Friday, September 26, 2008, Episode #5406

It's a hot night in Los Angeles, courtesy of a heat wave brought on by the Santa Ana winds off the desert.

Rick tries to reassure Taylor.

Taylor returns home after leaving Jack with Nick and finds a shirtless Rick waiting for her in the bedroom. Rick takes his crying fiancee in his arms and asks how things went at Nick's. Taylor weeps that she had to explain to Nick why she needed to give Jack to Brooke. "It's so hard to let go," she sobs, wondering if Ridge will be able to raise Nick's son. Rick is sure his mom will make sure that's not an issue, but Taylor worries that any issues Ridge has about Brooke raising Jack could affect Jack. Rick tells her to think positively, just like she always tells him to do, but Taylor fears that her attempt to give Jack a happy childhood could be a huge mistake if she's sent her son to a place where he's not 100% accepted. Rick puts his arms around her and assures her that it will all work out since her intentions come from a loving place deep inside her. He tells her to think about how selfless and sacrificing her choice was and realize that the strength to make that choice comes from the unconditional love that a mother has for her child. Rick then kisses Taylor and carries her to the bed where they make love.

Katie tells Nick about her encounter with Bridget.

At the Marone mansion, a shirtless Nick stands by the garden doors, deep in thought. Katie drops by and finds the door unlocked, so she lets herself in. Hearing the door close, Nick turns around and asks Katie how she is. She tells him she saw Dr. Caspary and the baby is fine, but he tells her that he asked how SHE is. Katie tells him that she saw Bridget, who was obviously still upset. Nick confirms that Bridget was upset when she picked up her things earlier and moved out. Katie is sorry to hear that Bridget moved out, since she hoped Bridget and Nick might work things out with a little time. Nick tells her that Bridget has made up her mind and wants a divorce. "She wants you and I to move on with our lives together," Katie reveals. Nick asks is she thinks Bridget really means that. Katie thinks she does, assuming that Bridget was thinking of Katie and Nick's unborn child and of Jack. Speaking of Jack, Nick asks Katie if she talked to Brooke tonight. When Katie says she didn't, Nick tells her that Taylor asked Brooke to take over as Jack's mother. Surprised, Katie asks Nick how he feels about that.

Nick tells Katie he wants a future with her.

Nick admits that he's concerned, but he thinks they all want what's best for Jack. Katie agrees that Jack's needs should be put first. Nick concedes that he knows Brooke loves Jack, but he fears there might be issues with Ridge, so he asks Katie what she thinks. Katie agrees that Brooke would be a great mom, and she notes that Taylor obviously thinks so, too. She asks Nick if the amount of time he spends with Jack would change. Nick tells her that it wouldn't, especially since he wants Jack to know his new half-brother or half-sister. Katie is a bit shocked, since this is the first time they've talked about their future with their baby. "Let's work this out together," Nick suggests. Katie asks if that was a slip of the tongue, but Nick says that he meant what he said. "I want to work this out. You and me and our baby... together," he confirms as he pulls her close and kisses her. They then go to the bedroom, where Nick starts to remove Katie's blouse. Katie becomes self-conscious about her scar and tries to hide it, but Nick removes her hand and gently kisses the area where the scar is before carrying Katie to his bed.

Ridge is stunned by Brooke's news.

In Brooke's bedroom, Ridge is stunned that Taylor wants Brooke to be Jack's mother. Brooke explains about Taylor's problems bonding with Jack. Ridge thinks it could be a teething phase and asks if Taylor has talked to Jack's doctor. Brooke assures him that Taylor has talked to pediatricians and other experts, but Jack isn't responding to Taylor like a baby should respond to his mother. She thinks it's huge that Taylor had the courage to do what she did, but Ridge thinks it's a bad idea and hopes Brooke turned Taylor down. Brooke tells him that Jack needs a mother, but Ridge thinks Katie or Jackie could fill that need. He fears this will complicate the life he and Brooke are finally building. Brooke disagrees. Ridge asks what will happen if Taylor changes her mind. Brooke doesn't think that will happen. Ridge asks if Taylor gave her full custody, but Brooke reminds him that Taylor shares custody with Nick, so Jack would be here when he's not with Nick. Ridge tells her that she's a wonderful person and mother, but he thinks her raising Jack spells total disaster and urges her to tell Taylor no. Brooke however refuses to turn her back on her child, which Jack is biologically. She wants to raise the child that she loves. Ridge however can't see them raising Nick's child when he and Nick disagree on everything, and he also worries about how this might affect Hope and R.J. Brooke thinks Hope and R.J. would love a little brother, but Ridge still feels strongly that this would jeopardize their family with something that's inherently dysfunctional.

Brooke tries to make Ridge understand.

Brooke begs Ridge to understand that she is a mother faced with a child who is crying out for help. "Am I supposed to just ignore that?" she asks, telling him that she can't shut out those cries. Ridge thinks it might not be as bad as she thinks, but she tells him that she has seen firsthand how abandoned Jack feels without his mother. She feels that Taylor can't fill that void because Jack doesn't feel like Taylor is his mother. She understands Ridge's concerns and promises to deal with them, but she thinks any of those worries pale in comparison to what will happen to Jack if he grows up feeling abandoned. Ridge tells her that he wants to protect her, their children and even Jack, but he feels like the idea of them raising Nick's child will blow up in their faces if either Nick or Taylor change their minds later. He can tell right now that Brooke would be devastated if she bonded with Jack only to lose him. But he has to admit that this is the same dilemma he's dealt with since he first met Brooke. Her heart is so big, so she sees the love in things where he sees the logic. So even though he sees how disastrous this would be, she's the woman he loves and he wants to make her happy, so he's there for her if that is what she wants. Brooke promises that they'll find a way together to make this work and tells him that she loves him. They put their arms around each other and kiss.