hold my finger up to my lips.

"This is your bed. Not his," she hisses sternly.

"I slept better because he was here," I insist, rushing to my husband's defense. Besides, it's true. Christian stirs, and Nurse Nora and I freeze.

He mumbles in his sleep, "Don't touch me. No more. Only Ana."

I frown. I have rarely heard Christian talk in his sleep. Admittedly, that might be because he sleeps less than I do. I've only ever heard his nightmares. His arms tighten around me, squeezing me, and I wince.

"Mrs. Grey --" Nurse Nora glowers.

I nod, and he perches on the edge of the bed and takes my hand.

When I wake, Christian is nowhere to be seen. The sun is blazing through the windows, and I can now really appreciate the room. I have flowers! I didn't notice them the night before. Several bouquets. I wonder idly who they're from.

A soft knock distracts me, and Carrick peeks around the door. He beams when he sees that I'm awake.

"May I sit?"

"Of course."

"Please," I beg.

He strides into the room and over to me, his soft, gentle blue eyes assessing me shrewdly. He's wearing a dark suit -- he must be working. He surprises me by leaning down and kissing my forehead.

"I don't know how to thank you for my daughter, you crazy, brave, darling girl. What you did probably saved her life. I will be forever in your debt." His voice wavers, filled with gratitude and compassion.

She shakes her head, turns on her heel, and leaves, and I snuggle up against Christian again.

"May I come in?" he asks.

Oh… I don't know what to say. I squeeze his hand but remain mute.

He gazes down at me, and his eyes soften, though he frowns at my expression.

"Lor… something."

"Good. Where's Christian?"

"He won't be far away, I'm sure. He wouldn't leave you while you were unconscious."

"Grace read your chart. She told me. Congratulations."

"No, she's back at home. I don't think Grace will let her out of her sight."

His eyes cloud and his smile vanishes. "She's better. Mad as hell. I think anger is a healthy reaction to what happened to her."

"Have they given you meds for the pain?"

"How's Mia?"

"Better. Sore." I say, for honesty's sake.

"How are you feeling?"

"Christian is always mad at me."

"He's a little mad at you, as he should be." Carrick smirks. Ah, this is where Christian gets it from.

"I know how that feels."

"I know."

"Is she here?"

I flush. He knows!

"I don't know. When I woke up, he was gone."

"Um… thank you."

"Is he?" Carrick smiles, pleased -- as if this is a good thing. His smile is infectious.

"You need watching, too," he admonishes. "I don't want you taking any more silly risks with your life or the life of my grandchild."

"Christian will come around," he says gently. "This will be the best thing for him. Just… give him some time."

I nod. Oh… They've spoken.

"I'd better go. I'm due in court." He smiles and rises. "I'll check in on you later. Grace speaks highly of Dr. Singh and Dr. Bartley. They know what they're doing."

I look up at him, blinking back tears, suddenly overwhelmed, and he strokes my cheek affectionately. Then he turns on his heel and leaves.

He leans down and kisses me once more. "I mean it, Ana. I can never repay what you've done for us. Thank you."

Oh my. I'm reeling from his gratitude. Perhaps now I can let the prenup debacle go. My subconscious nods sagely in agreement with me yet again. I shake my head and gingerly get out of bed. I'm relieved to find that I am much steadier on my feet than I was yesterday. In spite of Christian sharing the bed, I have slept well and feel refreshed. My head still aches, but it's a dull nagging pain, nothing like the pounding yesterday. I'm stiff and sore, but I just need a bath. I feel grimy. I head into the en suite.

"What?" I ask with my mouth full.

"Ana!" Christian shouts.

"I'm in the bathroom," I call as I finish brushing my teeth. That feels better. I ignore my reflection in the mirror. Crap, I look a mess. When I open the door, Christian is by the bed, holding a tray of food. He's transformed. Dressed entirely in black, he's shaved, showered, and looks well rested.

"Good morning, Mrs. Grey," he says brightly. "I have your breakfast." He looks so boyish and much happier.

Wow. I smile broadly as I climb back into bed. He pulls over the tray on wheels and lifts the cover to reveal my breakfast: oatmeal with dried fruits, pancakes with maple syrup, bacon, orange juice, and Twinings English breakfast tea. My mouth waters; I'm so hungry. I down the orange juice in a few gulps and dig into the oatmeal. Christian sits down on the edge of the bed to watch. He smirks.

"I've never seen you eat like this."

"I like to watch you eat," he says. But I don't think that's what he's smirking about. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," I mutter between mouthfuls.

"Oh, Christian." I stifle a sob. "One that tries his best. That's all any of us can do."

"Christian, we need to talk about this."

"You're scared," I whisper. "I get it."

He snorts, and his mouth twists into an ironic smile. "If I knew getting you knocked up was going to make you eat, I might have done it earlier."

"What kind of father could I possibly be?" His voice is hoarse, barely audible.

He stills. "What's there to say? We're going to be parents." He shrugs, desperately trying to look nonchalant, but all I can see is his fear. Pushing the tray aside, I crawl down the bed to him and take his hands in mine.

He gazes at me, impassive, his eyes wide and all his earlier boyishness stripped away.

"Of course you can. You're loving, you're fun, you're strong, you'll set boundaries. Our child will want for nothing."

"Don't stop eating," he warns.

"I am, too. That's normal," I whisper.

"Ana -- I don't know if I can…"

"Christian Grey!" I gasp and set the oatmeal down.

I glance up at him, and my heart sinks. We have to address the very tiny elephant in the room. "It's because I'm pregnant, Christian."

"Yes, it would have been ideal to have waited. To have longer, just the two of us. But we'll be three of us, and we'll all grow up together. We'll be a family. Our own family. And your child will love you unconditionally, like I do." Tears spring to my eyes.

Gently taking my head between his hands, he wipes my tears away with his thumbs. He gazes into my eyes, gray to blue, and all I see is his fear and wonder and love.

"Yes, I do love you, Christian, desperately. I always will."

"Oh, Ana," Christian whispers, his voice anguished and pained. "I thought I'd lost you. Then I thought I'd lost you again. Seeing you lying on the ground, pale and cold and unconscious -- it was all my worst fears realized. And now here you are -- brave and strong… giving me hope. Loving me after all that I've done."

He's frozen, staring at me, doubt etched on his beautiful face.

"I love you, too," he breathes. And he kisses me sweetly, tenderly, like a man who adores his wife. "I'll try to be a good father," he whispers against my lips.

"You'll try, and you'll succeed. And let's face it; you don't have much choice in the matter, because Blip and I are not going anywhere."

"Blip."

"But I like Blip." He smiles his shy smile and kisses me once more.

"Blip?"

He raises his eyebrows. "I had the name Junior in my head."

"Junior it is, then."