CPOV
"Daddy everybody looks so small" Phoebe told me, looking down on the people below her. She had her little hands on the glass of my office window as she viewed the city ahead.
Walking behind Phoebe, I placed my hands on her shoulders. She looked up to me smiling before going back to what she was doing. I remember the night I met Ana, I had been doing the exact same thing as my daughter was doing now. Making the decision to go to Flesh that night was one of the best decisions I had ever made. Asking Ana to marry me twice, were the others. To think that if I hadn't had gone, I would have missed out on the best years of my life and more importantly my wife and children.
"They're all going about their busy lives" I told her before she turned back around to me.
"I will be busy when I am older, I don't like being still" she said with such certainty. I don't doubt that what ever Phoebe wants to do when she is older, she will make sure she succeeds. She is a Grey after all.
For now though, she was back to her tea party that she had set up on my table, making sure everything was right.
"Do you want sugar Daddy" Phoebe asked me as I went back over to my desk to review the paperwork that I needed to take into my afternoon meetings.
Having a tea party in my office wasn't something I thought I would be doing when I set GEH up but I wouldn't miss out on the fun. Phoebe had been in crèche all morning and I'm so glad that Ana and I agreed to let her go. She loves playing with the children there and it is her big girl time, as she calls it.
"No I will have my tea without sugar" I said putting the paperwork down on my desk and went to join my daughter. I will read it all later.
"What did you do today."
"Abby and I played the three bears, though she liked to suck on the ear of one" she told me with a disgusted face.
My company was turning into a family meeting point as Ros had Abigail here in the crèche as well.
"She is still a baby, you used to suck on everything too when you were her age. Your bears ear was always wet."
"I bit my bear" she said shocked that she would hurt her favourite toy.
"You were just giving her your own special kisses" I told her, hoping to avoid the tears I didn't want brought on.
"I'm always kissing bear" she said happily before giving said bear a kiss.
Crisis averted.
"What time is Mommy coming" Phoebe asked me looking at the door.
"Don't you remember, Auntie Kate is taking you home today when she had been in to speak to daddy."
Nodding she poured the water into my cup and also bears.
Ana had spoken to me about the problems that Kate was having at the Times, I will be only too happy to have Kate at the Nooz if she wanted the job. I had spoken to the chief editor who had been in place for the past three years, he had pretty much turned it around to be the newspaper it was today. Respected and not the joke that it was when I took it over.
Kate had been there all morning to have a look around and speak to him about what type of work she would be interested in doing. She wanted to work but Ava was her priority so she was looking for something that could combine the both. I had offered for Ava to come to the crèche at GEH but as one had also been set up at the Nooz, if Kate does work there, my niece has somewhere safe to play.
Hearing Andrea on the intercom announce that Kate was here, I told her to bring her straight in. Kate was family and I wasn't going to stand up and shake her hand like I would do in any other meeting. Although getting up would stop me being forced to eat cucumber sandwiches, yet again.
"You look like you're being tortured" she laughed.
"Cucumber sandwich" I offered as she took one from the plate and sat down next to my daughter.
"How did it go" I asked getting straight down to business.
"I was really impressed. It is a more laid back atmosphere than the Times but it still gets everything done without someone screaming at you or breathing down your neck. I would be able to work while Ava is in crèche but also have her at home with me.
"That's good, did he say anything about assignments away from here."
"He told me that they would be kept to a minimum and I could take Ava along with me if I wanted too but mostly it would be around Seattle and I could have the hours that I wanted."
Phoebe took Kate's attention away for a moment, handing her a cup of water.
"I would get Andrea to get you a coffee but Miss Phoebe's tea room only serves water" I laughed.
"Water is fine thank you."
We discussed some more about her giving her notice to the Times as well as the trip to Meridian for Phoebe's birthday. Finished up our tea party, I kissed my daughter goodbye and headed into my tech meeting.
"How far are we on this project" I asked Megan my project manager.
"We are due to go into production next week. All initial tests have been positive and we don't believe there will be any problems."
We still have a contract with the armed forces for our solar phone but as technology evolves so does the criminals who try to use them, or hack into it. Our security has to be one step ahead of them, hence the roll-out of our new product as well as new updates to the original models. Grey Telecommunications is still the best service provider in the united states because thanks to my team, our security is top notch.
Leaving my tech meeting I went straight into my meeting with Ros. We were going over all the new routes and the staffing figures for Grey Airways. We had already recruited most of the staff but there would be more needed before we were all up and running.
"Don't forget you have golf tomorrow" Ros laughed as I scowled at her.
Golf with my brother can be fun, golf with the Senator is as boring as watching paint dry. He has been on at me constantly yet again about my shipyard here in Seattle to guarantee jobs. One of the other smaller yards has just declared bankruptcy so jobs have been lost. Usually we hear if any company is about to go under that will be of interest to us but I have dealt with the owner before. He's an arrogant man, always thinking he is right. He would rather close his company and put people out of work than sell up or ask for help. I would have helped him, I would have took his company and bought it from him but now I will just contact the company who are dealing with the foreclosure and put in an offer. They're rarely refuse as they want everything settled as quickly as possible.
With Blandino though, I am going to make him sweat. Elliot had been trying to get permits for a new housing development and the permit office is dragging their feet. No jobs will be lost in my company because we are quiet busy but he doesn't know that and if deceiving him gets the permits Elliot wants quicker, then so be it.
"Are you sure you don't want to go in my place" I asked Ros while I bounced Abigail on my knee.
"I'm sure my stilettos will aerate the course but I don't think Blandino was appreciate a woman in his man's game" she said rolling her eyes.
"If Teddy wasn't at school, I would take him."
"Yeah he will probably show you all up and play better" she laughed.
"Probably."
Finishing up my work for the day, I headed home with Taylor.
…
"Grey have you heard about Watson's shipyard" Blandino asked, dropping the hint as he interrupted my stroke.
He wants to play golf but doesn't shut up.
"Everyone in this business knows about Watson's and how Watson ran it into the ground."
"Any problems at your shipyard."
"Times can be tough in this business, I can understand how some company's can go under if they're not given the right help. There is too much red tape these days, even to get the simplest of things done."
"I'm sure as long as your yard stays open we will give it any help it will need."
"I wasn't talking about my yard, at the moment my company is still viable to keep it in Seattle although I could make the same vessel cheaper if it was made at my shipyard in Taiwan. I was talking to my brother the other day and he was telling me how much red tape he has had to go through to get the building permits for the Mattherson street project. It will be him having to lay people off not me if the delays continue."
I could see him thinking, probably not knowing what I was talking about. He probably doesn't stick his head out of his office unless it benefits him.
"I will look into it Grey and see what the hold up is."
"I'm sure my brother and his workers will appreciate that."
I didn't mention anything else about the company's in the family, I did what I came here to do and I will hopefully hear off him or my brother in the next day or so to confirm everything is going through.
…
Dinner was delicious, courtesy of my wife. We had decided to have dinner just the two of us after the children had been put to bed. I love the crazy time with my family, but it was nice just to have Ana to myself.
We moved into the living room, taking a seat on the couch where I pulled her between my legs as she lay her back against my chest.
"What packing still needs to be done" I asked her, taking her hand in mine to play with her rings.
We were ready for our trip to Meridian tomorrow afternoon, as usual it will be a family trip for Phoebe's birthday. We had the addition of Pablo and Franco who were coming with us much to my wife's delight.
Franco was louder that Pablo when he had heard about them both being invited when we went next. We had the priest from the neighbouring island who would officiate our blessing but every thing else would be left to Pablo to sort out.
"Just the children's toys. I had to buy them all a new wardrobe as they have had a growth spurt since the last time we went. I cant believe its been a year" she told me.
"This year has gone so fast, its will be Christmas before we know it and then our blessing."
"I'm looking forward to Oliver's first Christmas. The way he is moving though, we will have to watch him with the tree otherwise he will try to climb it like Phoebe did."
"She must have been a cat in a past life" I laughed, remembering holding the tree while my toddler decided she wanted to inspect the branches and used them to try and climb. Nothing was safe with hurricane Phoebe around. We ended up having a large fire guard in front of our open fire and another surrounding the tree to keep her safe.
"Come on Ana, off to bed" I told her after she had yawned for the second time.
Making sure the house was all locked up, we headed up to our room. We both dressed and brushed our teeth, before climbing into bed. Ana cuddled into my side as I held her close, resting her head against my chest.
"Night baby" I said kissing her forehead.
"Night Christian. "
I fell asleep after feeling her kiss to my chest.
...
We were joined on the tarmac at Boeing field by my Mia and Sean, who arrived just moments before us.
"Whose birthday is it in two days" Sean asked throwing a giggling Phoebe up in the air.
"MINE" she squealed.
"The closer we get to this little one being born, the more exited he becomes" Mia laughed before giving me a hug.
"You don't have long to go."
"I know, ten week's and counting."
I helped Mia up the stairs, while Sean carried Phoebe. Ana had already taken Oliver up, following Teddy who had gone to see Ray whom was waiting at the top of the stairs.
"We're waiting for your brother as usual" my dad told me as we all said hello to our family.
"Nothing new then" I said looking out the door.
Thankfully we didn't have to wait long. Ava made me laugh, leaving her parents as soon as she got out of the car and made her way to the stairs.
"Hurry up" she told them, like she was the parent. I met her half way, helping her with her little case.
"Thank you Uncle Christian" she told me before she continued into the cabin.
"Sorry we're late everyone, my parents are soooo slow."
Everyone was laughing as she took her seat next to my grandmother, making sure she didn't have to sit next to her parents.
"I see we have already been ditched" my brother said entering the cabin, and looking down at his daughter. She was too engrossed in her conversation now to pay him any attention.
"Son, find a seat and sit otherwise we are going to miss our slot" my mother told him. I laughed seeing my sons little thumb go up to her as they sat together.
We were all seated, Phoebe beside my dad and Oliver was sat on my wife's lap.
"Ready to go" I asked linking my fingers with hers.
"As I will ever be."
Take-off was smooth and there were no tears due to the pressure. Oliver was sucking away on his pacifier, oblivious to the fact he was now thousands of feet up in the air.
Releasing his belt he wanted down to where Teddy was playing on the floor. I got up, taking him over and sat with him between my legs. Teddy was playing with his duplo bricks, handing one over to his little brother who bashed it against another giggling to himself.
"Oh Christian, thanks for bending the Senator's ear. All the permits are in place now for us to finally get on and start."
"That's fine bro, I will send you my therapist bill for suffering on the golf course." I told him as I heard my wife's giggle.
"Hold on, you don't even have a therapist" Elliot said shocked and I know he was probably wondering if there was something I wasn't telling him.
"I have the best. Ana" winking to my wife, I took the block from Oliver's hand and helped him build them on top of each other which he promptly knocked down.
Our flight passed quickly, the children entertaining themselves for the most part unless they were hungry. Oliver decided to smell the jet out with his diaper. Unfortunately for everyone else, they couldn't open a window to escape. Me, I don't smell it any more and I doubt Ana does too.
Opening the doors once we landed, the heat hit us. Having been getting colder in Seattle, the contrast was immense.
"I had forgotten what heat was" Mia said as Sean helped her down the stairs and over to where my helicopter was all ready to go.
I would still do all my checks before we took off, but I had a great team here who maintained her well.
"Whose up front" I asked, knowing whose voice I would hear first and I wasn't disappointed. To get everyone there it would take two trips so Teddy would be up front for the first trip and by the look of it my dad had volunteered for the second.
After all checks were done and I was satisfied that every thing was in order, the helicopter left the ground.
"Uncle Christian why is my daddy being left behind" Ava asked me, starting to panic.
"There is not enough seats this time so as soon as I have taken you, I will be coming back for him and granddad as well as all our luggage."
I wanted some of our security to come with us on this trip so we had Taylor and Luke on this run and the rest would come on the second. I know this island is secure but for my own piece of mind I wanted them here.
"Mommy can we play in the sand" Phoebe asked as soon as the island came into view.
"If you want but no going into the water today, it will be time for dinner by the time I have everything sorted."
"OK Mommy."
"We're coming into land" Teddy said over the headset, more to warn my wife than anything as he knows she isn't too keen on landings.
We had a perfect landing and the children cheered, happy to be back, As soon as I was back from my second run I could enjoy it with them.
…
"I love it here" Ana told me as we stood on the beach under the moonlight.
Dinner in the main house has been full of chatter and laughter, Pablo and Franco were more excited about being on the island than everyone else put together I think. I could see Pablo having his little book out all through dinner, jotting things down for our blessing. Marrying Ana on the beach was the main thing that I wanted but I was pretty much open to any of his other plans.
"This is one of my favourite times of the day, love the craziness of the children but being here just the two of us at the end of it is just what I need" I told her wrapping my arms around her waist.
"Me too" she wrapped one arm around my waist and the other into my hair to gently pull my head down to hers.
I licked her lips with my tongue, loving her unique taste that is always mixed with the salt in the air when we are on this beach. I picked her up as she wrapped her legs around my waist and walked back towards our villa and lay her onto the sun bed outside our bedroom. I needed my wife and with the way she was pushing herself against me at the moment, I know she needed me too.
Our clothes were quickly shed before I pushed myself inside her as our groans echoed into the night. We would not be disturbed, I had made certain of that as my lips found her breast. Sucking hard before gently biting down, her moans were turning me on more, mixed in with my name. As my movements picked, she clamped down on my cock. I knew she was close and so was I.
"Cum for me Ana please" I groaned in her ear, holding off on my own orgasm until she had reached hers. Feeling her clamp down on my cock, we both came together.
"I love you baby" I told her before my lips descended on hers once more.
…
I woke up listening to the ocean through the open doors and our children's chatter on the other side of our bedroom door.
Hearing a little knock, I got up and threw some shorts on. Ana was still asleep and I would leave her as long as I could.
"Morning Phoebe, is everything OK" I asked meeting my daughter on the other side.
"Morning daddy, Oliver had done a stinky diaper" she told me before wafting her hand over nose.
She is still like a little Mommy when it comes to Oliver and loves to help us look after him unless he smells.
Walking into Oliver's room, I had to laugh seeing Teddy with his fingers against his nose. When he spoke, he sounded like a distorted announcement that you would hear in a railway station or airport.
"He stink" he told me pointing to a laughing Oliver, he didn't care, he was more interested in the helicopter mobile that was over his crib.
"Come on baby boy, lets clean you up."
Making sure my son smelled better, much to my other children's delight. I opened the doors in the kitchen so the children could go onto the beach. They know they're not allowed outside unless one of us is with them, not just because we don't want them near the sea unsupervised but also because of the pool we have here.
"Granddad" Phoebe shouted as Ray came running up the beach with Reynolds.
"Hello baby girl, do you want to come jogging" he asked her, running around her and making her laugh.
"No thank you, too much hard work in this heat."
"I will be round in bit when I have finished my jog then."
"OK can we go swimming."
"Of course, we can."
We watched Ray continue on his run down the beach before they followed me inside for breakfast.
…
Ana had gone with Pablo to the main house to discuss what we wanted for our blessing. Before leaving home we had made a list of what we would like, including clothes, food, colours and cake. We had spoken to the priest over the phone and he was very happy to officiate our day and had also been in contact with Pablo. He really is on top of everything and after the way he arranged our own wedding we didn't hesitate in asking him again. I can guarantee the end result will be beautiful.
We only had a short time here as we couldn't take longer off without taking Teddy out of school. The more we can get organised while we are here, the better. Ana was also making Phoebe's cake, what it was I didn't know but she said it would be perfect for our daughter.
Oliver had surprised us all with his love for the beach, Phoebe and Teddy were both hesitant, putting their feet in the sand for the first time but with Oliver, he cries if we take him off it. I was stood at the shore edge, holding him under his arms as the water washed over his legs. I was judging every wave that was coming in and for every one that seemed to be too high I would help him jump over, much to his delight.
"Hows your back son" my dad asked me, joining us in the water.
"I might not be able to stand up straight again from doing this but Oliver is having fun" he was giggling again as the little wave, yet again went over his feet.
My dad took over so I could take Phoebe back inside who wanted a drink, I redid her sunscreen while I was in there so she was completely covered by the time we come out.
With only her hat on her head, just like the last time we were here, my daughter was running around like the day she was born.
"Me too daddy" Ava asked wanting to be free of her swimsuit too.
"Its going to turn into a naturist island" Mia laughed rubbing her stomach.
"As long as they have a hat on their heads and covered in sunscreen then I don't see the harm" my mum told us as Kate took Ava's suit and covered her too.
"Don't look at me, my shorts and staying on and so are Oliver's" Teddy told us not looking at the girls and making us laugh.
"Are you going to tell us what you're having yet" I asked Mia who shook her head.
"I would tell you but we don't know, we decided to wait until they're born. Everything we have bought so far has been neutral colours so we will just have to wait and see. As long as they're born healthy, then we will be happy no matter what."
"My baby sister all grown up" Elliot teased her, earning himself an elbow to his side.
Ana came back from the main house, telling me the majority of the cake was done. It just needed to be decorated tomorrow which is the usual plan. Decorate it too early in this heat and the icing just drips off it. We have learnt from experience when we came for my birthday once, the cake was a mess but we still ate it.
…
"Its my birthday" was shouted throughout the villa, the next morning.
I was sure I heard the birds screeching as they flew away as fast as they could from the trees that surrounded us.
"Happy birthday Phoebe, now go away and shut up its too early" Teddy called before we heard his door shut.
"And the madness begins" Ana giggled beside me.
Quieting her giggles with my kisses, we soon realised that we would not be getting any real kisses this morning and my morning wood would be going to waste.
"Oh the joys of being a parent" Ana laughed getting out of bed, naked. She pulled my t shirt on that had been thrown in the rush to get off the night before and walked towards the door.
"Christian, if you continued to stare me up and down, it will take longer for you to calm down."
She was right, but my body had a natural reaction to hers. She waited until I was covered before opening the door to our impatient, now three year old. Three years, where had the time gone.
"It my birthday Mommy" she told her mother who picked her up and smothered her in kisses.
"I know it is birthday girl, do you want your present" she asked.
Nodding her head, Ana brought her over to me and placed her onto the bed next to me. With Ana keeping Phoebe busy I was able to grab my boxers so I was semi covered.
Ana brought a small box out while I got the main one, she quickly started ripping the paper off the box that Ana had given her before her attention moved to the item I was bringing out.
"Its big" she told us smiling.
"And heavy."
She finished opening the box on the bed, pulling out a little toaster and kettle to go with the wooden kitchen that was in the large box.
"I can make dinner" she squealed kissing us both before started playing.
We managed to move the kitchen out into the living room so we were at least able to get dressed with out little eyes in the room. Oliver was more interested in the large box and so was teddy who was quickly inside.
"Where is my birthday girl" Ray asked coming into the door.
"Me Me" Phoebe shouted from where she was making us tea and coffee with her kitchen.
Running up to her grandfather he hugged her tighter before he sat her on his lap.
She opened the little box he had placed on her lap which contained the wooden pans and cooking utensils that he had made, especially for her.
"Thank you granddad, their perfect" she said before hitting the pan with the wooden spoon.
"Phoebe, we have one more present for you but it isn't here, its back at home as it was too big to bring.
"It is off your brothers but also Mommy daddy and granddad too."
"What is it" she asked sitting patiently for probably the first time ever.
Handing her an envelope, she carefully opened it and with the help of her grandfather pulled the photos out.
"We thought as you're a big girl now, that you would like your own playroom" Ana told her seeing the beaming smile come on our daughters face.
"Really" she clapped.
"Really and granddad has made some things special for your room. Look at the pictures."
She looked through the pictures getting more excited by the minute. Ray had made her a bigger kitchen at home, in fact it was more like a little home, with a bed for her dolls but big enough for her to lay down on it, here own little rocking chair and a little table and chairs. All made by granddad. We had found a little couch for her and everything else she would need for her perfect room. It would all be in place by the time we arrived home.
"I love it" she said happily giving her granddad a hug before she ran over to Ana and myself and gave us the same.
With every person who came into the house, they were all shown the pictures to Phoebe's little house. They had all known anyway and everyone had added to it. My brother had to buy her a TV with every Disney DVD he could find. We already had a few of them but these were Phoebe's copy. My parents had gotten her bookcases which were filled with all here favourite books, many she had only liked since starting crèche. My sister had gotten her a brush set complete with her own hand held mirror. My parents and brothers presents, apart from a few new books were all still in Seattle. Even with that, we still had a lot to take back home again but the kitchen would stay here for when we were back again.
Phoebe blew the three candles out on what had to be the perfect cake for our daughter, it looked like a table complete with a checked tablecloth made of icing. On it were little cups and saucers, all edible and little cucumber sandwiches made of cake as well. The perfect tea party cake for our little girl.
The cake was delicious and I even shared a cup with my daughter. How Ana got them to stay in shape I don't know, but they looked and tasted perfect. We will be back here before we know it and there will be a different cake then. I couldn't wait to marry Ana again.
She was dancing around with our children and her smile and laughter was contagious. Where once I would have stood on the sideline watching everyone have fun, now I was in the middle of it, dancing now with my daughter on my feet.
Phoebe had what she described her perfect birthday and loved everything that we had given her. We don't spoil our children all the time so birthdays are extra special. Seeing the smile of Phoebes face though as she told me everything she was going to play with when she got home, it was worth every penny that had been spent.
Thank you for reading. I had hoped to have this finished before now but my children decided to share their colds with me and trying to edit with streaming eyes just didnt work.
Phoebe's cake was one I made for my own daughter a few years ago.
Until next time
take care
Caroline