It's the day after Steffy has told Liam about her break-up with Finn and the surprising news of him being Hayes's father. She has already done a paternity test with Liam and Hayes and sent to results off for analysis that morning, she is determined to make sure of everything, for the sake of her child. This isn't her only plan though, overnight she's had a rather startling and unusual idea.

She arrives at her office and finds Thomas, Zende, and Marius waiting for her with everything she has requested already set up for her inspection, she nods in approval and them tells them exactly what has happened in all its gory detail, she leaves nothing out because she knows she will need everyone's full co-operation if she is to pull this off, especially in the allotted time frame of three weeks.

Thomas stares at her in shock and dismay. "Sis, are you sure about this, I mean, this is a radical departure from what we've been doing, and keeping it secret isn't going to be easy."

Steffy stares at Thomas for a moment, "But it can be done – yes?"

Marius quickly realises that this might fit in with his and Cats own plans so he chimes in before Thomas can answer. "Yes, it can be done, and quite frankly, I love the idea, he turns to Zende, I'd start with your pants suit, a few adjustments and voila, we have what Steffy is suggesting!"

Zende starts nodding as he turns to the designs around the room. "Yeah, and the flowered chiffon here, that wouldn't take much either, and it would still look classy." He says with increasing enthusiasm."

Thomas nods as he too starts to re-evaluate the designs. We already have all the designs ready to go now, I think between the three of us we could do it, but can we afford to take Marius away from Couture for three weeks while we get things ready? He asks as he eyes the sketches in front of him, his mind already distracted from Steffy by the new possibilities he's seeing in his mind's eye.

"We'll manage" she says as a satisfied smile crosses her face. "Just remember though, not a word to anyone, this is top secret, only you three are to know anything about it, I've already rang Bill and he is setting up a new pattern making and dress making area in a separate building, every day each of you will take turns in going over there to check on progress and to hire the models you want, I'll give you the address as soon as Bill has it set up."

Steffy is interrupted by the door opening and Hope barging in on the private meeting.

"What's going on? Why are all my HFTF designs set up in here?"

Steffy turns on her, she's not only outraged at the interruption, but at Hope in general, given what she knows happened with Finn. Before she can lose her temper and give Hope the dressing down she so desperately wants to, Thomas steps in and saves the day.

"Steffy was just giving us a pep talk about how pleased she is with the designs, and going over the plans for the Fashion Show."

Hope frowns in annoyance, "Then why wasn't I here, it's my line?"

Thomas can see Steffy is about to lose it so quickly says, "Because she wasn't sure how you and I would interact, given what's happened between us, she was just trying to keep the peace, especially now with her own problems. I assume Liam has filled you in."

Hope nods and looks at Steffy, "I'm sorry about you and Finn Steffy."

Steffy nods not trusting herself to speak.

Thomas looks at Steffy and then back to Hope, 'I need to talk to you privately for a moment if you don't mind."

Hope frowns, "Why?"

Thomas sighs, "Douglas has decided he'd like to video chat with Beth, and that you can be there too if you want. If you're interested, I'd like to work out some details with you."

Hopes eyes light up, "Yes . . . Yes of course I'm interested, let's go to my office and we can arrange it in private if you like."

Thomas nods and sweeps his arm towards the door, "After you then." He says before nodding to Steffy as Hope sweeps out, a smile of delight plastered on her face.

As the door closes Steffy sighs and leans back on her desk. "I almost . . . "

"But you didn't" says Marius as he puts a hand on Steffi's shoulder. "We'll start on this immediately, don't worry Steffy, we have your back, we won't let you down!"

Steffy looks up into Marius's eyes and nods in gratitude as tears threaten to spill over. "Thank you, Marius," She looks to Zende and gives him a grateful smile, "Thank you both."

The two men quickly gather the design sketches and leave. Steffy moves to her computer, she has still more to do if her plan is to succeed, she calls up the Forrester archive and begins her new search.

Steffy is still hard at work on her special project that afternoon when Hope walks back into her office.
"Have you got a minute?" she asks, her face full of concern.
Luckily Steffy has been expecting something like this, she already knows how it will unfold. Hopes fake concern, followed closely by a not-so-subtle warning to keep away from Liam. She quickly shuts her laptop and nods.
"I just wanted to tell you how shocked and sorry I am about what happened with Finn, and if there's anything I can do, please, just let me know. i can talk to Finn if you like, try to get him to change his mind, after all, I have to deal with this too so I know exactly how he's feeling."
Steffy masks her temper as she shakes her head. "Hope, you and Liam were broken up at the time, what we did was not done behind your back." Steffy notices a guilty flush creep up Hopes face and an edge of panic in her eyes as she is obviously wondering how much Steffy knows.
"Finn made it plain that Hayes wasn't the only reason for our split," she sighs as she tries to put Hopes mind at ease. "He also wanted me to have another child, and in all honesty, I'm just not ready for that yet. I tried to reason with him that it just wasn't the right time, given everything that has happened lately, but he wouldn't listen, so I gave up and he left."
Hope frowns, "That's so unfair, but Steffy, I know how much you must be hurting, and I'd hate to see you hurt even more, so please, try not to get to close to Liam, you must know that he's totally committed to me and our family, and I'd hate to see you try in vain to pin your hopes on getting back with him, you'd just be getting hurt all over again."
Steffy takes a deep breath and half nods at Hope, "Trust me Hope, Liam is the very last thing on my mind, in fact, I've decided to throw myself into helping with the next HFTF fashion show."

She holds up her hand as Hope is about to protest, "I know it's your baby Hope, but right now I need to keep busy so I've decided to take charge of all the arrangements for the actual showing, the clothes side is yours, but I am arranging everything else."
She looks at Hope earnestly, "I'm going to make this spectacular! I'm going to make this showing the most talked about event ever, even bigger than when we introduced Felicia and Marius! I've already invited some of the same people and I've arranged live streaming for it again. I'm making this big Hope, really big. I want everyone I can reach to see it, and if I have to spend more money than usual to do it, then so be it, I won't fail!"
Hopes eyes widen at Steffi's description, she usually delegates most of the "grunt" work like Steffy is doing anyway, and this will keep Steffy out of both hers and, more importantly, Liam's, hair. If Steffy wants to lose herself in making her line a massive success, then she was all for it. She puts on her most loving sympathetic smile and says, "If you're sure this is what you need Steffy, then it's okay by me." She hesitates for just a moment before adding " Welcome to my team."
Steffy nods biting down hard on her inner lip to stop herself from jumping up and attacking the sanctimonious hypocrite in front of her, instead she says, "Thank you Hope, I can't tell you how much I need this, just wait, I promise, I'll make this the surprise of your life . . . trust me," she adds with a smile.
Hope nods in satisfaction. "Well, I better get back to work, don't forget if you need anything, or if you have any questions about my line, don't hesitate to contact me. Remember, I'm here to help." And with that dig at Steffy, she turns and marches out the door.
A bitter hate-filled smile creeps onto Steffi's face as she whispers, "Oh don't worry Hope, I've just found everything I need, and I always keep my promises!"