Sorry it wasn't out on Friday I had a very busy week and got a little behind but I stayed up late to make sure I got it out as soon as possible and here it is so I hope you enjoy the next chapter, this one is sort of the calm before the giant shit storm that is about to come!
"Good morning Phoebe!" My mother said as she pressed a kiss to my forehead and I groaned and rolled over pulling the covers over my head.
"Go away." I moaned as she began to tug on my blankets, making me pull back or lose the warmth of my covers all together.
"See Ana I told you she really didn't want to get her license." My dad teased and I shot up in bed.
"I'll be ready in ten minutes." I said as I slipped out of the warm comfort my bed had provided and I watched as my dad gave my mom a knowing smile as they walked out of my room.
As soon as they were gone I went into my bathroom and turned on my curling iron so it could heat up while I brushed my teeth. I ran the water in the sink as I brushed my teeth, something that was a wasteful habit but it kept me focused on what I was doing. As soon as I was finished brushing my teeth I rushed out of my bathroom and to my closet so I could pick out a nice outfit. I mean the photo that went on my license was going to be with me for a couple of years at least so it was going to be good, no matter how long it took.
I quickly settled on a black lace tank top and a pair of jean shorts and then went back into the bathroom to get to work on lightly curling my hair. When I was finished I turned off my curling iron, fixed my makeup, slipped on my black converse, and then walked down to the living room where my parents were waiting for me.
"That's what you're wearing?" My dad asked and I nodded.
"Yes it is." I said as I stood in front of them and placed my hands on my hips.
"Christian I think she looks nice." My mom said as she grabbed his hand that was fidgeting on his knee as he continued to look me over as if I was one of his possessions.
"Mom we're heading over to grandma and grandpa's." Teddy said as he carried Blake on his hip.
"Drive carefully." My dad said as his three male heirs all walked out of the house together.
"Can we go now?" I asked and my dad gave my mom a look before she sighed and looked at me.
"Can you at least put a jacket on sweetie?" My mother asked playing the middleman yet again.
"Fine but then can we go?" I asked and my dad nodded. "Then I will be down in a minute." I said as I turned as I ran up the stairs and grabbed a jean jacket that matched my shorts and threw it on as I ran back down to where my parents were still waiting.
"Much better, isn't it Christian?" My mom asked and my dad put on a tight smile and nodded.
"Let's get going, Taylor will be driving us there." My dad said as he ushered my mom and myself out of the house.
The drive to the DMV seemed to take forever. I was so anxious about getting my license that every second that passed seemed like an hour. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity we parked and my dad got out of the car and talked to Taylor for a second before he motioned for my mother and I to follow him inside.
"Phoebe I've made an appointment for you so as soon as we go in there someone will talk to you about everything." My dad said and I couldn't help but smile being as this was the one time my dad's control freak tendencies were paying off in a big way.
As soon as we entered the building my parents and I were escorted into an office. My dad filled out a few papers and they checked my scores from my driving test from the private instructor my dad had gotten me and then I was asked to stand in front of a blue screen so they could take my picture. It was a few minutes after that, that they asked for my signature and then they printed my license and I let out a small squeal as I held it my hands for the first time.
"Excited?" My mom asked and I nodded before I gave her a huge hug and then gave one to my dad who stiffened for a second before he wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.
"Thank you." I said as I pulled away from my dad and he just smiled.
"You're welcome but this isn't all that we are doing today. Come on your mother and I have a surprise for you." He said as he extended his hand and I took it.
Once we were in the car Taylor took off in some unknown direction and I sat between my parents trying to pick up on any hints that they were giving off but there was nothing from either of them. It was only when we arrived back at home that I was slightly disappointed being as when Teddy got his license he had also received a car from our parents.
"I thought you said that there was another surprise." I said as we got out of the car and walked towards the house and my mom looked at my dad.
"Did we say that?" She asked and he shrugged.
"I guess we must have if Phoebe thinks we said it." My dad teased.
"So is there another surprise or not?" I asked and my dad smirked.
"Turn around." He said and I whirled around to see Taylor step out of a brand new bright red Audi A6.
"Nice color choice." My mother muttered to my dad but I didn't think too much of her comment as I ran over to Taylor and he handed me the keys.
"This is really mine?" I asked and my dad nodded as he pulled himself away from my mother and walked towards me.
"Yes this is really yours but now that you have a license and a car there are a few rules that you have to follow." He said and I nodded as I circled the car running my hand along the smooth paint as I admired it. "You are not to have anyone in the car unless you have asked first, there is no speeding, and I know that I put in the nice speaker system in your car but do not turn the music up too loud especially when you are first starting out."
"Can I take it for a ride?" I asked and my dad nodded.
"Of course, the car is yours, but I get to come along with you this time." My dad said and I shrugged as I ran over to the driver's side and hopped in the car.
It was a few minutes later that I was easing the car out onto the road. My dad was rambling on and on about the different safety things that he had put in the car while I just paid attention to the way that the car purred as I drove it. It was easy to handle and on top of that it was all mine.
"So do you like it?" My dad asked and I nodded.
"I really do. I mean Teddy's car is sportier..."
"But your car is safer Fee." He said and I rolled my eyes.
"It doesn't matter, but I really do like my car. Thank you." I said as I slowed down as we approached a red light.
"You're welcome Fee. Now take us home, I'm sure your mother will want some company soon." My dad said and I happily made a u-turn and headed back towards the house, maybe speeding just a little on the way back to see what the car was capable of.
When I got back home dad pressed the garage door opener and I saw an open space in the garage for my new car and I slowly pulled my car in. When I was done my dad and I walked back into the house where mom was reading through manuscripts on the couch and she just smiled at us as we walked in.
"How was the car?" She asked and I grinned from ear to ear.
"Fantastic, I really love it." I said as I walked over and sat down on the couch next to her and she wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me into her side.
"I'm glad baby. Christian your mom called and she wants us to all come over for dinner tonight." My mom said and my dad sighed.
"What time?" He asked and my mom smirked.
"As soon as we can, she is a little eager to hear about Adam." My mom said and I rolled my eyes knowing that I was going to be playing twenty questions with my grandmother until she was satisfied with my answers tonight.
"Let her know that we will be there no later than six thirty but not a minute sooner." My dad said and I relaxed into the couch knowing that I had some time to prep myself for dinner.
"I will let her know."
"I have a few calls to make and then we need to get ready, but I think that there is some other reading you need to take care of Ana." My dad said as he swiftly turned and walked towards his office and my mom sighed.
"Go call Ava and tell her about your car." My mom said and I happily jumped up and ran up the stairs.
I took my phone and sent a quick text to Ava about my new car and then I got down to what I really wanted to do. I sent a text to Adam and then ignored Ava's response as I waited for Adam to reply. It was about a minute later that I was about to give up when my phone lit up with a response.
So you got your license, congrats! Oh and I want a picture of this new car, being as your dad is Christian Grey it is either a tank or a good looking car no doubt.
-Adam
I smiled as I read his response and I quickly typed a short message back to him.
I will send you a picture a little later, and no it is not a tank. Although I think my dad might have considered getting me one of those if it wasn't for the fact I would have to park it at school.
-P
I sat on my bed with my phone in my lap while I waited for him respond. It wasn't that I was overly eager about talking to Adam it was just that, I missed talking to him.
I'll be waiting for that picture. So was that you admitting that you can't park, because I am pretty sure it was.
-Adam
I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I read his text.
It's not that I am bad at parking it is just that everyone else parks terribly which makes it almost impossible for me to park right!
-P
I replied and I knew that he was going to have a field day with my response.
Oh so now you not being able to park is everyone else's fault?
-Adam
I laughed at his text and I quickly came up with a reply.
Yes. So how is the project coming along?
-P
I figured that I had been given enough grief about my parking so it was now time to change the subject onto something that was not making fun of me, or at least attempt to do that.
Nice change of subject there, I almost didn't notice
-Adam
I just rolled my eyes at the text and laid back on my bed trying to come up with a good response for him.
Yeah well seriously how is the project coming? I need an A in this class or my dad will kill me so?
-P
It was only a mere second later that I got a response.
The project is coming along great. Hey my mom just got home can I text you later?
-Adam
I quickly responded not wanting to lose contact with him.
I have a dinner thing later, please talk to me a little more! 5 minutes?
-P
p.s. I'm begging you and I look cute when I beg!
It was a few moments later that my phone sprang back to life but I was disappointed when I found it was just a message from Ava yelling at me for not responding to her first text message not Adam. I sent off a apology to Ava and told her that I was getting ready for dinner with the grandparents so I would have to talk to her later and then I tossed my phone to the side.
I walked over to my closet and started looking through appropriate outfits for dinner tonight. I was sort of bummed that Adam couldn't talk to me anymore and I was stuck going through my closet to find something nice to wear.
"Hey we have to leave in an hour, do you know what you want to wear?" My mom asked as she walked in and I nodded.
"Yeah I think so." I said as I pulled out a white sundress and set it on my bed and then walked back to the closet to go through my shoes.
"I think your red pumps would look nice." My mom said as she came up behind me and I nodded as I pulled the shoes out and placed them next to the dress.
"Is dad done with his calls?" I asked and my mom shrugged.
"I don't think he is. Do you need some help with getting ready?" My mom asked and I thought about turning her down but in the end I decided that I would let her help.
"Sure." I said as she took my hand and led me into the bathroom.
I leaned against the counter as my mom fixed my hair from earlier and then she put some lip gloss on me.
"So do you know when you are going out to dinner with Adam and his mom?" She asked and I shook my head.
"No, actually I need to talk to him about that. I sort of forgot to mention it."
"That's okay I am sure you have some time. Why don't you go grab your dress and then bring it back in here and I will help you into it so you won't ruin your hair." My mom said and I nodded as I turned and walked over to my bed.
I grabbed the dress and then turned to go back when I saw my phone sitting there and I picked it up and unlocked it. I mean I guess now was as good a time as any to send a text to Adam about dinner. He might actually respond if I told him that I could go.
I sent a text to him letting him know that my parents were letting me go to dinner with him and then I walked back to the bathroom and let my mom help me get dressed. When we were done my mom went off to get ready herself and I checked my phone again but there was no text from Adam so I just slipped my phone into a small clutch purse and made my way downstairs where my dad was on the phone talking to someone. I took a seat on the couch and grabbed a book off of the coffee table and started reading when my dad ended his phone call and took a seat next to me.
"So tell me a little more about Adam." He said and I just rolled my eyes.
"Really dad?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yes really. We have some time to kill before dinner and I want to get to know more about him."
"Then why don't you just read the stupid background check?" I asked and he sighed.
"Your mother won't let me." He said and I smiled knowing that my mother was telling the truth when she told me there was going to be no background checks.
"Really?" I asked and he nodded.
"Really so I have to go about finding things out about Adam like any normal parent would." He said and I nodded.
"What do you want to know?" I said knowing that I had the upper hand and my dad smiled.
"You're going to tell me about him?" He asked and I nodded.
"I am going to tell you what I know about him and I think you should know." I said and my dad sighed.
"Then just tell me what you think I should know about him." My dad said and I thought for a moment.
"He was adopted not too long ago by a woman, Ellen I think. Anyway his birth mother dropped him off somewhere when he was seven because she didn't want him anymore and he has been in the system up until he was adopted."
"What's his GPA?" My dad asked and I rolled my eyes.
"I tell you all of this and all you want to know is his GPA?" I asked and he nodded.
"You're too smart to date some slacker like the fool Ava is dating." My dad stated and I shook my head.
"He just transferred but he knows his stuff, I mean you saw him help me on the project." I said and my dad nodded.
"I did but he could have just been putting on a show for me and your mother."
"Oh because he is so used to being watched on CCTV." I joked and my dad laughed.
"That is true. So you really do like your car?" He asked and I nodded as I cuddled into his side and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of my head.
"I really do daddy. It's better than I imagined." I said relaxing into his side and he just pulled me tighter into his side.
We stayed like that until a flash from a camera broke us apart and I looked up to see my mom admiring the photo she had taken of the two of us.
"Now this one is getting framed." She said and I rolled my eyes as I got off the couch only to be pulled back down by my dad.
"I think I have an idea for a picture. Ana give the camera to Gail and then sit next to me." My dad said as he held me captive on his lap and my mom quickly ran out of the room.
"I don't like getting my picture taken." I said as I struggled to get free.
"I never would have guessed with the way you dolled yourself up for your license photo today." My dad teased as my mom came and sat next to him and Mrs. Jones stood in front of us holding the camera.
"Okay on the count of three..."
"No, let me go!" I shouted as I struggled against my dad but it was no use as he clutched me tighter to his chest.
"One...two..."
Right before Mrs. Jones said three me dad started to tickle me and I couldn't help but shift down between my parents and laugh as the picture was snapped.
My dad continued to hold me in place as my mom checked to make sure the picture it was good and once he got the nod from my mom he let me go and I shot up and glared at him.
"That was mean, I'll meet you two at grandma's." I said as I gathered my things and headed out to my car.
When I made it to my grandparents house I pulled in next to Teddy's car and then walked up to the house where my grandmother greeted me at the door.
"Your dad told me you were on your way..."
"Let me see this new car." My grandfather said as he walked up behind my grandmother with Blake on his hip and Ryan right on his heels.
"Men." My grandmother stated as she let my grandfather out to go take a look at the car and she guided me into the house.
"Where is Teddy?" I asked as my grandmother took my jacket and she sighed.
"He had been in a fowl mood since your father called, he is currently in the boat house trying to avoid your grandfather and I."
"Would you mind if I excused myself and went to talk to him?" I asked and my grandmother shook her head.
"Go ahead sweetie, and by the way nice car." She said giving my hand a slight squeeze.
I quickly got up from where I was seated and started to make my way towards the pool house. Teddy had been in a fowl mood for a while now and I was going to get to the bottom of his man-swings.
When I got to the boat house I kicked off my pumps being as my feet were killing me and I started up the stairs. When I made it upstairs I saw that Teddy was outside on the porch leaning over the railing and I went over to the open door and watched him for a second before I knocked on the door frame and made my presence known.
"Mom and dad here too?" He asked and I shook my head.
"Not yet, so what did dad say that got you all like this?" I asked as I walked out and leaned on the railing next to him.
"Fee..."
"No more excuses Ted. I am tired of waiting, this is later now spill." I said and Teddy sighed.
"Dad wants me to become the next him. He has made it so I now have an internship sort of position at his company and I can't do it, I just don't want to be him. I mean not work him anyway."
"Then what do you want?" I asked and he turned to me.
"Do you remember that paper that you stole from me and read and I told you I copied it from a website?" He asked and I smirked remembering that day, Teddy got in so much trouble with our parents that day.
"Of course I remember that day." I said and he nodded.
"I wrote that paper, I love writing. In fact I just finished a novel that I have been working on, and I think that it can turn into something great but dad..."
"Has anyone read it?" I asked and he shook his head.
"No but that doesn't matter dad wants me to take over his business and he has me swamped with his crap. In fact he called today to talk about work, I just can't take it Fee. And on top of all of this I am leaving for college soon and I don't think I am going to be able to major in what I want to, let alone go to the school I want."
"Where do you want to go?" I asked and Teddy ran his hands through his copper hair.
"Where mom went. With Blake being so young and the new baby I want to be close by, but again dad wants me to go to Harvard, do what he didn't." Teddy said and I sighed knowing how demanding our dad could be.
"What does mom think?" I asked and he let out a small laugh.
"She doesn't know, in fact you were the first person I told about this whole writing thing. I am just at the end of my rope Fee I really am." Teddy said and I took a minute and then smiled.
"What if I told you I had an idea?" I asked and Teddy gave me a look.
"What kind of idea?" He asked and I took a deep breath.
"You wrote a book right?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yeah but what is that suppose to do?" He asked.
"Well what if we got your book published? I mean if you were a published author then dad would have to validate what your dream is." I said and Teddy nodded.
"Yeah but no one will read my stuff." He said and I put a hand on his shoulder.
"Come up with a pen name and I will make sure your book is read by the best publisher in the US." I said and he thought for a moment before he spoke.
"That would be mom, what are you thinking?" He asked and I smirked.
"Get me a pen name and a copy and then be ready to make revisions..."
"What about the work dad wants me to do?" He asked and I sighed.
"If you can get that to me as well I can take care of it. Look Teddy I love you and if this is what you want then I am going to do whatever I can to help you with that, plus we both know that if I didn't help you, you would just fold and do whatever dad wants you to. You have no spine brother." I teased and Teddy lightly shoved me before he pulled me into a hug.
"I guess another reason I don't want to go far away for school is that I will miss being around you munchkin." He said and I smiled.
"I would miss you too big brother, but you do know you are going to owe me for doing this." I said and he nodded.
"Consider it taken care of." He said as he pulled away and I raised an eyebrow in question.
"Consider what taken care of?" I asked and he smirked.
"I took Adam's background check from mom's desk and hid it so when you go out on your date with him it will be prying parents free." Teddy said as we walked back into the boat house.
"Thanks I think. Anyway mom and dad should be here soon so we might as well head back to the house, maybe you will have time to take a look at my new car." I said and he rolled his eyes.
"Seen it, but you're right we should get going. And seriously thanks again Phoebe, and not just for everything, but for being my annoying little sister." He said and I just smirked as we walked down the stairs and I paused to replace my shoes.
"Any time brother, any time."