A/n-Thank you so so so so much for all of the beautiful reviews, they all made my day. Thank you all so much! You guys rock! I am sorry if I couldn't respond to you but I tried to respond to as much as possible and I hope I didn't miss any, but if I did, my apologies. This chapter is super long as a Thank you.
Chapter 7-Unexpected return
True Love has a habit of coming back
Phoebe:
I head down for breakfast, helplessly tugging at my hair that looks like a bird made a nest in it. Oh well, it's just me and dad so it's ok if I look like crap. My foot touches the cold bare tiles and I feel someone throw their arms around me. "Phoebe!"
I internally face-palm myself. The high pitched squeal can only belong to one person. I put on my best smile. "Hi, aunt Mia."
"Oh darling, how are you? I've been great. The whole family misses you and Christian. He explained to mom yesterday on the phone that you've been having a rough time at school lately and suggested a get-away vacation in Ohio for a month or so. I'm here to pick you up, actually no, I just really wanted to ride the private jet." Mia somehow manages to say all of that in one breath and I shot Dad a look who just shrugs apologetically at me.
Dad comes around, dress in a kitted grey sweater and black jeans. "Ok Mia, I would appreciate it if you didn't scare my only daughter to death." Dad says, lazily smirking.
Mia grins. "Nonsense Christian. You're just jealous because she likes me more." I actually face palm myself this time. Not this again.
I take a deep breath. "Mia, I love both of you very much, can we please not fight over me again, please?" I beg. Dad grins.
"Mia, how about you give us some time to adjust and go shopping or something. You know when I said you could come over. I didn't mean 8 in the morning."
Mia jumps up and clasps her hands, "Of course, you guys pack. I've been absolutely dying to go see the new mall that opened downtown." I shake my head in amusement, I've never liked shopping.
Mia looks at me once more. "and Phoebe, I'm getting you some hairspray." Mia says, ruffling my now even messier hair.
I nod as Mia scurries out and head to our coffee pot with dad following me. I pour myself a cup of dark coffee. "Mornings and Mia don't mix." I grumble to myself and dad lets out a loud bark of laughter.
"No they don't." he agrees.
I fidget with my omelet. "Why are we all of the sudden going to Ohio?" I ask, feeling my stomach flip. I like Seattle, I don't want to go to Ohio.
Dad sighs as he puts down his newspaper. "Phoebe, you've been badly hurt and I think it will be good for you, you know to get your mind off of things. We can do whatever you want, horseback riding, boating, hiking, anything at all. And plus, Flynn is there. He was my old therapist and before you start, I do want you to go see him, at least once. Just give it a try, he really helped me when I was a teen."
I feel my heart flutter at how hard dad's trying to heal me and sigh. "I can't believe you're taking me all the way to Ohio to go see a useless charlatan." Dad smiles at the word charlatan.
"That's what Ana use to call him. She thought all psychiatrists were frauds." Dad says, seemingly remembering good times. My ears perk up.
"Ana knows about Flynn?"
Dad smiles a shy smile and if I didn't know better, I would say he was blushing. "Yes, she does. I originally wanted them to meet at Grandma's charity gala and thought that maybe if she talked to him and he explained somethings to her, I will be easier to handle for her." Dad eyes look sad. He sighs: "But the point is moot, she's gone." I frown.
"But you can always get her back." I rebuke, dad casts me a stern glare but I ignore him. "She probably misses you too, I'm sure she loved you. I know you don't think you deserve love, but that's bullshit and we both know it. Why can't you just find out if she's married or not, I know you probably made mistakes in your relationship, but who hasn't? You deserve to be happy dad."
Dad almost growls at me. "Phoebe, drop the subject. She's better off without me and you know that better than anyone. You saw the pictures, right?" His warm voice turns cold with the last question.
I shrink back and dad's eyes soften. "Sweet pea, come here." I cautiously step forward and dad brings me into a hug.
"I didn't mean to snap, but it's just that's a dark place for me. Anastasia deserves better, I'm happy the way I am. I have you, Grace, Gail, my family, heck I even have Taylor and Ross. I'm more than happy, alright?" dad says and I agree, despite my natural reaction to foot stamp and show him how stupid he is.
I finish my coffee and grab a bag, throwing three books in it and some other random necessities, dad's waiting for me downstairs, a brief case in his hands.
Mia's already at the private jet when we arrive, she babbles on about the theme of the charity gala and how we needed to find me a dress. I scowl, I hate dresses. I much rather be comfy in sweatpants. Soon enough, we're in the air and Mia's sleeping soundly in the back as I gaze out of the airplane window.
Dad comes to sit by me, squeezing my knee. "If you don't like it there after a week, we can always come home."
I smile at how thoughtful he's being. "No, I do like Ohio, I just like Seattle better. But it will be fun to see grandma and them again. I haven't seen them in like a year so it's all good. And I will go see this charlatan, once." I clarify, holding up one finger and dad grins. "deal."
We both look out of the window. "Do I have to attend the charity gala?" I ask. I hate these events and dad rarely makes me go.
Dad smiles. "Unfortunately, this is grandma's event and I think she's expecting us all to go." I heave a breath of resignation. "Ok, I'll tell aunt Mia to find me a dress."
Dad immediately frowns. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Why wouldn't it be? I would look like a nun if you picked the dress." I tease, putting on my goofy grin as well.
"That's my point." Dad chuckles but clips back in a gruff voice and adds. "Nothing too low though, I'm serious."
I roll my eyes. "yeah, yeah, yeah."
We drive down the windy path with lush trees on both side and I greedily take in the country side's air. It smells so fresh and clean like just ironed clothes. Dad pulls us into the huge estate towering over a hill, I smile, I actually did miss this place. I use to visit it in the summer. I sling my backpack around my shoulder despite dad's insistence on helping me and head inside.
"oh my gosh Phoebe, look how much taller you've grown." Grandma's caramel eyes come into sight and I envelope her into a tight hug.
"Hi, grandma. It's been a while." I smile and she kisses my cheek. Soon, Carrick comes along and I go to hug him after dad gave him a man hug, slapping his back.
"Christian, son, good to see you and how's my baby granddaughter doing?" I blush slightly as uncle Elliot comes strolling in with Kate bouncing Ava up and down. Ava reaches towards me and I set down my bag before picking her up, nuzzling my nose into her blonde curls. "Hey, little Ava." I coo, spinning her around and she lets out fits of giggles.
Dinner was delicious with everything from cheesy potatoes to apple pie. I watch all the smiley, gorgeous faces around me and realize dad was right. This is what I need. I needed to be able to feel normal again. I sigh in content and catch dad staring at me. "You ok?" he mouths when no one is watching and I give him a big, reassuring smile.
After dinner, it's bed time and I help tuck Ava in. I love little kids, so innocent and sweet, totally unaware of the evil around them, but I know Ava will grow up in a happy family being loved by everyone so she'll be just fine, even when she's older. I kiss her forehead and say goodnight to Kate and Elliot as I head to bed, finding mitten, grandma's cat, curled up at the foot of the duvets. I chuckle as I scratch her little nose before crawling in as well.
~*~*~ (next morning)
Christian:
I stretch out my cramped limbs. When did I sleep so good? I pull my body out of bed and head downstairs. Dusk was just starting to peek through the blinds and the house is deathly quiet, everybody's still tucked snuggly in bed. I tip toe down the winding stair case and see Phoebe standing by the window, her back towards me as she sips a cup of black coffee. I wonder how she tolerates it without sugar or milk.
I come behind her and she startles when I gently lay my hands on her shoulder. I quickly withdraw my palm, frustrated with myself for scaring her.
"Sorry dad…I'm…just…a little…jumpy…I guess." Phoebe stutters and I rub her shoulder. "No worries, what are you thinking about?"
Phoebe laughs, her unruly, curly copper hair tumbling around her. "Nothing really, just how Mia is going to drag me to Prada to find a dress today, I really don't want to go. Is there a bookshop somewhere?"
I shake my head, amused. "I'll talk to Mia about not spending 5 hours in the mall."
~*~*~ (Night of the gala)
I wait for Phoebe underneath the stairs as I slip on a simple black mass. Tonight's the gala. Mia would not let me see the dress beforehand so I have no idea what the dress is going to be like but Phoebe assured me it wasn't inappropriate or bad.
Phoebe appears before the stairs and I am stunned into silence. She's wearing an elegant lace black dress that tightens at the waist but then flows out. It's a long sleeve, coming off both shoulders and there's detailing around her collar bone, the black lace curling and drawing itself onto her tan skin, framing her beauty. The whole dress has a nude undertone to it but the lace runs all along the flowy fabric of the dress. She's wearing a simple black mass, just like mine, and all I can see are her smoky ambers as her long copper hair curls down her back.
"you look beautiful." I comment as she glides down the stairs. I see her smirk. "Thanks and you're not so shabby yourself."
We arrive at the gala and I can't help but notice how Phoebe commands herself. She moves with such confidence, with such ease. Looking at her, you will never know how much trauma she went through. She smiles at everyone but politely declined several people who asked her for a dance, joking that she wouldn't want to step on them with her heels. It's like she transformed, in front of me is not the Phoebe that's a sexual violence victim, in front of me is a confident, mystical creature. I grin to myself, she's definitely going to break hearts.
"This is exhausting. Don't you guys ever get tired of ass-kissing?" Phoebe grumbles when she finally plops herself down at our table.
"Welcome to the business world." I say. I couldn't agree with her more.
Phoebe:
I work on the steak set before me, pretending to be busy so I won't have to make conversations filled with fake smiles and empty compliments. I feel someone tug on my arm. Mia. I groan.
"Phoebe. It's time for the first dance auction. You need to come." Mia badgers me and I sent a cry of help with my eyes to dad who quickly comes to my aid.
"Mia, Phoebe's not feeling good, how about you go with Kate. I'm sure someone will get your bid." Dad tells her and surprisingly enough, Mia listens before skipping off in the direction of the rolled out red carpet.
The MC announces the name one by one and I began to tune out his overly-enthusiastic voice until I notice dad. His whole body is tense and I can feel his smoke filled ambers burn into someone. He swallows several times before dropping his fork. I squint my eyes toward the stage and follow dad's gaze. He's staring at a brunette, her blue eyes sparkle among the crystals of the chandelier above her and she looks slightly nervous, fidgeting. A gorgeous red gown is draped over her body with silver beading along the waist and a deep V cut, showing off her slim figure. I look back at dad and then the girl, feeling the hairs on the back of arms stand up, whatever this is, it's intense. Finally, the picture starts to fall into place and I realize this girl must be Anastasia.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this lovely young lady here is Anastasia Steele, she's CEO of her own publishing company, Steele Corp…." The MC goes on, confirming my theory.
Dad stands up. "Sorry, I can't do this anymore, have Taylor drive you home." He tells me and starts to head out.
Oh hell no. He's not walking away from his chance of happiness.
I follow after him, my black dress trailing behind me. Several people stare at us in confusion, but I ignore them. "Dad!" I shout when we finally enter the brisk, cold night.
Dad turns around and he's panting. "Phoebe, go back now." He demands but I cross my arms.
"Dad, I know what's going on. That's Anastasia in there and you need to bid on her. You obviously can't forget about her so what's wrong with giving the past another shot?" I demand back and glare.
Dad does not look pleased and he pinches the bridge of his nose. "I thought we've been through this. I'm not good for her. I'm better off alone."
"That's fucking bullshit…" I began but dad snaps.
"Phoebe, language!" He also shoots me a death stare but I am not backing down, not when his happiness is standing literally right before him.
I pull myself a little bit taller and square my shoulders, facing dad. "Dad, I'm calling you bull on that. Nobody deserves to be alone, not even you. Everybody deserves happiness and yours is standing right in front of you. Just for the record, Ana saw you and I can tell by the look in her eyes that she wants you."
"How can you be so sure." Dad actually scoffs at me. I hear people betting on the girl before Anastasia. I need to do something really quick.
"Dad, just go to her, see what she wants, you don't have to propose." I try reasoning with him but he turns around and begins to walk away. "Phoebe, I'm not going. End of conversation." His black boot clicks against the polished floor and I hear someone bid 50,000$ for Anastasia.
I growl in frustration. Insufferable man. "Damn it dad, if you're not willing to fight for your happiness, then I will." I shout behind him, abruptly turning my body around and marching straight through the double doors, my black trail blowing behind me as several people crane their necks to gawk.
"100,000$." I hear my confident, strong voice ring through the walls of the gala and people gasp. The MC looks shocked as his mouth hangs open like a gold-fish. He somehow manages to shut it and glances nervously at Anastasia who looks like she's going to faint.
"Well, it is 2016, I guess girls are also allowed to bid." The MC mutters more to himself and I smirk. I don't care what people think.
I peer behind my shoulder and see dad's staring at me, his eyes wide as saucers as he opens and closes his mouth several times, shuffling around on his feet.
"100,000$ going once, going twice..."
A/n
(run and hide) What did you guys think? Please leave a review if you can. Next chapter is in Ana's POV.
