Chapter 18:
Steffy is sitting in her doctor's office, it's just a yearly physical. As she waits for the doctor she flips through text messages and e-mails on her phone. She looks at happy pictures that Thomas sent her of him and Charlie with Douglas and Phoebe doing a family photoshoot to reveal Charlie's pregnancy. She can't help but smile at the lovely little family so happy after everything they've been through.
Steffy's doctor walks in and greets her warmly, "Good afternoon Steffy, and should I say congrats." Steffy looks at her doctor in confusion, "Your blood results came back, your expecting."
A wave of excitement splashes over Steffy, "That's amazing! I guess I've been so busy and preoccupied I didn't notice the symptoms."
"Let's get that first sonogram scheduled, I'm sure you and your husband and kids will be excited to see your first images."
"They will be thrilled! I can't wait to tell them."
Meanwhile in a different doctor's office...
Hope sits anxiously waiting for the results. I can't believe I was this stupid! I can't be pregnant now, I want another child, but I want Liam's child. I don't know who's baby this is. Please be negative! Hope thinks to herself over and over again. The doctor walks in, "Good news Hope, your expecting!" Hope feels like she was punched in the stomach. The doctor notices the disappointment and anxiety in her face and her smile turns to a frown, "Is that not what you were hoping for?"
"No of course I'm happy...this is a blessing." Hope says trying to convince herself more so than the doctor. "Umm, everything I say to you will stay in confidence right."
"Of course Hope, doctor/patient confidentiality. Nothing you say to me leaves this room."
Hope hesitates but she knows she has to tell the doctor, "Liam...my husband, may not be the father."
"Oh," The doctor says shocked, "Ok, well you are far enough along to do a DNA test, if you can get me the DNA of the two men."
"Three." Hope interrupts more ashamed of herself then she has ever been.
"Ok, we can do a DNA test. Are the other two willing to come in for a DNA test. If they do that then we can determine who the father is without Liam's DNA."
"I'll see what I can do." Hope says. As the doctor leaves the room Hope pulls out her cell phone and scrolls through her phone for Bill's number.
"Hello," Bill answers.
"Bill," Hope says with a hesitation, "I need you to come to the hospital right away."
Panic hits Bill hard, "Is everything Ok?! Is Liam Ok?"
"Everyone is fine," Hope assures Bill, "I just found out." Hope pauses as tears fall down her cheeks, "I'm pregnant."
Bill feels like he has been punched in the gut. He can't believe he did this to his son again. "I'll be right there." Bill says as he hangs up.
Hope looks back down at her phone and looks for Hollis' number. "I can't believe I did this, "Hope says to herself, "I not my mother, I'm worse."
Bill arrives at the hospital and notices someone familiar a head of him. He thinks to himself where have I seen him before? He gets into the elevator behind the young man. Just then it comes to him, that's the bartender from that low life Deacon's restaurant. Bill wonders for just a second what this dope is doing there, but then his thoughts turn to Hope and the possibility that he is going to be a father again. He considers making an appointment to get a vasectomy while he is here. When the elevator pings to the floor he needs to be at he takes note that Hollis exits the elevator too.
Both men walk up to the reception desk, Hollis speaks up first, "I'm here for Hope Logan, she is expecting me."
Bill is stunned, the nurse notices the shocked expression on Bill's face and tilts her head in confusion. Bill notices her looking at him, "Um, I'm here for Hope Logan too. She is also expecting me."
Hollis turns to look at Bill, he recognizes him immediately as Bill Spencer. "Just give me one second gentlemen." The nurse gets up confused. She goes into one of the rooms and comes out looking even more confused. "She is expecting you both." The nurse says as she ushers both of them in.
Bill and Hollis enter the room to see a disheveled Hope pacing around the room. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you both on the phone. I felt like I needed to tell you both in person...there is a chance both of you," Hope hesitates and closes her eyes and inhales, not believing what she is about to say, "and Liam could all potentially be the father of my unborn child."
Both men are stunned, Hollis feeling sick thinking he will never have a chance with Brooke if he is the father of her grandchild. How stupid could he be, he was so excited when Hope said she never wanted to speak of their encounter again. He figured he could put it behind him and Brooke would never know.
Bill not only thinking about how he could hurt one of his son's this way again. But also feeling shocked that Hope could do something like this.
The doctor comes in, "Ok gentlemen. I just need a swab of your cheeks." Both men comply and the doctor turns to look at Hope, "I'll put a rush on these, we should know soon."
Hope puts her head in her hands and covers her face, "I can't believe this is happening."
Bill still in disbelief speaks up, "It's ok Hope," He places a hand on her shoulder as she looks up at him, "We just have to believe that the baby is Liam's. And NO ONE," Bill sternly says as he intensely looks at Hollis, "will ever know of any infidelity."
Hollis noticing Bill's stare and tone, "I agree, we have to think positive. The baby is Liam's, and NO ONE will know of ANY infidelity."
They are all in agreement as they all sit and wait.
Some time later...
There is a knock at the door, the doctor enters. She has a folder in her hands, "The results are back." Everyone collectively takes a deep breath, "It looks like Mr. Spencer is the father."
Hollis breaths a sigh of relief, he turns to Hope, "Good luck Hope. Your secret's safe with me." He says and quickly exits the room.
Hope still feels confused, "Mr. Spencer my husband? Or Mr. Spencer?" Hope asks nodding towards Bill.
The doctor hesitates, Hope can already tell from the look on the doctor's face it's not the Mr. Spencer she wants it to be, "Mr. Bill Spencer."
"No, no this can't be happening." Hope says with her voice cracking and tears streaming down her face.
Bill wraps his arm around Hope's shoulders, "Hope I know this is a lot and devastating news, but you have to keep it together for the baby's sake."
"He's right Mrs. Spencer. Stress is not good for the baby."
Hope takes a deep breath, they are both right. She needs to think about her unborn child. "Doctor, could you please give us a second."
"Of course." the doctor says as she leaves the room.
Hope takes a minute to think. She turns around and looks at Bill, "No one can know." She sternly says as Bill looks confused. "As far as anyone knows this is Liam's baby, not yours." Hope says with a glare.
"Hope," Bill says as he thinks carefully about his words, "I don't think I can do that." Hope's eyes get wide as her jaw drops, he was just being supportive, why is he backtracking now? "I was hoping and preying that this baby was Liam's. That would have made me the happiest. But now that I know this is my child," Bill pauses, "I can't let my son raise my baby."
Hope could only just stare at Bill in shock.
