Brooke asks Stephanie to stop dredging up Ridge and Bridget's past feelings.

Brooke stops by the Forrester mansion with some papers for Eric regarding the sale of Thorne's Forrester stock. Stephanie tells “Florence Nightingale” that Eric's not home. Brooke's surprised Eric's not around with such an important matter to deal with. Stephanie guesses that Eric doesn't want to deal with this, as it means the end of his dream of a family business. A family business without the family, Brooke notes. Stephanie asks how Ridge and Bridget are. Brooke says they're home now and resting. It was lucky Nick found them when he did, Stephanie says. Brooke points out that Nick often comes through for Ridge. And Nick seems fond of Bridget, Stephanie says; in fact, she wonders if they're falling for each other. Of course they're not! Brooke insists. They're just friends. Stephanie wonders why Brooke is so defensive; she'd think Brooke would be happy to see Bridget attracted to another man. Brooke guesses Stephanie means a man other than Ridge; she asks why Stephanie keeps bringing up the subject of Ridge and Bridget. She's sure that Bridget has moved on, no thanks to Stephanie blabbing to Amber. Stephanie points out that Amber eavesdropped on her talking to Ridge. She reminds Brooke that she's on her side. Then leave the subject of Ridge and Bridget in the past where it belongs, Brooke says.

Clarke can't believe what Amber's up to.

At Spectra, Amber is working on some kind of photo album; she slides the photo of Ridge and Bridget in the mine in the back of the album. Clarke comes in, upset that Amber missed their online publicity chat for “Eye on Fashion.” Startled, Amber hides the album and says she's sorry. Clarke asks what she's hiding and takes a look at the cover. It reads “Forrester Family - Lasting Memories.” Amber grabs the album and says it's a photo album from Christmas that she's making as a gift. Clarke suspects she's up to something and grabs the book back - and when he finds the photo from the mine in the back, he asks what she's thinking! Doesn't she realize the trouble she'll be in if Brooke sees this? Actually, she says, the album is for Ridge, and that photo won't be in it. She's hoping that the memories of the Christmas that almost wasn't will inspire Ridge to give her a second chance with Thomas. If he doesn't, then she'll show Brooke the photo. Clarke reminds her that Ridge has never been reasonable where she's concerned. Then maybe she should just show Ridge the photo, she suggests. Clarke advises her not to do that.

Thorne laments his success being at his father's expense.

Just then, Sally comes in with Thorne and Darla. Amber apologizes for missing the fashion showdown; she's been working on an important project that's almost finished, and she promises she'll be 1,000 times more productive when she's done. She then bolts out, despite Clarke trying to stop her. Darla wonders what that was about. Clarke says they don't want to know. Sally agrees; right now, the only thing she wants to know about is the sealing of her deal with Thorne, who is now officially her 50-50 partner in Spectra Couture. Clarke congratulates Thorne and Sally on what he thinks was a wise move. Thorne seems upset; Sally asks what's wrong. Is he having doubts? Thorne says he isn't having doubts, but he is sorry that his success comes at his father's expense. Sally tells him not to worry; she thinks having his son as a competitor will be good for Eric. It will inspire him to get his act in gear and fire back at Spectra with all cylinders firing!

Eric tells Stephanie he wants to retire.

Eric arrives home, quoting lines from Shakepeare's "As You Like It." Stephanie wonders what has him in this mood. A few dry martinis shared with their sewing room employees, Eric jovially answers. Realizing that her husband has been imbibing a bit, Stephanie asks what got him in the mood to celebrate. He tells her that he's happy for Thorne; after all, what father wouldn't be proud to see his son succeed? Stephanie guesses he'd be prouder with his son by his side. He says that's not going to happen, so it's time to move on. He takes that as a cue to sit down at the piano. He asks his wife to fix him another martini while he starts to play and sing “Thanks for the Memories.” As she brings him his drink, she says he seems accepting of the situation with Thorne. That's because he had an epiphany today, he explains. Thinking about his bleak future at his company, he decided that it's time for him to chuck this 9-7 rat race and for them to do some traveling. So he's taking a leave of absence? she asks. No, Eric says, he's retiring!

Stephanie thinks Eric is running away.

Stephanie can't imagine Eric retiring after the effort he made to regain and hold onto the CEO's chair. That's his point: he fought so hard, but what was he fighting for? The press keeps getting nastier and the designs are starting to look the same, so he thinks this is the right time for him to step down so the two of them can enjoy the fruits of their labor. She says he's running away rather than face the idea of having a company without his children beside him. He says he's not running; he's just admitted that in today's world, parents don't leave their children their companies anymore. Stephanie still doesn't buy it: she knows this company, that the two of them built, is his life, and he loves it too much to just walk away. But everything that made him love the company is gone, he says. Ridge isn't down the hall, bubbling with new design ideas. Thorne isn't there getting the best from their employees. Kristen isn't there to convince him to back some new charity, and Felicia isn't bringing in her crazy, unique designs. Even Rick, who was always so eager to learn about the company, is gone. And without any of his children here anymore, without his inspiration, the company just doesn't seem like home anymore.

Ridge isn't happy to see Amber.

Amber shows up at Ridge's house; Ridge immediately tells her to get lost, but she thinks he should take a look at her photo album first. She reminds him of the “Christmas that almost never was” and her part in making that happen for his family. And he thanked her for that, he reminds her, but that still doesn't erase all the bad memories she's given his family. Amber admits she's made mistakes, but she thinks he has too. And they both have a passion for Thomas. With all that in common, she thinks they can find some common ground. No, Ridge says, they can't, because her relationship with Thomas is over. She thinks he knows deep down that Thomas still cares about her, and she doesn't want that to happen behind his back. That's why she's asking him to make a concession here and meet her halfway. While she steals Thomas away? Ridge asks. That's not what she wants, she says. She just wants to recapture the sentiment they shared on Christmas in the hope that he will give her a second chance for the good of the family. Ridge says he believes her when she says she wants to help his family - and the best way she can do that is to stay away from them!

Amber asks for a second chance.

Amber can't believe Ridge won't consider giving her a second chance. Why should he, he asks, for the woman who tried to ruin his marriage, the woman who robbed his children of their mother? She says she didn't kill Taylor. But Taylor died helping her, Ridge points out. He calls her obsessed and accuses her of being just as bad as Sheila! And he's one to talk, she says, after what he did with Bridget. He reminds her that she already played that card and failed. He calls her a piece of trash and orders her out! Amber can't believe he's calling her trash, especially since they'll soon be calling him even worse names. He asks if that's a threat. She tells him to remember that she gave him a chance. He throws her photo album to the ground and tells her to get out and never come back! He then storms out of the room.