Monday, June 12, 2006, Episode #4827

Stephen tries to explain to Jackie.

Stephen shows up at Jackie's penthouse and tells her that he has something to explain to her. She guesses that he's here to tell her that he slept with her the night after his romp with Taylor and invites the "naughty, naughty boy" in. Over champagne, Jackie suggests they talk about the good doctor. Stephen remarks that the news of his bed-hopping traveled fast; not as fast as him, Jackie quips. Stephen says he never wanted to... She stops him and says it's all right, since he just wanted to protect Brooke and thought that getting into bed with Taylor would help him do that. That's not how it happened, he states, explaining that Taylor had already signed over her stock before he slept with her. Jackie guesses that Taylor made herself available to him and suspects she might have done the same thing in Taylor's shoes. In fact, she finds the scenario quite alluring, in a James Bond kind of way.

Jackie decides to concentrate on Stephen's "positive traits."

Pleased that Jackie isn't angry, Stephen shares a toast with him. She says that she finds him dangerously complicated, and that attracts her to him. He says he's not as dangerous as he appears, but she thinks he is. Since they're going to be in laws, she sees no reason not to concentrate on his positive traits - the few he has, that is. Stephen thinks she may be more dangerously complicated than he is. He has no idea, she states.

Bridget drops by as Brooke unpacks her things in Ridge's old office at Marone. Brooke tells her daughter how she couldn't trust Stephen, so she asked her dad to leave L.A. Bridget points out how her granddad claimed to have changed, so Brooke tells her how Stephen slept with Taylor and took advantage of her, just to get revenge on the Forresters. Bridget is stunned, especially when Brooke tells her that Stephen claimed his connection with Taylor was deeper than just sex. She asks Brooke if she's sure it was just for revenge. Brooke isn't sure. She admits she considered giving Stephanie back all the stock, but Nick and her father thought she earned the right to run Forrester. Bridget agrees that she has. Now that she's running the company, Brooke wants to do it right. She tells Bridget how Nick and Stephen wanted her to fire Eric, Stephanie and Ridge, something she couldn't bring herself to do. Bridget reminds her that Ridge is her ex-husband who wants her back and guesses that Nick isn't happy about the situation. He isn't, Brooke admits, which is why she's moved into this office filled with video conferencing equipment, so she can run Forrester from here. Will that be enough? Bridget asks. Brooke thinks it has to be, since Ridge is too important to Forrester. Bridget replies, "No, Ridge is just too important to you."

Brooke advises Bridget to follow her heart.

Bridget asks Brooke if she can really limit her relationship with Ridge to work, given that they share history and a son with Ridge. She also recalls that Ridge violated Brooke. "I forgave him," Brooke says. Even so, Bridget bets that Nick doesn't understand, even with her mom's compromise to run Forrester from here, because Ridge keeps trying to win Brooke back. Brooke says that Ridge will just have to accept her commitment to Nick. Bridget then spots Brooke's engagement ring and asks if it's official. Brooke hopes that doesn't bother Bridget. Bridget says she's happy for her mom and Nick. It's just that after she turned down Dante's proposal, he proposed to Felicia. She can't believe she passed up such a wonderful guy like Dante, who came all the way across the world to be with her. Brooke points out how much Bridget has been through, but Bridget says that doesn't matter. Now that Dante has committed to Felicia, she knows it's too late. It doesn't have to be, Brooke says. Bridget reminds her mom that Felicia and Dante have a son, but Brooke says that they don't need to be married to be there for Dino. She sees that Dante loves Bridget and not Felicia, and that Bridget loves him, so she urges Bridget to tell him how she feels before it's too late.

Dante assures Ridge of his commitment to Felicia.

At Forrester, Ridge works with some models on the Brooke's Bedroom line. The models playfully tell him that the new Bedroom line designs feel better than ever, and they're glad that Brooke is committed to the line. Dante comes in with a model in another lingerie outfit, noting how well his art fits on lingerie that's meant to be touched. Ridge agrees and sends the models off. Once the ladies leave, Ridge tells Dante that he heard that they're going to be in-laws. He admits he's concerned, since he knows how hung up on Bridget Dante was. He doesn't think he ever would have predicted Dante asking Felicia to marry him. Dante points out that Felicia is quite unpredictable, and they also share a child. But spontaneity and a son aren't enough to build a marriage on, Ridge states. Dante assures Ridge that the Forrester family is important to him. Ridge just wants to be sure, after the hell Felicia has been through this past year, that she's being loved the way she deserves, and not just because she gave birth to some guy's child. Dante appreciates the concern, since he knows his proposal seems impulsive, but he wants a life with Felicia and their son. Ridge thinks about how Felicia has always resisted traditional things like marriage, but at the same time, he has to admit that he's never seen her happier. He'd like her to stay that way. Dante agrees; that pleases Ridge, who warns Dante to be damned sure that he can honor the commitment he's made.

Bridget tells Dante how she feels.

Later, Bridget is at her beach house, flashing back to Dante telling her that she's been the only girl for him since they met in Rome. That's why he wanted to love her for who she is, as her husband. Just then, Dante arrives and asks why she called him over. She thinks he knows. He admits that he still wants her, so he should never have proposed to Felicia. But he needs to know if she wants him. Bridget hesitates and says she can't do this. Dante knows he promised Felicia a life and a marriage, but it would be a lie. Bridget then recalls her mother telling her to listen to her heart. And what does it say? Dante asks. That she loves him and wants him so badly, she answers as they passionately kiss.

Ridge brings some designs for Brooke's approval.

Ridge drops by Brooke's office at Marone with samples of the new Bedroom line. Brooke says he shouldn't be here, but he doesn't want to lose any of the momentum he's been building. He wants to get the new line out now, even though Brooke doesn't think they're ready for a showing. Ridge thinks they are, which is why he brought the designs for her approval. She says that he should have used the video equipment at Forrester, but he thinks that's nonsense, since he likes to touch and feel things. If she's worried about sailor boy, he asks, what's Nick going to do? Kick him out like he did to Massimo? He wants to get down to business, but Brooke says she can't talk to him about panties. Then why not try them on? he suggests. Brooke asks him to stop, but he asks her to take a look at the samples and tell him if he's lost his touch. He hasn't, she admits. That's because she's his muse, he explains, taking out a sequin studded bustier from his back as a special gift for her. That's the show stopper, he explains. It's beautiful, Brooke says, looking at it. Ridge is great she thinks so, since he wants her to model it at the fashion show. Brooke agrees - for the good of the company, of course. Ridge promises that both they and the company will be back on top after this showing. He then sees her engagement ring and asks her to tell him that she's not marrying Nick.