Thursday, August 09, 2007, Episode #5121

Eric warns Stephanie not to underestimate Brooke.

With Hope, R.J. and Aly visiting and settled down, Eric and Stephanie have a couple of martinis to relax. Stephanie is glad that Ridge left Hope and R.J. with her and Eric so Ridge could spend time with Ashley. Eric guesses that the thing she likes best about Ashley is that her last name isn't Logan. Stephanie agrees, although she doesn't want to talk about the Logans tonight. Eric however thinks it would be foolish not to worry that Brooke is working for Nick at their old company, especially if Brooke is now designing as Jarrett has claimed. Stephanie doesn't think they should worry about that, since Brooke is a newcomer in the design arena; she thinks Nick made a mistake letting Brooke design. Eric points out that Brooke is a savvy girl, and not just in business, so it would be a mistake to ignore anything Brooke does at Forrester Creations. He also points out that he knows Brooke very well and cautions that Brooke "hates to lose -- especially to you."

Andy drops by the mansion to see Stephanie.

Later, while Eric goes to make popcorn for the kids, the doorbell rings. Stephanie answers it and is surprised to find Andy Johnson, the guy from the bar, on her doorstep. Not wanting the kids to overhear, Stephanie calls them from the living room and asks them to go help Eric with the popcorn. Once the kids leave, Stephanie asks Andy what brings him by. Andy says that he wanted to ask her something that's been on his mind since their chat the other night at Cafe Russe. While he's grateful for her pointing him in the right direction with Brooke, who's an interesting woman, he can't help wondering why Stephanie has encouraged him to romance her former daughter in law. Stephanie tells him that it's a known fact that she and Brooke have never gotten along. Andy takes that to mean that she wants him to divert Brooke's attention from the Forrester family. Stephanie prefers to think of it as helping Brooke find the right man. Andy asks if the kids in the other room are Brooke's; when Stephanie confirms that they are, Andy reminds her that he's a lawyer and informs her that he had one of his friends downtown give him the lowdown on Brooke's recent custody woes. He guesses losing that kids has hit Brooke hard. Stephanie agrees that Brooke is vulnerable, which is why Brooke needs the right man in her life, so she likes to think that it was fate that brought him into Brooke's life. "Fate and you," Andy corrects her, bidding Stephanie goodnight.

Brooke is surprised that Nick isn't her "secret admirer."

Nick drops by Brooke's house again with some reports for a meeting tomorrow. Nick sees the bird cage sitting in the room and asks what that is. She says it's a gift from a thoughtful friend and thanks him, but Nick tells her that he didn't send it. Brooke feels embarrassed, as she thought he sent the bird as way to fill the silence from not having the kids around. She shows Nick the card that came with the gift, which confirms for him that he didn't send it. He points out that it was signed by her "secret admirer," but his feelings about her are no secret. Brooke explains that she thought he signed the card that way because he admires her, even though he's in love with Taylor. She then apologizes for even saying that, suggesting that she said it because she spent too much time alone lately.

Nick reassures Brooke.

Nick reminds Brooke that she's not alone. She disagrees, because she doesn't have her kids here and she doesn't have him. She then stops herself, apologizing for dumping her problems on him again. Nick says it's OK, because everyone needs someone to vent to when they hit a rough patch. He assures her that she'll get through this. Brooke asks Nick to hold her, so he does. He tells her that it's not her fault that she lost her kids. In fact, he considers it partly his fault, because he left the lighter that started the fire behind. Brooke thanks him for trying to make her feel better, but she admits that she was the one who messed up and cost herself custody of her kids. But she can still make things right, Nick states. Brooke agrees and proclaims that she will get her kids back, no matter who or what tries to stop her.

Stephanie gets a call from Brooke.

Nick suggests that Brooke call her kids and hands her the phone. She calls Ridge, but he doesn't pick up, so she calls the Forrester mansion. At the mansion, Eric is reading the kids a story, so Stephanie answers the phone. When Brooke asks if the kids are there, Stephanie says that they are, but she lies that the kids are already asleep. Brooke sees through the lie, since it's still early. "You'll just have to take my word for that," Stephanie states. Brooke doesn't believe that and says she's coming over. Stephanie warns her not to do that, because Brooke will wind up in jail if she sets foot on the grounds. "I don't think you want that on your record, do you?" she asks. When Brooke is silent, Stephanie bids her goodnight.

Thorne tells Donna that he really wants to marry her.

In Las Vegas, Donna can't believe that Thorne just asked her to marry him. Thorne knows it seems sudden, but he assures her that he's serious. He tells her how rough the last year has been on him, since he lost Darla. He thought he had found happiness with Taylor, but that just didn't work out, so he had resigned himself to the fact that happiness might not be in the cards for him. But then he spent the last few days with Donna, and they've been amazing. The only thing he has to ask Donna is if she's ready to be a step-mother to Aly, since playing mom for a little girl who lost her mother won't be easy. Donna assures him that she loves Aly, even though she knows that she can never replace Darla - and in truth, she doesn't want to replace Darla, who loved Thorne and gave him Aly. She promises to always respect that. The one question she has for Thorne is about his mother. She asks if Stephanie will respect their relationship. Thorne tells her to let him handle his mother and promises to make Donna Mrs. Thorne Forrester. He starts to kiss her and they return to bed.

While basking in the afterglow with Donna, Thorne gets an idea and calls the hotel concierge. He asks to have the finest jeweler in Las Vegas sent up to his room with his finest collection of engagement rings and wedding bands. When the jeweler arrives, he asks what kind of a ring Donna has in mind. Donna suggests a simple solitaire, but Thorne thinks they can do better and picks out a three stone emerald-cut that's just over eight carats. Donna feels funny trying it on, but Thorne thinks it looks perfect. Donna agrees, but she thinks something like this is too extravagant. Thorne tells her that it shows the world how he feels about her and tells the jeweler that they'll take it. He then asks the jeweler if they can look at wedding bands. After the jeweler leaves, Donna can't help but stare at the lovely ring. Thorne takes the engagement ring and proposes to Donna again, this time on bended knee with ring in hand. When Donna says she'd be honored to be his wife, Thorne wants to celebrate.