"You should try adding a layer of wool." Oliver humbly suggested to Hope.

Her eyebrows shot up and she looked up at him. "A layer of wool?" She asked.

"Uh-huh." He nodded and undertook to show her. He took the pencil from Hope's hand, grazing her fingers, and started to add a layer of wool to the golden dress.

Oliver was no expert in designing. To be absolutely honest, he knew nothing about it. Recently though, inspired by Hope, his all-time muse, he had given it a try, and one night at his place, Hope had stumbled upon a couple of unfinished sketches and found them "good". Truly pleasantly surprised by what she saw, she insisted that he didn't let his talent go to waste, and since then, she made it a point that they worked together every so often on developing his designing skills.

Hope watched as Oliver added the layer of wool to the dress from the mannequin's half-thigh to her calf. His technique wasn't the best, but he really wasn't bad, and he was definitely improving. Hum… Who knew she could be a good professor?

She observed his face, taking in his features. His gorgeous face, his focused, deep blue eyes, his aquiline nose, his square cut jaw, his luscious lips… Man, he was handsome.

Feeling Hope's gaze on him, Oliver turned his head towards her. His movement led to an unexpected proximity, going as far as causing their noses to brush against each other. Oliver caught her staring at his lips and was instantly drawn to hers as well.

He leaned in slowly and Hope swallowed as his breath mingled with hers. She closed her eyes in anticipation, and soon he pressed his lips against hers, pleasing them both. As always when she kissed Oliver, Holt felt her whole body awaken and her insides clench at his touch.

Oliver was cupping her face and was gently stroking her right cheek with his thumb. After a few seconds, Hope decided to intensify the kiss and opened her mouth, hoping Oliver would take the hint. Oliver gladly responded to her invitation and slid his tongue into Hope's mouth, meeting hers in a tender embrace.

They kissed that like for a couple of minutes, alternating between innocent, high-school kisses and moments when Oliver would invade her mouth and drive her crazy with soft, gentle strokes of his tongue until they were rudely interrupted.

"Oops, I'm sorry. I'm leaving." Caroline said, her eyes closed, already walking backwards.

"No, don't be stupid. Come on in." Hope said, breaking loose from Oliver.

"Are you sure?" Caroline asked hesitantly.

"Of course. Come on in." Oliver prodded.

Finally, Caroline closed the door and walked towards them.

Hope cleared her throat. "Um, we were just –We were working." She barely made eye-contact with Caroline.

Caroline raised an eyebrow at them. "Is that what they're calling it these days?" She teased.

Oliver blushed, but it was nothing compared to Hope whose cheeks turned the deepest shade of red. She looked down, her hair hiding her face. Could the ground open up and swallow her right now? God, she had just been caught in a hot make-out session by her brother's girlfriend! Talk about embarrassing herself. Woo.

Caroline chuckled, amused by the pair's embarrassment. She decided to put them out of their misery by saying, "I'm looking for Rick."

"I haven't seen him today." Hope said, finally daring a look at Caroline.

"Neither have I." Oliver shook his head.

Caroline frowned. "That's weird."

"Not really. He probably just overslept or something." Hope shrugged. "It wouldn't surprise me. It's Rick."

Caroline chuckled at that. Hope was probably right.

"Okay. I'm gonna get going." Oliver announced.

"Oh, don't let me chase you." Caroline said.

Oliver turned to smile at her. "No, I actually have work to do."

Oliver looked at Hope. "Laters, angel."

Hope giggled. "Laters."

He kissed her forehead before heading towards the door. "Have a good day, Caroline."

"You too." Caroline smiled.

"So…" Caroline started once Oliver exited the room, slowly walking up to Hope.

Hope held up a hand to her. "Don't start."

"You and Oliver…" Caroline continued anyway.

Hope raised her gaze from her design and gave Caroline a pointed look. "What about me and Oliver?"

"Well, I was hoping you would tell me." Caroline replied, fighting back a laugh. She settled on a chair close to the larger table and crossed her legs.

Hope tried to resist, but ended up letting out a laugh. She shook her head. "There's not much to say, you know?"

"Then, it shouldn't take much time."

Hope stood up and pulled up a chair next to Caroline. "This is between you and me." She warned.

"Of course."

"No word to Rick."

"My lips are sealed." Caroline promised and feigned to close her lips and throw the key away.

Hope looked at Caroline intently, then just started laughing –of nervousness, of embarrassment she wasn't sure. She shrugged. "I honestly don't know what to say to you."

"Just tell me what's going on between you two!" Caroline tried to help. "Are you dating?" She asked.

"We're seeing each other." Hope responded.

Caroline made a face. "Isn't that what they call dating?" She asked, confused.

Hope shrugged. "I'm not sure I can call it that."

"Are you exclusive?"

"We haven't really talked about that yet."

Caroline nodded, understanding coming to her.

"I mean, I'm not seeing anyone else." Hope added.

Caroline frowned. "And you think Oliver is?"

"I don't know. I don't think so." She paused and hesitated before adding in a smaller voice, "I hope not."

Caroline smiled. "I doubt that he is. You're the only one he sees. I noticed that a while ago." She confessed.

Hope smiled timidly and lowered her gaze to the table, bringing a hand in her hair, blushing slightly. She didn't know why, but it made her happy to know how obvious it was to other people that Oliver was into her.

"You two should discuss where exactly it is that you're going." Caroline advised Hope.

"I don't know, Caroline. I don't really know what I want right now, and I just –I wouldn't even know what to say to him." Hope admitted.

"Would it bother you if he was seeing someone else?" Caroline asked.

Hope nodded.

"So you do care." Caroline stated more than she asked.

"I do. Oliver is a great guy, and he has always been an important person in my life. I absolutely adore him, but I just…" She trailed off.

"Hope!" Caroline stopped her. "Take a breath. I'm just saying you should discuss the status of your relationship. Nobody's asking you in marriage."

Hope blushed and looked down.

Caroline frowned. "Hold on. Why are you blushing?" Caroline asked. "Did Oliver propose to you?"

Hope glanced at her before quickly diverting her gaze.

"Oh my God!" Caroline's eyes widened and her voice got much louder. "Oliver proposed to you?!" Caroline had let that out like that. She didn't actually think Oliver had proposed to Hope. When the hell did this happen?! And why was she only finding out about it now?!

"Shhh. It was a long time ago. A lifetime." Hope said.

"And you said no."

"I was still very much under Liam's spell at the time." Hope explained.

"See that's exactly what I mean. I just got out of a long, torturous relationship with Liam, and I don't know if I want to be in another relationship just yet. Or even if I'm ready." Hope said rubbing her temple. "Oliver is such an amazing guy. He deserves to be with someone who is 100% committed to him, and I'm honestly not sure if I can be that girl right now." Hope confessed.

Caroline nodded. "Be careful anyway, Hope."

Hope blinked, surprised, and her brows pulled together in a frown. "Why?"

"Well, I get the impression that you're thinking about this a bit more than you care to admit."

/

Hope knocked on Steffy's door although it was open. "Hey." She said. "Can I come in?"

"Hi. Yes." Steffy replied.

Hope walked into Steffy's office. "How are you?" She asked courteously.

Steffy dragged her nose out of her papers to look at Hope. "I'm fine, thank you. And you?" She asked back.

"Same. I was wondering: did the responsible of public relations in our office in Paris send you a summary statement of my press conference and the sales since then?" Hope inquired.

"Yes, actually. Brad did." Steffy answered.

"Can I take a look at them?"

"Sure. I was reviewing them yesterday, so they must be somewhere here." Steffy said, standing up to look into her pile of documents.

She was going through each of her folders at the search of a specific one on which was written "Hope for the Future" when suddenly, her vision became blurry. She took an involuntary step backwards and brought her hand to her forehead.

Hope immediately rushed to her side. "Are you okay?! What's happening?" She asked Steffy while helping her sit.

"Nothing. I'm okay." Steffy replied.

"You don't look okay, Steffy. You're actually kind of pale, right now!" Hope countered vehemently.

Steffy shook her head to clear her thoughts, and then offered a small smile to Hope, but the blonde wasn't having it.

"I'm going to call Bridget." Hope said, already retrieving her phone to make the call.

"No!" Steffy refused, widening her eyes. "No, it's not worth it. I am fine." She assured, then took a deep breath, and continued in a cooler voice, "I just experienced some dizziness. I'm pregnant. It happens."

Hope raised an eyebrow at her. "It does?"

"Not to all pregnant women, but to some. Clearly, I'm part of them."

Hope looked at Steffy, a little doubtful. "I still think I should call someone."

Steffy shook her head. "It's not necessary."

"Are you sure that you're okay?" Hope insisted. She couldn't imagine the repercussions if Steffy had an indisposition later and someone found out about her earlier dizziness, and the guilt she would feel of not doing anything.

"Yes, I am." Steffy reassured her. She took a look at her pile of documents. "Look, is it okay if I just email you the documents?" She asked.

"No. Yes, of course. Don't worry about it." Hope said. She looked around and hesitated. She didn't feel like leaving Steffy alone after what had just happened.

"Uh, where's Liam? Don't you have the press conference today?" Hope asked.

"Yes, we do. He's – he's on his way. He's caught up in traffic." Steffy answered, and Hope nodded.

As she spoke, Steffy sent Liam a text to make sure that he was indeed still on his way. It had been a while, and the conference was starting soon. Putting her phone down, she looked up at Hope, who smiled at her uncomfortably.

Steffy's forehead creased. She could tell Hope was anxious about leaving her alone, which she honestly didn't need to be if you asked Steffy. She was fine.

Steffy tried to think of a suitable and harmless topic of conversation to at least make small talk until Hope decided to leave. It was more difficult than one would have thought. It was amazing how little she and Hope had to say to one another.

Fortunately, Liam entered the office at that moment, saving them from an uncomfortable and unnecessary conversation.

"I'm here!" Liam exclaimed before noting Hope's presence. "Oh. Hi, Hope." He greeted.

"Hi, Liam." She greeted back in a small smile. She honestly couldn't wait for the awkwardness between them to dissipate. It was just ridiculous at this point.

Pam's face appeared through the door's opening. "The journalists are here. Eric, Brooke and the others are in his office. They're waiting for you."

Steffy nodded. "Thank you, Pam." She stood up and spoke in a resolute voice, "Okay, let's do this."

/

Eric looked in Steffy and Liam's direction for their approval, then spoke, "Thank you all for being here today. The reason we summoned you here is we have an announcement to make as you probably suspected." He looked at Liam and Steffy at the side. "It concerns my lovely granddaughter and her boyfriend, Liam Spencer, and it is going to affect the company." He said. "I let them speak." Eric concluded.

Liam and Steffy stepped up on the stage and stood in front of the horde of journalists.

"Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here." Steffy began. "As my grandfather just told you, Liam and I have something to announce. You all know it, Liam and I have been together for a while."

Indeed, that was a secret to no one. The media from all around the world knew that Steffy and Liam were together. As a matter of fact, several celebrities gossip sites were claiming that they were back together before they even where.

"We have reached a point in our lives as individuals and as a couple where we feel ready to build something more stable." She paused. "More permanent."

She glanced at Liam. "We –We've decided to…" She hesitated. She wasn't sure how to go about this. This was such a personal matter. How to announce it to the whole world?

Sensing her nerves, Liam decided to take over, "We have thought about this for a long time, and we think we're ready." The whole crowd was suspended at Liam's lips, waiting in anticipation. "I asked Steffy to marry me, and she said yes." He announced.

A round of applause resounded and a lot of "oh"s were heard.

"That's not all. That's not all." Steffy calmed the crowd before they got too excited. She slid her hand into Liam's to give herself some strength. "We're pregnant. The round of questions may begin."

"Yes, Rafael." Steffy picked out of the raised hands.

"Can we catch a glimpse of the ring?"

Steffy showed them the back of her left hand, the central diamond of her engagement ring on her ring finger shining bright. The ring featured pave-set diamonds all around it in a platinum split shank design. It was a ring of a beauty to take your breath away.

"Wow. This is serious. Very good choice, Liam." A journalist commented loudly, earning a series of amused laughs. "Congratulations to both of you!"

"Thank you! Yes?" Steffy said, letting said-journalist ask her question.

"How recent is all of this and why are we just seeing your ring now?"

"It's all fairly recent. I haven't been wearing my ring conspicuously because we wanted to wait before revealing our engagement to everyone." Steffy answered.

Liam pointed to a man in the audience. "Yes?"

"Did you propose to Steffy before or after finding out she was carrying your child?"

"Inappropriate question, Jared. Pass." Eric intervened, his tone calm but firm.

"It's a question that everyone will be wondering about. Are you getting married because of your pregnancy?"

"Let them wonder." Steffy said.

"Why don't you just…?" Jared was about to oppose something when Liam cut him off.

"I asked Steffy to marry me because I love her. We have been together for a long time, and I feel like I've known her forever." Liam turned his gaze to Steffy and stared into her eyes. "She knows me better than anyone, and I know better than anyone. She's my best friend. She's my greatest blessing." He turned back to his public. "I want to spend the rest of my life loving her and showing her how special I think she is. And this baby that she's carrying is the most beautiful gift she will ever give me."

Steffy stared at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She smiled at him fondly, and Liam returned a smile just as tender.

Steffy turned her attention to the journalists. "Next question?" She asked in a husky voice.

The whole audience seemed to have been affected by Liam's words.

"Yes?"

"How long have you been pregnant?"

"Fourteen weeks."

"Daniel?"

"Do you want a boy or a girl?"

Steffy smiled and looked at Liam. "I would like a girl. Liam would prefer a boy.' She answered before quickly adding, "But we'll be more than happy with either."

Liam's words agreed with her response, "As long as our child is healthy, it's all that matters."

Another journalist asked, "What does this imply for Forrester Creations? Steffy, are you going to keep being an active part of the company or are you going to take some time away and focus on being a mom?"

"Good question. I'm obviously going to take some time away from Forrester Creations at some point. However, I don't intend to go on maternity leave any sooner than I have to." Steffy said.

"Oh, I believe you." The journalist commented, provoking everyone's laughter.

"Yeah. Once I give birth, my focus will most likely be on my new-born, but Forrester Creations will always be a part of my priorities. No, I will not be taking an indefinite break from work." Steffy answered. "As a matter of fact, my career might take an unexpected turn because of my pregnancy." Steffy said, suddenly piquing everyone's curiosity.

She nodded at Eric. He removed the sheet that was covering something big and high next to the podium, revealing a huge poster of Steffy, her two hands on her belly, wearing a beautiful blue silk dress.

"I present you our new collection, 'Fashionable Moms'."

A lot of mouths dropped open, and then a round of applause resounded through the room, followed by a series of flashes.

"I will be the lead model for the duration of my pregnancy. Then, depending on the line's success, we'll see where we want to take it."

"Was this your idea, Steffy?" Jared inquired.

"Oh no, I would never willingly put myself on the spot like that." Steffy answered. "It was the idea of our brilliant CEO here." She said, turning her head to Eric.

"I originally wanted to create a line that revolved around what Steffy represents: an elegant, smart, beautiful, and sexy grown-up woman." Eric said. "But when she told me she was pregnant, I thought to myself 'That's even better!' Forrester Creations has never designed clothes for pregnant women. And why? Aren't pregnant women allowed to dress up and look elegant too?"

"I certainly intend to." Steffy declared.

The crowd chuckled.

"And that's how I came up with the line." Eric explained "I think pregnant women represent a good market."

"I agree." Steffy backed Eric up.

"So your pregnancy is not going to stop you from being a stunning fashionista?"

"Thank you for the compliment. Absolutely not." Steffy answered.

"Steffy, are you contributing to the design process?"

Steffy laughed in response. What a ludicrous idea! She shouldn't be allowed to hold a pencil. "No, I do not. Everyone in this company knows I can't draw to save my life. I do however give some idea, and I have the final word on the designs." She answered. "But my grandfather and my brother are the ones doing the actual work."

"Yes. Basically, she's just our muse." Thomas teased.

"Which is already a good thing." Steffy remarked.

"Oh absolutely." Thomas corrected in an exaggeratedly emphatic voice, before saying really seriously, "She does give us good ideas, and having lived with her for so long, I know what she likes and what fits her."

Steffy nodded in approval.

Liam pointed at a journalist's raised hand. "Yes?"

"It is no secret the tension that exists between the Forresters and the Spencers. How are you two planning on making your families coexist? Do you even think it is possible? The last thing you need is a murder scandal." Jared joked morbidly.

Liam snorted, mirroring Bill's reaction. "There will be no such thing. Thank you for the wishes." Liam responded sarcastically, clearly not appreciating Jared's wicked sense of humor. "It is true that there has been some tension between our two families, but there is nothing irreconcilable that stands in our way. My cousin, Caroline Spencer, and Rick Forrester are together, and Steffy and I are going to get married. This is the opportunity for our families to come together as one and put the past behind is, which is exactly what we all intend to do."

"Where is Hope?" A man journalist asked.

"Excuse me?" Steffy raised an eyebrow.

"Hope." The journalist repeated. "Why isn't she here?"

"Her presence was neither mandatory nor relevant." Steffy answered as calmly as possible.

"Okay… but Brooke and Rick are here, so why not Hope?" Another journalist asked.

Steffy scowled. Her good manners had limits. She had made considerable efforts to remain courteous and polite, but now, she was going to lose it. Her temper was pretty quick these days.

Sensing Liam's discomfort, and seeing that Steffy was about to snap, Brooke appraised that it was best to intervene. "Hope isn't here because she had important matters to take care of." Brooke explained. "And since her presence was not fundamentally necessary, there was no reason for her to postpone her plans. However, she supports Liam and Steffy and the family that they're building together, and she wishes them all the happiness in the world. And if you want to hear that from Hope's mouth, you can absolutely schedule a meeting with her, and she will tell you herself." She finished with a smile.

"Okay. I think you have enough information. What had to be announced has been, so this conference is over. You will find more information about 'Fashionable Moms' on our website under its own section. Thank you all for coming." Eric ended the conference.

The journalists took a couple more pictures, and then slowly left the room.

Taylor clapped her hands. "Well, that wasn't so bad."

Steffy lifted her gaze to her mother and gave her an undecipherable look. Taylor slightly frowned in response.

"Yeah, it could have been worse." Liam agreed.

Steffy glanced at Liam before she announced, "I'll be in my office. I have work to do."

With that, she turned and left the room heading towards her office across Eric's.

Taylor's frown deepened. She looked at Liam, full of incomprehension.

Liam raised a dismissing hand. "I'll see what the matter is."

/

Liam entered Steffy's office and closed the door behind him.

"I meant it when I said I had work to do." She said, her gaze glued to her computer screen. Liam couldn't help but find her tone somewhat cold.

"I'm sure it can wait." He said.

"It can't." Steffy replied simply.

Why was he getting the feeling that she was mad at him? She had been acting strange with him for the past twenty-four hours, and he couldn't figure out the reason why.

"Steffy, can you -"

"And even if it could, it's not for you to decide Liam." She pointedly told him and threw him an icy look.

Liam widened his eyes in stupefaction. What in the world was even going on right now?! Why was she talking to him like this?!

He frowned. "I never said – I'm not – What the hell is going on?!" He asked, utterly confused and if he was being honest, a little mad too. "Why are you so mad at me?"

"I'm not mad at you." Steffy denied.

"Well, you sure do a good imitation." Liam snapped.

Liam took a breath in an attempt to calm himself down. They didn't need to both be angry right now. It wouldn't help things, just make them worse. Besides, Steffy was pregnant and he knew he had to be more understanding because of that. He didn't want her to be upset.

"Steffy, please tell me what I did wrong." He pleaded, his voice begging her to provide him with some sort of answer. He was in the most complete confusion here.

Steffy heaved a sigh and said in a deceptively calm voice, "You didn't do anything wrong, Liam."

"Then what is it that is upsetting you?" He asked her.

"I'm not upset. What makes you think I'm upset? I'm fine." She countered.

"Steffy, please!" Liam cut her off. "I know when you're fine, and right now, you're not. You're upset, and I'm asking you why."

She didn't reply. At least, she wasn't denying it anymore. Maybe, he could get something out of her. "Is it the press conference? Did it not go well?" Liam asked. "I know they asked some inappropriate questions, but you were prepared to that, weren't you?"

Steffy glanced up at him.

"I thought we handled it pretty well." He really thought they did. They made the announcements they had to make and answered most of the journalists' questions. They even managed to keep their calm when some of the journalists overstepped their boundaries.

Again, Steffy didn't reply anything. Instead, she rubbed her forehead tiredly.

"Did I say something that you didn't like?" Liam asked, actually prompting a reaction from her as she lifted her gaze to him.

Steffy's features softened as she remembered his beautiful declaration. She was really moved by it. His words sounded too good to be true, which made her wonder if Liam actually meant them or was just trying to placate the journalists.

"No, Liam, what you said was perfect." She told him. Too perfect. "You couldn't have given better answers."

"Then what is it?" Liam asked. He just wanted Steffy to open up to him. He hated feeling left out like this by her. Why wasn't she talking to him?

Steffy shook her head, sighing, and then reopened her eyes, forcing a smile as she looked at Liam. That smile didn't seem very genuine to Liam.

"I'm tired." She finally let out in a small voice. "I think I just need to get some rest. I'll feel better after I do. I've just been stressed out because of this press announcement and the consequences, and work." She trailed off.

"Come with me. Let's go home."

She shook her head. "No, you go. I'll meet you there."

"Steffy…" Liam was about to protest, but she didn't leave him a chance.

"I want to finish this. It won't take long. A couple hours at most." She coaxed.

"You promise?"

She nodded with a small smile. "I promise."

Liam walked until he reached her. He leaned down to kiss her temple, stroking her left cheek with his thumb by the same occasion.

"I love you." Liam said to her, at the step of her open door.

There was a small moment of silence before Steffy replied, "You too."

/

Liam was in his living room watching a basketball game on his big TV screen. The Lakers, his favorite team, were playing, but Liam was barely into the game. He couldn't stop thinking of Steffy, and her recent behavior. No matter what she said, he knew her enough to know something wasn't right, and it upset him she didn't trust him enough to tell him.

It had been a couple of days since Steffy started acting weird, and he had no idea why. At first, Liam thought that she was just tired or that her hormones were working her, but no one ever told him that hormones could work a pregnant woman 24/7 for days.

He just wanted to know what was going on. Liam had reached the point where he was ready to bluntly ask Thomas or Taylor what Steffy was keeping from him, but he felt like that would be overstepping boundaries and Steffy would not appreciate it. The last thing he wanted was to upset her even more. Liam was starting to wonder if he wasn't the reason Steffy was upset; but for all he wracked his brain, he could not figure out what he could have done to make her mad.

This was such a change from what Liam was used to. Steffy was always so candid with him. Brutally, shamelessly, painfully so. She always spoke exactly what was on her mind, whether he wanted her to or not. Today, he had no idea what she was thinking. It was driving him crazy.

He felt like she was slipping away.

Liam's phone rang, interrupting his dismal thoughts.

"Hello Dad?" Liam answered.

"Son. How are you?" Bill asked on the other end of the phone.

"I'm okay." Liam answered robotically, still a little lost in his thoughts.

"You sound convincing." Bill commented ironically. "What is it? The press conference went rather well, didn't it? You and Steffy are trending by the way."

"Oh, wonderful."

"Liam, what is it?" Bill inquired. As Liam didn't immediately respond, he took a guess, "Did you and Steffy have an argument?"

"Oh, I wish."

"Excuse me?"

"I don't know what is going on with Steffy. She's not talking to me." Liam said.

"What?" Bill asked, more confused than ever if his voice was any indication.

"I mean she is talking to me, but… she's elusive. She's avoiding me. She's avoiding my touch. She's avoiding speaking to me." Liam explained.

"Are you sure you're not imagining things?"

"I know the woman I'm living with, Dad. Something's not right." Liam pointedly replied.

"Well then, what do you think is wrong?"

"I have no idea." Liam responded. "I feel like she is mad at me, but I have no idea why. I keep wracking my brain. I can't figure out what I could have done to upset her."

"Well -" Bill paused.

"What?" Liam asked.

"Liam, is there any possibility that Steffy might know about what happened between you and Hope before she left?" Bill asked.

"What? No!"

"Are you sure?" Bill insisted.

"Yes. I'm sure. How could she know? I didn't tell her, and Hope wouldn't do that." Liam debated.

"And you know for a fact that Hope didn't tell anyone?" Bill questioned.

There was a moment of silence in the conversation.

"Liam!" Bill prompted.

"Yes! No. I'm not sure. I don't know."

Bill snorted on the other end of the phone.

"It's not exactly like I have spoken to her since she's been back, Dad. I thought that would please you."

"You should have made sure she didn't tell anyone."

"Why the hell would she even tell anyone anyway?" Liam reasoned.

"You don't have to wonder why women talk, Liam! You just know they do!"

"So now…"

"You find Hope. You talk to her. You make sure she hasn't said a word to anyone. And if she has, well… damage control, my son."

/

Liam had just finished setting the table when Steffy walked in.

"Hi, honey! You're right in time." Liam yelled from the kitchen.

Steffy slowly walked into the living room up to the dining table.

"I warmed up your mother's lasagna, and I made your favorite soup." Liam said enthusiastically.

"Oh, thank you Liam, but I'm not hungry." Steffy apologized.

"What?" Liam turned to Steffy, frowning.

"I ordered food at the office. I've already eaten."

Liam sighed. "You're going to taste the soup I made though, right?" He asked.

"No."

Liam let out an exasperated sigh and turned to turn off the fire on the soup.

"I'm tired. I'm going to go take a shower and then get in bed. I'll see you in a morning." She said and started walking away.

"Yeah. See you in the morning." He replied bitterly.

Liam was too busy fuming to notice, but Steffy turned around one last time to look at him. Her eyes shone with utter sadness as she watched his back. Silently, she headed for her bathroom to take a shower and try to wash away her feelings.

Hi everyone. I realize it's been a long time since I've posted, and I am sorry about that. I wasn't really disposed to write.

My grandmother passed away recently, and uh I was sort of wrecked and...

Anyway, I'm back and on vacation, so hopefully, I will be able to update more regularly. If I feel that's what you want of course.

Don't forget to review.