Late evening….

Eric had spent the day looking through the family albums with Stephanie. He lit the fireplace and they sat there laughing and reminiscing about all their adventures as a family. For once in a long time they were happy, no worries and not at odds. They were embracing the moment as they talked about their children and grandchildren. Stephanie was happy as she watched him telling stories every so often as they looked at the photos. She felt content, thankful that she took Taylor advice all those months ago when she went to her professionally and asked her, how she should tell Eric about the cancer and her decision to not get treatment. Taylor had been in shock by the news, but eventually she told her, be honest with him and when you feel him pulling away, remind him of your life together. So that was what she was doing. Reminding him of their life together and how much she will always love him, love them all.

The next day…

Kristen arrived early in the morning with Antonio and Zende. Ridge had picked them up from the airport so that they could surprise their parents.

"I can't wait to see them. How is she, really" Kristen asked when she was alone with Ridge? Antonio and Zende were getting their luggage.

"She is tough, you know but, she is tired a lot and she is walking slower" He said wanting to prepare her.

Kristen felt a knot in her throat, her eyes tearing instantly.

"Hey, it's okay. We have each other and we will be there for them" Ridge reassured her as he hugged her.

"What are we going to do? What are we going to do without her" Kristen sobbed?

Forrester Mansion…

Eric and Stephanie sat out on the deck having breakfast as they enjoyed the sunny day.

Eric noticed that Stephanie seemed to be having a hard day. She was tired. And it showed.

"Do you want some more tea" Eric asked as he looked over at her past his newspaper?

"No, thank you" She smiled as she closed her eyes for a few moments.

Eric observed her. He could see how fragile she was becoming. Before he could say anything, their cook came to the sliding doors and waved him over. Eric got up quietly and walked over to her.

"You have visitors Mr. Forrester" She said in a whisper as not to disturb Stephanie who seemed to have dozed off.

"Thank you" He whispered as he went inside and walked to the living room. To his surprise and displeasure Brooke was there with Donna.

"Brooke, what is going on" He asked confused and upset?

"Don't blame her Eric. I told her I was coming over and she wanted to come to make sure that I didn't upset Stephanie" Donna admitted.

Eric looked at Brooke.

Brooke looked at him apologetically.

Eric realized Donna was telling the truth.

"Donna, look, this is not the place for us to talk" He explained trying to keep calm. He did not want Stephanie to walk in on this. Not today when she was not feeling well. She did not need this.

"Then where and when Eric? We need to talk" Donna pushed.

"Alright. Tomorrow at Forrester" Eric gave in.

"Okay. Eric…" Donna took a step closer.

Eric took a step back.

"Let's go" Brooke said as she grabbed Donna arm and they walked out of the house.

Eric sighed as he ran his hand across his face in frustration. Of course, he knew he had to resolve things with Donna. They were still legally married. She had refused to sign the divorce papers. And he tried to make his intentions clear by moving back to the mansion with Stephanie. He had hoped it would be enough for her to sign the papers but clearly, it was not.

"Eric…" Stephanie called out.

Eric rushed back outside. Her pale look worried him. He went to her quickly.

"Help me inside. I need to lay down" She said fatigued. She hated asking for help, but she knew she could not do it alone.

Eric helped her up and walked with her inside. Slowly, they went upstairs and into the bedroom. He helped her change clothes and get into bed, tucked her in. He sat beside her worried.

"I just need to rest" She tried to reassure him as she patted his hand.

Eric nodded his head but could not speak.

Stephanie knew he was afraid. She wanted to reassure him, but she was so tired. Her eyes drifted closed.

Eric stayed with her until he was informed that Ridge arrived. He went downstairs and saw his family.

"Kristen…" He said happily as they hugged.

"Hi dad" She held him tight.

"Where is mother" She asked as she looked around?

"Upstairs. She's tired today" He tried to explain.

Kristen looked at Antonio with worry.

"Hello, how are you both" Eric asked Antonio and Zende?

"Good" Antonio replied.

"Is grandma okay" Zende asked?

"She needs some rest" Eric explained but he felt himself on the verge of tears. How could he explain to this young man that his grandma was…he could not say it?

Evening….

Stephanie awoke feeling somewhat rested. She looked at the time and noticed it was past dinner time. She slept the whole day. She sighed and then smiled when she noticed a note from Eric on the night- stand. She opened it and read it.

"When you are ready for dinner ring the bell" She smiled looked over and saw the bell lying on his pillow.

She decided to wait a bit but when her stomach growled, she rang the bell.

Moments later, Kristen walked in with a tray.

"Kristen…" Stephanie smiled happily as she extended her arms.

They had never been close; their relationship had been filled with conflict and misunderstandings but in this moment none of that mattered. The only memory that came to mind was when Kristen was nine years old and had gone in to check on her mother who was sick in bed. She was greeted with that same smile and open arms. Filled with emotion, Kristen put the tray down and went straight into her mother arms. Also filled with similar emotions, Stephanie comforted her daughter. They hugged tightly.

Kristen began to cry. She did not want to lose her mother.

"Shhh…it's alright…it's alright" Stephanie soothed as she held her tightly.

"Mom…" Kristen cried. She could not even speak but she had so much to say.

Stephanie held her tighter, her heart aching. She did not want to hurt her family like this. She truly did not. She hoped someday they would understand why she chose not to have treatment. She would rather have these moments with them then be in such pain that she cannot even speak to them. She knew at some point she would need to tell them the whole truth as well as make some difficult decisions.

After a few minutes, Kristen laid beside Stephanie while she ate a light supper.

"Are Antonio and Zende here" She asked?

"Yes, they are with dad" Kristen admitted.

"I'm glad. He needs the company" She said as she sipped her iced tea.

"So…are you and daddy…okay" Kristen asked?

Stephanie looked at Kristen curiously.

"Donna…" Kristen asked?

"Oh…well, he says it is over" She said deciding honesty was the best route.

"Do you believe him" Kristen asked surprising her?

Stephanie sipped her iced tea.

"You can tell me mom" Kristen reassured her.

"I do believe him" Stephanie admitted.

"Then why mom" She asked as she sat up and faced her?

"Why what" Stephanie asked confused?

"Why haven't you discussed getting remarried" Kristen asked?

"Remarried? Oh…oh no…we are not doing that again" Stephanie said adamant.

"Mother" Kristen said pretending to be shocked.

"What" Stephanie asked?

"Living in sin" Kristen teased.

"Oh please…" Stephanie scoffed.

Kristen giggled.

"We are hardly young. At our age, what does it matter" Stephanie replied seriously?

"I am so surprised by that. I never thought you would be okay with that" Kristen admitted.

"Okay with what" Stephanie asked.

"Shacking up" Kristen laughed.

"Oh brother…" Stephanie replied as she rolled her eyes.

Kristen continued to laugh making Stephanie smile.

"So…are you and dad…sharing this room" Kristen asked?

"Why are you so interested in what your father and I are or aren't doing? I thought you kids did not want to know about any of that" Stephanie said genuinely surprised.

"That is Felicia but even she wants to know, she just pretends that it grosses her out" Kristen said with a giggle.

"Yes, we share this room" Stephanie admitted.

"Do you" Kristen teased?

"Oh stop…no more…" Stephanie said pretending to be upset but her cheeks blushed in embarrassment.

"I think it's great mom. I know dad is a romantic so he must be on cloud nine" Kristen smiled but the look on her mother face made her realize she said something wrong.

Stephanie knew Kristen meant no harm but with their problems in the romance department it was just one more reminder that she was hurting Eric.

"I'm sorry mom. I did not mean to…" Kristen tried to apologize.

"You did nothing wrong, really, it is fine" Stephanie reassured her.

"Do you want to talk about it" Kristen asked wanting to be supportive?

"No…thank you but, this is something that I need to work through" Stephanie said knowing that it was true. She needed to talk to Taylor or her sister. Someone who was not one of her children.

"Okay but I am here if you ever want to talk about anything" Kristen reassured her.

"Thank you, sweetheart" Stephanie smiled as she took her hand.

They stayed looking at one another for a few minutes.

"So, I hear Massimo has been hanging around. Is dad jealous" Kristen asked mischievously?

"Is nothing private" Stephanie said pretending it was a secret?

Kristen laughed.

Stephanie watched her fondly.

Living room…

Eric, Ridge, Antonio and Zende were sitting and talking about how things have been when Felicia walked in with Dino.

"Hello family" Felicia called out with a smile.

"Hello" They called out.

Dino ran up to Zende who hugged him tightly.

"Where is my sister" Felicia asked after she hugged Antonio and Zende?

"Upstairs with mother" Ridge shared.

"That is my queue then" Felicia replied as she went upstairs leaving Dino with the guys.

Moments later, Thorne showed up and joined them.

Eric knew that if Stephanie knew the boys were here too, she would be happy. The whole family together under one roof. Deciding he wanted to tell her, he excused himself and went upstairs.

Bedroom…

Eric was almost at the door when he heard laughing. He stopped. Then he realized they were talking about him.

"Daddy is jealous! Mom don't lie" Felicia laughed. Kristen laughed.

"He is not. You two are just being trouble- makers" Stephanie replied making Eric smile.

Deciding to make his presence known he knocked and then walked in. His smile widened when he saw Stephanie and their two girls in the bed.

"Is this a girl party only" Eric teased?

"You want them" Stephanie teased back.

"Hey" Kristen and Felicia laughed.

"The boys are here" Eric informed Stephanie.

Her smile warmed his heart.

"I'll be down soon" Stephanie informed him. She wanted to be with all her family.

"Only if you feel up to it" Eric replied. He did not want her to overdo it.

"I do" Stephanie reassured him.

"Okay" Eric smiled then looked at his two girls who were snuggled up to their mother. He left the room closing the door behind him. He waited a moment. His tears slid down his cheeks. He covered his face, wiped his eyes and then went downstairs.

Pool…

Stephanie sat in the shade as she watched her family in the pool, laughing and splashing at one another. Taylor, Steffy, Thomas, and Alexandria had arrived making the family complete. Of-course, it was times like this when she thought of Phoebe. She blamed Rick for a long- time and it had strained their family but eventually, she let the anger go.

"For the lady" Eric said as he handed her a virgin pina colada.

"I love these" Stephanie smiled.

"I know" He smiled back.

"I'm so happy they are all here" She said as she watched them fondly.

"Me too" He smiled.

"Are Rick and Bridget coming" She asked as she sipped her drink?

"No, I don't think so" He replied simply.

"Is everything alright with them" She asked concerned by his demeanor?

"Well…Rick is at odds with Ridge and Thorne. Bridget is with Logan visiting Owen" He admitted.

"Rick should have still come. It isn't like this is the first family squabble" She said making him smile.

"They are still brothers and that should come first" She continued. It truly did concern her that this was happening. Eric needed his son's especially now.

"Maybe we should tell them to follow your steps. You have a truce with Brooke" He reminded her.

"Yes…well…" She smiled.

"You truly are wonderful" He whispered as he took her hand in his.

"You are biased" She teased him.

"I am" He teased back.

Across the pool….

"They look like two love- sick teenagers" Kristen said to Taylor and Felicia.

"They have been through a lot" Taylor replied.

"We just need to make sure to keep Donna away" Felicia said as she watched her parents.

"Donna? I thought that was over" Kristen said surprised.

"The divorce is not finalized yet. She will not sign the papers" Felicia admitted.

"How do you know that" Taylor asked curiously?

"I have my sources" Felicia said piquing their interest.

Evening…

Stephanie was sitting in the living room watching everyone having a night cap after dinner. She was feeling tired again but did not want to leave her family. She loved watching them, taking in every moment and storing it in her mind. She would need these memories when it was time…she knew.

"You alright" Eric asked concerned as he sat beside her, his hand rubbing her arm?

"A little tired" She admitted.

"We can call it a night if you need to lay down" He offered.

"No…I…a little longer" She said as she watched Ridge, Thorne, Kristen and Felicia laughing.

"It is nice, isn't it" He asked?

"Yes…it really is" She smiled.

Almost an hour later, Eric did announce that they had a wonderful day, but that it was time for Stephanie to get some rest. They all agreed without a fuss since they knew her energy level was not the same anymore.

Taylor, Steffy, Thomas, and Alexandria said their goodbye and walked out together.

Ridge, Thorne, Kristen and Felicia said good night but stayed downstairs to chat a bit.

Eric went upstairs with Stephanie helping her up while carrying Dino. He was staying over.

Stephanie prepared for bed while Eric changed Dino into his pajamas.

Once Stephanie came out of the bathroom, Eric asked, "should I go with him into the guest bedroom across the hall? He is a bad sleeper and might not let you rest."

"No…leave him here. He will be upset if he wakes up and I'm not there" She said as she got into bed.

"Alright" He gave in as he tucked Dino in beside Stephanie.

Eric went into the bathroom while Stephanie looked at Dino. She touched his hair and thought, he is so much like Felicia. Her mind wandered to when Felicia was this small. As she basked in memories Eric stood in the shower finally letting go all the emotion, he had been holding in. His shoulders shook as the sobs wracked his chest, but he would not cry out loud. He did not want to upset Stephanie. She had enough to deal with.