Monday, June 25, 2007, Episode #5088

Nick is livid that Brooke wants to resign.

At Forrester Creations, Nick is livid that Brooke wants to resign so she can go back to work with "dressmaker" at Forrester Originals. Brooke tries to explain to Nick that she's finally accepted that she has no future with him. She also sees that children need their parents. Nick argues that working here won't keep her from her kids, but Brooke points out how he was the one who reminded her that she'd always be tied to Ridge through R.J. Nick insists that she doesn't have to work with Ridge because of that, but Brooke believes that there could be problems with her working here. Even though Taylor has accepted it, Brooke suggests that Taylor accepted it because of her confidence in her new marriage and child, and she can't help but think that Taylor's feelings might change. "Like yours have changed for Forrester?" Nick asks, unable to believe that Brooke would be crazy enough to go back to work with Ridge and Stephanie. Brooke thinks this argument proves how bad it would be for her to work here and urges Nick to tear up the contract; looking a bit reluctant, he takes the contract and tears it in half. Brooke thanks him and gives him a hug.

Taylor is curious about Brooke's resignation.

Taylor comes in and sees the embrace; she asks if she's interrupting. Brooke explains that she was just saying goodbye to Nick. Taylor guesses Brooke doesn't want to work here. Nick tells his wife that Brooke's going back to Forrester Originals. Taylor is curious why Brooke changed her mind. Brooke explains that she appreciates Taylor's support and all the breakthroughs they've made, but she thinks her kids and Taylor's should grow up in stress-fee environments, and she doesn't see that happening if she works here. Taylor thanks her. Brooke leaves, telling Taylor and Nick, "Take care of your baby. I'm sure the three of you will be very happy." After Brooke leaves, Taylor comforts Nick, who laments that it doesn't pay to revive the Bedroom line without Brooke. He thinks it's too bad, since he thought the line's revival would have been good for both his company and for Brooke, even though it was potentially bad for his marriage. Taylor jokes that she's glad Brooke won't be running through these halls in her underwear again, but she then seriously reminds Nick again that she was OK with Brooke working here, so she knows their marriage would have been fine.

Bridget is delighted by Carl's news.

In the fertility lab, an anxious Bridget asks Carl if the label on the petri dish lid matches the fertility lab's printer. After staring at both labels intently, Carl smiles and tells Bridget that the two labels are identical! That means that the suits told the truth, and the eggs that were implanted in Taylor were the donor's. Bridget is ecstatic to learn that she now has proof that that her mom's eggs were not implanted in Taylor. Looking like he's expecting some sort of reward, Carl holds his arms open, but Bridget is so caught up in her excitement that she doesn't even notice. Carl tells Bridget that he's glad that he could help. Bridget says that he has no idea how much he helped, because he can't even imagine the tension that would ensued in her family had her mom's eggs been implanted in Taylor. Carl suggests that it would have been "a ticket to crazytown," since everyone knows her mom was married to Nick Marone. Bridget is relieved that she didn't make a tragic mistake during Taylor's IVF procedure. Carl suggests that they celebrate somehow and recommends champagne and a couple of straws, but Bridget thinks the perfect place to celebrate would be at the pool party her dad was throwing today. She thinks she might still have time to get back before the party is over. Carl looks upset over Bridget's ignoring him due to her moment of joy. It dawns on Bridget that she should thank Carl properly for coming through for her, so she gives him a kiss on the cheek and bolts out, leaving Carl with one of those "I'll never wash this cheek again" looks on his face.

Constantine suggests that Ridge talk to his daughter.

By the Forrester pool, Ridge is curious to know what Constantine meant when he called Rick a two-timer. Constantine suggests that Ridge talk to his daughter. Ridge can't see Phoebe staying with Rick if Rick cheated on her. Constantine asserts that Phoebe is a gifted young lady who should surround herself with people who believe in her. Floating in the pool, Felicia stares at Constantine with Ridge; Thorne kids his sister about the way she's mooning over the rock star. Meanwhile, Ridge steps away, so Rick approaches Constantine and suggests that the entertainer take a hike, since this is a family gathering. Constantine points out that Phoebe invited him, but Rick thinks Phoebe can make it as a singer, if that's what she wants, on her own. Phoebe comes over and breaks the guys up; Constantine tells her, "Rick thinks you'd be better off without my help." Rick warns Phoebe that Constantine is using her. Constantine laughs at Rick's overprotective attitude and suggests that Rick prove how well Phoebe can get by on her won by singing a song with Phoebe. Rick turns down the offers, since he doesn't need to be a rock star. "Don't say I never gave you the chance," Constantine retorts.

Phoebe promises not to let the family down.

When Phoebe stops to talk to Constantine, Felicia comes over to Rick and comments on what a charmer the entertainer is. "Not you, too?" Rick sighs. Rick is then distracted by Bridget's return. He asks her what happened. With a pleased smile on her face, Bridget tells him that she has proof that the eggs that were implanted in Taylor are not their mom's. She's glad she can put this all behind them. Phoebe comes over, so Bridget excuses herself. Phoebe asks Rick if she wants to walk him out. Rick asks where she's going. She tells him that Constantine came up with some new ideas for a duet, so they're going to go record them. Rick is upset, because he was hoping to talk about the fragrance today. He worries that Phoebe is ignoring her work at Forrester Originals to work with Constantine, but she assures him that she can do both and promises not to let the family down. She then gives Rick a kiss goodbye and goes to find Constantine.

Ashley asks Rick what's wrong.

Ashley comes over and asks Rick what's wrong. When Rick laments that Phoebe went to the recording studio with Constantine, Ashley asks if everything's OK with Phoebe. Rick says that they're OK, although Phoebe doesn't know anything about his relationship with Ashley or about Mexico. Ashley tells him that she's happy for him. Across the pool, Constantine watches Rick with Ashley; even though Rick and Ashley are just talking, Constantine wonders about those two.

Carl realizes he made a horrible mistake.

Back in the fertility lab, Carl is still reveling in the fact that he got a hug and a kiss from Bridget as a reward. A tech comes in and asks Carl if he can sign for a test tube delivery. Carl at first says it's not his job, but he then reconsiders because of his good mood. The tech thanks Carl, because anything coming from the cryo lab has to be signed for. Carl says these can't be from the cryo-storage lab, pointing out the crisp, clear labels on the test tubes. The tech admits the labels in the cryo-lab were looking dingy, which is why they replaced the printer in cryogenics a few months ago with the same model they have here in the fertility lab. Hearing that, Carl's face turns pale white. The tech asks if he's OK. "I think I just made a horrible mistake," Carl glumly proclaims.

Brooke and Ridge want Stephanie to accept Brooke's return to the company.

Meanwhile, Ridge has asked Eric, Stephanie, Thorne and Felicia to join him at the main house. Ridge proudly tells them that he's convinced Brooke to return to Forrester Originals. Felicia asks about Brooke's contract with Nick; Ridge explains that she's getting out of that as they speak. Eric, Thorne and Felicia are pleased, but Stephanie isn't. She thinks Ridge's show of gratitude to Brooke for her help in getting him out of jail has gone too far if he's letting Brooke back into his life. Right on cue, Brooke comes in and announces that she got Nick to tear up her contract, so she's free to come back to Forrester Originals if they'll have her. Eric, Thorne and Felicia all welcome her back, but Stephanie is silent, so Ridge asks the others if he and Brooke can have a word with Stephanie alone. Eric and the others go back to the pool. Alone with Ridge and Brooke, Stephanie asserts, "I will not allow this." She asks Ridge why he has suddenly changed his mind, since it wasn't too long ago that he agreed that Brooke would be bad for him. Ridge argues that he's talking about business, but Stephanie points out that Brooke was in business with Nick until just now. Brooke asks Stephanie why she can't be happy about this. Stephanie says that she would be if she didn't think this was just the first step in Brooke's trying to win Ridge back. Brooke points out that she and Ridge have a son, but Stephanie counters that it wasn't that long ago that Brooke dumped her son's father in Sydney and went running right back to Nick. Ridge points out that Brooke kept him out of jail, but Stephanie says that was Rick's doing, not Brooke's. Brooke asks Stephanie to accept this, but Stephanie seethes, "I know you better than any living human being. Nothing is ever over with you." She's sure Brooke will eventually dump Ridge again to run back to Nick.