At the Bel Air home of Ridge and Taylor, Ridge is in the shower, while Taylor unpacks his things and practices her confession to him. She's interrupted by a call from Stephanie, again warning Taylor that Ridge might accept that she kissed Hector, but he'll never accept that she slept with James and kept it from him for years. Despite Stephanie's not to put her marriage in jeopardy and leave Brooke an opening, Taylor isn't willing to tell a half-truth. She ends the call when Ridge comes out of the shower, asking if she's ordering takeout. Taylor says she isn't but wonders if she should. Ridge thinks it might be a good idea, since he doesn't want to leave her or this bed. He hugs her and tells her how much he missed her. She says she missed him, too.

Stephanie tells Brooke not to interfere in Taylor's marriage.

Soon after, Stephanie shows up at Brooke's house. Brooke isn't surprised and guesses that Taylor "called out the dogs" after she [Brooke] caught Taylor in her underwear kissing someone other than her husband. Stephanie calls it bad judgement, but Brooke calls it cheating. If it had been her, Brooke points out, Stephanie would be running her out of town. Stephanie says she thought she had. Brooke bets that Stephanie blames big bad fireman Hector and calls Taylor blameless, and guesses that Stephanie is here to fix things. Stephanie asks Brooke why she went there, anyway, since she told Brooke to leave Ridge and Taylor alone. Brooke says she didn't force Taylor to kiss Hector, and neither, apparently, did Hector, so it's about time Stephanie gets off her high horse and admit that Taylor makes mistakes, too. Stephanie says a confused Taylor just kissed Hector because Ridge neglected his wife, and she warns Brooke not to use this to undermine Ridge and Taylor's marriage.

Brooke thinks that Taylor will destroy her own marriage by telling the truth.

Brooke, however, thinks Stephanie is the one who should butt out. She wonders what kind of lie Stephanie is going to cook up this time to promote this farce of a marriage. Stephanie says it's not a farce. Then why was Taylor kissing another man after her husband didn't come home for the holidays? Brooke asks. Stephanie accuses Brooke of waiting for a chance like this to make Ridge her "destiny" again, since Brooke can't have Nick. She tells Brooke to forget that, since she has no future with Ridge. Brooke doesn't think Stephanie really believes that: she wouldn't be here if she did. The fact that Stephanie is here tells her that Ridge's marriage to Taylor is in real trouble. Stephanie denies that, since she's sure Taylor is telling Ridge the truth right now. Probably some sanitized version, Brooke guesses. Stephanie says Taylor is saying more than she would have liked. So Taylor isn't a saint after all, Brooke states, wondering what other things Taylor might have done that they don't know about. She bets that Stephanie, as Taylor's friend and confidant, knows. Stephanie says she does know one thing, that Taylor's marriage to Ridge will survive. Then why is she so worried? Brooke asks. Stephanie claims it's because she knows Brooke will eventually parade around in her underwear again to lure Ridge into her web. Brooke says Stephanie gives her too much credit; she thinks Taylor telling Ridge the truth will be what really destroys that marriage.

Ridge lights some candles as Taylor changes into a nightie. Taylor tells him that she has something to say to him. He says he knows what it is. He guesses she is angry because he was away working instead of being with her for her first holiday back. No matter how much he accomplished while away, he knows he should have moved heaven and earth to get back home, which is why he wants to show her how much he loves her. He starts to kiss her and they make love. When they finish, Ridge tells her that he has a belated Christmas gift and gives her a diamond necklace that he thinks is almost as luminous as she is. He points out that there is one diamond there for every year they've been together and one for each of their kids, to show the happiness she's brought him. Taylor is moved and thanks him. He thinks he should be thanking her, since he half expected to come home to her throwing him out. She says she doesn't want him going anywhere. He says he doesn't intend to for a while, since being in Paris showed him how spoiled he is by the beauty and passion that radiates from her. Her passion for their family and her work inspires him, and that's what makes her so unique. He thinks it's her virtue, not her beauty, that makes her so special. Taylor responds to that by telling him that she has something to say to him.

Taylor comes clean with Ridge.

Sitting at the edge of the bed, Ridge listens as Taylor explains how frustrated with him she was when he didn't make it home for the holidays. She was hurt and confused, especially when he called her on New Year's Eve. But she wasn't alone. While she was preparing a special night for his homecoming, she tells Ridge, Hector stopped by to wish her a Happy New Year, so the fireman was still there when Ridge called to say he wasn't coming home. Hector was about to leave, but then he saw how under-appreciated and upset she was by Ridge's call. So Hector took advantage of what she was feeling, Ridge guesses. Taylor tells him that there's more. She knew she was feeling vulnerable that night, and so did Hector, which is why she asked Hector to leave. But Hector followed her to the bedroom. And then she kicked him out, Ridge guesses. Actually, Taylor says, she was feeling so hurt that she let Hector kiss her. Right here in the bedroom? Ridge asks. Taylor says she should have known better, but... Ridge cuts her off and asks if she slept with Hector. No, Taylor says, still apologizing to Ridge. Ridge is angry at Hector, but he says he'll handle the fireman in the morning. Right now, he just wants to spend time with his wife, and he doesn't want Hector Ramirez to spoil that. Taylor says Ridge needs to know what happened. It was just one kiss, right? Ridge asks. Taylor says it was, but she has more to say.