Written ✓

Seventeen

Anne was discharged, Phillip walked beside her, holding her weight against him as he ushered her into the automobile with nothing but Damian in his mind.

"What's on your mind?" Anne asked lightly, propping herself on the seat next to him as he started the engine.

"Nothing, darling," Phillip replied distantly as he stared blankly ahead of him. "Do you need anything?"

"All I need is sleep," Anne said calmly, she liked not being in those horrible hospital beds. "My back hurts."

Phillip gave her one long look. "Okay."

Phillip parked the automobile by the driveway, taking Anne out and taking her to bed. He brushed his hair out of his face, muttering a curse word as he shut the door behind him. Where could he be? He had no time to sit and ponder over that thought when the doorbell rang.

Phillip swung open the door, only to see the faces of his mother and father, solemn expressions on their faces.

"We heard the news," Mrs. Carlyle said with a frown on her face. "Is she okay? Is my grandchild okay?"

Phillip was shocked to hear those words come out of his mother's mouth. "Uh, yes. They both are okay." He said stiffly, allowing them in as they sat in the living room. "What are you both doing here? Visiting the province side?"

"We wanted to congratulate Anne for her...pregnancy," Mr. Carlyle began, licking his lips. "But once we read what happened in the papers, we both agreed that we'd visit you when it's best."

Phillip nodded, avoiding eye contact. He tapped his foot and stared up at the ceiling. "Would you two like some–"

"Hello," Anne emerged from downstairs, holding her back as she made her way next to Phillip. "How are you two?"

Mrs. Carlyle kissed both her cheeks before answering. "We're fine, dear. How is the baby? Do you know the gender yet?"

Anne suppressed a sad smile. "The baby is stable, thank you for your concerns. The baby has only lived for five days, I'll be getting the insight by next week. Would you two like some tea?"

"No," Mr. Carlyle said, a little too sharply. He quickly answered. "We are fine. We were wondering if you'd like a helping hand around the manor. Phillip can't do all the cooking and cleaning around the house, now can he?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Phillip asked indignantly, raising his chin up. "And what about your mansion? I'm guessing you two aren't foolish enough to leave your home unattended?"

"Of course not!" Mrs. Carlyle snapped heatedly, a tingle of hurt in her words. "Janelletta's tending the house for right now. I don't want that incident that happened to our grandchild happen again."

Anne fought back the urge to roll her eyes. Phillip and his parents had ended on good terms, but it seems like the hatred is back. She didn't want them stressing over the baby's wellbeing, but it sure would be nice to have more company. "Sure, you can help around the house as much as you would like, and there's plenty of space here in the manor, so feel free to spend the night if possible."

Phillip looked at her in mild disbelief, unable to say any words. Mrs. and Mr. Carlyle each gave her a look of gratitude. Anne smiled, she was sure this time would help Phillip and his parents reconcile and for her child to grow up monitored by them.

Anne thought about Lettie and the rest of the oddities. She knew she wouldn't be performing for a while, and how much she would miss the hovering above the air. She released that thought, they'll do fine without her, at least for now. Anne got up, groaning.

"I'm going to go back upstairs," Anne blurted out through clenched teeth as she propped herself on the staircase. She blew a kiss to Phillip and walked slowly upstairs, leaving Phillip and his parents alone to talk.

"Alright fine," Phillip said stiffly, looking at them with cold blue eyes. "But you must abide by our rules. You mustn't play around with our private stuff, and you cannot interfere with Anne. Do I make myself clear?"

He was in charge now, not them. They will never be in control anymore. Phillip liked that thought. Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle nodded tightly, not saying another word before heading off toward the garden to look at Anne's beautiful flowers. Phillip walked behind them, his mouth shut tight and his hands behind his back. Somehow, his old-self was seeping through. The cold, uptight drunkard that his parents trained him to be, the old him that he never wanted to be again.

He knew at that moment that this was going to be a rough adjustment.

Author's Note: What a nice *calm* chapter, eh? The Carlyle's have officially moved in! This will a good time for forgiving and forgetting, right? Thank you so much for reading Seventeen! Please share and vote this series! Stay tuned for more, bye!

- E.S.M (AuthenticBookworm)