Chapter 25: Two Week Getaway (Part 1)
Phoebe POV
It's been a week since my birthday and today my parents leave for their two week holiday that Nick got them for their anniversary. Well, with grandmas' help. Dad is nervous about leaving because he knows I had a couple of bad nights last week and he's worried about mum going away while pregnant but we all told them we would be fine. There are doctors in London and Paris in case mum does need one but Dr Greene seemed confident that mum should be fine.
We say our goodbye's at grandma and grandpa's place so we're not all travelling to Sea-Tac and having to get out several cars for everyone to meet there. It's barely ten in the morning when we arrive at our grandparent's house. As usual they greet us at the front door and grandma hugs us all. Dad takes control by giving orders and making sure grandma knows everything she needs to.
"Christian, I have looked after the kids plenty of times over the years. We will be fine!" she snaps, rolling her eyes. I know dad hates it when people roll their eye but he can't exactly scold his mother for it. The thought makes me smile. He turns to us.
"Alright, you all be good for your grandparents. We will call when we land and keep in contact. If anything happens we will come home immediately."
"Dad, we will be fine. It's only two weeks. Go and have some fun," Ted answers for us all. Mum giggles and steps forward to give us all a hug. Dad looks uncomfortable and steps forward to hug us as well. Mum wraps me gently in her arms.
"Don't worry about your father, he just worries," she whispers in my ear before kissing me cheek. Finally dad hugs me.
"If anything happens, call me. I don't care what time it is, if you just need to talk ring, ok?" he looks me in the eye.
"I'll be fine dad," I reassure him even though I'm not 100% sure. I had another bad night last night but I don't want him to cancel this. He and mum need this break before the baby arrives.
"Phoebe, I know you had nightmares last night. Promise me, if you need me you'll call," he insists. I sigh.
"I promise. Now will you go before grandma kicks your butt!" I joke. He laughs and helps mum into the car.
"Taylor will be staying here to keep an eye on things. Sawyer and Ryan are with me and your mother so call them if you can't get hold of me."
This surprises me. Dad takes Taylor with him everywhere and we have our own security to keep an eye out for us. Though deep down I know it is so dad knows exactly what's going on since Taylor tells him everything, especially where us kids are concerned. Typical dad.
"Go now! Before your baby arrives!" Grandma snaps, smiling at him. Dad finally gets in the car and Sawyer pulls away. Grandma leads us into the house to have a late breakfast. Half of our security go back to our house as grandma refuses to let them stay at Bellevue, she claims she and grandpa are quite capable of looking after us on their own. Security will only come over if we want to go out and about. Taylor is the only member of security allowed to stay at Bellevue.
"So are the mice going to play while the cats are away?" Grandpa teases. We laugh.
"Yeah, we can play as much as we want. But Taylor will probably snitch on us," Nick grumbles.
"Yeah and then dad will punish us till the ends of the earth," James adds.
"He only does that because he loves us," I say, annoyed at my brothers. After everything he has been through I can't blame him for wanting to protect us, even if it is overbearing sometimes.
"Well, remember you can pretty much do what you want as long as your security is with you and you let us know what you are doing and where you're going," grandma says. Even though they are pretty easy going they can be strict as well. "Ava is coming round later on as well so you can go downstairs and have a movie marathon again."
"Yeah guys. We haven't done 'Harry Potter' for a while," Ted suggests.
"Yeah and we also haven't done 'Lord of the Rings' for a while. Doesn't mean we're going to watch them," Nick says. Ted sticks his tongue out and grandma scolds them. Grandpa leaves he table to do some business in his study and grandma dismisses us since we've all finished our breakfast.
I go up to the bedroom I share with Ava to go through what books I've brought with me. I already have plenty of clothes here so we didn't have a lot to pack. And if I've forgotten anything Marx can just drive me home to pick it up.
I open up my balcony door and look out towards the ocean, resting my arm on the railings and immediately feel calm. I hadn't realised I'd felt nervous until this wave of calm rushed over me. This is the first time dad is going to be away for a period of time since the incident with Jack Hyde and it makes me nervous.
I just know these two weeks are going to be hard but grandma is right. Both mum and dad need this break before the baby arrives.
… … …
Ana's POV
I look over to my husband for the tenth time in five minutes. We have only been in the air for half an hour and I can tell he already wants to go home and be with our children. I know the thought of this break is eating away at him because he has so many worries and thoughts on his mind right now. Our daughter being the main concern. This is the first time we are both going to be away from her for a period of time since the whole Jack Hyde and Owen Turner incident. I place my hand on his arm to get him to look at me.
"Calm down," I say. He takes a deep breath and turns to face me properly.
"Are we making the right decision?" he asks.
"I honestly don't know, Christian. Their intentions are good but if you're going to spend the whole time worrying, maybe we should go back?" I suggest, though I don't really want to. I've been looking forward to us having a bit of time together but I know it's pointless if his mind is on the kids. He sighs and leans back in his chair.
"I know they want us to have some time to ourselves but I can't help but worry. Especially about Phoebe. This is the first time since May we've been away and it going to be for two weeks."
"Christian, we can't keep her locked up forever. She is going to have to get used to us not being around eventually and unless we do leave them once in a while they will never learn."
"I know, but two weeks is such a long time."
"Well why don't we see how we get on for a few days. We'll ring them when we land and we can ring them throughout the week. If, by next Saturday, you are still worrying like this then we'll go home."
"Is that what you want?" he asks me, looking into my eyes. I decide I can't lie to him.
"No. It's not what I want. I want to spend the next two weeks making love to you and enjoying the time together that the kids have organized for us before we are up to our eyeballs in diapers and vomit again. But I also don't want to be thousands of miles from the kids with you if all you're going to do is worry and count down the hours until you see them again." I tense realising I've said all that out loud. He takes me hand and places a kiss on the back of it.
"Ok."
"Ok?"
"We will go to London and make love and do all those things you want to do. Just me and you. We will ring the kids before they go to bed and sure they're all ok and then I will make slow passionate love to you. I will try to take my mind off the kids and focus on making you feel special. Because you are special Mrs Grey. You are willing to give up our holiday and go home to our children because I'm worrying. But let's take this one week at a time, yeah?" he suggests. I lean in and kiss him.
"One week at a time. Besides, think of all the great stories we will have to tell them. The non-sexual ones of course," I tease. He laughs and kisses me. Once we are allowed to move around the cabin he offers to take me to the bedroom.
I happily comply.
… … …
Christian's POV
When we touch down in London it's six thirty in the morning in London, ten thirty in Seattle. I decide not to call the kids until its morning their time and drop a text to my parents. I am much more at ease than I was when we left Seattle. I guess making love to your wife will do that to you. Sawyer drives us to the hotel and we check in and before I know it we are in the penthouse discussing what we are going to do for our week in London.
Ana is right. The kids need to learn to cope without us every now and then but I feel that two weeks is too long. But that's mainly because of my worries about Phoebe. I hate the thought of being away from her when she's still recovering but everyone is right and Ana and I do need this time. Especially Ana. I still have quite a lot of control with the kids though. I will ring them every night before they go to bed and Taylor is there to keep an eye on them and keep them safe. I also know how protective my parents and Mia can be. Yes, deep down I know there is not a lot to worry about but I am a father. It's my job to worry.
Ana has decided that one day she would like to take the train out of London and see some of the country side of England. I can't deny her that so we arrange it for a few days' time. She has also decided that when we go shopping we are not going into the designer shops that I love to take her in. Instead we are going into touristy shops to buy little trinkets and souvenirs for the kids and our family. Ana has always preferred the simpler things in life.
I have been given instructions not to bring work with me and so has Ana so the only thing we focus on is us. I can accept that. I love being lost in my wife and living in the moment. So once we're sitting on the bed in the bedroom I slowly start to undress her while she's sitting there looking through leaflets with things to do while staying in London.
"Christian, I am trying to read this," she scolds with a whisper as I nibble her earlobe.
"I know," I whisper and she turns her head to give me better access to her neck.
"I'm trying to work out what we can do this week," she says while I continue to distract her. Gently I take the leaflet from her hands and set it aside before gently pushing her back onto the bed, claiming her lips with my own.
"I know, but I don't want you to. Let's just live in the moment and do things when we want," I whisper, sneaking my hand up her t-shirt. She arches her back slightly as I pinch her nipple through her bra.
I slowly undress her before undressing myself and make slow passionate love to her. This is where I love to be, inside her. I wish I could be inside her all the time because I love her so.
She falls asleep, tired from my attack and the baby. Bless her, she is so tired all the time, with this baby. I can't wait to meet her. I watch Ana sleep for hours before getting her up for lunch. I nuzzle her neck and slowly, she wakes up.
"Christian?" she mumbles.
"Hey, baby. Come on, time to wake up. I thought we could go out for lunch."
"Hmm, sounds nice," she says but turns away and snuggles against the pillow tighter. I laugh.
"Come on, sleepy head," I say pulling the duvet off her. She jumps at the sudden cold air on her bare skin.
"Christian!" she snaps. "I was dreaming!"
"I know but you need to get up. It's time for lunch." She huffs and lays on her back. "Are you ok?" I ask, worried.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just so comfortable, I don't want to move." I laugh and she playfully glares at me.
"Well, you need to move. I've done some research and there's a nice little restaurant not far from here I thought we could eat at. And after lunch we can go and have a look around the shops. We can go on a tour bus and see the sights of London."
"Big ben?"
"Yes."
"Buckingham Palace?"
"Of course."
"Leicester Square?"
"Why not?"
"London Bridge? So I can see the Thames?"
"Yep."
"The London Eye?" Aha! I knew she was going somewhere with this.
"Yes. We can see it but this time we're not going on it," I say, leaving no room for argument. She pouts and looks at me. "Ana, no. You are five months pregnant."
"Pregnant women are allowed on the eye Christian. It's not going to cause problems for me."
"And if something happens while we're at the top? It will take fifteen minutes to get back down."
"Nothing is going to happen. Come on, please? I love going on the London Eye." I sigh.
"Fine. If you make it through the week with no problems, we will go on Saturday before our flight to Paris." I squeals in delight and claps her hands.
"Thank you! I love you," she smiles pressing her lips to mine.
"And I love you. But at the moment I'm hungry so my love for you is slowly changing into a love for food. And if you're not careful I'll eat you," I wink. She blushes and giggles, knowing what I was getting at. She quickly moves and climbs off the bed, grabbing a robe from the suitcase I placed by the bed for this purpose and heads into the bathroom. I check my watch and see it's one o'clock. Hopefully we should be at the restaurant by two o'clock and by the time we finish lunch it should be a reasonable hour to call the kids. I can't wait. Seventeen hours of not hearing from them is too much as it is and by the time I get to call them it would have been nearly twenty hours.
Ana comes out ten minutes later, looking a bit fresher. She goes through our suitcase and pulls out a simple blue maternity dress with flowers on it. She looks beautiful. She smirks at me when she catches me looking at her.
"Enjoying the view, Mr Grey?"
"Oh, it's a mighty fine view, Mrs Grey. Are you ready?" I ask as soon as I've changed my shirt and trousers. She picks up her purse and nods. "Bring a cardigan with you in case it gets colder later."
She rolls her eyes and fishes through the suitcase for a cream cardigan. I have told security to get an employee of the hotel to unpack our clothes while we're out.
Lunch is nice and quiet, despite the fact that there are plenty of shoppers trying to move around each other. I picked a nice quiet restaurant that overlooks a park and we see lots of families spending time playing soccer and running around, riding bicycles, playing other ball games and just spending time together in the sun. I remember the last time Ana and I came to London in the summer and the weather was so unpredictable; it would rain one day and have a heat wave the next, so I know that these families are trying to enjoy the sun as much as they can before the weather changes again. I smile and look over to Ana, who is rubbing her baby bump with her left hand while she eats with her right and is looking out to all the happy families. She is smiling at the view too.
"You know, seeing all these families having some quality time together makes me miss our kids even more. We haven't even been gone a whole day yet," she says, looking at me.
"I know. I feel exactly the same. We'll give them a ring after we've finished with lunch. Hopefully they'll be up."
"If you think our children will be up at seven o'clock in the morning in the summer vacation you clearly don't know them at all."
"My parents will be up so even if the kids aren't I can find out how they were last night and tell them to give us a call later when they are up," I smirk. She laughs.
"Even when we're in a completely different country, you still control everything, don't you?" she teases.
"Would you have me any other way?"
"No. It's one of the things I love about you, Mr Grey." She goes back to observing the park and together we just watch the world go by.
… … …
Phoebe POV
I wake up at half seven(ish) and make my way downstairs. Last night was difficult for me, because I haven't slept round my grandparents in a while. Except that time we visited after going to Aspen with mums parents but I guess I was so tired I didn't really notice where I was.
Grandma and grandpa are already up. Even at their age they are still early birds and I must admit I admire how strong they still are. I see grandma on the phone and sit next to grandpa who tells me she's talking to dad.
"Yes, Christian, I will get them to ring you when they wake up," she turns and sees me and rolls her eyes. Grandpa and I laugh. "Well, actually your daughter has just appeared… Of course, here you go," she walks over and offers the phone to me. I take it, smiling.
"Hey dad."
"Morning Cupcake. Sorry we didn't call when we landed, it was quite late your time."
"That's fine. We were busy having a movie marathon anyway. So, how's London?"
"It's lovely, thanks. We arrived about six thirty this morning and slept in until about twelve. Just finished having lunch and then we're going to take a tour bus around London before heading back to the hotel."
"Aw, that sounds lovely."
"Yeah. So how did you sleep last night?" I knew that one was coming.
"Fine," I lie. "It took a couple of hours to drift off but I was fine. Please stop worrying. This is meant to be yours and mums time."
"You know that'll never happen. I spend my life worrying about you and the boys. You know that." I roll my eyes. "Don't roll your eyes." How does he do that?
"Anyway, I'm going to go as I am hungry. I'll tell the boys to call when they're awake and I'll speak to you then. Maybe."
"Ok, sweetie. Put your grandfather on the phone, please?" I pass the phone to grandpa.
"Christian?" he greets. "Yes… We will… If he does we'll make sure he gets home safely or we'll have one of the spare rooms made up for him… I know she does… I will. Speak to you later, son. Bye." He hangs up the phone. "Honestly, your father is such a worry wart," he shakes his head. I laugh.
"Here you go, Phoebe," grandma hands me a bowl of my favourite cereal. I thank her and dig in. Half an hour later the boys come down. Ashley is rubbing his eyes. Bless him he must still be tired. Grandma and grandpa greet them and get them all some breakfast. Ashley sits next to me and leans his head on my arm, which I wrap around him and pull him close.
"What's up, baby boy?" I tease. He sits up and glares at me.
"I am not a baby!" he tells me of. I laugh and apologise.
"Still tired?" I ask. He just nods. "Well you can't be tired later. Kenny's coming by." He immediately smiles and bounces happily in his seat.
"Phoebe and Kenny sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Nick sings. I glare at him.
"Nick, don't be a moron," Ted says.
"Come on, kids. You're supposed to be nice and happy!" Grandpa says.
"We are. Anyway, I gotta run as I have a basketball game to get to. I'll see you later grandma," Ted says standing and kissing grandma on the cheek.
"Make sure Ryan is with you!" Grandpa calls as Ted heads out the door. Nick and James head out into the backyard to have a match of one on one soccer and grandpa and Ashley go to watch and keep score. I help grandma clear away breakfast.
We talk about me and Kenny and how often I'll be seeing him while mum and dad are away. I tell her that I'm going round his house next week for dinner and to get to know his dad a bit better. I've still got to tell dad about that but I guess I can tell him later when he calls. Or next week so there's very little he can do about it. Grandma laughs at my logic.
"If he doesn't want you to go, Phoebe he'll find a way. Though I'm sure he will be fine as long as Marx is with you."
Ah, yes. Amanda Marx, my new member of security. I must admit she is so cool. We get along great and she's only been my security detail for a week of two. She understands that there are some things I don't want dad to know but also some things dad needs to know, even if I would prefer to keep it secret. I hope she doesn't turn out to be a disappointment because I really like her.
Kenny comes over after lunch and to my surprise, his dad gets out the car and stays for a while. I know he's a doctor at the same hospital as grandma but I didn't realise they had become good friends. Then I remember Kenny told me his father was a paediatrician, just like grandma.
Kenny and I join my brothers on the back porch, where grandpa is telling Nick and James to let Ashley join in with the game now. They groan because they don't like playing with our little brother. Selfish gits. Ashley grins and runs to Kenny as soon as he see him. Honestly, I think my brother likes my boyfriend more than me sometimes. Should I be jealous? Ashley asks him to join in with their game and Kenny happily complies. Before long they're playing Nick and James vs Ashley and Kenny. I sit with grandpa and keep score of the goals they score. Of course, Ashley and Kenny win. I laugh along with them and enjoy the look of defeat on Nick's face.
If it's going to be like this all week, it's going to be a very long wait for mum and dad.
… … …
Christian POV
It's finally Friday and Ana's won the bet over the London Eye. She has been absolutely fine all week and so I have agreed to take her on the Eye tomorrow. Providing she is fine tonight.
We went for the tour around London on Sunday afternoon and decided to sleep in quite late on Monday, resulting in us just relaxing in our hotel room and the downstairs pool. We spent Tuesday at Buckingham Palace, taking our time with a tour because of Ana's pregnancy. We had to rest several times because her feet were aching but that only meant we ended up seeing some very important people pass by.
Wednesday was the day we decided to take the train from Marylebone station and travelled for miles and decided to get off in High Wycombe, which is surrounded by plenty of countryside making my wife very happy. There were some beautiful sights to see and I'm glad Ana and I decided to accept this trip, despite my concerns.
Yesterday was a day at the spa for Ana and when she came back to the hotel I could tell she was so relaxed and surprised at my little surprise for her. I had decorated the suite with flower petals, making a trail of red rose petals from the door to the bedroom, where I was waiting with strawberries, cherries and chocolate (her favourite pregnancy treat). The room was filled with flowers and I could see that there were tears in her eyes. I kissed her and we slowly made love.
Today we are going shopping to get gifts for the family and the kids. We always bring them a little something back from our travels so we plan on spending a lot of time picking out the perfect things to get them. Ana wants to get them something special from the touristy shops but I prefer the branded shops where you spend a fortune for the tiniest thing. But then, we come from different background so we've always had different tastes. Either way, our children appreciate everything they are given.
I have made sure to ring the children every day before they go to bed. I know it means me staying up later but I wanted to wish them a goodnight so they know I'm thinking about them. I also ring them in the mornings when they wake up and talk about what they're going to do for the day. Phoebe's been coping fine as far as I know because no-ones said otherwise. However, I know she is still struggling but I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt.
"I want to go into the little shops first," Ana told me. "Maybe we can get a charm for Phoebe's new charm bracelet." The day after Phoebe's birthday Ana and I gave her a charm bracelet similar to the one I gave Ana for her 22nd birthday and now we just need to fill it up with charms. We had put a 'P' and a rose charm on there for her but it still looks a bit plain. I agree with my wife and we leave the hotel.
I let Ana pick out the gifts for the children, since she always seems to know what they would like. I mean, I know what they like but I like to make Ana happy and her picking the presents makes her happy. I do pick something for them myself though so they don't feel like I don't love them.
We got Teddy a glass with an image of the London Eye and a red double decker bus on it to start his glass collection he wants to do. He has decided he wants to collect decorated glasses with images from the different countries we visit, although he will never use them for drinking, just decoration. Phoebe's got a charm of the London Eye for her bracelet and a little Teddy bear dressed as one of the soldiers standing outside Buckingham Palace. Ana chose a black hoodie for Nick with 'London' written on the front with a white silhouette of Big Ben and the houses of parliament on it. James has decided to start a key ring collection and Ana was too happy to comply by buying him on from London Zoo when we went after going to Buckingham Palace. He likes Penguins so she got one with a penguin on it. Ashley loves football, so when Ana found a football with the English flag decorating it she had to get it for him. She said he could either choose to put it on display or play with it, either way she was sure he would love it. I completely agree with her.
We sit and eat lunch about two and Ana's feet are starting to hurt from all the walking we're doing so I make the decision to sit in the restaurant for an hour at least. Ana seems to agree and we make small talk.
"So have you enjoyed this week?" I ask as she finishes her food and sips her tea. She smiles.
"Yes, I have. I'm so glad we decided to accept the kid's gift, it's been so nice to relax and enjoy the peace."
"I agree. And to think I nearly said no, we're not going. You seem happier,"
"I wouldn't say happier, I love the kids, but definitely happy and content. Very relaxed and we've been lucky to have the sunny weather."
"Let's hope Paris is just as nice." She looks at me shocked.
"You want to go to Paris?" she asks. "You don't want to go home?"
"Of course I want to go home, I miss the kids. But we agreed to take this trip one week at a time and now I've done one week, I'm sure I can do the other week the kids organized for us and spend time with you in Paris. I like seeing you this relaxed and happy and I know when we go back you won't be as relaxed since you insist on going back to work. Although I would like to talk about your maternity leave."
"Do we have to right now?"
"Please, just hear me out. I want you to take your maternity leave after your birthday."
"My birthday is only a few days after we go back. I need a few weeks to get everything organized and sorted ready for when I do leave."
"I worry that you're working too hard. I don't want you to put too much stress on yourself, especially with the baby." She sighs.
"Give me until the end of the month to start putting arrangements in place. I will go on leave by James' birthday at the latest."
"James' birthday isn't until near the end of October, Ana."
"Which gives me plenty of time to sort everything out. I will tell everyone on Monday that I will be going on maternity leave within the next six weeks so we can arrange who is going to take over in my absence and after the 21st October I will no longer be in the office. But I will be available by e-mail should they need anything. That is not up for discussion." She glares at me. She did that with the other children but I was hoping since we aren't getting younger she would slow down and maybe even retire so she can care for our baby 100%. I guess my Ana just doesn't know how to slow down.
"Very well. You can be available by e-mail but not until you are out of hospital and recovered fully. I don't want you putting too much strain on yourself. That is not up for discussion." She glares at me and rolls her eyes. I can't help it. I smile and she lets out a giggle. I check my watch, we've been sitting in the restaurant for a few hours and I think we should get back.
"Come, let's head back to the hotel and relax there for a bit before dinner. We can also have an early night so I can take you on the Eye tomorrow," I say, standing and holding out my hand. She smiles and places her hand in mine.
"I love you, Ana."
"I love you, Christian."
… … …
Please be nice with reviews.