Mansion…

Stephanie was in bed when Eric walked in. She could not pretend she was not upset with him for being gone all day and night leaving her to answer the questions of their family.

"Stephanie…" He called out since he was not sure she was awake. He wanted to thank her for talking to Donna.

"Apparently you like the couch. I suggest you go back to it because you are not sleeping here tonight" She said her voice firm. She did not turn to look at him.

Eric sighed knowing she had every right to be upset. He put the envelope down and walked around to her side of the bed.

"I mean it Eric" She said upset as she looked at him with icy blue eyes.

He kneeled- down beside her, took her hand in his and said, "thank you."

"What" She asked confused?

"Donna signed the papers" He said as he looked at her.

"She did" Stephanie asked surprised?

"She told me you went to see her and told her about your health" He said as he looked at her with love in his eyes.

"I'm glad she listened" She said, and she was. She did not want Eric to have regrets once she was gone.

"And I'm glad that you went to see her. I wasn't at first but, I know you did it for me and that it was not easy for you" He said swallowing his tears, but she could see them in his eyes.

"You are still not forgiven" She said firmly but inside she felt her heart squeeze tight for him. She knew what he was giving up. A life with Donna was not something she could understand but she knew he did in fact love her. She was not in denial about that. Donna was also young and…she stopped herself from thinking the rest.

"Why Stephanie? Why did you go to her and ask her to sign these if…if you don't want to get married" He asked needing to know?

"Maybe if you came home earlier, I would answer that" She said remaining firm but, the truth was she did not want to upset him. She did it for him so he could have peace when she died not live with this guilt, he has been consumed with about them not being married. She knew it is not the answer he would want to hear. Eric was always a dreamer and she knew his outlook on their life was one of a life- time of love and overcoming challenges. And it was but it was also a lot of hurt and pain. He seemed to always leave that part out.

He smiled at her involuntarily and quickly got serious stating, "Okay, I deserved that. I will forgo the couch my back is killing me but, I will be in the guest room…if you need me" He replied his eyes shone with love.

"Goodnight" She said pretending to be indifferent.

"Goodnight" He said as he kissed her cheek and got up.

She watched him leave the room and shut the door. Her eyes closed as they watered. She loved him so much. She did not want to keep hurting him. Yet, she knew she was, she knew she would, and her heart broke for him.

Eric got in the shower and then after he pulled the covers back on the guest bed. He sighed as he got in staring up at the ceiling. He began to think of Stephanie going to see Donna. A smile crossed his lips as he realized, she is going to marry me.

The next day…

Stephanie and the girls were in the kitchen making breakfast and talking when Eric walked in whistling happily. They all looked at him wondering what made him so happy when he had clearly slept in the guest bedroom. Everyone knew that.

"Good morning" Eric chirped as he made it a point to walk over to Stephanie and kiss her on the lips.

Kristen and Felicia looked at one another in surprise.

"Eric..." Stephanie huffed with a mix of surprise and embarrassment.

"Lovely morning, isn't it" He asked her with a big smile?

Stephanie eyed him carefully and after a moment realized why he was so happy. He knew she was going to say yes to his marriage proposal. She could not help but be bothered a bit. How presumptuous after he was out seeing Donna last night leaving her home to deal with the family questions!

Eric realized Stephanie was not happy and began to have doubts about his assumption.

"Coffee…daddy" Felicia asked wanting to break the weird silence?

"Yes, please. Thank you" Eric replied as he walked over and hugged her then Kristen.

Stephanie smiled but managed to look away when Eric looked at her again. She pretended to be stirring her tea.

Once he had his coffee he asked, "where is Dino?"

"He left with Zende and Antonio this morning" Kristen volunteered.

"Oh…" Eric said sounding disappointed.

Stephanie knew Eric enjoyed being with the boys and the men.

"I believe Ridge and Thorne are coming over" Stephanie shared as she sipped her tea.

Eric smiled happily confirming her suspicion.

"I will leave you ladies to it then" Eric said as he waved at the girls and approached Stephanie again.

Her eyebrow lifted making him think twice about kissing her again but deciding to throw caution to the wind, he bent down and kissed her lips sweetly whispering, "don't over -do it today alright."

"Alright" Stephanie replied, her cheeks blushing. He had managed to somehow get into her good graces again.

"See you all later" Eric said as he walked out of the kitchen.

"Well…well…did we miss something" Felicia teased.

"Nothing that concerns any of you" Stephanie replied embarrassed.

"Those kisses were very confident" Kristen teased.

"Yes, they were maybe someone…she looked at her mother…had a midnight visitor" Felicia teased.

"Oh brother…" Stephanie replied rolling her eyes making both girls laugh.

Afternoon…

Eric got home and found Stephanie in the living room with Dino.

"Grandpa" Dino yelled excited as he ran into his arms.

"Hey buddy" Eric said fondly as he hugged him smiling at Stephanie from across the room.

"Grandma and I are going to watch a movie. You want to watch it" Dino asked as he led him to where Stephanie sat?

"Sure, sounds great" Eric replied as he winked at Stephanie.

She smiled as she watched Dino as he sat down beside her and then patted the seat next to him for his grandpa.

Eric sat beside him and then smiled at Stephanie.

"Ready" Stephanie asked amused?

"Ready" Dino mimicked her.

"Ready" Eric chimed in.

Stephanie pushed play on the movie as Dino snuggled up to her.

Eric watched them fondly. His heart squeezed at the sight. He reached over placing his arm across the back of the sofa touching Stephanie shoulder.

Stephanie looked at him.

He smiled lovingly.

Her eyes softened.

That is how they were when Antonio, Zende, Thorne, Ridge, Kristen and Felicia walked in with dinner and dessert.

They all ate while they watched the movie. All the chairs were taken and some of them sat on the floor surrounding the television.

Eric looked at Stephanie again. He saw the happiness on her face as she watched their family. Unable to help himself he caressed her shoulder softly.

She looked at him suddenly very aware that this touch was different then the last one.

"I love you" He mouthed as he winked at her.

Late evening…

Everyone went to bed shortly after Stephanie did. They did not want to keep their father away from their mother and they knew their mother would insist he spend time with them. After Thorne filled them in on the failed marriage proposal, they all agreed to push them together every chance they got.

"You left them" Stephanie asked surprised when Eric walked into the bedroom?

"They were all calling it an early night" He admitted.

"Really" She asked suspiciously?

He chuckled as he sat on the bed and took off his shoes.

"Am I allowed back" He asked as he looked at her?

"I suppose so" She said pretending to still be upset.

He smiled at her then proceeded to undress and make his way into the bathroom.

Once he was done showering, he joined her in bed wearing only pajama pants.

Stephanie was reading when he got into bed.

"What are you reading" He asked curious?

"Some information from the charity" She replied honestly as she put the papers down, took her glasses off and pulled the covers up under her chin.

Eric settled in and shut the light off.

After a few moments he faced her.

She wanted to question him about the kisses in the kitchen, his flirting in the living room earlier but decided against it.

"I had Jonathan file the divorce papers this morning" He admitted.

"Oh…" She said surprised he did it so quick.

"And I told him we were back together" He admitted.

"Did you" She asked a bit embarrassed?

"He thinks we are crazy by the way" He smiled.

"Because we are" She smiled back.

He laughed.

She laughed.

"I gave her a generous amount" He confessed not wanting to have secrets.

"I am sure you did" She said knowing he would want to take care of Donna.

"I did not give her part of Forrester" He said wanting her to know.

"Good thing because if you did you would be permanently banned from this room" She said seriously.

"Don't I know it" He smiled.

She shook her head.

"She did make one request" He said deciding to be completely honest.

"Do I want to know" She asked as she placed her arms over the blanket and placed them on her stomach?

He could see she was deep in thought.

"She wants to keep her job at Forrester" He admitted bracing himself to be thrown out of the bedroom, again.

"Yes…I'm sure she does" She replied. Stephanie knew this was Donna way of staying close to Eric since she now knows about her health. She would wait and then…she stopped her train of thought.

Eric waited for more, but none came.

Eric reached over and touched her hand with his.

Stephanie looked at him.

"If having her there is a problem, I will tell her no" He said seriously.

"Well, she's a Logan…" She replied trying to lighten the conversation.

He laughed.

She smiled feeling better about how she reacted but inside, she felt it, and she knew what Donna had planned but, she was determined to not dwell on it. Once she was gone…Eric would have to make those decisions. He had adamantly refused to talk to her about this no matter how many times she tried to.

"I love you, you know" He whispered as he touched her hand again, caressing it.

"I know" She replied, and she became very aware of his touch again. It was warm and nice. It felt good but, she did not want to lead him on. She found that she often struggled with, whether a touch would lead to him wanting more.

Eric noticed her reaction.

"Does it bother you when I touch you" He asked concerned?

Stephanie looked at him, her eyes softened.

"Does it" He asked again?

"No…I am curious though" She admitted.

"About what" He asked?

"What is with all the flirting today? Did you do something else I should know about" She asked seriously?

Eric laughed loudly making her smile.

"Stop. You'll wake Dino" She chastised him.

"We can't do that. He will want to join us" He teased.