Chapter 27 (RL)
Nathan pulls up to the house. In front are a bunch of kids. Nathan is pissed and I am too. Claire does not need to be sneaking out. We could lose custody of her. My heart breaks at that thought.
There are two cop cars and about 10 kids outside. I spot Claire immediately. She looks scared out of her mind. She is in a miniskirt and top. Nathan walks up to the police and Claire walks over.
"You are her legal guardian?" The cop asks. He continues to ask questions.
"Are you okay, Claire?" I ask her and she nods. I can smell the alcohol on her. Oh Claire.
"I'm so sorry," she cries.
"I know," I say.
"Let's go," Nathan says in a clipped tone. Oh no this can't be good.
Claire gets in the back seat and Nathan and I get into the front seat. "They aren't pressing charges against the kids. They are letting them go," Nathan says and I let out a sigh of relief.
"Guys I'm so sorry," Claire says.
"We will talk when we get home," Nathan says and I nod.
We pull into the garage and walk into the elevator. I watch as Nathan eyes her outfit. He is not happy in the slightest. I am not either. If she got in trouble she could have been placed into a different foster home.
When we get into the kitchen, Claire sits down on a stool looking down. I get her water and an Advil. I don't know how much she drank, but she doesn't need a hangover.
"Explain," Nathan says with no nonsense in his voice and standing with his hands on the counter. Claire looks up at us and then down to her lap.
"I went out to a party. It was dumb and then the police came," she says and Nathan looks pissed.
"That's not enough, when did you leave, who did you go with, how much did you drink? Do you understand how you could have been hurt?" Nathan asks.
"I left at around 11:30. I didn't drink. I know I said it was stupid," she says and I shake my head.
"Claire, we know you drank. We can smell it on your breath don't lie," I say.
"I only had a cup," she says and I shake my head.
"Claire you are underage. Any amount is not okay. Who did you go with?" Nathan asks, raising his voice slightly.
"I can't, I can't tell you guys," she says and starts to cry.
"Go to your room," Nathan says.
"Guys I'm sorry," she says.
"We know," I say.
"Leave your phone down here and go to your room," Nathan says.
When she is gone Nathan runs his hands through his hair. "I knew if she was down here any longer I would have blown up on her," Nathan says.
"Does she understand we could lose her?" He asks and I nod.
"I don't know, you did a good thing by separating yourself so you didn't get too angry," I say and he nods. I hug him and he rubs my back.
"I am so frustrated. She could have been so hurt," he says and I nod.
"How did Sawyer not see her leave?" I ask.
"Sawyer's sick," he says and I totally forgot.
"How are we going to deal with this tomorrow?" He asks.
"Well when tensions cool down we need to talk to her about liability and responsibility. We need to set up more boundaries," I say and he nods.
"Let's get you to bed baby, you don't need this stress," he says and I nod.
We get into bed and fall back asleep. I didn't realize how those nerves of being a parents affected me.
When I wake up in the morning Nathan is gone. I assume he is working out. I realize that last night was not a nightmare and dread the conversation to come. I don't want to be stern with Claire but she has to understand how reckless that was.
I walk out to the kitchen and begin making breakfast. Not before I have to run to the bathroom to vomit. "Oh baby," I hear Nathan's voice in the side bathroom.
"I'm sorry," he says and rubs my back. I throw up one more time before getting up and brushing my teeth.
"You amaze me," he said, rubbing my belly and kissing my head.
I finish cooking breakfast and look to the stairs. Usually Claire is down here by now. I eat my peanut butter banana toast and wait. Nathan comes out from his shower and drinks his protein shake.
"Should we go get her? I'm getting nervous," I say and he nods.
"I got it baby, you just threw up," he says and I thank him. I clean up the dishes and leave Claire's breakfast plate out.
Nathan comes down and looks upset. Sad and angry. "What's up?" I ask.
"She's not feeling very well, I'm assuming a hangover. She said she just got out of the shower and will be down in 10," he says and I nod. Oh boy she is not making this easy on herself. I got out water and another Advil for her to take this afternoon.
I wrap Elliot's gift and by the time I'm done Claire walks down. Nathan comes over and stands next to me. "Eat breakfast and take that pill. Then we are going to talk in the living room," Nathan says and she nods.
"Okay, thank you for breakfast," she says.
"You are welcome honey," I say. She eats a piece of toast and some bacon. She takes the Advil and comes and sits down. She is on the couch across from Nathan and I.
"Claire, Phoebe and I were very disappointed in your actions last night. What you did was incredibly dangerous. We want an explanation of what happened," Nathan says and I nod. Claire's eyes well up with tears. I just want to go over and hug her. Looks like we've figured out who the pushover is.
"I was invited to the party… I knew I shouldn't have gone, but my friend was. I don't want you guys to be angry at me. I'm so sorry I keep screwing up," she says and tears fall down her face.
"Who took you there Claire?" I ask.
"You guys can't tell anyone," she says.
"Claire," Nathan says.
"William," she says and starts to cry. I knew it. When I looked at Nathan he knew it too.
"Please don't yell at him. I really like him," she cries.
"This isn't about him Claire. This is about your actions. Do you understand what could have happened if you got hurt or in trouble with the police?" Nathan asks.
"I know," she says wiping her eyes.
"Do you know?" He asks. "Phoebe and I could have lost you. They could place you in another home. That is not only something you don't want, but something that would crush Phoebe and I. We love you claire and you taking that risk is downright stupid," he says. Claire is crying and nodding.
"I'm sorry," she says.
"Claire, we don't want you to get hurt. Especially if you are drinking. You should have called us. If Nathan and I woke up and you weren't there we would have been terrified," I say and she nods.
"I shouldn't have gone," she says.
"Moving forward the alarms are going on at 10 pm. Sawyer will be watching the cameras. This cannot happen again," Nathan says standing up pacing.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to be a burden," Claire says.
"Claire, you are the farthest thing from a burden. We just can't have you sneaking around us," I say.
"I'm sorry," she says and Nathan nods.
"We are going to be leaving at 3 for Phoebe's parents," Nathan says and she nods.
"I'll be upstairs," she says and walks off. She is wiping tears from her eyes and my heart is crushed.
"I hate seeing her like that," Nathan says.
"She has to know right from wrong here. She also has to know that we could have lost her," I say and he nods.
We all get ready. I put on my new very cute pants and a white tank top. I pair it with nude wedges. My hair is curled and my make up is done. I put on my silver jewelry to match my wedding ring.
Claire comes down right before we leave in her blue dress. It is very cute. She has her hair and makeup done. "You look pretty," I say. She smiles and thanks me.
"Okay girls you ready?" Nathan asks.
"Yes," I say and Claire nods following behind us.
The drive is silent except the music. Nathan has his hand on my leg as he drives. When we get there we park. Before we go in I give Claire a hug.
"I'm sorry," she says.
"We forgive you hun," I say and she nods. Tears well in her eyes and I can tell she is trying her best not to cry.
We knock and my dad answers. "Hey guys," he says. He gives Nathan a hug. Then he comes to me and holds me tightly and kisses my head. "Hi Claire," he smiles.
"Hi Mr. Grey," she says and they high five. He reminds her it is Christian. He gives me a concerned look and I give him a talk later look back. He knows something is up.
"Hi guys," I say and we are all passed around. Everyone is here except Mia's family. Ava is talking my ear off about how good I look and how she is going to steal my pants.
"You are a smoke show, Grey. How is that girl of yours?" Ava asks. I smile and tell her good.
"Somethings up with you? What happened?" She asks. Oh Ava so intuitive. I tell her about Claire sneaking out and she smiles.
"You guys are doing great with her, don't let one incident make you think differently," she says. I smile and hug her.
"Hi guys," I hear Mia's voice. I let her greet everyone until she comes over to me.
"Hi Phoebe Girl," she says and we hug.
"Hi Aunt Mia, how are you doing?" I ask.
"Well my son is causing me to get Botox monthly, but besides that great," she says and I laugh.
"I know, we picked Claire up from there," I say and Mia shakes her head.
"I'm so sorry, Pheebs. He is in trouble," she says and I smile.
"They are teenagers. It's not our fault," I smile and she nods.
"Wise beyond your years," she says and I smile.
We all get called to the table for dinner. Claire sits next to me and I smile at her. I can just tell she is not having a great time. It hurts my heart to see. Nathan has been off too.
We eat steak, mashed potatoes, and Caesar salad. "To Elliot," my grandma grace holds up her glass. Everyone cheers their cups.
"Dinner is amazing," my dad says.
"Agreed," I smile.
I talk to Nathan and my Grandpa about baseball. I am looking over every so often at Claire and William. They are talking back and forth. At one point I see him take her hand under the table and squeeze it. I'm glad she's found a friend in him.
After dinner the cake comes out and everyone sings. My uncle Elliot blows the candles out and everyone claps. It's his favorite carrot cake. The baby in my belly really likes the sound of carrot cake.
I get a piece and we all talk while eating it. I have two pieces and Nathan is smiling at me. "Baby likes carrot cake," I say and he smiles.
After everyone is around the kitchen and main living room talking. I look over and see my dad and Claire. They walk out the back door and I assume they are going for a walk.
(Christian's POV)
I knew from the second Phoebe's family walked in something was up. Claire was quiet the entire dinner. When I look over she is on the couch alone. My nephew got up and is with Mia. I walk over and sit down next to her.
"Hey Claire," I smile and she gives me a half smile.
"Hi," she says.
"What's going on?" I ask her. She shrugs and looks like she's holding back tears.
"Well, I was going to go down to the doc for a minute. Would you like to come?" I ask her to have a break. She nods and gets up following me. When we get outside she walks next to me. When we get to the doc we sit on the bench.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask and that's when she breaks down in tears. It reminds me of when Phoebe and I would come down here. She would always try to hide what was bothering her until she just broke.
"I'm so stupid," she says and my heart breaks for her.
"Claire, you are the farthest thing from stupid," I say to her.
"No I'm not and phoebe and Nathan hate me," she says and now I'm curious. Phoebe doesn't hate anyone, especially not Claire. She thinks of her as a daughter.
"Why do you say that?" I ask.
"Because I screwed up last night. Phoebe and Nathan had to come pick me up and I snuck out," she says and I understand. Phoebe and Nathan had to discipline her for the first time.
"Claire, I know it's hard to think so when they seem upset, but Phoebe and Nathan adore you. They love you so much and understand that we all make mistakes. They just want to make sure that they don't happen again," I say and coming from a parents point of view it's true.
"Nathan wouldn't even talk to me," Claire says. I know when Phoebe snuck out I needed a break too.
"that has nothing to do with how much Nathan loves or cares about you. Sometimes when we get frustrated we have to take a break. You know that," I say and she nods and tears slip down her face.
"I just don't want them to hate me and give me up," she says and I wrap an arm around her. She puts her head in my chest and I hug her. This poor girl.
"They are the first people to love me," she says and suddenly I feel for her. I know what it is like to be in her shoes. I was in foster homes, until Grace and Carrick adopted me.
"Claire, I was also in foster homes. I jumped from home to home after my biological mom died. When I came to Grace and Carrick, I was a mess. I didn't speak and all I did was fight. They loved me through all of it and now love my kids. Parents biological or foster love you so much. You are human, Phoebe and Nathan know that," I say.
"You were in foster homes?" She asks and I nod.
"You don't think phoebe and Nathan are going to kick me out?" She says. I have to bite my cheek to hold back my laughter.
"Phoebe and Nathan would never kick you out. They might be upset but they would never kick you out. Trust me, as upset and unsure as you are feeling Phoebe and Nathan are too. They have never had to parent a child. They are trying their best right now," I say and she nods. I wipe a stray tear that falls.
"I just want to be better for them," she says and I nod.
"Can I tell you a story?" I ask her. She nods looking at me.
"When Phoebe was 16 years old she did exactly what you did," I say and Claire looks shocked.
"She snuck out?" She asks and I nod.
"I was gone for a work trip and Ana had gotten sick. That night phoebe snuck out and went to a party," I say.
"How did you know?" She asks.
"That's the best part. Because Ana had gotten sick I came home. I got in super late at like 2 in the morning maybe 3. When I was driving home I drove past Phoebe walking home," I say and Claire's mouth drops open.
"I was so angry. I yelled, I took her phone and computer. But most of all I was scared," I say and she looks confused.
"When someone you love so much puts themselves in harm's way, you of course get upset. But most of all it is fear. Fear about what could have happened. Phoebe and Nathan know that if something would have happened they could have lost you. They care so much about you, Claire. That's why they are upset," I say and rub her shoulder.
"I never thought about it like that," she says and I nod.
"Trust me, they love you more than anything," I say and she nods.
"I should talk to them," she says.
"I think that's a good idea," I say and she smiles.
We head back up but before she goes in she turns and hugs me. My heart melts from this. "Thank you, Christian," she says and I smile, kissing her head.
"You can call me any time," I say and she smiles.
(Phoebe's POV)
When my dad and Claire come back, everyone is gone. We are just waiting on them to go home. I can tell Claire has been crying. I look to my dad and he gives me a reassuring look.
"Claire, why don't you go say goodbye to Ana and I'll say goodbye to Phoebe and Nathan," my dad says and she nods. She surprises Nathan and I both by hugging him. She walks past us with her head down.
"Is she okay?" Nathan asks my dad.
"She thinks you guys hate her and want to give her up now, I of course told her that is not true, but she was really upset. She said Nathan wouldn't talk to her," my dad says and Nathan runs his hand through his hair.
"I would talk to her," he says and I nod.
"Thanks Dad," I say and hug him.
"Anything for you Bubs, I love you," he says and I smile. Nathan hugs my dad. After we say goodbye to my mom we are on our way home. It is quiet again. We are going to talk to Claire when we get home.
As we get home and walk in the door Claire quickly tries to make her way upstairs. "Claire, can I talk to you?" I ask her. Claire turns and nods. Nathan is making a call really quick so I take her.
We go into the living room and sit. "Claire, honey we want you to know that we forgive you and do not hate you," I start and that makes the dam burst. She starts crying and leans forward. I go over and take her in my arms.
"Sweetheart, what's going on?" I ask.
"You guys are kicking me out, I understand," she says and I shake my head.
"Sweetheart, we are not kicking you out. We just wanted to talk to you," I say and cup her face.
"You aren't?" She asks.
"No, Claire we love having you here," I say and she wipes her eyes.
"I'm so sorry for what I did. I didn't mean to make you guys worry and it won't happen again," she says. I know she is being honest.
"Claire, we know you make mistakes. We don't want you to think we hate you," I say and she nods. She hugs me tightly and I rub her back. She continues to cry.
"Talk to me, what's wrong?" I ask her.
"Nathan hates me. He is the one man besides Christian that I can trust and I broke it. He hates me," she says.
"Sweetheart, Nathan does not hate you. Not even close to hating you," I say.
"Then why won't he talk to me?" She asks.
"Nathan didn't want to get too upset in front of you. He just needed some time," I tell her and push her hair back.
"I understand why he would hate me. I have taken so much time up," she says and I shake my head.
"I promise you, honey. Nathan does not hate you," I say and she nods.
"I better go to bed," she says and I don't want to stop her.
"Okay, call us if you need anything," I say and she nods. I hear her sniffle was she walks up the stairs. My heart breaks for her.
When Nathan comes back in I tell him what happened. "I need to talk to her. I could never hate her," he says shaking his head.
"Go talk to her, she just went up," I say and hug him tightly. He kisses me then my belly. He tells me to go To bed and I nod. The baby must be feeling this stress.
(Nathan's POV)
I knock on her door and hope she answers. "Hello?" she says.
"Claire, it's me. Can I come in?" I say gently.
"Yes," she says quietly. I hear her come to the door. When she opens it, her cheeks are tear stained and puffy.
"What's going on, why are you crying?" I ask her gently. I sit on the bed and when I do she scoots away from me. That hurts my heart.
"I, I just want to say I'm sorry," she says and starts crying. She puts her face in her hands.
"Claire Bear. I forgive you," I say and she shakes her head.
"You have every right to be mad and hate me. I know you probably want to hit me and get so angry," she cries. I move so I am kneeling in front of her. I cup her cheeks as she looks anywhere but me. I know her past involves a lot of men hitting her, men that she trusted.
"Claire, take a deep breath," I say trying to calm her. She does, quietly still looking away.
"Look at me," I say, trying to get her to focus on our conversation and not on whatever is going on in her head. I need her to understand what I am about to say.
"Claire," I say gently and she looks at me. Her blue eyes look into mine.
"I will never lay a hand on you. I promise you that, Bear. You are safe here with me and Phoebe. I could never hate you. Never in a million years. You mean the world to me, Bear. You made a mistake. We all do sometimes. Phoebe does, I do, and you did. That doesn't mean that we love you any less," he says. I shake my head and look down.
"But, but you wouldn't talk to me and you looked so upset," she says. I regret waiting this long to talk to her. I just assumed she wouldn't want to talk to me.
"Claire, I needed to step away last night. I was feeling very frustrated and didn't want to say anything I didn't mean in the heat of the moment. I am sorry I waited this long to talk to you. I should have come and talked to you earlier," I admit my mistakes. "I am sorry, Bear. I never want you to think that I don't love you," I say.
"I am sorry too," she says. "It wasn't worth it. I should have just talked to you and Phoebe," she says and I smile. I sit up on the bed.
"I am happy you learned from your mistake, but I don't want you to keep dwelling on it. Phoebe and I are not mad. We just want you to know how much we care about you," I say and she nods.
"Thanks Nathan," she says and I lean over hugging her. She stays in my arms for a while. She yawns while she is hugging me.
"Why don't you get some sleep, Bear," I say. She nods and lays back. I tuck her into her bed and turn off the light.
"Nathan," she says as I am about to walk out.
"Yes," I say and turn.
"Love you," she says and I smile.
"Love you most," I say and she smiles.