Tuesday, August 01, 2006, Episode #4863

Donna asks if she can really replace her sister.

Ridge is with Donna in the photo studio, snapping photos of her in one of his lingerie designs. A weary Donna asks how long this will take. These shoots can go on all night, Ridge says. Donna remarks how hard this work seems. Ridge tells her that he's springing for takeout, if she's available. "I'm all yours," Donna replies. Soon after, Donna puts on a robe and joins Ridge for dinner; she's pleasantly surprised when she sees candlelight, escargot and champagne, since she was expecting Chinese takeout. Ridge replies that he wanted something more memorable. Donna asks if he thinks she can really fill her sister's shoes. He replies that she can if she makes them her own - and if she can't do that, then this isn't the place for her. Donna responds that she loves Brooke, but she wants to be more than just Brooke's little sister, since it wasn't easy growing up in Brooke's shadow. Ridge notes that Thorne said the same thing about him. Donna adds that it was hard when their father left, since Brooke was Stephen's favorite, just like Ridge was his mother's. That's why she thinks it was thoughtful of Ridge to try to mend fences between Brooke and Stephen. She thinks that shows how Ridge isn't afraid to take a risk for love. Ridge says that something without risk may not be worth doing. Spoken like a creative genius, Donna states. Or an idiotic thrill seeker, Ridge adds. Donna guesses that it depends on whether the risk pays off. Ridge agrees, and he thinks that what he and Donna are doing for Brooke's Bedroom is a risk that will pay off big time.

Ridge is flattered by Donna's attention.

Ridge recalls what Donna said the other day, about how he treated her when he used to pick Brooke up at the Logan home. Donna says that she humiliated herself, but Ridge thinks it was sweet. She frets that she acted like a school girl, but he says he was flattered. It was good to have someone say something good about him for a change, so Donna might be just what he needed. As they clink their glasses, Donna tells Ridge that the chance he's giving her is incredible. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, Ridge agrees. It's a bit scary, too, Donna adds. Ridge reminds her of what he said earlier, that there's no reward without risk. Donna thinks he's the one taking the risk, since she can't go wrong in his designs. Ridge cautions that there are no sure things in business. There are no sure things anywhere, Donna retorts, but that unpredictability makes life exciting. Who would have predicted that they'd be here tonight? she asks. Ridge admits that he didn't expect it, either. He went from feeling like he had the world on a string to hanging by a thread. Donna guesses that Brooke broke his heart. Into a million pieces, Ridge adds. Donna replies that he's lucky she's good at puzzles. Ridge bets she's good at other things, too. If she isn't, Donna responds, then Forrester made a mistake hiring her. They didn't, Ridge says, confident that she'll be a hit; he notes that she's beautiful, smart, driven and sexy, so how could anyone NOT fall in love with her?

Hector tells Taylor to stay away from Thorne.

At the Bel Air mansion, Taylor looks at a newspaper headline that reads, "Search for Hit and Run Driver Continues," with a photo of Darla below. Hector comes in and asks why she hasn't returned any of his calls. She assures him that she hasn't been avoiding him. He asks where she went after the funeral, since she wasn't at home. She tells him that she was with Thorne. Obviously she didn't tell Thorne the truth, he surmises, since she's not in jail. She says that she couldn't do it. And that's a good thing, he says; he reminds her that if she confesses to killing Darla, he and Phoebe will be named as accessories after the fact. He knows it's hard, but she has to think about her daughter. Taylor tells Hector that she can't do this. She can, he assures her. She tells him that she didn't ask him to protect her. He tells her that she now has to protect Phoebe, who needs her. And Alexandria needs her mother, Taylor counters, but that little girl will grow up without a mother because of what she did. Hector tells her that confessing won't bring Darla back. But she didn't confess, she says. But she could have, Hector responds, guessing that she went to Thorne's to tell him the truth. She admits that he's right. He warns her to stay away from Thorne. Taylor fears that the truth will come out, but Hector reminds her of all the cases that never get solved. He knows that it doesn't make her feel good to think that way, but he thinks there's a lesson to be learned. He warned her what would happen if she kept drinking, but he's here for her now, ready to help her see this through. He leans in to kiss her, but she tells him to wait.

Phoebe sticks up for Taylor.

Phoebe comes in and overhears; she tells Hector that he heard her mother say now, so she wants the fireman to leave them both alone right now! Taylor says that Hector was just trying to comfort her, but Phoebe thinks she knows what Hector was trying to do. Hector says that he's just trying to help Taylor, but Phoebe says that they don't need his help, since all he did is blame everything on her mother and her mother's drinking. Hector says that he's concerned for them. He reminds Phoebe that he lied for them, and he can be sent to jail for that, just as Phoebe can. Taylor tells him to stop scaring her daughter, insisting that no one is going to jail. She then tells Hector that she has to be going, since she promised Thorne she'd come by to check on Alexandria. Hector tells her that she's taking a risk, but Taylor hands the keys to Phoebe and they leave.

Stephanie worries about Thorne.

At Thorne's beach house, Stephanie is on the sofa, reading a story to Alexandria. Thorne comes in; Stephanie is upset that he's not resting, but he says he couldn't sleep. He then tells Stephanie how Taylor helped him tell Alexandria about Darla's death last night; Stephanie is glad that Taylor was there for him. She's been a Godsend, Thorne agrees. Stephanie says that she's relieved for both him and for Taylor; she thinks about what a rough year that Taylor had, with Taylor changing, and not for the better. She frets that Taylor has lost her confidence and has been drinking too much ever since Ridge left her. Thorne thinks Darla's death might've put it all into perspective for Taylor. Stephanie hopes so, since Taylor can normally handle just about anything with grace and dignity. They both look at Alexandria drawing; Thorne notes that taking care of his daughter has helped him get through this. Alexandria shows them a drawing she's been working on and wants sparkles. Thorne asks if she checked her craft drawer, but Alexandria replies that Mommy put the sparkles somewhere safe. If they can't find them, Stephanie says, they'll have to buy some. Thorne picks up Alexandria in his arms and thanks his mother.

Thorne spends time with Alexandria.

After Stephanie leaves, Thorne helps Alexandria with the sparkles, just as Phoebe and Taylor arrive. Taylor has a book about grief that she wants Thorne to read; as she takes the book out, the AA pamphlet she took from the funeral chapel falls out. Thorne notices and picks it up, handing it back to an embarrassed Taylor. Thorne then tells her how grateful he is for her help with Alexandria last night. She says it was the least she could do. Thorne says that he's not sure if Alex understands that Darla's not coming back, but then again, he doesn't think he gets it, either. He tells her how Darla used to bring him coffee every morning while he shaved; he expected that this morning and wondered what was taking Darla so long. Taylor says that's normal, and it will probably happen for a while. Still, she thinks he'll get through this. Thorne responds that he needed to hear that and thanks her. That's why she's here, she says, promising to remind him if he should ever forget that.