Wednesday, February 01, 2006, Episode #4736

Hector is surprised that Taylor wants to celebrate.
Hector drops by the Bel Air mansion, where Taylor shows him her annulment papers; she explains that this frees her from Ridge and the perfect imagine she's been struggling to live up to, since it wasn't true anyway. She breaks out a bottle of expensive champagne that she and Ridge were saving for a special occasion and offers Hector some. Hector seems surprised that she's celebrating and asks if she really wants to do this. She says that she does, because she is celebrating; she's celebrating the fact that this is the first day of the rest of her life and she's moving on. She pours two glasses and proposes a toast. Hector points out that it's a bit early for a drink. Taylor says that's exactly her point. A few years ago, she would have said the same thing. But now, she's here, with no husband, and her kids have lives of their own, so what's the harm in one glass to mark the transition? She reminds Hector of the fun they had the last time they partied; he says he remembers. He sees that she's going through something and wants to talk. No, Taylor says, turning on some music: she'll have no more talking, debating or analyzing. All she wants is to have some fun and toast to the demise of "Taylor Prudence, the Saint," and to the new, improved Taylor Hayes.

Alone, Taylor again laments the end of her marriage.
As Taylor dances around, Hector says he didn't see anything wrong with the old Taylor. She was boring, Taylor says. Dependable, Hector counters. Stuffy, she says. Rational, he says. And don't forget hypocritical, she adds. Hector says that she never claimed to be perfect. But that was her reputation, she said, the one that made her the "New Face of Forrester." Hector says that was an ad campaign, not who she is. That's right, Taylor says: she is done with that image and is free to have fun and be crazy! She keeps dancing around the room until she spots a photo of her, Ridge and their kids. Suddenly, she stops dancing and grows somber. Hector tells her that she's hurting, so she shouldn't pretend she's not. She says that this wasn't what she expected when she finally got back home to her family - a family that's gone now. Hector says that she has her kids. She says she knows. She thanks him for being there for her, because he's a great guy, but she thinks she needs time alone. Hector tells her to call if she needs anything, kisses her on the cheek and leaves. Alone, Taylor looks at the picture her, Ridge and the kids and starts to cry. She picks up the champagne bottle and pours herself another glass.

Ridge gives Nick some warnings.
Ridge approaches Nick's office, talking on his cell phone with someone to make sure he gets the plants, birds and everything, no matter what the cost. He then barges into Nick's office. He explains that he heard from Sally that Jackie was over at Forrester with Eric and orders Nick to tell Jackie to stay away from his dad, who has now remarried his mother. Nick asks Ridge if the word "married" means anything to Ridge. Ridge says his family is coming together, which is why he wants Nick to give Jackie the message; in fact, he just wishes that Nick's family would butt out of his family's business, period, including his relationship with Brooke! Nick opens the door and motions for Ridge to leave, but Ridge isn't leaving until Nick agrees to stay away from his family. Would that be the family he just walked out on, Nick asks, or the one he shattered months ago? Ridge says his relationship with Brooke is none of Nick's business. What relationship? Nick asks, pointing out that Ridge and Brooke only share a child. Ridge says he intends to raise that child with Brooke, but Nick thinks Brooke doesn't agree and shot Ridge down. Ridge thinks Nick is showing just how much he still loves Brooke, but Nick insists he's in love with Bridget. Just then, Ridge gets a call on his cell that everything - the birds, the flowers and the champagne - is all set.

Nick overhears and guesses that "the dressmaker" has some something showy, like a fashion show, planned to woo Brooke. He's surprised that Ridge is already chasing women right after his divorce and can see Ridge using his famous line, "Oh, Logan," already. Ridge points out that Taylor gave him an annulment - it was her idea - so that marriage is over. As for his plans, he points out that he always gets ovations after his shows. In fact, he tells Nick that if he has any plans to stop by Brooke's house tomorrow, he should make it late in the day, since Ridge thinks he and Brooke will be sleeping in.

Bridget lends an understanding ear to her mother.
Brooke stops by the beach house to see Bridget. She tells her daughter that Ridge wants her back, since he thinks he made a mistake leaving her for Taylor. Bridget asks Brooke how she feels about that. Brooke says that part of her feels validated to hear that. At the same time, she can't help but think about the life she and Ridge had with their family, their son - a life Ridge walked out on. She's not sure she wants that life back. Bridget suggests that Brooke doesn't want it because she found something better with Nick and now won't settle for anything less. Brooke pauses and then assures Bridget that she's no threat to Bridget's marriage to Nick; she's committed to being a loyal mother and grandmother. Bridget says she knows that. But she also knows what it's like to be with a man who will stand up for her and who is totally committed to her, so she can understand why Brooke wouldn't settle for less. Brooke says that she's not saying it will never happen with Ridge. After all, she wants him to be close to Hope and RJ. Still, he walked out on her and that life after she waited so long for that life to come along. Now he's back and says he wants to be with them, but she doesn't think she's ready for that. Bridget thinks Brooke will have to be strong if Ridge is as determined as she's said. After all, she knows how Ridge was able to get her mom under his spell in the past by laying on the charm. Brooke says that things have changed. She won't let Ridge turn Hope or RJ's lives upside down again, which is why she's not letting her obsession with Ridge run her life anymore. Unless Ridge can convince her that he won't bring that chaos back into her life, she thinks she's better off alone.

Nick tells Bridget about Ridge's visit to his office.
After Brooke leaves, Nick returns home and finds Bridget knitting something on that pink blanket she's been working on. She sees the look on his face and asks if he had a rough day at the office. He tells her about Ridge's "visit," today and explains that he got the impression that the dressmaker plans to sweep Brooke off her feet. Why would Ridge come to him? Bridget asks. Probably because of his history with Brooke, Nick guesses, stating that Brooke deserves better. Bridget says that her mom agrees based on what they talked about during Brooke's earlier visit; her mom told her how frustrated she is that Ridge isn't listening to her. If Brooke is frustrated now, Nick says, she'll be even more so when she gets home, since Forrester has something planned for tonight in true dressmaker fashion.

Brooke is surprised by what Ridge has done.
And sure enough, Brooke comes home to find a flower petal trail leading to her back yard. Following it, she finds Ridge standing there, greeting her by saying, "Hello Logan. Welcome to paradise." Brooke looks at him like he's crazy as she looks around at all the tropical foliage and monkeys here. Ridge thinks it should reminds her of Puerto Vista, where she saw the potential for their relationship, She was happy then as they made all those plans, and he wanted to bring her back to that time. Brooke tells him that he still can be happy with Taylor, but he tells her that he and Taylor have annulled their marriage and it's over, like it never happened. But it DID happen, she says. Ridge says that this is what Taylor wants - and as for him, he wants to remember all the plans he and Brooke made when they got married in the jungle. Brooke asks if he thinks a couple of tropical plants and some birds will renew the chemistry they once had, after the way he treated her? Ridge says he wants to make up for that, but she has to let him in first. Brooke tells him that she doesn't need to do anything. She reminds him that he walked out on her and their son, forcing her and the children to move out of their home. If he thinks he can make her forget that by redecorating her backyard, he's wrong. She won't melt into his arms as soon as he murmurs "Logan" a few times. This isn't what she wants, she says - and if he thinks it is, she doesn't want him either. Brooke walks away and leaves him standing there.