As I get to Phoebe's room I see my baby sat up in her mini 'big girls' bed covered in tears, sweat and god only knows what else. Her wavy hair is a knotted mess down her shoulders and she's rubbing her eyes.
"Oh Phoebe. Come on, let's go and get some breakfast." I tell her as I lift her out of bed and put her on my hip and she buries her face into me.
"No!" She detests as she struggles to get out of my hold. I reluctantly let go of her and she throws herself across the floor and into one of her many tantrums.
"Phoebe you need to calm down baby, you're getting yourself so worked up." I tell her as I crouch down and try it calm her down, but it makes it worse.
"No, Mommy" she screams as she starts to kick me and hit me.
"Phoebe, stop!" I grab hold of her and place her back on her bed, just like we've been told to do when she decides to behave that way. The part follows, walking away. I step out of her room and shut the door and slowly begin counting to ten. Deep breaths, Ana. Deep breaths.
We never had any of this with Teddy, he was well behaved and always did as he was told. I guess that's what happens when Phoebe has her Daddy wrapped round his little finger. He would and has given in to her on many occasions. She's spoilt, too spoilt.
When I finally hear Phoebe's sobs stop, I walk back into her room and go over to her bed. "Are you ready to have some breakfast now?"
She nods her head and wraps her arm around my neck as I stand and make our way downstairs.
"Sowwy." She says quietly as I kiss her curls.
As I walk into the kitchen Christian is stood smirking at me, clapping his hands slowly. "Well done, Mrs Grey. You handled that one well." He says with a grin.
"Don't start, Christian. You're help would be appreciated when she's like that." I tell him as I place Phoebe in her chair.
"Hey, there's nothing I could have done. You don't need my help anwyay, you're a natural." He says, holding his hands up in defeat. Yeah right. I roll my eyes once more making sure he sees.
"Teddy, go and get ready for school, before you're late." I tell him.
"Okay." He replies as he races off in the direction of the stairs.
"Are you going into the office today?" Christian asks.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
"Thought you might stay home with me."
"Why aren't you going to work?"
"I wanted to stay at home with my wife and daughter."
"Christian, don't start that again please. If you're going to bring this up again about me working too much, don't bother. I'm going in and that's that. Gail will be here soon to watch Phoebe."
"Okay. I'm sorry. I just want you to be happy and not have the stresses of work." He tells me quietly as he strides over to me and pulls me into his arms.
"But working does make me happy. I love my job, Christian and you know I do. When the time comes I'll let you know, but for now I want to work. Deal?"
"Deal. I love you."
"And I love you too. Now shoo before you make me late too." I joke as I push him away.
He laughs before turning his attention back to Phoebe.
After getting dressed into a black pencil skirt, a white blouse and some black pumps, I tie my hair into a lose bun, apply a bit of makeup and grab my purse.
"Ted are you ready?" I shout as I leave my bedroom.
"Coming, mom." He says as he meets me in the hallway, looking as cute as ever in his uniform. His hair is unruly, just like Christian's, and it has gotten way too long.
"You need a haircut."
"I know I can't see much." He says as he flicks it out of his eyes.
"We'll sort that out this weekend. Go say bye to Daddy."
I grab Teddy's bag and give Phoebe and Christian a quick kiss goodbye before I help Teddy into the Audi Q7 and take him to school. These are the little moments that I love the best. No security detail, just me and my boy doing normal everyday things.
When we arrive at the school I walk Teddy to his cakes and wave goodbye.
"Mom. You're embarrassing me!" He shouts in front of his friends.
"Sorry" I mouth back.
Back in the car I make the short journey to work. And I quickly find myself being updated with emails when I arrive at my desk.
I'm startled by a knock on my door.
"Come in."
"Morning Ana." Hannah smiles.
"Hannah, hey."
"Sorry to barge in, but Christian has just called. He's got a meeting scheduled at 11 in the meeting room here with all the bosses. They need you there."
I roll my eyes. To say that Grey Publishing is meant to be mine, Christian still does a good job of controlling the place.
"Do you know what it's about?"
"No he wouldn't say, but it sounded important."
"Oh. That's strange. Well thanks for letting me know."
"No problem. Anything I can get for you?"
"No I'm fine, Hannah, but thank you anyway. Will you do me a favour and come to the meeting too? Whatever it is we might need an extra pair of eyes and ears."
"Will do." She smiles again before leaving the room and heading back to her desk.
I look at my watch. It's only 9:15. I wonder what's so important that Christian needs to be there for? Especially when he said he was at home all day.
