Three Long Months

Day 12

"Layla, where are you? I have left you a dozen messages and I've checked all of your normal spots. Where did you disappear to?!" Jordan yells into the phone, leaving yet again another voicemail. Frustrated, he throws his phone at the wall. "God dammit!" he screams out. Spencer runs up to check on him, "Yo J, what's going on?" Pulling at his hair, Jordan sits down on his bed, sigh deep, "I can't find mine damn fiancé, is what's going on!" Looking down at Jordan in disbelief, "Umm, fiancé? The ring was yours?"

Jordan nodded his head, "Yeah man, we were going to tell everyone when you got back from the airport. I can't believe this is happening." Looking up at Spencer, "Where is she? Why did she disappear like that?" Spencer pats Jordan on the shoulder, "I don't know J, but if this is history repeating, she could be feeling like what happened to Patience is her fault in some twisted way. Although that couldn't be further from the truth." Silence greets them as they both as they digest the information given.

Getting off the bed, Jordan paced and back and forth. "I just want to find her Spence, I love her and she's dealing with this alone." Bringing him in for a hug, "We'll find her J. Let's contact your mom and see if she can help." Jordan nodded, "Okay."

On the other side of town, Layla is overlooking the LA skyline. This the place she almost died. No one knows the specific details of what happened here with Carrie. She just needed to be alone with her thoughts. Still reeling that what happened to Patience is her fault in some way. I pushed too hard on Miko. I knew she was unstable, I've seen those signs before, actually Miko was way worse." But deciding to be done with the pity party, she grabs her phone and sees all the missed calls and voicemails. It's time to stop hiding. Getting back into her car, Layla heads back to the beach house.

As Layla made her way back to the beach house, her mind was filled with conflicting emotions. The guilt weighed heavily on her, but she knew deep down that she couldn't blame herself entirely for what had happened to Patience. She thought the restraining order would be the answer, tried to protect her friend and artist. But now, she needed to face the consequences and support her friends in their time of need.

Arriving at the beach house, Layla was met with worried and relieved faces. Jordan rushed towards her, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and relief. "Layla, where the hell have you been? We've been going out of our minds trying to find you!"

Layla looked down, unable to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry, Jordan. I needed some time alone to process everything. But I'm here now." Jordan's anger softened, replaced by concern. He took her hands in his, looking down at the new ring that adorned her left ring finger, his voice filled with genuine worry. "Layla, we're all going through a tough time right now, but we need to stick together. Patience needs us, and I need you. I love you, and we'll get through this."

Tears welled up in Layla's eyes as she finally looked at him. "I love you too, Jordan. And you're right, we can't let this tear us apart. I'm here for you, for Patience, for everyone."

Spencer approached them, his presence offering a sense of calm. "It's good to have you back, Layla. We need to support each other now more than ever. We'll find a way to make things right."

The group gathered in the living room, their hearts heavy with the weight of recent events. Coop, who had been by Patience's side, joined them, her face etched with exhaustion and concern. She looked at Layla with a mixture of relief and frustration. "We've been so worried about you, Layla. We need all hands on deck to find Miko and get justice for Patience."

Layla nodded, determination shining through her tears. "You're right, Coop. I won't hide anymore. We'll find Miko and make sure she pays for what she's done."

Together, they formed a plan. They would get Mrs. Baker involved to see if she can aide with tracking down Miko. The weight of responsibility felt slightly lighter knowing they weren't alone in their pursuit of justice.

Days turned into weeks, and the search for Miko intensified. Layla's guilt had transformed into a fierce determination to bring her to justice, not just for Patience's sake, but for the safety of everyone around them. Each piece of evidence they uncovered brought them closer to finding Miko, but also revealed a web of secrets and dangerous connections that reached far beyond what they had initially expected.

But the bright spot in all this mess was that Patience was making a slow but steady recovery, breathing on her own and finally able to talk to visitors. Outside of her family, there was no one more excited to have more time with Patience than Coop.

After finishing up last round of testing before they can sign off on discharge, Coop knocks and enters the room, "Hey, it's so good to see you up. I was really scared seeing you like that. I imagine this is what it felt like for you when I was the only laying there." Patience leans over and grabs her hands, "It was worse, because then we we're together." Coop looks down at their hands, bring one of hers up to kiss. "That's actually what I was on my way back to the Baker's house to come see you about, but then everything happened."

Looking up at Coop, "what did you want to talk about?" Deciding it's no time like the present, she already almost lost her, not letting the moment pass her by again. Coop takes a deep, "It's simple, really. I miss you, I love you, and I want you back." Patience just shakes her head with a bit of a smile, "Damn Coop, talk about timing."

Meanwhile, back at the beach house, Spencer sits in his room, anxiously waiting for Liv to answer his call. He has so many updates for her, "She's never gonna believe J is engaged again!"

Finally, the call connects, and a smile brightens Spencer's face as Liv's image appears on the screen. "Hey, baby, you look great. I've missed you," he says, unable to contain his excitement.

Liv smiles back, her eyes sparkling. "I've missed you so much too! Fill me in! How have you been? What's been happening?"

Spencer takes a deep breath, eager to share all the news. "Well, you won't believe this, but Jordan proposed again!" Liv is taken aback. "Wait, what?! When did this happen?" Spencer shakes his head and explains the whole story about the mix-up with the engagement ring. "So, it turns out the ring was Jordan's, and he proposed to Layla the night you left."

Liv's eyes widen in surprise. "Wow, that's unexpected! Well, as long as they're happy, that's all that matters to me. I learned my lesson the first time about passing judgment on Jordan's decisions. Just keep an eye on him for me, okay? He's still grieving after losing our dad, so he might need some support."

Spencer nods, a mix of happiness and concern crossing his face. "Absolutely, Liv. I understand completely." After sharing the engagement news, Spencer updates her on Patience's recovery and the latest developments with Miko.

Liv's expression softens, and she leans closer to the screen. "That's wonderful news. I'm so glad to hear that. I'll definitely give her a call once she's settled back home."

Spencer admires how deeply Liv cares about everyone, no matter what she has going on. Smiling warmly, he says, "Alright, enough about everyone else. Tell me all about what's happening there."

Settling back in her chair, Liv enthusiastically shares her experiences visiting tourist locations, indulging eating her weight in fish and chips, and staying with her host family. She paints a vivid picture of her adventures so far.

As Liv speaks, Spencer can't help but feel a swell of pride for her. He knows that her decision to stay there was the right one. "That sounds amazing, baby. I can't wait to see more pictures and hear about all your new adventures. I'm proud of you."

Blushing at the encouragement, Liv replies, "Thanks, babe. I'm actually really proud of myself too. This has been a scary and exciting adventure, and I'm so happy I took it."

They continue their conversation, discussing upcoming plans and finding ways to schedule phone dates around their time differences and busy schedules. It becomes clear to both of them that this time around, they won't let anything sabotage their relationship, not even their own insecurities.