I've decided to bring this story to an end, but I have several chapters to go still so don't worry. I've chosen to have each chapter starting from now based around Thomas as a year older each time, so we can watch him grow up.

Thank you for everything, you've all been so supportive.

TPOV

Keegan, Emily and I are in my backyard, lying next to the pool on the freshly cut grass. It was boiling, and this had been one of the best summers we'd ever had together. The sun was going in now though, and the day was coming to an end.

"I can't believe we're starting high school tomorrow," Keegan thinks out loud. I glance over at my shirtless best friend beside me, and try to catch his eye, but his thick blonde hair is covering them.

When I found out my best friend and his twin sister were going to be coming back to my private school I was thrilled. Finally I might be able to tolerate school again, although with Keegan around again it's likely I'll be getting in more trouble which will not please my parents.

"At least we're all back together again though," Emily comments, and I nod in agreement even though they can't see me because we're staring up at the sky.

As happy as I am to have Keegan back in my life full time again, I think I'm happier to have his sister more. Emily and I had known each other for as long as Keegan and me, but our relationship wasn't the same. I liked her a lot, and I always thought she liked me too.

So, when we kissed last summer I wasn't caught off guard. But, I didn't expect her to act like it never happened. She went about her life like she hadn't just broke my heart. Then, when we kissed again the other week I expected the same reaction but instead this time she started texting me more, and flirting. This girl is fucking with my head, and I can't do anything about it.

I tilt my head back when I hear someone walking toward us. My Dad stands above us, looking down with a smirk on his face. He's dressed in his summer gear of denim shorts and a button down shirt.

"Have you three finished tanning now?" He asks us, with a raised eyebrow.

I glance down at my shirtless chest, and pout. "No, I got your stupidly pale skin."

He laughs slightly, and narrows his eyes jokingly. "Your Mom has pale skin as well, don't brandish that card on just me. Anyway, it's getting late. Keegan, Emily, Taylor will drop you off home." My Dad informs them on a smile. After watching them grow up with me, I think my Dad felt some kind of responsibility over them, especially as they're round our house quite a lot.

"Thanks, Christian. Also, thanks for letting me do work experience with you over summer." Keegan responds, standing up and grinning at my Dad. This summer it had mostly just been Emily and I hanging out because Keegan had decided he wanted to work with my Dad, god knows why. Apparently, he wanted the experience for when he had his own business and he didn't want to work with his own Father. I could understand why, I think working with my Dad might possibly be the worst thing I could think of.

"Don't mention it, Keegan. I always enjoy teaching the trade, it's a shame you couldn't encourage Thomas to join you though. He could do with some of the discipline that comes with being the boss." My Dad says looking down at me. I roll my eyes and stand up.

"For the billionth time, I have no interest in running a company when I'm older. Keegan will be good at it though, I'm sure." I praise my best friend, punching him in the arm affectionately.

"He will." My Dad agrees, placing an arm around Keegan's shoulder. "Come with me and I'll get you those papers to look over before you go," He instructs, guiding my friend in to the house. Emily and I share a puzzled look as we watch them leave.

After several moments of silence have passed, Emily turns to me with a hesitant smile.

"Tommy, you need to tell me what you want, and how you feel. Because I'm tired of playing the guessing game with you." She informs me, and I raise my eyebrows. She's tired of it? I spent the whole of last year trying to figure out what was going on in her head.

"That's a bit rich coming from you Em, after you kissed me and ditched me last year." I snap, sounding a lot harsher than I meant to.

Her eyes drop to the ground and she's silent for a bit, before she looks up at me again, and I see tears dripping down her face. Oh Jesus. I can't watch her cry. "I'm sorry about that Tommy, you know I am. I was confused and feeling things I didn't want to feel. But, now I'm ready to be feeling this, and I need to know if you want this too."

I turn away from her, not being to watch her like this. God dam hormonal girls. "I don't know what you want me to say, Emily."

"Just tell me what you're feeling, Tommy. Tell me you want this too." She pleads.

"You're turning me into a complete freak. Or worse - a chick." I make the mistake of turning my head. One glimpse of the tears still drying on her cheeks and I cave. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset."

She snuggles up to me, and rests her head on my chest. "Do you think you can manage to express your feelings now?"

I laugh and kiss her forehead. "I'll try."

"Okay, on with it."

I roll my eyes then take a deep breath. "When we kissed last summer and you acted like it was nothing it broke my heart. I understand we were young, but it still meant something to me. So, you kissing me a few weeks ago…I was scared to get hurt again. I mean we're not exactly adults now, Em. We're only fourteen, it's not like we can have a committed relationship."

She lifts her head up and narrows her soft brown eyes on me. "Our age has nothing to with it, Tommy. If we want to be together, we can be together and be happy."

"It would mean everything to me if you gave me a chance to be your boyfriend," I tell her sincerely.

Emily grins. "Only if I can be your girlfriend," She jokes, "Have you always felt this way about me?"

I shake my head on a smirk. "God no, I used to hate your guts," I tease her, earning a glare.

"You're lying."

I pull her closer and kiss her again, ending the discussion that would inevitably lead to spilling out more secrets than I cared to share.

CPOV

I shoot at the hoop again and miss, much to the delight of my son. The evening was upon us now, and there was a chill in the air. Both of us are still in shorts and a shirt, and feeling the cold.

"Dad, you seriously suck at basketball. Obviously, being tall isn't everything." He teases, watching me miss another shot. I had to admit I am shit at basketball but Thomas, despite his lack of height, was actually alright, and I know it gave him a confidence boost whenever he beat me.

I turn to face him on a grin, and throw the ball to his chest. He swiftly catches it and takes a shot. The ball swivels around the edge of the rim before falling in, just like I knew it would.

"Not bad," I comment, flinging an arm around his shoulders, "Come on, it's getting late and you've got school tomorrow."

I guide him back into the house, and straight into the kitchen for a drink. Phoebe is sitting on one of the stools in her onesie, with her I-Pad in front of her. She watches us walk in with a disgusted expression on her face.

"Can you please both go and shower before you sit anywhere in this kitchen?" She asks, taking in our sweaty, sticky bodies.

I grin at her, and before she can do anything about it, wrap my arms around her tightly. She attempts to push me away but her strength against mine is miniscule.

I let her go on a laugh, and kiss her forehead. "I thought girls liked a guy that plays sport," I say, my eyes dancing in delight.

"Not my Dad and Brother!" She spits, getting down from the stool and walking towards the doorway "You're both disgusting, I'm going to have another shower then I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, sweetheart." I call after her, and turn to look at my son who is laughing in the corner. I glance at the clock on the wall and note it's nearly 10pm, we'd been playing for almost two hours.

Ana walks in the kitchen and gives us the exact same face my daughter did.

"Thomas, you need to go and have a shower then get ready for bed." She tells our son, who lets a frustrated sigh and drops his head back.

He looks back at us both with wide eyes. "I'm not tired! Can't I stay up just a little bit longer? Anyway Phoebe just got in the shower," He tries to reason, and I raise my eyebrow at him.

"We have plenty of other bathrooms, Thomas."

He stomps his foot, and I see Ana try to hide a grin. "Yes, but that is my favourite one!" He protests, and I find it strange how he knows which one his sister has gone in without even seeing her go upstairs.

I run a hand through my hair. "You can watch half an hour of TV, but first you need to go and have a shower, and then it's straight to bed when your half an hour is up, do you understand me Thomas?" I ask, with a stern gaze directed at my 14 year old.

I can see Ana raise her eyebrows out of the corner of my eye, she's obviously surprised I'd let him stay up, but he is getting older and anyway, I'm enjoying our bonding time.

"Thanks, Dad!" He cheers, running past me and up the stairs to go and get a shower. I turn back around to find my wife smirking at me.

"What?" I ask innocently, trying to keep the grin off my face.

"Nothing, it's just that was very reasonable of you. When Theo started high school you had him in bed by 9.30." She drawls, eyeing me with a mischievous grin.

I return her grin, and bring her into my arms. "Maybe I'm just more reasonable now."

Ana scoffs. "Yeah right," I pinch her slim waist, and she giggles, leaning up to kiss me, "I'm going to do some work, stay down with your son and make sure he goes to bed." She mumbles against my lips.

I groan when she bites my bottom lip between my teeth, and then pulls away like the seductive minx she is, watching her leave the kitchen on a cheeky wave. I decide I need a cold shower, and not just because I'm sweaty.

When I come back downstairs in only a pair of sweatpants, Thomas is sitting in the media room with some stupid horror movie on. He's sitting on one of the leather couches in a pair of shorts, and is watching the screen intently.

"What are you watching?" I ask purposely loud, so I made him jump. He flinches and watches me on a glare as I take a seat next to him.

"Paranormal Activity," He tells me with a grin.

I glance at the screen and realise he actually is. I grab the remote from his hand and change the channel. "No way, Thomas. The last time you watched that you didn't sleep properly for weeks. Anyway, what's the point in watching half an hour of a movie?" I ask bemused, remembering the time my young son had managed to watch the horror movie with his, at the time 15 year old brother, and he was absolutely petrified of it.

"That was five years ago!" He protests, "Anyway, with half an hour I can watch the best parts."

I shake my head in disagreement, and put Game of Thrones on instead. Thomas exhales loudly and I look over at him. "I thought you liked this?" I question, knowing for sure Theo, Thomas and I are all equally obsessed with this show.

"I do, but Theo and I watched this episode the other day when you were on your business trip." He informs me.

I roll my eyes. "Well you can either watch this with me or go to bed. Those are your options." I tell him, and he lays himself out on the couch with a groan. I assume he chose the first option.

Half an hour later and it was getting to a very intense fight scene, I wanted to watch it but I needed my son to go to bed. Quickly I pause it and turn to Thomas, who without me realising had fallen asleep.

Smiling to myself, I stand up and lift him into my arms before carrying him up the stairs. We reach his bedroom and I push the door open, then walk into his room and place him on the double bed. He stirs but doesn't wake up. I place a kiss to his head and then close the door quietly on my way out.

TPOV

"How come you're driving us to school today?" Phoebe asks my Dad from the back seat of the SUV, where she was forced to sit after losing out on a call of shotgun.

"It's Thomas' first day of high school. I drove you and your Brother to school on your first day so it's only fair I do it for him too." He explains. "Anyway, it means I get to spend extra time with my favourite children." He jokes, grinning at us both.

"Don't let Theo hear you say that," I warn with a smirk.

"I won't." He responds with a grin before turning serious eyes to my sister in the mirror. "Right, Phoebe do you remember what I said to you earlier?"

She rolls her eyes, earning a glare. "Yes, Dad, seeing as you told me a thousand times I do. Keep my phone on all day in case Tommy needs anything, and make sure he's with people he knows before leaving him." She recalls.

I glance over at my Dad with wide eyes. "What the hell do you think is going to happen to me? It's only high school!"

His mouth forms a thin line and he turns displeased eyes on me. "I just want to make sure you're okay." He stops talking for a second as we pull up outside the school. "Have a good day you two, best behaviour." He warns, and we both nod before jumping out of the car.

I follow Phoebe onto the school field, and turn to see my Dad is still sitting there in the car. I roll my eyes at him, and then catch up with my sister.

She leads me over to some of her friends. I know a few of them because they've been round the house.

"Everyone this is Tommy, my brother, it's his first day." She introduces me to everyone I didn't know, and they're all really nice.

"Phoebe, you didn't tell me every guy in your family is gorgeous! Both your brothers, your Dad, your cousin, your Uncle." One of them exclaims with a grin. I wink at her and Phoebe rolls her eyes.

"That's because they're not," She replies irritably, before looking down at me, "Anyway, talking about our cousin, I see Alex over there why don't you go and hang around with him?" I follow the direction of her finger and see my blonde cousin, messing about with some boys.

I shrug my shoulders. "Alright," I didn't really want to go over and hang around with Alex's friends because although they're younger than Phoebe's, they're a lot bigger.

"Text me if you need anything," Phoebe calls after me, and I give her a thumbs up. My cousin sees me before I make it over to him and gives me a grin.

"Tommy!" He yells happily and rushes over to me. "You alright buddy?"

I nod, and he drags me to the group of boys he has been with. I think they're all juniors like him but I'm not entirely sure.

"Guys, this is my little cousin, Tommy Grey. He's Theo and Phoebe's little brother. All of you do me a favour and look out for him, yeah?" He asks them and they all nod, before introducing themselves

I like Alex's friends better than Phoebe's. They're funny, and they don't treat me like I'm some stupid freshman.

When the bell goes for first period, I retrieve my new timetable from my pocket and see I have Math first. That means I should be with Emily.

Alex turns to me on a smile, reading my timetable over my shoulder. "I'll walk you to Math, come on." He instructs and I follow after him, through all the different halls. When we reach a pale blue block of classrooms, he points at the furthest one away.

"You are in the smart kid class, so you're over there. I have Biology so I need to go, but if you need anything or if anyone gives you any trouble, text me or come find me." He orders, ruffling my hair.

I push him away on a grin and watch as he leaves before making my way to my class. I'm relieved when I enter and recognise practically everyone from Junior High, and I feel even better when I see Emily sitting at the back. She grins over at me and points at the seat next to her.

"Hey," I greet her as I sit down.

She pouts at me and narrows her eyes. "How come the uniform looks so much better on boys?" She asks, looking at me. I glance down at my uniform; grey trousers, a blue blazer, white shirt and a black tie. I look at Emily's which is exactly the same except she's wearing a grey skirt. Personally, I think she pulls it off a lot better than me.

"It doesn't, you've got the legs for it," I comment with a wolfish grin, eyeing her slender legs under the table. She rolls her eyes but before she gets the chance to reply, a middle aged man walks into the room.

"Alright, quiet down everyone," He shouts over the noise of the classroom, and when it's quiet he takes a seat, leaning on the desk, "I'm Mr Owen, and I'll be your Math teacher for the foreseeable future."

I groan in my head as soon as he introduces himself, my siblings and cousins had told me all about Mr Owen, apparently he's an asshole.

"My Brother told me this guys a prick." I whisper to Emily, but apparently I wasn't discrete enough, because my teacher turns his fierce gaze towards me.

"Did I not just ask you to quiet down? When I'm talking you listen. What's your name, kid?" He asks me, and his bright green eyes stare right through my soul.

"Tommy Grey," I mumble, not wanting to make eye contact.

He raises an eyebrow at me. "So you're the famous, Thomas Grey. I've heard a lot about you from your old teachers. They warned me to keep an eye on you."

I roll my eyes. "Well you best listen to them then," I respond, my voice thick with sarcasm. I can see Emily glaring at me from the corner of my eye, but I pretend not to notice.

"If you want to stay in my classroom I suggest you lose the attitude. I've heard you're an intelligent boy, so do yourself a favour and pay attention." Mr Owen cautions, and when I nod in agreement he carries on with the lesson.

At the end he asks me to wait behind, I'm tempted to just leave but Emily convinces me to stay and so I tell her I'd meet her later on.

Once everyone has filed out of the classroom, Mr Owen takes his position leaning against the desk and eyes me as I stand awkwardly in front of him.

"Do you prefer being called Thomas or Tommy?" He asks, and my lips curve. I definitely wasn't expecting that question. Nobody really ever asked. To the adults in my family I was Thomas, but to my siblings, cousins and friends I was Tommy.

"Tommy," I reply easily.

"Do you like math, Tommy?" He questions, and I shrug my shoulders. No, I don't like Math. No-one likes Math.

"It's alright," I answer, and he nods his head slowly.

He steps closer to me and leans down to try and get to my eye-level. "You're good at it, so don't let anything get in your way. I expect to have your full attention at all times in my lesson, and I expect you to behave. Have you got that?"

I nod my head, and he squeezes my shoulder. "Good boy, now get out of here."

I smile as I leave his classroom and make my way down the corridor. I don't understand why everyone says he's an asshole, he actually seems pretty cool. Definitely one of the better teachers I've come to know in my life.

"Oi, Grey!" I turn to the shout, and groan when I recognise the source of the voice. Jake Razolli and I had a very bad history. We'd constantly been at each other's throats in Junior High, and when I heard rumours he wasn't coming here because he'd moved to England I'd never been happier. However, as I watch him stalk his way over to me I can assume the rumours aren't true.

He stands in front of me, the whole lanky 5'10 of him and glares down at me. "What do you want Jake?" I ask tiredly, expecting some type of juvenile argument to come out of this. What I'm not expecting his fist in my gut.

I groan, and bend over in pain. "What the fuck, dude?" I ask breathlessly, he must have winded me because I'm struggling to breathe. After several moments, I regain my breath and straighten up.

"You're a little fucker, you know that?" He spits, bringing his fist into my ribs again. I grab my body in pain, and look up at him. What the fuck is his problem?

"If you hit me again, I'm going to knock you unconscious, Razolli. So just fuck off." I hiss, clenching my fists at my side trying to keep calm. In my head all I'm thinking about is the promise I made to my Mom to stay out of trouble. But, when he knees me in the stomach, I don't think straight.

I smash my fist into his stomach and then knock him to the floor, before jumping on top of him, repeatedly bringing my fist into his gut. I'm aware of the crowd forming around us, and suddenly within the commotion I feel someone pull me away.

I try to fight their grip but stop when I realize its Alex. He's looking down at me with narrowed eyes. "What the fuck are you doing?" He yells, shaking my shoulders slightly.

"He started it!" I yell back, and it's the truth. Alex shakes his head in disgust at me.

"Thomas Grey!" I turn to my name being called, and find Mr Owen glaring at me, he already had Jake by the arm.

"Come with me right now!" He yells, and when I don't move he grabs me with his free hand and drags Jake and me away.

CPOV

I storm through the reception of my children's high school, absolutely fuming. When I see my son sitting outside the Principal's office with an ice pack under his school shirt, on his ribs, I growl.

He must sense me coming because he looks up at me with wide eyes, the kid knows how much trouble he's in.

"What the fuck are you playing at, Thomas?" I hiss, leaning down in front of him and gripping his shoulders.

"It was him, not me!" He spits, pointing at the taller, dark haired boy sitting next to him. I've never understood why they leave two people caught fighting sitting outside alone together.

I glance at the boy, and recognise him instantly. "You again!" I snap, this boy has been causing problems for my son since I can remember.

"Hello, Mr Grey." He drawls, and even I want to punch him in the face. I'm glad the principal comes out because if she didn't distract me I probably would have.

"Mr Grey, please come in." She instructs and I grab my son by the shoulder, dragging him in with me and then pushing him down on a seat.

"I don't have long, I'm supposed to be in a meeting in half an hour." I snap angrily, still glaring at my son.

The principal raises an eyebrow at me. "I'm sorry to hear that Mr Grey, but your son is in serious trouble, and it's only his first day. You understand this might take time?" She asks bitterly, and I nod frustratingly. What choice do I have but to listen to go her on?

"After talking to several students who were around when the fight take place, they're all confirming Jake's story that your son started the fight," She informs me but it interrupted by my son.

"That's bullshit! They're his friends, that's why they're saying that! He punched me! I didn't even fight back to start off with!" My son protests, standing up angrily.

I grasp his arm and pull him back down on a fierce glare. "Do not talk to your teachers like that, Thomas." I hiss.

"But, Dad!" He moans frustratingly, smashing his fist on the side of the chair in anger.

"Thomas, I won't tell you again. Calm down." I warn my son, who has some serious anger issues which he probably inherited from me. He growls but rests his head on the back of the chair.

The principal clears her throat, obviously feeling awkward. "Anyway, as I was saying, students have said it was Thomas, who started the fight so I have no other option but to suspend him for a week, and if he's sent to me again even for just chewing gum, he will be expelled from our school." She tells me and I have to clench my fists together to calm myself. I don't think I've ever been this angry at my son. How in the hell does someone manage to get suspended on their first day of a new school?

She looks at Thomas with a slightly softer expression. "Thomas, I don't know you but from what I've heard you're an intelligent young man, so if I were you I'd sort out your priorities and learn to behave, or you're going to find yourself really struggling these next few years."

I force my son to apologise to her for the trouble he's caused and then march him out of the school, ignoring the smug look on the other kids face as walk past.

As soon as we get in the car, Thomas turns to me with apologetic eyes. Why is it I have to spend every day reminding myself he's a good kid?

"Dad, please believe me when I say I didn't start this fight. It was him, I swear." He blurts, looking at me with wide, crystal eyes. His Mother's eyes.

I slam my fist again the steering wheel but he doesn't bat an eye. "I do believe you," I assure him quietly, and I do. Even more so when I saw the smug look on the other kids face.

"Really? You do?" He asks in disbelief.

I turn to him on a small smile. "Yes, I believe you, but that doesn't mean you're not in trouble. You still sank down to his level, and I've told you countless times to just walk away." I lecture and his face falls, "But, I'm proud of you for not fighting back straight away. It shows real improvement that you managed to keep your cool for longer. Dr Flynn will be impressed." I tell him. My son has been seeing my old therapist for a few months now, after he ran away, Ana and I felt it was time to try and get him to open up to someone.

Since seeing Flynn my son's behaviour has improved slightly, and he's definitely not as bad tempered as he used to be. However, as Flynn often tells me, he's only fourteen now, still so young. As he goes through his teenage years the chances are he's going to get worse, and I don't know if I can handle that.