Thursday, May 29, 2008, Episode #5322

Nick is surprised that Katie wants to leave.

At the Marone mansion, Nick blows a party horn in Katie's ear to wish her "Happy Birthday." Bridget tells him not to do that to a recovering heart patient. Katie agrees that Nick should lay off with the celebrating, since she's not really in a party mood. After Bridget goes upstairs, Nick tries to change Katie's mind, but she suggests he take Bridget out someplace if he really wants to celebrate something. Nick tells her that it's not going to happen, as he and Bridget aren't going anywhere without her. Katie finds that a bit odd and tells Nick that she doesn't know how long she's going to be able to stay there, since she feels like she's being a burden to him and Bridget.

Bridget sees that Katie seems a bit flushed.

Nick tells her to lose any thoughts of leaving, since Bridget would be devastated if she left, and he can't let that happen. Katie feels like she'll get in the way of Bridget's happiness if she stays, but Nick tells her, "You're stuck with us." Bridget slips in to try and get Nick to help her wrap presents and sees that Katie looks a bit flush, but Katie says she's fine and just needs some rest. As she steps aside with Nick, Bridget asks if he thinks Katie is OK. Nick thinks she's worrying because that's her nature and suggests that they leave well enough alone.

Katie tells Stephanie that she supports Bridget and Nick.

Katie is remembering one of the tender moments she and Nick shared in the hospital when the doorbell rings. It's Stephanie, who has come by with a birthday gift. Stephanie asks where Nick is; when Katie says that he's upstairs with Bridget, Stephanie looks concerned. La Forrester sits down to chat with Katie. She starts off by asking about Storm's funeral, but she then changes the subject to Katie's current living situation and asks Kate why she decided to move in with Nick and Bridget. After Katie explains that Nick and Bridget insisted and that it was Bridget's idea, Stephanie wonders how Bridget is handling that. She recalls how disastrously Bridget's last relationship with Nick ended and hopes Bridget isn't making another bad choice where Nick is concerned. Katie doesn't think there's anything to worry about, since Bridget and Nick are very happy together. She tells Stephanie that in fact, she's been very supportive of Nick and Bridget's relationship and encouraged them, since she thinks Nick is the right man for Bridget.

Stephanie has some questions for Katie.

But is Bridget the right woman for Nick? Stephanie wonders, asking Katie if she'd rather be the woman upstairs with Nick instead of Bridget. Katie says that she'd love to be healthy enough for a relationship like that. Stephanie reminds Katie how hurt Bridget was when Nick slept with Brooke. Katie says that something like that won't happen again. "Because you're not like her mother?" Stephanie asks. Katie argues that this has nothing to do with her, but Stephanie points out that she's living in the same house as Nick and Bridget. Katie reminds Stephanie that Nick and Bridget INVITED her to live here. She doesn't know why Stephanie is turning this into something ugly when it isn't, and she insists that she would never do anything to hurt Bridget after the way Bridget helped save her life.

Thorne and Felicia worry about their father.

Ridge, Thorne and Felicia meet in Ridge's office to gripe some more about Donna. They all hope they're right about Donna screwing up quickly, since that will force Eric to live up to his deal to step down if Donna brings scandal on the company. They're sure getting booted out of the company he founded will bring Eric to his senses. Right on cue, Eric shows up in the doorway and tells his children to remember two basic rules. "Rule number one: when planning a mutiny, close the door," he snaps. He then adds that Rule number 2 is to know your enemy - which they haven't done, since they hardly know his wife at all. The trio tell Eric that they don't really want him out of the company, so this isn't a mutiny. However, as long as he insists on backing Donna, he's left them no choice. Eric is sickened by their attitude, but the children argue that they're just worried that his desire to have Donna by his side will be detrimental to the company and to their family.

Eric and Ridge disagree.

Eric fumes that they're holding his wife to a higher standard than they hold themselves to, and he fears that Donna will crack from being under constant scrutiny. If Donna stays in line, Ridge responds, then she has nothing to worry about. "Your mother would be proud," Eric snipes, upset that they obviously share Stephanie's dim view of Donna. After Thorne and Ridge leave, Felicia tries to tell Eric that this hurts them, too. She reminds him that his family will be there for him when Donna lets him down, and that includes Stephanie. Felicia then breaks into tears like a child, prompting Eric to give her a comforting hug.

Marcus tells Donna about his run-in with Pam.

At the Forrester mansion, Donna is on the phone with a private investigator trying to track down Marcus when the young man shows up at her door. Donna tells him that she's glad he came back. Marcus tells her that the blonde receptionist from her husband's company confronted him with lots of questions, and he thought she should know. He then turns to leave, but Donna asks him to stay. Marcus tells her that he's going back to his life in Texas, but Donna tells him that she really wants him to be part of her life, despite the mistakes she's made since he arrived in L.A. and told her that he's her son. She tells him that she wants him to meet her family. He says that he already did at her brother's funeral, but she reminds him that none of them knew he was her son then. Marcus tells her not to worry, since he's not going to say anything to the tabloids. Donna tells him that she's not ashamed of him. She only gave him up for adoption because she was scared of raising a child alone, although she's sure her family would have accepted him had she asked, just as she's sure Eric would accept him now. Marcus asks if that means she's told Eric. When she says she hasn't yet, Marcus is hurt. Donna tries to explain that she's only kept quiet because Eric's children will force him out of his own company if she brings any scandal on the family. "A scandal like me?" a furious Marcus asks.

Donna asks Marcus for a chance to tell Eric about him.

Donna tells Marcus that Eric is a very famous man, and his children hate her so much that they would use anything to discredit her. "That's one messed up family," Marcus remarks. Donna adds that Eric's kids would love to run to the press. She knows how reporters twist and sensationalize things, so she fears that some people would love to see her face on the covers of the gossip rags. "Like that nosy receptionist?" Marcus asks. Yes, Donna confirms, as well as Pam's evil, crazy sister. Marcus suggests they just part ways now, since he doesn't want the world to know his business, either, but Donna asks him to give her the chance to talk to Eric. "He loves me," she assures, but Marcus wonders if Eric loves her enough to give up his company. Donna tells him that she intends to tell Eric anyway, even if he chooses to leave town, which is why she hopes he'll decide to stay and give her the chance to get to know him better. She knows the situation with Eric's family sounds complicated, but she thinks everything will work out once she gets things out in the open and sets things right. Marcus is unsure how to respond.