Tuesday, November 25, 2008, Episode #5448

Donna looks forward to Eric's decision.

A jubilant Eric and Donna cuddle in his office to bid each other good morning. Donna giggles that this is the best morning she's had in a long time. She knows he wanted time and she wasn't willing to give it to him, but if he's sure about her now, she thinks it was worth the wait. Eric knows she wants an answer about them and intends to give her one. Donna says that she's only wanted to be with him since they got together, but she understands that he's worried about breaking the news to Stephanie given their history together. When Eric reminds her that they share history, too, Donna laughs that her great day just got better, leading her to reflect on the wonderful memories of what she and Eric shared. Eric says that he remembers all those moments, even the crazy ones; he flashes back on all the happy moments with Donna and tells her that it;s been a wonderful ride. Donna asks if they can pick up where they left off. She knows it might not be easy, especially since his family blames her for everything that's gone wrong in their lives and in the company, but she'd rather face those challenges with him than spend another day without him. Eric thinks of all the pressures she must have been under while he was in a coma and tells her that he's proud of how she handled them. Before he can say anything more, he's called down to the cutting room. Donna tells him to go ahead and gives him a kiss, noting that they're just one away decision from spending the rest of their lives together.

Ashley tells Eric of her plans.

After finishing in the cutting room, Eric goes to the rooftop Sky Lounge, where he sits at a table and wonders why he's waiting to tell Donna that he wants to be with her. He gets a call on his cell from Ashley Abbott. Ashley thanks him for granting her recent leave of absence from Forrester International to deal with issues in her life. Eric hopes this means she's ready to return to L.A. and come back to work, but she tells him that as much as she misses him, she's not coming back to Forrester. She says that he'll be receiving her official letter of resignation by courier tomorrow, but she felt she owed it to him to call him personally to let him know. Eric admits he's disappointed, but he knows she had the option to resign as part of her leave of absence. He's just sorry her time with them ended unhappily. Ashley's not sure if she was completely unhappy and asks about Ridge. When Eric notes that Ridge's life is complicated, Ashley doesn't need to hear any more and offers her hopes that Ridge and Brooke work things out. As for her, she's "reinventing" herself again and is actually calling from the airport, where she's waiting for a flight to London so she can pick up her daughter Abby, pack their things and move back to Genoa City. Eric is surprised. Ashley explains that there's lots going on at Jabot Cosmetics, plus she and her ex-husband Victor Newman are going to give their relationship another try. She thanks Eric for the opportunity he gave her. Eric tells her it was his pleasure, telling her to keep in touch and to pass his best on to Victor. Ashley says she will and goes to board her flight.

Owen doesn't take well to Katie's advice.

Katie drops by Owen's office looking for Donna, but Owen tells her that Donna's not there. Katie guesses that Donna must be with Eric, possibly singing Owen's praises. Owen remarks that Donna doesn't need to talk him up to Eric since it was Eric's decision to rehire him. Katie wonders if that job offer was Eric's way of testing Donna, to see if she'd betray him. Owen asks Katie if she wants Donna to be with Eric. Katie says that she does, since that's what Donna wants. Owen doesn't think Eric can make Donna happy. Based on that remark, Katie advises Owen to back off from Donna. "If my sister wanted to be with you, she would be," she tells Owen, asking him to respect Donna's feelings for Eric. Owen doesn't think Donna gets much respect from Eric or his family, which puts her in a horrible position by being stuck in limbo. But he thinks he can change that and make Donna happy if he just makes his move. Katie warns him to be careful, since the wrong move could be dangerous. "The only wrong move is to do nothing," Owen counters.

Stephanie tries to calm Thorne down.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie sits on the sofa and flips through photos albums filled with pictures of Eric and her. Thorne drops by and sees his mom's pensive mood, so he asks if anything's happened with Eric. Stephanie tells him that Eric hasn't told her that he's made a decision about who he wants to be with. So nothing has changed, Thorne notes. Stephanie sighs that one thing has changed, since she walked in on Eric and Donna kissing yesterday. Thorne is shocked by that news, wondering how his father could choose someone who betrayed him like Donna over the woman who brought him out of his coma. "He can't do this!" he rails. Stephanie tells him to calm down. She's not happy about this, either, but it is and what it is. Thorne tells her that he can't accept that and never will, so he urges his mom not to give up. Stephanie tells him that she's done everything she possibly can, but Thorne is sure he can get through to Eric. Stephanie thanks him for his love and support. Thorne tells her that she's earned that, since she's always been the rock for their family. Stephanie just hopes Eric figures out what he's giving up. "He's not giving up anything," Thorne vows, "because I'm not going to let him."

Katie pays Stephanie a visit.

After Thorne leaves, Katie comes by to see Stephanie. Stephanie wonders what brings Katie by, since Donna isn't here. Katie explains that she came by since she thought Stephanie might need a friend to talk to. She knows that Eric rehired Owen at Forrester, so she thinks it's only a matter of time before Eric and Donna reunite. Stephanie sarcastically thanks Katie for the "friendly" visit and reminds Katie that she was the one who was there for Eric while he was in a coma, while Donna was busy cheating on Eric with Owen. Katie says that Donna was just vulnerable and turned to Owen for comfort, and she thinks Eric's actions show that he's forgiven Donna. She doesn't think that should come as a surprise to Stephanie given all the times Eric has forgiven her. Stephanie asks if this is Katie's idea of a pity party. Katie says that she's offering sympathy, not pity, but Stephanie retorts that she doesn't need either one. She points out that she and Eric have always come back to each after their other break-ups. Katie counters that Eric started over with Donna this time, but Stephanie thinks Donna's relationship with Eric pales in comparison to everything she and Eric shared. She then tells Katie that she can leave now. Katie says that she just wanted to help. Stephanie asks Katie if that means she came by to convince her to give up the fight for Eric. Katie says that's not why she came; Stephanie is glad, since Katie would be leaving disappointed if that's what she intended. Katie warns that once Eric makes his choice, there's nothing Stephanie or anyone can do to change his mind.

Thorne checks out Owen's office on the camera.

Thorne stops in Eric's office, but Eric isn't there. Thorne turns on Eric's laptop so he can check out Owen's office. He sees that the office is empty. Madison comes in to tell Thorne that the models he wanted for callbacks are down in his office. Thorne says he'll be right there and asks Madison to let Eric know that he needs to see him right away. A bit later, Thorne returns to the office. Eric is there now and asks Thorne why he was looking for him. Thorne wants to talk about Stephanie, but Eric tells him that his mind is made up. Thorne reminds Eric that he put a hidden camera in Owen's office to spy on Owen and Donna, but Eric says that he's convinced now of Donna's loyalty and tells Thorne to take the camera down immediately. Thorne tells Eric that he's making a mistake, since there's still a chance Donna might cheat with Owen down the road, but Eric will never know it if the camera is removed. Thorne then tries to sing his mother's praises, but Eric says that won't be necessary. He admits that Stephanie will always be part of his life, but he's made his choice. Thorne turns on the laptop and points out that Donna is Owen's office right now. Eric tells Thorne to turn it off, but Thorne argues that Eric will only keep worrying once the camera is gone.