SCENE ONE

"I'm not sure I'm able to even articulate how I'm feeling at this moment." Eric spoke, staring out into the crowd of dozens that'd gathered at the Forrester Mansion for his Welcome Home party. "Looking out at all of you, I am in awe of how beautiful you are. You know, often times we take life for granted, and I suppose the powers that be up there-" he hesitated for a moment and then glanced up to the sky. "Saw just how mundane life was becoming for me. Perhaps an 'It's a Wonderful Life' situation was too cliche, but-...if being in a coma for the last 6 years taught me nothing else, it has taught me to cherish those who are close to you. Every minute...every SECOND that you have with loved ones, never take it for granted."

Seeing tears fill his children's eyes, Eric attempted to take a step back, losing his balance and nearly falling over onto the couch. Quickly Ridge rushed forward to assist his father.

"Well, here's to the return of the Forrester patriarch, ERIC FORRESTER!" Thorne's words were followed by a unison agreement of "hear hear".

Eric sat down on the sofa, quickly toasting Ridge, followed by Brooke, and then sipped his champagne.

"He seems to be doing much better." Ridge murmured as he looked at Brooke, whose eyes were still fixated on Eric.

"Let's hope he stays that way. I can only imagine how difficult it must be, after all of this time..." she responded. "He has a lot to catch up on."

"A lot indeed."

Suddenly, Eric's voice interrupted their conversation. "Well, I've been asleep for the past 6 years, I don't plan on going back right now...so let's liven this party up a little. Where's the music?" he spoke.

Laughing, Brooke signaled to Oliver, who from out on the balcony began his dj'ing.

"You know, Donna's supposed to be on her way. Maybe I should call her and see where she is." Brooke suggested. Handing Ridge her wine glass, she quickly headed for the front door. As she headed out, she nearly bumped into Steffy. "Oh! Excuse me..." she called out politely. She pretended not to notice Steffy's blatant eye roll, and instead, she stood outside next to the door and quickly dialed her sister's number.

SCENE TWO

"I promise, babe...It won't take but a couple of hours, and then I'll be right back to-"

Her words were met by another slap. Donna's body swayed with the hit, and she stumbled back, grabbing strength from the table that she nearly collided with.

"Travis-..."

"You're NOT going!" He exclaimed.

She looked down at his balled fists, and fearing that the next form of contact wouldn't be a slap, she closed her eyes for a moment. "If you could just listen to me...-"

Travis laughed. "Do you see? You see this? Now I'M going to be the bad guy again, right? You're going to go crying to that bitch of a sister of yours, telling her all of our business, and she's going to tell you to leave me...and all I want is some respect. He's your EX HUSBAND, Donna."

"He's a family friend!"

"I don't care. You're not going."

The sound of her phone ringing interrupted the conversation, and her eyes darted across the room to the coffee table, where her phone rang and vibrated loudly. Travis' head turned as well, and before she could gather herself to get the phone, he rushed across the groom, grabbing it from the table. He eyed it for a moment, and then a slick grin creased his face. "It's Brooke."

Donna wiped the tears from her eyes, subconsciously glancing at her hand to make sure he hadn't drawn blood from her face this time. "She's probably calling to see where I am."

An awkward pause filled the conversation, and then finally, Travis answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Uhh...hi. This is...let me guess, Travis, right?"

He smiled. "Why yes it is. Could this be the famous Brooke Logan, Mrs. Forrester Creations herself?"

"Donna's taught you well, I see. Flatter will you get EVERYWHERE in this family." Brooke responded. "Is uhh..my sister around anywhere?"

Travis hesitated as he eyed Donna and shot her a warning glare. "Sure, she's just up in our room getting ready. We're about to head out to Mr. Forrester's party."

Brooke's eyes widened. "Oh...really? So after all of these months, I'm finally going to get to meet you?"

Travis chuckled. "Looks like it." He could hear the excitement in Brooke's voice, and seeing the terror on Donna's face, he cleared his throat. "Well listen, now that the pressure's on, I guess I need to go make sure I'm all shaved up and looking presentable. We'll see you there." He ended the call, and then he placed the phone back on the table. "Looks like I've got somewhere to be."

She wasn't sure if Travis was serious or not, and she was almost too afraid to ask.

Travis stood for a moment staring at her, and then throwing up his hands, he half-smiled. "Well...don't just stand there. Aren't you gonna help me out? I gotta find something decent to put on."

She thought to herself, "unbelievable...you are absolutely the most unpredictable man I've ever known..." but instead, she forced a smile onto her face. "Sounds like fun." she answered cautiously.

SCENE THREE

Back at the Forrester Mansion, Hope looked around the room. "So...she's here." she whispered.

"Who?" Liam questioned.

Throwing up her eyes, Hope sighed. "You know exactly who I'm talking about. Steffy's here, making her grand re-entrance into society."

"Can we like...NOT, right now?" Liam questioned. "I mean, she's been completely off the grid now for nearly a year, and she's back to celebrate her grandfather coming home. Let's not make this about you and me, or me and her, or-"

"EVERYTHING is about the three of us." Hope interjected. "Listen, I'm personally exhausted with the merry-go-round that has been my love life since high school. And I must admit, for the past year, there has been some semblance of peace. I'd very much like to keep it that way."

"And you will. Babe, Steffy is COOL, okay?"

"You're damn right I am." Steffy spoke from behind them.

Liam jumped a bit, hearing her voice, and quickly he and Hope both turned around to see Steffy standing there, dressed in an all-white chic jumpsuit.

Still smiling, she nodded her head. "You two look like you've seen a ghost."

"Well, I-...we-...just-" Hope struggled for words, but Steffy interrupted her.

"Chill girl. I'm not here to cause drama. I'm here for Granddad, and-...well I guess now would be a good time to say 'congratulations' you two on the whole wedding and pregnancy thing. It's really great."

Grabbing her seven month pregnant belly, Hope blushed. "That really means a lot, Steffy."

"Yeah, we really appreciate it." Liam added.

Steffy smiled, and visibly showing that there was more that she needed to say, her expression solemned. "Liam...do you think I could maybe speak to your wife alone for a second?"

He frowned, visibly caught off guard, and then looked down at Hope. Hope half-smiled. "It's fine, Liam. Besides, I know you've been standing here dying to get over to Oliver and Carter anyway."

Liam chuckled. "You ladies play nice, or-...I'll call the cops." he darted past Steffy, patting her on the shoulder, and then headed across the room to Oliver and Carter.

"Still a square I see." Steffy said as she watched Liam walk away.

"Are you referring to Liam or me?" Hope questioned.

"Both." Steffy glanced at Hope, and then she smiled. "Listen, I know we haven't seen eye to eye on a lot of things historically. But I uhh...I kinda wanted to clear the air. I think I may be staying in town for a little while to make sure Granddad is back to normal. And honestly, while I'm here, I'd rather not be catfighting with you at every occasion."

Taken aback, Hope just glared at Steffy for a moment, and then she smiled. "I-...I agree."

"So then let's find the hatchet, not bury it, but burn that bitch all the way up." Steffy finished with a smile.

"Ladies...ladies..." Ridge came and stood between Steffy and Hope, and smiling, he looked at them. "Two of my absolute favorite women playing nice. Isn't this a momentous occasion?"

"We've decided to let bygones be bygones." Hope informed Ridge.

"Wow." With widened eyes, he glanced over at Steffy, and then he smiled. "Well I'm absolutely ecstatic to hear that."

Steffy nodded. "Well, I'd love to take the credit for going away and maturing, but I had a little help with all of this. I uhh...I've met someone."

"Really?" Ridge questioned.

"And he's absolutely incredible." Steffy's eyes drifted off into the distance as she spoke. "He's charming, he's so sweet, and...rough around the edges, like I like 'em."

"Like yourself." Ridge murmured before chuckling. "Well, sweetheart...when do I get to meet this new boyfriend of yours?"

Pulling away from her father slightly, Steffy looked down at the floor, almost uncomfortably. "Well, he's not exactly my boyfriend."

Immediately, Ridge's eyes went to Steffy's hand, and seeing a ring on her finger, he grimaced. "Steffy...no..."

"I know what you're thinking, but-...Dad, he's incredible, and if you'd give him another chance, you'd-"

"ANOTHER?" Ridge interrupted. He opened his mouth to speak, just as the front door to the Forrester Mansion opened, and Deacon Sharpe stepped in.

As his eyes went around the living room in amazement, he smiled. "Back...like I've never left." he spoke.