The Heart (Liza)

[Marian Colby Chandler]

It had been a month since her surgery, and she still hadn't found Stuart, so she decided to go back home. She knew that Stuart was out there, but if he didn't remember her, then finding him would cause her to be in even more pain. As soon as her plane arrived, she made her way over to where Liza was staying with Erica and Jackson. She needed to see her daughter, and she needed that comfort that only her daughter could give her.

As soon as she arrived, she walked up to the door, and knocked, waiting for someone to answer, hoping that it would be Liza.

[Liza Colby]

Liza had just helped Erica get Colton down. He was teething & running a fever, so as soon as the doorbell rang, Liza ran downstairs to quiet whomever was outside. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see the woman standing before her. "Mom," she said, giving Marian a hug.

She then remembered her surroundings & stepped outside a little, closing the door behind her. "What are you doing back so soon, Mom? Did you... have any luck finding Stuart? I'm sorry I can't invite you in but Erica's son isn't feeling well... but we can talk on the patio out back," she suggested, leading her mother out to the backyard.

[Marian Colby Chandler]

"Oh its fine darling.." she said as she followed her daughter out onto the patio. "I decided it was time to come on home. Me nor Haley could find Stuart, and maybe it's for the best Liza. I know he doesn't remember me, and that would make it even more painful for me, but Haley is still going to search for him whenever she can, and she also has told Adam the truth about his brother, so I know Adam will be on it too" she said as she then looked down.

"I wanted to let you know that the doctor has given me a clean bill of health on my heart, but I also have decided to move out of the Chandler Cottage, because it reminds me so much of Stuart. So, I will be buying me my on house, and I have a question to ask you. Liza, I am so alone, and I think it would be great if you, and little Stuart came to live with me. I am sure Erica and Jack enjoy you guys living here, but I think they would enjoy some alone time as well, don't you think? So what do you say? Will you move in with me, as soon as I buy a house, with four bedrooms?"

[Liza Colby]

Liza shook her head lightly, taking in the situation. "I can't imagine how hard this must be for you, Mom... but believe me, if Adam is involved, Stuart will be found & I'm positive that Adam will do whatever he has to do to get his brother back. If that means therapy, then Adam will take care of that. Besides... he knows how much Stuart loves you & how much you love him. He will certainly do whatever he can to help his brother remember that love," the redhead told her mother positively.

She then looked at her mom. "Mom... I... I can't. I can't move Stuart again. I promised Erica that I'd be there to help her with her son & her new baby that's about to come, & I also made a vow to my son that I wouldn't move him again until it was to my own place that I bought. I want to be able to provide for him, Mom. But what I can do is suggest someone else who might be feeling a little alone lately," she said, looking at Marian.

"Colby has been so brokenhearted ever since her boyfriend left town... & I know that she has JR in the mansion, & I'm sure she has her friends to hangout with, but she can't very well stay with me in Jack & Erica's place... but she might like to stay with you if you offered her that opportunity. I know there has been a lot of lost time between you two, but I also know that Colby loves you, Mom, & I know how much you love her. You both are dealing with the loss of something else you loved very much... & that might be reason enough to ask her," Liza said with a slight shrug, knowing Marian was going to make the ultimate decision. All she could do was offer up her case.

[Marian Colby Chandler]

"I see..." Marian said as she looked down and was abit saddened by her daughter's answer. "So, Erica and her family means more to you than I do? If you moved Stuart, then he would be living with family. It's not like I am a stranger Liza.." Marian said as she stood up. "I am his grandmother, not a stranger" Marian said as she looked down to Liza. "As much as I love Colby...I wanted that family unit again. Something that you could provide, but it is apparent that you don't want to live with me" Marian said as she looked back up. Marian wasn't really mad, but this was her breaking point. "Just forget that I asked you Liza.." Marian said as she then began to walk away.

She then stopped and turned around. "You almost lost me a month ago, Liza, and I can't promise that I am going to live a long life either. I hate to say this, but Haley has been more of a daughter than you have in the past month. She is the one that has stood by me, when I needed someone. I might as well ask her to move in with me. Atleast I know that she will say yes, and she isn't even my flesh and blood..How sad is that" Marian said, as a few tears ran down her face.

[Liza Colby]

Liza looked at Marian as she stood up. "I never said you were a stranger, mom... I told you exactly what my plans are. Erica & Jackson have helped me out so much, especially in permanently adopting Stuart, & I'm can't abandon them right now. Colby would be more than happy for you to ask her, & you know that," Liza explained.

Liza then saw Marian get upset, & it made her blood broil. "You can't guilt me into this, mom! I know that I almost lost you, I was there, by your side, as soon as I found out! But you know what, why don't you ask her? You obviously want her to be there... after all, she's got a part of Stuart in her, right? She's her nephew. That's what you want, isn't it? Someone like Stuart with a big, sweet heart, who loves you so much? Fine. You want her to be your daughter? That's fine. Ask Haley..." Liza said, now crying, too. She loved her mother, but she also knew what the reality of this situation was.

[Marian Colby Chandler]

"Oh Liza...I...I don't want Haley to be my daughter. You are my daughter Liza, and that will never change" Marian said as she walked over to Liza, and pulled her into a hug. "I'm..sorry for getting so upset, and trying to make you feel guilty. I never should have done that darling, and I won't ever again." she said as she then pulled away from the hug, and wiped the tears from her daughter's eyes. "I love you Liza, more than anyone else on this world, and that will never change.." Marian said as she then sat back down, after calming down.

"You just need to try and understand where I am coming from. I am a lonely woman Liza, and I am trying to find something to fill that void in my life. Was it so wrong of me to want my daughter and my grandson to come live with me?" she asked, as she looked over to Liza who had also sat down herself.

[Liza Colby]

Liza cried as her mother hugged her & then nodded, "I love you, too, Mom... & I don't want Haley to be your daughter, although I am so grateful to her because of how much she helped you. How much she's still helping you," the lawyer explained.

She then nodded, "No, no, it wasn't wrong. And I do understand... I really do. But you have to know how much Erica & Jack have done for me. They took me in when no one else would, Jack gave me a job, they helped me get my son back... they're continuing to help me with him, with my money, with everything. Erica has become... she's become one of my closest friends, which, I know, doesn't seem possible, but she has. And I know I've helped her, too. I just... I need to make sure Jackson will be there for her & the kids before I even think about moving out. I know it's not my relationship, but I just feel like I was meant to do this," Liza told her mother gently. "But no, I don't want you to think you were wrong for asking. Actually, it was a wonderful thought, & if the circumstances were different, I'd love to make a home for Stuart with you. I just... I can't." Liza told her gently.

[Marian Colby Chandler]

"I understand, but I don't think Colby is going to want to live with her grandmother, and I don't blame her Liza. She is young and I would cramp her style, if she came to live with me." Marian said as she lightened up abit. "I think...I am going to do some traveling Liza. I think it would do me good to see some of the world" Marian said as she looked up to her daughter. "I have always wanted to see Australia, and New Zealand, and I might take a month and visit there" Marian said as she placed her hand on the table.

"I guess this past month has put me in a different perspective on things. I need to focus on myself right now, and get my spirits up, so that I don't have another breaking point like I just had with you. I want to be happy Liza, so I am going to work on that" she said as she finished explaining to Liza what her plans were going to be.

[Liza Colby]

Liza shook her head. "You think Adam didn't "cramp her style"?" she asked with a slight laugh.

The younger woman then nodded. "That sounds really great, Mom. I... I'm glad that you're at least telling me before you go this time. I think that you might enjoy travelling... I know I would if I wasn't working & raising a baby. It might be good for you to leave this place for a little while & just find yourself again. I know you've been strong throughout Stuart's death, but maybe it would be good for you to take some time for yourself & rediscover who you are," Liza told her mother gently.