Fifty Shades of Fatherhood

Chapter 17

When we walked into Ana's room, I was not prepared to see her in such a poor condition. The swelling prevented her eyes from opening, and she had contusions everywhere. She looked pale and too gaunt. I always thought she was too thin and she looked like she had lost 15 pounds from the last time I saw her. A tear rolled down my face and seeing my reaction caused Teddy to begin to cry. "Mama owie" he sniffled. I pulled him tighter to my chest, hoping to give him some comfort she is going to be ok bud. She is in good care. I looked at Taylor and my dad to will it so.

My dad took off to meet with a local attorney to get insight into South Carolina paternity laws and how we could amend Teddy's birth certificate. He then said we would figure out parental rights. My father had not even asked if this is what I wanted just disappeared to meet up with a friend of a friend who happened to practice family law in the state.

Taylor, Teddy and I stayed for hours confined to Ana's room waiting on her to wake. I was anxious to speak to her again but also feared her reaction. The waiting game was torture. Teddy eventually became tired. I could tell by the way he rubbed his eyes. There was a chair that made into a bed that I tried laying him on, but Teddy was insistent about snuggling in with Ana. After we argued and I determined he was on the verge of throwing a tantrum, I finally laid him gently next to Ana careful he did not touch her wounds or disturb any of the wires or tubes to which she was connected. She instinctively pulled him to her chest, and he buried his head into her bosom, her arms tightened around him. I watched in fascination as his body seemed to calm in the comfort of her arms and within a couple of minutes, he fell asleep.

When he woke I scooped him up before he could disturb Ana. She was still sleeping; the doctors had told us that they had given her some substantial doses of pain medication so that she could rest. I had put a blanket on the chair, and Teddy was content with playing with his new giraffe while we waited patiently for Ana to wake. I had examined every inch of her; her legs, arms and face taking inventory of her injuries. She looked frail and worn, like the last eighteen months had been hard on her. My heart ached that she had not reached out to me for help.

I was thankful when Taylor's team arrived. I just felt like I needed support and I would take it from any direction. I also felt the need to protect Ana. Still not knowing what happened I wanted Ana guarded at all times. Although Taylor had expanded our resources, hiring locals to help in Charleston, I wanted someone I knew and trusted to protect Ana.

Teddy began whining, and when I turned my head, he was complaining that he was hungry. Looking at my watch, I discovered it was eight in the evening. He had not eaten dinner, shit I needed to be more in tune with his needs. Not only had he not eaten it was probably getting close to his bedtime. Taylor offered to stay with Ana. I think wanting to debrief his team on the situation. Sawyer and I took Teddy to the cafeteria to get something to eat. I was filling Sawyer in on our day's events. I could read the shock on Sawyer's face that I was caring for this little boy. I believe he surmised Teddy was mine although I didn't tell him. I chuckled thinking Taylor wanted some time alone with his team to give the team background on Teddy. Seeing me with Teddy must be a complete shock to my security team since I evaded any event that required my direct involvement with children and I had no tolerance for children at GEH.

I knew nothing about feeding toddlers I stared at the choices clueless what to get him. I was thankful when Teddy pointed to the mac n cheese. However, Sawyer determined I was at a loss. Sawyer bit his lip preventing himself from saying what he wanted to but instead asked: "Does he have any food allergies?" How was I supposed to know? I did not want to endanger my son. I suddenly felt depressed that I did not know something so important about my son. Reading the expression on my face, Sawyer added chicken fingers, green beans, applesauce, and milk. The choices Sawyer picked looked like a large meal for Teddy, but I think Sawyer was trying to get a mix as we had no idea what he liked. My mind was reeling what if my son did have an allergy. I blurted this to Sawyer with genuine concern when a man in scrubs piped up "if he has any allergies discovering them in the hospital is probably the safest place." He laughed as he paid for his meal and walked off.