Sorry to keep those who are following the story waiting – no excuse – just sheer laziness basically. :D
Two weeks have now passed, and things have been happening across everyone's life. It's now the day that Steffy and Hope face each other with their lawyers. In the previous two weeks several things have happened. Antonio Veron has purchased Katies house, and he, Bastion, and Cat have all moved in, Marius has decided to stay in his apartment, for not only privacy, but to give his sister a chance to re-bond with their father and brother, with-out any animosity creeping in.
Dr Harris, along with Liam and Cat, have explained everything as gently as possible to Beth, who is still living with Liam full time at Bills. But both Cat and Liam have been spending most days there with her, to help ease the little girls' fears.
So far Hope has refused to join in or see any of them, saying she is far too distraught to deal with the pain of seeing Beth again, whilst not being able to bring her home with her, and she doesn't want to put that strain on her body and risk her unborn child.
She has also had Deacon inform Antonio that she will not be pursuing custody of Beth, and she has withdrawn all legal challenges. Instead, she asked him, as she's now co-operating fully with them, could he please leave her and her unborn child alone to live in peace. Unfortunately, her legal bills have left her totally broke and she needs the money from a settlement with Steffy desperately, not just for herself, but to help repay her mother who is in real danger of losing her house as she has been helping Hope pay her lawyers fee's.
As of this morning, Liam will be moving over to Antonio's, along with Beth, as they continue to transition the little girl into her new life. This is what Bill and Antonio had discussed together in their meeting, and Liam has agreed to go with it, to help make things easier for his "daughter". After a discussion between them all and Dr Harris who agreed that this would help with Beths adjustment, if done patiently, they are moving ahead with the plan. It hasn't all been plain sailing, but they are getting there, albeit slowly.
On a brighter note, Thomas and Douglas are getting along much better, and Douglas is getting back to the bright, happy, little boy he once was, thanks to his therapy and his new faith in his father. Thomas and Dr Harriss have told Douglas the news about Beth, and much to Thomas's surprise, he has said he wants to visit Beth, to help her, as she's still his "little sis". Dr Harris, tells Thomas they that this could be a very healing and healthy thing for both Beth and Douglas, if they start to see each other again. And it would remind Beth that she still had portions of her old life she could rely upon.
Unfortunately for Deacon and Taylor things are not so rosy, they are now teetering on the edge of their relationship, and it can go either way. For while they both genuinely like and enjoy each other's company, (and the sex is fulfilling), the animosity between their children can't help but cause problems and raise tensions between them, especially now that Hope is pregnant to yet another of Steffi's husbands, and she is refusing to help transition Beth, something which enrages Taylor no end. Deacon is trying desperately to steer clear of any conversations that involve their daughters, but with the lawyers meeting today, things are decidedly tense.
In the meantime, Finn has sunk deeper into his mental break and people have begun to notice. As his work started to suffer, he has now taken a leave of absence from the hospital. Added to that he has now legally changed his name to John Carter, as he now thinks people are talking behind his back about Sheila, and this is his way of taking some control back. Li has tried to help him but he is refusing to see her, his only interest now is Hope and his child, that, and his enduring hatred of Liam Spencer, which has grown to involve Steffy, he want's neither of them happy, and now feels as though they are the ones that betrayed him. He is now trying to work out how to make Hope see him as a permanent part of her and his daughters life.
Meanwhile after talking to Steffy about his confrontation with Brooke, Steffy has agreed that Ridge can stay in her guest house, so that he can avoid Brooke altogether. Although she has still not forgiven her father for what he tried to do to both her and Thomas, she can see he is trying to make amends, and although she doubts, she'll ever trust him again, she wants to leave her hate and bitterness behind her. She has what she wants, the Logans are finally gone from Forresters, all of them, something she had once thought would be impossible. And as far as Steffy is concerned, she simply wants to put them out of her life for good. Unfortunately, she still has today to get through.
On a much more confusing note – to her – Marius has barely said a word to her since he walked in on her and Adelyn while she was being fitted for the Showstopper for the Lingerie line. The few times they've met at work for a meeting he's been all work, every time, and after his looks and heated reaction to her in the lingerie, this "back to business" attitude is starting to drive her slightly batty – did her fertile mind imagine it, or is he just being a tool . . .
Adelyn turned from her sketching board as Steffy entered her office.
"Dee," she said using Adelyn's nickname, "I think I need some help."
Adelyn raised her eyebrows, "You're concerned about this afternoon, and the meeting with the lawyers?"
"No, not that, it's Marius."
Adelyn blinked in surprise, "What's he done? Come on to strong? Made inappropriate grabbies? I got the impression that was what you wanted . . . both the coming on strong coupled with some major inappropriate grabbies?"
"I do! Well, I think I do, anyway; but how am I supposed to know if he won't even try anything?" she said in confusion.
Adelyn pulled her head back in surprise, "What da ya mean? After the way he was sexing you up with his eyes the other day, there's been, nothin?"
She shook her head, "Ya kidding right? What the hell's wrong with him?"
"Exactly! I was starting to think I imagined the whole thing," said Steffy
Adelyn snorted, "Hardly, Jeez, even I nearly had an orgasm just watching the two of ya, talk about hot, you two are smoking."
"So what's wrong with him then?" Steffy asked exasperated.
Adelyn frowned, thinking for a moment before heading over to a rack and drawing out the design she has made for Steffy.
"Okay, I have another one finished as a backup, in the meantime I want ya to wear this. Marius has thrown down the gauntlet, so maybe you should just swoop down and pick it the hell up. I've known ya for years Steffy and I know ya like a little challenge, well, maybe it's time to set this bloke back on his butt. It's time to unleash the Steffinator!" she grinned.
Steffy blinked several times before a very "womanly" smile crept across her face. She took the garments form her friend and looked at them thoughtfully.
"You're right, thanks Dee, I needed that. I going home to get ready for the meeting, then after that I'm coming straight back here where I'm going to see if Marius is as cool, calm, and collected as he's making out."
She gave Adelyn a hug and left the office, now smiling in anticipation.
Adelyn turned back to her sketch chuckling.
"That silly man, it'll be like putting a lit match next to an open tin of petrol."
Later that afternoon at Hopes lawyers' office, both Steffy and her lawyers, Steven Jenkins and Amanda Rawlins enter a conference room that has been set aside for the meeting.
Hope and her lawyers, Erin Tanner, and Michael Dorne are already seated, after introductions are made the meeting begins.
"Let's make things easy from the start," began Hopes lawyer, Erin.
"My client with be asking for compensation of fifty million for Compensatory damages for the images that your client allowed to be broadcast to the world, along with another ten million for the unlawful termination of her contract, we will also be asking the jury for an unlimited amount in punitive damages from a jury should you decide to go ahead with a trial. If you decide to settle now, my client has, rather generously, decided against the punitive damages. I think that's more than fair, considering the rather considerable loss of face, coupled with the very public humiliation my client received at the hands of Mizz Forrester."
Steffi's lawyer Amanda took the lead, she gave Erin, Michael and Hope a rather predatory smile, before handing over several sheafs of papers.
"And we will be suing Mizz Logan for breach of contract, as well as cost of this vexatious litigation."
"Vexatious? C'mon Amanda, your client slut shamed my client, the proof is there for everyone to see! As to suing my client, she was put in an untenable situation where she had to leave the firm, no one could deny that." said Erin incredulously.
Amanda nodded to her partner Steven who went across to a DVD player and put a disc in. "This is a verified recording from Forrester creations, in it you will see and hear both of our clients." He said before pressing play.
The scene showed Hope stroll into Steffi's office as Steffy sat at her desk.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked.
"Yes," said Steffy looking up from a contract.
"I've been thinking about the upcoming show, and of what to do for it to make it more memorable. I've decided I want to show some of the behind the curtain scenes. We both know that a show is just the finished product, it doesn't show everything that goes on behind the scenes, all the work you put in to get exactly what you wanted, I think that would add some real impact. I've got releases from the models to use footage, but I'll need yours as well. I think it will add a real edge to the show, let people see the real you." She adds earnestly.
Everyone see's Hope thinking for a moment then smiling before leaning down and signing the release form.
"Just make sure you make it good," she says before walking out still smiling to herself.
The scene ends with Steffy muttering, "I will Hope, trust me, I will."
"She tricked me," yelled Hope as the scene ended. "I never thought she meant to humiliate me, she never said she'd show me and Liam together, she made me believe it would be about all the work that's involved in putting on a show!"
Amanda looked at Hope. "What you chose to believe is totally up to you Mizz Logan, but at no time did my client even hint to you that this would be anything other than behind the scenes footage of you, and you, with full knowledge of what my client wanted, more than willingly, gave your consent."
She then nodded to the documents in front of her lawyers. "
You'll find copies of the signed contract in front of you, I can assure you it's all perfectly legal. I drew them up myself."
Steven moved back to the desk as Hopes lawyers looked at the contracts in horror, this is not what their client had led them to believe had happened.
"As to your other claim, about Mizz Logan being left with no choice but to quit," Steven slid across another document.
"You will find Mizz Logans unlawful resignation here, please note the date as a full three weeks prior to the Fashion Show."
"No!" shouted Hope as she stood, I didn't hand that in until after the fashion show, check with my secretary, she'll tell you! You're twisting everything around, that's not how it happened."
Amanda smiled and slid across another two documents.
"These are two statements, one given by Mizz Logans secretary, which says she has no idea when Mizz Logan resigned, and that she was always taking paperwork to various departments for her. And the second is from Forrester Creations head designer, Marius Van Deash. It states he was there the day she signed the paper, and although he tried to talk her out of resigning, he didn't think she had listened to him."
Hope gasped and turned to her lawyers, "They can't do this, it wasn't like that! Tell me you can fight this!" she screamed.
"Please, Mizz Logan, calm yourself." Said Amanda, as Steffy looked up at Hope, before smiling and winking at her.
In that moment Hope lost it, she sprinted around the table and attacked Steffy, slapping her across the face as she tried to launch herself at her.
"I'll kill you," she screamed. "I hate you! If it's the last thing I ever do I'll get back at you for this you scheming bitch!"
Steven and Michael dragged Hope away and out the door to try to settle her as Steffy smoothed her hair.
"We will, of course, be adding assault to this case now." Said Amanda smiling in victory at Hopes remaining lawyer Erin.
"Unless," butts in Steffy as she slides yet another document across the table, "Your client signs this waver, it basically binds her from ever suing Forrester creations or myself over any of this ever again, we will drop suing her for breach of contract, as well as dropping the charge of assault BUT, she will be liable for all of my Lawyer's costs. If she signs this before we leave, then I will consent to put this behind us, if not, then I can assure you, I will be suing your client for every last penny I can squeeze out of her, which might make it hard for her to find any money to pay you."
Erin picked up the contract and went through it before nodding and leaving the room.
Steffy sighed and closed her eyes, "don't worry, you did great. They have no choice, Erin's not stupid she'll talk sense into her client."
"I hope so," said Steffy tiredly, "I just want this to be over, but if it's not, then be prepared to waste that whining, hypocritical cow!"
Amanda smiled and walked over to pour them a coffee, after another half an hour of waiting Erin returned and threw the document back to Amanda.
"It's signed, not happily, but you have yourself a deal."
Both Amanda and Steffy stood and after Amanda shook Erin's hand they left, gathering Steven on the way to the lift.
Once inside and on their way down to the foyer Steffy started to laugh, before she turned and hugged both lawyers.
"I can't thank you enough," she said, unable to stop grinning like a loon.
"It's our pleasure Mizz Forrester," said Amanda smiling at her.
Once they reached the outside of the law firm Steffi's lawyers left her while Steffy jumped in the nearest cab.
Smiling in both relief and delight she gave the driver Forresters address, she had some celebrating to do, and that involved a little number she'd left in her office!