Monday, May 15, 2006, Episode #4807

Nick refuses to let Brooke go home without him.

In Cabo, a tearful Brooke is stunned. She's waited so long for Stephanie to accept her. Too long, Stephanie states. Nick points out that Ridge has never been dying before, and he's sure that's the only reason Stephanie is here. Stephanie agrees. Nick bets that she's scared that her golden boy collapsed because she chased Brooke away. Stephanie pleads with Brooke to come back with her. She doesn't know how long Ridge can hold on. Brooke tells Nick that she's sorry, but she has to go. Stephanie suggests that they head for the airport and have Nick bring Brooke's things later, but Nick says that Brooke's not going anywhere without him. Stephanie takes them to the airport, where the board the Forrester jet. The pilot tells Stephanie that they're third in line to take off; she tells him to get them back home quickly and safely, as her son is waiting for Brooke.

Bridget tells Dante to go home with Felicia.

In Ridge's hospital room, Dante and Felicia wonder what they were doing kissing. Felicia suggests that things are getting intense, with her sick brother at death's door. She felt like she had to do something to keep from going crazy. They stare at each other intently, but Bridget then comes in and asks where Ridge is. He's fine, Felicia responds... or rather, he's not fine, but they took him for more tests. Bridget frets that they haven't found out why Ridge isn't responding yet. She then asks Dante and Felicia why it looked like something was wrong when she came in. Felicia says that Dante was comforting her. He's good at that, Bridget says, hoping they weren't arguing about Dino. Actually, Dante says, Felicia offered to talk to her mother about her threat to deport him. Felicia apologizes for that, accounting it to her mother's knack for protecting her kids. Bridget wishes Stephanie could do something for Ridge. Dante assures her that the tests will find something, but Bridget worries that it doesn't make sense that Ridge hasn't improved. Felicia watches as Dante hugs Bridget and offers to stay here with her. Bridget thinks there's no sense in them all staying, and she knows how Felicia hates hospitals, so she offers to stay while Dante and Felicia go home to Dino. She promises to call if there's any change and gives Felicia a hug. Felicia turns to leave but waits and watches as Dante gives Bridget a goodbye kiss.

Felicia speculates on why she kissed Dante.

When they get back to the Forrester Guest House, Dante puts Dino down and joins Felicia, who quips that he has a talent for putting people to sleep. Maybe that's why she forgot the night Dominick was conceived. Dante suggests that it was all the champagne she had. She says it's starting to come back to her. Dante asks what jogged her memory. She says her memory must not be too good, since she thought Bridget turned down his proposal. So why are they still living together? she asks. He suggests that he might have jumped the gun by proposing, since Bridget needs more time after breaking up with Nick. Time, she says - like the time he's waited to be with Bridget? And in that time, she had a baby and chemo and a liver transplant. She asks if he considered that Bridget will never be ready for a life with him. He says he never thought of it. Then why did he kiss her in the hospital? she asks. He asks if he kissed her; she says he seems to be having the memory problem now. He quips that it's coming back to him, but the baby starts crying, so he goes to tend to Dino. He brings the baby in and gives him to Felicia as he suggests that they kissed because she was scared for Ridge. Or maybe she found him as irresistible as she did in Nice, she suggests. She recalls how good that felt and thinks she wants to feel good now. He thinks her son should make her feel better. The baby has, she says, telling Dante not to get his hopes up for a second kiss. So the kiss was a one time thing? he asks. That seems to be their M.O., she responds as she goes to put the baby down.

Eric supports the decision to bring Brooke back.

In the hospital, Ridge is brought back from his test. Eric asks Christian what the tests showed, but the doctor fears that the MRI was inconclusive. Ridge should be await, Christian says, but he isn't, so they'd like to do one more test. As Eric watches Ridge wheeled off to that next test, Jackie and Stephen arrives. Eric greets Jackie with a hug and is surprised to see Stephen. He offers his hand, which Stephen hesitantly accepts. Jackie asks if there is any news. They're taking Ridge for more tests, Eric explains. Jackie comments how ridiculous it is that Stephanie thinks bringing Brooke back to L.A. will cure Ridge. Eric reminds her that his son is ill, so of course Stephanie will bring Brooke if she thinks it will help. Jackie still feels like Stephanie is up to something. Eric admits that she has reason to be suspicious of Stephanie, but he thinks his wife is sincere. Jackie finds it odd that Stephanie is ready to usher Brooke into the family just one day after finally getting rid of Brooke.

Jackie ends her engagement.

Eric asks Jackie why she's imagining these conspiracy theories with Brooke's father. Jackie says she isn't doing that, but she thinks Stephanie's sudden turnaround is rather odd. When Eric doesn't respond, Jackie realizes that he believes Stephanie. He admits that he always prayed for the day that Stephanie would end her vendetta against Brooke. Jackie notes that he can't help but look for the best in Stephanie and hopes he finds it someday. She then takes the engagement ring from around her neck and hands it to him. She hopes she doesn't seem unfeeling when Ridge is so ill, but she thinks they both knew long ago that it was over, and that his place is with his family. Eric tells her that he doesn't regret one minute he spent with her. And she with him, she says, kissing him on the cheek. Before he can respond, he gets a call on his cell from Stephanie, who tells him that Brooke is with her and they'll be there within the hour. Eric urges her to hurry. On the plane, Stephanie tells Brooke that there's been no improvement, but she thinks that will change once Ridge hears Brooke's voice.

Stephen thinks Jackie did the right thing.

As Eric talks to Christian, Jackie tells Stephen that Eric must be senseless with worry, since he really believes that Stephanie has had a sudden epiphany about Brooke. Stephen admits that Stephanie seemed sincere, but he has to wonder. As well he should, Jackie says, given how Stephanie has treated him and Eric in the past. But Eric keeps defending her... Stephen asks if that's why she gave Eric back his ring. It was a formality, she says, as their relationship was over long ago. Stephen tells her that she did the right thing.

Stephanie takes Brooke to Ridge.

Brooke and Stephanie arrive, with Nick right behind. Eric thanks Brooke for coming. Brooke asks if Ridge has improved. Eric doesn't think so and tells her that Bridget and Christian are with Ridge now. Stephen comes over and apologizes to Brooke for telling Stephanie where she was; Brooke tells him that he did the right thing. Jackie chimes in that it's not Brooke's responsibility to care for Ridge. Bridget comes out and is surprised to see her mom back from Mexico. Brooke asks if Ridge is still calling for her. He is, Bridget replies. Brooke wants to see Ridge, so Stephanie takes her by the hand and leads her into the room. As Brooke and Stephanie go inside, Jackie pulls Nick aside and worries about Stephanie's attempts to reconcile with Brooke and take her back into the Forrester family. Nick tells his mom not to worry, as he won't let that happen.

Brooke asks Ridge to come back to her.

Brooke and Stephanie go over to Ridge's bedside. Stephanie tells Ridge that Brooke came home to be with him and doesn't want to be anyplace else but here. She encourages Brooke to come closer. Brooke wonders if Ridge can hear her. The doctors say it's possible, Stephanie states as they sit by the bed. Stephanie tells Ridge how she apologized to Brooke for the way she's always treated her. She knows he always begged her to accept Brooke into the family, and maybe if she had, this wouldn't have happened. She wants him to know that it's not too late. Brooke tearfully agrees; she recalls quitting Forrester and tells him that it was the hardest thing she ever had to do. But she didn't walk out on him, because she loves him. They'll always be connected through RJ, which is why he has to come back. She and RJ need him, she pleads. She softly kisses him, but he doesn't respond. She then turns to Stephanie and says she's sorry. Stephanie tells her that it's OK.