Heavy as the Crown (Bold and the Beautiful +Passions crossover)

Chapter 5

Havana, Cuba

Steffy laid in her luxurious bed staring at the TV and continuous loop of pictures that someone captured using a cell phone of the happy couple leaving hand and hand, confirming the marriage of her step sister and ex- husband was official.

She can admit that part of her looked at the still pictures in sadness.

She made Liam happy, he smiled so much when they were together. There was a calm that fell over his body when they were alone, like he could finally relax and enjoy their love without the Logan's staring at him with accusations in their eyes. He shared parts of the boy that he was, but was too afraid to share with the world in fear of judgement.

His struggles and pain that his mother was no longer there, the resentment he still holds for Bill for not being in his life, his hopes and dreams. All of it and it hurts to see someone you love fall back into the pit, that kiss in Aspen showed her that he was not truly bothered by the scheme and if the Logan's would have-

'Nope. There you go again Steffy. The only person who shoulders the blame is Liam. He made his choice, no matter how much you want to scream that he will not find freedom and happiness. It was his choice to make, not yours and not theirs.'

With that thought Steffy sucked in a deep breath and wiped her tears. She knows in her heart that she will forever mourn for that joyful, laughing boy, but tonight she would go out and celebrate that boy that was now lost.

XXX

Italy

Ridge sat on the balcony listening to the message his daughter left for him.

'Hey Dad, I'm fine and I don't want you to worry about me okay. You won't hear from me for a bit. I need a break from all of it and get a piece of me back. I love you and -"Steffy!" "Stephanie!" - looks like mom and grandma have found me I will call when I'm ready. Love you Dad.'

His heart broke for his baby girl, as a father all he wants is for his children to be happy. He knows he has not been the greatest dad as he liked to think towards his children. Hell sometimes he was surprised that his oldest two still spoke to him.

He felt the arms of his wife wrap around his neck from behind.

"That had better not been work."

Ridge laughed, "It was not work." he paused debating on should he tell her, "It was Steffy."

He felt her arms stiffen, "What did she want?"

Ridge felt himself going into defense mode.

"She wanted to inform me that I would not hear from her for a bit, that she was taking a break. Don't worry there was no mention of Liam, Hope or the wedding that has already happened with no interruptions from her."

He is very aware that he was the main cause of the animosity between his wife and his daughter, but he did not appreciate his wife's tone whenever his eldest daughter was mentioned.

Brooke sighed knowing this would turn into a fight if she didn't put a stop to it.

"What do you mean that you won't hear from her? Is she alright?" Brooke asked with a bit of concern. Though no one would believe her, she does want her step daughter to be happy. As long as her happiness does not cause her child pain.

"She didn't say. Just that she needed time for herself and that I wouldn't hear from her, not to worry."

"That sure is vague, even for Steffy. Though there is one thing I have learned about your daughter, Ridge Forrester." she maneuvered herself into his lap, "Though we do not get along most days, she has always been very capable of taking care of herself and will do what is best for her. It's both her most endearing qualities and frustrating ones at the same time, just like her father."

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A/N: I know it's short but honestly the show is giving me nothing to work with, though I surprisingly enjoyed the Brooke and Steffy scene this past week. I have always found their relationship interesting and if they would really remove the whole Liam/Hope/Steffy thing then I think KKL and JMW could bring a new twist to the Steffy/Brooke dynamic.