"You look so young," Christian says softly, glancing up, his eyes glowing. "And to think you'll be a whole year older tomorrow." His voice is wistful. I give him a crooked smile.
"I don't feel much like celebrating. Can we go see Ray now?"
"Sure. I wish you'd eat something. You barely touched your lunch."
"Christian, please. I'm just not hungry. Maybe after we've seen Ray. I want to wish him goodnight."
As we arrive at the ICU, we meet Jose leaving. He's alone.
"Ana, Christian, hi."
"Where's your dad?"
"He was too tired to come back. He was in a car accident this morning," Jose grins ruefully. "And his painkillers have kicked in. He was out for the count. I had to fight to get in to see Ray since I'm not next of kin."
"And?" I ask anxiously.
"He's good, Ana. Same . . . but all good."
Relief floods my system. No news is good news.
"See you tomorrow, birthday girl?"
"Sure. We'll be here."
Jose eyes Christian quickly then pulls me into a brief hug.
"Manana. "
"Goodnight, Jose."
"Good-bye, Jose," Christian says. Jose nods and walks on down the corridor. "He's still nuts about you," Christian says quietly.
"No he's not. And even if he is . . ." I shrug because right now I just don't care.
Christian gives me a tight smile, and my heart melts.
"Well done," I murmur.
He frowns.
"For not frothing at the mouth."
He gapes at me, wounded - but amused, too. "I've never frothed. Let's see your dad. I have a surprise for you."
"Surprise?" My eyes widen in alarm.
"Come." Christian takes my hand, and we push open the double doors of the ICU.
Standing at the end of Ray's bed is Grace in deep discussion with Crowe and a second doctor, a woman I've not seen before. Seeing us, Grace beams. Oh, thank heavens.
"Christian." She kisses Christian's cheek, then turns to me and folds me in her warm embrace.
"Ana. How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine. It's my father I'm worried about."
"He's in good hands. Doctor Sluder is an expert in her field. We trained together at Yale."
Oh . . .
"Mrs. Grey," Dr. Sluder greets me very formally. She's short-haired and elfin, with a shy smile and a soft southern accent. "As the lead physician for your father, I'm pleased to tell you that all is on track. His vital signs are stable and strong. We have every faith that he'll make a complete recovery. The brain swelling has stopped, and shows signs of decreasing. This is very encouraging after such a short time."
"That's good news," I murmur.
She smiles warmly at me. "It is, Mrs. Grey. We're taking real good care of him."
"Great to see you again, Grace."
Grace smiles back. "Likewise, Lorraina."
"Dr. Crowe, let's leave these good people to visit with Mr. Steele."
Crowe follows in Dr. Sluder's wake to the exit.
I glance over at Ray, and for the first time since his accident, I feel more hopeful. Dr. Sluder and Grace's kind words have rekindled my hope.
Grace takes my hand and squeezes gently. "Ana, sweetheart, sit with him. Talk to him. It's all good. I'll visit with Christian in the waiting room."
I nod. Christian smiles his reassurance at me, and he and his mother leave me with my beloved father sleeping peacefully to the gentle lullaby of his ventilator and heart monitor.
I slip Christian's white T-shirt on and get into bed.
"You seem brighter," Christian says cautiously as he pulls on his pajamas.
"Yes. I think talking to Dr. Sluder and your mom made a big difference. Did you ask Grace to come here?"
Christian slides into bed and pulls me into his arms, turning me to face away from him.
"No. She wanted to come and check on your dad herself."
"How did she know?"
"I called her this morning."
Oh.
"Baby, you're exhausted. You should sleep."
"Hmm," I murmur in agreement. He's right. I'm so tired. It's been an emotional day. I crane my head around and gaze at him a beat. We're not going to make love? And I'm relieved. In fact, he's had a totally hands-off approach with me all day. I wonder if I should be alarmed by this turn of events, but since my inner goddess has left the building and taken my libido with her, I'll think about it in the morning. I turn over and snuggle against Christian, wrapping my leg over his.
"Promise me something," he says softly.
"Hmm?" It's a question that I am too tired to articulate.
"Promise me you'll eat something tomorrow. I can just about tolerate you wearing another man's jacket without frothing at the mouth, but, Ana . . . you must eat. Please."
"Hmm," I acquiesce. He kisses my hair. "Thank you for being here," I mumble and sleepily kiss his chest.
"Where else would I be? I want to be wherever you are, Ana. Being here makes me think of how far we've come. And the night I first slept with you. What a night that was. I watched you for hours. You were just . . . yar," he breathes. I smile against his chest.
"Sleep," he murmurs, and it's a command. I close my eyes and drift.
Chapter Eighteen
I stir, opening my eyes to a bright September morning. Warm and comfortable between clean, crisp sheets, I take a moment to orientate myself, and am overwhelmed by a sense of deja vu. Of course - I'm at the Heathman.
"Shit! Daddy!" I gasp out loud, recalling with a gut-wrenching surge of apprehension that twists my heart and starts it pounding why I'm in Portland.