Sheila and Eric were doing better in their relationship, but then Sheila´s mother Molly called. She wanted Sheila to come and stay with her while she was ill. Sheila left Los Angeles and quickly, Eric and Stephanie started growing closer again. This didn´t please Jack, who was jealous that Stephanie spent more and more time with her ex-husband.
Eric and Stephanie shared a few dinner dates and Eric asked if Stephanie wanted to spend some time with him in Italy, even though he was a married man.
This was a difficult time for the family since they had just lost Taylor in the plane accident (or so they all thought…) Eric was thankful for Stephanie since she had done incredible work for the company while the others had no inspiration to work as usual. They talk about Taylor and Stephanie manages to make Eric feel better, which strengthened their relationship. They talked some more about faith, trust, Taylor and Angela´s death. Also about the fact that they have enjoyed the last few weeks they have spent together while Sheila has been out of town. Stephanie was sure it was all about to change when Sheila returned to town. Eric didn´t believe Sheila should care, but Stephanie was sure Sheila felt threatened about it. She believed Sheila would try anything to keep them apart. Maybe even murder… But she was sure Sheila would use sex as one thing. Eric admitted she already had. And he though he should tell Sheila why Stephanie is so important to him. Sheila retuned and pumped Mike for a status report on Eric and Stephanie. Sheila grew more and more insecure in her marriage to Eric. And that in the meantime made Sheila more unattractive to Eric. As the tensions mounted in their marriage, Eric informed Sheila that they wouldn´t make love again until Sheila dropped her resentment towards Stephanie.