Book V - Chapter I - Christian and Anastasia

Fan Fiction
A NEW LIFE JOINS
CHAPTER I
You

know, there was a time when childbirth was possibly

the most terrifying thing you could do in your life, and you
were literally looking death in the face when you went
ahead with it. And so this is a kind of flashback to a time
when that's what every woman went through. Not that
they got ripped apart, but they had no guarantees about
whether they were going to live through it or not.
~Twilight Saga

Pella is beside me quickly and aiding Taylor to make way. The security amazingly
creates a free corridor of passage to help us exit as well as shield us from prying eyes. I
would be impressed if I wasnt seven shades of Sunday kind of nervous with my wife in
labor pains in my arms.
Call the Doctor! I bark an order.
Already done sir. Sawyer is already on the ball. Shes on her way to the hospital!
Bag?
Weve had it in the SUV for the last 3 weeks sir, Melissa says as she closes the door.

Aaaaah! a painful cry escapes Anas lips.

Get us to the hospital, now! Taylor puts the car in drive and I hear the tires screech as

he accelerates the SUV into terminal velocity which still doesnt feel like fast enough to
get us to proper help for my wife.
I can see and feel the contractions through Anas dress. Each time it comes, she arches
her back in pain, and tightens her grip on my hand.
Christiaaaaan! she shouts with one particularly long contraction.
Breathe baby! Remember our breathing exercises? Breathe deep, I say, but the first

deep breath she takes makes her feel pained again.

Okay! Okay, baby! Lets try light breathing I emulate light breathing patterns with

her to get her to a less pained state.

How long is it gonna take to the fucking hospital? I shout.
Well be there in sixteen minutes, sir.
Sixteen minutes?
Christian, dont shout, Ana says trying to breathe. Amplifies my pain, I feel the

water on my lap as well. Each time theres a contraction, the flow of water increases,
along with it my anxiety. When we reach at the hospitals Emergency entrance, theres
already a gurney and medical staff waiting to receive Ana. Shes rushed into one of
those prepping rooms. A nurse whose name tag reads Brandy who looks like she just
graduated from high school hands me a hospital gown to help put on Ana.
Ties in the back. Take off everything and please help her put this on. Then have her lay

on this bed. Ill be back in a few minutes to take her vitals and hook her up to monitors
to observe the babys well-being. Dr. Greene should be here shortly. She has called and
said shes on her way, she says as she turns to walk out.
Are you even qualified to be a nurse? I ask.
Yes, sir, she answers proudly. Ive been a maternity nurse for three years. Ill be back

in a few minutes if Mrs. Grey wants some privacy to change. Ana grasps my hand as
hard as she can, waiting for a contraction to pass through.
Oh, God! Im leaking, Christian! The nurse stops and but then turns around to leave.
I know baby, lets get this dress off of you. Nurse, my wife is still losing amniotic fluid!
This is normal, sir, since her water broke. Ill help you dress Mrs. Grey in the hospital

gown, she says forgoing the privacy of my wife the nurse worried over a few minutes

back. We take the Matron of Honor dress off Ana, I undo her bra then the nurse helps
her arms through the hospital gown.
Mrs. Grey, I will lay you down here, she says patting on what looks like a giant pad

on the examination table. As we lay Ana down on the table, theres a knock at the door.
Dr. Greene walks in her scrubs and a mask hanging from her neck.
Hello Mrs. Grey. Youve decided to have the baby early after all, she says smiling.
It was the babys decision. Not mine, Ana puffs her answer.

Circle of Life

After hooking her up on monitors with belts, IV hooked on her arm and several other
gadgets Im not familiar with, Dr. Greene warms her hands up and puts her gloves on.
Then pouring some warmed gel into her palm, she instructs Ana to scoot down the
table, put her legs up on the stirrups and relax. Shes going to examine her cervix.
Relaxing proves to be difficult for Ana with the relentless and painful contractions.
Youre only at five centimeters so far, Mrs. Grey, but since your water is broken, we

need to speed up the process. You need to dilate to ten centimeters and since the baby
has little amniotic fluid left inside, we need to rush the process once you get to a certain
level of dilation. So far, youre progressing normally.
Cant we just do a C-section and save Ana from all this pain? I say. Its been an

agonizing hour for her.

No! both Ana and Dr. Greene shout back.

I dont recommend C-section unless the baby is in trouble. I can feel his head down.

This is the first baby Mr. Grey. He isnt going to come out right away. Its just the way it
is, she says trying to be reassuring.
I will let Mrs. Grey rest a little bit, but after a certain time, Id like her to walk so well

let the gravity do some of the work for her.

Walk? Shes in pain? How can she walk? I say as Ana squeezes my hand with another

death grip. Dont you have something to give her for this pain?
I recommend Epidural, but its not the right time for it yet. Well get our window of

opportunity for this in a little while, then without bothering to explain, she turns to
two of the nurses who are now in the room and instructs each of them with some tasks.
Mrs. Grey, I need you to take ice chips if your mouth feels dry, and the IV line will keep

you hydrated and nourished. I have some pain relief in your IV but we dont want more
than necessary for the babys well-being.
I dont want Epidural, Dr. Greene, Anastasia says as she grunts through a contraction.
What? we both ask. She shallow breathes several breaths. The pain is evident in every

breath, every muscle, every gesture, and the shaky voice.

Christian, I want natural birth! she groans followed by a painful scream. What if it

harms the baby? she says with less conviction.

Mrs. Grey, its completely hogwash. Epidural doesnt slow the labor; its the least

intrusive than other meds. But if you insist on it, Ill give you a few hours to decide. This
is going to be a long day for you without the pain medication, Mrs. Grey. Weve seen
that your threshold of pain is very low which means you will feel the labor pain for
hours on end.
How long do you think aaaaaaahh! blood curdling scream comes through Ana as a

particularly long contraction hold its death grip on Anas womb. Once its over, the
beads of sweat is cover her hair and she makes a conscious effort to try to breathe.
Mrs. Grey, the average first time labor takes about eight hours which could go up to

eighteen hours if not longer. I dont recommend it longer than eighteen hours because it
could put the baby in distress. Then she lowers her voice in a soft, soothing way,
adding, Ana, you have a breather for a few minutes. For a first time mother, decision
making could be especially difficult during labor. If your mind is wrapped around the
pain, you may not have the right mind to make choices should there be any

complications. Well revisit your choice when you dilate 8 centimeters. It will still give
us a window of opportunity for you to get some pain relief. Then she turns to me,
noticing I look helpless not able to ease my wifes pain.
Mr. Grey, you could help Mrs. Grey walk and well let gravity help to speed up the

labor process.
I walk Anastasia along the corridor, she holding onto the IV stand, and me trying to find
a way to ease her pain. I notice that my extended security details are strategically placed
along the way and outside. Both Welch and Taylor had made an agreement to have
security details placed around the maternity ward with the hospital for the due date,
but we are two weeks early and we have way more men at hand than we had
anticipated. Taylor and Melissa approach. He nods at Ana trying to smile, not knowing
what to say. He clears his throat. Looks at me with his, we have a problem at hand,
look. I raise my eyebrows.
Melissa, help Mrs. Grey walk, I order. Ill be right back baby, I say with a smile. She

squeezes my hand with a painful fervor, gritting her teeth. Michelle immediately runs to
her side, and does something to her back, running her finger on her lower back. I can
see that this eases Anas pain. I want to ask how she managed to do that, but something
in Taylors face distracts me.
Walking far enough away from hearing distance, he stops and turns.
Sir, the hospital administration just informed me that other expecting parents started

complaining about extra security here because clearly, our men have to stop the nonmedical personnel from entering into the maternity section. But, I think they stopped
one expecting father and he had a fit.
Why would they stop an expecting father?
Sir, he punched Sawyer because 'he eyed him with scrutiny'," he says with air quotations.

"When Sawyer was punched, the other security helped him subdue the man who was
screaming and shouting that his wife was, he cleared his throat, fucking havin a kid
while rich pricks got all the perks from the hospital! he was shouting.
Why would he say that? Did Sawyer identify himself to the guy?
No, sir, he said decisively.
Then how?

The hospitals own security has been making sure that only those who had immediate

family at the maternity ward were being allowed. This is not a regular protocol of the
hospital; the only reason theyre doing it today is because Mrs. Grey is here. Its not hard
for other patients' families to come to that conclusion that a V.I.P. is involved. Thats
what he was told. Apparently, this first time father forgot his ID at work in his hurry to
get to the hospital and when the hospital security couldnt verify who he was, he was
being turned away. So, he just rushed the security guard and ran in. At that time,
Sawyer just got radioed that a possible intruder was running in whose ID had not been
verified I groan finally getting the picture.
And, now? I ask.
He was finally allowed to go see his wife after his mother in law verified him, but

clearly he was furious and was complaining very loudly that his rights have been
compromised. It turned out he barely made it to the delivery. Clearly, his wife was upset
he didnt get there during the labor and so was he. The hospital is now asking to either
the ease the security meaning get rid of everyone but keep only two immediate security
details or get rid of them altogether. Theyre basically reneging on the concessions they
made after that guy threatened to sue the hospital. The hospital administrator said that
with Mr. Greys, your, name being so big, theyre worried about a scandal should any
other problem occur with another patient.
Theyre gonna get a bigger problem if they fucking back away from the written

concessions they made especially after the last fuck up with the paparazzi!
Who by the way are parked outside. The hospital administration cant stop us outside

the building but they may limit our numbers that we have spread inside the hospital.
Mrs. Grey has been given a VIP room, and the hospital administrator is saying that for
the hospitals sake to reduce the numbers of men we have around.
The rage I feel makes me grit my teeth, and I run both hands in exasperation.
Im not reducing the numbers! Let the hospital or the patients sue me!
I understand sir, but they can force quite a few of us out and do it legally. Based on

what the hospital administrator's hints my main concern at this point is that the
administration can have the additional security detail removed from the immediate
vicinity of the maternity ward since there are other patients, citing were impeding the
medical processes thereby endangering the patient lives. Pella didnt even argue with

him. He nodded and when the administrator left, he just blended some of his men as
visitors or patients.
Well, is anyone impeding the patient care? I look at him questioning.
Of course not, sir. Then he clears his throat.
What? Im running out of patience.
Their nurses were a little too enamored with the security. Our men are under strict

instructions to not to fraternize with the staff and they're not. The administrator may be
just looking for an excuse, sir, and he got two.
Where the hell is that bastard? I ask fuming.
Speaking of the devil The fucker's name is Bradley Williams, Taylor says nodding at

the other side of the corridor where the hospital administrator is greeting my wife and
Miss Tiber standing protectively in front of her, making sure the Mr. Bradley Williams
keeping his distance. I approve. He notices our gaze nods at my wife walking towards
us. He opens his mouth to greet us as he extends his hand up. When he sees the
forbidding expression on my face, he lowers his hand and runs it over his pants pockets
as if to wipe sweat away. Clears throat.
Mr. Grey he begins.
Absolutely not!
But, you dont know then he looks at Taylor and adds, oh

Clears throat again. Im afraid I have to insist, Mr. Grey. Too many patients and their
families are complaining. We cannot close an entire maternity ward to patients families.
We have an average of 40 newborns a day, not to mention we have the best NICU which
means more infants are transferred to this hospital from other areas and patient families
also come. Theres no way we can stop and vet each family especially during an
emergency. Clearly, each family deserves to be with their loved one on a special occasion
like birth or an emergency like an illness, he explains. I hold my hand up for him to
stop.
Im not trying to prevent families sharing this moment with each other or prevent

infant care. God, no! Im just trying to provide my wife proper security your hospital
agreed two weeks ago and as Taylor here had explained to you once again when we
arrived.

Yes, Mr. Grey and we would really love to cooperate. But the number we agreed upon

was four security details for Mrs. Grey and you at the maternity ward. You have an
army out there! We cant give family difficulty in being with their wife, daughter, sister,
or daughter in law on such a day. Therefore, I must request your men to be removed
from the maternity ward except for two. Your security detail has been given a list of the
employees to come to shifts for a 24 hour period even though this is totally irregular in
light of the last event. But, we cannot slow the work flow here. This is a hospital after all.
We deal with lives, Mr. Grey. Im sorry, but our offer is final. Two securities in the
maternity ward allowed, and the rest must be outside and not-interfering with the
regular flow of our work.
Taylors face is expressionless, but the dilation of his pupils tells me that hes also as
angry as I am for having been cornered.
Youve taken enough of my time. Original agreement holds. Four security details: Two

men for Mrs. Grey, two of my personal bodyguards. If your hospital has a problem, Ill
put you through a lawsuit likes of which you have not seen! The rest of the security
detail will remain outside dispersed around the hospital.
Of course, well allow that. But those of whom who are outside of the immediate

security cant remain inside the maternity ward, because the staff complained that
theres not adequate room in this area. Naturally, additional bodies who are neither the
mother nor the father are taking additional space that is reserved for patients and their
families. These are all the concession Im allowed to make Mr. Grey. Hospital rules, he
says apologetically.
Listen carefully! my voice is low but clear. The vibrating anger envelopes him and

holds him in his tracks. No one tries to renegotiate with me after signing an agreement.
My lawyers will see to it all of the articles the hospital has agreed are upheld.
Yes, Mr. Grey. Well make sure that what has been agreed is upheld, but I have to insist

that the additional bodies will have to leave.

I take out my phone and speed dial Welch.
Where the fuck are you? I ask while Williams looks at me with his mouth agape.
Im just arriving at the hospital sir, he responds.

Call my lawyers. I want the security agreement upheld by the hospital within the next

half hour. Their own fuck up for having inadequately trained security is not my
concern.
My apologies, Mr. Grey. Pella already informed your lawyers and theyve met with the

Dean of the hospital.

Does Williams know about this?
Who is Williams, sir?
The hospital administrator.
A fucking hospital administrator shouldnt have been bothering you, sir! My apologies

again. Weve got this!

I press the End button on my phone and look up to Williams.
Leave. The single word leaves my lips like an expletive making him turn crimson.

***** *****

Even though we have walked through the hall numerous times, Ana has only dilated to
eight centimeters and shes been stuck at that number for the last five hours. Shes
exhausted, pained and still has not given into receiving Epidural. Her pained screams
rip me apart layer by layer. Worry and anxiety are driving me insane. Dr. Greene gave
her something that would slightly alleviate her pain. After she checks her cervix again, I
call Dr. Greenes attention.
Dr. Greene, a word, please.

Sure, Mr. Grey, she responds timidly.

How long will you let Ana suffer? Its been eleven hours! She is not accepting Epidural.

She has stopped dilating for the last five hours. Either find a way to speed up the labor,
or perform the C-section!
Mr. Grey, she responds patiently. The babys not in distress. The mother is doing

well, even if you think otherwise. Shes healthy. Id like to give Mrs. Grey every
opportunity to have a natural childbirth as she requested. If she doesnt get to ten
centimeters in the next hour, I will give her Pitocin to speed up the labor.
No! Not next hour. Start it now. Dont you see this is torture for her? I shout. Dr.

Greenes lips thin.

I will go and talk to Mrs. Grey and Ill give her Pitocin. But, I would like to fulfill the

mothers wishes. If and when I see a danger to either the mother or the baby, I will move
into the next step. But Mr. Grey, this is her first baby. What you see is not out of the
ordinary. Now, please, let me do my job, and lets respect Mrs. Greys wishes, she
responds as she walks back into the Labor and Delivery Room to talk to Ana.
After she explains Ana what I had discussed with her, she tells Ana that she will give
her Pitocin to speed up the labor, but that she recommends her Epidural because the
pain is about to get intensified. The doctor finally made a concession.
I dont want anything that is not natural for my baby, Ana responds.
Mrs. Grey, Pitocin will put your body into hard rocking labor than soft rocking labor to

get the job done.

This is soft? Ana asks incredulous.
Yes, Ana. You will receive an IV solution with Pitocin in it. Well pump it about every

20 minutes until youre contracting every 2 to 3 minutes for a minute or more.

Considering how hard you have been experiencing your labor, I really, really, really
recommend you to take some pain relief, Ana. At this point, I recommend Epidural.
Your pain threshold seems very low.
Please, baby, I beg her.
Only something less intrusive for the baby than that, because I want to feel my legs

when I push him out, Ana responds.

One of the nurses can massage your legs to help with the circulation so that you can

continue to feel your legs, the Dr. responds.

Ill do that. No need for the nurses help, I say eyeing the newly arriving male nurse

named Derick in blue scrubs after a shift change.

Okay, Ana concedes.

I breathe a sigh of relief. Dr. Green gives orders to get the IV going and the pain relief.
When Pitocin starts pumping, the contractions start getting longer, more painful, and
watching her belly contort like a wash rag when you squeeze the water out makes me
sick to my stomach. I cant help my wife. I cant ease her pain. Even though Anastasia
agreed to the Epidural, it doesnt seem to be helping her enough. Four torturous hours
pass with only another one single fucking centimeter. Shes stuck at nine centimeters
and the labor is not progressing anymore.
Dr. Greene, I whisper. Please. Shes suffering. I dont know how much she can take!
I understand your concern Mr. Grey. I will keep monitoring the baby and the mother.

Shes tired, I know, but she insists on natural childbirth. If she doesnt reach to ten
centimeters in the next hour or if I detect any distress at all with either the mother or the
baby, I will take her into C-section. But I have to respect the mothers wishes. Mrs. Grey
is the one who is giving birth. This is not the first birth Im attending Mr. Grey. Please,
trust me, she says almost indignantly.
I only trust her half as far as I can throw her which is right across the hall and I really
really would love to put that theory to test since the fucking obstetrician is not
cooperating with me and trying to accommodate Anas wishes shes made before she
was in labor and before she had felt the labor pains and now is now too afraid to alter
her choices because she doesnt know any better. She thinks that any change she might
make in her previously thought out decisions due to pain, may result in harming the
baby. I know my wife better! The doctor thinks shes respecting Anas previous
decisions by allowing her to go through this torture of a labor is not taking her fears into
account and not aiding her in making the appropriate choices to ease her pain and get
the baby out of her at this moment. What a fucking conundrum! Im losing control here
and losing control is not something I can deal with right now. I want her to be
comfortably numb.

Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd

Dr. Greene, you have sixty minutes. If any complication arises because you have not

performed a C-Section She cuts me off.

Mr. Grey, I hope you dont intend to finish that sentence. Because, at this moment I

would like to focus solely on Mrs. Greys and the babys well-being. Im doing what I
think is best for my patient with the available information on her current health
respecting her wishes under her previously given detailed directives. Should the
direction of her health change, then I will have to disregard her directives to do what is
best for both of my patients: the mother and the baby. My first responsibility is to them,
she says. The implied not to you doesnt need to be said. I dont want to spook the
doctor at this crucial moment because my wife is in her hands but her services are
hanging by a thread. Dr. Greene is unyielding.
I will give you no more than sixty minutes, I say and walk away. Oh, Ana, why do you

do this to yourself? Why?

At the end of the next sixty minutes, there isnt any further development in Anastasias
labor, but plenty of pain for my wife. Shes exhausted; ready to pass out. She doesnt
dilate to ten centimeters and Pitocin stops doing its job other than having provided a lot
of painful contractions. I look up at the Doctor with baleful eyes. She checks the
monitors and notices something on the baby monitor. Teddys heartbeats skyrocketed as
if the washing machine is in the rinse cycle. Dr. Greene knows that finally both Teddy
and I have reached our limit. She nods her nurses to get ready and turns to Ana with
urgency in her voice.

Mrs. Grey, youve been in labor for fifteen hours now. Your contractions have slowed in

spite of the Pitocin. We need to do a C-section. The baby is in distress. Theres a hint of
worry and surmounting stress lacing her tone.
Its about fucking time! I bellow. Thats what Ive been begging Ana to get for the last

five hours and asking the doctor to help convince her to no avail. Dr. Greene
conveniently ignores me as if this is the first time Ive asked her to move onto
performing a C-section.
Christian, quiet, Ana says weakly. Too weak. She squeezes my hand with delicate

fingers. Her voice barely above a whisper. Im scared out of my mind. Is every delivery
like this? I couldnt have prepared myself for this had I tried. I cant look around; there
seems to be a sea of green scrubs rushing to and fro around my wife in a nervous
frenzy.

Bon Jovi Always

I wanted to push him out myself, Ana manages to whisper, stubborn as ever.
Mrs. Grey, please, Dr. Greene pleads. Even she reached her limit of concessions for

Ana. C-section. This time the doctor looks at me for support.

Please, Ana, I beg.
Can I sleep then? she asks. Thank God.
Yes, baby, yes, sleep as much as you want, my voice breaks, and I swallow back my

sob. I lean down and kiss her forehead. I dont want to lose my wife in labor because the
fucking doctor had to yield to Anas unreasonable wishes. But then again, even I cant
resist her wishes. Im ready to do everything she asks for.

I want to see Lil Blip, she says wishful. Why didnt I think of that before? Meeting our

baby would be the biggest incentive for Ana to agree to the C-section hours ago and her
pain would have been over by now and she could have been cuddling Teddy.
You will see him soon.
Okay, she finally whispers her acquiescence.
Finally, Dr Greene mutters. Why didnt she try to persuade her before? Nurse, page

the anesthesiologist. Dr. Miller, prep for a C-section. Mrs. Grey, we are going to move
you to the Operating Room. This is news to me. My security has been guarding this
section and it had been an uphill battle to get this little concession. Theyre never going
to let the O.R. area to be guarded because of health hazard issues and theres hardly any
time to inform anyone of the change.
Move? I hear the word spill out of my and Anas lips simultaneously in complete

surprise.
Yes. Now! Doctor Greene commands with urgency.

Without another word, theyve mobilized Anas bed and moving her out of the
maternity ward. Dr. Greene turns to me and orders.
Mr. Grey, youll need to change into scrubs.
What? What are all these additional rules for and why have we not been informed of

what to expect?
When Dr. Greene sees me in my frozen state, her voice gets three octaves higher.
Now, Mr. Grey! The urgency in her voice conceals the panic shes feeling. I know the

feeling because I have the same ominous feeling in me as well. I squeeze Anas hand as
theyre trying to wheel her out.
Christian, she call out to me panicked, but shes been wheeled away as two male

nurses have stopped me and pull me into what looks like a changing room. I hear Anas
distancing weak voice calling after me, completely panicked.
Christian?
Hell be with you in a moment, Mrs. Grey, someone else answers and the voices as

well as the footsteps taking my wife is receding and finally gone.

We need you to get into these scrubs, says one of the nurses after eyeing me for size,

and put this cap as well as the face mask on please. Well wait outside to give you
privacy, Mr. Grey, he says and they both vacate the room. I put the blue scrubs on the

nurse handed me faster than anything I have put on to get back to Anastasia who
sounded very distressed with my absence. She needs me! When I get outside, I say,
Lets roll, as Im tying up the bottom of the scrubs. The OR is not on the same level I
notice. The nurses lead me to the staff elevators without going out of the double doors
we came in when we first arrived to the maternity. Does my security know were
changing levels? When the elevator doors ding open, any thought of the security detail
slip and the concern for my wife and child fills every crevice in my mind. We walk
through the corridor when the nurses reach the operating room theyre supposed to
have relocated Anastasia. Theres already a frenzy of activity and if my wife wasnt the
person in the middle of the room on the operating table The operating table I take a
few deep breaths. She looks so small and weak. There is a big blue drape like setup
below her chest. Shes hooked up to her IV line again and meds are running as well as
the numerous monitors beeping.
Christian, Im so frightened, her voice is barely a whisper.
No, baby, no. Im here. Dont be frightened, I murmur rubbing her hair. Not my

strong Ana, I lean down and kiss her forehead. I cant get over the fear. The frenzy, the
concerned glances doctors exchange wordlessly with one another. Fear looms over me
like a dark cloud. Even in her medicated state, Ana doesnt miss anything from my
expression.
What is it? she asks.
What? I pretend not to understand her meaning.
Whats wrong?
Nothing is wrong. Everything is fine, baby. Youre just too exhausted. I try to keep my

voice level, but my eyes burn with fear. Where the hell is the anesthesiologist to stop her
pain? She doesnt even have the strength to squeeze my hand when a contraction comes
through. The contractions are still present and painful, though theyre not productive.
The doctor whom I assume is the anesthesiologist runs into the OR and gets the
rundown quickly. Dr. Greene gives a sigh of relief.
Mrs. Grey, the anesthesiologist Dr. Miller is here. Hes going to adjust your epidural

and then we can proceed. At that moment a long contraction gets its death grip on
Anas womb.
The room is full of medical staff. The organized frenzy is scaring Ana, and worrying me.

Lets get the mayo stand ready! says one of the nurses. Two knives with #10 blades,

Scissors: metz, curved mayo, suture and bandage. Rolled towel with four hemostats, 2
Kockers, 4 kellys, 2 Allis, 3 cord clamps, 4 pengtons, pratts, sponge sticks other
voices drown hers. Anas eyes are first wide but then her hand weakens inside mine and
gets colder. I look at the monitor displaying Anas pulse and I see that it is low.
Shes having another contraction, announces one of the nurses. Anas hand squeezes

mine furiously. Somehow Anastasias effort to seek relief from pain or her acceptance of
me lending her strength to ride out her pain gives me the infinitesimal control I crave.
Feeling her pain delivered to me through our connection even as a minuscule reflection
is welcome. Dr. Miller is efficient. He doesnt waste time. He briefly explains the drugs
hes going to use for the surgery in rapid fashion while hes delivering the drugs to her
body. I can see the numbing relief spread through Anas body. She can finally manage to
concentrate on my face rather than her pain.
I hear the words baby, distress, time is running out, window of opportunity is gone,
immediately in whispered tones between the doctors and the nurses. The grim looks
on their faces worry me, but I cant ask anything, not now, not when Ana is awake and
when she needs my support.
Dr. Miller, how long? Dr. Greene asks with much meaning.
No more than two minutes, he responds.
BP is low, I hear a nurse inform the doctor.
Show time! Has Doctor Hansen been paged? I need him and a medical team put

together for the baby asap!

Yes, doctor! Hes been paged. But, Ill have to page for the medical team, says a nurse

and scurries out of the OR.

I keep holding Anas hand, and try to keep an awkward smile for her, but its a pained
look at best. The medical team prepped Ana for the surgery, and the doctor finally
started to cut her. I cant watch this. I focus on Anas face. Somehow I keep thinking of
piranhas feeding on a sickly creature. The table shakes with one of doctors moves.
Christian, Im scared! Ana whispers, holding my hand tighter, yet still weak.

Dr. Greene doesnt waste her time with a response. Instead, she turns to Anastasia and
asks: Can you feel this, Mrs. Grey? I hope she isnt trying to cut her before the meds
fully get into her system.

You cant feel it.

No, Ana responds.
Good. Dr. Miller, lets go, Dr. Greene says. When I peek behind the drape, I see that

the doctor is now making the first incision. Seeing my wifes protruding belly cut makes
me sick. The worry is surmountable. Not only because this is a surgery, but the doctors
are frantic and theyre constantly eyeing the monitors as if theyre in a race to save
someone. The beads of sweat collect on my forehead.
I love you, Ana whispers. Shes the one who is comforting me. Her strength is what

breaks me down.
Oh, Ana, a sob breaks loose. I bury my head to her neck. I love you, too, so much,

baby.
Anas lips whisper soothingly. More people fill into the OR and in about fifteen minutes,
I hear Doctor Greenes sharp voice to a nurse.
Suction!
Whats happening? Ana asks.
Good Dr. Greene responds someone else. Theyre ignoring Anastasia as theres a

hectic movement behind the veil. The word, not breathing is almost a whisper. Im not
called to cut the babys umbilical cord.
Dr. Hansen! someone shouts and a doctor who is in blue scrubs and blue apron

scurries to the area behind the drape with his team of nurses who are equally covered
up as if this is the CDC clean room and theyre fighting a deadly infectious disease.
Make room! says a masculine voice behind the mask.

I look up to see the activity and see a purplish little body, body of my son covered in
white vernix and blood and some green substance. He isnt crying! That means he isnt
breathing. Doctor Greene, or at least the person I hope is Dr. Greene is delivering the
afterbirth while Dr. Hansen and his team trying to revive our son! Umbilical cord
wrapped around his neck is whispered. What if I cant entertain such horrible
thought.
Lets clear his lungs, Dr. Hansens voice commands. He murmurs under stress. The

activity increases and Ana looks beyond exhausted. I cant blink. I watch the doctor and
the nurses work on the little body of my baby while the others are still working on Anas
open incision. Then the loud sound of a healthy, angry cry breaking through the

medical staff's murmur is the most welcome sound in the world. Our son! Theodore
Raymond Grey! His cry fills his lungs with oxygen and his face is flushed pink. Anas
face liven up when she hears my sigh of relief. The tears that had been dammed up
finally run in strings of beads on their own volition. For the first time since weve been
in the operating room, I let go of my wife and stand up to meet my child. Theyre still
measuring him and weighing the little body. The nurse jots on the little white board
above.

Welcome Baby Grey

Born on: May 6th 2012 at 6:21 a.m.

21 inches
8 lbs. 7 oz.

Masked faces of the doctors and the nurses do not hide the relief, and joy when they
hand my son to my arms. This wiggling, living miniature human is part of me, part of
my wife. Hes ours! Ive never been this overwhelmed in my life in meeting someone
someone so small, yet so impactful. My tears are accompanied by a small smile. Hes
here. I extend my index finger to him and he captures it and holds onto it with all his
little might.
I want to see him I hear Ana whisper. Of course she does. Hes the one she

protected all this time, loved and fell in love without even meeting him. I take him to
her.
Heres your son, Mrs. Grey, I whisper. How could I ever not give anything she asked

for? I dedicated my life to give her anything she wants and hes what she wants right
now.
Our son, Ana corrects me as always. Teddy instinctively reaches out to Anas face. I

hold his body supporting him while his head lies right over Anas chest. Little hands
reach to her face, fiercely desiring to be connected with her. Hes beautiful! Anas
whispering voice gushes.
Yes, he is, I whisper back. I lean down and plant a gentle kiss to his forehead beneath

a shock of dark hair. This little baby has some hair. Then I kiss my wifes forehead.

Lets close her up, I hear Dr. Greene still working on Anas belly.

A small cough escapes Teddys little lips. Its followed by another. A green drop appears
at the corner of his mouth. Dr. Hansen appears next to me right away, and without a
word, he takes the baby to the back of the room as if his life depends on it.
What is wrong with our baby? Anas weak voice cries out.
Its meconium aspiration syndrome, Dr. Greene says behind the drape still suturing

her up.
What? I ask fear striking deep. "Is this an illness?"
No, Mr. Grey, responds Dr. Greene behind her mask still busy with treating

Anastasias sutures with a red substance. The baby passed meconium while he was still
inside the uterus.
Why?
Ill explain after I take care of Mrs. Grey, she responds while the pediatric group is

feverishly working on our son. Anas tears run through her face, shes getting distressed.
Mrs. Grey, he will be fine. You need to relax.
I cant! I want to hold him! Ana tries to raise her voice but its barely audible among

all the commotion. Shes exhausted, and doesnt even have the strength to protest.
There, Dr. Greene says as she finishes Anastasia up. Mrs. Grey, she says gently

looking around the nurses in scrubs and masks working and cleaning or doing
something in a rapid manner. Then focuses her attention back on my wifes slipping
consciousness.
Your labor and delivery has taken about eighteen hours. Thats a very long time for

such an exhaustive process. You need to rest. The process was even harder for the little
babys system. Because he was under stress during labor, he passed meconium while he
was still inside the uterus which in return decreased his supply of blood and oxygen not
to mention made him breathe in the meconium. Once meconium passed into the
surrounding amniotic fluid, the baby breathes it into the lungs and it can block the
infants airway right after birth. Weve tried to clear it out of his lungs. Now, Dr. Hansen
and his team will have to work on him to prevent swelling of the babys lungs and
monitor him. When you wake up, he should be right by your side. But right now, he
needs observation, she explains.
Anas bloodshot eyes brim with tears.

Did I cause this by not opting a sob breaks.

No, baby, no! You were his champion. You did what you thought was best for him! I

say feverishly, giving the doctor a sharp reprimanding look.

Mrs. Grey, your meds will take effect and it will put you to sleep. You need the rest for

your recovery. Well take you into the recovery room while the baby is going to go to the
NICU for twenty-four hours for close monitoring and observation, so that we make sure
his lungs dont get inflamed and hes able to breathe well, she says.
Anas eyes close despite her fighting against the pain medications and sleep aids given
to her.
Mr. Grey, may I have a word with you? Dr. Greene says. When I look reluctant to leave

Ana there who has fallen asleep, she says, I promise shell be here when we get back.
Shell have to be prepped and moved into a recovery room.
She walks me right outside the OR door away from the ears of room full of nurses and
other doctors.
Mrs. Grey has endured a difficult labor, she starts.
What the hell was that back there? I shot back.
The facts, Mr. Grey. She is the mother and she has a right to know what is happening

with her child.

Did you have to say it as if it was her fault that our baby was in distress?
Mr. Grey, in no time back there, I blamed my patient. I had stated the causes and

results of choices with the given information we all had.

I asked you No, I begged you to get her into the C-section and not listen to her. She is

no doctor. She was under duress with her pain and worry that she might be harming
the babys well-being. She was thinking of the babys health! You screwed up! I accuse.
Mr. Grey, had I given Mrs. Grey a C-section without due diligence and her consent, it

would be unethical for me as a doctor to go against my patients directives, not to

mention she would have had every right to come back and sue me. Its the mothers
choice how she wants her delivery to occur unless it becomes a health hazard for her
and or the baby. I must by law follow the patients written and verbal directives which I
did to the letter. Had she become unconscious and she had no directives, then I would
have applied to your directives, but she was conscious all the way. She had made
choices to the best of her ability which were for the well-being of the baby. I cant

disagree with Mrs. Greys choices. She was still well informed. The birth process is not
easy for any baby and yours is not an exception.
Now the baby has to be in the NICU because of those well-informed choices which you

endorsed! Ana could not have made those choices had you informed her of the
prospective dangers the baby could have had. Now, shes going to worry herself sick
because she made those choices! I cant have Anas health deteriorate because the
doctor enabled her to linger on natural birth and shell blame herself for it!
The NICU is only a precaution Mr. Grey. This is not uncommon. The meconium

problem is easily treatable. The baby and the mother will be reunited within twenty
four hours. Mrs. Grey needs the time to recover herself. She just had a surgery, she
responds calmly as if shes explaining a hard concept to a three year old.
Were all very tired Mr. Grey. The mother is doing exceptionally well, just exhausted.

She needs time for recovery from the C-section, and the baby would have been naturally
put under observation because all mothers who just went through such a birth would
need the time for healing. Now, Im sure youd like to go with Mrs. Grey into the
recovery room and Dr. Hansen and his team will take baby Grey into the NICU. You can
visit him once you settle Mrs. Grey into her room. Im sure your family would like to
know about the delivery, she says reminding me we left my brothers wedding to make
it to the hospital on time. It had been a very stressful day and were all under pressure
including the doctor.
Thank you, I say closing my eyes.
For what?
For doing what Ana asked to do, I say surprising her.
Lets rest and regroup tomorrow Mr. Grey, she responds with a smile.

***** *****

The nurses settle my sleeping wife into the recovery room and theres a couch that is
going to be my bed for tonight or morning. I dont even know what time it is. When I
observe my wife breathing with oxygen delivered to her nose through a small nozzle,
her steady heartbeat observed on the monitor and her blood pressure slowly rising up
to the normal levels, I can finally let go and fall onto the couch. I take my Blackberry out

to find 59 missed calls and over sixty text messages. Most of them are from my family,
Taylor and Pella. Trying to locate our whereabouts in the hospital as well as trying to see
if the baby is born. No one had informed them. This delivery was harder and I have an
inkling that it was more difficult than Dr. Greene let out. I call Taylor first.
Sir! he responds.
Where are you?
We have been renegotiating with the hospital where we can be stationed since we were

not informed of Mrs. Grey having been taken to the OR. Ive informed your family of
the changes. No one was allowed or no information was given to anyone because we
were not next of kin which immediately made us think that there was something wrong
with Mrs. Grey or the baby. Weve called you, but
I know. They were supposed to allow you to follow me.
Not to OR, sir and we werent even informed that Mrs. Grey was in the OR. We were

kept outside of the delivery area. Pella had to break in to hospital computer system to
find out her location. Because the NICU is a clean environment, theyre not letting any
of us near it. Were barred. Pella is looking for a way to bypass that without putting
other infants in danger just in close vicinity that we can keep an eye on him. But we are
by the recovery room, no thanks to the hospital. In fact, Im outside your door, sir.
My family? I ask.
Your parents and sister came here a few hours after you did, but had to go back to the

wedding. After the wedding was over, your parents called and asked me if the baby was
born and asked to inform them as soon as he arrived. I had just called them about it.
They will allow you to sleep a few hours before they come to see Mrs. Grey and the
baby.
Okay but I dont get to finish my sentence.
What? Taylors voice is sharp as an expletive to someone who must just arrived to our

door.
Mrs. Grey is resting and Mr. Grey is tired. What is it you need?
For heavens sake Taylor! The nurses are supposed to come I say over the phone as I

open the door.

Youre not a nurse, I say surprised to the man in the expensive suit. He clears his

throat. Hes accompanied by a hospital security.

Im sorry Mr. Grey.

What? I ask alarmed.
The baby Your baby he says emphasizing.
What about my baby? Is he okay? My hands are on his lapels, Taylor is breathing

through his nose and I drop my phone to the floor.

What the fuck happened to my baby?? I shout.
Hes gone!
He was just born! Your pediatric staff took him to the NICU. My security wasnt

allowed in the vicinity of the NICU. Hows my baby gone? He couldn't have just walked
out!
The nurses who were stationed at the NICU were drugged. Two nurses in the station

were found with needle marks on their necks so are the two in the NICU caring the
babies.
When? Taylor asks. Any video feeds, descriptions?
We dont know yet. We, Im sorry, we wouldnt have known until the shift change but

your man broke into the NICU and hes the one who discovered the empty bassinet of
the Baby Grey, he says.
Pella! both Taylor and I shout. Where is he?
In the security office going over the video feeds to identify the kidnapper, says the

head of hospital security.

My head is about to explode. My baby is gone. My baby! I only held him once! Ana only
got to touch him! She didn't even get a chance to hold him after eighteen hours of labor!
Were distracted by Taylors phone. The voice on his phone is booming.

Taylor! Pella. I need you and all the security staff immediately. White male. 62,

military cut hair, 30s, accompanied by a female in a wheel chair who looked like she just
gave birth with a baby in an infant car seat coming out of the NICU. He's still dressed in
scrubs. Melissa and Sawyer are in pursuit of the vehicle; a silver SUV with darkened
windows. Im getting eyes in the sky in a minute. I have the staff texting all security the
relevant information. We dont have any time to lose! I need you at the security office
ASAP!

My world collapses around me. But, I can't break down right now. I need to find Teddy
before Ana wakes up.

Lets fucking roll! Someone's going to die in my hands today for this! I shout, my eyes

blinded with rage and anguish. My enemy broke through my gates. He will pay dearly
for this. We run.