Tuesday, March 13, 2007, Episode #5017

Phoebe wants some understanding from her father.

At Brooke's house, Phoebe looks at one of Brooke and Ridge's wedding invitations. After putting the invitation back, she takes out her cell phone. Ridge comes in as she starts to dial; he hopes she's not calling Rick. Phoebe says that she's not calling anyone, as she has no one to call now. Ridge sits next to Phoebe on the sofa and tries to convince her that her life will not end just because she can't see Rick, but she doesn't feel that way. Ridge sees how hard this is for her, but he thinks she'll see in time that this is for the best. Phoebe refuses to believe that; she admits that she can understand how he feels, since he's been clear about his feelings from the beginning. What she can't understand, however, is Brooke's 180 degree turnaround. She asks Ridge if she can be honest with him about Brooke. Ridge says that he knows she's upset with Brooke, but Phoebe says it's more than that. She reminds Ridge of all the problems he and Brooke had because other people, especially Stephanie, disapproved of their relationship. But here they are, getting married - and Phoebe supports that, because she sees that Brooke makes her dad happy. She asks Ridge why he can't do the same for her. Ridge says it's different, but Phoebe feels that he's doing the same thing to her, albeit to a lesser extent, that his mother did to him and Brooke. Ridge tries to explain to Phoebe why he thinks Rick is wrong for her, but she refuses to hear it and gets up to leave. Ridge asks where she's going; she replies that she's going to Insomnia. "Maybe I'll actually find someone who'll listen to me there," she gripes as she storms off.

Stephanie tells Jackie that they want the same thing.

At Insomnia, Jackie and Donna discuss the situation with Rick and Phoebe over coffee. Donna feels sorry for the kids, since everyone is against them. She's especially surprised that Brooke withdrew her support of the kids just because Ridge wanted her to. Jackie thinks this is typical behavior for Ridge, who must have inherited these traits from his mother. Donna agrees with the comparison, but she can't understand why Brooke can't see that. Jackie suspects Brooke doesn't want to admit that she made a mistake by walking away from Nick; she recalls how happy Nick and Brooke were until Nick let Brooke down, and she thinks they could be happy again if Ridge and Brooke were to split up. While stopping in for coffee, Stephanie sees the ladies and approaches their table. Jackie asks her to leave, but Stephanie thinks they both want to see Brooke back with Nick. Jackie doesn't buy Stephanie's faux concern, and Donna predicts that Brooke will see through it, too. Stephanie counters, "This doesn't concern you, pooky-lips." Donna argues that her sister's happiness concerns her. Stephanie asserts that Brooke let Ridge down; Donna asks why Ridge hasn't called off the wedding if he feels betrayed. Stephanie thinks it's only a matter of time before Ridge and Brooke break up over their disagreement about Rick and Phoebe. Having said her piece, La Forrester bids the ladies goodbye and leaves.

Ridge assures his mother that Rick and Phoebe are done.

Stephanie stops by Brooke's house to see Ridge. She notes how well he's dealing with Brooke's absence and suggests that he might even be relieved not to have to argue with Brooke for a while. Ridge agrees that he might be, but Brooke isn't the only one he's arguing with. Stephanie guesses he's talking about Phoebe and offers to talk to her granddaughter, but Ridge tells her that Phoebe went out for some coffee - or at least, that's where she said she was going. Stephanie suspects he's worried that Phoebe might be with Rick. Ridge insists that it's over between Rick and Phoebe. "As far as you know," Stephanie states. Ridge assures his mother that the situation has been dealt with, so there's no more sneaking around or deception by anyone.

Ashley invites Rick to join her for dinner.

Rick is ordering dinner at Cafe Russe when his cell phone rings; after the waiter glares at him for taking the call at the table, Rick turns the phone off. Rick then spots Ashley sitting across the room. Rick walks up to her table and, in a mock French accent, asks if if the lady would like some champagne to celebrate her new job. Laughing, Ashley says no thanks, but the waiter comes over and offers to get Rick some champagne if he wants. Rick asks the snotty waiter to excuse them. Ashley invites Rick to join her; he thanks her for the invitation and accepts. As Rick sits down, Ashley asks if he came over to save her from dining alone; actually, Rick admits, he's curious what she thinks of the proposal for her to work for Forrester Originals, which she is looking over at the table. Ashley admits that she's considering it; the only things is that there has already been so much change in her life lately with the changes at her family's business, Jabot Cosmetics, and her moving to Hong Kong, to the point where she and her daughter Abby have hardly had a chance to get settled. Rick guesses that she's also been affected by her father's passing and tells her that he sent flowers to the funeral. Ash doesn't recall seeing a card from him, so he explains that he sent them anonymously. He remembered all the times in Paris that she told him about her dad, so he sent some of the stargazers and white roses she liked when he heard about her dad's death. Ashley thanks him for that.

Rick tries to assure Ashley.

Ashley asks Rick why he's here alone when he could be out with Phoebe. Rick replies that he and Phoebe have no plans. Ashley finds it ironic that he's involved with a younger woman. Rick says that Phoebe is special to him; Ashley says that she can understand why, since he's at the right time of his life to find something fun and exciting with someone younger. Rick asks Ashley if she remembers Paris as fun and exciting. Ash responds that she does and asks Rick if he'd agree. Rick agrees that Paris was amazing. Ashley asks if he misses it. Rick says he does, since L.A. is just... It's a bit too shiny, Ashley suggests. Rick agrees. But at the same time, Ashley suspects, L.A. is home for him. Rick admits that everything is great here except his relationship with Ridge. He knows Ashley has had her share of family squabbles, so he's sure she doesn't want to get caught up in his family's bickering. After Ashley admits that she had thought about that, Rick tells her to forget that; while he and Ridge have their issues, they both want this company to succeed, and he thinks they can do that with Ashley's help. Ash asks about his issues with Phoebe; Rick assures her that it's a non-issue, so it won't affect their business.

Jackie has a plan.

Back at Insomnia, Jackie and Donna fume over Stephanie's gall in approaching them. Jackie thinks Ridge shares his mother's arrogance. Donna agrees, but she doesn't know how they can get Brooke to see that. Jackie has an idea about that. Donna is eager to hear it, as she doesn't want Brooke to lose herself even more than she has by marrying Ridge. Jackie points out that Donna has already expressed her concerns to Brooke to no avail; she thinks that's because Donna is only one person trying to get through to Brooke. She thinks the key is to get Brooke to see it for herself, as well. Donna points out that Brooke has always been blind to Ridge. But now Ridge is giving orders to Rick, Jackie points out, suggesting that a mother's love for her son is stronger than any feelings that mother has for a man. They see Phoebe come in; Donna notes how glum Phoebe looks as she tries to call Rick, only to have the call go to voice mail (since he turned off his phone at Cafe Russe). Not knowing who Phoebe was calling, Jackie guesses that the call was to Rick. Donna points out that Rick and Phoebe agreed to cool it for now. Jackie tells Donna that she overheard Ridge and Brooke talking about Rick before Brooke left for Australia, and it was clear that Brooke wasn't happy about Ridge's attitude toward her son. If that's so, Donna asks, why doesn't Brooke stand up to Ridge?

Donna tries to relate to Phoebe.

Jackie thinks Brooke would stand up to Ridge if she was forced to defend her son. That would drive Ridge crazy, Donna predicts. And that's exactly why they should arrange for it to happen, Jackie suggests. Jackie has to leave to pick up Hope, but she suggests that Donna go over encourage Phoebe to see Rick, since that will surely drive Ridge and Brooke apart. "Go to bat for your sister," Jackie urges. After Jackie leaves, Donna goes over to Phoebe's table. Noting the way Phoebe keeps looking at her phone, Donna asks if Phoebe is waiting to hear from some guy. Phoebe doesn't want to be rude, but she hopes Donna isn't going to give her another lecture about how wrong Rick is for her. Donna says that's not what she's doing; in fact, she thinks Phoebe should have the right to decide what she wants for herself. While she admits that her dad wasn't around when she grew up, Donna knows how most fathers don't want to admit that their kids have grown up, so she can understand how frustrated Phoebe is at Ridge's interference. In fact, when she thinks about how Brooke was when she was Phoebe's age, no one told Brooke what to do. Phoebe points out that Brooke is taking her dad's side, now. "Because she had to," Donna explains, pointing out that the Brooke she knew would never walk away from love. She encourages Phoebe not to walk away from her love for Rick, either. "Who says I have?" Phoebe asks. "Brooke told me you guys agreed to cool it," Donna replies. For now, Phoebe qualifies, not forever