Through Grey Eyes: Fifty Shades of Fatherhood

Princess Phoebe

Here's a story about Christian and Phoebe I was inspired to write. Hope you enjoy! I'll have an update on baby Teddy soon. This is just for fun. xo

I have a date this afternoon with a younger woman. She's stunning, confident and much smarter than me. She asked me last weekend via special invitation, delivered by a courier to my office who looked a lot like her mother. It was a heart shaped, lace trimmed thing cut out of construction paper and covered with puppy dog stickers, colored glue and glitter that I still can't get off my hands. In fact, I went through an entire day's worth of meetings with sparkles in the parts of my hair I run my fingers through. It's going to be a formal affair. We're having high tea at her palace and I've been told to wear the suit I play busy-ness man in. The invite states I must come alone, but she's bringing a few of her ladies in waiting, her hamster who she calls Count Chester, and a goose that wears a bonnet.

"I can't believe you bought Phoebe a real pink diamond tiara," Ana says, eyes wide as she lifts the dainty little crown from the signature red Cartier box she's more than familiar with. I had it specially designed for the occasion. I had no idea how hard it would be to find so many pink diamonds of good size and quality on such short notice. But, I threw in an extra cash incentive and a pair of earrings for Ana, so they got the job done.

"Well, it's a date in a palace with a princess, I couldn't come empty handed. Count Chester would exile me from the kingdom." That fucking hamster hates me. I try to be nice and pet the thing, but he's not happy until he tastes my blood. He may fool everyone else, but I know what he's doing when he runs on that wheel going nowhere- training for battle with my thumbs. I think he knows I motioned against his purchase in the family meeting. I still say Teddy's stuffed pig shouldn't have had a vote, but even without the swine contingency, I still would've lost. Remember that time you were in control, Grey? Yeah, neither does Count Chester.

"Look at the inscription on the inside," I say, proudly, pointing to the delicate cursive script above the right hair comb.

"Petite Princesse de Papa," she reads, smiling as she traces the lettering with her fingertip, then looks up to me. "Daddy's Little Princess." She holds it to her heart."That's so beautiful. But, you could have bought her a toy one."

"You can't be a real princess with a fake crown!" I shake my head, failing to hide my outrage at such a notion. "Do you think she'll like it?" I fail to hide my nervousness, too.

"No," Ana says, seriously, and I frown. "She will love it!" I smile. "But, it's so expensive. She's only four. Maybe you should wait a few years..."

"A few years?" Is Ana crazy? I could hardly wait in the store when they were wrapping it up, how am I supposed to wait years?

"She could break it."

"I don't care about that." All I care about is the way her eyes light up when I give it to her. There is nothing better for a father than watching his child's dreams come true and knowing he had some part in it. "Besides, this isn't just a fun gift, it's educational." I throw out the bait. That'll reel Ana in to my side. She's the Scrooge at Christmas who wants to give the kids reading materials and puzzles and clothing. What kid wants to open books and socks on Christmas morning? Lucky for them their father has no practicality in gift giving and an unlimited charge account at FAO Schwartz.

"Really?" she snorts.

"Yes, really. But, it's better than the shit they teach in school. This is a real world life lesson."

"What's the lesson? That her father will get her anything her heart desires?"

"That she should expect the best. Command her kingdom! You don't want her to be the kind of girl that accepts cheap jewelry do you?"