Friday, February 02, 2007, Episode #4990

Taylor tells Ridge about her break-up with Thorne.

Phoebe chats with Taylor in Brooke's living room, telling her mom all about how mature Rick seems since his return. Ridge overhears as he comes downstairs; when he enters the living room, he asks Phoebe why she isn't getting ready for the party. She explains that she left her party dress at her mom's house, so Taylor brought it for her. Ridge asks Taylor if she brought her own dress, too, since she can go to the party with him and Brooke if she did. Taylor tells him that she won't be going. When Ridge asks why, she explains the she broke up with Thorne. Ridge and Phoebe are both sorry to hear about that. Phoebe offers to stay with her mom tonight, but Taylor tells her to go have fun. Once Phoebe goes up to change, Ridge suggests to Taylor that Phoebe spend most of her time at Taylor's place. Taylor asks why he doesn't want their daughter here; he explains that he doesn't like having her around Rick, who's staying here. Taylor asks if things are that bad with Rick; Ridge tells her that it is, since Rick is against his reuniting with Brooke.

Nick agrees to chow down on some hot wings with Taylor.

Over at Forrester Creations, Nick and Jackie discuss his strategy for handling Yvette St. Julienne. He's distracted when he sees Brooke and Ridge's wedding announcement in the paper. Jackie gets his mind off that my asking him again about St. Julienne. Nick thinks her company is undervalued, so he can easily come up with a low offer that the couture queen of Europe will accept. By the time the Forresters figure it out, their new business will be in ruins. Just then, Taylor stops by; after greeting Jackie, she asks if she can speak to Nick alone. After Jackie leaves, Nick asks Taylor what's wrong. She says she has some news, as long as he promises not to say "I told you so." Nick guesses from her comment that it has to do with Thorne. She tells him that it's over for her and Thorne. Once she faced that, she had two choices. She could sit around the house staring at the walls, fighting the urge to drink. Or she could come here, hoping Nick would go with her for some extra-hot wings. Nick guesses that heartburn's a better choice than heartbreak, so he calls Chuck to have some wings waiting and he and Taylor get on their way.

Brooke worries about Ridge's attitude.

Brooke pops into Rick's room while he's getting dressed. She tells him how much it means for him to be at her party, but she thinks it would be even more special if he sand her and Ridge's song. Rick tells her again that he won't do it and sends her to get dressed herself. Brooke does just that; Ridge comes in while she's putting on her dress that she looks beautiful. She sees the serious look on his face and asks what's going on, so he tells her about Thorne and Taylor's break-up. Ridge remarks that Aly's refusal to accept Taylor reminds him of Rick's attitude about their reuniting. He hopes Rick doesn't pull anything tonight, since he'll have to set the kid straight if he does. Brooke thinks Rick knows how important tonight is for her, so she's sure he'll come around in time, especially with Phoebe's help. Ridge tells her that he doesn't like the idea of Phoebe helping, since he fears that his 18 year old daughter is too susceptible to Rick's attitude. He tells her how Phoebe was fawning about Rick to Taylor earlier. Brooke thinks it's cute, since it sounds like Phoebe has a crush on Rick. Ridge however doesn't think it's cute and wants it to stop.

Meanwhile, Phoebe wanders the halls, looking for her dad or Brooke so she can get some help with her zipper. Rick sees her and offers to help. As she comes into her room, Rick goes in back to zip her up. Phoebe asks why they didn't put the zipper on the side. Rick suggests she ask her dad, and while she's at it, ask when Ridge plans on breaking Brooke's heart again; this way, he knows when he can wipe the fake supportive smile from his face. Phoebe sarcastically comments that he's sure the life of the party tonight; he says it could be worse, since his mom asked him to sing her and Ridge's song. Phoebe thinks that would be interesting, but Rick says he isn't do it. Phoebe asks why not, wondering if he's chicken. He tells her that he's afraid he might flub the words and sing "Unforgivable" instead. As Phoebe laughs, Rick tells her that they should be going, so they head downstairs.

Felicia and Pam join the party.

At the Forrester mansion, Eric and Stephanie discuss Thorne and Taylor's break-up as they wait for their guests to arrive. As Stephanie tells her husband that she wants to talk to Taylor about it, her sister Pam comes down in one of Eric's designs from the new collection. Stephanie tells Pam that she looks lovely; Eric agrees that Pam looks beautiful. Pam frets that she might spill something on the dress, but Eric thinks it's perfectly suited for her, since she helped create it. Pam says she didn't, but Stephanie says she did, explaining how she heard from Eric how he was able to focus on his work thanks to the care Pam gave him recently. As Stephanie makes some last minute arrangements, Pam brings out their mom's famous five-layer dip, which was was a big hit at Thorne and Taylor's wedding. And look how that turned out, Stephanie quips, asking her sister for a favor; she asks Pam if she can help Eric greet the guests, since she has to give instructions to the caterers. Pam agrees and joins Eric just as Bridget arrives. Bridget thanks "Aunt Pam" [who isn't even her aunt] for the soup she brought to he hospital that was a big hit with the staff. Ridge, Brooke, Phoebe and Rick arrive, followed by Felicia; after some banter about Brooke becoming part of the family yet again and some talk about Thorne and Taylor, the festivities get underway.

Stephanie and Eric share a few words with their guests.

Ridge pulls Rick aside and tells him to stay away from Phoebe, since he doesn't want Rick putting ideas in her head. "Like about how you and Stephanie are the reason why my father lost his company?" Rick asks. Ridge reminds Rick, ""Our father is very happy about Forrester Originals," but Rick counters that Eric isn't Ridge's father, since Massimo is. Before they can get into it any further, Brooke comes to get them both, since Stephanie is about to speak.Stephanie thanks everyone for being here to celebrate Ridge and Brooke getting engaged again; she then mentions Thorne and Taylor, pointing out how every couple isn't as lucky as Brooke and Ridge. The others agree. Everyone then gets back to the party, although Rick broods in the corner. Stephanie sees Eric with some champagne and asks if it's for her; he says it's for Pam, who's all by herself. Stephanie suggests that she take the champagne while he asks Pam to dance.

Rick and Phoebe sing "Unforgettable."

Brooke goes over to the band leader and whispers something. She then calls for everyone's attention. She explains that the band is about to play her and Ridge's song, "Unforgettable," but she has a request that would make it even more special. She asks Rick to sing it. Rick again balks, but Bridget points out that he told Stephanie earlier that he would do anything for their mom. Backed into a corner, Rick agrees to sing - as long as Phoebe joins him! Phoebe says she can't, but Rick asks her why not. He knows it's not that she doesn't know the words, since they all know them from hearing the song so often over the years. Phoebe agrees, so she joins Rick for a rousing duet of his mother's and her father's signature song. They start out standing next to each other, but as they get into the song, they join hands an look into each other's eyes.

Bridget and Stephanie join the others in a toast.

When the song ends, everyone raves about how well "little Ricky" can sing. Bridget and Felicia both comment on how Phoebe was practically melting when she and Rick looked into each other's eyes. Brooke jokes that Phoebe has a crush on Rick, but Ridge says she doesn't. Brooke laughs that Daddy's just a little overprotective. Felicia quips, "Wonder why he got that?" Eric then proposes a toast to Brooke and Ridge, and everyone clanks their glasses together. On the terrace, Rick and Phoebe compliment each other on their singing ability. Rick says he couldn't have done it without her, although he admits it was fun. They agree that they were both in sync. Rick says that's what he loves about music, that it is so primal and sensual place; he guesses that's why it affects people so much. It cuts through the garbage that society throws out day after day and gets to the core of who they are.