Weddings, Woes, and a Wiley Woman's Words
The following morning
Deacon yawned and scratched himself lazily as he wandered out to the kitchen to start the coffee. As he opened the door of his bedroom he sniffed the air appreciatively as the smell of freshly brewed coffee reached his nose, Hope must have awoken before him and beat him to it - great.
"Hope? You up already?" He asked as he entered the small houses main room.
Hope looked up from her usual position on the sofa, her laptop open and running in front of her.
She looked at him and smiled, "after yesterday I couldn't really sleep. I've been waking up on and off all night, the last time was 20 minutes ago, so I gave in and just got up. Coffee's ready," she added raising her cup.
Deacon quickly poured himself a mug, added some milk and sugar and then sat down next to his daughter, "Any news as yet?" he asked as she continued to browse her computer.
"The story went up just over half an hour ago at six thirty, just like Bill said it would. I got a message from him earlier, apparently he's already on sold it to a few other news channels, he mentioned C.B.S. and N.B.C., but it's breaking with Eye On Fashion a full hour and a half before anyone else is allowed to go with the video clips."
Deacon nodded, "are you sure you're ready for the shit storm that this is going to bring? I mean, there's a lot of people that could potentially be upset with you for this; apart from your mother and Eric that is."
Hope shrugged, "honestly Dad, compared to what I've got coming, I don't really give a rats ass who's upset. As you know, this is just a little curtain raiser to the main event, and the fact that I got paid great money for it, well, that's just unexpected gravy. Let them be upset, as I said, this is just a small precursor of what's coming."
Deacon couldn't help himself, he'd watched his daughter go hardnosed negotiator with Bill Spencer yesterday afternoon, the fact that she'd beat a fortune out of him, while also getting him to help her with her real plans, that was incredible. He figured that Spencer knew a great money-making deal when he saw it, so he had begrudgingly given in to Hopes demands, mainly because if things went as expected, he would also make a packet, right along with his daughter.
"The deal you did with Spencer was unbelievable! I never in my wildest dreams imagined he'd pay you a quarter of a mill for those clips, and agree with your other plans so wholeheartedly. You were lucky the phones captured all the action as well as the conversations, it made a difference I think, and they will tie in perfectly with what you've got coming," said Deacon with pride.
Hope grinned, "well, it was incredibly juicy, and it does do several things for Bill. One, it keeps Eye On Fashion at the forefront of breaking celebrity gossip, and that's incredibly important to the business. Two, it will increase his online readership, because people are going to be dying to see this right away. Three, and rather importantly, he has never liked Eric or the Forresters in general, well, apart from Steffy, it's an old grudge that has been handed down to him from his father, so getting to publicly humiliate Eric, is far too good a chance to pass up. If you hadn't noticed, Bills big on public humiliation of those he doesn't like . . . I should know! Four, me getting mum to sign that waver and give me full ownership of all recordings in the house for the day was what clinched the deal for him, because legally, he's in the clear as I owned the rights and just sold them to him. As you saw, he had his legal team peruse it while we were there, and they told him it's watertight."
She smirked as she continued, "I have Steffy to thank for that, she was incredibly thorough when it was me, and she made sure she left nothing to chance. And number 5, he got in on the ground floor with my plan, that does have the potential to increase Eye On Fashions readership as well as make us both a lot of money when I unveil my surprise to everyone. Besides apart from the money, the only thing I insisted on, as you know, was that you be portrayed in a good light for trying to protect Taylor from that security thug, and that any on-selling to others should also reflect that. He may not have been one hundred percent happy with my condition, but Eye On Fashion have followed them to a T. They actually said you had to leap into action when a defenceless Taylor was manhandled at Erics orders. So, there should be no negative blowback on you for what happened, but I'm afraid neither Eric, nor my mother came out of this very well, not well at all," she said in satisfaction.
Deacon nodded, "thanks honey, you were amazing, not only with the negotiating with Bill, but with how you handled yourself with Brooke. That couldn't have been easy, but you did it, I'm so damn proud of you." He added with a smile.
Hope reached over and grabbed his hand gazing at him with genuine love and appreciation for his words. "Thanks dad, thanks for standing by me and helping me when no-one else would. I know I didn't deserve your support, not after the way I had behaved towards everyone, especially you when you were trying to help me. You have proved time and time again that I matter, that you've got my back, no matter what I do! There's been no strings, no conditions, you've just been there with the most wonderful advice, even when I wasn't prepared to listen. I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me. So, having said that, I have a little present for you, to let you know just how much I love and appreciate everything you've done for me." She said as she reached for her bag and took out an envelope.
She passed it to Deacon who frowned, "Hope?"
Hope smiled, "open it."
Deacon opened it and stared in shock; it was the check that Bill had given his daughter for the phone vids."
Deacon snorted, "you want me to bank this for you?"
Hope giggled, "it's yours Dad, all of it."
Deacons' eyes swung up to meet his daughters, "No way! I can't accept this, this is yours Hope, you came up with the plan, and you negotiated with Bill Spencer to get it. It's yours honey, I can't take it, this . . . it's just too much."
Hope snorted, "it's doesn't even come close to repaying you for everything you've done for me, it's yours dad, please, with-out your help I wouldn't have got anywhere near that amount anyway, that fight scene was a real kicker and added even more spice to an already spicey drama. Besides; since I've been looking back over my life I feel like all I've ever done is take from everyone, but now, now I have a chance to actually give back to someone I love, it's important to me, it's what I need to do, for both of us."
Deacons eyes travelled back to the check again, "How about we go halves then, that way we both win."
Hope shook her head, "I can't dad, I don't know how to explain it, but this feels like it's a part of "her," and I'm not the only one she's hurt over the years. She took me from you! She convinced everyone that you were just a worthless con who seduced her, and that she was the innocent, and as usual, they believed her. You never got to come to my school plays, you never got to watch me graduate, you never got to watch me do any of the things a father normally does, because she took that from you! Dad, you deserve this, think of it as a little bit of compensation for all the years she stole from you. Besides, as you know, I have my own plans in place, this," she said pointing at the check in his hand, "is for you."
Deacon stared down at the check, then back at his daughter tears forming in his eyes at his daughters' heartfelt words. "Nothing will ever make up for the time we missed sweetheart, nothing, but if you're sure," he looked back down at the check and started grinning, "I can pay off my loan with this as well as expand into that empty space next door. Then I would even have enough room for a small jazz band to play every now and then, just like I dreamed in the beginning when I bought the place," he said enthusiastically as his excitement at what the money could do for him started to sink in.
"Honey, are you absolutely positive this is what you want?" He asked, taking Hopes hands, and staring into her eyes.
Hope smiled, leant in, and said, "I'm positive dad, this feels so right, you deserve this, finally, you get to have some of your dreams come true, and that makes me happy!"
Deacon gave Hopes hands a final squeeze, then jumped up," I'm going to have a shower, and then I'm going to start planning, first thing tomorrow I'll get the ball on the road, and I want to make damn sure I'm ready."
A smiling Hope watched as her father practically skipped out of the room. For the first time in a long time, she felt genuinely happy.
She checked the time, it was now seven thirty, she couldn't put it off any longer, taking a deep breath she picked up her phone and dialled.
Thomas was in the middle of pouring a coffee when his phone rang, he frowned and looked to see who could be calling him this early, when he seen Hopes number he answered immediately.
"Hope? What's going on? Is everything alright?" he asked.
"Do you know what happened at the wedding yesterday?" asked Hope with no preamble.
"Thomas nodded as he replied, "yeah, mum and dad told Steffy and me yesterday afternoon after they got home, they were pretty upset. After telling us what happened dad ended up grabbing his sketch pad and pens and taking off to the beach by himself. Steffy and mum didn't want to let him go, but I told them to just let him sort through this himself for a bit. What granddad said to him, you know, telling him he wasn't his son, and that he's . . . well, we're all Maroney's, that was unbelievably brutal."
"Oh, he was devastated, that's when Eric threw everyone out and that thug they hired grabbed Taylor, and dad intervened to protect her," she said.
"Hey Hope, please thank him on behalf of Steffy and me, she told us that Eric just stood there smirking, if he hadn't of stopped the guy mum might have got hurt."
"No problems, but, well, that's not what I called for, I've done something you mightn't like, and I wanted to prepare both you and Douglas for it before you find out by yourself," she said nervously.
Thomas remained silent so Hope continued before she lost her nerve, "as you may know, dad and I recorded everything on our phones as we were going to show Eric the truth if he didn't believe Ridge, and we got some excellent footage. Well, after Eric threw us all out before we had a chance to show him the truth, I made a decision, I got dad to take me to Bill Spencers yesterday afternoon and I sold the recordings to him, it hit Eye On Fashion online at six thirty this morning. And Bill has onsold it to some of the big networks as well, so it's going to be everywhere."
"Why would you do that Hope? Are you that short of cash?" Thomas said in a shocked voice.
"If you must know, I gave all of the money to dad, for all the support he's given me, despite my not earning it from him, and for all that he's suffered at mums hands over the years. Don't you understand Thomas?" She begged.
"She always gets away with doing cruel, horrible, and vindictive things because no-one ever, EVER, exposes her. Everyone always makes excuses for her, or believes her lies and unending gaslighting that she subjects us all to. Well, no more Thomas, no more! I'd had enough! I had the proof, and I'd be damned if I was going to let her get away with one more thing, not one! Not this time, this time she's going to pay the piper."
"Okay, I get it, but Hope, this is going to cause a lot of humiliation, and not to just Brooke, but to granddad and dad as well," he said quietly.
Hope snorted, "Ridge and Taylor come out of it fine, as does dad, but mum and Eric will have to face the consequences of what they did, heck, they are probably married by now anyway if I know my mother! She'd be angry and want to retaliate in some way, so getting married despite everything that happened would be her way of giving all of us the finger, especially Ridge. And Eric certainly didn't cover himself in glory either, given the utterly cruel and spiteful things he said. Anyway, apart from all this I think we need to talk at some stage, I have something else I also want to talk to you about, and this I'd like to do in person."
Thomas sighed, "okay, I'll watch the clip and then I'm going to grab Douglas and head over to Steffi's, I'll come and see you next week sometime, I'll have to check my schedule, we've been pretty swamped at work."
"That's perfect, anytime will be fine with me, and Thomas . . . thanks for being so understanding, it means a lot."
Thomas gave an ironic chuckle, "Hope, in all honesty I probably would have done the exact same thing if I was in your shoes, and I can practically guarantee that Steffy would have, no matter what she may or may not say when she hears. Speaking of which, I better get moving, I'll see you next week sometime, bye Hope, and thanks for giving me a heads up."
"Bye Thomas, and give Douglas a kiss from me," said Hope, and then she hung up. Relief swelled in her chest at Thomas's understanding, she vaguely wondered how the others would take what she'd done, and if they would be so understanding when they found out.
Thomas arrived at Steffi's forty five minutes later, he'd quickly watched the on-line vid while both he and douglas threw some clothes on, and then he'd hightailed it over to Steffi's while trying to explain to his curious son what was going on, He'd eventually just told him the truth, he and Douglas didn't have any secrets, well, none that were going to be public knowledge anyway, and it was best if he learnt the truth from him now instead of online. He was surprised, Douglas had seemed to be rather non-plussed at the situation, he'd even gone as far as saying that although Hope probably shouldn't have made the vids public, but it was only right that his granddad Eric knew the truth about Brooke, otherwise it wouldn't be fair to him as she was telling lies again, then he'd asked for some McDonalds for breakfast and when Thomas had agreed he'd grinned, said "Yes," and had gone back to his online game without another word.
After a quick knock Thomas and Douglas entered Steffi's house, he was surprised to see his mother and aunt Felicia already sitting on the couch, along with Zende, Ridge was pacing the room.
"Hey Douglas, Kelly and Hayes are upstairs in the playroom if you want to go up," said Steffy with a warm smile.
Douglas grinned and held up a full bag of McDonalds, "Cool, dad bought us some McDonalds, we got extra to share." He said hi and waved at everyone before taking off up the stairs.
Thomas walked into the room, "I gather Steffy told you all?" he said as he came over to a spare chair.
"I was already up and dressed when she called me, so I came straight over," Taylor answered, her gaze sliding to an angry looking Ridge.
"And Zende saw it around the time you called Steffy and came and got me immediately, I rang Steffy and she told me you were on your way so . . . voila, here we are," said Felicia throwing her hand up and gesturing dramatically around the room.
At Thomas' surprised look she smiled, "Zende has moved in with Dom and I for some company. It's our family's home, so, just so you know, any of you are welcome to stay at any time."
"Why did she do it?" snapped Ridge as he rudely interrupted Felicia. "What the hell is she playing at! Did she tell you?" he asked as he stared at Thomas.
Thomas told them everything Hope had told him leaving nothing out and waited for the reactions.
"Well, from what Zende and I saw we both agree that it shouldn't affect the company, it might, in fact, give us a little more sympathy with the general public, especially after dads outburst." Said Felicia as she looked up at Ridge, "but more importantly, how are you holding up? What dad said, and the venom behind it, that must have cut you."
Ridge shook his head as if to clear it, "I'm fine, he was just angry at having been called out on his foolishness, and having me tell him what Brooke had just done. I'm sure he wouldn't have been stupid enough to marry her, not after what we told him, and especially after what happened next. He'll calm down and see sense, he'll apologise, I know it. I want to know what the hell Hopes playing at though, how dare she sell those video's, they weren't for public consumption, no matter what she says, dad will be humiliated, not to mention devastated, and it will more than likely affect R.E.B. Designs, this could have a devastating impact on everything!"
"I don't care," said a quiet voice.
Ridge turned around to see Steffy putting down her coffee mug as she continued to voice her own opinion.
"As much as it galls me to say this – and it does – but Hope is right!" she said.
"Steffy . . ." Ridge began.
"No dad!" she snapped. "I'm sick and tired of everyone making excuses so that, that woman gets away with every sickening thing she does, even you are doing it – STILL! Despite everything she's done and continues to do, there is always an excuse not to call her on it! It's just Brooke being Brooke, she was drunk, she was following her heart, she didn't mean it, she was protecting her family, blah, blah, blah, OH, and let's not forget my personal favourite, she did it because it's "destiny"! For gods sake, this family has more secrets than a long term senate politician because of her, and I for one am tired of it!"
"Your grandfather," Ridge said interrupting her.
"BROUGHT ALL OF THIS ON HIMSELF!" Yelled Steffy.
"And you dad," she shook her head in disbelief, "even now, after all she's done, all the pain and misery she's spread over the years, you're so used to protecting her, you're so used to keeping her secrets, that you're still doing it automatically! For gods sake, wake up and smell the roses! No, whatever Hopes personal reasons for doing this were, and I admit, she has a few, she was right, because no-one else here would have had the guts to pull this off. That she got paid for it . . . well, that's fine with me, Bills got more than enough to afford it! As long as the truth about Brooke Logan comes out, and of granddads cruelty to his son and his grandkids – if he still regards himself as our grandfather and not just your "spawn" I believe he called Thomas and I – then I'm fine with it, actually, I'm pretty damn happy if truth be told. He made a choice, all of his own free will, and he chose Brooke Logan, so whatever happens from here on out is his own fault, he knows what Brooke is, we all do, so nothing should surprise him, nothing," she finished emphatically.
Ridge closed his eyes and was quiet as everyone stared at Steffy after her outburst.
"Well, I agree with Steffy for what it's worth, when the press start in on us I say we go with a press release something like - unfortunately we can't help what either Brooke Logan or Eric Forrester may get up to, even when some in our family have tried to reach out to try to protect and obviously naive old man, and that they neither of them have any input into Forresters International, and haven't had for quite some while - and that statement would still apply even if they did something stupid like go through with the marriage; which Hope said her mother might, just to spite Ridge and make him sorry for crossing her. There's nothing else we can do, and it might satisfy the press and turn them onto something else," said Thomas.
He then turned to his father. "Dad, I know you mightn't agree with the statement, but for the company, Steffy, Aunt Felicia, Zende, and I, it's something that would work if they agree with it, but, I don't have to include you or mum in this if you don't agree, that's up to the pair of you."
"Include me," said Taylor, "While I don't like what Hope did, I agree with Steffy, there was no other way to show Eric, and the world, what type of a woman Brooke really is," she turned to Ridge, "I'm sorry Ridge, but I'm with Steffy and Thomas on this."
"Me too," said Zende as he turned to Felicia to see her reaction. She thought for a moment, "while a part of me still want to protect dad, I know I can't, he won't listen, not to any of us. I agree with Steffy."
Ridge raised his head and let out a long sad sigh, "You're right, both of you," he said looking from his daughter to his son. "Put me on the statement, we're still a family, and it's time to show the world that we won't be broken, no matter what Eric Forester says in private. I'm going down to the beach to paint if you need me." And with that he turned and left.
Taylor gazed after him, "I better go too," she said, with Felicia and Zende echoing her thoughts, they left straight after Felicia arranged with Thomas the gist of the press release she was going to put out that afternoon.
After everyone had left Thomas turned to Steffy, "Lets hope that that's the worst of it, because I think dad is right, R.E.B. will take a hit from this, and from what I heard they've been struggling to fill their orders as it is, having something else damaging happen can't be good for them, and despite everything, I don't want to see granddad hurt."
Steffy gazed out the patio door that her father had just left through, "I'm just glad that dad got out when he did, otherwise he'd be trapped in the same mess. I'm worried about him though Thomas, he just seems so, directionless, so alone, I wish I could help him."
"Maybe the cookout next weekend will help cheer him up, the kids are really excited about it," said Thomas.
Steffy smiled ruefully, "well, at least somethings going right, and the cookout was a good idea, even if the weathers starting to get a little chilly, and afternoon with friends and family may be just what everyone needs.
"Let's hope sis, Let's hope!" said Thomas as he joined his sister at the patio and looked out towards the path that his father had disappeared down.