Tuesday, March 07, 2006, Episode #4760

At the Forrester guest house, Dante frantically calls out to Felicia. He's relieved when she finally responds. He wants to call an ambulance but she says no. But she needs a doctor, he protests. She weakly says that she needs her family, now, so Dante calls to call them.

Eric, Jackie and Bridget question Massimo's resolve.
Downstairs at Brooke's house, Massimo comes downstairs. Eric asks what's going on upstairs. Mass says that he told Nick not to interfere in Ridge's plans to marry Brooke. Bridget says there's nothing he can do to change that, but Mass refuses to have his grandson tainted in scandal! But what if it's meant to be? Jackie asks. Mass reminds her that Ridge and Brooke were almost married. Bridget points out that was before her mom knew she and Nick were no longer together. But they should still be together, Mass says, criticizing the way the Forresters treat marriage like a square dance, switching partners whenever they want. Eric tells him to stop, but Mass can't believe their reprehensible behavior. Eric accuses Mass of being just like Stephanie, pushing his own agenda rather then allowing his children to live their own lives. Massimo just wants the wedding to finish. Eric says it's not about what Massimo wants. Bridget agrees, pointing out that it's about what her mother wants. Mass thinks Brooke already made her wants clear by accepting Ridge's proposal. Then her mom should still choose Ridge, Bridget says, no matter what Nick says. Just then, the phone rings. Thorne answers the call from Dante, who says that Felicia's taken a turn for the worse and they need to come immediately. Thorne tells Eric, who rushes upstairs to get the others.

Upstairs, Ridge tells Brooke to tell Stephanie and Nick that she's picked him, but Stephanie thinks Brooke wants Nick. Nick asks to talk to Brooke alone, as Stephanie urges Brooke not to miss out on the chance to be with Nick, now that Bridget has let him go. Ridge has heard enough and orders Nick and Stephanie out, but Stephanie tells Brooke to admit that she's in love with Nick. Ridge insists that Brooke's future is with him, but Stephanie insists that Brooke's heart belongs to Nick. Brooke whispers for her to stop, but Stephanie pleads for Brooke to tell Ridge what he has to hear and let him go. Brooke pauses, just as Eric walks in and tells Stephanie that Felicia needs them now. Ridge and Nick rush out the door. Brooke follows, but Stephanie stops her; Felicia wants her family, she explains, and Brooke's not part of that. Stephanie leaves, and Brooke slams the door.

Brooke is surprised at Massimo's candor.
Soon after, Brooke changes into a robe and comes downstairs. She's surprised to find Massimo there, helping himself to some champagne. He says he didn't want to intrude on Felicia's time with her family Brooke pours herself a glass, still furious at Stephanie for denying her the chance to be at Felicia's. She can't believe Stephanie would take shots at her at a time like this. Mass admits that she didn't deserve that, but he's glad they have a chance to talk. Brooke says she's all talked out. Then she should just listen, Mass suggests. He doesn't want her to worry any longer about Stephanie. He vows that Stephanie will no longer be a bother to her, nor will Dominick. He'll take care of them and she and Ridge will be free to live their lives together for the sake of the children. Brooke says that's good of him, but... He guesses that she thinks he's getting a bit ahead of himself. A bit, she replies. He reminds her that the minister practically pronounced her and Ridge man and wife, so she and Ridge are practically married already. And they will be, he vows; it's the only way he'll allow it. Brooke seems surprised.

Massimo issues Brooke a warning.
Massimo tells Brooke to think of RJ, Ridge's namesake! Brooke assures him that Ridge will always be a part of RJ's life. Massimo begs her to stay with Ridge and give RJ a proper family. Brooke tells him that he doesn't have to tell her what's at stake. Massimo thinks she and Bridget need to remember what it was like for Bridget, growing up in the shadow of her parents' scandals. He's sure Brooke doesn't want that for RJ, and neither does Bridget. He reminds Brooke that she cares for Ridge and was ready to marry him. Brooke says that she was, but she never stopped loving Nick. Mass reminds her that Ridge left Taylor and his children for her. After Ridge abandoned her and her kids for Taylor and their kids, Brooke angrily retorts. Massimo only has one more thing to say: if she's afraid of marrying Ridge because of Stephanie, he warns, and if she goes near Dominick, she should trust that her problems with Stephanie will be a walk in the park compared to what she'll get from him. Brooke is stunned.

Nick proposes a toast to Felicia.
Dante gives Felicia some water and tells her that her family is on the way. He asks if she needs anything else. She asks him to stay. He wants to call an ambulance, but she refuses to go to a hospital. What she wants and needs is him, she says. But what can he do? he asks. She tries to smile... Soon after, the Forresters and Nick arrive. Stephanie asks Dante if he called an ambulance. Too late, Felicia mutters. Stephanie disagrees, but Dante says that Felicia didn't want one. He opens a bottle of champagne. Stephanie tells Felicia not to have any, because of her liver. Eric points out that Felicia never takes no for an answer. "My way," Felicia weakly says as Dante hands out glasses of champagne. Nick says he could use a drink; even though he's usually a beer guy, he raises a toast to "the life of the party" and the coolest girl he ever had the pleasure of...

Felicia sips champagne through a straw.
Felicia says the pleasure was all hers. She calls him over and whispers that she's sorry, about Dominick. He strokes her face and tells her she doesn't have to be sorry for anything. He leans in to kiss her cheek, but she turns her head to get one on the lips. Nick asks them all to raise their glasses "to Felicia." They do, as Nick gives her a sip of champagne through a straw.

Thorne and Ridge say their goodbyes.
Thorne and Ridge come over. Thorne tells her how much they love her. She knows, she says. She always was the life of the party, Ridge says, but more importantly, she brought them together and taught them the strength of a mother's love. He promises that they'll all take care of Dominick. Who would have guessed his kid sister would be strongest of them all? he muses. Thorne agrees; he knows full well how much you have to make noise to be heard in this family, but he can't help but note that Felicia always stood out. He can't imagine not having her here and tells her that he loves her.

Next, Eric comes over. He thanks Felicia for coming home to them and refocusing them on family. He thinks about how they were all at each other's throats when she came back, but there she was, the black sheep of the family, reminding them what they mean to each other. He knows she always wanted to be the outsider in the family, always saying no, but he wants her to know that she'll always have a special place in their family.

Dante and Bridget promise Felicia that they will take care of Dominick.
Stephanie sees how weak Felicia looks and wants to call an ambulance right now. Felicia just shakes her head. Stephanie tells the ambulance company to hurry. Thorne, Ridge and Eric all tell her not make this harder, since Felicia wants to be with them now. Bridget brings Dominick in to see Felicia. Stephanie begs Felicia to fight for this baby. Dante and Bridget vow to care for him as their own. Felicia tells her son that Bridget is his mommy now. She cries thinking about her baby's family, because Dominick will need them so much.

Stephanie feels her daughter slip away.
Stephanie begs her to fight. Bridget says that Felicia is at peace about what's happening, but Stephanie says that's only because they're letting it happen. She tells Felicia to do the organ transplant; it won't cure the cancer, but it can buy her time that she can spend with her son. She reminds Felicia of her duty to Dominick and regrets her own failure to be there for Felicia. She begs Felicia to fight, for the baby's sake. Felicia winces and says, "help me." She then collapses in Stephanie's arms. Stephanie sobs, "No!" as the family looks on.