Monday, October 24, 2005, Episode #4666

Stephanie worries that she doesn't know who she is anymore.

Stephanie is still in Taylor's office; she says she can't go on this way. She used to be a decent woman, Stephanie Douglas, but now she doesn't know who that is anymore. She crossed the line and lost those values of decency, and now Eric hates who she's become. Taylor thinks that admission is a major breakthrough; she thinks Stephanie sees what her obsession with Brooke has done to both her and the family. Stephanie says she just wanted to protect them. And those people will be willing to forgive her, Taylor suggests to her mother in law; she thinks Ridge is already coming around, and she's sure others will do the same once they see Stephanie making an effort to change. Stephanie feels like she is alienating everyone with her opinions, so they don't need her anymore. And if she can't help her family, what is she good for? Taylor suggests that Stephanie has gone from protecting her family to focusing just on Brooke. With good reason, Stephanie says; after all, look what Brooke did to her own daughter. Taylor looks at Stephanie's attempts to "help" not only her own children, but Brooke's, as well; she asks if anyone's life is better off with all of Stephanie's "help."

Taylor makes a suggestion.

Stephanie feels like she has failed. Taylor asks Stephanie to consider that she's been putting her energies in the wrong place. She suggests that Stephanie has to let her family live their own lives. She notes how Stephanie called herself "Stephanie Douglas" earlier and claims that she never heard Stephanie call herself that. Stephanie says she was happy back when she was Stephanie Douglas, like when she and Eric were in college at Northwestern. Taylor asks Stephanie if she still has friends from that time. They stay in touch, Stephanie says, although many of them live in Florida now. That was before Brooke turned Eric and Ridge against her, and against each other. Taylor thinks that Stephanie still *IS* Stephanie Douglas, and she suggests that it might not be bad that she is. She thinks it might do Stephanie some good to get away for a while on vacation, to put some distance between her and everything that has happened and find herself. But Eric and Brooke will still be married, Stephanie says, so nothing will change. Except for *her,* Taylor says. She reminds Stephanie how she said earlier that she can't live like this. She's given Stephanie a suggestion on how to fix things, but it's up to Stephanie to act on it.

Gaby, Thomas and Clarke worry about canceled orders for Thomas's next line.

Over at Spectra, Thorne, Sally, Darla, Clarke and Gaby watch as Thomas struggles with his latest designs. Clarke and Thorne try to be encouraging, but Thomas knows that this collection isn't as good as his last one. Sally hangs up the phone on a buyer, frustrated that the buyer has canceled his pre-order; Clarke says that he'll make sure to hold that order. Thomas guesses that everyone thinks he's a one hit wonder. The problem, Sally says, is that everyone is talking about Forrester in the press, thanks to the news of Eric and Brooke getting remarried. Spectra can't buy a headline now, she fears. And sales follow the buzz, Clarke points out. Thorne thinks that they will get their buzz back when Thomas beats Ridge. He'd better, Sally states. Darla hears Sally's tone and asks Sally what she's done now; Sally explains that she assumed that Thomas's new line would be as good as his first one, so she invested in some new equipment to handle the pre-orders. The pre-orders that people are canceling? Thomas asks. Sally says.

Eric defends his marriage.

Over at Forrester, Ridge tells Eric what a mistake it was to re-marry Brooke, especially since they only took those vows to reassure Bridget. They're just going through the motions of being married, Ridge states, and that's not the basis of a marriage. Eric thinks he and Brooke are both being realistic; he thinks Brooke needs a relationship based on trust and respect, rather than having another fantasy relationship. What about love? Ridge asks. Eric points out that there are different kinds of love, and Brooke's love for him is that of a woman who has found someone she can trust. He thinks that he and Brooke are building a family and are running the company together, so what could be better. It's all an illusion, Ridge insists. He's sure that Brooke would leave Eric in an instant if she heard the right words. Eric asks if Ridge intends to take his wife away; Ridge assures Eric that he and Taylor are committed to each other, but he doesn't think the same can be said of Eric and Brooke. Eric tells Ridge that he's been more creative and has had more energy since remarrying Ridge, even though he knows it's hard for some people, like Jackie, to accept. He even wonders if Ridge is jealous. Ridge points out that he and Brooke share a son, RJ, which means they will always be connected. He wonders how RJ will feel to know his granddad is his step-dad. Eric says that RJ will be growing up in a stable home. Even with his mother and step-father are all over the papers? Ridge asks.

Eric says that he and Brooke will not allow this to affect their children. Ridge asks Eric if he thought about how this would affect Stephanie: he recalls how humiliating it was for his mother the first time Eric married Brooke, so he doesn't know how Eric could do that to her again by acting so irrationally, for all the world to see. Eric assures Ridge that he didn't do this to punish Stephanie. Ridge accuses Eric of not even thinking about how the news would devastate Stephanie. Eric assures Ridge that Stephanie will always be a part of his life, and of this company. Then annul this farce of a marriage and make amends! Ridge argues. Eric says that he can't be Stephanie's husband now. Ridge says that his mother isn't herself these days. Then who is she? Eric asks. He feels like he doesn't even know Stephanie any more. Because of mistakes like this, Ridge says. Eric finds it interesting how easy it is to defend Stephanie by saying that she's "just doing it for the family" until it's you love she's interfering in. Before they can continue the discussion, Stephanie calls Eric and asks to see him. Eric isn't in the mood for another argument today. Stephanie says she just wants to talk. She asks Eric if he's heard from Ridge; Eric says that Ridge is right here. Stephanie asks them to come up to the house right now. They'll be there, Eric says as he hangs up.

Over at Spectra, Gaby kisses Thomas and tries to reassure him. She says that she trusts in his designs. Even if Thorne and Sally don't? he asks, pointing out how quickly they ran out of here. Stephanie called them together for a big meeting, Gaby reminds him.

Sally is stunned by Stephanie's announcement.

Stephanie arrives at the mansion and looks around; she fondly remembers her wedding to Eric, and spending Christmas with him. Soon after, Sally, Thorne, Darla, Massimo, Eric, Ridge and Taylor arrive. Stephanie thanks them for coming and tells them that it will be hard to talk to them today, because of all the memories she has here. Thorne asks if she's OK; no, she says, and she hasn't been for a long time. She always thought that the best was yet to come, but now that Eric has remarried Brooke. Eric reminds her that their marriage was over before he married Brooke again. Stephanie admits that she has done some things she isn't proud of, so Eric has a right to be angry with her. She's a but angry herself, and embarrassed, too. She has treasured her place in the family and the company, but that's over now. Thorne tells his mom that none of them are happy about this marriage. Stephanie thanks him for saying that, but she doesn't want their pity. She wants them to know that she loves them all, which is why this is so difficult. With the divorce, she says, and with Eric marrying Brooke, it's embarrassing, and she just doesn't have the strength to face it anymore. That's why she is going away.