Power of Fifty Shades
Christian's POV:
As soon as Ana is out of the car, I wrap my arm around her waist and keep close to me. I never want her to be far from me. Ryan informs us that he has been in contact with Leighton, our daughters CPO, and Phoebe has arrived already. He then proceeds to follow us closely as we walk the short distance to the restaurant.
"I can't believe you got irritated over our grown daughter not eating. Phoebe has more than proven that she can look after herself!" Ana's smart mouth is never far away. Over the years, some of my fifty shades have mellowed, but I still have issues with food. I hate it when any of my family members don't eat. Though I have to admit it annoys me more, when it is Ana or Phoebe who haven't eaten.
"Mrs Grey, I would recommend you mind that smart mouth of yours" I tell her seriously, but then soften my expression. "At least until we are not in public. My palm is getting horribly twitchy"
"That can be arranged" I grin and rub her backside.
"We should tell Phoebe that Taylor and Gail are at the sound. She will be thrilled to see them." I nod, smiling at Ana. I don't know how I got so lucky to have this woman by my side. She may have aged over the years; however, she has only gotten more beautiful.
"Why is Phoebe leaving the hotel?" Ana notices the scene starting to play out in front of us before I do. Phoebe is looking down, running towards us until she finally stops when she runs into me. I let go of Ana and take hold of Phoebe's arms to prevent her from falling down to the ground. Last thing I want is for her to get hurt.
"Phoebe, where are you going? I meant what I said on the phone, you need to eat!" I scold as if on natural instinct.
"Your upset, what's happened?" Ana's observes. I take a proper look at Phoebe, and she is pale as a ghost. She is distressed, and immediately my protective instincts kick in.
"Nothing, I just want to get out of here. Let's go somewhere else for dinner" Phoebe barks harshly. My lips form a hard line, and there is no way I am going to let her move an inch until she tells me what has happened.
"Yes we can go somewhere else the second you tell us why you are upset." I demand.
"No, I can't. Look I will as soon as we are far away from here" Phoebe speaks softly, but there is a real tone of desperation in her voice. I haven't heard it for years. Before I can question her further, Craig then comes out from the hotel and hollers out.
"PHOEBE! PHOEBE STOP" Craig is running towards us, though what catches my eye is a woman whom I believe walked out with him and is standing at the front of the hotel watching the scene unfold with keen interest.
"I want to get out of here. NOW." Phoebe's request is urgent, and all I want to do now is protect her.
"PHOEBE STOP, NO DON'T RUN. PLEASE" Craig continues to yell as he approaches us. I swear that I will be true to my promise that I will make him if he has hurt Phoebe. She has gone through enough in her life.
"Craig I don't have anything to say to you right now" Phoebe replies without even looking at him.
"But I need to explain" Craig argues. Desperation is painted all over his face.
"I think what I saw was enough explanation. I am leaving" Phoebe hisses.
"No, you can't" Craig lunges to grab Phoebes arm, but Leighton and Ryan are too quick and intervene. They block Phoebe and push him out of the way.
Ana and I huddle around Phoebe, protecting and comforting our daughter. "What happened?" Ana asks
"I found Craig in the restaurant with his ex-wife. She was touching him" I narrow my eyes and run my hands through my hair. I literally start to feel my blood start to boil.
"Christian, don't!" Ana exclaims knowing that I am about to come good on my promise to make him pay if he ever hurt Phoebe.
"Do you really not want to talk to Craig?" I ask to ensure this is unquestionably what Phoebes wants.
"No... Yes. I don't know. I just want to get out of here." Phoebe states. I nod and then look at Ana. I mouth the word 'everyone' and she agrees.
"Phoebe where is your car and did you drive yourself?" I question.
"Yes I drove, Leighton followed me in the SUV." Phoebe replies, unsure of the reasoning behind my question. I tell them both briefly about my plans. I need them both to say yes to proceed; however if they don't, I will just postpone it to tomorrow. I refuse to allow this to go unexplained! Ana agrees wholeheartedly, and even though Phoebe agrees, I know she is skeptical. I spin on my heel and face Craig, and the blonde haired woman who has closed the gap between herself and Craig.
"Craig if you want to talk to Phoebe, then it's going to be on our terms." I propose.
"Anything. I will agree to terms! Phoebe I just want to talk to you and explain all this" Craig is fraught, but Phoebe looks scornful when she realizes how close the other woman is now.
"Ryan, drive Ana and Phoebe back to the sound. Please ring our housekeeper and inform her that my wife and daughter have not had dinner yet and both need to eat. Also ring Taylor and see if he is free. I need a favor and will email him my instructions." I know that Ana has just rolled her eyes at me, and as much as I hate to, I ignore it for at least the time being. "Craig, you will come with me in Phoebe's car, and your ex-wife will go with Leighton"
"I don't think anyone asked me if I want to go or not." Craig's ex-wife shrieks, causing Craig to turn around. I don't see what he says, or the look he has given her, but she has dropped her shoulders and agreed to come with us. This is why I want them two separated on the way to the sound. I don't want either of them to collude on what has or has not happened this evening.
"If we are all agreed, then let's go." Ana and Phoebe are the first to leave. Leighton is in the SUV with Craig's ex-wife and takes off a few minutes later. I receive a message from Taylor, and all its states is 'Yes'. Perfect. I send him a quick but specific email. He will know exactly what to do. Taylor will get the information I need. Damn it! I should have trusted my instincts and ordered a background check on the ex-wife. It seemed as if she was totally out of the picture, and there wasn't a need.
"Would you like me to drive?" Craig offers as Phoebes car is driven up by the valet.
"No," I tell him stern, and take joy in seeing Craig shrink a little. Letting him drive, would give him some control and that is one of the many things, I may see to him being deprived of this evening. I pull out into the traffic and turn off the radio, causing silence to fill the car. I want Craig to feel uncomfortable and to see what he information he will offer. It takes a few minutes, but he finally starts to talk.
"Christian, regardless of how this evening appeared to Phoebe, you and Ana. I promise you I haven't been unfaithful to your daughter. I love Phoebe" The tone of Craig's voice gives away just how desperate he is.
"Craig, do you recall what I told you when you commenced to see my daughter?" I ask.
"Yes" he replies.
"Then I should let you know that if I find that you have hurt my daughter or granddaughter by your actions tonight, and any other night, then you will live to regret it" I tell him scornfully.
"Let me explain, this morning..." I cut Craig off not letting him continue to talk.
"You need to explain everything to Phoebe" I growl at him. How dare he try to sway me before we even get to the sound?
"Yes. I know. I... I am sorry"
"You should be aware that until I know that Phoebe is not going to be hurt by you and has been given all the answers to her question, I refuse to allow you to be alone with her. You will also have to explain yourself to me and to Ana." Craig nods and wisely chooses to say nothing else.
Once we arrive at the sound, I instruct Craig to wait in the main room. Hughes, one of our home based CPO's, stands at the doorway and makes sure he doesn't try to seek out Phoebe.
"Where is Bronwyn, my ex-wife?" Craig inquires.
"She is here, and she is perfectly safe." I deliberately do not elaborate on my statement. Unbeknownst to anyone else, Bronwyn is currently been questioned by Taylor at the end room of the house. I want to know what she has to say and match it up to whatever Craig tells us. Taylor is one person in the world, next to Ana that I trust implicitly.
I find Ana and Phoebe in the kitchen, where at least one of them is eating. "Phoebe, you know I have issues with you not eating. You admitted to me on the phone that you hadn't eaten all day" I scold though my voice is soft. She has gone through enough today.
"Dad, I can't eat, but I will make a deal with you. Let me go and talk to Craig and then I will eat. I need to find out what is going on first" I run my hand through my hair, as Phoebe slides off her chair. "Where is Craig?"
"In the main room. Your mother and I are going to join you" I tell her rather than ask her permission to join them both.
"Thought as much. Since you both always find out everything that happens in my life, you both might as well. It will save time." Phoebe relents without even the slightest attempt to fight me on this.
Craig stands immediately when he sees Phoebe enter the room. At least he hasn't forgotten his manners. I smile proudly at my daughter as she walks into the room with her head held high, letting Craig know she will not be walked all over. I would love to claim sole responsibility, with Ana, for her strength of character, but I know that Josh contributed a lot.
Ana and I sit on opposite sides to Phoebe. I can tell that Ana wants to hold our daughters hand or rub her back, to comfort her. We both want offer her support. Phoebe is putting on such a brave face, but I can tell she is suffering. I desperately want to respect my daughter independence, but if someone doesn't start getting some answers then I am going to take control.
"Phoebe, I am sorry that I have upset you, but you need to know that I haven't done anything. I didn't go out to upset you." Craig commences.
"Haven't done anything?" Phoebe screws up her face as she repeats the words. "I saw you with your ex-wife, she touched your face and then kissed your hand. You let her touch you, and you evidently agreed to meet her. " Phoebe argues back. I stand up and clench my hands by my sides, in response to this new information.
"Christian. No!" Ana calls out.
"Dad, please, sit down" Phoebe requests and slowly I sit back down, but never take my eyes off Craig.
"Let me explain. Phoebe, please tell me you will listen to me." Craig looks relieved when Phoebe nods in agreement.
"Bronwyn and I haven't seen each other since I moved back to Seattle and she remained in California after our divorce. We hadn't even spoken, the most we even communicated was through a few emails, and they were mainly to let us know if something happened to one of our mutual friends, or fearfully trivial matters." Craig is ready to lay all his cards out on the table that it he is so easy to read. I know he is being honest, he has to be. He has so much to lose right now.
"This morning, Phoebe, when we were seeing Carrie off, and I got that call, it was Bronwyn." Craig quietly gulps. My attempts to remain quiet at this point fails.
"A fact that you didn't share with my daughter, did you?" I add repulsed.
"No, I didn't." Craig shakes his head but mainly at himself. "I was shocked that Bronwyn even rang me. I hadn't spoken to her in so long, and at first I thought something dreadful must have happened. She told me that she was in Seattle and needed to see me today."
"Your ex-wife came all the way up to Seattle to see you? That surely suggests something" Phoebe hypothesizes.
"Bronwyn didn't come here to see me, at least that is not the whole reason. She had been sent here for work and was leaving the next day. I swear that this is the first time I have seen her since we got divorced. I haven't even thought about her! Phoebe you are the one I want to be with and only with. Nothing was premeditated!" Craig stresses. Then much to my shock and Ana's, Phoebe commences to laugh.
"Seriously Craig I have been with you for almost sixteen months, I would have thought you would give me more merit than that. If none of this was premeditated then how did you or Bronwyn manage to get a booking at one of the hottest newest restaurants in the city? It has a waiting list longer than the phone book. Even I don't know how my father managed to get a booking within thirty minutes." Quietly I feel a little offended at my daughter comment. Surely she should know that I get what I want and when I want it. I make a note to prove to my daughter later what I can make happen; however, now not the time is. Phoebe has made an extremely valid point.
"Bronwyn is here in Seattle because of that restaurant. She has been working on its publicity. She had done such a fantastic job that they offered her a dinner booking." I pull out my phone and text Taylor. I want him to know what Craig just said and to see it is collaborates with whatever Bronwyn is saying. Idly I wonder if I should call in some favours and make sure that this restaurant the ex-wife has been working on, doesn't succeed. This way I can decrease the chance of her blonde head popping up in the future.
"Keeping going" Phoebe states without any emotion.
"Bronwyn told me that she wanted, needed to talk to me, 'face to face'. She sounded different, and I knew something was up, so reluctantly I agreed"
"Is that when you got back in the car with me?" Phoebe probes trying to put the pieces together.
"Yes. You told me that you were going to be working late, so I texted Bronwyn and agreed to meet her" Craig looks remorseful, but right now I want to throw him out of my home.
"Did you tell my daughter who you were meeting?" I narrow my eyes, and my voice is harsh. I want to intimidate him. I want Craig to know that this behavior is not acceptable.
"No," Craig voice is low.
"So you lied?" Ana states.
"Yes I did, but this morning it seemed more like an omission"
"Well that is a load of bullshit and you know it" Both Ana and I look at our daughter and each other, bemused and shocked. It has been years since we have heard her cuss. Phoebe and Josh agreed not to use such language when they had Carrie. I know that Phoebe still swears here and there, but I haven't heard it in a long time.
"Phoebe, I didn't want to tell you who I was meeting as it would have been on the forefront of your mind all day. You had so much on your plate today, and I wanted to talk to Bronwyn. It was going to be easier, face to face." Phoebe is about to talk when Craig intervenes. "Let me finish, please! After you have all the information then I will listen to everything you say, and will respect any of your wishes, but I need to tell you everything." Craig is ready to get on his hands and knees if need be. He is as desperate as any man I have ever seen. I can't help but snigger silently at him. He has dug himself into a hole, and I wonder how he will get himself out of it.
"Keep going then" Phoebe concedes. I watch my daughter and note that her demeanor has changed. Her body language, tone of voice and expression is identical to when she is in a meeting or negotiating a deal. She is desperately trying to protect her feelings. I never knew she was so much like me.
"I met Bronwyn at the restaurant that evening. We had dinner together. She told me about some of my old friends in California and about her family. I told her about my work here, and how I am running a department, but most of all I found myself talking about us. I told Bronwyn about how much I loved you and how I adore Carrie. That was when we reached a turned point, and this was not long before you, Phoebe, walked into the restaurant. I wanted to see her to tell her that I had moved on and that she should also now." Craig takes a breather, and it allows us all to prepare for the next piece recount of this evening.
"Bronwyn, then admitted to me that she still loved me, and she apologized for not agreeing to give me what I wanted when we were still married. She never wanted to a family, but I did. Bronwyn said that she had wanted to see me to ask me to go back to her, but she knew now that I didn't love her anymore. That is when she touched my face and then kissed my hand. She was saying goodbye, as was I. The part of my life is over. I was about to leave the restaurant to ring you to see where you were. All I wanted was to be with you. That was when we heard a noise and saw you run into the waiter. I knew that you never would have heard what we said and only saw Bronwyn touch me. I had to chase after you and explain." Craig expels a long breath and looks relieved that he has been able to explain himself.
"I think you still care for your ex-wife, more than you are admitting or you wouldn't have agreed to see her, without telling me this morning." Phoebe hypothesizes.
"Phoebe, I care about her from one person to another person, but that is it. You are the one I love and care for, and Carrie. I agreed to see because I wanted some formal closure to that part of my life, so I can give the future I want everything I have." Craig pleads. I have to admit that he puts on a good argument, but I want to compare everything that he has said with what Taylor has got out of the ex-wife. He will know if she tries to lie or is telling the truth.
Craig is holding his breath waiting for Phoebe to say something, anything but she doesn't. I know my daughter. As she has matured through the years, she has become thorough and thinks everything through before acting. If Craig is expecting a definitive response right now, then he is going to be disappointed.
Craig gets up and walks towards Phoebe. Ana place's her hand our daughters shoulder to comfort her, whilst I read her expressions. One sign that she doesn't want Craig closer and I will take action.
"Phoebe, I am sorry that I didn't tell you what I was doing this evening. I will regret it forever, and it is also a mistake I won't repeat. I hope you can understand that now the only thing in my life that matters in even the slightest and the only thoughts I will ever have are of you, Carrie and I". Phoebe is nods slightly, but I know that she will need time.
"I need time to think this all through. A lot has happened today" Phoebe informs him.
"Phoebe, I love you and I will give you all the time you want. You are my whole world, and I want you to be my future and I yours." It is at this point of time that the world does a complete three-sixty as Craig pulls out a box from a pocket inside his blazer.
"As you think everything through, I want you to have this, so you know of my intentions. I bought it a couple of weeks ago, and I was thinking up a way to ask you, that would honor how much I love you. I still plan on doing that somehow, but I want you to know that I love you and want to marry you." Craig then opens the box and inside is a platinum diamond ring. Phoebe is stunned as Ana is. I had expected a proposal but not at this moment, not considering everything that has transpired tonight.
The room becomes deafly silent, and from the corner I notice Taylor is standing there, waiting for me. I make eye contact with him, but do not leave my daughters side. I refuse to move until this scene has come on an end.
"Again, time?" Phoebe utters softly.
"Absolutely. Mr and Mrs Grey if you both do not need me anymore this evening, I will head home" Craig requests formally. I order Hughes to escort Craig out and drive him home.
"Today has been the craziest day ever. I am just glad that Carrie is away at camp and didn't have to witness any of it in any way" Ana, and I agree, with Phoebes statement. I notice that she is still holding on to the box with the ring tightly, but she has closed it.
"What do you want to do?" Ana asks.
"I don't know. I need to get some sleep, I am exhausted! Do you mind if I stay the night?" I am relieved with her request, though I wasn't going to allow her to go to her home alone tonight.
"This is still your home, you never have to ask to stay here." I tell Phoebe kissing her forehead. "Just don't invite any boys to your room, and go back into the kitchen and finally eat some dinner" I tell her comically reminding her of her teenage years. Phoebe rolls her eyes and looks at her mom. It is only just then that Ana notices Taylor standing to the side at the doorway.
"Come on Phoebe, I will have a cup of tea while you eat. I will give your housekeeper Mary a call and have some clothes bought over for you tomorrow." I walk behind them both, and wait for Phoebe to notice Taylor.
"Taylor, I didn't know you were here!" A broad smile is shared by both Taylor and Phoebe as they hug each other. "When did you get here? Is Gail with you? How long are you both here?"
Ana giggles at Phoebe as she throws questions back and forth at Taylor. I walk forward to stand behind Ana and hold her tightly.
"I arrived this morning, and yes Gail is with me. She is asleep at the moment. We are here for about a week." Taylor replies.
"I am so glad you and Gail are here! It's been an exceptionally trying day" Phoebe advises him.
"I have heard. I will tell Gail that you will be here tomorrow morning. No doubt she take control of the kitchen and whip you up a batch of chocolate chip pancakes with blueberries and cream if you like"
"My favorite breakfast," Phoebe says again smiling.
"Ana and Phoebe, if you would both excuse me, I need to speak to Christian" Taylor requests. Neither of us say anything to each other until Ana and Phoebe are out of ear shot.
"What did Craig's ex-wife say?" I get straight to the point.
"Basically that she called Craig in the hope that he would want to be with her again, but he wasn't willing to. The ex-wife stated that he just went on and on about Phoebe. She also said that he talked about Carrie as if she was his daughter. She admitted that she is the one who touched Craig and that he failed to reciprocate the gesture." Taylor summarizes and then passes me a USB drive. I hold it up unsure of its contents.
"It is footage from the security camera at the restaurant tonight. I have a few friends who work at the hotel where the restrain is located. I called in a favor" Taylor states casually.
"Want to come out of retirement?" I offer seriously, though am careful to make it sound humorous.
"I'm retired?" Taylor says seriously and then laughs. "The ex is still here, what do you want me to do?"
"I want to talk to her. Do you think she poses any threat to Phoebe or Carrie?" I need to be one hundred percent sure of this fact. I won't allow them to be put in any sort of danger.
"I don't believe so, but I will update Leighton and Anabel, and ensure they are aware of the incident tonight and are kept on their guard." Taylor and I enter the back room, where a frustrated Bronwyn is pacing the room.
"You do realize that it is illegal to keep someone against their will" Bronwyn hisses.
"You agreed to come here" I point out.
"What do you want?" She argues.
"For you to stay away from Craig, Phoebe and any member of my family. In fact, never enter the state of Washington ever again" I tell her coldly.
"You have no business or power dictating where I go and whom I seek out. I do know you are, but again you cannot do anything to me" I raise my eyes brows and take it as a challenge.
"Really" I reply pulling out my cell phone. "You work for Gorman associates, the public relations firm in California don't you?"
"Yes. So?" Bronwyn replies off put. I can't help but grin as I dial the number of an old associate and friend. I put the call on speaker, though only so Bronwyn can hear everything that is said.
Gorman: Grey, I didn't expect a call from you today. If you are ringing to check, yes I will be at the 'Coping Together Ball'.
The smug look on Bronwyn face is wiped immediately as it becomes apparent that I know her boss. Ana and his wife became friends at a literary conference years ago, and I have utilized his expertise here and there over the years. I had hoped he would come and work at Grey house, but he always refused to leave California.
Christian: Great! Ana and I were hoping you would sit on our table.
Gorman: Done, and tell your brother Elliot that I have been training in the pool. I intend to beat him in a race this time round.
Christian: Will do! Hey, look I might need a favour later on, it involves someone who has been a bother to my daughter Phoebe.
Gorman: Who would bother Phoebe? Look just tell me what you need done and I will make it happen!
Christian: Good. I suspect that it won't be an issue, now, but will ring you should I need. I better let you go. Talk to you soon!
Gorman: Catch you later.
I disconnect the call and wait for the former- Miss-little-spiteful to respond, but she fails to.
"As you would now know, I do have the power to influence where you go and whom you seek out. Stay away from them, or I will have you fired. I will then ensure you are blacklisted and are never able to get another Public relations or publicity job in any major city, in America." I threaten. "Am I understood?"
"Yes. Can I leave now?" Bronwyn requests.
"I will have one of my staff drive you to your hotel and then to the airport. I will have you booked on the first flight to California"
With Bronwyn taken care of, Taylor, and I watch the footage from the restaurant and it proves what Craig told us. "I will go and talk to Phoebe. Thank you Taylor. I greatly appreciate your help."
I knock on the door of the spare room, and an exhausted Phoebe opens the door. "Hey dad, I am just going to go to sleep. I need to get some rests as I still have to finalise the deal tomorrow. And before you ask, yes I ate dinner" I nod offering her a smile.
"I wanted to know that Craig's ex-wife has confirmed what Craig told you. Also, Taylor and I just viewed security footage from the restaurant, and it also proves that Craig never initiated any physical interaction with his ex-wife."
"Thanks. I am still a little upset that he just wasn't honest with me this morning. I need some time"
"Go to bed, I will see you in the morning" I kiss my daughters forehead once more time and then head off to my bedroom. I open the door to find the most beautiful woman exiting the bathroom, wearing a luxurious silk robe and nothing else I presume.
"I have been waiting for you" Ana's voice is smooth and alluring. "I took out some toys that I thought we could use. I figured you could use some stress relief" Never have truer words ever been said.
Authors Note: I hope this chapter was enjoyable. I am sorry that I haven't got as much time as I once did to write, but I still am. Please review and tell me what you think.