Monday, July 16, 2007, Episode #5103

Ridge tries to calm Brooke down.

An angry Brooke tells Ridge that she won't let him steal her children, and she insists on taking her kids home tonight. Ridge reminds her again that the agent from Child Services placed the kids with him for now, so the kids aren't going anywhere now. Brooke begs him to tell the CPS agent that she's a good mother. Ridge tells her that she's a wonderful mother, and he tries to convince her that the CPS agent isn't her enemy, since they all want what's best for the kids. Brooke fumes at the thought that she's being called a bad mother. Ridge tells her to go home and get some sleep; he's sure things will look better in the morning. Brooke asks why he's not protecting her from his mother, like he promised he would. Ridge insists that this isn't about his mother, but Brooke sees this as Stephanie's way of trying to destroy her by taking the things that mean most to her: her kids. Ridge reminds Brooke that this his having the kids is just temporary, but Brooke rants that Stephanie will do everything in her power to make it permanent. She tells Ridge that she can see that his mother has gotten to her. Ridge accuses her of being paranoid, but Brooke doesn't think he means that; "If you really believe that," she declares, "I would have my kids right now, and I would be going home!"

Ashley offers Ridge her support.

After Brooke leaves, Ashley comes downstairs to comfort Ridge. She tries to tell him that Brooke is just scared. Ridge laments that Brooke thinks he's trying to keep her from her kids when he's just doing what CPS asked him to. Ashley assures him that he could never take those kids away. Ridge points out that she knows what a good mother Brooke has because of the way she's raised both her own kids and his, including Thomas and the twins. Ashley agrees that the fire was just an accident. Ridge wonders if the kids might know what's going on, since they could have heard him arguing with Brooke. Ashley doesn't think so given how calm they seem. Ridge just hopes Brooke can pull herself together before she goes into court, given how frazzled she was here tonight. Ashley assures him that he's doing the right thing and tells him to focus on the kids. Ridge concedes that she's right and thanks her for being here to help put things in perspective. "I need that right now. I need you," he states. "You got me," a smiling Ashley responds. They kiss.

Nick urges Stephanie and Dorothy not to take Brooke's kids.

At Brooke's house, Nick tries to convince Child Services agent Dorothy that Stephanie is manipulating her, since La Forrester hates Brooke with a passion and would do anything to get back at Brooke. Dorothy states that she was called in by the police, not Stephanie. She assures Nick that she's not stealing anyone's children and just placed the kids in temporary care until Brooke can get her parental fitness reassessed. Nick tells her that no one loves those kids more than Brooke. Dorothy says that's her job to decide if Brooke's capable of raising her children, not to determine how much Brooke loves those kids. She excuses herself to prepare for the hearing tomorrow. Stephanie leaves with Dorothy, grabbing a toy for Hope on the way out. Nick tells Stephanie to shut up and let Dorothy make up her own mind. Stephanie counters that Brooke's life speaks for itself. "Don't take those children," Nick warns. Stephanie tells him that it will be his fault, not hers, if Brooke loses custody of the children; she slaps Nick's lighter in his hand and follows Dorothy out the door.

Taylor refuses to do what Stephanie asks.

Stephanie makes a beeline for Taylor's office, where the Doc is on the phone with Nick, learning about the fire. Taylor tells Stephanie that she's in the middle of something, but Stephanie insists that she speak to Taylor now. Taylor tells Nick who her visitor is and says she'll see him later. She then tells Stephanie that she already heard from Nick about the plan to take Brooke's kids away. Stephanie says she's just thinking of the children, and she thought Taylor would do the same given that she's treating Brooke. Taylor tells Stephanie that she is not Brooke's therapist, although she spoke to Brooke as a friend, in confidence. Stephanie surmises that Taylor sees how desperate Brooke is and that the kids are at risk. "My God, you are trying to take the kids away!" Taylor exclaims. Stephanie reminds Taylor that two tragic incidents happened in the last 24 hours. Taylor reminds Stephanie that the fire was caused by Nick's lighter. A lighter that Hope found because Brooke was distracted, Stephanie suggests, which is why she thinks it's critical that Taylor show up at Brooke's hearing tomorrow to share any observations she's made about Brooke. Taylor tells Stephanie that she's not falling for this; she knows full well that Stephanie is motivated by more than just the kids' welfare and would take great joy in seeing Brooke suffer. "Brooke is the problem, and we have to solve it!" Stephanie insists. Taylor tells Stephanie to let CPS do their job. That's what will happen at the hearing tomorrow, Stephanie retorts, again asking Taylor to testify. Taylor again refuses and will not say another word on the subject.

Brooke tells Nick what happened at Ridge's house.

Nick is still at Brooke's house when a tearful Brooke returns. Nick tries to comfort her as she tells him that Ridge wouldn't let her see the kids. She fears that Stephanie has gotten to Ridge. And to the CPS agent, Nick adds, telling Brooke about his encounter with the two women when he arrived. He assures Brooke that she won't lose her children. Brooke tells him about the hearing tomorrow; Nick promises to be there to testify on her behalf, and to own up to his part in the fire. Brooke however fears that Stephanie will use this opportunity to paint her as a bad mother by pointing out every mistake she's ever made. Nick vows to make anything Stephanie says at that hearing suspect and make everyone in that courtroom understand Stephanie's vendetta against Brooke. Brooke fears that agent might take Stephanie's word once Stephanie recounts all of their history, especially if Stephanie pulls police and 911 records to back her story up. Nick reminds her that the Forresters, and especially Stephanie, have their own fair share of skeletons in their closet, but Brooke points out that Stephanie has Ridge on her side. "You have me on yours," Nick counters. Brooke points out that Ridge is R.J.'s father. "Haven't I been the closest thing to a father Hope's ever had?" Nick asks. Brooke fears Stephanie will twist that to make her look even worse, highlighting the fact that her four kids have three different fathers. She fears Stephanie will make her defend herself against every bad choice she ever made. That's why she has be confident in court, Nick says, and make the judge see she didn't do anything wrong.

After Nick leaves, Brooke gets a call from Dorothy with the time and place of the hearing tomorrow. The CPS agent asks Brooke if she'll have representation; Brooke says she spoke to her brother and they'll be there.

Nick returns to Taylor's office. Taylor asks how Brooke is. She's devastated, Nick explains, because Ridge won't let her see the kids. Taylor reminds him that Child Services is involved now. Nick asks how she knows that. "Stephanie," she replies. Nick asks Taylor why Stephanie is dragging her into this. "Because you told her I was helping Brooke," Taylor replies, telling him about Stephanie's request for her to testify tomorrow. Nick hopes she told Stephanie no. Taylor hesitates, telling him that she wants what's best for Hope and R.J. What's best for them is for them to be with their mother, Nick states, which is why he hopes Taylor will join him at the hearing to testify on Brooke's behalf. "We're going to get her kids back with her, where they belong," Nick insists.

Stephanie checks in on Ridge and the kids.

Stephanie drops by Ridge's house to check on the kids. He thanks her for bringing the kids' stuff but suggests that he needs some time alone. Stephanie tells him that she knows Brooke was here. "She's upset, Mother," Ridge responds, "and so am I." Stephanie thinks he has every right to be upset because of what happened at Brooke's home in the last 24 hours, but Ridge asks her to please stop talking like that. She asks what Brooke wanted. Ridge tells her that Brooke wanted to take the kids home, but he couldn't let her because of what CPS wants, so now Brooke thinks he's trying to take her kids away. Stephanie reminds him that they have to think of the kids' safety first, but Ridge thinks Brooke wants the kids to be safe, too. Brooke will have a chance to prove that tomorrow at the hearing, Stephanie states. Until then, this is the best place for the kids. Ridge says that he doesn't want full custody, but Stephanie states that CPS will make that decision tomorrow. She tells him that it's out of their hands and promises that everything will be OK. Ridge excuses himself to go check on the kids.

Ridge goes up to the kids' bedroom. He stops by R.J.'s bed first, placing one his son's stuffed toys next to him on the bed as he tucks R.J. in. Ridge then goes over to Hope's bed and tucks her in. After he leaves the room, Stephanie comes in; she smiles as she watches the kids sleep peacefully, but she shakes her head when she sees a photo of Brooke on the nightstand between the two kids.