Ridge asks Taylor for time.

At Ridge's Bel Air mansion, Taylor tells Rick that she can't live like an outsider in her own marriage anymore. Ridge tells his "Doc" that he at least deserves credit for trying to get over Brooke. And the problem, she says, is that he's trying too hard. She hates to admit it, but she can almost see why Stephanie needed to force him to make a decision, because she feels like he can't make it on his own. Ridge asks if she's trying to force him into doing something, even though he's not sure what. Taylor says that she loves him too much to force him to do anything, but she's trying to save this marriage. She'd like to hear that he wants the same thing, but she hasn't yet, and she wonders if she ever will. Ridge says that he's sorry for making her unhappy, but he thinks he needs time to... She says that's a cop-out; he's the only man she's ever really loved, so it hurts for her to hear him ask for time while they wait this out. He asks why it's OK for her to tell him what she needs, but not the other way around. She wonders if he's ready to commit to her: he's said he is, but she doesn't think that will be true until he gives up the idea that he's still Brooke's husband. And if he can't do that, she notes, they're just spinning their wheels.

Taylor suggests solutions to Ridge.

Ridge tells Taylor to treat him like her husband and not her patient. He loves her and never stopped. so he doesn't like where this is going, with her laying down conditions he doesn't like. He may be grieving a bit for the life he had to give up, but he knows that grief can't be rushed: losing her taught him that. Taylor thanks him, but she still thinks they need help with their marriage and suggests counseling. Ridge nixes that idea, since he gets enough counseling at home. In that case, Taylor has no choice but to offer one last solution: for him to pack his things and leave. A shocked Ridge can't believe she would suggest that, even as payback. He knows it was stupid to pit her against Brooke, but there are no easy answers in situations like this. He also knows she resented competing with someone beneath her like Brooke, but is that a reason to reject him? She says that's why they need counseling, but he doesn't buy it. He thinks she just wants someone to see things her way. Taylor says that she loves him. The thing is, he's her husband and not her patient, so she can't be detached from the situation. And even if he thinks she just wants counseling for a "home court advantage," she'd like him to go, just so they can make the effort to right their marriage. He resents being treated like damaged goods when he's not damaged, and he has to wonder what will happen if he rejects what the counselor suggests.

Taylor says that she feels like she's losing him, and they need to do something about the distance in their marriage, even if it means he has to leave to get the perspective he needs to think about what she wants. In that case, he says, he'll leave tonight. He asks if she wants to tell the kids together, but she can't go through that now. Ridge reaches out to her, but she stops him and says that she'll talk to the kids later. He kisses and hugs her before leaving the library.

Bridget asks Dante if he thinks Nick will forgive her.

At the hotel, Dante sketches while Bridget gets ready to see Nick. She flashes back to Nick asking why she did this. Dante calls out and asks if she's decent; she comes out and asks if he thinks Nick will say she's decent. She's bringing Nick good news, he reminds her. Still, she can't help but wonder if Nick will forgive her once she tells him the truth about the baby. Dante says that she needed to know how Nick felt, but she thinks she went too far by telling Nick that she had an abortion. Dante reminds her that she saw something between her mother and Nick that scared the hell out of her. She senses that he doesn't believe what Catherine told them. He says he's not saying that. He knows she wants to be satisfied, but at the same time, he reminds her that her mother was Nick's first love. He thinks there are some people in the world who you can't let go of once you learn to love them. But when that happens, he advises, it is possible to just keep those feelings in your heart while you learn not to love that person..

Brooke and Nick confess their feelings.

On the Shady Marlin, Nick and Brooke are still passionately kissing. Brooke wonders why she was afraid of loving him: she sees now that it was always Nick she was looking for. Nick comments that everyone but them saw it. Because they wouldn't allow themselves to see it, Brooke says. Nick says that he loved Bridget; he was committed to her and only wanted to make her happy, and to protect her. And he hopes Brooke knows that he wanted the same thing for her. Brooke says that she felt it in her heart. The heart is fragile, Nick comments. Brooke agrees - and that's why she trusts her heart to Nick. As they keep kissing, Nick asks why this is happening now. Brooke doesn't know why, but she sees now that this is love. Nick asks if she loves him; she says she really does. He tells her that she doesn't know how it makes her feel to hear her say that; he's loved her since they met and he's not letting her go, ever. The two of them kiss again.

Brooke says that she doesn't want to spend another day without Nick, who says's he's not going anywhere. He says that he's always loved her. She tells him how much love she's held back that she can let go now, so he can be her home and her husband, loving her forever. They keep kissing as they talk about how happy they are, but they're interrupted by a call on Nick's cell from Bridget. Bridget asks if he's out in the storm; he says he's on the boat. Bridget tells him that she's with Dante, who's been helping take care of her. But right now, she needs to see Nick, so she tells him she's coming over and hangs up. Nick tells Brooke that Bridget is coming. Brooke asks what he is going to say to her. He doesn't plan to hold anything back. Brooke asks if it's a good idea for them to do this now. Nick says it's HIM and not THEM. Brooke thinks it's too soon, as Bridget is still hurting. Nick thinks he has to do this if they're ever to know any peace. Brooke has a nagging feeling and doesn't want to leave Nick, who says he feels the same way. They have the rest of their lives together, he reminds her. Brooke smiles at the way that sounds and asks if he promises; "I promise," he says before kissing her again.

Nick is stunned by what Bridget says.

Shortly after, Bridget arrives. Nick notes that she may look a little wet, but she looks better. But he doesn't, Bridget says; he reminds her that a lot has happened. She says there are no excuses, but... He stops her, as he's unwilling to listen to these little speeches that aren't true. She thought she had a reason, he states. Bridget says she lost her mind a bit, and Nick takes some responsibility for that; he loved her too much to tell her what he should have, that she wasn't wrong about her mother and him. She says she understands that, not. But what she thought was going on behind her back didn't happen, Nick tells her. She believes him. She knows she caused him pain, and nothing will ever justify that. So they start fresh, Nick says: he wants to find happiness, and he wants her to find it, too. Bridget comments on the life she's carrying. Nick tells her to forget it, as what's done is done. No, Bridget says, it isn't, as she lied to him: rubbing her stomach, she tells him that she said she had an abortion, but she really didn't. She's still carrying their child!