Tuesday, June 27, 2006, Episode #4838

Nick asks Brooke if Bridget's feelings for Dante are real.

On the Shady Marlin, Brooke and Nick discuss Bridget's relationship with Dante. She asks why it matters when Bridget fell in love with Dante. Nick reminds her that Stephanie said... "That Bridget's just as bad as I am. That I taught her to be selfish," Brooke finishes. Nick thinks Stephanie is just defending her daughter. Brooke asks why he's defending Stephanie. He says he isn't, but he has to wonder if Stephanie has a point given that Bridget didn't give Dante the time of day. "Until you told her you're not coming back," Brooke states. Nick says he wants Bridget to be happy with the right man. But he doesn't think Dante is that man, Brooke surmises, asking if he thinks Bridget still has feelings for him. He hopes not. Brooke states that Bridget seemed sincere about wanting Dante. Nick worries that Bridget might not be ready for another man, especially one that was about to marry Felicia. He doesn't want Bridget to be hurt. But Bridget is happy, Brooke states, and she knows Dante would do anything. She's glad Bridget finally has a love she can call her own. She admits Dante made a mistake by proposing to Felicia, but she knows he never stopped loving Bridget. Nick still seems hesitant, so Brooke suggests he talk to Bridget.

Brooke is thrilled by Nick's actions.

Nick says that he will talk to Bridget, since he has something for her to sign. Brooke asks what it is. He replies that he knows she didn't want him rushing the divorce because of Bridget. But if Bridget is moving on with her life with Dante, then he's ready to move on with his. He takes some papers out of a folder and shows them to Brooke, who sees that they're divorce papers. She asks if this means they can get married. As soon as the ink is dry, Nick replies. An excited Brooke jumps into his arms and smothers him with kisses. Between kisses, Nick pulls away and tells her that there's more. She wonders what it could be. He takes a box filled with cards and shows them to Brooke, who is thrilled to see that they're wedding announcements. She happily reads, "Brooke Logan and Nick Marone proudly announce their plans to marry and live happily ever after." He asks if she thinks it's too subtle, but she tells him that it's perfect. Nick says that she's perfect. He sighs that it's been a long road. But they made it through, Brooke responds, because of him. He's been very patient, she adds, and he put up with her, too. And he always will, Nick says. They start kissing again as "Going Back Again" plays in the background.

Eric asks Felicia if she's sure about Dante.

Eric stops by the guest house to see Felicia, who discusses Dante with him. She tells him that she knew Dante was special from the moment they met. She thinks the fact that she saw something in Dante that Bridget couldn't until it was too late is what bothers Bridget. Eric says that's not like Bridget; Felicia points out that he wasn't there, so he didn't hear what Bridget said. She's sure Bridget is angry at her for surviving cancer and taking Dino back. Eric can't believe that, because that's not how Bridget is. Felicia retorts that everyone sees her sister as the unselfish Saint Bridget, even though Bridget willingly backed away from Dante. Eric suggests that Bridget was confused, but Felicia is so tired of hearing that excuse, since she was confused, too, when Dante proposed. But now she knows Dante loves her, and she wants to have a family with him. Bridget, on the other hand, doesn't know what she wants, and even Dante sees that. Eric asks if she's sure. Felicia responds that Dante was just here and didn't say a thing about not marrying her. Eric suggests that Dante is confused, but Felicia counters that she would be married to Dante now had Bridget not ruined things by throwing herself at Dante. Eric asks if she asked Dante about the kiss. Felicia reminds him of the vows that Dante took in front of God and his family, words that prove that he is NOT committed to Bridget. "Dante is going to marry ME," she insists.

Eric tells Felicia how he and Stephanie spoke to Dante earlier, and he reminded Dante of the commitment he made to Felicia and their son. Felicia doesn't think he needs reminding and confides in Eric of her plans to run off with Dante to elope as soon as they can. Eric points out that Dante didn't say anything about eloping. It's a secret, she remarks. Eric tries to get her to think about this, but she doesn't want of need his negativity. She just wants to pick up the pieces after her wedding fell apart. By running away? he asks. She asks if that's what he thinks she's doing. He says that she and Dante should resolve all this before they do anything. She senses that Eric thinks Dante doesn't love her and asks if it's because Eric sees her as damaged. If so, she replies, Dante doesn't mind her scars, physical or emotional, because he thinks she's beautiful. Holding her in his arms, Eric responds, "You are beautiful." Spoken like a daddy who feels sorry for his daughter, she states, suggesting that she needs to get away from this bad energy. Eric tries to assure her that he's... That he's on her side? Felicia asks. If that's how he feels, she adds, it sure doesn't feel like it.

Dante and Bridget are surprised when Stephanie barges in.

Bridget and Dante are on her couch at the beach house, going on about how their love feels. Bridget doesn't know how she passed him up when he was right in front of her the whole time. She knows now, Dante says, and that's all that matters. Bridget says she knows who she is now, and it makes her feel special, stable, secure, lovable and even sexy. They continue to kiss, just as Stephanie burst in and tells Dante to get away from Bridget! Jumping up, Bridget asks Stephanie why she's here. Stephanie tells Bridget about her talk with Brooke, who said that Bridget wasn't walking away from Dante - and from what she just saw, Stephanie sees that Brooke was right! Bridget says that she tried, but it just caused more problems, so she's not justifying her feelings to anyone. Stephanie states that she won't let Bridget hurt Felicia, and she then orders Dante to honor his commitment to Felicia. Dante says he can't, because he and Bridget love each other. Only because Bridget can't have Nick, Stephanie argues, because Nick is engaged to Brooke. Bridget insists that she's not in love with Nick. Stephanie can't believe Bridget is acting this way. Dante reminds Stephanie that Dino was conceived during a one night stand in France. Then why did he propose to Felicia? she asks. And why did he lie to her? Dante says he will make sure Felicia is OK. "Not on my watch," Stephanie insists, even though Dante says this is none of her business and asks her to go.

Stephanie sticks up for her daughter.

Stephanie says that she told Felicia to talk to Bridget. And she did, Bridget confirms, explaining that she told Felicia that nothing would ever come between them. So she lied! Stephanie accuses, angrily suggesting that Bridget is just like her mother! Dante refuses to listen this, so Stephanie tells him to leave. Bridget agrees that it's a good idea for him to go; she promises to call if she needs him. After Dante reluctantly leaves, Bridget turns to Stephanie and recalls all the times Stephanie told her she could never be happy with Nick, because he loved her mom. In that same way, she doesn't think Dante can ever love Felicia like he loves her. Then why wait until the wedding to speak out? Stephanie asks. Bridget assures her that there are no conspiracies, but Stephanie can't help but see Brooke when she looks at Bridget. Bridget says she knows Stephanie sees her as selfish and childish, and she also knows that she's hurting Felicia. But she assures Stephanie that she DOES love Dante, and she just prays that Felicia can someday forgive her. She thinks she knows better than anyone how hard it is to marry a man who's in love with someone else. This is a mess, Stephanie states. Bridget agrees and wishes she had been honest with Felicia and herself. In fact, she and Dante are both worried that Felicia is in denial, which is why Dante hasn't told Felicia the truth yet. Stephanie asks Bridget if she's sure she loves Dante, and if she'd feel that way if Nick was available. Bridget says she's sure. In that case, Stephanie doesn't want her daughter to marry a man who's not in love with her. Still, she wants to be clear that she's doing this for Felicia, not Bridget. Even if Bridget says she's sorry, Stephanie feels Felicia will be devastated because of Bridget's indecisiveness, and she doesn't know if she can ever forgive Bridget for that.

Dante stops by the guest house looking for Felicia and finds Eric there, watching Dino. Eric asks Dante about what Felicia said earlier about their plans to elope. Dante says that's why he's here, to fix things. He's sorry about what happened, because he cares for Felicia, but he's in love with Bridget. Eric asks Dante why he didn't admit that before proposing to Felicia. Dante points out that he never hid his feelings for Bridget. Eric laments that both his daughters think Dante will marry them. Dante says he's sorry, but he never stopped loving Bridget. He just gave up hope that she would love him back. Now, Bridget has admitted she loves him. He's sorry that Felicia will be hurt to find that out, but he has to do what's in his heart. He points out that he and Felicia always thought the idea of getting married so early was crazy. Eric admits he tries to warn Felicia about this. On the other hand, Dante points out, he and Felicia share a son, so it seemed just as crazy NOT to get married. Eric thinks they all got caught up in this, especially Felicia. Dante promises to make Felicia understand. Eric advises that Felicia isn't as tough as everyone else, or even she, thinks she is. Nobody fight like her, he explains, just as no one hurts like her. He wonders how many hits Felicia has to take. Dante again says he's sorry. Eric points to the other room and sends Dante to see his son.