The stage is beautifully set. Eric is dressed to the nines and has the house elegantly decorated. The caterers are setting out the food and drink. Ridge arrives early then Thorne, Steffy and Thomas, all wanting to know what the occasion is. Thorne says Eric looks like he's getting ready for the prom. Brooke finds Stephen still brooding out by the pool and reminds him that feeling this way is not going to bring Beth back. Still he feels he needs to protect his little girls. Pammy doesn't mind that Stephanie has other plans tonight. She knows Stephanie will be the queen of the ball. She doesn't even think she will come back home tonight. She will be staying in the big house. Stephanie is touched when she wears her new outfit Eric designed for her and walks into the house from the limo to be greeted by her family. Pam is surprised to find Steven at her door. He asks to come in. She shows him her photos of Tiny and her mom and states she died a few months ago. Steven points out that they both have had a lot of tragedy in their lives in common. Stephanie receives a lovely big vase of red roses from Kristen and Felicia. Eric gives a toast to Stephanie, the woman who keeps them together. Brooke enjoys the pool with Hope and thinks the necklace Oliver gave her is cute. Steven speaks glowingly of Paris to Pam and tells her she needs to visit there someday. While Pam gets him a lemon bar, which he describes as heavenly, Stephen puts a photo of Stephanie and Pam in his pocket. The musicians play and Eric finishes his toast and calls Stephanie over. Publicly before the children and grandchildren he wants to ask Stephanie something that he doesn't even deserve. He realizes now she is his partner and soulmate and wants her to come back to this house; back to him, back to their life together.
Eric: Perfect! Just the way it should be. Thanks, both of you. It looks wonderful. Thanks! Ridge: Ha, ha, ha! Wow! What's this? Eric: You look beautiful, Ridge. You look perfect. Ridge: Thank you! I got the message from Thorne on my way out from work. So I got into a suit and came over. What's going on? Eric: Just another nice evening at home with the Forrester family. Excuse me. Ridge: Mm-hmm! [SCENE_BREAK] Stephanie: I tried calling you. Pam: I know. We have to cancel our dinner plans, right? Stephanie: How did you hear? Pam: Stephy told me. Stephanie: Oh, that Stephy. Pam: Big doings at the mansion, huh? Stephanie: Came out of the blue. Pam: What's in the garment bag? Stephanie: Something that Eric designed for me. Pam: You mean, for you to wear tonight? Stephanie: Uh-uh! Pam: A Forrester Original? Stephanie: Uh-uh! Pam: Stephanie, I don't think you're going to be living here much longer. Stephanie: Oh, let's not go there. Pam: No, I think that you'd better pack a little bag and take it along with you tonight just in case. Stephanie: There's no doubt in my mind that I will not be staying the night. Pam: And there is no doubt in my mind that you won't be here when I wake up in the morning. Ha, ha! Stephanie: Honey, are you okay about me cancelling our dinner? Pam: Ah, of course, of course. It's not the first time. Stephanie: You're disappointed. Pam: Don't be silly! Before you moved in, I had dinner alone every night -- just me and the TV. It'll be like old times. Stephanie: Throw something on and come with me to the house. [SCENE_BREAK] Woman's voice: I'm no fan of Pam Douglas. She's unbalanced, on medication. She's capable of anything. Brooke: Dad, what's going on? You look pretty intense. Stephen: I'm just thinking. Brooke: What about? Stephen: About your mother. [SCENE_BREAK] Thorne: Come on, Dad. You can't throw a bash like this and not tell us what it's all about. Steffy: I don't even care what this is all about. Just to have us all together like this? Thorne: Hmm. Eric: All right, I'll tell you this much. This is about family. This is about memories and our dreams for the future. I mean, for so many years we've had celebrations like this in this house, but tonight's -- tonight might be the biggest celebration of all. [SCENE_BREAK] Stephen: Your mother would be alive today if it weren't for Stephanie. Brooke: Oh, Dad, you can't keep obsessing about that. It's not going to bring her back. Stephen: Beth is gone. I realize that. Now it's up to me to protect my three beautiful daughters from Stephanie Forrester and her lunatic sister. Brooke: [Sighs] [SCENE_BREAK] Pam: Well, who else is going to be at the party tonight? Stephanie: I don't know. Eric just said it was going to be intimate. Pam: And you're inviting me? No, no, Steph, I would stick out like a sore thumb. Stephanie: Pammy, you're my sister. Pam: Yeah, who you got along with just fine for years. No, honey, if Eric wanted me there, he would have invited me. It's for you. You are the queen of the ball, and tonight you are going to take back your throne. Stephanie: Oh! Honey, I love you. [Hug] [SCENE_BREAK] Steffy: Thank you. Waiter: My pleasure, Miss. Steffy: Hey. Dad, you know we need this. We should have one of these once a month, for sure. Ridge: You know, there was a time when it actually felt like we did. Steffy: I never want to lose touch with what matters most. Ridge: Sweetie, that's not going to happen with you. After all, you are the next generation's Stephanie Forrester. Steffy: [Laughs] I wonder what Granddad has up his sleeve? Ridge: I know what I'd like it to be -- our family reunited. Mother and Dad back together -- just like we used to be. [SCENE_BREAK] Thomas: One of these. Hold on one second. And, right there. Thank you very much. Waitress: Good evening. Steffy: Really. Thomas: What? It's good. Steffy: Are you as happy as I am? Thomas: This is very cool. I'd almost forgotten what these things were like. [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: Look at him. Thorne: Just like a kid getting ready for a prom. Ridge: It does feel great, doesn't it? Like this? Thorne: Yeah. It'll feel even greater if it goes the way I hope it will. [SCENE_BREAK] Pam: I can't even imagine someone designing for me. Stephanie: Oh, honey, we've both had our share of blessings. Pam: Yeah, I got to take care of Mom in that apartment, and you got to live in Camelot. Oh, don't worry, Steph. I am too old for regrets. Just like I'm too old for a man. You'd better go now. Go get ready for your shindig, and don't you dare tell me that you won't be late. Stephanie: [Laughs] I hope I'm very late. Pam: [Sighs] [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: Great! Well, thanks for letting me know. I'm sure I'll be hearing from Ridge soon. Bye! Stephen: What? Brooke: There's a big family gathering over at Eric's place. Stephen: Well, are you going to head over? Brooke: Ah, no. Stephen: Why not? Brooke: Well, first of all, I wasn't invited. And -- Stephen: What? You weren't invited to your husband's family gathering? Brooke: Dad, I haven't even been to that house since Mom died. It's not really a place I want to be. But I do have to wonder what's going on over there. I mean, it's the immediate family and Stephanie. Stephen: What? Stephanie is going to be there? Brooke: Mm-hmm. Stephen: The woman who hates you is invited, and you're not? Brooke: [Sighs] Dad, it's not a big deal. Just relax. Stephen: I don't know how you can be so blasé about this. Honey, if Stephanie could break up your marriage, she -- Brooke: She's tried to do that for years, but it hasn't worked. Ridge and I are committed. We are solid. Yes, Stephanie can be a pain, but I think her sister's an even bigger threat. I mean, look at all the bizarre things that Pam's done to Donna. I really think that that woman could be capable of murder. Stephen: Yeah, she is. Stephanie's roommate. [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: So, where's the guest of honor. Eric: Your mother will be here. Thomas: Maybe she had car problems. Eric: No, no, not a chance. I sent a limousine for her. Steffy: What, a limo? Wow! Thorne: Nice, Dad. Eric: I thought so. [Phone beeps] Eric: Oh, all right, best behavior, everybody. She's here. [Opens door] Good evening, Stephanie. Come on in. Your entourage awaits! [SCENE_BREAK] Hope: Hey, Mom. Brooke: Hi, honey. Hope: Where's Grandpa? Brooke: Oh, I think he went out for a walk or something. Hope: Mmm, well, it'll do him some good. He needs some stress relief. Brooke: You noticed, huh? Hope: Yeah! [SCENE_BREAK] Pam: Ah, what did you forget? Did you have a fight with Eric already? [Laughs as she opens the door] Stephen, my Gosh! Stephen: Do you mind if I come in? Pam: No, sure. I mean, no, I don't mind if you come in. Come on in. You look better. Stephen: Oh, yes. Thank you. Pam: Oh, be it ever so humble. Stephen: Oh, it's homey. Pam: Oh, that's my baby, Tiny. Best friend I ever had in the world. Stephen: Cute. Pam: Yeah. Stephen: Not hanging around here somewhere, is he? Pam: [Chuckles] No, well, he died -- murdered, actually. But I won't go into that. Stephen: I'm sorry. I do know exactly how you feel. Pam: Right. Oh, and this is my mother. Stephen: The one you devoted your life to taking care of? Pam: Yup. She died a few months ago Stephen: You and I have shared a lot of tragedy. So, uh, you live here alone now? Pam: Well, my sister's been staying with me, but I have a feeling she might be moving out soon. So I'm just putting her stuff in the boxes. Stephen: Oh! Do you have a friend or somebody who's going to move in. Pam: Friend? What's that? No, I just didn't have time to make many friends. Stephen: Of course not. You devoted yourself to your mother. Stephanie was the one who had all the friends. Pam: I hope you're not here to talk stink about my sister again. Stephen: No. No, I'm not, I'm sorry. I'm here to spend time with you, unless you'd rather be alone. [SCENE_BREAK] Stephanie: Well, the house looks just absolutely wonderful and everybody, all of you, look just, you know, quite handsome. Ridge: Well, you're looking pretty amazing yourself, Mother. Stephanie: Thanks to your father. Eric: Hm-hmm! Steffy: Oh, you mean that glow in your cheek? Eric: Don't embarrass your grandmother. Steffy: What? Thorne: Okay, let's -- let's cut to the chase here, okay? What is the theme of this gala? Eric: Well, children are so impatient, they really are. Will you get your mother some champagne, please? Stephanie: May I have a martini? Eric: Yeah, make that two. Thomas: Is she drinking for the both of you? Eric: Very funny. Thorne: Steffy, give me a hand, please. Stephanie: Thank you. Eric: For what? Stephanie: Inviting me. Eric: Well, I couldn't very well have a family reunion without inviting the mother of my children, could I? Stephanie: Well -- Eric: No. Stephanie: Ooh! Steffy: This came for you. Stephanie: Let's see. What is this? To the mother who got us through it. [Laughs] Wish we could be there. Felicia and Kristen. That's lovely. Thanks, honey. Thank you so much. Thorne: [Clears throat] Two martinis. Eric: Ah-ha! Stephanie: Not a moment too soon. [Laughs] Eric: Let's see. To a memorable evening like so many that have gone before, all right? And to the woman who made it all possible. To our family. We will always be together. Ridge: Here, here! Steffy: Always together! [Clink glasses] [SCENE_BREAK] Hope: I can't wait. Yeah, me, too. Okay, I'll see you soon. Brooke: Oliver? Hope: Yes, he's coming over. Brooke: Oh, that's wonderful. Hope: Hm-hmm! Oh, Mom, look what he gave me. Brooke: What? Hope: It means Hope and he got one himself, too. Brooke: Ah, it's cute. Oh, honey, I'm so happy for you. Hope: Are you sure? Brooke: Yes, of course, I'm sure. Hope: Just as long as he doesn't get too close, right? Brooke: Oh, you're never going to let me forget that little birds and bees talk we had, are you? Hope: No, I'm not. Brooke: [Laughs] My precious little baby. Hope: [Chuckles] Hey, shouldn't Grandpa be back by now? [SCENE_BREAK] Pam: And this one goes in there. Stephen: Wow, Stephanie sure does travel a lot, doesn't she? Pam: Ah, yeah. Have you been to Europe, Stephen? Stephen: Yes, actually, I lived in Paris with Beth for a while. Pam: Paris! It's supposed to be beautiful, huh? Stephen: Yeah, it is! Perhaps some day you'll see for yourself. Pam: Yeah, another life maybe. Stephen: No, I'm serious. I mean, you're young. You have a lot of years ahead of you, Pam. Pam: Would you like a lemon bar? Stephen: Yes, I'd love one. [Pockets a photo] Pam: Best stuff on Earth. [Chuckles] Stephen: Wow! Thank you. Pam: You're welcome. Stephen: Mmm, this is heavenly. Mmm! [SCENE_BREAK] Thomas: Any bets on where this is heading? Ridge: Knowing your granddad, somewhere intensely romantic. Thorne: I wouldn't be surprised if a minister walks through that door any second. Ridge: Except that Dad is still technically married. Steffy: Mmm, not for long. I was with him today when the papers arrived. Ridge: Really? Steffy: Mm-hmm! Ridge: Well, I'll be damned! Maybe it is really over. [Piano plays] Steffy: Or just beginning. [Stephanie recalls happy moments from the past with Eric] Eric: That was beautiful! Stephanie: It was. Thank you so much. Eric: Come with me. I have something planned. Stephanie: All right. Eric: Just come right here. I want to say something. [Scott, the violinist, begins to play] Eric: All right, look, uh, it's been a long time since we've been here together like this as a family. Our lives have moved in so many different directions -- at the company and personally, too. But I don't think there's one person here who ever doubted the strength and the loyalty that's been the cornerstone of this family all these years, that it would prevail, and so it has. We have our company back -- this company that we created and we nurtured for so many years is finally in our hands where it belongs, and I celebrate that tonight. But more important than that, after so many years of growth and change, we can look each other in the eye with love and respect, and we can cherish what it means to be a part of this family. And more importantly, what this woman has given us. Ridge, Thorne, and your sisters, Thomas, Steffy, she gave you life itself and also a knowledge of how to live it with grace and with gratitude. And Stephanie, you gave me an awareness that your accomplishments in life are really nothing compared with the person you share it with. I mean, we are really true soulmates, aren't we? You're a real partner in life for me. I didn't even realize that, but I do now. And so here now tonight in front of my children and grandchildren, who mean more to me than life itself, I'm going to ask you something. I'm going to ask you something I don't even deserve. I want you to come back to this house. I want you to come back to our life together. Come back to me.