Ep. #5203

Rick gives Ashley an early Christmas present; she is stunned to see that it’s invitations to her wedding. Rick confesses he never posted them. Ashley is grateful that he saved her from humiliation and thanks him for his friendship. Katie and Jake work together on the video footage. Jake manages to zoom in on the hand holding the gun through the curtain and prints some stills. Stephen manages to sneak into the Forrester house and confront Stephanie. She yells for Eric and Pam in panic. Eric has Stephen leave but he insists he is innocent. Eric reports the visit to Lieutenant Baker and Stephanie hopes he will be thrown back in jail. Jake brings over the shooting footage to Stephanie and Eric. Stephanie recognises Stephen’s ring on the shooter’s hand and is sure that it’s all the proof they need. Donna desperately tries to convince Brooke that their father is innocent until Katie presents them with the stills of the shooters hand. Stephen is stunned as his daughters’ confront him with the evidence.
Episode Overview

Ep. #5205

Ashley notices that something is playing on Ridge’s mind and after some digging; Ashley discovers that Brooke is the biological mother of baby Jack. Ashley is stunned but Ridge is sure that Brooke won’t jeopardize their future by bringing Jack into their relationship. Ashley wonders if Brooke can truly cut all ties with the baby. Nick takes Jack to the Shady Marlin and meets with Brooke. They both confess they feel guilty going behind Ridge and Taylor’s back by meeting in secret. Brooke decides to walk away from the child but after leaving she realizes that she can’t. Nick tells Brooke there is no reason for her not to be a part of Jack’s life and they both agree to tell Ridge and Taylor the new arrangement and allow Brooke to see the baby openly. Brooke meets with Ridge and stresses that she loves him and wants a future with him, however she also wants Jack in their lives. Brooke asks for Ridge’s understanding and acceptance.

Ep. #5207

Ashley tells Felicia how she saw Nick and Brooke together. Felicia wonders what Ashley intends to do with the information. Ashley decides to keep it to herself for now, however she will keep an eye on Brooke. Stephanie tells Thorne how she misses having Eric in the house. Thorne advises Stephanie not to sit around and wait for Eric. Stephanie is thrilled when Eric later comes by but he declines her offer of moving back in. Stephanie becomes angered that Eric is still seeing Donna despite knowing that Stephen shot her. Brooke and Storm stress Stephen’s innocence to the police but Charlie is sure he has all the evidence he needs to send Stephen down. Donna and Katie prepare a birthday celebration for Storm. Brooke, Donna and Storm come down hard on Katie when she continues to feel that Stephen is guilty of attempted murder. Brooke looks over childhood photos of Storm and discovers he owns the exact same ring as Stephen.

Ep. #5209

Stephanie has a Christmas tree delivered and calls Eric to see if he wants to help her decorate it, he declines and Stephanie wonders if she will be able to make it through Christmas without him. Ridge later drops by and tells Stephanie that although he is unable to forget her role in Brooke’s rape, he is willing to put it aside after coming so close to losing his mother. Donna buys a mini Christmas tree for her hotel suite with Eric. Donna realises how much Eric misses his family and she tells him how grateful she is to have him there with her. Brooke denies that the thought of Storm shooting Stephanie ever crossed her mind, but he still feels the need to convince her of his innocence. Storm promises Brooke that justice will be served against Stephen. Brooke visits Charlie at the police station with an attempt to clear her father’s name. Storm grows nervous and angry when he sees Brooke there.
Episode Overview

Ep. #5211

Felicia is stunned when Stephanie tells her that she isn’t celebrating Christmas. Stephanie suggests Felicia take a flight to Florida and spend Christmas with Kristen and Tony, but she refuses. Felicia is determined to get Stephanie into the holiday spirit. Stephanie later visits Stephen in jail as a way to cheer herself up. Stephanie suggests Stephen confess to the shooting, but when he refuses Stephanie warns that she will see to it that he gets the hardest sentence possible. Storm gets worked up as he tells of his hatred of both Stephanie and Stephen. Storm breaks down and confesses that he shot Stephanie. Katie sobs as Storm explains how he committed the perfect crime and set everything up beautifully to frame Stephen. Brooke and Katie assume Storm will now confess to the police, but he informs them that he has no intention. Katie can’t believe that Storm expects them to make a choice between their brother and their father, but Storm begs his sisters not to send him to jail.

Ep. #5213

Donna questions Eric’s commitment to her, feeling threatened by the history he shares with Stephanie. Eric promises Donna that his future is with her. Ridge later comes by wanting to speak to Eric privately but Eric refuses to have Donna leave. Ridge tells Eric that he is going to Stephanie’s for Christmas along with Thorne and Felicia and he asks Eric to attend. Donna gives her blessing and Eric finally agrees. Donna even manages to get a thank you from Ridge. Eric later informs Donna that he is going to ask Stephanie for a divorce after Christmas and he intends on making Donna his wife. Donna is ecstatic and vows to never let Eric down. Stephen is stunned by Storm’s confession but tells him that he isn’t angry. Stephen says he can now see all the damage he caused by walking out on their family and he takes full responsibility for Storm’s actions. Despite the protests of Storm, Brooke and Katie, Stephen decides to confess to the shooting in order to protect his family.

Ep. #5215

Ridge attempts to bring Stephanie back to reality when she begins getting her hopes up of reconciliation with Eric following the Christmas gathering. Ridge tells his mother that Eric is with Donna, but she vows that Donna had better watch out. Eric notices that Donna is a little uneasy with him having spent Christmas with Stephanie but he assures her that Stephanie is his past. Eric later confirms this to Ridge by showing him the divorce papers he has had drawn up. Storm begins feeling guilty that Stephen is in jail for a crime he committed. Donna is furious and lashes out at Storm when she learns that he shot Stephanie. Storm decides to confess to the police, but Brooke feels she has an idea. Katie is dubious as Brooke tells of how Stephanie owes her greatly following the rape and she may be able to strike up a deal with her that will keep both Stephen and Storm out of jail.

Ep. #5217

Taylor tells Nick that she was finally able to breastfeed Jack. Taylor apologises to Nick for being so problematic with bonding with Jack. Nick has to rush out to a business meeting after making love with Taylor. She accidentally knocks over a glass of wine left by Nick and is tempted by the smell. Katie visits Stephen in jail and tells him of Brooke’s plan to make amends with Stephanie. Stephen thinks it’s not safe as Brooke has too much trust in people and will only get hurt further by Stephanie. Katie sobs that she has been so cruel to her father and hopes that she will have the opportunity to get to know him. Katie finally tells Stephen that she loves him. Stephanie tells Brooke that all the evidence the police have paints Stephen as a guilty man. As the conversation gets heated, Brooke slips and confesses to Stephanie that Storm shot her. Stephanie is determined to go to the police, but Brooke orders her to keep both Stephen and Storm out of jail; insisting Stephanie owes it to her.

Ep. #5219

Brooke desperately tries to contact Storm and Katie but they are already down at the police station talking to Charlie. Storm tells Charlie he has evidence that will clear Stephen. Stephanie tells Brooke that she will go to the police and make a statement that will clear Storm and Stephen under the condition that Donna leaves Eric. Brooke is stunned by the request and believes Donna won’t do it, but Stephanie insists there is no other way. Brooke manages to summon Storm and Katie home before they say anything incriminating to Charlie. Brooke tries to locate Donna but she is busy at Forrester Creations viewing a new collection Eric has designed just for her. As they have a romantic dinner Eric has arranged, he proposes and Donna accepts. Storm, Donna and Katie return home. Storm agrees to get help when Stephanie suggests it. Stephanie warns Brooke that her offer is limited; she wants an answer soon. Donna is crushed as Brooke breaks the news of Stephanie’s offer.