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We're all in our way to the Venue and Phoebe is beyond excited. Her party begins in just an hour.
"Phoebe the place to amazing! Me and Ana did a good job!" Teddy says.
"Oh and you'll love Teddy's present" I add.
"You saw it before me? No fair!" She says.
"You'll see it soon!" I tell her.
We arrive and we all step out the car. I take both kids hands and walk in. Sawyer and Taylor are both at the entrance.
"Grandpa!" Phoebe runs to dad once she sees him.
"I'm going to say hi to Phoebe grandpa" teddy says and walks away.
"This place looks great," Christian says.
"Thanks"
"You and Teddy did well."
"We make a great team" I wink at him and take his hand. Then we make our way over to my dad.
"Ray, pleasure seeing you again" Christian shakes dads hand.
"You too"
"Grandpa I'm happy you're here I- OH MY GOODNESS IS THAT A CASTLE?"
Looks like Phoebe found her present from Teddy. We all walk over with her.
"It's my present to you Phoebe" Teddy says.
"Oh my goodness! My very own castle!" She scream and runs in to find crowns and wands. "This is awesome! Thank you Teddy." She hugs teddy tight and kisses his cheek.
"Ewww gross." We all laugh at Teddy.
Before we know it the guest begin to arrive. Both Phoebe and Teddy run over to their friends once they walk in.
"Baby" Christian says as he wraps his arms around me. "I love you"
I smile
"I love you too"
Christian's family arrived twenty minutes later. They all go to say hi to the kids first who seem to busy playing with their friends then come over to us. Kate and Elliot both arrive just a few moments later.
"Ana, Christian," Grace says "how are you both?"
"Great," we both say at the same time.
"Great," she chuckles "where do we put the gifts?"
"Table by the wall" I point.
"Bro!" Elliot says greeting Christian "hello Ana" he hugs me.
"Hello, Elliot." I smile. "Kate!" I hug her and we walk away from the men to talk. "How are you?"
"Great, actually." She smiles. "Really great."
"I'm guessing everything with Elliot is going great"
"Yup! He told me he loves me. Ana.. He loves me!" She squeals.
"I'm happy for both of you"
"Well I'm happy with you and Mr. CEO" she smirks.
"I'm happy with him, Kate. I never thought I'd find this kind of happiness." I look back to where Christian is and he's now talking to his dad and mine. While Elliot is having a conversation with his mom and sister.
"I get you."
"He asked me to move in with him last night"
"Well.. What did you say?" She asks.
"I told him I need to think. We're both single parents it's a bit more complicated you know..? I love him a lot but I just want to be sure."
"Well I say go for it. I can see how happy he makes you. Plus from hat I've heard he's accepted Phoebe into his life as much as you've accepted Teddy into yours."
"I love that little boy as if we're my own" I admit.
"There's nothing to think about then, do it. This can be good for both of you."
Kate's right, this can be good for us.
"I'll see" I tell her.
"I'm going to find my man. I love you Steele you know that right?"
"Of course!" I laugh and shove her away. I walk over to Christian WHOS just talking to my dad now. "Hello men"
"Babe, hey"
"Ana, your mom called me earlier. She sent a package for you and Phoebe and should be arriving on Monday or Tuesday."
"I wish she could've been here"
"She'll come for Christmas" dad says and I hug him. "Oh how your hugs never get old."
I laugh "I love you dad"
"And I love you. Now, if you'll both excuse me, I have a pending conversations with Carrick about fishing and baseball game. You know, typical men stuff" I laugh at his comment as he walks away.
The afternoon is going by flawlessly. Christian and I greeted all the guests and when Jessica arrives we invite her and her husband to sit with us. Her little girl runs off to Phoebe once she spots her and her two sons sit with us. I look over to Phoebe and she takes Jessica's daughter's hand and doesn't let go as if she looking out for her. Once our food was served getting the kids to eat was a hassle they kept going to the desert table.
Around 6pm I tell dad to get the cake from the back and set it up on the table next to the desert table. He takes Carrick along to help me.
"Phoebe!" I call out looking for her. "PHOEBE!" I call out louder. When she hears me she runs out the castle to me. "We're going to cut the cake."
"Yay!"
Once the table is set up I stand her on a chair, since the cake or pretty tall, while Christian, Teddy and I stand next to her.
Everyone else gathers around and begins to sing happy birthday to her. At the end she closes her eyes then blows out the candles.
Kate and Christian both help me cut and serve everyone cake. Phoebe sits with all the kids on the floor while they all eat their piece.
"I'm going to check if anyone else is missing cake," I tell Christian and he nods.
When I walk around I see everyone has a piece. I then remember about Taylor and Sawyer and make my way out to ask if they'd like a piece.
"Babe, no! Not here we're going to get caught. Uncle T will be back and if he catches us he's probably chop my balls off for not saying anything- ANA!" Sawyer says.
Well I walked in, or rather out, on something I shouldn't have.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to ask if you and Taylor wanted cake.. Mia would you like some too?"
"Oh no, I'm good. I had enough sweets from the desert table." I can tell she's blushing by the way she won't look directly at me. Sawyer looks nervous himself.
"Hey, I didn't see or hear anything. Whatever is going on here isn't my business." I tell them just as Taylor returns.
"I'll see you inside Ana" Mia says.
"Sawyer, Taylor, would you both like a piece of cake?" I ask.
"Can you save me a piece for later?" Taylor asks.
"Yeah, same here."
"Of course, there's enough left. We also saved you both a plate of food. Hmm.. How about you both go in to eat. Everything fine. You both need to fuel up." They both nod and walk in. I tell Kate to give them the food we had put away for them.
Another two hours go by before everyone starts to leave. When the final guest says their goodbyes we all decide to clean around a bit.
"Darling, have a seat." Grace says. "We got this, don't worry about it. You and Christian can have a seat.
"Thank you," I say and I go and take a seat. Teddy comes over and sits in my lap all snuggled up.
"Tired baby boy?" He nods. I look over to Phoebe who's chatting away with Elliot, Kate, Mia, Christian and Sawyer while Carrick, Grace, Dad and Taylor clean up.
A few minutes go by and I can feel Teddy falling asleep.
"We're going home soon, buddy. Don't fall asleep just yet. You feel sticky so you'll have to take another quick shower"
"But mommy I wanna sleep I'm sooooo tired.."
Oh my..
He just called me mommy.
Don't get emotional. Don't get emotional.
"I know honey, but you'll be in bed soon okay?" He nods.
"Ok mom.."
I pick him up and let everyone that we really need to start heading out. Everything seems about cleaned and all the gifts are in both Taylor and Sawyer's cars.
I look over to the castle wondering how we're going to take that.
"Oh wait," Elliot says. "The castle's walls are detachable and so are the shelves inside. It's easy to build and take apart."
Brilliant.
"Dad and I will get it dismantled and drop it off at your place, Christian, in a few. You both can start heading out" Elliot says.
Phoebe jumps on Christian and he picks her up as we all walk to the car. Once we sit the kids in the back we head home.. To Christians place.
Once we arrive I tell Phoebe she needs another shower because she feels very sticky. Just like Teddy.
While I help Phoebe in the shower Christian does the same with teddy then puts him to sleep. In just minutes he's asleep.
Unlike Phoebe who seems to be fueled with energy.
"Mommy today was soooooo amazing! I got a lot of presents and I had a lot of candy and cake and the food was yummy and I played with my friends!"
"You've had enough candy for the remainder of the year" I tell her while getting her in her PJ's.
"Thank you very much for today mama I love you so much!" She jumps on me giving me a tight hug.
"I love you too my little princess. But I think it's time for bed"
"Nooooo I wanna play with my new toys"
"Tomorrow"
"No now!" She stomps her foot.
"Phoebe Lacey! I will not hesitate to take all your new toys away." I say sternly.
"Mommy! Pleaaaaase.."
"I said tomorrow. You'll have aaaaaaaall day to play with them."
"And you also have your castle to play with. Elliot just dropped it off." Christian says walking in.
"Oh yes! My favorite present! Teddy was so nice to give me that."
"He was, now it's bed time."
"Can you tuck me in?" Phoebe asks Christian and he nods.
"I'll be in the living room" I tell Christian then give Phoebe a kiss on the cheek.
Christian POV
I tuck in little Phoebe in bed and then sit on the edge.
"So Phoebe.. do you like sleeping over?"
"Yes! I like spending time with you and Teddy." She says.
"I'm glad you do. I have a secret to tell you. No one can know. Not even your mom."
"Ooooooh what is it?"
"I'm going to ask your mommy to marry me real soon" her face lights up in excitement and it makes my heart melt. "But I need you and Teddy to help me ask her so we're all going to work on a secret project."
"Oh my goodness! You're going to be my daddy is you ask mommy to marry you."
"I sure am" I smile at her. "So are you going to help me?"
"Yes! I won't tell anyone I pinky promise" she holds her pinky up and I take it.
"Great, now it's bed time. Goodnight Phoebe."
"Goodnight daddy" she giggles letting me know she did it on purpose.
I love knowing the fact that I can't be a dad to her.
I go to Ana and take her hand leading her into my room.
"We need our shower" I tell her and she nods.
"I've been thinking a lot about what you asked me last night" she says.
"Really?" I say as I take off my shirt and pants.
"Yeah, I had a short talk with Kate about it today. I do love you Christian, a lot. But you know I also had to think about Phoebe." She takes of her clothing as well.
"Which is understandable."
"It's only her second night here and I can tell enjoys being here. All four of us together. Also Teddy doesn't seem to mind." She says while I get the shower going. "Kate also said this can be good for us and she's right. We can grow more as a couple and well.. A family if we're all together."
"Yes, that's true" I look at her trying to hold my smile back.
"So when do you want me to move in?" She smiles walking over to me taking her underwear and bra off.
"As soon as possible. Maybe even tomorrow. I didn't think you'd answer so quick." I take my boxers off.
"I'm not going to over think things. It's been a while since I've been this happy so I want to take this step. Also... Well Teddy called me mommy and well I like the fact that he sees me as a mom and it just shows we can all be a little family"
"He called you mommy?" I ask
"Yeah, today. I almost cried." She lets out a small laugh.
"Well baby, let's shower and have a little celebration."
"What kind?"
"The kind where I'm going to push you up against the shower wall and have you moaning my name." I whisper in her ear.
"Well I can't wait."
}-{
It's been about a week and a half since Phoebe's party and and since they moved in with me. The kids and I have been thinking of a fun way for me to propose to Ana but so far nothing clicks.
It's Tuesday morning and Ana thinks I have meetings all day when in reality, with Kate's help, I'm taking the kids out and thinking of a way to propose to Ana. I had to ask Kate for help because I want this moment to be special. And I really want to pop the question on thanksgiving. Kate told Ana she'd take Phoebe to school today but she didn't. So Teddy, Phoebe, Kate and I are all playing hookie. Which is fine for the kids. Today was they're last day before thanksgiving break.
"You know, Elliot will feel very offended that you didn't ask him for help" Kate laughs.
"Knowing him he'd tell me to ask her while... Doing the dirty." I whisper the last part so the kids don't hear.
"That's absolutely true. You sure you want to ask her on thanksgiving? It's only like two days away."
"I'm positive. I just want to be creative and you know a bit special."
"She'll love anything you do. It's already great that you're involving the kids. The simplest thing will be amazing for her. Don't over think anything." She says.
"Do you have a ring?" Phoebe asks.
"I sure do. I'll show you both later." I tell the kids.
"Ana is a huge romantic so maybe something with flowers.. Like gardenias. She loves gardenias and roses too but mostly gardenias. She's also love the cheesy things. She finds it extremely cute." She laughs.
"Oh dad you can buy a lot of flowers and I don't know put them everywhere" teddy says.
"What if we go to a pretty park?"
I look over at Kate. "We'll come up with something today, Grey. I give you my word." she says.
I hope we do. I'm already nervous as it it.
Okay so the next chapter is obviously the proposal.. BUT its half finished. When I wrote the next chapter I left the proposal area blank. Why? Well because I want you guys to send me ideas via reviews. I want you to share with me what the kids and Christian should come up with and I will choose one of your ideas. I might even mix a few ideas together if I can't choose one. So leave a review. Tell me what you think they should do! I look forward to reading what you guys come up with!
Oh by the way.. Some of you have mentioned you'd like to see more of Mia and Sawyer. Well they'll be making a few more appearances together.. Maybe even Christian will find out about that relationship..
xx.