Stephanie tells her family that recent events have caused her to feel she needs to share this with them. She states that there will be difficult days ahead, but not today. It is time for a celebration. She remembers a request asked of her by every single child and grandchild. She is tired of saying no, so this is their lucky day. Just open the front door and find the slide. Everyone but Brooke seems to think it is fun. Ridge is first then Steffy, Pam and Marcus take their turn. Brooke is stunned, but they all clap and urge Stephanie to be the birthday girl and take her spill too which she gladly does. Aggie tells Nick that he pulled back from the company and his own personal life because of Bridget. They share some laughs about Owen standing their in white makeup with his big spear during the recent shoot. She welcomes Nick back to the land of the living. She thinks it is great that he cares for Bridget; that is who he is. Nick is livid that all of this happened because Bill Spencer wanted to sell more magazines so he dragged Owen and Bridget through the mud. She tells him that he can say anything to her or they don't have to talk at all. Nick locks the door and grabs Aggie and plants a big kiss on her. They make love and she says there is no place she had rather be. She thinks he knows how much he means to her. She has feelings of absolute certainly and knows who she wants to be with .and this man turns out to be him, miracle of miracles. Stephanie tells her family that she is not thinking of topping this next year. This is the birthday of all birthdays. Brooke catches up with her and wants to know why she is being so selfish and not telling her family the truth. She wants her to wish for getting well and that this cancer go away. But her time is precious with her family, but she needs to tell them. Stephanie tells her not tonight; not until she knows what she is going to do. Brooke says if she needs help, she will help her do that. Stephanie does not want to discuss this anymore with Brooke. She begs her to stay out of it. She has Brooke in her life, she has her in her corporation and now she can't even have cancer without her.
Stephanie: What I'm about to say is going to surprise you, but, um, well, recent events have given me a new perspective on things, and I feel compelled to share this with all of you. [SCENE_BREAK] Nick: Look at that. Aggie: What? Nick: Look at that. You have a beautiful smile, Agnes Jones. Aggie: You bring it out in me. Nick: Look. Huh? Well, I don't know about that. I mean, I have been a bit of a beating the last couple of months. Aggie: You lost a lot. You were grieving. Nick: (Sighs) Well, it wasn't all that bad. Aggie: It wasn't all that good either, you know? You've been spending a lot of time alone. You've pulled way back from the business. You missed your own fashion preview. Nick: Yeah. I should have been there. Aggie: Your mom was really very disappointed, even before all the chaos. Nick: Who are you kidding? My mother didn't miss me. Let's get real. She was too busy looking at her... Aggie: Statue? Nick: Yes. Aggie: (Grunting) Nick: Yes. (Laughs) Yes. Aggie: You're laughing. Nick: (Laughs) Aggie: Look at you laughing. Nick: You're very good at those poses. (Laughs) Aggie: (Laughs) Like this? [SCENE_BREAK] Aggie: (Laughs) I shouldn't laugh. Nick: Oh, please, why? Aggie: Because it's not funny. It's totally not funny. Nick: It is. Please, it's hilarious. Aggie: No, it's-- it's horrible. It just-- (laughs) Nick: (Laughs) Aggie: Th-the image of Owen standing there with all the white makeup and the wig... Nick: Yes, yes. Yeah. Aggie: And the big spear and his tighty whities... I'm sorry. Nick: No, no, please. Come on. I love it. Aggie: (Chuckles) All right. Nick: (Laughs) It makes me feel normal. Thank you. Aggie: Oh, I'm so sorry. Nick: (Laughs) Aggie: Oh, it's some-- you know what it is? That sometimes-- sometimes you just-- you have to laugh, or you'll cry. (Chuckles) Nick: Well, if anybody would know about that, it's you. Aggie: Yeah. I know what it's like to come back from that, too. Hey, are you comin' back? Nick: To work? Aggie: To the land of the living. Nick: (Sighs) (scoffs) I'm thinkin' about it. Aggie: (Chuckles) [SCENE_BREAK] Stephanie: Oh, don't look so worried. (Chuckles) I mean, we have had a few unpleasant surprises these past few months, and we've had some difficult times or the family, that's true, and I'm sure there will be difficult times ahead, but not today. Today is a celebration of my life... Eric: And your modesty. Stephanie: My extraordinary modesty... All: (Laugh) Stephanie: And my extraordinary family, and my super-duper husband. I woke up this morning, and I felt so alive and so young, and I thought, oh, my God, I've got all these fabulous experiences to live. And then I remembered something. I remembered a request that was asked of me by every single child and grandchild, and I always said no, first to Ridge and Thorne, and then to every single one of my grandchildren. And I realized, I'm tired of saying no. (Knock on door) Stephanie: Aha. This is your lucky day. Do you remember? Do you remember? You always used to say to me... (gasps) "It would be so awesome if we could come down off that landing and slide right into the living room. Thomas: Oh, ho. Stephanie: Tom, go get that front door, please. Fast as you can. All: Oh! Stephanie: You're gonna be so surprised. Hurry up! Thomas: (Laughs) Man: Did somebody order a slide? Stephanie: Yeah! (Voices overlapping) Stephanie: (Laughs) Pam: I don't believe it. All: (Laughing) (Voices overlapping) [SCENE_BREAK] Aggie: Well, let me look into that, and I'll give you a call back first thing in the morning. Okay, great. All right. Thank you. Bye. Sorry. What was I saying? Nick: I don't know. But I've decided to unplug the phones and give everyone a raise. Aggie: This storm will pass. Nick: Unfortunately, until it does, we are stuck smack dab in the middle of it. And I'm a sailor, don't forget. Bridget isn't. Her and that new baby are gettin' tossed around pretty good. Aggie: You're worried about them? Nick: Yeah. Aggie: Well, I'm really glad to hear you say that. Nick: Why? Aggie: I think it's great that you care. You know, you can't be with her, and you can't bond with her new baby, but of course you care. That's who you are, Nick. Nick: (Sighs) Bridget's been through enough, huh? Aggie: Yeah. Nick: I mean, untangling our lives from each other was tough enough on her. Now she's gotta deal with this because Bill Spencer wants to sell more magazines? Aggie: Well, you did say that this was gonna happen. Nick: Well, I hoped I'd be wrong. I don't like seeing people I care about being dragged through the mud, even if they choose to put their face right in it themselves. Aggie: Jackie handled the press like a pro. Nick: (Sighs) Aggie: And Whip has been working around the clock doing damage control. They're gonna be fine. You, on the other hand... Nick: Yeah. I, on the other hand, did nothing. Aggie: And you wish you could have. Nick: Pretty dumb. Aggie: Pretty incredible. Nick: Why are we even talking about this? Aggie: You want to talk about something else? Because you know you can say anything to me. Or we don't have to say anything at all. [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: Just put it in the dining room with the rest of the stuff. Steffy: You better hurry up, 'cause I'm going. Thomas: No, you are not going first. Steffy: Yes, I am. I am going. Everyone! Pam: Here we go! Liam: Does your family do this kind of thing a lot? Hope: Uh, never. Eric: A slide? Stephanie: I always thought there was something missing in the decoration of this living room. Taylor: Something is going on with you, Stephanie. Stephanie: Yes, I'm enjoying my birthday. Pam: You built a slide in your living room. Stephanie: Yes! (Laughs) Pam: (Laughs) God, Steph. Ridge: Mother, I think this is great, and I'm going first. I get the first slide. Stephanie: You go, honey. Ridge: All right. All right. Whip: You're gonna try it, right? Are you gonna do it? Taylor: I don't know. Whip: Are you gonna do it? Pam, you're gonna go, right? Pam: Of course I'm gonna go. Stephanie: Aah! (Laughs) Liam: Mrs. Forrester? Hi. I just want you to know I-- I hate what my dad did to--to Bridget, I-- turning her baby into a scandal. And I-I-I wasn't in on it, but if I had known that there was any kind of plan, I would have warned somebody. Brooke: Oh, no, I-I know, Liam. Hope: This is amazing. There's a slide in the living room. Everyone loves it. Stephanie is full of surprises tonight. Come on. Let's go slide. Liam: Oh--oh--oh, God. Oh, God. Hope: (Laughs) Steffy: (Laughs) Thomas: Hold on. Steffy: I am gonna go. Just wait. Everyone. Pam: Here we go! [SCENE_BREAK] Nick: No talking. Aggie: We don't have to. Nick: We should. Aggie: You think I don't know? Hmm? You think that I can't feel this, this trust? That's what's changed, Nick. Hmm? Nick: That's not the only thing that's changed. Aggie: (Sighs) [SCENE_BREAK] Pam: You really gotta try it, Steph. It makes you feel like a kid again. Stephanie: We never had this much fun when we were kids, did we? (Laughs) Pam: So what are you doing down here then? Get up there! (Cheers and applause) Stephanie: Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh, my God, are you okay? (Laughs) Eric: You said-- you said we'd be shocked, but I had no idea. Stephanie: (Laughs) I'm so happy I can still surprise you after all these years. Eric: Oh, I-in so many ways. Stephanie: (Laughs) Listen, I can't take credit. Eric: Why? Stephanie: It was Ridge. It was his idea. Don't you remember? He made one of those crazy blueprints he used to do. Eric: That's right. He made a whole poster. "Energy conservation. Why walked down the stairs..." Together: "When gravity can do all the work?" Eric: That's exactly right. Pam and Stephanie: (Laugh) Thorne: Mom, hey, come on. Get up here. Stephanie: Oh, I don't know. Pam: Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Your turn. Whip: Wait a minute. I think I hear a name calling. Stephanie! Stephanie! Stephanie: Okay, okay. Whip: Stephanie! Stephanie! All: (Chanting) Stephanie! Stephanie! Stephanie! Stephanie! Stephanie! Stephanie! Pam: Come on, Steph! All: Stephanie! Stephanie! Pam: Steph, come on! (Chanting continues) Whip: All right, be careful! Thorne: You ready, Mom? Stephanie: Honey, as ready as I'll ever be. (Laughs) Thorne: Okay. (Laughs) Liam: I can't believe she's gonna do this. Hope: Are you kidding? Of course she's going to. Stephanie's not afraid of anything. All: (Cheering) Thomas: Yes! Hope: Come on! Brooke: Aah! Thomas: Oh! Stephanie: Yay! Eric: Yes! Yes! Yes! You were great! Stephanie: (Laughs) (Voices overlapping) Stephanie: (Laughs) Taylor: I can't believe it. Steffy: Bravo! Very good! (Laughs) Stephanie: Where is my martini? [SCENE_BREAK] Nick: You're here. I've always trusted you. Aggie: You didn't trust yourself. Nick: But you did. Aggie: How could I not? Everything you've done for me... Nick: I want you with me. You good with that? Aggie: There is no place that I would rather be. Nick: I can't promise you calm seas. Aggie: You don't have to promise me anything. Listen, you don't have to tell me that you'll be here for me. You have been more than anyone else. And I don't think I need to tell you how much you mean to me. I think you know. I think you know. I wasn't sure if I would ever be... close to a man the way that I am to you... you know, if I could ever have these--these feelings of absolute certainty, this feeling of love. That's--really, it's the only word for it. You know, to--to come through what we have together and to end up here together... it's the first time in my entire life that I can honestly-- I can honestly say that I know who I want to be, and I know who I want to be with. And this incredible just remarkable, amazing man-- miracles of miracles-- wants to be with me, too. [SCENE_BREAK] Steffy: Okay, this is the best birthday party, Grandma, seriously. Thomas: No, no, it was awesome. Thorne: I feel like a kid again. Stephanie: Well, you look like a kid. You're all flushed from running around in the house like you were chasing your brother when you were babies. Steffy: Oh, that's so cute. Thorne: What about you? You came down this thing like a pro. Stephanie: Yes! Steffy: You did. Thomas: Hey, 'fess up, Grandma. This is what you and granddad do when we're not home. Stephanie: How'd you know? Steffy: (Laughs) Eric: I'm just a little curious about what you have planned for next year. Pam: It's gonna be pretty hard to top this, Steph. Stephanie: Oh, I don't think I'll top it. I--this is the birthday party to end all birthday parties. Pam: Well, I think everybody must be pretty hungry by now. (Voices overlapping) Steffy: Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Eric: Come here. You--you outdid yourself. Stephanie: Well, I wanted everybody to have a great time. Eric: Yeah, but this is your birthday. Stephanie: Well, I'm having a great time. I mean, look at them. They're all running around like they're little children again. Eric: I know. Stephanie: I mean, what could be better that that? Eric: Good. Stephanie: Listen, I'm going to go in and check on Pam. I don't want her harassing those caterers. Eric: All right. Careful with the lemon bar thing. (Voices overlapping) Brooke: What... (sighs) why are you making me chase you? Stephanie: Why are you chasing me? Go back to the party. Brooke: Why didn't you say anything? Stephanie: I told you. I'm going to handle this in my own way. Brooke: How can you be so selfish? Stephanie: Selfish? Brooke: Not telling your family the truth. Stephanie: I'm protecting them. Brooke: You say that because you're just justifying it in your own mind, but you don't really mean that, Stephanie. I saw you. I heard you. I was listening to everything you said. You said, "This is the party of all parties. Life is too short." Stephanie: (Sighs) Brooke: You don't have to wish for anything except for happiness for your family. Well, that's not true. You can wish to get well. You can wish for this cancer to go away. But you have to admit to yourself how scared you really are. I know precious these moments are to you with your family, how poignant. I see it all over your face, and they could, too, if you would just tell them. Stephanie: You think this is poignant and meaningful? (Scoffs) I think this is senseless and painful. I survive my stroke. I get my husband back. I get the family, the--the corporation back, and what? (Sighs) Brooke: It is happening to you. It is happening to you-- not just to you, to them, too. Don't you see why you need to tell them? Stephanie: Not tonight. Not until... not until I know exactly what I'm dealing with. Brooke: You have stage four lung cancer, and you are not dealing with it. Now if you need me to help, I will do that. If you need time to prepare-- Stephanie: I was prepared. When my mother died, I sat myself down, and I thought this out. How would I handle this? How would I react? What would I do? And I was ready for everything except you! No matter what I do, I can never get you out of my life. You're in every corner of it. Brooke: (Sighs) Stephanie: You're in my family. You're in my--my corporation. My God, I can't even... (sighs) I can't even have cancer without you. I don't want to discuss this. I don't want you to bring it up anymore. Do you understand? Not with me, and not with anybody in the family. I will do what I feel is best for my family. Now please... just stay out of it, please.