Christian walks into the kitchen where Teddy is eating his breakfast and reading the newspaper. His spirits are still lifted, after spending some time in the shower with his wife and then some more time in their bed. He knows that sex is merely a distraction from all the bad stuff that is happening, but he welcomes the distraction, no matter how unhealthy it may be to tune the world out during moments of blissful intimacy with his wife only to have to face it all again when the world comes back into focus. He joins his son at the breakfast bar once he pours himself some orange juice. He watches as his son lowers the newspaper and looks up at him. "Braxton's arrest is in the paper" he says as he hands the paper over to his father. Christian takes the paper and starts to skim the article. "They didn't say anything about Phoebe" he adds.
"Good" Christian says tightly as he puts the paper down and drinks the orange juice.
"I guess it's only a matter of time before word gets out that Phoebe is his victim. What are we going to do, Dad?"
Christian lowers his glass and looks up at his son. He can see the desperation in his eyes. The genuine concern he has for his sister is touching. Not to mention the burden his son feels to have to participate in protecting his sister. We? "Son, we don't have to do anything. I don't want you to worry about this, okay?"
"But Dad, I am worried. Phoebe's never going to able to leave this house again once word gets out. The paparazzi will be all over her."
Christian cringes at the thought of his daughter being the topic of media discussion again. It was not too long ago that an article was printed about her being a pregnant teen. But this time will be different. This time he has a bit more control over the situation, since he knows about it before the press does. Unlike the last time, when he had to find out by reading about his daughter in the latest tabloid.
"Teddy, I have people working on this okay? They get paid a generous salary to look out for our family's best interests. They are working diligently to keep the paparazzi at bay. And, if they do get a hold of this information, we'll just have to keep the paparazzi away from Phoebe."
Teddy looks down and shakes his head. He is seventeen years old, almost an adult. Yet, his father still tries to sugarcoat things for him to make it seem like all is right with the world. He hates that his father doesn't give him enough credit. "Dad, that sounds too easy. Can you just be honest with me and tell me how bad this really is?" This time Christian looks down and shakes his head. "Come on Dad, I can handle it. I'm not a little kid anymore. You don't have to protect me."
Christian looks his son in the eye, but his tone is not reprimanding. There's more concern in his voice than anything. "I will never stop protecting you and your sisters, no matter how old you get. I'm always going to be your father, and that's always going to be my job. So, you are just going to have to live with it, son"
Teddy sighs, although it's nice to have someone look out for him and care about every aspect of his life, he'd like for his father to at least acknowledge that he is almost an adult. Suddenly he feels like that will never happen. He decides to table the conversation. It is getting late and he needs to leave for school. He stands from the table and starts to clear his plate, but Christian grabs his wrist. "Son, I don't want you to be burdened with all of this, okay? I meant what I said. I am going to take care of it. Okay?"
"Yeah Dad, I know." He looks up and sees his mother and Phoebe. Both are wearing robes over their nightgowns. Phoebe manages to smile and he returns the smile. He puts his plate back on the table, walks over to his sister and gives her a hug. Christian turns to see their embrace and also smiles. Teddy lets go and looks down at her. "It's good to see you up and around" he says to her. Ana walks over to the breakfast bar and kisses her husband.
Mrs Taylor joins them and immediately gets back to work. "Good Morning, what would you like for breakfast?"
Christian looks over at his daughter. "Phoebe, what would you like to eat, Baby?"
"Oatmeal, please" she says, and Ana nods. They all decide to have oatmeal for breakfast. Teddy says goodbye to his family and Phoebe joins her parents at the breakfast bar. Before she sits she is welcomed into her father's arms.
"Sleep okay?" he asks her. When she pulls out of his arms she nods. He notes that she seems to be a lot better than she was yesterday, and also notes that he feels slightly better too. He definitely feels a lot less agitated and anxious. He still feels guilty for inflicting his anger on her while trying to take care of her, but when he looks at her face he doesn't see any hint that she is affected by that. In fact, she's never looked at him this way before. He's not sure what to make of her expression as she carefully takes a seat on one of the bar stools. And then he remembers, he cried while he was holding her, and she saw his tears. For the first time ever, she saw him cry. He never wanted to let his kids see him vulnerable. He feels that that shows weakness, regardless of what Flynn says about it building character. Ana leaves the table and starts to prepare a bottle for Natalie while Mrs Taylor serves Christian his coffee and Phoebe a glass of orange juice. "Thank you" he says as she walks away.
"Mom says I don't have to go to the hearing" Phoebe says to her father, and he nods.
"You don't have to go, but your mother and I will be going. And your Aunt Kate and Ava will be coming over to spend time with you while we're out."
Phoebe shakes her head. While she appreciates her family, and even extended family taking care of her, she doesn't want to feel like a burden. "They don't have to do that. I'll be fine here by myself."
Christian smirks. "Peanut, they want to come over. And no, I don't want you to be on your own. Even if we have security here, I think one of us should always be with you. At least until things start to calm down."
"But, you're missing so much work, because of me." Phoebe frowns and looks down at her orange juice.
Christian shakes his head. He doesn't want his daughter to feel guilty. "I don't want you to worry about that. I can get plenty of work done at home, and I have plenty of people working for me to make sure all projects are covered." Phoebe continues to avoid eye contact with him, until he puts his hand on hers to get her attention. "Hey" he says and waits for her to look up at him. "Do not feel guilty about this, okay? You did nothing wrong."
Phoebe's voice starts to get emotional, almost like a cry. "Then why did Mr Braxton do this to me?"
Christian frowns. They haven't really talked about this yet. He quickly composes himself and keeps his hand on hers. "What he did to you was wrong. Even if you did the things he said you did, you did not deserve that punishment. That's why he was arrested. And that is why there is an investigation and a hearing. I don't want you blaming yourself for any of this, understand me?"
Phoebe takes a few breaths and composes herself. She uses her hand that he is not holding to wipe a tear away from her eye. "Why did he do this?"
Christian keeps his hand on hers and shakes his head. "I don't know." He goes with denial, since he's not ready to explain to his daughter that there are sick people in this world, sadists who take pleasure in hurting others. People like him, or like he used to be. People like Braxton. He continues to shake his head. "It's not because of anything you did. Can we just leave it at that for now?"
Phoebe nods and wipes another tear away. Christian lets go of her hand when Mrs Taylor puts two bowls of oatmeal in front of them. Ana has already left the kitchen to feed the baby, so Christian is left to eat alone with his daughter. He tries to think of something else to say to her, anything else to make her understand that she is completely innocent in all of this. He then remembers what Bryce told him about the school computer. He should tell Phoebe about it before she finds out some other way.
"Peanut, there's something you need to know" he starts. Phoebe looks up at him after managing her first spoonful of oatmeal. "Bryce confirmed that someone hacked into the school computer system and changed some things in your file." He soon starts to regret bringing this up when he sees is daughter's expression change. She starts to look ill, and she has stopped eating. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
"Do they know who did it?" she asks him after a few moments of silence.
"Yes" he answers her. "But she wouldn't tell me. But she assured me that when she gets proof they will bring up charges, and the person that did it will have to face consequences."
"Why would somebody do that?" she asks. He is relieved to see her manage another spoonful of oatmeal, but dreading having to discuss this with her further.
"There are some hateful people out there, Peanut. Can you think of anyone that would want to hurt you?" He can see that Phoebe is thinking it over, and then sees her have a light bulb moment. He thinks she will tell him, right then and there, but feels the need to press her when she doesn't say anything. "Tell me" he demands, which makes her jump.
"Rachel. Rachel Wilson."
Christian sighs. He recognizes the name, since Braxton mentioned that Phoebe was in a physical altercation with a Miss Wilson. And then he remembers that Ava told him that a girl named Rachel was picking on Phoebe. "Why didn't you tell me that this Rachel was giving you trouble?" he asks her. His tone has changed and he is angry, which makes Phoebe squirm. She hates when her father is angry.
"I thought I could handle it. I'm sorry" she says, and she almost cries again, which makes Christian soften.
"No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have… I shouldn't have snapped at you, Peanut. I'm not angry with you, I'm angry that this happened to you" he says to her. He watches her and waits for her to compose herself. She starts to eat her oatmeal again. She must be really hungry. "I need to know when someone is picking on you or making trouble for you, so that I can help you make it stop."
"I hate bothering you with stuff like that" she says between spoonfuls of oatmeal.
Christian lets a small smile cross his face. "I don't mind. And it's not a bother. I always want you and Teddy to let me help you with your problems, even if you think they are small." Christian picks up his spoon and eats some more of his oatmeal. They eat in silence until Ana joins them again. She puts Natalie in the bouncy seat and sits at the breakfast bar. Mrs Taylor promptly serves her with oatmeal.
"Thank you" she says and immediately starts eating. "Phoebe, rather than going out shopping tonight I have asked Cindy Preston to come over and go through some online catalogs with us. She's going to help us pick out a dress for you."
Phoebe looks up at her mother and frowns. "We're not going out?"
Christian and Ana look at each other, and then at their daughter. "You want to go out?" she asks her daughter.
Phoebe looks down and plays with the remaining oatmeal in her bowl. "I haven't left the house for two days. I was kind of looking forward to going out tonight."
Ana looks at Christian, and she fears he will immediately crush their daughter's hopes of going out, but he surprises her. "Okay, you can go. I want you to take Sawyer and Collins with you, and I will have Dovis follow you as well. I'll keep Natalie home with me."
Ana and Phoebe can't believe it. They were both so sure he would say no. Phoebe doesn't mind going out with extra security, as long as she gets to go. She finishes her oatmeal, carefully stands from the breakfast bar and walks around to kiss her father on the cheek, followed by a hug. "Thanks Daddy."
Christian smiles and returns the hug with one arm. He's glad he is able to lift her spirits. He knows that Ana and Phoebe will enjoy shopping for a dress for her first masquerade fundraiser. This is something positive the family can look forward too.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Christian and Ana are sitting in the court room, waiting for Braxton's case to be called. When it is, they see Braxton stand with his attorney and they listen carefully as the judge proceeds.
"'Would the people read the charges, please" he says.
The ADA is there to represent the people, and they listen as she reads the charges. "Sir, Mr Harold Braxton is charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a minor, and two counts of indecent assault on a minor resulting in physical and emotional bruising."
"How does the defendant plead?"
"Not guilty, your honor" Mr Braxton's attorney answers for him.
Christian and Ana both sigh, although both of them saw this coming. Christian has had his arm around his wife. He pulls her closer after hearing the not guilty plea. They listen as both parties discuss bail.
"The people request remand, your honor" the ADA says sharply.
"On what grounds?" the defense attorney asks.
"Your honor, Mr Braxton has a sizable bank account at his disposal, it can take him anywhere in the world. He is a huge flight risk, not to mention the risk he is to the other students at his school" the ADA argues.
The defense attorney counters what she is saying. "Your honor, Mr Braxton is a respectable member of this community. He's been the headmaster of The Maynard School for five years and has a wife and stepdaughter living with him in Seattle."
The ADA takes a moment to look around the courtroom. "Your honor, I fail to see the defendant's wife or stepdaughter in the courtroom today."
Christian looks around. She makes a good point. Jasmine did not come to the hearing, and neither did her daughter. He was so focused on the matter at hand, he didn't even think of the possibility of seeing Jasmine today. She should be here, to support her husband. But she's not. Why isn't she here?
The next thing he knows, the hammer comes down and the judge makes a decision. "Bail will be set at one hundred thousand dollars. Mr Braxton, you will surrender your passport immediately, you will step down as headmaster of The Maynard School, and you will stay at least one hundred yards away from the student in question as well as her family. If you fail to comply with these rules you will be held in contempt. Next case please."
Christian and Ana rise and immediately walk out. They do not want to see Mr Braxton. Taylor leads them out through the back entrance of the courthouse so they can avoid the press.
"Why wasn't his wife in the courtroom?" Ana asks. Christian shrugs. He wants to find out. He needs to find out. But he decides to put that off. He opens the car door for Ana and slides in after her. Taylor closes their door, climbs in the driver's seat and drives away before anyone from the press spots them.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Teddy and Rebecca lie naked together in her parents' pool house with a blanket draped over them. Her head is on his chest and he is running his fingers up and down her back. She starts to plant kisses on his chest.
"Where do your parents think you are tonight?" he asks her softly, causing her to giggle.
"Study group" she says as she leans up to look at him. She starts to swirl her finger around an area on his chest. "What about yours?"
"Same" he says as he sits up, causing her to sit up and move closer so that she can kiss his neck. "My Dad would have a coronary if he ever caught my sister sneaking around like this. Aren't you worried about your parents finding out?"
She continues to kiss his neck and speaks to him seductively. "No, I'm that good at being bad. They'll never suspect."
Teddy nods in agreement. "You are bad." She leans up so that her nose is as close to his as it can be without touching. "What do you want Rebecca?" he asks, this time his voice is seductive.
"I want you to spank me" she says as she puts her arms around his neck. Teddy has a smile grow across his face, and he slightly blushes. He is still new to this world, but Rebecca isn't. She is very confident in what she wants him to do to her, and she is not afraid. He complies.
"Okay. Lie across my lap." She does as she's told and rests her head on her arms. She waits for him to start, but he hesitates. He looks down at her bare bottom and reluctantly puts his hand on her. Once his hand is there he starts to rub and caress. He does this for a while, but he doesn't spank her. Rebecca is patient, thinking that he is trying to tease her with his reluctance, but then it occurs to her that he's not going to do it. She sits up and positions herself in front of him again, wrapping the blanket around her.
"You're thinking about your sister" she says to him.
"I'm sorry" Teddy says. "I know you want to do this, but my head's just not in it right now."
"It's okay" Rebecca says as she rubs her hand up and down his arm.
"You can't tell anybody, that it was Phoebe. We're trying to keep that out of the press" he explains to her, hoping she understands the importance of keeping this information to herself.
"Of course, I won't tell anyone" she says.
"Thank you." Teddy and Rebecca remain silent. She takes his hand and starts to rub it with her thumb. A thought comes to Teddy's mind, and he knows he needs to ask her. "Has Braxton ever punished you?" He immediately blushes after asking the question, and regrets it when there is silence again.
After a few moments of silence Rebecca answers him. "Yes" she continues to rub his hand with her thumb. He takes her other hand and does the same thing to her. "Freshman year, I left school early one day with my boyfriend at the time. He was a junior and he had a car, so we left school property."
"And you got caught" Teddy confirms.
"Yes, I wasn't very smart back then. I thought I was in love. I was blinded by an older boy taking an interest in me. I would have done anything he wanted."
"He's the one that…. introduced you to this world."
"Yes" she confirms with a fond smile. "I don't regret that at all. But punishment from Braxton…. it was so gross and embarrassing. I got twenty swats with the paddle, but what he did to your sister sounds much worse."
Teddy frowns. "I saw the bruises on her thighs. They looked horrible. I can't imagine….." he doesn't finish his sentence. Instead he covers his eyes with one of his hands.
"Teddy, I know you would never hurt me like that" she tries to assure him. She pulls his hand down so that she can look at his eyes. "Look at me." He looks at her and lets out a breath. "You won't. Spankings and beatings are not synonymous."
"They are when you use an implement" he says, and she shakes her head again.
"We agreed that you would only use your hand until you are more comfortable with this. Teddy, I don't mind waiting. I like what we are doing. I enjoy it. And I thought you did too." She has a sad look on her face, which prompts Teddy to be the assuring one. He reaches up and runs his hand through her dirty blond hair.
"I do enjoy it, very much. All of it. Don't ever doubt that." He cups her face and kisses her lips. "I just need a few days to get this out of my head, then I'll be ready again."
Rebecca manages a smile. "Okay"
Teddy smiles back at her and leans toward her. "Tell you what. This Saturday, you and me, my grandparents' boat house, say…. ten o'clock, while all of the other guests are enjoying cocktails and dancing, I shall spank you then, deal?"
Rebecca's smile grows wider at the threat. "I am going to hold you to that Teddy Grey" she says before she kisses him.