Thursday, January 24, 2008, Episode #5234

Taylor assures Brooke that she will focus on Jack.

In Brooke's office, an agitated Taylor explains that she's not like this normally. She has always been in control, since she learned how to cope with all her losses as a child, and that led her to become a psychiatrist so she could help others with their pain and their loss. She intends to use that ability to be the perfect wife and mother. Brooke is glad to hear that and advises Taylor to get a grip, because their lives are so interconnected. Taylor agrees that she has to get a grip, because both their families can be affected. She insists that her insecurities are already going away, so she's sure she's going to be fine. Brooke reminds Taylor that she has three amazing older children, the husband of her dreams and a child that needs his parents, and all of that is at stake here. Taylor agrees, stating that she intends to focus on Jack. Brooke reassures that she's no threat to Taylor and urges Taylor to be the strong woman again. " Your family really needs to see you strong right now," Brooke advises.

Nick ignores his mother's pleas.

Jackie drops by the Marone mansion to see Nick, who tells her that Jack's at the park with Phoebe. Jackie asks where Taylor is. When Nick simply says that Taylor is running errands, Jackie assumes that he doesn't know where his wife is. Nick quips that he he doesn't have to sound an alarm when Taylor leaves. Jackie agrees, but after seeing Taylor earlier. Nick insists that Taylor is doing better now and asks his mom not to undermine his wife. Jackie sees the photos of Brooke, Nick and the kids that Taylor found earlier and asks Nick why these are out. When Nick explains that Taylor was uncomfortable having them around, Jackie gasps at the thought that he'd destroy memories of such happy times in his life. Nick says that he's not destroying them, but he intends to get them out of the house. Jackie advises that tidying up the past isn't always easy. She knows he thinks he's doing right by Taylor, but he also has to think of Jack and himself. She advises that he can't turn back the clock on the egg mix-up and advises that she's not saying this because of the unbearable burden this will place on Taylor in years to come. Nick ignores his mother's pleas and tells her that he hopes she'll be at Jack's christening tomorrow.

Jackie gives Taylor some advice.

Later, Taylor returns home and finds Jackie watching the baby while Nick is out. Taylor picks up on the same vibe she felt earlier that Jackie thinks she's not a good mother and asks if Jackie is checking up on her, but Jackie denies the charge and asks Taylor not to put words in her mouth. Taylor scoffs that she thought about what Jackie said after she left earlier, and she thinks Jackie criticized her earlier to make her insecure. She's convinced that Jackie thinks that Nick and Jack are better off with Brooke. Jackie asks Taylor if she really believes that she can ever separate Jack from Brooke, especially since Jack has Brooke's D.N.A. Taylor argues that D.N.A. was never a factor because she always knew the baby would have none of her own D.N.A., but Jackie thinks that Taylor is in an impossible situation trying to accept Jack as anyone but Brooke's. Taylor tells Jackie to stop, since she sees now that Jackie wants Nick back with Brooke. She angrily warns her mother in law to start respecting her and her marriage, since Jackie won't be welcome to come to this house or to have a relationship with Jack if she doesn't.

Brooke assures Nick that Taylor will keep it together.

Nick drops by Brooke's office to see her. Brooke apologizes for sending the text message earlier, but she never thought Taylor would read it. Nick is surprised that Taylor read the message. Brooke explains how Taylor came here earlier, assuring him that she thinks Taylor is better now. Nick then sees that Nick brought something with him and asks what it is. Nick gives her the photos of the two of them with Hope and R.J., explaining how Taylor found them. He tells Brooke that he couldn't destroy them, so he wanted her to have them. Brooke starts to look through the pictures and she and Nick share some fond memories. Nick tells Brooke that he's like to spend time with Hope when everything dies down. Brooke says she's like that and thanks him for bringing her these photos of such special times. Nick gazes her and starts to comment on what happens when he looks at her, but he stops himself. Brooke tells him that he has no reason to be sorry for needing a friend to talk to, so Nick tells her about his frustrations over the situation with Taylor. "All I want is somebody to love my son," he laments, wondering if he is doing more harm than good by making Taylor accept this. Brooke however is sure Taylor can be a mother to Jack.

Nick wonders if things will be easier after Jack's upcoming christening. Brooke agrees that the christening will be an important day for Jack. She wishes she could be there, but she knows why she can't. She tells Nick that she just wants everything to work out for him, Taylor and the baby, because she feels responsible for all their stress. Nick tells her not to blame herself, because Jack wouldn't even be here without her, and he can never thank her enough for that. They both pray that everything will work out in the long run. Brooke assures Nick that Taylor will keep it together; Nick hopes she's right.