Wednesday, December 26, 2007, Episode #5215

Ridge checks on his mother.

Stephanie is cleaning up her living room after Christmas when Ridge drops by. Ridge sees his mother wince a bit while picking up some trash and bends down to help her. Stephanie tells her son that she's glad Eric enjoyed the big family celebration, since she knows how much he loves Christmas. She confesses that she originally canceled Christmas because she didn't want anyone spending time with her out of obligation, but the day turned out special because everyone wanted to be there. Ridge comments that it was nice to feel that way for one day, but as much as his mother would like to think otherwise, he isn't sure a future for her and Eric is in the cards. Stephanie reminds Ridge that Eric spent the day with his family yesterday. Because Donna told him to, Ridge informs her, hinting that Donna has her hooks into Eric now and isn't going to let go.

Stephanie vows to fight Donna for Eric.

Stephanie contends that she and Eric reconnected during the holiday, so she thinks he'll come back to her, just like all the other times he strayed in their marriage. Ridge concedes that Eric will always care about her, but he warns her not to get her hopes up, since he doesn't want to see her get hurt. Stephanie sees a light at the end of the tunnel, which is why she intends to do everything in her power to fight Donna for Eric. Ridge reminds her that she's still recovering from a trauma. Stephanie says she knows that. When she thinks about the moment before she blacked out after being shot, she recalls wondering where everyone was, and she realized later that could have been her last thought. But it wasn't, because it wasn't her time. That's why she vows that when her time comes, she isn't going alone. After Ridge leaves, Stephanie looks at a heart-shaped ornament on the tree that reads "Grandpa" and tells herself that it isn't over between her and Eric, no matter what anyone else says. "If Donna thinks she has a future with you, she's in for quite a shock," La Forrester muses.

Donna asks Eric how his Christmas with the family was.

Eric is sitting in his hotel room when Donna comes in. She asks how his Christmas with the family went. Eric tells her it was wonderful and gives her a hug. Donna asks what Stephanie thought. Eric admits he was surprised that Stephanie didn't kick them all out at first, but his wife came around once she saw the whole family there. "It must have been special for the family," Donna guesses. Eric hears some concern in her voice and asks if she's worried. She reminds him that she told him to spend the holiday with his family, but he hears hints of doubt in her voice and asks why someone as beautiful as she would be so insecure. She reminds him that Stephanie wants him back. Eric tells Donna that his feelings for her haven't changed, even after the magical day he spent with Stephanie and the family. Donna hugs him and concedes she's acting silly, but Eric thinks it's natural after what she's going through with her dad in jail. Donna knows he doesn't agree with her, but she's sure her dad is innocent and wishes she could find the real shooter. She's just grateful her dad has Storm in his corner. She and Eric decide not to let what happens to her father interfere with their relationship, no matter how things turn out. Donna thanks him for respecting her feelings, even if he disagrees with her. Their ability to disagree is what makes their relationship so special, Eric states. They start to kiss, but Donna gets a text message from Brooke to come over to discuss their dad's case. Eric tells her to go, so she gives him a goodbye kiss and leaves.

Eric assures Ridge that his marriage is over.

Later, Ridge stops by to see Eric and tells him about his visit with his mother, including Stephanie's belief that there's a chance to save her marriage after their family Christmas celebration. He fears his mother is setting herself up for a let-down. Eric says that it was a wonderful day for all of them, but Ridge explains that Stephanie saw a glimmer of light and has her hopes up now, even though he told her to be realistic. Eric senses that Ridge isn't here to lobby for a reconciliation. "Is it possible?" Ridge asks. Eric knows that Ridge and the rest of the family would like to believe that it's possible, but it isn't, because his future is with Donna. He admits that Stephanie will always be part of his life in some way, but their marriage is over, and he's love with Donna. That's why he's decided to file for divorce. He reaches over to the table and shows Ridge the divorce papers he had drawn up.

Storm tells Brooke that he wants to confess.

Storm sits with Brooke and Katie in Brooke's living room, discussing their dad's decision to say he shot Stephanie to keep Storm out of jail. Storm has to admit that Stephen loves him and is proud of him if he's willing to give up his own freedom that way. Even so, Brooke frets that their father is innocent and doesn't deserve to be in jail. Storm agrees, which is why he's decided to go down to the police station to confess that he shot Stephanie. Brooke thinks he's getting ahead of himself, but Storm doesn't see any other choice. Katie reminds him that he was just protecting them, but Storm thinks he made the worst mistake of his life trying to do that. Looking back now, he sees that his actions were the kind of things that Stephanie would do, and he knows the Logans are better than that. That's why he needs to take responsibility for his actions. Donna walks in the door as Storm tells Brooke and Katie that he's going to tell the police that he shot Stephanie. "You did this?!" she exclaims, livid that Storm would lie to his own family and set his own father up to take the blame for a crime Storm committed himself. Storm tries to explain to Donna how angry he was that she turned to their father for help instead of him, and Brooke and Katie add that their died implied that Storm had failed to protect Brooke once he found out about the rape. Storm agrees that their dad's comment set him off, but that doesn't justify how he set Stephen up to take the fall.

Katie wonders if Stephanie can be trusted.

As Storm, Brooke and Katie fill Donna in on the details of how Storm set Stephen up, Donna's eyes grow wide with horror. She starts to cry that it must be a lie, but when Storm cops to everything, Donna lunges at him in anger. Brooke steps between Donna and Storm as Katie pulls Donna away, but Storm admits that he deserved that. "Of course you do," Donna shouts, "because our father is rotting in jail because of you!" She can't even think of how to tell Stephen that his own son set him up. Storm tells her that their dad already knows. Then why is he still in jail? Donna asks. Storm explains to Donna that their dad told him not to say anything, but he can't let their dad take the fall, which is why he intends to confess to the crime. Brooke tells Storm to wait, but Storm says he can't live with himself unless he comes clean. Brooke tells him that she has an idea that can get them out of this mess while still preserving their family. She picks up the phone and calls Stephanie, telling the Forrester matriarch that she's coming right over. After Brooke hangs up, Katie asks what Stephanie has to do with this. Brooke repeats that she has a plan, but neither Donna, Katie nor Storm thinks they can trust Stephanie to help their dad or their family in any way. Brooke admits it's ironic, but Stephanie may hold the key to saving their family.