Thank you all for continuing to read this story. I apologize for the delay in updating. Life kept me very busy, but I am back now. Hope you enjoy this next chapter.

The next day….

Stephanie was in the kitchen making tea and coffee for Eric when Felicia walked in with Dino.

"Grandma" Dino yelled happily as he ran to her.

"Hello" Stephanie smiled at him as they hugged.

"Good morning mother" Felicia smiled as she went to her and hugged her.

"Good morning" Stephanie smiled back as she held her youngest.

"I'm sorry your trip was cut short" Felicia added as they all sat at the table. Dino pouring cereal into his bowl as she poured the milk.

"Me too but, I'm happy to see you both" Stephanie winked at Dino.

"We missed you grandma" Dino chimed in.

"I missed you both too" Stephanie smiled.

Kristen walked in moments later with Eric both laughing.

"What are you two up to" Stephanie asked?

"Nothing" Kristen smiled as she hugged her mother from behind.

Stephanie turned her face and kissed her daughter cheek.

"Welcome home mom" Kristen whispered.

"Thank you, sweetheart" Stephanie smiled.

"Is that coffee I smell" Thorne asked as he walked in?

"Yes, it is honey, come on over and pour yourself a cup" Stephanie replied with a smile.

"Where is Ridge" Eric asked Thorne?

"He was still at Forrester when I left. Brooke was there" Thorne said honestly.

The silence was deafening in the room.

"Well, I'm sure he will be here soon" Stephanie said breaking the silence.

Forrester….

"Ridge we have to talk. You slept in the guest bedroom, and you wouldn't even speak to me last night" Brooke complained as she stood watching her husband for the first time in their entire relationship not forgive her. It truly unnerved her.

"I have nothing to say" Ridge replied as he continued to pin a dress.

"I said I was sorry. Are you going to hold it against me forever" Brooke whined?

"Sorry isn't enough this time, all right. Just…leave it alone. I need to finish this before I head over to the house" Ridge said losing his patience.

"Where I'm not invited" Brooke spat bothered.

"Why should you be invited? This is your fault. You ruined the last vacation; only honeymoon my parents have had and will ever…his voice caught…have" Ridge managed to finish but tears filled his eyes.

"Ridge…" Brooke whispered heart broken at seeing her husband this way at hearing those words come out of his mouth.

"Just go…" Ridge said as he turned his back on her and continued to pin the dress.

Brooke felt the tears fill her eyes. She had an awful feeling in her stomach that he was never going to forgive her for this.

An hour later….

"Is he coming" Stephanie asked concerned as everyone was in the living room waiting?

"I don't know sweetheart. I thought he was" Eric answered honestly.

Stephanie sighed as she walked back into the living room and sat.

"Are you alright mom" Felicia asked concerned?

"Yes…I…I think we should start now" Stephanie said sadly but she did not think it was fair to keep them waiting any longer.

"Where is Ridge" Kristen asked?

"I'm here" Ridge yelled out as he walked into the living room.

Stephanie stood up, relief and fear flowing through her.

"Welcome home mother" Ridge said as he went to her and hugged her.

Stephanie held him tightly, her heart aching at the knowledge that her son had to deal with the news all alone. Although she knew he had Taylor to talk to it was not the same.

Ridge squeezed her tight then released her.

Kristen, Thorne, and Felicia looked at one another in concern.

"Thank you all for welcoming me home and for coming here without questioning why I wanted a family meeting" Stephanie began.

"Is it the cancer mom" Kristen asked unable to help herself? She somehow knew it and felt it before her parents returned home.

"Yes…" Stephanie admitted.

Eric sat beside her taking her hand.

Watching her parents hold hands Felicia felt panic rise inside of her. She stood up abruptly making Stephanie reach out to her.

"Felicia…" Stephanie begged her to stay.

"No…No…No…Don't say it" Felica cried out.

"Sweetheart…" Eric heart broke at seeing their baby so upset. He got up and went to her.

"No…daddy…" Felicia cried.

Thorne tears fell as did Kristen.

Stephanie felt the tears slide down her cheeks, her hand going up to rest on her forehead. She could not do it. She could not say it. Seeing her children hurting was killing her.

Ridge watched his mother carefully as he walked over to her and sat beside her. Taking her hand, he squeezed it tight trying to give her the courage she needed.

Eric held Felicia close as he opened his arms to his other children. Kristen went into his arms. Thorne sat frozen as he watched his mother.

"There is nothing more that can be done, you all know that. What you don't know is that I made a decision; I…she took a deep breath before continuing…I stopped the medication" Stephanie admitted.

Ridge put his arm around Stephanie wanting to comfort her.

Forcing herself to continue she stated, "I made the decision because I'm tired all of the time and I want, I need, to be with all of you with my mind clear. Now that I have stopped it…I don't have…she looked at Eric who nodded his head in agreement…much longer" Stephanie managed to say.

The heart shattering cry she heard come from her girls broke her. Thorne kneeling at her feet and placing his head on her lap in tears broke her. Ridge finally choking out a sob as he held her broke her. Watching the man, she loved holding their children as he cried, broke her. Never in her life did she think that she could feel such despair but in that moment she did. It was overwhelming and she felt an unbearable weight on her chest, crushing her.

Later that evening once everyone went to bed although no one could sleep, Stephanie laid on her bed. She tried her best to make Eric leave the room and go be with their children, but he refused stating, they have each other. You have me whether you want me or not. She fought with him trying to get him to leave but he would not give in. She tried ignoring him too, but he remained by her side calmly giving her the space she wanted. Once the anger passed, she began to feel that crushing pain in her chest again until she allowed it to break free. She held her pillow tightly as she gave in. Eric got into bed and held her close as she cried and cried. She could not hold it any longer and once it began, she thought it would never end.

The Next day….

The silence in the house was welcomed after a night of high emotions and tears. Stephanie sat outside watching the beautiful blue sky, the birds chirping, the sun shinning and thought, how can this be? She had felt her heart, her very being shatter last night and today…was a brand- new, sunny day.

"Stephanie…." Taylor spoke interrupting the silence.

"Taylor" Stephanie smiled as she stood up.

Taylor went to her timidly.

Stephanie opened her arms to her.

Taylor hugged her instantly, tears coming out of her eyes.

"It's not your fault" Stephanie reassured her.

"Yes, it is. I forced you to tell them sooner then you wanted to" Taylor cried.

"I should have told them sooner anyway" Stephanie said as both women sat.

"I'm so sorry" Taylor apologized.

"No, I am for putting all of this on you. It wasn't fair" Stephanie apologized.

"How are you holding up" Taylor asked her concerned as she knew last night must have been terrible for her, for all of them?

"It doesn't seem real. I can't believe I'm sitting here and it's such a beautiful day out" Stephanie admitted.

"I understand" Taylor whispered as she thought of Phoebe.

"I know. That is why I came to you. I lost Angela and you lost our Phoebe. I also knew that you would understand what it felt like as a mother knowing you are leaving your babies" Stephanie said sadly.

Taylor nodded her head in agreement. There was a time when her family had thought she died, and she missed so much of their lives. Now, she could not imagine leaving them behind, the thought made her heart ache as she thought her best friend was preparing to leave her family.

"Of-course I know my children are not babies anymore but, I wanted to protect them from this. I realized that I cannot and that is difficult to accept. I am fortunate to have you in our family. I want to thank you for being there for Ridge" Stephanie added.

"He was there for me too" Taylor replied.

"It helps me to know that he has you to lean on" Stephanie said as she took Taylor hand in her hand.

"I will always be there for him, for all your children. I promise" Taylor said supportively.

"For Eric too. He…he will need all of his family" Stephanie replied.

"Of-course Eric too" Taylor reassured her.

"And Pammy" Stephanie added. "I still have to tell her."

"Yes, and of-course I will be there for her too" Taylor promised.

"And Massimo, he…he will need you, Ridge and the kids" She said as she thought of how she was going to tell him. He was always so over- bearing although she knew it was because he loved deeply.

"Yes, of-course. He…well…" Taylor smiled sadly at her.

"I know…" Stephanie sighed as she looked up at the sky.

"You have two men who love you" Taylor stated.

"And I love them both…in different ways…" Stephanie admitted.

Hours later….

Stephanie was sitting in the living room looking at a photo album when Eric walked into the room.

"Honey, Brooke is here to see you" Eric said although he had thought of sending her away, he knew it was not his place to do so.

"Send her in" Stephanie replied as she put the album down.

"You don't have to see her, you know" He added as he watched her.

She smiled at him reassuringly.

Eric went out and got her.

Brooke walked in and saw Stephanie standing by the mantel.

"Hello Stephanie. Thank you for seeing me" Brooke said nervously as she walked over towards her.

"Hello Brooke" Stephanie replied as she faced her daughter in law. Memories flooded her mind, good and bad.

"Do you have a few moments to talk" Brooke asked seeming out of character to even ask?

"Yes, I do" Stephanie replied as she sat.

Brooke sat across from her.

"I came to apologize" Brooke said as she nervously clenched her hands together.

"For what" Stephanie asked curiously?

"For calling you on your honeymoon" Brooke replied now feeling better that she said it.

"That's all" Stephanie replied shocking her.

"What do you mean" Brooke asked defensively?

"Never mind" Stephanie said shaking her head making Brooke angry.

"Just say it, Stephanie. I ruined your time with Eric, your last…" Brooke voice cracked making her pause. Her jaw quivered as she tried to regain her composure.

Stephanie face softened as she realized what Brooke was about to say.

"Ridge already told me what I took from the both of you" Brooke forced herself to finish.

"Look Brooke, I'm not angry about that" Stephanie admitted.

"You're not" Brooke asked surprised?

"No, I'm not" Stephanie replied.

"But you are angry with me" Brooke asked confused?

"Yes. I am angry that you make it your mission to alienate Taylor from Ridge as if she is this terrible person" Stephanie admitted as she crossed her arms and watched the other woman.

"Saint Taylor could never do no wrong" Brooke replied nastily.

"There is no need to be jealous anymore. Ridge loves you. He is married to you not Taylor. They are parents, friends" Stephanie said stating the obvious.

"I know that. But…" Brooke sighed but did not finish.

"But what" Stephanie asked?

"You prefer her over me. You always have" Brooke admitted knowing this could be the only chance she would ever get to talk to Stephanie about how she felt.

Stephanie watched Brooke carefully, her mind wondering what she was up to but her heart reminding her that this could be their last chance to really talk. Brooke was being genuine. She should at least be honest with her.

"I know it's true, so you don't have to deny it" Brooke continued.

"Brooke, I won't lie to you. I love Taylor like a daughter" Stephanie admitted.

Brooke felt her eyes tear. She had known that but hearing it aloud hurt more then she thought it would.

"And you hate me" Brooke managed to say as a tear escaped down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. She hated being weak in front of Stephanie.

"I don't hate you. You and I…we have been through a lot. Some of it was good but some of it was…hurtful. My family is everything to me and you knew that. Took advantage of that." She took a moment to remain calm before she continued, "You really hurt me, Brooke."

Brooke had not expected such sincere honesty and the look on her mother in- law face as she said those words made her feel ashamed. She refused to let this opportunity pass. Stephanie was dying and this was their last chance.

"I know. I know I hurt you, Stephanie" Brooke cried as she wiped at her eyes. "All I wanted was to be included, be accepted, be part of the family. I wanted your approval Stephanie" Brooke admitted as she cried.

"I know that" Stephanie replied. There was no point in denying it. It was time to be honest.

"You never accepted me, ever. No matter what I did or how hard I tried" Brooke said not wanting to hold back anything.

"I did and I do" Stephanie challenged her.

"Really" Brooke asked in disbelief?

"Yes. I…she sighed…I have accepted that Ridge loves you. That you are a part of this family. I know I've hurt you too. And I know you tried…sometimes" Stephanie admitted with an arched eye-brow.

Brooke laughed through the tears, "I know I was terrible a lot of the times."

"So was I" Stephanie shared.

"I really am sorry. About everything…about Eric…" Brooke continued carefully hoping Stephanie would not react terribly at this part of their history.

Stephanie felt herself get defensive. They may be having a heart to heart, but she realized she was not ready to discuss Eric with her. Her heart squeezed. The past was difficult to cope with, but she knew she could not let this stop her from this talk. This could not be the end not after everything.

"Come sit" Stephanie reached out to her.

Brooke went to her and sat.

A wave of shame and remorse flowed through her as she realized this may be the last time, she will see or even argue with Stephanie. A flood of memories played in her mind of the woman she hated many times but also loved.

"I'm so sorry Stephanie…I'm so sorry. I wish we had more time" Brooke sobbed.

"I know, I know" Stephanie tried to soothe her.

"I can never make it up to you now" Brooke continued to sob as she flung her arms around her.

Stephanie was taken aback and instantly wanted to withdraw but forced herself not to. She was trying to make amends before it was too late.

"You already have" Stephanie reassured her. The one thing she could not deny was that Brooke had been there for her when she was diagnosed with Cancer the first time and she did her very best to make sure Stephanie did not give up and got the treatment she needed. Deep in her heart she knew Brooke did it because she loved her.

Eric watched from the foyer. He felt his heart swell with the love he felt for Stephanie. Watching her console, the one woman he knew hurt her like no one else made him love her even more.