At Deacon's place, Sheila seethed that Steffy had pushed her. Steffy replied that it was because Sheila had pushed Steffy too far. Steffy stated that she was back, and Sheila wouldn't mess with Steffy or her family ever again. Sheila said Steffy didn't have to be so defensive, and Sheila had finally found true love. Sheila added that she recognized that she had a lot of work to do.
Steffy refused to buy it and said that Sheila was pure evil. Sheila replied that she was in love and happy, and she just wanted to live a normal life. Steffy quipped that she'd thought Deacon was smarter than that. Deacon promised that Sheila wouldn't be a threat to Steffy or her family. Sheila promised not to be a threat to Steffy or her children. "Just trust me," Sheila said.
Steffy quipped that Sheila had to be kidding, and Steffy couldn't imagine how Brooke and Hope felt about Deacon and Sheila. Deacon stated that he'd worked hard to restore his relationship with Hope and Brooke, and he was with Sheila because he believed that, like himself, people could change. Steffy claimed the change was a lie, and Sheila would hurt and corrupt Deacon.
Sheila said everyone was excited that Steffy was home. Steffy told Sheila to shut up. Steffy said she'd fled town to protect herself and her kids, but she'd realized that she didn't run. Steffy claimed that Los Angeles was her town, and she'd been raised to fight. Sheila agreed to respect that Steffy didn't want Sheila in her life, and she hoped that it would change someday.
"Oh, there it is. You still want to be in Finn's life," Steffy accused Sheila and said it was laughable that Deacon thought he could stop Sheila. Steffy claimed she didn't need Deacon to defend her, and if Sheila came near Steffy's family, Sheila would answer to Steffy, not Deacon, Ridge, or Finn.
Steffy announced that she wasn't afraid of Sheila, and if Sheila messed with Steffy, Sheila would pay. Steffy stated that she was a Forrester, and Forresters didn't back down from fights. With that, Steffy punched Sheila in the face. Steffy said it was for shooting her and her husband, and she added that Sheila would wish she was behind bars if she came near Steffy's family again.
In the CEO's office, Ridge was grateful that Luna had found Eric's old stapler. Ridge stroked the stapler engraved with Eric's initials and showed Luna the underside of it, which said, "Love Stephanie." It had been a gift to Eric from his wife when he'd started the business. Ridge said he thought he'd thrown it away, and he was grateful Luna had found it.
Luna left, and Ridge flashed back to the day Eric had discovered that the stapler had been missing. He recalled how upset Eric had been when Ridge had said it had been old and hadn't worked anymore.
In the design office, R.J., Brooke, and Katie discussed the amazing gift Ridge had given Eric, the gift of winning. Brooke was sure Ridge would make Eric's last days as beautiful as possible. R.J. stated that Ridge was getting the CEO's office ready for Eric's triumphant return.
Katie said it was touching, and R.J. remarked that he'd cherish the time he'd spent with Eric. Brooke added that it was hard for them all, but no one's heart was breaking as much as Ridge's. They discussed keeping their knowledge about Eric a secret. R.J. said Eric didn't want to be seen as weak or to be pitied. Brooke said they'd support and love Eric as much as they could.
Later, Luna was in the office alone. R.J. entered, saying he'd been looking for her. She told him that Ridge had sent her to find Eric's old things for the CEO's office. R.J. stated that Ridge was putting things back the way the office had once been. Luna believed that R.J. had done the right thing by his grandfather and parents, and Luna congratulated him and Eric on their win.
R.J. confided that Eric hadn't actually won. R.J. said that Ridge had given the win to Eric after learning about Eric's condition. Luna claimed it was the greatest thing anyone could do for someone, and she said R.J. should be proud of the designs he'd made with Eric. R.J. replied that Luna had been his inspiration. She shared that it had been the most exciting experience of her life, but she wondered if she should say that in light of Eric's problem. R.J. said Eric would want them to savor every moment, and they kissed.
In the showroom, Donna told the coughing Eric that he'd done what he'd needed to do, and it was time to call the doctor. Eric didn't want to do that. He wanted to savor every moment of his victory over Ridge. Eric acknowledged Ridge's talent and didn't take the win lightly, but it was time for Eric to retake his office and reclaim Forrester Creations.
Eric stated that he was no longer something out of date or something to be discarded. Donna replied that he never had been. "Damn near," he remarked, adding that it was too easy to throw things away -- out-of-date things and things that no longer worked. Eric said it was like the old stapler that hadn't meant anything to Ridge, "like me. Well, no more. That's finished. I am Forrester Creations." Donna agreed, and they hugged.
Later, Donna was with her sisters. Donna was beaming about how well the day had gone for Eric, who'd gone off to reclaim his office. Brooke and Katie exchanged glances.
Back in Eric's office, Ridge was setting out the last of Eric's crystal awards. Eric arrived, wondering if he could reclaim his office yet. Ridge said he'd just put it back the way Eric had had it, and Eric had won the challenge fair and square. "Fair and square," Eric repeated.
Eric chuckled, studying his old awards. He picked up a picture of himself with a young Ridge. "Look at these memories. It's been a long run," Eric said. Ridge replied that it wasn't over. Eric asked if Ridge was okay. Ridge claimed he didn't like losing, but at least it had been to the best. Eric admitted that he would have said the same thing.
Eric thanked Ridge for the office decor. Ridge thanked Eric for making Ridge into what he was. Ridge said he'd never forget it. Eric stated that Ridge didn't know what those four walls meant to him. When Eric and Stephanie had first bought the building and set up shop, it had been monumental. They'd set out to set the fashion industry on fire, and they'd done it.
Eric asserted that they'd dreamed behind that desk, dreamed of all they'd wanted to create, and he'd been hungry. The desk was about more than his memories; it was about dreaming and the future. Ridge replied that one couldn't have a future without the past, and he recalled being a boy watching his father. Ridge had wanted to be a designer before he'd known what it was. Ridge said Eric had given it to him, and it would always be with him.
Eric said Ridge had had it all that time, as Eric had. Eric believed that Ridge's legacy would transcend Eric's, and Ridge would be greater than Eric. Ridge said it was impossible. Eric replied that it wasn't impossible; it would happen, just not yet.
Ridge asked Eric to have a seat and enjoy his desk. Ridge stated that he loved his father "so much." Eric replied that he knew it, and he loved Ridge, too. Ridge asked Eric to look in the desk drawer. Eric complied and found the stapler. Ridge explained that Luna had found it along with everything else. Ridge said he was sorry and hadn't realized. Eric stood up and hugged Ridge.
At Eric's house, Ridge put Donna on the spot for not telling him that his father was dying. Upset, Donna said she'd wanted to tell him and Brooke, but Eric hadn't wanted them to pity him. Ridge said it wasn't about pity; it was about finding answers to save his father.
Donna claimed they'd had appointment after appointment and test after test, but it hadn't been until Eric had coughed up blood that the doctor had come up with a diagnosis. Ridge raged that giving Eric six months to live was not a diagnosis, and it wasn't good enough. He asked who the doctor was. Ridge wanted to discuss medication and treatment, not a death sentence.
Later, Ridge, Donna, and Brooke were in Dr. Colby's office, awaiting the doctor's arrival. Bridge wondered who this doctor was, anyway, and Donna said Dr. Colby was one of the best in his field. Ridge said they needed the best, not just one of the best. Dr. Colby arrived, saying he was still working on that top spot.
Dr. Colby assumed that Ridge was Eric's son, and Dr. Colby assured Ridge that he was prioritizing Eric's care. Ridge asked how a man as vital as Eric was suddenly on his deathbed.
Later, the doctor explained that the hemoptysis and Eric's elevated levels helped the doctor to see things more clearly. Tossing the reports onto the doctor's desk, Ridge said he didn't understand what any of those numbers meant. Ridge only knew that he needed to save his father, whatever that took. He urged the doctor to do clinical trials, use experimental medication, and consult other doctors.
Dr. Colby tried to assure Ridge that Dr. Colby had done everything possible and consulted with experts, and all the doctor's peers agreed about Eric. Dr. Colby wished he had better news. He advised Ridge not to waste the time that he had left with Eric, who'd need Ridge in the last days.
In the CEO's office, Eric delighted in spending time around his mementos. His hand trembled, and he coughed into a handkerchief. To his dismay, he saw blood on the cloth.
Later, Eric chuckled on the phone with someone who said he'd had a banner day. Eric ended the call when R.J. arrived. Excitedly, Eric hugged R.J. and explained that they'd done it; they'd beaten Ridge. Eric stated that Ridge had given it the old college try, but they had won.
R.J. flashed back to Ridge deciding to give the victory to Eric after learning about Eric's illness. Eric commended Ridge on how gracefully he'd handled the defeat. R.J. replied that Ridge loved Eric and would do anything for Eric.
Eric acknowledged that the challenge had put a strain on the budget and other departments; however, he was happy that Ridge had gone along with it and even happier at the outcome. R.J. said Ridge respected Eric and would do anything for him.
Brooke and Ridge arrived, and Ridge said he'd forgotten to knock on the door. Eric replied that he wasn't naïve and knew that he'd have to share the office from time to time; however, he wanted everyone to remember whose name was on the door, and he never wanted anyone sitting in his chair ever again. Ridge agreed that Eric should be the only one in the chair, and Eric asserted that he wasn't going anywhere.
Eric remarked that he had really needed to win the competition. It had been as if his life had depended on it. He was unable to articulate how it felt to be back at the helm of Forrester and behind that desk. He was excited that Luna had found the stapler and said she needed to be made co-co-CEO.
Eric admitted that it might seem silly, but the stapler had meant a lot to him. It had been with him from the beginning, but it had been lost, gone, and forgotten. It had been dead "like me." Brooke said Eric would never be lost or forgotten. Agreeing, Ridge said the family and company needed Eric, and Ridge needed his dad.
At the cliff house, Steffy and Finn discussed Steffy punching Sheila. Steffy hoped Sheila had gotten the message. Finn replied that a punch in the face had been a message received.
The kids ran out of their room with Bodie, roaring like monsters wanting to eat their parents. Steffy thanked him for babysitting, and after Bodie left, Finn pretended to want to eat the kids.
Over dinner later, Kelly said Finn had gotten all her favorites. He said it wasn't hard because she liked everything her mother liked, and Steffy called Kelly her mini-me. Kelly remarked that Liam had said hello, and Steffy wondered when Kelly had spoken to him. Kelly said it had been earlier. She couldn't wait to see her dad, and she said it was great to be home. Steffy agreed.
Finn sent the kids to get ready for bed. He told Steffy that she had no idea how much he had missed "this." He thanked her for returning home.
After the kids had gone to bed, Finn told Steffy that he was sorry, and she'd never hear him call Sheila "Mom" again. He said he'd do everything he could to protect her and the kids, even though he knew Steffy could protect herself and had seen it firsthand with the punch.
Steffy acknowledged that Sheila was a risk, but she refused to let Sheila get between them or to keep her away from her family. She said there was no mistaking how much she'd missed Finn.
Finn said he never wanted to be away from Steffy again, and there was a reason he'd married her. He said she was an incredible woman who'd confronted Sheila with "this." Finn kissed Steffy's fist. Steffy didn't want to talk about Sheila anymore. She just wanted to be with Finn. The two began making love.
At Il Giardino, Bill met Liam and asked what had Liam all tense. Liam replied that Steffy was home. Liam had found out by talking to Kelly. Bill stated that the woman Liam loved was back in town, but the question was what Liam would do about it.
Bill wished that Liam could be excited about Steffy and the kids' return. Liam claimed he was excited, but Sheila complicated things. Liam had missed Steffy and Kelly terribly, but he wasn't comfortable with them living with Sheila's son.
Liam said that he hadn't had a problem with Finn until Finn had started calling Sheila his mom and having a soft spot for her. He said that Finn hadn't even told Steffy about Sheila and Deacon, so Liam had done it. Bill replied that it was because Liam loved Steffy. Bill said they all knew Liam loved Steffy, and Liam needed to never forget that.
Bill joked that Deacon had spent more time in prison making pizzas and license plates, and it had paid off for him. Liam said Deacon's decision-making left much to be desired, and his relationship with Sheila meant that she wasn't going anywhere. Liam was worried that Sheila would focus on Hayes and Finn. That put them and Steffy and Kelly in danger, and Liam didn't want Sheila to hurt any of them.
Liam refused to let Sheila do it. Bill was proud to see Liam's protective genes at work. Although Liam said he was done hiding his feelings for Steffy, he also didn't want to cause her any grief. Liam was adamant, however, that he was her family, too, and he could provide her with a better and safer life than Finn could.
At the beach house, Ridge embraced Steffy and welcomed her home. Ridge had a host of questions for his daughter, but rather than answer all of them individually, she answered with a blanket statement. "It feels good being back home with the kids and Finn," she said with a smile. Steffy wanted to know more about the fashion challenge and how Ridge felt about Eric winning.
Ridge's face fell, prompting Steffy to comment that he was "really bummed" about losing. Steffy and Ridge sat down on the sofa so that Ridge could explain how the showdown had come to be. Steffy regretted that she'd missed the show and seeing R.J.'s first showing. "You know they're never gonna let you live it down," Steffy chuckled.
Ridge recalled Carter telling him that he'd won the contest. Ridge also recalled lying to Eric about who had won the fashion show. Ridge told Steffy that she had a lot to catch up on, but he promised to tell her everything when the time was right.
Ridge felt the need to address the nine-toed elephant in the room: Sheila Carter. He asked Steffy if it was wise for her to be back in Los Angeles with Sheila "on the loose." Steffy proudly shared that she had confronted Sheila and told Sheila to "go to Genoa City or anywhere else in the world." Ridge wondered what Sheila had said in response. "Before or after I punched her in the face?" Steffy asked with a smile.
Ridge was unable to hide a smile of his own as he asked Steffy what would happen if Sheila opted to retaliate. "Then I keep fighting," Steffy said. Steffy proclaimed that she needed to continue living her life. Ridge admitted that he had forgotten that Steffy had always been "the tough one." Still, Ridge urged his daughter to remain vigilant because Sheila had "a screw loose."
At Forrester Creations, Brooke retrieved some file folders from the CEO office. As she looked at family photos, Taylor unexpectedly entered the office. Taylor's face frowned up upon seeing Brooke. Taylor forced a smile and said hello to Brooke. "Ridge told me you were back," Brooke replied.
Brooke asked Taylor about her time in Europe. Taylor glossed over many of the details but said that the time away had done Steffy good. Brooke told Taylor that Ridge was visiting Steffy. Taylor stated that she was actually looking for Thomas and assumed that she would find him with Hope.
Taylor and Brooke both appeared uncomfortable with the idea of talking about the children spending more and more time together. Brooke claimed that she was trying to stay out of the situation. "Oh, really? That's a first!" Taylor quipped. Things remained calm until Brooke started a sentence with, "Of all the men..." Taylor snapped that Hope had thrown herself at Thomas. Brooke disagreed.
Taylor reminded Brooke that Thomas had been minding his own business and "working on some very deep emotional challenges" when Hope had unexpectedly planted a kiss on him in Rome. Brooke quickly pointed out that one of the challenges Taylor had described was that Thomas had been "completely obsessed" with Hope.
After Taylor finished a brief phone call from a client, Brooke asked if Taylor planned to stay in town. Taylor said that she had yet to decide. Brooke and Taylor again started to bicker over which one of their children was being taken advantage of, but that came to abrupt end when Ridge strolled into the office. Ridge gave Taylor a hug and welcomed her back to Los Angeles.
Ridge shared that while he was happy that Steffy was home, he was concerned about the threat that Sheila posed. Taylor tried to convince Ridge that he didn't need to worry. While Steffy wasn't an area of concern for Taylor, Taylor expressed her worries that Thomas and Hope's involvement could result in Thomas suffering a setback.
In the design suite, Hope and Thomas read some online reviews of the fashion challenge. In one that Hope read aloud, Eric's collection was dubbed "a tour de force." Thomas shared one that he'd found one that called Ridge's collection a "delicious feast for the eyes." Thomas called it "crazy" and "weird" that Eric had won the contest.
Thomas didn't want to dwell on the competition. Instead, he turned his attention to Hope and her new haircut. "You are extraordinary and intoxicating," Thomas said, his arms wrapped around Hope's waist. Within seconds, Thomas and Hope were kissing passionately. Hope helped Thomas take off his shirt as Thomas laid Hope down on the desk.
The door to the office opened, and a shocked Steffy tried to avert her eyes as she gasped, "Whoa!" Thomas and Hope stood upright, but both knew that they had been caught red-handed. "What the hell are you doing? This is insane!" Steffy snarled. Steffy reminded Thomas and Hope that Forrester was a place of business, and the office was a shared workspace. Hope rolled her eyes and remarked that they'd heard all of Steffy's complaints before from other people.
Thomas was called away to handle a delivery issue. Steffy urged him to run along because she wanted a few minutes alone with Hope. "Just don't kill each other," Thomas said as he walked out of the office. Steffy demanded to know what Hope was thinking. She worried that Hope's relationship with Thomas could jeopardize the Hope for the Future line.
"I'm following my heart," Hope said. Steffy asked if Hope was in love with Thomas. "I know that we love... what we're doing right now," Hope responded. Hope defiantly stated that neither Steffy, Taylor, nor Brooke could stop it.
In the design office, Steffy noted Hope's new attitude. Steffy was upset by how Hope and Thomas had been carrying on at work. Hope claimed it wasn't the first time someone had done that in the office, and she and Thomas were just having a good time. Murmuring that she already had to deal with Sheila, Steffy said she wasn't backing down from Sheila, and she wouldn't let Hope undermine her brother.
Hope claimed she wouldn't do that, and Thomas would say the same. Steffy stated that Hope really had changed. Hope asked if it was because she was living her life for herself, prioritizing her own needs, and not doing as expected. She claimed to be in control. She said she'd been in love with Liam, they'd both made mistakes, and it had crashed and burned. She said she was with Thomas.
Steffy concluded that Hope was using Thomas. Hope said they were having fun. "Like a game?" Steffy asked. Hope replied that she wasn't toying with him, and they were on the same page about their situation. She stated that sometimes, it was like Thomas could read her mind. It had been that way since he'd started working for her. "He works with you, Hope," Steffy corrected.
Hope asserted that Thomas worked on her line at her direction as her lead designer. She repeated that he was there for her, but Steffy concluded that Hope was abusing Thomas' feelings for her. Hope figured Steffy would twist it into her own narrative, but Hope and Thomas were transparent with each other. Thomas knew all of her.
Steffy told Hope that Thomas was falling for her, but Hope was treating him like "some kind of sex toy." In Steffy's view, Hope was reveling in Thomas being caught up in her. "The same way my husband was caught up in you?" Hope asked. Nodding, Steffy replied, "There it is." Steffy wondered if the fling with Thomas was payback against Steffy because of Liam.
Hope replied that Steffy wasn't the center of the universe, and it wasn't about her. Hope claimed that she and Thomas shared something special, raw, and passionate. They lit a fire in each other, and it wasn't hurting anyone. Hope figured that Steffy had said her piece, and Hope didn't want to hear another word from Steffy about it. Hope didn't want Steffy's judgment and said, "I am no longer that victim hanging in a gondola, watching you steal my life away from me." Hope said Thomas was helping her figure out who she was, and she liked it. She liked it a lot.
Steffy didn't believe that Hope was over Liam or the marriage. Hope replied that she'd never said that, and watching her marriage fall apart was excruciating; however, Liam couldn't afford her an ounce of forgiveness after all she'd given him. Hope stated that Liam didn't feel the relationship was worth saving, and if he felt that way, she was done begging.
Hope said she'd learned that nothing was perfect, and it had been a hard lesson. Steffy replied that Hope hadn't learned anything if she couldn't see what she was doing to Thomas. Hope stated that Thomas kept her present, and they were living in the moment. Steffy asked if Hope was becoming her mother. Hope said that in the past, she had been terrified of that, but not so much anymore.
Hope wanted to get back to work, but Steffy changed the subject to Deacon. Hope stated that Deacon and Sheila were something they could agree on, but her talk with Deacon hadn't done any good. Deacon's feelings for Sheila had Hope worried. Steffy said that if Sheila tried to harm Steffy's family, Sheila would pay.
Hope quipped that Deacon would protect them all from Sheila. Steffy said Sheila thought she could get the love she needed from him, but Steffy would always see Sheila as a murderous psychopath obsessed with Steffy's family.
In the CEO's office, Taylor believed that Thomas had gone too far to be set back by an entanglement with Hope. Brooke said she knew it had been trouble the moment Thomas had started working with Hope again.
Thomas entered as Brooke was talking. Greeting Thomas, Taylor said she was sorry he'd had to hear it. Thomas wasn't worried about it. He said he was savoring every moment with Hope. Taylor wished she could support him, but "it's not reciprocal. Being with Hope is a mistake."
Thomas acknowledged that everyone had their opinions, even Steffy, who was talking to Hope at that moment. Brooke was upset about Steffy giving Hope grief, but Taylor said Steffy was protecting her brother. Brooke said that Steffy needed to be protecting her children. Fed up, Ridge asked the women to let the grownups handle their relationship. He said there were bigger things to worry about -- like Sheila.
The topic turned to Deacon and what he could be thinking to be with Sheila, alienate his daughter, and give Sheila a job. Taylor was surprised Sheila had a job. Ridge impatiently said they needed to worry about keeping Sheila away. Everyone agreed. Taylor hugged Thomas and left, saying there was something she needed to do.
Later, Ridge and Brooke were alone, and Brooke apologized for Ridge having to mediate with his family when there were bigger concerns. Ridge said his father was dying, but he couldn't say anything and had to pretend they had all the time in the world. Ridge hadn't told his kids. Brooke said she hadn't told hers, either, and they needed to know.
Ridge claimed they didn't need to know. He decided that they'd respect what Eric wanted for once. They'd wait and see how long Eric could make it into the office. Brooke let Ridge know that he wasn't alone, and she was there for him.
Brooke hated what Ridge was going through amid his concern for his daughter. Ridge said that they were supposed to lose their parents; Stephanie was gone, and so was Beth. It was a part of life, and they had to accept it. Ridge said his father had made him into everything that he was. Eric was everything to Ridge, and Ridge wasn't ready.
Brooke knew it and was sorry. She told Ridge that he could lean on her and find strength in her. She said she'd help him through the time with his father. She said they'd do it the way they always did -- with each other, and they hugged.
At Deacon's place, Deacon arrived as Sheila was setting out a photo of Hope on a table. Deacon looked around his newly decorated space with surprise. Sheila stated that she'd thought it had needed a woman's touch. Gesturing to herself, she asked if he approved of her uniform. Deacon liked it, even though it wasn't a nurse's uniform, and said there wasn't a speck of food on it. Sheila replied that Li was lucky that Sheila had been on her best behavior.
Deacon admitted he'd admired Sheila's restraint when Li had shoved Sheila's face in pasta and walked off. Sheila replied that she'd chosen to respect her sexy boss, to whom she happened to be secretly engaged. Deacon figured it wouldn't be a secret forever, but if Hope found out about it, it could be the thing that tore him and Hope apart.
Sheila asked if Deacon was getting cold feet. "Not a chance," he replied. She warned that it would get worse, but he said he wasn't the one getting punched and pasta-dunked. Sheila didn't want to joke, and she stated that Hope could cut Deacon out of her life because of Sheila. Deacon preferred to believe that Hope was forgiving and would come around.
Someone knocked on the door. When Deacon opened it, Taylor strode in and asked if Deacon was out of his mind. Deacon remarked that Hope had said Taylor had been away. Taylor snidely decided to tell them why she'd been gone and said it had been because Steffy had had to take her family away from their home and the people they loved because of Sheila.
Sheila wished Steffy hadn't done that and said none of them needed to feel threatened. Claiming Taylor was a psychiatrist and knew Sheila's history, Sheila said her heart had been empty; she'd always been looking for security and love, and she'd found it. She said she and Deacon weren't perfect, but they were good for each other.
Deacon stated that he believed people could change, and he and Taylor's clients were examples. Taylor laughed. He insisted that Sheila would not be a threat to Taylor's family. He claimed that Sheila was a different person with him. Sheila reminded Taylor that they'd once had a nice relationship, and Taylor had invited Sheila over for Christmas Eve. Sheila said Taylor had saved Sheila and had bonded with her.
Taylor quipped that Sheila leaving Taylor's daughter for dead had broken that bond. She warned Deacon to be careful, citing that she'd believed in Sheila once, too. Taylor claimed to know who Sheila was at her core and said Sheila was unhealed at a fundamental level of the human condition and refused to see it or get help. To Taylor, it didn't merit redemption, only justice. Taylor believed a day of reckoning would come, and Sheila would pay.
In Finn's office, Li visited her son. She advised him to keep his resolve about Sheila, especially with Liam circling. Li warned that Finn would lose Steffy for good if he gave any opening to Sheila. Finn replied that he was being careful and wouldn't lose Steffy because of Sheila.
To Li's chagrin, Finn changed the subject to Luna and asked why Li was taking Poppy's mistakes out on Luna. Claiming not to be doing that, Li stated that it was odd that Luna had wound up at a company with Finn's in-laws, and Li didn't want him to go through what she had. Li claimed to be protecting Finn and the life he'd built. Finn didn't know why they'd want to prevent Luna from being a part of it. Li refused to let her sister play her for a fool again.
At Forrester, Luna was sorting fabrics on the floor when she heard her mom ask if it was Luna's place of employment or her bedroom. Excited to see her mother, Luna hugged Poppy and asked what she was doing there. Poppy said she was there to check on her daughter.
Poppy revealed that Li had been text-messaging her, demanding that Luna quit. Li thought Forrester was her turf and didn't want Luna and Poppy messing things up for Li and Finn. Luna replied that she was having the best time, and it wasn't hurting anyone. Luna was sure it would be fine. "We're talking about your Aunt Li here. Everything may not be fine at all," Poppy responded. Luna refused to cower to Aunt Li and advised Poppy to stand up to her big sister.
Luna had to get back to work and asked when she'd see her mother again. Poppy wasn't sure how long she'd stay in town but promised to see Luna again soon. They hugged, and Poppy said she loved Luna and wanted Luna to be happy.
After Luna walked out, Poppy received a message on her phone. As she checked it, Li marched into the office, asking what Penelope was doing there. "For the zillionth time, will you please stop calling me that?" Poppy asked. Li insisted that Poppy was Penelope, as their mother and father had named Poppy. Li asked again why Poppy was there.
Poppy said she was there to visit her daughter. Poppy was proud of Luna. Li cut Poppy off, saying Poppy knew how Li felt about Luna being there. Li didn't want them messing things up for Finn. Poppy asked what she could possibly do while visiting and said Luna wouldn't mess things up for Finn. Poppy explained that Luna had gotten her internship through hard work, everything Li had nagged Poppy about. Poppy said Li should be proud.
Li hinted that Luna being at Steffy's company was suspicious. Li claimed she had tried to be good to Poppy and had gotten her the gift shop job. "How did you repay me?" Li asked. Poppy replied that Li had had nothing to do with it, but Li said she'd suffered and paid for Poppy's affair with a married man. Poppy asked how many ways she had to apologize. Li ordered Poppy and Luna to get out of there that very day.
At Spencer, Liam was surprised to hear from Ridge that Steffy had punched Sheila. "Damn, girl," Liam uttered, saying that even confronting Sheila had been risky. Ridge said he would have stopped her if he'd known. Liam resented the fact that Sheila was permanently in Steffy's life because of Finn.
Liam didn't know why Steffy would go near Sheila. Ridge said it had been to set some ground rules. Ridge and Liam were happy that Steffy and the kids were back. Liam added that things were off, and the world wasn't as good when Steffy wasn't there. It made him realize how much he needed her in his life.
Ridge let Liam know that he wasn't the only one who'd missed Steffy when she'd been gone. Liam thought Ridge meant himself, but Ridge said it wasn't him. Liam admitted that a small part of him felt bad for Finn because he hadn't picked Sheila, but it was what it was. In Liam's view, Sheila thought Steffy was an obstacle. Ridge asked what they could do. "We have to convince Steffy to leave Finn," Liam responded.
Liam asserted that it was undeniable that Steffy and the kids were in danger as long as she was with Finn. Ridge said that was why Steffy had gone to see Sheila. Liam stated that Sheila would not listen to Steffy, and the more Steffy resisted Sheila's will, the more Steffy became the enemy. The only way out for Steffy was to leave Finn for good.
Ridge wondered if Liam thought he or anyone could ever tell Steffy how to live her life, who to love, or how to protect her family. Liam figured Ridge was the closest person, and he had a right to his opinion. Ridge shared that his opinion was that Steffy would make her own decision. Agreeing, Liam said he hoped Steffy would decide that it didn't have to be that way, and she would decide to leave Finn and go back to Liam.
At the cliff house, Steffy and Taylor had breakfast, and Steffy thanked Taylor for jetting off to Europe with her daughter. Taylor joked that there were worse sacrifices. Taylor said Ridge was happy to have Steffy back but was worried about how safe it could be with Sheila running around. Steffy noted that Taylor had asked a hundred times if it was wise to leave Europe. Taylor joked that it had been only 97.
Steffy said it had been great to see the look on Finn's face when she'd returned. Steffy had missed Finn a lot. Sure that Liam had begun expressing his feelings for Steffy, Taylor asked for some real talk on where Steffy's marriage stood. Steffy didn't want to get into too much detail, but she grinned, saying it had been a very romantic homecoming. There was no doubt about Finn's commitment to their marriage.
Taylor said she thought the world of Finn, but since Sheila might never pay for her crimes, Taylor asked how Steffy felt knowing that being with Finn meant living with the threat of Sheila. Steffy believed she knew the threat of Sheila better than anyone and admitted that she could still see the barrel of the gun pointing down at her and the sound of it firing.
Steffy said she would never forgive Sheila or forget it, but Steffy also couldn't live in fear. Steffy figured that if she stayed with Finn, she had to know that Sheila was always lurking in the shadows but would never be let back in. Steffy felt she could live with that. Taylor said she'd been scared when it had seemed that Finn had been letting Sheila in; however, Taylor believed in Finn and Steffy's love and knew that Finn was devoted to Steffy and only Steffy.
Later, Steffy was alone in the kitchen and panicked when someone knocked on the door. She was relieved to see that it was only Liam. Liam said he'd known that seeing her would be the best part of his day. Steffy grinned.
Liam had brought one of Kelly's favorite toys she'd left after spending the night with him. Liam said even though he'd talked to Kelly daily, being in person was a lot better. He added that he was also there because he was worried about Steffy. Steffy said it wasn't necessary, and she'd already put Sheila in her place. Liam indicated that Ridge had told him. He called Steffy a "badass" but said that even he wouldn't go near Sheila.
Liam told Steffy that she wasn't safe with Finn, the Sheila magnet, and never would be. Liam reasoned that she'd left Finn once and could do it again. Liam said she should consider going back to safety. He felt that they'd been good together and had had fun. He asked Steffy to consider going back to safety, to sanity -- to him.
