Prevailing Love

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I hang up the phone aggressively and with slight anger, throwing it down onto the couch. I have so many thoughts going through my mind. I don't even know where or what I should let my mind concentrate on. I don't even know if I can concentrate on anything without going to worst case scenario.

"Liam," Hope pushes, while walking closer to me. "What is it? You look like you've seen a ghost. You've lost all the color in your face. What happened? What did she say to you on the phone? Is Steffy okay?"

I gulp and shake my head feeling the tears well up in my eyes. I exhale sharply and turn my face towards Hope. "Steffy—Steffy, she's been...been....No Steffy," I cry. I can't even get the words out. I feel tears immediately streaming down my face"I can't—I just can't—lose—lose Steffy..."

"Liam, calm down, relax and take a deep breath."

I exhale once again before trying to gain my composure. I have to remain cool and composed until I know what's going on. I can't frighten the kids.

After what seems like several moments or even minutes, I finally feel composed enough to speak to Hope.

"Steffy was in an accident," I finally speak. "An accident up in Napa"

"What? What do you mean accident? What happened? Is she okay?" Hope asks frantically.

I hang my head looking at my hands, "I don't know. I just know she was hiking with her friends, and somehow managed to slip and she hit her head on a rock."

"Oh no," Hope sympathizes.

"I'm sorry Hope; I have to get out there to be with her. She needs me." I say throwing my hands up. I start to head for the hall closet to grab a few things and an overnight bag for myself.

"I'll call you when I know what's going on, but I can't obviously focus on Beth tonight. I'm sorry. I just have to get out of here. I have to call Ridge to come get the kids. I don't want to bring them up there with me if I don't have to. I look over at Kelly and Cooper playing together with Beth and all of them having fun. I don't want to disrupt it, butI have no idea what is going on, I don't want to scare them..." So many thoughts just keep racing through my mind; I can barely focus on anything.

"Liam," Hope says coming up to me. She touches my arm. "Whatever you or Steffy need, I am here for you both. Is there anything I can do? Of course, I'll take Beth, that's not even an issue. Do you need me to do anything? Can I help you?"

I shrug, before shaking my head. "I just need to get there as fast as possible. Steffy needs me, and I need her," I reply feeling a shooting pain course through my chest.

Hope nods as she looks over at me with sadness in her eyes. She looks as if her heart is broken.

"If it helps, I can take the kids to my mom's to be with Ridge, or they can stay at the cabin with Beth and I. At least the kids would be together, and can relax."

"I don't know," I say unsure of her offer.

"Liam, you said yourself you don't know what is going on, do you really want them to be sitting in a hospital for hours not knowing anything, until you yourself know something, and know what it is you want to tell them and how? Let them come with me, at least until you figure out what is going on. They can stay with Beth and I. I think they'd like that, but if you really feel uncomfortable about it, I'll take them up to Ridge's house."