The Bold And The Beautiful

by Tae Rames

An alternate timeline starting from when Thomas is ousted from Forrester's. This story arc only uses the same amount of actors and props etc the the show itself uses. This story has been placed on Hiatus, it will only be added to sporadically from now on.

1. Chapter 1

Justin and Carter enter the main office where both Ridge and Eric are waiting for them after they called a meeting. Ridge explains Steffy couldn't get there as she's busy with Finn.

Ridge looks at Carter and says, "What's this about, why the urgency?"
Carter hands a document over to Eric and says, "We received a visit from Thomas today, he gave us this, I've had Justin going over it all day, it's legal, and airtight should you agree " he says pointing to the document.
"What is it?" asks Eric as he opens the folder.
"It's a buyout of your shares in Forester" says a voice from the door.
They all turn as Thomas walks in.
"You can't be serious!" says Ridge snorting in disbelief. "You're never setting foot in Foresters again Thomas, you're a danger to yourself and the family" He turns and grabs his phone to call security.
"Ridge stop!" says Carter urgently, "You have to read this first and understand exactly what Thomas is prepared to do if Eric doesn't sell him his shares".
"What Thomas! What scheme have you cooked up this time? There's no way you could even afford the shares let alone Dad selling them to you!"
Thomas stares at his father for a long time before smiling slightly. "If I can't arrange the money within 24 hours than the shares revert back to Grandads, with a guarantee attached, but, if I manage to raise the money then the shares are mine. And once Steffy hears there is a chance for us to run this company together, I know she'll support me!"
"You're saying Steffy knows about this?" Eric asks holding up the now open contract
"Not yet, but I know she'll support me, she's my sister"
"You still haven't said why you think Dad would sell his shares to you? Or is this yet another one of your sick delusions?"
"Sick delusions?" Thomas snarls as becomes angry. "You're one to talk about sick delusions! What about when you deliberately took my son from me? When you pretended that Douglas was yours, robbing me from being there when he was born, robbing me of all that time when he was a baby, and for what? So, you could pursue your own sick delusions! Don't talk to me about sick delusions, when the pair of you have done far worse than anything I've ever done!"
"Thomas, that's enough" shouts Eric. "There is no way I'm selling you my shares!"
Thomas tilts his head to the side and smiles
"Then you both better explain to Brooke and Hope why they're going to jail for attempted murder then! And how you had the chance to save them but refused!"

As everyone stares at Thomas in shock Justin steps forward.
"This is what we've been trying to tell you. Thomas has gotten the footage from Steffy's of when Brooke pushed him over the cliff, she had saved it to her storage and Thomas hacked in and stole it! He says he will take it to the police along with a story of him only now remembering what really happened and that Brooke pushed him deliberately. He also says he will tell them that Hope also pushed him into what she thought was a vat of acid, and that he will have her charged with attempted murder along with her mother."
"You can't be serious" says Ridge in shock. "No-one would believe it".
"Wouldn't they?" says Thomas. "I've talked to quite a few people about this and unfortunately for your poor Logan, she's looking at least an involuntary manslaughter conviction, as for Hope, the best she could hope for is losing custody of Douglas completely."
"Don't do this Thomas, it's wrong, sick, immoral. You're only hurting your family, the people who love you!"
"Love me?" scoffs Thomas. "Loves me enough to ignore me most of my life, loves me enough to push Steffy and me away in favor of a woman and her children, whose kids who always came before me. Loves me enough to not even bother to make sure I was coping after I thought my mother had been murdered! Heavens no, not the mighty Ridge Forester, you just went straight out and remarried and forgot about your kids! Why, because you had a new family! Loves me enough to steal my son and throw me out of the "family" company who he's just helped make a success in their latest fashion show. Loves me? You wouldn't know the first thing about love or loyalty!"
He swings around Eric, "Neither of you would! Played any pickleball lately granddad?"
"You have 5 minutes to decide, if you haven't signed the papers by the time I get back I go straight to the police!'
He stalks to the door and just before he goes out he turns and with a mocking smirk at Eric says
"The pickleballs in your court!" "Can he do this" Eric ask Carter and Justin urgently
Justin nods. "I've been going over this meticulously ever since I got it, just to be sure I also phoned a few friends and a judge, given what Thomas has, along with his testimony, there's a very good chance the Brooke would end up in prison, and when I say very good I mean my friend the judge said she's looking at least 5 years, given what's on that tape and Thomas's testimony."
Ridge reals in shock. "Brooke would never survive prison."
Carter looks at both Eric and Ridge
"The only out I can see is Steffy not lending Thomas the money, I contacted several of the banks and laid out some scenarios while Justin was talking to his associates, there is no way any of them would lend Thomas the money, and if he's relying on Steffy, well we know she won't go there . . . don't we?"
"Steffy would never support Thomas in this" snarls Ridge.
"The what do we do?" asks Eric
"There is a clause in the contract that states that Thomas cannot report neither Brooke nor Hope for any past wrongdoings, or he agrees to relinquish full custody of Douglas to Hope and all of his shares in Foresters revert to Ridges ownership. In other words, he loses everything that means anything to him if he opens his mouth. As well, as soon as the contract is signed he will immediately turn the footage of his cliff fall over to Steffy."
" There's no way I can see for him to raise that money, even if he had Steffy's support it would be a stretch, but it's up to you Eric, this is your company and your shares" says Carter.
Thomas walks back in "Times up, what have you decided then?"
"I'll never forgive you for this Thomas, what happened to you?" says Ridge contemptuously.
"I don't want or need your forgiveness "DAD"" says Thomas with real venom in his voice.
"As to what happened to me -YOU DID!"
He swings back to Eric, "Well, what's it to be, who knows, you could always design a nice prison look for Brooke while she's inside, I'm sure Donna will appreciate it."
Eric slams the contract down on the table, grabs a nearby pen and signs it.
"Witnesses please" says Thomas with a smile.
Carter signs the contract, as does Justin. They pick it up and hand it to Thomas.
"You think you've won?" says Ridge angrily, "But you'll never get Steffy to back you, you achieved nothing Thomas, you've simply proved how sick and delusional you are, after the twenty-four hours are up you'll never set foot in this building again!"
Thomas smiles and put's the contract in a briefcase. "Steffy, I never said I was getting the money from Steffy. You really should listen more carefully dad. I said I was sure Steffy would back me, and I still hope she will, but I've arranged my own backer, he's here right now actually.
"Why if it isn't the whole gang" says Bill walking through the door.
End scene by fading out as looks of shock and dawning horror cross everyone's faces as Justin walks over and stands next to Bill smiling. This is set a day after Thomas takes over Eric's stock in Forester Creations.
'I suppose you're happy with yourself?" snaps Steffy as she walks into Thomas's new apartment.
"Hey sis, I was expecting you, so, are you going to let me explain, or are you just going to attack me before you hear my side to this. I've got a lot to organize so feel free to rant while I unpack if you like?"
Steffy glares at him. "This isn't a joke Thomas, what you did is unconscionable, it's sick, twisted, you joined forces with Dads worst enemy and you basically stole your own grandfathers' shares, just so you could get your revenge on them, it's sick!"
Thomas looks up slowly, anger clearly showing on his face. "Sick? You're seriously calling me sick, after all you've done to protect the company in the past, after all you've seen, after all you've FELT, of the crap both Dad and Granddad have forced you, me, and mum to endure over the years, and for what? Because neither of them could keep it in their pants for more than a month, especially if there was a Logan around."
Steffy snorts in derision
"Tell me I'm wrong then Steffy! Tell me I just told you one lie, one exaggeration, one half-truth! Did you even remember what it was like for us growing up? The constant feeling of being ignored no matter what you did, of never being good enough, while Brooke and her children simply replaced us in dads eyes. You look me in the eyes and tell me you don't remember!"
Steffy stares at him frowning but keeping quiet as she thinks back to their childhood and her own rebellion against her father and Brooke.
"This wasn't the way to do it though Thomas, you're just hurting everyone now." she says more quietly.
Thomas walks over and takes Steffy's hands and looks into her eyes.
"I did this for us sis, so that Granddad didn't give Donna or Brooke any shares, or worse, leave any to Rick when he passes."
As Steffy goes to pull back he tightens his grip a little.
"Listen to me Steffy, I mean with your head, as well as your heart. When Granddad passes Rick will return with his hand out, and if Brooke has her claws into dad again, then they could combine their shares and push both of us out. The Logans would have control of the company again, don't tell me you haven't thought about it. You know it's true. You should know how weak and gullible both Dad and granddad are when it comes to Brooke and Donna, for god's sake, you nearly married Bill to get back the shares that granddad gave Donna, and he's back with her AGAIN! I may not have liked Quinn, but at least the woman had some class, she never asked Eric for a dime, unlike that blonde harpy who took him for everything she could get!"
Steffy takes a deep breath, a thoughtful look now on her face. "So, what are you proposing Thomas, that you and I combine our shares and run the company?"
"Not exactly, I want things to stay as they are, dad still running the company, you as his V.P. and me in design on HFTF."
At Steffy's frown he quickly adds. "Don't worry, I know where I stand now, I've been seeing someone, a lot, and I'm starting to really figure some things out, Hope is the past, I'm settled on the future, speaking of which." He walks over to a cabinet and picks up a document then hands it to Steffy.
"What's this?" she asks.
"Read it" says Thomas with a smile.
She opens the document and starts to read, a smile spreading slowly across her face. "This is an option for me to buy two and a half percent of your shares!"
"That's forty percent each sis, we'd be equal, all I ask is if either one of us manage to get any shares, we go halves, it's all in the contract. I want Foresters to be ours, really ours, so that no-one can ever take it from us again. It's stays in the family for-ever, our family!"
He looks at Steffy hopefully as she continues to scan the document. "What do you say sis, do we have a deal?"
Steffy looks up, tilting her head to the side as she starts to see Thomas in a surprising new light, one she actually agrees with.
She holds out her hand a smiles. "We have a deal." Eric and Ridge have told Donna, Brooke, Hope and Liam, who are all equally horrified, and all equally convinced Thomas is going to go after Hope. Liam heads off to Spencer publications the next morning, determined to have it out with his father and "make" him withdraw his offer to Thomas.
Meanwhile a couple of days later Steffy gets ready for work.
As she's opening and reading the mornings mail she's talking to Finn about what's happened and what she has tentatively agreed to.
She picks up a package, "What the? It's from Thomas?" she says in surprise.
Finn looks at her with concern. "Steffy, are you sure this is okay with you? It would mean going against your dad and your grandfather to support Thomas. Is this really what you want?"
Steffy tears open the package. "Of course it's not what I want. Truthfully, I don't know what I'm going to do. Thomas made some valid points, but I honestly don't see how I can go against Dad and Granddad, I'm in an impossible situation."
She opens the box she's just removed from the wrapping and gasps, a look of surprise spreading across her face.
"What is it, says, Finn puzzled."
Steffy looks up, "It's a memory . . . a warning . . . and a promise," she say with a sad frown.
As she reaches into the box her phone rings with a message that an urgent meeting has been called at Foresters.
Steffy takes a deep breath as she looks up at Finn. "It's okay, for the first time in a long time I know what I must do! I've been so blind Finn, so willing to believe in fantasies that I lost my way, and I ended up hurting my mother every bit as much as Thomas did!" She looks down, "But I finally realize the truth."
She smiles up at Finn with trepidation. "Wish me luck, I have to go." She picks up her bag and leaves, the box still in her hand.

Bill and Wyatt are in his office talking when Liam storms in.
"How could you!" he yells in fury.
"Well hello son, we've been expecting you." says Bill with a half smirk.
Thomas! Really! What the hell are you thinking? Please tell me this is one of your schemes and that it's not what it seems?" says Liam as he advances towards his father.
"Oh, it's exactly what it seems" says Bill. "Thomas came to me with a deal I couldn't turn down."
As Liam goes to interrupt Bill raises his hands. "I admit, I was going to throw him out as soon as he came in the door, but Justin was with him and convinced me to hear him out. He presented his idea and, I have to say, I was intrigued." It was audacious, clever, and totally out of left field, it reminded me of me when I was young," He says with a faint smile. "He then left, leaving Justin and I to talk. After I went through the contract, and added a couple of clauses of my own, I signed, it's an excellent deal and Spencer Publications wins no matter what happens."
"IT'S THOMAS!" shouts Liam "He can't be trusted, he's going to use this to go after Hope. I won't allow it!"
Bill now angry looks at Liam with contempt. "You won't allow it? What are you going to do Liam. throw a tantrum until you get your own way? This is a business in case you haven't noticed! We are here to make money and pay our employee's, the people who rely on us, not to play favorites to our own personal agendas. This was an excellent opportunity as Wyatt can attest." he says pointing at Wyatt.
Wyatt gives Liam a rueful smile and holds up the papers he's been reading. "I mean I don't trust Thomas as far as I can throw him, but dads right, It is a good deal Liam!"
"See, even your brother agrees, as to Thomas, well sometimes in business you just have to suck it up and join forces with those you normally wouldn't deal with, this was just one of those occasions."
Liam stares at his father horrified. "So you're going to go through with this? You're going to hurt me, Hope, and Brooke, all to get back at Ridge and Eric in your own stupid vendetta against them?"
"This is business Liam, I don't see you turning down your fat paycheck each week, but I guess that suits you, you're hardly even in the office lately, you should be grateful I even keep you on, what other business would put up with your lackadaisical attitude? As to Brooke and Hope, what they do is their business, not mine, and if you can't keep your own wife from falling for Thomas then, I hate to say it, but she wasn't that into you from the start! Or is that your problem? As to the deal, it's good business and maybe if you came up with a great idea like this, I'd back it too, but guess what? Tofu Tuesday just doesn't cut it! Now, are you done? Do you want to actually read the contract?"
Liam is incensed, he stares at his father then at Wyatt who has so far refused to back him.
"I'm done! I quit! Find yourself another toady, I'm outta here!"
Bill shrugs unconcerned. "You walk out that door, don't expect me to pick up the pieces when you crash and burn." he says
Liam storms out without answering.
"Dad, you don't think you were being to harsh? He's in shock, he's just trying to protect his family."
"Well guess what Wyatt," Bill says as he sits down and leans back. "We're family too, something Tofu boy seems to have forgotten. If he want's the dressmaker and his clan, well, he's got them, I'm done. We have a business to run, and guess what? Dollar Bill is back at the helm, and things are going to be different, they're going to be back how they used to be." He smiles as Wyatt looks at him with a little trepidation.

Steffy walks into the office where Eric, Ridge, Brooke, Katie, Zende and Hope are discussing Thomas and what he's done while they wait for her.
"Good, you're here," says Ridge as she enters. "Have you heard anything from Thomas?"
Steffy nods and tells them what Thomas proposes, as well as him selling her 2 and 1/2 percent of his stock so that had Forty percent each.
"That's good" says Eric, "It's a start, I'll have Carter draw up a contract immediately and transfer the funds to you as soon as everything's signed."
Steffy looks at him frowning, just as Thomas enters.
"Oh, you're all here, good, I'm hoping Steffy has already filled you in on everything? I mean, nothing needs to change as far as I'm concerned, we just all go back to our jobs and run the company as usual." he says looking at his father.
Ridge glares at Thomas before saying nastily, "Then seeing as I'm CEO of Foresters, you're fired Thomas, pack your stuff and get out, better yet, just get out and I'll have your things sent to you."
Brooke pipes up loudly. " What you've done to Eric and Ridge, let alone Rick and Bridget, stealing their birthright from them, it's totally immoral! Your sick Thomas, you need help, you're not going to target my daughter again! I won't allow it. You're finished here!"
Thomas raises his eyebrow. "And what stock in the company do you own Brooke? Or am I missing something?"
"Ridge will protect both the company and Hope from you!" she spits venomously.
"But Ridge only owns twenty percent of the company, I own forty percent, so unless Steffy sides with Dad then it's a moot point, isn't it?'
Everyone turns towards Steffy who is now looking from Thomas to the box in her hands, she opens it and takes out an old Teddy Bear.
"You know, I was so conflicted this morning, I honestly didn't know what I was going to do. Thomas has made some good points, and he's getting some treatment from an independent source at last, one which he is going to let me contact to keep tabs on his progress. But then there's Dad and Grandpa, who I love and have always revered as my idols. But something happened this morning that changed everything, Thomas sent me this." She holds up the old bear to them.
"He sent me Boo Bear, my old teddy, and along with Boo came all the memories associated with him, everything that I needed to remind me of who I was, and more importantly, who you are, and who you've always been."
Ridge frowns as Hopes eyes widen in surprise.
"Steffy, that was so long ago, we were just kids." says Hope.
Brooke turns to Hope. "I don't understand, what's this about?"
Steffy snorts in contempt. "God, you don't even remember one of the most traumatic days of my life! But then again, neither Thomas, Phoebe nor I ever mattered to you unless Ridge was around, did we.
Brooke looks stunned, whilst Hope reaches out to Steffy. "Please Steffy, we were kids, just little kids. I know I hurt you and I'm sorry, please forgive me and let this go, please Steffy, for the family."
"Steffy, what's this about," says Eric as he moves to stand beside Ridge.
Steffy walks over to Thomas and smiles, "As Hope says, it's about family Granddad, it's about promises kept, it's about protection, loyalty and love, but most of all it's about a little girl and her brother, and how he was the only one who had her back when the rest of my loving "family" deserted me." she glances over at Brooke contemptuously. "All to pay homage to the queen of liars."
She holds up the bear for them and begins her explanation. "You see, one day I came home from school to find Boo Bear missing, he was a gift from my mother, and after we thought she had died, she was the only thing left of her that I had. I knew who had taken him, Hope had been asking to play with him for a long time, and I had warned her repeatedly to leave him alone - or else. Anyway, after a short search I found him in her room on the floor, she spilled her juice over him and just left him there. Well, needless to say, I lost it, I ran to the kitchen and got some scissors and went back and cut all the hair off of Hopes favorite doll to see how she liked it, she didn't. She came into her room just as I was hacking off the last piece and she started screaming, which brought Brooke running. I told her what had happened, and I showed her Boo Bear." She gazes down at the old bear with tears in her eyes. "Do you know what she did?" she whispers.
"She snatched him out of my hands and marched down to the kitchen with both Hope and I in hot pursuit. Thomas walked in the back door just as she reached Gina, our housekeeper at the time. She told her to take him down to the rubbish bins right away, as they were about to be collected. Gina tried to say something, and I was screaming and crying while Hope stood there glaring at me and smirking, even Thomas walked out of the room. I ran to my room and rang Granddad because I knew he'd be home, he told me I must be exaggerating, and what I did to Hope was just cruel. Obviously I knew my pleading was falling on deaf ears so I waited until Dad got home and told him. Brooke and Hope had a completely, rather innocent explanation of everything and Dad, of course, backed Brooke, although he did say she shouldn't have thrown Boo Bear out, but I had no-one else to blame bar myself. Later that night when I was crying myself to sleep Thomas sneaked into mine and Phoebes' room, he told me he'd ran down and saved Boo Bear from the bin just in time, but that he'd hidden him so that neither Brooke nor Hope could take him from me again. That night we swore a pact, the three of us, to always be there for each other no matter what, and to always be ready to fight against Brooke and the Logan's, no matter what, because in the end, we were all we had, no-one else would help, not even Dad or Granddad." She wipes a tear from her eye, as she turns to them all. "Who would be that cruel to a child? Who would support that cruelty to their own child? And who would abandon their love and loyalty to their own flesh and blood because they had "moved on" from their children's mother? What type of person does that?"
Steffy, I didn't know, I swear, and it was so long ago, it's over, let it go." implores Ridge moving towards Steffy as Hope starts to cry.
Steffy holds up her hand to halt him. "No dad, Boo Bear reminded me of exactly who both you and Grandad are, and what you do! You hurt Mom yet again, and you're prepared to throw Thomas under the bus for the lies that YOU told her! My god, when I think of what I went through to get this company back for our family, only to have Granddad give Donna a nice chunk of it when they divorced, and now he's back with her AGAIN! You never learn! Neither of you! So no Granddad, I won't be selling you any of my shares," she says contemptuously before turning to Ridge and holding up the bear in his face.
"I'll be siding with the only one who has ever had my back, the only one I could trust to be there for ME when I needed him. I'm combing my shares with Thomas!" she says before turning back to her brother and smiling/
"And he's not going anywhere!"

After the shock of her announcement, both Steffy and Thomas declare it's time to get back to work and leave the room. Ridge, Eric, Brooke, Hope and Zende stay and discuss their options. Brooke want's Hope to quit but she refuses, saying she has to much of herself wrapped up in "her" line, and that she has no intention of allowing Thomas to get close to her again, so she will just ignore him. Zende, who has listened thoughtfully to everything that's been said remains quiet, he then says there's nothing he can do to help so he leaves when Hope does. Brooke, Eric and Ridge remain, they're all fuming. Ridge declares that he can always quit and form his own company, he turns to both Eric and Brooke.
"What do you think? Thomas and Steffy think they can run this company? Well why don't we let them? I'll sell my shares to them, and we three can start our own company, we can bring Hope and Zende in for Hopes line, but we three will be the owners." He looks at Eric and Brooke. "R.E.B. designs, what do you think?" Then when Thomas and Steffy fail we can always buy the company back at a cut price, and between the three of us we'll once again own Foresters, as we should!" he says smiling at Brooke.
Brooke nods thoughtfully. "Well, we have all the contacts, and we'll have the designers and spokespeople that the public and buyers already love. Ridge, I think we could do it." She turns to Eric.
Well, I have the capital, and if you sell your shares you'll have the money, but what about you Brooke, can you raise the funds for a third share?"
Brooke thinks for a moment. "Yes, I think so. It'll be tight, but I can definitely swing it." She turns to Ridge. "Are you sure Ridge, you'd be going against your children, and they'll see it as abandoning them again! You know Thomas will be whispering in Steffi's ear every chance he gets, poisoning her against us."
Ridge nods and turns to Eric. "This is Steffi's and Thomas's choice, they are the ones that decided to declare war on the family, so they're going to get what's coming to them, let's see how they cope with no head designer, no Zende to design for HFTF, and no Hope to act as spokesperson. I predict they'll sink pretty damn quick, and they'll have no-one to blame but themselves."
Brooke and Eric nod in agreeance before Eric says, 'I'll get Carter to draw up the paperwork immediately, I think we should take him for our legal department as well, leave them with just Bills henchman, Justin."
They all nod in agreement and R.E.B. Designs is born.

Carter writes up the paperwork for the new company as Ridge, Brooke, Eric, Katie and Donna source a new building and equip it on the sly. Unfortunately, Justin finds out from his contacts what they are up to and tells $Bill. Bill immediately goes contacts Steffy and Thomas and tells them what they are up to. Steffy and Thomas are angry that it's come to this, but Thomas says he will talk to Hope and see if he can get her to stay, whilst Steffy goes to talk to Zende to try to talk him into staying. Bill says he'll send Wyatt over to replace Katie if she leaves, and that he fully expects both Steffy and Thomas to take legal action against Ridge, Brooke, Carter and even Katie for breaking their contracts if they leave. Both Steffy and Thomas are reluctant, but they both agree to Bills demands, on the condition that he try to help them through this with personal that they will need. Bill smiles, and tells Steffy and Thomas that everyone's about to get a very nasty reminder of just what happens when you cross Dollar Bill Spencer!

Steffy enters Zende's office where he's busy with a new sketch, he turns to her before holding the sketch up and asking. "What do you think? I'm trying to up the ante a bit after seeing Thomas's designs."
Steffy takes the design and looks at it frowning. "This is wonderful Zende, it's so much more sophisticated than your last collection, it's gorgeous!"
Zende smiles in delight. "Thanks, Thomas told me I needed to loosen up a little and forget what others expect from me and just design what I see in my head, no preconceptions of what is needed or wanted, just what I see, and this is it."
Steffy smiles, "Well, it was great advice, I'm glad it's working out so well for you, and the company of course." She sighs heavily. "Zende, we need to talk."
"About R.E.B. Designs?"
Steffy raises her eyebrows. "Is that what they're calling their company? Well, I guess that answers one question, whether or not you've heard what's going on!"
Zende nods. "Ridge and Eric have already come to me and asked me to leave with them a couple of weeks ago, I'd be a head designer for a new collection and Ridge has offered to work closely with me as my mentor. I can't say it's not tempting, and things have been a bit tense the last couple of months since you and Thomas took over. Don't get me wrong, I still love it here, but the chance to work on my own collection, and have Ridge Forester mentor me, that's big Steffy, really big."
She snorts derisively. "Yes, Dad has already offered to sell me his shares, I'm trying to raise the money as we speak. I want you to stay Zende, we need you to stay! And with dad leaving Thomas will have to take over the couture line, which means you would be in charge of HFTF." She holds up the design to him, "And with this type of designing you could really make your mark! Stay with us Zende, please, we need you!"
Zende stares at Steffy for a while before smiling slightly. "This company is part of my family, it's part of who I am now. I'll stay BUT, I have one condition."
Steffy smiles "What is it?"
"I want to buy Ridges shares instead of you!"
Steffy frowns but before she can say anything Zende continues.
"The rumors of Ridge selling his shares to you and Thomas have been circulating the last few days and I thought you might come to ask me to stay on instead of leave with them, so I have been thinking hard on this. I'm a Forester Steffy, just like you and Thomas, this company should "just" be yours! I want a chance to be part of my mum's heritage, I want a chance to build something real, something important, I don't just want to be a worker, I want to be a part of something!"
Steffy looks at Zende with real surprise. "Zende, While I agree with your sentiment, how could you even afford the shares? This is a lot of money we're talking about."
Zende nods. "I have a plan, I've talked to someone about sharing the shares fifty/fifty if he'll back me, apart from one, well, pretty big request, he said he will."
He then tells Steffy his plan. Steffy is shocked, surprised, and after thinking on it for a while she agrees, it could work well, and it would solve a lot of potential problems. She rings Thomas and tells him of the plan, after getting his reluctant agreement she then rings Ridge and agrees to the sale whilst Zende rings his backer. Finally, things have been set in motion, and Foresters will never be the same, as Ridge, Eric and Brooke make plans for their big announcement. Thomas, Steffy, Zende, and a skulking $Bill make their own plans.

Some background of the past couple of months since Thomas bought Erics shares as Thomas waits for Hope in Brookes office which she has been using for herself since the last "meeting".
They have had no real dialogue since then and have only had two meetings of any consequence, where Hope has refused to talk to him about anything unrelated to HFTF.
Even when he arrives to pick up Douglas he now has to wait by the front gates for him to come out to him.
Things have been cold on that front too, with Brooke telling Douglas that Thomas stole his Grandfathers shares at Foresters. Hope is livid at the lie and her bashing his dad to his face to turn him against him, she still wants Douglas to have a good relationship with his father and tells Brooke and Liam in no uncertain terms that she will not condone them destroying a little boy's faith and happiness to get their revenge on Thomas. She tells them that like it or not, he's still his dad, and Douglas loves him, so they are to leave him alone. Despite some protesting by the two Hope stands firm, and seeing her anger they both back off and promise to keep their opinions about Thomas to themselves while he's around.
Thomas has asked Douglas if he would like to see his therapist, Dr Harris, and talk to him about him and how he's going, Douglas agrees and after a visit the previous week, he has thawed a lot towards his father as he has had some things explained to him by a professional. He's still a little wary, but like most children, he's forgiving of his parents, and Thomas is allowing him to see Dr Harris whenever he likes if he has any worries about him.
Ridge has now returned to Brooke, and Taylor is finally letting him go and trying to move forward, she is happy that Thomas is seeing Dr Harris, and Thomas has explained to her that he could never tell her all that was on his mind, or all that had happened in the past that he was still angry about because he didn't want to hurt her or make her feel bad for not being there to protect him, Steffy and Phoebe, so he kept most of his angst locked away, but now he's finally dealing with it.
On the Sheila front things are about to come to a head with Sheila hiding in the stock room where Deacon used to sleep, an unknowing Deacon walks into the room and Sheila walks out from a small closet smiling. "Surprise."
"Sheila! What the hell are you doing here?" says a startled and horrified Deacon.
"I need a favor," she says while looking around. "It's the least you could do for all I've given you."
Deacon knows that Steffy and Finn are on their way over and he has to get rid of her quickly.
"No, no more favors, I helped you out when no-one else would, you've had ample chances to get out of town, I'm done!"
Sheila smirks. "Oh please, what would happen if I told your precious Hope or Brooke what you've done? Or better yet, how much you've been paid for doing it? You're nothing to them Deacon, just like me, but before I go I will have a little revenge, on all the Foresters, and that includes Steffy, the woman who stole my son from me. If it wasn't for her, we'd be together, between Brooke and Steffy they've destroyed my life with their unreasonable hatred, and if I can't have a relationship with my son, than neither can they!" She pulls out a gun, just as Deacon hears Finn calling out to him if he's down the back.
Deacon see's Sheila smile and he acts on instinct, he lunges for the gun, after a brief struggle a shot rings out. Sheila's eyes widen in shock and she slowly sinks to the ground as blood pours from her stomach. Finn and Steffy rush through the door as Deacon is lowering Sheila to the ground.
"She was hiding in here, I caught her and she pulled a gun on me, she wanted me to help her to kill Steffy and Brooke." He says in shock.
Finn rushes to Sheila as Steffy tries to call 911. "Get me towels, I have to staunch the bleeding, it looks like you might have clipped the abdominal aorta." Deacon rushes out to get some towels as a panicked Steffy says she can't get any reception in here, she leaves the room to call the police and 911 leaving Finn alone with Sheila.
" My son, my beautiful son, I knew you'd come." says Sheila opening her eyes.
"Shut-up Sheila, Li is my mother, you're just an unfortunate egg donor, one I had no choice in, you're nothing to me, and I have nothing in common with the likes of you." he spits as he keeps pressure on her wound to stem the flow of blood.
Sheila smiles nastily. "Oh, but you do, I know what you did Finn! I've always known."
Finn looks at her both wary and confused. "I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Of course you do, I had been following your life for a lot longer than you think" she whispers.
"I was there at the hospital when you switched the paternity test for Hayes. I was in the utility closet watching you, I was about to do the exact same thing for you, to help you win Steffy fully, but you beat me to it. So don't tell me you're not like me Finn, like mother, Like son!."
Finn stares at Sheila in horror as he realizes she could hold this over his head for the rest of his life.
He eases the pressure of her gunshot would and blood begins to pour rapidly again. He hears Steffy and Deacon returning as Sheila loses consciousness.
Deacon hands him the towels. "Sorry, I had to go to the kitchen for them" he says anxiously.
Finn places them over the wound but keeps his back towards Deacon as he pretends to put pressure on the wound. Steffy re-enters. "An ambulance and the police are on their way." she says breathlessly.
Finn checks Sheila's pulse, "To late" he says with a frown. "She's dead."
He stands up as all three of them look down at Sheila with varying degrees of relief just as the paramedics rush in.

Meanwhile, a week after hearing that Steffy has now bought Ridges shares and then on-sold them to Zende and his partner, Thomas bites the bullet and is in Brookes now abandoned office as Hope walks in. She looks at Thomas warily. "What do you want?" she says crisply.
Thomas sighs. "We need to talk Hope, about, well everything that's happened." he says raising both hands as he gives her a wry smile.
"There's nothing to talk about Thomas, you betrayed your grandfather and father, and you used Steffy and an old vendetta she had to get your own way, again. Now you're trying to use Douglas to get back in my good books by letting him talk to your therapist, knowing he'd come straight back to Liam and me and tell us everything. Well, it won't work, you've done your dash with me, we are co-parents, nothing more. I won't interfere with your relationship with our son, and I expect the same curtesy from you in return. Apart from that and designs for my line, we have absolutely nothing to talk about"
Thomas stares at Hope for a moment. "So you're staying at Foresters? You're fulfilling your contract to us?"
Hopes eyes narrow. "How long have you known" she asks.
Thomas shrugs. "Long enough to get legal involved if we wish." Hopes eyes flare wide in anger but Thomas holds up his hand.
"We will let you go if that's what you want Hope, BUT you won't be taking HFTF with you, this is both mine and Zende's line as much as it is yours, more so because we are the ones who actually designed the clothes! Both Steffy and I want you to stay, you're a valuable employee, and a wonderful spokesperson for the line, you have a huge media following that we'd like to keep, but if Brooke and Liam have demanded you quit and go work for their new company than I guess you'll do what you always do, cave to Brookes demands and do what's necessary to please her, just know, I won't stop you but just this once, do me a favor."
At Hopes angry questioning look he continues. "Make a decision for you! Not Brooke, not Liam, YOU!
Hope anger flares as she answers "Mum and Liam don't speak for me Thomas, they never have, so stop trying to manipulate me again, it won't work! I know what you're up to, so just leave me alone, you know nothing of my relationships, and it's going to stay that way!"
Thomas laughs mirthlessly. "Oh Hope, I have quite a good idea of exactly who you are and why you do what you do. Believe it or not, I've learned quite a bit about myself, and others from my therapy over the last few months. It's been . . . both enlightening and freeing."
"I'm not interested." says Hope turning her back to him.
"Let's see," says a now angry Thomas at Hopes refusal to talk to him.
"You've spent your entire life trying to live down your mother's reputation, how you came to be, her betrayals, her continuous slutish behavior." He notices Hopes shoulders are now rigid as he continues.
"So you did the best you could under the circumstances. You tried to be the "good" girl, to differentiate yourself from her and what she was so well known for, yet that wasn't enough, you picked guys that you thought would be the antithesis of Brooke and her life, until you finally settled on Liam."
He snorts derisively as he continues. "Liam Spencer, or Ridge mark 2 as I see him. A man with his own problems. A man who is addicted to playing rescue ranger to any woman in need. A man who, just like Ridge, can never give you his whole heart! A man who your mother thoroughly approved of and actively encourage you to go after, whether or not he was married!" He pauses in thought a moment before he continues "Perhaps she was like that because of her own addiction to my father?' He shrugs philosophically. "Liam Spencer, a man who is still deeply in love with my sister!"
As Hope swings around Thomas holds up his hand.
"Before you say it, yes, I know Liam loves you, what's not to love, you're beautiful, kind and loving," he says sadly.
"Liam may love you Hope, but he's not in love with you, he never has been, and there's a difference! You're the "type" of woman that he thinks he should love and have a family with, you're respectable, you're . . . worthy. You're exactly what my mother is to Ridge." he adds bitterly.
"That's not true, Liam loves me!" Hope yells.
"You know I'm not lying Hope, just like me you must have seen the looks that Liam sometimes gives Steffy when he thinks no-one is watching. Like it or not, he's drawn to her, like a moth to a flame, he can't let go. Just like Brooke and my Dad, they have this undeniable passion, they always did have, unlike you and Liam, who seem to be more like friends with benefits! Why do you think I always thought there was a chance for us? It was because I could see there was no real passion between you! No push up against a wall and have your way with each other lust that you can't just fake! Yes, I thought there was something growing between us, and as I was once again having boundary issue, that's a small part of what screwed me up." he finishes.
"I can't believe this, you're trying to justify your actions by blaming me with this load of lies and half-truths?" spits Hope
"No, I'm not blaming you, this is all on me and my complicated past but, nothing I have said is a lie, or an exaggeration, and deep down you know it Hope. I just wish I had seen some real passion from you for someone, anyone, you deserve that type of joy, not what you've settled for!"
"Get out, just get the hell out of my face!" screams Hope
Thomas nods. "Think about what I said Hope. If you want to leave fine, but do it for the right reasons, not because Brooke, Liam, or even Ridge are demanding it. Steffy and I want you to stay, and quite frankly, we need you to stay and continue on with what you've helped to build."
He walks to the door and pauses before looking back at a clearly distressed Hope.
"Just make a decision that's right for you and your needs Hope, for once in your life stop pandering to everyone else's expectations of you and be true to what is right for you!'
He leaves the room with Hope staring at the closed door distress and pain etched on her face.

Just after Thomas leaves Hopes office, she gets a call from Deacon who fills her in on what has just happened, she drops everything and rushes to the police station where Deacon, Steffy and Finn are giving their statements. When she arrives she waits for Deacon to finish up, when he comes out he finds that Steffy and Finn have already left, Steffy has had to go home to the kids, whilst Finn has gone to the morgue to see Sheila one last time. Deacon assures Hope that he will not be charged, and that the police are just surprised he's still alive - given Sheila's history. He tells Hope that he has to see Finn, to apologize for shooting his mother. Hope assures him that it wasn't his fault and he's got nothing to be sorry for., but he tells her that despite everything Sheila was his mother and he must be feeling a lot of conflicted feelings, something he knows a lot about, and he just wants him to know that he's there for him if he needs a friend. Hope hugs her dad happy to see such empathy in in him, she says she'll be around later to check on how he is, and they both go their separate ways.
Deacon arrives at the hospital and is directed to the morgue to see Finn who they say is already there, feeling a little creeped out in the quiet corridors he walks quietly up to an open door where he can here Finn's voice. He stops for a moment as he begins to hear exactly what Finn is saying.
"I'm sorry Mum, but you should never have come back, and you should never have threatened Steffy, or threatened to tell her what I did. Steffy is my wife! And Hayes is my boy, I don't care what the paternity test says, that's why I had to change it." He says on a sob.
Deacons eyes widen in horror as he realizes exactly what Finn is saying, and the ramifications attached to it, but worse is to come, after Finn composes himself again he continues.
"You should never have threatened my life with my family Mum, I wouldn't have needed to let you die if you hadn't have done that! In some ways I guess I am your son, I'll do whatever is necessary to protect what I love, even deliberately letting you die, which goes against everything I believe in as a doctor. I just hope that where-ever you are you understand why I did it."
Deacon backs away from the door and is about to sneak away but he realizes someone might tell Finn he was looking for him. He quietly retreats down the corridor a little before calling out Finn's name. Finn appears at the doorway and Deacon goes to him.
He tells him how sorry he is for what happened and if there's anything he can do he will be there for him.
Finn nods and thanks him, saying he's just glad no-one was hurt apart from Sheila.
Deacon pats his back and tells him he'll leave him to grieve in peace, then he quickly leaves, both horrified and conflicted about what he has just heard. No matter what he does now he's trapped. Say a word to anyone and Hopes life with Liam, as well as Steffi's life could be destroyed. He heads back to his restaurant, wondering if there will ever be a time when his life, and all its associated choices, will become a little easier to manage.

Deacon hurry's back to his restaurant unsure of what to do, or even if he should do anything. He knows if he tells anyone what he heard Finn could have his medical license revoked, and his marriage to Steffy could break up if she found out that Hayes was really Liams son. Adding to his woes he doesn't want Liam to even consider hurting Hope in any way, and he doesn't want to be the one responsible for putting her marriage under pressure, yet what if the truth comes out anyway, he's even more confused on what to do. As he's walking behind the employee entrance to the restaurant proper, he hears Bills distinctive voice complaining about him owning the restaurant now, and how he thinks he might use Eye On Fashion to give it a bad review and trash the place. Deacon stops and listens, fuming at what Bill is planning, but then he hears Justin start to speak,
"You never told me why you decided to back Thomas, Bill. I know I put a good case to you, but I admit, you surprised me, even with your amendments I didn't expect you to pony up the money. What have you told Brooke and Katie? They must be livid with you."
Bill is quiet for a moment before answering in a reflective voice. "I've been going through some things, but just before you and Thomas arrived I had an epiphany. Ever since I married Katie, I've been unhappy."
Justin looks confused but Bill continues, "Don't get me wrong, I did love Katie, she's a good woman, she believed I could be a better man, and I did try, until I gave up and turned to Brooke. I honestly thought I loved her too, but that too was an illusion." He frowns as he tries to articulate exactly what he is feeling. " Brooke is great in bed, she has this ability to make a man feel like a real man, and that's powerful stuff. She made me feel like $Bill Spencer again, but she left when she couldn't control what I wanted to be, who I was turning back into, because with Brooke - like me - it's all about power, the only difference is, she uses her sexuality to get what she wants, but in the end, she's every bit as ruthless as I am. I can see why the dressmaker is to weak to break free of her, as well as that idiot criminal Sharpe, just two fools to blind to see that they both really mean nothing to her."
Bill smiles, "There's only ever been one woman I've truly loved, one woman that's ever accepted me for who I am, warts and all, and that's Steffy. I can't tell you how much I regret losing her, and the all of the mistakes I've made."
Justin nods, "That's why you did the deal with Thomas, you think it'll get you closer to her!"
"Oh, that's just one of the reasons, I'll be there should anything happen between her and Dr Do-good, it's a great deal for the company, and it got up the dressmakers nose enough that he's actually quit and is selling his shares to Steffy." He laughs. "As if I'm going to let him get away with just walking away so easily, as you know, I have legal working on this, as well as another little surprise I'm working on. And if that idiot son who has gone and taken a job with them has even half a working brain, he'll throw in his notice with them before I get really pissed off with him, because I will take down both him and Hope along with the others."
"Speaking of which, it's time to get back to work." says bill signaling to the waiter.
Deacon who has been listening to the whole conversation makes up his mind immediately, he walks around the corner and smiles.
"Spencer, good to see you, I couldn't help but overhear a little of what you said, and I have a deal for you, but I have a couple of conditions first."
"Sharpe, what could you possibly have that I would be interested in, just take your sorry carcass away before I make you."
Deacon bristles but keeps calm. "I have information that, if used correctly, could land you Steffy . . . are you still not interested."
Bills eyes narrow. "Well spit it out then, what do you think you know that I could possibly be interested in?"
"Not so fast, first you agree to my conditions. First, you don't hurt my daughter in any way shape or form, you leave her alone. Second, you leave my business alone, no hit jobs, actually, a nice little piece about what a great little place this is would be appreciated."
Bill stares at Deacon for a moment. "Fine, but only if your information is worthwhile, if it isn't I'll make it my personal business to destroy both you, your daughter, and this business!"
Deacon is shocked at coldness and the sheer brutality of Bills words, he's under no misapprehension that he'll do it. Having made up his mind he nods.
"Fair enough." He then tells Bill and Justin everything he heard Finn say.
"So Dr do-good murdered his mummy dearest, well, well, well." He looks up at Deacon, a cold predatory smile curving across his lips. "Looks like you've earned yourself a nice little right up Sharpe, but I'll give you this warning now. If I find out you've told anyone else before I'm ready to move on it, I'll bury you and your entire family so deep they'll find Jimmy Hoffa before they ever find you or your daughter, is that understood."
Deacon shudders. "He knows Bill is ruthless, but this is a Bill Spencer he's never dealt with before, yet he's seen this type of creature in prison, and he knows they're not to be taken lightly. He nods solemnly. "Just keep your end of the bargain and it's a deal."
Bill nods and he and Justin depart. Deacon is happy with what he's just done, he's protected his daughter and his business, if Finn and Steffy have to suffer for that, well, to bad, he has to protect what's his.

It's been 4 months since Ridge, Brooke, Katie and Eric have left Foresters. Hope has decided to stay and has had a major argument with both Brooke and Liam about her decision, but she's held firm to what she wants to do, and much to Liam's shock and chagrin, she has told him that it's her life, her work, and he has no business and no say in what she does to make herself happy. She has informed both him and a shocked to the core Brooke that they have no say in her line or her work, and if either of them keep pushing her she'll take both Beth and Douglas and move out. (Imagine THAT scene!) Meanwhile R.E.B. Designs is ready to open. Ridge and Eric have designed a new collection and although it's not their best work, given the time restraints, it's still very good, they will be unveiling it at their upcoming press conference. Katie and Brooke have organized an incredible event that will be livestreamed around the world, also, they have both tried to contact Bill, but he has refused all contact with both of them, also unknown to them, Bill has been equally busy, and has been advising and working closely with Steffy, Thomas and Zende to organize a couple of little surprises of their own.

The big day has finally arrived (probably a year has passed with small sub stories etc if this was actually on television -lmao) Ridge and Eric are at the 2nd largest convention Center of LA' s swankiest hotel, they're in the process of getting their models ready for a showing after their announcement to the gathered press, buyers and assorted luminaries they've invited. They've spent a fortune getting everything just perfect, and apart from one small hick-up - not being able to get the already pre-booked and larger convention room, they have a full house and are all set to announce their arrival - or re-arrival - on the fashion scene. Everything is going perfectly as Brooke checks in on Ridge and Eric who are very excited about what they're about to do. Ridge and Eric feel alive for the first time in years, they are both excited and looking forward to what is coming.
The lights dim and Eric, Ridge and Brooke enter the stage together.
Ridge begins, "Thank you all for coming, and welcome to the launch of a brand new design company, R.E.B. Designs, a dynamic new company offering the discerning woman a new focus on fashion."
Eric smiles and adds, whilst smiling directly at Donna who is acting as an usher for the rich and famous. "Designs by true Foresters, directly to those faithful customers who know us so well, and insist on quality and style over cheap and tawdry!"
Brooke smiles widely. "Welcome to our first half show, the coming designs are just a forerunner of what is to come from us in the future. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show."
They retreat to general applause and murmuring as the press is shocked at the startling news that these three have left Foresters.
The show begins and the models float down the runway, although only just over half a show, it goes smoothly, and seems to be a success. At the end, the clapping is loud and continuous, as Ridge, Eric and Brooke walk onto the runway to accept their adulation.
They join hands and take a bow before a loud voice interrupts them. Justin followed by Bill walks forward and hands a subpoena to both Ridge and Brooke, whilst at the back of the room Katie is also handed a subpoena.
"On behalf of Forester creations you have just been served for the intellectual property theft of these designs." He turns to Brooke and hands her a subpoena, and Brooke Logan, you have been subpoenaed for the breaking of your contract with Forester Creations, and of the intellectual theft of contacts and materials owned by Forester Creations."
"Spencer!" Yells Ridge with utter hatred clearly showing on his face. "This won't work, my daughter and son won't allow you to pull one of your stunts, not on family!"
"Bill. What are you doing? Please, why?" cries Brooke.
Katie runs to the front and glares at Bill. "Is this because I turned you down Really Bill, do you want the whole world to know what a selfish, miserable, jealous, petty man you are?"
Bill knowing the cameras are on him and are live streaming this to the entire world smiles.
"Oh please Katie, what you and your latest boy wonder do is of no interest to me, you can be with half of L.A. for all I care, we're over, please get that through your head! As to you Brooke, please, I don't go for sloppy seconds, it's not my style, I'll leave that to Ridge here." he says smiling at Ridge.
Ridge is about to launch himself at Bill when Bill says something shocking.
"As to you Forester, Steffy, Thomas, Zende" he smiles maliciously, "and Hope, all know I'm here, and that you're all being served."
He turns to the enraptured audience who are all drinking in this scene. "If you want to watch a real launch, and meet the brand-new CEO of Foresters, then please, the MAJOR conference room over the other side of the Hotel is about to get going." He looks at his watch, "You have about seven minutes to get there, plenty of time if you hurry."
The press disappears first, this is major news, and although they've already got a shocking fashion story, they're about to get a cherry on the top, and like vultures sniffing a new kill they're off and racing. Following the pack, the buyers and special guests are the next to go."
Bill smiles having effectively destroyed R.E.B. Designs much vaunted opening, and having made it all about Foresters.
"You should really pop over Forester, it might surprise you."
"Dad, How could you!" cries Liam as he makes his way out from back stage where he's been in charge of all the social media distribution.
"I warned you Liam, you can't say I didn't! You chose your own course, so don't blame me it went belly up!"
Bill and Justin turn around and walk out, their job now done.
"Well, that was fun, just like old times." says Justin as they hurry to the other room.
"It's only just being my old friend, it's only just beginning."

So, as the story continues buyers, press and the rather curious, fascinated guests of R.E.B. Designs are now all piling into the large convention Center that Bill had booked when he put feelers out to his friends in the hotel industry to inform him if Ridge, Eric and Brooke tried to book one of their showrooms, when an business acquaintance contacted him that they wanted to book their conference room, Bill immediately booked the larger one and told Steffy, Thomas and Zende of his coup. They panicked at first as Thomas had no designs done, but Bill then informed them that he has already hired an established designer for the couture line, and he has been working feverously on his collection nonstop for the past few months, luckily he already had several designs completed when he contacted him, and he added them to the collection.
When Steffy, Thomas and Zende start to complain that he isn't a shareholder and has no right or power to do this Bill smiles and tells them who he hired, Marius Van Deash, whose contract with Dior had recently expired. He tells the stunned trio that Marius wanted to move on to something more daring and innovative so he offered him a job as head designer for the couture line at Foresters. Steffy, Thomas and Zende are gob smacked, every one of them knows that at 36 Marius is already a legend in Europe, and very much sort after, they are astounded Bill managed to work this fast, let alone secure someone of his standing for them, better yet, they no he is on an equal footing with both Ridge and Eric - they have a chance to turn the tables on the defectors, but only if they keep their plans secret, so Bill has stashed Marius, his chosen models, pattern makers etc at a secret location where they can't be found out.
As Ridge, Eric, Brooke, Katie, Liam and Donna all enter the back of the large Forester convention Center, Bill smiles to himself. He brings his phone to his ear and says simply "Showtime"
The lights dim and people quiet down, waiting expectantly.
Steffy, Thomas and Zende walk onto the top of the runway.
Steffy smiles at the audience, her smile tightening slightly as she spots her father and the others glaring at her. She lifts her head in a show of defiance
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. You are about to witness the rebirth of a new and improved Foresters. A Forresters that will be taking brave new steps back into the forefront of fashion where we belong.'" She notices the looks of outrage on her fathers and grandfathers faces at the not so subtle dig before continuing.
"But to do that we've had to make some major changes," She laughs a little and sports a wry smile to the press and buyers eliciting some laughs.
"So, without further ado, let me introduce one of the most important changes we have made in the hope of bringing this company back to its roots, where it belongs. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Foresters new CEO."
Shocked gasps come from a few audience members as a figure walks onto the runway to join Steffy.
Steffy holds out her hand welcoming the new arrival as she proudly proclaims.
"My aunt, Felicia Forester."

Felicia smiles at Steffy and moves to the microphone as Steffy steps back.
"Thank you Steffy, and might I just say, it's good to be back where I belong." She turns to the audience, her eyes sweeping over them, giving no indication she even acknowledges Ridge, Eric and the others, she simply smiles warmly at them then and begins to talk to the enraptured crowd.
"Firstly I would like to thank Steffy, Thomas and Zende for this opportunity, not only to re-join Forresters, but to re-new my legacy, a legacy that has been denied me by members of my own family who have bowed to the whims of others."
The crowd gasp as photographers go wild.
" I've discussed my objectives with my family,'" she smiles and sweeps her hands across Steffy, Thomas and Zende, "and we are all in agreement, it's time to bring Forresters back to its roots."
She frowns as she looks around, her gaze piercing everyone until it reaches Ridge, Eric and the others at the back of the room where it stops.
"My mother, the one and only Stephanie Forrester was a legend in this industry, she was not only a fierce protector of her family and those she loved, but she was also a skilled negotiator with a strong moral and ethical streak. She wanted so much for her family and this company that, without her, would never have been built! It was my mother's business acumen and contacts that helped put Forresters on the fashion map, and it was her honesty, morality, and integrity that helped keep the company there for so many years, and it's to her that I look to for inspiration at this moment in my life. Gone are the days of this company being slowly driven into the ground by weak men who -as we all know given their history - are easily manipulated by a cunning pretty face, or a pair of large boobs " The crowd gasp, some turning to look at Eric and Ridge at the back of the room, whom some realize are there watching too.
"No, those days are gone! I may not be my mother, no-one is, but I can still uphold her values and everything she held near and dear to her!"
She glares out at the others and sweeps her eyes over them contemptuously.
"The days of cheap and tawdry, of low rent and second rate are now gone! Forresters has now been purged of the miasma of unsavory vulgarity that has been slowly invading it since the arrival of certain individuals. Those days are gone, today is a new beginning, a fresh start with an amazing new design team, and people with class and dignity, something my mother would be proud of. This is a team that will bring a fresh and innovative look to the classic designs we were once known for."
She turns and gestures for Steffy Thomas and Zende to join her, as they gather together, she turns and smiles at the enraptured audience.
"Now, let's show you a little of what our new designer has in store for you. Let the show begin!"
They walk off the stage as the lights dim and the music begins

The show begins, each model moves down the runway with purpose, a look of power and anger on their faces, each design is a bold interpretation of a classic look, and all with a touch of the warrior woman about them, with fitted jackets over beaded or metallic bustiers, the press are wide eyed, the buyers are gob smacked, this is something unapologetically different, yet with enough of the classic design to them to draw the eye for second and third looks. At the back of the room Hope joins Liam and the others.
"Tell me you didn't know they were going to do this," says Liam as he turns to Hope.
"No, they kept this a complete secret, all I knew was that they were going to announce a new CEO today." She shakes her head in bewilderment. "I honestly thought it would be Steffy, but to bring Felicia in was a complete shock. I was told just before she went on stage that both she and Zende bought Ridges shares, they've obviously been planning this for months!"
Ridge swings around on Hope, "Would you have told us if you knew? Your loyalty to your mother and those that gave you your start in the business has been very questionable of late!"
Hope glowers at Ridge as Brooke says "Enough, we have to show solidarity here, everyone is watching us as well as the show to see how we react."
"How are we supposed to react," snaps Ridge. "We've been served papers to stop us selling our designs, we're being sued by my own children, I thought things couldn't get any worse and now I see this!"
Eric looks at Ridge and Brooke, worry clearly showing on his face. "These designs are stunning, and look at the buyers and press, they're eating them up. I don't know who they've got, but they remind me of a young Ridge when he first started out in the company! They're bold, they're fresh, they're original, yet still classic, they're just . . . stunning!"
"So who is it?" asks Ridge. "There's not many designers of this caliber that aren't nailed down to a major company in the world, and this is too sophisticated to be an unknown!"
The lights change as the last model leaves the runway and Felecia's voice says "And now, the showstopper!"
Hope gasps aloud as a woman walks out, the wedding dress she's wearing is a masterpiece of both art, construct, and design. Carrying with the warrior woman theme it has a heavily beaded bodice of pearls, glittering faux diamonds, and pieces of glittering silver metal, a full skirt with the same applicate gives it an almost ethereal feel, as if a ice princess has entered the room.
"Oh My God" breathes Katie in awe.
Liam echo's a rather weak sounding "Wow!"
Hope who is frozen in shock whispers "Sasha" as Sasha Avante walks regally down the runway, a proud, haughty, challenging look on her face. She looks around the room and see's Hope, a brief smile flits across her face before she once again turns to the press and photographers who can't get enough of her. One after one the models return to line up behind Sasha, when they are in position a handsome darkhaired man strolls out with Felicia.
She smiles in triumph at those at the back before announcing proudly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with the greatest honor that I announce Forrester Creations new head designer, straight from the best houses in Europe, I give you the incomparable Marius Van Deash.
Marius takes the proffered microphone to thunderous applause.
"Thank you all. I just wanted to thank you for your support in my latest venture. I am truly excited to be working for Forrester Creations and their indomitable new team who have encouraged me to design what I see in my soul, not what I am dictated to design This is an incredible exciting time for me, and this support it has re-invigorated my passion for design. Having said that, I have designed this look based on the all wonderful and powerful woman that I ever known." He looks down at Anna Wintour, the most powerful woman in the room who he knows has been assessing him quietly, he holds his hand over his heart and bows his head in respect. After a moments surprise she acknowledges him with a slight nod, her lips twitching into an almost smile.
"Thank you everyone, now back to our illustrious CEO to answer what I'm sure is your many questions."
"Quick, let's go." says Ridge as he grabs Brooke and quickly heads out the door before anyone can question him. They're in serious trouble, and the addition of a designer of Marius has just added a boot to their collective necks, they need a plan, and they need it now!"

It's been a day and a half since the showing debacle, Ridge, Eric, Brooke, Katie, Donna, Carter, and Liam are gathered in R.E.B. Designs main office, Ridge is pacing. he turns to Carter "You're sure there's nothing we can do?"
Carter shakes his head exasperated. "Ridge, I've spent the last day studying all your contracts, apart from Eric, they have you all over a barrel!"
"We need those designs Carter, and we need them now, we have orders coming in, no=where near as big as we wanted, but enough to keep us afloat. What if we say that Eric designed everything and I was just a bystander?"
A new voice interrupts Ridges and Carters intense conversation as Felicia walks in.
"Then we'd simply tie you up in court for years as you try to prove your case" she says smiling.
"Felicia! My god, what have you done, and why?" cries Eric as he stares at his daughter in dismay.
Felicia raises an eyebrow at her father and says in a dry voice. "I did what had to be done, what has needed to be done for decades, ever since your first betrayal of mother."
"Felicia please, Stephanie and I made amends, right before she died, we were friends in the end" pleads Brooke.
Felicia spins on her in fury, "Friends? It should have been dad beside her when she died, but once again he failed her when she needed him most - yet again! As to you!" She says, her voice filled with bitter scorn, "Do you honestly believe my mother truly forgave you? She hated you! The truly heartbreaking thing in all this was that she was just so tired! She was tired of fighting a battle she knew she could never win, so yes, she said she forgave you, and perhaps she might have even believed it in that moment. Why? Because she wanted to die in peace! Like how she tried to live her life, she wanted to make her death have some meaning, some dignity, but that's something someone like you would know nothing about!" she spit venomously.
"Felicia, that's enough!" says Eric loudly as a single tear crawls down Brookes face (lmao – sorry – not sorry :D ).
"And there we are, Eric Forrester championing Brooke Logan yet again!" She rounds on Donna before adding viciously, "Do you really think that Dad wouldn't drop you in a second if he thought he had a chance with your sister again?" She laughs derisively at Donnas shocked expression, "Of course you know, but like the greedy grasping harlot you are, you'll happily settle for what you can get . . . typical Logan behavior!"
As everyone starts to yell and abuse at Felicia, she holds up her hand and states loudly, "Do you want your designs back, and to be legally freed from all of your contracts or not? Everyone quietens immediately.
"What do you want?" says Ridge suspiciously.
Felicia takes out a contract and gives it to Carter and smiles, "Just one thing, and it will free you from all your legal obligations, if Eric won't agree then we take every single one of you for all we can get, and given our backing," she smiles slyly, "We can afford to bankrupt you if needs be. The choice is yours, but I want an answer now!"
"What is it?" says Katie shakily.
Carter raises his head and looks at Katie before switching his gaze to Eric. "Felicia wants to buy your house - at full market value, this is a contract of acquisition!"
" No, you can't, that's our home," cries Eric and Ridge together as a general outraged outbreak continues for several minutes.
Felicia glares at all of them before saying, "You destroyed our home by bringing your trash into it! This used to be a family home, not Logan Lodge!" She turns to Ridge with contempt before adding, "And mother would be outraged to see this cheap tramp in her bed AGAIN!" It's not bad enough dad lost 16 percent of the company to Donna, the idiot is at it again! Well, the time for niceties is over, this is a Forrester home, MY HOME" she yells.
"You either sign the papers or we go to court and Forrester designs sinks R.E.B. Designs," she smiles with malicious delight. "And if you don't think I won't do this then think again, I'm my mother's daughter, and I'm taking out the trash!"
She snatches the contract from Carter and thrusts them into Erics hand, "Sign them or I bankrupt all of you!"
"Felicia, please, I'll move out right away," pleads Donna.
Felicia ignores her and stares at her shocked father. "I said now father, I have to get back to Forresters, and time is money," she says on a somewhat rueful smile.
Eric looks at everyone in the room, he knows he has no choice, they desperately need those designs, but to sell the house, his home for decades!
With tears in his eyes he takes the contract to a table and signs it as Brooke, Ridge, Katie and Donna plead with him not to do this, he signs anyway, knowing Felicia has backed him into a corner.
Felicia motions to Carter who acts as a witness. She then takes everyone's contracts out of her briefcase and throws them on the table.
"I'll never forgive you for this Felicia," says a heartbroken Eric.
Felicia shrugs indifferently. "This is my tribute to mother dad, it's my way of paying her back for her sacrifice in saving my life! Where she could never fully purge the Logan parasites from her life, Steffy, Thomas, Zende, and I have, they're gone from Forresters, and they're now gone from our family home! Mother would be proud, because this is exactly as it should be." She looks at all of them individually as she finally smiles in triumph "It was good to do business with you, I'll expect the premises to be vacated with-in the week, per the terms of the contract."
"A week?" cries Brooke as Felicia walks out of the door leaving everyone else in the room in stunned silence.

Hope arrives at her office just Felicia is leaving R.E.B. Designs with the contract of sale to the Forrester estate.
She sees Thomas in the corner of the room at a standing desk, he's making a few last minute adjustments to one of the designs he has perched next to him on the table.
"What are you doing here?" she snaps impatiently at him.
He holds up his hand frowning a little as he continues to adjust something on the design.
"Meeting for these latest three designs of Zende's/ They're good, but you can see where I've made a couple of adjustments that I think will work a little better and make the gowns both more practical and more comfortable to wear." He holds them out to Hope.
She picks up the designs, going over each slowly, she desperately wants to criticize Thomas's adjustments, and Zende's overall designs, but she's surprised, they are great designs, made better by Thomas's slight adjustments, she throws them down on the design table and goes to her desk saying, "They're great, you've both outdone yourselves . . . with the designs." she adds after a short pause.
"You're angry about our tricks at the showing, I expected you to be, but you understand why we couldn't tell you don't you?" says a frowning Thomas.
"Of course I do, you don't trust me, and you wanted to make sure I couldn't stop you from sticking it to my mother and aunts! You weren't happy with just that though were you? No, you had to publicly humiliate them, basically calling them cheap whores to the entire world! You're disgusting! None of you have any principles, and as soon as my contract is up I will be leaving!" She says enraged.
Thomas sighs, "I didn't have any control over what Felicia said, just a brief outline of what she wanted to do, and that includes what she's doing today." He glances at his watch. "Which, if all went well, should be over by now. None of us knew what she was going to say Hope! Not Steffy, not Zende, and not me, but Felicia had her own axe to grind, she's been sitting on her rage for a long time, now it's out we can, hopefully, all move on."
Hope turns away in disgust. "Where did you get the new designer and the models from." she asks as Thomas gathers the designs.
"Bill Spencer hired Marius, I gotta say, he saved us there, that was a total surprise, he's the one that had us all keep quiet while he squirreled him away out of town."
"And the models?" asks Hope continuing to press the point.
"Marius told Bill and us who he wanted, I can't say I blame him either, they were stunning!"
"They aren't staying are they?" says Hope betraying a surprising hint of desperation in her voice.
"No, they're all going back to Europe, well everyone except for the lead model of course."
Hopes eyes widen as she swings around. "Who's the lead model?" she demands.
Thomas looks at Hope in total bewilderment at her attitude, and the panic sounding at the edge of her voice. "Sasha of course." he answers.
Hope swings around to her desk, but not before Thomas sees a look of overwhelming panic on Hopes face. "Is there something wrong with that? Is there something we should know about Sasha that you know. Hope, you can speak to me, always?"
Hope swings around an angry look plastered on her face to disguise the rising panic she feels.
" There's nothing you need concern yourself with Thomas, because there is nothing going on, now please leave, I have work to do and I've given you my opinion on the designs.
Thomas shakes his head and leaves.
As soon as the door closes Hope sags in her chair and clasps her head in her hands.
"What am I going to do?" she whispers in despair.

Taylor is waiting at "Deacons," Deacons new, renamed restaurant, she is supposed to be meeting Steffy and Finn while they await the new reviews from their line. Eye On Fashion has already published rave reviews, as has another few smaller publications, but the big magazines like Vogue etc, are published this morning. She receives a phone call saying that Finn has had to go into the hospital because they are short staffed, and Steffy has been called into the office as Felicia wants to go over the results of the latest reviews with the whole team. Taylor smiles ruefully and tells Steffy that that is fine, they'll meet up again another time. She finishes her tea and is about to leave when Deacon strolls over, a smile of delight on his face.
"Taylor, it's good to see you again, do you mind if I sit?" he says pointing to a chair at her table.
"Sorry, I was just about to leave, it seems I've been stood up." she smiles.
"Then let me join you, I haven't had breakfast yet, and having a beautiful lady as my companion is just to good a deal to pass up."
Taylor raises her eyebrows at his flirtatious talk, both amused and flattered. "You're certainly in a good mood. Oh, and by the way, congratulations on your new business venture, it seems to be succeeding wonderfully so far," she says as she looks around the full restaurant. "I read the piece in Eye On Fashion, it must have helped to have such a glowing review, although I am surprised that Bill Spencer of all people allowed that one to slip past, given how I've heard he feels about you."
Deacon smiles slightly and shrugs. "I suppose some poor slob will be losing their job, that's if he's even noticed. Personally, I think he's to busy shafting R.E.B. Designs to be bothered with a small business, even if it's owned by me. Now, what are we having for breakfast?"
Taylor smiles and shrugs before murmuring "What the heck" She knows Ridge and even Steffy would be upset by her having a meal with Deacon Sharpe, but this was her new life, and she was finally sick and tired of pandering to the likes of Ridge Forrester. After the way he treated her, and after what Steffy had shown her of the way he treated both her and Thomas, she was sickened by the depths her former love would sink to, just to get his own way.
She was finally letting go, and it felt good, it felt freeing, and no-one was going to take that from her again. Brooke was welcome to him.
They talked about inconsequential things as they ate, Deacon flirting shamelessly with her, and somewhere along the line Taylor found herself laughing and having fun as she slowly started to flirt a little too, but something was weighing on her, so after they finished their meal, she looks at Deacon puzzled, and asks.

"So, are you thinking of making me a replacement for Brooke now that she's gone back to Ridge again?"
Deacon looks at her frowning. "I suppose that's a fair question, given both yours and my history."
He plays with his coffee spoon for a moment as he tries to articulate what he's feeling.
" I overheard someone speaking about Brooke the other day." At Taylors raised eyebrows he adds "It was an accident." She raises her eyebrows further and Deacon raises his hands in supplication.
"I swear to god it was an accident . . . although I did continue to listen for a bit after." he adds with a grin.
Taylor laughs in genuine amusement at his honesty and forthrightness. "And?" she says.
"After a lot of thought, and a fair bit of soul searching I came to a rather painful, and somewhat embarrassing realization. After all my professions of love for Brooke, I finally realized I never really loved her in the first place."
At Taylors disbelieving look he adds, "I know, I know, it's hard to believe, but it's true." He frowns, deep in thought as Taylor studies him, she realizes he is being honest with her so she remains quiet, curious to hear what he says next.
"For a man like me, someone who came up, well, rough. Someone who had to fight for every damn thing he ever got; Brooke was a dream. When I was with her, she made me feel like I'd finally won, that I'd succeeded, I'd reached the big time, I was worthy!" He looks up at Taylor, "That's her power, that's why she can get men to do what she wants, she makes them feel like a success, like their worth something, no matter what they've done." He sighs greatly, "It feels good, and I didn't want to let it go, it becomes … . . . I don't know?"
"Addictive" says Taylor quietly.
"Yes, addictive." Deacon says smiling. "It took a long time for me to realize that, but I have, and now that I have, I finally realize what a total idiot I've been all these years, lusting after someone who doesn't even exist, someone who is only alive in my fantasies, and that's not the real Brooke, she's a whole different kettle of fish. Beautiful, but deadly, and quite frankly" he adds looking at Taylor earnestly. "I think I deserve better!"
He looks a little shocked at his own admission but Taylor smiles at him with pride as she reaches out her hand to cover his.
"Yes, you do, and I hope you continue to keep your eyes open; you have taken a major step towards happiness and real fulfilment Deacon. She glances at her watch, "but on that note I must go or I will be late for my first appointment." She hesitates a moment as she stands and gathers her purse.
"This was fun." She smiles and leaves. Deacon looks at her retreating figure. "Yeah, it was." he says in quiet surprise, before he gets up and goes back to work.

Back at Forrester's Felicia is in her office with Marius and Steffy waiting for Thomas and Justin - Bills contribution to their legal team - to arrive.
"Why are you doing this?" says an angry voice from the doorway. She looks up and see's Ridge standing in the doorway looking totally irate.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" says Steffy in surprise.
"Did you know? Did you know that Felicia is trying to steal your grandfathers house by blackmailing him into selling it to her?"
Steffy shrugs, "It's a family home, and the last I knew Aunt Felicia was part of the family, definitely more so than Brooke or Donna!"
"Does that answer your question?" asks Felicia calmly, "If so then please leave, we have work to do. I'm sure you know the way out."
"This is my damn office, and my damn company, no two-bit designer, he points at Marius contemptuously, or Bill Spencer's pathetic rag can change that."
"No!" says Felicia firmly, "Let's get one thing straight, this is the office of the CEO of Forrester Creations, and THAT is me, not you, you overgrown spoilt manbaby. As to ownership, you willingly sold your shares when you thought -rather gleefully - I might add, that you would bankrupt both your son and daughter and buy the company back for a steal, and worse, install Brooke Logan as a part-owner!"
Ridge looks stunned, "How do you know that!"
"She knows because I left my phone in the room on record and tapped you while you had your little discussion after you thought you were alone. After Steffy agreed to sell me your shares, I let her listen to what you said." says Zende as he enters the room for the meeting.
"You betrayed us? After all we did for you, you betrayed the family!"
"No!" says Felicia butting into the conversation. "It's you and Father that's betrayed this family, and now thanks to Zende everyone knows! We've all heard you, father, and Brooke scheming, and what you were prepared to do, Me, Steffy, Thomas, Taylor, everyone!" she snaps.
"I haven't" says a smiling Marius raising his hand.
"Oh will you shut up!" snaps Ridge at Marius. Before anyone can say another word Marius stands and walks over to Ridge a confident smile on his lips.
"So, I believe you mentioned something about two bit designers?" he says with a small smile as he holds up a copies of Vogue, Elle and Harper's Bazaar, shall we see what the leaders of this countries fashion news has to say about our shows then?"
Ridge is fuming, "Go to hell Van Deash, I'm not interested."
"Said like a true champion of the fashion world, the mighty Ridge Forrester . . . afraid to see how the rulers of fashion judge him." he laughs and opens one of the magazines with a flourish.
"Well there's no time like the present so gird your loins people, we live or die on what I'm about to read you."
Everyone is silent, even Ridge as they stare at Marius and wait.
"The recent news of a new design house, R.E.B. Designs, headed by Eric and Ridge Forester, as well as Brooke Logan as the three co-owners was a shock to the fashion world. What had happened at Foresters for this drastic split to happen? We'll get to that later, for now we'll just concentrate on the clothes. I went to the show with more than a little curiosity, and boy what a show it was, drama galore-once again, more on that later. The show itself was a tribute to bother Eric and Ridge Forrester, it showcased their talents, lovely designs that any woman would like to wear, not there best, but quite adequate. Yes, I said adequate, because although the pieces were individually lovely, there was nothing I haven't seen before in one form or another. After a rather shocking end to the show everyone was then invited over to yet another showing, this time Forresters!"
Marius looks up and raises his eyebrows, "Here we go everyone."
"Once we were introduced to the new CEO -the one and only Felicia Forrester, I wondered what would be in store for us, could Forresters even survive without the father and son team at the helm, the answer - **YES, Let me make that, OH MY GOD, YES!" Marius is now grinning as he continues. Felicia Forresters not only transformed Forresters in one show, she utterly triumphed by bringing in the indomitable genius of Marius Van Deash, direct from Europe. Marius has created a collection born from sheer genius, it's bold, daring, and highly innovative, the wedding dress, modelled by the beautiful Sasha Avant, was simply glorious, half dress, half art, it was beyond what I have seen Marius design before, it went beyond showstopper, it was legendary!" For those that made the mistake of thinking that Forresters would never be the same without its lead designers, think again, Forresters has emerged from its cocoon of safety, it is no longer one of the followers of fashion that it has become, it is now back on top, a leader, and Marius Van Deash has proven to the world exactly what he is capable of when given free rein to create. This is a triumph of mega proportions, and all I can say is, BRAVO, BELLISSIMA, and most definitely, ENCORE!"
Marius looks up in triumph as Steffy, Zende and Felicia, all hug each other and laugh in both relief and triumph, just as Marius turns to Ridge who is looking poleaxed.
"Don't worry Ridge, may I call you Ridge?" says Marius before continuing. "It wasn't a terrible review for your new company, after all, your designs were, "quite adequate"," he say using air quotes.
Ridge is fuming at being humiliated by the younger man. "This isn't over Felicia!" he snarls before storming out the door.

Katie and Carter are at her house, they're helping Eric and Donna move in. Eric has decided, given the time restraints, that he is leaving all his furniture behind because he doesn't want to store it, so he and Donna have just loaded up their clothes, photo albums and his personal possessions.
Eric is distraught, he and Donna are still at his house getting the last of their belongings. He watches as the removalists take the last of his belongings out to their truck before turning to the portrait of Stephanie that he has next to the sofa.
"Are you happy now?" he says bitterly to the portrait, who seems to stare mockingly at him. "You finally got what you wanted, you finally managed to destroy our family with your hatred!"
He turns and picks up a letter opener he's been using to check his mail.
" You've destroyed everything I worked for, everything Ridge has worked for, you've destroyed everything I ever loved! I hope you're rotting in hell!" he explodes, before slashing the portrait with the knife. A dull scream breaks through the red haze of rage he's engulfed in. He turns to see Donna staring at him in shock, her hand over her mouth as if trying to keep further screams in.
He looks back at what he's done and starts to cry, the letter opener dropping from his hand to the floor.
Donna runs to him. "She took everything, just when I found happiness again, she reached out from the grave and snatched it away from me." he says on a broken sob.
"It's alright Honey Bear, we still have each other, and we'll be happy at Katies until we find a place to make our own, I promise you."
"This is my home Donna, she took it from me! My own daughter betrayed me, my own Grandchildren! how could they? I worked so hard all these years, it wasn't Stephanie that made this company, it was me; me and my talent! It's as if Stephanie is reaching out from the grave to have one last stab at me." He wipes the tears from his eyes. "They won't defeat me though! I still have you, and I still have my talent, Ridge, Brooke, and I will win everything back." He takes her hand. "Then it will be your picture up on that wall, where you belong!"
Donna smiles and hugs him. "Come On, let's go, if we're going to start a new life together, then the sooner the better hey?"
Eric nods picks up the slashed painting and moves it to in front of the fireplace so whoever enters see's it right away. He wants it as a warning of what is to come, if Felicia did this for Stephanie, then he was going to show her just what he was going to do to everything she loved, he'd destroy her life, just like she'd attempted to destroy his.

Back at Katies she and Carter are in the living room watching as the small number of boxes are dropped off.
"This must be killing Eric and Donna" says Katie sadly. "I'm just so tired of all this hate and drama." She looks up at Carter with tears in her eyes. "When does it end Carter, even after all these years the fighting between the Forrester's and the Logan's is still going on, and now we have to add Bill to the sorry mess, it's relentless. We didn't ask for this, and yet we've both been pulled into a major battle yet again, when will it ever end?"
"So we leave!" says Carter suddenly.
"What?" says Katie looking up in surprise.
"We leave, we go, we just take off and leave this whole sorry mess behind us. This isn't our war to fight, we didn't ask for it, and we don't want it! So why don't we start a new life somewhere - anywhere- else!" He takes Katie's hands, his eyes shining in excitement at the sudden flash of inspiration.
"Why not Katie, we have no ties here anymore, neither of us want to be involved in yet another long-drawn-out war between the families, neither one of us wants to pick sides, and I certainly don't want to have Bill targeting you for working for Ridge. Why don't we just grab our passports and leave, now!"
"What?" says Katie in shock. "What about our jobs, what about our houses, what about Will? We can't . . . can we? she adds, her eyes wide.
"You'll ring Will now and tell him you're going on an extended holiday and he can join us anytime anywhere. I'll give a friend a quick ring and tell him to store my belongings and sub-let the apartment for me, he'll take care of all that side, he owes me a favor. As to our jobs, I've done all the major work already, they have their contracts back, so it's just mainly things any decent lawyer can handle, I'll leave them a few recommendations."
"And Liam can take over from me," adds Katie. "Are we really going to do this?" she asks, half terrified, half excited.
"We are!" says Carter on a laugh.
"I need to pack and ring Will" says Katie grabbing her phone.
"No!" Katie looks up at a grinning Carter. "No packing, just ring Will and grab your passport, we leave everything behind us and take just us."
"But, we can't" gasps Katie, before she starts laughing, "Oh god, we can, we're really doing this!"
She quickly moves out of the room to grab her passport as Carter gets in contact with his friend and organizes his end. When Katie returns holding her passport up and smiling joyously they hear a new voice.
"What's going on, are you going somewhere?" asks Donna from the doorway, as she and Eric enter.
Carter and Katie quickly explain their decision as Eric and Donna look on in disbelief.
Eric tries to argue that they need them, but Carter and Katie explain why they don't, and that they need to get away, for them, for their relationship, and for their happiness.
Donna hugs Katie and smiles tearfully. "Ring me, where-ever you are, no matter what time it is, ring me. I'll miss you so much little sis!"
Katie hugs her as tears fall freely down her face. "Take care of yourself Donna, the house is yours and Erics for as long as you want, just be happy, I'll call you, I promise!"
Eric shakes Carters hand. "Your job will be waiting when you get back, I'm happy for you Carter, and it's good to see that at least someone is happy in this whole mess, you deserve this!"
"Thanks Eric, I've already texted you a list of Lawyers that can handle all of your needs."
He smiles as Katie joins him. "Goodbye and Good luck!" says Donna as they both leave.
Eric and Donna stand arm in arm smiling at the two as they hurry away to Carters car.
After picking up his passport they both go directly to the airport and pick an airline at random.
Where to" asks the girl at the desk.
"You're next available flight out of the country," says Carter smiling down at Katie.
The girl raises her eyebrows and checks the flights, "We have tickets available for a flight leaving in 15 minutes to Bridgetown, Barbados if that will suit?"
Katie and Carter both start laughing. "That suits us perfectly!" says Katie.
They gather their tickets and walk hand in hand to the airlines gate, and their new life together.

Back at the house Felicia arrives to find Pam slumped in front of Stephanie's portrait cradling it in her arms.
Auntie Pam? What is it? What's wrong she says as she hurries forwards. Pam looks up, her face streaked with tears. "I came to talk to you, to see if I could change your mind about buying the house, and I found this" she sobs brokenly as she lifts her arm and shows Felicia the slashed portrait.
Felicia's eyes widen as she gasps. "Who would do this? Donna? Is she really this evil?"
Pam shakes her head. "Donna is a lot of things, but she wouldn't do this, this is . . . personal, this is Eric." she says with bitter hatred. "I supported him, I supported the Logan's for him, after all that's happened in the past, I just wanted to be a family, but he's. . . ."
She stops abruptly and stares at the portrait. "When I walked in and saw her, it felt like losing her all over again, everything just stopped, all the old memories, all the old pain, it all came flooding back."
"Dad? He wouldn't, he couldn't, Aunt Pam it must have been an accident, he wouldn't disrespect mother like this, he wouldn't be so cruel."
Pam snorts with derision. "Felicia, the things I could tell you about your father! He's always been arrogant, egotistical, and Stephanie used to let him get away with far to much until in the end even I was not of limits to him."
Felicia gasps. "No, surely he wouldn't, not you, you were his wife's sister!"
Pam shakes her head and looks down at the picture. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything, I never meant to, it's was a family secret." she says on a broken sob.
Felicia kneels beside her and puts her arm around her. "It's okay Aunt Pam, if you want to talk about it I'm here for you." she smiles kindly at her, "It might even do you some good to get it off your chest, secrets eat away at us and sooner or later they always come out.
Pam looks at her sisters portrait frowning before muttering quietly, "I'm sorry Stephanie, I have to do this." She looks up at Felicia and starts her story.
"I had just turned 18, Stephanie and Eric had been married for about 5 years, the company was doing well, and they had Ridge, I was jealous of Stephanie of course. My glamorous big sister seemed to have it all, a beautiful baby, a handsome husband who a young, very naïve me, had a huge crush on, and a successful business that was starting to take off. It was the very last weekend they came down to visit us. That first night I heard them having a huge argument, it was about some model. I couldn't believe what Stephanie was accusing Eric of, they had it all, why would he look at another woman? Anyway, Eric stormed off and Stephanie went to their room in a temper, I made the mistake of following Eric. When I found him, I was so upset for him, rounding on my sister in defense of him, telling him how lucky she was to have someone like him."
She laughs bitterly. "I was such a fool! I thought he actually cared for me, that we were going to be together. One thing led to another and the next morning I woke up to the realization I'd slept with my sister's husband! Who does that? Who is that stupid! " She says looking at Felicia imploringly.
Felicia is horrified. "Oh my god, Aunt Pam, you were 18, and you were inexperienced, whereas Father was an adult, worldly man! You were basically little more than a child! That he would do this. I feel sick, he took advantage of an innocent young woman who had a crush on him, that is unconscionable behavior!" She tightens her arm around Pams shoulders and gives them a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry Aunt Pam, it's over now, and I promise you, I won't tell a soul"
Pam shakes her head sadly. "That's not the worst of it Felicia, four months later I was feeling sick all the time and I was putting on weight, I finally realized I was pregnant." she says, staring at the floor. "When I found out I was pregnant I finally told mother what had happened. It was too late for an abortion so my mother went to Stephanie and Eric and came to an agreement, they took my baby and raised him as their own."
Felicia's eyes go huge, "You mean . . . " she trails off
Pam nods as tears stream down her eyes.
"Yes, Thorne was never your brother, he's your cousin, he's the reason why I was never allowed to come and visit you all for so long. Thorne Forrester is mine and Eric's son!"
She looks back at Stephanie's slashed portrait, touching it gently. "Stephanie always sent me loads of photos, and sent me notes about his milestones. We had to keep it secret so that no-one found out, especially mother and Eric, because I was forbidden to ever mention it again or have any contact, but Stephanie did try, and I was grateful." She frowns in anger as she looks back up at Felicia. "That's how I know this was Eric's doing." she says fingering the tear in the painting.
"I know how cruel he can be, how arrogant, I know he's never really cared about anyone except himself, and maybe Brooke. I wanted you to know the depths he'll sink to, you must understand what type of man he is if you're going to beat him, and you are going to beat him!" she says fiercely. "And I'm going to help you!"
Felicia nods, still in total shock as the pair sit together quietly contemplating all the shocking ramifications of what Pam has just revealed.

Later that day after Pams confession to Felicia she decides to tell Charlie, after his acceptance and support Pam realizes that she wants to tell Thorne, so first thing the next morning she goes to the office to tell Felicia that she will be taking some personal time and travelling to Italy to speak to Thorne.
Felicia nods in understanding and hugs her. "Thorne will understand Aunt Pam, he's a good person, just like his mum."
"Thorne will understand what?" says a voice from the doorway.
"Thorne, I thought you were in Italy?" says Pam in shock as Thorne stands there looking at the two woman.
"With everything that's been happening both here, and over at International I've finally managed to get some time to come home and see what the hell is happening here. I didn't want to trust anything to a call, this is far to important and needs to be face to face. Now, what the hell has happened? How has Thomas managed to get Fathers shares, and how the hell did you and Zende get Ridges? Brookes told us her side, now I want to hear yours. What 's going on?" he demands hotly.
Felicia tells him everything, with Pam filling in the blanks that Felicia is unsure of.
"Not quite the story Rick and I were told, a much more favorable slant towards Father, Ridge, and Brooke in the other version, but letting Spencer back him? That could turn out to be bad, very bad!"
Felicia sighs heavily and grimaces, "I agree, he took a calculated risk, but given the type of money involved there wasn't much else he could do, and as long as he keeps up his repayments then he's fine, both sides come out happy." She snorts a little as she adds, "Plus I think getting to shaft Ridge was also an opportunity a little to tempting to pass up for Bill."
He stares at Felicia for a long moment, "I wonder what mother would think of all this." he says.
Felicia looks at Pam before saying, "I think your mother would be very happy about the outcome."
Thorne looks between the two woman as Pam grits her teeth before saying. "I have something to tell you Thorne, something important, you'd better take a seat, and please, just let me get this out while I still have an ounce of courage left in me."
Thorne sits a confused look on his face as he looks between the two, Pam is refusing to look at him, and Felicia is looking decidedly apprehensive.
Pam quickly launches into her story, telling Thorne everything, starting from her finding the slashed painting of Stephanie and of it bringing up all her memories, she then tells him the same story she told Felicia, but this time she includes all of the details she'd left out when she'd told the bare bones of the story to Felicia, like Eric being a little drunk and of him making her swear to never tell anyone what happened, that it was all a dreadful mistake and she should never have followed him, especially when he was at such a low point.
Felicia grimaces, swallowing her bile as Pam lays out the entire unvarnished story to both of them, taking responsibility for all that happened on her own shoulders.
"You were 18?" says Thorne in shock.
"Yes, I'd turned 18 3 weeks previously." says Pam, her eyes still downcast.
Thorne is unable to move as the shock of what he's been told engulfs him.
"All these years I knew mother loved Ridge more than me, she always denied it, but she always favored him, and now I finally know why, I was her nephew, the love child of a cheating husband. A daily reminder of his perfidy."
Felicia leans forward. "Are you okay?"
Thorne shrugs and gives a short bark of laughter, "Am I okay? Interesting question," He thinks a bit as he looks at Pam, her face still downcast. He walks over and places his hand under her chin and raises her face. She looks up at him, fear and shame sharing equal billing on her features.
"Damn Aunt Pam, sorry, I can't get my head around this, but one thing I do know. None of this is your fault! My god, you had just turned 18, you were just a kid! When I remember Ally at that age!"
He looks into Pams eyes as her tears start to fall. "Father was what? 27, 28? He was a sophisticated grown man, that he even tried to push the blame for him taking advantage of you back on to you is disgusting! That neither of them told me, that really makes me angry. " He gives a short bitter laugh. "But I guess it does answer a lot of questions I've had all of my life. I don't blame you . . . Pam, but I do blame them, especially my Father, I don't care how drunk he was, he's little more than a predator."
"Please don't hate me or Stephanie Thorne, please, we did the best we could, and what Stephanie must have gone through back then, all the lying, all the pretending, and all to protect Erics reputation and this company."
Thorne nods, "I don't blame you, and I'm trying to understand what mother must have gone through, but all of this is going to need time. I can promise you one thing though."
At his fierce, bitter words both Pam and Felicia look at him apprehensively.
"I'll never forgive Father, all this time, all the lies, all those years making me work in the basement as if I was nothing, as if I was something second rate, shameful, while his anointed son Ridge lived the life of the chosen one, always fated, always favored, while I was pushed to the background."
He stares at both woman before nodding. "I have to go, I need some time to think by myself, to sort through all that you've told me." He smiles gently at Pam, "Don't worry, I'll be back, we'll talk again." He then turns and strides out of the office.
After he leaves Felicia hugs Pam. "I though it went better than expected, he's in shock, but he doesn't blame you, I think that's all we could want at the moment, with everything else that's gone on and now this, well, it's a lot to process for anyone."
Pam nods tearfully, "I hope so, he's always been such a good boy, always so forgiving and kind."
She looks at Felicia and gives her a watery smile. "I'm just glad it's all finally out in the open, no more secrets, and for the first time in my life, I have hope that I will finally be able to have a relationship with my son, with him knowing that I'm his mother."
They hug again as Felicia looks to the open door, hoping that Pam is right, and that Thorne will embrace the fact that she is his mother.

The next morning Hope is heading towards her office when she spots Sasha walking into Marius's office, she hides behind a door until she can safely walk through the hallway without running into her. When Sasha shuts the door behind her Hope hurries forward, her temper is now building, first this morning Liam had been constantly badgering her, he knew something was wrong and had put it down to Thomas and her work, she'd finally just walked out, telling him to take Douglas to school as soon as Donna arrived to take care of Beth. Added to that she'd been stuck in a traffic jam due to a truck breaking down, then her favorite parking spot had been taken by Flo, and now this!
She stormed into her office in a high temper, this wasn't fair, why couldn't people just leave her in peace for five damn minutes. She reached over to pick up some paperwork and somehow managed to spill her coffee on half of them, she felt like screaming!
There was a brief knock on her door before Flo poked her head in, "Hey Hope," She see's the mess on Hopes desk and smiles ruefully. "Darn, an accident this early, I hope it wasn't anything to important?"
Hope looks at her incensed as her temper begins to quickly unravel. "Yes, as a matter of fact, it was something important! What do you want?" she snaps.
Flo's eyebrows raise in shock at Hopes demeanor. " Um, Sasha asked me to ask you if she could pop in to see you today and take you to lunch, she said you were old friends." she says smiling tentatively.
Hopes eyes widen in shock, "This couldn't be happening, not on top of everything else she was dealing with! " No, I can't have lunch, I have work to do, and I'm behind already! And since when are you Sasha's lackey to be running errands for her? You're supposed to be working for me! My family is the only reason you even work here and you're taking liberties already! My god, you even stole my parking space this morning, but I suppose stealing something that belongs to other people is nothing new to you!" she adds spitefully.
Flo reals under Hopes attack. "I grabbed the park because I had to drop off the sample scarves you ordered and I didn't want to be late, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to -
"Stop it!" snaps Hope, "I've had enough of everyone being so sorry but never stopping their behavior. You're always sorry for everything you do aren't you Flo? Sorry for taking my park. Sorry for stealing my baby and taking money for her! You're quite the piece of work aren't you, well not for me you aren't! Get out," she yells. "You're fired!"
Flo backs away, tears pouring from her eyes. "I'm sorry Hope, I'm sorry." she turns and flees from the room, a sob sounding from the doorway as she runs out.
Hope puts her hands over her face and sinks onto her chair, she's horrified at what she just said, she'd let her own fear and frustrations take over and she'd attacked her cousin cruelly. "I'll make it up to her," she says. "I'll go and find her after my meeting with Zende and talk to her and apologize."
Meanwhile Flo has run straight to her office where she calls Wyatt, she's sobbing uncontrollably as she tells him what Hope said.
Wyatt is shocked to the core at what Flo tells him, but knowing how upset Flo is he tells her to leave her car and grab a cab straight to Spencer's.

"I love you," she says tearfully.
"I love you too sweetheart, and I'll see you soon okay." He hangs up and tries to figure out what the hell is going on for Hope to attack Flo like that. He tries to ring her but she's just left for a meeting, so he waits for Flo to find out what has happened.
An hour later he's still waiting, wondering where she is, and if Hope caught up to her and they sorted whatever happened out, but he's starting to worry, his phone rings and he answers it quickly, hoping it might be Flo or Hope.
"Wyatt? a man's voice asks.
Yes, whose this?" he answers puzzled.
I's John Finnigan, Steffi's husband." Wyatts heart sinks as he continues.
"I'm at the hospital, there was a bad single vehicle accident on the Freeway."
"No, No, No." begs Wyatt.
"I'm so sorry Wyatt, it's Flo."
"Tell me she's okay," he pleads, as Bill walks into his office.
Finn is quiet for a minute before saying quietly, "You'd better get here quick."

Bill and Wyatt rush into the emergency ward of the hospital, in the meantime Justin had followed them down to the car with Bill barking orders for him to call Flo's mother, they arrive at the emergency room of the hospital 20 minutes later, Wyatt frantic to find where Flo is. The nurse tries to calm him, saying the Dr's are still working on her. They go to stand in the waiting room, it's not long before Finn comes out of a nearby room, they can see the blood and weariness on his face, Wyatt runs to him?
"How is she, is she going to be okay? When can I see her?" Wyatt says anxiously.
"I'm so sorry Wyatt, we've tried everything but there's nothing we can do, the damage is just to extensive."
Wyatt stares at Finn horrified. "No, there must be something, anything. Please Finn, don't give up on her, she's a fighter, she can make it."
Bill puts his hand on Wyatts shoulder and looks at Finn. "We can fly in any specialist you need, moneys no object, just give us a name."
Finn sighs, "I wish it were that simple, but as I said, her injuries are just to severe, maybe if she had another working kidney she might have a slight hope, but apart from all her other injuries her remaining kidney has been destroyed."
He holds up his hand as Wyatt begins to offer one of his. " She'd never survive a transplant operation Wyatt, and any of her other injuries would kill her anyway.'" He puts his hand on Wyatts other shoulder. "We've given her pain medication, she's very groggy but she knows what's happening, she keeps asking for you."
Wyatt stares at Finn in horror before nodding and Finn leads him into the room.
"Flo, I'm here," says Wyatt as he moves towards the bed. He's shocked at the bruised and battered form of the woman he loves laying there.
He gently takes her hand. " I love you Flo, please, I'm begging you, don't leave me, please sweetheart, you can do this, you're a fighter."
Flo cracks open her eyes. "I'm so sorry Wyatt, I'd stay if I could, I really want to, but I can feel it's my time." She squeezes his hand weakly. "You have made me so happy, it's like I've been living in a wonderful dream, and if this is the price I have to pay, then every second of it was worth it. I love you so much, and that's what I'm taking with me, your love."
As she breathes out her last breath a faint smile appears on lips as she murmurs, "I'm not afraid."
A cry of sheer agony is ripped from Wyatt as he frantically brings Flo's hand to lay against his face. As tears fall freely down his face and onto her hand, he begs her to stay with him telling her of all the things they still have to do, their wedding, their kids, their future, and telling her over and over again how much he loves her. Finn leaves the room quietly to give Wyatt some privacy in his mourning, and to tell the others what has just happened.
Just as Wyatt had entered the room Brooke, Donna, Liam, and Hope arrive. Bill fills them in on what has happened and they all stand there waiting. Brooke starts to drone on and on about how could this have happened, and why, as Hope sits in the corner numb in horror, her guilt at what she has done eating at her as her mother continues to question the horror of the accident.
They hear a cry of agony from the room and a short time later Finn comes out.
He looks at them and shakes his head. Bill moves to the room motioning to Liam to follow, as does Brooke.
"No." he says holding up his hand. "Wyatt needs his peace and his family at this time, you can see Flo a little later, but right now this is about Wyatt."
"Bill," says a now crying Brooke.
"I mean it Brooke, this isn't about you or the Logan's, right now it's about the living, and the pain they are in, and that's my son, that's Wyatt!"
Brooke looks at him and backs away, surprised at the ferocity she sees in his face.
Bill turns and walks to the room with Liam following, just as Ridge and Eric arrive.

It's a further two weeks after Flo's death. When Bill finally brought Wyatt out of Flo's room a major scene erupted when he saw Hope. He accused her of killing Flo, he lays into her so much that Liam stepped up and pushed him away. Wyatt swung at him, punching him in the face and knocking him back onto the couch. As Ridge stepped in between them to hold Wyatt off Liam and Hope, Bill held Wyatt and tried to calm him. This wasn't helped when Ridge tried to act the man and threatened Wyatt with violence if he didn't step away from the two. Bill had then looked up, and in a deadly cold voice threatened to drop Ridge so hard Massimo would feel it. Before an all-out brawl could erupt Donna yells at everyone, telling them all to back off! She cries that this is about Flo, not them. After that Bill and Wyatt turn and leave, as the others stand there shocked.
Shauna arrives that same night and arranges for Flo to be cremated, both she and Wyatt take her back to their home town where they grew up and first fell in love. There they both release her ashes on a mountain top where, as teenagers- Flo and Wyatt first professed their love for each other, and made their plans for their future. Shauna and Wyatt stay there the entire night just talking about Flo and their feelings. As dawn breaks they make their way back down the mountain and both head their respective ways, drained, yet strangely at peace having said their goodbyes in the best way they could.
Back in L.A. Hope has been burying herself in work, she has become more fragile than ever and Liam and Brooke are extremely worried about her as she refuses to talk to them about what is troubling her, other than she was stressed and lost her temper with Flo and that she didn't mean any of it.
As Wyatt is now on his way back to L.A. Hope has arrived at her office, she places her bag on her desk as she hears the door open. Thinking it's Thomas she says "If you have any designs just drop them on the desk, I'll get to them shortly."
"No designs, just me." says a female voice.
Hope turns, her face reddening, "Sasha . . . Why are you here? I'm very busy," she starts to say before Sasha interrupts.
"I just came to offer my condolences for Flo," she says before adding, "and to see how you are."
She smiles tentatively, "As beautiful as ever, motherhood and marriage obviously agrees with you."
Hope stares pleadingly at Sasha. "It does Sasha, and I don't want anything to upset that. I have a great life, I have everything I want, no-one can ever know what happened, not now that I'm finally content with what I have!"
Sasha sigh, "Content? Not happy, not in your element, just content, that's a strange word to use Hope. You could be happy, if you just . . . "
"No!" says Hope shutting Sasha down immediately. "Please Sasha, I can't take anything more right now, please don't say anymore, don't do this to me! Can't you just go back to Europe?."
Sasha stares at Hope for a long minute before she nods and moves to the door. "I won't go back to Europe Hope, and it's unfair of you to even ask that of me! I'm a lead model for a world class designer in a leading fashion house, and I won't allow anyone to take that from me, not even you. I've worked to damn long and to damn hard to get here, and just like you, I have another to think about. Having said that, if you truly want me to leave you alone then so be it, I'll keep our secret."
She opens the door before turning and saying, "I'll see you around."
As she leaves Hope sinks down into her chair and stares at the door in relief. She knows Sasha will keep her secret, but she also knows how she still feels, and seeing Sasha has brought everything to the surface yet again. She shakes her head, "This is for the best." she tells herself. "I have a decent life, and now I can get on with it."
She looks up as Zende walks in. " Is this a bad time?" he asks.
"No," says Hope shaking her head and smiling a little. "Just clearing a few things up before our meeting."

Thorne, having learnt that Pam is really his mother has now talked to her twice, both have learnt more about each other and what the other has gone through through-out their lives. This has had a profound effect on both, with Pam becoming happier and more at peace with her life and finally believing she "deserves" happiness, and Thorne finally coming to grips with aspects of his childhood he had never really understood, it has also opened a huge need with-in himself. He now wants to prove himself to be a far better man than both his father, and his cousin Ridge, but first he must have a little talk with his father, Ridge, and Brooke, who have been secretly sending both him and Rick messages since the split.
"Thorne" says Ridge smiling as he walks into his new office.
Thorne looks around in amusement at his surrounds. "A bit of a comedown from your last office, reminds me of Spectra's old digs."
Ridge bristles immediately, "It's just a start, we, at least, have the talent to re-build1" he snaps.
Eric immediately tries to defuse the situation. "I'm sorry we didn't tell you what we were doing before we did it, but we had to try to keep everything hush, hush, unfortunately Bill Spencer found out and took steps of his own."
"Yes, I saw, well, to be honest the entire Fashion world saw." He looks over at Ridge the amused look still on his face. "I haven't seen a beatdown like that in all my life, talk about a shellacking, did you manage to even sell any of your "adequate" dresses?"
Ridge is infuriated, but Brooke puts an arm across him as she walks towards Thorne.
"We won't lie, that was a shock, but we have enough orders to keep us going in the short term while Eric and Ridge work on a new line." she says.
"So what do you want? Rick and I have both been wondering what to do, we both made our own lives in Italy and we're quite settled, neither one of us really want to come back." he says, and after glancing around at his surroundings adds. "And it's not as if you can afford any more staff by the looks of things."
"We need you and Rick," says Eric putting his hand on Thornes shoulder. "I need my sons to step up for the family."
'And do what exactly?" asks Thorne.
"We need all Forrester Internationals contacts," says Eric. "We need you to discreetly start sabotaging the new Forrester line, and start promoting ours."
"So you want Rick and I to sabotage all the success that Felicia, Steffy, Thomas, and Zende have achieved? Is that what you're saying, that's . . . interesting."
"We built Foresters to what it is today," says Ridge angrily, "Van Deash is simply a flash in the pan, but at the moment we can't wait for him to fail, we need Foresters to start a downward spiral and for R.E.B. designs to begin an upward trajectory, then we'' buyout Foresters and put everything back to the way it should be!"
"You mean with you, father and Brooke running it as co-owners." says Thorne with a grim smile.
"Thorne, you will get your part of my shares when I die, so you will become a part owner as well, don't worry, you're my son"
"Yes, once again I'll get the scraps while the anointed one and Brooke - who isn't even a Forester - will get the lions share."
"Stop with the jealousy little brother, you're coming across as a whining brat."
Thorne looks up at Ridge his head cocked to the side studying him. "Little brother, well, that's not quite right now is it Father, he says turning and looking at Eric.
Eric looks confused and then wary, "I don't know what you're talking about Thorne, please, let's just stop with outside influences and do what's good for the family."
"Don't you mean what's good for you?" he says bitterly. "Because that's always been your motto, hasn't it? What Eric Forester wants Eric Forester gets." He snarls.
"Enough," snaps Ridge, "I have no idea what you're on about this time, but if it's your constant poor me, nobody loved me crap, then it's a pile of bull, get over it, we're family, you owe your entire career to me and dad."
"You?" Thorne laughs before adding, "Cousin, you are nothing more than a spoilt man-child who has gotten his own way for so long he can't even recognize the word no when he hears it!"
"Cousin?" says Brooke, the only one in the room who has picked up on the word.
Thorne looks between the three of them in surprise. "Oh, Father hasn't told you the story of how he impregnated an innocent virgin? Your own wife's baby sister!"
"Thorne no!" pleads Eric, "That was so long ago, it was a stupid drunken mistake. I raised you as my own."
Ridge and Brooke look at Eric in shock at his words, but Thorne continues on and recounts everything that Pam has told him, her age at the time, her crush on him, and everything Eric said to her to make her blame herself for what happened.
"So you see "Father", the thought of doing anything for you sickens me, you're little more than a predator." He turns to Ridge before adding, "Just like your son."
"I don't know what Rick will do, but if both you and he are smart, you'll both leave each other alone to lead their own lives in peace." His face screws up in barely controlled rage as he adds. " Rick is finally getting his life back on track, don't screw it up for him again, because that's exactly what you'll be doing!"
"Thorne, please, it wasn't like that, let me explain!" pleads Eric grabbing Thornes shoulder as Ridge and Brooke stand there open mouthed in shock.
"No Dad, I've had an explanation, there's nothing you can do or say that will make a damn bit of difference, the thought that I used to look up to you, that I was jealous of all the love and pride you always showered on Ridge, when all this time . . . . honestly, you disgust me." he says shaking his head.
He walks to the door and turns back briefly to look at Brooke, "Remember what I said about Rick, he's finally found some happiness and peace, for once in your life do what's right for one of your kids other than Hope, leave him the hell alone."
He turns and walks away, leaving a shocked trio staring at the door he just departed through.

Thorne arrives back at Felicia's office, she has called Thomas, Steffy and Zende in because he says he needs to talk to them all. Once there he brings in Pam and Charlie, and with his encouragement and Charlie by her side, she tells her story to them. Everyone is shocked, and appalled, but all pledge their support for Pam who sobs with relief. Then Thorne tells them exactly what Eric, Ridge and Brooke proposed he do. Shock and outrage turn to burning anger, especially in Thomas.
"Those hypocrites!" he rages. "After all the three of them have said and done to me, and not only are they still very willing to bankrupt their own sister, daughter, grandchildren, and kids, but we find out that not only has Granddad basically sexually abused his wife's sister and impregnated her, but then tried to blame what he did on her. Sweet mother of God . . . How can I even look at him again without wanting to vomit!"
"Because it's over now," says Pam with a trembling smile. "It's all in the open and Eric can't hide what he's done or who he is anymore, including from Donna."
"What did you do?" asks Thomas, his anger replaced by curiosity.
"I wrote everything down and sent it to her in an email this morning. I didn't want him wheedling his way out of anything, if she stays with him now, well, at least she stays knowing what type of man he is, if she can accept that then that's up to her, but for me it's finally over, everyone knows, I'm finally free." She looks around at everyone before placing her arm through Thornes.
"My son now knows who I am, and I don't want any more sadness or anger about what was, okay? Because now I have what can be, and I'm looking forward to finding out what that's like."
Thorne smiles at Pam before saying, "And so am I."
"So what do we do about Rick, will he be trying to sabotage us every chance he gets?" asks Steffy.
Thorne frowns, "I tried to tell Brooke to leave him alone, and that he's finally in a good place, but whether she'll listen or not I don't know, either way I'll have to head back tomorrow and talk to him, not to mention, keep a close eye on what he's up to."
Pam looks up looking very disappointed, "You have to leave so soon?"
"I'm afraid so, if this company is to survive and prosper, we still need Europe to keep running smoothly.
Steffy nods, "You're right, thank you Uncle Thorne, for everything."
Thorne smiles, "I'm afraid I'm only a cousin now Steffy."
"No," says Steffy as she goes and hugs Thorne warmly. "You're my uncle, you're more of a family now than both my father and grandfather. Thank you, we can't do this with-out you!"
"Ditto to what Steffy said." chimes in Thomas as he moves forward and shakes Thornes hand.
Thorne smiles in genuine happiness, finally he has the family he always wanted.

As Thorne accepts the kudos from Steffy and Thomas, Felicia looks over to Charlie who smiles and winks at her, she grins and holds up her hands.
"Alright everyone, if Thorne is going back tomorrow than you're all coming to my place for a farewell afternoon late lunch. I'll just give my new cook a call and we'll meet in a couple of hours."
Pam smiles delighted, "That will be lovely Felicia, she turns to Charlie who bumps into her and accidently spills his glass of Raspberry Fizz, that he's been carting around all over Pams dress.
"Oh no, Charlie! Now I'll have to go home and change. I'm sorry Felicia, it looks like I'll be a bit late." she says in a disappointed voice.
Felicia frowns a little in thought. "No you won't, you can go right down to wardrobe, I know they'll have something that will fit you down there, Marius has said he's experimenting on a design for the more mature woman, if it's done it might fit."
"Oh, I couldn't" says Pam as her eyes light up in excitement at the thought of wearing a Forester original to Thornes farewell party.
"Nonsense," says Felicia, "in fact, I'll ring down and tell them to give you the whole treatment."
Pam looks at Charlie who nods to her. She smiles and giggles a little as she says "You don't have to tell me twice." Then she hurries out the door.
The next hour and a half is wonderful for Pam as she has her make-up and hair done and then is dressed in an exquisite pale almost blue chiffon dress, with a coat in a heavier material in shades of darker blues, she's given matching shoes they have in her size. When they finish dressing her Marius walks in and looks at her critically, examining the fit and cut before a huge smile lights his face.
"It fits you perfectly. you are magnificent."
Pam blushes and looks in the full-length mirror, she gasps at her reflection, for the first time in her life she truly feels beautiful." But this is too good for me to wear." she says weakly, hoping against hope that Marius doesn't agree with her and take it from her.
"Nonsense, a beautiful woman such as yourself should only wear beautiful clothes. It is I that am honored for you to wear my humble creation."
He smiles again before adding, "Your friend Charlie, is it?" At Pams nod he continues. "He had some kind of emergency he had to take care of, he said he will meet you at Felicia's."
"Oh, I'd better ring a cab then," says Pam "I don't want to be late."
"Nonsense," says Marius looking horrified at the thought. "A beautiful woman like you unescorted in a common cab? No, I will escort you, if that is alright with you of course?"
Pam blushes in delight at the praise, she is feeling beautiful and incredibly special, it was such a pity that she had, had, so little time with Thorne, she gives herself a mental smack. This was a great day, and she was going to make the most of it, even if it was for such a short time.
Marius drives her to Felicia and escorts her to the door, as it opens, she gasps in shock, the whole living room has been set up, as if for a wedding. She looks around at everyone who are all standing to the side smiling at her. In front of the fireplace stands Charlie, in front of a new portrait of Stephanie. He walks towards her and opens a box before bending to one knee.
"Pamela Douglas, would you do me the honor of marrying me?" he asks solemnly.
Pam looks around as tears fill her eyes, her eyes settle on Thorne who smiles widely.
"Don't look at me, Charlie has already asked for my blessing and I gave it whole heartedly, as long as you love him, then it's okay by me."
" But how," she says looking around.
Felicia smiles, "You're dealing with a family that love and value you Aunt Pam, when Charlie came up with this idea, we kind of ran with it."
"So, what's your answer, don't leave us hanging Aunt Pam." chimes in Thomas from the side.
Pam takes the ring from the box and smiles radiantly down at Charlie, "Yes, the answer is yes!"
"So let's get this show on the road" says a very relived Charlie.
A local priest comes forward and takes his place as Charlie hurries back down the aisle to stand in front of him. Felicia hands Pam a small bouquet of Forget-me-nots and baby's breath then goes to her seat.
Pam is waiting for everyone to be seated, when, as the music starts Thorne steps forward and holds out his arm to her, "May I have the honor . . . Mother."
A sob escapes Pams lips as she gently takes Thornes arm, as she walks down the aisle she looks up at Stephanie's portrait above the fireplace, a feeling of extreme happiness and peace washes over her, and she knows that somewhere, her big sister is watching and smiling down on her.

As Pam is looking up at Stephanie's portrait, the patio doors burst open, everyone turns around to stare at the bedraggled figure standing there gasping for breath . . . Earlier that day . . .
Donna has come home from work early as she wants to create a lovely romantic evening for Eric when he gets home, she's done her hair and her make-up is flawless, as she lays out the gown she'll be wearing that evening she glances out the window and notices strangers over at Erics - now Felicias - walking in through the patio.
She frowns and goes to grab a pair of binoculars she's brought (to keep an eye on what Felicia might be up to), it's then she notices the sign printed on the back of their uniforms, it's a local catering and wedding hire service. Confused now she continues to watch them, even as they depart, it's then she sees the others arriving.
"Is someone getting married?" she mutters to herself.
She quickly rings a friend she has in the Forester make-up department, who tells her they've just finished giving Pam a make-over, and she's just left with Marius for an afternoon appointment somewhere.
Donna thanks her and hangs up, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes tear up -"Pammy?"
She looks around franticly, knowing she wasn't she realizes the security staff might not let her in so she decides to take matters into her own hands. She throws on the beautiful long gown she was going to wear that evening and her strappy sandals and rushes outside.
"Hold on Pammy, I'm coming," she says as she run down the long slope between the houses, as she passes halfway she slips on the wet lawn and tumbles the rest of the way, sliding face down the final six feet until she hits the large thick hedge that borders the property.
"Ugh," she cries as she picks herself up, trying to brush as much grass and dirt off of her now ruined dress as she can. She brushes her mussed up hair back and looks at the impenetrable hedge. Following it along another few feet she notices a small gap, and decides it's the only way, so she starts to edge her way through sideways. Unfortunately the hedge thickens a little the further in she gets, and she is soon forcing her way the last few feet, by the time she makes it through she's exhausted, her hair has been pulled out of it's neat French roll and is full of broken twigs and bits of hedge, her arms and face are scratched, and there is a large tear across the middle of the now filthy dress, She doesn't even notice she's so relieved to be free of the clawing shrubbery.
Her nostrils wrinkle a little as she realizes she's standing in a patch of freshly fertilized lawn, it's then she hears the music begin and she starts to run. It only takes two strides before the heel on her strappy sandal breaks sending her face first onto the freshly fertilized lawn.
A small scream escapes her but she gets back up and run/limps as fast as she can to the patio, seeing Pam on Thornes arm smiling radiantly she flings open the door and takes a step inside.
"Donna?" says Pam turning to stare at the disheveled, bleeding, wreck that is standing panting in the doorway looking at her.
"I know I wasn't invited, but you can't get married with-out me, you're my best friend in the whole world. I love you, Pammy!" she pants tearfully.
Felicia goes to stand but Pam holds up her hand to her, she then turns back to Donna who is looking at her pleadingly.
"And now my best friend is here to share my day, I couldn't think of a better surprise, she holds out her other arm and Donna's eyes light up as she runs forward and grabs it. Together she and Thorne walk Pam down the aisle, much to the amusement of everyone in the room.
After the ceremony as everyone is drinking and toasting Pam finally has a moment alone with Donna. "Have you read my email to you yet?" she asks.
Donna looks confused for a moment. "Oh, I changed providers and my email, I'll send it to you as soon as I get home.
Pam nods as Thorne calls for silence.
"Now that the weddings over, it's time for a few presents."
Pam shakes her head, "Please, there's no need, you've all done so much already."
"Nonsense says a grinning Felicia. "As a quick gift, Thomas, Steffy, Zende and I are giving you both six months off on full pay."
Pam and Charlie both gasp. "And I've picked these up for you," Thorne says handing over an envelope to a stunned Pam. "She opens the envelope shakily, her hand flying to her mouth as she sees the contents. She looks over at Charlie wide eyed. "It's two first class tickets to Rome." she says in shock.
"I want to get to know you a little better while you and Charlie explore Europe at your leisure." he says smiling.
Pam is crying, as Marius now steps forward and hands her some keys.
"While you are there you may use my apartment, it will make a good base for you to begin your adventure."
"We couldn't!" says Pam, in utter shock at this virtual strangers generosity.
"Nonsense," says Marius. "It's sitting there getting musty and being unloved, you will be doing me a favor . . . but when you return will be wanting to experience your famous lemon bars that everyone is so enamored of."
Pam smiles, "If, you're sure?" Marius nods smiling. She takes Charlie's hand and looks around the room
"Thank you all so much everyone, I feel so spoilt, so . . . loved." She focuses on Marius and laughs tearfully, "And I'll be making a whole batch for you as soon as we get back."
"Excellente," says Marius gaily.
Pam looks at the tickets and turns to Charlie, "We better hurry home and pack if we're to be at the airport on time."
"Whenever you're ready Mrs. Webber." He holds out his arm to a delighted looking Pam, before she takes it she goes over to Donna and hands her the Bouquet of Forget me nots, "I'm going to be sending you an email as soon as I have your new address. What you do with what I tell you is up to you, but please never forget, you're my best friend in the whole world too, and if you need me for anything, you know where I am!" she hugs the dirty disheveled, and now confused Donna, before quickly turning, grabbing Charlies arm and farewelling everyone.
As the cars pulls away Donna turns and looks at everyone, now suddenly realizing that she's in the "lion's den" so to speak.
"I'd better go" she says, her face flushing in discomfort.
"I'm glad you came," says Thorne walking forward and smiling at Donna. "We should have invited you, I guess you just got lost in the rush."
"That's okay, it was a wonderful wedding, and Pammy looked so happy so it all turned out well in the end." she smiles ruefully patting her rats nest hair down a little, "Well apart from this of course."
She smiles and starts limping out the front door.
"Please, allow me to drive you, you're hurt." says Marius joining them.
"Oh, but I smell" says Donna apologetically.
"What!," Marius cries in mock outrage. "You would deny a red-blooded Italian man the opportunity to rescue a beautiful woman in distress? Never!" He grins and sweeps her into his arms and carries her to his car where he deposits her gently in the front seat as she laughs happily.
Thorne and Felicia are a little surprised at the over-the-top gallantry shown by Marius as he drives off down there driveway, but both also saw the look of surprised delight on Donna's face.
This could prove interesting should Marius decide to pursue it.

After Pam and Charlie have left and everyone has finally decided to go home from what's turned into a joyous gathering, Finn and Steffy walk to their respective cars.
"I have to get back to work for a couple of hours," says Steffy apologetically.
Finn smiles down at her warmly as he says "I'll let Ameilia take off and get the kids fed, so don't worry about anything."
Steffy reaches up and cups his face before kissing him gently.
"I love you so much, sometimes I have to pinch myself at how lucky I've been to have met you."
"I'm the lucky one," Finn replies dragging her into his arms. "I have a beautiful, successful wife, and two wonderful kids. i couldn't ask for more."
He gazes off down the driveway, his body suddenly becoming stiff with shock, just for a moment he thought he'd seen . . . "No," he tells himself silently. "A trick of the light, there was nothing there."
He gathers his thoughts as Steffy pulls away from him. "Finn? Are you okay."
Finn plasters a smile on his face and looks at a questioning Steffy. "I'm fine, I just wish I didn't have to go into work tomorrow. Having a sexy, hot wife, is just far too tempting."
Steffy grins as she says. "Then I better finish up at work quickly, and when I get home, we'll explore those feeling a little more closely." She gives him another quick kiss and they both go to their cars and head their respective ways.
As Finn is driving away, he remembers what he thought he'd glimpsed out of the corner of his vision back at Felicias. He shakes himself mentally, "just a big day," he mutters. He hears a faint woman's laugh and looks around frantically, but once again, there's no-one there, he realizes he's left the radio on but has turned it down. Shaking his head he turns it back up again. Banishing his inward thoughts and fears and continues to his work.
Feeling a foolish

Marius and Donna arrive at Katies place and Marius insists on carrying her inside and making sure she's alright. As they enter the front door Donna says, "Just over there on the couch will be fine -Thank you"
Marius raises an eyebrow and looks straight into Donnas eyes, as a wicked smile curves his lips. "You don't want me to carry you to your bed?"
Donna blushes and hesitates for a fraction of a second before they both hear Erics voice from the staircase. "Donna? What's going on?"
"Donna has had a fall and injured her ankle, I was helping her home," says Marius as he walks over and very gently lowers Donna onto the couch.
Eric stares at Donna as he slowly takes in her appearance. "What happened, are you alright?"
Donna nods and gives a quick rundown on her afternoon adventures.
After she's finished Eric turns to Marius, "Thank you for bringing her home, but I can take it from here."
"You're sure?' says Marius giving Eric a somewhat speculative look. "I can carry her to her bedroom if you like."
"I'm sure." says Eric peevishly, "Now if you don't mind I have MY partner to take care of."
Marius shrugs unconcernedly before he turns to Donna and takes her hand, bending he kisses the back of it - just a whisper of lips brush against her skin as he looks into her eyes again and says "It's been a pleasure."
He turns and leaves, smiling at Eric as he goes.
Eric turns to Donna and asks if she needs anything, but all Donna now wants is to have a shower and get changed, she -rather flirtatiously - asks Eric to join her.
Eric stares at her for a minute before quickly saying he has to get back to R.E.B. Designs as he hasn't finished working and may have to stay there tonight.
Donna sighs in disappointed, telling him he's working far to hard.
After he's helped her to the shower he hurries out to his car. There is no work to go back to, he's finished for the night, but he's feeling utterly humiliated. Not only could he only take Donna's arm to help her upstairs instead of carrying her like Marius, but he hadn't missed the shiver of delight, or the look of momentary excitement that had entered Donna's eyes when she had looked at Marius. The thought of her comparing him and his aging body against the far younger man both terrified and enraged him. He starts the car and decides to drive back to his office, he'd stay there tonight. A tear starts to roll down his face as he is driving, it was happening all over again, just like with Quinn, the thought of being compared, and worse, found wanting, was just to much, he wasn't sure what to do now, Donna had always been true to him no matter what, but this Marius! Damn him! He kept driving as the sky slowly darkened around him.

The next morning Donna and Brooke are meeting for a late Brunch at Deacons (his restaurant) they are having a wonderful time, with Donna telling Brooke all about Pams wedding and what she did to get to it. She pulls out her phone and pulls up a picture that Felicia has sent her of her walking down the aisle with Thorne and Pam, when she notices a new message from Pam waiting in her inbox. She's curious as this is what Pam had hinted at, at her wedding, but she continues to talk to Brooke, deciding to read it a little later.
Just as Brooke is laughing and exclaiming about Donna's state of disrepair a delivery person walks up to the table.
"Excuse me, I have a delivery for a Donna Logan, the manager said this is the right table?" Donna smiles in surprise, "I'm Donna Logan she says curiously."
The delivery person smiles and says, "This is for you" and she puts a small velvet box on the table.
Brooke looks at Donna, her eyes bright with anticipation. "A surprise from Eric, Oh open it."
Donna opens the box in excitement, her eyes widen as a bright flush creeps up her cheeks as she stares at the contents.
"Well . . . What is it? What did he send you?" asks Brooke impatiently.
"It's not from Eric," says Donna reluctantly. "It's from Marius."
"Marius?" says Brooke with a frown, "Why would he be sending you presents? And what is it?"
Donna turns the box around so she can see a single pale blue Forget-me-not flower nestled on the cushion inside.
Brookes eyes widen. "That's so, so, well, . . . romantic! Donna, what have you done?" she says in shock.
Donna closes the lid on the box and surreptitiously puts it in her pocket as she explains that Marius had to drive her home because of her ankle, and he'd carried her inside to the couch.
Brooke shakes her head, now worried that her sister may be getting in over her head.
"Donna, Eric trusts you! Please be careful, you know nothing about Marius Van Deash, except he works for our competitors! Erics and Ridges direct competitors! He is probably just playing some kind of game with you!" she says angrily.
"It wasn't like that!" snaps Donna. "And I love Eric, I do!"
"But?" answers Brooke knowingly.
Donna looks at the table. "Well, things haven't been great between us, not since we moved in together. It's like, well, now that he's not sneaking around behind Quinn's back, he's lost a bit of interest in me."
Brooke frowns in thought as she looks at her sister, "You don't think his E.D. is coming back?"
"I don't know," says Donna in a worried voice, "I just know that something isn't right, and it hasn't been for a while, and when Marius picked me up in his arms . . . " she looks at Brooke pleadingly.
"It made you think, it made you wonder, if only for a minute!" she sighs.
Donna nods. "I'll admit, it was a shock to feel someone so strong holding me like that, and if I'm honest, it was kind of thrilling."
Brooke nods, "It's okay to be attracted to him Donna, even I'll admit he's very handsome, and the man is obviously no stranger to a gym, but you love Eric, you've loved him for a very long time . . . haven't you?"
Donna looks both thoughtful and frightened. "I thought I did, I thought Eric was everything I wanted for so long, but lately, it just seems like such hard work, like he's not that interested in me anymore . . . it hurts!"
Brooke lets out a long sigh. "I think you have to have a serious talk to Eric, find out what's happening with him," she reaches out and takes Donna's hand. "I know you'll work it out, you're meant to be together."
Donna gives Brooke a small smile and changes the subject to more mundane things. Shortly after they settle the bill and go their separate ways.
As Donna watches Brooke walk away, she reaches into her pocket and takes out the small box, she gazes at it for a moment before putting it safely in the purse.
Across the other side of the restaurant, watching covertly, Marius smiles to himself.

Donna has read the message from Pam and is sitting at home in shock, she reaches out to Brooke and tells her what has happened, Brooke is appalled but refuses to believe Eric could do something so vile to an innocent young girl. She immediately goes to Ridge and tells him what Donna has told her. Ridge too is shocked, but is far, FAR, more forgiving of Eric. He tells Brooke that there must be more to the situation than what Pam has told Donna, but worse, he worries that Thorne will now side with Steffy and Thomas against Him and Eric. He turns to Brooke and grabs her hands.
"We need something Logan! We need a way to outdo Thomas and Steffy without relying on our designs! We need some time; could Hope or Rick do something? Could you talk to them, convince Hope to join us after all, or convince her to throw a spanner in the works somehow? We need time!"
Brooke thinks for a moment. "Perhaps Hope could seduce Thomas again, I know he says he's moved on but I don't believe it! And we both know that he is vulnerable to her, she could then sue Foresters for sexual harassment, the scandal would put a big dent in their popularity for a while; what do you think" Would that be going to far, he is your son Ridge.
Ridge frowns in thought. "No, He's asked for this by playing dirty in the first place, if this buys us the time we need to establish ourselves as a force, or better yet, bury them, then so be it, they deserve everything they get!"
Brooke nods, "I'll talk to Hope and Liam this evening, I know she won't be happy, but I'm sure she'll do it, for me!"
Meanwhile unbeknownst to Brooke and Ridge, Donna has shown up at R.E.B. Designs and has shown Eric the email Pam has sent her.
After an enormous argument, where Eric tries to both blame Pam, say he was to drunk to know what he was doing, and it was in the past, he then tries to switch the argument back on to Donna by calling her reaction to Marius kissing her hand borderline whorish. Donna is more upset than outraged, she turns and walks away telling Eric that he's not welcome back in HER sisters home until she has had time to think. Eric puts on an outraged performance but Donna can see the relief in his eyes before he hides it. She is both dismayed and relieved, as she leaves the building, she takes out the box she has in her bag and opens it yet again. It takes a while before she realizes that Marius has made her finally realize that all she was to Eric was a side piece, an exciting, yet cheap fling. She's utterly devastated and goes home to contemplate her future, wondering if Marius really would be interested in someone older like her.

That night Brooke invites both Liam and Hope up to the main house. Unknown to her Douglas has decided that this would be a great time to record his parents for a school assignment he is doing on family's "lifestyles". He sneaks up five minutes earlier when Both Hope and Liam think he's in his room studying. Douglas's plan is to record his "parents" so he can add their voices to his presentation at school, so he quickly sneaks into the main room at Brookes and hides, switching on his phone so he can record his parents and his grandmother for his assignment.
It's not long before Hope and Liam arrive, so he sits quietly, grinning to himself at his cleverness and what his mom and grandmother will say.
Hope and Liam walk in, Brooke immediately hugs Hope and asks how her day was. Hope smiles and say fine, Both Liam and Brooke have noticed a marked improvement in Hopes demeanor the last few days. Brooke pours everyone a drink and starts some small talk as Douglas - still unseen - silently grins to himself from his hiding place, at how clever he's been, and what a great school report he's about to submit.
Brooke turns to Hope, "Honey, I know you're not going to like this but I have something to ask of you."
Hope frowns at the seriousness of Brookes statement as Liam leans forward in anticipation.
Brooke takes a deep breath, "I was talking to Ridge and we both agreed, R.E.B needs time to establish itself, without the constant comparisons and the threat of Foresters looming over our head!"
Hope frowns as she looks at her mother, "So, what do you want me to do?" she asks in genuine puzzlement.
Brooke outlines the plan to her as Liam sits there like a stunned mullet. Before Hope can say a word Brooke chimes in "Honey, you won't have to get physical with him, just work it like you did when you tricked him into signing the forms so you could get custody of Douglas! He'd never be the wiser until it's too late, just like when you got your son from him! "
Hope stares at her mother in horror for a moment before saying " And what if Thomas tells Douglas or worse, the authorities, that I pushed him into what I thought was a vat of acid and didn't tell anyone, and that I just grabbed Douglas, as well as the papers and just left him to die without telling a soul? Or that both you and I lied to Ridge when he asked if we'd seen his son, what would we do then? Douglas would never understand if he knew everything, we'd done to get him away from his father!"
"Douglas will never know any of this sweetheart," says Brooke confidently. "And we already know that Thomas is vulnerable to you, this could be the turning point for our new company honey - we need you! I need you " she adds plaintively.
Douglas is still sitting in his hiding place, except now the confident smile has been wiped from his face at what he's just heard. Hope, his mother, the one person in his entire world that he had confidently thought he could trust - had lied! She had tricked his dad! She had stolen him from him, and worse, way, way worse, she had thought she'd killed his dad and kept quiet about it with his grandmother! He was reeling, every word was like a fresh dagger to his heart, he'd trusted her completely, believed her, completely! As Brooke finished her plea to Hope he found himself rising, a look of anger and betrayal on his ashen face. As tears streamed freely from his eyes everyone turned in shock at his unexpected appearance.
"I hate you!" he screams, his face contorted in horror and shock, before he turns and runs from the room and out into the darkness.
Hope, Brooke and Liam are still frozen in shock at Douglas's unexpected appearance from behind a plant stand in the corner, as he races from the room Hope stands up, horror and fear etched across her face. "Douglas: she screams as Douglas runs from the room. "Wait, let me explain!" but it's to late, Douglas has disappeared into the encroaching evening.
Hope turns to Brooke in shock and horror, "What have you done?" she screams in despair.
Liam jumps up. " It's alright, I'll find him, we'll explain so he'll understand." He runs from the room as Brooke turns to Hope.
"I didn't know," she exclaims, "Oh honey, I'm so sorry, don't worry, Liam will find him, we'll explain that it was all just a misunderstanding, he'll believe us." she says confidently.
Hope stares at her mother in disbelief. "What? What is wrong with you? You . . . No," she gasps brokenly, "We've just destroyed a little boy's faith and trust. His happiness, his security!" she sobs.
"Douglas is a smart little boy, he trusted me, he thought I'd always told him the truth, this will devastate him! You have devastated him!" she screams before she too gets up and runs from the room to search for Douglas.

Thomas is sitting in his apartment having a glass of wine and relaxing after a long day, the remains of a meal lie on the table as he leans back on his coach, eyeing the dish with annoyance. "I'll clean up in a minute." he mutters taking another sip and closing his eyes as he savors the flavor.
A sharp knock at the door snaps him out of his reverie he checks his watch, it's 9.40, he quickly puts his glass down and goes to see who could be calling.
On the other side of the door he discovers a middle aged woman and Douglas.
"You are Thomas Forester?" she asks.
"Yes," he says in surprise looking from the woman to Douglas. "Bud, what's this about?" he asks in confusion.
"I found him at a bus stop with no money, he said he was trying to get home to you." snaps the woman.
Thomas is bewildered, "Why didn't you call me, I would have come and got you, and where is Hope?" Seeing fresh tears streaming down Douglas's face Thomas steps up to him and takes him by the shoulders. "Douglas, what's happened?"
Douglas shakes his head and simply falls into his father's arms crying his heart out.
Thomas looks at the woman, "I can take it from here, thank you for your help, if there's anything I can do to repay you please don't hesitate to ask, just call Forester creation and ask to speak to me."
The woman nods, looking at Douglas with concern before turning and leaving.
Thomas gently ushers Douglas into the lounge and seats him on the couch. Finally, Douglas blurts out the whole story of what he heard, by the end of it he's sobbing, half hysterical as he tries to tell his Dad how sorry he is, and how he never wants to leave him again, and to please not hate him because he didn't know.
Thomas takes his sons shoulders and tells him to look at him. When Douglas raises his tear-stained face Thomas smiles at him gently.
"I could never hate you Douglas." When Douglas goes to open his mouth Thomas says firmly.
"Never! I love you, and no matter what happens between us I want you to remember that okay bud? I love you now, and I will always love you. As to what you heard, you have done nothing wrong in any of this, NOTHING!" he repeats more firmly.
"As to your Mum and Brooke, well, I'll admit, I wasn't a nice person back then, I guess they might have thought they were doing the right thing at the time."
"You didn't hear Grandma Brooke." says Douglas angrily. "If I had my phone I could play it to you, but I left it behind the big pot plant by the patio window, I had recorded it all, I could show you. That's why I didn't call you, when I heard what they were saying I just kind of stood up and forgot all about it." he says in dismay.
"When did you run away?" asks Thomas
Douglas ducks his head and tells Thomas it was around 7, just as it got dark. Thomas is incensed.
"So over two and a half hours ago, and no-ones bothered to call me to tell me my son is missing." he says angrily.
"Okay bud, I need to go and see Hope and Brooke, but I'll have to get someone to come and watch you okay."
He quickly calls a nearby friend and had Douglas have a shower, he's settled in bed by the time Thomas's friend arrives. Thomas goes to see him and give him a quick kiss on the head before reassuring him he won't be long, and that he's safe now. then he leaves for Brookes.

Thomas arrives at Brookes at around 10:30 and knocks on the door, just as his mobile rings, he glances at it and see's it's Hope, just as the door opens.
Brooke is standing there, worry clearly showing on her face, "Thomas? Hope was just calling you, there's been a problem with Douglas."
"I know." snaps Thomas as he walks past Brooke and into the living room where Liam and Hope are standing.
"You know?" says Liam
"Douglas is at my place."
"And you didn't think to ring us." screams Hope. "I was frantic!"
"What kind of a monster are you rages both Brooke and Liam." as they stare accusingly at Thomas.
Thomas, his temper barely in check starts to walk over to the plant near the patio as he snaps at them, "Monster? Me? What type of people don't bother to tell a father his son is missing? What type of people allow a young child to wander the streets at night until a stranger finds him and brings him home to his UNKOWING father? Oh, there are monsters here alright, but this time it's not me, so don't project your own blame onto my shoulders because I'm not having it! Ahh there it is" he adds quietly as he reaches down and snatches up Douglas's phone.
"Douglas said he recorded everything you said, I think it's time I know exactly what was going on, the poor kid was so upset everything was a bit garbled.
Hopes eyes go wide as she reaches out with her hand, "No, please Thomas, don't."
"That's not your property Thomas, give it back," says an angry Liam stepping forward.
Thomas narrows his eyes at Liam and says quietly, "Do you really want to go there? Because I'm more than ready anytime you are."
Liam stops at the now very dangerous look in Thomas's eyes, just as Ridge walks in the front door and stops in surprise. "What's going on? Thomas, why are you here? Has something happened?" Before anyone can say another word Thomas looks down at the phone and presses a few buttons, suddenly the whole conversation is being replayed to them all.
Thomas is gutted as he realizes that he was played, he knew of course, but he never understood that it was all a plan cooked up between Hope and Brooke from the beginning. He wants to lash out, but that is the old him, instead he breathes deeply trying to control himself. The fact that they were going to try to use that same trick again, that they were going to try to set back all the progress he had made, that they would destroy him, with no qualms whatsoever, and worse, with no regards for his relationship with his son shocks him more than he thought possible.

He stands there trembling, but not with the expected rage, he's actually heartbroken that they would use what he felt against him, and would continue to do it, even his own father, he's gutted.
Hope and Brooke started crying and saying "It wasn't like that, you were ill, we were trying to protect Douglas, this was all for Douglas."
Hope runs over to him and grabs his arm. "Please Thomas, I have to talk to Douglas, I have to make him understand, please, I'm his mother."
"NO," After hearing this, he holds up the phone, "And worse, knowing that Douglas heard this, there is no way in hell he's coming back to this pit of vipers. I have an appointment with my therapist tomorrow, instead of me I'm taking Douglas, he needs the help more than me at the moment, and until he's ready, he's not seeing any of you."
"Thomas, you can't" scream Brooke. Ridge reaches out to grab Thomas's arm as he strides to the door.
Thomas stops as Ridge glares at his son, "So, you're proving to us once again you're going to use your own son to try to hurt Hope! Don't do this Thomas, it's wrong, Douglas needs his mother."
"And what the hell would you know about what a child needs?" says Thomas contemptuously. "The mighty Ridge Forester, still prepared to destroy his own kids for the SFTV he married. It's you who have proven who the real monsters are, and I won't let you pile on the hate and ugliness of your lives the same way you did to Steffy, Phoebe, and me! Those days are over!" He shakes his arm loose before adding "DAD!" in a sneering tone.
He storms out the door as Hope collapses on the floor sobbing hysterically.
Brooke runs to her daughter as Ridge stares at the door in shock.
As he hears Thomas's car drive away, he turns to Liam. "What the hell did I just walk into?"
Liam closes his eyes and looks at the fallen form of his wife and his mother-in-law.
"It's a long story," he says sadly.

The next day is in a turmoil. Ridge has brought Eric to live at Brookes, because of him breaking up with Donna. Brooke has gone to see Donna, whilst Liam and Hope are trying to figure out what to do about Thomas refusing to give Douglas back, or let Hope speak to him.
Liam has decided that he'll go and see his father to see if he'll help them with some of his legal contacts, whilst Hope decides to miss work and crash the Dr's office that she knows Thomas will be taking Douglas to, after they agree on their plan both go their separate ways.
Hope is waiting in her car when she sees Thomas pull up in front of Dr Harris's office and walk inside with Douglas, as she goes to follow she is waylaid by a parking officer and has to spend a further 15 minutes at her car before she can follow. When she arrives at the Dr's suite, she finds Thomas exiting a room and going over to a couch where he sits and picks up a random magazine.
She bites the bullet and walks up to him, "I want to speak to my son, now Thomas" she demands.
Thomas raises an eyebrow at her in amusement. "You don't get to demand anything anymore Hope, not after what you, Brooke and Liam did to my son. As to Douglas, he's in talking to Dr Harris, the Dr wanted some time alone with him, and as I had already booked a double appointment for myself, I've given them that time to make a start on his trauma."
"Thomas, if I could just explain," begins Hope.
"No, I've heard all I ever want to hear from you Hope! I know this is probably going to be hard for you to hear, but this isn't about you, or what you want! This is about an extremely hurt and confused little boy, my son, so you can take all your self-serving excuses and cram them up your . . ." He shakes his head. "I'm just not interested!"
"Can I wait to speak with the Dr then? To see how Douglas is and if I can help?"
Thomas stares at her for a long moment before saying. "As long as you swear on Beths life that if Douglas doesn't want to speak to you then you will leave! Is that understood?"
Hopes eyes widen in shock before she nods unwillingly, "I swear" she says softly.
"I mean it Hope, I won't have you badgering or upsetting Douglas again, and I can promise you this, I will do what-ever is necessary to shut you up if you try anything; are we clear?" says Thomas viciously.
Hope looks at him in both fear and shock before she nods her head and sits quietly. Her plans to beg Douglas's forgiveness and to explain to him that she was doing everything for him at that time had just gone out the window as she realized that Thomas was deadly serious.
Over an hour later Dr Harris opens the door and beacons Thomas to come in. Thomas introduces Hope and the Dr nods telling her that she too should come in as they has a few things to discuss.
As they walk in Douglas looks up, before quickly looking at the floor when he see's Hope enter with Thomas. Hopes face crumples as she tries to hold back tears.
The Dr sits and smiles at Douglas as he says, "Douglas and I have had a nice long chat about some of the things that are bothering him, and some other things that he hasn't really admitted to until now."
Thomas looks from the Dr to Douglas and back again as the Dr continues.
"Douglas is an exceptional young man, he's bright, intuitive, and empathic, he also has the ability to compartmentalize his feelings," he smiles as Douglas looks up. "Well, most times."
Douglas smiles at him as the Dr says, "Are you sure Douglas?" Douglas looks up and nods, before looking back at the floor.
"Being able to compartmentalize your problems is very handy, it's especially good for people like soldiers, Dr's, Firefighters etc, but it does have a major drawback, for quite a few, being able to ignore the feelings of stress, pain, fear and do what needs to be done still comes with the same cost as someone who feels everything as it happens. These people have a very bad tendency to squash the emotions that they really don't want to deal with and totally lock them down, until one day, they simply burst open and everything comes tumbling out."
Thomas and Hope both frown as the Dr continues. "Douglas has been doing this with his feelings about the death of his mother." He looks at Hope before saying, "From what I've been able to ascertain, you and Douglas met each other in your greatest hours of need. You when you thought you'd lost your child, and Douglas when he'd lost his mother, you both filled a void in each other's life, except you got your daughter back, but Douglas never got his mother back, and he's been left with the pain of her passing and the guilt he feels at the thought he so quickly replaced her."
"No, Douglas, Caroline passing wasn't your fault, she would have wanted you to be loved by a mother again, by me." says Hope quickly.
Thomas casts her a venomous look before adding, "It's okay bud, you can feel whatever you need to feel, we're here for you."
The Dr nods as Douglas looks up at his father. 'That's good to hear, because Douglas has a proposal for you both. Right now he's very confused, he's hurting, and he has a lot he has to work through, so after putting our heads together we've come up with a solution until he's feeling a little more himself."
"Anything, I'll do anything!" says Thomas earnestly as Hope nods in agreement.
"Douglas has decided he'd like to go spend the school break with his Grandmothers in New York, he's only got a couple of weeks until the end of term so I have advised him to take them off now and travel early." He winks at Douglas who is staring at him, "He wants to beat the holiday rush." Douglas grins. "We've decided to set up a schedule of appointments between us so we can continue our talks, Douglas has suggested we Skype as it's a lot easier, and I'm in agreement."
"I'll ring Karen as soon as we get home," Thomas promises Douglas.
"One more thing," says Dr Harris seriously. "Douglas feels that he wants to return fulltime to his father's care when he returns, right at this moment he doesn't feel like he wants any communication with his adoptive mother." He looks at Hope as she gasps "No, please Douglas, I love you, you're my son."
Douglas begins to get upset so the Dr puts his hand up. "Please Mizz Logan, any further outburst and I will have to ask you to leave! Douglas is my main concern at this juncture, and I think it would be in his best interest to let him set the pace, so he's comfortable , , , not you."
Hope starts to cry and looks as though she's about to argue when Thomas stands abruptly.
"Thank you Dr Harris, I'll organize everything as soon as I get Douglas back home, and I'll set up a schedule between your office and Karen and Douglas."
The Dr Nods and Thomas sweeps up Douglas into his arms and heads out of the office before Hope realizes what he's done.
She quickly mumbles some apologies to the Dr grabs her bag and heads out the door, just in time to see the elevator doors closing On Thomas and Douglas.
"Wait!" she cries, but she's to late, the doors whoosh close taking Douglas away and out of her life, devastated she stands there, before finally stumbling to wait for the lifts return.

Meanwhile Steffy is meeting Taylor for a late breakfast at Deacons before she goes to work. She walks in and see's Deacon already sitting at the table talking to Taylor and laughing, she also notices the smile and light blush on her mother's cheeks. She frowns to herself for a moment, not sure if she likes the implications of what she's seeing.
Deacon looks up as she approaches the table. "Well it looks like your date has arrived so I'll get out of your hair, oh, and I recommend the bacon, ' he says with a wink at Taylor.
Taylor starts laughing and waves him away, at Steffi's bemused look she says, "Deacon was just telling me a joke,"
Steffy shakes her head, "It's so good to see you laughing and smiling again mom, there was a time when I never thought it would happen."
Taylor smiles, "Me either if I'm being honest, but believe it or not, Deacon has helped a lot."
"Deacon?" says Steffy incredulous.
"There's a lot more to Deacon than anyone of us gives him credit for, and truthfully, I've come in here four times now, just because he comes over and makes me laugh, or gives me some little bit of wisdom."
"You're kidding? Wisdom from Deacon Sharpe?" says Steffy in complete surprise.
"Mmmm, says Taylor thoughtfully. " He made me see that part of what I felt for your father was a combination of me simply needing to beat Brooke, and never seeing Ridge for the weak, ungrateful, spoilt man-child that he is. After all these years I now look back in total horror at what I went through, what I put myself and my kids through, the example I set for you, and for what? A waffling, ungrateful brat of a man. I'm just so grateful that my beautiful, proud and headstrong daughter has proved to be so much wiser and stronger than I ever was." she says reaching out and taking Steffi's hand.
Steffi looks into her mother's face and nods. "I don't care if it's Deacon that's brought about this change in you, because I'm all for it . . . just please, be careful, okay!"
Taylor smiles, "The man hasn't even asked me on a date yet, but if he does, I promise, I will be careful."
Steffy nods, "That's all I can ask, now let's order," she says as she picks up the menu.

Later that day Marius drops into Deacons for lunch, as he's finishing up Deacon walks up and points at the vacant chair and says "May I"
Marius contemplates him for a moment before giving a slight nod.
Deacon frowns slightly before saying, "As an acquaintance of your fathers I thought I should give you some friendly advice."
Marius's eyes narrow as he stares at Deacon. Deacon holds up his hands in mock surrender.
"Seriously man, I'm honestly trying to do you a solid here! I noticed you watching Donna Logan when she was in here yesterday, I just wanted to warn you to be careful!"
Marius tilts his head to the side and studies Deacon for a moment. "You're interested in her yourself?" He asks.
"Hell no! laughs Deacon. "The Logan woman bring nothing but pain and disaster to any man they set their sights on, trust me, I know from personal experience!
Marius smiles, "Yet you seem to be a man who flirts with danger, tell me, has my father hired you to keep an eye on me, or is this your way of ingratiating yourself to him, if so, I'd be very careful, my father has a bad tendency to run through staff."
Deacon shrugs, "Look, I'll be honest, your father is the one who loaned me the money to buy this place," he says waving his arm at the dining room. "He even gave me a very reasonable rate of interest, but it was on the condition I send him anything I should happen to overhear about you. What can I say, I saw a good deal and I went for it."
Marius stares at Deacon for a moment before nodding, "At least you're honest about it, I can respect that, but a word of warning Deacon, never cross him, no matter what might be happening, or who you might want to help, never, ever, cross him!"
Deacon nods, "I know his reputation man, I'm playing this straight up the line, trust me!"
Marius nods, " Good, then tell my father I seem to be interested in Donna Logan who I met at a recent wedding of one of the Foresters family, also tell him that you and I have talked and we have struck up an acquaintance . . . he'll like that," he says with a smile. "Now, tell me more about this Donna Logan."
Deacon smiles and tells Marius everything he knows about Donna, and also some tasty tidbits about both Brooke and Katie, when he's finished he smiles and says, "And that's just the tip of the iceberg with the other two, but Katie and Carter have just taken off for parts unknown, and Brooke is doing whatever Brooke does, which is normally causing some kind of trouble for some poor slob, still, as long as it's not me I'm happy."
Just then Hope walks into the bar area and see's Deacon, she rushes over to him and falls into his arms as he stands up. "He's gone!" she sobs as Marius looks on at the little scene.
"Hope? Calm down honey. What's happened, who's gone?" says Deacon as he gently pushes her back and looks into her eyes.
"Douglas, he's with Thomas, Mom ruined everything and now he's going to New York and then back to live with Thomas permanently."
"Slow down Honey, now come with me out the back and we'll sit down in some privacy," he glances at Marius before looking back at his distraught daughter, "And you can tell me exactly what Brooke has done to you and your son!"
As they leave Marius watches them deep in thought before he takes out his phone and makes a brief call, when he hangs up he nods to himself and leaves the restaurant.

The next morning Hope decides to go into work as she doesn't want to tempt her mother into visiting her, she had pretended to be asleep when she had come to the cabin the previous night to apologize yet again for Douglas overhearing what she had said, but Hope didn't want to hear it, she wanted to be left alone to try to figure out how she might be able to turn this around. This morning Liam had tried to talk to her too, blaming Thomas for everything, but placing no blame on Brooke where - to Hopes mind - it belonged. If only she had kept her mouth shut! Why did she have to bring that up again, even Liam had looked shocked at what she'd said, she knew she still had some explaining to do to him about how she'd handled things back then, and the things she'd done, but not now. Liam deserved no explanation at the moment, he'd been sniffing around Steffy at the time - AGAIN! He hadn't fought for her when she'd needed him most, instead he'd run straight back to his ex. Thomas's words came back to haunt her. You're in love with a man who's still in love with my sister, you're just the woman who he "thinks" he should love, the woman who is worthy enough for him - just like his mother! She felt like vomiting, so she got up early and went into the office so she could hand in her resignation before Thomas fired her, the thought of him berating her, holding what she had done over her head, it was untenable. As she settled into her chair and opened her laptop she was surprised by a knock on the door, and even more surprised when Marius entered.
"I saw you walk past my office and I just wanted to check to see if you are alright?" he said as he walked over to her desk.
Hopes eyes widen in annoyance, "I'm fine," she snaps, "And please, I would appreciate it if you mind your own business. I'm just in to hand in my resignation letter."
"Why?" asks Marius with a questioning look.
"None of your business." says Hope trying to ignore him.
But Marius continues, "Let me give you some advice, from someone who has been through many turbulent times with a somewhat well-known parent."
Hope snorts and looks at Marius mockingly, "More famous than Brooke Logan, I doubt that very much."
Marius smiles back at her, his eyebrow raised in amusement, " Brooke Logan is nothing so much as a silly by-line compared to Antonio Veron - don't you think?"
Hope frowns, "You mean the . . . " she stops herself for a moment before Marius continues.
"I think the words you are looking for a Hoodlum, Mafia Baron, or perhaps ruthless, uncompromising Businessman is more to your taste, after all, he has toned down his more questionable activities in an effort to become legit in the last decade or so, but still, I think you get my drift."
Hope nods, "You last name?"
Marius smiles, "My mothers, she was an artist, a painter and sculptor, I like to think it is her that I take after, her that I have inherited my artistry from."
Hope sighs, "Well I can't say I haven't heard of your father." she says. "But what has that got to do with me?"
Marius frowns and looks at her solemnly, " Because neither one of us can change our parentage, and neither one of us can escape it, no matter how hard we try… But that doesn't mean we have to either embrace it, or learn to live with it. You are a grown woman, you have your own wants and needs, what your mother has done, or continues to do is NOT up to you to either condone or condemn, it's not even any of your business."
Hopes face reddens in anger but Marius holds up his hand.
"I learnt very early on that either trying to please or displease my father brought nothing but discontent and unhappiness to me, it was only after I decided to truly live my own life, and to hell with what my father said or did that I truly became happy, and managed to find peace in my life. Of course, it helped that my father had A.J, my fraternal twin, and a chip of the old block to help him, but I think you get my drift."
Hope stares at him for a long time before saying quietly, "I should move out, I should have moved out years ago, but I've been so intent on . . . " She looks up at Marius. "You're right, none of this would have happened if I'd just done what Liam has wanted since I first became pregnant with Beth, everything would be so different."
Don't beat yourself up," says Marius gently, "Some growth can only come through pain, you will be alright again, you'll be stronger, happier, more content. So, why do you want to quit? I thought you loved your job?"
Hope sighs before saying, "After what just happened there's no way Thomas will want to have me here, I have no choice."
Marius leans forward and looks Hope in the eyes, "There is always a choice Hope. Things may be a little uncomfortable for you, yes, but Thomas is not head designer for your line anymore, he helps, guides, adjusts Zendes designs, and may contribute one or two himself, but mostly he is working for me, and I can keep him extra busy the next few days if that will help." he says with a smile.
"That would help greatly," she says with a teary smile before adding, "Why are you being so kind to me, you don't even know me."
"We have many things in common." says Marius with a little smile, "And I think you could use a friend right about now -no? Now, I shall leave you to your work." he adds before turning and walking out the door.
Hope smiles a little as she sits at her desk, she is feeling little more relaxed and at peace with herself, she has at least got a plan going forward, and who knew what the future would bring, she had Beth and Liam still (even though Thomas's words still hung in the sir between them), and maybe Douglas would change his mind when he got back from holidays.
Outside the door Marius stood for a moment, a slow, satisfied smile curling his lips before he went back to his office

Back at Brookes she's having breakfast with Ridge telling him she's unsure of what to do, and asking if he has any ideas about how they can "handle" Thomas and what "he's" doing to Hope.
Ridge tells her he rang up Taylor yesterday and told her that Thomas had taken Douglas after a small misunderstanding, and was refusing to let Hope talk to him and explain things, and take him home, but was instead sending him off to New York. He says Taylor suggested them meeting at Deacons this morning. Ridge doesn't want to set foot in the establishment, but he has agreed to meet her as this is so important to Brooke and Hope. He's sure he can get her to talk to Thomas and make him see reason. Ridge looks at his watch and takes a last sip of his coffee, before saying he's going to be late if he doesn't hurry. Brooke smiles and kisses him goodbye whilst wishing him luck, she needs to give her daughter some positive news, especially after she refused to even speak to her last night, and then she'd heard her car driving off early this morning, she hated that she was getting the blame again for - in her mind - something that was clearly Thomas's fault.
Ridge walks into Deacons, disgusted that the restaurant seems full and lively, he hates the fact that his business is becoming more successful than it ever was. He looks around and see's Taylor, she's talking to Deacon who is sitting at her table talking to her and smiling. He frowns in consternation, Taylor looks radiant, she's smiling, laughing, and talking animatedly to that lowlife. He decides he'll put a stop to this immediately and stalks over.
"Taylor, what is he doing here?" he snaps.
Taylor looks up in surprise at the abrasive, condescending, and downright rude way Ridge has just addressed Deacon, and she's having none of it.
"Excuse me Ridge, but I can talk to whomever I want, believe it or not you're not my keeper - or my jailor!" she snaps back.
Deacon stands and grins at Ridge, "I believe the lady has spoken." He turns to Taylor, "If you need anything," he stresses, "just call me." He winks at her and saunters off.
"Really! Sharpe, you're really going to lower yourself that far?"
"Deacon has been a breath of fresh air to me actually," taunts Taylor who is now annoyed beyond measure at Ridges hateful words. "It's been lovely to be able to talk to someone who is honest, and can actually be forthright with his feeling."
"So I was right, your trying to get back at me for going back to Brooke by degrading yourself with that parasite!" says Ridge, his voice rising spitefully as his growing anger starts to get the better of him.
Deacon walks back over concerned at the growing altercation, he also notices that some people have started discretely filming the incident on their phones - this is news - big news.
"Oh my god! your ego really knows no bounds does it? Believe it or not Ridge, what I do or who I see is none of your damn business, and you're that only one degrading themselves - you're the one who walked in here and caused as scene."
"Taylors right! It's time to reign in that jealousy Ridge, I don't allow this kind of behavior in my restaurant, and I don't allow men to bully woman either, it's the height of cowardice, so take you aging body back to your failing business, you're now banned from these premises!" says Deacon as he arrives at the table.
Ridge turns around incensed at the verbal beatdown, he takes a swing at Deacon who neatly sidesteps and gets Ridge in a headlock before frog marching him out to the pavement where he throws him unceremoniously to the ground. Deacon knows a couple of people have followed him, still filming.
"Don't come back Forrester, you're not welcome! Next time I'll call the police and have you arrested for trespass and assault if you try to attack any of my customers or staff again!" He then turns and walks back inside. As Ridge picks himself up ready to launch himself at Deacon again, he finally notices the cameras. Even he is not so stupid, he knows he's made another huge mistake so he flees back to his offices to try to figure out what to do.
Back in the restaurant Deacon has a quick word to a waiter before he goes to check on Taylor.
"You didn't have to do that, but Thank You" she says earnestly.
"Coming to the aid of my favorite customer was a pleasure, the fact that I got to stick it to that bloated puffed up baboons a$$, that was just the icing on the cake." he says with a warm smile.
Taylor thinks for a moment before blurting out, "Well, I'd like to thank you, can I buy you dinner?"
Deacon smiles in delight, "I'd love that, just name a time and place and I'm there."
Taylor thinks for a moment before smiling, "Tonight, and dress casual, I'll pick you up around seven?"
"Perfect, well if I'm going out tonight I'd better go re-arrange the roster, I'll see you tonight."
As he strolls off Taylor smiles to herself before leaving, what had threatened to turn into an ugly melee had turned into a promising date, and for the first time in what feels like centuries, Taylor finds herself rather excited by the prospect.
As she leaves the waiter that Deacon had spoken to earlier is now talking to the second person who Deacon had noticed filming the fight, he's already spoken to the first. He hands the patron a slip of paper and tells them quietly that Eye On Fashion might just pay them for such juicy footage if they can get an exclusive, both patrons leave immediately, their phones already out of their pockets.

Ridge, Eric, Brooke and Liam all know about the "altercation" at Deacons, they have kept it from Hope in the "hope" that it will just go away, but next morning the story breaks, Eye On Fashion is running hard with it, it's online pages playing both full tapes, Bill has also on-sold the video and full accompanying story to every major news outlet he can get money out of, both online and in print, he's made a packet after his initial outlay, added to that, he has painted Ridge as a bullying toe rag and Deacon as Taylors savior from something that could have developed into something far more unsavory. R.E.B. Designs has been inundated with calls, even the day before Liam was fending off Eye On Fashion reporters, but now that the story has hit, it's chaos. Added to Liams woes, Bill has made sure that Liams name has been reported as the "spokesperson" for R.E.B. Designs, Liam Logan - not Spencer- Liam is incensed, and now every news report has mentioned it, with no-ones bothering to correct the mistake - Bill in the meantime, thinks it's a hoot and a half.
Deacon on the other hand has been painted as a heroic figure who came to the rescue of a woman by herself, a woman being berated by a jealous thug - Ridge - He has been fending off reporters by smiling graciously and simply saying he merely did what any halfway decent man would do if he sees a woman being "attacked", and that his patrons, no matter what their income, fame - or lack thereof - always come first, and he won't have them bothered by a violent bully, not whilst he has anything to do with it. Deacon is a hit, he's made the customers feel as if they come before the rich and famous, his restaurant is booked solid for the next month, he's even wondering if he could expand a little to make the most of his newfound fame.
Taylor has had her secretary telling anyone who rings that she has no comment, she does see Deacons comments though and smiles in amusement that he's at least trying to be modest about what he did, she realizes he's played the scene a lot cleverer than she would have given him credit for. Steffi's warning comes to her mind and she decides that yes, she will be careful, there is a lot more to Deacon Sharpe than even she thought, but a little fun never hurt anyone, and she's more than ready for a little fun.

Meanwhile at Steffi's, Finn walks in as Steffy is getting ready for work.
"Amelias here," he says frowning as he's watching his phone.
Steffy looks up, noticing the strange tone in his voice. "What's wrong?" she asks in concern.
"You better have a look at this," he says passing her the phone.
She takes the phone and listens to the latest news report from the Eye On Fashion reporter. She's listens in shock and bewilderment as he reports on the incident at Deacons yesterday, then gasps in outrage as the footage plays of Ridge berating Taylor, and of Deacon throwing him out.
"How could he do that? How could he attack mum like that, especially in public. If Deacon wasn't there to defend her, she would have been publicly humiliated! My god Finn, he's my father, how low can he sink?"
"It sounds like Taylors okay but I don't like to think of what is going to happen to Ridge over this, the publicity seems to be blowing up, and you can bet they'll be after a statement from you, Thomas or Felicia about the whole thing."
"I'm so sorry you're getting dragged through our family dramas Finn, will you be okay? It's just that I have to go check on mum, to make sure she's okay." says Steffy desperately.
Finn shrugs, "I'm fine, you just go do what you gotta do, Amelia's here and I can handle any calls with a simple no comment!"
"I love you so much, I don't know what I've done to be so blessed in finding you." she replies as she reaches up and kisses him.
Finn smiles as he finally releases her and she grabs her bag, as she's leaving she turns back quickly, "Oh, Liams coming over this afternoon to pick up Kelly for some daddy time. I know it's your day off and you'll be surfing, but just a heads up in case you come in and Kelly's not here." she blows him a quick kiss and races out the door, she doesn't see him frowning at her as the door closes.
"I told you, Liam still wants her, he's going to take her from you as soon as he can, you have to do something honey, he can't be trusted." says a barely heard whisper.
"Shut up!" says Finn looking around widely. A faint laugh is his only answer as Amelia walks out with the kids. He quickly excuses himself; he has to get out of there for a while to calm himself, this is the third time he's heard Sheila. It had first started as quick glimpses, moments he'd thought he'd seen something . . . someone, for just a second before he looked back to find nothing but a shadow, then yesterday the voice had started, it was always very faint, like someone whispering through a wall to him, yet he always knew exactly who it was and what she said. She'd told him she loved him, then later, that she'd never leave him, and finally, when he'd been in his office looking at a picture of Steffy, Kelly, and Hayes. she'd then returned to tell him that he couldn't trust Liam. He was terrified, it was getting out of hand and he knew it, but he wasn't sure what to do, he'd killed her and he couldn't confess that to anyone, so he'd resorted to pretending it wasn't happening. Shaking his head, he hurried away to get changed to go down to the beach for a while, to find some peace.

Steffy arrives at Taylors practice just as one of her patients is leaving, she knocks on the open door to double check her mother is alone. Taylor looks up and smiles in exasperation at her daughter's appearance.
"I'm fine," she says looking at her earnestly.
Steffy walks in "You're sure? Why didn't you call me last night and tell me what happened? What is wrong with dad?" she fumes.
Taylor smiles at her daughter, "First question, yes, I'm sure, I'm perfectly fine, I just wish reporters would stop calling me for my reaction. Second question, I didn't call because I was both getting ready for a date and then on a date. Third question, I think your father is under more pressure than he's been his entire life. He not only has a business that's not the immediate success he was expecting, his son and daughter are succeeding beyond his wildest dreams when he thought they'd fail without him, his father and Brooke to prop them up, and I should imagine he has Brooke whining in his ear about the Hope, Thomas and Douglas situation, and she'll be wanting him to influence anyone that might have a connection to Thomas to push Hopes case."
Steffy stands there with her eyes wide, "You had a date?" she asks excitedly. "Did Deacon ask you out after what happened?"
"No, I asked him out she says as a slow smile spreads across her face.
Steffy smiles at the look on her mother's face, "By the look on your face I'm taking it went well?"
Taylor nods as she flashes back to the previous evening. "It was nothing special, I just ordered some Thai food and we ate out on the deck chairs watching the ocean and had a couple of beers. It was , well . . . nice, low key, no pressure."
Steffy grins, "And Deacon, did he seem to have as good a time as you obviously did?"
Taylor lets out a long breath, "Yeah, I think he did, he said he'd never leave the deck chair if he lived there, then we sort of clinked bottles in a toast to the good life."
"Soooooo," Steffy asks bright eyed.
Taylor raises her eyebrows at her.
"Did you kiss, did anything happen, c'mon mum, I'm dying here, spill!"
Taylor laughs, "No, he was a perfect gentleman, we ate, we talked about books and movies, just inconsequential stuff, nothing about our families or their troubles, as I said, it was relaxing."
Steffy can't hide the look of surprise on her face, she felt sure that Deacon would have at least tried to kiss her mother - she wants to ask what was wrong with him? "So, did you want him to kiss you? and are you going to see him again?" she asks instead.
Taylor shrugs a small smile creeping onto her lips. "I wouldn't have said no to him kissing me, but looking back, I'm kind of glad he didn't. I don't want to rush anything, and I don't think he does either. We've both been through the ringer in our love lives, so even if we end up just being friends, then that will be fine with me, but he has said he'd call me, so I'm kind of hoping we do this again, I can't tell you the last time I had such a nice time, with no expectations, no pressure, just two people getting to know each other."
Steffy see's something different in her mother. All the pain and unhappiness she seems to have been carrying around with her for so long seems to have lessened. There is a lightness about her, a -not happiness exactly, more of a contentment- in her eyes, that she hasn't seen in a long time.
She gives her mother a brief hug as her buzzer sounds to tell her that her next patient has arrived.
"I love you mum, and I'm happy for you, even if it's Deacon Sharpe that's the one who had brought you back to yourself. I'll let you get back to work, but I want to know everything after the next date." she says with a grin before sweeping out of the office.
Taylor smiles as her daughter leaves, for the first time in years, she's beginning to feel at peace with-in herself, she knows this is only because she is finally putting Ridge Forrester behind her, she is finally letting go and believing in herself again, best of all, she's finally going to explore everything about herself that she wants to explore, and that includes her intrigue, and a growing amount of lust, for Deacon Sharpe.

Finn is back at the house, its late afternoon, and he's spent the day with the kids and Amelia, and he's got in some surfing, he's also had a couple of beers that afternoon as he awaits Liam. When he arrives, he once again hears Sheila, this time it's not words, just a sharp angry intake of breath. Finn plasters a smile on his face as Liam strolls in and picks up his daughter, when he asks her where her mummy is Finn feels an immediate flash of rage, could Sheila be right? He thinks back to each time Liam has come around, he's always smiling at Steffy, joking, asking how she is, as if he's still her husband, and he's also sure he's caught other "looks" when Liam thinks no-ones watching him. Finn feels his anger at the thought of Liam trying something on with his wife, worse, he knows she surrendered to him once before when they'd first got together, she has a weakness where this pathetic excuse for a man is concerned, now thanks to Sheila, he's starting to put it all together - they still want each other, he's sure of it. He hears Sheila sigh as he smiles and talks to Liam, he won't let him know that he knows what's going on, he must keep this a secret until he figures out what he's going to do. As Liam gathers Kelly's things and departs, he finally lets his guard down, he tells Amelia he has an emergency at the hospital and then heads out to his car. He then heads straight to Bikini bar where he picks up a bottle of scotch and then heads down to the beach to think, his "mother" talking to him the entire way, advising, beseeching, urging him to action.
Meanwhile -
Hope is back at her office, she found out about what happened mid-morning, utterly horrified at this latest humiliating stunt from her "family" she tries to ring her father, when she finally got through to him (his phone has seemed to be permanently busy or going straight to voicemail) he gives her the rundown and tells her to try to stay low. He assures her he's fine, great in fact, and he's been run off his feet as people are finally seeing what a boob Ridge Forrester is, and much to Hopes consternation he also tells her he's pretty sure Brooke would have put him up to meeting with Taylor in the first place, to try to get her to talk to Thomas on Hopes behalf, unfortunately things went rather badly when Ridge saw him talking to Taylor while she was waiting for him.
Hope hangs up, deciding she has to talk to her mother and tell her she, Liam and Beth will be moving out, and that this latest humiliation was the final straw, she's had it.
As she leaves the building to get away from the ceaseless calls she's accosted by a low rent reporter, he shoves a microphone in her face and asks her about the fight between Ridge and her father, he continues on asking about the relationship between her mother and her father, and has this caused the antagonism between the two men. Still not satisfied he says "Beth your own daughter is only a few months younger than your husband's other child, isn't she!" Hope tries to run but the reporter races after her shouting. "How long were you having an affair with Steffy Forresters husband before she found out and threw him out? Did your mother know? Did she advise you on how to snatch him from his pregnant wife or did you wait until she had her child and couldn't have sex? Mizz Logan! Did you prey on Liam Logan when he was desperate for sex because his wife was recovering from childbirth? Mizz Logan, do you manipulate men sexually like your mother?"
Hope is horrified, humiliated beyond words, stony faced she escapes to her car and screeches off, leaving behind a long line of burnt rubber, which the reporter gleefully films.
Barely coherent she heads for the beach, she needs time alone, to think, to compose herself, and most of all, to stop the burning rage and hatred she feels towards her mother and husband for the constant humiliation they have heaped upon her, and that she's stupidly accepted as her lot.

After a close call in the car Hope stops at Bikini bar and wanders down to the beach. She can't understand how her life has turned to crap so quickly, and it all seemed to lead straight back to Liam and her mother, she wonders what would have happened if she hadn't chased Liam and encouraged him to think of Steffy badly. She feels ashamed at how she'd used every trick she'd seen her mother use to go after Liam when Steffy was at her most vulnerable. But most of all she's angry that Liam seemed to be wanting any excuse to have sex with her, and excuse to vilify his then wife! Thomas was right, he saw her as a substitute for his "perfect" mother, someone who his mother would approve of - the "good girl", whilst all along, even now, he still lusted after and wanted Steffy, just like Ridge always made his way back to her own mother Liam would - given the chance - make his way directly back to Steffy, as he'd proven beyond a shadow of a doubt once before! All that time her mother had been encouraging her, convincing her that they were meant to be, that like her and Ridge they were "destiny", and she'd been stupid enough to listen, her desperate need for her mother's approval and love had led her to this point. And now, now she had feral paparazzi after her, screaming insults at her, twisting what happened, destroying her, destroying her family, and it all, in her angry, confused, mind, ultimately, lead back to her mother and husband.
She hears a voice talking to someone as she walks along, looking to her side she sees Finn sitting on a sand dune.
Surprised she walks over, noticing the half empty bottle of whiskey she holds out her hand and says "Mind if I join you, I've had quite the day!"
Finn snorts and hands her the bottle as she plonks herself down beside him.
"You're not alone," he says handing of the bottle and staring out to sea morosely.
Soon they start to talk, slowly at first, but the more they drink the more they let their feelings show, and soon it turns to Steffy and Liam.
Hope tells Finn what Thomas said to her, and as his imagination runs riot thanks to his "talks" with Sheila, he tells her he's actually seen the looks they both give each other, the way they talk to each other, the banter between them, as if they're still together. As both admit to their deepest fears, the drunker and more heartbroken they become. As the bottle is finished Hope stand up saying she'd better go, she sways slightly then falls back down, falling awkwardly half across Finn. As she giggles, they look into each other's eyes, and before they know it, they're kissing passionately, one thing leads to another until they are both lying on the sand naked and spent. This isn't love, or even sexual attraction, it's two people having drunken angry sex because they're confused, and angry with their partners and just want to forget, if only for a moment.
As they both stir they look at each other and the shock and guilt of what they've just done hits them both.
"Oh God!" says Finn in shock
Hope gasps and begins to cry, "This shouldn't have happened, oh god, I can't do this!" she says as Finn goes to open his mouth.
Before he can say a word Hope jumps up and quickly gathers her clothes while he tries to gather his thoughts and come to terms with what he's just done.
Before he can say anything Hope runs off, leaving him naked and alone on the sand dune. He hears his mother's voice, stronger and louder than ever before.
"Serves Liam right, now you've repaid him for what he did to you when he slept with Steffy! Let's see how he likes it!"
Finn shakes his head and gets dressed, he must get home, Steffy will be waiting, but what he'll do or say is beyond him.

It's been seven weeks since the "incident" at the beach, and both Finn and Hope have remained silent about it, the only communication being Hope ringing Finn the day after and begging him to just forget it ever happened - with Sheila's urging he agrees.
In the meantime both Hope and Finn have thrown themselves into their work. Hope has begun to relax again as she puts her latest secret behind her and throws herself into her work, she's now working like a demon. She knows she's drifting away from Liam but she can't help it, the guilt she feels has been overpowering, coupled with the rage at both him and her mother, and things had been tense at home even before that, given Liams shift to R.E.B. Designs and him and her mother trying to pressure her to leave Forresters, but since shifting house she has finally began to feel more herself, freer, more independent of the families squabbles, and most of all, less torn between Liam, her mother, Ridge, and Forresters, she feels like she can relax mentally without having to mind what she says all the time, and helping her through all of this has been Marius. He has dropped by her office several times over the last few weeks, just to see how she's going, and she's found herself opening up to him a little. At first she thought he might try to come on to her, but she was surprised when all he seemed to offer her was a friendly ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on if needed, better yet, each time they talked, it felt like his advice was been solid, and with his help and guidance she feels like she's turned a corner.
Hope is in her office finalizing the last of the designs with Thomas and Zende when there's a knock at the door, Marius pokes his head in, and seeing the three smiles.
"The final meeting before your next show?" he asks .
"Yeah. we're just going over the final adjustments but we're a bit stuck with this one," says Thomas holding up a design of Zende's.
"Tell us what we're missing," says Zende with a frown, "Because it's just . . . not right."
Marius walks over and has a look at the design, his head cocking to the side in thought.
"I know this isn't in the general direction of the line but personally, I'd change the neckline, he grabs a pen and adjust the neckline, then sketches out a changes in the sleeves before adding slightly more flare in the skirt.
"Thomas and Zende gape at the major difference to the design he's made, "That's beautiful," says Zende in awe," as he hands the design over to Hope.
"It is, says Hope, I'd wear it in a heartbeat, but it's not quite in keeping with the rest of the line now." she says with a frown.
"No," smirks Marius, "That's why I'd like to add it to the couture collection, perhaps with another couple of small adjustments in material and length, I'll have to mull that over a little until I'm completely happy, but that's only if you would permit? Zende is your designer"
Hope turns to Zende who is staring at Marius in shock at the thought of having one of his designs in a couture collection.
He turns to Hope with an almost begging look on his face. "I don't know she says pursing her lips and stroking her face," she looks at Thomas, "What do you say, should we allow it?"
Thomas frowns, "It's a big ask,"
"Please guys, I'll do another design for the collection, I'll start now and won't stop until I'm finished!" blurts out Zende desperately.
Both Hope and Thomas start to laugh as Zende falls hook line and sinker for their teasing.
"Of course you can Zende, and congratulations says Hope giggling."
Thomas shakes Zende's hand, "Well done man, you deserve this, you've worked hard."
Zende laughs and takes the design from Marius, "I'll go and make the changes for you now so you'll have a better idea of what you want."
"And I have to go too I'm afraid," says Thomas as he looks at Marius. "I'll have those new fabric samples for you this afternoon, one might even suit Zende's design."
"Thank you," says Marius with a smile as Thomas departs.
The phone rings and Hope answers it. Marius listens with interest at the clear distress on Hopes face as she listens to the call. She hangs up frowning and sighing. "Well, I knew my day couldn't go a whole 24 hours without a major disaster happening." she says.
"Anything I can help with says Marius," with what seems like genuine concern.
"Not unless you know of a great Nanny, because mine has had to go back to Ohio as her mother's just been admitted to hospital. I can get Donna to fill in temporarily, but that's a stopgap at best."
Marius frowns, "Well, I do know someone honest, trustworthy, a hard worker, and who loves children. She has just moved to L.A. permanently if you're interested. Although she has no formal qualifications in child care, she has just finished college and is looking for employment and could start immediately."
Hope looks at him in surprise, "You're girlfriend?" she asks.
Marius laughs aloud, "No my friend, my baby sister Caterina, she is coming to stay with me for a while to catch up seeing as we haven't seen each other in a few months, and truth be told, I miss her."
"You've finally found a place then?" asks Hope knowing he was looking for an apartment that suited him.
Marius nods, "Believe it or not, I just signed a lease on Carter Waltons apartment, I like the aesthetics, it speaks to me, and as it has two bedrooms I have invited Cat to stay for as long as she wants, but she insists she need a job and can pay her own way." He sighs holding his hands up in a what can I do gesture, "Woman, stubborn, prideful, and to be obeyed at all times."
Hope laughs, "If only that were true. I'll give her an interview and see if we click and if she can handle what I expect if you like?"
"Perfect, thank you my friend, I'll go call her now and give her your number."
Hope smiles, hoping Marius has helped her with yet another problem. "That'll be great, I'll expect her call then."
Marius leaves and goes back to his office, as he closes the door a triumphant smile slowly spreads across his face and he quickly takes out his phone, he has a very important call to make.

Marius is waiting inside his office going over a design, but nothing is registering, at the moment all he can think of is his sister and her interview she's now attending, it must go well if their plans are to progress smoothly. He glances at his watch yet again, it's been three hours since his talk with his young sister and over half an hour since she has arrived for her interview with Hope.
There is a knock at the door before it opens quickly. He looks up expectantly, it's Caterina.
"Well?" he says looking at her.
She closes the door before smiling and running to him, "I just have to meet Beth to see if we're a fit, and just like you thought, the first couple of times I get to mind her I'll be with Donna Logan, apart from that . . . Marius, it's happening, I'll finally get to know, just one little test and we'll know for sure." She starts to cry.
"Easy Kitty Cat," says Marius as he calls her his pet name for her, "We don't know for sure yet."
"She looks exactly like me at her age, this can't be a mistake, it can't!" Cat says tearfully.
Marius looks at his sister, so different from him with her blonde hair and blue eyes, the same girl whose world collapsed when one stormy night Dr Reese Buckingham had told her that her daughter had died.
"We must still be careful Cara Mia, we still need to have the DNA test to be sure, and we can't do that until we get a sample from the child."
"Soon!" says Catarina fiercely, "And as soon as I prove she's mine I will be bringing her home."
She looks up at her big brother, "I won't lose her again Marius, and if she is my daughter I will be telling dad, and he can take care of the Dr who stole her from me!"
Marius nods, although sad at the level of rage in his once happy go lucky sister, he knows how much she suffered when she thought she had lost her child.
It was only his seeing a picture of Liam, Hope and Beth in a fashion magazine that had piqued his interest. He'd then found out about Dr Buckingham and the court case; it was then that he'd slowly begun to put the pieces together. He was the only one in his family that his sister had confided in, her pain and sorrow had worried him immensely. But then he had discovered that there were two babies born that night, and that only one had died, but which one was the true mother, that was what he was determined to find out, and to do that he thought the easiest way to confront the family.
It was Caterina that had insisted on doing this secretly, she didn't want to run the chance of hurting Beth or her family, or worse, getting their father involved if it turned out they were wrong. Then a golden opportunity had arisen, Bill Spencer had approached him about working for Forresters, he couldn't believe his luck. This would solve so many of his problems, not only Caterina's, but also for his own creativity that he felt was being stifled by other head designers' visions. So, he said no to other more lucrative offers, and he'd jumped at the chance Bill had given him. This was their in, and now, well now they were finally going to get the answers they needed, and if Hope and Liam had to suffer then so be it, his sister and her daughter came first.
"I will call Donna, I think it's time we had a luncheon date, I want to make sure she is amenable to all of my family, this way she will be more ready to trust you more quickly." he says as he takes out his phone.
"Thank you Marius, none of this would have been possible with-out you. I'll never forget what you've done for me, I promise." Cat wraps her arms around him.
"I love you big brother." she says.
Marius smiles, "I love you too Kitty Cat, now go, I have things to do."
Cat walks out the door smiling as Marius dials Donna's.

Meanwhile back at Steffi's, despite his worsening mental condition Finn has managed to conceal it surprisingly well for the last seven weeks since he and Hope had slept together. This was thanks mainly to both himself and Steffy putting in some long working hours, and "Sheila" helping Finn through some awkward moments. Still, Steffy has noticed something is off with her husband, he's been short with her a few times, as well as dismissive of her worries, he's even snapped at her once leaving her shocked and upset, but worse still, the one thing he can't hide is his paranoia about Liam, and his deepening hatred of him, it has gotten to the point that Steffy now drops Kelly at Liams instead of having him pick her up as much as possible.
Today is a Liam pick-up day, Finn barely even acknowledges him, simply grunting at him before turning his back when asked a question. Liam looks at Steffy confused but Steffy just shakes her head and shrugs, so Liam quickly gathers up Kelly and leaves.
It's now that Steffy finally confronts Finn asking him what's wrong and why he seems to have a problem with Liam.
Finn stares at her incredulous, "You're saying you don't know?" he asks skeptically.
"No, I have no idea, please Finn, what's going on? You've been so distant lately, so short tempered and standoffish. Is it me, have I done something wrong?" says a bewildered Steffy.
"He wants you," barks Finn, "Can't you see it? Every time he walks in here, you're the real focus of his attention, he just uses Kelly as an excuse to see you."
Steffy looks horrified at what Finn is saying, "No, Liam is in love with Hope, he just wants to be the best father he can to Kelly by showing her we're still a family even if we're not together, and that it's alright. Finn, I love you, not Liam."
"Hah!" says a voice only Finn can hear. "Then why hasn't she given you a child? I think she can sense that Hayes is Liams son, maybe If you had another baby she'd be yours for real?"
Finn blinks several times, maybe his mother is right, he takes a considering breath before looking into Steffi's eyes, he can't let her know that he knows what she's really thinking.
"I guess I'm just jealous, after everything that's happened, my mother dying in my arms, the takeover of Forresters and the pressure of being short staffed at work, well, it's got me thinking."
He takes Steffi's hands, "I want us to have a baby Steffy, as soon as possible, we can take some time off of work, it'll be great."
Steffy pulls away from him in shock, "Finn, we have a son, and you love Kelly as your own, with everything that's going on right now I just can't even think of having a baby, I'm sorry."
"Are you going to let her speak to you like that?" says the voice of Sheila.
Finn glares at Steffy his anger beginning to spill over, "Oh, I get it, you're way to busy to give your husband a child, but I bet if it was Liam asking I'm sure it would be different, I bet you'd be only to eager!" he snaps before grabbing his coat and walking towards the door.
Steffy tries to grab his arm but he shrugs it off and before she can ask why he's acting like this Finn is already out the door.
Steffy stares at the door frozen in shock, as she wonders what just what on earth had happened, and why Finn has said what he did, surely he couldn't really believe that there was still something between Liam and her? And why was he behaving as if Hayes wasn't even his child?
None of this made sense, she had to talk to him, she had to get to the bottom of this, she had to fix whatever it was that was wrong.

Bill arrives at Steffi's ten minutes later, he knocks and goes in to find Steffy crying on the couch. He says he's just popped in to see his granddaughter but really, he started to visit Steffy and Finn more than he ever has, to make sure she knows he's still there for her and his grandchild. Finn still doesn't see him as a threat, and Bill has been smart enough to make sure he remains on friendly terms with him, even praising him on the way he's raising Kelly, and how he's treating her no differently from Hayes.
Finn himself, even as his mind is deteriorating, is grateful that at least someone can see how much better for Steffy and the kids he is over Liam.
He quickly goes to Steffy and sits beside her, asking what's wrong and how he can help. Confused and distraught Steffy tells him everything that has been happening the last few weeks, from Finn becoming more and more distant with her, to his rudeness to Liam, and finally his outburst today, she wonders if he's having an affair at work and this sudden interest in having another child is driving his odd behavior.
Bill puts his arm around her and tells her to try not to worry, he'll have a word to Finn and see if he can find out what's going on, and if he is having an affair, then Steffy can kick him out, and if she needs someone to stay here to make sure he doesn't "try" anything, then he'll be there for her. At Steffi's quick look he adds - either me personally, or if you prefer I'll hire security, either way he wants her and the kids happy and protected.
Steffy thanks him profusely, swearing that it's all probably nothing, Bill nods and assures her she's probably right, but either way he's going to get to the bottom of it for her.
After making sure she's alright he gets up and leaves. Steffy hears his car drive away and is both grateful and surprised that Bill is stepping up for her, she needs the support.
Outside in the car Bill is heading down the driveway thinking that perhaps it's time to confront Finn with what he knows; perhaps it's time to give him an ultimatum, freedom, his job and his life, in exchange for him leaving Steffy- either that, or he takes everything away from him!

Bill drives to the hospital, ringing Justin on the way and giving him instructions on what he wants done. Justin says he should be able to have something airtight drawn up with-in a couple of hours and promises to meet him at the hospital a little later. In the meantime, Bill drops in at Deacons for a quick drink to make sure he gives Justin some time. He's surprised at the crowd there, it seems his little push piece, followed by the attack on Forrester and R.E.B. Designs have really done their work, he's even more surprised to see Deacon sitting with Taylor, laughing, and joking over what's obviously been a meal for two. He smiles widely knowing that this budding relationship must be sending Ridge around the twist, his mood brightens further at the thought. He knows Ridge well enough to know that although he was with Brooke, he needed Taylor to be there for him, always waiting, always in the wings. He mused that Liam was much the same, but at this moment in time he was with "his" Taylor, in Hope, he knew he would eventually want Steffy back again, he was like a moth to a flame, the same way the dressmaker was with Brooke, but this time Bill wasn't going to let that happen, this time he was going to win Steffy and he would never let her go, and especially not to his unworthy, waffling son Liam. No, Liam had made the mistake of choosing that pale imitation of a woman, someone so like his own mother it was borderline incestuous, so he could keep her!
Steffy Forrester, along with all of her fire and passion, were going to be his, and his alone.
After a couple of drinks he checked his watch, it was time, he rings the hospital and gets a hold of Finn, he then tells him he is on his way in for a meeting with him, and he'd better be there if he knew what was good for him.
Finn and his invisible pal Sheila were on tenterhooks, she keeps telling him Bill knew nothing about anything, and that he was safe. She assures him that as long as he has his mother beside him she wouldn't let anything hurt him, and as Finns last shreds of reason and sanity begin to slip, he believes her.
He looks up as Bill walks into his office.
"So, what's so important, and what's with the semi threatening message," he asks now confident that his mother's got his back.
Bill smiles, he's just met Justin by the front desk and picked up the papers he's had him write up.
"I want you to leave Steffy, tonight," he throws down the papers, "And you'll need these, I've had Justin draw them up so they're airtight, you just have to fill in the reason, it's the blank space on page two,"
Confused Finn picks up the papers and looks at them, "These are annulment papers, you can't be serious, I'm not signing these!"
"Then I go to the police and tell them that you deliberately let your mother die, that will be jail time for you, not to mention losing your medical license and being unable to get a job above a fry cook at Sharpes Place. Although that is something I'd pay to see." says Bill with a smile.
"What, I didn't kill my mum, no-one would believe you." says a clearly rattled Finn.
Bill looks down on him contemptuously, "You really shouldn't have said anything aloud, I not only have you on tape, but I also have a witness who has given me a signed statement, both on paper, and on video, so if anything should happen to him you'll be up for another murder, not that I'd mind, mind you, the world would be a much better place with-out certain people in it."
"Deacon!" screams Sheila making Finn jump in shock.
Bill stares at Finn in surprise for a moment, totally unaware of the insane ranting of Finns mother in his ear.
"By the end of the day Dr, or I WILL go to the authorities! Either way you lose Steffy, but at least this way you get to keep your job, and your freedom, you can move away and start again . . . it's your choice. Hell, Steffy already thinks your acting strange and that you might be having an affair, so this will come as no real surprise for her. Either way, do it by tonight, that's all the time I'm giving you!"
He walks to the door before turning back and say, "And if you mention one word of our conversation, or even mention that I was here, then our deal is off."
He then turns and leaves, leaving a shocked and terrified Finn alone with his "mother".
An hour later, after talking it through with Sheila he knows what he has to do, he hates this, he's going to lose the woman he loves, and he knows that Liam is behind it, it must have been him who sent his father after him. He's now sure that all this time he's known exactly who Hayes father was, and he's just been toying with him, letting him fall deeper and deeper in love, just so he could snatch Steffy away from him at the last minute, he rages to himself and his mother as he fills out the form like Sheila has advised. Liam may have won this time, but he'd make sure he had his revenge, even if he had to wait years for it, sooner or later, when Liam Spencer least expected it, he, with the help of his mother, would destroy him and everything that was precious to him

Steffy walks in to her home from work, only to find Finn standing there waiting for her, a strange, regretful look on his face.
"Finn" she asks, "What's wrong, what's happened?"
Finn stares at her frowning for a long moment while Steffi's trepidation continues to rise.
"I'm leaving!" he says simply, "I can't take this anymore, it's over."
"What? Finn, what are you talking about, what's going on?" she stammers, not quite grasping what her husband is saying to her.
"It's over," he repeats sadly, "I've been doing some serious thinking, and the person who I thought I loved just doesn't exist, added to that, the person I married still wants another man, so I'm cutting my loses and I'm leaving."
Steffy staggers backwards to the couch and grasps the back to help her stand. "No, Finn, why are you doing this, I love you, not Liam! We have a family; you have a son and a step-daughter! WHY?" she gasps in shock.
Finn hesitates for a moment, he has been saving this bombshell for exactly the right time, when he can do as much damage as possible to the woman he loves, who "Sheila" has convinced him that is still pining after Liam, and this will kill two birds with one stone, do as Bill Spencer wants, and destroy Liam Spencer's little world at the same time. He smiles inwardly, this will be something the mighty Bill Spencer didn't anticipate, he'll leave Steffy as required, but he'll take down Liam Spencer's world at the same time.
He hands her the annulment papers, "It's all in here."
Steffy takes them looking numbly at the papers. "Annulment? Finn there must be a reason for an annulment, you have no reason!"
"Read them." he snaps. "Oh, never mind, I'll tell you what they say. You see as my mother was dying she told me that she switched the DNA results for Hayes to make it seem like I was the father instead of Liam." he says.
"Yes!" says the voice of Sheila in his ear, "Just like I told you, tell her it was me so she can't blame anything on you, this way you will stay clear of the mess her and Liam have made of your life."
Steffy stares at him horror struck. "No, that's not possible."
Finn shrugs, "I didn't believe it at first, but I made sure, I re-did the test, and it proved that Liam is Hayes' father, not me. At first, I thought I could live with it, but I couldn't, I became increasingly unhappy, until finally I snapped and went to the beach one night where I had sex with another woman."
Steffy gasps, the pain she is feeling is unbearable, every word Finn says is like a knife cutting into her soul, nothing could be worse than this. " You betrayed me by having some random hook-up instead of telling me what was happening, why you were ignoring me?"
"Oh it wasn't random, not really," says Finn with a cruel smirk. "It was with someone who understood exactly where I was coming from, and exactly what was happening because the same thing was happening to her, we talked for ages, bonded over our shared pain, and a couple of drinks, not enough to be drunk mind you, but just enough to let us do what we both wanted to do, to get back at our spouses for what they'd put us through. Now, if you'll just sign the papers I'll be going and we won't have to go through this anymore."
Steffy is reeling at his words, this couldn't be her husband, not her Finn, she can't get anything straight in her head, as his last words slowly sink through the haze of pain she cries, "Who? Who was it?"
Finn stares at her, "Sign the papers and I'll tell you, otherwise I'll go straight to the press and drag you, through the mud. Just imagine what that would do to Kelly and Hayes, not to mention your business, and I'll still get a divorce from you anyway, at least this way I'm not asking for anything, we can just forget we ever knew each other."
Steffy blinks several times, as the shock and pain is slowly replaced by anger, she gathers her battered pride around her, grabs the papers and signs them, determined that no-one should shame her children - ever! She shoves them back at Finn who grabs them and walks to the door, before he leaves, he turns back to look at his wife one last time.
"It was Hope, Hope Logan," he says with a malicious smile, before he leaves.
Steffy is left staring at the door in shock. "Hope? No, she wouldn't!" she whispers to herself.
She staggers back to the couch and collapses on it as the tears begin to flow. Not long after she feels a hand on her shoulder and looks up into the concerned face of Bill.
"Steffy?" he asks, "What's wrong, tell me."
Steffy breaks down into heart rending sobs as she tells Bill what happened.
He picks her up in his arms and takes her to her bedroom where he gently lays her on the bed.
"Stay, rest, I'll take care of Kelly and Hayes tonight, I'll tell them you're feeling sick so you've gone to bed. I'll stay out on the couch just in case you or the kids might need me during the night."
Steffy stares at him for a moment before saying, "Bill, you don't have to, I can get them ready for bed and feed them."
Bill shakes his head firmly. "No, after what you told me just happened you need to rest, I'll make sure the kids are okay, and we'll talk in the morning as to what you want to do."
Steffy opens her mouth to say something but Bill holds up his hand. "You'll feel more composed after some rest and giving yourself some time to think. I'm here Steffy, I won't let anything happen to you or the kids, trust me."
Steffy nods and curls into a ball on the bed and Bill leaves the room so she can come to terms in her own time with what has just happened.
In the living room Bill pauses before getting his phone out and ringing Justin, he tells him to go see Finn and get the Annulment papers and file them first thing tomorrow. Justin tells him that Finn has just dropped them off as agreed upon and he's already contacted a friendly judge to get things expedited. Bill nods in satisfaction. "That's one problem taken care of," he says quietly before he goes to check on his grandchildren to see what they'd like for dinner and to tell them Steffy is feeling a little unwell tonight, but that he was there to take care of them. He fully intended to make this a fun night, he knew to win Steffy, he must also win the kids, and this was where he began.

The next morning Steffy wakes up to find Bill getting the kids breakfast, she smiles wanly as Kelly asks if she's feeling better and then starts on her usual morning chatter. Before she can get to into her usual morning chatter Bill asks if she can go get ready for Amelia as he's going to get her to take them to the Zoo today if she promises to be a good girl. An excited Kelly promises and races off to get ready. Bill tells Steffy that he has already contacted Amelia and she will be here shortly, and she has an early morning planned for the kids.
An hour later Amelia departs with the kids, Steffy has had a shower and is sitting with Bill on the couch.
"I've rang Liam like you asked," he says to her. "Are you sure about this Steffy?"
Steffy nods, "He needs to know he's Hayes father, and Hayes needs to know his real father as well, and secrets like this don't stay secret for long. After what Finn said to me, and the way he treated me last night, I don't think he'll be keeping this to himself for long and I'd rather Liam finds out from me than from some other source."
There's a knock at the door and Liam strolls in. "Hey Steffy, Hey Dad, what are you doing here?" he asks suspiciously.
Bill sighs and looks at Steffy. "I'll leave you to it, if you need me, I'm just going for a stroll along the beach."
Steffy nods, a grateful smile on her lips. "Thank you, Bill, I don't know what I would have done with-out you last night."
Bill nods and leaves as Liam stares at Steffy in confusion. "Steffy, what's going on, what was dad doing here last night?"
Steffy stares at Liam as she tries to frame what she has to say. "Please sit down, I have something to tell you, and it's going to be a shock."
Liam sits, confusion clearly evident on his face.
Steffy takes a deep steadying breath. "Finn left me last night," she says before tears threaten to overtake her.
"What!" says Liam shocked to his core, "Why?"
She takes a deep breath as she fights for control of herself "He thinks I'm still in love with you, and that you're still in love with me, and we've both been deceiving him in some way."
Liams mouth drops open before he says, "So that's why he's been so, well, standoffish."
Steffy shakes her head, "Don't you mean rude, unpleasant, harsh?" she says with a snort.
Liam takes Steffi's hands in his as he says, "But he knows I'm with Hope, that I only come over to see my daughter, Steffy I'll talk to him, we'll get this sorted I promise you."
Steffy shakes her head as tears fall from her eyes, "I'm afraid that's not possible," she says shakily. "Last night he had me sign annulment papers, I imagine he will be filing them today."
Liam is staggered, he grips Steffi's hands tightly. "Oh god, Steffy, I'm so sorry, but, how could he get an annulment, he has no grounds!"
Steffy grips Liams hands tightly and looks into his eyes, "I'm afraid he has Liam, you see he found out something from Shelia before she died."
Steffy takes a deep breath and continues quickly, "She must have been following Finn for much longer than we ever thought, when she found out about my pregnancy she went to the hospital and switched the DNA test so that it would read Finn as Hayes father, I think it was her way of bringing Finn and I closer."
As a slowly dawning comprehension filters across Liams face Steffy continues, "Finn did the test again to make sure she wasn't lying, and he said it's true. Liam, Finn isn't Hayes' father, you are!"
Liam stares at Steffy in shock, "I'm Hayes' father? Me, not Finn?"
Steffy nods, "I know it's a shock but I wanted to tell you first, before anyone else knows, that's why Bill was here, he came around last night to check on me because he knew I'd had a fight with Finn, and that was straight after I had found out and Finn had left."
"I'm Hayes's father" repeats Liam, he smiles slowly, "Hayes is my son, I have a son."
He looks at Steffy with gratitude and love, "Thank you Steffy, thank you for telling me, and thank you for blessing me with another child. I'm so sorry it took all this time to find out, and that, that monster Sheila Carter did this to all of us, but Steffy," he says with a gentle smile on his face. "You've given me a son, and I can't be upset about that! I love Hayes, you know I've loved him from the moment I met him, to find out he's mine, that he's my son . . . I can't tell you what that means to me."
"You might not be so happy when you tell Hope, I can't imagine she'll be pleased about you suddenly sharing another child with me!" Steffy says with narrowed eyes.
"She'll understand," says Liam not noticing Steffi's look. "I can't say she that it won't be a shock, but Steffy, You know she loves Kelly and Hayes, and since we've moved out of Brookes, the last five weeks have been like a cloud has lifted from her, she's back to her old self again."
Steffy looks closely at Liam, "There were problems?"
Liam sighs, "Since the break from Forresters basically, I tried to talk to her, as did Brooke, but she just closed herself off from us, especially after the Douglas debacle." He looks at Steffy earnestly.
"Honestly Steffy, I was worried, she wanted nothing to do with any of us for weeks, but apparently she talked to Marius at work and whatever he said to her convinced her she needed to move out, and since we've moved into the new house it's as if she has a new lease on life, I mean she's tired a lot, but she's been working on the new showing for her line in three weeks as well as organizing everything at home, but we've just hired a new nanny and everything finally seems to be coming good again. She'll handle this Steffy, I'm sure of it, and it might fill the gap that Douglas has left in our lives."
"My son is not a stop gap Liam!" snaps Steffy.
"No, of course not, I didn't mean it like that I swear. I just meant that all the love she has inside that she used to give to Douglas she could give to Hayes instead, she loves kids Steffy, and she loves Hayes, I think this can work, I'll make it work."
Steffy nods thinking for a moment, "At the moment there will be no home visits or overnighters, not until I have a confirming test done for my own peace of mind, and Hayes and Kelly get a chance to adjust to Finn not being here. I will set up a schedule for you to come around and get to know him here though if that's alright.
Liam nods, "That's fine Steffy, thank you."
Steffy nods, "You better go tell your wife Liam, this is something that will take her time to adjust to!"
Liam nods, "I'll go now if that's alright?"
Steffy nods and Liam hurries to the door, " I am sorry about Finn, Steffy, if there's anything I can do please don't hesitate to call, alright."
Steffy nods and Liam leaves, just as Bill, who has been lurking on the patio re-enters.
"You didn't tell him about Hope?"
"No!" says Steffy, her eyes narrowed as she stares thoughtfully at the door.
"I was going to, but it just wasn't the right time, for what Hope has done to me time and time again, I want to do something a bit more personal, and I have just the moment in mind!"
Bill stares at Steffy, he's in awe of her. Despite what life, and the Logan's sling at her she brushes it off and keeps forging ahead, her inner strength is incredible, her fire is scorching, he loves her so much at this moment, and it's that realization that makes him realize that he won't manipulate her anymore. If she wants him it must be on her terms, he won't cheat to have her anymore, she deserves better, she deserves real happiness, and if that means he has to love her from afar, then so be it, he had his chance and blew it, BUT, if he's ever given another he won't make the same mistake again Steffy was the love of his life, and it truly surprised him to realize that her happiness was all that was important to him, no matter what, or who, that might entail.
"Just tell me what you need, and when, and it's there." he says staring at her with unashamed pride.
A calculating smile flits across Steffi's face as she says, "Thank you Bill, I'll tell you everything as soon as I have it mapped out in my head."
Bill nods in approval, "Just call me when you're ready." With that he kisses her cheek and then leaves. Steffy sits on the couch contemplating her life as a tear wanders slowly down her cheek.
"You think you've won don't you Hope? It wasn't enough I gave you Liam, no, you had to come sniffing around Finn after I'd finally found happiness again. Well, the gloves are off Hope, and I'm going to show you exactly how wrong you were to mess with me again!"

That day at Forresters Felicia is in her office going over the latest sales reports when she hears a knock at her door, she looks up as a handsome young man enters.
"Dom? What are you doing here. I thought you were with your father in Paris! Oh god, it's so good to see you." She jumps up and quickly moves around her desk to embrace him.
"Mom, I've only been away a couple of weeks, jeez!" he mutters as she embraces him.
"And before that you've spent all that time in college over here and I hardly ever got to see you, and when I did, I had to share you with Dante. Is he still in Paris or has he shifted back to Venice like he was going to?" she asks as she puts her son away from her to look into his eyes.
"He's just gone back to Venice this last week, that's why I decided to come here, if you've got room for me that is?"
"Room?, I have my old house back, I've been rattling around in there wondering what to do, and now I know." she says with a huge smile. "You can move in immediately."
Dom grins, "Excellent! So, dad and I saw the launch, I gotta say, you kicked some serious ass mom, even dad was impressed, he actually turned to me and said, and now you know why I fell for your mother, she's seriously hot when she has someone in her sites."
Felicia blushes at the backhanded compliment from her ex Dante, not that it means anything anymore, but it was still flattering to hear.
"So, have you copped much flack? And are you going to introduce me to everyone while I'm here?" he asks.
Felicia sighs. "No more than I expected, and nothing I wasn't prepared for or couldn't handle. The truth is, I know your grandfather and Uncle so well I could practically predict their every move, it honestly wasn't that hard because we were prepared, Steffy, Thomas, Zende and especially Bill Spencer, really came to the fore. Hopefully it's over now and we can just get on with running the business."
Dom nods and purses his lips.
"What? I know that look, you want to ask me something, usually something you're not sure how I'll take." says Felicia as she narrows her eyes at her son suspiciously.
"Well, I need a job, college is finished and I want some time in the real world before I decide what I want to do with the rest of my life, so I was wondering if you have anything going here?" he says sheepishly.
Felicia raises her eyebrows, "I'll talk to the department heads and see, send me your resumé so I can give it to them and let them decide."
Dom nods in appreciation, he knows his mother doesn't believe in nepotism, not after the way she told him she, Kristen and Thorne were treated in favor of her older brother Ridge, and then when her father once again passed her over for her younger brother Rick. She had been badly hurt by her father and his blatant favoritism, and he knew she wouldn't play favorites for him, he'd have to earn his way, and that was something he wanted to do. Dom was determined to show the world he could stand on his own two feet and didn't need a handout from his parents like some did.
"I'll send it to you as soon as I drop my stuff off, it's in my computer. So, if you give me your address I'll go and unpack."
Felicia picks up her phone and speaks to her secretary telling her she's going out for a while and she'll be back this afternoon, then she turns to Dom.
"Better, I'm taking you home, to our home, I'll show you where everything is and get you settled." she reaches up smiling and touching Dom's hair.
"It's so good to have you home where you belong, now come on, let's get this show on the road."
Laughing and arm in arm Felicia and Dom leave to go back to the Forrester mansion, another generation of Forrester is moving in.