Friday, September 21, 2007, Episode #5150

Eric laments that there's little joy in his life of late.

Eric gives Donna the grand tour of the Forrester mansion, including the theater, the billiard room, the wine cellar and the game room. He ends the tour back at the pool. Donna is amazed, since in all the times she's been here, this is the first time she's seen the whole house. Eric agrees that it's a wonderful house, although he hasn't taken advantage of that lately. Donna guesses that the person who put this house together wanted to enjoy life. Eric asks if she's calling him a hedonist and admits that there was a time when he had more joy in his life. Donna tells him that he's sexy, dynamic man who is funny and talented, and he built a fashion empire, so it's sad to see him playing dirges on the piano like he misses his wife. She has a cure for his acute boredom and suggests that he get some exercise in the pool. Eric points out that he hasn't spent much time in the pool other than with his grand-kids and suggests that Donna enjoy it instead. She tells him that she didn't bring a suit. "Don't let that stop you," Eric teases. Donna takes off her clothes and gets in the pool, leaning on a floating lounge as Eric sits by the side of the pool enjoying a cocktail.

Donna skinny-dips in the Forrester pool.

Watching Donna in the pool, Eric recalls a day long ago when Stephanie was in that same pool, in the same position and wearing the same suit as Donna is now. Donna can't believe that Stephanie would do something depraved like skinny dipping. Eric tells her that Stephanie wasn't always the woman she is today. Donna thinks that explains why he excuses Stephanie's behavior, since he still loves the woman he married. Excused, Eric corrects, as in the past tense. After what Stephanie did to Brooke now, he can't excuse her behavior anymore. Donna asks Eric if he was different yet. Eric says they're all different, but Donna thinks she's have liked the man who knew how to have a good time. Eric isn't sure he remembers that man. Donna thinks that man is still inside him if he looks. Eric thinks that in trying to excuse the actions of someone you're with, you often lose parts of yourself, numbing yourself in the process. In his case, he numbed himself with his work. Donna thinks there are worse ways to do it and Eric agrees. Donna thinks she should get out of the pool now, so Eric holds up a robe behind her so she can cover up as she gets out. Donna laughs that he didn't even peek at her and suggests that peeking might have jogged his memory, or maybe something else. Eric quips that he's not that old, so he did see her, and he leans in and kisses her.

Brooke asks Ridge to remember how much she loves him.

Ridge is still at Brooke's house, where Brooke insists that they can be together now if he just says the words. Ridge asks if the words are "So long, Ashley"? Brooke is sure Ashley will have to disentangle herself from him. Ridge points out that Ashley thinks he has a future with him, based on his being open with her. "I don't have a problem with you being open and honest about your feelings for me," Brooke counters. Ridge tells her that he's always loved her. Brooke points out that things are different for them now, since they don't have to deal with his mother's interference. Ridge doesn't want to talk about his mother. Brooke agrees and suggests they talk about the new beginning that they can share with Hope and R.J. if he just gives himself back to them. She promises that he'll never look at another woman if he just embraces the future they always wanted. When Ridge doesn't respond, Brooke asks him to just think about it, and to remember how much she loves him. She gives him a kiss before going upstairs, leaving Ridge alone in the living room to think about what they discussed.

Rick drops by to see Ashley.

Rick stops by the lab to see Ashley, who asks him to take a whiff of a new fragrance she's created called "Felicia." Rick admits that it's very different from "Phoebe." Ashley agrees that it's spicier and more in her face than the first fragrance she created for Forrester Originals, fitting the personality of the new fragance's namesake. She asks Rick for some ideas on packaging. Rick has some ideas he's been thinking of for their next project, but he feels like something is missing. Ashley suggests a carrying case to hold the bottle, maybe something in black leather that matches the image Felicia evokes. Rick likes the idea; it will be elegant, but sexy, and it will be more sophisticated, like someone else he knows. He thinks the adult flavor is more in than the "sweet 'n' innocent" vibe they went with last time. Ashley asks if he's talking about his love life or the fragrances. Rick says he's talking about her, envisioning a fragrance named after her. She reminds him that she had a whole cosmetics line at Jabot named after her. Rick says he knew that, but that line was about "Ashley Abbott," and he was thinking more of "Ashley Forrester." Ashley says she doesn't see that happening any time soon, but she doesn't want to talk about it.

Ashley isn't happy listening to Rick.

Rick guesses that Ashley's comment means she hasn't spent much time with Ridge, which jives with what he heard from Bridget about the loads of time their mom has been spending with Ridge. He guesses Ashley isn't happy about that, especially when Ridge left her to attend his own brother's wedding just to hold Brooke's hand. Ashley admits that she's not happy about it, especially since Ridge hasn't explained his actions to her, and she hates secrets. Rick says he knows that better than anyone, but he also knows, as much as Ashley doesn't want to hear it, that is mom and Ridge are a package deal, with Ridge running to the rescue when Brooke needs him. He calls his mom and Ridge exclusive members of a two member club who aren't about to let anyone else in. He thinks she deserves so much better. Ashley doesn't want to talk about this; she storms off, saying that she needs to be somewhere, and heads for the steam room, where she and Ridge had made plans to meet earlier. She starts to unwind in the sauna and is relieved when a pair of masculine hands come up behind her. Thinking it's Ridge, she tells him how glad she is that he's here, so she's stunned when Rick responds, "I live to serve." Ashley scolds him for being here, and for touching her the way he did. Rick assures her that it was just an innocent neck rub between two very good friends, but Ashley doesn't quite buy it.

Ridge makes a choice.

Ridge meets with his favorite jeweler, Joel, to buy yet another engagement ring. The two joke about how many times Ridge has done this, and about how hard it is to find rings that meet the needs of a man of Ridge's discerning tastes. As Ridge looks through the rings Joel has available, he sees a radiant cut like none of the others Joel has ever shown him. Joel explains that unlike the ones with the usual 58 facets, which he's sure wouldn't pass Ridge's test, this one has 70 facets. Ridge jokes that the diamonds on the rings he buys from Joel always meet his needs, although he thinks this will be the last one he ever buys, since this fiancee is forever. He hopes Joel won't be disappointed to lose him as a customer, but Joel thinks there will be many other gifts Ridge will need for his bride in years to come. After Ridge chooses the ring he wants, Joel shows himself out.