Chapter Twelve: The Party – Part Three

The Stage (The Final Toast): 11:45PM

Another round of champagne was served. It was now for the last toasts of the night. Ana and Christian stood together and the crowd immediately hushed. A spotlight searched for and found Teddy; he was standing with Kate, Elliot, and Tamera.

"Teddy, I'm so proud of the man you've become. I don't think that a mother could've asked for a more animated and lively baby. You were independent, intelligent, and you stole my heart from the very moment you were placed in my arms. I love you very, very much. I don't think I could emphasize it enough … here's to you sweetie." More awws and cheers roared through the audience. Ana then handed the microphone to her husband and the crowd hushed once more.

"I thought that it would be easy standing up here and sharing a story about my son, but as I look at you I keep thinking … how crazy it is that my son is a man now. You remind me of myself in so many ways, I see my good side, and my not so good side. You and I now share the most intense conversations and I think you've been put on this Earth to challenge your old man," Christian chuckled as he remembered some of the recent debates he'd had with his son and how both of them long for the desire to be right. Many of their conversations ended in Google searches. He also saw his temper in his son; Theodore clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes just like he did when he was pissed. "And I do feel for the little woman will have to put up with you … she'll have to be pretty special and a lot like the woman to my left." Christian wrapped his arm around Ana who looked up at her husband, bit her lip, and flushed crimson. The crowd chuckled at Christian last statement, but Theodore wasn't amused he knew who his father was referring to he looked over to Tamera who found Christian's speech true and comical. She knew taking care of Teddy was a full time job and then some. "Okay everyone, it's the last toast of the night everyone raise your glasses. Here's to Theodore Raymond Grey, Happy 21st Birthday son. Make the night as memorable as possible!"

"CHEERS!" After the eruption of noise died down Kate took the stage to explain the rest of the night's events.

"Okay everyone, the theme of Teddy's party is grown and sexy, so we've split the rest of the night into the two themes. On this floor bottles will continue to flow and a live band will take the stage for a "grown" vibe and for the sassy sexy individuals on the floor above us DJ Cutta is setting up to chop and screw the rest of your evening! So pick your passion, and oh, please be responsible, don't drink and drive. We've rented out two floors at the neighboring hotel please just grab a voucher at the entry and enjoy a stay in one of their suites. I do believe that's it! Thank you for dining with us and enjoy the rest of the party!" Tamera watched as Phoebe, Ava, and Blane quickly exited the room Gina was quick on their heels. She love Cutta, like loved him, so much so she'd probably marry him if she could. Tam went to look up at Teddy and she found he was already staring at her peculiarly. She gave him a little curious smile.

"So do you want to be grown or sexy Teddy?" Tamera snickered and Ted placed his forefingers on his mouth and chin as if perplexed by her question.

"I don't know about you Miss Black, but I'm already both grown and sexy." Tamera laughed outright at Ted's comment. The band soon started to play it was current music set to jazz. It was nice and relaxed which was more of the vibe he was after. He decided that he wanted another glass of champagne before he went and enjoyed the excitement upstairs. Ted never realized how fruity and delicious white wine was, it was no wonder that his parents partook in it with most of their meals. He went to the bar and grabbed another two glassed and handed Tamera another glass and she glared at him.

"It would be rude for you to make me drink alone," he explained with a devilish smirk on his face. He scanned the room looking to and empty booth once he found one, he took Tamera's hand and led her to it.

"It's also illegal, me drinking with you. I don't turn 21 until November," she mumbled and he rolled his eyes at her.

"Tamera, don't be such a damned goody-goody. Nobody here cares about you having a couple of glasses of wine." He sat down and finally began to relax. Tam took a sip and nodded, she never thought she'd be the kind to enjoy drinking but wine was pretty yummy. She had to admit that sitting in the club, sipping wine, in this dress did have her feeling a bit more grown. Ted watched Tamera with humor; she smirked to herself as she drained her glass. "Tam, you're supposed to sip it!" She narrowed her eyes at him and then placed her glass on the table. "I'm only telling you this because I know you've never drunk before and it will go to your head. I want you to be clear headed when we go upstairs."

"Well then why'd you give me another glass in the first place?" She huffed, leaned back and crossed her arms with a small pout.

"Because I wanted you to loose and relaxed." He shrugged. "I know you, you wouldn't enjoy upstairs if you're all uptight, but guys are going to be trying to grab on you and things I want you to have your wits about you." Ted chuckled, but was quickly sobered by the thought of some random guy behind Tamera in that dress. He imagined her enjoyed the feel of this strangers hands on her body and he really didn't like it. He took another look at Tamera who was quietly mulling something over in her mind. And I do feel for the little woman that will have to put up with you.

"Yeah right," Tamera dismissed the notion that guys would be paying her any attention at all, dress or no, she found herself to look pretty ordinary.

"Tamera, how can you look at yourself in that dress and not realize how sexy you are?" Ted immediately realized that he'd misspoken. He didn't mean to call her sexy it just kind of slipped out. He sat his glass down next to hers. Maybe he'd had too much to drink himself. Tamera was shocked and perplexed by Teddy statement.

"You think I'm sexy?" Tamera whispered without looking at her friend. She was so unnerved by his confession and she didn't know what she wanted his answer to be either way it would suck; there was literally no good answer. She knew she felt odd him referring to her in that way. He had called her beautiful plenty of times, but sexy … now that was new. Theodore clenched his jaw and swallowed hard. Yes he thought she was sexy, and in that dress, hell yes she was extremely sexy. He didn't want to repeat it because confessing to that would make his dad sort of right, and he wasn't right. Ted didn't view Tamera as his girlfriend but he wasn't blind … the girl was fine, beautiful, sexy, and all of the above. But how could he tell Tamera this and how would she take it?

"That's what I thought. Teddy, you really should say things you don't mean!" Tamera slid out of the booth she'd caught attitude and she felt like an idiot because of it. Teddy hadn't done anything wrong, she didn't know why his silence hurt so much. She just knew that in that moment she needed to get away from him. She stormed across the dance floor to get away from him, on her way out of the room she passed Ana and Christian and they both noticed her change of temperament. Teddy was quick on her heels. He actually had to break out into a little jog to catch up with her. The woman could really move in those heels.

"Where are you going?" Teddy asked when finally reached Tamera. She was angry but she couldn't for the life of her figure out why. She didn't know where she was going, she hadn't thought that far. She wasn't planning on going upstairs that's for sure. She felt too … wounded and kind of insulted to have fun, but she for damn sure didn't want to tell him that.

"I don't know Teddy … away," she murmured and Ted chuckled as he looked at his little friend with her lip poked out. He sighed and offered Tamera his hand. Tamera just looked at his hand and felt conflicted.

"Tam?" Ted arched his eyebrow, she'd never rejected him be not taking his hand, and right now as she debated this over in her mind that's how he felt rejected. "Dance with me," he urged her. He voice was rough and needy. He didn't recognize himself tonight, nothing made sense.

"Okay, she whispered and she slid her hand into his and something was different, it felt awkward, uncomfortable, yet perfect … in a way. Their touch was charged with something neither of them had ever experienced. The intense sensation caused Tam to intake a small alarmed breath in wonder of the feel. Theodore chose to ignore the sensation completely. Theodore led Tamera to the dance floor he slowly grabbed both of her hands and placed them on his shoulders. He smoothed his hands along her sides and stopped when he got to her waist, she felt nice, really nice, too nice.

"Teddy?"

"Yeah," Teddy answered but his voice had changed into something deeper … darker. He cleared his throat and tried again. "What's up short stack?" He thought using her nickname would help him remember what Tamera meant to him. She was just his friend. Just friends, that all.

"I'm sorry; I've been a drama filled wreck lately. I really wanted you to enjoy your birthday," she stated.

"I have enjoyed my birthday Tamera … and this; this has been my favorite part." He was being honest, but Tam saw it as lies and flattery. It still affected her and caused her face to heat. "Reddened caramel … now that's a rarity," he whispered. Teddy inched Tamera closer until their bodies were flushed together. Tamera allowed herself to relax and placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, both of them listened to the rest of the song, Not Even a King by Alicia Keys, in silence and enjoyed their connection in this moment.

After the song ended Tamera slowly moved herself out of Ted's arms. She felt weird and exposed somehow.

"That was different," Teddy frown and took a deep breath to calm his nerves from the intense feeling he was having. He shoved his hands in his pockets for some reason he now felt empty. He looked over to Tamera and her face was mirrored his emotions, it seemed she was just as confused as he was. Teddy grasped for clarity it wasn't like this was the first time they'd danced together or anything. It was just his dad in his head, that's all, and Tam was probably still confused by his behavior. Tamera never said anything, but she did create distance between them. She tried to smile a little but it didn't come of right. "Tam," Ted felt he should say something, but he didn't know what because he was in uncharted territory.

"Hey you two! We've been looking all over for you!" Ava and Blane were now much closer than expected. Blane narrowed his eyes as he took in how awkward and ill at ease the two looked.

"Yeah," Blane added slowly as he still analyzed the situation. "We'd thought you had come upstairs by now. That dude is killing it up there. It's straight ridiculous!"

Tam and Ted followed Ava and Blane onto the elevator, Ava and Blane were so damned handsy! Ava was whispering something in Blane's ear and his hands were inches away from her behind. Tamera watched them with her nose scrunched up. She really didn't get PDA; she didn't get its purpose. She thought it was just a way to make sure everyone knows you're in a relationship. She also thought it was kind of self centered and rude.

"Damn, you two need to get a room!" Teddy mumbled and Tamera smirked it's like he'd lifted the thought from her head. Ava looked back at her cousin and rolled her eyes. She turned in Blane's arms so her back was not flush with his chest.

"You and your sister are SO damned jealous!" Ava fussed and Ted frowned. What was there to be jealous of? He was sure he could get anybody to allow him to fondle them in an elevator or anywhere really … well almost anyone. He looked over to his little short stack she was standing in front of him waiting for the doors to open. The elevator pinged and released the four. They all heard the bass pounding and vibrating the floor as they moved toward the black double doors. Ava and Blane ran ahead and burst through the doors. Vintage Jay-Z was blaring through the system as Tam and Ted walked in. As soon as Ted was visual women were making their way towards him. Twin redheads were the first to make their intentions known. They were identical tall and lanky, everything that Tamera was not. Tamera began to inch away from Ted and took herself out of the equation.

"Hello Teddy," they said in unison. They were both dressed in black, then dresses. "Dance with us." They each grabbed one of his hands and pulled him away from Tamera. He looked back with a remorseful look on his face, Tam waved at him giving her blessing sort of speak. This is what she had expected this was the norm when she went to any place with Teddy. She expected him to be pulled away by someone or in this cause two people that were just … better than her.

"HEY OH MY GOD!" Gina grabbed her cousin and pulled her behind her toward the stage. "The DJ invited me to his booth!" Come on let's go meet Cutta!"

Author's Note: Hello everyone! I just wanted to check in and again thank you for reading my story! I want you all to feel the music in this chapter and the next to come! So the Black and Grey Exclusive has a link to the song they danced to. I hoped you all enjoyed the chapter as always please read review and no flames!