After telling Gaby about Taylor, Stephanie has a visitor.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie tells Gabriela about Taylor's return; she wants Gaby to know in case any reporters show up. Gaby is both thrilled and amazed that Thomas's mother is alive. She's happy for Thomas and his sisters. Stephanie thinks it's natural that Gaby, as Tom's friend, would be happy for him, but she also wonders if Gaby finds it a bit unfair after losing her own mom just recently. Gaby wonders if Stephanie feared that she'd be jealous and tells her not to worry; she's thrilled for Thomas and can't wait to see Taylor. She asks Stephanie if she can go see Thomas. Stephanie tells her to go ahead, so Gaby thanks her and bolts out the door.

As Gaby bolts out, Jackie comes in. Stephanie guesses that Jackie's here to see Eric and says he's not home. That's good, Jackie says, because it's Stephanie she came to see. She wants to talk to her privately. Stephanie wonders what they'd have to talk about. Jackie says they have one thing in common. It's not respect for Massimo, Stephanie says, since Jackie has never made her marriage a priority, so she wonders what it is. They both want what's best for their sons, Jackie points out; she knows Stephanie wants Ridge with Taylor just as she wants Nicky with Brooke, so she thinks they should be allies. Stephanie says that her family is none of Jackie's business. But the same isn't true of her family, Jackie surmises, since Stephanie has no problem passing judgement on her relationship with Massimo. Stephanie says that Massimo is an old friend. And they could be friends, too, Jackie says, since they both want their sons to be happy. Stephanie rejects the notion; Jackie says she thought Stephanie would welcome the help in getting Brooke out of Ridge's life. Stephanie only sees one problem: her stepdaughter, Bridget, is engaged to Nick, and it was their wedding that was interrupted by Taylor's return.

Jackie proposes an alliance.

But they didn't get married, Jackie says, and she thinks Taylor's return has given her son and Bridget a chance to think about their relationship. She knows Nick cares for Bridget, but it can't compare to the passion he had for Brooke. But Brooke won't betray her daughter again, Stephanie states. And that's why they have to get all these feelings out in the open, Jackie says; she's sure that if Nick and Bridget get married, they'll live to regret it! Stephanie disagrees, as she sees that Nick and Bridget are committed to each other. At the moment they are, Jackie says. But if Ridge and Taylor reunite... Then Nick can be happy, too, Stephanie finishes. Jackie points out that she and Nick don't share Stephanie's low opinion of Brooke. Stephanie thinks Nick might if Brooke became involved with him while he was engaged to her daughter. Which is why they have to end this engagement, Jackie insists! Stephanie wants no part of this; she wants Nick and Bridget to get married and be as happy as Ridge and Taylor. Even if it leaves Brooke alone? Jackie asks. That's how life works, Stephanie says: sometimes, someone has to lose.

Thomas urges Ridge to make a decision.

In Ridge's bedroom, a stunned Brooke can't believe that Thomas is asking her to leave. Thomas says he's sorry, but things have changed since his mom is back. And they need to discuss those things, Ridge says. But until they do, Thomas says, it's not right for Brooke to be here in this bedroom while his mom is downstairs. Brooke reminds him that she is Ridge's wife. And so is his mom, Thomas says. Taylor knocks at the door and comes in; she sees Thomas and asks why he's here. Ridge tells her that Thomas was thanking Brooke for being such a great mom in her absence. And then he asked her to leave, Brooke points out. Taylor asks Thomas to let them handle this; he points out that Brooke was about to go to bed with his dad. Ridge suggests they deal with this tomorrow and forget about anyone leaving tonight. Thomas says he wasn't asking Brooke to leave. But it's what he wants, Brooke says. But it isn't, Thomas says: he wants to find a way for all of them to be happy, but there's so much tension here. He doesn't think it's fair for Brooke to be here with his dad while his mom is downstairs. He knows it's not Brooke's fault, but his dad can't be married to two women at the same time.

Brooke reminds Thomas how happy they all were and asks if he's still happy now. Not with how things are, he says. Taylor tells Brooke that Thomas and the twins are grateful for everything she did for them. But she's not their mother, Brooke says. Taylor reminds Brooke how teenagers see things in black and white, but Brooke says that Thomas isn't like that; he's sensitive to others' feelings. Thomas says he's looking out for his mom. And who will look out for Hope and RJ? Brooke asks. Ridge tells Thomas that Hope and RJ are as important to him as Thomas and his sisters, so he won't play favorites. But he is by having Brooke here while his mom is downstairs, Tom says. Brooke reminds him how much has changed in his mother's absence, even though Taylor feels like nothing has changed. Taylor agrees that Hope and RJ need their father. But Brooke doesn't want Taylor out of their lives, so she suggests buying the house next door or down the street, so Taylor can be close. She's sure they can find a way to make this work without disrupting their family. She understands what having their mother means to Thomas and the twins, but she has to speak for her children, too, since they're still young. She asks Thomas how he'd feel if his dad was suddenly out of his life; she thinks he's old enough to understand. He says he understands that his father has to choose, so he asks Ridge who it's going to be. Ridge asks him to leave so he can talk to Brooke and Taylor alone.

Gaby tells Thomas that she heard his wonderful news.

Thomas comes downstairs and sees Gaby, who tells him that Phoebe let her in. He asks if his sister went back to her room. Or maybe she went to see their mom, Gaby says. He guesses that Stephanie told her. Yes, she says, and she thinks it's amazing. She gives him a hug and says that she can only imagine what it's like. It's better than he imagined, he said, since his mom hasn't changed a bit. That's because she's his mom, Gaby says. Tom asks if this is hard for her. She says it isn't; she had eighteen years with her mom that he and his sisters didn't have with their's, so she's happy they have Taylor back. At least for now, he says, explaining how his dad remarried and has a baby son and a stepdaughter. So he's moved on, Gaby says. But his mom is ready to pick up where she left off, he says, and it feels like his dad and Brooke are acting like it doesn't matter. He doesn't think it's fair for Brooke to share a bed with his dad while his mom is down here like an outsider. Gaby commends him for sticking up for his mom. But no one listens, Thomas laments. His mom did, she says; she bets Taylor is as proud of him as she is. and she gives him a hug and a kiss on the cheek... just as Caitlin comes in!

Caitlin gets the wrong idea.

Caitlin calls out Thomas's name, so he breaks away from the embrace with Gaby. Caitlin says she talked to Steffy, who said he had a surprise, so she got some popcorn and movies and came over to surprise him. She thought it was a GOOD surprise. It is, Thomas says. Gaby realizes that Caitlin doesn't know yet. Caitlin turns to leave, but Thomas tells her to wait. Gaby tells her to let Thomas explain. Thomas says he has something to tell her, since something amazing has happened. Yeah, Caitlin says, she can see that. She shoves the movies and popcorn at him and storms off! Thomas calls after her, but she doesn't respond.

Upstairs, Brooke apologizes for getting so worked up; it's just that Thomas was talking about her like she's the enemy. Ridge says that no one is the enemy, but he has to admit that Thomas had a point. Taylor says that kids aren't prepared to deal with all this ambiguity. Which is why they have to make the decisions for all their kids' sakes. Brooke points out that what's best for Thomas and the girls may not be best for RJ and Hope. Taylor thinks there has to be a solution that benefits all of them. One that doesn't include them living here together, Brooke says. She feels like the three of them are in the same place they always end up in. But this time, Taylor says, it's not about their rivalry, but about the children. Ridge wants to protect all the children, but Brooke thinks it will only get harder if they let this drag out. They can't leave the kids in limbo this way, wondering which family will remain.