Thursday, September 11, 2008, Episode #5395

Dr. Siefert has bad news for Stephanie.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie talks with Dr. Siefert as the doctor checks Eric out. She tells the doctor various anecdotes about her and Eric's past. As the doctor finishes up, Stephanie tells him that she thinks she can exercise Eric's arms and legs after watching the physical therapist the other day, but she wonders if they should bring in a professional. The doctor tells her that it won't be necessary, since Eric is not getting better. Stephanie doesn't understand that, since Eric was conscious and spoke to her. The doctor explains that yesterday, he saw signs of response to light and pressure from Eric that he does not see today, so he fears that Eric is no longer stable and his vital signs are slowing down. There is a change coming, he states, but it may not be the one Stephanie hoped for.

Stephanie has grim news for her children.

Stephanie summons Ridge, Thorne and Felicia and informs them what the doctor just told her. The siblings are shocked that their father is not getting better. Stephanie tells them that she wants them each to make peace with Eric and forgive him. Forgive him for what? Thorne asks. Stephanie thinks that each of them has something they would want to be forgiven for. For instance, in Thorne's case, he was angry with Eric for loving Ridge more than him. But even if what they say to Eric isn't true, she wants each of them to make peace with Eric and forgive him, for his sake and their own.

Thorne goes first in asking for Eric's forgiveness.

Thorne goes first and tells Eric that he should have risen above his resentment of Ridge, but he didn't. As a result, he was always comparing himself to Ridge, thinking that was what Eric did. But he sees now that he only hurt himself by doing that, so he wants Eric to know that he doesn't blame him for anything. Felicia is next. She tearfully tells Eric that she doesn't know what Stephanie is trying to prove, because she doesn't think he's going anywhere. Still, she wonders if maybe she never forgave Eric for being a typical guy, even if he was her dad. "You're a wonderful dad and a wonderful man, and I love you. So of course, I forgive you," she sighs. Ridge goes next. He tells Eric that they've clashed so often over work or over Brooke that he thinks he may need Eric's forgiveness more than Eric needs his. But even so, he forgives Eric and is letting the past go. Finally, Stephanie comes over. She tells Eric that she hopes he hears all the forgiveness going on here. She then tells Eric how much she loves him, even if he slipped out of her grasp so often. She laments that he broke her heart so many times, sometimes without meaning to, and she broke his as well. But even through the heartache, if she could turn back time, she'd do it all over again because she loves him. She softly says, "I forgive you. I know I always say I won't, but I always do, don't I? And you know that. So if you have to go, go peacefully, and know that your children love you and I love you. Have a safe journey."

Felicia and Ridge worry as they watch their mother.

Stephanie and the kids then sit around Eric's bed for a while. Felicia asks if they're waiting for something. "A miracle would be nice," Stephanie says. Ridge thinks they deserve one, but Stephanie points out that they have had their fair share. She reminds her kids that the four of them plus Eric and Kristen have been pretty lucky. Felicia survived cancer. The children have fabulous children of their own. And they have all had great lives. Stephanie then notices that Eric's feet are cold. Felicia suggests they call the nurse, but Stephanie says that she told the nurse not to come, since she doesn't see the point. Thorne wants to go home to check on Alexandria, but Stephanie asks him to get some warm water before he leaves. Felicia worries that Stephanie hasn't eaten, so Ridge goes to find something to eat. Stephanie then asks Felicia to find some towels. Felicia brings the towels over and Thorne returns with a basin of warm water. After giving the items to their mother, they start to leave, but they pause in the doorway and watch as Stephanie starts to wash Eric's feet. Ridge returns and asks his siblings what their mother is doing. Felicia and Thorne aren't sure. Ridge tells them that they can't leave their mother here alone.

Donna confides in Owen as they make their way home.

Meanwhile, Donna and Owen make their way home on the Forrester jet. Donna is pleased that everyone loved Eric's collection in Paris. Owen marvels at the way everyone treated Donna like a wife of a head of state. Donna admits that she was surprised, as she expected everyone to hate her because she wasn't Stephanie. Owen believes that Ridge, Felicia and Thorne wanted her to think that, but now she knows better. As the plane circles over the airport due to fog, Donna tells Owen how annoyed she was that many of the people in Paris talked about Eric like he was dead already and even had questions about a funeral. Owen guesses that's just the European way, but Donna refuses to act like Eric is already gone. Owen reminds her that statistically, Eric would have to defy the odds to recover, so he advises her to accept the possibility that Eric could die. Donna tells him that she just can't do that. Before long, the plane lands. Donna and Owen take a cab to the Forrester mansion. As they enter the house, Owen tells Donna that he'd feel better if she stayed in a hotel given that crazy Pam is still out there, but Donna refuses to give up the comfort of her own home. Seeing that Donna has made up her mind, Owen tells her that he'll stay in one of the spare rooms. Donna tells him to take Kristen's room, since Kristen is not around to complain. While Owen goes to lock the door, Donna laments that this was supposed to be a safe place for her and Eric for the rest of their lives.

Eric miraculously wakes up.

Upstairs, Ridge, Thorne and Felicia continue to watch as their mother washes Eric's feet. Stephanie laughs that wherever Eric is going, at least he'll have warm feet. She then recalls the many adventures and fond memories that she and Eric shared in the time they've known each other and blesses him for all that he's brought to her life. Suddenly, Eric's foot moves, startling Stephanie. Reacting to Eric's sudden movement, Stephanie sees that her children are still there. "We couldn't leave," Thorne says. Stephanie tells them about Eric's foot, and Ridge recalls seeing Eric do that in the hospital as well. Felicia tells her mom that they can leave if Stephanie wants time alone with Eric, but La Forrester is glad they stayed. She recalls that Eric never wrote her love letters, but now she realizes that her children with Eric are the love letters Eric never wrote. Suddenly, a light comes through the window and Eric's foot moves again. Stephanie and the kids look to Eric and are shocked to see him waking up.