Jackie tries to convince her son that he's making a mistake.

On the Shady Marlin, Nick is working when he stops to look at a photo of him and Bridget. Jackie comes on board; Nick asks if she's here to dig herself a deeper hole, but she says she wants to explain how she feels. She wants him to know that she has nothing against Bridget. He says they can make their own decisions. Then make an informed one, Jackie pleads, and consider his feelings for Ridge before rushing into a marriage again. She reminds him of the magic he shared with Brooke, magic she doesn't think he has with Bridget - and magic he can have again if Ridge and Taylor reunite!

Nick refuses to compare what he had with Brooke to what he has with Bridget. Because he can't, Jackie insists. She knows he and Bridget are happy, but she doesn't want to see them make a mistake. It's not a mistake, Nick states. Jackie says it would be if he married Bridget when he was still in love with Brooke. Nick reminds her that she agreed to drop this. That was before she knew Ridge was still married to Taylor, she says. But Ridge might not stay with Taylor, Nick points out. Stephanie thinks he will, Jackie tells him. Nick is angry that Stephanie is butting in, too. Jackie thinks Stephanie knows her son better than anyone. Nick tells her that she and Stephanie are both twisted in the head over this. Jackie says she just wants Brooke to have a man she can depend on. But if he marries Bridget and Ridge goes back to Taylor, then Brooke will be alone, just when she thought she could stop questioning Ridge's devotion to her! That's why she thinks Brooke needs him more than ever. She reminds him of his promise to be there for Brooke if Ridge ever hurt her again; she fears that Ridge might already be doing just that. Nick yells at her to stop and orders her to leave! She turns to leave, but on the way out, she asks why he's annoyed at her: is it because she's wrong? Or is it because he knows she's right? She leaves him to think about that.

Bridget worries about her mother.

Bridget stops by the mansion to talk to Eric about what's going on at Ridge's house. Eric reminds her that she could stay here while things get settled there. She thanks him, but she thinks she's OK, as she's been spending a lot of time with Nick. In fact, she just came from there, where they told Jackie and Massimo about Taylor's return. So she doesn't know what's going on at Ridge's house, he guesses. She says she doesn't; that's why she came here, hoping he or Stephanie had heard something. He says he hasn't, but he can imagine how complicated it is. Bridget feels badly for them. Eric agrees that it's been hard on Taylor and her mom, but he's more worried about Ridge. He thinks this should be a happy time for Ridge, seeing his kids reunited with their mother. Bridget agrees, but she can't help but worry about her mom. She wishes she could do something. They all do, Eric says, but he thinks the best thing for everyone is to just let Ridge, Brooke and Taylor figure this out for themselves.

Eric tries to reassure Bridget.

Bridget wishes her mom could be as sure about Ridge as she is about Nick. He asks if Brooke is having doubts. She thinks so, but she sees her mom fighting them. Eric changes the subject and asks Bridget if she and Nick are still on track. She says they are; they want to reschedule the wedding, but there's so much going on. She doesn't think they could have the wedding at Ridge's this time, with everything that's happening, so she wonders if she can have it here. Eric thinks that's a great idea. She just wishes this wedding could bring everyone together like she planned. Eric doesn't think her mom or Taylor would want her to choose sides, but she thinks it's unavoidable. She doesn't know how the situation with Ridge, Taylor and her mom can be solved without someone making a sacrifice. Eric sees she's worried about her mom, like she has all her life; he thinks she should stop protecting Brooke this time and focus on Nick instead. Speaking of which, Bridget needs some advice from him: she tells him about Jackie's belief that Nick belongs with her Brooke and asks how she can tame a wild mother-in-law. Eric is surprised to hear about Jackie's attitude. Bridget says she knows Nick is committed to her; he wouldn't have proposed if he had any doubts. In that case, Eric says, he has no doubts either, and neither should she. She thanks him with a hug.

Taylor and Brooke wait for Ridge's decision.

At Ridge's house, Ridge tells Brooke that they can't pretend that nothing's changed, as much as he tried to think otherwise. That's why he can't keep sharing a bed with her until this is all resolved. Brooke is relieved; she thought he was asking her to leave. He says that wouldn't be fair to her. At the same time, he doesn't think sharing a bed with her is fair to Taylor, Thomas or the twins, so he thinks the best thing for now is for him to move into the guest room. Brooke tells him not to: she thinks that if anyone should be moving into the guest room, it's her. She admits Thomas was right that a decision must be made, and she doesn't think Ridge can do that with any pressure on him. That's why she wants him to have the chance to take his time on this. Ridge holds her and thanks her as Taylor watches; he knows how hard this was for her to do. She says she knows, too, and goes to get her things from the bathroom.

Ridge tells Taylor that he loves her.

Ridge turns to Taylor, who says she would have thanked Brooke herself, but... She says she's sorry. Ridge doesn't think she should apologize for being alive, but she says she should be sorry about the way Thomas came in and talked to them. Ridge thinks their son raised some valid issues, but he's sure they can work them out in time. Taylor hopes so. She decides to head for bed, so she gives him a kiss goodnight and tells him that she loves him. He tells "Doc" that he loves her too and looks into her eyes. She leaves the room, smiling. Ridge turns, smiles and sits on the bed.

Brooke comes out of the bathroom with her things. Ridge says he's sorry it came to this. Brooke says that she saw how upset Thomas was, and she thinks he had a right to be; she knows she's understand if the situations were reversed and RJ stuck up for her. Ridge reminds her that Thomas cares about her, too. She says she knows, and she doesn't want to hurt Thomas. Still, she wonders how things can be the same again. Ridge won't lie to her that nothing will change; he just doesn't know what the changes will be. Brooke says she's not asking, but she's sure she'll be back here with him in a few days. Some things may be different, but her love for him and their family will never change. Neither will his, he says. They kiss lightly and Brooke leaves, as Ridge sighs.