Here you go. Sorry it took so long, been so busy since I started my job and I haven't been able to get much written down.

jackieQ (Guest): Phoebe is 17 in this story.

Chapter 16: Normality

"I don't understand."

"Understand what?" Phoebe was agitated.

"Why Kenny's not here?" Ava said as if was the most obvious thing in the world. Phoebe sighed and rolled her eyes.

"You only saw him last night."

"But he spends so much time here."

"And today he is spending time with his dad. He's spent so much time here lately, I think he needs to spend time with his own family. I'm sure I could spend one day away from him."

"I bet he'll be here tomorrow. He can't keep away from you. I saw the way he looked at you last night." Ava wigged her eyebrows at her cousin. Phoebe sighed and just relaxed in her sun lounger on the back porch, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin.

She was wearing a simple pink sundress that covered her scars up, but allowed her to feel the sun warming her skin. Due to the cream Grace had managed to get her, the scars had healed up better than Christians did. But, though they weren't obvious, they weren't invisible and were easy to see. However, with Kenny's help, she had learnt to accept them as part of who she is.

"So are you two finally an item then?" Ava asked eating a bowl of fruit. Phoebe sat up.

"I don't want to talk about me and Kenny. How are things with Matt?"

"Ugh. I don't know what to do. Matt's been distant ever since you and Nicky broke up. I don't even know if we're still together."

"Is he coming to the beach?"

"I think so. At least, that's what Rebecca told me. Oh, Nicky's defiantly coming now. Just warning you."

"Why would I need warning? I have my amazing 'Starbucks boy' there with me," Phoebe smiled quoting 'Starbucks boy' with her fingers.

"There's nothing wrong with working in Starbucks, Phoebe. Don't be so judgemental," Ava winked. Phoebe started laughing. They sat in silence for a while before Ava started talking again. But because she was lying on Phoebe's right and Phoebe's head was turned away from her cousin, she didn't hear what was being said. She only knew Ava was talking because she felt someone slap her arm lightly.

"Ow!" she said, glaring at Ava. "What was that for?"

"I was talking and you were ignoring me. Or you've suddenly gone deaf. What's going on with your hearing, Bee?"

"What do you mean? Nothing's wrong with my hearing," Phoebe said defensively.

"Oh come on! I'm not stupid. I've been talking to you all day and you've barely heard a word I've said, not to mention your always subtly turning your head round so I'm practically talking in your right ear," Ava explained. Phoebe's shoulders dropped. "Did they do that to you? Fuck up your hearing?"

"No. I haven't been able to hear out of my left ear very well for years." Ava looked confused and asked how many. "About twelve."

"Twelve years?" she shrieked. "You've been half deaf for twelve years and no one knows? How the hell did you manage that?"

"By always keeping people on my right. However, there is one person who knows and he figured it out on his own." Phoebe said. Ava looked at her, the unspoken name hanging between them, making it obvious who it is. Phoebe just nodded and confirmed it. "Kenny worked it out on his first day of school."

"Why haven't you told Uncle Christian or Aunt Ana?" Phoebe shrugged. "I think you should tell them. It may only get worse and you know what your dads like. He'll be moping around the house, upset that he didn't see the signs."

"I don't want to be the disabled one, Ava." Phoebe snapped.

"You won't be. But you need to tell someone. You may need a hearing aide." Phoebe glared at her cousin. "Don't glare at me!"

"Why can't you just mind your own business?"

"Because I love you, Phoebe. So does your dad. Either you tell him, or I will."

"What are you two talking about?" Christian asked appearing out of nowhere.

"Nothing!" Phoebe said, too quickly.

"That's suspicious." He answered, looking between his daughter and his niece. Ava stood and said she was going to get a drink, giving Phoebe a knowing look which didn't go unnoticed by Christian. "What was that about?"

"Pardon?" he repeated himself and she turned her head so she could hear him better. "Oh, nothing. Ava's just being Ava."

"Phoebe, I can't help you if you don't tell me and why are you turning your head at an awkward angle like that?"

"Because I can."

"Phoebe tell me what's going on." He demanded. She just sat there and he thought of other ways he could try to get her to open up. She hadn't been this closed off since she was in the hospital after the kidnapping. She was holding her head at a slightly awkward angle then as well.

He suddenly remembered that she didn't appear to be able to hear him very well. How could he forget something as important as that?

"Phoebe, do you have trouble with your hearing?" he asked the question he had forgotten to ask weeks ago. She didn't answer but when she hung her head down, he knew the answer. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't want to be treated differently to anyone."

"How long have you had problems with it? Did Jack or Owen do this?"

She wanted so badly to put the blame on Jack and Owen; at least he would feel it had only been several weeks for him to miss it. But, after everything that's happened over the last few months she couldn't lie to him. Their relationship had improved significantly since she'd been home, all for the wrong reasons. She shook her head at his question and saw his expression change to slight horror.

"Twelve years," she said simply. "Ever since I woke up in hospital after recovering from the measles or whatever it was." Christian sat there, face blank not knowing what to think. Was she keeping other secrets from him? Were there any other problems with her health he didn't know about? He needed to know.

"Anything else I should know?" she shook her head. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner? Much sooner?"

"I was scared. And I like the peace it gives me."

"You like not hearing?" he asked, surprised.

"I can hear it's just in my left ear I can't hear very well. I don't see what the big deal is."

"Phoebe I think we should get you a hearing aide. I understand that you like the peace but you need to be able to hear. What if you need to cross a busy road? You will need to be able to hear traffic as well as see it." She just nodded.

"Alright. On one condition." He looked questionably at her. "Don't beat yourself up about this. No one knew until recently and it was my decision to hide it." He sighed.

"Fine. But from now on, you tell me if something's wrong. Understood?" she nodded and he kissed her forehead.

... ... ...

Ava was talking with Ana in the kitchen when Christian and Phoebe walked back up to the house. Ava looked at Phoebe and knew she had finally told her dad about her hearing problem.

"Hello you two," Ana said oblivious to the situation. Phoebe sat at the breakfast bar next to her cousin.

"Hey, mum. Whatcha doing?"

"Just talking with Ava before deciding what to do for dinner. What were you two talking about?"

"Not a lot," Phoebe started.

"Phoebe, tell your mother," Christian said. Phoebe sighed.

"Fine. I've been having trouble hearing in my left ear so dad and I were talking about me getting a hearing aid."

Ana was surprised and, like her husband, assumed it was Jack or Owen that caused her daughter to lose her hearing. She nearly started crying when she found out the real amount of time Phoebe couldn't hear. Christian comforted her and claimed everything would be ok. Ana just nodded and let him hold her.

Phoebe smiled a sad smile at the sight of her parents. She never wanted to hurt them or make them feel guilty but that seems to have happened.

Deciding to give them some space, she went up to her bedroom, Ava following closely behind.

Once they were in her bedroom, Ava turned to face her cousin.

"Feel better?" she asked.

"Surprisingly, I do. But that doesn't mean you can continue to pester me into doing things."

"I don't do that. But I know you needed to tell your parents about your hearing. So what do you want to do now?" Phoebe thought for a minute before turning her iPod speakers on and getting out her nail polish.

She and Ava used to play dress up with each other's clothes and painting each other's nails when they were younger but lately they hadn't had the chance to. First school work prevented them from doing so and then Phoebe's fear of touch wouldn't allow it.

"And if we still have time before dinner, we can do our hair as well," she said. Ava smiled and sat on the bed going through all of Phoebe's nail polish.

"Why do you even have the red nail polish? It's never been opened." She asked.

"I don't know. I can't even remember where I got it from. Do you want it? I'll never wear it," Phoebe answered.

"Really?"

"Yeah. My dad will go crazy if I ever wear it so you might as well have it. Anyway, I don't like red so you might as well take it." Ava squealed.

"Thanks Phoebe!" Phoebe just smiled. "So what colour do you want? I think I'll save my new red for another day and attack your dark blue."

"Well, if you're using my blue I think I'll have pink. And I think I have some stick on butterflies we can use." Ava smiled and picked up Phoebe's favourite pink.

... ... ...

"Christian can you go and get Phoebe and Ava, please? Dinners ready," Ana asked her husband. Christian smiled and left the kitchen where he and Ana had spent the last two hours talking.

When he got to the door he could hear his daughter and niece talking about him. Silently he stood there listening.

"So how are things with your dad going now?" Ava was asking.

"Things are much better. And to think I was so angry with him five weeks ago."

"Ah, yes. The infamous music show. Do you think you'll ever forget about it?"

"I doubt it but it doesn't get me down anymore. He's been there for me my whole life and I should appreciate him more. That's why I'm doing that special something for his and mums anniversary."

Christian smiled listening to his daughter talk about how much she truly loved him.

"And Kenny's been there. Oh I'm so glad you two are together. You seem so much happier."

"I am happier. Between Kenny and my dad I think I'm going to be absolutely fine. And with the new baby everything will be great."

Deciding not to eavesdrop anymore he lightly knocked on the door.

"Girls, dinner is ready and Ava, I spoke to your dad and he said you can stay the night if you wish." He said as he walked in. He was stunned. Both the girls had their hair done up in the same hairstyle. It was curled and tumbled down their backs with small sections pinned up at the back of their heads. They both looked beautiful and he smiled wider at the sight of them.

"Ok, thanks Uncle Christian," Ava answered.

"You both look nice," he commented as the girls stood.

"Thanks dad." Phoebe said and wrapped her arms around him. He kissed the top f her head.

"It's getting easier isn't it?" he asked the same question Ana asked him when he was getting over his fear of touch.

"Yeah. A little," she answered, following him out of the room and into the dining room downstairs. Ana was putting the plates on the table and looked up as they entered.

"Hey, girls. Your hair looks nice," she complimented. Phoebe blushed but Ava just held her head up higher.

"Thanks Aunt Ana. This smells delicious," she said taking the seat next to Phoebe's chair. Phoebe smiled and sat down in between her father and cousin smiling at her mum who was sat opposite.

They ate in silence for a while until Christian noticed the girl's nails.

"I like your nails Phoebe. Did you paint them for her Ava?"

"Yeah and she painted mine."

"I didn't realise you still had dark blue, Phoebe?"

"Yeah, it was buried in the box. I like it, might use that colour next time."

"What colour did you use this time?" Ted asked and Phoebe held up her pink nails with little butterflies on them. "Ooh, very nice, little sister." Phoebe smiled.

"So, Ava are you going to stay the night? Or would you like us to take you home after dinner?" Ana asked.

"I'll stay if that's alright. Mum and dad are going out tomorrow so I would just be home alone." Ava replied.

"Where are they going?" Christian asked curiously. Ava shrugged.

"I don't know. They do this every now and then. I guess it's just time to themselves."

"Amen to that!" Ana said, knowing that having time alone with her husband is easier said than done. Phoebe and Ava giggled and continued to eat. Christian watched his daughter closely and was pleased he didn't have to remind her to eat more on her plate. As much as he hated what happened to her, he realised she's been eating much healthier since she got home. The thought of two pathetic men causing this made him sad; and it didn't go unnoticed by Phoebe.

"You ok, dad?" she asked. He looked up and nodded. "You zoned out for a minute there."

"Did I? I'm sorry; I guess I'm just tired. Have you finished your dinner?" she nodded as did everyone else. The children were excused from the table but Ana placed her hand on Christian's arm to stop him from leaving.

"What was that about? You had the sad look in your eye."

"I was just thinking about how two pathetic excuses of men are the reason our daughter eats healthier than she did before they kidnapped her. My heart breaks every time a thought like that crosses my mind. And anger bubbles up inside me every time a thought about them goes through my mind. Whenever something reminds me of what they did, I literally want to murder something."

"Christian, I know it's hard but you need to let it go. For Phoebe's sake. If she knows it's still getting to you, she might stop talking to us, worrying about you."

"I know. But she's my little girl. I will do anything I can to keep her safe and knowing I couldn't- it hurts me more than you can ever imagine."

Ana couldn't help but feel sympathy for her husband and stood from her chair to wrap her arms around him. She said nothing, she just held him. After what felt like an eternity, he stood and led her upstairs. They could clean up from dinner later; right now he just wanted to be buried inside her.

... ... ...

Sorry it took so long. I know it's a bit short but this chapter was driving me nuts and I wanted to move on a bit now.

Thank you for reviewing; it makes it easier to write sometimes.

Cxx280
wattle
ragaumer
Christian618
kaycad742
shomizara1
C-bride
jpinzer
jackieQ (Guest)
Sage (Guest)
Helena (Guest)