Friday, November 18, 2005, Episode #4685

Eric tells Brooke what he needs.

At Brooke's house, Eric tells her that needs to be more connected to her than he is now. Brooke says she cares about him. As a friend, he responds. Brooke reminds him that they're married, but he says that they really aren't, as he needs intimacy. He thinks about how he accused her of crossing the line with Ridge after she fainted, and he lost control by ordering Ridge to get away from his wife. Brooke says she's sorry. The problem, Eric explains, is that she can't love him like a wife should love her husband. Brooke promises to try harder. Eric says that she shouldn't have to. He tells her that he wants this marriage to work, and he thinks she wants that, too. She does, she says. Then she has to find it in her heart, he tells her. They're already more than friends, he adds, but they have to be lovers. He says that he'll be upstairs and tells her to come up when she's ready.

Nick gives Brooke advice about her marriage.

Brooke goes to The Shady Marlin to see Nick; she knows she shouldn't be there, but she doesn't know what to do about her marriage. She finally sees that Nick was right that she should never have married Eric. Then end it, Nick says. She worries that Bridget will find out. Bridget is smart and already sees through that marriage, Nick points out. Brooke says that she'll never love Eric; she thinks Nick and Eric both know that Nick will always be the one for her. She then tells Nick to forget she said that and turns to leave, but he tells her to wait. He reminds Brooke that they made a decision together. And even though he loves Bridget, the feelings he and Brooke share won't just go away. "So what should I do?" Brooke asks. She can't be with Eric or anyone else, so she guesses she'll just have to live with her memories. Yes, Nick agrees. So much has happened here, Brooke recalls, flashing back to the night here where she and Nick admitted their feelings for each other. That night, she says, she discovered what he was to her - but then they realized that it could never be. Never is a long time, she tells Nick as tears fill her eyes. As "Going Back Again" plays in the background, she runs from the cabin.

Brooke is surprised when she returns home.

At Brooke's, Eric is in a dark room, looking at his marriage license. He remembers Stephanie telling him that the marriage wouldn't last more than a year. Then it would be the happiest year in his life, he told her. He lights a candle and says that Brooke will see how much he loves her tonight.

Brooke returns home and calls out to Eric. He tells her that he's waiting for her upstairs. She makes her way up and enters the darkened bedroom, lit only by candlelight. Eric steps out of the shadows and offers her champagne for a toast. Brooke says she has to tell him something, but he asks her to wait. This is evening for her, he explains, and she's not to say a word to him until he's finished.

Dante asks Stephanie for help.

Dante calls Stephanie to the beach house. When she arrives, she thanks him for his work on his fabric designs, but he says that he calls her here about Bridget. He wants her to know that he would never take advantage of Bridget. Stephanie agrees and says that he's been a good friend. That's why he called her here, he explains; he knows how influential she is in Bridget's life, so he needs her help to keep Bridget from going back to Nick. Has Nick been coming around? Stephanie asks. Yes, Dante replies. He thinks back to when he met Bridget; she was confused by her feelings for Ridge and she was insecure about her mother. He fears that Bridget is going through the same thing now, because of Nick's feelings for Brooke. He knows Bridget is the only one for him, but he fears she is still vulnerable to Nick. He wants to protect Bridget from disaster, and he thinks a life with him will do that. Is he prepared to raise another man's child? Stephanie asks. Dante says he is; he left his life in Italy behind for Bridget and would do anything for her. He then takes out an envelope and shows Stephanie divorce papers that arrived today. He wants Stephanie's help in getting Bridget to sign them, tonight.

Stephanie reminds Bridget of Nick's feelings for Brooke.

Bridget comes home with groceries and asks Stephanie why she's here, especially after the way Stephanie forced her parents and Ridge out of Forrester. Stephanie assures Bridget that no one will be overlooked when she redistributes her stock, but that's a conversation for another time. She hands Bridget the envelope; Bridget says she has no time for inheritance papers right now, but Stephanie says that these are divorce papers. She knows Nick has been coming around, but she doesn't think Bridget should trust him, and Dante agrees. That's why the two of them want Bridget to sign these papers tonight, before Nick hurts her again. Stephanie reminds her of Nick's feelings for Brooke. This is a chance for her to start a new life as her own woman, free of deceit, Dante states. Bridget can't believe that they were both waiting for her to return so she could sign the papers. She thinks she can take care of herself. Dante tells her that he can give her the life he deserves. It has to be done, Stephanie says. And in doing so, Bridget says, she's depriving her child of the chance to have both parents raise it. Stephanie urges Bridget not to give in to the fantasy her parents and Nick are forcing her to live in. She fears that Bridget will always be second best to Brooke in Nick's eyes. Dante tells Bridget that she'll never be second best to him. Stephanie tells Bridget that Brooke will always be in Nick's life, just as Nick walks in and asks if he's interrupting.

Stephanie tells Nick that he's not welcome here and hands him the divorce papers. He asks to speak to his wife alone, but Stephanie says he can say what he has to in front of her and Dante. Bridget tells Nick that she can't trust herself to be alone with him. OK, Nick concedes. Stephanie suggests calling Eric, who is also in a sham marriage. One that is ending tonight, Nick states. Stephanie is surprised; Nick asks if a cat got her tongue, but she says she's just surprised that he's not over with Brooke by now. He's not because he belongs here, Nick replies. He admits that Brooke made a mistake marrying Eric, but it was for the right reasons. Stephanie says that Bridget will never forgive Brooke for hurting her. Nick asks Bridget if she can believe the venom toward her mom in Stephanie's voice. He doesn't want that to end what they have. Stephanie tells Bridget that she'll always be Nick's second choice, but Nick denies that. Stephanie says she's heard that before, but Nick turns to Bridget and asks her to see the future they can have with their child, if they want it. He assures him that his feet are back under him. Until Brooke decides she needs a man and comes after him, Stephanie quips, even if he's married to her daughter. Nick looks into Bridget's eyes and promises never to let her down again.

Bridget is torn about what to do.

Stephanie urges Bridget again, "Sign the papers."

Nick tells Bridget that he's telling her the truth, from his heart, and begs her to trust him. "I want to be back in your life. I am asking you to let us be a family together," he states.

Dante urges her not to listen to Nick, as she's only setting herself up for more pain and deceit. Stephanie tells Bridget again, "Sign the papers," but Nick shakes his head no. Bridget looks into Nick's eyes.