The nurse informed them that Ridge had lacerated an artery in his neck (or whatever it was..) and could bleed to death. Things had been very serious, but he would most likely survive. But taking no chances, Eric & Steph decided to donate some blood… Eric went first as Stephanie decided to call Taylor.
Eric spotted Massimo and was furious with him, thinking Massimo must have had something to do with the accident. (Well, I can´t see how this was any of Massimo´s fault. Ridge was the one swinging the sword around like an amateur Zorro wannabe. But Eric don´t know that.)
Stephanie paid an unconscious Ridge a visit and told him he had to be okay. Taylor arrived and did the famous “crying from one eye” routine. Stephanie stepped out and ran into Thorne, Eric and the doctor. Eric assured his wife they were not about to lose their son. Later, the doctor took Steph to the blood donation as Eric went to visit Ridge.
The doctor informed Stephanie about papers to fill out while they were alone. Then it all came out! As Stephanie argued that she indeed was blood group 0, the doctor concluded that Eric could not be Ridge´s father since he is not in group B or AB!! Stephanie realized Massimo was Ridges father. She was in shock (she really didn´t have a clue!). There had to be a mistake – but no… She remembered the night she and Massimo spent together before she and Eric got together. She was sure Massimo couldn´t have been the father since she had had her period in between. But apparently, you can still menstruate while pregnant! (Learn that lesson, everybody! LOL).
Meanwhile, Eric was sitting by Ridge´s side, begging him to come back to them. He didn´t want to lose his son and assured Ridge his dad was right there to look out for him. He needed Ridge cause he was a father himself now and looked at the world same way as Eric himself.
Ridge woke up shortly thereafter and told his father that he heard everything he had said. And he loved Eric too. Meanwhile, Massimo overhear Stephanie telling the doctor that Eric can´t lose his son. Massimo asked her about it and Stephanie threw him out of the hospital which had Massimo wondering what was wrong.
Stephanie went to visit Ridge and really realized he was Massimo´s son. Eric walked in and startled her. He said he had spoken to the doctor which had Stephanie worried. But obviously, the doctor had kept quiet. Eric told Stephanie bad things happens when Massimo is around and that he is the devil, even though Stephanie didn´t believe Mass was behind the accident. Stephanie didn´t want to talk about Massimo, but he thought they should if he was going to be a problem between them. She assured him they he wasn´t and that all that mattered to her was him, their children and their marriage.
Ridge survived and was soon released. Stephanie decided to keep the paternity a secret, although she ended up telling Massimo when he pressured her into it. (Not so smart, Stephanie! Massimo wants to be a father to Ridge now – can you stop him?)
Thanks to Hadassa for some of the pictures!
