Teddy POV

Not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about Sophie Taylor. It's been two years since she walked out on me and it was the last time I ever spoke to her.

I was never able to go and live at Escala, I tried for a few days, but I just couldn't do it. I moved back in with my parents. That apartment had too many memories. Before school started I purchased a great little house on the water close to campus.

It was a hard road, but I was able to move on, I haven't been able to date anyone but life has gone on. I just finished my second year of medical school and for the last month I have been volunteering with Doctors Without Borders in Uganda.

It has been the most amazing and rewarding experiences of my life. I was so surprised when my dad gave me his blessing to go. I really thought it was going to be a losing battle. After a long discussion with Dr. Rogers he thought this was a trip of a lifetime and knowing my dad, giving back means so much to him. I have a local security team with me to blend in better, but there hasn't been any reason for concern as we are on a humanitarian mission.

I keep in contact with my parents, but most of all with Phoebe. She has been my rock for the last two years. I'm excited that when I return in a month we are finally going to be in the same time zone. She just graduated from Harvard and officially on Grey Enterprises' payroll. My dad is finally starting to entertain the thoughts of semi-retirement. I give my mom a lot of credit, she has been working on this for awhile, but after my grandfather passing away last winter, she can't bear to lose my dad from working too hard.

After my shift at the refugee camp I am able to check my e-mail and I see that Phoebe has sent me a message.

From: Phoebe Grey

To: Theodore Grey

Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2036

Subject: Sophie

Teddy, I thought I could call you, but I can't reach you and you deserve more than just this e-mail, but I didn't want you find out another way.

Sophie asked me to be Maid of Honor and before I gave her an answer, I wanted to ask you if that is okay. I'm sorry that I have to tell you this over e-mail, but you needed to know.

I am sorry, Teddy.

If you don't want me to, just tell me. You are my brother after all and I love you. I can't wait to see you later next month.

Love your favorite sister,

Phe

What she's getting married? I always knew that she move on, but I didn't think this quickly. It was no secret that Sophie and my sister said in touch, they were best friends and I gave Phoebe my blessing with only rule. She couldn't talk to Sophie about me and I didn't want to know anything about Sophie. I needed to move on.

From: Theodore Grey

To: Phoebe Grey

Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2036

Subject: Maid of Honor Duty

Phe,

I appreciate you so much asking me. You know that I can't say no to you. I am just shocked she is getting married. I guess I didn't know she was serious with anyone, but I guess that was my rule.

You go and be the best Maid of Honor you can be.

So when is the big day? I know I'm breaking my own rule.

Teddy

As soon I hit send, Phoebe sends me an instant message.

Phoebe: I can't believe we are online at the same time.

Teddy: How about that, how are you doing?

Phoebe: Hold on, just reading your e-mail.

Phoebe: August 24

Teddy: What?

Phoebe: The date of the wedding.

Teddy: And she's just asking you now?

Phoebe: Yeah, she just got engaged and she came home this weekend to introduce Preston to Taylor and Gail of course mom and dad. That's when she asked me.

Teddy: Why so sudden? I mean I don't care, but what's the rush?

Phoebe: Do you really want to know?

Teddy: Please tell me she's not pregnant!

Phoebe: Oh no!

Teddy: Then why?

Phoebe: Because they are getting married at the house and wanted to do it before you came from Africa.

Teddy: I see.

Phoebe: Teddy, please don't be mad.

Teddy: Look Phoebe, I have to go, I will try to call you later. Love you!

I think I'm going to be sick. I can't believe that she has the nerve to do that. And for my parents for allowing that. I wonder if anyone was going to tell me or I would just find out when I come home next month.

Of all things for her to put me through, she is driving the dagger further into my heart.

Phoebe POV

I feel horrible for telling Teddy, but there is no way that I could keep this from him, he was going to find out one way or another and I rather he hear it from me than anyone else.

I was quite surprised when Sophie called me six months ago saying that she found a man whom she loved and loves her back and that I needed to meet him. His name is Preston Alexander and is a New York-based architect. Sophie met him at some networking mixer last year and he has been pursuing her for nearly a year before finally agreeing to go out with him. I took the train up to New York and spent the weekend with Sophie and got to know Preston. I mean he is no Teddy Grey, but he seemed nice enough. Preston knew about Teddy so it was a little awkward at first but I can see how much he loves Sophie and that he makes her happy.

I just wish that Teddy could let Sophie go and move on. Ever since that day a little part of him died and he has never able to recover. I've even tried to set him up with a few of her girlfriends but he was polite and went out with them once and then found something wrong with each of them. None of them could live up to Sophie.

My mission once he gets back home is to find him the girl of his dreams. I just want to have my brother back.

Sophie POV

It was great to go home, it's been too long. Of course Gail and my dad have visited me a few times here in New York over the last two years, but going home felt great.

The biggest news besides announcing our engagement was hearing that my dad was finally going to retire at the end of the year. I knew that it wasn't his decision, but he is 62 and even though in amazing shape and health, Gail wants him to slow down. Their compromise would be that he would stay on as Head of Security, but he wouldn't be in the field anymore and that he would find and train his successor.

Preston made a great impression on everyone even though I was worried to introduce him to Ana and Christian. After our break-up, I was worried that I would never be welcomed back in their home but was pleasantly surprised to see that nothing has changed. A few times Ana and I met up in New York when she was on business and it was nice to just talk. She told me over and over that all she wanted was for me to be happy and that if it wasn't going to work for Teddy than I needed to move on. Deep down I knew that she was disappointed, but she never said a word to me. Christian on the other hand was a different story, let's just say he was less than pleased that I up and left the company without any notice. However, I was surprised that he would write me such a glowing letter of recommendation that helped me land my current position at a small yet successful firm in Manhattan. There is even talk of making me a partner next year.

When asked where we wanted to have our wedding, there was only one place I wanted it, but it was completely out of line for me to ask especially since I wasn't marrying their son.

"What kind of wedding do you want to have," Gail asks.

"Preston and I have agreed, something really small with only our family and close friends, no more than 30 people," I say. Thank god, Preston was on board. Even though he comes from a very elite Connecticut family, he said he just wanted to make me happy.

"Sophie, can I speak to you in private for a moment," Ana asks.

Ana and I walk outside and make our way to the bluff.

"Sophie, ever since you were a little girl, you always talked about getting married right here and I know that you would never ask in lieu of what happened, but I would be honored if you and Preston exchange your vows right here," Ana says reaching out for my hand.

"Ana, I appreciate the offer, but I can't ask that of you and Christian, I mean not after that has happened. I don't to hurt Teddy and further."

"Darling, you grew up here too, this is just as much your house as it is Teddy's. I love my son and I know that he would understand. All he ever wanted for you is to be happy."

After talking about it with Preston, we graciously accepted Ana's offer; however I thought it was best to have the wedding before Teddy returned from Africa. Granted, that meant we had five weeks to pull off this wedding. Part of me felt like we were doing this under Teddy's nose, but knowing my Maid of Honor, he would find out soon enough and I made a contingency plan if Teddy had a problem with it.

With the assistance of Gail, Ana and of course Phoebe, everything would be taken care and all I needed to do was just show up.

There was one detail I knew that I had to do on my own. Dad and I talked and we both decided that it was a good idea to not tell my mom about the wedding until after it was over. I have seen nor spoken with my mother in over a year and that was only because she needed money and finally I stood up for myself and told her no. She then said that I was an ungrateful daughter and that I didn't deserve her as a mother and I told her that I couldn't agree more. She never did find out about Teddy and I so that was a victory in itself. I don't want her showing up at the wedding and causing a scene or inviting her and then her deciding not to show up. I don't think I could handle that. After all, I consider Gail my mother.