CHAPTER 9 - Bonding times
These three days just by themselves go by quickly for Ana and the children.
On Friday morning, after spending some time at the gym, having a quick shower and then preparing breakfast for the people still here – namely the children, Prescott, Ryan and herself -, it is around 8am when Ana wakes up the children.
Of course, at first, the children are very disappointed when Ana tells them that their father is away for business for a few days. But Ana explains to them that three days is nothing compared to the four weeks, maybe more, that he will be here full time during lock down from Monday on. Ana then proceeds to explain the children what the lock down will consist in, as far as she is aware, as the three of them are having their cereals and fresh apple juice at the kitchen table.
From experience and from the psychology lectures she attended, Ana learned that communication is a very important element in general. And it is especially important to communicate as honestly as possible with children. Her grandmother had always been very straightforward with Ana after it all happened and Ana knows that it definitely helped her heal and piece herself back together. It's definitely that, plus love and support that saved her life.
The children's usual cheerful attitude is back when Ana tells them that they will play a game together this morning. And they are definitely excited about the day when Ana confirms that they will be able to Skype with their father later today, as well as their uncle, aunts, and Gail.
Indeed, for this morning, Ana has designed a simple set of games in order to observe and understand the children's skills better. It is not technically work, as it remains very fun and simple, but it covers a wide range of disciplines. And it will be very helpful for the weeks to come for Ana to adapt the lessons to the children's respective needs. A little before 11am, it is time for Ana to start preparing lunch, and she is happy to be able to count on two young apprentices. The seafood lasagna and fruit salad are a success with everyone, in particular Ryan, who asks for seconds. Which makes Ana proud as it was her first attempt.
After lunch and a one hour nap, Teddy and Phoebe are allowed to spend some time in the swimming pool under Prescott's supervision. Ana uses this time to go upstairs and clean up all the bedrooms.
After a quick shower, the children and Ana are all ready for three back to back Skype sessions, that give Ana the opportunity to get acquainted with some members of the Grey family.
First, the children call their uncle Elliot. Phoebe explains to Ana that Elliot is Mr Grey's eldest brother, but that they don't look alike because the three siblings are adopted children. Teddy adds that uncle Elliot's work is to build houses. And from what the children had told her yesterday, she also knows that uncle Elliot just got married last year to Kate, a journalist, and that he is very funny. When Elliot Grey appears onscreen, he pretends not to see the children nor to hear them and yells their names several times before making it obvious that he had been joking. This makes Teddy laugh a lot, while Phoebe explains to Ana that uncle Elliot always makes this joke and that he is the coolest uncle ever. Elliot introduces himself and his wife Kate to Ana then after some pleasantries, Ana leaves the children with their family to run some errand in the kitchen.
She comes back when it is time for the second Skype call of the afternoon, with their aunt Mia. Phoebe once again explains the situation; Mia Grey has been living in Paris for the past year, studying French cuisine. She came back shortly for Christmas but then flew back, and the children miss her because she is funny and when she is in Seattle, she often visits to spend time with them, even sometimes stay for the night with them. Teddy adds that aunt Mia always buys them lots of things, especially clothes. When the call starts, it is early in the morning for Mia, but she looks very energetic for someone that just woke up. And she is definitely really happy to talk to her niece and nephew. It turns out that Mia is being locked down in a very beautiful house in the countryside, in the beautiful vallée de Chevreuse, not too far away from Paris at some friends'. She tells the children about the hinds that she can sometimes see from the balcony and introduce them to her friends Sandrine and Maxime who are colleagues from the restaurant; Ana learns that Mia was working in a restaurant in Versailles as an apprentice before the virus hit France and a strict lock down was required. But with her friends, they daily prepare sandwiches that they deliver to the local hospital for the staff. When the children reveal that Ana is also a very good cook, Ana and her two friends get all excited; And when later in the discussion, they learn that Ana is actually French and born not too far from where they live, there is even more enthusiasm from everyone, including the children. So much so that when it is finally time to hang up, they all promise to keep calling each other every day during lock down. Ana has never had friends, never really having time to meet people except her grandmother's staff, but she really enjoyed this discussion with Mia and her friends and is actually looking forward to their next talk. And so are the children.
Then it is time for Phoebe and Teddy to call Gail. The children are so happy to see Gail's face appear onscreen and Ana notices that Gail is fighting hard not to cry. She asks them to tell her everything they have done since she left and Teddy does not disappoint, giving her every detail. Ana is glad that they decided to have this last phone call from the kitchen, as it gives her the time to prepare dinner. After almost one hour, Ana asks the children to say goodbye to Gail and to go clean up their hands. Once alone with Gail, Ana asks how things are with her mother. Unfortunately, Gail has not been allowed to visit at the hospital, but it seems her mother's condition is steady for now. Then Gail asks Ana how things are going, and Ana reassures her that everything is alright. She tells her about Mr Grey being away for a few days, which she of course already knows thanks to her husband. After a few more minutes, they hang up.
As the creamy tarragon chicken is in the oven and the green beans are in the pan, Ana and her two apprentices set the table. And after dinner, they start playing a Japanese game called Mikado together.
Just as Ana is trying to figure out how to avoid touching the three remaining sticks with the stick she is holding in her hand, her phone starts ringing just next to her. It is Mr Grey, calling through Facetime. She places her stick down, grabs her phone and swaps the screen, which makes his face appear immediately.
"Good afternoon Miss Steele" Mr Grey says with a smile, but before she can answer, both Phoebe and Teddy are standing next to her, chatting with their father. For the next fifteen minutes, Ana's phone is carried in every room by Teddy who just does not seem to be able to stay put for one minute. When it is Phoebe's turn to talk to her father, she goes to the TV room to sit on one of the comfortable couches. Teddy finally calms down and sits next to her.
Ana can then hear bits of their conversation as she is tidying up. At some point, as Phoebe explains what they had both for lunch and dinner, she hears Mr Grey saying that he too would love to taste the seafood lasagna, which Phoebe relays to Ana. Ana simply nods and Phoebe tells her father that Ana agrees.
Ana notices that Mr Grey is quite evasive when the children ask where he is, but Ana knows the reason why; she learned from Prescott that he is staying in Seattle tonight, in an apartment he owns downtown. But he does not tell the children, as they would probably have problems understanding why he cannot come home if he is so close.
After the phone call, it is obvious that both Phoebe and Teddy are exhausted, so with the promise of reading two chapters of Harry Potter tonight to the two of them, they are both ready for bed thirty minutes before their bedtime.
As she is about to join them in Phoebe's room, Ana receives a text message.
Mr Grey: "Miss Steele, can I call you once the children are in bed?"
Ana: "Sure. We are reading two chapters tonight. We should be done in 30 minutes. Is it okay for you?"
Mr Grey: "Yes. Talk soon."
Her heartbeat suddenly accelerates, but Ana tells herself that she is silly, that he just wants to talk about the children, and then she calms down and joins the children in Phoebe's bedroom.
When the two chapters are over, Phoebe is half asleep in her bed and Teddy completely asleep in Ana's arms, in the rocking chair. She slowly manages to get up with Teddy in her arms and takes him to his own bedroom.
She would not admit it to another soul, especially not to the children or to Mr Grey, but Ana is actually glad that Mr Grey is not going to be around for these three days; not only does it give her the opportunity to bond with the children quicker, but his presence is a bit intimidating, and she actually prefers to find her footing without any pressure other than the children's. Even though she knows that all of the events of the day are carefully monitored and reported by the CPO team. But it is not the same.
But still, somehow, Ana cannot help but feel worked up knowing that she would hear his voice soon. She is sitting on her window seat when her phone finally rings. Facetime. And now she will also be able to see his face. She quickly sorts her hair before answering.
"Yes" Ana simply answers.
"Miss Steele, what a strange way to answer your phone." Mr Grey smirks.
"I know, I'm sorry, I…" She tries to find a good reason for her stuttering, but before she can add anything, Mr Grey adds "That's okay Miss Steele, I was just teasing you."
"Okay." These eyes…. Ana tries to reorient the conversation towards a safe topic "So you are calling…" Ana says exactly at the same time as Christian says "So, I was calling…"
They both laugh lightly. "Sorry, go ahead." Ana says.
"I was calling to let you know that my parents would like to set up a Skype call tomorrow around 4pm. Would it be okay for you?"
"Sure." Ana thinks about tomorrow's schedule for a second. Nothing is scheduled for 4pm so far "The children and I will be online at that time, all they have to do is call."
"Okay, thank you Miss Steele. And I will call them just after them, at 4.30pm. I just wanted you to know."
There is silence on both ends for a few seconds but they both stare at each other. Ana is confused; all of their exchanges today had been made through text messages or through Ryan, so why is Mr Grey calling her just to say this. "Is there something else, Mr Grey?"
"No. Thank you Miss Steele. I wish you a good night. Sweet dreams." And his smile then is definitely too much for Ana.
"Hm, yes, you too Mr Grey." Mr Grey then hangs up.
Sweet dreams? Ana is a bit puzzled by this last sentence and the look in his eyes as he said this. And by the whole phone call actually. What was that? Ana cannot help asking herself as she gets ready for bed that night. Her dream is actually sweet that night, as she cannot help thinking about the sexiest daddy she knows.
On Saturday, Ana has no work session planned, but just games and some baking and cooking with the kids; together, they make pancakes for breakfast, then some muffins and cookies that they share with the bodyguards' team. For lunch, as Ana prepares a chicken Caesar salad, the children ride their bikes outside, with Prescott looking after them. Ana wants them to take full advantage of the nice weather today. And in the evening, they each make their own pizzas. Even Prescott participates, preparing her own and Ryan's. The rest of the day is filled with Skype sessions with Mia and Mr Grey's father, Carrick; his mother unfortunately could not attend at the last minute because she got called at the hospital.
In the afternoon, Ana got the opportunity to listen to the children on the piano. If Teddy seems to be quite a natural, he does not manage to focus strong enough and long enough to play a full tune. But Phoebe is not only gifted, but she is focused and definitely enjoys playing. Phoebe tells Ana that they started playing last year, and that they have lessons every week on Tuesday after school with a Miss Lee. Ana explains that during the lock down, Miss Lee won't be able to come, so Ana will take care of the lessons, if they agree. Both are ecstatic at the news. Ana has never given any piano lesson so she will have to go on the internet and to contact Miss Lee to get some advice.
After dinner, Mr Grey calls as promised, and he talks with both of his children, first Phoebe and then Teddy. Once again, Ana can overhear bits of it while busy ironing, but she does not partake in the discussion. Mr Grey hangs up without Ana having the opportunity to say goodbye. And this time, he does not text or call Ana afterwards which somehow leaves her quite disappointed.
On the third day, which is a Sunday, Ana let the children sleep a little longer than usual. And in spite of it, Teddy is in quite a bad mood this morning; Ana thinks it is probably due to the aftermath of the Taylor's and then his father's departures. Plus the fact that they have not left the house for a few days.
When he finally agrees to get up, brooding, Ana decides to let him watch whatever he wants on TV. Gail had warned Ana that sometimes, Teddy can be difficult, and that luckily it never lasts long. Phoebe behaves like a sweet older sister as she does not fight with the choice of movie: so Cars it is, later followed by Car 2. During the second movie, Ana goes to the kitchen to prepare lunch – a salmon quiche with salad -, quickly joined by Phoebe.
Just like for breakfast, Teddy barely touches his plate at lunch and keeps whining. Ana keeps her calm and simply tells him that he needs to eat at least one third of his plate because it is important to eat well if he wants to be tall and in good health like his daddy and his uncle Elliot. Teddy does listen and obey to some extent, then it is clear that the little boy won't listen anymore. Ana then asks him if he wants to go for a nap and Teddy nods yes slowly. Ana asks him if he is sick or if something hurts, and Teddy shakes his head no. She then accompanies him upstairs and tucks him in bed. The little boy seems to be lost in his feelings and Ana thinks it is wiser to let him go through it without intervening for now, even though it kills her inside to know that he is suffering. Phoebe also goes for her nap when her lunch is over. Ana feels more comfortable being within earshot from the sleeping children, so she busies herself in the upstairs laundry room. After one hour, Phoebe reappears smiling. She asks Ana if she can help her and Ana ask Phoebe to take her clothes and put them in her closet.
This situation with Teddy is not easy to deal with for Ana, as she can see that the little boy does not misbehave intentionally and that he suffers without fully understanding what is going on. But somehow, one silver lining is the fact that it has brought Ana and Phoebe closer. The siblings are only one year difference in age, but Ana can sense that Phoebe acts a bit more mature than her brother on some aspects; she definitely behaves like a big sister that loves her baby brother and wants to protect him. But in truth, she is just a little girl. Ana asks Phoebe how she feels about all of this as she wants her to express herself as well, in her own way. Phoebe confirms that she is a bit sad and she misses her father, the Taylors, and her friends from school, but she says she is happy that Ana is there with them, which warms Ana's heart of course.
After some well needed rest, Teddy wakes up fully himself, as the smiling happy little man that Ana had known him to be, to everyone's relief. Ana then takes the opportunity to go for a walk outside, on the premise, with both kids to get some fresh air and stretch their legs.
First, they take the short way to sit down on the bench by the lake shore. Ana has brought some apples and bananas, so that Teddy has something to finally eat today. Then after playing some rounds of cards, they take the long way back home.
Ana proposes a little game of the way back; each tree they pass by, each flower they see, and each bird they hear, they have to be able to name. And if they don't know, Ana has downloaded some application to help them. The children are game, and they are definitely quite good at the game. So Ana decides to spice it up by telling them the corresponding French name, which they'll have to remember. The three of them are having fun and the end of the day is definitely more relaxed.
Teddy goes to bed a little earlier today as he is truly exhausted. While Phoebe watches a movie downstairs with Prescott, Ana spends some time with Teddy. She takes some time to sit down on his bed with him and talk to him about how he felt earlier. She simply explains to him that it is normal to feel sad, or mad, overwhelmed or tired, sometimes, and that all he has to do is to tell her what is not okay, and then he will feel better. But if he does not know why he is this way, he can just ask to go for a walk, to breathe out everything that is negative and breathe in all the love that surrounds him. Teddy nods, not saying a word, but Ana nods he gets it. Then she starts reading a new book for him, Roald Dahl's Charlie and the chocolate factory. After one chapter, Teddy is already fast asleep. Ana kisses him slowly, then tucks him in bed and goes back downstairs to watch the end of Ballerina with Phoebe.
There is no chat with Mr Grey tonight as he is already on his way back home. Ana really enjoyed the three days alone with the children, it had been very intense but at the same time it really helped them bond together. But she is glad that Mr Grey is back home soon. Glad for the children. Of course, just for the children.