Friday, October 12, 2007, Episode #5165

Brooke asks Ridge if he loves Ashley the way he loves her.

As Ridge and Brooke lie on his bed kissing, they both look at each other. Ridge suddenly pulls away, telling Brooke that even though the kiss felt right, it's not right for either of them. But it could be, Brooke argues. Ridge asks what happened to her declaration just moments ago. Brooke clarifies that she will give him up as she said earlier if she has to, but she has to wonder if that's what he really wants. "Do you really care about Ashley as much as you care about me?" she asks, turning to the door so he can think about his answer for a while. Ridge asks where she's going. "To Taylor's baby shower," she answers. When Ridge seems surprised that she was invited, Brooke reminds him that she's not a threat to Taylor's marriage anymore, and Taylor knows that. "I'm no longer in Nick's life. There are no more ties between us," she points out before she leaves.

Ridge has words with Rick.

Ridge heads for Forrester Creations, where he finds Rick fitting dresses on two models. One model asks Rick to take her to Paris with him so they can celebrate his family's regaining control of the company, but Rick says he'll be busy in meetings to get the International division back on track. Ridge cuts in and quips that Rick might have to move back to Paris full time to get that done. Rick tells the models that they'll have to finish this later and thanks them. Once the models leave, Rick smugly tells Ridge that he has no intention of leaving L.A., since he wants a front row seat when Ridge screws up with Ashley by keeping Brooke dangling on a string. Ridge reminds Rick that he and Brooke share a son, but Rick retorts that his mom shares two kids with his dad as well, yet his mom and dad aren't spending any nights up at Big Bear together. Ridge insists that he's not pursuing Brooke because he's engaged to Ashley, but Rick sees the same cat and mouse games going on between his mom and Brooke that he's watched for years. As much as he hates the idea of his mother with Ridge, Rick can't deny the chemistry between them. Rick knows that's bound to affect Ridge's relationship with Ashley, even if Ridge and Brooke wind up apart again in the end. Ridge accuses Rick of making these accusations because he wants Ashley for himself, even though he thinks what Rick and Ashley shared was nothing more than a fling that also hurt Phoebe. Rick admits that he made some mistakes, but at least he, unlike Ridge, learned from them.

Rick gets in some digs with Ridge.

Rick looks at the wedding gown that Ridge designed for Ashley and admits that it's some of Ridge's best work. He'd hate to see it go to waste, so he suggests that Ashley might still wear it as she walks down the aisle - only it will be Rick who has the best view of the bride in the house. Ridge thinks Rick is getting ahead of himself and advises Rick not to undermine his relationship with Ashley. Rick thinks Ridge is doing that all by himself by openly spending so much time with Brooke. Ridge contends that Ashley, unlike Rick, understands why he's spending time with Brooke. The problem is that Brooke wants more from him than he can give, despite his attempts to tell Brooke to move on. Rick thinks his mother is a big dreamer, as Ridge knows all too well; he's sure that as usual, some complication will arise between Brooke and Ridge.

Thomas thanks Nick for bringing him home.

Over at the Marone mansion, Thomas arrives and thanks Nick for flying him over to spend time with Taylor before the baby arrives. Nick says he was glad to do it and asks if there's any chance of getting Steffy here, too. Thomas replies that Steffy is too obsessed with school to make the trip back, since his sister is as ambitious as their mom in that regard. Nick says that's one of the things he loves about Taylor. Thomas admits that his mother feels the knows Thomas had some reservations about him at first. He knows Thomas hoped his parents might have another shot at getting together, and he respects that, but he wants to assure Thomas that... Thomas interrupts and explains that it's obvious from his talks with his mom that Nick makes her happy, so he has no issues with Nick. "Just keep doing what you're doing," Thomas states. Nick thanks Thomas for the advice and fills him in on the plan to surprise Taylor at her baby shower.

Donna trades barbs with Jackie.

At the Forrester mansion, Taylor feels a kick from the baby as she opens her shower gifts. Felicia whispers to Ashley that it looks like Brooke isn't going to show, which is good news for Ashley. Just then, Donna walks in; peeved to see Donna, Jackie walks up and asks what she's doing here. Donna points out that she was invited. "This is a baby shower; nobody ordered a stripper!" Jackie scoffs. Donna shrugs off the comment and goes over to give Taylor her gift. While the others watch Taylor open the gift, Jackie asks Felicia who invited Donna. "You did; she's your friend," Felicia responds. Not since Nick sold the company back to Eric, Jackie fumes. Felicia doesn't see what that has to do with Donna and suggests that Jackie check whatever issues she has with Donna at the door, since they don't belong in this house. "You're so right about that," Jackie seethes.

Ashley chats with Brooke about photo albums.

Just then, Brooke arrives. She sees there's only one empty seat in the room, right next to Ashley. Brooke gives Taylor her gift as she goes to sit down. When Taylor opens the gift and finds a lovely photo album, Ashley sarcastically asks Brooke, "Did somebody have a 2-for-1 deal on photo albums?" Brooke answers that photo albums are always appreciated, but Ashley counters that the one Brooke gave Ridge wasn't. Brooke remarks that she thought Ridge liked it. Taylor gets up and thanks all the ladies for being there. She admits she never thought she'd have a day like this again, since she had three kids and thought she was done. But then Nick came along, and between her devoted husband and the child she's carrying, she's never felt happier. She especially has to thank Bridget for helping make this possible.

Jackie bets Donna won't be so smug when Stephanie returns.

As Taylor opens more gifts, Jackie and Donna trade barbs. Jackie wonders if Donna gets a thrill being in her lover's house, chatting with his children. She stews that she never would have encouraged Nick to sell had she known Donna and Eric were involved. "But you did sell, and Eric couldn't be more grateful - to me," Donna responds. Jackie bets that Donna won't be so smug when Stephanie returns, especially since the terms of the sale require Eric to divorce his wife. Meanwhile, Ashley asks Brooke why she was late. Brooke says that she thought she knew where she was going, but she suddenly took an unexpected detour. Ashley tells Brooke that she's leaving from here for Paris. Brooke asks if Ashley's worried about leaving Ridge alone. "If I were worried, I wouldn't be going," Ashley counters. Ashley then goes over to say her good-byes to Taylor; when Taylor hears that Ashley is going to Paris, she assumes Ash needs to get away from Brooke and wishes her luck. Ashley wishes Taylor luck as well.

Felicia asks Brooke if she's enjoying herself.

Taylor rejoins the other ladies. While Taylor asks Phoebe to try a bite of something, Bridget and Brooke agree that Taylor looks great. Felicia comes over and asks Brooke if she's enjoying herself. Brooke says that she is, since she hasn't gotten out much lately. Felicia bets that none of them will be getting out much now that her family has Forrester Creations back. As the other ladies look over some more adorable gifts, Brooke cuts in and thanks them all for including her in this celebration. She knows how much Taylor and Nick wanted this baby, which is why she's proud to be here, seeing Taylor all pregnant and glowing. She admits that part of her is envious, although she kids that she could do without the stretch marks, dirty diapers and the late-night feedings. But if she has to wish all the joys of parenthood on someone, she can't think of two more deserving people than Taylor and Nick.

Nick sneaks up on Taylor.

Taylor thanks Brooke, especially since they've hardly been close friends over the years. But she agrees that they've worked through their issues, and she's grateful for all the support Brooke has given her and Nick. She hates to brag, but being in a room full of single women, she hopes they learn from her that it's never too late. As she starts to gush about her handsome husband, Nick slips in behind her, motioning for the other ladies not to say anything. "Don't stop now," he tells his wife. Surprised to see him, Taylor kids him about being at a party for girls, but he tells her that he had a present of his own to deliver. "Enter," he says as he opens the door, and Taylor is shocked when Thomas walks in! Everyone is thrilled to see him. After greeting his mom and his sister, Thomas apologizes for interrupting their toast. Phoebe tells him that he has to make one of his own now, so he toasts to his new little half-brother or sister being lucky enough to have such amazing parents. He admits he was worried being so far away from his mother, but those fears washed away after seeing how happy his mom is today. "I have a really good feeling about this," he states.