Wednesday, October 15, 2008, Episode #5419

Taylor is lying in bed dreaming about kissing Ridge when Rick comes in with coffee. Rick asks what she was dreaming about, since she had a big smile on her face. Taylor asks what time he came in. He tells her that it was late and she was fast asleep. Taylor apologizes, but Rick tells her not to worry, since he's happy to have mornings like this where he wakes to the most beautiful fiancee in the world.

Ridge tells Brooke about his talk with Taylor.

At Brooke's house, Ridge is also dreaming about the kiss with Taylor. Brooke wakes him, remarking that she can see at times like this why Taylor still loves him. Ridge tells her that Taylor got all emotional when he went to talk to her and she didn't deny her feelings, but he still thinks she's going to marry Rick. Brooke thinks it's wrong for Rick to be Taylor's choice and hopes Rick decides to talk to Taylor about it. Ridge says that he feels for Taylor, especially since today could be difficult for her. Speaking of which, Brooke asks Ridge if they should change their plans for Jack's birthday party today to have the party there instead of at Nick's, to make it easier on Katie. Ridge thinks it's a good idea, so Brooke calls Nick to clear it with him. Over at the Marone mansion, Nick and Katie have the place decorated for the party. When Brooke calls and suggests the change of venue, Nick nixes the idea; he tells her that Katie has the whole house decorated, and he thinks setting up for the party is bringing Katie comfort, so Brooke agrees to let their plans stand and hangs up to tell Ridge. Ridge isn't happy, but they decide to make the best of the situation. Ridge tells Brooke that he wants the best life possible for Jack, but he'd prefer to have that as far from Nick as possible. They go to get dressed for the party. While doing so, Ridge gets a call from Stephanie that she needs to stop by for some quarterly reports. He tells Brooke that he has to wait here for his mother and tells her to go ahead without him and he'll meet her there later. He just hopes Nick keeps his distance from Brooke.

Katie tells Nick that being with Jack is therapeutic for her.

Back at the Marone mansion, Nick checks on Katie and tells her about Brooke's request to have the party at her place. Katie hopes he told her no since they put in so much work. Nick assures her that Brooke is just concerned about her, but she tells him that this is therapeutic for her. She's so grateful to have Jack around because she loves him like a son and couldn't have gotten through this without him.

Jackie arrives for her grandson's birthday.

Soon after, Jackie arrives with birthday gifts for her grandson. After helping Jack open the presents and finding an art set, Katie takes Jack into the kitchen. Jackie tells Nick how blessed they are to have Jack and notes that Katie is doing well. Nick credits Katie's mood to Jack. Jackie guesses Brooke probably accepts Katie's attitude being Katie's sister, but she bets Ridge has a hard time with it giving his resentment of Jack's father. She admits she's surprised that Ridge let the party be held here, but Nick tells her that he won't let Ridge dictate what he can or can't do with his son and says that Ridge was lucky to even get an invitation.

Rick gets upset with Taylor.

Back in Taylor's bedroom, Rick tells her about his talk with his mother. He laughs at Brooke's claim that Taylor called Ridge the love of her life, but Taylor admits that she said that. Rick is upset, but Taylor assures him that his nothing to do with her feelings for him. She explains to Rick that she feels safe and secure with him, but Rick is still upset about what she told his mother and gets out of bed in a huff. Taylor tells him that she and Ridge shared a lot and predicts that she and Rick will share just as much someday. "And then I'll be the love of your life?" Rick asks. Taylor tries to assure him that this doesn't diminish her love for him and promises that Ridge is her past and she's moved on. Rick asks if she really has. She says she has, but that doesn't mean she's forgotten Ridge, just as she's sure that Rick hasn't forgotten Amber. Rick gets ever more upset and goes to get dressed so he can get to the office for a conference call with Forrester International. He asks Taylor what she's doing today. She reminds him that today is Jack's birthday party, but Rick still doesn't think it's a good idea for her to go there given how hard it was for her to give up Jack. Taylor assures him that she'll be fine, so Rick relents and reminds her to meet him at Il Giardino later to finalize their wedding plans. Taylor says she'll be there and asks him not to doubt her love for hi. "Ridge is in my past. My future is with you," she assures before Rick leaves for work.

Brooke talks with Nick about Jack.

Brooke arrives at the Marone mansion and fusses over Jack. When Katie goes to take Jack to get dressed, Brooke offers to do it, but Katie says she has everything laid out already. Grandma Jackie offers to help Katie, who says she can handle it. But Jackie insists on helping, so Katie tells her to come along and they take Jack upstairs. Nick asks Brooke if Ridge ducked out on the party. Brooke tells him that Ridge will be here and asks Nick to please be nice, as this isn't easy on Ridge. Nick asks if she's acting this way because she's upset about what he did to Bridget. Brooke refuses to get into this on their son's first birthday. Nick admits that he never thought the two of them would be here today celebrating Jack's birthday and suggests that they put the past and their mistakes behind them for Jack's sake. Brooke hopes they can do that.

Stephanie gives Ridge some advice.

Stephanie arrives at Brooke's to pick up her reports and tells Ridge that Eric is still upset about the breakup with Donna. Ridge thinks his dad will get over it. Stephanie agrees, although she admits she's surprised that Donna threw in the towel so suddenly. Still, she's glad that Donna's gone, but she can handle that since Eric is the love of her life. Ridge tells her that Taylor called him that last night first to Brooke and then to him. Stephanie isn't surprised, since he and Taylor had a wonderful marriage until things fell apart. Ridge reminds her that Taylor is marrying Rick and has taken other steps to bring order to her life, like asking Brooke to raise Jack. Learning of the co-parenting situation with Brooke and Nick, Stephanie advises that it isn't go to work. Ridge thinks the legal precautions he and Brooke took will help them get past any challenges, but Stephanie fears that raising a baby together will bring Nick and Brooke close and asks if he'd rather be with Taylor. A call from Brooke interrupts their chat. Ridge puts the call on speaker, so Stephanie hears as Brooke asks Ridge where he is. Ridge says he'll be their soon. Ridge and Stephanie then hear Nick calling Brooke in the background to come join him with their son before Brooke hangs up. Stephanie notes Nick's cheerful tone and turns to leave. She tells Ridge that she's not trying to bash Brooke, but she thinks he might find a life with Taylor to be less complicated and asks him to consider that.

Taylor talks with Stephanie.

Stephanie then heads over to see Taylor to talk about the decision to let Brooke raise Jack. Taylor says that she has to get going soon to Jack's birthday party, but she she explains that she thought letting Brooke raise Jack was the best thing for Jack. Stephanie points out that have Brooke and Nick bonded by a child might reignite the spark between them. Taylor doesn't want to go there, but Stephanie thinks Taylor should admit that she still has feelings for Ridge. Taylor reminds her that Ridge is committed to Brooke, but Stephanie thinks that relationship will fall apart with Nick in the picture and urges Taylor not to miss out on the chance to put her family back together.