Monday, August 27, 2007, Episode #5133

Phoebe and Constantine sing the winning duet.

Rick, Phoebe and Constantine anxiously wait on stage for the Boldface Challenge results. Constantine suggests that Phoebe do the honors, so she opens the envelope and announces, "The winners are Constantine and Phoebe." As the crowd applauds for the winners, a dejected Rick tells Phoebe, "I guess I was wrong" and slowly, glumly steps off the stage. Constantine and Phoebe then start to perform the winning duet, "Everybody Loves," drawing thunderous applause from the audience. After they finish the song, Phoebe and Constantine bask in the applause from their fans, but Phoebe looks off into the wings and sees a forlorn Rick heading backstage. Phoebe raises her microphone and starts to sing the first few lines of her duet with Rick. Rick hears her singing and picks up his mike, turning back to the stage to join in with Phoebe on the chorus of "I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You." When they finish the song, Phoebe looks at Rick and proclaims, "I don't care who won the contest. I love you." They kiss passionately as the crowd roars with applause.

Rick pulls away from Phoebe while kissing her.

Ducking away from reporters, Rick and Phoebe head for Bridget's beach house, where Rick tells her how wonderful she was. Phoebe reminds him that he was on stage, too, but he points out that he was leaving until she pulled him back. "I couldn't let such an amazing man just walk away," she states, apologizing for how she treated him. Rick tells her that it's OK, because all that is behind them now. Phoebe finds it hard to just put this behind her, because she doesn't share his experience with past relationships. She admits that she wracked her brain trying to understand what he shared with Ashley. Rick tells her to forget that, because they have a second chance, and he wants to do everything right this time. They start to make out on the couch when Phoebe's cell phone rings. Rick tells her to get it, but she wants to let it go to voice mail. Rick suddenly pulls away. When Phoebe asks what's wrong, he says he can't do this, because he wants to make love to her so badly. Phoebe responds by pulling him close and kissing him some more.

Eric worries how Stephanie's actions will impact Hope and R.J.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie, Eric and Thorne discuss the custody situation with Brooke's kids. Stephanie doesn't think Brooke can raise those kids in her current states, but Eric reminds her that this about how this tug of war will affect the children, Just then, Donna storms in, calling out Stephanie's name. When Thorne asks what's wrong, Donna tells him that his big brother and mother are trying to take Brooke's kids away permanently. Eric and Thorne are both stunned as Donna claims that she knows whose idea it was for Ridge to seek full custody. Stephanie defends her position by pointing out how unstable Brooke is, but Donna doesn't think the answer is to deprive those kids of their mother. Stephanie asserts that giving custody back to Brooke is out of the question, but Donna counters that the kids need a stable, supportive, peaceful environment with their mother.

Donna and Thorne make a point.

Stephanie argues that the kids will have stability with their father, but Donna doesn't thinks it's too peaceful in this house. "It will be once you're out of here," Stephanie retorts. Thorne thinks that last comment from his mother proves Donna's point. Donna asks if they can please halt the fighting between the Forrester and Logan families and just come together, as she hopes they will on her and Thorne's wedding day. Stephanie simply laughs at Donna, even though Eric asks her to hear Donna out in the hopes that they can protect their grandchildren from getting caught in some feud. Stephanie argues that a marriage to Donna will only make Thorne miserable and unhappy, but Donna counters that it's Stephanie's attitude towards the marriage, and not the marriage itself, that's the problem.

Stephanie turns down Donna's request.

Stephanie isn't charmed by Donna's approach to peace, but Donna explains that it's about more than just Stephanie's attitude. It's about herself, too, and about the ways their two families interact, where they treat each other like adversaries. With good reason, Stephanie asserts. Donna thinks it's more like force of habit. Stephanie agrees, with the habit being the penchant for the Logan sisters to sleep with Forrester men. Eric tells Stephanie to stop, as Donna asks Stephanie what all the prejudice and attitude between their families is based on. Stephanie says that's it's based on 20 years of history. Thorne asks his mother to consider Donna's reconciliation attempt, but Stephanie refuses. Donna asks why it's so impossible for the Logans and Forresters to find some common ground. Stephanie states that there is none, but Donna points out that they are both loyal to the ones they love, and they both want to put family first. She tells Stephanie that she's already asked Brooke to be her matron of honor, but she'd like Stephanie to stand up for her, as well, to send a message of unity to the world. Stephanie replies, "I would stand in hell through all eternity rather than stand by you when you marry my son," telling Thorne again that Donna doesn't love him.

Ridge tries to explain to Brooke.

Brooke is in her bedroom, frantic about Ridge seeking full custody. She gets a call from the guard telling her that someone is there to see her. She tells the guard, "I don't want to see him!" but realizes it's too late when Ridge walks into her bedroom. Ridge tells her that he was worried about her, since she wasn't at the concert. Brooke angrily tells him that his mother paid her a surprise visit earlier. Ridge regrets that his mother came over, as he wanted to talk to Brooke himself first. Brooke cries, "She's finally done it. She's finally turned you against me." Ridge insists that he isn't against her, but Brooke informs him that she saw the custody petition he signed. Ridge states that his mother shouldn't have showed her that, even though he felt he had no choice but to sign it. Brooke doesn't believe that. While she admits they had issues with trust, they always agreed about the children. Ridge agrees that they both want the kids to be safe, but he thinks they disagree on how to accomplish that. Brooke tells him that she refused to believe Stephanie at first, because she thought he still loved her and could never hurt her by taking her kids away. But since he did try to take her kids, she can only conclude that he doesn't love her.

Brooke tells Ridge what happened.

Brooke tells Ridge not to take her kids away. He tells her that he's not trying to hurt her and in fact wants to help her. "Then tear up that piece of paper," Brooke instructs. Ridge says he's sorry, but he can't do it. Brooke counters that he's not sorry, and neither is his mother, since they are both trying to take her kids away when she's just getting her life together for the kids' sake. Ridge starts to question Brooke about the guy in the photo with her in the newspaper, wondering if that guy had something to do with the hearing being postponed. Brooke doesn't answer, so Ridge begs her to please open up to him and tell him what's wrong. He knows she loves her kids, and he was looking forward to her getting custody back, because he never questioned her judgement before. But now, he can't help but wonder if she can really give Hope and R.J. the stability they need, and that's why he signed the petition. As much as it killed him to sign that piece of paper, it would have totally destroyed him if anything happened to the kids. Brooke orders Ridge to leave, but he refuses to leave until she calms down and gives him some answers. He reaches up to console her, but she freaks at his touch and tells him that nothing is going on. Ridge wraps his arms around Broke and tells her to stop, pleading with her to tell him what's going on.