Chapter 72
(Phoebe's POV)
I am nursing Sawyer as Henry and my dad play in front of me. Nathan is in the workout room upstairs. Last night we went to Mia's for a goodbye party for William. Claire is spending the weekend here next week because he is leaving. From what I have heard, Susan has not been the most supportive when it comes to Claire's distress about Will leaving.
"Momma, when my birthday?" Henry asks.
"Hm, in four months," I say and switch Sawyer to my other breast.
"Dis many?" He holds up three fingers.
"No this many, 1 2 3 4," I show him my fingers. He nods and runs to his truck.
I can't believe he will be three. These kids are growing way too fast. When Sawyer finishes eating I put her on my shoulder and burp her. Two months have flown by with her. I kiss her head and rattle a toy in front of her.
"You are my sunshine," I sing to Sawyer and she watches me intently.
"Momma no sing," Henry says and covers his ears. I laugh and look at him.
"Why not?" I ask.
"Hurts my ears," he says sending me into a belly laugh. He must have learned that from Nathan.
"Hurts mine too," my dad says and I stick my tongue out at him.
Speaking of, I hear Nathan coming downstairs. "Hi," I say and kiss him. He is sweaty, but looks so good.
"Susan just called me," he says and I turn to him worried.
"Is Claire okay?" I ask.
"She asked if we could tell Claire to answer her phone…" Oh no.
"What?" my dad says.
"Claire lied and said she stayed here, she isn't at Mia's either," he says and I begin to worry.
"What, where could she be?" I ask. I reach for my phone and try to call her it goes straight to voicemail.
"Susan is calling Mia, then calling us back. I am going to change," Nathan says.
"I can watch them, you go," My dad says reaching for the baby. I pass her to him.
"I don't know where to go, jeez Claire," I say.
"Where Bear?" Henry looks around.
"She is not here, buddy," I say.
"Why would she lie?" My dad asks. I look at him with a "think hard" expression.
"She's with William?" He asks.
"I would bet," I say. My phone starts to ring and it is Susan.
"Hi Susan," I say.
"Hi Phoebe. Do you and Nathan still have that apartment in the city?" She asks. Weird question, while Claire is missing.
"Um no. We sold it," I say and she sighs.
"Do we know where Claire is?" I ask.
"A sky rise building in the city. I emergency-tracked her. I don't know why she is there. We are going there now. I texted you the address," she says
I look at my phone. She is at the apartments Nathan used to live in. What the hell is going on? "We are on our way," I sigh.
Nathan is out and grabs the keys as I fill him in. "Are you good here?" I ask my dad.
"Yes, I am," he says and I thank him. We kiss the kids and get into the car heading to the city.
"Jesus," I say and rub my head.
"What the hell could she be doing here?" He asks and I shake my head.
When we get to the building we see Mia, Ethan, Chris, and Susan. "Where are they?" I ask.
"Well we don't know, there are too many units. They can't tell us which one they are in. They also won't give us a list of people who live here." Susan says. Now I am starting to worry. Did someone pick up the kids?
"Fucking ridiculous is what it is," Chris says. Nathan and I look at each other. I have never liked him.
I text my dad what is happening. Within two minutes a man is coming up to me with a packet. "My apologies, Ms. Grey," the packet has a list of everyone who lives in the building.
We huddle over it and look for a familiar name. I know no one in here. We get to the last page of penthouses and I am panicking now. These kids are somewhere in this building alone.
"Wait, Isaac Stimson, that is Isabelle's ex-boyfriend," Mia says. I stop and lookup. We rush to the elevator and head upstairs. When we get to the door Susan looks like she could kill. She is pounding on the door.
After two minutes, the door opens. There stands a shirtless William and Claire in nothing but a button-down shirt. The exact one William was wearing last night. William is in his nice pants shirtless.
Fuck. These two are dead meat.
"William Carrick Kavanagh," Mia yells. It makes me jump and I look at Nathan. Technically we have no business being here. Claire's legal guardian is here and William's parents are here.
"Claire, are you kidding?" Susan says, she sounds pissed. I look at Nathan and he looks pissed.
We all walk in and Claire runs to get dressed. She is already crying. William runs his hand through his hair. "Uh" he says and Mia looks like she could kill.
"What the fuck" Mia yells.
"I'm house-sitting for Isaac, watering the plants," he says and looks at all of us.
"I thought you knew," he says and runs a hand through his long hair. Mia takes a deep breath. She looks like she is about to lose it.
"When did you tell me that William?" She asks and he looks anywhere but at her.
"Sorry," he says.
"You're going to be," she says. "Get dressed and drive home immediately," she says and turns on her heel leaving.
"I'm sorry, Susan. Nathan and Phoebe, I am sorry," he says and Susan says nothing.
"It is okay, William," I say. Nathan nods and places a hand on his shoulder.
"Maybe to you," Chris speaks up. I turn and look at him. This mother fucker.
"Our Sunday got ruined because you couldn't figure out how to pick up the phone and call," Chris says, shaking his head. "Ridiculous," He spits out.
"Go get dressed, Will," I say softly.
"She isn't coming back with us," Susan says. I turn and look at her. I am confused.
"What?" Nathan says.
"She- it's too much. We need to reach out to my brother," My face goes white. What is she talking about? She can't be serious.
"Susan… you can't do that," I say. "She's just a kid," I say. "I mean-" Nathan cuts me off by putting his hand on my shoulder.
"She is 18, I can't have her in my house doing these things," she says. I am starting to believe she is serious.
"Susan, with all due respect, she didn't bring drugs into the house, she slept at a penthouse," Nathan says.
"Nathan, with all due respect, I am pregnant. I can't have this stress," my heart falls to my feet. She is 35. It is quite possible she is pregnant.
"With no respect, that is my fucking child in her. I am not having a liability around my child," Chris says. I flinch at his words.
"Don't speak to me or my wife like that," Nathan steps forward.
"You gonna hit me, tough guy," I grab Nathan's arm.
"Everyone calm down," I raise my voice.
"Susan if you are serious, you need to let us know now," I say sternly.
"I am dead serious, she is not welcome in my home anymore," Susan says and puts her hand on her stomach.
"What?" I turn and see Claire.
Fuck.
"Susan, what?" Claire says. She is in her dress from last night with an oversized sweatshirt that I am assuming is William's on top.
"Claire… I can't have you in the house with the baby, it is too much of a liability," Susan says.
"What baby?" Claire asks looking between us and them.
"I am pregnant. My baby, our baby," Susan says.
William walks in and grabs Claire's hand. Claire starts to cry and tries to go to Susan but she backs up blocking her. "Susan, I am so sorry. I won't do anything else, please," Claire says and steps towards her. Susan is emotionless.
"Claire, I can't. This is my child. I need to protect them," Susan says.
"Claire, you are going to come home with us," I say.
"Please Susan. I won't do anything ever again," Claire begs.
"Claire, you can come to my place," William says.
"Real helpful," Chris laughs.
"Fuck you," William says and if we weren't in this situation I would have laughed.
"What did you just say to me kid?" Chris steps forward and I jump in.
"You both should go," I say.
"We will bring Claire by to gather her things," I say and go to open the door for them.
"No, we have her things packed in his truck. We will drop them off," Susan says.
"Susan, I am sorry," Claire cries.
"I am too, let's go Chris," they walk out and Claire breaks down. She is sobbing. William takes her in his arms. I look at Nathan and he looks like he could kill.
"Claire, you are going to come live with us, sweetheart," Nathan says.
William is holding her as she cries. The psychological damage Susan just did to Claire. She is never going to think she is wanted. I need to call her therapist and schedule her an appointment.
"Go call my Dad, I am going to get these two out of here," I say and Nathan nods.
"Let's get you home," I say.
"I don't have a home," she pulls back and says.
"Yes, you do sweetheart. You will always have a home with us," I say and she shakes her head.
(CLAIRE'S POV)
William has me wrapped in his arms. In one week I am going to lose my aunt and him. My hands are gripping his shirt tightly.
"Claire, let's go," Nathan gently says as he comes in.
"No," I shake my head. I don't want to go anywhere.
"What do you want to do?" William says to me.
"I want to stay with you," I say. He looks at me then Phoebe and Nathan.
"I will stay with you at Phoebe's," he says. We walk out. I get into his car and we start driving towards the Moore's.
"Claire," he starts and I shake my head. I don't know why I am surprised. No one wants me. Phoebe and Nathan just pity me.
"Don't," I say and he nods. I squeeze his hand tightly as we pull into Phoebe's. I see Nathan bringing boxes in and realize it is my stuff. I see Susan's boyfriends truck pull away. Tears slip down my cheeks.
"Come here," Will says as he parks. He pulls me into his chest awkwardly across the center console. I cry into his chest. I am a senior in high school with nowhere to go. I see Phoebe and Nathan waiting by the garage. Christian's car is also here. I don't want to deal with this right now.
"I just want to sleep," I say.
"Then sleep we will, they will understand," William says.
(Phoebe's POV)
Claire and Will walk upstairs and Nathan and I leave them be. My dad is here too entertaining the babes. I look at Nathan and we go into our bedroom and sit. I rub my face.
"What is our plan here?" I ask him.
"She lives here and we raise her as ours," He says and I look at him.
"Well obviously, but this is going to change everything. We need to establish rules. Everything is a shit show right now, but she can't pull what she did last night to Susan on us. I can't have her going to random penthouses," I say and Nathan nods.
"With all due respect, I think she has learned her lesson," he says and I smirk at his with all-due respect comment.
"We have to talk to Henry," I say and Nathan nods.
"He will be excited, he loves Claire," he says and I agree. This is going to be a transition. I also think Claire is embarrassed.
"This is so hard," I say and rub my hands over my face.
"I know, it is. We are going to get through this," Nathan says.
"When is it our turn for a break?" I ask him and he laughs.
"Hopefully soon baby," He says and I nod. I agree. Hopefully soon.
We walk out to a sleeping Sawyer and my dad playing with Henry. "What is going on?" He asks.
I explain everything as best as I can while Nathan and Henry talk about cars. Henry is very into sequences right now. He asks when tomorrow is and when today is. He is asking Nathan when they played cars.
"Fuck… well she is 18 so that takes the legalities of it out," he says and I nod. Thank god for that.
"I can't believe Susan," I say and he nods.
"Unfortunately, she thinks she is doing what is best for her baby," he says and I nod.
"That is just horrible," he says and I agree. How can you kick out a kid, a good and loving kid?
"Mama we get chick a lay for dinner time?" Henry comes up and sits on my lap.
"Sure baby," I am way too tired to care. Chick Fil A sounds pretty good right now if I do say so myself.
"We need to talk to Claire and her school," Nathan says and I nod.
"I need to call Ana and let her know what is happening," my dad says and steps out of the room. Sawyer starts to cry and I go pick her up.
"She is hungry, I am going to go feed her," I say to Nathan and he nods. I take Sawyer into the kitchen and slip her under my shirt. She begins to eat quickly. She was very hungry.
I switch breasts and notice she is getting sleepy. I burp her quickly and hold her to my chest. She falls asleep on me. "I can pick up dinner with Henry. What do you want?" Nathan asks.
I write down all of our chick fil a orders and get William what Claire likes. They are asleep upstairs, so we are letting them be.
I sit down next to my dad and rub my face with my free hand. My dad pats my leg. "We are here for anything you need, Bubs. You have a heart of gold, my dear," he says and I laugh. Our world is about to get a lot more hectic.
"I need to call Claire's counselor," I say and situate Sawyer higher up on my chest.
"It is too late for that now, first thing tomorrow," my dad says and I nod.
"Are you okay?" He asks after a couple of silent minutes.
"We will be. I am worried for her. She is going to think she is not wanted. She already is hesistant to sleep here because she feels like a burden, her parents her brother, now Susan. There is no trust for any adults in her life," I say and my dad ponders that. He nods and a sad look comes across his face.
"I- shit," he rubs his hands across his face. He looks so sad. I turn towards him. I don't think I have ever seen him like this. I give him the space to talk.
"I hated Grace and Carrick when they adopted me. I thought they were going to abandon me, I remember waiting for the other shoe to drop. Every day I would walk out of my room and expect there to be another trash bag for me to put my belongings in," he takes a deep breath. I try not to react. Mu dad rarely talks about his childhood. If he does it is something small.
"Claire may be the same way. She may act differently than she previously has and be angrier. I just ask that you love her through it. I know you will but I have to say it. I….," he stops talking and reaches for Sawyer. I pass her over and he sits back focusing all of his attention on her. I know he needs the distraction, and for the attention to be off of him.
"She looks just like you," he says and I smile. The way he looks at my babies fills my heart with so much joy. They are his world.
"Thank you for sharing that with me," I say and he nods not saying anything. I know he wants the subject to change.
"Henry told me the other day that he wants to have bunk beds in his room so you and him can share a room," I say. My dad starts belly laughing.
"I love him," he says and I nod. I hear shuffling down the stairs and see William.
"Hi William," my dad says.
"Hi Uncle Christian, um Phoebe… I am sorry. This is all my fault. I fucked up," William says and looks so scared.
"William, this isn't your fault. Not at all. Is she asleep," I ask.
"No, she isn't doing anything. She won't talk or cry or sleep," he says. His eyes are filled with tears and I can tell he is fighting them.
"Do you want me to talk to her?" I ask.
"She… well she said she doesn't want anyone," he says and I nod.
"My mom called and said I have to go home before she murders me," William says and if this was under any other circumstance I would laugh.
"Go home, bud," I say and he nods. He leaves and my dad passes me Sawyer.
"Hi sweet girl" I kiss her head as mommy dad walks up the stairs. She wakes up and gives me a big yawn. I love this sweet girl.
Nathan and Henry come barreling in. Henry runs to my dad. "Hi bubs," he says and holds up his car.
"I got dis and dis," he shows my dad rolling the car on his leg.
"Oh my goodness, look at that Hen," he says.
"Hi momma," Henry says and hugs me.
"Hi baby," I say and kiss his head.
Nathan walks in and hands me my food. He sits next to me and I fill him in on what William said about Claire wanting no one. "I will go check on her," he says and I nod.
My dad Henry and I go sit at the table so we can eat. Henry is talking our ear off. Sawyer is sitting happily in my arms. I gave her a rattle to hold.