Fifty Shades Freed (Christian & Ana)(226)

I take stock of my injuries. My head hurts, my chest aches where Jack kicked me, and my side throbs where he pushed me to the ground. Plus I'm thirsty and hungry. Jeez, really hungry. I finish up, thankful that I don't have to get up to wash my hands, as the sink is close. I just don't have the strength to stand.

"I'm done," I call, drying my hands on the towel.

Christian turns and comes back in and before I know it, I'm in his arms again.

I have missed these arms. He pauses and buries his nose in my hair.

"Oh, I've missed you, Mrs. Grey," he whispers, and with Nurse Nora fussing behind him, he lays me back on the bed and releases me—reluctantly, I think.

"If you've quite finished, Mr. Grey, I'd like to check over Mrs. Grey now."

Nurse Nora is mad.

He stands back. "She's all yours," he says in a more measured tone.

She huffs at him then turns her attention back to me.

Exasperating isn't he?

"How do you feel?" she asks me her voice laced with sympathy and a trace of irritation, which I suspect is for Christian's benefit.

"Sore and thirsty. Very thirsty," I whisper.

"I'll fetch you some water once I've checked your vitals and Dr. Bartley has examined you."

She reaches for a blood pressure cuff and wraps it around my upper arm. I glance anxiously up at Christian. He looks dreadful—haunted, even—as if he hasn't slept for days. His hair is a mess, he hasn't shaved for a long time, and his shirt is badly wrinkled. I frown.

"How are you feeling?" Ignoring the nurse, he sits down on the bed out of arm's reach.

"Confused. Achy. Hungry."

"Hungry?" He blinks in surprise.

I nod.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Anything. Soup."

"Mr. Grey, you'll need the doctor's approval before Mrs. Grey can eat."

He gazes at her impassively for a moment then takes his BlackBerry out of his pants pocket and presses a number.

"Ana wants chicken soup . . . Good . . . Thank you." He hangs up.

I glance at Nora whose eyes narrow at Christian.

"Taylor?" I ask quickly.

Christian nods.

"Your blood pressure is normal, Mrs. Grey. I'll fetch the doctor." She removes the cuff and, without so much as another word, stalks out of the room, radiating disapproval.

"I think you made Nurse Nora mad."

"I have that effect on women." He smirks.

I laugh, then stop suddenly as pain radiates through my chest. "Yes, you do."

"Oh, Ana, I love to hear you laugh."

Nora returns with a pitcher of water. We both fall silent, gazing at each other as she pours out a glass and hands it to me.

"Small sips now," she warns.

"Yes, ma'am," I mutter and take a welcome sip of cool water. Oh my. It tastes perfect. I take another, and Christian watches me intently.

"Mia?" I ask.

"She's safe. Thanks to you."

"They did have her?"

"Yes."

All the madness was for a reason. Relief spirals through my body . Thank God, thank God, thank God she's okay. I frown.

"How did they get her?"

"Elizabeth Morgan," he says simply.

"No!"

He nods. "She picked her up at Mia's gym."

I frown, still not understanding.

"Ana, I'll fill you in on the details later. Mia is fine, all things considered.