Tuesday, May 01, 2007, Episode #5049

Brooke again urges Nick not to marry Taylor.

In the groom's room, Brooke urges Nick not to marry Taylor; she's sure he still loves her and not Taylor. Nick reminds her that he's getting married. Brooke says she knows that, and that's why she's here. She let him go once, and she's not about to just stand by and make that mistake again. She begs him to let her prove that she can give him the life she promised to him. Nick asks Brooke if she just expects him to run off with her, leaving Taylor alone at the altar. Brooke says that they're not going to run off anywhere, but they are going to face the truth. The truth, Nick firmly states, is that she has a child with Ridge, who has always been in her life and always will be. "That's what's real to me," he asserts as puts on his jacket and leaves the room.

Nick takes his place beside his best man, Rick.

In the chapel, Rick, Phoebe, Jackie, Storm and Donna wait with the minister for the groom to arrive. Jackie wonders where Nick could be. Right on cue, Nick enters the chapel and takes his place beside Rick. "Let's do this," he states. The organ player starts to play the Wedding March as Taylor walks down the aisle and takes her place beside Phoebe at the altar. As the minister begins the ceremony, a tearful Brooke peeks in from the back of the chapel. When the minister asks if anyone has any objections to this marriage, Brooke says to herself, "This is our last chance, Nick. Don't do it." When no one objects, Brooke runs off in tears.

Jackie says a few words on her son's special day.

After the minister reads from the Book of Psalms, Jackie comes up to the altar to express how happy she is to be part of this extraordinary moment in her son's life. She thanks Nick for giving her the chance to say a few words and promises to be brief as she reads from Robert Frost's poem "Master Speed."

Taylor recites her vows.

After Jackie finishes, the Minister asks Nick and Taylor to recite their vows. The minister instructs Nick to begin, but Nick insists, "Ladies first," and lets Taylor begin. Taylor explains that she and Nick chose to forgo the traditional vows and instead find one word that says what they each feel in their heart about the other. She begins, "I chose 'unexpected.' You are the biggest surprise of my life. The first day I met you, I never -- I never dreamed that one day, you would become my husband. A year ago, I never dreamed that I would have another chance at happiness. Even now, I never dreamed that I would be starting a family. I guess what surprises me most is I am absolutely certain that you are the man that I was meant to be with. And I look forward to being surprised by you every day for the rest of my life."

Nick recites his vows.

Then it's Nick turn. He says, "The word that I chose is 'complete,' because I think your whole package is complete. When I think about what you brought to my life and the kind of man I was before I met you, I was broken. I had a lot of dark corners and sharp edges, and you helped me to confront that. You challenged me to be a better man. You challenged me to give you that happiness and the surprises that you deserve in a lifetime. Maybe I should've chosen the word 'challenge,' because of how you challenge me, the challenges we face. I love you. Should I have chosen 'challenge'? Is 'complete' okay?" "It's perfect," Taylor says.

Phoebe sings "Eternal Flame."

The minister then states that the bride's daughter wants to honor this union with a song. After the minister expresses his wish that Nick and Taylor's marriage be as harmonious as the music that fills this chapel, Phoebe launches into a lovely version of "Eternal Flame" (which was originally recorded by The Bangles, with Susanna Hoffs singing lead). Phoebe finishes the song and tells Taylor, "I love you, Mom." Taylor thanks her daughter.

Storm and Donna watch as the ceremony concludes.

The minister then asks Nick and Taylor to exchange their rings as symbols of the strength of their bond. They each place a ring on the other's finger as a sign of their love and faithfulness. With the vows complete and the rings exchanged, the minister is pleased to pronounce them husband and wife! Everyone applauds as Nick kisses his bride. Nick then tells his assembled guests - all five of them, including the best man and maid of honor - that he and Taylor are doing things a bit differently. While most weddings have a reception following the ceremony, he and his wife have a previous engagement. Taylor proudly proclaims that she and Nick are going to the hospital to make a baby! As she and Nick run out the door, Taylor tosses her bouquet; Phoebe catches the bouquet and smiles at Rick.

Ashley thinks she knows what's bothering Ridge.

Ridge is in his office at Forrester Originals, discussing Shane with his mother. Stephanie asks if anyone saw him go on board The Marlin. Ridge says that he didn't see anyone, but he didn't see her following him from the office, either. Stephanie suggests that he shave his beard to alter his appearance a bit. Just then, Ashley comes in. Stephanie takes that as her cue to exit so Ridge and Ashley can talk alone. Once Stephanie is gone, Ashley tells Ridge that she knows what's bothering him; she thinks he's worried about protecting Phoebe from this Shane McGrath who was stalking Phoebe. Ridge says that Shane has been dealt with. "So they caught him?" Ashley asks. Ridge doesn't want to talk about Shane, since he'd rather discuss how incredibly beautiful Ashley is. He leans in and kisses Ashley.

Stephanie speaks her mind.

Brooke comes home and is surprised to find Stephanie waiting. Brooke orders Stephanie to leave, but La Forrester stays right where she are. Seeing the tears in Brooke's eyes, she bets that Brooke rushed to the chapel and begged Nick not to marry Taylor, but he married Taylor anyway. She taunts, "Poor Brooke. No job, no man. You've lost it all." Brooke tells Stephanie that this has nothing to do with her. Stephanie agrees, since Brooke turned her own life upside-down all by herself, but this time, Ridge won't be there to pick up the pieces. Brooke states that she still cares about Ridge, but she doesn't want him back, not after what he did to Rick. That act showed her an ugly, violent side to Ridge that she just can't ignore - a side he got from his violent mother! Stephanie insists that Ridge was justified in doing what he thought best to protect his daughter. Brooke doesn't know how Stephanie can defend Ridge and wonders why Stephanie even cares, since Stephanie wanted her to stay away with Ridge. Stephanie admits that she doesn't want Brooke near Ridge, but she won't just stand by and let Brooke say these awful things about Ridge or anyone else. Brooke retorts, "We share a child together, Stephanie, and that is forever."

Back at Forrester Originals, Ridge reminds Ashley that he promised her a date and suggests that they go out tonight. Ashley thinks they're doing just fine here, but Ridge says he's just getting warmed up. He says that he has a list of babysitters for Ash, who tells him that Abby is at a slumber party. She suggests that she go back to the hotel to change clothes, but Ridge suggests that she try on a Forrester Original instead. He wants to see her in one of his designs - and then he hopefully will get to see her OUT of that design. "You're naughty," Ashley teases, suggesting that they follow his mother's idea that they go to Santa Barbara and take a boat to Catalina. "No boats," Ridge replies, instead suggesting that they take the Forrester jet up to San Francisco. Ash is up for that, so Ridge goes to call the pilot.