Chapter Ten

Crying. That is all that has been smothering my house for the last month. I love my niece with every fibre in my being but all she does is cry.

Mom is trying her best and teaching Teddy all that he needs to know. Changing diapers, feeding, burping etc and I have to give him credit- he is doing really well.

Of course, dad has been working late to avoid the constant screaming whenever she is left alone which has given me the perfect opportunity to see Luke more often. What dad doesn't know won't hurt him.

He has been obsessed with my safety after I was up and walking. Insisting if I was to go anywhere I take a driver and security with me. I knew his need for control but this was just stupid. The only place he allowed me to go without all these unnecessary additions was to school. That's only because he followed me there in the car behind and didn't mind me going home because I had to drop Becki off home. Still then I had to check in with him at my auntie's house.

But what he didn't know was when we were claiming to be doing extra studying after school we were really hanging out with Luke and Adam. Becki in on my plan as Aunt Mia was coming down on her safety hard after the accident and had even resorted to taking her car off her in a dramatic Aunt Mia fashion.

Even though I was enjoying my time with Luke I was still extremely curious as to where he disappeared to almost 6 months ago. Whenever I bring it up he just says it's some "stupid retreat his parents sent him on, no biggy."

But it was something big, he came back very different from when he went. I didn't notice it until after my accident but he seemed much more grown up; like he had seen the darkest parts of life.

His eyes were the one part of his body which drew my attention to this 'change'. Things were starting to heat up between us and whenever they went too far, or got a little heated, his eyes seemed to glaze over.

It seemed like a flick was switched in his head and as it did his eyes would glaze over. The minute they did he would push himself off and the moment would be ruined.

I never asked him why they did. I didn't want to ruin the moment even more than he already had. Honestly, it fascinated me. I would love to know what he was thinking in that moment, what changed in his mind and what led him to ultimately finish what he often started.

I wasn't going to ask, no I was through with asking irrelevant questions. I was going to take control of the situation and find out myself.

Samantha was so beautiful, whenever someone was in the same room as her or cuddling her she was an angel; she hated being left alone.

This meant that mom's nursery went totally to waste as she ended up sleeping in her cot in Teddy's room, not that he minded- he was besotted with her. He had this look in his eyes whenever he looked at her, was like he was filled with so much pride and love he could burst.

Dad went all mushy with her sometimes as well. When it was a weekend he would often cuddle and play with her, it was lovely to watch. Mom keeps reminiscing about Teddy and I when we were children, saying how much she looks like me and how she has the best of the 'Grey' gene. Poor child.

I did love the family I had and I appreciated everything they did for me but they were just so intense at times. Sam would probably have a tracker attached to her leg as soon as she could walk around to make sure she didn't run off into the night.

I would not let them smother this girl like they had Teddy and I, well me mostly Teddy can do what he likes. Hopefully Teddy will be the one to raise Sam the way he wants to raise her, not how mom and dad see 'fit'.

Sam's gurgling tore me from my thoughts and once again she demanding my attention.

"I promise sweetheart, auntie Feebs won't let you be tied down. Between your Daddy and I, I'm sure we can find a way around this Grey noose." Her huge green eyes were staring at me; it seemed like she knew what I was saying. Fat chance of that she's a month old, but it's nice to just sit here and talk to her.

Teddy was upstairs having a sleep, Sam had a really bad night last night and he is knackered so I offered to watch her. Mom and Dad were out for lunch and it was just me and the little one.

"You know Sam; you'll be able to have everything you ever wanted. You are a Grey sweetheart- the name comes with many benefits. You'll get the best education, the best teachers, all the best food- oh you're going to love Gail when you eventually eat proper food not just milk. She makes the best Mac and Cheese, Sam it is to die for and you're going to love it so much!

You're first car will be an Audi; your Grandpa has some odd obsession with them. Not all bad I suppose, some people can't even afford cars. Then when you become a teenager your dad is going to have a right run for his money if I have anything to do with it.

You see Sam; the Y chromosome seems to mutate itself in an odd way in our Grey men. They become controlling, over-protecting and sometimes even-"

"Phoebe Grey, that is the worst way you could be describing a Grey male, we are not all that bad!"

"Well maybe not you Grandad, how much did you hear?"

"Enough darling, now give me my beautiful Great-Granddaughter, I want a cuddle." He said taking her off me and giving me a kiss. "However, it is nice to see you are realising what you have and not taking it for granted any more."

"Really? How did you get that from my private conversation with Sam?"

"I wouldn't really call it a conversation, she wasn't talking back darling." He said letting a little giggle slip from his lips, "but by listing all the things that she is going to get in life you realise what you have had." He smiled at me and before I could reply turned his attention to Sam, cooing and cuddling.

He had a point, you never realise what you have in your life until you almost loose it. I almost did a couple of months ago, and I needed to start appreciating it more.

My dad has made sure that we have a stable life and also a stable future in case anything was to happen to him. He really was a giving man and had worked so hard to make sure we were supported and enjoying the luxury that we did.

Mom done her fair share of work to and I think people forget that when they see them together. They have this perception of my mom which is totally wrong and it frustrates me.

People believe that she doesn't do anything, that she lets my dad do all the work and reaps the benefits. That's bollocks. She works so hard at her work, which dad has nothing to do with and she can stand on her own feet it something was to happen to her and dad and she could support us as well.

She is a legend my mom and people don't see that side to her. I mean look what's she's doing with Teddy and Sam, she doesn't have to but she's doing her best for the both of them and she really is irreplaceable.

The woman that clouded my thoughts interrupted them shouting my name. "Phoebe, where are you dear?"

"Just in the family room mom."

"Oh there you are!" she said walking in to the room, "you haven't been sat in here for ages sweetheart."

"I know mom, was just with Sam until Grandad tore her away from me." I said with a pout.

"You seem to have taken a shine to her," I could see a genuine smile on her face as she sat next to me.

"How can you not mom, she is beautiful. She could break the hardest of men with those eyes! I think dad should take her on his business deals, they'd be a lot less hassle- they would agree straight away." We were both laughing at the extreme of the comment, but we knew it would happen.

"Could you imagine Phoebe," she was saying between laughs, "your dad… walking in to an extremely important… business meeting holding a baby… oh my Phoebe." And just on que we burst in to laughter.

"What is all this racket in here?" the sight of dad walking in to room caused mom and I to stop laughing, look at each other and then burst into more fits of laughter.

"Why do I even ask?" he said in defeat walking out of the room, most probably to the kitchen.

In that moment I felt happier than I have been in months. I just prayed that it lasted this time, usually us Grey's don't have much luck in that department.

After our little laughing fit we all headed out to the kitchen to grab something to eat. I forgot I hadn't eaten lunch, looking after Sam gives me baby brain I'm convinced.

Gail was, as always, one step ahead of me and had left me a note,

Your sandwich is in the fridge sweetheart- gone home for lunch. Enjoy!"

Thank the lord we have Gail. My sandwich was delicious and mid-way through everyone joined me at the table- Sam and Grandpa included.

Looking around everyone was smiling and joking. We looked like the perfect family and, unlike before, we actually were the perfect family.

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