Tuesday, June 24, 2008, Episode #5340

Steffy assures Marcus that his secret is safe.

On the basketball court at the Forrester rooftop lounge, a shirtless Marcus teaches Steffy how to play HORSE. After he runs through the rules, Steffy admits that she's played before, but she wanted to hear him explain it. They flirt a little bit and talk about their date last night. Marcus thanks Steffy for not saying anything about Donna and him. Steffy suggests they can the small talk and start shooting some hoops, but Marcus wonders if they should be hanging out together right under her dad's nose, especially given how Ridge feels about Donna. Steffy tells him not to worry. She assures him that her dad won't find anything out from her, so his secret is safe until he's ready to let people know. After he easily beats Steffy in a quick game of horse, Marcus puts his shirt back on. Steffy sees the look on his face and asks if something is wrong. He tells her that he has this feeling that Donna is going to say something soon, and he thinks that everything will change when that happens. He knows Ridge has problems with him now, so he wonders what will happen when Ridge finds out who his mother is.

Thorne and Felicia fume about the new ad.

Downstairs, Ridge is in his office with Thorne, Felicia and Phoebe, looking over a mock-up of Forrester's latest ad. They stare at the ad, a photo of Eric and Donna with the caption "Behind every great design...", and they fume at the fact that the ad agency told them that the ads were approved to go to press by Donna herself. Furious at the way Donna has been given free reign around here, Ridge asks if anyone has learned anything about Marcus, since he's sure they can open Eric's eyes about his new bride if they find out how their new hire is connected to Donna. Phoebe flashes back to hearing Steffy and Marcus talking about the fact that Marcus is Donna's son, but she doesn't see anything.

Phoebe reveals what she learned to Ridge.

Phoebe stays with her dad after Thorne and Felicia leave. Ridge picks up a photo of him and Eric at the "Portofino Challenge" and recalls how proud he was that day. Now he feels like both the company and the family have gone off track. "Because of Donna," Phoebe suggests. Ridge laments that his dad is being led down a dark path by someone who doesn't deserve the trust he has put in her, and he just wishes he could get Eric to take the blinders off and see Donna the way the rest of them do. Seeing how distressed her dad is, a guilt-ridden Phoebe tells him that she overheard something last night: Marcus is Donna's son! Ridge is stunned and asks Phoebe where she heard this. She tells him that she heard some people talking but doesn't reveal who it was. Ridge can't believe that Donna has a grown son that she's been hiding from them and thinks this could be just what they need to get through to Eric. He calls a private investigator and asks him to do a full background check on Donna, with extra focus on finding out if she ever gave a child up for adoption. After he hangs up the phone, Ridge thanks his daughter for providing the key that will get Donna out of Eric's life and reunite their family. "Dad deserves so much better than a wife who would hide something this big from him," he declares. [Like the ex-wife who hid her son's paternity from him? And the fact that his micro-cephalic daughter hadn't died? And the fact that she chased his lover out of town? Isn't it amazing how Ridge and his siblings hold Donna to a much higher standard than they do their mother?]

Stephen surprises Donna.

At the Marone mansion, Donna calls Eric to tell him that her mother is coming home. After telling him how excited she is, Donna asks her Honey Bear if he could put some time aside tonight, since she needs to talk to him. As Donna hangs up, the front door opens, and she's thrilled to see that her father is with Nick! Donna happily embraces Stephen, who notices that she seems a bit confused. "You were expecting your mother," he surmises. Donna asks if he's saying that Beth didn't come, but she then looks to the door and sees her mom standing there. Donna gives her mother a big hug and tells her how much she's missed her. Donna asks Beth if she's tired, but Beth says she slept on the plane. Donna suddenly realizes that Nick's out-of-town trip was to Paris and asks if he went to get her parents. Nick downplays his role by stating that he had to go to Paris anyway to drop Jackie off for some business, but Stephen tells Donna that they have Nick to thank for going halfway around the world to bring Beth from Paris. Donna thanks for doing this for Katie and for their family. Stephen asks if he can see Katie, so Nick offers to show him to Katie's room upstairs.

Nick has a gift for Katie.

Nick wakes Katie up by telling her that he brought her a present. Katie can't wait to see what it is, so Nick goes to the door and motions for Stephen to come in. Katie is thrilled to see her dad and gives him a hug. Stephen apologizes for not being able to get here sooner and asks how she's feeling. Katie says she's OK, but Nick thinks she's a hell of a lot better than just OK. Katie tells her dad that she's going to be sticking around for a while and is glad that he's there.

Beth catches up with Donna.

Downstairs, Donna talks with Beth. She says that she understands why Beth didn't come for Storm's funeral and assures her that the sacrifice that Storm made for Katie was a tribute to the kind of man he was. Beth looks uncomfortable as she listens. Donna then guesses that they should talk about her marriage, especially given Beth's history with Eric, and she assures her mom that Eric makes her happy. "Then I'm happy for you," Beth responds. Donna then tells Beth how excited Katie will be to see her there and recounts about Katie's miraculous road to recovery. Miracles sometimes do happen, Beth comments. Donna says that Beth just read her mind, just like she used to. That prompts Donna to remember how she told Beth that she was pregnant years ago; she tried to find the words to tell Beth, who somehow just knew what had happened and supported her. Donna then reveals that her son recently found her and has come back into her life. As Donna goes on about Marcus, Beth asks who else knows. Donna informs her that Brooke and Katie know, but she plans to tell Eric tonight. Beth is surprised that Donna hasn't told Eric yet. Donna admits that it won't be easy telling Eric, but having Beth here has given her the courage to do it. Donna then asks Beth what kept her away for so long. Beth says she's been living her life in Paris. "Your life without your children and grandchildren?" Donna asks. Realizing her slip, Beth feigns jet lag to avoid the question. Not wanting to wear Beth out, Donna suggests that she go up to see Katie.