Thomas and Steffy
Steffy pulled back from her father and Thomas, as she realised, she had to get to the hospital, no matter how she was feeling, she had to check that Liam really was alright so that she could tell Kelly and Hayes and allay - or prepare them – of any fears they may have. This way she could make sure they could visit him without any stress or upset, besides which, he was still the father of her children, and a dear friend, she'd be there to support him in the same way he would be there to support her.
"I hate to do this, but I must go to the hospital, I have to make sure Liam is okay, for my own peace of mind. I know the police are contacting Li, but someone should contact Cat as well so she knows what's going on, I don't want either her or Beth to worry when he doesn't turn up tonight."
"Damn it, I forgot to tell you, Dee said she rang Marius while the police were talking to us earlier, and he said he'd tell Cat, so don't fret about that, he also told her to tell you that he and Zende will take care of Forresters for the day, and if you need anything, no matter what the time, he'll get it done," said Thomas rubbing his face tiredly.
"As for going to the hospital, can't it wait? I know the storm has let up a little, but it could worsen again, and you don't want to be trapped out in it when it gets dark."
Steffy looked at her watch, "It's ten past three, I'll be back by six to make dinner for the kids, I just need someone to mind the kids for me while I'm gone." She looked between her father and Thomas hopefully.
"Steffy, Thomas is right, it's still far too dangerous to drive, and you've been through an ordeal already, I don't want you driving in this weather. Bill will ring if there's a change, there's no need to go," said Ridge in concern.
Steffy shook her head, "I have to dad, he's Kelly and Hayes` father, I need to see that he is going to be okay, I'm sorry, but I'm going.
"Why was he even here?" asked Thomas, "I mean, I thought you were moving in another direction?"
A look of shock passed over Steffi's face as she realised that neither Ridge nor Thomas knew what Brooke had done to Hope, and of the tragic consequences.
She ignored the question and turned to her father, "Dad, will you look after the kids for me and Thomas, he can drive me to the hospital if it will make you feel better, and you'll get to spend some time with your grandkids."
Ridge sighed, "Alright," he said turning to Thomas, "just be extra careful, and take my Mercedes it's got much better protection in case you're in an accident."
Thomas nodded and took the keys his father fished out of his pocket, "I'll make sure we're back by six o'clock at the latest, that way you won't have to worry too much."
Ridge nodded in agreeance and Steffy and Thomas hurried out into the storm.
It took over an hour to reach the hospital due to the sheer amount of tree's down and bypasses set-up, but once they finally arrived Thomas – who had been quiet up to this point so he could concentrate on his driving –safely parked then turned to Steffy.
"Okay sis, spill."
Steffy paused her hand on the car's door, she knew she couldn't avoid this conversation so she quickly told Thomas everything that Liam had told her.
He sat there shocked; his mouth slightly open in horror as his mind fully digested what Steffy had just told him.
"Oh god," he whispered, "How could she? Poor Hope, I know she needed to break away from her mother and stop seeing her with those rose-coloured glasses she wears, but this . . ., this . . . Steffy, this is beyond sickening. And what about dad? How the hell is he going to take it, I'm gathering you haven't told him yet?"
Steffy nodded, "I know, I still have to figure out how to tell him what happened, I just couldn't back at the house, not then, I don't know how I'm going to break the news to him. As much as I hate to admit it, I know that no matter what he says, deep down, a part of him still loves her. I half expected him to go back to her eventually, but with this; Thomas, I don't think he would ever be able to look past it, and as much as I want him to put Brooke behind him for-ever, I don't want him destroyed in the process, he's our dad."
Thomas took her hand, "I'll tell him, or we can tell him together, we'll be there for him, and help him through this as a family. In the meantime, if Hope's here, while you check on Liam, I'll go and see her."
At Steffi's frown Thomas said, "Look Steff, I don't know their relationship, or even if they had one, but she was carrying Finn's child, and like it or not, she needs to know what happened, and this is something best told by someone who knows her, and who can show a little compassion."
Steffy nodded, clearly not that happy with Thomas's explanation, her anger at Hope still simmered just below the surface, "Fine, if that's what you need to do, let's go," she snapped.
Thomas grabbed her arm as she opened the door, "Steffy, wait!"
When Steffy turned back Thomas looked at her, concern and worry etched on his face. "Look, I just saw my little sister hanging off the side of a god-damned cliff in the middle of a storm. I thought I was going to lose both you and Dee because I couldn't drag you both to safety, no matter how hard I tried. When dad arrived, it was like a miracle, our miracle, we got both of you back safely, despite the odds. And from what you told all of us, this horror was all caused by Finn's rage and hatred for Liam, and possibly you!"
He paused a moment before adding, "Look sis, I've learnt a lot from my Doc over the last months, and the most important lesson I've learnt is to try and let go of my anger, because if you let it fester, it ruins lives, most notably your own, because you can become bitter and angry with your life and everyone in it. To compensate for your pain and rage some people start destroying whoever gets in their way to get what they see as "rightfully" theirs, they start to not care about the cost to others. Just look at what Brooke has done to me you and Hope, look at all the other casualties she's left in her wake over the years."
He looked at Steffy pleadingly. "You've had your revenge for what Hope did to you Steff, and now Hope finally has to come to terms with exactly what her mother is, and what she's caused on top of that. I wouldn't wish that type of pain on anyone, and neither should you! Please Steffy, I can't see you lose yourself in hate like Finn did. I want you to be happy. I'm not saying forgive and forget all that Hope has done and be best pals, I know that'll never happen. I'm just begging you to let go of the hatred and bitterness you feel and move on from what happened. Let yourself be happy again, let yourself build a life that's healthy and strong, with or without someone, something not built on lies or divided feelings. Move on from any feelings of rivalry or revenge, you've won, you're free, now let it go and build something healthy for yourself and your kids."
Steffy stared at her brother in surprise, finally she took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right, I need to let go of the past and concentrate on the future, but it's hard Thomas, so don't expect miracles from me, but I will try . . . I promise, okay?"
Thomas smiled and nodded, "that's all I ask sis, now let's go and check on how those two are."
Brooke and Eric
Brooke hurried into the house, Eric following closely behind, she took off her wet coat and threw herself down on the couch where she put her head in her hands, tears flowing freely down her face.
Eric hurried after her, "It will be alright Brooke, Hope will come around as soon as she's had a chance to calm down a little, she will see it was all a mistake and that you didn't mean it to happen, in the meantime I'm here for you," he said as he came and sat beside her.
A boom of thunder rattled the windows as the storm outside intensified, they had been lucky to get home from the hospital before the full force of it hit, and they now knew they couldn't go anywhere for the time being.
Brooke looked up at Eric with teary eyes, "What have I done Eric? How could I? Why did I have to start drinking? It's Taylors fault, first her goading me while I was at Deacons, all her gloating, she got to me, she weakened my will. Why couldn't she just leave me alone? I know her and Steffy have been working to turn Ridge against me, I know it! I've never seen him so unforgiving, so downright hateful, I know they're behind it! I hate them so much; her and Steffy are behind all of this, they're evil Eric, plain evil! Oh Eric," she cried on a broken sob, "I have to find a way to reach my daughter, I have to make up for what I did."
Eric shook his head, "I don't know how Brooke, I think that what she needs right now is time. I can speak to her if you want, in the meantime, I'm here for you Brooke, you'll never be alone."
"Time?" Brooke snarled pulling away from him in disgust, "time for Deacon to badmouth me and make sure that Hope isn't thinking right! No, I can't allow that Eric, I won't!"
She turned away from him as she thought for a long moment, not noticing as Erics arm crept back around her to comfort her, suddenly her eyes widened.
"I have it, she needs money to pay both hers and Steffi's lawyers, she knows I'm struggling financially at the moment, so if I pay them for her, she'll have to acknowledge how sorry I am because she'll see I'm prepared to sacrifice for her."
Eric shook his head, "Brooke, you know I'd help you in a heartbeat if I could, but buying Ridges shares from him and then paying the suppliers for some of the new fabric that we need, it took everything I have, now we're waiting on buyers' sales to right the ship, the company is on a tightrope as it is, all the collateral we have is tied up in our stock and the building."
Brooke shook her head, "I don't want your money Eric, no, this will have to be from me. A major sacrifice from me to my daughter, to prove how much I love her."
She looked down at her ring and twisted it on her finger thoughtfully, "I'm going to sell all of my jewellery."
"Brooke, no," Eric gasped in shock.
Brooke stood, nodding her head as she did, "Yes Eric, it's the only way, and it will prove to Hope how truly sorry I am and how much I love her. It will also show Ridge that I am taking him at his word, and this is what his shocking unwarranted cruelty has done to me, besides, once we're a success and the money starts flowing in, I can always buy it back, but right now I need the cash a lot more, not only for Hope, but I have a mortgage payment to make, and I'm already going to be late on the payment again as it is. No, this will solve a lot of problems, and it will prove to everyone that I'm not the monster Taylor and Steffy are painting me to be."
Eric stared at her as she abruptly jumped up and walked up the stairs to her bedroom to gather everything of value that she owned. In some ways he was happy, it meant she was cutting more ties to Ridge from her life, but there were also pieces that he had given her while they were married, pieces that he'd thought she'd loved. He sighed, they'd get through this, and when it was over, hopefully, Brooke would finally see who had supported her through everything, who had never left her side, the one who never doubted her, and finally, she'd truly be his again – she had to, or what was all this for?
Bill, Liam, and Steffy
Bill looked up as Steffy entered the room. "Steffy, you didn't have to come, I was going to call you and tell you what was happening, it's far too risky to be driving in this weather!"
Steffy smiled and walked over to the side of the bed where Liam was only now slowly opening his eyes. "Thomas brought me, he's down checking on Hope, he's going to tell her what happened while I visit with Liam."
"Steffy, dad's right, you shouldn't have risked the storm," Liam said as he smiled up at her wearily, "but I'm glad you did. Are you okay? How are the kids? Do they know what happened?"
Steffy shushed him gently, "Don't worry, I'm fine, no injuries to speak of, as to the kids; I told them we got too close to the edge and fell over, they know you're in hospital, Bill told them that you were fine, but that you just had to stay in hospital for a few days because you broke a bone when you fell. Hayes doesn't really understand, and Kelly seems anxious to sign a cast she says you'll get, apparently one of her friends had a broken arm a few months ago and had a cast that all the kids signed. Oh, and be prepared for a lecture, Kelly was quite upset that we were so close to the fence, especially with both of us always drilling it into them to always stay at least ten feet away from the old fence line, so be prepared" she said with a smile.
Liam smiled, his eyes shutting briefly, "Dee has also called Marius so he's taken over my duties for today and tomorrow if I want, along with Zende, and he's also told Cat so that she can tell Beth that you won't be home for a few days." Steffy said, before adding quietly, "so just rest and concentrate on getting better. Everyone that needs to know now knows."
Liam opened his eyes, "the police?"
"They've been already, I'm surprised they haven't been to see you as yet?" she answered, an unspoken question in her eyes.
"I gave them a brief statement a little while ago, then the Dr told them to leave as they had to stabilize me for some surgery." Said Liam tiredly.
Bill looked up at Steffy, "they are rehydrating him and stabilising his core body temperature before they operate to put a pin his shoulder, he's dehydrated with a mild case of hypothermia as well as a fractured shoulder blade, badly bruised ribs and arm, and a broken collarbone. Luckily, it's a clean break but the Dr wants to pin it to be safe."
Steffy leant over and smiled at Liam, "see, you're going to be fine, and tomorrow I'll bring Kelly and Hayes in to see you."
Liam reached out and grabbed her hand, "when I was in the ocean there were times right towards the end that I almost gave up," he looked up at her as tears began to run down his face. "The only reason I managed to hang on was you and the kids. All I kept picturing was the mess I had made of all our lives, and how I needed to fix things, even if it took me the rest of my life. I love you Steffy and I'll never give up on us . . . never!" he finished vehemently.
Steffy withdrew her hand from his as gently as she could, "We've been through this Liam, I love you, but only as a dear friend. I will always care about you, but that's all there can be, now," she turned to Bill who was watching her intently, "when do they think he'll be ready for surgery?"
"Hopefully in the next hour or so, they checked his stats just before you arrived and they were quite pleased with them, so pretty much any time."
Steffy grabbed a chair and sat down, "I guess I'll just hang around until then, then," she said as she sat.
Liam closed his eyes again as tiredness from the drugs he'd been given and the events of the day took their course, his last thought before drifting off into a light doze was, at least she came, that's progress.
Hope, Deacon, and Thomas
"Thomas?" said Deacon in surprise as Thomas knocked then walked into Hopes room. "What are you doing here?"
Thomas looked from Deacon to Hope, "I heard what happened and I wanted to come and see how you are, plus I have some news you need to hear," he said as he looked at Hope, pity showing clearly on his face. "I'm so sorry Hope, if there's anything I can do . . . ?" he said trailing off at a loss for words.
Hope stared at him in surprise, "how did you find out so quickly?" she asked.
"Liam came out to Steffys this morning and told her, he answered gently.
Hope huffed as her eyes narrowed dangerously, "he couldn't wait, could he? He had to run and tell Steffy before anyone could twist it around so that he might get a little blame, and he had to make it clear he only loved her! So, is this the news you have to tell me? Are Steffy and Liam are getting remarried?"
"No, it's nothing like that, they're not getting remarried?" said Thomas frowning.
Hopes eyes widened in surprise, "you're trying to tell me Liam hasn't been professing his undying love to Steffy? That he's proposed to her? I don't believe you!"
Thomas took a deep breath, he didn't want to hurt Hope anymore than she was hurting already, but she wanted to know the truth, and he figured he'd best rip the Band-Aid off and tell her now, before he told her everything else that had happened.
"No, that's not what I'm telling you . . . from what Steffy has told me, you're right. Liam has told Steffy she is the only woman he's ever truly loved and that he wants to be a family again, and that this time he'll never leave her."
"But you said they aren't remarrying," said Deacon as he looked between Thomas and his daughter.
"They're not, Steffy turned him down and told him it's never going to happen, she's had enough, and has finally moved on." Thomas replied.
As he turned back to Hope he added, "so if you want him back, know that you'll get no competition from Steffy, she's finally through with him."
Hope was silent for a moment before finally she started to giggle, which soon turned into a full-throated laugh. "Well, he's not going to like that I bet," she snorted. "I imagine he fully expected Steffy to just open her arms and welcome him back like we've both always done, to say no; well, that will come as a very nasty surprise."
As her laughter slowly subsided, she looked up at Thomas in confusion and asked, "so if it wasn't Liam and Steffy hooking up again, what other news did you want to tell me? It sounded important."
Thomas hesitated for a moment before launching into the morning's events with Finn, Liam and Steffy, and the dramatic rescues that happened. When he finished both Deacan and Hope stared at him in utter shock.
"How could this happen?" whispered Hope in horror.
"Are Steffy and Liam, okay? Is there anything I can do? Oh my god, does Taylor know yet? I know she's in L.A. catching up with a couple of girlfriends, but she'd fly straight back if you tell her what's happened," said Deacon in a stunned voice.
"As I said, Steffy is fine, so is Liam, but Finn is didn't make it after the fall from the cliff, the police are telling Li. As to mum, Steffy didn't want us to tell her, she's been looking forward to catching up with her old college buddies for months, and now that she's finally doing it Steffy didn't want to ruin it for her, especially as there's nothing she can do back here anyway," said Thomas.
Thomas moved to the bed and gently took Hopes hand in his, "I don't know what plans you had made with Finn, but I didn't want you to find out what happened from the news, and I imagine the paparazzi will have a field day with it once they get wind of what's happened, so I just wanted to give you a heads up."
He sighed and closed his eyes, "you have nothing to fear from either me or Steffy anymore Hope. We discussed it, and for both of us, it's over. We've seen what all of this unrelenting hatred and anger can do, close up, and we want no part of it. What you do is up to you, but I'm telling you now, we're both done."
He leant down and lightly kissed Hopes forehead before turning to leave, when he got to the door he stopped and turned back once more.
"When I think of how it all should have been, the family we could have had if only our . . . parents, had bothered to their kids first and create a real family, with love and equality between us all, instead of pitting us against each other, everything could have been so different; for all of us."
He shook his head and walked out the door leaving a still shocked Deacon and Hope staring at where he'd been.
Slowly Hope whispered, "and who is the figure that's ultimately behind all our pain and misery?" She paused for a moment before adding bitterly.
"My very own mother, Brooke – The Slut From The Valley – Logan!"