Just a new story. I have been working on this off and on these last few months. All the chapters are finished but just need editing. Its not a long story. Thanks!

Chapter One: Remembering all the times.

Phoebe's POV:

"Mrs. Phoebe Grey-Marksman?" I manage to nod slightly confirming my identity. The nurse offers me a soft, compassionate smile, but I am not able to repay her kindness. I can't form a sentence or utter any words. My heart is beating so fast. It's a struggle to breathe. "Please follow me" The heels of my boots click with each step I take down the sterile white hallway. It's is the only sound that can be heard and it is almost deafening.

"Wait here, please. I am sorry that I can't take you straight into the room. A member of your family security personnel needs to come and escort you. Several members of the media have attempted to access this section of the hospital requiring that the protocols be tightened." I nod once more and wish I had managed to speak before she left. I am desperate to know who else is present and what else has happened in the hours that I spent flying over to Seattle. I have only spoken to Ted, and that was when he rang me to let me know that our world was being turned upside down. Less than two hours later I was seated on a flight home.

The walls of the waiting room are white, and the soft couches are a dull beige color. It's even more sterile and monotonous than the hallways. It is ironic that one of my parents would die in such a place considering their lives have been anything but. I have already lost one parent. Why do I have to lose another one so soon? It's only been a year.

Our parents had so much love to give, and they gave it tenfold. My older brother Ted, myself, Matthew, and Amy, the youngest of us kids, never for a second ever questioned how much we were loved. We adored being together as a family of six, though our parents were careful to spend individual time with us all. How they ever managed it with their careers, I will never know. So many memories. All wonderful and cherished!

My mother was always able to read me like one of her books and her wisdom over what was best for me was unmatched. My father protected me but never shielded me from the world. They provided my siblings and me every opportunity, but we had to take it and do all the work. They were the perfect parents. Without them, I wouldn't be the person I am today and often described as; confident, strong, competent, loving, compassionate and most importantly a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

I went through a turning point when I was fourteen. A hard age for any teenager, but even more so when there are you thought too much about the preconceptions people had about you. Those at school, teachers, the general public, and the media. My parents and family always made me feel that I was everything I needed to be, myself. However, outside the confines and protection of this sanctuary, there were so many variables, opinions, and fixed ideas because I was the daughter of Ana and Christian Grey...

Ted: 16 years old, Phoebe: 14 years old, Matthew: 12 years old, Amy: 4 years old

"Do you want a glass of water or something? I know where Mrs. Taylor keeps the treats if you wish, or how about a slice of her cheesecake? She made one today." Ted offers standing by the fridge.

"No!" I snap though regret it immediately. My brother is just being kind. "Sorry. I just want to be left alone, before I have to walk the green mile into dad's study, whenever that is going to be." Our parents have been in our father's study for over an hour. I have been sitting at the breakfast bar, waiting for my parent's to determine my fate. Maybe they are prolonging my wait as added punishment.

"Phoebs, I am sure mom and dad will have calmed down before they talk to you! They just need time to cool down. They were so upset. You can't blame them!" I shrug. I know my brother is right, but I right now I don't want to agree verbally.

I consider calling out to Amy and planting the idea in her head to see our parents. Maybe I could stand close by, and when she opens the door, I will end up hearing a snippet of what they are saying. Amy is only four so her walking in would seem innocent enough. However, she is occupied with the rare opportunity to watch television. Though trust my parents to ensure its educational. I run my hand over the white and black pattern on marble kitchen bench, distracting myself. It is mind numbing. It is the perfect distraction. I don't know how long I spend in repeating monotonous action when I hear my sister's familiar little voice.

"Phoebe, are you sad?" Amy asks from behind me. I turn to face her and manage a small smile. She is the little sister I prayed for and never thought I would get.

"A little." There is no point hiding it from her. Amy would know if I had lied.

"Matthew said Mommy and Daddy are mad too."

"I know. They are mad because of me!" I inform her. She is going to find out soon enough. Amy was kept upstairs while the events transpired. Good thing as I don't think I have ever seen our father so angry before and don't think she should have to also. It was my fault, not hers. Amy is at that wonderful age when she thinks the world rotates around our parents and she shouldn't have to see our parents so upset. Amy has no reason to associate such anger with our parents.

"Why?" Amy asks innocently.

"Because I did something I wasn't supposed to do." Amy looks at me confused "I was naughty" I explain simply.

"Oh. Did you scream?" I shake my head. "Did you throw your toys?" Again I shake my head. "Did you put your broccoli on Ted or Matthew's plate? I put mine on Matthew's plate yesterday, and daddy was angry at me. He made me eat even more broccoli!"

"It was worse."

"Was it very bad?"

"Very, very, very, very bad" Amy's eyes become wide and she covers her mouth. She is truly the epitome of innocence. No wonder Amy is coddled by everyone in our family. She truly is the sweetest thing. I don't know if Amy is aware that she has everyone in the whole extended Grey family wrapped around her little finger.

"What did you do?" I don't want to answer her question as it would get me into more trouble. My parents might think that I am planting ideas into my little sister's head for when she grows up. I am about to make up something when Amy looks away from me. I didn't realize immediately, but our parents had just entered the kitchen.

"Mommy and Daddy are you two still mad? Phoebe is sad. She said she was naughty!" Amy declares pretty much summing up the situation.

"Amy, where are your brothers?" The tone of our father's voice gives away just how much he isn't in the mood for games.

"I don't know?" Amy shrugs, not caring about their location. "Mommy you said that you read my new book to me." She asks walking up to our mother and jumping into her arms. I envy the ignorance and complete parental protection that her age brings. I was the same. Being so young, I didn't wish to be anything but under the umbrella of our parent's protection. Mom is whispering to Amy while our father has walked out of the kitchen. It isn't too long until he returns with Ted.

"Hey Amy, Matthew and I are going to go upstairs. Come up with us, and we will play with you. I will read your new book to you if you want. Maybe you can even try and read some of the words to me."

"I don't want to."

"Trust me Amy as your big brother; you will want to!" Ted looks over at me offering me an apologetic shrug. Damn if Amy doesn't want to go upstairs then I will. After some encouragement from our parents, she agrees and takes Ted's hand. I sigh. Showtime! Maybe if I don't make eye contact, this will be easier. No that isn't going to work.

"Phoebe we need to talk!" I look up but don't say anything. There is nothing that I can say that would help my case. "What you did today was reckless and selfish. You had everyone worried. Do you have any idea how frantic everyone was?" My father is quickly going from discontented to thermonuclear. When he learned that I had somehow gone missing from school, he thought I had been kidnapped or worse.

"I'm sorry" I answer softly.

"Sorry?" I frown at my father's tone and repetition of my poor choice of words, but there isn't any other that I can use.

"Yes. I am sorry" I repeat.

"That isn't going to cut it" My dad's voice is harsh. I don't think I have ever heard this tone in response to me. He ran both hands through his hair and paced. I wait to see what Dad does next, but he just turns to face the window. Oh Dad, I honestly am sorry.

"Why did you do it, Phoebe? What were you trying to achieve?" My mother takes over. She is upset, though as usual is characteristically calmer parent.

"I don't know," I respond. Nothing I can say will be able to take away the damage I did. My dad walked out of a meeting; my mom left work, security was redirected to proximity to my siblings and cousins in case I had been kidnapped and one of them was next. Additional security was called in to look for me. My grandparents, uncles and aunts and every other Grey family member convened at our home on sound. When I finally arrived home, everyone looked at me. It was evident that I had done wrong. I wanted to run upstairs and hide. I couldn't of course. My ever loving extended family ensured I was well and hugged me before they left. However, I could tell that they were unhappy with me. I must be the most hated member of my whole family.

"That's not an answer. We phoned you and tried to trace your phone, but it was off. Who turned your phone off?"

"I did" I won't lie. If I did it would only make things worse. My parents would work out that I had deceived them.

"So what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Since you know what I did and where I was, there isn't anything I can say. I am sorry."

"That is a word that you have overused this evening?" My father proclaims and then talks quietly to my mother. Taylor walks in and passes something to dad, but I have no idea what it is.

"Phoebe, give me your cell phone." I don't argue nor attempt to talk my way out of it. "Since you weren't interested keeping it all switched on or answering it today, then you won't miss it. Your mother and I will return it when we feel that you can be trusted to use it appropriately. Until then you are to wear this. You are only to take it off when you are in bed asleep so it can charge. I have had a charger placed in your room on your nightstand." I sigh and grimace at the same time. Are they serious? They want me to wear a kids GPS tracker disguised as a watch? Amy wears one of these in case she manages to get lost or the unthinkable. It beeps if the person wearing it gets too far way and acts as a location system. However, how on earth Amy ever would with all the security around us is beyond me.

"Those are for little kids. I am not going to do anything again."

"Your actions today showed that you aren't grown up yet or else you would have realized the implications of your actions." I take the watch-like device and put it on. There is no point delaying the inevitable.

"You are also grounded for the remaining week of school and then for the first month of summer. I am going to cancel your sport and dance clinics." Great that means I will be practically house bound. "As you know we are all going away to Asia for the month of July when you will still be grounded. There will be restrictions on your movement during our holiday. We will discuss these later once our plans are finalized. You can keep your laptop, but only until school ends, then it becomes ours. You have also lost your iPad. Understood?"

"Yes. Can I go to my room now? I am tired and want to go to sleep." I ask softly.

"It is only half past seven Phoebe. You don't have to go upstairs." My mother points out.

"I prefer to. I am tired, and I have a long day tomorrow." Along with classes tomorrow, I also have detention. My school emailed my parents earlier today informing them of their sanction. I only got one detention. Usually, students would get at least two, if not three.

"Phoebe, are you in here?" My mother asks opening my bedroom door. I stop reading and face the door where are both my parents stand.

"Yes. I am just reading." I respond.

"While I admire you devoting to reading, don't you think you should venture out of your bedroom? Even for a little while. We are all going to go swimming in the pool. Change into your bathing suit, grab a hat and a pair of sunglasses. I have a towel ready for you" My mother suggests.

"No thank you." I decline politely. I doubt I would be much fun.

"Come on Phoebe, you have spent the first two weeks of summer vacation in your room, except for meals and the last several days of school. Even then when you came home, you have become a hermit in your bedroom. You are grounded, not in isolation." My father desperately tried not to scold, but he couldn't hide the annoyance in his voice. I look to the side as my dad gauges my mood as his voice becomes soft.

"Come on Phoebe; Ted, and I have the grill out. We are going to make burgers and go swimming. We can challenge your brothers to a volleyball game. You can get some practice in!" I was almost convinced until the latter was mentioned.

"Thank you, but I am fine... good in fact. I promise... I just want to read." My parents look at each other and both sigh. I don't want to hurt them, but I wouldn't be any fun.

"Okay Phoebe, you can stay up here, for today but that's all. Tomorrow you come downstairs for more than just meals." My mother concedes though it's obvious my father wants to push the subject.

"I will have some lunch sent up. You need to eat it. All of it!" My father commands. He can't hide the disappointment in his voice. I want to explain how I am feeling, what is running through my mind, but it's difficult. Strange, I have never had problems talking before.

"I will. I promise!" My mother offers me a warm smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes. Her expression mixed. A myriad of thoughts are going through her mind, but she doesn't say anything. My dad stands in front of me regarding me cautiously but uncharacteristically not engaging in an in-depth questioning. He enters my room and kisses my forehead.

"Come outside if you change your mind, okay Phoebe?"

"Sure."

"Phoebe, you know that I was angry with you skipping school, and even though you are grounded, I still love you. You are still my princess."

"I know." I wish he hadn't said that. Guilt surrounds me.

# # # #

"Phoebe, wake up and get dressed" I open my eyes and even though it's not overly bright I squint.

"What's wrong?" My mother is leaning over my bed. It's summer vacation, and we don't have any plans today. On these days we are all allowed to sleep in, though never past nine in the morning. My father regards this as a waste of time and our holidays. There is no way it is late in the morning. My bedroom would be flooded in sunlight if so. "Is someone sick?"

"No, everyone is fine. Get up and get dressed. Don't worry about having a shower right now; you can have one later. Put on a pair of jeans and a shirt, and then meet me downstairs. Hurry!" My mother quickly moves out of my room. Talk about being ambiguous. It is so out of character for her. I do as I am told, and within minutes I am downstairs. I check the time on my 'punishment -imposed GPS- watch'. It isn't even six in the morning. The whole house is quiet. None of my siblings are awake.

When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I find my parents talking to Taylor and Sawyer. They don't notice me at first. I remain quiet. It's my father who sees me first and looks at me pensively. I offer him a small but ever so brief smile. Taylor nods and walks away while Sawyer makes his way out the front door. Neither says anything.

"Good morning princess," My father greets me.

"Morning. What's going on? Why did I get up so early?" I pray I am not in any more trouble. I haven't done anything.

"Because you and I are going away for a little while. Just us two."

"Away?"

"Yes. It is an impromptu trip." I look at my dad gauging his reaction. My father is the most organized and planned out person in the world. He is also beyond security concerned. There is no way he would allow such a trip.

"I haven't packed any clothes or toiletries," I observe confused.

"Mrs. Jones packed for you yesterday during dinner, and we forced you to watch a movie with your brothers and sister."

"Alright, but where are we going?" My parents don't answer my question but lead me outside, where my mother's R8 is parked at the door. Sawyer is sitting in the driver's seat in one of the black SUV. It's no surprise that he is going to follow us. My mother looks excited. She rarely drives her sports car.

"I will see you soon Phoebe. Have a good time but stay close to your mom and security okay princess?" My father wraps his arms around me and holds me tightly.

"I will, but I still don't know where are we going?"

"I love you so much" My dad replies lovingly but doesn't answer my question. Figures!

"Love you too dad" I get into the car, but my mother remains outside. Mom and dad are talking, but I can't hear what they are saying. Instead, I study my parent's body language. Their expression is mixed and kiss several times before Mom gets into the car. Trust me in that I am not talking about the standard kiss shared by parents who have been married for fifteen years. My parents still so love sick.

"Ready Phoebe?" My mother's face is pink as she gets into the car and starts to drive away.

"Mom I don't even know where we are going or doing, but I guess I am ready. Do my siblings know that we are going away?" It occurs to me that they might not even know.

"I told Ted and Matthew last night; however, Amy was already in bed. Your dad will tell her later when she wakes up."

"I hope she won't be upset?" She is still so young, even though she tries to act all grown up to keep up with us older kids.

"I intend on Facetiming home every day. Aunt Mia said she would go over today with her Kelly and play or cook with Amy. "

"Amy will love that. She and Kelly get on like a house on fire. Aunt Mia will be able to keep Amy happy and busy." Kelly is Aunt Mia's only child and two years older than Amy. They are the youngest of our generation of the Grey family.

"Yes, your Aunt Mia is good like that, until she decides to make cakes with Amy and Kelly and allows them to eat it for lunch." I can't help but laugh out loud.

"Do you remember once, when I was eight, Aunt Mia babysat me while you and dad took Matthew and Ted to some car show or something?" My mother nods.

"It was a vintage car show. You didn't want to attend, especially when Aunt Mia offered to look after you." My mother elaborates.

"She let me have anything I wanted for dinner. I asked for a hot dog, chicken nuggets, french fries, a chocolate milkshake and a banana split for desert. Then when we both watched a movie, we had buttered popcorn and candy. We ate so much junk food."

"What? Are you serious?" My mother asks stunned.

"Yes." The thing is that even though Aunt has moderated a little since she became a mother herself, she hasn't changed significantly!

"I am surprised that you didn't get sick!"

"Me too! Although, for the next month I couldn't stomach anything unhealthy or sweet. I remember Dad congratulating me one weekend that I was making such healthy food choices." My mother laughs more at ease.

"So Mom, do I get to know where we are going and for how long?"

"The location is a surprise, though I will give you a little hint. You have been there before though not for a long time. Regarding how long we will be there...well that depends on you, Phoebe."

"I don't understand. What do you mean.. Depends on me?"

"Well Phoebe, I am taking you away on a mother and daughter trip, in the hope that you will talk to me. I need to know what is going on in your mind." I breathe out and then stare out the window.

# # # #

Amy has just sung Twinkle, twinkle little star for the fifth time via facetime. She was the last to talk to mom and me tonight before dad. I confirm that I am eating, staying close to security and summarize my day before saying goodbye. This is our current routine. At half-past six in the evening. Dad rings mom back around nine o'clock, sometimes later depending on what we are doing, where they talk privately. Tonight though Mom has taken the iPad to her room earlier to talk to dad. They love each other so much that it probably hurts to be away.

I commence to collect the dishes from the small dining table and place them in the sink. Sawyer has already dropped off his plate and cutlery. I don't know how he is finding the accommodations but is too discreet to say anything. We are staying at a cabin by the river in Montesano that use to belong to my Grandpa Ray before he died. My mother inherited it and could never bring herself to sell it. I came here several times when I was young according as evidenced by the pictures displayed in the house but I don't have any memories of it. We never come here these days. My mother found it hard after losing her beloved father. Plus it's too small for our family and security. I still don't know how long we are going to remain here. So far we have gone on hikes, read books together and discussed them, played board games and relaxed. However, I get a feeling that my mom is going to push me to talk soon. There is only so much time we can stay away.

"Phoebe you should have waited. I would have helped you with the dishes," My mother says coming out of her room, finished talking to my dad.

"It's okay. I didn't mind; there weren't many dishes."

"Your father wanted to me to tell you he loved you again and that he misses you, as do you siblings."

"I miss them all too." I watch as my mother turns on the kettle and makes herself a cup of English breakfast tea and a cup of herbal tea for me." She motions for me to sit on the couch with her.

"Phoebe, your father and I love you more than the world. We are so proud of you. Nothing is ever going to change that." I nod, humbled and appreciating the statement.

"I know that. I love you both also!"

"We also know that something is going on with you. If you don't talk, then we cannot help you."

"Mom I am fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Phoebe I have been able to tell when you are lying from the second you were born." I want to roll my eyes, but mom is right. Again!

"Besides that fact that I have to wear this kids GPS watch, and haven't had my cell phone in almost four weeks, life is good!" Why wouldn't it be? To the world, I am the luckiest teenager in the world.

"You have been so quiet lately. Your dad and I are worried. Would you like to go and see Dr. Flynn?" What? See a shrink? No!

"I would rather not, besides I wouldn't know what to say to him."

"Okay... but promise me whenever you are ready, come and talk to me. Please, Phoebe. You can't continue to keep everything bottled up." My mother doesn't wait for a response, promptly kissing me good night and going into her room with one of her beloved English novels and the iPad. I follow my mother's lead and commence to read. I inherited her love of the written word, but tonight I can't seem to follow the story. I throw the book aside and sigh hard. I feel like I don't know where is up or down.

I resign to go to bed, but no matter what I do I can't fall asleep. I know what I need to do. I need to talk to my mother.

"Mom are you still awake?" I ask knocking on her door and opening it slightly when I notice the light is still on.

"Yeah! Come on in." I do so with enough time to see her end a call on her cell phone.

"Were you talking to dad?"

"I was previously, but that was your Aunt Kate. She said hello and wanted me to tell you that she loved you. Ava says hi also. She is desperate to go shopping with you once you are not longer grounded." I feel horrible. So many of my family members love me so much, but I can't seem to get my head into gear.

"Mom, I want to talk." My mom smiles sets her phone so silent and places her book away. Her full attention on me. I sit cross-legged on the bed. I focus on my breathing. My mother waits patiently, letting me go at my own pace.

"The day I skipped class and went to the mall... I knew it was wrong and I understood the ramifications that could have occurred, and in the end did happen. It's not that I wanted everyone to be worried or frantic it's just that, I felt that often the four walls were closing in on me."

"What do you mean?" My mother encourages me to keep going. I take a deep breath. I hate that I feel like this. I feel guilty. My family has given me everything. I don't want anyone thinking I am a brat or ungrateful.

"Promise me you won't hate me or think I am ungrateful or." I want to list off a series of words, but my mother stops me.

"Phoebe you're being ridiculous. I could never hate you or think any of those words. Ever! It's not who you are." My mom grabs my hand and squeezes it. She doesn't let go.

"Since I started at the high school of our school... maybe it all in my head but I feel... I have tried to be perfect, to deserve being who I am and everything that I have been given. I never felt like this before, but I guess being in the high school and keeping up with Ted... I don't know. I thought it was just a phase I was going through, but it didn't go away. I kept working and striving to be perfect all the time. I love Ted, and he is a great brother, but it's hard following him in school. I am not as good an athlete as he is, but it is almost as if the people expect me to be. Everyone has all these preconceptions of who I should be, and I felt like I had to live up to their expectations." I know what my mother is going to say so I stop her. "I know you, dad and our family haven't put those pressures on me, but other many people in the world. Then a few months ago, you know how you spoke to me about not trying to outdo myself when I was tired from doing everything..."

"Yes. Your father and I were so worried about you. We knew something was wrong."

"I took your advice. I decided just to be myself, and if I wasn't perfect at something, then it wasn't a big deal. I felt so much better."

"But?" My mother queries, encouraging me to continue.

"You know how I went out for the volleyball team?"

"Yes."

"They needed ten girls for the Varsity team, and about fifteen girls tried out. There was a girl called Kensie Welson, and she is better than me. She performed better than I did but I got the tenth place on the team instead of her. The coach told her that she just missed out and I got the last place. I knew it wasn't right, so did Kensie, though when I spoke to her, she told me not to worry about it and then congratulated me. I approached the coach on my accord, and he said that I was given the last spot because since Ted was such a good athlete, and he heard that my little brother was already playing baseball with kids three years older than him that I must have more potential than showed. He sighted heredity and family talent." My mother's mouth drops suddenly but then softens her expression.

"Phoebe you never told me this."

"I know." I should have. It was probably the first time that I haven't disclosed something to my mother.

"You know your volleyball coach probably meant that! You are good at sports, especially when you put effort into it."

"It doesn't matter though Mom. I knew that I wasn't as good as Kensie. She is a stronger player and should have made varsity over me. You wouldn't employ an editor because of their brother is a good editor over one that is already excellent or because maybe that might perform. It would use up too many resources."

"Yes, but I don't see the connection though to why you skipped school or why you have been so quiet."

"After talking to the coach, I spoke to Kensie. I told her I was going to pull out of the team, but she said if I did she wouldn't take my spot. Kensie stated that the coach had given me the position and I should go with it. So stupidly I somehow rationalized that I had to get myself thrown out of the team."

"So you thought you would skip science class, get a detention and then be ineligible to play on a varsity team because you would lose your exemplary student standing at your school" My mother is shaking her head at me.

"I know it was dumb... My friend Carlie was going to skip science class, as we had a double period, and drive out to the mall. It seemed like a good idea. Science is one of my best classes, and I knew I would be able to catch up on any missed work then be back at school for English. I didn't think the school would notify you or dad, as it might have taken a few minutes to find us. Carlie and I left through the back, where security was not usually located and drove out. Of course, it didn't go so smooth because Carlie's dad spotted her. Instead of approaching her or me, he found her car and drove it home. I didn't expect to become stranded or for the alert to happen so quickly after the attendance discrepancy."

"You know none of this excuses your behavior. Especially not answering your phone and turning it off! You made everything worse on yourself and everyone who loves you!" My mother is being easy on me.

"I get it. When we were going to drive back to school, and found the car missing. I knew that I was in hotter water than I planned. I didn't know what to say to you or dad, so I turned my phone off after the first time you tried to call me. The worst part is I disappointed everyone. You, dad, grandma, grandpa... even Uncle Elliot. I apologized to my science teacher. You know the school only gave me one detention? Carlie got three. It wasn't fair. I told the deputy that I should do three which was the norm, but she declined. She said that it would mean that I couldn't represent the school in the next academic school year at the science decathlon, also adding that I could still play volleyball. I couldn't believe it. My homeroom teacher even commented that she was glad the school hadn't been hard on me, since Ted was likely to be Valedictorian. She mentioned that I should also be but was surprised by my geography and physics grades as they weren't as high as Teds were as a freshman." My mom is looking at me pensively.

"You feel like you don't get to be yourself? That you will never live up to expectations?" My mother asks shocked. I hope I haven't upset her. I honestly try to be worthy to be the child of Anastasia and Christian Grey though at the same time they constantly tell me and show me that I don't need to be perfect in any way. I enjoy school and work hard for the grades that I get, but I am not an all rounder that Ted is or as athletically talented as Matthew.

"Yes. I don't understand why people should have preconceived ideas of who I should be. You and dad don't put that on me so why should anyone else? I don't get it, and I hate it. Plus I want to be treated the same as everyone else. I want to be judged on my own merits. I don't want special privilege or be compared to my brothers. I hate to think that Amy might one day be compared to me. She is so sweet and extraordinary." I sigh.

"Let's worry about that later. I am worried about you right now."

"Mom, do you think I am absurd?"

"No, though I don't understand why you didn't come and talk to your father or me beforehand. You usually do talk to us."

"I know. I should have. I am sorry. I regret that I hurt you and dad. I know I was wrong and childish. I hope you and dad can forgive me. When I arrived home that day, after skipping class, I had expected him to yell at me or to use that low voice of his. You know the one where he speaks all in control though you know he is going to lose his cool." My mother grins slightly and nods her hair. "I went straight into his office; he was with you and Taylor. Ted told me that was where you were. I thought that I might as well get it over and done with. You three all looked at me, but you didn't say anything. Did you all know that I wasn't hurt at this point?"

"Yes. Carlie's father had contacted us. We knew that you were on your way home. Ryan at the gate had told us that you had arrived home and were walking up the driveway."

"I thought so. Dad was the first to approach me. He held me and said. 'Phoebe, I am so mad at you right now, but I love you so much. I am so glad you are home and safe'. That is then when you hugged me too. Afterward, as you know, I was sent me to the kitchen to eat and allow you both to talk."

"Why didn't you talk to us before you decided to skip school or at least explain everything when we asked you too?"

"Because I felt like I shouldn't make excuses for my actions. I needed to accept my punishment at home and school. I just didn't realize that I would be treated so differently at school. I had disappointed everyone too much already."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Promise me Phoebe that there is nothing else."

"I promise mom. Trust me" Surely that is enough turmoil.

"Okay. Let me talk to your father. Allow us to find a way to help you, though you are still grounded!"

"Thanks, Mom, though I don't think I deserve it."

"Either way, as your parents it's our job to help you. Let your father and I talk about this."

The next morning I wanted to get out for a little while, so when I was walking around, I collected some acorns, with security close by of course. I found a photo of my grandfather and I and we had been collecting acorns. It felt like a nice way to remember him here. I had accumulated several that were a perfect shape and headed back the short distance to the cabin. I opened the door and there in the small living room was my mother with my father. He must have only arrived recently, as they were kissing and holding each other rather tightly. Actually, Dad could have arrived an hour ago, and they would still be in the same position. I didn't tell them I am in the room, and eventually, they realized I was there. My father hugged me and kissed my forehead, telling me he missed and how much he loved me, which he always did when he had been apart from us for kids. My parents took me on a hike that day, and when we reached the summit of one of the mountains, my dad pulled out a blanket and three packed lunches from his backpack. We ended up spending all day up there talking. In the end, my parents and I decided that I needed a new environment to allow me to be myself and give me a fresh start.

The next school year I was enrolled at a new private school, an all girl's school which made my father happy, but it was next to an all boy's schools. The two single-sex schools did a lot of activities had which kept my mother happy. While the students and staff knew who I was, it at least gave me space to be myself and not worry if I was being compared. My parents spoke to my old school, and the headmaster said he would take care of it, but I didn't want my teachers to be walking on eggs shells around me. Changing school might have seemed like an abrupt solution, but I ended up flourishing. I later found out this was my mother's solution. She always knew what I needed and how to help me, even if at the time I didn't.

Mom died over a year. It broke all our hearts. Anastasia Rose Grey was the most incredible mother, my best friend, and confidant. It took me months to be able to talk about her without crying. My little granddaughter, Violet, and I love going through my old albums. I often tell her stories about stories about mom. I am so glad that Violet knew my mother, even if it was for a short time.

Now our hearts were going to break even more. Our father, the great and loving Christian Grey was passing away.

AN: The next chapter isn't far away.