Fifty Shades After

Chapter 3: Amends

Like a synchronization, mom's and my eyes shoot out, our breaths hitch, and we're completely immobile. Fuck. My mind drifts off to the Audi. Why am I thinking of that Audi? This is impossible. This is impossible. There's just no way.

Why?

Why is he here?

Why did he cross his line?

I can feel mom trembling beside me. She's not stable enough for this encounter. So I decide that it's my turn to shine. I get up and turn to look at him with all the determination I can muster. His face is soft. Calm. He's wearing a white sleeve shirt, with the first three buttons undone, and jeans with a pair of black shoes. His watch is a shiny gold, and he's shaven. "What in the Hell do you think you're doing here?" I hiss and he frowns. "Ted." He takes a step and I scowl. "Stay away from us!" He stops. "What gives you the right to come here? Who do you think you are?"

- "Your father." He says dryly. I'm enraged. "You're nothing to me!" He's taken aback by my insult. He looks hurt. "You can't say that."

- "Watch me, old man. You. Are. Nothing. Now leave us alone."

- "I need to speak with you both."

- "We don't want to speak to you! We don't don't want to see you! Now go back to where you-"

- "Ted," Mom speaks over me and I immediately stop talking, which confuses me, because in a normal tantrum, I wouldn't be able to stop it. 

Wait! I'm just getting started!

 "No, Mom! He deserves everything he's getting!" She turns to me and gazes into my eyes. Her stare an icy cold one and I quickly shut up. 

Mom? 

She gracefully stands up and turns to look at him. She stares right at him, and he back. She doesn't look like my mom anymore. The easy going, cute, kind woman that raised me disappeared, and all of a sudden, I'm surrounded by strangers. 

I feel like an intruder, and I instinctively back away. Why am backing off? I have as much say into this encounter as anybody else here!

"Anastasia. You're beautiful." He sighs and she doesn't move a muscle. "You haven't aged a year."

- "Wish I can say the same to you, Grey." Mom says and he cocks his head, his expression unchanged. "Why are you here?" Mom asks, sounding off a hint of annoyance. "I realized that you not being my wife means I don't have to listen to you."

- "And it took you nine years?" She crosses her arms. He raises an eyebrow at her. "Did you wish for it to be sooner?"

- "I was hoping not at all."

- "Unfortunately for you, I'm not going anywhere." He takes a step forward and mom takes a step back, shaking her head at him. "Teddy!" I hear Phoebe and she runs to me. I kneel and her body clashes onto my chest. "Look! Mr. Grey gave me a doll. Her name is Ella. Isn't she pretty?"

Phoebe

Aw, my swing is getting slower. Maybe I should call Teddy so he can push me some more. Oh! Never mind! He's pushing me! 

Wee!

 I'm going higher and higher! I squeal in delight and then he holds onto the chains of my swing. Aw. I turn. "Hey! Why'd you-" that's not my brother, but he kind of looks like him, except older. "Hello." He says.