Ridge visits his mother at the cabin.

Ridge visits his mother at Big Bear, where Stephanie has made some lemonade and cookies. She's glad to see him, since she didn't think that he would come up. He says that they've been wondering... Where she is, she guesses, figuring they wanted to know where she was before she exploded. Ridge admits that Eric's expecting some explosions to be lobbed his way. And he's right, Stephanie says, just like they were all right to head off in another direction. She then tells Ridge what she's been doing up here; she's volunteered to help clean up and serve coffee at a homeless shelter. Ridge seems surprised, but she points out that she knows about homelessness. In a way, she feels homeless now, without her family, so her volunteering here, and in L.A. when she returns home, will keep her from browbeating the people she loves. She sees now that she can love her family and try to keep them from making mistakes, but she can't live their lives for them. And in her case, that means letting go of him... and Brooke. Ridge admits he was hoping Brooke's name wouldn't come up, but he guesses that's not possible. Stephanie says she was trying to be diplomatic in telling him that she won't interfere.

Interfere in what? Ridge asks. Stephanie says that she called the house, and Steffy told her that he moved out. She guessed he would be with Brooke, who always has her eye on a man. Ridge says he's not with Brooke; in fact, Brooke is focused on her work, and she's dating Dante, a friend of Massimo's, so she's no threat to Stephanie. He suggests his mother either accept that, or stay here with her cookies. Stephanie admits she can't blame Brooke for everything. Ridge tells her that everyone knows she loves them, but she can't hold on to them too tightly. He points out that they all went on when she finally let go. She says she knows and asks how Taylor is. He laments that Taylor expects things from him, but he can only be who he is. Stephanie isn't so sure, having gotten rid of that "armor" she wears for protection. She wishes she could be the person she used to be and wonders if growing up is just the fear of losing. Ridge thinks he should be going before nightfall. Stephanie tells him to drive carefully and asks him to come by more often. She promises not to talk about Brooke, laughing that Ms. Logan will hit menopause eventually. Ridge bids her goodbye. As Ridge turns to leave, Stephanie asks about him Bridget and Nick's wedding. They seem happy, Ridge says. Stephanie asks him to email her some wedding pictures. He says he will and leaves.

Nick tells Brooke how hard it is not to think about her.

Nearby, Nick looks into Brooke's eyes and tells her that it shouldn't be this hard. Brooke asks how she can stop thinking about him. Nick doesn't think he could ever stop thinking about her. As she sheds a tear, Brooke turns away, telling Nick that it will get better in time. Maybe she can say that, Nick says, but it's not that way for him. She turns back to him; he caresses her hair and says that he knows it's not that way for her, either. She admits that she can't forget him, and her love for him will never change. But what she loves most about him now is the way he's loving her, and that can't change either. He asks what way that is. By loving his wife too much to betray her, she says, walking toward him. She sits on a bench and asks about the wedding pictures. He thinks Bridget will show them to her. She asks if Bridget is happy; he thinks she is. And what about him? Brooke asks. Nick says it's hard when he's alone. Maybe he shouldn't be alone, she says. He recalls that night on the Marlin, when they were so close to each other, like they had everything they wanted. She says she thinks about that night, too, even though she tries not to.

Stephanie spots Nick with Brooke.

Nick and Brooke caress each other's faces with their hands. Nick kisses Brooke's hands, but she says this is wrong. He's not so sure, but she can't excuse even an accidental moment like this. They have to how things are and find a way not to make this harder on themselves, she says. They hear a car and look to the cabin; Nick asks if someone is staying at the cabin. Brooke isn't sure. They agree that they better leave, since someone might see them. But they don't know that it's too late, as Stephanie has spotted them and has gotten her binoculars for a closer look. Nick asks Brooke if she can bring Hope by sometime, but she tells him to focus on Bridget, who's a better woman than she is. She knows he'll make Bridget happy. And the love between them will still be there, she says, just not the way they hoped. She starts to leave, but Nick is still holding her hand. She looks toward him and he releases her hand. Brooke walks away as Nick sits down on a bench, looking sad. Neither realizes that a curious Stephanie is watching.

Gaby tries to understand why Taylor thinks she's not good enough.

At Spectra, Gaby tells Taylor that that she's never been told she's not good enough. Taylor says she won't let Thomas be taken advantage again the way Amber did. Gaby doesn't want to fight with Taylor, her mother in law. Taylor says she's not that. Gaby doesn't understand why Taylor would lie for her and Thomas when their marriage was a lie, but not when it's real. What's real, Taylor says, is the way Gaby played on Thomas's sympathy. Gaby says her marriage to Thomas is as real as Taylor's to Ridge; Taylor scolds Gaby for that "ugly" comment, especially after how nice Taylor has been to her. Gaby asks why Taylor can't just honor Ridge and Thomas's agreement. Because a childish fashion contest resolves nothing, Taylor says, and because she's not going to accept anything that gives Gaby instant acceptance. It can also get her instantly deported, Gaby says: is that what Taylor wants for her son? What she doesn't want for her son, Taylor says, is a teenage marriage. But, she adds, she doesn't hate Gaby. In fact, she'd love to help Gaby, but not while she's married to Thomas.

Taylor has to play referee between the twins.

Taylor comes home and finds the twins fighting. Steffy says that Phoebe needs counseling. Phoebe says Steffy needs anti-freak medication. Taylor says counseling isn't bad, even if Ridge doesn't want to do it. She wants to knows what's going on. Steffy accuses Phoebe of stealing $50 from her. Phoebe says she "borrowed" it; she never had to before since Dad always gave them money. And she borrowed it to buy answers to her trig test, Steffy accuses. Taylor asks if this is true. Phoebe say it's only one test. Taylor asks for the name of Phoebe's trig teacher. Phoebe slams the money down in a huff. Steffy then tells Taylor that Phoebe's been hiding notes from her teacher that she's flunking and has been signing Taylor's name to them. Phoebe calls her sister a witch for ratting her out. Taylor sends Phoebe to her room. Phoebe wonders why she even has to be here with her mom. Taylor's saddened by that comment. Steffy assures Taylor that things would be just as bad if Ridge were here, since he spoils Phoebe. Taylor asks Steffy to go up to Phoebe; she'll be up once dinner's started. Steffy says Phoebe wants to be just like her mom. Taylor doubts that, but Steffy says that her mom is smart and a doctor, and all the boys at school think Taylor's hot. Taylor thanks her for the vote of confidence. Steffy hugs her and thanks her for being their mom, even when things are so horrible.

Taylor is stunned by what Ridge says.

The door bell rings. Taylor answers and finds Ridge there. She says he didn't have to ring the bell, but he didn't want to intrude. She says she needs a husband, not a visitor, so he might as well go back to Brooke if he's not willing to be that. He only sees Brooke at the office, he says. She says she knows. And she called, but he wasn't there - but Megan added that Brooke wasn't there, either. Ridge says he went to Big Bear to see his mother, who claims to be over Brooke. Well, three cheers for Stephanie! Taylor sarcastically retorts. Ridge then stuns her by asking if she thinks a marriage counselor might do the same for the two of them.

Bridget's dressed for cooking and swimming.

Nick boards the Shady Marlin and finds Bridget dressed in a skimpy outfit, cooking dinner. She says that she thought they could take a swim after. Nick looks at her, grabs her and gives her a big hug. Bridget asks what happened. He holds his wife in his arms and starts to kiss her frantically.