Tuesday, April 14, 2009, Episode #5541

Stephanie tells Pam about her new job.

Stephanie and Pam have lunch at Il Giardino. Having eaten nothing but horrible jailhouse meals lately, Pam orders two entrees. Once the waiter goes to put in their orders, Pam laments her sister's recent dismissal from Forrester. She thinks Eric should be ashamed of himself for firing Stephanie. Stephanie tells Pam not to worry, since she's already started the next phase of her professional life - at Jackie M! Pam is shocked. She can't believe her sister would work at Jackie M given her disdain for Nick Marone. Stephanie explains how a desperate Nick offered her a job to save his mother's company. Pam still thinks Stephanie should be at Forrester, since it's not the same without her there. But since Stephanie seems dead set against coming back, Pam thinks she should quit, too. Stephanie tells her not to do that; she wants Pam to stay at Forrester to keep them honest. "Do it for me," she urges.

Pam wonders how Eric will react to Stephanie's new job.

After their meal, the waiter returns to take their dessert orders. After asking for two hot fudge sundaes with extra fudge, Pam marvels at how amazing her sister is. Stephanie doesn't think there's anything remarkable about her. She thinks it's just a case of "carpe diem." Pam asks what that means. Recalling her sisters distaste for Latin in high school, Stephanie states that it means "seize the day" and suggests that they toast to that. She tells Pam that she feels alive again, because she feels needed at Jackie M. For the first time in a long while, she feels a fire in her belly, and she really thinks that she can turn things around for Jackie and Nick. Thrilled for her sister, Pam says that she'd love to be a little birdie on the wall when Eric and his little chippie Donna find out where Stephanie has landed.

Taylor and Ridge try to get Brooke to see their point.

In Ridge's office, Brooke begs him to stop taking Taylor's side. Ridge says that he's not taking anyone's side. He just wants to protect his daughter. Taylor begs Brooke to wake up and see how psychologically damaged Rick is; she thinks that Rick and Steffy have an unhealthy, dangerous relationship, and the only way to help Rick is to stop the wedding. Brooke admits that her son has some issues, but Taylor cuts her off and states that Rick is a predator who is preying on Steffy. Ridge adds that he and Taylor won't let Steffy get caught up in some sick game here. Brooke insists that Rick's love for Steffy is not some sick game. Taylor dubs Rick's problem a "textbook Oedipus complex," where a young man avenges his mother because he has such an intense desire for her love. Brooke asks Taylor if she came up with that diagnosis before or after she slept with Rick, stating that Taylor has zero credibility with her. When Taylor blames Rick for what happened to Phoebe and Thomas, Brooke asks Ridge if he's just going to stand there and let Taylor say these things about Rick. Ridge tells Brooke that he and Taylor are afraid that Rick will take Steffy from them, too, and he can't understand why she can't see that. Fed up with the whole discussion, Brooke storms out and slams the door behind her.

Taylor tells Ridge that Brooke has to wake up and see Rick for who he really is, but Ridge fears that Brooke just won't intervene with her son. Fretting that she doesn't know how to help a daughter who is blinded by love, Taylor confides that she's worried. She doesn't know what else they can do to get through to Steffy, and she fears that Brooke will continue to beg and plead until she wears Ridge down and convinces him to back off. That will leave her fighting this battle all by herself, but she doesn't know if she's up for it. Ridge tells her not to worry, because he'll never go along with Brooke on this. He vows not to rest until they find a way to pull Steffy away from Rick and assures Taylor that she's not alone.

Rick and Steffy are still in his office, kissing. When Steffy pulls away, Rick asks if she's still having doubts. Steffy explains that everything seems so right when they're together like this, but she just wishes that everyone else could understand and accept their relationship. Rick advises that no one will ever accept them, no matter how badly they want it, but he wants her to know he's unbelievably crazy about her. Steffy declares that she knows he's the right man for her, no matter what anyone else says.

Steffy and Rick are surprised by what Brooke tells them.

The couple sit down at Rick's laptop and log onto the Bridal Registry web site at macys.com. After filling in their information, Steffy starts to look around at China patterns and comforters. Brooke comes in, looking all upset. Rick assumes his mom's glum look is connected to his decision to marry Steffy at Point Dume. Brooke admits that she still wonders why he made that choice. Rick explains his reasons again. Since Point Dume is a sacred place for their families as a symbol of second chances, he thinks that marrying Steffy there will bring their two families together. He just wants someone to love who will also love him back, and that person unfortunately is Steffy, On top of that, he knows he's made mistakes as a result of living in Ridge's shadow his whole life, but Steffy is not one of those mistakes. He just wants the two of them to be happy. Brooke understands, but she sees many obstacles. Rick says that he doesn't care if they have Ridge's support or not, but Brooke points out that Steffy cares. Steffy agrees that she cares, but she doesn't think it's an issue now that her dad told her to trust her own judgment. Brooke reveals that Ridge only said that hoping that Steffy would change her mind and informs Rick and Steffy that Ridge and Taylor asked her to stop the wedding. Steffy is upset that her dad broke his word, while Rick is incensed that Ridge, "master of the universe," is interfering again. Steffy fears that they'll never win, since they can't keep fighting her parents forever. Rick thinks they can, but Steffy points out that no one is on their side. Brooke says that she's on their side, because she believes in their love. She just wants them to know that they still have a huge hill to climb if they want to convince Ridge and Taylor that there's nothing to fear in this marriage.

Rick taunts Ridge.

Later, Ridge comes by to see Rick, and the two trade barbs about how the business is doing. Rick sees how mad Ridge is and tries to get under his skin with references to the wedding. Ridge insists that the wedding is not going to happen, but Rick counters that he and Steffy will get married, and there's nothing Ridge can do about it. Ridge grabs "Ricky boy's" shirt and says that the only thing keeping him from killing Rick right now is Steffy. "And Steffy belongs to me," Rick brags, hinting that Ridge is getting a taste of karmic payback right now and is getting just what he deserves after everything he put Brooke through over the years. Ridge calls Rick a "despicable little worm" and accuses Rick of using Steffy as a tool to get to him, but Rick proclaims that he is truly crazy about Steffy, and that fact that his feelings for her drive Ridge up the wall is just a fringe benefit. Claiming that it's been a stressful day, Rick sighs that a trip to the steam room with Ridge's little girl would feel really good right now. Ridge wishes Steffy could see how much Rick uses her to get under his skin. As he walks out the door, Rick laughs, "The only skin I'm thinking about right now is your daughter's." Once Rick is gone, Ridge picks up a framed photo of Rick from the table and smashes it against the desk, throwing the broken frame down to the floor.

Brooke confronts Taylor.

Brooke returns to Ridge's office and finds Taylor there, alone. Brooke urges Taylor to admit that Rick and Steffy are good for each other, but Taylor insists that she'll never believe that, and neither will Ridge. Brooke retorts that Rick and Steffy are adults, and she thinks Taylor should treat them as such. Taylor says that she doesn't need Brooke's sage advice. Brooke tells Taylor not to mess with her, since she knows Taylor still loves Ridge. Taylor says that she'll always love Ridge and asks if that makes Brooke feel insecure. Brooke says that it doesn't. It's just that Rick and Steffy are the next generation, and she won't let Taylor become like Stephanie and continue to undermine what her kids are doing. Taylor finds it interesting that Brooke is supporting Rick and Steffy now, since she initially opposed their relationship. Brooke explains that what the kids share is real, so they should be able to hold onto it. Taylor criticizes Brooke for acting like life is just one big fantasy, like a fairy tale. Brooke boasts that it's working quite well for her, but Taylor dubs Brooke's little fantasy world to be an absolute farce! She won't lose another daughter to Brooke's depraved son, who will bring nothing but misery to their lives. "I'll do whatever it takes to break my daughter free from your son's stranglehold!" Taylor states.