Disclaimer: I do not own GH, ABC does.
Author's Note: I created Celena Loek solely for this chapter, so please don't steal the character!
Tiffany and Vivian kept their promises and stayed in touch with occasional visits with Tiffany spoiling her goddaughter with each visit. Tiffany also invited her friends to her wedding.
All seems well until one November day in 1993 when one phone call changed everything.
On beautiful fall day, Tiffany was at home resting and Sean was running a few errands when the phone rings and she receives some bad news.
"Hello? This is Tiffany Hill speaking."
"Hello this is Celena Loek, the Chao family lawyer calling from Vermont. I am calling to inform you that Ethan and Vivian Chao were killed in a skiing accident in New Hampshire. I see that they have listed you as Hope's legal guardian."
After hearing the unfortunate news, Tiffany thought to herself, Oh that poor girl I just talked to her mother a month ago,
"Ma'am?"
"Oh sorry yes go on."
"I am wondering if you could make a trip out here to see her, be with her, and work something out with her. She has been not been responding to anyone since the accident".
"Awww the poor child, sure but there is someone I need to talk to. Would it be okay I call you back?"
"Sure ma'am."
Tiffany writes down the number and extension.
Fifteen minutes later Sean arrives back and Tiffany is ready to tell him.
"Hi sweetie," said Sean giving her a hug, "How was your morning?"
"It was good," replied Tiffany hugging him back and then added, "Darling, there is something I need to talk to you about."
"Okay."
"Remember when we we're in Mount Rushmore and we saw my goddaughter and her parents?"
"Yes I remember, Hope's your goddaughter and Vivian and Ethan are her parents right?"
Now with a quivering voice Tiffany continued, "Yes. Well about 15 minutes I received a call from their family lawyer informing me that Hope's parents died in a skiing accident and I am the only next of kin Hope has, which means I need to go and see her and figure something out."
Sean in a bit of shock said, "Oh that poor girl. Of course we should go as soon as we can."
"Okay would tomorrow afternoon be okay?" asked Tiffany while drying her tears.
"Yes absolutely."
"Okay I will call the lawyer back and let her know."
"Okay and I will call Justus afterwards."
Tiffany then immediately called the lawyer back.
"Hello Ms. Loek? This is Tiffany Hill calling."
"Yes, Ms. Hill. Thank you for quick response."
"You're welcome. I have talked it with my husband and he knows about the situation and will becoming with me. How long do you think this could take?"
"I could speed up the process to about three to five business days. How soon can you come?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"Okay I will relay the message to Hope. I will have her in my office when you come," said Celena and she gives Tiffany the directions to the office.
"Okay I will see you tomorrow."
A few minutes later Sean made the call that he needed to make.
"Hello this is Justus Ward speaking."
"Hi Justus, this is Sean Donely calling."
"Hello Sean, how are you today?"
"I am not sure how I should answer that question."
"Oh? Is anything the matter?"
"Yes."
Sean then explains what Tiffany told him earlier.
"Ok, would it be okay that I came with you and your wife? Just in case any legality arises."
"Yes that's a good idea. We're heading Vermont by car tomorrow afternoon."
"Okay I will see you then."
After hanging up the phone Sean says, "Ok I have talked to Justus and he says he is coming just to be on the safe side."
"Good idea. I am going to call and let Bobbie know we will be at the hospital in a few days and then I will go pack a few essentials."
Tiffany dialed the number and in an instant, "Hello 7th floor nurses station."
"Hi Audrey is either Bobbie or Tony in?"
"Hello Tiffany. Yes as a matter of fact Bobbie is right here with me," said Audrey and handed the phone to Bobbie and whispered, "It's Tiffany she needs to talk to you."
"Hello Tiffany? Audrey said you needed to talk to me."
"Yes I do. I need to let you know that Sean and I will be by in a hospital next week."
"Why is anything wrong?"
"Remember the baby girl that was admitted over a decade ago?"
"Yes I remember, you said that her mother was a friend from your med school days before you became a starlet."
"Yes well I just a phone call today telling me that Hope's parents are dead. I will be going to see her tomorrow and bringing her back with me since it was already stated in her parents' will."
"Oh the poor girl she must be devastated to lose her parents her age. You know what I will see if I can get Simone and Tom to come with me to your place. I think it would be better for Hope to get used to her new surroundings."
"Good idea. I will call you after I have seen and talked to Hope okay?"
"Sounds good."
After hanging up the phone Bobbie then fills Audrey asked, "Bobbie what is wrong you don't look too happy."
"This so sad."
"What is the matter?"
"Do you remember seeing a little baby here at the hospital, you know Tiffany's goddaughter?"
"Yes baby Hope right? She was such darling."
"Well Tiffany informed me that her parents are dead and she is on her way to see Hope and then bring her back to Port Charles as she is now her ward and I am guessing Sean's going too."
Audrey shook her head and said, "That poor child. She is going to need all the support she can get."
"Yes I know so that is why when Tiffany brings Hope home I am going to see if I can get Simone and Tom to go with me to their place."
"Funny you should mention them, they are right behind you."
Bobbie fills Simone and Tom on what had happened.
The next afternoon Tiffany along with Sean and Justus arrived at Celena's office. A few minutes later Celena comes in.
"Hello Ms. Hill, thank you for coming today. I told Hope that you were coming and she is eager to see you, I will take you to where she is waiting."
"Thank you Ms. Loek."
Right before she goes she tells Sean, "Honey I will go see her first then maybe you later you would like to talk to her?"
"Yes sure thing. In the meantime Justus and I will talk over the formalities with the family lawyer."
After Celena shows Tiffany the door to the room, she goes in and her heart sinks at the sight of Hope sulking.
Tiffany walks over, sits down next Hope, and gently asks, "Hope sweetie?"
Hope instantly looks up and gives Tiffany a big hug.
"Aunt Tiffany I am so glad to see you."
"Oh sweetie I am so glad to see you too. I am sorry to hear what happened. Don't worry I am here for you."
Hope begins to cry as Tiffany holds her tightly.
After a half hour of silence, Tiffany finally says, "Hope, there is someone else here to see you. Hold on I will be right back."
Tiffany goes to get Sean.
"Sean?"
"Yes?"
"Would you like to see Hope now?"
"Okay."
The two go back to the room.
"Hey there Hope."
Hope, wiping her tears, and said timidly, "Hi Uncle Sean."
"I heard what happened and I am really sorry, but you have my word that Aunt Tiffany and I will be here for you no matter what and you have a lot friends who will be there for you too."
"Thank you," said Hope nodding trying to smile not realizing her life was about to change even more.
Together Tiffany and Sean gave Hope a big hug.
After getting Hope to take a nap, Tiffany remembered she had something she needed to do.
"Sean, could you stay here with Hope. I need make a quick phone call."
"Okay."
Tiffany then went to make a phone call.
"Hello 7th floor nurses station."
"Hi, Audrey."
"Tiffany, I am so sorry to hear the sad news, how is Hope holding up?"
"Good for now thanks for asking. Is Bobbie there?"
"No but I can page her for you."
"Please, thank you."
Within minutes Bobbie was on the other end.
"Tiffany, how's Hope?"
"She's holding up pretty well for a kid her age."
"Good. So I talked to Simone and Tom and they said they're more than happy to help out in any way."
"Ok I was thinking when I bring Hope home with me, I will be spending a few days with her, and then maybe after that I will come by or have Simone and Tom come by."
"Ok sounds like a plan."
After hanging up the phone Tiffany went back to check on Hope who was still sleeping peacefully. As she watched the little girl sleep Tiffany stroked Hope's jet black hair knowing hers, Sean's and Hope's and everyone who knew them is about to change.
The next few days would be the start of a long road for Hope.
