Chapter 9:
Thomas, Steffy, and Finn all arrive at the hospital and follow Finn to Dr. Jones' office.
"Finn," Dr. Jones says as he stands to shake Finn's hand, "What can I do for you?"
"This is my brother in law, Thomas Forrester. You called him to meet you hear, I figured I'd tag along if that's ok."
"Of course, as long as it's ok with Mr. Forrester." Dr. Jones says as he looks in Thomas' direction for approval.
Thomas nods, "I need all the support I can, this is my sister Steffy." Steffy steps forward to shake the doctor's hand.
"Mrs. Finnigan," Dr. Jones says shaking her hand, "It's nice to meet you, I've heard so much about you. Please everyone have a seat, I'm sure your all very confused about everything."
Dr. Jones explains everything that happened with Dr. Buckingham and the database that was set up in order to find children who have been trafficked. "We got a hit with your DNA, there is a little girl here at this hospital right now who matches you as your daughter."
Thomas is stunned, "M-m-my daughter." Thomas can barely get the words out. "I-I didn't know I had a daughter." He looks at Steffy who is in absolute shock.
"We've also located her mother, she was in a blood donor database. She's a regular donor by the name of Charlotte Morgan."
"Charlie!" Thomas says still in shock, "I haven't seen her since New York."
"Is she the one that just disappeared on you a few years back, without an explanation." Steffy asks.
"Yes, I fell so hard for her. That tore me up when she left."
"She'll be here shortly, in the meantime would you like to meet your daughter."
His daughter, those words hit Thomas so hard. He can't believe he has another child. Thomas takes a deep breathe, "I'm ready, I still can't believe it. Douglas is going to be so excited."
The door opens and a police officer and a social worker walks in. Thomas, Steffy, and Finn's jaws all drop.
"Beth!" Thomas says in even more shock.
Thomas could not wrap his head around the fact that Beth was actually his daughter. He slowly gets up and walks over to her. He kneels down beside her and hugs her, she hugs him back.
"We've explained the situation to her as delicately as we could, she's a bit young to fully understand though." The case worker states.
Thomas gets an overwhelming feeling of wanting to protect this girl, "I'm going to try to make this as easy as possible for her." Thomas says with tears in his eyes. Beth gives a little smile as she clutches her stuffed animal.
Just then a beautiful blonde woman walks into the room in a rush. "Thomas!" She says as her gaze turns down towards Beth. She begins to cry tears of joy as she bends down to hug Beth. "Oh my god, I can't believe this is real." She stands back up and embraces Thomas. "I'm so sorry I never told you about her, I thought she had died. I didn't want to put you through that greif."
Thomas tightens his hug, "Charlie, I've missed you so much. But why didn't you tell me you were pregnant in the first place?"
"I was scared, I didn't know how you would react, we weren't together for very long, I didn't know if I would fit in with your world."
"You fit in with me," Thomas sweetly says as he pulls back to look into Charlotte's eyes, "It's all in the past, now we move forward together as a family. "Thomas and Charlie smile as they look into each other's eyes and hold on tightly to Beth, "Are you both ready to go home?" Beth and Charlie both smile at him as Thomas takes one of Beth's hands and Charlie takes the other.
Later at Thomas' house after a long explanation to Karen and Dani as Beth plays with Douglas and Kelly.
"Wow," Karen says still in shock.
"I know this is a lot to take in." Thomas says, "I'm still processing this too."
"I don't know if this is the time," Charlie says, "I would like to have a discussion with the parents who were raising her. I know they have to be heartbroken but I would like to thank them for taking care of her and discuss a healthy and smooth transition. Since they will be seeing her still since they are part of your family." She says nodding towards Steffy, "And thank you Steffy, for taking such good care of her the first 8 months of her life. I'm so happy your her aunt."
"Your welcome," Steffy says giving Charlie a hug, "I love her unconditionally. I know this has got to be gut wrenching to Hope and Liam, I know it was when she was taken from me as Phoebe."
"That's another thing I want to bring up," Thomas chimes in, "I was thinking we should change her name back to Phoebe, if that's ok with you two." Thomas says looking at both Charlie and Steffy. "I know it was a name you wanted for your daughter Steff, so I don't want to take it without your blessing, and of course," Thomas says as he puts his arm around Charlie, "Being your daughter you should obviously have a say in her name."
"I love the name, there is nothing wrong with Beth, but she is not Beth, she is our daughter."
"I would be honored if your daughter had the name Phoebe," Steffy says, "And I think our sister would be honored."
