When Eric's family doesn't show, Quinn tells Eric he doesn't have to marry her
At the mansion, the romantic wedding scene was somber as the sole guest, Ivy, and the string quartet members looked on. Eric said that his family knew he wanted the marriage. He was in disbelief that Pam and Charlie had left, that his best man hadn't shown up, and that not even Zende had shown up. Quinn loved Eric and didn't want him to lose his family because of her. "Don't marry me," she uttered.
Quinn believed that Eric's family wanted the best for him, and Eric couldn't do it without them. She didn't think the family had done it to hurt him. Eric replied that they'd known it would. She stated that they'd done it because of her. Eric wouldn't let her take the blame. He said the family had made their choice, but he wouldn't let it interfere with his choice.
No one had to convince Eric that Quinn had changed. He saw it every day, and she inspired and amazed him with her humility, humor, and optimism. She'd changed his life, and he wanted her in it as his wife. He said that his other family wasn't there to see it, but he and Quinn were getting married that day. He thanked Ivy for her presence and called upon the officiant to start.
The pastor began by saying that he was proud to be there to celebrate a love big enough to fill up the room. The couple joined hands and said "I will" to the conventional "I dos." The pastor asked Eric to make his "promise" to Quinn.
Eric recalled their first attraction to each other, way back when she'd first started with Forrester. Back then, he'd defended her and made sure his family had treated her fairly. He promised to do the same for his whole life. He'd be steadfast as her sanctuary. He planned to make sure that she had his love and admiration and the best of everything in life.
Quinn had thought back to when they'd first worked together, too. She felt like a changed person from back then. She said that Eric had changed her and been the catalyst of amazing changes in her life. She wanted to be the same for him. "I want to bring nothing but good -- " she gleefully said. Her eyes swept out over the empty chairs, where only Ivy sat.
Quinn almost cried. She squeezed Eric's hands and fought off the tears. "I want to support you," she said. She wanted to inspire him, encourage him, and ignite his creativity. She wanted to stand by him as his partner in all things. As his wife, she'd be steadfast and faithful. She felt lucky to spend the rest of her life with him, and wherever the journey took them, "I'll always be here...and here," she stated, touching his chest and then grasping his hands.
The ceremony transitioned into the exchanging of the rings, given as symbols of their couple's love and devotion to each other. The officiant pronounced them husband and wife, and Eric pulled Quinn into a kiss before the pastor had completed the instruction to do so.
Later, the reception caterers served food and Champagne to the quartet members. Ivy congratulated the couple and decided to leave them to celebrate in private. After Ivy left, Eric decided it was time to cut the enormous cake. He gave Quinn the knife, but the pastor interrupted to take his leave. Quinn aimlessly waved the knife at waist-level as the pastor said he believed the couple would have a strong marriage. "Amen," she said and kissed Eric.
Later, Eric slid his Champagne glass onto the mantel and stared solemnly at the family photos behind it. His hand slipped over an envelope and a pen. He glanced around the room, still set up for guests. Quinn entered and said they could have waited.
Though harboring disappointment, Eric was glad they hadn't. He wasn't surprised about Ridge and Steffy, but Felicia and Thorne had flown in for it. Thorne had promised to be the best man. Eric mentioned that Rick, Thomas, and even Zende hadn't shown up. He stated that he'd pushed them in their strollers, taken them to the park, and hadn't missed their recitals or ball games. When they'd aged, he'd welcomed them into the business because he'd wanted them to be a part of his life. "Today, they didn't show up. They weren't there for me," Eric stated.
Quinn said she'd be there with Eric for the rest of her life. She was ready to go straight from the wedding to the honeymoon. Eric instructed her to go upstairs. He still had something to take care of. In a naughty tone, she said to carry up some Champagne when he was ready.
Quinn went upstairs. Eric pulled a document out of the envelope. It was the power of attorney agreement, and a stickie note with Ridge's name on it was attached.
After some time, Eric moved the papers to the table by the stairs. He recalled the last thing he'd said to his family about being at the wedding to show the Forrester family's strength and faithfulness. Quinn descended the stairs in a bridal nightgown and noted that he'd been down there a while. Eric apologized for lingering and said she was beautiful.
The couple discussed how the reception should have been full of their families, united and supportive, but it had just been the two of them. Quinn asked if it had been so bad. Eric said they didn't need anyone else. They'd run the business and travel together. He wanted them to savor all their days together. Quinn replied that it was more than she'd dreamed of.
Quinn stated that nothing in her life had prepared her to be with a man like Eric. He'd shown her respect that she hadn't deserved and kindness she hadn't known how to respond to. She still didn't know how to respond to his admiration, but he had hers. She said that if anyone tried to hurt him, they'd have to go through her.
Quinn was appalled by the family's response to the wedding, but it hadn't spoiled the ceremony. "And it's not going to ruin the honeymoon," she concluded. Eric said that, before they got to that part, he had a gift for her. Surprised, she replied that he was gift enough.
Eric pressed a button on a remote and lit up the area above the fireplace. There hung a new portrait of Quinn in white. Quinn gasped, asking if he was sure. He wanted to know if she liked it. She loved it and loved him. Eric replied that he loved her. They kissed, and she stared in amazement at the portrait.
At Forrester, the family congregated. Zende thought they'd been harsh for not attending the wedding, and Thomas wondered if Eric might be ready to talk. Wyatt offered to call his mother, but Steffy said not to do it yet. Thorne felt guilty for not being the best man as he'd promised. Ridge said Thorne needed to remain where he was, as they all should, and agree with Ridge that it was best for Eric -- because Quinn Fuller could not be the next Mrs. Eric Forrester.
Later, Ivy arrived, still in her gown. She said she'd known they'd all be there. She asked how they could abandon Eric on his wedding day. Thomas and Steffy wanted to know if it had worked. "No, they went through with it!" Ivy replied in a "duh" type of tone. Family members groaned. Ivy congratulated them on breaking Eric's heart for no reason.
Ivy described the scene of Quinn entering her wedding to a sea of empty seats and said it had been awful. Steffy assumed Quinn had forced Eric to go through with it. Ivy indicated that it wasn't so, and it had been Quinn who'd tried to stop it so that Eric wouldn't be at odds with his family. Steffy found it hard to believe. "Well, it's true," Ivy responded.
Ivy asserted that Eric had wanted the wedding. Quinn made Eric happy, and it was why he wanted to spend his life with her. Thorne stated that it was a mistake, and Thomas added that the boycott had set Eric off. Steffy didn't believe Eric would do something so destructive on impulse. "Would he?" she asked.
At the mansion, Eric arrived in the bedroom with mimosas to start off the morning. Quinn couldn't believe it was her life. He told her to believe it, and they kissed. Eric had packed for Quinn for the honeymoon. She said she trusted him with her life, but not her wardrobe.
Quinn asked to know where they'd go, but Eric distracted her with another gift in her drink. It was a huge crystal pendant floating in her water. He said it was perfect for any honeymoon destination. As he put it on her, she stared at it in the oval mirror. She said he had to stop getting her gifts, and she had no gift for him. He replied that she was the gift of a lifetime.
Quinn wanted to make it her personal mission to make it be true for a lifetime. She planned to be the best wife and stepmother she could be. The family members hadn't been there for the wedding, but she figured they'd be there for the marriage. Eric didn't want to talk about his family. Quinn said they were her family, too, and she didn't want to alienate him from them.
Eric was still smarting because the family hadn't been there for the most important day of his life, and he had never felt so disrespected. He didn't know how to get through it, and he couldn't forgive them for not trusting his judgment. Quinn said they'd been trying to protect Eric, but she and Eric would show that there was no reason to protect him. She imagined that they'd throw an anniversary party the next year, and everyone would be there.
Eric didn't know how Quinn could be the way she was when the family had been horrible to her. Quinn replied that it was because she'd been horrible. She knew she had been, but the woman they feared didn't exist any longer and wouldn't for as long as she was married to Eric.
Eric decided that he needed to address the family right then. Quinn wanted to go with him, but he said he didn't want her exposed to any more ugliness. He said he'd handle it, and then they would take off for their honeymoon. Quinn frowned anxiously when he left.
In the CEO's office, Ridge arrived. Steffy, Thomas, and Wyatt were already there. No one had heard from Eric. Maya and Rick entered, and the two of them concluded that the family had made a mistake by not attending the wedding. Steffy said that Eric was the one who'd made the mistake, but Rick reasoned that it was all the more reason they should have been there for Eric.
Zende and Thorne arrived with Pam. They agreed that it had been a mistake. Thorne said that Eric had always stood by them, but "what did we do?" Ridge claimed that they'd taken a stand. Pam contended that they'd shown that they didn't care. Ridge asserted that they'd shown how much they cared, just like families should do.
Ridge stated that Eric needed to open his eyes to what a mess Quinn was -- no offense to Wyatt. Wyatt rolled his eyes, and Steffy looked away. Rick stated that maybe it was the family members who needed to open their eyes. Steffy said that when Eric and Quinn got divorced, they'd be there for Eric and throw the biggest party they'd ever seen.
Thomas suggested there might never be a divorce, and "this" could be it for Eric. Wyatt believed that it was "death do they part" for the couple. Ridge was sure Quinn would try to outlive her rich, older husband. Wyatt asked Ridge not to say it. Steffy said it wouldn't last. She thought it sometimes took time for someone to see the viciousness and ugliness of a person, and they'd be there for Eric when he finally saw it.
Zende feared it could have the opposite effect, and Eric could be so upset that he would begin to only trust Quinn. Thorne noted that no one had heard from Eric since before the wedding, which indicated how hurt Eric had to be, and what they'd done might backfire big time.
Later, the family had congregated in the design office and was still worrying that they'd made a mistake. Ridge and Thorne received text messages from Felicia, who was at the airport, worrying about the same thing. Ridge asked what was wrong with everyone. Thorne asked if Ridge thought the family didn't have a right to feel guilty. Thorne made up his mind and said they never should have abandoned Eric on his wedding day.
In the corridor later, Pam was on the phone, making jousting theater plans with Charlie, when Eric arrived with an envelope. Eric said her name, and she rushed off the phone. She was surprised to see him. Eric reticently responded that he worked there. She said she'd said it because it was the day after he'd gotten married.
Pam nervously offered Eric a corner piece lemon bar. Eric wordlessly walked into his office. Pam hopped from her seat and followed him into the office to say that she felt terrible. Eric replied that Pam had been there, helping him set up and lying to his face. Pam said it hadn't been like that. Eric asked where Pam had gone when she'd left the wedding.
Pam explained that she'd talked to Ridge, and Ridge and Steffy and the whole family had thought staging a boycott might lead Eric to call off the wedding. Eric asked if he'd not marry the woman he loved because his family had staged a group tantrum. He asked if it had been Ridge and Steffy's idea. Pam started to explain Ridge and Steffy's view, but Eric cut her off. "Enough. Get them in here," he said. He wanted to see everyone who hadn't shown up at his wedding.
Back across the hall, Ridge decided he had better things to do than to wring his hands over their choice. Thomas said they were all just worried. Ridge said he was, too, and he hadn't gone to the wedding because he didn't want Eric to be "with this silly woman."
Pam entered. She said Eric was there, and she shook her head when Wyatt asked if Quinn was. Steffy thought that was a good sign. Pam shook her head again. In her opinion, Eric was really hurt, and she'd never seen him like that before. She said he wanted to see them all right then.
Everyone went across the hall and wordlessly filed into Eric's office. He had his back to them. Ridge crossed his arms defiantly, and Pam said she'd gathered everyone as Eric had asked. Thomas said they'd heard from Ivy that Quinn and Eric had been alone at the wedding. It shouldn't have happened like that in Thomas' view, and he was sorry.
Zende said that it hadn't been their intention for Eric to get married alone. Instead, they'd thought he'd change his mind, but they'd been wrong. Maya added that it had been a terrible mistake, and they would have been there if they'd believed Eric would go through with it. Thorne said he'd been the best man but had let Eric down. Thorne asked Eric to please forgive him. Rick said they'd been trying to make a statement out of concern and had done it for Eric.
Eric finally turned to face the family. He said he'd heard from everyone but the ringleaders. He stated that it had been Ridge and Steffy's doing and asked if Steffy had anything to say. She was silent. Eric said that Steffy was as stubborn and opinionated as Stephanie and asked if Steffy hadn't learned from Stephanie's mistakes of hurting the ones she wanted to help.
Steffy said nothing. In her silence, Eric guessed not and concluded that the respect, love, and admiration they'd shared was out the window, just thrown away. Eric told Ridge that he was Eric's son, and Ridge knew what Ridge meant to him. Eric stated that after all the raising, support, and mentoring, "this is what it comes to. You betrayed me," Eric accused.
Back in the design office, Quinn arrived and was surprised to see Wyatt there. Wyatt said he was waiting for her as he'd said he'd do in the text message. "Well, I didn't know if I could trust it. You also said you'd be at my wedding," she replied.
Wyatt suggested they go to the CEO's office, where Eric had asked everyone to gather. Quinn declined and opted to let Eric say what he needed to without her there as a distraction. Wyatt asked how the wedding had been. She quipped that it hadn't been crowded. She then added that it had been elegant and simple, just what she and Eric had needed.
Wyatt remarked upon Quinn's new necklace from Eric. Wyatt wanted to be happy for Quinn. "No, I know -- you have Steffy to think about," she said. Quinn stated that she wouldn't have risked Wyatt's happiness if she didn't truly believe in what she and Eric had. Quinn said her marriage didn't need to interfere with Wyatt's, and she hoped Steffy could understand it. Wyatt did, too.
Quinn also hoped Steffy realized what her little stunt the other day had done to Eric. Wyatt clarified that it had been the whole family. Quinn asserted that the whole family had united to hurt Eric, and not one person could be there to support Eric. Quinn didn't know if Eric would ever forgive them.
At Forrester Creations, in Eric's office, Ridge, Steffy, Thorne, Zende, Pam, Thomas, Rick, and Maya gathered, and Eric told them how disappointed he was in them. He was saddened that his family had deserted him when he had asked them to join him as he pledged his love for another woman.
Eric's children and grandchildren tried to tell him that they loved him, but Eric scoffed.
Thorne said they had been worried about him. Maya noted that it had to have seemed cruel. Eric agreed. He understood they had all wanted to force him to stop having feelings for the woman he loved. "You wanted me to give up on a woman who has shown me nothing but devotion," Eric said.
Steffy insisted that Quinn was faking it. Pam agreed and explained that Quinn had hurt all of them. "She has a mean streak," Pam said. Eric scoffed that there was a mean streak running through the room with his family. He shared that there had been no mean streak when Quinn had walked down the stairs to marry him and witnessed an empty room. He choked up.
Quinn, Eric said, had known how much he had wanted his family there. "She could see the hurt in my eyes," he said. He explained that Quinn had told him not to marry her because she didn't want him to lose his family because of her. "She was willing to give up her happiness for mine," he said.
Eric warned his family that he never wanted to hear that Quinn Forrester was a danger to him or any of his family ever again. Ridge said Quinn had always been terrible. Pam chimed in that she really cared about Eric and worried about Quinn's history.
Eric turned on Pam and reminded her that she and Charlie had left him alone. "Everybody has a history," Eric countered. He brought up Pam's history and all the times he had forgiven her and taken her into his family. He admonished her for feeling that his relationship with Quinn had somehow diminished the memory of her sister. He felt he had been alone for a long time. He glared at Pam, and she was distraught.
Eric turned to Zende and reminded him that he had taken Zende into his home and the business and had promised his mother to look after him. "I'm your grandad," Eric said. He quizzed Zende and wondered if he had ever felt anything but welcome. Zende was embarrassed. "You weren't there," Eric said of Zende missing his wedding.
Eric turned to Maya and reminded her that he had supported her and her entire family after all the drama they had encountered with her parents. He told her that he had done it out of love because he had seen in Rick's eyes how much Rick loved Maya. "That's how I feel about Quinn," Eric said.
Steffy cried. Rick apologized but said they had all been worried. Eric fumed that he had always taken care of Rick even though Rick continually felt that Ridge got better treatment. Eric said he gave, and gave, and gave. "I always took your side," Eric said. He ranted that one time he had wanted something from his family members.
Eric turned to the others. They all looked away. Thorne stepped forward to tell his dad that he loved him. Eric was angry because he had asked Thorne to be his best man. "Why didn't you just say no?" Eric asked. He noted that Thorne had pretended he wanted to be his best man.
Thorne argued that he had wanted to support his father. "But they talked you out of it. You don't even know her," Eric said. He added that the family had filled Thorne's head with lies. Steffy argued that they had told Thorne the truth.
Eric noted that Steffy wanted to dwell on Quinn's past. Eric understood that Steffy had issues with Quinn, but she had made changes in his life. Eric turned to Thomas. He noted that Thomas had been sucked in by the mob mentality. Thomas looked at Ridge. Thomas realized he should have talked to Eric.
Eric said they all should have talked to him, but Steffy and Ridge had decided to tell everyone what was right for him. Steffy was tearful. Eric called her defiant. He recalled how she had told him, "I forbid it," when Eric had decided to have a relationship with Quinn. Eric said Steffy had not cared about what Quinn meant to him.
"You just made demands -- it was all about you," Eric said. He added that Quinn had changed, but Steffy countered that Quinn had "changed" millions of times. Eric felt that his family had treated him like "this old feeble who guy can't take care of himself."
Finally, Eric glared at Ridge. "I've been taking care of you longer than anybody else," Eric said. He added that Ridge was talented and had developed great confidence, but it had turned to arrogance. "It's the Marone thing -- you have to be the strongest man in the room," Eric said.
Ridge grew angry. He said that Eric was losing it. Ridge refused to allow Eric to berate him. Ridge softened and patted Eric's shoulders and said what he had done was wrong, but Quinn was not worthy of Eric.
"You don't decide that," Eric shouted. He demanded that Ridge and everyone respect his wife. Ridge refused. "I don't respect that horrible woman," Ridge said. Eric shouted that they all had to respect Mrs. Eric Forrester. Thorne worried and asked his father to calm down. Eric said they had all abandoned him.
Ridge walked toward the door, but Eric stopped him. Ridge said they had wanted to protect Eric. Eric said he had wanted their support not their protection. "You made me feel alone," he shouted at everyone. Eric grabbed his head and became woozy. He fell to the floor, and they all ran to him.
In another office at Forrester, Quinn and Wyatt discussed that Wyatt had missed the wedding. Wyatt explained that he had done it to stand by his wife. Quinn hoped it paid off for him. She said she was somewhat proud that he had taken his wife's side, but she hoped Steffy realized what it meant to Eric. She said Eric had clearly been disappointed. Quinn wanted everyone to be happy for them.
Wyatt understood. He said he would never give up on Steffy. Quinn explained that she had offered not to marry Eric because she hadn't wanted to get between him and his children and grandchildren. She added that they had all hurt and betrayed Eric, and she would protect Eric in the future. "I am Mrs. Eric Forrester, and there's nothing they can do to change that," she said.
Quinn stopped her conversation with Wyatt. They overheard Eric yelling at his family. Quinn and Wyatt headed for Eric's office. They entered and were shocked that Eric had collapsed on the floor. "Eric," Quinn screamed.
In the CEO's office, the family became hysterical as they swarmed around Eric, who'd collapsed on the floor. Wyatt held Quinn back as she tried to get to Eric. Maya called emergency services, and Quinn managed to get ahold of Eric's hand. She promised she wouldn't go anywhere.
When the paramedics arrived fifteen minutes later to tend to Eric, one asked if Eric was on any medications. Ridge said Eric wasn't, but Quinn corrected that Eric was on blood pressure and blood thinning medications. An EMT asked if Eric was a diabetic. Ridge said Eric wasn't, and Quinn confirmed that Eric wasn't.
The family watched and prayed as the paramedics strapped Eric to a stretcher and wheeled him out. Quinn tried to follow them, but Ridge grabbed her and pushed her back. Wyatt held onto Quinn, and Ridge left the office. Quinn broke away from Wyatt and ran out of the office.
Later, Pam, Maya, Zende, and Thomas were anxious as they waited in the office. Wyatt asked what had happened and how Eric had ended up on the floor. Maya and Pam explained that Eric had seen the boycott as a betrayal, and Pam said she'd never seen Eric so hurt. "Or so angry at Dad," Thomas added. They all pitched in to explain to Wyatt that Eric had figured out that Ridge had instigated the boycott, and Eric's eyes had glazed over as the men had argued.
Maya explained that Eric had called each of them out, and he'd been right in his assessments. Zende stated that they were Eric's family and had let Eric down. Pam felt guilty for walking out of the wedding after Eric had expressed gratefulness for her presence. Wyatt said they hadn't been trying to hurt Eric, just to make a point. Maya concluded that it hadn't worked out so well.
Thomas wondered what they'd been thinking to boycott the wedding. Zende said they'd been trying to protect Eric. Wyatt replied that it was protection from a woman who loved Eric. Wyatt explained that Quinn hadn't wanted Eric to go through with the wedding when the family hadn't shown up, but Eric had insisted. Wyatt felt that he should have shown up.
Maya reasoned that Wyatt had been in a tough place between his mother and wife. Wyatt still felt he should have done it -- not that it would have changed Eric's outcome. Wyatt guessed it would have made him feel better about himself if nothing else. Zende believed they could all use a little of that right then. Pam recalled that no matter how nutty she'd gotten, Eric had always stood by her and forgiven her. "Look what I did to him," Pam said with a pout.
Thomas said they shared the blame. Maya remembered that Eric hadn't taken long to accept her past. She wondered why she hadn't been able to give him acceptance in return. Zende felt that Eric had been nothing but accepting at the time of Zende's adoption. Eric had opened his heart, his home, and his business to Zende when Zende had arrived in Los Angeles as an adult. All Eric had wanted was for Zende to be at the wedding. Zende asked what kind of person he was not to go.
Thomas believed that Eric saw the best in them all. Eric had taught Thomas to be a better man and better father to Douglas. Thomas believed they'd missed the chance to express gratitude. Pam stated that they'd literally broken Eric's heart. "And now he could be fighting for his life," Thomas concluded.
At the hospital later, paramedics arrived with Eric, informing Dr. Andrews that their seventy-year-old patient with altered mental status had last been alert thirty minutes earlier. Eric's blood pressure was 210/100. The doctor asked Ridge, Thorne, Rick, and Steffy to wait in the lobby, and the medical staff took Eric into a private room for an examination.
On one side of the room, the sobbing Steffy wished to go back and do things differently. Ridge said they'd had to keep Quinn from Eric. Steffy was aware of that but said Eric had collapsed, and they didn't know what had happened to him. On the other side of the room, Thorne and Rick agreed that they should never have listened to Ridge, and they'd been cruel to not be at Eric's wedding. Thorne was swamped with guilt.
A nurse emerged from Eric's room. She said Eric would go for a CT scan. As the nurse continued on her way, Quinn rushed in and asked Ridge and Steffy how Eric was. They didn't respond. Quinn yelled for them to answer her because Eric was her husband. Ridge reluctantly said there had been no change. The upset Quinn stared into the viewing window of Eric's room.
The wait lagged on, and the family members wondered how it could have happened. Ridge and Steffy didn't recall knowing about any medical problems. Thorne said it wasn't about any preexisting condition; it was about them hurting Eric in a place so deep that his body hadn't been able to take it. Thorne said it was on them and blasted himself for not being the best man.
Rick had never seen Eric so angry and wondered how they could do that to him. Ridge replied that they hadn't done it to Eric; they'd been trying to protect Eric from it. Steffy didn't know if she could live with herself if something happened to Eric. Ridge said not to do that to herself.
Ridge assured Steffy that it would be fine. Quinn, who'd been pacing alone by the viewing window, asked how Ridge knew that. Quinn asked if the doctor had said something and if Eric had had a stroke or heart attack. Ridge said nothing. She replied that he couldn't keep shutting her out, and she had a right to know what was happening.
Thorne finally told Quinn that they didn't know anything except that they hadn't done right by his father. "You least of all," Ridge quipped at Quinn. Quinn asked Ridge what he meant, and he blamed her for it, saying she'd put his family in the situation.
The medical team wheeled Eric back through the lobby and into the private room. The nurse from earlier stopped to answer questions that the family was asking. She said Eric was stabilized but not awake. They could see him, but it would be family only. They needed to limit the number of people in the room. Thorne and Rick followed the nurse into the room.
As Quinn followed, Ridge pulled her by her waist out of the queue and grasped her arm. Quinn asked what Ridge was doing and said Eric needed her. Steffy, who'd stopped in front of Eric's door, watched as Ridge said he wouldn't allow Quinn to go in the room. Quinn refused to be kept from her husband. Ridge said they'd handle it as a family, but Quinn said she was family.
Ridge accused Quinn of putting Eric there. Quinn replied that Ridge said so, but he and the family were the ones who'd betrayed Eric and broken his heart. Steffy yelled that they'd been protecting him.
An orderly asked if he could help Mr. Forrester. Quinn told the orderly to get "this man" out of the way so she could see her husband. Ridge stated that "this woman" was not allowed near Ridge's father. Ridge and Steffy went into the room. Quinn tried to follow, but the orderly stopped her. He said he'd seen that kind of thing with families in crisis, and she should wait.
In Eric's room, Thorne sat by the bed and apologized for hurting Eric. Thorne said there were no excuses, and he looked forward to Eric being angry again. Thorne would take it as long as Eric was back with them, and he said they weren't a family without Eric.
Rick asked if Eric could hear him. He asked if Eric could hear his sorrow. Rick said Eric had supported Rick even when Rick had been dead wrong. Rick was ashamed of himself for even considering trying to hurt Eric. "Come on, Dad!" Rick yelled. He ordered Eric to fight back like the warrior Eric was. He said for Eric to return and told Eric that the whole family was there.
The doctor arrived, followed by Ridge and Steffy. Dr. Andrews explained that Eric had suffered brain hemorrhaging. They'd performed a procedure to stop the bleeding. He asked the family how Eric's collapse had happened. Steffy said Eric hadn't gotten very upset. Rick wondered if they'd caused it, and Thorne said they had, of course.
Dr. Andrews attributed the cause to a weakened blood vessel. The family wanted to know if Eric would pull through, but Dr. Andrews couldn't give any more information.
Quinn marched in, and Ridge called for someone to keep "this woman" out of the room. Quinn said she wouldn't let him keep her away from her husband anymore. She stroked Eric's head and said that she was there. She asked why Eric was still unconscious, but no one said anything. Quinn asked Eric if he could open his eyes and look at her. She grasped his hand and asked him to squeeze her hand to let her know he'd be okay.
Eric was unresponsive. Quinn demanded to know what had happened and said Eric hadn't been that way that morning. She demanded to know what had happened to her husband.
Back at the office, Maya got a message from Rick that Eric was stabilized, and family could enter to see him. Thomas admitted that he was a little scared, and he concluded that no difference of opinion had been worth upsetting Eric so much. Zende hoped Eric would forgive them once he was better. Wyatt wanted to keep up the "once he's better" positive thinking.
Pam remarked that a prayer wouldn't hurt. The family members joined hands in a circle, and Pam led the prayer, asking God to heal Eric, whom God had given them as the head of the family. She said they loved him and needed to show him that love every day. She stated that Eric wasn't done there yet and asked God not to take him away.
At the hospital, Quinn wanted to know what was wrong with Eric. Ridge instructed the doctor not to tell her anything, and Ridge and Steffy blamed Quinn for Eric's condition. Quinn denied being at fault, but Steffy said Quinn had fractured Steffy's whole family. Ridge finally revealed that Eric had suffered a brain hemorrhage. Quinn became full of questions.
Dr. Andrews took Quinn aside and explained what they'd done to stop the hemorrhaging and cranial swelling. Quinn didn't understand how it had happened because Eric had been in good health. The doctor said it could happen suddenly. In some instances, horrific headaches precipitated it. Quinn shook her head to indicate that Eric hadn't had any. Dr. Andrews asked the family if Eric had vomited or bled from the ears, and Ridge said Eric hadn't.
As Dr. Andrews listed things that could cause Eric's condition, Steffy asked if stress was a factor. Indicating that it could be, the doctor asked to hear again what Eric had been doing before the collapse. Steffy said he'd just married her. Ridge said that Eric had passed out while discussing the wedding. Thorne and Rick revealed that Eric had been upset.
Dr. Andrews concluded that they'd know more once Eric regained consciousness, and when he did regain it, he'd need support, not stress. Andrews left to order more tests. Quinn gaze at the accusatory expressions in the room and strode out. Steffy followed her.
Eric's sons urged Eric to fight. Rick said Eric had been fighting them at every turn since he'd gotten involved with Quinn. Ridge replied that they'd had to take a stand. Rick conveyed that their father was fighting for his life, and they were left with their principles. Thorne promised that he'd never let Eric down again and asked Eric to stay with them.
Ridge asked Eric not to give up and said Eric was too important to them and to Ridge, which was why Ridge had done what he'd done. Ridge said he was always there to protect Eric, and Eric needed to believe it. Ridge stated that the family needed Eric, and Felicia and Bridget were worried. Ridge didn't want to take over the family. He didn't know if he'd ever be ready because he wasn't Eric. "So don't go, okay?" Ridge asked.
In the corridor, Steffy told Quinn that everything Quinn touched turned to tragedy, and she'd warned everyone what would happen if Quinn was in Eric's life. Steffy claimed that Quinn and Wyatt hadn't listened. She figured that Quinn had to be "so pleased" and asked if it had been a part of some sort of plan. The shocked Quinn stammered for a response.
Steffy grabbed a nurse and ordered her to test Eric for poison. Pointing at Quinn, Steffy cried that she did not trust that woman. Quinn urged Steffy not to be that way and to rally around Eric as the doctor had advised. Steffy said Quinn didn't care about Eric or anyone. Steffy said Quinn had gotten what she'd wanted, but it wasn't over.
Later, Steffy finished talking to the nurse then told Quinn that the hospital would run the poison tests. Quinn believed it was just what Eric wanted to hear when he awakened. Quinn didn't expect Steffy to believe that Eric was the love of Quinn's life or to believe anything good about Quinn. "And you know what? More and more, I could care less," Quinn said.
Steffy said that if Quinn cared about Eric, Quinn would have left him. Quinn quipped that Steffy knew more about love than anyone, seeing as she'd been in and out of it more times than Quinn. Steffy said Quinn had manipulated Eric. Chuckling, Quinn replied that the line was tired.
Quinn admitted to cutting corners and not being a good person, but for her, it had been so far back that she barely remembered it. She said that Steffy, on the other hand, refused to forget it. Quinn said that while she had been putting happiness and love into Eric's life, Steffy had been ignoring Eric and focusing on Quinn's past. Quinn asserted that Eric had made all of them and given them a place to feel safe and thrive, and they'd shut him out of their lives.
Quinn claimed that Eric had believed they'd all find their senses because he had believed that they loved him; however, there had been an empty room. "We were married in an empty room," Quinn tearfully continued. Quinn said a part of Eric had died that day, and he'd never been so heartbroken in his entire life. As Steffy wiped away tears, Quinn said that she wasn't a saint, but what the family had done to Eric had been cruel, insensitive, and wrong.
"And God help me if he leaves me today. You're the one who caused it!" Quinn began to sob. Shaking her head, Quinn refused to become a widow or let Steffy take Eric from Quinn.
Back in Eric's room, Ridge decided to go check on Steffy, who was with Quinn. Thorne noticed something about Eric and asked Ridge to repeat himself. When Ridge did, ending his statement with Quinn's name, Eric's hand moved. Rick and Thorne leaned over Eric to hear what Eric was trying to say. They concluded that it was Quinn's name.
Just as Ridge entered the lobby, Quinn was telling Steffy that Eric needed their support. Ridge reported to the women that Eric had stirred. Steffy ordered Quinn to stay put, but Ridge stated that Eric was asking for Quinn. Quinn rushed to Eric's bedside, and Steffy and Ridge followed.
Quinn told Eric that she was there, and she loved him. Eric's eyes fluttered. Quinn said they were supposed to be on their honeymoon, and she reminded him that they'd had a wonderful wedding. She asked him to fight for her. Eric opened his eyes again. He saw Quinn's blurry face before passing out again. Quinn sobbed, laying her head on his chest.
At Forrester, Pam, Maya, Thomas, Wyatt, and Zende continued to wait for word on Eric and to feel guilty about not attending the wedding. Carter arrived, and the others filled him on what had happened with the wedding and with Eric's collapse. Wyatt said he couldn't imagine what Quinn was going through. Family members continued to lament their decision to boycott the wedding. Carter advised that beating oneself up wouldn't help Eric.
Pam started to focus on what Eric would need when he woke up, and Maya suggested a robe and slippers. Pam, Carter, and Thomas left for the mansion to retrieve some things. Wyatt told Zende and Maya that, even with what was going on with Eric, Wyatt had never seen Eric happier than he'd been with Wyatt's mother.
At the mansion, Pam, Carter, and Thomas arrived. Pam stared at a leftover flower arrangement and remembered how lovely Eric had made the place for the wedding. She asked why they'd let Eric down. "That's why," Thomas said, pointing at the new portrait of Quinn. Pam's mouth dropped. She stifled her anger about the portrait and said they had work to do.
Pam and Thomas went upstairs. Carter took some papers off the foyer table and put them on the table by the stairs. He saw an envelope there with Ridge's name on it. Carter flashed back to giving Eric the power of attorney document from Ridge. Carter opened the envelope, and his eyes widened as he read the document.
