A/N: A short chapter but one that has been running through my mind. I had to get it down on paper!

A Lesson Learnt

Christian's POV:

Ted runs into the house in front of me. He is still excited from attending the Seahawks first game for the season. I gifted a corporate box to Elliot when he married Kate. I figured he is going to need some time out from her once and awhile. I often joined him with our father, and our now late-grandfather. Boy time as Ana calls it. Ted was born interested in football, and as soon as he was able to talk, begged me to take him to games. Ana often used this time to spend one on one time with Phoebe, or meet up with the other female members of our family.

Yesterday Ana had to fly to New York on an unplanned trip. She opened up the second branch of Grey Publishing there, three years ago, and needed to meet with a prominent author who wanted to switch publishing houses. Signing this author would only further the increasing prominence of Grey publishing. It is only an overnight trip but it always feels longer to me when Ana is away. She left yesterday while the kids were at school, and is due back in less than an hour. As today is Saturday, I decided to spend the day with the kids. Both of them wanted to attend the Seahawks game with our family and eat junk food. I hate that, that is what they wanted to eat, but they rarely ever get to eat such food so I relented. Even though both of our children had the same plans, only one attended with us.

I enter the house and there sitting on the third step, is Phoebe. She isn't moving, speaking or even on her iPad. She is hardly even blinking. Anyone could be forgiven for believing Phoebe was mildly bored, passive even, but they couldn't be further from the truth. This is one ten year old girl who is fuming.

"Hello Phoebe. Did you eat your lunch?" I ask calmly. I stand three feet away from her but I might as well be three thousand. I sigh. "Phoebe Grace Grey, I asked you a question. You know that when asked a question in this house, we expect a response."

"Do we forget family members behind in this house now too?... And no I haven't eaten. I wasn't hungry." Now we have two issues.

"Stand up. You need to come with me to the kitchen. Mrs Taylor probably prepared you some lunch."

"She did. Mrs Taylor has been looking after me while you took Ted out and then forgot all about me." I want to roll my eyes. Phoebe appears more angry now and seems glued to the step.

"I didn't forget you. Phoebe get up and come to the living room with me… Now!" I order when she fails to listen. Reluctantly and with anger radiating off her, she at least complies with my demand. "Sit down. We need to talk"

"We could have talked all afternoon, but you decided not to." I run my hands through my hair. Phoebes voice is unusually cold.

"This morning after you, Ted and I came back upstairs from being in the gym and the inside pool, I told you both had one hour to have a bath and get dressed. Ted went to his room and I went with you. I even ran a bath for you, and then after you said that you can manage by yourself, I went to my room to get dressed. Your clothes was on your bed and everything was organised. After I had my shower, I reminded your brother that he had half a an hour. He was already getting dressed . You were still in your bath. I reminded you that you needed to get out soon. You replied that you would. Ten minutes later, you were still in your bath. Then another ten minutes…"

"In which I did get out of my bath." Phoebe argues back.

"True. But twenty minutes later, which was already ten minutes late, you weren't dressed. I told you I would braid your clothes in which you said you could do it and didn't need help. I then looked you in the eyes and said that if you weren't downstairs in 10 minutes we would leave without you as we would be late for the game. You knew that Uncle Elliot, Aunt Kate, Ava, Aunt Mia and your grandparents, would be waiting for us, as they were all attending the first home game for the season."

"It was only ten minutes late. 600 seconds." Phoebe argues.

"It would have been if you were ready at this stage. I went back upstairs and you were listening to you iPod ."

"I was getting dressed and listening to music."

"I told you that you had five minutes to be down stairs or we were leaving. I had you repeat to me what I had said to you, so I knew you understood. I reminded you again that you had five minutes. You only needed to put on your shoes. That wouldn't have taken you longer than two minutes. I went back down stairs and fifteen minutes later you hadn't come down stairs. Gail was in the house. I informed her what was happening and when I asked if she was able to help me, she kindly said yes. I though when you saw or heard the car, maybe you would rush down, but no. I was informed that it was another several minutes before you came down stairs. You had taken your braids out and changed your shoes."

"I couldn't decide which shoes to wear. When I put on my vans, they didn't look that good, so I changed them. When I let my hair down, I had to brush it afterwards" Phoebe explains as if I don't understand. Truth is I don't. Phoebe has started to take forever to get dressed and ready. Today was too much, and a lesson she needs to learn.

"Phoebe, I understand.." okay I lied. I will never understand why it takes my daughter so long but it won't help to argue this point. ".. but you were not being considerate. You were being selfish and causing us to be late. You were warned multiple times."

"Still, at the end of the day, I was left alone by my family." This statement and Phoebe's emphasis of alone and family practically brakes me. While she isn't technically lying, it isn't a harsh as Phoebe is making out.

"You weren't alone. Gail was here. I made sure you were cared for. Gail was making your favourite lunch and you didn't lose any privileges. I called you while I was out, but you wouldn't speak to me. Not even after security and Gail tried to make you. You knew we were coming home after the game."

"Still, I was left at home"

"Yes you were, because you didn't listen. I warned and spoke to you three times, but you chose not to listen. It's important to be punctual, because it is rude to be late. When you are late, you are telling someone that your time is more important theirs. That isn't fair. Regardless of who we are, everyone has the right to be treated equally." I explain.

"You made me sad." Phoebe look at me. Her eyes tell me how much she was hurt. My heart feels like it is being ripped out of my chest.

"I know princess." This parenting gig is harder than any other business deal, I have faced.

"I was mad too… No, not was.. I still am mad."

"Understood Miss Phoebe Grace Grey, but next time when we need to leave by a certain time, will you get ready on time?"

"Yes."

"Good. Then lesson learned." Phoebe looks up at me slowly and nods. I feel relief. It's was a hard lesson but one she won't forget. I sit down next to Phoebe and place her on my lap. "Phoebe, I was sad today also"

"You were?" Phoebe sounds surprised.

"Yes! I was sad because you weren't with us. I missed you my princess."

"Sorry Daddy."

"Me too."

"Did I miss some interesting times?" Phoebe and I both look up. There as if an angel, with rich brown hair and powder blue eyes, just like the smaller version sitting on my lap, enters our home.

"Mommy! You're home" Phoebe up, all smiles and runs into her mother's arms.

"Hey there Phoebs, what have you been up today?"

"I sat on the stairs all afternoon while I left home alone."

"Excuse me Phoebe?"

"Dad and Ted, drove off without me today. I was home alone from before lunch time till dad got home not long ago." Ana looks shoot me her 'explain yourself fifty' look. I sigh.

"I will explain later… so will Phoebe, starting with the parts she has missed out"