The Nature of Children

Ted's POV

"So Fifi, what do you think of having another baby around." I ask my little sister. I know this is going to be the icing on the cake. She is already over the moon over the fact that we are returning to Seattle earlier than planned and fast tracking the wedding.

"I think it's the worst thing I have ever heard in my entire life." Phoebe's statement, if not a little overdramatic, shocks me at first, but then actually hurts. I replay her words in my mind, trying to comprehend what she just said. I can't help but frown, causing Lily to take my hand.

"What?" I ask, hoping we all heard her wrong.

"I don't like the idea of a baby. It's horrible. It's the most horrible things ever." Phoebe is uncharacteristically scornful. It is so out of character that I have to look at her, reconfirm that this is my sister.

"Go to your room. NOW!" Our dad orders Phoebe. The tone in his voice giving away how mad he truly is.

"It's not my bedroom. This is a hotel" Phoebe unwisely answers.

"Phoebe Grace Grey, go now, or else. You are to stay in your hotel room until your mother or me, talk to you." His voice is strong, and though not yelling, his message is clear. Gosh, it even sends shivers down my spine a little. Phoebe smartens up and does as she is told, though I can tell from my dad's expression this isn't over.

"Let me go and talk to her." I offer before anyone can say anything.

"No, Ted. "My dad says sternly.

"But..." I try to explain.

"Phoebe needs to learn that this behaviour will not get her the attention she is seeking" My dad explains.

"But I am sure I can get her to see reason and…." I try to convince my parents.

"No, Ted" My mother interrupts me. "Lily and Ted, I am sorry about that. Phoebe has always been the youngest and had everyone's attention, but I am with you dad on this one. She has to learn." My mom explains.

"I thought she would be happy" I rub my forehead with my thumb and index finger, feeling a headache come on.

"I am sure she will be Ted. She is probably just worried about losing some of your attention. She will be happy about the baby later." Lily tells me rubbing my back. I turn my head to face her and smile. I nod and desperately try to make my smile look realistic but frown when I look down and see that she hasn't eaten or drunk anything

"You need to eat something" I remind her.

"Oh Ted." Lily softly scoffs.

"Don't you both worry. Everything will be fine. Ted before you and Lily head off, can I have a quiet word with you about some GEH business?" My dad asks but actually is telling me. He gets up from the table and walks swiftly to the study. I struggle to keep up with him, without running. My dad holds the door open for me, and the second I have entered the study he closes it behind me.

"Dad I am sorry about Phoebe. She seems to be getting in all sorts bother and trouble over me lately" I sympathise.

"Yes I guess that is true, but don't blame yourself for your sisters poor behaviour. Pheobe needs to learn to take responsibility for her actions. She can't blame other people. The world doesn't work like that" My dad reasons.

"Still I wouldn't mind having a chat with her, before we all fly out today" I request

"We will see. I need to deal with her first. This behaviour has got to end" My dad informs me. "I am furious at Phoebe, she should never have said that."

"Dad she is five, with a wide vocabulary and with Grey family blood pulsating through her veins. She is going to have outbursts. This is how we know she wasn't switched at birth" I joke.

"Nice one Ted. Still, I need to talk to your Mom and then Phoebe." Dad seems conflicted but at the same time in full control.

"But this is not what I wanted to talk to you about" Dad reconciles.

"Oh yes, work. What is happening at Grey Enterprise?" I ask surprised. I thought it had been obvious that it was just a rouse to get me alone with him to discuss Phoebe.

"Nothing, but since Lily is going to visit the wedding dress designer today, with Ana, we though a couple of other people should also be present. They are waiting for you both in your room. Just so you know." Dad says straight faced. Two other people? Shit I know it is more security. I guess it is obvious, the paparazzi would love to get photos of Lily entering a world class design house that specialises in wedding dresses. I also note that he has omitted Phoebe, letting me know she won't be going today.

"Okay." I reply. "And thank you for getting us this booking with the designer. Supposedly she is impossible to get a booking with"

"For most people it is difficult to get a booking" My father's says matter of fact. This statement defines my father. He can make anything happen. "The booking is for 10am, and I will have Phoebe's measurements sent. Her dress may have to be altered anyway. Children can grow quite a bit in two months."

"Okay, I will let Lily know. I need to go out for a couple of hours, are you going to hang around here?" I ask.

"Yes. I need to get on top of some work." My father says pulling out his laptop. I know enough about my father, to realise that he is using work as a diversion. At the back of his mind, he is thinking about Phoebe and her behaviour, and how to deal with it.

Back in the dining room, I meet up with Lily and escort her into our room. I haven't told her that there may be extra security as it would sour the mood, more than Phoebe's outburst. I take a deep breath and get ready for my pregnant fiancé to argue about the extra security.

However when we walk in, we do find two people standing there, but not extra security

"Mom?" Lily says not believing what she is seeing.

"Hi Lily." Gwen responds first, and then Ros. I lean against the wall and watch the emotional scene. I can't help but smile widely. They are in a tight group hug that it becomes difficult to see where one begins and ends. They are sobbing quietly, and I haven't seen them so happy in a long time.

"Get over here Ted" Gwen invites. I move towards them, and I am happily drawn into their tight cuddle.

"I can't believe we are going to be grandmas" Ros comments. My soon to be, no-nonsense mother in law, and line manager at work, is sobbing and rather emotional. Lily and I told them all our news last night via Skype. We needed to tell them as we want preparations to be put into place for our upcoming nuptials and didn't want them to be kept in the dark for another month.

"It's hard to believe isn't it? Me, a mom hey?" Lily says humoured.

"No baby, you are going to be amazing and so is Ted." Gwen says comforting us.

"Ted will be, or he will have to answer to me" Ros scares me a little and then laughs at my expense. "Don't stress Ted, you will work it out"

"How did you both get here so quick?" Lily is a little bewildered.

"Christian sent the jet, to collect us. I knew there was a reason why I have agreed to work with him for so long" Ros's little joke makes us all laugh.

"Well I am beyond excited that you both are here, especially as I am seeing the wedding designer today. I have an idea of a dress, but I don't know if I will be showing in two months or not so that needs to be taken into consideration and I can't say anything else because Ted is here" Lily says, smiling. I wrap my arm around her and hold her tight. Nothing makes me feel as good, as seeing the love of my life so happy, especially after Phoebe's outburst.

"Well we are here all day until you both fly out. So you have every minute of our time" Gwen says.

"Ted, I am sorry, but our daughter is all ours for the day. We will return her when it is time for you both to fly out" Ros says rather forcefully.

"Understood" I reply.

"Oh no." Lily says putting her hands on her mouth.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"I told Ana that she could come with me. I didn't want to go alone, and Phoebe was going to come also and get a flower girl dress" Lily admits.

"Was?" Gwen asks and looks to me.

"We will explain later" I tell her. I don't want to risk ruining Lily's magnificent mood by recalling those events.

"Well Ana can still come. It can be a girl day." Ros states and I am barely able to kiss Lily goodbye by the time they have all left.

Christian POV

After Ted and Lily have left, I log in to Grey House. A long list of emails commence to download. Shit there is literally hundreds. I meant to start them last night, but my son needed me more.

Ana walk in and throws herself on my lap. She places her hand on my face, and commences to kiss me. I open her mouth wider, with my lounge and possess her mouth.

"I love you. You are so magical" Ana whispers into my ear.

"Am I now?" I grin.

"You know you are. Thank you for organising for Ros and Gwen to be flown over. It means a lot to Ted and Lily." Ana then places her hand over my chest and then removes it to kiss it. I give her my shy smile.

"So I take it you will be gone for most of the day" I inquire.

"Yes, we are having a girl's day, but I will be back my 3pm so Ted and Lily can fly out on time." Ana then sighs as she plays with some of the buttons on my shirt.

"What is bothering you?" I ask.

"I just wish Phoebe was still coming. She would have loved it. " Ana says sadly.

"I know, but her behaviour of late has not been suitable, and her outburst was impolite. I am going to go and see her in her soon. She needs to be punished, or she is going to continue this bratty behaviour" Ana drops her shoulders. I too am still feeling a little uncomfortable about this.

"Anastasia, I am also upset that Phoebe destroyed Ted and Lily moment over this baby. I did it to you, I ruined the moment when you found out about being pregnant with Ted and I won't let that happen again when I can avoid it. I want Ted and Lily to know that we will love this new child and that we welcome it into the world. I want Ted to know that this new baby is valued. I want to give him what I should have done when I found out you were pregnant him." I confess to Ana

"Oh Christian, Ted knows that. Still I don't have to like the fact that Phoebe has to be punished" Ana states.

"I don't like it either" I remind my wife.

"Ana are you ready?" We hear Ros call out.

"I better go" Ana kisses me.

"I know, but I hate letting you go." I am feeling tense already. I desperately want to bury myself deep into Ana. My thoughts are only broken when Ros calls Ana again.

"I better go, I will see you later Mr Grey."

"Latters baby" I reply. I can't help but stare at my wife's phenomenal backside, imagining what I could do to it.

"I can tell that you are staring. You are still a perv" Ana says playfully at the doorway.

"And to this day I still can't argue to with that assessment" I smirk.

"Latters" Ana replies.

I refocus my attention on my emails, and about thirty minutes later I get up and head to my daughters hotel room. My heart is beating fast. I hate this.

"Phoebe" I call out from the open door. I scan the room, and locate her on the floor playing with the dolls that she bought from home.

"Phoebe?" I call her again and finally she looks up.

"Yes daddy." Phoebe finally responds. Her little face looks almost unrecognizable, and it is obviously she has been crying a little. My heart brakes a little further. But, a few tears are not enough of a reason for her to get away with her behavior.

"Phoebe you and I need to talk. Sit on the bed" I pull up a chair so I can sit in from of her. I want her full attention.

"Do you know what we need to talk about princess?" I ask.

"I said something not nice to Ted and Lily. "She replies

"Yes, plus your behavior hasn't been acceptable lately. You have been naughty." Phoebe doesn't look at me rather looks down. "You don't get to be mean to Ted or Lily, or anyone for that matter, just because you don't like something. You especially don't get to be mean to people whom I love you very, very much. Do you understand? I ask.

"Yes daddy"

"You are going to have to apologize to Lily and Ted."

"I still don't want them to have a baby." She says again.

"Well Phoebe you don't get a choice. Your mum and I am extremely happy about the baby. Everyone in our family is going to be happy also. And when the baby comes, it will get attention, but that doesn't mean that you won't still get attention. You are still going to be our special little girl and our little princess. Ted will still be your big brother, but you will have to share him. Just like you always have" I try to explain.

Phoebe looks down again and then look up at me. "Am I going to get punished?" She asks

"Yes Phoebe, you are. You are going to get punished because you have been poorly behaved latterly and for being disrespectful" I notify her. Phoebe's lower lip quivers a little, and I decide that I have to get this over and done with. I stand up and sit on the bed, and I lower her over my lap.

I smack her backside five times and wait a few seconds after each whack. I don't want to punish her badly, but she needs to get the message that she cannot be brat. Phoebe is crying by the end of it. I sit her back on my lap, and start to rub her back in an attempt to calm her down, but she continues to cry. I know she is crying more because she got spanked, rather than her backside being sore.

"It's okay Phoebe. It is all over." I hold her tightly and comfort her. I am happy that she isn't trying to pull away from me.

"I am … sorry….. daddy" Phoebe says between sobs.

"I know princess" I reassure her. I rub her back again and kiss her forehead. I know that she just apologized, however, I am not naive enough to believe that she has just suddenly accepted and is happy about the pregnancy. At the moment, I am aiming to curb her behavior.

"Do I have to stay in this room all day?" Phoebe asks.

"No, but you have to stay in our hotel suite. Your mom has gone out" I tell her.

"With Lily?" She asks, realizing that she isn't going to get out also. I know that chance to see all those wedding dresses would have been a highlight of this weekend.

"Yes" I confirm making her even sadder. "Why don't you grab your dolls and toys and you can play in the study. I have some work, I need to do. Okay?"

"Okay daddy."

# # # #

A couple of hours have past when I have finally gone through the emails which seriously needed my attention. Phoebe has played on the floor the entire time, and I have enjoyed listened to her, play with her dolls and the little simulations she has set up. Her dolls have had play dates, gone to school, gone on holiday, and even tried fought and made up.

"Phoebe it is lunch time are you hungry?" I query.

"Yes daddy".

I pick up my cell phone and text Ted. He said that he had to go out but should be back by now.

*do you have plans for lunch? I am ordering room service*

Ted as usual is quick with his response.

*no. Just got back to the hotel. Will be in your room in a couple of minutes. Order me anything*

Brilliant! I wanted to spend some more time with my son before we are on different continents. I order a selection from the menu, and recheck my emails, careful that I haven't missed anything. Once I am satisfied that I am on top of work matters, I close my laptop and sit down next to Phoebe who is still playing with her dolls. It amazes me how long she can sit and play with them.

"Do you want to play with me and my dolls, daddy?" She asks hopefully

"I would love to, but we are going to have lunch soon, so you need to go wash your hands. Ted is coming over to join us" I inform her.

"I don't think Ted likes me very much right now," Phoebe says sadly.

"I don't necessarily think that will be the case. You may find that he didn't like what you said, but he loves you very much." I state and look at my watch. "Now, go wash your hands."

"Okay daddy" Phoebe says obediently.

I open the door for Ted and at the same time lunch is being delivered. I direct the staff on where to lay out the food.

"Have you heard from mom? I have been wondering how Lily has been getting on." Ted inquires.

"No, I haven't actually. They have probably only just finished at the designer and were going for lunch. Your mother said that she would be back before three."

"Daddy my hands are clean" Phoebe calls while she runs out, all smiles; however, she stops when she see's Ted. My poor little girl is filled with trepidation. I know she is worried that her brother will be mad at her. I honestly think she dislikes the thought of Ted being mad at her more than her mother and I.

"Can I see your hands? I don't know if my hands are clean enough" Ted asks softly. Phoebe nods and approaches her brother. She holds out her hands in front of Ted's and together they examine each other hands. I step away to sign the room service slip and can't wipe away the smile on my face as I hear both Ted and Phoebe laughing. No matter what, they will always be brother and sister, and will always love each other.

I place Phoebe's lunch on her plate and put it down for her. I still need to do this for her to make sure she eats enough. She has inherited her mother's physical shape and is too thin also for my likening.

"Do I have to eat it all?" Phoebe asks.

"Most definitely" I point out.

"So Ted, since you will be back at Grey House in a month, I am going to assign you to my team. We have some record breaking acquisitions on the pipeline." I apprise. He has originally been on Ros's team, but I have missed him exceedingly these four months and want him closer at work, especially as he will take over the company one day hopefully. Also, Ros is going to be his mother in law and working that close can complicate matters.

"I have missed Grey house, though I do want a couple of weeks off after the wedding."

"Of course, that goes without saying. Do you know where you want to go for your honeymoon?" I probe.

"No idea. For the first time in years, I haven't a clue" Ted chuckles.

"You should go to Disney world and the beach. Its lots of fun." Phoebe pipes in.

"I don't know about Disney world, but the beach sounds like a great idea. There isn't any beaches in Darfur" Ted smiles at his sister.

"What is in Darfur?" Phoebe asks.

"Well it's very hot, and very much just like a desert. It has got mountains, and there are some green parts, but not as much as it did once. That is why Lily has been working on getting more water there. So the people, who live there have more water and plants." Ted comments.

"My teacher said that plants need water to grow." Lily says taking everything that Ted has said in.

"Yes. So if we can get more water, then people can grow their food. If they get more clean water, they won't be so sick" Ted explains.

"Teddy?"

"Yes Fifi" I give my son a sympathetic look, though he is a happy victim of Phoebe's constant questions.

"You said the baby is in Lily's tummy"

"Yes, but the baby is very small. It has to stay in there for another seven months." Ted is glowing. Phoebe wanting to talk about the baby gives him hope that she will be happy over it.

"How did the baby get into Lily's tummy?" I loudly splutter the wine that I just drank as Phoebe asked her latest question. She is only five. Surely she shouldn't be asking this type of question yet. Secretly I was hoping she would be sixteen.

"What's wrong daddy?" Phoebe asks unaware of the nature of her question.

"Nothing. You need to finish your lunch" I tell her.

"Okay, but how do babies get into their mommy's tummies yet?" I so desperately want Ana to come home right now to help me with this; however I know she is at least a couple of hours away.

"Have you had enough to eat Phoebe?" I ask.

"Yes daddy"

"Good, Phoebe lets go into the living room. You and I are going to have a chat about how babies get into their mommies tummy." I walk behind my eager little girl, and try to smile down at her as she looks up at me. However deep down I have no idea what to say. Fuck! How do I explain this?

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I am glad I got it out as quickly as I did. I can't wait to write the next chapter. How is Christian going to explain this to his five year old daughter?

Again sorry that there is a few errors, but on the upside I have beaten depression again.