Thursday, September 06, 2007, Episode #5140

Rick asks Bridget what he missed.

Inside the Forrester mansion, more wedding guests arrive, including Clarke. While Thorne tells the minister that they should start soon, Rick arrives and asks Bridget how Aly is doing. They join Eric, Thorne and Felicia, with Thorne thanking Rick for coming today. Rick wishes Thorne the best of luck in his marriage to Donna, which leads Felicia to chime in that they'll need that luck with Stephanie on the warpath. While Thorne goes into the den to collect his thoughts, Felicia decides to find and contain her mother. Eric thinks that's a good idea, because he doesn't want Stephanie disrupting things while the rest of the family is coming together for Thorne. Meanwhile, Jackie catches Stephanie outside and quips that Donna and Thorne will be relieved to know that La Forrester is leaving. Stephanie bursts Jackie's bubble by bragging that Jackie and Nick should be ready for Forrester Creations to be history once Forrester Originals' next collection comes out. Jackie counters that Nick won't be intimidated by the woman who couldn't even get rid of the Logan girls.

Stephanie gets some digs in with Jackie.

Stephanie goes back in and goes to the den to talk to Thorne, who is practicing his vows. Stephanie blames herself for neglecting Thorne over the years and tells him again that he deserves better than the likes of Donna Logan. But even though she's still not happy about this wedding, she's going to quit trying to stop it and be supportive. While it breaks her heart to know that Thorne is headed for lots of pain and unhappiness, she thinks he's a smart enough guy that he can figure out what Donna is really made of. Most importantly, even though she's not happy about the choice Thorne has made, she wants him to know that she loves him and always will. The two embrace as Thorne thanks his mother and tells her that he loves her.

Ashley arrives for the wedding.

Ashley arrives, anxious to know if she's missed anything, since she heard these Forrester weddings get quite exciting. Eric hopes this one won't be, eliciting laughter from the others. Eric tells Ashley that he's glad to see her here, even if it's without. Bridget chimes in that it was good for her mom and Ridge to get some time together with the kids (although Bridget strangely refers to Brooke by her first name, not as "Mom"). Ashley agrees that Ridge thought it was a good idea, but Stephanie comes over and spoils the mood by expounding on how selfish it was for Brooke to keep Ridge from his own brother's wedding, especially since Ridge might have stopped this wedding. She just hopes Brooke will leave Ridge alone.

Donna is upset by her sister's suspicions.

In the guest house, Katie confronts Donna about what she overheard. Donna tries to cover by claiming that she was just joking with Jackie, but Katie isn't buying it. Donna fumes that she's hearing this kind of disapproval and suspicion not only from Stephanie, but from her own sister. Katie responds that she'll approve of this marriage if it's happening for the right reasons. Donna explains that she wanted to unite the Logan and Forrester families, just like Brooke tried to do so many times. But Brooke got stabbed in the back every time she tried, so Donna wants Stephanie to pay for what she's done. Katie just has a few simple questions; she wants to know if Donna loves Thorne, and she wants to know why Donna is marrying him. Donna asks what's wrong with a woman who is always alone wanting to be with a man who respects and appreciates her like Thorne does. In turn, she thinks she's given Thorne the strength to stand up to his mother. Katie again asks about love. Donna says you don't have to be in love with someone to make them happy. "So you don't love him?" Katie asks. Donna is tired of this conversation and refuses to let it ruin her big day, but Katie guesses the only reason the day is so important is because Donna can't wait to make Stephanie squirm. Donna retorts that Stephanie is the enemy, since she tried to take Brooke's kids away, so she thinks it will always be the Forresters vs. the Logans. Katie points out that Donna's about to become a Forrester. Donna replies by reminding Katie that the Logans stick together no matter what.

Up at the house, Rick finds Ashley on the terrace and asks how she feels that his mom is off with Ridge at Big Bear. Ashley replies that Ridge hasn't given her a reason not to trust him, but Rick thinks the fact that Ridge is missing his own brother's wedding for this family getaway says something. Ashley is sure Ridge would have told her if she had reason to worry, but Rick thinks the fact that his mom forgave Ridge, who tried to take Brooke's kids away, says more than anything Ridge could ever tell her. Meanwhile, Eric finds Stephanie and is glad she's changed her clothes and agreed to stay; he knows Thorne wants her here, despite her reservations about this wedding. He assures her that Thorne wants this wedding, but she counters, "He wanted a go-kart when he was 12, and we didn't give it to him." Eric points out that Thorne isn't 12 anymore. Stephanie still wishes that someone might talk Thorne out of this wedding.

Jackie wonders if Donna will go through with the wedding.

With Katie gone, Jackie returns to the guest house to find Donna, who still wants to push ahead with this wedding without any negativity from Jackie or anyone else. Jackie asks Donna how things went with Katie. Not well, Donna frets, unable to understand where Katie got her ideas about love and marriage from given the lack of solid marriages in the Logan family. Jackie is sure Katie just wants the best for her sister, but Donna thinks what's best is to go ahead with this marriage. As she helps Donna get into her dress, Jackie comments that white isn't what it used to be. Donna laughs that white will be the color of Stephanie's surrender today, after the million times Stephanie had to accept Brooke and didn't. "Now she's got me," Donna gloats. Donna then gets a call from Storm that it's time. Jackie asks Donna if she's really going through with this; Donna says that no one will stop her.

Katie tells Thorne the truth.

Up at the main house, Katie finds Thorne in the den, reflecting on how lucky he is and looking at the wedding ring he bought for Donna. Katie guesses that it's all so daunting, but Thorne says they he knows what the commitment of marriage means after being married to several incredible women. Katie asks him if Donna understands, but Thorne thinks she does, even if Donna hasn't been married before. For him, saying "I do" today will mean that he'll be there for Donna though every significant event in her life from now on. Katie is moved by the sentiment. Thorne admits that this wedding happened pretty fast, but he thinks that just shows how Donna reached out to him when he needed help the most. He knows his mother doesn't credit Donna for that, but he intends for everyone in his family to show Donna some respect starting tonight. Katie thinks that's a lot to ask from Stephanie, but Thorne thinks that would just be about people accepting that he and Donna love each other. Katie surprises him by telling him that her sister's intentions aren't pure. Thorne argues that he and Donna are connected. "In the bedroom?" Katie asks. Yes, Thorne says, although he also thinks there is more to it than that. Katie admires his devotion for her sister, and she hopes someone will think of her that way someday, but she has to tell Thorne that Donna doesn't love him and is only marrying him to get to his mother.

Thorne is stunned by what Katie tells him.

Thorne asks Katie how she knows, so she tells him that she heard Jackie and Donna talking. Thorne points out that Jackie hates his mother, but Katie assures him that it's true. She knows Donna may never speak to her again, but she feels that marriage is sacred, so she had to let Thorne know the truth before he commits to a lie. Thorne asks if she's telling him not to marry Donna. Katie answers that the choice is his, but she had to make sure he knew the truth so he could make that choice. Thorne has more questions, but Eric comes in and tells Thorne that it's time to start.

Phoebe and Felicia notice that Thorne looks nervous.

As Thorne and Eric take their places, Ashley kids with Rick that he should sit near Stephanie. Felicia joins in and suggests that they might need a big, strapping guy to hold Stephanie back at the "speak now or forever hold your peace" bit, but Rick scoffs at the idea. As Katie takes her place as matron of honor, Storm tells her that Donna was getting nervous wondering where she was. "Donna should be nervous," Katie replies. Meanwhile, Phoebe and Felicia see that Thorne looks a bit off; Eric sees it too and asks Thorne if he's OK. Thorne says he just needs a minute.