Phoebe's POV
I am back stage going through my solo in my head. I concentrate hard enough to block out all sound so that all I can hear is my music as I mentally go through each count and each step. Miss Alana always tells us not to watch the other dancers while we are back stage as it will get us psyched out. I'll admit I am psyched out without having to watch the other solos before me. I know that those girls and even some of the guys have been dancing much longer than I have. I do my best to put that thought aside and continue to go through my solo in my head. I must not forget, I must not forget. Some of the girls on my team have told me that it's happened to them. They would start their dance, it would go well, and then suddenly their minds would go blank. They forget the dance. It happens so suddenly, so unexpectedly. If it could happen to these girls that have been dancing all of their lives it can certainly happen to me. Oh no. I'm next. I can hear the crowd's applause for the dancer that danced before me. Deep breath, Phoebe.
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Christian's POV
Phoebe is up next. I am so nervous for her. I want her to do well. I know if she messes up she'll beat herself up over it. I start to wonder why I let her do this in the first place. My thoughts are diverted as Ana reaches over and takes my hand. I look over and she is smiling at me. I can't help but smile back. I bring her hand up to my lips and plant gentle kisses on her knuckles. Suddenly her eyes leave mine and focus on something next to me. But the smile hasn't left her face. I turn around to find an unexpected surprise.
"Trevor, you made it" Ana says.
He takes the seat next to mine. "Hello Mrs Grey, Mr Grey."
"Hello Trevor. Good of you to make it."
"Thank you. I didn't want to miss this" he says. He looks like he'd just run a marathon.
"What about the soccer tournament?" Ana asks him.
He shrugs his shoulders. "It's okay. I worked it out."
He isn't able to elaborate since Phoebe's video starts to play. Here we go. I sit back in my seat with Ana's hand still holding mine.
"My name is Phoebe Grey, and the name of my dance is 'Better Now'." She looks so beautiful. I can tell that they'd filmed this at Alana's studio. The video shows her speaking and it features some black and white clips of her rehearsing the number. Some of it is in slow motion. "My teacher Miss Jenna Marks choreographed this for me while I was going through a very difficult time. This past September, a girl walked into my school with a gun and shot at teachers and students." My heart practically stops as I listen to her words. They are so haunting, so true to what's happened, yet she is so calm and collected as she tells her story. "Some people were injured, some people died, and I will never forget." I squeeze Ana's hand. I can't look at her because I don't want to look away from the screen, but I can tell she's tearing up. "That day paralyzed me. It made me afraid. I basically couldn't live my life the same way that I did. I let the fear take over. Dance was a way for me to get out of my head for a little while and express that fear." The video continues to feature my daughter speaking and clips of her dancing. I can't help the tears that form in my eyes. "We chose the song Lego House by Ed Sheeran. He sings about having to build this lego house with no instructions, no direction. I can relate with it in that I want to pick up the pieces and rebuild. There might not be a right or wrong way to do it. I just have to do it. I have the love and support of my family and friends and I recognize how important that is. How important they are and how important life is. It doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to be."
The crowd applauds when the video finishes. I leave go of Ana's hand and join in the applause. I have to wipe the tears that have dripped from my eyes and onto my cheeks. I look over at Ana and her face is soaked. I reach for my handkerchief and pass it to her. My attention is diverted to the stage when I hear the MC announce my daughter's name and her number. The crowd applauds again as we wait for her to take the stage. But she doesn't. I start to hold my breath again. She can't back down now, she just can't. I will her to take the stage as I hear the MC announce her name and number again.
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Ana's POV
Phoebe's video has brought me to tears. A lot of tears. I wasn't expecting her dance to have so much meaning. I am grateful when my husband passes me his handkerchief. I get a brief look at his face and can tell that the video has made him emotional as well. How could it not? We went through this with her. We were there for her and we know how much she had struggled. I am so proud of her for all of the progress she's made over the past two months. And even more proud for putting such a personal struggle into her performance.
The audience applauds when her video finishes, and again when the MC announces her name and number. I grow nervous when she doesn't take the stage. I reach over for Christian's hand again and squeeze it. Where is she? Why hasn't she taken the stage? "Christian?" I say softly. The MC announces her name and number again and the crowd is silent. I don't know how much time goes by, but I let out a long breath when I see Phoebe take the stage. I didn't realize I was holding my breath. The crowd applauds again as she takes her position. I keep holding Christian's hand as we watch our baby perform.
The music starts and her soft movements mirror the tone of the song. She looks so beautiful. She is wearing a yellow ballet dress, nude tights and nude shoes. Her hair is tied back neatly into a French twist. I've learned a few things over the years about dance by watching her perform and hearing critiques. I've learned the names of some of the things that she needed to work on and improve. She makes a lot of beautiful lines with her arms and with her legs. Her arabesque has become much cleaner. There are a lot of spins and turns, and Phoebe has always done well with them. I watch her face while she's dancing and can feel the emotion she is expressing. What's even more impressive is there are actual Legos in the middle of the stage. Each time she passes that spot she puts some pieces together. There is so much emotion in her face as she does it and she doesn't miss a beat. She continues on with her dance and comes back to the Legos a few times. Of all the dances I've seen I know I haven't seen one like this. Jenna is so creative, and Phoebe is doing an amazing job with the choreography.
Phoebe finishes the dance by walking over to the Lego house, kneeling in front of it, attaching the final piece, picking it up and holding it up high. That is her ending pose. She is holding it up and looking at it. She receives and standing ovation for her performance. Christian and Mia help me stand and I have to stop myself from jumping up and down with my sister-in-law as we applaud. I am so overwhelmed with how well my baby performed, and the amazing response from the audience. I grab hold of my husband and wrap my arms around him. He's excited too. He plants hard kisses on my head as we celebrate our daughter's performance. I look over at her again on stage, and despite all of the excitement that has erupted in the auditorium, she has not lost character. The emotion is still etched on her face as she gracefully stands and walks off the stage with the Lego house in her hands.
"Oh my gosh, Ana, that was amazing" Mia beams. When I leave go of Christian she grabs both of my hands and proceeds to jump up and down again. Christian and Trevor even high five and he gives our daughter's boyfriend a one arm hug as they look over at the stage again. They are both very excited too. It occurs to me that Phoebe doesn't even know that Trevor is here. Oh, my baby is going to be so excited when she sees him. Christian puts his arms around me, and as the crowd calms he helps me sit down again. I have to take a few deep breaths to calm myself down.
"Are you okay, Baby?" he asks me worriedly.
"Yes, I'm okay." I take his hand to assure him. "I'm just so excited. That was the best I've ever seen her dance." I start to tear up again. I can't help it. I am so happy and so proud. Christian brings his left hand over and wipes my tears with his thumb. We both giggle since we both know that it's my hormones acting up.
After the next solo has finished, Jenna comes over and we share our excitement with her. We congratulate her on the creative choreography and thank her for giving our daughter this opportunity. I can tell she's as proud as we are. She's worked with Phoebe over the past three years and she's seen her come a long way with her training and her personal struggles.
After the solos are finished, the MC announces that we are going to get started with the Senior Small Groups. There are twenty five groups and our group is number fifteen, so Christian and I decide to take a break and walk around for a bit. I shouldn't be on my feet too much, but at the same time I need to get up every once in a while to stretch my legs. We agree not to go back to visit Phoebe because we don't want to make her nervous, although it is tempting. I cannot wait to see her. Christian and I hold hands and walk around outside for a little bit. It is a chilly fall day but it is beautiful. The leaves have changed color and are falling to the ground with the gentle breeze.
"Beautiful" I say softly as I observe the trees on the school's campus.
"I'll say" Christian says as he looks at me with so much love and admiration in his eyes. I know he's referring to me and I can't help but blush. He chuckles and positions himself behind me. He wraps his warm arms around me and my pregnancy belly and plants gentle kisses on my cheek.
"I'm so happy right now" I say to him.
"Good" he says before he plants a kiss on my head. "You're shivering. We should go back inside."
"No, I'm fine. It's adrenaline. I'm just so….. so proud. She danced her heart out up there, Christian."
"That she did."
"What did you say to her? When you went back and talked to her?"
He plants a few more gentle kisses on my head before he answers. "I told her to do it for her, and to have fun with it. I also told her I wouldn't be upset with her if she'd decided to pull her solo."
"I'm so glad she didn't pull it. It was amazing. She is amazing."
"You're amazing, Mrs Grey. You are an amazing wife…. incredible lover…."
I giggle as he speaks and plants kisses on my neck and shoulder.
"…and an amazing mother to our kids."
"I can't take all the credit" I tell him. "You are and incredible husband, and lover, and father…. Dance Dad" I giggle again.
"Mmmm I love that sound. Shall we call and check on Natalie?"
I think it over for a moment. I trust Kate and Elliot. I know Natalie is fine. But it's hard to resist checking on my baby girl. I already miss her so much. I'm used to being with her all the time.
"Hmmm?" he asks again.
"Yes, let's call."
Christian pulls out his blackberry and speed dials. I turn and face him, watching his face as he waits for an answer. It sounds like Elliot answers on the second ring.
"Hey Bro, how's my baby girl doing?... Oh, she's sleeping." He looks up at me as he says it. "Okay…..that's good. Is she being good?...Good, I'm glad. When she wakes up she might be confused about where she is….. okay…Is that right?" He looks up at me and puts his hand over the speaker. "Elliot is very offended that Natalie has Cameron interested in tea parties." I can't help but giggle. Sounds like Natalie. I'm sure she has her Uncle Elliot playing tea party as well. "Okay, thank you again Elliot."
He disconnects the call and tucks the blackberry back in his pocket.
"Sounds like Natalie is having a good time."
"Elliot said Kate took some pictures. Shall we go back inside?"
Christian leads me back into the school and we find our seats. We sit through a few of the senior groups until it is time to watch Phoebe's group. All of the girls take the stage and get into position. There are three girls in the middle and they start from sitting poses, while the other six are in standing poses, three on each side of the stage. They are in three clumps, and our Phoebe is one of the girls in the middle. They are all wearing white dresses but with different styles.
There is no music at first. Just a bell that sounds every sixteen counts. The three girls in the front center clump stand and the first sixteen counts are just for them. The other two clumps join in. They dance and then run around to different positions, some leaving the stage, while Phoebe and the same other two girls remain in the front clump. While a few of the girls are doing tricks that feature their balance and flexibility, the three girls in front go into arabesque and slowly pivot around until they've completed a three sixty turn. I know that move is difficult since they need to be together the whole time and keep their leg up and angled the same way. The crowd applauds when they complete that. While Phoebe and the other girl move to other spots on the stage, the girl in the middle remains with her leg in arabesque. She bends her knee to grab her ankle behind her and lifts it so that her foot is above her head. Some of these girls are unbelievably flexible. The girls start running around into other positions as the sound of an organ or piano can be heard. It sounds like music you would hear in a movie during a storm. The girls dance together for a bit and you can feel the intensity of the dance as the music starts to get louder. Miss Jenna didn't tell us what this piece is about, but I get the feeling that some kind of storm is coming and they are dancing until they absolutely have to leave. Each girl leaves the stage at different times and doesn't return. Phoebe is the sixth girl to leave and three remain as the music gets even louder. The last two leave, and the girl that remains is the one that started front and center. She dances on her own for a bit and then looks troubled as the lights on the stage flicker and the sound of thunder can be heard. That's a nice effect. She grabs her head dramatically and looks to one side and then the other, deciding which way to go. She chooses a direction and sprints off the stage.
Wow that was intense. Everyone stands and applauds as the girls enter stage left in a clump to curtsey. Christian helps me stand again and then takes my elbow. "Where are we going?"
"I can't wait any longer. I want to see Phoebe."
Trevor comes with us as we follow Miss Alana, Miss Jenna and some of the other parents back to where the girls have been getting ready. We get there before them and Christian has me sit down. The girls in our company's junior and petite groups are here as well which means Elizabeth is here. She spots us and runs over. "Hi Aunt Ana" she says as she gives me a hug."
"Hello Sweetheart. You did a fantastic job" I say to her so proudly.
"Amazing" Christian adds.
"Thank you" she says with a big smile. I still have my arm around her as she looks up at Christian. She still seems uneasy around him.
The girls in the senior group come in and greet some of the parents that have come back here. Phoebe comes over to us and Christian has her in his arms instantly. He is so happy and so proud. I don't think he will ever let her go.
"Peanut, that was incredible. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks Dad" she says as he finally leaves go. She bends and gives me a hug so that I don't have to stand, and then she spots Trevor.
"Trevor!" She rushes into his arms and he picks her up and spins her around. Yes, I think she's excited to see him.
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Phoebe's POV
I did it. I was able to get through my solo and the group number. I received a lot of praise from my teammates and it felt really good. They knew I was nervous so they let me be while I was preparing for my performance. They didn't make fun of me when my Dad came back to talk to me. I'm not the new girl of the group anymore, but I am the one with the least amount of experience. Still, they treat me as an equal and they are super supportive. The girls are usually fighting over who gets chosen to do the solo for competition since Miss Alana only wants to submit one solo per group. I really thought they would give me a hard time when they found out that the solo was going to me this time. But they didn't. I think they were surprised.
I feel really good about my performance. I know the story was surrounded by what happened in September, the shooting, but I tried not to think about that while I was dancing. I'm not sure I would have been able to get through the dance if I thought of what Rachel did. Instead, I thought of Ava and her broken leg. I thought of Sawyer and how he took a bullet for me. I thought of Danny and how strong he's been during his treatment. I thought of Dad and how disappointed he was in me for leaving this summer. I don't expect to win since there is so much talent at this competition, but I'm glad I got through it without making any mistakes. Miss Jenna told me that that was the best she's seen me do this dance. That felt really good.
I walk into the dressing room and my parents are there. I'm so glad to see them. I run into my father's arms and he gives me a tight hug while telling me he's proud of me. There's those words again. I think he's making an effort to say them more often. Next I give my mother a hug, and then I look up and see him. I have to do a double take before I realize it is really him. He's really here.
"Trevor!" I squeal as I run into his arms. He wraps his arms around me and spins me around. "You're really here" I say as he puts me down.
"I'm so glad I didn't miss that. Phoebe, you were amazing."
I think he has tears in his eyes. He's such a sap. "What happened to the tournament?"
"We finished early today. Another team has to play tonight and then we play the winner of that team tomorrow."
Trevor and I are able to catch up for a few seconds before Miss Jenna announces that the awards are starting soon. I say goodbye to Trevor and my parents so that they can return to the auditorium. I see my cousin Elizabeth and give her a hug before she walks out with her teammates.
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Ana's POV
We are back in the auditorium and some good dance music is playing. All of the petite dancers that competed are on the stage and they are dancing to it. Some of them are really little. Miss Alana told me that a few of the girls from other schools are as young as four and five years old. They must've started dancing before they could even walk. Elizabeth's group is one of the groups in front so we can see them well. The MC tells everyone to take their seats. The girls on stage also sit and some of them hold hands as the awards are announced. They announce the solo winners first, and the dancer from Elizabeth's group places third.
We sit and watch as more awards are announced. We get down to third place and the girls are squeezing each other's hands. I look over at Miss Jenna and Miss Alana and they are also waiting in suspense. They call the third place winner and it is not us. We clap for the third place winner. Next they announce the first runner up and the girls are squeezing their hands again. The MC leaves it up in the air for a few seconds before announcing another school as the first runner up. I look over at Miss Jenna and Miss Alana and they are starting to get really excited. I think we have this. The girls think so too. They are really squeezing each other's hands now and looking down at their laps as they wait for the MC to announce the first place winner.
"First place winner… Petite Small Group…. goes….to…number thirty four 'Hey Pachuco'"
The girls jump up and cheer, as do Miss Alana, Miss Jenna and the parents. Mia is just crazy happy right now. She is jumping up and down as well. The girls are called over to the microphone to announce the name of their dance company. "Alana Lane Dance Company!" they shout as they raise their trophy above their heads. I am so happy for my niece. That dance was adorable and had a high level of difficulty. They deserve the win.
Mia and Ethan leave to meet up with Elizabeth, while Christian, Trevor and I sit through the junior group awards. Before I know it they are announcing the senior group. They all take the stage and sit to wait for the MC to announce the awards. Christian reaches over for my hand and kisses my knuckles. The gesture helps me relax a bit. I put my other hand on my pregnancy belly and watch as the awards are announced. Coming here, I didn't expect Phoebe to place in the top ten. I was just excited that she was performing a solo. But after watching her performance, I don't really know anymore. I'm hoping she does place. I squeeze Christian's hand as they announce the top ten. When they get down to fifth place, I start to think that Phoebe won't place after all. A feeling a disappointment starts to sink in because I was kind of hoping she would place. They get to the third place winner, and I hear Phoebe's name and number announced. I gasp and look at Christian, and then back at the stage. Phoebe is shocked. Her teammates push her up and she accepts her award. I start to cry. I can't believe it. My baby placed third out of thirty five experienced dancers. That's incredible. Christian puts his arm around me and rubs my shoulder. We watch the first runner up and first place winners get announced, and then the MC makes another announcement.
"The judges have decided to give out an additional award for this competition, the Dance Craze Choice Award. They were very impressed by the creative choreography and execution of this number. The dancer expressed a deep level of vulnerability and completed each dance move with grace and clean, crisp technique. This award…. goes to Phoebe Grey. For 'Better Now'."
Oh my. I just can't take this. I can't stop the tears from pouring out of my eyes. They gave my baby a special award. I am so incredibly proud and happy for her. I look up at the stage and look at her through my soaked eyes. She is so psyched. She looks over at Christian and me and opens her mouth as if she is squealing. She has a huge smile on her face.
The awards keep going, and Phoebe's group takes first runner up. Some of the girls look disappointed. I guess they were expecting to take the win. They send Phoebe to accept the award on the company's behalf and she stands in line with the other winners and holds the plaque as the MC announces the first place winner. I don't agree with the judge's decision. I did see most of the dances and I didn't think this one was better than ours. Then again, I'm probably being biased.
We are able to meet up with Phoebe again and congratulate her on the awards. Mia, of course, is over the top excited when we tell her and Ethan that Phoebe had placed and won a special award. Phoebe looks a bit overwhelmed by all of the attention. Luckily Trevor steals a moment alone with her and they go into the hall for a breather.
Christian has me sit down and we spend some time with Ethan, Mia and Elizabeth before we have to leave. They have their own dinner plans with their nanny and their kids, so Christian decides to take Phoebe, Trevor and I to dinner in Portland.
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Ana's POV
After dinner we said goodbye to Phoebe and Trevor. Phoebe had decided to stay with Trevor and attend his tournament tomorrow. Christian of course was hesitant, but he eventually gave her his blessing. I had to remind him that she is eighteen. We have to give her some room to breathe and that means not saying no to things that she wants to do. He had one of our new guards drive down to back Dovis up since he's been with Phoebe since yesterday. I think his name is Hayes. They will both be with Trevor and Phoebe tonight and tomorrow. Barlow has been with us and we also have Markson here to guard us overnight. Christian and Taylor do such a good job with organizing our security. I don't know how they do it.
Right now I am relaxing in our king sized bed at the Heathman. Christian and I had a bath together and he took his time washing my hair and my skin. He also massaged my feet with his strong magical hands. I love those hands. He had to leave the room for a few minutes to speak with Barlow about security. When he comes back he has a package in his hands. I press my hands into the mattress to sit up and observe his gorgeous face smiling back at me as he saunters over to the bed.
"Mmm what's that?"
"A surprise" he says in his husky voice. "Lean back against the pillows" he orders. I do as he says as he goes about setting up whatever he has in store for me, or us. I'm not sure. He's sitting on the edge of the bed next to me but his back is turned to me, so I cannot see what he is doing. I lift my head up towards him to tease him. "Are you peaking, Mrs Grey?"
"Who, me? No, I'm just stretching."
"Behave" he says before he turns his attention back to the package in his lap. I lean back and wait for my husband to finish whatever he's doing. When he turns around and reveals what is in his hands I am pleasantly surprised. I let out an excited gasp as he places a bowl on my pregnancy belly and leans it against me so that it stays in place. "Chocolate covered strawberries?" He laughs at my high pitched voice, but I don't care. I love these little surprises. He lifts one with two fingers and feeds it to me, holding his hand under my chin so that the fruit doesn't drip onto my nightgown.
"Good?"
"Mmmm, delicious" I say after I manage to swallow some of it. He takes a bite of it and then feeds the rest of it to me. "Thank you. This is perfect, Christian."
"We aim to please."
He feeds me another strawberry and we stare into each other's eyes as I bite and chew. We can have a conversation just with our eyes. We don't need any words.
Christian reaches for the remote control and powers up the big screen TV. "Pick a movie" he says to me as he lies down next to me. He props himself up on his elbow as he flips through the choices.
"That one" I say when he highlights the movie that I want to watch. We settle in and watch the movie, "You've Got Mail" as we indulge in more chocolate covered strawberries. I manage to stay awake for the entire movie, and then doze off in Christian's arms during the ending credits. I vaguely hear him say "Sleep Baby"
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Christian's POV
I feel very relaxed as I drive back to Seattle with Ana by my side. I'd decided that I wanted to drive, so Barlow is following behind us. It is early, so we have a beautiful scene of the sun rising in the east. I love the sky this early in the morning. I am up early most mornings while the rest of the family is still sleeping. Sometimes Natalie would wake this early, but I can usually convince her to go back to sleep. She needs a lot of sleep. When she can't, I would wrap her in a warm blanket and take her outside with me to enjoy the calm. She would go back to sleep at that point. Right now I get to enjoy the calm with my wife.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" I say to her.
"I can remember chasing the dawn with you" she says. "….when you came to see me at my mother's."
"Yes, that was quite a trip. One of the best decisions I've ever made was to follow you to Georgia."
This weekend has brought back memories of when Ana and I were just starting out. The inside jokes, dining at Paley's Place, staying at the Heathman, spending alone time together without the kids….although I do miss them. We have decided to get on the road early so that we can pick Natalie up early. Ana and I don't like to be away from her. She's so little, and even though we trust Kate and Elliot we just want her to be with one of us as often as possible.
I pull into the parking garage at Escala and help Ana out of the car. She could just wait down here for me, but she insists on coming with me so that she can have a little visit with Kate and Elliot. As we ride the elevator up to their suite, I feel the sexual pull that I've always felt toward Ana. To this day it is still as strong as it was when we had first encountered one another. I feel her hand slightly touch mine, and it is like an electric shock. She pulls her hand away and giggles. I get her back by taking her in my arms, pushing her against the wall of the elevator and kissing her. I make sure my kiss is hard and needy, just how she likes it. I have to pull away when the elevator stops just outside their suite, and we are both left panting and wanting more. I shake my head. "Something about elevators. More where that came from later, Mrs Grey" I say breathlessly as I take her hand and lead her out of the elevator.
"Promise?"
I look back at her and cock my eyebrow. "You are so insatiable."
"Oh Please!" I hear my sister-in-law's annoying voice. "Haven't you had enough of that last night?"
I stand next to my wife and wrap my arms around her. "You know I will never have my fill of this woman."
"Ugg" Kate moans. She walks forward and takes Ana into her arms. "Hi Ana"
"Kate" she greets her as we are welcomed into their suite. I close the door behind me. "How's my baby girl?"
Elliot joins us before she has a chance to answer. "Hey you two. How was the competition?"
"Phoebe was amazing" Ana answers. "Just incredible. We were so proud of her." I stand next to my wife again and place my hand on her back. Ana goes on to explain the awards, including our daughter's special award.
"Dance Craze Choice Award?" Kate shouts excitedly. "That's fantastic. Phoebe must have been psyched."
"That she was" I answer proudly.
"That wasn't the only surprise. Trevor showed up" Ana announces. I feel like I'm in the middle of gossip hour here with my wife and sister-in-law. I decide to take a few steps away from my wife and join in conversation with my brother.
"We started asking about Natalie. How was she?" I ask him.
"She's sleeping right now."
"Sleeping? She's usually awake by now. Was she up late?"
I start to grow upset since Ana and I have Natalie on a great sleeping schedule. Ana and Kate join us and I feel Ana's hand on my arm.
"Yes and no."
"Which one?" I ask with a little too much force.
"Christian, take it easy" Ana says as she rubs her hand up and down my arm. "Is everything okay?"
I start to worry since Kate and Elliot seem hesitant to tell us about Natalie. "Please just tell us what's going on" I say a little more calmly.
Elliot and Kate look at each other and then at us. Elliot is the one to speak. "She had a bout of diarrhea yesterday, and she still has it today."
I start to breathe a little easier, although I'm not thrilled that my baby girl is sick. "She's sick? Why didn't you tell us that when we called yesterday?"
"Christian" Ana admonishes, but I wait for an answer anyway.
"Because" Kate answers. "Knowing you, you would have gone thermonuclear and come rushing home to be with her, and you would have missed the competition. Our kids haven't had diarrhea so we called Grace. She said to keep an eye on her, have her drink pedialyte and change her as often as possible."
"Speaking of which" Elliot adds. "I went out and picked up some more diapers and some pedialyte." He walks away and brings a bag back to us. I start to feel guilty for getting upset with them. I know they took good care of my baby girl. But I still would have liked to be with her while she was ill. "Here, you can take the rest of it home. This should last her the next two days."
"Thank you" I say as I take the bag and place it on the floor next to me. "I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"We just get upset whenever our kids are sick" Ana says to defend my behavior. I know she's just as worried about Natalie as I am.
"It's okay. We understand. There's something else though."
"What is it?" I ask, growing concerned again.
"We did change her often, but she has a rash. It's pretty bad" Kate says regrettably. "Grace said to avoid using the cream and try to let her go without a diaper for a few hours."
My poor baby. Now I'm really glad we've decided to come home early. I'm upset but I can't take it out on my brother and his wife. It's not their fault. I reach into my pocket for my wallet and pull some money out, along with a gift card to Canlis. "Here, Ana and I wanted to get something for you for looking after our daughter."
Elliot takes it and his eyes light up. "Canlis, thanks little bro, but you can keep the cash."
"No I insist" I say quickly. "I don't want you to have to pay for things for Natalie."
"Christian, take the money, it's not necessary" Elliot fights back.
"No, Elliot. Don't be difficult."
"You're being difficult. Will you please take the fucking money?"
"Did Grace ever bang your heads together as kids?" Kate asks as she and Ana observe our quarrel.
"She often threatened to" Elliot answers without taking his eyes off of mine. Our faces are just inches away from each other's.
"Okay, that's enough" Ana says as she gets between us. She stands in front of me and Kate joins her husband.
"Kate, Elliot, really thank you so much for taking care of our baby girl. Especially while she was ill. Christian and I would really like for you to take the gift and the money. Please."
"You know, you really shouldn't argue with a pregnant lady" Kate chimes in. It's rare when it happens, but I'm with her on this.
"Fine" Elliot says and pockets the money. "Tip money" he says to Kate as she kisses his cheek.
I look over and notice that Natalie has walked into the room. When she sees us, she runs over to us and wraps herself around my legs. I have to work hard to keep my balance and not fall over. Elliot notices me struggling and grabs my arms to stop me from falling over. I reach down and pick up my daughter. She is whimpering. "Hey Sweet Pea, it's okay" I say to her gently. I rub my hand in circles on her back as she buries her face in my shoulder. "Home?" I ask her. She nods without picking up her head. Poor baby. Ana and I say our goodbyes and ride the elevator down to the car. I have Barlow drive so that Ana and I can both sit in back with Natalie. The guards can come back and collect my car later.
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