Christian's POV

The following morning seemed to be easy going. The break of dawn was already giving us all on what to look forward to. No matter what Sam thinks… I don't regret my decision on sending her there. She's going to put up a fight when I'll break it to her that Taylor and Luke will be put as her security. After what happened to Mia… I can't risk that it happens to her… I just wish to tell her everything on why I had to make that tough decision… but I can't… or else… I don't want to … none of us want to burden her with such pain… after all… as they say, ignorance is bliss at times. One thing I'm thrilled and delighted about. It's that finally she's home with us. I've waited for this day for years… And finally she's back… not on the best outcomes… but at least… I have my baby back… although she presses each and every button to tick me off. I have a feeling that she loves doing it on purpose… but then… just like Ana… they both know how to play it well.

She came downstairs with a whole lot of commotion. She was so Anastasia's daughter... There was no doubt. Just like that first time she fell into my office. I chuckled watching my daughter jump on one foot to get her last shoe on.

'Love. Take it easy...' Ana smiled. 'You're not going to be late...'

'i'm walking... I will be if I don't rush...' she replied.

'Hell no you're not...' I replied 'just my morning treat' I thought to myself. . '...and Sam, two things that I don't tolerate in this home and family, are lies and deceiving...'

'Good... Glad we're on the same page...' she replied as Teddy passed her the orange juice.

'Here you go sis...' he replied as he handed it to her.

'Teddy... You know I don't like it...'

'Well... You should have seen it before you took my peach juice...' he replied, while they pulled their tongue out towards each other.

'Samantha, I'm still waiting...' I chuckled.

'What?' she replied.

'Those clothes...'

'What's wrong with them?' She asked clearly not noting what's wrong with anything.

'Really Christian...' Ana replied. 'she looks like a total librarian geeky nerd...'

'Thanks mum.'

'Nothing personal... But you're modest... I like it…' she winked at her.

'Sam, I wasn't born yesterday. I know you have some inappropriate clothes underneath them or in your bag.'

'Is he for real?' she asked Teddy.

'He is kind of right...' he replied. 'You don't see many girls dressing up like that.'

'Well... I don't need to dress like a slut. I'm going to school not to some damned fashion show... I'm comfortable like this…' she replied.

'You seriously dress like that?' I asked astonished, yet feeling a sense of pride that my princess had her head on her neck on knowing what to do.

'Sam... Drink it all…' Ted ordered as she rolled her eyes.'...and don't roll your eyes at me...'

'Yes I do dad...'

'Ana, will you please take her shopping...'

'Already planning on it...'

'Wow... Hold your horses... I'm not changing my wardrobe...'

'Honey... Those look like you've got them from some charity shop...'

'It happens to have been that way... Why should I pay to companies that exploit China at cheap labour to have a product around 5 times the price they buy it? The world's riches are in few hands of the world's population... Hence why we have such discrete and distinct social classes... And we happened to be a high class family... I'd rather buy something that I know that the money I use will go for a worthy cause... Charity is one of them...'

'Did my parents allow you to do this?'

'Yepps, on the condition that half of my wardrobe consists of the clothes they buy me from their choice of store... With the condition from mine that anything I buy has to not be made from China Taiwan and places like these...'

'Then here we'll work the same...'

'Ana, I'm not having my daughter looking like a charity case...'

'She's doing a worthy cause...'

'I make a worthy cause as well, but you don't see me dressed like that...'

'Seriously... What's the big deal in my choice of clothes?'

'You're a Grey...' all of us replied as I laughed. I had to admit… she was sweet on thinking on others. I expected that my parents spoiled her rotten… but as I see she's not.

'You have to keep up to the name...' Teddy added.

'Like you did Teddy?' she threw back, as she pulled her tongue out, whilst he pulled her to his side.

'Samantha...' I warned.

'Look... While I'm here enjoying some expensive caviar for lunch or dinner, kids my age are practically either being exploited, working as prostitutes, putting their hand into mercury for gold separation... And I wonder... What do I have more than these kids? I was lucky enough to be in a family that affords practically everything... And these souls are literally fighting everyday to make a living...'

'...I admire your dedication, but that doesn't mean that you have to literally limit yourself to the tough life Sam...' I tried gently. 'You're my baby... You deserve all the best...'

'I know dad... But I want to learn the hard life to be able to appreciate all of this. I know I'm lucky...but only because you worked for it... It's your riches... Not mine...'

'You're our kid… What's ours is Teddey's and yours...' Ana backed me up.

'I know mum... Hence why I want to become a lawyer fighting for human rights...'

'Wow... Hold your horses...' I stopped her. '…a lawyer?'

'You haven't told him?' she asked Ana.

'Not as yet...'

'Will someone tell me what the hell is going on?' I asked losing patience.

'She dropped sciences... She doesn't want to become a neither a doctor nor a biological engineer, and not even a chemist...' Ana replied.

'Samantha we agreed...'

'No... You made the decision for me...'

'Sam... Teddy and you will someday have to inherit my company... A scientific background...'

'Isn't my thing...' she cut me off. 'Dad I want to help others and fight for their rights...'

'…and you can do that by taking sciences...' I replied. 'I'm calling school to change your subjects again...'.

'No... You can't do that... I love my subjects and that is my choice...' she replied.

'Dammit... I swear to God that you're trying to give me a coronary before I turn 50...' I started.

'Dad… please… try to understand…' She smiled using her puppy face.

'Samantha… do you really love your subjects?' I asked her. I saw the determination in her that I've never seen in Theodore's. She always worked hard to get at anything… and for that I had to at least let her do her thing.

'I do dad… and hey… I may not be able to help you with the ideas, but I can help out in whatever law things you may have…' She smiled.

'I'll tell you what… we'll wait till you get your report cards. If I see that you're having acceptable grades, and that is B+, then you can keep them… else…'

'You got yourself a deal Mr.' She smiled as she pulled out her hand and spit on it waiting for me to take it.

'Sam… we need to revise table manners…' I laughed as I joined her.

'Hey… you did the same dad!' She laughed, as she stood up and kissed my cheek. 'Thank you daddy…' She smiled.

'Sam...' Ana hugged her. 'We are proud of you...'

'Yeah… I know…' she replied as she grabbed her bag. 'Love you mum...' she continued as she made her way out.

'Sam... Wait for me...' Ted called as he literally swallowed the piece of bread. 'Congrats dad... You're on her good side…' he smiled at me as he grabbed his bag and ran after her.

'Christian, although I'm happy that you came to an agreement that was out of line... Why is it a big deal for you to have our kids into science?'

'I screwed up in that bit haven't I?'

'…but you fixed it without having to fight about it… I'm proud of you guys… you're… civil…'

'Yeah… I realized it's no use battling over things…'

'You know we have to tell her sometime…' Ana said again.

'Let's worry when we come to that…'

'She needs to understand Christian… She thinks that you sent her away…'

'You know that was the only way Ana…'

'I know… Your parents know… Theodore knows… but it is her that this concerns her Christian… and she is not stupid. Mia is too young to have a heart attack. She's already fishing for answers… and she is exactly like you. She won't stop until she has concrete answers…'

'This is inevitable isn't it?'

'It kind of isn't Christian…'

'We'll see Ana… she's too young to be burdened with such mishaps…'

Theodore's POV

This was the first proper conversation dad and Sam had since she came back home. Guess they were working things out. Since Sammy was born, he was so over protective of her... Following every pace she makes... Makes sure she's up to standards. I don't know how she takes it. I wouldn't be able to do it for sure. In a way we both always knew that dad was happy with anything I did... But she is the baby sister and she our little girl.

'Sam!' I called again after her and I jogged to reach up to her.

'Hey bro…' she smiled as she took the earbuds from her ears.

'Hey… Want a ride?' I asked as I pulled her from her arm and looked at her face.

'No need bro… some walking would do me good…' She chuckled.

'You mind if I do with you?'

'The road isn't mine is it?' She lifted an eyebrow. 'Besides… I've missed my teddy bear…'

'…and I missed my princess…' I smiled back as I pulled her from her shoulders. '…besides… what's a walk without entertainment from Moi? Le grande frere?' I teased her in French.

'What would I do without you?' She laughed.

'Probably? You'd be having some boyfriend by now...' I chuckled. 'Listen sis, are we ok?'

'Yeah...' she smiled. 'Why you asking?'

'It's just… that I don't want some stupid way of dad's thinking to ruin what we have and for jealousy to start between us…'

'Hey… no hard feelings bro!' She elbowed me. 'Dad and I made a deal…' She smiled. 'I can see he's trying hard… I'm afraid to admit it… but… I think I love him…'

'I'm glad I'm hearing that…' I smiled. 'You know he never wanted to send you there…'

'…but he did…' She reasoned.

'There are many things Samantha… that if you'd knew…'

'Then tell me Theordore!' She pressed. 'You're all always saying this line… and honestly? It's getting old and tiring…'

'It's not my place for starters… and you're still young…'

'So I guess I have to wait for more…'

'Yeah…' I chuckled. 'You have too…'

Samantha's POV

I started getting used to the days with my family. I never realized how much I've missed these… and now that I have them, I won't miss another one ever… It's already been two days back here. Everyone was so welcoming but I couldn't brush off the feeling that someone or everyone wasn't telling me something. I always followed my gut during these things... And usually I was never mistaken. But maybe this time I am because I'm choosing to view things this way... The attitude I've taken with dad is finally subsiding. He's a good man. I know he doesn't do something without having a motive. So I guess he does have everything fixed in place. Deep down I wanted him to send me back to grandma and grandpa... But on the other hand... I just wanted him to shut my mouth and hold me tight to him. The way a father should. It is my fault… I'm pushing him away… but I'm putting him to the test. I just wanted him to pull me to his chest and promise me that everything was going to be fine... That I was still his little princess... That I was still his little girl... But I guess a girl can dream.

I walked down the stairs into the sinful quiet night and made my way to the gardens. I loved this place. The bench remained the same as I remembered it. Under the tree with the pink flowers, with the fountain in front of me. I sat down, despite the fact that I was shuddering with cold. I didn't care. I just wanted to feel alive... Feel close to home... And somehow... This place brought that feeling. I rested my back to the bench and pulled my knees to my chest. I watched as the owl hoed and the leaves rustled against each other. The moon that shone above me, made everything seem so fragile yet sharp, with all their stark shadows on everything that was a surface. I looked up at the stars and dad's voice echoed in my ears.

'How much do you love me Samantha?' he asked me as he pulled me onto his lap.

'If you can count all the stars of the past present and future... You'll know...' I replied as his laugh echoed in my ear.

'I love you too princess... So very much...' he replied.

'How much?'

'Do you see that star over there?' he asked while Y nodded. 'You see, if you manage to measure the distance from this place to that star and around the earth back to the moon and around the planets, you'll know how much...' he answered.

'That's a lot papa...'

'Yes princess... I love you a lot...' he smiled back. '...and I would do anything to never letting you get hurt.'

'Really? You would never forget me?'

'How can I? You are my princess... And we never forget princesses... Especially as beautiful as you...' he replied as he tickled my stomach lightly.

'Papa... I pwomise I'll never hate you like Teddy said today...'

'He doesn't hate me princess... He was just angry with me for grounding him...'

'...but I will never say it to you...'

'I'm holding you to that promise princess...'

'I love you papa...' I said again as I buried my face in the crook of his neck.

Taylor's POV

'Mr. Grey... Sorry to wake you up at this hour... It's Samantha...'

'What is it Taylor?' I asked as Ana, shot up immediately.

'She's in the gardens... She's ok, but if one of you...'

'I'll go...' I replied as I stood up and took my robe.

'Christian...' Ana woke up with me. 'Maybe I should talk to her... You've been out of her life for quite some time...'

'I want to be in it again Ana...' I replied. 'I made her this way... It's time to fix our problems...' I continued.

'I'll do you both some tea then. If you need anything holler...' she replied as she kissed me on my lips.

I walked into the gardens and made my way to the only place I knew I would find her. I walked lightly making sure not to make any sounds. I didn't want to scare her... But I did want to see what was wrong.

I looked at the bench and there she was. Shaking and shivering. The first reaction was to go and hug her tight... But some sniffles took me off guard. She raised her head upright and dried her eyes with the back of her hand. She seemed to be talking and rationalizing alone.

'Sam...' I said gently as I moved forward, she quickly recovered but didn't make any movement that would show me anything. I moved forward and sat beside her.

'What are you doing up?' she asked softly still looking ahead.

'I should better ask you that question...' I replied as I wrapped my arms around her. 'God... You're freezing...'

'It's fine...' she replied.

'You'll catch a cold...' I continued while she rested her head against my shoulder. 'Princess... What's wrong?' I asked her.

'What do you mean dad?'

'Everything Sam... The attitude... With me especially... And now you're up at this hour and I find you crying...' I replied as she closed her eyes. 'Baby... I know you are angry with me for...'

'I'm not angry at you...' she replied.

'No?' I asked surprised.

'Nopes... Never was and never will... or at least I'm past that now. I know you have a reason for anything you do…' she replied again. 'I only am disappointed that you chose to put me there, and didn't have the balls to at least come visit on your own account.'

'Samantha... Language...' I scolded.

'What are you going to do? Take me across your knee? Isn't it enough that a) I don't know my family. B) You broke your promise. C) You expect me to believe you love me when...'

'I love you Samantha...'

'Don't give me that shit... Leave that for your coworkers... Not with me...' she replied as she stood upright and tensed at my touch. I realized that maybe what I've tried in keeping her safe only resulted for her to feel neglected... By me... Maybe… I should tell her… but not tonight…

'Sammy... Look at me...' I searched for her face as I pulled it from her chin. 'Princess don't doubt me for a moment... Don't doubt my love for you...'

'Oh please...' she cut me off. 'Do you know all those times I had to stay in the corner when the other parents came... All kids seeing both their mother and father... And all I got was mum and Teddy? I don't regret them... But I wanted you to hold me and tell me that everything was going to be ok... That I'll soon be home... But I got nothing of that...' she continued.

'...but I'm here now...' I tried again.

'Maybe now is too late...' She shot back. 'You ignored my pleas, calls... I bet you never opened one damned letter...'

'I read them all... Every day before I sleep I reread them all...' I admitted. 'I know them by heart till this very day...'

'Oh...' she replied.

'Samantha... There are so many things... Reasons why I had to do that...'

'Then please, explain...maybe I can help you... Maybe I can understand...'

'Maybe... Maybe is one powerful word Samantha...' I replied. 'Baby... I wish I can tell you...'

'Then do...'

'I can't Samantha... Not now at least... I just got you back... If you knew...' I closed my eyes in pain. 'I don't want you to torment yourself...'

'Dad... I'm already doing it as it is!'

'When the time is right, I promise I will tell you myself... But you have to trust me... Can you do that?' I asked her as she remained quiet. I had to admit, this was worse than a blow in my stomach. My own daughter didn't trust me. 'Sam?' I asked chokingly, as she let her head drop on my shoulder.

'One thing you never did is lie to me...' she replied. 'I trust you...' she replied as she shivered again. I sighed as a sigh of relief and in one move I pulled her on my lap and hugged her tight to me.

'Everything will be ok... I promise...' I replied as I kissed her in her hair.

'I wanted to hear that...' she replied as she rested into my arms. 'Thank you...' she hugged me tight as she let me comfort her.

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