Chapter 9:
At the hospital, Steffy can feel herself regaining consciousness. She can hear the machines beeping around her, as her vision starts to focus she can see people moving around the room. Once her eyes come into focus she can make out a doctor, she can tell he is tall with dark hair, but she can't see his face as he is reading a file. Steffy tries to shift and feels sharp pains all over and lets out a little groan.
Once she groans, the doctor puts the file down and focus' on her, "It's ok Miss Forrester, don't try to move too much, you have quite a few broken bones."
Steffy tries to search her memory for why she was lying in a hospital bed in pain. "Wh-what happened?" She manages to say.
"You were in a car accident," The handsome doctor tells her, "Someone hit you from behind pushing you into on coming traffic."
Steffy can't believe what she is hearing, she is very happy that Thomas came over and watched Phoebe. She couldn't even imagine what would have happened if her little girl was in that car, she would not allow her brain to go there. She looks up at the doctor as he smiles back at her. "I'm Dr. Finnigan." He says introducing himself. She smiles up at him, "Your mother and father are here, are you up to letting them come in?"
"Of course," Steffy says weakly. Dr. Finnigan opens the door to the hospital room, Steffy can hear him say, "She's awake." Within seconds her parents come through the door.
"Steffy!" her mom says with tears in her eyes. Taylor stops herself before grabbing Steffy to hug her, realizing how much pain her daughter must be in.
"I'll let you all have a moment," Dr. Finnigan says, "I'll be back shortly to check up on you."
As Dr. Finnigan exits the room Taylor turns back around to face her daughter. She leans down to give her a kiss on her forehead.
Before anyone can say anything else Liam bust through the door, "Steffy!" Liam rushes over to Steffy and grabs her to hug her before anyone can stop him. Steffy screams out in pain as Liam jerks away quickly.
"I'm sorry Steff, I'm just so happy your ok."
Dr. Finnigan pops back into the room, "Is everything ok?" He asks as he walks over to Steffy's bedside.
"Fine," Steffy says as she side eyes Liam, "Liam just got a little to over excited."
Liam feels a twinge of jealousy as he watches Dr. Finnigan readjust Steffy's IV. "How did this happen?" Liam asks.
"I was rear ended and pushed into oncoming traffic," Steffy explains, "That's all I know. I'll be fine."
"Of course you will be," Ridge chimes in, "Your our strong girl."
Liam's phone pings, he looks at it, "Hope brought Kelly back to your place, she said she thought Kelly would be more comfortable around her sister and a familiar setting."
"That will be good for her, thankfully her and Phoebe are too young to realize what is happening. I hope she stays there with them, poor Thomas will be outnumbered by 3 kids."
Liam feels that twinge of jealousy again as he now realizes Thomas was watching Phoebe.
"Don't worry about Thomas," Taylor says, "You just focus on recovery."
"Yeah," Liam chimes in again, "If you want I can stay with you for a while to help out."
Ridge and Taylor exchange uncomfortable glances, "That's not necessary Liam." Ridge say concerned. "I think you should focus on you and Hope. We will be there to help Steffy."
"Yeah, I'm living there. Thomas and Douglas can stay too, he's been looking for a home in that area, maybe he'll find one for him and Douglas while staying there." Taylor assures Liam.
Steffy readjusts herself carefully, grateful to her parents for squashing that idea fast, "They're right Liam. I may need you to take Kelly an extra day or too, but I've got a lot of help." Liam looks to the floor, "I'm sorry to do this guys, but I'm feeling really tired."
"We'll give you some time to rest," Ridge says, "I'll stay here the night with you, hopefully you can go home tomorrow."
"Thanks dad," Steffy says as she closes her eyes. Ridge ushers Liam and Taylor out of the room.
Out in the hallway Ridge continues, "I figured you would need to help Thomas with all the kids," He says to Taylor.
"You need a ride? Since Hope is at Steffy's" Taylor asks Liam.
"No, I brought my car. I'll meet you there." Liam says as he walks away.
Ridge and Taylor exchange worried glances once again, "I'll keep you updated Doc."
"Thanks." Taylor says as she walks to her car.
