I saw Massimo, he seemed okay, and Eric is fine, is there something going on that I do not know about, Stephanie asked concerned?

Taylor arched an eyebrow at her.

Stephanie realized what she meant.

Taylor, Stephanie sighed.

I thought you should know, Taylor replied.

They are both fine. Massimo is exerting his independence, so he is himself and Eric is as opiniated as ever, so he is also fine, Stephanie said exasperated.

Taylor giggled.

It is not funny, Stephanie smiled.

Oh, it is. Those two keep you on your toes, Taylor teased.

Yes, they do, Stephanie shook her head.

Have you spoken to them; Taylor inquired?

Yes, I have. Massimo will not listen. He has decided that he is better off alone rather than with Jackie. And Eric, well, he will not discuss it at all, Stephanie admitted.

Of -course not Stephanie, he loves you and you are still here, Taylor reminded her.

I know that Taylor but, all I wanted was for him to not close himself off completely. He will not listen to me though so I guess he will do what he wants when he is ready, Stephanie said as she picked up a photo of Eric.

Yes, he will, and Massimo will also. It is okay to let them decide what they want, Taylor said as she reached out and took her best friend hand in her own.

Taylor, I want them to be happy. I do not want them to grieve for too long, Stephanie admitted.

I know, Taylor soothed.

I worry about what will happen to them after…Stephanie sighed.

They will figure it out. It is okay to let them do that. And Ridge will have the honor of helping both of his Father's, Taylor smiled teasingly.

What did I miss, Stephanie asked curiously?

Ridge is terrified to talk to them about you, Taylor giggled.

About me, what…oh…Stephanie replied as she realized what Taylor meant.

Taylor smiled.

Well, Stephanie sat.

Massimo loves you, Taylor replied.

I know, Stephanie sighed.

And you love him, Taylor stated matter of fact.

I do, yes, Stephanie admitted.

I told Ridge not to worry about it. You can manage them both just fine, Taylor said as she looked at her best friend.

Can I really? They do not make it easy. Although Eric has been trying, he is not as jealous so that is a good sign, Stephanie replied.

That is wonderful, Taylor agreed.

Yes, but Massimo…every time he looks at me…she sighed but did not finish.

Taylor waited patiently.

I know what he has wanted, still wants, she admitted.

Taylor took her best friend hand in support.

It makes me feel guilty, she sighed.

It is not your fault, Taylor reassured her.

It is, she admitted as she stood up and went to the window.

How is this your fault, Taylor asked?

I have always had deep feelings for him, but I have tried my best to keep those feelings to myself. But it has gotten harder over the years. It hurts him that I do not express my feelings to him. If you remember when I found out he was Ridge's father, things changed between us, she reminded her.

I remember that, yes. You moved in with him, Taylor recalled.

Yes, Stephanie nodded her head.

I thought it was because you did not want Ridge to find out the truth, Taylor replied.

It was partly that but, there was also a part of me that loved him deeply, Stephanie admitted.

Taylor listened.

And when Sally called me and told me she was with him, I realized how deep those feelings were, she said honestly.

That was when you told Eric, Taylor remembered.

Yes, Stephanie said, I knew if I did not tell Eric that it would tear us apart.

You were right to tell him, Taylor insisted.

I think so too. You know Taylor, Massimo asked me for a chance when Felicia was sick with Cancer, Stephanie admitted.

He did, Taylor said surprised.

He told me it would be a mistake if I married Eric again, he knew before I did that I was going to stay with Eric if I married him, she said shaking her head.

He knew you well, Taylor smiled.

Yes, he did. He does. Oh Taylor, I still feel guilty that I cannot return his feelings which is why I wanted Massimo to be with Jackie. To be happy, she admitted.

He is going to be okay Stephanie, Taylor reassured her.

I hope so, I really do, Stephanie said hopeful.

And Eric will too, Taylor said trying to be supportive.

Eric…he is closing himself off. I am afraid for him. I do not want him to close himself off to love, Stephanie confessed.

I understand that but, he is also giving all his love to the woman he loves, his wife. He does not want to think about loving someone else, Taylor said sympathetically.

Stephanie smiled back and said, I know, you are right. I need to let him be.

Yes, because he is going to be fine, in time. So, no more pushing him on this. Enjoy your time with your husband, Taylor teased.

We are crazy for getting married again, Stephanie shook her head with a smile as she looked at her ring.

Crazy in love, Taylor laughed.

Stephanie laughed in agreement. Suddenly her thoughts wandered to Felicia and her smile faded.

What is it, Taylor asked noticing the change?

Felicia, Stephanie admitted.

Taylor listened.

She has been calling Massimo and asking him for help. Asking him to take me away and to help me get treatment. My baby is terrified and hurting, they all are, and it is…I do not know what to say or do anymore, Stephanie admitted as her eyes teared.

The only thing to do is to love them like you always have, Taylor reassured her as they hugged.

Evening…

After her talk with Taylor, Stephanie decided to spend some time alone with her children. Eric took the grandkids out for dinner so she could do that. She truly did love him and appreciated his support.

Mom, do you want tacos or rice, black beans, and your choice of meat for dinner, Kristen asked?

Tacos will do just fine, Stephanie reassured her as she sat beside Felicia, Thorne, and Ridge across from them.

Tacos it is, Kristen said as she called the restaurant.

Do you want some margaritas, Stephanie asked her children?

They all looked at her with raised eyebrows.

What? I can still have a drink, Stephanie replied.

Dad is not going to kill us because you want a drink, Felicia stated seriously.

Who says he must know, Stephanie asked mischievously?

Mother, Thorne admonished her.

Ridge smiled at her. He loved this side of her.

Felicia giggled.

One will not hurt, Stephanie tried to reason.

All right, one, Thorne warned.

Stephanie winked at Ridge.

Ridge smile grew wider.

A few hours later….

She had more than one, dad is going to kill us, Thorne said worried as he looked at his siblings.

Stephanie sat holding her margarita glass with a smile on her face as she looked at a photo album with Kristen.

She is fine, Ridge defended her.

He is going to know. I am telling you, Thorne insisted.

Dad will understand. Stop worrying so much, Felicia said as she walked over to her mother and sister with her own margarita glass on hand.

Great, three women under the influence, Thorne said as he glared at his brother.

At least they are home and if dad questions us, we say we tried to stop them, Ridge smiled as he thought his explanation would suffice.

How many have you had Thorne wondered since he was sure their father was going to be upset?

Soon after, the door opened, and Eric walked in with his two grandson's, Zende, and Dino. He instantly noticed the three women with margarita glasses. He looked at his sons in disapproval.

I told you so, Thorne warned Ridge.

Dad, hi, Ridge said hoping to ease things.

Zende went up to his room wanting to avoid the argument he knew was coming and Dino went over to sit with his grandmother and mother since he was too young to know any better.

What is going on, Eric asked clearly not happy?

Well, we started off with tacos, but mother wanted a drink, Ridge explained.

So, she has only had one drink, Eric questioned already knowing that was not the case.

Ridge looked at Thorne.

Thorne did not reply.

You know your mother should not be drinking, Eric said displeased.

She is not on the medication anymore. Is it really, so bad, Ridge asked?

Thorne felt himself cringe. Why would Ridge say that?

Eric sighed and then went into the kitchen without replying.

Thorne followed him.

I am very disappointed in all of you, Eric said upset.

I am sorry dad, Thorne apologized.

Eric looked at his son and realized he was the only one who seemed remorseful. He was sure he was also the only one not under the influence.

I know she wants everything to be normal but…

But what, Stephanie asked as she walked in putting her margarita glass down?

Thorne looked at both of his parents feeling uncomfortable.

Excuse us son, Eric said knowing Thorne felt in the middle.

Thorne walked out of the kitchen.

We are having a nice time and yes, I have had a few of these. They are very good actually, try some, Stephanie smiled.

Eric did not move or speak.

Please do not ruin this evening for me, Stephanie asked?

I promise for tonight I will let this go, Eric said not wanting to upset her.

Stephanie walked over to him, smiled up fondly at him and said, thank you.

You owe me for this, Eric said making it clear that he did not approve.

Okay, she smiled. Or you could try some, she smiled.

Eric shook his head at her. She seemed happy so he let it go.

The next day….

Stephanie woke up, her hand instantly reaching for her head. She felt a throbbing in her head and her throat was very dry.

Thought you could use some water and these, Eric said as he handed her two headache pills.

Thank you, Stephanie replied as she sat up, took the pills in her hand and the glass of water in the other hand as she swallowed.

Eric smiled at her shaking his head.

Do not say a word, she warned.

Oh, I will not say one word. In fact, I have nothing to complain about. Last night was interesting, he teased.

She looked at him suspiciously.

You do not remember, he asked with a smile?

Remember what, she asked concerned that she really did not remember anything after their talk in the kitchen?

After everyone went to bed, he hinted.

Eric, just say it, she said getting upset by his teasing.

He smiled as he shook his head no and left the bedroom leaving her to wonder what exactly happened.

Hours later….

Are you not going to tell me what happened, Stephanie asked bothered?

You were feeling good, very good, he teased.

She swallowed nervously but forced her to ask, and?

Oh, I am sure it will come back to you, he teased further.

You are so…she snapped but could not finish because they were interrupted by the children who joined them in the kitchen.

I have such a headache, Felicia complained.

Me too, Kristen chimed in.

I did too, Stephanie admitted.

Where is Ridge, Kristen asked?

They all shrugged not knowing.

Did Thorne go home, Felicia asked?

Yes, he did, Eric answered.

Well, I am going back to bed, Felicia said as she poured some coffee and left the kitchen.

Kristen yawned, poured herself coffee and said, that sounds good. I am going back to bed too.

Once alone, Stephanie looked at Eric and said I know that you know, where is Ridge?

He went to see Taylor, Eric replied.

You let him leave like that, Stephanie asked concerned?

He was fine and he was not driving, Eric reassured her.

How did he get there, she asked unconvinced?

Thorne dropped him off, Eric said.

Poor Thorne, he was the only one who thought this was a bad idea, Stephanie replied.

I thought it was a bad idea too, but I promised you I would not ruin the night and I kept my promise, he reminded her.

Yes, you did, she admitted.

He smiled at her again.

What, she asked annoyed?

I think you should have more margarita nights, he teased before walking out of the kitchen.

Stephanie felt her entire face blush. She wondered what she did last night to deserve that kind of a response from her husband. Whatever it was she knew he was not going to tell her. He was going to torment her for a long time. A smile crossed her face as she admitted to herself that was one of the things she loved about him, his teasing. That was something they always shared and often, enjoyed. Deciding to call and check in on her son, Stephanie picked up the phone and called Taylor's house.

Good morning, Stephanie, Taylor answered.

Good morning, Taylor. Is Ridge still there, she asked?

Yes, he is sleeping on the couch, Taylor replied honestly.

Stephanie shook her head and asked, how bad is he?

He woke up with a headache, I gave him two pills and water and he went back to sleep on the couch, she said.

Thank you, Taylor. I am so sorry if he…did or said anything to upset you. We had margarita and tacos last night, Stephanie admitted.

He was fine, nothing for you to worry about. I hope you had a nice time, Taylor said as she sat outside while having her coffee.

I did, we did. I miss it, having a relaxing evening with them, Stephanie replied with a smile.

So, Eric did not enjoy himself? Ridge kept going on about Eric being upset with him, Taylor said hoping Stephanie could clarify what that was about.

He was a bit upset that I was drinking but, I asked him to not ruin the night for me and he kept his word and did not. He is not upset with Ridge, you can tell him that when he wakes up, Stephanie said feeling badly for her oldest.

Noticing an incoming call, Stephanie apologized stating she had to take the call. Hanging up with Taylor and answering the next call, she said, Massimo good morning.

Good morning to you too. I hear margarita night at your house is the best place to be, Massimo replied amused.

What, Stephanie asked confused as to how he would know that they had margaritas?

I hope I get an invitation next time, Massimo continued to tease her.

All right. Who told you, Felicia or Ridge, Stephanie asked?

Who do you think, Massimo continued to tease?

Felicia, Stephanie replied without a second thought.

You are right, Massimo teased.

You two have grown close, Stephanie said seriously.

Does that bother you, Massimo asked?

No, it does not. I am happy that she has you to talk to, Stephanie admitted.

I will always be there for all your children, always, Massimo reassured her.

Stephanie smiled at that, she knew he meant it and it meant so much to her.

I will always be there for you too Stephanie, Massimo added.

I know Mass, thank you, Stephanie replied not knowing what else to say.

Massimo sensed the pause and found himself frowning before making up an excuse to hang up.

Stephanie hung up, chastising herself for not managing that well. She knew it was time to have a real talk with Massimo but, she was at a loss on how much she should say.