This is the last chapter that will discuss Josh's death. A reader mentioned that they would like to read about Christian with his granddaughter as Josh is passing away. So the first part of this chapter deals with this scene, whilst the rest goes back to Craig and Phoebe, stepping up their relationship. I should warn you that there is a tissue alert in this chapter.

Through Grey Eyes

Christian's POV:

I lay on my side while I watch Ana as she sleeps. Over the years, I would watch her as she slept as a source of reassurance and reminder of how lucky I truly am. I was lucky when I met her, and then even more when she agreed to return to me after so long apart. It has been years since I have struggled to sleep with Ana next to me, however; current circumstances have caused sleep to evade me. I quietly walk down the hallway, and pause outside Phoebe's old bedroom, where my two youngest granddaughters, Carrie and Macie are currently sleeping. They are growing up too quick just like Ruby and Eli did. I can't believe that Carrie is seven now, and Macie is ten. My over controlling tendencies force me to check that they are safe and well, even though I know that I have taken every to ensure this. I first check on Macie and then Carrie. She sleeping and unaware of the events that transpired just over four hours ago. Joshua Harris, her very much loved father, passed away.

Once Josh took he last breath of air, Ted rushed to Phoebe's side. Ana and I wanted to do the same, but our daughter begged us to stay with Carrie. If one of us up and left, then she would have known that the inevitable had finally happened, and we wanted to wait till tomorrow. Nonetheless, I only reluctantly agreed not go to the hospital after Carrie was fast asleep and unlikely to wake up, when Ted confirmed everything was under control, and Phoebe promised to come stay the night after completing any paperwork.

Ted drove Phoebe back to her house to grab some clothes and then came straight here. Ana and I had never seen our children so distraught like they were when they entered the house. Both were devastated. We both held our children tightly as they allowed all their emotions out. Ana phoned Lily, who was also upset. She was at home waiting for Ted. My son will be alright, though he will mourn and miss his best friend. Phoebe, on the other hand, will need time. Maybe a lot of time. She is currently in the guest room, but I do not know if she is asleep or not. I want to walk in and hold her tightly, and tell her that everything is okay.

When Phoebe was four years old, we went on a family holiday to the Caribbean. She had this American girl doll that she loved. It went everywhere with her, and she slept every night with it. On our way home, Phoebe was exhausted and just wanted to be held. Somewhere from the VIP customs and immigration area to boarding the GEH jet, the doll went missing. My daughter, fueled by her over tiredness, was terribly upset. It took a long time to settle her and get her to sleep on the flight home. Before we took off, I rang the Seattle based American Girls store, and had instructed them to duplicate Phoebes lost doll exactly and had it delivered immediately to our home on the sound. This way when we got home, it would be there in her bed. She was so excited to see her doll, and we made out that she must have magically returned home. All of Phoebe's tears and sad mood disappeared immediately.

It used to be so easy for me to wipe my daughter's tears away and make everything alright, but those days were gone. I might be the master of my own universe, but I can't change the way the world works.

Downstairs, I retreat to my piano and lose myself in the melody of Chopin's, Prelude in E-Minor, and then move on to other similar music. I don't know how long she was standing there but as soon as I am aware of Carrie, I stop playing. I smile at her, not only because I don't want her to get suspicious but because I love seeing her.

"Hey Angel did I wake you up?"

"No. I just woke up by myself. Macie was asleep and then I came downstairs."

"Do you want me to take you back to bed and tuck you in?" I offer.

"No." Carrie replies shaking her head unhappily. My natural instinct, tells that I should put her back in bed, but I don't have the heart to right now.

"What were you playing?" Carrie raises her head to have a look at the sheet music.

"Different pieces. Come and sit next to me" I tell her. Carrie smiles as she jumps up and sits on the stool next to me.

"Put your fingers on the piano keys just like this." I instruct. Since Carrie is only seven years old, her hand is small, but she has inherited my long fingers. "Good girl, now try and copy me." I press down on the keys and slowly Carrie copies me though gets muddled up.

"I can't play it." Carrie sighs.

"It's an extraordinarily hard piece of music, and you haven't even being playing the piano for a year. I have been playing the piano for an extraordinarily long time, and one day you will be able to play this music." I emphasize. I do not want to discourage her. "Until then, what have you learned to play?"

"I can't play many songs, just a couple, though I can read music now." I smile proudly at her and then head to the cabinet. I shuffle through and pull out an old book of piano music for children

"I knew I still had this." I show Carrie the book of level two beginner sheet music. "This used to be your mothers. She and I use to sit here at this piano, and I would help her learn to play. Let's start with this one" I open the page to the first song. Carrie plays the first few pieces easily and quickly grow in confidence. We progress to a longer piece, and after a few tries she starts to get the hang of it though with a few errors.

"Excellent Carrie. Play it again" I encourage her. After she has played the first part of the music, I join in and duet with her. The tune is simple and uncomplicated, but it is the most enjoyable piece I have played in a while.

"Can we do that again?" Carrie's joy is overflowing, and her smile is contagious. I hate that this smile will have no place on my granddaughter face tomorrow, when her mother tells her about her father's death. Sorrow for losing my son-in-law and heartache for my daughter and granddaughter threaten to surface, but I push it aside, for now.

"Of course" We continue to play a couple more pieces when Carrie suddenly stops and looks up at me. Her clear bright blue eyes look right through me. Carrie has Phoebe's eyes, which in turns has Ana's eyes. I have a picture of the three of them on my desk, and I often get lost just looking at their eyes.

"Grandpa, were you sad when your dad died?" Carrie asks softly. My father died when Carrie was a toddler, but she does have one or two memories of him. She recalls calling him Poppy Carrick, and that he used to sneak her biscuits when no one was looking.

"Yes Angel I was sad." When Josh's health took a turn for the worse, he and Phoebe decided that they should be honest with Carrie and never withhold information. A policy that we all adopted, only making an exception until Phoebe can talk to her tomorrow morning

"Did you cry?" The look on my little granddaughter daughter's face breaks my heart.

"Carrie, you left your pink cardigan in the living room. It's a little cold tonight, so I want you to go put it on. I will meet you there in a few minutes."

"Okay Grandpa" Carrie complies. In the kitchen, I warm up a cup of milk and pour myself a glass of white wine. Carrie is sitting on the couch cross-legged and fidgeting nervously when I rejoin her.

"Here you go Angel. Drink this milk up. It will make you feel better" Carrie nods before taking a mouthful.

"Grandpa, you haven't answered my question yet. Did you cry when your dad died?" Carrie probes.

"At first I tried not to. I wanted to be strong for everyone, but I was sad also. I ended up crying." I tell her softly. When my father died, I entered CEO mode and did what I do best. I took control! With the assistance of Andrea, Taylor and Ana, we planned the entire funeral. I even delivered the eulogy without shedding a tear. Though that night, after making love to Ana, I cried. Really cried. Every emotion burst out of me, and I sobbed, for hours. Ana and I held on to each other until I stopped, but I still feel my father's absence.

"I don't want to cry," Carrie is terribly nervous and failing to make eye contact.

"Angel, there is no shame in crying. Especially when you have lost someone you love very, very much." I comfort her. I want Carrie to know that she doesn't have to be bottle up her feelings and that it is normal to be upset. "And no matter what, you have lots and lots of people who love you and are going to be here for you and your mom"

"Do you miss Poppy Carrick?"

"Yes I do." I tell her honestly.

"I don't understand why people have to die." I take the now empty cup of milk from my granddaughter's hands and put it down on the coffee table, so I can pick her up and sit her on my lap to cuddle her tightly. Carrie snuggles up to me as I wrap my arms around her.

"I know it's hard to understand. Often I can't even comprehend the fact, but it…"

"Really? You don't understand?' Carrie interrupts me, looking up at me as if she doesn't believe what I just said.

"Yes, why does that seem so surprising?"

"Because Uncle Ted, Aunt Lily, Mom, Dad... actually everyone tells me you can do and know everything!" I chuckle a little at my granddaughters comment.

"Thank you for the kind words but it isn't completely true." I kiss her forehead and hold her a little more tightly. I want her to feel how much she is loved as I try to explain to her why people die.

"Carrie, I know it's hard to understand, but a person dying is a natural process. While I can't see my dad anymore, I know that his soul is still around us, and most importantly I still have all my memories of him. When your dad has to go to heaven, you will still have all those wonderful memories of him. You can remember him reading to you, playing with you, sitting and watching those Disney princess movies and every moment you have spent with him. You will be able to talk to him, it just that you won't be able to hear him. But I promise you he will always be with you, watching over you" Carrie nods, but I do not know how much she believes me right now.

I notice that Carrie's is struggling to keep her eyes open and has yawned four times in the past couple of minutes. "It is very late, you need to get back to sleep" I carry Carrie up the stairs as she is so tired by this stage I doubt that she would manage to walk upstairs by herself.

"Grandpa?" Carrie is struggling to stay awake, but is looking at me closely.

"Yes, Carrie"

"I know"

"Know what?" I ask.

"My dad has died already hasn't he?" Pools of tears start to form in my granddaughters perfect blue eyes. I don't want to confirm Carrie's suspicions. Phoebe wants to be with her when she is finally told. I stop walking, and stand still, holding here even tighter.

"It's okay grandpa, you don't have to say anything. I know dad has died. I saw mom's car outside my window. She wouldn't have left dad at the hospital unless he had died" Damn I should have had Phoebes car moved. Ted drove her car to the house when he bought Phoebe over.

"You are so loved, my little angel. You are never going to be alone" I kiss my granddaughters forehead and comfort her. She needs to know that there is so much opportunity and joy for her in the future.

Carries POV:

I nod as my grandfather comforts me. I wrap my arms around his neck as I know he need probably needs the hugs also. My grandfather sometimes worries a lot, but then makes everything better somehow. I don't understand why he won't just tell me about my dad.

"Where is my mom?" I ask.

"She is in bed in the spare room at the end of the hallway. Now let me put you back to your bed. You can call me if you need me during the night" My grandfather states.

"No," I say shaking my head. "I don't want to go back to sleep in the room with Macie. I want to go and sleep with my mom."

"Carrie, your mom isn't going to go anywhere, and she is asleep. You know that your parents don't let you sleep in bed with them." My grandfather tries to convince me and refers to one of our family rules, but I no longer have parents. I only have a parent.

"Please Grandpa! Can we just go and ask Mom?" I plead.

"Okay, but only this one time" My grandfather relents. At the door of the spare room, my grandfather knocks. On the third knock, my mother calls out. Slowly grandpa and I open the door and look in. My mother is sitting on the bed and offers me a smile. I will never forget how hard she tried to pretend that she hadn't been crying the night.

"Hi baby" My mother says.

"Can I sleep with you?" I ask before my grandfather can say anything.

"Sure" My mother tells me. I race the short distance to the bed and into my mother's arms. I can't help it but start to cry. Tears after tears race down my face and I don't know if I will ever stop. It hurts so much!

"Phoebe let me stay with you both or get your mom?" My grandfather tenders.

"We will be fine. I will see you and Mom in the morning. Carrie and I just need some time to talk. I piss text you if I need help. Thanks dad, for everything." My mother says to grandpa, and slowly he exits the room. Once we are both alone, I look up at my mother and take a few deep breathes.

"Has daddy gone to heaven already?" I ask. I feel my throat get tight, and it becomes hard to breathe.

"Yes angel, he has" I cover my face as I try not to cry more. "Its okay angel, you can cry. I have been crying too"

"I want Daddy to come back." I say in-between tears.

"Me too, but daddy was in a lot of pain, and now he isn't. We should be happy that he can walk and run again. I bet he is in heaven playing baseball right now"

"I know, but it's just not fair" I argue.

"I agree." My mouth sighs. "Your dad loved you so much Carrie, and he was proud of you from the second you were born. We were lucky to have your dad in our lives, even if we didn't get to have him forever."

"Are you going to die mom?" I ask.

"One day I will, but I don't intend to for a very long time." My mother reassures me.

"Carrie, it is terribly late. You and I need to get some sleep. Your dad wouldn't want us to be tired" I agree and get into the spare bed with my mom. I cuddle up close to her, though with my back to her. I wonder if she is crying, and when she will stop, because I don't know when I will be able to.

"Mom" I whisper

"Yes Carrie"

"I am going to miss daddy forever"

"Me too"

Present day:

Christians POV:

"I almost don't want to get out of bed." Ana gloriously moans, as I run my hands up her body. I still love the feeling of satin on her skin.

"Me neither" I admit placing soft kisses from Ana's ear to her neck and then chest. On days like this, I would demand that we stay right here. I even have our trusty silver tie in the bedside table to make sure Ana complies, however; today is different. We are both eager to get up and go to Carrie's first soccer game of the season. We have always made it a point to be active in our grand children's lives, but we make an extra special effort with Carrie, because of the promise we made before Josh died. It is a promise that Ted made also. We promised to look after Phoebe and Carrie and to provide a constant father figure in Carries life. Even though we gave Josh our word, these are two things we would have done no matter what. He also made a significant request of Ana and me, the day after he was told that he would not survive that we would encourage Phoebe not to be alone in the future.

I am almost about to tell Ana that we still have a whole hour before we need to get out of bed, but I receive a text and know that we ought to get up. Phoebe might be a mature and successful woman with am outstanding child, but she is still my daughter. Phoebe went thought a long mourning period and then would constantly tell us that she was 'just not interested in other people, right now'. I need to check that Craig is treating her with the respect that she deserves and being gracious and kind to my granddaughter.

"Since it is Carries first game of the season. Why don't we go to Phoebe house and make them breakfast? Our granddaughter loves your pancakes with eggs and bacon. We can travel with them to the game." I recommend.

"Good idea! Parking is awful at the playing field. I will call Phoebe to let her know we are coming over." Ana reached over me to grab the home phone, but I grab her arm, preventing her.

"No! If we ring and tell them, Phoebe will just get up early and make breakfast herself. She always does as she doesn't want us to worry about her. I am sure it will be fine." I point out.

"Yes that is true. I just hope we are not going to be imposing" Ana says shrugging. I have a detailed background check on Craig Bailey, and have known him as Lily's first cousin and the unplanned fourth child of Ros's younger brother for years, but I still need to check up on them

Ana and I both shower together, but of course I could not keep my hands off Ana, so we are running later than I had hoped.

Security allocated to Phoebe and Carrie, open the door for us, though we have a key if need be. We head straight to the kitchen where Ana commences immediately on breakfast while I start to make coffee and tea.

"Do you remember the first time you cooked breakfast for us?" I whisper into Ana ear, from behind her. "You were only wearing one of my white linen shirts."

Ana turns around giggling, and it is my downfall. I weave her hair around my hand to tilt her head up, and commence to kiss her passionately. Together we possess each other and enter our bubble, where only we exist.

"GOOD MORNING grandma and grandpa" Carrie enters the kitchen and emphasizes her first two words to let us know that we are not alone. Immediately we are made aware of our surroundings, and I get a little kick out of the fact that Ana has started to blush a little. Personally I have never minded our children or grandchildren witnessing these shows of affection from us. I want them to know that love can last and conquer everything.

"Morning Carrie" Ana and I say at the same time. Ana refocuses on making pancakes, whilst I pull out the placemats and pass them to Carrie.

"I didn't know you were both coming this morning. Mom never mentioned it to me" Carrie comments.

"We thought we would surprise you both. Are you ready for your game?"

"Yes, I guess so." Carrie replies. Her cell phone then beeps and she smiles as she reads the text. "Uncle Ted says that he will be at the grounds before the game starts. Macie's game is straight after mine." I smile happily. Ted has been a terrific father figure to Carrie since Josh, passed away. Ted turned tragedy into a cause and has raised a large amount of money for research into Kidney disorders.

After fixing my coffee, a cup of English breakfast tea for Anna and pouring Carrie a glass of orange juice, I sit down to read the newspaper. I have read a couple of articles in the business section when I hear two voices approaching us. One of them belongs to my daughter, and the other is a male's voice. The look on Phoebe and Craig's face illustrates the scene, when they finally see us in the kitchen. Craig, the poor fucker, looks like he wants to run and considering his attire, maybe he should.

"Morning, I didn't know you were both coming over this morning, before the game." Phoebe is trying to control her tone of voice, but I know she is actually telling me that I have gone too far.

"Apparently." I reply, glaring at them both, but then mainly at the fact that Craig is wearing Phoebe's robe. I am trying to remind myself that my daughter is in her thirties now, and how we all want her to move on, but still. I look to the side and see Ana is scowling at me. She knows that I planned to be here now. My interpretation of looking after Phoebe and Carrie, as promised to Josh.

"Carrie, go and get another place mat" I ask then focus on Craig.

"Craig, tell me how is work in Seattle progressing for you?" I inquire politely, and gestured for him to sit next to me, which he does. Though I prefer he get changed first.

"Not bad. The good thing about the IT industry is that it doesn't change from one city to another, and it's fantastic to be back in Seattle. I didn't genuinely enjoy living in California." Craig comments. He gives Phoebe the warmest smile, that doesn't go unnoticed by Ana and me, when she passes him a coffee.

"Is your ex-wife still in California?" I inquire. Of course, I already know this, but I want to hear it from the man who slept with my daughter.

"DAD!"

"CHRISTIAN"

Both Ana and Phoebe call me out, but it does little to mollify me. I narrow my eyes, and my lips form a hard line at them both, but it is futile. I can't intimate them, but Craig is a different story.

As Carrie, helps her mother and grandmother plate everyone's breakfast at the counter, Craig leans in a little to me and quietly murmurs to me. "My Grey, I understand. I understand that if I hurt Phoebe or Carrie is any way then you, Ted and a lot of people will make me pay." I give him a swift nod to confirm his statement.

"Though I hope you and Ana will acknowledge that if I ever did hurt them, then I accept that I would deserve to pay" Craig looks at me sincerely.

"Hurt either of them and it will happen. Don't worry" I tell him with an almost sinister tone to my voice.

"Grandpa and Craig do you want eggs and bacon with your pancakes?" Carrie asks us sweetly.

"Yes please" We both respond.

Ana, Phoebe and Carrie join us at the breakfast table, and immediately the mood becomes light and joyful as it always does when these three women are together. I may have tried to threaten Craig, much like I did Josh, but I would protect these incredible women in my life, with my own life.

Authors note:Lots of readers have asked me if I will be writing anything else. I have started a new story called Conferring Anastasia. Click on my ID and you will see it listed.

If I write any more in this story, then I will just focus on Craig and Phoebe and the other family members at the present time. Thank you for reading. Did the chapter make you sad?