Wednesday, August 15, 2007, Episode #5125

Taylor wants no part of Stephanie's crusade.

Stephanie calls Taylor over to the mansion and tells her about Thorne's engagement to Donna. Taylor is surprised, since she didn't know Thorne and Donna were involved. "They weren't, unless you call rutting a romantic involvement," Stephanie fumes, frustrated that Thorne has been taken in by Donna's sexual advances. Taylor just can't see Thorne proposing because of great sex. Stephanie suggests that Donna is using Thorne to get back at her, but she's actually more worried about Brooke than Donna right now. Taylor asks what Brooke has to do with this. Stephanie explains that Dorothy Bascomb will soon make her recommendation on custody of Brooke's kids to the judge, and she needs Taylor's help to ensure that Ridge gets permanent custody. Taylor wants no part of it, as she thinks the kids belong with their mother. Stephanie insists that the kids are thriving with Ridge, but Taylor reminds her that it's not her decision. "I will have input," Stephanie responds, reminding Taylor how Brooke always puts the steady string of men in her life before her kids. Taylor admits she has some concerns about Brooke's history with men, since Nick told her that Brooke has a secret admirer, but she still wants no part of Stephanie's crusade. Stephanie suggests that Taylor is only resisting out of guilt for her part in Brooke losing custody and states, "I want custody of the children." "You want custody?" Taylor asks. Stephanie corrects herself and says that she wants Ridge to have custody, because that's what's best for those kids, and she hopes she can make Dorothy and the judge see that.

Hope tells Ridge that she wants to go home.

Ridge invites Ashley and Abby over to his house to hang out with him, Hope and R.J. They start to play Candyland, but Hope glumly wants to end the game when it's her turn. R.J. chimes in that he doesn't want to play, either. Ashley and Ridge ask Hope and R.J. what's wrong; the kids say that they miss their Mommy, because they hardly get to see her, and they want to go home. They want things to be like they used to be. Abby interrupts and suggests that they go feed R.J.'s turtle; Ridge thinks that's a good idea and tells Hope and R.J. to take Abby to the kitchen for some lettuce.

Ashley agrees with Ridge's suggestion about the kids.

Once the kids leave the room, Ridge laments that the kids seem so unhappy. Ashley agrees that this is difficult for Hope and R.J., but she thinks Ridge already knows how to fix this. Ridge asks if she's suggesting that the kids would be better off with Brooke. Ashley thinks he's already thought the same thing. Ridge recalls that he only took temporary custody of the kids so Brooke could get her act together, but Ashley thinks Brooke is well on her way to doing that. Ridge admits that he's proud of the way Brooke has turned her life around. When he combines that with how heartbroken the kids are, he thinks the only answer is to call Child Services and recommend that they get things back to normal for those kids. He calls Dorothy Bascomb and leaves a message asking her to call him. When Ridge hangs up, Ashley thinks he seems relieved. Ridge says those kids need to be with her mom, just like he needs to be with Abby's mom. Ashley likes the sound of that, and the two of them start kissing.

Dorothy considers Brooke's plea.

Meanwhile, Dorothy Bascomb stops by Brooke's house at Brooke's request. Brooke tells the Child Services agent that she's complied with the court's wishes by getting into therapy and getting a steady job, and she's visited with her kids as often as possible, despite the difficulties caused by the kids spending a great deal of time at Stephanie's house. Dorothy asks Brooke why her lawyer hasn't brought this to the judge's attention. Brooke explains that she didn't want to drag her kids into a court battle, especially since that's exactly what Stephanie expects her to do. That's why she's played by the rules and done everything the court asked her to, in the hopes she can convince the court to award her custody again. She knows Dorothy is Stephanie's friend, but she also wants to believe that Dorothy is a professional who cares about the well being of the kids. Dorothy admits that she's impressed with the progress Brooke has made, but she still has some concerns. She recalls Taylor's testimony that Brooke always puts her relationships with men ahead of her kids' needs; she worries that Brooke might do that again the next time she meets a man she likes, and she suspects that Judge Friedman shares those fears. Brooke thinks even Taylor would agree that she's a competent parent, which is why she's urging Dorothy to return Hope and R.J. to her care. Impressed with Brooke's positive attitude, Dorothy states that she's calling the judge to ask for a hearing so he can reverse his previous custody ruling. An ecstatic Brooke thanks her and promises not to make Dorothy regret her decision.

Stephanie urges Dorothy to keep an eye on Brooke.

Later, Stephanie invites Dorothy over for tea, and she tells Dorothy what a joy it's been to help Ridge take care of Hope and R.J. She thinks the kids are thriving in their current custody arrangement. Dorothy hates to burst her friend's bubble, but she thinks Stephanie should know about the visit she had with Brooke earlier. She explains that she was impressed by Brooke during that meeting, so she plans to ask the judge to restore Brooke's custodial rights. Stephanie fears that Brooke might not be ready for that and asks Dorothy if Brooke called for the evaluation meeting. When Dorothy confirms that Brooke asked her over, Stephanie accuses Brooke of putting on a show for Dorothy, knowing that Dorothy was coming over. Fearing that Brooke will celebrate Dorothy's decision to return custody by shacking up with the first man she can find, Stephanie suggests that Dorothy pay Brooke a surprise visit. She hopes Brooke will still come off as the perfect mother Dorothy saw earlier, but she somehow doubts that it will happen. Dorothy states that the judge will not consider Brooke's activity in the bedroom when making his decision. Maybe so, Stephanie concedes, but she'd still like Dorothy to pay Brooke another visit before making a decision that she may regret.

Andy sees Brooke come into the restaurant.

Andy Johnson sits at the bar in Cafe Russe, reading articles in EYE ON FASHION about Brooke. He recalls how he disguised himself as a delivery man to deliver Brooke's gift from her secret admirer. He's brought back to reality by a call from Stephanie, who asks if he could be Brooke's secret admirer. Andy says that he could be. Stephanie is glad to hear that, since she feared he might have become gun-shy after their last meeting. She points out that despite her beauty, Brooke is just a regular girl from the valley who eats oatmeal for breakfast, runs in the park and hides her key under the flowerpot like everyone else. Andy tells her that he's quite lucky, since Brooke just walked in, so Stephanie wishes him luck.

Ridge wants no part of Stephanie's war with Brooke.

Stephanie then calls Ridge and urges him to consider seeking full custody. Ridge tells her that he disagrees, because he thinks Hope and R.J.deserve to be with their mother. Stephanie asks if he really wants those kids to again take a back seat to the steady stream of men coming in and out of Brooke's life, but Ridge doesn't want to argue about this any longer. He doesn't expect his mother to give Brooke any respect, but he respects how Brooke's turned his life around. That's why he hopes to return custody of Hope and R.J. to Brooke, since they'll all be better off when that happens.