Wednesday, September 19, 2007, Episode #5148

Bridget gives information to Nick.

At Bridget's house, Nick wrestles with the idea that Brooke's eggs may have been implanted in Taylor. It reminds him how he once wanted to have a child with Brooke. Bridget remembers when they thought R.J. was his child. Nick asks if Brooke knows. Bridget states that she didn't see a need to tell her mom about a slim chance of her eggs being implanted in Taylor. "Slim isn't zero," Nick replies, wondering if there is a way to find out who the mother is. Not until after the baby is born, Bridget states, as any test would alert both her mom and Taylor that there might be something wrong. Nick is only concerned about his wife. He and Taylor set out to have a child via a donor egg, he recalls, and it shouldn't matter to them if the donor is Brooke. The important thing is that he and Taylor are going to raise the baby together. He asks Bridget who else knows. A few doctors and lab technicians, she informs him, as well as Rick and Carl, but she doesn't think any of them would say anything. Nick hopes she's right, since he doesn't want Taylor to know about this. He especially feels protective because Taylor, who already has grown kids, only did this for him, so he could have the child he always wanted. Having a baby with Brooke was never an option. Bridget asks if he really thinks her mom would sign over a child that's theirs. Nick answers that he'll cross that bridge when it happens, but he wants to keep this quiet for now.

Taylor continues advising Ashley.

At the Marone mansion, Taylor regrets that Ashley now has to deal with Brooke the way she used to. Ashley wonders if she should find a good hit man. Taylor laughs that she had that same thought once as she advises Ashley to keep handling Ridge's relationship with Brooke with class and dignity. She thinks Ridge will react well to Ashley showing him how much she cares for him. Ashley then gets a call from Ridge, who is waiting outside her house, hat in hand, feeling a bit like an idiot for not being in touch. He guesses that Ashley is out having fun. Actually, she explains, she was on her way home, so Ridge offers to wait for her. "Do what you want," she says. Having overheard the conversation, Taylor assumes that all is not lost. Ashley supposes that she's about to find out. Taylor wonders if Brooke is losing her touch.

Katie wants to move into her sister's house.

Katie arrives at Brooke's house and finds her sister releasing the security guard she hired. Katie guesses Brooke is doing that because she's staying with Ridge, but Brooke informs her that she and the kids have moved back here. She admits that she hoped Ridge would want to have her and the kids stay with him permanently, but it didn't work that way thanks to Ashley Abbott. Sensing that her sister is worried about Ashley, Katie wonders how serious Ridge is about Ms. Abbott. Brooke concedes that Ridge hasn't known Ashley very long. Katie points out that Ridge has been a rock for Brooke since... "Since I was raped," Brooke finishes, agreeing that she couldn't have gotten through these last weeks without Ridge. Katie reports that Bridget called and said that all Brooke's tests were negative. Brooke agrees that Ridge knew just how to comfort her. But they're still going their separate ways, Katie points out. Brooke is glad she has her kids and her incredible sisters to lean on. Katie states that at least one incredible sister needs a place to stay in L.A.. Brooke agrees to let Katie stay with her and the kids, since the house still seems kind of empty.

Brooke wants Ridge back.

Katie asks Brooke if she was happy here with Nick. Brooke says she was, but Nick moved on with Taylor and is about to become a father. She laments that she stupidly let two amazing men slip away from her. Katie tells Brooke not to blame herself and admits that she was surprised when Brooke called off her wedding to Ridge. Brooke reflects on the way she wound up all alone for her troubles. Katie confesses that she thought Brooke would get back to Nick, but Brooke points out that he is committed to Taylor and their unborn child. She's happy that Nick will finally be a father, and she thinks Taylor is also really lucky. "What about you?" Katie asks. Brooke states, "I believe that we create our own luck in this world, since luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity," joking that she didn't find that in a fortune cookie. Katie agrees and predicts that Ashley should watch out. Brooke agrees that she's not going to let Ridge get away this time. She already lost Nick and nearly lost Ridge over her stupid mistakes, and she doesn't see Ridge having a future with Ashley. She thinks that she and Ridge have a future raising their child together, since she feels like it's meant to be.

Ashley tells Ridge her concerns.

Ashley arrives home and finds Ridge there, admitting that he owes her an explanation. He asks if Abby is there. Ashley tells him that her daughter is at a sleepover, so they have plenty of privacy. Ridge admits that he hasn't been around lately because Brooke was going through something involving him, his mother and Brooke's kids, but that's all he can tell her. Ashley asks if that means more trips to the cabin, but Ridge assures her that he and Brooke won't be taking any more trips now that they had some family time together. Ashley wonders if she should take his word on faith, since she doesn't want to act naive. Ridge concedes that she has a right to be skeptical, but he assures her that nothing romantic happened in Big Bear. Ashley tells him that his dad and Taylor were both skeptical when she talked to them. She points out that she told both Eric and Ashley that she wasn't going to vie with anyone for a man's attention, even if the man is Ridge.

Ridge tells Ashley that he wants to be with her.

Ridge informs Ashley that he wouldn't expect her to fight for him. Ashley suggests that he might get turned on by two women fighting over him, but she doesn't want to play that game. Ridge admits that he took it for granted that she would wait for him while he dealt with some other things, and he feels like a fool or a jackass for doing so. He asks Ashley if she forgives him. Ashley agrees that he and Brooke, as parents, have to be cordial when they focus on kids, so she doesn't want any part of the pain caused by anything between him and Brooke. Ridge admits that he feels responsible for making the terrible mistake of seeking custody, since that decision cost Brooke. But he assures Ashley that his feeling for Brooke has nothing to do with how he feels about Ashley. Ashley asks Sarah how Brooke fits into her schedule. Ridge assures her that everything he's said about his feelings for her are true. "I love you, Ashley," he states, "and you are the woman I want to spend my life with." He promises to treat her the way she deserves to be treated. He knows it's been a roller coaster ride, but they came through it stronger than ever. Ashley votes for less roller coaster and more of other things. They kiss and wind up in bed.