Friday, July 25, 2008, Episode #5363

Ridge and Brooke await Donna's arrival.

Ridge, Brooke, Thorne, Felicia and Rick wait in Eric's office for Donna to arrive. When Rick asks why they have to yank Eric's company away from him, the others state that transferring ownership of the company to Brooke and Ridge is the best way to restore order at the company and instill confidence in their customers and buyers. Felicia asks where Donna is. Brooke assures that her sister will be here, but to be sure, Ridge calls Donna, who sits by Eric's bedside asking for guidance. Ignoring the call, she recalls how Eric changed his mind about transferring ownership just before the heart attack and sighs.

Bridget visits Eric.

After Donna leaves, Bridget stops in to see her father. She confides about Jackie treating her like "the default wife" who doesn't know how to dress and then looks around for Eric's chart. She tells him that she knows he's not really her patient, but he's more than just a chart to her, and she sighs that he was always the hero would could fix everything for her.

Katie confides in Beth.

At Brooke's house, Katie tries out another of Beth's recipes on Beth, who can't remember this one, either. Katie wants to take some over to Bridget, who has been so busy with work and with Eric. Katie thinks Bridget and Nick will appreciate the home-cooked meal and is about to bring it over when Nick stops by to check on Beth and Katie. Katie tells him he saved her a trip and gives him the care package with instructions on heating it up. After Katie and Beth both send their best to both Bridget and Eric, Nick turns to leave and sees the Nerf basketball he gave Katie on the table. Nick asks why it's sitting there when Katie is supposed to be practicing. Katie teases that she has been, but Hope claimed it once she found out it was a gift from Nick, who playfully kids that he should take it away to avoid fights between Hope and her Aunt Katie. As Katie and Nick playfully fight over the ball, Beth watches. After Nick leaves, Beth notes how at home Nick seemed. Katie credits that to Nick having lived here and even having a key since he comes by often to see Hope, and she tries to change the subject. Beth suggests to Katie that Nick came to see her, not Hope. Katie concedes that she and Nick are still friends, even though he's married, but Beth notes that she saw how Katie lit up when Nick came into the room. Katie admits that she's kind of in love with Nick and tells her mom how she bonded with Nick when she thought she was dying, thanks to Bridget "giving" her Nick for her final moments. She recalls how Nick gave her a reason to live, but she thinks those thoughts have to be nothing more than memories now. She doesn't see any harm in remembering how happy she was, even if no one else knows.

Nick reassures Bridget.

Back in the hospital, Bridget tells Eric about a tree he first showed her when she was little that blooms late. She recalls how he compared her to the tree, telling her that she came along late in his life, but he was sure she would blossom into something special at the right time. Nick comes by and finds Bridget with her dad. Nick comforts her over the lack of change in Eric and recalls the last time he was here. Bridget says that she's been thinking a lot about Katie, too, including the things she learned from Katie. Nick assures her that they won't give up on Eric, just like they didn't give up on Katie.

Thorne and Felicia cover some last minute questions.

When Donna arrives at Forrester, Ridge assumes she was at the hospital and asks how Eric is. She says there's no change. Donna then asks about the reporters in the reception area. Ridge tells her that they have to get the word out about the ownership transfer to be effective and asks if she brought Eric's power of attorney, so everyone knows this is all above board. As Ridge gives Donna a copy of the transfer documents to look over, Thorne asks if there's anything else to cover before they bring in the press. Felicia suggests they table discussion about a wedding date for Ridge and Brooke as inappropriate given Eric's condition, but Donna thinks this is all inappropriate. Thorne argues that they have to make sure they are clear on just who is doing what, since Ridge is asking them all to take a lot on faith. Donna says she's taking more on faith than anyone. Ridge, Felicia and Thorne all tell her how much they appreciate what she's doing for their father's sake. Ridge asks Owen to bring in the press, but Donna asks them to wait. She admits she knows less about running this company than everyone in the room besides Owen, but she has the legal right to do it, so she's not signing anything!

Owen tells Felicia that Donna loves Eric.

A furious Thorne accuses Donna of wanting to publicly humiliate them, like she did to him at their "wedding," but Felicia tells him to hold on and asks Donna if she just has more questions to ask before she signs. Donna says she does have one more thing to ask and asks Felicia if she wants her father to be happy. When Felicia says she does, Donna asks, "You don't think I make him happy?" Felicia says she didn't say that. Ridge tells Donna they all misjudged her, but Thorne doesn't think he'd go that far. Ridge says they were just suspicious because they wanted to protect their father, but Donna then clues them in about the $200,000 Felicia paid Owen to seduce her and get proof of it. Felicia looks to Owen, who tells her he couldn't go through with it once he realized that Donna really loves Eric. Felicia slaps Owen, calling him a lowlife and firing him, but Donna says that Felicia isn't firing anyone. In fact, after going on about how Felicia betrayed Eric and treated her like trash, Donna declares, "From now on, I'll be making the decisions."