[soft music plays]
♪ ♪
There it is.
-Hello! -Hey.
I hate to interrupt, but...
the design that you left at home--
Perfect. Perfect. Let me see.
-Oh, great! -[giggles]
Yeah, this one. Here we are.
All right.
Well, it's not a complete collection,
but, uh, it's enough to show to Ridge and Brooke right now.
He says he's, uh, too busy, but when he sees this,
he's gonna change his tune.
They all will.
-Eric Forrester is back! -[chuckles]
[stirring music plays]
♪ ♪
Okay, well, let's place those right there.
I think that is great.
And the last thing that we need
is the ice bucket and champagne.
-Got it right here. -Oh!
Perfect.
Well, I think that's it.
-Thank you for your help, Tara. -Of course.
Thank you for your help. Thanks for setting all this up.
Oh, yes. Well, only the best for Eric.
It's really coming along, right?
Yeah, it is. Big day.
Long-awaited retirement party.
I'm not gonna lie.
I really do enjoy it when my hot husband comes to my office.
-Yeah? -Mm-hmm.
Should I stop by more often?
Oh, I don't know about that. You're a little distracting.
-Fair enough. -Babe!
So, um...
everything all set for Eric's party?
Um, yeah.
I think so.
Hey, what's going on?
-You all right? -No, I just--
I just want this retirement party
to go the way my father hopes, but...
I am a bit concerned
how my grandfather is gonna take all of this.
-[chuckles] -Well...
♪ ♪
It feels like Granddad's last show was ages ago.
And that's why Ridge keeps insisting
that Eric's official retirement is long overdue.
Yeah, no, I-I get it.
But we need to build him up the way he's built this company,
return the love, sweat, and tears he put into it.
Look, I agree with Dad.
Granddad has worked way too hard for so long.
He needs to prioritize his health.
He needs to just live a nice, calm life.
He's earned it.
And you're worried that Eric won't see it that way.
Well...
Everything okay?
Yeah. No, I was just thinking about the last time
my dad approached me about doing a collection.
You mean his line for your showdown?
That's how it was in the beginning.
He wanted to do something together for his legacy.
Those were his words.
Yeah. I remember.
It was his "grand finale." It was a huge success.
Almost killed him.
I know you're worried about him.
So am I.
Well, that's why we gotta do this right now.
Before this company puts him in the ground.
You see that? The clean, clean lines,
the classic silhouette-- it's beautiful, right?
It makes it easily recognizable as an Eric Forrester original.
Well, yes, yeah, but it's-- I've--I've changed fabrics.
They're smoother now. It's--it's younger.
I like it. It has--it has more energy.
And they've never seen anything like this from me.
They're incredible. They're inspired.
In fact, I wanna be wearing this one right now.
Ooh. Ooh, I'd like to see that.
It would blow everybody away.
Uh, you have been working so hard, and...
wow, the living room's turned into a design studio again,
and half the dining room table's...
-Well, everything-- -...got fabrics everywhere.
Everything's gonna be back to normal soon, I promise.
No, no. That's not what I'm saying.
My goodness, I love seeing you back in your element,
you know, designing endlessly and...
I'm just concerned.
Don--don't--don't.
Don't do that.
You're starting to sound like everybody else,
worried about my health--don't.
You sound like Ridge.
[dramatic music plays]
FINN: No, your concern for Eric makes sense.
This is fragile.
But you're not coming from a mean or greedy place.
You're coming from a place of love.
You wanna reduce your grandfather's stress
and have him... have a healthy future.
And Steffy, retirement...
helps with that, even if he doesn't see it.
Yeah, but it could be hard for him.
I think it might be difficult for him to let it go,
because it's been his identity.
I mean, look... yeah, he had his last show,
we showed it to the entire world.
Shouldn't he go out on top? Pass the baton...
so he can just chill out and relax and enjoy life?
You know what? I feel like... Eric'll understand.
He--he may even be more open to stepping down
than you think, especially if Ridge and everyone
is expressing their gratitude for what he's built.
Yeah.
Yeah. Then he can pass it on
to his son and his granddaughter.
He may not like it, but...
it's something.
But I agree with Dad.
It's time.
You are a loving son who's only looking out for his father.
It's obvious how much you care.
-It's just... -Why does it sound like
you think this is a bad idea?
I just wonder how he's gonna react to this retirement party.
Yeah, I wonder that too, but you know what?
I think he's gonna be all right eventually.
Yeah?
Not right now. It's gonna take a minute.
But this is why we're doing this.
We're celebrating his mark on the fashion world.
Okay, but the question is,
is he really ready to walk away from Forrester Creations?
Who's questioning this? This is Donna?
Is that what Donna's saying?
Well, she had some compelling points.
Okay. I have one compelling point.
I need my dad alive,
so we need to do this now.
-Okay? -[knock on door]
-Okay. -CARTER: Hey, guys.
Wanted to see if you needed any last-minute help
before the guest of honor arrives.
I told you Brooke would have it under control.
I should have never doubted you.
Oh, well, thank you.
But you know, I didn't do this all by myself.
Oh! Is that the cologne I asked for?
Oui. One-of-a-kind scent for a one-of-a-kind man.
That's...very thoughtful.
He's gonna cherish that.
-So... -Can't believe today's the day.
Eric Forrester steps down.
Your dad's been a force in my life over the years, Ridge,
and I've just been wondering how I could repay him
for all the knowledge and guidance.
Listen, we all feel the same way.
That's why we're doing this party today, right?
To celebrate the man that did all this
for his company, for everyone in it.
There's no doubt that he deserves to be celebrated
and, uh, I'd never question your love for your father...
but I do question whether Eric should have to accept this.
No, no, this work, all these drawings,
I mean, it--it--it...
it takes all my energy, it takes everything.
It overcomes me.
The last person I expected to--to criticize me for that
is you, is my wife.
I am not criticizing you, but...
As your wife, I am concerned about
what the added stress is doing to you.
Okay? You're-- you're working so hard.
One hour after dinner turns into all night, and...
I promised myself I would not let you
push yourself past the limit.
Do you know what time you finally came to bed last night?
Do you?
-It was three a.m.! -No, I know. I know.
I lost track of time.
I lose track of time every time I'm doing this!
I do, and I'm not-- it's what I wanna do.
It's what I wanna create. I don't apologize for that.
I'm not one of those people that you need to prove something to.
I already know how great you are.
You're my honey bear.
But what I do want is for you to...
To find some... some happy medium, okay?
You can get the rest that you need
knowing that these designs,
they're gonna be there for you in the morning.
Yeah, all right.
I think I can do that.
[laughs] Look at this. Look at the fruits of my labor!
You already know how fabulous I think they are.
Yeah. These are gonna be the cornerstone
of the new couture collection.
I just--I just need to get these in front of Ridge.
There is no way that he's not gonna see this vision.
Gonna take the fashion world by storm.
I'm gonna do it, and it starts today. Today.
[uplifting music plays]
I mean no disrespect, Ridge.
I come from a different part of the world,
a culture that views elders with more reverence than this.
More reverence.
You think I don't respect my dad?
Because I do. This is why we're doing this.
Ridge is only looking out for Eric's best interests.
Perhaps don't count him out just yet.
He still has a lot to offer.
No one's discarding Eric.
We're aware of the legacy he built here.
Okay, well, if you all believe this,
maybe you should be asking yourselves
shouldn't Eric be allowed to do what he wants
and decide his own future?
Oh, boy.
This feels pretty intense for a party.
I was only explaining that in many other part of the world,
we would never push an elder out.
Well, this elder is not just an elder--he's my dad.
We're doing what I think is right for him.
But I don't have to explain that to you.
Let's ask the good doctor. What do you think?
My dad almost killed himself last time he did that.
Now that he's older, should he do it again?
What are your thoughts?
Ultimately, as a doctor...
I do support this.
Getting Eric to reduce his stress levels,
get him to focus on his health and his well-being,
it's critically important.
Well, listen to that.
Thank you. If it's okay with you,
I'm gonna text my dad, tell him to come over.
Ridge keeps brushing me off, you know?
He thinks I don't, uh, I don't have it in me.
But when he sees this, he will see that, uh,
-I'm still Eric Forrester. -Of course you are.
It's a shame that Ridge has to be reminded of it again.
Yeah, yeah, I know.
He just wants me to back off.
He wants me to separate from work, you know? But...
Well, you know, I mean...
you know I always fully support you but, uh,
that actually doesn't sound too bad.
You know, finally getting back to Amsterdam in the spring
and summers in the south of France and...
Sounds pretty good.
But I'm not there yet. I'm not ready to do that yet.
I still have to work. I need...I need to design.
-You understand, right? -[phone chimes]
Ah, speaking of Ridge,
he wants to see me in the office.
My office.
Yeah, well, I can't wait to get him in here
to see these designs.
He will see that I'm still Eric Forrester.
He'll see.
You still believe in me. You believe in this, right?
You believe in me, Donna, right?
Of course I do, Eric.
I'm always Team Eric.
But this is so much more than just putting out another line,
getting another line under my belt.
This is...this is the beginning of a whole new chapter.
This is...this is proof that my career
is still going strong.
This is the beginning, today.
Today's the beginning of a new chapter--
my new chapter at Forrester Creations.
[edgy music plays]
RIDGE: You still don't see it, do you?
The work we do here, the stress of this company
is too much for someone my dad's age.
So we're trying to do the right thing.
We're trying to open a door for him to a better world,
you know, something where there's no stress,
just happy thoughts,
and as soon as he embraces that, he's gonna love it.
We almost lost my dad, and listen,
I don't know what the cultural difference is,
but in this family we love each other
and we protect each other.
Even if that means protecting him from himself.
But what if Granddad fights us on this?
Then we fight back.
This is what he needs,
and eventually, he's gonna agree with us.
CARTER: Surprise!
Okay, what's this all about?
This is all about you, Dad.
Yeah? All right, good, 'cause I wanna talk to you.
I wanna talk to you too. We all wanna talk to you.
We wanna congratulate you, this...
icon of industry.
Congratulations.
Uh, Eric, um...
We can tell you're speechless,
but like Ridge said, we're here to celebrate you
and your incredible contributions
as co-founder of this company.
BROOKE: That's right.
And now you can just enjoy yourself
and no more stress.
Enjoy your life with Donna.
Granddad, we are so happy for you.
You've had an incredible run.
A run that's over today?
Never over.
Your legacy will live on forever,
not just in this family,
but in everyone that you've taught over the years...
no one more than me.
I got to learn from the master, and now...
it's time for the master to rest.
-Oh. Oh, to rest. -[soft huff]
You mean like permanently, like six feet under?
Don't do that, Dad. That's not what I'm--
Donna was talking to me earlier about, uh,
prioritizing...
and about not burning out before I get a chance
to do everything I wanna do in this life, and--and...
the one thing I wanna do more than anything else is design,
because that's... that's all I care about,
and that's what I'm gonna be doing until the day I die.
Stephanie and I founded this company,
and we built this company from the ground up...
right to where you're all standing right now.
And you said it-- you're right, you're right.
This is my legacy.
And because it's my legacy, I get to decide.
And I decide not to do this.
I don't accept this.
I'm not doing this, Ridge.
Yes, you are, Dad.
[intense music swells]
♪ ♪
-STEFFY: Here's a look ahead. -BETH: Welcome
to the wedding of the year
of Hope Logan and Liam Spencer.
Cashing that wedding would be a...
-crazy thing to do. -You think I'm crazy?
You never listened to a word I said!
I listen to everything you say!
I will not be put out to pasture!