Authors Note: Hi everyone. I am back from vacation and hope you are all well. Finally, here is what you have been wanting to know, who made Josh leave and why… I hope it is unexpected.

Answers

Christian's POV:

"Answers to what?"

"That you where the one that managed to get Josh to leave. Why? How?" Ana says urgently.

"If you want those answers then we are going to need more company. The Whole Grey family is going to need to be here" I run my hands through my hair, frustrated and annoyed. What on earth happened? I look at my watch, and my lips form a hard line.

"It is Midday on a Friday. It will be too hard to get the whole family together right now! Just confirm that it was you! That you were the one that got Josh to leave Phoebe and return to New York," I question. I want to hear it from him.

"Yes, it was Carrick. He was the one who asked Josh to leave." My mother says now walking down the stairs, gracefully, stopping when she is next to my father. They both start to talk to each so quietly that Ana and I can't make out a word they are saying. They both nod at each other and then focus on us.

"Compulsory family dinner then, at 6:00. Tonight. We will contact everyone, they are least likely to say no, especially when we tell them that it is urgent. We trust that you two will not reveal the true nature of tonight's dinner." My father instructs us.

"Tell us now? This effects our daughter!" I demand to know and then it hits me. No! Please it can't be! "Is Josh somehow related? It is that what it is?" I ask concerned and repulsed. Ana looks at me confused, but she doesn't understand. Being adopted, means that you don't know exactly whom you are related to.

"No, Josh is not related in any way. Also, remember that Phoebe is also our granddaughter. We love her just as much as you both do!" My father reassures and scolds me at the same time.

"Then why does the whole family need to be here?" I inquire annoyed.

"Because it involves the whole family. Your mother and I will need to tell you all about a rather dark chapter in our lives. One that happened years ago, and why we couldn't let Phoebe go through the same thing" My father says cryptically. They both look extremely remorseful.

"Is it bad? The reason why Josh left"? Ana asks, but my parents fail to make eye contact with us. They both ignore the question.

"We need to make plans for this evening. We will see you both then" And just like that Ana and I are essentially dismissed. Outside Bellevue, I pull out my cell phone, to inform Welch and Taylor about my father and to see what else they can find out, however; Ana puts her hand on my cell phone.

"Christian don't! Let's just wait and give your Dad a chance to explain this evening." Ana pleads. I cannot stand having information kept from me, but I have been in the dark over this for months.

# # # #

Prior to six o'clock in the evening, Ana and I arrive at Bellevue, at the same time as Elliot and Kate. We are both anxious and concerned about what we are going to learn tonight, mainly because of my parents insistence that the whole family is needed in attendance. Politely we greet my brother and sister-in-law.

"Christian, we have got to do something about our parents. Calling one of their compulsory dinners with six hours' notice, they are both undeniably losing their minds!" Elliot states smirking. Usually I would agree with him, but this is different. I nod and smile a little, but my brother is looking at me concerned.

"You know something." Elliot says.

"Not really." I refute. When we enter we find that our sister Mia is already here. I am glad that she has moved back from Paris, recently. Ava and her family are here also, so now we are only waiting for Phoebe and Ted with his family.

Phoebe's POV:

I can't wipe the smile off my face as I race up to my grandparent's door. Today has been the most remarkable day. All papers were signed, and all the deals have been finalized. After five months of long hours. I have bought and sold off my first company. I also now know which company I am going to purchase next, thanks my father's advice.

Lily is already at the door, holding an ever growing Macie as Ted and the twins grab a few things from the car. I greet her pleasantly, and happily take my baby niece into my arms when Macie holds her hands out me.

"Gosh you are growing up so fast. I truly wish I could spend more time with you." I tell Macie and play with her.

"You can take my turn feeding her baby pasta if you like? Though I am afraid your white shirt may change color, as a result." Ted offers now at the door. We offer each other a small smile. "Also, Congratulations, I heard that you finalized the sale of your first company, I am immensely proud of you Fifi" Ted leans over and kisses my cheek. It's the first time in months that he has called me Fifi.

"Thanks Teddy. Are you ready to take me on?" I joke. I know that I wouldn't ever be able to compete with the might that is Grey Enterprise for a long time, if ever. The thing is I don't want to either; I just want to prove myself now.

"Bring it on." Ted comically challenges, and then rings the doorbell.

"Do either of you know why our grandparents called this dinner on such short notice?" I probe hoping they have some idea.

"No, we don't have a clue. But it was exceedingly short notice, so something is up" Ted warns us. The three of us looked concerned but put on a brave face when the door opens. The housekeeper escorts us to the main room, where every member of our family has already congregated. Our Grandmother quickly notices that we have arrived.

"Oh good you are all here. Why don't we have dinner straight away" My Grandmother announces before we are even able to say hello to any of our family members.

"We are going to have dinner now?" My Uncle Elliot states shocked. "Sorry Mom and Dad, I know I have been the joker and Mr- go-with-the-flow in the family, but there is no chance that I am going to sit down and have dinner, without you telling us if you either of you, are sick or not?" My Uncle Elliot is being uncharacteristically serious and severe.

"Elliot, your mother and I are well, with the exception of a little bit of old age. Now if you have finished, let us all go and eat". A few of us shrug and follow them into the dining room. I look back to give my parents a hello smile, both of them smile back at me, but I notice that their smiles don't reach their eyes. It is a most unsettling feeling.

Dinner is served and is delicious in the usual Grey Family style. My Uncle Elliot, now reassured that his parents are not unwell, is throwing around his usual entertaining commentary, whilst the conversation remains light. There is no discussion of business, politics or even current affairs, instead everyone is reminiscing about the past. Elliot and my father had just admitted to having followed Mia on her first few dates as a teenager, whilst Ava had also admitted that she had a crush on Ted before she realized that he was her cousin. I took Ted up on his offer to feed Macie her dinner, and I am happily surprised that I am able to get as much food in her mouth as I do, even though she is successful in grabbing the spoon off me a couple of times.

Once dinner is complete, Ted and Lily organize for the twins and an already sleeping Macie to be sent home, as per the request of our parents and grandparents. We are all worried now, the twins are only ever asked to leave if something serious is going to be discussed. The whole Grey family has congregated in the main room and are served after dinner drinks, tea and coffee. I carefully watch my grandparents, and it is obvious they are a little nervous.

Once we are settled. My Grandfather commences to speak. The room has gone quiet. We are all desperate and scared to know what on earth he needs to tell us so urgently.

Carrick's POV:

"Elliot, Christian and Mia, you three have been the greatest gifts your mother, and I ever received. We got the privilege to raise you all and watch you become the extraordinary people that you all are. We got to watch you all in your careers, raise families and contribute positively to society. If we weren't blessed enough, we got to have three outstanding grandchildren, in Ted, Ava and Phoebe. Then we got further blessed with four terrific grandchildren. This family has been our pride and joy. Grace and I have both been more than successful in our careers, but our family has been our legacy". I am careful to emphasize this point especially as I start my confession. Our family needs to know that Grace and I consider ourselves to be bless. Regardless of what happened in the past, our adopted children are our children!

"Dad you're scaring us. Are you sure, you or Mom aren't sick?" Mia asks, sharing everyone's concern in the room. I look at my family, and I realize that I have actually worried everyone, even Christian and Ana, and they know why we have called everyone here tonight.

"No, we are well enough. We are definitely not as young as we use to be but in god enough health. The reason Grace and I want you all to understand why we love you all so much, and how we wouldn't change our life's, is that there is something we haven't told you all ever and it is the reason why I decided on a, certain action." I commence to disclose. I know that I am going in circles. I desperately tried not to think about those anguished days for so long. I have pushed them into the back of my mind, but it always haunts me.

"What action?" Elliot quizzes me. I look at my granddaughter Phoebe and wonder if what I did was the right thing. She hasn't been the same since Josh left, but she has started to come around lately. Broken family links have started to recover, and everyone was going to be happy again.

"Let me get to that later" I declare. I want to tell them everything before I get to exactly what I did. I need to give them all perspective. I need them, especially Phoebe to understand why I had no choice. I needed to protect her in the best way possible.

"Elliot, Christian and Mia, you three have never asked why your mother and I couldn't have our own biological children" Everyone looks taken back by my statement especially our three children, who are looking at each other bewildered.

"That is obvious. You both weren't, or one of you was not fertile. Right?" Christian inquires stunned.

"It is time your mother and I tell you all what happened before we adopted you all." I take a deep breath and look at Grace. I need to give her a chance to tell our family the whole story. It was her that had to endure the hardship, but watching it happened was horrendous in itself.

"You tell them." Grace tells me. My glorious wife to this day doesn't talk about it much. We had moved on, but on that day every year, I know she shed a tear, as did I, in private.

"Eighteen months before we adopted Elliot, Grace and I were pregnant. Everything was extremely smooth until the second trimester, and then things took a turn for the worst." There is a combined shock from our family, but I don't dwell on it and continue to explain. I shudder at the memory.

"Mom, you were pregnant? You never mentioned that before" Christian declares. I look at my son and know that he has entered his infamous CEO mode. He always does to control emotions he cannot handle.

"Christian, fair is fair. We all know that you have also failed to mention many aspects of your life multiple times" Grace points out, putting our son in his place.

"When Grace was in the twenty-fourth week of her pregnancy, she suffered from an Antepartum haemorrhage, because of a placenta abruption. We were rushed to the hospital, and they worked frantically. They performed an emergency caesarean and our son, Benjamin Ryan Grey was born prematurely and, taken to the Neonatal Intensive care unit. He lived only a few days. He was so little and weak. His lungs were not developed, and many of his organs weren't developed. He didn't stand a chance." I take a breather as flashes of an old memory hit me and the little face of my son. Nonetheless, I was lucky; Grace never even got to see him alive.

"Grace suffered heavily. She lost a lot of blood and due to complications; they had to give her a hysterectomy after our son was born. I remember the terror I felt when her doctor came and told me that she probably wouldn't survive. Grace was transfer to the ICU. It was the hardest days of my life. I sat there, never leaving her. All I could do was watch and prayed. I realized that one of the hardest things ever was it sit and watch the person you love struggle to survive. Your life is put on hold, and you wonder how you're going survive yourself. How does one continue to live the rest of our life, without the one person that makes you smile and makes your heart beat? I never wanted to experience that ever again; I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I know people watch family members die, but it is hard." I explain. The children look emotional as I recount the event that led us to have to adopt. We don't mind that we adopted, they are our children regardless.

"There is no greater pain than to sit there and watch someone you love so much go so close to death. It would have killed me if Grace had died. I would never have been able to recover; my life would have meant nothing. I wouldn't have achieved any of my goals and who knows what I would have done. We were so young at that time and to have lived the next sixty plus years without Grace by my side, would have been anguishing!" I explain.

"Cary I was fine though, I survived, and we have had a marvelous life. Sometimes things work out. It did for us." Grace says trying to comfort and give me a point of focus.

"But the likelihood is that he won't be. She is too young, and it would break our heart to see her life through all that pain." I state quietly

"Sorry? Who is too young? Pain? Who do you mean?" Unfortunately, Mia, who is sitting next to us, hears and restates my words.

"Phoebe, it was I who asked Josh to leave. I asked him to meet me that Friday evening" I admit. Phoebe looks at me in disbelief, and once she has recovered from her shock, is shaking her head slowly. I can only hope she understands why I did it.

"It couldn't have been you Grandpa. You like Josh. You have always liked him, and you supported our relationship. You told me that as long as I was happy you would back us up. I was happy with Josh, though I wasn't happy in a way because of how people reacted to our relationship, however; you knew I was happy!" Phoebe stresses. She is right, but I couldn't support them any longer. I had to protect her.

Phoebe's POV:

I can't believe what my Grandfather has just professed. It doesn't make sense. If his disclosure that he and my Grandmother lost their child wasn't heartbreaking enough, now this. I am seated next to my mother and next to her my father. I look at them both, and they are looking at me solemnly.

"Phoebe, I did ask him and with excellent reason. I didn't want you to go through the same thing I did, when your Grandmother was in the ICU. You're too young. That is a horror that a person who is just starting their life, should never to face" my Grandfather tells me.

"I don't understand." I state hoping that it isn't I think it is.

"I asked Josh to leave so you wouldn't have to watch the person you love, be sick and most likely die. So you wouldn't take that thought the rest of your life. You are only twenty-two and too young to experience that. You need to live these youthful years exactly as you were meant to; young, free, happy and exploring the world at your feet." my heart jumps into my throat, I can't swallow or even talk. NO, NO, NO!

"Josh is sick?" Ted asks alarmed.

"Yes. He is sick" our Grandmother tells us. Ted who was standing behind Lily has now moved and is sitting next to me. He has taken my left hand whilst our mother is holding my right. Ted and I look at each other, and we both feel worry. Our disagreement over my relationship with Josh is momentarily forgotten.

"How did you know? And what was wrong with him?" Ted asks. Concern is etched over his face. I know that he hasn't been on favorable terms with Josh the last few months over our relationship but as I always suspected he truly cares for him still.

"I saw him leave the office of a good friend of mine at NorthWestern hospital, when I was there about a month ago, as part of my fundraising activities. We conversed for a little while. I asked him if he was well, and he didn't answer me. A few weeks later he had got an unfavorable diagnosis" my Grandmother informs us.

"What did he get diagnosed with?" I ask petrified of the answer.

"Chronic Kidney Disease" my Grandmother tells me. Alarm bells ring. Even I know that isn't reversible.

"Is he on dialysis? Is he on the transplant list? How is he? Is he going to…?" I ask panicked. I can't even say the word, but I need to know.

"I am not his doctor. I can't comment." My Grandmother says, but the answer is obvious. It's why my Grandfather asked him to leave, as means to protect me from what he endured so long ago.

"Why didn't he tell me? I say sadly.

"Josh came to me when he got diagnosed. He wanted to know how to break it to you and to talk about the future. Josh was concerned about making your life harder than he already made it. I was rather shocked, and asked him for some time to process his news. Once I had, I rang him and asked him to leave." I look down and don't know what to think or say.

"Phoebe, please look at me" my Grandfather requests. Slowly I raise my head.

"Josh had been crying the morning that he left. He didn't want to go." I tell him. Tears are rushing down my checks. Ted in a bid to comfort me and himself, I believe, has wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"I know, but being twenty-two and watching the person you consider, to be the love of your life die leaves permanent scars. I didn't want you to wonder what would have happened in your life if Josh had lived, is no way to live! This was a more mercifully option. This way you only faced having to mend a broken heart for a broken relationship, not a death" my Grandfather states passionately. I know his heart was in the right place.

"I need... to... know if... Josh is ... okay" I inform my parents.

"There is one more thing" my Grandfather informs us all. How can there be anything more now?

"There was another reason why Josh left and it relates to you Ted" our Grandfather says.

"I shouldn't have been so inhospitable. Did Josh also leave because I cut him out?" Ted inquires remorseful.

"No, not exactly. Josh left because he realized that him being with your sister meant that you were being deprived of the one thing you felt you didn't really have of the first seventeen years of your life, the extended family that you craved. He felt he also owed it to your friendship that he leave and give you back what was rightfully yours. Josh leaving was one of the hardest things he has ever done, but he knew that it was a merciful action. It was an act of real love to you Phoebe and to your friendship Ted. Phoebe I hope you can forgive me. I know that hearing this all hurts, but did what was best to protect you as did Josh." My Grandfather tells me.

"I understand" I tell him. I could never let him feel or think that I didn't respect him or that I harbored any ill feelings to him.

# # # #

"There you are. We have been wondering where you were." My father says from behind me, standing next to my mother. I have been sitting on the perfectly manicured lawn for about twenty minutes trying to get hold of Josh, but he isn't answering. It's eight o'clock at night now meaning its midnight in New York. I desperately want to ring his sister, but she has children and I don't want to wake them up, so I have sent her a text message and an email. I feel like I am in a vortex, waiting till I get some new information. I give my parents a small smile, but I know it doesn't reach my eyes.

"May we sit with you?" My mother's requests.

"Yes." I reply. My parents sit on either side of me, so I am sandwiched between them.

"Is Grandma and Grandpa doing okay still?" I inquire concerned. Retelling their story of their one and only biological child, must have been harder than we can ever realize. They essentially had to relive the whole ordeal.

"They are doing alright. Your Aunt Mia is going to stay the night to make sure." My mother informs me

"And what about you Dad? How are you coping having heard all of that? "I inquire.

"I am not sure actually. I guess I am rather startled by it all, but I know that my parents love me and my siblings." My father looks at my phone in my hands and tightens his grip around me, both to comfort me, and probably so he doesn't lose me again. He needn't worry; there is no chance of that.

"Have you got hold of Josh yet?" Dad asks.

"No." I say now crying softly. "I don't even know if he is..." I can't even say the word as it hurts more than I can handle. Maybe Grandpa was right.

"I spoke to his Mom whilst I was in New York and she would have told me if he had died." My mother informs me and gives me what I need. Hope.

"I need to go and see him. I need to go to New York." I tell me parents. Both of them are looking concerned at the prospect.

"Are you sure that is a good idea?" My mother asks me.

"Yes. I need to and there is nothing stopping me from going. The deal gone through, and everything is finalized. I have a few things in the pipeline, but it can wait a while, plus if I don't go, I will never forgive myself. I need to see him." I declare.

# # # #

"Good morning ma'am" The check in operator over the counter greets me politely.

"Morning, I am booked on the eight am flight to New York" I tell me her passing her my ID.

"I am sorry, but you are not on our system" She informs me. What?

"Excuse me? I have a copy of my itinerary right here." I pass her a copy of my paperwork and goes over to her supervisor. They are both engrossed on their computer, looking dumbfounded. After about ten minutes, they return.

"Miss Grey, we are really sorry, but your ticket was cancelled about an hour ago." They inform me.

"Then that was obviously a mistake. I need to get on to this flight, rebook me now" I demand

"I am sorry but the flight is full" they notify me and me start to get beyond annoyed. "Get me on another flight then. Now!" I command. They both start to type away.

"The next available flight is tomorrow evening" they offer.

"I can't believe this. Put me on that flight, but I want to be on the standby list. I will remain in the airport until a seat is free" I declare. No wonder my father never flies commercial and bought his own jet.

"Cancel that request. Miss Grey will not be needing a seat to travel." I turn around, and there is Taylor smiling at me, with Kinston, one of my father's newest CPO.

"Taylor?"

"Morning Phoebe. If you would come with me, I think I can help you out" Kinston takes my bag before I am even able to say anything. I walk beside Taylor who is grinning. Actually he is trying hard not to laugh.

"What is funny?" I ask.

"Oh nothing, it's just that history tends to repeat itself, doesn't it?" He replies. I look at his curiously not following. We all get into the SUV and as expected we drive to the private hanger where the GEH jet is getting prepared to leave.

I get out of the car and hear a familiar voice behind. "Hey there Fifi! Care for some company?" I can't help, but smile, when I turn around and see him.

"Sure Teddy. I would like that" He moves towards me and wraps his arms around me. I can't control my emotions any longer and start to cry, again. "I am so sorry I am just so scared and worried"

"It's okay, you can cry. Let's get on the jet and see Josh. I spoke to his sister, and I know where he is" Ted informs me. I nod, thankful that he is here. I had rung all of Josh's family and a few of his friends, but none of them would tell me anything. A directive from Josh I believe.

Our hostess serves us coffee and breakfast after we have ascended. I look at the pancakes and fruit on my plate, but my appetite has vanished. I put my fork down and drink my coffee instead.

"Fifi, please eat. I promised Mom and Dad that I would make sure you would eat. They don't want you to get sick." Ted requests. I sigh and pick up my fork, and slowly I start to eat.

"You eat like Dad" I comment.

"I know, and Dad tells me that you eat less than Mom ever did" Ted lightly scolds.

"Ted did you or Dad cancel my plane ticket to New York? And how did you manage it?" I question.

"It was our father. I don't know how he did it today and how he did the same thing years ago when I was seventeen and returning to New York with Mom. Our father has the ability to make a lot of things happen!" Ted shrugs.

"I rang Dad last night after I spoke to Lily. When Grandpa told us that Josh was sick, really sick, I knew that I had to see him. I want to tell him I am sorry that I have been a terrible friend." Ted puts his fork down and looks at me as if he is studying me. "Fifi, I know that Josh genuinely loved you now. He left to protect you and to give me my family back. I am sorry that I wasn't a brother to you either. I realise that you can make your own decisions and mistakes. From now on I will just support you, but I still reserve the right to give my two cents worth."

"Thanks Teddy. I am scared. What if we go to New York, and Josh doesn't want to see me? What if he is so sick that he dies?" I verbalize my biggest fears.

"Then we manage, together, and with our whole family. Unified" Ted reassures me.

# # # #

"Are you ready?" Ted asks me. I nod, and we enter. My heart starts to beat, knowing that, in a few minutes, I will get to see Josh again. I will know if he still wants to be with me and how sick he actually is.

I hope I didn't disappoint anyone in this chapter and you enjoyed it. Did any of you guess the reason why Josh left and who asked him to leave? I only just got home less than twelve hours ago, so I hope there aren't too many errors. I am off to bed. Review if you wish..