Friday, April 17, 2009, Episode #5544

Brooke tells Rick that she's caught in the middle.

Rick drops by Brooke's house and finds her in her bedroom. He tells her that he called the office first, but they told her she stayed home today. He hopes she didn't get into an argument with "Mr. Big Shot" again. Brooke sighs. Rick then presents her with his and Steffy's wedding announcement and a photo of him and Steffy together for the newspaper. Brooke sighs that they look so happy. Rick wishes everyone felt that way and asks if she and Ridge fought about the wedding. Brooke assures him that she and Ridge will work through this. Rick tells her that she's on the right side, but she feels like she's caught in the middle between her son and her husband. Rick asks if Steffy's feelings mean anything. Brooke explains that Ridge is just afraid for his daughter, but Rick won't let the likes of Stephanie or Taylor or Ridge break him and Steffy up. "They're not succeeding, and they never will," he asserts. After Rick leaves, Brooke looks at the wedding announcement and photo that Rick brought and prays that Ridge won't let this wedding come between them.

Ridge outlines his plan to Taylor.

In Ridge's office, he assures Taylor that they will keep Steffy away from Rick, with or without Brooke's help. Taylor asks how they can get Steffy to see the real Rick. Ridge explains that he has his computer set up to record anything that's said in this room. He plans to record Rick the next time he shoots off his mouth in here and then play it back for Steffy so she can see Rick's true colors. Soon after, Rick arrives to give Ridge a copy of the wedding announcement. Ridge tears the announcement up. Rick brags that he has plenty more and states that this wedding will happen, so he suggests that Ridge accept it if he wants to keep his relationships with Brooke and Steffy. Seeing Ridge fume, Rick gloats about how hot he gets thinking about the wedding dress Ridge designed for Steffy falling to the floor on their honeymoon night. Taylor comes to the door just in time to hear that last remark and tells Rick to shut up. Rick tells her that she had his chance with him and she threw it in his face, so her loss will be Steffy's gain when he marries Steffy, and she and Ridge will just have to deal with that.

Taylor gives Ridge advice about his plan.

After Rick leaves, Taylor asks Ridge if he recorded Rick's speech just now. Ridge admits that he didn't, but he's not worried, since he's sure Rick will mouth off to him again. Taylor is sure that Steffy will dump Rick once she hears the horrible way he talks about her in private, although she regrets that Steffy will be hurt when she hears it. Ridge thinks he can push Rick's buttons and get him to go off on another tirade, but Taylor advises him to do it very subtly.

Rick gives Ridge an earful.

Rick returns with some designs for Ridge and says that he wasn't done earlier. Ridge asks Taylor to leave so he and Rick can talk man-to-man. Once Taylor is gone, Ridge asks Rick what's on his mind. Rick boasts that he thought he'd make Ridge squirm some more while dropping off these designs, since that's become his favorite pastime lately. He taunts that he has Steffy wrapped around his little finger, and he knows it's eating Ridge alive knowing that he can't do a thing about it, just like Rick couldn't do anything when he was growing up and watched Ridge make Brooke's life a living hell. He asks Ridge if Steffy would enjoy a little "naughty torture" in the bedroom, since he thinks that would drive Steffy wild. Ridge calls Rick an angry little boy, but Rick says that he's beyond anger, since he hates Ridge and wants to make him see how it feels to be trapped psychologically. Ridge thinks Steffy will see through Rick, but Rick doesn't think that will happen. "I own her, and there's not a damn thing you can do to change that," Rick brags. Watching the computer record every word, Ridge tells Rick to keep talking, and Rick is more than happy to oblige.

Steffy watches the fashion show with her granddad.

In Eric's office, he and Donna prepare to watch the Jackie M preview on TV. Eric wonders how the press will react to the news that his daughter Bridget is Madame X. Donna bets they won't be as shocked as he was after Jackie M's last showing. Eric agrees that they won't be blindsided that way this time. Steffy joins them to watch the show. Donna asks if they should invite Thorne and Felicia, but Eric tells her that he did and they declined. Steffy guesses her aunt and uncle are still upset about their mother's dismissal. Eric states that Stephanie was a great asset to him for a long time, so it wasn't an easy decision to let her go. Donna assures him that he made the right decision. Steffy suggests they sit back to watch the showing.

Nick and Stephanie prepare for the preview showing.

Backstage at Jackie M, Nick and Stephanie agree to wait for the end of the show to reveal Madame X's identity. When Jackie and Owen come backstage, Nick is surprised, since his mother couldn't get out of bed yesterday. Glancing at Owen, Jackie says she's feeling better except for this tingling in her toes. Nick then gives the team a rousing pep talk before he sends his mother out on stage to greet the press and introduce the designs of their latest sensation, Madame X. Nick watches nervously on the monitors as the models take the stage. When the reporters start to applaud, Jackie tells Nick to smile, since the sound they hear is money in the bank. Owen, Clarke and Stephanie cue up the models to hit the runway. Clarke asks Stephanie if she thinks "Dad Forrester" is watching. She sure hopes he is. Sure enough, in his office, Eric is beaming over the lovely designs. Steffy wonders why he's so happy about the competition's success. Eric beams that he's very proud right now.

Jackie introduces Madame X, aka Bridget.

As the fashion show concludes, Jackie comes out again and asks the press to hold their applause for the woman who truly deserves it, Madame X. She then motions for their mystery designer to come out of the shadows and reveals that Madame X is Bridget Forrester. "That's my girl," Eric cheers as a stunned Steffy realizes who Madame X really is. Meanwhile, at Jackie M, the crowd goes wild!

Stephanie offers a challenge.

Jackie thanks the crowd for their applause and notes that she has one more surprise in store today. Jarrett asks what could top a Forrester at Jackie M. "How about two Forresters?" Jackie asks. Back at Forrester, Eric wonders what's going on, assuming that this must be some kind of gimmick. Backstage at Jackie M, Nick, Clarke and Owen bet that the crowd and Eric will go nuts when they see what's coming up. Jarrett asks Jackie what she means by "two Forresters." Jackie explains that they're pleased to announce that they have the grande dame of L.A. Fashion on their team and calls for Stephanie to come out to the runway. When Stephanie takes the stage, Eric and Donna are stunned! Meanwhile, the assembled members of the press give Stephanie a standing ovation. Taking the microphone, Stephanie thanks them for their warm welcome. She explains that she was as surprised as anyone to find herself here, but she recently left Forrester Creations because some people there thought she could no longer contribute. But she didn't agree, so she eagerly accepted when Nick and Jackie offered her a challenge to come over here. Now she wants to make a challenge of her own to all the young, hot, undiscovered designers in this country that want to work. She tells those people to bring their ideas to Jackie M, since those innovative designs will make Jackie M the fashion house of L.A., if not the entire country. As the audience cheers, Stephanie winks to the camera and says, "Eat your heart out, honey bear."

Eric and Donna discuss Stephanie's appearance at the showing.

Back at Forrester, a furious Eric asks, "Stephanie and Jackie? What the hell is she doing?" While Steffy goes to find Katie so they can do damage control with the press, Donna tries to reassure her husband. She tells him that Stephanie is just trying to get a reaction from the press, but she doesn't think there's any way the band of misfits at Jackie M will ever be a threat to Forrester.

The Jackie M crew toasts to their future.

Backstage at Jackie M, the troops continue to talk to the press. Owen comes over to congratulate Bridget, who says that this is still sinking in. Owen gives her a hug and tells her to get used to it. Owen then finds Jackie in one of the offices, basking in their success. Jackie marvels at how beautiful Bridget's designs were, but Owen tells her that none of them are as beautiful as she is and kisses her. Meanwhile, Bridget asks Stephanie why she made that remark about Eric. She doesn't want people to think there is some vendetta when there isn't. Stephanie tells her to just revel in her moment, since tonight is all about her and her designs. Nick and Clarke come over to thank Stephanie for making some calls and bringing in heavy hitters that they never could have lured to Jackie M in the past. Jackie and Owen come out with champagne and glasses for everyone. Nick toasts to their two Forresters and the sense of purpose they've brought this company. "To the new Jackie M," adds Stephanie, with Bridget chiming in, "and to the future."