Friday, June 09, 2006, Episode #4826

Dante explains to a stunned Bridget about his engagement to Felicia.
At Dante's house, Bridget is stunned that Dante is engaged and turns to leave. Dante stops her and says that it only happened last night. Bridget points out that he doesn't love Felicia. But they have a child together, Dante says. Bridget reminds him how he wanted to raise that child with her just days ago. But she turned down his proposal, Dante recalls, surprised that she's not happy that he moved on. Bridget agrees that she has no right to be upset, because he had no reason to wait for her after she turned down his proposal. Because she wasn't over Nick, he replies, telling her that he still wants her to be close to Dino, Felicia and him. Turning away, Bridget asks about the ring he offered her. He admits he gave it to Felicia; it was an impulse, and he wasn't planning it, but he felt like it was the right thing to do for him and his son. Bridget is sure Felicia is thrilled. Dante answers that he and Felicia are both happy. Bridget says she hopes they have a wonderful life together and turns to leave. Dante stops her and says he's sorry. She replies that she is, too, more than he'll ever know. Dante asks her to stay, but she turns to the door and leaves.

Eric has concerns about Felicia's engagement.
At the Forrester mansion, an excited Felicia tells Eric about her engagement. She bets he never thought she'd find someone as normal as Dante. What he hoped for, he replies, is someone who adores her, and only her. She responds that Dante is a good man. One who has good taste, Eric remarks, since Dante proposed to two of his daughters in less than a month. He asks if she's aware Dante is pursuing his sister. He WAS pursuing Bridget, Felicia corrects him, but that was before he realized he could have a relationship with her. Eric hopes she can see why he's concerned. Felicia admits it seems impulsive, but being impulsive is what makes Dante right for her. Eric asks if she's sure Dante is the right man. She is, she replies, kissing him lightly. Eric guesses that's it, but Felicia says she needs a wedding dress. Black leather? he asks. With buckles, she adds. Eric nodes, hoping Dante makes her happy. He does, she states.

After Eric leaves, Felicia stops to leave a note for Stephanie with her news when Bridget comes in. Felicia thinks Bridget is there to congratulate her and says that's sweet, but Bridget says they have to talk. Felicia is glad to hear that, since she's been dying to tell someone about it. Bridget says she already talked to Dante about it when she stopped by his beach house earlier. Then she knows about the ring, Felicia says, fretting that it's a bit loose. Still, she's sure Bridget is happy for her from their phone call earlier and the fact that Bridget is here to talk. Bridget says that she's worried about Felicia; she knows Dante is charming, and he and Felicia share a son, but there's more to love than taking off your clothes and posing. She adds that almost dying may have clouded Felicia's judgement. Felicia senses the implication and denies that she threw herself at Dante! Bridget suggests that Felicia just slow down, if not for her own sake, then for her son's.

Felicia asks Bridget to be happy for her.
Felicia thinks that giving her son a happy, stable home is best for him. Bridget agrees, as long as it's with a man who really loves Felicia. Felicia points out that Dante proposed to her, not the other way around. Bridget admits this may sound like sour grapes. Felicia stops her and tells Bridget not to say any more, because she doesn't want to spoil the moment she's waited a lifetime for. Bridget replies that Felicia and Dante deserve everything, and she doesn't want to stand in their way. But as Felicia's sister, she has to ask if this is what Felicia wants. Felicia says she wouldn't have said yes if it wasn't. Bridget suggests Felicia think about this, because she barely knows Dante. They know enough, Felicia says, but Bridget is still skeptical. Felicia reminds Bridget that a month ago, she thought she'd be dead. But here she is, with a second chance at life, and she's going to make the most of it, even if it means taking some risks. She loves Bridget and wants her support, but if Bridget can't give her that... Bridget says that of course she supports her, because she loves her. Then be happy for her, Felicia asks, hugging Bridget.

Nick warns Stephanie that he's protecting Brooke.
Stephanie barges into Nick's office and confronts him over his part in helping Stephen buy Taylor's Forrester stock. She accuses him of taking advantage of a decent woman, but he thinks that's her style and asks her to leave. She accuses him of trying to push her out of her company, just like he did to his father. Nick says this has nothing to do with him. He bought that stock to free Brooke from Stephanie's family. But that's not what Brooke wants, Stephanie argues. Nick disagrees, but Stephanie reminds him that Brooke didn't fire her or her family. And she won't, Nick counters, as long as Stephanie keeps up her peace, love and harmony act. It's not an act, Stephanie says. Nick brings up the new ad for Brooke's Bedroom. Ridge is excited about that, Stephanie states. Nick suggests she tell her son to keep his pencil in his pocket, since he [Nick] isn't the only one protecting Brooke. If he means Stephen, she says as Jackie comes in, she hears he's been been busy. She turns to Jackie and asks, "Isn't that right, Jacqueline?" If she's referring to her friendship with Stephen, Jackie answers, then... Stephanie thinks Jackie knows what they say about that: lie down with dogs, get up with fleas? Jackie counters that Stephen is a good man, and she should know. Stephanie asks Jackie if she knew that Stephen was in Taylor's bed last night.

Stephanie tells Jacqueline about Stephen sleeping with Taylor.
Jackie doesn't believe Stephanie, but Stephanie asks how Jackie thinks Stephen got Taylor's stock. She adds that she even caught Stephen coming down Taylor's stairs and wonders if Stephen would have been as proud getting caught leaving Jackie's room. Nick tells Stephanie to stop, but she goes on that it's one thing for Jackie to be rejected by men like Eric or Massimo. But to get tossed aside for a loser like Stephen Logan? Nick tells Stephanie not to disrespect his mother, but Stephanie wants to ask Jackie and Nick if someone as self-centered as Stephen is the kind of man they want to be involved with. Nick counters that Stephen was looking after Brooke. Stephanie responds that Nick miscalculated by telling Brooke to fire her and her family. She doesn't think Brooke will be swayed by such bad judgement again. Jackie argues that Stephanie, not Nick, is manipulating Brooke. Stephanie admits she made Brooke miserable, but she's trying to make amends, and she also never pretended to help Brooke. But she thinks Nick and Stephen are filling Brooke's head with suspicion and bad business judgement. Jackie thinks Stephanie admitting to making Brooke's life hell is all the more reason for Brooke to be suspicious. Stephanie points out that Stephen Logan walked out on his family, and now he's using Jackie, Nick and even his own daughter to get back at Stephanie rather than face his own mistakes. As she turns to leave, she tells Nick to help Brooke by getting rid of Brooke's father - because if he doesn't, she will.

Stephen tries to tell Brooke that he loves her.
At Brooke's house, Stephen refuses to leave until he and Brooke work things out, but Brooke says there's nothing to work out. Stephen says he wanted to make up for his mistakes, but Brooke thinks he only added fuel to the fire. Stephen thinks she's naive if she believes Stephanie. Brooke thinks she must be naive, since she gave him a second chance. Stephen argues that he never intended to put stress on her relationship with Nick. He never intends to make a mess of things, Brooke says, but he does. He tells Brooke that he's not a loser, since he's turned his life around and has done his time. Brooke asks what his "sentence" was for abandoning his family. Stephen admits he can't change the past, but he wants to know that he loves her, and he wants to make up for the mistake of leaving her. He promises to never make that mistake again. Brooke finds it ironic that she wants him gone, but he won't leave. He insists that she's letting the Forrester influence her decisions over who she loves, but she thinks that's rich coming from him. She asks if she knows why she turned to Eric, Ridge and Thorne; it's because she needed someone to make her feel safe, the way her father should have. She thinks of all the times she denied that when Stephanie or Taylor tried to tell her, but now she sees that he's to blame for all her mistakes.

Brooke orders Stephen out of her house and her life!
Stephen tells Brooke that he blames himself for all the bad things that happened to her, too. He followed her career and saw what he accomplished, so he thought she was doing OK. She tells him that she did so much to keep her mind busy, to forget the void caused by his leaving. She says that she tells her kids that ghosts aren't real, but she's been haunted and even possessed by one for most her life. She thinks of all times she stayed up late wondering if she'd be happy, or if she was worth loving. Of course she is, Stephen says, but she points out that he wasn't there to tell her that. He says that he's here now, but she says it's too late. Nearly in tears, Brooke sits on the stairs and tells Stephen to leave, but he doesn't think she means that and sits beside her. As he holds her and tells her it's going to be OK, she flashes back to him holding her in the same position when she was younger, telling her the same thing. Young Brooke pulls away, tells him it won't be OK and asks him to leave her alone. Stephen tells young Brooke that he won't let her go ever again, but she pushes away and flees. In the present, Brooke pushes Stephen away and tells him that she needed him when she was younger, but she doesn't need him now. It's too late, she states. Stephen approaches her and says it's not too late, but she angrily pushes him away and tells him not to touch her. He tries to come near her, but she grabs him, opens the door and pushes him out, slamming the door behind him. She then tearfully sinks to the floor, sobbing.