Michael's POV

It took me a few minutes after she had left to realize the mistake I had made. She had made us work whilst still running her empire and I doing the same. Nothing could ever come between us, but I might just have messed up the best relationship I have ever had. All because of being a little possessive and overbearing.

Pulling out of my driveway a followed them. I couldn't follow them speeding because of the dark road, I didn't want any accidents especially when I was running after my wife and son.

Slowing down I came up to an accident. I recognized the car immediately and jumped out of my car, heart racing as I looked around searching for them only to see Ethan crying in the arms of one of the paramedics.

"Ethan!" I called out going towards him.
"Daddy!" He cried running towards my open arms.
Looking over him frantically I checked to see if he had any injuries. The paramedic reassured me that he was fine.
"Sir are you the boy's father?" A police officer asked.
"You just heard him calling me dad. What do you think? Where is my wife?" I growled looking around searching for Jo.
"Forgive my sir. She has been rushed to the hospital. We would like to know the victims name."
At the mention of the word victim Michael closed his eyes to calm himself down anger boiling within.

"It's Joanna Powell."
The officers face paled at the mention of her name.
"Powell? As in Miss Powell of Powell industries."
"Yes," I breathed out.

Frowning the officer said, "And your name sir. We have to make sure the boy is in safe hands."
"Michael Raymond," I said turning to leave the officer stunned into silence.

Heading to my car the officer followed explaining that a drunk driver had slammed into their car. Jo had to be rushed to hospital as she was bleeding profusely from the head injury she had sustained. Apparently she didn't have her belt on and had been thrown out of the car but Ethan had been safe in his seat.

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Calling Benjamin and Natasha along the way he informed them of what had happened and told them the hospital they were heading to.
As soon as he arrived he found his parents as well as Jo's including Benjamin and Natasha. They all looked worried as they waited for a doctor to arrive.
There were some officers present. Leaving Ethan with his grandparents he went straight up to an officer and asked him, "Where is he?"
The officers immediately knew who he was asking about.
"I said where is the man who hurt my wife," he said in a dangerously low voice.
"Sir we cannot allow you to see him," one of them said his voice trembling with fear.

"Son leave him alone. The authorities will handle him properly. Ethan and Joanna need you right now," his father stated.
Walking back to the waiting room he settled into a chair only for Ethan to come up and settle down onto my lap laying his head on my chest.
"Mama didn't want to wake up. Is she going to wake up now?"
"Yes buddy, she will wake up, soon," he responded in a hoarse voice.

The doctor came to inform them that they had managed to stop all the bleeding allowing them all to see her for a few minutes.
Walking into the private room Michael nearly felt all the strength he had leave him from what he saw. Her head was extensively bandaged and she had cuts and bruises from the broken glass and impact with the hard ground. Her wrist was taped up, and her leg safely secured by metallic rods. The machine hummed rhythmically signaling that she was still alive.
All the women were crying as the men tried to console them and were ushered out of the room.

"Mama, please wake up," Ethan cried as Mike tried his best to console him.
Benjamin came back to fetch him leaving him alone with her.
"Mi amore," he said finally letting the tears out.

Taking her hand he kissed it holding onto it gently.
"Please wake up, everyone is waiting for you."
There was no response. The only sound being that of the machines. The doctor returned asking him to leave but he refused to leave her side. Once they were alone again he settled down into a chair beside her bed.

"Jo I am sorry for this. It is all my fault. If only I had agreed with your request you wouldn't be here. We wouldn't be here baby. I am a fool to think I could ever control you. The other reason I fell for you was your independence and here I am trying to take away that quality which I love about you," he said.
Laughing he said, "I also love the way you smile and light up whenever you see Ethan and I wonder how you will be with our children. The way you laugh at my corny jokes. The way you blush whenever I use a term of endearment, querido. You are my everything and my life is incomplete without you. Ethan's life is incomplete without you. So I need to you to open your eyes for me, or just squeeze my hand and let me know you love me still."

He waited patiently but got not response. Getting up he left the room only to fall asleep outside her door with Ethan on his lap. The doctor would came to check on her progress but gave no word on when she would wake up.

It took her a week for her to finally wake up, finding Natasha beside her.
"I need some water," she whispered.
Quickly pushing the alert button she fetched some ice chips for her so she could slowly get the fluid into her system. The doctor came in and was relieved to see her awake and informed them that the swelling in her brain was decreasing as expected.

"Where is Ethan? Did he get hurt?" she asked panicking.
"Shh, Jo, he is alright. He is outside waiting for you."
"Okay," she said sighing in releaf.

"Also Michael is waiting for you. He is waiting for you to allow him in. Ethan wouldn't leave his side refusing to go back home with even your parents," Tash told her.

"Let Ethan in, I need to see my son," she whispered with a pained expression.

"Mama! You are awake. Daddy said you would wake up," he said with a wide smile as he ran into the room.

Looking at him she was glad he was alright but once her eyes settled on Michael she saw how tired and worried he was. He stood looking outside the door with a relieved expression watching them. Focusing her attention back to Ethan he told her how he had slept outside with Michael and how he played with him and promised him that she would wake up.

The doctors came and informed her of the likelihood of her never being able to walk without the use of a wheelchair or crutches.
Hearing all this just made her cry some more as she fell asleep tired from shedding tears.

The following morning Tash begged Jo to put Michael out of his misery and just talk to him.
"Fine. Let him in."

"How are you feeling," he asked in a gruff voice.
"I'm alive as you can see," she snapped.
It pained her to act this cold towards him. She was just angry with the fact that she might never walk again.
"I know you are angry with me. I'm angry with myself too," he said softly.

Slowly he settled into a chair beside her bed and hesitantly took her good hand into his. She allowed him to do so loving his touch. She could never stay angry at this man, she loved him just too much.
"I am sorry for everything Jo, I should have never tried to..."
He stopped mid sentence as she shook her head slightly though painful.
"I heard you the first time Mikey."

He looked at her perplexed only to shake his head in understanding.
"Do you, um," he said scratching his head nervously. "Will you give us, another chance."
Bursting into laughter she winced in pain from the movement. Michael had a worried expression and was ready to call a doctor before she stopped him.
"To be honest with you I don't have an answer to your question. Please just give me some time to think," she whispered the last part turning her head away from him.
Michael left her room looking lost only for Benjamin to help him back to his house. Back at the hospital Joanna discharged herself against the doctors orders and had Jonathan take her and Ethan back home.

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"I am not giving up on her I need to see her again. I cannot live without her and Ethan. They are my everything," he told Benjamin as he paced his office the following day.
Heading back to the hospital he found out she had left and decided to go to her house.

-------

"Morgan how are you? I am looking for Joanna. Is she here?"
"Sorry sire. But Miss Powell is at the office."
Cursing furiously he left her house heading straight to her office building.

Storming into her office without knocking he found her seated in her chair as her assistant took notes. She seemed to be in pain as she held her head whilst her assistant took notes.

Joanna's POV

When my door opened with a slam I looked up to see a fuming man glaring at me even though he looked worn and tired he still looked handsome.
"Leave us," I told my new assistant.
Once she closed the door Michael charged towards me. I couldn't necessarily get away from him still feeling weak and sore.
"What do you want Mr Raymond?"

"You are the most infuriating and stubborn woman I have ever met. And here you are asking me what do I want, are you serious right now? Isn't it obvious that all I want is you woman. I want you! I need you. I need my family back nothing more. Can't you see that I you complete me. I can't even sleep knowing that we are not 'together'. I am in love with you Joanna Powell. You are the only woman on my mind day and night. Every decision I make is for us not me. Us Jo, do you hear me. I know I can be an arrogant man at times, but I want to be your arrogant man, I want to be yours. I want to hold you everyday, kiss you good morning and  good night. I want us to have daughters who look just like you. We already have a son what more could a man want. I hurt you, I hurt us but please forgive me. I am sorry mi amore," he told her trembling with emotion.

"I am sorry too Mikey," I whispered softly as he knelt before me taking my hand.
"I know you want to work but please baby let me take care of you until you are better."
Nodding my head yes, he carefully lifted me into his arms.

----------

"No, you cannot carry me out. I cannot show my employees that I am weak," she said panicking.
"Do you trust me querida?"
"Always."
"Then do not worry about your workers. I am sure one word from me they will mind their own business," he said in a serious tone.
"Mmmm, is than so," she said with a raised eyebrow a smile gracing her lips.
"You aren't the only one who runs an empire mi amore," he said kissing her lips tenderly.
"Show me," she said with a devious smile.

With Jonathan leading the way they left her floor and headed out. Michael had a serious expression which fully defined his facial features, as we walked past some employees. Stopping abruptly, he turned around for us to find everyone staring in our direction mumbling to themselves.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" He asked in an icy tone, that made even Jo shiver. Not in fear but excitement as she bit her lip trying to stifle a laugh. Everyone scattered back to their desks fumbling with paper as they tried to look busy.
"Well played Mr Raymond," she said softly so only he could hear whilst placing a kiss on his neck. "You should come by more often, I have trouble with them at times."
"I know you run a tight ship such that these guys never give you problems, but I will gladly come and help relieve your stress levels whenever you have problems," he responded huskily.

That night he slept at her house only to wake up with Jo calling him out of his sleep as Jonathan held him down. He was drenched in sweat and looking at Jo he saw how terrified she was by his state.
"You were having a nightmare Mikey," she said in a worried tone.
"I'm sorry for waking you guys up."
"Sshh it's alright love," she said trying to move closer to him.
He frowned as he carefully pulled her closer to him settling them against the pillows supporting her head against his shoulder.
"How did you get here?"
"Edward and Susan helped me."

"Want to tell me what your dream was about?" She asked him feeling his stiffen beside her.
Placing her hand on his chest she felt him relax as he started talking.
"It was about the accident, I saw Ethan lying on the ground not moving, his face covered in dark red blood. He refused to wake up no matter how much I tried to wake him up. Then I saw you, choking on your own blood struggling to move as your body lay at a horrible angle. You were trying to tell me something but couldn't though I pleaded with you to not waste your strength. Then you just stilled staring at me with a pained expression. I couldn't do anything and I watched you die," he said pulling her closer.

"We are not going anywhere, so don't worry yourself. I believe this isn't your first nightmare judging from the bags underneath your eyes."
He shook his head in agreement.
"Sleep now mi amore," she told him gently only for Ethan to walk into the room climbing onto the bed.
"Mama can I sleep with you and daddy?"
"Come here," Michael said pulling him onto his other side so he wouldn't hurt his mother before he drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

The following morning Jo woke up with Ethan snuggled against her, breathing softly. Looking around the room she search for Mickey but didn't find him looking at the clock to see it was only five-thirty in the morning. Grabbing her crutches she hobbled out of the bed and left Ethan to sleep for a little while longer. As she reached the staircase she saw Michael heading her way with a tray in his hands.
"Joanna, what are you doing out of bed," he sternly asked.

A wave of dizziness caught her unawares before she could explain herself. Feeling herself slowly sink to the ground, strong arms were around her catching her before she tumbled down the stairs. Lifting her into his arms he took her back to bed.
"If I didn't know better I would think you always want to be in my arms," he teased settling her under the blankets.
"Sire," Susan said holding out a glass of water. "The doctor said she had to drink a lot of fluids but miss refused yesterday," she said softly avoiding Jo's gaze.
"Thank you for telling me this Susan, we will have to correct her mistakes, won't we?" he said giving her stern look.
"Traitor!" Jo mumbled as Susan left the room with a chuckle.

"What will I ever do with you, mi amore?"
"What? I didn't want any," she sulked.
"Thank the heavens you are unwell, or I would have taken you across my knee," he whispered remembering Ethan was in the room.
"You wouldn't dare. No one has ever done such."
"There is a first time for everything. Now here drink this," he said handing her some pills and a glass of water.

"Your breakfast sire," Morgan said pushing a breakfast cart into the room a few minutes later.
"Thank you Morgan."
Ethan stirred awake giving them both wide smiles as he said his good morning.
"You need to get ready for school young man," Joanna said in a stern voice.
"Okay mama!" he said jumping off the bed in search of Edward.

"You need to eat your breakfast," Michael said holding up the fork to her mouth.
"I am not really hungry Mikey," she whined.
"Joanna," he growled.
"Okay fine," she said opening her mouth."
"Good girl," Michael said with a triumphant smile feeding her.
"If you don't stop moaning with each spoon I feed you we are going to have a big problem," Michael said feeding her some more.
"It's not my fault if the food is to die for. Just appreciating the culinary skills of the chef."
"I'm glad you love my cooking. But please mi amore, give a man a break."
She ignored his as she gave him a sultry look drinking her tea frustrating him even more.

"I need to get ready. I always take Ethan to school," she said looking at the clock to find it reading six thirty a.m.
"And I need a cold shower. Care to join me."
"Now what use would that cold shower be if I joined you."

---

"I could get used to this," she murmured huskily.
"Dream on princess," he chuckled as he rubbed some lotion onto her back in a soothing manner.
Taking her hand he gently flexed her wrist as the doctor had informed him earlier back at the hospital. Looking into her wardrobe he saw that most of her clothing was formal wear picking out a dress instead, making note of this as he texted his butler to send over some of his clothes to her house.
"Come on Ethan lets get you to school."

Three months later

"Can I come to work with you. I need a breather," Jo asked Mikey as they enjoyed their breakfast.
"Yes of course darling. A beauty in my office will be better than staring at plans the whole day."
"As long as you get some work done, I wouldn't want to be the reason you slack," she said grabbing his tie and pulling him down to her lips.
"If you keep this up, I don't think I will get any work done."

------

As Michael went over some plans with a client and one of his architects, she was going through her emails responding to messages from her assistant and clients.
"How can you not know where the problem is with your plan. When I gave you free reign to design you had to make sure no problems would arise. I don't want my building crew to face any challenges with your design!" He said in frustration.
"Sir I will go over the plans again," he stammered.
Feeling a hand on his shoulder he calmed down knowing who it was as he pulled her onto his lap letting her crutches drop to the ground.
"Do you mind?" Jo asked him.
"Not at all," Michael said running his hand through his hair in frustration at being made to look bad in front of a client.

Michael's POV

Putting on her glasses she looked over the plans with a frown marking her features.
I couldn't help but think of how sexy she looked all serious and business like. If not for the gentlemen in the room we would be having a different discussion right about now instead of the messed up plans.
Lifting the A4 sized plans for a closer look she leaned back with her hand running through my hair a the nape of my neck. Just a simple touch and this woman was sending me to the moon.

"Readjust your measurements for the south-east  wing. Make the entrance pillars width broader for it to be more welcoming," she simply stated.
The young man frowned at the larger plan after being corrected by a woman and his eyes widened as if he had found gold.
"Yes, I see what you mean mam," he said with a huge grin.
"Raymond you should keep this woman beside you. I might just steal her for my son," Mr Peterson said standing up to shake both Michael and Joanna's hands.
"I intend to make her mine in a few weeks time," he told him looking down at Jo.

Once they left Jo turned to Michael.
"Someone is very possessive."
"You are mine and no one else's. I will only share you with our children and no one else," he told her as he kissed her senseless.
The rest of the morning he went over some more documents occasionally being interrupted by a few female employees who openly flirted with their boss. Jo clearly ignored the women. Each time Michael checked up on her she always had a frown also becoming agitated with his female employees.

"I need to go to my office, I am needed back there," she suddenly stated.
"Come lets go."
"No. You have work here Mr."
"I am done for the day. Let me see you in your element for once querida."
"Very well," she said not wanting to start an argument.

Walking out of his office they came upon a new temp who literally threw herself at Michael inquiring about some papers. With her signature raised eyebrow she looked the girl up and down as the temp glared at her.
"I am sure Benjamin can handle this, don't you think so mi amore?" she asked in a seductive voice before Michael could respond.
It was time these women knew their place.

~~~Chapter 14 done hope your enjoyed~~~
That was one long chapter 😅