Prevailing Love

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

I open the door to Steffy's room. Ridge is still sitting beside her. His hand is cupped around Steffy's hand squeezing it.

"Hey," I say, as I saunter slowly over to Ridge. "How is she doing?" I ask hopeful of any sign or changes. I walk over to her and caress her hair lightly before bending down to give her a kiss on her forehead.

"She's okay, but unfortunately I can't give you more good news."

"It's okay, Ridge. Thank you for staying with her. As much as I didn't want to acknowledge it, I did need the break. I needed some air and get my head on straight. I've been pathetic in my self-wallowing, pity party behavior." I sigh, "It gave me time to think and get a clear perspective on everything going on." I chuckle, "You would never think that my dad would actually give good advice."

Ridge gets up from his chair. "You do seem different, lighter from when you were in here earlier. What did your dad say?"

"Let's just say my dad talked some sense into me. He made me see the entire picture instead of just focusing on the bad. He made me realize that concentrating on the bad and the what if's isn't helping Steffy. I am here with her physically, but not here with her. I am not here with her the way I should be."

"He gave me the nudge that I needed to focus on what Dr. Abar said before walking away from me."

"The love and hope thing?" Ridge asks just to confirm.

"Yeah, I was too focused on why, when and wallowing that I couldn't give his words my full attention. But now I am, and now that I am, I see it. I see exactly what he meant when he passed those words of wisdom to me."

"What have you concluded?" Ridge asks folding his arms.

"Steffy needs me. She needs to feel my presence. I need to be strong for her. Wallowing isn't being strong for her; it is me feeling sorry for myself. This isn't about me. Just being there and really focusing on her, forgetting about the rest is what I need to do. It needs to be me and her, as if nothing has changed. I need to hold her hand and tell her how much I love her and need her."

"Mmm, I agree. Your dad actually gave you some pretty decent advice." He rolls his eyes, "That's actually surprising."

"He did. He gave me the space to express my feelings whatever they were or are. Then, once I did that and the pressures of my feelings were gone, he was finally able to get me to see what I needed to see. Honestly, it was one of the best conversations; I have ever had with my dad in my entire life."

"That's great Liam. You do seem like a weight has been lifted."

"It has and I feel lighter and more focused. Steffy and I are going to get through this, no matter what and no matter the cost."

"This is the attitude we need," Ridge applauds.

"Listen Ridge, I don't know what your plan is, but please go on home. I appreciate your support, but you need rest and to get back to L.A."

"Liam, this is my daughter."

"I know," I reply realizing that what I said didn't come out how I wanted it to. "I didn't mean it like that. Look, there isn't much that any of us can do. It's just a matter of waiting. There is no need; nothing can be decided until Steffy wakes up. You need to take a break, need time to sleep and refresh. I can handle this. If anything changes I'll call you and you can come back here."

"Depending how things go here, I might need you to bring the kids back up. Hopefully not, but I can't leave Steffy."

"Okay," Ridge relents. "I'll head home. Please, keep me posted."

"Of course I will."

Ridge starts to turn away.

"I just want to ask you one more thing," I smile at Ridge.

"Shoot."

"Will you and my dad be able to play nice with each other on the jet, or do you need a chaperone?"