Thursday, April 26, 2007, Episode #5046

Bridget seeks Rick's support in dealing with their mother.

Bridget calls Rick to her office at the hospital to discuss their mother's obsession with having Nick's child. When Bridget tells him that Brooke is treating Taylor's fertility problems as a sign that Nick should be with her and not Taylor, Rick wonders if maybe their mom is right. Bridget tells Rick to stop talking like that, because she needs his support. Brooke shows up and sees Rick, so she supposes that Bridget called him here to talk some sense into her. Bridget tells Brooke that she's worried about her. Brooke asks if that means the test results weren't good; Bridget replies that the results are fine, so Brooke can have a baby with Nick. Brooke says it doesn't really matter now, because she's finally accepted that Nick has moved on and doesn't want a life with her. "It's too late," she laments.

Brooke tells Rick that she's accepted that it's over with Nick.

Brooke tells Rick and Bridget how Nick told her that he and Taylor plan to have a baby through in vitro fertilization, or IVF for short, with an egg donor. Rick thinks that sounds like a lot. It also sounds like Nick is really committed to Taylor, Bridget adds. Brooke concedes that she let Nick go, and now it's too late to get her life with him back. Rick asks his mom if there's anything he can do, but Brooke doesn't even know what to do herself. She reflects that she quit her job and put herself through all these tests, just to prove to Nick that she could be there for him. But with Nick showing his commitment to Taylor, Brooke thinks she just has to be there for her kids and accept that Nick wants Taylor. Bridget is proud of how well her mom is taking this. "What else can I do?" Brooke asks.

Phoebe drops by Taylor's office and learns about her mom's plans to have a baby with Nick through IVF. Phoebe thinks it sounds complicated. Taylor admits that she'd rather do things the old fashioned way, but it isn't possible. She explains to Phoebe how she'll select a suitable donor from an online catalog of donors and Nick would fertilize that donor's egg. Then she'll carry the baby to term and give birth, so Nick can finally have a child of his own. Nick comes in and finds Taylor with Phoebe; Taylor explains that she was just telling her daughter about their IVF plans. Phoebe tells Nick she'll be glad to baby-sit once the baby is born. Nick is glad that his baby has his first baby sitter, but Taylor points out that the baby could be a girl. Fortunately, Phoebe laughs, she charges by the hour, not by the child. Phoebe wants to give her mom and Nick some time alone, so she leaves. Taylor asks Nick why he seems distracted. Nick says he had a weird day, so Taylor has an idea how to cheer him up and asks him to join her by the computer.

Nick looks through the online catalog of donor profiles.

Taylor shows Nick the online catalog of donors so he can help her choose the right woman to help them have a child. As Nick looks at the profiles, he asks where the pictures are. Taylor explains that there are no pictures, so the donors can remain anonymous; she points out that the profiles have physical descriptions of the potential donors but comments that she'd rather make her choice based on things like family medical history and intelligence. Nick says he'd prefer a gorgeous woman with a rockin' body, but Taylor reminds him that this will be done in a lab, so there won't be any sex between him and the donor. Nick quips that he'll just save his sex for her. Before he can say any more, he gets a call from Meriah summoning him to the office for a meeting. He gives Taylor a goodbye kiss and tells her to keep looking, so she can tell him how she made out when she gets home. Taylor laughs, "Your rockin' body will be home waiting," as he leaves.

Taylor is surprised by Brooke's declaration.

Soon after, Brooke drops by to see Taylor. Taylor assumes that Brooke is there to see Nick and says he just left, but Brooke sits down and says she just wants to talk. "About Nick," Taylor supposes. Brooke explains that she overheard Nick talking about Taylor's fertility problems. Taylor predicts that Brooke is here to gloat that she can give Nick a child while Taylor cannot. Brooke admits that when she first heard about Taylor's problems, she hoped that might give her an opening with Nick. But Nick's telling her about his plans for Taylor to undergo in vitro fertilization dashed her hopes and made her see how important it is to Nick for have a child. Taylor is surprised that Nick told Brooke about their IVF plans. Brooke responds that Nick wanted everyone to see how devoted he is/was to Taylor, who has made him a better person, and she admits that it's really over between her and Nick. "I will never be an issue in your relationship ever again," Brooke promises. Taylor finds Brooke's surrender hard to accept; Brooke says that she just wants to see Nick happy, and she thinks this child can help make him happy. Stunned by Brooke's sincerity, Taylor asks Brooke what she'll do next. Brooke admits that she's not sure, since she's not going back to Ridge, and with her job at Forrester Originals ended... Taylor gives Brooke a hug and predicts that Brooke will land on her feet like she always does. Smiling, Brooke thanks Taylor and wishes her luck. Taylor thanks Brooke, who then leaves.

Phoebe is pleased to make up with Rick.

At Forrester Originals, Rick talks with Phoebe. Even though they had already apologized about their fight, Rick feels like he has to do it again, because he was wrong and Phoebe was right. He concedes that Nick loves Phoebe's mom and not his and tells Phoebe that his mom won't cause any more problems. Phoebe says she's not worried about Brooke anymore, Because of the IVF procedure? Rick asks. Phoebe is surprised Rick knows, so he explains that his mom told him. Phoebe asks if Brooke is OK; Rick says she will be, to which Phoebe says, "I'm sorry." Rick says there's nothing to be sorry about, since she'll have a new brother or sister. Phoebe tells him that she already volunteered for baby sitting duty; Rick jokes that he'll probably have to squeeze in a lot of time with her before the baby is born, since he won't see her once she starts baby-sitting, but Phoebe thinks they've spent enough time apart already. They both agree that they missed each other. Rick points out that they survived their first fight, but he also thinks things will never be simple for then, with their parents' relationships and divorces. And while they may try not to let those things affect them, they somehow always will, so they'll just have to accept arguments like this and get past them, like they did here. Phoebe agrees. Rick then asks if she knows what the best part of fighting is; she doesn't know, so Rick tells her that it's the part where they make up and kisses her.

Ashley tries to get Ridge to open up.

Down the hall in Ridge's office, Ridge pulls away from his kiss with Ashley and says he's sorry. Ashley says he doesn't have to apologize, even though all the kisses in the world won't help him forget Brooke. Ridge asks if she thinks he wants to forget; she asks him to admit that he asked her out to get over Brooke, and then he didn't show up. AS Ridge flashes back to the struggle with Shane and the gunshot, Ashley says she may not know him that well, but she's like to be as friend, especially since she feels like he has to open up about something. Ridge admits that he wasn't thinking about Brooke when they kissed. Ash tries to get him to open up, but Ridge is resistant, so Ashley kisses him again. After the kiss, she asks if he feels better now. He says that there isn't a pure thought in his head now. Ashley says she can work with that. Ridge suggests they reschedule their date for tonight, and Ashley likes that idea.

Lt. Baker pays Ridge a visit.

Just then, Lieutenant Baker drops in to talk to Ridge. After being introduced to Ashley, Baker tells Ridge that he's here to talk about Shane. Ridge grows silent. Lt. Baker then explains that Taylor told him about Shane's renewed harassment of Phoebe and wanted to take out a restraining order on Phoebe's behalf, but he told her that Phoebe would have to do it herself if she wanted an order protecting her from Shane. The cop is surprised when Ridge knows nothing about it. Baker says that honestly, he doesn't think they'll need a protective order, since drifters like Shane typically move on and vanish, but he understands that Taylor wanted to send Shane a message. The problem is that Nick Marone stepped in and vowed to handle the matter himself when he felt the authorities couldn't. Ashley doesn't think that's a good idea (and she should know, since her father went to jail on Y&R for taking the law into his own hands to protect his family, and he died before he could get out of prison). Lt. Baker agrees, which is why he hopes Ridge won't follow Nick's example and will let the cops handle Shane if he shows up again. Ridge agrees, although he doesn't think it will be necessary.