document: Thorne: This is -- this isn't what I expected.
  Stephanie: You thought we didn't hear you, but we did. We did, Thorne. We did.
  Eric: You can fight us. You can declare war on us if you need to, but you're still our son, and we love you.
  Stephanie: I know we haven't always been able to tell you that.
  Eric: The recognition you're getting now. From the press and from the industry, you should've gotten that from us.
  Stephanie: You earned it. You always earned it.
  Eric: I don't agree with all the choices you've made, but I'm glad you're getting the recognition that's been denied you for so long. I'm proud of you, son, I'm so proud.
  Thomas: Here you go, Dad. And don't worry, I got things covered until you get back.
  Ridge: Hold on there, boy. We're not done.
  Thomas: Look, I know what you're going to say, and there's nothing --
  Ridge: I love you. You know that.
  Thomas: Yeah, yeah.
  Ridge: I know it seems like I've been kind of hard on you lately.
  Thomas: No, it's fine. You don't have to apologize.
  Ridge: I'm not. I just want to leave things on good terms here, but I'm not backing down as far as the situation with Amber. She's bad news, Thomas, and I don't want you anywhere near her. If she tries to contact you --
  Thomas: You've got a restraining order against her, remember?
  Ridge: So, she hasn't tried?
  Thomas: She's not crazy.
  Ridge: I'm counting on you.
  Thomas: Have a good trip.
  Ridge: My boy. See you when I get back.
  Thomas: See ya.
  [Thomas' Cell phone ringing]
  Thomas: Yeah?
  Amber: Hi. You're supposed to be here.
  Thomas: I'm on my way.
  Thorne: You're proud of me?
  Eric: Yes, we are. You haven't always felt it, have you? Well, if this collection is what it takes to convince you, then -- then, it's yours. It's a gift. Although, there is something I'd like in return. I want you to come back to Forrester. It's where you belong. I'll always believe that. But whether you're there, or whether you're here at Spectra, you're always my son. And who else would we do this for? I mean, you don't believe me when I say that everything your mother and I have done, everything, all of our success, has been for our children. I know, Ridge has taken most of the credit. And your contributions have been mostly overlooked. But this is your turn in the spotlight.
  Thorne: Well, I'm not so sure Ridge would be too pleased with that.
  Eric: He'll get over it.
  Thorne: Don't be so sure, mother.
  Eric: You know, when I started this collection, I assumed that you would be the person to take it through production and distribution. And so you have been.
  Thorne: You also assume you'd have your name on it.
  Eric: It does. Right there. "Spectra Couture by Thorne Forrester."
  Eric: You sell the gowns. You keep the money. I don't need it, 'cause I'll have the same satisfaction I always get from every collection, knowing that all my hard work went to benefit my children. Why else do we do this? Make the choices we make? The sacrifices we make? Except for our children. This was hard for you, wasn't it? Making this decision.
  Thorne: I didn't want it to come to this.
  Eric: I know. But you needed validation. And now you have it. I'm happy for you. We both are. You sell this collection, then you go back to me. I need you. We got to go, I got a business to run. So do you.
  Stephanie: I love you.
  Thorne: I love you, too, Mother.
  Stephanie: I'm sorry you ever doubted that.
  Brooke: Don't forget this one. I don't want you to go.
  Ridge: I know it's going to be hectic here. Five kids. Catherine taking classes -- you're gonna need some help.
  Brooke: That's not what I'm worried about.
  Ridge: I'm not worried, either. But in a pinch, you could always call my mother.
  Brooke: Yeah. Somehow, I don't see that happening.
  Ridge: You two are getting along better these days, aren't you?
  Brooke: That's because she only sees me when I'm with you. She knows there's nothing she can get away with.
  Ridge: Yeah, you got a point there. Still in an emergency --
  Brooke: There's plenty of people that I can call besides your mother. You know how she is with "Taylor's children." And if I give her an opening, she'll probably just take over.
  Ridge: Hey, she didn't interfere when I got that restraining order against Amber, so --
  Brooke: Well, that's true. She's probably as repulsed about that relationship as we are. I am so glad that you did something about that. You put a stop to it.
  Thomas: Sorry. I got here as fast as I could.
  Amber: They wouldn't let me postpone my break.
  Thomas: Wait, you have to go back to work?
  Amber: Yeah. Soon. So just stop gabbin' and let's get down to business.
  [Techno version of sabre dance]
  Eric: It's all still up in the air.
  Stephanie: He may not want to come back to Forrester.
  Eric: Maybe not. But at least he knows that we care about him.
  Stephanie: Maybe if we'd shown our support a little sooner.
  Eric: Well, we have now. At least he knows.
  Stephanie: I thought you had to go back to work?
  Eric: Yeah. Damage control. But you know, in spite of what Ridge thinks --
  Stephanie: Oh, this company's going to be fine.
  Eric: Yes, it is. More importantly, so is the family.
  Amber: Now, that's what I call a break. I can successfully go back to work with a smile on my face.
  Thomas: You sure nobody's gonna narc on us?
  Amber: Don't worry. It is our little secret.
  Thomas: I just don't want to get you in trouble.
  Amber: Oh. You know, you are the most sweetest, thoughtful guy the world. Yeah.
  Thomas: Really?
  Amber: Mm-hmm. Yeah. It's hard to believe you're Ridge Forrester's son.
  Thomas: Yeah. You know, he doesn't mean to be a jerk. He's just kind of been stressed.
  Amber: Because of Thorne stealing the designs?
  Thomas: Yeah. And now my dad has to go out of town to meet with some clients.
  Amber: He's -- he's going out of town?
  Thomas: He's leaving today.
  Amber: Really?
  Thomas: And I don't know how long he's going to be gone for.
  Amber: Oh, my gosh. It's kind of sad, you know. I'm going to miss him so much.
  Thomas: Nobody breathin' down our necks. Nobody looking over my shoulder.
  Amber: Just the two of us.
  Thomas: Just the way it should be.
  Amber: Yeah.
  Thomas: Now come here.
  [ Knock on the door ]
  Stephanie: Come in. Caitlin.?
  Caitlin: Megan told me I'd find you here.
  Stephanie: Can I do something for you?
  Caitlin: I'm not sure. I'm not even sure I should be talking to you about this.
  Stephanie: Something wrong?
  Caitlin: It's about Thomas. And amber.
  Stephanie: Oh, his father's taken care of that.
  Caitlin: The restraining order. I heard.
  Stephanie: Rick told you.
  Caitlin: Yes, ma'am.
  Stephanie: You haven't seen them together or something, have you?
  Caitlin: No. But I have seen amber at Insomnia. That's where she works now. And I'm not trying to get her in trouble. I mean, she can work wherever she wants. I just know Thomas goes there a lot.
  Stephanie: So are you saying that she's taken this job in order to see him?
  Caitlin: You know her better than I do. But from what I've heard, amber can be really stubborn when she wants something.
  Stephanie: That's a fair assessment.
  Caitlin: I didn't go to Brooke and ridge, because I really don't want amber to go to jail. And I think that ridge is mad enough, he might put her there. Amber really respects you. She spoke so highly of you when she stayed with us. And, I guess, I thought that you would know what to do.
  Stephanie: I'll take care of it.
  Caitlin: I wasn't sure I should say anything.
  Stephanie: Oh, no, no, you did the right thing.
  Caitlin: I feel kind of responsible. They got together after Thomas found out about Rick and me.
  Stephanie: Oh, it's -- it's more than that for him now.
  Caitlin: I think he's really lonely. I was hoping things would get better after Brooke and Ridge got married, and everything settled. Brooke's a good step-mom. Thomas and the girls are really happy with her. But I can't help thinking, if Thomas' real mom were alive, this might not be happening. It's totally new.
  Darla: You wanna talk about it?
  Thorne: I wouldn't know what to say.
  Darla: Pretty amazing the way your parents forgave you.
  Thorne: Yeah. Yeah, it was amazing.
  Darla: I think they really meant it, too.
  Thorne: So do I.
  Darla: You have waited so long for them to show you the respect that you always deserved.
  Thorne: Yeah, well, look how far I had to go to get it.
  Darla: I know they didn't want to pressure you or anything, but they'd really like you back at Forrester.
  Thorne: And I would love that. If things were different.
  Darla: Well, maybe they will be, you know? Now that they know what you're capable of.
  Thorne: I appreciate everything that they said. It means the world to me. But if you notice, they didn't offer me the presidency. You know, ridge is the star. It's always been that way, and it always will be that way. Mm-hmm. As much as my parents would like to change things, they can't help themselves. The only way this would work --
  Darla: What?
  Thorne: Maybe there is a way.
  Ridge: What's going on?
  Brooke: You're leaving.
  Ridge: Yeah. Just for a little while. I'll be back before you know it.
  Brooke: I know. I'm just being ridiculous.
  Ridge: No you're not. I don't want to be away from you either.
  Brooke: It's only been a few months, but I can't imagine being without you. Even if it's for a little while.
  Ridge: I'll still be here. No matter how far away I am, my heart is still here with you and our family, okay? Nothing can separate us, Logan. We are forever.
  Brooke: I love you so much.
  Ridge: And I love you back.
  Amber: You know, my break isn't over for another 15 minutes.
  Thomas: You still hungry?
  Amber: I'm famished.
  Thomas: What do want?
  Amber: How about a big, fat burrito. [ Amber laughs ] Umm, there's a tex-mex place a little ways down the street.
  Thomas: Right, yeah.
  Amber: Yeah.
  Thomas: Stay put. I'll be right back.
  Amber: Okay.
  Stephanie: Hi.
  Waitress: Can I help you?
  Stephanie: Yes, I'm looking for Amber.
  Waitress: She's on break.
  Stephanie: Is she coming back?
  Waitress: In 10 or 15 minutes.
  Stephanie: Oh, fine, I'll wait. May I have coffee? Cappuccino?
  Waitress: Coming right up.
  Stephanie: Thank you. Thank you. What's -- what's back there?
  Waitress: Nothing. Just the office.
  Stephanie: Oh.
  Stephanie: Amber.
  Amber: Stephanie.
  Stephanie: I warned you, Amber, and Ridge warned you.
  Amber: What are you talking about? I was just -- I'm putting my uniform --
  Stephanie: The hell you are. I saw Thomas leave here. What are you doing with my grandson?
  Amber: Nothing. We --
  Stephanie: You're lying to me!
summary: Eric and Stephanie both tell Thorne how much they love him and how proud they are of him. Eric asks him to come back to Forrester, but will love him no matter where he works. Thorne and Darla talk about his returning to Forrester. Thorne only sees one way that it would work. Ridge packs and gets ready for his business trip. Caitlin pays a visit to Stephanie and tells her about Amber working at Insomnia so that she can see Thomas. Amber and Thomas have a secret meeting in the office at Insomnia again. Stephanie goes to Insomnia to talk to Amber and sees Thomas leave the office. She goes into the office and finds a half dressed Amber. Amber tries to explain, but Stephanie slaps her across the face demanding to know what she is doing with her grandson.