Dinner Can Give You Heartburn
Phoebe's POV:
We enter the main room, and whilst everyone generally greets us all cordially, the tension is almost visible. Battle lines are drawn, and I know that tonight is going to be crucial to getting everyone to accept us, as a couple. The question, however; is this the calm before the storm?
"Josh and Phoebe, would you both like a glass of wine?" My grandmother offers.
"Yes, please Mrs Grey" Josh asks politely.
"Call me Grace" My grandmother replies, passing us both a glass.
Josh and I are seated together on the two seater couch while on the opposite side, sits my Father, Mother, Uncle Elliot and Aunt Kate. Marcus, Ava's husband, is engaged in conversation with my brother, in the corner of the room. My twin niece and nephew are seated next to my parents, who dote over them. My grandfather has engaged Josh in conversation over the legal industry, due to interest, but also probably to avoid harmful interactions. I start to relax a little thinking that we can get through this evening unscathed.
"Where are Lily and Ava?" I inquire.
"Upstairs. Since dinner got delayed waiting for you both, Lily is feeding Macie and giving her a bath before putting her down to bed. Ava is helping her." Dad has said this as if we have been a monumental inconvenience and makes me feel guilty. While I accept that we threw a spanner in the works, surely we haven't put everyone completely out. I look at the clock, and it reads seven pm. We are only thirty minutes late. Hang on! We all usually don't eat for an hour after we arrive at family dinners.
"Ted, what time does Macie usually have her final feed in the evening before being put to bed?" I ask. I know Ted won't understand the context of my question since he has been ignoring us all, by talking to Marcus.
"Macie has a bath after six and then she usually has a long feed. We then we put her down after seven. Why?" Ted asks.
"Just curious." I say casually. My brother then looks at Josh, and if looks could kill, I would be trying to resuscitate my boyfriend back to life. I don't dwell on this as I feel the need to make a point to my father. "We apologize for the inconvenience. Though us being late, allowed Macie, to stick to her routine. Dad weren't you overzealous with routine when I was young? You use to say that it was essential to a child's development and temperament." My father narrows his eyes, but I know I just checkmated him.
"Except having has you on such a strict routine as a child, hasn't helped your temperament lately" My father, and I then lock eyes on each other. The friction is intense.
"Phoebe, why don't you go up and see Lilly and Ava. They might need some help" My mother says this as a suggestion, but she is practically ordering me. I look at her curiously, but she is straight-faced. "Grace, they are upstairs in the second room on the left, aren't they?"
"I think so, but they …." My grandmother states but is uncharacteristically interrupted by my mother.
"Go and see if they need some help. I know Ava wants to see you" My mother now clearly orders me. I fail at reading my mother lately. Her opinion of Josh and I wavers. The honest truth is that I wouldn't be upset if she sided with my Dad as I certainly don't want to put pressure on my parent's relationship.
Before I can oppose going up stairs, Josh quietly tells me to go and see Ava, Lily and get a last minute baby cuddle. I am apprehensive about leaving. I am leaving Josh in the lion's den. Even with my grandparent's staunch support, and my grandfather sitting next to him, I don't think they will be much of a force against certain other members of my family.
Reluctantly, I finally leave the main room and softly sigh. Each step I take up the elegant staircase, makes me even more nervous. I knock gently and open the door slightly. Lily is sitting the single seater, feeding Macie. I don't think I have ever seen such a peaceful sight.
Ava smiles widely when she sees me, and we greet each other quietly, but very enthusiastically. My cousin looks gorgeous. Her long shiny blonde hair, perfect facial features and physical frame make her look closer to my age than Teds.
"Hey little cousin, I missed you," Ava says.
"I missed you too. I am so glad your back" Ava has been one of the greatest cousins ever. I learnt do much from her growing up, and she was just like a big sister. I start to get a little emotional, due to everything that has happened, and a few tears escape.
"Hey don't get upset. I know things have been bad" She says sympathetically
"It's worse than bad. When grandpa and Dad opened the door for us tonight, Josh and I were kissing, really kissing, causing Dad to snub Josh. Then, I was just rather insolent, but I couldn't help it. Dad was trying to make us feel like we had been the biggest inconvenience and we haven't even been here for twenty minutes..." I sit back on the bed and flop back.
"Level with me. Am I the worst person in the world?" I ask.
"No, but I have to say, your current relationship is a little unconventional. I bet every family member downstairs thought it would be me who would rock the boat, not you." Ava evaluates.
"Ava, how do feel about Josh and us being together? I know about how you both slept together. It isn't going to be weird for you, is it?" I query.
"Oh my, that was fourteen years ago, and I slept with a lot of guys, back then. It won't be uncomfortable or anything. I saw Josh a few times after we slept together, when he was visiting Ted. I don't think Marcus is too eager to eat dinner with a guy I slept with at one time, but he will be respectful. After all, I do sleep with Marcus now" Ava smiles as she mentions her husband's name. "Now since we are on the subject of sleeping with people. Phoebe on your trip to New York, did you and Josh, sleep together?" Lily asks. I am become extremely shy and try not to blush. How do I approach this question?
"Well that depends on how you define 'sleep together'. Did we go into the same bed and sleep through the night, then yes." I reply.
"Cut it out Phoebe. Did you and Josh have sex yet or not?" Ava says annoyed at my reluctance to answer the question. I am about to respond when I am saved by my eight week old niece.
"Get me the towel out of my Mothers bag. Macie just vomited up some milk." Quickly we both respond, grabbing cloths and wipes. "Miss Macie, at least you didn't get me this time." Lily wraps Macie up in a Muslin wrap and gently places her in the cot. My grandparents and parents have kept a cot in their home for some time, for moments like this.
"So let's go downstairs. I want to see if my husband has kept his promise and not punched out his oldest friend" Lily says shaking her head. We all reach the bottom of the stairs, when I suddenly feel the need to stop.
"Are your legs broken?" Ava jokes.
"I have a feeling of dread, and I know my parents aren't going to happy when they find out my news." I say, talking in riddles now.
"Don't stress about it. My news is going to make everyone forget whatever you say. Let's go" Ava partially orders.
We can hear them all talking rather clearly and then my father asks the same question I just got asked. Lily winks at me and then swiftly enters the main room with Ava and me struggling to keep up with her.
Christian's POV:
I am happily surprised when Ana instructs Phoebe to go upstairs, and even more so when our daughter complies. I look at Ana curiously, trying to determine what her motives are. Ana moves closer to me and then whispers into my ear. "This is your chance to get all the answers to your questions, without Phoebe being here."
"Thank you" I whisper back into Ana's ear. She then puts her hand on my knee, to let me know that I have her support.
"Ruby and Eli, why don't you both go and complete your homework in the study" Ana recommends.
"But we don't have any homework" Eli states.
"Yes but you both have French verbal tests tomorrow. Go to the study and practice. I will come and get you both when it's time for dinner" Ted informs them.
"Dad, there is no point sending us away. We both know what is going on; we don't need to leave the room" Ruby comments.
"You do need to leave the room, when I have asked you to. You have five seconds to march into the study or you both lose your cell phones for a month" Ted warns. They both conform and with both of my teenage grandchildren out of the way, its time.
"Josh, how was your flight over to Seattle? You must be tired especially after your case." I ask. Josh and my father's conversation ends, and they focus upon me.
"I feel as though, I am running on adrenaline. My trial ended early this morning, with a not-guilty verdict, allowing me to fly over. I was a little worried that the jury was going to make us wait longer to be honest. They had been deliberating for over twenty-four hours."
"Then you must have matters yet to handle back in New York. How did you get organized so quickly, if your case only finished this morning" I investigate.
"No. I have been preparing to move to Seattle, ever since Phoebe came to visit me. I realized how much I did miss her and wanted to be ready to leave New York as soon as possible. I have had my apartment, belongings, and even office packed up and ready to leave, for a few days. My sister and parents are still in New York, and they have keys to my apartment. If I have forgotten anything, my family can send it to me. I just really wanted to be with Phoebe." Josh takes a deep breath and then looks at Ana and me.
"Mr and Mrs Grey, I know how you feel about Phoebe and I, and it is understandable. In fact, I know you all feel antagonistic over this relationship, but I unquestionably love Phoebe and I wouldn't hurt her. If I saw that I was or would hurt her, then I would end our relationship that precise second." Josh explains.
"Don't take the risk that you will hurt her, then." Elliot adds. Kate gives him a scornful look, but he stays straight faced. "Kate, do you want our Niece to be with a guy who screwed our daughter twice?" Kate drops her shoulders and we all know that she agrees with Elliot, though probably still thinks we are over reacting.
"Okay, we are not getting anywhere going in circles. Why don't you all just ask me what you want, and let's get it out in the open? I will answer any question you have. As long as..." Josh is then interrupted by my father.
"Josh, there is no need for that. I told Phoebe that I would ensure the evening is kept civil, and that is a promise I intend to keep" My father states.
"Thank you Carrick, but its okay. I owe it to your family to account for my actions, in light of the age gap. I will answer any question, as long as everyone understands that I never chased after Phoebe or pursued this relationship. It happened naturally. I love Phoebe more than I have loved anyone ever!" I narrow my eyes at Josh. He is serious, letting us know that he is committed. Before I can start, Ted commences.
"Why didn't you walk away, when it started? You knew that I wouldn't be happy this relationship. I have known you forever. Didn't you think about that? There are other women who are interested in you." Ted asks. He has taken this all very personally.
"Of course I considered it, but I couldn't walk away even if I wanted to. Ted, you couldn't stop thinking about Lily, when you both weren't together when you started college, and you also, could have had other women. But you didn't because Lily was the one for you. Phoebe is the one for me" I hate that he is comparing my son's relationship to his with my daughter. They are different.
"But Lily and Ted weren't seventeen years apart." I remind him. "Josh do you remember that you stayed at our house for a few nights before Ted and Lily's wedding?" I inquire, starting my line of questioning.
"Yes." Josh confirms.
"The day before the wedding, at breakfast, you and Ted were talking about how you didn't have a girlfriend at the time. You looked to my daughter and asked her. 'Why couldn't she be 15 years older?' Whilst she is fifteen years older now, so are you." I tell him this to emphasize that their age difference isn't going go away.
"Your age difference is going to catch up with you both, not just in twenty years, but less than twenty days. Phoebe is young and with a large group of friends, her age. She goes out with them. I doubt that you are going to be able to keep up or want to. Phoebe is tremendously loyal, and since she has fallen in love with you, she is going to give up so much of her youth. " Ana voices her concern. I know that she doesn't want our daughter to miss out on any of life's experiences.
"I am not going to take those away from her. I don't want her to stay away from her friends or anything like that. I am just adding to her life, not taking away from it." Josh states.
"So you are going to be happy, tagging along, when she is going to clubs with her friends? And what about when you are working late as the senior partner of your firm here and Phoebe goes out with girlfriends. My sister is particularly attractive. She is going to have men closer to her age, chase after her while at clubs. Surely due to human nature, she will be tempted over time" Ted strategizes.
"I guess I have more faith in Phoebe than you do then." Josh says harshly.
"Excuse me?" Ted says angrily and taking offense to Josh's statement stands up. Josh in response stands also. Elliot and I both jump up automatically, ready to hold Ted and Josh back if need be.
"Boys! Let's calm down. Carrick and I do not want this family dinner to go haywire. You both should know that, as the only doctor around, I will be the one to clean and stitch up any cuts and bruises. I am ninety years old and intensely rusty. I may stitch the wrong body parts, and administer the wrong medication, in to both of you!" My mother warns and quickly Ted and Josh back down. Everyone expect, Josh and Ted grins at her comment.
"You have gone from one woman to another. What are you looking for in this relationship?" Elliot asks. This is an intriguing question from my brother and is reminiscent of his own actions in his twenties.
"Whatever Phoebe wants and I want." Josh replies.
"And what is it that you want? Do not lie, or I won't hold back my nephew, Ted, when he wants to take a swing at you, next time. My brother isn't strong enough to hold Ted off alone." Elliot probes and warns.
"The honest truth?" Josh asks to clarify.
"Yes" I add.
"To make Phoebe happy and in turn make me happy. I just want to be with her. I haven't made this a secret"
"But what else do you want with my daughter, say in five years?" I question.
"I want to marry Phoebe and start a family with her if we are lucky enough" Ana grips my hand tightly, and we all sit there shocked at his admission. My whole family gives each other sharp looks. We never thought that either of me had thought this far into the future. The room falls silent, and finally I decide to ask the question.
"When Phoebe went to visit you in New York, did you both sleep together? Did you have sex with my daughter?" I question. Josh is about to answer when, Ava, Lily and Phoebe all enter the main room, too quickly, for my liking.
"Sorry about that though, on the upside, Macie is fast asleep, and will be for hours now," Lily says interrupting the conversation.
"She is such a happy baby" Phoebe comments.
"Aunt Ana, was Ted a good baby? I bet I was. Actually, I bet I was the best looking baby that this family ever saw." Ava contributes.
"Ava you were exceedingly fussy, and as soon as you knew the difference, all you would wear is pink. You bit me once when I tried to put a blue dress on you once" Kate adds.
"I just knew what I wanted from an early age!" Ava says proudly. The family members who were present for Josh's interrogation are shell shocked from the change of conversation that these three Grey family women have brought to the room. One of my parent's domestic staff then enter the main room and inform my parents that dinner is ready.
"It is time for us all to go into the dining room" My mother states, and just like that, the interrogation of Joshua Harris comes to a premature ending.
Ava has commenced telling tales of her recent work trip to Europe while we all contribute from our own experiences. It doesn't go unnoticed by me that Phoebe and Josh are extremely quiet during dinner, regardless of the fact that they both have traveled in that region. Phoebe has even traveled multiple times to Europe growing up. For the sake of my parents, we all try hard to enjoy our meal and converse freely. I do notice that Phoebe is eating her whole meal, which is rare. I suspect she is doing it to appease me a little.
"Grandma and Grandpa, could we all have tea and coffee in the living room? Marcus and I want to talk to you all." Ava requests.
"Of course." My parents tell her.
At differing paces, we gradually filter into the living room. Elliot and I stay in the dining room whilst our spouse's swiftly go into the living room as they chat. He and I are talking casually, but in truth we don't want to leave Phoebe with Josh alone. Ava catches my attention when she goes over to Phoebe and Josh. I can't make out what she is saying, but I hear Phoebe say something on the lines that she will wait to tell us. What on earth does she need to tell us now? Already I know that I am not going to like this.
"Okay Ava, we are all here. What do you need to tell us?" Kate asks anxiously, once we are all in the living room.
"I am not going to go on assignment for a while, from December" Ava states.
"Is your job changing at the network?" Lily questions.
"Not at the network" Ava shakes her head.
"You're getting a new job?" Elliot questions.
"Kind of," Ava says mysteriously. My niece and her husband can't keep the smiles off their face. "I am not going on assignment from December, though I am not leaving the network, but my job is changing temporary because I am going to go on maternity leave." Ava smiles at us all whilst everyone takes in the good news. Elliot and Kate look excited and thrilled.
"You're having a baby?" Ted asks after no one asks.
"Yep, so I guess Macie is going to have a playmate, in early February. We are three months pregnant" This sensational news goes over extremely well. For the first time in weeks, we as a family are unified in our joy.
After hugging my niece, I notice that Phoebe has her back to Josh, and he has wrapped his arms around her. I stare at him, hoping I can intimidate him enough to let go of my daughter. I notice his hand on Phoebe's stomach, and my daughter places her hand on his. Fuck! My daughter... NO. NO. NO! Shit, my daughter is pregnant. This is what she told Ava she would tell us about later. I feel myself going thermonuclear. I walk up to Josh and Phoebe. "Go to the dining room now!" I order them quietly but hissing. They both look at me confused but obey. Our exit from the living room doesn't go unnoticed by Ana, and she chooses to follow us, but thankfully no one else does. They are all too excited over Ava's news.
"What is your problem now Dad?" Phoebe asks annoyed. I am so angry that I am struggling to communicate.
"Christian, relax. Tell me what's happening" Ana asks.
"Well it seems that Ava isn't the only one having a baby" I update my wife on the situation.
"WHAT?" Ana, Phoebe and Josh call out at the same time.
"Don't play stupid you two," I say to Phoebe and Josh. "I saw how you touched my daughter's stomach. Ana, our daughter is pregnant. I heard her speak to Ava about not telling us something yet." Ana looks horrified, but then also becomes angry.
"Hey! Wait a minute! You are both wrong. We are not pregnant." Phoebe states.
"Mr and Mrs Grey, we are definitely not pregnant. I was just holding Phoebe that is all. My touching her stomach was just a show of affection that is all. " Josh says honestly.
"Then what is it you told Ava you would tell us about later?" I ask Phoebe irritated.
"I will tell you both tomorrow. I need to tell Josh first" Phoebe comments.
"You can tell Josh and us both, NOW!" I tell her harshly.
"I found out this morning that our purchase of a new apartment was finalized, and I received the keys in this afternoon. I am intending to move in with Josh. We are going to live together, and I am moving out this weekend." Phoebe advises us.
"Excuse me?" Ana replies shocked.
"Me; moving out; living with Josh." Phoebe says summarizing her news.
"And where on earth do you think you will be moving to?" I inquire. I am going to have Welch commence a comprehensive report on where this property is located and its specifics, as soon as I finish arguing with my daughter.
"Seattle. I bought an apartment in the city. Actually we both did. Josh and I both put in fifty percent of the cost each." Phoebe informs us.
"No. I won't have you two living together. Not yet. I forbid it" I tell them both.
"You don't get a vote, Dad." I run both my hands thought my hair and count to ten, but my anger and emotions are getting too much to deal with.
"NO!" I yell so loud that an Elliot, Ted and my parents burst into the dining room.
"What's going on?" My mother asks.
"Grandma and Grandpa, thank you for dinner. Josh and I need to leave. I will call you both soon" Phoebe says and then starts to walk out with Josh,
"Phoebe, STOP!" Ana requests.
"I can't Mom. I am sorry, I truly wish I didn't need to leave, but there is no point staying. I love you both, but I need to do what is right for me." Phoebe says.
"Phoebe if you leave, you will regret this" I warn. Phoebe looks appalled at my threat, as does Ana, and my parents.
"I will then just have to live with it. Plus just so you both know that I am not pregnant because I am still a virgin. Josh and I didn't have sex in New York. We wanted to wait till we were in our own home, together." Phoebe then storms out, with Josh in tow.
# # # #
Two days later on Sunday morning, I am desperately trying to focus on reading the paper but I can barely concentrate on one word, let alone an entire article. Ana and I haven't spoken to Phoebe since she stormed out, of my parents' house on Friday night. She came over yesterday when Ana and I were out, to collect her clothes and personal items. We made sure we wouldn't be here, so not to do more damage to our relationship with our daughter and give her space. Gail and Taylor helped her, as per our request. The only news, we have received is to let us know that she will be at work tomorrow. At least my daughter isn't throwing away her career.
I am yet to tell Ana, but I have frozen Phoebe's trust fund. However, there is still a couple of million in my daughters personal account. I would close that down too, but Ana wouldn't accept that. Plus I can't be that cruel to my daughter.
I put the newspaper on the down and there is Sawyer, standing in front of us with an iPad in his hand.
"Mr and Mrs Grey, you both should have a look at this," He says cautiously handing us the iPad. Ana and I read the online newspaper article and immediately our moods worsen again.
Authors Note: I hope this chapter was juicy enough for you all. I do update as much as I can, and currently have been able to do so very regularly, so I do listen when people request a new chapter quickly.
Off to write the next chapter. It's going to be fun... Feel free to let me know your thoughts. I don't mind if you bag out/complain about a character.