After the dark of sadness comes the glory of happiness!

Happy Ending!

Taylor couldn't contain her curiosity about the new romances in her children's lives. Even if it wasn't any of her business, some little discreet investigation wouldn't hurt anyone. Thomas made it really easy for her. He was the same slob as his father. He spread his stuff all over the place. One day she found a pile of poems all crumpled up in his room. Her son was a true romantic. In the laundry, she regularly found tickets to movies or concerts and restaurant bills. So she was always well informed about his activities with his beloved Maya.

Her daughter was a tougher nut to crack. Her room was always perfect and there was not a single clue about this Mister X. The only thing she had found out was that Steffy regularly received a long-stemmed rose from her secret admirer.

Although Thomas and Steffy used their time more often with their dates now, they still spent a lot of time as a family. For this Sunday, they had scheduled a family tennis tournament. Everybody against everybody. After a short warm-up, they drew lots to see who would play each other in the first round. Steffy had to compete against her father. Ridge was usually the winner in these tournaments, but Steffy was ready to beat him. She had inherited his ambition and spirit. It was a thrilling, heated game. Steffy definitely gave her father a run for his money and fought hard for the win. Ridge had to be very careful not to make any mistakes. In the end, she lost to him very narrowly.

In the second match, Thomas competed against his mother. He made the big mistake of underestimating her as an opponent. Since she had been playing tennis regularly in San Francisco, she had become a serious player. Before Thomas realized it, she was beating him and he had to accept a bitter defeat. He couldn't believe he had lost to his own mother. Steffy teased and bullied him incessantly, not making it any easier on him. After the first two games, they made a lunch break and fortified themselves with sandwiches and cold lemonade. 

Then it was time for the grand finale between Taylor and Ridge. Before the match, they met for a handshake in the middle. 

"You know Doc, I love you very much but this is about my tennis honor so don't expect any gifts." Taylor glared at him belligerently. 

"As if I would accept them, sweetheart. This is war! After the match, we can be married again!"

Determined and eagerly, they went to their places. Steffy and Thomas were very excited to see their parents play against each other. Steffy cheered for her mother. 

"Come on Mom, show it to him! Girls rule the world!"

Thomas, still not over his defeat, was on his father's side.

"Come on Dad! No mercy! Destroy her!"

It was a hard-fought duel, the two gifted each other nothing and chased each other across the field. For a long time it was not sure who would win. Finally it was Match point for Taylor again, but Ridge did not give in without a fight. With her last strength, Taylor hurled the ball sharply to the other side. Ridge missed the ball by a hair's breadth. Taylor won the tournament. She cheered and Steffy and Thomas clapped and celebrated their mother. Thomas was now actually quite happy about her triumph. At least he was not the only Forrester man who had been defeated by her. Ridge showed himself to be a fair loser at first. He congratulated his sweetheart with a big kiss. 

At home, everyone made themselves comfortable on the terrace. Taylor and Ridge were completely exhausted, they left it to Steffy and Thomas to take care of the drinks. With every minute Ridge suffered more due to his defeat. Without any doubts Taylor had improved her tennis skills immensely, but he had never lost to her before. His defeat scratched his ego considerably. He found numerous reasons for his failure. He was playing against the sun, plus his racket was probably broken.