Wednesday, January 16, 2008, Episode #5228

Ridge tells Brooke to let Nick handle his own family.

As she wakes up in the morning, Brooke recalls her encounter with Taylor at Insomnia. She whispers to herself that she hopes Taylor can love that sweet boy. Ridge wakes up beside her and sees that something is on her mind. He asks what's going on. "This," she replies as she kisses him. Later, Ridge sees Brooke is still distracted and asks what's on her mind now. She admits that she's still worried about Taylor and baby Jack. Ridge again advises her to let Nick and Taylor work this out on their own, but Brooke fears that Taylor can't care for that baby boy and thinks they should reach out to help Taylor. Ridge reiterates that they need to stay out of it and let Nick handle it, but Brooke feels responsible for Taylor's pain. She suggests that she talk to Taylor, but Ridge doesn't think that's a good idea. "I can't just sit back and do nothing," Brooke protests.

Jackie drops by the Marone mansion to talk to Nick again about Taylor. Nick tells his mother that Taylor just hit a rough patch and can get through it. Jackie admires his commitment to Taylor, but she thinks he has a bigger duty to his son to be true to his heart. Nick has heard enough, but Jackie keeps pressing him to acknowledge his feelings for Brooke, because she knows that Brooke is his soul mate. She puts forth that Nick knows that no one can love Jack the way his real mother - Brooke - can and urges to go to Brooke before she marries Ridge and it's too late.

Jackie makes a plea to Brooke.

Jackie rushes over to Brooke's house to talk about Jack. She explains that Nick told her everything, so she knows Brooke is Jack's biological mother, and she also knows what's going on with Taylor. Brooke concedes that Taylor is having a difficult time with the situation, but Jackie thinks that's an understatement, since she fears that Taylor can't handle the fact that Jack is Brooke's biological child. Brooke reminds her that Taylor raised three kids, but Jackie thinks the situation is too much for Taylor to bear, and she's afraid that it's affecting Taylor's ability to care for Jack. Brooke is sure that Nick will protect his family. Jackie agrees that Nick will try, but she knows that Nick will never love Taylor the way that he loves Brooke. Brooke states that she and Nick had their chance, and she's with Ridge now, but Jackie insists that a bond like the one Brooke and Nick share can't be broken. Brooke argues that she and Nick have both moved on, but Jackie can't accept that and begs Brooke not to let this chance to be with Nick and their son slip away. She fears it's only a matter of time before Taylor slips off the edge.

Brooke tries to set Jackie straight.

Brooke thinks Taylor is strong enough to pull through this, but Jackie fears that Brooke's little boy will feel the pain if Taylor can't pull through. "He's not my little boy," Brooke retorts, urging Jackie to stop talking like this, but Jackie contends that Jack IS Brooke's child. When Brooke seems put off by her comments, Jackie declares that she's only concerned for Brooke's well being. Brooke proclaims that she's fine, but Jackie doesn't think "fine" is good enough and implores Brooke to recall all the pain Ridge has put her through. Brooke counters that she and Ridge overcame those problems and are happy. Jackie retorts that Brooke is only setting herself up for a lifetime of pain with the Forresters, while she would be honored to have Brooke as a daughter-in-law. Brooke thanks Jackie for the sentiment, but Nick and Taylor love each other. Jackie agrees that Nick and Taylor make a fine pair, but she's certain that Brooke is Nick's true passion and pleads for Brooke to recall how happy she was with Nick. The only thing missing was a child, but now they have that. Brooke reiterates that Jack is her son by blood only, but Jackie insists that Jack needs his real mother. "Please, be his mother," she asks.

Nick reassures Taylor.

Nick goes to his bedroom to check on Taylor, who is feeling much better now. She tells Nick that she's been so overwhelmed by everything going on that she had weird dreams last night, and she apologizes if she's been difficult. Nick is glad to see her feeling better. Taylor thanks him for being so supportive while she's made such a mess, since knowing that he loves her unconditionally is all she needs to get past this. Nick assures her that she will get through this. Taylor states that she only wants to be the best mother possible to their son; Nick tells her that she's doing great, but she wants for the two of them and Jack to have a life filled with love, stability and happiness. That might take time, Nick responds, telling her to give herself a break. Taylor thanks him again for being so amazing, since that's what will get them through this. Nick agrees that the two of them can get through this together. Taylor asks him to please just hold her, so Nick leans toward her and embraces her. Taylor tells him that she's ashamed of how poorly she's handling things with Jack, and she fears that she's failing as a wife and a mother. Nick assures her that she's incredible as a wife and a mother and repeats that they can get through this as a team. Taylor assures him that she will get it together for Jack. She finds it ironic that she, as a psychiatrist, can't help herself and is scared that she feels so vulnerable, so she asks Nick to make love to her.

After making love to Nick, Taylor tells him that she needed that, especially after the day she had yesterday. Nick remarks that afters the day she had yesterday, he needed that, too. Taylor explains that she gets so riled up just seeing him with Brooke that she becomes another person. Nick thinks it's normal for her to feel that way, but Taylor just wants to stop hurting. Nick tells her again that they'll get through this in time. With that settled, Taylor needs some coffee and goes downstairs to get one.

Ashley tells Ridge how she feels.

Ashley stops in Ridge's office to talk about the new logo that needs to be approved. Ridge is glad to see her and confides about what happened with Brooke and Taylor at Insomnia yesterday. When Ridge worries that the situation with Jack's maternity is impeding Taylor's ability to care for her son and is taking its toll on her marriage, Ashley suggests that Nick and Taylor's love for each other will get them through this. Ridge fears that this is something Nick and Taylor can never recover from. Ashley tells him that she as a mother, she can understand why Brooke is concerned about her biological son, so she urges Ridge to be patient with Brooke. Ridge tells her that he's trying, but he fears that Nick might use this situation with his "test-tube baby" as an excuse to pursue Brooke again. Ashley points out the irony in the situation to Ridge, since he dumped her thinking that he and Brooke were past all the drama, but it seems like things aren't going so smoothly right now. Ridge insists that he and Brooke will not let this affect their relationship. Ashley admits that as a friend, she hopes he and Brooke can work things out, but as his ex-lover, part of her hopes that they don't!