Thursday, November 15, 2007, Episode #5189

Eric and Donna assure Stephen that Eric's marriage is over.

In Eric's office, Brooke tells her siblings that things are looking up for them. Storm agrees, although he hopes his sisters come to him next time they need help. Stephanie is the one who needs help now, Donna predicts. When Storm attests that Stephanie won't get help from anyone in this room, Brooke warns that they can't direct any animosity toward Stephanie, either. As the Logans wonder if Eric broke the news to Stephanie yet, Eric returns and informs them that he told Stephanie that their marriage is over, as he's in love with Donna. Overjoyed, Donna gives him a big hug. Brooke asks how Stephanie took the news; Eric admits that she was devastated. Donna tells him that he won't regret his decision and kisses him. Donna wants to celebrate, but Brooke and Eric both think they should hold off on that, as they still have work to do for the fashion show. "And what are you all celebrating?" Stephen asks as he enters the office. Donna tells her father that she'll be the one by Eric's side on the runway at the end of tomorrow's fashion show, as Eric is ending his marriage. Stephen asks how Stephanie feels about that. Eric pledges that his marriage is over and his future is with Donna, and that has him thinking that this could be a fresh start for the Forrester and Logan families.

Storm considers Eric's job offer.

Storm asks Eric what he means. Eric explains that their two families share a lot of history, even though some of it has been unpleasant. He wants to use the showing tomorrow to put the bad blood behind them and signal a new beginning for his company and for both families. Storm assumes Eric is saying this because Stephanie is now out of the picture, but Stephen asserts that Stephanie wasn't the only problem. Eric agrees with Stephen, but he also thinks their families have a lot in common, especially devotion to family. He points out how Brooke has been been a key part of Forrester Creations for years, and now Donna and Katie have joined them, so he'd like to offer Storm a place on Forrester's legal team. Storm hopes there are no hard feelings between them, since he spent a lot of time sticking it to Eric while working here for Nick. "But you did a lot of good work for Nick," Eric concedes, "and you're an even better brother." Stephen bitterly asks Eric if he has a job for him, too, maybe something that involves shipping him to Paris. Eric admits he can see why it's difficult for Stephen to accept anything from him. What's difficult, Stephen says, is seeing his family gathered around Eric, like Eric had a bigger part in their lives than he did. He admits he made a mistake by running away, but now he's back, only to watch Eric try to take his family away from him again!

Brooke and Katie listen as Eric praises their work.

Eric assures Stephen that he has no intention of taking away his family. "You can't take away what you never had," Storm quips. Eric explains that his name might be on the building, but Donna got him back in the door, and Brooke made the company into a household name that Katie is going to help promote. Since the Logans have been such a key part of this company's success, he wants to recognize their contributions so they get the respect they deserve, the same respect he'd give Stephen if he chose to come on board. Brooke thinks it's a generous offer, but Stephen is still skeptical, especially since he doesn't even need a job. Brooke explains that this is about bringing the families together, not about a job offer. She tells Stephen that she always dreamed of their family having the kind of connection that the Forresters have, and this is their chance to make that dream come true. Storm asks Brooke if that means she thinks they're not connected. It means they've spent too much time trying to bring Stephanie down, Brooke answers, and that's kept them from doing something positive. Like helping Eric's business grow? Stephen asks. Like learning to rely and trust each other, Brooke responds, and she's no better place to do that than right here. Eric suggests that Donna take her family downstairs to see the showroom and proclaims, "Tomorrow's a chance to show the world that the crisis and turmoil in this building is finally over."

Stephanie asks Ridge if it's too late to repair their relationship.

Stephanie is looking around the dark, empty Forrester showroom when Ridge comes in. He asks if she spoke with Eric yet. Stephanie replies that Eric told her that their marriage is over. She wasn't really surprised that it happened, since she let Eric down; in the past, she laments, she was able to repair whatever mistakes she made, but she couldn't this time, even though she's apologized to Brooke. Ridge asks if Eric left her because of what happened with Brooke. "He said it's about Donna," she laughs, reflecting on how these were supposed to be the golden years for her and Eric. She turns to Ridge and asks if it's too late to repair her relationship with him. When Ridge is silent, Stephanie reminds him that unlike Eric, he can't just get rid of her, since she's still his mother. She's also the person who put the woman he loves in danger, Ridge retorts, and Brooke is still feeling the impact of that. He knows Brooke thinks she's OK, and she even acts that way when she's with him or the kids. But all it takes is the slightest unexpected sound to bring the horror back for Brooke. "You say you're sorry," he charges, "but sometimes, sorry just isn't enough." Stephanie agrees that forgiveness has to be earned, but Ridge doesn't even know if that's possible in this situation.

Stephanie assures Ridge that she won't interfere in his life with Brooke, but she also isn't going to just roll over and die. Ridge says that he doesn't expect her to, but Stephanie thinks Eric does, and that's what this whole thing with Donna is all about. She's sure that Eric thinks she'll stay away from the fashion show tomorrow, to avoid the embarrassment of facing the press when he parades Donna on that stage, but she has every intention of being at that show. Ridge thinks that's a bad idea, but Stephanie insists that she will be here. Seeing the skepticism in Ridge's eyes, Stephanie tells him that she'd never cause a scene in the company that she and Eric founded. Ridge reminds her that this is Eric's moment, but Stephanie counters that Eric wants to share that moment with Donna this time, even though the triumph belongs as much as to Ridge, Thorne and Felicia. She wants to be here to applaud her children's success when they take their bows. Ridge suggests she applaud from some spa, but Stephanie points out that this isn't the first time she had to watch Eric fawn over some blonde, and it probably won't be the last. "Why would you want to torture yourself," Ridge asks. "I just have to be there," Stephanie sighs. Ridge gives his mother a hug before getting back to work.

Ridge offers his support to Eric.

In his office, Eric gazes at a photo of him and Stephanie before putting it back on the shelf behind his desk. Ridge comes in and asks his dad if he wants to talk. Eric is surprised Ridge knows and asks if Stephanie called him. Ridge asks if the marriage is really over. Eric says it is. Ridge asks if Donna knows, so Eric tells him that he just told Donna and her whole family. Then where's the champagne? Ridge asks. Eric doesn't see a need to celebrate now; he explains that Stephanie is a hard woman to leave, but unfortunately, she's also hard to live with. Even so, Eric feels like this time was different from the other times he and Stephanie ended their marriage. Ridge suggests that's because Stephanie never accepted the blame before, but Eric feels it's because she never gave him the last word before. Even so, he assures Ridge that he doesn't regret his decision to share his future with Donna. Ridge is surprised that Eric says he ended his marriage because of Donna, because Stephanie is sure he did it because of what happened with Brooke. Eric assures Ridge he loves Donna and asks for Ridge's support. Ridge says he has it. Eric thanks him, because he wants this to be a fresh start for the Forresters and the Logans. Ridge isn't sure that can happen. Eric agrees it might take time, but he thinks it's a possibility, and the fashion show tomorrow is the first step toward making it happen. He wants to end the days where this building was a source of conflict, instead having a time where their family and the Logans will work together to make this company something it's never been before.