Thursday, October 02, 2008, Episode #5410

Stephanie tells Felicia that she isn't too worried about Donna.

In the Forrester living room, Stephanie tells a nervous Felicia and Thorne to stop pacing and relax. Felicia and Thorne remind their mother that Donna is still upstairs with Eric. They fear that Donna might upset Eric like she did the last time she barged in. Stephanie assures them that Donna's presence isn't the first threat she and Eric weathered in their relationship and she guesses that it won't be the last. She is confident that Eric will never tolerate Donna's betraying him with Owen, even if it's true that Donna and Owen never had sex, so she predicts that she'll ultimately prevail over Donna. Felicia points out how persuasive Donna has been in the past and presumes that Donna is using those persuasive powers on Eric as they speak.

Donna begs Eric to give her another chance.

Upstairs, Donna begs Eric to give her another chance. When Eric doesn't say anything, Donna asks if there is anything else she can say to him. Eric admits that he had every intention of asking her for a divorce when he called her over today. But he hasn't done that, Donna observes, and she believes that the reason he hasn't is that he still loves her. Eric tells her that love just isn't enough. Donna disagrees. She knows he may not believe this after what he saw, but her love for him was the only thing that kept her going while he was in his coma, and she insists that they can survive on that love again. But on top of love, Eric puts forth, there has to be trust. Without trust, there is just need and habit. Donna reminds him that habit kept him with Stephanie for years and points out that he gave Stephanie numerous second chances throughout their marriage. Meanwhile, here she is asking for just one second chance. She thinks their marriage deserves that.

Eric tells Donna that he's where he needs to be for now.

Eric tells her that this is not about Stephanie. It's about Donna and what she did. Donna reminds him that Stephanie and his family kept her from seeing him, but Eric insists that they were just protecting him so he could recover. Donna asks if he's grateful. Eric says that he is. Donna understands that he wants to reward his family for their loyalty, especially since they always predicted she would cheat on him. Eric tells her that he never believed those predictions, but now they've come true. Donna asks if there is any hope for them. She sees that he's not ready to forgive her, but he's also not ready to end their marriage. Eric tells her that he doesn't want to be pressured and says that this is where he needs to be now. Donna begs him not to close the door on their relationship and gives him a gentle kiss before leaving the room. After Donna leaves, Eric stares at their wedding photo.

Thorne doesn't believe this his dad will give Donna another chance.

Felicia is about to check on Eric when Donna comes down. Felicia asks Donna what happened, but Donna doesn't have any desire to tell Felicia or Thorne anything. Donna assures the siblings that Eric is fine and tells Stephanie that Eric didn't ask her for a divorce. But he didn't ask her to stay either, Stephanie points out. Donna insists that Eric heard her pleas for a second chance, but Thorne and Felicia don't believe it. Stephanie asks her kids for a moment alone with Donna. Once Thorne and Felicia are gone, Stephanie tells Donna to just accept that her marriage to Eric is over. Donna insists that she can show Eric that she's worthy of his forgiveness, but Stephanie counters that Eric saw Donna betraying their marriage vows. Donna admits that she hurt Eric, but she thinks he's used to being let down by his wife after years of marriage to Stephanie. Stephanie tells Donna not to compare her farce of a marriage to the years Stephanie and Eric spent together. Donna reminds Stephanie that she is still Eric's wife, but Stephanie predicts that will change in time, as the very thing that made Donna so appealing to Eric destroyed their marriage. Stephanie brags that Eric will now be with the family who stood by his side as he came out of his coma, but Donna believes that Eric will forgive her. She thinks Stephanie failed to appreciate Eric's compassion and called him weak, but Stephanie says that she always knew how strong Eric was. She suggests that Donna accept a generous divorce settlement from Eric and move on with Owen, but Donna holds firm and vows that she will not give up on her marriage.

Nick and Katie arrive at Brooke's with the custody papers.

At Brooke's house, Ridge and Brooke are joyfully discussing how happy they are now, but the doorbell breaks the mood. Nick and Katie are at the door. Brooke and Ridge tell them how excited Hope and R.J. were when they welcomed their new little brother Jack home last night. Nick announces that it's time to make all that official and takes out the custody papers, which he has already had Taylor sign. Brooke eagerly asks where she's supposed to sign, but Ridge asks her to wait and takes out a document he wrote last night that they have to discuss first. Nick reads Ridge's document and sees that it's a "parental declaration of intent." Ridge explains that he, Nick and Brooke have had their share of antagonism among them in the past, but they cannot allow that to continue now that they all will be part of Jack's life. So he drew this document up for them to agree to provide two loving and stable homes for Jack and to be parents and stepparents that respect each other and each other's relationships. Nick is skeptical that Ridge could ever respect him, but Ridge assures that he will as long as Nick does the same, so Nick agrees and signs the paper.

Ridge credits Brooke for changing his mind about Jack.

With that done, Nick places the actual custody agreement on the table to be signed. Brooke signs it first and then he signs it. Brooke thanks Nick and Ridge for making this happen. Thanks to Nick's generosity and Ridge's understanding, she raves, Jack will have two incredible parents and two amazing families, and that makes her feel extremely lucky. With the papers signed, Katie asks what's next. Next, Nick says, he asks his lawyers to file these papers, but for all intents and purposes, Brooke is now officially Jack's mother. Nick agrees to notify Taylor that everything is done, noting that Taylor was quite surprised that Ridge agreed to the custody arrangement and admitting that he, too, was surprised. Ridge credits Brooke with finally making him realize that he had to put Jack's needs first. Brooke is sure her kids will be thrilled, and Ridge thinks R.J. will especially be pleased to not be the baby in the family anymore. Katie points out that Jack won't be the baby, either, for long, although she notes that Brooke may not be happy about that. Brooke agrees that she was disillusioned, but she recognizes that Katie is carrying Nick's child and is ready to move on.