Friday, January 25, 2008, Episode #5235

Nick is glad to see Taylor so relaxed.

In their bedroom in the Marone mansion, Taylor wakes up and finds that Nick is already dressed. He tells her that she was sleeping so soundly that he didn't want to wake her, and he's glad she seems so relaxed. Taylor asks if she can talk to him before he goes to the office, but Nick suggests they wait until he's got clothes on and goes to get dressed. Once he's out of the room, Taylor vows to herself that she won't let Brooke get to her anymore. She then pulls a bottle of vodka from under the bed and takes a few big swigs. She then takes a couple of spritzes of breath spray before Nick returns. Sitting next to her on the bed, he asks what she wants to talk about. Taylor admits that she's been a bit irrational over the whole situation with Jack and thanks him for being so supportive. She feels like she's been taking his standing by her for granted, so she wants him to know that she's only been able to find herself because of him. As she starts to massage Nick's back, Taylor tells him that she feels great now, like this is a brand new day for them and their family. Nick tells her that he likes the newfound strength he's seeing in her. As Nick starts to enjoy the massage, Taylor seduces him, whispering that she misses being a woman and feeling sexy. Nick points out that he just got dressed, but Taylor purrs for him to get undressed and make love to her.

Taylor tells Nick that she has put Brooke in the past.

After they make love, Taylor lies with Nick in bed. She tells him that she meant it when she said she was ready to put the past behind them and declares that she loves him and the baby. Nick is thrilled that she's finally getting past Brooke. "Who's that?" Taylor giggles, proclaiming her unconditional love for Nick and Jack. When Jack starts crying, Taylor gets up and brings him over to the bed. Nick moves over next to them, laughing that having the three of them together this way is what they always dreamed of. Taylor vows to be the best mother she can possibly be. Nick asks her what happened, since it seems lie she changed overnight and came to accept everything, but Taylor doesn't answer. When Taylor puts Jack back down to sleep, Nick asks her again how she turned this around so quickly. "I'm a psychiatrist," she replies, pointing out the mind's ability to control one's emotions with enough resolve. She supposes it was just time that she accepted how much he loved and supported her. "What about Brooke?" Nick asks. "That's all in the past," Taylor asserts, thanking Nick for helping her find herself again and kissing him. Nick thinks he really should be getting to work now, so he gets dressed and gets on his way.

Baby Jack's crying lures Taylor back to the bottle.

Alone in the room with Jack, Taylor takes out the bottle of vodka. She looks at the bottle and says that she doesn't need it anymore. Walking over to Jack's bassinet, she professes to her son that she can be a great mommy to him. Still holding the bottle, she repeats that she doesn't need it anymore, but then Jack starts crying. Taylor tries to calm him, but Jack just starts crying louder, so she takes a couple of swigs from the bottle. She then leans over the bassinet and whispers to him, "It's okay. Mommy's here, sweetheart. Everything's gonna be just fine."

Storm tells Katie that he wants to thank Stephanie.

In Brooke's office at Forrester, Katie has coffee with Storm, who tells her about his counseling to help him cope with the anger toward their dad that led him to shoot Stephanie. Katie is glad that he's getting help. Storm admits he has ways to go, but he feels like the weight of the world off his shoulders, and he finds it remarkable that they owe the chance for their family to heal to Stephanie. He wants to go thank Stephanie for that, but Katie tells him that's a bad idea and suggests he just let things lay. Donna comes in and asks what's going on; when Storm tells her about his idea to thank Stephanie, Donna agrees that it's a bad move. When Katie suggests that he rejoin their father in Europe so they can reconnect, Storm says he'll consider it and leaves.

Katie urges Donna to end things with Eric.

Once Storm is gone, Katie implores Donna to finally end things with Eric today. Donna tells Katie that it's not that simple. Katie concedes that she knows how hard this is for Donna, but Donna explains that she's not just selfishly thinking about herself and is thinking of Eric. She assures Katie that she has tried to break it off with Eric, but he keeps responding by showing how much he loves her. Katie realizes she's putting Donna in an impossible situation, but she doesn't think they have a choice. Donna avows that she and Eric are soul mates, but Katie asks Donna to consider that her feelings for Eric might change over time, begging Donna not to risk their brother's freedom on something that might not last. Donna vows that she and Eric will stay together if given the chance, but Katie doesn't see any other way to keep their brother out of jail. "You have got to end things with Eric," Katie pleads.

Donna worries that Stephanie might blackmail them for years.

Katie informs Donna that she's been getting calls from Stephanie in Chicago, since Stephanie hasn't been able to reach Donna. Donna fumes that Stephanie has become her own personal stalker, but Katie points out that La Forrester isn't happy that Donna hasn't lived up to her end of their bargain and urges Donna to end things with Eric before Stephanie returns from Chicago later today. Donna seethes over this blackmail scheme, which is Stephanie's latest attempt to make their family miserable. She argues that Stephanie would set Eric free if she really loved him, and it makes her sick that they are bowing down to the Forrester matriarch yet again. Katie asks what else they can do, so Donna suggests that they call Stephanie's bluff. Katie thinks that idea is crazy, but Donna insists that Stephanie will continue to hold this secret over their heads for years if they don't put Stephanie in her place. Katie admits that she doesn't like the prospect of Stephanie holding something over their family's heads, either, but she thinks that it's more important for their family to stick together right now. "Storm won't survive prison," Katie puts forth, which is why she's praying that Donna won't let him and the family down. Taking a deep breath, Donna tells Katie that she doesn't need any more pressure. She sighs that she knows what she has to do and has a plan, and she's going to do it right now.