Monday, September 22, 2008, Episode #5402

Brooke advises Stephanie to let Eric make his own decisions.

Brooke and Stephanie continue to argue about Donna's marriage to Eric. Brooke argues that Donna is still Eric's wife and loves him, but Stephanie counters that Donna gave up any rights as Eric's wife when she slept with Owen. Brooke insists that what Eric saw between Donna and Owen wasn't what it appeared to be. She admits that witnessing his wife with another man shocked Eric, but she feels that he needs to know all the facts so he can make a clear decision. As far as Stephanie is concerned, the only fact Eric needs to know is that he's back with her and their family now that his lame-ass marriage to Donna is over. A call from Ridge on Brooke's cell phone interrupts the argument. Ridge (who apparently slipped out the back while Brooke and Stephanie argued) asks Brooke if she's still with his mother. Brooke says that she and Stephanie are done, so Ridge asks her to come home right away. Before leaving, Brooke advises Stephanie to let Eric make up his own mind as to who he wants to be with.

Donna begs Eric to have faith in their marriage.

In Eric's bedroom, Donna begs for her husband to have faith in their marriage. Eric asks how long he was in a coma. When Donna says it was two months, Eric asks why she couldn't wait for him to come out of the coma. Donna admits that it seems like a short time, but it seemed like an eternity to her. She felt lost and confused without him, especially once Ridge campaigned to take ownership of Forrester and to take Eric off the ventilator. But she fought Ridge, since she knew what Eric would really want to do. Eric is surprised to learn of his son's actions. Donna adds that the pressure she felt from Ridge was just the tip of the iceberg. In trying to fight Ridge, she needed support, and Owen was there to offer that. He supported her through the whole ordeal, but she still was committed to Eric, and she insists that what Eric saw the other day was a woman who thought she lost her husband seeking comfort over her loss. She begs Eric not to let that ruin their marriage. Eric tells her it's not that simple. Owen is a young man, and she may have feelings for him, More importantly, he says that he himself is different and older now. Donna asks him not to say that, insisting that she wants him and not Owen. She kisses him.

Ridge asks Brooke not to let their family dramas come between them.

Brooke comes home and finds lots of lit candles in her bedroom. Ridge appears and tells her that they needed a meeting, and he thought they'd have it in the bedroom. Brooke asks what's on the agenda. "You and me," Ridge answers. "My favorite subject," a pleased Brooke purrs. Ridge tells her that he wanted to get her away from his mother before there was any bloodshed. He understands her concerns about his mother's involvement in his dad's recovery, but Eric's coming along now, and they have to accept that Eric wants to be with Stephanie and not Donna. Brooke thinks that Eric should make up his own mind about his future after he recovers. Whatever happens, Ridge insists, they can't let the drama between Stephanie, Eric and Donna come between them. They've waited too long to be together and it's time for them to finally be a family with R.J. and Hope. Brooke giggles that she likes the sound of that. Ridge suggests that they seal it with a kiss, but Brooke thinks they can do better and shows how pleased she is by disrobing. Ridge leads her to the bed. After they make love, Ridge discusses wedding plans with Brooke. He tells her that he wants a big celebration with Eric as his best man. Brooke tells him that she wants Donna as her matron of honor, but Ridge thinks that will be awkward, especially since Eric will be there with Stephanie. Brooke however suspects that things might not be over between Eric and Donna yet. She knows Eric is upset with Donna, but she really thinks he might forgive her, no matter what stunts Stephanie pulls to put an end to that marriage.

At Stephanie's request, Thorne drags Donna out of the room.

Back at the mansion, Stephanie comes downstairs after confronting Brooke and asks Thorne what all the crates are for. Thorne tells her that these are just more deliveries for Eric. When they see the open empty crate, they guess that Donna must have been inside and rush upstairs. Bursting into the bedroom, they find Donna kissing Eric and pull Donna away. Donna insists that Eric is fine, but Stephanie thinks Donna will give him another heart attack and orders Thorne to get Donna out of here. Thorne grabs Donna, who screams in protest that she would never hurt Eric and orders Thorne to let her go, but Thorne holds on and drags her out of the room. Once Stephanie follows, Thorne closes the bedroom doors and locks them from inside.

Stephanie scolds Donna.

Stephanie brings Donna downstairs and scolds her for trying to kill Eric. Donna points out that Stephanie's sister is the one who tried to kill Eric, while she just wants to be with her husband and take care of him. Stephanie insists that sneaking around the house isn't helping, but Donna retorts that Stephanie gave her no choice by blocking her from even entering the house. Stephanie scoffs that Eric finally knows exactly what he wants now, but Donna accuses Stephanie and her children of controlling Eric, not protecting him. Stephanie thinks Donna should just accept what's best for Eric, but Donna argues that she has every right to be with her husband. Stephanie tells Donna that she has no one to blame but herself, since she's the one who showed poor judgement by cheating on her sick husband with Owen. Donna argues that nothing happened with Owen, but Stephanie tires of that argument and of Donna's whole "sex kitten act." Donna insists that she and Eric share more than sex, and she thinks knowing that deep down scares the hell out of Stephanie. Stephanie points out that she was with Eric when he came out of his coma while his "loving wife" was with Owen, but Donna insists that Eric still loves her.