Chapter 111 (1/2)
”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.”