Wednesday, July 23, 2008, Episode #5361

Donna is thrilled that Marcus called her "Mom."

Donna puts up a brave front and pleasantly greets some Forrester employees as she walks into Eric's office, with Marcus right behind her. Once they get inside, Marcus asks if she's OK. Donna tells him that she can't afford to look weak, since she feels even more vulnerable than ever with Eric in the hospital. "I'm not one of those people you have to pretend with, Mom," Marcus tells her, assuring her that she can lean on him if she needs to. Donna notes that he just called her "Mom" for the first time. Marcus asks if that's OK. Of course it is, an elated Donna laughs.

Steffy visits her granddad.

Steffy sits at her grandfather's bedside, telling him how close she and Marcus have become. She knows her dad warned her to stay away from Donna's son, but she doesn't want to. She flashes back to her and Marcus kissing and cries, wishing she could talk to Eric about this in the hopes that he could get her dad to see Marcus like he did. Ridge comes in and sees Steffy sitting by the bed, sobbing and holding Eric's hand. He tells her that Eric can feel when they're here. Steffy agrees and then leaves so her dad and granddad can have a moment alone. Ridge tells Eric that everything's fine at the office, although Eric left him some big shoes to fill. Still, he feels like Eric had been training him for this since he was a kid, so he promises to make Eric proud. He's sure he has Eric's blessing to do that.

Owen gives Donna some advice.

Back in Eric's office, Owen comes in and tells Donna how sorry he was to hear about Eric and assumes that she's worried. Donna says that she is, but not just about Eric, since Ridge has taken over the company. Owen presumes she's saying that Ridge will run things until Eric recovers, so Donna explains about the ownership transfer drama and shows Owen the papers Ridge had drawn up. Owen notes that only Ridge signed them. Donna tells him that Eric verbally agreed to turn the company over to Ridge, but he changed his mind just before he passed out, since he wasn't ready to hand over the reins yet. Still, she fears it's a done deal now and it's all her fault. Owen tells her that it might not be a done deal yet and asks who holds Eric's power of attorney. Donna guesses that Eric would leave something like that in the safe, and she has the combination, so Owen locks the door so she can look. She opens the safe and gives Owen a bunch of papers. As he looks through the papers, Owen wonders if Ridge or Stephanie might still have power of attorney, since Eric hasn't been married to Donna very long, but then he finds the document and finds that Eric left power of attorney with Donna. That means she's in charge while Eric is incapacitated and she can block the takeover bid. Donna says that she only wants to do what's best for the company. Owen tells her that the paper in her hand gives her the right to decide what's best and advises her to keep it in a safe place. Donna thanks him and tells him that she's doing to see Eric, leaving Owen sitting in the office alone looking over the ownership transfer papers.

Marcus flirts with Steffy.

Steffy comes up to the Forrester rooftop lounge and finds Marcus waiting for her. Marcus asks how Eric is doing. Steffy tells him that there's been no change, yet she still found herself pouring her heart out to Eric like he could hear her. Marcus thinks it probably helps to talk to Eric and offers to talk to him, too. Steffy asks what he'd say, so he tells her that he'd tell Eric "I just kissed your granddaughter, and she's all I can think about." Steffy giggles at his "problem" and offers to leave if she's that much of a distraction, but Marcus gets up and holds her back, pulling her close as they gaze intently at each other.

Rick looks for a sign from his dad.

Back at the hospital, Rick sits by Eric's bedside, hoping for a sign that will tell him if Eric really wanted Ridge to run the company. Donna comes in with the box of Eric's things from the office. Rick asks how she's holding up. Donna tells that it's been a nightmare, since she's so used to having Eric around. She thanks Rick for being so supportive of her and Eric when no one else has been. Rick reminds her that he knows what's it like to be in love with someone when the whole family is against it. Donna understands, but she still wants him to know that she appreciates it. Rick says that he knows and leaves so Donna can spend some time with her husband.

Eric lies comatose as Donna reaches out to him.

Donna sits down by the bed and tells Eric how much it hurts to be away from him. She then tells him that she found the power of attorney and goes on about how it shows how much he believes in her. She sighs that she wants to prove worthy of his trust and do the right thing for the company, but she also knows how much he loves his children. She supposes she just has to believe what he said when they were alone, just before... Before she can finish her sentence, Ridge comes in. He offers to come back, but Donna asks him to stay, since she has something to tell him. Ridge doesn't know what else there is to say. Donna tells him that she won't fall in line like a good little soldier as he expects, and she vows to fight him to keep him from taking ownership of the company now. "I've heard all your reasons, but it's not what Eric wanted," she states. Ridge insists that Eric wanted to turn the business over to him, has he has for years. He then stops, as he doesn't want to argue in front of Eric. Donna says that she doesn't want to argue, either, so Ridge suggests they just agree to disagree and let the ownership transfer go through. Donna tells him that it's not going to happen and reveals that she has Eric's power of attorney.