Friday, December 29 2006, Episode 4966

Jackie admits to Nick that she made a horrible mistake.

Jackie arrives at the Marone mansion and finds Nick sitting alone in the dark, drowning his sorrows in booze. She tells him that she hates herself for hurting him so, but he doesn't want to discuss it. He gets that she's sorry and that she didn't want him to know about her past, but at least he understands himself better now. Jackie admits she made a mistake, but she begs Nick to consider how ashamed she would have felt to tell him that she took money for sex. Nick tells her again that he doesn't want to talk about this. Jackie asks him to let her stay, since she doesn't want him to be alone on New Year's Eve. Pointing to his bottle, Nick responds that he's not alone. Jackie tells him that alcohol isn't the answer, as she well knows. Booze didn't make her sell herself for money, Nick counters. Jackie admits that she was desperate, since she had low self-esteem, and she used alcohol to dull the pain. But then she finally turned her life around and became a success. But all that doesn't mean anything to her if she's lost her son. Nick says that he knows she's sorry. And he's sorry, too - sorry that things will never be the same between them again, and sorry that he can never look at her the same way now, even though it's killing them both. Feeling heartbroken, Jackie leaves.

Stephanie wants to tell the family that Forrester will soon be theirs again.

Ridge, Brooke, Thorne and Taylor join Eric and Stephanie to celebrate New Year's at the Forrester mansion. Felicia comes in, having checked in on Catherine hosting a slumber party for the kids at the guest house. Stephanie conveys New Year's wishes from her mother and sister in Chicago. Ridge jokes that Eric must be losing his touch if he couldn't get Ann and Pam to L.A. tonight. Eric fears Ridge might be right, but he doesn't want that to put a damper on their celebration. Ridge suggests they toast to their new fashion venture; everyone clanks their glasses together except for Eric. Stephanie tells him to cheer up, as she knows that they'll get the company back in their hands soon enough. In fact, she has some good news on that front, and she thinks this is the perfect time to tell them about it. Before Stephanie can say any more, Taylor asks to speak to her on the terrace. As Taylor and Stephanie step outside, the others wonder what's going on. Thorne feels like Taylor dragged his mother out to the woodshed; Felicia thinks that would be fun to watch, but she wonders why Taylor pulled her mom outside. Outside, Taylor scolds Stephanie for her sudden pronouncement. Stephanie says that she just wanted to cheer her husband up by telling him that they were getting the company back. Taylor reminds her that Nick's breakthrough doesn't mean that they'll definitely get the company back. Stephanie states that Nick gave his word; if he's as grateful to Taylor as he claims, anything less than giving the company back will be unacceptable.

Inside, Thorne, Ridge, Felicia and Brooke discuss Eric's lack of enthusiasm for their new venture. They all share that Eric has yet to show them any designs for the new line. That's because there are none, Eric answers, pointing out that he's been blocked for weeks. His kids assure him that he'll get past his block soon enough, but Eric isn't as sure. Stephanie and Taylor come back in; Stephanie assures Eric that his creative juices will be flowing again once he gets back to Forrester. Taylor tries to hush Stephanie, who tells the others that Nick is on the verge of a breakthrough. She's confident that Forrester will be theirs again very soon. Just then, Taylor gets a call from Nick, who asks to see her. She tells him that she'll see what she can do. Taylor tells the others that she needs to go help Nick; Thorne isn't happy about his fiancee leaving, but Taylor says she has to do this. They exchange "I love yous" and Taylor turns to leave. Stephanie pulls Stephanie aside on her way out and tells her, "Don't tiptoe around about this. Get Nick to promise to sell us the company, tonight."

Eric finds a troubled Felicia out on the terrace.

Eric finds a troubled Felicia out on the terrace. She tells him that she's worried about Dante. Even though she tries to tell herself everything is OK, she's starting to think that his sculpting commission is more important to him than his family. Eric asks if she told Dante that. Felicia says that all she gets are excuses. She points out that Dante failed to come home for both Christmas and New Year's, and she wonders what that says about Dante's priorities, and about how he feels about her and Dino.

Ridge and Brooke make a New Year's Resolution.

Inside, Ridge and Brooke share a chocolate covered strawberry as they resolve never to let anyone or anything keep them apart ever again. They kiss. Thorne spots them smooching and tells them to stop, since he doesn't have his fiancee here to kiss. Ridge assures Thorne that Taylor will be back soon. Stephanie agrees, adding her hope that Taylor will return with good news about the company. She knows they all sold the company to protect her, and it cost Eric dearly, which is why she won't rest until they get the company back for Eric.

Thorne wishes Taylor had not left to be with Nick.

Thorne watches as Ridge and Brooke kiss and have some champagne. Felicia comes over and asks if he wishes he was doing that with Taylor. He laments that his fiancee is with another man on New Year's Eve. Felicia sees that he's disappointed, but she points out that Taylor is away for a good cause. Besides, he has the rest of his life to spend with Taylor. As she does with Dante, Thorne responds. Eric comes in and says that this family has never had a more wonderful year to look forward to. He knows he was acting blue before, but seeing them together, loving each other, reminded him of what was important. He's glad that they're healthy, together and relatively sane. Brooke looks at the time and realizes that midnight is approaching. They all count down from 5 and shout out "Happy New Year!" As Ridge kisses Brooke, Eric turns to Stephanie and bids her "Happy New Year." Stephanie does the same. Eric tells her, "I love you." Stephanie replies, "I love you more." Eric replies, "I love you more" and kisser her.

Taylor is intrigued by Nick's gift.

Taylor arrives at the Marone mansion. Nick thanks her for coming. He's sorry to have interrupted her evening, but he wanted to tell her about his mother's visit. He tells her that he can't even look at Jackie, and he doesn't know if he can ever get past what she did. Taylor reminds him that he can't change the past, but he can try to learn from it. Nick points out that this all started by her trying to uncover the hidden cause of his anger, in the hopes that he wouldn't want Forrester anymore. Taylor feels like she lived up to her end of the bargain and asks Nick if he'd agree. Nick candidly tells her that it was nuts for her to offer her professional services to him in return for his giving back Forrester. She points out that he acted like it was a joke at first. Nick tells her that he's not laughing anymore, thanks to her helping him get to the truth. He sees now why he lost his marriages and never had the children he wanted. Because his mother made some unwise choices, Taylor points out, reminding him that Jackie still loves him. Nick says he didn't ask her over to talk about his mother. He wanted to give her a gift. Taylor unwraps the package and finds a globe paperweight inside, like a crystal ball; Nick explains that Marone Industries gave him that when he first circumnavigated the globe. Since she gave him a new world, he wants her to have it. He knows he has a long way to go, but he feels better, thanks to her.