Phoebe's POV
"Put the car in drive, take your foot off the brake and gently press on the gas." I vaguely hear my father's instructions as I stare straight ahead down the long stretch of empty dirt road. My sweaty palms are gripping the wheel at the exact coordinates of ten and the two. His voice sounds like it is far away, like he is speaking through a long pipe. But when he speaks again, it is loud and clear and it makes me jump. "Phoebe!"
"What?" I let out an agitated sigh as I leave go of the steering wheel. The car is still in park and my foot is on the brake.
"Did you hear what I said?" I take in his tone. He is being so patient with me, more than I deserve. Dad paid for me to take driving lessons, but they didn't go as well as I'd hoped. There I was, sitting in the driver's seat with my hands at ten and two, and the instructor was telling me what I needed to do. I heard every word, but it just wasn't registering. I got scared and I froze. I couldn't do it. Just like I can't do it right now.
"I don't want to do this" I say softly. I just want to cry right now, but I do my best to suppress it.
"What's wrong, Phoebe?" He lets out a light sigh as he asks the question. I think he is getting frustrated with me, just as my instructor has. The driving school told Dad that I can't go back until I am willing to try to drive. Dad decided to take me out this morning so that I can try again, but I just don't feel comfortable doing this. I'm scared I'll drive us right into a tree, or into the Sound.
"I just don't want to drive. Can we please go home?"
He shakes his head. "Not until you try."
I shake my head and the tears start to threaten. "Please don't make me do this."
"What are you afraid of?" I continue to shake my head, but he doesn't let it go. "Tell me."
I let out another sigh and try to calm myself. "Crashing."
I chance a peek at him and he is shaking his head, but he is smiling. "I won't let that happen. Do you honestly think I would let you do this if I thought you could get hurt?"
"But I can get hurt. People get into car accidents all the time."
"Yes, they do. But there will be a lessor chance for you if you learn to drive properly. And once you do, it would just be a matter of being alert of the other people on the road. Now, let's try again." He takes my right hand and places it on the steering wheel again. I reluctantly lift my left hand and place it at the ten. "You don't have to go fast. You just need to get comfortable with moving. As long as you do as I say you'll be fine."
I nod and try to concentrate on what I am doing and what he is saying.
"Now, the car is in park. Put the car in drive while your foot is on the brake." I slowly move my right hand down to the lever and pull it down until it is pointed at the D. I feel the car shift slightly and it startles me. "You're doing fine" he assures me. "Now, take your foot off the brake and gently press on the gas." I gulp, but I somehow build up the nerve to take this next step. My foot shakily lifts from the brake and then gently taps on the gas. Nothing happens. "A little harder" he coaxes me. I tap it with a bit more force and the car jerks forward, causing my anxiety levels to shoot through the roof. I let out a scream as my foot leaves the gas pedal and the car slows. "Phoebe, relax" he scolds me. This is the first time he's snapped at me during the lesson. I've had enough.
"Can we stop now, please?"
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Christian's POV
I am at a loss when it comes to my daughter learning to drive. We tried driving lessons, but she was too freaked out to follow through. I tried to take her out this morning, and I thought she was going to get over her fears, but it didn't work. She only moved the car about two feet before she got scared and choked. I don't know how to ease her fears when it comes to driving.
Right now we are at the Fall Festival. Ana and I have been bringing the kids here every year since they were babies. Kate and Elliot started coming with us when Ava was young and we invited Mia and Ethan to bring their kids this year. The little kids are having a great time with getting their faces painted and participating in games such as the bean bag toss, sack races and obstacle courses, while the older kids are bobbing for apples and doing the three legged races. We are taking a lot of pictures and helping the kids with decorating their pumpkins. There is also a pie contest which Gail entered her famous apple and cinnamon crumb pie in. She's entered a few of the pie contests over the years and won a few ribbons.
Natalie has a colorful butterfly painted on her face. The paint is covering her nose and cheeks. She is so cute and so content with sitting next to Sophia and painting her pumpkin. The pumpkin is the size of her head, as is Sophia's. Christopher chose a much bigger pumpkin. Rather than paint it, Ethan is helping him carve it. He wants to make a jack o'-lantern. Elizabeth is taking her time and neatly painting flowers on her pumpkin. Mia said her favorite class right now is art, and that she is trying to get better at it before she can paint some things on her wall. I'd be uneasy about my kids painting their walls, but Mia is happy because it is a sign that her daughter is starting to embrace their move here. Cameron is too young to paint, so Kate and Elliot are taking turns keeping him entertained in his stroller.
"Mommy, I'm awe done" I hear my baby girl's voice as she turns around. Ana's face lights up as she sits next to our daughter to observe her pumpkin. She praises her and tells her she did a beautiful job. She used red, purple, blue and pink paint to decorate her pumpkin. She turns around and looks up at me. "Daddy, yook at my punkin!"
I squat down to be at her level and place my hand on her back. "It's beautiful, Sweet Pea." I lean in and kiss her forehead, being careful to avoid her face paint. "Why don't we go and get you cleaned up while your pumpkin dries?" She happily nods and allows me to help her down from the bench. She is wearing a smock to protect her dress from the paint, but it is all over her hands and wrists. I take her to one of the family restrooms to change her and clean her up. I've been taking on more of Natalie's care since Ana is carrying our twins. Her pregnancy belly is bigger than she's used to, making daily tasks much more difficult for her. She is not allowed to lift Natalie, so Natalie has to climb onto the changing table or her bed when Ana changes her. She also can't lean into the bathtub to wash her anymore, but she often sits with me while I bathe her. Ana likes to read to her at night, so she's been putting her to bed most nights. I miss that part, but I know Ana misses taking care of her, so I need to give her that.
Once I clean her hands I have her help me inspect them. "What do you think? Did Daddy do a good job?"
"Yes" she nods her head animatedly.
"Do you see any more paint?"
"No" she shakes her head and makes a serious face.
"Kiss" I lean in and pucker my lips. She does the same and kisses me. I then tickle under her ribs and she laughs, a hearty laugh that comes from deep in her belly. I love that laugh. I kiss her head and lift her off of the table and lower her to the ground. As much as I love to carry her, I know she needs to walk and be independent. She takes my hand and starts to happily skip as we leave the restroom to rejoin our family.
Once all of the kids are finished with their pumpkins, we line them up and take pictures of all of the kids with their pumpkins. We then settle them together at another part of the festival to take more pictures, this time with Cameron, Phoebe, Trevor, Ava and Nathan. Phoebe seems to be in a happier mood, but she still hasn't learned to drive. I internally groan as I recall the events of this morning. Why is she so afraid to drive? And how do I get her over that fear?
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Phoebe's POV
After the festival, Trevor takes me on a last minute date. We had some food at the festival so neither of us is hungry. He didn't say where we were going. He's being very sneaky. I don't know if I should be scared or excited. I go for the latter.
He's holding my hand and driving with his other hand on the wheel. I'm sure my Dad would have a coronary if he knew that Trevor was driving with one hand with me in the car. But I trust him. He's been driving for over a year now, and he had plenty of practice in the driver's seat on our road trip. The road trip. I internally sigh at the thought. It feels like ages ago, but it was only a few months ago. Dad was so angry and so hurt. I'm glad that we are finally getting back to the way things used to be between us. But I'll never forget what that did to him. Trevor catches me pouting.
"Don't worry, we're almost there. You can stop pouting."
"I'm not pouting" I lie.
"Yeah, you are. Look, I know you don't like surprises. But this is a good one. Trust me."
I smile at him. "I do."
"Good." He brings my hand up to his lips and plants a few kisses.
We arrive a few minutes later and he finds a parking spot in the parking lot for Fun Spot. I'm confused as I notice him climb out of the car and walk around to open my door. He takes my hand and I climb out. "We're here" he says with a smile on his face. "I brought you here to play."
I start to feel giddy. This place has everything. Miniature golf, driving range, batting cages, arcade games, ball pit, laser tag, paddle boats, and…
"Go karts" he says when we arrive at the back of the complex where there is a large track and go karts. I start to feel sick. We've been here for a while now playing with everything else, and it was so much fun. Had I'd known he had this in mind, I would have tried to leave. He has a firm grip on my hand which is preventing me from running away.
"Trevor, can we please go?" I ask him nervously.
"Afraid not" he says, and I feel like I could cry. I know he sees this in my face because his expression changes. He was smiling at me, but now he looks contrite. He has me sit down. "I called ahead and requested to have the track to ourselves for a half hour. That way, there won't be anyone else around. You'll be on the track by yourself with only the rubber barriers to crash into. I promise, its safe."
"Does my Dad know that you brought me here?"
He lowers his eyes and looks at his fisted hands. He's leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, while I'm sitting next to him with my hands knotting in my lap. "At the festival I asked your Dad how the driving lesson went this morning and he mentioned that you were having a difficult time. I thought this would help you at least get comfortable with being in control of a moving vehicle. Please, Phoebe, give it a try."
I let out a nervous sigh. Trevor went to a lot of trouble to help me with this. If I don't try this, I'll be letting yet another person down in the task of helping me learn to drive. My fingers have moved to my legs which are covered by cotton leggings, but I can still feel my nails digging into them. Trevor takes both my hands in his and stops me. I squeeze my eyes shut. "Okay. I'll do it" I say and open my eyes wide. I immediately regret it. What did I just agree to?"
He smiles and pulls me to stand with him. "Let's go."
He pulls me along as we walk fast through the entrance to the track. He has a firm grip on my hand again, probably to ensure that I don't change my mind. Trevor speaks with the track's operator and they shake hands. The operator introduces himself as Eric and leads us over to one of the go karts. He shows us what to do and leaves us to it.
"Climb in" Trevor orders me. I'm not used to him ordering me around. It sends a chill up my spine. I almost think I like it. It makes me feel….. safe. But I still feel nervous about this. I let out a gulp.
"Don't you want to go first?"
"No, I don't want to go first. Climb in."
After some more hesitation, I slowly move and he helps me climb into the go kart. He also helps me with the two seat belts required for the kart. Two seat belts? Why do I need two? I thought he said this was safe.
"Don't let the two seat belts scare you" he says as he fastens the second one for me. "That's for when there are other cars on the track."
I gulp again as I look at him. "Trevor, I'm really scared."
"Don't be. I wouldn't let you do something that wasn't safe. Now, just like a real car, the brake pedal is here, and the gas pedal is here. The only difference is you don't need to put the car in drive or park." I nod my head to let him know that I understand. "You are going to be fine." He leans down and kisses my lips. Then he gently tugs on my necklace and pulls it out of my shirt. I have been wearing the promise ring on the necklace so that my family doesn't see it. He smiles and kisses that too before he backs away a few steps. "Whenever you're ready."
I grip the wheel at ten and two. Even though this isn't a real car, I want the real effect. I want so badly for this to work, but not just for me. For Trevor, and for Dad. For some reason they both want me to learn to drive. I don't understand it really, but I don't want to let them down. I take a few more seconds to prepare myself, and then I slowly place my foot on the gas. I give it very little force, but it is enough to make the kart move forward. It feels weird, but not so scary. I probably only moved a few inches.
"You're doing great, Baby" I hear Trevor shout. That gives me more ammunition to do this. I press my foot on the gas again and give it more force, but this time I don't take my foot off the gas. I leave it there, and I move. I move slow at first and it's not scary. After about a minute I give it more force and I'm moving faster. Holy cow, this is fun. I'm smiling and it's a happy smile. I get a little more daring and press the gas pedal as far as it goes and I am flying around the track. I steer to make sure I stay away from the walls. I know they are made of rubber, but I still prefer not to crash.
"You are doing it, Baby. I am so proud of you" I hear Trevor shout as I continue around the track. I can't look at him since I need to keep my eyes on the track, but I hear him. He's proud of me. I'm proud of me. I keep going since I can't get enough of this. This feels great, so free. I can't believe I've never done this, not even at amusement parks. I let out a happy scream as I round the track again.
After I've had my fun, I round the track one last time and use the brake when I am close to where Trevor is waiting for me. Once the car is stopped, I quickly unfasten the seatbelts and climb out. Trevor approaches me and I run into his arms, nearly knocking him over since he didn't expect me to charge at him. He hugs me tightly and kisses the side of my head. "I told you you could do this" he whispers, and I can feel how proud he is of me.
I pull out of our embrace so that I could look at him. "Thank you. Thank you for making me do this."
"How do you feel?"
"Do you even have to ask?" I realize I sound high right now, but I don't care. I'm high on excitement. I can't stop smiling. I swear my face will stick like this for a while. "I feel incredible, I feel…I feel…. I… I have no words."
His lips crash into mine, and I'm grateful since it shuts me up. I kiss him back and wrap my arms around his back and head. His hand is in my hair and our kiss deepens. After some tongue dancing he slowly pulls out of the kiss. "You know, Dovis is probably watching us."
I giggle. "He is, but so what. He's seen us kiss before."
"Not quite like that" he says, but he is smiling at me. I shrug my shoulders and kiss him again.
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Ana's POV
We are in our bathroom and I am sitting in a chair that Christian had placed in our bathtub. He does this for me every once in a while when I'm pregnant and get to the point where I can no longer reach my legs comfortably. I have a maternity t-shirt on and panties, and he has removed his shirt. He approaches me with my shaving cream, razor and some lotion. "Ready?" he asks me.
I nod and smile giddily at him. I'll admit, I do love that he does this for me. It is so intimate and so beautiful. He brings my right foot up and helps me rest it on the side of the tub and then plants a few kisses up my leg. I can't help but giggle. Christian can make anything look sexy.
He gently smoothes the shaving cream over my leg until every inch is covered, and then slowly runs the razor up my leg. He continues the task while dipping the razor in the water in between each stroke. Once he finishes, he carefully washes my leg and then gently massage it with lotion. I close my eyes and breathe in the lovely scent of jasmine. I also let out a moan.
"Something you like, Mrs Grey?" he asks as he plants another kiss on my clean shaved and lotioned leg.
"There are a lot of things I like."
"What things in particular?" he asks as he places my right foot in the tub and lifts the other to rest it on the side of the tub. He repeats the process with the left leg.
"Anything that involves having your hands on me."
He smiles up at me, that beautiful boyish smile that I can't resist. I love this man so much. I relax and enjoy the process of him shaving my left leg. Once he cleans and lotions it, he places my foot in the tub and has me stand.
"I'm going to run you a bath, and while you are relaxing in our bathroom I will get our baby girl ready for bed."
Did I mention how much I love this man? He's always taking care of me. I'd really like to help put Natalie to bed, but today was a really long day with the festival and having family here afterward. The kids started to get whiny and crabby when it was time to leave. None of the kids had naps today so it was understandable. I welcome my husband taking care of me and then taking care of our baby girl. I am going to take a bath and then climb into bed with my husband. I could sleep for twenty four hours straight with the fatigue that I'm feeling.
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Christian's POV
After getting Ana settled in the bath, I walk into the main room to find Natalie watching a Disney movie with Phoebe. I didn't even know Phoebe was home from her date. She sees me and rushes to me. Before I know what's happening she wraps her arms around me.
"Peanut, are you okay?" I ask her as I reluctantly wrap my arms around her. She's not upset. If anything, she seems happy.
"I'm great, Dad. Um, do you think we can try driving again? Tomorrow?
"Sure, but…. what changed your mind?" I'm very curious about her sudden change of heart. This morning she was a wreck about driving, but now it seems she can't wait to get behind the wheel again.
"Trevor helped me get a little more confidence" she says before she bites her lip. "He took me to Fun Spot to drive a go kart."
"Did he now?" I ask. I'm actually pleased with her sudden surge of excitement, but I'm a little sad that I didn't give her that confidence. Is this how it's going to be now? Phoebe has a boyfriend now that will take over my role?
"So Dad, tomorrow?"
"Of course, Peanut. How about tomorrow morning, and then you'll need to come home and work on your school work."
"Thanks Dad" she says as she wraps her arms around my waist again for another hug. I wrap my arms around her and keep them there for a bit, planting a kiss on her head. Fuck if I'll let any boyfriend of hers take this away from me.
When we leave go of each other I place my hands on either side of her face and kiss her forehead. I then walk around the sofa to collect Natalie. She's been lying on a pillow watching the movie. It's not nearly over yet, but it's late and I cannot let her stay up any longer to finish watching it. "Time for bed, Sweat Pea. We can finish watching Rapunzel tomorrow."
I pick her up after I turn the movie off, and she starts to whine. Her whining quickly escalates to screaming. "I want Mommy, I want Mommy" she keeps saying. She's crying now as I carry her up the steps. Tears are running down her face. I kiss her hair a few times and whisper things to her, but she continues with her verbal tantrum. She is so tired after having so much activity today and skipping her nap. I can't blame her for it. But a father can only take so much screaming.
"Natalie, Baby. Stop screaming right now." But it doesn't work. She keeps screaming for Ana as I try to get her to lie on her bed so that I can change her. She doesn't keep still, and she even manages to climb off the bed while I search for pajamas for her. I pick her up and hold her again as she screams and cries.
"I want Mommy" she screams and cries. It breaks my heart that I can't calm her. She doesn't do this very often, in fact I can only recall a few occasions where she's been in a trantrum like this. I turn around and Ana is at the door. She's wearing her bathrobe. I'm disappointed that she climbed out of the bathtub without any assistance. She could have fallen. I can't stop the scowl that forms on my face.
"Christian, bring her into our room" she tells me gently. Natalie sees Ana and reaches her arms in her direction, but I keep my hold on her. Ana cannot carry her, so I go along with Ana's idea and follow her into our bedroom with Natalie still screaming. Once we are there I shut the door and follow Ana over to our bed. Ana gets comfortable on her side and I place Natalie next to her. Natalie is still crying as she buries her face into Ana's side. Ana puts her arm around her and rubs her hand up and down her back. Her other hand is in her hair. I stand and watch as I run my hand through my hair. I hate to see my baby girl cry. And what's worse, I couldn't get her to stop.
"I'll go and get her pajamas and changing basket."
"Bring some books back too" Ana says. I nod and leave the room, brooding over not being able to calm my daughter. She's never done this. She's always accepted me or Ana, whoever was taking care of her at the moment. She's never expressed wanting one parent over the other, until now. I know she's young, but it still hurts all the same. I go to her room to collect some things for her so that we can take care of her together in our bedroom.
Once I'm back in our room, I notice that Natalie's cries have been reduced to soft whimpers. Her head is still rested against Ana's side and Ana is comforting her with her touch and her words. She is singing "Twinkle Twinkle" to her. I smile softly at the sweet sound of Ana's voice. It's so soothing to me and our children when she sings like that. I slowly sit on the bed again and move so that I am closer to them.
"Is she okay?" I ask Ana. Ana has been running her hand through Natalie's now damp hair.
"She's warm. She might have a fever." That's all I need to hear before I am off the bed and back in Natalie's room. I return with her thermometer and sit on the bed again. Ana moves Natalie so that I have access to her forehead and face. Natalie just wants to cuddle with Ana so she starts to cry softly. I manage to take her temperature and it is slightly high.
"One hundred and one" I say softly. Ana continues to stroke Natalie's hair and she calms again. "I brought some of her Tylenol in case she had a fever." I put some of the liquid into the medicine dropper and hand it over to Ana. I watch as she patiently puts it by Natalie's mouth and explains that she has to take it so that she can feel better. Natalie shakes her head a few times, but Ana doesn't give up. With a little more coaxing, she is able to get our baby girl to take the medicine. Once she is calm, Ana convinces her to let me change her diaper and put pajamas on her. Natalie cooperates and Ana sings to her as I do it. I'm glad that Ana had the forethought to wash the face paint off after dinner so that we wouldn't be struggling with it at bedtime.
Once I finish dressing her, she reaches her tinny hands for me. I smile and lift her into my arms, kissing her still damp hair and holding her to my chest. I push her head to rest on my shoulder and rock her for a few minutes. "Daddy, I thusty" she says with a tired voice. I lay her down next to Ana again and leave the room. When I come back, I put her sippy cup in her hands and watch as she drinks a good amount of it.
"Juicy?" she asks. She's smart enough to know that I don't allow her to have juice at night time.
"Not quite" I say to her with a chuckle. I gently run my hand through her hair a few times. "This is Gatorade. It's good to drink when your head is hot." She drinks some more of it and then rests against Ana again. I get comfortable next to them and start to read one of her stories to her. After a few pages, she is asleep. Ana and I decide to watch some TV and keep her with us for a bit to make sure she is okay. I reach over and gently stroke Ana's cheek with my fingers. She looks over at me and smiles. She then looks down at our baby girl sleeping against her side. "Are you comfortable? Do you need me to move her?"
"No, I'm very comfortable. Are you okay?"
"What do you mean?"
She narrows her eyes at me and smirks. "I saw your facial expression when Natalie cried for me. I know that hurt you." She strokes Natalie's hair again as she says this.
"Yeah, it did burn. I guess I like to be the person our kids rely on when they need help. It's hard to share that, even with you sometimes."
"I know" she says with a smile. "The kids and I do rely on you. You take great care of us Christian. Please, don't doubt that."
I smile, even though there is always that seed of doubt. It will grow at times, but Ana is always there to chop it down. "I love you Baby" I say to her as I place my hand over Natalie's forehead. I then run the backs of my fingers down her cheeks. "I think her fever's going down."
Ana smiles at me and then places a kiss on our baby girl's head.
800 Reviews! Wahoo! You guys are the best. Here's another chapter. It's not as long as the previous ones but I wanted to post an update. I started another story but I am not giving up on this one anytime soon. There's a lot more to write for this one. Thanks for the continued support and Happy Reading!