Chapter 24: Phoebe's Birthday

Christian POV

I wake early on Friday the 14th August. At first I smile, thinking it's just a normal day when I look at my wife sleeping peacefully next to me. Then I realise. Today is my baby girl's 18th birthday. No it can't be. Not already. It seems like yesterday she was a little baby dependent on me twenty-four hours a day. Now she's a young lady, growing up so fast and I'm feeling left behind.

"Stop it," Ana murmurs without opening her eyes. I look down at her.

"What?" I ask innocently. She stretches out, her chest rising high and her baby bump becomes visible, before opening her eyes and looking at me.

"You know what, Mr Grey," she says knowing.

"I can't help it. Phoebe is 18 today, baby, and I can't get over the fact that she's grown up. I need her to need me."

"She does need you. She will always need you, Christian. When she goes off to college, when she gets boyfriends, when her heart gets broken. When she gets married, when she has children of her own… She will need you through all of this."

"Please, don't joke about her having kids. I don't think I could cope with that today." She giggles.

"Whether you like it or not, she will one day have kids, Christian so you will have to get over the thought."

"Maybe, but not today. I need to get over the fact that she's 18."

"Well you've done so well the last couple of weeks. Don't lose your head now the day is actually here," she tells me.

I know she has a point. In fact, I've been excited for Phoebe's birthday as I've got a surprise for her that I'm hoping she will love. And then there's the party I've organised for her. Let's just say I've got the ball room all set up with party decorations and who knows how many long tables to put the food on later. I've got a catering company arriving at five to start bringing the food, the entertainer arriving at six and guests are arriving around seven. My parents, Mia, Kate, Elliot and Ava are coming round for lunch and staying for the afternoon. The best part is, she doesn't even know about anything but the party and even then I think she thinks it's just going to be a small even with a few friends.

"Yes, but now the day is actually here I realise it's one more year older and not needing us anymore."

"Oh for God's sake, Grey, let it go!" she snaps. I look at her shocked. She lays back down and stretches out again. "Why not relieve some tension before we go and wish her a happy birthday?" I smile, not needing to be told twice and get lost in my wife.

… … …

Ana POV

Its nine thirty by the time Christian and I leave our room. After having his way with me to take his mind off the fact that our baby is 18 we had a long hot shower together to wash away all the stickiness of our love-making. I place my hand on my baby bump where my healthy little baby Mia is resting. I had a check-up in the week and Dr Green sounded more confident that she was going to be fine after my tumble down the stairs last week. My baby is healthy and has a strong heartbeat. Though Christian still refuses to let me go back to work.

Upon entering the kitchen we find our sons, but no daughter. Strange. She's normally up by now. Christian notices right away and begins to interrogate our sons.

"Boys, have you seen your sister?" they shake their heads, but Ashley looks like he's hiding something.

"Ashley? What are you hiding?" I ask him. He looks at me innocently.

"Nothing, mommy," he replies too quickly.

"Ashley?" Christian says in warning. Ted rescues his youngest brother.

"She came down about ten minutes ago and then quickly ran back upstairs. She told us not to say anything for some reason."

"Ted!" we heard behind us. Phoebe walked back into the kitchen. We sat down in our usual seats and she gave us each a nice warm hug.

"Happy birthday, Cupcake," Christian says when she wraps her arms around him.

"Happy birthday, baby girl," I say when she wraps her arms around me.

"Happy birthday, Bee," the boys each say. She smiles and thanks us, sitting next to her father in her usual spot. Mrs Taylor comes over handing her, her favourite breakfast of chocolate chips pancakes and croissants with jam. She fell in love with this breakfast when we visited England three years ago over the summer.

"Thank you Mrs Taylor," she smiles.

"So what do you want to do today?" Christian asks. "We've got all day to do something but we need to be back by six thirty for your party."

"I don't know. Anything really," she answers. I laugh.

"Really? Miss Phoebe Grey doesn't have a list of stuff to do on her birthday?" Teddy teases. She playfully punches his arm.

"Ok I don't have a list of things. But I wouldn't mind swimming today," she asks looking at her father. He smiles.

"Of course. We'll finish off breakfast and let it settle down and go in the pool before lunch?"

"Can we use the outdoor pool today? It's such a lovely day and I want to chill in the sun too."

"Of course we can," Christian smiles at her.

Our outdoor pool was built not long after I had Teddy because we used to get some lovely hot sunny days and I didn't want to be in the hot pool house when relaxing with my son. As you go out the back doors onto our back patio you can see it to the left of our meadow. It's set so that it is easily accessible from the house so we are able to get drinks and snacks but it's also not right there always in sight. Christian didn't want it too close to the house out of fear for the children wandering off and falling in when they were younger. In fact we very nearly had an accident like that with James and we were just lucky that because of Christian's safety obsession, we have a fence around it with a lockable gate so he wasn't able to get in. I remember having a good spanking for letting him out of my sight for a few minutes.

"What time are grandma and grandpa coming over?" she asks. They come over for their birthdays every year so it's no surprise that's she's curious.

"Grandma said something about coming for lunch. Though they may be here earlier. You know what your grandmothers like," Christian answered. Phoebe giggles. I smile too and just watch them all for a minute or two.

Everyone finishes their breakfasts and go to get themselves ready for the pool as Christian always makes them wait at least an hour before allowing them to swim after meals. I go to the bathroom before heading up to our bedroom to find myself a nice sundress to wear by the pool as I know I will get uncomfortable lying in my jeans for too long. Christian has disappeared to his office to make a couple of phone calls. I'm assuming it's organizing the last few details for Phoebe's party later on as he promised me he wasn't working today. She has just about forgiven him for the whole missing her show thing back in May but he will be in deep shit for missing her birthday, not just with her but me and the rest of the family.

Once I'm changed I go downstairs to get some cups and a jug of water and lemonade for us to take with us so the kids aren't constantly running back to the house to get refreshments. Gail walks in and offers to help me, by getting the lemonade down from the top of the cupboard where I can't reach. We make small talk as we make some sandwiches to place in the fridge until lunch time which she will bring down to us so we can all eat in the meadow. Grace and Carrick should be here by then.

Christian emerges from his office and wraps his arms around me asking what I'm doing. He doesn't seem to happy that I'm making lunch as Gail is working today but I'm adamant that I should do something and standing still making a sandwich is not going to cause me stress. It's actually very relaxing just standing and chatting with Gail and he finally lets it go. I ask what he was doing in his office.

"I was arranging the final surprise for Phoebe for later. And finalising the plans with my parents and Kate, Elliot and Mia. They will be here by eleven thirty with Ava and I told Kate to make sure she has her bathing suit. Ava, not Kate that is." I giggle.

"Kate is still sexy, Christian. She rocks a bathing suit."

"Still glad I have you though," he kisses my neck.

"Guys, get a room!" Ted says walking into the room to grab a glass of water. We laugh and turn to our oldest son.

"Go and get your brothers and Phoebe and say that we're going down to the pool in five minutes," I say. Ted nods and goes to find his siblings.

… … …

Phoebe POV

I am 18 today! Holy shit! I can't believe it's come round so quickly. I'm a little nervous though because I know dad has something planned for later on but I cannot figure out what it could be. But knowing him I'll love it anyway as he always seems to know what I want.

He agreed to my idea of swimming and everyone spends an hour or so after breakfast getting our swimming stuff together to get some swimming in before my grandparents arrive. I know they'll sit by the pool but I think it would be nice if we weren't actually in the pool the whole time they're here.

Ted comes in at about half ten and says mum told us we could go to the pool in five minutes. I smile and grab my bag and head downstairs with my brothers. I know the pool isn't too far from the house but it's easier to place my towels sun screen and other things in there. I've also picked up my iPod speakers so we can put some music on while we chill and relax.

Dad has his arms wrapped around mum when we enter the kitchen and the boys make gagging noises and they pull apart laughing at their discomfort. Dad asks if we're ready and we nod before he walks with us down to the pool, carrying a tray of drinks since he refuses to let mum do any unnecessary lifting. I smile, he looks funny doing domestic stuff like that.

I set up my iPod station and plug in my iPod, selecting a playlist of a variety of music to meet everyone's taste in music. Mum lays on one of the sun beds and dad sits next to her, setting up a parasol to shield her from the sun that is already shining brightly. I place my bag on the chair next to mum's and lay down too, while the boys quickly throw off their t-shirts and jump into the water. Ted holds onto Ashley as he climbs into the water and makes sure his feet can touch the floor before letting him go. Nick asks dad to get one of the balls out so they can play water volleyball and basketball. Dad does but throws the ball to Ashley to have the first shot since Nick and James don't always play fair with our youngest brother. Ted lifts Ashley to throw the ball in the hoop we have at one side of the pool.

Mum and I make small talk about what else I want to do today, but I just want to spend time in the pool with my family before my friends arrive for dinner. Mum just smiles and me but says nothing else. We just sit back and relax enjoying the sun.

"Phoebe! Come one!" Ashley shouts to me. I laugh as I stand and take off my sundress and quickly jump into the pool doing a beautiful swan dive into the deep end of the pool. My scars have healed really well, they're still there but they are definitely not as noticeable as dads are. The thought makes me sad as I am lucky to have mine healed the way they have but he still has obvious marks marring him. He doesn't seem too bothered though, he's just glad I've kind of recovered.

When I resurface from my dive, dad creeps up behind me, grabs my waist, lifts me and drops me back under the water. I scream and resurface laughing. We look over to mum and see her trying hard to contain her laughter. I wrap my arms around dad's neck as he swims towards the shallow end towards the boys. We all take it in turns to throw the ball in the hoop and Ted and I have swimming races, me being the winner as it's my birthday. I don't know how long we're messing around when I hear my grandmother's voice.

"Christian!?" she calls walking through the gate to our pool with my grandfather, Aunt Mia, Uncle Elliot, Aunt Kate and Ava. Dad gets out of the pool, telling Ted to watch Ashley, to greet our family. He teases them, trying to hug them but they push him away as he's soaked and they don't want to get their clothes wet. Ava says hi before stripping off her sundress and jumping in next to me in her pink bikini.

"Happy birthday!" she squeals wrapping her arms around me. I freeze for a second, not expecting her to show this kind of emotion. She's always kind of kept her distance since I got back and this is the first time she's hugged me unexpectedly. When she releases me I smile and thank her, before telling her I should greet the rest of the family. I climb out of the pool and wrap a towel around myself before walking over to my grandparents, who greet me with open arms.

"How come she gets a hug and not me? I'm your son," dad pretends to be upset and pouts playfully.

"Because it's not your birthday," grandma teases him. We all laugh, even dad who is rubbing a towel over his chest to dry off a bit.

"Happy birthday pumpkin," grandpa says when I wrap my arms around him.

"Happy birthday sweetie," grandma says. I thank them and follow them to the chairs where mum is lounging. She is having some sort of conversation with Aunt Kate but they stop when grandma leans down to hug her. Mum tries to get up but since everyone insists that she doesn't have to, she leans back, obviously content and comfortable. Grandma sits on the lounger I put my stuff on earlier and I sit on the floor between them, sipping some lemonade as I've become thirsty. Dad is sitting on mums chair with her, rubbing her baby bump. My baby sister.

I know I'll be 18 years older than her but I know deep down I will love her as much as I love my brothers and I will teach her how to handle our father when he is being overbearing and unreasonable. We will have a lot in common so I will also have to make sure she chooses her battles with our dad very carefully otherwise there will be an atmosphere and I know mum doesn't like them. At least I have a few more years before I will have to teach her all my tricks and secrets.

At half twelve everyone exits the pool to have some lunch. Gail brought down some sandwiches she and mum made earlier along with some crisps and other little treats. Once we've eaten that dad makes us wait at least another hour before going back into the pool so we lay down and point out different shapes in the clouds before playing some simple and rather sad word games. It's really funny when we all end up making up words to fit in with the subject or the previous word.

We are back in the pool by two and we decide on some more swimming races. Ted and I agreed to be fair this time, no one is going to let me win just because it's my birthday. Dad sits by the edge and counts down from three and we're off. I take the lead but Ted quickly catches up but when he reaches the other end he has to turn around right at the wall as he can't do the flip underwater. Because of this Ava takes the lead as she can do that flip really well. But since I'm a faster swimmer I did my terrible flip and caught up quickly. However, I'm not as fast as Ted and he beat me going past me like some sort of speed boat. Everyone laughs and he jumps out giving them all a graceful bow before walking over to get some lemonade. This gives me an idea. I get out too and grab some lemonade too and when I finish I notice Ted going towards the deep end, preparing to jump in. Before he gets the chance though, I go up and push him and he yelps as he falls into the water. Everyone is laughing and when he resurfaces he glares at me.

"Phoebe!" he shouts swimming to the edge and climbing out. He runs over to me and I quickly run away from him but he catches me and throws me in. Everyone is laughing even harder except for dad who is trying to look disapproving and failing miserably. I resurface, laughing myself and Ted smiles down at me a down a cannonball into the water.

After two hours of messing around and playing silly pool games Ava and I just sit on the edge of the pool, dipping our toes in the water, talking about all sorts of random shit. She asks about Kenny and I say that we're fine and he's coming by for dinner once he finishes work.

Suddenly Ava squeals and stands up, waling to my iPod and turning it up. It's one of her new favourite songs 'Heartbeat Song' by Kelly Clarkson. She pulls me up and starts singing and dancing and I can't help but join in with her enthusiasm. Everyone is watching us as we are singing and dancing around the pool and even let out a laugh. I don't care, I'm having fun with my cousin and it's my birthday so I can do what I like.

Once the song ends everyone claps and then I see him. Kenny is standing by the gate smirking at me and I blush. He walks over to me and holds out his hand for me to take. I place my hand in his and he pulls me to one side, away from my family, even though they just witnessed that and are now laughing.

"Happy birthday," he says, kissing me gently. I smile and thank him. "This is for you. It's nothing special but I had to get you something."

"No you didn't. But thank you." I take the small box and unwrap it. Inside is a small locket with a picture of us inside from our first date. I'd forgotten we'd asked Taylor to take our picture and smile at it. The locket itself is simple, silver, heart-shaped and obviously not expensive but I love it all the same because it came from him. I ask him to help me put it on and he obliges, kissing me behind my ear when I turn my back to him. I sends shivers down my spine and he wraps his arms around me from behind. We go back to my family and Uncle Elliot is cheering but I just shake my head at him and show Ava the locket.

At four thirty we all decide to head back up to the house to get showered and dressed for when my friends arrive for dinner. Kenny obviously waits downstairs and makes conversation with my mother and grandparents since they didn't go in the pool and therefore don't need to shower. However, they will get changed in a bit so he's not left awkwardly on his own. Aunt Mia is napping so we decide to leave her to rest as she's been up all afternoon. I'm worried about her, she gets so tired easily now.

When I go back downstairs with Ava we take Kenny into the games room where Ashley challenges him to a game of table football. Kenny asks me if that's acceptable and I just nod, smiling at how well he gets on with my brother. Ava and I go to the pool table and play a game before Ted and Nick come down. James is playing on the Xbox on some sort of racing game. At least this will give my parents some time to catch up with my grandparents and aunt and uncle. I kick Ava's butt at pool and Kenny challenges me. This should be interesting.

… … …

Christian POV

Once everyone is washed and changed the kids go to the games room for a while which gives us time to get the ballroom sorted for her party. The food all arrives at five on the dot and once they're set all that up the servers go to get themselves dressed and sorted. As soon as they've finished setting up the food the entertainer arrives and quickly they set up the DJ gear and the lights and all that shit. There are amazing pink silk decorations around the room that my mother has organized and the whole room looks so different I can hardly believe it is in my house. I smile, everything looks so simple and elegant. So Phoebe. I hope she likes it.

I send Ana and my parents upstairs to get changed now while I go downstairs to tell the kids that dinner is in half an hour and ask for my sons to help me upstairs. That should keep Phoebe downstairs until half seven, and it is Ava and Kenny's job to keep her there.

Ted is on door duty and makes sure that no one rings the bell so Phoebe doesn't get suspicious as to why it's repeatedly going off. Nick, James and Ashley show the guests to the ballroom and by quarter past seven the ballroom is half full of people. Most people are her friends but there are some associates of mine and Ana with their children that Phoebe has met before. The final guest arrives and everyone is waiting in the ballroom for my daughter. Ana, mum and dad have come back down with Mia and Kate and Elliot are busy keeping the guests in the ballroom, at least until Phoebe comes back up.

"Ready?" Ana asks me once I've sent a text to Ava. I nod and lead her towards the ballroom. We stand at the front with our sons next to us and everyone waits quietly for Phoebe. Ava appears a couple of minutes later nodding her head to say that Phoebe is on her way. A minute after she takes her place next to Kate the doors open and she walks in.

"SURPRISE!" her eyes widen and her mouth drops open. Kenny walks in behind her and wraps his arm around her shoulder. Everyone cheers for her and she smiles. A great big grin that reassures me that this was a good idea. She walks further into the room, wrapping her arms around me and thanking me. She then hugs her mother and the rest of the family before she is dragged away from her friends and I nod to the DJ to start the music. All the teens cheer and start dancing. Ana wraps her arm around my waist.

"Well done Mr Grey," she says. I smile down and wrap my arm around her, kissing her forehead.

"I'm glad she seems to like it."

"Of course she is. Look at her. She's dancing and laughing and having a great time."

"Wait till the karaoke starts." She laughs. I know she and her friends love singing so I thought this would be great fun for them.

We decide to make conversation with our associates to pass time but also to give me a reason to walk around the room to keep an eye on everyone without looking like I'm keeping an eye on everyone.

I'm glad to see Phoebe eating from the buffet we've had laid out and keeping herself hydrated. And I'm glad to see Kenny keeping her close. I know we are in my home where I can control things easier but with this amount of people anything can happen and it is a big property. I have Taylor and extra security patrolling the grounds to prevent nosy teens snooping around or disappearing to do God knows what. That's mine and Ana's job.

By nine one of her surprises arrives and so I go up to the DJ to stop the music and pick up a microphone.

"Can I have your attention, please?" Everyone quietens down. "Thank you. Phoebe I want to wish you a happy 18th birthday. I know you wanted a small party but I wanted to surprise you and I hope I have and I hope it was a nice surprise. Otherwise your mother will shoot me." The teens laugh. "Everyone here is here to help you celebrate this special day and your mother and I have a special surprise for you. A couple of surprises actually."

Phoebe is standing at the front of the crowd in front of the stage I had set up for later but she suddenly yelps when someone tickles her sides. She turns and sees Sophie, Taylor's 28 year old daughter standing there. She squeals and wraps her arms around her.

"You came!" she says happily.

"Of course I came! I couldn't miss my favourite girls 18th birthday now could I?" Sophie smiles as they continue to hug. Phoebe pulls away and smiles up at me. I see Ana standing by a side door and nodding so I turn back to address the people in the room.

"If everyone could form a big circle around the birthday girl please, we have another surprise for her." Everyone quickly moves away from Phoebe to make a circle around her and Elliot place a small round table in the centre of the room, while Kate and my mum get the teens to leave a gap for my dad and Ted to walk through. Once everyone is in position dad and Ted bring out a big chocolate cake covered in pink icing with 18 pink and silver candles burning on top of it. All together the family start to sing 'happy birthday' and Ana leads the way to the centre of the circle with Kenny to wrap their arms around her. By the time everyone's finished singing dad and Ted have placed the cake on the table in the centre and tell her to make a wish. She blows out the candles and everyone cheers and she leans back into Kenny's arms.

For her final surprise we show her the karaoke machine and everyone cheers even louder, especially her friends from her music class. She buries her head in her hands, laughing as everyone runs forward eager to have their turn. They all write their names down in a list of who is going after who and what songs they're going to sing. I move out the way and let them work it out amongst themselves, smiling the whole time.

Phoebe is busy catching up with Sophie so all her other friends are taking it turns for karaoke but after about an hour Ava gets fed up and decides it's Phoebe's turn. Ava also drags Kenny up and chooses a song for them to sing. A duet by Olly Murs and Demi Lovato called 'Up' and it makes everyone cheer. I wonder if there's a story behind that song and those two.

Kenny starts off and Phoebe sings the chorus. Those two really are cute together and their voices really work well. I smile at them, but it's a sad smile. And wraps her arm around my waist.

"She is still your baby girl," she reassures me. I kiss her head and go back to watching. Once they've finished the DJ puts the music back on and they all go back to dancing for another couple of hours. Ana and I decide to give Phoebe her final present tomorrow as it's getting late and everyone will be leaving soon.

Before the evening is wrapped up a slow song is played. It's familiar. 'A Thousand Years' by Christina Perri. Ana likes this song and I watch as Kenny and Phoebe dance to it, almost waltzing around the room. She's teaching him what to do like I taught her. I smile again.

My parents and Mia were tired so they're gone up to bed, they were going to go home but I insisted they stay as it's late. Kate and Elliot are going to leave with Ava as soon as the party is over and half of mine and Ana's associates have already left with their children.

The song finishes and it's already eleven o'clock, the time I wrote to parents that the party was finishing. Sure enough as we follow the teens to the front door where Phoebe is saying goodbye nearly all the parents are outside waiting in their cars. Phoebe smiles and thanks them all for coming as they leave until finally it's just her Ava and Kenny standing in the foyer.

"Right then, I guess we should be off. See ya later little bro, Ana. And of course my favourite niece," Elliot says.

"Your only niece," Kate says, smirking at me and Ana. Of course she knows Ana is having a girl so they won't be able to say Phoebe is their favourite niece for much longer. Kate kisses Ana and Phoebe goodbye and Ava gives Phoebe a quick hug. Shortly after all the goodbye's they are gone. Ana has decided to go down to the games room to tell our sons, who snuck down there by nine thirty, to go to bed. Shit, Ana won that bet. I offer for Taylor to drive Kenny home and he accepts knowing I won't take no for an answer before leaving them alone to say goodbye.

I sit in my office and a few minutes later Phoebe come in and sits on my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Thank you for today, daddy. I had a really good time," she says.

"I'm glad, baby girl. You look tired now though. Why don't you go to bed?" I suggest and she nods, stands up and goes to her room. I put my SD card from my camera into my computer and look at the photos of my birthday girl's birthday party. She looks so happy and carefree and there is a beautiful one of her and Kenny together.

Five minutes later Ana walks in and she doesn't look happy.

"Mr Grey, it is nearly midnight and you are in your office."

"I'm sorry, I was just looking through the photos of Phoebe's party."

"You can do that tomorrow. Right now, your wife intends to take advantage of the bet she won against you earlier." She teases.

"Are you sure you won?" I ask.

"You said your sons would stay at the party until the end to support and respect their sister but I said they sneak off after the cake was brought out and they did. Therefore I win. So you are going to take me hand, lead me upstairs, slowly undress me and then make sweet gentle love to me in our bed. And if I'm still awake you are going to run my shoulders and massage my feet before holding me close to your chest where we will bother fall asleep."

"Really? Well how can I deny you that? You did win the bet after all."

"And you will let Phoebe learn to drive if that is what she wants to do," Ana quickly adds on. I sigh.

"I will think about that one. That's the best I can do." She smiles at me and holds out her hand.

"Then I guess you better get me upstairs, Mr Grey."

I smile and rise from my chair, taking her hand and following her orders.

… … …

Sorry it's taken so long, had a bit of writers block.

Next chapter is in the process of being written but I don't know how long it will be.

Please review nicely.