Thursday, February 01, 2007, Episode #4989

Taylor and Thorne agree to end things between them.

Taylor meets Thorne at his beach house while Aly is at pre-school. After greeting her with a hug, Thorne tells Taylor that he and Aly talk about Darla's death every day, but it's going to be a long time before Aly can accept that it was an accident. He knows he and Taylor agreed to work on this together, but... Taylor sadly says she understands; his daughter must come first. Thorne tells her that this is the last thing he wanted, but Taylor agrees that he has to do what's best for Aly, just like he's always done. Thorne laments that he couldn't give Aly the family he wanted. Taylor reminds him that he IS Aly's family, but he regrets that Taylor can't be a part of it. Taylor wishes she had been honest from the beginning, so Aly wouldn't have had to hear the truth from a friend. Thorne reminds her that he, as Aly's father, chose not to tell her. They both agree that their relationship just wasn't meant to be. Thorne tells Taylor that Kristen and Tony invited him and Aly to visit them in Florida, and he figures he can check out some vendors down there. Taylor agrees that it would be good for Aly to see them and her cousin Zende, and she wonders if maybe she should take some time to see Steffy in England. Thorne offers to still take her to Ridge and Brooke's engagement party, but she thinks being around his family will hurt too much. Thorne tells her that she will always be part of his family. They thank each other for being a part of the other's life when they needed it most. Thorne then goes to pick up Aly and tells Taylor that she can stay a while if she wants; after he leaves, Taylor remains, sobbing over over a family portrait that Aly drew of the three of them.

Rick asks his mother to keep his singing under wraps.

Brooke is surprised when she walks past Rick's room and hears him singing opera in Italian while lifting weights. Popping into the room, she compliments him on his performance; she knew he was taking singing lessons in Europe, but she didn't know hoe good he was. She encourages him to share his gift with the rest of the family, but he asks her to keep it to herself. Brooke guesses that he enjoyed living in Europe and asks if he's missing work because he misses that life. Rick admits he loved the European culture, but he's just taking a day off. Is he doing that to decompress, Brooke asks, or is he trying to avoid Stephanie? She appreciates his concern about her, but she hopes he won't let his differences with Stephanie and Ridge ruin his homecoming. She especially looks forward to the whole family being there as she and Ridge dance to their song at their engagement party tonight. Rick is sure the band knows "Unforgettable," but Brooke suggests he have his father show him how to play it on the piano. Rick knows his dad would love that, but he sees his mom trying him to maneuver him into singing. It's not going to work, he advises; he chuckles that his only performance tonight will be when he puts a big smile on for her and Ridge at the party.

Stephanie gets her first look at what Eric and their family have created.

At Forrester Originals, Eric, Ridge, Felicia, Bridget, Phoebe and Pam wait for Stephanie to arrive, as this is her first time seeing the new offices. When Stephanie arrives, Ridge and Felicia welcome her back and ask how their grandmother is. Cranky as ever, Stephanie laughs. She looks around and is impressed by what she sees; she admits she blamed herself for letting her temper cost them their company, but when she sees what they've accomplished here, she has complete confidence that Marone can't possibly compete with then. Stephanie then kisses Eric, which brings out an odd look from Pam. Bridget states that Nick is determined to beat them; let him try, Ridge brags, confident that Nick can't beat the best designers or buyers in the business. Or the best team, Eric adds. Stephanie agrees, praising the family's talent that sets them apart. She is also glad to hear that Rick's back and on board. He's back, Ridge says, but he may not be on board. Eric's sure Rick will come around, just like everyone will once they have their first collection - and speaking of which... Felicia takes that as their cue to get back to work. Pam brings out a tray of sandwiches so they can eat first.

While everyone chows down, Stephanie asks Ridge what he meant about Rick. Ridge says that Rick is as arrogant and hot-headed as ever, leading to resentment over Ridge's engagement to Brooke and over losing his job in Europe. Stephanie says that Rick will just work for them here, to help them crack the European markets. Ridge however thinks they'll be better off when they can send Rick back overseas; he can't wait until they are up and running in Europe, so Rick will be out of L.A. and out of his hair again.

Ridge isn't happy about Phoebe spending time with Rick.

Later, Ridge works with Phoebe to fit a gown and comments about how tired she looks. He asks if she spent the night text-messaging again, but she says that she was up until 2 AM talking to Rick. She tells Ridge that she overheard him talking with Stephanie and asks why he wants Rick to leave. Ridge tells her that Rick obviously isn't happy here, but Phoebe says that's just because Rick misses his job and his friends. Ridge sympathizes, but he doesn't like the negative attitude Rick has towards his engagement to Brooke, or towards him and Stephanie. Phoebe thinks he's just frustrated, but Ridge doesn't like Phoebe being around someone so negative. Phoebe thinks Rick is a nice guy and offers to straighten him out, but Ridge tells her that it's not her responsibility. He tells her to focus on her job here and have fun. Phoebe however argues that she enjoyed talking to Rick, and she doesn't see anything wrong with being friends with him. It might even improve things, she suggests.

Brooke asks Ridge what's bothering him.

When Ridge gets home, Brooke says he just in time to join her for a bath before the party. Maybe later, Ridge responds. Brooke asks what's wrong. He asks if she knew Phoebe and Rick were up late talking in the garden. Brooke admits that she saw them still outside when she got up to take care of R.J. Ridge asks if she heard what they were talking about; Brooke says she didn't. Ridge thinks Rick was bashing their relationship again. Brooke tells him that she asked Rick to accept them. Ridge tells her that he wants to rebuild their family, and he would love Rick to be a part of that. But if Rick isn't willing to be a part of their lives, then he doesn't want Rick around, and he certainly doesn't want Rick around his daughter! Neither Ridge nor Brooke realizes that Rick is listening from the stairs.

Jackie is taken aback by Nick's spending.

At Forrester Creations, Nick shows Jackie a map of the major global couture distributors. He boasts that he has Harrison's markets on the West Coast and Chen's in Asia. And they paid a premium for both, Jackie laments. She doesn't understand why Nick is paying so much to get these companies, since he won't have the market tied up. She reminds him that Lauren Fenmore won't sell, and Harvey Golden won't even return their calls. Nick says they need to work one region at a time. The Midwest and east coast can wait, he explains, since he needs Asia now [although I think he meant to say Europe, since he already has Chen in Asia], and he needs her help to get it. He recalls that she's friends with Yvette St. Julienne out of Paris. Jackie admits that they're acquainted, but they haven't seen each other since the spring showings. Nick tells her to get reacquainted with the lady and invite her to a meeting here in L.A. Jackie reminds him that Yvette is in Paris; Nick says he'll send a jet if he has to, but he wants to set up that meeting immediately.

Nick tells Stephanie that he's her spotlight.

Later, at Forrester Originals, Stephanie walks into the showroom and stands on the runway when someone suddenly shines a spotlight on her. She tells the person doing that to stop, but a familiar voice asks if she feels exposed in the spotlight. Stephanie recognizes Nick's voice; he asks if she sees how his mother must have felt at the Forrester Creations fashion show. Stephanie tells Nick he's not amusing and asks him again to stop, but Nick says he's not trying to amuse her. Stephanie tells him that he's not welcome, but Nick says that he's her spotlight now, following her every move, and he's going to get her when she least expects it. Stephanie laughs that he'll just have egg on his face trying, since he may have her company, but he has none of the talent that made it special. Nick brags that there is more to this business than the runway, but Stephanie says that the runway is where it all happens, right here in the spotlight. "And I'm your spotlight," Nick tells her again. He's interrupted by a call on his cell; it's Jackie, who tells him that the meeting with Yvette St. Julienne is st. Nick tells his mom to book a jet and a suite for the lady. Jackie doesn't want to seem too eager, but Nick says he'll pull out all the stops to get what he wants.