Monday, November 28, 2005, Episode #4689

Taylor questions Stephanie's feelings.

At Forrester, Megan asks Stephanie for the press release for the new line. Stephanie says that's not her expertise, so Gil in P.R. should do it. Looking frustrated, Megan says OK and leaves. As Stephanie looks through some reports, she flashes back to kicking Eric in the groin and consigning him to his new basement "office" with the toilets. Taylor comes in and asks Stephanie what she was thinking by putting Eric in the basement, especially since everyone in the building has heard. Stephanie says she wanted to humiliate Eric the way he humiliated her. Taylor asks how the company can survive with tactics like that. She asks Stephanie if that made her feel better. Stephanie says it did, but Taylor doesn't think that's true. She points out that Stephanie can't run this company alone. She also thinks this is about more than just the trust; there's a thin line between love and hate, she points out. Stephanie is astonished that a good psychiatrist like Taylor would think she's still in love with Eric. She may have feelings for Eric, Stephanie admits, but too much has been said to ever find love with him again. Taylor reminds Stephanie that she and Eric built a company and a family together, so there must be some way they can work together for the sake of their children. They might even salvage their marriage, Taylor suggests, but Stephanie looks skeptical.

Eric shows Jackie his new "office."

Eric is in his new "office" in the basement, struggling with a wobbly drafting table when Jackie comes in. She's shocked to see his new accommodations - as if being married to her for years wasn't punishment enough, he quips - and thinks it's sad what Stephanie would do for revenge. She never thought it would come to this. Eric says he didn't think it either, but there is no looking back. Jackie admits she is even surprised to see him here. He explains that he and Stephanie have been advised by their lawyers not to fight a long, drawn out fight that will only kill the company. So Stephanie reversed her decision, Jackie surmises, still unable to see how Stephanie could do this to a man she once loved. Eric smiles at her defending him and puts his arms around her, but Jackie reminds him that she's still not over his dumping her for Brooke. But she's wearing the dress he gave her, Eric points out, which looks stunning, although he can see some improvements he'd make on the neckline. As he runs his fingers up her neckline, Jackie says she should punish him for being so naughty, but he's suffered enough abuse from Stephanie. Stephanie who? he asks. Jackie says this isn't the time or the place, but Eric says it is and kisses her hands. She tells him that before they go further, she needs to be sure.

Sure that he's over Brooke? he asks. Sure that he's over *Stephanie*, she says. She reminds him that he married Stephanie and built a family and a business with her. He assures her that he would never go back to Stephanie and kisses her, unaware that Stephanie has walked over to the office and heard his last comment about her from the ajar door. Stephanie peeks in and sees Eric and Jackie kissing.

Brooke urges Dante to move on.

At the beach house, Dante asks Brooke how she's not bothered by Nick only wanting Bridget for the baby, since that bothers him. Brooke says that Nick's heart is with Bridget in every way it matters. In every way but one, Dante says, holding up one finger to underscore his point. Brooke accuses Dante of not seeing anything good in Nick where Bridget is concerned. Dante doesn't see why he should after Nick hurt Bridget so much. Brooke reminds him that Nick and Bridget are married and asks him to move on. but Dante says he won't; he left his life in Italy behind to come here for Bridget, and he even joined her family business in the hope of being part of that family, so he's not going anywhere. He loves Bridget too much to leave.

Dante can't bear to think about Nick hurting Bridget again.

Brooke thanks him for being such a strong source of support for Bridget these past few months, but she doesn't think he should hold out for a life with Bridget. Dante says he wanted to save Bridget from a life with one of her mother's leftovers, so Brooke should be thanking him. She tells him not to make this about her and Nick, but he says he can't help it, since the thought of Nick hurting Bridget again drives him crazy. He even wonders what would happen, God forbid, if anything happened to the baby, and he wonders if Brooke has thought that, too.

Bridget and Nick brace themselves for news about their baby.

In the doctor's office, Bridget stands with tears in her eyes with Nick behind her, holding his hands around her waist on her tummy. Nick asks what the problem with the baby is; whatever it is, he says, he will spare no expense, as he and Bridget will NOT lose this child. The doctor explains that there is no immediate danger, but there is a risk of miscarriage because Bridget has a weakened cervix. The risk is that the baby might put pressure on the cervix as it grows bigger, pushing the cervix open too early. Nick asks what they can do about it. Bridget can take it easy, the doctor says, including less hours at the hospital and plenty of bed rest. Nick apologizes for overreacting; it's just that Bridget is the most important thing in the world to him, and all he wants is for their baby to be OK. He kisses Bridget on the forehead and they hug, as Nick sighs in relief. The doctor then points out that Bridget didn't want to know the sex of the child during their last visit, but that information is here if they want to know. Nick and Bridget look at each other and decide they want to know, so the doctor tells them that they are having a girl. They both smile at the thought of the little baby girl inside Bridget as the doctor gives them time alone.