Thursday, May 31, 2007, Episode #5071

Phoebe worries that she hasn't heard from Rick.

At the Marone mansion, Phoebe calls Bridget, hoping Bridget might know where Rick is. Bridget reminds her that Rick went on a business trip to New York, but she's not sure where Rick is staying. When Phoebe frets that Rick hasn't returned any of her calls, Bridget assures her that Rick's just too busy with work to call now, but Phoebe then explains that she broke things off with Rick after they disagreed about her father's role in Shane's death. Bridget hesitates, but she then assures Phoebe that Rick will call soon.

Upstairs, a restless Taylor watches Nick sleep. When Nick wakes up, he asks his wife what's wrong. Taylor tells him that she hasn't been able to stop thinking about Ridge. While she can understand how Ridge panicked after Shane's accidental death and hid the evidence, she still doesn't get why Ridge let Nick go to trial, knowing that Nick had nothing to do with the crime. Nick suggests she focus on the fact that Forrester finally confessed, which means Nick is a free man who can escort his wife to the hospital for the very first ultrasound of their new baby.

Constantine lends Phoebe a friendly ear.

Once Nick and Taylor leave for the hospital, Phoebe's alone in the house. When her cell phone rings, she hopes it's Rick, but she finds that it's Constantine. Constantine explains that he read about her dad in the paper and wanted to see if she's OK. When Phoebe is hesitant to talk about it, Constantine senses that she needs a friend right now, but she tells him, "What I really need is Rick." Constantine offers to stop by and arrives at the mansion soon after, impressed with Phoebe's step-dad's huge house. Phoebe opens up to Constantine about how bothered she is about her dad's confession and about her breakup with Rick. She laments that she broke up with Rick because he thought her dad was guilty, but now she knows that Rick was right. But she had no way of knowing that Rick was right until her dad confessed, Constantine points out. Even so, Phoebe wishes Rick would call, even if it was just to say "I told you so." Constantine asks if Rick would do that. Phoebe doesn't think he would. She guesses that Rick hates her because of the way the breakup came down, but Constantine is sure Rick doesn't hate her and offers to stay here with her until Rick calls. Phoebe thanks him for being there for her. That's what friends do, Constantine replies as he offers her a hug.

Ashley suggests that she and Rick head home.

Meanwhile, at some romantic Mexico getaway, Rick wakes up in bed and asks Ashley if she wants to go for a jog, but when he rolls over, he sees that Ashley isn't there. As he looks around for a note, Ashley comes in through the terrace doors in some workout clothes. She tells him that she was so taken by this beautiful place that she decided to go for a jog, but she didn't want to wake him. Rick says she should have woken him, as he wanted to have breakfast in bed. Ashley says that she already ordered breakfast and it's on its way. She also tells him that she called the pilot to arrange for them to return to L.A. this afternoon. Rick asks if they can stay one more day, but Ashley asks him to hold that thought until after she showers. When she comes out of the shower, breakfast has arrived. Rick asks why she's in such a rush to get back home, since no one at the office is expecting them back for a few days. Ashley points out that everyone's bound to wonder once they find out that the two of them aren't in New York. Rick suggests they admit they went to Mexico and claim that they came here to find some exotic new scents for Ashley's fragrances. Like huevos rancheros? Ashley playfully asks, holding up a plate of eggs. Rick tells her that he's serious and asks why she'd want to leave this paradise. Ashley admits that she loves it here and could stay a whole week, but she can't help wondering where this little jaunt is taking their relationship. But since they have a few hours until the jet is ready to leave, she suggests they make the most of it. She starts to kiss him, and they soon wind up in bed.

Rick tries to convince Ashley to stay one more day.

In the afterglow of their lovemaking, Ashley suggests to Rick that they not dwell on things too much, especially since he just broke up with Phoebe. Rick assures her that he's here with her because he wants to be, and not because of Phoebe, but Ashley asks if he'd be here had Phoebe not broken things off. Rick reminds her that this isn't Paris; Ashley quips that she knows, because they speak Spanish here. As Rick gets some juice from their breakfast tray, Ashley asks him to bring over the newspaper that's on the tray. Rick teases that he'll only bring the paper if she agrees to stay another day, but when she hesitates, he brings the paper over anyway. Rick keeps trying to convince Ashley to stay another day as she skims the headlines, which are in Spanish. She gasps when she sees a photo of Ridge in the paper. Rick looks at the article, which has a photo of Ridge next to Shane's scruffy looking mug shot, and asks if it says that Ridge confessed to killing Shane. Ashley isn't sure, since she can't read Spanish. Rick decides to call Phoebe. When he sees that his cell phone has no signal, he calls from the room phone. Phoebe is glad he called and asks why he didn't return any of her previous calls. Rick says that he just heard about her dad and asks if she's OK. She tells him that she was worried that he was avoiding her when he didn't call back and fills him in about her dad's confession. Sensing how upset Phoebe is, Rick tells her that he'll be home as soon as he can. Phoebe thanks him, because she was so afraid. "I really need you, Rick," she whispers as Rick stares at Ashley with a torn look on his face.

Bridget is happy for Nick and Taylor.

At the hospital, Taylor and Nick meet with Bridget and Dr. Caron for the ultrasound. Bridget chats with the Marones a bit about Ridge's confession and how it's affecting Phoebe. When the subject turns to Phoebe's breakup with Rick, Taylor wonders if the breakup was inevitable. If it was, Bridget hopes, there's still some other great guy out there for Phoebe. They then get down to business. Dr. Caron explains that Bridget will conduct the ultrasound as part of her O.B. rotation, so Bridget suggests that they take a look and see where little Marone is hiding. As Bridget and Dr. Caron talk about the medical aspects of the procedure and observe a normal, healthy pregnancy, Nick has lots of questions about the images on the screen. When Nick asks about a flashing light, Bridget explains that it's the heartbeat. Nick looks at Taylor, marveling at the fact that their baby has a pulse. With the exam concluded, the two doctors give Nick and Taylor some time alone. Mr. and Mrs. Marone look at one of the ultrasound photos and are amazed at what they see. They feel lucky, proud and very blessed to be having this baby.