The Gym
Teddy - fourteen years old.
Phoebe - nine years old.
(Background story for 'Just by Chance')
One, two, three. One, two, three.
Boxing wasn't something Teddy truly enjoyed, or even had any ambition to pursue in the future.
One, two. One, two.
But the repetitive motions was a mind numbing routine, which was brilliant at releasing his built up frustrations.
One, two, three. One, two, three.
Claude Bastille was still brilliant teacher, he was strict, sharp and skilled. Teddy had learnt that Claude was an ex olympian, when he was only child. But even still the aged, dreadlocked man intimidated Teddy and many grown men with his determinations and strength.
It was Saturday morning, and like many time before Phoebe had over slept, and decided against the visit to the gym. And Teddy's Mom, Ana, decided that she would stay at home with Phoebe and keep her company.
His Dad on the other hand was running hard on the treadmill, his music unheard from his earphones. Teddy always tried guessed what he was listening to, rock didn't seem to suit his father but neither techno, indie or pop. His Dad never seemed to listen to the same song twice, or at least he never did around Teddy, and the mystery vexed him.
Teddy looked up to his father in many aspects in life, fitness was defiantly one. Teddy was the younger more agile of them, but Christian Grey had endurance and perseverance that went far beyond Teddy's confines.
Claud smacked Teddy over the head with one of his glove, and with a breathy chuckle Teddy went back to practicing how to correctly position his feet while sparring.
The father and son stayed in the gym for over an two hours before Christian called Claude off Teddy. Christian watched as his sweating, panting, lanky fourteen year old son slowly grabbed his gym bag make his way over while Claude waved to Christian with a informal chuckled before he move towards to one of the other gym members to spot them on the weights.
"You're getting better." Christian admitted pleased. Teddy glanced up at him with his exhausted, blue eyes his mouth downturned unbelieving. Christian smiled encouraging noting, like always, how very similar his son's eyes were to his mothers.
"You must need glasses cause anyone who was watching could see Claude was having my ass," Christian laughed and pushed Teddy towards the back entrance of the gym. Both men preferred to shower at home; Christian because he knew he'd have company in the shower at home and Teddy was far to self conscious of his changing body to shower in such a public place.
"Looking forward to later?" Christian asked pulling his phone from his bags side pocket. Skimming over its screen, he sighed, there were far too many e-mails and messages waiting for his response, to be left ignored even if it was Saturday, with a scowl he pushed opened the door to the private gym's parking.
Teddy eye'd his dad's phone curiously, he was always intrigued to know what was going on in the world of Grey enterprise's, and it was natural to see his Dad holding it. Christian Grey's phone was like a part of him, but usually his Dad would have at least waited until they were home before going back to work mode. "Dad it's only Grandma's charity thing, it's always the same." Christian nodded mildly as he unlocked the R8, his favorite car.
"I have in on good authority that there's going to be a surprise at it." Christian explained cryptically, Teddy's eyebrows jumped up on his forehead stunned.
"Last time you said that it was Ethan's birthday ,and Aunt Mia announced they were moving back to the States from Europe." Teddy grinned sliding into the R8.
"Well, it might be more surprising than that," Christian teased starting up the car, it roared to life. Teddy eye'd his dad suspiciously, "or not." Christian added with a knowing smirk.
"Dad just tell me!" Teddy demanded, curling his hands into fists in frustration. Christian eye'd his son carefully before pulling out of the parking.
He and Ana had always been worried if they were raising their children the right way, with the public being so interested in them as a family, because of all the wealth surrounding the Grey name and with how Christian was in general; anything out of the norm within their family was a concern.
Christian had been scared when Teddy had his first real violent episode, fighting in his first year of high school, and immediately contacted Dr Flynn. John Flynn was the only doctor he trusted and was a close family friend.
Ana put Teddy's mood swings down to puberty but Christian wasn't as sure, and Dr. Flynn confirmed his worries and admitted that Teddy may need an outlet for all his angry and frustrations. Christian requested more information to why Teddy was angry from Dr. John Flynn but he refused due to patient confidentially. Christian had a suspicions that it was due to all the pressures involved with being part of such a prominent family in the business world.
Ana calmed her husband down, promising that Teddy would adapt and find stability with his irascibility. And both decided that Teddy needed to start up more sports, but Teddy refused to join any of his high school's sport teams so the weekly visit to the gym was a compromise for Teddy.
"I can't think of anything more crazy than Aunt Mia coming back," Teddy muttered to himself deep in thought as he reached and turned on some music, since his Dad hadn't, a up-and-coming band started up from Christian's iPod, Teddy started to sing along quietly and absentmindedly.
Christian smirked as he watched his son, little did he know that the band he was singing along to would be playing at his mother's party later. Taking the busy, road's exit, Christian hummed along with Teddy as they pulled up the their house's tall wide gate. "Do you have plans for the day?" Christian asked, slowly driving to the house.
Teddy sighed glancing up to his bedroom window, "Playstation with Luke, then Ava will properly arrive around the time I need to get ready."
"Like always?" Christian mused, Teddy laughed and nodded.
"She's predictable." Teddy agreed, Christian parked the car in the garage and Teddy was out of the car in a shot. Chuckling he stepped out of the car and placed the keys on the rack before making his way upstairs, to the living space.
"NO LUKE CAN'T COME OVER!" Phoebe's high pitched girly voice echo'ed through the house "MOM! You said Bianca could come over before the party!"
Ana stood in the kitchen, the frying pan popping as she sent Teddy a irritated look. "Teddy, Phoebe asked last night, this is the first I've heard of Luke coming over."
Teddy threw his hands up in the air dramatically and huffed, "I told you on Wednesday! You were right there!" He pointed to the living room's couch. "Reading a paperback!"
"Teddy you know better to ask your mother anything while she's working," Christian explained walking swiftly into the kitchen to save his wife from their children's blitz, Phoebe's flushed face cooled when she seen her father, Christian leisurely sat down at the breakfast table, his phone twirling his smart phone in his palm.
"If both of you can get Bianca's and Luke's parents to pick them up at six p.m. sharp I don't see why they both can't come over," Phoebe squealed and rushed to hug her father while Teddy was quickly typing on his phone. Christian pulled Phoebe onto his lap glancing over at Ana's work.
"Omelette?" Ana asked, chuckling Christian nodded.
"I need to go clean my room daddy," Phoebe announced pulling from his hold, he carefully let his nine-year old down and smiled. "Thank you," she smiled and quickly followed Teddy upstairs.
"Have a good work out?" Ana asked placing an omelette in front of her husband, and collecting her own before sitting aside him. "Teddy seems as riled up as ever."
Christian hummed through a mouthful of omelette. "He's just full of energy now."
"Really?" Ana asked sipping some orange juice.
"I know I am," Christian grinned leaning into his wife and kissing her slowly.
"Christian stop it, Phoebe could run around that corner..." But Ana's worries didn't stop Christian, instead he moved his mouth to her sensitive neck and nipped and sucked until she was moaning into his ear.
He pulled away abruptly, returning to his breakfast as if nothing happened and left Ana sat red faced and slightly panting. "You're right they could just walk around the corner and find us," Christian explained in as serious voice as he could muster up.
Ana stood, her stool squealing on the marble floors, "If you aren't upstairs in our bathroom in the next three minutes Christian Grey, you'll regret it!" Ana announced, the breathily way she ordered it ruined any intimidation technique she was trying for.
Christian cocked an eyebrow at her amused "Is that so?"
Ana fled the kitchen with a grin and Christian finished his omelette completely before following his amazing wife up the stairs. Ignoring Phoebe's and Teddy's petty arguing down the hall he went straight to the master bedroom and quickly locked the door.
Reviews are Welcome !