Brooke's abscense was very difficult for Eric. And Stephanie didn't miss a chance to make it harder by taunting Eric and getting on his nerves. She even went as far as hiding a letter from Brooke while not forgetting to inform Eric that Ridge recieved one, so he will think that Brooke wrote only to Ridge. The hardest part for Eric was not knowing whether Brooke will come back to him. or to Ridge.
Then the big day of the Spring Showing came and Eric was very nervous. Brooke promised in her letter to be back for the showing. When the showing was over (successfully) and there was no sign of Brooke, Eric became frantic especially after he learned from her hotel that she left many hours ago and vanished into thin air.
But Brooke didn't vanish. She did come to the showing, managed to see part of it and meet Ridge. But she started to have labour pains and asked Ridge to take her to the hospital.
In the hospital Ridge told Brooke that there is only one choice to be made. For the sake of his dad and the baby she must stay with Eric. And Brooke made her decision to stay with Eric.
In the meantime in his office at Forrester, Eric was sick with worry till it dawned on him that Stephanie knows where Brooke is. When he confronted her "dear loving" Stephanie told him that Brooke came to Forrrester and left with Ridge. Eric was starting to go to pieces when the phone rang and there was Ridge telling him that Brooke is in labour and that he should come to the hospital to be with her. Eric rushed out leaving behind a devastated Stephanie.
Eric was very apprehensive when he entered Brooke's room, and a very happy man when he emerged after Brooke assured him that they are now a family.
He went to Stephanie and one more time pleaded with her to give him the divorce so he can marry Brooke before the baby will be born, but to no avail. Stephanie who was told by Ridge that he & Brooke decided in Eric's favor, and later was turned down by Brooke herself in her last attempt to get Brooke to give up Eric, refused and threw him out of the house. But not before Ridge called from the hospital to congratulate Eric for being the proud father of a baby boy. Eric couldn't resist telling Stephanie that he has another son who will be a Forrester.
Upon returning to the hospital, Eric was introduced by Brooke to their new son Eric Jr.
