Wednesday, June 14, 2006, Episode #4829

Brooke assures Nick of her feelings for him.

In Brooke's office at Marone, Nick paces, trying to contain his anger after his confrontation with Ridge. He reminds himself, "I'm a sailor... the ocean... fish." He walks over to the portrait of Ridge that used to hang on the wall and adds, "Not lingerie or dressmakers!" as he kicks his foot right through Ridge's face in the portrait! Brooke comes in and sees his act of rage; tossing the portrait to the floor, he says he doesn't want Ridge's face around anymore. Brooke says she knows, and if he comes here again... Nick worries that she's giving Ridge mixed signals by modeling Ridge's lingerie, and especially by agreeing to walk around in her underwear for Ridge at his fashion show! Brooke admits she agrees to model at the show. Nick turns away in disbelief, but Brooke assures him that fashion, glamour and beautiful clothes are part of her business. Frustrated, Nick suggests she find another hobby, but she reminds him that this is what makes her happy. Nick says it makes him sick, so she reminds him how she was ready to quit Forrester, until he and her father told her not to talk away. As she puts her arms around him, she recalls how he did that so she wouldn't have to choose between the company she loves and the man she loves. That, she says, is true love, and she kisses him. She assures him that they'll get married once his divorce is final, just like Bridget will. Bridget? he asks. Didn't he know that Bridget and Dante are in love? she asks.

Nick is surprised to learn about Dante and Bridget.

Nick says that he knew Dante loved Bridget. Brooke explains that Bridget realized that she loved Dante, too, once he proposed to Felicia. Confused, Nick asks why Dante proposed to Felicia is he's in love with Bridget. Brooke explains how Bridget turned the proposal down; Dante then rebounded by proposing to the mother of his son. But he now sees that he acted impulsively and is over telling Felicia he made a mistake. She just hopes Felicia will understand. Nick looks concerned. Brooke assures him that Bridget wishes she had realized how she felt about Dante BEFORE he proposed to Felicia. But she didn't. Bridget might have if Dante had told her that he wasn't coming back to her, Nick suggests. Brooke is surprised that Bridget didn't know that and asks Nick how he knows, so he tells her of his visit with Bridget the other night. They talked about what might have been had Nicole lived, and he told Bridget not to wait around for something that won't happen. As in a relationship with him, Brooke guessing, reminding him that Bridget now has a future with a man she's meant to be with, Dante, that begins tonight. She gives Nick a hug; as she looks over his shoulder, she sees the video conference equipment come on. On the screen is a stand holding a photo of her in a nightie with a note: "Looking forward to our first fitting. Love, Ridge."

Dante listens as Felicia gushes about their love and family.

At the Forrester mansion, a saddened Bridget watches as the family welcomes the Damiano. Felicia, in Dante's arms, gives a speech about finding love with Dante and their son, which has made her so happy. As Felicia goes on about the future they're going to share, Dante and Bridget remain silent. Felicia promises him a hell of a ride. Dante's relatives point out that they have nothing to wear, since they did not know the wedding will be this week. Felicia's sure that whatever they brought is fine. Dante suggests that perhaps they should wait. Stephanie asks if he's having second thoughts. Of course not, Felicia says; she admits Dante is right that waiting makes sense, but why should they wait if she doesn't want some fancy wedding? All she wants is Dante, she says. Aldo agrees, so Felicia asks what they're waiting for. Stephanie asks Dante if he's feeling overwhelmed, since she can see how things moving so fast could catch him off guard. But that's the way Felicia is, she reminds him. She admits Felicia caught them all by surprise, but when she sees how happy Felicia is, she knows it was right to keep Felicia alive, so they could all come to this moment. She promises Felicia the life she deserves, just like she and Eric always wanted for her. She then thanks Dante and welcomes him to the family and hugs him. While Thorne takes pictures, Bridget sadly goes over to the punch bowl, where Dante's cousin Carlo introduces himself and guesses that Bridget is upset that her sister married first. Bridget says that's not it, since she's been married. Carlo asks if she doesn't like Dante. She says she does as she excuses herself.

Bridget can't bring herself to hurt her sister.

Dante suggests that they all have a champagne. The families agree, so he goes to get some and leaves the room behind Bridget. Stephanie notices the sudden exit and looks concerned. Bridget, meanwhile goes upstairs and looks down on the two families from the balcony. As Stephanie watches from below, Dante follows Bridget up. Bridget asks him what they were thinking. Dante tells her that nothing has changed. Sniffling, Bridget disagrees; she recalls how much his family adores Felicia, and then there is Dino to think about. Dante reminds her that he loves her, not Felicia, so he doesn't think it's too late, but Bridget tells him that she can't destroy her sister's happiness. Dante assures he that he can put a stop to this as he pushes her into the linen closet, closes the door and kisses her. Outside the closet, Thorne and Darla look for the groom so they can get back to toasting the happy couple. They jokingly wonder if Dante is getting cold feet. Inside, Bridget tells Dante that she's not the kind of person who could hurt her sister, so she can't do this. She reminds him that he's engaged to Felicia, the mother of his child, so she tells him to go back to his family downstairs. Dante won't accept that, but she tells him to go, so he reluctantly exits the closet and leaves a sad Bridget behind.

Dante's family has a gift for Felicia.

Downstairs, Stephanie finds Felicia and gushes about how much Dante's family adores Felicia. Felicia hugs her mom and thanks her for making this happen by keeping her alive. Eric comes over and tells them that Dante's mom has a gift for Felicia. They return to the loving room, where Filomena presents Felicia with some fine Venetian lace. Felicia admires it and looks to Eric, who is making her wedding dress. She then asks Filomena if it would be OK to dye it black. For her, Filomena replies, of course, hugging Felicia. Aldo wonders where his son went for that champagne, so Stephanie goes to look for Dante and finds him coming downstairs. The wine cellar is downstairs, she reminds him. Dante tries to cover, but Felicia cuts him off and tells him how lovely his family is. Family means everything, she reminds him, and it's always worth any sacrifice. Sacrifice? he asks. She recalls how he came to this country to be with Bridget and asks if there are any unresolved feelings there. Dante ducks the question and goes to get the champagne, but Stephanie says she'll do it, as she'd hate for him to get lost again. As Stephanie heads off, Dante looks upstairs to Bridget, who looks down at him. She comes downstairs. He tells her that they have to deal with this, but she still can't do it. He asks if it will be better hiding their feelings, which won't go away, and he reminds her of the kiss they shared upstairs. He thinks they know what they have to do.