Chapter 22:
Ivy is in the kitchen of her new home cooking for Sebastian when she hears a knock at the door. When she opens it she is stunned to see Liam, he does not look happy. "Hey Ivy, can I come in?"
"Of course, I was just cooking dinner for Sebastian. Would you like to stay? I'm sure he would love it."
"I'd love to, have you heard from the doctor? Are we all cleared for the surgery?"
"Yeah, I just got the clearance about a hour ago. I was going to give you a call after we ate." Ivy can sense something is bothering Liam, "Liam, are you ok?"
Liam looks Ivy in the eyes as he can feel tears forming in his eyes, "Hope is pregnant," Ivy stays silent she can tell there is a bigger bomb about to drop, "It's my father's baby."
Ivy's jaw drops, she always knew Hope was not the saint she always tried to portray herself as, but to sleep with his father. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry Liam. What are you going to do?"
"I already called my lawyer, I'm filing for divorce."
"Where are you staying right now?" Ivy inquires.
"I don't know, obviously I can't stay with my father," Liam chuckles to himself, "Maybe Wyatt or a hotel. At least until I find my own place, and a new job. There is no way I'm going to continue working with my dad. But before that I wanted to come see Sebastian and check on how he is doing."
Ivy smiles, she is grateful that he and Sebastian have hit it off so well. An idea comes into Ivy's mind, "Liam, why don't you stay here?" Liam looks at Ivy stunned, "It makes sense, you and Sebastian are about to have a major surgery. I can help both of you recover and you'll be able to spend time together."
"When you put it that way, it makes sense." Liam says trying to find a hole in the plan. Just then Sebastian comes in the room.
"Dad!" He says excitedly as he gives Liam a hug.
"Hey buddy!" Liam says hugging him back.
"Sebastian, your father and I have some exciting news for you." Ivy chimes in, "Your father is going to move in here for now so you two can recover together."
Sebastian smiles big as he looks up at Liam who smiles back at him.
Meanwhile at Bill's house he thanks some delivery men as they are leaving. Bill goes back upstairs into the room where the new furniture was delivered and smiles at the new nursery. He kept it neutral for now since he doesn't know the sex of the baby. He thinks to himself that he can't believe how giddy he is getting over being a father again. He never imagined he'd want to go through it all over again. But once he found out that Hope's baby is his he just can't help himself. He thinks to himself that he doesn't care if the baby is a boy or girl as long as it's healthy, but there is a part of him that is hoping for a girl. He has never had a little girl and loves spending time with his granddaughter.
"Bill!" He can hear Hope's voice calling out from downstairs.
"Up here," He calls out. He really hopes she comes around to him being the baby's father. He would hate to have to fight her to be in his child's life.
Hope walks into the room and her jaw drops, she can't believe how excited he is about this. "What is this?" She angrily asks.
Bill can tell his fear is a fact, she is going to make it hard on him. She is going to come to regret this. "It's a nursery for our baby."
"Don't call them that!" Hope snaps back at him with venom in her voice, "This is not your child! Liam and I will raise him or her. He'll come around once he realizes we belong together."
"Oh good, it sounds like he knows."
"Yes, that's what I was coming here to tell you. And I was hoping he'd be here."
"I have not heard from him yet, although I'm sure I will." Bill says getting more serious, "But Hope, as I said before. Liam will not raise my child. I plan on being a very active participant in my child's life. Trust me you do not want to fight me on this."
Hope can hear the threat in his voice and she begins to wonder if she is up for this fight. She turns to leave but Bill stops her, "I'm serious Hope. You will not shut me out of my child's life. Two women have done that to me already and I will not have it done to me again. I will exhaust every resource I have."
Hope tries to evaluate her options before realizing he can bury her financially. "My next doctor's appointment is next Thursday." She says coldly before turning to leave.
