Sorry it's taken so long, been busy and couldn't think what to write. I'm sorry but Chapter 8 may take a while as I'm stuck as to how to connect the major events I've got planned.
Chapter 7: Wednesday
The next day, Christian called Taylor into his office to hire more security for his family. Nick and James already had two members of security but he wanted more to make sure they were kept safe. As for Phoebe, she had three guards but Ana's warning made him want to keep her locked up in the house until he figured out what was going on. But, he couldn't as he knew she would fight back on the subject and they'd had enough arguments over it. She was even more stubborn than Ana was. She may look like him but her behaviour and personality was definitely Anastasia Grey.
"Alright, dad. I'm off," Phoebe said, kissing his cheek and grabbing her school bag.
"Already? Have you had breakfast?"
"Aunt Kate said I could grab some round theirs. I've run out of Special K here, since your pancake ban," she laughed. He didn't join in, just watched her as she ran around collecting her stuff for school. She could tell he wasn't his usual self. "What's wrong, dad? You seem a little... off, today."
"I'm fine," he shook his head and wrapping his arms around her and kissing the top of her head. "Drive safely, ok? Ryan's already waiting for you round there,"
"Ok, then. Are you sure you're ok, dad? You look like you've seen a ghost."
If only you knew. "Honestly, I'm fine. I'm just thinking about your mother again."
"Is that why you still wear your ring?" he looked down at his left hand where his platinum wedding band still covered his finger. "To keep her close to you?"
"Phoebe, I don't need to wear my ring to keep her close to me. She's always here. But, I do wear it so I will never forget how she was the only one for me."
"Have you ever thought about, you know... moving on?"
"You mean finding another girlfriend and eventually re-marry?" she nodded shyly. "Sometimes, I often wonder whether I should try to move on. But the truth is I don't want another woman. Your mother was it for me, and I've had you kids to worry about. And, between you and me, the only reason I would ever get with another woman would be because she looks like and reminds me of your mother."
"Really?" she raised an eyebrow. He nodded.
"But don't worry. It probably wouldn't last because I would end it because she's not your mother. Sorry, that sounds a bit cold doesn't it?"
"Kind of. But it sounds more like love for mom than anything else. Anyway, I really should get going because I'm getting hungry." She kissed his cheek again. "I'll see you tonight."
"Ok, sweetie. Oh and by the way I'm hiring extra security for a while. Just a precaution."
"Against what?"
"We'll discuss it later. Now go. And make sure you do eat breakfast. I will know."
She rolled her eyes and ran for the front door, grabbing her keys for the first time in months. He watched as she climbed into her Mini and drove away, feeling helpless. She was growing up so fast but she still seemed like a small child, the one who was once terrified to let him go with the fear he would disappear. He secretly hoped she would go to a college near Seattle but would tell her this as he knows she needs to make her own decisions on the matter.
Once Phoebe had gone, James and Nick made an appearance into the kitchen. They both looked tired, as if they'd been up all night.
"Morning, boys," Christian greeted.
"Hey dad," James said distracted. Nick didn't reply, just placed his head on the breakfast bar and closed his eyes.
"What's wrong with you two? You look like you've been up all night."
"Not quite, but close. Didn't sleep very well," James said.
"Me neither. Felt sick most of the night." Nick added.
"Both of you?" they nodded. "Do you still feel sick?" they nodded. "Have you actually been sick?" they shook their heads. "Ok. Well if you haven't actually been sick, you're going to have to go to school. If you still feel ill when you get home, I'll ring your grandmother and ask her to check you out."
"Dad!" they moaned. They didn't want to go to school feeling the way they did.
"Don't 'dad' me. You need to go to school and I need to go to a meeting. If I wasn't so busy today I would stay home with you."
"Can't we just stay home without you?" Nick asked.
"No. You know the rules. If I'm not home then you don't stay home alone."
"We're hardly alone with security here."
"You know what I mean. A member of the family will look after you if you're ill. Now go and get ready for school. If you start to feel really bad then get the school nurse to call me and I'll come and pick you up." With a grunt, both his sons disappeared to their bedrooms to get ready to go to school.
When they came back down, they looked like they were feeling better. After saying their goodbyes Christian went to work. On the way Elliot text him to let him know Phoebe arrived safe and sound and was eating a bowl of Kate's Special K.
... ... ...
"There, you are. I was wondering what time you were going to get here." Ava said as Phoebe pulled up in the driveway.
"Sorry, got talking to dad. Also, had to stop to get some gas for the car. You would've thought the tank would be full considering I haven't driven it." Phoebe answered.
"Oh, ok. You had breakfast yet?" Ava asked as they walked into the kitchen of Kate and Elliot's home.
"Not yet. Was hoping to grab a bowl of cereal here? We've run out of my favourite at home."
"Yeah, sure. I'm sure mom won't mind."
"Mom won't mind what?" Kate asked, filling three bowls with Cheerios and placing them in front of the triplets.
"Phoebe stealing a bowl of cereal." Ava said. At Phoebes name all three girls at the table turned their heads and grinned. They hadn't seen their cousin in weeks and ran over to her. Phoebe quickly dropped her school bag and bent down with her arms out wide to hug them.
"Hey, girls!" she grinned.
"Hi Phoebe!" Josie said.
"Hey, Bee!" Jenny squealed.
"Morning, cuz," Joanna said, kissing her cheek.
"You all, ok?" they nodded.
"Ok girls, you've said hi to Phoebe now come and eat your breakfast please." Kate instructed. Walking round their breakfast bar, Kate took her niece into her arms and gave her a comforting hug and kissed her temple. "How you doing girl?"
"I'm good, thanks Aunt Kate."
"Good. Everything go ok the other night?" Phoebe nodded. "Good. How does it look? Her grave?"
"Much nicer than when I got there. She has fresh flowers and I tidied it up a bit. It still looks brand new." Kate nodded but said nothing else, knowing it was too sensitive a subject for any time of the day.
Ava had told her Phoebe had gone to visit Ana the other night and Kate hadn't seen her niece to talk to her about it. Kate couldn't bring herself to go to Ana's grave as she found it too painful to be reminded with a piece of stone that her best friend was no longer a part of this world. She blamed herself for not being able to do anything, even though she was nowhere near Ana that terrible day.
"Morning, ladies," Elliot greeted, walking into the kitchen, trying to do up the button on the wrist of his shirt. Normally he wouldn't be wearing a suit, working in construction, but he had a meeting first thing to discuss plans for a future project for an important client. He kissed his wife before the tops of his triplet's heads and finally Ava's temple.
"Hello, Elliot," Kate said kissing him back, somewhat reluctantly.
"Morning daddy!" the triplets said at the same time.
"Hey dad," Ava greeted, slightly distracted by her cell phone.
"Morning Uncle Elliot," Phoebe spoke last. He walked over to her and gave her a quick hug.
"How're you, my favourite niece?" he winked. He only had two nieces and he didn't really prefer Phoebe over Emma or the other way around, it was just a joke they'd had going on since before Emma was born.
"I'm fine, thank, El. Just a little hungry. You don't mind if I steal a bowl of Special K do you Kate?"
"Of course not, go ahead." Kate said.
"So what's been happening in the Grey mansion?" Elliot asked. Phoebe grabbed a bowl and poured some cereal into it before adding some milk to it.
"Not a lot. Nick and James are arguing all the time. Dad's always working, I'm always doing homework. The usual really. Though dad has decided we need even more security."
"What? Why?"
"He didn't really say. Only that it's just a precaution or something. I think he has a bad feeling and is being overprotective."
"Well, I can't say I blame him really. Not after everything you went through," Kate said. She and Christian had gotten along better over the years and she was more understanding of his obsession over security. Though they still had their disagreements over the subject.
"But, I already have three guards. Is three more really going to make more of a difference other than having people notice me more?" Kate shrugged and looked at Elliot for support.
"Probably not. Just do me a favour and don't fight with him on it. He needs the security and the reassurance that you're safe." Elliot said. Phoebe just nodded and took her empty bowl to the sink to wash it out.
"And on that note, we should be going," Ava said, standing to kiss her parents goodbye.
"Ok, sweetie. See you later. You too, Bee. By the way did you let your dad know you got here safe?" Elliot asked. Phoebe shook her head, claiming she'd forgotten. He just nodded and sent his brother a quick text saying she was safe and had eaten. Elliot knew his brother liked to make sure everyone had eaten properly.
... ... ...
When Nick arrived at school he was 100% better than he claimed to be earlier that morning. James was still feeling under the weather. Meeting with Rebecca and Josh, Nick told them what happened with his detention and how he dad was surprisingly not angry with him.
"Well, I hate to say I told you so..." Rebecca started.
"Alright, Bex, you win. My dad isn't as angry as I thought," he replied. His girlfriend just grinned at him and kissed his cheek.
"Are you still on for tutoring this weekend?" Josh asked.
"Oh! I completely forgot. As far as I can remember we don't have any family plans so, yeah why not. You all coming to mine?" they nodded. "Then, yeah. I'll let dad know. No doubt he and Phoebe will be doing something this weekend."
"Why do you say it like that?" Rebecca asked.
"Like what?" Nick asked defensively.
"Like your sister is the worst person in the world." Josh said. Nick looked confused at his two best friends.
"You don't even realise you're doing it do you?" Rebecca asked softly. Nick shook his head. "You sometime act as if you hate her or you're jealous of her."
"I do?"
"Yes. You do. What's wrong Nick? Is it because she is so close to your dad?" Nick thought for a minute.
"I guess sometimes, I am jealous that she and dad are so close and he doesn't pay me and James much attention. But other times, I look at her and all I can see is my mom." After a minute he shook his head. "Ignore me. I'm being stupid."
"Have you spoken to your dad about how you feel left out?" Rebecca refused to let the matter drop.
"He doesn't have the time to listen. He's always working or with Phoebe."
"Maybe you should try. Keep nagging him until he listens. I'm sure he feels the same way as you do."
"What? That I dislike my sister because of the attention she gets?" Nick said sarcastically.
"No. I think Rebecca meant that he doesn't spend enough time with you. And sometimes feels that you don't want to spend time with him." Josh finished for Rebecca. He best friends have given him a lot to think about. Can he really blame Phoebe because he and Christian aren't that close? Does he need to make more of an effort? Nick was left feeling very confused over everything. Josh checked his watch and lightly slapped Nick on the shoulder. "Come on mate, we best get going or we'll be late." Nick nodded and silently followed wrapping his arm around his girlfriend, who kissed his cheek.
"Promise me something?" she whispered as they sat down for registration.
"What?"
"Talk to your dad tonight. Tell him how you feel and that you want to spend more time with him. I'm sure he'd never forgive himself if he didn't know your feelings." Nick just sighed and put his head on the desk before nodding. Rebecca smiled.
... ... ...
"Dad, you need help! I can't keep doing this." Sian snapped when she and Teddy went to visit her father.
"Sian, I'm fine, I don't need help."
"Dad, you're high. You promised me you were going to stop and get yourself some help. Look at the state of yourself!" she shouted. Teddy wrapped his arms around her and whispered to her to calm down.
"You can talk Sian! Or haven't you told Ted about you coming round with Carl last Saturday?" he shouted back. Sian froze. Teddy didn't know about that and she didn't want him to. He thought she'd been going to get help on Saturdays so was shocked to hear she went to see her father to get high with her ex.
"Sian?" Ted whispered. "Is it true?"
"Ted, it was one time and I haven't seen Carl since we gave him the money, I swear."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was afraid. I didn't want you to think ill of me and it was only once since we met. I promise I won't do it again."
Ted was speechless. He knew that Sian was trying to get help but how was he supposed to deal with her getting high behind his back? He was risking enough by not telling Christian about Sian's past but are they forever going to have an unreliable relationship.
Leaving the house, Teddy left his girlfriend shouting and crying to her father for possibly ruining their relationship. He didn't what to think. He wasn't finished with their relationship; he just needed some space to think. He loved Sian but could he trust her to not go and get high whenever they have a fallout or if she has a bad day? He wasn't sure. But he knew that if she didn't turn to drugs now he found out about her lie then they may stand a chance.
Walking towards Jenson, his personal security, he thought of what he could say to make him not tell Christian what's going on.
"Hey, Jenson. Have you spoken to my father lately?" he asked.
"No, sir, but he told me to get you to ring him at some point to let him know you're ok. And I think you should tell him about Sian's problem."
"No," Ted said straight away. "Not until I have more control over this situation my father is to have no knowledge of what's going on. I don't want to give any more to worry about."
"But I can't lie to him."
"You won't. You just won't say anything. If he doesn't ask don't say anything. Simple."
"And if he does ask?"
"Then I'll think of something."
Jenson said nothing and got into the waiting car. Ted climbed in the back and soon Sian was running out of the house calling for him. He allowed her to climb into the car next to him.
"Ted, where does this leave us?" she asked, tears streaming down her face. He looked down.
"I don't know. But I need some space right now, Sian. I still love you but I need to be alone to get my head around this. Do you want me to take you home?"
"I'm so sorry, Ted. I will do anything for you to forgive me and trust me again. I promise to get some professional help. Just please don't give up on me."
"Sian, I will never give up on you, but right now I think you need a break from me and decide if I really am what you want because I can't live like this and I know for a fact that keeping this from my father isn't possible and he will be beyond furious and never trust me again." Her tears were falling harder and he felt bad for it but she needed to know how he felt or they definitely wouldn't stand a chance. He reached up to wipe some tears and stroke her cheek. "We both need some space to think without being distracted by each other. Shall I take you home?" she nodded and he gently kissed her forehead. Once they were buckled up, Jenson drove towards Sian's apartment.
... ... ...
"Grey." Christian snapped into the phone.
"Mr Grey, this is Mrs Wood from Seattle Middle School." The lady said on the other end. Christian grunted and leant back in his chair wondering what Nick or James had done.
"What have my sons done today?"
"Nothing sir. I was calling to ask you to collect James. I'm afraid he is not well and has been sick in the toilets." Mrs Wood said. Christian closed his eyes and sighed. After a quick glance at his schedule he realised he had meeting all afternoon and wasn't able to get away.
"Ok, I have security nearby the school; they will pick him up and take him home. They will give the name either Jennings or Richards, depending on which one turns up."
"We don't normally allow that Mr Grey. To be certain the children get home safely we request a parent or another named relative in our paperwork collect them."
"Well, I'm sorry but I have meetings all day today that I cannot get out of and will take time to rearrange. And the rest of my family are busy in their jobs as well. My security will pick my son up and take him home where my housekeeper will be looking after him."
"Very well, Mr Grey. For future reference may we add your security team to your sons file as approved adults?"
"Yes, that would be acceptable and I will alert you if that will change for any reason." He hung up and dialled Jennings number.
"Mr Grey?" he answered on the second ring.
"Jennings, I need either you or Richards to go into the school and take James home as he is ill. I will be home as soon as I can but he needs to be picked up now."
Andrea's voice came through on his intercom. "Mr Grey, your next appointment is here."
"Thanks Andrea. Tell them to wait I'll be a few minutes."
"Yes sir." She said.
"Does the school know it will be me picking James up?" Jennings asked still on the phone.
"Yes so you shouldn't have any trouble." He hung up with Jennings and rang Mrs Taylor on the house phone. He knew her phone could be anywhere while she was working so it was easier.
"Grey residence," she answered.
"Gail? It's me."
"Hello Mr Grey. Is everything alright?"
"With me, yes. However, James is not well and has been sent home from school and I have back-to-back meeting this afternoon. Would you mind making sure he goes to bed, making sure he stays hydrated and generally look after him until I can get home?" Before he met Ana, Christian would just tell his housekeeper what to do instead of asking. But then, before he met Ana he didn't have kids to order his housekeeper to look after when they were ill.
"Of course I can look after him. It's no trouble. Will you be home late?"
"I'll have Andrea arrange to change any meeting that can wait but I will need to stay in the office to attend the important meetings that can't be rescheduled. I want to get home to my son as soon as I can."
"Ok, Mr Grey. I'll make sure he knows that you're hurrying back."
"Thanks, Gail. Ana was right you really deserve a raise." He hung up as Andrea called through to alert him his next meeting was wondering how long he was going to be. Standing up from his desk he went through to the conference room when the meeting would take place. He stopped at Andrea's desk on the way.
"Andrea, my son is ill and I have back-to-back meetings today. I need you to reschedule any meetings and appointments that can wait until another day and bring forward anything important. I want to be able to get home as soon as possible."
"Of course Mr Grey," she nodded as he walked off to sit in a room with some of the most boring but important people who could help improve his business.
... ... ...
James was exhausted when he got home. He didn't know why, he'd done nothing all day. Gail was waiting for him when he arrived home and led him straight into the kitchen and handed him a glass of cold water.
"Drink this, James." She ordered. He did and placed his head on top of the breakfast bar. "Come on. You need to go to bed. Your dad said he has a couple of meetings that he can't get out of but he said he'll be home as soon as possible." James just nodded and headed up to his bedroom.
He went to the bathroom and threw up once more before dragging himself to his bed. Once he was under the covers and his head hit the pillow he fell asleep.
Hours later he was woken to someone dabbing a cold cloth to his forehead. Opening his eyes he saw his father, still in his work suit, hair messy because he'd been running his hands through it. When he saw James was awake, Christian smiled.
"Hey, son. How do you feel?" he asked. James sat up and groaned.
"Terrible," James said before jumping out of bed to run to the bathroom. Christian followed and rubbed his back but he, thankfully, wasn't throwing up. He hated seeing his kid's ill; he felt so out of control. Once James was sure he wouldn't vomit, Christian led him back to bed.
"You're not to leave your bed. If you need to throw up use this bucket," Christian said holding a plastic bucket up. "Mrs Taylor said you've been asleep all morning."
"Yeah, I feel so tired," James replied. "You look tired."
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I've just spent the morning worrying about you. I decided to reschedule all of my meetings this afternoon since I was so worried." James was shocked. He never thought his father would cancel a day of meetings to look after him while he was ill. For Phoebe, maybe but not him or his brothers. He needed to stop paying attention to Nick's insecurities.
"What's the time?" Christian checked his watch.
"Just gone two o'clock. Why?"
"Just wondering how long I'd been asleep."
"Ok. Well all morning. Do you think you can eat anything?" James shook his head. "I think you should try and eat something. Mrs Taylor has made you some soup." Christian got off the bed and went downstairs to get the soup. Mrs Taylor was in the kitchen.
"How's James?" she asked, noticing her employer enter the kitchen.
"He still feels a bit ill. His temperature is high and he's in bed. Can we heat that soup up for him?"
"Of course. You go back up; I'll bring it up when it's ready."
"Gail, you really are a life saver." Christian grinned before going back upstairs to his son. "Mrs Taylor will bring the soup up in a minute." James just nodded and closed his eyes. Ten minutes later, she knocked on the door and handed the bowl to Christian, who was getting James small table to sit on the bed over his lap. James quietly ate the soup, aware of the worried stare he was getting from his father. He was happy to see he'd managed to eat the whole bowl of soup, Christian even more so.
"I'm going to do some work in my office, ok? If you need anything let me know," he told his son, who nodded and slipped under the covers once more to go to sleep. Christian's heart was breaking at the sight of his son. There was nothing he could do to help him.
... ... ...
Ava was driving her nuts. All she was doing was asking questions about everything she could think of and Phoebe was glad to finally have a moment's peace when she managed to get out of her English class to use the bathroom. It wasn't long but it was enough for her to realise how she shouldn't take any silence for granted anymore. She knew Ava was annoying and bad with asking questions but she was worse today and Phoebe was beginning to wonder if all the headache medication in the world would help with the headache forming. She doubted it.
Art was her next class and luckily, Ava wouldn't be there. She wasn't very good at art so she done history instead. However, while she may get rid of one annoying person, she would still be stuck with Eric. He was getting more and more annoying and asking more personal questions she really didn't want to answer and was running out of polite ways to say 'mind your own business'.
Not long after she arrived back to English the lesson was over so she and Ava went to their lockers, Ava still asking questions.
"So, why won't you tell me what you and your dad talked about this morning?"
"I told you. I'm not completely sure what we were talking about this morning. Something about security but I don't know why he's hiring more. He doesn't tell us things like that so stop being annoying!" Phoebe snapped.
"Alright," Ava said putting her hands up in defence. "I was just asking."
"Well stop. Because I don't know the answers to all these questions."
"Ok. I'm sorry." Ava checked her timetable. "I've got history, you got art?"
"Yeah. An hour stuck with Eric. Such fun," Phoebe rolled her eyes. Ava laughed and saw Eric walking towards them.
"Hello, girls. How are you?" he asked when he reached them.
"Fine thanks," Ava said before turning to Phoebe. "I gotta go. Meet you in the car park tea bag?"
"Yeah." Phoebe answered and walked towards the art room, Eric following her.
"Why did she call you tea bag?" he asked. Phoebe shrugged.
"I don't know. Probably to annoy me," she answered. The truth was Ava had been calling Phoebe tea bag since they discovered PG tips tea when they were younger, because Phoebe's initials matched it. It was an old family joke that never really died down. They arrived at the art class and quickly took their seats.
"Surely it must be more than to annoy you?" Eric insisted. "A nickname like that must have a reason behind it. It's not your initials so what is it?"
"What makes you think it's not my initial?" Phoebe asked suspiciously.
"I thought your last name was Steele?" he was confused. Phoebe then remembered. She had never told him her last name was Grey and her facebook name was set as Phoebe Steele to try and hide it from Christian and no one calls her Grey.
"It is. The truth is I just love tea so my friends have nicknamed me tea bag." She answered getting on with her work but he wouldn't take the hint.
"That's a strange reason for you to be called tea bag."
"Look Eric, shut up and leave me alone. I'm trying to work and all you do is ask questions and don't mind your own business. It's so fucking frustrating!" she finally snapped. He looked shocked but said nothing else. Turning away he got on with his own work. Phoebe was too mad to care or feel guilty for her outburst and when the lesson was over she stormed out of the classroom. Since it was the end of the day she headed straight for the car park but found Ava wasn't there yet. Leaning against it she closed her eyes but was interrupted again.
"Phoebe?" Eric was standing in front of her. "I'm sorry for being annoying earlier. I guess I just like to try and make sense of everything around me." She sighed and stood up straight.
"Don't worry about it. I shouldn't have snapped. It's just Ava's been driving me nuts all day." She replied. He smiled a shy smile.
"Do you... erm... do you want to hang out this weekend? I'm busy Saturday night but I'm free the rest of the time."
"I can't this weekend. I promised Kathy I'd go to her house to rehearse for the music recital since she's at a funeral the day it's happening."
"Oh, ok never mind. It was just a thought."
"What are you doing Saturday night?" she asked curiously, wondering if it was plans he could change.
"Going out to dinner with my parents and the Grey family round their house. Dad's boss wants to discuss something about the deal they're working on so he invited us all over." He sounded irritated at the thought. Phoebe smiled to herself knowing her father was Eric's fathers boss, though she frowned when she realised he would be at their house for dinner Saturday night.
"Sounds like you'll have so much fun." She smiled. As she said that, Ava turned up and apologised for taking so long. After saying goodbye to Eric they headed back towards Ava's house.
"What were you two talking about?"
"And so the interrogation begins," Phoebe said rolling her eyes.
"What?"
"Nothing. Anyway it turns out that he's having dinner round mine on Saturday and he doesn't even know he's coming round mine."
"How does that work?"
"He still hasn't figured out I'm a Grey." Phoebe smiled and Ava burst out laughing.
"Oh, that'll be a nice surprise for him." The giggled but said nothing else as they drove along. Not long later, they were driving up Ava's driveway. Kate and Elliot's cars were parked outside the house. Ava froze. If both her parents were home something was very wrong or very right. It was most likely the former.
Climbing out, Ava asked if Phoebe was going to stay for a while. She agreed and they walked into the kitchen through the garage door. They could hear Kate and Elliot arguing somewhere in the house. Ava sighed and grabbed a drink out of the fridge, passing a bottle of flavoured water to Phoebe.
"Typical," she muttered.
"What are they arguing about?" Phoebe asked shocked. She'd never known her aunt and uncle to argue and Ava was acting like it was a normal thing for them.
"Anything and everything they can think of. It's been going on for years. A lot of the time, it's about your dad. Mom doesn't think he's coping with all of you, dad disagrees." They sat in silence listening to Kate and Elliot's shouting get louder as they neared the kitchen. Phoebe realised they were talking about Ana as well.
"You want to take my children to the park? The same fucking park my best friend was murdered in?" Kate screamed outside the door.
"Of course not that park!" Elliot shouted back. "But I think they need to go out eventually. They've spent their whole lives going to school and going between my parents, your parents, Christians, Mia's and Ethan's. You can't keep them locked up in the house forever, Kate, they need to go out and socialise."
"I don't give a shit what you think! They are staying here where I can keep an eye on them!" Kate screamed even louder than before, if that was even possible. Elliot made a frustrated grunt and the girls heard footsteps storming away. "Don't walk away from me Elliot Grey!" Kate sounded like she was following him. Ava turned back to Phoebe.
"That is what it's been like for nearly ten years. Luckily the girls never hear it because nine times out of ten, they send me to pick them up from school." She explained.
"You know what if you're so worried, why not be like Christian and employ fucking security?!" Elliot shouted, sounding like they were near the kitchen again.
"I am nothing like your brother. I look after my daughters, which is more than he can say. After what happened how could he let Phoebe just go off on her own? For all he knows there could be someone waiting to finish the job. Ana would be so disappointed." Kate explained walking into the kitchen, noticing the two girls sitting at their breakfast bar. He mouth dropped open and Elliot walked in behind her.
"Girls," he said shocked. "How long have you been sitting there?" he asked cautiously.
"About half an hour. We heard a lot of what you had to say." Ava said. "I take it you've been arguing a lot today that you didn't even realise the time?" she asked sarcastically. Phoebe looked down at her lap while Kate found the voice she had lost after so much shouting.
"Phoebe. I'm sorry if you heard what I said-"
"Don't worry about it," Phoebe quickly said, standing up. "I've got to get home any way so I'll see you tomorrow?" she asked turning to Ava who just nodded. Not giving Kate a chance to say anything, Phoebe quickly left the kitchen and climbed into her car and drove away. She didn't want to go home just yet so she went to the only place she could think easier.
Once Phoebe's car was out of sight, Ava turned towards her parents. "Well done you two!" she snapped.
"Excuse me?" Kate said.
"You heard. God, you just don't know when to stop do you? All you ever do is argue about Uncle Christian and the way he's bringing up Phoebe and the others. Or argue about aunt Ana but you can't see what you're doing."
"Don't you speak to me like that!" Kate snapped.
"No! I will speak to you like this because you need to hear it!" Ava shouted. "Uncle Christian has done a better job on his own than you two have together because he's not arguing with everyone all the time. It's not his fault what happened and you, mom, are certainly not making life any easier."
"Ava," Elliot said in a warning tone.
"No! I'm sick of it. Aunt Ana is dead mom, so get over it and start being a fucking parent and stop giving dad a hard time about Uncle Christian. Phoebe's been through enough as it is without having to hear your criticisms about her upbringing!" Ava shouted before stomping up the stairs. Kate was shocked at her daughter's outburst and Elliot didn't know what to think. Finally realising what the time was, Elliot spoke up.
"We should really go pick the girls up," he said knowing they were still in school and had finished half hour ago. Kate just nodded and let him go, trying to figure out how to fix things with her husband, daughter and niece.
She realised in that moment that Christian had done a better job at parenting than she had.
... ... ...
After driving for some time, Phoebe finally arrived at her destination and parked her car. Though she sat in there for a while before finally getting out. Both cars were there so she was thankful that she would be able to talk before having to go home. Walking up the front steps she knocked on the front door that was opened a few minutes later.
"Phoebe?"
... ... ...
Where do you think Phoebe's gone? Who has she gone to visit? Let me know what you think and thanks for reviewing:
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One more thing: Who do you think the murderer should be? I've given a brief description but do you think it should be someone related to the Greys (e.g Jack Hyde) or do you think it should be someone just from Ana's past or just a random person who was jealous of the happiness they Grey's had? Please review or PM me to let me know who/what you think I should do.