Hi All, sorry I am only updating once a week. There may be some errors here, but I no longer have the time to write that I use to once. I will fix the errors tomorrow.
Unexpected Requests
Phoebe's POV:
"Phoebe, it's your father. He needs to talk to you. He said there is something you need to know" Slowly I take the phone and greet my father. My heart has jumped into my throat, and I wait for my father to speak. I listen carefully and tell him I understand.
I hang up the phone and look at my mother. "Did Dad tell you?" I ask my mother.
"Yes. We need to go to the hospital" I agree with my mother wholeheartedly, and we say goodbye my grandfather, after promising to explain everything that is happening tomorrow morning. Neither my mother nor I know exactly what is going to transpire.
One of the biggest advantages of being allocated a CPO by my father, is that in times of emergency, it is much quicker to get to where you need, and the hassle of parking can be avoided. I don't think I have ever wanted to arrive somewhere as quickly as I do now. My mother and I are dropped it from the hospital and we race to the elevators.
"Come on" I say impatiently as I press on the elevator button. My mother takes my hand and looks at me sympathetically.
"Phoebe getting aggravated won't make this any easier or make the elevator arrive any quicker" My mother lightly scolds.
"I know, I am just scared" I admit.
"I know princess. I am worried about you" My mother goes pale once more.
"Just stay close to me" I request.
The elevator finally arrives. I know we have only waited about twenty seconds, but it feels like a lifetime. My mother wraps her arm around me and walks me inside the elevator. At tenth floor, we find Taylor at the doorway the elevator waiting for us. He gives us his best comforting smile, but there is something off about it.
"They are waiting for you Phoebe." He informs me then looks to my mother. "Mr Grey is anxious to see you Ana."
"Thank you for going on the trip. I appreciate it" I tell him.
"Not a problem. Just wait out here and I will tell them that you have arrived." Taylor says outside of Josh's hospital room. I roll my eyes, I want to go in and see Josh.
"Phoebe, it's okay. Let us just wait and see what is happening." My mother tries to reassure me and rub my back.
"Phoebe, it's okay. Let us just wait and see. They need this time before they can proceed" My mother says trying to keep me focused. A few minutes go past until Taylor finally walks out this time with my father.
"Dad, what is happening? Is Adam Harris really here?" I know he has already told me on the phone, but hearing it from him in person will make it seem more real. My father nods, before coming over and hugging me and kissing my mother.
"Adam Harris is talking to Josh right now. He has agreed to donate a kidney, and the hospital has commenced making preparations to do the surgery as soon as they can. They need to admit Adam and do some tests, but they will expedite them. The stronger and healthier Josh has the surgery, the better off they will be. They are hopeful of being able to do the surgery tomorrow morning, in fact." My father informs us. Wow, it seems so quick, but I know my father has something to do with the swiftness.
"Thank you Daddy" I respond. I don't think I have called my father 'daddy' for years. My father smiles warmly as grips my side and kisses my forehead.
"Princess, Josh wants to talk to you alone. You both have a few things to talk about. Be honest with yourself and him. Even though they are going to do the surgery, things may not go as we hope." My father advises me.
"Mom and Dad, I love Josh so much that I don't think I could ever feel like this for anyone else in the world. When he was away from me, he was still the first thing I thought about when I woke up, and the last thing I thought about when I went to sleep. I don't care of our age difference, health issues or anything like that. I just don't want to be with him, I need to be with him, whatever time we have left. Be it the next few days, years or decades" I tell them both as they hold me.
"Then you have our support" my mother says.
Adam Harris, two doctors and a nurse then walk out of Josh's hospital room. I mouth the words 'thank you 'and Adam gives me a polite nod. One of the doctors, whom I recognise as Josh's specialist, is talking non-stop about the procedure, and from the sound of it, this surgery is going to occur sooner than later.
"I guess it's my turn now. Would you both wait for me? I request feeling a little silly but rather vulnerable. I feel like a nervous child on their first day of school
"Of course princess will be here. Take your time" my father reassures. I start to walk into the hospital room, and I can hear my father talking to my mother. I smirk as I hear him ask her if she has eaten.
"Hi" this is all I am able to say right now as my emotions are starting surface, but I want to remain in control. The prospect of what the next twenty-four hours plus holds worries me.
"Hi. You look beautiful" Josh looks at me with so much sincerity that I almost believe him. However I know I must look a sight.
"I think along with a kidney, you might need glasses Mr Harris" I tease him, thank full for the lighter mood.
"Actually I have perfect vision," Josh says raising his eyebrows. "Can you sit close to me?"
"Of course." I move the hospital chair that I have become familiar with. Josh takes my hand once I am sitting down. I love him touching me, even if it is just my hand.
"Do you need anything? Are you thirsty or hungry or anything" I ask.
"No, I am fine. They don't want me to eat anything, just in case they can do the surgery early in the morning." Josh informs me. "I would love you just talking to me for a while"
"What do you want to talk about?" I ask.
"Anything you want, though I would like to talk about the one thing you want to have been wanting to talk about"
"I can't. I am too scared. What if….." Tears stream down my face. I know nothing is certain.
"Hey Pheobe, please no. Don't cry." Josh pleads. "And don't be scared Phoebe. Please talk to me. I know you have been wanting to seriously talk about…."
"The future. Our future, together?" I interrupt to seek clarification.
"Yes" Josh confirms.
"How can we talk about the future, our future, we don't even know that tomorrow will bring? What if something happens during the surgery? What if the surgery fails" I look down as I admit my fears to him. Josh extends his arm out and takes my hand, to kiss my knuckles.
"I should never have left, and I should have been honest about being sick," Josh says apologetically. "Phoebe, I have told you already having you here gives me hope. I don't know what is going to happen, but I promise that I fight. I love you"
"I love you too" Instinctively I lean over him and kiss him softly several times. I am craving this intimate touch. "Actually before we continue, I should tell you that I have told my father that I will return to Grey Enterprises, which means I will be going back to Seattle. I don't think there is much work on mergers and acquisition that I can do here in the New York subsidiary office, but I can talk to my father"
"Don't! Moving back to the cloudy and rainy city doesn't seem so bad, especially with you"
"Then I ought to tell you that I sold our apartment. I used the funds from the sale to help finance the acquisition of the company, but I made a tidy profit from its sale so we can purchase another apartment, we just have to find somewhere. Hhhhmmm… maybe I should ring a real estate agent. Do you want to be back in the city?"
"I don't mind. Maybe we could look at getting a house. I know that you missed not having outdoor space" Josh suggests.
"Okay, a house it is"
Josh and I talk for about another hour, when a nurse and his doctor walks in. The nurse commences to inject some medication into Josh's IV as the doctor goes over the chart.
"Joshua, things are looking brilliant with your father. If you're willing, we can proceed with the surgery tomorrow." The doctor informs us. Josh looks at me, and I offer him a smile.
"Let's do it" Josh responds.
"Good. We will need to take you off fluids and food in about an hour. We are going to start medicating you early in the morning so you won't feel yourself. Also, I am sorry to ruin the party, but I need my patient to be as strong as possible and getting rest will jell"
"I understand. I will leave Josh to sleep soon" I inform the doctor. He smiles and walks out, giving us our final few minutes of privacy.
"I will wait outside for you" I tell him, and I lean over and kiss him again.
"You need to sleep also. Go back to the apartment and sleep. I don't want you to get sick also"
"Josh, no. I want to go!" I tell him.
"Please Phoebe. I know your parents are outside, and they won't leave without you. You need to go and sleep. Please!" Josh pleads.
"Fine. But I am going to be back tomorrow morning first thing." I say scolding him almost.
"I might be too groggy by then." Josh reminds me.
"Still, I will be here" I reassure him.
"I love you so much. I don't deserve you" Josh says softly.
"Yes you do, and I love you too"
"Phoebe, can you open the top drawer and pass me the white bag" Josh requests. I do as he requests. He opens the plain bag that is concealing its true contents. Slowly he removes a little box and immediately I know what is in it.
"Phoebe, I love you. I don't know what is going to happen in the future, but I do want you to know that I want to spend my entire life with you. I want to marry you." Josh opens the box to reveal a perfect platinum diamond ring. I am stunned into silence. Too much has happened over the past several hours that I can't think straight. Josh then pulls out a necklace and threads the ring on to it. "I know that this is sudden, and you aren't ready for it. Phoebe, one day hopefully, you will be ready to marry me, and I will be the happiest person ever. You will just need to tell me when that time has come and then I will ask you properly."
"Josh, I may not be ready for quite some time. You may be waiting awhile" I warn him.
"Then I have even more reason to live even longer." Josh says. I lean over to allow him to put the necklace around my neck, and then tuck it under my top.
"How long have you had this ring for?" I ask.
"I bought it for you before I left Seattle. I couldn't bear to give it, and I am just happy that I may get a chance to put it on your finger one day" I clutch the ring in my hand, and wonder when I will be ready.
"I ought to go. You need to sleep"
"As do you Miss Phoebe."
"Okay, bye. I love you"
"Love you too" I kiss him softly but with more love than ever as he runs his knuckles along my jaw.
Almost two hours after I walked into Josh's hospital, I walk out. I am a flood of emotions, and suddenly I feel exhausted. I would cry if I had the energy. My parents stand up as soon as they see me and wrap their arms around me, protectively.
"Are you ready to leave?" My mother's asks.
I nod "Josh needs to sleep" I say quietly.
"So do you" My mother points out, concerned.
"That's what Josh told me"
"Good" My father responds. Together we wait at the elevators, and a thought comes to mind.
"I qualified didn't I?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" My mother asks.
"I was a match to donate. I could have donated a kidney if needed, right?" I pose my question to my father as I have surmised that from my mother's reaction just then that she is not in the know.
"Yes" My father says a little detached, but rather sympathetically.
# # # #
I have been sitting in the waiting area for some time, though I have no idea exactly how long for. I only realised after Josh was wheeled away, that I had no idea how long this surgery was going to last. I would ask, but I know that it would play on my mind. What if Josh was in surgery for longer than the usual amount of time? Damn, I shouldn't have thought about that. Now I am even more worried!
I am thankful that my parents have been here all day with me. Even my grandparents came to the hospital to be here with me this morning, but have since returned to the apartment to rest. We have told them that we will let them know what is happening as soon as he hear anything. Josh's mother and sister are also here, waiting. Occasionally we offer each other a comforting smile or look, but we are all worried about the outcome of the surgery.
My father has his laptop on his lap and answering emails. I marvel at his ability to co-ordinate so many projects, whilst still being aware of what is happening around him, here at the hospital. My mother is reading manuscript that one of her editors has passed on to her, and from the look of it is seems to be rather promising. I have trolleyed to read, surf the net and even pay useless games on my IPad, but nothing is working to distract me.
I have received numerous of text messages and emails from my family members back in Seattle and friends today, but I have only responded to a few. I don't want to pre-empt or jinx anything. I close my eyes, and suddenly feel exhausted. I rest my head on my mother's shoulder and read from the manuscript until I can't keep my eyes open.
"Hey Fifi, wake up" I hear my name being called.
"Teddy?" I jump off my chair, half asleep, and wrap my arms around him. "You're here?"
"I left Seattle this morning. I wanted to be here for you and for Josh." He says.
"I am so glad you are here" I start to cry, but they are tears of joy.
"Me too"
I stand up and start to stretch. I feel so stiff. "How long have I been asleep for?"
"Just over an hour." My father responds looking at his watch.
"Have we heard anything yet?" I inquire nervously.
"Nothing" My mother replies. I drop my shoulders, dismayed that we are yet to hear anything.
"Why don't we go and get some coffee and tea?" My mother suggests.
"I don't want to leave, just in case" I respond.
"I will stay with Phoebe. Mom and Dad, why don't you both go downstairs and grab the coffee" Ted roofers, but before our parents are even able to respond, Josh's doctor approaches us.
Time suddenly feels like it is going in slow motion and I can't breathe. My legs feel like jelly and the only thing keeping my from falling is that my brother and parents are standing so close to me, holding my hands and placing theirs on my shoulder. Josh's sister and I look at each other, and we both share the same worry.
"Please take a seat" Robotically I sit down.
"The surgery went well, and Josh is recovering as best as possible. He is going to be under close observation to monitor whether or not he will reject the organ"
"Thank you. Can we see him?" I ask.
"Yes soon. We will let you know when that will be possible." The doctor informs us.
"Thank you" We all respond.
# # # #
Three months later
Still Phoebes POV:
"I think I have finally finished packing," I proclaim, putting the last of my belongings in my suitcase and check the time on my watch. We have an hour before we fly out of New York and return to Seattle.
My father has sent the company jet and has somehow managed to convince Josh's doctor to travel with us, as a precaution, and to do a hand over of Josh's case to his new doctor in Seattle. I won't even hazard a guess how much my father has offered him. Josh has had an excellent recovery. There has been no signs of rejection and is steadily regaining him strength. We have stayed in New York longer than I expected though to allow Josh to reconnect with his father and to spend time with his other family members. I returned to work two months ago and based myself here in the New York office.
"Are you ready?" I ask Josh. He looks at me and practically laughs.
"I have been ready for hours. I can't believe how much stuff you have to take back. You have only been in New York for three and a half months.
"I don't travel light. You should know that by now!" I say playfully. I look at my bag and blush a little. I did some shopping in New York, once I started work once more. I left Seattle in a hurry and didn't actually pack clothes for the office.
"Oh, I do know that about you, Miss Phoebe. I know you pretty well, in fact" Josh says placing his hands on my arms, and pulling me towards him.
"Do you know?" I query as reach up and kiss him. Josh tightens his grip on me and continues to kiss me.
"Yes I do." Josh responds confidently. I love how he is back to his old self.
"Well then, you should know that I am ready. I am ready!" I watch Josh's expression and wait for him to react. I wonder if he knows exactly what I mean. Josh looks a little stunned, but his expression changes quickly. He strokes my cheek with his finger and runs it down my chin until he reaches the necklace that he gave me before his surgery. Josh grips the ring with his fingers as if analysing it. By some miracle, no one has noticed this piece of jewellery, even though I hid it under my clothes and I am yet to take it off. Even my father, who sees everything, failed to.
"In that case, I will need to take this back" Josh removes the necklace and ring, and I feel suddenly naked. I have loved wearing it. "Phoebe I told you that I wanted to ask you to marry me properly. I don't want you to think about me in a hospital bed, when you recall the time I told you I wanted to marry you. I want to replace it with a different memory."
"So when is this all going to happen?" I query. I rush of excitement hits me.
"I need some time to make some arrangements, but I guess I need to ask your father first for his permission to marry you" Josh and I both silently gulp. Shit I didn't even think about that. My parents have made enormous strides to accept my relationship with Josh, but marriage takes it to another whole level.
"Actually you need to ask my mother also." I state
"Both of them?" Josh now looks frightful.
"Yeah, I would prefer it"
Christian's POV:
"Mr Grey, all the arrangements have been made for Miss Grey and Mr Harris's arrival." Mrs Collins announces. Ana and I employed a second housekeeper recently as Gail wanted to cut back on her work due to her age, though she still manages the day to day running of the home.
"Thank you. Is my wife home yet?"
"She just got home a few minutes ago"
"Thank you," I say dismissing her, and seek Ana out. I find my wife in our bedroom, but I obviously startle her as she starts to hide something.
"Christian. I thought you were in your study?" Ana immediately tries to distract me by biting her lip and fuck it is almost working.
"What were you hiding?" I cut straight to the chase.
"Nothing!" Ana says too quickly. "Have you heard from Phoebe yet? They should be landing soon. Maybe we should go out and meet them."
"Anastasia you know that they told us that they would meet us here and not to fuss. You are also aware that, by the time, we got to Sea-Tac, they would have landed, and be on their way home."
"I am glad they accepted our offer to stay with us here on the sound for the time being." Ana remarks.
"Anastasia, stop avoiding my question. Tell me what you just hid"
"It's nothing" I inwardly groan at her failure to talk to me, even though she must know that I can see the bag behind her. I lunge against Ana, pushing her against the wall of wardrobe, grip her hands in a tight grip above her head and pin her to the wall using my hips. I can't help but smirk at the scene.
"Fuck the paper work, hey?" Ana responds, also recalling the first time we were in this position.
I grab Ana hair and yank it down, bringing Ana face to mine. She gives me full access to her lip, and I commence to possess her mouth. "You are still mine!" I tell my wife
"Yes. Yours" Ana responds catching her breath.
"And I am your Anastasia. You own my heart" I untwine my hand from Ana hair and then lean over a little and pick up the bag that Ana had failed to hide from me.
"Christian, please don't open it" Ana pleads with me. Her request only makes me more curious to know what is in it. I hate her keeping secrets from me. I narrow my eyes and look inside the bag.
"Ana... what... ummm... oh" These are the only words I am able to articulate right now.
"You weren't supposed to see that till tonight or tomorrow" Ana admits sadly.
"If it is any consolation, I am still going to feel like the luckiest man in the world," I say to make up for my behaviour. "What made you go and buy this?"
"Kate and I were talking. She is wanting to re-spice her sex life with Elliot, and when we were shopping I saw those and thought it might be an agreeable surprise for you, but now..."
"Thank you. I am very agreeable. I can't wait. I doubt that I am going to be able to control myself tonight." I pick Ana up and lower her on the bed to have my wicked way with her. I cup Ana's breast and love how we are still the perfect fit.
"Mom? Dad? Where are you both?" Quickly Ana and I get off the bed, both of us disappointed that we have been interrupted. However we are both glad that our daughter is home.
"Phoebe!"
"Mom!" Ana and Phoebe see each other first and walk swiftly to each other. "I missed you so much Mom!
"Missed you too."
"Hey dad" Phoebe responds once she and Ana have finally let go of each other.
"Hi princess" I wrap my arms around my only daughter and hold her tight. "It is good to have you home"
"It is good to be home. Are you both busy right now?" Ana and I look at each other, taken back by our daughters change in demeanour.
"Not anymore," I say grinning a little.
"TMI" My daughter raising both her hands as Ana blushes horribly. "Can you both go downstairs and talk to Josh? He wants to talk to you both, and I want to go and have a shower." I narrow my eyes and consider my daughters request.
"Of course we will. Come downstairs once you have finished." Ana responds for us both.
"Good, and Dad?"
"Yes Phoebe."
"Stay calm and remember he has just gone through major surgery"
"Okay" I respond cautiously. What does she expect me to do, or rather how does she expect me to respond.
I hold Ana's hand as we both walk down the stair. We catch a glance at Josh, who is looking a little pale.
"Josh, welcome back to Seattle" I greet him.
"Thank you and thank for letting us stay here. Phoebe and I will start looking for a place as soon as possible. I hope we are not putting you both out" Josh states and we all sit.
"Of course not. This is Phoebe's home also, and you are both welcome to stay as long as you're both wish." Ana verbalizes our combined sentiment. We both wanted them to stay with us, one to provide assistance to them both and to ensure that our daughter was happy.
"Phoebe told us that you wanted to talk to us" I tell Josh and notice his body language changes.
"Yes I do." Josh takes several deep breaths before he continues to talk once more. "Mr and Mrs Grey, I love you daughter more than I can express"
"She loves you too" I tilt my head at my statement. I think that is the first time I have ever said that about my daughter.
"I know. I consider myself privileged to be loved by Phoebe. I want to ask you both for your permission to marry her. Mr and Mrs Grey, may I ask your daughter for her hand in marriage?"
I feel all the air leave my lungs as I process his request. I never expected this.
Authors Note: Thanks for reading. There are now only a couple of chapters left in this story and it will be all complete. Please review if you wish.