Thursday, October 26, 2006, Episode #4923

Brooke is on the phone with Stephanie, who asks Brooke not to keep everyone on hold while deciding between Nick and Ridge. She hopes Brooke will not feel sorry for that philanderer Nick and get caught up in the "good old days,: since those days weren't that good. She also hopes Brooke remembers that Ridge is RJ's father, and that he loves Hope like she was his own. Brooke thanks Stephanie for the input and hangs up. Brooke then gets a call from Jackie, who reminds Brooke how much Nicky loves her and the kids. Jackie suggests that Stephanie only wants Brooke with Ridge as a way to get Brooke's share of Forrester back in the family, so she thinks it would be tragic if Brooke let Stephanie influenced her. Brooke tells Jackie not to worry, as she's already made up her mind, although she won't let Jackie know who she chose just yet. Jackie thinks it should be obvious that Nick is the right choice. Before Brooke can respond, Donna brings Hope and RJ back from the beach, so Brooke ends the call.

Ridge tells Stephanie that Brooke invited him over.

Ridge arrives at the Forrester mansion as Stephanie ends her call to Brooke; he tells his mom that she doesn't need to pitch him to Brooke, because Brooke has already made up her mind. Stephanie is pleased to hear that Brooke has invited Ridge over for the evening.

Nick tells his mother not to fret about Stephanie.

Over on the Shady Marlin, Nick tells a concerned Jackie that Brooke has invited him over for dinner tonight. Thinking that Brooke has chosen Nick, a pleased Jackie tells him to bring his guitar with him. Nick decides to preview a song he's been working on for his mom; even before hearing it, Jackie is sure Brooke will love it, but Nick tells his mom that it's for her. Nick plays and sings the one verse he's still working on, which goes, "'Cause you're the story behind my peace of mind." Jackie thinks it's beautiful, but Nick says it still needs work. Jackie tells him to worry about that later, as he has a dinner date. She warns him to be wary of Stephanie, who will stop at nothing to see Brooke with Ridge. Nick tells her that he's not worried about Stephanie, who can't change who he is or what Brooke decides. He tells Jackie he loves her and is on his way.

Brooke has a talk with Hope and RJ.

Back at Brooke's house, Donna goes to take Hope and RJ to get cleaned up after their day at the beach. Brooke asks Donna to please hurry it up, as she needs to talk to the kids about Nick and Ridge. Donna asks if that means Brooke made a decision; Brooke replies, "My future and my children's future, it all comes down to right now." While waiting for the kids, Brooke recalls happier times with both Nick and Ridge. After Donna gets Hope and RJ (who is now played by an older pair of twins than when we last saw him) cleaned up, Brooke sits the kids down to talk. She knows they've been confused lately, and that they both miss Nick and Ridge. That's why she wants to assure them both that Ridge and Nick will both always be part of their lives. She promises her kids that things will get better. Donna asks if that's all Brooke has to say; Brooke responds that she's had enough "input" from Jackie and Stephanie, so she doesn't need it from her sister. Donna thinks this affects her, too; Brooke reminds Donna that she put herself in this position by not heeding Brooke's warnings. Brooke goes to change. Donna then gets a call from Stephanie, who asks Donna to bring Hope and RJ over for a visit. Donna wonders if Stephanie knows something she doesn't, but Stephanie insists she just wants to see her grandchildren.

Brooke tells Nick and Ridge that she's made her decision.

Later, Brooke comes down and finds Ridge there. He tells her how great she looks and hopes she realizes how much he's dreamed about this moment, that start of their beautiful future together. Just then, Nick arrives and asks what Ridge is doing there. Ridge tells "Popeye" that he's talking to Brooke, so Nick should butt out. Nick points out that he was invited. "Consider yourself uninvited," Ridge retorts, but Nick doesn't take that well. Brooke tells them both to cut it out; she reminds them that they're both important to her and her kids, which is why she needs them to learn to tolerate each other. Ridge comments that he has no issue with an occasional visit from Nick, who responds that Ridge certainly has a few "issues" of his own. Brooke tells them that she won't expose her kids to this kind of hostility, so she needs them to find some common ground. She hopes they both understand how hard this is for her, because any woman would be lucky to have either one of them. But she just can't keep being a ping pong ball bouncing between them. They've both brought so much to her life, but she can't break her heart in two, as much as she wants to. That's why she made a decision that she thinks is right for her, her kids and hopefully for everyone else.

Donna wonders if Stephanie knows something.

Donna arrives with the kids at the Forrester mansion, where Stephanie asks Hope and RJ to make a card for their sister Phoebe's eighteenth birthday. While Hope and RJ get to work, Donna notes how relaxed Stephanie looks. Stephanie points out that Brooke invited Ridge over tonight, so she's confident that the couple will reunite tonight. After stopping to help Hope and RJ, Stephanie comes back to Donna, who asks Stephanie to face the reality that Ridge and Brooke are just two people trying to recapture a fantasy that's since passed. Stephanie thinks Donna wants to believe that, because that view works for her. "I've told you not once, not twice, but at least four or five times, you are not going to get ridge. Why don't you understand that?" Stephanie asks. There's a knock at the door, so Stephanie asks Donna to get that. Donna opens the door and finds Jackie there. Jackie is glad to see Stephanie, who says she was just spending time with her grandchildren. Jackie says they're just as much her grandchildren, since Nick is about to move back in at Brooke's. Hope overhears and chimes in that Grandma told them Ridge was moving back in. Jackie asks Stephanie how she can tell the child a lie like that; Stephanie says it's not a lie. Sensing the hostile mood, Donna decides to take the kids out for ice cream. She gets to the car and buckles the kids in, only to realize that Jackie's car is blocking her. Finding the front door locked, Donna goes around the side.

Jackie tears into Stephanie.

Back inside, Jackie scolds Stephanie for filling the kids' heads with rubbish, but Stephanie insists that Nick and Brooke are reuniting. Jackie reminds Stephanie of all the ways Ridge has hurt Brooke, and all the times Stephanie said Brooke was not worthy of being part of their precious family. She knows Stephanie is only being nice because Brooke owns a chunk of stock in Forrester, which is why she won't let Brooke walk away from a sane marriage to be with Stephanie's lunatic playboy of a son! Stephanie bursts Jackie's bubble and informs her that Brooke has invited Ridge over for dinner tonight, so she is sure that Nick and Brooke's marriage is over! She doesn't even know why they're arguing, since neither of them will make up Brooke's mind for her. Jackie asks if that's why Stephanie has been campaigning for Ridge, but Stephanie points out that Jackie has done the same for Nick. Who is Brooke's husband! Jackie points out. Not for long, Stephanie boasts, telling Jackie to go home to console her son's wounded heart after Brooke dumps him. Jackie wonders why Brooke would ask Nick and Ridge over. Maybe because of Nick's temper when he's around women, Stephanie suggests. She turns to go upstairs and tells Jackie to see herself out.