"Pis aller"
Christian's POV:
"My dad?" Laurence's voice is low, giving away that he hasn't mentioned this fact to Phoebe, which was obvious last night. I would have enlightened Phoebe, had she given me half a chance. Instead, she decided to storm off to her room.
"Yes, your father!" I clarify, ensuring that there is no error.
"You have spoken to your dad?" Laurence takes Phoebe's hand and nods in response to her question.
"I had to. When my mother died, our families assets were liquidated as per her will. My father still owned half of the house, and there were also their joint assets. I spoke to my dad in several meetings with our lawyers to discuss the particulars and finalize the estate. But all the paperwork has been signed and I have only spoken to him once since." Laurence's explanation is a damn good attempt to smooth everything over, but either Ana or I are convinced. Phoebe is a smart kid, but one look at her and I can tell that she wants to believe that this is all above board. Carefully I watch her expression, the look in her eyes and her body language. I need to work out what makes this one boy so different that my daughter is so easily convinced without any evidence. This is what I find so hard about my Phoebe being an adult, I so long to protect her to the point that even I can see that I would be stifling. I want to take her hand and take her home, away from this, where I know I can keep her safe.
"Exactly when and where did you last see your father?" I continue my integration, much to my daughter's annoyance.
"Dad I don't think that is any of our business. Laurence has already divulged more than he." Phoebe's comment only serves to agitate me. Any boy who wants to be associated with any of my daughters is going to have to learn to face more than a few personal questions. In situations like this, they both better be ready for more!
"Do you wish to see Laurence again?" I threatened. I could care less that he is sitting right next to her and at my rudeness right now. Even the look that Ana is giving me right now won't moderate me.
"Wish, intend and will definitely be seeing him again" I narrow my eyes at Phoebe's sassy comment, but chose to continue my line of questioning.
"Then it more than my business…Laurence, I have asked you a question. When and where did you last see your father?"
"Yesterday. At my hotel room."
"When exactly yesterday? What time?" Ana asks before I can. This is an immediate concern. Yesterday he had dinner with Phoebe and saw her early in the morning.
"Midday."
"Was it a planned visit?"
"No. He bought me a few personal items that belonged to my mother. They ended up in some boxes that were sent over to his place." Warning bells start ringing, and before I can act we are interrupted by a knock on the door and my mother enters, holding out the phone.
"Excuse me, Ana, but it's Kate. She said that she is at your place with Ava and wondering when you're getting home." My mother informs us. Ana and Phoebe look at each other and remember that they had made plans to meet and go out not only with them but also Lily, Mia and her daughter, Harper. They were all going together for a 'Grey girl day out'. My mother had been invited, but she declined choosing to stay home to prepare for Christmas and the whole family dinner tomorrow.
"Thank you. I will take the call" Ana looks at Phoebe, who sighs and drops her shoulders. If I were a religious man, then I would drop to my knees and thank God for this possible divine intervention. This has given me the perfect chance to get Phoebe out of here. Ana is going to have to go also, but I can fill her in later. I don't exchange any words with my daughter or Laurence while Ana is on the phone, preferring to glare at them. They whisper to each other, and though I can't hear what either of them is saying, their body language is almost shouting. Laurence is practically forcing Phoebe to go while she doesn't want to. I need to capitalize on this and learn why he is so eager to get rid of her right now. I swear I am going to pound him to a pulp if he has played her! I get up without even looking at either of them and join Ana, who tells Kate to hold on for a second.
"Tell Kate to wait at our place and that you and Phoebe will be leaving right now" Ana frowns at me, but nods, trusting me. We don't have to spell thing out to each other like we once use to. Nor do I keep information and secrets from her to protect her from worrying. My wife is too strong to be sheltered.
"Okay, but I am having Taylor stay with you, for your sake and Laurence's. " I grin a little at Ana. There was a time that I would need Taylor's intervention in situations like this, to prevent myself from doing something that I might regret, but I wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize my family.
"Phoebe, we need to go. Your aunts, cousins and sister, are all waiting for us at our place. We told them a week ago that we would all go out" Ana informs our daughter causing her to shake her head. My lips form a hard line at her reluctance and noncompliance at her mother's request.
"That was before last night and Dad treating me like I am a twelve-year-old."
"Phoebe, please… you should go. Everyone is waiting for you and your mother, and it sounds like you have preset plans. You shouldn't miss out. I will see you soon." Laurence urges her though softly.
"Yes, Phoebe you should go" I repeat.
"Only if you and Mom promise that you won't stop me from seeing Laurence again."
"I won't stop you" I don't lie. I won't stop Phoebe, but I might stop Laurence from seeing her. Our daughter then looks at Ana, who nods, also agreeing not to intervene.
"Call me as soon as you are free… okay?" Phoebe almost begs Laurence.
"I will… now go! I know how much you have missed your cousin. You two will have a lot of catching up to do." Laurence stands and prompts Phoebe to do the same. My ever so stubborn daughter finally leaves. I can finally get to the bottom of whatever the fuck is going on here.
"Mr Grey before you say anything..."
"Stop" I order him and point to the chair that he had been sitting on. At least the boy still has some of his brains because he doesn't hesitate to comply.
"What are you doing Laurence?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't act dumb or innocent. We both know that you are neither. What are you doing here and with my daughter?"
"I missed Phoebe. I wanted to see her, but I knew you wouldn't allow it. I wasn't able to just ring her at home and I didn't have her cell phone number. Yesterday when I saw her in the coffee shop, I took a double take. Even though I am the one who recognized Phoebe first, and approached her, I had her decide if she wanted to see me again or not. I haven't forced or coerced Phoebe to do anything she hasn't wanted to. She is the last person who is going to do something that she doesn't want to." Well, that is true. Phoebe inherited this characteristic from Ana... and me.
I pull out my cell phone and send a quick email to Taylor. Less than five seconds pass and he's sitting behind me. Fuck can he read my mind now or did Ana tell him to stand by the door? Probably both.
"Laurence, you are going to do something different, and get straight to the point." I dictate. I almost feel sorry for the kid as he looks uncomfortable from the combination of my directive and Taylor's presence. "I am going to ask you one more time what are you doing here? What do you need?" Laurence hesitates to answer as he looks Taylor and then me.
"Why do you think I need something?" I run my hands through my hair. I can't believe we are playing this game and especially now. I have all my children home for the first time since August and my extended family, and I am here trying to get information out of this boy. Fuck!
"Okay, I will play it your way for a minute but it is going to be your downfall. When you first met Phoebe at school, you asked her about her CPO and discovered that she was never alone. That there was always someone with her to make sure she was safe. You were twelve and hadn't felt safe for a long time. While I believe that you were fond of my daughter, you pursued a friendship with her in an attempt to keep your father from abusing you, even if it was for short periods of time. That is why you convinced Phoebe to go to your house when you were both working on that school project, rather than her house." I sit back casually and wait for Laurence to respond. The longer I wait, the more he confirms what Taylor, Ana and I have known for years.
"Yes, that is correct. Does Phoebe know this?"
"No."
"Good." Laurence breaths out relieved, in fact, his whole body language changes.
"Tell us what you want."
"Mr Grey, you are right. I need some assistance. Can you and I talk privately?"
"Anything you intend to say to me, you can say in front of Taylor. He is the head of my personal security and I keep nothing from him. If you need help from me, then you are going to need Taylor…." I wait momentarily wait, for Lawrence to agree and let's face it, I don't think he has much of a choice right now. "Now that we have gotten that out of the way let's get down to business. I am not known for my patience and you are trying what little I have!"
"Besides wanting to spend some time with Phoebe..."
"Keep going."
"I also need help trying to work out what happened to my mother." I narrow my eyes at his request though he doesn't see me physical reactions to his request. Laurence is looking down and commences to breathe deeply. He is angry. Security and I have had our suspicions over his mother's tragic death. However, I can't tell him so. He isn't in the right mind to be enlightened ... it will only fuel his anger and suspicion. Instead, I need to get as much information out of him as I can.
"The police report was rather conclusive about that your mother's accident was an accident, due to her being under the influence." Even though Mrs Carson's alcohol reading was only just above the legal limit, it would have been enough to cause her death.
"You read the police report?" Laurence probes.
"Not personally... My chief security adviser at Grey House did. He then debriefed me."
"Why?"
"I promised you and Phoebe, I would keep you safe after your father was arrested. Your mother's sudden and tragic death came under that promise."
"My mother wasn't the greatest mother in the world... but she wasn't stupid. She wasn't under the influence when she had the car accident. It wasn't in her nature."
"You haven't lived with your mother for six years. You hardly even saw her. People change." I, on the other hand, had seen Mrs Carson on numerous occasions over the years at charity balls and events, and while she was never pushing her alcohol limits, she never went without.
"The accident occurred on a Tuesday at seven o'clock in the evening." Laurence dictates as if it was the missing piece of the puzzle. "It was a work day, and it wasn't a holiday the next day. My mother never drank on weekdays. Not when I was still living here in Seattle or over East. She considered work too important. Her alcohol reading would have meant that she would have had more than three drinks in a short period of time. Mom wouldn't do that, worried that it would cloud her judgement, maybe causing her to make an error at work. She detested being wrong in work matters, more than anything. The police report mentioned that the banks surveillance video recorded her leaving work only twenty minutes before the accident so she didn't stop anywhere to have a few drinks. Mom only ever drank on the weekend, six years ago and even on the day of her death."
"Interesting evaluation" I surmise. "Then what do you think happened to your mother?"
"I think she was murdered... The alcohol reading was somehow falsified or placed into her body so it would look like an accident."
"By who?"
"My father."
"Out of revenge?" I query.
"No. I believe that my father wanted my mother gone so he could get his share of their joint assets liquidated. He is seeking revenge in another way." Taylor makes an almost inaudible sound that only I am supposed to hear. I turn to see him and know that he in thinking the same as me.
"How?" I commence to breathe deeply and count back from ten in hope to remain in control, but I am failing. If there is any chance that... I don't even want to consider that.
"Phoebe. I think my father is going to come after her." This is my worst nightmare. I use to have horrible nightmares as a child and before I met Ana, but they are nothing in comparison to this.
"Has your father told you this?"
"No... But I can tell... as you know I have been in contact with him. After I had run into Phoebe yesterday, I met with my father. He was questioned me over and over again about her. What she would be doing over the holidays; which CPO she had, how tall she was. Mr Grey, I want to help keep Phoebe safe. I owe her that. She kept me safe."
"We will keep her safe" I will do anything to keep her and my family safe. "Taylor, I want security around Phoebe increased though they need to be discreet but vigilant. Increase security around the house. I don't want any of my family members going anywhere without security!"
"On it!" Taylor announces already on his cell phone. He moves several feet away but close enough to be on hand.
"Laurence, I want you to ring me or Taylor immediately should you learn or hear anything else. Thank you. I will tell Phoebe that you have returned to New York." I glance at Taylor, who nods. Security is going to have to be tightened across the board, not just for my family but also around Laurence and his father. "Do you need a lift? I can organize for my corporate jet to take you back home."
"Mr Grey, with all due respect, I refuse to stay away from Phoebe. You need me and I want to make sure Phoebe is safe. You promised Phoebe that you wouldn't keep us from seeing each other." I narrow my eye and thin my lips. "Besides, I am the only direct link you have to my father. I am not leaving Seattle until I have all the answers I need and have had at least another chance to see Phoebe." He has me there. It's an awful catch twenty-two.
"Then you leave me with no other choice" I declare.
# # # #
"Christian, finally you are home" Ana breathes out relieved, as soon as I enter the main room. I waste no time, tugging at her hand and holding her close. The Grey girl's day trip got cut short after they were told about Laurence's unexpected appearance. They didn't even leave the sound. Instead had brunch together and agreed to go reschedule their outing. Considering we don't know exactly what Carson is capable of or not, I am glad they didn't go out.
"Sawyer and Ryan have confirmed that all the arrangements have been made. Are you sure you are okay with this deal?" I rang Ana to inform her of my idea. If she had said 'no', then all bets would have been off and I would have personally thrown Laurence on my company jet, far away from here.
"Yes... considering the options I doubt that we have much choice. Plus you know how stubborn Phoebe is." I nod in agreement.
"Talking about our eldest daughter, where is she?"
"Here." I turn to find not only Phoebe, but Ted, Josh and Lily. Josh is trying to balance his basketball on one finger. The four of them must have been in the indoor gym. "Where is Laurence?"
"Who is Laurence?" Lily asks.
"Lily, let's go to the kitchen. I bet Mrs Jones has baked some cookie or has a secret stash of candy. " Ted nods as he bends down and picks up Lily and forces an unwilling Josh to join them. I can't wait for him to join me Grey House.
"Phoebe, you need to wear proper shoes in the gym. You could hurt yourself being barefoot." I ever so mildly scold her, but I have told her this on numerous occasions over the years.
"That doesn't matter at the moment. Where is Laurence? Tell me or I will ring him myself" My lips form a hard line. She is more stubborn and pig-headed than me at times. I am so proud of Phoebe, having grown into an incredible young woman, but I do miss the time when she was a young child and was so compliant.
"Follow us" I order but refuse to answer any more of her questions. I have allowed too many concessions today for my liking. As we reach Gail and Taylor's spacious apartment, one of our Audi SUV's drives up. Taylor exits first and then Laurence.
"You're here." Phoebe looks instantly relieved. She doesn't hesitate to move towards Lawrence and hugs him tightly. Far too close for my liking.
"Your father suggested I come and stay, with your mother's permission" Laurence updates her.
"Stay?" Phoebe looks at me, confused and excited.
"He will be staying in Sawyers old apartment, next to Gail and Taylor's apartment," I add. "Laurence, the apartment is fully furnished and has all the amenities you will need. If you need anything else, security is around, and Mrs Jones has offered to assist you. Did you collect your clothes and belongings? "
"Yes, thank you. I don't have much with me here in Seattle anyway. Most of my stuff that I kept from my mom's house is in storage and the rest is in my apartment in New York."
"Laurence, you are welcome to stay here in the apartment for as long as is needed. While I realize that you both will be spending a considerable amount of time together now, I trust that this will not include overnight visits."
"DAD!" Phoebe calls out, repulsed that I even suggested the idea. "Mom, seriously! dad as if I would..."
"Phoebe, I agree with your father. I had to be said. The house and property are extremely large. You both can spend time anywhere here, expect this apartment!" I place my arm around Ana, as she backs me up.
"Can I at least help him get settled in? I promise I won't go back into this apartment again afterwards."
"Of course" I reply and quickly send a text. In less than a minute, the three people I need turn up.
"Ted and Josh you both remember Laurence... Lily this is an old friend of the family. He is going to stay with us for a while here... Why don't you all help Phoebe settle Laurence in" Phoebe's jaw drops to the floor, as Ted stifles his laughter. My youngest two children waste no time and quickly enter the now crowded apartment. Soon only Ted is outside with Ana and me.
"Chaperones? Smooth dad... real smooth" Ted comments.
"Ryan is coming down to watch over also. If there is anything suspicious or out of the ordinary..."
"Mom and Dad do not worry. I promise I will tell you the second I know" I pat Ted on the back and walk back with Ana towards the house. Ryan passes us by, and we watch as he enters the newly occupied apartment.
"Okay, Christian... time to fill me in completely. What was it on the phone that you couldn't tell me?"
"Ana I think there is more going on than any of us thought. Keeping Laurence here is our only option. He is in trouble."
A/N: I am sorry that I haven't been updating much. Some of you know what has been happening.. but yeah... so more importantly this chapter. Time for some drama and romance. What do you say?
