Tuesday, April 03, 2007, Episode #5030

Taylor wants answers from Brooke.

Taylor is stunned to see Brooke straddling Nick in his bed. Brooke is equally surprised to see Taylor. Nick tries to explain, but Taylor tells him to get off the bed. Brooke asks Nick why he didn't tell her Taylor was here. Nick says he didn't have a chance and tries to explain to Taylor, who says that she gets what's going on and guesses that Brooke wanted some goodbye sex with her ex before the wedding. Brooke tells Taylor that the wedding is off and explains what happened in Sydney. Taylor asks if Phoebe is OK; Brooke replies that Phoebe is fine, but the wedding is off after what happened. Taylor tells Brooke that calling off the wedding doesn't give her the right to come over and molest Nick. Brooke suggests they discuss this another time, but Taylor wants to discuss it now. She's appalled that Brooke dumped Nick for Ridge, only to come running back to Nick when things went sour with Ridge. She thinks such behavior shows that Brooke is histrionic, narcissistic and borderline! Brooke says that she just wanted Nick to know what happened. "Well, maybe you should know that we almost got married last night," Taylor responds. Brooke is stunned and asks Nick if that's true; when he says it is, Brooke takes comfort in the fact that Taylor said they ALMOST got married, since that says that they didn't go through with it. Taylor takes that as her cue to drop another bombshell on Brooke and explains that she and Nick are trying to start a family - and in fact, she might already be pregnant!

Brooke asks Nick to tell her that he loves her.

A stunned Brooke can't believe that Taylor wants to have a child at her age. Taylor thinks Brooke of all people should know how Nick wants to have a child of his own. Brooke doesn't know what to say. "How about goodbye" Taylor asks. Nick offers to walk Brooke out; as Nick and Brooke turn to the door, Taylor tells Brooke "Thank you." For what? Brooke asks. Taylor says that she and Nick were just talking about this, so she wants to thank Brooke for vividly reminding her of the insanity she and Nick left behind. Nick then takes Brooke downstairs. Brooke asks him when he decided to have a child with Taylor. Nick doesn't think it matters, but Brooke thinks it does, she the biggest mistake of her life was leaving Nick. Nick thinks she's just saying that because she's mad at Ridge and suggests that she and Ridge will make up like they always do. He tells her to go home and get some sleep, since he's sure she'll wake up and see that she still wants to marry Ridge. Brooke tells Nick that she wouldn't come here if she wasn't 100% sure that it was over with Ridge. She asks Nick if they can go someplace private to talk, but he refuses. Brooke admits that she's sorry for hurting him, since she feels in her soul that they could have had a life together. She asks Nick to tell her that he loves her; Nick just answers, "I'm sorry," so a dejected Brooke leaves.

Ashley empathizes with Ridge.

Ashley is still with Ridge in his office, offering a sympathetic ear about what happened in Sydney. Ridge asks how she knows; she explains that Rick told her his side of the story. Ridge asks if he was out of line; Ashley admits she's not a fan of violence, but she thinks he just got caught up in his emotions while trying to protect his daughter. She can empathize, since she would do anything to keep her daughter Abby safe. Ridge wishes Brooke saw things that way. Ashley thinks Brooke will cool down in time and see that he was just being a good father by looking out for his daughter. Ridge guesses that she would know about that, since her father John was a great parent. Ashley recalls how John always stood by her and her siblings, even when they didn't deserve it. Ridge senses that she misses her dad; Ash admits she does, which is why she doesn't want him to take what he has with Eric for granted. She just hopes her sad mood from her memories isn't bringing him down. Ridge tells her not to worry, since she gave him a chance to vent. He suggests that maybe she should talk to Brooke, who could use some of Ashley's common sense; he fears that the only person Brooke listens to these days is Rick. "And we know exactly where he stands, don't we?" Stephanie declares as she walks in.

Stephanie apologizes for interrupting. Ashley says it's fine, since she has to get back to the lab anyway. After Ashley leaves, Stephanie asks Ridge if he heard from Brooke. He says he hasn't, but he's not giving up. Stephanie understands that he wants to keep things open with Brooke because they share a son, since his kids are his top priority. But at the same time, she thinks he'll soon see that there's life after Brooke. Ridge repeats that he's not giving up on Brooke; Stephanie thinks he's better off without Brooke, and the sooner that he accepts that, the sooner he can cut his losses. She knows it won't be easy, but she and the family will stand by him. She asks if there is anything she can do. "You can warn Brooke about Marone," Ridge says, since he fears Brooke won't listen to him. Stephanie reminds him that Nick is engaged to Taylor, but Ridge is sure Popeye would drop Taylor in a minute if Brooke was available, and he thinks Nick might even be making his move now. Stephanie hopes that's not happening, especially since Taylor wants to have a child with Nick. Ridge can't believe that Taylor wants to have a baby with Popeye. Stephanie says it's true, but she fears Taylor's plans might be dashed with Brooke on the loose, so she decides to call Taylor and warn her.

Ridge can't believe that it's over.

Ridge rolls his eyes in disbelief as his mother dials Taylor's cell number. When Taylor answers, she asks Stephanie if this can wait, but Stephanie tells her that Brooke has called off her wedding. Taylor says she knows, since Brooke was already there, trying to seduce Nick. She can't believe that Brooke thought Nick would end things with her and run back to Brooke. That's classic Brooke, Stephanie laughs, asking where Brooke is now. Taylor explains that Nick is escorting Brooke out. Stephanie asks Taylor if she's OK; Taylor says she is, insisting that she won't let Brooke destroy another relationship for her. She then tells Stephanie she has to go before Nick comes back. As she hangs up, Stephanie tells Ridge that Brooke went to see Nick. Ridge can't believe that Brooke flew home and ran straight to Nick's, without even stopping at home to see her kids. At least he knows what Brooke is thinking now. Stephanie says she's sorry; Ridge doesn't believe that, but Stephanie insists that she really didn't want to see him hurt, although she hoped he would see Brooke for what she really is. Ridge doesn't want to believe it's over, but if Brooke has Nick in her sights again... Stephanie suggests that Brooke never really put Nick behind her. Ridge can't believe that, since just a few days ago, he and Brooke were ready to start a new chapter in their lives. Now he just feels alone. Stephanie puts her hand on his face and tells him that he's not alone.

Stephanie confronts Brooke.

Soon after, Stephanie enters Eric's office and finds Brooke on the phone, leaving a message for Eric to call her about tomorrow's opening. "Well, I'm just in a pickle," Stephanie exclaims. Startled, Brooke asks what she means. Stephanie admits that usually, she wants to stick her finger in Brooke's eye, but right now she wants to kiss her. Brooke assumes that Stephanie heard about Sydney and is pleased. Stephanie asks if there's any other way to see it. Brooke explains that she called off the wedding because Ridge struck Rick, and she's shocked that doesn't concern Stephanie. Stephanie admits it does concern her, because it was wrong for Ridge to hit Rick. But at the same time, she has to wonder what choice Ridge had, since Brooke turned a deaf ear to his pleas to keep Rick away from Phoebe. And then on top of that, Brooke comes home from Sydney and rushes over to Nick's house to jump in bed with him? She thinks that takes the cake.