Monday, October 22, 2007, Episode #5171

Stephanie tries to make things right with Eric.

Donna listens from the terrace as Stephanie pleads with Eric to believe that she wants to make things right. She insists that she only wanted to protect her grandkids and never intended to hurt Brooke. Eric retorts that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Stephanie counters that her road was paved with obsession and hatred, and she thinks it will be hell for her if she loses her husband and children because she got so caught up in her own hate. Eric says that she's become a hateful woman, even though she was a warm woman years ago. He laments that she was devoted to their kids, but as the kids became adults, she couldn't let go and let them live their own lives. That was especially true with Ridge, which is why she became jealous when Brooke entered Ridge's life, because the one true love of Stephanie's life is Ridge. Stephanie sees nothing wrong with loving her son. She tells Eric that she went away because she hoped he would take the time to see that she never meant Brooke in any harm, but she can see now that he only sees the worst in her, just as he has through their whole life together. Eric can't believe she's blaming him, but she says they have both made mistakes, and most of those mistakes were tied to Brooke.

Eric tells Stephanie that she has to apologize to Brooke.

Eric can't believe he's hearing this for the thousandth time. Stephanie can't believe she has to say it that many times, but the problem is that he's never been able to accept what drove a wedge between them in their marriage. "My heart stopped beating for you the day I saw you in Brooke's arms," she states, asking Eric to please not let what happened to Brooke come between her. Eric reminds her that Brooke is the victim here. Stephanie says she knows that, but it was the son of a bitch who raped Brooke who victimized Brooke. Eric points out that she practically sent that rapist to Brooke's, so he doesn't think they have anything more to say until she accepts responsibility for what she did. Stephanie says that she'll definitely apologize to Brooke, but she wants him to just tell her that he'll try to forgive her. Eric tells her that it's not simple, because a lot of things changed while she was away, things she needs to hear about from him. Stephanie tells him that she'll apologize to Brooke tonight and leaves.

Donna asks Eric about what she overheard.

Donna comes out of hiding and notes that Stephanie sounded like she thinks her marriage still has a chance. Eric says Stephanie heard what she wanted to, but Donna doesn't want to be painted as a home wrecker. Eric points out that he made Stephanie no promises. "You haven't made me any either," Donna laments, asking Eric when the last time he was happy was. She can't understand why Eric would settle for just "bread and water" with Stephanie when he can have some decadent piece of chocolate cake instead. She reminds him how he spends his time making women look and feel beautiful and asks, "Which one of us does that for you, Eric-- Stephanie or me?"

Taylor scoffs at Nick's explanations.

In the hospital, an angry Taylor orders Brooke to leave, and to forget about trying to take her baby away. Brooke insists she doesn't want to take Taylor's baby, but Taylor just wants Brooke to get out and screams for security. Nick tells Taylor to calm down, since Brooke is just as confused as they are, but Taylor can't accept that Brooke was the donor for her child with Nick. She asks how this could have happened. When Brooke tells her about the clerical error that still had her listed as "Marone" when she donated eggs to research, Taylor scoffs that a stupid error turned her life upside-down. Brooke says she's sorry, but Taylor doesn't buy that, since she remembers that Brooke wanted Nick's child. But a lot has changed since, Brooke insists, assuring Taylor, "This child is yours."

Nick tries to get through to his wife.

Nick tells Taylor that there is no paternity issue here, because the question at hand is about parenthood. He looks at Taylor and reminds her how the baby is a sign of the commitment they made to each other, and to the family they were planning together. Taylor cries as she listens to his words. Brooke thinks she should be going and turns to leave, but Taylor asks her to wait a minute first. Brooke pauses to hear what Taylor has to say and is surprised when Taylor thanks her for giving the baby a chance at a normal life. Brooke starts to respond, "I just did what any mother..." but she stops herself and says she did what had to be done. But now that's over, she says, and she has top go back to her own life and her own family. Taylor asks Brooke if she means that, wondering what will happen in ten years if Brooke changes her mind. "Will you look at your child and wonder if maybe things could have been different?" Taylor asks. Brooke says she won't, and she hopes Taylor doesn't either. She then leaves, leaving Nick and Taylor alone in the room.

Phoebe talks with her dad about Taylor's new baby.

While waiting for Brooke to return, Ridge checks in with Phoebe, who tells her dad that she just came from working on the baby's nursery with Jackie and Thomas. She tells him that the baby was fine when she left the hospital, although she hasn't spoken to Taylor since. Ridge wonders if anything could have changed. Phoebe suggests he call Taylor himself, but Ridge thinks it's best that he just send something to the house. Phoebe tells him that he can get over the idea that her mom is having a kid with another man, like she did, and she tells Ridge that Nick will be a great dad. Ridge hopes she's right, since that will mean Nick will focus on his own life and stay out of Ridge's. He admits he and Nick have their issues, but he doesn't want Phoebe to let that affect her own relationship with Nick. Before Phoebe can answer, Ridge gets a call from University Hospital telling him that Brooke won't be coming home tonight. Ridge doesn't understand, since he didn't know Brooke was in the hospital. The nurse apologizes, since she thought Ridge would know given how he is Brooke's emergency contact. Ridge asks the nurse to tell him more, but she hands up, so Ridge decides to rush to the hospital.

Ridge rushes to the hospital.

When Ridge gets there, Brooke is not in the recovery room anymore. A nurse presumes Brooke was brought to a private room after donating bone marrow to the Marone baby. Ridge is confused, so he waits to see if Brooke comes back. Sure enough, Brooke comes back soon after, tired and sore, so she asks Ridge to help her into bed. Ridge explains that he heard about what she did for Nick and Taylor's baby from the nurses, and he thinks that was an incredible act of kindness that she did for that child.