Altercation

Ted's POV:

"End it Phoebe. Promise me you will end this relationship. He is too old for you. No one will accept it, I won't and neither will our parents. End it. Promise me here and now. You will only end up, getting even more hurt," I start to plead. I don't want her to get upset, but this relationship will have such negative effects on her.

"No. I can't." Phoebe tells me.

"Why not?" I say infuriated.

"Because… I…." Phoebe is struggling to finish her sentence.

"Because why?" I ask sternly and wait for her answer. It then hits me. SHIT!

"We need to get out of here" I grab her hand tightly and lead her outside.

"Ted let go of me." Phoebe beseeches me. I lead her outside, around the corner where no one can see us.

"You are starting to hurt me" I let go when I realize how harsh I have treated her, but my anger comes back quickly. I don't know if I have ever been so mad, at least not at her.

"I am going to kill Josh. He is supposed to be my best friend. How dare he do this to you? You are too young!" I yell.

"Huh?" Phoebe states.

"How far along are you?" I inquire.

"What are you talking about?" Phoebe is frustrated and acting like she doesn't understand what is going on. I wish she would cut it out. She is too smart for that. It doesn't become her.

"Your pregnant! It doesn't take a rocket scientist" I state.

"Well it must take a fool to get it wrong. I am not pregnant. No chance" Phoebe yells sternly.

"Then why on earth won't you end your relationship with Joshua?" I feel my frustration grow. She has never been slow to answer a question

"I won't end our relationship because I love him. I. Love. Josh" Phoebe's is confident in her statement. She is sending me a strong message. I stand there and shake my head. No! No, this is wrong.

"Are you quite sure? Many girls when they find out someone loves them, wrongful believe they feel the same way. You are lying to yourself." I change my tactic. My sister looks at me as if she doesn't if know me.

"Fifi …"

"Stop! Don't call me that. Do not call me Fifi, if you are going to treat me like these, then you lose the right." I am taken back by Phoebe's brazenness. She had always been so compliant.

"I am just trying to make you see sense!" I point out again.

"I love him" Phoebe reaffirms.

"I am leaving. I will see you later." I run my hands through my hair, and turn around, to face Bradley. "Can you take my sister to my house, please? Lily is expecting her" I walk away and even though I desperately want to turn back to look at her, but I can't.

I start to drive back to Grey House, with my phone connected to the blue tooth system, I first ring Lily and fill her in, about Josh and Phoebe. I can't and won't keep my wife in the dark over this, especially as Phoebe is coming over. Lily at first doesn't say anything. She has been shocked into silence, I think. After reconfirming that I would still attend Eli's swim meet, I try to ring Josh. What the fuck is he thinking? I try his cell phone and when he doesn't answer I ring his office.

"Good after, Mr Joshua Harris's Office" His personal secretary, Megan answers.

"Hello Megan, it is Ted Grey here. Can you please put me through to talk to Josh?" I have rung through to his office so often, but right now I wish I wasn't. Damn, I would prefer to be there punching him.

"Afternoon Ted, I am sorry, but Joshua is overseas at the moment. I thought he would have told you" she says politely. Shit, of course he was. He was in India, with my sister, doing her. The though makes my blood boil. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself; I don't want her getting suspicious. More than ever, I wish I had inherited my dad's ability to compose myself instantly.

"Yes, he did. I forgot sorry, work and life with twin teenagers and a new born has undoubtedly taken made me forget. Can you remind me when Josh will be back in New York?"

"He isn't scheduled to return to work until Wednesday. Isn't he going to Seattle this weekend, for some ball?" She asks curiously. Oh yes the Coping together ball.

"You are right. I can catch up with him then. Thanks Megan, have a terrific week" I hang up and consider my next move. The ball is still hosted at my grandparents' home, which they still live in, with more domestic help. The rather elegant evening is co-ordinated more by my parents, Aunt Mia, Aunt Kate, Uncle Elliot and a committee, these days,. Ava and Lily also often help out, and it is hoped that so would Phoebe as she moves back to Seattle. This way we the next generation will resume responsibilities.

I try to avoid my father when I arrive back at Grey House. I have scrapped my previous plan, to immediately tell him about my sister's escapades with Joshua. I don't know what his reaction will be there. Rather I decide that a new tactic would be more effective.

I pick up my phone and ring Andrea. "Hi Andrea, do you have the seating allocations for the 'Coping Together' ball?...Excellent, I need to make a slight change…. Yes, my mother and father knows about it… thank you"

My father has been in charge of seating arrangements for about ten years, which means he has had Andrea allocate the seats and then he reviews it and changes people as he sees fit. I cringe when I see that Joshua has been allocated to our table, he usually sits elsewhere but comes over to our table during the evening. I save my changes and email it back to Andrea.

Phoebe POV:

I have been trying to get hold of Joshua while Bradley drives me to Lily and Ted's house, but I fail as he is more than likely in the air, en route to Seattle. I love my brother's home, right by the lake. I have secretly been hoping that Josh and I can find one similar. Maybe, but that is up to fate.

The housekeeper lets me in and informs me that Lily is just upstairs as Macie woke up and needed to be fed. I walk down the corridor and see a collection of photos that have been beautifully framed and positioned. There are photos of Ted and Lily together and with their kids, photos of Ruby and Eli from different ages, some of the Macie and extended family shots.

I notice one photo to the side, and it is off me, and Ted, taken years ago at Christmas time, according to the decorations that are visible in the picture. I look rather young. I think I am only two years old, and clutching the blanket that I re-gifted my brother and Lily where he was expecting his twins. Ted is sitting on a leather chair that is still at my grandparents' house, and I am on his lap with his arms around me. It's a natural photo, and we are laughing. We look so happy. I adored Ted then and still do. The thought of how we were together, and how torn our relationship was, when he left me today, makes me distressed. I wonder if he will apologise to me.

"Look Macie, there is someone here to meet you" I turn and see Lily with her new daughter. My sad thoughts are pushed away as I catch my first real glimpse of my niece.

"Can I hold her?" I ask, longingly.

"Sure" Lily passes the baby to me and I cradle her carefully against chest. "Just be careful, I just fed her, and she has had a little bit of reflux." I kiss my new niece's forehead. Oh, she smells so lovely. I rock Macie gently and study her as I sit down on the couch with my new niece and Lily. Her hair is brown like Lily's, but she has her dad deep grey eyes.

"Hey there, Macie. I am your Aunty Phoebe. Boy you are going to love me during Christmas and birthdays" I smile.

"Welcome home Phoebe! Ruby will be overjoyed to have you back. She is entering a rather sassy teenager period that even I am too uncool for her to talk to. Everyone will be happy to have you home." Lily states rather positively.

"Not everyone. Though I don't know if you know…about... " I say a little infuriated, though one look at the precious parcel in my arms and I forget all that.

"I know. Ted rang me. He is immensely upset" Lily looks uncomfortable.

"He isn't the only one!"

"Tell me what happened when Ted confronted you?" Lily asks. I tell her the whole story of story. I include what happened inside and outside the café, the confrontation that Ted and I had, and investigator. Lily expression is changes for shock, acceptance and annoyance.

"What is your opinion on Josh and me?" I inquire, but immediately wish I could retract the comment. "Don't comment. I don't want you to feel pressured to take sides or cause issues for you and Ted. He hates it when you both argue. I just wish he would support me being with Josh."

"Ted loves you Phoebe, and he only wants you to be happy. Besides, have you thought about what your parents are going to say? When are you going to tell them?" Lily asks

"Not until Josh moves to Seattle. Can you help me? Can you ask Ted not to tell our parents, just yet? Please? I know I am asking a lot, but…" Lily puts her hand to get me to stop talking.

"Macie needs her diaper changed. Can you do it? Her room is next to mine and Ted's. I will be there is a few minutes." Lily walks off before I even have a chance to get a word out.

I lower Macie onto her change table and get a decent look at her. Gosh she is so sweet! I can't help but laugh out loud when I recall how Ted though I was pregnant just an hour ago.

I quickly change her, and I am overjoyed that her diaper was just wet. "There you go Macie that was painless for you and me. You should know that was the first diaper I have changed all by myself, and I am glad it was yours. I refused to change you older sister and brothers diapers when they were small like you" I pick her up again and sit down on the rocking chair. On the wall of her impeccably designed room, is a family photo of Ted, Lily, Ruby, Eli and Macie. Gosh I remember when the twins were born and met them for the first time.

Fourteen years ago

I want to run down the hospital corridor to see the babies, but my mother is holding my hand tightly, and my dad is next to me. He has just got off another phone call. I think Dad spends more time on it then he does sleeping.

"Now Phoebe, when we go inside, you need to understand that the babies are extremely small and fragile. You can't be too loud" My dad has been lecturing me in between calls.

"Alright Dad. I know, you have told me like three times already. Mom, tell Dad that he has told me this all already, and I understood the first time!" I request.

"Phoebe you are being disrespectful..." Mom tells me frowning, "However, Christian, our daughter has got you there"

My dad then mumbles something to my mother; however, I can only make out a few words. "What do you mean by 'inherited your smart mouth'?" I ask...

"Nothing" they both reply, cutting me off. I hate when they both do that!

We reach the hospital room, and my mom goes inside while dad and I wait outside. She is going to check that it's okay for us to enter. I play with one of my long piggy tails in plaits, but my ribbon and hair tie comes loose. My father who notices everything kneels down and fixes it for me.

"You need to stop playing with your hair,"

"I can't help it" I state as he plaits it again for me and ties it up.

"Daddy, do you love the babies? Does mommy love them too?" I ask.

"Yes, Phoebe we do."

"Will the baby girl be your little princess now?" I question worried. I am happy that the babies are here and understand that Ted will love them lots and spend a lot of time with them, but I don't want them to replace me with my dad.

"No, Phoebe, you are always going to be my number one little princess!" Dad kisses me on my forehead and then tickles me. I laugh out loud.

"Sshh... Not so loud" my dad says softly.

"But you are the one tickling me!" I point out.

"I know. I just love like to hear you laugh and giggle." My dad says smiling, and kisses my forehead.

"Okay you two, you can come in now" My mother tells us by the door. I slowly walk into the room and find Lily on the bed holding one of the babies, whilst Ted puts the other in a little plastic hospital bed. I stand next to my dad, not sure what to do next. Ted is looking at me, with his head titled to the side. He looks like our dad when he does that.

"Hey Fifi, am I going to get a hug or not?" Ted asks. I smile and run over to him, and he sweeps me up in his arms." I have the best men in my life.

"Are you ready to meet your niece and nephew?" Ted invites.

"Yes, but it seems funny. I am only six years old, and I am an Aunty, but I can try" Everyone laughs a little, but I don't know what is so funny.

"Can I hold one of the babies?" I ask Teddy and Lily. They look at each other but don't say anything.

"That should be fine," Lily tells me.

"Come and sit next to me," Teddy says. He is holding Ruby, and once I am seated on the couch with a pillow, he carefully lowers her into my arms. My mother then hands Eli to Ted, so we are both holding the babies together.

"They are very small," I tell Teddy.

"I know, but they will grow. You were small too when you were a baby"

"Hi Ruby and Eli, I am your Aunty Phoebe. I am going to be the one you ring and complain to when your mommy and daddy are being unfair" I state. My mother giggles whilst my father smirks at Ted.

"You think I am going to be unfair?" Ted asks me

"I didn't just say you. I also said you and Lily" I clarify.

"Fine, you think we are going to be unfair?" Ted looks concerned.

"I don't know. But you tell me that I can ring when I get older when I think mommy and daddy are being unreasonable, so I figure that I should do the same for Ruby and Eli" I explain.

"Tit-for-tat, Ted" My dad states, but I don't understand what he means.

"What do the babies do?" I ask. I actually want to know when they will run around and play with me. I love Teddy as my brother, but he is a lot older than me, and I would like a little kid to play with me.

"Not much right now. They mainly eat, cry, sleep and need their diaper changed, and talking about Diapers, I think this little man needs his changed right now"

"Diaper? Yuck" I scrunch up my face.

"It isn't that dreadful. Mom can you take Ruby, Aunty Fifi needs to help change her little nephews diaper" Ted says.

"I don't want to." I say shaking my head.

"Come on, I just want your help that is all." Ted lays Eli on the change table and removes part of his clothes. "Can you get me a diaper and the tub with the cream?"

I pass the items to Ted, and he places the new diaper under the baby and places cream on him.

"Why do you need cream?" I ask

"It just helps protect the baby's skin, so he doesn't get a rash." Ted tells me.

"You occasionally would get a rash, no matter how often we changed your diaper and used cream and powder." Mother tells me standing behind me.

"Mommy that's embarrassing" I tell her.

"Hey Fifi, soon you will be able to change the baby's diaper by yourself" My brother suggests.

"No, thank you." I say quickly.

"Ted and Lily, when are you all being released from the hospital?" My mother asks.

"In four days." Lily replies.

"Good. Ted do not worry about work, everything is being taken care of. Just look after my grandchildren." My father states and then looks at his watch

"Always" Ted replies hugging Eli.

"We ought to go. Christian and I, both have meetings this morning, plus we need to get Phoebe, to school." My mother informs us all. She quickly goes over to say goodbye to Ted, Lily and the babies as does my dad. I say good bye to Lily and then babies, then go and hug my brother.

"Bye Ted, I have to go to school now"

"Be good at school and I will see you soon. You were exceptionally helpful when I was changing Eli's diaper." My brother kneels down, so he is at my eye level.

"Am I still allowed to come over to your house?" I ask shyly.

"Yes of course you are. The babies are going to love having you around!" Teddy tells me smiling.

"And can I still ring you if I think mommy and daddy are being unreasonable?" I ask.

"You are being extremely silly. You know you can ring no matter if our parents are being unreasonable or reasonable and even if you just want to talk. I am your brother and I will support you no matter what crazy idea you get into your head" I can't help but smile. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.

"Bye Ted and I love the babies" I say and then happily skip off.

I try to keep myself from crying as I recall the first time I met the twin's and when my brother reconfirmed that he would always support me. I guess there were limits. I pat my baby niece, and she starts to fall asleep, so I lay her in her cot. She looks so perfect and content.

"Good work Aunty Phoebe. Macie isn't the most co-operative sleeper" Lily says softly. She has just tiptoed into the nursery and is standing next to me. We decide to walk out of the room, so we don't wake the baby.

"Macie is perfect. I am sorry that I wasn't here when she was born." I feel a stab of guilt and regret that I missed the being here, but I loved every aspect of my trip, especially when Joshua finally met up with me.

"Don't worry about it. You are here now. When do you start work at Grey Enterprise's?"

"I wasn't supposed to start for two weeks, but since I am home early, I should talk to my father about it. I might as well start midweek. I have a few things I want to do early next week" I blush, realizing she will know that I am referring to Josh.

"Things you want to do or do a specific person?" Lily asks crudely. I suddenly am stopped in my tracks by her comment. That is not what I mean... I am…

"Lily... No…." I desperately try to explain.

"Don't stress Phoebe. Its fine, also I spoke to Ted. He has promised not tell your parents about you and Josh. However when Josh moves over here, if that really is the plan, then we both agree that you need to inform your parents of your relationship." Lily is thoughtful but decidedly steadfast.

"Alright. I will tell Josh at the ball this weekend" I state.

Christians POV

"There you go. You look perfect" I tell Ana as I zip up her long dark green ball dress.

"Thank you, I love this emerald necklace. How did you know I was going to wear green? I didn't decide until yesterday" Ana questions.

"Anastasia, I have always made it my business to know everything, especially when you are concerned" I tell her. Surely she should know this by now.

"I wonder if Phoebe is ready. We don't have much time"

"This is our daughter's first chance to attend the 'Coping Together' ball. I am surprised that she wasn't ready hours ago." I slightly embellish. Phoebe has wanted to go to this ball for years, and I am thrilled that she came home early and can attend. It's the first time that we can all be together.

"What about the first dance auction?" Ana says raising her eyebrows at me. I immediately thin my lips, and it forms a hard line. I won't be able to stop someone from bidding on her.

"Phoebe doesn't have to participate. I can write a Cheque, to cover what someone might have paid." I point out.

"Christian that isn't in the nature of this charity ball, and since it is the Grey family who operates the charity, she needs to participate." Oh how I wish I could still intimate Ana into agreeing with me.

"You want our daughter to be auctioned off. If I recall the first and only you're participated, you felt like a piece of meat. surely you don't want that for our young daughter" I scold.

"Christian!" Ana yells. I know I have gone too far.

"Can I bid on her?" I ask.

"What? No, that is going a little too overboard" Ana says giggling.

"You still like to laugh at me don't you, Anastasia?" I narrow my eyes.

"Only when you are being ridiculous, I do." I wrap my arms around Ana and pull her close to me. I commence to possess her with my kisses and run my hands down her back, which causes her to flex her pelvis into mine.

"Now Mrs Grey, there will be none of that till later." I smirk. I love that I know exactly how to get a response to her. "Not until at least half way into the ball. I am so glad my parents never got rid of that boat house"

I hold Ana's hand as I escort her down the stairs. We even haven't even reached the bottom, when we see our daughter. Wow, Phoebe looks every bit of a young Ana. In fact, she looks incredible, in her long red silk dress, with her hair out. Fuck, men are going to swarm to her. Hhhmm... I am not sure and the slightly low bodice. Screw that, I am going to have one of the security people watch her all night.

"Phoebe, you look amazing," Ana tells her.

"Yes, princess you do, but that dress is a little low cut. We have time if you want to go and get changed" I offer.

"Dad!" Phoebe calls out at the same time Ana calls out. "Christian" Both of them are going to choose to ignore me. As they both talk briefly, I snake my arm around Ana and then lower my hand to her backside and pat it. No one is behind us, so they won't see our intimate exchange. I want my wife to know that we are going to have some fun, later tonight.

"I promised grandpa that I would save him a dance tonight. I can't wait" Phoebe informs us

"Good. Only dance with him, myself and maybe your uncle Elliot" I smirk at my daughter. She rolls her eyes at me.

"Maybe we should just go" Phoebe states. I am beyond proud of how my daughter has grown up, her achievements so far and the many that are going to come, but part of me also wishes she was still a little girl.

The ball is in full swing by seven, and as predicted, several young men have approached Phoebe already. Although she is polite, doesn't commit herself to dancing with them. I am beyond pleased. My brother, Elliot, who is tonight's MC, calls us all to take our seats for dinner.

"Mom and dad are you sure Elliot is the best person for this job?" I inquire.

"Christian, you know he is. Elliot may have a slightly edgy comical side, but he has the gift of gab" Grace informs us.

I take Ana's arm and turn to take Phoebes arm also, so I can escort the two phenomenal women in my life, but my daughter isn't there anymore. Rather she is examining the seating allocations and looks as if she is trying to suppress her anger.

"Ana, I want to check on Phoebe." Ana looks over to where Phoebe is standing and nods. "Dad could you escort my amazingly gorgeous wife to our table. I will be there in a few minutes."

I study my daughter's reaction further, and clearly know something is wrong. Though she is more than likely going to deny it.

"Anything bothering you?" I ask

"Uh no. Everything is perfect." She lies.

"What are you looking at? Or who are you looking for? You have been looking intently at the table arrangements" I probe.

"It's just that I have lived out of Seattle for a while, and I was wondering if I knew anyone that is all" Phoebe seems particularly convincing, but I know she is still partially lying.

I look at the table she just had her hand on, table nine and I see his name. Matthew Williamson. He was a big deal at the boy's school next to Phoebe's old girls school and they dated a couple of times. I did a background check on him and then found that all he ever wanted was to add my daughter's name to a long list of girls he managed to screw. I put an end to that relationship quickly. Luckily Phoebe always towed the line those days and accepted my decision, though I know she always wished she had been able to date him more.

It is going to be a lot harder to keep the fucker away from my daughter these days. I believe that he still has a reputation, and considering how incredible she looks, he is likely to want to try again. He also has the money to bid generously. I need to find someone else who will bid. On the same table is another name that I recognize. I instruct Sawyer to go and get him so I can have a chat. Yes, he will do perfectly.

Ted's POV:

Lily and I arrive a little later than usual to the ball, due to Macie needing to be fed, and my wife wanting to express. This means that I haven't had a chance to catch Josh alone. I want to ask him to end his relationship with my sister or knock him out. I know he is going to bid on her in the first dance auction. I find that Josh is on table nine, but another name catches my eye. An old interest I believe, that genuinely liked Phoebe. Perfect, I instruct Bradley to go and get him so I can have a chat. Yes, he will do perfectly.

Authors Note: So the next chapter is going to be fun... review if you wish. a guest reviewer asked about the age difference, between Phoebe and Josh. Josh is the same age as Ted in this story, so they it is 18 years. Also a lot of people asked for me to write about Phoebe meeting the twins, for the first time. I hope you that satisfied you all while fitting into the current storyline..