My Own Worst Enemy

Flipped

Christian changed Elliott's diaper, smiling at his bubbly son. He'd taken to the doting father role quickly, everything seeming to click into place.

He was so stupid in December. He took an amazing woman, whom he genuinely loved, and hurt her. Hurt their son.

He was an idiot, and though the circumstances are tragic, he was so lucky to have a second chance.

He knew that.

"Hey sweet girl," Christian smiled as he re-entered Gracie's room. It had been two weeks in the Milwaukee hospital, but she was finally coming home.

"Hi," she smiled, taking Elliott and nuzzling him close. She still wasn't used to the fact that her infant was this huge. She remembered the days after the accident but prior to that, her last six months were blank.

Thank god for Christian, though. He'd been so amazing in her recovery. Without him, she wasn't sure where she'd be. Her family barely talked to her since finding out about her pregnancy.

It honestly broke her heart... but now she was building a new family with Christian and their little boy.

***

Christian guides Grace to the couch, gently kissing her temple and fluffing a pillow for her to lean back on.

"I need you to eat and take your medicine... then you can sleep," he said quietly when he saw the exhaustion, clear as day, in her features.

Grace nodded, frustrated in her inability to do anything.

Christian put Elliott in his swing, smiling warmly at his snoozing son.

"Daddy loves you," he said softly and went to the kitchen.

He had no clue how to cook. No idea what would even taste good together...

Christian sighed and grabbed a box of velveeta Mac n Cheese out of the cabinet. He may make millions, but sometimes he wanted a bite of childhood.

He followed the directions to a T, making Gracie some toast with cinnamon and brown sugar to go along with it.

She loved sweets.

It wasn't much. And it wouldn't fill them for long, but Christian needed to prove that he was going to work.

Gracie was going to remember everything some day, and he can't just sit around and wait. He had to prove himself.

"Smells great, Christian," Gracie muttered from her spot, sitting up slightly.

"It isn't much. But you need some food so that your stomach isn't upset about your medication," he smiled softly. He knew her appetite was small, and he wasn't going to force her to eat more than she could.

Grace smiled at him and leaned into his side as she ate most of her serving of pasta and her two pieces of toast.

"Thank you," she whispered and took her pills with a glass of water.

"I um... I got a new mattress. One that is better for support," he said softly, helping her to his room. "You need to get some sleep."

"Chris..."

"No, Gracie. You are not going to sleep on the couch," he said immediately, already seeing her face. "I'll wake you when a certain someone is hungry, okay? Should be 2 or 3 hours."

Grace nodded and wrapped him in a hug before lying down. She wasn't sure what to make of this whole situation. It was obvious that something had happened. She still only remembered Elliott being an infant, but he was almost 7 months old now.

She remembered blissful young parenthood with Christian, but his behavior suggests that something had gone down.

***

Grace woke up with a gasp and looked around the room with fear, hands shaking and sweat running down her body.

She remembered everything. She remembered him leaving her. Him galavanting around Hawaii while she was left alone.

She was so dumb to think that she would be allotted any happiness. Elliott was more than she deserved already. She had to be everything for her son. She had to be what he needed.

"Gracie? You okay?" Christian frowned, seeing the fear in her eyes.

"You bastard," she whispered, unable to stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. "You left us. You slept with her... Is she on assignment? Is that why you were so excited that I couldn't fucking remember?" She wasn't really as angry as her words suggested. She was hurt. And scared. And in shock.

"Your memory came back," he said softly and sat next to her. "I'm not making any excuses for myself. I was awful to you and our son. I am here now. And I don't know what capacity you are willing to have me in, but I am here. For you and El. I love you."

Grace stared at him, her head starting to pound. This was all so much. So much information. So much pain.

"I... I need some time. Is El asleep?"

Christian nodded and kissed her temple. "He is. He's okay. Please get some more sleep."

Grace nodded and laid down. She was exhausted. But she knew she wouldn't sleep.

Her life just flipped... again.