Friday, November 11, 2005, Episode #4680

Bridget tells Nick to be with her mother.

At Brooke's, Nick tells Bridget that he knows what she's trying to do, and it's making him uncomfortable. She guesses that he's upset because he thinks her seeing him with her mom is killing her. But it's the waiting that's killing her, so she wants to bring her mom and Nick together. She tells Brooke to stop protecting her by running to Dante or Eric and just admit her feelings for Nick. "The only thing that stands between the two of you, is you,: she tells her mom. Eric thinks Bridget is being awfully generous with his wife, but she thinks he should know that his marriage is just a shipwreck waiting to happen. Brooke guesses that Bridget thinks she's [Brooke] being blind or stubborn, but Nick understands.

Eric, Brooke and Nick try to tell Bridget that Nick can't be with Brooke.

Nick tells Bridget that there is no future for her mom and him. Bridget sees her mom and Nick as being here, brokenhearted, when everything can be put right. Nick says they're here because she is brokenhearted. She's lost trust, and that's blinded her to the truth. What truth? she asks. That he and Brooke love her more than each other, he says. He knows her history with men, but he also thinks everyone in this room has loved more than one person. He thinks it's time that they all faced reality, and the reality is that he and Brooke can never be together. Bridget asks who he's sure. Because his heart broke when he broke hers, he says. He knows what he feels, and what he wants is a future with her and their child, as he still wants her.

The new Forrester team meets the press.

Thorne, Taylor and Dante join Stephanie in the Forrester press room for a press conference to announce her new team. Smarmy Jarrett asks Stephanie about her being CEO; another reporter asks what jobs she's held. Jarrett asks about Eric's absence, while a female reporter asks if Stephanie feels, having been dumped by her husband for a younger woman, if revenge is as sweet as they say. Stephanie says that she wants to return to the ideals that made Forrester great. But Eric IS Forrester, Jarrett points out. Stephanie says that the torch has been passed to their son, Thorne. A reporter asks about Thorne bankrupting Spectra; Thorne dodges by saying they are here to celebrate today. As the reporters ask where the designers are and about the presence of a psychiatrist here, Hector comes in and sits next to Jarrett. Taylor steps in and says that she's not here to offer psychiatric treatment. She's here because their new president and CEO have thought long and hard about the number of women who don't look like runway models. She agrees, not only as a psychiatrist, but as a wife and mother, and that's why she's here. A female reporter chimes in agreement, while Jarrett asks if if Ridge's absence means he doesn't share their "all women are beautiful" philosophy. Taylor says that Ridge has decided to step back from the spotlight, but he supports her. She thinks this is the chance for new talent, like their new fabric designer Dante, to shine. Jarrett is about to ask something, but Hector shoots him a look. Taylor then closes as she does with her patients, by saying their time is up. She thanks everyone for being here and is met with approval from the press.

Thomas gives his dad advice.

Up at Big Bear, Ridge explains to Thomas why he couldn't be at the Forrester press conference. He won't give credibility to a regime that has no credibility with him. Thomas still thinks Ridge could have been supportive of Taylor, even if he just came as a civilian. Ridge asks how he could do that; he could just say he's there for his wife and decline other comments, Thomas replies. Just then, Ridge gets a call on his cell from Jarrett, asking how Ridge feels to know his wife is the only once with a clue at Forrester. Ridge explains that he had a commitment with his kids, but he supports Taylor fully. He then says there will be no more comments and ends the call. Ridge turns to Thomas and asks what that thing Thomas always says is. Shut up, Thomas replies, grinning.

At Forrester, Hector joins the Forrester team and Darla to toast the new Face of Forrester hitting a home run with her her first time at bat. Hector thinks she won them over by being real. Darla leaves to relieve the babysitter, while Stephanie meets with Thorne and Dante. Hector and Taylor meanwhile enjoy some more champagne. Taylor is all excited about what she just did. Hector is glad he was there to see it. Hector asks Taylor if she needs a ride home, but she says Stephanie called her a limo. He's glad, since he remembers that he took a cab over. In that case, Taylor says, she'll drop him off on her way. As she finishes her champagne, he says she is lit. She only had two glasses, she says. Hector explains that he means lit as in glowing, like a firefly trying to catch the attention of her mate. What happens when the firefly does that? Taylor asks. She either mates with them or she eats them, Hector says. Taylor laughs. Hector thinks they should get her home; Taylor grabs another bottle of champagne as they head out the door.

In the limo, Hector tells Taylor that the last time he was in a limo was his disastrous senior prom. He asks if she wants to lie down; she says she's not that drunk. Not yet, Hector says, popping the champagne bottle Taylor took open. The champagne sprays all around. Since they're all wet, Hector tells the driver to take them to Dr. Forrester's place to dry off. Taylor laughs that the French champagne will be good for the skin. Hector thinks she missed a spot and offers to clean it up by kissing her neck. She asks why his prom was such a disaster. It was fine until his date threw up on him, he says. Maybe he shouldn't ride in limos anymore, she says. Hector thinks she mights be right and offers to get out here, to walk the rest of the way, but Taylor refuses. Since he was there for her tonight, she thinks the least she can do is get him home. And just because she can't respond to him in a certain way, she says, it doesn't mean she doesn't appreciate him.

Ridge makes his way back home.

Back at Forrester, Stephanie and Thorne look for Taylor. Thorne says they can fax the memos over to her. Stephanie wonders what Hector was doing there. Thorne thinks that Hector and Taylor are kind of friendly. How friendly? she asks. Thorne reminds her that Taylor's not the type... They're interrupted by Ridge calling Stephanie's cell phone; he asks where Taylor is. Stephanie says Taylor already left and offers to check up on her at the house, but Ridge says he's on his way there. Stephanie is glad to hear that.