Phoebe
“Beth!” I called as I burst through the front door. “Where are you?”
Beth appeared from the kitchen, putting a finger to her lips and pointing at the lounge.
“The boys are watching TV.”
“Hey Beth,” Grantley said, wrapping an arm around my chest from behind. “You okay?”
“Hi, Grantley. Did you have a good trip?”
“Yeah, it was great, thanks, but what’s going on? All Phoebe would say is that we had to get back here.”
Beth sucked in her bottom lip and placed a hand at her throat, her fears stemming the words she wanted to say.
I turned in Grantley arms. “I just need some time with her,” I whispered.
Grantley nodded and kissed the top of my head. “How about I keep the boys occupied, while you two talk.”
As he walked away, I caught hold of his hand.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure, pretty girl.”
As Grantley let himself into the lounge, a snippet of noise burst through the open door, only to be silenced as soon as it closed again. I smiled as I heard, “Dick, you’re here”, shouted from the boys, and walked down the hall towards my sister.
“I thought they were going to take a couple of weeks.”
“That’s what the hospital said.” Beth shrugged. “Maybe this means it’s bad news.”
“You won’t know until you open them.” I said, following her into the kitchen.
“I know.”
Beth chewed on her lip as she looked down at the envelope that was shaking in her hand, so I held my hand over it, to stop the trembling. As Beth looked up at me, she took in a deep breath.
“I’m petrified.”
“Open it,” I said. “Whatever it says, we’ll cope.”
She nodded, glanced at me with tear filled eyes and ripped it open. Clearing her throat, Beth unfolded the letter and read it. I watched her eyes as they moved across the words typed on the paper, my heart beating rapidly, as Beth showed nothing on her face.
“Well?” I asked.
Beth looked up at me and held a hand to her mouth.
“No.” I shook my head. “Please tell me it’s not bad news.”
“No, it’s not,” she whispered. “It’s all clear. It says it’s a cyst and I’m to contact my doctor to discuss my options.”
“Really?”
Beth nodded vigorously. “Yes, really.”
“Oh thank God,” I breathed out.
“Shit, Phoebes, I have never been so scared.” Beth flung her arms around me and hugged me tightly. “I am so relieved.”
As we hugged it out, I heard Grantley clear his throat behind us.
“Hey ladies, sorry to interrupt but the guys wanted a drink. I said I’d get it, I kind of figured something was going on in here.”
Beth let me go and wiped at the tears on her cheeks. “Of course, I’ll sort it.”
“Is everything okay?” Grantley asked.
“Everything’s fine,” I replied, gazing up at him. “Beth just had some test results back, and it’s good news.”
“Well that’s fantastic, Beth.”
“Thanks, Grantley. It’s been a really worrying week or so, I’m just relieved it’s all over.”
Grantley leaned forward and gave Beth a kiss on the cheek. “You’ve had a rough time, eh?”
Beth nodded. “Just a bit, but it’s all good now.”
Grantley looked at us both and then smiled. “Hey, how about I treat the two of you to a spa day somewhere this weekend?”
“No, you don’t have to do that,” Beth protested.
“I want to.”
I watched Beth and I could see the glint of excitement in her eyes. She desperately wanted to say yes, but was too proud. We both were, but if it meant my sister was pampered for a day then I’d let my pride go, for her.
“If Grantley wants to, you should accept his generous offer, Beth.”
Beth glared at me. “Phoebe, we can’t accept it. It’s far too expensive.”
“Beth,” Grantley said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Please, it’d be my pleasure.”
Opening the cupboard door, she pulled down a couple of blue plastic beakers and carried them over to the fridge, where she took out a carton of fresh orange. Pouring some into the beakers, she then added some cold water. All the time, Grantley and I remained silent, watching and waiting for my sister to agree.
“What about the boys?” she asked, turning around holding the drinks in both hands.
“I’ll look after the boys.”
Beth and I both turned to stare at Grantley, who was grinning widely.
“You?” I asked.
“Yeah, why not? Shooting has a rest day on Sunday, so I’ll book your spa for then. Barney and I can come around and keep them entertained.
Beth and I exchanged surprised looks.
“Are you sure?” I asked tentatively. “You don’t have to. I’m sure Wendy would have them, Beth.”
“She’s still on holiday,” Beth replied, staring at Grantley. “Really, you’d do that for me, for us?”
Grantley nodded.
Before I knew what was happening, Beth had handed me the drinks and thrown her arms around Grantley, hugging him tightly.
“Thank you, Grantley,” she said against his broad chest. “You are a very special man.”
Grantley looked at me over the top of Beth’s head and smiled.
Oh shit, I’m most definitely falling for him.
* * *
Grantley
As I watched Phoebe sleep, I gently pushed her hair from her face. She’d just about made it through dinner before practically falling asleep at the table. As I carried her up the stairs to her room, Beth followed and insisted that I stay the night. She was right, it wasn’t safe for me to drive feeling as bushed as I did. I’d ridden out the jet lag, but at almost eight pm, sleep was dragging me under.
“Goodnight, pretty girl,” I whispered against Phoebe’s cheek.
“Hmm, night, night,” she muttered, snuggling against her pillow and throwing an arm around my torso. “That’s nice.”
I smiled as she dropped a sleepy kiss to my bare pec. If I hadn’t been so tired, or in the room next to the boys, I would have kissed her back and initiated sex, because I had to be honest, sex with Phoebe was fucking amazing. My pretty girl could be wild between the sheets and I fucking loved it.
Sex was just one part of being with her that I loved. She could be funny as fuck and feisty as hell, and I adored spending time with her. I couldn’t imagine not spending time with her, but filming would be drawing to an end in a few weeks, which meant so would my time with Phoebe. I really had some thinking to do, not least of all, what the hell was I going to do with two six-year olds for a whole day?