Caroline's death was a big shock to all those who knew her.
Especially to Ridge, who was devastated.
But for Stephanie it was also a miracle. With Ridge free again anything can happen ... . And when Stephanie is involved you can bet your last dime that nothing will be left to pure chance.
When she knew that she was dying, Caroline asked Brooke to leave Eric and get back with Ridge after her death, so Ridge will be loved and happy again. Brooke of course refused even to consider the possiblity, and told Caroline that she is in love with Eric (yea right ...) and going to marry him.
Stephanie picked on Caroline's plans when in the party the night she died, Caroline got Eric to dance with her (Stephanie) and Ridge with Brooke. So, from the first minute after Caroline's funeral Stephanie started scheming how to get Brooke & Ridge together again.
Her first move was to send Brooke up to Big-Bear to comfort the grieving Ridge.
And then ran to Eric to tell him all about it. She went as far as implying to Eric that Brooke will dump him for the unmarried Ridge (too bad that I can't ask the old hag for the lotto winning numbers).
Eric rejected Stephanie's allegations but seeds of doubt were planted in his mind, and were starting to germinate. Brooke's reluctance to tell him about being in Big-Bear with Ridge didn't help much to ease his mind.
So Eric went to Brooke and asked her if she will go back to Ridge if Ridge will ask her to. Brooke admitted that Caroline's death did cause a lot of changes. But assured Eric that one thing has not changed and that's her feelings and love for him (for now anyway).
Inspite of Brooke's assurances Eric was still worried, and rightly so. Ridge's continuous visits at Brooke's place seeking support and comforting, and Stephanie's blown out of proportion accounts of those visits, didn't help to ease his mind. Therefore, in order not to lose Brooke, Eric bought a condo so he and Brooke will be able to start living together regardless of Stephanie and the divorce.
But Brooke was wavering. Ridge's visits caused her old feeilings for him to resurface.
Brooke found herself torn beteen her love to Eric and the renewed love for his son. Finally, when she couldn't take it anymore, Brooke left town.
When Brooke informed Eric that she is leaving town to think, Eric asked her if there is a possibility that when she will come back, she will end their relationship. Brooke answered that it may happen, but asked Eric to wait for her. Eric promised to wait.
Well, it looked like Stephanie's plan was working. Brooke was again in love with Ridge, and Eric was insecured about his future with her. But Stephanie forgot that you need 2 to tango, and she underestimated Ridge's love and loyality to his father. As lonely and grieving as he was, Ridge was not about to take Brooke away from Eric (the only decent thing Ratpig has ever done, and it didn't last long ...).
