They all learn bits and pieces from one another so they well rounded in the language department as for their martial art Teddy studies Jiu Jitsu, Liam and Cary study Kickboxing. The girls however, they take dance but at Christian and Ana's insistence they must take Krav Maga self-defense class. Christian and Ana both know how important knowing self-defense is. Christian and Ana go back to work; Christian continues to dominate the world of mergers and accusations while Ana keeps Grey Publishing booming buy publishing yet another best seller. It is the day before Chloe and Cary's birthday needless to say they are beside themselves with joy. With the party being at a surprise location the twins are getting antsy.
"O..M..G! Mom just tell me I promise I'll keep it a secret from dad and Cary and I promise I'll act surprised" Chloe begs Ana as she helps her do the laundry.
"Chloe Joyce Grey I already told you that I do not know what your father and Aunt Mia have planned and if I did know I surely wasn't going to tell you or your brother, wouldn't you prefer to be actually surprised rather than fake it?"
"UGH… mom you're killing me here! Can't you, you know… flip your hair and bat your lashes and pump dad for some information"
Ana laughs "No I want it so be a surprise just as much as your father does. Why don't you go pout your lips and bat your own lashes to get the information you so desperately want" Ana says with a giggle.
Chloe sighs dramatically "That well has run dry a long time ago the only ones that that could possibly work for is you and Maya and dad's getting wise to her quick she won't have that power for much longer."
Ana giggles and hands Chloe a basket of her clean laundry "Go and put your laundry away and tell your siblings to please come and collect theirs"
"Sure mom I love you"
"I love you too bunny" Ana watches as Chloe's bright red pony tail goes bouncing out for the laundry room. Chloe heads upstairs and relays the message to her siblings; her last stop is Cary's room. Chloe walks into Cary's room; Cary is lying down on his back on his bed playing his PSPv3. Chloe places her basket on the floor the runs and jumps onto his bed causing Cary to lose his grip on his game making it land smack dab on his face.
"Chloe!...WTF you evil bridge troll"
Chloe laughs "Oh keep your hair on!... Mom says come and get your laundry."
"Alright I'm coming" Cary says as he resumes playing his game.
"Like today fish face! You've been doing so well these last few days; No swearing, no arguing with dad and you managed to get your phone back. I have to say I'm proud of you"
Cary rolls his eyes saying "Bite me" And Chloe does just that. "Ouch… Your gonna pay for that"
They begin to wrestle and tickle each other; Chloe puts Cary into a head lock but then Cary flips Chloe onto her back pinning her down then straddling her. He tickles her ruthlessly; Chloe is thrashing about and laughing hysterically.
"Okay…. Okay you win! Uncle…Uncle!" Chloe shouts as she tries to wiggle free gasping for air. "You might be older than me by an hour but I will always be stronger than you!" Cary says in triumph.
Back down stairs Lindsay is the first to go and retrieve her laundry.
"Hey mom" Lindsay looks a little uneasy. Ana turns to see Lindsay entering the laundry room, she can see that Lindsay is tense and in turn tenses herself.
"Hey my little lady bug here's your laundry and can you please make sure it actually makes it to your closet on an actual hanger and not on the floor of our closet"
"Sure mom" She pauses for a slight second "Mom I have something to tell you but have to promise that you're not gonna make a big deal out of it or cry" Ana smiles sweetly at her daughter know exactly what she had to tell her.
"I promise sweetheart, now what is it?" Ana is caressing Lindsay's arm lovingly as she gazes into her daughters grayish blue eyes. "I...I started my period"
"Oh sweetheart…. You're growing up so fast I can't even believe it. Did it start today?" Ana is fully aware of when it started but she wants her daughter to be able to confide in her freely.
"A few days ago"
"Well are you ok? Do you need anything? How are your cramps?" Ana shoots of the questions in rapid succession.
"I'm fine mom really Phoebe helped me out mostly and my cramps hurt really bad though Phoebe gave me some Midol and that seems to help" Ana kisses her daughter on her temple "Ok sweetheart I'll call Dr. Greene and set up an appointment with her so we can get you on some birth control it will help with the cramps" Lindsay hugs Ana tightly
"Thanks mom you're the best!" As they continue to hug just then Cary, Teddy and Liam all walk into the laundry room. Ana looks at her sons and weeps a little, her babies aren't babies anymore and the thought is melancholy. Teddy looks at his mother perplexed "Mom you ok?" While still holding Lindsay she uses her free hand she wipes her teary eyes and smiles "Yes teddy bear I'm fine I just need a big group hug" With no delay all of the boys come and join their sister embracing Ana in a giant hug.
Upon leaving the laundry everyone goes back to their rooms to put their laundry away Lindsay is one of the last to leave. In the process Phoebe runs into Lindsay and mouths to her "Have you told mom yet?" Lindsay smiles and nods to her. Phoebe smiles back and gives her two thumbs up; Phoebe then walking into the laundry room just as Ana walks out with a basket of her and Christian's laundry.
"Hey Peanut can I talk to you for a sec." Phoebe looks quizzically at her mother and nods. "Sure mom, what's up" Phoebe grabs her basket and walks with her mother as they talk. "Phoebe I just want to let you know how proud of you I am, you're such an amazing big sister"
"Does this have anything to do with Lindsay?"
"Yes, you were there for her when she need you and I'm so proud of you for that"
"Mom I love all my brothers and sisters; I would do anything for them just like I know you and dad love me and would do anything to help me. Despite dad being unreasonable about the whole license thing but I know it's only because I'm his little peanut and his doesn't want me to grow up."
Ana giggles "Yes that is very true but next month when you take the test and pass he'll forget all about that and be very proud of you for getting it" They have stopped in front of Phoebe's room door.
"Love you mom"
"Love you too" Smiling Ana makes her way to her bedroom.
Meanwhile in the kitchen Chloe is scooping a large dollop of vanilla ice cream into a bowl. With her hair in the cutest braided pig tails with bows on the end and ice cream bowl in hand she makes her way to her father's study. She knocks on the door "Come in"
"Hi Daddy! I got something for you" Christian stops typing on his computer and looks at his youngest daughter. She skips to his desk and places the bowl in front of him. Christian raises a questioning eyebrow. "And what's this for?"
"Can't a girl just bring her loving and utterly amazing father some of his favorite kind of ice cream?" Chloe bats her lashes and smiles widely. Christian grins taking a spoonful for ice cream and popping it into his mouth.
"Little… Miss…. Grey, bribery is beneath you" Chloe sags and sighs "Well you can't blame a girl for trying but do I at least get points for that" Christian chuckles
"That you do Miss Grey" Chloe beams "So will you tell me where our party will be"
"NO" Christian states and continues to eat his ice cream. Chloe huffs and stalks out of Christian's office, he laughs at his daughter ways.
Friday night at the Grey house is family night. Since little the Grey children have always loved Friday nights. They played board games, watch movies, ate pizza and just relaxed. Both Christian and Ana though it was a great Idea to make it a tradition that way the family could decompress after a stressful week of work and school. Even with the children getting older and becoming more independent they still allotted time in their schedules for Friday nights with the family. At 6:30 everyone gathered in the family room; Ana instructed that each of the children to place their pizza order from domino's through their iPhone app going from oldest to youngest that way all of the pizza's would arrive at the same time. Christian walks into as he ends his phone call; Ana see the irritation in Christian's face. "Is everything ok Christian?" Ana's voice oozes concern.
"Yes baby everything is fine it can wait till Monday. Now who's ready to get the butts whipped in some chess?" Ana snorts not missing Christian's choice of words; they exchange a look that is charged with unspoken promises.
"And who's ready to play some scrabble?" Ana states. The children divide themselves up; Lindsay accepts her father challenge in chess; Ana, Phoebe, Liam and Chloe play scrabble and Teddy and Cary play battleship. Forty-five minutes later there's a buzz from the intercom.
"Mr. and Mrs. Grey your delivery has just arrived at the gate"
"Thank you Sergio someone will there shorty" Ana says back into the intercom. "It's ok mom and dad I'll get it, I'm just gonna need some cash because my looks can only get me so far." Phoebe says as she sticks her hand out to her father. "Ha that's for sure" Teddy interjects. Christian reaches in his back pocket takes his wallet out and gives her his black Amex not taking his eyes off the chess game he is now playing with Teddy. "I'll be back" Phoebe declares as she exits the family room.