Thursday, June 29, 2006, Episode #4840

Nick comforts Brooke over her having to say goodbye to Ridge.

Brooke returns to the Marlin after her dinner with Ridge and finds Nick scrubbing his old rubber duck for Hope. He asks how it went with Ridge. She tells him that she showed the wedding announcement to Ridge, and he understands now that they they are getting married. "We ARE getting married, no matter what he pulls," Nick states. Brooke says that she had to make Ridge understand, because part of her will always love him. Nick understands and tells her to hold onto the memories of what she and Ridge shared. Brooke says she tried to make Ridge see that, so he could let go. Nick kisses her and admits that this must have hurt both her and Ridge. Brooke admits she is, but she says that doesn't make her love Nick any less. She just hopes Ridge will move on after her and find someone else to be with. Nick says that Ridge has to want that himself. Brooke thinks her will in time, and it will be as special as what she and Nick share. But until that happens, her heart breaks for Ridge. Nick kisses her on the forehead and hold her. He then asks Brooke if she'll be OK while he brings the divorce papers to Bridget to sign. She quietly says she'll be fine. He assures her that everything will be OK and reminds her that Bridget wants this. Brooke says she knows. Nick then gets on his way.

Dante admits his love for Bridget.

At the beach house, Bridget worries about Felicia, who is gone. Dante tells her that he offered to drive Felicia home, but she refused his offer. Bridget just hopes her sister will be OK. Dante reminds her that they had to be honest with Felicia; Bridget says she knows, but she still laments that their happiness comes at her sister's expense. Dante admits that Felicia is hurting now, but he's sure that she'll get past all this. Meanwhile, there is nothing standing between him and Bridget now to keep them from admitting their love for each other. They start to kiss passionately. Dante then whisks her off into the bedroom, where he rips off her clothes and tells Bridget how much he loves her. The two of them make passionate love.

Bridget gives Nick what he wanted.

Dante goes to get some post-sex refreshment when there's a knock at the door. He's surprised to find Nick there. This is awkward, Nick quips. That's what he gets for stopping by unannounced, Dante admits. Bridget comes looking for Dante and is surprised to see Nick there, asking to speak to her alone. Dante says they can pick up where they left off when she's done; he gives her a quick kiss and goes to take a shower. Bridget then asks Nick why he's here. He explains that he pulled some strings to finalize their divorce early and hopes she's OK with it. She asks if he's that anxious to get rid of her; Nick answers that's not it, but she says she was kidding. Nick notes that she looks happy and asks if it's because of Dante. She confirms that she is happy. She knows Dante isn't the man Nick would have chosen for her, but Dante has made her happy, just as Nick has made her mom happy. She asks if they should do this. Nick opens the folder and hesitates for a moment before signing and passing the document to her. Bridget signs and tells him that this is what he wanted -- what they both wanted -- and now they have it. Now her mom is all his, and she's happy for him. She gives him a last kiss goodbye before he takes the papers and leaves.

Ridge tells his mother that it's over with Brooke.

In Dante's studio, Brooke is with a photographer named Brio, waiting for Ridge. When Ridge arrives, Stephanie says she's glad he's here, since she and Brio have been waiting for him. They want to plan tomorrow's photo shoot. Ridge tells Brio that he's sorry, but he'd like to postpone until tomorrow. Of course, Brio says. After Brio leaves, Stephanie asks what's wrong. Ridge tells her about his dinner with Brooke at the private dining room. It's over with Brooke, he says, for good. Stephanie comfort her son.

Brooke tries to get her point across to Stephanie.

Soon after, Stephanie stops by the Marlin and asks Brooke where Nick is. Brooke realizes that Stephanie is only asking to make sure Nick isn't around, because the Forrester matriarch wants to badger her. Stephanie asks Brooke how she could break Ridge's heart like she did. Brooke reminds her that she and Ridge are still connected through RJ, but Stephanie frets that is not enough, and she fears that Ridge could wind up back in the hospital again. Brooke says that Ridge is fine, but Stephanie says that he is only that way because of Brooke's love, so she begs Brooke not to go through with this ridiculous marriage and close the door on Ridge! Brooke says that Ridge is accepting that it's over, but Stephanie accuses Brooke of letting Nick force the issue after Brooke forgave Ridge for sleeping with her, and for the runway kiss. She thinks it's almost like Brooke has two strikes against her and is waiting for the third. Brooke asks where Stephanie heard that; Stephanie bets that Nick said something like that. Brooke says she doesn't blame Nick for being upset, because he's been pushed to his limit. Stephanie argues that Ridge never made Brooke do anything she didn't want, because he knew she was a free spirit. She asks Brooke to follow her heart again back to Ridge. Brooke, getting frustrated, says she IS following her heart - to Nick. She tells Stephanie that they have to stop fighting like this, especially since they have tomorrow's photo shoot for Brooke's Bedroom, and she doesn't want any stunts. The wheels seem to turn in Stephanie's head, so Brooke says she means that. She loves Ridge, just as Stephanie does, but she and Nick won't put up with anything more. Hope and Bridget want this marriage, so Brooke IS marrying Nick, and nothing will change that. Stephanie leaves, thinking about what Brooke said.

Massimo wonders what Stephanie has in mind.

When Stephanie gets back to the studio, she finds Massimo there. She asks where Ridge is. Mass says he needed time alone. "And you let him?" she asks. Mass reminds her that she's the one who ran off when their son needed her the most. Stephanie says that she went to see Brooke. Mass asks if she beat Brooke up or just smacked her around a bit? This time, Stephanie explains, she tried being nice, but it didn't work. However, she reveals that Brooke let something slip that might be able to help Ridge. She tells Massimo that she has a plan. After she explains, Mass understands that Brooke has two strikes against her. And they only need one more, Stephanie adds, and it'll be the end of Brooke and Nick.