How much time went by neither Grace nor Christian knew. But she was the first to notice the doctor who entered the room. "They're OK. They're both OK," the older man with chestnut hair and dark-rimmed glasses immediately informed them.
"Christian, do you hear me? Ana is alright. She's alive Christian. So is Phoebe," Grace tried to get through to her distraught son, who began to lift his head and emerge from his catatonic cocoon. Eyes swollen and hair disheveled, he glanced around, letting the news sink in. "Mom," he gasped, reverting to her name. "Is it true?"
"Yes Mr. Grey," the doctor chimed in. "Mrs. Grey had major bleeding but we were able to stanch it with two transfusions. She's heading down to recovery and you'll be able to join her shortly."
Christian was too terrified to ask his next question but the doctor understood. "And your daughter is fine. She's in the NICU and we'll be monitoring her but all signs are good and despite her early arrival she's perfectly healthy."
Christian just offered a silent prayer of thanks to the God he rarely spoke to.
Standing up, with a firmer grasp on the reality surrounding him, the broken husband morphed into the domineering CEO right before their eyes, issuing a barrage of questions to the doctor, who in turn handled the onslaught with practiced ease.
Satisfied, Christian made his way toward the exit, determined to see his wife. Knowing there was no use holding him back, the doctor led him and Grace down the maze of hallways toward the recovery area.
As soon as Christian burst through the door, his knees almost gave out again. There was his Ana, pale, clammy, hooked up to a tangled labyrinth of tubes and still sedated. He ran to her side, gently taking hold of her hand while stroking her cheek with the other.
"Mom, please go check on Phoebe. Don't leave her alone. I want to wait until Ana wakes up so we can see her together for the first time," Christian said, his mother nodding in silent understanding.
And wait he did, patiently for over an hour as he hovered over her, his body motionless and his eyes glued to his sleeping angel as he searched for any signs of movement. When her body stirred, hope surged through his. Finally, Christian's entire being came back to life when he saw those fathomless blue eyes reconnect with his.
"Baby I'm right here," he whispered, smiling tenderly, relief flooding through him. "I'm right here. You're OK."
"Phoebe," she croaked out.
"Fine. Just fine. I'm waiting to meet her with you," he replied, peppering her with kisses.
Foreheads pressed together, they basked in their hard-won parenthood, knowing not just how blessed they were, but how fortunate they'd been.
"What happened?" Ana finally broke the silence.
"You scared me Mrs. Grey. Like you always do. But the important thing is that you're back where you belong, with me. I love you."
"I love you Mr. Grey. Sorry I didn't mean to scare you. Just being dramatic," she smirked, still a little groggy. "This is what happens when you eat a pregnant woman's gummy bears."
Christian was so elated to hear his wife scold him that he was even able to come up with a snarky retort. "I'm buying you a gummy factory tomorrow. Now I know you told me to watch my language around the kids, but I will just say this Mrs. Grey. Don't you ever fucking do that to me again," he warned playfully, smirking right back at her.
****Author's Note: So this story isn't over but this seemed like a good way to end it for now. It will actually be a jumping-off point for a series on our married couple, examining how Phoebe's birth exacerbated Christian's anxiety and insecurities - and how Ana will have to manage that. It will probably focus more on Ana and Christian's battles than on the kids. Stay tuned - I've been inspired lately so hopefully I'll post quickly! Thanks so much for all the wonderful, encouraging feedback. I real it all and really appreciate it everyone :)