Massimo is bothered by Jacqueline's accusations.

Jackie and Massimo arrive at the hospital to see Stephanie, who's being taken by Mark for her last EKG before her release. Jackie comments how well Stephanie looks; Stephanie credits that to Dr. Maclaine, who tells Mass and Jackie that they can wait while Stephanie takes her EKG. Once Mark wheels Stephanie off, Mass comments that the years of feuding with Brooke have taken their toll on Stephanie. Jackie notes how Stephanie had a heart attack just when she needed to convince Ridge to choose Taylor. Mass reminds her that Stephanie always wanted Ridge with Taylor. Jackie agrees, noting how that became Stephanie's dying wish, one that Ridge couldn't refuse. Mass says Stephanie couldn't have faked a heart attack. Jackie however thinks Stephanie could have faked it with enough money, and with the help of a young doctor saddled with med school bills who was looking to impress a major donor to the hospital. Massimo tells her to stop this nonsense right now: he thinks Jackie's the last one who should be making accusations like this given her shameful history of lying to "protect" her child. Jackie tells Massimo that others think Stephanie is faking, but he doesn't want to hear another word. Mark approaches just in time to overhear the end of the argument and see Massimo walk off.

Mark asks Jackie if she's OK.

Massimo waits in the hall for Stephanie. When the nurse wheels her back, Stephanie sees Mass and tells him that Mark is signing her release papers. Mass offers to take her home. Stephanie says that would be lovely and asks where Jackie is. Mass says that Jackie can call a car service. But they were together, Stephanie points out. Not anymore, Mass says. Stephanie asks what's wrong. Mass says that she wouldn't believe what Jackie was saying. Stephanie guesses that he heard the conspiracy theory about her heart attack. Mass can't believe Jackie is making such accusations. Stephanie says that she never understood what he saw in Jackie; Mass says that right now, he can't either. Jackie gets off the elevator and sees Massimo wheeling Stephanie back to her room. It looks like she's been crying. Mark comes over and asks if she's OK, since he couldn't help but overhear her arguing with her husband. He asks if Massimo upset her. Actually, she says, it's the other way around; it's been happening often, which she finds ironic given that she and Mass were trying to reconcile. Mark asks if that means she'll be moving out of Century View Towers. She asks how he knew she lives there; he explains that he just moved in downstairs. She's surprised, since she told the doorman to let her know when an attractive young man moved into the building.

Stephanie gets some digs in with Jackie.

Soon after, Stephanie is ready to leave. As a nurse wheels Stephanie into the lobby, Jackie walks up and asks where Massimo is. Stephanie says that he went to get the car. Jackie seems surprised and suggests that Mass can drop her off at the boutique on the way. Stephanie however doesn't think Mass is in a charitable mood after what Jackie told him about her [Stephanie's] condition. Jackie sits down and reminds Stephanie that she knows what a mother will do to protect her son. Stephanie can't believe Jackie is comparing herself to her, especially since Jackie's paternity deception nearly destroyed Nick. Jackie says that she's not the one being deceptive right now. Stephanie tells Jackie to go ahead and make all the accusations she wants to Massimo about his oldest friend: all it will do is show Mass how petty she is. She leans over and whispers to Jackie that Mass probably dislikes her as much as she does. The nurse brings over Stephanie's discharge papers and says Dr. Maclaine will be over to say goodbye. Before long, the nurse gives Stephanie a teddy bear as Mark comes over and compliments Stephanie on being such a good patient. Stephanie thanks Mark for all he's done for her family; Mark gives her a hug and Mass takes her home.

Mark then sees Jackie is still there. She says she wanted to talk to him, to invite him and his wife to dinner now that they're living in her building. When Mark says he's not married, Jackie smiles and invites him for dinner for two. Mark hesitates, but she says she really wants to get to know the man who Stephanie calls a miracle worker.

At Brooke's house, she demands an answer from Ridge: is he going to tell Taylor that choosing her was a mistake? Ridge says it wasn't supposed to be this way. Is that all he has to say? Brooke asks. Or is he going to tell her that he wants her and her kids to move back into his home, where they belong? Ridge says he can't make another impulsive decision, so he has to think about this. Brooke again asks if he's leaving Taylor; when he doesn't answer, she takes that for a "no". Ridge says he doesn't have an answer. Brooke tells him that he can't have it both ways; if he thinks he made a mistake, then he has to tell Taylor, and if he doesn't, she doesn't know why he's even bringing it up. Just then, Nick comes in with Hope, back from a fishing trip. Hope sees Daddy and shows him and Mommy the fish she caught (it's a plastic fish on a toy pole). Ridge picks Hope up and compliments her on her "catch." Nick tells Hope to take the fish to Catherine to clean. Hope asks Ridge if he'll stay for dinner; he tells her he'll have to talk to Mommy about that. Nick then takes Hope to cook her fish before it gets smelly. Once they're gone, Brooke tells Ridge to go. Ridge says he's not finished, but Brooke tells him that she's tired of this dance with him. If all he can do is push her away and pull her back, she thinks she's better off alone.

Nick gives Brooke some support.

Ridge tells Brooke he didn't want to upset her. But he did, she says. He says he's sorry, but she doesn't want apologies. He says he wants to fix this. Then leave Taylor, she says. He asks her to see what an impossible situation he's in. If he's not going to do anything about it, Brooke asks, what are they talking about? Ridge says that's not fair. Brooke reminds him how he made her wait for weeks for him to make a choice, and then he did - or rather, his mother did, and now she has to move on. So why is he here? Nick comes back in and tells Forrester to leave; Ridge says this is between him and Brooke, but Nick says that there is no more him and Brooke, unless he's willing to step up and say he's having second thoughts. Otherwise, don't come here looking for forgiveness. Ridge says this is none of Nick's business. Nick tells him to go home and leave Brooke alone, or Ridge will answer to him!

Ridge accuses Nick of taking advantage, but Brooke says he isn't. He just took Hope fishing and helped get the house ready for her. Nick's a regular "Johnny on the Spot," Ridge says, as usual. Brooke is tired of this. If he won't make up his mind, then she'll do it for him and tell him they're over. She doesn't want him coming over without calling, and she wants him to clear any time he spends with the kids with her first. This is their home, she says, not his, since he chose to be somewhere else. Brooke then opens the front door. Ridge reminds her that Hope asked him to stay for dinner. Brooke says Hope will be fine, and so will she and RJ. Ridge leaves. Brooke closes the door, and Nick gives her an approving nod and a wink. He then brings her some water. She asks if Hope's OK. He tells her that Hope's busy in the kitchen. He then tells her that she did the right thing with Ridge. She says she'll have to be strong, for herself and for the kids. She will be, Nick promises - and if she needs help, he's there, although she didn't need any today. He asks if she wants him to stick around before dinner, but she says she'll manage. Nick leaves; Brooke takes a deep breath as a tear rolls down her cheek.

Taylor wonders where Ridge is.

Thomas and the twins are having a cookout by their pool when Taylor comes out. She tells them she just came from seeing Stephanie, who's doing fine. Thomas asks if his dad was there, too, and Taylor's surprised Ridge isn't there. She tells her kids that she'll party with them in the meantime. Thomas asks if she'd like time alone with Ridge, but she says there will be time for that. Her marriage to their dad is bigger than that, since it's built on a bond of love and trust that can get them through anything. Thomas thinks Brooke felt the same way and wonders how she's doing since she moved out. The twins comment that it's weird to have a barbecue without Hope and RJ. Thomas hopes Ridge won't be upset that they're celebrating. Taylor tells them not to feel guilty, since they're not lording their happiness over Brooke or her kids. They knew the transition would be hard, so they have to be understanding.

Ridge gets a group hug from his family.

Ridge arrives. Steffy asks where his bathing suit is; Thomas agrees, since Ridge will need his suit to play "Marco Polo." Taylor asks Ridge where he's been. He says that he went to check on Brooke. Taylor guesses Brooke wasn't ready to see him. Ridge says that he hurt Brooke badly and let RJ and Hope down. He even feels like he let Taylor down, too. Thomas says it's OK. Ridge says that he's just so torn. The kids say they understand, and they're here for him. Ridge is glad to hear that and pulls them in for a group hug.