Friday, July 28, 2006, Episode #4861

Dante is upset at Bridget's reaction to the pregnancy test results.

In the basement at Forrester, Bridget asks why the pregnancy test is Felicia's concern. Felicia says that she has a right to know if her and Dante's son is going to have a brother or sister. Dante points out that Felicia will learn about it anyway, so he tells Bridget to go ahead with the results. Bridget reveals that the test was negative. "But we can keep trying," Dante points out. Bridget nods and hugs Dante, but over his shoulder, she breathes a sigh of relief as Felicia looks on. Bridget and Dante go to his studio, where he tells her how disappointed he is. He bets she feels the same, but she tells him that she's actually relieved. After all, they're not married, and they still need time to get to know each other. A confused Dante says that they know each other already, and he thought they already discussed this. Bridget admits she's doing a 180, but she asks him to be patient with her. Dante thinks he's been patient, waiting a year for her to get over Nick, and he almost married her sister when she didn't come around. Bridget says she doesn't want to make another mistake. So having a child with him would be a mistake? Dante asks, wondering if she wants a life with him. Bridget tells him not to overreact. She wants a life with him, but they still haven't set a date. Because she wanted to wait, Dante reminds her, saying he'd marry her today if she'd let him. Bridget reminds him that her sister-in-law just died, and she can't understand why he needs her to prove her feelings for him. Frustrated, Dante just asks her to leave him alone.

Felicia tells Dante she'll be there for him.

Soon after, Felicia enters the studio and finds Dante alone. She says she'd say she's sorry Bridget isn't pregnant, but she'd be lying. She points out that he has a son already, with her. A frustrated Dante tells her that Bridget was relieved that she wasn't pregnant. Felicia says she's so sorry, but that doesn't placate Dante; he lashes out and breaks some glass, furious at the fact that Bridget asked him to be patient! He looks at Felicia and recalls that she warned him that this would happen. He recalls how Bridget didn't want to marry him until he was about to marry Felicia, and it's driving him crazy. Felicia suggests that maybe it's better that it came out now, before there was a child involved. She reminds him that he already has a woman who loves him in her, and they share a child. They were so happy when they were a family. She hates to say it, but she doesn't think he'll every be happy with Bridget. He may not realize that now, but she'll be waiting for him when he does. Dante says that he knows what it's like to be patient, wanting to be with someone. Felicia thinks he's worth it, which is why she'll be here when he's ready. Dante responds by leaning in toward her and kissing her passionately.

Stephanie is stunned by Ridge's decision.

Ridge is in Thorne's office, talking with his mother. Stephanie is stunned that Brooke has resigned. Only as model for the Bedroom line, Ridge points out, but not as CEO. At least it's a start, Stephanie quips, although she bets Ridge sees it as the end of an era. It is, Ridge agrees; even though this has been the last Bedroom collection was their most profitable line ever, he doesn't see how there can be "Brooke's Bedroom" without Brooke. Stephanie suggests that Brooke might change her mind after seeing how profitable the line is, but Ridge tells her that Brooke has already chosen he replacement: her sister, Donna. Stephanie is shocked. Ridge tells her that Donna hasn't accepted yet, but he can't imagine Donna turning the opportunity down. Stephanie asks who is going to teach Donna, who knows nothing about modeling, how to do the job; Ridge says it won't be him, since he won't be designing for the Bedroom line anymore. But he loved that line, Stephanie points out. Ridge says that he loved working with Brooke on that line, because she was his inspiration. Without her, however, it won't be the same.

Brooke and Nick have news for Donna.

Brooke and Nick call Donna down to the living room to tell her that she has the job as the new Brooke's Bedroom model if she wants it. Brooke admits she wasn't sure her sister could represent the line, because the line was so much a part of her. Donna still isn't sure Brooke can be replaced, but Brooke says she's taking on new challenges. "Even if it breaks your heart?" Donna asks. Brooke replies that it would break her heart if Donna said no. Nick tells Donna not to let Brooke down, but Donna still fears she's a novice who might tank filling her sister's shoes. Brooke promises not to let that happen. She tells Donna, "You saw Brooke's Bedroom as one of my dreams before I even knew that I had it. I can trust you more than I can trust anyone." Donna is still not sure, even though she knows this is a huge opportunity. Then take it, Nick says. Donna responds that she saw the look on her sister's face when she came down the stairs earlier. Brooke says that's because, as Donna well knows, she's sentimental; she was just reacting to closing one chapter in her life and starting a new one, just as Donna will be if she takes the job. Donna asks Brooke if she's run this by Ridge yet. Nick says Brooke doesn't need Ridge's permission. But it's Ridge's line, too, Donna says, so he has the right. He has no right, Nick repeats. Brooke asks Nick if she can talk to her sister alone, so he leaves the room.

Donna apologizes to Brooke, as she didn't mean to get Nick's "knickers in a twist." Brooke thinks Donna was goading Nick, but Donna retorts that the only reason Brooke is looking for a replacement is because of her seafaring husband. She still doesn't know why Brooke is giving up something she's passionate about for Nick. Because she loves Nick, Brooke responds, explaining that marriage is about compromise. Donna still fears Brooke is making the biggest mistake of her life, but Brooke asks how giving up modeling can be that big a mistake. Donna says it's not just the modeling, but what it represents, as in Brooke's destiny with Ridge. Brooke agrees that she and Ridge had an amazing love story, but it's over. She asks Donna about the modeling job. Donna asks if Brooke really thinks she can do this. Brooke responds that Donna will make her proud, and they embrace.

Soon after, Brooke is looking at the "nude" ad in a magazine when Nick comes in and asks what happened. Brooke puts the magazine down and tells him that Donna took the job and is practicing as they speak. Nick takes Brooke by the hand and admits it was a tough decision. Brooke agrees, but she thinks it was the right thing to do. That's why he's crazy about her, Nick says, kissing her. Brooke tells him that she loves him, too. Nick asks if she's ready for bed, but she says she'll be up in a minute. Nick kisses her and goes upstairs. Alone, Brooke picks up the magazine and looks at the ad, causing her to flash back to the runway kiss. She then tosses the magazine down and goes upstairs.

Ridge has some bad news for Donna.

Donna enters the Forrester showroom and turns on the lights. She takes her place on the stage and starts practicing walking down the runway. Ridge enters the room and starts to applaud, calling out "Brava!" He walks over to Donna and guesses that Brooke has passed the torch. Donna asks if he can believe that she's now the model for Brooke's Bedroom. Ridge asks when this transition will take place. She reminds him that Brooke doesn't like to wait when she gets an idea in her head, so there's a press conference scheduled for tomorrow morning. She knows he would rather be designing for Brooke; Ridge assures her that she'll be fine. But they'll be looking at his designs, she states. No, he explains, they won't, since he won't be designing for the Bedroom line anymore. Donna can't believe it, but Ridge says it's not the same without Brooke. He guesses she'll model Eric's designs now. Donna thinks it's so wrong for Brooke to have walked away from Ridge, the one constant in her life, to marry Nick. Ridge agrees that Brooke is lost. "Because she's not with you," Donna says, admitting that even when Brooke was apart from Ridge, their relationship grounded Brooke. That's why, like she told him the other day, she always looked at his relationship with Brooke as the "gold standard" that everyone should aspire to. Trying not to sound like she's coming on to him, she says that she's never found a man who could measure up to her, because of the effect Ridge has had on her life, and she wonders if anyone will ever measure up to the handsome, dangerous, sexy Ridge in her eyes.