Tuesday, July 04, 2006, Episode #4843

At the beach house, Dante checks on Bridget, who feels like a salad after treating her sunburn with a vinegar bath. Dante suggests that he add some oil and eat her up, but she says it hurts so much. She's so sorry she had to miss his ceremony last night. Dante understands and suggests she come with him to the studio, where the gallery owners are going to give him his award. Still in pain, Bridget says she can't. Dante turns to leave; on his way out, he finds a package from the pharmacy for Bridget on the deck. She guesses that her dad sent something over for her sunburn, so she takes the package and bids Dante goodbye.

Felicia gets in some digs as Dante gets his award.

Christian drops by Dante's studio, where Felicia is waiting. He asks how the event at the art gallery went last night. She says it was great to see Dante so proud; it's just too bad his date didn't make it. Christian points out that she turned Bridget into a human lobster. Felicia says that's nothing compared to what she has in store for Bridget today. Christian asks what she's up to this time; Felicia replies that Bridget's about to get creamed. After Christian leaves, Felicia recalls her wedding day, when she accused Bridget of lying about her feelings for Dante. She recalls Bridget telling her to be honest with herself about who Dante really loved. Dante arrives and asks if everything's OK, since he saw Christian leaving. Felicia says she's fine now that he's here and asks how Bridget is. Still sunburned, Dante replies. Too bad, Felicia says. Pierre and Marguerite from the gallery arrive to give Dante his artistic merit award. They're pleased to see Felicia again and ask her and Dante how they met. Felicia tells them how she was dancing on a table in Europe when they met and reveals that she and Dante have a son. So they're a couple? Pierre asks. "Uh, No," Dante answers. Felicia says they were engaged until he dumped her for her sister. Changing the subject, the gallery owners present Dante with his award medallion. Felicia admires the medallion and congratulates Dante, who says he couldn't have done it without her. She sarcastically replies, "I get my heart broken and you get a medal. Some people have all the luck."

Bridget panics when she can't feel her face.

At the beach house, Bridget puts on the cream from the pharmacy. It feels good as she applies it, but she soon finds that her face is completely numb! Dante returns home with his medal and finds Bridget in a panic, trying to tell him in slurred words that she can't feel anything! Dante sees her drooling; still slurring her words, she says she can't feel her face and tells him to call Christian. Dante tells her to to calm down while he gets the doctor on the line.

At the studio, Christian comes back in; he tells Felicia that he waited for the award people to leave and notes that they didn't stay long. She quips that she must have scared them off. Christian asks her to admit that she wanted to make Dante feel as uncomfortable as she made Bridget. She tells him to trust her that Bridget isn't feeling a think. He asks what she means; she tells him that she sent Bridget some botox cream that she had shipped from Europe. She laughs that she checked out the product, and it will probably make Bridget look younger in the end. Just then, Christian gets a call from Dante, who urges the doc to rush over. Christian says he'll be right there and hangs up; he then tells Felicia that this is the last stunt she'll pull on Bridget. OK, she shamefully says, asking him not to rat her out to Bridget. Christian just looks at her and leaves.

Taylor is surprised when Nick tells her about Stephen and Jackie.

Taylor drops by Marone to talk to Nick about his wedding. She admits that she's surprised he's having a big wedding. She would have thought he'd want to elope, to keep Ridge or Stephanie from interfering. He points out that Brooke likes him. But Brooke also wants the approval of Ridge and his family, Taylor points out, so Brooke is still vulnerable. Nick says that's why he's looking out for Brooke, although he can understand why Taylor doesn't feel too charitable toward Brooke. Taylor says she wants him to know what he's getting into. Unlike her, Nick says, getting involved with Stephen. He's still bothered by how Stephen played her and his mother. Taylor is stunned to learn that Stephen also slept with Jackie. Nick apologizes; he only said that because he thought Taylor knew. Taylor says she didn't know, but it doesn't matter, since Stephen left town. Besides, she told Stephen that things wouldn't work out for them to have a relationship. Nick thinks it's for the best and asks if she's OK. She says she's just surprised. Nick says he is, too. He guesses you never know some people as well as you think you do.

Stephanie urges Brooke not to let Nick hold her back.

Brooke is at home, on the phone making wedding plans, when Stephanie drops by with a poster sized version of one of the semi-nude photos Brooke took for the Bedroom line. She thinks this will be their best ad campaign ever. But it won't, Brooke responds, because she's standing by her decision not to use those photos. Stephanie asks if Nick made that decision. Nick doesn't even know, Brooke replies; there's no point in telling him, because they're not using those photos. Stephanie points out that this is Independence Day, so Brooke should be asserting hers; she wants to know where the free spirit that drove her crazy for years is. Brooke thinks Stephanie would be happy that she's past such behavior. Stephanie argues that such behavior is part of who Brooke is; she can't believe Brooke is walking away from that. Brooke insists that she is marrying Nick because she loves him. Stephanie counters that Brooke loves Bridget, too. Brooke responds that Stephanie can't see what Nick does for her. Stephanie replies that she sees Nick giving embarrassing ultimatums. Brooke says she can't blame Nick, who is just reacting to Stephanie. But Nick is standing in judgement, Stephanie says, while she sees this beautiful photo of the proud, confident open woman that Brooke is. She thinks Nick doesn't understand Brooke, especially not like Ridge does, and she just wishes that she had understood that herself a lot sooner. If she had, maybe Brooke wouldn't have accepted Nick's proposal. Brooke thanks Stephanie for saying that but insists that she's fine. Stephanie, however, doesn't think Nick will ever understand Brooke, so she thinks Brooke will regret it for the rest of her life if she marries Nick.

Nick and Brooke have a talk.

After Stephanie leaves, Brooke considers the Forrester matriarch's plea not to let Nick stand in the way of their success. Nick comes in, so Brooke hides the poster sized photo. She tells him that she's been caught up in finalizing their wedding plans. Nick tells her that the honeymoon is set. She asks where they're going. Nick says it's a secret. At least tell her how long they'll be gone, she asks, so she can make arrangements at work. Speaking of work, Nick wants to talk to her about that. He asks if he's been a good sport about the Forresters. He's been very patient, she agrees. Nick then suggests that she start her own company. But Forrester IS hers, she points out. But that company is weighing them down, Nick says, despite all their intentions. Brooke assures him that she will not let Ridge affect her role at Forrester. And what is that role? Nick asks. She's CEO, she replies. Then why is she modeling underwear? Nick asks. Brooke replies that the Bedroom line is her baby, and the promotions reflect that. So she can wear her underwear to make the Forresters rich, Nick comments. She reminds him that they profit, too. But they don't need the money, Nick counters, since he can take care of her. Brooke says she doesn't want to be cared for. She wants to be loved and appreciated for who she is. And that's a talented woman who doesn't need the Forresters, Nick states. Brooke can't argue with that. Nick doesn't want to argue at all, unless they can make up. Brooke asks if he has any ideas. He says he has lots and kisses her. "Tell me," she whispers.