Chapter 23
(Phoebe's POV)
I get up and read the note. She brought me a plate of cookies. I should have locked the door. The note says "You looked sad at dinner. I hope the cookies help! I love you so much, Phoebe. XOXO," if that doesn't just absolutely gut me. I stand up and start rushing out the door.
"Phoebe," Nathan says and I turn.
"I fucked up," I say and Nathan comes over to me hugging me tightly.
"Why don't you let me go talk to her," he says and I look at him confused.
"No, Nathan I was-" he cuts me off.
"Bee, you are so emotional right now. Why don't you take a minute and take a couple deep breathes. I wil go talk to her and when you are ready you can come up," he says and I nod. Me breaking down and crying to Claire won't help anyting.
"Just give me five minutes," I say and he nods, kissing my head and heading up to Claire's room. I sit on the end of the bed, taking a second for myself.
(Nathan's POV)
Phoebe is really going through it right now. I am not used to seeing her this fragile. She has been down a lot these past couple of months. All she wants is a baby. I do too, but seeing her get down on herself is heartbreaking.
Henry has been a patient near and dear to Phoebe's heart. I know she doesn't have to visit him daily, but she is in there everyday. Sometimes twice a day to do checks. I know she is beating herself up for not fostering him. I wish I could just go get him for her.
Claire walked in at the absolute worst time. What phoebe said was not to hurt Claire. Hell phoebe would adopt every kid in that hospital if she could. I offered to talk to Claire, I don't thinking phoebe going in there and crying will be of any help. I also don't want Claire to get upset at phoebe.
I walk up to her door and knock. "Claire," I say.
"I just want to be alone please," she says.
"Claire it's just me," I say. "Can we talk?" I ask.
"Hold on," she says and I step back waiting for her to open the door. When she does I see she has her suitcase out. Shit.
"Sit," I say and we both sit at the bench at the end of her bed. Her eyes are tear stained. My heart aches for her. I would never want her to feel Not welcomed.
"What you heard Claire wasn't what it sounded like," I say and she shakes her head.
"It's okay Nathan, no one wants me," she says forcing a smile. This poor girl has moved house to house.
"Phoebe has a patient at the hospital who is going to a group home tomorrow. She has worked with this patient since he was an infant," I start and she shakes her head.
"Nathan, you guys should foster him then not me," He needs you guys she says and goes back to packing.
"Sweetheart, we Didn't know he was going there until today. We didn't have to pick him or you. We want you here. Phoebe is just very upset about him leaving, she is beating herself up over it," he says and Claire looks at me.
"It isn't her fault," she says and I nod. Try telling her that.
"I know, she just cares a lot. She never wanted you to think she doesn't want you here. She is so happy you are here. So am I. We love you, Claire," I say and tears start to pour down her face.
"I love you guys too, but I don't want you guys to have to keep watching me. You guys should bring that child here," she says as she puts another shirt in her suitcase. I kneel down on the ground.
"Claire, we want you here. We don't want you to feel unwelcome. We are so happy you are here," I say and she shrugs.
"Phoebe is downstairs distraught. She did not intend for you to hear that. Not without the first part of what she was saying," I say and she nods.
"We screwed up, Claire. It was a miscommunication. We want you to stay with us," I say and she nods looking down knotting her hands in her lap.
"I want to be here," she says and I smile. She leans over and gives me the biggest hug. I smile and rub her back. There's a knock at the door and we see Phoebe.
"Hi sweetheart," she says.
"Hi," Claire says.
"I'm sorry," Claire and Phoebe say at the exact same time.
"You have nothing to be sorry about," Phoebe says.
"I shouldn't have ran out. It was a misunderstanding and I reacted too quickly," Claire says and Phoebe shakes her head going over and hugging Claire.
I smile as they hug in front of me. I know phoebe feels awful. This is a weight off of her chest.
"You have nothing to apologize for. I should have done a better job explaining what I said," Phoebe says and Claire hugs her tightly.
"I love you, Phoebe," Claire says and I see a tear roll down Phoebe's cheek.
"I love you more, sweet girl," she says and I smile.
"Did you try the cookies?" Claire asks.
"I did not get a chance too," Phoebe says and smiles. "I will go down and eat one before bed," she says.
"Okay, tomorrow I was thinking we could maybe go shopping for an outfit for Sunday. I want to look good for your family," she says and Phoebe looks at me and smiles.
"Of course, Nathan gets off work at 1 so we could go then," she suggests. Oh I'm included in the shopping trip.
"Perfect," Claire says.
"I really didn't mean to be dramatic. I'm sorry I caused a scene," Claire says. I feel horrible that she thinks we are angry.
"Claire, honey. We are not mad at all. We just want you to know that we are so happy that you are here," I say and she nods.
"Okay, I am happy to be here too," she says and smiles.
"Well everyone looks exhausted, why don't we go to bed," Phoebe suggests and we all nod.
"Goodnight, Claire," I say kissing her head.
"Goodnight guys," she says and we shut her room door on the way out. I wrap my arm around Pheebs as we walk down to our room. When we get into our bedroom I shut the door this time.
Phoebe lays on her side of the bed and gets under the covers. I sit on the edge of the bed and look at her. She is so effortlessly beautiful. She doesn't even know it. Her grey eyes pop against her pink cheeks from crying.
"Are you okay, Bee?" I ask her and she nods slightly. I can tell she isn't. I pull her against my chest and she breaks down crying. I rub her back as her small fingers grip my arms.
"Shhh it's okay, he'll be safe in the home," I say. And she nods slightly.
"I'm sorry," she says and I kiss her head.
"I love you," I say. I lay down and pull her against my chest. I run my fingers through her hair as she cries against my chest. I know there isn't much I can say to make this better. I just hold her and tell her how much I love her.
My heart aches watching the woman I love most in the world cry. I kiss her head occasionally. When her crying slows I look down and see she fell asleep. I turn the lights off and pull the comforter up so she is fully covered. I keep her in my arms and rub her back.
"I love you, Bee," I say and hold her.
(Phoebe's POV)
*Day of Nathan and Claire's party*
I wake up to Nathan wrapped around me like a vine. I smile and kiss his head flopping his unruly hair back. He needs a haircut. He looks so peaceful sleeping. It is his birthday tomorrow. Claire's two days ago. She got her license and is now a driving lady.
Nathan and I got her a car. We are going to surprise her tonight with it. It's a new Volkswagen. We saw she had been looking at older ones.
I am so excited for tonight. It marks two weeks of Claire being with us. I feel like she is our actual daughter.
This week was hard having to say goodbye to Henry. Lucky Lia has been keeping me updated. He got moved in okay and she goes to check this Wednesday. My heart breaks thinking about that little man.
I still haven't gotten my period. I'm coming up on two weeks late. I have a test under my sink. I vowed to myself that if I don't get my period by 3 tomorrow I'd take it. I'm just scared of what it says.
Nathan starts to stir and sits up next to me. "Good morning," he says in his sexy morning voice that makes me want to jump him.
"Morning baby," I smile.
"How'd you sleep?" I ask. .
"Mmmmm good after you wore me out," he smirks and kisses my bare shoulder. Pervert.
"I love your blush," he says and stands up stretching. He is so hot. I eye his tan and muscular body.
"I'm going to work out, care to join?" He asks.
"Are you calling me fat?" I ask him and he laughs coming over and climbing on top of me.
"When did I call you fat?" He asks and tickles me making me die of laughter.
"Stop stop," I cry.
"Come on come workout," he says and I sigh agreeing. It couldn't hurt. I go into my closet and throw my hair up. I put on my baby blue sports bra and leggings. I put on deodorant, brush my teeth, and follow Nathan upstairs.
We head into the gym shutting the door so we don't wake Claire. Nathan gets us mats and he steps on his stretching. "Okay, what now," I say after I touch my toes once.
"Stretch," he says and I sigh following what he is doing.
"Okay let's start on the treadmill," he says getting me set up. He inclines it and speeds it up. He gets on his and starts to run.
"This is nice," he says and looks over at me.
"Nice is a stretch," I say as I am already out of breath. I've always been naturally skinny. I have a very fast metabolism. Working out is really for me.
"How much longer," I ask and he looks over smiling.
"You got it," he says. "Your ass looks amazing in those," he says and I roll my eyes.
After we get off the treadmill, we go over to the weights. I try to pick one up and fail miserably. "Careful, we already had a broken knuckle," he says and I smirk.
"Okay now 20 of those," he says after teaching me to lift properly.
"You're Fucking nuts, 10," I say and he shakes his head.
"Come on," he says and starts lifting his weights. I just watch to sit and watch him. Is that an option? I would burn calories from sweating.
I am sweating up a storm and Nathan looks like he hasn't started working out. "I might have to take you in here," Nathan says whispering in my ear behind me. He grabs my butt making me squeal.
We do abs then a leg workout. I decide to do a butt workout to make him hot and bothered. It works as he drops his weights and pins me against the wall kissing me.
"You are so fucking hot," he says and I smirk kissing him. We hear a door shut and Nathan backs off. Claire is up.
"Later," I smile. He nods and we clean up heading downstairs.
"I'm making eggs," Claire says as she sees us.
"Yum, I'm going to make a smoothie for Pheebs and myself," Nathan says. "Do you want some?" He asks Claire and she shakes her head.
"What time are we heading over tonight? Claire asks.
"Well leave here around 5," I say and she nods.
"I was wondering if I could go to a friends for an hour or two today," she says.
"I don't see why not as long as you are ready to go by 5," I say and she nods.
"Thank you," she smiles and keeps cooking. We eat breakfast on the patio and go inside cleaning up. I go to shower and Nathan takes Claire to her friends. Sawyer is of course going with her.
I get out and am towel drying my hair when Nathan comes in. "Hi," I smile and kiss him.
"How was she?" I ask.
"Good, I learned she loves Justin Bieber," Nathan says and I laugh.
"Who doesn't love JB?" I ask and Nathan laughs.
"Where did her friend live?" I ask.
"Off Nelson," he says and I nod.
"Thanks for taking her," I say and he says of course and gets in the shower. I stay in comfy clothes and head out to make a salad to bring tonight.
I make a lemon chicken salad. It is really yummy. I also pull Nathan's favorite wine to bring. While Nathan is in the shower I grab his gift and wrap it. I got him new scrubs because he needs new ones desperately. That was my casual wife gift. Then for his surprise, I got him, Teddy, and Andrew season tickets to basketball games this season. Front row seats every home and away game.
I wrap them up nicely and hide the gift. As I come out Nathan is in sweats and a T-shirt looking effortlessly beautiful. As usual. He comes around and kisses me.
"What can I do?" he asks and I say nothing. I finished making the salad and have it in the fridge.
"Are you excited for tonight?" He asks and I nod.
"I am, I have missed Ava and Andrew and my grandparents. And we get to see Berkeley. Nana is coming right?" I ask and he nods smiling.
"Good, I have missed her." I say and he agrees.
"Well we have a little bit of time to just relax. What do you want to do?" I ask.
"I have nothing I need to do," he says and I agree. Usually there is something that needs to be done either with work or something.
"This is new," I laugh and he nods.
"Well we could watch TV in bed," I say and he takes my hand and we go into our room. It is a rainy day so Nathan shuts the curtains. We get into our just made bed and cozy up. I smile and kiss him. We turn on HGTV and chill out.
"Bee," Nathan says and I nod.
"Um I have been meaning to talk to you about this," he says and I sit up concerned.
"Well the hospital contacted me and asked me for a meeting. The one that I told you about," he says and I nod.
"Is everything okay?" I ask worried.
"Yes, everything is great. They wanted to take a group of interns to teach them," he says and I am shocked. He is still so new. He is amazing at his job, so it doesn't shock me.
"Babe, that's amazing," I say and lean in kissing him.
"I don't know if I am going to do it," he says.
"What? Are you crazy?" I ask. Nathan would be amazing at that job.
"I don't know, it would require more work hours. I just don't want to be away from you and if we… when we get pregnant I want to be here as much as possible," he says and my heart aches a bit.
"Nate," I smile and straddle his lap.
"We will cross that bridge when we get to it, this is an amazing opportunity," I remind him and he nods smiling.
"So I can take it?" he asks.
"Are you crazy? You better take it," I smile and kiss him. "I am so proud of you," I say.
After a few hours of TV, we start to get ready for tonight. Claire gets dropped off while I'm curling my hair. She runs upstairs to get ready.
I smile and start to put on my makeup. After I get dressed in a cute white short sleeve shirt and a skirt. I put on hoop earrings and head out. Claire is already downstairs when I come out. She looks adorable in her green off the shoulder dress.
Nathan and her are talking about something. "You ready?" He asks and I nod smiling. We drive in the car together to my parents house. They have balloons in the driveway and I smile.
When we walk in only my parents and Ted and Olivia are there. I rush to my dad who hugs me tightly. I have missed him. "Hi Bubs," he says and I smile. I hug my mom tightly too.
"Claire, you look beautiful sweetheart," my mom says, hugging her.
"Thank you, Mrs. Grey," she says. My mom reminds her it's Ana.
"Claire," my dad says and fist bumps her making her laugh.
"Hi Claire, I'm Olivia," Liv says to Claire. Claire gives her a hug. Olivia looks amazing with her little bump. She is in a tight blue dress. I hug her after.
Ted luckily remembered what I said and gave Olivia a fist bump. Men giving her hugs just crosses a line. Nathan can, but she initiated it.
"So what can we get you guys?" My mom asks. Nathan says a glass of wine, Claire says sprite, and I ask for water.
"Are you sure you don't want a glass, Phoebe?" My mom says. "It's your favorite still right?" My dad asks. Shoot. I don't want to give any ideas.
"I'm good, I have a bit of a headache so i'm going to hydrate," I smile and they nod. My dad eyes me and I avoid eye contact.
"So Olivia, we heard you got your license," my dad says.
"Oh my goodness, congrats," Teddy says and I smile.
"Yeah, I didn't think I would pass," she says laughing.
"Hey you're a better driver than Pheebs," Nathan says and I ly swat his arm.
"Hey I'm not the one with two speeding tickets and a parking ticket," I say and he shrugs taking a sip of his wine.
"Says the one with two parking tickets and a speeding ticket," I smirk and he laughs along with everyone.
The door opens and Mia's family walks in along with my grandparents and Nana Moore. I cannot believe how much both of my cousins have grown. Isabelle is a young woman now. And my little cousin William is not a little seven year old. He is a junior in high school and is an avid lacrosse player. He is a good looking boy now.
I hug Nana Moore and Mia's family. I introduce her to them all at once. She goes around and gets hugs and fist bumps from Uncle Ethan. I watch closely gauging how she is. I don't want her to feel overwhelmed. I watch as she goes to meet William. I have to hide my giggles as Claire's face meets his. She looks shocked and in love. William stares back until Nathan clears his throat. I smirk at him as they quickly shake hands.
Nana Moore spends a long time talking to Claire as they meet. After we all head into the kitchen. Overtime, Ava and Andrew and their parents come, then Berkeley and Mrs. Moore. Claire has finally met everyone. She seems comfortable.
"Bubs," my dad says and I look over. He nods me over to him.
"What's up?" I ask.
"Is this okay? Is Claire comfortable?" He asks and I smile. He is so caring.
"I think she's doing pretty well," I say and nod over to her and William laughing talking to my uncle Elliott. I can only imagine what he is saying.
"Oh Elliott," he says and I laugh.
"I just want to make sure. I've been right where she is and it is scary," he says and I smile hugging him.
"Thank you for having us," I say. He smiles looking down at me.
"I love you sweetheart," he says.
"I love you too," I say. We head back in where I talk to Mia and Ava about the LV collection. Ava is marketing it.
"Dinner is ready," I hear Gail say. I smile and head into the dining room. We are having Italian tonight. Lasagna, pasta, pizza all made by Gail.
I sit next to Nathan and Claire. On the other side of Claire I notice is William. I can see them talking. I can also see William being smooth and making her laugh. He's learned from the best.
I am talking with Nathan and Berkeley and Nana. Berkeley is thriving. She is still dating Cole and accepted an internship in the heart of Seattle. Cole couldn't come tonight because of an emergency.
"Are you good?" I whisper to Claire. She is looking down. When she looks up I see a blush like no other on her face.
"Yeah yeah, the food is great," she says and I smile.
"Okay, I just wanted to make sure." I say and she nods smiling.
I go back to talking to my parents. They are planning a trip for this fall to go to Europe. They deserve a trip just the two of them. They work so hard. I hope someday Nathan and I can take spuredic trips to Europe. Right now we are both so busy.
After dinner is cleaned up, we get the cake out. We all gather around the counter and I have Claire and Nathan at the head of the counter. I light the cake and put it in front of them.
Everyone sings happy birthday and I film. Claire gets teary eyed as she looks around. Nathan has an arm around Claire and the biggest smile on his face. They both blow out the candles and everyone claps.
We all get pieces of cake and sit. I have Ava next to me. "Okay don't call me a pedo or a creep," she says and I know whatever is about to come out of her mouth can't be good.
"But how cute is William now. We definitely would have found him hot in high school," she says and I about spit out the cake I'm eating from laughter.
"Tell me I'm wrong," she says and shakes her head.
"I can't, but it is so wrong to say. He is a good looking kid," I say and she nods.
"I think Claire noticed," she says and nods over to the two of them. I smile as those two have been attached at the hip all night.
"I ship them," she says.
"You what them?" I ask.
"Ship… come on Pheebs you can't be this old and act it. It means you see them together as a couple," she says and I nod. Ship like relationship.
"Okay…," I say laughing.
"Does she have a boyfriend?" Ava asks.
"Not that I know of," I say.
"She's very pretty," Ava says and I agree. She is a very stunning girl.
I go over and talk to William and Claire. My dad comes and sits by us too. We discuss Williams lacrosse offer to USC. it is so crazy how he got that.
"I'm super excited about it. I am only a junior though, so I still have time," he says and I nod.
"It is true, we are very proud of you," I say.
"Yeah," Claire says agreeing with me. She blushes and looks down when he thanks her.
"Claire, did Ana and Phoebe show you the grounds of the house near the sound?" My dad asks.
"No Mr. Grey," she says.
"Christian honey, Mr. Grey is only for Nathan," my dad teases making her laugh.
"Well I could show you," I offer.
"Or I can," William Jump's in and realizes how excited he sounds. "I mean.. I can if you want to stay in here Phoebe," William says and I laugh.
"Claire is that okay?" I ask and she nods smiling and as large as I've seen her smile.
"Yes that's perfect," she says. I smile and watch as they walk out the back. William holds the door for her.
"Would you look at that," my dad says and I laugh taking a sip of my water.
"Young love," I smirk.
"I know that look in her eyes," my dad says.
"What look?" I ask.
"That's the same look you had when Nathan came over for the first time," he says and I shake my head laughing.
"I'm telling you it is. You looked at that boy like he hung the moon with his pretty face," my dad says and I laugh again.
"Hey I told you, I believe you hung the moon, but maybe Nathan held it while you hung it," I say and my dad laughs kissing my head.
We head over and talk to Nana Moore who pesters my dad about letting her cook instead of Gail. Nana Moore and Gail have become quite the friends. They go to lunch, get their nails done, and are in the same book club. It makes me so happy.
"Well you know, I need someone to cook for. All of my kids are all grown and so are my grand babies," she says and I smile.
"We love having you here and cooking for you Nana," my dad says. Everyone calls her nana around here. I don't think I've heard anyone call her Eleanor.
"Let me help Gail one night," she says.
"We can arrange that," my dad smiles. She punches his cheek and I smile.
"Oh thank you Christian," she says. I feel an arm come around my waist and I smile turning and seeing Nathan.
"Hi Babe," I say. Nathan leans over kissing Nana's cheek.
"Where is the kid?" He asks looking around for Claire.
"She went on a walk to see the scenery with William," I say.
"Oh, is someone with them," he asks, protective Nathan coming out.
"No," I say and he buries his head in my neck.
"Oh goodie," he says and I laugh.
"You're fine," I say and reach my hand up to his hair. He looks amazing tonight.
"It's almost your birthday," I say and look at my watch seeing it's 10 pm.
"One more year," he says and I laugh.
"27 already looks so hot on you," I say and he laughs.
"There she is," I say. When the patio door opens I see Claire and William come back. She is wearing his jacket. Claire comes over to us.
"Hi girly girl, how was the tour?" I ask.
"It was great. This house is amazing," she says and when she realizes she still has Williams jacket on she blushes and quickly removes it.
"I better give this back," she says and scurries off. I laugh and look to Nathan.
"Oh the classics have my jacket, you're cold in the middle of July," he says and I laugh.
"Something you would have done," I smirk and he flicks me playfully.
After the night winds down we all say goodbye. I watch as Claire and William exchange numbers. We head home and have our surprise for Claire in her parking spot.
"Claire, we have your present ready," I say as we all pull into the garage.
"You guys didn't have to get me anything," she says.
"Of course we did, now this is all paid for," Nathan says. "You do not have to worry about it," Nathan says.
When we step out and she sees the white Volkswagen her mouth drops. "I can't… you guys," she says and looks to us. She is speechless for awhile.
"You did this for me," she says and we both say of course. She begins to cry and runs to hug us both.
"I can't accept this," she says.
"You can, and you will," Nathan says hugging her tightly.
She gets into her new car and starts it. It is a very pretty car. I smile as she invites us.
For the rest of the night she takes us around the city driving her little heart out.