That evening…

"That was a tough crowd" Eric teased as they laid in bed.

Stephanie chuckled.

"Good thing Steffy was there" He smiled.

"Yes, good thing" She said distracted but Eric did not notice.

"Taylor seemed upset" Eric commented.

Stephanie did not respond.

"She knew, didn't she" He asked?

"I told her that I was going to say yes days ago" She admitted.

"But you said no! Thank goodness you changed your mind, he smiled. So, she thinks it is a mistake" He asked concerned?

"No. She thinks it is wonderful. She is concerned though" Stephanie admitted.

"What about" He asked?

"Tonight" She admitted.

"Oh…." Eric replied as he looked at her with concern. He truly had not thought about their wedding night.

"I told her about our problems. I hope you are not upset by that" She shared.

"No, I'm not. It is good that you can talk to her" He said wanting to be supportive.

"She worries about you also" She admitted.

"She does" He asked surprised?

"Yes. Taylor wants what is best for the both of us" She said honestly as she thought back about her words.

"This is what is best. I truly, believe that" He said sincerely.

"So sweet" She whispered as she touched his face lightly with her hand. Her wedding band shining brightly in the dimly lit bedroom.

"You are the sweet one for saying yes even though you had doubts" He said as he looked into her eyes.

"I hurt your feelings…didn't I" She asked?

He did not reply for a moment.

"I'm sorry" She said, and she was. It was never her intention to hurt him, but she knew that is exactly what she had been doing for over a year now.

"Don't be sorry. You told me how you felt. Never apologize for that" He insisted as he took her hand in his.

"Well…now we're married…" She replied as she shook her head in dismay, a smile on her face.

"Yes, we are" He smiled back.

"Don't say I didn't warn you" She said making him chuckle.

"I won't, I promise" He laughed.

The phone ringing disrupted their moment.

"Hello" Stephanie answered surprised by someone calling at this late hour.

"Hello Stephanie" Brooke cooed making Stephanie roll her eyes. Eric chuckled at her reaction.

"Brooke it's late" Stephanie replied not wanting to talk especially now.

"That is what I told her mother" Stephanie heard Ridge say in the background.

"I hear congratulations is in order. Put me on speaker please" Brooke continued ignoring Stephanie and Ridge.

"I'm here Brooke" Eric replied with an amused look on his face. Stephanie, however, was not amused.

"Congratulations love birds" Brooke yelled happily.

"Oh brother" Stephanie replied with another eye roll.

"Thank you, Brooke. We are very, happy" Eric replied as he smothered Stephanie with kisses.

"Eric!" Brooke and Ridge heard Stephanie say.

"Alright you two. We are on the phone" Ridge reminded them.

Brooke squealed in delight.

"Your father is being annoying. I am sending him to your house tonight" Stephanie threatened as she pushed Eric who was laughing, off her.

"I won't go without a fight" They heard Eric say, his voice filled with merriment.

"Eric!" They heard Stephanie yell before the phone hung up.

Ridge looked at Brooke horrified, and Brooke looked at Ridge with a huge smile on her face. She was never going to let Stephanie live this one down.

"Don't you dare" Stephanie warned him.

Eric laughed uncontrollably as he looked at Stephanie as he held a bottle of honey in his hands.

"You are not funny" Stephanie said trying to be serious. She had found it humorous. It reminded her of their last laugh about the honey bottle.

He chuckled as he put it away.

"What is that doing in here" She asked with an arched eyebrow?

"I thought we would keep it here in case we need a prop" He teased.

"The only prop we would need is a martini" She replied, somehow keeping her voice and facial expression serious.

Eric on the other hand, felt his entire body warm up at the thought.

Realizing the full implication of what she said, she could not help but laugh at Eric expression.

"Not funny. Actually, that was really unfair" He replied but managed to smile as he shook his head. She always managed to shock him.

The next day…

Stephanie was in the kitchen having a cup of tea. Breakfast had been made for them already. She wondered who prepared it. Either way, she intended to enjoy it as it seemed so inviting. She took a fork and sunk it into a piece of mango. She smiled right before she took a bite out of it. She was savoring it when the kitchen door opened.

"Good morning" Eric chirped as he walked in and over to her giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Good morning" She replied with a smile.

"What is all this" He asked happily as he grabbed a plate and began to serve himself?

"We were spoiled it seems" She replied as she took another bite out of the luscious fruit.

"Looks wonderful" He said as he placed his plate down and then walked over to get a cup of coffee. As he poured his coffee, he observed Stephanie who seemed completely relaxed. He smiled when he saw her wedding ring shining off the sunlight that crept into their kitchen. Satisfied he walked back to the table and sat beside her.

They sat in silence both enjoying their breakfast.

Eric broke the silence first. "I thought you would be outside" He said as he bit his toast.

"It's a bit cool out" She admitted as she sipped her tea.

"Maybe we can go out later with our sweaters" He suggested hoping she would want to spend the day with him…only him. At least he hoped so.

"That would be lovely" She replied as she looked at him.

A few hours later…

The walk across the property was exactly what they both needed. It was cool out, but the sun was shining brightly. Stephanie had her arm looped around his as he held her close.

"I was thinking…" Eric began.

"You thinking only gets us into trouble" She replied in a teasing tone.

"Hey…" He laughed making her laugh.

"As I was saying, he eyed her playfully, I was thinking we should go to Big Bear for a few days." He said wanting them to have a honeymoon even if it was a short one.

"I believe the kids are up there with some friends. They are on break or something" She replied a bit disappointed as it would have been lovely to go this time of year.

"We can kick them out" He teased.

She shook her head as she smiled at his humor.

"How about a trip to Portofino? It is our honeymoon" He asked as he thought about all the lovely times they had there.

"Really" She asked surprised? Of-course it was a special place to them, but she honestly did not think Eric would want to make a big deal out of their honeymoon after all this time. Not now.

"We never got the chance to take a honeymoon before…come on, say yes. We can pack and be on the first flight out tonight." He said loving the idea of taking Stephanie away.

"Alright…" She agreed still surprised by his suggestion.

Some- time later….

"Portofino, wow" Felicia blurted out as she stood in her parent bedroom and watched as her mother packed.

"He wants to go away" Stephanie replied as she continued to pack.

Kristen looked at Felicia with a smile.

"I bet he does" Felicia replied.

Stephanie looked up catching on to the implication of her teasing.

"Don't look at me like that mother. We all know what goes on in honeymoons" Felicia teased.

"Add martini's and we all know what WILL go on" Kristen blurted out surprising Stephanie and making Felicia laugh out loud hysterically.

"Alright you two, enough" Stephanie replied bothered, her cheeks blushed in embarrassment.

"What is so funny" Taylor asked when she walked in?

"We're teasing mother. Her and daddy are going on honeymoon to Portofino" Felicia replied.

"How lovely" Taylor replied as she looked at Stephanie with concern.

Stephanie averted her gaze and resumed packing.

Taylor walked over and stood beside the dresser. Her eyes landed on Stephanie medication bottles.

Kristen noticed the interaction and the look on Taylor face.

"Felicia why don't we give them some time to talk" Kristen insisted as she led her sister away.

"I never got a chance to say congratulations" Taylor spoke breaking the silence that had filled the room when the girls left.

Stephanie stopped packing, looked up at her and sighed. Before she could speak Taylor continued.

"Congratulations. I really am happy for the both of you and I wish you nothing, but happiness" Taylor said as her voice wavered and her eyes watered.

Concerned Stephanie went to her and embraced the younger woman who she loved like a daughter.

"Taylor, what is it" Stephanie asked when Taylor held her tight?

"I realized just now what you've been trying to tell me. You said yes to spare him regret because you don't have much time left, do you Stephanie" Taylor asked her voice cracking completely, her tears sliding down her cheeks? Taylor squeezed her tighter, the fear of losing her best friend making her heart ache.

After a few moments Stephanie admitted, "oh Taylor…no, I don't have much time. I…I'm sorry."

Within an hour….

Stephanie and Eric were packed and waiting for the car service to take them to the airport. The Forrester jet waiting for them. They hugged all their children and Dino while they waited. Ridge noticed how Taylor and Stephanie hugged. The look on his ex-wife face telling him something happened. Once the car arrived, they waved goodbye and got in while the driver placed the bags in the trunk. Soon they were off, their family waving to them from the driveway.

Everyone went inside leaving Ridge and Taylor.

"I hope they have a nice time" Ridge said hoping Taylor would confide in him.

"I hope so too" Taylor replied as she walked to her car. Ridge followed her both silent for a few moments.

"Would you tell me if mother wasn't alright" Ridge asked making her stop walking?

Taylor remained silent.

"Doc, she's, my mother. You know how much she means to me" Ridge pushed as he stood in front of her.

Taylor looked up at him and he saw the tears slide down her face. His heart clenched. He knew instantly his mother was not alright and neither was his x-wife.

Forrester jet….

"Are you comfortable" Eric asked wanting to be sure she was, okay?

"Yes, I'm perfect just a bit tired" She smiled as she pulled the light blanket up to her chin and snuggled in.

"Get some rest" He smiled as he leaned over and kissed her cheek softly.

"Mmmm, alright" She smiled content as she closed her eyes. She was really, tired.

Eric sat watching her until she was sound asleep. He made sure to keep the cabin silent so as not to wake her. He had his book in his hand and intended to read a bit. He took his glasses out of the case and put them on. He accidently dropped his book and it hit her book making it open. He saw an envelope within the pages. Intrigued he took it out and looked at it. It was from her Oncologist, he opened it as he glanced at Stephanie. She was sound asleep. He knew he should not but unable to stop himself he opened it and began to read.

Hours later….

Eric had given up reading his book after he read the hidden letter. He read it over and over trying to process the information. When the cabin lights went on, he knew they had arrived. He put the letter back in her book and put it away along with his glasses. He reached over and touched Stephanie lightly on the shoulder. She opened her eyes slowly.

"We're here" Eric whispered since he knew she was not fully awake yet.

"I'm sorry. I slept the whole way" She apologized as she sat up and began folding the light blanket.

"You were tired" He said and something in his voice made her look at him. Before she could ask any questions, the pilot announced to fasten their seat belts and that they would be landing shortly.

Stephanie buckled her seat belt as did Eric. A short time after the plane landed. They unbuckled their seat belts. Stephanie went to the restroom and Eric began grabbing their coats and his briefcase. They exited the plane and made their way across the airport to their car service.

A few days later…

Portofino had been exactly what Stephanie needed, she realized as she sat on the balcony of their hotel suite and drank some tea as she watched the beautiful view. The sun was shining brightly. They were surrounded by wonderful memories but, something was off. Ever since they arrived Eric demeanor had seemed different. She had wanted to ask him what was wrong but each time she tried they were interrupted. Watching him as he joined her out in the balcony she decided to try again.

"Sit with me" She encouraged when she saw he was sitting away from her instead of beside her.

"Alright" He agreed as he sat across from her with his coffee.

"Will you tell me know what is wrong" She asked?

"Nothing is wrong" He lied as he took a sip of his espresso.

"Eric…I know you" She replied with a raised eyebrow.

"Do you? Well, I thought I knew you" He blurted out without meaning to.

"What is that supposed to mean" She asked defensively? She had no idea what his problem was but, she knew that tone. She had also seen that look before many times, more times than she cared to recall.

He put the espresso down clearly upset, looked at her and admitted, "I read your letter."

The look on her face made him feel justified but then slowly he saw disappointment cross her features and he felt that familiar pang of guilt. Once again, he let her down, a little voice in his head told him.

"How dare you read something that is clearly not yours" She hissed angrily?

"How dare I? How dare you" He challenged her just as angrily?

"That letter is addressed to me. Not you" She spat!

"You were never going to tell me, so I guess it is a good thing that I read it" He replied as he stood up taking his espresso with him as he walked away from her.

Furious, Stephanie followed him inside. She knew he had every right to be upset with her, but she could not stop being angry at the fact that he read a letter addressed to her without her permission.

"So, what was the plan, Stephanie? Who was going to tell me that you stopped your medication" he asked getting more upset?

"There was no plan. I was going to tell you when I was ready" She admitted.

"In other words, I would have never known not until you…." He shook his head in disbelief and anger.

"Say it, Eric. When I what…" She pushed? Of-course she knew this was not the way to deal with this, but she was still angry, and she was tired of going around the issue because he refused to talk about it.

"Do not start" He warned as he placed his cup down.

"Say it" She insisted as she rose her chin up and looked him in the eyes.

"I am not falling for this. You want to turn this into an argument about something else. Well, sorry to disappoint but that is not going to happen" He made himself clear.

"Something else? Eric…this is what we should be talking about" She spat upset.

"Are we supposed to not talk about how you made the decision to stop your medication without discussing it with me first" He said accusingly.

"Damnit Eric, we can't avoid this much longer. We must talk about it. We have to" She pleaded with him.

"Why don't we talk about why you said yes to my marriage proposal" He challenged her?

"Eric…I am serious. This can't wait any longer" She said hoping to get through to him.

"Yes, you made sure of that" He spat upset as he walked away from her.

Stephanie clenched her fists in frustration.

"Oh, and by the way, before you lie about why you said yes to getting married you should know that I overheard your conversation with Taylor" He said shocking her.

Stephanie stared at him in disbelief and said, "that was a private conversation."

"Yes, well…we do live in the same house. But you know even though I knew how you felt, I married you anyway because I thought we were in this together. Obviously, I was wrong." She heard him say right before the door slammed shut.

Stephanie walked over to the sofa and sat down. She leaned her head against her hand and thought about the mess she created.