Brooke thanks Nick for making her feel better.

At Ridge's house, Brooke rubs Nick's shoulder and repeats what he just said, that he'll always be there for her. He smiles and says he likes the job. As she gets up from the sofa, he tells her not to let Stephanie get to her, but she's still bothered by Stephanie saying that she'll go after him if Ridge leaves her. She can't believe Stephanie wants her out of the family that badly, and she's hurt by the way Stephanie pretended to be supportive. To hell with Stephanie, Nick says. He thinks she should forget about winning Stephanie's approval and focus on her husband and her kids. She admits that she doesn't need Stephanie's approval, but she also thinks she can't lose Ridge. She won't, Nick assures her: he reminds her that Ridge will be home soon to make a decision, and he can't see how Ridge could not choose her. He makes a face and Brooke laughs at him. He reaches up and brushes her tears away. She says that he always knows how to make her feel better and wonders if she deserves a friend like him. He laughs that he's not sure, but he then reminds her that he'll be there if she needs him, probably on a boat. She smiles. He kisses her finger tip and places the kiss on the end of her nose and then leaves, leaving a smile on her face.

Stephanie keeps trying to drive her point home.

On the Shady Marlin, Bridget asks Stephanie where she gets off saying that Nick still loves her mom. Stephanie says that she cares about her. Bridget says Stephanie only cares about putting Ridge and Taylor together, even if takes pushing her mom and fiancee together to do it. Stephanie pleads for her to listen: she thinks she knows Brooke. Bridget tells her not to start, but Stephanie says she won't let Brooke hurt her like she did with Deacon. Bridget says she won't let Stephanie drag her and Nick into Stephanie's crusade against her mom. Stephanie says she only wants things to work out for her and Nick. Then leave them alone! Bridget argues. Nick loves her, she says, and her mom has given them her blessing. But Brooke had Ridge then, Stephanie points out. And she still does, a frustrated Bridget says. Stephanie tells Bridget that she wants her to see... Bridget cuts her off and says that Stephanie is the one who has to see! She asks when Stephanie will see how her interference drives everyone away. She knows Stephanie wants Ridge with Taylor, but that doesn't give her the right to manipulate the situation. Stephanie tells Bridget she wants to protect her, to minimize the destruction when Ridge leaves Brooke.

Bridget scolds Stephanie for her interference in their family's lives.

Ridge hasn't yet made his decision, Bridget says. She can't believe Stephanie hasn't learned not to interfere after the many times Ridge has wanted to disown her, or after Felicia and Kristen moved far away from her. Even Eric has turned on her. And whose fault is that? Stephanie asks. Bridget tells her not to blame this on her mom; Brooke may have been a catalyst, Bridget says, but she thinks Stephanie need only look in a mirror to see who is hurting their family so much. Stephanie says she doesn't mean to meddle: she just wants to protect her. From her mom? Bridget asks. Or her fiancee? She doesn't think that makes sense, especially when Stephanie was so supportive before. She asks Stephanie if Nick said something to make her doubt his commitment to her. Stephanie says she knows Nick cares about her, but she also thinks he's still in love with Brooke. She sees Brooke's hold on him, and he loves Brooke's kids like they're his own. It's friendship, Bridget says. Stephanie tells her that Taylor has seen it, too - and as a trained psychiatrist, Taylor can see behind Nick's words and actions to how he really feels. Bridget can't believe this. Stephanie says she's not telling her to give up on Nick; she just thinks she should wait for now, as she's sure Brooke will turn to Nick when Ridge walks out on her. Bridget doesn't want to hear this and orders Stephanie to leave. Stephanie pleads with her to listen, but Bridget says she has faith in Nick and her mom.

Holding Bridget, Nick tells Stephanie to shut up!

Nick comes down from above just in time to hear Stephanie warn Bridget that Brooke is weak and can't help herself. That's enough! Nick shouts at Stephanie, rushing to Bridget's side and taking her in his arms. He asks Bridget what Stephanie said. That he's in love with her mom, Bridget says, and that they shouldn't get married. Stephanie says she just urged them to wait until things settle in the family. Nick tells Stephanie that her family is ALWAYS unsettled. He reminds her what he already told her: what happens with Brooke and Ridge won't change how he feels about Bridget. Even when Brooke comes looking for comfort, Stephanie asks, which in her mind means sex? Then they'll support her, Nick says. Stephanie reminds him how Brooke's "heart" has made its way through all the men in this family. Nick says that her sons or her husband. He's promised himself to Bridget, and he keeps his promises. And right now, he tells Bridget, he's more committed to her than ever. They kiss as Stephanie looks on, defeated. She's touched by his devotion to Bridget, but she knows how Brooke has torn the lives of this family apart, and she sees it coming again unless they see Brooke for what she is. Brooke is family, Nick says, a word he doesn't even think Stephanie even understands. And unlike the rest of them, he adds, he and Bridget are happy about something, and he doesn't want her to spoil it. She says she's the worst of his problems, but he says she IS the problem. He can't help it if she's blind to her own interference, but he's sure that if she keeps it up, she'll lose everybody!

Megan offers her two cents.

Eric is in his office, fitting a dress on a model. Megan comes in to tell him that Ridge called and will be landing soon. Eric thanks her and sends the model off. Megan hopes the trip gave Ridge some perspective, as she thinks it's sad. If she means Ridge having to choose between Brooke and Taylor, Eric says, he agrees. Megan tells him that as thrilled as she is to have Taylor back, she's pulling for Brooke, given all that Brooke and Ridge have been through.

Brooke comes in and overhears; she thanks Megan and hugs her. After Megan leaves, Brooke takes out a sales report and starts to stumble through it, saying that the Ingenue line is declining while the couture line... Eric stops her and tells her that she doesn't have to pretend with him; he knows how hard it's been on her lately. She just wishes certain people would stay out of it. He asks what happened. She tells him how Stephanie told Taylor about her past with Nick and Deacon, and then she arranged for Taylor to meet Nick to take Nick, her friend, from her. Eric laments that he told Stephanie to stay out of it. But he knows Stephanie, she says. He's not so sure, since his wife has crossed the line - again! He knows Ridge is in an impossible situation, and Stephanie is marring the joy of having Taylor back by interfering. Stephanie will do anything to get Ridge back with Taylor, Brooke tells him, no matter who it hurts - including their daughter. It sickens her to tell him this, but Stephanie has dragged Bridget into this. As far as Stephanie's concerned, Brooke explains, Ridge will go back to Taylor - and when that happens, Stephanie is sure she'll run back to Nick, stealing their daughter's husband!

Eric lends an ear to an upset Brooke.

Eric asks if Stephanie has told this to Bridget. Brooke says no, but she did tell Nick, even though Nick told her she was crazy. Eric fears Stephanie will go to Bridget. Brooke says she can handle Stephanie coming after her, but there's no reason to drag Bridget into this! Eric tells her not to worry: he knows she wouldn't so what Stephanie claims. After all, they were married and had two children, and even though they had their differences at times, they ran this company together. Brooke thanks him for his support; she knows she can always count on him. And she can count on Ridge, too, he says: as much as he adores Taylor and is glad to have her back, he can't see Ridge turning his back on Brooke or their son. Brooke thanks him for saying that. He tells her that the clouds will life once Ridge gets home soon. Brooke prays that Eric is right, but she knows Taylor and Stephanie will have an effect on Ridge, so there are no guarantees. Ridge will make up his own mind, Eric says. And if Ridge does choose to leave her, Brooke says, they can be sure of one thing: she will not betray Bridget and run to Nick. She will need some support, though, if it comes to that, even though she doesn't know where to turn to.