This story takes place right after Caroline Spencer Jr passes away. Steffy had just adopted "Phoebe", Hope and Liam are dealing with the "death" of Beth, and Thomas and Douglas are coming back to LA from New York. Everyone is anticipating their return at Eric and Quinn's house.

Chapter 1:

Everyone is gathered at the Forrester mansion, no one can believe such a tragic event. Ridge talks to Brooke, "I can't believe she is gone." Ridge chokes back a tear. He can't believe Caroline is gone, again. He can't help but think of the vibrant beautiful life that is just gone. Brooke looks on as she begins to feel a twinge of jealousy, she can see it in Ridge's eyes that he still holds a torch for Caroline.

"I know she meant a lot to you Ridge," Brooke says touching his shoulder.

Meanwhile across the room, Taylor is talking to Steffy while holding Phoebe. "This just doesn't seem real." Taylor says shaking her head.

"I know, I had just talked to her on a video chat after I adopted Phoebe so she and Kelly could meet their aunt, uncle, and cousin." Steffy stated wiping away a tear.

Elsewhere in the room, sitting on a couch Hope goes over that terrible night on Catalina Island over and over again in her head. She could hear the pilot in the office on the mainland informing her and the employees about the storm coming. *Why did I get on that helicopter* Hope thinks to herself. *I was eight and a half months pregnant, what was I thinking.* Liam sits next to her.

"Hope, we don't have to be here. I'm sure Thomas would understand."

"No, it's fine. I feel like I need to be around people." Hope says possibly trying to convince herself.

Liam thinks to himself about all the grief he is going through. He feels like he wants to scream at the top of his lungs. He wants to spend more time with Kelly, he had been telling her about her new sister, but he knows Hope needs him 24/7. Liam just reminds himself that Kelly is only 6 months old and she will not remember what he has told her. Especially now that she has Phoebe to bond with, he really wished he could step into the role of father to her, but Steffy made it clear that she did not feel that was healthy. He feels like he has the weight of a car sitting on his back, he doesn't know what to do to assure Hope he is there for her while fighting with the side of him that just wants to curl up into a corner and uncontrollably sob until he passes out. He takes a breath to compose himself, he has to stay strong for Hope.

Everyone could hear the door knob turning. They look to the front door as Thomas walks in holding Douglas. Thomas looks at the crowd of family and friends there and feels an overwhelming sense of emotions. He starts to cry and holds on to Douglas even closer.

As Thomas moves through the room everyone is hugging him and Douglas, offering their condolences. He moves towards his sister sitting on a chair holding Kelly on one knee and Phoebe on the other knee. He sits on the adjacent chair with Douglas.

"Hey Steff," Thomas says with his voice cracking, "Hello Kelly and Phoebe, Douglas you finally get to meet your cousins in person."

Douglas gets a sweet smile on his face as he holds a hand of each little girl and smiles up to his Aunt Steffy as she smiles back at him. "I can't wait to teach them some new games that mommy taught me."

Steffy smiles back at Douglas, "I know they will be so excited to learn them from their favorite cousin."

"Maybe when Aunt Steffy and your cousins comes back from Paris, she's got to run our company until your ready to take over." Thomas says winking at Douglas.

"I can stay Thomas, I can't leave you and Douglas right now."

"I can't ask you to do that Steff."

"I insist. Rick..." Steffy shudders at that name, "can deal with business."

Thomas continues to look around the room as Steffy and Douglas talk. He notices Hope sitting by herself on the couch looking like she is going to cry at any moment. He looks back at Steffy, "Can you keep an eye on Douglas?"

"Of course." Steffy says sitting on the ground with all the kids.

Thomas walks over to Hope, he had heard about what she had just gone through. Losing her child, he couldn't believe she was there to support him and Douglas. He sits on the couch next to her. He smiles awkwardly, "Hey."

"Hey," Hope quietly says.

"I'm so sorry Hope," Thomas says with a crack in his voice. Hope looks into his eyes and sees pain, raw, angry, confused pain. The same pain she is going through right now, she can't control her emotions and tears just stream down from her face as she leans into Thomas' shoulder.

Liam comes back with two bottles of water and stares at them awkwardly. Thomas notices Liam standing there and stands up gently so as not to startle or upset Hope. "Liam, I am so so sorry for your loss." Thomas says sincerely, "Not just for your daughter but for your cousin too. I can't imagine the pain you are going through."

Hope listening to this, not even realizing that Liam is going through two losses.

Liam looks at Thomas, "Thank you man," he gives Thomas a big hug.

Douglas comes over to Thomas, Liam, and Hope, "Daddy, Aunt Steffy taught me a new game and insisted that she was going to stay here with Kelly and Phoebe."

Hope got excited for that news. "That's great bud, I'm glad you'll get to spend more time with your cousins. I'm sure you can teach them a few things."

Hope smiles at the young vulnerable boy, "Douglas, are you hungry? We can see what grandma Quinn has in the kitchen."

Douglas looks up at Thomas, "Can I go get something to eat Daddy?"

"Of course Bud," Thomas smiles down at his son, he can't help but feel so much pain for his son. He wants to take away his pain so badly. "If you need anything come find me ok."

"Ok Daddy."