"I love these," Steffy flipped through the book in front of her. "These too."

"I figured you would, darling niece," Felicia touched her hand. "Well, you can have them all."

"No, it's too much," Steffy exhaled. "I can't let you spend that kind of money on—"

"My niece. You're carrying my great niece, and I want to spoil her like I never got to do with the rest of you. She's going to be so loved."

"Her dad and I are so excited." Steffy and Bill, at her last ultrasound appointment, were the happiest they had ever been. She was now at her six-month mark and was finally ready to hear the sex. Something deep inside her knew it was a girl, and she was right.

Their little girl, Phoebe Brielle Spencer was going to be extremely loved. Steffy's family was already fawning over her, and she wasn't even here yet. Bill had bought a massive amount of things for her. She would have clothes for her first two years before she was even born.

"He's um, interesting," Felicia cleared her throat. "Not at all who I envisioned you with."

"Why not?" Steffy sat up, intrigued by Felecia's comment. "He's exactly who I envisioned. I didn't know who or what I wanted to be when we first met, but I knew Bill was for me."

"You're such a force of nature. I guess I'm saying you could have anything or anyone you wanted. I guess I just never saw you falling for a man with the stench of Brooke Logan on him. I know your feelings about her."

"Bill is as much a force of nature as I am. He's human, flawed. Even enough to make the mistake of Brooke Logan, but unlike most men, Bill knows how to recover from even the lowest of depths. He's powerful, he makes me feel powerful, and he loves me more than any man in my life ever has. He'd do anything for me and our daughter."

"I see that now," Felicia admitted. "I've since changed my opinion on him. He's dedicated and loves you so deeply."

"And he loves her." Steffy ran her hand over her stomach. "He loves her so much it makes me look at him differently. Everyone sees the big bad Dollar Bill that's ruthless and cold, but I see daddy. I see the man that gets all googly over what shade of pink to paint her room. I see a father that had a special tiara with the Spencer sword made to put on her head when she's old enough. He does so much for us. He's rebuilding our home just so she can grow up in the place I did. To feel the love I felt there."

"I worried about you. All that stuff with Liam and Hope made me wonder how happy you really were."

"The happiest I've ever been. For a while, things were scary. I worried about what people thought and how they would take me and Bill. We loved each other before Liam or Wyatt ever happened, but it was seen as wrong in the eyes of others. I fought it. I fought our connection, but it was too strong. There was too much love and passion to let it go. I'm glad he didn't let me. He finally fought for me. We didn't waste away like last time."

"You seem different. A good different. I've loved working here alongside you, but I know it's not going to last much longer. You only needed me to get through this transition. Now it's Thomas' turn."

Steffy offered a weak smile and grabbed her hand. "I was wondering... well if you're not opposed to the idea, would you stay? Thomas is ready, but he's going to need someone who can be here all the time. I'm split between here and Spencer, and I'm not sure how effective I am here. Truthfully, I made a lot of changes out of revenge, and they worked out. Amber is doing great here, and so are you. Forrester needs all the moving pieces we assembled."

"I would love to stay, but what would I do?"

"You're the new me. I'm stepping aside. Bill and I are doing great things at Spencer, and we can continue to give you guys exclusive coverage for everything you do. I'm still a part of Forrester, but I need to focus on Phoebe's legacy. That legacy is with her father. I thought I could do it all, but it wouldn't be fair to her once she's born. She has to be number one, which is why Bill has worked everything out. He's started an on-site daycare for the employees, and I'll be able to see her anytime I want."

"That sounds amazing, Steffy. I will support you any way I can."

"Just be here. The company is finally how I always wanted it, the Forresters in charge and the Logans out on their asses." Felicia looked off, and Steffy caught it quickly. "What?"

"Brooke. What's going on with that situation?"

"Brooke has been silenced for good. She tried to make a big stink about Hope and the fight on the side of the road, but she needs to understand her daughter snapped. She tried to kill me. She's lucky Bill and I aren't pressing the issue that she also tried to burn our house down."

"That whole ordeal was too much. You're expecting a child, and it could have hurt her. Brooke needs to keep her mouth shut, or I'll shut it for her."

"Bill has her taken care of. She thought that gag order was a joke, but he's slapped her with a lawsuit. He's taking everything she has. She's going to learn not to mess with Bill."

"If she were just messing with him it wouldn't be as bad. She's messing with you and in conjunction your daughter. Bill is not one to play with when it comes to the people he loves."

"Brooke just thought she was one of those people," Steffy shrugged. "It won't be the last time we see her, but it will be the last time she disrespects us." Steffy slid back in her chair, pulling herself to her feet slowly. "I know what it's like to really be loved by Bill Spencer. That thing with them wasn't even close."

"You never have to worry about that."

"I never worry," Steffy admitted. "I know where my husband's loyalties lie. There is never a question of what he will and won't do in my mind. We make moves together, and that's what makes us such a strong unit. I'll do anything to protect what's ours."

Felicia looked as if she wanted to ask something. The question seemed to be poised on her lips, and Steffy looked at her crossing her arms. "Steffy did you and Bill... Did you have to—"

"Yes."

"I thought so," Felicia said quickly. "Well, good. You be the best wife you can and don't ever let anyone stand in the way of that. Oh, I wish I had known." Felicia grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"You couldn't have. Bill and I... It's not a big deal. Not anymore. Liam is somewhere safe where he can't hurt anyone ever again, and Hope is where she should be. We can't change anything that happened. We can only look forward."

Felicia nodded, teary-eyed, and cleared her throat. "Not a word will be spoken of this."

"I know I can count on you."

"You can always count on me. We're family."

"We have a wonderful family. I'm so lucky. My child is too."

"You're a grandmother," Felicia laughed. "This man made you a grandmother."

"I love her," Steffy smiled. "She's an incredible little girl. Wyatt and Ivy are doing a great job."

"Your cousin loves her too." Felicia smiled brighter and sighed. "You about to be a mom, and Ivy raising an adorable little girl. I didn't think I'd see you two here when you first came back. Dad told me how you two used to butt heads."

"It was mostly my fault, I have to admit," Steffy chuckled. "You know me. One track mind and I get what I want. I wanted Liam, and I steamrolled Ivy to get him. I don't apologize for what happened, but I do feel bad about hurting her. We were against each other for no reason. Neither one of us needed Liam."

"You figured it out. You figured it out and managed to dig deep down and find the love you have for each other. You and Ivy are so close now."

"I wouldn't have made it through this past year without her."

"That's what family should be. What we haven't been for a long time. I'm glad we could all reach this point."

"I'm glad we're here together. You know my mom is moving, right?"

Felicia nodded. "I heard rumors of a certain millionaire proposing. I wasn't sure how true it was."

"Ned loves her. She's completely insane about him." Steffy shrugged. "If she's happy I'm happy.

"What about your dad?"

"Dad had his chance to love my mom and give her the world. He fell short so many times, and she just kept hoping he would see the light. He finally did, but she had a new light shining on her. An even brighter one. She's not looking back this time."

Steffy had been in contact with Michael almost daily. He'd kept her up to date on the current events in his family, and she'd grown extremely close to him and Mya. They'd visited a few times, as did Brenda and Jason. Jason swore he'd had business in the city, but Steffy knew he was popping in to check on their common problem, Liam.

"Your dad is like our father. They never know a good thing until it's gone."

"Well, mom is definitely a good thing, and definitely gone," Steffy said it just in time to hear her phone ding.

"Expecting someone important?"

"Just some contracts Bill needed me to look over. He's away on business right now." Steffy ran her hand over her stomach, trying to soothe the now powerful kicks of her little girl. "Mommy knows. You're probably hungry, little one. I'm going to feed you."

"You want to have lunch?" Felicia offered.

"No, I'll have to pass today. With Bill out, I'm in the chair and making all the decisions. I'll have something delivered to meet me at the office." Steffy yawned as she steadily balanced herself on her feet. "I'm sorry. Sleep is a huge commodity these days. I can't seem to get comfortable, and with Bill gone, I haven't been in the best mood for it. My bed is a little less comfortable without him."

"I can understand that. You're used to having him there."

"He makes me feel safe. I don't think I have a need to feel unsafe anymore, but I feel like I'm home when I'm with him."

"You should feel that way with your husband."

"I do, finally. I finally have a husband that makes me feel like I'm his world." Steffy blinked away tears and crossed her arms. "You make mommy so emotional, sweetie." She rubbed her stomach. "I can't wait to meet you."

"Make sure you feed her well."

Steffy only grinned and nodded on her way out the door. She had her keys in hand when her phone went off again. A text from Wyatt lit up her screen.

Wyatt: Meeting canceled. Go get some rest, mom.

Steffy hissed and typed back a message of her own.

Steffy: Go to Hell...

"Such foul fingers on such a pretty woman." Steffy turned quickly and let out a genuine smile.

"What are you doing here?" She embraced the blonde that had saved her life.

"I just like to check on my investments." Sami ran a hand over her stomach and sighed. "Such a beautiful time."

"What are you doing here? It's too dangerous. Someone could see you."

"EJ and I went home a few weeks ago. People know he's alive and we're not hiding anything. We're in the light."

Steffy smiled and knew Bill had to have known this. She wouldn't be surprised if he helped them make their way back to their families. "What's going on? What brings you here?"

"Thanks should be delivered in person. I know you lied to the police that day. You did that for me, and I will never forget it."

"You brought Ari back to us. No thanks needed." The two women embraced again, and Sami pulled back after a few seconds.

"You take care of yourself. We will be in touch."

As quickly as she appeared, Sami was gone. Steffy just grinned to herself. Something told her with all the friends she'd made she would never be alone. So many nights she felt alone before.

Pulling herself into her car, Steffy drove home. Their house wasn't all the way done, but the majority of it was intact. Bill had contractors in and out, and a part of the house was closed off to them, but their room and the side of the house they inhabited most was liveable.

Steffy drove home with the sound of Julia Michales soothing her. She'd pulled into the driveway before she knew it. Bill's car was home, she had taken him to the airport, but sometimes she forgot. In the three days he had been gone, she had forgotten twice. "Pregnancy brain," Steffy resolved. "He's not here."

Closing her eyes, Steffy lifted herself from her car. It was becoming increasingly hard to do so. She needed a bigger car. Bill had offered a driver to take her where she needed to go, but she declined, wanting to do things for herself. Now, she was regretting it.

Through the house and up the stairs, after devouring a sandwich, Steffy dragged herself to their room and laid in bed after kicking off her shoes. She closed her eyes briefly before she heard the water running in her bathroom. She had missed it on her way in. Someone was in her bathroom.

The contractors knew better. Bill forbade anyone from entering their room. He knew how she liked to strip down to nothing but his shirt and her panties after a long day and didn't want anyone seeing her. He was extremely possessive when it came to her body.

"Get out!" Steffy yelled, hating she missed the signs of someone being there before relaxing. Now she was going to have to be uncomfortable until after they left.

When no movement was made to leave, Steffy picked up her shoe and threw it at the door. She huffed and brought herself to a sitting position just in time to hear the door open. A smile tugged at her lips as she looked at the dripping wet sight before her.

"Bill."

"Baby I'm home." He flashed her his billion-dollar smile, and now the canceled meeting made sense. He had informed her that this was a make or break deal. Now she knew he played it up just to throw her off.

"You sure are." Steffy threw her arms out to accept him and didn't bother to worry about the water beads dripping from his perfect, muscular form. He was home, and now she was complete again.

"I missed you." He kissed the side of her head as it rested against his face. "I didn't think you would get here so fast. I was planning to surprise you."

"You did, honey, but next time take me with you."

"I'll take you anywhere you want to go," he agreed. "Anywhere in the world, baby."

"Right now I'm where I want to go, so just take me."

She laid on her back, and he just shook his head. He told her before that he loved her appetite for him. He also said he'd never turn her down. He hadn't so far, and today wasn't going to be the day he started if she had anything to say about it.


"Honey, slow down." Bill bit his lip while his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Two minutes in and Steffy was a wild woman.

"No. No... I can't. Yeeesss..." She bit her lip and thrust her hips forward.

"Is this good for you? This can't be good, baby."

"It's good. So good, Bill. Uh!"

Bouncing her hips up and down, Steffy took his full length and swallowed him in her essence. Steffy rode him with her back arched, and his hands eased over her round stomach. He could feel a flurry of kicks from his princess while his queen dominated him.

He drove his tongue into her mouth, setting off a chain reaction. She was ready, so finely tuned, and if he touched her right, she made the most glorious sounds. She was everywhere he needed her to be. Intense, absolutely delicious noises of pleasure poured from her as he devoured her with his tongue.

She grabbed his hair, yanked and pulled him closer as she usually did, and he was careful, watching out for her stomach. Caressing her, kissing her, suckling the lone finger she slipped into his mouth as he raised her hips, his attention narrowed on the telltale sign that she was near her orgasm.

"Already?" He cried out in frustration, not wanting this to come to an end. "You're almost there, sweetheart."

"Keep going," a breathless scream tore from her throat. How could she possibly be screaming at him breathlessly?

"I don't want to hurt you."

"If you stop I'll kill you." Her icy blue eyes shot daggers through him, and he gripped her hips tighter. "Uh, Bill."

He thrust inside her, hitting her in the spot that turned her moans into one long, high-pitched orgasm. She shuddered against him, her legs quaking, and when he finally slowed to look up at her, he saw her hair was a wild mess, and her face was glowing. She looked like the happiest woman alive.

"I love the way you look at me when I'm inside you."

"I love the way you feel inside me." Her arms stretched around him, and she rolled her hips forward, taking more of him inside her. "I told you to keep going."

Bill rolled her to the side and draped a leg over his hips. "Like this?"

Steffy didn't say a word, she just moaned in appreciation. He gripped her breasts. Her full, round, perky breasts bounced with each stroke. Each quiver of her flesh made him want to go deeper and gripping his hands over her breasts, she linked their fingers.

Bill had his face buried into her neck until he looked up and saw them in the mirror. Steffy had this look of sheer pleasure gracing her face as she pinched her lip between her blindingly white teeth. "Yes, Bill."

He spread her wide, and she closed her eyes at his touch, lewd and lascivious and lovely. Her body was on fire and threatened to explode with each stroke. "Did you touch yourself?" He bit down on her ear.

"What?"

"While I was gone. Did you touch yourself? Did you play with it?"

She shook her head, her hands seemingly searching for the back of his head, but he pulled himself out of reach. Finally finding his soft hair after several attempts, she shook her head. "No."

He stopped again and her fingers curled against him. "I don't believe you."

"It's true. I didn't. But ..."

He blew softly on her exposed nipple. "But?"

She inhaled, the breath ragged and it didn't seem to be enough to comfort her. "But I wanted to. It just not the same as when you do it. No one does it like you."

"You mean like this?" Bill slithered a finger over her overheated slit and felt something inside her come undone. She tried to wiggle out of his arms, and he held her tighter. "We will cum together this time."

"Uhh." Bill leaned into her body harder. Stroke after delicate stroke took her. Bill kissed her neck as he pulsated inside her. While her body shook, he stroked her slit and slid in and out of her a few more times, provoking a deep soulful scream to blanket the air. She rose, she fell off the pleasure peak, and he exploded inside her.

Writhing, Steffy slid up and down his length and basked in the glow of their lovemaking. "Bill, tell me it will always be like this. You're going to surprise me like this and make me feel this desired all the time, right?"

"I'm going to do even better. When I go you go. You can have anything in this world, and there is no way I would ever deny you in the bedroom as long as you're safe."

"You worry about me, I love that. I love it that you care so deeply about our little girl, but she can take it. I can take it. I can handle you, Dollar Bill."

"No one handles me like you, Steffy. I love that about you."

Bill pulled her closer and heard when her breathing slowed. She was falling asleep. This was her new norm. Sexual maniac to Sleeping Beauty in a matter of minutes. He loved the highs and lows of her.

Kissing the side of her head, he sighed into the air. "Happy birthday, baby. I'd never miss it."

"I know," Steffy mumbled in her sleep-laden voice. "I'll take my present later."

Bill just chuckled and ran his hands through her hair. "You can have all the gifts you want."

"You're going to make love to me again." Steffy tossed over and wrapped her legs around him. "And there had better be cake."

She was half asleep as she spoke, but Bill knew the gravity of her words. He had a cake and a huge gift for her. She was going to love it. Her gift only inspired his whole trip and was the reason why she had to stay home. Italian Villas didn't just build themselves, and they damn sure didn't fill themselves with everything needed for a private getaway between husband and wife. He wanted to do this with her ever since the first time they went. The next time they'd go to the villa after this, they'd be a unit of three. Hell, possibly four if he had any say.