Thursday, May 18, 2006, Episode #4810

Sally assures Stephanie that everything is under control.

At Forrester, Stephanie asks Sally if everything is ready for the big press conference, including the video. Sally assures her highness that she knows how to throw a bash, even if it's Forrester style, so everything will be ready. Eric and Thorne come down the hall with questions about the press conference, so Stephanie ushers them into her office to discuss changes she wants to make. She tells them that she appreciates their being so graceful through the difficult times they've faced. Thorne asks what kind of changes she wants. She replies that she's stepping down as CEO. She knows they both disagreed with the conservative direction she took the company in, but they still supported her. But they can turn their sagging sales around, Thorne states. With the right leadership, Eric adds. Stephanie agrees, which is why she's chosen her successor. She knows Eric wants to run his own company again, but there's someone who needs the job more. That will make Ridge very happy, Eric states. Actually, Stephanie says, she was talking about Brooke! Eric and especially Thorne are shocked, given her disdain for the direction Brooke took Forrester in as CEO. But they made a lot of money, she points out, including the fees from licensing BeLieF. And she wanted to sell that to the highest bidder, Eric recalls. She says she was wrong. Thorne bets that Brooke will want to revive the Bedroom line. Stephanie thinks she'll do that herself, since that was one of their most profitable lines. But she said it made them look cheap and tawdry, Eric reminds her. Again, she says she was wrong.

Eric and Thorne are stunned by Stephanie's announcement.

Eric asks Stephanie when she planned to discuss this. They're discussing it now, she says. Eric thinks Brooke and Ridge should be here, but Stephanie tells him that they don't know about this. Eric asks where this is coming from. She replies that she finally sees that Ridge and Brooke are not together because of her. That never bothered her before, Thorne points out. She responds that Ridge never collapsed at her feet before. She realizes now that if she had accepted Brooke into the family sooner, she and Eric might never have divorced, and Thorne wouldn't have had his heart broken. But it's not too late for all of them. Eric doesn't think this will fix anything. Thorne reminds his mother that Brooke is with Nick now. Because she drove Brooke away by not accepting her, Stephanie admits. She can finally admit now that Brooke did an outstanding job running this company, just as Eric always claimed, which is why she hopes she has his support. Eric thinks about it and agrees to support her in this. She then looks to Thorne, who thinks he can go along with this if his dad can. She gives Thorne a hug and thanks them both. Eric comments about her sudden change of heart; Stephanie agrees that it's hard to believe, since she hated Brooke from the day they met. That hatred has ruled the family for years, Eric notes; Stephanie agrees. He asks if she's doing this for Ridge. She nods her head that she is.

Brooke brings RJ to visit his daddy.

In the hospital, Dr. Plotnikov is checking Ridge out when Brooke stops in with RJ. She's pleased to meet the doctor who saved Ridge, who is equally pleased to meet the woman whose kiss woke their "Sleeping Beauty" up. Ridge sarcastically asks the doctor to leave, so the doc gives them some time alone. Brooke brings RJ over to the bed to see his father, who is amazed at how much he's missed watching his son grow. He doesn't want to miss another minute of that. He won't have to, Brooke says, because RJ adores his father. Ridge says he adores RJ, and her, too. He thinks this is a fresh start for the three of them as a family. He promises to take RJ to the zoo as soon as he's out of here, and he suggests that Mommy can come along if she wants. Maybe, Brooke says. Just then, Catherine comes in and asks Ridge how he feels. Happy, he says. Brooke says that RJ loves spending time with his daddy, but she thinks RJ needs his rest now, so she hands the boy off to Catherine. Ridge and RJ say their goodbyes and Catherine takes RJ out.

Ridge asks Brooke why she's here.

Ridge thanks Brooke for bringing RJ; she admits she didn't know if their son would be scared. By seeing his dad laid up? Ridge asks. Brooke replies that she was talking about the machines and medical stuff, since that scared her, too, even though Stephanie tried to warn her. She recalls how scared she felt when she first came in here and doesn't think her heart could take that again. No pun intended? Ridge asks. No, she answers. Ridge remembers what she said to him. When she left Forrester? she asks. When she first came here from Cabo, he says. She said that they'd always be together, and that she'd always love him. She reminds him that they share a beautiful little boy. And she felt his pain from a thousand miles away, he recalls. He asks why she's here. She asks what kind of question that is. A direct one, he asks, wondering if she's here because he's RJ's father, or because he was dying. She asks if he thinks she's here out of pity. He asks if she is, because he doesn't want her to feel sorry for him. He's sure he'll be OK. He's already looking better, she notes. He says he feels like he's been given a second chance, so he wants to make the most of it. He asks if she believes his mother's sudden change of heart about her. She isn't sure after all the years Stephanie tortured her. He promises things will be different, even though he knows she has no reason to trust him or his mother. She thinks of how she naively wanted Stephanie's acceptance for years, letting Stephanie strip her of her dignity. Ridge regrets not standing up for her, as that's why they're not together. She thinks they shouldn't talk about this, but he says he'll never stop loving her. Brooke says she's sorry; she came back because he needed her, and she wants him to know he can always count on her. But he can't have her, he responds. She wishes things were different as a single tear runs down her cheek.

Jackie worries that Brooke is still vulnerable to Stephanie.

A business suit clad Nick drops by Jackie M before his mom opens for business. She locks the door behind him and says that she had some inventory that came while she was detained. Nick tells her that he had his attorneys check all the paperwork, and he confirmed that Jackie M is all hers. There's no way Massimo can touch her. She thanks him, since she had to be sure. She asks where Brooke is. He replies that Brooke took RJ to see Ridge. Jackie doesn't think that's wise, even though Nick doesn't see what Ridge can do. Jackie reminds him that Brooke is vulnerable to Stephanie, who is praising Brooke for nearly singlehandedly saving Ridge. Brooke has always wanted a place in that family, and now Stephanie is offering it to her. But Brooke said no, Nick comments. Jackie reminds him that Stephanie isn't used to hearing the word 'no,' but Nick says that Brooke is committed to him now, and Stephanie can't do anything to change that. He starts to look at dresses and accessories as Jackie apologizes for playing Devil's Advocate, but when Stephanie wants something... He again tells her that Brooke isn't interested, but she reminds him that everyone has their prices. But Brooke has everything she needs, he says - except this purse, he adds, picking a purse up. Yes, she does, Jackie agrees, including him and his love - but does Brooke have everything she WANTS? He assures her that Brooke has everything she needs and wants. Right now, he wants to talk to his mom about business - specifically her business. He knows she needs some help since she's been thinking of expanding, and he was thinking that Brooke is just the person to help make Jackie M a household name worldwide.

Nick has a business suggestion for his mother.

Jackie asks if he thinks Brooke would consider working with her. Just then, Brooke walks in (even though Jackie never unlocked the door), so Nick suggests she ask Brooke herself. Brooke walks over to him and tells him about her visit with Ridge; she's worried that Ridge is confusing her caring about him with commitment, so he wants something he can't have. Still, she thinks Ridge heard her this time. Jackie changes the subject and tells Brooke that she's been thinking of expanding her boutique chain, but she needs help to do it. She knows it won't be like running Forrester, but she'd like Brooke to help her make those plans come to life. Nick adds that she can make this opportunity into anything she wants: she can hire her own designers, launch her own line and start this thing from the ground up. Jackie promises her complete freedom to do what she wants. Brooke appreciates the offer, but she isn't sure she's ready yet. She spent so many years at Forrester and... Jackie says she understands. Brooke wonders if she invested too much of herself at Forrester. She certainly made her mark, Jackie says, so she's sure Brooke will be brilliant when she's ready. Brooke thanks her and hugs her. Just then, Brooke's cell phone rings; she worries that it might be Catherine about a problem at RJ's playgroup, so she's surprised to find that it's Stephanie. Stephanie apologizes for interrupting, but she is planning a press conference to show the world that Ridge is fine, since the media has so many questions about his health. She'd like Brooke to be there to support Ridge. Brooke isn't sure. Eric takes the phone and asks Brooke to come, because the media is saying that Ridge's career is finished. Brooke thinks that's outrageous. Eric says Ridge would appreciate her being there, so she agrees.

Eric hangs up and tells Stephanie that Brooke is coming. Stephanie thanks him. She doesn't know if this will work, but she hopes Brooke will walk in and see that this is where she belongs. "And we'll all live happily ever after," Eris says. From his lips to God's ears, she replies.