Thursday, October 16, 2008, Episode #5420

Stephanie urges Taylor not to pass on a golden opportunity.

At Taylor's home, Stephanie tells her that Ridge will never be happy with Brooke raising Nick's child. Taylor thinks Ridge will do it for Brooke, but Stephanie doesn't think Ridge can get past his feelings for that stubborn "ass" Nick, and she's sure that will end Brooke's relationship with Ridge. "This is a moment I've waited for," Stephanie states, urging Taylor not to let the chance pass. "It's the moment YOU'VE been waiting for," Taylor emphasizes, not wanting to disappoint herself again by getting between Ridge and Brooke. Stephanie hugs Taylor and says that she never stopped believing that Taylor was the only woman for Ridge. The women admit how much they've missed each other. Stephanie tells Taylor that Rick is too young for her, but Taylor says that she can't help loving someone who has been as caring and supportive to her as Rick has. "As much as you love Ridge?" Stephanie asks. Taylor admits that she misses her family and Ridge, but she and Ridge have moved on with other people. Stephanie asks Taylor to consider what reuniting with Ridge would mean to her children, but Taylor points out that her kids are grown and don't need their parents together. She insists that Rick makes her happy, but Stephanie thinks she's settling for Rick and urges her to go after what's hers. Before Taylor can answer, her taxi arrives to take her to Jack's party, so she grabs Jack's gift and leaves. Stephanie picks up the phone and calls Madison at Forrester to find out where Rick is.

An attractive event planner flirts with Rick.

At Il Giardino, Rick meets with event planner Vivian Mayhew to talk about plans for his wedding. Vivian asks if they should wait for Taylor, but Rick explains that his fiancee is running late and tells the planner to start going over the menu choices. While shamelessly flirting with Rick, Vivian cheerfully lists a number of appetizers they can serve. When they get to the end of the menu selections and Taylor has not yet arrived, Vivian praises Rick for making all these decisions without his fiancee and suggests they move on to alcohol choices, but Rick nervously suggests that she bring him a meal based on the choices he's made so far. "A meal for two?" the planner asks. Yes, Rick confirms, since his fiancee is on the way. Vivian tells him that she'd be happy to join him if his fiancee doesn't show. Rick ashamedly smiles at the woman's rather blatant come-on.

Rick scoffs at Stephanie's advice.

When a waiter brings the food over, Rick tries to call Taylor again, but she doesn't answer. Stephanie comes over and asks Rick if they can talk. Rick asks Vivian if he can have some time while he waits for his fiancee, so she leaves him with some suggestions about tablecloths and excuses herself. Rick asks Stephanie what brings her by. She tells him that she doesn't think the wedding will happen because Taylor still loves Ridge. Rick informs her that he already talked to Taylor about her ridiculous conversation with his mom, but it doesn't mean anything, since he and Taylor are still getting married. Stephanie urges him to take her seriously, since she just spoke to Taylor and really thinks that Taylor wants to reunite with Ridge. Rick agrees that Taylor will always have fond memories of her marriage to Ridge, but he's not threatened by that since he knows Taylor loves him. Stephanie concedes that he's been supportive of Taylor, but she doesn't think Taylor is truly capable of being with another man. She suggests that Rick's rescue of Taylor just gave Taylor time to forget her feelings for Ridge for a while. Rick accuses Stephanie of romanticizing her favorite son's relationship with Taylor, pointing out that he knows from growing up with Ridge as a step-father how Ridge mistreated Brooke; he doesn't think Ridge is worthy of Taylor, either. After assuring Stephanie again that he and Taylor are getting married here next week, he excuses himself to sample some cake.

Ridge repeats his concerns to Brooke.

At Nick's house, Ridge tells Brooke that their involvement with Nick should just be related to Jack. Brooke agrees, unsure as to why he's so upset. Ridge explains that he walked in and saw her, Nick and Jack looking like a cozy little family in a scene that seemed like more than just the standard Kodak moment at a birthday party. He admits that they're still ironing out the details of this relationship, but he wants her to be clear on one thing: while he will share a child with Nick, he will not share her. Brooke replies that she's not some toy he brought to the park, reminding him that there will be times she'll have to interact with Nick. She can't believe that he freaked out about her taking a photo with Jack and his dad. Ridge says that it's not just about the photo. He understands that she's her own person and that she can take photos of her son on his birthday, but he's asking her to be a bit more aware of him, especially because of the love he saw in her eyes when she looked at Nick. Brooke assures him that he's the only man in her heart and promises to be more sensitive to his insecurities. Ridge objects to being called insecure, asserting that he feels like an outsider when she relates to her new precious family and can't put up with that.

Brooke tells Taylor not to worry.

Taylor arrives and overhears Brooke and Ridge arguing. She asks where Jack is. Brooke tells her that Jack is napping upstairs. Taylor tells Ridge and Brooke to work out any issues between them, since she didn't give Jack to Brooke to bring more negativity into his life. Brooke says that Jack won't be affected, but Taylor doesn't buy that and asks Ridge if he has any issues with Jack being in the family. Ridge says he has a problem with how Brooke relates to Jack's dad, telling Taylor about the photo that he walked in on and the way Brooke was looking at Nick. Taylor tells Brooke that she didn't give her Jack to use as a reason to waffle between Ridge and Nick again. Brooke insists that they're just working out how to relate as parents. Taylor is shocked that Ridge and Nick didn't work this out by now and wonders if she made a terrible mistake. Brooke insists that everything is fine, but Taylor doesn't see that. Ridge sees how upset Taylor is getting and suggests that they go outside to get some air. Taylor points out that she didn't see Jack, but Ridge tells her that he thinks it will be better if the two of them get away from this for a while. Brooke asks if he's coming back. "I don't know," states Ridge as he leaves.

Nick asks Brooke what happened.

Nick comes in and asks if everything is OK. Jackie blows through the room and says that she has to be going, telling Nick to give Jack another birthday kiss from his grandma and bidding both him and Brooke goodbye. Nick asks if Ridge really got bent out of shape over a picture. Brooke asks him to please be more sensitive about Ridge when she's around him, realizing that she, too, has to be more careful when she's around Nick. Nick asks where Ridge went. Brooke tells him that Ridge left - with Taylor.

Taylor apologizes for not considering Ridge's feelings.

Taylor and Ridge wind up in Ridge's office, since he has to pick up some papers. Taylor thanks him for getting her out of there, because she was getting so riled up about Brooke. She fumes at the way Brooke always makes her second guess herself. Ridge apologizes for messing up Jack's birthday party, but Taylor tells him that Brooke was the one who messed up by being insensitive to his feelings. She admits that she never considered the impact on him when she decided to give Jack to Brooke and says she's sorry that she put him through this. Ridge points out that he put himself through this but thanks her for saying something. He just wishes she had come to him during the awful times she went through over the past year. Taylor says she was ashamed to talk about it, but Ridge tells his Doc that she can talk to him about anything. Taylor admits that she should have come to him. She knows she had Rick, who has been there for her and kept her from drinking again. Ridge asks if the wedding is still set for next week. Taylor confirms that it is. Ridge points out that he and Brooke would be marrying soon. He laments that everything has gotten so complicated around Jack, pointing out that he's questioned himself a few times since starting this new arrangement. Taylor apologizes for that and asks if he can really be a step-father to Jack. If he can't, she states, then he should get out of now before it's too late. Predicting that he's going to be miserable, she advises, "Don't marry Brooke."