Fifty Shades After

Chapter 21: Heartbreak Kid

"Ow, ow! Mom!"

- "Hold still!" She's giggling as she attempts to fix my tie. She pulls down and I start cringing and coughing. "Oh! Oh, my gosh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She's laughing hysterically and fixing it some more. Jesus, right in the Adam's apple. "No tie, no tie!" I whine. "Here. Let me." We hear Dad on the door. How long has he been there? Has he just been watching as Mom chokes me?

He unties it in a blink of an eye and wraps it around my neck, under my collar. He stuffs one end under the other, then both. Within a matter of seconds, Dad's done, and my throat is in tact. He's crazy good with ties. I guess having to wear one every day helps.

"Thanks." I look in the mirror and gently tug it up. Whoa. I look good. I mockingly slick my hair back and double point at my reflection. Dad laughs and pats me on the shoulder. "Yes, Romeo, you're handsome. We get it."

Phoebe steps in. She's wearing a light blue dress and her hair in curls. She's so cute, it hurts. "Why thank you, little lady." I imitate Elvis Presley and repeatedly raise my eyebrows and she giggles. "And not only that, I'm alive, too." I look at Mom and she pouts. "You need to get better at that, Mom. No more clip-on ties. Maybe Mr. Tycoon here can teach you how to handle a tie."

- "Amazing idea." Dad half grins and I notice pink creeping across Mom's face.

Whoa. What?

"I'm going to go see what Gail is doing!" Phoebe beams and runs out. That's been her new escape plan ever since she met Gail. She loves her. And suddenly, so do I. "Wait! I'm coming with you!" I chase after Phoebe.

"Why do you always run off like that?" I catch up and she grins goofily. "Because! Don't you think moments like that are happening more often? Alone time means more together time. And that's not just good for them, its good for you and me." She points at me with her index and points at herself with her thumb. I'm stunned. "Wow. That's- ingenious of you." I blink. "I know." Phoebe giggles

We reach the kitchen and Gail is washing plates while singing to The Righteous Brothers cooning to Unchained Melody in the background. "Hey, Gail." Phoebe hops onto a chair on the island table. "Hello, Phoebe, Hi, Teddy." She smiles. "Are you two ready for the party? It would seem so." She looks at the both of us. We're spiffy, maybe too spiffy, but I really want to look my best. Mostly because of Sophie.

Thing is, she invited the whole Grey family.

To both of our dismay, Ava's going to be there.

We stay with Gail for maybe half an hour until we hear Dad summon us. "Let's go, kids." He yells and we bid goodbye to Gail. Finally. What the heck took them so long?

In the entrance hall, Dad is on the phone with whom I think is Taylor and Mom is struggling out of his grip around her waist. They can act so immature sometimes. "Ready." I call out to him and reach for Phoebe's hand.Dad nods to me and instructs me to start the car. Yes!

I chose the white Audi a4 in the garage and quickly scramble in. "Do you know what you're doing?" Phoebe asks warily stepping inside the passenger's seat. "Yup." I answer and twist the keys inside. The car ignites and I remember to put it in reverse. I almost provoked havoc last time I made that mistake, and Dad wasn't too happy about that. I back out of the garage and press the control button near the glove compartment to close it. I see Mom and Dad in the driveway talking. A little too close to eachother. "Look it!" Phoebe points out excitedly. Jesus, the personal space is getting smaller and smaller by the day.

Phoebe and I climb out of the car and scramble inside the back. "Can I drive?" Mom flutters her lashes. "No." Dad scoffs sliding to the pilot seat. "You're such a contradiction. How do you sell my car-"