Wednesday, October 11, 2006, Episode #4912

Phoebe wonders if her mom can tell Thorne the truth.

Phoebe helps Taylor get ready to go to Big Bear with Thorne. While they wait for Thorne to pick Taylor up, Phoebe asks her mom if she can go through with telling Thorne the truth. Taylor says she has to. "Because you've fallen in love with him?" Phoebe asks. Taylor says that she can't look Thorne in the eye and lie anymore. She hates what she's done to all their lives. Thorne arrives a bit early to pick Taylor up. Phoebe tearfully hugs her mom and tells Taylor, "I love you." Thorne asks if everything is OK; Taylor says it will be soon, so she and Thorne hit the road.

Taylor hopes Thorne won't hate her after her revelation.

Thorne and Taylor get to the Big Bear cabin; Taylor is surprised to see that Thorne had the caretaker put out her favorite yellow roses and light a fire. Taylor says she doesn't deserve this, but Thorne thinks she deserves all this and more. With his back turned to Taylor, he slips the ring box he was looking at in his office earlier into his pocket, and he tells Taylor that he has more in mind for their trip here than just some time alone. Taylor starts to cry. Thorne asks what's wrong. Taylor tells him that the problem is not him, because he's the most wonderful man. She explains that she's the problem, or rather, something she did is. She just prays Thorne won't hurt her when she tells him what she did. Thorne says that he could never hate her, because he loves her. Taylor doesn't feel that she deserves that love. Of course she does, Thorne replies, because he knows her so well. Taylor tells him that he doesn't really know her. Thorne thinks he does; he even thinks he knows what she's going to say, so he asks what she'd say if he told him he knows. "Then you'd be wrong," Taylor says. Thorne thinks that she's been drinking again and urges her to keep fighting, because he knows she can do it. He thinks she's one of the strongest people he knows. Taylor says that he's the strong one; he pulled his and Ally's lives together after losing Darla, and he helped her as well. Thorne says that he couldn't have done it without her. Taylor wishes she was the woman he thinks she is, because she's done something she'll regret forever. She knows it will hurt when she tells him, but she feels like she owes him the truth, even if he winds up hating her.

Ridge picks up RJ.

Ridge drops by Brooke's house to pick up RJ. He's glad to have time with his son after going halfway around the world. Brooke tells him that she always tells RJ how special he is to his daddy. But that doesn't make up for not being there for his son, Ridge says, and they both know who to thank for that. Brooke tells him not to rail on Nick, but Ridge says he doesn't have to, because Nick screwed up his own life all by himself. Ridge admits he did the same thing when he walked out on Brooke, but they have the chance to make that right again, if Brooke will only end her marriage to Nick. Brooke asks him to be patient while she decides what's best for her and her kids. Ridge says he understands and will give her the time she needs, but the sooner they're together again... He stops himself and thinks he and RJ should be going. Brooke bids RJ goodbye and tells him to be a good boy for Daddy. Ridge tells Brooke that he loves her, and he doesn't want her to forget that. With that said, he and RJ head over to Forrester.

Jackie learns what's going on with her son and Brooke.

On the Shady Marlin, Nick tells Jackie what's happened recently with him and Brooke. He tells Jackie that he can't change what he did, but he won't give up on his marriage. He knows Brooke needs space, but he's sure Ridge and Stephanie are ready to move in on Brooke. That's why he needs to see Brooke now.

In the Forrester CEO's office, Stephanie meets with a lawyer who has drawn up divorce papers for Brooke and Nick. The lawyer says it's unusual not to have either party present. Stephanie says she knows, but Eric did this to her, and she doesn't want to wait for Brooke to move on this. The lawyer asks why she's in such a rush; Stephanie says that she wants to see her son happy. The sooner Ridge is happy, the sooner she can get control of the company back. So this is about the stock? the lawyer asks. In part, Stephanie says, but she really does want to see Ridge happy.

Eric and Stephanie spend time with RJ.

After the lawyer leaves, Eric comes in and learns of Stephanie's plans. He thinks she is getting ahead of herself. Stephanie disagrees, because she's sure Nick and Brooke's marriage is over. Ridge stops in so RJ can see his grandma and grandpa. Stephanie is pleased when Ridge tells her that Nick was nowhere to be found when he picked up RJ. Ridge laments all the time he's missed out on with his son. That won't be a problem much longer, Stephanie promises. Ridge senses that his mother is up to something and asks what she has done. She says she just wants him and Brooke to be happy. Ridge reminds her that Brooke needs time and tells Stephanie not to press her. Stephanie says she understands. Hiding the divorce papers, she tells Ridge that she has to go for a hair appointment. Eric tries to stop her, but she says she has to get going. After she leaves, Ridge asks Eric if he's wasting his time telling Stephanie to give Brooke some space. Eric fears he is, but he assures her that Stephanie's heart is in the right place. Unlike that S.O.B. Nick, Ridge retorts, since he knows Nick is trouble.

Hope is glad to see Nick.

Meanwhile, Nick arrives at Brooke's house. He catches Catherine and Hope on the way to the park. Hope is glad to see him and asks why he missed breakfast. He says he had to go get something and presents Hope with a bag of donuts. Hope asks Nick to come to the park, but he says he has to talk to Mommy. He and Hope exchange "I love yous", and Hope and Catherine then head for the park. Brooke comes into the room and is surprised to see Nick there. Nick reminds her that they are still married and urges her to please work on their marriage. She says he should've thought of that before he slept with her daughter. Nick admits that was wrong, but he refuses to share his wife with Ridge. He's sorry to admit that during those few minutes with Bridget, he got the one thing he desperately wanted from Brooke - to be the only man in the world of the woman he was with. He knows Brooke has apologized for that, and he's given her his forgiveness, because he loves her. Now he's asking her to do the same, so he can undo the damage he's done. He promises not to let her down again if she gives him another chance.

Stephanie comes in and overhears; she tells Nick to forget it, because his life with Brooke will be over once Brooke signs the papers Stephanie has. Nick tells Brooke not to sign anything. Stephanie tells Brooke that Nick is telling her what to do again, but Brooke thinks this between her and Nick. "There isn't any Nick and you anymore," Stephanie says, which is why she had her attorney draw up these divorce papers. All Brooke has to do is sign and this mess will be over. not after what he's done. That's why I had the divorce attorney draw up the papers for you. One quick signature, and this whole, ugly mess will resolve itself, once and for all. Nick tells Stephanie to butt out and thinks she has a lot of nerve doing this. Stephanie thinks Nick is one to talk after what he did. Brooke tells them both to stop, since she doesn't need to argue. What she needs, Stephanie says, is to sign these papers and move on. Nick accuses Stephanie of butting into her grown son's life; Stephanie asks if Jackie is any different. Nick says Jackie isn't here fighting his battles for him.