Friday, March 24, 2006, Episode #4771

Dante takes Bridget up on her offer.

Over at Dante's house, Dante is sketching while Bridget plays with Dominick. Bridget gives Dante several messages from ladies named Fiona, Gina and Gabriella who have missed him at the clubs. Those are just some friends, he says. Friends who obviously miss him, she teases, so she suggests that he go out and have fun while she stays with Dominick. He asks if she's sure; when she says she is, he takes her up on the offer and leaves the room, much to her surprise. Soon after, he comes out, ready to go. He asks again if she's OK staying with the baby. She loves being with Dominick, she replies. He says that's because she's Dominick's mommy, maybe even more than she realizes. He then goes over to a drawer and takes out a package wrapped in blue paper. Bridget comments that it looks like something special for a special someone. That's right, he says. As he heads for the door, he tells her that she's the best. She tells him to have fun with Fiona or whoever, so he heads out, leaving a disappointed Bridget behind.

Bridget is shocked by Dante's surprise.

Bridget is alone, writing something, when she gets a call on her cell from Dante. She asks how Fiona is. Never better, he replies. He then asks if she can do him a favor and go out on the deck. She does, and she's surprised to find Dante there with a table set with champagne for two. Dante tells her that he doesn't need Fiona or Gabriella or anyone else. All he wants is to spend time with her and Dominick. As he pours some champagne, Bridget admits that when he left, she really didn't want him to go. Dante admits that he was hoping she'd say that. He proposes a toast to their son; may he always know his mother's love. Dante then presents her with the gift box he took earlier, which contains the custody papers Felicia had drawn up. He has signed it, too, so the papers give him and Bridget joint legal custody of Dominick. No one can ever take Dominick away from them, Dante promises. The three of them are a family now. Dante leans toward her, and Bridget is so moved by the gesture that she gives in to his passionate kisses.

Taylor tells Stephanie that she wishes Ridge was like his brother - as in Nick!

Stephanie is at home, on the phone with Dr. Ramirez. The doctor tells her that Felicia is going to have to make it on her own if she's going to win her battle. Stephanie tells him that she has to tell the family that Felicia will live, to justify what she's done. Ramirez says that he wants to take Felicia off life support tonight. Stephanie hopes that's good news, but before the doctor can answer, she hears someone come in. She tells the doctor she'll call back and hangs up. She then goes to see who came in and finds Taylor, who was worried about the way Stephanie left the memorial service. Stephanie says it was depressing. Taylor says it's OK for Stephanie to show some grief, but Stephanie says not her, not yet. Taylor worries about the guilt Stephanie is assuming over Felicia's death, but Stephanie doesn't want to talk about Felicia. Stephanie then notes that she Brooke came with Nick to the service. She thinks that opens the door for Taylor to reconcile with Ridge, but Taylor says that she can't take Ridge hurting her again. She wishes Ridge was more like his brother. Thorne is sweet, Stephanie agrees, but Taylor says that she was actually talking about Nick!

Stephanie warns Taylor to stay away from Nick.

Stephanie is stunned, especially when Taylor says that she needs to be with a man who understands her. She thinks it almost sounds like Taylor is attracted to Nick! Taylor says she just doesn't want to be part of Stephanie's obsession of getting rid of Brooke. She adds that Nick is her friend, and he understands her, so what's wrong with that? Stephanie is fine with friendship, as long as that's all it is. She worries about how vulnerable Taylor is, but Taylor doesn't think she's vulnerable at all. She tells Stephanie that she was at the most broken period of her life, and when she looked in Nick's eyes, she saw someone who "got" her pain and made her feel secure, something she hadn't felt from Ridge in a long time. "Uh-oh," Stephanie says. Taylor says that Nick is too good for Brooke, who's the same "walking disaster" she's always been. Stephanie agrees with that, but she has to leave, so she doesn't have time to discuss this further. Even if Nick is too good for Brooke, Stephanie notes, Taylor is too good for him. She then pauses and looks Taylor in the eye, as she warns Taylor, "stay away."

Soon after, Stephanie arrives at the clinic and meets with Doctors Ramirez and Harwood (the latter is the first doctor we saw at the clinic with Stephanie). Ramirez explains that Felicia has responded well to the chemo, but they need to take her off life support to put her on the candidate list for a liver transplant. Stephanie walks over to Felicia and tells her to fight one more time, this time harder than she ever has before. She asks Felicia to do that for her, and for Dominick. Dr. Ramirez asks Stephanie if they have her permission to remove Felicia from life support. Stephanie struggles with the decision but then takes the consent form and signs it. She then sits by Felicia's side as the two doctors work to remove the life support.

Nick is thrilled by Hope's surprise dinner plans.

Nick arrives at the Shady Marlin and finds Brooke dressed in a sailor suit on deck. He salutes her and asks for permission to come aboard. "Aye, Aye, Captain," she replies, saluting and smiling. Nick laughs, reminding her that the person asking for permission would be the mate, so she's the captain. Brooke likes that and kisses him. She then leads him into the cabin, where Hope, also clad in a sailor suit, tells him that she has a surprise: they brought his favorite dinner, chicken wings and beer. Brooke tells Nick that R.J. went down early, but she still thought the three of them could have a family dinner. Hope asks if he likes it. Nick says he loves it, kissing her on the cheek. As Hope serves dinner, Nick and Brooke go on deck. He asks if she told Hope about Bridget. She says she hasn't told Bridget yet that he and Bridget have divorced, to avoid overwhelming the child. They can sort that out in time, Nick says, and then he can be "Daddy" to Hope instead of just being "Uncle Nick." He asks Brooke if that sounds right to her. Yes, she replies. Nick notes how they just have to wait six months, and not a day more.

Brooke thanks Nick for bringing so much peace to her life.

Hope then calls that dinner is ready; she's served mild wings for Brooke, medium for her and extra spicy for Uncle Nick. Nick tells her that he thinks she and Brooke are extra spicy. He then suggests that they take a trip on the boat to a South Pacific island in a few months. Hope asks if she can do her hula dance. Of course, Nick says. He tells her that they'll take that trip to celebrate being together. Forever? Hope asks. Yes, Nick promises. Hope asks if R.J. can come. They'll be like one big family, Nick says, asking Hope how that sounds. She smiles and salutes him. He then asks "Captain" Brooke how it sounds to her. She smiles and salutes, too. After dinner, Catherine takes Hope, so Nick and Brooke enjoying some time alone. Brooke tells him that he's made Bridget so happy, but she needs him to know that she's told Ridge how she feels. The thing is, Ridge hasn't accepted it. In fact, Ridge told R.J. that he was moving back in. They'll deal with that, Nick says. Brooke puts her arms around him and thanks him for bringing so much peace to her life that she doesn't feel threatened anymore. They kiss. They then lie down on a double chaise lounge, still kissing.