Friday, October 17, 2008, Episode #5421

In Ridge's office, an outraged Brooke asks him if he's going to let Taylor tell him not to marry her. Taylor says that Brooke took her comment out of context, but Brooke knows what she heard. Taylor wants to talk to Brooke alone, but Ridge doesn't want to leave them unsupervised. Ridge gets called to Eric's office and suggests the ladies come with him, but Brooke and Taylor opt to stay behind and talk.

Felicia welcomes her father back to work.

In his office, Eric looks at the sketches he made of Donna's wedding gown and wonders how she could have ended their marriage. "Our marriage may be over, but I will never be over you," he states. Stephanie, Thorne and Felicia arrive to welcome Eric back to work. When Thorne states that it's good not to have Donna around, Eric asks his family not to mention Donna's name. Thorne apologizes. Ridge arrives and tells Eric it's good to have him back. Stephanie has an appointment, so she tells her kids not to tax their father and leaves.

Thorne and Ridge hope Eric will take things slow.

Thorne asks Eric why he wanted to see them. Eric tells them that he feels blessed just seeing them, but Felicia thinks they're the one who are blessed just to have him back. Ridge says this is a good day that they feared might not come again. Eric says that's just what he wanted to talk about. He wants them to know that he's putting all his energy back into the company again. Ridge suggests he start slow, but Eric intends to get the passion he had for this business back again.

Brooke levels some accusations against Taylor.

Back in Ridge's office, Brooke fumes that Taylor gave her Jack only to turn around and try to steal Brooke's fiance. Taylor says she's not stealing anyone and apologizes for creating problems between Brooke and Ridge by giving Brooke Jack. Brooke claims there are no problems, but Taylor thinks otherwise based on the argument she heard at Jack's party. Brooke insists she and Ridge will work it out, but Taylor wonders if that's possible. That response prompts Brooke to think that Taylor only gave her Jack to create problems between her and Ridge, but Taylor takes offense and accuses Brooke of using Jack just to stay close to Nick. Brooke insists that she and Ridge are in love and getting married. "Then act like it," Taylor retorts, telling Brooke to support Ridge rather than henpeck him. Presuming that Taylor is waiting in the wings for her engagement to Ridge to blow up, Brooke asserts that she doesn't need Taylor to tell her how to raise Jack or deal with Nick and states, "It's really none of your business." Taylor thinks that carrying Jack inside her for nine months makes it her business and makes it clear that she'll be watching Jack closely for the next 18 years. Brooke is about to reply when Ridge returns. Brooke tells him that Taylor was making threats and is after him. Ridge asks her to let him speak with Taylor privately. Brooke protests, but Ridge asks her to please do this for him. Brooke reluctantly agrees to leave, but not before giving Ridge a passionate kiss.

Taylor speaks frankly with Ridge.

Taylor tells Ridge that she's sorry for putting him in the middle. It's just that she's been through so much over the last year and has tried to do right by Jack. Ridge reminds Taylor that he knows what kind of a mother she is from their marriage. Then he must know how hard it was for her to give up Jack, Taylor puts forth. Ridge offers that their three children are a testament to what being a mother means to her, which is why is he was in awe of her ability to make the supreme sacrifice for her baby. He thinks she should be proud of what she did for Jack and tells her not to worry about her son, since he can promise that he won't let her down. Taylor says that she knows that he won't, but she's been thinking about Jack and wonders if the idea of Ridge, Brooke and Nick raising the baby together is what's best for her child. With all the turmoil that's ensued, she wonders if the best thing for Jack is for Nick and Brooke to raise him together. "It's almost like it was meant to be," she muses. Ridge asks her where that leaves him if Brooke is with Nick. "Maybe you should be with me," she responds as she kisses him.

Owen makes Donna an offer.

Donna tearfully looks out the window of Owen's beach house, recalling Pam's threats to hurt someone if Donna does not stay away from Eric. Owen suggests they take a walk on the beach, but Pam fears that Pam might be watching her. Tired of seeing Donna worked up about this, Owen offers to find Pam and end her threats. Donna frets that Pam might "do something" if they look for her, like hurting Donna's family or Eric. When someone knocks at the door, Donna fears it might be Pam and tells Owen not to answer it, but Owen tells her to relax and finds Stephanie at the door. Stephanie asks if she can talk to Donna alone. Owen's not too keen on that idea, but Donna tells him she'll be fine. Once Owen leaves, Stephanie asks Donna why she suddenly ended her marriage, wondering if it's some kind of game. Donna scoffs that Stephanie is complaining, since she thought Stephanie would be glad to have Eric back. Stephanie states that Eric is very confused about Donna's behavior and demands answers. Donna says that she gave Eric up for his own good. When Stephanie wonders if Donna realized she never really loved Eric at all. Donna insists that she loved him. Stephanie wonders how that could be given how Donna walked away from Eric, suggesting Donna seek counseling. Having had enough, Donna shows Stephanie the door. La Forrester leaves, hoping to never see Donna again.

Donna worries that Pam might be watching her.

Donna tells Owen that she can't take this and wonders if Pam was watching her and Stephanie. Owen tells Donna that she and her family will never be safe while Pam is out there and urges her to find Pam, but Donna feels it's too much of a risk. Frustrated by the ordeal, Donna goes out to get some air, despite Owen's protests. While she is gone, Owen makes a call to someone to come by to talk about Eric and Donna. Back at the beach house, Stephanie arrives and asks Owen what's going on. Owen rushes her in and tells her that there is something Donna didn't mention. He quickly explains that Pam is blackmailed Donna into ending her marriage by threatening Donna's family. A startled Stephanie asks why she should believe him. "Why would I lie about something like this?" he asks, warning Stephanie that Pam might go after Eric again.

An angry Pam calls Donna.

Outside, Donna gets a call from Eric asking if she has done anything about their divorce yet. When she says she hasn't, Eric tells her to meet him and his lawyer at his office this afternoon, with her attorney there as well. She says she will be there. Donna then gets a call from Pam, who says that she's not happy. Donna looks around, but Pam says Donna won't see her. Donna assures Pam that she assured Stephanie that it was over with Eric when Stephanie came by and promises that she hasn't even seen Eric. Pam tells her that Stephanie is back at the house and she wants to know why. Frightened, Donna says she'll handle it. "You'd better," warns Pam, who holds her head after hanging up on Donna.