Monday, March 03, 2008, Episode #5261

Felicia wonders if Stephanie has a scheme in mind.

Felicia stops by the Forrester mansion to see her mother, who tells her about Taylor and Nick's battle for custody of baby Jack. Stephanie feels that Taylor's drinking is not a reason by itself to take the baby away, but Felicia admits that she could see why Nick would be concerned. Stephanie agrees that Nick has a right to worry, but she also thinks that Nick and Brooke are going about this the wrong way, since taking Taylor's child from her won't help any of them. Changing the subject, Felicia asks about Eric. Stephanie explains that Eric is still living here, but she's not going to read too much into that. At the same time, she thinks that Eric, after years of waiting, has finally seen that she's capable of compassion, and she thinks that could bring about the miracle she's been hoping for that will keep Eric and the family together. Felicia seems surprised by her mother's reference to "compassion" and "miracles" and asks Stephanie what plan she has up her sleeve to keep Eric with the family.

Stephanie tells Felicia that she's hoping for a miracle.

Stephanie replies that she has no scheme in mind. She's accepted that she can never compete with the much younger Donna at a physical level, so she's chosen to focus on showing Eric how much more than sex she has to offer, since she can give him style and class through their family's rich history. Felicia doesn't quite buy that, so Stephanie assures her that she only wants to save Eric from himself, so he won't have to deal with any more embarrassments like the photo of him naked on a ledge ever again. She doesn't know how exactly she'll do that, but she did get Eric to agree to celebrate their anniversary with the family. Felicia is glad to hear that, since she has a huge anniversary bash planned and has invited the entire family. Stephanie is pleased, since she hopes being around family will convince Eric to walk away from a life of craziness with Donna. Felicia asks her mom if she has any stunts in mind for the anniversary bash. Stephanie repeats that she's not resorting to schemes this time and will just take a chance that a miracle might happen once Eric is around the family and sees how much they all love him. "Maybe it'll be enough to keep the two of us together until death us do part," Stephanie muses.

Eric asks Donna to understand why he's still with Stephanie.

Eric meets Donna at their love nest. Glad to see Eric, Donna tells him that she would have called earlier, but Katie suggested that she give him some space after Stephanie decided not to identify Storm as her shooter. Eric tells her it wasn't necessary. Donna admits it was hard to keep her distance, but she imagines it was even worse for Eric to be stuck with Stephanie all this time. While she's grateful that Stephanie did not send Storm to jail, she hopes the whole thing is over and assumes that's why Eric asked to meet her today. Eric tells her she's not quite correct, since he intends to stay with Stephanie, and he hopes Donna will hear him out and understand why he's doing that.

Donna listens to Eric's explanation.

Confused, Donna asks what there is to understand. Eric explains how he promised Stephanie that a miracle could happen if she showed some compassion to Storm. Since Stephanie did just that, he agreed to stay with her until after their anniversary. He knows Stephanie has a big party planned to celebrate the occasion, so he figured the least he could do was be there for that party after what Stephanie did for Storm. Donna sobs that she understands since her family owes Stephanie for allowing Storm to keep his freedom. Eric assures Donna that he sees quite clearly that Stephanie only helped Storm because she was expecting something in return, which is why he plans to celebrate his anniversary with Stephanie and their children and remember all the years he and Stephanie spent together. But when that day ends, he plans to come back to Donna, since he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. "I can't wait," Donna tearfully whispers with a small smile on her face.

Storm calls his first witness.

In the courtroom, Judge Hillard Friedman - he was the same judge who presided over Brooke's custody hearing last year - calls everyone to order and gets started with Jack's custody hearing. Since Storm petitioned for the hearing, he gets to go first and calls James to the stand. Taylor frets as she sees her old friend and mentor walking to the witness stand; as he passes, James tells Taylor that he had no choice, as he was subpoenaed to testify.

James tries to soften the blow of his testimony.

Once James is on the stand, Storm asks about the good doctor's long personal and professional association with Taylor and about Nick's request for James to counsel Taylor. James concedes that he and Taylor are old friends and colleagues, but he can't get into detail about his recent sessions with Taylor because of doctor/patient confidentiality. Storm restricts his questions to James' conversations with Nick since returning to L.A. to help Taylor, since that's not privileged. James admits that Nick wanted him to help Taylor through a stressful period. When Storm asks if Taylor was in emotional trouble, Taylor's lawyer objects, but the judge allows it, so James explains that Taylor actually welcomed his help, so he doesn't feel it's right to condemn Taylor for it. Storm states that no one here wants to condemn Taylor, as their only concern is what's best for the child. On cross-examination, Taylor's lawyer asks James about Taylor's current emotional state. Storm objects, but the judge allows the questions to stand, so James offers an endorsement of Taylor as a competent mother. On redirect, Storm asks James about Taylor's history with alcoholism; James is forced to admit that Taylor recently admitted, in both his presence and Nick's, that she had taken a drink recently and that she's also been experiencing delusions and hallucinations. James tries to defend Taylor by pointing out her attempts to remain in control, but Storm deflects those remarks by stating that they need facts, and not James's commendable assessment, to decide baby Jack's future.

Brooke takes the stand.

Next, Storm calls Brooke and asks her about the recent dinner party that she and Ridge attended at Taylor's invitation. Brooke recounts how Taylor invited a minister to marry her and Ridge on the spot, recalling how angry and upset Taylor got when she declined to marry Ridge there that night. On cross, Taylor's lawyer asks Brooke why she and Ridge have delayed their marriage, especially after the two of them have been married several times before. Brooke incorrectly assumes that the attorney is suggesting that she held off the wedding because she's still attracted to Nick, which is all the lawyer needs to hear. The lawyer than asks Brooke if she has seen Taylor actually take a drink; Brooke admits she hasn't. The lawyer then asks Brooke about the document she signed surrendering any claims to Jack; Brooke admits she signed the form, but that didn't mean she had to stop caring about the baby's welfare. Taylor's lawyer has no further questions for Brooke, so Brooke steps down.

Nick tells Taylor how much it hurts him to be here.

Next, Storm calls Nick, who asks the judge if he can speak freely for a moment. Once the judge agrees, Nick explains that he loves Taylor and was proud to call her his wife, which is why this whole situation has been so stressful to both of them. However, no matter what he thinks of her personally, he thinks it would be irresponsible of him as a parent to just turn a blind eye to Taylor's recent emotional crisis and allow her care for their infant son alone in her home. Getting up from her seat, Taylor sobs to Nick, "Why are you doing this?" The judge asks Taylor to sit down and asks Nick to continue. Nick states that he loves Taylor and doesn't really want to be here today, but he has to do what's best for his son.