Bridget is stunned when she hears what Stephanie told her mom.

In Ridge's guest room, a tearful Brooke tells Bridget that she fears she might lose Ridge. Bridget assures her mom that Ridge loves her. Brooke laments that Stephanie doesn't and might get to Ridge. She tells Bridget how awful Stephanie was when she was here earlier, dredging up her past mistakes. She explains that Stephanie wants Taylor to know that Hope is Deacon's daughter. Bridget reminds Brooke that she's forgiven her for that, so it's none of Stephanie's business. And Stephanie also wants to tell Taylor how everyone thought RJ was Nick's son, Brooke adds. But they all understand what happened in the foundry, Bridget says, especially Ridge. Brooke however isn't sure how Ridge will react if Stephanie keeps digging. She laments that she spent all this time building this wonderful family, and now she feels invisible in it. Bridget tells her not to worry about past mistakes. But Stephanie keeps bringing them up, Brooke says, while she raves about how perfect Taylor is. Bridget tells Brooke not to put herself down, but Brooke can't help but worry about what Stephanie is saying, especially after Stephanie told her to let Ridge and Taylor raise RJ! She feels like her family is slipping away, and that all the time she spent with Thomas and the twins is worthless now that Taylor is back. Bridget gives her mother a reassuring hug.

Gaby tells Stephanie how Hope wouldn't leave Ridge's side.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie and Gaby talk about Taylor's return. Gaby still thinks it's wonderful, but she was worried earlier because Hope didn't want to leave Ridge's side while they were here. She thinks about what Taylor's return means for Hope and RJ. Stephanie concedes that Ridge will always care about Hope and RJ like they're his own [um, RJ *IS* his own, Stephanie], but she also points out that Ridge and Taylor are still married. That's why she hopes Brooke will do the right thing and step aside. It's an unfortunate situation, she says, but she thinks they have to focus on the children. Bridget arrives and asks Gaby if she can have some time alone with Stephanie.

Stephanie defends her actions.

Once Gaby leaves, Bridget lets Stephanie have it for the things she said to Brooke earlier. She agrees with everyone that Taylor's return is miraculous, but she thinks the way Stephanie is threatening her mom is just wrong! Stephanie says she didn't threaten anyone; she just suggested... She didn't suggest anything, Bridget says: she can't believe Stephanie would use something so personal to her like Hope's paternity against Brooke, just to further her agenda. Stephanie says the only agenda she has is to reunite her son with his wife and their children. Has she forgotten all the good Brooke has done for Ridge's kids? Bridget asks. No, Stephanie says, she hasn't forgotten anything. It's just that Brooke's sins, at least to her, are so much more obvious than her good deeds, so she can't understand why anyone would overlook or forgive Brooke's sins. Bridget says that what happened with Brooke and Deacon, or with Nick in the foundry, is none of Stephanie's business. It is when Brooke uses anyone, including her own kids, to cement her place in this family, Stephanie argues. Bridget insists that Ridge's love for Brooke is real, but Stephanie doesn't think it can ever compare to what Ridge feels for Taylor. That's why she's going to do anything in her power to reunite Taylor with Ridge. No she won't, Bridget says: she thinks this is a decision for Ridge, her mom and Taylor to make, so she orders Stephanie to stay out of it!

Steffy and Thomas explain why Brooke can't stay.

In the twins' bedroom, Steffy and Phoebe argue about their mother's time; Phoebe wants Taylor at her dance recital the same day Steffy has a lacrosse tournament. Thomas thinks their mom should go to the recital, since there will be other rounds in the tournament. But the next round is the same day as his graduation, Steffy points out. Thomas reminds her that they'll have lots of time with their mom when they go to Hawaii. Phoebe reminds Steffy that she promised to teach Hope to surf, but Thomas and Steffy tell her that Hope might not be coming. Why not? Phoebe asks. Brooke will probably have moved out by then, Thomas points out, and she'll take Hope and RJ with her. Phoebe doesn't want them to leave. Thomas guesses that Brooke will find a place nearby so they can visit Hope and RJ all the time - and he thinks they'll need to do that, to show that they still love them. But this is as much Brooke's home as it is theirs, Phoebe says. And who will explain to little Hope and RJ that they have to leave the only home they've ever known? Thomas agrees that it's unfair, but their dad can't be married to two women, so someone has to go. And since they want their mom back home where she belongs, that someone is Brooke. Steffy reminds Phoebe that she'll have her own room once Hope leaves, but Phoebe doesn't want that if it means losing her brother and sister!

Ridge reminds his kids of all the times Brooke was there for them.

Ridge approaches the room just in time to overhear the end of the conversation and see Phoebe storm out. He steps into the room, where Thomas and Steffy explain what happened. They all care about Brooke, the kids say, but they want their family reunited. Ridge reminds them of how tough this has been on Brooke. They love Brooke, Thomas says, but they want to be with their mom. He thinks Brooke understands that. She does, Ridge says, but that didn't make it hurt any less when Thomas stuck up for Taylor the other night. He agrees that Brooke isn't their mother, but she's always been there for them. He reminds Thomas of all the help Brooke gave him with his homework and assignments, even typing his term papers for him when he was too tired. He then reminds Steffy how Brooke was there for her when she had the chicken pox, ready with lotion or oatmeal baths to stop the itching. And Brooke always remembered their birthdays and made the holidays special, he points out, and she was there for every parent-teacher conference, even if it meant missing work. She may not be their mother, he says... But she's been just like one, Thomas agrees. An ashamed Thomas and Steffy thank Ridge for reminding them of that.