Tuesday, September 23, 2008, Episode #5403

Hope and R.J. are ready for the Apple Fest.

In bed with Brooke, Ridge tells her that everything is right in their world since she'll soon be his wife, and this time it will be forever. Brooke can't wait, but she suggests that they table this discussion for now since they both have a busy day ahead. As she brushes her hair, Brooke tells Ridge that she can't stop thinking about Bridget. Ridge blames "that weasel" Nick for letting Bridget believe that things would be different and then letting her down again. Brooke asks Ridge to stop by Nick's and lend a hand to Bridget, who is moving out today. Ridge says that he'd be "deliriously happy to." Brooke thanks him for the show of support; she would be there herself, but her day is already spoken for. Right on cue, Hope and R.J. rush in with baskets in their hands and ask Brooke when they're leaving for the Apple Festival at Big Bear. Brooke tells her "little orchard hands" that they'll get going as soon as she showers. While Brooke pops into the shower, Ridge chats with Hope and R.J. about the Apple Fest and decides to engage in a little "tickle fest" first.

Bridget tells Nick that their marriage is really over.

At the Marone mansion, Bridget packs her things. Nick asks her to stay so they can heal their marriage, but she insists that the marriage is over. She tells him that what happened is partially her fault, since she let herself believe that things would be different this time if they resurrected their marriage. Deep down, a little voice was warning her not to make the same mistake again, but she wanted to believe that she could make the relationship work and didn't listen. Now she sees that she doesn't want a marriage like this and wants a chance to find the kind of happiness she deserves, but she knows she won't find it with Nick. She reveals that she called a lawyer about a quick divorce and asks Nick to please not stand in her way. Nick sighs and tells her that he never meant to hurt her.

Nick isn't thrilled to find Ridge at his door.

When the doorbell rings, Nick goes to answer and finds Ridge there. Ridge tells his half-brother that he's here to help Bridget. Bridget thanks him for being so sweet in offering to help her move. "I'm more than happy to help you get out of here," Ridge states. Nick says that he can help Bridget, but Ridge states that Bridget doesn't need Nick's kind of help. Bridget tries to mediate, but Ridge tells her that she needs someone on her side who she can trust, not someone like Nick who doesn't even know what "trust" means.

Ridge tells Nick off.

While Bridget goes upstairs to collect a few last things, Ridge blasts Nick for hurting her again. Nick claims that he doesn't have to defend himself to Ridge, but Ridge doesn't even what kind of defense Nick can mount for his appalling behavior. Nick states that he'll regret hurting Bridget forever, but this is a complex situation. Ridge asks what's so complex about being true to the woman you love. Nick suggests that Ridge ask that to Brooke, who wasn't always true to Ridge, yet Ridge forgave her. "You were just a speed bump in our relationship," Ridge fires back, "but that's all in the past now." He's pleased that Bridget and Brooke will both soon be out of Nick's life for good, since he doesn't really like Nick, and once all this is over, he wants nothing to do with Nick ever again.

Rick has a question for Taylor.

At Big Bear, Taylor thanks Rick for bringing her and Jack up there for a mini-vacation. She tells him that she got a good night's sleep last night because Jack did, too, and she thinks the change of scenery did Jack good. Rick praises her for the efforts she's made in trying to nurture Jack, telling her that he respects the way she's given her all for her son. Taylor responds that there's nothing she won't do for her children. Rick recognizes that she would do anything for her kids, which is why he thinks he can be honest in what he's about to tell her. He hates to say it because of her hard work, but he feels like her attempts to make Jack happy aren't working, and he thinks it's affecting Taylor's relationship with him now, too. He admits that he never thought she'd be able to raise Brooke's biological child. Taylor doesn't want to talk about this, but Rick tells her that they have to talk about it. Given her history with his mom, he really wonders if Taylor can give Jack what he truly needs. He's thrilled that Jack has been so much more at peace since they came here, but he can't remember the last time that Jack was so calm, and he can't help wondering if maybe Jack needs his biological mother and siblings right now.

Taylor is shocked by Rick's plan.

Taylor is stunned that Rick thinks Brooke is a better mother than she is. Rick points out that he never said that Brooke is the better mother, but at the same time, it's obvious that Jack acts differently around Taylor than he does around Brooke, and they need to find out why that is. He then explains that they'll have a chance to find out, since his mother is on the way up here with Hope and R.J. for the annual apple festival. Taylor asks why he didn't warn her that his mother was coming. Rick asks her to hear him out. All he wants to do is watch and observe how Jack gets along with Brooke as part of a little experiment. Taylor scoffs that her son is not some science experiment, but Rick thinks she needs to find a way to make her son happy. Taylor wants to believe that Jack will get past his feelings toward her in time, but Rick asks her to please keep an open mind as they conduct his experiment, since this could be an amazing opportunity for Jack. He came up with the idea while she was up late trying to put Jack down the other night, and executing his plan is as simple as watching how Jack interacts with Brooke and her kids. He feels like they have to do something, since things with Jack are just getting worse. Taylor agrees that they have to do something and blames herself for failing Jack as a mother. Rick tells her that she's an exceptional mother, which is why he thinks she can put Jack's needs before her own and let someone else raise her child. Taylor is shocked that he's suggesting that she let Brooke raise Jack.