Fifty Shades After

Chapter 11

Christian POV

I am in my office trying to keep my mind off of my mother and Ana alone in my bedroom. What is Ana telling her? How is she doing? As I try to focus on the emails I hear a knock on my office door. "Come in" as I say this my mother enters the room. She looks to have been crying. I walk over to her and help her sit in one of the chairs in front of my desk. "What's the matter? Is Ana OK"? "Physically yes she will be my dear, but emotionally? One can only hope" "What do you mean"? "Ana explained what happened" I look away and feel so much guilt for what happened. "If we hadn't argued and separated for a time none of this would have happened, this is all my fault" I say with emotions lacing my voice. "Christian there is no way you could have prevented this" "Yes I could have, I wouldn't have let her go and instead of nursing a multitude of injuries she would be suffering from morning sickness and growing our child" tears start to fall from my eyes. I haven't really allowed myself to feel any emotions because I needed to be strong for Ana but now I need to let it out. "Christian" she holds me as I cry into her shoulder "this is not her fault or your fault. It is the fault of a mad man who wouldn't take no for an answer. Just be there for her and tell her how you feel. It will make you stronger together. Also remind her of your feelings for her. She may not believe you now but just keep telling her. She needs all the positivity she can get" I nod understanding I need to reverse the damaged that asshole has done. "Also you might want John to stop by today or tomorrow". "I was going to call him to come tomorrow...he brought her back from wherever her mind went....she was catatonic when Taylor found her" "My poor girl....she needs lots of love. Tomorrow your father wanted to bar be que at the house and maybe you and Ana might come...maybe it would help her being around people"? "Maybe I will talk to her and let you know" "OK dear I will be back tomorrow either way" Grace gets up and kisses my cheek "Ana would like to see you in your room my dear" I nod and kiss my mother goodbye and walk her to the elevator. She waves as the doors close.

I go to my bedroom and see Ana curled up on the mattress....resting. I lay down behind her and slowly take her into my arms. She tenses until she realizes who it is and starts to relax. I hold her for a time before I speak "Mother wants us to come out to a Bar Be Que tomorrow with the family if your up to it"? She sighs "Just family"? "Yes she has assured me just family". I wait as she takes in the information. "There is no pressure...if you can't do it I will let her know" "No I can go and try, I need to be around people. Its not healthy to stay locked up in the apartment all the time". "No one will hurt you baby I promise you" "I know Christian, you and Taylor will keep me safe. I know that it will just take some time for me to believe it. Its not you...I'm hurt and angry. I will talk to Flynn about this to get some sort of coping stuff together". I sigh as Ana is being open and honest with me...."Babe just know you can talk to me about anything. I will always be here for you". She nods and slowly goes to sleep. I kiss her head and whisper I love you baby

The next day

 Christian POV

I wake up about 2 in the morning, couldn't sleep went to the piano to release some tension. I am letting the music flow through me when I hear a scream come from the bedroom. I run into the room and see Ana tossing and turning having a nightmare. I try to shake her away, she isn't responding, flailing her arms and manages to punch me. Damn she has some power. I continue to try and calm her down when Gail comes in. "Ana honey its OK, its just a dream....." slowly Ana stops as Gail continues to hold her. I feel inept. I couldn't help her. I walk out of the room and Taylor is outside the door. "It was a nightmare. Gail has her settled" I start to walk away and Taylor says "Its because she is a woman...a man hurt her, she trusts you but you are a man. It will take time. Its not you". "I just don't know how to help her now" "Well don't walk away just give her time.....here let me clean your cut. Looks like she got you good". I raise my hand to my eyebrow and see blood. Damn she can punch. Must be survival instinct fight or flight. Guess she chooses fight and I love that about her. Taylor takes care of my cut with a bandage and I go back into the room and see Ana peacefully asleep. Gail has gone back to her room and I slowly climb into bed with her. I take her into my arms and she sighs and places her head on my chest and I feel so much love and hope. This is what she needs. She needs me. I drift off with her in my arms.