The Next day….

Stephanie had gone downstairs, leaving Eric asleep as she decided to get them breakfast for a change. To her delight and surprise, Angela was there.

"Good morning" Stephanie smiled at her.

"Good morning" Angela smiled back.

"So, what would you recommend" Stephanie asked hoping to engage her in conversation? For some reason she felt close to her.

"The eggs and bacon" Angela replied without a second thought.

"I will get two of those then" Stephanie said when the server came over.

"I will have one" Angela added.

Stephanie wanted to ask about her husband but decided against it. Eric was right. She was not their daughter and she needed to respect her privacy.

"Do you want to join me for tea or coffee while we wait" Stephanie asked?

"I'd love to" Angela smiled genuinely.

Stephanie went back upstairs after having a lovely time with Angela. She walked in with Eric breakfast and coffee. To her surprise he was still asleep. She set it down and smiled as she watched him snoozing peacefully. Wanting to let him sleep in, she shut the door softly and sat out on the deck with a tea. Not long after her phone buzzed, she answered it when she realized it was Ridge.

"Oh, Hi honey" Stephanie answered calmly.

"It's Brooke" Brooke said honestly.

"Brooke…I thought it was Ridge" Stephanie said honestly.

"I used his phone. He is in the shower" Brooke replied vaguely.

"Alright" Stephanie said skeptically.

"I want to know what Taylor knows. Why is Taylor crying on Ridge shoulder? What did you tell her before you left Stephanie" Brooke asked rather aggressively?

Stephanie instantly went on the defensive. "I don't know what you are talking about Brooke, but I would suggest you speak to Ridge if you have any concerns."

"Stephanie! I am serious. Whatever you told her she was all over my husband. I deserve to know what is going on" Brooke exclaimed.

"Goodbye Brooke" Stephanie said exasperated as she hung up on her. Taking a deep sigh, she called Taylor.

"Hello" Taylor answered on the third ring.

"Taylor, it's Stephanie" She replied honestly.

"Everything alright" Taylor asked alarmed?

"I don't know you tell me. Brooke called me" Stephanie said honestly.

Taylor sighed deeply.

"What is it" Stephanie asked?

"I'm sorry Stephanie. I…I told Ridge" Taylor admitted.

Stephanie felt her world shake. Nausea crept up on her.

"I didn't mean to. He…I'm sorry" Taylor apologized.

"I have to call back and talk to Ridge" Stephanie managed to say as she stood up and leaned over the railing for some air.

"Okay. I really am sorry" Taylor replied sadly as she hung up.

"You okay" Eric asked when he joined her outside?

"No…Taylor…she told Ridge" Stephanie admitted as she sat.

Eric sat beside her holding her hand.

"I…I didn't want him to find out like this" She whispered.

"Taylor loves him, I am sure she was gentle" He reassured her.

Stephanie looked at him with tear filled eyes.

"It will be all right. We will tell them all together" He said lovingly.

"No..I…I can't. I'm not ready to do this" She said finally breaking down after holding it all in for so long. He instantly reached for her and took her into his arms.

Hours later….

"I know you wanted to stay longer but…." Eric tried to broach the subject gently.

"You were right. We have to go back and tell them now that Ridge knows" She admitted as she sat on the plane with her hands on her lap.

"It will be for the best that they know. Then at least we can do things as a family with no secrets between us" He reassured her.

She nodded her head in agreement.

Eric sighed as he leaned back, taking her hand in his and squeezing it tight. He knew how afraid she was because he was too.

"Eric…I hope you won't get mad, but I left Angela my phone number. I want to stay connected with her" She said honestly.

To her surprise, Eric smiled and said, "I figured you would."

"You're not mad" She asked surprised?

"No. As a matter of fact, I like her I hope she does call" He smiled.

She smiled back at him.

California….

"I'm sorry I am causing so much trouble for you" Taylor said feeling terribly as she stood with Ridge at Forrester.

"It's not your fault. It's Brooke being Brooke" Ridge replied bothered.

"She feels left out" Taylor guessed. She did feel terrible for all of this.

"It's not her business what we discuss. And do you know she called mother" Ridge said angrily.

"Yes. Your mother called me" She admitted.

"Dad called me. They are coming home. Thanks to Brooke" Ridge said getting more upset.

Taylor sighed as she sat down and said, "no that would be my fault for breaking her confidence."

Ridge looked at her sympathetically.

"I violated her privacy. I could lose my license over this" She said shocking him.

"Mother would never do that. She knows you told me because you care. Taylor, you're her best friend not just a Psychiatrist" Ridge said adamant.

"Exactly which is why I should never have seen her in a professional manner. I thought I could manage it but, I never…. never…thought it would be something like this" She admitted as her tears came out.

"Hey, doc…" Ridge sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her.

"I don't know how to do this. God, listen to me. She's your mother…" She said feeling selfish.

"You love her too. We'll do this together as a family" Ridge reassured her.

Taylor closed her eyes and allowed herself to get comfort from him. She desperately needed it. Ridge also felt the same way. He found comfort with Taylor, and it reminded him of how special their relationship had always been.

Mansion….

"Mom and dad are coming home" Kristen informed Felicia who was making Dino breakfast.

"What? Why" Felicia asked alarmed? She knew it was too soon.

"I don't know. It has something to do with Ridge and Brooke" Kristen admitted.

"Of- course it does" Felica spat upset.

"I wonder what happened" Kristen said as the two women looked at one another?

"I don't really care. I could just ring her neck sometimes. Dad and mom were finally enjoying a real honeymoon and she ruined it for them" Felicia snapped.

The door opening made them all turn around. Thorne walked in.

"I hear mom and dad are on their way back. Did something happen" He asked concerned?

"Brooke Logan happened" Felicia hissed.

Forrester….

Ridge was working on a design when Brooke walked in.

"Not now Logan" Ridge warned her. He was still upset by her calling his mother.

"I said I was sorry Ridge. I just wanted to know what was going on. I love Stephanie too" Brooke said as she stood in front of him.

"You have a funny way of showing it" He said his anger obvious.

"What is that supposed to mean" Brooke asked upset?

"They were on their honeymoon. You didn't have to call her and harass her" He pointed out.

"I wasn't harassing her. I asked her, okay, I told her I wanted to know what she told Taylor" She admitted.

"Whatever she tells Taylor is between her and Taylor" He replied upset.

"Yes but, if whatever she tells Taylor has her crying and all over you then I have a right to know" She challenged him.

"You are unbelievable" He said giving up.

"Ridge" She spat upset that he turned his back on her.

"I have work to do please go" He said shocking her.

"Ridge" She shrieked in disbelief but when he did not reply she walked out.

Late evening….

"I'm exhausted" Stephanie admitted as they walked into the mansion.

"I know you are. Why don't you go straight upstairs, and I'll take care of the bags" Eric reassured her?

"I think I will. Thank you" She said keeping her voice low as she went up the stairs.

Eric picked up the bags and carried them up.

Inside the bedroom, Stephanie freshened up a bit then changed into her pajamas.

Eric went in when she came out and got into bed.

Once he freshened up and got in his pajamas, Eric joined her in bed.

"Get some sleep sweetheart" Eric encouraged her as he noticed she was awake.

"I'm scared" She admitted.

"I know you are but, I'm here and we'll do it together" He reassured her.

Stephanie turned and faced him.

He smiled softly at her.

"I love you Eric" She whispered.

"I love you Stephanie" He whispered back.