Chapter eleven!

The next day, Taylor, Ridge and Thomas all went to the hospital together to check on Steffy and Phoebe. Steffy was pretty battered from all the examinations the day before. In addition, she had slept quite badly. Since her conversation with Rick, she had nightmares every night. She tried hard to hide her bad condition from her family.

The doctor came to talk with them. He explained, as expected, Steffy was the perfect match. Moreover, all the examinations showed Steffy was perfectly healthy and in good physical condition. So, there was nothing to say against the donation. The doctor reassured Taylor and Ridge that no complications should be expected with Steffy.

"When do you want to do the surgery?" asked Taylor excitedly.

"Well, it's like this..." the doctor pondered. "The latest results show Phoebe's condition has continued to improve slightly. However, we would still like to wait to give her more time to recover further. The better her condition, the greater the chance that the surgery will be successful. At the moment, she is quite stable, so it's justifiable to wait!"

Everyone nodded in understanding.

"May I go home until the surgery then?" asked Steffy expectantly.

"I would like to keep you here for one more night. The examinations were certainly very exhausting, you should rest and take it slowly. Besides, the anesthesiologist is coming by today to discuss the anesthesia and the details of the surgery with you!"

The doctor was about to leave when Taylor turned to him with a big request.

"Listen, if you say Phoebe's stats have improved, would it be possible for us to visit her?"

The doctor hesitated. He understood, of course, that it was a strain for relatives to see the patient only through the window. He weighed it and finally relented.

"All right, I think it's justifiable now. But only one person at a time and never more than two visits a day!"

Despite the restrictions, everyone rejoiced. As soon as the doctor was out of the room, Steffy begged her parents and brother to let her see Phoebe today. They all agreed. They could understand that Steffy felt an urgent need to see her sister. As fast as she could, Steffy threw on her robe and was gone.

After she left, Ridge was also about to leave.

"I'll let you go today, Doc. I imagine you can't wait to see Phoebe." Taylor smiled at him very gratefully but still checked back.

"Are you really sure about this? I mean, surely you want to visit her just as badly?"

"Yeah, I do! But I can wait until tomorrow!"

"Thank you!" She gave him a little peck on the cheek. Thomas grinned as he watched his parents.

"I'll be on my way!" Ridge waved them goodbye. "I want to check on RJ!"

Steffy had rushed to the recovery ward. The staff had already been informed that one person at a time was allowed to see Phoebe.

Pretty shaken up, Steffy entered Phoebe's room. The beeping of the machines could be heard everywhere. Uncertain, she stepped closer to the bed and reached for Phoebe's hand. She was startled. Phoebe looked extremely pale and weak, even though her hair was all dull and without any gloss.

"Hey Phoebe, can you hear me?" But there was no response from her twin.

"It's going to be alright! You'll see. You just have to hang in there for a little while. Then you'll get my kidney and everything will be fine!"

Steffy kept talking. It did her good to talk to Phoebe. She fought back her tears and stroked her curls.

"I'm so sorry, sweetie, that all this happened. I wish I hadn't told you about the kiss. I should have expected it would upset you way too much. I wish I could be in your shoes right now and endure your pain for you. But I'll make it all up to you, I promise!"

Ridge, meanwhile, had driven to Brooke's place. The latter was a little surprised to see him, but pleased.

"Ridge, what are you doing here?!"

"I wanted to see how RJ is doing. Has he calmed down a bit?"

"Well, this morning at breakfast, he was still very quiet and grumpy. The whole situation is taking a toll on him."

"Yeah, I think we need to be more careful about how we interact."

"He asked me when you were coming home?" She glanced at him hopefully; Ridge hesitated.

"You know it's not that simple. After all, you asked me to leave because Rick is more important to you!"

Can't you just drop your animosity towards Rick for once, at least for the sake of our family!"

Brooke became forceful again and her voice got louder. Ridge waved her off.

"Look, I don't want to start this again. It's just going to end up in another fight and we should do our best to avoid RJ overhearing any more disputes between us. Taylor thinks that will crush him even more!"

"Taylor?!" Bolts sparkled from Brooke's eyes. "You talked to Taylor about RJ?! I don't believe it! What's she got to do with our problems?"

"You have to understand! I need to talk to someone about this and after all, she is a professional! Besides, I trust her!"

"Well, I don't! She wants you back and you're playing right into her hands!"

"Please, Logan, not this again. I really don't have the nerve for it right now. I came to see RJ!"

Ridge stepped towards the stairs and called for his son. He came rushing down the stairs.

"Daddy! Daddy! What are you doing here?"

"I came to pick you up. What do you say you and I have some fun today! I've got all day for you!"

RJ nodded enthusiastically.

"Are you coming with us, Mom?" He gave his mother a pleading look. Ridge and Brooke exchanged meaningful glances above his head.

"No, I'm sorry, sweetheart. I have so many other things to do. But I wish you a great day!"

Brooke realized it would be better if she didn't join them. After all, no one could guarantee it wouldn't come to another argument between her and Ridge and she didn't want to ruin RJ's day. Ridge sighed with relief; he agreed with Brooke.

Steffy sat by her sister's bedside for quite a while. She didn't want to leave her. But she knew that her mother was also desperate to see Phoebe.

While Taylor hurried to her daughter, Thomas stayed with Steffy. He had been waiting eagerly all along to talk to her alone. He enthusiastically described to her the scene he had witnessed the previous evening.

"Trust me, Steffy, you should have seen our parents...lying in each other's arms...they were so close with each other, so intimate! I firmly believe they will get back together!" Steffy sighed.

"You know I wish for nothing more, but don't forget what Mom said! This isn't the first time Dad heads for Mom's closeness and her support. Every time, it looked like we were going to be a family again, yet he always went back to Brooke! Even though Mom and we mean a lot to him, Dad has to get rid of his idiotic obsession with Brooke first! Otherwise, I don't see any chance for us!"

"Who knows..." smiled Thomas mysteriously. "...maybe that's what's happening right now. I mean, let's look at the situation realistic: there's Brooke, with whom he is constantly fighting at the moment and there's Mom, who understands and comforts him. The two of them stick together like peanuts and brimstone and they are always there for each other! If Dad doesn't wake up now and realize he could have it so much better with Mom, when will he?!"

Steffy had to admit her brother had a point.

"Yes, indeed, it would be the best for all of us if Dad finally faced the truth! It would be so nice if we were a family again."

"You'll see!" Thomas tried to encourage her. "It will happen. Everything is going great right now. We just have to push it a little more!"

"And how are we going to do that? Mom freaks out if we interfere in any way!" Thomas thought hard.

"Well, we don't have to interfere directly... we just have to have an eye on them... give them both opportunities to be alone. We just need to show Dad how great his life could be with us and Mom! We need him to finally acknowledge the obvious!"

Steffy grinned widely. She guessed what her brother was getting at. For a long time, the two put their heads together and worked on their plan.

Taylor sat by Phoebe's bedside for a long time. She held her hand and talked smoothly to her. She encouraged her daughter to continue to be strong and brave. She sang the lullaby she used to sing when the girls were little. Like Steffy, Taylor was overwhelmed with guilt at the sight of her daughter. She remembered what Rick had told her about the accident. The thought of being responsible for Phoebe's suffering broke her heart. She begged Phoebe's forgiveness and promised to do everything she could to make up for her mistakes.

Taylor stayed until Bridget came to her and declared it was enough for today. Phoebe needed her rest.

So Taylor went back to Steffy. Thomas had left in the meantime. She stayed with Steffy until the anesthesiologist came to talk to her. She helped Steffy answer the many questions as thoroughly as possible. Steffy listened intently to the anesthesiologist and his colleague as they described exactly what would happen to her during the surgery. Taylor held her hand the entire time.

After the two doctors left, Steffy groaned.

"That does sound pretty spectacular. I'm so glad to be under anesthesia during the surgery. The idea of them cutting me open and digging around inside me..." She screwed up her face. Taylor pulled her face as well.

"Steffy! You really do have a vivid imagination!" She noticed Steffy was quite tired and exhausted. She left her daughter alone so she could rest.

Before she headed home, she stopped by at Stephanie's office to update her on the latest developments. Stephanie was very relieved that Steffy's examinations had been to her complete satisfaction. The upcoming surgery was a glimmer of hope for them. Before Stephanie could even broach the subject of Ridge, Taylor decided to leave. She had no desire to chew over that subject with Stephanie. She knew her opinion anyway. She was just stepping out the door when she bumped into Nick. The latter looked at her with honest concern.

"Hey, how are you doing? What about Phoebe?"

Through Briget, Nick was well informed of everything, Taylor told him about Phoebe's condition and the upcoming surgery. Nick gave her a brief sympathetic hug.

"I wish you all the best! Give Phoebe and Steffy a hug from me!"

"I do!" said Taylor, waving him off.

Nick joined Stephanie at her desk.

"Taylor seems pretty strong! I just hope she will get through all of this!" Stephanie nodded.

"Yeah, she's really pulling herself together, but this whole thing is taking a toll on her! But at least she has Ridge by her side."

Nick looked at Stephanie in confusion.

"Ridge?! I thought he was remarried to Brooke by now?!"

"No, the wedding didn't happen because of the situation with Phoebe. Brooke and Ridge are having huge differences right now due to Rick's involvement in the accident."

Nick saw what Stephanie was getting at.

"And now, of course, you're hoping your dear son and Taylor get back together?!"

"Would that be so wrong! I mean, Brooke and Ridge don't belong together and Taylor is the perfect woman for him!"

Nick shook his head.

"All I can advise you Stephanie is stay out of it and for God's sake don't get involved! You'll only make things much worse!"

Stephanie had a determined and resolute look on her face.

"Sometimes you just have to tempt fate a little bit!"

Taylor was on her way home when she received a message from Ridge. He asked her to bring ice cream. Taylor wondered a bit about this request but stopped at the nearest supermarket and bought all kinds of ice cream and toppings.

Fully packed, she stepped into the house and was very surprised at the picture that presented itself. Thomas, as well as Ridge with RJ on his lap, were sitting in the living room playing with Thomas' old Playstation. Thomas and Ridge were having an exciting car race. Taylor greeted her men a bit, confused and then went to the kitchen to take care of the ice cream. Ridge joined her.

"I hope you're okay with RJ being here. I went to the playground with him, but then it looked like it would rain. So we thought we'd better go home. Thomas then had the idea to set up his old Playstation."

"That's not a problem for me at all. RJ can come here anytime, there's no question about that!"

"Thanks!" Satisfied, Ridge looked at the many ice packs Taylor was unwrapping.

"Perfect! I promised Thomas and RJ a big ice cream party. I thought it would distract them a bit!"

"Excellent idea!" agreed Taylor. "I could use a big sundae myself right now!"

Taylor and Ridge carried the ice cream and all the toppings into the living room. Everyone went at it.

"Hey, I have an idea!" exclaimed Thomas suddenly. "Let's take some pictures and send them to Steffy, then she can have a good tease!" grinned Thomas gleefully. Taylor and Ridge gave their son stern looks.

"Don't be so mean to your sister Thomas! She doesn't deserve that!"

"Oh, come on, a little fun should be allowed!"

RJ shared his brother's opinion. He grabbed his sundae and got into position so Thomas could make some good shots of him.

Later, Brooke came by to pick up RJ. He ran to his mom excitedly, chattering happily about his day. Brooke, on the other hand, eyed the whole scenario with great skepticism. Taylor was cleaning up the living room and hurried to the kitchen. She was not in the mood for a discussion with Brooke. Thomas also disappeared, but he hid in the next corner. He eagerly eavesdropped on the conversation between Brooke and his father. Brooke asked RJ to get into the car and wait for her. As soon as they were alone, Brooke hissed angrily at Ridge.

"Can you explain to me what this is all about! You told me you were going to spend the day with RJ alone! There was no mention of you all playing happy family with my son!"

"Now calm down, Brooke! I was out with RJ all day. But then it looked like it would rain, so I brought him here. What's the big deal?"

"And it just happens that Taylor and Thomas were there as well, or what!"

"Excuse me, they live here! I can't kick them out of the house just because RJ stays with me!"

"No, but you might as well have come home with RJ, then we could have had a nice evening together."

"I doubt that you just prove once more very impressively that you and I can't be together for five minutes without arguing. That's exactly what I didn't want to put RJ through! By the way, I think it's for the best if you leave now. I'm sure RJ is already wondering where you are!" Without another word, Ridge slammed the door shut.

Brooke was stunned but tried hard not to show it in front of RJ. With great effort, she managed to pull herself together on the drive. RJ happily talked about playing with Thomas and the big ice cream party. Brooke gritted her teeth and forced herself to smile, but inside, she was seething with anger.

Later, after putting RJ to bed, she talked to Katie about the messed-up situation. She got all her frustration off her chest.

"You know, I really can't deal with all this any longer! The whole fight between Ridge and Rick and I don't know what to do. I was hoping so hard the two of them would finally get along, but ever since the accident, it's been getting worse every day, and then there's Taylor just lurking around waiting to get a grip on Ridge!"

"What? Is she still after him?" asked Katie curiously.

"Of course, and he still lives with her. So I'm sure she's still getting her hopes up about winning him back and takes every opportunity to get close and throw herself at him again! And then there are Steffy and Thomas, who are probably hatching some scheme as we speak to get their parents back together!"

Katie nudged her sister promptly.

"Then you have to fight back! Do something, get active, fight for Ridge and show him that he belongs with you!"

"Yes, you're right! If I only knew how to do that! We can't talk five sentences with each other without a blow. But I'm not going to give up so easily!"

Besides all the worry about Ridge and RJ and her rivalry with Taylor, Brooke continued to be concerned about Rick. She sensed something was wrong with him. Something was bothering him. Every day since the accident, he became more silent and withdrawn. Brooke had hoped that after Rick's statement to the police he would feel better. But he isolated himself even more.

The next morning, as Rick sat in the living room eating his breakfast, she sat down with him.

"Hey Honey, there's something I want to talk to you about. This was just dropped off for you!"

She laid several pages in front of him.

"What's this?" asked Rick tensely.

"It's the transcript of your statement. Lt. Baker wants you to sign it. But you should read it over carefully to make sure everything is written exactly as you said!"

Hesitantly, Rick reached for the protocol. Without really reading it, he ran along the lines. Brooke held out a pen to him.

"And is everything correct?" Rick nodded silently without looking up.

"Good, then you can sign it!"

Brooke noticed Rick's hand was shaking terribly. He stared transfixed at the paper, but he just couldn't bring himself to put his signature under it. Brooke eyed him anxiously.

"What's wrong with you? Why won't you sign it?"

Rick glared at her with big empty eyes. Brooke was starting to get scared. She grabbed him by his shoulders.

"Rick, is there anything you want to tell me? Is there anything regarding the accident that you've been hiding? Did the accident really happen like you told us?"

Rick swallowed and couldn't get a word out. Brooke shook him.

"Answer me! What really happened?"