Tuesday, November 28, 2006, Episode #4944

Donna eagerly accepts Nick's offer.

Donna drops by the Marone mansion to see Nick and finds him busy on the phone, making some deal for the new Forrester Creations. As he ends his call, Nick sees Donna and gives her an employment contract. "For?" Donna asks. Nick explains that it's a contract for her to work for him - that is, unless she wants to return to being a waitress in San Francisco. Donna tells him that he's taking his "tough-as-nails businessman" thing a bit far. Nick apologizes and asks her to sign. He explains that she'll be Forrester's main model, and she'll also be their spokesperson when needed. He wants her to talk with the manufacturers and designers on the line and what direction it's gonna take. Nick tells Donna that he was impressed with how she stood up for his mother against Stephanie; that's the kind of person he wants on his team. Donna eagerly signs.

Ridge tells Brooke about his dream.

At Brooke's house, she and Ridge awaken together in bed. Ridge tells Brooke that he had a dream that a genie in a lamp granted him one wish. "One wish? Stingy genie," Brooke laughs. Ridge tells her that he only needed one wish, because the genie knew just what he wanted and gave it to him; his dream of reuniting with Brooke had some true, and he promises never to let her down again. Brooke says that she believes him, because she saw how he never gave up on what they shared, and she thanks him for that. Ridge then gets up to get ready to go to the office. Brooke tells him that she and the kids will be here waiting when he comes home. Ridge likes the sound of that. He and Brooke exchange "I love you's" and Ridge goes to get ready.

Brooke tells Bridget not to blame herself.

After Ridge leaves, Bridget drops by to see Brooke. They talk about Bridget's losing the baby, and Bridget reflects on the damage that ensued when she thought the baby was Nick's. She laments that her one stupid mistake cost Brooke her marriage and their family their business. Brooke tells Bridget not to blame herself, but Bridget can't help it. Bridget points out that if she hadn't slept with Nick, her mom and Nick would still have their marriage, and Jackie wouldn't have been arguing with Stephanie on the day Jackie fell off the railing. Brooke tells Bridget not to talk like that, since there were other forces at work. Brooke admits that she loved Nick, and it didn't work out, probably because she and Ridge were meant to be together. Bridget takes that to mean that her mom is back with Ridge and is happy for Brooke, since she knows Brooke never stopped loving Ridge. "Like you never stopped loving Nick," Brooke suggests. Bridget explains that she doesn't feel the way she used to about Nick, especially after the way Nick took over Forrester out of anger over losing Brooke. On top of that, she's tired of playing second fiddle. Brooke is sure Bridget will do the right thing. Brooke then goes to finish dressing.

Bridget is stunned by Nick's request.

Alone in the room, Bridget gets a call from Nick, who asks her to come over to the house. For a minute, she agrees. After she rushes over, Nick comments that she got there pretty fast. Bridget explains that she moves fast when she's mad, and she's furious about what he did to her father. Nick asks if she's saying that Stephanie should have gotten away with what she did to his mother. Bridget tells him to stop that, because he knows this is about HER mother, not his. Nick reminds Bridget of something she told him when she let him go; she said he had to learn for himself. Well, he did, and he learned that Brooke will always be obsessed with Ridge. Maybe if he had learned that sooner, he and Bridget would still be together. He tells Bridget that she matters to him, no matter what her family thinks, and he wants her back in his life. "I can't," Bridget responds, and she walks out.

Eric is pleased to hear that Ridge is back with Brooke.

In the Forrester CEO's office, Felicia and Sally help Eric pack. Sally comes across the company's invitation to the fashion show at the Villa D'este in Lake Como, Italy. That sparks fond memories for Eric, both of the company's victory and of the time he spent with Stephanie there. After Felicia and Sally leave, Eric continues packing; while he works, he flashes back to his and Stephanie's conversation yesterday about how she is unable to give him the love he deserves. Ridge comes in and see the faraway look in Eric's eyes. He asks Eric if he's OK. Eric says he was just remembering all the years the "Fighting Forresters" spent in this building. Ridge agrees that the term "Fighting Forresters" fits. He then asks Eric if he wants some good news. Eric says he'd love some, so Ridge tells his dad that he and Brooke are back together, and he thinks it's for good this time. Eric is pleased. He's glad that at least somebody in this family has a healthy relationship. [Note from Scott: On this show? Is he kidding?]

Taylor gets down to work with Stephanie.

As Stephanie anxiously waits in Taylor's office for the doc to arrive, she recalls her conversation with Eric yesterday. When Taylor arrives, she asks if Stephanie's here to talk about Nick taking over Forrester. Stephanie admits that the loss of the company was dramatic, but she's actually here to talk about her marriage. She tells Taylor that she's scared to death, but she doesn't know why. She fills Taylor in on how she berated Eric yesterday for selling the company to Marone without her permission and how that led to an argument about how her need to control the family has alienated them. Taylor explains that it can be frightening to admit one's faults. Stephanie admits that she doesn't know how she can know other people when she doesn't even know herself.

Stephanie has fond memories of her life growing up.

Taylor suggests that Stephanie talk about her family while growing up. Stephanie tells her that Lake Forrest was one of those communities that everyone dreamed of living in. Her mom was a stay-at-home mother like most women then, a beautiful woman who cared for her and her sister Pam. Her father was a handsome successful man who worked endlessly over two-martini lunches and smoked a pipe. She recalls how she loved the smell of that pipe. Her family was like a Norman Rockwell painting, except for one thing: her father always wanted a son. Taylor is intrigued about the details about Stephanie's dad. Stephanie thinks it was natural for men to want sons back then, to pass their companies on to. But all her dad had was her and Pammy, and Pam was kind of delicate in a girly-girly kind of way. Stephanie, however, was tougher, and her dad used to drag her out to the yard to play football. She recalls the bruises she used to get on her chest and arms. Bruises? Taylor asks. Stephanie recalls that her dad threw the ball pretty hard.