Monday, November 05, 2007, Episode #5181

Nick brings baby Jack home to Taylor.

Nick wakes up and finds that Taylor isn't beside him in bed. He rolls over and sees her standing over the crib, thinking. As Nick joins her, Taylor suggests moving the crib to another room; Nick says they can do that until Jack comes home, but Taylor wonders when that will be. Nick asks Taylor what's wrong; she sobs that she's scared, because she doesn't feel a connection to the baby. She knows Brooke signed her rights away, but she just can't feel like this baby is hers when she can't hold or bond with the baby. Crying, she goes to take a shower. A bit later, Taylor is dressed and back in the bedroom; Nick is gone, so Taylor sits alone by the bed, playing with a doll. When Nick returns, Taylor says she understands why he had to leave, since she's been so distant while he's been nothing but supportive. As she tries to apologize, she hears a baby cry; turning around, she sees Nick holding baby Jack, telling his son not to interrupt Mommy while she's talking to herself. Taylor is shocked to see Jack in Nick's arms, especially since the baby is still developing an immune system. Nick assures her that he spoke to the doctors, and while they still can't let Jack be around other people, he can be around his mom and dad. Nick asks Taylor to hold their son. Taylor wants to wash her hands, but Nick points out that she just showered and hands her the baby. "You're so beautiful, so perfect," she weeps as she holds him close and kisses his forehead. She then turns to Nick and thanks him. Nick sits down next to her and holds her hand as they bond with the baby.

Felicia offers her theory on what attracts her father to Donna.

Felicia meets Stephanie in Ridge's office, since Stephanie sneaked into her own company - and it is still her company, La Forrester insists, no matter what Eric agreed to. She can't see why Nick would make Eric agree to shut her out, especially since even Nick knew it couldn't be enforced. When Felicia is silent, Stephanie wonders if her daughter is thinking about Donna; she asks Felicia how two intelligent men like Thorne and Eric can fall for "that bimbo." "Cheese fries," Felicia replies, explaining that her brother and her dad obviously see Donna like some guilty pleasure they're not supposed to have. Stephanie shakes her head, unable to understand why she keeps shooting herself in the foot rather than learning from her mistakes. Felicia points out that Eric has made his share of mistakes, but Stephanie feels like Eric is upset with her for not heeding his warnings about the way she interferes in the lives of their children. Felicia points out that what happened with Brooke has Eric upset. Stephanie fumes about how stupid she was; she didn't know Andy would rape Brooke, but she never even checked the man out and instead pushed him right on Brooke. She's apologized over and over, but she fears that it will never be enough, and now Eric has cast his eye on Donna.

Eric tells Brooke how charmed he is by Donna.

Eric is busy sketching in his office when Brooke drops by. Peeking over his shoulder, Brooke thinks the design in the pad is exquisite. When Eric tells her that he couldn't concentrate during a meeting earlier because this design popped into his head, Brooke recalls how he used to get that way when they were married, and she's glad to see that gleam in his eye again. Eric says he has a lot to be happy about. Brooke wants to talk to him about that, but Eric first wants to apologize to her for not stopping Stephanie from seeing her when Stephanie returned to town. Brooke sighs that she'll probably never be able to trust Stephanie again and asks Eric if he's accepted Stephanie's pleas for forgiveness. No matter how many pleas Stephanie makes, Eric assures, Stephanie will not be in this office. Brooke is glad to hear that, since she has enough to deal with with Ashley. Eric asks what's going on with Ashley, so Brooke tells him that Ridge broke up with Ashley to reunite with her. Eric is pleased by the news, since he always knew Ridge and Brooke would find their way back each other, but he and Brooke both feel sorry for how hurt Ashley and her daughter must be. Brooke then changes the subject to Donna and asks Eric what's going on between him and her sister, especially since Donna told Katie that it's a "real" relationship. It is, Eric replies, stating that he is charmed by Donna. Just then, Donna walks in, so Brooke takes advantage of the chance to ask her sister about what's going on with Eric.

Brooke has some questions for Donna.

When Eric explains to Donna that Brooke knows about their involvement, Donna guesses that her big sister wants to know if she's using Eric to get back at Stephanie. Brooke admits that Stephanie needs to pay for what she did, but she doesn't want Eric to have to pay as well. Donna assures Brooke that she doesn't have to worry, because her feelings for Eric are real, and she gushes about all the qualities Eric has that would attract any woman to him. "He sees me deep inside and he loves me anyway," Donna reflects. Eric adds that he's attracted to Donna's honesty, charm and smarts. Before he can say anymore, Eric gets called down to the showroom, so he leaves the two sisters alone in his office.

Donna warns Brooke that they have to deal with Stephanie.

When Donna says that she's crazy about Eric, Brooke concedes that she can see that. Donna just wishes Eric's family could see it, and she frets that Eric is just separated from his wife when he needs a divorce. Brooke thinks Donna should take things one step at a time, but Donna can't do that after what Stephanie has done to Brooke and to Eric. "If you care about him," Donna asserts, "you'd want him to be free of Stephanie." She can't understand why Brooke is suddenly going easy on Stephanie after what the Forrester matriarch did. Brooke points out that she has not accepted Stephanie's apology. "You better not!" Donna barks, hoping that Eric doesn't get suckered into taking his wife back. Even if Eric doesn't wind up with her, she thinks he deserves better than his wife. "I want you to be happy," Brooke tells her sister. Donna takes that to mean that Brooke fears that Stephanie, as always, will get her way, which means Donna is headed for a fall. "Not this time," Donna seethes, hoping that everyone finds out what Stephanie did to Brooke. "No!" Brooke insists, telling Donna that she wants to let go of the desire for hate and revenge. "It justice, not revenge," Donna insists, but Brooke doesn't want to get involved in Donna's battles because she's finally gotten back with Ridge. Donna thinks Brooke is being naive if she thinks Stephanie is out of her life. Brooke promises not to let her guard down, but she doesn't want to make waves when she finally has the life she wants. "If we don't do something," Donna warns, "Stephanie will be back, and there goes your life with Ridge."

Stephanie is unimpressed by Donna's bravado.

After Brooke leaves, Donna is sitting at Eric's desk when a voice from the door quips, "Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet." Seeing a smiling Stephanie in the doorway, Donna points out that Stephanie isn't supposed to be in the building, but Stephanie points out that she's still Mrs. Eric Forrester. "Not for long," Donna replies, calling security to remove an intruder. Stephanie turns to leave, saying that she'll find her husband on her own, but Donna retorts that Eric doesn't want to see Stephanie, since he's found a woman to make him happy. "Keep dreaming, sweetheart," Stephanie counters. Donna states that Eric will never forgive Stephanie, who quips that she won't have this conversation with Eric's latest slut! Donna seethes that Stephanie is looking down on her for being a Logan, but Stephanie states that there are many other reasons to look down on Donna. Two guards come in and asks Donna what the problem is; when Donna asks them to escort Stephanie out of the building, the two men look to Stephanie, unsure what to do. Stephanie tells them that she'll leave on her own, so the guards leave. Donna tells Stephanie to stay away, but Stephanie is unimpressed and waltzes out the door. Infuriated, Donna calls Nick and asks him to meet her at Brooke's house. Nick says it's not a good time, but when Donna tells him she has something important to tell him about the rape, he says he'll be there and tells Taylor and Jack that he has to go out for a while.

Brooke comes into Eric's office, hoping Donna knows where Eric is, but the office is empty. Stephanie enters right on Brooke's heels and tells Ms. Logan that her sister isn't there, and Eric has made himself scarce as well. Brooke fumes to see Stephanie there, since Eric promised her that Stephanie wouldn't be there in the building. Stephanie asks Brooke how she is, but Brooke doesn't want to hear it. In fact, she doesn't want anything from Stephanie and orders her to get out!