Tuesday, September 27, 2005, Episode #4647

Brooke can't get Nick off her mind.
Brooke lies in her bed, curled up in a fetal position and crying as she remembers Nick marrying Bridget. She tells herself that she has to stop doing this to herself. Dante brings her breakfast, but she says she's not hungry. He wonders if this has anything to do with the wedding and asks how it was. Nice, she says. He asks how nice: Brooke responds by saying that she won't stand here and let him analyze her, so why doesn't he just pack his bags and get out? She then apologizes for blowing up at him. He says that he understands; it was hard for him to think about the wedding, too. They both lost someone they care about last night, he reminds her. But he knows she gave up on Nick because she loves her daughter and he respects the sacrifice she's making. Brooke says she'd do anything for Bridget, and as long as her little girl is happy, then she's happy, too.

Jackie senses something wrong with Nick.
Nick is in his office, looking at wedding photos. He looks at one of him, Brooke and Bridget; suddenly, Brooke "says" from the photo that he may have married her daughter, but he can't stop thinking of her. Shaken, he throws the photo down. Jackie drops in and sees that her son seems grumpy. He says he is just tired. From being up late with his new bride, Jackie guesses, wondering why he didn't go on a real honeymoon. She's sure Massimo could have arranged for it, since he owns the company Nick works for. But does he own the hospital, Nick asks, since that's where Bridget spends all her time? Jackie senses that her son is tense and offers to help plan a get-away for him and his new bride as a show of support for their marriage. Nick hands her the wedding photos; if she wants to do something, he suggests, she can put these in an album. She doesn't have to worry, because he and Bridget are fine. Jackie points out that she didn't even ask about his marriage, so why is that such a sore subject for him? Nick tells her that there's nothing wrong. He's just busy. He takes one photo of him and Bridget and points out how happy Bridget looks. But what about the groom? she asks. Nick says that he's fine. She tells him that she's proud of him; like a good sailor, he did his duty and put the needs of Bridget and their child above his own. A good man keeps his promise, he says. She asks if he's sure he doesn't want the photos. He tells her to take her time. Not that he needs photos to remember his wedding by, she suggests, since some memories are with you forever.

A glowing Bridget stops by to see her dad.
Eric is in his office, looking inspired as he fits one of his designs on Eva, a Forrester model. He thinks the design looks perfect. Eva is glad to see her boss in a good mood. Bridget drops by to see her dad; Eric is pleased to see how radiant his daughter looks, although he tells her that she's not the only one in a good mood. He tells Eva that they'll continue after lunch and sends her on her way. Bridget then asks her dad why he;s so happy. He says that he's just feeling inspired. Bridget then sees some samples of the fabrics Dante has come up with and asks if her artist friend is there. He isn't, Eric says - and coincidentally, Brooke isn't in yet either. Bridget guesses her mom thinks Dante is just as eye-catching as his designs are. She wonders if he's OK with her mom and Dante living under the same roof. He says he is, as long as it doesn't affect their work or their punctuality. Bridget tells Eric to cut Brooke some slack; she's glad her mom is happy. Eric is glad mother and daughter are happy, again commenting how marriage agrees with Bridget. In fact, he and Jackie were talking about that... Jackie? Bridget asks. Eric tells her how he's been spending time with Jackie, including dinner at the beach house after the wedding. Bridget senses something going on there, even though Eric claims Jackie is just a friend and colleague. She can tell when a man is smitten.

Dante is glad to see Bridget smiling.
Just then, Dante arrives. Bridget greets her friend as Eric excuses himself to go to a meeting. Once Eric leaves, Dante says it's good to see Bridget smiling again. She guesses marriage agrees with her and asks why he was late today. He supposes that was a bad idea during his first week on the job. Unless the co-CEO had breakfast with him and worked it out, Bridget laughs, asking if he knows why her mom is late today.

Eric kisses Jackie and jokes with her in the hall outside his office.
In the hall, Eric meets Jackie and kisses her. She says they should stop before someone sees them. Like a Spectra spy? he laughs. He then quips that she's right; someone might accuse her of giving him preferential treatment. Like she did last night, she says. Eric agrees that she did, and he's been walking on air ever since. And she's not the only one, he adds. Jackie says she can't remember when she last felt this good. Actually, Eric says, he was talking about Bridget, who stopped by and is still glowing. He asks how Nick is. She says she saw him, and he kept saying over and over that he is completely committed to Bridget. So it is possible for a man to get over Brooke, he says, just like he told her. Jackie hopes he's right; she doesn't want to make trouble, but she sensed that something was off with Nick this morning.

Nick can't get a vision of Brooke out of his head.
Nick is pacing his office, busy at work, when he hears a voice; he covers his eyes and looks around, and he's stunned when he looks by the door and sees Brooke, looking like some siren of the sea in a green flowing, billowing gown. She says she needs him. He tries to back away and staggers against his bookcase. He keeps telling himself that he loves Bridget as "Brooke" holds out her arms and calls to him to come to her. "Stop it," re repeats over and over. He then calls Bridget; when she answers, he seems relieved to hear her voice. Bridget is giddy that her new husband decided to check up on her and says that she misses him, too. He said he called because he wants to talk about the baby; he's so excited about this child that he thinks they should sign up for one of those "Lay Miz" birth classes. That's Lamaze, she says, and it's a bit soon for that. But she's glad to see how happy he is. She's just as excited. They exchange "I love you's" and end the call. "Brooke" then calls to an anguished Nick that she loves him and always will. He stumbles again about the room and steadies himself on the desk chair. He looks up at the vision as "Brooke" tells him that he can't forget her. Arms spread, she pleas for him to come to her. Nick resists, calling out for her to leave him alone! He takes a vase and tosses it at the vision; the vase shatters against the door and cracks all over the floor.