Wednesday, March 21, 2007, Episode #5021

Taylor is stunned by Stephanie's 180 degree turnaround.

Taylor is in her office, skimming through a book called "Pregnancy After 40." When Stephanie pops in, Taylor puts down the book and asks what brings her former mother in law by. Stephanie invites Taylor to dinner, but Taylor says she has plans with Nick. Stephanie warns Taylor to be wary of that son of a bitch; Taylor asks if that's the reason Stephanie came by, but La Forrester explains that she actually wanted to talk about Phoebe, and about the strain Phoebe's relationship with Rick is putting on Ridge and Brooke's relationship. Taylor thinks Ridge and Brooke have survived worse, so their relationship is hardly doomed over Ridge disliking Rick. What about Phoebe? Stephanie asks. Taylor thinks this visit has nothing really to do with Phoebe and tells Stephanie to spit out why she's really here, so Steph stops beating around the bush and admits that she wants to see Taylor reunite with Ridge. Taylor tells Stephanie to stop; she's done with the Forrester clan, because she's in love with Nick! A stunned Stephanie tells Taylor that she can't mean that; she knows Taylor helped Nick deal with his issues, but she also knows that Taylor is not the love of Nick's life. Taylor laughs, recalling the last few months where Stephanie staunchly insisted that Ridge belonged with Brooke. "I was wrong," Stephanie admits, "and Nick is wrong for you." Taylor says that she and Nick have grown close together, but Stephanie insists that Nick will just toss Taylor aside once Brooke comes back to him. Taylor trusts Nick; "Don't!" Stephanie warns, asking Taylor to see that the path to her happiness is with Ridge. Taylor tells Stephanie that she has to go, since Nick is waiting for her, and she leaves.

Alone in the office, Stephanie sees the book Taylor was reading on the table. When she sees the title of the book, she can't believe that Taylor would be considering getting pregnant again. She grabs the book and rushes out.

In his office at Forrester Creations, Nick flashes back to his rescuing Taylor after that tanker sank The Shady Marlin. Jackie arrives and interrupts his memories; Nick points to a lantern from the Marlin that Chuck kept, the last thing left from his beloved boat. He wonders if the boat's fate was meant to be. Jackie asks why he's being so fatalistic; Nick explains that he's been thinking of the long blur of activity that's made up his life the past few years. Jackie thinks things will calm down for him. She then sees that he's getting dressed up; Nick explains that Taylor has a special date planned, and he has some special plans of his own. Jackie suggests that he should slow things down with Taylor, because things are coming to a head with Ridge and Brooke over Rick and Phoebe. She thinks it's only a matter of time before Brooke comes back, so she urges Nick to admit that there was a time when Brooke and Hope were everything he wanted out of life. She knows he lost the Marlin, but he can still have Brooke again and have another chance at happiness. Nick insists that his life with Brooke is over, but Jackie disagrees. Before Nick can respond, he gets a call from Taylor, who asks if he's ready for their special night. Nick says he is and asks Taylor if he should pick her up, but she says she has transportation covered. On cue, a limo driver shows up at Nick's door to bring him to his special date. Nick says he'll be right there and hangs up. Jackie urges Nick to see that Brooke will soon be available again; Nick states that some other man will have to pick up those pieces, since he doesn't want to be the default guy anymore. He wants a real life with someone he can count on, and he hopes Jackie can understand that. He then leaves.

Stephanie shows Jackie what Taylor is considering.

Alone in Nick's office, Jackie muses aloud her hope that Nick not rush into anything, since Brooke is the one he wants. Stephanie appears in the doorway and says that she agrees, as much as she hates to admit it. "Agreement with you is like taking a bite out of the forbidden fruit," Jackie retorts. Stephanie asks where Nick is; Jackie says she'd rather tell the grim reaper. Stephanie bets Jackie would and points out that she knows that Nick is with Taylor; she needs to know where they are before it's too late. Jackie scoffs at the thought of Stephanie trying to save Nick and bets that this is not about Nick at all, but rather about Stephanie's fear of losing Taylor. Stephanie says that she's worried that Nick and Taylor are about to do something they'll regret. Jackie still isn't buying Stephanie's concern, so Stephanie shows her the book she found in Taylor's office. Jackie isn't really surprised that Taylor would consider giving Nick a baby, since everyone knows Nick's always wanted a child of his own. "He can't have one with Taylor!" Stephanie insists. Jackie asks why not, since Taylor is capable. Stephanie tells Jackie to stop getting soft over thoughts of a baby, since she knows they both think Nick belongs with Brooke, not Taylor. And with Brooke about to choose her son Rick over Ridge... Jackie insists that Nick loves Taylor, but Stephanie thinks Nick is just fooling himself and Taylor into believing that. She's sure a baby will lead to marriage, so she urges Jackie to help her stop this, before Nick hurts himself and Taylor!

Considering Stephanie's plea, Jackie admits that Taylor sent a car to pick Nick up for some special evening, but she doesn't know where they've gone. Stephanie doesn't like the sound of that.

Meanwhile, Taylor leads Nick, whose eyes are closed, to the site of their special night. Nick has a sense of deja vu, recalling the tragic events after the last time Taylor led him in this way. He smells the scents of fresh paint and varnish, but Taylor tells him to keep his eyes closed until she's ready. Nick complies as Taylor leads him into the center of a room; she then tells him to give her his hand and open his eyes = and Nick is stunned to see that they're standing in what looks exactly like the cabin of The Shady Marlin! Taylor explains that she talked with his friend Corky (who viewers will recall sold Nick the original Marlin soon after Nick's 2003 debut on B&B), who showed her where she could find a boat that was the same year and make as Nick's beloved boat. Nick looks around and notes how exact everything looks, right down to the drapes. Taylor explains that Corky had lots of pictures, so they just had to hire a crew to recreate everything that was lost when the Marlin sank. Nick is touched and thanks Taylor; he tells her that he likes her gift, and he really likes her, too. Taylor says it was the least she could do after he saved her life, since that showed her what living is all about and made her see how much Nick means to her life.