Thursday, April 05, 2007, Episode #5032

Eric scolds Stephanie for still harping about Brooke.

In the living room of the Forrester mansion, Eric, Stephanie and Bridget listen as Felicia reads the press accounts of their boutique launch, which is declared a fiasco because of the cancelled wedding. Felicia notes that the reports at least praise Phoebe, who shone as a model. Stephanie supposes they put the best spin on the situation that they could. Bridget asks if anyone has talked to Ridge. Felicia says that her big brother needed to be alone since the launch yesterday. Eric hopes they won't have another day like that again; Stephanie is sure they won't, since Brooke is out of the family and the company now. Eric scolds her for delighting in getting her New Year's wish to be rid of Brooke. Felicia and Bridget lament that Ridge hitting Rick struck the killing blow to that relationship. Stephanie thinks Ridge was justified in doing that to protect his daughter, even though the others argue that Phoebe was in no danger from Rick. After Eric defends Brooke, Stephanie asks why they're even talking about Brooke now that she's out of the family. Eric points out that Stephanie is the one who keeps bringing Brooke up. Stephanie counters by criticizing Eric for constantly defending Brooke. She asks when he'll finally see Brooke for what she is.

Stephanie wants to chat with Bridget.

On that note, Eric and Felicia head for the office to do more damage control. Felicia asks Bridget to come, but Stephanie asks Bridget to stay and chat. Felicia wishes Bridget luck and leaves with Eric. Alone with Stephanie, Bridget bets this is going to be about her mother. Stephanie says she loves Bridget; "As long as I'm not defending my mom," Bridget qualifies. Stephanie explains that they have a huge problem, since Brooke has run out of Forrester men to go through and has set her sights on Nick. And since Taylor is engaged to Nick, Stephanie fears that Brooke's interference will ruin that relationship, too.

Bridget doesn't want any part of Stephanie's schemes.

Bridget points out that Nick and Taylor are not married yet and don't have a child. But she wonders why Stephanie, who hates Nick, even cares. Stephanie points out that Taylor is in love with Nick. Bridget doesn't think they have an issue if Nick feels the same way about Taylor, but Stephanie insists that they do have an issue as long as Brooke is determined to seduce Nick. Bridget explains that her mother doesn't think there's any woman who is right for Nick other than herself. And of course, Bridget adds, she's concerned for Taylor, since she lived through this herself. Stephanie asserts that she wants to spare Taylor the pain Bridget went through because of Brooke throwing herself at Nick. Bridget tells Stephanie not to count on her being lured into any of Stephanie's schemes. For one thing, she can't control her mother, so she knows Brooke will pursue Nick if she wants to. However, she does agree with Stephanie on one thing; she hopes that if her mother takes Nick back, it happens before Taylor is married to Nick and before Taylor is pregnant.

Rick advises his mother to tell Nick how she feels.

Brooke comes downstairs at her house and flashes back to the fun times she and Ridge spent walking along Sydney Harbor. She then remembers Ridge violently pulling Rick off Phoebe in the honeymoon suite and hitting him. She's brought back to reality when Rick comes in. She asks how the launch went. It went as well as could be expected without a wedding, Rick states, but he thinks she was right to stay away. Brooke is sorry he had to be there, too; he explains that he just kept his back to the wall and didn't say anything to Ridge or Stephanie. He admits it's hard being glared at by Stephanie, but he thinks he can handle her. Brooke asks how the press reacted; they knew something was going on because there was no wedding, he points out. Brooke laments that her life with Ridge is over. Rick thinks the end of that relationship makes this the perfect time for his mom to make her move on Nick. Brooke points out that Nick is engaged to Taylor and is trying to have a child with her. Rick says he hadn't heard about that, but he thinks that makes it all the more important that his mom get over to talk to Nick and reminds him of what they shared, before Taylor might get pregnant. Brooke fears she's hurt Nick too often with her feelings for Ridge. Rick asks if she's going back to Ridge; she says she can't. Then tell Nick that before there is a baby involved, Ridge urges, telling his mom to make Nick believe that they belong together.

Jackie tells Nick to forgive Brooke.

Jackie pops in Nick's office at Forrester Creations, having heard about his little visit by Brooke yesterday. She can't believe that Ridge has finally shown his true colors by striking Rick. Nick admits Ridge hitting Rick was wrong, but he thinks Brooke was just overreacting in the moment and will get over it. Jackie doesn't think so, pointing out how important the Beverly Hills launch was for Forrester Originals. She's sure Brooke would have somehow made her way through the wedding ceremony tied to that launch of there was any hope of reconciliation. That's why she's sure Ridge and Brooke are finished this time. Nick says he's happy for Brooke, as long as she doesn't celebrate her newfound freedom by treating him like a revolving door. Jackie tells him that she respects what he has with Taylor, and she knows that Brooke hurt him in the past. But since Taylor isn't pregnant, it's not too late for him to forgive Brooke and... Nick assures her that he likes what he's found with Taylor, who right on cue, walks in on the great debate. Jackie asks Taylor not to be offended by what she just said. Taylor says she's fine, since she's confident in what she has with Nick. After Jackie leaves, Nick apologizes to Taylor for his mother. Taylor says is mother is just asking the same thing a lot of people are, especially Brooke. Nick assures her that he has told Brooke how he feels; he tells Taylor to focus on what they have and forget what anyone else wants. Taylor however can't help but think about Brooke because of their history. Nick tells her to forget about Brooke and think about being with him on a desert island, naked. Taylor likes that idea.

After Taylor leaves, Rick comes by to see Nick. He tries to get Nick to see that Brooke really wants to be with him and points out how his mom kept talking about Nick all the way back from Sydney. He thinks he knows how his mother feels, and he really believes that Nick was the best thing to happen to Brooke. Now Brooke knows it too and wants back. Nick reminds Rick that he's been down this road before, plus he has Taylor now. Rick says that he understands Nick's desire to have a family, but he thinks Nick had a family already with Brooke, especially since Hope looks up to Nick like a father. He respects Nick for being honest with him, and for not wanting to hurt Taylor, but he thinks Taylor will wind up hurt if Nick denies his feelings for Brooke.

Taylor lays down the law.

Taylor arrives at Brooke's house to talk. Brooke says she's not in the mood to talk, so Taylor barges in and says she'll do the talking. She wants to know why Brooke is still upset with Ridge. Brooke reminds her that Ridge struck Rick; she can't condone Ridge striking her son. For not keeping his distance from Phoebe, Taylor points out. He still hit Rick, Brooke points out. And now everything's over over that? Taylor asks in disbelief. She tells Brooke to listen up, because she's putting Brooke on notice now that she's not going to tolerate Brooke interfering in her relationship with Nick the way Brooke did with Ridge. Brooke apologizes for putting Taylor in the middle. Taylor points out that she's not in the middle, because she was already engaged to Nick and planning a family with him, and Brooke knew that. Brooke doesn't want to argue. Taylor doesn't think there's any reason to as long as Brooke stays away from Nick. She reminds Brooke that she shares a son with Ridge and asks Brooke to think about R.J. Brooke states that a lot has happened, but Taylor doesn't care as long as Brooke keeps her chaotic life to herself and accepts that nick is off limits.