Thursday, April 28, 2005, Episode #4541

Bridget tells Nick about Taylor.
At Ridge's house, Nick compliments Bridget on how she knew just what to say to reassure the twins. She reminds him that she's been in a crisis with the girls before and picks up a photo of Taylor from the mantle. Nick asks her to tell him about Taylor. Bridget recalls how Taylor could always calm their family's frequent fights. Nick looks at the photo and says she was a shrink, just what that family needs. Bridget goes on that Taylor could see both sides of the issues. She thinks that after the Big Bear mess, Taylor would have gotten Amber counseling, rather than trying to toss Amber in jail like Brooke and Ridge wanted. And she would have played mediator during last year's corporate battles at Forrester. Nick recalls how Brooke stood up to Ridge during those battles; Bridget thinks Taylor would have, too. So Taylor was like her mother? Nick asks. Actually, Bridget laughs, they were like night and day. In fact, she was always amazed at how two women, so different, could both steal one man's heart. She tells Nick how much Ridge loved Taylor; they didn't think he could ever find love like that again after she died. But he did, Nick points out, with Brooke - but Nick can't help but wonder what would have happened if Taylor hadn't died.

Brooke worries about Ridge's mental state.
Brooke comes in; Bridget asks how Ridge is. He's fine physically, Brooke replies, but he keeps insisting that Taylor is alive. Brooke asks if the police found anything; Nick says Massimo is on it, but it's like that woman at the wedding disappeared. Brooke looks worried, so Bridget tries to comfort her. Brooke sees that Bridget isn't wearing a wedding ring; Bridget and Nick explain how they thought it was best to postpone the wedding until they cleared this mess up. Brooke worries about how adamant Ridge was that Taylor was alive: he even called Taylor "his wife," a hurt Brooke reveals. Nick reminds her that Ridge was out of it. Still, it didn't feel good to hear that, she says, especially for Thomas, who's really upset about this. She hopes the twins don't know yet. They don't, Bridget explains. Brooke thinks she should go tell the twins that their father will be fine. As Brooke heads for the stairs, Bridget assures her that everything will be fine. Brooke hopes so.

Bridget worries about her mom, and about Ridge thinking Taylor is alive. Nick reminds her that the doctors said Ridge is fine, so he suggests they forget about all this for now and focus on their relationship, especially since this would have been their wedding night. He kisses her and suggests they spend the night together, but Bridget doesn't want to leave her mom here alone. However, she promises to slip over to the Marlin later once her mom is asleep. As she heads up to check on her mom, she tells Nick to get some leftovers from the kitchen. Once Bridget's gone, Nick looks at a photo of Brooke and Ridge and wonders what's up with Ridge.

Mark brings Ridge some information.
In the hospital, Ridge tells Stephanie that he knows it doesn't make sense, but he saw Taylor, and he wishes someone would believe him. Stephanie reminds him that he was hit on the head, but he says he's not confused. He knows Taylor died in his arms and they buried her, but the woman he saw was her! Stephanie knows what he thinks he saw and wonders if it has to do with the other odd things - the woman screaming, the prowler at his house, the phone call Brooke got - that have happened lately. She knows Ridge has been through a lot since his ordeal with Morgan, but she has to wonder if someone is manipulating Ridge. Ridge considers that possibility just as Mark comes in with Taylor's death certificate. Ridge looks at it and can't make out the name of doctor who signed it, so he asks Mark for help. Mark says that's the problem; he's asked around and no one recognizes that signature or name, so it would have to be a visiting resident or some other doctor who was only there that day. He promises to see if he can find out anything else, but right now he wants Ridge to rest and leaves.

Stephanie tells Ridge to accept that Taylor is dead.
Ridge starts to get suspicious: he points out how Taylor took herself off the machines before she died, so there was no alarm or flatline. And now, they have a death certificate signed by some mystery doctor. Stephanie tells him to stop: she knows how he feels, because she would give anything to have Taylor back with them, but he was there when they buried Taylor in an open casket. And now, he's upsetting his son and his wife over these accusations and hints that Taylor might be alive: can't he see how that is hurting the family? She reminds him that Mark said he needed his rest, which is why they held him here overnight for observation. Ridge doesn't want to relent, but ultimately, he gives in to his mother, who promises to help him find answers. She tells him to rest and leaves - and once she is gone, Ridge calls Nick. He tells Nick not to say anything if anyone's around and to just listen. He needs help with something important. Nick listens to Ridge's instructions and is stunned by what his brother has asked. The Marone rings on both men's fingers are showing as Ridge convinces Nick to call someone and then meet Ridge somewhere. Nick, looking concerned, hangs up and leaves, while Ridge gets dressed in clothes Thomas had brought and slips out of the hospital.

As Bridget makes Brooke some tea, Stephanie arrives. She admits she is concerned about Ridge. She tried to convince him that someone like Morgan or Amber could be trying to manipulate him, but he couldn't accept that. She then tells Brooke and Bridget about Mark bringing the death certificate and how that raised Ridge's suspicions. She's worried that Ridge won't let go unless he proves that the woman in that casket is not Taylor.

Nick and Thorne arrive at the cemetery where Taylor is buried.
And in the cemetery where Taylor is buried, Nick arrives with Thorne. As they reach Taylor's grave-site, they wonder why Ridge wanted to meet them here. Nick isn't sure, but he wonders if it has anything to do with Forrester insisting that he saw his late wife Taylor. As if on cue, Ridge appears, bringing three shovels with him. He hands Thorne a shovel and tells him that he needs to be sure.

Ridge asks his brothers to help him prove if Taylor is alive.
Thorne doesn't want to be part of this: he thinks that none of this makes sense, but he can't bring himself to needlessly desecrate Taylor's grave this way. He pleads with Ridge not to go forward, but Ridge insists that he has to know if his wife is there or not. Still, Thorne says, he can't see himself digging up a grave this way. Nick tells Thorne that they have to help Ridge: it's the only way Ridge will believe that Taylor is dead, and he fears what will happen if they leave Ridge here alone and he's caught digging up a grave. Reluctantly, Thorne takes a shovel and joins Ridge and Nick in digging up the grave.