I tried so hard to upload short chapters everyday while I was on break but work took up all my energy so I did one somewhat long chapter for you guys. I wanted to say that all the ideas that everyone has been giving me, I originally had in mind which I find funny but at least I know that you guys want the same thing I do :) Thank you so much for all the reviews and followers. I am so close to 100! The next three weeks are going to be crazy hectic because of finals but I will try to give you guys a chapter in between and for sure there will be more on my 20 days off for winter session.
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, it was so much fun to write and I hope some of my readers while be extremely happy with the outcome of it. Also, I have a question and I really do want an answer. After writing this chapter, I was wondering if you guys would like me to stay with Phoebe's POV or if you want me to switch POV's between all the characters for more sense of character. I would be happy to do either but I would like to know what you guys want :) And all mistakes are mine, I was too eager to wait and upload. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Fifty Shades Trilogy
I'm glad Daddy decided to take me and Skyler to see Teddy. It was worth the getaway even though we got into a bunch of arguments. It still kills me to know that I haven't told me parents about my problems, but it's too difficult right now. Teddy doesn't seem to understand that. I have kept this to myself for years and now everything is lashing out on me and I'm terrified to death.
"It was good seeing you, Phoebe. No matter what I've said or have done to you while you were here, know that I love you unconditionally." Teddy pulled me into a tight hug as we stood at the base of the plane.
"I know. Just be patient with me. I have a lot of growing up to do with this and telling Mom and Dad right now isn't an option for me." I pull back and look at him. All I see is my dad. Teddy really is the next Christian Grey.
"I will but no more secrets from me. Call me when you need to. Whether it's one in the morning or three in the afternoon. I will pick up the phone and talk to you. I am never too busy for you." I can see the worry in Teddy's eyes. I wish I can take that away from him. Take away the burden of his concern for me.
"Okay. I promise." I fight back the tears that are forming in my eyes.
"And you," Teddy points to Skyler. "Take care of her. You're the only one that knows how to right now with certain circumstances. I don't want my baby sister getting hurt." He's stern with his words and Skyler is caught off guard by it.
"Teddy, I wouldn't live with myself if anything happen to Phoebe. I'll take care of her to the best of my ability and more. I promise." Skyler speaks confidently. I'm touched by his words. Going back home is really scary for me but I want to make things right and that's by getting better.
I want to start something with Skyler but I'm scared I'll lose everything I've created with him in the process. I have a greater fear of being heartbroken by him then just being broken. The conversation with Teddy keeps replaying in my head but I know I have to play it safe for awhile. I need to get better. I have to fight my temptations. This isn't who I want to be when I'm with Skyler. I want to be happy and alive. He deserves that. He deserve so much better than me but the thought of any other girl with him makes me sick to my stomach. Skyler is my person. My only person.
"Ready to go sweetie?" Dad comes behind me and rests his hands on my shoulder.
"Yes. The visit was great but I want to go home now, please?" I turn around and hug my dad tightly. "I know I've been difficult about things lately and I appreciate the everything that you and Mom have done but I still need time. Just a little bit longer, okay?" Dad's grip around me tightens.
"All I want is for my baby girl to be healthy and happy. I never want to see you in pain. It kills me, Phoebe." I can hear it in his voice and it takes every piece of energy I have left to not cry. I have to be strong for everyone, including myself.
"Mr. Grey, the plane is ready to aboard." Taylor comes behind them. I haven't seen him since the car ride to the airport three days ago.
"Alright, thank you Taylor. Ready, everyone?" My dad does a look around at all of us and we all nod.
"Call me as soon as you guys land." Teddy says before we head up the stairs. I laugh a little and he narrows his eyes in amusement. "What's got you laughing?"
"What a Christian Grey thing to say, huh?" Everyone starts laughing and looks at Dad who's grinning from ear to ear right now.
"Don't be jealous. You love it." Teddy playfully punches me on the arm.
"Yeah, because two of Dad makes me so happy." The sarcasm isn't hidden and Dad playfully gets offended.
"Keeps you on your toes." Teddy places a small kiss on my forehead. "Goodbye little sis. Please careful." He whispers that last part.
"I will be. Stop worrying. You're making me feel bad." I let go and give him a smile to reassure him that I will be fine. I need to go home. I want alone time with Skyler to figure things out or at least to figure what's going on with myself.
"We really need to get going. Your father and I have an early morning and I don't want to be jet lagged for tomorrow." My mother quickly hugs Teddy one more time and we all head to the plane. I can sense Skyler getting nervous again. I have to hold a laugh so I don't upset him but seeing him like this is too adorable to pass on.
"Do you need another distraction for take off?" I giggle a little and he narrows his eyes at me playfully.
"Why is my discomfort such an entertainment for you?" He shakes his head and I laugh a little harder.
"Because it's not everyday I get to see you uneasy like this. It's actually comforting to know that Skyler isn't all that macho like I thought he was." I smile innocently.
"And the insults just never end, do they?" He chuckles and takes his seat next to me.
Once we're in the air, I look over at Mom and Dad and see their exhaustion. "Why don't you guys rest in the room. You guys look dead and it's not really the most sexiest thing to see." My dad rolls his eyes at me and I feel empowering.
"What a rude thing to say, Phoebe. But I am exhausted along with your mother. Maybe we should take a rest in the room." My mom nods her head as her eyes are drifting into a sleep as it is. Daddy lifts her into his arms and takes her into the room at the back and I hear a soft click knowing they locked the door.
I feel my heart leap knowing I'm alone with Skyler. Should I? Should I really have this conversation with him right now? My parents are in the other room and we are so many thousands of feet in the air. I don't think I can hold off any longer. After the conversation with Teddy, I need to know. I need to know what Skyler feels and I have to face the fear of being scared because I will regret never knowing.
I glance over at Skyler and see him absentmindedly looking in front of him with his fingers resting on his lips. He has the same habit as my father and I have a small smile at the thought.
"What are you thinking about?" I whisper so softly I don't know if he heard me.
Skyler looks over and stays quiet for a few seconds but something about the way he's looking at me is different. It's more deep than how he normally looks at me.
"Something has been on my mind since I saw you at school and it just hasn't settled yet." Skyler say softly. His mood his dark and concerning and I'm frightened by it.
"Skyler, we need to talk." What can we talk about? My feelings for him or what's bothering him? I move closer to him and in the process he pulls me into his lap. I feel safe and at peace. I look over his shoulder for a second to make sure that the door to my parents room is still closed and I can tell that it's locked.
"Please don't hate me, Phoebe." For a split second I'm confused but I didn't have time to process it as I feel Skyler tilting my head and kissing me hard on the lips. My body automatically responds to him and I reach over and run my hand through his soft hair. His hands grip my hips and tighten in the moment.
All the tension that I have, all the worries that I feel, it all disappears when I kiss him. It feels so right to be here, in Skylers lap, like this. His lips are so soft against mine but the kiss is hard and full of passion as if he is holding so much weight on his shoulder and finally releasing it.
We pull away at the same time and take a deep breathe. We rest our forehead against each other and I feel Skyler's hand swift against my body. My touch is welcoming. I'm scared to open my eyes in fear that this is a dream. If it is, I don't to wake up from it. Everything I want just happened. The feeling is there. I know I want Skyler. I always have.
"Phoebe." Skyler whispers and I open my eyes to see his bright grey eyes staring at me.
"This is what I want. I want you, Skyler. I didn't know it at first but after the trip, all I have been thinking about is us." I can feel the tears washing into my eyes. I take a deep breath trying to calm myself done.
"Shh. Don't cry, Phoebe. This is all I have been thinking about too. Ever since I went on my trip during the summer I have been wanting to tell you how I feel but I didn't have the courage to do it until I saw how you reacted about Teddy and Hazel. It got me thinking that I'm wasting my time waiting. I was scared to tell you because I didn't want to lose you and I didn't know if you wanted this with everything else that's going on." I stop him there. It's almost like two puzzle pieces coming together.
"This is exactly what I need. I was so scared you wouldn't feel the same. Skyler, I want to try this. I want to see what happens with us. Everything is rushing in like a wave with what I feel for you and I can't keep it to myself anymore." Skyler stops me from speaking when he kisses me again and this time it's softer. It's almost like a promise.
When he pulls away from the kiss, Skyler hugs me tightly and kisses my hair. "Your dad isn't going to be happy with this, you do know that, right?" The fear isn't hidden. I know my dad scares Skyler and I wish he wouldn't. Control is what Daddy needs but he respect those who stand up to him when necessary and Skyler can be one of them if he tries.
"He doesn't have to know right now and I don't want him to. I hate keeping secrets from my parents but right now, I just want it to be the two of us. I'll tell Teddy as he's the one that got me to fess up about my feelings and it's the least I can do about the whole Hazel thing but for right now, let's just be young and let's get better." I smile at Skyler and I am returned with one too.
Everything is starting to fall into place now. I have the support system I need. Teddy knows about my problems and is respecting the privacy I need, Skyler and I are going to try being together, and slowly I can open to my parents about the darkness that I'm holding in.
"I haven't seen you smile absentmindedly for quite awhile now. What are you thinking about?" Skyler speaks against my neck as he holds me. I feel safe.
"I'm thinking about how everything if finally falling into place. I've got a long recovery but things are looking brighter than they were a year ago. Dad always told Mom that 'you have to walk before you can run' and now I understand why they live up to it." Skyler pulls back and caresses my cheek with the back of his hand.
"Everyone has their motto for life. You need to rest or else going to school tomorrow will be hell. I know you haven't been sleeping well but I'm here so try to relax." I know he's right. I shift a little in his lap and rest my head gently on his shoulder.
"You need sleep too, Skyler. Rest with me, it's more comforting to know your sleeping too." I watch him kick off his shoes and put his leg up on the couch that we're sitting on. Slowly, we both drift into a silent peace.
I stir a little and the environment I'm in feels different. It's more soft and comfortable. I open my eyes but the light is too much so I immediately shut them again. After a few moments, I open my eyes again, adjusting to the new light. I wasn't on the plane anymore. I look over to see Skyler laying next to me.
"Well rested now?" I look around to see that we're in my room. I slowly rise from my spot as does Skyler.
"When did we get home?" My voice cracks a little as I'm thirsty. I see a glass of water on my nightstand and reach over to have a sip. It's very welcoming to my dry throat.
"About an hour ago. I didn't have the heart to wake you up when I knew you needed the sleep so your dad told me to put you to bed and stay with you till you wake up so you wouldn't freak out with the change in spots." I tilt my head in confusion.
"How did I not wake up with all the movement? Was I seriously that tired?" I shock myself with the fact that I slept through getting off the plane and coming home to my bed.
"You haven't slept in god know how long, Phoebe. It was time for you to catch up on it." Skyler gets off the bed and over to the other side by me but stays standing. "Your dad said to come down to his studys when you're awake so I suggest you freshen up and we should head down." I freeze in my spot. What does Dad want? He never calls me into his office unless I'm in trouble.
"Did he say why?" Skyler shakes his head and gives a sympathetic look. I know he's scared out of his mind right now. Moments later we both walk into my dads office and see my mom sitting on the edge of his desk talking to him. When they hear the door shut, Mom gets off the desk and stands next to my dad.
"You're awake. Are you feeling well rested?" Daddy asks quietly but I can't read his emotions. He gives nothing away, again.
"Yeah. I'm surprised I slept through all the travelling." I walk over to the chair across my father desks and Skyler follows and sits next to me. "Why do you need to talk to us?" I get straight to the point. It's not or never.
My dad looks up at my mom for a brief second and it's almost for permission to speak. She nods her head and he looks back at me. "Phoebe, sweetie, your mom and I have been discussing a lot about whether or not we should let Skyler move in." From the corner of my eye I can see Skyler shift and I know he's about to say something when my dad raises his hand to silence him.
"Before we tell you, Skyler I want you to know that you are family to us and always will be. Ana and I both know that you mean a great deal to Phoebe and your need for her to be safe is incredible. I have the greatest appreciation to know that someone is looking after my daughter when I don't have the control to myself." We both stay quiet. This can go either way. It can be yes or no.
"Skyler, I want to help you with your debt and finishing school. I know you are a bright person and I hate to see money stop you from succeeding your goals. I'm giving you the chance to come intern at Grey Enterprising like Teddy did. I know you have some interest in that field and this can potentially be a sneak peek to see if you really want to pursue a future in it." I'm speechless. Dad has refused to give interns at his company. Teddy was the only exception because Dad wants him to take after him in the future but I never in a million year would have guessed that Dad would be giving like opportunity to Skyler.
I look over at Skyler and see him wide-eyed. It's a shock to him to but I know he'll take it. He talks about Daddy's company all the time and it's something I adore about him. To have a passion like all the male figures I have in my family in my best friend is extremely comforting.
"That being said, Ana and I have agreed to let you move in with us until graduation assuming you will go to college, which you are." I am in shock. I really thought Dad was going to say no. I was set on having no as an answer but he's letting Skyler stay. He is really letting my best friend live with us. "There will be ground rules set here. I don't want behaviors to change. You guys are seniors and almost 18. I expect priorities to be set properly and I want you to know that I will be keeping tabs on the both of you, one slip and there will be consequences for the both of you." My dad leans back in his chair and looks at my mom as she is smiling.
"Mr. Grey, I don't know what to say. Thank you so much, I will forever be in your debt." Skyler fails at words when he tries to continue but can't.
"Your debt to me will be fulfilled when I see you graduate college and on the right path to succeeding." Daddy smiles and I know that look. He's thinking about something. Something about himself when he was younger. "I have a great deal of respect for you, Skyler. You remind me of Teddy and myself a lot of the time and I never say that." Skyler smiles at the comment and I know he's settled.
"Thank you so much, Daddy. I promise things will change with me. I love you so much." I couldn't help the tear that falls down my cheek. I get out of my chair and hug Daddy along with Mom.
"And we love you too, baby girl." Relief settles with me when Skyler and I leave my dad's study.
When we reach our my room, Skyler grabs my waist and pulls me towards him. "Things are really going to change now, isn't it?" He whispers against my lips. I stand on my toes and pull him into a kiss and I hear a quiet groan from his throat. I pull away and kiss his cheek.
"Yes, they are."