Thursday, June 12, 2008, Episode #5332

Felicia and Ashley review the latest sales figures.

Ridge gathers Thorne, Felicia, Phoebe, Steffy and Ashley in Eric's office to discuss the future of Forrester. [And what's wrong with this picture? While I get why Brooke and Eric aren't there, since when do models and shipping clerks attend executive meetings, even if they are the lead designer's daughters? And even if Ashley is lead chemist, she's not a family member or an executive, so why is she there? And most importantly, why meet in Eric's office, where he could walk in at any minute? Just some food for thought.] Phoebe asks if it's true that Eric is retiring. The adults chime in that they don't want him to retire, but they're concerned about where this company is going, which is why they called this meeting. Ridge, Thorne and Felicia then share some material they've compiled with the others. Ashley observes that recent sales have dropped. And the cause of that, the Forrester siblings explain, is Eric's marriage to Donna. Customer surveys included in the packet show that their customers feel that Eric's latest collection was too trendy and that the company's image suffered because Eric married a much younger woman. In addition, Ridge has gotten calls from retail buyers who are also concerned about the new "First Lady of Forrester." These people always saw Eric and Stephanie as the epitome of class and elegance as the signature couple of this company, but Donna isn't viewed the same way, and that apparently won't change. In short, Felicia sums up, they have conflicting design philosophies, and they have to do damage control before it's too late.

Ridge reveals that Donna is bringing the company bad press.

And that's only the beginning, Ridge adds. He tells the others that Jarrett sent him some advance press releases that weren't very favorable, including one that calls the day of Eric and Donna's wedding "The Day Forrester Creations Lost Its Way." The bottom line, the Forrester siblings agree, is that Donna doesn't belong in this company. Just then, Marcus comes in with a package for Eric. Seeing everyone gathered, he apologizes for interrupting the meeting. Thorne says it's OK and takes the package, taking advantage of the chance to introduce Marcus to the other members of the family. When Thorne introduces Phoebe, she recalls meeting Marcus at Insomnia. Then Thorne gets to Steffy, who Marcus obviously already knows. When Thorne notes that Steffy is also Ridge's daughter, Marcus gives Steffy an icy stare. Felicia then recalls seeing Marcus at Storm's memorial service, leading Ashley to remember him, too. Marcus apologizes for interrupting and excuses himself so they can resume their meeting.

Thorne is upset to learn how Marcus got hired.

Once Marcus is gone, everyone comments on what a nice guy he is, but Felicia notes that she doesn't remember him ever working as an intern. Thorne explains that Eric brought Marcus in as an entry-level hire, but Ridge corrects his younger brother and tells everyone that it was Donna who recommended this guy, who has no fashion experience at all. After Steffy confirms that she sat in on Marcus's interview with Eric and got the feeling that Donna pushed for the young man to get hired, the others wonder why Eric would hire someone like that. More importantly, the fact that Marcus has some connection to Donna gets all their radars up. Steffy admits that she found it odd, too, but Marcus is a cool guy and is doing a good job. Even so, the others worry that Donna is using her influence to get people in here that they know nothing about.

Marcus listens as the family declares that Donna is out.

This latest revelation has Ridge more convinced than ever that they have to take a firm stand against Donna being part of this company, and he asks the others if they're with him. Ashley says she is. Ridge turns to Phoebe and Steffy and asks if they agree. Phoebe concedes that there's proof that Donna is hurting the company, but Steffy stays silent. Ridge proclaims that it's settled then: if Eric wants to be married to Donna, that's his business, but this company is their business and their legacy. If they want to see it continue, then they have to take action now, so Donna is out and Stephanie is back in. [Don't you think you should ask your mother about that first, Ridge, since she was the one who resigned willingly? Again, just a thought.] Thorne, Felicia and Ashley all chime in their agreement to Ridge's proposal, not realizing that Marcus is listening outside the door.

Brooke and Donna fret that Katie is slipping away.

At the Marone mansion, Nick, Bridget, Brooke and Donna sit by Katie's bedside. While Bridget checks Katie's latest blood work on the computer, Brooke holds a cloth to Katie's head and fears that Katie is slipping away. Donna hangs up the phone and tells the others that she just spoke to Stephen, whose flight was cancelled because of weather. She tells them how upset Stephen was that he couldn't get there in time. Donna asks Brooke how she's doing. Brooke says that she feels numb, and she fears that Katie won't get a second chance at a miracle. Bridget refuses to believe that and goes to check Katie's blood work again. Nick tells her that she just checked it, but she wants to check again. Soon after, a courier arrives to take new blood samples from Katie to the lab. While Bridget sees the courier out, Brooke and Nick leave the room so Donna can have some time alone with Katie. Sobbing, Donna stands by the bed and tells Katie about Marcus's reaction when he learned about her condition. She tells Katie that Marcus thought his aunt was an incredible person, and that he wished he'd gotten a chance to know her better. She then tells Katie that she's the only one she confided in about Marcus, although she intends to tell Eric very soon, and she just wishes Katie could be there when she does. Tears well up in Donna's eyes as she weeps about how Katie always gave her such good advice, to keep her pointed in the right direction, and she's going to miss that. "You're such an amazing sister," she cries, comparing Katie to a star who will shine down on them forever.

Bridget wishes she could have done more for Katie.

Brooke returns and asks if there's been any change. Donna says no and offers to leave so Brooke can also have some time alone with Katie, but Brooke asks her to wait. Brooke asks if she remembers when their parents brought Katie home from the hospital. Donna says she really doesn't, since she was so young. Brooke says she remembers it, since she got to hold Katie and thought about how perfect she was, like a gift from God. Now it looks like God wants Katie back, she laments, but she knows Storm will be there waiting for Katie when she arrives, since Katie was always Storm's favorite. Donna leaves and Nick comes in. He sits with Brooke by the bed. Brooke tells him that he should be proud, since he made some of Katie's dreams come true. Bridget returns and informs them that she's still waiting for the blood results, but she doesn't know if there's any chance now. Brooke tries to reassure her, but Bridget is still upset. She was so sure she figured something out, but she was wrong. Nick and Brooke leave so Bridget can have time with Katie. Bridget sits down and tells Katie she's sorry for not saving her. She wishes she could be as brave as Katie was, but it's so hard to think of letting Katie go. Still, she's going to try to be as brave and strong as Katie was in her final days.

Nick says his goodbyes to Katie.

Nick comes in and tells Bridget that her phone buzzed. While Bridget goes to check to see if it was the hospital calling, Nick sits down and tells Katie that she should think of this as a new beginning and as a celebration of the time they had together. "Thank you, Katie Logan. Thank you for that time," he sighs, kissing her hand.