Monday, January 07, 2008, Episode #5221

Taylor is shocked by Nick's revelation.

Since his dinner meeting was postponed, Nick returns home to Taylor, who chooses a bottle of wine so they can enjoy a quiet dinner at home. After Nick reviews the wine choice, they kiss. Over dinner, they discuss plans for the christening. Taylor tells Nick that she'd prefer not having Bridget as the godmother, since Bridget knew about the egg mix-up and didn't tell her. Nick is sure Bridget will understand, but Taylor isn't so sure given how bizarre the whole situation was. She asks Nick if he knows any more about what happened. When Nick tries to change the subject, Taylor suspects he knows something and tells him to come out with it. Seeing that his wife won't let up, Nick tells her that Brooke in fact didn't have her eggs harvested for medical research, but rather had her eggs tested to see if she could give him the child that Taylor couldn't. Taylor seethes upon hearing her husband's admission. She's furious that Brooke would go to such lengths to break up her marriage. Nick assures her that he turned Brooke down, but Taylor is still angry.

Nick tries to reassure Taylor.

Nick tells her to calm down, since it doesn't really matter, but that comment only sets Taylor off more. "It does matter, and you know it," she argues, wondering how Bridget could lie to her that the whole lab thing was an accident. Nick assures her that it was an accident, but Taylor is sickened at the idea and accuses Brooke of manipulating Bridget to intentionally switch the eggs. Nick tells her that Bridget wouldn't do that, but Taylor thinks that Brooke would do anything to get her way, including using her own daughter, and now Brooke has his baby. Nick assures her that Jack is their child in every way and reminds her that Brooke has moved on to Ridge, but that just reinforces Taylor's point; since she's sure Ridge and Brooke will break up again, she bets that Brooke will coming running to Nick when that happens and remind him that they share a child. "I hate her!" Taylor shouts, pounding the table. Nick quietly kneels next to her and tells her that this is their home, their life and their son, and he is her husband. "My life would mean nothing without you in it," he assures.

Felicia wonders what her mother is up to.

Felicia stops by the mansion to see her mother, since she's worried about how Stephanie is reacting to Eric's divorce petition. When Stephanie confidently assures her that she's fine, Felicia asks how she can be so calm over losing the man she loves to Donna. Stephanie says that she has no intention of losing Eric, but Felicia points out that Eric proposed to Donna. Stephanie explains that she hasn't signed the divorce papers. Felicia is glad to hear that her mother intends to fight the divorce, as she has no desire to see that "bleach-blond blow-up doll" as her stepmother. Stephanie reminds Felicia that even once the papers are signed, Eric can't remarry for six months, and a lot can happen in that time. Felicia senses her mom is up to something and asks her to 'fess up, but Stephanie cryptically says that they'll have to see how things work out. Felicia doesn't see much room for things to change since Eric proposed, but Stephanie advises that she's not down for the count just yet. "Donna is smart," Stephanie puts forth. "I just am going to count on the fact that she will do what's best for everyone."

Katie and Storm are skeptical.

At Brooke's house, Donna refuses to walk away from Eric. Brooke tells Donna that she'll find another man in time, but Donna tearfully proclaims that she'll never find a man like Eric and storms out. Storm and Katie return from the kitchen. Storm asks where Donna went, but Katie doesn't care about that now and wants to know why Stephanie was there. Brooke hints that Stephanie is reconsidering her plea to step up on their dad's behalf to get him out of jail. Storm can't believe that Stephanie will spare him, so Brooke tells him to let her handle this and suggests that he go home to get some sleep.

Brooke tells Katie about Stephanie's terms.

Joking that Brooke shouldn't let the pasta he was cooking go to waste, Storm takes her advice and leaves. Once he's gone, Katie asks Brooke why Stephanie is helping their family, since she knows it's not out of the goodness of La Forrester's heart. Brooke explains Stephanie's terms and tells Katie that they can't let Storm. They just have to let Donna make the right decision. Katie however doesn't see any decision to make: she declares that must break up with Eric immediately to clear their dad and keep Storm out of jail.

Donna asks her father for advice.

An upset Donna goes to the jailhouse to see Stephen. Grateful that the guards let her in so late, Donna starts to explain Stephanie's "offer" to her dad, but Stephen tells her that Stephanie already stopped by and told him all about it. Donna asks how he reacted, wondering if she even wants to know. Stephen tells her that he would never go along with anything Stephanie wanted, especially if it means forcing his daughter to walk away from the man she loves. Donna tells him that Brooke thinks she should leave Eric. That's because Brooke wants to save Storm, Stephen points out, just like they all do. However, he has a different idea how to do that and again suggests that he should just confess to the crime so Storm can stay out of jail and Donna can stay with Eric. Donna points out that he doesn't even like Eric, but Stephen reminds her that he loves her, and he also refuses to let Stephanie manipulate their family again. Donna points out that Stephanie can still blow the whistle on all of them and wonders if maybe the best thing would be for Storm to confess, but Stephen won't even consider letting his son go to jail. Torn between helping her brother and letting go of Eric, Donna asks her dad what she should do.

Stephen tells Donna to follow her heart.

Stephen sees the impossible situation Donna is in, especially when she she gushes with loving praise over the way Eric treats her. She weeps that she supports Eric in ways Stephanie never did, which is why she can't let Eric go back to a life with that woman. Stephen points out that her breaking up with Eric doesn't mean he'll go back to Stephanie, but Donna fears that Stephanie and the rest of the family will pressure him into going back to his family. While the thought of sending Storm to prison breaks her heart, so does the idea that she's be sending Eric to an even worse prison. Before Stephen can reply, the guard comes in and tells him his time is up. Stephen asks for one more minute, but the guard refuses, so Stephen tells Donna to do what her heart tells her as he's led out. Donna sits alone in the visiting room for a moment, weeping. She then takes out her cell phone and calls Stephanie. La Forrester pleasantly greets Donna, who tells Stephanie to cut the crap. "I'm on my way over," Donna declares.