Christian's POV

After I woke both my kids up and joined my wife for breakfast, I quickly went to change and instructed to Sam the she does the same and makes herself comfortable. It's no use to keep badgering about things and not doing anything. I'm her father and no matter what she should be able to tell me everything... and not being afraid of me or my reaction. I only wish for my little girl to return back to me... maybe someday... sometime... she will...

I went to the living room, where she was already lying on her back reading a book. It's how she always spent her mornings till she woke up properly to function on her homework. I smiled at the scene. A glass of water was situated on the coffee table whilst she kept rotating her ankles... and making cracking sounds.

'Sam... You're going to get arthritis if you keep on cracking your feet.'

'Guess I'll be beating you at something...' she teased back.

'Are you saying I'm old missy?'

'Hey... I didn't say it! You did!' She smiled back as I kissed her forehead and place my black coffee on the coffee table. 'Mind if I sit with you?'

'Not at all...' She quickly stood whilst I held her down. 'Nopes... rest your head on my lap...'

'You sure?' She eyed me suspiciously.

'What do you think?'

'That you don't say things without meaning them?'

'Aha...' I winked at her as I switched on the television. 'You want to watch something?'

'Reading dad...'

'Ok... now I don't get this... so you don't watch tv, because you have your own life to live, but you immerse yourself in a book. How does this work?'

'Ok... let me make it in simple English...' She quickly placed the bookmark in place whilst I ran my fingers through her hair. 'It's a good thing that you can enter in a world where nothing that bothers or hurts exist... where nothing matters except the other characters and you... especially if you can relate to them... which i must say is the most important and fun thing in a book. When I read, I imagine the whole story in my mind.' She kept saying... I think more to herself than to me. She seemed lost. 'What I mean is, that I can put up a face for a character... the setting... the styles... I make the movie in my mind. and it's what I try to always search, because it feed my creative imagination...' She continued. '...then it literally entwines me within in and I have to finish the book because I can't stand to not know what happens. I can do whatever I want with the characters, because it's simply my imagination... not a director's wish...but mine. and I can kind of escape into this world...'

'What do you mean by escape?'

'Dad don't you get tired? Stressed? What do you do to vent off?'

'I run... talk... open up to your mother and you and Ted...'

'Well... I find it easy to escape in this world...' She replied as she opened the book again. '...besides I'm improving my English this way...'

'That you are... but you need to take it easy...'

'You're always saying that...' She chuckled. 'Wait...' she quickly stood up and felt my forehead. 'You're not feverish. Are you sick? Tired?'

'What? No!' I quickly stopped her and looked straight into her eyes. 'What's this about?'

'You didn't go to work...' She simply replied as I let my head fall back into laughter. 'This is not funny! You don't miss work unless you're sick! So if you're not telling me I'm calling grandma!'

'Sam... Sweetie calm down...' I smiled at her as I held her from her arms. 'I'm not sick. I decided to spend the day with you. It's been years since I've spent a day with my daughter...'

'So you're not sick?'

'Didn't you hear what I just said?'

'I'm just having a hard time believing it...'

'Hey!'

'Joking...' she smiled as she cuddled into my side and I held her closer.

'Come here princess...'

'It's Teddy's birthday today...'

'I know...' I smiled. 'He grew up so fast...'

'...but remained the same...'

'That he did...' I continued as I rubbed her arm softly.

'Um... do you... do you think he'll go out with his friends tonight?'

'Who Teddy?' I chuckled. 'Honey, Theodore doesn't trait family for friends...'

'You sure?'

'100% Positive...'

'So... we're going on tonight?'

'Already told him to cancel any plans for tonight. Besides, it's a Saturday we should be able to enjoy a family evening once in while...'

'I can't wait to give him his gift. I'm tired of waiting...'

'Sam... Set aside all those things for now... we need to talk...'

'About?'

'Honey... you've changed... a lot... and I'm scared to be honest.'

'I'm fine dad...' She said again as she tried releasing from my embrace.

'No you're not...' I replied again as I held her closer. 'I know about the nightmares... your erratic mood swings... your temper... and dammit you look sick... and you've lost tonnes of weight...'

'I was busy... but I'm fine dad...'

'Sam please... why don't you talk to me? or your mother! We'll understand!'

'Dad... please...' She released my embrace.

'Look, I know that what I did on sending you to that boarding school hurt you... but...'

'Dad... it's not about that... you had your reasons and I respect them and I know that someday you will tell me.'

'I will... that's a promise...' I replied again. 'Look... why don't I make you an appointment with John? Maybe you can talk to him first...'

'I'm not crazy!'

'Nobody said you were... I go to him... your mother does too and so does Teddy at times... and I'm not crazy...'

'That's what you say...' She chuckled.

'Hey! So first you call me an old man... Now crazy?'

'Again... You're implying them!' She laughed lightly and let her gaze drop.

'Honey... please… Tell me what's wrong... and I can help you...'

'Dad...'

'I know there's something haunting you... if you don't want to talk tell me...'

'Dad... I appreciate the concern...'

'you shouldn't appreciate it because it's my job as your father to love you and be concerned about you... no matter if you think that I'm a monster... i love you princess...'

'I do too daddy...' She threw herself at me hugging me tight. I could feel my pj's shirt damp... and I could feel sobs wrecking her body. There is something wrong for sure.

'Shh... get it all out honey... shh...' I kept rubbing her back gently. I wasn't going to push her, but I wasn't going to stay by the side lines and watch her get hurt… not now not ever.

Theodore's POV – Later that evening

'I swear, if you weren't my sister... I would have asked you out already...' I started as I took one single glimpse at her.

'Knocking much bro!' she replied as she bent down fixing her heels.

'Nopes... Knocking is old fashioned now a day...' I chuckled as I entered her room and she stood up.

'So... How do I look?'

'Stunning... Eyes will be all on you sis...' I smiled as I held her from her shoulders.

'Don't let dad hear you say that. He'll make me change...'

'You ought to change... I don't want any guy hitting on my sister...'

'Hypocrite... you shelter your sister but you break hearts...' she chuckled.

'You're my sister... I have and it's my duty and job to protect you...' I smiled widely. 'Did dad approve of that dress? And heels?'

'Mum did…' she replied. 'She took me shopping... And well Miss Selfridge did me some justice...'

'You look stunning sis...' I smiled.

'Thanks...' she replied as she moved to her desk and brought a small box. 'I was planning on giving it to you on the hour you were born.' she smiled. '…but I can't wait anymore... Happy 23rd birthday Teddy...' she smiled as she hugged me tight.

'You didn't have too baby girl.' I smiled. I had to admit I wasn't expecting anything from her. I knew the money she made from her job, and I knew that she wanted to prove a point.

'Nonsense...' she smiled. 'For you anything...' she smiled again. 'Come on open it and tell me what you think...' she excitedly clapped. I sat down on the edge of the bed and opened the box hesitantly. I wasn't expecting anything... I took off the cover and a litman stethoscope was staring back at me. 'So?' she smiled.

'Sammy... This costs a lot... Especially...'

'Shut up bro...' she hugged me from my shoulders. 'I heard you needed one and I saved for it... I worked for it and I'm glad I did... Now I can say that I truly bought you something from my own money.' she smiled. 'If you don't like the colour you can change it. But I thought blue suits you...'

'I love it sis...' I smiled as I wore it. 'So how do I look?' I smiled.

'All you need is to get your warrant and you can fully say you're a doctor.'

'I'll go show it to mum and dad...' I smiled again as I made my way to the door, as it finally hit me. How could I miss it? It's so obvious... The change is practically obviously... 'Did you lose weight Sammy?' I asked her as her eyes panicked but she soon recovered. 'I haven't noticed... I was on a diet...'

'You look great...' I smiled. '…Just don't get any thinner'

We started our way to the restaurant. It was always a tradition of ours that on birthday's we go out to our favourite place and dine together. It was something we never missed each and every year, however this year we weren't going on time.

Dad decided to argue on my sister's outfit. Mum tried convincing him its fine with her short-sleeved scoop neck fit and flare style... And so did I...but we didn't leave until Samantha was into flat shoes and a cardigan that covered the rest of her arms.

I looked at her and realized that she was listening to music. It's the only thing she did to have fun or relax. Music was something she liked, although I never knew the music she listened to.

'Dad... Could you switch on the Bluetooth please?' I asked him. She always forgot to switch it off, and I could finally hear what she listens too.

'Why?' he asked as he did so.

'I want to know to what Samantha's listening too.' I chuckled, as he chose her phone and a song that I never expected her to listen too.

'Damn...' she replied as she pulled her earphones and remained staring at me. 'THEODORE!' she turned facing me. 'I thought my earphones stopped working.

'Body's getting super hot

Feels like a hundred degrees

I'm waitin' for a man with the fan

Who can give me a breeze

If you touch me there

Please beware you can start up a fire

I don't mind if you take me home

Cool me off in the shower

[Chorus]

Well, Imma rip my clothes off

Take a leap and surf through the crowd

Yeah, yeah

Drippin' down my neck

Soakin' wet

Sink or swim or you drown

Yeah, yeah

Let's get a little wet

I like the way you're workin' me out

Let's get a little wet

I like the way you're workin' me out'

'Since when do you listen to these kinds of music?' dad asked as she stopped it.

'It's not bad…'

'It's sexual...' I replied.

'Wet... Wet my ass...' dad replied.

'Does she even know what it means?' I teased back.

'Leave her alone...' mum helped. 'She's just listening to music.'

'What else do you have?' I asked.

'This is my other current favourite...' she smiled as she put Notorious by The Saturdays.

'Sammy dear, I always side with you but this…!' mum replied as I snatched the phone from her hands and saw dad's face blazing.

'Let me see what you have...'

'Theodore!'

'Geez... You have nothing good... Chandelier... Born to die... Addicted to love... Summertime Sadness... 'What the hell is this playlist? A psychopath's?' I teased.

'Hey... I listen to it... I don't make you listening it with me…'

'Look, I appreciate other artists apart from classical, but you need to have more fun songs..,' dad joined in.

'These are fun songs...' she said defensively.

'Yeah right...' I chuckled

'Can't I have something I like?' she said again.

'You can...' dad replied. '…but you're young... Enjoy life...' He looked at her in the rear view mirror.

'Will you ever stop complaining?' she teased.

'Nopes... It's our dutifully job to pick on you little one...' I smiled as I stopped the music, and moved forward to more songs. 'Oh… here are the good stuff… Avici… Calvin Harris…' I continued. 'You should update sis…' I joked. 'I'll give you my playlist at home…'

'Hell no you won't…' Dad replied. 'You're not tainting her…'

'Dad she doesn't even know what that Wet piece mean…'

'Who told you I don't?' She pushed.

'Oh really… tell me then…' I pressed forward, as she shut her mouth.

'Fine… I don't know…' She admitted defeat… but you will tell me.

'Theodore… don't!' Dad turned his stony gaze to me.

'Yes Teddy… tell me…' She said again. I knew how this works, dad says something and to push him over the edge, she'll do the exact opposite. 'Come on… I'm 16 now…'

'We have to tell her sometime Christian… either she hears it from us…'

'…I can ask…'

'You're not asking anyone…' I cut her off. '…sis… when you're attracted to a guy… you may feel all tingly…'

'Ohh… that's all? I had that feeling!' She smiled as she rested her back while dad pulled the break.

'Repeat that again?' He turned to face her.

'Hey… I'm a girl… and I do have crushes…' She replied as he closed his eyes as a sigh of relief. I thought the worst for a second and then realized that she didn't get it at all…'

'Sam… that's not all…' I replied.

'Theodore, I'm going to fucking smack you so damned hard on the head if you tell her…'

'Tell me Theodore… Tell me…' She insisted.

'I can either tell her in front of you… or you can tell her…' I replied.

'Fine… within limits Theodore…'

'Tell me Teddy…' She said again.

'Well… after that first feeling… and things escalate… he'll…' I started and found myself at a loss of words. What was I to tell her? This was harder than I thought, but finally I decided to blurt it all out. 'Well, he touches you there… and…'

'Stop… stop stop!' She covered her ears as mum and dad laughed their guts out. 'Do NOT tell me…' She said again. 'TMI TMI TMI TMI!' She replied and we all laughed. 'I hate you…' She replied as she became red in the face while I laughed as well.

'No you don't…' I replied as I pulled her to my side whist undoing her seatbelt and pulled her into the middle seat.

'You see… she's not grown up enough for these things.' Dad laughed again.

'You're so little!' I teased as I kissed her temple.

'Well and you're the oldest one... Which reminds me... Dad do him one of those old people's cards... And let's enrol him in a home for the elderly.' She replied

'Isn't he already in a one!' mum joined still laughing.

'Hey...' I acted offended.

'Stop grumbling that you're always starving and always saying that there is nothing to eat and you won't be an old man...' she continued. 'Which reminds me... We have to do the groceries again tomorrow... The fridge is raided...'

'Again?'

'Blame your son... He ate everything.'

'Well... At least I eat everything and some don't eat anything...' I replied as I faced my sister that was now playing with her fingers.

'Theodore...' dad warned as he sent me a glare.

'Sorry...' I muttered as he gave me a look that meant that he wanted to talk to me later. I surfed through her phone and found what seemed as a good song and pressed play.

'I love this one…' Sam replied.

'It's in your playlist…' I laughed.

'Hey brother, there's an endless road to re-discover.' She started.

'Hey sister, know the water's sweet but blood is thicker.' I replied still singing with the song.

'Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you,

There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do.' We said in unision.

'Hey brother, do you still believe in one another?' She started again.

'Hey sister, do you still believe in love, I wonder?' I replied.

'Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you,

There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do.' Mum joined in.

'What if I'm far from home?' I turned to Sam.

'Oh, brother I will hear you call.' She laughed as I tickled her.

'What if I lose it all?' She asked.

'Oh you already lost it…' I refrained the lyrics as all of us ended up laughing and listening to the song.

'This is a good one…' Dad replied as the song finished, and pitbull came on. We continued listening to anything that was on her playlist, but from one second where she was all happy and ready to give me shit, she was now closed again to herself.

'We're here...' mum smiled as dad pulled into the parking lot. I nudged my sister hoping to get her attention and I finally did.

'Come on… I'm starving...'

'That's news...' Samantha chuckled as dad pulled her to his side while he entwined his hands with mum.

'Hey… And me alone?' I acted hurt.

'Come here...' she pulled my hand.

'I love you sis...'

'I love you too bro...' she smiled.

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