Chapter 4:

Thomas enters the kids playroom, he smiles as he sees Douglas and Kelly playing peacefully as Hayes naps in the crib.

"Dad!" Douglas exclaims in excitement as he sees Thomas. Douglas runs up to Thomas and throws his arms around him. "Are you home for good now?"

"Yup, I just got in today. And I have some exciting news for you."

"What is it?" Douglas says staring at Thomas wide eyed and smiling.

"I bought a new house, right next door for us."

"Yay! We're going to be neighbors!" Kelly jumps up excited and hugs her cousin and uncle.

"This is so exciting! Can I pick my own room?"

"Of course you can." Thomas says. "Also, Grandma Karen and Grandma Dani are going to be staying with us until they can find a house of their own."

"Yay! Grandma Karen and Grandma Dani living with us and Grandma Taylor next door! This is so exciting" Douglas can hardly contain his excitement. "What about Mommy Hope?"

"We'll discuss that later," Thomas says trying not to show the kids how uncomfortable that topic is going to be, "For now why don't you kids keep playing. I'll let you know when it's time to go home." Douglas smiles and hugs his dad again and goes back to playing with Kelly.

Thomas exits the room, he comes back out to the living room just as Finn comes in from a long shift at the hospital. He looks at Massimo, Karen, and Dani. "Hey everyone." Finn says confused as he walks over to give Steffy a kiss. "Did I miss something?"

"Let me fill you in Finn." Taylor says, "I think Thomas and Steffy have a lot to discuss, let me introduce you to everyone."

Steffy and Thomas head out to the back deck. Steffy pours them a glass of wine as they sit to discuss their potential business adventure.

"Wow, that was...a lot to take in." Steffy says as she takes a sip of wine.

"I know, I'm sorry to put all this on you at once, and in front of everyone."

"No that's fine, I'm not going to lie, your proposal is very enticing. But it's just such a huge step. Such a huge life change." Steffy lets out a big sigh, "I've always seen myself at Forrester for life."

"I know, I did too. I always pictured me you and Phoebe running Forrester one day. But you can't deny that we have been pushed aside for Brooke and Hope over and over again. Aren't you sick of it yet?"

"Yes of course I am." Steffy says looking out to the ocean, "Are you sure that we can trust Massimo? I mean he could be using us to spite Granddad."

"I've considered that." Thomas takes a sip of wine. "But I can see the pain in his eyes that he has missed out on our lives and our kids lives. He really wants to help us, he's not asking for anything in return. We get to keep all profits from the fashion house."

"He's not asking for anything? That's generous...could there be strings attached that we do not know about?"

"He's not asking for a contract, the start up money is a straight up gift. I even asked Brandon if there is anything that he can come back and ask for, as long as it's a gift he can't get any profits or even sit on the board. I think you should really talk to him and get to know him, he's made mistakes in the past but he is really trying to get to know his grandkids and great-grandkids. And at this point in my life I am more than willing to give him a chance."

"That's true, if I do this then I sure as hell am not selling my shares to Brooke or Hope."

"Definitely not," Thomas laughs, "Who would you sell them too?"

"I have a couple of options." Steffy says once again staring out to the ocean.

"A couple! I guess that means you've been seriously considering my offer." Thomas and Steffy laugh.

Steffy takes a deep breath and takes one last big sip of her wine and looks at Thomas, "I'm in! Let's do this!"

"Really! That's great!" Thomas sits up straight. Steffy gets up and walks over to the outdoor bar and grabs a bottle of champagne.

"Let's toast." Steffy pours three glasses, "Let's go inside." Steffy hands a glass to Thomas and grabs the other two glasses and walks inside. As she walks through the sliding glass door into her living room she hands the other glass to Massimo. "I'm in...grandpa." Steffy sweetly smiles at Massimo. Thomas pours a glass of champagne for Karen, Dani, and Finn and a glass of sparkling cider for Taylor. Everyone cheers their new adventure together.