Evening….

"Are you sure you want to do this today" Eric asked concerned as he looked at his wife who was still fragile from not only telling the family but her talk with Massimo as well?

"I have to, or I don't think I will be able to" Stephanie admitted as she sat with her hands tight on her lap.

"Let me be here" He begged. He did not want her to manage this on her own.

"Alright" She gave in she knew he loved Pam and Pam loved him. It was not the same with Massimo. Given Massimo feelings for her it did not seem right to have her husband present.

"Good" He smiled as he hugged her.

She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Do you want me to talk to Massimo" He asked wanting to be supportive?

"No…thank you…for offering" She sighed.

"What did he say to you? You seem so…sad" He finished.

"He refuses to accept my decision and I…I don't' know if I'll see him again…" She shared honestly. Her eyes teared and he knew she was hurting deeply. He found himself getting upset with Massimo.

"You will my love, you will" He promised.

A short time later….

Pam arrived and the sisters shared a big hug. Eric gave them a few moments alone before he joined them. After some small talk Stephanie took Pam hand. Pam looked at her concerned.

There is something I need to tell you, Stephanie began.

What is it? You are scaring me, Pam said nervously as she looked at her sister and Eric.

I do not mean to scare you. It is…you know there is nothing more that can be done about the cancer…" Stephanie treaded carefully.

I know all you can do is take the medication Pam stated still confused by what her sister was trying to tell her.

Yes…well I…I have decided, and I told the family…I need to tell you now" Stephanie said trying to keep her sister calm she continued to tread carefully.

What decision, Pam asked? Her eyes quickly going to Eric in alarm.

I stopped the medication, Stephanie admitted.

What? No! Stephanie, Pam got hysterical instantly.

It is what she wants, Eric tried to explain.

How can you be okay with this, Pam lashed out angrily as she pulled her hand away and stood up?

I am not, Eric admitted.

Stephanie looked at him upset that he was turning on her.

But it is what she wants, and I will support her, Eric said reassuring her.

Thank you, Stephanie mouthed to him silently.

Eric nodded.

Does Massimo know, Pam asked angering Eric?

Yes, he does, Stephanie admitted as she stood up.

And he is okay with this too, Pam asked shocked?

No one is okay with this Pam. But we need to be there for her. You and Massimo need to be there for her too. She is always there for the both of you, Eric snapped frustrated.

Eric, please, Stephanie begged him. She did not want them at odds.

What we need to do is make her fight, Pam yelled but it was obvious to them that she was panicking! Her face was red, and tears were flowing down her cheeks.

Stephanie pulled her into her arms.

You cannot leave me Stephanie, you cannot, you are all I have left. Please do not leave me, Pam begged her as she sobbed.

Stephanie held her tightly.

Eric watched and suddenly felt guilty for losing his temper. Pam was hurting. He should have been more understanding. Deciding he did not help the matter, he walked out leaving the two women alone.

Late evening….

How is Pam, Eric asked when Stephanie walked into the bedroom?

Better, Stephanie admitted as she joined him on the bed.

I am sorry, Eric apologized feeling badly for his reaction.

Do not be. It meant so much to me that you said what you said. I am sorry she brought up Massimo but the three of us grew up together, Stephanie said wanting him to understand.

I know that. I just…he sighed…I am not happy that he made you so sad, Eric admitted.

She smiled softly at him as she took his hand in her hand.

The next day….

Massimo was at his office doing some work or at least trying to but had no success. When Jackie walked in, she realized instantly he was not okay.

The talk did not go well, Jackie guessed.

No, he said deciding he did not want to discuss it.

If she will not agree then you need to at least support her, Jackie tried to convince him.

I will not do that, and I told her so, he said firmly as he looked at his x-wife.

What is your solution? Pout and stand your ground until what, she challenged him?

Do you realize what she is doing? What Eric is going along with? Just when I think that man can- not stoop any lower, Massimo growled angrily.

That man loves her, Jackie defended Eric.

He does not know the meaning of the word. His solution is to do nothing, Massimo said enraged.

Jackie approached him and looked him in the eyes before she stated, and your solution is to run away. At least he is there for her which is more than I can say for you. Before he could say anything else she stormed out.

Hours later….

Massimo went to visit Stephanie, Jackie words on his mind.

Mass, hi, Stephanie said surprised to see him when she opened the door.

Hi Stephanie, do you have a few moments, he asked?

Yes, come in, she replied as they walked together.

They sat in the living room.

About yesterday, he began.

You were upset, I understand, she replied trying to be supportive.

I was, I am, he admitted.

She nodded her head in understanding.

Jackie accused me of running away and not being there for you but…that is not my intention, he said wanting to be clear.

Then what is your intention Mass, she asked?

I will always be here for you Stephanie I just…I cannot accept your decision, he replied.

Which means what Mass? Are you going to visit me and give me a hard time? What is your intention, she asked again?

I do not know. All I know is I am not okay with your decision, and I cannot pretend, he said honestly.

I would never ask you to pretend, she clarified.

It feels like that is exactly what you want from me, he shared.

All I want from you is your friendship, she admitted.

He looked at her crushed but did not reply.

Late evening…

Eric was in bed when Stephanie walked in.

He watched her silently.

He could see she was troubled.

Are you all right, he asked?

Oh, you are awake, she said avoiding his question.

Yes. I wanted to wait up in case you needed to talk, he said honestly.

She closed her eyes, and he knew it was not because she was tired.

Tell me, he insisted.

I do not think I will be seeing Massimo much anymore, she stated as she thought of their talk.

I am sorry, he said feeling badly.

Me too, she replied as she went into the bathroom to shower.

Eric took the opportunity to grab his phone and send Massimo a message.

Marone Enterprises….

Ridge was sitting in the office waiting for his father to get back as they had agreed to go to the club for an after-dinner drink. It had been sometime since he and his father had dinner together alone. He had to admit it was nice to catch up. The sound of his father phone caught his attention. The name that flashed across the screen made him grab it since he was sure he was seeing things. But he was not. Holding the phone, the message expanded a bit. He read it then sighed as he put it back down.

What were you doing with my phone, Massimo asked as he walked back over to his desk?

More importantly, why is dad texting you about mother, Ridge asked to the point?

Massimo picked up his phone and saw the message, it read, what did you say to Stephanie to upset her? With a sigh he put the phone back down.

Well, what did you say to her, Ridge asked concerned?

That is between us, Massimo replied harsher than intended.

Well, it seems like dad is involved now so I would have to disagree, Ridge replied upset.

Ridge, leave it alone, Massimo said bothered.

Leave what alone, Ridge persisted?

Massimo sighed in frustration.

I am your son. You can tell me, whatever it is, Ridge reassured him.

Jackie and I…. we are over, Massimo said as he grabbed his jacket indicating they should leave.

Ridge followed him out in silence until they got to the car. On the drive there, Ridge looked at his father and asked, is that what upset mother? He knew how much his mother wanted his father to be with Jackie.

No, Massimo admitted but did not disclose anything else.

Once at the club, they got their drinks. Ridge let him enjoy his drink for a bit before asking, what did you tell her that upset her?

I told her I did not agree with her decision to stop the medication, Massimo admitted.

And Ridge pushed?

I told her that I loved her, Massimo admitted.

Ridge stared at his father in shock.