Wednesday August 09, 2006, Episode #4869

Ridge wonders what's on Donna's mind.

In Thorne's office at Forrester (which Ridge has been using of late), Donna puts on a lingerie outifts and daydreams about returning triumphantly from Paris with Ridge. In the fantasy, she and Ridge avoid the press by ducking into the office, where they flirt and laugh about Donna teasing the reporters outside. Donna tells him that she has a lot to be happy for, since Paris was beautiful, especially since she had him to share it with. Ridge tells her that he wanted her Paris debut to be special and goes to kiss her, but Donna then comes back to reality as Ridge and Felicia come in. Felicia is telling her big brother about the positive buzz they've gotten from the industry and from the press. While Felicia goes to take a call, Ridge sees the faraway look in Donna's eyes and asks what she's thinking. She says she's still on a high from the fashion show; Ridge says he is, too, and he looks forward to taking the Bedroom line to new heights. Felicia hangs up the phone and tells Ridge that the press wants to meet their head designer and his new "Diva." Ridge replies that the sharks of the press can wait, since they'll never find a story as exciting as the Bedroom line. He states that Brooke's Bedroom is back, better and badder than ever! Felicia kisses him on the cheek and leaves, so Ridge has some time alone with Donna.

Donna gives Ridge a private showing

Donna asks Ridge if they should run this by Brooke first. Ridge takes that to mean that her sister read her the riot act, but she says that Brooke is just worried about her and is trying to keep her grounded. Donna tells Ridge that Brooke hired her back, under the condition that she act professionally. Ridge doesn't know if that will be possible, as the press is hooked and will want more. Donna reminds him that this is her job, but Ridge thinks he can make working fun. Donna thinks she should get her head out of the clouds, but he starts massaging her and tells her to relax. As he moves his arms across her body, he asks how it feels. Wonderful, she replies. Still caressing her body, Ridge looks into her eyes and asks if she wants more - and then looks to another outfit he wants her try on! Ridge asks if she wants to stop; she doesn't. He sends her to put on the new outfit and is impressed when she returns. He offers her champagne and mimosas instead of a "coffee break" and tells her that they're just getting started, so he wants her to show him what she's got. Up for the challenge, Donna gives him a private showing. She asks if he likes what he sees. "Wow!" he responds, stating that he likes the bodice. Donna asks if that's all he likes. He tells her that a woman wearing an outfit like this brings a sense of "wow" to the bedroom, and that's just the energy he wants for this line. Donna agrees it's a rush as Ridge goes to take a call.

Phoebe doesn't like how Hector is treating her or her mother.

Hector stops by the Bel Air mansion and grills Phoebe with questions about where her mother is. Phoebe tries to stall him, but he wants to know where Taylor is, since she shouldn't be driving. Phoebe says that her mom doesn't need a driver, nor does she need someone checking up on her all the time! Phoebe tries to walk away, but Hector grabs her arm and asks where Taylor is. She reluctantly tells Hector that her mom is with Thorne. Hector fumes that he told Taylor to stay away from Thorne, but Phoebe points out that Thorne and Alexandria are family and need their help. She knows Hector cares about her mom, but... Hector tells her that her mother is emotionally fragile and may crack from the guilt over the truth about what happened. Phoebe says it's better to be emotional than to be jealous, which how she sees Hector acting. Hector says that he's just worried about Taylor, and he thinks Phoebe should be, too, since this whole thing can blow up for all of them if Taylor confesses. Phoebe thinks Hector just wants to control them and asks asks him to leave, but he tells her that she's still to young to understand how the world works. He knows she thinks what happened with her mom and Darla was an accident, but Thorne and the authorities won't believe that. That's why he has to make Taylor see that confessing is a mistake, no matter what it takes!

Thorne thanks Taylor for everything she's done for him and his daughter.

At Thorne's house, Taylor assures him that Alexandria will be fine at art camp. She explains that she told Alexandria that it's OK not to be sad for a while, because it's OK for Alexandria to be a little girl. Thorne thanks Taylor for everything she's done for him and his daughter. He places one of Alexandria's drawings of Darla by Darla's photo, explaining that Alexandria draws them to show she's still thinking of her mommy. He thought that would be a good idea from the book Taylor brought him about coping with death, and now Alexandria has even added some drawings on her own. Taylor has some more suggestions about how Thorne can help Alexandria feel close to her mom, although she has to commend Thorne on the job he's done with his daughter. Thorne laments that he still feels helpless, which is why he's glad Taylor is here. Taylor hopes she's not intruding, but Thorne assures her that she's not. He thinks a lot of people are afraid of intruding and just stay away. Taylor thinks those people feel as helpless as he does about Darla's death. Thorne supposes he'd do the same thing if the situation was reversed, recalling how he and everyone in his family turned his back on Taylor after she divorced Ridge. Taylor says that's ancient history. Yet she's still here to help, Thorne says, even after they abandoned her. She says that this is where she needs to be. She can't change the past, but she can focus on what he and Alexandria need now. She promises to help him find closure and move on with his life.

Taylor tells Thorne that she's found a purpose by helping him.

Taylor starts to get emotional and apologizes for that, but Thorne thinks this is an emotional time in their lives. He thinks that focusing on someone else helps us forget our own problems. Taylor agrees, but she's not sure if that's why she's here. She thinks that helping him and Alexandria has helped her find purpose in her life again. She thinks about all the chaos her drinking has brought to her life, which is why she's grateful for his support, and for getting her to AA. Thorne thinks it's the least he could do, but Taylor doesn't think she deserves his support, his gratitude or even his frienship. Thorne says he feels the same way, since he feels like he and Alexandria would both be trapped in their grief without Taylor's help. But now, his little girl is at art camp and is having fun again, and he has Taylor to thank for that, and for a lot more. He gives Taylor a hug - but outside, Hector is watching the embrace through the window, wondering what Taylor is saying or doing.

Hector anxiously watches Taylor with Thorne.

Taylor tells Thorne to call her anytime she needs him. He responds that the same goes for him. They hug again. Outside, Hector watches the second embrace and flashes back to his talk with Taylor at the fire station; he told her that they were good people who could do good things, as long as she didn't confess to Thorne. He looks in the window again and then flashes back to his telling Taylor that what happened to Darla was an accident. She countered that covering up wasn't an accident, and the cover-up didn't negate her need to take responsibility. Hector thinks to himself that he has to stop Taylor.