Tuesday, July 24, 2007, Episode #5109

Felicia tries to calm Eric's fears.

At Forrester Originals, Felicia tries to calm Eric's fears that Brooke might be working for Nick. It's a wasted effort, since Eric is sure Nick's too smart to pass up a chance to hire someone with Brooke's expertise. He turns to Stephanie and asks if she's happy now that she's driven Brooke to the competition, but La Forrester thinks they can get along fine without Brooke. Felicia tries to stop her parents' bickering by reminding them that they still have an edge over Nick in the design department. That may be so, Eric laments, but they'll still have to pinch pennies given their recent sales reports. Speaking of sales reports, Stephanie recalls that Thorne was supposed to bring some by and asks if anyone's seen him lately. Felicia guesses that Thorne's been busy, since he asked her to watch Aly for a few days. Right on cue, Thorne walks in, dressed for a night out dancing. Felicia teases her brother, who asks if she can keep Aly for another night. Stephanie chimes in that Aly can stay with her tonight, since she's having Hope and R.J. over and is thinking about inviting Ashley's daughter Abby, too, so Ashley and Ridge can have some time alone. Thorne changes the subject, asking about the rumors of Brooke going over to Forrester Creations. Eric explains that Rick thinks it's likely going to happen. Thorne doesn't seem worried, since they still have the best design staff in the business. Stephanie likes her son's positive thinking and adds that she doubts Taylor will let Brooke work with Nick.

Thorne gets upset.

Thorne chimes in that Taylor's judgment isn't what it used to be. Stephanie senses the hurt in Thorne's voice when he talks about Taylor, but Thorne brushes it off, claiming that Taylor and Nick deserve each other. Right now, he wants to focus on his date with Alana, one of their new models. Alana comes in to get Thorne; as Thorne introduces her to his family, he forgets Alana's last name and laughs that he must be losing his mind. Felicia asks Thorne what he has planned; he tells his family that he's taking Alana to Jean Claude's preview at the beach club. With that, he and Alana get going and head over to Bikini Beach, where he quickly snaps up two glasses of champagne from a passing waitress. While Alana goes to powder her nose, Thorne goes to pay the waitress, but she tells him that Jean Claude has taken care of it. Thorne takes another glass of champagne. As he goes to put his wallet away, he sees a photo of Darla. Growing upset, Thorne takes out his bottle of pills and washes some down with the champagne.

Brooke has a suggestion for Nick.

At Forrester Creations, Nick goes over his sales reports and projections with Brooke. Brooke is sure her marketing savvy can help boost sales as long as Nick is open to her ideas and suggests that the most important thing is to stop the dilution of the Forrester name. Nick agrees that they have to reinvent the company. Brooke explains that the first step is to find a designer who can go toe to toe with Ridge and Eric in the design arena. Nick agrees that Clarke's designs are dated and is willing to hire a new designer, but the problem is finding one. Brooke says she knows the perfect person for the job. Nick asks who she has in mind. "Me," she replies. Nick is impressed by her initiative, but he reminds her that her strengths are in the business area, not in design. Brooke agrees that the suggestion is out of left field, but she's been studying all the trends in the industry and thinks she can do it. Nick reminds her that she wanted to spend time with Hope and R.J. Brooke reminds him that she doesn't have custody of the kids now, so she needs something positive to focus on. Nick carefully considers rolling the dice on his company's future on an inexperienced designer, even if she has Brooke's experience on the business side. When Brooke assures him she can do it, Nick agrees, although he suggests they hold off on announcing her new job to the press right now.

Nick wants to tell Taylor about hiring Brooke.

Brooke gives Nick a hug and thanks him. Nick thinks he should go tell Taylor about his newest employee. Brooke asks if he's going to call his wife, but he wants to tell Taylor in person. As Nick turns to leave, Brooke again suggests that he not tell Taylor about what happened on the Marlin. She promises that it won't happen again. Nick congratulates her on the new job and leaves.

Taylor is surprised to find Brooke in Nick's office.

Soon after, Taylor drops by and is surprised to find Brooke in Nick's office. Brooke tells Taylor that Nick just left and is on his way home. Taylor is surprised that Brooke's being so cordial after the custody hearing and asks Brooke what she's doing there. When Brooke explains that Nick hired her to work there, Taylor of course has some concerns. Brooke assures Taylor that her relationship with Nick is strictly professional, since she has no intention of jeopardizing her chances to get her kids back. Taylor, however, is still skeptical given how volatile things are now. She can't see how Brooke would be comfortable working so closely with Nick, her ex-husband. Brooke recalls that Taylor was OK with her working here the first time Nick offered her a job and reminds Taylor of her history here at Forrester Creations. That was before Brooke admitted to still loving Nick, Taylor explains, comparing this situation to an alcoholic working in a bar. Brooke promises Taylor that she can be a business partner with Nick without being more than business partners. She adds that she really needs this job as the first step toward getting her kids back, and she also reminds Taylor that it will free up Nick's time so he can spend more time with Taylor once the baby is born. Taylor admits she still has some concerns, but she agrees to give Brooke a chance. Brooke thanks her and promises again that she won't do anything stupid to keep her from getting her kids back. "They're my flesh and blood, and I will fight for what's mine," she declares.

Ridge thanks Ashley.

Ashley and Abby are over at Ridge's house playing cards with Ridge, Hope and R.J. After Abby wins again, she asks her mom if she can show Hope and R.J. the stuffed animals she got at the zoo. Ashley gives her approval, so the kids go on their way. Alone with Ashley, Ridge comments that Abby seems a lot like her mom, and he thanks Ashley for her help in making Hope and R.J. more comfortable living here. He's glad she's part of his life and is especially glad that she decided to stay in L.A. Ashley agrees that the new life in L.A. has been good for her and Abby, especially since the Forresters have been like a second family to her. She thinks she was running for years, looking for a fresh start, but she finally found it. Ridge agrees that he's glad she found what she needs and starts to kiss her.

Abby gets invited to Stephanie's house.

Soon after, Stephanie arrives to pick up Hope and R.J. She tells the kids to get their things so they can go pick up Alexandria. Ashley thinks that's her cue to get going with Abby, but Stephanie then reveals that she'd like Abby to spend the night at her house, too. Glad to have some time off, Ashley sends Abby to get her things from the car. Stephanie gathers the other kids and follows Abby out the door.