Wednesday, March 28, 2007, Episode #5026

Ashley is intrigued by Nick's invitation.

Nick welcomes Ashley to his office at Forrester Creations. Ashley admits she was intrigued by his invitation, since she wanted to meet the man who was bold enough to take on the Forresters. She asks if he chose to invite her today because Brooke and Ridge are in Sydney. Nick offers to wait until they return, but Ashley tells him to go ahead. Nick explains that he heard about her plans to develop a fragrance called "Phoebe" for Forrester Originals and asks if the strong scent she's wearing is the new fragrance. Ashley admits it's a variation, but she doesn't think he invited her just to sniff her. Nick agrees and offers to double what the Forresters are paying her if she'll develop a fragrance for him. Ashley points out that she signed a contract with Forrester Originals; even though it's not an exclusive deal, she has to turn Nick's offer down, as the ruthless way he took over Forrester Creations and tried to bury the Forresters reminds her of someone she knows back home. She also suspects he's motivated by revenge over his failed marriage to Brooke, and now she hears that he's involved with Ridge's ex-wife... Nick admits it sounds messy, but he and Taylor are actually engaged. Ashley asks if that's wise, since Taylor is the mother of three kids by Ridge. Nick admits that love is a funny thing. "Is that what it is?" Ashley asks.

Taylor tells Nick that the timing is perfect for making babies today.

Taylor approaches Nick's door and listens as Nick tells Ashley that he would never use a woman for revenge. Taylor takes that as her cue to make her entrance. Nick introduces his fiancee to Ashley, who tells Taylor that Phoebe is a a beautiful girl. Taylor responds that Phoebe feels honored to be working with Ashley. Ash congratulates Nick and Taylor on their engagement and leaves. Alone with Taylor, Nick asks what brings her by. Taylor replies that she wanted to tell him that she loves him, and she also wanted to point out that the timing is perfect for making babies today. Nick is ready to do his part and buzzes Meriah, telling his assistant to cancel the rest of his appointments today. He then tells Taylor that he has some place he wants to take her. She tells him to lead on.

Nick wants to marry Taylor here and now.

Nick takes Taylor to a church. She quips that she doesn't think they can make babies here. That's not why they're here, Nick states. Taylor asks if this is the part where he makes her crazy. Nick laughs that he's going to make her crazy and make her cry, and he hopes to make her happy either way. Taylor admits that he makes her happy. Nick hopes so, because he's completely committed to her. But he wants to do this the right way, with any child they conceive and everyone else knowing that he and Taylor are together and every way. That's why he brought her here tonight, because he wants to marry her here and now.

Brooke and Ridge greet the Sydney press.

Phoebe and Rick pause outside the Forrester Originals boutique in Sydney. Rick tells her that fashion and fame await her inside. Phoebe just wants him with her, even if they have to chill out for her dad's sake, and she reminds him that she has a surprise planned once they're done here. Rick tells her that he's not interested unless it means they can be alone. "Then you're interested," she says as they prepare to enter. Once inside, they're met by applause from the staff and the press. Phoebe and Rick join Brooke as Ridge welcomes everyone to the pre-opening get-together for their new store, from which Forrester Originals hopes to serve Sydney's fashion needs. He then introduces his fiancee Brooke Logan, whose brains and beauty are key to their success. He next introduces Brooke's son Rick, who leads their international division, and their guest of honor, his adorable daughter, Phoebe. He wants everyone to know how special this time is for their family, between opening this store and his and Brooke's wedding in Beverly Hills in a few days. Brooke agrees and thanks the people of Sydney for making them feel at home. A reporter asks for a comment from Phoebe, who announces that she needs to address a rumor that's been going around. Ridge looks worried, but he breathes a sigh of relief when Phoebe announces that Ashley Abbott is designing a fragrance for their company called "Phoebe." As the reporters chat with Ridge and Brooke, Phoebe leads Rick to the back door so they can leave. Rick asks how they can get away when her driver will only take them to the hotel. "Exactly," Phoebe replies, asking Rick to trust her.

Jackie tells Donna that she was wrong about Nick and Taylor.

Donna stops by the Marone mansion to tell Jackie that the fuse is lit and the bomb will soon explode, blowing up Brooke and Ridge's relationship in the process. But Jackie is having second thoughts; she tells Donna that she always believed that Brooke was the only woman for Nick, but she was wrong, because she now sees that Nick is in love with Taylor. Donna thinks that will change once Nick finds out that Brooke isn't lost to him. She gets a call on her cell phone from the hotel in Sydney, so she again pretends to be Ridge's assistant. When the hotel clerk confirms that Rick and Phoebe have arrived, Donna tells the clerk to send the invoice for the honeymoon suite directly to Ridge's email. Jackie asks what that was all about. Donna replies that she's trying to keep her sister from making a huge mistake. She explains to Jackie that she, as "Ridge's assistant," just booked the honeymoon suite in the hotel in Sydney so Rick and Phoebe can have some alone time. She's sure that Ridge will go off on Rick when he finds out, and that will make Brooke see that her plans to marry Ridge are doomed. She tells Jackie that they're almost there: once Ridge lashes out at Rick again, his engagement to Brooke will be over.

Back at the Sydney boutique, store manager Yvonne tells Ridge and Brooke that the press wanted some more shots of Phoebe, who is nowhere to be found. Ridge and Brooke look for themselves, and Ridge worries when neither Rick nor Phoebe can be found. Brooke tells a suspicious Ridge not to jump to conclusions, but before he can answer, Ridge gets an email on his PDA with an invoice confirmation -- for the honeymoon suite? Assuming it's a mistake, Ridge calls the hotel, and the clerk confirms that Mr. Forrester just arrived. Realizing that it must be Rick, Ridge bolts for the door, with Brooke following close behind.

Phoebe is grateful to Rick.

Rick and Phoebe arrive in the honeymoon suite. Rick is impressed with Phoebe's idea for them to spend some time alone without having to leave the hotel. Since their parents are still at the boutique, they decide to spend some time in the suite's hot tub enjoying the view. After they're done in the hot tub, they put robes provided by the hotel on over their bathing suits and sit by the bed. Phoebe tells Rick that he was right. She wanted to make love to him at Big Bear, but he stopped her, because he thought her first time should be special, not something forbidden. She's grateful that he made her wait, since that will make it so much more special when it happens. They start kissing, and Phoebe starts to tickle Rick; they're so caught up in the kissing and laughter that they don't see Phoebe's cell phone flash as she gets a call from her dad.