Wednesday, July 04, 2007, Episode #5095

Thorne tells Felicia that he's happy.

The Forresters gather by the pool at the mansion for their annual Fourth of July barbecue. Alexandria and R.J. ask Thorne if they can break out the sparklers, but Felicia suggests they wait for Abby to arrive, since Ridge invited Ashley and Abby. Thorne is intrigued that his big brother invited Ashley. Felicia asks Thorne why he sees so happy today; Thorne replies that he is happy, since life is really good right now. Meanwhile, Eric mans the grill while Ridge mixes some margaritas. Stephanie takes advantage of the change to ask Ridge about the rest of his evening with Ashley yesterday. Eric is surprised that Ridge had a second date with Ashley last night, but Ridge explains that it was more like a continuation of the first date, since his plans to pick up R.J. fell through. He then tells his mother that things went well, and he even invited Ashley to their barbecue today. Eric is glad to have Ashley join them, and Stephanie is especially pleased that Ridge invited their lovely chemist.

Rick asks Phoebe not to let Constantine change her.

Constantine works in his studio, mixing his duet with Phoebe. Meanwhile, Rick is at the beach house calling Ashley, who is just arriving at the Forrester mansion with Abby. When she doesn't see anyone in the house, Ashley sends Abby down to the pool while she answers her cell phone. When Ashley answers, she bids Rick a "Happy Fourth," but Rick isn't too happy given the way she hung up on him last night after telling him that she wants to confess about their little fling to Ridge. Ashley thinks she has to tell Ridge; she fears it will come out anyway, since so many people already know. Rick doesn't think Bridget or Felicia will tell, but Ashley still wants to tell Ridge. When Phoebe comes in, Rick talks like he's on a business call. Ashley guesses he's not alone and ends the call. Phoebe chides Rick for taking a business call today. Rick promises to turn off his phone after he does just one last thing and then kisses her. After the kiss ends, Rick goes outside to get something while Phoebe calls her mom, who is out on the Marlin for the day with Nick and Hope. Rick returns with a briefcase just as Phoebe ends her call. Rick apologizes for her having to miss the family barbecue today. Phoebe says she's glad to have time alone with him, although she's not pleased that he brought more work in. Rick explains that this "work" is for the duet that they plan to sing at Insomnia. He tells her about the song, which he thinks has just the elegant, classy feel they need. Phoebe is glad he sees her as classy. Rick confirms he sees her that way, which is why he hopes she won't let Constantine change her.

Phoebe doesn't want to talk about the "other woman."

Rick lets Phoebe listen to the song he picked on his PDA, and she likes it. A call from Constantine interrupts their chat about the song. Constantine tells Phoebe that their duet sounds great, but Rick grans the phone and tells the singer to enjoy it while he can, since Rick is sure his own duet with Phoebe will blow Constantine's away tomorrow. As Rick hangs up, Phoebe tells him that he wasn't very nice to Constantine right now. Rick says that he's sick of Constantine's attitude, because Constantine keeps ribbing him about the "other woman." Phoebe wishes that Constantine hadn't told her about that woman. Rick is livid that Constantine was the one who told Phoebe, who explains how Constantine played her the message from Rick's voice mail from the other woman, which Constantine had recorded for her to hear. Rick is furious that Constantine made a copy of his voice mail, since he thinks Constantine is out to get him. He asks if Constantine still has the copy. Phoebe explains that she told Constantine to erase it, since she doesn't even want to think about that other woman ever again. "Can't you see that Constantine is poison?" Rick asks, telling Phoebe that Constantine just wants her for himself. He suggests that Constantine wants to make Phoebe doubt his love for her, but he wants her to know that Constantine is wrong, since he does love her. He leans in and kisses her.

Eric and Stephanie greet Ashley.

Ashley makes her way down to the Forrester pool, where the family eagerly welcomes her. Felicia points out that the kids seem to be having fun. Thorne sees that Aly has gotten into the sparklers, so he and Felicia race to check on the kids. Ridge and Eric offer Ashley a drink. Ashley isn't in the mood for a margarita and asks for a gin and tonic. When Ridge sees that they have no tonic, he offers to go up to the house to get some. Ashley says she can drink something else, but Stephanie playfully tells Ashley to let Ridge spoil her. While Ridge heads up to the house and Eric gets back to his grill, Stephanie tells Ashley how pleased she is to see her here today. Ashley thanks her.

Brooke is pertubed by Ridge's reaction to her arrival.

Up at the house, Ridge is surprised when Brooke comes in with an extra sweater for R.J. and the blanket that she and Ridge sit on every Fourth of July. Ridge presumes from Brooke's tone that she didn't get his email suggesting that she skip the July Fourth festivities this year, since he thought it might be awkward for her with Ashley here. Brooke is surprised to hear that Ashley is there and reminds Ridge that they always spent the Fourth of July together with R.J. "When we were together," Ridge states, pointing out that hings have changed. Brooke tells him that they're still a family, but Ridge thinks they might need to find a way to make things work, just like other broken families in the same situation. Brooke tries to comment, but Ridge gets a call from Thorne asking him to bring more mustard when he returns. "Don't let me keep you," Brooke states, clearly perturbed. She goes out on the terrace and is upset when she sees R.J. bonding with Aly and Abby. Ridge sees how upset she is and tries to talk to her, but Ridge tells her, Please, just don't say it."

Ridge tries to explain to Brooke.

By the pool, Eric wonders what could be keeping Ridge and offers to go check, but Ashley says she's fine drinking lemonade until Ridge gets back. Stephanie sees Brooke on the balcony and wonders what that woman is doing here. Eric and Ashley both tell her to let Ridge handle it. Up on the terrace, Brooke laments that she should be here today, but instead there's another woman with another child playing with her and Ridge's son. Ridge tells a tearful Brooke to wait. Brooke asks him to let her leave while she still has some dignity, but Ridge doesn't want her driving while she's upset, He apologizes for not calling and tells Brooke that he'll always care. "That's why I'm so welcome here at your family home," Brooke counters. Ridge asks Brooke to admit that she wouldn't be here with him if Nick was available, and he cites the way she ran back to Nick as the reason why he can't forgive her this time. "Now that there's somebody else, to hell with me, right?" Brooke asks. Ridge thinks her ambivalence gives him reason to be a bit guarded. Brooke tearfully asks Ridge to tell her what to do. Ridge thinks they both need a little space. Brooke asks if that means a life with Ashley for him, but he hasn't thought that far ahead. All he knows is that he and Brooke have no future if she has feelings for Nick. He then goes to get back to the party and tells her to get home safe.

Felicia gives Ashley some advice.

While Stephanie fumes about Brooke showing up, Felicia approaches Ashley and tells her not to let Brooke get to her. She knows Ashley's fling with Rick is over, so she wants Ashley to take advantage of what big brother Ridge has to offer. Ashley tells Felicia that she wants to tell Ridge the truth, since she can't deal with the secrecy. "Keep it in the vault," Felicia advises. Ashley isn't comfortable with that, but Felicia points out that the Forrester family motto is, "when in doubt, blow whatever it is out of proportion." Since Ashley has things going well and has the whole family, especially Stephanie, liking her, Felicia sees no need to rock the boat.