Eric is worried about Bridget.

Eric stops by the hospital, where Bridget is working in an office. He tells her how pleased he is that she's back to studying medicine. She says that she might have figured out that Stephanie was faking a heart attack had she not neglected her studies. He tells her not to worry about Stephanie, or her mother, or even her wedding. He tells her not to worry about Stephanie, or her mother, or even about her wedding. She says there are no worries about the wedding, since she and Nick are focused on each other. And on her mother, Eric says - which brings him to the reason he's here. He tells Bridget that he proposed to Brooke. Bridget is stunned, especially since he's still married to Stephanie. Not for long, he says. Bridget is still confused, since she thought her mom wanted Ridge. Eric explains that Brooke has given up on Ridge. Bridget asks what Brooke says. She turned him down, Eric says. Still, he thinks Brooke needs a man in her life, and he wanted to be him, for Brooke's sake - and for Bridget's. Bridget asks what she has to do with this. Because he knows what will happen to her if Brooke winds up with Nick, Eric replies.

Bridget can't believe that Eric is saying this; she thought he was past his worries about Nick. Eric thought he was, but this whole thing with Stephanie made him realize that he wasn't over Brooke - and no man ever really is, he adds, including Nick. He doesn't want to hurt Bridget, but he needs her to face that reality. The reality, she says, is that she's over competing with Brooke. But this isn't just about Brooke, Eric says. It's also about Hope, who bonded with Nick ever since Brooke and Nick were planning to wed, back when they thought RJ was Nick's child. But they never got married, Bridget reminds him. Only because her mother was still in love with Ridge, Eric points out. Bridget refuses to listen to this: she understands her father is jaded because of Stephanie's betraying, but she has faith in the fact that Nick loves her. Eric agrees that Nick loves her, but at the same time, he sees how strong the bond between Nick, Brooke and Hope is, and he doesn't think a bond that strong can be broken. And now that her mother has given up on Ridge... Bridget says that Brooke is over those feelings, but Eric wonders if Nick is. Bridget tells him to just shut up with these accusations. She thought her father is supposed to support her. Eric feels that she's making a mistake, so he wants to protect her. Bridget says she doesn't need this kind of protection. Eric reminds her of the hold her mother has on men. She won't let him poison her relationships with suspicion and doubt. Eric reaches out to comfort her, but she brushes him off, so Eric then leaves.

Hector gives Brooke some advice.

Meanwhile, Brooke asks Hector if he heard Hope say, "Ma." He says he did. Brooke is sure that's a sign that Hope will be OK. She tells Hope that she's here with Hector, who saved her. Actually, Hector says, he didn't: Nick did. Dr. Sobel arrives; Brooke tells him that Hope said, "Ma," even though she has yet to open her eyes, and she thinks that's a sign that Hope's responding. Sobel thinks they'll need an MRI to determine that, so he needs to examine Hope before sending her to Radiology. As the doctor begins his examination, Brooke asks Hector what he meant when he said Nick saved Hope. She thought Nick was the one who caused this. Hector admits that Nick should have been watching Hope more closely, but he also points out how it was Nick who pulled Hope out of the water and gave her CPR. The doctor tells them that Hope's condition looks promising; she's stable and breathing normally, and there doesn't seem to be any sign of brain damage. However, he needs that MRI to be sure, so he goes to set that up. A relieved Brooke takes Hope's hand and tells her that she's going to be OK. Hector comes over and tells Hope to hang in there. With her eyes still closed, Hope mutters Nick's name. Brooke tells Hector that she's still angry with Nick, but after what he just told her, she wonders if she was wrong to send Nick away. That's her decision, Hector tells her, but he knows that in cases of accidents like this, no one feels worse that the person who was responsible. Brooke laments that she told Nick to leave. But he didn't leave, Hector tells her; he tells her that Nick is in the chapel, praying for Hope. A tear falls from Brooke's eye.

Nick gets good news about Hope.

In the chapel, Nick admits that he's no a "praying" man, so he hopes that God is listening. He knows that God knows how sweet and perfect Hope is, a sweet little princess who lights up everyone's life. He recalls happy times spent with Hope and pleads with the Lord not to change that by taking that little girl from then. He'll do anything to bring Hope back to her mother, he cries. Brooke stands in the doorway and listen as Nick begs God not to make Hope pay for his mistake. It's not her time, he says. Brooke comes up behind him and tells him that Hope is asking for him. Stunned, Nick turns to her and asks if Hope's awake. She hasn't opened her eyes, Brooke says, but the doctor took her for tests, and they'll know soon. She asks Nick to come back to Hope's room with her, so he can be there when they bring Hope back. Nick says that he wouldn't be anywhere else.

Bridget is still trying to compose herself after her argument with her father when Hector comes in. She asks if he needs her for something. He guesses that she didn't get his message: he left one each for her, Rick and Eric to let them know what was going on. Bridget hopes that nothing's wrong with her mother. No, Hector says, it's Hope: she had an accident in the spa and had to be brought here, and she was unconscious for a while, but the good news is that Hope started responding to Brooke's voice. They'll know more after the doctor does an MRI on Hope, but he thinks this is a good sign. Bridget agrees and wants to go see them. Hector warns her that the doctor is only allowing Hope two visitors at a time. Bridget doesn't care; she's sure her mother must need her and rushes to Hope's room.

Hope opens her eyes.

When Hope is brought back to her room, Brooke tells her that Uncle Nick is here. Nick takes Brooke's place by Hope and tells the little girl that he heard she's getting better. He's glad to know that she is, since he's been praying for her. He just wants her to know how sorry he is that he let her down. He should have been watching, which is why he promises that he'll always be there, and he'll never let her down again. Just then, an excited Hope opens her eyes. Brooke sees it and points it out to Nick, who asks Hope if she's OK. Hope tells them that her hair got stuck. Yes, Nick says, his voice breaking, her hair got stuck. He bets that was scary, but he knows Hope will be OK now.