Anticipation!

The fashion show was a huge success and everyone at Forrester Creation breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone was exhausted and worn out from the intense hard work and were now looking forward to relaxing a bit. Thomas and Steffy were more than pleased with themselves, their new collection was well received and they earned a lot of praise and encouragement. Ridge showed the entire public how proud he was of his children. He was impressed by their energy and commitment, both had inherited his passion. He thought about what he could give them as a reward.

Thomas and Steffy meanwhile feverishly awaited the visit to their mother. They could hardly wait to see her again. The trip was booked for the next weekend. The trip had only one hook, they didn't know if they should tell their father and family about it. Both felt insecure if it would be wise to tell the truth. Just as they were sitting together on the sofa discussing their dilemma, their father came in and joined them.

"Hey kids! I have a great idea. Actually, it's more of an offer, one you can't refuse."

"Oh which one Daddy?" asked Steffy excitedly.

"I think after all that drudgery we all deserve some rest. What do you think about the three of us going up to Big Bear together for a few days."

"That sounds great Daddy! I'm sure it will be fun!"

"And when?" wanted Thomas to know

"How about we go right now this weekend. Why hesitate?"

The siblings looked at each other in dismay. Why did their father have to suggest next weekend of all times. Both were sheepishly silent, not daring to look at their father. Ridge noticed the change in their mood and was irritated.

"Mhh Daddy, can't we go another weekend? I mean if we wait a little longer, maybe the first snow is already there, it would be a lot more fun and besides we would have more time to plan and get everything ready..." Ridge eyed his daughter skeptically. She seemed to be literally looking for arguments.

"Do you guys possibly have any concrete plans for the weekend yet?" Thomas and Steffy exchanged meaningful glances, finally both nodded.

"Actually yes, sorry dad! But we do indeed already have plans, something we can't postpone."

"This must be enormously important and why are you acting so secretive?"

"Well it's not really a secret but it's not so easy to talk about either." Ridge looked at his children perplexed but suddenly he had an idea.

"Ahh I see! Am I right in assuming that you want to visit your mother?"

Thomas and Steffy looked at their father, puzzled. Were they that easy to figure out. Finally, they both nodded. For a moment there was an awkward silence.

"We're sorry daddy! But the whole thing has been planned for a long time and it's all booked too and besides..." Steffy fell silent, embarrassed.

"Besides, you're looking forward to seeing your mother again. That's totally reasonable. Don't think that I have a problem with it. I absolutely understand that you want to see her after this long time. It's perfectly fine with me, and you didn't have to make such a huge secret out of it."

"We didn't want to. But it's just not always so easy to stand between Mom and you and please everyone."

"I am aware of that, I know the situation is tough for you. But please remember, I'm not the one making everything so complicated." Steffy rolled her eyes. Her father couldn't stop making remarks against her mother.

"Please Daddy, not again!"

"It's okay, I won't say anything more." Steffy sat down next to her father and snuggled up to him.

"But Big Bear is really a nice idea. We'll go the next chance we get, deal?"

"Deal!" Ridge's cell phone rang. It was Brooke. Ridge stood up and answered the call.

"Hey!...I told you I'd check in on the kids first...Yeah it's okay! I'll be home in a minute!" Ridge hung up and turned to his kids

"Sorry I gotta go. See you!"

He gave each of them a quick hug and headed out. Steffy and Thomas were concerned. All of a sudden he had seemed quite nervous and tense and he had spoken to Brooke in a very harsh tone. Something wasn't right.

Taylor whirled around in her apartment. She had been busy for days with the preparation. She was so excited to have her children with her for a couple of days. Because her apartment wasn't big enough, she had booked a hotel suite for them. Nevertheless, she wanted to present herself and her new home from the best side. They should be proud of her and feel comfortable with her. She was taking the last tray of cookies out of the oven when the doorbell rang. Susan stepped inside.

"Hey I just wanted to stop by and see if you were freaking out already."

"Not at all, I'm totally relaxed!"

Susan just grinned. Both women walked into the kitchen together. Susan looked around in disbelief. The kitchen looked like a battlefield and there was plenty of food.

"Woah! I thought you had two kids, not twenty. Who are you going to feed with all that?"

"You underestimate their appetites. I don't want them to starve, and I'm looking forward to spoiling and pampering them again."

"I completely get what you mean. What are you guys up to?" Susan sat down at the table and sampled from the cookies.

"Oh, nothing in particular. The main thing is just to spend time together again. Most of all, I want them to see how I live now and that I'm doing well. I just want them to be a part of my life here...Hey don't eat all the cookies. Those are Thomas and Steffy's favorites."

"Don't panic, there's plenty left after all. I'm sure they'll last for months."

"That's the plan. They are supposed to take them home with them."

"Ah I understand! Supplies of mother love."

The siblings sat in their seats in the first class waiting to take off. Steffy sat back and relaxed.

"I'm glad Mom lives in San Francisco. The flight time is pleasant and there is no jet lag."

"Yeah you're right and no changing planes if we have to travel on a commercial flight instead of the Forrester jet."

"You're a pretty spoiled brat brother dear. You know very well if we would have taken the jet everybody would know where we were going. I'm curious anyway how long this sneaking game will last."

"Well, to be honest, I can kind of agree with Dad on that point. Enough time has passed in the meantime. What would be so bad about everyone knowing where Mom lives?"

"It's the way she wants it, and we promised to respect her wishes."

The flight passed without turbulence and the plane landed right on time. Taylor had arrived at the airport an hour ago and was nervously pacing around. Steffy saw her mother first, she dropped her suitcase and ran into her arms. They both hugged each other tightly, tears of joy running down their faces. Thomas, with both suitcases, joined them and was also hugged warmly. Taylor didn't want to let go of her children. Finally, the two freed themselves so as not to suffocate. Thomas looked at his mother appreciatively.

"You look great mom."

"So do you, you look so grown up... Well almost."

"Don't you like our look?" They both wore headbands with flowers attached. They liked to tease their mother about moving to the city of hippies.

Taylor responded to the question with a roll of her eyes. From the airport, they headed to the hotel. There they unpacked and changed into something more comfortable. Then it was on to the penthouse. From the first moment they felt at home. They felt the spirit of their mother that gave them a good feeling.

"Wow mom, this looks even more amazing in real life."

"Yes, I also feel very comfortable here. But now tell me everything. How you are doing?"

They all sat together in the living room with cocoa and cookies. They had a lot to tell each other.