AN: I can't help myself and I always have to share what I have written... I am trying to stay way head of what I have posted so that way when my vacation is over there won't seem to be long waiting periods. In this chapter I have attempted to post photos mid story, I don't know if they are going to work. If they don't I will re-find the images and add a link to my bio. Hope you all enjoy this chapter. Remember to review and follow so you don't miss a single post! JM
Previously on Stairway to No-Mans Land
- Taylor arrived back into Los Angeles
- Liam and Steffy held a board meeting at Forrester Creations
- The family were informed of the changes at Forrester
Upon arriving back at the cliff house Taylor makes Steffy take it easy.
"Okay sweetheart, you have had a big morning, I think you need to park your backside on that lounge and have a rest, there is a lot going on and you need to take it easy!"
"Mum, I am not a doll, I am not going to break after one outing! In fact I was thinking that I might take a nice, gentle, walk along the beach!"
"Hahaha, not on my watch, you can take as many beach strolls as you want... when Liam is here! Please indulge your mother and take a seat on that couch besides when you called me you said you had lots to tell me about and even something to show me so spill!"
"Right, so we are going to have one of those days!"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Mum you have this uncanny ability to not be able to turn off the psychiatrist and sometimes I would just love for my mum to be listening to me and not be the Doctor!"
"Oh sweetheart, you know whatever advice I ever give you always comes from a place of love, very rarely do I actually treat you like a patient, and you and your brother may think I do but trust me I don't! Hell if you had been my patient, with the advice the Doctor in me would have given you; we probably would not be sitting in this very house, about to plan your wedding and fearing the imminent arrival of my beautiful grandbabies. Fortunately, I can turn off the Doctor in me and I also know what can sometimes seem like an endless cycle of bad choices is not always occurring due to choices made by you and Liam, you have had to overcome so may obstacles and far too many of them have been Logans! So yes my darling daughter I can and do know how to turn the Doctor off!"
"Really mum, if I was your patient you would have advised me to leave the love of my life! Wow!"
"You know Steffy there is a saying, 'if you love someone, let them go, if it is supposed to be, they will come back to you' I have always believed this about you and Liam. Hope, Hope was like an unhealthy addiction, his 'safe expected' option, in his heart Liam always knew it was never going to end the way they always envisioned it, but for him to really know, he needed to work it out of his system. You, you my darling girl, were never the 'safe' option. You were and still are this wild, sexy, unpredictable woman who lived life in the fast lane who doesn't take shit from anyone who flipped Liam's world upside down! You filled his life with endless love and adventure, Liam has never had to become someone else with you, you take him as he comes, you accept all his indecisiveness in fact a part of me thinks you secretly love it about him! No matter what his past faults and flaws are, he makes my daughter the happiest woman on the planet, and as a mother that is all I can ask for in a future Son in Law!"
"Oh mum! I keep telling Liam he can't keep telling me all this love-up stuff because I am an emotional wreck, stupid hormones. You really have put aside your concerns about Liam purely for my happiness?"
"Yeah I have. It wasn't easy to do, when you called me and told me you and Liam were trying to work everything out, that you were going to give it another shot, every fibre of my being wanted to shake some sense into you... to remind you how broken you were every single time it didn't work out in the past but then you sent me those photos of the pair of you from a random day you had at the beach and you had that look of pure happiness, there was so much love in both your eyes that I couldn't interfere. I have always and will always only ever want what is best for you and it seems that would be Liam, just look at what you have achieved!"
"He does you know... make me happy! He is truly my other half, I can't imagine doing this, any of this, without him. This is our forever time, I know it, he knows it, and this pair of wiggly worms knows it and so does our beautiful daughter, my darling Aspen."
Much like when Steffy told Liam about Aspens visit, the conversation between the mother and daughter lulled, as if both were thinking about that precious baby girl.
"...She came to me you know... When I fell. Aspen came and held my hand and told me everything was going to be okay, that 'they' were going to be fine."
"Oh sweetheart!" Taylor sighs as she envelopes Steffy in a tight hug, wiping her tears and kissing her head.
"She is so beautiful mum! She has eyes just like Liam, they may be beautiful pools of blue like mine but the way she looks as you, that is all Liam."Steffy continues knowing the next part may either comfort her mother or upset her "she's with Phoebe, she said that Aunt Phoebe looks after her and that Grandma Kelly and someone who she kept calling GG spoil her rotten... She is a real mix of me and, and Phoebe with just a touch of Liam. It was so hard to hold my darling girl in my arms again only to have to say goodbye all over again. Mum, who do you think this GG person is? Do you think it's Grandma?"
"That must have been really bittersweet for you Steffy, to see her, to hold her in your arms. I know that pain you feel deep down in your chest, oh the things I would do to just be able to see Phoebe again, to hold her in my arms just like I am doing with you. I get it, how special that moment was for you. Is that what you wanted to tell me on the phone... the thing you could tell me?"
"Yeah, I, I was scared you would think I was crazy. I almost didn't tell Liam you know... I was worried that he would be jealous or angry with me, with me because I got to see her and hold her, but it wasn't like that, he wasn't. Telling him was so good for our relationship mum. It made us talk about her, talk about losing her, it brought it all to the surface and we got to tell each other how we both felt, tell each other about the guilt we both had. We talked about the things we both did to get by, what gave us comfort... It's funny, even with Aspen not being here, she still manages to bring her Daddy and I closer."
"Oh Steffy, I am so proud of you, for opening up about that dark time. I am so glad you both got this time to grieve together, what's that saying 'better late than never', in this case I think as individuals you needed it to be later... there was no way you and Liam could have had that conversation straight after you lost her. You both needed time to process, to heal and now look at you both!"
"Am I allowed off the couch yet? I need to show you something... I need to share something with you!"
"Well that depends, where are you taking me?"
"Just up stairs... not far I promise!" Steffy informs her mother while slowly standing up, still tender from her fall.
30 minutes later the two brunettes carefully descend the stairs. Taylor is in awe of Aspens room.
"I can't believe I forgot that I had organised to have your cot taken out of storage and sent over here! A part of me is really grateful that you had already left for Paris when it arrived."
"Me too, mum, me too. I would not have been able to handle seeing it arrive. It would have been a reminder of what had just been taken away from us. You know, you are only the third person to enter that room. Liam kept it lock the entire time I was away; he said that he unlocked it the day I moved home... Just in case I went wandering discovered it on my own, in case I wanted to go to what should have been her room."
"That Fiancé of yours just keeps impressing me this time around!"
"You and me both mum, you and me both!"
"Hey ma, I think I am going to go and take a nap, these two are wearing Mumma out!" Steffy calls to her mother as she walks towards the master bedroom.
"Okay baby, call out if you need anything? And don't spend the entire time texting Liam... you need to rest!
"What! How! Your ability to read my mind is scary sometimes... but I wasn't going to spend the entire time texting him anyway, I am just going to check in with him!"
S: Hey babe miss you. How's work without me?
L: Miss you 2. It's boring , just not the same here without you. What are you doing?
S: Sends photo of her laying on their bed with the caption
about to take a nap, wish you were here xoxo
L: Tease! Rest up baby Mumma... Your Dad and Caroline are coming over for dinner, something about a wedding dress design, I will pick something up on the way home. Any requests from the twins?
S: Just get some steaks, Mum is staying too... I love you don't work too hard. Come home soon I miss you, we miss you!
L: I miss you too, I will be home just after 5, don't tell the boss! Love you baby and babies xx
As promised, Liam arrived home just after 5 to discover Steffy still asleep in their bed.
"Has she been asleep this entire time?"
"Almost! She woke up and went to the bathroom about 90 minutes ago, but promptly went back to bed in a typical just woke up Steffy zombie state! The poor thing is so tired, not only is her body trying to repair itself but she is also creating life in there and that sucks the energy right out of you!"
"Hey Taylor, do you think you could go to the store and get some more stuff for dinner, I was going to go on my way home but I wanted to get back to her... I already got Pam to go out and get the meat, I just need the ingredients for salad, Ridge and Caroline are going to join us for dinner, Caroline said something about having a wedding dress design to run by Steffy."
"Not a worry Liam!"
"Thanks Taylor, I just want to go lay down with her for a while... let her wake up in my arms even when I know she is going to wake up with that cranky face!"
"Don't worry about it! What time are Ridge and Caroline coming over... I will get everything organised and make sure the pair of you are up when they arrive."
"Ummm, Ridge said they would try to be here by 7.30... You are amazing Taylor! I, I feel like I need to be with her all the time, I mean I almost just lost the three of them, if she is in my arms I know she is safe, that I can protect her from a lot of things... Do I sound crazy?"
"You sound exactly like a father to be! I would be more concerned if you did not feel this way! Now go and have a rest with your bride to be."
Liam quietly sneaks into their bedroom, silently changing out of his suit. Once changed, Liam gently climbs into their bed, trying not to disturb his princess. Steffy rouses slightly, and rolls over towards Liam, snuggling into his side.
The pair lay like this, limbs intertwined for the next hour until Steffy wakes completely.
"Hmm this is a nice surprise! I like waking up in your arms!"
"Well it's a good thing I am marrying you! You never have to worry about waking up without me... well maybe except for when this pair makes their entrance into the world, but even then the hospital staff will have to pry me out of your room!"
"Hmm what time is it?"
"650 baby, wow they are active tonight!" Liam states while his hands rest on Steffy's belly.
"They are always like that when you are close by. They can sense their Daddy, they know is voice, or maybe they react to the way Mummy's heart starts to race when I see you, hold you, kiss you!"
"Be kind to mummy little ones... She is still sore from trying to fly down the starts at Great Grandpa Erics."
"Ha ha ha you are soooo funny Daddy... so... I... I ah I took Mum upstairs today... to Aspens room..."
"Mmmm"
"I, I think she needed it too, I ended up leaving her in there for a little bit, I had just told her about Aspen visiting me and the connection to Phoebe... I forget sometimes that when we lost Aspen, she lost someone too, her granddaughter, and when that happened I think it may have brought all the emotions of losing Phoebe back to the surface. I Know I get comfort from knowing that they are all together. I think the GG character Aspen spoke of might be my Grandmother Stephanie, she would be way too cool to be called Great Grandma so GG is fitting if you ask me!"
"It comforts me too, knowing she isn't all alone, that she has my mum with her and that Phoebe and Stephanie with her too, it eases the pain just a little. That room is as much mine as it is yours. You can share it with the world if you really want to... whatever makes you happy my love!"
"Gosh I love you... you, you are my other half, without you I am like a ship lost at sea, searching for a lighthouse to bring them home. You are my lighthouse; you are my beacon of hope!"
A quiet knock reverberates around the room pulling Steffy and Liam out of their whispered conversation as Taylor slowly opens the door and pokes her head inside.
"Steffy, Liam, your dad just called, he is just coming down PCH now, they will be here in about 10 minutes."
"Thanks Mum, we will be out in a second."
"No rush, I have everything organised, the table is set, salad and dessert are made and I just took the steaks of the fridge. I just wanted you to know they would be here soon."
"Thanks for doing all of that Taylor."
Ridge and Caroline arrive and the girls promptly start discussing their pregnancies, Liam and Ridge take it as their cue to head outside and start grilling the steaks. Once the boys leave the conversation turns towards the wedding and more specifically Steffy's dress.
"So your dad and I have come up with this design for your wedding dress... I had actually designed this dress in black with you in mind, a long time ago and when I showed it to your dad here suggested a few minor changes that we could make to accommodate the twins and obviously incorporating Aspen into the design..."
"You designed a dress for me!"
"Yeah, way back when we first had Quinn and Wyatt start working for us, I had this idea for a dress that was so you that I couldn't help but put pencil to paper... I always thought it would be a pipe dream because of the added features... but a Spencer/Forrester wedding calls for grandeur and this dress is grand! So this design isn't fully incorporating Aspen yet... that will depend on the stones that Quinn can locate, we were thinking Pink Sapphires in like an ombre pattern..."
"Caroline, stop rambling and show me the dress..."
"Oh, Sorry, it's just, it's not everyday you design someone so specials wedding dress, let alone your husbands, daughters... I am nervous, what if you don't like it!"
"Just show me the sketches or I will start calling you Step Mother!"
"Okay, here, please be kind!"
"Oh Caroline, it's perfect, I love it! I think that adding pink stones into the bodice is the perfect way to incorporate Aspen. I may need more room in the cup though; if you had not noticed my boobs are growing at an alarming rate, trust me Liam is not complaining though! The way you have designed this allows for plenty of belly room, I am convinced every time I look down it is bigger! I love it, and I am not just saying that because you are married to my Dad and have my little sister or brother onboard!"
"Well that is a lovely sight, three of the most important women in my life getting along and discussing wedding dresses! From what I have heard, it all sounds positive; I told you that you had nothing to worry about my love... I am going to assume that you love it Steffy! Now let's put the dress design away because dinner is ready, my beautiful ladies."
"Your grandchildren thank you! You too Daddy, now let's eat before this pregnant woman passes out!"
"Why, What wrong, why are you light headed? Do you want me to call Dr Caspery, Steffy talk to me, what's wrong?"
"Liam, babe calm down, I am hungry that's all, these babies have quite the appetite tonight it would appear!"
"Well Doc it seems that we don't have to worry about if Liam is taking care of our daughter, based on that mild panic, it is going to be a long 24 weeks, full of panic and concern!"
"Well I think it is sweet..." Caroline injected "but don't you get any ideas about fretting like that about me, this baby mumma has enough of her own concerns without you my darling husband, being overly concerned."
"Well I am so glad you all find me so amusing, I am glad I could keep you so entertained."
"Baby, you know I am on edge just as much as you are, I know... I think about her all the time too, we were 18 weeks then and we have yet to reach that. But we will, we are going to smash this multiples pregnancy business and before we know it our two little ones will be in our arms and all the fear, panic and concern will be a thing of the past."
"I hate to break it to you, but that fear, panic and concern you are talking about... it never goes away, it's called being a parent!"
"Thanks for that reminder Mum!"
The rest of the dinner conversation continued around the newest arrivals in the ever-expanding Forrester/Spencer families. Once they are finished eating, Steffy excused herself to go and lay on the couch.
"I ah, I'm just going to go lay down for a few minutes, I think I may have overdone it with this whole eating business." Steffy states while slowly getting up.
Liam, seeing how gingerly she is moving, proceeds to help her over to the couch, finding a pillow for her head and helping her to lie down. "Sweetheart, can I get you anything, water? Ginger ale? Black tea? A bucket?" Liam asks while stroking Steffy's hair out of her face.
"A hair band, a bucket and a glass of water would be so good right now..." replied Steffy all while trying to get comfortable on the lounge.
Upon his return, Liam notices that she has finally settled onto her back, eyes closed and gently rubbing her queasy belly. Silently Liam pulls out his phone to document the moment, paying particular attention to how much bigger Steffy's belly is at that precise moment, at the end of the day with a belly full of food.
"Liam Spencer, that better not have been your phone taking a picture I just heard. I feel like absolute garbage so there is no way that photo is decent..."
"Baby you always look amazing, no matter what... but I couldn't resist, you just look so cute laying there, rubbing your belly... you'll love it I promise." Liam states as he passes over his phone.
"Wow, where did that come from...? I guess I am the ever expanding woman. This morning you could hardly tell I was pregnant now look at me! I guess a belly full of food will do that to you! I think I am ready to try that ginger ale now!"
"Oh Steffy, get used to that feeling after eating... When I was pregnant with you and your sister, I could barely eat a meal. I just used to just snack all the time until I was about 24 weeks. Snacking kept the hunger away and I wouldn't get the painful 'no room left' in there feeling that you currently have. When I was pregnant with Thomas I could eat normally but the twins... no deal. My advice, snack regularly, graze all day instead of three meals have something small every hour. It will also help with that vomiting sensation!"
"Taylor why weren't you around to share that with me at the beginning of my pregnancy! I think knowing that would have saved my by butt on so many occasions!"
"You know I may be Ridges ex-wife, but you can always come to me for advice Caroline, whether it's about pregnancy, the delivery, babies, dealing with my darling children or that big oaf..."
"Thanks Taylor, you know Steffy I am still not convinced that you are 17 weeks... I am sure I was bigger than that at 17 weeks and I only have one little one cooking away in here!"
"I know right! When I was pregnant with Aspen, I had a very noticeable bump by this stage, so it is weird. If I hadn't seen the scan with my eyes I too would be sceptical! Hell, I had no idea I was pregnant, that we were pregnant! So trust me when I say there are two in here! Doctor Caspery did mention that I appear to be carrying towards the back, but she did also say that as the weeks continue to tick by I am going to really pop. Judging by my belly tonight, after eating, that day will not be far away! I don't think we will be keeping this news hidden for much longer, even if I would prefer to wait to tell the world until after the wedding!"
"I am sure Uncle Bill will do all he can to keep you out of the media... he knows how precious his grandbabies are, how important it is going to be to keep your life simple, calm and relaxed!"
"Speaking of having calm and relaxed pregnant women, I need to get my wife home to bed, Doc do you need a ride?"
"Mum just take my car, that way you can come and see me, I am pretty sure Liam isn't going to be letting me drive anytime soon so you may as well use it while you are in town and that way you can be my own personal driver."
"Gee thanks Steffy! Now I know the real reason you wanted me back in LA! It had nothing to do with my motherly love and affections did it, it was all about my driving prowess wasn't it?"
"Damn it, Liam she worked it out! Now what am I going to do! I guess I might have to bribe her with Grandbaby snuggles once they arrive!"
"Deal, I will drive you to the end of the earth for endless baby snuggles!"
"Okay enough of the endless love and smothering... This baby mumma needs to go to bed, who knew cooking the next generation of Forrester/Spencers could be so exhausting! Mum take the car, Dad and Caroline, thanks for coming, that dress is so perfect it isn't even funny and I will see you both at the office tomorrow, the VP needs to be shown the ropes!"
"By darling girl, take it easy tomorrow at work... Liam call me when you want me to come and get her, if you leave it to Steffy she will return home with you, at the end of the day and not take it easy!"
"I am standing right here mum! I can still hear you know!"
"We know you can baby, we just aren't sure if you are really listening, you need to take it easy!" Liam reminds her as he cuddles her from behind.
"Goodnight everyone!"
"You, Stephanie Forrester, soon to be Spencer, need to go have a nice relaxing shower and get into bed! I will finish cleaning up out here and lock everything up."
"Oh my, a girl could get used to this kind of spoiling!"
"Well get used to it baby, because I plan on spoiling you for the rest of our lives!"
"Well I am one lucky lady!"
Next time on Stairway to No-Mans Land:
- Work dramas cause havoc for Steffy and Liam
- Steffy and Liam have a checkup with Doctor Caspery
- Liam has a conversation with Ridge and Thomas regarding Steffy
- Steffy and Liam have to make a decision