Tuesday, December 30, 2008, Episode #5470

Thorne and Felicia react to their parents' announcement.

At Forrester, Eric meets with Stephanie, Ridge, Thorne, Felicia, Brooke, Rick and Steffy. After thanking his family for a wonderful Christmas, Eric informs them that he and Stephanie are going their separate ways and he is staying married to Donna, although Stephanie will still be in his life and will continue to work at Forrester. Felicia starts crying and Ridge is shocked. When Ridge asks how this happened, an ashamed Thorne confesses that he schemed to keep his parents together by making Eric think Donna was unfaithful when she really wasn't. Stephanie tells Thorne that his heart was in the right place and asks her kids to accept her and Eric's decision. After Stephanie makes a joke about the situation, Felicia sighs that there's nothing funny about this. Stephanie tells her daughter to grow up and worry about her own family rather than shedding tears for dear old mom. As Eric and Stephanie talk about their past accomplishments, they confess that they're like oil and water and don't mix well, but even so, they find themselves finishing each other's sentences like an old married couple.

Ridge gets a promotion.

Felicia and Thorne commend Ridge on his ability to keep his cool while being in the same room as Rick. Ridge concedes that he and Rick still have some issues, but they've agreed to resolve those for Brooke's sake and have set some boundaries for Rick. That brings Eric to his next announcement; he informs the others that he's naming Ridge CEO of Forrester Creations, effectively immediately. Eric adds that he'll stay on as chairman of the board while Rick stays on as president, but he feels that it's time Ridge returned to the forefront of this company. Ridge admits that he didn't expect this, but he's thrilled and looks forward to returning to work. Eric informs Ridge that he'll be getting his old office back, while Rick moves in to the office next to Eric's. Brooke agrees that this is just how things should be. With that settled, Eric wants to get back to work and prepare for the upcoming showing of their new surf line. Stephanie reminds him that they're meeting in the showroom to be prepare, so Eric heads down to check things out. After Eric leaves, Rick approaches Ridge to congratulate him on his promotion. Ridge thanks him.

Stephanie tells her kids not to worry about her.

Ridge, Thorne and Felicia talk to their mother about her and Eric splitting up. Felicia asks her mom how she can treat this like it's no big deal. Stephanie admits that it's painful, but she's tired of fighting. Besides, she's been here before and survived. Ridge wonders what Eric is thinking, but Stephanie doesn't even want to go there, although she thanks Thorne again for his misguided attempt to keep her and Eric together. She gives Thorne a hug as Felicia shakes her head in denial.

Donna tells Owen that Pam is back.

In the showroom, Donna thanks Owen for telling Eric what Thorne did. Owen says he wouldn't have been able to live with himself if he hadn't come forward, and he's just glad to see that Donna is happy. Donna agrees that she's happy, although she admits that she'd be even happier if she hadn't learned that Pam is back in town. Owen is stunned, as he thought Pam was locked up in Chicago. Donna explains how Pam came back to L.A. to make amends after getting a clean bill of health and shows Owen the bikini that Pam crocheted for her as part of her new therapy. Owen's surprised that Pam would come bearing gifts knowing that Donna is back with Eric. Donna points out that Pam doesn't know about that yet, and she worries about what might happen once Pam finds out. Owen suggests that they call security, but Donna wants to throw all their energies into making the fashion show for their surf line a hit. As Owen and Donna finalize the details for the fashion show, Eric comes down to see how they're doing. Donna explains to Eric how their show is participating in the "V8 Feeding America Program" which will use some of their proceeds to help fund an effort to send 30 million servings of fruits and vegetables to poor and hungry Americans. Eric is pleased to be part of such a worthy effort (which has also been featured prominently in recent episodes of The Young & The Restless).

Eric admires the crocheted bikini that Grace wears.

Donna spots Grace on the runway wearing the bikini that Pam made. As Donna calls Grace over to tell her that the bikini isn't part of the line, Eric notices that Grace looks a lot like Donna. Grace ashamedly admits that she's heard that before. Eric presumes that she heard that from his son Thorne. Grace apologizes for what she did, but Eric tells her that Thorne is the one who should be sorry. He then notices the bikini Grace is wearing and is impressed by the style and the stitching on it. Owen comes over and asks Donna to tell Eric about their theme for the showing. Donna explains that they're using a big screen at the back of the stage to make it seem like the models are surfing, with the person modeling the showstopper busting through like she's really riding a wave. Eric loves the idea and wants Donna to model the showstopper, which will be the bikini that Grace has on. Donna protests that her modeling days are over, so Eric says this will be her last hurrah and assures her that she'll knock the crowd dead. Donna pulls Owen aside and confides that she doesn't want to model, let alone in Pam's hideous bikini. Owen thinks she should do it, since Eric loves the idea. Donna thinks her hubby might change his mind if he knew the bikini was created by the devil spawn, so Owen suggests that she not tell Eric who made it. After Owen walks off, Eric comes over to Donna and tells her how much he's looking forward to their first fashion show as husband and wife. Donna admits that she's a bit nervous, so Eric assures her with a kiss on the neck.

Brooke accepts Ridge's proposition.

Outside Eric's office, Brooke thanks Rick for agreeing to Ridge's request to give him some space. She knows things won't get better overnight, but she thinks Rick's working together with Ridge at Forrester and keeping his word about staying away from Taylor, Steffy and the rest of the family will eventually allow Ridge to put aside his anger toward Rick. Rick understands and is grateful for the second chance he's been given. He promises his mom that he'll do right by her and by Ridge, since he feels responsible for what happened to Phoebe. Rick then gets a text message from Steffy asking him to meet her backstage. Rick tells his mother that he has something to take care of and leaves. Brooke then goes back to Eric's office and congratulates her fiance, the new CEO. Pleased with his new job, Ridge tells Brooke that he has a proposition for her. Brooke asks if she should lock the door, but Ridge quips that they'll be plenty of time for that once they get married - which he wants to do tomorrow, right after the fashion show! Brooke happily accepts; she tells Ridge that she loves him and thanks him again for agreeing to forgive Rick. Ridge says that he know how important that is to her. Brooke says that it means the world to her, just has he means the world to her. She states that they were obviously meant to be together, since they survived so much. Ridge assures her that he's committed to trying to forgive Rick, but he admits that he still worries about Steffy "falling into wrong hands" while she's still emotionally vulnerable and wants to keep an eye on his daughter.

Rick talks with Steffy about last night.

Rick finds Steffy backstage waiting for him. She wants to talk about their kiss last night. She's glad they stopped when they did, since her dad would have killed her had he found her at the beach house. Rick agrees that they would have been in over their heads and apologizes. Steffy tells him that he's not the only one who's confused, since she lost her sister and doesn't know how to deal with it. But when she was with him last night, she felt safe in his arms. Rick says he felt that, too, and gives her a hug. Steffy tells him to stop. Rick says that he just wanted to tell her that she looks beautiful, but Steffy says that he shouldn't be saying those things. Rick says he can't help it, but Steffy says he has to, reminding him that she's involved with Marcus. Rick says that he knows she has a boyfriend, but Steffy worries that her dad is already going through a lot of pain. Rick thinks Ridge will forgive him out of love with Brooke and concedes that maybe his mom and Ridge belong together after all. Still, he keeps thinking about what he could have done differently with Phoebe. Steffy says that she feels the same way.