Chapter 19
(Phoebe's POV)
Today is the Fourth of July. Nathan and I have invited our siblings and parents over early. Nana Moore is also coming, bless her heart. We are going to tell them about Claire coming to stay with us. The outdoor lounge is all decorated and ready for today. I am wearing a red and white polka dotted wrap dress. I have on white slip on shoes. Nathan has his white shirt and navy shorts.
This morning Nathan and I took our time getting ready. Certain activities drew out our process. We are both insatiable. It is okay, I love this husband of mine.
"You ready?" Nathan asks helping me put my necklace on.
"More or less," I smile.
"Well there's no better time than now I guess," he says and I nod. We head out to the living room. I am drinking green tea.
My mom and dad arrive first of course. They are always early. Well my dad drags my mom out of the house. "Hi guys," I say going over to them.
"Hi sweet girl," my mom says, hugging me. I hug her tightly. Oh I missed my mom.
"Hi dad," I say.
"Bubs," my dad says, hugging me and kissing my head.
"Happy Fourth of July," I say and my parents say it back.
"Can we get you guys anything to drink?" I ask.
"I'll take a beer," my dad says and I smile grabbing him one. Nathan makes my mom a gin and tonic.
Next the Moore's arrive. Berkeley and Cole are here along with Nana Moore and Mrs. Moore. We hug all of them. Nana hugs me espically tight. They go and sit with my parents as Teddy and Olivia arrive. I put my hand on Olivia's belly as she greets me.
"How are you?" I ask.
"As my first trimester ends, I am feeling less and less sick," she says and I nod.
"I'm so glad. You are glowing," I say. She smiles and thanks me. I then hug Teddy tightly. Nathan and Olivia head in the living room where everyone is sitting.
"Bubs, before we go in there," Teddy says and I turn around the corner so we have privacy.
"What's up?" I ask.
"Are you… are you going to tell us you're pregnant," he says and my heart drops a bit. I wish that was the news I was telling them.
"Are you saying I look fat?" I ask and he smiles at me.
"You are a stick we both know that," he says.
"No that is not the news I am telling you," I say and he nods.
"Oh okay," he says. "Well I don't have to kill Nathan then," he says and I shake my head.
"We are married you know? Married couples have sex," I say
"Not my baby sister," he says and wraps an arm around me.
When we go out we sit in the living room. Nathan and I sit in front of everyone. "Happy fourth guys," I start. Everyone says it back.
"So Phoebe and I have some news that we want to share with you all," Nathan starts.
"We just figured this out yesterday, so it was very sudden for us too," I say.
"We are going to be fostering a 15 year old that helped in the hospital for a month," I say. Everyone is staring at us.
"I was the doctor on the case and Phoebe was her psychologist. She has been through a large amount of truama and is going to be living with her aunt. Unfortunatly, her aunt is gone for the next month out of the country. She has panicked about being out into a random foster home. Since Phoebe and I have gone through the foster parent and truama training we agreed to gain custody over her," Nathan says and I nod. I look around at everyone.
"That's great," Berkeley says. I smile thanking her.
"How are you going to do that with work?" My dad asks.
"Well we are both taking time off to get her adjusted and after that we have a huge support system around us. Nathan and I can also take turns being here," I say.
"You know we will help you," Mrs. Moore says and Olivia and Ted agree.
"Us too," my mom says. I smile and thank them. I look at my dad and he is silent. I am worried about what he is thinking.
"So tell us more about her," Ted says. "I am going to be an Uncle," he says and that almost brings tears to my eyes.
"Well her name is Claire, she is 15 years old. Her birthday is July 17th, so she will be here with us for it. She is a sophomore in high school. She goes to Seattle High School. She has had a pretty tough past life, but she is strong," I say and they all nod.
"Well she will be here tomorrow, we are going to try to keep it just us 3 for a couple days, but wanted to extend the invite to a family dinner here on Sunday," I say. They all nod.
"Of course, can we bring anything?" Nana Moore asks. This italian woman.
"Oh you are okay, thank you though," I smile. I say this knowing that she will be bringing a full course meal on Sunday.
"Well we should all be heading up, dad would you stay back for a second?" I ask. He nods and stands up. Everyone else hugs us and filters out.
"Do you want me to stay?" Nathan asks me. I shake my head no. He needs to be up there for when everyone comes. I also think my dad just needs to talk to me. Nathan heads upstairs and I stay back.
"You didn't say much in there," I say and my dad looks at me.
"Bubs, I am happy for you. This whole situation just makes me nervous," he says. I nod and sit down with him.
"Why is that?" I ask.
"This child, she is going to need a lot of support. I know you can do it, but…" he sighs running his hand through his hair. "I am just worried about the toll this is going to take on you," he says. I nod as that is completely understandable.
"A child is a lot of work," he says and I nod.
"I know that dad, I work with them all day. I see more children in a day than adults. I know Claire is going to be a lot of work. But Nathan and I felt called to do this. We both are certified and if we didn't she could end up anywhere," I say.
"What if you get attached?" He asks. "You know she is going to be taken from you in a month and that is going to be so hard," he says.
"It is. But that is not what this is about. This is about providing a home for a child who needs it. We are at such a loss of foster and adoptive parents right now in Washington," I say and he nods.
"Dad, I wouldn't do this if I wasn't 100% ready. I know this is scary, but you have to trust me that I can do this," I say. He nods and takes my hand.
"I don't doubt for a second that you can do this. I just hate to see you hurt," he says and I nod.
"I promise you, I am ready," I say and he nods.
"Okay, then all I can do is support you in any way you need," he says.
"Have you gotten the room ready?" He asks and I nod.
"Do you think she'll like me?" He asks. What a silly question.
"she will love you," I say and he smiles.
We hug it out. I don't blame my dad for being worried at all. It is a scary experience. I am so excited though. I think Claire will really enjoy my parents.
We head up to the lounge. It looks amazing. All of the decorations look great. I am pretty proud of myself. All the food is out and kids are swimming and music is playing.
"You did all this?" My dad asks.
"Yes sir," I smile and he shakes his head smiling.
"You are so great, Phoebe Gr- Moore," he says and I wink at him.
"Bee," I hear an 8 year old spencer yell. I smile and bend down hugging her tightly. I can't believe she is 8. She was 2 just yesterday.
"Hi Mr. Christian," she says and hugs my dad too. She is such a spunky kid.
"Blake wants to see you," she says. Blake is almost 4.
"I will have to go say hi. Did you say hi to Nathan?" I ask her.
"Working on it," she says and runs off. I laugh and look to my dad as he shakes his head.
"Crazy how they grow," he says and I nod.
"Like weeds," I say.
My dad goes and meets my mom with their friends. I go greet Maisy. She is one month away from having her baby. She'll be full term next week. "Hi momma," I say and hug her.
"I feel like a pig," she says and I shake my head. The only place she has grown is her stomach. And her boobs. I'm jealous of those.
"You look amazing," I say.
"I'm ready to get OJ out of here," she says. They call the baby OJ because those are her initials. No one knows the name yet. except Nathan and I.
"I believe it," I say and rub her belly.
"Ahhh have a drink for me," she says and I laugh.
Blake Cruz runs up to me. She looks adorable in a little flag print dress with her hair in pigtails. She is holding a red bathing suit. I pick her up hugging her tightly. "Hi cutie pie," I say and she laughs.
"Bee Bee, I wanna swim," she says.
"You can swim," I say.
"I needs help putting this on," she says and I smile.
"Okay let's go put it on," I say. I take her inside and go into my bedroom.
"Are the boys swimming?" I ask her.
"Um I thinks so," she says and I smile.
"Where is Karsyn?" I ask her.
"She is in the stroller," she says and I nod. I help her put her bathing suit on and as we walk back out we see Nathan in the kitchen. Blake runs over.
"Hi Natin," she says and Nathan picks her up throwng her up and catches her. Her belly laugh is contagious.
"Are you going for a swim?" he asks and she nods.
"Okay, have fun," he says and she runs outside. Nathan is refilling the water bucket. It is a beautiful day outside.
"You good, Bee?" he asks and I nod smiling.
He hugs me and kisses my head. I help him put more bottled waters into the ice bucket. When I try to lift it Nathan quickly grabs it from me. "Hey," I say.
"I got it, Babe," he says and I smirk.
I walk outside and Ava runs up to me. "Um Grey," she says.
"Yes my dear," I say. She laughs and grabs me by the elbow pulling me to the side.
"One your hair looks amazing, did you get a new wand?" she asks and I shake my head no. "No same one I have been using," she rolls her eyes and I laugh.
"And two what in the hell is this about you having a child," she says. I knew I should have just invited her to the initial telling of the family.
"Well Nathan and I are fostering for a month," I say.
"And she is a teenager?" she asks and I nod.
"Goodness Grey, you kill me," she says and I laugh. She still calls me Grey. It drives Nathan nuts
"I would be mad at you, but I want you to go make me one of your killer cocktails," she says and I laugh walking over to the bar with her.
"What happened to telling me things?" she asks.
"Hey, in all fairness I learned this yesterday," I say as I make her a Phoebe special.
"Can we take her shopping," she asks. I smirk and hand her the fruity drink.
"Well if she wants we can," I say and she laughs.
"I'm going to be an Aunt," she claps and I laugh and smile.
"She'll love you," I say. All of a sudden I feel someone grab my waist. I smile and turn seeing Nathan.
"Hey Ava," Nathan says as he hugs me from behind.
"Hey hot stuff, well I have to get back to my hot stuff," she says and thanks me for the drink walking away.
"You have your swim trunks on," I say and he nods.
"I promised the Cruz kids I would swim with them, the boys want to play basketball," he says and I nod smiling. They love Nathan so much.
"Have you seen the baby?" I ask. He shakes his head no. I point to Rose Cruz and we head over.
"Phoebe, Nathan," she says and hugs us both. She is holding Karsyn who is almost one now. She is so cute and looks exactly like Drew did.
"How are you?" I ask smiling.
"Amazing, my hands are full with 6 kids, but I love it," she says and I nod. That's a lot of people.
"Can I hold her?" I ask and she says of course and passes me Karsyn.
"Hi cutie pie," I say and bounce her on my hip. She giggles and babbles.
"So when am I going to get to have a little Moore baby to play with and spoil?" She asks us. The pit in my stomach grows. I want a baby so bad.
"Hopefully soon," I smile.
"Are you guys trying?" She asks and I nod. Nathan wraps an arm around my waist comfortingly.
"Yeah, no baby yet though," I say smiling to Nathan. He takes Karsyn from me. She giggles as she bops his nose. It melts my heart seeing Nathan with a baby.
I smile as I see how happy Nathan looks holding her. He laughs as she grabs his face. I want to be able to give him that. The ping of hurt in my chest returns.
"I am going to sneak off to the bathroom while I can," I say mustering the biggest smile I can. I hug rose again and sneak off. I head into our master bedroom and lean against the counter.
This will be our fourth month trying. I'm starting to get scared. I would do IVF but I just know how stressful that can be. I'm trying so hard not to cry. I take a deep breath.
There's a knock in the bathroom and before I can unlock the door Nathan walks in. "Hi I was just-" before I can finish he wraps me in a hug.
I can't stop the tears from flowing down my face. I want to make Nathan as happy as he was holding Karsyn. "What's going in?" He asks me.
"Nothing, let's get back out there we have guests," he says.
"Your parents and Gail and Teddy are out there. We are fine. What's going on?" He asks and I wipe my eyes.
"Ugh, just frustrated," I say. I start fixing my makeup.
"About what?" He asks leaning against the door frame.
"Seeing you with Karsyn. I just… I want to be able to make you that happy," I say and he comes over to me and turns me around picking me up and putting me on the counter so we are eye to eye. He stands in between my legs cupping my face.
"You Phoebe Moore make me the happiest. You have for these past 10 years. You are the love of my life. We are going to have kids, and we are going to grow old together. I love you and only you. You never doubt that," he says. I can't even form the words to say how reassured that made me. I lean forward cupping his face kissing him.
He holds me as we start to make out. He starts to kiss my neck. I turn my head to the side to give him more access. "Nathan," I say. If we start this we will never go back out. He pulls back laughing at me.
"We will never go back out there," I say and he laughs.
"I know, we'll finish later," he says and I blush. He helps me hop down and as we walk out he grabs my elbow stopping me.
"I mean it, you make me the happiest man alive," he says and I hug him tightly as he kisses my head.
"Thank you," I say and he kisses me.
We head back out to the party. Everyone is having a great time. I see the Cruz boys playing basketball and as soon as they see Nathan they call for him. CraZy how big they are. Nathan takes off his shirt and gets into the pool with them.
I try to cover my eye fucking him as he plays with the kids. He is SO hot. Truly just so hot. I stand with my drink watching him. "He's great isn't he?" I hear Nana Moore's sweet voice. I turn to see her watching him too.
"He is, I am very lucky," I say.
"Oh he says the same thing," she says and I look at her curiously.
"Phoebe, he talks about you nonstop. That man worships the ground you walk on. Ever since you were 17, he would ask me 'Nana how do I not screw this up? How do I keep her happy? This girl is the one I want to marry.' He is so in love with you. I have never seen him in his life so happy." She says and I blush. My heart melts.
"He always has made me so happy. I have never met anyone like him. He has my heart and sole," I say and she smiles.
"Never doubt that he loves you. Because let me tell you that boy would walk to the end of the earth for you," she says and I thank her hugging her tightly.
"How have you been?" I ask her.
"Good, I have my work out class Monday's and Wednesdays and fridays. And then my knitting club Tuesday and Thursday," she says and I smile. She's keeping busy which is good.
"That's great," I say and she smiles.
After talking to Nana Moore, I go and talk to Maisy and Kendra and Ava. We are talking about all sorts of things. These girls are so fun. We are all drinking our cocktails except Maisy of course.
After our fun day the night hits. Everyone is putting on sweatshirts. Dinner is served too. We are grilling. There are cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken, and a bunch of sides. There also is an ice cream stand and a bunch of other desserts.
I am sitting at a table with the Cruz's. Blake is on Nathan's lap. Maisy and my parents are also here. I am having so much fun. These kids are keeping me entertained.
When the fireworks start everyone is enjoying the dessert. I kiss Nathan as the fireworks go off.
"I love you, my girl," he says.
"I love you too," I say and he kisses me.