A/N: Thanks for the great response to the last chapter of Laters, Peach. You all inspired me. Don't worry; I'm not done with Laters, Peach although I do think the end is near. I know some of you want it to go forever. Sorry, all good things must come to an end. Glass Slipper also inspired me for Laters, Baby. I'm sure you all want to know about the adventure that Liam and Spencer went on. Please let me know what you think of Stroke and Scull (LOL)
I started a Pinterest board for this too. See my profile for the link.
Don't forget to vote for my story on Wattpad. You can log in with FB. It's called A.L.L. of Me. Make sure to hit the star on the upper right side of the page. Check out A Moment in Paris too.
Teddy's POV
"Teddy. Hello, earth to Teddy." Phoebe snapped her fingers in front of my face while we sat at the breakfast table. Bringing me out of my daydream, the same daydream I've had for the last six years. Sometimes I think I imagined all of it, but then I hear someone laugh and I find myself listening to see if it is her. I'll see a brown haired girl from behind and nearly chase her down just so I can see her eyes. I wish I could look into those beautiful chocolate brown eyes that twinkle when she talks about art again. No other girl I've dated has ever compared to her and I'm not even sure if she was even real. Not that there have been a lot of girls. I just can't handle fake girls who are just worried about the label they are wearing or the last name of the guy they are out with.
"What? What did you say?" I asked my irritated sister.
"I asked you if you were still taking me to Stroke's showing tonight." Stroke is all my sister can talk about. Apparently the girl is a 'fantastic' artist and an aid in Phoebe's art class. I guess she must have some talent since she's having a showing at the R.E. Welch Gallery. I've never met her since I don't go to Phoebe's school, I home school but my siblings and cousins all go the best private schools money can buy. A lot changed after that trip to Italy. Mom went to battle with Dad about us all needing more freedom to be 'normal kids'. Dad finally relented and they came to an agreement, the funny thing was after that day, I never really wanted to explore my new found freedom because if I had my CPO with me that day, so much would have been different. I would have had my phone with me and I wouldn't have run off without her last name or a way to contact her. My life changed forever when those dam street lights came on.
"Yes, Phoebe. I told you I would take you and I will. I'll even take you out to dinner first if it's okay with mom and dad."
She looked at our mother who was arguing with our little brother, Alec, about eating all his breakfast. "Can we Mommy? Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee." She begged.
"Phoebe, I think mom is on to you. You only call her Mommy when you want something." Mom threw her head and began to laugh and my sister glared at me.
"That's my favorite sound in the world." Dad said as he entered the room and kissed mom on the forehead. "What's so funny Mrs. Grey?" I used to think my parent's affection towards each other was sickening, but ever since that day I have understood. I guess it's not just my parents, but all of the adults in our family. Maybe one day I will be included in that list.
"Our son just told our daughter about her 'Mommy' tell."
"I love you Mommy." Phoebe said in the sugar sweet voice that I hate.
"I love you too Phoebe and yes your brother can take you out to dinner before you go to the gallery." Mom turned to look at me. "Just let security in on your plans."
"That isn't fair Teddy. When are you going to do something with me?" I should have known this was coming before Madi even said it. Her bottom lip jutted out and she made those sad puppy dog eyes that I can't resist.
"I'll take you out tomorrow Squirt, just you and me." She bounced up and down in her seat. Call me sentimental, but I know I'm going to be leaving for college in the fall and I'm going to miss these girls that are a royal pain in my ass.
"What about me?" My little brother asked as he climbed up into my lap. I never thought I would have a brother. I couldn't love him any more than I do. It's going to be hard to leave them all.
I looked at my parents before I answered. With a non-verbal nod, I knew they were okay with what I was about to suggest. "I'll pick you up at school today and take you out for a treat." His arms flew around my neck and he hugged me as hard as he could.
Soon, the rest of the family left and I got on with my day. Home schooling has given me the flexibility to work on my music and spend a couple of days a week working at GEH. Dad thought it was important so that I wouldn't be totally isolated from the world. I like it and it has taught me that I can learn a lot from the old man. I jogged down to the main gate before heading down to the water for a row. I became obsessed with sculling when Dad and I watched it at the Olympics; that was the day he seemed to forgive me for my 'jail brake'. I love being out on the water, the rhythmic sound of my boat gliding across the smooth glass sheet, and it's a great workout. Dad has a boat too, but today it's just me and my thoughts of her, Lauren, my angel.
Phoebe's POV
I'm so excited about tonight. Stroke deserves this. I hope it makes her happy, she always looks so sad. She kind of reminds me of Teddy, or Scull as I always seem to refer to him as when I'm talking to her. I can't wait to introduce them to each other. I don't know why but I have this feeling that they could be good together. "Are you ready for tonight?"
"No, I'm freaking the hell out. Remind me again why I decided to do this."
"Because you are amazingly talented." I reminded the girl that has been so supportive of me. I'm not a gifted musician like my brother or an athlete like my sister, who is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Sophie, our cousin's wife, by being an Olympic archer too. I do like to dance, but I'm clumsy like our mother so these days I stick to reading, writing, and painting. I wish I was a good as Stroke. She's brilliant and she doesn't act all weird around me like everyone else. With her, I feel like I can just be me. Not Phoebe Grace Grey, just Phoebe.
Teddy's POV
As part of my parent's compromise, I'm allowed to drive my own car. Of course security isn't far behind. It's a sweet ride, if I do say so myself. It's not overly flashy and it meets all of dad's safety requirements plus it has room for the band and some of our equipment. Alec and I hit the Mickey D's drive-thru for a sundae and then headed to the park. I wore him out before we headed home so that I could get ready for my date with my sister. I felt good as I put my pinstripe jacket on over my crisp white dress shirt with my skinny back tie. My sister deserves to feel like a princess, even if it is with her big brother. Maybe if I show her what a guy should treat her like on a date she will expect it. I hate that I won't be around, but I know Dad and Jason will be keeping a close eye on her. Mom whistled at me when I came down the stairs.
"Should I be jealous baby?" Dad teased as he pulled her close.
"Nope," she said with a pop of her p. "I'm totally satisfied with the older model." Yuck, no guy wants to think about his mom being 'satisfied'.
"I prefer classic or vintage." He said after he finished kissing her.
"Get a room." Phoebe teased them as she came down the stairs looking lovely.
"It's a good thing you are going out with your brother tonight or you'd be going back upstairs to change young lady." Phoebe looked really pretty in her cream color dress but shit, when did she get boobs?
"Let's go Doll. We have reservations." I put out my arm and she threaded hers through it. "Your chariot is waiting."
"More like my pumpkin." She replied and I cringed at the memory of Lauren.
Phoebe's POV
"This is so much fun." We sat in front of the windows overlooking the water while we played one of our favorite games. We probably shouldn't do it since we know what it feels like when things that are untrue are said about you, but it's just for fun.
"What about them?" Phoebe asked once we finished laughing. She looked at a couple sitting a few tables away from us.
"Eat your dinner and I'll tell you." My brother can be as bad as our father sometimes. I scooped up a spoonful of my lobster mac and cheese and put the whole thing in my mouth. "Nice manners sis." He looked at the couple. The man was older and sweating like crazy. The woman was much younger and in a black pencil skirt with a simple silk shirt.
"Time's up." In our game you only have one minute to come up with a story.
"They've never met before tonight. They both came straight from work."
"Are they having an affair?"
"That's too simple. Plus why would she be sleeping with him?" I love the way my bother thinks, he's kind of warped. He's perfect for Stroke.
"She found him online. Her mother went to school with him. Her parents were high school sweethearts and they got married when she got knocked up. Her parents just got divorced and her d-bag father just told her that she's not his."
"That's awful." I said as I took another bite. "How does he know who she's looking for?" I asked as I leaned in further enthralled by his tale.
"She's looking for the man with a prosthetic arm." Teddy started laughing when I tossed a roll at him. "Oh my god, the look on your face was priceless." My brother has become a huge movie buff over the last few years. I swear he knows them all. Sometimes I hate it. "Come on Doll, time to go to this art show. I hope it doesn't suck." Teddy has nicknames for all of us. I'm Doll, Madison is Squirt, and Alec is Ace. I don't know what it is with our family and nicknames but them seem to stick.
Teddy's POV
"Be careful with my baby." I advised the valet. This has been a pretty fun night. We need to do this more before I leave for college.
"So what kind of art does Stroke do?" I can't believe she calls her friend Stroke, but I guess it has to do with her art. A couple of reporters asked if they could take our picture. At least they asked first. I put my arm around my sister and we smiled before we entered the gallery.
Immediately I was drawn to the giant painting on the first wall. It was an angel, our angel. Michael, the Archangel on top of the Castel Sant' Angelo. I would recognize it anywhere. It was painted in shades of gray. How? How could it be? I looked at the name of the painting. It was Angelo Grigio, Gray Angel, or should I say Grey? My heart began to race and my knees buckled.
"Stroke, I'd like you to meet my brother Scull." I vaguely heard from behind me. I knew it was her the second I heard her laugh. I don't know how I was still standing. All the air left me lungs as I turned to see Lauren, my Angel.
She gasped when I turned and then she ran. Talk about déjà vu.