CPOV

It felt like my eyes had only just closed when they were open to my daughter's screech that she was sixteen. If we were not used to these outbursts, we would all be running from our rooms with guns drawn by now, but alas we were.

It's still hard to believe that it has been 16 years since Lucy was placed into my arms. She has grown into a beautiful young woman and I couldn't be prouder of her.

"Our daughter is awake" Ana groaned by my side.

"I think Dante can probably hear her in Chicago" I laughed.

We could hear our daughter go from room to room, banging on the doors and informing everyone that she was awake.

"Lucy, Happy Birthday but you have probably just woken my babies up" we heard Luca call to his sister, which was pretty remarkable as they're on the other side of the house. My kids have big mouths, one trait they didn't get from their mother.

"Do you think she will like her gifts."

"I have no doubt" Ana told me. "Remember to have patience" she giggled.

We had bought Lucy a car for her birthday and unfortunately, I had drawn the short straw and it was me who was giving her driving lessons.

"Princess, patience and I do not go together. I'm seriously considering attaching airbags to the outside of the car so if she hits anything, she will bounce off" I told my wife before kissing her giggles away.

"I don't think that would do much for her image" Ana protested.

"At least she will be safe."

Our time was up when the handle on the door jiggled and the knocks came.

"Mum, Dad are you up."

"Yes, sweetheart and so is half of Seattle" Ana laughed, climbing out of bed.

I watched as she dressed, throwing me some pyjama bottoms so as not to scare my daughter for life. Once I was covered, Ana opened the door, pulling our daughter into her arms as the army of dogs who had been woken also, filed passed.

"I got slobbered on by them" Lucy laughed as I had my morning lick from Rosie and Hope.

"They were birthday kisses, only you get to have them all year round" I laughed, wiping the residue of Hope's kiss away.

"Happy Birthday, my little Princess" I said, pulling my daughter in for a hug. "You're growing up too big. You were supposed to stay tiny forever" I told her, as she kissed my cheek.

"We all grow up Dad. Wait until Oriella's babies come. You can have little girls again then."

"You will always be my little girl, Luciana. How do you know Oriella's carrying girls anyway, she could be expecting boys" I asked.

"I asked Grandma for some more girls in the house. I'm sure she will send us some."

"You have Hope, she's a girl."

"I know" Lucy said, patting Hope's head. "I'm glad we get to keep her."

"I don't think we had a choice, she attached herself to us."

"Lucy, your Dad and I have something for you" Ana told her as Lucy sat between us on the bed.

Ana placed the small box into her hands which was quickly unwrapped.

"It's the same as yours" Lucy said quietly, touching her mother's locket.

"It is, and as mine has the photo of my mother and I in it, so does yours. You and your Dad as well."

Lucy opened the locket to see the tiny photos inside. Both of us with our daughter.

"Mum, Dad, I love it" she told us, trying to wrap her arms around us both. We made it easy for Lucy and squashed her in-between us.

Going down for breakfast, Lucy was surrounded by our family. She was very close to Frankie and upon seeing the locket which was an exact replica of Ana's, he smiled, touching it.

Ana's locket had been passed down the family and although it will go to Lucy someday, Ana's not ready to part with it yet. Lucy knows the story of the locket, she knows how much this one piece of her grandmother means to her mum, so she's in no rush for Ana to part with it either.

"Lucy, what is your favourite colour" Matteo asked her.

"Orange" she called to him.

"Ok, what is your next favourite colour."

"She's full of shit, she hates orange" Ana laughed as Matteo handed Lucy a large box.

My daughter loves pink, purple and yellow, even I know that. From the box came a jacket which Lucy had obviously wanted from her reaction when she opened it and also the fact, she nearly floored her brother to hug him.

"Aren't you glad I didn't choose orange" he laughed as Lucy put her jacket on, continuing to wear it as she opened her other gifts.

Her pile of gifts rivalled Ana's and clean-up of the wrapping was very quick and easy. Lucy had decided to give it to the dogs who had taken it back into the dining room where a line of dog beds were, shredding the lot.

"If you think I'm cleaning that mess up, you have another thing coming. Hope don't eat that" Ana said, rushing into the dining room.

"What is she eating" Frankie asked.

"The bow off one of the gifts" she called out.

It was a crazy house, for a crazy family.

…

"Ok Lucy, one step forward" Ana told her as she guided our daughter outside.

"What have you got me. Granddad do I have that pony."

I looked to Frankie when he laughed, wondering where the fuck a pony came from. He was too busy laughing to answer.

"No other animals are coming into this house, unless they bark and scratch their arses across the floor" I told her.

"Open your eyes Lucy" Ana said, trying and failing to hold her laughter in at my comment.

"Oh my god, OH MY GOD" she screeched, looking at the car in front of her.

It was an Audi, not unlike the car that Ana had when we first met. It had every gadget a girl could want and every one for a parent's sanity to know they're safe, well and tracked.

"When can we go out" she asked, getting into the car as Theo joined her.

"You can go as far as the gate now. No further until we have your permit" Ana told her.

"That's all done" I whispered in Ana's ear. "I will let her know that when my nerves have calmed down at seeing her behind the wheel."

We watched as Lucy started the car and moved slowly forward under Theo's instructions. He has taken her out in his car before, up and down our long winding drive, but to get her to safely drive on the open road, it's up to me. I drive like a maniac or so my wife tells me, so there is no chance of Lucy ever getting her licence if she takes instructions from me.

"I can't hear Theo screaming" Luca laughed.

"No, he's a sensible driver" Ana told him.

"And I'm not" I teased my wife.

"You said it" she laughed, before making her way into the house.

…

Throughout the day, everyone had taken a ride, up and down the driveway with my daughter.

Even Jason had been told to get in, so she could take him on the very familiar route now. Upon return, he promptly told her what a terrible driver she was and he was glad that he was still alive. Lucy knew he was only teasing her, she is used to him by now.

"Men are wimps. Mum, Ori, and my Grandma's didn't complain once."

"They were too stunned to speak" Matteo laughed.

"I'm so glad I could drive before I met your Dad. You boys are so mean" Ana told them.

"It's alright Mum, I ignore them. I have better things to wind them up with, namely Kian, Josh, Stewart, Kai and Michael. All boys my age and all invited to my party" she declared loudly, before heading to the house.

"Shall I park your car in the garage then" I called after Lucy, as she had left it right outside the front door.

"No leave it there, I can park like you then" she giggled, disappearing inside.

"She gets more and more like you everyday" my mother laughed and I couldn't deny that.

...

My club looked good. There was enough glitter and sparkles, enough pink and yellow that you would've thought a unicorn had exploded in here. It's for my little girl though, so I don't care. Plus, I don't have to clean it up either, so who gives a shit.

The lights were flashing, although no music was playing yet as the only people who were here so far, were family.

The magnificent cake that Ana had made, had pride of place in the room so there was no chance you could miss it. Food tables had also been set up, ready to be filled when the guests arrived.

"Only when her friends have eaten" we have been ordered, as apparently according to my daughter, we eat too much and there will be nothing left.

"Hey sis, why aren't you having one of those thrones to bring you out" Matteo asked her.

"Because I have class and legs. Plus, everyone will see up my dress."

No throne needed then.

"Christian can you get me a Cosmo please" my mother asked.

"Mum this is a kid's party. If you want to get pissed, go upstairs."

"Hey Dad. One, I'm not a kid any more and two, can I go upstairs and have a look around, a dance" Lucy asked.

"Lucy the only dancing done up there is."

"Yes strippers, I know" she said, cutting Luca off. "I was kidding about the dancing but I would like to see what it's like."

"If you want to go and have a look around, come on" I said, holding my hand out to her, ignoring my sons protests.

There is nothing going on upstairs tonight. It's closed to everyone but the members of our family from downstairs who want to escape the teenagers for a while.

Lucy and I took the staircase between the floors and came out into the club above. The only people in this part were the security, viewing the monitors and the staff behind the bar, ready to cater to my mother's alcoholic needs.

"This is where you spend your time, when you're away from us" Lucy asked, nodding to the stage where the pole was.

"No, this is where I spend my time, when I'm at work" I told her, leading her towards my office, where she took a seat in my chair.

"It's cool. You can see both clubs from here."

Lucy was looking at the monitors for the whole building. The only place that no cameras were allowed, were the bathrooms. Having staff that constantly monitor them when the club is open, means nothing goes on in there besides the usual.

"Dad look" Lucy giggled as she pointed to her mother and Matteo who seemed to be waltzing around the room. "Is there any music on."

"If there was, you would feel the vibration up here. So, what do you think of my club."

"I love it. I would love a go on those poles" she said laughing, as I gave her a stern look. "I'm kidding Dad. This place is cool, especially for somewhere that doesn't exist."

"I think so" I agreed, following her back out of my office.

...

"SHOULD WE GET THIS PARTY STARTED THEN" Matteo shouted from the DJ stand.

"Yes, once you get down from there. Your music taste is shit" Luca told him as Matteo relinquished the position to the real DJ and the music started.

"Let them in" Lucy clapped, excitedly.

There was no grand entrance for my daughter as she didn't want that. Lucy greeted each of her friends instead. You could tell which she was close to, and those who were invited just because they were in her class.

"Lucy, that girl who pushed you over, is not here is she."

"No Dad" she laughed. "Libby and her friends were the only ones out of my class who were not invited."

"Good, I might have accidentally on purpose, knocked her over on the dance floor."

"Dad, I'm shocked. You would hurt a girl."

"Not intentionally, but I can get clumsy when I'm dancing. I've been practising my Dad dancing moves so beware."

"Happy Birthday Lucy" a boy's voice drew my giggling daughter's attention away from me.

"Thank you, Kian" she said, smiling shyly when he gave her a gift.

"Dad this is my good friend Kian. Kian this is my Dad."

"Hello Mr Grey" he said, holding his hand out for me to shake.

I smiled, reaching out my own hand. He had a firm handshake and was unafraid when my sons seemed to pay attention to the boy who was in front of us.

Kian stood his ground, shaking each of my son's hands when Lucy introduced them. As Lucy and Kian walked away to speak to some of their friends, I felt my wife's arm wrap around my waist.

"How hard was that" she asked as I kissed her forehead.

"Harder than I thought it would be. Not speaking to the boy, more that I couldn't find anything to dislike about him beside the fact, he made our daughter blush. He has a firm handshake which is good as I won't have any weak boy near our girl."

"Kian is nice, polite and also in the boxing team at school."

"How do you know all this" I asked.

"I have met him at school when I have dropped Lucy off. The boxing part, I overheard Lucy and Nicole talking about how hot he looks in his shorts."

"Ana come on, I was starting to like the boy. Now I just want to go over there and stand in between them."

"Leave them alone. Lucy will never forgive you if you embarrass her on her birthday. Besides at least you know he can take care of himself and her" she laughed, before going to take a seat with our family.

Joining my wife, I took a sip of my beer. We had a dry bar down here, all the alcohol having been removed. Everything fruity you could think of including a large bowl on some concoction my wife and daughter made, was available instead. There was no alcohol in it and even I have to admit, it tasted good. We also had the usual soft drinks.

My beer and everyone else's alcoholic drinks came from the back of the bar, near Ros's office where no children were allowed to step foot. All drinks stayed on our tables also, to save temptation in underage hands.

"I can't believe we have to go into the back for alcohol" Matteo complained.

"In a room full of gyrating teenagers, believe it" my Dad said.

When the food was brought out, we all begrudgingly sat and waited for all the teenyboppers to get theirs first. Do they not know what my family is like with food. Move the fuck along already, I wanted to shout at some.

"Dad, alcohol on the premises" Lucy said as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders, talking quietly so only our table could hear.

"Who" I asked.

"Far corner, Brad and Oscar have a bottle. It looks like an ordinary cola bottle but they have been asking others if they want a drink of their special brew."

"How did they get it in" I said, more to myself.

"Kendal had it, the bitch. She hid it at the bottom of her purse, under all her make up" she told me.

"Ok, baby girl" I told her, getting from my seat as she quickly took it.

Everyone was told no alcohol to be brought into the club. How's it going to look if two underage kids go home from a party at a club, pissed. I could lose my licence, not that I won't just get another sorted quickly, but I can't be arsed dealing with that shit.

"Thank you, I will have that" I said, standing over the two boys and snatching the bottle from one of their hands.

"What, give that back…. Oh shit, sorry Mr Grey" one said.

"Is there any more."

"No sir, only that."

"Do you two want to leave" I asked.

"No, this party is so cool."

"If there is underage drinking going on, then this club that you're enjoying, could be shut down. Don't and I mean don't, ruin my daughter's birthday party."

With that I left them two alone, taking the bottle with me. I threw it to Ros who was behind the bar.

"You want me to get rid" she asked.

"No, not yet. I don't know how much they have drunk. If they leave here and any parent starts, I will show them that bottle, before I shove it up their arse."

Instead of walking back to the table, I headed for the food. They have all had a ten minutes head start, that's all the time they're getting. I grabbed two plates, filling both with my wife's and my own favourite foods.

"Are you hungry" Ana laughed.

"No this is yours."

"Thank you" she said, kissing my lips. "You saved me from having to fight my way through teenagers."

"Going first, I think I saved us both" I told her, nodding to our family who had taken my lead and were all up at the table now.

Our food was a mixture of American and Italian. Both an important part of my children's heritage. I could hear Lucy explaining what some of the dishes were. Some of the children tried them, some stuck to the American food, including pizza according to a few.

"Pizza is Italian" Lucy told them, rolling her eyes.

"Are you American or Italian" one girl asked, as if being Italian, Lucy didn't belong here.

I think Ana was about to get up and slap the girl, by the way she had said it.

"I'm both" Lucy told her. "I have dual nationality's, just like my brothers and parents."

"Do you go to Italy much" a smaller boy asked.

"Yes Kai, we spent Easter there and we go for Christmas every year. We have a house there" she said, proudly.

"Is it funny that we're a group of adults, listening in on the conversation that is happening at the next table" Antonio said, making us laugh.

"I'm only listening in so I know when to hold Ana down, so she doesn't hit someone."

"You're full of shit. Any one insults Lucy and you would be there faster than all of us" my wife told me. I can't disagree with that.

…

When the food had all been cleared away, I took my daughter's hand and led her onto the dance floor. She thought I was going to do my Dad dancing and embarrass her, but I didn't. I had them play, I see the light from Tangled.

Lucy had cried the first time she had seen that movie, telling her mother that they were sending the lanterns up to Grandma. That resulted in the tears my wife shed, and I know the ones she's shedding now.

Lucy touched her hand to her own locket, knowing how special her mother's is to her, before we continued to dance.

"I love that song, although it makes me cry" Ana said, when I wrapped my arms around her while Theo danced with our little girl.

"I know, your mother lives in you just like she does with all our children."

…

Lucy had danced with most of our family before the cake was brought out. What dance she did with Jac and Daniel, who the fuck knows but she wouldn't stop laughing.

"Blow the candles out" her friends called out, as she moved around the cake, blowing each of them out.

"I'm puffed out" she laughed, when the last one was extinguished.

"You are lucky you're not my age then. I would just get a fire extinguisher to put them out" Antonio told her, as he pulled her in for a hug.

"It wouldn't taste nice, but it might be fun Granddad" she laughed.

"Yeah, foam party" one girl shouted. Not in my club.

The party went onto eleven when parents started to pick up their teenager. All tired out but thankfully none pissed. No one said anything about kids and alcohol but with the amount of water they were drinking, I doubt any alcohol they did have, would've had any effect.

"I need a lie down" Frankie said, when we left the club, heading for the cars.

"I need a foot rub" Ana groaned, taking her heals off and walking barefoot to the car.

"Are you going to walk into the house with no shoes on" I asked, knowing the driveway was a bit coarser than the floor underfoot.

"No, I was hoping my husband would carry me."

"It's a tough job but I'm up for it, a foot rub as well."

"If I fall asleep, keep rubbing."

"Princess, I will make sure you don't fall asleep."

I will be rubbing other places to make sure that doesn't happen.

I had no chance though. Ana was asleep before we even got home, with Lucy snoring quietly beside her. Forget about Rapunzel, I have my own two sleeping beauty's here.

Thank you for reading and reviewing.

I did say back in chapter 22 that there were only around ten chapters left. As with all my stories they seem to have a mind of their own and expand beyond what was originally planned. What I planned to fit into one chapter, turns into two or three, namely Chicago and the girls birthdays. By the time I am finished, it will be a few more than the ten I originally said.

I would like to reply to two guest reviews also. I wish I could've sent you a message but this is the only way I can reply.

To the reviewer who was telling me about your fear of dogs. I am happy that my story and those dogs has helped you go forward and want to overcome your fear. I don't know what I would do without my two. They are my best friends, my shadows and my constant companions. Most of the time anyway as at this moment Jasper who Hugo's personality was based off is lay on his back in the middle of the trampoline, sunbathing. Daft dog, I think he has worn himself out, barking at the horses on TV while I was watching the Royal Wedding. Please continue and I hope you overcome your fear of them.

Also to the other guest reviewer who asked if there would be any more drama in the story. All I will say is the next few chapters are connected so I will wait until I have finished them before posting.

Until next time, take care

Caroline.